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FIELD 
 
 OENITHOLOGY. 
 
 COMPniSIXG A 
 
 lAIANUAL OF INSTRUCTION 
 
 roB 
 rROCURING, PREPARING AND PRESKRVING BIRDS 
 
 AND A 
 
 Check List of North Americaij Birds. 
 
 BT 
 
 Dr. ELLIOTT COUES, U.S.A. 
 
 SALEM : 
 NATURALISTS' AGENCY. 
 
 Boston : ESTES & LAURIAT. 
 New York : Dodd & Mead. 
 
 1874. 
 
PUINTED AT 
 
 THE SAL KM TRESS. 
 
 V. \V. I'UTNAM A CO., 
 
 Proprlfl«n. 
 
 Entered according to Act of Congiess, in the year 1874, by 
 
 V. W. PUTNAM AND ELLIOTT COUES, 
 In the Office of the Librarian of Congref^s at Washington. 
 
 A-^T^ 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 PRELIMINARY AND EXPLANATORY 1 
 
 CiiAPTEu I. Implements FOB Coi.LKCTixo AND THEIR Use, . . 5 
 
 §1. The Douhle-bakrelled Shot Gun, 5.— J2. Breech Loader, 0.— 
 §3. Other Weapons, etc., 7. — §1. Ammunition, 8. — §,5. Other 
 Equipments. 10. — §0. Quaufications for Success, 12. — §7. To 
 Carry a Gun, 12.— §8. To Clean a Gun, 13.— §!). To Load a Gun, 
 14.— §10. To Shoot, 10. 
 Chapter II. Dogs, 19 
 
 §11. A Good Dog, IIow Useful. 19. 
 
 Chapter III. Various Directions and Suggestions for 
 
 Field Work, 21 
 
 §12. To BE A Good Collector, 21. — §13, U, 1,"), 10. Birds, llow. 
 Where and When Sought, 21, 22, 25.— §17. How many of a Kind 
 Wanted. AND Why, 27. — §18. What is a Good Day's Work? 30. 
 —§10. Approaching Birds, 30.— §20. Kecoverino Birds. 33.— §21. 
 Killing Wounded Birds, 33.— §22. Handling Bleeding Birds, 
 35.— §23. Carrying Birds Home Safe, 30.— §24. A Special Case, 
 37.— §25. Uygie:^ of Collectorsihp, 37. 
 
 Chapter IV. Registration and Labelling, 44 
 
 §20, 27. Record of Oiiservations, 41.— §28. Ornithological Book- 
 keeping, 45.— §29. Laiielling, 40.- §.'J0. Directions for Measure- 
 
 MENT, 49. 
 
 Chapter V. Ixstbumest.s, Materials and Fixtures for 
 
 Preparing Birdskins, 52 
 
 §31. Instruments, ."52.— §32. Materials, 53.— §:w. Independent Par- 
 agraph, 50.— §34. Fixtures, 50.— §35. Query, 57. 
 
 (iil) 
 
 ••?# 
 
IV 
 
 CONTEXTS. 
 
 Chapter VI. How to Make a Bihpskin, 
 
 68 
 
 A. The Hffjular I'rocem (§:ir.), SS— //. Sprrial Piocrssra; Coniplicntiom 
 nm/ylcc«rfc»<»(§37), 70, — §:18. Sizk, 70.- §,!!>. SiiAi'i:, 73. — §10. Thin 
 Skin; Loosk Pu.-maoe, 73.— §U. FATNK'*a. 7S— §12. IIi.ood-stains. 
 ETC., 77. — §13, Mutilation, 7'J. — §41. DiccosirosiTioN, 80. — §i,5. 
 
 Trow TO MOKNT Bll{l>8, 82. 
 ClIAPTKU VII. Ml8CEI,/-ANEOt:8 TaIITICULAIIS 
 
 §tO. Deteumination oi" Sex, 03.— §17. Repocmtion of Ar.E. 0».— §18. 
 Examination of Stomach. ft"».— §19. IlKSTf)HATioN of Pooit Skin.s, 
 
 00.— §50. MCMMIFICATION, 97— §-|l. WET Pl{KrAnATIO>S, 07 — §.V2. 
 08TE0I.0GICAI- PllEPAnATIOXS, 08.- §.53. NEST.S AND EGGS, 100. 
 
 CiiAPTEU VIII. Cake of a Collection, 
 
 554. Well PnKSERVEn Si'f.cimens. ion.— §.5."). Inskct Pe9t.<<, 100— §.v>. 
 Cases foiiStoiiage ouTitANsroitTATioN, 107.— §.')7. Caihsets, 108. 
 — §.'58. To Desthoy Bugs, 110.— §,'>9. Two Items, 111. 
 Appendix, Additions and Coruections, 
 
 93 
 
 106 
 
 113 
 
 CHECK LIST. 
 
 List of Birds of North America, 1 
 
 Extinct Spkcies, 119 
 
 Appendix, Additions and Corrections, 123 
 
MANUAL OF INSTRUCTION, 
 
 AND 
 
 CHECK LIST OF THE BIRDS OF NORTH AMERICA. 
 
 PRELIMINARY AND EXPLANATORY. 
 
 Both autlior and publisher of the "Key to North American 
 Birds" intended that the worlc should contain instructions for 
 collecting and preparing birds, and that a CniccK List, accord- 
 ing with the author's views, should appear simultaneously with 
 the volume. This proved impracticable : partly because the 
 work so ftvr overran tiie original estimates, that the additional 
 expense and risk, which the publisher, an accomplished natu- 
 ralist, generously offered to assume, seemed to the author 
 unjustifiable ; and partly because the writer's unexpected call 
 to another field of official duty suddenly threw such a pressure 
 of other engagements upon his hands that he could not just 
 then find time to write out even so slight a treatise as this. 
 The Check List and Manual of Ixstuuction are therefore 
 now presented together, as a Supplement to the Key. 
 
 The demand for a new Check List has become urgent. The 
 last one published, and only one now in use, expresses a 
 former state of American ornithology'. That great changes — 
 presumably for the better — have lately been made, is shown 
 by the fact that, in round numbers, fifty species have been 
 
 MANUAL. 
 
Z EXPLANATORY. 
 
 since nscertaincd to inliabit North America, while one hundred 
 and nrty have been removed from the former list as being 
 extrallmital, invalid or otherwise untenable. Of whatever 
 part the author may have taken in remodelling the list, it 
 would l)c obviously indelicate to speak. IJut he cannot refrain 
 from alluding to the signal services of reform rendered 1)}' INIr. 
 Allen, of Cambridge, whose stanch advocacy, under circum- 
 stances that might have excused flinching, did so much to 
 precipitate the changes, long while progressing and inevi- 
 table, for which the time was at length at hand. Nor would 
 this allusion be entirely just, did he not in the same connection 
 refer to the thorough revision now making by Prof. Baird him- 
 self, with the coiiperation of Dr. Brewer and Mr. Ridgway, the 
 results of which are about to appear in what promises to be 
 one of the greatest monuments ever erected to American 
 ornithology. The notable concordance of the several writings 
 in question, an agreement the more gratifying because a short 
 time since it might have been considered impossible, marks an 
 important period in the history of the science. The outlook 
 promises well, when different premises load up to the same 
 conclusions, and conflicting views are reconciled. 
 
 The present Check List, prepared in strict accordance with 
 the Key, reflects exactly whatever of truth or error that 
 work represents. The typography and presswork render it 
 susceptible of use in labelling a collection.* It shows mainly 
 three points of disagreement with the current Smithsonian 
 List. The number of genera is reduced though not to the extent 
 that may be desirable. It is perhaps to be regretted, that so 
 many needless and burdensome generic names, for which 
 Bonaparte, Cabanis, Kaup and Reichenbach are largely re- 
 
 *For Uiis purpose the List will be issued as a pnniphlet by itself as well 
 as forming part of this litUc Tolumc. 
 
EXI'LANATORY. 
 
 8 
 
 sponsible, wore ndoptcd in Prof. Balrd's great work;* for, 
 snmtioiicd by the usage of such cniluont authority, they have 
 passed current, and are too closely Ingrained in our nomen- 
 clature to bo soon eradicated. The writer feels at liberty 
 to speak plainly, for his own skirts are not clear. Secondly, 
 not a few species, new to North America, or to science, or 
 both, have of late years been ascertained to inhabit this country. 
 The third and principal variance between the present Ciikck 
 List and its predecessor results from a large reduction of the 
 number of admitted species. Tart of them are excluded sim- 
 ply because extralimital ; but most l)ccausc tliey are considered 
 untenable as species. In the present state of our knowledge, 
 and under a system of nomenclature that is proven inadecjuate 
 and may before long become o])solcte, recognition of numerous 
 "Varieties" — resultant modifications of species by pliysical 
 conditions of environment — is imperative ; and what are these 
 varieties but the rills that flow into and help to swell the mighty 
 stream of descent with modification? 
 
 The Instructions for Collecting and Taxidermy, herewith 
 offered, are drawn almost entirely from the writer's experience, 
 acquired during several years lie has spent, with little interrup- 
 tion, in the study of our birds. He has collected over a wide 
 area from Labrador to California, in northwestern territories, 
 and in several southern states ; enjoying opportunities for 
 field investigations that no one with the least taste or aptitude 
 for the pursuit could fail to profit by. In the matter of col- 
 lecting, therefore, he may reasonably venture to speak with 
 confidence. Since, furthermore, a taxidermal process that has 
 been repeated several thousand times with fair results is by 
 this simple circumstance proven satisfactory', he feels no difl3- 
 
 ♦ " Birds of North America " by Bairil, Cassin aud Lawrence. 
 
4 EXPLANATOUV. 
 
 (lencc In presenting his method as a model to bo followed in 
 the absence of a better one. The Instructions will, it is be- 
 lieved, enable any one to become reasonably proficient in certain 
 of the indispensable qualifications of a good working ornithol- 
 ogist. He intends to take what may or may not be a liberty, 
 and to presume that the reader is cntir(^ly inexperienced in 
 field-work ; and ho begs the further privilege of waiving 
 formality, that ho may bo allowed to address tho reader very 
 familiarly, much as if chatting with a friend on a subject of 
 mutual interest. 
 
 Bcnrtlro's Mocking-thrufili, Ilarporhynchm Benilirei Couea. 
 Sou Anioi'iuuaNuturulist for Juao, IST.t, vol. vii, p. 330. 
 
1* 
 
 ANUAL OF 
 
 Tnstru 
 
 CTION. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 IMPLEMENTS FOR COLLECTING, AND Til Kill USE. 
 
 §1. The DOuuLK-HAituELLED SHOT GUN is 3'our mniu relianco. 
 Under some circuinstuncoa yoti may trap or snare birds, catch 
 them with bird-linio, or use otlier devices ; but such cases 
 are exceptions to the rule that you will shoot birds, and lor 
 this purpose no weapon compares with the one just mentioned. 
 The soul of good advice respecting the selection of a gun, is, 
 get the bed one you can afford to buy ; go the full length of your 
 purse in the matters of material and workmanship. 'Jo say 
 nothing of the prime requisite, safety, or of the next most 
 desirable quality, efllciency, the durability of a high-priced 
 gun makes it cheapest in the end. Style of finish is obviously 
 of little consequence, except as an index of other qualities ; 
 for inferior guns rarely, if ever, display the exquisite appoint- 
 ments that mark a first-rate arm. There is really so little 
 choice among good guns that nothing need be said on this 
 score ; you cannot miss it if you pay enough to any reputable 
 maker or reliable dealer. But collecting is a specialty, and 
 some guns are better adapted than others to your particular 
 purpose, which is the destruction, as a rule, of small birds, at 
 moderate range, with the least possible injury to their plumage. 
 Probably three-fourths or more of the birds of a miscellaneous 
 collection average under the size of a pigeon, and were shot 
 within thirty yards. A heavy gun is therefore unnecessary, in 
 fact ineligible, the extra weight being useless. You will find 
 a gun of 7J to 8 pounds weight most suitable. For similar 
 
 (5) 
 
e: 
 
 r 
 
 I 
 
 6 IMPLEMENTS FOR COLLECTIXO, AND THEIR USE. 
 
 reasons the bore should be small ; I prefer 14 gauge, and 
 should not think of going over 12. To judge from the best 
 sporting authorities, length of barrel is of less consequence 
 than many suppose ; for myself, I incline to a rather long bar- 
 rel — one nearer 33 than 28 inches — believing that such a 
 barrel may throw shot closer ; but I am not sure that this is 
 even the rule, while it is well known that several circumstances 
 of loading, besides some almost inappreciable differences in 
 barrels, will cause guns apparently exactly alike to throw shot 
 differently. Length and crook of stock should of course be 
 adapted to your figure — a gun may be made to fit you, as well 
 as a coat. For wild-fowl shooting, and on some other special 
 occasions, a heavier and altogether more powerful gun will be 
 preferable. 
 
 §2. BuEECir-LOAOKR V.9. muzzlc-loadcr, a case long argued, 
 may be considered settled in favor of the former. Provided 
 the mechanism and workmanship of the breech be what they 
 should there are no valid objections to ofl'set obvious ad\an- 
 tages, some of which are these : ease and rapidity of loading, 
 and consequently delivery of shots in quick succession ; facil- 
 ity of cleaning ; compactness and portability of ammunition ; 
 readiness with which different sized shot may be used. This 
 last is highly important to the collector, who neve- knows 
 the moment he m&y wish to fire at a very different bird from 
 such as he has already loaded for. The muzzle-loader must 
 always contain the fine shot with which nine-tenths of your 
 specimens will be secured ; if in both barrels, you cannot deal 
 with a hawk or other large bird with reasonable prospects of 
 success ; if in only one barrel, the other being more heavily 
 charged, j'ou are crippled to the extent of exactl}' one-half of 
 your resources for ordinary shooting. Whereas, with the 
 breech-loader you will habitually use mustard-seed in both 
 barrels, and yet can slip in a different shell in time to seize 
 most opportunities requiring large shot. This consideration 
 alone should decide the case. But, moreover, the time spent 
 in the field in loading an ordinary gun is no small item ; while 
 
GUNS AND OTHER WEAPONS. 7 
 
 cai'trulgps may be char<;e(l in j'our leisure at home. This should 
 become the natural occupation of your spare moments. No 
 time is really (/a/ He(?; you simply change to advantage tlie time 
 consumed. Metal shells, cliarged with loose ammunition, and 
 susceptible of being reloaded many times, are preferable to 
 paper cartridges, even such as you load j'ourself, and are far 
 more eligible than any special fixed ammunition which, once 
 exhausted in a distant place, and circumstances may upset 
 the best calculations on that score, leaves the gun useless. 
 On charging the shells mark the ninnber of the shot used on 
 the outside wad ; or better, use colored wads, say plain white 
 for dust shot, and red, blue and green for certain other sizes. 
 If going ftir awa}' take as man^' shells as you think can possi- 
 bly be wanted and then add a few more. 
 
 §3. Other weapons, etc. An ordinary single-barrel gun 
 will of course answer but is a sorr}' makeshift, for it is some- 
 times so poorly constructed as to be unsafe,* and can at best be 
 only just half as effective. The cane-r/un should be mentioned 
 in this connection. It is a single-barrel, lacquered to look like 
 a stick, with a brass stopper at the muzzle to imitate a ferule, 
 counter-sunk hami^er and trigger, and either a simple curved 
 handle, or a light gunstock-shaped piece that screws in. The 
 affair is easily mistaken for a cane. Some have acquired con- 
 siderable dexterity in its use ; my own experience with it is 
 very limited and unsatisfactory ; the handle always hit me in 
 the face, and I generally missed my bird. It has only two 
 recommendations. If you approve of shooting on Sunday 
 and yet scruple to shock popular prejudice, you can slip out 
 of town unsuspected. If you are shooting where the law 
 forbids destruction of small birds — a wise and good law that 
 you may sometimes be inclined to defy — artfully careless 
 handling of the deceitful implement may prevent arrest and 
 fine. A bloiv-gun is sometimes used. It is a long slender tube 
 of wood, metal or glass, through Avhich cla3--balls, tiny arrows, 
 
 "■This remark does not apply to auy of tho flue single-barrelled breech-loaders 
 now made. 
 
BB 
 
 IMPLEMENTS TOR COLLECTINQ, AND THEIR USE. 
 
 i 
 
 y] 
 
 etc., are projected b}-^ force of the breath. It must be quite an 
 art to use such a weapon successfully, and its employment is 
 necessarily exceptional. Some uncivilized tribes are said to 
 possess marvellous skill in the use of long bamboo blow-guns ; 
 and such people are often valuable employes of the collector. 
 1 have had no experience Avith the noiseless air-gun, which is, 
 in elfect, a modified blow-gun, compressed air being the explo- 
 sive power. Nor can I say much of various methods of trap- 
 jnng birds that may be practised. On these points I must leave 
 you to 3'our own devices, with the remark that horse-hair 
 snares, set over a nest, are often of great service in securing 
 the parent of eggs that miglit otherwise remain tmldentijicd. 
 I have no practical knowledge of hird-lime; 1 believe it is 
 seldom used in this countr3\ A method of nettivg birds alive, 
 which I have tried, is both easy and successful. A net of fine 
 green silk, some 8 or 10 feet square, is stretched perpendicu- 
 larly across a narrow part of one of the tiny brooks, over- 
 grown with briers and shrubbery, that intersect manj' of our 
 meadows. Retreating to a distance the collector beats along 
 the shrubbery making all the noise he can, urging on the little 
 birds till they reach the almost invisible net and become en- 
 tangled in trying to fly through. I have in this manner taken 
 a dozen sparrows and the like atone ^' drive." But the gun 
 can rarely be laid aside for this or any similar device. 
 
 i« 
 
 ' ! 1 
 
 §4. Ammunition. The best x^otoder is that combining 
 strength and cleanliness in the highest compatible degree. In 
 some brands too much of the latter is sacrificed to the former. 
 Other things being equal, a rather coarse powder is preferable, 
 since its slower action tends to throw shot closer. Some num- 
 bers are said to be "too quick" for fine breech-loaders. In- 
 experienced sportsmen and collectors almost invariabl}- use 
 too coarse shot. When unnecessarily large, two evils result : 
 the number of pellets in a load is decreased, the chances of 
 killing being correspondingl}' lessened ; and the plumage is 
 unnecessarily injured, either by direct mutilation, or by subse- 
 quent bleeding through large holes. As already hinted, shot 
 
POWDER, SHOT AND WADS. 
 
 9 
 
 cannot be too fine for your routine collecting. Use " mustard- 
 seed," or " dust-shot," as it is variously called ; it is smaller 
 than any of the sizes usually numbered. As the very finest 
 can only be procured in cities, provide yourself liberally on 
 leaving any centre of civilization for even a country village, 
 to say nothing of remote regions. A small bird that would 
 have been torn to pieces by a few large pellets, may be riddled 
 with mustard-seed and yet be prcservable ; moreover, there is, 
 as a rule, little or no bleeding from these minute holes, which 
 close up by the elasticity of tlie tissues involved. It is aston- 
 ishing what large birds may be brought down with the tiny 
 pellets. I have killed hawks with such shot, knocked over a 
 wood ibis at forty yards and once shot a wolf dead with No. 
 10, though I am bound to say the animal was williin a few feet 
 of me. After dust-shot, and the nearest number or two, No. 
 8 or 7 will be found most useful. Waterfowl, thick-skinned 
 sea birds like loons, cormorants and pelicans, and a few of the 
 largest land birds, require heavier shot. I have had no ex- 
 perience with the substitution of fine gravel or sand, much less 
 water, as a projectile ; besides shot I never fired anything at a 
 bird except my ranu'od, on one or two occasions, when I never 
 afterwards saw either the bird or the stick. The comparatively 
 trivial matter of caj^s will repay attention. Breech-loaders 
 not discharged with a pin take a particular style of short cap 
 called a "primer;" for other guns the best Avater-proof lined 
 caps will prevent annoyance and disappointment in wet weather, 
 and may save j^ou an eye, for they only sp//^ when exploded ; 
 whereas, the flimsy cheap ones — that "GD" trash, for in- 
 stance, sold in the corner grocery at ten cents a hundred 
 — usually fly to pieces. Moreover, the top of such a cap is 
 sometimes driven into the nipple. Using Ely's caps, I shot a 
 whole season in the fog and rain of Labrador, without a single 
 miss-fire, though my gun was sometimes dripping. Cut felt 
 wads are the only suitable article. lily's " chemically prepared " 
 wadding is the best. It is well, when using plain wads, occa- 
 sionally to drive a greased one through the barrel. Since you 
 may sometimes run out of wads through an unexpected coutin- 
 
10 IMPLEMENTS FOR COLLECTING, AND THEIR USE. 
 
 gency, always keep a Avad-cutter to fit your gun. You can 
 make serviceable wads of pasteboard, but they are far inferior 
 to felt. Cut them on the flat sawn end of a stick of fire- 
 wood ; the side of a plank does not do very well. Use a 
 wooden mallet, instead of a hammer or hatchet, and so save 
 your cutter. Soft paper is next best after wads ; I have never 
 used rags, cotton or tow, fearing these tinder-like substances 
 might leave a spark in the barrels. Crumbled leaves or grass 
 will answer at a pinch. I have occasionally, in a desperate 
 hurry, loaded and killed without any wadding. 
 
 §5. Other equipments.* a. For the gun. A gun-case will 
 come cheap in the end, especially if you travel much. The 
 usual box, divided into compartments, and well lined, is the 
 best, though the full length leather or india-rubber cloth case 
 answers very )11. The box should contain a small kit of 
 tools, such mainspring-vise, nipple-wrench, screw-driver, 
 etc. A stout hard-wood cleaning rod, with wormer, will be 
 required. It is always safe to have parts of the gun lock, 
 especially mainspring, in duplicate. For muzzle-loaders extra 
 nipples and extra ramrod heads and tips often come into use. 
 For breech-loaders the apparatus for charging the shells is so 
 useful as to be practically indispensable, b. For ammunition. 
 Metal shells or paper cartridges may be carried loose in the 
 large lower coat pocket, or in a leathern satchel. There is 
 said to be a chance of explosion by some unlucky blow, where 
 they are so carried, but I never knew of an instance. Another 
 way is to fix them separately in a row in snug loops of soft 
 leather sewn continuously along a stout waist-belt ; or in sev- 
 eral such horizontal rows on a square piece of thick leather, to 
 be slung by a strap over the shoulder. The appliances for loose 
 ammunition are almost endlessly varied, so every one may con- 
 
 * Parker Brothers, West Meriden, Conn., publish a pamphlet which I should 
 advise you to get. I suppose it would be mailed on application. It is of course 
 entirely in the business interest of the Parker gun, but gives many useful hints of 
 general practical applicability, respecting the appliances for guns and ammu- 
 nition. There is a good deal of apparatus that I pass over as not being indispen- 
 sable, but which you might find convenient. 
 
APPAKaTUS. — CLOTHING. 
 
 11 
 
 suit his taste or convenience. Tlie sliot-pouch I had settled 
 upon before using a breccli-loader, as the most satisfactory is 
 the "double-barrelled" one, so to speak, that buckles round 
 the waist, and is further supported by shoulder-straps crossing 
 on the back exactly like a pair of suspenders. This so fixes 
 and distributes the weight that it is carried Avith the least 
 fatigue ; I think it far preferable to the pear-shaped hand 
 pouches dangling by a cord. Since it cannot be raised to the 
 muzzle of the gun, and since moreover mustard-seed will easily 
 slip through the openings for the slides of the ordinary lever 
 arrangement for measuring the charge of shot, the nozzle of 
 the pouch should have a thimble for the same purpose. The 
 rule of loading being bulk for bulk of powder and shot it is 
 often convenient to carry mustard-seed in a powder-flask ; the 
 slide works readily through fine shot to cut olf a charge, though 
 it will not do so with coarser. Caps are most conveniently 
 carried loose in a right-hand vest poolcet, or fob on the outside 
 of the coat ; wads in a lower right-hand pocket, c. For speci- 
 mens. You must always caiTy paper in which to wrap up your 
 specimens, as more particularly directed beyond. Nothing is 
 better for this purpose than writing-paper ; " rejected " or other- 
 wise useless MSS. may thus be utilized. The ordinary game 
 bag, with leather back and network front, answers very well ; 
 but a light basket, fitting the body, such as is used by fisher- 
 men, is the best thing to carry specimens in. Avoid putting 
 specimens into pockets^ unless you have your coat tail 
 largely excavated : crowding them into a close pocket, where 
 they press each other, and receive warmth from the person, 
 will injure them. It is always well to take a little cotton into 
 the field, to plug up shot-holes, mouth, nostrils or vent, 
 immediately, if required, d. For yourself. The indications to 
 be fulfilled in your clothing are these : Adaptability to the 
 weather ; and since a shooting coat is not conveniently 
 changed, while an overcoat is ordinarily ineligible, the require- 
 ment is best met by different underclothes. Easy fit, allowing 
 perfect freedom of muscular action, especially of the arms. 
 Strength of fabric, to resist briers and stand wear ; velveteen 
 
mmn 
 
 12 IMPLEMENTS FOR COLLECTING, AND THEIR USE. 
 
 and corduroy are excellent materials. Subdued color, to render 
 you as inconspicuous as possible, and to show dirt the least. 
 Multiplicity of pockets — a perfect shooting-coat is an inge- 
 nious system of hanging pouches about the person. Broad 
 soled, low heeled boots or shoes, giving a lirm tread even when 
 wet. Close-fitting cap with prominent visor, or low soft felt 
 hat, rather broad brimmed. Let india-rubber goods alone ; 
 the field is no place for a sweat-bath. 
 
 §6. Qualifications for success. With the outfit just 
 indicated you command all the required appliances that you 
 can buy, and the rest lies with yourself. Success hangs upon 
 your own exertions ; upon your energy, industry and persever- 
 ance ; your knowledge and skill ; your zeal and enthusiasm, 
 in collecting birds, much as in other affairs of life. But 
 that your efforts — maiden attempts they must once have been 
 if they be not such now — may be directed to best advantage, 
 further instructions may not be unacceptable. 
 
 §7. To CAiiHY A GUN without peril to human life or limb is 
 the a 6 c of its use. "There's death in the pot." Such con- 
 stant care is required to avoid accidents that no man can give 
 it by continual voluntary efforts , safe carnage of the gun 
 must become an unconscious habit, fixed as the movements of 
 an automaton. The golden rule and whole secret is : the muz- 
 zle must never siveep the horizon; accidental discharge should 
 send the shot into the ground before your feet, or away up in 
 the air. There are several safe and easy ways of holding a 
 piece : they will be emploj'cd by turns to relieve particular 
 muscles when fatigued. 1. Hold it in the hollow of the arm 
 (preferably the left, as you can recover to aim in less time than 
 from the right), across the front of your person, the hand on 
 the grip, the muzzle elevated about 45°. 2. Hang it by the 
 trigger-guard hitched over the forearm brough*^ lound to the 
 breast, the stock passing behind the upper arm, the muzzle 
 pointing to the ground a pace or so in fi'ont of you. 3. Shoulder 
 it, the hand on the grip or heel plate, the muzzle pointing upward 
 
 I 
 
CARE OF A GUN. 
 
 18 
 
 at least 45°. 4. Shoulder it reversed, the hand grasping the 
 barrels about their middle, the muzzle pointing forward and 
 downward : this is perfectly admissible, but is the most awk- 
 ward position of all to recover from. Always carry a loaded 
 gun at half-cock, unless you are about to shoot. Unless the 
 lock fail, accidental discharge is impossible, except under 
 these circumstances : a, a direct blow on the nipple or pin ; 6, 
 catching of both hammer and trigger simultaneousl}', drawing 
 back of the former and its release whilst the trigger is still 
 held — the chances against which are simply incalculable. 
 Full-cock, ticklish as it seems, is safer than no-cock, when a 
 tap on the hammer or even the heel-plate, or a slight catch and 
 release of the hammer, may cause discharge. Never let the 
 muzzle of a loaded gun point toward your own person for a 
 single instant. Get your gun over fences or into boats or 
 carriages, before you get over or in yourself, or at any rate no 
 later. Remove caps or cartridges on entering a house. Never 
 aim a gun, loaded or not, at any object, unless you mean to 
 press the trigger. Never put a loaded gun away long enough 
 to forget Avhether it is loaded or not ; never leave a loaded gun 
 to be found by others under circumstances reasonably presup- 
 posing it to be unloaded. Never put a gun where it can be 
 knocked down by a dog or a child. Never forget that though 
 a gunning accident may be sometimes intcrpretable (from a 
 certain standpoint) as a "dispensation of Providence," such 
 are dispensed oftenest to the careless. 
 
 §8. To CLKAN A GUN propcrly requires some knowledge, 
 more good temper, and most ''elbow-grease ;" it is dirty, disa- 
 greeable, inevitable work, Avhich laziness, business, tiredness, 
 indifference and good taste will by turns tempt you to shirk. 
 After a hunt you are tired, have your clothes to change, a meal 
 to eat, a lot of birds to skin, a journal to write up. If you 
 " sub-lot" the contract the chances are it is but half fulfilled ; 
 serve yourself, if you want to be^'ell served. If you cannot 
 find time for a regular cleaning, an intolerably foul gun may 
 be made to do another day's work by swabbing for a few mo- 
 
14 IMPLEMENTS FOR COLLECTING, AND THEIR USE. 
 
 i 
 
 h 
 
 ments with a wet (not dripping) rag, and tlicn Avitli an oiled 
 one. For the full wash use cold water first ; it loosens dirt 
 better than hot water. •' Set the barrels in a pail of water ; 
 wrap the end of the cleaning rod with tow or cloth, and pump 
 away till j'our arms ache. Change the rag or tow, and the 
 water too, till they both stay clean for all the swabbing you 
 can do. Fill the barrels with boiling water till they are well 
 heated ; pour it out, wipe as dry as possible inside and out, 
 and set them by a fire. Finish with a light oiling, inside and 
 out; touch uj) all the metal about the stock, and i)olish the 
 wood-work. Do not remove the locks oftener than is neces- 
 sar}'^ ; every time they are taken out, something of the exqui- 
 site fitting that marks a good gun may be lost ; as long as they 
 work smoothly take it for granted they are all right. The 
 same direction applies to nipples. To keep a gun well, under 
 long disuse, it should have had a particularly thorough cleaning ; 
 the chambers should be packed with greasy tow ; greased wads 
 may be rammed at intervals along the barrels ; or the barrels 
 may be filled with melted tallow. Neat's-foot is recommended 
 as the best easily-procured oil ; porpoise-oil which is, I believe, 
 used by watch-makers, is the very best ; the oil made for use 
 on sewing machines is excellent ; " olive " oil (made of lard) 
 for table use answers the purpose. The quality of any oil 
 may be improved by putting in it a few tacks, or scraps of 
 zinc, — the oil expends its rusting capacity in oxidizing the 
 metal. Inferior oils get "sticky." One of the best prevent- 
 ives of rust is mercurial ("blue") ointment : it maj- be freely 
 used. Kerosene will remove rust ; but use it sparingly for it 
 "eats" sound metal too. 
 
 §9. To LOAD A GUN effectively requires something more 
 than knowledge of the facts that the powder should go in 
 before the shot, and that each should have a wad a-top. Prob- 
 ably the most nearly universal fault is use of too much shot 
 for the amount of powder ; ^and the next, too much of both. 
 The rule is hulk for bulk of powder and shot ; if not exactly 
 this, then rather less shot than powder. It is absurd to sup- 
 
LOADING A GUN. 
 
 10 
 
 pose, as some persons who ought to know better do, that the 
 more shot in a gun the greater the chances of killing. The 
 projectile force of a charge cannot possibly be greater than 
 the vis inertim of the gun as held by the shooter. Tlie explo- 
 sion is manifested in all directions, and blows the shot one way 
 simply and only because it has no other escape. If the resist- 
 ance in front of the powder were greater than elsewhere the 
 shot would not budge, but the gun would ily backward, or burst. 
 This always reminds me of Lord Dinulreary's famous conun- 
 drum — Why does a dog wag his tail ? Because he is bigger than 
 his tail ; otherwise, the tail would wag him. A gun shoots shot 
 because the gun is the heavier ; otherwise, the shot would shoot 
 the gun. Every unnecessary pellet is a pellet against you, not 
 against the game. The experienced sportsman uses about one- 
 third less shot than the tyro, with proi>ortionally better result, 
 other things being equal. As to powder, moreover, a gun can 
 only burn just so much, and every grain blown out unburnt is 
 wasted if nothing more. No express directions for absolute 
 weight or measures of either powder or shot can be given ; in 
 fact, different guns take as their most effective charge such a 
 variable amount of ammunition, that one of the first things you 
 have to learn about your own arm is, its normal charge-gauge. 
 Find out, b}' assiduous target practice, what absolute amounts 
 (and to a slight degree, what relative proportion) of powder 
 and shot are required to shoot the furthest and distribute the 
 pellets most evenly. This practice, furthermore, will acquaint 
 you with the gun's capacities in every respect. You should 
 learn exactly what it will and what it will not do, so as to feel 
 perfect confidence in jour arm within a certain range, and to 
 waste no shots in attempting miracles. Immoderate recoil is 
 a pretty sure sign that the gun was overloaded, or otherwise 
 wrongly charged ; and all force of recoil is subtracted from the 
 impulse of the shot. It is useless to ram powder very hard ; 
 two or three smart taps of the rod will suffice, and more will 
 not increase the explosive force. On the shot the wad should 
 simply be pressed close enough to fix the pellets immovably. 
 All these directions apply to the charging of metal or paper 
 
IG IMI'LLMENTS FOR COLLECTING, AND TIIEIU USE. 
 
 cartridges ns well as to loading by the muzzle. When about 
 to recharge quo barrel see that the hammer of the other stands 
 at half-cock. Do not drop the ramrod into the other barrel, 
 for a stniy shot might impact between the swell of the head 
 and the gun and make it dillicult to withdraw the rod. During 
 the whole. operation keep the muzzle as far from your person 
 as you conveniently can. Never force homo a wad with the flat 
 of your hand over the cud of the rod, but hold the rod between 
 your lingers and thumb ; in case of premature explosion, it 
 will make just the difference of lacerated linger tip:<, or a 
 blown-up hand. Never look into a loaded gun barrel ; you 
 might as wisely put j'our head into a lion's mouth to see what 
 the animal had for dinner. After a miss-fire hold the gun up 
 a few moments and be slow to reload ; the fire sometimes 
 " hangs" for several seconds. Finally, let me strongly impress 
 upon you the expediency of lUjlit loailimj in your routine col- 
 lecting. Three-fourths of your shots need not bring into 
 action the gun's full powers of execution. You will shoot 
 more birds under than over 30 yards ; not a few, you must 
 secure, if at all, at 10 or 15 yards ; and your object is always 
 to kill them with tlie least possible damage to the plumage. 
 I have, on particular occasions, loaded even down to t^oz. of shot 
 and l^dr. of powder. Tlicre is astonishing force compressed 
 in a few grains of powder ; an astonishing number of pellets 
 in the smallest load of mustard-seed. If you can load so 
 nicely as to just drive the shot into a bird and not through 
 it and out again, do so, and save half the holes in the skin. 
 
 ! 
 
 §10. To SHOOT successfully is an art which may be acquired 
 by practice, and can be learned only in the school of experi- 
 ence. No general directions will make you a good shot, any 
 more than a proficient in music or painting. To tell you that 
 in order to hit a bird you must point the gun at it and press 
 the trigger, is like saying that to play on the fiddle j'ou must 
 shove the bow across the strings with one hand while you fin- 
 ger them with the other ; in either case the result is the same, 
 a noise — vox et prceterea nihil — but neither music nor game. 
 
ABOUT SHOOTING. 
 
 17 
 
 Nor is it possible for every one to become an artist in frunncry ; 
 a "cracli shot," lilcc a poet, is born, not ninilc. For myself I 
 make no pretensions to genius in that dircftion ; for although 
 I generally make fair bags, and have destroyed many thousand 
 birds in my time, this in rather owing to some familiarity I 
 have gained with the habits of birds, and a certain knack, 
 acquired by long practice, of picking them out of trees and 
 bushes, than to skilful shooting from the sportsman's stand- 
 point ; in fact, if I cut down two or three birds on the wing with- 
 out a miss I am working quite up to my average In that line. 
 But an}' one, not a purblind " butter fingers," can become a 
 reasonably fair shot by practice, and do good collecting. It 
 is not so hard, after all, to sight a gun correctly on an immov- 
 able oI»ject, and collecting diifcrs from sporting proper in this, 
 that comparatively few birds are shot on the wing. But I do 
 not mean to imply that it requires less skill to collect suc- 
 cessfull}^ than to secure game ; on the contrary, it is finer 
 shooting, I think, to drop a warbler skipping about a tree-top 
 than to stop a quAil at full speed ; while hitting a sparrow that 
 springs from the grass at one's feet to flicker in sight a few 
 seconds and disappear is the most difficult of all shooting. 
 Besides, a crack shot, as understood, aims unconsciously, Avith 
 mechanical accuracy and certitude of hitting ; he simply wills, 
 and the trained muscles obey without his superintendence, 
 just as the fingers form letters with the pen in writing ; 
 whereas the collector must usually supervise his muscles all 
 through the act and see that they mind. In spite of the pro- 
 portion of snap shots of all sorts you will have to take, your 
 collecting shots, as a rule, are made with deliberate aim. 
 There is much the same difierence, on the whole, between the 
 sportsman's work and the collector's, that there is between 
 shot-gun and rifle practice, collecting being comparable to the 
 latter. It is generally understood that the acme of skill with 
 the two weapons is an incompatibility ; and certainly, the best 
 shot is not always the best collector, even supposing the two to 
 be on a par in their knowledge of birds' haunts and habits. 
 Still, a hopelessly poor shot can only attain fair results by 
 
!|t 
 
 I I 
 
 U 
 
 18 IMPLEMENTS FOR COLLECTING, AND THEIR USE. 
 
 extraordinary dillgenco and porscverance. Certain principles 
 of shooting may pcrimps be reduced to words. Aim deliber- 
 ately directly at an immovable object at fair range. Hold 
 over a motionless object when far off, as the trajectory of tho 
 shot curves downward. Hold a little to one si<lo of a station- 
 ary object when very near, preferring rather to take the chances 
 of missing it with the peripheral pellets, than of hopelessly 
 mutilating it with tho main body of the charge. Fire at the 
 first fair aim, without trying to improve wliat is good enough 
 already. Never "pull" the trigger, but press it. IJear tho 
 shock of discharge without flinching. In shooting on tho 
 wing, fire the instant the butt of the gun taps your shoulder ; 
 you will miss at first, but by and by the birds will begin 
 to drop, and you will have laid the foundation of good 
 shooting, the knack of "covering" a bird unconsciously. 
 The habit of " poking " after a bird on the wing is an almost 
 incurable vice, and may keep you a poor shot all your life. 
 (The collector's frequent necessity of poking after little birds 
 in the bush is just what so often hinders him from acquiring 
 brilliant execution.) Aim ahead of a flying bird — the calcu- 
 lation to be made varies, according to the distance of the 
 object, its velocity, its course and the wind, from a few 
 inches to several feet ; practice will finally render it intuitive. 
 
 ii 
 
 Ssi 
 
CIIAFIER II. 
 
 DOGS. 
 
 §11. A oooD DOG is one of the most faithful, rospectftil, 
 atfectlonnto and sensible of brutes ; defeionce to Huoh rare 
 qualities demands a chapter, however brief. A trained dog is 
 the indispensable servant of the sportsman in his purstiit of 
 most kinds of game ; but I trust I am guilty of no discourtesy 
 to the noble animal, when I say that he is a luxury rather than 
 a necessity to the collector — a pleasant companion, who knows 
 almost everything except how to talk, who converses with his 
 eyes and ears and tail, shares comforts and discomforts with 
 equal alacrity, and occasionally makes himself useful. So 
 far as a collector's work tallies with that of a sportsman, the 
 dog is equally useful to both ; but finding and telling of game 
 aside, your dog's services are restricted to companionship and 
 retrieving. He may, indeed, flush many sorts of birds for 
 you ; but ho does it, if at all, at random, while capering 
 about ; for the brute intellect is limited after all, and cannot 
 comprehend a naturalist. The best trained setter or pointer 
 that ever marked a quail could not bo made to understand 
 what you are about, and it would ruin him for sporting pur- 
 poses if he did. Take a well-bred, high-toned dog out with 
 you, and the chances are ho will soon trot home in disgust 
 at your performances with jack-sparrows and tomtits. It 
 implies such a lowering and perversion of a good dog's in- 
 stincts to make him really a useful servant of yours, that I am 
 half inclined to say nothing about retrieving, and tell you to 
 make a companion of your dog, or let him alone. I was 
 followed for several years by " the best dog I over saw" (every 
 one's gun, dog, and child is the best ever seen), and a first- 
 rate retriever ; yet I always preferred, when practicable, to 
 pick up my own birds, rather than let a delicate plumage into 
 a dog's mouth, and scolded away the poor brute so often, 
 that she very properly returned the compliment, in the end, by 
 
 (19) 
 
20 
 
 DOGS. 
 
 retrieving just when she felt like it. However, we remained 
 tlio best of friends. Any good setter, pointer or spaniel, 
 and some kinds of curs, may be trained to retrieve. The 
 great point is to teach them not to "mouth" a bird ; it may be 
 accomplished by sticking pins in the ball with which their 
 early lessons are taught Such dogs are particularly useful in 
 bringing birds out of the water, and in searching for them 
 when lost. One point in training should never be neglected : 
 teach a dog Avhat"to heel" means, and make him obey this 
 command. A riotous brute is simply unendurable under any 
 circumstances. 
 
 tii ! 
 
■ 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 VARIOUS SUGGESTIONS AND DIRECTIONS FOR FIELD-WORK. 
 
 §12. To BE A GOOD COLLECTOR, ami notliing more, is a 
 small affair; great skill may be acquired in the art, without 
 a single quality commanding respect. One of the most vulgar, 
 brutal and ignorant men I ever knew was a sharp collector and 
 an excellent taxidermist. Collecting stands much in the same 
 relation to ornithology that the useful and indispensable ollice 
 of an apothecary bears to the duties of a physician. A field- 
 naturalist io always more or less of a collector ; the latter is 
 sometimes found to know almost nothing of natural history 
 worth knowing. The true ornithologist goes out to study birds 
 alive and destroys some of them simply because that is the 
 only way of learning their structure and technical characters. 
 There is much more about a bird than can be discovered in 
 its dead body — how much more, then, than can be found out 
 from its stuffed skin ! In my humble opinion the man who 
 only gathers birds, as a miser, money, to swell his cabinet, 
 and that other man who gloats, as miser-like, over the same 
 hoard, both work on a plane far beneath where the enlightened 
 naturalist stands. One looks at Nature, and never knows that 
 she is beautiful ; the other knows she is beautiful, as even a 
 corpse may be ; the naturalist catches her sentient expression, 
 and knows how beautiful she is ! I would have you to know 
 and love her ; for fairer mistress never swaj^ed the heart of 
 man. Aim high! — press on, and leave the lialfway-house of 
 mere collectorship far behind in your pursuit of a delightful 
 study, nor fancy the closet its goal. 
 
 §13. Birds may be sought anywhere, at any time; they 
 should be sought everywhere, at all times. Some come about 
 your doorstep to tell their stories unasked. Others spring up 
 before you as you stroll in the field, like the flowers thateuticeJ 
 
 (21) 
 
22 SUGGESTIONS AND DIRECTIONS FOR FIELD-WORK. 
 
 Ml: 
 
 t!t 
 
 the feet of Proserpine. Bii'ds flit by as you measure the tired 
 roadsiC.j, lending a tithe of their life to quicken your dusty 
 steps. They disport overhead at hide-and-seek with the foliage 
 as you loiter in the shade of the forest, and their music now 
 answers the sigh of the tree-tops, now ripples an echo to the 
 voice of the brook. But you will not always so pluck a thorn- 
 less rose. Birds hedge themselves about with a bristling 
 girdle of brier and bramble you cannot break ; they build their 
 tiny castles in the air surrounded by impassable moats, and 
 the drawbridges are never down. They crown the mountain- 
 top you may lose your breath to climb ; they sprinkle the desert 
 where your parched lips may find no cooling draught ; they 
 fleck the snow-wreath when the nipping blast may make you 
 turn your back ; they breathe unharmed the pestilent vapors 
 of the swamp that mean disease, if not death, for you ; they 
 outride the storm at sea that sends sti'ong men to their last 
 account. Where now will you look for birds ? 
 
 liif 
 
 i i i; 
 
 §14. And yet, as skilled labor is always most productive, 
 80 expert search yields more than random or blundering pur- 
 suit. Imprimis; The more varied the face of a country, the 
 more varied its birds. A place all plain, all marsh, all wood- 
 land, yields its particular set of birds, perhaps in profusion ; 
 but the kinds will be limited in number. It is of first impor- 
 tance to remember this, when you are so fortunate as to have 
 choice of a collecting-ground ; and it will guide j'^our steps 
 aright in a day's walk anywhere, for it will make you leave 
 covert for open, wet for dry, high for low and back again. 
 Well-watered country is more fruitful of bird-life than desert or 
 even prairie ; warm regions are more productive than cold ones. 
 As a rule, variety and abundance of birds are in direct ratio to 
 diversity and luxuriance of vegetation. Your most valuable as 
 well as largest bags may be made in the regions most favored 
 botanically, up to the point where exuberance of plant-growth 
 mechanically opposes your operations. 
 
 §15. Search for particular birds can only be well directed, 
 
HAUNTS OF BIRDS. 
 
 23 
 
 of course, by a knowledge of their special haunts and habits, 
 and is one of the mysteries of wood-craft only solved by long 
 experience and close observation. Here is where the true 
 naturalist bears himself with conscious pride and strength, 
 winning laurels that become him, and do honor to his calling. 
 Where to find game ("game" is anything that vulgar people do 
 not ridicule you for shooting) of all the kinds we have in this 
 country has been so often and so minutely detailed in sporting- 
 works that it need not be here enlarged upon, especially since, 
 being the best known, it is the least valuable of ornithological 
 material. Most large or otherwise conspicuous birds have 
 very special haunts that may be soon learned ; and as a rule 
 such rank next after game in ornithological disesteem. Birds 
 of prey are an exception to these statements, they range 
 everywhere, and most of them are worth securing. Hawks 
 will unwittingly fly in your way oftener than they will allow 
 you to appi'oach them when perched : be ready for them. Owls 
 will be startled out of their retreats in thick bushes, dense 
 foliage, and hollow trees, in the daytime ; if hunting them at 
 night, good aim in the dark may be taken by rubbing a \ <^t 
 lucifer match on the sight of the gun, causing a momentary 
 glimmer. Large and small waders are to be found by any 
 water's-edge, in open marshes, and often on dry plains ; the 
 herons more particularly in heavy bogs and dense swamps. 
 Under cover, waders are oftenest approached b}'^ stealth ; in 
 the open, by strategy ; but most of the smaller kinds require 
 the exercise of no special precautions. Swimming birds, 
 aside from water-fowl (as the "game" kinds are called), are 
 generally shot from a boat, as they fly past; but at their 
 breeding places many kinds that congregate in vast numbers 
 are more readily reached. There is a knack of shooting loons 
 and grebes on the water ; if they are to be reached at all by 
 the shot it will be by aiming not directly at them but at the 
 water just in front of their. They do not go under just where 
 they float, but kick up behind like a jumping-jack and plunge 
 fortvard. Rails and several kinds of sparrows are confined to 
 reedy marshes. But why prolong such desultory remarks? 
 
24 SUGGESTIONS AND DIRECTIONS FOR FIELD-WORK. 
 
 Little can be said to the point without at least a miniature 
 treatise on ornithology ; and I have not yet even alluded to 
 the diversified liost of small insectivorous and granivorous 
 birds that fill our woods and fields. The very existence of 
 most of these is unknown to all but the initiated ; yet they 
 include the treasures of the ornithologist. Some are plain and 
 humble, others are among the most beautiful objects in nature ; 
 but most agree in being small, and therefore liable to be over- 
 looked. Tlie sum of my advice about tliem must be brief. 
 Get over as mucli ground, both wooded and open, as you can 
 thorouglily examine in a day's tramp, and go out as many days 
 as you can. It is not alwajs necessary, however, to keep on 
 the tramp, especially during the migration of the restless 
 insectivorous species. One may often shoot for hours with- 
 out moving more than a few yards, by selecting a favorable 
 locality and allowing the birds to come to him as they pass in 
 varied troops through the low woodlands or swampy thickets. 
 Keep your eyes and ears wide open. Look out for every 
 rustling leaf and swaying twig and bending blade of grass. 
 Hearken to every note, however faint; when there is no 
 sound, listen for a chirp. Habitually move as noiselessly 
 as possible. Keep your gun ahvays ready. Improve every 
 opportunity of studying a bird you do not wish to destroy ; 
 you may often make observations more valuable than the 
 specimen. Let this be the rule with all biixls you recognize. 
 But I fear I must tell you to shoot an unknown bird on 
 sight ; it may give you the slip in a moment, and a prize may 
 be lost. One of the rnost fascinating things about field-work 
 is its delightful uncertainty : you never know what's in store 
 for you as you start out ; you never can tell what will happen 
 next ; surprises are always in order, and excitement is contin- 
 ually whetted on the chances of the varied chase. 
 
 For myself, the time is past, happily or not, when every 
 bird was an agreeable surprise, for dewdrops do not last all 
 day ; but I have never yet walked in the woods without learn- 
 ing something pleasant that I did not know before. I should 
 consider a bird new to science ample reward for a month's 
 
ALL TIMES FOR SHOOTING. 
 
 25 
 
 steady work ; one bird new to a locality would repay a week's 
 search ; a day is happily spent that shows me an}' bird that I 
 never saw alive before. How then can yon, with so much 
 before you, keep out of the woods another minute? 
 
 roy ; 
 the 
 
 I'ery 
 all 
 
 §16. All times are good times to go a-shooting ; but some 
 are better than others, a. Time of year. In all temperate 
 latitudes, the spring and fall — periods of migration with most 
 birds — are the most profitable seasons for collecting. Not 
 only are birds then most numerous, both as species and as 
 individuals, and most active, so as to be the more readily found, 
 but they include a far larger proportion of rare and valuable 
 kinds. In every locality in this country the periodical visit- 
 ants outnumber the permanent residents ; in most regions the 
 number of regular migrants, that simply pass through in the 
 spring and ftiU, equals or exceeds that of either of the sets of 
 species that come from the south in spring to breed during the 
 summer, or from the north to spend the winter. Far north, of 
 course, on or near the limit of the vernal migration, where 
 there are few if any migrants j^a^sing through, and where the 
 winter birds are extremely few, nearly all the bird fauna is 
 composed of " summer visitants ;" far south, in this country, 
 the reverse is somewhat the case, though with many qualifica- 
 tions. Between these extremes, what is conventionally known 
 as "a season" means the period of the vernal or autumnal 
 migration. For example, the body of birds present in the 
 District of Columbia (where I collected for several 5'ears) in 
 the two months from April 20th to May 20th, and from Sep- 
 tember 10th to October 10th, is undoubtedly greater, as far as 
 individuals are concerned, than the total number found there at 
 all other seasons of the year together. As for species, the num- 
 ber of migrants about equals that of summer visitants ; the 
 permanent residents equal the winter residents, both these being 
 fewer than either of the first mentioned sets ; while the irregular 
 visitors, or stragglers, that complete the bird fauna, are about, 
 or rather less than, one-half as many as the species of either of 
 the other categories. About Washington, therefore, I would 
 
26 SUGGESTIONS AND DIRECTIONS FOR FIELD-WORK. 
 
 readily undertake to secure a greater variety of birds in the nine 
 weeks above specified than in all the rest of the year ; for in that 
 time would be found, not only all the permanent residents, but 
 nearly all the migrants, and almost all the summer visitants ; 
 while the number of individual birds that might be taken ex- 
 ceeds, by quite as much, the number of those procurable in the 
 same length of time at any other season. Mutatis mutandis, 
 it is the same everywhere in this country. Look out then, for 
 " the season ;" work all through it at a rate you could not pos- 
 sibly sustain the year around ; and make hay while the sun 
 shines, b. Time of day. Early in the morning and late in 
 the afternoon are the best times for birds. There is a mysteri- 
 ous something in these diurnal crises that sets bird-life astir, 
 over and above what is explainable by the simple fact that they 
 are the transition periods from repose to activity, or the reverse. 
 Subtile meteorological changes occur ; various delicate instru- 
 ments used in physicists' researches are sometimes inexplicably 
 disturbed ; diseases have often their turning point for better 
 or worse ; people are apt to be born or die ; aud the suscep- 
 tible organisms of birds manifest various excitements. What- 
 ever the operative influence, the fact is, birds are particularly 
 lively at such hours. In the dark, they rest — most of them 
 do : at noonday, again, they are comparatively still ; between 
 these times they are passing to or from their feeding grounds 
 or roosting places ; the}'' are foraging for food, they are singing ; 
 at any rate, they are in motion. Many migratory birds (among 
 them warblers, etc.) perform their journeys by night ; just at 
 daybroak they may be seen to descend from the upper regions, 
 rest awhile, and then move about briskly, singing and search- 
 ing for food. Their mejil taken, they recuperate by resting till 
 towards ev( <iing : feed again and are off for tlie night. If you 
 have had some expevience, don't you remember what a fine spurt 
 you made eai'ly that morning? — how many unexpected shots 
 oflTered as you trudged home belated that eveuing ? Now I am 
 no fowl, and have no desire to adopt the habits of the hen-j^ard ; 
 I have my opinion of those who like the world before it is 
 aired ; I think it served the worm right for getting up, when 
 
AVHAT BIRDS YOU WANT. 
 
 27 
 
 caught by the early bird ; nevertheless I go shooting betimes in 
 the morning, and would walk all night to find a rare bird at day- 
 light, c. Weather. It rarely occurs in this country that either 
 heat or cold is unendurably severe ; but extremes of tempera- 
 ture are unfavorable, for two reasons : they both occasion great 
 personal discomfort ; and in one extreme only a few hardy birds 
 will be found, while in the other, most birds are languid, dis- 
 posed to seek shelter, and therefore less likely to be found. 
 A still, cloudy day of moderate temperature offers as a rule the 
 best chance ; among other reasons, there is no* sun to blind the 
 eyes, as always occurs on a bright day in one direction, partic- 
 ularly when the sun is low. While a bright day has its good 
 influence in setting many birds astir, some others are most 
 easily approached in heavy or falling weather. Some kinds 
 are more likely to be secured during a light snowfall, or after 
 a storm. Singular as it may seem, a thoroughly wet day oflPers 
 some peculiar inducements to the collector, i cannot well 
 specify them, but I heartily endorse a remark John Cassin 
 once made to me : — "I like," said he, " to go shooting in the 
 rain sometimes ; there are some curious things to be learned 
 about birds when the trees are dripping, things too that have 
 not yet found their way into the books." 
 
 §17. How MANY BIRDS OF THE SAME KIND DO YOU WANT? 
 
 — All you can get — with some reasonable limitations ; say fifty 
 or a hundred of any but the most abundant and widely diffused 
 species. You may often be provoked with your friend for 
 speaking of some bird he shot, but did not bring you, because, 
 he say^i, "Wh}', you've got one like that!" This is just as 
 reasonable as to suppose that because you have got one dollar 
 you would not like to have another dollar. Birdskins are 
 capital ; capital unemployed may be useless but can never be 
 worthless. Birdskins are a medium of exchange among orni- 
 thologists the world over ; they represent value — money value 
 and scientific value. If you have more of one kind than you 
 can use exchange with some one for species you lack ; both 
 parties to the transaction are equally benefited. Let me bring 
 
! :? 
 
 28 SUGGESTIONS AND DIRECTIONS FOU FIELD-WORK. 
 
 this matter under several heads, a. Your own "series" of 
 skins of any species is incomplete until it contains at least one 
 example of each sex, of every normal state of plumage, and 
 every normal transition stage of plumage, and further illus- 
 trates at least the principal abnormal variations in size, form 
 and color to wliich the species may be subject ; I will even add 
 that every different faunal area the bird is Jvuown to inhabit 
 should be represented by a specimen, particularly if there be 
 anything exceptional in the geographical distribution of the 
 species. Any additional specimens to all such are your only 
 "duplicates," properly speaking, b. Birds vary so much in 
 their size, form and coloring, that a " specific character " can 
 only be precisely determined from examination of a large num- 
 ber of specimens, shot at different times, in different places ; 
 still less can the "limits of variation" in these respects be 
 settled without ample materials, c. The rarity of any bii'd is 
 necessarily an arbitrary and fluctuating consideration, because 
 in the nature of the case there can be no natural unit of com- 
 parison, nor standard of appreciation. It may be said, in 
 general terms, no bird is actually " rare." "With a few possible 
 exceptions, as in the cases of birds occupying extraordinarily 
 limited areas, like some of the birds of paradise, or about to 
 become extinct, like the great auk, enough birds of all kinds 
 exist to overstock every public and i)rivate collection in the 
 world, witliout sensible diminution of their numbers. " Rar- 
 ity " or the reverse is only predicable upon the accidental (so 
 to speak) circumstances that throw, or tend to throw, specimens 
 into naturalists' hands. Accessibility is the variable element in 
 every case. The fulmar petrel is said (on what authority I 
 know not) to exceed any other bird in its aggregate of indi- 
 viduals ; how do the skins of that bird you have handled com- 
 pare in number with specimens you have seen of the " rare " 
 warbler of your own vicinity ? All birds are common somewhere 
 at some season ; the point is, have collectors been there at the 
 time? Moreover, even the arbitrary appreciation of "rarity" 
 is fluctuating, and may change at any time ; long sought and 
 highly prized birds are liable to appear suddenly in great num- 
 
COMMON AND RARE BIRDS, 
 
 29 
 
 bcrs in places that knew them not before ; a single heavy 
 "invoice" of a bird from some distant or little-explored re- 
 gion may at once stock tlie market, and depreciate the current 
 .value of the species to almost nothing, d. Some practical de- 
 ductions are to be made from these premises. Your object is 
 to make yourself acquainted with all the birds of your vi- 
 cinity, and to preserve a complete suite of specimens of every 
 species. Begin by shooting every bird you can, coupling this 
 sad destruction, however, Avith the closest observations upon 
 habits. You will very soon fill 3'our scries of a few kinds, that 
 you find almost everywhere, almost daily. Then if j'ou are 
 in a region the ornithology of which is well known to the pro- 
 fession, at once stop killing these common birds — they are in 
 every collection. You should not, as a rule, destroy any more 
 robins, bluebirds, song-sparrows, and the like, than you want 
 for yourself. Keep an eye on them, studying them always, 
 but turn your actual pursuit into other channels, until in this 
 way, gradually eliminating the undesirables, you exhaust the 
 bird fauna as far as possible (you will not quite exhaust it — 
 at least for many years). But if you are in a new or little 
 known locality, I had almost said the very reverse course is the 
 best. The chances are that the most abundant and character- 
 istic birds are " rare " in collections. Many a bird's range is 
 quite restricted : j'ou may happen to be just at its metropolis ; 
 seize the opportunity, and get good store — yes, up to fifty, 
 or a hundred ; all you can spare will be thankfully received 
 by those who have none. Quite as likely, birds that are scarce 
 just where 3'ou happen to be, are so only because you are on 
 the edge of their habitat, and are plentiful in more accessible 
 regions. But, rare or not, it is always a point to determine the 
 exact* geographical distribution of a species : and this is fixed 
 best by having specimens to tell each its own tale, from as 
 many different and widely separated localities as possible. 
 This alone warrants procuring one or more specimens in every 
 locality ; the commonest bird acquires a certain value if it be 
 captured away from its ordinary range. An Eastern Blue- 
 bird shot in California might be considered more valuable 
 
u 
 
 30 SUGGESTIONS AND DIRECTIONS FOR FIELD-WORK. 
 
 than the "rarest" bird of that state, and would certainly be 
 worth a hundred Massachusetts skins ; the Varied Thrush 
 {Turdus ncevius) that was killed at Ipswich, Mass., is worth a 
 like number from Oregon. But let all your justiciable destruc- 
 tion of birds be tempered with mercy ; your humanity will be 
 continually shocked with the havoc you work, and should never 
 permit you to take life wantonly. Never shoot a bird you do 
 not fully intend to preserve, or to utilize in some proper way. 
 Bird-life is too beautiful a tiling to destroy to no purpose : too 
 sacred a thing, like all life, to be sacrificed, unless the tribute 
 is hallowed by worthiness of motive. " Not a sparrow falleth 
 to the ground without His notice." 
 
 §18. What is "a good day's work?" Fifty birds shot, 
 their skins preserved, and observations recorded, is a very 
 good day's work ; it is sharp practice even when birds are 
 plentiful. I never knew a person to average anywhere near it ; 
 even during the "season" such work cannot possibly be sus- 
 tained. You may, of course, by a murderous discharge into a 
 flock, ns of blackbirds or reedbirds, get a hundred or more in 
 a moment ; but I refer to collecting a fair variety of birds. 
 You will do very well if you average a dozen a day during the 
 seasons. I doubt whether any collector ever averaged as many 
 the year around ; it would be over four thousand specimens 
 annually. The greatest number I ever procured and prepared 
 in one day was forty, and I have not often gone over twenty. 
 Even when collecting regularly and assiduously I am satisfied 
 to average a dozen a day during the migrations, and one-third 
 or one-fourth as many the rest of the year. Probably this 
 implies the shooting of about one in five not skinned for vari- 
 ous reasons, as mutilation, decay, or want of time. 
 
 §19. Approaching birds. There is little if any trouble in 
 getting near enough to shoot most birds. "With notable excep- 
 tions, they are harder to see when near enough, or to hit when 
 seen ; particularly small birds that are almost incessantly in 
 motion. As a rule — and a curious one it is — difficulty of 
 
APPROACHING BIRDS. 
 
 ai 
 
 approach is in direct ratio to the size of tlie bird ; it is perhaps 
 because large, conspiiuious birds are objects of more general 
 pursuit than the little ones you ordinarily search for. The 
 qualities that birds possess for self-preservation may be called 
 wariness in large birds, shyness in small ones. The former 
 make off knowingly from a suspicious object ; the latter fly 
 from anything that is strange to them, be it dangerous or not. 
 This is strikingly illustrated in the behavior of small birds in 
 the wilderness, as contrasted with their actions about towns ; 
 singular as it may seem they are more timid under the former 
 circumstances than when grown accustomed to the presence of 
 man. It is just the reverse with a hawk or raven, for instance ; 
 in populous districts they spend much of their time in trying 
 to save their skins, while in a new country they have not learned, 
 like Indians, that a white man is " mighty uncertain." In 
 stealing on a shy bird, you will of course take advantage of 
 any cover that may offer, as inequalities of the ground, thick 
 bushes, the trunks of trees ; and it is often worth while to make 
 a considerable detour to secure unobserved approach. I think 
 that birds are more likely, as a rule, to be frightened away by 
 the movements of the collector, than by his simple presence, 
 however near, and that they are more afraid of noise than of 
 mere motion. Crackling of twigs and rustling of leaves are 
 sharp sounds, though not loud ones ; you may have sometimes 
 been surprised to find how distinctly you could hear the move- 
 ments of a horse or cow in underbrush at some distance. 
 Birds have sharp ears for such sounds. Form a habit of 
 stealthy movement ; it tells, in the long run, in comparison with 
 lumbering tread. There are no special precautions to be taken 
 in shooting through high open forest ; you have only to saunter 
 along with your eyes in the tree-tops. It is ordinarily the easiest 
 and on the whole the most remunerative path of the collector. 
 In traversing fields and meadows move briskly, yoiu* principal 
 object being to flush birds out of the grass ; and as most of 
 your shots will be snap ones, keep in readiness for instant 
 action. Excellent and varied shooting is to be had along hedge 
 rows, and in the rank herbage that fringes fences. It is best 
 
' 
 
 : 
 
 i 
 
 St 
 
 »♦ 
 
 82 SUGGESTIONS AND DIUECTIONS FOR FIELD-WOUK. 
 
 to keep at n little (listance, yet near cnoiiji;!! to arouse all the 
 birds ns you pass : you may catch tliein on winjf, or pick tlicni 
 ofl" just as the}' settle after a short Hi<j;iit. In tiiis shooting, two 
 persons, one on each side, can toj^ethcu' do more than twice as 
 much work as one. Thickets and tan<;k'd undergrowth are 
 favorite resorts of many birds ; hut when very close, or, as 
 often happens, over miry ground, they are hard places to shoot 
 in. As you come thrashing tiu'ongh the brush, the little inliab- 
 itants are scared into deeper recesyes ; but if yon keep still a 
 few minutes in some favorable spot, they are reassured, and 
 ■will often come back to take a pee[) at 3011. A good deal of 
 standing still will repay you at such times ; needless to add, 
 yon cannot be too lightly loaded for such shooting, when birds 
 are mostly out of sight if a dozen yards oil". AVhen yourself 
 concealed in a thicket, and no birds appear, you can often call 
 numbers about you b}' a simple artilice. Apply the back of your 
 hand to your slightly parted lips, and suck in air ; it makes a 
 nondescript "screeping" noise, variable in intonation at your 
 whim, and some of the sounds resemble the cries of a wounded 
 bird, or a young one iu distress. It wakes up the whole neigh- 
 borhood, and sometimes puts certain birds almost beside them- 
 selves, particularly in the breeding season. Torturing a 
 wounded bird to make it scream in agony accomplishes the 
 same result, but of course is only permissible inider great exi- 
 gency. In penetrating swamps and marshes, the best advice 
 I can give you is to tell j'ou to get along the best way you can. 
 Shooting on perfectly open ground offers much the same case ; 
 you must be left to your own devices. I will say, however, you 
 con ride on horseback, or even in a buggy, nearer birds than 
 they will allow you to walk up to them. Sportsmen take advan- 
 tage of this to get within a shot of the upland plover, usuall}' a 
 very wary bird in populous districts ; I have driven right into 
 a flock of wild geese ; in California they often train a bullock to 
 graze gi'adually up to geese, the gunner being hidden by its 
 body. There is one trick worth knowing ; it is not to let a bird 
 that has seen yon know by your action that you have seen it, 
 but to keep on unconcernedly, gradually sidling nearer. I have 
 
nKCOVEUlNO niKDS. KILLING WOUNDED HIIJDS. 33 
 
 si'ciircd rniiny iiiiwks in this w)iy> whoti Ww bird woulil liavn 
 flown oil' ut tlu! (li'Ht Htc|) of diroct appioHcli. Nuuibi'rlcH.s 
 otlicr little arts will come to you us your wood-cruft nmturcs. 
 
 §20. REcovEuma birds. It is not always thnt j-ou secure the 
 birds you Idll ; you may not bo able to lliid them, or >ou may 
 HCH! tluMn iyiii}?, perhaps l)ut u IVw feet oil', in a spot prat'licaliy 
 inacccHsibU'. Under sucii circunistanccs a retriuver does excel- 
 lent service, as already hinted ; lie is etpially useful when a 
 bird properly "mariccd down" is not found there, having flut- 
 tered or run away and hidden elsewhere. The most dillicult 
 of all places to And birds is amon;^ reeds, the eternal sameness 
 of whieli makes it almost impossible to rediscover a spot 
 wiience the eye has once wandered, while tlie peculiar growth 
 allows birds to slip far down out of sight. In rank grass or 
 weeds, when you have walked up with your eye fixed on the 
 spot where the bird seemed to fall, yet failed to discover it, 
 drop your cap or handkerchief for a mark, and hunt around 
 it as a centre, in enlarging circles. In thickets, make a "bee 
 line" for the spot, if possible keeping your eye on the spray 
 from which the bird fell, and not forgetting where you stood 
 on firing ; you may re(iuire to come back to the spot ancf take 
 a new departure. You will not seldom see a bird just shot 
 at fly off as if unharmed, when really it will drop dead in a 
 few moments. In all cases therefore when the bird does not 
 drop at the shot, follow it with your eyes as far as you can ; 
 if you see it finally drop, or even flutter languidly downward, 
 mark it on the principles just mentioned, and go in search. 
 Make every endeavor to secure wounded birds, on the score 
 of humanity ; they should not be left to pine away and die in 
 lingering misery if it can possibly be avoided. 
 
 i^'« 
 
 §21. KiLLiXG WOUNDED BIRDS. You will oftcn rccovcr 
 winged birds, as full of life as before the bone was broken ; 
 and others too grievously hurt to fly, yet far from deatli. Your 
 object is to kill them as quickly and painlessly as possible, 
 without injuring the plumage. This is to be accomplished, 
 
 MANnxx.. 
 
ti; . 
 
 34 SUGGESTIONS AND DIRECTIONS FOR FIELD- WOKK. 
 
 with iill small birds, by suffocation. The respiration and cir- 
 culation of birds is very active, and most of them die in a few 
 moments if the lungs arc so con)pressed that they cannot 
 breathe. Squeeze the bird tightly across the chest, under the 
 wings, thumb on one side, middle finger on the other, forefin- 
 ger pressed in the hollow at the root of the neck, between the 
 forks of the merrythought. Press firmly, hard enough to fix 
 the chest immovably and compress the lungs, but not to break 
 in the ribs. The bird will make vigorous but ineffectual efforts 
 to breathe, when the muscles will contract spasmodically ; but 
 in a moment more, the sj'stera relaxes with a painful shiver, 
 light fades from the eyes, and the lids close. I assure you, it 
 will make you wince the first few times ; j'ou had better habit- 
 ually hold the poor creature behind you. You can tell by its 
 limp feel and motionlessness when it? is dead, without watching 
 the sad struggle. Large birds obviously cannot be dealt with 
 in this way ; I would as soon attempt to throttle a dog as a 
 loon, for instance, upon which all the pressure 3'ou can give 
 makes no sensible impression. A winged hawk, again, will 
 throw itself on its back as you come up, and show such good 
 fight with beak and talons, that you may be quite severely 
 scratched in the encounter ; meanwhile, the struggling bird 
 may be bespattering its plumage with blood. In such a case 
 — in any case of a large bird making decided resistance — I 
 think it best to step back a few paces and settle the matter 
 Avith a light charge of nuistard-seed. Any large bird once 
 secured may be speedily dispatched by stabbing to the heart 
 with some slender instrument thrust in under the wing — care 
 must be taken too about the bleeding ; or, it may be instantly 
 killed by piercing the brain with a knife introduced into the 
 mouth and drawn upward and obliquely backward from the 
 palate. The latter method is preferable, as it leaves no out- 
 ward sign, and causes no bleeding to speak of. Wiih your 
 thumb, you may indent the back part of a bird's skull so as to 
 compress the cerebellum ; if you can get deep enough in, with- 
 out materially disordering the plumage, or breaking the skin, 
 the method is unobjectionable. 
 
 Ml 
 
 
HANDLING BLEEDING BIRDS. 
 
 85 
 
 §22. Handling bleeding birds. Blooding depends alto- 
 gotlier upon the part or organ wonnded ; but other things 
 being equal, violence of the hicmorrhage is usually in tlirect 
 proportion to the size of the shot-hole ; when mustard-seed is 
 used it is ordinarily very trifling, if it occur at all. Blood 
 flows oftener from the orifice of exit of a shot, than from the 
 wound of entrance, for the latter is usually plugged with a 
 little wad of feathers driven in. Bleeding from the mouth or 
 nostrils is the rule when the lungs are wounded. When it 
 occurs, hold up the bird by the feet, and let it drip ; a general 
 squeeze of the body in that position will facilitate the drainage. 
 In general, hold a bird so that a bleeding place is most depend- 
 ent ; then, pressure about the part will help the flow. A " gob " 
 of blood, which is simply a forming clot, on the plumage may 
 often be dextrousl}'^ flipped almost clean away with a snap of 
 the finger. It is flrst-rate practice to take cotton and forceps 
 into the field to plug up shot-holes, and stop the mouth, nos- 
 trils and vent on the spot. I follow the custom of the books 
 i recommending this, but I will confess I have rarely done 
 it myself, and I suspect that onl}* a few of our most leisurely 
 and elegant collectors do so habitually. Shot-holes may be 
 found by gently raising the feathers, or blowing them aside ; 
 you can of course get only a tiny plug into the wound itself, but 
 it should be one end of a sizable pledget, the rest lying fluffy 
 among the feathers. In stopping the mouth or vent, ram the 
 fluft', of cotton, entirely inside. You cannot conveniently stop 
 up the nostrils of small birds separately ; but take a light 
 cylinder of cotton, lay it transversely across the base of the up- 
 per mandible, closely covering the nostrils, and confine it there 
 by tucking each end tightly into the corner of the mouth. In 
 default of such nice fixing as this, a pinch of dry loam pressed 
 on a bleeding spot will plaster itself there and stop further mis- 
 chief. Never try to wij)e of fresh blood that has already wetted 
 the plumage ; you will otdy make matters worse. Let it dry on, 
 and then — but the treatment of bloodstains, and other soilings 
 of plumage, is given beyond. 
 
36 SUGGESTIONS AND DIRECTIONS FOR FIELD-AVORK. 
 
 §23. Caruyino birds home safe. Suppose you have se- 
 cured a fine specimen, very likely without a soiled or ruffled 
 feather ; your next care will be to keep it so till you are ready 
 to skin it. But if j'ou pocket Oi bag it directly, it will be a 
 sorry looking object before you get home. Each specimen 
 must be separately cared for, b3'' wrapping in stout paper ; 
 writing paper is as good as any, if not the best. It will 
 repay you to prepare a stock of paper before starting out ; 
 your most convenient sizes are those of a half sheet of note, 
 of letter, and of cap respectively. Either take these, or fold 
 and cut newspaper to correspond ; besides, it is always well to 
 have a whole newspaper or two for large birds. Plenty of 
 paper will go in the breast pockets of the shooting coat. 
 Make a "cornucopia" — the simplest thing in the world, but, 
 like tying a particular knot, hard to explain. Setting the 
 wings closely, adjusting disturbed feathers, and seeing that the 
 bill points straight forward, thrust the bird head first into one 
 of these paper cones, till it will go no further, being bound by 
 the bulge of the breast. Let the cone be large enough for the 
 open end to fold over or pinch together entirely beyond the 
 tail. Be particular not to crumple or bend the tail feathers. 
 Lay the paper cases in the game bag or great pocket so that 
 they very nearly run parallel and lie horizontal ; they Avill 
 carry better than if thrown in at random. Avoid overcrowding 
 the packages, as far as is reasonably practicable ; moderate 
 pressure will do no harm, as a rule, but if great it may make 
 birds bleed afresh, or cause the fluids of aw^ounded intestine to 
 ooze out and soak the plumage of the belly — a very bad acci- 
 dent indeed. For similar obvious reasons, do not put a large 
 heavy bird on top of a lot of little ones ; I would sooner sling 
 a hawk or heron over my shoulder, or carr}- it by hand. If it 
 goes in the bag, see that it gets to the bottom. Avoid putting 
 birds in pockets that are close about your person ; they are 
 almost always unduly pressed, and may gain just enough addi- 
 tional warmth from j'^our body to make them begin to decompose 
 before you can get at skinning them. Handle birds no more 
 than is necessary, especially white pluraaged ones ; ten to one 
 
 
GETTING YOUR BIRDS HOME. 
 
 37 
 
 your hands are powder-begrimed ; and besides, even the warmth 
 and moisture of your palms may tend to injure a delicate feath- 
 ering. Ordinarily pick up a bird by the feet or bill ; as you 
 need both hands to make the cornucopia, let the specimen dan- 
 gle by the toes from your teeth while you are so employed. 
 In catching at a wounded bird, aim to cover it entirely with 
 your hand : but whatever you do, never seize it by the tail, which 
 then will often be left in your hands for your pains. Never 
 grasp wing tips or tail feathers ; these large flat quills would 
 get a peculiar crimping all along the webs, very difficult to 
 efface. Final!}', I would add there is a certain knack or art in 
 manipulating, either of a dead bird or a birdskin, by which you 
 may handle it with seeming carelessness and perfect impunity ; 
 whilst the most gingerly fingering of an inexperienced person 
 will leave its rude trace. You will naturally acquire the cor- 
 rect touch ; but it can be neither taught nor described. 
 
 §24. A SPECIAL CASE. While the ordinary' run of land birds 
 will be brought home in good order by the foregoing method, 
 some require special precautions. I refer to seabirds, such as 
 gulls, terns, petrels, etc., shot from a boat. In the first place, 
 the plumage of most of them is, in part at least, white and of ex- 
 quisite purity. Then, fish-eating birds usually vomit and purge 
 Avhen shot. They are necessarily fished all dripping from the 
 water. They are too large for pocketing. If yo'i put them on 
 the thwarts or elsewhere about the boat, they usually fall off, or 
 are knocked off, into the bilge water ; if you stow them in the 
 cubbj'-hole, they will assuredly soil by mutual pressure, or by 
 rolling about. It will repay you to pick them from the water 
 by the bill, and shake off' all the water you can ; hold them up, 
 or let some one do it, till they are tolerably dry ; plug the 
 mouth, nostrils and vent, if not also shot-holes ; wrap each 
 one separately in a cloth {not paper) or a mass of tow, and 
 pack steadily in a covered box or basket taken on board for 
 this purpose. 
 
 §25. IIiGiENE OF C0LLECT0K3UIP. It IS unneccssary to 
 
I' > 
 
 38 SUGGESTIONS AND DIRECTIONS FOR FIELD-WOUK. 
 
 speak of the healthfulness of a pursuit that, like the collector's 
 occupation, demands regular bodily exercise, and at the same 
 time stimulates the mind by supplying an object, thus calling 
 the whole system into exhilarating action. Yet collecting has 
 its perils, not to be overlooked if we would adequately guard 
 against them — as fortunately we may, in most cases, by sim- 
 ple precautions. The dangers of taxidermy itself are else- 
 where noticed ; besides these, the collector is exposed to vicis- 
 situdes of the weather, may endure great fatigue, may breathe 
 miasm, and may be mechanically injured. Accidents from 
 the gun have been already treated ; a few special rules will 
 render others little liable to occur. The secret of safe climbing 
 is never to relax one hold until another is secured ; it is in 
 spirit equally applicable to scrambling over rocks, a particu- 
 larly difficult thing to do safely with a loaded gun. Test rot- 
 ten, slippery or otherwise suspicious holds before trusting 
 them. In lifting the body up anywhere keep the mouth shut, 
 breathe through the nostrils, and go slowly. In sioimming, 
 waste no strength unnecessarily in trying to stem a current ; 
 yield partly, and land obliquely lower down ; if exhausted, 
 float — the slightest motion of the hands will ordinarily keep 
 the face above water ; and in any event keep 3 our wits col- 
 lected. In fording deeply a heavy stone will strengthen your 
 position. Never sail a boat experimentally ; if you are no 
 sailor take one with you or stay on land. In crossing a high, 
 narrow footpath never look lower than your feet ; the muscles 
 will work t' ue, if not confused with faltering instructions from 
 a giddy brain. On soft ground, see what, if anything, has 
 preceded you ; large hoof marks generally mean that the way 
 is safe ; if none are found, inquire for yourself before going 
 on. Quicksand is the most treacherous, because far more dan- 
 gerous than it looks ; but I have seen a mule's ears finally 
 disappear in genuine mud. Cattle paths, however erratic, com- 
 monly prove the surest way out of a difficult place, whether of 
 uncertain footing or dense undergrowth. Miasm : Unguarded 
 exposure in malarious regions uoualiy entails sickness, often 
 preventable, however, by due precautions. It is worth knowing 
 
 ' \ 
 
HYGIENIC NOTES. 
 
 89 
 
 in the first place that miasmatic poison is most powerful between 
 sunset and sunrise — more exactly, from the damp of the 
 evening until night vapors are dissipated ; we ma}'^ bo out in 
 the daytime with comparative impunity where to pass a night 
 would be almost certain disease. If forced to camp out, seek 
 the highest and dryest spot, put a good lire on the swamp side, 
 and also, if possil^le, let trees intervene. Never go out on an 
 empty stomach ; just a cup of coffee and a crust may make a 
 decided difference. Meet the earliest unfavorable symptoms 
 with quinine — I should rather say, if unacclimated, antici- 
 pate them with this invaluable agent. Endeavor to maintain 
 high health of all functions by the natural means of regularity 
 and temperance in diet, exercise and repose. "Taking cold :" 
 This vague "household word" indicates one or more of a long 
 varied train of unpleasant affections, nearly always traceable 
 to one or the other of only two causes : sudden cliange of tem- 
 perature, and unequal distribution of temperature. No ex- 
 tremes of heat or cold can alone effect this result ; persons 
 frozen to death do not "take cold" during the process. But 
 if a part of the body be rapidly cooled, as by evaporation from 
 a wet article of clothing, or by sitting in a draught of air, the 
 rest of the body reni;iining at an ordinary temperature ; or if 
 the temperature of the whole be suddenly changed by going out 
 into the cold, or, especially, by coming into a warm room, there 
 is much liability of trouble. There is an old saj'ing — " when 
 the air comes through a liole say your prayers to save your 
 soul;" and I should think tlmost any one could get a "cold" 
 with a spoonful of water on the wrist held to a key-hole. Sin- 
 gular as it may seem, sudden warming when cold is more dan- 
 gerous than the reverse ; every one has noticed how soon the 
 handkerchief is required on entering a heated room on a cold 
 day. Frost-bite is an extreme illustration of this. As the 
 Irishman said on picking himself up, it was not the fall, but 
 stopping so quickly, that hurt him ; it is not the lowering of 
 the temperature to the freezing point, but its subsequent ele- 
 vation, that devitalizes the tissue. This is why rubbing with 
 snow, or bathing in cold water, is required to restore safely a 
 
'I 
 
 40 SUGGESTIONS AND DIRECTIONS FOR FIELD-WORK. 
 
 frozen part ; the arrested circulation must be very gradually 
 reestablished, or inflammation, perhaps mortification, ensues. 
 General precautions against taking cold are almost self-evident, 
 in this light. There is ordinarily little if any danger to be 
 apprehended from wet clothes, so long as exercise is kept up ; 
 for the "glow" about compensates for the extra cooling by 
 evaporation. Nor is a complete drenching more likely to be 
 injurious than wetting of one part. But never sit still wet ; 
 and in changing, rub the body dry. There is a general ten- 
 dency, springing from fatigue, indolence or inditference, to 
 neglect damp feet ; that is to sa3% to dry them by the fire ; 
 but this process is tedious and uncertain. I would say es- 
 pecially, off with the mudd}' boots and sodden socks at once 
 — dry stockings and slippers, after a hunt, may make just the 
 difference of your being able to go out again or never. Take 
 care never to check perspiration ; during this process the body 
 is in a somewhat critical condition, and sudden arrest of the 
 function may result disastrously — even fatally. One part of 
 the business of perspiration is to equalize bodily temperature, 
 and it must not be interfered with. Tlie secret of much that is 
 to be said about bathing, when heated, lies here. A person over- 
 heated, panting it may be, with throbbing temples and a dnj 
 skin, is in danger partly because the natural cooling by evapo- 
 ration from the skin is denied, and this condition is sometimes 
 not far from a " sunstroke." Under these circumstances, a per- 
 son of fairly good constitution may plunge into the water with 
 impunity — even with benefit. But if the body be already cool- 
 ing by sweating, rapid abstraction of heat from the surface 
 may cause internal congestion, never unattended with danger. 
 Drinking ice-water offers a somewhat parallel case ; even on 
 stooping to drink at the brook, when flushed with heat, it is well 
 to bathe the face and hands first, and to taste the water before 
 a full draught. It is a well known excellent rule, not to bathe 
 immediately after a full meal ; because during digestion the 
 organs concerned are comparatively engorged, and any sudde^i 
 disturbance of the circulation may be disastrous. The imper- 
 ative necessity of i-esisting drowsiness under extreme cold re- 
 
 : -I 
 
 
HUNGER AND FATIGUE. 
 
 41 
 
 quires no comment. In walking under a hot sun the head 
 may be sensibly protected by green leaves or grass in the hat ; 
 they maybe advantageously moistened, but not enough to drop 
 about the ears. Under such circumstances the slightest giddi- 
 ness, dimness of sight, or confusion of ideas, should be taken 
 as a warning of possible sunstroke, instantly demanding rest, 
 and shelter if practicable. IIuncer and Fatigue are more 
 closely related tlum they might se tu to be ; one is a sign that 
 the fuel is out, aiul the other asks for it. Extreme fatigue, 
 indeed, destroys appetite ; this simply means, temporary inca- 
 pacity for digestion. But even far short of this, food is more 
 easily digested, and better relished after a little preparation 
 of the furnace. On coming home tired it is much better to 
 make a leisurely and reasonably nice toilet' than to eat at 
 once, or to lie still thinking how tired you are ; after a change 
 and a wash you will feel like a "new man," and go to table 
 in capital state. Whatever dietetic irregularities a high state 
 of civilization may demand or render practicable a normally 
 healthy person is inconvenienced almost as soon as his reg- 
 ular meal-time passes without food ; and few can work comfort- 
 ably or profitably fasting over six or eight hours. Eat before 
 starting ; if for a day's tramp, take a lunch ; the most frugal 
 meal will appease if it do not satisfy hunger, and so postpone 
 its urgency. As a small scrap of practical wisdom, I would 
 add, keep the remnants of the lunch, if there are any ; for 
 you cannot always be sui*e of getting in to supper. Stimula- 
 tion : When cold, fatigued, depressed ii. mind, and on other 
 occasions, you may feel inclined to resort to artificial stimulus. 
 Respecting this many-sided theme I have a few words to offer 
 of direct bearing on the collector's case. It should be clearly 
 understood in the first place that a stimulant confers no 
 strength whatever ; it simplj' calls the powers that be into 
 increased action at their own expense. Seeking real strength 
 in stimulus is as wise as an attempt to lift yourself up by the 
 boot-straps. You may gather yourself to leap the ditch and 
 you clear it ; but no such muscular energy can be sustained ; 
 exhaustion speedily renders further expenditure impossible. 
 
f 
 
 42 SUGOESTIONS AND DIRECTIONS FOR FIELD-WORK. 
 
 But now suppose a very powerful mental impression be made, 
 say the circumstance of a succession of ditclies in front, and 
 a mad dog beliind ; if the stimulus of terror be sufHciently 
 strong, you may leap on till you drop senseless. Alcoholic 
 stimulus is a parallel case, and is not seldom pushed to the 
 same extreme. Under its influence you never can tell when 
 you are tired ; the expenditure goes on, indeed, witli unnatural 
 rapidity, only it is not felt at the time ; but the upshot is you 
 have all the original fatigue to endure and to recover from, 
 plus the fatigue resulting from over excitation of the system. 
 Taken as a fortification against cold, alcohol is as unsatisfac- 
 tory as a remedy for fatigue. Insensibility to cold does not 
 imply protection. The fact is the exposure is greater than 
 before ; the circulation and respiration being hurried, the waste 
 is gi'eater, and as sound fuel cannot be immediately supplied, 
 the temperature of the body is soon lowered. The, transient 
 warmth and glow over, the system has both cold and depres- 
 sion to endure ; there is no use in borrowing from yourself 
 and fancying 3'ou are richer. Secondly, the value of any 
 stimulus (except in a few exigencies of disease or injury) is 
 in proportion, not to the intensity, but to the equableness and 
 durability of its effect. This is one reason why tea, coffee, 
 and articles of corresponding qualities, are preferable to al- 
 coholic drinks ; they work so smoothly that their effect is often 
 unnoticed, and they "stay by" well ; the friction of alcohol is 
 tremendous in comparison. A glass of grog may help a vet- 
 eran over the fence, but no one, young or old, can shoot all 
 day on whiskey. I have had so much experience in the use of 
 tobacco as a mild stimulant that I am probably no impai'tial 
 judge of its merits : I wiii simply say 1 do not use it in the 
 field, because it indisposes to muscular activity, and favors re- 
 flection when observation is required ; and because temporary 
 abstinence provokes the morbid appetite and renders the weed 
 more grateful afterwards. Thirdly, undue excitation of any 
 physical function is followed by corresponding depression, on 
 the simple principle that action and reaction are equal ; and 
 the balance of health turns too easily to be wilfully disturbed. 
 
INTEMrERANCE UNSCIENTIFIC. 
 
 48' 
 
 Stimulation is a draft upon vital capital, when interest alone 
 should sufflce ; it may be needed at times to bridge a chasm, 
 but habitual living beyond vital income infallibly entails bank- 
 ruptcy in health. The use of alcohol in health seems practi- 
 cally restricted to purposes of sensuous gratification on the 
 part of those prepared to pay a round price for this luxury. 
 The three golden rules here are — never drink before breakfast, 
 never drink alone, and never drink bad liquor ; tiicir observ- 
 ance may make even the abuse of f.lcohol tolerable. Serious 
 objections for a naturalist, at least, are that science, viewed 
 through a glass, seems distant and uncertain, while the joys of 
 rum are immediate and unquestionable ; and that intemper- 
 ance, being an attempt to defy certain physical laws, is there- 
 fore eminently unscientific. 
 
CHAFFER IV. 
 
 RPXJISTIIATION AND LABKI.LING. 
 
 §20. A MEKE OUTUNE of a field naturalist's duties would be 
 inexcusably Incomplete without mention of tliese important 
 matters ; and, because so much of the business of collecting 
 must be left to be acquired in the school of experience, I am 
 the more anxious to give explicit directions whenever, as in 
 this instance, it is possible to do so. 
 
 §27. Reooud your OBSERVATroNS DAILY. In one sense the 
 specimens themselves are your record — prima facie evidence 
 of 3'our industry and ability'' ; and if labelled, as I shall presently 
 ad\'ise, they tell no small part of the whole story. But this is 
 not enough ; indeed, I am not sure that an ably conducted or- 
 nithological journal is not the better half of your operations. 
 Under your editorship of labelling specimens tell what they 
 know about themselves ; bnt you can tell much more yourself. 
 Let ns look at a day's work : — You have shot and skinned so 
 many birds and laid them away labelled. You liave made ob- 
 servations about them before shooting, and have observed a 
 number of birds that you did not shoot. You have items of 
 haunts and habits, abundance or scarcity ; of manners and ac- 
 tions under special circumstances, as of pairing, nesting, lay- 
 ing, rearing young ; feeding, migrating and what not ; various 
 notes of biixls are still ringing in your ears ; and finally, you 
 may have noted the absence of species you saw awhile before, 
 or had expected to occur in your vicinity. Meteorological and 
 topographical items, especially when travelling, are often of 
 great assistance in explaining the occurrences and actions of 
 birds. Now you know these things, but very likely no one else 
 does ; and you know them at the time, but you will not recollect 
 a tithe of them in a few weeks or months, to say nothing of 
 years. Don't trust your memor}^ ; it will trip you up ; what 
 (44) 
 
WRITE OUT YOUR NOTES 
 
 ? 
 
 45 
 
 is dear now will grow ohscuro ; what is fouiul will bo lost. 
 "Write down everything while it is fresh in your mind ; write 
 it out in full — time so spent now will l)e time saved in the end, 
 when you offer your researches to the discriminating public. 
 Don't be satisfied with a dry-as-dust item ; clothe a skeleton 
 fact, and breathe life into it with thoughts that glow ; let the 
 paper smell of the woods. There's a pulse in a new fact ; 
 catch the rhythm Ijcfore it dies. Keep off the quicksands of 
 mere memorandum — that means sometiiing "to be remem- 
 bered," which is just what you cannot do. Shun abbrevia- 
 tions ; such keys rust with disuse, and may fail in after times 
 to unlock the secret that should have been laid bare in the 
 beginning. Use no signs* intelligible only to yourself; your 
 note-books may come to be overhauled by others whom 3'ou 
 would not wish to disappoint. Be sparing of sentiment, a 
 delicate thing, easily degraded to drivel ; crude enthusiasm 
 always hacks instead of hewing. Beware of literary infe- 
 licities ; " the written word remains," it may be, after you 
 have passed away ; put down nothing for your friend's blush, 
 or your enemy's sneer ; write as if a stranger were looking 
 over your shoulder. 
 
 §28. Ornithological book-keeping may be left to your 
 discretion and good taste in the details of execution. Each 
 may consult his preferences for rulings, headings, and blank 
 forms of all sorts, as well as particular modes of entry. But 
 my experience has been that the entries it is advisable to 
 make are too multifarious to be accommodated by the most 
 ingenious formal ruling ; unless, indeed, yon make the con- 
 ventional heading "Remarks" disproportionately wide, and 
 commit to it everything not otherwise provided for. My pref- 
 erence is decidedly for a plain page. I use a strongly bound 
 blank book, cap size, containing at least six or eight quires of 
 
 *ThiB direction does not apply to a regular code of signs, whicli may be found 
 extremely convenient. The Messrs. A. & E. Newton have, for examiile, perfectcMl 
 a system of symbols that leaves little If anything to be desired. See Am. Nat. 
 1872, p. 300. 
 
1] 
 
 4(> 
 
 UKUISTUATION AND LAHKLLINO. 
 
 ifoiKl smooth piipiu' ; but smallci* may bo ncoded for tnivolliiig, 
 even down to a i)o(!ket note-book. I would not advise a niulti- 
 |)licity of l)Ooks, sj)littiii<i; up your record into diH'erent depart- 
 ments ; let it be journal and register of specimens combined. 
 (The registry of your own colhctli nothing to do with the 
 
 register of your cabinet of birdi, w. u is sure to inchide a pro- 
 portion of specimens from other sources, received in exciiange, 
 donated, or purchased. I si)eak of this bc^yond.) I have found 
 it convenient to commence a day's record with a register of the 
 specimens secured, each entry consisting of a duplicate of the 
 l)ird's label (see beyond), accompanied by any further remarks 
 1 have to offer respecting the particular specimens ; then to go 
 on with the full of my day's observations, as suggested in the 
 last paragraph. You thus have a "register of collections" in 
 chronological order, toed olf with an unl)roken series of num- 
 bers, checked with the routine label-items, and continually 
 interspersed with the balance of your ornithological studies. 
 Since your private field-number is ' letimes an indispensable 
 clew in the authentication of a sp n after it has left your 
 
 own hands, never duplicate it. If yu^ are collecting other ob- 
 jects of natural history besides birds, still have but one series 
 of numbers ; duly enter your mammal, or mineral, or what- 
 ever it is, in its place, with the number under which it hap- 
 pens to fall. Be scrupulously accurate with these and all other 
 Jigures, as of dates and measurements. Always use black ink ; 
 the "fancy" writing-fluids, even the useful carmine, fade sooner 
 than black, while lead pencilling is never safe. 
 
 §29. Labellikg. This should never be neglected. It is 
 enough to make a sensitive ornithologist shiver to see a speci- 
 men without the indispensable appendage — a label. I am 
 sorry to observe that the routine labelling of most collections 
 is far from being satisfactory. A well-appointed label is some- 
 thing more than a slip of paper with the bird's name on it, and 
 is still defective, if, as is too often the case, only the locality 
 and collector are added. A complete label records the follow- 
 ing particulars : — 1. Title of the survey, voyage, exploration, 
 
LAUKLLING. 
 
 47 
 
 or other oxpodition (if any), duriii;^ which the spccinioii wuh 
 collectpd. 2. Ndiuf. of tiu^ pciHoii in clmrfjic of tiic kiiiiu' (hikI 
 il limy Iti' rt'iimrivcd, that tlie U^hs Ik; really cures iilioiit hinlM, 
 and Iho Ichh he actually interests himself to procure thciii, the 
 more particular ho will he about t'.iis). 3. Title of the insti- 
 tution or association (if any) under the auspices or i)atr()nii<j;e 
 of wliich the specimen was procured, or for whicli it is (U'- 
 siifiied. 4. Name of collcrtor; partly to giv(( credit where it 
 is due, hut principally to llx responsihility, and authenticato 
 the rest of the items. 5. Cnlleclo/H vitmbc.r, refcrrin<i; to his 
 note-book, as just exphiined ; if the specimen afterwards forms 
 part of a general collection it usually ac(|uires another num- 
 ber by new registry ; the collector's then becoming the "orij^i- 
 nal," as distinguished from the "current," numl)er. 0. Lontl- 
 ity, perhaps the most important of all the items. A specimen 
 of unknown or even uncertain origin is worthless or nearly so ; 
 while lamentable confusion has only too often arisen in orni- 
 thologii'id writings from vague or erroneous indications of 
 locality : I should say that a specimen "not authentic" in this 
 particular ti:i<l better have its unppnticxl origin erased and be let 
 alone. Nof will it do to say simply, for instance, "North 
 America" or even "United States." Ornithologists generally 
 know already the quarter of the globe from which a bird comes ; 
 the localit}^ should be fixed down to the very spot. If this be 
 obscure add the name of tlie nearest place to be found on a 
 fairly good map, giving distance and direction. 7. Date of 
 collection — da}' of the month, and year. Among other reasons 
 for this may be mentioned the fact that it is often important 
 to know Avhat season a particular plumage indicates. 8. Sex, 
 and if possible also age^ of the specimen ; an item that be- 
 speaks its own importance. Ornithologists of all countries are 
 agreed upon certain signs to indicate sex. These are $ for 
 male, 9 for female; the symbols respectively of Mars and 
 Venus. Immaturity is often denoted by the sign ^ ; thus, ^ ^, 
 young male. Or, we may write ? ad., 9 yg., for adult 
 female, young female, respectively. It is preferable, however, 
 to use the language of science, not our vernacular, and say ^ 
 
J 
 
 il 
 
 ' 
 
 f ; 
 
 48 
 
 REGISTRATION AND LABELLING. 
 
 juv. (juvenis, j'oiing). '■'•Nicpt." signifies breeding plumage; 
 '•'•hornot." means a bird of the j'ear. 9. Measurements of 
 length, and of extent of wings ; the former can only be ob- 
 tained approximately, and the latter not at all, from a prepared 
 specimen. 10. Color of the eyes, and of the bill, feet, or other 
 naked or soft parts, the tints of which may change in drying. 
 11. MisceUaneovs ^^'^'^'^^'^ulars, such as contents of stomach, 
 special circumstances of capture, vernacular name, etc. 12. 
 Scientifc name of the bird. This is really the least important 
 item of all, though generally thought to take precedence. But 
 a bird labels itself, so to speak ; and nature's label may be 
 deciphered at any time. In fact, I Avould enjoin upon the col- 
 lector not to write out the supposed name of the bird in the 
 field, unless the species is so well known as to be absolutely 
 unquestionable. Proper identification, in any case to which 
 the slightest doubt may attach, can only be made after critical 
 study in the closet with ample facilities for examination and 
 comparison. The first eight items, and the twelfth, usually 
 constitute the face of a label ; the rest are commonly written 
 on the back. Labels should be of light card-board, or very 
 stiff writing paper ; they may be dressed attractively, as fancy 
 suggests ; the general items of a large number of specimens 
 are best printed ; the special ones must of course be written. 
 Shape is immaterial ; small " cards" or " tickets " are preferred 
 by some, and certainl}" look very well when neatly appointed ; 
 but 1 think on the whole, that a shape answering the idea of a 
 "slip" rather than a "ticket" is most eligible. A slip about 
 three inches long and two-thirds of an inch wide will do very 
 well for anything, from a hawk to a humming-bird. Something 
 like the "shipping tags" used by merchants is excellent, par- 
 ticularly for larger objects. It seems most natural to attach 
 the string to the left-hand end. The slip should be tied so as 
 to swing just clear of the bird's legs, but not loose enough to 
 dangle several inches, for in that case the labels are continually 
 tangling with each other when the birds are laid away in 
 drawers. The folloving cii;>.grams show the face and back 
 of the last label I happened to write ; they represent the 
 
HOW TO MEASURE A BIRD. 
 
 49 
 
 size and shape that I find most convenient for general pur- 
 poses ; while the "legend" illustrates every one of the twelve 
 items above specified. 
 
 g Explorations in Dakota. 
 
 Dr. Elliott Coucs, U.S.A. « 
 
 § No. 20.55. Butes borealis (Gm.) V. $ juv. 
 
 m Fort Randall, Mo. U. — Oct. 29, 1872. 
 
 Obveme. 
 
 23.00 XM-00Xl"-50. — Eyes yellowish gray; l)ill horn-blue, 
 rtarlcer at tip; cere wax-yellow; tarsi tlull yellowlsli; claws 
 bliiisli-black. Stomadi contained portions of a rabbit; also, a 
 large tapeworm. 
 
 Reverse. 
 
 §30. Directions for aieasuuement may be inserted here, 
 as this matter pertains rightfully to the recording of specimens. 
 The following instructions are repeated in substance from the 
 "Key," p. 55 ; they apply not only to length and extent, but 
 to the principal other dimensions, which may be taken at any 
 time. For large birds a tape-line showing inches and fourths 
 will do ; for smaller ones, a foot-rule graduated for inches and 
 eighths, or better, decimals to hundredths, must be used ; and 
 for all nice measurements the dividers are indispensable. — 
 '•'"LeiKjtli:" Distance between the tip of the bill and end of the 
 longest tail feather. La}' the bird on its back on the ruler on 
 a table ; take hold of the bill with one hand and of both legs 
 with the other ; pull with reasonable force to get the curve all 
 out of the neck ; hold the bird thus with the tip of the bill 
 flush with one end of the ruler, and see where the end of the 
 tail points. Put the tape-line in place of the ruler, in the 
 same way, for larger birds. — '•'•Extent:" Distance between 
 the tips of the outspread wings. They must be fidhf out- 
 stretched, with the bird on its back, crosswise on the ruler, its 
 bill pointing to your breast. Take hold of right and left meta- 
 carpus with the thumb and forefinger of your left and right 
 
 HAXUAL. 
 
50 
 
 REGISTRATION AND LABELLING. 
 
 hand respectively, stretch with reasonable force, getting one 
 wing-tii3 flush with one end of tiie rviier, and see how much the 
 other wing-tip reaches. With large bu'ds pull away as hard 
 as you please, and use the table, floor or side of the room ; 
 mark the points and apply tape-line. — >■ '•Length of wing :" Dis- 
 tance from the angle formed at the (carpus) bend of the wing 
 to the end of the longest primary. Get it with compasses for 
 small birds. In birds with a convex wing do not lay the tape- 
 line over the curve, but under the wing in a straight line. 
 This measurement is the one called, for short, " the wing." — 
 *'■ Length of tail:" Distance from the roots of the rectrices to 
 the end of the longest one. Feel for the pope's nose ; in either 
 a fresh or dried specimen there is more or less of a palpable 
 lump into which the tail feathers stick. Guess as near as you 
 can to the middle of this lump ; place the end of the ruler op- 
 posite the point and see where the tip of the longest tail 
 feather comes. — ^^ Length of bill:" Some take the curve of 
 the upper mandible ; others the side of the upper mandible 
 from the feathers ; others the gape, etc. I take the chord of 
 the cuhnen. Place one foot of the dividers on the culmen just 
 •where the feathers end ; no matter whether the culmen runs 
 up on the forehead, or the frontal feathers run out on the cul- 
 men, and no matter whether the culmen is straight or curved. 
 Then with me the length of the bill is the shortest distance from 
 the point just indicated to the tip of the upper mandible ; 
 measure it with the dividers. In a straight bill of course it is 
 the length of the culmen itself; in a curved bill, however, it 
 is quite another thing. — '•'■ Length of tarsus:" Distance be- 
 tween the joint of the tarsus with the leg above, and that with 
 the first phalanx of the middle toe below. Measure it always 
 with dividers, and in front of the leg. — '■'■Length of toes:" 
 Distance in a straight line along the upper surface of a toe 
 is from the point last indicated to the root of the claw on top. 
 Length of toe is to be taken ivithout the claw, unless otherwise 
 specified. — '^'^ Length of the claws:" Distance in a straight line 
 from the point last indicated to the tip of the claw. — '•''Length 
 of head " is often a convenient dimension for comparison with 
 
 1 
 
 ' i 
 
HOW TO MEASURE A BIRD. 
 
 51 
 
 the bill. Set one foot of the dividers over the base of the 
 culraen (determined as above) and allow the other to slip 
 just snugly down over the arch of the occiput ; this is the 
 required measurement. 
 
 u 
 
 i -^ 
 
 i 
 
 1 
 
 1 
 
 «■■ 
 
 s 
 
 ¥'■ 
 
h 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 INSTUUMEXTS, MATERIALS AND FIXTURES FOR PREPARING 
 
 BIUDSKIXS. 
 
 §31. Instruments. The only indispensable instrument is a 
 pair of scissors or a knife ; although practically you want both 
 of these, a pair of spring forceps and a knitting-needle, or some 
 similar wooden or ivory object, yet I have made hundreds of 
 birdskins consecutively without touching another tool. Odi^ 
 puer, Persicos apjmratus! I always mistrust the emphasis of 
 a collector who makes a flou*isli of instruments. You might 
 be surprised to see what a meagre, shabby-looking kit our best 
 taxidermists work with. Stick to your scissors, knife, forceps 
 and needle. But you may as well buy, at the outset, a com- 
 mon dissecting case, just what medical students begin business 
 with ; it is very cheap, and if there are some unnecessary things 
 in it, it makes a' nice little box in which to keep your tools. 
 The case contains, among other things, several scalpels, just 
 the knives you want ; a " cartilage-knii'e," which is nothing 
 but a stout scalpel, suitable for large birds ; the best kind of 
 scissors for your purpose, with short blades and long handles 
 — if " kneed " at the hinge so much the better ; spring forceps, 
 the very thing ; a blow-pipe, useful in many waj's and an- 
 swers well for a knitting-needle ; and some little steel-hooks, 
 chained together, which you may want to use. But you will 
 also require, for large birds, a very heavy pair of scissors, or 
 small shears, short-bladed and long-handled, and a stout pair of 
 bone-nippers. Have some pins and needles ; surgical needles, 
 which cut instead of punching, are the best. Get a hone or 
 strop, if you wish, and a feather duster. Use of scissors re- 
 quires no comment ; and I would urge their habitual employ 
 instead of the knifo-blade ; I do nine-tenths of m^'^ cutting with 
 scissors and find it much the easiest. A double-lever is twice 
 as effective as a single one, and besides, you gain in cutting 
 soft, yielding substances by opposing two blades. Moreover, 
 (52) 
 
MATERIALS FOR STUFFING. 
 
 58 
 
 scalpels need constant sharpening — mine are generally too 
 dull to cut much with, and I suppose I am like other people — 
 while scissors stay sharp enough. The flat, thin ivory or ebony 
 handle of the scalpel is about as useful as the blade. Finger- 
 nails, which were made before scalpels, are a mighty help. 
 Forceps are almost indispci-'sable for seizing and holding i)arts 
 too small or too remote to be grasped bj^ the lingers. The 
 knitting-needle is wanted for a specific purpose noted beyond. 
 The shears or nippers are only needed for what the ordinary 
 scissors are too weak to do. Our instruments, you see now, 
 are " a short horse soon curried." 
 
 §32. Materials, a. For stuffing. " What do you stuff 'em 
 >,'<^h?" is usually the first question of idle curiosity about 
 taxiderm}', as if that were the great point ; whereas, the stuff- 
 ing is so small a matter that I gcnerallj^ reply — " finything, ex- 
 cept brickbats!" But if stuffing birds were the final cause of 
 Cotton, that admirable substance could not be more perfectly 
 adapted than it is to the purpose. Ordinary raw cotton batting 
 or wadding is what you want. When I can get it I never 
 think of using anything else for small birds. I would use it 
 for all birds were expense no object. Here tow comes in ; there 
 is a fine, clean, bleached article of tow prepared for surgical 
 dressings ; this is the best, but any will do. Some say chop 
 your tow fine ; this is harmless but unnecessary. A crumpled 
 newspaper, wrapped with tow, is first-rate for a large bird. 
 Failing cotton or tow, any soft, light, dry vegetable substance 
 may be made to answer, rags, paper, crumbled leaves, fine dried 
 grass, soft fibrous inner bark, etc. ; the down of certain plants, 
 as thistle and silk-weed, makes an exquisite filling for small 
 birds. But I will qualify my remark about brickbats by say- 
 ing : never put hair, loool, feathers, or any other animal sub- 
 stance in a birdskin — far better leave it empty ; for, as we 
 shall see in the sequel, bugs come fast enough, without being 
 invited into a snug nest. b. For j)resermng. Aksenic* is the 
 
 • "Arsenic" — not the pure metal properly bo called, but arsenic of the shops, 
 or arsenious acid. 
 
54 
 
 MATERIALS FOR PREPARING SKINS. 
 
 great preservative. Use dry powdered arsenic, plenty of it, 
 and nothing else. There is no substitute for arsenic worthy of 
 the name, and no preparation of arsenic so good as the simple 
 substance. Various kinds of "arsenical soap" were and may 
 still be in vogue ; it is a nasty greasy substance, not fit to 
 handle ; and although efficacious enough, there is a very serious 
 hygienic objection to its use.* Arsenic, I need not 8ay,*is a 
 violent irritant poison, and must therefore be only guarded; 
 but ma}' be used with perfect impunity. It is a very heavy sub- 
 stance, not appreciably volatile at ordinary temperatures, and 
 therefore not liable, as some suppose, to be breathed, to any 
 perceptible, much less injurious, extent. It will not even at 
 once enter the pores of healthy unbroken skin ; so it is no 
 matter if it gets on the fingers. The exceedingly minute 
 quantity that may be supposed to find its way into the system 
 in the course of time is believed by many competent physi- 
 cians to be rather beneficial as a tonic. I will not commit 
 myself to this ; for, though I never feel better than when work- 
 ing daily with arsenic, I do not know how much my health is 
 improved by the out-door exercise always taken at the same 
 time. The- simple precautions are, not to let it lie too long in 
 contact with the skin, nor get into an abrasion, nor under the 
 nails. It will convert a scratch or cut into a festering sore of 
 some little severity ; while if lodged under the nails it soon 
 shows itself by soreness, increased by pressure ; a white speck 
 appears, then a tiny abscess forms, discharges and gets well 
 in a few days. Your precautions really respect otller persons 
 
 * '• strange as it mny appear to some, I would say avoid especially all the so- 
 called arsenical soaps; they are at best but filthy preparations; besides, it is a 
 fact to whicli I can bear painful testimony that they are, especially when applied 
 to a greasy slcin, poisonous in the extreme. I have been so badly poisoned, while 
 working upon the skins of some fat water birds that had been prepared witli arsen- 
 ical soap, as to bo made seriously ill, the poison liaving worked into the system 
 througli some small wounds or scratches on my hand. Had pure arsenic been 
 used in preparing the skins tlie effect would not have been as bid, although grease 
 and arsenic are generally a blood poison in some degree; but when combined 
 with "soap" the effect, at least as far as my experience goes, is much more inju- 
 rious." Maynard, Guide, p. 12. 
 
 In endorsing this I would add, that the combination is the more poisonous, in 
 all probability, simply because the soap, being detersive, mechanically, facilitates 
 the entrance of the poison, without, however, chemically increasing its virulence. 
 
rOISONINO AND CLEAXINO. 
 
 55 
 
 more than yourself ; the receptacle should be conspicuously la- 
 belled "POISON !" Arsenic is a good friend of ours ; besides 
 preserving our birds, it keeps busybodies and meddlesome 
 folks away from the scene of operations, by raising a whole- 
 some suspicion of the taxidermist's surroundings. It may be 
 kept in the tin pots in which it is usually sold ; but some shal- 
 lower, broader receptacle is more convenient. A little drawer, 
 say 6X6 inches, and an inch deep, to slip under the edge of 
 the table, or a similar compartment in a large drawer, will 
 be found handy. A salt-spoon, or little wooden shovel whit- 
 tled like one, is nice to use it with, though, in effect, I always 
 shovel it up with the handle of a scalpel. As stated, there is 
 no substitute for arsenic ; but at a pinch you can make tempo- 
 rary shift with the following, among other articles : — table salt, 
 or saltpetre, or charcoal strewn plentifully ; strong solution of 
 corrosive sublimate, brushed over the skin inside ; creosote ; 
 impure carbolic acid ; these last two are quite eflicacious, but 
 they smell horribly for an indefinite period. A bird threatening 
 to decompose before you can get at it to skin, may be saved 
 for a while by squirting weak carbolic acid or creosote down 
 the throat and up the fundament ; or by disembowelling, and 
 filling the cavity with powdered charcoal, c. For cleansing: 
 Gypsum* is an almost indispensable material for cle.insing 
 soiled plumage. The mode of using it is indicated beyond. 
 It is most conveniently kept in a shallow tray, saj' a foot 
 square, and an inch or two deep, which had better, further- 
 more, slide under the table as a drawer ; or form a compart- 
 ment of a larger drawer. Keep gypsum and arsenic in different 
 looking receptacles^ not so much 'to keep from poisoning your- 
 self, as to kee^j from not poisoning a birdskin. They look 
 much alike, and skinning becomes such a mechanical process 
 that you may get hold of the wrong article when your thoughts 
 are wandering in the woods. Gypsum, like arsenic, has no 
 worthy rival in its own field ; some substitutes, in the order of 
 
 * "'Gypsum" is properly native hydrated sulphate of lime ; the article referred to 
 is " plaster of Paris" or gypsum heated up to 2i)0° F. (by wliich the water of crys- 
 tallization is driven oflT) and then finely pulverized. When mixed with water it 
 soon solidifies, the original hydrate being again formed. 
 
 R 
 
 !• 
 
 
 
 
 
 \ ' 
 
 '^ 
 
 
 I,;. 
 
 1 
 
 
 4 
 
 b 
 
 1^ 
 
 V 
 
 1 
 
 i 
 
 
56 
 
 MATERIALS FOR PREPARING SKINS. 
 
 their applicability, are: — calcined magnesia (very good, but 
 too light — it floats in the air, and makos you cough) ; bicar- 
 bonate of magnesia; powdered chalk ("prepared chalk," creta 
 prmparata of the drug shops is the best kind) ; fine wood- 
 ashes ; clean dry loam. No article, however powdery when 
 dry, that contains a glutinous principle, as for instance gum 
 arable or flour, is admissible, d. For wrafping, you want a 
 thin, pliable, strong paper ; water-closet paper is the very best ; 
 newspaper is pretty good. For making the cones or cylinders 
 in which birdskins may be set to dry, a stitfer article is re- 
 quired ; writing paper answers perfectly. 
 
 §33. Independent pahaguaph. Naturalists habitually carry 
 a pocket lens, much as other people do a watch. You will find 
 a magnifying glass very convenient in your search for the sex- 
 ual organs of small birds when oljscure, as they frequently are, 
 out of the breeding season ; in picking lice from plumage, to 
 send to your entomological friend, who will very likely pro- 
 nounce them to be of a "new species ;" and for other purposes. 
 
 't 
 
 \ "I 
 
 'I 
 
 §34. Fixtures. When travelling, your fixtures must ordi- 
 narily be limited to a collecting-chest ; you will have to skin 
 birds on the top of this, on the tail-board of a wagon, or on 
 your lap, as the case may be. The chest should be very sub- 
 stantial — iron-bound is best ; strong as to hinges and lock — ■ 
 and have handles. A good size is 30X18X18 inches. Let it 
 be fitted with a set of trays ; the bottom one say four inches 
 deep ; the rest shallower ; the top one very shallow, and divi- 
 ded into compartments for your tools and materials, unless 
 you fix these on the under side of the lid. Start out with 
 all the trays full of cotton or tow. At home, have a room to 
 yourself, if possible ; taxidermy makes a mess to which your 
 wife may object, and arsenic must not come in the way of chil. 
 dren. At any rate have your own table. I prefer plain deal 
 that may be scrubbed when required ; great cleanliness is indis- 
 pensable, especially when doing much work in hot weather, for 
 the place soon smells sour if neglected. I use no special re- 
 
WORKING TABLE. 
 
 57 
 
 ccptacle for offal, for this only makes another article to be 
 cleaned ; lay down a piece of paper for the refuse, and throw 
 the whole away. A perfectly smooth surface is desirable. I 
 generally have a large pane of window glass on the table be- 
 fore me. It will really be found advantageous to have a scale 
 of inches scratched on the edge of the table ; only a small part 
 of it need be fractionally subdivided ; this replaces the foot- 
 rule and tape-line, just as the tacks of a dry goods counter 
 answer for the yardstick. You will find it worth while to rig 
 some sort of a derrick arrangement, which you can readily 
 devise, on one end of the table, to hitch your hook to, if you 
 hang your birds up to skin them ; they should swing clear of 
 everything. The table should have a large general drawer, 
 with the little drawer for gj'psum and arsenic already men- 
 tioned, unless these be kept elsewhere. Stuffing may be kept 
 in a box under the table, and make a nice footstool ; or in a 
 bag slung to the table leg. 
 
 §35. Query: Have you cleansed the bird's plumage? Have 
 you plugged the mouth, nostrils and vent? Have you meas- 
 ured the specimen and noted the color of the eyes, bill and 
 feet, and prepared the labels, and made the entry in the regis- 
 ter? Have you got all your apparatus within arm's length? 
 Then we are ready to proceed. 
 
 ^- 
 
 n 
 
 m 
 
.uu 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 HOW TO MAKE A lURDSKIN. 
 A. The regular procest, 
 
 §36. Lay the bird on its back, the bill pointing to your 
 right* elbow. Take the scalpel like a|)en, with edge of blade 
 uppermost, and run a straight furrow through the feathers 
 along the middle line of the belly, from end of the breast bone 
 to the anus. Part the feathers completely, and keep them 
 parted, t 
 
 Observe a strip of skin either perfectly naked, or only cov- 
 ered with short down ; this is the line for incision. Take 
 scissors, stick in the pointed blade just over the end of the 
 breast bone, cut in a straight line thence to and into the anus ; 
 cut extremely shallow. % — •"*•■ 
 
 Take the forceps in your left hand, and scalpel in your right, 
 both held pen-wise, and with the forceps seize and lift' up one 
 of the edges of the cut skin, gently pressing away the belly- 
 walls with the scalpel-point ; no cutting is required ; the skin 
 may be peeled off without trouble. Skin away till you meet 
 an obstacle ; it is the thigh. Lay down the instruments ; with 
 your left hand take hold of the leg outside at the shank ; put 
 
 * Reverse this and following directiohs tor position, if you are left-lianded. 
 
 tTlie motion is exactly like stroking tiic right and left Hides of a nioiistaclie 
 apart; you would never dress the hairs smoothly away fi-om tlie middle line, by 
 poking from ends to root; nor will the feathers stay aside, unless stroked away 
 from base to tips. 
 
 t The skin over the belly is thin as tissue paper in a small bird ; the chances are 
 you will at llrst cut the walls of the belly too, opening the cavity; this is no great 
 matter, for a pledget of cotton will keep the bowels in ; nevertheless, try to di- 
 vide skin only. Reason for cutting into anus : this orifice makes a nice natural 
 termination of the incision, buttonhole-wise, and may keep the end of the cut 
 from tearing around the root of the tail. Reason for beginning to cut over the 
 edge of the sternum : tlic muscular walls of the belly are very thin, and stick so 
 close to the skin that j'ou may be in danger of attempting to remove them with 
 the skin, instead of removing the skin from them; whereas, you cannot remove 
 anything but skin from over the breast bone, so you have a guide at the start. 
 Vou can tell skin from belly-walls, by its livid, translucent whitishness instead of 
 redness. 
 
 (68) 
 
PROCESS OF SKINNING. 
 
 59 
 
 your rijjht forefinger under the raised flap of skin, and feel a 
 bump ; it is the kjiee ; pusli up tlie leg till this bump comes into 
 view ; hold it so. Take the scissors in your right hand ; tuck 
 one blade under the concavity of the knee, and sever the joint 
 at a stroke ; then the thigh is left with the rest of the body, 
 while the rest of the leg is dissevered and hangs only bj- skin. 
 Push the leg further up till it has slipped out of its sheath of 
 skin, like a finger out of a glove, down to the heel-joint. You 
 have now to clear off the flesh and leave the bone there ; you 
 may scrape till this is done, but there is a better way. Stick 
 the dosed points of the scissors in among the nuiscles just be- 
 low the head of the bone, then sei)arate the blades just wide 
 enough to grasp the bone ; snip off its head ; draw the head to 
 one side; all the muscles follow, being there attached; strip 
 them doitmu-ard from the bone ; the bone is left naked, with 
 the muscle hanging by a bundle of tendons ("leaders") at its 
 foot ; sever these tendons collectively at a stroke.* Draw the 
 leg bone back into its sheath, and leave it. Repeat all the 
 foregoing steps on the other side of the bird. If you are 
 bothered by the skin-flaps settling against the belly-Avalls, in- 
 sert a fluff of cotton. Kee}') the feathers out of the wound ; 
 cotton and the moustache movement wjU do it. Next you 
 must sever the tail from the body, leaving a small "pope's- 
 nose" for the feathers to stay stuck into. Put the bird in 
 the hollow of your lightly closed left hand, tail upward, belly 
 toward you ; or, if too large for this, stand it on its breast on 
 the table in similar position. Throw j'our left forefinger across 
 the front of the tail, pressing a little backward ; take the scis- 
 sors, cut the end of the lower bowel free first, than peck away 
 at bone and muscle with cautious snips,t till the tail-stump is 
 dissevered from the rump, and the tail hangs only by skin. 
 Now you have the rump-stump protruding naked ; the legs 
 
 ♦This whole perforninnce will occupy about three seconds, after practice; and 
 you may soon discover you can nick off the head of the bone of a small bird with 
 the thumb-nail. 
 
 t You will soon learn to do it all at one stroke ; but you cannot be too careful at 
 first; you are cutting right down on to the skin over the top of the pope's-nose, 
 aud If you divide this, the bird will part Company with its tail altogether. 
 
 i 
 
h 
 
 
 ij 
 
 \ 
 
 ifl 
 
 f 
 
 t 
 
 11 
 
 no 
 
 IIOAV TO 3IAKK A niRDSKIN. 
 
 dangling on cither side ; tlio tjiil lianging loose over the bird's 
 brtck between them. Lay down scissors ; lake up forceps* in 
 your left hand ; with them seize and hold the stump of the 
 rump ; and with })oint or handle of scalpel in the other hand, 
 witli linger tips, or with tliumb-nail (l)est), gently press down 
 on and peel away slvin.f No cutting will he reijuired (usually) 
 till you come to the wings: the skin peels olf (usuall}') as 
 easily as an orange I'ind ; as fast as it is loosened, evert it ; 
 that is, make it continuall}' turn itself more and more com- 
 pletely inside out. Work thus till you are stopped by the 
 obtruding wings. | You have to sever the wing from the body 
 at the shoulder, just as you did the leg at the knee, and leave 
 it hanging by skin alone. Take your scissors, s as soon as the 
 upper arm is exposed, and cut through flesh and bone alike at 
 one stroke, a little below (outside of) the shoulder-joint. Do 
 the same with the other wing. As soon as the wings are 
 severed the body has been skinned to the root of the neck ; 
 the process becomes very easy ; the neck almost slips out of 
 its sheath of itself; and if you have properly attended to 
 keeping the feathers out of the wound and to continual ever- 
 
 •Or at tliis Htngo you may instead i-tiok a hook into a linn part of tlie rump, and 
 hang up the binl about tlie level of your breast; you thus liave both hands free to 
 work with. Tlii.s is advisable with all birds too large to be readily taken in hand 
 and will help you at flrxt, with any bird. But there is really no use of it with a 
 small bird, and you may as well learn the best way of working at first as after, 
 ward. 
 
 t Tlie idea of the whole movement is exactly like ungloving your hand fi'om the 
 wrist, by turning the glove inside out to the very linger tips. Simie people say, 
 pull off the skin; I say never pull a bird's skin under any circumstances : pu»h it 
 off, always operating at lines of contact of skin with body, never iipon areas of 
 skins already detached. 
 
 X The elbows will get in your way bcfi' 
 shoulder, unless the wings worf conn 
 yon measured alar expanse cornet' 
 were you skinning a mai 
 stretched above liis head. i. a a, 
 
 bird. When properly rel a xc • wings ii 
 head, so that the shoidders an < ncountci . 
 
 t' point of attack, viz., the 
 
 IS wjn essential, indeed. If 
 
 difference it would make, 
 
 till y. whether his arms were 
 
 Ids ■ it is just the same with a 
 
 . oadily luessed away toward the bird's 
 
 il before the elbows. 
 
 § Shears will be required to crash th iigh a large arm-bone. Or, you may with 
 the scalijel unjoint the shouldor. Tin iiitwill be found liigher up and deeper 
 among the breast muscles than yon miglit suppose, unless you an "d to carving 
 fowls at table. With a small bird, you may snap the bone with th' umb-nail and 
 tear asunder the muscles in an instant. 
 
PROCESS or SKINNING. 
 
 01 
 
 sion of tho skin, you now find you have ji nnkod body con- 
 nected diunb-bell-wiHO by a niik('(l neck to ii cap of reversed 
 skin into wliicli tlie licud litis disjiinx'jired, from tlie inside 
 of wliicli tlic le<fs !iud wings dun}i,ie, iind iirountl tlie edges of 
 which is a row of plumage and a tail.* Here comes up an im- 
 portant consideration : tho skin, phnnage, legs, wings and tail 
 together wci(jb something — enongh to ulrctrh-f unduly the skin 
 of the neck, from the small cylinder of whicli they are now 
 suspended ; the whole mass must be tiitpitortinl. For small 
 birds, gather it in the hollow qf yonr left hand, letting the 
 body swing over the back of your hand out of the way ; for 
 large ones, rest the alfair on the table or your lap. To skin 
 the head, secure the l)ody in the position just indicated, by 
 conllning the neck between your left thumb and forefuiger ; 
 bring the right lingers and thumb to a cone over the head, and 
 draw it out with gentle force ; or, holding the head itself be- 
 tween the left thumb and forefuiger, insert the handle of the 
 scalpel between the skin and skull, and pry a little, to enlarge 
 the neck-cylinder of skin enough to let the head pass. It will 
 generally]: slip out of its hood ver}' readily, as far as its 
 greatest diameter ;§ there it sticks, being in fact pinned by 
 the t'ars. Still holding the bird as before, with the point of 
 the scalpel handled like a nut-picker, or with 3'our tlurnb-nail, 
 detach the delicate membrane that lines the ear-opening ; do 
 the same for the other ear. The skull is then shelled out to 
 the eyes, and will skin no further of its own accord, being 
 
 * You llnd tlint tlic liUle striiiglit cut you niaile alons tlie belly lias somehow be- 
 come 11 hole liirger than the greatest girth of the bird; be undi^mayeil; it is all 
 riglit. 
 
 t If you have U)) to this point properly ;j)/s/(«rf off tlio ski,^ instead n( puUiny it, 
 there is as yet probably no stretching of any consciiuence; but in skinning tho 
 head, which comes next, it is almost impossible for a beginner to avoid .-tretrhing 
 to an extei.'. involving great damage to the good looks of a skin. Try your utmost, 
 by delicacy of manipulation at the lines of contact of skin with llesh and only 
 there, to i)revent lengthwiae stretching. Crosswise distension is of no conse- 
 quence— in fact more or less of it is usually required to skin the head, and it tends 
 to counteract the evils of undue elongation. 
 
 X The special case of head too large for thecalibreof the neck is ti-eated beyond. 
 
 § And you will at once And a great apparent increase of amount of free skin In 
 your hand, owing to release and extension of nil that was before shortened in 
 length by circular distODsion, in enlargement of the neck-cylinder. 
 
 'I 
 
 i 
 
 ii! 
 
 i 
 
62 
 
 HOW TO M..KE A BIRDSKIN. 
 
 -^ 
 
 ^1 
 
 again attached by a membrane, around the border of the eye- 
 socket. Holding the scalpel as before, run its edge around an 
 arc (a semicircle is enough to let you into the orbit) of the 
 circumference, dissevering the membrane from the bone. Re- 
 verse the scalpel, and scoop out the eyeball with the end of 
 the handle ; you bring out the eye betwixt the ball of your 
 thumb and the handle of the instrument, te.ring apart the 
 optic nerve and conjunctival tissue, but taking c-re not to open 
 the eyeball* nor lacerate the eyelids. Do the same with the 
 other eye. The head is then j^kinned far enough ; there is no 
 use of getting quite to the base of the bill. You have noAV to 
 get rid of the brain and flesh of the nape and jaws,t and leave 
 most of the skull in ; the cranial dome makes the only perfect 
 " stufling" for the skin of the head. This is all done at once 
 by only four particular cuts. Hold the head between j'our left 
 thumb and fingers, the bill pointing towards you, the bird's 
 palate facing you ; jow. observe a space bounded behind by the 
 base of the skull where the neck joins, in front by the floor of 
 the mouth, on either side by the prongs of the under jaw — 
 these last especiall}' prominent. Take the scissors ; stick one 
 blade just inside one branch of the lower jaw, thence into the 
 eye-socket which lies below (the head being upside dov/n) 
 thence into the brain-box ; make a cut parallel with the jaw, 
 just inside of it, bringing th?; upper scissor blade perpendicu- 
 larly downward crashing through the skull just inside of the 
 angle of the jaw. Duplicate this cut on the other side. Con- 
 nect the anterior ends of these cuts by a transverse one across 
 the floor and roof of the mouth. Connect the posterior ends 
 of the side cuts by one across the back of the skull near its 
 base — just where the nape-muscle ceases to override the cra- 
 
 * An eyeball is much larger Uinn it looks from the outside; if you stick the 
 instrument strniglit ii.to the socket, you may punch a hole in the ball and let out 
 the water; a very disagreeable complication. Ii'sinuate the knife-handle close to 
 the rim of the socket, and hug the wall of the c(> v ity throughout. 
 
 t You may of course at this stage cut off the i.jck at the nape, punch a hole in 
 the base of the skull, dig out the brains, and scrape away at the jaw-i'mscles till 
 you are eatisfled or tired; an unnecessary Job, during which the skin may have 
 become dry and shrivelled and hard to turn right side out. The operation de- 
 scribed in the text may require ten seconds, perhaps. 
 
PROCESS OF SKINNING. 
 
 63 
 
 ninm. You have enclosed and cut out a squarish-shaped mass 
 of bone and muscle, and on gently pulling the neck (to which 
 of course it remains attached), the whole affair comes out, 
 bringing tlio brain with it, but leaving the entire roof of the 
 skull supported on a scaffolding of jaw-bone. It only remains 
 to skin the wings. Seize the arm-5>tump with fingers or for- 
 ceps ; the upper arm is readily drawn from its sheath as lar as 
 the elbow ; but the wing must be skinned to the wrist (carpus 
 — "bend of the wing") ; yet it will not come out so easi'y, 
 because the secondary quills grow to one of the forearm bones 
 (the ulna) pinning down the skin the whole way along a series 
 of points. To break up these connections, hold the upper arm 
 firmly Avith the left thuml) and forefinger, the convexit\' of the 
 elbow looking towards you ; press the riglit thumb-nail closely 
 against the back edge of the ulna, and strip downward, scrap- 
 ing the bone with the nail the whole way.* If yon only hit 
 the line of adhesion, there is no ti'ouble at all about this. Now 
 you want to leave in one of the two forearm bones, to preserve 
 sufficiently the shape of the limb, but to remove the other, with 
 the upper arm bone and all the flesh. It is done in a moment ; 
 stick the point of the scissors between the heads of the tvvo 
 forearm bones, and cut the hinder one (ulna) away from the 
 elbow; then the other forearm bone (radius), bearing on its 
 near end the elbow and the whole upper arm, is to be stripped 
 away from the ulna, taking with it the flesli of the forearm, 
 and to be cut off at its far end close to the wrist-joint, one 
 stroke severing the bone and all the tendons that pass over the 
 wrist to the hand ; then the ulna, bare of flesh, is alone left in, 
 attached at the wrist. Draw gently on the wing from the out- 
 side till it slips into the natural position whence you everted 
 it. Do the same for the other wing. This finishes the skin- 
 ning process. The skin is now to be turned right side out. 
 Begin anyway you please, till jou see the point of the bill 
 reappearing among the feathers ; seize it with fingers or for- 
 ceps as convenient, and use it for gentle traction. But by no 
 means pull it out by holding on to the rear end of the skin — 
 
 * For special case of wing too large to be handled thus, sei; beyond. 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 = 
 
illilf 
 
 I 
 I 
 
 I 1 i 
 
 4 
 
 ■■!! I 
 
 liiiii i 
 
 if 
 
 *" 
 
 64 
 
 HOW TO MAKE A BIRDSKIN. 
 
 fii 
 
 that would infallibly stretch the skin. Holding the bill, make 
 a cylinder of your left hand and coax the skin backward with 
 a sort of milking motion. It will come easily enough, until 
 the final stage of getting the head back into its skull cap ; this 
 may require some little dextcritj'^ ; but you • cannot fail to get 
 the head in, if j^ou remember what you did to get it out. 
 When this is fairly accomplished, you for the first time have 
 the pleasure of seeing something that looks like a birdskin. 
 Your next* care is to apply arsenic. Laj' the skin on its back, 
 the opening toward you and wide spread, so the interior is in 
 view. Run the. scalpel-handle into the neck to dilate that cj^- 
 inder until you can see the skull ; find your way to the orifices 
 of the legs and wings ; expose the pope's-nose ; thus you have 
 not only the general skin surface, but all the points where some 
 traces of flesh were left, fairly in view. Shovel in arsenic ; 
 dump some down the neck, making sure it reaches and plenti- 
 fully besprinkles the whole skull ; drop a little in each wing 
 hole and leg hole ; leave a small pile at the root of the tail ; 
 strew some more over the skin at large. The simple rule is, 
 put in as much arsenic as will stick anywhere. Then close 
 the opening, and shake up the skin ; move the head about 
 by the bill ; rustle the wings and move the logs ; this distrib- 
 utes the poison thoroughly. If you have got in more than is 
 necessary, as you may judge by seeing it piled up dry, any- 
 where, hold the skin with the opening downward over the poi- 
 son-drawer, and give it a flip and let the superfluous powder fall 
 out. Now for the " make up," upon which the beauty of the 
 preparation depends. First get the empty skin into good 
 shape. Let it lie on its back ; draw it straight out to its nat- 
 ural length. See that the skin of the head fits snugly ; that 
 the eyes, ears and jaws are in place. Expand the wings to 
 make sure that the bone is in place, and fold them so that the 
 quills override each other naturally ; set the tail feathers shin- 
 
 ♦Some QJrect the poisoning to be done while the sliin is still wrong side out; 
 and it may be very thorouRlily effeotcd nt tlint stage. I wait, because the arsenic 
 generally strews over tlic table in the operation of reversing the hkin, if you use 
 as much as I thinit advisable; and it is better to have a cavity to put it into than a 
 surface to strew it on. 
 
 
STUFFING. 
 
 65 
 
 glewise also ; draw clown the legs and leave them straddling 
 wide apart. Give tlie plumage a preliminary dressing ; if the 
 skin is free from kinks and creases, the feathers come naturally 
 into place ; particular ones that may be awry should be set 
 right, as may be generally done by stroking, or by lifting them 
 free repeatedly, and letting them fall ; if any (through care- 
 lessness) remain turned into the opening, they should be care- 
 fully picked out. Remove all traces of gypsum or arsenic 
 with tlie feather duster. The stufling is to be put in through 
 the opening in the belly ; tlie art is to get in just enough, in 
 the right places. It would never do to push in pellets of cot- 
 ton, as you would stuff a pill«w-case, till the skin is filled up ; 
 no subsequent skill in setting could remove the distortion that 
 would result. It takes just four* pieces of stuffing — one for 
 each eye, one for the neck, and one for the body ; while it re- 
 quires rather less tlian half as much stuffing as an inexperienced 
 person might suppose. Take a shred of cotton that will make a 
 tight ball as large as the bird's eye ; stick it on the end of your 
 knitting needle, and by twirling the needle whilst the cotton is 
 confined in your finger tips, j'ou make a neat ball. Introduce 
 this through the bellj'-opening, into the eyesocket ; if you have 
 cut away skull enough, as already' directed, it will go right in ; 
 disengage the needle with a reverse twirl, nnd withdraw it. 
 Take hold of the bill with one hand, and with the forceps in 
 the other, dress the eyelids neatly and naturall}' over the elas- 
 tic substance within. Repeat for the other eye. Take next a 
 shred of cotton that will roll into a firm cylinder rather less 
 than the size of the bird's neck. Roll it on the needle much 
 
 ♦ For nny ordinarj- bird up to tlie size of a crow. It is often directeil thnt the 
 lej? l)oiie8 and wing bones be wrapped with cotton or tow. I sliould not tliink of 
 putting anything around the wing l)ones of any bird up to the size of an eagle, 
 swan or pelican. Exaniiration of a skinned wing will show how extremely com- 
 pact it is, except just at the slioubler. What you remove will never make any dif- 
 ference from the outside, while you would almost inevitably get in too much, not 
 of the right shai)c, and make an awkward bulging no art would remedy; I say, 
 then, leave the wings of all but the largest birds empty, and i)ut in very little under 
 any circumstances. As for legs, the whole host of small i)erching birds need no 
 wrapi'ing whatever; depend upon it you will make a nicer skin without wrapping. 
 But large birds and those with very muscular or otherwise prominent legs must 
 have the removal of flesh compensated for I treat of these cases beyond. 
 
 MANUAL. S 
 
 n 
 
 m 
 
 
 
 I 
 

 It 
 
 
 
 66 
 
 HOW TO MAKE A BIRDSKIN. 
 
 as you did the ej'cball, introduce it in tlie same way, and ram 
 it firmly into the base of tlie skull ; disengage the needle bj'' 
 twisting it the other way, and withdraw it, taking care not to 
 dislodge the cotton neck. If now you peep into the skin 30U 
 will see the end of this artificial neck ; push it up against the 
 skin of the breast — it must not lie down on the back between 
 the shoulders.* The body-Avad comes next ; you want to imi- 
 tate the size and shape of the bird's trunk. Take a mass of 
 cotton you think will be enough, and take about half of this ; 
 that will be plenty (cotton is \ery elastic). It should make a 
 tolerably firm ball, rather egg-shaped, swelling at the breast, 
 smaller behind. If you simply squeeze up the cotton, it will 
 not stay compressed ; it requires a motion something like that 
 which bakers employ to knead '^jugb into the shape of a loaf. 
 Keep tucking over the borders of the cotton till the desired 
 shape and fii'mness are attained. Insert the ball between the 
 blades of the forceps in such way that the instruments con- 
 fine the folded-over edges, and with a wriggling motion insin- 
 uate it aright into the body. Before relaxing the forceps, put 
 your thumb and forefinger in the bird's armpits, and pinch the 
 shoulders together till they almost touch ; this is to make sure 
 that there is no stuffing between the shoulders — the whole 
 mass lying breastwards. Loosen the forceps and withdraw 
 them. If the ball is rightly made and tucked in, the elasticity 
 of the cotton will chiefl}' expend itself in puffing out the breast, 
 which is just what is wanted. Be careful not to push the body 
 too few in ; if it impacts against the skin of the neck, this will 
 infallibly- stretch, driving the shoulders apart, and no art will 
 remedy the unsightly gape resulting. You see I dwell on this 
 
 * Althougli aljivd's neck is really, of course, in direct continuation of tlie l)ack- 
 bone, yettlic natural sifrnioiil curve of the neck is pucIi that it virtually takes de- 
 parture 1 .'ler irom the brea-t, its lower curve beiuj? received between the prongs 
 of the ni'j. thought. This is wliat wo must imitate in.stead of tlie true nnatouij^ 
 If you let the end of the neck lii^ between the shoiddcrs, it will infallibly press 
 tlicni apart, so that the intorscaiuilar i)Iumage cannot sldngle over the scapular as 
 it should, and a Kajiiiig place, sliowing down or even naked skin, will result, 
 hikewist! if the neck be made too large (the chances are that way, at llrst), the 
 same result follows. These seemingly trifling points are very important indeed; 
 I never made a decent birdskin till I learned to get tlie neck small enough, and to 
 shove the end of it against the breast. 
 
SETTING IHE SKIN. 
 
 67 
 
 nd vam 
 idle bj'^ 
 not to 
 iin you 
 nst the 
 )et\veen 
 to imi- 
 niass of 
 jf this ; 
 make a 
 breast, 
 I, it will 
 ike that 
 f a loaf, 
 desired 
 veeu the 
 nts con- 
 •n iusin- 
 ;eps, put 
 inch the 
 ve sure 
 e whole 
 athdraw 
 asticity 
 breast, 
 lie body 
 ,his will 
 art will 
 on this 
 
 the back- 
 takes (le- 
 the \iroiig8 
 anutmny. 
 libly piops 
 capillar aw 
 rill result, 
 flr.-t), tho 
 lit i mired; 
 igli, and to 
 
 matter of the shoulders ; the whole knack of stuffing correctly 
 focusses just over the shoulders. If you find you have made 
 the body too large, pull it out and make a smaller one ; if it 
 fits nicely about the shoulders but is too long to go in, or 
 too puffy over the belly, let it stay, and pick away shreds at 
 the open end till the redundancy is remedied. Your bird is 
 now stuffed. Close the opening by bringing the edges of the 
 original cut together. There is no use of sewing* up the cut, 
 for a small bird ; if the stufTing is correct, the feathers will 
 hide the opening, and if th«y do not, it is no matter. You are 
 not making an object for a show case, but for a naturalist's 
 cabinet. Supposing you to have been so far successful, little 
 remains to be done ; the skin already looks very much like a 
 dead bird ; you have only to give the finishing touches, and 
 "set" it. Fixing the wings nicely is a great point. Fold 
 each wing closely ; see that the carpal bend is well defined, 
 that the coverts show their several oblique rows perfectly, that 
 all the quills override each other like shingles. Tuck the 
 folded wings close up to the body — rather on the bird's back 
 than along its sides ; see that the wing tips meet over the tail 
 (under the tail as the bird lies on its back) ; let the carpal 
 angle nestle in the plumage ; have the shoulders close together, 
 so that the interscapulars shingle over the scapulars. If the 
 Aving be pressed in too tightly, the scapulars will rise up on 
 end ; there must be neither furrow nor ridge about the inser- 
 tion of the wings ; every thing must lie perfectly smooth. At 
 this stage of the process, I generally lift up the skin gingerly, 
 and let it slip head first through one hand after the other, press- 
 ing here or there to correct a deformity, or uniformly, to make 
 the whole skin compact. The wings set, next bring the legs 
 together, so that the bones within the skin lie parallel with 
 each other ; bend the heel-joint a little, to let the tarsi cross 
 each other about their middle ; lay them sidewise on the tail, 
 
 *But sew it lip, if yoii please, though you may bo perhaps giving the man who 
 subsequently mounts the bird the trouble of ripping out the stitches. Stitches 
 however, will not come amiss with a large bird. I generally, in such cases, piH the 
 edges of the cut in one or more places. 
 
 hi 
 I'.n 
 
 2 
 
' 
 
 lit! 
 
 . 
 
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 I'll 
 
 ■i ■ i 
 
 
 68 
 
 HOW TO MAKE A BIRD8KIN. 
 
 SO that the naturally flexed toes lie flat, all the claws mutually 
 facing each other. See that the neck is perfectly straight, and, 
 if anything, shortened rather than outstretched ; have the crown 
 of the head flat on the table, the bill pointing straight forward,* 
 the mandibles shut tightly.! Never attempt any "fancy" atti- 
 tudes with a birdskin ; the simpler and more compactly it is 
 made up the better. J Finally, I say, hang over your bird (if 
 you have time) ; dress better the feathers that were well 
 dressed before ; perfect every curve ; flnish caressingly, and 
 put it away tenderly, as you hope to be shriven yourself 
 when the time comes. 
 
 There are several ways of laying a birdskin. A common, 
 easy and slovenly way is to thrust it head flrs't into a paper co/je; 
 but it makes a hoUow-cthested, pot-bellied object unpleasant to 
 see, and renders your nice work on the make-up futile. A 
 paper cylinder, corresponding in calibre to the greatest girth 
 of the birdskin, binds the wings well, and makes a good ordi- 
 nary specimen — perhaps better than the average. Remarking 
 that there are some detestable practices, such as hanging up 
 a bird by a string through the nose (methods only to be men- 
 
 * Exceptions. Woodpeckers, ducks and some other birds treated of in §39, are 
 best set Mitli the head flat on one side, the bill iioiiiting ol)lif)uoly to the riglit or 
 lefl; owls, with tlie bill pointing straight up in tlie air aw the bird lies on its back. 
 
 tif tlie mandibles gape, run a tliread tlirough tlie nostrils and tie it tightly under 
 the bill. Or, since tliis injures tlie nostriis (and we fro(|uently want to examine 
 their structure) stick a pin in under the bill close to the gonys, drawing it obliquely 
 into tlie iialatc. Sometimes the i^kiu of the throat looks sunken betwixt the sides 
 of the jaw. A mere shred of cotton introduced with forceps through the mouth 
 Will obviate this. 
 
 t Don't cock up tlie head, trying to impart a knowing air — it cannot be done, and 
 only makes the poor bird look ridiculous. Don't lay the skin on one side, with the 
 legs in perching position, and don't si)read the wings — the bird will never perch nor 
 fly again, and the suggestion is unartistic because incongruous. The only pcrinis- 
 Bible departure from the rule of severe simplicity is when some special ornament, 
 as a flne crest, may be naturally displayed, or some hidden markings are desired to 
 be brought out, or a shape of tail or wing to be perpetuated; but in all such cases 
 the ''flowery" inclination should be sparingly and judiciously indulged. It is, 
 however, frequently desirable to give some special set to /uV/c a defect, as loss of 
 plumage, etc.; this may often be accomplished very cunningly, with excellent re- 
 sult. No rules for this can be laid down, since the details vary in every case; but 
 in general the weak spot may be hidden by contracting the skin of the place and 
 then setting the bird in an attitude that naturally corresponds, thus making a vir- 
 tue of necessity. 
 
 ii: I 
 
DRYING AND PACKING SKINS. 
 
 69 
 
 tioned to be condcmnod), I will tell 3'ou the easiest and best 
 way, by whicli the most elegant an<l tasteful results are almost 
 necessarily secured. The skins are simply laid away in cotton, 
 just as they come from your hands. Take a considerable wad 
 of cotton, make a " bed " of it, lay the specimen in, and tuck 
 it up nicely around the edges. 'In effect, I generally take a 
 thin sheet of cotton wadding, the sizing of wljicli confers some 
 textile consistenc}', and wrap the bird completely but lightly in 
 it. By loosening or tlghteuing a trifle here or there, lading 
 down a "pillow "or other special slight pressure, tiie most deli- 
 cate contour-lines may be preserved with perfect fidelity. Un- 
 necessary pother is sometimes made about drying skins ; the 
 fact being that under ordinary circumstances they could not be 
 kept from drying perfectly ; and they dry ii. exactly the shape 
 they are set, if not accidental^' pressed upon. At sea, how- 
 ever, or during unusually protracted wet weather, they of 
 course dry slowly, and may recpiire some attention to prevent 
 mildew, and even souring, especially in the cases of very large, 
 thick-skinned or greas}' specimens. Thorough poisoning, and 
 drying by a fire, or placing in the sun, will always answer. 
 Very close packing retards drying. When travelling or oper- 
 ating under other circumstances requiring economy of space, 
 you must not expect to turn out your collection in elegant 
 order. Perfection of contour-lines can only be secured by put- 
 ting each specimen away by itself ; undue pressure is always 
 liable to produce unhappily oatrl- configuration of a skin. 
 Trays in a packing box arc of great service in limiting possi- 
 l)ilities of pressure ; they should be shallow ; for one four 
 inches deep will take a well stuffed hen hawk, for example, or 
 accommodate 3-6 sparrows a-top of each other. It is well to 
 sort out your specimens somewhat according to size, to keep 
 heavy ones oft" little ones ; though the chinks around the 
 former may usually be economized with advantage by packing 
 in the less valuable or the less neatly prepared of the latter. 
 When limited to a travelling chest, I generally pass in the 
 skins as fast as made, packing them "solid" in one sense, yet 
 hunting up a nice resting place for each. If each rests in its 
 
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 ■ 
 
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 70 
 
 HOW TO MAKE A BIKIXSKIN. 
 
 own cotton coffin, it is astonishing liow close they may be laid 
 without harm ; and how many will go in a given space — a troy 
 30X1SX4 inches will easily' hold three hundred and fifty birds 
 six inches long. As a tray fills up, the drier ones first put in 
 may bo submitted to more pressure. A skin originally dried 
 in good shape may subse(iuenfrly be pressed perfectly flat with- 
 out material injury; the only thing to avoid being contortion. 
 The whole knack of packing birds corresponds to that of filling 
 a trunk solidly full of clothes — as may easily be done without 
 damage to an immaculate shirt-front. Finally, I would say, 
 never put away a bird unlabelled, not even for an hour ; you 
 may forget it, or die. Never tie a label to a bird's bill, wing 
 or tail ; tie it securely to both legs where they cross, and it will 
 be just half as liable to become detached as if tied to one leg 
 only. Never paste a label, or even a number, on a bird's plu- 
 mage. Never put in glass eyes before mounting. Never paint 
 or varnish a bird's bill or feet. Never replace missing plumage 
 of one bird with the feathers of another — no, not even if the 
 birds came out of the same nest. 
 
 B, Special Processes ; CompHcations and Accidents. 
 
 §37. The foregoing method of procedure is a routine prac- 
 tice applicable to three-fourths if not nine-tenths of the " gen- 
 eral run" of birds. But there are several cases requiring a 
 modification of this programme ; while several circumstances 
 may tend to embarrass your operations. The principal special 
 conditions may therefore be separately treated to your advan- 
 tage. 
 
 §38. Size. Other things being equal, a large bird is more 
 diflScult to prepare than a small one. In one case, you only 
 need a certain delicacy of touch, easily acquired and soon be- 
 coming mechanical ; in the other, demand on your strength 
 may be made, till your muscles ache. It takes longc/, too ;* 
 
 •The reader may be curious to know something of the statistics on this score 
 —how long it ought to take him to prepare an ordinary skin. lie can scarcely 
 imagine, A'oni his first tedious operations, how expert he may become, not only in 
 
SPECIAL PROCESSES. 
 
 71 
 
 I could put away a dozen sparrows in tlio time I should spend 
 over an oai>lo, and I would rntlier undertake a hundred hum- 
 ming birds than one ostrich. For"lar<>e" birds, say anything 
 from a hen hawk upward, various special manipulations 1 liave 
 directed may be foregone, while however you observe their gen- 
 crnl drift and intent. You may open the bird as directed, or, 
 turning it tail to 3'ou, cut with a knife.* Forceps are rarelj' 
 recjuired — there is not much that is too small to be taken in 
 liiind. As soon as the tail is divided, hang i\[) the bird by the 
 rump, so you will liave both hands free. Let it swing clear of 
 the wall or table, at any height most convenient. The steel 
 hooks of a dissecting case are not always large enough ; use a 
 stout lish-hook with fhc barb filed off. Work with your nails, 
 assisted by the scalpel if necessary. 1 know of no bird, and 
 I think there is none in tliis country at least, the skin of which 
 is so internally adiierent by fibrous or muscular tissue as to 
 require actual dissecting throughout ; a pelican comes perhaps 
 as near this as nny ; but in many cases the knife may be con- 
 stantly employed with advantage. Use it with long clean 
 
 beauty of result, but iu rapidity of execution. Ihnve seen tnxidcrniistsni.'iki' Rood 
 Bmall skins at tlie rate of ten an liouv; but this is extraovdiiiiiry. Tlio (luickest 
 AVdi'k levovdidinysolf wnscii^lit an hour, or an avi'v.isc of soven and aliall niiiiutOH 
 ai>iO('e, and fairly good skins. Hut I iiicked my birds, all small ones, well shot, 
 hil)ollud, nioasuri'd iind iiltijrsrcd lici'orcliand, so t!iat tlio rat(U)f work was e.vcop- 
 tional besides includinfronly tlic actual niaiii|iulations fniin lii'stcut tolayinL'away. 
 No one «fC7V(f/e,v eijfbt birds an liour. even cxcludin;;' tlio necessary preliminaries 
 of deansini?, iilu^jring, rti'. Four birds an hour, everything in<duded, is good 
 work. A very eminent ornithologist of this country, and an expert taxidermist, 
 once laid a whimsical wager, th.at he would skin and stutf a bird before a cert.'iin 
 friend of his could pick all the feathers oil' a epecinien of tlie same kind, I forget 
 the time, but he won, and Ids friend sup|ieii that night on some very tough game I 
 ♦Certain among larger birds are often upened elsewhere than along the belly — 
 with what advantage 1 cannot say from my own exiierlence. Various water bii-ils. 
 siu'h as loons, grelies, auks, gulls and ducks (in fact any swimming Ijird with 
 dense under plum;ige) may lie opened along the side l»y a cut under the wings frnm 
 the slioulderover the hip to theruinp; the cut is completely hidilen by tlie make-up, 
 and the plumage is never milled. Hut I see no necessity for this; for, as a rule, 
 tlie belly opening can, if desired, be completely elfaced with duo care; though a 
 very greasy bird with wliite under plumage generally st:ains where opened, in spite 
 of every i)recautioii. Sucli birds as loons, grelies, cormorants anil penguins are 
 often opened by a cut across the fundament from one leg to the other; their con- 
 formation in fact suggests and favcr.s this operation. I have olleii seen water 
 birds slit down the back; but I consider it very poor practice. 
 
 •I 
 
 I 
 
 
 I'M 
 
 i 
 
 s, 
 
 \ I 
 
 I* 
 
^ 
 
 >■ .i: 
 
 72 
 
 now TO MAKE A BIUD8K1N. 
 
 sweeping strokes, hugging the skin ratlier than the body. The 
 knee and sljoulder commonly require disarticulation, unless 
 you use bone-nippers or strong shears; the four cuts of the 
 skull may presuppose a very able-bodied instrument — even a 
 chisel. The wings will give you the most trouble, and they 
 require a special process ; for you cannot readily break up the 
 adhesions of the secondary quills to the ulna, nor is it desi- 
 rable that very large feathers should be deprived of this natural 
 support. Hammer or nip olf the great head of the upper arm- 
 bone, just below the insertion of the breast muscles ; clean 
 the rest of that bone and leave it in. Tie a string around it 
 (what sailors call "two half hitches" gives a secure hold on 
 the bony cylinder), and tie it to the other humerus, inside the 
 skin, so that the two bones shall be rather less than their natu- 
 ral distance apart. After the skin is brought right side out, 
 attack the wings thus : spread the wing under side uppermost, 
 and secure it on the table l)y driving a tack or brad through 
 the wrist-joint ; this fixes the far end, while the weight of the 
 skin steadies the other. Raise a whole layer of the under 
 wing coverts, and make .a cut in the skin thus exposed, from 
 elbow to wrist, in the middle line between the two forearm 
 bones. Raise the flaps of skin, and all the muscle is laid bare ; 
 it is to be removed. This is best done by lifting each nuiscle 
 from its bed separately, slipping the handle of the scalpel 
 under the individual bellies ; there is little if any bony attach- 
 ment except at each end, and this is readily severed. Strew 
 in arsenic ; a little cotton may be used to fill the bed of mus- 
 cle removed from a very large bird ; bring the flaps of skin 
 together, and smooth down the coverts ; you need not be par- 
 ticular to sew up the cut, for the coverts will hide the opening ; 
 in fact, the operation does not show at all after the make- 
 up. Stuffing of large birds is not commonly done with only 
 the four pieces already directed. The eyeballs, and usually 
 the neck-cylinder, go in as before ; the body may be filled any 
 way you please, provided you do not put in too much stuffing 
 nor get any between the shoulders. All large birds had better 
 have the leg bones wrapped to nearly natural size. Observe 
 
LAUOE HEADED lilUDS. 
 
 78 
 
 that the leg-muscles do not form a cylinder, but a cone ; let 
 the wra[)ping taper naturally from top to bottom. Attention 
 to this point is necessary for all lar«jje or medium sized birds 
 with naturally prominent legs. The largo finely feathered legs 
 of a hawk, for example, ougiit to be well disphiyed ; witli these 
 birds, and also with rails, etc., moreover, imitate the bulge of 
 the thigh with a special wad laid inside the skin. Large birds 
 commonly recpiire also a special wad introduced by the mouth, 
 to make the swell of the throat ; this wad sliould bo ratlier 
 flutty than firm. As a rule do not fill out large birds to their 
 natural dimensions ; they take up too mucli room. Let the 
 head, neck and legs be accurately prepared, but leave the main 
 cavity one-third if not one-half empty ; no more is rocpiired 
 than will fairly smootli out creases in the skin. Reduce bulk 
 rather by flattening out than by general compression. Use 
 tow instead of cotton ; and if at all short of tow, economize 
 with paper, hay, etc., at least for the deeper portions of the 
 main stuffing. Large birds may be "set" in a great quantity 
 of tow ; wrapped in paper, much like any other parcel ; or 
 simply left to dry on the table, the wings being only supported 
 by cushioning or other suitable means. 
 
 '■' ' I 
 
 ^:i 
 
 fr 
 
 §39. Shape. Some special configurations have been noticed 
 in the last paragraph, prematurely perhaps, but leading di- 
 rectly up to further considerations respecting sha2:>e of certain 
 birds as a modifying element in the process of preparation. 
 As for skinning, there is one extremely important matter. 
 Most ducks, many woodpeckers, flamingoes, and doubtless 
 some others, with which I am not familiar, cannot be skinned 
 in the usual way, because the head is too large for the calibre 
 of the neck and cannot be drawn through. In such cases, skin 
 as usual to the base of the skull, cut off the head there (in- 
 side the skin of course), and operate upon it, after turning the 
 skin right side out, as follows: — Part the feathers carefully 
 in a straight line down the back of the skull, make a cut 
 through the skin, just long enough to permit the head to pass, 
 draw out the skull through this opening, and dress it as already 
 
 
 U 
 
 i! 
 
^ 
 
 74 
 
 now TO MAKK A UIUUSKIN. 
 
 I Wi 
 
 ' II 
 
 directed. Return it, draw ti»e edj;e,s of the cut nieely to- 
 getlier, and sew up tiie opcninj; with ii ^reat iimny due stitelies. 
 Simiile iiH it limy iippcjir, tliis proee.sH is oltciii enil)arr.*issiii<r, 
 Cor tlie cut liiis iiii iiiiliiippy tciideiicy to wander about tlie iiecli, 
 eu!ar<fiuji; itself even uiidcr tlie most eareful inaiiipulation ; 
 wliile tlie fcatiiers of tlie parts are usually so short, that it is 
 didlcult to ellaee all traces of the operation. 1 consider it 
 very disaj^rceable ; hut for ducks I know of no alternative. I 
 have however found out a way to avoid it with woodpeckers, 
 excepting the very laro;est : it is this : — Before skiniiinj;, i)art 
 the eyelids, and pliiii<;c the scalpel right into the eyehalls; 
 seize the cut edge of the ball with the forceps, and pull the 
 eye right out. It may be dextrously done without spilling the 
 eye water on the plumage ; but, for fear of this, previously put 
 a little i)ile of plaster on the spot. Throw arsenic into the 
 socket, and then fill it with cotton poked in between the lids. 
 The eyes are thus disposed of. Then, in skinning, when you 
 come to the head, dissever it from the neck and work the skull 
 as far out as you can ; it may be sutlicientl}' exposed, in all 
 cases, for you to gouge out the base of the skull with the scis- 
 sors, and get at the brain to remove it. A])i)ly an extra large 
 dose of arsenic, and you will never hear from what jaw-muscle 
 has been left in. In all these cases, as already remarked, the 
 head is preferably set lying on one side, with the bill pointing 
 obliquely to the right or left. Certain birds require a special 
 mode of setting ; these are, birds with very long legs or neck, 
 or both, as swans, geese, pelicans, cormorants, snakebirds, 
 loons, and especially cranes, herons, ibises and flamingoes. 
 Long legs should be doubled completely on themselves b}' 
 bending at the heel-joint, and either tucked under the wings, 
 or laid on the under surface ; the chief point is to see that 
 the toes lie flat, so that the claws do not stick np, to catch 
 in things or get broken off. A long neck should be carefully 
 folded ; not at a sharp angle with a crease in the skin, but 
 with a short curve, and brought round cither to the side of 
 the bird or on its breast, as may seem most convenient. The 
 object is to make a "bale" of the skin as nearly as may be, 
 
THIN 8KINS, ETC. — FAT. 
 
 75 
 
 nrifl when it Is properly offoctod it is siirpriHin<; what little spnco 
 II cniiie, for iii.stiiiice, oc(upi(>M. Hut it in nirciy, if ever, admis- 
 nilile to bciid ii tail bacli on the body liowever inconveniently 
 long it nniy he. Special dilationH of .siiin, like the poiieh of n 
 pelienn, or the air sacs of a prairie-hen, may l)c moderately 
 (li.si)layed. 
 
 SlO. Thin skin. Loosk, ri.iMAOK. It is astoiiishin<.!j how 
 nnich re.sistan(e is oll'ered l»y the thin skin of llie smallest bird. 
 'J'hongh no thieker than tissue |)aper, it is not very liable to tear 
 if deftly handled ; yet a rent once started ofteu enlarges to nn 
 embarrassing extent if the skin be stretched in the least. 
 Accidental rents, and enlargements of shot-holes, shonid be 
 neatly sewn np, if occnrring in an exi)osed place ; but in most 
 cases the plumage may be sot to hide the ojMUiings. The tro- 
 gons are said to have remarkably thin and delicate skin ; I 
 have never handled one in the tlesh. Among our birds, the 
 cardinal grosbeak has, I think, about the tenderest skin. The 
 ol)vioU3 indication in all such cases is simply a little extra 
 delicacy of manipulation. In skinning most birds, you should 
 not loose more than a feather or two, excepting those loos- 
 ened by the shot. Pigeons arc peculiar, among our birds, 
 for the very loose insertion of their plumage ; you will have 
 to bo particularly careful with them and in spite of all your 
 precautions a good many feathers will probably drop. Strip- 
 ping down the secondary (piills fron) the forearm, in the manner 
 already indicated, will so almost invariably set these feathers 
 free from the skin that I recommend you not to attempt it, 
 but to dress the wings as prescribed for large birds. 
 
 §41. Fatnf.ss. Fat is a substance abhorred of all dissec- 
 tors ; always in the way, embarrassing operations and obscur- 
 ing observations, while it is seldom worth examination after 
 its structure has once been ascertained. It is particularly 
 obnoxious to the taxidermist, since it is liable to soil the plu- 
 mage during skinning, and also to soak into the feathers after- 
 wards ; and greasy birdskins are never pleasing objects. A 
 
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 now TO MAKE A BIRDSKIN. 
 
 few birds never seem to have an}' fat ; some, like petrels, are 
 always oily ; at times, especially in the indolent autumn season, 
 wiiou birds have little to do but feed, the great majority ac- 
 (jiMre an nnboiipouU doubtless to their own satisfaction, but to 
 the taxidenuist's discomfort. In all such cases, gypsum should 
 be l;i,vi.-.hly employed. Strew plaster plentifully from the first 
 cut, all through the operation ; dip your fingers in it frequentl}', 
 as well as yoiu' instruments. The invaluable absorbent will 
 deal v.ith most of the " running" fat. When the skin is com- 
 pletely reversed remove as much of the solid fat as possible ; 
 it is generally found occupying the areolar tissue of particular 
 deflrate tracts, and most of it may usually be peeled or fiaked 
 off in considerable masses. Since the soft and oozy state of 
 most birds' fat at ordinary temporalures may be much im- 
 proved ])y cold, it will rei)av you to leave your birds on ice for 
 a wiiile before skinning, if you ha\e the means and tino to 
 dot-o; the fat will become quite firm. There is a device for 
 preventing or at an}' rate lessening the soiling of the plumage 
 so apt to occur along the line of your incision ; it is invaluable 
 in all cases of white plum;tge. Take a strip of cloth of greater 
 Avidth than the length of the feathers, long enough to go up 
 ouo side of the cut and down the otlier. Sew this closel}'^ to 
 the skin all around the cut, and it will form an apron to guard 
 the plumage. You will too frequently And that a bird, pre- 
 pared without soiling and laid away apparently safe, after- 
 wards grows greasy ; if the plumage is white, it soon becomes 
 worse than ever by shov-.i^ dus*^ that the grease catches. 
 Perhaps the majority of fuch birds iu our museums show the 
 dirty streak along the l)ell3\ The r.'ason is, that the grease 
 has oo'':ed out along the cut and wherever else the skin has 
 been broken, and infiltrated the plumage, being drawn up ap- 
 parently by capill'U'v attra-^tion, just as a lampwick "sucks 
 np " oil. Sometimes, without obviously soiling the plumage, 
 the grease will run along the thread that ties the label, and 
 make a i:niformly transparent piece of "oil-paper." I have 
 no remedy to ofiTer for this gradual infiltration of the plumage, 
 It will lici wash out, oven with soap and water. Tossibiy 
 
BLOODSTAINS, ETC. 
 
 77 
 
 faroi'ul and persistent treatment with an ether might be effec- 
 tive, but I am not prepared to say it would be. Kenioval of 
 all fat that can be got off during skinning with a liberal use 
 of plaster will in a measure prevent a difliculty that remains 
 incurable. 
 
 ,-i; 
 
 §42. BLOonsTAiNs, etc. In the nature of the case, this com- 
 plication is of continual occurrence ; fortunately it is easier 
 dealt with than greasiness. Much may be done, in the Held, 
 tu prevent bloodying of the plumage, as already said. A little 
 blood does not show much on a dark plumage ; but it ib of 
 course conspicuous on light or white feather- Dried blood 
 may often be scraped off", in imitation of the natural i)rocess 
 by which a bird cleanses its plumage with the l)ill ; or l)e i)ul- 
 verized by gently twiddling the feathers between the lingers, 
 and then blown off". But I'eiithers mav' by due care be iranliecl 
 almost as readilj' as clothing ; and we must ordinarily resort 
 to this to remove all traces of blood, especially fiom white 
 surfaces. If properly dried they do not show the operation. 
 With a soft rag or pledget of cotton dipped in warm water 
 l)ai^he the place assiduously, pressing down pretty hard, only 
 taking care to stroke the feathers tlie right way. so as not to 
 crumple them, until the red color disappears ; then you have 
 simply a wet place to deal with. Press gypsum on the si)ot ; 
 it will cake ; flake it olT and apply more, till it will no longer 
 stick. Then raise the feathers on a knife blade and sprinkle 
 gyi)sura in among them ; pat it down and shake it up, 
 wrestling with the spot till the moisture is entirel}' absorlied. 
 Two other fluids of the body will give you occasional annoy- 
 ance — the juices of the alimentary canal, and the e^-e-water. 
 Escipe of the former by mouth, nostrils or vent 5« pnnental'le 
 
 by slugging these orifices, and its occurii »» is inexcusMJ»|it. 
 
 But shot often lacerates tiie gullet, crop and l)Owels. i, \>\ tb- ",,■•: 
 nothing may flow at thi' time, subsequent jolting or j-ri'ssure 
 i'l the game bag causes the escape of fluids : a seeniingh' Hufe 
 specimen may be unwrapped to show the whole bcllv pliiumge 
 a sodden browii mass. Such accidents shoulil l>e treated pre- 
 
 
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78 
 
 now TO MAKE A BIUDSKIN. 
 
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 cisoly like bloodstains ; but it is to be remjirketl that these 
 stains are not seUloni indelible, traces usually' persisting? in 
 white plumage at least in spite of our best endeavors. Eye- 
 water, insignilicant as it may appear, is often a great annoy- 
 ance, this liquor is slightly glairy, or rather glassy, and puts a 
 sort of sizing on the plumage, difficult to efface — the more so 
 since the soiling necessarily occurs in a conspicuous place, 
 where tlu; plumage is too scanty and delicate to bear much 
 handling. It frc(iuently happens that a lacerated e3'eball, by 
 the elasticity of tiie coats, or adhesion of the lids, retains its 
 fluid till this is pressed out in manipulating the parts ; and' 
 recollecting how the head lies buried in plumage at that stage 
 of the process, it will be seen that not onl}' the head, but much 
 of the neck and even the breast may become wetted. If the 
 parts are extensively soaked, the specimen is almost irrepa- 
 rably damaged, if not ruined. Plaster will absorb the moist- 
 ure, but much of the sizing may be retained on the plumage ; 
 therefore, though the place seems simply wet, it should be thor- 
 oughly washci" with water before the gypsum is applied. I 
 alwa^'s endeavor to prevent the accident ; if I notice a lacer- 
 ated eyeball, I extract it before skinning, in the manner <le- 
 scribed for woodpeckers. Miscellaneous stains, from the juices 
 of plants, etc., may be received ; all such are treated on gen- 
 eral principles. Blood on the beak and feet of rapacious birds, 
 mud on the bi'l and legs of waders, etc., etc., ma}'^ be washed 
 ofi' withor.t t!\e slightest difficulty. A land bird that has fallen 
 in the water should l>e recovered as soon as possible, picked 
 up b>/ the billy and shaken ; most of the water will run off, un- 
 less the plumage is completely soaked. It should be allowed 
 to dry just as it is, without touching the plumage, before being 
 wrapped and bagged. If a bird fall in soft nnid, the dirt 
 should be scraped or snai)po(l off as far as this can be done 
 without plastering the feathers down, and the rest allowed to 
 dry ; it may afterward bo rultl)ed fine and dusted off, when no 
 harm will ensue, except to white leathers which m.ay require 
 Avashing. 
 
MUTILATION. 
 
 79 
 
 § 13, IMi TiLATioN. You will often be tron1)le(l, early in your 
 practice, with lirokon legs and wings, and various lacerations; 
 but the injury must be very severe (such as the carrying away 
 of a limb, or blowing o'' the whole top of a head) that can- 
 not be in great measure remedied by care and skill. Sup- 
 pose a little bird, shot through the neck or small of the back, 
 coinos apart while being skinned ; you have only to remove the 
 hinder [)ortion, be that much or little, and go on with the rest 
 as if it were the whole. If the leg bone ol u small bird be 
 broken near the heel, let it come away altogether — it v.ill 
 make little if any difference. In case of the same accid?nt to 
 a large bird that ought to have the legs wrapped, whittle out 
 a peg and stick it in the hollow stump of the bone ; if there 
 is no stump left file a piece of stout wire to a point and stick 
 it into the heel joint. If the forearm bone that you usually 
 leave in a small bird is broken, remove it and leave the other 
 in ; if both are broken, do not clean the wings so thoroughly 
 that tl ey become detached ; an extra pinch of arsenic wid 
 condoiie the omission. In a large bird, if both bones of the 
 forearm are broken, splint them with a bit of wood laid in 
 between so that one end hitches at the elbow, the other at the 
 wrist. A humerus may be replaced like a leg bone, but this is 
 rarely required. If the skull be smashed, save the pieces, and 
 leave them if you can ; if not, imitate the arch of the head 
 witii a firm cotton-ball. A broken tarsus is readily splinted 
 with a pin thrust up through the sole of the foot : if too large 
 for this, use a pointed piece of wire. There is no mending a 
 bill when part of it is shot away, for I think the replacing of 
 part b}' putty, stucco, etc., inadmissible ; but if it be only frac- 
 tured, the pieces may usually be retained in place by winding 
 with thread, or with a touch of glue or mucilage. It is singu- 
 lar, by the way, what unsightliness results from a very tritling 
 injury to the bill — much, I suppose, as a boil on a perstm's 
 nose is peculiarly deplorable. I have already hiutetl how art- 
 fully various weak places in a skin, due to mutilation or loss 
 of plumage, may be hiddtai. 
 
80 
 
 HOW TO MAKE A BIRDSKIN. 
 
 I 11 i 
 
 ^} I 
 
 §44. Decomposition. It might seem unnecess.iry to speak 
 of what may be smdled out so roadil}- as animal putrescence, 
 but there are some useful points to be learned in this connec- 
 tion, besides the important sanitary precautions that are to be 
 deduced. Immediately after death the various fluids of tlie 
 body begin to "settle" (so to speak) and shortly after, the 
 muscular system as a rule becomes flxed in what is technically 
 called rkjor mortis. This stiffening usually occurs as the ani- 
 mal heat dies away ; but its onset, and especially its duration, 
 is very variable, according to circumstances, such as cause of 
 death ; although in most cases of sudden violent death of an 
 animal in previous good health, it seems to depend chiefly upon 
 temperature, being transient and imperfect, or altogether want- 
 ing in hot weather. As it passes off, the whole system re- 
 laxes, and the body soon becomes as '"limp" as at the moment 
 of death. This is the period 'immediately preceding decompo- 
 sition — in fact, it may be considered as the stage of incipient 
 putridity ; it is very brief in warm weather ; and it should be 
 seized as the last opportunity of preparing a bird without 
 inconvenience and even danger. If not skinned at once, 
 putrescence becomes established ; it is indicated b}^ the efllu- 
 vium (at the outset "sour," but rapidly acquiring a variety of 
 disgusting odors) ; by the distension of the abdomen with 
 gaseous products of decomposition ; bj a loosening of tiie 
 cuticle, and consequently of the feathers ; and by other signs. 
 If you part the feathers of a bad-smelling bird's belly to 
 find the skin swollen and livid or greenish, wliile the feathers 
 come off at a touch, the bird is too far gone to be recovered 
 without trouble and risk that no ordinary specimen warrants. 
 It is a singular fact that this early putrescence is more 
 poisonous than utter rottenness ; as physicians are aware, a 
 po^t-mortem examination at this stage, or even before it, in- 
 volves more risk than th3ir ordinary dissecting-room expe- 
 rience. It seems that both natural and pathological poisons 
 lose their early virulence hj resolution into other products 
 of decay. The obvious deduction from all this is to skin 
 your birds soon enough. Some say they are best skinned per- 
 
DECOMPOSITION. 
 
 81 
 
 fcctly fresh, but I sec no reason for this ; when I have time to 
 choose, I take the period of rigidity as being preferable on the 
 whole ; for the fluids have then " settled," and the limb^ are 
 readily relaxed by manipulation. If j-ou have a large bag to 
 dispose of, and are pressed for time, set them in the coolest 
 place you can find, preferably on ice ; a slight lowering of 
 temperature may make a decided difference. Disembowelling, 
 which may be accomplished in a moment, will materially retard 
 decomposition. Injections of creosote or dilute carbolic acid 
 will arrest decay for a time, for an indefinitely long period if 
 a large quantitj* of these antiseptics be employed. When it 
 becomes desirable (it can never be necessary) to skin a putres- 
 cent bird, great care must be exercised not only to accomplish 
 the operation, but to avoid danger. I must not, however, un- 
 consciousl}' lead you to exaggerate the risk, and will add that 
 1 think it often overrated. I have probably skinned birds as 
 " gamey " as any one has, and repeatedly, without being con- 
 scious of any ill effects. I am sure that no poison, ordinarily 
 generated by decomposition of a body healthy at death, can 
 compare in virulence with that commonly resulting after death 
 by many diseases. I also bel'eve that the gaseous products, 
 however offensive to the smell, are innocuous as a rule. The 
 danger practically narrows down to the absorption of fluids 
 through an abraded surface ; the i>oison is rarely taken in by 
 natural poi'es of healthy skin, if it remain in contact but a 
 short time. Cats and scratches may be closed with a film of 
 collodion, or covered with isinglass or court plaster, or pro- 
 tected by rubber cots on the fingers. The hands should, of 
 course, be washed with particular care immediately after the 
 operation, and the nails scrupulously dressed. Having never 
 been poisoned (to my knowledge), I cannot give the symptoms 
 from personal experience ; but I will quote from Mr. Maynard. 
 " In a few days numerou,^ pimples, which are exceedingly 
 painful, appear upon the skin of the face and other parts of 
 the person and, upon those parts where there is chafing or rub- 
 bing, become large and deep sores. There is a general languor 
 and, if badly poisoned, complete prostration results ; the slight- 
 
 MAMDAL. 6 
 
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82 
 
 HOW TO MAKE A RIUDSKIN. 
 
 est scratch becomes a festering sore. Once poisoned in this 
 manner (and I speak from experience), one is never afterward 
 able to skin any animal that has become in the least putrid, 
 without experiencing some of the symptoms above described. 
 Even birds that you handled before with impunity, you cannot 
 now skin without great care. The best remedy in this case is, 
 as the Hibernian would say, not to get poisoned, . . bathe the 
 parts frequently in cold water ; and, if chafed, sprinkle the parts 
 after bathing, with wheat flour. These remedies, if persisted in, 
 will elfect a cure, if not too bad ; then, medical advice should 
 be procured without delay."* 
 
 §45. How TO MOUNT BIRDS. As some may not improbably 
 procure this volume with a reasonable expectation of being 
 taught to mount birds, I append the required instructions, 
 although the work only professes ' treat of the preparation 
 of skins for the cabinet. As a rule, the purposes of science 
 are best subserved by not mounting specimens ; for display, 
 the only end attained, is not required. I would strongly advise 
 you not to mount your rarer or otherwise particularly valuable 
 specimens ; select for this purpose nice, pretty birds of no 
 special scientific value. The principal objections to mounted 
 birds are, that they take up altogether too much room, require 
 special arrangements for keeping and transportation, and can- 
 not be handled for study with impunit}'. Some might suppose 
 that a mounted bird would give a better idea of its figure and 
 general aspect than a skin ; but this is only true to a limited 
 extent. Faultless mounting is an art really diilicult, acquired 
 by few ; the a', erage work done in this line shows something 
 of caricature, ludicrous or repulsive, as the case may be. To 
 copy nature faithfully by taxidermy requires not only long 
 and close study, but an artistic sense ; and this last is a rare 
 
 •Avoid all mechanical irritation of the inflamed parts; touch the parts that 
 have uU'erated with a istick of lunar caustic; take a dose of salts; Ufe syrup of 
 the iodide of iron, or tincture of the chloride of iron, say thirty drop> of either, in 
 awiueglass of water, thrice daily ; rest ;it lirst, exercise gradually as you 'jun bear 
 it; and skiu no birds till you have completely recovered. 
 
MOUNTING BIUDS. 
 
 83 
 
 
 gift. Unless you .have at least the germs of tlie faculty- in 
 your composition your taxidermal success will be incommensu- 
 rat(,' witli tlie time and trouble you bestow. ]My own taxiiler- 
 mal art is of a low order, decidedly not above average ; 
 altliougli I have mounted a great many birds that would look 
 well enough by the side of ordinary museum work, few of them 
 have entirely answered my ideas. A live bird is to me such a 
 beautiful object that the slightest taxidermal Haw in the effort 
 to represent it is painfully offensive ; perhaps this makes me 
 place the standard of excellence too high for practical pur- 
 poses. I like a good honest birdskin that does not pretend to 
 be anything else ; it is far preferable to the ordinary taxider- 
 mal abortions of the show-cases. But if, after the warnings 
 that I mean to convey in this paragraph, you still wish to try 
 your hand in the higher department of taxidermy, I will ex- 
 plain the whole process as far as manipulation goes ; the art 
 you must discover in yourself. 
 
 The operation of skinning is precisely the- same as that 
 already given in detail ; then, instead of stutllng the skin as 
 directed above, to lie on its back in a drawer, you have to stutl" 
 it so that it will stand up on its feet and look as nnich like a 
 live bird as possible. To this end a few additional implements 
 and materials are required. These are : — a, annealed wire 
 of various numbers ; it may be iron or brass, but must be 
 perfectly annealed, so as to retain no elasticity or '' spring ;" 
 b, several files of different sizes ; c, some slender, straight 
 brad awls ; d, cutting pliers ; e, setting needles, merely sew- 
 ing or darning needles stuck in a 'ght wooden handle, for 
 dressing individual feathers ; j\ plenty of pins * and sewing 
 thread ; y, an assortment of glass ejes. (The fixtures and 
 decorations are noticed, beyond, as occasion for their use 
 arises.) 
 
 There are two principal methods of mounting, which may 
 be respectively styled soft stutling, and hard stutling. In the 
 former, a wire framework, consisting of a single anterior 
 
 * The loug, sleuder insect pins used by eDtomolcgisui are the b«^C. 
 
I! ' 
 
 8« 
 
 now TO MAKE A BIRDSKIN. 
 
 piece passing in the middle line of the body up through the 
 neck and out at the top of the head, is immovably joined 
 behind witli two pieces, one passing through each leg : around 
 this naked forked frame soft stufllng is introduced, bit by bit, 
 till the proper contour of the skin is secured. I have seen 
 very pretty work of this kind, particularly on small birds ; but 
 I consider it much more diflicult to secure satisfactory results 
 in this way than by hard stuJling, and I shall therefore con- 
 fine attention to the latter. This method is applicable to uU 
 birds, is readily practised, facilitates setting of the wings, 
 arranging of the plumage, and giving of an}'^ desired attitude. 
 In hard stufllng, ^-ou make a firm ball of tow rolled upon a 
 wire of the size and shape of the bird's body and neck to- 
 gether ; you introduce this whole, afterwards running in the 
 leg wires and clinching them immovably in the mass of tow. 
 
 Having your empty skin in good shape, as already described, 
 cut three pieces of wire of the right* size; one piece some- 
 what longer than the whole bird, the other pieces two or three 
 times as long as the whole leg of fhe bird. File one end of 
 each piece to a fine sharp point, try to secure a three-edged 
 cutting point like that of surgical needles, rather than the 
 smooth, punching point of a sewing needle, the former perfo- 
 rates more readily. Have these wires perfectly straight. f 
 Bend a small portion of the unfiled end of the longer wire ir- 
 regularly upon itself, as a convenient nucleus for the ball of 
 tow. J Take fine clean tow, in loose dossils, and wrap it round 
 and round the wire nucleus, till you make a firm ball, of the 
 size and shape of the bird's body and neck. Study the con- 
 tour of the skinned body : notice the swelling breast muscles, 
 the arch of the lower back, the hollow between the furcula into 
 
 *TI)e right sizo is the smallest that will support the whole weight of the stuff- 
 ing and skin witliout bending, wlien ii piece is introduced into each leg. If u^ing 
 too tliick wire you may have trouble in tlirusting it through the legs, or may burst 
 the tarsal envelope. 
 
 flf accidentally kinky, the liner sizes of wire may be readily straightened by 
 drawing strongly upon them so as to stretch them a little. Heavier wire must be 
 hammered out straight. 
 
 J Cotton will not do at all ; it is too soft and elastic, and moreover will not allow 
 of the leg wires being thrust into it and there clinched. 
 
STUFFIXO AXD WIRING. 
 
 85 
 
 which the neck, when naturally curved, sinks. Everything 
 depends upon correct shaping of the artificial body ; if it be 
 misslinpen, no art can properly adjust the skin over it. Fii.a- 
 nes9 of the tow ball and accurate contour may both be secured 
 by wrapping the mass with sewing thread, loosening iiere, 
 tigiitening there, till the shape is satisfactory. Be particular 
 to secure a smooth superficies ; the skin in drying will shrink 
 close to the stnfling, disclosing its irregularities, if there be 
 any, by the maladjustment of the plumage that will ensue. 
 Observe especially that the neck, thougii the direct continua- 
 tion of the backbone, dips at its lower end into the hollow 
 of the merrythought, and so virtually begins there insteail of 
 directly between the shoulders. The three mistakes most 
 likely to be made by a beginner are, getting the body 
 altogether too large, not firm enough, and irregular. When 
 properly made it will closely resemble the bird's body and 
 neck, with an inch or several inches of sharp-pointed vire pro- 
 truding from the anterior extremity of the neck of tow. You 
 have now to introduce the whole affair into the skin. With the 
 birdskin on its back, the tail pointing to your right elbow, and 
 the abdominal opening as witie as possible, hold the body 
 in position relative to the skin ; enter the wire, pass it up 
 through the neck, bring the sharp point exactly against the 
 middle of the skull, pierce skull and skin, causing the wire to 
 protrude some distance from the middle of the crown. Then 
 by gentle means insinuate the body, partly pushing it in, 
 partly drawing the skin over it, till it rests in its proper 
 position. This is just like drawing on a tight kid glove, and 
 no more diflflcult. See that the body is completely encased ; 
 you must be able to close the abdominal aperture entirely. 
 You have next to wire the legs. Enter the sharp point of 
 one of the leg wires already prepared, exactly at the centre 
 of the sole of the foot, thrusting it up inside the tarsal en- 
 velope the whole length of the " shank," thence across the 
 heel-joint* and up along the next bone of the leg, still inside 
 
 *Theve is occasionally difllcnlty in getting tiie wire across tlii? joint, from tbe 
 point sticking into tho enlarged end of the shin-bone. In tuch case, take stout 
 
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86 
 
 HOW TO MAKE A DIUDSKIN. 
 
 ir: 
 
 the 8kii\. The point of !• • wire will tiioii be soon within the 
 skin anil may he seized unci drawn a little further through, 
 and yon will have passed a wire entirely out of si<2;ht all the 
 way alont^ the leg. The end of the wire is next to be fixed 
 immovably in the tow ball. Thrust it in at the point where 
 the knee, in life, rests against the side of the body.* IJring 
 the point to view,- bend it over and reinsert it till it stit-ks 
 fast. There are no special directions to be given here ; fasten 
 tlie wire in any way that elfcetually prevents " wabbling." 
 You may liiul it convenient to wire both legs before fasten- 
 ing either, and then clinch them l)y twisting the two ends 
 together. But remember that the leg wires may be fixed re- 
 specting each other, yet permit a see-saw motion of the body 
 upon them. This must not be, the bod}^ and legs nuist be 
 fixed upon a jointless frame. Having secured the legs, close 
 the abdominal opening nicely, either by sewing or pinning, you 
 may stick pins in anywhere, as freely as in a pin cushion ; the 
 feathers hide their heads. Stick a pin through the pope's 
 no3e, to fix the tail in place. 
 
 All this while the bird has been lying on its back, the neck 
 stretched straight in continuation of the body, wired stiflly, 
 the legs straddling wide apart, straight and stiff, the wings 
 lying loosely, half-spread. Now bring the legs together, paral- 
 lel with each other, and make the sharp bend at the heel joint 
 that will bring the feet naturally under the belly (over it as 
 the bird lies on its back). Pick up the bird by the wires that 
 project from the soles and set it on its stand, by running the 
 wires through holes bored the proper distance apart, and then 
 securing the ends by twisting. The temporary stand that you 
 use for this purpose should have a heavy or otherwise firm sup- 
 port, so as not easily to overturn during the subsequent manip- 
 ulations. At this stage the bird is a sorry looking object ; but 
 t , 
 
 ])lier8 and pinch the jiiint till tlie V)one is smaslicd to fragments. The wire will 
 tlieu pat-s and the connnliiution will not sliow. If Uiere is any trouble in passing 
 tlie wire tlu'ougli the tarsus, bore a hole for it with a brad awl. 
 
 *This point is further forward and more belly-ward than you might puppose. 
 01)serve tlie skinned body again, and see where the lower end of the thigh lies. If 
 you insert the wire too far bai'k. you cannot by any possibility balauce the bird 
 naturally on its perch; it will look in immineut danger of toppling over. 
 
SETTING TJIE BIUD. 
 
 87 
 
 I 
 
 if yon have stiiffbcl correctly und wired spctirol}', it will soon 
 improve. Bo<i;in by makiii;^ it stand properly. Tlie eoimiion 
 liuilt here 1h pliiein^j; tlie tiirsi too iieiuiy perpeiidieuljir. Perch- 
 ing birds, constituting the nmjority, hiildtiuiily stsiiid with the 
 tarsi more nearly horizontal than perpendicular, anil generally 
 keep the tarsi parallel with each other. Wading and most 
 walking birds stand with the legs mere nearly upright and 
 straight. Many swimming birds straddle a little; others 
 rarely if ever. See that the toes clasp the perch naturally, or 
 are properly spread on the Hat surface. Cause the flank feath- 
 ers to be correctly adjusted over the tibijc (and here I will 
 remark that with most birds little, if any, of the tibiai shows 
 in life) the heel joint barely, if at all, projecting from the gen- 
 eral plumage. It is a common fault of stulling not to draw 
 the legs closely enough to the body. Above all, look out for 
 the centre of gravity ; though you have really fastened the bird to 
 its perch, you must not let it look as if it would fall olf if the 
 wires slipped ; it must appear to rest there of its own accord. 
 Next, give the head and neck a preliminary setting, according 
 to the attitude you have determined upon. This will bring the 
 plumage about the shoulders in proper position for the setting 
 of the wings, to which you may at once attend. If the body 
 be correctly fashioned and the skin of the shoulders only ad- 
 justed over it, the wings will fold into place without the slight- 
 est difficulty. All that I have said before about setting the 
 wings in a skin applies here as well ; but in this case they will 
 not stai) in plaoo. since they fall by their own weight. They 
 must be pinned up. Holding the wing in place thrust a pin 
 steadily through, near the wrist joint, into the tow body. 
 Sometimes another pin is required to support the weight of the 
 primaries ; it may be stuck into the tlank of the bird, the 
 outer quill feather resting directly upon it. With large birds 
 a sharp pointed wire must replace the pin. When properly set 
 the wing tips will fall together or symmetrically opposite each 
 other, the quills and coverts will be smoothly imbricated, the 
 scapular series of feathers will lie close, and no bare space 
 will show in front of the shoulder. Much depends upon 1!he 
 
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 IMAGE EVALUATION 
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88 
 
 HOW TO MAKE A BIRDSKIN. 
 
 final adjustment of the head. The commonest mistake is get- 
 ting it too far away from the body. In the ordinary attitudes 
 of most birds, little neck shows, the head appearing nestled 
 upon the shoulders. If the neck appears too long, it is not 
 to be contracted by pushing the head directly down upon it, 
 but by making an S curve of the neck. No precise direc- 
 tions can be given for the set of the head but you may be 
 assured it is a delicate, difficult matter ; the slightest turn of 
 the bill one way or another may alter the whole expression of 
 the bird. You will of course have determined beforehand 
 upon your attitude — upon what you wish the bird to appear 
 to be doing ; then, let your meaning be pointed by the bird's 
 bill. 
 
 On the general subject of striking an attitude, and giving 
 expression to a stuffed bird, little can be said to good purpose. 
 If you are to become proficient in this art, it will come from 
 your own study of birds in the field, your own good taste and 
 appreciation of bird life. The manual processes are easily 
 described and practised — it is easy to grind paint, I suppose, 
 but not so to be an arti«t. I shall therefore only follow the 
 above account of the general processes with some special 
 practical points. After "attitudinizing" to your satisfaction, or 
 to the best of your ability, the plumage is to be carefully 
 " dressed." Feathers awry may be set in place with a light 
 spring forceps, or needles fixed in a handle — one by one if 
 necessary. When no individual feather seems out of place, it 
 o:ten occurs that the general plumage has* a loose, slovenly 
 aspect. This is readily corrected by wrapping with fine thread. 
 Stick a pin into the middle of the back, another into the breast, 
 and perhaps others elsewhere. Fasten the end of a spool of 
 sewing cotton to one of the pins, and carry it to another, 
 winding the thread about among the pins, till the whole surface 
 is 'hovered with an irregular network. Tighten to reduce an 
 undue prominence, loosen over a depression ; but let the wrap- 
 ping as a whole be light, firm and even. This procedure, nicely 
 executed, will give a smoothness to the plumage not otherwise 
 attainable, and may be made to produce the most exquisite 
 
SPREADING TAILS, ETC. 
 
 89 
 
 curves particularly about the head, neck and breast. The 
 thread should be left on till the bird is perfectly dry ; it 
 may then be unwound or cut off, and the pins withdrawn. 
 When a particular patch of skin is out of place, it may often 
 be pulled into position and pinned there. You need not be 
 afraid of sticking pins in anywhere ; they may be buried in the 
 plumage and left there, or withdrawn when the skin is dry. 
 In addition to the main stuffing, a little is often required in 
 particular places. As for the legs, they should be filled out 
 in all such cases as I indicated earlier in this chapter ; small 
 birds require no such stuffing. It is necessary to fill out the 
 eyes so that the lids rest naturally ; it may be done as hereto- 
 fore directed, or by putting in pledgets of cotton from the out- 
 side. A little nice stuffing is generally required about the 
 upper throat. To stuff a bird with spread wings requires a 
 special process, in most cases. The wings are to be wired, 
 exactly as direct*. ;" for the legs ; they may then be placed in 
 any shape. But wi<.h t; st ^maXi birds, and those with short 
 wings, simple pinning . > the half spread position indicating 
 fluttering will suffice ; it is ret.dily accomplished with a long, 
 slender insect pin. I have already spoken of fixing the tail by 
 pinning or wiring the pope's nose to the tow body ; it may be 
 thus fixed at any desired elevation or depression. There are 
 two ways of spreading the tail. One is to run a pointed wire 
 through the quills, near their base, where the wire will be 
 hidden by the coverts ; each feather may be set at any required 
 distance from the next by sliding it along this wire. This 
 method is applicable to large birds ; for small ones the tail 
 may be fixed with the desired spread by enclosing it near its 
 base, in a split match, or two slips of card-board, with the ends 
 tied together. This holds the feathers until they dry in posi- 
 tion, when it is to be taken off. Crests may be raised, spread 
 and displayed on similar principles. A small crest, like that 
 of a cardinal or cherry bird, for instance, may be held up till it 
 dries in position by sticking in behind it a pin with a little ball 
 of cotton on its head; It is sometimes necessary to make a 
 bird's toes grasp a support by tying them down to it till they 
 
90 
 
 HOW TO MAKE A BIRD8KIN. 
 
 I 
 
 dry. The toes of waders that do not lie evenly on the surface 
 of the stand may be tacked down with small brads. The bill 
 may be pinned open or shut, as desired, by the method already 
 given. Never paint or varnish a bird's bill or feet. 
 
 Substitution of an artificial e^'e for the natural one is essen- 
 tial for the good looks of a specimen. Glass eyes, of all sizes 
 and colors, may be purchased at a moderate cost. The pupil is 
 always black ; the iris varies. You will, of course, secure the 
 proper color if it is known, but if not, put in a dark brown or 
 black eye. It is well understood that this means nothing — it 
 is purely conventional. Yellow is probably the next most com- 
 mon color ; then come red, white, blue and green, perhaps 
 approximately in this order of frequenc3^ But do not use these 
 striking colors at hap-hazard, sacrificing truth perhaps, to 
 looks. Eyes are generally inserted after the specimen is dry. 
 Remove a portion of the cotton from the orbit, and moisten 
 the lids till they are perfectly pliable ; fix the eye in with 
 putty or wet plaster of Paris, making sure that the lids are 
 naturally adjusted over it. It goes in obliquely, like a button 
 through a button-hole. Much art may be displayed in this 
 little matter, making a bird look this way or that, to carry out 
 the general "expression." 
 
 On finishing a specimen, set it away to dry — the time re- 
 quired varies, of course, Avith the weather, the size of the bird, 
 its fatness, etc. The more slowly it dries, the better ; there is 
 less risk of the skin shrinking irregularly. You will often find 
 that a specimen set away with smooth plumage and satisfac- 
 tory curves dries more or less out of shape, perhaps with the 
 feathers raised in places. I know of no remedy ; it may, in a 
 measure, be prevented by scrupulous care in making the body 
 smooth and firm, and in securing slow, equable drying. When 
 perfectly dry remove the wrapping, pull out the superfluous 
 pins or wires, nip off the others so short that the ends are con- 
 cealed, and insert the eyes. The specimen is then ready to 
 be transferred to its permanent stand. 
 
 Fixtures for the display of the object of course vary inter- 
 minably. We will take the simplest case, of a large collection 
 
STANDS AND ORNAMENTAL SUPPORTS. 
 
 91 
 
 of mounted birds for public exhibition. In this instance, uni- 
 formity and simplicity are desiderata. "Spread eagle" styles 
 of mounting, artificial rocks and flowers, etc., are entirely out 
 of place in a collection of any scientific pretensions, or de- 
 signed for popular instruction. Besides, they take up too much 
 room. Artistic grouping of an extensive collection is usually 
 out of the question ; and when this is unattainable, half-way 
 efforts in that direction should be abandoned in favor of severe 
 simplicity. Birds look best on the whole in uniform rows, as- 
 sorted according to size, as far as a natural classification allows. 
 They are best set on the plainest stands, with circular base 
 and a short cylindrical crossbar lightly turned upright. The 
 stands should be painted dead-white and be no larger than is 
 necessary for secure support ; a neat stiff paper label may 
 be attached.* A small collection of birds, as an ornament to a 
 private residence, offers a different case ; here, variety of atti- 
 tude and appropriate imitation of the birds' natural surround- 
 ings, are to be secured. A miniature tree, on which a number 
 of birds may be placed, is readily made. Take stout wire, and 
 by bending it, and attaching other pieces, get the framework 
 of the tree of the desired size, shape and number of perches. 
 Wrap it closely with tow to a proper calibre, remembering that 
 the two forks of a stem must be together only about as large 
 as the stem itself. Gather a basket full of lichens and tree 
 moss ; reduce them to coarse powder by rubbing with the 
 hands ; besmear the whole tree with mucilage or thin glue, and 
 sift the lichen powder on it till the tow is completely hidden. 
 This produces a very natural effect, which may be heightened 
 by separately affixing larger scraps of lichen, or little bunches 
 of moss ; artificial leaves and flowers may be added at your 
 taste. The groundwork may be similarly prepared with a bit 
 of board, made adhesive and bestrewn with the same substance ; 
 
 * A very simple and neat wny of attaching the label to the stand is that used in 
 the Peabody Academy of Science and otiier museums. It consists of narrow 
 strips of tin- bent over at each end so as to hold the label, hnd fixed to the stand by 
 a small tack at any desired angle. Those tins and neat red-lined labels can be had 
 at the NHturalimts' Agency, or the printed names can be cut trom the " Check List " 
 and used for labels for North American birds. 
 
 II 
 11 
 
 1 
 
HOW TO MAKE A BIRD8KIN. 
 
 grasses and moss may be added. If a flat surface is not de- 
 sired soak stout pasteboard, till it can be moulded in various 
 irregular elevations and depressions ; lay it over the board and 
 decorate it in the same way. Rocks may bo thus nicely imi- 
 tated, with the addition of powdered glass of various colors. 
 Such a lot of birds is generally enclosed in a cylindrical glass 
 case with arched top. As it stands on a table to be viewed 
 from different points, it must be presentable on all sides. A 
 niche in parlor or study is often fitted with a wall-case, which* 
 when artistically arranged, has a very pleasing efl'ect. As such 
 enses may be of considerable size, there is opportunity for the 
 display of great taste in grouping. A place is not to be found 
 for a bird, but a bird for the place — waders and swimmers 
 below on the ground, ptrchers on projecting rests above. The 
 surroundings may be prepared by the methods just indicated. 
 One point deserves attention here — since the birds are only 
 viewed from the front, they may have a " show-side " to which 
 everything else may be sacrificed. Birds are represented flying 
 in such cases more readily than under other circumstances — 
 supported on a concealed wire inserted in the back of the case. 
 I have seen some very successful attempts to represent a bird 
 swimming, the duck being let down part way through an oval 
 hole in a plate of thick glass, underneath which were fixed 
 stuffed fishes, shells and seaweed. It is hardly necessary to 
 add that in all ornamental collections, labels or other scien- 
 tific machinery must be rigorously suppressed. 
 
 Transportation of mounted birds offers obvious diflflculty. , 
 Unless very small, they are best secured immovably inside a 
 box by screwing the foot of the stands to the bottom and sides, 
 BO that they stay in place without touching each other. Or, 
 they may be carefully packed in cotton, with or without re- 
 moval of the stands. Their preservation from accidental 
 injury depends upon the same care that is bestowed upon ordi- 
 DPry fragile ornaments of the parlor. The ravages of insects 
 are to be prevented upon the principles to be hereafter given 
 in treating of the preservation of birdskius. 
 
CHAPTER VII. 
 
 MISCELLANEOUS PARTICULARS. 
 
 §46. Determination of sex. This is an important matter, 
 which must never be neglected. For although many birds 
 show unequivocal sexual distinctions of size, shape and color, 
 like those of the barnyard cock and hen for instance, yet the 
 outward characteristics are more frequently obscure, if not 
 altogether inappreciable on examination of the skin alone. 
 Young birds, moreover, ai-e usually indistinguishable as to sex, 
 although the adults of the same species may be easily recog- 
 nized. The rule results, that the sexual organs should be ex- 
 amined, as the only infallible indices. The essential organs of 
 masculinitj' are the testicles; similarly, the ovaries contain the 
 essence of the female nature. However similar the accessory 
 sexual structures may be, the testicles and ovaries are always 
 distinct. The male organs of birds never leave the cavity of 
 the bell}' to fill an external bag of skin (scrotum) as they do 
 among mammalia, they remain within the abdomen, and lie in 
 the same position as the ovaries of the female. Both these 
 organs are situated in the belly opposite what corresponds to 
 the " small of the back," bound closely to the spine, resting on 
 the front of the kidneys near their fore end. The testicles are 
 a pair of subspherical or rather ellipsoidal bodies, usually of 
 the same size, shape and color ; and are commonly of a dull 
 opaque whitish tint. They always lie close together. A re- 
 markable fact connected with them is, that they are not always 
 of the same size in the same bird, being subject to periodical 
 enlargement during the breeding season, and corresponding 
 atrophy at other seasons. Thus the testicles of a house spar- 
 row, no bigger than a pin's head in winter, swell to the size of 
 peas in April. The ovary (for although this organ is paired 
 originally, only one is usually functionally developed in birds) 
 will be recognized as a flattish mass of irregular contour, and 
 usually whitish color ; when inactive, it simplj' appears of finely 
 granular structure which may require a hand lens to be made 
 
 (93) 
 
94 
 
 MISCELLANEOUS PAKTICULARS. 
 
 out ; when producing eggs, its appearance is unniistai\able. 
 Botli testis and ovary may furtlicr be recognized by a thread 
 leading to tlie end of tlie lower bowels — in one case the sperm- 
 duct, in the other the oviduct ; the latter is usually much the 
 more conspicuous, as it at times transmits the perfect egg. 
 There is no dilllculty in reaching the site of these organs. Lay 
 the bird on the right side, its belly toward you : cut with the 
 scissors through the belly- walls diagonally from anus to the 
 root of the last rib — or further, snipping across a few of the 
 lower ribs, if these continue far down, as the}' do in a loon for 
 instance. Press the whole mass of intestines aside collectively, 
 and 3'ou at once see to the small of the back. There you ob- 
 serve the kidneys — large, lobular, dark reddish masses moulded 
 into the concavity of the sacrum (or back middle bone df the 
 pelvis) and on their surface, towards their fore end, lie testes 
 or ovary, as just described. The only precaution required is, 
 not to mistake for testicles a pair of small bodies capping the 
 kidneys. These are the adrenals or " supra-renal capsules " — 
 organs whose function is unknown, but with which at any rate 
 we have nothing to do in this connection. They occur in both 
 sexes, and if the testicles are not immediately seen, or the 
 ovary not at once recognized, they might easily be mistaken 
 for testicles. Observe that instead of lying in front, they 
 cap the kidneys : that they are usually yellowish instead of 
 opaque whitish ; and that they have not the firm, smooth, reg- 
 ular sphericity of the testicles. The sex determined, use the 
 sign (J or 9 to designate it, as alreatly explained. In the very 
 rare cases of impotence or sterility among birds, of course no 
 organs will be observed ; but I should dislike to become respon- 
 sible for such labelling without very careful examination. The 
 organs of a small bird out of the breeding season are never 
 conspicuous, but may always be found on close scrutiny, unless 
 the parts are disintegrated by a shot. 
 
 §47. Recognition of age is a matter of ornithological ex- 
 perience requiring in many or most cases great familiarity with 
 birds for its even approximate accomplishment. There are, 
 
EXAMINATION OF THE STOMACH. 
 
 95 
 
 however, some umnistiikal)le signs of imnmtiirity, even after a 
 bird has become fiiU-fcntliereci, that perHist for at least one 
 season. Tliese are, in the first place, a peculiar soft tluffy 
 "feel" of the plumage — the feathers lack a certain smooth- 
 ness, density and slilfening which they subsequently acquire. 
 Secondly, the bill and feet are softer than those of the adults ; 
 the corners of the mouth are pulfy and flabby, the edges and 
 point of the bill are dull, and the scales, etc., of the legs are 
 not sharply cut. Thirdly, the flesh itself is tender, and pale 
 colored. These are some of the points common to all birds, 
 and are independent of the special markings that belong to the 
 youth of particular species. Some birds are actually larger for 
 a while after leaving the nest, than in after years when the 
 frame seems to shrink somewhat in acquiring the compactness 
 of senility. On the other hand, the various members, espe- 
 cially the bill and feet, are proportionally smaller at first. 
 Newly growing quills are usually recognized on sight, the 
 barrel being dark colored and full of liquid, while the vanes 
 are incomplete. In studying, for example, the shape of a wing 
 or tail, there is always reason to suspect that the natural pro- 
 portions are not yet presented, uidcss the quill is dry, colorless 
 and empty, or only occupied with shrunken white pith. 
 
 §48. Examination of the stomach frequently leads to inter- 
 esting observations, and is always worth while. In the first 
 place, we learn most unquestionably the nature of the bird's 
 food, which is a highl}' important item in its natural history, 
 Secondly, we often secure valuable specimens in other depart- 
 ments of zoology, particularly entomology. Birds consume 
 incalculable numbers of insects, the harder kinds of which, 
 such as beetles, are not seldom found intact in their stomachs ; 
 and a due percentage of these represent rare and curious spe- 
 cies. The gizzards of birds of prey, in particular, should 
 always be inspected, in search of the small mammals, etc., 
 they devour ; and even if the creatures are unfit for preserva- 
 tion, we at least learn of their occurrence, perhaps unknown 
 before in a particular region. MoUusk-feeding and fish-eating 
 
 '1^1 
 
 m 
 
H 
 
 MISCELLANEOUS PARTICULARS. 
 
 birds yield tlieir slmrc of specimens. The ftlimcntary cnnnl is 
 often the seat of parasites of various kinds, interesting to the 
 helmintliologist ; other species are to be found under tlie skin, 
 in tlie body of muscle, in the brain, etc. Most birds are also 
 infested with external parasites of many kinds, so various, 
 that almost every leading species has its own sort of louse, 
 tick, etc. Since those creatures are only at home with a live 
 host, they will be found crawling on the surface of the plu- 
 mage, preparing for departure, as soon as the body cools after 
 death. There is in etti'ct much to learn of a bird aside from 
 what the prepared specimen teaches, and moreover apart from 
 regular anatomical investigations. Whenever practicable, brief 
 items should be recorded on the label, as already mentioned. 
 
 §49. Rkstoration of poor skins. If your cabinet be a 
 "general" one, comprising specimens from various sources, 
 you will frequently happen to receive skins so badly prepared 
 as to be unpleasant objects, besides failing to show their spe- 
 cific characters. There is of course no supplying of missing 
 parts or plumage ; but if the defect be simply deformity, this 
 may usually be in a measure remedied. The point is simply 
 to relax the skin, and then proceed as if it were freshly removed 
 from the bird ; it is what bird stuffers constantly do, in mount- 
 ing birds from prepared skins. The relaxation is effected by 
 moisture alone. Remove the stufHng ; All the interior with 
 cotton or tow saturated with water, yet not dripping : put pads 
 of the same under the wings ; wrap the bill and feet, and set 
 the specimen in a damp cool place. Small birds soften very 
 readily and completely ; the process may be facilitated by per- 
 sistent manipulation. This is the usual method, but there is 
 another, more thorough and more effective ; it is exposure to a 
 vapor-bath. The appointments of the kitchen stove furnish all 
 the apparatus required for an extempore " steamer ;" the regu- 
 lar fixture is a tin vessel much like a wash-boiler, with closed 
 lid, false bottom and stopcock at lower edge. On the false 
 bottom is placed a heavy layer of gypsum, completely satu- 
 rated with water ; the birds are laid on a perforated tray above 
 
ALCOHOLIC fJPECrMKXS. 
 
 97 
 
 it ; and n fiontlo lioat is nminluiiied over a stove. Tlio vapor 
 poiH'tniti'H every |):irt ol' the skin, and eoniiiletely relaxes it, 
 witiiout actually wettinj? the feathers. The time required varies 
 greatly of course ; observation is the best guide. The chief 
 precaution is not to let the thing get too hot. IVofi'ssor Haird 
 has remarked that crumpled or bent feathers may have much of 
 their original elasticity restored by dipping in hot water. Im- 
 mersion for a few seconds sulllces, when the feathers will be ob- 
 served to straighten out. Shaking off superfluous water, they 
 may be simply left to dry or they may bo dried with plaster. 
 The metliod is chielly applicable to the large feathers of the 
 wings and tail. Soiled plumage of dried skins may be treated 
 exactly as in the case of fresh skins. 
 
 §50. Mummification. As before mentioned, decay may be 
 arrested by injections of carbolic acid and other antiseptics ; 
 if the tissues be sufllciently permeated with these substances, 
 the body will keep indefinitely ; It dries and hardens, becoming, 
 in short, a "mummy." Injection should be done by the mouth 
 and A'cnt, be thorough, and be repeated several times as the 
 fluid dries in. It is an improvement on this to disembowel, 
 and fdl the bell}' with saturated tow or cotton. Due care 
 should be taken not to soil the feathers in any case, nor should 
 the carbolic solution come in contact with the hands, for it is a 
 powerful irritant poison. I mention the process chiefly to con- 
 demn it as an atrocious one ; I cannot imagine what circum- 
 stances would recommend it, while only an extreme emergency 
 could justify it. It is further objectionable because it appears 
 to lend a dingy hue to some plumages, and to dull most of 
 theih perceptibly. Birds prepared — rather unprepared — in 
 this way, may be relaxed by the method jnst described, and 
 then skinned ; but the operation is rather difl3cult. 
 
 §51. Wet preparations. By this term is technically under- 
 stood an object immersed in some preservative fluid. It is 
 highly desirable to obtain more information of birds than their 
 stuffed skins can ever furnish, and their structure cannot be 
 
 MANUAL. 
 
98 
 
 MISCELLANEOUS PARTICULAU8. 
 
 always examined by dissection on tiie spot. In fact, a certain 
 smail proportion of tlie l)irds of any protracted or otiierwise 
 "lieavy" collecting may be preferably and very profitably pre- 
 serveil in this way. Specimens in too poor plumage to be 
 worth skinning may be thus utilized ; so may the hmUea of 
 skinned birds, Avhich, although necessarily defective, retain all 
 the viscera, antl also afford osteological material. Alcohol is 
 the liquid usually employed and, of all tlic various articles 
 recommended, seems to answer best on the whole. 1 have 
 used a very weak solution of chloride of zinc with excellent 
 results ; it should not be strong enough to show the slightest 
 turbidity. As glass bottles are liable to break when travelling, 
 do not tit corners, and offer practical annoyance about corkage ; 
 rectangular metal cans, preferably of copper, with screw-lid 
 opening, are advisable. They are to be set in smail, strong 
 wooden boxes, made to leave a little room for the liil wrench, 
 muslin bags for doing up separate parcels, parchment for 
 labels, etc. Unoccupied space in the cans should be filled with 
 tow or a similar substance, to prevent the specimens from 
 swashing about. Labelling should be on parchment : the writ- 
 ing should be perfectly dry before immersion : india-ink is the 
 best. Skinned bodies should be numbered to correspond \vith 
 the dried skin from which taken ; otherwise they may not be 
 identifiable. Large birds thrown in unskinned should have 
 the belly opened, to let in the alcohol freely. Birds may be 
 skinned, after being in alcohol, by simply drying them : they 
 often make fair specimens. They are best withdrawn by the 
 bill, that the "swash" of the alcohol at the moment of emer- 
 sion may set the plumage all one way, and hung up to dry, 
 untouched. Watery moisture that may remain after evapora- 
 tion of the alcohol may be dried with plaster. 
 
 §52. Osteological preparations. While complete skele- 
 tonizing of a bird is a special art of some difHculty, and one 
 that does not fall within the scope of this treatise, I may prop- 
 erly mention two bony preparations very readily made, and 
 susceptible of rendering ornithology essential service. I refer 
 
SKULLS AND BREAST BONES. 
 
 99 
 
 to the skull, and to the breast bone witii ita principal attach- 
 ments. Tiiese parts of the skeleton are, as a rule, .so iiifjjhly 
 characteristic that they alFord in most eases invaluable zoo- 
 logical items. To save a skull is of course to sacrlHfc a skin, 
 to all intents ; but you ollen have mutilated or decayed speci- 
 mens that are very profitably utilized in this way. The breast 
 bone, excepting when nuitilated, is always preserval)le with 
 the skin, and for " choice " invoices may form its natural ac- 
 companiment. You want to remove along with it the cora- 
 coida (the stout bones connecting the breast bone with the 
 shoulders), the merrythought intervening between these bones, 
 and the shoulder-blades, all without detachment from each 
 other. Slice off the large breast nuiseles close to the bone ; 
 and divide their insertions with the wing bones, scrape or cut 
 away the muscles that tie the shoulder-blades to the chest ; 
 snip off the ribs close to the side of the breast bone ; sever a 
 tough membrane usually found between the prongs of the wish- 
 bone ; then, by taking hold of the shoulders, you can litl out 
 the whole artair, dividing some slight connections underneath 
 the bone and behind it. The following points recjuiro atten- 
 tion : the breast bone often has long slender processes behind 
 and on the sides (the common fowl is one of the extreme illus- 
 trations of this) liable to be cut by mistake for ribs, or to be 
 snapped : the shoulder-blades usually taper to a point, easily 
 broken off; the merrythought is sometimes very delicate, or 
 defective. When travelling, it is generally not advisable to 
 make perfect preparations of either skull or sternum : they are 
 best dried with only superfluous flesh removed, and besprin- 
 kled with arsenic. The skull, if perfectly cleaned, is particu- 
 larly liable to lose the odd-shaped pronged bones that hinge 
 the jaw, and the freely movable pair that push on the palate 
 from behind. Great care should be exercised respecting the 
 identification of these bones, particularly the sternum, which 
 should invariably bear the number of the specimen to which it 
 belongs. A skull is more likely to be able to speak for itself, 
 and besides, is not usually accompanied by a skin ; neverthe- 
 less, any record tending to facilitate its recognition should be 
 
 1 
 
 Ml 
 
100 
 
 miscellaneous; particulars. 
 
 duly onterocl on the register. There are methods, with which I 
 am not lamiliiir, of making elegant bony preparations. You 
 may secure very good results by simply boiling the bones 
 or, what ih perhaps better, macerating them in water till the 
 flesh is completely rotted away, and then bleaching them in 
 the sun. A little potassa or soda hastens the process. With 
 breast bones, if yon can stop the process just when the flesh 
 is completely dissolved but the tougher ligaments remain, you 
 secure a "natural" preparation, as it is called; if the liga- 
 ments go too, the associate parts of a large specimen ma} be 
 wired together, those of a small one glued. I think it best, 
 with skulls, to clean them entirely of ligament as well as 
 muscle ; for the underneath parts are usually those conveying 
 the most desirable information, and they should not be in the 
 slightest degree obscured. Since in such case the anvil-shaped 
 bones, the palatal c\iinders already mentioned, and sometimes 
 other i)ortions come apart, the whole arc best kept in a suitable 
 box. 1 prefer to see a skull with the sheath of the beak re- 
 moved, though in some cases, particularly of hard billed birds, 
 it may profitably be left on. Tlie completed preparations 
 should be full}' labelled, by writing on the bone, in i)reference 
 to an accompanying or attached paper slip, which may be lost. 
 Some object to this, as others do to writing on eggs, that it 
 "defaces" the specimen ; but 1 confess I S'^e in dry bones no 
 beaut}' but that of utility.* 
 
 §53. Nests and Eoos-t A few words upon this subject will 
 not come amiss. Ornithology and oology are twin studies, or 
 rather one includes the other. A collection of nests and eggs 
 is indispensable in a thorough study of birds : and many persons 
 find peculiar pleasure in forming one. Some, however, shrink 
 from "robbing birds' nests" as something particularly cruel, 
 a sentiment springing, no doubt, from the sympathy and def- 
 
 * Prof. Newton's excellent suggestions for saving parts of the skeleton are repub- 
 lished in one of the Sintthso.iian Reports, and mny also be hail separately. 
 
 t Complete instructions for collecting and preserving nests unci eggs are pub- 
 lished l)y the Siuithsuniau Institution and can be obtuiucd from the Naturalists' 
 Agency, 
 
 <? 
 
NESTS AND EGGS. 
 
 101 
 
 ercnce that the tondor olllce of maternity inspires ; bnt with 
 all proper respect for the hnmane emotion, it may be said 
 simply, that birds'-nesting is not nearly so crnel as bird- 
 shooting. What I said in a former section, in endeavoring to 
 guide search for birds, applies in substance to hunting for their 
 nests ; the essential dillerencc is, that the latter are of course 
 essential objects, and consequentl}- more liable to be over- 
 looked, other things being e(iual, than birds themselves. I have 
 not myself proven a very successful finder of eggs, for no other 
 reason than that a motionless object does not arrest my atten- 
 tion, when the swaying of a leaf, or the faintest chirp, would be 
 instantly noted. Most birds nest on trees or bushes ; many 
 on the ground and on rocks ; otliers in hollows. Some build 
 elegant, elaborate structures, endlessly varied in details of 
 form and material ; otiiors make no nest whatever. In this 
 countr}^ egging is chietly practicable in INIay and during the 
 summer ; but some species, particularlj' birds of pre}', begin 
 to lay in January while, on our southern border at least, the 
 season of reproduction is protracted through September ; so 
 there is really a long period for search. I'articular nests, of 
 course, like the birds that build them, can onl}' be found 
 through ornithological knowledge ; but general search is usu- 
 allj' rewarded witli a varied assortment. The best clew to a 
 hidden nest is the actions of the parents ; patient watchful- 
 ness is commonly successful in tracing the birds home. As 
 the science of oology has not progressed to the point of deter- 
 mining from the nests and eggs, to what bird they belong, in 
 even a majority of cases, the utmost care in authentication is 
 indispensable. To be worth anything, not to be worse than 
 worthless in fact, an egg must be identified beyond question ; 
 must be not only unsuspected, but above suspicion.* It is 
 often extremely difficult to make an unquestionable determi- 
 nation, as for instance when numbers of birds of similar hab- 
 its are breeding close together ; or even impossible, as in case 
 
 *A shiulo of suspicion is oftpiiattaohotl to dealers' eggs — not necessarily im- 
 plying bad faith or even uoglii:jencti on tho dealers' part, but ft'om the uuture of the 
 OMe. 
 
 I 
 I 
 
 
102 
 
 MISCELLANEOUS PARTICULARS. 
 
 the parent eludes observation. Sometimes the most acute ob- 
 server may be mistaken, circumstances appearing to prove a 
 parentage when such is not the fact. It is in general advis- 
 able to secure the parent with the eggs ; if shot or snared on 
 the nest, the identification is simply unquestionable. If j'ou 
 do not yourself know the species, it then becomes necessary to 
 secure the specimen, and retain it with the eggs. 
 
 It is not required to make a perfect preparation ; the head, 
 or better, the head and a wing, will answer the purpose. 
 "When egging in downright earnest, a pair of climbing irons 
 becomes practically indispensable ; these are the only field im- 
 plements required in addition to those already specified. For 
 blowing eggs, a set of special tools is needed. These are " egg- 
 drills" — steel implements with a sharp pointed conical head 
 of rasping surface, and a slender shaft ; several such, of differ- 
 ent sizes, are needed ; also blow-pipes of different sizes ; a deli- 
 cate thin pair of scissors ; light spring forceps ; and a small 
 syringe.* Eggs should never be blown in the old way of 
 making a hole at each end ; nor are two holes anj'where usu- 
 ally required. Opening should be effected on one side, prefer- 
 ably that showing least conspicuous or characteristic markings. 
 If two are made, they should be rather near together ; on the 
 same side at any rate. But one is generally sufficient, as 
 the fluid contents can escape around the blow-pipe. Holding 
 the egg gently but steadily in the fingers, apply the point of 
 the drill perpendicularly to the surface, unless it be preferred 
 to prick with a needle first. A twirling motion of the instru- 
 ment gradually enlarges the opening by filing away the shell, 
 and so bores a smooth edged circular hole. This should be no 
 larger than is required to insert the blow-pipe loosely, with 
 room for the contents to escape around it. The blowing 
 should be continuous and equable, rather than forcible ; a 
 strong puff easily bursts a delicate egg. Be sure that all 
 the contents are removed ; then rinse the interior thoroughly 
 with clean water, either by taking a mouthful and sending it 
 
 *We notice an advertisement in tlie American Naturalist to the effect that 
 these various iastruments can be had at the Naturalistit' Agency, Salem, Mass. 
 
 •1 il 
 
BLOWING EGGS. 
 
 103 
 
 through the blow-pipe, or with the syringe. Blowing eggs is 
 a rather fatiguing process — more so than it might seem ; the 
 cheelc muscles soon tire, and the operator actually becomes 
 "blown" himself before long. The operation had better be 
 done over a basin of water, both to receive the contents, and 
 ta catch the egg if it slip from the fingers. The membrane 
 lining the shell should be removed if possibly. It may be 
 seized by the edge around the hole, with the forceps, and 
 drawn out, or picked out with a bent pin. Eggs that have 
 been inoubated of course offer difficulty, in proportion to the 
 size of the embryo. The hole may be drilled, as before, but 
 it must be larger ; and as the drill is apt to split a shell after 
 it has bored beyond a certain size of hole, it is often well to 
 prick, with a fine needle, a circular series of minute holes 
 almost touching, and then remove the enclosed circle of shell. 
 
 * 
 
 This must be very carefully done, or the needle will indent o^ 
 crack the shell, which, it may be remembered, grows more 
 brittle towards the time of hatching. Well formed embryos 
 cannot be got bodily through any hole that can be made in an 
 egg : they must be extracted piecemeal. They may be cut to 
 pieces with the slender scissors introduced through the hole, 
 and the fragments be picked out with the forceps, hooked out, 
 or blown out. No embryo should be forced through a hole too 
 small ; there is every probability that the shell will burst at 
 the critical moment. When emptied and rinsed, eggs should 
 be gently wiped dry, and set hole downward on blotting paper 
 to drain. Broken eggs may be neatly mended, sometimes with 
 a film of collodion, or a bit of tissue paper and paste, or the 
 edges may be simply stuck together with any adhesive sub- 
 stance. Even when fragmentary a rare egg is worth preserv- 
 ing. Eggs should ordinarily be left empty ; indeed, the only 
 case in which any filling is admissible is that of a defective 
 specimen to which some slight solidit}' can be imparted with 
 cotton. It is unnecessary even to close up the hole. It is 
 best, on all accounts, to keep eggs in sefs, a " set" being the 
 natural clutch, or whatever less number were taken from a 
 nest. The most scrupulous attention must be paid to accu- 
 
tl^i; 
 
 I J 
 
 I 
 
 '' i) 
 
 104 
 
 MISCELLANEOUS PARTICULARS. 
 
 rate, complete, and permanent labelling. So important is this, 
 .that the undeniable defacing of a specimen, by writing on 
 it, is no offset to the advantages accruing from sucli fixity of 
 record. It is practically impossible to attach a label as is 
 done with a birdsl<in, and a loose label is always in danger of 
 being lost or misplaced. Write on the shell, then, as many 
 items as possible ; if done neatly, on the side in which the hole 
 was bored, at least one good " shovv side" remains. An egg 
 should always bear the same number as the parent, in the col- 
 lector's record. In a general collection, where a separate 
 ornithological and oological register is kept, identification of 
 egg with parent is nevertheless readily secured, by making one 
 the numerator the other the denominator of a fraction, to be 
 simply inverted in its respective application. Thus bird No. 
 456, and egg No. 123, are identified by makinjj the former ^|f, 
 the latter ]f^. All the eggs of a clutch sh' .1 have the same 
 number. If the shell be large enough, the ...»me of the species 
 should be written on it ; if too small, it should be accompanied 
 by a label and may have the name indicated by a number 
 referring to a certain catalogue. According to the present 
 "Check List" for example, " No. 1 " would indicate Tardus mi- 
 gmtorius. The date of collection is a highly desirable item ; it 
 may be abbreviated thus; 3 | 6 | 72 means June 3, 1872. It 
 is well to have the egg authenticated b}' the collector's initials 
 at least. Since " sets " of eggs may be broken up for distribu- 
 tions to other cabinets yet permanent indication of the size of 
 the clutch be wanted, it is well to have some method. A good 
 one is to write the number of the clutch on each egg compos- 
 ing it, giving each egg of the set, moreover, its individual num- 
 ber. Supposing for example the clutch No. {^^ contained five 
 eggs ; one of them would be l^^ | 5 | 1 : the next ^f§ | 5 | 2, 
 and so on. But it should be remembered that all such arbi- 
 trary memoranda must be systematic, and be accompanied by 
 a ke}'. Eggs may be kept in cabinets of shallow drawers in 
 little i-usteboard trays, each holding a set, and containing a 
 paper labe^ '^^ which various items that cannot be traced on 
 the shell itten in full. Such trays should all be of the 
 
KEEPING EGGS AND NESTS. 
 
 105 
 
 same depth — half an inch is a convenient depth for general 
 purposes ; and of assorted sizes, sa^' from one inch by one and 
 one-half inches up to three by six inclies ; it is convenient to 
 have the dimensions regularly graduated by a constant factor 
 of, say half an iiich, so that the little boxes may be set side 
 by side, either lengthwise or crosswise, without interference. 
 Eggs may also be kept safely, advantageously, and with at- 
 tractive effect, in the nests themselves, in which a fluff of 
 cotton may be placed to steady them. When not too bulky, 
 too loosely constructed, or of material unsuitable for preser- 
 vation, nests should always be collected. Those that are very 
 closely attached to twigs should not be torn off. Nests threat- 
 ening to come to pieces, or too frail to be handled without 
 injury, may be secured by sewing through and through with 
 fine thread : indeed, this is an advisable precaution in most 
 cases. Packing eggs for transportation requires much care, 
 but the precautions to be taken are obvious. I will only 
 remark that there is no safer way than to leave them in their 
 own nests, each enwrapped in cotton, with which tlie whole 
 cavity is to be lightly filled ; the nests themselves being 
 packed close enough to be perfectly steady. Single eggs may 
 be safely mailed to any distance in auger-holes bored in wood. 
 
CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 CARE OF A COLLECTION. 
 
 §.'34. Well preserved specimens will last "forever and a 
 day," so far as natural decay is concerned. I have handled 
 birds in good state, shot back in the twenties, and have no 
 doubt that some eighteenth century preparations are still ex- 
 tant. The precautions against defilement, mutilation or other 
 mechanical injur}', are self-evident, and may be dismissed with 
 the remark, that white plumages, especially if at all greasy, 
 require the most care to guard against soiling. "We have, 
 however, to fight for our possessions against a host of ene- 
 mies, individually despicable but collectively formidable, foes 
 so determined that untiring vigilance is required to ward off 
 their attacks even temporarily, whilst in the end they prove 
 invincible. It may be said that to be eaten up by insects is 
 the natural end of all birdskins not sooner destroyed. The 
 matter, therefore, demands particular attention. 
 
 I 
 
 §55. Insect pests with which we have to contend belong 
 principally to the two families Tineidce and Dermestidce — the 
 former are moths, the latter beetles. The moths are of species 
 identical with, and allied to, the common clothes moth, Tinea 
 Jlavifrontella, the carpet moth, T. tapetzella, etc., — small species 
 observed flying about our apartments and museums, in May and 
 during the summer. The beetles are several rather small thick- 
 set species, principally of the genera Dermestes and Anthrenus. 
 The larvae ("caterpillars" of the moths, and "gi'ubs" of the 
 beetles) appear to be the chief agents of the destruction. The 
 presence of the mature insects is usually readily detected ; on 
 disturbing an infested suite of specimens the moths flutter 
 about, and the beetles crawl as fast as they can into shelter, or 
 simulate death. The insidious larvae, however, are not so easily 
 observed, burrowing as they do among the feathers, or in the 
 
 (106) 
 
INSECT PESTS — CASES FOR STORING SKINS. 
 
 107 
 
 interior of a sliin ; wliilst tlie minute eggs are commonly 
 altogether overlooked. But the " bugs" are not long at work 
 without leaving their unmistakable traces. Shreds of feathers 
 float off when a specimen is handled, or fly out on flipping the 
 skin with the fingers, and in bad cases even whole bundles of 
 plumes come away at a touch. Sometimes, leaving the plu- 
 mage intact, bugs eat away the horny covering of the bill and 
 feet, making a peculiarly unhappy and irreparable mutilation. 
 I suppose this piece of work is done by a particular insect, but 
 if so I do not know what one. It would appear tliat when the 
 bugs etfect lodgment in any one skin, they usually finish it 
 before attacking another, unless they are in great force. We 
 may consequently, b}' prompt removal of an infested specimen, 
 save further depredations ; nevertheless the rest become "sus- 
 picious," and the whole drawer or box should at any rate be 
 quarantined, if not submitted to any of the processes described 
 beyond. Our lines of defence are several. We may mechan- 
 icall}' oi^pose entrance of the enemy ; we may meet him with 
 abhorrent odors that drive him off, sicken or kill him, and 
 finally we may cook him to death. I will notice these methods 
 successively, taking occasion to describe a cabinet under head 
 of the first. 
 
 §56. Cases for storage or transportation should be rather 
 small, for several reasons. They are easier to handle and 
 pack. There are fewer birds pressing each other. Particular 
 specimens are more readily reached. Bugs must etfect just so 
 many more separate entrances to infest the whole. Small lids 
 are more readily fitted tight. For the ordinary run of small 
 birds I should not desire a box over 18 X 18 X 18, and should 
 prefer a smaller one ; for large birds, a box just long enough 
 for the biggest specimen, and of other proportions to corres- 
 pond fairly, is most eligible. Whatever the dimensions, a proper 
 ^ *x presupposes perfect jointing ; but if any suspicion be en- 
 tertained on this score, stout paper should be pasted along 
 all the edges, both inside and out. We have practically to do 
 with the lid only. If the lot is likely to remain long untouched, 
 
M, 1 ■ 
 
 II 
 
 i ii 
 
 108 
 
 CARE OP A COLLECTION. 
 
 the cover may be screwed very close and the crack pasted like 
 the others. Under other and usual cux'umstances the lid may 
 be provided with a metal boss fitting a groove lined with india 
 rubber or filled with wax. An excellent case may be made of 
 tin with the lids secureil in this manner, and further fortified 
 with a wooden casing. Uirdskins entirel}' free from insects or 
 their eggs, encased in some such secure manner, will remain in- 
 tact indefinitel}' ; but there is misery in store if any bugs or nits 
 be put away with them. When many boxes are stored or 
 forwarded, much time and inconvenience may be saved by 
 labelling each with a summary of contents, or with a number 
 referring to an inventory. 
 
 §57. Cabinets. As a matter of fact, most collections are 
 kept readily accessible for examination, displa}' or other im- 
 mediate use, and this precludes any disposition of tlu"ii in 
 "hermetical" cases. The most we can do is to secure tight 
 fitting of movable woodwork. The "cabinet" is most eligible 
 for private collections. This is, in effect, simply a bureau, or 
 chest of drawers, protected with folding doors, or a front that 
 may be detached, either of plain wood or sashing for panes of 
 glass. It is simply astonishing how many birdskins of average 
 size can be accommodated in a cabinet that makes no incon- 
 venient piece of furniture for an ordinary room. A cabinet 
 may of course be of any desired size, shape and style. In gen- 
 eral it will l)e better to put money into excellence of fitting 
 rather than elegance of finish : the handsomest front does not 
 compensate for a crack in the back or for a drawer that hitches. 
 There should not be the slightest flaw in the exterior, and doors 
 should fit so tightly that a puff of air may be felt on closing 
 them. The greatest desideratum of the interior work, next 
 after close fitting yet smooth running of the drawers, is econ- 
 cm}' of space. This is secured by making the drawers as thin 
 as is consistent with stability ; by having them slide by a boss 
 at each end fitting a groove in the side wall, instead of resting 
 on horizontal pai'titions ; and by hinged countersunk handles 
 instead of knobs. I do not recommend, except for a suite of 
 
CABINET FOR SKIXS. 
 
 109 
 
 ing 
 
 ng 
 
 les 
 
 of 
 
 the smallest birds, a multiplicity of shallow drawers, accom- 
 modating each one hi3'er of specimens ; it is better to have 
 fewer deeper drawers, into which light shallow movable trays 
 are fitted. These trtt3's never need be of stuff over ono-oighth 
 or one-fourth thick, and may have stilf pasteboard bottoms 
 glued or tacked on. Tho\' may vary fioin oiiu-liali" incii to two 
 inches in depth, but this dimension should always be some 
 factor of the depth of the drawer, so that a certain number of 
 trays may exactly fill it. They should be Just as long as one 
 transverse dimension of the drawer, and rather narrow, so that 
 two or more are set side b}' side. Finally, though the}' may 
 be of different depths, they should be of the same length and 
 breadth, so as to be interchangeable. They may simply rest 
 on top of each other, or slide on separate projections inside the 
 drawer. Such trays are extremel}' handy for holding partic- 
 ular sets of species, to be carried to the study table without 
 disturbing the rest of the collection. 
 
 If a collection be so extensive that any particular specimen 
 may not be readily hunted up it will be found convenient to 
 have the drawers themselves labelled with the name of the 
 group within. A collection should always be methodically 
 an'anged — preferably according to some approved or sup- 
 posed natural classification of 'birds ; this is also the readiest 
 mode, since, with some conspicuous exceptions birds of the 
 same natural group are approximately of the same size. If I 
 were desired to suggest proportions for a private cabinet of 
 most general eligibility, I should say four feet high, by three 
 feet wide, by two feet deep, in the clear ; this makes a portly 
 yet not unwieldy looking object. It is wide enough for fold- 
 ing doors, to be secured by bolts at top and bottom, and lock ; 
 not so high that the top drawer is not readily inspected ; and 
 of proportionate depth. Such a case will take seven drawers 
 six inches deep eitner of the full width, or in two series with a 
 median partition ; these drawers will hold anything up to an 
 eagle or crane. A part of them at least should have a full 
 complement of such trays as I have described — say three or 
 four tiers of the shallower trays, three trays to a tier, each 
 
110 
 
 CARE OF A COLLECTION. 
 
 about two feet long by aboJit a foot wide ; and one or two 
 tiers of deeper trays. Tlierc are about forty tliousand cubic 
 inches in such a cabinet, of whicli perlmps one-tenth is occu- 
 pied witii woodworit; and I shouUl judge tliat some eight or 
 ten tliousand iiuininingbirds, for instance (and otlier birds in 
 proportion), could be accommodated in layers, a single bird 
 deep. Be this as it may, I have kept all the birds, excepting a 
 few of the largest, that I ever cared to have at my elbow at 
 any one time, in one cabinet of such dimensions. 
 
 §58, To DESTROY BUGS. In our present case prevention 
 is not the best remedy, simply because it is not alwa3's practi- 
 cable ; in spite of all mechanical precautions the bugs will get 
 in. \Vc have, therefore, to see what will destroy tliem, or at 
 least stop their ravages. It is a general riUc that any pun- 
 gent aromatic odor is obnoxious to them, and that any very 
 light powdery substance restrains their movements bj' getting 
 into the joints and breathing pores. Both these qualities are 
 secured in the ordinary " insect powder," to be had of any lead- 
 ing druggist. It should be lavishly strewn on and among the 
 skins, and laid in the corners of the drawers and traj-s. Thus 
 used it proves highly effective, and is on the whole the most 
 eligible substance to use when a collection is being constantly 
 handled. Camphor is a valuable agent. Small fragments may 
 be strewn about the drawers, or a lump pinned in mosquito 
 netting in a corner. Benzine is also very useful. A small 
 saucer full may be kept evaporating, or the I'quid may be 
 sprinkled — even poured — directly over the skins ; it is very vol- 
 atile and leaves little or no stain. It is, however, obviously 
 ineligible when a collection is in constant use. My friend Mr. 
 Allen informs me he has used sulphide of carbon with great 
 success. The objection to this agent is, that it is a stinking 
 poison ; should be used in the open air, to escape the ineffa- 
 bly disgusting and deleterious odors, and its employ is prob- 
 ably restricted to cases for storage. When the bill or feet 
 show they are attacked, further depredation may be prevented 
 by pencilling with a strong solution of corrosive sublimate ; a 
 
DESTROYING BUGS — CONCLUDING ITEMS. 
 
 Ill 
 
 weaker solution, one that leaves no white film, on drying, on a 
 black feather, may even be brushed over the whole plumage in 
 certain cases. But rcmemljcr that this is a deadly poison and 
 must be used witli care. Specimens may be buried in coarse 
 refuse tobacco leaves. One or another of these linos of de- 
 fence will commonly prove successfid in destroying or driving 
 off mature insects, and even in stopping the ravages of the 
 larvfc ; but I doubt that any such means will kill the ''nits." 
 With these we must deal otherwise; and their destruction no 
 less than that of their parents is assured, if we subject them to a 
 high temperature. Baking birdskins is really the only process 
 that can make us feel perfectly safe. Infected specimens, along 
 with suspected oneS; should be subjected to a dry heat, from 
 212° F. up to any degree short of singeing the plumage. This 
 is readily done by putting the birds in a wooden tra}' in any 
 oven — they must however be watched, unless you have special 
 contrivances for regulating the temperature. How long a time 
 is required is probably not ascertained with precision ; it will 
 be well to bake for several hours. When the beetles and larva? 
 are found completely parched, it ma}' be confidently believed 
 that the unseen eggs are out of the hatching way forever. The 
 specimens may be immediately replaced in the cabinet, after 
 flipping or brushing oil' loosened feathers. 
 
 §59. Two Items. One is, that arsenic helps to keep out 
 the bugs, besides preventing decay — a fact that should never 
 be forgotten, and that should give sharper edge to my advice 
 respecting lavish use of the substance at the outset. If it be 
 true, as some state, that bugs can eat arsenic without dying, it 
 is also true, that they do not relish it ; and in entering a case 
 of skins they will burrow by preference in those holding the 
 least of it. This fact is continually exhibited in large collec- 
 tions, where, if two birds be side by side, one being duly or- 
 senicized and the other not so, one will be taken and the other 
 left. My second item, with its proper deduction, will form, I 
 think, a fitting conclusion to this treatise. It is a fact in the 
 natural history of these our pests, that they ore fond of peace 
 

 
 I 
 
 112 
 
 CAKE OF A COLLECTION. 
 
 and quiet — they do not like to bo disturbed at their mcnls, 
 nor even between times. So it reHults, tiiat tliey rarely etlbct 
 pernmnent lodgment in ii colloction tluit is Iteing constantly 
 handled — though the doors stand open for hours (lailj*, they 
 will seek elsewhere. As a con8e(iuence, the degree of our 
 diligence in utitdi/iiKj birdskins is likely to become the measure 
 of our success in preserving them. 1 once read a work, by an 
 eminent and learned divine, on the ''Moral Uses of Dark 
 Things," under which head the author included everything 
 from earthquakes to mostjuitoes. If there be a moral use in 
 the " dark thing " that museum pests certainly are to us, wc 
 have it liere. The very bugs urge on our work. 
 
 (§, 
 
 
APPENDIX 
 
 TO TIIK 
 
 MANUAL OF INSTRUCTION^. 
 
 ADDITIONS AND CORRECTIONS. 
 
 As the author's absence on a collecting tour during the printing of 
 this volume rcnilercd revision of proof-sheets Impracticable, some 
 notes since received from him are apfiended. A few self-correcting 
 typographical errors, notably In punctuation, are passed over. 
 
 The comparatively few technical tern*s used In the treatise for the 
 parts and organs of birds are defined and explained In the "Key to 
 North American Birds," obviating the necessity of a separate glossary. 
 Familiarity with the "Topography" of birds will facilitate taxidermy; 
 the subject Is treated at length In the work just mentioned. (F. W. P.) 
 
 Page 7. Further experience changes my former preference for metal 
 instead of paper cartridges for breech-loaders. The latter may of 
 course be loaded according to circumstances with the same facility, 
 and even reloaded If desired. It Is a good deal of trouble to take 
 care of the metal shells, to prevent loss, keep them clean, and avoid 
 bending or indenting; while there Is often a practical difficulty In re- 
 capping — at least ^' ";h the common styles that take a special primer. 
 Those fitted with a oirew top holding a nipple for ordinary caps are 
 expensive. Paper cartridges come already capped, so that this bother 
 is avoided, au it is not ordinarily worth while to reload them. They 
 are made of different colors, distinguishing various sizes of shot used 
 Manual. 8 (113) 
 
114 
 
 APPENDIX TO MANUAL. 
 
 without employ of colored wads as suggested in the text. They may 
 be taken into the Held empty, and loaded on occasion to suit; but it is 
 better to pay a trifle extra to have them loaded at the shop. In such 
 case, about four-flftlis of the stock should contain nnistard-seed, nearly 
 all tiie rest about No. 7, a very few being reserved for about No. 4. 
 Cost of ammunition is hardly appreciably increased ; its weight is put 
 in tlie most conveniently portable shape ; the whole ipparatus for 
 carry .;ig it, and loading the shells, is dispensed with; much time is 
 saved, the entire drudgery (excepting gun-cleaning) of collecting 
 being avoided. I was prepared in this way during the past summer 
 for the heaviest work I have yet succeeded in accomplishing during 
 tlie same lengtli of time. In June, when birds were plentiful, I easily 
 averaged fifteen skins a day, and occasionally made twice us nuiny. 
 As items serving to base calculations, I may mention that in four 
 months I used about two thousand cartriilges, loaded, at .$42 per M., 
 with seven-eighths of an ounce of shot and two and three-fourths 
 drachms of powder; only about three hundred were charged with shot 
 larger than mustard-seed. In estimating tlie size of a collection that 
 may result from use of a given numlier of cartridges, it may not be 
 safe for even a good shot to count on much more than half as many 
 specimens as cartridges. The number is practically reduced by the 
 following steps -.— Cartridges lost or damaged, or originally defective ; 
 shots missed ; birds killed or wounded, not recovered ; specimens 
 secured unfit for preservation, or not preserved for any reason ; speci- 
 imens accidentally spoilt in stuffing, or subsequently damaged so as 
 to be not worth keeping; and Anally, use oi" cartridges to supply the 
 table. I will add, that my preference for central-flre cartridges con- 
 tinues. 
 
 Page 10, line 7 from bottom, for where read when. 
 " 13; "at half-cock." Some guns are now fitted with a "re- 
 bounding" lock, as it is called ; an arrangement by which the hammer 
 flies back to half-cock as soon as it has delivered the blow. This 
 device enhances safety, and is particularly eligible for breech-loaders, 
 since the gun may at once be broken down, reloaded and relocked, 
 wltliout fingering the hammer. 
 
 Page 28 ; rarity of birds. In striking illustration of the text may be 
 cited the cases of IJaird's Bunting and the Missouri Skylark, both 
 birds which remained for many years among our special desiderata, 
 but which are two of the most abundant and characteristic species of 
 Northern Dakota, •where I lately took as many of each as I wanted. 
 (See Am. Nat. vii, 1873, p. 695.) 
 
 Page 28. Treating of the suite of each species that It is desirable 
 to secure, I neglected to speak particularly of the care that should be 
 taken to procure full series ot females. Most miscellaneous collections 
 
APPENDIX TO MANUAL. 
 
 115 
 
 contain four or more males to every female — a disproportion that 
 should be as far reduced us possible. The occasion of the disparity Is 
 obvious — females are usually more shy and retiring; In disposition, 
 and consequently less frequently noticed, while their smaller size, as 
 a rule, and plainer plumage, further favor their eluding observation. 
 The difference In coloring is greatest among those groups where the 
 males are most richly clad, and the shyness of the mother birds is 
 most marked during the breeding season, just when the males, full of 
 song and in thei,r nuptial attire, become most conspicuous. It Is often 
 worth while to neglect the gay Benedicts, to trace out and secure the 
 plainer but not less interesting females. This pursuit, moreover, often 
 leads to discovery of the nests and eggs — an imporlant consideration. 
 Although both sexes are generally found together when breeding, and 
 mixing Indiscriminately at other seasons, they often go in separate 
 flocks, and often migrate independently of each other — in this case 
 the males usually In advance. Towards the end of the passage of 
 some warblers, for Instance, we may get almost nothing but females, 
 all our specimens of a few days before having been males. Tlic not- 
 able exceptions to the rule of smaller size of the female are among 
 rapacious birds and many waders — though in tliese last the disparity 
 is not so marked. I do not recall an instance, among American birds, 
 of the female being more I'ichly colored than the male. When the 
 sexes are notably dlftfercnt in adult life, the yoiou; of both sexes resem- 
 ble the adult female — the young males gradually assuming their dis- 
 tinctive characters. When the adults of both sexes are alike, the 
 young commonly differ from them. 
 
 In the same connection I wish to urge a point, the Importance of 
 which is often overlooked; it is our practical interpretation of the 
 adage, "a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush." Always keep 
 the first specimen you secure of a species till you get another; no 
 matter how common the species, how poor the specimen, or how cer- 
 tain you may feel of getting other better ones, keep it. Your most 
 reasonable calculations may come to naught, from a variety of cir- 
 cumstances, and a7i)j specimen is better than no specimen, on general 
 principles. Arid in general do not, if you can help it, discard any 
 specimen in the field. No tyro can tell what will prove valuable and 
 what not; while even the expert may regret to llnd that a point comes 
 up which a specimen he Injudiciously discarded might have determined. 
 Let a collection be "weeded out," if at all, only after deliberate and 
 mature examination, when the sclentillc results It affords have been 
 elaborated by a competent ornithologist; and even then, the refuse 
 (with certain limitations) had better be put where it will do some 
 good, than be destroyed utterly. For instance, I myself once valued, 
 and used, some Smithsonian "sweepings"; and I know very well what 
 
116 
 
 APPENDIX TO MANUAL. 
 
 to do with specimens, now, to which I would not give houseroom in 
 my own cabinet. If forced to reduce bullc, owing to limited facilities 
 for transportation in the field (as too often happens), throw away ac- 
 cording to size, other things being equal. Given only so many cubic 
 inches or feet, eliminate the few large birds, which taJce up the space 
 that would contain fifty or a hundred difi'erent little ones. If you have 
 a fine large bald eagle or pelican, for instance, throw it away first, and 
 follow it with your ducks, geese, etc. In this way, the bulk of a large 
 miscellaneous collection may be reduced one-half, perhaps, with very 
 little depreciation of its actual value. The same principle may be ex- 
 tended to other collections in natural history (excepting fossils, which 
 are always weighty, if not also bulky") ; very few bird-skins, indeed, 
 being as valuable contributions to science as, for example, a vial of 
 miscellaneous insects that occupies no more room may prove to be. 
 Page 34, line 7 from bottom, for drawn read driven. 
 " 41, " 3, /or drop read drip. 
 «« 46, " 15, /or toed read told. 
 " 49, obverse of diagram, for Butes read Buteo. 
 " 62, line 12 from bottom, /or answers read answering. 
 " 60, " 5 from bottom, omit is 6e/orc from. 
 " 8, for only read duly. 
 
 " n,for instruments confine read instrument confines. 
 " 6 of footnote, /or drawing read driving. 
 " 10 from bottom, omit for before one. 
 " 4 from bottom, for internally read Intimately. 
 Mentioning the thin-skinned cardinal grosbeak, I over- 
 looked the night-hawks and whippoorwills (^Caprimulgidw), in which 
 the skin is still more tender and liable to be torn. 
 Page 87, line 15 from bottom, for only read duly. 
 " 91, ** 12, after crossbar insert on a. 
 
 " 94. Testes vary more in shape and color than may be inferred 
 from the text, being sometimes rather linear or oblong, and grayish, 
 livid bluish, or even reddish. I lately found, in a bay-winged bunting, 
 only one testis, twice as large as natural to compensate for want of 
 the other. 
 Page 94, line 3, for bowels read bowel. 
 •' 101," 7, first word, /or essential rea<i stationary. 
 " 108, •♦ 5, for lids read lid. 
 
 
 54, 
 
 
 66, 
 
 
 68, 
 
 
 69, 
 
 
 71, 
 
 
 75. 
 
oom in 
 icilities 
 yay ac- 
 y cubic 
 i space 
 pu liave 
 'St, and 
 a large 
 ih very 
 be ex- 
 wliich 
 ndeed, 
 vial of 
 ) be. 
 
 nes. 
 
 over- 
 whlch 
 
 CHECK LIST 
 
 OF 
 
 j^ORTH AyVlERICAN BiRDS. 
 
 ["erred 
 aylsh, 
 Qting, 
 ant of 
 

 
 II 
 
 
 !l 
 
 1; 
 
 %. 
 
Check List of North Americaiv Birds. 
 
 Note. — The species are numbered consecutively ftora 1 to 635. 
 Stragglers have the number iu brackets. Varieties bear the number 
 of the species to which they belong, with a, b, c, etc., unless a variety 
 is our only representative of the species, when it is separately enu- 
 merated. Obscure or doubti\il species are marked with a note of 
 interrogation after the number. Each species is followed by the 
 original describer's name; Avhen this is not also the authority for 
 the nomenclature adopted the name of such authority is added, the 
 former being retained in parenthesis. A similar practice is observed 
 in the cases of varieties; when, as in most instances, they were origi- 
 nally described as species they are followed by the authority for their 
 reduction to varieties, as well as by the name of the describer; the 
 latter in parenthesis. 
 
 The List contains a very few species discovered since the "Key" 
 was printed; otherwise, it is an exact reflection of that work, the 
 arrangement and nomenclature being identical. The numbers of the 
 genera as used iu the Key are given in the head lines of the List in 
 order to facilitate reference. 
 
 Authors are at variance in the formation of the genitive of Latinized 
 proper names ; in the absence of any universally observed rule, euphony 
 may perhaps be advantageously consulted. In the Key, the i was 
 doubled in all cases of words ending in a consonant, the nominative 
 being considered to end in -ius ; this practice is preferably applicable 
 to monosyllables, as Bairdii, and polj'syllables, as Aitduhonii. But it 
 is necessarj' to use single i in words ending in r, as GonpeH, and best 
 to do so in most cases of dissyllables, as Wilsoni, Cassini, Swainsorii, 
 The same is the case with all words ending in a vowel. 
 
 The following ai'e the abbreviations used for authors' names occur- 
 ring most frequently ; others are for the most part written in full : — 
 All., Allen; Aud., Audubon; Bd., Baird; Bodd., Boddaert; Bp., Bona- 
 parte; C'aft., Cabanis; Cas.'?., Cassin; Cs., Cones; Gam6., Gambel; Gm., 
 Gmelin; (rr.. Gray; Z,., Linnajus; Z«/r., Lafi-esuaye; Lath., TLiitham; 
 iatcr., Lawrence; Licht., Lichtenstein ; i\rw«., Nuttall; JBei'cA., Reich- 
 enbach; Bidg., Ridgway; iScl.. Sclater; Steph., Stephens; Sic, Swain- 
 son; Temm., Temminck; Toicns., Townsend; F., Vieillot; Vig,, 
 Vigors; TFa^/?., Wagler; Tfi7s., Wilson. 
 
 11- 
 
 i: 
 
GEN. 1-3 OF KEY. 
 
 1. TURDUS MIQRATORIUS L. 
 
 Robin. 
 
 la. TUBDUS MIQRA.TORIUS L., 
 var. CONFINI8 (Bd.) Cs. 
 St. Iducas Robin. 
 
 2. TURDUS NiEVIUS Gm. 
 
 Tarledl Ttarusli. 
 
 3. TURDUS MUSTELINUS Gm. 
 
 fVood Thrush. 
 
 4. TURDUS PALLASI Cab. 
 
 Hermit Thrush. 
 
 4a. TURDUS FALLASI Cab., 
 var. AUDUBONU (Bd.) Cs. 
 Audubon's Thrush. 
 
 4b. TURDUS PALLASI Cab., 
 var. NANtJS (Aud.) Cs. 
 Dwarf Thrush. 
 
 5. TURDUS SWAINSONI Cab. 
 
 Olive-backed Thrush. 
 
 6a. TURDUS SWAINSONI Cab., 
 var. alicue (Bd.) Cs. 
 Alice's Thrush. 
 
 6b. TURDUS SWAINSONI Cab., 
 
 var. U8TULATU8 (Nutt.) Cs. 
 
 Oregon Thrush. 
 
 6. TURDUS FUSCESCENS Steph. 
 
 fVllson's Thrush. Teery. 
 
 7. OREOSCOPTES MONT ANUS (Towns.) Bd. 
 
 mountain mochlnrblrd. 
 
 8. MIMUS POLYQLOTTUS (L.) Boib. 
 
 9Iochln§rblrd. 
 
i 
 
 
GEN. 3-6 OF KEY. 
 
 9. MIMUS CABOLINENSIS (L.) Gr. 
 Catbird. 
 
 10. HARPORHYNCHUS RUPUS (L.) Cab. 
 
 BroiM^n TbruMh. Xliraslier. 
 
 lOa. HARPORHYNCHUS RUPUS (L.) Cab., 
 var. LONGiuosTKis (Lafr.) Cs. 
 liOngr-bllled Tbrusli. 
 
 11. HARPORHYNCHUS CURVIROSTRIS (Sw.) Cab., 
 
 var. PALMKRi Ridg. 
 Curve-billed Ttarusta. 
 
 llbis.* HARPORHYNCHUS BENDIREI Cs. 
 Bendlre's Ttarusta. 
 
 12. HARPORHYNCHUS CINEREUSBd. 
 
 Cinereous Tlirusli. 
 
 13. HARPORHYNCHUS REDIVIVUS (Gamb.) Cab. 
 
 Slckle-bllied Tlirusta. 
 
 13a. HARPORHYNCHUS REDIVIVUS (Gamb.) Cab., 
 var. LECONTKi (Lawr.) Cs. 
 I<eConte's Tbrusb. 
 
 14. HARPORHYNCHUS CRISSALIS Henry. 
 
 Red-vented Thrusli. 
 
 [15]. SAXICOLA CENANTHE (L.) Bechstein. 
 Stone Cliat. IfVlieat-ear. 
 
 16. SIALIA SIALIS (L.) Haldeman. 
 
 Eastern Wueblrd. 
 
 17. SIALIA MEXICANA Sw. 
 
 fFestem Bluebird. 
 
 18. SIALIA ARCTICA Sw. 
 
 Arctic Bluebird. 
 
 •llbis. Not In the Key. See Am. Nat, Vol. vii, p. 330, 1873. 
 
ill a 
 
GEN. 7-13 OF KEY. 
 
 19. OINCLUS MEXICANITS Sw. 
 'Wnteir Ouzel. Dipper. 
 
 [20]. PHYLLOPNEUSTE BOBEALIS Blasius. 
 Kennlcotr» Hylvla. 
 
 , 21. BEQUIiUS CALENDULA (L.) Light. 
 Ruby-crofrned Klnylet. 
 
 22. REQULUS SATRAPA Light. 
 Oolden-crested K.in§:let. 
 
 23. POLIOPTILA CJBRULEA (L.) Sol. 
 
 Blue-gray Onatcatclier. 
 
 24. POLIOPTILA MELANTTRA Lawr. 
 Black-lieaded <^natcatclier. 
 
 26. POLIOPTILA PLUMBEA Bd. 
 Plumbeous Crnatcatclier. 
 
 26. CHAMiEA FASCIATA Gamb. 
 Fasclated Tit. Crround UTren. 
 
 27. LOPHOPHANES BICOLOR (L.) Bp. 
 
 Tufted Titmouse. 
 
 28. LOPHOPHANES INORNATUS (Gamb.) Cass. 
 
 Plain Titmouse. 
 
 29. LOPHOPHANES ATRICRISTATUS Cass. 
 
 Black-crested Titmouse. 
 
 30. LOPHOPHANES WOLLWEBERI Bp. 
 
 Bridled Titmouse. 
 
 81. PARUS ATRICAPILLUS L. 
 Black-capped Chickadee. 
 
 31a. PARUS ATRICAPILLUS L., 
 var. SEPTENTRiONALis (Harris) All. 
 I^onr-talled Chickadee. 
 
 9 
 
 hM 
 

 I ir 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 I 
 
GEN. 13-17 OP KEY. 
 
 11 
 
 31b. FABUS ATBIOAFILLUS L., 
 
 Var. CAROI.INKN8I8 (Auil.) Cs. 
 
 Cai'ollun ClilckMdov. 
 
 31c. PARUSATRIOAPILLUSL., 
 
 var. OCCIDKNTALIS (Bd.) Cs. 
 
 fV^Cfitcrn Clilchadee. 
 
 82. PARUS MONTANUS Gamb. 
 Mountuln C'hickudee. 
 
 33. PARUS HUDSONICUS Fcms ier. 
 
 Hudtonlan Chickadee. 
 
 34. PARUS RUPBSCENS Towns. 
 Ctaestnut-baeked C'liickadee. 
 
 35. PSALTRIPARUS MINIMUS (Towns.) Bp. 
 
 I^east Titmouse. 
 
 86. PSALTRIPARUS PLUMBEUS Bd. 
 
 Plumbeous Titmouse. 
 
 87. AURIPARUS PLAVICEPS (Sund.)Bd. 
 
 Ifellow-lieadcd Titmouse. 
 
 38. SITTA CAROLINENSIS Gm. 
 ^riilte-bellled Wiittaatcta. 
 
 38a. SITTA CAROLINENSIS Gm., 
 var. ACULEATA (Cass.) All. 
 Slender-billed Wuthatcli. 
 
 39. SITTA CANADENSIS L. 
 Red-bellied IVutbatcli. 
 
 40. SITTA PUSILLA Lath. 
 Broivn-taeaded Muttaatclt. 
 
 41? SITTA PYQMiEA ViG. 
 Pygmiy IVuttaatcb. 
 
 42. CERTHIA FAMILIARIS L. 
 Brown Creeper. 
 
 I 
 
 W 
 
 i 
 
 $ 
 
 u 
 
 -I; 
 
 ! 
 
 r« 
 
 '!•; 
 
 f-.. 
 
' 
 
 : 
 
GEN. 18-23 OF KET. 
 
 13 
 
 48. CAMPYLORHYNCHUS 
 
 BRUNNEICAPILLUS (Lafr.) Gr. 
 Brovm-beaded Creeper-vrren. 
 
 44. CAMPYLORHYNCHUS APPINIS Xantus. 
 
 Allied Creeper-vrren. 
 
 45. SALFINCTES OBSOLETUS (Say) Cab. 
 
 Bock ^Tren. 
 
 46. CATHERPES MEXICANTTS (Sw.) Bd. 
 
 'Whlte-tliroated ^Tren. 
 
 47. THRYOTHORUS LUDOVICIANUS (Gm.) Bp. 
 
 Crreat Carolina ffren. 
 
 47a. THRYOTHORUS LUDOVICIANUS (G:a.) Bp., 
 
 Var. BERLANDIERI (CoUCll) Cs. 
 
 Berlandier's fVren. 
 
 48. THRYOTHORUS BEW. K3I (Aud.) Bp. 
 
 Beifrick's ff^ren. 
 
 48a. THRYOTHORUS BEWICKII (Aud.) Bp. 
 var. LEUCOGASTER (Goulcl) Bd. 
 irhlte-bellied. ^fTren. 
 
 48b. THRYOTHORUS BEWICKII (Aud.) Bp., 
 var. spiLURUS (Vig.) Bd. 
 Speckled-tailed ITren. 
 
 49. TROGLODYTES AEDON V. 
 
 House ^Vren. 
 
 49a. TROGLODYTES AEDON V., 
 var. PARKMANNi (Aud.) Cs. 
 ^Testem House IfTren. 
 
 60. ANORTHURA TROGLODYTES (L.) Cs., 
 var. HYEMALIS (Wils.) Cs. 
 
 irinter 'Wren. 
 
 
 :3» 
 
 ? 
 
 ■I' 
 
 m 
 
 M 
 
 ill 
 
GEN. 23-34 OP KEY. 
 
 15 
 
 60a. AWORTHURA TROGLODYTES (L.) Cs., 
 var. ALASCENSis (Bd.) Cs. 
 Alaskan ITren. 
 
 51. TELMATODYTES PALUSTRIS (Wils.) Cab. 
 i:<ong--billed 91arsli fVren. 
 
 62. CISTOTHORUS STELLARIS (Light.) Cab. 
 
 Short-billed HHarsli ^f ren. 
 
 63. EREMOPHILA ALPESTRIS (Forst.) Boie. 
 
 Homed liark; Shore XiUrk. 
 
 53a. FREMOPHILA ALPESTRIS (Fokst.) Boie, 
 var. CHRYSOLiEMA (Wagl.) Bd. 
 South-ivestern I^ark. 
 
 54. BUDYTES PLAVA (L.) Cuv. 
 'Velloir l^'agrtall. 
 
 65. ANTHUS LUDOVICIANUS (Gm.) Light. 
 Brown I^ark; Titlark; Pipit. 
 
 56. NEOCORYS SPRAGUEI (Aud.) Scl. *«• 
 
 IfHssourl Skylark. 
 
 67. MNIOTILTA VARIA (L.) V. 
 Black-and-irhlte Creeper. 
 
 68. PARULA AMERICANA (L.) Bp. 
 Blue yellovr-hacked ^ff^arbler. 
 
 59. PROTONOTARIA CITRiEA (Bodd.) Bi>. 
 
 Prothonotary ^il^arbler. 
 
 60. HELMITHERUS VERMIVORUS (Gm.) Bp. 
 
 ^fVorm-eatlng- Ifarbler. 
 
 6L HELMITHERUS SWAINSONI (Aud.) Bp. 
 Svralnson's lif^arbler. 
 
 62. HELMINTHOPHAGA PINUS (L.) Bd. 
 Blue-ivlng-ed Tellovt" 'Vf'^arbler. 
 
 I* 
 
 .5'. 
 
 i 
 
 I 
 
 i 
 
 11 
 
 "M 
 
GEN. 34-35 OF KEY. 
 
 63. HELMHTTHOFHAGA CHBYSOFTEBA (L.) Bd. 
 
 Slue CrOlden-ivlnired Ifl'arbler. 
 
 64. HELMHTTHOFHAGA BACHMANI (Aud.) Cab. 
 
 Bachnmn'A 'Warbler. 
 
 65. HELMHTTHOFHAGA LUCL2B Coop. 
 
 liucy's m^arbler. 
 
 66. HELMINTHOPHAOA VIBaiiniB Bd. 
 
 Tlrrlnla's DTarbler. 
 
 67. HELMINTHOPHAOA BUFICAFILLA (Wils.) Bd. 
 
 IVaslivllle l^arbler. 
 
 68. HELMINTHOFHAGA CELATA (Say) Bd. 
 
 Orang-e-crowned Ifl^arbler. 
 
 69. HELMINTHOFHAGA FEBEGBINA (Wils.) Cab. 
 
 Tennessee Ifl^arbler. 
 
 70. DENDBCECA -JBSTIVA (Gm.) Bd. 
 
 Summer TTarbler. 
 
 71. DENDBCECA VIBENS (Gm.) Bd. 
 Black-throated Careen fVarbler. 
 
 72. DENDBCECA OCCIDENTALIS (Towns.) Bd. 
 
 IfV^estem 'W^arbler. 
 
 73. DENDBCECA TOWNSENDII (Nutt.) Bd. 
 
 Tonrnsend's IfTarbler. 
 
 74. DENDBCECA CHBTSOFABEIA Scl. et Sai.v. 
 
 Crolden-cheeked fTarbler. 
 
 75. DENDBCECA NIGBESCENS (Towns.) Bd. 
 
 Black-throated Oray IfTarbler. 
 
 76. DENDBCECA CiBBULESCENS (L.) Bd. 
 
 Black-throated Blue 'Warbler. 
 
 77. DENDBCECA CiEBULEA (Wils.) Bd. 
 
 Cierulean W^arbler. 
 
 CHECK LIST BIRDS. 2 
 
 17 
 
 
 •■ 
 
 I 
 
 III 
 
 III 
 
 I 
 
 it 
 
 js 
 
 : f •: 
 
 |>i 
 
GEN. 35-36 OF KEY. 
 
 78. DENDBCECA COBONATA (L.) Gb. 
 Ifelloir-ruinped ^f arbler ; Myrtle Bird. 
 
 79. DENDBCECA AUDUBONII (Towns.) Bd. 
 
 Audubon's If^arbler. 
 
 80. DENDBCECA BLACEBUBNI^ (Gm.) Bo. 
 
 Blackburnlan liVarbler. 
 
 81. DENDBCECA STBIATA (Fokst.) Bd. 
 
 Ulack-poll Iff^arbler. 
 
 82. DENDBCECA CASTANEA (Wils.) Bu. 
 
 Bay-breasted ^f^arbler. 
 
 83. DENDBCECA FENNSYLVANICA (L.) Bd. 
 
 Chestnut-sided 'Vfarbler. 
 
 84. DENDBCECA MACULOSA (Gm.) Bd. 
 
 Black-and-lTellonv l>Varbler. 
 
 86. DENDBCECA TIQBINA (Gm.) Bd. 
 Cape Jtlay l^arbler. 
 
 86. DENDBCECA DISCOLOB (V) Bd. 
 
 Prairie ^IVarbler. 
 
 87. DENDBCECA GBACIiB Coues. 
 
 Orace's H^arbler. 
 
 88. DENDBCBCA DOMINICA (L.) Bd. 
 
 Yellow-tbroated IfTarbler. 
 
 89. DENDBCECA EIBTLANDI Bd. 
 
 Klrtland's IfTarbler. 
 
 90. DENDBCECA PALMABUM (Gm.) Bd. 
 
 Yellow Bed-poll IfTarbler. 
 
 91. DENDBCECA PINUS (Wils.) Bd. 
 
 Plne-creeplng* IfTarbler. 
 
 92. SBITJBUS AITBOCAPILLTTS (L.) Sw. 
 
 Crolden-crowned Ttarusii. 
 
 19 
 
 m 
 
I 
 
 
 
 w^ 
 
GEN. 36-41 OF KEY. 
 
 93. SEIURUS NOVEBORACENSIS (Gxi.) Nutt. 
 
 "VTMter ^Tag-tall; IfTater ThruHta. 
 
 94. SEIXJBUS LUDOVICIANUS (V.) Bp. 
 
 lia'rg-e-blllcd ^fTater Ttaru»h. 
 
 96. OPORORNIS AQILIS (Wils.) Bd. 
 Connecticut IfTarbler. 
 
 96. OFOBOBNIS POBMOSUS (Wils.) Bd. 
 
 Kentucky DTarbler. 
 
 97. GEOTHLYPIS TBIOHAS (L.) Cab. 
 
 Maryland Yellow-throat. 
 
 98. QEOTHLYPIS PHILADELPHIA (Wils.) Bd. 
 
 Mourning: ^I'arbler. 
 
 99?* GEOTHLYPIS MACQILLIVRAYI (Aud.) Bd. 
 Macg'llllvray's li^arbler. 
 
 100 ICTEBIA VIRENS (L.) Bd. 
 Yellow-breasted Chat. 
 
 lOOa. ICTEBIA VIEENS (L.) Bd., 
 var. longicauda (Lawr.) Cs. 
 liOng-talled Chat. 
 
 101. MYIODIOCTES MITRATUS (Gm.) Aud. 
 
 Hooded Fly catching- ^Tarbler. 
 
 102. MYIODIOCTES PUSILLUS (Wils.) Bp. 
 Oreen niach-capped Flycatching- IfTarbler. 
 
 103. MYIODIOCTES CANADENSIS (L.) Add. 
 
 Canadian Flycatchlng- IfTarbler. 
 
 104. SETOPHAGA RUTICILLA (L.) Sw. 
 
 Redstart. 
 
 105. SETOPHAGA PICTA Sw. 
 
 Painted Flycatcher. 
 
 ♦ This is probably only a variety of 88. * 
 
 21 
 
 t ) 
 
 ««f : 
 
: 
 
 r 
 
 
 I 
 
OEN. 42-50 OF KEY. 
 
 106. CERTHIOLA PLAVEOLA (L.) Sund. 
 
 Honey CVevper. 
 
 107. PYRANQA RUBRA (L.) V. 
 
 lilcurlet Tanag'or. 
 
 108. PYRANOA JBSTIVA (L.) V. 
 
 MHiumcr Medblrd. 
 
 108a. PYRANGA JBSTIVA (L.) V., 
 var. CooPERi (llldg.) Cs. 
 Cooper's Tunairer. 
 
 109. PYRANGA HEPATICA Sw. 
 
 Hepntie Tanaver. 
 
 no. PYRANGA LUDOVICIANA (Wils.) Bp. 
 lioulslana Tanarer. 
 
 111. HIRUNDO HORREORUM Baiiton. 
 
 Barn Hwalloir. • 
 
 112. TACHYCINETA BICOLOR (V.) Cs. 
 
 l^hlte-bellled S^vallow. 
 
 113. TACHYCINETA THALASSINA (Sw.) Cab. 
 
 ¥lolet-8'reen Svralloiv. 
 
 lU. PETROCHELIDON LUNIPRONS (Say) Cab. 
 Cllir Hwallow; Eare Swallow. 
 
 115. COTYLE RIPARIA (L.) Boib. 
 Bank Sirallow; Hand Jllarttn. 
 
 116. STELGIDOPTERYX SERRIPENNIS (Aud.) Bd. 
 
 Boug'li-ifinK-ed tiwallowt 
 
 117. PROGNE PURPUREA (L.) Boie. 
 
 Purple Martin. 
 
 118. AMPELIS GARRULUS L. 
 Bohemian 'Waxwlng*. 
 
 119. AMPELIS CEDRORUM (V.) Bd. 
 
 Cedar Bird; Cherry Bird. 
 
 23 
 
 11 
 
 1 : 
 
 I; 
 
 
 ^):1 
 
 I 
 
 :ilf 
 

 
QEN. 51-53 OF KEY. 
 
 120. FHJaNOPEFLA NITENS (Sw.) Sen. 
 
 Ulack Ptlloronya. 
 
 121. MTIADESTES TOWNSENDII (Aud.) Cah. 
 
 To-vnsend's Flycntcbln§r Thruith. 
 
 i22. VIBEO OLIVACEUS (L.) V. 
 ned-eyed Vlreo. 
 
 123. VIBEO ALTILOQUUS (V.) Git.. 
 
 Var. BAKBATUI.UH (Cub.) C8. 
 
 Ulack-whlBkered Tireo. 
 
 124. VTBEO PHILADELPHICUS Cash. 
 
 Urorcherly-lore ¥lreo. 
 
 125. VIBEO GILVTJS (V.) Bp. 
 
 fVarbllng- Tlreo. 
 
 a. VIBEO QILVUS (V.) B»-. 
 
 var. 8WAIN80NI (Bd.) Cs. 
 fl^eiitem ll^arbllng- f'lreo. 
 
 126. VIBEO PLAVIPBONS V. 
 Yellow-tliroated Ylreo. 
 
 127. VIBEO SOLITABIUS (Wita.) V. 
 Blue-headed Vlreo ; flolltary VIreo. 
 
 127a. VIBEO SOLITABIUS V., 
 var. FLUMBEUS (Cs.) All. 
 
 Plumbeous Tlreo. 
 
 128? VIBEO VICnnOB CouKS. 
 Oray Yireo. 
 
 129. VIBEO NOVEBOBACENSIS (Gm.) Bp. 
 fTblte-eyed VIreo. 
 
 180? VIBEO HUTTONI Cass. 
 Hutton's Vlreo. 
 
 25 
 
 \ 
 
 ' 
 
 I 
 
 I: 
 
 i 
 
 I 
 
 
 'in. . 
 
 II 
 
i 
 
 1 
 
 1* 
 
 m i 
 
 
 11 1 ^ 
 
 if 
 
 
GEN. 5o-58 OF KEY. 
 
 131. VIBEO BELLII AuD. 
 Heirs Yireo. 
 
 182. VIREO PUSILLUS CpuKS. 
 lieant Tlreo. 
 
 133. VIREO ATRICAPILLITS Woodh. 
 
 lBlack-i>eaded Ylreo. 
 
 134. COLLXJRIO BOREALIS (V.) Bd. 
 Cireat JVorthcrn Hhrlke; Butclierblrd. 
 
 135. COLLURIO LUDOVICIANUS (L.) Bd. 
 
 liOg'g'erliead Shrike. 
 
 135a. COLT.URIO LUDOVICIANUS (L.) Bd., 
 var. EXCUBITOROIDK8 (Sw.) Cs. 
 
 ira^hlte-rumped (Shrike. 
 
 136. HESPBRIPHONA VESPERTINA (Coop.) Bv. 
 
 Kvenlnir Cirosbeak. 
 
 137. PIinCOLA ENUCLEATOR (L.) V. 
 
 Pine Crrosbeak* 
 
 [138.]? PYRRHULA CASSINI (Bd.) Tkistii. 
 Caitsln's Bullflnch. 
 
 139. OARPODACUS PURPUREUS (Gm.) Gk. 
 
 Purple Finch. 
 
 140. CARFODACUS CASSINI Bd. 
 
 Cassln'B Purple Finch. 
 
 141. OARPODACUS FRONTALIS (Say) Gr. 
 Crlni8oii-fronted Finch; House Finch. 
 
 141a.* OARPODACUS FRONTALIS (Say) Cab., 
 var. HiEAioimiious (Wagl.) liidg. 
 MesLlcan Purple Finch. 
 
 •Not in the Key. 8ee Rldgway, Am. Jour. Sol. Arti v, p. 80. 
 
 27 
 
 ? 
 
 t. 
 
 
 < 
 
 :'; 
 
 ■; iMfi. 
 
 n* ' 
 
 t\ ^ 
 
 n* } 
 
 iff . 
 
 M. 
 
 :]i\ 
 
 M 
 
 ; '^i.. , 
 
 «« 
 
 ni3U 
 
 li^ 
 
 1 
 
 f|fc 
 
 rt i 
 
 !S 
 
 -■>>. 
 
 m 
 
 m 
 
 vr 
 
 U 
 
 m 
 
 LI 
 
 
I I 
 
GEN. 59-62 OF KEY. 
 
 142. LOXIA LEUCOFTEBA (Wils.). 
 
 TThlte-wlng-ed Crossbill. 
 
 143. LOXIA CUBVIBOSTBA L., 
 
 Var. AMERICANA (WUs.) Cs. 
 
 Common Crossbill. 
 
 14»a. LOXIA CUBVIBOSTBA L., 
 var. MExiCANA (Strickl.) Cs. 
 I<arg'e-bllled Crossbill. 
 
 144. LEUCOSTICTE TEFHBOCOTIS Sw. 
 
 Oray-croimed Flncb. 
 
 144a. LEUCOSTICTE TEFHBOCOTIS Sw., 
 var. GRiv«'a5rNUCHA (Brandt) Cs. 
 Or0>jr.eared Finch. 
 
 145. LEUCOSTICTE ABCTOA (Pall.) Bp. 
 
 Siberian Finch. 
 
 146. iEGIOTHUS LINABIA (L.) Cab. 
 
 Red-poll I<lnnet. 
 
 146a. iBGIOTHUS LINABIA (L.) Cab. 
 
 var. FUSCESCENS Cs. 
 
 Dusky Red-poll. 
 
 146b. JEOIOTHUS LUTABIA (L.) Cab. 
 var. EXILIPE8 Cs. 
 American Healy Red-poll. 
 
 [147.] LINOTA PLAVIBOSTBIS (L.) Bp. 
 var. BREW8TERI (Ridg.) Cs. 
 
 Brew^ster's lilnnet. 
 
 148. CHBYSOMITBIS FUTUS (Wils.) Bp. 
 
 Pine lilnnet. 
 
 149. CHBYSOMITBIS TBISTIS (L.) Bp. 
 American Coldflnch; Tellowblrd. 
 
 29 
 
 
 I 
 
 ; 
 
 I 
 
 ■■;>i 
 
HI 
 
 , } 
 
 |H II 
 
GEN. 62-65 OP KEY. 81 
 
 150. CHBYSOMITBIS LAWBENCEI (Cass.) Bp. 
 
 litt^jt^rence's Croldfluclt* 
 
 151. CHBYSOMITBIS PSALTBIA (Sav) Bp. 
 
 ArKansas Ooldflncli. 
 
 151a. CHBYSOMITBIS PSALTBIA (Say) Bp., 
 var. AiuzonJE Cs. 
 Arizona Ooldflnch. 
 
 151b. CHBYSOMITBIS PSALTBIA (Say) Bp., 
 var. mkxicana (Sw.) Cs. 
 mexlcan Croldflnch. 
 
 152. PLECTBOPHANES NIVALIS (L.) Meyer. 
 
 Snow Bik.: ^ing*. 
 
 153. PLECTBOPHANES LAPPONICUS (L.) Selby. 
 
 liapland liOng-spiir. 
 
 15i. PLECTBOPHANES PICTUS Sw. 
 Painted liark Bunting*. 
 
 155. PLECTBOPHANES OBNATUS Towns. 
 Chestnut-colored I^ark Buntlnif. 
 
 156. PLECTBOPHANES MACCOWNII Lawk. 
 
 lIcCown'8 Jjark Bunting:. 
 
 157? CENTEONYX BAIBDII (Auu.) Bd. 
 Balrd'H Bunting*. 
 
 157bis.* CENTBONYX OCHBOCEPHALUS Aiken. 
 Ochr eons-headed Bunting*. 
 
 158. PASSBBCULUS PBINCEPS Maynard. 
 
 naynard's Sparroir. 
 
 159. PASSBBCULUS SAVANNA (Was.) Bp. 
 
 Savanna Sparrovr. 
 
 * Not in the Key. See Aiken, Am. Nat., vii, 237. 
 
 
 1 
 
 ■W 
 
 f 
 'I 
 
 ■ 1 >L 
 
 u ., 
 
 w 
 
 m 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 i 
 
 m 1 4 
 
 (^te 
 
 ij,.i 
 
GEN. 65-69 OF KEY. 
 
 33 
 
 159a. PASSERCULUS SAVANNA (Wils.) Bp., 
 var. ANTHiNus (Bp.) Cs. 
 Titlark Sparroiv. 
 
 159b. PASSERCULUS SAVANNA (Wils.) Bp., 
 var. 8ANDVICRNSI8 (Gm.) Cs. 
 IVorttawestem dparrovr. 
 
 160. PASSERCULUS ROSTRATUS (Cass.) Bd. 
 
 neaked Sparroiv. 
 
 160a. PASSERCULUS ROSTRATUS (Cass.) Bd., 
 var. GUTTATUS (Lawr.) Cs. 
 St. I<uca» Sparrovr. 
 
 161. POOECETES QRAMINEUS (Gm.) Bd. 
 Kay-vrliiB-ed hunting-; Cri-ass Flncli. 
 
 161a. POOECETES QRAMINEUS (Gm.) Bd., 
 var. coNFiNis Bd. 
 fl^estem Orass Flncli. 
 
 162. COTURNICULUS PASSERINUS (Wils.) Bp. 
 
 ITelloit'-vvlngred Uparrofr. 
 
 162a. COTURNICULUS PASSERINUS (Wils.) Bp., 
 var. PKRPALLIDU8 Riclg. 
 Bleached Yelloit-wlng-ed Sparrow. 
 
 163. COTURNICULUS HENSLOWI (Aud.) Bp. 
 
 Hensloiv's Sparrovr. 
 
 164. COTURNICULUS LECONTEI (Aud.) Bp. 
 
 lieConte's flparroi« . 
 
 165. AMMODROMUS MARITIMUS (Wils.) Sw. 
 
 Seaside Finch. 
 
 166. AMMODROMUS CAUDACUTUS (Gm.) S,v. 
 
 Sharp-tailed Finch. 
 
 167. MELOSPIZA LINCOLNI (Aud.) Bd. 
 
 lilncoln's Finch. 
 
 Check List Birds. 3 
 
 
 '1 
 
 t 
 
 I 
 
 'A 
 
 O'M 
 
 lOl 
 
GEN. 69-70 OF KEY. 85 
 
 168. MELOSPIZA PALUSTRIS (Wils.) Bd. 
 
 Siramp Sparrovr. 
 
 169. MELOSPIZA MELODIA (Wils.) Bd. 
 
 Song- Sparrow. 
 
 169a. MELOSPIZA MELODIA (Wils.) Bd., 
 var. FALLAX (Bd.) Rldg. 
 Oray Song- Sparrow. 
 
 169b. MELOSPIZA MELODIA (Wils.) Bd., 
 var. GUTTATA (Nutt.) Ridg. 
 Cinereous Song- Sparrow. 
 
 169c. MELOSPIZA MELODIA (Wils.) Bd., 
 var. RUFiNA (Brandt.) Ridg. 
 Rufous Song- Sp^rrow^. 
 
 ]69d. MELOSPIZA MELODIA (Wils.) Bd., 
 var. HKERMANNi (Bd.) Ridg. 
 Heermann's Song* Sparrow^. 
 
 !69e. MELOSPIZA MELODIA (Wils.) Bd., 
 var. gouldii (Bd.) Ridg. 
 Crould'ft Song- Sparrow. 
 
 169f. MELOSPIZA MELODIA (Wils.) Bd., 
 var. iNsiGNis (Bd.) Ridg. 
 BlsclioflT's Song- Sparroir. 
 
 170. PEUCiEA JESTIVALIS (Light.) Cab. 
 
 . Bactaman's Finch. 
 
 170a. PEUCJEA AESTIVALIS (Light.) Cab., 
 var. cassini (Woodli.) AU. 
 Cassln's FIncIi. 
 
 171. PEUCJEA RUPICEPS (Cass.) Bd. 
 
 Rufous-crowned Flncli. 
 
 171bi8.* PEUCiEA CABPALIS CouEs. 
 Rufous-irlng-ed Sparrow^. 
 
 •Not in the Key. See Am. Nat., vii, p. 322. 
 
 I 
 
 
 m 
 
 I' ^ i: 
 
 
 
 slll'lJ' 
 
 til 
 
 |,. 
 
 M 
 
 i4 
 
 i 
 
 
i»l 
 
 1! 
 
GEN. 71-74 OF KEY. 
 
 172. POOSPIZA BILINEATA (Cass.) Scl. 
 
 niuck-tliruMted Finch. 
 
 173. FOOSFIZA BELLI (Cass.) Scl. 
 
 Boll's Finch. 
 
 174. JUN-CO HYEMALIS (L.) Sui.. 
 
 Snowbird. 
 
 175? JUNCO OREQONUS (Towns.) Scl. 
 Oreg'on Mnovrblrd. 
 
 176? JUNCO CINEREUS (Sw.) Cab., 
 var. CANiCEPS (Woodh.) Cs. 
 ClncreouM linoirblrd. 
 
 177. SPIZELLA MONTICOLA (G.vi.) Bd. 
 
 Tree Sparrow. 
 
 178. SPIZELLA SOCIALIS (Wils.) Bp. 
 
 Chipping* Sparrow. 
 
 178a. SPIZELLA SOCIALIS (Wils.) Bp., 
 var. AiuzoNiE Cs, 
 Arlasona Chlpplnic Sparrow. 
 
 179. SPIZELLA PUSILLA (Wils.) Bp. 
 
 Field Sparroiv. 
 
 180. SPIZELLA PALLIDA (Sw.) Bp. 
 
 Clay-colored Sparrow. 
 
 180a. SPIZELLA PALLIDA (Sw.) Bp., 
 var. BREWERi (Cass.) Cs. 
 JBrewer'B Sparrow. 
 
 181. SPIZELLA ATRIGULARIS (Cab.) Bd. 
 
 Black-chlnned Sparrow^. 
 
 182. ZONOTRICHIA ALBICOLLIS (Gm.) Bp. 
 
 fThlte-throated Sparrow. 
 
 87 
 
 
 ■ 
 
 I 
 
 
 m 
 
 J 
 
 ^ 
 
 n. 
 
 .', ( 
 
 J ' III"! 
 
 
 i ."I J 
 
OKN. 74-80 OF KKV. 
 
 183, ZONOTRICHIA LEUCOPHRYS (Foiiht.) Sw. 
 
 lflilt<>-(*i'on'iM'«l MptirroM'. 
 
 183a. ZONOTRICHIA LEUCOPHRYS (Ft)it8r.) Sw., 
 V(ir. <iAMiti:i.i fNiitt.) All. 
 €i(iuiib«>rM M|iHrro«%'. 
 
 184. ZONOTRICHIA CORONATA {Vm.l.) Bd. 
 
 €irold«n-ci*oi« ii«*<l Mpurrow. 
 
 isr.. ZONOTRICHIA QUERULA (Nutt.) Gamh. 
 lltirrlH'M Mpurrow. 
 
 186. CHONDESTES QRAMMACA (Say) Br. 
 liArk Finch. 
 
 [187.] PASSER DOMESTICUS Linn. 
 
 • 
 
 188. PASSERELLA ILIACA (Mkukkm.) Sw. 
 Fox Miini'i'ovr. 
 
 18!). PASSERELLA TOWNSENDII f Aud.) Nutt. 
 Tout iiMend'tt Vox M|»iirro«v. 
 
 189a. PASSERELLA TOWNSENDII (Aud.) Nl tt., 
 var. 8CIII8TACKA (Bd.) Cs. 
 MInte-volorcd Fox Mpurroft^. 
 
 190. CALAMOSPIZA BICOLOR (Towns.) Bp. 
 liArk lluiitlnir; Itfhitc-^'InyrcMl Ulackblrd. 
 
 191. EUSPIZA AMERICANA (Gm.) Bp. 
 
 *ilack-t1ii'o»t<>d Uuntins*. 
 
 I" USPIZA TOWNSENDII (Aud.) Bp. 
 
 Toirnseiid'M Hunting'. 
 
 193. GONIAPHEA LUDOVICIANA (L.) Bowdich. 
 
 ItOBe-breattted OroHbeak. 
 
 194. QONIAPFT^A MELANOCEPHALA (Sw.) — . 
 
 Bl k-headed Ciroeibeak. 
 
 8U 
 
 i 
 
 J. >; 
 
 if.: 
 
 I 
 
 I ill 
 
 •Mil: 
 
 1 \VA :■■ 
 
 
 :\'Ui- 
 
 ' i r i 
 
 
 1^ ,;|i. ;, 
 
 ' •l''l^ 
 
 * .;(i.*v' 
 
 r?ir]*i 
 
 f-'li 
 
 dm 
 
 , ^*|:, 
 
 : hi Hi*'; 
 
GEN. 80-85 OF KEY. 
 
 195. GONIAPHEA C^RXTLEA (L.). 
 
 Blue Crrosbeak. 
 
 196. CYAWOSPIZA CIBIS (L.) Bd. 
 Painted Flncta; Itfonparell. 
 
 197. tJTAasOSPIZA VERSICOLOR (Bp.) Bd. 
 
 f^esitern IVonparell. 
 
 198. CTANOSFIZA AMCENA (Say) Bd. 
 
 liazull Finch. 
 
 41 
 
 199. CYANOSPIZA CYANEA (L.) Bd. 
 Indlg-o Bird. 
 
 [200.] SPERMOPHILA MORELETII Puchehan. 
 Itlorelet's Flncta. 
 
 [201.] PHONIPARA BICOLOR (L.) Bp. 
 Black-faced Flncta. 
 
 202. PYRRHULOXIA SINUATA By. 
 
 Texas Cardinal. 
 
 203. OARDINALIS VIRGINIANUS (Brisson) Bp. 
 
 Cardinal Bedblrd. 
 
 I*- 
 
 ll 
 
 U^fc, 
 
 It 
 
 203a. CABDUTALIS VIRGINIANTJS (Brisson) Bp., 
 var. iGNEUS (Bd.) Cs. 
 Fiery Bedblrd. 
 
 204. PIPILO ERYTHROPHTHALMUS (L.) V. 
 
 Towtaee Bunting-; Ctae^rlnk. 
 
 204a. PIPILO ERYTHROPHTHALMUS (L.) V., 
 
 Var. ALLENI Cs, 
 
 IVtalte-eyed Towtaee. 
 
 205. PIPILO MACULATUS Sw., 
 
 var. OREOONUS (Bell) Cs. 
 Oreffon Tovrtaee. 
 
 :1l^r 
 
 
 I i tj 
 
r'S 
 
GEN. 85-89 OF KEY. 43 
 
 206a. PIPILO MACULATUS Sw., 
 var. AKCTICU8 (Sw.) Cs. 
 Arctic Tovrliee. 
 
 205b. PIPILO MACULATUS Sw., 
 
 var. MEGALONYX (Bd.) Cs. 
 
 Spurred Towhee. 
 
 206. PIPILO PUSCUS Sw. 
 Brown Xoirliee; Canon Flncli. 
 
 206a. PIPILO PUSCUS Sw., 
 
 lar. ALBiGULA (Bd.) Cs. 
 li^lilte-tliroated Towliee. 
 
 206b. PIPILO PUSCUS Sw., 
 var. CRissALis (Vig.) Cs. 
 Crissal Towhee. 
 
 207. PIPILO ABERTIBd. 
 
 Abert's Towliee. 
 
 208. PIPILO CHLOBURUS (Towns.) Bd. 
 
 Oreen-tailed Towhee. 
 
 209. EMBERNAQRA RUPIVIRGATA Lawr. 
 
 Oreen Fincli. 
 
 210. DOLICHONYX ORYZIVORUS (L.) Sw. 
 
 Bobolink; Reedblrd; Blceblrd. 
 
 211.* MOLOTHRUSPECORIS(Gm.) Sw. 
 Coirblrd. 
 
 21la. MOLOTHRUS PECORIS (Gm.) Sw., 
 var. OB8CURU8 (Gin.) Cs. 
 Bvrarf Cowblrd, 
 
 212. AQELiEUS PHCENICEUS (L.) V. 
 Bed-wlng-ed Blackbird. 
 
 * This should stond as Molothrua ater (Gm.) Gr, 
 
 •J 
 
 ■f 
 
 ■i 
 
 If! I; 
 i'. ■'; 
 
 1;! 
 
 h 
 
 i. 
 
 'rtf *-jl^ 
 
 Ih.-<.. 
 
 '% 
 
 l';! 
 
 III 
 
 i:^- uwtm 
 
 i ';. bbIis 
 
 v.! 
 
 
 
 
m 
 
GEN. 89-93 OP KEY. 
 
 45 
 
 212a. AQELJBUS PHGE3NICEUS (L.) V., 
 var. GUBKRNATOK (Wagl.) Cs. 
 
 ]ted[-8lioiilder«d Blackbird. 
 
 212b. AGELJEUS PHCBNICEUS (L.) V., 
 
 var. TRICOLOR (Nutt.) Cs. 
 Bed-and-vt'liite-sliouldered Blackbird. 
 
 213. XANTHOCEPHALUS ICTEROCEPHALUS (Bp.) Bd. 
 
 ITellow-headed Blackbird. 
 
 214. STUBNELLA MAGNA (L.) Sw. 
 
 Fieldlark; IHeadovrlark. 
 
 214a. STURNELLA MAGNA (L.)Sw., 
 var. NEGi.ECTA (Aud.) All. 
 Iffestern Fieldlark. 
 
 215. ICTERUS SPTJRIUS (L.) Bp. 
 
 Orchard Oriole. 
 
 215a.- ICTERUS SPURIUS (L.) Bp., 
 var. AFFiNis (Lavvr.) Cs. 
 Texan Orchard Oriole. 
 
 216. ICTERUS BALTIMORE (L.) Dandin. 
 
 Baltimore Oriole. 
 
 217. ICTERUS BULLOCKII (Sw.) Bp. 
 
 Bullock's Oriole. 
 
 218. ICTERUS CUCULLATUS Sw. 
 
 Hooded Oriole. 
 
 219. ICTERUS PARISORUM Bp. 
 
 Scott's Oriole. 
 
 220. ICTERUS MELANOCEPHALUS (Waol.) Gr., 
 
 var. AUDUBONU (Girand.) Cs. 
 Audubon's Oriole. 
 
 221. SCOLECOPHAGUS PERBUGINEUS (Gm.) Sw. 
 
 Busty Orackle. 
 
 Uil 
 
 :'>■: 
 
 mwi 
 
 
 :i 
 
 !'■ 
 • I;, 
 
 I ; 
 
 ■5 
 
 ■tffj'i 
 
 ill \ii\: 
 
 mmm 
 
f 
 
 f 
 
 li 
 
GEN. 93-97 OF KEY. 
 
 47 
 
 ii 
 
 222. SCOLECOPHAGUS CYANOCEPHALUS (Wagl.) Cab. 
 Blue-headed Orackle. 
 
 228. QUISCALUS MACROURUS Sw. 
 Crreut-talled Crrackle. 
 
 224. QUISCALUS MAJOR Vikil. 
 Boat-tailed Crrackle; Jackdavr. 
 
 225. QUISCALUS PURPUREUS (Bartr.) Light. 
 Purple Orackle; Crour Blackbird. 
 
 225a. QUISCALUS PURPUREUS (Bartr.) Light., 
 var. agl^us (Bd.) Cs. 
 Florida Orackle. 
 
 226. CORVUS CORAX Linn. 
 
 Baven. 
 
 227. CORVUS CRYPTOLEUCUS Couch. 
 
 IVhite-neeked Baven. 
 
 228. CORVUS AMERICAinrS Aud. 
 
 Common Croir. 
 
 228a. CORVUS AMERICANUS Aud., 
 var. FLORiDANUS Bd. 
 Florida Crow. 
 
 II! 
 
 "I 
 
 I- 
 
 ^i;- 
 
 IM 
 
 228b. CORVUS AMERICAITUS Aud., 
 var. CAURiNUS (Bd.) Cs. 
 IVortlivrestern Fish Crow^. 
 
 229. CORVUS OSSIPRAQUS Wits. 
 Fish Crovr. 
 
 ■^Ul 
 
 230. PICICORVUS COLUMBIANUS (Wils.) Bp. 
 Clarke's Crow. 
 
 
 23L GYMNOKITTA CYANOCBPHALA Maxim. 
 Blue Crow. 
 
 "1 -!- 
 
 
li 
 
 i 
 
GEN. 98-101 OF KEY. 49 
 
 232. PSILORHINUS MORIO (Waql.) Gu. 
 
 , Itrovrn Jay. 
 
 233. PICA MELANOLEUCA V., 
 
 var. iiui»80NiCA (Sab.) All. 
 American Magrplc^ . 
 
 233a. PICA MELANOLEUCA v., 
 
 » 
 
 var. NUTTALLi (And.) Cs. 
 Yelloir-bllled ]flain>i<^* 
 
 234. CYANURUS CRISTATUS (L.) Sw. 
 
 nine Jay. 
 
 235. CYANURUS STELLERI (Gm.) Sw. 
 
 Mteller'H Jay. 
 
 235a. CYANURUS STELLERI (Gm.) Sw., 
 v(tr. MACKOLoriiA (B(l.) All. 
 .1.ong--ci'c>»te<l Jay. 
 
 235b.* CYANURUS STELLERI (Gm.) Sw., 
 tar. FnoNTAMS Itidg. 
 niiie-f'rontcd Jay. 
 
 23G. APHELOCOMA PLORIDANA (Bartkam) Cab. 
 
 Florida Jay. 
 
 236a. APHELOCOMA PLORIDANA (Bartr.) Cam., 
 var. wooDUOusEi (Bd.) All. 
 liV'oociliouse'M Jay. 
 
 236b. APHELOCOMA FLORIDANA (Bartr.) Cab., 
 var. cALiKORNiCA (Vijr.) Cs. 
 Californian Jay. 
 
 237. APFELOCOMA SORDIDA (Sw.) Cab. 
 Sleber'8 Jay. 
 
 *Not in the Key. See Ridgway, Am. Journ., v, p. 43. 
 
 CHECK LIST BIRDS. 4 
 
 I 
 
 ^i: 
 
 't 
 
 I;: .'! 
 
 
 I, 
 
 
 V- i 
 
 kn. 
 
 i;^ 
 
 Mm 
 
IB 
 
 fi 
 

 OEX. 102-107 OF KEY. 
 
 238. XANTHOURA YNCAS (BooD.) Bp., 
 vnr. i.uxuo.sA (Less.) Cs. 
 Klo Ciirun(l«> Juy. 
 
 289. PERISOREUS CANADENSIS (L.) Bp. 
 C'miiimIh Juy. 
 
 [240.] MILVULUS TYRANNUS (L.) Bp. 
 Foi'k-tMilC'«l FlyoMtcltor. 
 
 241. MILVULUS PORPICATUS (Cm.) Sw. 
 
 Mwallow-tailtMl Fly<*Mtcli«>r. 
 
 242. TYRANNUS CAROLINENSIS (L.) Do. 
 
 KliiK'blrcl ; Uc'O-niurtin. 
 
 243. TYRANNUS DOMINICENSIS (Gm.) Rich. 
 
 Cri'ny KIns-bii'd. 
 
 244 TYRANNUS VERTICALIS Say. 
 ArkHiiMUM Flyeutclicr. 
 
 245. TYRANNUS VOCIPERANS Sw. 
 
 [240.] TYRANNUS MELANCHOLICUS V., 
 var. COUCH 11 (Bd.) Cs. 
 Coiich'N FlycMtclier. 
 
 247. MYIARCHUS CRINITUS (L.) Cab. 
 
 Cri'e»t-cix>»ted Flycutclici*. 
 
 248. MYIARCHUS CINERASCENS Lawk. 
 
 AHli-tliruatcd Fl;^-catcli«i*. 
 
 [249.] MYIARCHUS LAWRENCEI (Giuaud.) Bd. 
 ' I^afrrence's Flycntcher. 
 
 250. SAYORNIS SAYUS (Bp.) Bd. 
 
 Say's Flycatcher. 
 
 251. SAYORNIS NIGRICANS (Sw.) Bp. 
 
 Black Flycatcher. 
 
 51 
 
 
 '1 ti' > 
 
 •.if . 
 IK' 
 
 ':l 
 tiff 
 
 -i 
 
 

OEN. 107-110 OF KEY. 
 
 262. SAYORNIS PUSCUS (Cm.) Dd. 
 l»<»w«»«»; Pewit; Phwbo. 
 
 253. CONTOPUS BOREALIS (Sw.) Bd. 
 OIIv<>-Ml«l<>d Fl^ <*ut«;livr. 
 
 2r>4. CONTOPUS PERTINAX Cah. 
 Cou<>«' Fl^ cuti*li«>r. 
 
 285. CONTOPUS VIRENS (L.) Cab. 
 Df'ood l*«v»'oe. 
 
 255a. CONTOPUS VIRENS (L.) Cah., 
 var. HiciiAitnsoNii (Svv.) Ca., 
 Kfentcrn I'Vood Pewot?. 
 
 256. EMPIDONAX ACADICUS (Gm.) Bd. 
 Aradlan Fljcntcher. 
 
 267. EMPIDONAX TRAILLII (Aid.) Bd. 
 Ti'Mlll'ti Flycntclier. 
 
 257a. EMPIDONAX TRAILLII (Aud.) Bd., 
 var, rusiLLus (Bd.) Cs. 
 riilttlo l)¥e8tei'n Flycatcher. 
 
 258. EMPIDONAX MINIMUS Bd. 
 
 I^east Flycatcher. 
 
 259. EMPIDONAX PLAVIVENTRIS Bd. 
 
 Yelloiiv-bellled Flycatcher. 
 
 260. EMPIDONAX HAMMONDII Bd. 
 
 Hammond's Flycatcher. 
 
 2G1. EMPIDONAX OBSCURUS (Sw.) Bd. 
 1¥rlirht's Flycatcher. 
 
 262. MITREPHORUS PULVIPRONS (Giraud.) Scr-., 
 
 var. PALLESCKN8 Cs. 
 
 Buff-breattted Flycatcher. 
 
 53 
 
 ! 
 f 
 
 1 
 
 1 
 
 
 * 
 
 
 1 
 
 • ' 
 
 
 
 ,i 
 
 
 ■ 
 
 
 i 
 
 . : 
 
 
 
 Vd:h 
 
 ,'t 5 *.' 
 
., t\ 
 
 fl \ 
 
 ■ !;! . -i 
 
GEN. Ill, 114-120 OF KEY. 
 
 263. PYROCEPHALUS RUBINEUS (Bodd.) Gr., 
 
 var. MKXiCAMs (Scl.) Cs. 
 Vermilion Fl.yeatclier. 
 
 264. ANTROSTOMUS CAROLINENSIS (Gm.) Gould. 
 
 diiicl4-%vill'M-i« idoif . 
 
 265. ANTROSTOMUS VOCIPERUS (Wils.) Bp. 
 
 TFIii|>l>oori«'lll; ^ifclit-Jar. 
 
 266. ANTROSTOMUS NUTTALLII (Aul>.) Cass. 
 
 IViittall'H IVhippoorvfill. 
 
 267. CHORDEILES VIRGINIANUS (.Briss.) Bp. 
 
 :Nig-litliawk. 
 
 26711. CHORDEILES VIRGINIANUS (Briss.) Bp., 
 rar. UKNRYi (Cass.) All. 
 l>V4>stcru !¥ Ig-litliai» k. 
 
 268. CHORDEILES TEXENSIS Lawr. 
 
 TexuN MiK'tJitliaivl4. 
 
 269. PANYPTILA SAXATILIS (Woouii.) Cs. 
 
 IVhitc-tiiroutcd Mwift. 
 
 270. NEPHCECETES NIGER (Gm.) Bd., 
 
 var. I50UKALIS (Keunorly) Cs. 
 :siack Mwif't. 
 
 271. CHJETURA PELASGIA (L.) Stkph. 
 
 C iiinin« y Hvtif't. 
 
 272? CHJETURA VAUXII (Towns.) DkKay. 
 ^ aux'M Mwif't. 
 
 273. HELIOPiEDICA XANTUSII Tawr. 
 XatitiiM lliinuinins'birfl. 
 
 [274.] LAMPORNIS MANGO (L.) Sw., 
 
 (««r. POHPIIYRULA?) 
 
 Black-tliroatod Hummitifrbirtf. 
 
 55 
 
 i! 
 
 mi : I I 
 
 un 
 
 '1 
 
 
f2> 
 
GEN. 121-125, 112, 113, 126, 127 of key. 
 
 275. TROCHILUS COLUBRIS L. 
 Itiiby throated Htininiingrbird. 
 
 276. TROCHILUS ALEXANDRI Bourc. 
 Itluck-cliinnefllluniniing'blrd. 
 
 277. SELASPHORUS RUFUS (Gm.) Sw. 
 Rut oii8-1>ticked Hiiinniinfjirblrd. 
 
 278. SELASPHORUS PLATYCERCUS (Sw.) Gm>. 
 
 ]Broad-tnilv<l lluiuiiiiiiirbird. 
 
 279. SELASPHORUS ANNA (Less.)—. 
 
 Anna Humming-bird. 
 
 280. SELASPHORUS COSTJE (Bouuc.) Br. 
 
 CoHta Hiimmingrblrd. 
 
 281. SELASPHORUS HELOIS^ ( ) . 
 
 Helolse llummin|i$-bird. 
 
 282. STELLULA CALLIOPE (— -) Old. 
 
 Calliope Hummingrbird. 
 
 [283]. AGYRTRIA LINN-ffill (Bp.) . 
 
 lilnne Huniming-bird. 
 
 [284]. TROGON MEXICANUS Sw. 
 mLeaiican Troitron. 
 
 [285]. MOMOTUS C^RULEICEPS Gouid. 
 Blue-headed MaKvbill. 
 
 286. CERYLE ALCYON (L.) Boik. 
 
 Belted King-fisher. 
 
 287. CERYLE AMERICANA (Gm.) Boik, 
 
 var. CABANisi (Reich.) Cs. 
 Cabanis' King-flsher. 
 
 288. CROTOrFlAGA ANI L. 
 
 Anl. 
 
 289. QEOCOCCYX CALIFORNIANUS (Less.) Bd. 
 
 Crround Cuchoo ; Chaparral Cock. 
 
 57 
 
 
 \^ 
 
 ^LA^ 
 
GEN. 128-131 OF KEY. 59 
 
 290. COCCYZUS ERYTHEOPHTHALMUS (Wii-s.) Bd. 
 
 Black-billed Cuckoo. 
 
 291. COCCYZUS AMERICANUS (L.) Bp. 
 
 Yelloff -1>ille<l Cuckoo. 
 
 292. COCCYZUS SENICULUS (Lath.) . 
 
 ]niitiils:i'OTe Cuckoo. 
 
 293. CAMPEPHILUS PRINCIPALIS (L.) Gr. 
 
 Ivoi*y-bllle«l l^Toodpeckcr. 
 
 294. HYLOTOMUS PILEATUS (L.) Bo. 
 Pilentcd IfToodpecker ; liOg-cock. 
 
 295. PICUS ALBOLARVATUS (Cass.) Bd. 
 
 lif'liite-lieaded l>f oodpeckcr. 
 
 296. PICUS BOREALIS V. 
 Bed-cockaded m^oodpecker. 
 
 297. PICUS SCALARIS Wagler. 
 
 Texas l^oodpecker. 
 
 297a. PICUS SCALARIS Wagl., 
 var. nuttali.i (Gamb.) Cs. 
 IVuttall's IfVoodpecker. 
 
 297b. PICUS SCALARIS Wagl., 
 var. lucasanus (Xant.) Cs. 
 St. XiUcas ^H^oodpecker. 
 
 298. PICUS VILLOSUS L. 
 Hairy liV'oodpecker. 
 
 298a. PICUS VILLOSUS L., 
 var. HARRisi (Aud.) All. 
 Harris' It^oodpecker. 
 
 299. PICUS PUBESOENS L. 
 Bovrny "VToodpecker. 
 
 Ni 
 
 * I 
 
 * * 
 
 hi L A 
 
 
 I 
 
 ; 
 
GEN. 131-134 OF KEY. 
 
 299a. PICUS PUBESCENS L., 
 var. OAiKDXKuii (Aiul.) Cs. 
 Onlrdner'H l^oodpeckei*. 
 
 300. PICOIDES ARCTICUS (Sw.) Gi?. 
 Itluck-backed I'^oodiicu'ki'i*. 
 
 301. PICOIDES AMERICANUS Bukiim. 
 BuiMlc'd-bneked M'oodpcM'kor. 
 
 301a. PICOIDES AMERICANUS Bhkhm., 
 var. DOKSALis (Bd.) All. 
 iitrii»«d-baekc'd lif^oodiieckei*. 
 
 302. SPHYRAPICUS VARIUS (L.] Bd. 
 YellovY'-bellivd IToodiieeker. 
 
 302a. SPHYRAPICUS VARIUS (L.) Bd., 
 var. NuciiAUs (Bd.) All. 
 Hiiclial lif'oodpeckei*. 
 
 303?* SPHYRAPICUS RUBER (Gm.) Bd. 
 nvd-breawted l^oodiivcker. 
 
 304. SPHYRAPICUS THYROIDEUS (Cass.) Bd. 
 
 JBro«« n-lieaded lif oodpeckei*. 
 
 305. SPHYRAPICUS WILLIAMSONI (Nkwb.) Bd. 
 
 lif illiamson'H IfV^oodpeckci*. 
 
 306. CENTURUS CAROLINUS (L.) Bp. 
 
 Itcd-1»ellled H^oodpecker. 
 
 307. CENTURUS AURIPRONS (Wagl.). 
 
 fellovr-t'aced H'oodpecker. 
 
 308. CENTURUS UROPYGIALIS Bd. 
 
 Cilia f¥ood|>ecker. 
 
 61 
 
 
 
 iifii- 
 
 t*! 
 
 ♦ Apparently a var. of 302. 
 
I ' 
 
 1 
 
 :♦> 
 
 II! 
 
 1 
 
 S' 1 !?• 
 
 ^H8 It 
 
 11 
 
 li 
 
 1! 
 
GEN. 135-140 OF KEY. 
 
 SOD. MELANERPES ERYTHROCEPHALUS (L.) S\v. 
 ll«'d-li«'acle«l l!f'ood|>i'ch<>r. 
 
 310. MELANERPES FORMICIVORUS (S\v.) Bp. 
 
 C'ttliforniun ^Vou«l|i4><'koi*. 
 
 310a. MELANERPES FORMICIVORUS (Sw.) Bp., 
 
 V(t): ANOrsTlFKONS Bl). 
 
 ]V»ri*ov» -fronted liVoodiiecker. 
 
 311. ASYNDESMUS TORQUATUS (Wii.s.) Cs. 
 
 liowltt' 'Wowdiicekvr. 
 
 312. COLAPTES AURATUS (L.) Sw. 
 Cioldcii-^-lnit'ed l)¥u«>d|ii'ckor ; Flicker. 
 
 313. COLAPTES CHRYSOIDES Maui. 
 
 Ciiitled l)%^oodiieekei*. 
 
 314. COLAPTES MEXICANUS Sw. 
 llc^d-Hliafted Itf^ooilix'cker. 
 
 315. CONURUS CAROLINENSIS (L.) Kuhl. 
 
 Cai'olinu Pnri'oqiiet. 
 
 816. STRIX PLAMMEA L., 
 Var. AMKHICANA (Autl.) Cs. 
 
 Jiturn OjivI. 
 
 317. BUBO VIRQINIANUS (Gm.) Bp. 
 Oreat Horned 0%vl. 
 
 317a. BUBO VIRGINIANUS (Gm.) Bp., 
 var. ARCTicus (Sw.) Cass. 
 Arctic Horned Oivl. 
 
 817b. BUBO VIRGINIANUS (Gm.) Bp., 
 var. PACiFicus Cass. 
 Pacific Horned Owl. 
 
 03 
 
 W 
 
 
 '-': <!.,. 
 
 : ;i' 
 
 m. 
 
I 
 
 
 
 I 
 
 ill 
 
GEN. 141-147 OF KEY. 
 
 318. SCOPS ASIO (L.) Bp. 
 Norvccli Oi% I ; ]?IottU>fl Ov» I. 
 
 31Ha. SCOPS ASIO (L.) Bi-., 
 Var. KKNNKJOTTU (Kll.) Cs. 
 
 K4>niiirott'N 0«vl. 
 
 3181). SCOPS ASIO (L.) Hi-., 
 var. MACCALMi (Cass.) Cs. 
 UrC MirM On I. 
 
 3iy. SCOPS FLAMMEOLA Her.. 
 Flnniiuiil»te«l 4^wl. 
 
 320. OTUS VULGARIS (L.), 
 var. wii.HONiANUB (Lus.s.) All. 
 
 liOiiK'-oartMl €^n'l. 
 
 321. BRACHYOTUS PALUSTRIS Auct. 
 
 Wliort-«>ar('fl Ov%'l. 
 
 322. SYRNIUM LAPPONICUM (L.), 
 
 var. tiNEKKiM (Gin.) IMug. 
 Cni'cat Ciiray 4l«vl. 
 
 823. SYRNIUM NEBULOSUM (Fouht.) Gu. 
 JKarri'd O^vl. 
 
 324. SYRNIUM OCCIDENTALE Xant. 
 
 li¥c>Mt('rn Uai'i'C'd Owl. 
 
 325. NYCTEA NIVEA (Daud.) Gii. 
 
 liinowy Owl. 
 
 826. SURNIA ULULA (L.) Bp., 
 
 var. HUDSONicA (Gm.) Kidg. 
 Haw k Ow 1 ; Uay Owl. 
 
 827. NYCTALETENGMALMI (Gm.), 
 
 var. liiciiAUDSONii (Bp.) Ridg. 
 Tenfriualni'fi Owl. 
 
 CHECK LIST IiII{D.S. 5 
 
 65 
 
 I 
 
 
 i«4 
 
 
 y, 
 

 IMAGE EVALUATION 
 TEST TARGET (MT-3) 
 
 
 
 1.0 
 
 I.I 
 
 l:i|28 |2.5 
 
 |50 "■■■ ■■■ 
 
 m 
 
 
 1.25 
 
 lA. 
 
 1.6 
 
 — ^ 
 
 
 4 6" 
 
 
 ► 
 
 
 
 Hiotographic 
 
 Sdaices 
 
 Corporation 
 
 :>?^V 
 
 23 WEST MAIN SfSEET 
 
 WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 
 
 (716) 872.4503 
 

 lA 
 
 *y 
 

GEN. 147-157 OF KEY. 
 
 328. iryCTALE ACADICA (Gm.) Bp. 
 A.cadlnn Owl ; Mnvt-whet Owl. 
 
 329. GLAUCIDIUM PASSERINUM, 
 
 var. CALiKOKNicuM (Scl.) Rldg. 
 Pys-my Owl. 
 
 330. GLAUCIDIUM PERRUQINEUM. 
 
 FcrruK-ineouM Owl. 
 
 331. MICRATHENE WHITNEYI (Coor.) Cs. 
 
 l^liltncy's Owl. 
 
 332. SPEOTYTOCUNICtJLARIA(MoL.), 
 
 var. HYPOG.EA (Bp.) Cs. 
 Sitrrowlng* Owl. 
 
 333. CIRCUS CYANEU3 (L.) Lxc{'a\, 
 
 ir H'TDHONIUS (' ) Cs. 
 
 Marsla "■^->wii; Ilurrler. 
 
 334. ROSTRHAMUS SOCIABILIS (V.) D'Orb. 
 
 KvergrlMde Kite. 
 
 335. ICTINIA MISSISSIPPIENSIS (\Vii.».) Gr. 
 
 Ill«tftl8i»l|»pi Kite. 
 
 33G. ELANUS LEUCURUS (V.) Bp. 
 
 l^taltc-tailcd Kite ; mack-shouldered Kite. 
 
 837. NAUCLERUS PURCATUS (L.) ViG. 
 flwallow-tailed Kite. 
 
 338. ACCIPITER PUSCUS (Gm.) Bp. 
 Mharp-shlniied Hawk ; Pig-eon Hawk. 
 
 339. ACCIPITER COOPERI Bp. 
 Cooper's Hawk ; Chicken Hawk. 
 
 340. ASTUR ATRICAPILLUS (Wii.8 ) Br. 
 
 Croshawk. 
 
 67 
 
 III 
 
 ;i: 
 
GEN. 158-159 OF KEY. 
 
 69 
 
 341. PALCO SACEB FOU8T. 
 Cryrfttlcon; •Verl'ttlcon. 
 
 341a. FALCO SACEB FOK8T., 
 var. CANUICAN8 (Gm.) Ridg. 
 Crreenland Cryrt'alcon. 
 
 342. FALCO MEXICANUS Licut. 
 
 littnier Falcon. 
 
 343. FALCO COMMUNIS Vaworum. 
 Pereg-rlne Falcon ; Duck Hawk. 
 
 344. FALCO COLUMBAHIUS L. 
 
 Plyeon Hawk. 
 
 345. FALCO BICHAROSONII Kiua. 
 
 nichardtion's Falcon. 
 
 340. PALCO SPABVEEIUS L. 
 filparro%«' Hawk. 
 
 34Ga. FALCO SPABVEBIUS L., 
 var. I8AUELUNUS (Sw.) Iliclg. 
 Isabella Sparrow Hawk. 
 
 347. FALCO FEMOBALIS Tkmm. 
 
 Femoral Falcon. 
 
 348. BUTEO UNICINCTUS (Tkmm.) Gk., 
 
 var. HARKitii (Aud.) llidg. 
 HarrlH' Uuaszard. 
 
 349? BUTEO COOPEEI Ca88. 
 Cooper's Ituzzard. 
 
 350? BUTEO HABLANI (Aud.) Bp. 
 Harlan's Suzzard. 
 
 351. BUTEO BOBEALIS (Gm.) V. 
 Hed-talled Buzzard; Hen Haw^k. 
 
 § 
 
 /I 
 
 ml 
 
 W 
 
 ,.3,? 
 
 3 
 
 
OEN. 159-101 OF KEY. 71 
 
 351a. BUTEO BOREALIS (Gm.) V., 
 mr. CALURCs (Cass.) Rldg. 
 Ifrestcrn Iled-tnlled IBuzasard. 
 
 351b. BUTEO BOREALIS (Gm.) V., 
 rar. lucasanus Hidg. 
 Ht. liiicas Buxzard. 
 
 351c.* BUTEO BOREALIS (Gm.) V., 
 var. KHiDKiii. 
 Krlder'H lluzznr«l. 
 
 352. BUTEO LINEATUS (Gm.) .Iauo. 
 Red-Nlioiildorcd liiizztird. 
 
 352a. BUTEO LINEATUS (Gm.) Jahd., 
 
 vnr. F.r.KOANs (Cass ) Kidg. 
 fVetitern Ited-shoiildertMl Buzzard. 
 
 353. BUTEO ZONOCERCUS Scl. 
 
 Band-tailod Hank. 
 
 354. BUTEO SWAINSONI Bp. 
 
 Mivain«ioii*M Jiiizzard. 
 
 355. BUTEO PENNSYLVANICUS (Wn.s.) Bp. 
 
 ]iroad-i« Iiiifod Uiizzard. 
 
 35G. ARCHIBUTEO LAGOPUS (Bkunn.) Gu., 
 var. sANCTi-.ioiiANNis (Gin.) liidjr. 
 Ilu»g-li-lf|f|fcd Uuzzard. 
 
 357. ARCHIBUTEO FERRUGINEUS (Light.) Gu. 
 
 FerruK-ineouK Buzzard. 
 
 358. ASTURINA PLAGIATA Sciilkgicl. 
 
 Cfray Havtli. 
 
 369.t OWYCHOTES GRUBERI Kino. 
 Crruber'M Buzzard. 
 
 • S.'^lcj. Not ill Key ; not published at iliite of going to prcus, 
 t368. Quoftioniibly Nortli Aniericnn. 
 
 '? ' 
 
 I V 
 
 i ! 
 .'« 
 
 mm 
 
GEN. 1()2-171 OF KEY. 
 
 360. PANDION HALIAETUS (L.) Saviusy. 
 Fiitli Hawk; Osprey. 
 
 301. AQUILA CHBYSAETUS (L.). 
 
 Oolden Kag-lc. 
 
 302. HALIAETUS LEUCOCEPHALUS (L.) Savionv. 
 
 IfTblte-licaded Kag-le; UaJd Uairle. 
 
 3G3. POLYBORUS THARUS (Moll.) Cass., 
 var. AUUUBUNU^(Cass.) IlJdg. 
 Audu1»on'i» Caracara. 
 
 8C4. CATHARTES CALIPORNIANTIS (Shaw) Cuv. 
 Callfornlan Vulture. 
 
 365. CATHARTES AURA (L.) Illigbr. 
 Turkey IBuzzard. 
 
 306. CATHARTES ATRATUS (Baktb.) Lkss. 
 IBlack Vulture ; Carrion Ci*Of»'. 
 
 367. COLUMBA PASCIATA Say. 
 
 Hand-tailed Plsreon. 
 
 368. COLUMBA PLAVIROSTRIS Wagleij. 
 
 Ited-bllled Plsreon. 
 
 369. COLUMBA LEUCOCEPHALA L. 
 
 Wlilte-crovmed Pl§reon. 
 
 370. ECTOPISTES MIQRATORIUS (L.) Sw. 
 
 Wild Plireon. 
 
 371. ZENiEDURA CAROLINENSIS (L.) Bp. 
 
 Carolina Dove. 
 
 372. ZENiBDA AMABILIS Bp. 
 
 Zenalda Dove. 
 
 73 
 
 m 
 
 III i 
 4 f ' f 
 
 
 hhi 
 
 
 373. MELOPELEIA LEUCOPTERA (L.) Bp. 
 1i;iilte*iwlnir«di Dove. 
 
 in 
 
I 
 
 II 
 
 
 
GEN. 172-178 OF KEY. 
 
 75 
 
 074. CHAMJBFELEIA FASSEBINA (L.) Sw. 
 Ciroiind ]>ovc*. 
 
 :574a. CHAMJBPELEIA PASSERINA (.1 •) Sw., 
 
 Var. PALI.KMCKN8 (BU.) Cs. 
 
 At. liiicttH Ground Dovo. 
 
 ;J7rj. SCARDAPELLA SQUAMOSA (Tkmm.) Br., 
 var. INCA (Less.) Cs. 
 Mcnlvd IBove. 
 
 :J7G. QEOTRYGON" MARTINICA (G.M.) IlKicii. 
 
 .')77. STARNCENAS CYANOCEPHALA (L.) Hi'. 
 ]llu»-licud<Ml Ol'OUIld ]»4»V«. 
 
 378. ORTALIDA VETULA (Wa.m.). 
 Tcsian Ciiinn. 
 
 37!). MELEAGRIS QALLOPAVO L. 
 Tiirkc^y. 
 
 n79a. MELEAQRIS QALLOPAVO L., 
 vnr. AMERICANA (Baftr.) Cs. 
 Common D^lld Turkey. 
 
 380. TETRAO CANADENSIS L. 
 Canada Crrouse ; Spruce Partrldire. 
 
 380a. TETRAO CANADENSIS L., 
 var. FRANKLiNi (DoujjUis) Cs. 
 Franklin's Orouse. 
 
 1 
 I 
 
 
 381. TETRAO ORSCURUS Say. 
 Dusky Crrouse. 
 
 381a. TETRAO OBSCURUS Say, 
 
 var. RICHARD80NII (Dougl.) Cs. 
 
 Richardson's Orouse. 
 
OEN. 179-184 OF KEY. 
 
 382. OBNTROCERCUS UROPHASIANUS (Br.) Sw. 
 
 Mnirv €'o<*k; €'ock-or-th<'-l*lnlnN. 
 
 383. FEOICECETES FHASIANELLUS (L.) Kix. 
 
 IVortli€>m Mhurii-tMiled (■iroimc. 
 
 383u. PEDKECETES PHASIANELLU8 (I.) Km,., 
 
 Var. COKITMHIANIIH (Onl.) Cs. 
 
 Common NhMrii-talleil CSroune. 
 
 384. CUPIDONIA CUPIDO (L.) Bd. 
 l*lnnut«<l CiroiiNv; Prnlrle !■<>■■. 
 
 386. BON AS A UMBELLUS (L.) Stki-h. 
 RuflrvdOrouNo; Pnrtiidir*' ; PlieuMiint. 
 
 385a. BON ASA UMBELLUS (L.) Stki-ii., 
 var. uMBKi.i.oiDioH (l)ougl.) Bd. 
 CSray Hufl'od CiiroiiAV. 
 
 3851). BONASA UMBELLUS (L.) Stkimi., 
 var. SABiNKi (I)ougl.) Cs. 
 Oreg'on niilfcd Oroiifie. 
 
 386. LAGOPUS ALBUS (Gm.) Aud. 
 
 'Vrillow Ptnrmlirftn. 
 
 387. LAGOPUS RUPESTRIS (Gm.) Leacu. 
 
 Rock Ptarmiiran. 
 
 388. LAGOPUS LEUCURUS Sw. 
 ^mite-talled Ptarmlg-an. 
 
 389. ORTYX VIRQINIANUS (L.) Bp. 
 Tirvinla Partrldg-« ; ^uall ; Bob-white. 
 
 389a. ORTYX VIRGINIANUS (L.) Bp., 
 
 77 
 
 I-:; 
 
 !l 
 
 l i 
 
 .■] 
 
 ,', ^ 
 
 1 <i 
 
 r 
 
 var. 
 
 Florida 
 
 FLORIDANUS Cs. 
 
 Partridge. 
 
GEN. 184-192 OF KEY. 
 
 389b. ORTYX VIRGIinAWTJS (L.) Bp., 
 var. TKXANtJS (Lawr.) Cs. 
 Texnn Partrldg-e. 
 
 390. OREORTYX PICTUS (Dougl.) Bi>. 
 
 Plumed Partrldg-e. 
 
 391. LOPHORTYX CALIPORNICUS (Shaw) Br. 
 
 CaltforniMii Partrldgrc 
 
 392. LOPHORTYX QAMBELI Nutt. 
 
 Craiubel'H Partrldg-e. 
 
 393. CALLIPEPLA SQUAMATA (Vig.) Gu. 
 
 tiiealvd Partridg-«. 
 
 394. CYRTONYX MASSENA (Less.) Gld. 
 
 9Ia,MM€'na Pa,rtrid|jre. 
 
 395. SQUATAROLA HELVETICA (L.) Cuv. 
 
 mack-bclIied Plover. 
 
 396. CHARADRIUS PULVUS Gm., 
 
 var. VIRGINICU8 (Borck.) Cs. 
 Crolden P1ot«m'. 
 
 397. -ffiSQIALITIS VOCIPERUS (L.) Cass. 
 
 Klldeei' Plover. 
 
 398. iEQIALITIS WILSONIUS (Okd) Cass. 
 
 l^llson's Plover. 
 
 399. iEQIALITIS SEMIP-^ LMATUS (Bp.) Cab. 
 
 eienilpalinated Plover; Itlng-nech. 
 
 400. iEQIALITIS MELODUS (Ord) Cab. 
 
 Piping* Plover; Rlnirneck. 
 
 401. iEQIALITIS CANTIANUS (Lath.). 
 
 Snowy Plover. 
 
 7 It 
 
 n 
 
 
 ' I 
 
 It H 
 
 I 
 
 'SI 
 
 *■ 
 
 -1 
 - « 
 
 km 
 
 

GEN. 191-202 OF KEY. 
 
 402.* iBGIALITIS ASIATICUS (Pall.), 
 var. MONTANU8 (Towns.) Cs. 
 Mountain Plover. 
 
 403. APHRIZA VIRGATA (Gm.) Gb. 
 
 Surr nird. 
 
 404. HJBMATOPUS PALLIATUS Temm. 
 
 Oyster-catcher. 
 
 405. HiBMATOPUS NIGER Pallas. 
 
 Slack Oyster-catcher. 
 
 406. STREPSILAS INTERPRES (L.) III. 
 
 Turnstone. 
 
 406a. STREPSILAS INTERPRES (L.) III., 
 
 var. MKLANOCEPHALU8 (Vig.) Cs. 
 
 niack-headed Turnstone. 
 
 407. RECURVIROSTRA AMERICANA Gm. 
 
 Avocet. 
 
 81 
 
 
 
 I 
 
 if 
 
 408. HIMANTOPUS IHGRICOLLIS V. 
 
 Stilt. 
 
 409. STEGANOPUS WILSONI (Sab.) Cs. 
 
 Hfllson's Phalarope. 
 
 410. LOBIPES HYPERBOREUS (L.) Cuv. 
 
 Northern Phalarope. 
 
 411. PHALAROPUS PULICARIUS (L.) Bp. 
 
 Red Phalarope. 
 
 412. PHILOHELA MINOR (Gm.) Gr. 
 
 American DVoodcock. 
 
 
 [413.] SCOLOPAX RUSTICOLA L. 
 European Hf'oodcock. 
 
 *May require to stand as Eudromiaa montanus (Towns.'* llartini^. 
 CHECK U8T BIRDS. 6 
 
GEN. 203-207 or key. 
 
 4U. GALLINAQO WLLSONI (Temm.) Bp. 
 American Snipe; 'Vfilson's 8nlpe. 
 
 415. MACRORHAMPHUS GRISEUS (Gm.) Leach. 
 
 Red-breasted Snipe. 
 
 415a. MACRORHAMPHUS GRISEUS (Gm.) Leach, 
 var. 8COLOPACEU8 (Say) Cs. 
 Itongr-liilied Snipe. 
 
 416. MICROPALAMA HIMANTOPUS (Bp.) Bd. 
 
 Stilt Sandpiper. 
 
 417. EREUNETES PUSILLUS (L.) Cass. 
 
 Semipalmated Sandpiper. 
 
 417a. EREUNETES PUSILLUS (L.) Cass., 
 var. occiDKNTAUS (Lawr.) Cs. 
 fV^estem Semipalmated Sandpiper. 
 
 418. TRINGA MINUTILLA V. 
 
 I^east Sandpiper. 
 
 419. TRINGA BAIRDII Coues. 
 
 Aaird'd Sandpiper. 
 
 420. TRINGA MACULATA V. 
 
 Pectoral Sandpiper. 
 
 421. TRINGA BONAPARTEI Soul. 
 ll¥liite-rumped Sandpiper. 
 
 422? TRINGA COOPERI Bd. 
 Cooper's Sandpiper. 
 
 423. TRINGA MARITIMA Brunnich. 
 
 Purple Sandpiper. 
 
 424. TRINGA ALPINA L., 
 
 var. AMERICANA Cass. 
 A.merican Dunlin. 
 
 83 
 
 
 
GEN. 207-217 OF KEY. 
 
 425. TRINGA SUBARQUATA Guld. 
 
 Curlew Sandpiper. 
 
 426. TRINGA CANUTUS L. 
 Red-brensted Sandpiper; Knot. 
 
 426bls.* TRINGA CRASSIROSTRIS Schleoel. 
 Tlilck-bllled Sandpiper. 
 
 427. CALIDRIS ARENARIA (L.) III. 
 Sanderllng* ; Ruddy Plover. 
 
 428. LIMOSA PEDOA (L.) Oud. 
 Oreat narbled Oodwit. 
 
 429. LIMOSA HUDSONICA (Lath.) Sw. 
 
 Hiidsonlan Oodwit. 
 
 430. LIMOSA UROPYGIALIS Gould. 
 
 ffiiite-rumped Crodwlt. 
 
 431. TOTANUS SEMIPALMATUS Gm. 
 Senilpalniated. Tattler; IfflUet. 
 
 432. TOTANUS MELANOLEUCUS Gm. 
 
 Crreater Tell-tale. 
 
 433. TOTANUS PLAVIPES Gm. 
 
 ^''elloir-staanks. 
 
 [434.] TOTANUS CHLOROPXJS Nilsson. 
 Crreen-8 hank 8. 
 
 85 
 
 
 435. TOTAirtJS SOLITARIUS Wils. 
 
 Solitary Tattler. 
 
 436. TRINGOIDES MACULARIUS (L.) Gr. 
 
 Spotted Sandpiper. 
 
 ♦Not in the Key. Obtained at St. Paul's Island, by II. \V. Elliot. Ideiitifled by 
 J. E. Harting. See Dall, Am. Nat., vii, Oct., 1873, p. 034. 
 
 I 'I 
 
 ! <i\ 
 
 I . %■ 
 
 ll 
 

GEN. 218-222, 224-228 of ket. 
 
 [437.] FHILOMACHUS PUQNAX (L.) Gb. 
 Huff; Reere. 
 
 488. AOTITURUS BARTRAMIUS (Wils.) Bp. 
 Sartramlan Sandpiper ; Upland Plover. 
 
 439. TRYWOITES RUPESCENS (V.) Cab. 
 
 Buir-1»rea»fed Sandpiper. 
 
 440. HETEROSCELUS IB'CAinJS(GM.>C8» 
 
 fTanderlnfr Tattler. 
 
 441. NXJMENIUS LONQIROSTRIS Wils. 
 
 I.on8--bllled Curlew. 
 
 442. NUMENIUS HUDSONICUS Lath. 
 
 Hudsonlan Curlew. 
 
 443. NUMENIUS BOREAIiIS (Forst.) Lath. 
 
 Esquimaux Curlew^. 
 
 444. TANTALUS LOCULATOR L. 
 
 ITood Ibis. 
 
 445. IBIS PALCINELLUS Auct., 
 
 var. ORDU (Bp.) All. 
 Olossy Ibis. 
 
 446. IBIS ALBA (L.) V. ^ 
 
 ivriilte Ibis. 
 
 [447.] IBIS RUBRA (L.) V. 
 Scarlet Ibis. 
 
 448. PLATALEA AJAJA L. 
 Roseate Spoonbill. 
 
 449. ARDEA BERODIAS L. 
 Oreat Blue Reron. 
 
 460? ARDEA WURDEMANNI 6d. 
 Florida Reron. 
 
 87 
 
 I 
 
 jl 
 
 
 111 
 
 I 
 
 i ^ 
 
41 
 
 4( 
 
 46 
 
 4G 
 
GEN. 228-238, 223 of key-. 
 
 451. ARDEA OCCIDENTALIS Auo. 
 
 Great 'White Heron. 
 
 452. ARDEA EGRETTA Gm. 
 Ciretit W^hlte Kvrret. 
 
 453. ARDEA CANDIDISSIMA Jacqi in. 
 
 l.lttle White Kg-ret. 
 
 454. ARDEA LEUCOQASTRA Gm., 
 
 var. i.Ki'COi'UYMNA (Lifl)t ) Cs. 
 liOiiiHlnim Heron. 
 
 455. ARDEA RITPA Bodd. 
 
 lled«llsh Kirret. 
 
 45C. ARDEA CJBRULEA L. 
 lilttle nine Heron. 
 
 457. ARDEA VIRESCENS L. 
 
 Oreen Heron. 
 
 458. irrCTIARDEA GRISEA (L.; Stepii., 
 
 var. NyEviA (Bodii.) Alien. 
 IVilCht Heron. 
 
 459. mrCTIARDEA VIOLACEA (L.) Sw. 
 Yellovr-croi^'ned IVig-ht Heron. 
 
 460. BOTAURUS MINOR (Gm.). 
 Bittern; Indian Hen. 
 
 89 
 
 i i 11 
 
 i 
 
 ' r 
 
 'i[ 
 
 ii? 
 
 
 401. ARDETTA EXILIS (G.m.) Gr. 
 lieast Bittern. 
 
 462. GRUS AMERICANUS (L.) Ord. 
 W^hlte Crane; Whooplnsr Crane. 
 
 403. GRUS CANADENSIS (L.) Temm. 
 Brown Crane ; Sandhill Crane. 
 
 I I :,;- 
 
 I 
 
i: 
 
 47 
 
 47 
 
 t7i 
 
 47( 
 
OEN. 239-247 OF key. 
 4C4. ARAMUS BCOLOFACEUS (Gm.) V., 
 
 Var. GIOANTKUH (Up.) Cs. 
 
 Mcolo|>ncc>ous Coiirliin. 
 
 4C5. BALLUS LONGIBOSTRIS Doud. 
 Clapper Rail; Malt-water JMaritli Hen. 
 
 460. BALLUS ELEGAITS Aud. 
 Fresli-water 9Iarsli Hen. 
 
 467. BALLUS VIBQINIANUS L. 
 
 Yiririnla Rail. 
 
 468. POBZANA OABOLINA (L.) V. 
 Carolina Hail; Sora; Ortolan. 
 
 469. FOBZANA NOVEBOBACENSIS (Gm.) Cass. 
 
 Yellow Rail. 
 
 470. FOBZANA JAMAICENSIS (Gm.) Cass. 
 
 Black Rail. 
 
 [471.] OBEX FBATENSIS Bechstein. 
 Com Crake. 
 
 91 
 
 i 
 
 1r' V 
 
 If:' ii 
 
 
 472. QALLINULA GALEATA (Licht.) Br., 
 
 (CHi-OROPUS varf). 
 Florida Cialllnule. 
 
 473. POBFHYBIO MABTINICA (L.) Tkmm. 
 
 Purple Oallinule. 
 
 474. PULICA AMEBICANA Gm. 
 
 Coot. 
 
 m. FHCENICOFTEBUS BUBEB L. 
 Flamingo. 
 
 476. OYGNUS BUCCINATOB Riciiabdson. 
 Trumpeter Swan. 
 
^ 
 
 GEN. 247-250 OF KEY. 
 
 477. CYGNUS AMERICANUS Shahpless. 
 
 Tniiiitltnis- Dwan. 
 
 478. ANSER ALBIPRONS Gm., 
 
 var. GAMBKLi (^Iliirtl.) Cs. 
 American Hf liite-frouted Ooo»e. 
 
 479? ANSER CiERULESCENS L. 
 nine OooAC. 
 
 480. ANSER HYPERBOREUS Pall. 
 
 finoiv Ooofie. 
 
 480a. ANSER HYPERBOREUS Pall., 
 var. ALBATUS (Cass.) Cs. 
 liesser Hlno«v Crootic. 
 
 481. ANSER ROSSII Bd. 
 
 llOHS' Croose. 
 
 482. PHILACTE CANAGICA (Skvast.) Bann. 
 
 Painted Ooose. 
 
 [483.] BRANTA LEUCOPSIS (L.). 
 Barnacle Crouse. 
 
 93 
 
 i 
 if 
 
 
 484. BRANTA BERNICLA (L.). 
 
 Urant droose. 
 
 485. BRANTA CANADENSIS (L.). 
 Canada Ooose ; IfV'ild Ouose. 
 
 485a. BRANTA CANADENSIS (L.), 
 var. LEucoPAUEiA (Brandt) Cs. 
 ^¥liite-colIared Cioose. 
 
 485b. BRANTA CANADENSIS (L.), 
 var. iiuTCHiNsii (Rich.) Cs. 
 Uutclilns' Croose. 
 
iv 
 
 GEN. 251-259 OF KEY. 
 
 486. DBNDROCYGNA PULVA (Gm.) Burm. 
 
 Fulvous Tree Duck. 
 
 487. DENDROCYGNA AUTUMNALIS (L.) Eyton. 
 
 Vutumnnl Tree Duck. 
 
 488. ANAS BOSCHAS L. 
 
 Mallard. 
 
 489. ANAS OBSCURA Gm. 
 
 Dusky Duck. 
 
 490. DAFILA ACUTA (L.) Jenyns. 
 
 Pintail; Sprig-tall. 
 
 491. CHAULELASMUS STREPERUS (L.) «ray. 
 
 Oadivrall; Oray Duck. 
 
 [492.] MARECA PEITELOPE (L.) Bp. 
 European l^idg-eon. 
 
 493? MARECA AMERICANA (Gm.) Steph. 
 American IfTidgreon; Baldpate. 
 
 [494.] QUERQXTEDULA CRECCA (L.) Step^. 
 Eng-lisb Teal. 
 
 495. QXTERQUEDULA CAROLINENSIS (Gm.). 
 
 Oreen-wingred Teal. 
 
 496. QUERQUEDULA DISCORS (L.) Steph. 
 
 Blue-irinved Teal. 
 
 497. QUERQUEDULA CYANOPTERA (V.) Cass. 
 
 Cinnamon Teal. 
 
 498. SPATULA CLYPEATA (L.) Boie. 
 
 Shoveller. 
 
 499. AIX SPONSA (L.) Boie. 
 Summer Duck ; fl^ood Duck. 
 
 95 
 
 i ; 
 
 
(I 
 
 GEN. 260-268 OF KEY. 
 
 600. PULIQULA MARILA (L.) Steph. 
 Crreatcr IBlackliead. 
 
 601 ? FULIGULA AFPINIS Eytox. 
 lieiisci* nincklicad. 
 
 602. PULIQULA COLLARIS (Donovan) Bp. 
 lling'-necKcd Duck. 
 
 503. PULIQULA PERINA (L.) S\v., 
 
 var. AMKUiCANA (Eyton) Cones. 
 llcdiicud; Pocliar<l. 
 
 504. PULIQULA VALLISNERIA (Wils.) Stepii. 
 
 Canvus-bnck. 
 
 505. BUCEPHALA CLANQULA (L.) Gn. 
 
 Crolden-eycd Dut'k. 
 
 606. BUCEPHALA ISLANDICA (Gm.) Bd. 
 Uarrotv's Ooldcn-vye. 
 
 507. BUCEPHALA ALBEOLA (L.) Bd. 
 
 Biillle-licndcd ]>uck. 
 
 508. HARELDA QLACIALIS (L.) Lbach. 
 
 liongr-talled Duck. 
 
 609. CAMPTOL-ffilMUS LABRADORIUS (Gm.) Gh. 
 liabrador Duck. 
 
 510. HISTRIONICUS TORQUATUS (L.) Bp. 
 
 Harlequin Uuck. 
 
 511. SOMATERIA STELLERI (Pali,.) Jaudine. 
 
 Mtvllor's »uck. 
 
 512. SOMATERIA FISCHERI (Buandt) Coues. 
 
 Spectacled KIder. 
 
 613. SOMATERIA MOLLISSIMA (L.) Leach. 
 Kldei* Duck. 
 
 Check List Birds. 7 
 
 97 
 
 I- 1' I 
 
 ':'■ 1 'm 
 
 Mi 
 
 ■i I II 
 
 .» I, 
 
 
 
 k.>- 
 
u ' 
 
 ' I 
 
 OEN. 268-274 OF key. 
 
 614? SOMATERIA V-NIQRA Gray. 
 Pacific KIder. 
 
 615. SOMATERIA SPECTABILIS (L.) Liticn. 
 King- Klder. 
 
 610. CEDEMIA AMERICANA Sw. 
 Aiiierlcaii Klack Hcotcr. 
 
 67.7. GEDEMIA FUSCA (L.) Sw., 
 {?var. VKLVKTiXA Cass.) 
 TclTCt Scoter. 
 
 618. CEDEMIA PERSPICILLATA (L.) Flkjiixq. 
 Miirf Duck. 
 
 518a. CEDEMIA PERSPICILLATA (L.) Fi^nasa, 
 var. ruowumDOEi (Bd.) Coues. 
 l.ong--blllcd Neuter. 
 
 519. ERISMATURA RUBIDA (Wils.) Bp. 
 lluddy nuek. 
 
 [520.] ERISMATURA DOMINICA (L.) Eyton. 
 at. DonilniiTO Duck. 
 
 521. MERGUS MERGANSER L. 
 merg-anser ; Ooosander. 
 
 522. MERGUS SERRATOR L. 
 lle<l-breaHted ^Tlerg-anser. 
 
 523. MERGUS CUCULLATUS L. 
 
 lIoo<led MeriraiiMer. 
 
 624. SULA BASSANA L. 
 Craiiiii't; Mulan Ciouse. 
 
 525. SULA FIBER L. 
 Itouby Ciaiinet. 
 
 626. PELECANUS TRACHYRHYNCHUS Lath. 
 ^Thite Pelican. 
 
 99 
 
 i 
 '. 
 
 5 1 
 
 !'*? 
 
 % '■ m 
 
(/EN. 274-280 OP KBr. 
 
 101 
 
 627. PELECANUS PUSCUS L. 
 llroim Pelican. 
 
 528. GEACULUS CARBO (L.) Gray. 
 Coiuiuoii C'ornioi'tuit ; Mliag*. 
 
 529. GRACULUS CXNCINNATUS (Brandt) Gray. 
 
 Hfhlte-tufted Conuoraut. 
 
 530. GRACULUS DILOPHUS (Sw.) Gray. 
 
 ]>ouble-ci'cstcd Cormorant. 
 
 630a. GRACULUS DILOPHUS (Sw.) Gray, 
 var. FLORIDANUS (And.) Coues. 
 Florida Cormorant. 
 
 631. GRACULUS MEXICANUS (Brandt) Bp. 
 
 Mexican Cormorant. 
 
 632. GRACULUS PENICILLATUS (Brandt) Bp. 
 
 llrandt's Cormorant. 
 
 533. GRACULUS PERSPICILLATUS (Pall.) Lawk. 
 Pallas' Cormorant. 
 
 634. GRACULUS BICRISTATUS (Pall.) Bd. 
 
 Mcd-taced Cormorant. 
 
 635. GRACULUS VIOLACEUS (Gm.) Gr. 
 
 Tlolet-g'reen Cormorant. 
 
 636. PLOTUS ANHINGA L. 
 
 Anlilngra; Darter. 
 
 637. TACHYPETES AQUILUS (L.) V. 
 
 frigrate. 
 
 638. PHAETHON FLAVIROSTRIS Brandt. 
 
 ^rello^v-bllled Tropic Itlrd. 
 
 639. STERCORARIUS SKUA (Brunn.) Couks. 
 
 Skua Oull. 
 
 ■ti .' 
 
OEN. 280-281 OF KEY. 
 
 103 
 
 640. STERCORARIUS POMATORHINUS (Temm.) Lawb. 
 Poiuarinc tlucg-cr. 
 
 541. STERCORARIUS PARASITICUS (Bhunn.) Quky. 
 IHchnrdsoii'it Jttc*iror. 
 
 642. STERCORARIUS BUFFONI (Boik) Couks. 
 Arctic tfaeit-er; l.oii|r-t»iled[ Jueitrer. 
 
 643. LARUS GLAUCUS Bkunn. 
 
 CirlUllCUUfI Crllll. 
 
 644. LARUS IiEUCOPTERUS Faukr. 
 
 ^Vlaitc-wlng-eil Ciiill. 
 
 545. LARUS GLAUCESCENS Light. 
 Crltiucoiis-wlng-vd Ciiill. 
 
 646. LARUS MARINUS L. 
 Orcat Itlack-backcd Criill. 
 
 647. LARUS ARQENTATUS Buunx. 
 Hcrrinif Gull; Coniinoii Oiill. 
 
 647a. LARUS ARGENTATUS Bnuxx., 
 var. SMiTiisoNiANUS Coues. 
 American Herring- Gull. 
 
 647b. LARUS ARGENTATUS Brunx., 
 var. occiDENTAMS (And.) Cones. 
 HVestern Herring* Gull. 
 
 548. LARUS DELAWARENSIS Ord. 
 
 lling-billed Gull. 
 
 548a. LARUS DELAWARENSIS Ord, 
 var. CALIFOUNICU8 (Lawr.) Coues. 
 Callfornlan Gull. 
 
 549. LARUS CANUS L., 
 
 var. BRACiiYRHYNCrius (Rich.) Coues. 
 American Meiv Gull. 
 
 TIf 
 
 
 ii 
 
 ! I 
 
 ' 1 
 
 w 
 
I 
 
; 
 
 OEN. 281-291 OF KKY. 
 
 105 
 
 650. LARUS EBURNEUS G.M. r 
 
 Ivory fiiiill. 
 
 561. LARUS BELCHERI Viooiis. 
 
 >f llU«'.|l4'tUl«'<l <;hII 
 
 652. LARUS TRIDACTYLUS L. 
 
 Mlltiwako Ciiill. 
 
 562a. LARUS TRIDACTYLUS L., 
 vai: KoTZKHUi (HpO Coucs. 
 Paolllc Kltti^vukc. 
 
 653. LARUS BREVIROSTRIS (Huanpt) Couks. 
 
 Mliort-billecl KLIttlnttko. 
 
 654. LARUS ATRICILLA L. 
 
 liHiiiriiiiiir Cliiiii. 
 
 655. LARUS FRANKLINI Ricn. 
 
 Fraiiklln'M RoMy Ciiill. 
 
 656. LARUS PHILADELPHIA (Oud) Coues. 
 
 ]lona|iurte*M Criill. 
 
 657. RHODOSTETHIA ROSEA (Macgill.) Bp. 
 
 ^Vcilg-e-talled Oull. 
 
 658. XEMA SABINEI (Sak.) Bp. 
 
 Fork -tailed Ciiill. 
 
 659. XEMA PURCATUM (Nkhoux). 
 
 Hwallo^v-talled Criill. 
 
 6C0. STERNA ANGLICA Montagu. 
 Criill-blllc<l Tern; JMarsli Tern. 
 
 661. STERNA CASPIA Pallas, 
 
 var. iMPEUATon Coues. 
 Caspian Tern. 
 
 662. STERNA REGIA Gambel. 
 
 Royal Tern. 
 
 ■ ' »: 
 
 if , Jji 
 
 i 
 
51 
 
 5( 
 C 
 
 5( 
 
 5( 
 
 6( 
 
 5( 
 
 5/ 
 
 [S 
 
 67 
 
 57 
 
 [5 
 
 67 
 
 67 
 
" M. 
 
 GEN. 291-295 OF KEY. 
 
 10' 
 
 5C3. STERNA GALERICULATA Liciit. 
 £leirant Tern. 
 
 604. STERNA CANTIACA Gm. 
 8and%«'icli Torn. 
 
 665. STERNA HIRUNDO L. 
 Coninnon Tern ; fiiea Swallow. 
 
 6GC. STERNA PORSTERI Nutt. 
 Forster's Tern. 
 
 667. STERNA MACROURA Naumaxn. 
 
 Arctic Tern. 
 
 668. STERNA LONQIPENNIS Nordmann. 
 
 Pike's Tern. 
 
 509. STERNA PARADIS^A Brunn. 
 Roseate Tern. 
 
 570. STERNA SUPERCILIARIS V. 
 liCas. Tern. 
 
 [571.] STERNA TRUDEAUI Aud. 
 Trudenu's Tern. 
 
 672. STERNA ALEUTICA Baird. 
 Aleutian Tern. 
 
 573. STERNA PULIGINOSA Gm. 
 Sooty Tern. 
 
 [574.] STERNA ANOSTHiETA Scopoli. 
 Bridled Tern. 
 
 575. HYDROCHELIDON PISSIPES (L.) Gray. 
 Black Tern. 
 
 676. ANOUS STOLIDUS (L.) Leach, 
 
 IVoddy Tei'n. 
 
 677. RHYNCHOPS NIGRA L. 
 
 Black Skimmer. 
 
 i^ 
 
 a 
 
 ■ *:! 
 
 fli ,■-)., 
 
 -^ 
 
GEN. 296-305 OF KEY. 
 
 678. DIOMEDEA BRACHYURA Temm. 
 
 dliort-tailed Albatross. 
 
 679. DIOMEDEA NIQRIPES Aud. 
 Black-tooted Albatross. 
 
 680. DIOMEDEA PULIQINOSA Gm. 
 
 Sooty Albatross. 
 
 681. PULMARUS QIGANTEUS (Gm.). 
 
 Oiant Fulmar. 
 
 582. PULMARUS GLACIALIS (L.) Steph. 
 Fulmar Petrel. 
 
 582a. PULMARUS GLACIALIS (L.) Stepii., 
 var. PACiFicus (And.) Coues. 
 Pacific Fulmar. 
 
 582b. PULMARUS GLACIALIS (L ) SrEP;t., 
 var. RODGEUSi (Cuss.) Coucs. 
 Bodg-ers' Fulmar. 
 
 [583.] PULMARUS TENUIROSTRIS (Aui>.) Coues. 
 Slender-billed Fulmar. 
 
 [584.] DAPTION CAPENSIS (L.) Stepii. 
 Pintado Petrel ; Cape Pig-eon. 
 
 [685.] ^STRELATA H^SITATA (Kuhi.) Coues. 
 mack-capped Petrel. 
 
 686. HALOCYPTENA MICROSOMA Coues. 
 I^edg-e-tailed Petrel; liCast Petrel. 
 
 587. PROCELLARIA PELAGICA L. 
 
 dtormy Petrel ; mother Carey's Cklcken. 
 
 588. CYMOCHOREA LEUCORRHOA (V.) Coues. 
 
 liCacli's Petrel. 
 
 689. CYMOCHOREA MELANIA (Bp.) Coues. 
 Black Petrel. 
 
 109 
 
 "i 
 1 
 
 -J ^ 
 
 f 
 
 •4 
 

OKN. 30.5-310 OF KEY. 
 
 590. CYMOCHOREA HOMOCHROA Coues. 
 
 Asliy Petrel. 
 
 591. OCEANODROMA PURCATA (Gm.) Bp. 
 
 fork-tailed Petrel. 
 
 692. OCEANODROMA HORNBYI CGray) Bp. 
 
 Hornby's Petrel. 
 
 693. OCEANITES OCEANICA (Kum.) Coues. 
 
 l^ll8on'» Petrel. 
 
 [594.] PREGETTA GRALLARIA (V.) Bp. 
 l!¥liite-beliiea Petrel. 
 
 [695.] PUPPINUS MELAWURUS (Bonn.) Coues. 
 lilack-talled Riliearwuter. 
 
 596. PUPPINUS KUHLII Bp. 
 Cinereous Uliearwater. 
 
 597. PUPPINUS MAJOR Faheu. 
 
 Cireater Sliearivater. 
 
 698? PUPPINUS CREATOPUS Couks. 
 Flesh-tooted Shearwater. 
 
 699. PUPPINUS ANGLORUM Tem.m. 
 ]VIanks r}hear«^ ater. 
 
 600. PUPiTINUS OBSCURUS (Gm.) Lath. 
 Itusiiy whearivater. 
 
 601 ? PUPPINUS OPISTHOMELAS Coues. 
 lilaeii-veiited Mhearwater. 
 
 602? PUPPINUS PULIGINOSUS Stiiickl. 
 Sooty llhear«%'titer. 
 
 603? PUPPINUS AMAUROSOMA Coues. 
 l>ark-b<»«lied Nheai'ivttter. 
 
 604. PUPPINUS TENUIROSTRIS Temm. 
 Sleuder-bllled Shearwater. 
 
 Ill 
 
 r-iJ 
 
 m 
 
 ii! J'^^ 
 
 it: 
 
 it 
 
 
 m 
 
60< 
 
 60i 
 
 601 
 
 60( 
 
 60; 
 
 60f 
 
 60J 
 
 600 
 
 61C 
 
 611 
 
 612 
 
 613 
 
■HBMIiaiMIIHiaiVi 
 
 GEN. 311-314 OF KEY. 
 
 605. COLYMBUS TOEQUATUS Brunn. 
 lioon ; Crreat IVortliern If iver. 
 
 605a. COLYMBUS TOEQUATUS Brunn., 
 var. ADAMsii (Gray) Coues. 
 Yellow-bllledi I^ood. 
 
 606. COLYMBUS AECTICUS L. 
 Black-throated Diver. 
 
 606a. COLYMBUS AECTICUS L., 
 var. PACiFicus (Lawr.) Coues. 
 Pacific Diver. 
 
 607. COLYMBUS SEPTENTEIONALIS L. 
 
 Red-throated Diver. 
 
 608. PODICEPS OCCIDENTALIS Lawr. 
 
 ITestern C}re1>e. 
 
 608a, PODICEPS OCCIDENTALIS Lawr., 
 var. CLARKii (Lawr.) Coues. 
 Clarke's Orebe. 
 
 609. PODICEPS CEISTATUS (L.) Lath. 
 
 Crested Crrebe. 
 
 610. PODICEPS QEISEIQENA (Bodd.) Gray, 
 
 var iioLBOLLi (Reinh.) Coues. 
 Ited-necked Orebe. 
 
 611. PODICEPS COENUTUS (Gm.) Lath. 
 
 Horned Orebe. 
 
 612. PODICEPS AUEITUS (L.) Lath., 
 
 var. CALIFORNICU8 (Heerm.) Coues. 
 American £ared Orebe. 
 
 613. PODICEPS DOMINICUS (L.) 
 
 St. Doniln§ro Orebe. 
 
 Check List Birds. 8 
 
 113 
 
 L-< i. 
 

 GEN. 315-323 OF KEY. 115 
 
 614. PODILYMBUS PODICEPS (L.) Lawr. 
 
 Pled-bllled Itabclilck. 
 
 615. ALCA IMPENNIS L. 
 
 Oreat Auk. 
 
 [Extinct ?] 
 
 616. UTAMANIA TORDA (L.) Leacu. 
 
 Razor-billed Auk. 
 
 617. PRATERCULA CORNICULATA (Naum.) Gray. 
 
 Horned Pullln. 
 
 618. PRATERCULA ARCTIC A (L.) Steph. 
 
 Common Puflin; Sea Parrot. 
 
 618a. PRATERCULA ARCTICA (L.) Steph., 
 var. GLACIALI8 (Leach) Coues. 
 liarg-e-bllled Pullln. 
 
 619. PRATERCULA CIRRHATA (Pall.) Stefii. 
 
 Tufted Puflin. 
 
 620. CERATORHINA MONOCERATA (Pall.) Cass. 
 
 Horn-billed Auk. 
 
 621. PHALERIS PSITTACULA (Pall.) Temm. 
 
 ParroQuet Auk. 
 
 622. SIMORHYNCHUS CRISTATELLUS (Pall.) Mkrrem. 
 
 Crested Auk. 
 
 623. SIMORHYNCHUS CAMTSCHATICUS (Lepe«h.) Sohl. 
 
 ff taiiikercd Auk. 
 
 624. SIMORHYNCHUS PUSILLUS (Pall.) Coues. 
 
 K.nob-bllled Auk; lieast Auk. 
 
 625. PTYCHORHAMPHUS ALEUTICUS (Pall.) Brandt. 
 
 Aleutian Auk. 
 
 . 
 
 
6a( 
 
 631 
 62i 
 
 62! 
 63( 
 
 68: 
 
 B 
 
 68: 
 
 63: 
 63 
 
 esi 
 
^p> 
 
 GEN. 324-328 or key. 117 
 
 636. MERGULUS ALLE (L.) Vieill. 
 
 Sea Dove; Dovekte. 
 
 637. SYNTHLIBOBHAMPHUS ANTIQUUS (Gm.) Brandt. 
 
 Black-tlirouted Crulllemot. 
 
 628. SYNTHLIBOBHAMFHUS 
 
 WURMIZUSTTME (Tbmm.) Coum. 
 Temmlnck's Auk. 
 
 629. BRA.CnYBHAMFHUS MABMOBATUS (Gm.) Brampt. 
 
 Marbled Murrelet. 
 
 680. BBACHYBHAMPHUS KITTLITZII Brandt. 
 Kimitz's nurrelet. 
 
 631. UBIA GBYLIiE (L.) Bbunn. 
 Black Crulllemot ; Sea Pig-eon. 
 
 682. UBIA COLUMBA (Pall.) Cass. 
 Plreon Oulllemot. 
 
 638. UBIA CABBO (Pall.) Brandt. 
 
 Sooty Crulllemot. 
 
 634. LOMVIA TBOILE (L.) Brandt. 
 Common Oulllemot; Murre. 
 
 685. LOMVIA ABBA (Pall.) Coubs. 
 Ttalck-blllea Culllemot. 
 
EXTINCT SPECIES. 
 
 1. UINTOBNIS LUCARIS Mausu. 
 
 2. AQUILA DANAWA Marsh. 
 
 wn 
 
 8. BUBO LEPTOSTEUS Marsh. 
 
 «|'i| 
 
 4. MELEAGRIS ANTIQUUS Marsh. 
 
 6. MELEAGRIS ALTUS Marsh. 
 
 6. MELEAGRIS CELER Mauih. 
 
 7. GRUS HAYDEN^ Marsh. 
 
 8. GRUS PROAVUS Marsh. 
 
 9. ALETORNIS NOBILIS Marsh. 
 
 10. ALETORNIS PERNIX Marsh. 
 
 11. ALETORNIS VENUSTUS Marsh. 
 
 12. ALETORNIS GRACILIS Marsh. 
 
 18. ALETORNIS BELLUS Marsh. 
 
 14. TELMATORNIS PRISCUS Marsh. 
 
 15. TELMATORNIS AFPINIS Marsh. 
 
 (119) 
 
' b 
 
 EXTINCT SPECIES. 
 16. PALiEOTRIXTGA LITTOEALIS Mar«i. 
 
 121 
 
 17. PALJEOTRINGA VETUS Marsh. 
 
 18. PALiEOTRINGA VAGANS Marsh. 
 
 19. SULA LOXOSTYLA Copk. 
 
 20. GRACULUS IDAHENSIS Marsh. 
 
 21. GRACULAVUS VELOX Marsh. 
 
 ^2. GRACULAVUS PUMILUS Marsh. 
 
 23. GRACULAVUS ANCEPS Marsh. 
 
 23bis.* GRACULAVUS AGILIS Marsh. 
 
 24. ICHTHYORNIS DISPAR Marsh. 
 
 24bis.t APATORNIS CELER Marsh. 
 
 25. PUPPINUS CONRADI Marsh. 
 
 26. CATARRACTES ANTIQUUS Marsh. 
 
 27. CATARRACTES APPINIS Marsh. 
 
 "8. HESPERORNIS REGALIS Marsh. 
 
 29. LAORNIS EDVARDSIANUS Marsh. 
 
 •Not in the Key. (Marah, Am. Jour., Scl. and Arts, v, p. 230, March, 1873.) 
 
 fNot In the Key. This epecies, with No. 24, represcnta a now order, Ichth]/or- 
 nithes, of a new aubclasB, Odontornithei. (Marah, Am. Jour., Sci. and Arts, t, 
 p. 161, Feb., 1873.) 
 
APPENDIX 
 
 CONTAINING 
 
 ADDITIONS AND CORRECTIONS 
 
 TO THE CHECK LIST. 
 
 P,{EPAiiED under circumstances of remote isolation which deprived 
 th • author of the advantage of certain worlis of reference he desired 
 to consult, the CHECK LIST contains some names for which no 
 authority is cited, and in a few instances a change of the authority 
 given may be required. 
 
 One new species has been added to the North American fauna during 
 the printing of the List ; five additional known species have since been 
 ascertained to occur in this country, and meanwhile several new varie- 
 ties have been published after the impression had passed the page 
 where they should respectively appear; these are brought into the 
 present connection. Most of them appear entitled to varietal recog- 
 nition; but in printing the names formally, for the convenience of 
 those who may desire to use such names in la' elling, the author must 
 not necessarily be held to endorse them in e- .; instance. 
 
 The body of the List was printed, and some early copies distributed, 
 in Dec, 1873; but the publication of the volume was held over until 
 1874, to insert in the Appendix names then about being published. 
 
 No. 41? The query indicates a probability that this is a variety of 
 No. 40, as held by Mr. Allen. 
 
 No. 46. The United States form constitutes a variety of true mexi- 
 canus. See Ridgway, Am. Nat., vii, 1873, 603. 
 
 (123) 
 
■Vi 
 
 APPENDIX TO CHECK LIST. 
 
 125 
 
 46. CATHERPES MEXICANUS (Sw.) Bd., 
 var. CONSPEK8U8 Ridg. 
 ^riilte-tliroated IfTren. 
 
 No. 53a. The pale western Eremophila, not the same as the small 
 bright southwestern var. rufa, may be distinguished as 
 
 63b. EBEMOFHILA ALFESTBIS (Forst.), 
 var. LEucoLiEMA Couei, 
 Prairie XiUrk. 
 
 No. 55bis. The following species, a straggler from Asia, is in the 
 Smithsonian Institution from St. Michael's, Alaska, and should take 
 place in the list. 
 
 [56bis.] ANTHUS PRATENSIS Bechst. 
 Headovr Pipit. 
 
 No. 68. The ^^•'ciflc form is varietally distinguishable. See Ridg- 
 way. Am. Nat., vii, 1873, 606. The Floridau form, later distinguished 
 by Mr. Ridgway as var. obscurua, seems hardly worthy of recognition 
 by name. 
 
 68a. HELMINTHOPHAQA CELATA (Say) Bd., 
 var. LUTESCENS Ridg. 
 Oolden Orang-e-crowned fV^arbler. 
 
 No. 88. On the Mississippi Valley form, see Ridgway, Am. Nat., 
 vii, 1873, 606. 
 
 88a. DENDRCECA DOMINICA (L.) Bd., 
 var. ALBiLORA Bd. 
 'Wblte-browed Yellow-tliroated ^l^arbler. 
 
 No. 99 ? The probability mentioned in the text may be regarded as 
 assured. 
 
 No. 102. The Pacific form is varietally distinguishable. See Ridg- 
 way, Am. Nat., vii, 1873, 608. 
 
 102a. MYIODIOCTES PUSILLUS (Wils.) Bp., 
 var. piLEOLATA (Pall.) Ridg. 
 Pacific Flycatclilng- fTarblcr. 
 
 [No. 106.] According to Baird and Ridgway, Am. Nat., vii, 1873, 
 612, this should stand as C. bahamensis. 
 
 [106.] CERTHIOLA BAHAMENSIS Reich. 
 Boney Creeper. 
 
 
 ,:!,/!!! 
 
APPENDIX TO CHECK LIST. 
 
 127 
 
 No. 13oa. The C. elcgans of Baird (not of Swainson) has been re- 
 named C. ludovicianus var. robustits, a name which, however, it may 
 not be uecessai-y to adopt. (Am. Nat., vii, 1873, 009.) 
 
 [No. 138] ? The query indicates that the determination of specific 
 validity, cited and adopted in tlie Key, may have been made by Dr. 
 Tristram on grounds lield in the Key to constitute only geographical 
 varieties ; so that we may revert to the view of its original describer 
 as F. coccinea var. cassini Bd. 
 
 i 
 
 I 
 
 [138.] PYRRHULA COCCINEA, 
 var. CASSINI Bd. 
 Cassln's Bullflncli. 
 
 No. 144. The Lencosticte tephrocotis var. australis Allen, lately de- 
 scribed by Mr. RiUgway (Ess. Inst. Bull., v, 197), I believe to be 
 merely the midsummer plumage of the ordinary bird, as my JEfjiothns 
 var. fuscescens probably is of A. linaria. 
 
 No. 155. i^br chestnut-colored read chestnut-collared. 
 " 157. Omit the query, which should have been affixed to the next 
 species. 
 
 No. 157bis. To be cancelled. See Scott, Am. Nat., vii, 1873, 564 ; 
 Coues, ibid., p. 696. 
 
 No. 165. Tliere is a curious small blackish form of this species from 
 Florida, which lias been distinguished (Bull. Ess. Inst., v, 198) as 
 
 16oa. AMMODROMUS MARITIMUS Sw., 
 
 var. NIGRESCKN8 Ridgw. 
 
 Dusky Seaside Fincli. 
 
 No. 170a. Mr. Rldgway has lately demonstrated to my satisfaction 
 that Penccea cassini is a distinct species; the bird which I called "var. 
 cassini" is a variety of wstivalis which he proposes to call var. arizonce. 
 Am. Nat., vii, 1873, 616. So the species and varieties will stand :— 
 
 170a. PEUC^A iESTIVALIS (Light.) Cab., 
 var. arizom; Ridg. 
 Arizona Pine Fliyeii^ 
 
 nobis., PEUCJEA CASSINI (Wooon.) Bd. 
 Cassin's Pine Finch* 
 
 No. 173. A very notable variety of Poospiza hcUi, from Nevada, has 
 lately been characterized (Bull. Ess. Inst., v, 198). It is much larger, 
 paler and grayer, with streaked interscapulars. 
 
 173a. POOSPIZA BELLI (Cass.) Scl., 
 var. NEVADENSis Ridg 
 IVevadan Finch. 
 
 ^!; : 
 
 if,- 
 
APPENDIX TO CHECK LIST. 
 
 129 
 
 No. 174. The form of Jnnco with white wing-bars, noted in the 
 Key, p. 141, is named J. hyemnlis var. aikpni Ridt?wav, Am. Nat., vii, 
 1873,616. See also Pr. Bost. Soc, xv, 1872, p. 20l. 
 
 174a. JUNCO HYEMALIS (L.) Scl., 
 var. AiKENi Ridg. 
 liV^hltc-vrlng-ed Snowbird. 
 
 Nos. 175? 17C? The queries indicate the gradation with No. 174 
 noted in the Key, p. 141. 
 
 No. 183a. The true Z. lencophrys var. gamheli is a Pacific coast form, 
 from which the Middle Coast form has been distinguished (Bull. Ess. 
 Inst., V, 198) as 
 
 183b. ZONOTRICHIA LEUCOPHRYS (Forst.) Sw., 
 
 var. INTEIIMKDIA Rldgw. 
 
 Ridgri«'ay's liparroiv. 
 
 No. 2'.'". For Canon read Caiion. 
 
 " 2i0. The prairie form has been characterized as Dolichonyx 
 oryzivorus var. alhinucha Ridg. (Bull. Ess. Inst., v, 198), a name it 
 may not be necessary to adopt. 
 No. 216. For Daudin read Daudiu. 
 
 " 220. J'or Girand rearf Giraud. 
 
 «' 226. if'or Nuttallii rf^rtcZ Nuttalli. 
 
 *' 22t)a. For Gairdneril read Gairdneri. 
 
 " 237. The question of synonymy left open in the Key, p. 166, has 
 been determined (Bull. Ess. Inst., v, 199) as follows: "^4. sordida" 
 of the Key is a new variety, arizonm of uUramarina, the true sordida 
 being a Mexican variety of the same species. Accordingly, No. 237 
 should stand as 
 
 237. APHELOCOMA ULTRAMARINA (Bp.) Cab., 
 var. AKizoN.E (Ridg.) 
 Arizona Ultramarine Jay. 
 
 No. 239. Two varieties of Canada jay, one from Alaska, the other 
 from the Rocky Mountains, have lately been named (Bull. Ess. Inst., 
 V, 199). 
 
 239a. PF .ilSOREUS CANADENSIS (L.) Bp., 
 var. OBSCURUS Ridg. 
 Dusky Canada Jay. 
 
 239b. PERIoOREUS CANADENSIS (L.) Bp., 
 var. CAPITALI8 Bd. 
 Rochy fountain Jay. 
 
 Check List Birds. 9 
 
 i If. f 
 
APPENDIX TO CHECK LIST. 
 
 131 
 
 No. 274bls. A fine species of humming bird Iuih been discovered by 
 Mr. II. W. Hcnshaw to iuhublt Arizona, uiid 1ms been determiucd 
 by Mr. Lawrence to be Euijcncs fukjena. (Am. Nat., viil, 1874, in 
 press.) 
 
 274bis. EUGENES PULGENS (Sw.). 
 Rctulg'eiit Hunimliiifblrd. 
 
 No. 279. The authority la (Lkss.) Bp. 
 
 " 281. The authority is (Lkss.) Gi.d. 
 
 •' 292. The authority is (Lath.) Nutt. 
 
 " aOiJ? This species, queried in the text, and in Key, p. 195, may 
 be regarded as a variety of 302, tlie intergradation, tiirough 302a, prov- 
 ing complete. See Rldgway, Am. Jour., iv, Doc, 1872. 
 
 302b. SPHYRAPICUS VARIUS (L.) Bd., 
 var. nuuKH (Gm.) Ilidg. 
 Ited-brcitHted lifoodpccker. 
 
 Nos. 304, 805. Observations lately made by Mr. H. W. Henshaw 
 (Am. Nat., viii, 1874, in press) are to the effect that Sphyrapicus thy- 
 roideus is the female of S. vnlliamHoni. The opposite sexes of each 
 of these species have not been satisfactorily recognized, and upon 
 examination of Mr. Henshaw's material, I find almost conclusive evi- 
 dences in favor of his views, substantiating his observations. Such 
 sexual differeuces are unique in the family. As the older name, *S'. 
 thyroideus will stand for the species. S. vnlliainsoni becoming a syno- 
 nyme. No. 305 is therefore to be cancelled. 
 
 No. .307. The authority is (Wagl.) Guay. 
 
 No. 318. A darli Floridan form of Sr.nps has been characterized 
 under the following name (Bull. Ess. Inst., v, 200) :— 
 
 318c. SCOPS ASIO (L.) Bp., 
 var, FLOitiDANUs Ridg. 
 Floridan Screecli Oivl. 
 
 No. 320. The authority is Fleming. 
 " 321. The authority is (Bkciist.) Bp. 
 
 '* 322. The terra cinereum has priority over lapponicum ; the bird 
 should stand as 
 
 322. SYRNIUM CINEEEUM (Gm.) Aud., 
 Crreat Oray Owl. 
 
 No. 327. The authority is (Gm.) Bp. 
 ** 329. The authority is (L.) Bp. 
 " 330. The authority is (Max.) Kaup. 
 
APPENDIX TO CHECK LIST. 
 
 133 
 
 Nos. 848, 344. Tho dark northwest' coast forniH of duck Imwk and 
 plgc'ou hawk reapoctlvoly huvo been iiaiued (Hull. Ess. lust , v, liOl) 
 ua follows :— 
 
 343a. PALCO COMMUNIS (iM., 
 var. vKALKi Jtidg. 
 Penlc'M ]>uck Huwk. 
 
 844a. PALCO COLUMBARIUS L., 
 var. 8UCKLKYI Kldg. 
 Miicklvy'fit Piyrcon IImwK. 
 
 No. 351c. The authority Is Hoopes, Pr, Phlla. Acad., 1878, 288, pi. 
 5 (Iowa). 
 
 No. 381. A dark form of Tetrao ohscuriis, from Sltka, lias lately been 
 characterized (Bull. Ess. lust., v, IDU) : It is more like true oisciinis 
 than like var. richardaoni, having the broad terminal slate bar of tho 
 tall. 
 
 381b. TETRAO OBSCURUS Say, 
 vav. FULiuiNosA (Kldg.). 
 tlltkan l>usiky CrVuiiHe. 
 
 No. 884. A "pale form of Cupidonia, from Texas, has lately been 
 characterized (Bull. Ess. Inst., v, I'JO) :— 
 
 384a. CUPIDONIA CUPIDO (L.) Bd., 
 
 var. PALLIDICINCTA Illdg. 
 
 Texas Prairie Hen. 
 
 No. 400. A variety of this species is described by Mr. Rldgway, 
 (Am. Nat., vlli, 1874, 109), as A. melodus var. circumcinctus, having 
 the black pectoral band complete. 
 
 400a. iBGIALITIS MELODUS (Oud) Cab., 
 var. CIRCUMCINCTUS Rldg. 
 Missouri Piping- Plover. 
 
 No. 400bls. A new species of uEgialilis is described from San Fran- 
 cisco by Mr. Rldgway (Am. Nat., viii, 1874, 100). 
 
 400bis. ^GIALITIS MICRORHYNCHUS Ridg. 
 Slender-billed Plover. 
 
 No. 401. The American form of uE. cantianus may be considered 
 
APPENDIX TO CHECK LIST. 
 
 135 
 
 varietally distinct from the European (see Ridgway, Am. Nat., viil, 
 1874, 109). 
 
 401. iEGIALITIS CANTIANUS (Lath.), 
 var. NIV08U8 (Cass.) Ridgw, 
 ^noiry Plover. 
 
 No. 402*. As intimated in the text, the North American mountain 
 plover is perfectly distinct from the Asiatic. I have o.ily lately seen it 
 in breeding dress : it has no blaclc pectoral band, but a transverse 
 black coronal belt and black loral stripe. 
 
 402. EUDBOMIAS MONTANUS (Towns.) Hakting. 
 mountain Plover. 
 
 No. 415a. It is not necessary to recognize this even by varietal 
 name; "ilf. scolopaceus" being merely longer-billed specimens of M. 
 griseus, such as may be shot out of almost any flock of the latter. 
 The range of variation in length of LIU is no greater than that occur- 
 ring in Ereunetes pusilhis, as noted in the Key, p. 254. 
 
 No. 442bis. A well known Pacific curlew, before overlooked in the 
 Smithsonian collection, was taken at Fort Renal, Alaska, May 18, 1869, 
 by F. Bischoflf, and should be added to the last as a straggler. 
 
 [4d2bis.] NUMENIUS FEMORALIS Peale. 
 Brlstle-belUed Curlew. 
 
 No. 445. According to Mr. Ridgway (Am. Nat., viii, 1874, 110), the 
 ordinary North American glossy ibis is absolutely identical with that 
 of the Old World. He, however, finds two other species in western 
 United States, J. guarauna and /. thalassinus. According to this 
 determination our species would stand as follows : — 
 
 445. IBIS FALCINELLUS Auct. 
 Crlossy Ibis. 
 
 446bis. IBIS GUARAUNA (Linn.) Ridg. 
 ff hite-faced Ibis. 
 
 445ter. IBIS THALASSINUS Ridg. 
 Oreen Ibis. 
 
 No. 448bis. I am informed by Prof. Baird that the Jabiru, of Cen- 
 tral America, was taken some years since at Austin, Texas. It should 
 enter the list as a straggler. 
 
 [448bis.] MTCTERIA AMERICANA L. 
 Jabiru. 
 
APPENDIX TO CHECK LIST. 
 
 137 
 
 No. 450? For uccusiou of the query see Key, p. 207. 
 No. 4l)G. A pale form is described from Caiiforuiu. See Kidgwuy 
 (.Am. Nat., viii, 1874, 111). 
 
 46Ga. BALLUS ELEGANS Aui>., 
 var. OUSOLETU8 Itidg. 
 (Jalit'oruiaii Rttil. 
 
 No. 470. A peculiar variety of the black rail l.s described from the 
 H'arallones by Mr. Uidgway (Amei*. Nat., viii, 1874, 111). 
 
 470a. PORZANA JAMAICENSIS (Gm.) Cass.. 
 vat: coTUKMCULU.s lid. 
 Pacific JBlack Hail. 
 
 No. 472. The relationships of this form to tiie European G. chluropus 
 require fiirtlior investigation. It will probably stand as 
 
 472. GALLINULA CHLOROPUS Lath., 
 var. (iALKVTA (Liciu. ) llartl. 
 
 No. 479? Compare Key, p. 282. 
 
 No. 48i). A lighter colored form of dusky duck, with a buft' throat, is 
 described from Florida (by Mr. Uidgway, /. o.), where it is resident. 
 
 48«Ja. ANAS OBSCURA Gm., 
 var. I'liAiOCLA Kidg. 
 
 Floi'idan Uiisiilk^ JDiicii. 
 
 No. 4!)3? The query indicates probability of only varietal distinction 
 from No. 492. 
 
 No. .501 ? The query indicates i)robability of only varietal distinction 
 from No. 500. 
 
 No. o7obis. A specimen of the Euroi)ean wiiite-winged tern. Ilydro- 
 chelido)! lauiuiptera, was taken in Wisconsin. July 5, 1873, l)y Th. Kum- 
 lein, and presented to the Smitlisonian by Dr. Brewer. This is the 
 rirst instance known of its occurrence in this country. 
 
 i575bis.] HYDROCHELIDON LEUCOPTERA (Mkis.) Boie. 
 
 Hf'liitc-wing-cd lilacii Tern. 
 
 Check List Ktuus. o* 
 
 
KEY TO 
 
 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS 
 
 BY ELLIOTT COUES, M.D. 
 
 This work consists of SfiO Imperial Svo pages, and is iHnstratcd by G Steel Platet 
 and 238 Woodcuts. It is designed as a Manual or Text lioolt of tlio 
 
 BIRDS OP NORTH AMERICA, 
 
 and is an exponent of the latest views in Ornithology. 
 The Introductory part gives a general account of the 
 
 ANATOMY AND OLASSIFIOATION OF BIRDS 
 
 and All! Explanations of all the Tei-ras Used in Oiixitiiolooy: a KEY to the 
 Oenera amd Subgenera follows in the form of a continuous avtillcial table, while a 
 
 Synopsis of Living and Fossil Birds 
 
 contains concise descriptions of every North American Species known at this time, 
 with characters of the higher groups anfl remarks relating to forms not found in 
 North America. 
 
 Price $Y a Copy in Full Clotb Binding*. 
 
 FUBUSHED BY THE 
 
 NATURALISTS' AGENCY, Salem, Mass. 
 
 (^Prospectus furnished on application.) 
 
 We give below a few notices of the press which will give a general 
 idea of the value of this work. 
 
 " The reputation of the autlior, who is so well known by his works on sea-birds, 
 and for tiie anatomy of the loon, cannot but be increased by this production, 
 which illustrates on every page the extent of liis general information and the 
 soundness of his judgment. The subject is treated in a manner rather different 
 from that usually adopted by systematic writers; • • ♦ tliere is a freshness 
 and boldness in the manner in which facts are haudled, which will be extremely 
 acceptable."— A'a<Mre (London), May 8, 1873. p. 22. 
 
 "Mr. Coues' *Key to North American Birds,' somewhat curiously entitled, is a 
 very large and handsome volume, beautifully printed and profusely illustrated." 
 — Saturday Review (London), Feb. 22, 1673. 
 
 "A critical exam nation of Dr. Cones' book reveals, it is true, Jrere and there, 
 slight faults of execution, but Uiey in no way detract essentially from its value as 
 a reliable hand-book, and one well suited to meet the wants of beginners in orni- 
 thology, while it affords at the same time a standard and convenient work of ref- 
 erence for advanced students and even specialists. ♦ * * The reader is made 
 acquainted, in a general way, with the exotic as well as North American families 
 of the avian class. In the descriptions of the >ipecies, Dr. Coues has shown a 
 
2 
 
 happy Bkill in seizing upon such distlnntions ne are alone slgnifloant. • • • The 
 geographical diBtilbntion of ouch species is generally fully indicated, and ocoa- 
 slonally are added terse characterizations of their habits. * • * One of the 
 most important features of this portion of tlic work, and one almost for the first 
 time introduced into a general work on ornithology, is the critical discrimination 
 made between species, and varieties or geographical races. Ueccnt advances in 
 the science have made tliese discriminations indispensable, and throughout the 
 work they arc rigidly and Judiciously introduced. • • • The volume closes 
 with a synopsis of all the lossil birds as yet discovered in North America, • * • 
 being tlie only general cxpobition of tliis department of American ornithology 
 that lias yet been made."— Atlantic Monthly, 
 
 "Its author, Ur. Elliott Cuues, is one of the most prominent writers on orni- 
 thology in this country, and in this volume gives the public a thorough and reliable 
 treatise comprehending the entire subject, and so prepared that while it interests 
 the tyro it also supplies the wants of the most advanced scientist."— ./Imertcan 
 Sj'ortsman, Not. 22, 1873. 
 
 "This book will bo welcomed both by the amateur and the professional orni- 
 thologist as a valuable contribution to tiie list of books treating of North American 
 Birds. Wliile Dr. Cones has modestly called hia work a ' Key,' it is in reality much 
 more than the title indicates. • ♦ • The book will doubtless serve as a manual 
 to many who lind their recreation in observing and studying the habits of birds, 
 and have not the means to purcliase more costly works. • * • The typographi- 
 cal execution of the work is in every way worthy of it, and the cuts are very clear 
 and instructive."— jTAe Nation, April, 1873. 
 
 " It is what it purports to be, an exponent of the present state of American orni- 
 thology, and a perfectly reliublc guide to the study of our birds. It is especially 
 adapted to the use of students and amateurs, and is, in fact, tlie only text book or 
 manual of ornitliology arranged with a view to educational purposes. The 
 author's high reputation as a naturalist, and his well known devotion to the de- 
 partment in question, guarantee the thoroughly scientific character of the work. 
 While ranking witli the best standard authorities in accuracy and completeness, 
 this treatise presents tlie science of ornithology in the most attractive form, its ob- 
 ject being to teach, to clear away the difllcuUies and explain the technicalities of 
 the science. • * * Profusely and beautifully illustrated by the author's own 
 hand."— Portsmouth Journal, April 2(i, 1873. 
 
 " In the present work we liave tlie crowning result of the study of North Ameri- 
 can Birds, upon which Dr. Coucs has been engaged during many years past; for, 
 although still a young man, hv^ has long been known as one of the most industrious 
 of American naturalists. * * • Appears to represent his latest views upon 
 matters of synonymy, of zoological relationship, of geographical distribution, etc. 
 
 • * * Perliaps the most original feature in the book is tlio artificial Key to the 
 genera of North Americau Birds. * * * We have gone more into detail in our 
 notice of this work than is our custom, from our impression of its scientific and 
 practical value, and we can cheerfully recommend it to those who wish a reliable 
 manual of the birds of North America, in a sufficiently portable form for ready 
 reference."— The Independait, Mar.'jli 13, 1873. 
 
 "This work, to wiiich the author has brought the accumulated experience of 
 years of ornithological study and the advantages of a thoroughly cultivated mind, 
 is what it claims to be. ♦ ♦ * With the help of this ' Key ' the veriest tyro can, 
 with very little trouble, identify his specimens, and obtain a knowledge and under- 
 standing of American birds impossible to be found in any other work. • • • 
 Such a book has been long wanted, and, as it has been practically tried and found 
 of great service, it is earnestly recommended to others."- .i4rmj/ond Navy Journal, 
 March 1.5, 1873. 
 
 " Dr. Elliott Coues, one of the most distinguished of our younger natnralista, 
 
8 
 
 has written a work on ornithology, giving ■ complete account of the present state 
 and results of that scienee."— The Literary JluJteUn, Oct., 1872. 
 
 "The forthcoming work of Or. Elliott Cones on ornithology will belong din- 
 tinotively to the usefVil class of manuals, and be OHpecially adapted to the require- 
 ments of students, amateurs and teachers. No work of this cliaracter, professing 
 to teach ornithology to the uninitiated, and susceptible of use as a text-book in 
 eduoational institutions, has hitherto appeared. Those with a taste for this study, 
 who have been deterred ft-om its pursuit by the difllculty of mastering the techni- 
 calities in the absence of a suitable guide, will tind the way made perfectly clear 
 to them."— rAe Oolden Age, Sept. 7, 1872. 
 
 "Dr. Coues has wiitten an admiralile book on North American Biids."— Jialti- 
 more Bulletin, March 8, 1873. 
 
 " No expense has been spared in the preparation of this volume. The woodcuts 
 are so well executed they would easily pass for something better. The index is 
 complete ; so is the glossary."— Chicago Ttme$. 
 
 "Tb« descriptions are exceedingly complete and minute; the large number of 
 illustrations serve to make the text more clearly understood, and the volume is a 
 very valuable contribution to ornithology."— Boston Jmirnal, Jan. 28, 1873. 
 
 "The book has been carefully prepared and contains a vast amount of iuforma- 
 tion. * * * It is a book of inestimable value to the naturalist, and i^hould be 
 found in the library of every such person throughout the land."— Boston Traveller. 
 
 " A more elegant scientiflc publication than the ' Key to North American Birds,' 
 Just issued by this house, is not to bo found. Tliis work, of which ElliuU Coues, 
 H. D., is the author, forms a very valuable and exhaustive treatine upon the birds 
 of the continent nortii of Mexico. Tlic large number of plates and of woodcuts, 
 renders it especially interesting, and the style of its publication is almost sump- 
 tuous." — Boston Post. 
 
 " Some of our distinguished men of 8"ience seem to have placed their collections 
 and their suggestions at the service of Mr. Coues, but he is fuudnnicntally an 
 original explorer. Nobody can look over thet beautiful book without feeling that 
 the author has added to ornithology as well as furni.-hed its North American • Key.' 
 We wi(-h we knew enough about the subject to convict him of a few mistakes. 
 Having, however, great respect for specialists, we never venture to intrude an 
 opinion we have not earned the right to give by special study. It is a modest ab- 
 dication of an insolent tyranny, but we make it with satisfaction. It would be 
 cruel, perhaps, to disturb the useful superstition that notices of books are omnis- 
 cient and infallible. Still, we reluctantly confess that Mr. Coues is ahead of us in 
 his particular branch of knowledge, and we have submitted to the intolerable 
 ignominy of learning something from him with a keen senHc of pleasure. Indeed 
 this "Key to North American Birds" is a volume which will attract all naturalists 
 for its accuracy of description and its contributions to the work of intelligent 
 classlQcation." — Boston Globe. 
 
 "And the high commendation it has received, from competent authorities in this 
 country and England, is even more than Justified by the accuracy of description, 
 the fulness of detail, the convenience of classiflcatlon, and the admirable arrange- 
 ment of the volume. * * • Dr. Coues, still a young man, and connected with 
 the United States Army, has spent a long time in obtaining the materials lor his 
 work; but in it industry is sul)ordinate to tact, and art to genius. He is a born 
 naturalist. lie is a close and line observer of all natural phenomena, and were 
 he wrecked on a rock in mid ocean he would commence scientillc researches be- 
 fore his clothes were dry. • * * And he writes as well as he observes, in a 
 clear, accurate style, colorless in itself, but transmitting the native lines of the 
 objects he describes. And tliese qualities ai)pcar in the work before us. to en- 
 hance its value. * * * We have no Imnd-book of similar character, and none 
 that occupies the place it completely fills."— Golden Age, July 6, 1873.