'¥ of Ornithology Sucker Woods Rost Cornell Univay gity ithace, New York 1485 | BIRDS 2F WESTERN NEW YORK. WITH NOTES, BY ERNEST H. SHORT. CHILI, N.Y. August Ist, 1893, Ocaith Qk 684 N7 $55 eas A. M. EDDY, PRINTER AND BINDER, ALBION, N. Y. Introduction. In placing this modést list before the public, I do not claim to have brought it to perfection or even to have approached it. I have simply arranged and combined such notes as I possessed and could procure, with the hope that by bringing the subject before other Ornithologists of this section we might some day bring it to completion. I am greatly indebted to the following persons, viz: Frank H. Lattin, Neil F. Pos- son, and Leslie V. Case, for notes and all other help in their power, and to them I tender my sincere thanks. [ only regret its incompleteness, owing chiefly to the poor facilities of those interested, to make a thorough study of the water birds, especially during migrations. This, in a measure, accounts for the large proportion of breeders over migrants as com- pared with other lists, as I feel certain that a number of species of water birds occur here during migrations that I can find no record of. The classification is that of the A. O. U. Check- list. THe AUTHOR. Order Pygopodes. The Diving Birds. Family Podicipidue. The Grebves. 3. Colymbus Auritus. Horned Gre- be. Migrant; most common along Lake Outario in the spring. 4. Colymbus Nigricollis’ Californi- cus. hot common. 6. Podilymbus Podiceps ed Grebe. Summer resident. in suitable localities. umily Urinatoride. The Loons. 7. Urinator Imber. Loon. Com- mon Migrant, especially ou Lake On- tario. : 11. Red-throated Loon, Ovcasioual migrant. Two taken at mouth of Oak Orchard Creek, Orleans county, during February, 1893. Urder Longupcnnes: ed Swimmers. Pied-bili- reeds The Lung-wing- Family, Laride. The Gulls and Terns. 5iw. Larus Argentatus Smithsoni- anus. American Herring Gull. Occas- sional straggler during spring migra: tion. 54. Larus Delawarensis. ed Gull. Occasional migrant. 60. Larus Philadelphia. Bonaparte’s Gull, Race migrant. One shot near Albion, Orleans Co., in 1892. 70. Sterna Hirundo. Commou Tern. Occasional migrant. One shot at Chili, Monroe Co., 14 miles from Lake On- tarlo. American Eared Grebe, migrautr | Ring-bill- Order. Stegaunopodes. The Tott-pal- mate Swimmers. Family Vhethontide. The Tropic Birds. 112. Phethon Flavirostris. Yellow- billed Tropic Bird. A bird of the Tropics and rare in the Gulf states; Rev. J. H. Langille reports the a young male of this species was breught to hia,, alive, at Knowlesville, Orleans Co., in Septemeber 1878. It was found in a field after a heavy storm from the south- west. Order. Anseres. The Lamellirostral Swimmers. Family. Anatide, the Ducks, Geese and Swans. 129. Merganser Americanus. Ameri- can Merganser. Migrant. Most fre- quently seen in spring. 130. Merganser Serrator. Red- breasted Merganser. Migrant. not as columon. as last. 131. Lophodytes Cuccullatus. ed Merganser. Most common lake in the spring. 132. Anas Boschas. Mallard. Mi- grant Occurring in small scattered flocks or most commonly in detached couples. , 183. Anas Obsevra. Black Duck. Common migrant on inland streams; coming in large flocks. Breeds in suit- able places. 187. Anas Americana Baldpate. Migrant. Occuring in small fiocks. Hood- on the 6 Birds of Western New York. 139. Anas Carlinensis. Green-wing- ed Teal. Migrant. Occuring in small flocks and detached couples, chiefly on secluded streams. 140. Anas Discors. Blue-winged ed Teal. Migrant, habits like last. 148. Dafila Acuta. Pintail. Migrant. Not common. 144. Aix Sponsa. Wood Duck. Mi- grates in isolated couples; a few slay- ing to breed in suitable localities. 147, Aythya Vallisneria. Canvas- back. Rare Migrant. 148. Aythya Marila Nearetica. Americau Scaup Duck. Migrant. 149. Aythya Affinis. Lesser Scaup Duck. Migrant. May possibly breed as I have found them here in May. 150. Aythya Collaris. Ring-necked Duck. Migrant. Common on Jake Ontario. 158. Charitonettd Albeola. Bufile- head. Migrant. Seen in couples. 154. Clangula Hyemalis. Old-squaw Migrant chiefly confined to the take. 167. Erismatura Rubida. Ruddy Duck. Rare Migrant. One shot in April, 1891, at Chili, Monroe Co, 172. Branta Canadensis. Canada Goose. Common Migrant. 172 a. Branta Canadensis Hutchinsii. Hutchin’s Goose. Probably more com- mon than generally supposed. Migrat- ing in company withthe Canada Guose. Mr. Newell Beckwith, of Gaines, Or- leans Co., has a specimen taken there about 1888. 180. Olor Columbianus. Whistling Swan. Rare Migrant. One taken near Medina, Orleans Cv., in the spring of 1886. Order Herodiones. ele, The Herons, lbisis, ' Family {hidida, The Lbiscs 186. Plegadis Autumouatis. Glossy Ibis. Avrare straggler One taken in Tonawanda Swatap and brought to Mr. George H. Hedley, of Medina. Family Ardetde. The Herons 190. Botaurus Letizinosus. ean Bittern. Summer resident ing in suitable marshes. i9t. Ardetts Exilis. Least Bittern. Summer resident, Breeds 104. Ardea Herodias Great Blue Heron Simmer resident. There are several breeding places where these birds colonize, especially in Tonawan- da Swamp. 201. Ardea Virescens Green Her- on. Summer resident Breeds 203. Nyetocorax Nvetoeorax Niv- vins. Black-crowned Nivbt Ueron. Rare straggler. ; Order Paludivola, Cranes, Rails, ete, Fumily lallide, Rails, Qalliniles, ec. Ameri- Breed- 212. Rallus Virgiavus Virginia Rail. Suminer resident. Breeds. 214 PorzauaCarolina, Sora. Sum- mer resident. Breeds. 219. Gallinula Galeata. Florida Gallinule. Summer resident. Breeds 221. Fulica Americana American Coot. Common migrant, Probably breeds. Order Limicole. The Shore Birds. family Scolopucide. The Snipes, Sand- pipers, ete. 228. Philohela | Minor. American Woodcock. Common summer resident and breeder. 280. Gallinago Delicata. Wilson's: Snipe. Migrant. Commos in some lo- calities. : 242. . Tringa Minutilla. Least Sand- piper Migrant Most commou iu the fall. Birds of Western New York. 7 aoe 246. Ereuneres Pusillus. Sem palmat- ed Sandpiper. Occasional migrant. “48 Calidris Arenaria, Sanderling. Occasional migrant on the lake shore. 254. Totanus Melanoleucus. Great- er Yellow-legs. Common migrant. Solitary in its habits duriug migration, 255. ‘Totanus Flavipes. Yellow-leg- ed. Migrant not as common as last 256. Totanus Solitarius Solitary Sandpiper. Rare migrant, One shot at Chili, Monroe Co., in May, 1889. 261. Bartramia Longicauda Bartra- mian Sandpiper. Migrant and rare breeder. Found wn old bird and four newly hatched young iu the letter part of Juue, 1890. 263 Actitis Macularia. Spotted Sandpiper. Common samtmer resideut and breeder. Family Cuaradriide The Plovers. 270. Charadrius Sqnatarola. Black- bellied Plover. Migrant. Not as com- mon as next. 272. Charadrius Dominicus Ameri- cau Golden Plover Common migrant. 273. Agialitis Vocifera. Killdver. Common summer residentand breeder. 274, Agialitis Semipalmata. Semi- palm.ted Plover. Occasional migrant. Fumily Anuphrizide. Surf Birds and Turnstones. 288. Arciuaria Intrepres. Migrant on the lake shore. Order Gulline. The Birds. : Fumily Tetraonide. Purtridges und Qua:ls, 289. Colinus Virginianus. Bob-white Turnstone. Gallinaceous The Grouse, Resident. Breeds. Not as common as formerly. 300 Bonasn Umbellus Butfed Grouse. Common resident in heavy timber, becoming scarce as you ap- proach the cities and large towns. Breeds. Order Columba The Pigeons. | Fumily Columbide. The Pigcons or Doves. 315. Ectopistes Migratorius. Pas- senger Pigeon. Rare summer resident. Breeding in some localities. 316. Zenaidura Macroura. Mourn- ing Dove. Common summer resident. Breeds. Order Raptores. Birds of Prey. Family Cathartidae. The American Vultures 325. Cathartes Aura. Turkey Vul- ture. Straggler. One shotin the town of Clarendon, Orleans Co, on July 18, 1891. 326 Catharista Atrata. Black Vul- ture. A rare straggler. One taken near Medina, Orleans Co., May 28, 1892. Family Falconide, Hawks, Eagles, Falcons, ete. 331. Circus Hudsonius. Marsh Hawk. Summer resident and Breeds. 332. Accipiter Velox. Sharp-shinn- ed Hawk. Summer resident and breeds. Not very sommon. 333. Accipiter Cooperii. Coopers Hawk. Summer resident and breeds. One of our common raptores. 284. Accipiter Atricapillus. Ameri- can Goshawk. Rare winter visitor. 337. Buteo Borealis. Red-tailed Hawk. Common summer resident and breeds. 330. Buteo Lineatus. Red-shoulder- ed Hawk. ‘The most common ofall our larger Hawks. Breeding in all suita- ble places. 348. Buteo Latissimus. ed Hawk. Summer Broad-win resident an 8 Birds of Western New York. breeds. Not nearly as common as Bor- ealis and Lineatus. 847a. Arehibuteo Lagopus. Sancti- Johnannis. American Rough-legged Hawk. Common winter and spring visitor. Most common in Monroe Cov., in March and April. 352. Haliaetus Leucocephalus. Bald Eagle. Occassional visitor aud probab- ly a rare breeder along lake Ontario. 356. Faleo Peregrinus Anatum. Duck Hawk. Rare iu fall and winter. 357. Faleo Columbarius. Pigeon Hawk. Common migraut. 360. Falco Sparverius. American Sparrow Hawk. Commou summer resident a id breeds. 364. Pandion Haliatus. Common migrant. Especially on the lake. Family Bubonide. The «corned Owls, etc. 366. Asio Wilsonianus. American Long-eared Owl. Occasioni visitor and may possibly breed. 367. Asio Accipitriuus Short-cared Owl. Common fall and wiuter visitant and possible rare breeder. 368. Syrnium Nebulosum. Owl. Rare visitor. Reported Orleans and Niagara Co’s. * 872. Nyctala Acadiva. Saw-whet Owl. Common fall visitor and rare resident. Breeds. 373. Megascops Asio. Screech Owl, Common resident and breeds. 375. Bubo Virginianus. Great Horn- ed Owl. Common resident and breeds. 376. Nyctea Nyctea, Snowy Owl. Occasional wiuter visitor. Oruer Coceyges. The Cuckoos, etc. Family Cuculide. The Cuckoos. 887. Coceyzus Americanus. Barred from Yel- ‘low-billed Cuckoo. Summer resident iand breeds. 888. Coeccyzus Erythrophths!mus. Black-billed Cuckoo. Common sum- mer residcut and breeds. Family Alcedinide. The Kingfishers. 390. Ceryle Aleyon. Belted King- fisher. Common summer resident and breeds. Order Pict. The Wo: dpeckers, etc. Family Pivide. The Woodpeckers. 3938. Dryobates Villosus. Hairy Woodpecker. Resident and — breeds. Not as common as next. 394. Dryobates Pubescens. Downy Woodpecker. Common , resident .and breeds. 402. Sphyrapicus bellied Sapsucker. Regular migrant though not common. A rare breeder. A nest contaiuing four young found at Mediua, by Harry A. Chase. 405. Ceophicus Pileatus. Pileated Woodpecker. Care resident and breed- er. Seems to be confined to the wild- est parts of the southern teir of coun- ties. 406. Melauerpes Erythrocephalus. Red- headed Woodpecker. Common summer resident and breeder. 409. Melanerpes Carolinus. Red- bellied Woodpecker. Regular visitor in small numbers. Most common in De- cember. 412. Colapates Auratus. Flicker. Cominou summer resident and breeds. Occassioual winter resident. Varius. Yellow- Order M:crochtres. Swifis and Hummers. The Goalsuckers, Family Cuprimutgida. The Goat- suckers: 417. Autrostomus Voliferus. Whip- Birds of Western New York. 9 eR poor- will. Rare summer resident aud breeds. 420. Chordeiles Virginianus. Night- Hawk. Summer res dent aud breeder. Family Micropodida. The Swifts. 423. Chwtura Pelagica. Chimucy Swift. Common summer resident and breeder. Family Trochilida The feaamming- birds. 428. Trochilus Colubris. Ruby- throated Tanmaningbird. Conan sium. nicr resident and breeder. Order Pussers. Perching Birds Family Tyraunide The Thrant Fly- catchers dd. ‘Tyrannus'Tyranuus. Kingbird. Common sunivuer resident and breeder, 4523. “Myiarchus Crinitus Crested Flycatcher. Summer resident and breeder. Not us common as last: 456. sayornis Phoebe. Phuthe. Abundant suumuer rerident aud breed- er. 461. Coutopus Vireus. Wood Pewee. Common summer resident aud breeder. 463, Empidonax Flaviventris. Yel- low-bellied Flycatcher. Rare suminer resideut and breeder. Not very com- mon. 466a. Empidonux Pusillus Traillii. Traill’s Flycatcher. Said to be not un- common in some places. A rare suin- mer resident and breeder in Monroe county. 467. Empidonax Minimus. Least Flycatcher. A rare summer resident near Chili. Reported by Neil IF. Ros- son as common at Medina. Family Alaudide. The Larks. 474, Otocoris Alpestris. Horned Lurk. Occasional winter visitor 4740. Otocoris Alpestris Praticdla ee Prairie Horned Lark. Common sum- mer resident and breeder. Seems to be with us nearly all the time from Jan. Ist tu December ist. Breeds twice, in March and April and in June. amily Corinda. The Crows, Jays, ele, 477 Cynnocitta Cristata. Resident aud Breeds. cal in distribution. 484 Corvus Amevicanus. American Crow Common resident and breeder. Abundant in Chili, Monroe County es- pecially in winter, there being a large roost near here, Family leterida Blue Jay. Seems to be lo- Jmeriudi Starlings. 494. Doliehonyx Oryzivorus. Bobo- fink. Abundant summer — resident. Breeds 495. Molothrus Ater. Cowbird. Abundant summer resident. Deposits its eggs in the nests of the follow birds, vis. Kingbird, Meadowlark, Purple Finch, Vesper Sparrow, Chipping Spar- row, Field Sparrow, Song Sparrow, In- digo Bunting, Red-eyed vireo, Yellow- throated Vireo, Warbling Vireo, Yel- low Warbler, Chestnut-sided Warbler, Oven-bird, American Redstart, Lowhee, Golden wieged Warbler, Cedar Waa- wing, Woo. Thrush, Wilsons Thrush, Robin and Blue-bird and possibly othres. 498. Agelaius Phoeniceus. Red-wing- ed Blackbird,. Abundant summer resi- dent. Breeds. 401. Sturnella Magna. Meadowlark. Common summer resident, a few stay- ing all winter. Breeds. 506. Ieterus Spurius. Orchard Orivle, A rare straggler. Saw one June 26, breeding. 1593, .« male. Possibly was 10 Birds of Western New York. 607. Icterus Galbula. Baltimore Oriole. Abundant summer resident. Breed. 509. ScolecophagusCarolinus. Rusty Blackbird. Common migrant. espec- ially in the fall. 511b. Quiscalus Quiscula seneus. Bronzed Grackle. Abundant summer resident. Breeds. Family Fringillide. Finches, Spar- rows, etc. 514. Coccothraustes Vespertina. Evening Grosbeak. During the winter of 1889 and 1890 the remarkable move- ment of this species to the east extend- ed over Western New York. Speci- mens were taken at Brockport, Albion, Gaines and Chili. 515. Pinicola Enucleator. Pine Grosbeak. Occasional migrant in severe winters. While large numbers passed through New England the last winter (1892-93) few if any seemed to have passed as far west as this. 517. Carpodacus Purpureus. Pur- ple Finch. Common summer resident. Breeds. 521. Loxia Curvirestra Minor. American Crossbill. A winter visitant. Not common. 528. Acanthis lLinaria. Redpoll. Irregular winter visitor. Sometimes common. 529. Spinus Tristis. American Gold- finch. Abundant summer resident. Breeds. Often seen in the winter and like the Meadowlark may be classed as an occasional resident in winter. 533. Spinus Pinus. PineSiskin. Ir. regular fall and winter visitor, and very rare breeder. One nest taken in spring of 1889. 534. Plectrophenax Nivalis. Snow- flake. Abundant winter visitant. 536. Calearius Lapponicus. Lap- land Longspur. Occasional winter visi- tant. 540. Pooceetes Gramineus. Vesper .|Sparrow. Abundant summer resident and breeds 54222. Ammodramus Sandwichensis Savanna. Savanna Sparrow. Com- mon summer resident in suitable locali- ties. Breeds. ; 546 Ammodramus Savannarum Passerinus. Grasshopper Sparrow. Reported by J. H. Langille as a sum- mer resident near West Barre, Orleans Co. A nest containing four eggs found near Maplewood, Monroe Co., June 1, 1893 Eggs were fresh and I -positively identified the species. 564. Zonotrichia Leucophrys. White- crowned Sparrow. A common = mi- grant. ‘ 558. Zonotrichia Albicollis. White- throated Sparrow. Abundant migrant. 559. Spizella Monticola. Tree Spar- row. Common migrant and occasional winter resident. 560. Spizella Socialis, Chipping Sparrow. Abundant sumnier resident. Breeds. 568. Spizella Pusilla Field Spar- row. Summer resident and _ breeds. Not very common. 567. Junco Hyemalis. Common migrant and breeds in parts of Erie, Cattaraugus, and probably other coun- ties. 581. Melospiza Fasciata. Song Spar- row. Common summer resident and breeds. 583. Melospiza Lincolni. Lincoln’s Sparrow. Occasional migrant. 584. Melospiza Georgiana. Swamp Birds of Western New York. e Sparrow. Summer _ resident and breeds. Probably much more than the records shown owing to its secluded nabits. 585. Passerella Iliaca. Fox Spuar- row. Occassional Spring migaant 587. Pipilo Erythrophthalmus. Towhee. Rare summer resident and breeds. 595. Habia Ludoviciana Rose- breasted Grosbeak. Common summer resident and breeder. 589. Passerina Cyanea. Indigo Bunting Common summer resideat and breeder. Family Tunagridae The Tanagers. 608. Piranga Erythromelas. Svarlet Tanager. Summer resident and breeds. Family Hirundinidue. The Swallows. 611. Progue Subis. Purple Martin. Rare summer resident in some locali- ties. Breeds. Reported as fairly eom- mon in Medina by N. F. Posson. 612. Petrochelidon Lunifrons. Cliff - Swallow. Commoy summer resident. Breeds. 618. Chelidsn Erythrogater. Barn Swallow. Abunt summer resident. Breeds. 614. Tachycineta Bicolor. Tree Swallow. Summer resident and breeds. Not as common as most of our swal- lows. 616. Clivicola Riparia. Abundant summer resident in localities. Breeds mostly in colonies. 617. Stelgidopteryx Serripennis. Rough-winged Swallow. Summer resi- dent and breeds. Seems to b» confined to loealities where stone work abounds, in the crevices of which it breeds. Famity Ampelidae. The Wux-wings. 618. Ampelis Garrulus. Bohemian 1 Waxwing. An irregular winter visi- tant. 619. Ampelis Cedrorum. Cedar Waxwing. Common summer resident and breeds. Occassionally seen in winter. Family Lanidae. The Shrikes. 621. Lanius Borealis. Northern- Shrike. Ocvassional winter visitant. 621e. Lanius Ludovicaus. Logger- head Shrike. Rare summer resident. Breeds. Reported by F. H. Lattin of Gaines, Orleans Co. 6224. Lauius Ludovicianus Excubi- torides. White-rumped Shrike. Com- mon summer resident. Breeds. Fumily Vireonidae. The Vireos. 624. Vireo Olivaceus. Red-eyed Virco. Common summer resident. Breeds. 626. Vireo Philadelphicus. Phila- delphiaVirio. Occasivnal migrant and may possibly breed. 627. Vireo Gilvus. Warbling Vireo. Common summer resident. Breeds. 628. Vireo Flavifrons. Yellow- throated Vireo. Summer resident and breeds. Not very common. 629. Vireo Solitarius. Blue-headed Vireo. A rare migrant. Family Mniotiltide. The Wood- warblers. 636. Mniotilta Varia. Black and White Warbler. Migrant, usually seen in the spring. 639 Helmitherus Vermivorus. Worm-eating Warbler. Occasional migrant and possibly breeds. 642. Helminthophila Chrysoptera. Golden-winged Warbler. Summer resident and breeds. Have found it nesting here and it is reported as breeding at Medina and Naples. Birds of Western New York. 12 £ NN 645. Helminthophila Ruticapilla.! Warbler Rare migrant. Nashville Warbler. Common migrant! 674. Seiurus Aurocapillus. Ovenbird. and rare summer resident. Breeds. Sumiver resident und breeds. 647. Helminthophila Peregrina.! 675 Seinrus Monior aceneis. Water Tennessee Warbler. Occasional mi-|Thrush. Swumer resident. Breeds. grant and rare summer resident. | Not common. Breeds. 678. Geothlypis Agilis. Connecti- 648. Compsothlypis Americanus. | cut Warbler. Rare migrant. Parula Warbler. Rare summer resi-{ 679. Geoth'y pis Philadelphia. dent and breeds, 650. Dandroica Tigrina. Warbler. Rare migrant. 652. Dendroica wstiva. Yellow Warbler. Abundant summer resident aud breeds. 954. Dendroica Cerulescens. Black- throated Blue Warbler. Cuommou mi- Cape May grant. 655. Dendrvicva Coronata. Myrtle Warbler. Common migrant. 657. Dendroica Maculosa. Magnolia Warbler. Commou migrant and rare resident. Breeds. 658. Dendroica Cxrulea. Cerulean Warbler, Summer resident and breeds. Not very common. 656. Dendroica Pennsy!vauica Chestnut-sided Warbler. Sunimier cesi- dent and breeds. Not very common. 660. Dendroica Castanea, Bay- breasted Warbler. Migrant in ficcks. This and the next species sometimes swarm in some place where feed is plenty. 661. Dendroica Striata. Black-poll- ed Warbler. the last. 662. Dendroica Blackburniae. Blackburnian Warbler. Common mi- grant. Said by Langille to be resident in Tonawauda Swamp, Orleans Co., through the summer. 672. Dendroica Palmarum. Common migrant with Palm Mourning Warbler. Migrant. Report- ed by Neil F. Posson as a summer resi- dent, 681. Geothlypis Trichas. Yellow-throat. breeds. 688. Teteria Virens ed Chat. Rare Breeds 684. Sylvania Mitrata. Hooded War- bler. Summer resident. Breeds. 686. Sylvania Canadensis. Cana- dian Warbler. Migrant and pussible summer resideut. 687. Setophaga Rutivilla.