avy CSU ROY wevsarp: anne ORT se fll alte a Se poet ta Maran Hera teeming priate th ‘ ( ; RE RAO nota rate ci anaes th MUAH ATCA Ratt nac aa “i CELA CEN ea th yy Yast SUNN Cie HA DELTAS o oy ‘ia a ta a oi To ENTE Het ea Porshe hg Urie ical tA NOE SEEN bay. ‘aby Ut h eY Va ye Sat eis 4 : vet MOatcitye i achar mata Peat Maca ae POE tee a EAU, ie a ae Sb aH Pre eae TT ; Masbeccbras al ieee rk, +P — nd paratroopers | de geen, Gattis ot Feat rox Bias an ery Peta al Siar! oh irs ebm ets b. Phiheige she Mbehias Walia Yt) Me elena: “- as outa ma a bert es Iv Pie n . Pn Ses San aoe Bier: nein tc acc i H aa = * cas BY J Ly 2 ees 4 SE i ya) eh} ory ; te tata er ce Fi 4, is sa 6 4 Po Mid apie ie ner ame A era ! ors Prcril “f Seen Ry os OY te Seats : a ha Oot anh wits. ah tt eae ; Leta ie Mea are amt titer ea Dh eee aiid eb Horas inane Pagar eear chs beleias Rata ea hehat ig ie annie yt Sr ehh phe CORNER WONT RSS Tal fie LIBRARY LABORATORY OF ORNITHOLOGY LIBRARY | | Wz Le _ | Tae : : ; | 8 \ | | f/f 4 fo — 7) pasa WALKER KEY TO NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. PRINTED AT THE SALEM PRESS, Corner of Liberty and Derby Streets, Salem, Mass., F. W. Purnam & Co., PROPRIETORS. October, 1872. Kei NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS CONTAINING A CONCISE ACCOUNT OF EVERY SPECIES OF LIVING AND FOSSIL BIRD AT PRESENT KNOWN FROM THE CONTINENT NORTH OF THE MEXICAN AND UNITED STATES BOUNDARY. ILLUSTRATED BY 6 STEEL PLATES, AND UPWARDS OF 250 WOODCUTS. oP . ae BY y mm ee ELLIOTT COUES, Ae a ASSISTANT SURGEON UNITED STATES ARMY. ee we <3 && 9 ae” ' & LY Ae oe 20 190 pre SALEM: NATURALISTS’ AGENCY. NEW YORK: DODD AND MEAD. BOSTON: ESTES AND LAURIAT. 1872. Sa cmtoeot Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1872, by F. W. PUTNAM AND ELLIOTT COUES, In the Office of the Librarian of Congress at Washington. PREFACE. A PREFACE is indispensable in this instance, simply because I have no other opportunity of properly acknowledging the assistance I have received in preparing this work. JI am particularly indebted to Mr. J. A. Atten, of Cambridge, Mass., who has diligently revised nearly all the proofsheets, and whose critical suggestions have proved invaluable. Mr. Rozerr Ripeway, of Illinois, has given me the benefit of his still unpublished studies of the Raptores and some other groups, besides rendering, as Mr. ALLEN also has, various essential services. Prof. Barrp kindly offered me the use of all the illustrations of his late Review, while Prof. Acassiz generously placed at my disposal the plates accompanying Mr. Axien’s Memoir on the Birds of Florida. Several of the woodcuts have been taken from Prof. Tenney’s Manual of Zoology, with the author’s permission; and a few others have been contributed by Messrs. Lee and Surparp. With a few exceptions, the rest of the illustrations have been drawn from nature by the author, and engraved by Mr. C. A. WaLxer. I have spoken elsewhere of Prof. Marsu’s almost indispensable coéperation in one part of the work. While material for the greater part of the descriptions has been furnished by the author’s private cabinet, the Synopsis could hardly have been prepared without that free access to the collection of the Smithsonian Institution, of which I have been permitted to avail myself. The only word of explanation that seems to be required is with regard to the large number of genera I have admitted. I have been led into this—unnecessarily, perhaps, and certainly against my judgment—partly by my desire to disturb a current nomenclature as little as possible, and partly because it is still uncertain what value should be attached to a generic name. Among wading and swimming birds —the groups of which are, on the whole, more precisely limited than those of Insessores—I have, however, indicated what I consider to be a reasonable reduc- tion; and on another occasion I should probably extend a like practice, if not one even more ‘conservative,’ to the remaining groups. I will only add, that I consider that several of the admitted families of Oscines will require to be merged in one. These are the Turdide, Saaicolide and Sylviide, if not also the Troglo- dytide and Motacillide.; while the same may prove true of the current Sylvicoline, Tanagrine and Fringilline groups. E. C. Wasnineton, D. C., September 9th, 1872. — CONTENTS. PAGE. INTRODUCTION. 1 Src. I. OrnirnoLogy Drrinrp — Birps Derinrp — Brinr DESCRIPTION OF THEIR PECULIAR COVERING. 1 Sec. II. AN ALLUSION TO THE CLASSIFICATION OF Birps — Taxonomy — Srruc- TURE — CHARACTERS — Groups OF DIFFERENT GRADES — TYPES AND ABER- RATIONS — EQUIVALENCY — ANALOGY AND AFFINITY — EXAMPLE. TL Src. III. DeErrmirion AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE EXTERIOR OF A Birp. — Parts AND ORGANS—I. Tur Bopy: HEAD, NECK AND BODY PROPER.—II. Tur MEMBERS: BILL, WINGS, TAIL, FEET. 13 Src. IV. Directions — How To Usr tue Key. — How ro Muasure a Sprct- MEN, ETC. 53 ARTIFICIAL KEY TO THE GENERA. So ne ts 61 SYSTEMATIC SYNOPSIS OF NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 69 SYNOPSIS OF THE FOSSIL FORMS. 347 ADDITIONS AND CORRECTIONS. 351 INDEX AND GLOSSARY. INTRODUCTION. SECT. I. Ornrrgotocy Drerinrp— Birps DerineD— Brier DESCRIPTION OF THEIR PrcuLiarR COVERING. § 1. Scrence (Lat. scire, to know) is knowledge set in order ; knowledge disposed after the rational method that best shows, or tends to show, the mu- tual relations of observed facts. Such orderly knowledge of any particular class of facts — such methodical disposition of observations upon any par- ticular set of objects — constitutes a Special Science. Thus, ORNITHOLOGY (Gr. ornithos, of a bird, logos, a discourse) is the Science of Birds. Or- nithology consists in the rational arrangement and exposition of all that is known of birds. Ornithology treats of the physical structure, physiological processes, and mental attributes of birds; of their habits and manners; of their geographical distribution ; of their relations to each other and to other animals. The first business of Ornithology is to define its ground; to answer the question _ § 2. War 1s 4 Birp? A Bird is an air-breathing, egg-laying, warm- blooded, feathered vertebrate, with two limbs (legs) for walking or swim- ming, two limbs (wings) for flying or swimming, fixed lungs in a cavity communicating with other air-cavities, and one outlet of genito-urinary and digestive organs; with (negative characters) no teats, no teeth, no fleshy lips, no external fleshy ears, no (perfect) epiglottis nordiaphragm ; no bladder, no scrotum, no corpus callosum ; and with the following collateral characters, mostly shared by more or fewer other animals:— Under jaw hinged with the rest of the skull by means of an interposed movable bone, that is also movably jointed with two bones of the upper jaw; head jointed with neck by only one hinge; shoulder-joints connected with each other by a curved bone, the clavicle (with rare exceptions), and with breast-bone by a straight stout bone, the coracoid; ribs all bony, most of them jointed in the middle as well as with back-bone and breast-bone, and having bony offsets; less than three separate wrist and hand-bones ; two fingers, of one or two bones ; head of thigh-bone hinged in a ring, not in a cup; one of the two leg-bones not forming the ankle-joint ; no separate ankle-bones; less than three sep- arate foot-bones; two to four toes, of two to five bones, always ending in claws; both jaws horny-sheathed and nostrils in the upper one; feet and toes (when not feathered) horny-sheathed ; three eyelids; eyeball with hard KEY TO N. A. BIRDS. 1. : (1) 2 STRUCTURE OF FEATHERS. plates in it, eight muscles on it, and a peculiar vascular organ inside; two larynges, or “ Adam’s-apples”; two bronchi; two lungs, perforated to send air into various airsacs and even the inside of bones; four-chambered heart, with perfect double blood-circulation; tongue with several bones; two or three stomachs; one liver, forked to receive the heart in its cleft; gall- bladder or none; more or less diffuse pancreas, or “sweetbread”; a spleen ; intestines of much the same size throughout; ceca, or none; two lobulated, fixed kidneys ; two testicles fixed in the small of the back, and subject to periodical enlargement and decrease; one functional ovary and oviduct; outlets of these last three organs in an enlargement at end of intestine, and their products, with refuse of digestion, all discharged through a common orifice. But of all these, and other characters, that come under the head of description rather than of definition, one is peculiarly characteristic of birds; for every bird has FEATHERS, and no other animal has feathers. Naturally, then, we look with special interest upon FEATHERS: § 3. a. THrmr Structure. A perfect feather consists of a main stem, or scape (scapus; pl. 1, fig. 7, ad), and a supplementary stem or after- shaft (hyporhachis; pl. 1, fig. 7, 6), each bearing two webs or vanes (vex- illum, pl. vexilla; pl. 1, fig. 7,¢), one on either side. The scape is divided into two parts; one, the tube or barrel, or “quill” proper (calamus; pl. i fig. 7, d) is hard, horny, hollow, cylindrical and semitransparent ; one end tapers to be inserted into the skin; the other ends, at a point marked by a little pit (wmbilicus), in the shaft (rhachis), or second part of the stem; the rhachis is squarish, and tapers to a point; is less horny, is opaque, and filled with white pith; it alone bears the vexilla. The after-shaft has the same structure, and likewise bears vexilla; it springs from the stem, at junc- tion of calamus and rhachis, close by the umbilicus. It is generally very small compared with the rest of the feather; but in a few birds is quite as large; it is wanting in many; and is never developed on the principal wing and tail feathers. The vane consists of a series of appressed, flat, narrowly lance-shaped or linear lamine, set obliquely on the rhachis, and divarica- ting outward from it at a varying angle; each lamina is called a barb (barba; pl. 1, fig. 6, a, a). Now just as the rhachis bears barbs, so does each barb bear its vanes (barbules; pl. 1, fig. 6, 6, 6, c); it is these last that make a vane truly a wed, that is, they connect the barbs together, so that some force is required to pull them apart. They are to the*barbs ex- actly what the barbs are to the shaft, and are similarly given off on both sides of the barbs, from the upper edge of the latter. They are variously shaped, but generally flat sideways, with upper and lower border at base, rapidly tapering to a slender thread-like end; and are long enough to reach over several barbules of the next barb, crossing the latter obliquely. All the foregoing structures are seen with the eye or a simple pocket lens, but the next two require a microscope; they are barbicels (or cilia; pl. 1, fig. TYPES OF FEATHERS. 3 8), and hooklets (hamuli; pl. 1, fig. 8). These are simply a sort of fringe to the barbules, just as if the lower edge of the barbule were frayed out, and only differ from each other in one being plain, | hair-like processes, and the other being hooked at the J} end. Barbicels do occur on both anterior and pos- Y terior rows of barbules; but rarely on the latter; j, hooklets are confined to barbules of the anterior series, which, as we have seen, overlie the posterior rows of barbules, diagonally forming a meshwork. V7, The beautiful design of this structure is evident; by | it, the barbules are ¢nterlocked, and the vane of the 7 feather made a web; for each hooklet of one barbule iV, catches hold of a barbule from the next barb in front, AA hsb eh ee —any barbule thus holding on to as many of the bar- eae bules of the next barb as it roe crminal curve; *, has hooklets. To facilitate this interlocking, the bar- bules have a thickened upper edge of such size that the hooklets can just grasp it. This is clear- - ly illustrated in pl. 1. fig. 2, where a, a, a, @are , four barbs in transverse section, viewed from the cut surfaces; with their anterior (0, 0, b, 6), and posterior (¢, c, ¢, ¢) barbules, the former bearing the hooklets which catch over the edge of the > Fia.1. Section from loosely barbed lattex 0 feather of Lyre-bird. Natural size. 6. But all feathers do not answer the above description. First, the after-shaft may be wanting, as we have seen; then, as frequently happens, hooklets may not be developed, and barbicels may be few or wanting ; barbules may be few or wanting, or so trans- formed as to be only recognized by position, and even barbs themselves may be wanting on one side of the shaft, as in some tail feathers of the famous Lyre-bird, or on both sides, as in certain bristly feathers about the , mouth and eyelids of various birds. (Certain unusual styles of feathers are shown in figs. 1, 2, 3.) Con- sideration of these and other modifications has led to the recognition of three § 4. Types or Srrucrurr. 1. The feathery (pen- nacea), characterized as above. 2. The downy (plum- AN ulacea), when the stem is short and weak, with soft BiG 3. ai sections laws; YVhachis and barbs, with long, extremely slender, mostly from one orale eternal feathers rre-bird; 6, ! ; : , : ‘ : Ringlesbarbsaeen ide thread-like barbules, with little knotty dilatations in place of barbicels, and no hooklets. 38. The hairy (/filoplumacea) with a thin, stiff calamus, usually no pith in the rhachis, fine cylindrical stiff barbs 4 KINDS OF FEATHERS. and barbules, the latter wanting barbicels, knots and hooklets. The first two types may be found in different parts of the same feather, as in pl. 1, fig. 7, which is partly pennaceous, partly plumulaceous. All feathers are built upon one of these three plans; and, though seemingly endless in di- versity, may be reduced to four § 5. Dirrerent Kinps or Fraruers. 1. Contour-feathers (penne) have a perfect stem composed of barrel or shaft, and vanes of pennaceous structure at least in part, usually with downy structure toward the base. They form the great bulk of the plumage, that is upon the surface of a bird, exposed to light; their tints give the bird’s colors; they are the most vari- ously modified of all, from the fishlike scales of the penguin, to the glit- tering plates of the humming-bird, and all the endless array of tufts, crests, ruffs and other ornaments of the feathered tribe; even the imperfect bristle- like feathers above-mentioned belong here. Another feature is, that they are usually individually moved by cutaneous muscles, of which there may be several to each feather, passing to be inserted into the sheath of the tube, inside the skin, in which the stem is inserted; it is estimated that some birds have twelve thousand of these little feather muscles. Every one has seen their operation when a hen shakes herself after a sand-bath; and any one may see them plainly under the skin of a goose. 2. Down-feath- ers (plumule), characterized by the plumulaceous structure throughout. These form a more or less complete investment of the body ; they are almost always hidden from view beneath the contour-feathers, like padding about the bases of the latter; occasionally they come to light, as in the ruff about a condor’s neck, and then usually occur where there are no other feathers ; they have an after-shaft or none, and sometimes no rhachis at all, when the barbs are sessile in a tuft on the end of the barrel. They often, but not always, stand in a regular quincunx between four contour-feathers. 3. The semiplumes (semipluimce), which may be said to unite the characters of the last-two, possessing the pennaceous stem of one and the plumulaceous vanes of the other. They stand among penne, like the plumule, about the edges of patches of the former, or in parcels by themselves, but are always coy- ered over by contour-feathers. They are with or without an after-shaft. 4. Filoplumes (jiloplumc), or thread-feathers ; these have an extremely slen- der, almost invisible, stem, not well distinguished into barrel and shaft, and no vanes (with rare exceptions), unless a few barbs near the end of the rhachis may be held for such. Long as they are, they are usually hidden by the contour-feathers, close to which they stand as accessories, one or more seeming to issue out of the very sac in which the larger feathers are implanted. They are the nearest approach to hairs that birds have. § 6. Precunian Fratuers. Certain down-feathers are remarkable for continuing to grow indefinitely, and with this growth there is constant break- ing off of the ends of the barbs. These feathers, from being always dusted over with the dry, scurfy exudation or exfoliation from the follicle in which they grow, are called powder down-feathers. They occur in the hawk, par- PLUMAGE: TRACTS AND SPACES. 5 rot, and gallinaceous tribes, but especially in the heron family, where they are always present, and readily seen as two large patches of greasy or dusty, whitish, matted feathers over the hips and in front of the breast. Their use is not known. § 7. Fearner O1n-cuanp. With comparatively few and irregular ex- ceptions, birds have a singular apparatus for secreting oil with which to lu- bricate and polish their feathers. It is a two-lobed, or rather heart-shaped, gland, saddled upon the root of the tail; consisting essentially of numerous slender secreting tubes or follicles, the ducts of which successively unite in larger tubes, and finally perforate the skin at one or more little nipple- like eminences. Birds press out a drop of oil with their beak, and then dress the feathers with it. The gland is largest in water-birds, which have most need of an impervious coating of feathers, and always present among them ; very large in the fish-hawk; smaller in other land-birds, and want- ing (it is said), among the ostriches, bustards, parrots and some others. (In pl. 1, fig. 4, the line 6 points to the oil-gland.) § 8. DevELopmMent or Frarners. In a manner analogous to that of hair, a feather grows in a little pit or pouch formed by inversion of the der- mal layer, and is formed in a closed oval follicle consisting of an inner and outer coat separated by a layer of fine granular substance. The outer layer, or “outer follicle ” is composed of several thin strata of nucleated epithelial cells; the inner is thicker, spongy and filled with gelatinous fluid; a little artery and vein furnish the blood-circulation. The imner is the true matrix of the feather, evolving from the blood-supply the gelatinous matter, and resoly- ing this into cell nuclei; the granular layer is the formative material. The outer grows a little beyond the cutaneous sac that holds it, and opens at the end; from this orifice the future feather protrudes as a little, fine-rayed pencil point. During subsequent growth the follicular layers undergo little further change ; it is the granular that becomes the feather. § 9. Alla bird’s feathers, of whatever kind and structure, taken together, constitute its péilosis or PLUMAGE. (a.) FEATHERED TRACTS AND UNFEATHERED Spaces. With the exception of certain birds that have obviously naked spaces, as about the head, ete., all would be taken to be fully feathered. So they are fully covered with feath- ers; but it does not follow from this, that feathers are implanted everywhere upon the skin. On the contrary, this is the rarest of all kinds of feather- ing, though it occurs, almost or quite perfectly, among the penguins and toucans. Let us compare a bird’s skin to a well-kept park, part woodland, part lawn; then where the feathers grow is the woodland; where they do not grow, the lawn; the former places are called ¢racts (pteryle) ; the latter spaces (apteria) ; they mutually distinguish each other into certain definite areas. Not only are the tracts and spaces thus definite, but their size, form and arrangement mark whole families or orders of birds, and so are impor- 6 CHANGES OF PLUMAGE. tant for purposes of classification. They have been specially studied, named and classified by the celebrated Nitzsch, who has laid down the following as the general plan obtaining in the vast majority of birds : — (6.) 1. The spinal or dorsal tract (pteryla spinalis, pl. 1, fig. 4,1), running along the middle of the bird above from nape of the neck to the tail; subject to great variation in width, to dilation and contraction, to forking, to sending out branches, to interruption, etc. 2. The humeral tracts (pt. humerales, pl. 1, fig. 4,2), always present, one on each wing; narrow bands running from the shoulder obliquely backward upon the upper arm- bone, parallel with the shoulder-blade. 3. The femoral tracts (pt. femo- rales, pl. 1, fig. 4,3), a similar oblique band upon the outside of each thigh, but, unlike the last, subject to great variation. 4. The ventral tract ( pt. gastro’, pl. 1, fig. 3,8), which forms most of the plumage on the under part of a bird; commencing at or near the throat, and continued to the anus; it is very variable like the dorsal tract, is usually bifurcate, or divided into right and left halves with a central apterium, is broad or nar- row, branched, etc.; thus, Nitzsch enumerates seventeen distinct modifica- tions! The foregoing are mostly isolated tracts, that is, bands nearly surrounded by apteria that are complementary to them; the following are continuously, uniformly feathered, and therefore, in general, equivalent to the part of the body they represent. Thus, 5, the head tract (pt. capitis, pl. I, figs. 8,4; 4,4), clothes the head and generally runs into the beginning of both dorsal and ventral tracts. 6. The wing tract, (pt. alaris, pl. 1, figs. 3, 5; 4,5), represents all the feathers that grow upon the wing, except those of the humeral tract. 7. The tail tract (pt. caudalis, pl. 1, figs. 3,6; 4,6), includes the tail feathers and their coverts, those surrounding the oil-gland, and usu- ally receives the termination of the dorsal, ventral, and femoral tracts. 8. The leg tract (pt. crwralis, pl. 1, figs. 8, 7; 4, 7), clothes the legs as far as these are feathered, which is sometimes to the toes, generally only to the heel. I need not give the spaces, as these are merely the complements of the tracts ; and the highly important special feathering of the wings and tail will be examined in describing those members for purposes of classification. § 10. Procress AnD Cuanen. Newly hatched birds are covered with a kind of down, entirely different from the feathers they ultimately acquire. It is scanty, leaving much of the body naked, in Altrices, or those birds that ave reared by the parent in the nest ; but thick and puffy in a few of these, and in all Prevcoces, that run about at birth. But true feathers are soon gained, in some days or weeks, those of wings and tail being the first to sprout. The first plumage is usually only worn for a short time —then another is gained, and frequently several more changes ensue before the bird attains its mature covering. Feathers are of such rapid growth, that we can easily understand how exhaustive of vital energies the growth must be, and how critical a pe- riod the change is. The renewal of plumage isa process familiar to all under the term “ moult” (ecdysts). It commonly occurs at least once a year, and generally twice, in spring and fall; when old, faded and worn out feathers CLASSIFICATION. a are shed, and fresh ones take their place, either over a part or the whole of the body. The change frequently or generally results in considerable differ- ences of color, constituting the “seasonal plumages” of so many birds, which, in the same bird, may change from black to white even, from plain to variegated, from dull to brilliant. But birds also change colors, by actual alteration in the tints of the feathers themselves, and by gaining new ones without losing any old ones. The generalization may be made, that when the sexes are strikingly different in color, the young at first resemble the female; but when the old birds are alike, the young are different from either. When the seasonal changes are great, the young resemble the fall plumage of the old. When the old birds of two different species of the same genus are strikingly alike, the young of both are usually intermediate between them, and different from either. Besides being the most highly developed, most complex, wonderfully per- fect and beautiful kind of tegumentary outgrowth; besides fulfilling the obvious design of covering and protecting the body, the plumage has its § 11. Pecunrar Orrice: that of accomplishing the act of flying. For all vertebrates, except birds, that progress through the air—the flying-fish with its enlarged pectoral fins; the flying reptile (Draco volans) with its skinny parachute ; the flying mammal (bat) with its great webbed fingers — accomplish aérial locomotion by means of tegumentary expansions. Birds, alone, fly with tegumentary outgrowths, or appendages. SECT. II. AN ALLUSION TO THE CLASSIFICATION OF Birps— Taxon- OMY — STRUCTURE — CHARACTERS — Groups OF DIFFERENT GRADES — Types AND ABERRATIONS— EQUIVALENCY — ANALOGY AND AFFINITY — EXAMPLE. SEEING what a bird is, and how distinguished from other animals, our next business is to find out how birds are distinguished from each other ; when we shall have the material for § 12. CuasstricaTion, a prime object of ornithology, without which, birds, however pleasing they are to the senses, do not satisfy the mind, which always strives to make orderly disposition of things, and so discover their mutual relations and dependencies. Classification presupposes that there are such relations, as results of the operation of fixed inevitable law; it is, therefore, § 13. Taxonomy (Gr. taxis, arrangement, and nomos, law), or the ra- tional, awful disposition of observed facts. Just as taxidermy is the art of fixing a bird’s skin in a natural manner, so taxonomy is the science of arranging birds themselves in a natural manner, according to the rules that, to the best of our knowledge and belief, are deducible from examination of their § 14. Srructurr: ‘The physical constitution of a bird; all the material constituents of a bird, and the way its parts or organs are put together. 8 CLASSIFICATION. Internal structure, or anatomical structure (ana, and temnein, to cut), so called because we have to cut into a bird to see it, comprehends all the parts of a bird that are ordinarily hidden from view; external structure, those that lie exposed to view upon the surface. Much time has been wasted in arguing the superiority of one or the other of these for purposes of classifi- cation; as if a natural classification must not be based upon all points of structure! as if internal and external points of structure were not reciprocal and the mutual exponents of each other! External points of structure stand to internal somewhat in the relation of interest and capital; it is legit- imate and wise enough to use interest only unless we need to draw upon capital. In our greater taxonomic enterprises —in the founding of our higher groups—we require all the capital we can get; in our lesser under- takings the interest alone is sufficient. Moreover, birds are so much alike in their anatomical structure, that this answers taxonomic purpose only for higher groups; and practically, at any rate, we make our lesser divisions so readily from external structure, that this may be said to furnish most of our § 15. ZootocicaL CHaracters. loosely used, sometimes including the hypochondria, and oftener meaning simply the under tail coverts; I refer to it again in speaking of these last. ) Although these various boundaries seem fluctuating and not perfectly defin- ite, yet a little practice will enable the student to appreciate their proper use in descriptions, and then use them himself with sufficient accuracy. The anterior continuation of body in general, or the § 40. Neck, is likewise subdivided into regions. Its lateral aspects (ex- cept in a few birds that have lateral neck tracts of feathers) are formed by the meeting over its sides of the feathers that grow on the dorsal and ventral pteryle; the skin is really not planted with feathers; and partly on this account, perhaps, a distinctively named region is not often expressed ; we say simply “sides of the neck” (parauchenia, fig. 4,9). Behind, it is divided into two portions: a lower, the “hind neck,” or “scruff of the neck,” cervix (fig. 4, °), adjoining the back; and an upper, the “nape of the 2 KEY TO N. A. BIRDS. o. 18 TOPOGRAPHY OF THE BODY. neck” (nucha ; fig. 4, 7), adjoining the hind head; these are otherwise known as the cervical region, and the nuchal region, respectively, and both together as “the neck behind.” The front of the neck has been, perhaps, unnecessa- rily subdivided, and the divisions vary with almost every writer. It will be sufficient for us in the present connection to call it throat (Lat. gula, fig. 4, 37), and jugulum (fig. 4, BL), remembering that the jugular portion is lower, vanishing in breast, and the gular higher, running into chin along the under surface of the head. Gluttur is a term used to signify gula and jugulum together; it is simply equivalent to “throat” as just defined. Though generally fully covered with feathers, the neck, unlike the body proper, is frequently in part naked. When naked behind, it is almost in- variably cervia that is bare, from interruption of the upward extension of the pteryla dorsalis ; as exemplified in many herons. Nucha is rarely, if ever, naked except in continuation of general nakedness of the head. Similarly, gula is naked from above downwards, as is especially illustrated in nearly all the order Steganopodes, as pelicans, cormorants, etc., that have a naked throat-pouch; or some vultures, whose nakedness of head extends over nucha, and along gula, as if the feathers were killed by over-manuring with the fillhy substances these birds eat. The condor has a singular ruffle all around the neck, of close, downy feathers, as if to defend the roots of the other feathers from such consequence. Jugulum becomes naked in a few birds, where a distended crop or craw protrudes, pushing apart the feathers of two branches of the pteryla ventralis as these ascend the throat. The neck is not ordinarily the place of remarkably modified feathers ; they might restrict freedom of motion in the neck; to this rule, however, there are signal exceptions. Among these may be mentioned here, the grouse family, among our representatives of which, the “ruffed” has singular tufts on the sides of the neck; the “pinnated” little wing-like feathers there, covering bare, distensible skin, and the “cock of the plains” has curious, stiff, scaly feathers ; unless these rather belong to pectus. Cervix proper almost never has modified feathers, but often a transverse coloration different from that of the rest of the upper parts ; when conspicuous, this is called “cervical collar,” to distinguish it from the guttural or jugular “collars” or rings of color. Nucha is frequently similarly marked with a “nuchal band ;” often, special developments there take the form of lengthening of the feathers, and we have a “nuchal crest.” More particularly in birds of largely variegated colors, guttur and jugulum are marked lengthwise with stripes and streaks, of which those on the sides are apt to be different from those along the middle line in front. Jugulum occasionally has lengthened feathers, as in many herons. Higher up, the neck in front may have variously length- ened or otherwise modified feathers. Conspicuous among these are the rugs, ov tippets, of some birds, especially of the grebe family, and, above all our other birds, of the male ruff (Machetes pugnax). But these, and a few other modifications of the feathers of the upper neck, are more con- veniently considered with those of the TOPOGRAPHY OF THE HEAD. 19 § 41. Heap. Though smaller than either of the parts already considered, the head has been more minutely mapped out, and such detail is necessary from the number of recognizable parts or regions it includes. Without pro- fessing to give all that have been named, I describe what will be needed for our present purposes. (a). “Top of the head” is a collective expression for all the superior sur- face, from base of the bill to nucha, and on the sides nearly or quite to the level of the upper border of the eyes. This is pilewm (fig. 4,1, 4,6) 5 ib is divided into three portions. Morehead, or frontal region, or, simply, “the front” (Li. frons; fig. 4,1) includes all that slopes upward from the bill — generally to about opposite the anterior border of the eyes. Middle head or crown (L. corona), ov vertex (L. vertex; fig. 4,4), includes the top of the head proper, extending from forehead to the downward slope towards nucha. This last slope is hind head, or occiput (fig. 4,6). The lateral border of all three together constitutes the “superciliary line,” that is, line over the eye (Lat. super, over, cilia, hairs [of the brows in particular] ). (b). “Side of the head” is a general term defining itself. It presents for consideration the following regions: orbital, or circumorbital (L. orbis, an orb, properly, here, the circular hole in the skull itself that contains the eye- ball; fig. 4,3) is the small space forming a ring around the eyes; it em- braces these organs, with the upper and under lids (Li. palpebree) ; where these meet in front and behind respectively, is the anterior canthus and poste- rior canthus. ‘The region is also subdivided into supra-orbital, infra-orbital, ante-orbital and post-orbital, according as its upper, under, front or back por- tion is specially meant. The position of the circumorbital varies in differ- ent families; generally, it is midway, as stated, but may be higher or lower, crowded forward toward the base of the bill, or removed to the back upper corner of the side of the head, as strikingly shown in the woodcock. The aural or auricular (fig. 4,35) region is the part lying over the external ear- opening; its position varies in heads of different shape; but in the vast majority of cases it is situated a little behind and below the eye. Wherever located it may be known at a glance, by the texture of the auricular feathers (shortly, the auriculars) covering the opening. Doubtless to offer least ob- stacle to passage of sound, these are .a tuft of feathers with loose vexilla (§ 3) from greater or less disconnection of the barbs (§ 3); and they may collectively be raised and turned forward, exposing the ear-opening ; they are extremely large and conspicuous in most owls. “Temporal region,” or the temples (L. ¢empora, times, or age, because an elderly man’s hair whitens there first) is a term not often used; it designates the part between eyes and ears, not well distinguished from the post-orbital space. At the lowermost posterior corner of the head a protuberance is seen, or may be felt; it is where the lower jaw is hinged to the skull, and is called the “angle of the jaw ;” it is generally just below and behind the ear. The lore (L. lorwm, strap or thong; hence, reins or bridle; hence, place where the main strap of a bridle passes; fig. 4, 2) is an important region. It is generally pretty 20 TOPOGRAPHY OF THE HEAD. much all the space betwixt the eye and the sides of the base of the upper mandible (§ 44). Thus, we say of a hawk, “lores bristly ;” and examina- tion of a bird of that kind will show how large a space is covered by the term. Lore, however, should properly be restricted to a narrow line between the eye and Dill in the direction of the nostrils. It is excellently shown in the heron and grebe families, where “ naked lores” is a distinctive family character. The lore is an important place, not only from being thus marked in many birds, but from being frequently the seat of specially modified or specially colored feathers. The rest of the side of the head, including the space between angle of jaw and bill, has the name of cheek (L. gena, firstly eyelid, then, and generally, the prominence under the eye formed by the cheek-bones; fig. 4, 3s). It is bounded above by lore, infra- orbital, and auricular; below, by a more or less straight line, representing the lower edge of the bony prong of the under mandible (§ 44). It is cleft in front for a varying distance by the backward extension of the gape of the mouth; above this gape is more properly gena, or malar region in strictness; below it is jaw (maxilla), or rather “side of the jaw.” The lower edge of the jaw definitely separates the side of the head from the (c). “Under surface” of the head; properly bounded behind by an imag- inary line drawn straight across from one angle of the jaw to the other, and running forward to a point between the forks of the under mandible (§ 44). Ag already hinted, “throat” (gula; fig. 4, 37) extends upward and forward into this space without obvious dividing line; it runs into chin (L. mentui ; fio. 4, 38) of which it is only to be said, that it is the (varying in extent) anterior part of the under surface of the head. Anteriorly, it may be con- veniently marked off, opposite the point where the feathers end on the side of the lower jaw, from the feathery space (when any) between the branches of the under mandible itself; this latter space is called the inéerramal (LL. inter, between, ramus, fork). (d). The head is so often marked lengthwise with different colors, apt to take such definite position, that these lines have received special names. Median vertical line is one along the middle of pileum, from base of culmen (§ 50) to nucha; lateral vertical lines bound it on either side. Supereiliary line has just been noticed; below it runs the lateral stripe; that part of it before the eye, is loral or ante-orbital; behind the eye, post-orbital; when these are continuous through the eye, they form a transocular line; helow this is malar line, cheek-stripe, or frenwm; below this, on the under jaw, maxillary line; in the middle below, mental or gular lines. The lines are stripes (Lu. plage) when narrow and distinct, like the welt of a whip-lash ; streaks (série) when narrow and somewhat erratic ; and vite or fascie when quite broad, as is particularly likely to be the case with the eye-line.* *f[ had thought of a section on patterns of coloration (picture), but the attempt to reduce birds’ infinitely varied colors to generalized formulas would take too much space. I may add, however, conveniently in this connection, the following: Considerable areas of color take name from the parts they occupy, down to what may be called variegations. These are preduced in two ways: (1) by insensible change of colors, either in fading into lighter, or shading into darker tints of the same; as an indefinite brown into black, gray or PTILOSIS OF THE HEAD. (ce). No part of the body has so variable a ptilosis (§ 9 ¥ he es the vast majority of birds, it is wholly and densely ha cae es from this to wholly naked; but nakedness, it should be obsagh Sd% means only absence of perfect feathers, for most birds with fnentygpe heads have a hair-like growth on the skin. Our samples of naked mltted birds, are the turkey, the vultures, the cranes, and some few bjt Associated with more or less complete “baldness,” is frequently the presence of various fleshy outgrowths, as combs, wattles, caruncles (warty excres- cences), lobes and flaps of all sorts, even to enumerate which would exceed our limits. The parts of the barn-yard cock exemplify the whole; among North American birds they are very rare, being confined, in evident devel- opment at any rate, to the wild turkey. Sometimes horny plates take the place of feathers on part of the head; as in the coots and gallinules. A very common form of head nakedness marks one whole order of birds, the Steganopodes, which have mentum and more or less of gula naked, and transformed into a sort of pouch, extremely developed in the pelicans, and well seen in the cormorants. The next commonest is definite bareness of the lores, as in all herons and grebes. A little orbital space is bare in many birds, as the vulturine hawks, and some pigeons. Among water birds particularly more or less of the interramal space is almost always unfeath- ered; the nakedness always proceeds from before backwards. With the rare exceptions of a narrow frontal line, and a little space about the angle of the mouth, no other special parts of the head than those above given are naked in any North American bird, unless associated with general baldness. (f). The opposite condition, that of redundant feathering, gives rise to all the various crests (L., pl. criste) that form such striking ornaments of many birds. Crests proper belong to the top of the head, but may he also held to include those growths on its side; these together being called crests in distinction to the ruffs, ruftles, beard, ete., of gula or mentum. Crests may be divided into two kinds:—1, where the feathers are simply lengthened or otherwise enlarged, and 2, where the texture, and sometimes even the structure (§ 4) is altered. Nearly all birds possess the power of moving and elevating the feathers on the head, simulating a slight crest in moments of excitement. The general form of a crest is a full soft elongation of the coronal feathers collectively; when perfect such a crest is globular, as in the Pyrocephalus (genus 111) ; generally, however, the feathers lengthen on white; or by unmarked change of a secondary color, as green into blue or yellow. (2) by obvious markings. Markings are all reducible to two kinds, streaking and spotting. Streaking, as a generic term, is sharply divisible into lengthwise and crosswise. Lengthwise streaking comprehends all kinds of streaks, stripes, vitts, fasciw, with the distinctions above given in the text. Crosswise streaking is called barring, and always runs transverse to the axis of a bird; if the lines are straight, it is banding; if undulating, it is waving; if very fine and irregular, it is vermiculation (L. vermiculus, a little worm). Spotting is graded according to size of the markings, from dotting or pointing, to blotching or splashing; and spots are also designated accord- ing to their shape, as round, square, U-shaped, V-shaped, hastate, sagittate, etc. Very fine spotting mixed with streaking, is called marbling; when indistinct, nebulation or clouding; intermediate special marks have particular names, as crescents. Distinct round spots are ocelli (“little eyes”). Indistinct variegations of any sort are called obsolete. Washes of color over a definite color, are called tinges or tints. Color is glossy when it shines; metallic, when it glitters; iridescent when it changes with different lights. Colors are also bright dull, dead (said of white), opaque, or velvety (said of deep colors, chiefly black), etc. ma >of the heron tribes % =~ Avr Dp « j (Big 22 PTILOSIS OF THE HEAD. the occiput more than on the vertex or front, and this gives us the simplest and commonest form. Such crests, when more particularly occipital, are usu- ally connected with lengthening of nuchal feathers, and are likely to be of a thin, pointed shape, as well shown in the kingfisher. Coronal or vertical crests proper, are apt to be rather different in coloration than in specially marked elongation of the feathers; they are perfectly illustrated in the king- bird, and other species of that genus. Frontal crests are the most elegant of all; they generally rise as a pyramid from the forehead, as excellently shown in the blue jay, cardinal bird, tufted titmouse and others. All the foregoing crests are generally single, but sometimes double ; as shown in the two lat- eral occipital tufts of the “horned” lark, in all the tufted or “horned” owls, and in a few cormorants. Lateral crests are, of course, always double, _one on each side of the head; they are of various shapes, but need not be particularized here, especially since they mostly belong to the second class of crests — those consisting of texturally modified feathers. It is a general —though not exclusive — character of these last, that they are temporary ; while the other kind is only changed with the general moult, these are as- sumed for a short season only — the breeding season ; and furthermore, they are often distinctive of sex. Occurring on the top of the head they furnish the most remarkable ornaments of birds. I need only instance the elegant helmet-like plumes of the partridges of the genus Lophortyz (186); the graceful flowing train of the Oreortyx (gen. 185); the somewhat similar plumes of the night and other herons. The majority of the cormorants, and many of the auks, possess lateral plumes of similar description; these, and those of the herons are probably —in most cases certainly — deciduous ; while those of the partridges above mentioned last as long as the general plumage. These lateral plumes, in many birds, especially among grebes, are associated with, and, in fact, coalesce with, the ruffs, which are singular lengthening and modifying in different ways of feathers of auriculars, gene and gula; and are almost always temporary. eards, or special lengthening of the mental feathers alone, are comparatively rare; we have no good example among our birds, but a European vulture, Giypaétos barbatus, is one. The feathers sometimes become scaly (squamous) forming, for instance, the exquisite gorglets or frontlets of humming-birds. They are often bristly (setaceous), as about the lores of nearly all hawks, the forehead of the dabchick, meadow- lark, etc. While usually all the unlengthened head feathers point backward, they are sometimes erect, forming a velvety pile, or they may radiate in a cir- cle from a given point, as from the eye in most owls, where they form a dish. In the foregoing, I only mention a few types, chiefly needed to be known in the study of our birds; but should add that there are many others, with endless modifications, among exotic birds; to these, however, I cannot even allude by name. Peculiarities of nasal feathers, and others around the base of the bill, are noticed below. Forms of crests are illustrated in figs. 21, 22, 23, 24, 382, 56, 95, 96, 107, 109, 114, 447, 125, 127, 135, 136, 152, 153; Hel, 4, 191, 202, fmm! igs). jeg oe lJ ’ ; Inq ¢ > .° f 5 (oT Laas s= se 2D OF THE BILL. Sub-sect. 2. Of the Members; their parts and organs. 1. Tue Bitz. § 42. Tue Brix is hand and mouth in one: the instrument of prehension. As hand, it takes, holds and carries food or other substances, and in many instances, feels; as mouth, it tears, cuts, or crushes, according to the nature of the substances taken; assuming the functions of both lips and teeth, neither of which birds possess. An organ thus essential to the prime func- tions of birds, one directly related to their various modes of life is of the utmost consequence in « taxonomic point of view; yet, its structural modi- fications are so various and so variously interrelated, that it is more impor- tant in framing families and genera than orders; more constant characters must be employed for the higher groups. The general § 43. Swarr of the bill is referable to the cone; it is the anterior part of the general cone that we have seen to reach from its point to the base of the skull. This shape confers the greatest strength combined with the greatest delicacy ; the end is fine to apprehend the smallest objects, while the base is stout to manipulate the largest. entire precision; and in most, the departure from this figure is great. bill aLways consists of two, the upper and the lower § 44. Manpipues (fig. 5), which lie, as their names indicate, above and below, and are separated by a horizontal fissure — the mouth. ble auways consists of certain projecting skull-bones, But in no bird is the cone expressed with The Each mandi- ab) exdiee rf sheathed with more or less Horny integument in lieu of —. 5’ true skin. The frame-work of the Upper mandible is (chiefly) a bone called the intermaxillary, or better, in this case, the premaaillary. In general, this is ¢ three-pronged or tripodal bone running to a point in front, with one, the uppermost prong, or foot, im- planted upon the forehead, and the other two, lower and horizontal, running into the sides of the front of the skull. The scaffold of the Under mandible is a compound bone called inferior maxillary; it is U-, or V-shaped, with the point or convexity in front, and the prongs running to either side of the base of the ere 4 i Parts of a Bill. lb Fig. 5. a, side of upper mandible; 6, cul- men; ¢, nasal fossa; d, nostril; e, (sce below) ; f, gape, or whole com- missural line; g, rictus; 2, commis- sural point or angle of the mouth; i, ramus of under jaw; j, tomia of under mandibles (the reference lines e should have been drawn to indicate the corresponding tomia of upper mandible); %, angle of gonys; /, gonys; m, side of under mandible; 7, tips of mandibles. skull behind, to be there movably hinged. These two bones, with certain accessory bones of the upper mandible, as the palate bones, etc., together with the horny investment, constitute the Jaws. Both jaws, in birds, are movable; the under, by the joint just mentioned; the upper, either by a joint at, or by the elasticity of the bones of, the forehead ; it is moved by a singular muscular and bony apparatus in the palate, When closed, the jaws meet and fit along their opposed edges or surfaces, in the same further notice of which would involve anatomical details. manner, and for the same purposes, as the lips and teeth of man or other 24 DIFFERENT KINDS. OF BILLS. vertebrate animals. All bills, thus similarly constituted, have been divided * into § 45. Four Crasses, representing as many ways in which the two man- dibles close upon each other at the end. 1. The epignathous (Gr. ept, upon, gnathos, jaw) way, plan, or type, in which the upper mandible is longer than the under, and its tip is evidently bent down over the tip of the lower. 2. The hypognathous (Gr. hypo, under), in which the lower mandible is longer than the other. 3. The paragnathous (Gr. para, at or by), in which both are of about equal length, and neither is evidently bent over the other. 4. The metagnathous (Gr. meta, with, beside, etc.), in which the points of the mandibles cross each other. The second and fourth of these are ex- tremely rare; they are exemplified, respectively, by the skimmer and the cross-bill (genera 295 and 60). The first is common, occurring through- out the birds of prey, the parrots, and among the petrels, gulls, etc., ete. The great majority of birds exhibit the third; and among them, there is such evident gradation into epignathism, that it is necessary to restrict the latter to its complete development, exhibited in the intermaxillary bone di- vested of its horny sheath, which often, as among flycatchers, ete., forms a little overhanging point, but does not constitute epignathism. These classes, it should be added, though always applicable, and very convenient in de- scriptions, are purely arbitrary, that is, they by no means correspond to any four primary groups of birds, but on the contrary, usually only mark families and the subdivisions of families; and the four types may be seen in contiguous genera. The general shape of the bill has also furnished § 46. Orner Crasses, for many years used as a large basis for ornitho- logical classification ; but which the progress of the science has shown to be merely as convenient as, and only less arbitrary than, the foregoing. The principal of these are represented by the following types: — A, among land birds. 1. The jfésstrostral, or cleft, in which the bill is small, short, and with a very large gap running down the side of the head, as in the swallow, chimney-swift, whippoorwill. 2. The ¢enwirostral, or slender, in which the bill is small, Jong, and with a short cleft; as in the humming-bird, creeper, nuthatch. 38. The denttrostral, or toothed, in which, with a various gen- eral shape, there is present a nick, tooth, or evident lobe in the opposed “edges of one or both mandibles near the end; as in the shrike, vireo, and some wrens, thrushes and warblers. 4. The controstral, or conical, suffi- ciently defined by its name, and illustrated by the great finch family and some allied ones. B, among water birds. 5. The longirostral, or long, an aquatic style of the tenuirostral, best exhibited in the great snipe family. 6. The pressirostral, or the compact, illustrated by the plovers, etc., and quite likely analogous to the conivostral. 7. The cultrtrostral, cutting, perhaps analogous to the dentirostral, exemplified in the heron group. None of these are now used to express natural groups, in strict definitions; all are * By the writer: Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila., Dec. 1869, p. 213. VARIOUS FORMS OF BILLS. 25 convenieut incidental terms in general descriptions. Various other lesser terms, expressing special modifications, as lamellirostral, acutirostral, etc., are employed; but all are best used, now, as common, not as proper names, simply descriptive of § 47. Orner Forms. A bill is called Jong, when notably longer than the head proper; short, when notably shorter; medium, in neither of these con- ditions. It is compressed, when higher than wide, at the base at least, and. generally for some portion of its length; depressed, when wider than high ; terete, under neither of these conditions. It is recurved, when curved up- ward; decurved, when curved downward; bent, when the variation in either direction is at an angle; straight, when not out of line with axis of the head. A bill is obtuse (said chiefly of the paragnathous sort) when it rapidly comes to an end that therefore is not fine; or when the end is knobby; it is acute when it runs to a sharp point; acuminate, when equally sharp and slen- derer; attenuate, when still slenderer; subwlate (awl-shaped), when slen- derer still; acicular (needle-shaped), when slenderest possible, as in some humming-birds. A bill is arched, vaulted, turgid, tumid, inflated, etc., when its outlines, both crosswise and lengthwise, are notably more or less convex; and contracted, when some, or the principal, outlines are concave (said chiefly of depressions about the base of the upper mandible, or of con- cavity along the sides of both mandibles). & 5 6 6 © ooo 6 4 CLUDE. Oxss. Morton’s finch, £. mortoniti Aup., iii, 151, is a South American species of this genus (Z. matutina), erroneously attributed to California. KEY TO N. A. BIRDS. 19 4)\ 146 FRINGILLIDZ, FINCHES, ETC.—GEN. 75, 76. 75. Genus CHONDESTES Swainson. Lark Finch. Wead curiously variegated with chestnut, black and white ; crown chestnut blackening on forehead, divided by a median stripe, and bounded by superciliary stripes, of white; a black line through eye, and another below eye, enclosing a white streak under the eye and the chestnut auriculars ; next, a sharp black maxillary stripe not quite reaching the bill, cutting off a white stripe from the white chin and throat. A black blotch on middle of breast. Under parts white, faintly shaded with grayish-brown; upper parts erayish-brown, the middle of the back with fine black streaks. Tail very long, its central feathers like the back, the rest jet-black, broadly tipped with pure white in diminishing amount from the Se ea lateral pair inward, and the outer web of the outer pair entirely white; 64-7; wing 34, pointed; tail 3, rounded. A beautiful species, abundant from the eastern edge of the prairies to the Pacific; the young differ somewhat, particularly about the head, but the bird is unmistakable in any plumage ; the coloration of the tail alone is diagnostic. A sweet songster; nest on the ground, of dried grass; eggs 4-5, white, with straggling zigzag dark lines, as in many Jcteridee. AuUD., ill, 63, pl. 15S); Norn 15 480): 9 Bp. 4565) Coors, 193.) 2) eee GRADITACAS 76. Genus PASSER Auctorum. English Sparrow. Bill shaped much as in the purple finch, with a slight basal ruff; tarsus as long as the middle toe; wings pointed; tail forked a little, 3 as longas the wing. g , above, reddish-brown, the back black-streaked, the crown and under parts brownish-ash, the chin and throat black; 9 lack- ing the latter marks. A species lately imported from Europe, now thoroughly naturalized, and already abundant in many towns and cities of the Eastern and Middle States, though not yet generally dispersed over the country. It has also been recently introduced into Salt Lake City, where it seems to thrive equally well. It has proved highly betieficial by destroying canker-worms, the pest of our shade trees, and our dusty streets are enlivened with its presence ; but if it continues to multiply at the present rate, it must soon overflow municipal limits, and then the results of the contact of this hardy foreigner with our native birds may cause us to regret its introduction, unless it finds natural enemies to check its increase. Lawr., Ann. Lye. Nat. Hist. N. Y. viii, 1866, 287; Proc. Bost. Soc. 1867, 157; 1868, 389; Cours, Proc. Essex Inst. 1868, 283; Atnten, Am. Nat. iii, 635; Exxror, Re recess ae rte nn ne eT) VISCO nS Ozs. Two other European finches, the Goldfinch, Carduelis elegans, and the Serin finch, Serinus meridionalis, are reported from Massachusetts, but believed to have been escaped cage-birds. Arien, Am. Nat. ili, 635. FRINGILLID®, FINCIIES, ETC.—GEN. 77, 78. 147 \ % ' 77. Genus PASSERELLA Swainson. Lox Sparrow. General color ferrugineous or rusty red, purest and brightest on the rump, tail and wings, on the other upper parts appearing as streaks laid on an ashy ground; below, white, variously but thickly marked except on the belly and crissum with rusty red—the markings anteriorly in the form of diffuse confluent blotches, on the breast and sides consisting chiefly of sharp sagittate spots and pointed streaks; tips of middle and greater coverts forming two whitish wing-bars; upper mandible dark, lower mostly yellow; feet pale—the lateral toes so lengthened that the tips of their claws fall far beyond the base of the middle claw; this is a diagnostic feature, not shared by any other yg or. pin of Fox Sparrow. streaked sparrow. I 5 6 6 6 6 96 6 IiBUNOIN, Var. TOWNSENDH. With the same size and pattern of coloration, but darker ; above, continuous olive-brown, with a rusty shade; rump, tail and wings rather brighter; no whitish wing-bars; below, the markings of the color of the back, close, and illy defined. Pacific coast. Avp., iii, 143, pl. 187; Norr., i, 2d ed. 533; Bp., 489; Coop., 221. Var. scuisracea. Similar to the last; above continuous slate-gray, with little “rufous on wings and tail, the spots below slate-colored, sparse, small, sharp. Rocky Mountain region, U.S. Bo., 490, 925, pl. 69, f. 3, 4 (megarhynchus — large- billed form from Cala.) ; Coop., 222. Oss. P. schistacea and townsendii are certainly not distinct specifically from each other, but it may be’a question whether they do not form two races of a species different from iliaca. In all three cases, however, the difference is solely in the relative intensity and predominance of certain common colors; and although the Western and Eastern forms may not have been shown to intergrade, they differ from each other less than some of the recognized varieties of Melospiza do from the East- ern song sparrow, and in a parallel manner. 78. Genus CALAMOSPIZA Bonaparte. Lark Bunting. White-winged Blackbird. @ entirely black, with a large white patch on the wings, and the quills and tail feathers frequently marked with white; bill dark horn above, paler below; feet brown; 6-64; wing 34; tail 2?. Sexes unlike: 9 resembling one of the sparrows, brown above, streaked, white below, somewhat streaked, but always known by the whitish wing-patch; g said to wear the black plumage only during the breeding season, like the bobolink (Allen). In the form of the bill, this interesting species is closely allied to the grosbeaks (Goniaphea) ; and this, with the singularly enlarged tertiaries, as long as the primaries in the closed wing, renders it unmistakable in any plumage. A prairie bird, abundant on 148 FRINGILLIDE, FINCHES, ETC.—GEN. 79, 80. the western plains, to the Rocky Mountains; Cape St. Lucas. Avup., iii, 195; pl. 200; Nurr., 2died. 1, 300, Bp. t02 Coopr., 225. . BICOLOR. 79. Genus EUSPIZA Bonaparte. Black-throated Bunting. g above grayish-brown, the middle of the back ' streaked with black, the hind neck ashy, becoming on the crown yellowish- olive with black touches; a yellow superciliary line, and maxillary touch of the same; eyelid white; car coverts ashy like the cervix ; chin white; throat with a large jet-black patch; under parts in general white, shaded on the sides, extensively tinged with yellow on the breast and belly; edge of wing yellow; lesser and middle coverts rich chestnut, other coverts and inner secondaries edged with paler; bill dark horn blue, feet brown; 6$—7; wing 84, sharp-pointed ; tail 23, emarginate. Q smaller; above, like the Z, but head and neck plainer; below, less tinged with yellow, the black throat patch wanting and replaced by sparse sharp maxillary and pectoral streaks, wing coverts not chestnut. An elegant species, of trim form, tasteful colors and very smooth plumage, abundant in the fertile portions of the Eastern U.S.; N. to Connecticut Valley ; W. to Kansas and Nebraska. WHILsS., ili, 86, pl. 8, f. 2; Nurr.,i, 461; Avup., iii, 58, pl. 156; Bp., 494. americana. Townsend’s Bunting. “Upper parts, head and neck all round, sides of body and forepart of breast, slate-blue; back and upper surface of wings tinged with yellowish-brown; interscapulars streaked with black; super- ciliary and maxillary line, chin and throat and central line of under parts from breast to crissum, white; edge of wing, and gloss on breast and middle of belly, yellow; a black spotted line from lower corner of lower mandible down the side of the throat, connecting with a crescent of streaks in the the upper edge of the slate portion of the breast.” Bp., 495. Avp., ill, 62, pl. 157; Nurr., i, 2d. ed. 528. Pennsylvania; one specimen known, a standing puzzle to ornithologists, in the uncertainty whether it is a good species or merely an abnormal plumage of the last. . . . TOWNSENDII. 80. Genus GONIAPHEA Bowditch. Embracing large species, of beautiful and striking colors, the sexes dissimilar. Bill extremely heavy, with the lower mandible as deep as the upper or deeper, the commissural angle strong, far in advance of the feathered base of the bill, the rictus overhung with a few long stiff bristles. Brilliant songsters. tose-breasled Grosbeak. Adult g with the head and neck all round and most of the upper parts black, the rump, upper tail coverts and under parts white, the breast and under wing coverts exquisite carmine or rose-red ; wings and tail black, variegated with white; bill pale, feet dark. Q above, streaked with blackish and olive-brown or flaxen-brown, Fic. 92. Rose-breasted Grosbeak. with median white coronal and superciliary line; below, white, more or less FRINGILLIDA, FINCHES, ETC.—GEN. 80, 81. 149 tinged with fulvous and streaked with dusky; wnder wing coverts saffron- yellow; upper coverts and inner quills with a white spot at end; bill brown. Young ¢ at first resembling the 9. 73-84; wing about 4; tail about 3%. Eastern United States, common. WHIzs., ii, 135, * eaten SeeON IUD Ate ee MUD vie 20h m pile Oe) r aOR 911 einer mers . . LUDOVICIANA. Black-headed Grosbeak. Adult ¢ with the crown and sides of head, back, wings and tail black; the two latter v variegated with white blotches ; neck all around and under parts rich orange-brown, changing to bright yellow on the belly and under wing coverts; bill and feet dark horn. Size of the last; the 9 and young differ much as in the last species, but may be recognized by the rich sulphur-yellow under wing coverts ; the bill is shorter and more tumid. Plains to the Pacific, United States; common. AvwD., iii, 214, pl. 206; Bo., 498; Coop., 228. . . . . MELANOCEPHALA. Blue Grosbeak. Adult g rich dark blue, uni- form; feathers around base of bill, wings and tail, black; middle and greater wing coverts tipped with chestnut; bill dark horn, feet black- ish; 64-7; wing 3$; tail 38. @ smaller, plain warm brown, paler and rather flaxen” below, Fic. 93. Blue Grosbeak. wings with whitey-brown cross-bars, bill and feet brown. Young g at first like 9 ; when changing, shows confused brown and blue, afterward blue interrupted with white below. United States, ratherly southerly, but N. to Massachusetts, and even Maine (Loardman). Wins. i, 73, pl. 24, f. 6; Nurr., 1, 529; Aup., it, 204, pl: 204; Bp., AQVOPECOOR 200. me ee et ec eee ee ee ad RCT WINS e 81. Genus CYANOSPIZA Baird. Painted Finch. Nonpareil. Adult g with the head and neck rich blue, the rump, eyelids and under parts intense red, the lores, back and wings glossed with golden-grcen, the tail purplish-blue. @ above plain greenish, below yellow; young ¢ at first like the 9. 53; wing 23; tail 25. South Atlantic and Gulf States, common; an exquisite little creature of matchless hues. Wrts., ili, 68, a DAaleeel ee As MEAT D sayin orm T emi G Osa NiUIATecTis a eae (alee HS eo) : ae eC LRISE Western Noniemet Nant - with he ‘evetend cervix, bend of wing and rump purplish-blue, throat and hind head dusky red, belly redaiehe purple, wings and. tail dusky glossed with blue; 9 “similar to that of C. anena, but distinguished a the absence of the two white bands on wings, and by the legs being black.” Size of the last. Mexico; Cape St. bineas. Bids; 5082 Coors, PG 6 6 6 6 A 6 a 6 oH iON OnE. Lazuli Finch. Adult g lazuli-blue, obscured on the back, the lores black, the breast definitely brown, the rest of the under parts, and the wing- bands, white; tibiz blue; bill and feet dark. Size of the first. Q plain brown above, whitish below, the breast browner, the wings with whitish > b ao 5 ¢ j 150, FRINGILLID/, FINCHES, ETC.—GEN. 82, 83. bars. Plains to the Pacific, replacing cyanea; common. Nurtr., i, 478; FATED eae we LOO, sapol ae lifeless Iyer) At: © OO ya 2 5) a an a ae ACEI Indigo bird. Adult g indigo-blue, intense and constant on the head, glancing greenish with different lights on other parts; wings and tail black- ish glossed with greenish-blue ; feathers around base of bill black: bill dark above, rather paler below, with a curious black stripe along the gonys. above plain warm brown, below whitey-brown, obsoletely streaky on the breast and sides, wing coverts and inner quills pale-edged, but not whitish ; upper mandible blackish, lower pale, with the black stripe just mentioned — this is a pretty constant feature, and will distinguish the species from any of our little brown birds. Young ¢ is like the @ , but soon shows blue traces, and afterward is blue with white variegation below. Size of the foregoing. Kiastern United States, abundant, in fields and open woodland, in summer ; a well meaning but rather weak vocalist. Wuus., i, 100, pl. 6, f. 5; Nurr., pte iced a siane-ACUONT eu Lyfe) (3m) lem O)F> ume a) parc) 6) og ns P= (ATTA 82. Genus SPERMOPHILA Swainson. Morele?s Finch. Top and sides of head, back of neck, broad band across upper part of breast, middle of back, wings and tail, black; chin, upper throat and neck all round, except behind, rump, and Re remaining under parts, white, the latter tinged with SS brownish-yellow ; two wing-bands, and concealed bases of all the quills, also white. @ olivaceous above, brownish- yellow below, wings and tail somewhat as in the @. Length about 4 inches; wing 2; tail less. Mexico to Texas. Bp., 507. 8. albigularts Lawr., Ann. Lyc. Nat. Hist., v, 1851, DAR See oe che he eG, Ee Goes ont ag COs URS Gone TOR Mani ie Fig. 94. Morelet’s Finch. 82bis. Genus PHONIPARA Bonaparte. Black-faced Finch. @ dark olive green, paler below, grayish-white on the belly; head, throat and breast more or less blackish; wings and _ tail dusky, unmarked, with olivaceous gloss; upper mandible blackish, lower pale. The ¢@ lacks the black of the g, but is otherwise similar. About 4 inches long; wing 2; tail 1$. A West Indian bird, the occurrence of which, in Florida, I learn from advance sheets of Mr. C. J. Maynard’s work on the Birds of Florida, now publishing. (Not in the IN@Wal) 2 oe 6 6 6 og ob 6 6 p aie DNO@OIR, 83. Genus PYRRHULOXIA Bonaparte. Texas Cardinal. Conspicuously crested, and other- wise like the common cardinal in form, but the bill extremely short and swollen. @ ashy-brown, paler below; the crest, face, throat, breast and middle line of the belly, with the wings and tail, more or less per- fectly crimson or carmine red; bill whitish. 9 similar, rather brownish-yellow below, with traces of the red on the breast and belly. Fig. 95, Texas Cardinal. 0 FRINGILLID/, FINCHES, ETC.—GEN. 84, 85. 151 Length about 84; wing 33; tail 44. Mexico, Texas, Arizona, Cape St. Incas: Cass, Lil. 204, pl: 33; Bp:, 508; Coor., 236. . . . sINuATA: A 84. Genus CARDINALIS Bonaparte. ) 2 ~ : ae hie , DH Cardinal Ied-bird. Virginia Nightingale. Conspicuously crested; tail longer than the wings, both rounded.- ¢ rich vermilion or rosy red, obscured with ashy on the back, face black, bill reddish, feet brown. 9 ashy-brown, paler below, with evident traces of the red on the crest, wings, tail and under parts. Length 8-9; wing about 33; tail 4; 9 ‘rather less than the ¢. Eastern United States, somewhat southern, seldom north to the Connecticut Valley; a bird of striking appearance and brilliant vocal powers, resi- dent in thickets and undergrowth, abundant. Its rolling notes recall those of the Carolina wren, but are stronger. WILS., ii, 38, pl. Couicu lee 2 NUM LO wAUD ilineloc api e200 sD. 09s VIRGINTANUS. Fic. 96. Cardinal Red-bird. Var. angus. Like the last, but paler, with the black frontlet interrupted at the base of the culmen, where the red comes down to the bill. Cape St. Lucas; Colo- rado Valley. Bv., Proc. Phila. Acad. 1859, 305; Exxior, pl. 16; Coor., 238. 85. Genus PIPILO Vieillot. * Colors of the male black, white and chestnut in definite areas. { + No white on the scapulars or wing coverts. Sexes very unlike. fh f) ~ " j , ; yp 6) Towhee Bunting. Marsh Robin. Chewink. (euaTE u, figs. 17, 18, \e 17a, 18a.) Adult male black, belly white, sides chestnut, crissum fulvous brown; primaries and inner secondaries with white touches on the outer webs; outer tail feather with the outer web and nearly the terminal half of the inner web, white, the next two or three with white spots decreasing in size; bill blackish, feet pale brown, iris red in the adult, white or creamy in the young, and generally in winter specimens; @ rich warm brown where the g is black, otherwise similar. Very young birds are streaked brown and dusky above, below whitish tinged with brown and streaked with dusky ; but this plumage, corresponding to the very early speckled condi- tion of thrushes and warblers, is of brief duration; sexual distinctions may be noted in birds just from the nest, and they rapidly become much like the adults. g 8$; wing 33, much rounded; tail 4; 9 rather less. Eastern United States, an abundant and familiar inhabitant of thickets, undergrowth and briery tracts, spending much of its time on the ground, scratching among fallen leaves; migratory. Nest on the ground, bulky, of leaves, grasses and other fibrous material; eggs 4-5, white, thickly speckled with (ed MslP VAS Vi JU Ole oo, NULE 1, oIb; Amp. 11, 167, pl, 195; Sen) ee ee ee VEE OPEN TEAL MTUSe 152 FRINGILLID®, FINCIIES, ETC. —GmN. 85. Var. atLtentr Cours, Am. Nat. 1871, 366. Similar; smaller; less white on the wings and tail; claws longer; iris white. Florida. P. lewcopis Maynarp, Birds of Florida (in press). +7 Scapulars and wing coverts with white spots; sexes more alike. Spotted Towhee. A Mexican species. . . . . . . +. MACULATUS. Represented in the United States by the following varieties :— Var. oregonus. Oregon Towhee. Very similar to erythrophthalmus; wing coverts with small rounded, and scapulars with larger oval, white spots on the outer web of the feathers near the end; white marks on the quills very small or wanting ; white spots on tail feathers very small, the outer web of the outer rectrix not white except just at the end. Excepting these particulars, this variety looks more like erythrophthalmus, than like the typical macwatus, in which the body colors are olivaceous ; nevertheless, it shades into the latter. On the other hand, erythroph- thalmus, which might seem to be merely the extreme link in the chain, may be fairly considered a different bird; its sexes are very unlike, whereas in the western black Pipilos the @ is blackish-brown, more like the ¢ ; its note is entirely different, the words ‘‘towhee” and ‘*chewink” being an attempt to imitate the sound, while the ery of the western varieties of maculatus is exactly like the scolding mew of a catbird.—Pacific coast. Pipilo oregonus Britt, Ann. Lyc. Nat. Hist. N. Y. v, 1852, 6; Bp., 513; Coop., 241. P. arcticus Aup., ili, 164, pl. 194. Var. arcticus. Arctic Towhee. Similar to the foregoing; the white spots of the wing coverts larger, those of the scapulars still larger and lengthening into streaks, the interscapulars also spotted with white ; the white on the quills and tail feathers at a maximum, as in erythrophthalmus; there are usually, also, concealed white specks in the black of the throat. @ comparatively dark. Central region of N. A. P. arcticus Swaryson, Fauna Bor.-Am. 1831, 11, 260. Norr., i, 589 ; 2d ed. i, 610; Bop., 514. Var. meGAaLonyx Bp., 515, pl. 73; Coop., 242, is the prevailing form in the Southern Rocky Mountain region, New Mexico, Arizona, and California. It is precisely like arcticus, but the feet are larger, with highly developed claws; the hind claw is decidedly longer than its digit, while the lateral claws reach to or beyond the middle of the middle claw. In this form at any rate, the @ is hardly distinguishable in color from the ¢, being blackish with an appreciable olivaceous shade, thus exhibiting an approach to the typical Mexican stock. (See Cougs, Proc. Phila. Acad. 1866, 89; Atten, Bull. Mus. Comp. Zool., iii.) ** Colors not definitely black, white and chestnut; no greenish; sexes alike. ,»° Brown Towhee.. Canon Towhee. Above, uniform grayish-brown with a slight olivaceous shade, the crown brown in appreciable contrast ; wings and tail like the back, unmarked; below, a paler shade of the color of the back, whitening on the belly, tinged with fulvous and streaked with dusky on the throat and breast, washed with rusty brown on the flanks and crissum. 84; wing 33; tail4$. New Mexico, Arizona, and southward. ‘This is the P. mesoleucus Bo., 518; Cours, Proc. Phila. Acad. 1866, 90; Coopr., 247, which is P. fuscus Swainson, Philos. Mag. 1827, 434, of Mexico. Fruscus. q Yar. arsraura. Exactly like the last, but the white of the under parts extending further up the breast, the gular spots more restricted, sparser, and better defined. Cape St. Lucas. Bop., Proc. Phila. Acad. 1859, 805; Exurov, pl. 4; Coop., 248. | | a as | \ : V | | ICTERIDZ, AMERICAN STARLINGS. —GEN. 86. 153 Var. crissauis. Similar to the first; crown like the back; rather darker above, decidedly so below, the middle of the belly scarcely or not whitening, the gular fulvous strong and, with its dusky streaks, definitely restricted to the throat; the flanks and crissum chestnut or deep cinnamon brown. Upwards of 9 inches long ; wing 4; tail 5; 9 rather less. Coast region of California (and northward?), abundant. This is the dark coast form, bearing the same relation to fuscus (mesoleucus) that the coast Harporhynchus redivivus bears to the paler /T. lecontti of the interior. It is the P. fuscus of Cass., Ill. 124, pl. 17; Bo., 517; Coopr., 245, but not the true fuscus of Swainson; and its earliest name appears to be Pringilla crissalis Vicors, Zool. Voy. Blossom, 1839, 19. 4 | Abert’s Towhee. Somewhat similar to the foregoing species of this sec- ‘tion; no decided markings anywhere. Dull brown, paler and more fulvous below, the face dusky; otherwise nearly uniform. Very large, 9; wing 4 or less; tail 5 or more. New Mexico and Arizona; abundant in the Colorado Valley ; Couns, Pr. Phila. Acad. 1866, 90. Bp., 516; Coop., 244. aperrit. *** Colors greenish ; sexes alike. » 6 Green-tailed, or Blanding’s Finch. Above dull olive-green, brighter on the wings and tail, crown chestnut, forehead blackish, edge of wing yellow ; chin and throat pure white, bounded by dusky maxillary stripes, and con- trasting with the dark ash of the breast and sides of head and neck (very much as in the white-throated sparrow); this ash fades to white on the belly; the flanks and crissum are washed with dull brownish; bill dark horn, feet brown; about 74 lone; wing 34; tail rather more. In the young the markings, especially of the head and throat, may be obscure, but the species is unmistakable. Rocky Mountain region, U. S. and southward, northeast to Kansas; abundant. Avup., Orn. Biog. v, 339; Cass., IIl., 70, ple 12s Wein. MISS Corr, PRUs . 6 5 6 6 5 Go © 0 06 lewioyuatais 86. Genus EMBERNAGRA Lesson. /69 Green Finch. “Above uniform olivaceous green; sides of the hood and a stripe behind eye, dull brownish rufous, not very conspicuous; an ashy superciliary stripe, rather yellowish anteriorly ; under parts brownish-white, tinged with yellowish anteriorly, and with olivaceous on the sides, white in the middle of the belly ; edge of wing, under coverts and axillaries, bright yellow. Length 53; wing 23; tail 2?. Valley of the Rio Grande, and probably of the Gila, and southward.” Bp., 487. . . . RUFIVIRGATA. Family ICTERIDA. American Starlings. A. family of moderate extent, confined to America, where it represents the Sturnide, or Starlings, of the Old World. It is nominally composed of a hundred and fifty species, half of which may prove valid, distributed among fifty genera or subgenera, of which one-fourth may be considered worthy of retention. The relationships are very close with the Mringillide on the one hand; on the other, they grade toward the crows (Corvidw). They share with the fringilline birds the characters of angulated commissure and nine developed primaries, and this distin- KEY TO N. A. BIRDS. 20 154 ICTERIDE, AMERICAN STARLINGS.— GEN. 87. guishes them from all our other families whatsoever; but the distinctions from the Fringillidee are not easily expressed. In fact, I know of no character that, for example, will relegate the bobolink and cowbird to the Jcteridce rather than to the Fringillide, in the current acceptation of these terms. In general, however, the Icteridee are distinguished by the length, acuteness and not strictly conical shape of the unnotched, unbristled bill, that shows a peculiar extension of the culmen on the forehead, dividing the prominent antiz (p. 29, § 52) of close-set, velvety feathers that reach to or on the nasal scale. Among our comparatively few species are representatives of each of the three subfamilies into which the group is conveniently and probably naturally divisible. In most of them, black is predominant, either uniform and of intense metallic lustre, or contrasted with masses of red or yellow. In nearly all, the sexes are conspic- uously dissimilar, the female being smaller, and plain brownish or streaky in the iridescent black species, olivaceous or yellowish in the brilliantly colored ones. All are migratory in this country. Subfamily AGHLAINA. Marsh Blackbirds. Gregarious, granivorous species, more or less completely terrestrial, and chiefly palustrine, not ordinarily conspicuous vocalists, building rather rude, not pensile, nests, laying 4—6 spotted or curiously limned eggs. With the feet strong, fitted both for walking and for grasping swaying reeds, the wings more or less pointed, equalling or exceeding the tail in length, the bill conic-acute, shorter or little longer than the head, its cutting edges more or less inflected. *,* In gen. 87, 91, the tail feathers are acute; in 91, the wing is unusually rounded for this family ; in 87, 88, the bill has an ordinary fringilline character. 87. Genus DOLICHONYX Swainson. Bobolink; Northern States. Reedbird; Middle States. Ricebird; South- ern States. %, in spring: black; cervix buff; scapulars, rump and upper tail coverts ashy white; interscapulars streaked with black, buff and ashy ; outer quills edged with yellowish; bill blackish horn; feet brown. in fall, 9 and young, entirely different in color ; yellowish-brown above, brownish-yellow below, crown and back conspicuously, nape, rump and sides less broadly, streaked with black ; crown with a median and lateral light stripe; wings and tail blackish, pale-edged; bill brown. The g changing shows confused characters of both sexes; y but in any plumage the species may be recognized by the stiffish, extremely acute tail feathers, in connection with these dimensions; length 63-74; wing 34-4; tail 24-3; tarsus about 1; middle toe and claw about 14. Eastern United States, very abundant. In its black livery, only worn for a short time, the “bobolink” is dispersed over the meadows of the Northern States to breed, and is a voluble, spirited songster. After the midsummer change, the “reedbird” or “ricebird” throngs the marshes in immense flocks, with the blackbirds ; has simply a chirping note, feeds on the wild oats, becomes HG. 97. Bobolink. extremely fat and is accounted a great delicacy. The name “ortolan,” \ \ \ v ICTERIDZ, AMERICAN STARLINGS. —GEN. 88, 89. 155 applied by some to this bird, by others to the Carolina rail, is a strange misnomer, the ortolan being a fringilline bird of Europe. In the West Indies, where the present species retires in winter, it is called “butterbird.” Wims:, 4S; 12, floc Nur, 1,165; Aup., iv, 10, pls 215 Bp., O22 ame meena en feet tt Feeban eee enc rsc ee) oa 8 fee) es CORY ZIVORUBS ON Crwd 88. Genus MOLOTHRUS Swainson. ¢ Cowbird. § iridescent black, head and neck purplish-brown; 74-8 ; wing over 4; tail over 3. 9 7-74; wing 32; tail 2%; an obscure looking bird, nearly uniform dusky grayish-brown, but rather paler below, and appearing somewhat streaky, owing to darker shaft lines on nearly all the feathers ; bill and feet black in both sexes. The young ¢ at first resembles the 9 , but is decidedly streaked below. North America, abundant; grega- rious, polygamous, parasitic. The singular habits of this bird, probably shared by others of the genus, form one of the most interesting chapters in ornithology. Like the European cuckoo, it builds no nest, laying its eggs by stealth in the nests of various other birds, especially warblers, vireos and sparrows ; and it appears to constitute, furthermore, a remarkable exception to the rule of conjugal affection and fidelity among birds. A wonderful provision for the perpetuation of the species is seen in its instinctive selec- tion of smaller birds as the foster-parents of its offspring; for the larger ege receives the greater share of warmth during incubation, and the lustier young cowbird asserts its precedence in the nest; while the foster-birds, however reluctant to incubate the strange egg (their devices to avoid the duty are sometimes astonishing) become assiduous in their care of the found- ling, even to the neglect of their own young. The cowbird’s egg is said to hatch sooner than that of most birds; this would obviously confer additional advantage. — WILS., ii, 145, pl. 18, f. 1, 2, 3; Nurr., i, 178; Aup., iv, IWGs jollo BUA Ss Tein BH a 8 ee Pe a eB lg HOO EL Var. osscurus. Dwarf Cowbird. Similar; smaller; ¢ the size of 2 pecoris; @ under 7; wing 34; tail 241. The difference is very strongly marked, and appar- ently constant. Arizona, Lower California, and southward. Cass. Proc. Phila. Acad. 1866, 18; Covzs, ibid., 90; Coor., 260. 89. Genus AGELAUS Vieillot. *,* The g uniform lustrous black, with the bend of the wing red; 8-9 long; wing 43-5; tail 3i-4. The 9 everywhere streaked; above blackish-brown with pale streaks, inclining on the head to form median and superciliary stripes; below whitish with very many sharp dusky streaks, the sides of the head, throat, and the bend of the wing, tinged with reddish or fulvous; under 8; wing about 4; tail 3}. The young ¢ at first like the 9, but larger, apt to have a general buffy or fulvous suffusion, and bright bay edgings of the feathers of the back, wings and tail, and soon showing black patches.— Upon investigation of the variations in the character of the wing-patch, upon which our three accredited species rested, I am satisfied of the propriety of treating them as varieties of one. The 9’s are indistinguishable. 156 ICTERIDH, AMERICAN STARLINGS.—GEN. 89, 90. Red-winged Blackbird. (PuatE Iv, all the figs.) Lesser wing coverts scarlet, broadly bordered by brownish-yellow, or brownish-white, the middle row of coverts being entirely of this color; sometimes the greater row, likewise, are mostly similar, producing a patch on the wing nearly as large as the red one; occasionally, there are traces of red on the edge of the wing and below. In some Eastern specimens the bordering is almost pure white. United States from Atlantic to Pacific, very abundant. Wu1s., iv, 30, pl. 80; Nurr.,i, 167; Avunp., iv, 31, 216; Bp., 526. . . PHGNICEUS. Var. GUBERNATOR., Lesser wing coverts scarlet, narrowly or not at all bordered, the next row having black tips for all or most of their exposed portion, so that the brownish-yellow of their bases does not show much, if any. Pacific Coast. Nurr., i, 2d ed., 187; Avp., iv, 29, pl. 215; Bp., 529; Coop., 263. Var. TRICOLOR. Lesser wing coverts dark red, bordered with pure white. California. Nuvrrt., i, 2d ed., 186; Aup., iv, 27, pl. 214; Bp., 5380; Coop., 265. 90. Genus XANTHOCEPHALUS Baird. Yellow-headed Blackbird. black, whole head (except lores), neck and upper breast yellow, and sometimes yellowish feathers on the belly and legs ; a large white patch on the wing, formed by the primary, and a few of the outer secondary, coverts ; 10-11; wing 54; tail 43. 9 and young brownish- black, with little or no white on the wing, the yellow restricted or obscured ; g much smaller than the ¢—94, etc. A handsome bird, abundant on the prairies and marshes from Illinois and Wisconsin, westward; N. to 58° and even Greenland (feinhardt). Nurr., i, 176; Aup., iv, 24, pl. 213; Bo., 531; Coor., 267; Cours, Am. Nat., 1870, 195. . 1crERocEPHALvUs. sas is ei 3 eee x pa pr ( NN ( " t ‘S 1 weg ni ~ pul ¢ yn" a“ k, abo 7a Jv , of under mandible; black bars > fluent along the shaft of the ICTERIDZ, AMERICAN STARLINGS.—GEN. 91, 92. 157 91. Genus STURNELLA Vieillot. *,* Plumage highly variegated ; each feather of the back blackish, with a terminal reddish-brown area, and sharp brownish-yellow borders; neck similar, the pattern smaller; crown streaked with black and brown, and with a pale median and super- ciliary stripe; a blackish line behind eye; several lateral tail feathers white, the others, with the inner quills and wing coverts, barred or scalloped with black, and brown or gray. Edge of wing, spot over eye, and under parts generally, bright yellow, the sides and crissum flaxen-brown, with numerous sharp blackish streaks, the breast with a large black crescent (obscure in the young) ; bill horn color, of peculiar shape; feet light brown, very large and strong, reaching beyond the very short tail. Length 10-11; wing 5; tail 34; bill4; 9 smaller (91; wing 41; tail 3), similar in color; young not particularly different. Fieldlark. (PuatTe vi, figs. 1, 2, 3, 4, la, 2a, 3a, 4a.) The colors, as above described, rich and pure, the prevailing aspect brown; yellow of chin usually confined between rami on wings and tail usually con- feathers, leaving the gray in scallops. Eastern United States, everywhere abundant in open country; imperfectly migratory; partially gregari- ous when not breeding; strictly terrestrial; an agreeable vocalist; nest of dried grass, on the ground, eggs 4-6, white, speckled with reddish. Whuts., iii, 20, pl. 19; AuD:, iv, (0, pl. 223; Nurp, 1,47; Bp., 535. ... . . . . MAGNA. Var. NeGLEcTA. The colors duller and paler, the prevailing aspect gray; yellow of chin usually mounting on sides of lower jaw; black on wings and tail usually resolved into distinct bars alternating with gray bars. Western U. S. Song said to be different. Avup., vii, 339, pl. 487; Bp., 537; Coopr., 270. Ozs. It does not appear that the Red-breasted Lark, Trupialis militaris, was ever taken in this country. It is a South American species resembling ours, but with red in place of the yellow. Bop., 533. Fic. 99. Fieldlark. Subfamily ICTERINE. Orioles. Non-gregarious, insectivorous and frugivorous species, strictly arboricole, of brilliant or strikingly contrasted colors, and pleasing song, distinguished as archi- tects, building elaborately woven pensile nests. With the bill relatively longer, slenderer and more acute than in most of the last subfamily, and the feet weaker, exclusively fitted for perching. Three of our species are abundant migratory birds in summer; the rest merely reach our southern border from tropical America. 92, Genus ICTERUS Brisson. * The g black and chestnut. Orchard Oriole. & black, lower back, rump, lesser wing coverts and 158 ICTERIDH®, AMERICAN STARLINGS.—GEN. 92. all under parts from the throat, deep chestnut; a whitish bar across tips of greater wing coverts; bill and feet blue-black; about 7; wing 33; tail 3; g smaller, plain yellowish-olive above, yellowish below; wings dusky ; tips of the coverts and edges of the inner quills, whitish; known from the 9 of the other species by its small size and very slender bill. Young ¢ at first like 9 , afterward showing confused characters of both sexes; in a particular stage, it has a black mask on the face and throat. Eastern U. S., very abundant in parks, orchards, and the skirts of woods. Whuts., i, 64, pl. 4, f. 1, 2,3, 4; Aup., iv, 46, pl. 219; Nurr., i, 165.; Bp., 547. . spurtus. ‘Var. arrinis. Much smaller; ¢61; wing under 3. Texas. Lawr. Ann. Lyc. Nat. Hist. N. Y. 1851, 113. ** The ¢ black and orange. Baltimore Oriole. Golden Robin. Firebird. Hangnest. gf with the head and neck all round, and the back, black; rump, upper tail coverts, lesser wing coverts, most of the tail feathers, and all the under parts from the throat, fiery orange, but of varying intensity according to age and season; middle tail feathers black; wings black, the middle and greater coverts, and inner quills, more or less edged and tipped with white, but the white on the coverts not forming a continuous patch; bill and feet blue- black; 73-8; wing 32; tail 3. @ smaller, and much paler, the black obscured by olive, sometimes entirely wanting. Young ¢ entirely without black on throat and head, otherwise colored nearly like the 9. Lastern United States, west to the mountains of Colorado (Allen); abundant, in or- chards and streets, as well as in woodland, conspicuous by its brilliant colors and spirited song. WILS., i, 23, pl. 1, f. 3; vi, pl. 53; AuD., iv, 37, pla 2s Niners sgl Jee Bie 048. . . . . BALTIMORE. Bullock’s Oriole. Similar ; the orange invading the sides of the head and neck and the ee forehead, leaving only a narrow space on the throat, the lores, and a line through the eye, black; a large continuous white patch on the wing, formed by the middle and greater coverts. @ olive-gray, below whitish, all the fore parts of the body and head tinged with yellow, the wings dusky, with two white bars, but the tail and its under coverts quite yellowish. Young ¢ at first like the g, soon however showing black and orange. Rather larger than the last. Western United States, in woodland, abundant, replacing the Baltimore. Aup., iv, 43, pl. 218; Bp., 549; Coor., 273; Couns, Am. Nat., v, 1870, 678. ti pas Jae) (yee ees ONG © Cen P FieG. 100. Bullock’s Oriole. ICTERIDM, AMERICAN STARLINGS.—GEN. 92, 93. 159 Hooded Oriole. orange; wings, tail, a narrow dorsal area and a large mask on the face and throat, black; tips of wing coverts, and edges of many quills, white; size of the foregoing, but wings shorter and tail longer. The 2 lacks the black mask; but the species may be distinguished in any plum- age from either of the foregoing by not having the wings evidently longer than the tail. Valley of the Rio Grande and Colorado, Lower California, and southward. Cass., Ill. 42, pl. 8; Bp., 546; Coop., 275. CUCULLATUS. *** The g black and clear yellow. ,9 Scott’s Oriole. 3 black; below from the breast, rump and upper tail coverts, lesser, middle and under wing coverts, both above and below, and basal portions of all the tail feathers, except the central ones, clear yellow ; greater wing coverts tipped, inner quills edged, with white ; in the 9 or young the black is replaced by brownish, and the yellow is not pure; about 8; wing and tail about 4. Valley of the Rio Grande and Colorado, Lower California, and southward. Bop., 544; Coop., 276. . . .* PARISORUM. > Audubon’s Oriole. g yellow, somewhat olivaceous on the middle of the back ; head, neck, breast, wings and tail black; wings with a white cross bar and white edging ; about 9; wing 4; tail 44. Texas, and southward. Cass., Ill., p. 137, pl. 21? (apparently represents the Southern smaller true melan- ocephalus) ; Bp., 542. . . . . (MELANOCEPHALUS var?) AUDUBONII. Ozs. Several additional orioles have been ascribed to this country, but the fore- going are all that appear to have been actually taken within our limits; others, however, may be confidently expected to occur on our Southern border. Subfamily QUISCALINE. Crow Blackbirds. Closely resembling the Agelceine both in structure and in habits, these birds are distinguished by the length and attenuation of the bill, with decidedly curved culmen, especially towards the end, and strongly inflected tomia. The typical Quiscali have a certain crow-like aspect, but they are readily distinguished by several features. The feet are large and strong, and the birds spend much of their time on the ground, where they walk or run instead of advancing by leaps. They generally build rude, bulky nests, lay spotted or streaked eggs, and their best vocal efforts are hardly to be called musical. The ¢ of most of the species is uniform lustrous black, the @ brown and much. smaller. There is only one genus (Cassidix) besides the two of this country; in 93, the tail is slightly rounded and sforter than the wings ; in 94, the tail is graduated, and about equals or exceeds the wings. 93. Genus SCOLECOPHAGUS Swainson. Lusty Grackle. gin summer lustrous black, the reflections greenish, and not noticeably different on the head; but not ordinarily found in this condi- tion in the U.S.; in general ‘simply glossy black, nearly all the feathers skirted with warm brown above, and brownish-yellow below, frequently continuous on the fore parts; the 2 of the first season, like the 9 , is entirely rusty brown above, the inner quills edged with the same; a pale superciliary stripe ; below, mixed rusty and grayish-black, the primaries and tail alone 160 ICTERIDEZ, AMERICAN STARLINGS.—GEN. 93, 94. black; bill and feet black at all times; gabout 9; wing 44; tail 34; bill 2; very slender for the family, somewhat resembling a thrush’s; 9? smaller. Eastern North America, N.W. to Alaska (Dall), very common in the U.S. in the fall and winter, in flocks, in fields; breeds in Labrador and other Northern regions, laying speckled, not streaky, eggs. Wius., ili, 41, pl. 21, f. 3; Nutr., i, 199; Aup., iv, 65, pl. 222; Bp., 551. . FERRUGINEUS. Blue-headed Grackle. Brewers Blackbird. Similar; the general irides- cence green as before, changing abruptly on the head to purplish, violet or steel-blue, the difference obvious; larger; g 94-103; wing 5-53; tail 4-43; bill much stouter, more like that of Agelwus, and altogether it seems to be quite another bird. The 9 and young ¢ differ much as in the last species, but they are never sorusty. Plains to the Pacific, U.S. and southward, abundant. Aup., vii, 345, pl. 492; Bpo., 552; Coor., 278. . . . CYANOCEPHALUS. ‘ 94. Genus QUISCALUS Vieillot. *,.*The @ iridescent black throughout. 7» Great-tailed Grackle. g about 18 inches long; wing 74; tail 9, its lateral feathers about 34 inches shorter than the central ones; bill about 13. Texas, Fic. 101. Great-tailed Grackle. and southward. It may prove only an extreme form of the following species, but presents dimensions that the latter has not shown. Bp., 254. macrourus. Boat-tailed Grackle. Jackdaw. § 153-17 long; wing and tail 7-8 ; bill about 14; graduation of the tail under 3 inches; tarsus nearly 2, middle toe and claw about the same; the general iridescence green, purple or violet mainly on the head. Q astonishingly smaller than the g, lacking entirely the great development of the tail, and easily to be mistaken for 2 purpureus, but is rarely so glossy ; 12-134; wing 54-6; tail 42-54. 9 and young apt to be quite brown, only blackish on the wings and tail, below grayish-brown, frequently whitening on the throat and breast. South Atlantic and Gulf States, on the coast; strictly maritime, abundant; N. regularly to the Caro- linas, frequently to the Middle districts, but not to New ee as currently reported. AvD., iv, 52, pl. 220; Bp., 555. . . - . MAJOR. Purple Grachle. (Puate v, figs. 1, 3, 4, 5, la, 3a, a ‘ba. ) 12-138; wing averaging 53; tail 54; but either from 5 to 6; bill about 14; tarsus 14; graduation of the tail 1$ or less; 9 11-12; wing about 5; tail about 44. Iridescence of the male variable with age, season and other circumstances, \e ie CORVIDE, CROWS AND JAYS.—GEN. 94. 161 but in the adults always intense, inclining to bronzy, purplish or violet rather than the uniform green of the last species; 9 blackish-brown, sometimes quite lustrous. Eastern United States, abundant and generally distributed, migratory, gregarious. Wizts., iii, 44, pl. 21, f.4; Nurr., i, 194; Avp., iv. 58, pl. 221; Bp., 555. . . . . . PURPUREUS. Var. AGL&uS. (PLATE Vv, fiys. 2,6, 2a, 6a.) Similar; averaging smaller, but dimensions inosculating with those of the last; bill relatively larger, or at least longer, with more attenuated and decurved tip. Florida. Q. baritus Bo., 556; Q. agleus Bp., Am. Jour. Se. 1866, 84; Cass., Proc. Phila. Acad., 1866, 404; Ripeway, ibid., 1869, 135. Ozs. The Quiscalus cneus, lately described as a new species by Mr. Ridgway (J. c. 184), appears to be based upon a special plumage of Q. purpureus; and since it does not prove to be confined, as its describer believed, to any if particular region, I should judge it not entitled to rank "10% Bills of @uiseati. as a geographical variety. The brilliant coloration is that represented in Audu- bon’s plate, above cited. Family CORVIDA. Crows, Jays, etc. A rather large and important family, comprising such familiar birds as ravens, crows, rooks, magpies, jays, with their allies, and a few diverging forms not so well known; nearly related to the famous birds of paradise. There are 10 primaries, of which the 1st is short, generally about half as long as the 2d, and several outer ones are more or less sinuate-attenuate on the inner web toward the end. The tail has 12 rectrices, as usual among higher birds; it varies much in shape, but is generally rounded—sometimes extremely graduated, as in the magpie, and is not forked in any of our forms. The tarsus has scutella in front, separated on one or both sides from the rest of the tarsal envelope by a groove, sometimes naked, sometimes filled in by small scales. The bill is stout, about as long as the head or shorter, tapering, rather acute, generally notched, with convex culmen ; it lacks the commissural angulation of the Fringillidce and Icteridce, the deep cleavage of the Hirundinide, the slenderness of the Certhiide, Sittide, and most small insectiy- orous birds. The rictus usually has a few stiffish bristles, and there are others about the base of the bill. An essential character is seen in the dense covering of the nostrils with large long tufts of close-pressed antrorse bristly feathers (excepting, among our forms, in gen. 97,98). These last features distinguish the Corvide from all our other birds excepting Paride ; the mutual resemblance is here so close, that I cannot point out any obvious technical character of external form to distin- guish, for example, Cyanurus from Lophophanes, or Perisoreus from Parus. But as already remarked (p. 79), size is here perfectly distinctive, all the Corvide being much larger birds than the Paride. Owing to the uniformity of color in the leading groups of the family, and an apparent plasticity of organization in many forms, the number of species is diffi- cult to determine, and is very variously estimated by different writers. Mr. G. R. Gray admits upwards of two hundred species, which he distributes in fifty genera and subgenera ; but these figures are certainly excessive, probably requiring reduc- KEY TO N. A. BIRDS. 21 162 CORVIDZ, CROWS AND JAYS.—GEN. 95. tion by at least one-third, in both cases. They have been divided into five sub- families; three of these are small and apparently specialized groups confined to the Old World, where they are represented most largely in the Australian and Indian regions; the other two, constituting the great bulk of the family, are more nearly cosmopolitan. These are the Corvinw and Garruline, readily distinguish- able, at least so far as our forms are concerned. Subfamily CORVINA. Crows. With the wings long and pointed, much exceeding the tail, the tip formed by the 3d, 4th and 5th quills; the legs stout, fitted for walking as well as perching. Asa rule, the plumage is sombre or at least unvariegated — blue, the characteristic color of the jays, being here rare. The sexes are alike, and the changes of plumage slight. Although technically oscine, these birds are highly unmusical ; the voice of the larger kinds is raucous, that of the smaller strident. They frequent all situa- tions, and walk firmly and easily on the ground. They are among the most nearly omnivorous of birds, and as a consequence, in connection with their hardy nature, they are rarely if ever truly migratory. Their nesting is various, according to circumstances, but the fabric is usually rude and bulky; the eggs, of the average oscine number, are commonly bluish or greenish, speckled. Although not prop- erly gregarious, as a rule, they often associate in large numbers, drawn together by community of interest. In illustration of this, may be instanced the extensive roosting-places in the Atlantic States, comparable to the rookeries of Europe, whither immense troops of crows resort nightly, often from great distances, recall- ing the fine line of the poet— “The blackening trains of Crows to their repose.” 95. Genus CORVUS Linneus. *,* The species throughout uniform lustrous black, including the bill and feet ; nasal bristles about half as long as the bill. * Ravens, with the throat-feathers acute, lengthened, disconnected. Fiaven. About 2 feet long; wing 16-18 inches; tail about 10. North America; but now rare in the United States, east of the Mississippi, and altogether wanting in most of the States; Labrador, ranging southward, rarely, along the coast to the Middle districts; very abundant in the west, there generally supplanting the crow. Wruts., ix, 136, pl. 75, f. 3; Nurv., i, 202; Aup., iv, 78, pl. 224; Bp. 560. C. cacolotl Bp., 563. corax (var?). White-necked Raven. Smaller; concealed bases of cervical feathers pure white. Southwestern U.S. Bn., 565; Coor., 284. cryProLEucus. ** Crows, with the throat-feathers oval and blended. : Crow. Length 18-20; wing 13-14; tail about 8; bill 13-2, its height at base 3; tarsus about equal to the middle toe and claw. Eastern North America, chiefly U. S., not ordinarily found westward in the interior, where the raven abounds. Wuts., iv, 79, pl. 25, f. 3; Nurr., i, 209 ; AUD., iv, 87, pl. 225; Bp., 566. . . . . . . . «~~. ~AMBRICANUS. \ . ‘ \ Nae iy ¢ EB NV\o. od s \\ Vom \ 6 00, Fig. 103. Bill of Crow. 4 $0 CORVIDA, CROWS AND JAYS.—GEN. 96, 97. 163 Var. rLoripanus Bp., 568, represents the greater relative size of the bill and feet shown by many birds of Florida and corresponding latitudes. Var. caurinus Bp., 569; Coor., 285, is a smaller race from the Pacific Coast ; maritime ; piscivorous ; voice said to be different. ? Fish Orow. Small; 14-16 inches long; wing 10-11; tail 6-7; tarsus about equal to middle toe alone; a bare space about the gape? South Atlantic and Gulf States, north to New England, common; maritime, piscivorous. Apparently a different bird, as it presents some tangible dis- tinctions, although constantly associated with the last. WHULS., v, 27, pl. 37, f. 2; Nurr., i, 216; Aup., iv, 94, pl. 226; Bp., 571. . OSSIFRAGUS. 96. Genus PICICORVUS Bonaparte. 0 Clarke’s Crow. Gray, often bleaching on the head; wings glossy black, most of the secondaries broadly tipped with white; tail white, the central feathers black ; bill and feet black. About a foot long ; wing 73-8 inches ; tail 43-5 ; bill 13; nasal feathers very short for this family ; claws very large and much curved. Coniferous belt of the West, N. to Sitka, S. to Mexico, E. to Nebraska, W. to the Coast Range; the American representa- tive of the European nutcracker, Nucifraga caryocatactes ; abundant, imper- fectly gregarious. WILS., iii, 29, pl. 20; Nurr., i, 2d ed. 251; Avwp., iv, 127, pl. 235; Bp., 573; Coor., 289. . . . . . . . COLUMBIANUS. Fic. 104. Clarke’s Crow. 97. Genus GYMNOKITTA Maximilian. Blue Crow. Dull blue, very variable in intensity, nearly uniform, but brightest on the head, fading on the belly; the throat with whitish streaks ; wings dusky on the inner webs; bill and feet black; g 11-12; wing about 6; tail about 44; bill 18; @ smaller, duller. Rocky Mountain region ; much the same elevated distribution as the last, but apparently rather more southerly ; decidedly gregarious, and very abundant in Brg slip blue) Crew. some places, though still rare in collections. A remarkable bird, combining the form of a crow with the color and rather the habits of a jay, and a peculiarly shaped, slender, lengthened and acute bill; the antize are prominent and somewhat antrorse, but do not hide the nostrils. - Cass., Ill. 165, pl. 28; Bp., 574; Coop., 292. CcYANOCEPHALUS. Subfamily GARRULINA. Jays. With the wings much shorter than or about equalling the tail, both rounded, the tip of the wing formed by the 4th—-7th quills. The feet, as well as the bill, are usually weaker than in the true crows, and the birds are more strictly arboricole, usually advancing by leaps when on the ground, to which they do not habitually 164 CORVIDH, CROWS AND JAYS.—GEN. 98, 99. resort. In striking contrast to most Corvine, the jays are usually birds of bright and striking colors, among which blue is the most prominent, and the head is frequently crested. The sexes are nearly alike, and the changes of plumage do not appear to be as great as is usual among highly colored birds, although some differ- ences are frequently observable. Our well known blue jay is a familiar illustration of the habits and traits of the species in general. They are found in most parts of the world, and reach their highest development in the warmer portions of America. With one boreal exception (Perisoreus), the genera of the Old and New World are entirely different. It is proper to observe, that, while the American Corvinw and Garruline, upon which the foregoing paragraphs are mainly drawn up, are readily distinguishable, the characters given may require modification in their application to the whole family, the different divisions of which appear to intergrade closely. 98. Genus PSILORHINUS Rueppel. Brown Jay. Smoky brown, darker on head, fading on belly ; wings and tail with bluish gloss; bill and feet black, sometimes yellow ; about 16 long; wing 74; tail 84, much graduated; bill 14, very stout; nostrils naked ; head uncrested. Rio Grande Valley and southward. Bp., 592. . . . MoRIO. 99. Genus PICA Brisson. Magpie. Lustrous black, with green, purple and violet, and even golden iridescence, especially on the tail and wings; below from the breast, a scap- ular patch, and edging of the quills, white; some whitish touches on the throat; bill and feet black. Length 15 or 20 inches, according to the develop- ment of the tail, which is a foot or less long, extremely graduated ; wing about 8, the outer primary short, slender, and faleate. Arctic America, and U. S. from Plains to Pacific, except California ; common. Wits., iv, 75, pl. 35; Soe ee Nuvt., 1, 219; Aup..-1v,) 995, plee22 te Bp., 576. Sis Aaa ator MELANOLEUCA Var. HUDSONICA. Var. NurraALtu. Yellow-billed Magpie. Bill yellow; otherwise precisely like the last, of which it is a perpetuated accident! The European Magpie sometimes shows the same thing, and in some other species, like P. morio, the bill is indiffer- ently black or yellow. California. Avp., iv, 104, pl. 228; Nurr., i, 2d ed., 236 ; Bp., 578; Coor., 295. Oss. The Columbian Magpie, Pica bullockii of Aup., iv, 105, pl. 229, and Nourr., i, 220, is the Calocitta colliei, a magnificent species of the West Coast of Mexico, erroneously attributed to California and Oregon. SS J CORVIDZ, CROWS AND JAYS.—GEN. 100, 101. 165 100. Genus CYANURUS Swainson. * .* Conspicuously crested; wings and tail blue, black-barred; bill and feet black. Length 11-12; wing or tail 5-6. Blue Jay. Purplish-blue, below pale purplish-gray, whitening on the throat, belly and crissum; a black collar across the lower throat and up the sides of the neck and head behind the crest, and a black frontlet bordered with whitish ; wings and tail pure rich blue, with black bars, the greater coverts, secondaries and tail feathers, except the central, broadly tipped with pure white; tail much rounded, the graduation over an inch. Eastern North America, especially the United States, everywhere abundant. WIks., 1, 2, pl. 1, f. 1; Aup., iv, 110, pl. 231; Nurr., i, 224; Bp., 580. crisTarus. Steller’s Jay. Sooty brown, darker on the head, passing insensibly into rich blue on the rump and below from the breast; wings and tail deep prussian blue, with black bars (wanting in very young birds) ; crest faced with some blue touches, and throat with some whitish streaks ; no white on Fig. 107. Steller’s Jay; long-crested variety. the eyelids; tail moderately rounded ; crest about two inches long when full grown. Western North America; the typical bird rather northerly. Nurr., ii, 229; Aup., iv, 107, pl. 230; Bp., 581; Coop., 298. . . sfELLERI. Var. MAcRoLopHUS. Long-crested Jay. Similar; head quite black; crest longer? the facing bluish-white, and some white touches on the eyelids. Southern Rocky Mountain region. Bp., 582; Ext., pl. 17; Coor., 300; Cours, Am. Nat. v. 1871, 770. 101. Genus APHELOCOMA Cabanis. *.* Not crested ; wings and tail blue, not barred. , Florida Jay. Blue; back with a large well-defined gray patch, belly and sides pale grayish, under tail coverts and tibiz blue in marked contrast ; much hoary whitish on forehead and sides of crown; chin, throat and middle of breast vague streaky whitish; ear-coverts dusky; the blue that seems to encircle the head and neck well defined against the gray of back and breast ; bill comparatively short, very stout at the base. About 12; wing 5 or less; 166 CORVID, CROWS AND JAYS.—GEN. 102, 103. tail about 6, much rounded; bill about 1. Florida (and Gulf States?), abundant. Nurv., i, 230; Aupn., iv, 118, pl. 233; Bp., 586. FLORIDANA. Var. woopuouser. The dorsal patch dark, somewhat glossed with blue, shading into the blue of surrounding parts; under parts rather darker, somewhat bluish- gray; the tail coverts pale bluish but not contrasted; on the breast the blue and gray shading into each other, the gular and pectoral streaks whitish and well defined, the superciliary line definite white, but no hoary on forehead ; bill slenderer. Southern Rocky Mountain region. Bp., 585, pl. 59; Coopr., 304. Var. catirornioa. California Jay. The dorsal patch light and distinct as in true floridana, but the under parts, including tail coverts and tibia, nearly white; gular streaks very large, aggregated, and white, causing this part to be nearly uniform; a white super- ciliary line, but no hoary on forehead, as in woodhousei; bill slender. Thus it is seen that each of the three forms presents a varying emphasis of common char- acters. Pacific Coast, U.S. \ TYRANNIDZ, FLYCATCHERS.—GEN. 108. 173 5th quill; 1st shorter than 6th; 3d and 4th generally rather the longest. Eastern North America, very abundant, in open places, fields, along streams, etc. ; one of the very earliest arrivals in spring, a late loiterer in the fall ; winters in the Southern States. Voice short, abrupt, unlike the drawling note of the wood pewee. Wits., ii, 78, pl. 13; Nurr., i, 278; Avup., i, edi We GHG Io, I 6 5 op 6 8 8 6 6 oe 6 o 3 6 5 AOUIKOO 108. Genus CONTOPUS Cabanis. *,.* With the feet extremely small, the tarsus shorter than the middle toe and claw; the tarsus, middle toe and claw together, barely or not one-third as long as the wing; the bill flattened, very broad at base; the pointed wings nfuch longer than fe emarginate tail. Medium sized and rather small species, brownish- olivaceous, without any bright colors, oy very decided markings; the coronal feathers lengthened and erectile, but hardly forming a true crest. Fig. 11dc. * Species 7-8 long, with a tuft of white fluffy feathers on the flank. 2 Olive-sided Flycatcher. Dusky olivateous-brown, usually darker on the crown, where the feathers have blackish centres, and paler on the sides ; chin, throat, belly, crissum and middle line of breast, white, more or less tinged with yellowish; wings and tail blackish, unmarked, excepting incon- spicuous grayish-brown tips of the wing coverts, and some whitish edging on the inner quills; feet and upper mandible black, lower mandible mostly yellowish. The olive-brown below has a peculiar streaky appearance hardly seen in other species, and extends almost entirely across the breast. Young may have the feathers, especially of the wings and tail, skirted with rufous. Wing 3§-4$, remarkably pointed ; second quill longest, supported nearly to the end by the first and third, the fourth abruptly shorter; tail about 3; tarsus, middle toe and claw together only about 14; bill.2-3. North Amer- ica, apparently nowhere very abundant. Nurv., i, 282; 2d ed. 298; Aup., ily WIA, Foil, Wishs Weis, ists) (Coie, Bs 5 6 6 6 o 6 46 6 JOINS, Coues’ Flycatcher. Somewhat similar; colors more uniform and more clearly olive; below, fading insensibly on the throat and belly into yellowish white, and lacking the peculiar streaky appearance; cottony tufts on the flanks less conspicuous; wing-formula entirely different; second, third and and fourth quills nearly equal and longest, first abruptly shorter ; tail longer, about 32. Mexico; north to Arizona. Cas., Mus. Hein. ii, 72; Cougs, Proc. Phila. Acad. 1866, 60; Exx., pl. 18; Coop., 824. . . PERTINAX. ** Species under 7 long, without an evident cottony white tuft on the flank. ’ Wood Pewee. Olivaceous-brown, rather darker on the head, below with the sides washed with a paler shade of the same reaching nearly or quite across the breast; the throat and belly whitish, more or less tinged with dull yellowish ; under tail coverts the same, usually streaked with dusky ; tail and wings blackish, the former unmarked, the inner quills edged, and the greater and middle coverts tipped, with whitish; feet and upper mandible black, under mandible usually yellow, sometimes dusky. Spring specimens are purer olivaceous; early fall birds are brighter yellow below; in 174 TYRANNIDE, FLYCATCHERS.—GEN. 108, 109. summer, before the now worn features are renewed, the plumage is quite brown, and dingy whitish; very young birds have the wing-bars and edging of quills tinged with rusty, the feathers of the upper parts skirted, and the lower plumage tinged, with the same; but in any plumage the species may be known from all the birds of the following genus, by these dimensions : Length 6-64; wing 34-34; tail 22-3; tarsus, middle toe and claw together hardly one inch, or evidently less; tarsus alone about 4, not longer than the bill. North America, in woodland; extremely abundant in most United States localities, May—Sept. Muscicapa rapax W11s., ii, 81, pl. 13, f. 5; M. virens Aup., i, 231, pl. 64; Nurr., i, 285; C. virens Bp., 190. virEens. Var. RIcHARDsOoNII. Western Wood Pewee. Similar; darker, more fuscous olive above, the shading of the sides reaching almost uninterruptedly across the breast ; belly rather whitish than yellowish; outer primary usually not obviously white- edged; bill below oftener dusky than yellow, sometimes quite black. I fail to appreciate any reliable differences in size or shape. Note not exactly like that of virens; nesting said to be different (Audubon, Allen). Rocky Mountains to the Pacific; ‘‘ Labrador” (Audubon). Tyrannula Richardsonii Sw., Fn. Bor.-Am. ii, 146? Contopus richardsonti Bpo., 189; Coor., 325. Muscicapa phebe Auvp., i, 219, pl. 61; Norr., i, 2d ed. 319. ‘109. Genus EMPIDONAX Cabanis. *,* Species 5-6 (rarely 63) long; wing 384 or less; tail 22 or less; whole foot at least £ as long as wing; tarsus more or less obviously longer than middle toe and claw, much longer than bill; 2d, 8d and 4th quills entering into point of wing, 1st shorter or not obviously longer than 5th; tail not over $ an inch shorter than wings; breast not buffy. (Compare 107, 108,110.) As in allied genera, several outer primaries are slightly emarginate on the inner web, but this character is _ obscure, and often inappreciable. Fig. 113d. Small Green-crested or Acadian Flycatcher. Above, olive-green, clear, continuous and uniform (though the crown may show rather darker, owing to dusky centres of the slightly lengthened, erectile feathers); below, whitish, olive-shaded on sides and nearly across breast, yellowish-washed on belly, flanks, crissum and axillars; wings dusky, inner quills edged, and coverts tipped, with tawny yellow; all the quills whitish-edged internally ; tail dusky, olive-glossed, unmarked; a yellowish eye-ring; feet and upper mandible brown, under mandible pale. In midsummer, rather darker; in early fall, brighter and especially more yellowish below ; when very young, the wing-markings more fulvous, the general plumage slightly buffy-suffused. Largest ; 53-64; wing 23-3 (rarely 34) ; tail 24-23; bill nearly or quite 4, about 4 wide at nostrils; tarsus 3; middle toe and claw $; point of wing . reaching nearly an inch beyond the secondaries ; 2d, 3d and 4th quills nearly equal and much (4 inch or more) longer than Ist and 5th, which about equal each other; Ist much longer than 6th. Eastern United States, abundant, in woodland; readily diagnoscible by the points of size and shape, without regarding coloration. Muscicapa querula Wi1s., ii, 77, pl. 13, f. 3; DZ. acadica Nurr., i, 208; Aupb., i, 221; pl. G2; Bp., 19%) 9) ) wcamroue: TYRANNID©, FLYCATCIHERS.—GEN. 109. 175 Traill’s Flycatcher. Above, olive-brown, lighter and duller brownish posteriorly, darker anteriorly, owing to obviously dusky centres of the coronal feathers; below, nearly as in acadicus, but darker, the olive-gray shading quite across the breast; wing-markings grayish-white with slight yellowish or tawny shade; under mandible pale; upper mandible and fect black. Averaging a little less than acadicus; 53-6; wing 23-23, more rounded, its tip only reaching about 3 of an inch beyond the secondaries, formed by 2d, 3d and 4th quills, as before, but 5th not so much shorter, (hardly or not $ of an inch), the Ist ranging between 5th and 6th; tail 24; tarsus 3, as before, but middle toe and claw 2, the feet thus differently pro- portioned, owing to length of toes. Eastern North America to the Plains, common; an entirely different bird from acadicus, but dificult to distinguish from the following species. Avp., i, 234, pl. 65; Nurr., i, 2d ed. 323; 151 ame PLS 3) en eT Sf UAT ETT. Var. pusittus of Bp., 194, which replaces true tratilii from the Plains to the Pacific, may usually be recognized by its more fuscous coloration, the olivaceous and yellowish shades of traillii being subdued ; by its larger bill, and the feet nearly as in acadicus. The original Tyrannula pusilla of Swainson, Fn. Bor.-Am. ii, 144; Aup., ii, 236, pl. 66, is uncertain, just as likely have been minimus as this bird. I therefore pass over the name, which, if belonging here, antedates ¢traillit, and adopt traillii for the eastern form (although Aupugson says ‘‘Arkansas to the Columbia”), taking pusillus of Barrp for the western variety. Least Flycatcher. Colors almost exactly as in ¢raillii; usually however olive-gray rather than olive-brown; the wing-markings, eye-ring and loral feathers plain grayish-white; the whole anterior parts often with a slight ashy cast; under mandible ordinarily dusky; feet perfectly black. It is a smaller bird than ¢radlliz, and not so stoutly built ; the wing-tip projects only about $.an inch beyond the secondaries; the 5th quill is but very little shorter than the 4th, the 1st apt to be nearer 6th than 5th; the feet are differently proportioned, being much as in acadicus; the bill is obviously under $ an inch long. Length 5-54; wing 22 or less; tail about 24. Although it grades up to ¢razllz7 in size, and has no obviously different color- ation, yet I am satisfied that it is a different bird. Eastern North America to the Plains, very abundant in the U. 8. during the migrations, in orchards, coppices, hedgerows and the skirts of woods rather than in heavy forests. AuD., vii, 343, pl. 491; Bp., 195. hous ly fe. tt oe SMINIMUSS Yellow-bellied Flycatcher. Above, olive-green, clear, continuous and uniform as in acadicus, or even brighter; below, not merely yellow7sh, as in the foregoing, but emphatically yellow, bright and pure on the belly, shaded on the sides and anteriorly with a paler tint of the color of the back; eye- ring and wing-markings yellow; under mandible yellow; feet black. In respect of color, this species differs materially from all the rest; none of them, even at their autumnal yellowest, quite match it. Size of fraillii, or rather less; feet proportioned as in acadicus; bill nearly as in minimus, but rather larger; Ist quill usually equal to 6th. Eastern United States, 176 TYRANNIDMH, FLYCATCHERS.—GEN. 109, 110. common. Aup., vii, 341, pl. 490; Bp., 198. Var. DIFFICILIS Bp., 198 (in text), Coor., 328, is the paler western form. . . . FLAVIVENTRIS. Hammond’s Flycatcher. Above, olive-gray, decidedly grayer or even ashy on the fore parts, the whole throat and breast almost continuously olive- gray but little paler than the back, the belly alone more or less decidedly yellowish ; wing-markings and eye-ring dull soiled whitish ; bill very small, and extremely narrow, being hardly or not 1 wide at the nostrils; this distin- guishes the bird from all but minimus and obscurus; under mandible usually blackish ; tail usually decidedly forked, more so than in other species, though in all of them it varies from slightly rounded to slightly emarginate; outer tail feather usually whitish-edged externally (a character often shown by traillii and minimus), but not decidedly white. About the size of traillii, but not so stoutly built; wings and tail relatively longer; feet as in minimus. Western United States. Bp., 199; Coop., 330. . . . . HAMMONDII. Wrights Flycatcher. Colors not tangibly different from those of trazdli or minimus, but outer web of outer tail feather abruptly white in decided contrast. General dimensions approaching those of acadicus, owing to length of wings and tail; wing 23 to nearly 3; tail 23-22; tarsi about #3 bill about $, extremely narrow (much as in Sayornis fuscus), its width at the nostrils only about 4 its length. Southwestern U. 8. Bp., 200, 922; WOOP (a290U er boo SS ok Gk a ep 0s eee er OBSCURILISS Ozs. The foregoing account, carefully prepared after examination of a great amount of material from all parts of the country, will probably suffice to determine ninety out of a hundred specimens; but I confess it does not entirely satisfy me, and, as it does not fully answer all the requirements of the case, it must be regarded as provisional. At the same time I must say, that the only alternative seems to be, to consider all the foregoing (excepting acadicus and jlaviventris, perhaps) as varieties of one species ; but for this I am not prepared. 110. Genus MITREPHORUS Sclater. Buff-breasted Flycatcher. Coronal feathers and rictal bristles longer than in Empidonax, and general cast of the plumage buffy. Above, dull grayish- brown tinged with olive, particularly on the back; below, pale fulvous, strongest across the breast, whitening on the belly; no fulvous on the fore- head ; sides of head light brownish-olive; wings and tail dusky, outer web of outer tail feathers, edges of inner primaries except at the base, and tips of wing coverts, whitish ; iris brown; bill yellow below, black above; feet black; 42 long; extent 74; wing 24; tail 2; tarsus .55; middle toe and claw .45; bill.40. Fort Whipple, Arizona. Zmpidonax pygmeus Cours, Ibis, 1865, 537; MZ. pallescens Cours, Proc. Phila. Acad. 1866, 63; Coopr., 334; Exxiot, pl. 19. My original specimens, affording the descriptions quoted, and the first known to have been taken in the United States, do not appear to be specifically distinct from fulvifrons of Giraup ( B. of Tex. pl. 2, f. 2), which may itself be the same as a Mexican species of prior name... . . . «. . . . » «: FOLVIFRONS var. PALLESCENS. PICARIZ, PICARIAN BIRDS. —GEN. 111. 177 lll. Genus PYROCEPHALUS Gould. Vermilion Flycatcher. @ pure dark brown; wings and tail blackish with slight pale edgings; the full globular crest, and all the = under parts, scarlet; bill and feet black. 9 dull brown, including the little crested crown; below, white, tinged with red or reddish in some places, the breast with slight dusky streaks. Immature 3 shows gradation between the characters of both sexes; the red is some- times rather orange. 54-6; wing 34; tail 24. Valleys : Fig. 114. Vermilion Fly- of the Rio Grande and Colorado, and southward. Cass., catcher. Ill. 127, pl. 17; Bp., 201; Coor., 333. . . RUBINEUS var. MEXICANUS. Order PICARIA. Picarian Birds. This is a miscellaneous assortment (in scientific language, ‘‘a polymorphic group,”) of birds of highly diversified forms, grouped together more because they differ from other birds in one way or another, than on account of their resemblance to each other. As commonly received, this order includes all the non-passerine Insessores down to those with a cered bill (parrots and birds of prey). Excluding the parrots, which constitute a strongly marked natural group, of equal value with those called orders in this work, the Picarice correspond to the Strisores and Scansores of authors, including, however, some that are often referred to Clama- tores. This “order” Scansores, or -Zygodactyli, containing all the birds that have the toes arranged in pairs, two in front and two behind (and some that have not), is one of the most unmitigated inflictions that ornithology has suffered; it is as thoroughly unnatural as the divisions of my artificial key to our genera. As at present constituted, the Picaric are insusceptible of satisfactory definition ; but we may indicate some leading features, mostly of a negative character, that they possess in common. The sternum rarely if ever conforms to the particular Passerine model, its posterior border usually being either entire or else doubly notched. The vocal apparatus is not highly developed, having not more than three pairs of separate intrinsic muscles ; the birds, consequently, are never highly musical. There are some modifications of the cranial bones not observed in Passeres. Ac- cording to Sundevall, they, like lower birds, lack a certain specialization of the flexor muscles of the toes seen in Pusseres. The feet are very variously modified ; one or another of all the toes, except the middle one, is susceptible of being turned, in this or that case, in an opposite from the customary direction; the fourth one being frequently capable of turning either way; while in two genera the first, and in two others the second, toe is deficient; and, moreover, the tarsal envelope is never entire behind as in the higher Passeres. Another curious peculiarity of the feet is, that the claw of the hind toe is smaller, or at most not larger, than that of the third toe. The wings, endlessly varied in shape, agree in possessing ten developed primaries, of which the first is rarely spurious or very short. A notable exception to this occurs in the Pici. A very general and useful wing-character is, that the greater coverts are at least half as long as the secondary quills they cover, and they sometimes reach nearly to the ends of these quills. This is the common case among lower birds, but it distinguishes most of the Picariw from Passeres; it KEY TO N. A. BIRDS. 23 178 PICARI, PICARIAN BIRDS. is not shown, however, in the Picide and some others. The tail is indefinitely varied in shape, but the number of its feathers is a good clue to the order. There are not ordinarily more than ten perfect rectrices, and occasionally there are only eight ; the woodpeckers have twelve, but one pair is abortive; there are twelve, however, in the kingfishers, and some others. With this slight sketch of some leading features of the group (it will enable the student to recognize any Picarian bird of this country at least), I pass to the consideration of its subdivision, with the remark, that a precedent may be found for any conceivable grouping of the families that is not simply preposterous, and for some arrangements that are nearly so. As well as I can judge from the material at my command, and relying upon excellent authority for data that I lack, the Picarie fall naturally into rurex divisions. These I shall call suborders, not how- ever insisting in the least upon the question of taxonomic rank, but simply employ- ing the terms conformably with my usage in other cases. The three groups may be here tabulated, with remarks calculated to give an idea of their composition : — I. CYPSELI— including only the three families Cypselide, Caprimulgide, and Trochilide — the swifts, goatsuckers, and hummingbirds. They are birds of re- markable volitorial powers; the wing is pointed, and very long, in its feathers and terminal portions, though the upper arm is very short. The feet are extremely small and weak, and are scarcely if at all serviceable for progression. The hind toe is sometimes versatile (among the swifts) or somewhat elevated (in the goat- suckers and some swifts) ; the front toes are frequently connected at base by mov- able webbing (goatsuckers), and sometimes lack the normal number of phalanges (among swifts and goatsuckers). The variously shaped tail has ten rectrices. One family (hummingbirds) shows the tenuirostral type of bill; the other two, the fissirostral, on which account they used to be classed with the swallows. The sternum is broad, with a deep keel, entire or doubly notched (rarely singly notched) behind ; the syrinx has not more than one pair of intrinsic muscles. II. CUCULI— comprehending the great bulk of the order; in all, about fifteen families, rather more than less. They are only readily limited by exclusion of the characters of the preceding and following groups. The sternum is usually notched behind ; the syringeal muscles are two pairs at most. The feet are generally short ; the disposition of the toes varies remarkably. In the Coliide, or colies, of Africa, all the toes are turned forward. In the Trogonide, the second toe is turned back- ward, so that the birds are zygodactyle, but in a different way from all others. Families with the feet permanently zygodactyle in the ordinary way by reversion of the fourth, or partially so, the outer toe being versatile, are—the Cuculide, or cuckoos, with their near relatives the Indicatoridw, or guide-birds of Africa; the Lthamphastide, or toucans, confined to tropical America and distinguished by their enormous vaulted bill; the Musophagide, plantain-eaters or touracos, of Africa; the Bucconide and Capitonide, or barbets of the New and Old World respectively ; and the Galbulide, or jacamars, of America. In the remaining groups, the toes have the ordinary position, but sometimes offer unusual characters in other respects. Thus in the Alcedinidw (kingfishers), and Momotide (motmots or sawbills), the middle and outer toes are perfectly coherent for a great distance, constituting the syndactyle or antsodactyle foot. The Bucerotide, or hornbills, of the Old World, characterized by an immense corneous process on the bill, are near relatives of the kingfishers ; so are the Todide, a group of small brightly colored birds of Mexico and the West Indies. Other forms, all Old World, are the Meropide. or bee-eaters, CAPRIMULGIDH, GOATSUCKERS. 179 the Upupide or hoopoes, the Coraciide or rollers, with their allies the Leptoso- matide, of Madagascar. III. PICI—comprising only three families, the Iyngide, or wrynecks, with one genus and four species, of Europe, Asia and Africa; the Picumnide, with one or two genera and nearly thirty species, chiefly American; and the Picide or true woodpeckers. The digits are permanently paired by reversion of the fourth, except in two tridactyle genera; there is a modification of the lower end of the metatarsus, corresponding to the reverse position of the fourth toe, and the upper part of the same bone is perforated by canals for flexor tendons. The basal phalanges of the toes are short. The wing has ten primaries, with short coverts, contrary to the rule in this order; the tail ten rectrices, soft and rounded in Iyngide and Picumnide, rigid and acuminate in Picid@, where also a supplementary pair of spurious feathers is developed. The nostrils vary: they are large and of peculiar structure in [yn- gid, usually covered with antrorse plumules in the rest. The bill is straight or nearly so, hard and strong, acute or truncate, the mandibles equal; the tongue is lumbriciform, and very generally extensile to a remarkable degree, by a singular elongation of the bones and muscles. The salivary glands have an unusual devel- opment, in the typical species at any rate. The sternum is doubly notched behind. A very strongly marked group; in some respects it approaches the Passerine birds more nearly than other Picariw do. Suborder CY PSELI. Cypseliform Birds. See p. 178, where some leading characters of the group are indicated. Family CAPRIMULGIDA. Goatsuckers, So called from a traditional superstition. Fissirostral Picariw: head broad, flattened ; eyes and ears large; bill extremely small, depressed, triangular when viewed from above, with enormous gape reaching below the eye, and generally with bristles that frequently attain an extraordinary development; nostrils basal, exposed, roundish, with a raised border, sometimes prolonged into a tube. Wings more or less lengthened and pointed, of ten primaries and more than nine second- aries ; tail variable in shape, of ten rectrices. Feet extremely small; tarsus usually short, and partly feathered ; hind toe commonly elevated and turned sideways ; front toes connected at base by movable webbing, and frequently showing abnormal ratio of phalanges; middle toe lengthened beyond the short lateral ones, its claw fre- quently pectinate. A definitely circumscribed, easily recognized group of about fourteen genera and rather more than a hundred species, of temperate and tropical parts of both hemispheres. It is divisible, according to the structure of the feet, into two subfamilies, Podargine, chiefly Old World, with the normal ratio of phalanges, and Caprimulgine, as below. Considering, however, other points, particularly the shape of the sternum, a more elaborate division is into Podargine, phalanges normal, but tarsus naked and lengthened, and sternum doubly notched, with three genera of the Old World— Nyctibiine, phalanges normal, tarsus short, feathered, sternum doubly notched, upper mandible toothed, containing one genus of tropical America — Steatornithince, phalanges normal, sternum singly notched, with one genus of tropical America—and finally Caprimulginc, comprising the rest [Nore. An erroneous sequence of two genera having been discovered since the key was printed, and there- fore too late to rectify the numbering, Gen. 112 and Gen. 113, will be found next after Gen. 125.] 180 CAPRIMULGIDZ, GOATSUCKERS.—GEN. 114. of the family. The eggs are colorless in the first and third of these, colored in the second and fourth. Subfamily CAPRIMULGIN AL. True Goatsuckers. Sternum singly notched on each side behind, its body not square. Outer toe 4-jointed; middle claw wectinate; hind toe very short, elevated, semi-lateral ; anterior toes movably webbed at base; tarsus very short, commonly much feathered. Besides the semipalmation of the feet, there is another curious analogy to wading birds; for the young are downy at birth, as in Precoces, instead of naked, as is the rule among Altrices. The plumage is soft and lax, much as in the owls; the birds have the same noiseless flight, as well as, in many cases, nocturnal or crepuscular habits ; and they sometimes bear an odd resemblance to owls in their general appearance. An evident design of the capacious mouth, is the capture of insects; the active birds quarter the air with wide open mouth, and their minute prey is readily taken in. But they also secure larger insects in other ways; and to this end the rictus is frequently strongly bristled, as in the Tyrannidw. Our two genera EO Ans \ are readily discriminated by the enormous rictal bristles, rounded tail DP Li D and comparatively short wings of Antrostomus, the slight bristles, ef 0) forked tail and long pointed wings of Chordeiles; they each repre- jj R sent one of the two sections of the subfamily. In both, the feet are so extremely short that the birds cannot perch in the usual way, but y sit lengthwise on a large branch, or crouch on the ground. They Fic.115. Bones of lay two lengthened, dark colored, thickly. spotted eggs, on or near C’P™mulsive foot. the ground, in stumps, etc.; the sexes are distinguishable but nearly alike; the colors are subdued, blended and variegated ; the voice is peculiar. Migratory. 1) | 114. Genus ANTROSTOMUS Gould. * The rictal bristles with lateral filaments. Chuck-will’s-widow. Singularly variegated with black, white, brown, tawny and rufous, the prevailing tone fulvous; a whitish throat-bar ; several lateral tail feathers tipped with white in the ¢, with rufous in the g. Large; a foot long; wing 8-9; tail 53-64, slightly rounded. South Atlantic and Gulf States, strictly; resident in Florida. Wrus., vi, 95, cet pla oA wt. 25 NUTT e. ey G2 eeAcuD yeas 151, pl. 41; Bp., 147. cAROLINENSIS. ** The rictal bristles simple. Whippoorwill. Night-jar. Upper parts variegated with gray, black, whitish and tawny; black streaks sharp on the head and back, the BiG ALES DeL EL: colors elsewhere delicately marbled, including the four median tail feathers; prevailing tone gray; wings and their coverts with bars of rufous spots; lateral tail feathers black, with tawny marbling in distant broken bars, and tipped with white (¢) or N q CAPRIMULGIDH, GOATSUCKERS.—GEN. 115. 181 tawny (@ ) ; a bar across the throat white ( g¢) or tawny (¢ ) ; below mottled with dusky and whitish; 9-10 long; wing 5-6; tail 4-5, much rounded. Eastern United States, abundant; a nocturnal bird, rarely seen, but well known for its loud strange cry, whence its name is taken. Eggs 2, ellip- tical, 14 by %, white, speckled and blotched. Whuus., v, 72, pl. 41, f. 1, 2, 3; Nurr.,i, 614; Aup., i, 155, pl. 42; Bp., 148... . . vVocrreRus. Nuttall’s Whippoorwill. Somewhat similar; small; about 8; tail under 4; much paler in tone; crown barred transversely ; throat patch very large ; tawny prevailing over black on the wings; terminal white tail spots short. Note different, the first syllable being omitted. Plains to the Pacific, U.S. Avwp., vii, 850, pl. 495; Cass., Ill. 237; Bp., 149; Coopr., 340. NuTraLun. 115. Genus CHORDEILES Swainson. Night-hawk. Bull-bat. Above, mottled with black, brown, gray and tawny, the former in excess; below from the breast transversely barred with blackish and white or pale fulvous; throat with a large white ( g) or tawny (@) eross-bar; tail blackish, with distant pale marbled cross-bars and a large white spot (wanting in the ¢ ) on one or both webs of nearly all the feathers toward the end; quills dusky, unmarked except by one large white spot on jive outer primaries about midway between their base and tip; in the @ this area restricted or not pure white. Length about 9; wing about 8; tail 5. “Temperate North America, abundant. This species flies abroad at all times, though it is perhaps most active towards evening and in dull weather ; and is gener- ally seen in companies, busily foraging for insects with rapid, easy and protracted flight; in the breeding season it performs curious evolutions, falling through the air with a loud booming cry. Eggs 2, elliptical, 14 by §, finely variegated. Wits., v, 65, pl. 40; f. 1, 2; Nourr., i, 619; Aup., i, 159, pl. 43; Bp., 151. . . . virernranus. Fie. 117. Night-hawk. Var. HENRYI is the lighter colored form prevailing in the dryer or unwooded portions of western United States; the gray and fulvous in excess of the darker hues, the white patches on the wing, tail and throat usually larger. Cass., Ill. 233; Bp., 153, 922, pl. 17; Coopr., 344. Texas Night-hawk. Similar to the first; smaller; wing 7; tail 4; fine gray mottling much predominant above; below rufous prevailing over the dark bars ; many broad fulvous bars on the tail, besides the white spots ( ¢ ) wanting in the 9? ; primaries all sprinkled toward the base with numerous fulvous spots; the large white ( g) or tawny (@.) area nearer the tip than the bend of the wing, and on only four primaries. Southwestern U. S. and southward; unquestionably different from the common bird of this country, but in adopting the name ¢exensts, I must say that I have not inves- 182 OCYPSELIDZ, SWIFTS. —GEN. 116. tigated its relationships to the South American form. Lawr., Ann. Lye. v. 1851, 114; Cass., Ill. 238; Bp., 154; Coop., 844. . . . . TEXENSIS. Family CYPSELIDA. Swifts. Fissirostral Picarice: bill very small, flattened, triangular when viewed from above, with great gape reaching below the eyes. Wings extremely long, thin and pointed (frequently as long as the whole bird) ; the secondaries extremely short (nine?). Tail of ten rectrices, variable in shape. Feet small, weak; tarsi naked or feathered ; hind toe frequently elevated, or versatile, or permanently turned side- ways or even forward ; anterior toes completely cleft, the basal phalanges extremely short, the penultimate very long, the number of phalanges frequently abnormal ; claws sharp, curved, never pectinate. Sternum deep-keeled, widening behind, its posterior margin entire. Eggs narrowly oval, white. For pterylosis see PLATE 1. “(One of the most remarkable points in the structure of the Cypselide is the great development of the salivary glands. In all the species of which the nidifi- cation is known, the secretion thus produced is used more or less in the construc- tion of the nest. In most cases it forms a glue by which the other materials are joined together, and the whole nest is affixed to a rock, wall, or other object against which it is placed. In some species of Collocalia, however, the whole nest is made up of inspissated saliva, and becomes the ‘edible bird’s-nest’ so well known in the East.” (Sciater.) A well defined family of six or eight genera and about fifty species, inhabiting temperate and warm parts of the globe. They are rather small birds of plain plumage, closely resembling swallows in superficial respects, but with no real aflinity to these Oscines. The family is divisible into two subfamilies, according to the structure of the feet. Subfamily CYPSELINA. Typical Swifts. 3 joints like the 2d; hind toe reversed (in Cypselus, where nearly all the species belong) or lateral (in Panyptila); tarsi feathered Fa. ibe ones (in Cypselus); toes also feathered (in Panyptila). Contains only foot. these two genera and nearly half the species of the family. Of Panyptila there are only three well determined species, all American ; while Cypselus has upward of twenty, mostly of the Old World; the three or four American ones are sometimes detached under the name of TYachornis. (7 Ratio of the phalanges abnormal, the 3d and 4th toes having each 116. Genus PANYPTILA Cabanis. White-throated Swift. Black or blackish; chin, throat, breast and middle line of belly, tips of secondaries, edge of outer primary, bases of tail feathers and a flank patch, white. Length 54-6; wing the same; tail about 22, forked, soft. Southwestern U. S. and southward, breeding in colonies on cliffs. Acanthylis saxatilis Woopnousn, Expl. Zui River, 1853, 64; Cypselus melanoleucus Bp., Proc. Phila. Acad. 1854, 118. Couns, dbid. KG, ee bing MUL Ole, Bi, 5 ob 6 Gl Uk RTS, CYPSELIDH, SWIFTS.—GEN. 117, 118. 183 Subfamily CHATURINA. Spine-tailed Swifts. Toes with the normal number of phalanges; hind toe not reversed, but some- times versatile; our species have it obviously elevated, and should have come in the Key under A, like gen. 114, 115; but it has not been technically so considered (compare § 87, p. 49). Tarsi never feathered. In the principal genus, Chetura, containing about half the species of the subfamily, of various parts of the world, the tail feathers are stiffened and mucronate by the projecting rhachis. The other genera are Collocalia and Dendrochelidon of the Old World; Cypseloides, and the scarcely different Nephecetes, of the New. 117. Genus NEPHC:CETES Baird. Black Swift. Blackish, nearly uniform. Length nearly 7; wing as much ; tail about 3, forked, stiffish, but not mucronate. Western America. Bop., 142; Exuior, pl. 20; Coor., 349. . . . . . NIGER Var. BOREALIS. 118. Genus CHAITURA Stephens. Chimney Swift. Chimney “Swallow.” Sooty brown witha faint green- _ish gloss above, below paler, becoming gray on the throat; wings black. Length about 5; wing the same; tail 2 or less, even or a little rounded, spiny. Eastern United States, migratory, very abundant in summer. Like the swallows, which this bird so curiously resembles, not only in its form, but in its mode of flight, its food, and twitter- ing notes, it has mostly forsaken the ways of its ancestors, who bred in hollow trees, and now places its curious open-work nest, of bits Fie. 119. Chimney Swift, with mucronate of twig glued together, inside disused reculls chimneys. WILS., v, 48, pl. 39, f. 1; Nurr., i, 609; Aup., i, 164, pl. 44; Bp., 144. SEN TERE te oe Cree eat ce PELASGIA. Vaua’s Swift. Similar; paler; the throat whitish; smaller; length 43; wing the same. Pacific Coast, U.S. Seems to be different from pelasgia, but perhaps the same as a S. Am. species. Bp., 145; Coor., 351. vauxi. Family TROCHILIDA. Hummingbirds. Tenuirostral Picariw. These beautiful little creatures will be known on sight ; and as the limits of this work preclude any adequate presentation of *the subject, I prefer merely to touch upon it. The hummers are peculiar to America. Species occur from Alaska to Patagonia, but we have a mere sprinkling in this country ; the centre of abundance is in tropical South America, particularly New Granada. Nearly five hundred species are current; the number of positively specific forms may be estimated at about three hundred. The genera or subgenera vary with authors from fifty to a hundred and fifty ; perhaps half the latter number of generic names may be eligible. The birds appear to fall naturally into two groups; one of these, Phwthornithince, representing about one-tenth of the whole, is composed ~_ 184 TROCHILIDH, HUMMINGBIRDS. —GEN. 119, 120, 121, 122. of duller colored species especially inhabiting the dense forests of the Amazon ; the other is the Subfamily TROCHILIN A. 119. Genus HELIOPADICA Gould. Xantus Hummingbird. Tarsi feathered; tail nearly even; first primary not attenuate ; frontal feathers ending abruptly at base of bill; g¢ above, and the throat, metallic grass-green ; below, cinnamon-rufous ; face blue-black ; a white stripe through the eye; wings purplish-dusky ; tail pur plish-chest- nut, the central feathers glossed with golden green; bill flesh-colored, black- tipped. shining green above, including central tail feathers; below, and the face, pale rufous, whitening about the vent, and the sides greenish ; head-stripes rufous, whitening on the auriculars; tail feathers, except the central, chestnut, with a dark terminal spot. 34; wing 24; tail 14; bill 2. Cape St. Lucas. Amazilia xantusii and Heliopeedica castaneicauda Lawr., Ann. Lyc. N. Y. 1860, pp. 105, 109; Eu., pl. 22; Coor., 365. xantTusit. 120. Genus LAMPORNIS Swainson. Black-throated Hummingbird. Tomia serrate near the end ; bill depressed, not quite straight; no metallic scales on throat; g¢ golden-green above and on the sides; below, opaque black, with white flank-tufts; wings and tail dusky-purplish. 9 white below, with median black stripe. 45; wing 24; tail 13; bill nearly 1. Strageler to Florida. Bp., 130,922. . manao? 121. Genus TROCHILUS Linneus. [Ruby-throated Hummingbird. g with the tail forked, its feathers all narrow and pointed; no scales on crown; metallic gorget reflecting ruby- red, etc.; golden-green, below white, the sides green; wings and _ tail dusky-purplish. 9 lacking the gorget; the throat white; the tail somewhat double-rounded, with black bars, and the outer feathers white-tipped. 34; wing 13; tail14; bill 3. Eastern North America, abundant in summer, generally seen hovering about flowers, sometimes in flocks. Feeds on insects, and the sweets of flowers. Nest a beautiful structure, of downy substances, stuccoed with lichens outside; eggs two, white. Wiuus., ii, 26, pl. 10; Nutt., i, 588; Aup., iv, 190, pl. 253; Bp., 131. . . . . coxupnris. Black-chinned Hummingbird. Similar; tail merely emarginate; gorget opaque black, reflecting steel blue, ete., posteriorly. 9 with the tail simply rounded. California, Arizona and southward. Cass., Ill. 141, pl. 22; Bo., BR Ccoiss owe As 6 See oo 6 See ob & ou) <4 ANIDIDOCAunaiai, 122. Genus SHLASPHORUS Swainson. * No metallic scales on crown; g throat scales not much prolonged into a ruff; outer primary attenuate; tail graduated, the middle feathers broader than the lateral. TROCHILID®, HUMMINGBIRDS. —GEN. 122, 123. 185 Rufous-backed Hummingbird. §g chiefly cinnamon-rufous above, below and on the tail; traces of green above, especially on crown; gorget red, etc.; a white collar behind it. 9 with a trace of the gorget; upper parts more or less green; tail barred with black and tipped with white. 34; wing 13; tail 14. Rocky Mountains to the Pacific, from Mexico to Alaska ; abundant; the sole boreal ce as of the ee Aup., iv, 200, pl. 204; Bp., 184; Coop., 355. . . : ; eR ULUS!. Breetuaicn Hummingbird. One: primaries matte tenes outer tail feather linear, very narrow; others broad; @ glittering green, with much white below, the gorget purplish-red, etc.; wings and tail dusky- purplish, most of the tail feathers with rufous edging basally. @ with no gorget ; no green, but much rufous, below; 4; wing 2. Rocky Mts. to lat. 42°; W. to Sierra Nevada; S. into Mex. Bp., 135; Coor., 857. PLATYCERCUS. ** Crown of $ with metallic scales like the gorget, which is prolonged into a ruff; outer primary not attenuate; tail of g forked, the outer feather abruptly narrow and linear. (Calypte.) Anna Hummingbird. @ above, and the breast, green; crown and gor- get ruby-red, etc.; 9 lacking the scales; the tail slightly rounded, black- barred, white-tipped. Size of the last. California; resident, abundant. Nurr., i, 2d. ed. 712; Auvp., iv, 188, pl. 252; Bp., 1837; Coor., 358. . ANNA. Costa Hummingbird. 3 above, and on the sides, green; mostly white below; crown and gorget purplish, steel-blue, etc.; the latter much pro- longed into a ruff; tail lightly forked; ¢ like that of anna; smaller; about 34; wing under 2; tail 14; bill 3. Valley of the Colorado; S. and Lower, (Chibkiorae, Io .qilekels (Clowes, Atl, 56 a 4 56 56 6 © 6 o 6 (Oops *** Crown of ¢ not metallic like the gorget, which is prolonged into a ruff; outer primary of f attenuate ; tail graduated, the feathers rounded at the end, the lateral black-barred and white-tipped (in both sexes). (Atthis.) Fleloise Hummingbird. @ golden-green above, including crown; gorget lilac-red, bordered with white ; below white; sides with green and rufous ; tail feathers cinnamon-rufous at base, the central otherwise like the back, the others black-barred and white-tipped ; a similar, lacking the gorget ; outer primary not attenuate. Very small; 23; wing 14; tail1; bill. Texas and southward. Exuior, pl. 21; Coorp., 361. . . . . . HELOIS&. 123. Genus STELLULA Gould. Calliope Hummingbird. golden-green; below white, with green and rufous on sides; gorget violet or lila¢, the bases of the scales, and sides of the neck, pure white ; tail feathers brown, including the central pair, with pale tips and slight rufous edgings; under mandible light; 9 with dusky specks in place of the gorget; throat feathers not ruffed; no green on sides; tail feathers variegated with green, rufous, black and white. 22; wing 13; tail 1; bill $. Mountains of Washington, Oregon and California, to Mexico. Ettiot,. pl. 23; Coop., 363. . . . . . . . . CALLIOPE. KEY TO N. A. BIRDS. 24 186 TROGONIDE, TROGONS ; MOMOTIDA, SAWBILLS. —GEN. 124, 125. 124. Genus AGYRTRIA Cabanis. .- Linné Hummingbird. g bronzy-green, including middle tail feathers ; throat and breast grass-green, paler on sides; middle of belly, and crissum, white ; wings purplish-brown; lateral tail feathers black with paler tips; ? duller, more white below, no green on throat; wing 2; tail 14; bill 3. South America; accidental in Massachusetts, one instance (Aug. 1865, Brewster) ; but I am advised that the occurrence is open to suspicion. ALLEN, Am. Nat. iii, 1869, p. 645; Maynarp, Guide, 128. . LINNa#I. Suborder CUCULI. Cuculiform Birds. The nature of this large group has been indicated on a preceding page (178). Family TROGONIDA. Trogons. Feet zygodactyle by reversion of the second toe. The base of the short, broad, dentate bill is hidden by appressed antrorse feathers; the wings are short and rounded, with faleate quills; the tail is long, of twelve broad feathers; the feet are very small and weak. The general plumage is soft and lax, the skin tender, the eyelids lashed. A well-marked family of about fifty species and perhaps a dozen genera, chiefly inhabiting tropical America. They are of gorgeous colors, and among them are found the mdst magnificent birds of this continent. 125. Genus TROGON Auctorum. Mexican Trogon. Metallic golden-green; face and sides of head black; below from the breast carmine ; a white collar on the throat; middle tail feathers coppery-green, the outer white, barred with black ; FIG. 120. Mexican Trogon. quills edged with white; about 11; wing 54; tail 63. Valley of the Rio Grande, southward. Bp., 69, pl. 40. . . mexicanus? Family MOMOTIDA. Sawbills. Feet syndactyle by cohesion of third and fourth toes; tomia serrate. A very small family of tropical American birds, comprising about fifteen species. Neither this nor the foregoing has really rightful place here, but they come on our border, and are in- cluded to illustrate the suborder. In the following species, the central tail feathers are long-exserted, and spatulate by absence of. webs along a part of the shaft—a mutilation effected, it is said, by the birds themselves; the bill is about as long as the head, gently curved; the nostrils are rounded, basal, exposed; the wings are short and rounded ; the tarsi are scutellate anteriorly. Fic. 121. Blue-headed Sawbill. ALCEDINIDA, KINGFISHERS. —GEN. 112. 187 112. Genus MOMOTUS Lesson. Blue-headed Sawbill. Greenish, rather paler below; purer on wings and tail; the crested crown blue, encircled with black; face mostly black. 15; wing 54. Mexico. Bp., 161, pl.46. . . . . . . . C@RULEICEPS. Family ALCEDINIDA. Kingfishers. Feet syndactyle by cohesion of third and fourth toes; tomia simple. Bill long, large, straight, acute (rarely hooked), ‘ fissirostral,” the gape being deep and wide ; tongue rudimentary or very small; nostrils basal, reached by the frontal feathers. Feet very small and weak, scarcely or not ambulatorial; tarsi extremely short, reticulate in front; hallux short, flattened underneath, its sole more or less continuous with the sole of the inner toe; soles of outer and middle toe in common for at least half their length; inner toe always short, in one genus rudimentary, in another wanting (an abnormal modifica- tion, overlooked in penning § 86, p. 49; but see § 84) ; wings long, of 10 primaries ; tail of 12 rectrices, variable in shape. ‘The kingfishers form a very natural family of the great Picarian order, and are alike remarkable for their brilliant coloration and for the variety of curious and aberrant forms which are included within their number. . . ‘Their characteristic habit is to sit motionless watching for their prey, to dart after it and seize it on the wing, and to return to their original position to swallow it. . . The Alced- inidee nest in holes and lay white eggs. It is, however, to be remarked that, in accordance with a modification of the habits of the various genera, a corresponding modification has taken place in the mode of nidification, the piscivorous section of the family nesting for the most part in holes in the banks of streams, while the insectivorous section of the family generally nest in the holes of trees, not neces- sarily in the vicinity of water.” (Suarre.) The nearest allies of the kingfishers are considered to be the hornbills and bee- eaters of the Old World, and the sawbills and todies of the New. One would gain an imperfect or erroneous idea of the family to judge of it by the American fragment, of one genus and six or eight species. According to the author of the splendid monograph just cited, there are in all 125 species, belonging to 19 genera; the latter appear to be very judiciously handled, but a moderate reduction of the former will be required. They are very unequally distributed; Ceryle alone is nearly cosmopolitan, absent only from the Australian region; the northern portion of the - Old World has only 2 peculiar species; 3 genera and 24 species are characteristic of the Ethiopian region, one genus and 25 species are confined to the Indian, while no less than 10 genera and 59 species are peculiar to the Australian. Mr. Sharpe recognizes two subfamilies; in the Dacelonine (with 14 genera, and 84 species) the bill is more or less depressed with smooth, rounded or sulcate, culmen. In the Fig. 122. Syndactyle foot. Subfamily ALCEDININ, the bill is compressed, with carinate culmen. The American species all belong here. It is the more particularly piscivorous section; the Daceloninw feed for the most part upon insects, reptiles, and land mollusks. 188 ALCEDINID, KINGFISHERS.—GEN. 118. 113. Genus CERYLE Boie. ‘Belted Wingfisher. Upper parts, broad pectoral bar, and sides under the wings, dull blue with fine black shaft lines; lower eyelid, spot before eye, a cervical collar and under parts except as said, pure white; the 9 with a chestnut belly-band, and the sides of the same color ; quills and tail feathers black, speckled, blotched or barred on the inner webs with white; outer webs of the secondaries and tail feathers like the back; wing coverts frequently sprinkled with white ; bill black, pale at base below; feet dark, tibia naked below; a long, thin, pointed occipital crest ; plumage compact and oily to resist water, into which the birds constantly plunge after their finny prey. Length a foot or more ; wing about 6; tail 34; whole foot 1}; culmen about 24. North America, com- mon everywhere, resident or only forced southward by freezing of the waters. J \Wadeog itl, GO, jol, 2a, te Ig Iwan. 120 Ae AUD elvis 2 OD Den 20 ts alld Daly ll iS eee ee eALCMON: Cabanis’ Kingfisher. Glossy green; a cervical ence tl the under parts white; ¢ with arufous, 9 with an imperfect, greenish, pectoral bar; quills and tail feathers black, partly like the back, with numerous white spots, mostly paired. Small; about 8; wing 34; tail 23. Valleys of the Rio Grande and Colorado, and southward. Cass., Ill. 255; Bp., 159, and Mex. Bound. Surv. ii, pl. 7; COOP Td3Oe Wey tie ee ae fee eee ANIMRICAN Atty: hm @ AIBAINIISIIS Fig. 123. Belted Kingfisher. 9. Family CUCULIDA. Cuckoos. Feet zygodactyle by reversion of the fourth toe. This character, in connection with those given below, will answer present purposes ; and in my ignorance of some of the exotic forms, I cannot attempt to give a full diagnosis. The family is a large and important one. It comprehends quite a number of leading forms showing pecuiee minor modifications ; these correspond in great measure with certain geographical areas of faunal distribution, and are generally held to constitute subfamilies. Three or four such are confined to America; about twice as many belong exclusively to the Old World; among them are the Cuculince, or typical cuckoos allied to the Euro- pean C. canorus, famous, like our cowbird, for its parasitism. This section com- prehends the great majority of the Old World species; the Cowinw are a peculiar Madagascan type; others rest upon a special condition of the claws or plumage. There are about two hundred current species of the family. ie CUCULID&, CUCKOOS.—GEN. 126, 127. 189 Subfamily CROTOPHAGINA?. Anis. Tail of eight feathers, graduated, longer than the rounded wings. Bill exceed- ingly compressed, the upper mandible rising into a thin vertical crest, the sides usually sulcate, the tip deflected. Plumage uniform (black), lustrous, the feathers of the head and neck lengthened, lanceolate, distinct, with scale-like margins ; face naked. Terrestrial. Nest in bushes. One genus, and two or three species, of the warmer parts of America. 126. Genus CROTOPHAGA ITinnesus. Ani. About a foot long; wing 6; tail 8. Florida (and Gulf?) coast, southward; accidental north to Philadelphia. CO. ani and C. rugirostris 1S Dare (tLe 2 eee ey ere oer wine bck) ocr Weacteo th. cy oa ANTS Subfamily SAUROTHERINE. Ground Cuckoos. Tail of ten feathers, graduated, longer than the short, rounded, concave wings. Bill about as long as the head, compressed, straight at base, tapering, with deflected tip, gently curved culmen, and ample rictus. Feet large and strong, in adaptation to terrestrial life; tarsus longer than the toes, scutellate before and behind. One West Indian genus, Sauwrophaga, with three or four species, and the following, with one or two :— 127. Genus GEOCOCCYX Wagler. Ground Cuckoo. Chaparral Cock. Road Runner. Snake Miller. Paisano. Most of the feathers of the head and neck bristle-tipped; a naked area around eye; crown crested; plumage coarse. Above, lustrous bronzy green, the crest dark blue, everywhere sharply streaked with whitish or tawny brown; sides and front of the neck tawny, with sharp black streaks ; other under parts dirty white; quills and tail feathers much edged with white; central rectrices , like the back, others darker green, violet, etc., with broad white tips. Nearly 2 feet long; tail a foot or | more; wing 6-7 inches; tarsus 2; bill 13. Sexes nearly alike. Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Cali- formiavand southward.) A) birdot nemarlcable — "2 ) Ground Cuckoo. aspect, noted for its swiftness of foot; aided by its wings held as outriggers, it taxes the horse in a race; feeds on reptiles, insects and land mollusks. Cass., Ill. 213, pl. 36; Bp., 73; Coor., 363. . . . . GALIFORNIANUS. Subfamily COCCYZIN 4. American Cuckoos. Tail of ten soft feathers, much graduated, little longer than the wings, which are somewhat pointed, although the first and second quills are shortened. Bill > about equalling or rather shorter than the head, stout at base, then much compressed, curved throughout, tapering to a rather acute tip; nostrils basal, inferior, exposed, elliptical; feet comparatively small, the tarsus naked, not longer than the toes. ° 190 CUCULIDH, CUCKOOS.—GEN. 128. _Four or five genera, and perhaps twenty species; none parasitic. Ours are strictly arboricole birds of lithe form, blended plumage and subdued colors; the head is not crested; the tibial feathers are full, as in a hawk; the sexes are alike, and the young scarcely different. In the following, the upper parts are uniform satiny olive-gray, or ‘* quaker color,” with bronzy reflections. Migratory, insectivorous ; lay plain greenish eggs, in a rude nest of twigs saddled on a branch or in a fork. They are well known inhabitants of our streets and parks as well as of woodland, noted for their loud jerky cries, which they are supposed to utter most frequently in falling weather, whence their popular name, “rain crow.” 128. Genus COCCYZUS Vieillot. Black-billed Cuckoo. Bill blackish except occasionally a trace of yellow- ish below. Below, pure white, sometimes with a faint tawny tinge on the fore parts. Wings with little or no rufous. Lateral tail feathers not con- trasting with the central, their tips for a short distance blackish, then obscurely white. Bare circumocular space red. Length 11-12; wing 5-54; tail 6-64 ; bill under an inch. Eastern U.S. and Canada. Wuts., iv, 16, pl. 28; Nurr., i, 556; Aup., iv, 300, pl. 276; Bp., 77. srYTHROPHTHALMUS. Yellow-billed Cuckoo. Bill extensively yellow below and on the sides. Below, pure white. Wings extensively ciunamon-rufous on inner webs of the quills. Central tail feathers ul like the back, the rest black with large white tips, the outermost usually also edged with white. Size of the last. United States, rather more southerly than the last species, and chiefly Eastern; also, Pacific Coast (Cooper, Nuttall). Wus., iv, 13, pl. 28; Nurr., i, 551; Aup., iv, 293, pl. 275; Bp., 76; Coor., 371. . . . AMERICANUS. Mangrove Cuckoo. Bill much as in the last. Below, pale orange- brown. Auriculars dark, in contrast. Tail as in the last, but outer feathers not white-edged. Size of the others, or rather less. West Indies and Florida. Nurr., i, 558; Aup., iv, 303; pl. 277; Bp., 78. . smnicunus. Fig. 126. Yellow-billed Cuckoo. Suborder PIOTL. Piciform Birds. See p. 179 for characters of this suborder. Family PICIDA!. Woodpeckers. These birds have been specially studied, with more or less gratifying success, by Malherbe, Sundevall and Cassin. There are nearly two hundred and fifty well determined species, of all parts of the world except Madagascar, Australia and Polynesia. Their separation into minor groups has not been agreed upon; our PICIDZ, WOODPECKERS. 191 species are commonly thrown into three divisions, which, however, I shall not present. The ivory-bill and the flicker stand nearly at extremes of the family, the little diversity of which is thereby evident. One of our genera, without very obvious external peculiarities, stands apart from the rest in the character of the tongue—a fact that seems to have escaped general attention. In ordinary Pici the “horns” of the tongue are extraordinarily produced backward, as slender jointed bony rods curling up over the skull behind, between the skin and the bone, to the ‘eyes or even further; these rods are enwrapped in highly developed, specialized muscles, by means of which the birds thrust out the tongue sometimes several inches beyond the bill. This is not the case in Sphyrapicus, where the hyoid cornua do not extend beyond the base of the skull, and the tongue, consequently, is but little more extensible than in ordinary birds. I have determined this by examination of all our species but one, in the flesh. The tongue of Sphyrapicus is beset at the end by numerous brushy filaments, instead of the few acute barbs commonly observed in the family. (See also under gen. 133.) In most of our species the bill is perfectly straight, wide and stout at the base, tapering regularly to a compressed and vertically truncate tip, chisel-like, and strengthened by sharp ridges on the side of the upper mandible — an admirable tool for cutting into trees ; and in all such, the nostrils are hidden by dense tufts of antrorse feathers. In others, like the flicker, the bill is smooth, barely curved, the tip acute and the nostrils exposed. The claws are always large, strong, sharp and much curved; the feet do not present striking modifications, except in the three-toed genus Picoides. The wings offer nothing specially noteworthy, unless it be the shortness of the coverts, in exception to the Picarian rule; and the shortness of the first primary, which may fairly be called spurious. The remarkable character of the tail has been already mentioned. This member offers indispensable assistance in climbing, when the stiff strong quills are pressed against the tree, and form a secure support To this end, the muscles are highly developed, and the last bone (vomer or pygostyle) is large and peculiar in shape. Woodpeckers rarely if ever hang head downward, like Nuthatches, nor are the tarsi applied to their support. Species are abundant in all the wooded portion of this country, and wherever found are nearly resident. For, although insectivorous, they feed principally upon dormant or at least stationary insects, and therefore need not migrate; they are, moreover, hardy birds. They dig insects and their larve out of trees, and are eminently beneficial to the agriculturist and fruit grower. Contrary to a prevalent impression, their boring does not seem to injure fruit trees, which may be riddled with holes without harmful result. The number of noxious insects these birds destroy is simply incalculable ; what little fruit some of them steal is not to be mentioned in the same connection, and they deserve the good will of all. The birds of the genus Sphy- rapicus are probably an exception to most of these statements. Woodpeckers nest in holes in trees, which they excavate for themselves, sometimes to a great depth, and lay numerous rounded pure white eggs, of which the shell has a crystalline texture, on the chips and dust at the bottom of the hole. The voice is loud and harsh, susceptible of little inflection. The plumage as a rule presents bright colors in large areas or in striking contrasts, and is sometimes highly lustrous. The sexes are ordinarily distinguishable by color-markings. Oxss. Campephilus imperialis, the largest and most magnificent bird of the family, inhabiting Central America, has been attributed to the United States, but upon unsatisfactory evidence. (Avp., iv, 213; Cass., 285, pl. 49; Bp., 82.) Dryocopus lineatus, likewise, was improperly introduced by Audubon (iv, 233). 192 PICIDM, WOODPECKERS. —GEN. 129, 130, 1381. 129. Genus CAMPEPHILUS Gray. Lvory-billed Woodpecker. Black; a stripe down the side of the neck, one at base of bill, the scapulars, under wing coverts, and ends of secondaries, ) white; bill and nasal feathers white; g scarlet-crested ; / Q black-crested. A large, powerful bird of the South ' Atlantic and Gulf States; about 21 long; wing 10-11; tail 7-8. Whuus., iv, 20, pl. 39, f. 6; Nurr., i, 564; j AuD., iv, 214, pl. 256; Bop., 81. . . . PRINCIPALIS. 130. Genus HYLOTOMUS Baird. Pileated Woodpecker. Black; the head, neck and wings much varied with white or pale yellowish ; bill dark ; g scarlet-crested, scarlet-moustached; 9 with the crest half black, half scarlet, and no maxillary patches. Only yielding to the ivory-bill in size; length 15-19 ; wing 83-10; tail 6-7. North America, anywhere, in heavy tim- bere VALS ybvn Zien plee2o ares UNF ADy OO as eT UID tevin Om ies sae ||) EATS Fig. 127. Ivory-billed Woodpecker. 131. Genus PICUS Linneeus. All the following species are black-and-white, the ¢ with red on the head; and all but the first have numerous, small, round, white spots on the quills. * Body not banded, streaked, nor spotted. White-headed Woodpecker. Uniform black; whole head white, in the g with a scarlet nuchal band; a large patch of white on the wing, commonly resolved into a number of blotches; about 9; wing 5; tail 34. Mountains of California, Oregon and Washington. Cass., Journ. Phila. Acad. 1853, Zyl AAS lero, WZ Wicite, pil, Bele Coorp., 382. . . . . ALBOLARVATUS. ** Spotted and crosswise banded, but not streaked. f—ed-cockaded Woodpecker. Wead black on top, with a large silky white auricular patch embracing the eye and extending on the side of the neck, bordered above in the ¢ by a scarlet stripe not meeting its fellow on the nape; nasal feathers and those on the side of the under jaw white ; black of the crown connected across the lores with a black stripe running from the corner of the bill down the side of the throat and neck to be dissipated on the side of the breast in black Fig.129. Red-cockaded Woodpecker. > PICIDH, WOODPECKERS. —GEN. 131. 193 spots continued less thickly along the whole side and on the crissum; under parts otherwise soiled white; central tail feathers black, others white, black- barred ; back and wings barred with black and white, the larger quills and many coverts with the white bars resolved into paired spots; 8-8$; extent 14-15; wing 44; tail 34. Pine swamps and barrens of the South Atlantic and Gulf States; North to Pennsylvania. Wruus., ii, 103, pl. 15; Nurr., 1, Da 3) AUD. Iv, 2045 pl. 264; Bos, 96. 2. - . . BOREALIS. Texan Woodpecker. Crown black, frequently ppeckied with white, in the & the hind head and nape extensively crimson; sides of the head white, with a long black stripe from the bill under the eye, widening behind, there joining a black postocular stripe and spreading over the side of the neck ; nasal feathers usually brown; under parts ranging from soiled white to smoky gray, with numerous black spots on the sides, flanks and crissum ; lateral tail feathers perfectly barred with black and white in equal amounts, the central ones black ; back and wings as in the last species. Small; about 7; wing 33-4; tail under 3; bill 3-§. Southwestern U. S. and southward. J8D., O43 Come, BI 8 & 6 o om 6 o 5 6 0 6 o ow MONMNEE Var. NuTTALLU. Rather larger; more white, this rather prevailing on the back over the black bars, the hind neck chiefly white, the nasal tufts white, the lateral tail feathers, especially, sparsely or imperfectly barred. The Californian coast race; Bp., 98; Coop., 378. Picus lucasanus, from Cape St. Lucas, is a local form like nuttallii, with rather larger bill and feet; bill 1 inch. Xawnrus, Proc. Phila. Acad. 1859, 298, 302; Cass., ibid. 1863, 195; Coop., 381. P. parvus CasBor; P. bairdii Sciater; PP. vagatus and orizabe Cassin, all belong to scalaris. *** Spotted and lengthwise streaked, but not banded. t Usually 9-10 long ; outer tail feathers wholly white. Hairy Woodpecker. Back black, with a long white stripe; quills and wing coverts with a profusion of white spots; four middle tail feathers black, next pair black and white, next two pair white, as stated; under parts white ; crown and sides of head black, with a white stripe over and behind the eye, another from the nasal feathers running below the eye to spread on the side of the neck, anda scarlet nuchal band in the 3, wanting in the 9 ; young with the crown mostly red or bronzy, or even yellowish. Eastern North America, abundant. Wing nearly 5; tail 34; bill 14; whole foot 13. Varies greatly in size, mainly according to latitude. Large whiter northern birds are— P. leucomelas Bopp., Pl. Enlum. 345, f. 1; P. canadensis Gmn., i. 437; P. phillipsii Aup., iv, 238, pl. 259 (young with crown yellowish) ; P. septentrionalis Nutv., i, 2d ed. 684 (same); var. major Bp., 84. Ordinary birds are— P. villosus Wixs., i, 150, pl. 9; Nurr.,i, 575; Aup., iv, 244, pl. 262; P. martine Aup., iv, 240, pl. 260 (young with crown reddish) ; P. rubricapillus Nurr., i, 2d ed. 685 (same) ; var. medius Bo., 84. Small southern birds are—P. auduboni Swainson, Fn. Bor.-Am. ii, 306; P. audubont Truprau, Journ. Phila. Acad. 1837, 404 (young with crown yellowish); Avup., iv, 259, pl. 265; Nurr., i, 2d ed. 684; var. UCONN De eC 0 ae ie Oe Ng es te Ge yr, ss | VALLOSUSE KEY TO N. A. BIRDS. 25 194 PICIDE, WOODPECKERS. —GEN. 132, 138. Var. uarrisi. Exactly like villosus, excepting fewer wing-spots ; generally none on the coverts and inner quills; with specimens enough we can see the spots disap- pear one by one. Generally white below, but in some regions smoky-gray (a thing not observed in Eastern birds, but apparently due, sometimes at least, to soiling with carbonaceous matter). Rocky Mountains to the Pacific. Avup., iv, 242, pl. 261 (dark- bellied) ; Nurr., i, 2d ed. 627; Bp., 87; Coor., 3875. P. hyloscopus CaBANIs. ty Usually 6-7 long ; outer tail feathers barred with black and white. Downy Woodpecker. Exactly like P. i “\ villosus, except in the above respects; wing Se a DONA SDECKEL. under 4; tail under 3; bill about 3; whole foot 14. Eastern North America, abundant in orchards, and all wooded places. . Wits., i, 153, pl. 9; Nurr., i, 576; Aup., iv, 249, pl. 263; Bp., 89. P. meridionalis Swarys., F. B.-A. ii, 308 (small southern race) ; ID, Gpaonws Wn, Cand, BO, 56 b 6 o 5 o o 3 5 o o SIBIDISCINIS. Var. GAIRDNERI. Bearing the same relation to P. pubescens, that harrisii does to P. villosus, and inhabiting the same regions; the wing spots few or wanting on the inner quills and the coverts, the belly smoky-gray in some localities. AvD., iv, 252; Bp., 91, pl. 85; Coor., 377. P. meridionalis Nurt., i, 2d ed. 690. 132. Genus PICOIDES Lacepede. *,* Three-toed; the hallux absent. Crown with a yellow patch in the @ ; sides of head striped, of body barred, with black and white; under parts otherwise white; quills with white spots; tail feathers unbarred, the outer white, the central black. Length 8-9; wing 43-5; tail 31-4. Black-backed Woodpecker. Back uniform black. Arctic America to the Northern States. Avp., iv, 266, pl. 268; Nurr., i, 578; Bp., 98; Coopr., 384. P. tridactylus Bonar., Am. Orn. ii, 14, pl. 14, f. 2. . arcoricus. Banded Woodpecker. Back with a white lengthwise stripe, banded with black tips of the feathers. Arctic America into Northern States. P. hir- sutus AUD., iv, 268, pl. 269; Nurr., i, 2d ed. 622; Bp., 98; P. tridactylus Swains., I’. B.-A. ii, 311, pl. 56; P. americanus Coor., 385. AMERICANUS. Var. porsaLis. Back with an uninterrupted white stripe; Bp., 100, pl. 85, f. 1. Rocky Mountain region. *,* All the species of this genus are unquestionably modified derivatives of one circumpolar stock; the American seem to have become completely differentiated from the Asiatic and European, and further divergence seems to have perfectly separated arcticus from americanus; but dorsalis and americanus are still linked together. 133. Genus SPHYRAPICUS Baird. *,.* Tongue not extensible; the tip brushy; hyoid bones short. Birds of this genus feed much upon fruits, as well as insects, and also, it would seem, upon soft inner bark (cambium) ; they injure fruit trees by stripping off the bark, sometimes in large areas, instead of simply boring holes. Of the several small species com- monly called ‘* sapsuckers,” they alone deserve the name. In declaring war against DOs PICIDA, WOODPECKERS. —GEN. 133. 195 woodpeckers, the agriculturist will do well to discriminate between the somewhat injurious and the highly beneticial species. “ellow-bellied Woodpecker. g with the crown crimson, bordered all around with black; chin, throat and breast black, enclosing a large crimson patch on the former (in the g ; in the this patch white); sides of head with a white line starting from the nasal feathers and dividing the black of the throat from a trans- ocular black stripe, this separated from the black of the crown by a white postocular stripe; all these stripes frequently yellowish; under parts dingy yellow, brown- ish and with sagittate dusky marks on the sides; back variegated with black and yellowish-brown ; wings black with a large oblique white bar on the coverts, the quills with numerous paired white spots on the edge of both webs; tail black, most of the feathers white-edged, the inner webs of the middle pair, and the upper coverts, mostly white. Young birds lack the definite black areas of the head and breast, and the crimson throat-patch, these parts being mottled gray; but in any plumage the bird is recognized by its yellowness, different from what is seen in any other Eastern species, and the broad white wing-bar, to say nothing of the generic characters. About 84; wing 44-5; tail 3$. Eastern North America, abundant. Whuts., i, 147, pl. 9, f. 2; Nurr., i, 574; Aup., iv, 263, pl. 26mm DD tee eee neon feet ek Seo. os. cs eer GS ue 4 MARIUS Var. NucHALIS. With an additional band of scarlet on the nape, and the throat- patch more extensive; it is often seen in the 9. Rocky Mountains to the Pacific, but apparently not exclusively western; Iam informed that birds of this descrip- tion are found in New England. Bp., 103, 897; Coopr., 390. Red-breasted Woodpecker. Exactly like the last, but the whole head, neck and breast carmine red, in both sexes; gray in the young. Size of the last, with which it is said to intergrade, and of which it is apparently only a variety. Pacific Coast, U.S. Aup., iv, 261, pl. 266; Bp., 104; (COOPI 2 aE RC ie er ee rs cals ls ee ow CRUBERS Brown-headed Woodpecker. General plumage closely banded with black and grayish-white; rump white; middle of belly yellow, of breast black ; whole head nearly uniform brown; quills sprinkled with white alone the edges; tail black with the middle feathers white-barred; 9-94; wing 5 or more; tail 4 or less. Wooded mountainous regions, Pacific slope. Cass., Ill. 200, pl. 82; Bo., 106; Exxtot, pl. 25; Coor., 393. . ‘wTHyYRoIDEUS. Williamson’s Woodpecker. Glossy black; sides and crissum mixed black and white; belly yellow; rump white; tail black, unmarked; wings black, Fic. 131. Yellow-bellied Woodpecker. 196 PICIDH, WOODPECKERS. —GEN. 134, 135. with a large oblique white bar on the coverts, aud a few white spots on the edges of the quills; throat with a narrow crimson patch (white in the ¢? ?) ; head with a white postocular stripe meeting its fellow on the nape, and another from the nasal feathers to below the auriculars; size of the last. Same habitat. A beautiful species; this, and ‘hyroideus, resemble no others. IS Deel Dts COO aoc ee ete nnnccnn ns inragnnntete nre nN E EVY LIMTG CAIN TIS Ch NDI 134. Genus CENTURUS Swainson. *,* Back and wings, except larger quills, closely banded with black and white ; primaries with large white blotches near the base, and usually a few smaller spots ; below, immaculate, except sagittate black marks on the flanks and crissum; the belly tinged with red or yellow; 9-10 long; wing about 5; tail about 33. L—ed-bellied Woodpecker. Whole crown and nape scarlet in the g, partly so in the 9 ; sides of head and under parts grayish-white, usually with a yellow shade, reddening on the belly; tail black, one or two outer feathers white-barred ; inner web of central feathers white with black spots, outer web of the same black with a white space next the shaft for most of its length; white predominating on the rump. Eastern United States, some- what southerly, rarely N. to New England; common. Wixts., i, 113, pl. 7, fe2 se NURT. 1 sO 2p NUD pein (0,0 pl. 20k Sl) 9a CAR OMINTS: Yellow-faced Woodpecker. Extreme forehead and a nuchal band yellow ; crown with a central square crimson patch, wanting in the 9 ; rump and upper tail coverts entirely white; tail feathers entirely black, except white touches on the outer pair; lower parts sordid whitish, becoming yellow on the belly. Texas, southward. C. flaviventris Bp., 110, pl. 42; P. aurifrons, WaGLER, Isis, 1829, 512; Coop., 399. . . A 6 0 o Moimanonis Gila Woodpecker. No yellow about the head; crown with a square crim- son patch, wanting in the @ ; rump and upper tail coverts barred with black ; tail feathers marked as in carolinus; head and under parts dull brown, becoming yellow on the ane Valley of the Colorado and Gila. Bp., 111; Boze, BOOS Maney tees ou feces) Win) Ap ts ee UR OYUN SY 135. Genus MELANERPES Swainson. —ed-headed Woodpecker. Glossy blue-black; rump, secondaries and under parts from the breast, pure white; primaries and tail feathers black ; whole head, neck and breast crimson, in both sexes, grayish-brown in the young; about 9; wing 53; tail 84. Eastern U.S. to the Rocky Mountains ; California? ~ swith black maxillary patches, wanting in the PICIDE, WOODPECKERS.—GEN. 136, 137. 197 becoming yellowish; this cuts off the black around base of bill and on the chin completely ; crown in the 2 crimson from the white front, in the ¢ separated from the white by a black interval; frequently a few red feathers in the black breast-patch, which is not sharply defined behind, but changes by streaks into the white of the belly. Bill black; eyes white, brown in the young, which are not particularly different, but have the head markings less defined. Size of the last. Rocky Mountains to the Pacific, U. 8., abund- ant; noted for its habit of sticking acorns in little holes that it digs in the bark for the purpose; whole branches are frequently studded in this manner. Cass., Ill. ii, pl. 2; Bp., 114; Coor., 403. . . . . . ¥FORMICIVORUS. Var. ANGusTiIFrRons is said to have the white frontal bar narrower and the Dill somewhat differently shaped. Cape St. Lucas. Coor., 405. 136. Genus ASYNDESMUS Coues. Lewis’ Woodpecker. Black, with bronzy-green iridescence; wings and tail the same, unmarked; face and sides of head dusky crimson; cervical collar and under parts hoary-ash, becoming crimson or bloody-red on the belly ; the feathers of these parts of a peculiar loose bristly texture; sexes alike; young plainer black above, with little or no crimson on face or below. About 11 long; wing 63; tail 45. Wooded and especially mountainous parts of Western America; a remarkable looking bird. Wus., iii, 31, pl. 20; Nurr., i, 577; Auvp., iv, 280, pl. 272; Bp., 115; Cours, Proc. HehilaseAtcade li SG6. 565 COOR.e40G4 8 5 eo eee) 2 TORQUATUS: 137. Genus COLAPTES Swainson. *.* Under parts with numerous circular black spots on a pale ground. A large black pectoral crescent. Rump snowy white. Back, wing coverts and innermost quills brown with an olive or lilac shade, and thickly barred with black ; quills and tail black, excepting as below stated. About a foot long; wing about 6; tail 41. Wings and tail showing golden-yellow underneath, and the shafts of this color; a scarlet nuchal crescent in both sexes; ¢ @ ; crown and nape ash; chin, throat and breast lilac-brown; sides tinged with creamy brown, and belly with yellowish; shade of the back rather olivaceous. Eastern North America; Alaska (Dall). A very abundant and well known bird. Wits., i, 45, pl. 3, f. 1; Nutt., Ne 561; AUD., lv, 282, pl. Fic. 132. Golden-winged Woodpecker. 273; Bo., 118. Oe ee ibe eh sph) Su eo Me ya a, SMURIAMS Gilded Woodpecker. Wings and tail showing golden yellow underneath, ) Net tyre WEEE (CO wre ( 198 PSITTACI, PARROTS. and the shafts of this color; no nuchal crescent in either sex; ¢ with scarlet maxillary patches, wanting in the @ ; crown lilac-brown; chin, throat and breast ash; sides tinged with creamy-brown, and belly with yellowish. Colorado Valley, Lower California, and southward. Bop., 125, and Proc. Phila. Acad. 1859, 302; Exutor, pl. 26; Coop., 410. . . CHRYSOIDES. Red-shafted or Mexican Woodpecker. Wings and tail showing orange-red underneath, and the shafts of this color; no nuchal crescent in either sex ; g with scarlet maxillary patches, wanting in the 9 ; crown lilac-brown ; chin, throat and breast ash; under parts shaded with lilac-brown; no yellowish on the belly. Western North America, Sitka to Mexico. Avp., iv, 290, pl. 274; Nurt., ii, 603; Bp., 120; Coop., 408. . MEXICANUS. Oxs. It will be noted, how curiously these species are distinguished mainly by a different combination of common characters.— Colaptes ayresii of AuD., vii, 348, pl. 494; C. hybridus of Barrp, 122, is a form from the Missouri region in which the characters of meaicanus and wuratus are blended in every conceivable degree in different specimens. Perhaps it is a hybrid, and perhaps it is a transitional form. According to Mr. Allen, Florida specimens of awratus sometimes show red touches in the black maxillary patch, as is frequently the case with Kansas examples. Order PSITTACI. Parrots, Feet permanently zygodactyle by reversion of the fourth toe; bill short, extremely stout, strongly epignathous, and furnished with a (frequently feathered) cere, as in the birds of prey; wings and tail variable. The parrots, including the macaws, cockatoos, lories, etc., form one of the most strongly marked groups of birds, as easily recognizable by their peculiar external appearance as defined by the technical points of structure. They were formerly included in an order Scansores on account of the paired toes, but this is a comparatively trivial circumstance ; they have no special affinity with other zygodactyle birds, and their peculiarities entitle them to rank with groups called orders in the present volume. They might not _inaptly be styled frugivorous Raptores; and in some respects they exhibit a vague analogy to the quadrumana (monkeys) among mammals. The upper mandible is much more freely movable than is usual in birds, being articulated instead of suturally joined with the forehead; and the bill is commonly used in climbing. The bony orbits of the eyes are frequently completed by union of the lachrymal bones with postorbital processes. The symphysis of the lower jaw is short and obtuse. The sternum is entire or simply fenestrated posteriorly ; the furculum is weak, sometimes defective, or wanting. The principal metatarsal bone is short and broad, and its lower extremity is modified to suit the position of the fourth toe. The lower larynx is peculiarly constructed, with three pairs of muscles. The plumage shows aftershafts ; the oil gland is often wanting. ** Parrots abound in all tropical countries, but, except in Australia and New Zealand, rarely extend into the temperate zone. The Indian and &thiopian regions are poor in parrots, while the Australian is the richest, containing many genera and even whole families peculiar to it” (Newron). The highest authority, Finscn, recognizes 354 species as well-determined, distributing them in 26 genera; 142 are American, 23 African, and 18 Asiatic ; ‘the Moluceas and New Guinea have 83, Australia 59, and Polynesia 29. Ornithologists are now nearly agreed to divide RAPTORES, BIRDS OF PREY.—GEN. 138. 199 them into 5 families. The curious flightless ground-parrot of New Zealand (Séri- gops habroptilus) forms one of these, Strigopide. ‘The most highly organized group is the Trichoglosside, in which the whole structure is adapted to flower- feeding habits” (WaLuace) ; it belongs to the Australian region. The cockatoos are familiar examples of a third family, Plictolophide, of Australia and the Kast Indies. The great bulk of the order, however, is made up of the other two less specialized and more generally distributed groups, the Psittacide proper, and the Family ARID/A, of which the macaws (Ara), and the following species, are characteristic examples. 138. Gen. CONURUS Kuhl. Carolina —_Parroquet. Green; head yellow; face red; bill white ; feet flesh color ; wings more or less variegated with blue and yellow. Sexes alike. Young simply green. 13 wing 74; tail 6. Southern States; up the Mississippi Valley to the Missouri region; formerly strayed to Pennsylvania and New York, but of late has receded even from the Carolinas; still abundant in Florida. Gregarious, frugivorous and granivorous; not regularly migratory. WILS., ili. 89, pl. 26, f. 1; Nurt., i, 545; Aup., iv, 306, pl. 278; Bp., 67. CAROLINENSIS. Fia. 133. Carolina Parroquet. Order RAPTORES. Birds of Prey. Bill epignathous, cered; and feet not zygodactyle. The rapacious birds form a perfectly natural assemblage, to which this expression furnishes a clue. The parrots, probably the only other birds with strongly hooked and truly cered bill, are yoke-toed. The Raptores present several osteological and other anatomical peculiarities. There are two carotids; the syrinx, when developed, has but one pair of intrinsic muscles. The alimentary canal varies with the families, but differs from that of vegetarian birds, in adaptation to an exclusively animal diet. In the higher types, the whole structure betokens strength, activity and ferocity, carnivorous propensities and predaceous nature. Most of the smaller, or weaker, species feed much upon insects; others more particularly upon reptiles, and fish ; others upon carrion; but the majority prey upon other birds, and small mammals, captured in open warfare. Representatives of the order are found in every part of the world. They are divisible into four families. One of these, Gypogeranide, consists of the single remarkable species Gypogeranus serpentarius, the secretary- bird or serpent-eater of Africa; this shows a curious grallatorial analogy, being 200 STRIGIDH, OWLS. mounted on long legs, like a crane, and has several other more important structural modifications. The other three families occur in this country; and the following accounts are sufliciently explicit to illustrate the order, without further remark in this connection. Family STRIGIDA. Owls. Head very large, and especially broad from side to side, but shortened length- wise, the ‘“‘face” thus formed further defined by a more or less complete ‘‘ruff,” or circlet of radiating feathers of peculiar texture, on each side. Eyes very large, looking more or less directly forward, set in a circlet of radiating bristly feathers, and overarched by a superciliary shield. External ears extremely large, often pro- vided with an operculum or movable flap, presenting the nearest approach, among birds, to the ear-conch of mammals. Bill shaped much as in other ordinary rapa- cious birds, but thickly beset at base with close-pressed antrorse bristly feathers. Nostrils large, commonly opening at the edge of the cere rather than entirely in its substance. Hallux of average length, not obviously elevated in any case; outer toe more or less perfectly versatile (but never permanently reversed), and shorter than the inner toe. Claws all very long, much curved and extremely sharp, that of the middle toe pectinate in some species. As arule, the tarsi are more or less completely feathered, and the whole foot is often thus covered. Among numerous osteological characters may be mentioned the wide separation of the inner and outer tablets of the brain case by intervention of light spongy diploeé; the commonly 4-notched sternum, and a peculiar structure of the tarso-metatarsus. The gullet is capacious but not dilated into a special crop; the gizzard is only moderately muscular; the intestines are short and wide; the cceca are extremely long and club-shaped. The syrinx has one pair of intrinsic muscles. The feathers have no aftershaft, and the general plumage is very soft and blended. The Nocturnal Birds of Prey will be immediately recognized by their peculiar physiognomy, independently of the technical characters that mark them as a natural, sharply defined family. They are a highly monomorphic group, without extremes of aberrant form; but the ease with which they are collectively defined is a measure of the difficulty of their rigid subdivision, and the subfamilies are not yet satis- factorily determined. Too much stress appears to have been laid upon the trivial, although evident, circumstance of presence or absence of the peculiar ear-tufts that many species possess: more reliable characters may probably be drawn from the structure of the external ear, and facial disk, the modifications of which appear to bear directly upon mode of life, these parts being as a rule most highly developed in the more nocturnal species ; while some points of internal structure may yet be found correspondent. One group, of which the barn owl, Strix jlammea, is the type, seems very distinct in the angular contour and high development of the facial disk, pectination of the middle claw, and other characters; and probably the rest of the family fall in two other groups; but I do not deem it expedient to present subfamilies on this occasion. As is well known, owls are eminently nocturnal birds; but to this rule there are numerous striking exceptions. This general habit is correspondent to the modifi- cation of the eyes, the size and structure of which enable the birds to see by night, and cause them to suffer from the glare of the sunlight. Most species pass the daytime secreted in hollow trees, or dense foliage and other dusky retreats, resuming their wonted activity after nightfall. Owing to the peculiar texture of the plumage STRIGIDH, OWLS.—GEN. 139. 201 their flight is perfectly noiseless, like the mincing steps of a cat; and no entirely fanciful analogy has been drawn between these birds and the feline carnivora that chiefly prey stealthily in the dark. Owls feed entirely upon animal substances, and capture their prey alive—small quadrupeds and birds, reptiles and insects, and even fish. Like most other Raptores, they eject from the mouth, after a meal, the bones, hair, feathers and other indigestible substances, made up into a round pellet. They are noted for their loud outeries, so strange and often so lugubrious, that it is no wonder that traditional superstition places these dismal night birds in the category of things illomened. The nest is commonly a rude affair of sticks gathered in the various places of diurnal resort ; the eggs are several (commonly 3-6), white, sub- spherical. The female, as a rule, is larger than the male, but the sexes are alike in color; the coloration is commonly blended and diffuse, difficult of concise description. Owls are among the most completely cosmopolitan of birds; with minor modifi- cations according to circumstances, their general habits are much the same the world over. A difliculty of correctly estimating the number of species arises from the fact that many, especially of the more generalized types, have a wide geograph- ical distribution, and, as in nearly all such cases, they split into more or less easily recognized races, the interpretation of which is at present a matter of opinion rather than a settled issue. About 200 species pass current ; this number must be reduced by one-third; out of about 50 generic names now in vogue, probably less than one-half represent some structural peculiarity. Notable exotic genera are the Japanese Phodilus (P. badius), an ally of Strix proper; the Asiatic Aetupa; and the extensively distributed Old World Athene, in its broad acceptation. Fic. 134. Foot of Barn Owl. 139. Genus STRIX Linnzus. Barn Owl. Tawny, or fulvous-brown, delicately clouded or marbled with ashy and white, and speckled with brownish-black ; below, a varying shade from nearly pure white to fulvous, with sparse sharp blackish speckling ; face white to purplish-brown, darker or black about the eyes, the disk bordered with dark brown; wings and tail barred with brown, and finely mottled like the back; bill whitish; toes yellowish. Facial disk highly developed, not circular; no tufts; ears very large, operculate ; tarsi long, scant-feathered, below bristly, like the nearly naked toes; middle claw usually found serrate or at least jagged; plumage very downy. 9 17 long; wing 13; tail 54; g rather less. U.5S., Atlantic to Pacific, southerly ; rare in the interior, Ki OMN.. Ae) BIRDS. 26 202 STRIGIDZ, OWLS.—GEN. 140, 141. rarely N. to New England. Wits., vi, 57, pl. 50, f. 2; Nuar., i, 189; Aun., i, 127, pl. 84; Cass. in Bp., 47; Coor., 415. FLAMMBA var. AMERICANA. 140. Genus BUBO Cuvier. Great Horned Owl. Distinguished by its large size, in connection with the conspicuous ear-tufts: the other species of similar dimensions are tuft- less. The plumage varies interminably, and no concise description will meet all its phases; it is a variegation of blackish, with dark and light brown, and fulvous. A white collar is the most constant color- mark. Var. arcticus is the northern bird, very light colored, and frequently nearly white, like the snowy owl, in arctic speci- mens. Var. pacificus is a littoral form, very dark colored, with little fulvous, “extending from Oregon northward, coastwise, to Labrador.” (Midgway.) Facial disks complete; car non-opercu- late; feet entirely feathered. Length about 2 feet, rather less than more; wing 14-16 inches; tail 9-10. This powerful bird, only yielding to the great gray owl in size, and to none in spirit, is a common er inhabitant of North America at large; not migratory ; breeds in late winter and early spring months, building a large nest of sticks, on the branches or in the hollows of trees; eggs white, nearly spherical, 24 by 1%. Wiues., vii, 52, pl. 50, f. 1; Nurr., i, 124; AuD., i, 143, pl. 39; Cass. in Bp., 49; Coor., 418. . . VIRGINIANUS. 141. Genus SCOPS Savigny. * Toes bristly. Screech Owl. Red Owl. Mottled Owl. Like a miniature Bubo in form ; 8 or 10 inches long; wing 6-7; tail 8-35. One plumage :— General aspect gray, paler or whitish below, above speckled with blackish, below patched with the same; wings and tail dark-barred ; usually a lightish scapular area. Another : — General aspect brownish-red, with sharp black streaks; below, rufous-white, variegated ; quills and tail with rufous and dark bars. These plumages shade insensibly into each other, and it has been determined that they bear no definite relations to age, sex, or season. Parallel varia- tions occur in some other species. North America at large; one of the most abundant species. Wits., ili, 16, pl. 19, f. 1; v, 83, pl. 42, f. 1; Nourt., i, 120; Aup., i, 147, pl. 40; Cass. in Bp., 51; Coor., 420. asro. A | cs. STRIGIDE, OWLS. —GEN. 142. 203 Var. KENNICOTTII. Large dark north-western form; general color sepia-brown, mottled and blotched with black; 11; wing 7}; tail 4. Alaska to Washington and Idaho; three specimens known. Ex.ior, Proc. Phila. Acad. 1867, 69; Ib., pl. 27; Bp., Trans. Chicago Acad. 1869, 311; Coop., 423. Var. maccatii. Small, pale, southern form; size at the minimum above given. Southwestern United States. Cass., Ill. 180, and in Bp., 52. Frc. 136. Screech Owl. ** Toes perfectly naked. is ) Flammulated Owl. Above, grayish-brown, obscurely streaked with black, ‘and finely speckled with white; below, erayish-white with some rufous mottling, each feather with a shaft streak, and several cross-lines, of black ; face and ruff varied with rufous; edges of the scapulars the same, forming a noticeable oblique bar; wing coverts tipped, and outer webs of the quills squarely spotted, with white, or rufous-white, and tail feathers imperfectly barred with the same. 63-7; wing 54-53; tail 24. A small owl with the form and much the general aspect of an ungrown S. aso, but the feathering of the feet stops abruptly at the toes. Mexico; North to Fort Crook, California, where found breeding (/eilne). Scox., Proc. Zool. Soc. 1858, 96; Scu. and Sanv., ibid. 1868, 57, and Exotic Ornithology, vii, 68, 99, DIO COOP Mele 2 te ereest eet. 90s se Gees ss FPRAMMEODAL 142. Genus OTUS Cuvier. Long-eared Owl. General plumage above, a variegation of dark brown, fulvous and whitish, in a small pattern; breast more fulvous, belly whiter, former sharply striped, and latter striped and elaborately barred, with black- ish; quills and tail mottled and closely barred with fulvous and dark brown ;_ face pale, with black touches and eye patches; bill and claws blackish. 204 STRIGIDH, OWLS. —GEN. 143, 144. Tufts long and conspicuous, of 8-12 feathers; ear parts immense, with a semicircular flap; facial disk complete; tarsi and toes feathered. J4-15 long; wing 11-12; tail 5-6. Temperate North America, common. WILs., vi, (3, pl. 51, f. 3; Nurr., 1, 180; Aup 1,136, plo i OAssemim esi, 53> Coop, 426. 2 3. 2 ae VULGARIS Van WALLS ONDA Use 143. Genus BRACHYOTUS Gould. Short-eared Owl. Fulvous or bufiy-brown, paler or whitey-brown below ; breast and upper parts broadly and thickly streaked with dark brown, belly usually sparsely streaked with the same, but not barred crosswise; quills and tail buff, with few dark bands, and mottling; facial area, legs and cris- sum pale, unmarked; eye patch blackish. With the size and form of the last species, but readily seen to be different; ear tufts small and inconspicuous, few-feathered. Temperate North America, abundant; not appreciably different from the European. Wits., iv, 64, pl. 33, f. 8; Nurr., i, 132; Aup., i, 140, pl. 88; Cass. in Bp., 54; Coop., 427. . . . PALUSTRIS. 144. Genus SYRNIUM Savigny. *.* Large owls, without ear-tufts, the facial disks complete and of great extent, the eyes comparatively small, the ear parts moderate, operculate, the tarsi and toes fully feathered. Great Gray Owl. Aldove, cinereous-brown, mottled in waves with cine- reous-white ; below, these colors rather paler, disposed in streaks on the breast, in dars elsewhere; quills and tail with five or six darker and lighter bars; the great disk similarly marked in regular concentric rings. An immense owl, one of the largest of all, much exceeding any other of this country ; about 24 feet long, the wing 14, the tail a foot or more. Arctic Am., irregularly 5. into the northern U.S. in winter. Bonap., Am. Orn. pl. 23, f. 2; Sw. and Ricu., F. B.-A. ii, 77, pl. 31; Avun., 1, 130; pl. 35; Noutr., i, 128; Cass. in Bp., 56; Coor., 433. LAPPONICUM Var. CINEREUM. Barred Owl. Alove, cinereous-brown, barred with white, often tinged with fulvous; below, similar, paler, the markings in dais on the breast, in streaks elsewhere; quills and tail feathers barred with brown and white with an ashy or fulvous tinge. Length about 18; wing 138-14; tail 9. Eastern North America, common. WILs., iv, 61, UES Sint as NWA Tee eats ellos ee AULD) rom melltcy emit emesis Cass. in Bp., 56; Coor., 481. . . NEBULOSUM. Western Barred Owl. resembling the last, but easily distinguished: general color warm Fie. 137. Barred Owl. brown; the white bars above broken into spots particularly towards and on the head; below, the markings in bars every- where; wings and tail closely barred. Fort Tejon, Cala.; one specimen known. Xawnrus, Proce. Phila. Acad.-1859, 193; Bp., B. N. A. 1860, p. y, pl. 66 (not in the Government edition) ; Coop., 430. . OccIDENTALE. HN (ae) 4 above, more or less thickly speckled STRIGIDH, OWLS.—GEN. 145, 146, 147. 205 145. Genus NYCTEA Stephens. Snowy Owl. Pure white, with more or fewer blackish markings. Nearly 2 feet long; wing 17 inches; tail 10. Head smooth; facial disks incomplete ; eyes and ear parts moder- ate; feet densely clothed. This remark- able owl, conspicuous both in size and color, inhabits the boreal regions of both continents, coming southward in winter ; it ordinarily enters the United States, and in extreme cases ranges ivregularly through most of the States. It is not by any means exclusively nocturnal. AVAIU Seep Vem aan) lemrcne opetiage lis mesN (UTD alls 116; Aup., i, 113, pl. 28; Cass. in Bp., (jm) 8 (Clore, Mn 5 5 NOG 146. Genus SURNIA Dumeril. Hawk Owl. Day Owl. Dark brown with white; below, closely barred with brown and whitish, the throat alone streaked; quills and tail with numerous white bars; face ashy, margined with black. Length about 16 inches; wing 9; tail 7, graduated, the lateral feathers 2 inches shorter than the central. Except in the length of its tail, which produces linear measurements unusual for a bird of its bulk in this family, its general form is that of the snowy owl. Like that species, it is a bird of Arctic regions, coming southward in winter, but its range is more restricted, rarely extending to the Middle States. It is the most diurnal bird of the family, ranging abroad at all times, and approaches a hawk more nearly than any other. Wuts., vi, 64, pl. 50, f.6; Nurr., i, 115; Aup., i, 112, pl. 27; Cass. in Bp., 64; Coor., 448. ULULA var. HUDSONICA. Fic. 138. Snowy Owl. 147. Genus NYCTALE Brehm. * Small owls with the head untufted, the facial disks complete, the ears opercu- late, the tarsus longer than the middle toe, the tail nearly even, the 5d quill longest, the first 5 emarginate; color above chocolate-brown, spotted with white, the tail with transverse white bars; the adwlé with the facial area and forehead variegated with white, the face and superciliary line grayish-white, the lower parts white with spots or streaks of the color of the back; the young with the facial area and fore- head dark brown, the face dusky, the eyebrows pure white, the lower parts brown, paler on the belly, unmarked. (See Ripaway, Am. Nat. vi, 284.) Tenginalm’s Owl. Large; wing 74; tail 44, thus more than half the wing. Bill yellow, the cere not tumid, the nostrils presenting laterally, and obliquely oval. Arctic America, south to the borders of the United States. ~ GEN. 148. 206 STRIGIDA, OWLS. Strix tengmalmi Aup., Orn. Biog. iv, 559, pl. 380; B. Am. i, 122, pl. 32. Nyctale richardsoni Cass. in Bpo., 57. According to Mr. Ridgway, the American bird is a distinguishable variety, being darker, the dark areas larger, legs speckled instead of plain, etc. TENGMALMII var. RICHARDSONII. Acadian Owl. Saw-whet Owl. Small; wing 53; tail 23, thus not more than half the wing. Bill black, the cere tumid, the circular nostrils pre- senting anteriorly. United States and somewhat northward; Mexico. Common. Wyctale albifrons Cass. in Bpo., 57, and Ill. 187; Coop., 435; N. kirtlandii Hoy, Proc. Phila. Acad. 1852, 210; Cass., Ill. 63, pl. 11; Strix frontalis Licur.; these are the young. Strix passerina WILS., iv, 66, pl. 84, f. 1; Strix acadica Nurr., i, 1387; Ulula acadica Aun., i, 123, pl. 83; 2. acadica Cass. in Bp., 58; Coop., 4386. . . . . ACADICA. 148. Genus GLAUCIDIUM Wagler. *.* Very small; head untufted ; facial disk nearly obsolete; ear parts moderate ; tarsus fully feathered, toes thickly bristled; wings short and much rounded, 4th quill longest, the 8 outer ones emarginate; tail rather long, even; claws strong, sharp, much curved. Pygmy Owl. Above, uniform brown, everywhere dotted with small round white spots, and with a collar of mixed white and blackish around the back of the neck; breast with a mottled brown band separating the white throat from the rest of the white under parts, which all have lengthwise reddish-brown streaks; wings and tail dusky brown with round white spots on both webs, largest on the inner; under wing coverts white with black marks disposed in an oblique bar. ¢ 7, or a little less; extent 14$; wing Bf; tail 8; 9 larger; 74, extent 153, etc. Iris and soles yellow; toes above, bill and cere, greenish-yellow. The shade of the upper parts ranges from pure deep brown to pale grayish-brown, sometimes with a slight oliva- ceous shade. Rocky Mountains to the Pacific, U. S., common; a ecrepus- cular and rather diurnal than strictly nocturnal species. Surnia passerinoides Aub., i, 117, pl. 80. G. infuscatum Cass., Ill. 189; G. gnoma Cass. in Bp., 62; Coop., 444. . . . . . . PASSERINUM var. CALLFORNICUM. Ferrugineous Owl. With the size, shape, and somewhat the coloration of the foregoing, but readily distinguished: under parts and nuchal collar much the same, but the former usually with a rusty tinge; upper parts ranging from the color of gnoma to a rusty-red (the variation nearly as great us in the two plumages of Scops asio), not continuously speckled, the whitish or ochrey spots mostly confined to the wing coverts and scapulars, those of the crown lengthened into sharp streaks; spots on the quills enlarged into bars nearly confluent from one web to the other, rusty or ashy next the shafts, white or tawny on the edges of the feathers, especially the inner; tail in both plumages alike closely and continuously barred with brown and rusty-red (same as the color of the upper parts in the red plumage, conspicuously different in the gray plumage), the latter sometimes fading on the inner webs. South and Central America and Mexico to the STRIGIDH, OWLS.—GEN. 149, 150. 207 U.S. border; Arizona (Bendire). Covers, Am. Nat. vi, 370. (Described from extra-limital specimens, No. 58,229, Mazatlan, and 43,055, Costa Rica, transmitted by the Smithsonian for the purpose.) . . . FERRUGINEUM. 149. Genus MICRATHENE Coues. Whitney's Owl. Above light brown, thickly dotted with angular paler brown marks, the back also obsoletely marbled with darker; a concealed white cervical collar, forming a bar across the middle of the feathers, which are plumbeous at base and brown at tip; quills with 3-6 spots on each web, white on the inner webs of all and outer webs of several, brown on the rest ; coverts with two rows of white spots, brown spots intervening; outer secondaries with a few white spots, and scapulars showing a white stripe ; lower wing coverts tawny white, with a dark brown patch; other wing- feathers dark brown with pale ashy dots near the ends of the secondaries ; tail feathers with light spots forming five broken bars, and a narrow terminal bar; feathers over eyes white, with black-spotted shaft; under eyes light brown obsoletely barred with darker; bristles about the bill black on their terminal half; chin and throat white, becoming light brown below, the white forming a broad crescent; sides of neck narrowly barred with ashy and brown, and breast imperfectly barred and blotched with the same, towards the abdomen forming large patches, margined with gray and white ; tibie narrowly barred with light and dark brown; tarsal bristles whitish; Dill pale greenish; iris and soles yellow. Length 64; extent 154; wing 43; tail 24; gape of bill $; bill 4 high, 2 wide at base. Facial disk imperfect ; no ear tufts; wings very long, but rounded; 3d and 4th quills longest, 2d equal to 6th, lst 3 the 3d; tail nearly even, with broad-tipped feathers ; tarsus nearly bare of feathers, sparsely bristly, like the toes; middle toe and claw about as long as the tarsus; claws remarkably small, weak, and little curved. Colorado Valley and southward (Fort Mojave, Cooper; Southern Arizona, Bendire; Mazatlan and Socorro, Grayson). A diminutive owl of remarkable characters, only lately discovered. Cooper, Proc. Cala. Acad. 1861, 118, and B. Cal. 442; Cours, Proc. Phila. Acad. 1866, 51; Lawr., Proc. Bost. Soc. 1871, p.—; Enutor, pl. 29. . . . . . WHuITNeEyI. 150. Genus SPHEOTYTO Gloger. Burrowing Owl. Above, grayish-brown, with white, black-edged spots ; below, tawny-whitish, variegated with reddish-brown, chiefly disposed in bars; face and throat whitish; crissum and legs mostly unmarked; quills with numerous paired tawny-white spots, and tail feathers barred with the same; bill grayish-yellow; claws black. 9-10 long; wing 64-74; tail 33-4. No tufts; facial disk imperfect; tarsi very long, extensively denuded, bristly like the toes. Prairies and other open portions of the United States west of the Mississippi, abundant; lives in holes in the ground, in prairie- dog towns, and the settlements of other burrowing animals, using their deserted holes for its nesting place. There is certainly but one species in this 208 FALCONID, DIURNAL BIRDS OF PREY. country ; it is merely a variety of the 8. American bird. Bonap., Am. Orn. pl. 7, f.2; Nurr., i, 118; Aup., i, 119, pl. 831; Athene hypogea and A. cunic- ularia Cass. in Bo., 59, 60; Coor., 437,440. CUNICULARIA var. HYPOGHA. Family FALCONIDA. Diurnal Birds of Prey. Comprising the great bulk of the order, this large family may be best defined by _exclusion of the special features marking the others. There is nothing of the erallatorial analogy exhibited by the singular Gypogeranide ; the nostrils are not completely pervious, nor the hind toe obviously elevated, as in Cathartide, and other peculiarities of the American vultures are not shown. Comparing with the owls, we miss their peculiar physiognomy, the eyes looking laterally as in ordinary birds, the disk wanting (except in the Circus group, where it is imperfect), the after- shaft present (except in Pundion), the outer toe not versatile (except in Pandion), and not shorter than the inner. The external ears are moderate and non-operculate. The eyes, as arule (but not always), are sunken beneath a projecting superciliary shelf, conferring a decided and threatening gaze. The bill shows the raptorial type in its perfection, and is always furnished with a cere in which the nostrils are pierced. The lores, with occasional exceptions owing to nakedness or dense soft feathering, are scantily clothed with radiating bristles, which however do not form, as in the owls, a dense appressed mass hiding the base of the bill. The feet are strong, with widely separable and highly contractile toes, and large sharp curved efficient instruments of prehension, offence and defence. The toes are generally scabrous underneath, with wart-like pads at the joints, to prevent slipping, and commonly show a basal web. The podotheca is very variable; the whole tarsus is frequently feathered, and usually partially so; the horny covering takes claws the form of scutella, or reticulations, or rugous granulations, and is occasionally fused. The capacious gullet dilates into a crop ; the gizzard is moderately muscular ; the intestines vary; the coca are extremely sinmall. The syrinx has one pair of intrinsic muscles. There are several good osteological characters. Birds of this family abound in all parts of the world, and hold the relation to the rest of their class that the carnivorous beasts do to other mammals. There are upwards of 300 good species or very strongly marked geographical races, justly referable to about 50 full genera. In round numbers, 1,000 specific and 200 generic names have been instituted for Falconide. No unexceptionable sub- division of the family has yet been proposed; and as this point is still at issue, I deem it best not to present subfamilies. Instead of an attempt in this direction, which would necessarily be premature, I will endeavor to give the student a general idea of the composition of the family. 1. The Old World vultures form a group standing somewhat apart from the others in many points of external structure and habits, although correspondent in more essential characters. Until Prof. Tuxley’s successful exhibition of this fact, they were usually united in a family, Vultuwridce, with the American vultures, from which, however, they differ decidedly, as stated beyond. It is a small group of six genera and about twelve species. The bearded griffin, Gypactus barbatus, is conspic- uous for its raptorial nature. The other genera, more or less decidedly “ vulturine,” are Vultur, Otogyps, Gyps, Neophron and Gypohierax; the characteristic species are —V. monachus, O. wuricularis, G. fulvus, N. percnopterus and G. angolensis. 2. The genus Polyborus (beyond), illustrates a small group of hawks partaking FALCONID@, DIURNAL BIRDS OF PREY. 209 somewhat of a vulturine nature; they feed much upon carrion, are rather sluggish in habit, and lack the spirit of the typical hawks. Details of form vary in the three genera Polyborus, Ibycter, and Milvago. There are less than twelve species, all confined to America. 3. The harriers are another small group, in which a ruff, forming an imperfect facial disk, as in the owls, is more or less developed. It consists of the genus Circus and its subdivisions (to which some add Polyboroides, of Africa), comprising about fifteen species of various parts of the world. Our species is a typical example. 4. The fish-hardks, of the single genus Pandion, with four or five species or races of various parts of the world, are remarkably distinguished from other birds of the family by the lack of aftershafts, a special tgact-formation, a peculiar conformation of the feet, and other characters as noticed further on. 5. The genus Pernis is distinguished from ordinary Falconide, in having the whole head softly and densely feathered. P. apivorus, the bee-eating hawk of Europe, is the type. It approaches the kites. 6. The kites form a rather extensive group of hawks averaging undersized and of no great strength, though very active, generally of lithe and graceful shape, with long pointed wings and often forked tail. They subsist on small game, especially insects, which they capture with great address. The eye is commonly unshielded. Besides the genera given beyond, there are several others: Milvus, near which our Nauclerus stands, of Europe and Asia; the Indian and East Indian Baza, the African Aviceda, and the remarkable Machaerhamphus of Africa and Malacca; with the American Cymindis, and Gampsonyx. There are some thirty species of the group as thus constituted; but some of the genera are questionably enumerated here. Milvus, Nauclerus, Hlanus and Ictinia are true kites. 7. The buzzards form a large group, not easily defined, however, unless it be by exclusion of the peculiarities of the others. They are hawks of medium and rather large size, heavy-bodied, of strong but rather measured flight, inferior in spirit to the true hawks and falcons, and as a rule feed upon humble game, which they rather snatch stealthily than capture in open piracy. The extensive genus Buteo with its subdivisions, and its companion Archibuteo, typify the buzzards ; they include, however, a variety of forms, shading into other groups. With them must be associated the eagles; for the popular estimate of these famous’great birds as something remarkably different from ordinary hawks is not confirmed by exam- ination of their structure, which is essentially the same as that of the buzzards, into which they grade. Although usually of large size, and powerful physique, they are far below the smallest falcons in raptorial character, prey like the buzzards, and often stoop to carrion. The genus Aquila may stand as the type of an eagle; its several species are confined to the Old World, with one exception. Haliaétus rep- resents a decided modification in adaptation to maritime and piscivorous habits. A celebrated bird of this group is the harpy eagle of South America, Thrasiaetus harpyia, with immense bill and feet, and one of the most powerful birds of the whole family. There are several other genera in either hemisphere. 8. The hawks proper are another extensive group, of medium sized and small species, which, although less powerfully organized, are little, if any, inferior in spirit and relative strength to the true falcons. ‘Their flight is swift, they capture their prey in active chase like hounds, and always kill for themselves. The wings are rather short, as a rule, with the tip formed by the 3d—5th quills, the 2d and ist being shortened; the tail is generally lengthened. The eye is shaded by a bony brow. KEY TO N. A. BIRDS. 27 210 FALCONIDZE, DIURNAL BIRDS OF PREY.—GEN. 151. The genera Astur and Accipiter are perfect illustrations of this group; the several other genera usually adopted are not very different. There appear to be about seventy-five species, of most parts of the world. 9. Lastly, the true falcons are prominently distinguished by the presence of a tooth behind a notch of the upper mandible, in the foregoing birds the tomia being simply lobed or festooned, or merely arched. ‘The falcons are birds of medium and small size (one of them is not larger than some sparrows), but extremely compact and powerful organization, and bold ruthless disposition; they prey by sudden and violent assault, and exhibit the raptorial nature in its perfection. The wings are strong, long and pointed, the tip formed by the 2d and 3d quills supported nearly to the end by the 1st and 4th; the tail is generally short and stiff. The typical and principal genus is Falco, of which there are, however, several subdivisions corres- ponding to minor modifications. The Australian Jeracidea, the East Indian Jerax, and the Brazilian Harpagus, which is doubly-toothed, are the principal other forms. There are upwards of fifty species of true falcons. With many exceptions, in this family the sexes are alike in color, but the female is almost invariably larger than the male. The changes of plumage with age are great, and render the determination of the species perplexing —the more so since purely individual, and somewhat climatic, color-variations, and such special condi- tions as melanism, are very frequent. ‘The modes of nesting are various; the eggs as a rule are blotched, and not so nearly spherical as those of owls. The food is exclusively of an animal nature, though endlessly varied; the refuse of digestion is ejected in a ball by the mouth. The voice is loud and harsh. Asa rule, the birds of prey are not strictly migratory, though many of them change their abode with much regularity. Their mode of life necessarily renders them non-gregarious. In the following sequence of our genera, the student will observe an attempt to indicate affinities not only in the family itself, but with allied families, by the central position of the typical Falco, the series beginning with the most owl- like form, and ending with the vulturine buzzards. But it is hoped that he will detect the imperfection of the arrangement, and that his studies will soon convince him of the impossibility of expressing natural relationships in any linear series. With this hint, the inviting problem is left open to stimulate investigation. 151. Genus CIRCUS Lacepede. Marsh Harrier. Adult g pale bluish-ash, nearly unvaried, whitening below and on upper tail coverts; quills blackish toward the end; 16-18; wing 14-15; tail 8-9; 9 larger, above dark brown streaked with reddish-brown, below the reverse of this; tail banded with these colors ; the immature ¢ is like the @, though redder, but in any plumage the bird is known by its white upper tail coverts, and generic charac- ters: face with ruffs ; wings, tail and tarsi very Fig. 139. Marsh Harvier. long, the latter scutellate before and behind, and twice as long as the middle toe ; nostrils oval, ete. North America, abund- ant. Nests on the ground. Wixts., vi, 67, pl. 51, f.2; Nurr.,i, 109; Aup., i, 105, pl. 26; Cass. in Bp, 88; Coor., 489. . CYANEUS var. HUDSONIUS. FALCONIDE, DIURNAL BIRDS OF PREY.—GEN. 152-156. 211 152. Genus ROSTRHAMUS Lesson. Everglade Hite. Adult g blackish; coverts and base of tail feathers white ; cere and feet yellow; bill and claws black; iris red; 16-18; wing 134-154; tail 64-74, emarginate; bill about 1, eatremely slender and with a long hook; tarsi scutellate in front, the bare part shorter than the middle toe; claws very long, gently curved. 9 and young brown, more or less variegated with fulvous and whitish. Florida, and southward. Cass. in Bo., 38; Maynarp, Birds of Florida, pls. i, v (in press; best account of the lowe! GET). « 5» 6 o o 0 56 o a 6 5 o no 0 o fOLWN SCO. 153. Genus ICTINIA Vieillot. Mississippi Hite. Plumbeous, paler on the head and under parts, black- ening on wings and tail; quills suffused with rich chestnut; sexes alike ; young varied with rusty and whitish; 14-15; wing 11-12, pointed; tail 6-64, nearly square. Bill very short and deep, the commissure with promi- nent festoon; nostrils small, circular; tarsus short, scutellate anteriorly ; outer and middle toe webbed; claws short, stout, flattened beneath. S. At- lantic and Gulf States, N. to Illinois (Atidgway). Wmuus., iii, 80, pl. 25, f.1; Nurr.,i,92; Aup.,i, 73, pl. 17; Cass. in Bp., 37. MISSISSIPPIENSIS. 154. Genus ELANUS Savigny. White-tailed Hite. Black-shouldered Hite. Head, tail and under parts white ; back cinereous; most of the wing coverts black; bill black; legs yellow; young variegated with brown above, the head and tail ashy. Rather larger than the last ; nostrils nearly circular; tarsi reticulate, feathered above in front; outer toe scarcely webbed; claws rounded underneath; tail emar- ginate, but outer feather shorter than the next. South Atlantic and Gulf States, California, and southward, chiefly coastwise. Nurr., i, 93; Aup., i, 70, pl. 16; Cass. in Bp., 87; Coop., 488. . . . . . . LEUCURUS. 155. Genus NAUCLERUS Vigors. Swallow-tailed Hite. Wead, neck and under parts, white; back, wings and tail, lustrous black. ‘Tail a foot or more long, deeply forficate ; wing 15-18, pointed; feet small, greenish-blue; claws pale; tarsi reticulate and feathered half way down in front; toes hardly webbed ; nostrils broadly oval. A beautiful bird, common in the South Atlantic and. Gulf States, in its extensive wanderings sometimes reaching the Middle districts, and in the interior penetrating to Wisconsin (Hoy), Missouri (Cowes) and even Min- nesota (lat. 47°; Zrippe). Wus., vi, 70, pl. 51, f.3; Nurr.,i, 95; Avp., Pet pelomMCASS NED sO0 aces ae. 5 . een RURCATUS: 156. Genus ACCIPITER Brisson. *,* Tarsus feathered but little way down in front (in gen. 157 the feathering reaches half way to the toes) ; toes long, slender, much webbed at base and padded S- 212 FALCONIDA, DIURNAL BIRDS OF PREY.—GEN. 156, 157. underneath ; height of bill at base greater than chord of culmen; 4th quill longest, 2d shorter than 6th, 1st very short. The two following species are exactly alike in color; one is a miniature of the other. The ordinary plumage is dark brown above (deepest on the head, the occipital feathers showing white when disturbed) with an ashy or plumbeous shade which increases with age, till the general cast is quite bluish-ash ; below, white or whitish, variously streaked with dark brown and rusty, finally changing to brownish-red (palest behind and slightly ashy across the breast) with the white then only showing in narrow cross-bars; chin, throat and crissum mostly white with blackish pencilling ; wings and tail barred with ashy and brown or blackish, the quills white-barred basally, the tail whitish-tipped; bill dark; claws black; cere and feet yellow. Sharp-shinned Hawk. “ Pigeon Hawk.” Feet extremely slender; bare portion of tarsus longer than middle toe; scutella frequently fused; tail square. g 10-12; wing 6-7; tail5-6. 9 12-14; wing 7-8; tail 6-7. Whole foot 34 or less. C1, North America, abund- Ay ant. alco velox WILS., AW V, 116, pl. 45, f. 1; #. : \ pennsylvanicus WILS., Vi, SY 13, pl. 46, f.1; Sw. and Ricu., F. B.-A. ii, 74; SEF jonas, 1h 8 AVOID, Ty Fie. 140. Cooper’s Hawk. 100, pl. 25 ; Cass. in Bp., 1S COOP; AGGa os GP Re oe 1 a ELIS CUS Cooper’s Hawk. Chicken Hawk. Feet moderately stout; bare portion of tarsus shorter than middle toe; scutella remaining distinct; tail a little rounded. g 16-18; wing 9-10; tail 7-8; 9 18-20; wing 10-11; tail 8-9. Whole foot 4 or more. N. Am., especially U. S.; common. Bownapr., Am, Orn. 1, 1, pl. 1, f 1; Avp., i, 98, pl. 24; Cass. in Bp., 165 Coor., 464. Falco cooperi and F’. stanleti Nurr., i, 90, 91. A. meuxicanus Cass. in Bp., 17: Coop., 465, is the same bird. . . . . . . . COOPERII. 157. Genus ASTUR Lacepede. Goshawk. Adult dark bluish-slate blackening on the head, with a white superciliary stripe ; tail with four broad dark bars; below, closely barred with white and pale slate, and sharply streaked with blackish. Young dark brown above, the feathers with pale edges, streaked with tawny-brown on the head and cervix; below fulvous-white with oblong brown markings. @ 2 feet long; wing 14 inches; tail 11; g smaller. A large, powerful, and, in perfect plumage, a very handsome hawk, inhabiting northern North America; the northern half of the United States chiefly in winter, but also breeding in mountainous parts. Wiuus., vi, 80, pl. 52, f. 3; Nurr., i, 85; Avp., i, 95, pl. 23; Cass. in Bp., 15; Coor., 467. A variety of the European Astur palumbarius? . . . . . . . . . ATRICAPILLUS. 2 A FALCONID/, DIURNAL BIRDS OF PREY.—GEN. 158. 213 158. Genus FALCO Linneus. * Tarsus more or less feathered above, elsewhere irregularly reticulate in small pattern ; 2d quill longest; 1st alone decidedly emarginate on inner web. Jerfalcon, or Gyrfalcon. Tarsus feathered fully half-way down in front, with only a narrow bare strip behind, and longer than middle toe; 1st quill shorter than 3d. Upward of 2 feet long; wing about 16 inches; tail 10. White, with dark markings much as in the snowy owl; or, ash-colored with numerous lighter bars; young striped longitudinally beneath. An arctic falcon, of circumpolar distribution, in this country reaching the northern states in winter. It is split into several varieties which, however, do not seem to be strictly geographical, and concerning which ornithologists are singularly agreed to disagree. In var. candicans, the white predominates over the dark markings, and the bill and claws are white; N. Greenland ; Iceland; Arct. Am. and Eur.