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diff --git a/31751-0.txt b/31751-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..e81b0f2 --- /dev/null +++ b/31751-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,8249 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of What Bird is That?, by Frank M. Chapman + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: What Bird is That? + A Pocket Museum of the Land Birds of the Eastern United + States Arranged According to Season + +Author: Frank M. Chapman + +Illustrator: Edmund J. Sawyer + +Release Date: March 23, 2010 [EBook #31751] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK WHAT BIRD IS THAT? *** + + + + +Produced by Chris Curnow, Joseph Cooper, Emmy and the +Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + + + + + + +WHAT BIRD IS THAT? + + + + +By FRANK M. CHAPMAN + + + AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF A BIRD-LOVER + + HANDBOOK OF BIRDS OF EASTERN NORTH AMERICA + + MY TROPICAL AIR CASTLE + + BIRD-LIFE + + CAMPS AND CRUISES OF AN ORNITHOLOGIST + + COLOR KEY TO NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS + + THE TRAVELS OF BIRDS + + OUR WINTER BIRDS + + WHAT BIRD IS THAT? + + BIRD STUDIES WITH A CAMERA + + LIFE IN AN AIR CASTLE + +[Illustration: 'MAP' OF A BIRD (Bluebird not quite life size).] + +The student should learn to name the parts of a bird's plumage in order +that he may write, as well as understand, descriptions of a bird's color +and markings. + + + + +WHAT BIRD IS THAT? + +A POCKET MUSEUM OF THE LAND BIRDS OF THE EASTERN UNITED STATES ARRANGED +ACCORDING TO SEASON + +BY + +FRANK M. CHAPMAN + +CURATOR OF BIRDS IN THE AMERICAN MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY AND EDITOR OF +"BIRD-LORE" + +[Illustration] + +WITH 301 BIRDS IN COLOR + +BY + +EDMUND J. SAWYER + + D. APPLETON-CENTURY COMPANY + INCORPORATED + NEW YORK LONDON + + + + + COPYRIGHT, 1920, BY + D. APPLETON & COMPANY + + _All rights reserved. This book, or parts + thereof, must not be reproduced in any + form without permission of the publishers._ + + + + PRINTED IN UNITED STATES OF AMERICA + + + + +INTRODUCTION + + +AS Curator of the Department of Birds of the American Museum of Natural +History I have had exceptional facilities for the arrangement of +collections designed to give students a comprehensive view of local +bird-life without confusing them with unnecessary details. + +Among other aids to this end a collection of 'Birds Found within 50 +Miles of New York' has been placed in a special hall and so grouped that +the visitor who wishes to identify some bird seen within these limits +may do so with the least possible difficulty. In addition to the +'General Systematic Collection,' containing specimens of the 350-odd +species of birds which have been recorded from the New York City region, +there is also a 'Seasonal Collection.' This Seasonal Collection contains +only the birds of the month. Its base is the 'Permanent Resident Birds,' +or those which, like the Crow, are with us throughout the year. To +these, the migratory species are added or subtracted, as they come or +go. The collection of migratory species is therefore revised the first +of each month. Birds which are due to arrive during the month are added, +those which have left us are withdrawn. The Seasonal Collection thus +gives us, at a glance, a picture of the bird-life of the month and +correspondingly limits the field of our inquiry when we go to it to +learn the name of some strange bird recently observed. In January, +therefore, we have not to consider the birds of June, nor need we be +concerned with winter birds in summer. The season of occurrence thus +gives us an important clue to a bird's identity. + +For somewhat more than a quarter of a century this small collection has +achieved its object so effectively that I have attempted to embody the +idea it demonstrates in a series of drawings which have been admirably +executed by Mr. Edmund Sawyer. As foundation plates or 'collections,' we +have first two 'cases' of the winter land birds of the Northeastern +States, or from about Maryland northward, containing the Permanent +Residents, which form part of the bird-life of every month of the year, +and the Winter Visitants, or those birds which come from the North in +the fall to remain with us until the following spring. + +Cases 3 and 4 contain the Permanent Resident and Winter Visitant land +birds of the Southern States. Whether the student is in the North or in +the South he has, therefore, a 'collection' of the land birds which he +may expect to find during the winter months. + +Cases 5 to 8 contain the migrants arranged according to the order of +their arrival from the South in the vicinity of New York City. Since it +is not practicable to have cases containing collections of migrants for +other latitudes, data are given showing what changes in dates should be +made to adapt the schedule presented to other localities, including +Washington, D.C., Ossining, N.Y., Cambridge, Mass., northern Ohio, Glen +Ellyn, near Chicago, and southeastern Minnesota. The records for these +localities are quoted from the author's 'Handbook of Birds of Eastern +North America' to which they were contributed respectively by Dr. C.W. +Richmond, Dr. A.K. Fisher, William Brewster, Lynds Jones, B.T. Gault, +and Dr. Thos. S. Roberts. + +With these facts, the cases in a large measure tell their own story, +just as does our Museum Seasonal Collection; but further to assist the +student I have added what may be termed a 'label' for each of the +'specimens' they contain. These labels include comments on each bird's +distinctive characters, a statement of its nesting and winter range, the +notes on its status at various localities, to which I have just +referred, and brief remarks on its habits. + +It is the specimens, however, not the labels, which warrant the +publication of this little volume, for I hope that, like their +prototypes in the American Museum, they will be a means of acquainting +us with "the most eloquent expressions of Nature's beauty, joy and +freedom," and thereby add to our lives a resource of incalculable value. + +While the birds in the cases are small, they are drawn and reproduced +with such accuracy that no essential detail of color or form is lost. +Above all, they have the rare merit of being all drawn to nearly the +same scale. One will soon learn therefore to measure the proportions of +unknown birds by comparison with those with which one is familiar, and +since relative size is the most obvious character in naming birds in +nature, this is a feature of the first importance. + +The student is strongly urged _first_, to become thoroughly familiar +with the 'map' of a bird given in the frontispiece: _second_, to use an +opera- or field-glass when observing birds: _third_, to write +descriptions of unknown birds _while they are in view_ stating their +length, shape, and as many details of their color and markings as can be +seen: _fourth_, to remember that one is not likely to find birds except +in their regular seasons: and, _fifth_, to take this book afield with +him and make direct comparison of the living bird with its colored +figure. The wide margins are designed for use in recording field-notes. + + FRANK M. CHAPMAN. + + American Museum of Natural History. + New York City. + + + + +CONTENTS + + + + PAGE + + INTRODUCTION vii + + BIRDS AND SEASONS xi + + ABBREVIATIONS xxvi + + LAND BIRDS OF THE EASTERN UNITED STATES 1 + + +THE POCKET MUSEUM + + CASE FACING PAGE + + NO. 1 PERMANENT RESIDENT LAND BIRDS OF THE + NORTHERN UNITED STATES xviii + + NO. 2 PERMANENT RESIDENTS (CONCLUDED) AND + WINTER VISITANTS LAND BIRDS OF THE + NORTHERN UNITED STATES xix + + NO. 3 WINTER LAND BIRDS OF THE SOUTHERN + UNITED STATES xx + + NO. 4 WINTER LAND BIRDS (CONCLUDED) xxi + + NO. 5 EARLY SPRING MIGRANT LAND BIRDS OF + THE EASTERN UNITED STATES xxii + + NO. 6 EARLY SPRING MIGRANT LAND BIRDS + (CONCLUDED) xxiii + + NO. 7 LATE SPRING MIGRANT LAND BIRDS OF + THE EASTERN UNITED STATES xxiv + + NO. 8 LATE SPRING MIGRANT LAND BIRDS + (CONCLUDED) xxv + + + + +BIRDS AND SEASONS + + +BEFORE a leaf unfolds or a flower spreads its petals, even before the +buds swell, and while yet there is snow on the ground, the birds tell us +that spring is at hand. The Song Sparrow sings "Spring, spring, spring, +sunny days are here"; the Meadowlark blows his fife, the Downy rattles +his drum, and company after company of Grackles in glistening black +coats, and of Red-wings with scarlet epaulets, go trooping by. For the +succeeding three months, in orderly array, the feathered army files by, +each member of it at his appointed time whether he comes from the +adjoining State or from below the equator. + +Besides the Blackbirds, March brings the Robin and Bluebird, Woodcock, +Phœbe, Meadowlark, Cowbird, Kingfisher, Mourning Dove, Fox, Swamp, +White-throated and Field Sparrows. + +Near New York City the New Year of the birds has now passed its infancy +and in April each day adds perceptibly to its strength. 'Pussy' willows +"creep out along each bough," skunk cabbage rears its head in low, wet +woods, and in sun-warmed places early wild flowers peep from beneath the +sodden leaves. With swelling ranks the migratory army moves more +steadily northward. Species which arrived late in March become more +numerous, and to them are soon added the Vesper, Savannah, and Chipping +Sparrows, and other seed-eaters; and when, with increasing warmth, +insects appear, the pioneer Phœbe is followed by other insect-eating +birds, like the Swallows, Pipit, Hermit Thrush, Myrtle and Palm +Warblers, Louisiana Water-thrush and Ruby-crowned Kinglet. + +The true bird student will now pass every available moment afield, +eagerly watching for the return of old friends and more eagerly still +for possible new ones. But enjoyment of this yearly miracle should not +be left only to the initiated. We need not be ornithologists to be +thrilled when the Robin's song in March awakes long silent echoes, or +the Thrasher's solo rings loud and clear on an April morning. The +Catbird singing from near his last year's home in the thickening +shrubbery, the House Wren whose music bubbles over between bustling +visits to an oft-used bird-box, the Chimney Swift twittering cheerily +from an evening sky, may be heard without even the effort of listening +and each one, with a hundred others, brings us a message if we will but +accept it. And I make no fanciful statement when I say that it is a +message we can ill afford to lose. + +[Illustration: "RED-WINGS WITH SCARLET EPAULETS GO TROOPING BY"] + +With May come the Thrushes--Wood Thrush, Veery, Olive-back and +Gray-cheek, the last two en route to the north--the Orioles, Cuckoos, +Vireos, and the Bobolink who began his four thousand mile journey from +northern Argentina in March. But May is preëminently the Month of +Warblers, "most beautiful, most abundant, and least known" of our birds. +To the eight species which have already arrived, there may be added over +twenty more, represented by a number of individuals beyond our power to +estimate. We may hear the Robin, Thrasher, and Wren, without listening, +but we will see few Warblers without looking; and this, in a measure, +accounts for the fascination which attends their study. + +After May 15 there is an evident thinning in the ranks of the migrating +army, and by June 1 we shall see only a few stragglers. The Transient +Visitors will have gone to their more northern homes and our bird +population will then consist only of the ever present Permanent +Residents and the Summer Residents which the great northward march of +the birds has brought us from the South. + +Although June may be called the Month of Nests, nest-building begins +long before the migration ends. Some Owls and Hawks lay in March, and +the Bluebird, White-breasted Nuthatch and Robin have eggs by April 20, +while most of our birds go to housekeeping during the latter half of +May. Nevertheless, it is in June that their domestic life is at its +height; and to the student of birds' habits this is by far the most +interesting month in the year. + +[Illustration: TREE SWALLOWS . . . RESTING IN ROWS ON WAYSIDE WIRES] + +Birds that raise two or even three broods will still be occupied with +household affairs in July, but one-brooded birds, having launched their +families, will seek retirement to undergo the trying ordeal of molt, +whereby they will get a complete new costume. Often this will be quite +unlike the one in which they arrived from the South--as the student will +discover, sometimes to his confusion! In August, the Month of Molt, the +seclusion sought by many of our summer birds induces the belief that +they have left us, but toward the latter part of the month they +reappear. The first week in August virtually marks the end of the song +season. The Wood Pewee and Red-eyed Vireo remain in voice throughout the +month, but the great chorus which has made May, June and most of July +vocal, we shall not hear before another spring--so short is the time +when we are blessed by the songs of birds. + +Meanwhile the feathered army has begun its retreat to winter quarters. +As early as July 15, Tree Swallows will arrive and by the end of the +month will be seen resting in rows on wayside telegraph wires, or en +route to their roosts in the marshes. In the now heavily leaved forests +the returning Warblers and Flycatchers will not be so easily observed as +they were in May, but in September they become too abundant to be +overlooked. The southward movement grows in strength until late +September, when the greater part of the insect-eating birds have left +us, and it is terminated by the frosts, and consequent falling leaves, +of October. + +But just as in the spring some of the northbound migrants drop from the +ranks to spend the summer with us, so in the fall some of the southbound +travelers will remain with us for the winter. The Junco, which we are +wont to think of as only a winter bird, arrives the latter part of +September to remain until April, and with him come the Golden-crowned +Kinglet, Brown Creeper and Winter Wren--all to stay until spring. +October will bring the Horned Lark, Pine Finch, Snow Bunting, Tree +Sparrow and Northern Shrike and these birds with the ones just +mentioned, and the ever faithful Permanent Residents, give us a goodly +winter company. + +But the possibilities do not end here; there may be Redpolls, American +and also White-winged Crossbills, perhaps Pine Grosbeaks, and, best of +all, Evening Grosbeaks, who of recent years have been coming to us more +or less regularly from no man knows where. + +So from one year's end to the other, there is not a month, a week or day +which has not interests of its own. The bird student may pass his life +in one place, but he can never say "I have finished" for the morrow may +bring some new bird or new fact. How immeasurably this association with +the birds adds to the joy of life! What new meanings their comings and +goings give to the changing seasons; the very air is made eloquent by +their calls and songs. Why should we not all "come at these +enchantments"? + +[Illustration: IN OCTOBER, WHEN MIGRATING HAWKS DOT THE SKY, THE GREAT +SOUTHWARD MARCH OF THE BIRDS IS NEARING ITS END.] + + + + + A POCKET + MUSEUM + + OF THE + + LAND BIRDS + + OF THE + + EASTERN + UNITED STATES + + _Arranged according_ + TO SEASON + +[Illustration: CASE NO. 1 FIGS. 1-19] + + +CASE NO. 1 FIGS. 1-19 + +PERMANENT RESIDENT LAND BIRDS OF THE NORTHERN UNITED STATES + + 1 Bob-white, male, p. 1 + 2 Bob-white, female, p. 1 + 3 Ruffed Grouse, p. 2 + 4 Red-shouldered Hawk, adult, p. 12 + 5 Red-tailed Hawk, young, p. 11 + 6 Red-tailed Hawk, adult, p. 11 + 7 Sparrow Hawk, male, p. 17 + 8 Sparrow Hawk, female, p. 17 + 9 Cooper's Hawk, young female, p. 10 + 10 Cooper's Hawk, adult male, p. 10 + 11 Sharp-shinned Hawk, adult male, p. 9 + 12 Sharp-shinned Hawk, young female, p. 9 + 13 Screech Owl, gray phase, p. 22 + 14 Screech Owl, rufous phase, p. 22 + 15 Barred Owl, p. 20 + 16 Great Horned Owl, p. 22 + 17 Long-eared Owl, p. 19 + 18 Short-eared Owl, p. 20 + 19 American Crow, p. 46 + +[Illustration: PERMANENT RESIDENTS] + + +CASE NO. 2 FIGS. 20-63 + +PERMANENT RESIDENT LAND BIRDS OF THE NORTHERN UNITED STATES + + 20 Blue Jay, p. 44 + 21 Flicker, male, p. 32 + 22 Flicker, female, p. 32 + 23 Meadowlark, p. 50 + 24 Starling, winter, p. 47 + 25 Starling, summer, p. 47 + 26 Downy Woodpecker, male, p. 28 + 27 Downy Woodpecker, female, p. 28 + 28 Hairy Woodpecker, male, p. 28 + 29 Hairy Woodpecker, female, p. 28 + 30 English Sparrow, male, p. 57 + 31 English Sparrow, female, p. 57 + 32 Purple Finch, female, p. 57 + 33 Purple Finch, male, p. 57 + 34 Song Sparrow, p. 74 + 35 Goldfinch, female, p. 60 + 36 Goldfinch, male, p. 60 + 37 Chickadee, p. 125 + 38 White-breasted Nuthatch, male, p. 123 + 39 White-breasted Nuthatch, female, p. 123 + 40 Cedar Waxwing, p. 85 + + +WINTER VISITANT LAND BIRDS OF THE NORTHERN UNITED STATES + +or those which come from the North in the Fall and usually remain until +Spring: + + 41 Saw-whet Owl, p. 21 + 42 Prairie Horned Lark, p. 43 + 43 Junco, p. 73 + 44 Tree Sparrow, p. 71 + 45 White-throated Sparrow, adult, p. 70 + 46 White-throated Sparrow, young, p. 70 + 47 Redpoll, female, p. 59 + 48 Redpoll, male, p. 59 + 49 American Crossbill, male, p. 58 + 50 American Crossbill, female, p. 58 + 51 White-winged Crossbill, male, p. 58 + 52 White-winged Crossbill, female, p. 58 + 53 Pine Grosbeak, male, p. 56 + 54 Pine Grosbeak, female, p. 56 + 55 Siskin, p. 60 + 56 Northern Shrike, p. 86 + 57 Snow Bunting, p. 61 + 58 Winter Wren, p. 120 + 59 Brown Creeper, p. 122 + 60 Red-breasted Nuthatch, male p. 124 + 61 Red-breasted Nuthatch, female, p. 124 + 62 Golden-crowned Kinglet, female, p. 127 + 63 Golden-crowned Kinglet, male, p. 127 + +[Illustration: CASE NO. 3 FIGS. 1-27] + + +CASE NO. 3 FIGS. 1-27 + +WINTER LAND BIRDS OF THE SOUTHERN UNITED STATES + + +Permanent Resident species, or those which are present throughout the +year, are marked "R." Winter Visitant species, or those which come from +the North in the Fall and remain until Spring, are marked "W." + + 1 Bob-white, male, R., p. 1 + 2 Bob-white, female, R., p. 1 + 3 Mourning Dove, R., p. 5 + 4 Ground Dove, R., p. 5 + 5 Sparrow Hawk, female, R., p. 17 + 6 Sparrow Hawk, male, R., p. 17 + 7 Sharp-shinned Hawk, adult male, R., p. 9 + 8 Sharp-shinned Hawk, young female, R., p. 9 + 9 Turkey Vulture, R., p. 6 + 10 Black Vulture, R., p. 7 + 11 Bald Eagle, adult, R., p. 14 + 12 Red-shouldered Hawk, adult, R., p. 12 + 13 Red-tailed Hawk, adult, R., p. 11 + 14 Osprey, R., p. 18 + 15 Marsh Hawk, adult male, R., p. 9 + 16 Barred Owl, R., p. 20 + 17 Barn Owl, R., p. 19 + 18 Belted Kingfisher, male, R., p. 26 + 19 Screech Owl, gray phase, R., p. 22 + 20 Flicker, male, R., p. 32 + 21 Red-headed Woodpecker, adult, R., p. 31 + 22 Red-headed Woodpecker, young, R., p. 31 + 23 Red-bellied Woodpecker, male R., p. 32 + 24 Hairy Woodpecker, male, R., p. 28 + 25 Downy Woodpecker, male, R., p. 28 + 26 Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, adult male, W., p. 30 + 27 American Crow, R., p. 46 + +[Illustration: CASE NO. 4 FIGS. 28-82] + + +CASE NO. 4 FIGS. 28-82 + +WINTER LAND BIRDS OF THE SOUTHERN UNITED STATES + + +Permanent Resident species, or those which are present throughout the +year, are marked "R." Winter Visitant species, or those which come from +the North in the Fall and remain until Spring, are marked "W." + + 28 Red-winged Blackbird, male R., p. 49 + 29 Red-winged Blackbird, female, R., p. 49 + 30 Cowbird, male, R., p. 48 + 31 Cowbird, female, R., p. 48 + 32 Towhee, female, R., p. 76 + 33 Towhee, male, R., p. 76 + 34 Cardinal, female, R., p. 77 + 35 Cardinal, male, R., p. 77 + 36 Vesper Sparrow, W., R., [A]p. 63 + 37 Fox Sparrow, W., p. 76 + 38 House (or "English") Sparrow, male, R., p. 57 + 39 House (or "English") Sparrow, female, R., p. 57 + 40 White-throated Sparrow, adult, W., p. 70 + 41 Junco, W., p. 73 + 42 Song Sparrow, R., p. 74 + 43 Field Sparrow, R., p. 72 + 44 Swamp Sparrow, W., p. 75 + 45 Chipping Sparrow, winter, R., p. 71 + 46 Tree Sparrow, W., p. 71 + 47 Savannah Sparrow, W., p. 64 + 48 Purple Finch, adult male, W., p. 57 + 49 Purple Finch, female and young male, W., p. 57 + 50 Goldfinch, male, summer, R., p. 60 + 51 Goldfinch, female and winter, R., p. 60 + 52 Phœbe, R., p. 38 + 53 Tree Swallow, W., p. 83 + 54 Cedar Waxwing, R., W., [A]p. 85 + 55 Loggerhead Shrike, R., p. 87 + 56 Myrtle Warbler, winter, W., p. 100 + 57 Pine Warbler, R., p. 107 + 58 Palm Warbler, winter, W., p. 108 + 59 Yellow Palm Warbler, winter, W., p. 108 + 60 Maryland Yellow-throat, male, R., p. 113 + 61 Maryland Yellow-throat, female, R., p. 113 + 62 Pipit, W., p. 116 + 63 House Wren, R., p. 120 + 64 Carolina Wren, R., p. 119 + 65 White-breasted Nuthatch, R., p. 123 + 66 Brown-headed Nuthatch, R., p. 124 + 67 Tufted Titmouse, R., p. 125 + 68 Carolina Chickadee, R., p. 126 + 69 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, R., p. 129 + 70 Ruby-crowned Kinglet, male, W., p. 128 + 71 Ruby-crowned Kinglet, female, W., p. 128 + 72 Golden-crowned Kinglet, male, W., p. 127 + 73 Golden-crowned Kinglet, female, W., p. 127 + 74 Florida Grackle, R., p. 53 + 75 Blue Jay, R., p. 44 + 76 Mockingbird, R., p. 117 + 77 Hermit Thrush, W., p. 132 + 78 Bluebird, male, R., p. 134 + 79 Meadowlark, R., p. 50 + 80 Robin, R., W., [A]p. 133 + 81 Catbird, R., p. 117 + 82 Brown Thrasher, R., p. 118 + +[Footnote A: Winter Visitant only in the more southern States; a +Permanent Resident in North Carolina and Virginia.] + +[Illustration: CASE NO. 5 FIGS. 1-38] + + +CASE NO. 5 FIGS. 1-38 + +EARLY SPRING MIGRANT LAND BIRDS OF THE EASTERN UNITED STATES + + +The birds are arranged in the order of their arrival from the South in +the vicinity of New York City. Nos. 1-19, 22-24, 26, 27, 30, 31, 36-38 +winter in the Southern (chiefly Gulf) States. The remainder winter in +the tropics and reach the Southern States a month or more before they +arrive at New York. Compared with the dates here given for New York +City, Washington dates are from ten to fifteen days earlier; Boston, +about a week later; northern Ohio, eight to twelve days earlier; +northern Illinois, six to ten days earlier; southeastern Minnesota, +about the same as those for New York. + + 1 Purple Grackle, male, p. 53 + 2 Bronzed Grackle, male, p. 53 + 3 Rusty Blackbird, female, p. 52 + 4 Rusty Blackbird, male, p. 52 + 5 Red-winged Blackbird, female, p. 49 + 6 Red-winged Blackbird, male, p. 49 + 7 Fox Sparrow, p. 76 + 8 Cowbird, male, p. 48 + 9 Cowbird, female, p. 48 + 10 Kingfisher, male, p. 26 + 11 Mourning Dove, p. 5 + 12 Robin, p. 133 + 13 Bluebird, male, p. 134 + 14 Field Sparrow, p. 72 + 15 Phœbe, p. 38 + 16 Vesper Sparrow, p. 63 + 17 American Pipit, p. 116 + 18 Yellow-throated Warbler, p. 105 (Southern States) + 19 Sycamore Warbler, p 105. (lower Mississippi Valley) + 20 Bachman's Warbler, female, p. 94 (Southern States) + 21 Bachman's Warbler, male, p. 94 (Southern States) + 22 Swamp Sparrow, p. 75 + 23 Savannah Sparrow, p. 64 + 24 Tree Swallow, p. 83 + 25 Purple Martin, male, p. 82 + 26 Hermit Thrush, p. 132 + 27 Myrtle Warbler, p. 100 + 28 Swainson's Warbler, p. 93 (Southern States) + 29 Prothonotary Warbler, male, p. 93 (Southern States and Mississippi Valley) + 30 Sapsucker, male, p. 30 + 31 Chipping Sparrow, p. 71 + 32 Barn Swallow, p. 83 + 33 Summer Tanager, male, p. 81 (Southern States) + 34 Summer Tanager, female, p. 81 (Southern States) + 35 Louisiana Water-Thrush, p. 110 + 36 Ruby-crowned Kinglet, male, p. 128 + 37 Ruby-crowned Kinglet, female, p. 128 + 38 Yellow Palm Warbler, p. 108 + +[Illustration: CASE NO. 6 FIGS. 39-74] + + +CASE NO. 6 FIGS. 39-74 + +EARLY SPRING MIGRANT LAND BIRDS OF THE EASTERN UNITED STATES + + +The birds are arranged in the order of their arrival from the South in +the vicinity of New York City. Nos. 43, 46, 47, 51, 57, 60-64, 67, 68, +70-72 winter in the Southern (chiefly Gulf) States. The remainder winter +in the tropics and reach the Southern States a month or more before they +arrive at New York. Compared with the dates here given for New York +City, Washington dates are from ten to fifteen days earlier; Boston, +about a week later; northern Ohio, eight to twelve days earlier; +northern Illinois, six to ten days earlier; southeastern Minnesota, +about the same as those for New York. + + 39 Nighthawk, male, p. 34 + 40 Chuckwill's Widow (Southern States), p. 33 + 41 Whip-poor-will, male, p. 34 + 42 Chimney Swift, p. 35 + 43 Red-headed Woodpecker, p. 31 + 44 Least Flycatcher, p. 42 + 45 Yellow-headed Blackbird, male, p. 49 (Mississippi Valley) + 46 Seaside Sparrow, p. 67 + 47 Sharp-tailed Sparrow, p. 66 + 48 Clay-colored Sparrow, p. 72 (Mississippi Valley) + 49 Painted Bunting, female, p. 79 (Southern States) + 50 Painted Bunting, male, p. 79 (Southern States) + 51 Towhee, male, p. 76 + 52 Blue Grosbeak, male, p. 78 (Southern States) + 53 Blue Grosbeak, female, p. 78 (Southern States) + 54 Bank Swallow, p. 84 + 55 Cliff Swallow, p. 82 + 56 Rough-winged Swallow, p. 84 + 57 Black and White Warbler, p. 92 + 58 Black-throated Blue Warbler, male, p. 99 + 59 Black-throated Blue Warbler, female, p. 99 + 60 Pine Warbler, p. 107 + 61 Palm Warbler, p. 108 + 62 Black-throated Green Warbler, p. 106 + 63 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, p. 129 (Southern States) + 64 Oven-bird, p. 109 + 65 Bell's Vireo, p. 92 (Mississippi Valley) + 66 Red-eyed Vireo, p. 88 + 67 White-eyed Vireo, p. 91 + 68 Blue-headed Vireo, p. 90 + 69 Yellow-throated Vireo, p. 90 + 70 House Wren, p. 120 + 71 Catbird, p. 117 + 72 Brown Thrasher, p. 118 + 73 Veery, p. 130 + 74 Wood Thrush, p. 129 + +[Illustration: CASE NO. 7 FIGS. 1-39] + + +CASE NO. 7 FIGS. 1-39 + +LATE SPRING MIGRANT LAND BIRDS OF THE EASTERN UNITED STATES + +For times of arrival at other localities see remarks under Case No. 6 + + 1 Yellow-billed Cuckoo, p. 25 + 2 Black-billed Cuckoo, p. 25 + 3 Ruby-throated Hummingbird, female, p. 36 + 4 Ruby-throated Hummingbird, male, p. 36 + 5 Crested Flycatcher, p. 38 + 6 Kingbird, p. 37 + 7 Gray Kingbird, p. 37 (Southern States) + 8 Baltimore Oriole, male, p. 52 + 9 Baltimore Oriole, female, p. 52 + 10 Orchard Oriole, adult male, p. 51 + 11 Orchard Oriole, female, p. 51 + 12 Orchard Oriole, young male, p. 51 + 13 Bobolink, female, p. 48 + 14 Bobolink, male, p. 48 + 15 Lincoln's Sparrow, p. 75 + 16 Grasshopper Sparrow, p. 64 + 17 Henslow's Sparrow, p. 65 + 18 Leconte's Sparrow, p. 65 (Mississippi Valley) + 19 Lark Sparrow, p. 68 (Mississippi Valley) + 20 Dickcissel, p. 80 (Mississippi Valley) + 21 Harris's Sparrow, p. 69 (Mississippi Valley) + 22 White-crowned Sparrow, p. 69 + 23 Indigo Bunting, male, p. 79 + 24 Indigo Bunting, female, p. 79 + 25 Rose-breasted Grosbeak, female, p. 78 + 26 Rose-breasted Grosbeak, male, p. 78 + 27 Scarlet Tanager, male, p. 80 + 28 Scarlet Tanager, p. 80 + 29 Warbling Vireo, p. 89 + 30 Philadelphia Vireo, p. 89 + 31 Worm-eating Warbler, p. 93 + 32 Orange-crowned Warbler, p. 96 + 33 Nashville Warbler, p. 96 + 34 Golden-winged Warbler, male, p. 95 + 35 Blue-winged Warbler, p. 94 + 36 Golden-winged Warbler, female, p. 95 + 37 Lawrence's Warbler, p. 95 + 38 Brewster's Warbler, p. 95 + 39 Parula Warbler, p. 97 + +[Illustration: CASE NO. 8. FIGS. 40-82] + + +CASE NO. 8. FIGS. 40-82 + +LATE SPRING MIGRANT LAND BIRDS OF THE EASTERN UNITED STATES + +For times of arrival at other localities see remarks under Case No. 6. + + 40 Yellow Warbler, female, p. 99 + 41 Yellow Warbler, male, p. 99 + 42 Magnolia Warbler, p. 101 + 43 Chestnut-sided Warbler, male, p. 102 + 44 Chestnut-sided Warbler, female, p. 102 + 45 Kirtland's Warbler, p. 106 + 46 Cerulean Warbler, female, p. 102 + 47 Cerulean Warbler, male, p. 102 + 48 Prairie Warbler, p. 108 + 49 Chat, p. 113 + 50 Maryland Yellow-throat, male, p. 113 + 51 Maryland Yellow-throat, female, p. 113 + 52 Kentucky Warbler, p. 111 + 53 Canadian Warbler, p. 115 + 54 Hooded Warbler, male, p. 114 + 55 Hooded Warbler, female, p. 114 + 56 Northern Water-Thrush, p. 110 + 57 Redstart, female, p. 115 + 58 Redstart, male, p. 115 + 59 Olive-sided Flycatcher, p. 39 + 60 Acadian Flycatcher, p. 41 + 61 Yellow-bellied Flycatcher, p. 40 + 62 Alder Flycatcher, p. 41 + 63 Wood Pewee, p. 40 + 64 Tennessee Warbler, p. 97 + 65 Cape May Warbler, male, p. 98 + 66 Cape May Warbler, female, p. 98 + 67 Blackburnian Warbler, male, p. 104 + 68 Blackburnian Warbler, female, p. 104 + 69 Bay-breasted Warbler, male, p. 103 + 70 Bay-breasted Warbler, female, p. 103 + 71 Blackpoll Warbler, male, p. 103 + 72 Blackpoll Warbler, female, p. 103 + 71 Wilson's Warbler, female, p. 114 + 74 Wilson's Warbler, male, p. 114 + 75 Mourning Warbler, male, p. 112 + 76 Mourning Warbler, female, p. 112 + 77 Connecticut Warbler, male, p. 111 + 78 Connecticut Warbler, female, p. 111 + 79 Long-billed Marsh Wren, p. 122 + 80 Short-billed Marsh Wren, p. 121 + 81 Olive-backed Thrush, p. 131 + 82 Gray-cheeked Thrush, p. 130 + + + + +LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS + + + A.V. Accidental Visitant. A bird found beyond the + limits of its usual range. + + L. Length of a bird from the tip of its bill to the end + of its tail. Remember that living birds look + shorter than the measurements of specimens + given beyond. + + P.R. Permanent Resident. A species which is found in + the same locality throughout the year. The Bob-white, + Ruffed Grouse, most Owls, and Hawks, + the Crow, Jays, Black-capped Chickadee and + the White-breasted Nuthatch are Permanent + Residents. + + S.R. Summer Resident. A species which comes from + the South in the spring and, after nesting, returns + to its winter quarters. + + T.V. Transient Visitant. A species which visits us in + the spring while en route to its more northern + nesting grounds, and in the fall when returning + to its winter home in the South. Most Transient + Visitants are found both in the spring and fall, + but some, like the Connecticut Warbler, are found + in the North Atlantic States only in the fall. + + W.V. Winter Visitant. A species which comes from the + North to remain with us all, or part of the winter + and then return to the North. Winter Visitants + may arrive in September and remain until April, + or they may come later and only for a brief stay. + + * * * * * + +NOTE. Measurements are in inches. + + + + +Land Birds of the Eastern United States + + + + +GALLINACEOUS BIRDS. ORDER GALLINÆ + + + + +AMERICAN QUAIL. FAMILY ODONTOPHORIDÆ + + +BOB-WHITE + +_Colinus virginianus virginianus. Case 1. Figs. 1, 2_ + + The black and white markings of the male are + respectively buff and brown in the female. In + flight the Bob-white, or Quail, suggests a + Meadowlark, but the tail is without white + feathers. L. 10. + + _Range._ Eastern United States north to Minnesota + and Maine south to the Gulf. A Permanent Resident. + Severe winters and much shooting have made it rare + in the more northern parts of its range. + + Washington, common P.R. Ossining, common P.R. + Cambridge, P.R. N. Ohio, not common P.R. Glen + Ellyn, rare P.R. SE. Minn., common P.R. + +Except when nesting Bob-whites live in flocks or "coveys" usually +composed of the members of one family. Their song, heard in spring and +summer, is the clear, ringing two- or three-noted whistle which gives +them their common name. Their fall and winter notes, which sportsmen +term "scatter calls" are signals by which the members of a flock keep +within speaking distance of one another. "_Where_ are you?" "_Where_ are +you?" they seem to say. As with other protectively colored, +ground-inhabiting birds, Bob-whites do not take wing until one almost +steps upon them. Then, like a bursting bomb, the covey seems to explode, +its brown pieces flying in every direction. The nest is on the ground +and the 10-18 white, pear-shaped eggs are laid in May or June. + +The Florida Bob-white (_C. v. floridanus_, Case 3, Figs. 1, 2), a +smaller darker race is resident in Florida, except in the northern part +of the state. It begins to nest in April. + + + + +GROUSE. FAMILY TETRAONIDÆ + + +CANADA SPRUCE PARTRIDGE + +_Canachites canadensis canace_ + + The male is a grayish bird with a jet black throat + and breast, the former bordered with white; the + skin above the eye is red. The female is barred + with black and reddish brown with a black mottled + tail tipped with brown. L. 15. + + _Range._ Northern parts of United States from New + Brunswick to Manitoba. Other races are found + throughout the wooded parts of Canada and Alaska. + +An unsuspicious inhabitant of swampy coniferous forests. Now rare in the +United States. It nests on the ground in June, laying 9-16 eggs, buff, +lightly speckled with brown. + + +RUFFED GROUSE + +_Bonasa umbellus umbellus. Case 1, Fig. 3_ + + The female resembles the male in color but has the + black neck-tufts smaller. The tail-feathers vary + from gray to bright rusty. L. 17. + + _Range._ Eastern United States south in the + Alleghanies to Georgia. In the southern states the + Grouse is often called 'Pheasant.' A Permanent + Resident. + + Washington, not common P.R. Ossining, common P.R. + Cambridge, P.R., formerly very common. N. Ohio, + rare P.R. Glen Ellyn, rare and local P.R. + +On our western plains and prairies there is a Grouse which we call +Prairie Hen and we might well apply the name Wood Hen to this Grouse of +our forests. To flush a Grouse in the quiet of the woods always makes +the "heart jump." His whirring wings not only produce the roar which +accompanies his flight, but they are also responsible for the "drumming" +which constitutes the Grouse's song as sitting upright on some favorite +log, he rapidly beats the air with his wings. + +The horny fringes which in winter border the toes of the Grouse, or +Partridge, as he is also called, form in effect snow-shoes which help to +support the bird on soft snow. At this season they also feed in trees on +buds and catkins, and they may roost in trees or seek a bed by plunging +into a snow-bank. + +The nest, lined with leaves, is placed at the base of a tree or stump; +the 8-14 buffy eggs are laid in May. + +The Canada Ruffed Grouse (_B. u. togata_), of northern New England and +northwards is grayer above and more distinctly barred below. + + +PRAIRIE CHICKEN + +_Tympanuchus americanus_ + + The Prairie Hen has a rounded or nearly square + tail and a barred breast; in the Sharp-tailed + Grouse the tail is pointed, the breast with + V-shaped markings. L. 18. + + _Range._ Central Plains region from Texas to + Manitoba, east to Indiana. Migratory at its + northern limits. + + Glen Ellyn, P.R. local, S.E. Minn., P.R. much + decreased in numbers. + +The Ruffed Grouse sounds his rolling, muffled drum-call in the seclusion +of the forest, but the Prairie Hen beats his loud _boom-ah-boom_ in the +open freedom of the plains. Hardy and strong of wing, he can cope with +winter storms and natural enemies, but against the combined assault of +man, dog, and gun, he cannot successfully contend. + +About a dozen buff-olive eggs are laid on the ground in April or early +May. + + +HEATH HEN + +_Tympanuchus cupido_ + +This is a close relative of the Prairie Hen, having the black neck-tuft +of less than ten feathers with pointed, not rounded, ends. It is now +found only on the Island of Martha's Vineyard, but formerly inhabited +plains or barrens, locally, from New Jersey to Massachusetts. It nests +in June. + + + + +TURKEYS. FAMILY MELEAGRIDÆ + + +WILD TURKEY + +_Meleagris gallopavo silvestris_ + + The Wild Turkey was formerly found as far north as + Maine and Ontario but it is unknown now north of + central Pennsylvania. South of Maryland it is not + uncommon locally. + + _Range._ Kansas and central Pennsylvania to the + Gulf coast, and northern Florida. Non-migratory. + + Washington, rare P.R. + +Our domestic Turkey is descended from the Mexican Wild Turkey and like +that race has the upper tail-coverts and tail tipped with whitish, +whereas in our eastern Wild Turkey these tips are chestnut. The nest is +on the ground and 10-14 eggs, pale cream-color finely speckled with +brownish, are laid in April. + +The Florida Wild Turkey (_M. g. osceola_), of southern Florida, is +smaller and the white bars on the primaries are narrower and more +broken. + + + + +PIGEONS AND DOVES. ORDER COLUMBÆ + + + + +PIGEONS AND DOVES. FAMILY COLUMBIDÆ + + +MOURNING DOVE + +_Zenaidura macroura carolinensis. Case 3, Fig. 3; Case 5, Fig. 11_ + + Except the southern little Ground Dove, this is + our only Dove. Its long, pointed tail and the + swift, darting flight are its field characters. It + is often mistaken for the Wild or Passenger + Pigeon, now extinct. The two birds differ in size + and in color, but size is a matter of distance, + and color, of comparison, so it seems probable + that as long as there is a possibility of seeing a + Passenger Pigeon, Mourning Doves will be mistaken + for them. L. 11¾. The Wild Pigeon is about five + inches longer. + + _Range._ North America. In a railway journey from + the Atlantic to the Pacific one may expect to see + the Dove daily. Winters from Virginia southward, + migrating northward in March. + + Washington, P.R., common, except in midwinter. + Ossining, common S.R., Mch. 3-Nov. 27; a few + winter. Cambridge, rather rare T.V., Apl. 8-June + 18; Sept. 18-Nov. 15. N. Ohio, common S.R., Mch. + 20-Oct. 25; rare W.V. Glen Ellyn, tolerably common + S.R., formerly common, Mch. 12-Oct. 21. S.E. + Minn., common S.R., Mch. 15-Dec. 25. + +Doves are particularly common in the southern states where, ranked as +game-birds, they are shot in large numbers. The Wild Pigeon's note was +an explosive squawk; the Dove's is a soft, mournful _coo-oo-ah, +coo-o-o-coo-o-o-coo-o-o-_. During the winter, Doves are usually found in +small flocks but, unlike the Wild Pigeon, they nest in scattered pairs. +The nest is in a tree or on the ground. Two white eggs are laid in +April. + + +GROUND DOVE + +_Chæmepelia passerina terrestris. Case 3, Fig. 4_ + + The female is duller than the male. L. 6¾. + + _Range._ Tropical and subtemperate parts of the + Western Hemisphere. Our form is found in Florida + and on the coast region from North Carolina to + Texas. + + Washington, accidental; two records, Sept., Oct. + +This dainty, miniature Pigeon is common in southern gardens and old +fields. It runs gracefully before one, and when flushed rises with a +whirring flight but soon alights, usually on the ground. Its call is a +crooning _coo_. The nest is placed on the ground and in low trees and +bushes. Two white eggs are laid in March. + + + + +BIRDS OF PREY. ORDER RAPTORES + + + + +AMERICAN VULTURES. FAMILY CATHARTIDÆ + + +TURKEY VULTURE + +_Cathartes aura septentrionalis. Case 3, Fig. 9_ + + Head red, plumage with a brownish cast. Young + birds have the head covered with brownish down. L. + 30. + + _Range._ Most of the Western Hemisphere in several + subspecies; in the eastern states north to + northern New Jersey and, locally, southern New + York. Migrating south from the northern part of + its range. + + Washington, abundant P.R. Ossining, A.V. + Cambridge, casual, two records. N. Ohio, tolerably + common S.R., Mch. 5-Oct. 30. SE. Minn., common + S.R., Apl. 27. + +The 'Turkey Buzzard' has a wider wing-stretch and is a better aviator +than the Black Vulture. It is more a bird of the country than the +last-named species which is the common Vulture of the streets in many +southern cities. Extremely graceful in the air, it is far from pleasing +when at rest. The two dull white, brown-marked eggs are laid on the +ground under logs, in crevices in rocks, etc., in March in Florida, in +April in Virginia. + + +BLACK VULTURE + +_Catharista urubu urubu. Case 3, Fig. 10_ + + Head black, plumage without the brownish cast of + the Turkey Vulture. + + _Range._ Eastern U.S., north to Virginia; an + abundant Permanent Resident. Washington, casual, + Mch., July, Dec. + +The Vulture of southern cities; a frequenter of slaughter houses and +markets. In flight the under surfaces of the wing look silvery. It is by +no means so impressive a figure in the air as the Turkey Vulture. Two +pale bluish white eggs, generally with brown markings, are laid on the +ground under logs, bushes, palmettoes, etc., in March and April. + + + + +HAWKS, EAGLES, KITES, ETC. FAMILY BUTEONIDÆ + + +SWALLOW-TAILED KITE + +_Elanoides forficatus forficatus_ + + The head and lower parts are white, the rest of + the plumage glossy black; the tail deeply forked. + L. 24. + + _Range._ Florida to South Carolina, and up the + Mississippi Valley rarely to Saskatchewan; winters + south of the United States, returning in March. + + Washington, three records, Aug.; Apl. SE. Minn., + uncommon S.R., May 4. + +Color, form, grace, and power of motion combine to make the flight of +the Swallow-tail an impressive demonstration of the bird's mastery of +the air. It feeds on lizards and small snakes which it captures when on +the wing from the branches of trees. The nest is placed in the upper +branches of tall trees, 2-3 eggs heavily marked with brown being laid in +Florida in April; in Iowa in June. + + +WHITE-TAILED KITE + +_Elanus leucurus_ + + A gray bird with white underparts, rather short + white tail and black shoulders. L. 15½. + + _Range._ Chiefly southwestern United States and + southward east to the lower Mississippi Valley. + +This is a rare bird east of the Mississippi. It frequents open marshy +places and feeds upon small snakes, lizards, grasshoppers, etc., which +it captures on the ground. The nest is built in trees, and the 3-5 eggs, +heavily marked with brown, are laid in May. + + +MISSISSIPPI KITE + +_Ictinia mississippiensis_ + + A slaty-blue bird with black tail and wings and + red eyes. L. 14. + + _Range._ Southern United States, north to South + Carolina, and southern Indiana; winters chiefly + south of the United States and returns in April. + +A low-flying hunter of insects, snakes and frogs. It migrates in loose +flocks sometimes near the earth, at others far above it. The nest is +placed in tall trees. The eggs are laid in May; they number 1-3, and are +dull white, occasionally with a bluish tinge. + + +EVERGLADE KITE + +_Rostrhamus sociabilis_ + + A dark slate-colored bird with a white rump and a + rather slender hooked bill. The young are quite + different; black above, tipped with reddish brown, + below mottled and barred with black, reddish brown + and buff, but with the white rump-patch of the + adult. L. 18. + + _Range._ Tropical America north to southern + Florida. + +The Everglade Kite is found in marshes and about lakes and ponds hunting +for its favorite food of large snails, which it extracts from their +shells by means of its hooked bill. It is rarely seen north of southern +Florida. The nest is placed in bushes or among reeds. The 2-3 eggs, +which are heavily marked with brown, are laid in March. + + +MARSH HAWK + +_Circus hudsonius. Case 3, Fig. 15_ + + The immature bird and adult female are dark brown + above, reddish brown below, but, in any plumage, + the species may be known by the white upper + tail-coverts which show clearly in flight. L., + male, 19; female, 22. + + _Range._ North America, wintering from New Jersey + southward; migrates northward in March. + + Washington, common W.V., July-Apl. Ossining, + tolerably common S.R., Mch. 6-Oct. 30; a few + winter. Cambridge, common T.V., Mch. 20-Nov. 10, + one breeding record. N. Ohio, not common S.R., + Mch. 5-Nov. 30. Glen Ellyn, S.R., several pairs, + Apl. 4-Nov. 6. SE. Minn., common S.R., Mch. 6-Nov. + 1. + +The Marsh Hawk quarters low over the fields turning sharply here and +there to follow the course of a meadow mouse in the grass forest below. +As a rule the bird is silent but in the mating season he repeats a +'screeching' note. The nest is made on the ground in the marshes; the +4-6 white eggs are laid in May. + + +SHARP-SHINNED HAWK + +_Accipiter velox. Case 1, Figs. 11, 12; Case 3, Figs. 7, 8_ + + The sexes differ only in size, the female being + much the larger. There is a marked difference in + color between adult and immature birds, the latter + being more commonly seen. L. male, 11¼; female, + 13½. + + _Range._ North America; wintering from + Massachusetts southward. + + Washington, common P.R. Ossining, common P.R. + Cambridge, common T.V., Apl. 3-May 11; Sept. + 5-Oct. 25; rare S.R., uncommon W.V. N. Ohio, not + common P.R., a few winter. Glen Ellyn, not common + S.R., Mch. 19-Dec. 9. SE. Minn., common S.R., Mch. + 28-Dec 28. + +This small, bird-killing Hawk dashes recklessly after its victims, +following them through thick cover. It is less often seen in the open +than the Sparrow Hawk, which it resembles in size, but from which it may +be known by its different color, longer tail, and much shorter wings. It +nests in trees 15-40 feet from the ground. The eggs, 3-6 in number, are +bluish white or cream, marked with brown and are laid in May. + +[Illustration: SHARP-SHINNED HAWK. + +Note the Long Tail.] + + +COOPER'S HAWK + +_Accipiter cooperi. Case 1, Figs. 9, 10_ + + A large edition of the Sharp-shinned Hawk, with + the tail more rounded, the adult with a darker + crown. L. male, 15½; female, 19. + + _Range._ Nests throughout United States; winters + from southern New England southward. + + Washington, common S.R., less common W.V. + Ossining, tolerably common P.R. Cambridge, common + T.V., not uncommon S.R., rare W.V., Apl. 10-Oct. + 20. N. Ohio, not common, Mch. 20-Nov. 1; a few + winter. Glen Ellyn, local S.R., a few winter. SE. + Minn., common S.R., Mch. 3. + +This is the real 'Chicken Hawk,' but it is less often seen and heard +than the soaring, screaming Buteos to which the name is usually applied. +It resembles the Sharp-shinned in habits but being larger may prey on +larger birds. The female may be easily distinguished from the +Sharp-shinned by her larger size, but the male is not appreciably larger +than a female Sharp-shin. + +The nest is built in a tree 25-50 feet up. The bluish white, rarely +spotted eggs are laid in late April or early May. + + +GOSHAWK + +_Astur atricapillus_ + + The adult is blue-gray above with a darker crown + and a white line over the eye. The underparts are + finely and beautifully marked with gray and white. + Young birds resemble the young of Cooper's Hawk, + but are much larger. L., male, 22; female, 24. + + _Range._ North America, nests chiefly north of the + United States and winters southward, usually + rarely, as far as Virginia. + + Washington, casual in winter. Ossining, rare W.V., + Oct. 10-Jan. 14. Cambridge, irregular and uncommon + W.V. SE. Minn., W.R., Nov. 5-Apl. 4. + +Like its smaller relatives the Sharp-shin and Cooper's Hawks, this +powerful raptor is a relentless hunter of birds. It is particularly +destructive to Ruffed Grouse. Fortunately it does not often visit us in +numbers. It nests in trees, laying 2-5 white eggs, rarely marked with +brownish, in April. + + +RED-TAILED HAWK + +_Buteo borealis borealis. Case 1, Figs. 5, 6; Case 3, Fig. 13._ + + This, the largest of our common Hawks, is a + heavy-bodied bird with wings which when closed, + reach nearly to the end of the tail. The adult has + the tail bright reddish brown with a narrow black + band near the tip. The immature bird has the tail + rather inconspicuously barred with blackish, and a + broken band of blackish spots across the + underparts. L. male, 20; female, 23. + + _Range._ Eastern North America, migrating only at + the northern limit of its range. There are several + races, Krider's Red-tail, a paler form inhabiting + the great Plains, and Harlan's Hawk, a darker form + with a mottled tail, the lower Mississippi Valley. + + Washington, common W.V., rare S.R. Ossining, + common P.R., less common in winter. Cambridge, + rare T.V., locally W.V., Oct. 10-Apl. 20. N. Ohio, + common P.R. Glen Ellyn, P.R., not common, chiefly + T.V. SE. Minn., common S.R., Mch. 2. + +The Red-tail resembles the Red-shoulder in general habits, but it is +more a bird of the fields, where it may be seen perched on the limb of a +dead tree or similar exposed situation. Its note, a long-drawn, +squealing whistle, is quite unlike that of the Red-shoulder. The +Red-tail feeds chiefly on mice and other small mammals. With the +Red-shoulder it is often called 'Chicken Hawk,' but does not deserve the +name. It nests in trees 30-70 feet up and in April lays 2-4 eggs, dull +white sparingly marked with brown. + + +RED-SHOULDERED HAWK + +_Buteo lineatus lineatus. Case 1, Fig. 4; Case 3 Fig. 12_ + +[Illustration: RED-SHOULDERED HAWK. ADULT. + +Note the Barred Tail.] + + Seen from below the reddish brown underparts and + black and white barred tail will identify adults + of this species. Immature birds are streaked below + with blackish; the tail is dark grayish brown + indistinctly barred, but the shoulder is always + rusty, though this is not a marking one can see in + life. L., male. 18½; female, 20¼. + + _Range._ Eastern North America from northern + Florida to Canada; resident except in the northern + part of its range. + + Washington, common P.R. Ossining, common P.R. + Cambridge, common, Apl.-Nov., less common in + winter. N. Ohio, common P.R. Glen Ellyn, P.R., + more common than the Red-tail; chiefly T.V. + +A medium-sized, heavy-bodied Hawk with wings which, when closed, reach +well toward the tip of the tail. It lives both in the woods and open +places, and may be flushed from the border of a brook or seen soaring +high in the air. Its note, frequently uttered, as it swings in wide +circles, is a distinctive _Kèe-you, Kèe-you_, quite unlike the call of +any of our other Hawks. It is often well imitated by the Blue Jay. The +Red-shoulder feeds chiefly on mice and frogs. It nests in trees 30-60 +feet up and, in April, lays 3-5 eggs, white marked with brown. + +The Florida Red-shouldered Hawk (_Buteo lineatus alleni_), a smaller +form with grayer head and paler underparts, is a resident in Florida and +along the coast from South Carolina to Mexico. It nests in February. + + +BROAD-WINGED HAWK + +_Buteo platypterus_ + + With a general resemblance to the Red-shouldered + Hawk, but smaller; no red on the bend of the wing, + or rusty in the primaries, only the outer three of + which are 'notched.' L., male, 15¾; female, 16¾. + + _Range._ Eastern North America. Breeding from the + Gulf States to the St. Lawrence; winters from Ohio + and Delaware to S.A.; migrates northward in March. + + Washington, uncommon P.R. Ossining, tolerably + common S.R., Mch. 15-Oct. 23. Cambridge, uncommon + T.V. in early fall, rare in spring and summer; + Apl. 25-Sept. 30. N. Ohio, not common P.R. Glen + Ellyn, not common S.R., Apl. 10-Oct. 4. SE. Minn., + common S.R., Mch. 11. + +A rather retiring, unwary Hawk which nests in thick woods and is less +often seen in the open than the Red-shoulder, but, when migrating, +hundreds pass high in the air, with other Hawks. Its call is a high, +thin, penetrating whistle. It nests in late April and early May, laying +2-4 whitish eggs marked with brown. + + +ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK + +_Archibuteo lagopus sancti-johannis_ + + Legs feathered to the toes; basal half of tail + white; belly black. Some individuals are wholly + black. L., male, 21; female, 23. + + _Range._ Breeds in northern Canada; usually rare + and irregular in the northern U.S., from November + to April. + + Washington, rare and irregular W.V. Ossining, + casual. Cambridge, T.V., not common, Nov.-Dec.; + Mch.-Apl. N. Ohio, not common W.V., Nov. 20-Apl. + 3. Glen Ellyn, quite common W.V., Oct. 12-Apl. 30. + SE. Minn., W.V., Oct. 15-Mch. + +Frequents fields and marshes, where it hunts to and fro after mice, +which form its principal fare. + + +GOLDEN EAGLE + +_Aquila chrysaetos_ + + With the Bald Eagle, largest of our raptorial + birds; with a general resemblance to the young of + that species, in which the head and tail are dark, + but with the legs feathered to the toes. L., male, + 32½; female, 37½. + + _Range._ Northern parts of the northern + Hemisphere; in the United States, rare east of the + Mississippi. + + Washington, rare W.V., Ossining, A.V. Cambridge, 1 + record. N. Ohio, rare W.V. SE. Minn., P.R. + +The Golden Eagle is so rare in the eastern United States and its general +resemblance to a young Bald Eagle is so close, that only an experienced +ornithologist could convince me that he had seen a Golden Eagle east of +the Mississippi. + + +BALD EAGLE + +_Haliæetus leucocephalus leucocephalus. Case 3, Fig. 11_ + + When immature the head and tail resemble the body + in color, and at this age the bird is sometimes + confused with the more western Golden Eagle. The + latter has the head browner and the legs feathered + to the toes. L., male, 33; female, 35½. + + _Range._ North America but rare in the interior + and in California, migratory at the northern limit + of its range. + + Washington, not common P.R. Ossining, common P.R. + Cambridge, of irregular occurrence at all seasons. + N. Ohio, tolerably common P.R. SE. Minn., P.R., + becoming rare. + +An adult Bald Eagle will at once be recognized by its white head and +tail; the immature birds by their large size. Eagles are usually found +near the water where fish may be obtained either on the shore or from +the Osprey. The call of the male is a human-like, loud, clear +_cac-cac-cac_; that of the female is said to be more harsh and often +broken. Eagles nest in tall trees and on cliffs, and lay two or three +dull white eggs, in Florida, in November and December; in Maine, in +April. + + + + +FALCONS, CARACARAS, ETC. FAMILY FALCONIDÆ + + +GYRFALCON + +_Falco rusticolus gyrfalco_ + + A large Hawk with long, pointed wings, the upper + parts brown with numerous narrow, buffy bars or + margins, the tail evenly barred with grayish and + blackish, the underparts white lightly streaked + with black. L. 22. + + _Range._ Arctic regions; south in winter rarely to + New York and Minnesota. The Gray Gyrfalcon (_F. r. + rusticolus_) a paler form, with a streaked crown, + the Black Gyrfalcon (_F. r. obsoletus_) a + slate-colored race, and the White Gyrfalcon (_F. + islandus_) are also rare winter visitants to the + northern United States. + +These great Falcons are so rare in the United States that unless they +are seen by an experienced observer, under exceptionally favorable +conditions, authentic records of their visits can be based only on the +actual capture of specimens. + + +DUCK HAWK + +_Falco peregrinus anatum_ + + The adult is slaty blue above; buff below marked + with black, and with black cheek-patches. Immature + birds are blackish above margined with rusty, + below deep rusty buff streaked with blackish. L., + male, 16; female, 19. + + _Range._ Northern Hemisphere, breeding south + locally to New Jersey and in Alleghanies to South + Carolina; winters from New Jersey southward. + + Washington, rare and irregular W.V. Ossining, + casual. Cambridge, rare T.V., casual in winter, + SE. Minn., uncommon S.R., Apl. 4. + +As the Peregrine of falconry we know of the Duck Hawk as a fearless, +dashing hunter of greater power of wing and talon. It nests in rocky +cliffs in April and from its eyrie darts upon passing Pigeons and other +birds. It is most often seen following the coast-line during migrations +where it takes toll of Ducks and shore-birds. Three to four heavily +marked, brownish eggs are laid in April. + + +PIGEON HAWK + +_Falco columbarius_ + + A small Hawk, about the size of a Sparrow Hawk. + The adult is slaty blue above, with a rusty collar + and a barred, white-tipped tail; below buff, + streaked with blackish. Young birds have the + upperparts blackish brown. L. 11. + + _Range._ Breeds north of, and winters chiefly + south of the United States. Migrates northward in + April and May, and southward in September and + October. + + Washington, not uncommon T.V. Ossining, tolerably + common T.V., Apl. 1-May 11; Aug. 10-Oct. 15. + Cambridge, common T.V., Apl. 25-May 5; Sept. + 25-Oct. 20; occasional in winter. N. Ohio, rare + P.R. Glen Ellyn, regular but rare T.V., Apl. + 26-May 5; Sept. 1-Oct. 16. SE. Minn., Apl. 13. + +We know this Hawk as a not common migrant generally seen in open places +and along the shores. It feeds chiefly on small birds. + + +SPARROW HAWK + +_Falco sparverius sparverius. Case 1, Figs. 7, 8; Case 3, Figs. 5, 6_ + + The male has the tail with only one bar; the + breast unmarked; the abdomen with black spots; + while the female has the tail with several bars, + the underparts streaked with brownish. In both + sexes the bright reddish brown of the upperparts, + black markings about the head, and small size are + gold field characters. L. 10. + + _Range._ Sparrow Hawks are found throughout the + greater part of the Western Hemisphere. Our + eastern race inhabits the region east of the + Rockies and is migratory at the northern limit of + its range. Southern Florida specimens are slightly + smaller and darker and are known as the Florida + Sparrow Hawk (_F. s. paulus_). + +[Illustration: SPARROW HAWK HOVERING ABOVE ITS PREY.] + + Washington, common W.V., rare S.R. Ossining, + rather rare P.R. Cambridge, P.R., common in + summer, rare in winter. N. Ohio, common P.R. Glen + Ellyn, rather rare S.R., Mch. 10-Oct. 26. + +The Sparrow Hawk is one of our commonest and most familiar Hawks. He is +a handsome little Falcon, and though his prey is chiefly humble +grasshoppers, he captures them in a sportsmanlike manner by "waiting on" +or hovering on rapidly beating wings over his game and dropping on it +with deadly aim. His call is a high, rapidly repeated +_Killy-killy-killy_. The three to seven eggs, finely marked with reddish +brown, are laid in a hollow limb or similar situation in April. + + +AUDUBON'S CARACARA + +_Polyborus cheriway cheriway_ + + A falcon-like Vulture with a bare face, black cap, + white throat, breast and nape; the rest of the + plumage is black, the tail barred with white. L. + 22. + + _Range._ Mexican border and southward; south + central Florida. + +In the eastern United States the Caracara is found only in the Kissimmee +prairie region of southern Florida where its presence, so far from +others of its kind, furnishes one of the problems in distribution which +stimulate the imagination of the faunal naturalist. + + + + +OSPREYS. FAMILY PANDIONIDÆ + + +OSPREY + +_Pandion haliætus carolinensis. Case 3, Fig. 14_ + + The Osprey or Fish Hawk is often miscalled + 'Eagle,' but it is a smaller bird with white, + instead of blackish underparts. L. 23. + + _Range._ The Osprey is found throughout the + greater part of the world; the American form + occurs in both North and South America and winters + from the southern United States southward, + starting northward in March. + + Washington, uncommon S.R., Mch. 19-Nov. 30. + Ossining, common T.V., rare S.R., Apl. 3-May 26; + Sept. 29-Oct. 20. Cambridge, rather common T.V., + Apl.-May; Sept.-Oct. N. Ohio, rare S.R., Apl. + 20-Oct. Glen Ellyn, two records, May and Sept. + +The Osprey, or Fish Hawk, feeds on fish and nothing but fish. He is, +therefore, never found far from his fishing grounds, where no one who +has seen him plunge for his prey and rise with it from the water will +doubt his ability to supply his wants. Ospreys usually nest in trees at +varying distances from the ground, but sometimes on cliffs or even on +the ground itself, and return year after year to the same nest. The +Osprey's alarm note is a high, loud, complaining whistle, frequently +repeated. The eggs are laid in late April and early May. They are +usually four in number, buffy white, heavily marked with chocolate. + + + + +BARN OWLS. FAMILY ALUCONIDÆ + + +BARN OWL + +_Aluco pratincola pratincola. Case 3, Fig. 17_ + + A light-colored Owl, looking almost white in the + dusk. L. 18. + + _Range._ Barn Owls are found throughout the world. + Our species is rare north of New Jersey and Ohio. + It is migratory only at the northern limit of its + range. + + Washington, not rare P.R. Ossining, A.V. + +This is the 'Monkey-faced Owl' of towers and steeples. Few who hear its +loud, sudden scream or rapidly repeated _crree-crree-crree_ know their +author, who may live for years in the heart of a village a stranger to +its human inhabitants. The mice, however, have tragic evidence of his +presence in the nightly raids he makes upon their ranks. The nest is +made in the diurnal retreat, 5-9 white eggs being laid in April. + + + + +HORNED OWLS, HOOT OWLS, ETC. FAMILY STRIGIDÆ + + +LONG-EARED OWL + +_Asio wilsonianus. Case 1, Fig. 17_ + + Distinguished by very long ear-tufts. L. 14¾. + + _Range._ Temperate North America. Winters south to + Georgia and Louisiana. + + Washington, common P.R. Ossining, common P.R. + Cambridge, rare, P.R. but sometimes common in fall + and winter. N. Ohio, uncommon P.R. Glen Ellyn, + rare, fall records only, Nov. 7-Dec. 14. + +An Owl of evergreen clumps and dense growths, where its presence is +often betrayed by the litter below of undigested pellets of hair and +bones which Owls eject at the mouth. It is not a "hoot" Owl, and even +many ornithologists have not heard its notes, which are described as a +"soft-toned, slow _wu-hunk, wu-hunk_, and a low twittering, whistling +_dicky, dicky, dicky_." It is not a hole-inhabiting Owl and like the +Great Horned nests in an old Hawk, Crow, or Squirrel nest. Three to six +white eggs are laid in April. + + +SHORT-EARED OWL + +_Asio flammeus. Case 1, Fig. 18_ + + The 'ears' are barely evident, the eyes are + yellow; underparts streaked. L. 15½. + + _Range._ Found throughout the greater part of the + world; migrating southward at the northern part of + its North American range. + + Washington, common W.V. Ossining, casual. + Cambridge, T.V., Mch. 15-Apl. 15, rare; Oct.-Nov., + uncommon. N. Ohio, uncommon P.R. Glen Ellyn, rare, + Dec. 11-May 15. SE. Minn., common S.R. + +This is a marsh Owl and we are therefore not likely to find it +associated with other members of its family. Its notes are said to +resemble the _ki-yi_ of a small dog. Four to seven white eggs are laid +in an open nest in the grasses in April. + + +BARRED OWL + +_Strix varia varia. Case 1, Fig. 15_ + + A large Owl with black eyes (the figure is + incorrect) and no 'ears.' L. 20. + + _Range._ Eastern North America. Generally a + Permanent Resident. The Florida Barred Owl (_S. v. + alleni_, Case 3, Fig. 16), is somewhat darker than + the northern form and has nearly naked toes. It + inhabits Florida and the coast region from South + Carolina to Texas. + + Washington, not common, rare P.R. Ossining, rare + P.R. Cambridge, P.R., sometimes common in Nov. and + Dec. N. Ohio, common P.R. Glen Ellyn, rare and + local P.R. SE. Minn., common P.R. + +An Owl of the woods, common in the less thickly settled parts of its +range. Its loud, sonorous notes, _whoo, whoo-whoo who-whoo, to-whoo-ah_, +are often uttered. When two birds come together their united calls +produce some of the most startling sounds to be heard in nature. The +Barred Owl feeds chiefly on mice. It nests in hollow trees in March, +laying 2-4 white eggs. + + +GREAT GRAY OWL + +_Scotiaplex nebulosa nebulosa_ + + Largest of American Owls, with a general + resemblance to the Barred Owl, but nearly a third + larger and with yellow eyes. L. 27. + + _Range._ Northern North America, rarely straggling + to United States in winter. + + Cambridge, very rare and irregular W.V. SE. Minn., + rare W.V. + + +RICHARDSON'S OWL + +_Cryptoglaux funerea richardsoni_ + + A small Owl about the size of a Screech Owl, but + without ear-tufts. It is grayish brown above and + both head and back are spotted with black; the + underparts are white heavily streaked with grayish + brown. + + _Range._ Northern Canada and Alaska, rarely + visiting the eastern United States in winter. We + are not likely to meet this Owl. + + Cambridge, very rare W.V. + + +SAW-WHET OWL + +_Cryptoglaux acadica acadica. Case 2, Fig. 41_ + + Smallest of our Owls; eyes yellow, no ear-tufts. + L. 8. + + _Range._ Nests in the northern United States and + northward, south in the Alleghanies to Maryland; + winters rather rarely and irregularly southward to + Virginia. + + Washington, rare W.V., Oct.-Mch. Ossining, rather + rare W.V., Oct. 28-Jan. 13. Cambridge, not + uncommon, W.V., Nov.-Mch. N. Ohio, rare P.R. SE. + Minn., uncommon. P.R. + +A tame little Owl which sometimes may be caught in one's hand. It passes +the day in dense growth, usually evergreens. Its note resembles the +"sound made when a large-tooth saw is being filed." + + +SCREECH OWL + +_Otus asio asio. Case 1, Figs. 13, 14_ + + The two sexes are alike, the two color phases + being individual and representing dichromatism. + Among animals, gray and black squirrels furnish a + similar case. The ear-like feather-tufts give the + bird a cat-like appearance, hence the name 'Cat + Owl.' The young are downy-looking creatures evenly + barred with dusky. L. 9½. + + _Range._ Screech Owls are found throughout the + greater part of the Western Hemisphere. Our + eastern form occurs in the eastern United States + from Canada southward. The Florida race (_O. a. + floridanus_, Case 3, Fig. 19) is smaller and of a + darker gray than the northern bird. The 'red' + phase is rare. + + Washington, common P.R. Ossining, common P.R. + Cambridge, common P.R. N. Ohio, common P.R. Glen + Ellyn, common P.R. SE. Minn., common P.R. + +This, the smallest of our 'horned' Owls, is also the commonest. It lives +near and sometimes in our homes even when they are situated in towns. +Its tremulous, wailing whistle (in no sense a 'screech') is therefore +one of our most characteristic twilight bird-notes. Mice and insects +form the greater part of the Screech Owl's fare. Four to six white eggs +are laid in a hollow tree, bird-box, or similar site in April. + + +GREAT HORNED OWL + +_Bubo virginianus virginianus. Case 1, Fig. 16_ + + Largest of the 'horned' Owls. L. 22. + + _Range._ Western Hemisphere in many forms; our + form is confined to the eastern United States. A + Permanent Resident. + + Washington, rare P.R. Ossining, tolerably common + P.R. Cambridge, uncommon, autumn or winter. N. + Ohio, rare P.R. SE. Minn., common P.R. + +The Great Horned Owl retreats before the civilization that destroys the +forests in which it lives. In thinly settled regions its deep-toned, +monotone, _whoo-hoo-hoo-hoo, whooo, whooo_ is still a characteristic +bird voice, but most of us hear it only when we camp in the wilderness. +The bird's fierce nature has won for it the name of "tiger among birds." +Rabbits, skunks, game birds and smaller prey form its fare. The 2-3 +white eggs are laid in an abandoned Hawk, Crow, or squirrel nest in +February; it is the first of our northern birds to nest. + + +SNOWY OWL + +_Nyctea nyctea_ + + A large Owl with no 'ear' tufts and yellow eyes; + chiefly white with small brownish or blackish + markings. L. 25. + + _Range._ Nests in Arctic regions, migrating + southward irregularly in winter to the northern + United States. + + Washington, casual W.V. Ossining, A.V. Cambridge, + rare and irregular W.V. N. Ohio, rare W.V. Glen + Ellyn, very rare W.V. SE. Minn., common W.V., + Oct.-Apl. + +A rare winter visitant which is more often seen along the seashore. +Unlike most Owls it hunts by day, feeding chiefly on mice but also on +birds. + + +HAWK OWL + +_Surnia ulula caparoch_ + + A medium-sized Owl with a whitish face and yellow + eyes and a _long, rounded_ tail; the head is + spotted, the back barred with whitish; the + underparts are barred with white and blackish. L. + 15; T. 7¼. + + _Range._ Northern North America, rarely visiting + the northern United States in winter. + + Cambridge, very rare in late fall. N. Ohio, rare + W.V. SE. Minn., uncommon W.V., Oct.-Mch. + +"The Hawk Owl is strictly diurnal, as much so as any of the Hawks, and +like some of them often selects a tall shrub or dead-topped tree in a +comparatively open place for a perch, where it sits in the bright +sunlight watching for its prey" (Fisher). + + +FLORIDA BURROWING OWL + +_Speotyto cunicularia floridana_ + + A small, ground Owl, with nearly naked legs and + feet and no ear-tufts. The upperparts are grayish + brown marked with white; the throat is white, rest + of underparts barred with grayish brown and white. + L. 9. + + _Range._ Southern Florida, chiefly in the + Kissimmee Prairie region. + +This is a representative of our western Burrowing Owl, which, in some +way unknown to man, has established itself far from others of its kind +in central southern Florida, where it is locally common. It nests in a +hole in the ground, excavated by itself, and lays 5-7 white eggs in +March. + + + + +PARROTS, MACAWS, PAROQUETS, COCKATOOS. ORDER PSITTACI + + + + +PARROTS AND PAROQUETS. FAMILY PSITTACIDÆ + + +CAROLINA PAROQUET + +_Conuropsis carolinensis carolinensis_ + + A long-tailed, green Paroquet with a yellow head, + orange forehead and cheeks. L. 12½. + + _Range._ Formerly southeastern United States north + to Virginia, west to Nebraska and Texas; now + southern Florida where it is on the verge of + extinction, if not extinct. + + Washington, extinct, known only from specimens + shot in Sept., 1865. + +The Paroquet has paid the penalty of wearing bright plumes, of making a +desirable cage-bird, of being destructive to fruit, and of having little +fear of man. Once abundant and wide-spread, for nearly the past half a +century it has been restricted to Florida, where the species will soon +go out of existence, if it has not already done so. Its nesting habits +are unknown. + + + + +CUCKOOS, KINGFISHERS, ETC. ORDER COCCYGES + + + + +CUCKOOS, ANIS, ETC. FAMILY CUCULIDÆ + + +YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO + +_Coccyzus americanus americanus. Case 7, Fig. 1_ + + Broadly white-tipped tail-feathers, a partly + yellow bill, and largely reddish brown primaries + distinguish this species from its black-billed + cousin. L. 12½, of which one-half is tail. + + _Range._ Nests from northern Florida to Canada; + winters in tropical America, returning to the + United States in April. + + Washington, common S.R., May 3-Oct. 13. Ossining, + common S.R., May 4-Oct. 31. Cambridge, common + S.R., May 12-Sept. 15. N. Ohio, common S.R., Apl. + 20-Sept. 25. Glen Ellyn, quite common S.R., May + 15-Sept. 29. SE. Minn., common S.R., May 21-Aug. + 20. + +Cuckoos are common birds, but are more often heard than seen. Their +notes are not like those of the cuckoo clock, which exactly imitates the +voice of the European Cuckoo, but a series of _cuck-cuck-cucks_ and +_cow-cows_ repeated a varying number of times. The Cuckoo rarely makes +long flights but slips from one tree to another, seeking at once the +inner branches and avoiding an exposed perch. The nest, a platform of +sticks, thinly covered, is placed in low trees or bushes. The 3-5 +greenish blue eggs are laid in May. + + +BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO + +_Coccyzus erythrophthalmus. Case 7, Fig. 2_ + + A wholly black bill (note that in both our Cuckoos + it is slightly curved), wings without reddish + brown, and small, inconspicuous white tips to the + tail-feathers distinguish this species from the + preceding. + + _Range._ A more northern species than the + Yellow-billed Cuckoo. Nests from Virginia (Georgia + in the mountains) to Quebec; winters in tropical + America, reaching the southern States in April. + + Washington, rather rare S.R., May 5-Oct. 6. + Ossining, common S.R., May 3-Oct. 7. Cambridge, + common S.R., May 12-Sept. 20. N. Ohio, tolerably + common S.R., May 1-Sept. 25. Glen Ellyn, S.R., May + 5-Oct. 21. SE. Minn., common S.R., May 8-Sept. 27. + +The day after penning the foregoing notes on the Yellow-billed Cuckoo, I +saw a Black-bill make a prolonged, dashing flight through the open, +alight on the limb of a dead, leafless tree, directly over a young girl +who was calling loudly to an active dog near her, and from this +conspicuous perch utter its low _coo-coo_ notes, both looking and +sounding more like a Dove than a conventional Cuckoo. So while we may +say that the Cuckoos are much alike in habits one must not accept +generalized statements too literally. There is much individuality among +birds, a fact that makes their study far more interesting than if all +were cast in the same mold. + +The notes of this species are softer than those of the Yellow-bill, but +the difference between the calls of the two species must be learned from +the birds, not from books. The nest of the Black-bill is the more +compactly built of the two, and its eggs are of a deeper shade. + + + + +KINGFISHERS. FAMILY ALCEDINIDÆ + + +BELTED KINGFISHER + +_Ceryle alcyon. Case 3, Fig. 18; Case 5, Fig. 10_ + + The female resembles the male, but the sides and + the band across the breast are reddish brown. This + is our only Kingfisher. Crest, color, size, + habits, all distinguish him. L. 13. + + _Range._ North America; winters from Illinois and + Virginia, southward; migrates north in early + April. + + Washington, common P.R., except in midwinter. + Ossining, common S.R., Apl. 1-Nov. 23; casual in + winter. Cambridge, common S.R., Apl. 10-Nov. 1; + rare W.V. N. Ohio, common S.R., Mch. 20-Nov. 1; + rare W.V. Glenn Ellyn, isolated pairs, Apl. 1-Nov. + 19. SE. Minn., common S.R., Mch. 21-Dec. 12. + +The Belted Kingfisher is a watchman of the waterways who sounds his loud +rattle when we trespass on his territory, a gallant fisherman, who, like +a Falcon 'waits on' with fluttering wing, and the moment his aim is +taken plunges headlong with a splash on some fish that has ventured too +near the surface. + +The nest is made at the end of a burrow in a bank; 5-8 white eggs are +laid in May. + + + + +WOODPECKERS, WRYNECKS, ETC. ORDER PICI + + + + +WOODPECKERS. FAMILY PICIDÆ + + +IVORY-BILLED WOODPECKER + +_Campephilus principalis_ + + Our largest Woodpecker, black with a white stripe + down each side of the neck, white showing in the + wing in flight, the male with a flaming red crest, + the female with a black one and both with an + ivory-white bill. L. 20. + + _Range._ Formerly southeastern United States to + North Carolina; now rare and local in the wilder, + less settled portions of the Gulf States. + +When man appears, the Ivory-bill disappears. This is not alone due to +the destruction of the birds' haunts but to the bird's shy, retiring +nature. Its days are numbered even more surely than are those of the +forests it inhabits. + +The nesting cavity is usually made in a cypress some forty feet from the +ground, and 3-5 white eggs are laid in March. + + +HAIRY WOODPECKER + +_Dryobates villosus villosus. Case 2, Figs. 28, 29_ + + The Hairy is a large edition of the Downy with + white, unmarked outer tail-feathers. The male has + a red head-band. L. 9½. + + _Range._ Middle and northern states; a permanent + resident. The southern Hairy Woodpecker (_D. v. + auduboni_) inhabits the southeastern United States + north to southern Virginia. It is smaller than the + Hairy and has less white in the plumage. L. + 8-1/10. + + The Northern Hairy Woodpecker (_D. v. leucomelas_) + is found from the northern United States + northward. It is larger and whiter than the Hairy. + L. 10. + + The Newfoundland Hairy Woodpecker (_D. v. + terrænovæ_) is larger and darker than the Hairy; + it inhabits Newfoundland. + + Washington, rare P.R. Ossining, rare P.R. + Cambridge, uncommon W.V., one summer record. N. + Ohio, common P.R. Glen Ellyn, fairly common P.R. + +The Hairy is not so common as his small cousin the Downy, and does not +so readily make friends. He prefers the woods to our orchards and is for +these reasons less often seen at our feeding-stands. The Hairy's notes +are noticeably louder than the Downy's. The nest-hole is usually in a +dead tree. The 2-4 white eggs are laid the last half of April. + + +DOWNY WOODPECKER + +_Dryobates pubescens medianus. Case 2, Figs. 26, 27_ + + The Downy differs from the Hairy Woodpecker in + color by having the outer tail-feathers with black + bars, but it is the bird's obviously smaller size + that will serve to distinguish it. L. 6¾. + + _Range._ From Virginia northward into Canada. A + Permanent Resident. The Southern Downy Woodpecker + (_D. p. pubescens_, Case 3, Fig. 25) is smaller, + darker below and with the white markings smaller. + L. 6. It inhabits the south Atlantic and Gulf + States north to North Carolina. + + Washington, common P.R. Ossining, common P.R. + Cambridge, common P.R. N. Ohio, common P.R. Glen + Ellyn, common P.R. SE. Minn., common P.R. + +Our commonest Woodpecker; an alert, active little driller for insects +and their eggs and larvæ, and frequent visitor to our lunch-counters, +particularly if we supply them with suet. His sharp _peek, peek_, +running at times into a diminishing string of _peeks_, and his rolling +tatoo, as he pounds a limb with amazing rapidity, are prominent parts of +every-day bird language, the tatoo being a 'song' of the breeding +season. + +Four to six white eggs are laid in a hole, usually in a dead tree, the +first week in May. The Southern Downy nests in April. + + +RED-COCKADED WOODPECKER + +_Dryobates borealis_ + + Between the Downy and Hairy in size (L. 8½) with a + general resemblance to both, but the male with a + small tuft of red feathers on each _side_ of the + back of the head. + + _Range._ Southeastern States north to North + Carolina. + +An inhabitant of the pine woods, who utters a coarse _yank-yank_ note +and may at times be seen feeding from the terminal tufts of pine +'needles' in the higher branches. The nest is usually in a living pine; +the 2-5 white eggs are laid in April. + + +ARCTIC THREE-TOED WOODPECKER + +_Picoides arcticus_ + + Two toes in front and one behind, a solid black + back and an orange-yellow crown in the male + distinguish this from all our other Woodpeckers. + Size of the Hairy, L. 9½. + + _Range._ Canada, and northern parts of our border + states, rarely south in winter, as far as Nebraska + and Ohio. + + Cambridge, one record. N. Ohio, rare W.V. SE. + Minn., rare. + +An inhabitant of the spruce and balsam forests of our northern states, +occasionally straggling southward in winter. Nests in May. + + +THREE-TOED WOODPECKER + +_Picoides americanus americanus_ + + Two toes in front and one behind, an orange-yellow + crest in the male, and a black back _closely and + evenly barred with white_ distinguish this bird; + it is somewhat smaller than the preceding, L. 8¾. + + _Range._ Canada, south to the northern parts of + our boundary states; unknown south of + Massachusetts. + +Not so common as the Arctic Three-toed Woodpecker, and less often found +south of its breeding range. Nests in early June. + + +YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER + +_Sphyrapicus varius varius. Case 3, Fig. 26, Case 5, Fig. 30_ + + The female has the throat white, and rarely, crown + wholly black. Young birds have the throat whitish, + crown dull black, breast brownish. The black + breast-patch and red forehead, and red or white + throat are distinguishing characters. L. 8½. + + _Range._ Nests from northern New England and + Minnesota (in Alleghanies from North Carolina) to + Canada; winters from Pennsylvania (rarely) + southward to the Gulf States. + + Washington, common T.V., Mch.-May; Sept. and Oct., + Occasional in winter. Ossining, common T.V., Apl. + 5-May 13; Sept. 18-Oct. 23; casual in winter. + Cambridge, not uncommon T.V., Apl. and Sept. + 15-Nov. 1; occasional W.V. N. Ohio, common T.V., + Apl. 1-May 20; Sept. 15-Oct. 20. Glen Ellyn, + common T.V., Mch. 31-May 12; Sept. 14-Oct. 13. SE. + Minn., common S.R., Mch. 25-Oct. 19. + +This is the mysterious maker of the rows of little holes drilled in even +lines, like hieroglyphics, on the trunks of apple and other trees. Using +his brush-tipped tongue as a swab, he drinks the sap that oozes from +these punctures. + +As a migrant the Yellow-belly is not conspicuous. His business takes him +into the heart of living trees and he is usually seen only when flying +from one to another. His low 'snarling' note attracts the attention of +only the observant. + +The nest-hole is 25-40 feet up; the 5-7 white eggs are laid in May. + + +PILEATED WOODPECKER + +_Phlœotomus pileatus pileatus_ + + Next to the nearly extinct Ivory-bill this is the + largest of our Woodpeckers. (L. 17.) Both sexes + have a flaming red crest (reaching the forehead in + the male) the remainder of the plumage being + black, with the throat, a stripe from the bill + down the sides of the neck, and the basal half of + the wing-feathers white; bill horn-color. + + _Range._ Southeastern and Gulf States, north to + North Carolina. The Northern Pileated Woodpecker + (_P. p. abieticola_) is found thence northward + into Canada and west to the Pacific. It is a + larger bird, with the white areas larger. + +In the south the Pileated is by no means rare and seems not averse to +the presence of man; but in the north he retires to the wilder forested +areas and we are apt to see him only when we go a-camping. And he is +well worth seeing with his flaming crest and powerful bill which, used +either as a chisel or drum-stick, produces impressive results. Strangely +enough the Pileated's notes resemble those of the Flicker but are +louder. + +The nest is usually well up; the 3-5 white eggs are laid in April in the +south, in May in the north. + + +RED-HEADED WOODPECKER + +_Melanerpes erythrocephalus. Case 3, Figs. 21, 22; Case 6, Fig. 43_ + + Adults of both sexes have the whole head red; + young, during their first winter, have the head + grayish brown, and a black band across the white + wing-feathers. L. 9¾. + + _Range._ Eastern United States, west to Rockies; + local east of the Alleghanies and north of + Pennsylvania. + + Washington, rather common S.R., rare W.V. + Ossining, rare P.R., common in fall, Aug. 27-Oct. + 12. Cambridge, irregular at all seasons; sometimes + common in fall. N. Ohio, common S.R., Apl. + 20-Sept. 25; occasionally winters. Glen Ellyn, + common S.R., Feb. 19-Nov. 6; a few winter. SE. + Minn., common S.R., Apl. 4-Sept. 17; rare in + winter. + +Adding to the normal habits of a Woodpecker marked skill as a +flycatcher, the Red-head stops his grub-hunting and swings out after a +passing insect with a dazzling display of red, white and blue-black. +Noisy as he is conspicuous, he beats his log-drum, rolls a tree +toad-like _krrring_, or, with tireless persistency utters a whistled +croak. In the northeastern states Red-heads are distributed irregularly. +They are rarely common in the summer, but in the fall they sometimes +appear in numbers. Whenever they come we are soon aware of their +presence. + +The nest is generally in a dead tree; the 4-6 white eggs are laid in +May. + + +RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER + +_Centurus carolinus. Case 3, Fig. 23_ + + Back and wings evenly barred with black and white, + hence the name 'Zebra'; the female and young have + the front part of the crown gray. L. 9½. + + _Range._ Eastern United States, north to southern + Pennsylvania, western New York and southern + Minnesota; casually further. + + Washington, locally common P.R. Cambridge, A.V., + one record. N. Ohio, tolerably common P.R. SE. + Minn., uncommon P.R. + +A common, hoarse-voiced resident of orange groves and gardens who with a +_chuh-chuh_, jerkily hitches himself upward in the routine of the daily +grub hunt. It is rare at the northern part of its range, but resident +wherever found. The nest is in dead or living trees; the 4-6 white eggs +are laid in late April or early May. + + +NORTHERN FLICKER + +_Colaptes auratus luteus. Case 2, Figs. 21, 22; Case 3, Fig. 20_ + + The white rump and yellow wing-linings, displayed + in flight; black breast-crescent, spotted + underparts and fairly large size, readily + distinguish this beautiful bird. The female very + properly lacks the male's 'moustache.' L. 12. + + _Range._ Eastern North America, from North + Carolina and southern Illinois to Canada and + Alaska. The Southern Flicker (_C. a. auratus_) a + smaller, darker race, inhabits the South Atlantic + and Gulf States. + + Washington, common S.R., rare W.V. Ossining, + common S.R., Mch. 25-Oct. 30; a few winter. + Cambridge, very common S.R., common W.V. N. Ohio, + common S.R., Mch. 10-Nov. 15 a few winter. Glen + Ellyn, common S.R., Mch. 7-Dec. 24; a few winter. + SE. Minn., common S.R., Mch. 21-Oct. 16. + +Thirty years ago the Flicker, High-hole or Yellow-hammer, was prey of +any boy with a gun and was correspondingly wild and little known; now, +thanks to the Audubon Society, he is almost as domestic as the Robin. In +search of ants and their eggs, he hunts our lawns and even accepts the +hospitality of our nest-logs. A great acquisition to our dooryard life +is this bird of beautiful colors, quaint habits, and strange notes. His +loud, strongly accented call, _kée-yer_, his rapidly repeated mellow +_weéchew, weéchew_, possess character even if they lack musical quality. + +The Flicker nests in holes and lays from 5-9 white eggs in late April or +early May. + + + + +GOATSUCKERS, SWIFTS, HUMMINGBIRDS. ORDER MACROCHIRES + + + + +NIGHTHAWKS, WHIP-POOR-WILLS, ETC. FAMILY CAPRIMULGIDÆ + + +CHUCKWILL'S WIDOW + +_Antrostromus carolinensis. Case 6, Fig. 40_ + + A larger, browner bird than the Whip-poor-will, + with branched, not simple bristles at the sides of + the bill. Breast-patch whiter in the male than in + the female. L. 12. + + _Range._ Southern states north to Virginia; + wintering from southern Florida southward and + migrating northward in March. + + Washington, one record. Cambridge, A.V., one + record, Dec. + +What the Whip-poor-will is to the north the Chuckwill is to the south. +The difference in their names expresses the syllabic difference in +their calls, but the Chuckwill's notes are uttered more evenly and lack +the marked accent on the first "Whip" of its northern cousin's song. + +The Chuckwill lays its two eggs in April on the ground in the woods, +where it lives. They are white with delicate lilac markings and a few +brownish spots. + + +WHIP-POOR-WILL + +_Antrostomus vociferus vociferus. Case 6, Fig. 41_ + + Outer wing-quills barred with rusty, breast-band + white in the male, buff in the female. L. 9¾. + + _Range._ Breeds from northern Georgia north to + Canada, winters from the Gulf States southward, + starting north in April. + + Washington, common S.R., Apl. 13-Oct 13. Ossining, + common S.R., Apl. 19-Oct. 17. Cambridge, formerly + S.R., now chiefly T.V., Apl. 30-Sept. 20. N. Ohio, + locally common S.R., Apl. 29-Sept. 15. Glen Ellyn, + rare, spring records only, Apl. 19-May 21. SE. + Minn., common S.R., Apl. 17-Sept. 28. + +A mysterious, silent, flitting shadow, should we chance to arouse it +from its sleep in the forest by day, at dusk the Whip-poor-will takes +the center of the stage and announces his presence to the world. +_Whi['p]-poor-will, whi['p]-poor-will_ he calls with a snap and a +swinging rhythm that makes the twilight ring with the oft-repeated +notes. + +Two eggs are laid on the ground in the woods in May. They are dull white +with delicate obscure lilac markings, and a few brownish gray spots. + + +NIGHTHAWK + +_Chordeiles virginianus virginianus. Case 6, Fig. 39_ + + A white mark across the black outer wing-quills is + very conspicuous in flight; seen from below it + suggests a hole in the bird's wing. The female has + the throat buff and no white band in the tail. L. + 10. + + _Range._ Eastern North America from the Gulf + States and Georgia north to Canada and Alaska. + Winters in the tropics coming north in April. The + Florida Nighthawk (_C. v. chapmani_) a smaller + race (L. 8½) is a Summer Resident in the Gulf + States. + + Washington, not common S.R.; abundant T.V., Apl. + 19-Oct. 8. Ossining, common S.R., May 9-Oct. 11. + Cambridge, rare S.R., common T.V., May 15-Sept. + 25. N. Ohio, locally common S.R., May 1-Sept. 20. + Glen Ellyn, not common S.R., common T.V., May + 1-Oct. 14. SE. Minn., common S.R.. May 4-Sept. 30. + +Doubtless because we see the Nighthawk and only hear the Whip-poor-will +the notes of the latter have been often attributed to the former, with +the result that many people think there is but one species. While it is +true that there is a general resemblance in form, in details of color +and markings, the two birds are quite unlike, while so far as notes and +habits are concerned, few members of the same family differ more. The +Whip-poor-will haunts the shadows of the woods and rarely flies far +above the ground, the Nighthawk, like a Swift, courses high in the open, +even over city house-tops, where anyone who looks may see him. The +Whip-poor-will's notes have made him famous, the Nighthawk calls only a +nasal _peent, peent_, and, diving earthward on set wings, produces a +hollow, booming sound. Both nest on the ground, but the Nighthawk lays +in the fields or on pebbly roofs, and its two finely marked eggs (laid +in May or June) are quite unlike those of the Whip-poor-will. + + + + +SWIFTS. FAMILY MICROPODIDÆ + + +CHIMNEY SWIFT + +_Chætura pelagica. Case 6. Fig. 42_ + + A near relative of the Hummingbird, not of + Swallows. Note the 'spine'-tipped tail-feathers. + + _Range._ Eastern North America; winters in Central + America; reaches the Gulf States in March. + + Washington, abundant S.R., Apl. 6-Oct. 27. + Ossining, common S.R., Apl. 19-Oct. 23. Cambridge, + abundant S.R., Apl. 25-Sept. 20. N. Ohio, abundant + S.R., Apl. 10-Oct. 20. Glen Ellyn, common S.R., + Apl. 16-Sept. 29. SE. Minn., common S.R., Apl. + 20-Sept. 18. + +A twittering courser of evening skies who makes his home in our +chimneys. Here the bracket-like nest of dead twigs is attached to the +bricks by the bird's saliva, to be loosened, at times, after heavy rains +and fall to the fire-place below. In the fall great flocks roost in +chimneys, generally large ones, returning night after night. + +The 4-6 white eggs are laid in May. + + + + +HUMMINGBIRDS. FAMILY TROCHILIDÆ + + +RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD + +_Archilochus colubris. Case 7, Figs. 4, 3_ + + Females and young lack the 'ruby' throat. + + _Range._ Eastern North America, nesting from + Florida to Quebec; winters from central Florida to + Panama. + + Washington, common S.R., Apl. 23-Oct. 23. + Ossining, common S.R., Apl. 30-Oct. 3. Cambridge, + very common T.V., uncommon S.R., May 10-Sept. 20. + N. Ohio, common S.R., May 1-Sept. 15. Glen Ellyn, + rare S.R., May 1-Sept. 22. SE. Minn., common S.R., + May 19-Oct. 8. + +Any Hummingbird seen east of the Mississippi may, with confidence, be +called a Ruby-throat; exceptions will probably prove to be sphinx moths, +which, it must be confessed, look singularly hummingbird-like as they +hover before flowers. When the eggs are laid the male deserts the +female, leaving to her the task of incubation and care of the young. + +The nest, most exquisite of bird homes, is saddled to a limb usually 15 +or more feet up. The two bean-like white eggs are laid in May. + + + + +PERCHING BIRDS. ORDER PASSERES + + + + +FLYCATCHERS. FAMILY TYRANNIDÆ + + +KINGBIRD + +_Tyrannus tyrannus. Case 7, Fig. 6_ + + Note the white-tipped tail; young birds lack the + orange crest. L. 8½. + + _Range._ North America; nests from northern + Florida to Canada; winters in South America, + reaching Florida in March. + + Washington, common S.R., Apl. 18-Sept. 23. + Ossining, common S.R., Apl. 29-Sept. 10. + Cambridge, common S.R. May 5-Sept. 1. N. Ohio, + common S.R., Apl. 20-Sept. 15. Glen Ellyn, fairly + common S.R., Apl. 16-Sept. 6. SE. Minn., common + S.R., Apl. 26-Aug. 31. + +A valiant defender of his home who, at the approach of Crow or Hawk, +utters his steely, chattering, battle-cry and sallies forth to attack. +Fearlessly he plunges down on an enemy many times his size who dodging +this way and that beats a hasty retreat before his active, aggressive +assailant. In the fall migration Kingbirds gather in loose flocks. + +The nest is placed near the end of a branch about 20 feet up; the 3-5 +white eggs spotted with dark brown, are laid in May. + + +GRAY KINGBIRD + +_Tyrannus dominicensis dominicensis. Case 7, Fig. 7_ + + Resembles the Kingbird but is lighter gray, and + the tail lacks the conspicuous white tip. + + _Range._ West Indies, nesting north through + Florida to southeastern South Carolina; winters to + South America; reaches Florida early in May. + +A not uncommon summer resident in parts of Florida and the coastal +region of Georgia and South Carolina, with the general habits and +appearance of our Kingbird, but with a quite different call which +suggests the words _pitírri-pitírri_. It nests in May, laying four +salmon-colored eggs, marked with dark brown and lilac. + + +CRESTED FLYCATCHER + +_Myiarchus crinitus. Case 7, Fig. 5_ + + The reddish brown tail-feathers may sometimes be + seen and the crest is usually evident. L. 9. + + _Range._ Eastern North America; nests from Florida + to Canada; winters in the tropics, reaching + Florida on its northward journey in March. + + Washington, very common S.R., Apl. 20-Sept. 29. + Ossining, common S.R., May 7-Sept. 12. Cambridge, + rare S.R., May 15-Sept. 11. N. Ohio, common S.R., + Apl. 25-Sept. 15. Glen Ellyn, not common S.R., May + 1-Sept. 18. SE. Minn., common S.R., Apl. 25. + +A character of the woods distinguished alike by appearance, voice and +habits. His crested head seems too big for his body; his exclamatory +whistle, which sounds like a shout above a monotone of conversation, his +habit of always lining his nest with a cast-off snake skin, all mark him +as an odd genius. Even his wife's eggs, with their long chocolate +streaks, are quite unlike any other birds' eggs. They are laid in a hole +in a tree in May or June. + + +PHŒBE + +_Soyornis phœbe. Case 4, Fig. 52; Case 5, Fig. 15_ + + Head slightly crested, somewhat darker than body. + In the fall the underparts are tinged with yellow. + L. 7. + + _Range._ Eastern North America; nests from + northern Mississippi and northwestern Georgia to + Canada; winters from South Carolina to Mexico. The + only Flycatcher to winter in the eastern United + States and hence the first to reach us in the + spring. + + Washington, common S.R., Feb. 25-Oct.; + occasionally winters. Ossining, common S.R., Mch. + 14-Oct. 29. Cambridge, common T.V., and not + uncommon S.R., Mch. 25-Oct. 10. N. Ohio, common + S.R., Mch. 14-Oct. 15. Glen Ellyn, S.R., Mch. + 13-Oct. 6. SE. Minn., common S.R., Mch. 22-Oct. + 11. + +The Phœbe is the best known member of a group of small Flycatchers which +the beginner, and not infrequently the advanced student, names with more +or less uncertainty. Fortunately for the field student, and as if to +compensate for their close resemblance in plumage, they all possess +distinctive, quite unlike, and easily recognizable calls, and +consequently can readily be identified by their voices if not by their +colors. + +The Phœbe shows so marked a fondness for our society, nesting under our +piazzas, in barns or outbuildings, and calls his _pewit-phœbe_ so +plainly, wagging his tail the while in a friendly, sociable kind of a +way, that there is never any doubt about his identity; but we will not +make the acquaintance of his less common, less confiding relatives so +readily. + +The Phœbe's 4-6 white eggs (rarely with a few brown spots) are laid the +latter half of April. + + +OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER + +_Nuttalornis borealis. Case 8, Fig. 59_ + + With the general appearance of a large Phœbe, but + with the breast and sides the color of the back, + and a tuft of white feathers on each flank. L. 7½. + + _Range._ North America; nests from northern New + England northward (southward in the Alleghanies to + North Carolina); winters in the tropics. + + Washington, casual T.V. Ossining, tolerably common + T.V., May 20; Aug. 15-Sept. 16. Cambridge, rare + T.V., May 20-June 6; formerly not uncommon S.R., + one Sept. record. Glen Ellyn, not common T.V., May + 13-June 11; Aug. 11-Sept. 15. SE. Minn., common + T.V., May 10-Sept. 9. + +To most of us the Olive-sided is known as a rare migrant passing +northward in May, among the later transients, and southward in +September. When traveling the bird retains the fondness of its kind for +perching on tall tree-tops, but its loud, unmistakable, whistled "come +right _here_, come right _here_" is usually heard only on the nesting +ground. + +The nest is placed in coniferous trees about 25 feet up, and 3-5 white, +brown-spotted eggs are laid in June. + + +WOOD PEWEE + +_Myiochanes virens. Case 8, Fig. 63_ + + Resembles the Phœbe but is smaller with relatively + longer wings and more evident wing-bars. L. 6½. + + _Range._ Eastern North America; nesting from + Florida to Canada; winters in the tropics. + + Washington, common S.R., Apl. 20-Oct. 12. + Ossining, common S.R., May 10-Oct. 2. Cambridge, + common T.V., not uncommon S.R., May 18-Sept. 15. + N. Ohio, abundant S.R., May 2-Sept. 27. Glen + Ellyn, fairly common S.R., May 9-Sept. 29. SE. + Minn., common S.R., May 10-Sept. 23. + +In color Phœbe and Pewee are much alike and both are Flycatchers, but +the resemblance ends there. Pewee loves the solitude of the forest +rather than the sociability of the barnyard, and his pensive _pee-a-wee_ +does not even suggest the business-like _pewit-phœbe_ of his +better-known cousin. Nor does his dainty lichen-covered nest saddled so +skillfully on the limb of a forest tree, recall the Phœbe's bulky moss +and mud dwelling. Finally, the Pewee's eggs, laid in May, are wreathed +with brown. + + +YELLOW-BELLIED FLYCATCHER + +_Empidonax flaviventris. Case 8. Fig. 61_ + + The entire underparts, including the throat, are + unquestionably sulphur-yellow. L. 5½ + + _Range._ Eastern North America; nests from + northern New York and northern New England + northward into Canada; winters in the tropics. + + Washington, rather common T.V., May; July 28-Oct. + 6. Ossining, common T.V., May 17-June 4; Aug. + 8-Sept. 20. Cambridge, T.V., sometimes rather + common, May 25-June 3; Aug. 28-Sept. 8. N. Ohio, + rare T.V., May 10. Glen Ellyn, rather rare T.V., + May 20-June 5; Sept. 3. SE. Minn., common T.V., + May 19. + +Known chiefly as a not common migrant who visits our woods on his +journey to and from his northern home. He is a silent traveler and gives +no clue to his identity by calling or singing, but his underparts are so +much yellower than those of any other of our small Flycatchers that they +make a definite field character. Nests in coniferous forests on the +ground, laying 4 white, lightly spotted eggs in June. + + +ACADIAN FLYCATCHER + +_Empidonax virescens. Case 8, Fig. 60_ + + Throat white, upperparts bright, light + olive-green, without tinge of brown as in the + Alder Flycatcher. + + _Range._ Eastern North America; rather southern, + nesting from Florida north to Connecticut and + Michigan; winters in the tropics. + + Washington, common S.R., May 1-Sept. 15. Ossining, + common S.R., May 10-Aug. 27. N. Ohio, common S.R., + May 4-Sept. 15. Glen Ellyn, not common S.R., May + 6-Aug. 27, and probably later. + +On the low-sweeping limb of a beech over a stream is an ideal site for +the frail nest of the Acadian. The bird is never found far from it and +its low-ranging habits permit us to see its characteristic markings and +hear its peculiar sudden, explosive little _pee-e-yúk_ and more commonly +uttered _spee_ or _peet_. + +The creamy white, brown-spotted eggs are laid the latter part of May. + + +ALDER FLYCATCHER + +_Empidonax trailli alnorum. Case 8, Fig. 62_ + + Larger than the Least Flycatcher, but resembling + it in having the back olive-brown instead of + olive-green as in the Acadian and Yellow-bellied + Flycatchers. L. 6. + + _Range._ Eastern North America; nests from + northern New Jersey (locally) and mountains of + West Virginia to Canada; winters in the tropics. + + Washington, irregularly common T.V., May 8-May 28; + Aug. 16-Sept. 17. Ossining, rare T.V., May 19-May + 31; Aug. 29. Cambridge, rare T.V., May 28-June 6; + Aug.; occasional in summer. + + Traill's Flycatcher (_E. t. trailli_), a slightly + browner bird is the Mississippi Valley form. N. + Ohio, common S.R., May 7-Sept. 10. Glen Ellyn, + quite common S.R., May 14-Sept. 19. S.E. Minn., + common S.R., May 6-Aug. 10. + +A rare recluse of the alders who, traveling silently between his summer +and his winter homes, makes few friends among men. Dwight describes its +call note as "a single _pep_," and its song as _ee-zee-e-up_, resembling +that of the Acadian. The bird places the nest low down in the crotch of +one of the bushes among which it lives and lays 3-4 white, brown-spotted +eggs in June. + + +LEAST FLYCATCHER + +_Empidonax minimus. Case 6, Fig. 44_ + + Smallest of the Flycatchers; like the Alder + Flycatcher its back is olive-brown rather than + olive-green; no evident yellow on the underparts. + L. 5½. + + _Range._ Eastern North America; nests from Iowa, + Pennsylvania and New Jersey to Canada; winters in + the tropics. + + Washington, common T.V., Apl. 20-May 20; Aug. + 13-Sept. 15. Ossining, tolerably common S.R., Apl. + 25-Aug. 26. Cambridge, very common S.R., May + 1-Aug. 25. N. Ohio, common T.V. Apl. 15-May 25; + Aug. 25-Oct. 1; rare in summer. Glen Ellyn, not + common S.R., chiefly T.V., May 4-Sept. 24. SE. + Minn., common S.R., Apl. 30-Sept. 13. + +A Flycatcher of lawns and orchard, seldom going far from the tree in +which its nest with its white eggs is placed. A dry-voiced little bird +whose unmusical, but distinctly uttered _chebéc, chebéc_ makes up in +character what it lacks in sweetness. Between whiles he swings out for a +passing insect only to call _chebéc, chebéc, chebéc_ when he returns to +his perch. + + + + +LARKS. FAMILY ALAUDIDÆ + + +PRAIRIE HORNED LARK + +_Otocoris alpestris praticola. Case 2, Fig. 42_ + + Note the long hind-toe nail (or the track it + leaves), the little feathered 'horns,' the black + patch on cheeks and breast (less evident in + winter). Smaller than the Northern Horned Lark, + which visits the United States only in winter, + with the line over the eye white, and throat but + faintly tinged with yellow. L. 7¼. + + _Range._ Nests in the Upper Mississippi Valley + from Missouri and in the Atlantic States + (locally), from Connecticut northward; winters + southward to Texas and Georgia. The Horned Lark + (_Otocoris alpestris alpestris_), is a more + northern race, nesting in the Arctic regions and + migrating southward as far as Ohio and rarely + Georgia, when it is often associated with the + resident Prairie Horned Lark. It is larger than + that race (L. 7¾) and has the throat and line over + the eye yellow. + + Washington, common W.V., Aug. 11-Apl. Cambridge, + one record. N. Ohio, common P.R. Glen Ellyn, + common P.R. SE. Minn., S.R., Mch.-Nov., a few in + mild winters. + +A bird of open places--shores, plains, and prairies, and roadways--who +runs (not hops) nimbly ahead of one, or, with a short note, rises, and +on its long, pointed wings, flies on ahead. He usually returns to the +ground, but may alight on a fence; his long hind toe-nail not being +suited to grasping a small perch. The weak, twittering song is uttered +on the wing, when the bird, like its relative the Skylark, mounts into +the air. It also sings from a perch near the ground. + +The Prairie Horned Lark is the first of our small birds to nest, making +its home on the ground and laying four finely speckled eggs early in +March. After the nesting season the birds gather in flocks. + + + + +CROWS, JAYS, ETC. FAMILY CORVIDÆ + + +BLUE JAY + +_Cyanocitta cristata cristata. Case 2, Fig. 20_ + + Color, habits and voice combine to render the Blue + Jay conspicuous. L. 11¾. + + _Range._ Eastern North America from Georgia to + Quebec; migratory only at the northern limit of + its range. The Florida Blue Jay (_Cyanocitta + cristata florincola_, Case 4, Fig. 75) is smaller + (L. 10¾) and grayer above. It is found throughout + Florida. + + Washington, rather rare P.R., common T.V., Apl. + 28-May 15; Sept. 15-Oct. 15. Ossining, tolerably + common P.R. Cambridge, common P.R., abundant T.V., + Apl. and May; Sept. and Oct. N. Ohio, common P.R. + Glen Ellyn, common P.R. SE. Minn., common P.R. + +If the Blue Jay were as good as he is beautiful he would be our most +popular bird. But fine feathers do not always make fine birds, and to +those who judge birds by human standards the Blue Jay's loud, harsh +voice, overbearing manners, and nest-robbing habits are unpardonable. +With all his faults, however, the true bird enthusiast loves him still. +His bright colors, dashing ways and intelligence win our admiration and +we feel honored when he makes his home near ours, building in early May +a well-made nest in a tree-crotch, for the reception of the 4-6 +olive-green, thickly speckled eggs. + + +FLORIDA JAY + +_Aphelocoma cyanea_ + + Size of the Blue Jay but quite unlike it in color. + The head, wings and tail are grayish blue without + white markings; the back is pale brown, the + underparts dirty white, with the throat + inconspicuously streaked and a faint bluish + breast-band. + + _Range._ Florida between lat. 27° and 30°, and + chiefly along the coasts. + +This is the 'Scrub-Jay' of Florida and is not to be confused with the +Florida Blue Jay. It lives in districts where scrub palmetto grows, but +also comes into gardens and grows where it soon responds to proper +treatment and becomes semi-domesticated. It nests early in April. + + +CANADA JAY. + +_Perisoreus canadensis canadensis_ + + Size of the Blue Jay; a gray bird with a black + crown and white forehead, cheeks and throat. + + _Range._ Northern New England and northern New + York, northward; resident, rarely straggling + southward. + + Cambridge, A.V., one record, Oct. + +It is singular that the Canada Jay at the north and the Florida Jay in +the south should show exceptional confidence in man, while the Blue Jay +always seems to regard him with suspicion. The very day we make camp in +the north woods the Canada Jay or Whiskey Jack becomes our guest. As +though assured of a welcome he fearlessly joins our party, helping +himself to such supplies as please his fancy. Long before our arrival, +when snow still covered the ground, he has reared his family and for the +rest of the year has only his own wants to fill. + + +RAVEN + +_Corvus corax principalis_ + + Much larger than the Crow, the throat with long, + pointed feathers, instead of short, rounded ones. + L. 24. + + _Range._ North America rare and local in the + Eastern States, south to New Jersey on the coast + and to Georgia in the mountains. + +Crows _caw_, while Ravens _croak_; but to be sure that you have actually +seen a Raven he should be with Crows, when the Raven's much larger size +is evident. Unless, however, you should visit the few localities in the +eastern States where Ravens live you are not likely to make the bird's +acquaintance. Ravens nest on cliffs as well as in trees. Their eggs, +which resemble those of the Crow in color, are laid in April. + + +CROW + +_Corvus brachyrhynchos brachyrhynchos. Case 1, Fig. 19; Case 3, Fig. 27_ + + Sexes alike in color. L. 19½. + + _Range._ North America; migratory at the northern + limit of its range; roosting in colonies in + winter. + + Washington, abundant P.R. Ossining, common P.R. + Cambridge, common P.R. abundant T.V. N. Ohio, + common P.R. Glen Ellyn, common P.R. SE. Minn., + common S.R., Mch.-Nov., uncommon W.V. + +The Crow and the Robin are probably the best known of all our birds. The +former we treat as an enemy and the latter as a friend, and one +therefore is as wild as the other is tame. Whether the Crow deserves to +be outlawed has not as yet been decided. But we should not condemn him +out of court and let us remember that as an intelligent, self-respecting +citizen, who animates wintry wastes with his shining sable form and +clarion call, he has other than economic claims to our consideration. +The nest is placed in a tree about 30 feet up, and 4-6 eggs, green +thickly marked with brownish are laid in April. + +The Florida Crow (_C. b. pascuus_) is very near the northern bird, but +has the wings and tail smaller, the bill and feet larger. It lives +chiefly in the pine barrens of Florida and is much less common in the +state than the Fish Crow. + + +FISH CROW + +_Corvus ossifragus_ + + Brighter, more uniformly colored above and below, + the feathers without dull tips. + + _Range._ Atlantic and Gulf coast region from the + lower Hudson Valley and Long Island Sound + southward. Migratory only at the northern limit + of its range. Found throughout Florida, but + elsewhere usually not far from tidal water. + + Washington, rather common P.R. Cambridge, A.V., + one record, Mch. + +In life the Fish Crow may be distinguished from the common Crow by its +smaller size and hoarser voice. The difference in size, however, is +evident only when the two are together, but once the cracked, reedy +_car_ (not _caw_) of the Fish Crow has been learned the species may +always be identified when heard. It is somewhat like the note of a young +Crow, but less immature. The nest and eggs are much like those of the +common Crow. The eggs are laid in May. + + + + +STARLINGS. FAMILY STURNIDÆ + + +STARLING + +_Sturnus vulgaris. Case 2, Figs. 24, 25_ + + In winter conspicuously dotted with whitish; in + summer with but few dots and a yellow bill; at all + times with a short tail and long wings. L 8½. + + _Range._ Introduced from Europe into Central Park, + New York City, in 1890, now more or less numerous + from Virginia to Maine; occasional west of the + Alleghanies. It is a quick, active bird, probing + the ground now this side, now that, as it walks + rapidly over our lawns. The short tail and long + wings are most noticeable in the air and + distinguish the Starling from our other black + birds. + +A long-drawn whistle, such as one calls to a dog, is the Starling's most +common note, but it has many others. It nests in April, often after +quarreling with Flickers for possession of a nest-hole in which to lay +its pale bluish eggs. The young appear in mid-May and their harsh, +rasping food-call is a common note for several weeks; then the birds +begin to gather in companies which, later, form flocks of thousands. + + + + +BLACKBIRDS, ORIOLES, ETC. FAMILY ICTERIDÆ + + +BOBOLINK + +_Dolichonyx oryzivorus. Case 7, Figs. 13, 14_ + + In July, after nesting, the male molts into a + plumage resembling that of the female, when both + are known as Reedbird. L 7¼. + + _Range._ Nests from northern New Jersey and + northern Missouri to southern Canada and westward + to British Columbia; leaves the United States + through Florida and winters chiefly in + northwestern Argentina; returns to United States + early in April. + + Washington, T.V., common in spring, abundant in + fall; Apl. 26-May 30; July 23-Nov. 14. Ossining, + tolerably common S.R., May 1-Oct. 5. Cambridge, + very common S.R., May 8-Sept. 10. N. Ohio, common + S.R., Apl. 10-Oct. 10. Glen Ellyn, S.R., Apl. + 27-Oct. 9. SE. Minn., common S.R., Mch. 5-Aug. 27. + +A bird with a dual personality; welcome minstrel of the meadows when +nesting, dread scourge of the rice-fields when traveling. With the loss +of his trim suit of black, white, and buff, Bob loses also his merry +tinkling, rippling song, and acquires with his streaked Reedbird suit a +single watchword. _Tink, tink_ he calls from somewhere overhead, and +_tink, tink_ his comrades answer as they follow a trackless path through +the sky on their 5000-mile journey. + +The nest is placed on the ground and 4-7 grayish, blotched eggs are laid +late in May or early in June. + + +COWBIRD + +_Molothrus ater ater. Case 5, Figs. 8, 9_ + + The male's brown head distinguishes him from other + Blackbirds; the female wears a dull gray garb well + designed to make her inconspicuous. L. 8. + + _Range._ North America; nesting from North + Carolina and Louisiana to Canada; winters from + Virginia and Ohio southward. + + Washington, rather rare P.R., common T.V. + Ossining, common S.R., Mch. 23-Nov. 11. + Cambridge, common S.R., Mch. 25-Nov. 1; occasional + in winter. N. Ohio, abundant S.R., Mch. 10-Nov. + 15. Glen Ellyn, common S.R., Mch. 15-Sept. 10. SE. + Minn., common S.R., Apl. 11-Aug. 19. + +Outlaws among birds, they pair not neither do they build. Without moral +standards or maternal instincts the female accepts the attention of any +male that chances to win her fancy and deposits her eggs in the nests of +other birds. She is a slacker and a shirker, who keeps much in the +background during the breeding season. Color, habit, his sliding, glassy +whistle, and guttural gurgling, make the male conspicuous. Leaving the +care of their foster parents the young join others of their kind and +flock in the grainfields or about cattle in the pastures. + + +YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD + +_Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus. Case 6, Fig. 45_ + + Large size and a yellow head distinguish the male; + the female is duller, the body brownish, the head + yellowish. L. 10. + + _Range._ Mississippi Valley and westward, breeding + from northern Illinois northward to Canada; + winters from the west Gulf coast and southern + California into Mexico; accidental east of the + Alleghanies. + + Washington, A.V., one instance, Aug. Cambridge, + A.V., one record, Oct. Glen Ellyn, A.V., May 21, + 1898. SE. Minn., common S.R., Apl. 21. + +Hanging their cradle nest in the quill-reeds or rushes, the Yellow-heads +are not found far from it until the young take wing. The male entertains +his mate with a variety of strange calls and whistles, but leaves to her +the hatching of the brown speckled eggs and care of the young while they +are in the nest. Like other Blackbirds they migrate and winter in +flocks. + + +RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD + +_Agelaius phœniceus phœniceus. Case 5, Figs. 5, 6_ + + The male in spring and early summer is + unmistakable; in winter his feathers are tipped + with brownish, more pronounced in the young. The + streaked females require closer scrutiny. L. 9½. + + _Range._ Eastern North America, nests from Florida + to Canada; winters from Maryland southward, + sometimes farther north. The Florida Red-wing (_A. + p. floridanus_, Case 4, Figs. 28, 29) is smaller + and with a slenderer bill. It inhabits Florida + (except the southeast coast and Keys) and ranges + west along the Gulf coast to Texas. The Bahama + Red-wing (_A. p. bahamensis_) is still smaller. It + is resident in southeastern Florida, the Keys and + Bahamas. + + Washington, common P.R., abundant in migration. + Ossining, common S.R., Feb. 25-Nov. 11. Cambridge, + abundant S.R., Mch. 10-Aug. 30; a few winter. N. + Ohio, abundant S.R., Mch. 1-Nov. 15. Glen Ellyn, + common S.R., Mch. 5-Nov. 19. SE. Minn., common + S.R., Mch. 8-Nov. 14. + +The Red-wing's mellow _kong-quer-reee_ is as certain an indication of +the presence of water as is the piping of frogs in the spring. It may be +only a bit of boggy marshland, it may be a reedy lakeside, but water +there will surely be. On a frequented perch he half spreads his wings, +fluffs out his scarlet epaulets, bursting into bloom, as it were, when +he utters his notes--a singing flower! The nest is in the alders, +button-bushes, or reeds, or even on the ground, and although the birds +come in March, their pale blue, spotted, blotched, and scrawled eggs are +not laid until May. Except when nesting, Red-wings live in flocks. + + +MEADOWLARK + +_Sturnella magna magna. Case 2, Fig. 23_ + + A large, quail-like bird which shows white outer + tail-feathers when it flies; if one can obtain a + front view, the yellow underparts and black + breast-crescent are conspicuous. L. 10¾. + + _Range._ Eastern North America, rare west of the + Mississippi; nesting from North Carolina and + Missouri to Canada; winters from southern New + England and northern Ohio southward. The Southern + Meadowlark (_S. m. argutula_, Case, 4, Fig. 79) is + smaller and darker. It is resident in the south + Atlantic and Gulf States. + + Washington, common P.R., less common in winter. + Ossining, tolerably common S.R., Feb. 20-Nov. 27; + a few winter. Cambridge, common S.R., not common + W.V. N. Ohio, abundant S.R., Mch. 5-Nov. 15; a + few winter. Glen Ellyn, common S.R., Jan. 24-Nov. + 15; irregular W.V. SE. Minn., common S.R., Mch. + 25-Oct. 15; rare W.V. + +The Meadowlark is a fifer of the fields, whose high, clear whistle is +one of the most welcome bird songs of early spring. In May, when +nesting, it often sings an ecstatic twittering warble on the wing. The +alarm calls are an unmusical _dzit_ or _yert_ and a string of beady, +metallic notes. + +The nest is placed on the ground. The 4-6 eggs are white, speckled with +brown. + + +WESTERN MEADOWLARK + +_Sturnella neglecta_ + + Grayer than the Eastern Meadowlark, with + disconnected tail-bars and yellow spreading to the + sides of the throat. + + _Range._ Western United States, rare east of the + Mississippi. SE. Minn., common S.R., Mch. 25-Oct. + 15. + +With the general appearance and habits of the Eastern Meadowlark, but +differing in its call-notes and song. Instead of the sharp _dzit_ or +_yert_ and metallic twitter of the eastern bird, the western species +calls _chuck_, _chuck_, followed by a rolling _b-r-r-r-_. The eastern +bird plays the fife but the western uses the flute, and its bubbling +grace-notes are easily distinguishable from the _straight_ whistling of +its eastern cousin. + + +ORCHARD ORIOLE + +_Icterus spurius. Case 7, Figs. 10-12_ + + Adult males are unmistakable, but females and + young males in their first fall wear a + non-committal costume and must be looked at + sharply. In their first nesting season, young + males resemble the female but have a black throat. + This is a smaller, more slender bird than the + Baltimore Oriole, and the female is less orange. + L. 7¼. + + _Range._ Eastern United States, nesting from the + Gulf States to Massachusetts and Minnesota; + winters in the tropics. + + Washington, common S.R., Apl. 20-Aug. 22. + Ossining, common S.R., May 2-Aug. 6. Cambridge, + S.R., sometimes rather common, May 15-July. N. + Ohio, common S.R., Apl. 28-Sept. 5. Glen Ellyn, + not common S.R., Apl. 38. SE. Minn., uncommon + S.R., May 10-Aug. 26. + +In the northern part of its range, the Orchard Oriole is somewhat less +common, and more local than the Baltimore Oriole, while its duller +colors and more retiring habits make it more difficult to see. The voice +is richer, more cultured--if one may use the term--than that of its +brilliant orange-plumed cousin; indeed, in my opinion, this species +deserves a place in the first rank of our songsters. The nest of finely +woven grasses is not so deep as that of the Baltimore. Three to five +bluish white eggs, spotted and scrawled with black, are laid the latter +part of May. + + +BALTIMORE ORIOLE + +_Icterus galbula. Case 7, Figs. 8, 9_ + + The orange and black male needs no introduction; + the female is tinted with orange strongly enough + to show her relationship. L. 7½. + + _Range._ Eastern North America; nests from + northern Georgia to Canada; winters in the + tropics. + + Washington, rather common S.R., Apl. 29-Aug. 26. + Ossining, common S.R., May 2-Sept. 1. Cambridge, + very common S.R., May 8 through Aug. N. Ohio, + common S.R., Apl. 15-Sept. 10. Glen Ellyn, common + S.R., Apl. 26-Sept. 4. SE. Minn., common S.R., May + 1-Sept. 1. + +This is the orange-and-black whistler of our fruit and shade trees, +whose wife skillfully weaves a pendant cradle at the end of some +drooping branch, therein to lay her white eggs curiously marked with +fine lines and blotches of black. The young, after leaving the nest in +June, have a loud, babyish food-call, _dee-dee-dee-dee_, repeated time +after time until their wants are satisfied. + + +RUSTY BLACKBIRD + +_Euphagus carolinus. Case 5, Figs. 3, 4_ + + The bird's common name is based on the fall + plumage of the male, which is broadly margined + with rusty. By spring these tips wear off and the + bird is glossy black. Size of the Red-wing but + with a whitish eye and no red; the female + unstreaked. + + _Range._ Eastern North America; nests from the + northern part of the northern states to Canada; + winters from New Jersey and Ohio to the Gulf + States. + + Washington, common W.V., Oct. 13-Apl. 30. + Ossining, common T.V., Mch. 26-May 8; Sept. + 28-Nov. 27. Cambridge, very common T.V., Mch. + 10-May 8; Sept. 15-Oct. 31. N. Ohio, common T.V., + Mch. 5-May 10; Sept. 10-Nov. 15. Glen Ellyn, + common T.V., Mch. 3-May 8; Sept. 12-Nov. 15; + uncommon W.V. SE. Minn., common T.V., Mch. 26-Nov. + 24. + +This is the least conspicuous of our Blackbirds. It nests chiefly north +of the United States, migrates in small flocks, and is less noisy than +the Red-wing or Grackle and not so much in evidence as the Cowbird. +Dwight describes its notes as "a confused medley of whistles, sweeter +and higher-pitched than those of the Red-wing." It nests in May, +building in coniferous trees or near the ground, and laying 4-7 greenish +eggs, heavily marked with brown and purple. + + +PURPLE GRACKLE + +_Quiscalus quiscula quiscula. Case 5, Fig. 1_ + + Plumage varied with metallic and iridescent + reflections; tail long, fan-shaped, often 'keeled' + in flight; eye pale yellow. Male, L. 12½. The + female is smaller and duller; L. 10½. + + _Range._ Eastern North America; nests east of the + Alleghanies from northern Georgia to Connecticut; + winters from Maryland southward. + + Washington, common T.V. and S.R., Feb. 20; a few + winter. Ossining, tolerably common S.R., Feb. + 15-Nov. 8. Cambridge, rare S.R. + +The Florida Grackle (_Quiscalus quiscula aglæus_, Case 4, Fig. 74) is +smaller than the Purple Grackle and has the head and neck violet-purple, +the back bottle-green. It is resident in Florida and the Gulf States +north to South Carolina. + +The Bronzed Grackle (_Quiscalus quiscula œneus_, Case 5, Fig. 2) is the +same size as the Purple Grackle, but has the body bronzy without +iridescent markings. It nests from Texas up the Mississippi Valley and +eastward through central New York and Massachusetts to New Brunswick, +north to Canada; and in migration is found in the range of the Purple +Grackle. It winters from the Ohio Valley southward. + + Washington, rare T.V., Feb 20-Apl. 17. Ossining, + common T.V., Apl; Nov. Cambridge, abundant. S.R., + Mch. 10-Nov. 1; occasional in winter. N. Ohio, + abundant, S.R., Mch. 1-Nov. 15; rarely winters. + Glen Ellyn, common S.R., Mch. 5-Nov. 15, SE. Minn, + common S.R., Mch, 18-Nov. 1; rare in winter. + +The Grackle is the largest of our northern Blackbirds. In the south it +is exceeded in size only by the Boat-tailed Grackle. It migrates in +flocks and nests in colonies, often in parks and cemeteries. It feeds +chiefly on the ground and is frequently seen upon our lawns when it may +be known by its rather waddling, walking gait, and its long tail. Its +notes are harsh, cracked and discordant, but when heard in chorus make a +pleasing medley. The nest is sometimes placed in pines about 30 feet up, +but also in bushes and even in holes in trees. The 3-7 eggs are usually +pale bluish, heavily blotched and scrawled with brown and black. + + +BOAT-TAILED GRACKLE + +_Megaquiscalus major major_ + + The male is a long-tailed, glossy blue-black bird. + (L. 16.) The female is much smaller (L. 12), + blackish brown above, buff below. + + _Range._ Florida north on the Atlantic coast to + Virginia; west to Texas. + +This giant Grackle frequents lakes, lagoons and bays, where it feeds +along the shore or among aquatic plants. The male, a poseur among birds, +strikes strange attitudes with bill pointing skyward, and with apparent +effort forces out hoarse whistles. The female is quiet and unassuming. +They nest in colonies, building in bushes and laying in April 3-5 bluish +white eggs, strikingly blotched and scrawled with blackish. + + + + +FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. FAMILY FRINGILLIDÆ + + +EVENING GROSBEAK + +_Hesperiphona vespertina vespertina_ + + A large, thick-set, heavy-billed, black and yellow + Finch. The male with the forehead and most of the + body yellow, the crown, wings and tail black; the + inner wing-quills white. The female is brownish + gray, more or less tinged with yellow, the wings + and tail black with white markings. L. 8. + + _Range._ Western North America, wintering + regularly eastward to Minnesota and irregularly to + the North Atlantic States. + + Glen Ellyn, one record, Dec. 11, 1889. SE. Minn., + common W.V., Oct. 17-May 19. + +[Illustration: EVENING GROSBEAK. + +Male and Female.] + +The Evening Grosbeak is a notable traveler from the far northwest whose +rare, irregular, and unheralded visits and striking appearance make him +always a welcome and distinguished guest. Of recent years these birds +have come to the east with greater frequency, arriving in November and +remaining as late as May. They feed largely on the buds and seeds of +trees--maple and box-elder--and can often be attracted to our +feeding-stations by the offer of sunflower seeds. They are usually +associated in flocks of from six to eight to ten birds, and their notes +when perching, have been described as resembling the jingle of small +sleigh-bells, while their song is said to be a "wandering jerky warble." + + +PINE GROSBEAK + +_Pinicola enucleator leucura. Case 2, Figs. 53, 54_ + + Adult males are unmistakable; but young males and + female might be confused with the female Evening + Grosbeak, but they lack the conspicuous white + markings in the wings and tail of that species. L. + 9. + + _Range._ Northern North America, wintering + southward irregularly to Indiana and New Jersey; + rarely as far as Kentucky and Washington. + + Washington, casual in winter. Ossining, irregular + W.V., Dec. 18-Apl. 12. Cambridge, irregular W.V., + frequently common, sometimes abundant, Nov. 1-Mch. + 25. N. Ohio, occasional W.V. Glen Ellyn, uncommon + and irregular W.V., Oct. 25-? SE. Minn., uncommon + W.V. + +In the summer the Pines Grosbeak lives in coniferous forests, but on its +irregular wanderings southward, like the Evening Grosbeak, it feeds upon +the seeds of deciduous trees and bushes. The Grosbeak's call-note is a +clear whistle of three or four notes which may be easily imitated; its +song is said to be prolonged and melodious. + +The Pine and Evening Grosbeaks would be notable figures in any gathering +of birds, but coming at the most barren time of the year when our bird +population is at the minimum and the trees are leafless, they are as +welcome as they are conspicuous. + + +PURPLE FINCH + +_Carpodacus purpureus purpureus. Case 2, Figs. 32, 33; Case 4, Figs. 48, +49_ + + The adult male is dull rose rather than purple, + the female is sparrow-like in appearance but may + be known by a whitish line over the eye and the + company she keeps. Young males resemble their + mother their first winter. L. 6¼. + + _Range._ Eastern North America; nesting from + northern Illinois and northern New Jersey + northward to Canada; winters from the Middle + States to the Gulf. + + Washington, common W.V., Sept. 12-May 26, largely + a migrant. Ossining, rare P.R., common T.V. + Cambridge, P.R. common from Apl. to Oct.; + irregular, but sometimes abundant in winter. N. + Ohio, common W.V., Sept. 1-May 20. Glen Ellyn, + fairly common T.V., Mch.-Apl., Sept.-Oct., + uncommon W.V. + +Erratic wanderers which travel on no fixed schedule but seem to feel at +home wherever they find themselves. Except when nesting, they usually +live in small flocks which, if the fare of our feeding-stands please +them, will sometimes live with us for weeks. The call-note is +_creak-creak_, the song a flowing, musical warble often uttered in +detached fragments. Four to six bluish, spotted eggs are laid in May; +the nest being generally built in a coniferous tree. + + +ENGLISH SPARROW; HOUSE SPARROW + +_Passer domesticus domesticus. Case 2, Figs. 30, 31; Case 4, Figs. 38, +39_ + + Unfortunately too well known to require + description. L. 6½. + + _Range._ First introduced into this country at + Brooklyn, N.Y., from Europe in 1851; now found + everywhere at all times. + +Hardy, pugnacious and adaptable, the Sparrow is a notable success in the +bird world. We could overlook his objectionable traits if he possessed a +pleasant voice, but his harsh, discordant notes and incessant chatter +are unfortunately in harmony with his character. After all he gives a +welcome touch of life to city streets and yards. Sparrows' nests are +made of almost anything the birds can carry and built in any place that +will hold them. The 4-7 finely speckled eggs are laid as early as March, +and several broods are raised. + + +AMERICAN CROSSBILL + +_Loxia curvirostra minor. Case 2 Figs. 49, 50_ + + Crossbills have the mandibles crossed; the absence + of wing-bars distinguishes this species from the + usually less common White-winged Crossbill. L. 6¼. + + _Range._ Nests from northern New England to Canada + and southward in the Alleghanies to northern + Georgia. Winters irregularly southward, rarely as + far as Florida and Louisiana. + + Washington, irregular W.V., sometimes abundant. + Ossining, irregular; noted in almost every month. + Cambridge, of common but irregular occurrence at + all seasons. N. Ohio, irregular, often common, + sometimes breeds. Glen Ellyn, uncommon and + irregular, Oct. 20-June 11. SE. Minn., W.V., Oct. + 25. + +Crossbills and Grosbeaks are among winter's chief attractions. While the +latter, as I have said above, will leave their summer homes in +coniferous forests to feed in winter on the seeds of deciduous trees, +the Crossbills are less adaptable. They are specialists in +cone-dissecting. Their singularly shaped bills prevent them from eating +many kinds of food available to other birds, but no other birds can +compete with them in extracting the seeds from cones. Having had too +limited an experience with man to have learned to fear him, they are so +surprisingly tame that I have known birds to be plucked from trees as +one would pick off the cones on which they were feeding. In March, while +the ground is still snow-covered, they lay 3-4 pale greenish, spotted +eggs in a well-formed nest, 15-30 feet up in a coniferous tree. + + +WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILL + +_Loxia leucoptera. Case 2, Figs. 51, 52_ + + Both sexes have white wing-bars and the male is of + a paler, more rosy red than the male of the + American Crossbill. + + _Range._ Nests from northern New England to + Canada; winters irregularly to southern Illinois + and North Carolina. + + Washington, casual. Ossining, rare T.V., Oct. + 29-Dec. 6, Cambridge, irregular W.V. N. Ohio, rare + W.V. Glen Ellyn, rare, fall records only, Nov. SE. + Minn., W.V., latest record Mch. 4. + +A rarer bird than the American Crossbill which, however, it resembles in +habits. Both climb about the branches of cone-bearing trees like little +Parrots, while feeding keep up a low conversational chatter, and take +wing with a clicking note. They have been found nesting in Nova Scotia +as early as February 6. + + +REDPOLL + +_Acanthis linaria linaria. Case 2. Figs. 47, 48_ + + Any little sparrow-like bird with a red cap is a + Redpoll. Adult males have the breast also red. L. + 5½. + + _Range._ Nests in Canada and Alaska; winters + irregularly south ward to Ohio and Virginia. + + Washington, very rare and irregular W.V. Ossining, + regular W.V., Nov. 25-Mch. 26. Cambridge, + irregular W.V., often very abundant, Oct. 25-Apl. + 10. N. Ohio, rare W.V. Glen Ellyn, irregular W.V., + Nov. 6-Mch. 7. SE. Minn., common W.V., Oct. + 31-Apl. 7. + +A winter visitor from the far North whose coming never can be foretold. +Years may pass without seeing them, then late some fall, they may appear +in numbers. They are usually in flocks and feed upon seeds as well as +birch and alder catkins. In notes and general habits the Redpoll +resembles the Goldfinch. + +Holbœll's Redpoll (_A. holbœlli_) is a slightly larger race, with a +longer, more slender bill. It is a more northern form than the +preceding, and rarely visits the United States. The Greater Redpoll (_A. +l. rostrata_) is also larger than the common Redpoll, but has a shorter, +stouter bill. It nests in Greenland and is of casual occurrence in the +northern United States. The Hoary Redpoll (_A. hornemanni exilipes_) is +a whiter bird than the preceding with no streaks on the rump and +comparatively few on the underparts. It nests within the Arctic Circle +and rarely visits the northern United States in winter. + +Satisfactory identification of these races of the Redpoll can be made +only by expert examination of specimens. The field student, however, may +call any Redpoll he sees the Common Redpoll with the chances of being +right largely in his favor. + + +GOLDFINCH + +_Astragalinus tristis tristis. Case 2. Figs. 35, 36; Case 4, Figs. 50, +51_ + + While he wears his 'Goldfinch' costume, the male + will be known at a glance, but in winter, when he + takes the dull yellow-olive dress of his mate, + several glances may be required to recognize him, + and this remark, of course, applies to the female + at all seasons. L. 5. + + _Range._ North America; the eastern form nests + from Arkansas and northern Georgia to Canada and + winters from the Northern to the Gulf States. + + Washington, common P.R. Ossining, common P.R. + Cambridge, very common P.R. N. Ohio, common P.R. + Glen Ellyn, common P.R. SE. Minn., P.R., common in + summer, uncommon in winter. + +A beautiful, musical, cheerful bird, as sweet of disposition as he is of +voice. To hear a merry troop of Goldfinches singing their spring chorus +is to hear the very spirit of the season set to music. Their call-note +is a questioning _dearie, dearie_, their flight-call _per-chié-o-ree, +per-chié-o-ree_, as in long undulations they swing through the air. +Their song is suggestive of a Canary's. They are late housekeepers, not +nesting before the latter half of June, when 3-6 pale bluish white eggs +are laid in a nest warmly lined with plant down. + + +PINE SISKIN + +_Spinus pinus pinus. Case 2. Fig. 55_ + + A streaked, sparrow-like bird, with yellow + markings in wings and tail which show in flight. + L. 5. + + _Range._ North America; nests from northern New + England north to Canada and in the mountains, + south to North Carolina; in winter southward to + the Gulf States. + + Washington, irregularly abundant W.V., Oct. 24-May + 20. Ossining, irregular P.R. Cambridge, irregular + W.V., Oct. 15-May 10; sometimes very abundant; one + breeding record. N. Ohio, tolerably common W.V., + Sept. 20-May 15. Glen Ellyn, irregular T.V., Apl. + 8-May 24; Sept. 8-Nov. 29. SE. Minn., uncommon + T.V., and W.V. Oct. 20-Apl. 9. + +The Siskin belongs in the group of winter visitants whose coming cannot +be foretold. Some years it is rare or wanting, others abundant, a flock +sometimes, containing several hundred birds. In general habits it +resembles the Goldfinch, feeding on weed seeds and catkins, particularly +of the alder, and on the seeds of conifers. The call-note is a high +_e-eep_; its song like that of the Goldfinch but less musical. + + +SNOW BUNTING + +_Plectrophanes nivalis nivalis. Case 2, Fig. 57_ + + The prevailing tone of plumage is white, + particularly when the bird is on the wing; the + long, hind toe-nail should be noted. L. 6¾. + + _Range._ Nests in Arctic regions, winters + irregularly south to Kansas and Virginia. + + Washington, W.V., casual, one instance. Ossining, + irregular W.V., Oct. 25-Mch. 22. Cambridge, common + W.V., Nov. 1-Mch. 15; abundant in migrations. N. + Ohio, tolerably common W.V., Dec. 10-Mch. 15. SE. + Minn., common W.V., Oct. 9-Mch. 14. + +Snow Buntings live in flocks and love open places, such as Horned Larks +frequent, and are often found with them in fields or along the shore. +Like the Horned Larks they are walkers, not hoppers, and like most +walkers, it is exceptional for them to perch in trees. Hoffman described +their notes as "a high, sweet, though slightly mournful _tee_, or +_tee-oo_, a sweet rolling whistle, and a harsh _bzz_." + + +LAPLAND LONGSPUR + +_Calcarius lapponicus lapponicus_ + + A sparrow-like bird, with reddish brown wings, a + black or blackish breast, white, streaked + underparts and a brownish back. L. 6¼. + + _Range._ Nests in Arctic regions, wintering + southward, rarely and irregularly in the Atlantic + States, to New York (casually South Carolina) and + more commonly in the Mississippi Valley to Ohio + and Texas. + + Washington, W.V. one instance, Dec. Ossining. + W.V., casual, Cambridge, one record. N. Ohio, + tolerably common W.V., Nov. 15-Apl. 25. Glen + Ellyn, common W.V., Oct. 16-May 16. SE. Minn., + common W.V. + +[Illustration: LAPLAND LONGSPUR. + +Adult male in summer. In winter the throat and breast are mixed black +and white.] + +A rare visitor from the far North who, if we see it at all will probably +be found in the company of Horned Larks or Snow Buntings. It is a +browner bird than either of them, so while this is not a case of 'birds +of a feather' it _is_ a case of birds of a long hind toe-nail, since all +three are distinguished by having a toe-nail actually longer than its +toe. All three are walkers, which means also that they are ground-birds +rather than tree-birds, and the tracks they leave in the snow, or on the +beach, distinguish them from other birds if not from each other. + + +VESPER SPARROW + +_Poœcetes gramineus gramineus. Case 4, Fig. 36; Case 5, Fig. 16_ + + Paler than any of our other field inhabiting + Sparrows, except the Savannah, which is smaller; + and differing from them all by having a reddish + brown shoulder-patch and white outer + tail-feathers. L. 6. + + _Range._ Nests from North Carolina and Kentucky to + Canada; winters from its southern nesting limits + to the Gulf States. + + Washington, P.R., very common T.V., less so in + summer and winter. Ossining, tolerably common + S.R., Apl. 2-Nov. 4. Cambridge, common S.R., Apl. + 5-Oct. 25. N. Ohio, abundant S.R., Mch. 20-Nov. 7. + Glen Ellyn, fairly common S.R., Mch. 21-Oct. 25. + SE. Minn., common S.R., Apl. 1-Oct. 29. + +A Sparrow of broad fields and plains whose song voices the spirit of +open places. Neither words nor musical notation can describe it +recognizably. It has somewhat the form of the Song Sparrow's song, just +as the two birds resemble each other in form but are unlike in detail. +One must, therefore, first learn to know the bird--an easy matter, since +it is common and can be readily identified by its white outer +tail-feathers--and thereafter you will be the richer for a knowledge of +this rarely appealing bit of bird music. + +The nest, as one might suppose, is built on the ground, and the 4-5 +whitish spotted eggs are laid early in May. + + +IPSWICH SPARROW + +_Passerculus princeps_ + + With a general resemblance to the Savannah Sparrow + (Case 5. Fig. 23) but larger, L. 6¼, and decidedly + paler. + + _Range._ Nests on Sable Island off Nova Scotia; + winters south, along the coast, regularly to New + Jersey; rarely to Georgia. + + Cambridge, casual, two instances, Oct. + +Few migratory birds have a more restricted breeding range than the +Ipswich Sparrow. Confined to a sandbar island during the summer where it +is never out of sight or sound of the sea, it seeks similar haunts +during the winter when it is rarely found far from the immediate +vicinity of the ocean. In general habits and nesting, it resembles the +Savannah Sparrow, of which indeed, it is doubtless an island +representative. + + +SAVANNAH SPARROW + +_Passerculus sandwichensis savanna. Case 4, Fig. 47; Case 5, Fig. 23_ + + In general color slightly paler than the Vesper + Sparrow; smaller than that species; no white + tail-feathers; a touch of yellow before the eye + and on the bend of the wing. L. 5¾. + + _Range._ Nests from Long Island and northern Iowa + to Canada; winters from southern New Jersey and + southern Indiana southward to Mexico. + + Washington, abundant T.V., Mch. 20-May 11; Sept. + 21-Oct. 23; a few winter. Ossining, common T.V., + Apl. 3-May 13; Aug. 28-Oct. 28. Cambridge, + abundant T.V., Apl., Oct.; breeds sparingly. N. + Ohio, not common T.V., Mch. 20-May 12. Glen Ellyn, + fairly plentiful S.R., Apl. 8-Oct. 20. SE. Minn., + common S.R., Apl. 17-Oct. 23. + +An abundant Sparrow known only to bird students. It prefers fields to +door-yards; lives much on the ground, and its darting flight, followed +by a sudden dive to cover, and insignificant song all combine to make it +rather difficult of identification. It nests in May, laying 4-5 white, +speckled eggs in a nest on the ground. + + +GRASSHOPPER SPARROW + +_Ammodramus savannarum australis. Case 7, Fig. 16_ + + A small, short-tailed Sparrow, without streaks on + the underparts and a back pattern which suggests + 'feather scales.' L. 5½. + + _Range._ Eastern United States, nesting as far + north as southern Minnesota, and southern New + Hampshire; winters from southern Illinois and + North Carolina to the tropics. The Florida + Grasshopper Sparrow (_A. s. floridanus_) a + smaller, darker race, is resident in the Kissimmee + prairies of south central Florida. + + Washington, very common S.R., Apl. 17-Nov. 20. + Ossining common S.R., Apl. 27-Oct. 23. Cambridge, + rare S.R., May 16-Sept. 1. N. Ohio, common S.R., + Apl. 20-Sept. 20. Glen Ellyn, not common S.R., May + 4-Sept. 13. SE. Minn., common S.R., Apl. 25-Sept. + 6. + +Grasshopper, he is called, because his unmusical little song, _pit-túck, +zee-e-e-e-e_, sung from a low perch, resembles the sound produced by +that insect. He is a common inhabitant of old fields, where sorrel and +daisies grow, and when flushed at one's feet darts away to drop suddenly +to the ground beyond. The 4-5, white, spotted eggs are laid in a ground +nest in late May or early June. + + +HENSLOW'S SPARROW + +_Passerherbulus henslowi henslowi. Case 7, Fig. 17_ + + With the general proportions of the Grasshopper + Sparrow, but the underparts distinctly streaked + and the nape olive. L. 5. + + _Range._ Nests from southern Missouri and Virginia + to central Minnesota and New Hampshire; winters in + the Southern States. + + Washington, common S.R., Apl. 10-Oct. 21. + Ossining, rare T.V., Oct. 5-Oct. 10. Cambridge, + very rare S.R. N. Ohio, S.R., Glen Ellyn, not + common S.R., May 8-Sept. 26. SE. Minn., common + S.R. + +Henslow's Sparrow lives in isolated and sometimes widely separated +communities, frequenting wet meadows in summer, but visiting, also, dry +fields in winter. It has the general habits of the Grasshopper Sparrow +and its notes are equally unmusical. The 4-5 grayish white, thickly +speckled eggs are laid in a ground nest the latter half of May. + + +LECONTE'S SPARROW + +_Passerherbulus lecontei. Case 7, Fig. 18_ + + The underparts are but slightly streaked, the + crown is striped, and the nape reddish brown. L. + 5. + + _Range._ Nesting in the interior of North America + from our border States, northward and east to + Minnesota; migrates southward and south-eastward, + and winters locally from South Carolina to Florida + and Texas. + + Glen Ellyn, not common T.V., May 4-?; Sept. 8-Oct. + 6. SE. Minn, uncommon S.R., May 1-Oct. 17. + +This is the third and rarest member of the trio of small, retiring +Sparrows of which the Grasshopper Sparrow is the commonest. It is found +east of the Mississippi only in the winter when it may be associated +with the Grasshopper and Henslow's Sparrows. + + +SHARP-TAILED SPARROW + +_Passerherbulus caudacutus. Case 6, Fig. 47_ + + A buffy Sparrow with the underparts sharply + streaked with black. L. 5¾. + + _Range._ Salt marshes of the Atlantic coast; nests + from Virginia to Massachusetts; winters from New + Jersey to Florida. + + Cambridge, formerly common S.R., but occurs no + longer. + +An abundant inhabitant of salt marshes. There is, or was, a colony on +the Hudson River immediately south of the long pier from which Piermont +takes its name, but with this exception I have never seen this Sparrow +beyond the sound of the surf. It runs about through the thick marsh +grasses taking wing only when hard pressed. Its song is short and +insignificant. It nests on the ground, the 3-4 grayish white, finely +speckled eggs being laid in late May or early June. + + +NELSON'S SHARP-TAILED SPARROW + +_Passerherbulus nelsoni nelsoni_ + + Resembles the Sharp-tailed but is smaller and has + the throat, breast and sides deeper, very + slightly, if at all, streaked with blackish; the + upperparts more broadly margined with whitish. L. + 5½. + + _Range._ Nests in the interior from South Dakota + northward to Great Slave Lake; migrates south to + Texas and southeast through New York and + Massachusetts to North Carolina and Florida. + + Washington, rare T.V., May-Sept. Ossining, + tolerably common T.V., Sept. 28-Oct. 17. + Cambridge, formerly uncommon T.V. Glen Ellyn, one + record, Oct. 2, 1893. SE. Minn., uncommon T.V. + +This is a fresh-water representative of the Sharp-tail which nests in +the prairie sloughs of the interior and reaches the Atlantic coast +during its migrations and in the winter. It resembles the Sharp-tail in +habits and when on the coast, may be found associated with it. + +The Acadian Sharp-tailed Sparrow (_P. n. subvirgatus_) is similar to the +Sharp-tailed Sparrow but is paler above; the throat, breast and sides +are washed with cream-buff and indistinctly streaked with ashy. It nests +on the salt marshes of the Atlantic coast from Maine to Cape Breton and +in Prince Edward Island; and winters from South Carolina to Florida. In +general habits it resembles the two preceding. + +The three Sharp-tails may be distinguished chiefly by the color and +markings of the breast. In the Sharp-tail these are _pale_ buff +_distinctly_ streaked with blackish. In Nelson's they are _deep_ buff +lightly if at all streaked. In the Acadian they are cream-buff +indistinctly streaked with _grayish_. The Sharp-tail may be known from +the other two by its distinct black marks below, but the other two +cannot certainly be distinguished from each other in life where both may +be expected to occur. + + +SEASIDE SPARROW + +_Passerherbulus maritimus maritimus. Case 6, Fig. 46_ + + An olive-greenish Sparrow, with a yellow mark + before the eye and on the bend of the wing; the + underparts _not_ distinctly streaked. L. 6. + + _Range._ Salt marshes of the Atlantic Coast; nests + from Virginia to Massachusetts; winters from + Virginia to Georgia. + +In the Piermont marsh, referred to under the Sharp-tailed Sparrow, there +are Seasides as well as Sharp-tails, but this is the only place in which +I have seen Seasides away from the sea. There they are abundant in the +grassy marshes. Their song is weak and unattractive. Like the Sharp-tail +they nest on the ground, laying 3-4 white or bluish white eggs, clouded +or finely speckled with cinnamon-brown, the latter part of May. + +This northern Seaside Finch is migratory, coming the latter part of +April and remaining until the latter half of October, but in the South +there are several races which for the most part are resident in the same +locality throughout the year. Thus we have: + +Macgillivray's Seaside Sparrow (_P. m. macgillivraii_).--Atlantic Coast +from North Carolina south to Matanzas Islet, Florida. Dusky Seaside +Sparrow (_P. nigrescens_), an almost black species from Merritt's +Island, at the head of Indian River, Florida. Cape Sable Sparrow (_P. m. +mirabilis_), Cape Sable, Florida. Scott's Seaside Sparrow (_P. m. +peninsulæ_), Gulf Coast of Florida from Tampa to St. Marks; Northwest +Florida Sparrow (_P. m. juncicola_) Coast of Florida west of St. Marks; +Alabama Seaside Sparrow (_P. m. howelli_), Coast of Alabama and +Mississippi. Louisiana Seaside Sparrow (_P. m. fisheri_), Coast of +Louisiana to Northeast Texas; and Sennett's Seaside Sparrow (_P. m. +sennetti_), Coast of Texas from Galveston at least to Corpus Christi. + + +LARK SPARROW + +_Chondestes grammacus grammacus. Case 7, Fig. 19_ + + The chestnut and white head markings and the + white-tipped tail-feathers are conspicuous + field-marks. L. 6¼. + + _Range._ Mississippi Valley; nests from Louisiana + to Minnesota and Ohio; winters from Mississippi + southward; casual east of the Alleghanies, chiefly + in the fall. + + Washington, A.V., Aug., two captures. N. Ohio, + rare S.R., Apl. 28. Glen Ellyn, local and uncommon + S.R. SE. Minn., common S.R., Apl. 20-Aug. 2. + +Few field experiences have given me more pleasure than the discovery +near my home at Englewood one November 2, many years ago, of a Lark +Finch--one of the 'casuals' which had presumably been carried far from +its course by a severe storm of the preceding days. The bird's strongly +marked face and conspicuously white-tipped tail-feathers made an +impression which testifies to their value as field-characters. In its +own range this beautiful Sparrow is a sweet-voiced inhabitant of the +fields, nesting on the ground or in low trees and bushes, and laying 3-5 +white eggs, spotted and blotched with blackish, in May. + + +HARRIS'S SPARROW + +_Zonotrichia querula. Case 7, Fig. 21_ + + A large Sparrow, larger even than the Fox Sparrow; + with a pinkish bill, the crown, throat and breast + more or less blackish; cheeks buff. L. 7½. + + _Range._ Interior of North America, nesting in + North Carolina; winters from Kansas to Texas; rare + east of Wisconsin. Glen Ellyn, one record, May 19. + SE. Minn., common T.V., May 6; Sept. 21-Oct. 25. + +When migrating this Sparrow reminds one of a White-throat. It has a +sharp _clink_ note and frequents brier patches and bushy places. + + +WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW + +_Zonotrichia leucophrys. Case 7, Fig. 22_ + + Resembles the White-throat but throat gray, like + the breast, space before the eye black, not + yellow, white in the crown more conspicuous. L. + 6¾. + + _Range._ Nests in Canada; winters from Virginia + and Ohio to Mexico; not a common migrant in the + Atlantic States. + + Washington, irregularly common W.V. and T.V., May + 1-17; Oct. 7-Nov. 20. Ossining, rare T.V., May + 9-26; Oct. 3-30. Cambridge, uncommon T.V., May + 12-22; Oct. 1-20. N. Ohio, common T.V., Apl. + 22-May 20; Sept. 5-Oct. 16. Glen Ellyn, not common + T.V.; chiefly spring, Apl. 24-May 31; Oct. 2-21. + SE. Minn., common T.V., Apl. 30-; Sept. 26-Oct. + 14. + +This distinguished-looking cousin of our White-throated Sparrow is rare +enough in the Eastern States, always to command our attention when we +are so fortunate as to meet him. He resembles the White-throat in habits +and choice of haunts but his song has a tender, appealing quality, +lacking in the White-throat's more cheerful lay, charming as that is. + + +WHITE-THROATED SPARROW + +_Zonotrichia albicollis. Case 2. Figs. 45, 46; Case 4, Fig. 40_ + + The adults may be recognized at sight by their + white throat, but this character is less prominent + and sometimes almost wanting in young birds (Fig. + 46) which will require close scrutiny. L. 6¾. + + _Range._ Nests from northern New England and + central Minnesota northward; winters from southern + New England and Ohio to the Gulf. + + Washington, very common W.V., abundant T.V., Mch. + 18-May; Sept. 15-Dec. 16. Ossining, common T.V., + Apl. 10-May 21; Sept. 20-Oct. 30; a few winter. + Cambridge, very common T.V., Apl. 25-May 15; Oct. + 1-Nov. 10; a few winter. N. Ohio, common T.V., + Apl. 1-May 21; Sept. 10-Nov. 7. Glen Ellyn, common + T.V., Apl. 9-May 26; Sept. 13-Nov. 7. SE. Minn., + common T.V., Apl. 8-; Sept. 2-Nov. 13. + +This clear-voiced whistler is known to many persons who have never seen +it. When anyone returning from the bird's summer range tells me "I heard +a bird sing like this," I know before he whistles a note that he will +probably imitate the White-throat. Fortunately the song has so much +character and its intervals conform so closely to those of our musical +scale, that a recognizable imitation of it is within the power of +everyone. There is much variation in the arrangement of the notes and +migrants never seem to sing with the power of nesting birds, nor do fall +songs compare in volume or execution with those of spring. The call-note +is a characteristic sharp _clink_. + +The White-throat is abundant, migrating and wintering in companies which +frequent bushy places, hedgerows and undergrowth generally. The nest is +placed on the ground or in bushes in late May or early June. The eggs. +4-5 in number, are bluish white, speckled or blotched with brown. + + +TREE SPARROW + +_Spizella monticola monticola. Case 2, Fig. 44; Case 4, Fig. 46_ + + A dusky spot in the center of the breast and a + reddish brown cap and streak behind the eye are + distinguishing characters. L. 6½. + + _Range._ Nests in Canada; winters from southern + Canada south to Arkansas and South Carolina. + + Washington, abundant W.V., Oct.-Apl. 1. Ossining, + common W.V., Oct. 10-Apl. 27. Cambridge, common + W.V., abundant T.V., Oct. 25-Nov. 25; Mch. 20-Apl. + 20. N. Ohio, abundant W.V., Oct. 24-May 3. Glen + Ellyn, common W.V., Oct. 4-Apl. 28. SE. Minn., + common T.V., Oct. 6-May 5; a few winter. + +From October to April companies of Tree Sparrows harvest the season's +crop of weed seeds, feeding usually near woods or hedge-rows to which +they go to rest and roost. Their merry chatter is one of the season's +most cheerful notes, and in the spring we may hear their canary-like +song. + + +CHIPPING SPARROW + +_Spizella passerina passerina. Case 4, Fig. 45; Case 5, Fig. 31_ + + In summer, the chestnut cap, black bill, and + whitish line over the eye mark the 'Chippy'; but + in the fall and winter the crown is like the back, + the line over the eye is brownish, and the bill is + brown; but the gray rump, shown well in flight, is + a good character the year around. L. 5½. + + _Range._ Nests from Georgia and Mississippi to + Canada; winters from South Carolina to the Gulf. + + Washington, common S.R., abundant T.V., Mch. + 9-Nov. 11, occasionally winters. Ossining, common + S.R., Apl. 5-Nov. 7. Cambridge, abundant S.R., + Apl. 12-Oct. 25. N. Ohio, abundant S.R., Mch. + 23-Oct. 10. Glen Ellyn, not very common S.R., Apl. + 5-Nov. 5. SE. Minn., common S.R., Apl. 8-Oct. 26. + +The friendly Chippy is the most familiar and domestic of any of our +native Sparrows. He makes tentative visits to our piazzas and, cats +permitting, will take up his residence there, building a neat, +hair-lined nest in the vines or a nearby bush. Unassuming in voice as he +is in manner, his _Chippy-chippy-chippy_, many times repeated, +expresses contentment, even if it does not attain high musical rank. +Madame Chippy has fine taste in eggs, laying, in early May, little blue +gems, beautifully marked with brown or black. + + +CLAY-COLORED SPARROW + +_Spizella pallida. Case 6, Fig. 48_ + + The Clay-colored Sparrow resembles a winter + Chipping Sparrow, but is paler and has a white + line over the eye and a brownish rump. L. 5½. + + _Range._ Interior states east to Illinois; winters + from Texas southward. SE. Minn., common S.R., Apl. + 26-Oct. 19. + +A Chipping Sparrow of the Plains which nests on the ground and in low +bushes. It is not common east of the Mississippi. + + +FIELD SPARROW + +_Spizella pusilla pusilla. Case 4, Fig. 43; Case 5, Fig. 14_ + + The upperparts are brighter reddish brown than in + any of our other Sparrows, and the bill is + 'pinker.' L. 5½. + + _Range._ Nests from northern Florida and central + Louisiana to Minnesota and Maine; winters from New + Jersey and Illinois to the Gulf States. + + Washington, very common P.R. Ossining, common + S.R., Apl. 2-Nov. 7. Cambridge, common S.R., Apl. + 12-Nov. 1; casual in winter. N. Ohio, abundant in + summer, Mch. 6-Oct. 25. Glen Ellyn, tolerably + common S.R., Mch. 27-Oct. 11. SE. Minn., common + S.R., Apl. 1-Dec. 28. + +'Bush Sparrow,' Mr. Roosevelt always called this bird, and the name +gives a better conception of its haunts than that of Field Sparrow, +since it is found in bush-grown fields. From a bush-top it sings its +clearly whistled, sweet, appealing song, varying the relation of notes +and trills, but never their musical quality. In a bush also it nests, +laying 3-5 white eggs, marked with reddish brown, in May. + + +SLATE-COLORED JUNCO + +_Junco hyemalis hyemalis. Case 2, Fig. 43; Case 4, Fig. 41_ + + The plumage of the female is tinged with brownish, + but the prevailing tone is slate-gray, unlike that + of any of our other Sparrows. The white outer-tail + feathers are conspicuously flashed in flight. L. + 6¼. + + _Range._ Nests from northern New England and + northern New York to Canada and southward in the + mountains to Pennsylvania; winters in all the + Eastern States. The Carolina Junco (_J. h. + carolinensis_), a slightly larger race without a + brownish tinge, nests in the higher parts of the + Alleghanies from Maryland to northern Georgia, + descending to the adjacent lowlands in winter. + + Washington, abundant W.V., Sept. 26-May 12. + Ossining, common W.V., Sept. 19-May 4. Cambridge, + rather common W.V., abundant T.V., Sept. 20-Nov. + 25; Mch. 20-Apl. 20. N. Ohio, abundant W.V., Oct. + 2-May 5. Glen Ellyn, W.V., abundant spring and + fall, Aug. 30-May 13, SE, Minn., common T.V., Mch. + 4-; Sept. 20-Nov. 12. + +Gray skies and a snow-covered earth are the Junco colors, and when he +flashes them along the hedgerows and wood borders we know that although +it is only late September, winter will soon be with us. From that time +until April the Junco is of our commonest birds. He visits our +food-shelf and roosts in our evergreens, becoming almost as domestic as +the Chipping Sparrow. The Junco's call-notes are a sharp _tsip_, a +contented _chew-chew-chew_, and a sharp kissing call. Its modest, +musical little trill we shall not hear until spring. The nest is built +on the ground, and the 4-5 white, speckled, or spotted, eggs are laid +late in May. + + +BACHMAN'S SPARROW + +_Peucæa æstivalis bachmani_ + + With a general resemblance to a Field Sparrow but + bill black and larger, cheeks and underparts more + buffy, tail shorter, no evident wing bars. + + _Range._ Southeastern United States from central + Georgia to Virginia and from northwestern Florida + to central Illinois; winters from North Carolina + to northern Florida. + +Where 'scrub' oaks grow beneath the pines, or post, or white oaks form +open woods, there one may look for this rather retiring, sweet-voiced +Sparrow. If one can imagine a Hermit Thrush singing the Field Sparrow's +chant, he will have some conception of the rare quality of Bachman's +Sparrow's song. The nest is built on the ground, the white unmarked eggs +being laid early in May. + +The Pine Woods Sparrow (_P. æ. æstivalis_), is a darker race, more +streaked above with black. It is resident in Florida (except the +northwestern part) and southern Georgia where it frequents pine forests +undergrown with scrub palmetto. + + +SONG SPARROW + +_Melospiza melodia melodia. Case 2, Fig. 34; Case 4, Fig. 42_ + + Streaked below, with a conspicuous spot in the + center of the breast. + + _Range._ Most of North America, the eastern form + west to the Rockies, nesting from Virginia and + Missouri to Canada and wintering from Illinois and + Massachusetts to the Gulf. + + Washington, common P.R., abundant T.V., Mch. and + Oct. Ossining, common P.R. Cambridge, very + abundant S.R., Mch. 10-Nov. 1; locally common W.V. + N. Ohio, P.R., abundant in summer, common in + winter; Glen Ellyn, common S.R. Feb. 12-Nov. 2. + SE. Minn., common S.R., Mch. 16-Nov. 11. + +If the so-called 'English' Sparrow is the European Sparrow, the Song +Sparrow is the American Sparrow. He is found in every State and from the +Valley of Mexico to Alaska. He is abundant, musical, and familiar and +probably better known than any other member of his family native to this +country. His is one of the first birds' songs to be heard in the spring, +and the last in the fall, and when in midsummer, the adults, while +molting, are silent, the rambling, formless song of the young may be +heard. + +Usually the Song Sparrow is found near water and not far from bushes +into which he flies when alarmed. Then we hear his characteristic +call-note, an impatient _chimp_, _chimp_, unlike that of any other of +our Sparrows. The nest is built on the ground and the 4-5 bluish white +brown-marked eggs are laid late in April. + + +LINCOLN'S SPARROW + +_Melospiza lincolni lincolni. Case 7, Fig. 15_ + + A broad band of buff across the streaked breast. + + _Range._ Chiefly western United States; in the + East, nests from northern New York and northern + Minnesota into Canada; winters from Mississippi to + Central America; rare east of the Alleghanies. + + Washington, rare T.V., May 8-21; Sept. 30-Oct. 1. + Ossining, rare T.V., Sept. 29-Oct. 16. Cambridge, + not uncommon T.V., May 15-May 25; Sept. 14-Oct. + 10. N. Ohio, tolerably common T.V., Apl. 25-May + 25. Glen Ellyn, not common T.V., fall records + only, Sept. 11-Oct. 9. SE. Minn., common T.V., + Apl. 17-; Sept. 10-Oct. 30. + +We know the species only as a rare, retiring migrant, frequenting +hedgerows, and undergrowth. I have never heard its song while migrating. + + +SWAMP SPARROW + +_Melospiza georgiana. Case 4, Fig. 44; Case 5, Fig. 22_ + + Note the bright chestnut cap, grayish, unstreaked + breast, and reddish brown rump of the summer + plumage; in winter, the crown is darker and + streaked with black. L. 5¼. + + _Range._ Nests from New Jersey and Illinois to + Canada; winters from Nebraska and New Jersey to + the Gulf. + + Washington, very common T.V., Apl. 12-May 19; + Sept, 28-Oct. 29; a few winter. Ossining, + tolerably common S.R., Apl. 4-Dec. 2; a few + winter. Cambridge, abundant S.R., Apl. 12-Nov. 10; + a few winter. N. Ohio, common T.V., Mch. 23-May + 20. Glen Ellyn, tolerably common T.V., Apl. 2-May + 26; Sept. 2-Oct. 24; possibly S.R. SE. Minn., + common S.R., Apl. 5-Nov. 18. + +The Swamp Sparrow is a Sparrow of the marshes whose _tweet-tweet-tweet_ +many times repeated, is associated with the music of Marsh Wrens. It +nests on the ground in May, laying eggs not unlike those of the Song +Sparrow. + + +FOX SPARROW + +_Passerella iliaca iliaca. Case 4, Fig. 37; Case 5, Fig. 7_ + + A large, bright, reddish brown Sparrow, which, + because of its red-brown tail, and in spite of its + stout bill, is sometimes mistaken for the Hermit + Thrush. L. 7½. + + _Range._ Nests in northern Canada; winters from + Ohio and Maryland to the Gulf States. + + Washington, very abundant T.V., Mch. 13-May 11; + Oct. 23-Nov. 15: a few winter. Ossining, tolerably + common T.V., Mch. 4-Apl. 20; Oct. 14-Nov. 28. + Cambridge, abundant T.V., Mch. 15-Apl. 12; Oct. + 20-Nov. 15; occasional in winter. N. Ohio, common + T.V., Mch. 12-Apl. 23; Oct. 1-Nov. 16. Glen Ellyn, + fairly common T.V., Mch. 11-Apl. 28; Sept. 22-Nov. + 8. SE. Minn., common T.V., Mch. 12-; Sept. 17-Nov. + 12. + +A vigorous scratcher in the undergrowth who, using both feet at once, +kicks the leaves out behind him; a master musician among our Sparrows +whose loud, clear, joyous notes form one of our most notable bird songs. +We hear it only for a brief time in spring and fall as the birds pass us +on their migration. + + +TOWHEE + +_Pipilo erythrophthalmus erythrophthalmus. Case 4, Figs. 32, 33; Case 6. +Fig. 51_ + + The female is brown where the male is black; both + are unmistakable L. 8¼. + + _Range._ Nests from northern Georgia and central + Kansas; winters from Ohio and Potomac Valleys to + the Gulf. + + Washington, common S.R., very common T.V., Apl. + 5-Oct. 21; a few winter. Ossining, common S.R., + Apl. 21-Oct. 31. Cambridge, common S.R., Apl. + 25-Oct. 15. N. Ohio, common S.R., Mch. 10-Oct. 25. + Glen Ellyn, not common, S.R., Mch. 30-Nov. 18, SE. + Minn., common S.R., Apl. 11-Nov. 8. + +_Chewińk, towheé_, the clear, emphatic, strongly accented call announces +the presence of a bird whose colors are as distinctive as its notes. The +Towhee feeds on the ground in and near bushy places, but when the desire +to sing comes upon him he leaves his lowly haunts and taking a more or +less exposed perch, fifteen to twenty feet from the ground, utters his +_sweet-bird-sin-n-n-g_, with an earnestness which goes far to atone for +his lack of striking musical ability. The nest is built on the ground +and the 4-5 white, finely speckled eggs are laid during the first half +of May. + +The White-eyed Towhee (_P. e. alleni_) of Florida and the coast region +north to Charleston, South Carolina, has the eye yellowish instead of +red and the white markings are more restricted. Its call is higher than +that of the northern bird and its song shorter. + + +CARDINAL + +_Cardinalis cardinalis cardinalis. Case 4, Figs. 34, 35._ + + The male, with his conspicuous crest and bright + colors, can be confused with no other species; the + female is much duller and the crest is less + prominent but still evident. L. 8¼. + + _Range._ Resident from the Gulf States to southern + New York and northern Ohio; rarely found further + north. + + Washington, common P.R.; less common than + formerly. Ossining, A.V. Cambridge, irregular but + not very infrequent at all seasons. N. Ohio, + common P.R. Glen Ellyn, rare S.R. SE. Minn., rare. + +Next to the Mockingbird's medley, the rich, mellow whistle of the +Cardinal is the most prominent bird voice in the choir of southern +songsters. Passing most of the time in the undergrowth, where, in spite +of his brilliant colors, he readily conceals himself, he makes no +attempt, when singing, to hide his fiery plumes, but selecting a +conspicuous perch, challenges the attention of the world. + +The female Cardinal also sings, but her song has much less volume than +that of her mate, and is more rarely heard. The call-note of both sexes +is a minute; sharp, _cheep_, which one would attribute to a bird half +their size. The Cardinal nests in bushes, laying 3-4 whitish eggs +speckled and spotted with brown, in April. + +The Florida Cardinal (_C. c. floridanus_), a slightly smaller, deeper +colored (especially in the female) race of the preceding, inhabits the +peninsula of Florida. + + +BLUE GROSBEAK + +_Guiraca cærulea cærulea. Case 6, Figs. 52, 53_ + + Should be confused only with the Indigo Bunting, + but it is larger and the male is darker and has + brown wing-bars. L. 7. + + _Range._ Nests from Florida to Maryland and + southern Illinois; winters in the tropics, + uncommon east of the Alleghanies. + + Washington, very uncommon, S.R., May 1-Sept. 20. + Cambridge, A.V., one instance, May. + +The Blue Grosbeak is an unfamiliar bird to most eastern students. +Ridgway states that its haunts resemble those of the Field Sparrow or +Indigo Bunting. Its call is a strong, harsh _ptchick_, its song a +beautiful, but rather feeble warble. The nest is usually built in bushes +and the 3-4 pale bluish white eggs are laid in May. + + +ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK + +_Zamelodia ludoviciana. Case 7, Figs. 25, 26_ + + The male needs no introduction; the streaked + plumage of the female betrays her Sparrow + ancestry; the white stripe over her eye is a + conspicuous mark. Young males in the fall resemble + the female, but have a rose-tinted breast. L. 8. + + _Range._ Nests from central Kansas and central New + Jersey north to Canada, and, in the mountains, + south to northern Georgia; winters in the tropics. + + Washington, rather common T.V., May 1-30; Aug. + 29-Oct. 6. Ossining, tolerably common S.R., May + 3-Oct. 1. Cambridge, very common S.R., May + 10-Sept. 10. N. Ohio, common S.R., Apl. 27-Sept. + 15. Glen Ellyn, fairly common S.R., common T.V., + Apl. 27-Sept. 28. SE. Minn., common S.R., Apl. + 27-Sept. 23. + +Distinguished alike by plumage and song, the Rose-breast is one of our +most notable bird citizens. His song resembles in form that of the +Robin, but has a more lyrical, flowing, joyous quality, and, unlike the +Robin, he often sings while flying. The call-note of both sexes is a +sharp _peek_ which, like the Cardinal's _cheep_, seems too small for the +bird. + +The Rose-breast lives and nests in woodland, particularly +second-growths, building a frail nest ten to twenty feet from the +ground. The 4-5 blue, brown-marked eggs are laid the latter half of May. + + +INDIGO BUNTING + +_Passerina cyanea. Case 7, Figs. 23, 24_ + + The male, well seen, is unmistakable. The female + is very 'sparrowy' and, unless one gets a + suggestion of blue in her plumage, can best be + identified by her unsparrow-like, sharp _pit_. L. + 5½. + + _Range._ Nests from Georgia and Louisiana to + Canada; winters in the tropics. + + Washington, common S.R., Apl. 29-Oct. 9. Ossining, + common S.R., May 4-Oct. 17. Cambridge, common + S.R., May 15-Oct. 1. N. Ohio, common S.R., Apl. + 26-Oct. 10. Glen Ellyn, fairly common S.R., May + 1-Sept. 22. SE. Minn., common S.R. Apl. 28-Oct. 2. + +"July, July, summer-summer's here; morning, noontide, evening, list to +me" the Indigo sings in rather hard but brilliant little voice. To me +the words express the rhythm as well as the spirit of the song. We hear +them most often in bushy fields and open second-growths, along +hedge-rows or from briery clumps in which the bird's nest may be hidden. +The pale, bluish white eggs are laid the latter half of May. + + +PAINTED BUNTING + +_Passerina ciris. Case 6, Figs. 49, 50_ + + The male is one of our most brilliantly colored + birds, the female has the color of a Vireo but the + bill of a Sparrow. + + _Range._ Southern States north to southeastern + North Carolina and southern Kansas; winters from + southern Florida southward. + +"Painted" Bunting he is called, but the brilliancy and luster of his +plumage were not painted by human hands. 'Nonpareil' he has also been +named, and, in the eastern United States, at least, he is without equal +in the brightness of his colors. The bird's haunts are not unlike those +of the Indigo Bunting, and its song is said to resemble the Indigo's but +to be more feeble. It builds in bushes and low trees, laying 3-4 bluish +white, brown-spotted eggs in May. + + +DICKCISSEL + +_Spiza americana. Case 7, Fig. 20_ + + The yellow on the breast and, in the male, black + crescent will distinguish this species from all + its Sparrow kin. L. 6. + + _Range._ Chiefly prairies of the Mississippi + Valley, from Texas and Mississippi north to + Minnesota and southern Ontario; now rare east of + the Alleghanies. + + Washington, formerly "very abundant," now seen + only occasionally, May-Aug. Cambridge, casual, + found nesting at Medford, June 9. 1877, where + several birds were observed; not uncommon in + 1833-34 (see Bull. Nutt. Orn. Club, III, 1878, 45. + 190). N. Ohio, rare S.R., May 1. Glen Ellyn, + rather rare and local S.R., formerly common. May + 3-Sept. 5. SE. Minn., common S.R., May 11-Aug. 20. + +The Dickcissel is a bird of the fields who, from a weed-stalk or fence +by the wayside, sings his unmusical _dick-dick cissel, cissel, cissel_. +The nest is built on the ground or in a bush and the 4-5 pale blue eggs +are laid the latter half of May. + + + + + +TANAGERS. FAMILY TANGARIDÆ + + +SCARLET TANAGER + +_Piranga erythromelas. Case 7, Figs. 27, 28_ + + The black wings and tail of the male will + distinguish him from our other two red birds--the + Cardinal and Summer Tanager. The olive-green + female may be known from all our other olive-green + birds by her larger size. L. 7¼. + + _Range._ Nests from northern Georgia and southern + Kansas to Canada; winters in the tropics. + + Washington, common T.V., less common S.R., Apl. + 17-Oct. 15. Ossining, common S.R., May 4-Oct. 9. + Cambridge, rather common S.R., May 12-Oct. 1. N. + Ohio, common S.R., Apl. 28-Oct. 2. Glen Ellyn, not + common S.R., Apl. 30-Sept. 29. SE. Minn., common + S.R., Apl. 29-Sept. 11. + +As a family Tanagers are the most strikingly colored of American birds, +but among the nearly 400 species none appears more brilliant in life +than the male Scarlet Tanager. The leaf-colored female is as difficult +to see as the male is conspicuous. Both have the same characteristic +call--_chip-chúrr, chip-chúrr_. The song suggests a Robin's but is more +forced and has a hoarse undertone. They live and nest in the woods, +building on a horizontal limb 10-20 feet up. The 3-4 greenish blue, +brown-marked eggs are laid late in May. + + +SUMMER TANAGER + +_Piranga rubra rubra. Case 5, Figs. 33, 34_ + + The male is usually red like the Cardinal, but + lacks the Cardinal's crest; the female is more + yellow than the female of the Scarlet Tanager. + + _Range._ Southern States; nesting north to + Maryland and Illinois; winters in the tropics. + + Washington, uncommon S.R., Apl. 18-Sept. 19. + Cambridge, one record. + +The "Summer Redbird's" _chicky-tucky-tuck_, is as clearly pronounced and +unmistakable as the Scarlet Tanager's _chip-chúrr_. Its song is somewhat +sweeter than that of its scarlet cousin, but bears a general resemblance +to it. Both pine and deciduous woods are inhabited by this bird. Its +nesting habits resemble those of the Scarlet Tanager. + + + + +SWALLOWS. FAMILY HIRUNDINIDÆ + + +PURPLE MARTIN + +_Progne subis subis. Case 5, Fig. 25_ + + Largest of our Swallows. The female is duller + above than the male, and below is brownish gray. + L. 8. + + _Range._ Nests locally from the Gulf to Canada; + winters in the tropics. + + Washington, rather common S.R., Apl. 1-Sept. 14. + Ossining, tolerably common S.R., Apl. 27-Sept. 11. + Cambridge, formerly locally common S.R., Apl. + 20-Aug. 25. N. Ohio, common S.R. Apl. 1-Sept. 5. + Glen Ellyn, local S.R., Mch. 23-Sept. 10. SE. + Minn., common S.R., Apl. 1-Sept. 9. + +Fortunate is the man whose hospitality the Martins accept. Their cheery +notes and sociability make them the best kind of guests. The Audubon +Society will send one plans for a Martin house, and tell one where to +place it. Martins nest in May and lay white eggs. + + +CLIFF SWALLOW + +_Petrochelidon lunifrons lunifrons. Case 6, Fig. 55_ + + The rusty rump is distinctive. L. 6. + + _Range._ Nests locally from Georgia to Canada; + winters in the tropics. + + Washington, rare S.R., Apl. 10-Sept.--? Ossining, + common S.R., May 1-Sept. 12. Cambridge, S.R., much + less than formerly. Apl. 28-Aug. 25. N. Ohio, + tolerably common S.R., Apl. 6-Sept. 25. Glen + Ellyn, not common, local S.R., Apl. 25-Sept. 16. + SE. Minn., common S.R., Apl. 13-Sept. 12. + +Cliff Swallow it is in the West, but "Eave" Swallow it should be in the +East where the rows of flask-shaped mud nests cluster thick beneath +projecting roofs. They prefer unpainted buildings and the modern barn +rarely knows them. The white, brown-spotted eggs are laid in the latter +half of May. + + +BARN SWALLOW + +_Hirundo erythrogaster. Case 5, Fig. 32_ + + Chestnut underparts and a forked tail are the + chief characters of this beautiful Swallow. L. 7. + + _Range._ Nests from North Carolina and Arkansas to + Canada; winters in the tropics. + + Washington, common S.R., more abundant T.V., Mch. + 30-Sept. 17. Ossining, common S.R., Apl. 15-Sept. + 22. Cambridge, common S.R., but fast decreasing, + Apl. 20-Sept. 10. N. Ohio, abundant S.R., Mch. + 30-Sept. 22. Glen Ellyn, S.R., fairly common and + increasing. Apl. 7-Sept. 1. SE. Minn., common + S.R., Apl. 28-Aug. 31. + +Barn Swallows are far more beautiful, more graceful and more +companionable than Purple Martins. But while we are erecting special +dwellings for the Martins we are making our barns Swallow-proof. A pair +of Barn Swallows are not only cheerful neighbors but good investments. +Let us make it possible for them to enter the hay-mow. We may even +supply shelves as foundations for their open mud nests. The white, +spotted eggs are laid in the latter half of May. + + +TREE SWALLOW + +_Iridoprocne bicolor. Case 5, Fig. 24_ + + Silky white below and shining bluish green above; + young birds are mouse-colored above but below are + snowy white, unmarked, as in the adult. L. 6. + + _Range._ Nests chiefly from southern New England + northward and winters from South Carolina to + Central America. + + Washington, common T.V., Mch. 26-May 26; July + 8-Oct. 14. Ossining, common T.V., Apl. 4-May 26; + Aug. 4-Oct. 16. Cambridge, S.R., formerly common, + now common only as a migrant, Apl. 5-Oct. 8. N. + Ohio, common S.R., Apl. 10-Sept. 20. Glen Ellyn, + not common T.V., rare S.R., Apl. 21-Sept. 8. SE. + Minn., common S.R., Mch. 30-Aug. 31. + +We see comparatively few Tree Swallows during the spring, but from July +to October, as they journey slowly southward, they are the most abundant +members of their family. In countless thousands long ropes of Swallows +crowd the wayside wires from pole to pole. At night, with others of +their tribe, they roost in the marshes. + +Tree Swallows they are called because they nest in hollow trees and, +like some other hole-nesting birds, they may be induced to occupy +nesting-boxes, making a welcome addition to our list of bird tenants. +The 4-7 white eggs are laid in May. + + +BANK SWALLOW + +_Riparia riparia. Case 6. Fig. 54_ + + Note the small size, dull plumage, and + breast-band. L. 5¼. + + _Range._ A native of the Old World as well as of + the New. In North America nesting from Louisiana + and Virginia nearly to the Arctic Circle; winters + in the tropics. + + Washington, common S.R., more common T.V., Apl. + 13-Sept. 19. Ossining, common S.R., Apl. 18-Oct. + 1. Cambridge, formerly common S.R., Apl. 28-Sept. + 1; common T.V. N. Ohio, common S.R., Apl. 6-Sept. + 20. Glen Ellyn, fairly common T.V.; a few S.R., + Apl. 22-Sept. 3. SE. Minn., common S.R., Apl. + 10-Sept. 25. + +The Bank Swallow is a bird of the air who tunnels the earth for a +nesting-place. Where river or road has left a bank, its face may be +dotted with the entrances to the Bank Swallow's dwellings. At the end of +two or three feet the nest of grass and feathers is placed, fit +receptacle for the pearl-white eggs, which are usually laid the latter +half of May. + +During the migrations the Bank Swallow travels with other members of its +family, sharing their roost in the marshes by night and their wayside +perch by day. + + +ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW + +_Stelgidopteryx serripennis. Case 6, Fig. 56_ + + With the general appearance of the Bank Swallow, + but slightly larger, grayer below, and with no + breast-band. L. 5¾. + + _Range._ Nests from the Gulf States north to + Massachusetts and Minnesota: winters in the + tropics. + + Washington, common S.R., Apl. 2-Sept. 3. Ossining, + common S.R., Apl. 17-Aug. 12. N. Ohio, common + S.R., Apl. 15-Sept. 20. SE. Minn., common S.R., + Apl. 14-Aug. 26. + +Least common of our Swallows. It nests in small colonies of about half a +dozen pairs, sometimes in holes, at others under bridges, crevices in +cliffs and similar situations. In the fall, it flocks with other species +of its family. Its 4-8 white eggs are laid the latter half of May. + + + + +WAXWINGS. FAMILY BOMBYCILLIDÆ + + +BOHEMIAN WAXWING + +_Bombycilla garrula_ + + Similar to the Cedar Waxwing, but larger, the + primary coverts and secondaries tipped with white, + the primaries tipped with white or yellow, the + under tail-coverts chestnut. L. 8. + + _Range._ Western Canada; in winter east to + Minnesota and rarely as far as Connecticut. + + Glen Ellyn, one record, Jan. 22, 1908. SE. Minn., + irregular W.V., until Apl. 1. + +There are comparatively few authentic records of this beautiful bird +east of the Alleghanies. Enthusiastic bird-students are, I fear, apt to +give Waxwings, seen in winter, the benefit of the doubt and call them +'Bohemians.' Look especially for the white marks on the Bohemian's +wings. Its large size might not be apparent unless the two species were +seen together. + + +CEDAR WAXWING + +_Bombycilla cedrorum. Case 2, Fig. 40; Case 4, Fig. 54_ + + Crest usually conspicuous; tail tipped with + yellow; a black 'bridle.' + + _Range._ Nests from North Carolina and Kansas to + Canada; winters irregularly throughout the United + States. + + Washington, very common P.R., less so in winter. + Ossining, common P.R. Cambridge, not common P.R., + common S.R., abundant T.V. in spring, Feb. 1-Apl. + 25. N. Ohio, irregularly common in summer. Glen + Ellyn. S.R., Jan. 21-Sept. 24; occasional W.V. SE. + Minn., common S.R., Feb. 25-Sept. 28. + +A Waxwing's crest is as expressive as a horse's ears. One moment it +points skyward the next it flattens and disappears. They are as sociable +as "Love Birds," traveling in small flocks which, like one bird, dive +into a tree and perch so close together that often several will be +almost touching, and with common accord they take wing. They feed mainly +on small fruit both wild and cultivated but are also expert flycatchers. +They nest in June, usually in shade or fruit trees, building a well-made +nest for the beautiful, clay-colored, black-spotted eggs. + + + + +SHRIKES. FAMILY LANIIDÆ + + +NORTHERN SHRIKE + +_Lanius borealis. Case 2, Fig. 56_ + + Larger than the Migrant and Loggerhead Shrikes + with a grayish, not black, forehead and a lightly + barred, not plain white breast. L. 10¼. + + _Range._ Nests in Canada, winters south to Texas + and Virginia. + + Washington, rare and irregular W.V., Oct.-Feb. + Ossining, tolerably common W.V., Oct. 26-Apl. 17. + Cambridge, common W.V., Nov. 1-Apl. 1. N. Ohio, + not common W.V., Nov. 6-Apl. 3. Glen Ellyn, not + common W.V., Oct. 24-June 5. SE. Minn., common + W.V., Oct. 17-Mch. 28. + +A grim, gray bird that comes out of the far North in the fall. His +mission is death to birds and mice and he makes no attempt to disguise +it but boldly advertises his presence by perching where he may be seen +as well as see. Mice he can plunge on, but Sparrows, Siskins or Redpolls +he may have to pursue on the wing, following every twist and turn until +he reaches striking distance. Slowly he bears his victim, in his feet, +to some tree there to hang it on thorn or in crotch from which it may be +devoured at leisure. An executioner by birth, the Shrike or "Butcher +Bird" evidently pursues his calling with no regrets and when spring +time approaches adds his voice to the chorus of bird song. + + +LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE + +_Lanius ludovicianus ludovicianus. Case 4, Fig. 55_ + + A gray bird with black wings and tail marked with + white which shows in flight; smaller than the + Northern Shrike with a black forehead and unmarked + breast. L. 9. + + _Range._ Florida north to North Carolina, west to + Louisiana. + +The Loggerhead has the general habits of his larger northern cousin the +"Butcher-bird," but he feeds, as a rule, on smaller game. Grasshoppers +and lizards form the larger part of his fare and the barbed wire fences +not infrequently are his shambles. A flight is ended by an upward swing +to the chosen perch which may be a tree-top, a telegraph wire, or +lightning-rod tip. From such a lookout he keeps a sharp watch for his +prey, which he detects at surprisingly long distances; meanwhile +uttering the gurgles, squeaks and pipes which constitute his song. The +nest is built in hedges or low trees in early March. The 3-5 eggs are +dull white thickly marked with brown and lavender. + +The Migrant Shrike (_Lanius ludovicianus migrans_) is a northern race of +the Loggerhead from which it differs only in being somewhat paler above +and grayer below. It is a Summer Resident from Kansas and western North +Carolina to Minnesota and Maine and winters from the Middle States +southward. + +Generally speaking, it may be said that any Shrike found north of +Maryland in the winter is a Northern Shrike; that any Shrike found north +of Virginia in the summer is a Migrant Shrike, and that any Shrike found +south of that state in the summer is a Loggerhead. + + + + +VIREOS. FAMILY VIREONIDÆ + + +BLACK-WHISKERED VIREO + +_Vireosylva calidris barbatula_ + + Resembles the Red-eyed Vireo but has a dusky + streak on each side of the throat. + + _Range._ Cuba and Bahamas, north in spring to + southern Florida. + +This is a tropical species which reaches southern Florida early in May +and returns to its winter home after nesting. In general habits and +notes it resembles the Red-eye. + + +RED-EYED VIREO + +_Vireosylva olivasceus. Case 6, Fig. 66_ + + An olive-green bird, silky white below, a white + line, bordered by black over the red eye, a + grayish cap and no white band on the wings. L. 6¼. + + _Range._ Nests from the Gulf to Canada; winters in + the tropics. + + Washington, very common S.R., Apl. 21-Oct. 17. + Ossining, common S.R., Apl. 29-Oct. 19. Cambridge, + abundant S.R., May 10-Sept. 10. N. Ohio, abundant + S.R., Apl. 27-Oct. 1. Glen Ellyn, common S.R., May + 5-Oct. 5. SE. Minn., common S.R., May 5-Sept. 15. + +A tireless soliloquist, the Red-eyed Vireo repeats from our shade and +fruit trees in endless succession the broken phrases of his monotonous, +rambling recitation. He sings all day and he sings throughout the +summer, pausing only to sleep or to swallow the caterpillar he hunts +while singing. Patient, persistent mediocrity is expressed by the +Red-eye's song, and only his nasal, petulant call-note, _whang_, +suggests that he is not altogether satisfied with life as he finds it. + +The nest, like that of our other Vireos, is a deep cup hung from between +a crotch from 5 to about 40 feet above the ground. The 3-4 eggs, which +are laid in late May, are white spotted with reddish brown. + + +WARBLING VIREO + +_Vireosylva gilva gilva. Case 7, Fig. 29_ + + Smaller than the Red-eye, without black and white + lines over the brown eye, the underparts faintly + tinged with yellowish. L. 5¾. + + _Range._ Nests from Louisiana and North Carolina + to Canada; winters in the tropics. + + Washington, rather common S.R., Apl. 21-Sept. 12. + Ossining, tolerably common S.R., May 3-Sept. 18. + Cambridge, locally common S.R., May 5-Sept. 15. N. + Ohio, abundant S.R., Apl. 17-Oct. 10. Glen Ellyn, + not common S.R., May 1-Sept. 15. SE. Minn., common + S.R., May 3-Sept. 15. + +While the Red-eye's song lasts the greater part of the day, the Warbling +Vireo's continues for only about four seconds, then, after an interval, +it is repeated. It is an unbroken strain running up and down the middle +of the scale and has it in a reminder of the Purple Finch's lay. This +species is less generally distributed than the Red-eye. It may be common +in one locality and absent from another. Its nesting habits and eggs are +much like those of the Red-eye, but the male has the singular custom of +singing while it sits upon the nest. + + +PHILADELPHIA VIREO + +_Vireosylva philadelphicus. Case 7, Fig. 30_ + + A small, olive-green Vireo, with pale yellow + underparts and a whitish line over the eye. L. + + _Range._ Nests from northern New England and + northern Michigan into Canada; winters in the + tropics. + + Washington, very rare T.V., May; Sept. Ossining, + rare T.V., Sept. 20-Oct. 20. Cambridge, rare T.V. + Glen Ellyn, rather rare T.V., May 14, 15; Aug. + 21-Sept. 30. SE. Minn., uncommon T.V., May 9. + +Rarest of our Vireos; but few students know it as a migrant and fewer +still as a nesting bird. Its song and nesting habits resemble those of +the Red-eye. + + +YELLOW-THROATED VIREO + +_Lanivireo flavifrons. Case 6, Fig. 69_ + + Breast bright yellow; a yellow ring around the + eye, two white wing-bands, bill rather stout. L. + 6. + + _Range._ Nests from Florida and Texas to Canada; + winters in the tropics. + + Washington, common S.R., Apl. 19-Sept. 29. + Ossining, tolerably common S.R., Apl. 30-Sept. 7. + Cambridge, commons S.R., May 6-Sept. 10. N. Ohio, + common S.R., Apl. 25-Sept. 25. Glen Ellyn, not + common S.R., May 2-Sept. 26. SE Minn., common + S.R., Apl. 27-Sept. 15. + +A less common bird than the Red-eye, but like it generally distributed +through woodland, garden and orchard. It's song resembles the Red-eye's +in form but is richer in tone, more deliberately uttered, and not +continuous. "See me--I'm here--where are you?" he seems to say, and +after a pause repeats the query. + +The nest has the deep cup-shape of our other Vireo's but is externally +covered with lichens. The eggs, laid the latter part of May, are white +with a few specks of black or brown. + + +BLUE-HEADED VIREO + +_Lanivireo solitarius solitarius. Case 6, Fig. 68_ + + Eye-ring and lores white, head grayish blue, + underparts white, the sides yellowish; two + wing-bars. L. 5½. + + _Range._ Nests from the mountains of northern New + Jersey and of Pennsylvania to Canada; winters from + the Gulf States southward. + + Washington, common T.V., Apl. 6-May 18; Sept. + 6-Nov. 3. Ossining, tolerably common T.V., Apl. + 23-May 14; Sept. 8-Oct. 20. Cambridge, common + T.V., rare S.R., Apl. 20-May 8; Sept. 15-Oct. 5. + N. Ohio, common T.V., Apl. 17-May 20; Sept. 1-30. + Glen Ellyn, not common T.V., May 9-19; Aug. + 11-Oct. 9. SE. Minn., common T.V., May 3-Sept. 28. + +We know this Vireo chiefly as a migrant, one of the earliest of the +group of small arboreal wood-haunting birds (Vireos and Warblers) to +reach us in the spring. Its song, as well as its movements, are +deliberate. Vireo-like it peers beneath the leaves or inspects the +blossoms, removing a caterpillar here or an insect's egg there, the +while singing leisurely a rich-toned rendering of the Red-eye's theme. + +It nests late in May, hanging its cup-shaped basket to a crotch usually +five to ten feet above the ground. The eggs are white with a few black +or brown spots. + +The Mountain Solitary Vireo (_L. s. alticola_) has a slightly larger +bill and bluer back. It nests in the mountains from Maryland to Georgia +and winters southward to Florida. + + +WHITE-EYED VIREO + +_Vireo griseus griseus. Case 6, Fig. 67_ + + White or yellowish white eyes; whitish underparts, + washed with yellow on the sides. L. 5¼. + + _Range._ Nests from Florida and Texas to Wisconsin + and Massachusetts; winters from South Carolina to + the tropics. + + Washington, common S.R., Apl. 18-Oct. 19. + Ossining, common S.R., Apl. 29-Oct. 3. Cambridge, + rare S.R., May 8-Sept. 20; formerly common. Glen + Ellyn, rare, spring only, May 24-June 5. + +An inhabitant of bushy undergrowths whose snappy calls possess almost +the character of human speech, so clearly and emphatically are the +syllables enunciated. One's presence seems to excite both his curiosity +and his disapproval, for he looks one over from this side and that all +the while giving expression to remarks which sound far from +complimentary. The nest is hung from a crotch, rarely more than 6 feet +from the ground. The eggs laid in April, in the South, in May in the +North, are white with a few blackish spots. + +The Key West Vireo (_V. g. maynardi_) has a longer bill and is somewhat +paler below than the White-eye. It is resident in southern Florida and +the Keys. + + +BELL'S VIREO + +_Vireo belli belli. Case 6, Fig. 65_ + + Smallest of our Vireos; crown ashy, lores and + eye-ring whitish. L. 4¾. + + _Range._ Mississippi Valley; nests from Texas to + northwestern Indiana and South Dakota; winters in + the tropics. + +Resembles the White-eye in habits, notes, and choice of haunts, but, +according to Goss, its notes are not so harsh and emphatic. + + + + +WOOD WARBLERS. FAMILY MNIOTILTIDÆ + + +BLACK AND WHITE WARBLER + +_Mniotilta varia. Case 6, Fig. 57_ + + The female is less conspicuously striped than the + male, but both are quite unlike any of our other + birds. L. 5¼. + + _Range._ Nests from Georgia and Louisiana to + Canada; winters from Florida southward. + + Washington, abundant T.V., less common S.R., Apl. + 8-Oct. 18. Ossining, common S.R., Apl. 18-Oct. 1. + Cambridge, very common S.R., Apl. 25-Sept. 5. N. + Ohio, common T.V., a few S.R., Apl. 22-Sept. 26. + Glen Ellyn, common T.V., Apl. 28-May 28; Aug. + 11-Sept. 27. SE. Minn., common T.V., uncommon + S.R., Apl. 23-Oct. 12. + +This species and the three Nuthatches are our only birds that creep down +as well as up; but the Nuthatches wear no body stripes and are otherwise +too unlike the Creeper to be confused with him. The Downy Woodpecker +'hitches' himself upward advancing by jerks; the Brown Creeper, true to +its name, _creeps_. The nest is built on the ground and the white, +brown-marked eggs are laid in April in the South, in May in the North. + + +PROTHONOTARY WARBLER + +_Protonotaria citrea. Case 5, Fig. 29_ + + The female is duller than the male, but is too + like him to be mistaken for the mate of any other + Warbler, while he is in a class by himself. L. 5½. + + _Range._ Nests from Florida to Delaware and + southeastern Minnesota; winters in the tropics. + + Washington, of irregular occurrence in May. N. + Ohio, one record, May 9. Glen Ellyn, rare, spring + only, May 13-15. SE. Minn., common S.R., of + Mississippi bottoms, May 7-Aug. 16. + +No description or illustration prepares one for the gleaming beauty of +the Golden Swamp Warbler. Cypress swamps or willow-bordered sloughs, +where it may nest in the opening in old stubs, are its chosen haunts, +and in such places it is sometimes found in numbers. The white eggs, +thickly marked with brown, are laid in May. + + +SWAINSON'S WARBLER + +_Helinaia swainsoni. Case 5, Fig. 28_ + + No wing-bars, plain brown above, white below. L. + 5. + + _Range._ In summer from Florida and Louisiana + north to southern Illinois and southeastern + Virginia; winters in the tropics. + +Comparatively few bird students have seen this retiring Warbler in its +haunts. "Water, tangled thickets, patches of cane, and a rank growth of +semi-aquatic plants," Brewster states, seem indispensable to its +existence. Its song in general effect, the same writer says, recalls +that of the Northern Water-Thrush. The nest is built in bushes, canes, +etc., and the white eggs are laid in May. + + +WORM-EATING WARBLER + +_Helmitheros vermivorus. Case 7, Fig. 31_ + + Head striped with black and buff; body unstreaked, + no wing-bars. L. 5½. + + _Range._ Nests from South Carolina and Missouri to + Connecticut and Iowa; winters in the tropics. + + Washington, quite common S.R., Apl. 28-Sept. 15. + Ossining, common S.R., May 7-Aug. 23. Cambridge, + A.V., one instance, Sept. + +Comparatively few bird students can claim close acquaintance with this +slow-moving, dull-colored bird who lives on or near the ground, usually +in dry woodlands. Its song, resembling that of the Chipping Sparrow, +will attract only an attentive ear, while its local distribution further +prevents it from being more commonly known. It nests on the ground, the +white, brown-marked eggs being laid in May. + + +BACHMAN'S WARBLER + +_Vermivora bachmani. Case 5, Figs. 20, 21_ + + All but the central pair of feathers with white + spots near the end; no wing-bars; size small, the + bill sharply pointed and slightly decurved. L. 4½. + + _Range._ In summer known from Virginia, North + Carolina, South Carolina, Kentucky, Arkansas and + Missouri; in winter recorded only from Cuba. + +When migrating, this little-known species associates with other bird +travelers and may be found high or low. When nesting, it frequents +swampy woods and, although it usually sings from the tree-tops, it +builds in bushes within a few feet of the ground, laying 3-4 white eggs +in the latter half of April or in May. Its song has been compared to +that of both the Parula Warbler and the Chipping Sparrow. + + +BLUE-WINGED WARBLER + +_Vermivora pinus. Case 7, Fig. 35_ + + Outer tail-feathers white near the end; two white + wing-bars; female duller than the male. + + _Range._ Nests from Missouri and Virginia north to + Minnesota and Connecticut; winters in the tropics. + + Washington, rather uncommon T.V., Apl. 26-May 22; + Aug. 13-Sept. 2; a few breed. Ossining, common + S.R., May 4-Sept. 7. N. Ohio, common S.R., Apl. + 27-Sept. 15. Glen Ellyn, irregular, possibly + S.R., May 1-Sept. 15. SE. Minn., uncommon S.R., + Apl. 30-Sept. 1. + +In second growths, among birches, and at the border of the woods one may +hear the wheezy, lazy, _swee-chee_ of the Blue-wing. I make it a rule to +see the singer always with the hope that he may prove to be the rare +Brewster's Warbler, which usually sings like the Blue-wing, but in color +is nearer the Golden-wing, being, in fact, like the Golden-wing but with +the underparts and cheeks white unmarked with black. It appears to be a +hybrid between the Blue-wing and Golden-wing. (Case 7, Fig. 38.) + +A much rarer supposed hybrid between these two Warblers is known as +Lawrence's Warbler. It is yellow below, like the Blue-wing, but has the +black throat and cheeks of the Golden-wing. Some individuals sing like +the Blue-wing, others like the Golden-wing, and this is true also of +Brewster's Warbler. (Case 7, Fig. 37.) + +The Blue-wing nests on the ground, laying 4-5 white delicately speckled +eggs the latter part of May. + + +GOLDEN-WINGED WARBLER + +_Vermivora chrysoptera. Case 7, Figs. 34, 36_ + + A gray bird with a yellow patch on the wings and a + black or blackish breast. + + _Range._ Nests from northern New Jersey and + southern Iowa north to Massachusetts and central + Minnesota and south in the mountains to northern + Georgia; winters in the tropics. + + Washington, uncommon, T.V., May 1-30; Aug. 8-21. + Ossining, rare S.R., May 8-Aug. 25. Cambridge, + rather common S.R., May 12-Aug. 25. N. Ohio, rare + T.V., Glen Ellyn, irregular, not common T.V., May + 4-18; Aug. 16-Sept. 24. SE. Minn., common S.R., + May 5-Sept. 9. + +The Golden-wing's _zee-zee-zee-zee_ resembles the Blue-wing's song in +tone but the syllables are all on one note. When nesting, the +Golden-wing prefers second growths, and birches, but when migrating it +may be found in the woods with others of its family. The nest is made +on the ground, and the eggs, which resemble those of the Blue-wing, but +are more heavily marked, are laid in May or early June. + + +NASHVILLE WARBLER + +_Vermivora rubricapilla rubricapilla. Case 7, Fig. 33_ + + No wing-bars or white in the tail; adult with a + partly concealed chestnut patch in the gray crown; + eye-ring white. L. 4¾. + + _Range._ Nests from northern Pennsylvania and + Nebraska to Canada; winters in the tropics. + + Washington, uncommon T.V., Apl. 28-May 19; Sept. + 5-Oct. 2. Ossining, tolerably common T.V., May + 7-27; Aug. 11-Oct. 4; may breed. Cambridge, rather + common S.R., May 5-Sept. 15; abundant T.V. N. + Ohio, common T.V., Apl. 28-May 27; Sept. 1-Oct. + 16. Glen Ellyn, regular T.V., Apl. 27-May 25; Aug. + 20-Oct. 19. SE. Minn., common S.R., May 1-Sept. + 29. + +Thayer in "Warblers of North America" says that the Nashville is one of +the most agile and restless of the gleaning Warblers. It prefers +birches, but is found in rather open growths of other trees. Its +commoner song consists of a string of six or eight or more lively rapid +notes, running into a rolling twitter. It has also a flight-song. + +The nest is placed on the ground; the eggs, which are laid in May or +early June, are white, spotted with reddish brown. + + +ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER + +_Vermivora celata celata. Case 7, Fig. 32_ + + A dusky, olive-green bird, obscurely streaked + below; without wing-bars or white patches in tail. + L. 5. + + _Range._ Chiefly the interior, nests from Manitoba + northward; winters in Florida and the Gulf States. + + Washington, casual T.V., two records, Oct. + Ossining, A.V. Cambridge, rare T.V., in fall. Oct. + 5-Nov. 15. N. Ohio, rare T.V., Apl. 27-May 21. + Glen Ellyn, not common T.V., May 1-21; July + 28-Oct. 7. SE. Minn., common T.V., Apl. 25-; Aug. + 18-Oct. 16. + +The Orange-crown is a rare fall migrant in the North Atlantic States, +but common in Florida and southern Georgia in the winter. It frequents +the upper branches of trees though, as with most members of its genus, +it nests on the ground. Its call-note is a sharp, characteristic _chip_; +its song is said to resemble that of the Chipping Sparrow. + + +TENNESSEE WARBLER + +_Vermivora peregrina. Case 8, Fig. 64_ + + Adult male in spring with a grayish blue crown and + white underparts; female and young bright + olive-green above, yellowish below; no wing-bars. + L. 5. + + _Range._ Nests from northern New England + northward; winters in the tropics. + + Washington, T.V., rare in May; occasionally + common, Aug. 31-Nov. 30. Ossining, rare T.V., May + 22-27; Aug. 22-Oct. 2. Cambridge, rare T.V., May + 15-25; Sept. N. Ohio, common T.V., May 4-25; Sept. + 10-Oct. 10. Glen Ellyn, common T.V., Apl. 30-June + 6; July 29-Oct. 9. SE. Minn., common T.V., Apl. + 30-; Sept. 30-. + +A dull-colored little Warbler which we know as a rather rare migrant, +associated with the traveling companies of its family on their northward +and southward journeys. The song is described by Mrs. Farwell as +noticeable but not musical and resembling that of the Chipping Sparrow. + + +NORTHERN PARULA WARBLER + +_Compsothlypis americana usneæ. Case 7, Fig. 39_ + + A small, bluish Warbler with a yellow patch on the + back, a dark band on the breast, and white + wing-bars. L. 4¾. + + _Range._ Nests from Virginia and Louisiana to + Canada; winters in the tropics. + + Washington, T.V., but dates not distinguishable + from those of _americana_. Ossining, common T.V., + May 2-28; Sept. 21-Oct. 7. Cambridge, common T.V., + May 1-28; Sept. 10-30. N. Ohio, not common T.V., + May 1-18. Glen Ellyn, not common T.V., May 3-28; + Aug. 25-Oct. 1. SE. Minn., common T. V., May + 5-Sept. 9. + +A common migrant, traveling with other Wood Warblers, but in summer +usually restricted to swampy localities where usnea moss flourishes. Of, +or rather _in_ this, it makes its nest, laying 4-5 white, brown-marked +eggs the latter half of May. To describe its song as several wheezy +notes running into a little trill, conveys no idea of pleasing +character. It is easily recognized and, in time, acquires associations +with what, to bird-lovers, is the most delightful season of the year. + +The Southern Parula Warbler (_C. a. americana_) is a slightly smaller +race with less black about the lores and on the breast in the male. It +summers in the Southeastern States north to Virginia, and winters in the +tropics. Its habits resemble those of the northern race, but it nests in +the hanging, gray tillandsia or Spanish 'moss' instead of in usnea. + + +CAPE MAY WARBLER + +_Dendroica tigrina. Case 8, Figs. 65, 66_ + + Male with chestnut cheek-patches and a white patch + on the wing; female and young streaked below, the + rump more yellow than the back; tail-feathers with + terminal spots. L. 5. + + _Range._ Nests from northern New England + northward; winters in the tropics. + + Washington, sometimes very common, usually + uncommon T.V., May 1-20; Aug. 4-Oct. 17. Ossining, + tolerably common T.V., Aug. 20-Oct. 1. Cambridge, + rare T.V., May 15-25; Aug. 25. N. Ohio, not common + T.V., May 4-18. Glen Ellyn, irregular T.V., Apl. + 30-May 21; Sept. 8-15. SE. Minn., common T.V., May + 8. + +This beautiful Warbler was formerly considered one of our rarer +migrants, but of recent years it appears to be increasing in numbers. On +its nesting ground the bird is said to frequent the upper branches of +tall evergreens (though one of the few nests which has been found was +within three feet of the ground), but when migrating it may be found in +the trees of lawns, orchards, and woodland and I have seen it among +poke-berries. The Cape May's song is a thin squeak which is compared to +the songs of the Black and White and also Blackpoll Warblers. + + +YELLOW WARBLER + +_Dendroica æstiva æstiva. Case 8, Figs. 40, 41_ + + A small yellow bird streaked below with brownish; + inner webs of tail-feathers yellow. L. 5. + + _Range._ Nests from Missouri and South Carolina to + Canada; winters in the tropics. + + Washington, common S.R., abundant T.V., Apl. + 4-Sept. 28. Ossining, common S.R., Apl. 30-Sept. + 27. Cambridge, abundant S.R., May 1-Sept. 15. N. + Ohio, abundant S.R., Apl. 14-Sept. 10. Glen Ellyn, + not very common S.R., Apl. 30-Sept. 6. SE. Minn., + common S.R., Apl. 28-Sept. 10. + +Show me willows over water and any day in May or June I'll show you a +Yellow Warbler. Shade and fruit trees also attract him and he may build +his cotton-padded nest in their branches or in the shrubbery below. The +song is a simple _we-chee, chee, chee, chee, cher-wee_, resembling that +of the Chestnut-side, but has its own distinctive tone which permits of +ready identification, once it has been learned. The bluish white eggs, +thickly marked with shades of brown, are laid the latter half of May. + + +BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER + +_Dendroica cærulescens cærulescens. Case 6, Figs. 58, 59_ + + The male is unmistakable; the female may be known + by the white spot at the base of the outer + wing-feathers. L. 5¼. + + _Range._ Nests from northern Connecticut, the + mountains of Pennsylvania, and southern Michigan + north to Canada; winters in the tropics. + + Washington, very common T.V., Apl. 19-May 30; Aug. + 4-Oct. 9. Ossining, common T.V., Apl. 25-May 28; + Aug. 26-Oct. 10. Cambridge, rather common. T.V., + May 10-25; Sept. 20-Oct. 10. N. Ohio, common. + T.V., Apl. 27-May 29; Sept. 5-Oct. 16. Glen + Ellyn, common T.V., Apl. 29-May 29; Aug. 25-Oct. + 10. SE. Minn., uncommon T.V., May 11. + +A true Wood Warbler, traveling through the trees with the scattered +bands of other members of his family as he journeys to and from his +summer home. This, in the northern part of his nesting range, is in +coniferous forests, in the southern part, deciduous forests. In both, +however, the birds require heavy undergrowth in which their bark-covered +nest is built within a foot or two of the ground. The grayish white, +brown-marked eggs are laid in late May or early June. Miss Paddock in +"Warblers of North America" describes the Black-throated Blue's song as +"an insect-like buzzing note repeated three or four times with a rising +inflection." + +Cairn's Warbler (_D. c. cairnsi_) is a nearly related race having, in +the male, black centers to the feathers of the back. It nests in the +upper parts of the Alleghanies, from Maryland to Georgia, and winters in +the West Indies. + + +MYRTLE WARBLER + +_Dendroica coronata. Case 5, Fig. 27_ + + The yellow rump is always evident, but in fall and + winter the whole plumage is duller, more brownish + and the yellow patches at the sides of the breast + and in the crown are less conspicuous. A rather + large Warbler. L. 5¾. + + _Range._ Nests from northern New England and + northern Minnesota to Canada; winters from Kansas + and southern New England to the tropics. + + Washington, abundant W.V., Aug. 7-May 23. + Ossining, common T.V., Apl. 13-May 28; Aug. + 16-Nov. 11; a few winter. Cambridge, abundant + T.V., Apl. 12-May 20; Sept. 1-Nov. 1; a few + winter. N. Ohio, common T.V., Apl. 12-May 20; + Sept. 15-Nov. 3. Glen Ellyn, common T.V., Apl. + 8-May 28; Sept. 25-Dec. 29. SE. Minn., common + T.V., Apl. 6-; Sept. 9-Oct. 28. + +A hardy Warbler which, like the Tree Swallow, can substitute bayberries +for insects. When the former are available some individuals remain in +the North, enduring our winters without apparent discomfort. Its +call-note, _tchep_, is as distinctive as its markings, and this fact +connected with its general distribution and abundance, makes it one of +the best known members of this little-known family. + +Thayer in "Warblers of North America" describes its common song as "a +loud silvery 'sleigh-bell' trill, a vivid, sprightly utterance." + +It nests in coniferous forests, building from four to twenty feet from +the ground and laying 3-5 white eggs marked with shades of brown, in +late May or early June. + + +MAGNOLIA WARBLER + +_Dendroica magnolia. Case 8, Fig. 42_ + + The female is duller than the male, but both have + the crown gray, a white stripe behind the eye, a + yellow rump and the white tail-patches near the + middle of the tail, making the tail, when seen + from below, appear white, broadly banded with + black. L. 5 + + _Range'_ Nests from northern Massachusetts and + northern Michigan, and in the Alleghanies, from + West Virginia to Canada; winters in the tropics. + + Washington, common T.V., Apl. 22-May 30; Aug. + 15-Oct. 6. Ossining, common T.V., May 9-28; Aug. + 13-Oct. 11. Cambridge, T.V., rather common, May + 12-25; not uncommon, Sept. 10-25. N. Ohio, common + T.V., Apl. 28-May 27; Sept. 1-Oct. 10. Glen Ellyn, + common T.V., May 3-June 5; Aug. 12-Oct. 9. SE. + Minn., common T.V., May 6-; Aug. 12-Sept. 9. + +A common migrant distinguished by the beauty of his costume even in this +family of gayly clad birds. When traveling, the Magnolia may be found in +woods and woody growth of varied character, but when nesting, it shows a +fondness for spruce forests, building in small spruces usually within +six feet of the ground. + +The Magnolia's song resembles the Yellow Warbler's in tone. Thayer in +"Warblers of North America" describes it as "peculiar and easily +remembered; _weeto: weeto-weeeéte-eet_, or _witchi, witchi, witchi tit_, +the first four notes deliberate and even and comparatively low in tone, +the last three hurried and higher pitched, with decided emphasis on the +antepenult _weet_ or _witch_." + +The eggs, laid in the first half of June, are white marked with brown. + + +CERULEAN WARBLER + +_Dendroica rara. Case 8, Figs. 46, 47_ + + The adult male will be recognized at sight, but + the female and young must be looked at sharply. + The whitish or yellowish line over the eye, in + connection with the white wing-bars make a fair + field-mark. L. 4½. + + _Range._ Nests from Texas and Alabama to Minnesota + and western New York; locally from North Carolina + to Delaware. + + Washington, several records in May, one in fall. + N. Ohio, common S.R., Apl. 29-Sept. 20. Glen + Ellyn, not common, local S.R., May 8-Aug. 19. SE. + Minn., rare S.R. + +A tree-top Warbler of deciduous forests, nesting from 25 to 60 feet +above the ground. Its song bears a marked resemblance to that of the +Parula and its call-note is said to be like the _tchep_ of the Myrtle +Warbler. The white eggs, heavily blotched with brown, are laid in May. + + +CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER + +_Dendroica pensylvanica. Case 8, Figs. 43, 44_ + + Adults are distinguished by their chestnut sides, + yellow crown and wing-bars, but the young are + wholly different, silky white below, yellowish + green above. L. 5½. + + _Range._ Nests from northern New Jersey and, in + the Alleghanies, South Carolina, north to Canada; + winters in the tropics. + + Washington, abundant T.V., Apl. 19-May 30; Aug. + 10-Oct. 14. Ossining, tolerably common S.R., May + 2-Sept. 24. Cambridge, abundant S.R., May 5-Sept. + 10. N. Ohio, T.V., May 2-25. Glen Ellyn, rare + S.R., common T.V., May 1-Sept. 26. SE. Minn., + common S.R., May 3-Sept. 15. + +Scrubby second growths undergrown with bushes, roadside borders of trees +and bushes, and the brushy margins of woods are all resorts of the +Chestnut-side. Here he attracts our attention by his rather loud, +frequently uttered song, which strongly suggests that of the Yellow +Warbler. The nest is built within a few feet of the ground and the +white, brown-marked eggs are laid the latter part of May. + + +BAY-BREASTED WARBLER + +_Dendroica castanea. Case 8, Figs. 69, 70_ + + The adult male is unmistakable; the female has + chestnut on sides and crown, a grayish streaked + back and white wing-bars; the young bird in the + fall cannot, in the field, be certainly + distinguished from the young Blackpoll, but has + the underparts tinted with buff instead of with + yellow. L. 5¾. + + _Range._ Nests from northern New England into + Canada; winters in the tropics. + + Washington, sometimes abundant, usually uncommon + T.V., May 2-27; Aug. 29-Nov. Ossining, tolerably + common T.V., May 14-28; Aug. 5-Sept. 26. + Cambridge, rather rare T.V., May 15-25; Sept. + 12-28. N. Ohio, common T.V., May 4-23; Sept. + 7-Oct. 10. Glen Ellyn, tolerably common; T.V., May + 8-June 5; Aug. 13-Oct. 4. SE. Minn., uncommon + T.V., May 13-; Aug. 18-Sept. 15. + +The Bay-breast is one of the rarer members of its family. Most of us +know it only as a migrant passing northward in May and southward in +September, when it may be found in woodlands associated with other +migrating Warblers. Its song resembles that of the Black and White +Warbler. Mrs. Farwell describes it as "a poor, weak, monotonous +saw-filing note." The nest has been found in hemlocks 15-20 feet from +the ground. The white eggs, finely marked with shades of brown, are laid +in June. + + +BLACK-POLL WARBLER + +_Dendroica striata. Case 8, Figs. 71, 72_ + + In the spring, a black cap, white cheeks and a + gray, black streaked back distinguish the male; a + gray, black-streaked back, the female. In the + fall, young and old are olive-green, streaked with + black above; yellowish white below, and thus + closely resembles the young Bay-breast. L. 5½. + + _Range._ Nests from northern New England and + northern Michigan into Canada; winters in the + tropics. + + Washington, abundant T.V., Apl. 28-June 16; Aug. + 31-Oct. 20. Ossining, common T.V., May 7-June 6; + Aug. 30-Oct. 16. Cambridge, abundant T.V., May + 12-June 5; Sept. 8-Oct. 20. N. Ohio, common T.V., + May 6-June 2; Sept. 1-Oct. 16. Glen Ellyn, common + T.V., May 2-June 8; Aug. 23-Sept. 27. SE. Minn., + common T.V., May 8-; Aug. 27-. + +Toward the end of the May Warbler 'waves' the Blackpolls come in force. +They are excessively fat and, perhaps for this reason, move rather +slowly for a Warbler. They are Wood Warblers, but at this season may +overflow into the trees of our lawns and orchards. Mrs. Farwell +describes the Blackpoll's song as "a succession of hesitating, staccato, +unmusical notes varying greatly in volume. The notes separated, not +combined in twos, as in the Black and White Warbler's song." When +nesting this Warbler frequents stunted spruce forests, placing its nest +in these trees a few feet above the ground, and laying 4-5 white, +brown-marked eggs the latter part of June. + + +BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER + +_Dendroica fusca. Case 8, Figs. 67, 68_ + + The orange breast, fiery in the spring male, + duller in the female and fall males, is + distinctive. L. 5¼. + + _Range._ Nests from Massachusetts (locally) and + central Minnesota north to Canada and southward in + the Alleghanies to Georgia; winters in the + tropics. + + Washington, common T.V., Apl. 30-June 3; Aug. + 14-Oct. 7. Ossining, common T.V., May 10-29; Aug. + 15-Oct. 15. Cambridge, T.V., uncommon, May 12-22; + rare, Sept. 15-30. N. Ohio, common T.V., May + 4-June 8; Aug. 12-Sept. 22. SE. Minn., common + T.V., May 3-; Sept. 4. + +The remoteness of their homes prevents us from making the acquaintance +of the brilliantly plumaged birds of the tropics, but among them all we +will find none more beautiful than this flame-breasted Warbler, which +each spring comes from his tropical winter home almost to our doors. In +the summer he seeks the seclusion of coniferous forests and the higher +branches of spruce or hemlock. There his nest is made sometimes 80 or +more feet above the ground, and in late May or early June the white +eggs, spotted, speckled and blotched with brown, are laid. The +Blackburnian's song is described by Miss Paddock in "Warblers of North +America" as "very shrill and fine, growing even more shrill and wiry as +it rises toward the end." + + +YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER + +_Dendroica dominica dominica. Case 5, Fig. 18_ + + A gray Warbler with a yellow throat. L. 5¼. + + _Range._ Southeastern States, nesting north to + Maryland; wintering from central Florida + southward. + + Washington, rare S.R., rather common late in July + and Aug.; Apl. 19-Sept. 4. + +The loud, ringing _ching-ching-ching, chicker, cherwee_ of the +Yellow-throated Warbler is one of the characteristic bird songs of +spring in southern woods. The bird usually sings from the upper branches +of tall trees, often cypresses, in Florida, but further north, from +pines, where he can be far more easily heard than seen. The nest is +placed 30-40 feet from the ground and the white eggs, thickly marked +with shades of brown, are laid in April. + +The Sycamore Warbler (_D. d. albilora, Case 5, Fig. 19_) is a nearly +related race of the Yellow-throat which inhabits the Mississippi Valley +nesting as far north as southern Michigan and wintering in the tropics. +It differs from the Atlantic coast form in having a smaller bill and no +yellow in front of the eye. As its name implies, it favors sycamore +trees. + + +BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER + +_Dendroica virens virens. Case 6, Fig. 62_ + + The female has a yellow throat and a band of black + spots on the breast, but both sexes may be known + by the yellow cheeks and the large amount of white + in the tail. L. 5. + + _Range._ Nests from Long Island and northern Ohio + north to Canada and south in the Alleghanies to + Georgia. + + Washington, very common T.V., Apl. 22-May 30; Aug. + 26-Oct. 21. Ossining, common T.V., Apl. 30-June 3; + Sept. 1-Oct. 26; a few breed. Cambridge, abundant + S.R., May 1-Oct. 15. N. Ohio, common T.V., Apl. + 25-May 24; Sept. 1-Oct. 16; a few breed. Glen + Ellyn, common T.V., Apl. 29-June 6; Aug. 22-Oct. + 12. SE. Minn., common T.V., uncommon S.R., Apl. + 29-Sept. 22. + +The quiet little _zee-zee, zee-ee-zee_ of the Black-throated Green +announces the arrival of the vanguard of true Wood Warblers, which for +the succeeding two weeks will pass in countless numbers through our +woodlands, still almost leafless. At this time we may find him wherever +trees grow, but his real summer home is coniferous forests, especially +of hemlocks, in which he often builds his nests 15-20 feet above the +ground. The eggs, laid in late May or early June, are white spotted and +speckled with brown. + +A southern form of this Warbler (_D. v. waynei_) has been described from +the vicinity of Charleston, S.C. + + +KIRTLAND'S WARBLER + +_Dendroica kirtlandi. Case 8, Fig. 45_ + + A large Warbler, pale yellow below; crown slaty; + back brownish streaked with black. + + _Range._ Nests in Oscoda, Crawford and Roscommon + Counties, Michigan, winters in the Bahamas; in + migration has been found within the area from + Minneapolis, Minn., to Toronto, Ont., south to St. + Louis, Mo., and Fort Myer, Va., and + south-eastward. + + Washington, one record, Sept. 25, 1887. N. Ohio, + rare T.V., May 9 and 11. Glen Ellyn, one record, + May 7, 1894. SE. Minn., one record, Minneapolis, + May 13. + +Kirtland's Warbler has one of the smallest nesting areas of any North +American bird and consequently is one of our rarest species. In the +summer it lives among the jack-pines of north central Michigan, nesting +on the ground beneath them. When migrating, it may be found usually near +the ground, where it may be identified by its habit of tail-wagging. Its +song is described by Wood in "Warblers of North America" as belonging to +the whistling type with the clear, ringing quality of the Oriole's. The +3-5 eggs, laid early in June, are white speckled with brown in a wreath +at the larger end. + + +PINE WARBLER + +_Dendroica vigorsi vigorsi. Case 4, Fig. 57; Case 6, Fig. 60_ + + The male is bright greenish yellow below, + sometimes duskily streaked; the female is tinged + with brown above, below is soiled whitish, tinged + with yellow. L. 5½. + + _Range._ Nests from the Gulf States to Canada; + winters from southern Illinois and Virginia + southward. + + Washington, quite uncommon S.R., Mch. 20-Oct. 29, + abundant in fall. Ossining, casual. Cambridge, + locally common S.R., Apl. 10-Oct. 20; occasional + W.V. N. Ohio, rare T.V., Apl. 29-May 15. Glen + Ellyn, not common T.V., spring records only, Apl. + 17-May 24. SE. Minn., common T.V., Apl. 26-. + +Pine Warblers seem almost as much a part of pine woods as the trees +themselves. They feed on the ground below the pines, they glean from the +bark of the trunk, or from the clusters of 'needles' on the topmost +boughs, the very peace of the pines is expressed in their calm, even, +musical trill; and where there are no pines there are no Pine Warblers. +During the migration, it is true, they may be found elsewhere, but at +that season they are travelers, and travelers cannot always be +responsible for their surroundings. Their nest, of course, is always +built in pines, usually from 30-50 feet above the ground. The eggs laid +in March in the South, and early June in the North, are white wreathed +with brown at the larger end. + + +YELLOW PALM WARBLER + +_Dendroica palmarum hypochrysea. Case 6, Fig. 61_ + + Underparts bright yellow streaked with reddish + brown; cap reddish brown; line over the eye + yellow. L. 5¼. + + _Range._ Nests from Maine northward; winters from + North Carolina to the Florida Keys; west to + Louisiana. + + Washington, T.V., common. Mch. 31-Apl. 29; Sept. + 4-Oct. 28. Ossining, tolerably common T.V., Apl. + 11-May 5; Sept. 20-Nov. 8. Cambridge, usually + common, sometimes abundant, T.V., Apl. 15-May 5; + Oct. 1-15. + +A tail-wagging Warbler that frequents bushy places, weedy fields and +open pine woods and gardens, living near the ground where it may be +easily seen. Its call-note, _chip_, is distinctive and one learns in +time to recognize it. Its song is a trill, clear and sweet, but by no +means loud. + +The Palm Warbler (_D. p. palmarum_) is the Mississippi Valley form of +the Atlantic coast race, from which it differs in having the line over +the eye white instead of yellow; the yellow of the underparts paler and +confined to the throat and breast. It is not infrequent during the fall +migration in the North Atlantic States and, in Florida, is far more +common than the Yellow Palm. + + Washington, rare T.V., Apl. 22-May 18; Sept. + 18-Oct. 11. Ossining. T.V., Apl. 29; Sept. 30-Oct. + 12. Cambridge, uncommon T.V. in fall, Sept. + 15-Oct. 10. N. Ohio, tolerably common T.V., Apl. + 24-May 20; Sept. 10-Oct. 16. Glen Ellyn, common + T.V., Apl. 23-May 19; Sept. 4-Oct. 18. SE. Minn., + common T.V., Apl. 23; Sept. 17-Oct. 3. + +Both races nest on the ground. + + +PRAIRIE WARBLER + +_Dendroica discolor. Case 8, Fig. 48_ + + A small Warbler with a reddish brown patch in the + back, yellowish wing-bars, and much white in the + tail. L. 4¾. + + _Range._ Nests from Florida and northern + Mississippi to Michigan and New Hampshire. + + Washington, very common S.R., Apl. 12-Sept. 20. + Ossining, rare S.R., May 2-Sept. 14. Cambridge, + locally common S.R., May 8-Sept. 15. N. Ohio, + rare, Apl. 29, May 9, and 14. + +Scrubby second growths, hillsides with scattered cedars and barberries, +and, sometimes, bushy places in the pines are the haunts of the +miscalled Prairie Warbler. Common and generally distributed in the +South, it is local in the North and not always found in districts which +seem to supply all its wants. Its song is composed of six or seven +minute _zees_, the next to the last one usually the highest. The nest is +generally built within 4 feet of the ground, the eggs, laid in May, are +white marked with shades of brown, often wreathed about the larger end. + + +OVEN-BIRD + +_Seiurus aurocapillus. Case 6, Fig. 64_ + + An olive brownish bird, white streaked with black + below, with an orange, black-bordered crown and no + white on wings or in tail. L. 6¼. + + _Range._ Nests from Georgia and Missouri to + Canada; winters from Florida southward. + + Washington, very common S.R., Apl. 10-Oct. 17. + Ossining, common S.R., Apl. 27-Oct. 10. Cambridge, + very common S.R., May 6-Sept. 15. N. Ohio, + abundant S.R., Apl. 22-Oct. 1. Glen Ellyn, not + common S.R., common T.V., Apl. 28-Sept. 30. SE. + Minn., common S.R., Apl. 27-Sept. 22. + +The Oven-bird, and its near relatives the Water-Thrushes, bear so little +resemblance in color and habits to the true Wood Warblers, that one +might well think they were members of another family. Their plumage +lacks the bright colors, white wing-bars and tail-patches possessed by +most Warblers, and, instead of hopping and flitting from twig to twig, +they spend their time chiefly _walking_ on the ground, where they find +their food. + +It is not so much its abundance as its song which makes the Oven-bird +well known. Years ago Mr. Burroughs wrote it, _teacher, teacher, +teacher, teacher, teacher_, and no one has improved on this description. +The Oven-bird also sings an ecstatic warbling on the wing; a thrilling +performance. The nest is built on the ground and, like a Dutch oven, is +roofed over with the entrance at one side. The eggs, laid in May, are +white, marked chiefly at the larger end with brown. + + +NORTHERN WATER-THRUSH + +_Seiurus noveboracensis noveboracensis. Case. 8, Fig. 56_ + + Underparts white tinged with pale _yellow_, + everywhere--_including throat_--streaked with + black; no white in tail or wings. L. 6. + + _Range._ Nests from northern New England to + Canada, south in the mountains, to West Virginia; + winters in the tropics. + + Washington, common T.V., Apl. 22-June 2; July + 21-Oct. 6. Ossining, tolerably common T.V., May + 11-21; July 28-Oct. 3. Cambridge, abundant T.V., + May 8-June 1; Aug. 10-Oct. 10. N. Ohio, common, + T.V., Apl. 26-May 25; Sept. 1-15. + +The two Water-Thrushes and the Oven-bird are _walking_ Warblers, and the +Water-Thrushes, furthermore, are _teeterers_, nervously tipping tail and +body with apparently exhaustless energy. When migrating, the Northern +Water-Thrush often seeks refuge beneath the shrubbery of our lawns, but +when nesting it frequents the borders of streams in deep woods, building +its home on the ground or in the roots of an upturned tree. Its +call-note is a sharp _chink_; its song a hurried rush of loud musical +notes, closing abruptly. The 4-5 eggs, laid in the latter half of May or +early June, are white with numerous brown markings chiefly about the +larger end. + +Grinnell's Water-Thrush (_S. n. notabilis_), a slightly larger and +darker form, nests in the Northwest and is casually found as a migrant +on the Atlantic coast. + + +LOUISIANA WATER-THRUSH + +_Seiurus motacilla. Case 5, Fig. 5_ + + Line over eye and underparts white, the latter + tinted with _buff_ (not with yellow, as in the + preceding species); the throat white _unmarked_; + no white in wings or tail. L. 6¼. + + _Range._ Nests from Georgia and Texas to southern + New England and southeastern Minnesota; winters in + the tropics. + + Washington, rare S.R., Apl. 2-Sept. 14. Ossining, + common S.R., Apl. 9-Aug. 24. N. Ohio, tolerably + common S.R., Mch. 28-Sept. 15. SE. Minn., uncommon + S.R., Apl. 17-Aug. 26. + +A shy spirit of woodland brooks, the Louisiana Water-Thrush resembles +the Northern Water-Thrush in habits but is more difficult to see; its +call-note is louder, its song, wilder, more ringing. Like the Oven-bird +it also has a flight, or 'ecstasy'-song. It nests in a bank or among the +roots of a fallen tree, laying 4-6 eggs, white with numerous brown +markings, in late April or early May. + + +KENTUCKY WARBLER + +_Oporornis formosus. Case 8, Fig. 52_ + + A yellow line from the bill around the eye; crown + blackish; no white on wings or tail. L. 5½. + + _Range._ Nests from Georgia and Texas to southern + Wisconsin and the lower Hudson Valley; winters in + the tropics. + + Washington, not very uncommon S.R., Apl. 29-Sept. + 2. Ossining, common S.R., May 2-Aug. 27. N. Ohio, + rare, Apl. 27 and May 12. + +Wet woodland with luxuriant undergrowth of bushes, ferns and skunk +cabbage are the favorite haunts of this sweet-voiced Warbler, and its +nest is usually built among vegetation of this character. Its freely +uttered song is a loud, clear two-syllabled whistle, in tone like the +voice of the Carolina Wren or Cardinal. Its 4-5 eggs, laid in late May +or early June, are white, speckled chiefly about the larger end with +shades of brown. + + +CONNECTICUT WARBLER + +_Oporornis agilis. Case 8, Figs. 77, 78_ + + A complete white eye-ring; male without black on + the gray breast. L. 5½. + + _Range._ Nests in the interior from north Michigan + to Manitoba; winters in the tropics. + + Washington, T.V., very rare in spring, May 24-30; + common from Aug. 28-Oct. 24. Ossining, rare T.V., + Aug. 26-Oct. 9. Cambridge, fall T.V., sometimes + locally abundant, Sept. 10-30. N. Ohio, tolerably + common T.V., May 7-24. Glen Ellyn, fairly common + T.V., May 12-June 28; Aug. 14-Sept. 22. SE. Minn., + uncommon T.V., June 1. + +In the Atlantic Coast States this Warbler is found only as a fall +migrant, at times in considerable numbers. It lives on the ground in or +at the border of woods usually where there is dense undergrowth, and +would easily escape observation were it not for its sharp call-note, +_peek_, by which it may be identified. Its song, heard only on its +migrations up the Mississippi Valley and on its nesting ground, has been +described as resembling that of both the Oven-bird and Maryland +Yellow-throat. The only nest recorded was found by Ernest Seton near +Carberry, Manitoba, June 21, 1883. It was on the ground and contained 4 +eggs, white with a few spots about the larger end. + + +MOURNING WARBLER + +_Oporornis philadelphia. Case 8, Figs. 75, 76_ + + Male without white eye-ring; and with a black + breast veiled with gray. L. 5½. + + _Range._ Nests from northern New York and Michigan + to Canada, south in the mountains to West + Virginia; winters in the tropics. + + Washington, very rare T.V., May 6-30; Aug. 17-Oct. + 1. Ossining, rare T.V., May 28-29; Aug. 18-Oct. 1. + Cambridge, rare T.V., May 22-June 5; Sept. 12-25. + N. Ohio, tolerably common T.V., May 5-28. Glen + Ellyn, rather rare T.V., May 18-June 8; Aug. 17-. + SE. Minn., uncommon T.V., May 13-; Aug. 1-Sept. + 10. + +The Mourning Warbler is one of the rarer Warblers which, by good +fortune, we may occasionally see toward the end of the spring migration. +It is usually found in the lower growth, being a brush and tangle +haunter of woods and clearings. Its song, which is described as clear +and ringing, is uttered frequently, often from a dead limb. The nest is +built in briars or bushes within a foot or two of the ground. The eggs, +laid in the first half of June, are white with a few brownish spots at +the larger end. + + +MARYLAND YELLOW-THROAT + +_Geothlypis trichas trichas. Case 8, Figs. 50, 51_ + + The gray-bordered, black mask of the male makes + him unmistakable. The female is without + distinctive markings, but may easily be identified + by her notes and actions. L. 5¼. + + _Range._ Nests from Virginia and the lower + Mississippi Valley northward; winters from North + Carolina to Florida. + + Washington, abundant S.R., Apl. 13-Oct. 21. + Ossining, common S.R., Apl. 28-Oct. 23. Cambridge, + abundant S.R., May 5-Oct. 20; occasional in + winter. N. Ohio, abundant S.R., Apl. 25-Sept. 25. + Glen Ellyn, common S.R., May 2-Oct. 2. SE. Minn., + common S.R. + +A fidgety, inquisitive inhabitant of bushy undergrowth along roadsides +and wood borders, whose impatient off-repeated call-note, _chack, +chack_, and energetic song of _wichity, wichity, wichity_, soon become +familiar to the bird-student. It nests on or near the ground and the +white, lightly spotted eggs are laid in the latter half of May. + +The Florida Yellow-throat (_G. t. ignota_), a more deeply colored race, +is found from North Carolina to southern Florida. In the last-named +State it usually inhabits scrub palmetto growths. + + +YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT + +_Icteria virens virens. Case 8, Fig. 49_ + + A large bird, superficially, quite unlike the true + Warblers but nevertheless agreeing with them in + essential structure. L. 7½. + + _Range._ Nests from Texas and northern Florida to + southern Minnesota and (locally) Massachusetts; + winters in the tropics. + + Washington, common S.R., Apl. 16-Sept. 28. + Ossining, common S.R., Apl. 28-Aug. 29. Cambridge, + rather rare and irregular S.R., May 15-Sept. N. + Ohio, common S.R., May 1-Sept. 15. Glen Ellyn, + local, not common. May 10-Aug. 16. SE. Minn., rare + S.R. (?). + +If the Chat lived in England what a wealth of lore, legend, and +literature would owe its origin to his strange ways and stranger notes! +Here he is known to few but the initiated, who find an endless interest +in his odd song-medley and peculiar antics. Go yourself to the +brush-grown, thickety wood borders and clearings he loves and let him be +his own interpreter. You may even find his nest low down in some crotch +with its white, evenly speckled eggs, and hear his angry _chŭt_ as he +resents your presence. + + +HOODED WARBLER + +_Wilsonia citrina. Case 8, Figs. 54, 55_ + + The yellow face and black 'hood' distinguishes the + male, but both sexes may be known by the large + amount of white in the outer tail-feathers. L. 5¾. + + _Range._ Nests from Georgia and Louisiana north to + Michigan and Connecticut; winters in the tropics. + + Washington, locally common, S.R., Apl. 19-Oct. 1. + Ossining, rare S.R., to Sept. 1. N. Ohio, rare. + May 8, 9, 12 and 22. + +Color, song, habit and temperament combine to make the Hooded Warbler +one of the most attractive members of its family. As one sees it +flitting from bush to bush in woodland undergrowth, displaying its white +outer tail-feathers as it flies, pausing now and again to utter its +simple, sweet whistled song, one is impressed not only by its beauty but +by its gentleness. It nests in a bush within a foot or two of the +ground, laying 3-5 white eggs, wreathed with shades of brown spots, +early in May, in the South, in June, in the North. + + +WILSON'S WARBLER + +_Wilsonia pusilla pusilla. Case 8, Figs. 73, 74_ + + The female usually lacks the black cap, when she + resembles the female Hooded, but is smaller and + has no white in the tail. L. 5. + + _Range._ Nests from northern New England and + northern Minnesota northward; winters in the + tropics. + + Washington, rather common T.V., May 1-26; Aug. + 27-Oct. 6. Ossining, tolerably common T.V., May + 9-30; Aug. 10-Sept. 9. Cambridge, common T.V., May + 12-25; uncommon, Sept. 5-20. N. Ohio, tolerably + common T.V., May 5-June 2; Sept. 5-15. Glen Ellyn, + not common T.V., May 7-June 26; Aug. 16-Sept. 21. + SE. Minn., common T.V., May 2-; Aug. 23-Sept. 27. + +Wilson's Warbler, a flycatching Warbler of the lower growth, favors +bushes near water, but is also found in dryer places. Thayer in +"Warblers of North America" says that its "song has much of the ringing +clarity of the Canada's and Hooded's songs." It nests on the ground, +laying 4 eggs, usually with a wreath of spots at the larger end, early +in June. + + +CANADIAN WARBLER + +_Wilsonia canadensis. Case 8, Fig. 53_ + + Above gray, no white in wings or tail; breast with + a necklace of black spots, paler and less numerous + in the female. L. 5½. + + _Range._ Nests from Massachusetts and central + Minnesota northward, south in the mountains to + Tennessee; winters in the tropics. + + Washington, very common T.V., May 5-June 2; July + 31-Sept. 25. Ossining, common T.V., May 6-June 2; + Aug. 10-Oct. 11. Cambridge, common, May 12-30, + rare, Sept. 1-15; rare S.R. N. Ohio, common T.V., + Apl. 28-May 27; Sept. 1-18. Glen Ellyn, common + T.V., May 5-June 6; Aug. 15-Sept. 22. SE. Minn., + common T.V., May 8-; Aug. 18-Sept. 5. + +The Canadian Warbler haunts the lower growth of deciduous forests. It is +"a sprightly, wide-awake, fly-snapping Warbler, vivid in movement and in +song" (Thayer). "The song is liquid, uncertain, varied, bright and +sweet" (Farwell). It nests on the ground early in June, laying 4-5 eggs +much like those of Wilson's Warbler. + + +REDSTART + +_Setophaga ruticilla. Case 8, Figs. 57, 58_ + + The female is yellow where the male is + flame-color; young males resemble the female, but + usually have more or less black on the breast. L. + 5½. + + _Range._ Nests from Arkansas and North Carolina to + Canada; winters in the tropics. + + Washington, very abundant T.V., Apl, 15-May; Aug. + 19-Sept. 30; a few breed. Ossining, common S.R., + May 1-Oct. 3. Cambridge, abundant S.R., May + 5-Sept. 20. N. Ohio, common S.R., Apl. 27-Sept. + 20. Glen Ellyn. not common S.R., common T.V., May + 3-Oct. 5. SE. Minn., common S.R., May 2-Sept. 22. + +His bright colors, graceful, aerial pirouetting, abundance, and +frequently uttered song make the Redstart the most conspicuous as well +as one of the most attractive of our woodland Warblers. So exquisite a +creature should be as widely known as are violets or daisies. The +Redstart builds its well-made nest in a crotch, usually about fifteen +feet above the ground. The 4-5 grayish white eggs, spotted and blotched +chiefly at the larger end, are laid in mid-May. + + + + +WAGTAILS AND PIPITS. FAMILY MOTACILLIDÆ + + +AMERICAN PIPIT + +_Anthus rubescens. Case 4, Fig. 62; Case 5, Fig. 17_ + + Outer tail-feathers white, bill slender, back + grayish. L. 6½. + + _Range._ Nests from Newfoundland to Greenland; + winters from Maryland to Florida and Mexico. + + Washington, W.V., sometimes abundant, Oct. 2-May + 12. Ossining, common T.V., Mch. 26-(?); Sept. + 24-Nov. 16. Cambridge, T.V., abundant Sept. + 20-Nov. 10; rare Apl. 10-May 20. N. Ohio, common + T.V., Apl. 6-May 20; Oct. 19. Glen Ellyn, not + common T.V., Apl. 15-; Sept. 30-Oct. 18. SE. + Minn., common T.V., May 4-; Oct. + +At first glance a Pipit might be mistaken for a Sparrow--let us say, a +Vesper Sparrow; but note that it walks, instead of hops, that it +constantly wags or 'tips' its tail, that it has a slender, not stout +bill. Meadows, pastures, plowed fields, golf-courses, are frequented by +Pipits, usually in flocks of a dozen or more. When flushed, with a +faint _dee-dee_, they bound lightly into the air but usually soon return +to earth. + +Sprague's Pipit (_Anthus spraguei_), a slightly smaller species, nests +in Montana, Dakota, and northward, and is sometimes found in small +numbers on the coast of South Carolina and Georgia in winter. + + + + +THRASHERS, MOCKINGBIRDS, ETC. FAMILY MIMIDÆ + + +MOCKINGBIRD + +_Mimus polyglottos polyglottos. Case 4; Fig. 76_ + + To be confused in color only with the Loggerhead + Shrike, but larger, with a longer tail, no black + on the face and totally different habits. L. 10½. + + _Range._ Nests from the Gulf to Iowa and Maryland; + rarely to Massachusetts; winters from Maryland + southward. + + Washington, uncommon P.R., less numerous in + winter. Cambridge, rare S.R., Mch. to Nov. + +No southern garden is complete without a Mockingbird to guard its +treasures with his harsh alarm-note and extol its beauties in his +brilliant, varied song. He is to the South what the Robin is to the +North--and more, for he is present throughout the year while the Robin +is with us only during the nesting season. + +The Mocker builds in bushes, orange-trees or other dense vegetation, +from late March, in southern Florida, to early May in Virginia. The 4-6 +eggs are blue heavily marked with brown. + + +CATBIRD + +_Dumatella carolinensis. Case 4, Fig. 81; Case 6, Fig. 71_ + + Both sexes of the Catbird wear the same costume at + all seasons and all ages. L. 9. + + _Range._ Nests from Florida and Texas to Canada + winters from South Carolina to the tropics. + + Washington, abundant S.R., Apl. 34-Oct. 11; + occasionally winters. Ossining, common S.R. Apl. + 28-Oct. 25. Cambridge, abundant S.R., May 6-Oct. + 1; occasional in winter. N. Ohio, common S.R., + Apl. 21-Oct. 5. Glen Ellyn, common S.R., Apl. + 29-Oct. 6. SE. Minn., common S.R., Apl. 30-Oct. 6. + +If the Catbird's name were based on his song instead of on his +call-note, he might have won the popularity he deserves, but which seems +forever denied him. Taking kindly to civilization he makes his home near +ours, asking only the shelter of our shrubbery and a share of our small +fruits in return for three months of music such as but few birds can +produce. + +The Catbird nests in bushes and thickets laying 3-5 greenish blue eggs +in May. + + +BROWN THRASHER + +_Toxostoma rufum. Case 4, Fig. 82; Case 6, Fig. 72_ + + Tail and bill much longer than in the Thrushes; + white wing-bars; eye pale yellow. L. 11½. + + _Range._ Nests from Florida and Louisiana to + Canada; winters from North Carolina and SE. + Missouri to Florida and Texas. + + Washington, very common S.R., Apl. 8-Oct.; + occasionally winters. Ossining, common S.R., Apl. + 22-Oct. 28. Cambridge common S.R., Apl. 36-Oct. + 20. N. Ohio, common S.R., Apl. 6-Oct. 15. Glen + Ellyn, common S.R., Apl. 9-Oct. 11. SE. Minn., + common S.R., Apl. 15-Oct. 7. + +In the wealth of new experiences and awakened associations which crowd +the bird-lover's days in April and May, none stands out more clearly in +my memory than the first Thrasher's song. + +The rich, distinctly enunciated notes ring loud and clear above all +other songs as the bird from some tree-top gives his musical message to +the world. The performance concluded he returns to the undergrowth +whence one may hear his explosive, whistled _wheèu_ or sharp kissing +note. The nest is built in bushy growths or on the ground in May. The +3-6 eggs are grayish white finely speckled with reddish brown. + + + + +WRENS. FAMILY TROGLODYTIDÆ + + +CAROLINA WREN + +_Thryothorus ludovicianus ludovicianus. Case 4. Fig. 64_ + + Largest and most brightly colored of our Wrens. + Note the buff or whitish line over the eye. L. 5½. + + _Range._ Gulf States north to Connecticut and + Iowa; non-migratory. The Florida Wren (_T. l. + miamensis_) a slightly larger, more richly colored + form, inhabits Florida from Palatka southward. + + Washington, common P.R. Cambridge, rare or casual. + N. Ohio, tolerably common P.R. + +The Carolina Wren is a bird of the woods, whose loud, musical whistles +are among the most conspicuous of southern bird notes. They suggest +those of both the Cardinal and Tufted Titmouse, but are more varied in +character. A common scolding call is recognizably wren-like, while +another suggests a tree-toad's _krrring_. The nest is built in holes, in +April. The 4-6 eggs are white with numerous reddish brown and lavender +markings. + + +BEWICK'S WREN + +_Thryomanes bewicki bewicki_ + + Size of the House Wren, but with the tail nearly + half an inch longer; its outer feathers tipped + with gray. + + _Range._ Mississippi Valley from the Gulf States + to southern Michigan; rare east of the + Alleghanies. + + Washington, rare and local T.V., Mch. 26-July-; + may winter, Nov. 24-Dec. 22. + +A house Wren of the States west of the Alleghanies with a tail that +seems to be at the mercy of passing breezes, and a song resembling the +Song Sparrow's, but louder. Its nesting habits resemble those of the +House Wren. The 4-6 eggs, laid in April, are white speckled with reddish +brown and lavender. + + +HOUSE WREN + +_Troglodytes aëdon aëdon. Case 4, Fig. 63; Case 6, Fig. 70_ + + No introduction is needed to this feathered tenant + of many bird-lovers. L. 5. + + _Range._ Nests from Virginia and Kentucky to + Canada; winters from South Carolina and lower + Mississippi Valley to Mexico. + + Washington, common S.R., Apl. 13-Oct. 11. + Ossining, common S.R., Apl. 23-Oct. 14. Cambridge, + formerly abundant S.R., Apl. 28-Sept. 25; now rare + and local. N. Ohio, common S.R., Apl. 17-Oct. 5. + Glen Ellyn, S.R. in isolated pairs; Apl. 26-Oct. + 13. SE. Minn., common S.R., Apl. 27-Sept. 18. + +The familiar inhabitant of our bird-houses whose numbers seem limited +only by the nesting-sites we offer him. His little fountain of melody +bubbles forth irrepressibly to cheer his mate or challenge a rival. With +the exhaustless energy of their kind they fill their nest-box with +twigs, grasses and feathers, wherein are laid 6-8 minutely and evenly +speckled pinkish eggs. + + +WINTER WREN + +_Nannus hiemalis hiemalis. Case 2, Fig. 58_ + + Smaller than the House Wren; underparts brownish, + flanks and belly finely barred. L. 4. + + _Range._ Nests from northern New England and + Central Michigan north to Canada and, in the + Alleghanies, south to North Carolina; winters from + the Northern States to the Gulf. + + Washington, rather common W.V., Aug. 10-May 1. + Ossining, tolerably common W.V., Sept. 18-Apl. 27. + Cambridge, T.V. uncommon, Sept. 20-Nov. 25; rare, + Apl. 10-25; a very few winter. N. Ohio, tolerably + common. W.V., Sept. 14-May 17. Glen Ellyn, fairly + common T.V., Apl. 1-May 10; Sept. 9-Nov. 7. SE. + Minn., common T.V., rare W.V., Sept. 22-Apl. 3. + +The Winter Wren comes to us from the North when the House Wren leaves +for the South and remains with us until the House Wren returns in the +spring. But one by no means takes the place of the other. The Winter +Wren is a wood Wren that lives in fallen tree-tops, old brush-piles or +similar retreats, and his nervous _chimp, chimp_, as with cocked-up tail +he hops into view for a second, is like the call of the Song Sparrow +rather than the scolding note of most Wrens; nor does his rippling, +trickling song resemble the House Wren's sudden outburst. + +The nest is built in the roots of a tree or similar location. The 5-7 +eggs, laid in early June, are white, finely, but rather sparingly +speckled with brownish. + + +SHORT-BILLED MARSH WREN + +_Cistothorus stellaris. Case 8, Fig. 80_ + + Smallest of our Wrens; the head and back streaked + with white. L. 4. + + _Range._ Nests from central Missouri and northern + Delaware to Saskatchewan and southern Maine; + winters from southern Illinois and southern New + Jersey to the Gulf. + + Washington, very rare T.V., two instances, May. + Ossining, rare S.R., to Oct. 16. Cambridge, + formerly locally common S.R., May 12-Sept. 25; now + chiefly T.V. N. Ohio, rare, May 12, 14, 16 and 19. + Glen Ellyn, fairly common S.R., May 8-Oct. 17. SE. + Minn., common S.R., May 13-Sept. 19. + +Although we have only six species of Wrens in the eastern United States, +they are so unlike in their choice of haunts that few localities which +will afford them the hiding places they all love are without one or more +of them. The House and Bewick's Wrens make their homes near ours; the +Carolina and Winter Wrens prefer the woods; the Long-billed Marsh Wren's +haunts have given him his name, and if we should call the present +species Meadow Wren, its home would be similarly indicated, for it lives +in wet, grassy places rather than among the cat-tails. + +Ernest Seton describes its note as resembling the sound produced by +striking two pebbles together, while its song is a series of _chaps_, +running into _chap-r-r-rrr_. The globular nest is built on the ground, +and the 6-8 eggs, laid in May, are usually pure white. + + +LONG-BILLED MARSH WREN + +_Telmatodytes palustris palustris. Case 8, Fig. 79_ + + Darker and larger than the Short-billed Marsh + Wren, with a blackish brown crown and white stripe + over the eye. L. 5¼. + + _Range._ Nests from Virginia to Canada; winters + from southern New Jersey to South Carolina. + Worthington's Marsh Wren (_T. p. griseus_) is the + form of the Atlantic coast from South Carolina to + Florida. Marian's Marsh Wren (_T. p. marianæ_) is + found on the more southern Atlantic coast and on + the Gulf coast of Florida; while the Prairie Marsh + Wren (_T. p. iliacus_) nests in the Mississippi + Valley east to Indiana north to Canada, and + winters along the Gulf coast. Where two races may + be expected to occur together (for example, in the + South, during the winter) field identification of + the various races may be left to experts and the + average observer must be content with plain "Marsh + Wren." + + Washington, very numerous S.R., Apl. 15-Nov. 1. + Ossining, common S.R., May 10-Oct. 28. Cambridge, + locally abundant S.R., May 15-Oct. 1; sometimes a + few winter. N. Ohio, common S.R., Apl. 21-Sept. + 20. Glen Ellyn, fairly common S.R., May 16-Oct. + 10. SE. Minn., common S.R., May 5-Sept. 9. + +As well look for pond lilies on a rocky hillside as a Marsh Wren outside +a marsh. Give him cat-tails for cover and to support his bulky nest and +he is at home. His scolding notes betray his ancestry and his reeling, +rippling song, delivered both from a perch and on fluttering wings above +the reeds, suggests in form, at least, that of the House Wren. The 5-9 +eggs, laid in early June are uniform chocolate or thickly marked with +brown. + + + + +CREEPERS. FAMILY CERTHIIDÆ + + +BROWN CREEPER + +_Certhia familiaris americana. Case 2, Fig. 59_ + + Tail-feathers with stiffened points, bill slender + and slightly carved. L. 5¾. + + _Range._ Nests from northern New England and south + along the Alleghanies to North Carolina; winters + south to Florida. + + Washington, common W.V., Sept. 22-May 1. Ossining, + tolerably common W.V., Sept. 20-May 7. Cambridge, + common T.V., rather common W.V.. Sept. 25-May 1; + one summer record N. Ohio, common W.V., Oct. 1-May + 9. Glen Ellyn, tolerably common W.V., Sept. 15-May + 19. SE. Minn., common T.V., uncommon W.V., Sept. + 25-Mch. 30. + +To see the Brown Creeper is to knew him but so inconspicuous is he that +unless you chance to observe him drop from one to tree near the foot of +another, you may overlook the little figure creeping spirally upward. +Nor are his thin, weak, squeaky call-notes more likely to attract +attention than he is himself. A true bird of the bark, he not only hunts +upon it but builds his nest behind it, laying 5-8 white, brown-spotted +eggs in May. + + + + +NUTHATCHES. FAMILY SITTIDÆ + + +WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCH + +_Sitta carolinensis carolinensis. Case 2, Figs. 38, 39; Case 4, Fig. 65_ + + Crown black, cheeks white; breast white; the + female with a gray crown. L. 6. + + _Range._ Nests from Gulf States to Canada; a + Permanent Resident. The Florida White-breasted + Nuthatch (_S. c. atkinsi_) a slightly smaller form + in which the female as well as the male has the + crown black, is the race inhabiting Florida, the + Atlantic coast to South Carolina and the Gulf + coast to Mississippi. + + Washington, common T.V. and W.V., less common S.R. + Ossining, common P.R. Cambridge, P.R., rare in + summer, uncommon in winter, common in migrations; + most numerous in Oct. and Nov. N. Ohio, common + P.R. Glen Ellyn, fairly common P.R. SE. Minn., + common P.R. + +During the summer we will see comparatively little of this bird who, +with equal ease, climbs either down or up a tree trunk, but in the +winter he will be a constant patron of the nuts and suet on our lunch +counters. Habit, markings, his unmistakable _yank-yank_, all distinguish +him from our other birds, except his Canadian cousin to which, after +all, he bears only a family resemblance. + +In April, 5-7 white, brown speckled eggs are laid in a hole in a tree, +lined with feathers, etc. + + +RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH + +_Sitta canadensis. Case 2, Figs. 60, 61_ + + Underparts brownish, a line through the eye, black + in the male, slate in the female. Smaller than the + White-breasted Nuthatch. L. 4¾. + + _Range._ Nests from northern New England and + northern Minnesota into Canada; south along the + Alleghanies to North Carolina; winters from + southern Canada to the Gulf States. + + Washington, irregularly abundant W.V., sometimes + rare, Sept. 15-May 10. Ossining, irregular W.V., + Aug. 8-May 8. Cambridge, irregular T.V., and W.V., + Aug. 15-Nov. 25; Nov. 25-Apl. 15. N. Ohio, + tolerably common W.V., Sept. 4-May 22. Glen Ellyn, + irregular T.V., Apl. 24-May 21; Aug. 19-Dec. 12. + SE. Minn., common T.V., uncommon W.V., Sept. + 24-Apl. 21. + +Late in August when I hear a note such as one might imagine a baby +Nuthatch would utter, I know that the Red-breasted Nuthatch has arrived +from the north perhaps to spend the winter, or, may be, to go farther +south. He never seems quite as familiar as his larger, louder-voiced, +white-breasted cousin, and if one wants to make his acquaintance it is +well to follow the sound of his penny-trumpet-like notes until their +author is discovered. + + +BROWN-HEADED NUTHATCH + +_Sitta pusilla. Case 4, Fig. 66_ + + The head is browner than in the figure; the nape + has a downy white patch. Smallest of our + Nuthatches. L. 4½. + + _Range._ Nests from Florida to southern Delaware + and southern Missouri; a Permanent Resident. + +The Brown-headed Nuthatch is a bird of southern pine forests; one may +travel for miles without seeing a single individual and then discover a +company of a score or more. They pass most of their time among the upper +branches uttering a _pit-pit_ as they hunt for food, or all suddenly +joining in a metallic _tnee-tnee-tnee_, when they are apt to take flight +to the adjoining trees. The nest is in a hole in a tree or stump, +generally near the ground; 5-6 white, heavily marked eggs being laid in +March. + + + + +TITMICE. FAMILY PARIDÆ + + +TUFTED TITMOUSE + +_Bæolophus bicolor. Case 4, Fig. 67_ + + A large, gray Titmouse, with a conspicuous crest, + black forehead, and reddish brown flanks. L. 6. + + _Range._ Nests from the Gulf States north to New + Jersey and Nebraska. Resident, except at the + northern limit of its range. + + Washington, very common P.R., more so in winter. + N. Ohio, common P.R. Glen Ellyn, only two records, + Apl. 4 and Nov. 19. + +The loud _peto, peto, peto_ of the Tufted Tit can be confused only with +certain notes of the Carolina Wren, but while skilfull stalking is +required to see the Wren, one may walk up and inspect the Tit with +little or no caution. When he sees us he may change his call to a hoarse +_dee-dee-dee_ which at once betrays his relationship to the Chickadee. +The nest is made in a hole, and the 5-8 white, brown-marked eggs are +laid in April. + + +BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEE + +_Penthestes atricapillus atricapillus. Case 2, Fig. 37_ + + Crown black, wing-coverts margined with whitish. + L. 5¼. + + _Range._ Nests from central Missouri and northern + New Jersey north into Canada, south, along the + Alleghanies to North Carolina; winters south to + Maryland. + + Washington, rare and irregular W.V., Oct. 19-Apl. + 19. Ossining, tolerably common P.R. Cambridge, + common P.R., more numerous in fall and winter. N. + Ohio, common P.R. Glen Ellyn, fairly common P.R. + SE. Minn., common P.R. + +While the Chickadee is with us throughout the year, it is during the +winter that he takes first place in our affections. Active, cheerful, +friendly, he is an ever welcome visitor to our lunch-counters, and often +shows complete and winning confidence in us by perching on our hands. +His clearly enunciated _chick-a-dee_, with its variations, we accept as +his characteristic language, but the sentiment expressed in his two- or +three-noted whistle seems to belong to the Pewee rather than the +sprightly Black-cap. It is, in fact, often falsely attributed to that +bird, even when our books tell us that the Pewee is wintering in the +tropics! + +The Chickadee nests in holes, usually within ten feet of the ground, +laying 5-9 white, brown-speckled eggs in the first half of May. + + +CAROLINA CHICKADEE + +_Penthestes carolinensis carolinensis. Case 4, Fig. 68_ + + Smaller than the Black-cap; without white margins + on the wing-coverts. L. 4½. + + _Range._ Southeastern United States, north to + northern New Jersey and central Missouri. The + south Florida form (_P. c. impiger_) is slightly + smaller and darker. + + Washington, very common P.R., particularly in + winter. + +Whether because of a different temperament or because milder winters +make him less dependent on man's bounty, the Carolina Chickadee does not +show that unquestioning confidence in our good faith which makes the +Black-cap so dear to us. + +The _chick-a-dee_ note is less clearly and more hurriedly given by the +Carolina, and the _pe-wee_ whistle is not so loud and usually consists +of four notes instead of two. The nesting habits and eggs of the two +species are alike, but the southern bird begins to lay in March. + + +BROWN-CAPPED CHICKADEE + +_Penthestes hudsonicus_ + + Similar to the Black-cap but crown dark brown; + back brownish ashy. + + _Range._ Northern New England and Canada; rarely + further south in winter. Represented by three + races: the Acadian Brown-capped Chickadee (_P. h. + littoralis_) of northern New England, New + Brunswick. Nova Scotia and Newfoundland; the + Labrador Brown-capped Chickadee (_P. h. + nigricans_) of Labrador, and the Hudsonian + Brown-capped Chickadee (_P. h. hudsonicus_) of the + region west of Hudson Bay. + +Until recent years the Brown-capped Chickadee was rarely seen far south +of its breeding range, but during several winters it has invaded New +England in considerable numbers and has been found in the lower Hudson +Valley, Long Island, Staten Island and northern New Jersey. At close +range an experienced observer may know it by its dark brown head, while +Brewster states that its "nasal, drawling, _tchick, chee-day-day_" at +once distinguishes it from the Black-cap. All three races have been +reported in these winter migrations and only expert examination of +specimens can determine whether the little wanderer is from Labrador, +New Brunswick, or the country west of Hudson Bay. + + + + +OLD-WORLD WARBLERS, KINGLETS AND GNATCATCHERS. FAMILY SYLVIIDÆ + + +GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLET + +_Regulus satrapa satrapa. Case 2, Figs. 62, 63; Case 4, Figs. 72, 73_ + + Very small, olive-green birds with a flame and + yellow crown-patch in the male and a yellow + crown-patch in the female. L. 4. + + _Range._ Nests from northern New England northward + and, in the Alleghanies, south to North Carolina. + + Washington, abundant W.V., Sept. 30-Apl. 27. + Ossining, common W.V., Sept. 20-Apl. 28. + Cambridge, very common T.V., not uncommon W.V., + Sept. 25-Apl. 20. N. Ohio, common W.V., Sept. + 26-May 4. Glen Ellyn, common T.V., irregular W.V., + Sept. 19-May 8. SE. Minn., common T.V., Mch. 30-; + Sept. 21-Dec. 1. + +It is surprising, in the depth of winter, when in great coat and muffler +we keep warm only by vigorous exercise, to see these dainty, feathered +mites, unconcerned by the temperature, flitting here and there in their +search for insects' eggs and larvæ. They have small fear of man and we +may readily approach near enough to hear their thin _ti-ti_ or see their +golden-crown. In proportion to its size, this diminutive species lays a +larger number of eggs than any other of our birds, as many as 9 or 10 +white, brown-marked eggs being laid in their pensile, mossy nest in the +latter part of May. + + +RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET + +_Regulus calendula calendula. Case 4. Figs. 70, 71; Case 5. Figs. 36, +37_ + + A white eye-ring; two whitish wing-bars, no white + in the tail; adult male with a ruby crown-patch; + absent in females and young. L. 4½. + + _Range._ Nests chiefly north of the United States; + winters from Virginia and Iowa southward. + + Washington, abundant T.V., Apl. 12-May 15; Sept. + 25-Nov. 1; occasionally winters. Ossining, common + T.V., Apl. 8-May 13; Sept. 16-Nov. 3. Cambridge, + rather common T.V., Apl. 12-May 5; Oct. 10-30. N. + Ohio, common T.V., Apl, 1-May 23; Sept. 9-Nov. 3. + Glen Ellyn, fairly common T.V., Mch. 22-May 19; + Sept. 9-Oct. 27. SE. Minn., Mch. 12-; Sept. + 18-Oct. 24. + +A tiny, olive-green bird, with a large white eye-ring, fluttering +actively among the yellowing leaves, uttering from time to time a +wren-like _cack_ as he twitches his wings and showing little or no fear +of man can be only the Ruby-crown, southward bound. He returns before +the trees are clad, as the author of a song as marvelous in volume as it +is musical in tone; a whistled song of rare sweetness. + + +BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER + +_Polioptila cærulea cærulea. Case 4. Fig. 69_ + + A slender, gray mite with a comparatively long + tail of which the central feathers are black, the + outer ones white. L. 4½. + + _Range._ Nests from the Gulf States to southern + Wisconsin and southern New Jersey; winters from + the Gulf States southward. + + Washington, rather common S.R., Mch. 30-Nov. 23. + N. Ohio, common S.R., Apl. 20-Sept. 15. Glen + Ellyn, not common S.R., Apl. 22-Aug. 20; possibly + later. SE. Minn., rare S.R. + +In color, form, proportions and voice, the Gnatcatcher may properly be +called 'dainty.' His slightly explosive call-note _tin-ng_, is louder +than his exquisitely finished, varied, miniature song. The nest is +almost as fine in workmanship as a Hummer's. The 4-5 white, thickly +speckled eggs, are laid in April and early May. + + + + +THRUSHES, BLUEBIRDS, ETC. FAMILY TURDIDÆ + + +WOOD THRUSH + +_Hylocichla mustelina. Case 6, Fig. 74_ + + Head brighter than tail; underparts _white_, + heavily spotted with large, round black dots. + Largest of our Thrushes. L. 8¼. + + _Range._ Nests from Florida and Texas north to + central Minnesota and southern New Hampshire; + winters in the tropics. + + Washington, common S.R., Apl. 10-Oct. 10. + Ossining, common S.R., Apl. 30-Oct. 2. Cambridge, + locally common S.R., May 10-Sept. 15. N. Ohio, + common S.R., Apl. 20-Oct. 1. Glen Ellyn, fairly + common S.R., Apl. 30-Sept. 29 SE. Minn., common + S.R., May 1-Sept. 19. + +Most familiar of our Thrushes. From late April to early August his +bell-like notes are heard, not only in the forest, but in wood-bordered +village streets and from the shade trees of our lawns. His sharp, +pebbly, _pit-pit_, is prominent in the chorus of protesting notes which +greet the Screech Owl should he leave his retreat before diurnal birds +have gone to bed. + +The nest is usually built in small trees about 8 feet from the ground. +The 3-5 greenish blue eggs are laid in May. There is a second brood in +June. + + +VEERY + +_Hylocichla fuscescens fuscescens. Case 6, Fig. 73_ + + Upperparts, including tail, uniform + cinnamon-brown, breast buff with indistinct + brownish spots; sides white. L. 7½. + + _Range._ Nests from northern New Jersey and + northern Illinois into Canada and south in the + Alleghanies to Georgia; winters in the tropics. A + closely related western form, the Willow Thrush + (_H. f. salicicola_) nests in Minnesota and + westward, and migrates through the Mississippi + Valley. To the field naturalist it is essentially + the Veery. + + Washington, common T.V., Apl. 26-June 2. Aug. + 18-Sept. 25. Ossining, common S.R., Apl. 29-Sept. + 5. Cambridge, locally abundant S.R., May 8-Sept. + 5. N. Ohio, common S.R., Apl. 20-Oct. 1. Glen + Ellyn, tolerably common T.V., Apl. 24-May 29; Aug. + 26-Sept. 3; SE. Minn., common S.R. May 5. + +Low, wet woods with considerable undergrowth, where skunk cabbage and +hellebore flourish are the home of the Veery. Here he winds his +mysterious double-toned spiral song, and here, on the ground, hidden +beneath the rank vegetation, he builds his nest. The eggs, laid late in +May, resemble those of the Wood Thrush. The Veery's common call is a +clearly whistled _wheé-you_, quite unlike the _quirt_ or _pit-pit_ of +the Wood Thrush. Except in mountainous regions and some local +'stations,' the Wood Thrush and Veery are the only Thrushes which nest +in the eastern United States south of Massachusetts. + + +GRAY-CHEEKED THRUSH + +_Hylocichla aliciæ aliciæ. Case 8, Fig. 82_ + + Upperparts uniform olive; eye-ring whitish, not + buffy as in the Olive-backed Thrush (Case 8, Fig. + 81); sides of throat and breast less buffy than in + the Olive-back. L. 7½. + + _Range._ Nests north of the United States. + Bicknell's Thrush (_H. a. bicknelli_) a slightly + smaller, southern form, nests in the higher parts + of the Catskills, the mountains of northern New + York and northern New England, and northward and + eastward into Canada; both visit us in migration + and both winter in the tropics. + + Washington, rather common T.V., May 8-31; Sept. + 15-Oct. 20. Ossining, tolerably common T.V., May + 15-June 1; Sept. 20-Oct. 17. Cambridge, uncommon + T.V., May 18-28; Sept. 15-Oct. 9. N. Ohio, not + common T.V., Apl. 29-May 23. Glen Ellyn, common + T.V., May 7-June 4; Aug. 26-Oct. 9. SE. Minn., + common T.V., May 7-; Sept. 8. + +The Gray-cheeked and Bicknell's Thrushes are merely the larger northern +and smaller southern forms, respectively, of the same species. They are +known in the United States chiefly as migrants and can be distinguished +with certainty in life only by an expert under favorable conditions. The +larger form is the commoner. The species may be known from the Veery and +Wood Thrush by its olive, instead of cinnamon-brown back, and from the +Olive-backed Thrush by its whitish eye-ring and paler breast. + +Brewster describes the song of the southern form (Bicknell's Thrush) as +exceedingly like that of the Veery but more interrupted, while the +ordinary call-note is practically identical with the _pheu_ of the +Veery. The nest is placed in low trees or bushes. The eggs are greenish +blue spotted with brown. + + +OLIVE-BACKED THRUSH + +_Hylocichla ustulata swainsoni. Case 8, Fig. 81_ + + Upperparts uniform olive; eye-ring buff; breast + and sides of the throat deeper than in the + Gray-cheeked Thrush. L. 7¼. + + _Range._ Nests from northern Michigan and northern + New England northward into Canada and southward in + the mountains to West Virginia; winters in the + tropics. + + Washington, common T.V., Apl. 19-June 2; Sept. + 2-Nov. 1. Ossining, tolerably common T.V., May + 2-30; Sept. 19-Oct. 22. Cambridge, common T.V., + May 13-28; Sept. 15-Oct. 5. N. Ohio, common T.V., + Apl. 22-June 13; Sept. 2-Oct. 24. Glen Ellyn, + common T.V., Apl. 23-June 6; Aug. 16-Oct. 24. SE. + Minn., common T.V., May 1-; Sept. 25-. + +We know this Thrush chiefly as a migrant when, in the latter part of +May, and again in September and October, it passes us _en route_ to and +from its northern home. At these seasons we may even hear its whistled +_puit_ from the sky as it journeys through the night. "Its song," Dwight +says, "lacks the leisurely sweetness of the Hermit Thrush's outpourings, +nor is there pause, but in lower key and with greater energy it bubbles +on rapidly to a close rather than fading out with the soft melody of its +renowned rival." + +The Olive-back nests in bushes or low trees, and lays 3-4 greenish blue +brown-spotted eggs in June. + + +HERMIT THRUSH + +_Hylocichla guttata pallasi. Case 4, Fig. 77; Case 5, Fig. 26_ + + Back midway in color between Figs. 77 and 26; the + tail noticeably brighter, more rusty. L. 7¼. + + _Range._ Nests from Long Island (locally), the + higher parts of Connecticut, and central Minnesota + northward to Canada, and southward in the + mountains to Maryland; winters from New Jersey and + Ohio Valley to the Gulf States and Cuba. + + Washington, very common T.V., sometimes not + uncommon W.V., Apl. 6-May 17; Sept. 18-Nov. 12. + Ossining, common T.V.. Apl. 5-May 9; Oct. 18-Nov. + 26. Cambridge, very common T.V., Apl. 15-May 5; + Oct. 5-Nov. 15; occasionally one or two may + winter; one summer record. N. Ohio, common T.V., + Mch. 21-May 10; Oct. 2-28. Glen Ellyn, common + T.V., Mch. 18-May 11; Sept. 14-Nov. 1. SE. Minn., + common T.V. Apl. 1-; Sept. 13-Oct. 26. + +The Hermit is the only one of the Thrushes to winter in the eastern +United States and it is, therefore, the first one to reach us in the +spring. It comes early in April and takes about a month to complete its +migration. It rarely sings at this season and then only an echo of the +heavenly music which has won for it first place among American +songsters. + +We may know the Hermit Thrush by the season in which he visits us, by +his reddish brown tail, which he slowly raises and lowers after +alighting, and by the low _chuck_ note with which he usually +accomplishes this movement. + +The Hermit nests on the ground, laying, in the latter part of May, 3-4 +greenish-blue eggs, slightly lighter in tint than those of the Wood +Thrush. + + +ROBIN + +_Planesticus migratorius migratorius. Case 4, Fig. 80; Case 5, Fig. 12_ + + In spring and summer the head is blacker, the + breast brighter, the bill more yellow than in fall + and winter. L. 10. + + _Range._ Nests from Virginia (in the mountains, + northern Georgia) and northern Mississippi to + Labrador and Alaska; winters from New Jersey and + Ohio Valley to the Gulf. Birds from the lowlands, + from Maryland southward, are somewhat smaller and + paler and are known as the Southern Robin (_P. m. + achrusterus_). + + Washington, rather common S.R., abundant T.V., + from Feb-Apl.; irregularly common W.V. Ossining, + common S.R., Mch. 4-Oct. 30; a few winter. + Cambridge, very abundant S.R., common but + irregular W.V. N. Ohio, abundant S.R., Feb. + 26-Nov. 30; a few winter. Glen Ellyn, very common + S.R., rare W.V., Jan. 25-Nov. 19. SE. Minn., + common S.R., rare W.V., Mch. 8-Nov. 11. + +The Robin is the best-known and probably most abundant of our native +birds. Civilization agrees with him. Man has destroyed many of his +enemies and has provided him with a bountiful supply of fruits and a +vast area of lawns where worms are at his mercy. Sociable and trustful +he has taken up his abode with us and become as much a part of our +outdoor life as the flowers in our gardens and trees in our lawns. His +varied calls have an intimate association with the hour and season and +spring itself speaks through his cheerful song. + +Robins show their confidence in us by building their nests in situations +where few birds would venture to rear a family, and from mid-April to +July they are occupied with household cares. + + +BLUEBIRD + +_Sialis sialis sialis. Case 4, Fig. 78; Case 5, Fig. 13_ + + The Bluebird's red, white and blue mark him as a + truly American bird. L. 7. + + _Range._ Nests from the Gulf States to Florida; + winters from Connecticut and northern Ohio + southward. + + Washington, common S.R., and W.V. Ossining, common + P.R. Cambridge, common S.R., Mch. 6-Nov. 1; more + numerous during migrations, in Mch. and Nov. N. + Ohio, common S.R., Feb. 17-Nov. 18; a few winter. + Glen Ellyn, fairly common S.R., Feb. 19-Nov. 18. + SE. Minn., common S.R., Mch. 16-Oct. 31. + +Not many years ago the Bluebird was as familiar as he was welcome about +our homes; but too gentle to battle effectively with English Sparrows +and Starlings for the possession of bird houses, he has sought such +nesting sites in the orchard as the 'tree surgeons' have left. If we +would not lose this bird, "beloved of children, bards and spring," who +wears our national colors so modestly, we must supply him with a home in +which he may rear his family in peace. It may be placed not only in our +garden, but also in the orchard where it is less likely to be occupied +by Sparrows or Starlings. It should be erected not later than March 15, +for the Bluebird's bluish white eggs are laid in the first half of +April. + + + + +INDEX + + + Blackbird, Bahama Red-wing, 50 + Cow. _See_ Cowbird + Crow. _See_ Grackles, Purple and Bronzed + Florida Red-wing, 50; Case 4, Figs. 28, 29 + Red-winged, 49, Case 5, Figs. 5, 6 + Rusty, 52; Case 5, Figs. 3, 4 + Yellow-headed, 49; Case 6, Fig. 45 + + Black-cap, Wilson's. _See_ Warbler, Wilson's + + Bluebird, 134; Case 4, Fig. 78; Case 5, Fig. 13 + + Bobolink, 48; + Case 7, Figs. 13, 14 + + Bob-white, 1; Case 1, Figs. 1, 2 + Florida, 2; Case 3, Figs. 1, 2 + + Bull-bat. _See_ Nighthawk + + Bunting, Bay-winged. _See_ Sparrow, Vesper + Black-throated. _See_ Dickcissel + Indigo, 79; Case 7, Figs. 23, 24 + Painted, 79; Case 6, Figs. 49, 50 + Snow, 61; Case 2, Fig. 57 + + Butcher-bird. _See_ Shrike, Northern + + Buzzard, Turkey, 6; Case 3. Fig. 9 + + + Canary, Wild. _See_ Goldfinch + + Caracara, Audubon's, 18 + + Cardinal, 77; Case 4, Figs. 34, 35 + Florida, 78 + Kentucky. _See_ Cardinal + + Catbird, 117; Case 4, Fig. 81; Case 6, Fig. 71 + + Cedar-bird. _See_ Waxwing, Cedar + + Chat, Yellow-breasted, 113; Case 8, Fig. 49 + + Chebec. _See_ Flycatcher, Least + + Cherry-bird. _See_ Waxwing, Cedar + + Chewink. _See_ Towhee + + Chickadee, Acadian, 127 + Black-capped, 125; Case 2, Fig. 37 + Brown-capped, 127 + Carolina, 126; Case 4, Fig. 68 + Florida, 126 + Hudsonian, 127 + Labrador, 127 + + Chicken, Prairie, 3 + + Chippy. _See_ Sparrow, Chipping + Winter. _See_ Sparrow, Tree + + Chuck-will's-widow, 33; Case 6, Fig. 40 + + Clape. _See_ Flicker + + Cowbird, 48; Case 5, Figs. 8, 9 + + Creeper, Black and White. _See_ Warbler, Black and White + Brown, 122; Case 2, Fig. 59 + + Crossbill, American, 58; Case 2, Figs. 49, 50 + White-winged, 58; Case 2, Figs. 51, 52 + + Crow, 46; Case 1, Fig. 19; Case 3, Fig. 27 + Carrion. _See_ Vulture, Black + Fish, 46 + Florida, 46 + + Cuckoo, Black-billed, 25; Case 7, Fig. 2 + Yellow-billed, 25; Case 7, Fig. 1 + + + Darter, Little Blue. _See_ Hawk, Sharp-Shinned + Big Blue. _See_ Hawk, Cooper's + + Dickcissel, 80; Case 7, Fig. 20 + + Dove, Carolina. _See_ Dove, Mourning + Ground, 5; Case 3, Fig. 4 + Mourning, 5; Case 3, Fig. 3; Case 5, Fig. 11 + Turtle. _See_ Dove, Mourning + + + Eagle, Bald, 14; Case 3, Fig. 11 + Golden, 14 + + + Falcon, Peregrine, 16 + + Finch, Grass. _See_ Sparrow, Vesper + Lark. _See_ Sparrow, Lark + Pine. _See_ Siskin, Pine + Purple, 57; Case 2, Figs 32, 33; Case 4, Figs. 48, 49 + + Firebird. _See_ Oriole, Baltimore + + Flicker, Northern, 32; Case 2, Figs. 21, 22; Case 3, Fig. 20 + Southern, 32 + + Flycatcher, Acadian, 41; Case 8, Fig. 60 + Alder, 41; Case 8, Fig. 62 + Crested, 38; Case 7, Fig. 5 + Least, 42; Case 6, Fig. 44 + Olive-sided, 39; Case 8, Fig. 59 + Traill's, 42 + Yellow-bellied, 40; Case 8, Fig. 61 + + + Gnatcatcher, Blue-gray, 129; Case 4, Fig. 69 + + Goldfinch, 60; Case 2, Figs. 35, 36; Case 4. Figs. 50, 51 + + Goshawk, 11 + + Grackle, Boat-tailed, 54 + Bronzed, 53; Case 5, Fig. 2 + Florida, 53; Case 4, Fig. 74 + Purple, 53; Case 5, Fig. 1 + + Grosbeak, Blue, 78; Case 6, Figs. 52, 53 + Cardinal. _See_ Cardinal Evening, 55 + Pine, 56; Case 2, Figs. 53, 54 + Rose-breasted, 78; Case 7, Figs. 25, 26 + + Grouse, Canada. _See_ Partridge, Spruce + Canada, Ruffed, 3 + Pinnated. _See_ Chicken, Prairie + Ruffed, 2; Case 1, Fig. 3 + Spruce. _See_ Partridge, Canada Spruce + + Gyrfalcon, 15 + Black, 15 + Gray, 15 + White, 15 + + + Hair-bird. _See_ Sparrow, Chipping + + Hang-nest. _See_ Oriole, Baltimore + + Harrier. _See_ Hawk, Marsh + + Hawk, Broad-winged, 13 + Chicken. _See_ Hawks, Red-shouldered and Red-tailed + Cooper's, 10; Case 1, Figs. 9, 10 + Duck, 16 + Fish, 18; Case 3, Fig. 14 + Florida Red-shouldered, 13 + Florida Sparrow, 17 + Harlan's, 11 + Hen. _See_ Hawks, Red-shouldered and Red-tailed + Killy. _See_ Hawk, Sparrow + Krider's, 11 + Marsh, 9; Case 3, Fig. 15 + Pigeon, 16 + Red-shouldered, 12; Case 1, Fig. 4; Case 3, Fig. 12 + Red-tailed, 11; Case 1, Figs. 5, 6; Case 3, Fig. 13 + Rough-legged, 14 + Sharp-shinned, 9; Case 1, Figs. 11, 12; Case 3, Figs. 7, 8 + Sparrow, 17; Case 1, Figs. 7, 8; Case 3, Figs. 5, 6 + + Hen, Heath, 4 + Mud. _See_ Rail, Clapper and Coot, American + Prairie. _See_ Chicken, Prairie + + High-hole. _See_ Flicker + + Hummingbird, Ruby-throated, 36; Case 7, Figs. 3, 4 + + + Indigo-bird. _See_ Bunting, Indigo + + + Jackdaw. _See_ Grackle, Boat-tailed + + Jay, Blue, 44; Case 2, Fig. 20 + Canada, 45 + Florida, 44 + Florida Blue, 44; Case 4, Fig. 75 + Scrub, 44 + + Joree. _See_ Towhee + + Junco, Carolina, 73 + Slate-colored, 73; Case 2, Fig. 43; Case 4, Fig. 41 + + + Kingbird, 37; Case 7, Fig. 6 Gray, 37; Case 7, Fig. 7 + + Kingfisher, Belted, 26; Case 3, Fig. 18; Case 5, Fig. 10 + + Kinglet, Golden-crowned, 127; Case 2, Figs. 62, 63; Case 4, Figs. 72, 73 + Ruby-crowned, 128; Case 4, Figs. 70, 71; Case 5, Figs. 36, 37 + + Kite, Everglade, 8 + Mississippi, 8 + Swallow-tailed, 7 + White-tailed, 8 + + + Lark, Field. _See_ Meadowlark Horned, 43 + Prairie. _See_ Meadowlark + Prairie Horned, 43; Case 2, Fig. 42 + Shore. _See_ Lark, Horned + + Longspur, Lapland, 62 + + + Martin, Bee. _See_ Kingbird + Purple, 82; Case 5, Fig. 25 + + Meadowlark, 50; Case 2, Fig. 50 + Southern, 50; Case 4, Fig. 79 + Western, 51 + + Merlin, + + Mockingbird, 117; Case 4, Fig. 76 + + Moose-bird. _See_ Jay, Canada + + + Nighthawk, 34; Case 6, Fig. 39 + Florida, 34 + + Nonpareil, _See_ Bunting, Painted + + Nuthatch, Brown-headed, 124; Case 4, Fig. 66 + Florida White-breasted, 123 + Red-breasted, 124; Case 2, Figs. 60, 61 + White-breasted, 123; Case 2, Figs. 38, 39; Case 4, Fig. 65 + + + Oriole, Baltimore, 52; Case 7, Figs. 8, 9 + Orchard, 51; Case 7, Figs. 10-12 + + Osprey, 18; Case 3, Fig. 14 + + Oven-bird, 109; Case 6, Fig. 64 + + Owl, Acadian. _See_ Owl, Saw-whet + Barn, 19; Case 3, Fig. 17 + Barred, 20; Case 1, Fig. 15 + Cat. _See_ Owl, Screech + Florida Barred, 20; Case 3, Fig. 16 + Florida Burrowing, 24 + Florida Screech, 22; Case 3, Fig. 19 + Great Gray, 21 + Great Horned, 22; Case 1, Fig. 16 + Hawk, 23 + Hoot. _See_ Owl, Barred + Long-eared, 19; Case 1, Fig. 17 + Marsh, 20 + Monkey-faced. _See_ Owl, Barn + Mottled. _See_ Owl, Screech + Richardson's, 21 + Saw-whet, 21; Case 2, Fig. 41 + Screech, 22; Case 1, Figs. 13, 14 + Short-eared, 20; Case 1, Fig. 18 + Snowy, 23 + + + Paroquet, Carolina, 24 + + Partridge. _See_ Grouse, Ruffed, and Bob-white + Canada Spruce, 2 + + Peregrine. _See_ Hawk, Duck + + Peewee, Wood, 40; Case 8, Fig. 63 + + Pheasant. _See_ Grouse, Ruffed + + Phœbe, 38; Case 4, Fig. 52; Case 5, Fig. 15 + + Pigeon, Passenger, 5 Wild, 5 + + Pipit, American, 116; Case 4, Fig. 62; Case 5, Fig. 17 + Sprague's, 117 + + + Quail. _See_ Bob-white + + + Raven, 45 + + Red-bird. _See_ Cardinal + + Redpoll, 59; Case 2, Figs. 47, 48 + Greater, 59 + Hoary, 59 + Holbœll's, 59 + Mealy. _See_ Redpoll, Hoary + + Redstart, 115; Case 8, Figs. 57, 58 + + Reedbird. _See_ Bobolink + + Ricebird. _See_ Bobolink + + Robin, 133; Case 4, Fig. 80; Case 5, Fig. 12 + Southern, 133 + + + Sapsucker, Yellow-bellied, 30; Case 3, Fig. 26; Case 5, Fig. 30 + + Shrike, Loggerhead, 87; Case 4, Fig. 55 + Migrant, 87 + Northern, 86; Case 2, Fig. 56 + + Siskin, Pine, 60; Case 2, Fig. 55 + + Snail-hawk. _See_ Kite, Everglade + + Snowbird. _See_ Junco, Slate-colored + + Snow Bunting, 61; Case 2, Fig. 57 + + Snowflake. _See_ Snow Bunting + + Sparrow, Acadian Sharp-tailed, 67 + Alabama Seaside, 68 + Bachman's, 73 + Bush. _See_ Sparrow, Field + Cape Sable, 68 + Chipping, 71; Case 4, Fig. 45; Case 5. Fig. 31 + Clay-colored, 72; Case 6, Fig. 48 + Dusky Seaside, 68 + English, 57; Case 2, Figs. 30, 31; Case 4, Figs. 38, 39 + Field, 72; Case 4, Fig. 43; Case 5, Fig. 14 + Florida Grasshopper, 64 + Fox, 76; Case 4, Fig. 37; Case 5, Fig. 7 + Grasshopper, 64; Case 7, Fig. 16 + Harris's, 69; Case 7, Fig. 21 + Henslow's, 65; Case 7, Fig. 17 + House, 57; Case 2, Figs. 30, 31; Case 4, Figs. 38, 39 + Ipswich, 63 + Lark, 68; Case 7, Fig. 19 + Leconte's, 65; Case 7, Fig. 18 + Lincoln's, 75; Case 7, Fig. 15 + Louisiana Seaside, 68 + Macgillivray's Seaside, 68 + Nelson's, 66 + Northwest Florida, 68 + Pine-woods, 74 + Savannah, 64; Case 4, Fig. 47; Case 5, Fig. 23 + Scott's Seaside, 68 + Seaside, 67; Case 6, Fig. 46 + Sharp-tailed, 66; Case 6, Fig. 47 + Song, 74; Case 2, Fig. 34, Case 4, Fig. 42 + Swamp, 75; Case 4, Fig. 44; Case 5, Fig. 22 + Tree, 71; Case 2, Fig. 44; Case 4, Fig. 46 + Vesper, 63; Case 4, Fig. 36; Case 5, Fig. 16 + White-crowned, 69; Case 7, Fig. 22 + White-throated, 70; Case 2, Figs. 45, 46; Case 4, Fig. 40 + Yellow-winged. _See_ Sparrow, Grasshopper + + Starling, 47; Case 2, Figs. 24, 25 + + Swallow, Bahama Bank, 84; Case 6, Fig. 54 + Barn, 83; Case 5, Fig. 32 + Chimney. _See_ Swift, Chimney + Cliff, 82; Case 6, Fig. 55 + Eaves. _See_ Swallow, Cliff + Rough-winged, 84; Case 6, Fig. 56 + Tree, 83; Case 5, Fig. 24 + White-bellied. _See_ Swallow, Tree + + Swift, Chimney, 35; Case 6, Fig. 42 + + + Tanager, Scarlet, 80; Case 7, Figs. 27, 28 + Summer, 81; Case 5, Figs. 33, 34 + + Thistle-bird. _See_ Goldfinch + + Thrasher, Brown, 118; Case 4, Fig. 82; Case 6, Fig. 72 + + Thrush, Alice's. _See_ Thrush, Gray-cheeked + Bicknell's, 131 + Brown. _See_ Thrasher, Brown + Golden-crowned. _See_ Oven-bird + Gray-cheeked, 130; Case 8, Fig. 82 + Hermit, 132; Case 4, Fig. 77; Case 5, Fig. 26 + Olive-backed, 131; Case 8, Fig. 81 + Swainson's. _See_ Thrush, Olive-backed + Tawny. _See_ Veery + Willow, 130 + Wood, 129; Case 6, Fig. 74 + + Titlark. _See_ Pipit, American + + Titmouse, Tufted, 125; Case 4, Fig. 67 + + Towhee, 76; Case 4, Figs. 32, 33; Case 5, Fig. 51 + White-eyed, 77 + + Turkey, Florida, 4 + Wild, 4 + + + Veery, 130; Case 6, Fig. 73 + + Vireo, Bell's, 92; Case 6; Fig. 65 + Black-whiskered, 88 + Blue-headed, 90; Case 6, Fig. 68 + Key West, 91 + Mountain Solitary, 91 + Philadelphia, 89; Case 7, Fig. 30 + Red-eyed, 88; Case 6, Fig. 66 + Solitary. _See_ Vireo, Blue-headed + Warbling, 89; Case 7, Fig. 29 + White-eyed, 91; Case 6, Fig. 67 + Yellow-throated, 90; Case 6, Fig. 69 + + Vulture, Black, 7; Case 3, Fig. 10 + Turkey, 6; Case 3, Fig. 9 + + + Warbler, Bachman's, 94; Case 5, Figs. 20, 21 + Bay-breasted, 103; Case 8, Figs. 69, 70 + Black and White, 92; Case 6, Fig. 57 + Black and Yellow. _See_ Warbler, Magnolia + Blackburnian, 104; Case 8, Figs. 67, 68 + Black-throated Blue, 99; Case 6, Figs. 58, 59 + Black-throated Green, 106; Case 6, Fig. 62 + Blackpoll, 103; Case 8, Figs. 71, 72 + Blue-winged, 94; Case 7, Fig. 35 + Brewster's, 95; Case 7, Fig. 38 + Cairns's, 100 + Canadian, 115; Case 8, Fig. 53 + Cape May, 98; Case 8, Figs. 65, 66 + Cerulean, 102; Case 8, Figs. 46, 47 + Chestnut-sided, 102; Case 8, Figs. 43, 44 + Connecticut, 111; Case 8, Figs. 77, 78 + Golden-winged, 95; Case 7, Figs. 34, 36 + Hooded, 114; Case 8, Figs. 54, 55 + Kentucky, 111; Case 8, Fig. 52 + Kirtland's, 106; Case 8, Fig. 45 + Lawrence's, 95; Case 7, Fig. 37 + Magnolia, 101; Case 8, Fig. 42 + Mourning, 112; Case 8, Figs. 75, 76 + Myrtle, 100; Case 5, Fig. 27 + Nashville, 96; Case 7, Fig. 33 + Northern Parula, 97; Case 7, Fig. 39 + Orange-crowned, 96; Case 7, Fig. 32 + Palm, 108; Case 6, Fig. 61 + Parula, 97, 98 + Pine, 107; Case 4; Fig. 57; Case 6, Fig. 60 + Prairie, 108; Case 8, Fig. 48 + Prothonotary, 93; Case 5, Fig. 29 + Redpoll. _See_ Warblers, Palm and Yellow Palm + Summer. _See_ Warbler, Yellow + Swainson's, 93; Case 5, Fig. 28 + Sycamore, 105; Case 5, Fig. 19 + Tennessee, 97; Case 8, Fig. 64 + Wilson's, 114; Case 8, Figs. 73, 74 + Worm-eating, 93; Case 7, Fig. 31 + Yellow, 99; Case 8, Figs. 40, 41 + Yellow Palm, 108; Case 6, Fig. 61 + Yellow-rumped. _See_ Warbler, Myrtle + Yellow-throated, 105; Case 5, Fig. 18 + + Water-Thrush, Grinnell's, 110 + Louisiana, 110; Case 5, Fig. 5 + Northern, 110; Case 8, Fig. 56 + + Waxwing, Bohemian, 85 + Cedar, 85; Case 2, Fig. 40; Case 4, Fig. 54 + + Whip-poor-will, 34; Case 6, Fig. 41 + + Whiskey-Jack. _See_ Jay, Canada + + Woodpecker, American Three-toed, 30 + Arctic Three-toed, 29 + Downy, 28; Case 2, Figs. 26, 27 + Golden-winged. _See_ Flicker + Hairy, 28; Case 2, Figs. 28, 29 + Ivory-billed, 27 + Ladder-backed. _See_ Woodpecker, American Three-toed + Northern Hairy, 28 + Northern Pileated, 31 + Pileated, 31 + Red-bellied, 32; Case 3, Fig. 23 + Red-cockaded, 29 + Red-headed, 31; Case 3, Figs. 21, 22; Case 6, Fig. 43 + Southern Downy, 28 + Southern Hairy, 28 + Three-toed, 30 + Yellow-bellied. _See_ Sapsucker, Yellow-bellied + + Wren, Bewick's, 119 + Carolina, 119; Case 4, Fig. 64 + Florida, 119 + House, 120; Case 4, Fig. 63; Case 6, Fig. 70 + Long-billed Marsh, 122; Case 8, Fig. 79 + Marian's Marsh, 122 + Prairie Marsh, 122 + Short-billed Marsh, 121; Case 8, Fig. 80 + Winter, 120; Case 2, Fig. 58 + Worthington's Marsh, 122 + + + Yellow-bird. _See_ Goldfinch + Summer. _See_ Warbler, Yellow + Yellow-hammer. _See_ Flicker + + Yellow-throat, Florida, 113 + Maryland, 113; Case 8, Figs. 50, 51 + + +This book is made in full compliance with Government Directive L 120 +limiting the bulk of paper. + + * * * * * + +Transcriber's Notes: + +Obvious punctuation errors repaired. + +Page vii, "give" changed to "gives" (thus gives us) + +Page 4, "an" changed to "and" (Turkey and like that) + +Page 8, "redish" changed to "reddish" (black, reddish brown and buff) + +Page 32, "of" changed to "or" (April or early May) + +Page 42, "Adler" changed to "Alder" (like the Alder Flycatcher) + +Page 52, "is" changed to "it" (it more difficult to) + +Page 56, "irreguarly" changed to "irregularly" (irregularly to Indiana +and) + +Page 59, "rostreta" changed to "rostrata" (A. l. rostrata) + +Page 70, "th" changed to "the" (sing with the power) + +Page 76, "5" changed to "6" under Towhee (Case 6. Fig. 51) + +Page 89, under PHILADELPHIA VERIO, the length is left blank. + +Page 125, "Tenessee" changed to "Tennessee" (the mountains to Tennessee) + +Page 138, Index, there is no reference for Merlin as there is no mention +of Merlin anywhere in the book except in the index. + +Page 139, "Holboell's" changed to "Holbœll's" to match usage in text +(Holbœll's, 59) + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of What Bird is That?, by Frank M. 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