SUBFAMILY PYRGITINÆ
The introduction into the United States, at so many distant points, of the European House Sparrow (Pyrgita domestica) renders it necessary to introduce it with any work treating of the birds of North America, although totally different in so many features from our own native forms. I follow Degland and Gerbe in placing the genus Pyrgita in a separate subfamily (Pyrgitinæ, see page 446), without any distinct idea of its true affinities, as it does not come legitimately within any of the subfamilies established for the American genera. In some respects similar to certain Coccothraustinæ, in the short tarsi and covered nostrils, the wings are shorter and more rounded, the sides of the bill with stiff bristles, etc. The much larger, more vaulted bill, weaker feet, and covered nostrils, distinguish it from Spizellinæ.
GENUS PYRGITA, CUVIER.
Pyrgita, CUVIER, R. A. 1817. (Type, Fringilla domestica, LINN.) Passer, BRISSON, Orn. 1760. Same type. DEGLAND & GERBE, Orn. Europ. I, 1867, 239.
GEN. CHAR. Bill robust, swollen, without any distinct ridge; upper and under outlines curved; margins inflexed; palate vaulted, without any knob; nostrils covered by sparse, short, incumbent feathers; side of bill with stiff, appressed bristles. Tarsi short and stout, about equal to or shorter than the middle toes; claws short, stout, and considerably curved. Wings longer than tail; somewhat pointed. Tail nearly even, emarginated, and slightly rounded.
Pyrgita domestica, CUV.
THE HOUSE SPARROW.
Fringilla domestica, LINN. Syst. Nat. 12th ed. 323, 1766. Pyrgita domestica, CUV. Reg. An. 2d ed. (1829), I, 439. Passer domesticus, DEGLAND & GERBE, Ornith. Europ. I, 1867, 241.
[Line drawing: Pyrgita domestica. 18788]
SP. CHAR. Male. Above chestnut-brown; the interscapular feathers streaked by black on inner webs; the top of head and nape, lower back, rump, and tail-coverts plain ashy; narrow frontal line, lores, chin, throat, and jugulum black; rest of under parts grayish, nearly white along median region. A broad chestnut-brown stripe from behind eye, running into the chestnut of back; cheeks and sides of neck white; outside of closed wing, pale chestnut-brown, with a broad white band on the middle coverts, and behind showing the brown quills; the lesser coverts dark chestnut like the head stripe. Tail dark brown, edged with pale chestnut. Bill black; feet reddish. Iris brown.
Female. Duller of color, and lacking the black of face and throat; breast and abdomen reddish-ash; cheeks ashy; a yellow-ochre band above and behind the eyes, and across the wings. Head and neck above brownish-ash; body above reddish-ash, streaked longitudinally with black.
Male in winter. The colors generally less distinct. Length, 6.00; wing, 2.85; tail, 2.50; tarsus, .70; middle toe and claw, .60.
The House Sparrow of Europe has been introduced into so many parts of the United States as to render it probable that at no distant day it will have become one of our most familiar species. Brought over to the New World within a comparatively few years, it has commenced to multiply about the larger cities, especially in the environs of New York, as also about Portland, Boston, Newark, and Philadelphia. The first effort made to naturalize it about Washington failed in consequence of the death of three hundred individuals imported by the Smithsonian Institution. A second, however, in 1871, was more successful. One thousand birds were let loose in the public squares of Philadelphia in the spring of 1869. In and about Havana it is said to be common, as also about Great Salt Lake, where it was recently introduced by the Mormons, according to Mr. J. A. Allen.
HABITS. The common House Sparrow of Europe has, within the past few years, achieved a right to a place in the avi-fauna of North America by its complete introduction, and its reproduction in large numbers, in various parts of the country, from Portland, Me., to Washington City, as also about Salt Lake.
The first attempt to introduce these birds, within my knowledge, was made by a gentleman named Deblois, in Portland, Me., in the fall of 1858. Six birds were set at liberty in a large garden in the central part of the city. They remained in the neighborhood through the winter, and in the sheltering porch of a neighboring church they found places of shelter and security. In the following spring three nests were built in dwarf pear-trees in the garden in which they were first set at liberty. One, at least, of these nests, was successfully occupied, and six young birds were reared from it. A second nest, with four young, was also hatched by the same pair. Neither of these nests was globular in shape, but open and coarse, built of hay and straws. These nests were taken, after their use, and came into my possession. Since then I have been informed that these birds increased and multiplied, and for a while were quite abundant in that portion of the city, and a large colony of this Sparrow appeared in the winter of 1871 in Rockland, Me.
Two years later, Mr. Eugene Schieffelin, of New York, imported and set at liberty, near Madison Square, in that city, twelve of these birds, and this he repeated for several successive summers. In 1864, fourteen birds were set at liberty in Central Park, by the Commissioners. Other birds were also brought from England, by different parties, in the Cunard steamers, and released at Jersey City. These have increased very largely, and have spread to the adjoining cities, until these birds have become familiar and social residents in all the large cities and towns within an extended area around New York, as well as in all parts of that city.
They were introduced into Boston by the City Government in 1868. Two hundred birds were purchased in Germany, but unfortunately all died on their passage except about a score. These were set at liberty in June, but, weakened by their sea-voyage, several of them were found dead in the deer-park, and the rest disappeared. The following summer more were imported, but all died except ten. These were well cared for, and only released when in excellent condition. For some months nothing was seen of these birds, and the experiment was supposed to be a failure, when it was ascertained that they had betaken themselves to the vicinity of stables in the southern part of the city, had increased and multiplied in large numbers, reappearing in the winter to the number of one hundred and fifty. They were regularly fed by the city forester each day in the deer-park, and roosted at night in the thatch of the roofs of the buildings. Since then they have very largely increased. About twenty, that same summer, were set at liberty in Monument Square, Charlestown.
In 1869 about one thousand birds were imported, by the City Government, into Philadelphia. Fortunately they came in good condition, and being released early in May immediately separated into scattered parties and prepared for themselves new homes. Some appeared in Morristown and other distant towns in New Jersey. Others wandered to Germantown, and the remoter suburbs of Philadelphia, where they found the cherry-trees in full blossom, and where their exploits in stripping the blooms from the trees gave a not very favorable first impression of these new-comers.
It has been exceedingly interesting to watch the manners and habits of these strangers in their new homes. They have become quite tame, are fearless and gentle, and as they have been very kindly treated live in a condition of semi-domestication. At first they built their nests, and passed their winters, in New York, among the thick ivies that cover the walls of so many churches, in such cases building globular nests. As soon, however, as suitable boxes were prepared for them in sufficient quantities, these were taken possession of in preference to anything else.
At the time of their introduction the shade-trees in the parks and squares of New York, Philadelphia, Brooklyn, Newark, and other places, were greatly infested with the larvæ of the measure-worms that destroyed their foliage. Since then these worms have almost entirely disappeared. A doubt has been expressed whether the Sparrows destroy these insects. That they eat them in the larvæ form I do not know, but to their destruction of the chrysalis, the moth, and the eggs, I can testify, having been eye-witness to the act.
Apprehensions have been expressed lest these new-comers may molest and drive away our own native birds. How this may be when the Sparrows become more numerous cannot now be determined, but so far they manifest no such disposition. Since their introduction into Boston the Chipping Sparrows appear to have increased, and to associate by preference with their European visitors, feeding with them unmolested. I have been unable to detect a single instance in which they have been molested, in any manner, by their larger companions. Their predatory aggressions, however, upon the rights of the common Robin have been noticed, and deserve mention. The Sparrows appear to be extravagantly fond of earthworms, but not able to hunt for them themselves. They have learned to watch the Robin as it forages for these worms, keeping around, at a respectful distance, and as soon as one, with much toil, has dragged a worm from its place of concealment, down swoops the bird and impudently carries it off. The poor bewildered and plundered Robin essays a late and vain attempt to protect its food. The Sparrow is too nimble, and the worm is gone before its rightful owner can turn to face the robber.
The Sparrows endure the severest of the winter weather without any apparent inconvenience, appearing as cheerful, contented, and noisy with the thermometer at zero as at any other time. They are quite fearless, especially in New York, running about under the feet of the passers-by with perfect indifference and confidence. In Boston I have noticed their nests in convenient places, a few feet above crowded sidewalks. In winter they come regularly about the houses to be fed.
The House Sparrow has also been introduced into Australia, where it has become acclimated, and was, at the last accounts, rapidly increasing in that quarter. It is likewise very common about Havana, Cuba.
In the Old World this bird has a widely extended area of distribution, and is resident wherever found. It is very abundant in the British Islands and throughout the northern and central portions of Europe. In Spain and in Italy it is replaced by two closely allied species or races. This bird, however, is also found in North Africa, in the Levant, at Trebizonde, and among the mountains of Nubia. Specimens have also been received from the Himalayas, from Nepaul, and the vicinity of Calcutta.
Both in Europe and in this country the Sparrows pair early in the season. I have known them sitting on their eggs, in Boston, in March. They are very prolific, have broods of five, six, and even seven at a time, three or four times in a season. They are full of life and animation, somewhat disposed to brief and noisy quarrels, which are always harmless.
Their great attachment and devotion to their young is dwelt upon by all English writers as quite remarkable. They evince a great partiality for warmth, and even in midsummer line their nests with all the feathers they can pick up. In New York it is a favorite amusement with the children to carry with them to the public parks quantities of feathers, which they throw, one by one, to the Sparrows, to witness their amusing contests for possession.
The eggs of this bird are oval in shape, pointed at one end, with a ground of a light ashen color, blotched, dotted, and streaked with various shades of ashy and dusky brown. They measure from .85 to .95 of an inch in length, and from .60 to .65 in breadth.
SUBFAMILY SPIZELLINÆ.—THE SPARROWS.
CHAR. Bill variable, usually almost straight; sometimes curved. Commissure generally nearly straight, or slightly concave. Upper mandible wider than lower. Nostrils exposed. Wings moderate; the outer primaries not much rounded. Tail variable. Feet large; tarsi mostly longer than the middle toe.
The species are usually small, and of dull color, though frequently handsomely marked. Nearly all are streaked on the back and crown, often on the belly. None of the United States species have any red, blue, or orange, and the yellow, when present, is as a superciliary streak, or on the elbow edge of the wing.
In the arrangement of this subfamily, as of the others belonging to the Fringillidæ, we do not profess to give anything like a natural system, but merely an attempt at a convenient artificial scheme by which the determination of the genera may be facilitated.
A. Tail small and short; considerably or decidedly shorter than the wings, owing either to the elongation of the wing or the shortening of the tail. Lateral toes shorter than the middle without its claw. Species streaked above and below. (Passerculeæ.)
a. Thickly streaked everywhere above, on the sides, and across the breast. Wing pointed; longest primaries considerably longer than the secondaries. Tail forked.
Centronyx. Hind claw very large; rather longer than its digit. The hind toe and claw, together, as long as or longer than the middle toe and claw. Other toes as in Passerculus. Claws gently curved. Tertials shorter than the secondaries. Tail forked, but the lateral feathers shorter.
Passerculus. Hind claw as long as its digit; the toe equal to the middle one without its claw; lateral toes falling considerably short of the middle claw. Wings very long; first primary longest. Tertials as long as the primaries. Tail forked; feathers acute.
Poocætes. Hind claw shorter than its digit; the whole toe less than the middle toe without its claw. Lateral toes nearly equal to the middle one, without its claw. Tertials but little longer than secondaries. Tail stiffened, forked; feathers acute, outer ones white.
b. Moderately streaked above, on the sides, and on the breast, the latter sometimes unstreaked; the dorsal streaks broader, the others fainter than in the last. Wings short, reaching a little beyond the base of the tail. Not much difference between the primaries and secondaries. Tail short, graduated, and the feathers lanceolate, acute.
Coturniculus. Bill short; thick. Tertials almost equal to the primaries; truncate at the end. Claws small, weak; hinder one shorter than its digit. Outstretched feet not reaching the tip of the tail. Tail-feathers not stiffened. (In one species tail nearly equal to the wing.)
Ammodromus. Bill slender, small at base, and elongated. Tertials not longer than the secondaries; rounded at the tip. Claws large, hinder one equal to its digit. Outstretched toes reaching considerably beyond the end of the stiffened, almost scansorial tail.
B. Tail longer and broader; nearly or quite as long as, sometimes a very little longer than, the wings, which are rather lengthened. The primaries considerably longer than the secondaries. None of the species streaked beneath, and the back alone streaked above. (Spizelleæ.)
a. Tail rounded or slightly graduated.
Chondestes. Tail considerably graduated, not emarginated. Lateral toes considerably shorter than the middle toe, without its claw. Wings very long, decidedly longer than the tail, reaching the middle of the tail. First quill longest. Head striped. Back streaked. White beneath. A white blotch on the end of the tail-feathers.
Zonotrichia. Tail moderately graduated. Wings moderate, about as long as the tail, reaching about over the basal fourth of the tail; first quill less than the second to fourth. Feet large. Head striped with black and white, or with brown and ochraceous. Back streaked.
Junco. Tail very nearly equal to the wings, slightly emarginate, and decidedly rounded. Outer toe rather longer than inner, reaching the middle claw. No streaks anywhere except in young; black or ash-color above; belly white; with or without a rufous back and sides. Outer tail-feathers white.
Poospiza. Tail lengthened, slightly graduated; the feathers unusually broad to the end. Bill slender. Wings about as long as the tail, reaching but little beyond its external base. Tertials broad, and, with the secondaries, rather lengthened. Second to fifth quills nearly equal, and longest. Bill dark lead-color. Tail black. Uniform ashy-brown above; white beneath. Sides of head with stripes of black and white.
b. Tail decidedly forked; a little shorter than the wing, sometimes a little longer.
Spizella. Size rather small. Wings long. Lower mandible largest. Uniform beneath, or with a pectoral spot or the chin black.
C. Tail lengthened and graduated; decidedly longer than the wings, which are very short, scarcely extending beyond the external base of the tail. Feet reaching but little beyond the middle of the tail. Species all streaked above; streaked or nearly unicolor beneath. No white on wings or tail. Outer lateral toe the longer. First quill not the shortest of the primaries. (Melospizeæ.)
Melospiza. Culmen and commissure nearly straight. Claws stout; hinder one as large as its digit. Tail-feathers rather broad. Body streaked beneath.
Peucæa. Culmen and commissure curved. Claws weak; hinder one not much curved, decidedly shorter than its digit. Tail-feathers narrow. Without streaks beneath, excepting a narrow maxillary stripe.
D. Tail rather short, and much graduated; longer than the wings; the midrib more median. Culmen curved. Tarsus considerably longer than middle toe. Outer toe longer. But little difference in the length of the quills; the outer ones much rounded; even the second quill is shorter than any other primary except the first.
Embernagra. Color, olive-green above.
GENUS CENTRONYX, BAIRD.
Centronyx, BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 440. (Type, Emberiza bairdi, AUD.)
GEN. CHAR. Bill elongated; the lower mandible smaller; outlines nearly straight. Tarsus lengthened, considerably exceeding the middle toe. Lateral toes equal, not reaching the base of the middle claw. Hind toe very large; the claw rather longer than its digit, and in its elongation resembling Plectrophanes, but more curved; the digit and claw together rather longer than the middle toe and claw. Wings very long, reaching beyond the middle of the tail, and beyond the end of the coverts. Tertials shorter than the primaries, and but little longer than the secondaries. Tail short, much less than from the carpal joint to end of secondaries; little more than two thirds the entire wing. It is slightly forked, and moderately rounded laterally; the feathers all acute. Color somewhat as in Passerculus.
This genus differs from Passerculus, as stated in the description of the species farther on. It would be taken for Plectrophanes on account of its lengthened hind claw, which, however, is more curved than in that genus; the tarsi are much longer, the tertials less elongated, and the coloration different, though closely resembling that of the female Plectrophanes. But one species has thus far been recognized.
Centronyx bairdi, BAIRD.
BAIRD’S BUNTING.
Emberiza bairdi, AUD. Birds Am. VII, 1843, 359, pl. d., Coturniculus bairdi, BON. Syn. 1850, 481. Centronyx bairdi, BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 441.
[Line drawing: Centronyx bairdi, Baird. 1885]
SP. CHAR. Somewhat similar in general appearance to Passerculus savanna. Back grayish, streaked with dusky. Crown nearly covered by black streaks, but divided by a broad median band of brownish-yellow. Eyelids and a faint superciliary stripe yellowish-white. Beneath white, with a maxillary blackish stripe and some narrow streaks on the upper part of the breast, and sides of the throat and body. Outer edges and tips of tail-feathers white; the two outer feathers obsoletely white. Bend of wing white. Length, 4.75; wing, 2.80; tail, 2.20.
HAB. Mouth of the Yellowstone River. One specimen only known.
This species has somewhat of the general appearance of Passerculus savanna, but with important differences both of form and color. The bill is much longer, and more slender in proportion. The wings are quite unusually long; the primaries more than half an inch longer than the tertiaries; the first quill as long as the fourth, and but little less than the second and third. The tail is very short; the feathers narrow and pointed. The feet are large; the hind claw very long and considerably curved, as are the other claws generally.
The species was based by Mr. Audubon on a skin brought by him from the mouth of the Yellowstone River, in 1843, in rather defective and worn plumage. This has hitherto served as the basis of all the descriptions of the species which is justly considered one of the rarest in the North American fauna.
HABITS. In regard to the habits, distribution, or general history of this very rare species, but little is known, only one specimen having been met with. This was procured by Mr. Audubon’s party to the Yellowstone River, in Dakota, on the last day of July, 1843. That it is a resident where obtained, certainly during the breeding-season, is a natural inference from the circumstances of its capture. That it may be a common bird in certain other portions of the region, immediately north of Dakota, is quite probable. Its close habits, as described by Mr. Audubon, favor its escaping notice wherever it may exist.
The specimen was met with in a wet place, overgrown closely by a kind of slender rush-like grass, from the midst of which the notes of these birds were heard, and at first mistaken for those of the Marsh Wren. A search was immediately instituted for the singers, which Mr. Bell soon ascertained could not be the Wren in question, the notes being much softer and more prolonged. Much difficulty was encountered in the endeavor to raise them from the long close grass to which they closely confined themselves, and they were several times nearly trodden on before they would take wing, almost instantaneously realighting within a few steps, and running like mice through the grass. After a while two were shot while on the wing, and proved to be adult male and female. The party found this species quite abundant in all such situations, and there seems to have been no doubt that it was breeding.
GENUS PASSERCULUS, BONAP.
Passerculus, BONAP. Comp. List Birds, 1838. (Type, Fringilla savanna.)
[Line drawing: Passerculus savanna. 7108]
GEN. CHAR. Bill moderately conical; the lower mandible smaller; both outlines nearly straight. Tarsus about equal to the middle toe. Lateral toes about equal, their claws falling far short of the middle one. Hind toe much longer than the lateral ones, reaching as far as the middle of the middle claw; its claws moderately curved. Wings unusually long, reaching to the middle of the tail, and almost to the end of the upper coverts. The tertials nearly or quite as long as the primaries; the first primary longest. The tail is quite short, considerably shorter than the wings; as long as from the carpal joint to the end of the secondaries. It is emarginate, and slightly rounded; the feathers pointed and narrow.
The essential characters of this well-marked genus lie in the elongated wings, longer than the tail, the tertiaries equal to the primaries, the first quill almost longest. The legs are long, the outstretched toes reaching to the end of the tail; the lateral toe considerably shorter than the middle, which is not much longer than the hinder. The tail is short, narrow, and emarginate; the feathers acute.
Species and Varieties.
COMMON CHARACTERS. Above grayish-brown, beneath white; whole upper surface, as well as the breast and sides, streaked with dusky. A light superciliary stripe, and a whitish maxillary one, the latter bordered above and below by stripes of coalesced dusky streaks.
A. Bill small, the culmen slightly concave in the middle portion; a median light stripe on the crown.
1. P. savanna. Superciliary stripe yellow anteriorly; streaks on the back blackish, sharply defined.
Throat and upper part of abdomen unstreaked; vertex-stripe without yellow tinge.
Bill .34 from forehead and .25 in depth at the base; wing, 2.85; tail, 2.30. Colors deep; outer surface of wing (in spring) decidedly reddish. Hab. Eastern Province of North America … var. savanna.
Bill, .32 and .20, or less; wing, 2.75; tail, 2.10. Colors very pale; outer surface of wing (in spring) pale ashy. Hab. Western Province of North America, except coast of California, where replaced by var. anthinus … var. alaudinus.
Bill, .37 and .27, or considerably more; wing, 3.10; tail, 2.40. Colors as in savanna. Hab. Northwest coast of North America … var. sandwichensis.
Throat and upper part of abdomen streaked; vertex-stripe strongly tinged with yellow.
Bill, .33 and .19; wing, 2.50; tail, 1.90. Colors darker than var. savanna, the ground-color more uniform, and the black streaks heavier and more numerous. Hab. Coast of California … var. anthinus.
2. P. princeps. Superciliary stripe white anteriorly; streaks on the back sandy-brown, badly defined. Wing, 3.25; tail, 2.60; bill, .45 and .23; tarsus, .95; middle toe, .80. Hab. Eastern Massachusetts (northern regions in summer?).
B. Bill robust, the culmen arched; no median light stripe on the crown. Superciliary stripe white anteriorly; streaks on the back sandy-brown, obsolete.
3. P. rostratus.
Bill, .43 and .30; wing, 2.90; tail, 2.25. Ground-color above fulvous-gray, beneath white; the streaks, above and below, sandy-brown. Colors much as in P. princeps. Hab. Coast of California, to the mouth of the Colorado River; Cape St. Lucas in winter … var. rostratus.
Bill, .33 and .22; wing, 2.55; tail, 2.00. Ground-color above plumbeous-gray; beneath white; streaks blackish-brown. Hab. Cape St. Lucas (resident?) … var. guttatus.
A careful examination of the very large series of Passerculus allied to savanna in the museum of the Smithsonian Institution, recently made, brings us to the same conclusion as that reached in 1858, namely, that, granting a single species extending over the whole of North America, there are several geographical races in different regions. Thus, taking the eastern bird as the standard, with its dark colors, reddish wings, and deep yellow superciliary stripe, and the comparative or entire absence of spots on the lower part of breast, we have in the middle province, and to some extent in the western, a race rather smaller, with more attenuated and longer bill, and paler colors; the wings grayish, the yellow of head being scarcely appreciable (var. alaudinus). On the coast of California, another series of the size and proportions of the last, but with dark yellow superciliary stripe,—the vertex-stripe even yellowish,—dark colors, and the lower part of breast, as well as the throat, decidedly streaked, as well as the jugulum (var. anthinus); and finally on the northwest coast, from Puget Sound to Kodiak, a fourth race, much larger than typical P. savanna, but absolutely undistinguishable in color, proportion of bill, etc. (var. sandwichensis). P. anthinus is not found north of California, but the other two of the western race may occur together at any point of the coast north, perhaps, of the Columbia River.
Passerculus savanna, BONAP.
SAVANNA SPARROW.
Fringilla savanna, WILSON, Am. Orn. III, 1811, 55, pl. xxii, f. 2.—IB. IV, 1811, 72, pl. xxxiv, f. 4.—AUD. Orn. Biog. II, 1834, 63; V, 1839, 516, pl. cix. Passerculus savanna, BON. List, 1838.—IB. Conspectus, 1850, 480.—CAB. Mus. Hein. 1851, 131.—BAIRD, BIRDS N. Am. 1858, 442.—COUES, P. A. N. S. 1861, 223.—SAMUELS, 301. Emberiza savanna, AUD. Syn. 1839, 103.—IB. Birds Am. III, 1841, 68, pl. clx. ? Fringilla hyemalis, GM. I, 1788, 922.—LICHT. Verzeichniss, 1823, No. 250. Gmelin’s description, based on Pennant Arctic Zoöl. II, 376 (winter Finch), applies equally well to a large number of species. Linaria savanna, RICHARDSON, List, 1837.
SP. CHAR. Feathers of the upper parts generally with a central streak of blackish-brown; the streaks of the back with a slight rufous suffusion laterally; the feathers edged with gray, which is lightest on the scapulars, and forms there two gray stripes. Crown with a broad median stripe of yellowish-gray. A superciliary streak from the bill to the back of the head, eyelids, and edge of the elbow, yellow, paler behind. A yellowish-white mandibular stripe curving behind the ear-coverts, and margined above and below by brown. The lower margin is a series of thickly crowded spots on the sides of the throat, which are also found on the sides of the neck, across the upper part of the breast, and on the sides of body, a dusky line back of the eye, making three on the side of head (including the two mandibular). A few faint spots on the throat and chin. Rest of under parts white. Outer tail-feathers and primaries edged with white. Length, 5.50; wing, 2.70; tail, 2.10.
Young. Ground-color of the upper parts (except wings and tail) light ochraceous, more brownish on top of head, upper part of back, and on upper tail-coverts; the streaks blacker and more conspicuous than in the adult. Beneath with an ochraceous tinge anteriorly, the streaks broader, and deeper black, than in the adult, though less sharply defined. The infra-maxillary streak expanded into a broad blackish elongated blotch.
HAB. Eastern North America to the Missouri plains, and northwest to Alaska. Cuba, winter (CAB. JOUR. IV, 6).
Specimens vary considerably in size, color, and shape of bill, but the average is as described. Spring birds have the markings sharper and clearer, the dark streaks with little or no suffusion of rufous.
HABITS. The Savanna Sparrow is an abundant species throughout North America, from the Atlantic sea-board to the Great Plains. It is, however, everywhere much less common in the interior than nearer the shore. The Smithsonian specimens are from points as far south as Georgia and Louisiana, and as far west as the Black Hills of Wyoming. It passes north through Massachusetts, from the first to the middle of April, and some remain to breed in the eastern part of the State. Mr. Maynard speaks of it as a common summer resident. This, however, is true only of a few restricted maritime localities, but is not so of the entire eastern portion of the State. It occurs both in the salt marshes of Charles River and in the vicinity of Fresh Pond, but I could never trace it in any of the neighboring towns. It is occasionally met with in inland situations where we would not naturally look for it. In the summer of 1869, Mr. William Brewster found quite a colony of these birds in an open field near the Glen House, at the foot of Mt. Washington. They had nests with eggs the last of July and the first of August.
In Western Massachusetts, according to Mr. Allen, it rarely or never stops to breed. In Western Maine, Mr. Verrill mentions it as a common summer visitant, and as breeding there in the latter part of May. In the vicinity of Eastport, and in all the islands of the Grand Menan group, I found these Sparrows very abundant. They almost invariably built their nests in depressions on the edge or just under the projecting tops of high bluffs of land near the sea. They were by far the most abundant of the land-birds, and it was quite common to find their nests in close proximity one to another. They arrive there in April, and leave in September, passing slowly south more in reference to the abundance of their food than the severity of the season, until the weather becomes very severe, when they all disappear. They winter in the Southern States, from Virginia to Georgia, and are especially abundant in the Carolinas. Dr. Coues states that they were very common about Columbia from October to April, moving in large flocks and associating with other species. Wilson states that he met with this species, from Savannah to New York, in all the low country, and regarded it as resident in those places, but rarely found at a distance from the sea-shore. He found them especially numerous at Great Egg Harbor, N. J.
Dr. Coues, in his visit to Labrador, in 1860, found this Sparrow abundant in that region in low moist meadows and marshy tracts near the sea-shore, but never noticed it in any other situations. He frequently observed it there feeding on the beds of dried eel-grass along the rocky shores, searching for food in company with the Titlarks and small Sandpipers.
During my visits to the islands of the Bay of Fundy, in one of which I remained a number of days, I had a good opportunity to notice these birds. In many respects their habits undergo noticeable changes during the breeding-season. As they pass north or south in their migrations, they are not particularly shy or difficult to approach, but when they had nests they seemed to become particularly cautious and mistrustful. The male and female sat by turns upon their eggs, but generally one remained within hailing distance, and always gave promptly a signal of danger when the nest was approached, at which the other would glide from the nest, running off on the ground like a mouse. I found it impossible to identify by shooting the parent on the nest, and only accomplished its identification by means of snares. When once lost in the tall grass, it was impossible to find it again, or if it reappeared it was impossible to tell which of the many chirping Sparrows, all of them out of reach of shot, and keeping a sharp lookout on my movements, had any connection with the nest. This manœuvre was gone through with in every nest I found, but I soon learned to distinguish them without the need of gun or snare.
This Sparrow is eminently terrestrial, confining itself almost entirely to the ground, and rarely alighting on anything even so high as a fence. Though frequenting low moist grounds, its nest is always in a dry spot and usually somewhat elevated. The nest is almost always sunk into the ground, is made very simply and loosely of dry grasses, with a lining of softer materials of the same. I have never found any other material than this in the many nests I have examined, although nests of var. alaudinus, in the vicinity of Fort Anderson, are frequently lined with feathers or deers’ hair, according to MacFarlane.
The eggs, five or six in number, vary considerably in their appearance. In shape they are a rounded oval, one end being much more pointed than the other. They measure .68 by .55 of an inch. In some the ground-color, which is of a greenish-white, is plainly visible, being only partially covered by blotches of brown, shaded with red and purple. These blotches are more numerous about the larger end, becoming confluent and forming a corona. In others, the ground-color is entirely concealed by confluent ferruginous fine dots, over which are darker markings of brown and purple and a still darker ring of the same about the larger end.
Passerculus savanna, var. alaudinus, BONAP.
WESTERN SAVANNA SPARROW.
Passerculus alaudinus, BP. Comptes Rendus, XXXVII, Dec. 1853, 918, California.—IB. Notes Ornithologiques Delattre, 1854, 18 (reprint of preceding).—Baird, Birds N. Am. 1858, 446, pl. xlvi.—COOPER & SUCKLEY, 197, pl. xxviii, f. 2.—ELLIOT, Illust. Am. B. III.—DALL & BANNISTER, Tr. Ch. Ac. I, 1869, 284 (Alaska).—COOPER, Orn. Cal. 1, 181. Passerculus savanna and P. anthinus, DALL & BANNISTER, Tr. Ch. Ac. I, 1869, pp. 283, 284.
SP. CHAR. Similar to P. savanna, but smaller; the bill slenderer and more elongated. Little of yellow in the superciliary stripe (most distinct anteriorly); the rest of the head without any tinge of the same. General color much paler and grayer than in P. savanna. Breast with only a few spots. Length, 5.25; wing, 2.75; tail, 2.30.
HAB. Middle and Western Provinces of North America; south to Orizaba, north to Alaska (Kodiak) and the Arctic coast. Oaxaca (SCL. Oct.); Vera Cruz (winter, SUMICHRAST).
This western race of P. savanna is smaller, considerably paler in general colors, the superciliary stripe with little yellow in it, and the bill more slender, and longer. In coloration, some Atlantic coast specimens often exhibit an approximation, especially in the pale tint of the superciliary stripe; but the bill is always decidedly more attenuated in alaudinus.
The Western Savanna Sparrow is a common species throughout the Western Province of North America, from the plains to California, and from Alaska to Mexico. In California it appears to be replaced along the Pacific coast by the variety anthinus, a quite different and very local form. In Alaska, specimens were obtained by the naturalists of the Russian Telegraph Expedition at various localities, chiefly in the interior, and on the Yukon it was obtained by Mr. Lockhart. Dr. Cooper found it at Fort Steilacoom, in Washington Territory, where it was in company with P. sandwichensis, in the wet meadows. In California this species inhabits chiefly, according to Dr. Cooper, the dry plains of the interior of the State. The statement of the occurrence of this form anywhere along the coast of California should be received with considerable doubt, since in the large series of these birds all specimens from this region are of the variety anthinus, an exclusively littoral type.
HABITS. The Western Savanna Sparrow was found throughout the Great Basin, by Mr. Ridgway, in all wet, grassy situations, in which preference it is like its eastern relative. It was very abundant at Carson City, inhabiting exclusively the meadows. At Salt Lake City it was also very abundant, frequenting the wet meadows near the Jordan.
This bird was also obtained at Sitka by Bischoff, and was found on the Yukon by Mr. Lockhart. It is the only species found in the Valley of the Mackenzie, up to the Arctic coast.
Dr. Cooper also met with it among the low meadows of Washington Territory, where they arrived in March, and remained until late in October. They were usually found among the grass, from which they rarely rise, except to sing their faint and lisping trill from a weed or some low bush. Mr. Ridgway represents this song as corresponding with the syllables witz-witz-wih´-tzull. This, he states, is uttered in a weak and lisping manner, as the bird perches on a bush beside the brook, or on a fence, or as it nestles among the grass on the ground.
Dr. Cooper speaks of them as only winter visitants in California, and there residing only on the dry interior plains, as far south as San Diego, where they remain in large flocks until April. He has never met with this bird during the summer months, though some are supposed to remain and breed in the high prairies. He did not meet with any about the summits of the Sierra Nevada, in September. They appeared to prefer the dry rolling prairies to marshes, though they were occasionally found in the latter.
This species is also a migratory visitant to the Department of Vera Cruz, Mexico, where they are said by Sumichrast to pass the winter.
Their nests are built upon the ground, and are composed almost entirely of the dry stems of grasses, and are lined with finer materials of the same. Their eggs measure .75 of an inch in length by .52 in breadth, have a greenish-white ground, over which are distributed numerous markings, spots, and blotches of various sizes, of a light purplish-brown and a deeper red-brown, confluent about the larger end, where they form a crown.
Near Fort Anderson nests were found in great numbers, no less than two hundred and four having been obtained during four summers in that locality. These nests were all taken on the ground, under low grass, in dry spots in a large marshy prairie, and it is stated that they were never found in any other situation or locality.
Passerculus savanna, var. sandwichensis, BAIRD.
NORTHWESTERN SAVANNA SPARROW.
Emberiza sandwichensis, GM. I, 1788, 875. Emberiza arctica, LATHAM, Ind. Orn. I, 1790, 414. Fringilla arctica, VIGORS, Zoöl. of Blossom, 1839, 20 (perhaps one of the smaller species).—“BRANDT, Icon. Ross. 2, 6.” Euspiza arctica, BP. Conspectus, 1850, 469. Zonotrichia arctica, FINSCH, 1872. Emberiza chrysops, PALLAS, Zoög. Rosso-As. II, 1811, 45, tab. xlviii, fig. 1 (Unalaska). Sandwich Bunting, LATH. Syn. II, 1783, 202. Unalaska Bunting, PENNANT, Arctic Zoöl. II, 363, 320, No. 229 (not of p. 364, No. 233). Passerculus sandwichensis, BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 444.—DALL & BANNISTER, Tr. Ch. Ac. I, 1869, 284.—COOPER, Orn. Cal. 1, 180. Passerculus savanna, DALL & BANNISTER, Tr. Ch. Ac. I, 1869, 283.
SP. CHAR. Almost exactly like P. savanna, but half an inch longer, with much larger bill. Length, 6.12 inches; wing, 3.00; tail, 2.55. Bill above, .50; below, .36; gape, .56; depth, .27.
HAB. Northwestern coast from the Columbia River to Russian America.
Specimens of this race from Sitka are absolutely undistinguishable from eastern P. savanna except in size; the colors and proportion of bill being the same. A young bird (from Kodiak) differs from that of savanna in larger size, and a bright reddish-fulvous tinge to upper parts, and a deep yellowish-fulvous tinge on jugulum and along the sides.
HABITS. This variety is the northwest-coast form of the common Savanna Sparrow, and is found during the summer from Oregon to Alaska. Dr. Suckley states that he found this species an abundant spring visitor at Fort Steilacoom. Dr. Cooper, in his Zoology of Washington Territory, states it to be only a passenger through that section, migrating northward, at the end of April, in pairs, and not returning until the end of September. They come back in flocks, and frequent the shores and prairies along the sea-coast. Their plumage seems to be the same at all seasons. Nothing is known of their note. They are supposed to spend their winters in Southern Oregon and California, though their actual presence has not been detected in either State. They do not remain during the summer near the Columbia, but pass to the north, or to the interior plains east of the Cascade Range. Dr. Cooper states that their habits closely resemble those of P. anthinus.
Mr. Dall states that two specimens of this species were taken at Sitka by Mr. Bischoff.
Passerculus savanna, var. anthinus, BONAP.
CALIFORNIA SHORE SPARROW.
Passerculus anthinus, BONAP. Comptes Rendus, XXVII, Dec. 1853, 919, Russian America.[115]—IB. Notes Ornith. Delattre, 1854, 19.—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, p. 445.—COOPER, Orn. Cal. 1, 1870, 183.
SP. CHAR. Similar to P. savanna, but smaller. Beneath tinged with reddish. Breast and upper part of belly thickly spotted with sharply defined sagittate brown spots, exhibiting a tendency to aggregation on the middle of the belly. Superciliary stripe and one in the middle of the crown decided greenish-yellow, the head generally tinged with the same, as also the back and sides of the neck. Under tail-coverts somewhat streaked. Length, 5.00; wing, 2.66; tail, 2.24.
HAB. Coast of California, near San Francisco; “Russian America, Kodiak” (BONAPARTE).
This is the most strongly marked of the several races of P. savanna, differing from all the others in several important respects. The markings beneath are more generally dispersed, extending back upon the lower part of the breast, and forward over the throat; the lower tail-coverts have distinct medial blackish streaks, though they are somewhat concealed. The median stripe on the crown is decidedly greenish-yellow, not pale ashy; the whitish edges to the interscapular feathers, so conspicuous in the other races, are more concealed, presenting a more uniformly brown surface above, with broader black stripes. The broad lateral stripes of the crown are deep olive or hair-brown, with narrow, sharply defined, intense black streaks, instead of pale grayish as in alaudinus (spring dress), or light brown as in savanna (spring), with broader, less deep, black streaks.
HABITS. The Shore Sparrow of California is said to be, to a remarkable degree, the peculiar marsh species of the Pacific coast of that State. Dr. Cooper states that he very rarely met with these birds out of the salt marshes, where they lie so close and run so stealthily among the weeds that they are flushed with difficulty. They rise only to fly a few rods, and drop again into their covert. They are not at all gregarious, except when migrating, and are found singly or by pairs. They are abundant about San Francisco in the winter, though Dr. Cooper is not sure that any are found so far south in the summer. Near San Diego, in February, they had already begun to utter their short and pleasant song, as they perched on the top of some tall weed. Dr. Cooper observed them in that neighborhood into April, but did not succeed in finding any of their nests, nor was he ever able to meet with this species at San Pedro in summer.
Dr. Coues speaks of (Ibis, 1866, p. 268) finding three species of the difficult group of Passerculi, and all of them very abundant, in Southern California in November. These were P. rostratus, P. alaudinus, and P. anthinus. The anthinus seemed confined to the moist salt grass and sedgy weeds of the sea-shore itself. It was flushed with great difficulty, and then its flight was very rapid and irregular. It would alight again almost immediately, and run with great celerity among the roots of the thick grasses, and was therefore exceedingly difficult to procure. P. alaudinus was common two or three miles away from the coast, but Dr. Coues did not find one mixing with P. anthinus. It was a brush and weed, rather than a grass, species, associating with Anthus ludovicianus and Zonotrichia coronata.
Passerculus princeps, MAYNARD.
IPSWICH SPARROW.
Centronyx bairdi, MAYNARD, Naturalist’s Guide, 1870, 117, frontispiece (Ipswich, Mass.). Passerculus princeps, MAYNARD, American Naturalist, 1872.
SP. CHAR. Bill small, exactly the same in form and size as that of Centronyx bairdi; but proportionally smaller; tertials scarcely exceeding the secondaries; tail emarginate, the feathers acute, the intermediæ attenuated terminally. Outstretched feet reaching about half-way to the end of the tail. In color almost exactly like P. rostratus, but different in markings. Above light ashy, the dorsal feathers light sandy-brown centrally, producing an obsoletely spotted appearance; shafts of dorsal feathers black. Outer surface of the wings pale sandy-brown, the feathers darker centrally; tertials with their outer webs whitish, and with a conspicuous black central area. Crown becoming darker brown anteriorly, where it is divided by a rather indistinct line of ochraceous-white; an indistinct superciliary stripe, and a very conspicuous maxillary stripe of the same; the latter bordered above, from the rictus to the end of the auriculars, by a narrow stripe of dusky; lores and sub-orbital region like the superciliary stripe; auriculars pale brownish like the crown, bordered along the upper and lower edge with a dusky narrow stripe. Beneath white, slightly tinged with ashy on the flanks; sides of the throat, whole breast, sides, and flanks, with narrow streaks of sandy-brown, more blackish toward the shaft; abdomen, crissum, and lining of the wing, immaculate; throat with a few minute specks, but along each side bordered by a “bridle” of suffused streaks.
♂. (Collector’s No. 1,744, Ipswich, Mass. Dec. 4, 1868; C. J. Maynard.) Wing, 3.25; tail, 2.60; culmen, .45; tarsus, .95; middle toe, .80; hind claw, .40.
♀. (Collector’s No. 6,245, Ipswich, Oct. 15, 1871; C. J. M.) Wing, 2.90; tail, 2.40; culmen, .50; tarsus, .85; middle toe, .65; hind claw, .30.
(Collector’s No. 6,224, Ipswich, Oct. 14, 1871; C. J. M.) Wing, 3.00; tail, 2.30; culmen, .50; tarsus, .85; middle toe, .60; hind claw, .30.
The specimens described above were at first supposed to be Centronyx bairdi, having several points of resemblance to that species, a comparison with the type in Professor Baird’s collection at first failing to establish a difference, as it was in faded and much worn summer plumage, while the Massachusetts specimens were in perfect, blended fall dress, so that a satisfactory comparison was almost impossible. A more recent examination, however, with the advantage of two additional specimens of the Massachusetts bird, has fully convinced Mr. Maynard that his specimens are not Centronyx bairdi, and that, indeed, they are referrible in all respects to the genus Passerculus.
In carefully examining the type of Centronyx bairdi, it is seen that its characteristic features are the following: Outstretched feet reaching beyond the end of the tail; hind claw as long as its digit, and much curved;—whereas in Mr. Maynard’s specimens the outstretched feet reach to only about the middle of the tail, while the hind claw is much shorter than its digit, and only slightly curved. With a wing .10 to .45 of an inch longer, they have the tarsus not any longer, and proportionally more slender. In coloration they are still more different. The most striking feature in C. bairdi is a broad and very conspicuous median stripe of ochraceous-buff on the crown, bordered on each side by an aggregation of black streaks, which form the predominating color of the lateral stripes; of this median stripe there is scarcely any trace in the specimens under consideration, while the crown generally is grayish-brown, with small dusky streaks; C. bairdi has broad, conspicuous, black stripes on the back, while P. princeps has obsolete sandy-brown ones; in C. bairdi there are only a few small streaks of black across the jugulum and along the sides and flanks, while in P. princeps the whole breast, as well as the sides and flanks, are thickly streaked with broader marks of sandy-brown.
In point of coloration, as well as in the feet, there is in reality a much closer resemblance to Passerculus rostratus; but in this the very different bill and different arrangement of markings are sufficient distinctive characters.
Upon the whole, therefore, there can be little doubt that the present birds are well entitled to the name which Mr. Maynard has given them; for after making all possible allowance for seasonal differences in coloration, we have found it impossible to reconcile them with the C. bairdi.
In this species there is a slight superficial resemblance to Poocætes gramineus; but upon comparison it will be found to be entirely different: thus, P. gramineus lacks the median light stripe on the crown, has the lesser wing-coverts rufous and the lateral tail-feathers white, while the streaks are all blackish and the ground-color different; the generic details, too, are quite different.
HABITS. This species has been obtained only in Eastern Massachusetts, where, in the neighborhood of Ipswich, it was found among the sand-hills by the sea-shore. The place where the individuals taken were met with is a rather remarkable tract, three miles in length and nearly one in breadth. It is as treeless as the Great Plains, and as bleak and barren, with no vegetation except a scant growth of coarse grass. Mr. Maynard obtained his first specimen early in December, 1868. Although others were seen, yet this was all he was then able to obtain. He has since taken others in the same place and season. Nothing is known as to its habits. It uttered, as it rose, a short chirp of alarm.
Passerculus rostratus, BAIRD.
SAN DIEGO SPARROW.
Emberiza rostrata, CASSIN, Pr. A. N. Sc. VI, 1852, 348. Ammodramus rostratus, CASSIN, Ill. I, 1855, 226, pl. xxxviii. Passerculus rostratus, BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 446.—COOPER, Orn. Cal. 1, 1870, 184.
SP. CHAR. Bill very long (.55 of an inch above). Whole upper parts and sides of head and neck pale brownish-gray (almost fulvous), nearly every feather with a darker central blotch, darkest along the shaft. A scarcely appreciable central stripe in the crown, an obscure yellowish-white superciliary, and a whitish maxillary one. Under parts pure white; streaked on the breast and the sides of throat and body with dark brown (the streak paler externally). Under tail-coverts unspotted white. Tail and wing feathers and wings margined with the color of the back; the edges of tertiaries rather paler. Length, 5.30; wing, 2.90; tail, 2.30.
HAB. Coast of California, south to Cape St. Lucas; mouth of Colorado River (DR. PALMER).
The bill of this species is very long and conical, the cutting edge nearly straight. The wings are rather long, the tertiaries nearly as long in the closed wing as the primaries; the second, third, and fourth quills longest, the first rather longer than the fifth. The tail is short and emarginate, the feathers narrow, acute, and moderately stiff. The tarsi are long; the claws little curved.
This species resembles the Passerculus savanna rather more than any of the other sparrows with spotted breasts; the bill is, however, very much longer and larger, exceeding any of our American species of its size, the upper outline more convex. Its colors are much paler, and it lacks the yellow on the head and wing. The much shorter tail and entire absence of rufous distinguish it from the spotted Melospizas. In shape the bill is like that of Ammodromus caudacutus, but it is larger; the head lacks the yellow, etc.
In some specimens the streaks on the back are almost obsolete.
HABITS. So far as is known, this bird seems to have a somewhat restricted habitat, being apparently confined to the sea-coast of Southern California. There it was first met with by Dr. Heermann, in the neighborhood of San Diego, and was described by Mr. Cassin as an Ammodromus, with which genus of birds it seemed to have many peculiarities in common. Dr. Heermann first met with this bird in 1851, on the shores of the bay of San Diego, in company with other species, apparently in search of grass-seed. Afterwards, in the Pacific Railroad Survey, with Lieutenant Williamson, he again met with these birds in considerable numbers at Santa Barbara and San Pedro. In all the places in which he met with it he found it frequenting low sandy beaches, and the heavy sedge-grass which abounds on the shores. On the former it seemed to be feeding on marine insects and seeds thrown up by the tide, and in the latter to find places for easy and immediate concealment when alarmed or pursued. Naturally it appeared to be a quiet and unsuspicious bird. He heard it utter no other note than a short sharp chirp.
Dr. Cooper thinks this species has a much greater affinity to the Ammodrami than to the Passerculi, both in its bill and claws, as well as in its habits. He found them very abundant, both at San Pedro and San Diego, at all seasons, and he does not think that they migrate at all from those localities. He found them frequenting the shores of the bays and the sea-beaches. They also came confidently and familiarly about the buildings near the water, feeding on any seeds or insects they could find. On the beach they run along the sand, in the rows of drifted sea-weeds, seeking their food, and rarely take to flight unless surprised, and then only fly a short distance. Dr. Cooper has never known them to alight on any bush, nor does he think that they have any song. The only note he has ever heard them utter is a short chirp. At San Pedro he saw them, in July, feeding their young, but he has never found a nest that he was certain belonged to this species.
Dr. Coues found this bird abundant in Southern California, where it kept among the thick weeds of the dry plain, and was much on the ground, where it ran as easily as a Pipilo, often flying up into the bushes and resting there quietly. They were to be seen also in great numbers sunning themselves and catching flies on the piles of lumber on the wharf, so tame as to be almost liable to be struck by a cane.
It is a winter resident at Cape St. Lucas, where Mr. Xantus found them abundant. They were not seen there in summer, though it is probable they reside on the shores in its neighborhood. Their nest and eggs remain unknown.
Passerculus rostratus, var. guttatus, LAWR.
ST. LUCAS SPARROW.
Passerculus guttatus, LAWRENCE, Ann. N. Y. Lyc. VIII, 1867, 473.—COOPER, Orn. Cal. 1, 185.
SP. CHAR. Above plumbeous-gray; the feathers of the back with dusky centres and paler edges; the top of head also streaked with dusky and with an almost inappreciable median stripe of lighter. Upper tail-coverts slightly darker in the centre. No rufous edgings to the feathers. Head with a pale yellowish-white band from bill over the eye; and a mandibular one, nearly white, bordered above and below by the dusky line of other Passerculus. Under parts white, thickly streaked on jugulum, breast, and flanks with dusky, faintly on under tail-coverts. Bill and legs rather dusky; iris brown. Length, 5.00; wing, 2.50; tail, 1.95; tarsus, .80; middle toe and claw, .75; bill above, .51; gape, .56; greatest height, .25.
HAB. Cape St. Lucas (Dec., 1859).
This bird, of which a single specimen only is so far known, is very closely related to P. rostratus, though very easily distinguished from it. It is considerably smaller than rostratus, the bill more slender, the upper parts much darker, being plumbeous, not sandy-colored; the stripes beneath darker; the bill and legs more dusky. These differences may not indicate a distinct species, but as the specimen here described differs entirely from all the specimens of a large number of P. rostratus, it is yet entitled to consideration as a marked variety,—probably the resident race at Cape St. Lucas, where the var. rostratus is merely a winter visitor.
HABITS. The St. Lucas Finch is a new species, in regard to the habits of which nothing whatever is as yet known. It was obtained at San José, in Lower California, by Mr. John Xantus, in December, 1859. It was found in company with a flock of Passerculus rostratus, and the presumption is that its habits may resemble those of that little-known species.
GENUS POOCÆTES, BAIRD.
Poocætes, BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 447. (Type, Fringilla graminea, GM.)
GEN. CHAR. Bill rather large; upper outline slightly decurved towards the end, lower straight; commissure slightly concave. Tarsus about equal to the middle toe; outer toe a little longer than the inner, its claw reaching to the concealed base of the middle claw; hind toe reaching to the middle of the middle claw. Wings unusually long, reaching to the middle of the tail as far as the coverts, and pointed; the primaries considerably longer than the secondaries, which are not much surpassed by the tertiaries; second and third quills longest; first little shorter, about equal to the fourth, shorter than the tail; the outer feathers scarcely shorter; the feathers rather stiff; each one acuminate and sharply pointed; the feathers broad nearly to the end, when they are obliquely truncate. Streaked with brown above everywhere; beneath, on the breast and sides. The lateral tail-feather is white. Shoulder chestnut-brown.
The essential character of the genus consists in the long and pointed wings, longer than the tail and without long tertials; and the rather stiff, forked tail, with its acute feathers. But one species is recognized at present.
Poocætes gramineus, BAIRD.
GRASS SPARROW; BAY-WINGED BUNTING.
Var. gramineus.
Fringilla graminea, GM. Syst. Nat. I, 1788, 922.—AUD. Orn. Biog. I, 1831, 473; V, 502, pl. xc. Emberiza graminea, WILSON, Am. Orn. IV, 1811, 51, pl. xxxi, f. 5.—AUD. Syn. 1839, 102.—IB. Birds Am. III, 1841, 65, pl. clix.—MAX. Cab. Jour. vi, 1858, 342. Fringilla (Zonotrichia) graminea, SWAINSON, F. B. Am. II, 1831, 254. Zonotrichia graminea, BON. List, 1838.—IB. Conspectus, 1850, 478. Poocætes gramineus, BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 447.—SAMUELS, 303.
[Line drawing: Poocætes gramineus. 11123 ♀]
SP. CHAR. Tail-feathers rather acute. Above light yellowish-brown; the feathers everywhere streaked abruptly with dark brown, even on the sides of the neck, which are paler. Beneath yellowish (sometimes reddish) white; on the jugulum and sides of neck and body streaked with brown. A faint light superciliary and maxillary stripe; the latter margined above and below with dark brown: the upper stripe continued around the ear-coverts, which are darker than the brown color elsewhere. Wings with the shoulder light chestnut-brown, and with two dull whitish bands along the ends of the coverts; the outer edge of the secondaries also is white. Exposed portion of outer tail-feather, and edge and tip of the second, white. Length, about 6.20; wing, 3.10; tail, 2.50; bill, .33 from frontal feathers to point, by .33 in depth at base; tarsus, .72. Bill yellow, dusky above; legs yellow. (Measurement of No. 10,147 ♀, Washington, D. C.)
HAB. Eastern Province of United States.
Var. confinis.
Poocætes gramineus, var. confinis, BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, p. 448 (in text under P. gramineus). Poocætes gramineus, COOPER & SUCKLEY, 200.—COOPER, Orn. Cal. 1, 186.
SP. CHAR. Resembling P. gramineus, but colors paler, the dark streaks narrower. Bill more slender, tarsi longer. (Measurement of 40,803 ♂, Fort Whipple, Arizona: Bill, .36 from point of frontal feathers by .25 in depth through base; tarsus, .78; wing, 3.35; tail, 2.80).
HAB. Western and Middle Provinces of United States, south into Mexico; Oaxaca (SCL. 1859, 379; March).
This species is readily identified by the absence of a median stripe on the head, the chestnut-brown of the shoulder, and the white lateral tail-feathers. The young birds have the ground-color above more whitish, the streaks blacker, in sharper contrast; the streaks on jugulum, etc., less sharply defined;
the general appearance, however, is not different from the adult. Sometimes there is a decided cinnamon wash beneath. Western specimens (var. confinis) appear to be paler, with longer wings, and longer and more slender bills, in this respect resembling other Finches (Melospiza, Passerculus, etc.).
All specimens from west of the Rocky Mountains are to be referred to var. confinis.
HABITS. The Bay-winged or Grass Finch is a very abundant species wherever found, and has a very extended distribution. Accepting as one species the slightly variant races above indicated, this bird extends from Florida and Mexico, on the south, to the 57th parallel of latitude, and from the eastern to the western shores. It was found by Richardson frequenting the plains of the Saskatchewan, where it arrives early in May and leaves in September, and where it nests abundantly in the short withered grass of that sterile region. Richardson did not trace it farther north than the 57th parallel, and it was not obtained on the Yukon or Anderson Rivers by Mr. MacFarlane or Mr. Lockhart. It breeds from Northern Virginia north.
In the Middle States it is partially resident, a portion remaining all the winter. South of Washington it is chiefly migratory, only found, in any numbers, from November to March, and probably but few remaining to breed. Audubon states that he never saw any of this species in any portion of Louisiana, Missouri, Kentucky, or Ohio. Mr. Dresser, on the other hand, found them common about San Antonio in August and September, and also in May and June, and had no doubt that some remain to breed.
It is very abundant throughout New England, arriving in some seasons as early as March 11, and remaining until quite late in the fall, often through November. It is found chiefly in dry open fields and pastures, where it nests, with no pains at concealment, on the ground, in depressions made by its own work. It is an unsuspicious and fearless species, neither seeking nor avoiding the companionship of man. It does not usually build near houses, yet is not unfrequently known to do so. It may be often found perched on fences along the roadside, chanting its simple and pleasing lay, and quite as frequently in the road feeding and dusting itself. The latter operation it is very fond of practising, and almost any day in the summer these birds may be found in such situations.
West of the Great Plains is found a marked variety of this species, differing in many respects from the eastern. The western species or race of this Finch, Mr. Ridgway states, is an abundant summer bird in all the elevated grassy portions of the West. It is especially characteristic of the higher grassy slopes of the elevated mountains, particularly in the Rocky Mountain regions, and its sweet and simple song is one of the pleasant associations of those regions. It descends, in the autumn, to the lower districts, having been observed during September in the greatest abundance among the “rye-grass” meadows of Senot Valley, at the northern end of the East Humboldt Range. It nests on the ground in grassy banks, in various situations.
Dr. Suckley found this bird abundant on the Nisqually Plains, about Puget Sound; and Dr. Cooper says it is common, in summer, on the prairies of the interior of Washington Territory. Dr. Cooper also found it wintering in the Colorado Valley, in considerable numbers, but all disappeared in April. He thinks they breed in Northern California, though he has never found them doing so. Dr. Newberry states that they are common in the Sacramento Valley, both in the summer and in the fall. It was found by Mr. Boucard, in winter, near Oaxaca, Mexico.
Their song is a very simple and pleasant succession of soft notes, resembling that of the Canary, but thinner and feebler. It is begun early in the morning and continued a few hours, and then renewed at sunset and kept up often until after dark. It is also not unlike the song of the Song Sparrow, but is neither so varied nor so loud and strong. It continues to sing until late in the season.
They feed in the road, eating insects, seeds, and grain. They are fond of searching also in ploughed fields, and keep principally upon the ground, exclusively so when they are searching for their food.
Although as unsuspicious as the Song Sparrow or the Chipping Sparrow, this Finch rarely, like them, comes about the house for crumbs of bread, but seems to prefer to forage for itself in the fields and by the roadside. Taken from the nest, these birds may be readily tamed, and soon become very interesting and familiar little pets, though Nuttall states that where several are thus kept they become very jealous of each other, and quarrelsome.
Their nest is always placed upon the ground, and is very simply constructed of dry stems of grasses, with no other lining than soft fine materials of the same. They have two, and sometimes three, broods in a season. When their nest is approached, they make use of various artifices to draw away the intruder, and often vary their devices in a very striking manner. In May, 1836, crossing a field within a few rods of my home in Roxbury, I nearly stepped upon a female sitting upon her nest. She immediately tumbled forward towards me, counterfeiting the most extraordinary lameness, so much so that I supposed that I had really stepped upon and severely injured her. I stooped to pick up what I supposed to be a wounded bird, and found her nest and four eggs. Visiting her nest again, as I approached she flew from it quietly and silently, and immediately began the same manœuvres, at some little distance from her nest, which she discontinued as soon as she noticed that I was examining her treasures. These devices she varied several times in a very remarkable manner. In Massachusetts I have known this species to have its complement of eggs by the 15th of April.
The eggs of this species are usually five, often four, and rarely six in number. They are of an oblong-oval shape, the smaller end but slightly more pointed than the other. They vary greatly in size, ranging from .90 to .80 of an inch in length, and averaging about .65 in breadth. Their ground-color is a pale greenish-white, marked with spots, lines, dots, and blotches of various shades of reddish and purplish brown. In some eggs the spots are few and small, chiefly confluent in a ring about the larger end, while the ground-color is very plainly distinguishable. In others the ground is nearly concealed by the abundance of the spots.
GENUS COTURNICULUS, BONAP.
Coturniculus, BONAP. Geog. List, 1838. (Type, Fringilla passerina, WILS.)
[Line drawing: Coturniculus passerinus. 38741 ♂]
GEN. CHAR. Bill very large and stout, (except in C. lecontei); the under mandible broader, but lower than the upper, which is decidedly convex at the basal portion of its upper outline. Legs moderate, apparently not reaching to the end of the tail. The tarsus appreciably longer than the middle toe; the lateral toes equal, and with their claws falling decidedly short of the middle claw; the hind toe intermediate between the two. The wings are short and rounded, reaching to the base of the tail; the tertiaries almost as long as the primaries; not much difference in length in the primaries, although the outer three or four are slightly graduated. The tail is short and narrow, shorter than the wing (except in C. lecontei), graduated laterally, but slightly emarginate; the feathers all lanceolate and acute, but not stiffened, as in Ammodromus.
This genus agrees with Passerculus in the short and narrow tail. The wings are much shorter and more rounded; the feet shorter, especially the middle toe, which is not as long as the tarsus. The tail-feathers are more lanceolate. The bill is much larger, and more swollen at the base.
The essential characters of this genus consist in the swollen convex bill; the short toes, compared with the tarsus; the short and rounded wings; and the very small, narrow, slightly graduated tail, with its lanceolate acute feathers (except in the South American C. manimbe).
In some respects there is a resemblance to Ammodromus, in which, however, the bill is very much more slender; the wings still shorter, and more rounded; the tail-feathers much stiffer, and even more lanceolate; the toes extending beyond the tip of the tail; the middle toe rather longer than the tarsus, instead of considerably shorter.
C. lecontei has the same general form, but a much smaller bill.
Synopsis of Species.
COMMON CHARACTERS. Crown and back streaked with black upon an ashy, olive, or chestnut ground; beneath whitish, tinged across the breast with ochraceous or ashy, plain, or with blackish streaks on the breast. A light superciliary stripe.
A. Tail-feathers attenuated, acute at ends, much graduated. On the crown a median light stripe.
a. A dusky streak on each side of the throat, and one above the light ochraceous maxillary stripe.
1. C. henslowi. Bill very robust, .35 along culmen by .30 deep at base. Wing, 2.25; tail, 2.20. Head ochraceous or greenish olive, lighter on the throat; a blackish stripe on each side of the crown. Breast streaked with black at all ages. Hab. Eastern Province of United States.
b. No dusky streak on side of throat nor above the maxillæ.
2. C. lecontei. Bill very narrow, only .16 broad by .20 deep at base. Median stripe of the crown ochraceous for anterior third, the remaining part ashy-white; superciliary stripe wholly ochraceous; edge of wing white; breast sparsely streaked in the adult. Wing, 2.15; tail, 2.20. Hab. Plains west of the Missouri, from Texas to Dakota.
3. C. passerinus. Bill robust, .23, or more, broad, by .24, or more, deep at base. Median stripe of the crown ochraceous throughout; superciliary stripe yellow anteriorly, ashy posteriorly; edge of wing bright yellow, breast unstreaked in the adult, streaked in the young, in which the head stripes are ashy, with no yellow on wing or over lore.
Colors dark, the black markings predominating above. Ad. Anterior lower parts deep buff at all seasons. Juv. Dusky streaks on breast very distinct. Bill, .33 and .30; wing, 2.60; tail, 1.90. Hab. Eastern Province of United States, and West Indies … var. passerinus.
Colors pale, the light markings predominating above. Ad. Buff of the breast scarcely observable in summer. Juv. Dusky streaks on breast scarcely appreciable. Bill, .33 and .24; wing, 2.60; tail, 1.90. Hab. Western Province of United States … var. perpallidus.
B. Tail-feathers broad, rounded at ends; only slightly rounded. Crown not divided by a median stripe.
4. C. manimbe. Head clear ashy, whitish on throat; crown uniformly streaked with black. Supra-loral streak and edge of wing bright yellow. No streaks on breast in adult.
Breast tinged with ashy; black streaks on upper parts much narrower than the intervening ones of the ashy ground-color; dorsal feathers rufescent-umber medially, edged with ashy, and with a shaft-streak of black. Wing, 2.35; tail. 2.00. Hab. Brazil … var. manimbe.
Breast tinged with ochraceous; black streaks on upper parts much broader than the ashy ones of the ground-color; dorsal feathers black, edged with ashy; wing, 2.25; tail, 1.90. Hab. Buenos Ayres and Uruguay … var. dorsalis.
Coturniculus henslowi, BONAP.
HENSLOW’S BUNTING.
Emberiza henslowi, AUD. Orn. Biog. I, 1831, 360, pl. lxxvii.—IB. Syn. 1839, 104.—IB. Birds Am. III, 1841, 75, pl. clxiii.—NUTTALL, Man. I, 1832, App. Coturniculus henslowi, BON. List, 1838.—IB. Conspectus, 1850, 481.—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 451.—MAYNARD, Birds E. Mass. 1870, 117.—SAMUELS, 306. Fringilla henslowi, NUTTALL, Man. I, (2d ed.,) 1840, 571.
SP. CHAR. Upper parts yellowish-brown, the hood, neck, and upper parts of back tinged with greenish-yellow. Interscapular feathers dark brown, suffused externally with bright brownish-red; each feather with grayish borders. Tertiaries, rump, and tail-feathers abruptly dark chestnut-brown, darkest centrally, paler externally, and narrowly margined with gray. Crown with a broad black spotted stripe on each side; these spots continued down to the back. Two narrow black mandibular stripes and one post-ocular on each side of the head, and an obscure black crescent or spot behind the auriculars. Under parts light brownish-yellow, paler on the throat and abdomen. The jugulum, upper part of the breast, and the sides of the body, conspicuously streaked with black. Edge of wing yellow. A strong tinge of pale chestnut on the wings and tail. The median tail-feathers and upper coverts chestnut or rufous brown, with sharply defined shaft-streaks of black. Length, 5.25; wing, 2.15; tail, 2.15.
HAB. Eastern United States as far north as Massachusetts; westward to the Loup Fork of Platte.
This species is related to C. passerinus, but readily distinguished by the well-marked stripes on breast and sides, the greenish-yellow, not chestnut-brown, of head and nape, and the two mandibular dusky stripes. The middle tail-feathers are reddish with only a very narrow sharply defined median shaft-streak of black, instead of having the greater portion of the centre dusky with scalloped edges. I have not seen young birds, but they probably differ little from the adults.
HABITS. The history and general distribution of Henslow’s Bunting is still somewhat imperfectly known. Mr. Audubon first met with it, in 1820, in Kentucky, nearly opposite to Cincinnati. It was seen on the ground, amongst the tall grass, and is said to have exhibited all the peculiarities of this tribe. He was afterwards informed that this bird is abundant in the State of New Jersey, and that it breeds there; and in evidence of this he mentions receiving a specimen from Dr. Trudeau, obtained by that gentleman himself. Mr. Audubon also mentions that both Dr. Bachman and he have procured a great number in South Carolina, where they abound, in the latter part of autumn, and where, also, a portion remain during the winter. In Florida, Mr. Audubon again met with these birds in the winter. They were in great numbers in all the pine barrens of that State, in light and sandy soil, and in woods but thinly overgrown by tall pines. They never alight on trees, but spend their time on the ground, running with great rapidity through the grass, in the manner of a mouse.
In New Jersey they were found in ploughed fields, where they are presumed to have been overlooked and mistaken for the Yellow-winged Sparrow. Mr. Audubon supposed that they were not found farther eastward than that State.
Specimens in the Smithsonian collection have been procured in Georgia in December; in Maryland in July; at Fort Riley, Kansas, Southern Illinois, and in Nebraska, in June.
In Massachusetts they are regular summer visitants, though as yet they have been met with in only a few instances and in a somewhat restricted locality. They are now met with nearly every year, and several nests have been taken. Mr. Maynard obtained two specimens, May 10, in a wet meadow in Newton. Their song-note he describes as like the syllables see-wick, the first syllable prolonged, the latter given quickly. This bird was first obtained in Berlin, in that State, by Mr. E. S. Wheeler, who discovered its nest and eggs. It was mistaken for Bachman’s Finch, and was at first so placed on the record, though the error was immediately corrected. Since then, in that town, and in one or two others in its neighborhood, other nests have been met with. Mr. William Brewster obtained several specimens in Lexington, May 14, 1872. It is quite probable that it has been confounded with C. passerinus, and it is now supposed to be more common in the eastern part of the State than that bird.
One specimen of this Bunting was taken near Washington, during the summer season, from which circumstance Dr. Coues gives it as an exceedingly rare summer resident of the District of Columbia.
In 1871, Mr. Ridgway ascertained that, so far from being rare, Henslow’s Bunting is very abundant on the prairies of Southern Illinois, as well as the Yellow-winged species, but far exceeding the latter in numbers. Though entirely similar to that bird in habits and manners, it may be readily distinguished by its note, which is said to be an abrupt pil-lut, much more like the common summer-call of the Shore Lark than the lisped grasshopper-like chirp of the C. passerinus, and to be uttered as the bird perches on the summit of a tall weed, the tail being depressed, and the head thrown back at each utterance. A number of unidentified eggs were sent to me several years since, by Mr. Kennicott, from near Chicago. They resembled somewhat the eggs of C. passerinus, but were not the eggs of that species. I have now no doubt they belonged to this bird.
The nest is built in the ground, in a depression, or apparently an excavation scratched out by the bird itself, and is a well-made structure of coarse, dry, and soft reeds and grasses, well lined with finer materials of the same description. The eggs, five or six in number, somewhat resemble those of the C. passerinus. Their ground-color is a clear bright white, and they are spotted with well-defined reddish-brown markings, and more subdued tints of purple. The markings, so far as I have seen their eggs, are finer and fewer than those of C. passerinus, and are distributed more exclusively around the larger end. The eggs measure .78 by .60 of an inch, and are of a more oblong-oval than those of the common Yellow-Wing.
Coturniculus lecontei, BONAP.
LECONTE’S BUNTING.
Emberiza lecontei, AUD. Birds Am. VII, 1843, 338, pl. cccclxxxviii.—MAX. Cab. Jour. VI, 1858, 340. Coturniculus lecontei, BON. Conspectus, 1850, 481.—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 452.
SP. CHAR. Bill much more slender than in C. henslowi. First quill the longest, the rest diminishing rapidly. Tail emarginate and rounded, with the feathers acute. Upper parts light yellowish-red, streaked with brownish-black; the margins of the feathers and scapulars pale yellowish-white. Tail-feathers dusky, margined with light-yellowish. Lower parts, with the cheeks and a broad band over the eyes, fine buff. Medial line yellowish anteriorly, nearly white behind. The buff extending to the femorals and along the sides, streaked with brownish-black. Throat, neck, and upper parts of the breast, without any streaks, and plain buff. Length, 4.40; wing, 2.13; bill along ridge, .37; edge, .50. Legs flesh-color; bill dark blue.
HAB. Mouth of Yellowstone, to Texas.
Since the regret expressed in the Birds of North America (1858) at the loss of the single specimen known of this species, another has been received by the Smithsonian Institution from Washington Co., Texas, collected by Dr. Lincecum. It is in very poor condition, having been skinned for an alcoholic preparation, and does not admit of a satisfactory description of the colors. In its unspotted breast, the rufous feathers of the hind neck, the absence of maxillary stripes, and apparently in the markings of the wings, it is most like C. passerinus. Although the inner tail-feathers have the narrow stripe of henslowi, the bill is much smaller, as stated by Audubon, than in the others, and is apparently bluish, not yellow. The vertical stripe is deep buff anteriorly, and pale ashy posteriorly, instead of buff throughout, and the superciliary stripe is continuously buff, instead of yellow anterior to, and ashy behind, the eye. In the comparative length of wing and tail, it is most nearly related to henslowi, but the bill is very much narrower than in either. Upon the whole, there can be no doubt of its actual specific distinctness from both its allies.
HABITS. Leconte’s Sharp-tailed Sparrow was procured by Audubon in his expedition to the Yellowstone. He speaks of its having very curious notes, which he describes as of a sharp, querulous nature, and a general habit of keeping only among the long, slender green grasses that here and there grew up in patches along the margins of the creeks. So closely did it keep in the coverts to which it resorted, that it was very difficult to force it to rise on the wing, when only it could be procured. Mr. Audubon did not meet with its nest or young, and they remain unknown.
This type specimen was presented by Audubon to Professor Baird. A second was sent to the Smithsonian Institution, from Texas, by Dr. Lincecum.
Coturniculus passerinus, BONAP.
YELLOW-WINGED BUNTING.
Fringilla passerina, WILSON, Am. Orn. III, 1811, 76, pl. xxvi, f. 5.—AUD. Orn. Biog. II, 1834, 180; V, 497, pl. cxxx. _Fringilla (Spiza) passerina_, BON. Obs. Wils. 1825, No. 111. _Coturniculus passerina_, BON. List, 1838.—IB. Conspectus, 1850, 481.—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 450.—SAMUELS, 305. Emberiza passerina, AUD. Syn. 1839.—IB. Birds Am. III, 1841, 73, pl. clxii. _Fringilla savanarum_, (GM.) NUTTALL, Man. I, 1832, 494.—IB. (2d ed.) 1840, 570.—(GMELIN, Syst. Nat. I, 1788, 921?) ?? Fringilla caudacuta, LATH. Ind. Orn. I, 1790, 459.—NUTT. Man. I, 1832, 505. _? Passerina pratensis_, VIEILLOT. Coturniculus tixicrus, GOSSE. LOCALITIES: Oaxaca, March (SCL. 1859, 379). Guatemala (SCL. Ibis, I, 18). Cuba (winter, common, CAB. Journ. IV, 7). Costa Rica (CAB. Journ. VIII, 1860, 411; LAWR. IX, 103). Vera Cruz (winter, SUM. Mem. Bost. Soc. I, 552).
SP. CHAR. Feathers of the upper parts brownish-rufous or chestnut-brown, margined narrowly and abruptly with ash-color; reddest on the lower part of the back and rump; the feathers all abruptly black in the central portion; this color visible on the interscapular region, where the rufous is more restricted. Crown blackish, with a central and superciliary stripe of yellowish tinged with brown, brightest in front of the eye. Bend of the wing bright yellow; lesser coverts tinged with greenish-yellow. Quills and tail-feathers edged with whitish; tertiaries much variegated. Lower parts brownish-yellow or buff, nearly white on the middle of the belly, darkest on the jugulum. The feathers of the upper breast and sides of the body with obsoletely darker centres, these sometimes wanting. Sides of breast against bend of wing with a few black streaks, usually concealed. Length about 5 inches; wing, 2.40; tail, 2.00.
HAB. Eastern United States; south to Guatemala; Jamaica, resident; Porto Rico.
The young of this species have the jugulum and sides of the breast streaked with black, much more distinct than in the adult, and exhibiting a slight resemblance to C. henslowi. The upper parts are less varied.
Specimens from the Far West have the bill more slender, the reddish of the back considerably paler, the dark markings of the back restricted, the light stripe on the head with scarcely any yellow, a decided spot in front of the eye quite yellow, and little or no ochraceous on the breast.
The young bird, with streaked jugulum, may be most readily distinguished from C. henslowi by the grayer plumage without any shade of chestnut or greenish-yellow, the sparseness of streaks on the side, the absence of the two mandibular dusky stripes, and the broad dusky centres of the middle tail-feathers.
Quite a fine series of specimens from Jamaica and other West India Islands affords ample material to judge of the validity of the C. tixicrus of Gosse. It is scarcely possible to distinguish these Jamaican specimens from examples from the Eastern Province of the United States, though minute differences are observable. Their size is somewhat smaller, but they are resident in the region where obtained; and the shades of color are just appreciably darker. There are, however, no differences sufficient to justify retaining the name tixicrus, to designate even a variety.
All the specimens in the collection from Mexico and Guatemala are in the autumnal or winter dress, so that it is probable that they are not resident there; they appear to be identical with North American specimens, and referrible to the variety passerinus as restricted.
Between summer and winter specimens great differences are observable; in the former season the edges of the feathers become worn, so that often the chestnut spots disappear entirely, while the other markings become poorly defined, leaving the black blotches predominant.
HABITS. The common Yellow-winged Sparrow appears to be a bird of irregular and unequal distribution, found in certain localities in great abundance, and not seen in the intervening districts. According to some writers, it is partial to sandy places near the sea, and this is certainly true of the neighborhood of New York City, and also of a large portion of the New Jersey coast. It is likewise the case in certain portions of Eastern Massachusetts, as, according to Mr. Maynard, this species is very numerous in Nantucket, where it breeds abundantly. I have never met with this Sparrow in Massachusetts, except in a single instance, near Boston, nor in any collections of eggs have I seen any that I supposed could be those of this species; yet in the western part of the State, according to Mr. Allen, it is an abundant summer visitant, arriving there about the first week in May, and leaving early in September, breeding in dry fields and pastures, and raising two broods in a season. According to Mr. Boardman, it is an occasional visitant in the neighborhood of Calais, yet rare; arriving there the first of April, five weeks earlier than it shows itself in Springfield. Yet that this bird has ever been met with between Boston and Calais does not appear. It was not seen in Western Maine by Professor Verrill.
In the vicinity of Hartford, Conn., this bird appears also to be a not uncommon summer resident. In 1860, I received from Mr. T. S. Brandigee several nests found in that neighborhood. They were all constructed on the ground, in a field of thin grass, and their tops were all nearly covered over.
Dr. Heermann states that he found this bird a not uncommon species, in the summer season, near San Antonio; and Mr. Dresser also procured a specimen there in the early summer. Dr. Lincecum mentions it as a common resident in Washington County, in the same State. He describes it as a close-hiding Grass Sparrow, running on the ground in the manner of a mouse, and never seen to alight on trees. Dr. Coues speaks of it as a resident species in South Carolina, especially abundant during the period of migration.
It has been found quite common, during the winter months, in Central America, specimens having been procured there by Señor Constancia, Mr. Skinner, and Dr. Van Patten. It was also found at Oaxaca, Mexico, by Mr. Boucard.
Mr. Nuttall and Mr. Audubon speak of it as occurring in Oregon, but Dr. Cooper did not meet with it on the Pacific coast. Dr. Kennerly obtained a single specimen on one of the forks of the Colorado, in February. Mr. Ridgway met with the western form of this species, in suitable places, in the Sacramento Valley and the Great Basin, and proposes for it the name of perpallidus.
In the vicinity of Newark, N. J., I have found this species apparently one of the most abundant in that neighborhood, having obtained there in the month of June more eggs of this than of any other species.
In Northfield, Ill., near the lake shore, Mr. Robert Kennicott met with the nests of these birds in great abundance. From these facts I infer that it is not necessarily or exclusively a bird of the sea-shore, but that in certain favorable localities it is as abundant in the interior as on the coast, and that at intervals it may be met with from Texas to Maine, and from the Atlantic to the interior, nearly or quite to the Pacific coast.
In Jamaica, Mr. March states, this species is not uncommon in the savannas and grass lands near Spanish Town. It is a resident in that island, and breeds there in considerable numbers, nesting in tufts of grass-roots. It is only common in certain localities.
I have never heard its note to know it. Wilson speaks of it as a short, weak, interrupted chirp. According to Mr. Ridgway, it bears a close resemblance to the note of a grasshopper. Nuttall says they sing in an agreeable voice, something like that of the Purple Finch, though less vigorously; and Audubon characterizes it as an unmusical ditty, composed of a few notes weakly enunciated at intervals.
It is terrestrial in its habits, living, nesting, and feeding on or near the ground. It subsists on larvæ, insects, and the seeds of grasses and small weeds.
This bird builds its nest on the ground, usually in a small tuft of grass or in a cluster of plants. It is made of dry grasses, and is lined with fine bent and horsehair. The young are said to follow their parents for a short time, but soon separate, and learn to take care of themselves. This species is not gregarious, and is never seen in flocks, not even when just about to migrate.
Wilson and Nuttall describe the eggs as grayish-white, sprinkled with brown. Audubon says they are dingy-white, sprinkled with brown spots. This is not accurate. The ground-color is a clear crystalline white, beautifully dashed and marbled with bold markings of an almost golden brown. These spots vary in size, are often quite large, and occasionally make a corona about the larger end. The eggs are of a rounded oval, almost spherical, shape, measuring .75 by .63 of an inch.
Coturniculus passerinus, var. perpallidus, RIDGWAY.
WESTERN YELLOW-WINGED BUNTING.
Coturniculus passerinus, var. perpallidus, RIDGWAY, Report of U. S. Geol. Expl. 40th Par. Coturniculus passerinus, COOPER, Orn. Cal. 1, 189.
SP. CHAR. Adult (No. 58,605 ♂, Antelope I., Great Salt Lake, June 4, 1869; U. S. Geol. Expl. 40th parallel) similar to var. passerinus, but the light tints above prevailing, the ground a pale ash-color, and the chestnut spots in excess of the black ones. Specks on the nape very minute. Buff tinge to cheeks, throat, and jugulum so faint as to be scarcely appreciable. Wing, 2.60; tail, 1.90; bill, .33 from frontal feathers by .24 in depth at base; tarsus, .70. Young (No. 53,942 Ruby Valley, Nev., July 22, 1868) differing from young of var. passerinus in a predominance of the light, instead of the dark, markings on upper surface, streaks across breast so faint as to be just appreciable, instead of distinct, and nearly black.
HAB. Western Province of United States, from eastern base of Rocky Mountains to the Pacific.
This very appreciably different race replaces the restricted var. passerinus, in the Western Province of the United States. In its paler colors and much more slender bill than its eastern representative, it agrees with Passerculus alaudinus, Poocætes confinis, etc., as compared with P. savanna, P. gramineus, etc. It is to this race that the biographical notes in the preceding article refer, as far as based on western specimens.
Genus AMMODROMUS, SWAINSON.
Ammodromus, SWAINSON, Zoöl. Jour. III, 1827. (Type, Oriolus caudacutus, GM.)
GEN. CHAR. Bill very long, slender, and attenuated, considerably curved towards the tip above. The gonys straight. A decided lobe in middle of cutting edge of upper bill. The legs and toes are very long, and reach considerably beyond the tip of the short tail. The tarsus is about equal to the elongated middle toe; the lateral toes equal, their claws falling considerably short of the base of the middle one; the hind claw equal to the lateral one. Wings short, reaching only to the base of the tail; much rounded; the secondaries and tertials equal, and not much shorter than the primaries. The tail is rather shorter than the wings, and graduated laterally; each feather stiffened, lanceolate, and acute.
[Line drawing: Ammodromus caudacutus. 609 ♂]
Color. Streaked above and across the breast; very faintly on the sides.
The essential characters consist in the slender and elongated bill; the long legs reaching considerably beyond the tail, with the lateral claws falling considerably short of the middle one; and the very short rounded wings, rather longer than the cuneate tail, with its stiffened and lanceolate feathers.
COMMON CHARACTERS. Above olivaceous or ashy, the crown washed with brown laterally, the dorsal feathers darker centrally; beneath white, tinged across the jugulum with ochraceous or ashy; jugulum streaked; a dusky “bridle” on each side of throat; above it a maxillary stripe of ochraceous or white.
1. A. caudacutus. Ad. Above olive, the dorsal feathers darker and edged with whitish-ochraceous; superciliary and maxillary stripes deep ochraceous; jugulum and sides tinged with the same, and sharply streaked with black. Juv. Wholly ochraceous, darker above; crown and back streaked with black, the former divided medially by a pale-brown stripe; breast and sides streaked with black. Hab. Atlantic coast of United States.
2. A. maritimus. Ad. Above ashy, the dorsal feathers obsoletely darker centrally; superciliary stripe yellowish-ashy, bright yellow over the lores; maxillary stripe white; jugulum and sides tinged with ashy, the former obsoletely streaked with dark ashy. Juv. Above olivaceous, the crown and back streaked with black, the former not divided by a lighter median line; breast and sides washed with ochraceous and distinctly streaked with black. Hab. Atlantic coast of United States.
Ammodromus caudacutus, SWAINSON.
SHARP-TAILED BUNTING.
Oriolus caudacutus, GMELIN, I, 1788, 394.—LATHAM, Ind. Orn. I, 1790, 186 (not Fringilla caudacuta, LATH.). Fringilla caudacuta, WILSON, Am. Orn. IV, 1811, 70, pl. xxxiv, f. 3.—AUD. Orn. Biog. II, 1834, 281; V, 499, pl. cxlix. Fringilla (Spiza) caudacuta, BON. Syn. 1828, 110. Passerina caudacuta, VIEILLOT. Ammodramus caudacutus, SWAINSON, Birds, II, 1837, 289.—AUD. Synopsis, 1839, 111.—IB. Birds Am. III, 1841, 108, pl. clxxiv.—BONAP. Conspectus, 1850, 482.—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 453.—SAMUELS, 307. Fringilla littoralis, NUTTALL, Man. I, 1832, 504 (2d ed. 1840, 590). Sharp-tailed Oriole, PENNANT, Arctic Zoöl. II, 261, New York.
SP. CHAR. Upper parts brownish-olivaceous. Head brownish, streaked with black on the sides, and a broad central stripe of ashy. Back blotched with darker; edges of interscapular feathers and inner secondaries whitish, just exterior to a blackish suffusion. A broad superciliary and maxillary stripe, meeting behind the ashy ear-coverts, and a band across the upper breast, buff-yellow. The sides of the throat with a brown stripe; the upper part of the breast and the sides of the body streaked with black; rest of under parts whitish. Edge of wing yellowish-white. Bill yellowish below; dusky above. The female appears to have more buff on the breast than the male. Length, 5 inches; wing, 2.30.
HAB. Atlantic coast of the United States.
The young is of a more yellowish tinge above and below; the streaks on the back more conspicuous; the scapular feathers without the whitish edging.
In autumnal and winter specimens the buff tints are much deeper than in spring; the sides of the crown, as well as the dark markings on the back, more intensified, and in greater contrast with the lighter ashy and olive tints.
HABITS. The Sharp-tailed Finch is one of the most striking and well-characterized of land-birds, and as peculiar to the sea-shore as the Tringæ. In habits it very closely resembles the whole family of Waders in many striking respects. Like them it feeds upon small crustaceans and minute marine insects, keeping about the water’s edge, walking upon the floating weeds and other substances raised by the tide, preferring this mode of life to a more inland residence, and only resorting to the uplands to feed upon the seeds of grasses and sedges when their food fails them at the water’s edge.
Dr. Coues is of the opinion that this bird does not breed in the neighborhood of Beaufort, N. C., and that it leaves for the North in May, having a more northern habitat than A. maritima. He does not coincide with those who detect a resemblance between the actions of the Ammodrami and of the Sandpipers. He thinks the manner in which they climb the reeds, slide up and down, and hang from them in various attitudes, is more like that of Nuthatches and Titmice. On the ground they seem to him unmistakably sparrow-like.
This Sharp-tailed Finch is abundant along the coasts of Connecticut and Rhode Island, and is also found in Massachusetts, though sparingly, and only in a few congenial localities. In the marshes of Charles River, near Boston, this species is occasionally common in the breeding-season. In the summer of 1869, Mr. H. W. Henshaw found quite a number of their nests. Mr. Maynard has also taken it among the marshes of Ipswich, which is probably about its extreme northern limit. It has not, so far as I am aware, been traced to Maine. In these localities it probably raises two broods in a season, as it appears there in May, and remains until into October. They are eminently terrestrial, run on the ground like mice, are difficult to flush, and can only be shot while on the wing. They lie close to the ground, and conceal themselves in the grass.
They are also very numerous in the marshes in the neighborhood of New York, and especially so in New Jersey, breeding along that coast to Cape May. How much farther south than this they are found I cannot state, but I did not meet with any at Cape Charles, where the maritimus was very abundant.
In the winter this species is found in large flocks along the shores of South Carolina and Georgia. Mr. Audubon, however, did not find any in Florida. In the marshes near Charleston they are found in immense flocks, so much so that Audubon has known of forty being killed at a single shot. They search in the sedgy marshes for their food when the tide is out, and, on the approach of the returning waters, retreat to the higher shores and to the rice embankments.
The flight of this species is quite different from that of any other bird, and by it they may at once be recognized. In flying, they also drop their tails very low.
Mr. Audubon states that during the winter the Sharp-tailed Finch is furnished with an extra quantity of feathers on the rump, for which he finds it difficult to account.
These birds are essentially maritime, are found only in the vicinity of the sea, and always keep immediately about the water, except when the inclemency of the weather drives them to the high grass of the uplands for shelter. They walk and run, or remain feeding on the floating weeds and other substances raised by the tide, with all the ease and fearlessness with which they move on the land. They are gregarious in the winter, and in the Southern marshes are found feeding in companies. During the breeding-season they keep more in pairs, and are found more isolated. At this time they are also shy, and difficult to detect. Their usual call-note is only a single tweet, and in the love-season their series of twitters Mr. Audubon thinks hardly worthy to be called a song. They feed indiscriminately on seeds, insects, small crustaceans, and various forms of refuse matter floated or thrown up by the tides.
On the coast of New Jersey, where these birds are found in the greatest abundance, they have at least two broods in a season. Their nest is on the ground, in a small tussock of grass or sedges, but little removed from the reach of the tide, and is placed in a depression apparently excavated for the purpose. They are loosely made of soft and slender grasses, arranged in a circular form. The nest is large for the bird, spacious and deep, and is softly lined with finer and similar materials.
Their eggs, five or six in number, are of a somewhat rounded oval shape, having an average breadth of .59 of an inch, and vary in length from .78 to .70. Their ground-color is a light green, occasionally a dull white, with hardly a perceptible tinge of greenish, thickly sprinkled equally over the entire egg, with fine rusty-brown dots. These are of various sizes, but all fine. In a few the larger dots are confluent in a ring around the larger end; in others, the finer dots are so small as to be only distinguishable under a glass, concealing the ground-color, and giving to the egg an almost uniform rusty color. These eggs vary but little in shape, and are nearly equally rounded at either end, though never entirely so.
Ammodromus maritimus, SWAINSON.
SEASIDE BUNTING.
Fringilla maritima, WILSON, Am. Orn. IV, 1811, 68, pl. xxxiv, f. 2.—AUD. Orn. Biog. I, 1831, pl. xciii. Ammodromus maritimus, SW. Zoöl. Jour. III, 1827, 328.—BONAP. List, 1838.—IB. Consp. 1850, 482.—AUD. Synopsis, 1839, 110.—IB. Birds Am. III, 1841, 103, pl. clxxii.—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 454.—SAMUELS, 308. _Fringilla (Ammodromus) maritima_, NUTT. Man. I, (2d ed.,) 1840, 592. Fringilla macgillivrayi, AUD. Orn. Biog. II, 1834, 285; IV, 1838, 394; V, 1839, 499, pl. ccclv. Ammodromus macgillivrayi, BON. List, 1838.—IB. Conspectus, 1850, 482.—AUD. Syn. 1839.—IB. Birds Am. III, 1841, 106, pl. clxxiii. _Fringilla (Ammodromus) macgillivrayi_, NUTTALL, Man. I, (2d ed.,) 1840, 593.
SP. CHAR. Above olivaceous ashy-brown; nearly uniform, but with the centres of interscapular feathers darker and edged faintly with paler; very obsoletely, almost inappreciably streaked elsewhere, especially on the head, which has a faintly defined median stripe of purer ashy. Beneath white; the breast and sides and under tail-coverts with rather indistinct streaks of dark ashy-brown, tending to form a large spot in centre of breast; an ashy mandibular stripe continued into the ashy sides of neck, and cutting off and enclosing a white stripe above it. A spot of yellow anterior to eye, continued over it as an almost inappreciable grayish stripe. Edge of wing sulphur-yellow. Bill lead-color; feet dusky. Length about 6 inches; wing, 2.50. In autumn the breast and sides tinged with fulvous; the back with rufous.
Young birds (A. macgillivrayi?) have markings much more distinct, and closely resemble A. caudacuta, though larger. They will be most readily distinguished by the absence of the fulvous superciliary stripe.
HAB. Atlantic sea-coast of United States, northward to Long Island Sound.
The same seasonal differences in coloration are observable in this species as in A. caudacutus.
HABITS. The Seaside Finch has very nearly the same distribution, habits, and manners of life, as the Sharp-tailed species, and the description of these in one would answer almost equally well for the other. There are, however, certain shades of difference in several respects to be observed.
This bird is, if anything, more southern in its distribution than the other, and does not extend its visits in summer so far north. While the Sharp-tailed Finch is not an uncommon bird on the shores of the New England States, as far to the north as Ipswich, the Seaside Finch is comparatively rare, much more so now than it was formerly. Mr. Maynard states that he has searched carefully for it from the Merrimack to the extreme southern shores of Massachusetts without finding any specimens, nor could he find any on the island of Nantucket, a very natural and congenial locality. Dr. Coues states that it is abundant on the New Hampshire coast, but recent endeavors have failed to detect it. In 1836 and 1837 a few isolated pairs built in the marshes of Stony Brook, near Boston, above tide-water, nesting not on the ground, but in low bushes. They were identified by Mr. Audubon.
In the summer of 1852 I found this species very abundant on the low sandy islands of Cape Charles, Va. There, in every instance, their nests were in low bushes, about a foot from the ground. They were the only land-birds found on these islands.
Rev. C. M. Jones informs me that at Madison, Conn., on the coast, the Seaside and the Sharp-tailed Finches occur in about equal numbers in the salt marshes. He was not able to observe any specific difference in their mode of nesting, except that the maritimus seemed to be more common in that part of the marsh nearest the shore, while the caudacutus was more abundant farther back towards the highlands, though this was not the invariable rule. He sometimes found the nests suspended in the salt grass, the latter being interwoven with the other materials. In all such cases the entrance was on the side of the nest, in the manner of the Marsh Wren. At other times he found the nest placed under a quantity of lodged grass, but resting on a portion still lower. In such cases it is generally open at the top. He has also found them on the ground, and, when thus placed, always much more bulky than when built as above, a considerable quantity of dead grass being laid down to keep the nest above the wet, though not always with success. On Cobb’s Island, Va., Mr. Jones only found the maritimus, the nests of which were in bushes, from one foot to eighteen inches from the ground.
The call-note of this species is said to be a monotonous chirp, and its song hardly to deserve that name. The notes of which it is composed are few, and have neither variety, emphasis, nor attractiveness.
Dr. Coues states that this Finch begins to sing when mating, and is afterwards, during the incubating, particularly earnest and persevering about it. Each pair usually claims some particular copse, and the male usually has his favorite singing-post, to which it continually resorts. He adds that its simple song is something like that of the Yellow-shouldered Sparrow, beginning with a few slow notes, then a rapid trill, finally slurred, till it sounds like the noise made by some of the grasshoppers.
These birds are at all times shy and difficult to be approached. When their nest is visited, the parents leave it and secrete themselves, and cannot be traced without great difficulty. When thus hidden, they will almost suffer themselves to be trodden upon before they will fly up.
Mr. Audubon thinks they have two broods, their first being hatched out early in June. Their nests, he states, are usually placed next to the ground, but not sunk in it. Their food consists of marine insects, small crabs, and snails, as well as small sand-beetles and seeds. Their flesh has a rank, unsavory flavor, so much so that, having had some made into a pie, he could not eat it. He states also that they are resident in the Southern States, and are found along the Gulf coast as far as Texas.
The nest is strongly but coarsely woven of dry sedges, stems, and grasses, and is lined with similar but finer materials. The eggs are five in number, have a grayish-white ground, and are spotted and blotched with reddish-brown. The blotches are distributed over the entire egg, and are much larger than in the caudacutus. There is, indeed, no similarity between the two eggs. They measure .88 by .68 of an inch.
GENUS CHONDESTES, SWAINSON.
Chondestes, SWAINSON, Phil. Mag. I, 1827, 435.—IB. Fauna Bor.-Am. II, 1831. (Type, Chondestes strigatus, SW., equal to Fringilla grammaca, SAY.)
[Line drawing: Chondestes grammaca. 5557 ♂]
GEN. CHAR. Bill swollen; both outlines gently curved; the lower mandible as high as the upper; the commissure angulated at the base, and then slightly sinuated. Lower mandible rather narrower at the base than the length of the gonys; broader than the upper. Tarsi moderate, about equal to the middle toe; lateral toes equal and very short, reaching but little beyond the middle of the penultimate joint of the middle toe, and falling considerably short of the base of middle claw. Wings, long, pointed, reaching nearly to the middle of the tail; the tertials not longer than the secondaries; the first quill shorter than the second and third, which are equal. The tail is moderately long, considerably graduated, the feathers rather narrow, and elliptically rounded at the end.
Streaked on the back. Head with well-defined large stripes. Beneath white, with a pectoral spot. Only one species recognized.
Chondestes grammaca, BONAP.
LARK SPARROW.
Fringilla grammaca, SAY, in Long’s Exped. R. Mts. I, 1823, 139.— BON. Am. Orn. I, 1825, 47, pl. v, f. 3.—AUD. Orn. Biog. V, 1839, 17, pl. cccxc. Chondestes grammaca, BON. List, 1838.—IB. Conspectus, 1850, 479.—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 456.—COOPER & SUCKLEY, 200.—MAYNARD, Birds E. Mass. 1870, 112 (Massachusetts).—COOPER, Orn. Cal. 1, 193. Emberiza grammaca, AUD. Synopsis, 1839, 101.—IB. Birds Am. III, 1841, 63, pl. clviii.—MAX. Cab. Jour. VI, 1858, 343. Chondestes strigatus, SWAINSON, Philos. Mag. I, 1827, 435.
SP. CHAR. Hood chestnut, tinged with black towards the forehead, and with a median stripe and superciliary stripe of dirty whitish. Rest of upper parts pale grayish-olive, the interscapular region alone streaked with dark brown. Beneath white, a round spot on the upper part of the breast, a broad maxillary stripe cutting off a white stripe above, and a short line from the bill to the eye, continued faintly behind it, black. A white crescent under the eye, bordered below by black and behind by chestnut, on the ear-coverts. Tail-feathers dark brown, the outermost edged externally and with more than terminal third white, with transverse outline; the white decreasing to the next to innermost, tipped broadly with white. Length, 6 inches; wing, 3.30.
HAB. From Wisconsin and Illinois (also in Michigan and Ohio) to the Pacific coast; Cape St. Lucas, south to Texas and Mexico. Oaxaca (SCL. 1859, 379); Vera Cruz (winter, SUMICHRAST, 552); Eastern Massachusetts, accidental (MAYNARD).
The colors of the female are duller than in the male, the chestnut less bright, the black not so intense; the pattern, however, is the same.
The young bird has the breast and throat with a good many spots of dark brown instead of the single large one on the breast. The other markings are more obscure.
HABITS. The Lark Finch is found from Eastern Illinois to the Pacific, and from Oregon to Texas. Within this wide area of distribution it is everywhere abundant in the open prairies and plains. It is not found in wooded regions. This bird was described by Say, and was first met with by Long’s expedition to the Missouri River. It was not known to either Wilson or Audubon, and its habits were very imperfectly known to Nuttall.
Mr. Dresser found this bird very abundant in Texas throughout the summer, arriving in the neighborhood of San Antonio in March, and leaving there early in October. He found their nests quite common, and usually built in a mesquite tree or bush, of fine roots and grasses. Dr. Heermann also found it abundant in New Mexico. In Arizona, Dr. Coues found it, chiefly in spring and autumn, a migrant, and, at those seasons, very numerous. Many remain during the summer to breed, and a few are found in the winter. It was met with near New Leon, Mexico, by Lieutenant Couch, but was not obtained in Vera Cruz by Sumichrast. It was taken near Oaxaca, Mexico, by Mr. Boucard. A single specimen was obtained at Fort Dalles in Oregon, by Dr. Suckley, but it was not met with by him west of the Cascade Mountains. Mr. Townsend states that he also found it in that region.
Dr. Cooper did not find this species in the Colorado Valley, though it has been obtained at Fort Yuma in December; and, as he has met with them in large flocks in the valleys of San Diego in February, he concludes that they winter in the southern part of California. They breed from San Diego throughout California, and as far north as the Columbia, where they arrive early in May. Dr. Cooper has never found their nest in California, but has frequently met with it in Kansas and Nebraska in May and June. He found them on the ground, and their nests were constructed chiefly of grass.
He speaks of them as singing very sweetly, and states that in their song they resemble the Canary more than any other bird. They frequent the open plains, usually in the neighborhood of trees, upon which they often alight in flocks. Their food consists of the seeds of grass and other small plants, which they collect on the ground.
A single specimen of this bird was shot in Massachusetts in 1845, by Mr. Samuel Jillson. It was taken in Gloucester, on the coast, where its appearance was, of course, purely accidental.
We are indebted to the careful observations of Mr. Ridgway for the principal portion of our knowledge of the manners and mode of life of this species, which he has recently ascertained to be an abundant summer resident in Southern Illinois. It is probably equally abundant throughout the State, and is found as far east as Ohio, where it becomes rare.
The Prairie Lark-Finch was found by that accurate observer very abundant at Sacramento, Cal., where it frequented alike the oak groves, the cottonwood and willow copses, and the weedy fields and meadows. At Sacramento it was eminently arboreal, quite in contrast with its habits as observed in Illinois. It was also met with in the interior, wherever the locality was suited to it. Near Salt Lake City it is one of the most numerous of the birds inhabiting the artemisia grounds, in the outskirts of the town, in company with Poospiza bilineata and Spizella breweri. It is called by the Utah boys the Snake-Bird, from the supposed resemblance of its striped head to that of a snake. At Sacramento it is greatly prized as a cage-bird, and young birds readily sell there for four dollars a pair. He states that the delightful song of this bird has no parallel among the North American Fringillidæ, and claims that in this respect it is pre-eminently superior to that of all the other members of this family. As it perches upon the summit of a small tree, on the telegraph wire, or upon a fence, its notes may be heard throughout the day, in the morning before those of any others, and late in the evening, when all except for this irrepressible songster is silence.
The song of this species is described as composed of regularly divided parts, almost perfect in compass, in vigor and continuity unsurpassed, if not unequalled, by any other North American species. It begins with a series of chants, the style reminding one somewhat of the Cyanospiza cyanea, but each syllable loud, rich, and clear, and uttered with a peculiar emotional trill, the whole seemingly delivered in a hurried manner, in one continuous gush of sprightly silvery notes, each accompanied by a metallic tremolo. As if exhausted, the singer falters, and the notes become scarcely audible, then suddenly reviving, as if in great joy, the song is resumed in all its vivacity, until the bird at last really appears to be overcome by its efforts.
Dr. Coues met with this species in Arizona in the winter. He writes me as follows: “The most eastern point where I observed this species was at St. Louis, Mo. I saw a good many in the suburbs of that city in May, 1865. It is one of the most abundant Sparrows about Fort Whipple, particularly during the migrations; the majority pass northward in April and May, but many breed in the vicinity, and some pass the winter in sheltered situations. It is generally seen in companies, frequenting the skirts of woods, the underbrush along mountain rivulets, and similar situations, where the seeds of various plants are procurable; its general habits resemble those of the species of Zonotrichia.”
The nests were found by Mr. Ridgway in various situations; the larger number were upon the ground, but several were in trees varying in height from six to twenty feet from the ground. They were found from the latter part of May through June. A nest obtained in Southern Wisconsin by Mr. Thure Kumlien is very homogeneous in structure, consisting entirely of loosely intertwined stems of dry grasses, sedges, and carices. It was built on the ground, is nearly flat, and has only a very shallow cavity. Its entire height is less than two inches, and the depth of its depression not half an inch. The diameter of the nest is three and a half inches, and that of the cavity at the rim three inches.
The maximum number of their eggs is five. Their average measurement is .85 by .65 of an inch. The ground-color is usually a grayish-white, rarely a light brown, marbled and streaked with waving lines, and a few dots of black or a blackish-brown.
GENUS ZONOTRICHIA, SWAINSON.
Zonotrichia, SWAINSON, Fauna Bor.-Am. II, 1831. (Type, Emberiza leucophrys.)
[Line drawing: Zonotrichia leucophrys. 1506 ♂]
GEN. CHAR. Body rather stout. Bill conical, slightly notched, somewhat compressed, excavated inside; the lower mandible rather lower than the upper; gonys slightly convex; commissure nearly straight. Feet stout; tarsus rather longer than middle toe; the lateral toes very nearly equal. Hind toe longer than the lateral ones; their claws just reaching to base of middle one. Inner claw contained twice in its toe proper; claws all slender and considerably curved. Wings moderate, not reaching to the middle of the tail, but beyond the rump; secondaries and tertials equal and considerably less than longest primaries; second and third quills longest; first about equal to the fifth, much longer than tertials. Tail rather long, moderately rounded; the feathers not very broad.
Back streaked. Rump and under parts immaculate, except in young. Head black, or with white streaks, entirely different from the back.
This genus embraces some of the most beautiful of American Sparrows, all of the largest size in their subfamily.
All the species properly belonging to this genus are North American; several South American species, have, however, been assigned to it; but they are none of them strictly congeneric with those given below.
COMMON CHARACTERS. Feathers of interscapular region blackish centrally, passing into rufous-brown and edged with paler. Rump and upper tail-coverts uniform olivaceous-ashy brown. Two white bands on the wings; the tertials edged with rufous. Beneath without streaks. Head above marked with black, and generally with white. Cheeks plumbeous.
A. Black of the crown divided by a median light stripe. Jugulum ashy.
a. Throat ashy, uniform with the breast.
1. Z. leucophrys. Median stripe of the crown white. A black stripe from behind the eye, and a white superciliary stripe.
α. A black stripe from the eye to forehead, across lore. Hab. Eastern Province of North America, west throughout Rocky Mountains; Cape St. Lucas in winter … var. leucophrys.
β. No black streak in front of eye, the lores being wholly ashy. Hab. Western Province North America, east to Rocky Mountains … var. gambeli.
2. Z. coronata. Median stripe of crown yellow for anterior and ash for posterior half. Black of crown coming down to eye and ear coverts, leaving no light superciliary stripe. Hab. Pacific Province of North America; accidental east of Sierra Nevada.
b. Throat pure white, in sharp contrast with the dark ash of cheeks and jugulum.
3. Z. albicollis. Median stripe of crown white. A light superciliary stripe, yellow anterior to the eye, and white behind it; a black streak along upper edge of ear-coverts. Hab. Eastern Province of North America.
B. Black of the crown not divided, but continuous. Jugulum white.
4. Z. querula. Lores, forepart of cheeks, with the chin and throat, deep black; whole side of head behind the eye, ashy. Lower parts pure white. Hab. Missouri Plains.
Zonotrichia leucophrys, SWAINSON.
WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW.
Emberiza leucophrys, FORSTER, Philos. Trans. LXII, 1772, 382, 426.—GMELIN, Syst. Nat. I, 1788, 874.—WILSON, Am. Orn. IV, 1811, 49, pl. xxxi, f. 4. Fringilla (Zonotrichia) leucophrys, SW. F. B. Am. II, 1831, 255. Zonotrichia leucophrys, BON. List, 1838.—IB. Consp. 1850, 478.—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 458, pl. lxix, f. 2.—COUES, P. A. N. S. 1861, 224.—Maynard, Birds E. Mass. 1870, 118.—COOPER, Orn. Cal. 1, 196.—SAMUELS, 309. Fringilla leucophrys, AUD. Orn. Biog. II, 1834, 88; V, 515, pl. cxiv.—IB. Syn. 1839, 121.—IB. Birds Am. III, 1841, 157, pl. cxcii. ? Spizella maxima, BONAP. Comp. Rend. 1853 (either this or _Z. gambeli_). White-crowned Sparrow, PENNANT. Figured in BUFFON, Ois. IV, 192, pl. ccxxiii, f. 2. Winter.
SP. CHAR. Head above, upper half of loral region from the bill, and a narrow line through and behind the eye to the occiput, black; a longitudinal patch in the middle of the crown, and a short line from above the anterior corner of the eye, the two confluent on the occiput, white. Sides of the head, forepart of breast, and lower neck all round, pale ash, lightest beneath, and shading insensibly into the whitish of the belly and chin; sides of belly and under tail-coverts tinged with yellowish-brown. Interscapular region streaked broadly with dark chestnut-brownish. Edges of the tertiaries brownish-chestnut. Two white bands on the wing.
Female similar, but smaller; immature birds in first winter, with the black and white stripes on the crown replaced by dark chestnut-brown and brownish-yellow. Length, 7.10 inches; wing, 3.25. Young of the year thickly streaked with dusky on the breast. The lateral stripes of the crown dull brown, the median one streaked whitish.
HAB. United States from the Atlantic to the Rocky Mountains, where they become associated with Z. gambeli. Cape St. Lucas; Greenland (REINHARDT, Ibis, III, 7). Breed in Wahsatch Mountains (RIDGWAY).
The white of the crown separates two black stripes on either side, rather narrower than itself. The black line behind the eye is continued anterior to it into the black at the base of the bill. The lower eyelid is white. There are some obscure cloudings of darker on the neck above. The rump is immaculate. No white on the tail, except very obscure tips. The white on the wings crosses the ends of the middle and greater coverts.
The character distinguishing the western representative (Z. gambeli) of leucophrys is apparently very trifling, but is very constant.
HABITS. The White-crowned Sparrow is found from the Rocky Mountains eastward to the Atlantic, and in all the intervening territory, from the Southern States to the Arctic regions. In the high meadows of the Wahsatch Mountains, Mr. Ridgway found this bird very abundant, and one very characteristic, breeding there quite as numerously as any other species. In all that region Mr. Ridgway did not meet with a single individual of Z. gambeli, its western representative. At the encampment at Parley’s Park these birds soon became on very familiar terms with the party. They were very sociable, and paid frequent visits to the cook’s tent, and picked up, without the slightest signs of fear, the crumbs from the ground. Their sweet morning carol was, he states, delightful to the ear, and they were held in great favor by all. A nest of these birds was found on the ground, at Parley’s Park, June 26. It was built in a bunch of Geranium. Specimens of this species were obtained, in winter, at Cape St. Lucas, Lower California, by Mr. Xantus.
Although an eastern species, passing, in its migrations, through the Southern Atlantic States to Labrador in the spring and returning in the fall, it is a rare species in all New England. Mr. Boardman says that it is not common in Eastern Maine, and Mr. Verrill that it is rare in the western part of that State. In Eastern Massachusetts it is very rare. Mr. Maynard mentions obtaining a single specimen, May 27, and regards it as quite a rare migrant. I have never met with the bird near Boston, and do not believe that it is found there, except singly and rarely. In the western part of the State, though less rare, it is very far from being common. It is found there in the spring, from the 20th to the 30th of May, and in October from the 1st to the 15th. Mr. Allen met with it from May 7 to June 6, in 1861, when these birds were more common than usual. At this period, farther west, in Ohio, Western Pennsylvania, and New York, these birds are very abundant. From April 10 to the latter portion of May, in 1852, they were abundant in the neighborhood of Washington, the Capitol grounds being full of them. They were familiar and fearless, and seemed to delight to search for food under the large Norway spruces, branching down to the ground. Their abundance that spring may have been exceptional, as Wilson appears to have met with but very few specimens.
Mr. Audubon found these Sparrows very abundant in Labrador, where they were apparently late in breeding. It was not until the 6th of July that he found one of their nests. This was placed among the moss at the foot of a low fir. It was made externally of dry hypnum mosses, matted in bunches like the coarse hair of some quadruped, and internally of fine dry grasses, arranged with great neatness, to the thickness of half an inch, with a full lining of the delicate yellow fibrous roots of the Coptis trifolia. The nest was five inches in its external diameter, and two in depth, the cavity two and a quarter wide and one and three quarters deep. The eggs, five in number, he describes as of a light sea-green color, mottled towards the larger end with brownish spots and blotches, a few spots of a lighter tint being dispersed over the whole. All the nests found were placed on the ground or among the moss, and all were alike in their construction. By the beginning of August the party met with young that were able to fly. By the middle of that month they had commenced their southern migrations.
Dr. Coues also found this Sparrow breeding in great numbers along the entire coast of Labrador. Found in all situations, it seemed to be particularly fond of deep, thickly wooded, and secluded ravines, surrounded by high precipitous cliffs, and, when in more open districts, confining itself to tangled patches of juniper and scrubby firs. He describes it as a very active and sprightly bird, almost continually in motion. It seldom alights without rapidly jerking and flirting its tail, and uttering its loud chirpings. While the female is incubating, the male usually mounts to the top of the cliff or a neighboring tree, and repeats his loud and not unpleasing, though somewhat monotonous, notes for the space of half an hour or more. He describes its song as very similar to that of the White-throated Sparrow, consisting of two long-drawn syllables with a rising intonation, then three more in a quick, hurried manner, with a falling cadence,—pēé-dēé-dē-dē-dē; the whole is delivered in a mellow whistle. If approached while thus engaged, the performer becomes instantly silent, and dives hastily into the nearest cover. The nest was always placed on the ground, and usually in little patches of low heath, abundant wherever the ground was dry. He found a nest on the 23d of July, containing young just hatched. The female flutters off in silence when her nest is disturbed, but the male bird vociferates his angry remonstrance, flirting his tail and jerking his body in an energetic manner.
The food of this bird, in Labrador, was found to consist of small coleopterous insects, grass-seeds, a variety of berries, as well as minute shell-fish, for which they searched the margins of ponds near the sea-shore. They were also seen to pursue insects on the wing. Mr. Audubon speaks of its song as consisting of six or seven notes, and describes it as loud, clear, and musical, although of a plaintive nature, diminishing in power to the last note. Its flight he describes as low, swift, and protracted.
Dr. Coues did not find this bird abundant in South Carolina during the winter, and conjectures that it does not go so far to the south. Its migrations do not appear to be well defined, and nowhere is it known to be abundant during this season. Lieutenant Couch met with it at Brownville, Texas, and Tamaulipes, Mexico, and at Charco Escondido, in March, at which time they were in flocks, indicating a more southern migration than is generally supposed.
It extends its northern migrations to the extreme northern and northeastern portions of the continent, and also to Greenland. On the Yukon and Anderson Rivers it is replaced by the Z. gambeli. It is not abundant in Greenland. Holböll obtained a single specimen only in August; and afterwards met with a flock of young birds. He infers that they breed in the interior, but are restricted to a very narrow strip of territory.
Eggs of this species, from Wyoming Territory, measure from .90 to .95 of an inch in length by .70 in breadth, and are of an oblong-oval shape. The ground-color is a light greenish-white, thickly marked with reddish-brown and lighter markings of an obscure purplish-brown. The intensity, depth of coloring, and size of the darker brown markings, vary. They are principally disposed about the larger end.
Zonotrichia leucophrys var. gambeli, GAMBEL.
WESTERN WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW.
Fringilla gambeli, NUTT. Man. I, (2d ed.,) 1840, 556.—GAMBEL, Pr. A. N. Sc. Phila. I, 1843, 262 (California.) Zonotrichia gambeli, GAMBEL, J. A. N. Sc. 2d series, I, Dec. 1847, 50.—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 460, pl. lxix, f. 1.—LORD, Pr. R. A. Inst. IV, 1864, 119 (British Columbia).—COOPER & SUCKLEY, 201.—DALL & BANNISTER, Tr. Ch. Ac. I, 1869, 284 (Alaska).—COOPER, Orn. Cal. 1, 195. Zonotrichia leucophrys, NEWBERRY, Zoöl. Cal. & Or. Route; Rep. P. R. R. VII, iv, 1857, 87.
SP. CHAR. Precisely similar to Z. leucophrys, but rather smaller; the lores are gray throughout, this color continuous with a white superciliary stripe along the side of the head. Length, 6.25; wing, 2.83; tail, 3.08.
HAB. Rocky Mountains to the Pacific coast, north to Nulato and Fort Kenai, east through the valley of the Mackenzie River, and south to Jalisco and Mazatlan, Mexico.
As stated in the previous article, the only appreciable and constant difference between this race and Z. leucophrys is found in the character of the black stripe on the side of the crown. In leucophrys the black passes down over the upper half of the lores, and in front of the eye, to a line continuous with the cutting edge of the bill, and sends back a short branch to the eye, which cuts off the white superciliary stripe. In gambeli the superciliary stripe passes continuously forward to the ashy lores, cutting off the black from the eye. The lower edge of the black anteriorly is much higher than in leucophrys, and nearly on a line with the nostrils.
We cannot give any positive character by which immature specimens of leucophrys and gambeli may be distinguished, unless that the short dark line from forehead to eye of the former is indicated by a greater amount of dusky at the base of the feathers of that region.
The young of this species, like that of leucophrys, is streaked with blackish on side of the throat, across the breast, and on the sides of body, instead of being entirely unmarked beneath, as in the adult.
One specimen, collected in the West Humboldt Mountains, connects this form with leucophrys, and may possibly be a hybrid. In this there is a black spot in front of the eye, but separated from the black of the crown by the usual light superciliary stripe of gambeli.
Some specimens from the coast region of California have the ash of head and breast duller, and with a brownish cast, and the spots on the back black instead of deep dark brown.
HABITS. The Western White-crowned Sparrow is found in great abundance, from Mexico to the Arctic Ocean, between the Rocky Mountains and the Pacific. Dr. Suckley found this bird very abundant at Fort Dalles and at Puget Sound, at both of which places it is a constant summer resident. It was always found in excellent condition. He states that it makes its nest in low bushes, among the stalks of lupins and other shrub-like weeds. Dr. Cooper also mentions that this bird is very abundant in all the prairie districts of Washington Territory, especially where there are low bushes. Unlike most of the Sparrows, it was also common on the coast prairies, where he found it breeding. They arrive at the Straits of Fuca at the end of March in large numbers, and leave for the South in October. He afterwards found them at Fort Mohave, in the Colorado Valley, quite common throughout the winter, some remaining until the 15th of May, but he does not think that any remain there to breed. They are also abundant, in winter, from San Francisco south, through all the inhabitable country. In summer they are found in the Sierra Nevada, to their summits, and are also plentiful in the regions north of the Columbia. A few remain, during the summer, in the cool district about San Francisco. In June, 1854, Dr. Cooper met with its nest near the mouth of the Columbia. It was built in a bush, about a foot from the ground, formed of neatly interwoven grasses, and lined with softer materials. He describes its song as loud, but short and melancholy, heard at intervals during the whole year, and frequently at night.
The Western White-crowned Sparrow was first met with by Mr. Ridgway, at the Summit Meadows, near the summit of Donner Lake Pass of the Sierra Nevada, at an altitude of about seven thousand feet. It was there an abundant and characteristic bird. The males were in full song in all parts of the meadow, and were nesting in such numbers that on the evening of July 9, on halting for the night, in a hurried search no less than twenty-seven of their eggs were obtained within about fifteen minutes. In every instance the nests were embedded under a species of dwarf-willow, with which the ground was covered. The birds were extremely unsuspicious, the male often sitting on a bush within a few feet of the collector, and chanting merrily as the eggs were being blown. In one instance, having occasion to repass a spot from which a nest had been taken, the female was found sitting in the cavity from which its nest had been removed. This species is only a winter visitant of the lower country, but is there universally distributed, and always found in bushy localities.
Mr. Bannister states that this bird was tolerably abundant among the alder-bushes in certain parts of St. Michael’s Island. Mr. Dall found it common at Nulato, and especially so at Fort Yukon. It arrived at Nulato about May 20. Its nests and eggs were obtained from Indians at Nowikakat, on the Yukon River. Dr. Kennerly met with these birds, in February, at White Cliff Creek, New Mexico. They were first observed on approaching the Big Sandy, and from thence to the Colorado they were found in abundance. They were mostly in flocks, and were generally found among the bushes, in the vicinity of water. He also met with it in the valley of the Rio Grande, Corralitos, and Janos Rivers. It seemed to prefer the vicinity of settlements, where it was always seen in greater numbers than elsewhere.
Mr. Dresser found these birds common about San Antonio, Texas, during the winter, arriving late in September. Some may remain and breed, as several were observed there in June. Dr. Coues also found them abundant in Arizona, where he first observed them September 15. After this they became exceedingly numerous, and remained so until January. Later than this only a few stragglers were seen, until April, when they again became abundant. By far the greater part left, and proceeded north to breed.
These Sparrows were found breeding on the Yukon and at Fort Anderson in great numbers by Messrs. MacFarlane, Lockhart, and Ross. Their nests were in nearly all cases found upon the ground, often in tufts of grass, clumps of Labrador tea, or other low bushes. They were composed of hay, and, in nearly every instance, were lined with deer’s hair, and in a few with feathers. A few were without any lining. In selecting a situation for their nests, they seemed generally to give the preference to open or thinly wooded tracts. The male bird was usually seen, or its note heard, in the immediate vicinity of the nest. The eggs were obtained from the 4th of June to the 1st of July. Their maximum number was six; the most common, four.
Mr. B. R. Ross states that this species arrives at the Arctic Circle from about the 15th to the 20th of May, and at Slave Lake only a few days earlier. They are then no longer in flocks, but have already paired. They commence nesting almost immediately upon their arrival at the Yukon and at Fort Good Hope. Mr. Ross found nests made as early as May 20 to 25, while there was still considerable snow upon the ground. They mostly nest, however, in the first half of June, the young usually hatching between the 15th and 30th, and leaving the nests when less than a month old. They all leave the Arctic Circle about the middle of September. A few were seen at Fort Simpson in the latter part of that month. When starting, they gather in small flocks. The nest is built on high ground, among low, open bushes, always at the foot of some shrub or bush, and more or less protected and concealed by grass. It is never placed in the edges of marshes, like Melospiza lincolni; nor on small prairies, like the Passerculus savanna; nor in thick woods, as does sometimes the Z. albicollis. The nest is neatly built, is more compact and of finer materials than that of the latter. It is large and deep, formed externally of coarse grass, and lined with finer materials.
When started from her nest, the female flies off a few yards and flutters silently along the ground to divert attention. If unsuccessful, she flies about her nest uttering sharp, harsh notes of anxiety. The male is less bold on such occasions. Their favorite habitat is light open bushes, affecting neither open plains nor deep woods and never perching so high as twenty feet from the ground, and usually, in all their movements, keeping close to the earth.
Its food, so far as could be observed, consisted almost wholly of seeds, sought mostly on the ground. It hatches only a single brood in a year.
Mr. B. R. Boss adds that this is the most abundant Sparrow throughout the Mackenzie River region, and also the most interesting. Through the spring and summer its melodious song, which strongly calls to mind the first notes of the old air, “O Dear! what can the Matter be?” may be heard from every thicket, both night and day. When sleeping in the woods, Mr. Boss states that he has often been awakened by several of these birds singing near him, answering each other, throughout the short night, when all the other birds were silent. On this account, but for the richness and melody of its song the bird would have made itself quite disagreeable.
The Cree Indians name this Sparrow Wah-si-pis-chan, because they think this resembles its notes, the last of which are supposed to imitate the sound of running water. It sings long after the breeding-season is past, and its notes may be heard even into August.
The eggs measure .85 of an inch in length by .65 in breadth, and have a ground of a greenish-white marked with a rusty-brown. They are of a rounded-oval shape.
Zonotrichia coronata, BAIRD.
GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW.
Emberiza coronata, PALLAS, Zoög. Rosso-Asiat. II, 1811, 44, plate. Zonotrichia c., BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 461.—HEERM. X, S, 48 (nest).—COOPER & SUCKLEY, 201.—DALL & BANNISTER, Tr. Ch. Ac. I, 1869, 284 (Alaska).—COOPER, Orn. Cal. 1, 197. Emberiza atricapilla, AUD. Orn. Biog. V, 1839, 47, pl. cccxciv (not of GMELIN). Fringilla atricapilla, AUD. Synopsis, 1839, 122.—IB. Birds Am. III, 1841, 162, pl. cxciii. Fringilla aurocapilla, NUTTALL, Man. I, (2d. ed.,) 1840, 555. Zonotrichia aurocapilla, BON. Consp. 1850, 478.—NEWBERRY, Zoöl. Cal. & Or. Route, Rep. P. R. R. VI, IV. 1857, 88. Emberiza atricapilla, GM. I, 1788, 875 (in part only).—LATH. Ind. 415. Black-crowned Bunting, PENNANT, Arc. Zoöl. II, 364.—LATH. II, I, 202, 49, tab. lv.
SP. CHAR. Hood, from bill to upper part of nape, pure black, the middle longitudinal third occupied by yellow on the anterior half, and pale ash on the posterior. Sides and under parts of head and neck, with upper part of breast, ash-color, passing insensibly into whitish on the middle of the body; sides and under tail-coverts tinged with brownish. A yellowish spot above the eye, bounded anteriorly by a short black line from the eye to the black of the forehead. This yellow spot, however, reduced to a few feathers in spring dress. Interscapular region, with the feathers, streaked with dark brown, suffused with dark rufous externally. Two narrow white bands on the wings. Bill dusky above, paler beneath; legs flesh-color.
Autumnal specimens have more or less of the whole top of head greenish-yellow; the feathers somewhat spotted with dusky; the black stripe of the hood reduced to a narrow superciliary line, or else to a spot anterior to the eye. Length about 7 inches; wing, 3.30.
HAB. Pacific coast from Russian America to Southern California; West Humboldt Mountains, Nev. Black Hills of Rocky Mountains?
HABITS. This species, described and figured by Mr. Audubon as the Fringilla atricapilla, is found in western North America, from Alaska to Southern California and Cape St. Lucas, and is almost entirely confined to the Pacific Province, being known east of the Cascade Mountains and Sierra Nevada only as stragglers. In its general habits it is said to greatly resemble the Z. gambeli. In the vicinity of Fort Dalles, and also in the neighborhood of Fort Steilacoom, Dr. Suckley found it quite abundant in the summer.
Dr. Cooper says that it is only a straggler in the forest regions west of the Cascade Mountains, but that it probably migrates more abundantly to the open plains eastward of them. He met with them but once near Puget Sound, May 10, when they were apparently migrating. Dr. Cooper found a few of this species wintering as far south as San Diego, associating with Z. gambeli. They were much less familiar, did not come about the houses, but kept among the dense thickets. They were then silent, nor has he ever heard them utter any song. He met with none near the summit of the Sierra Nevada.
Dr. Newberry found these birds abundant in the vicinity of San Francisco in winter.
Mr. Nuttall met with the young birds of this species on the central tablelands of the Rocky Mountains, in the prairies. They were running on the ground. He heard no note from them. He afterwards saw a few stragglers, in the early part of winter, in the thickets of the forests of the Columbia River, near Fort Vancouver. He also met with them, in the winter and until late in the spring, in the woods and thickets of California.
Dr. Heermann found this species very abundant in the fall season, generally associated with the California Song Sparrow and the Z. gambeli. It resorts to the deep shady thickets and woods, where it passes the greater part of its time. In the mountainous districts it prefers the hillsides, covered with dense undergrowth. It occasionally breeds in California, as Dr. Heermann found its nest in a bush near Sacramento City. It was composed of coarse stalks of weeds, and lined internally with fine roots. The eggs were four in number, and are described as having been of an ashy-white ground, with markings of brown umber, at times appearing almost black from the depth of their shade. They were marked also with a few spots of a neutral tint.
Many of these birds were obtained in Sitka and in Kodiak, by Bischoff, and also in British Columbia by Elliot.
Only one specimen of this species was met with by Mr. Ridgway in his explorations with Mr. Clarence King’s survey. This was taken October 7, 1867, in the West Humboldt Mountains, in company with a flock of Z. gambeli.
Zonotrichia albicollis, BONAP.
WHITE-THROATED SPARROW.
Fringilla albicollis, GMELIN, Syst. Nat. I, 1788, 926.—WILSON, Am. Orn. III, 1811, 51, pl. xxii, f. 2.—LICHT. Verz. Doubl. No. 247 (1823). Zonotrichia albicollis, BP. Consp. 1850, 478.—CAB. Mus. Hein. 1851, 132.—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 463.—SAMUELS, 311. Passer pennsylvanicus, BRISSON, 1760, Appendix, 77. Fringilla pennsylvanica, LATH. Index, I, 1790, 445.—AUD. Orn. Biog. I, 1831, 42; V, 497, pl. viii.—IB. Syn. 1839, 121.—IB. Birds Am. III, 1841, 153, pl. cxci.—MAX. Cab. Jour. VI, 1858, 276. Fringilla (Zonotrichia) pennsylvanica, SW. F. B. Am. II, 1831, 256. Zonotrichia pennsylvanica, BON. List, 1838.
SP. CHAR. Two black stripes on the crown, separated by a median one of white. A broad superciliary stripe from the base of the mandible to the occiput, yellow as far as the middle of the eye and white behind this. A broad black streak on the side of the head from behind the eye. Chin white, abruptly defined against the dark ash of the sides of the head and upper part of the breast, fading into white on the belly, and margined by a narrow black maxillary line. Edge of wing and axillaries yellow. Back and edges of secondaries rufous-brown, the former streaked with dark brown. Two narrow white bands across the wing-coverts. Length, 7 inches; wing, 3.10; tail, 3.20. Young of the year not in the collection.
HAB. Eastern Province of North America to the Missouri. Breeding in most of the northern United States and British Provinces, and wintering in the United States almost to their southern limit. Aberdineshire, England, August 17, 1867 (Zoölogist, Feb., 1869, 1547; P. Z. S. 1857, 52). Scotland (Newton, Pr. Zoöl. Soc. 1870, 52).
Female smaller, and the colors rather duller. Immature and winter specimens have the white chin-patch less abruptly defined, the white markings on the top and sides of the head tinged with brown. Some specimens, apparently mature, show quite distinct streaks on the breast and sides of throat and body.
HABITS. The White-throated Sparrow is, at certain seasons, an abundant bird in all parts of North America, from the Great Plains to the Atlantic, and from Georgia to the extreme Arctic regions. A few breed in favorable situations in Massachusetts, especially in the extreme northwestern part of the State. It breeds abundantly in Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine, and in all the British Provinces.
Sir John Richardson states that they reach the Saskatchewan in the middle of May, and spread throughout the fur countries, as far, at least, as the 66th parallel, to breed. He states that he saw a female sitting on seven eggs near the Cumberland House, as early as June 4. The nest was placed under a fallen tree, was made of grass, lined with deer’s hair and a few feathers. Another, found at Great Bear’s Lake, was lined with the setæ of the Bryum uliginosum. He describes the eggs as of a pale mountain-green, thickly marbled with reddish-brown. When the female was disturbed, she ran silently off in a crouching manner, like a Lark. He describes the note of this bird as a clear song of two or three notes, uttered very distinctly, but without variety,—a very incomplete description.
Mr. Kennicott states that this species does not extend its migrations as far to the north as Z. gambeli, and is even much less numerous on the south shores of the Slave Lake, where he did not observe half so many of this as of the other. It also nests later, as he found the first nest observed on the 22d of June, with the eggs quite fresh, incubation not having commenced, and found others after that date. On English River he found two nests with eggs on the 9th and 17th of July, and one near the Cumberland House on the 30th of June. Two of these were in low swampy ground among large trees, the other on high ground among small bushes. They were constructed on large bases of moss, and lined with soft grasses. When startled from her nest, the female always crept silently away through the grass.
He met with this species in considerable flocks, accompanied by small numbers of Z. leucophrys, on the north shore of Lake Superior, on the 11th of May. He saw individuals on the 29th of May, near the Lake of the Woods, and it doubtless breeds as far south as that region. In the fall it was not seen at Fort Simpson later than the last of September. As it is a much more eastern bird than Z. gambeli, it is probably in greater abundance on the eastern end of Slave Lake. Its song he regards as by no means so attractive as that of Z. gambeli or of Z. leucophrys. Its general habits are very much like those of the former, and though by no means a strictly terrestrial bird, it rarely perches high on trees, and generally flies near the ground, except in its long migratory flights.
Notwithstanding the slighting manner in which the song of this bird is spoken of by some writers, in certain parts of the country its clear, prolonged, and peculiar whistle has given to it quite a local fame and popularity. Among the White Mountains, where it breeds abundantly, it is known as the Peabody Bird, and its remarkably clear whistle resounds in all their glens and secluded recesses. Its song consists of twelve distinct notes, which are not unfrequently interpreted into various ludicrous travesties. As this song is repeated with no variations, and quite frequently from early morning until late in the evening, it soon becomes quite monotonous.
Among the White Mountains I have repeatedly found its nests. They were always on the ground, usually sheltered by surrounding grass, and at the foot of bushes or a tree, or in the woods under a fallen log. In that region it retained all its wild, shy habits, rarely being found in the neighborhood of dwellings or in cultivated grounds. But at Halifax this was not so. There I found them breeding in gardens, on the edge of the city, and in close proximity to houses, apparently not more shy than the common Song Sparrow.
Wilson states that these birds winter in most of the States south of New England, and he found them particularly numerous near the Roanoke River, collecting in flocks on the borders of swampy thickets, among long rank weeds, the seeds of which formed their principal food. He gives the 20th of April as the date of their disappearance, but I have observed them lingering in the Capitol grounds in Washington several weeks after that date. They pass through Eastern Massachusetts from the 10th to the 20th of May, and repass early in October. A few stragglers sometimes appear at earlier dates, but irregularly. In Western Maine, where it is quite common, Professor Verrill states that it sometimes arrives by the middle of April. Near Springfield, Mass., Mr. Allen noted their appearance between the last of April and the 20th of May; in fall, from the last of September through October. Their favorite haunts are moist thickets. The young males do not acquire their full plumage until the second spring, but sing and breed in the plumage of the females, as Mr. Allen ascertained by dissection. Mr. Hildreth observed a pair near Springfield during three successive summers, and although he could not find the nest, he saw them feeding their scarcely fledged young birds.
At Columbia, S. C., Dr. Coues found these Sparrows very abundant, from October through April. They sing, more or less, all winter, and during the last few weeks of their stay are quite musical. Many hundreds pass the months of March and April in the gardens of that city, though during the winter they were mostly to be found in thickets and fields, in company with many other species.
A single specimen of this bird was killed in Aberdeenshire, August 17, 1867, and a second was lately captured alive near Brighton (P. Z. S., June 4, 1872).
Mr. Audubon says that this bird visits Louisiana and all the Southern districts in winter, remaining from November to March, in great numbers. They form groups of from thirty to fifty, and live together in great harmony, feeding upon small seeds. At this time they are plump to excess, and are regarded as a great delicacy.
When kept in confinement these birds become quite tame, and in the spring will sing at all hours of the day or night.
The nest of this bird is usually, if not always, on the ground, but in various situations, as I have found them on a hillside, in the midst of low underbrush, in a swampy thicket, at the foot of some large tree in a garden, as at Halifax, by the edge of a small pond, or in a hollow and decaying stump. Their nest is large, deep, and capacious, with a base of moss or coarse grasses, woven with finer stems above and lined with hair, a few feathers, fine rootlets of plants or soft grasses. The eggs vary from four to seven in number. Their ground-color is of a pale green or a greenish-white, marked over the entire egg with a fox-colored or rusty brown. Occasionally these markings are sparsely scattered, permitting the ground to be plainly visible, but generally they are so very abundant as to cover the entire egg so closely as to conceal all other shade, and give to the whole a deep uniform rufous-brown hue, through which the under color of light green is hardly distinguishable. They measure .90 by .68 of an inch.
Zonotrichia querula, GAMBEL.
HARRIS’S SPARROW; BLACK-HOODED SPARROW.
Fringilla querula, NUTTALL, Man. I, (2d ed.,) 1840, 555 (Westport, Mo.). Zonotrichia querula, GAMBEL, J. A. N. Sc. 2d Ser. I, 1847, 51.—BONAP. Consp. 1850, 478.—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 462.—ALLEN, Amer. Naturalist, May, 1872. Fringilla harrisi, AUD. Birds Am. VII, 1843, 331, pl. cccclxxxiv. Fringilla comata, PR. MAX. Reise II, 1841.—IB. Cab. Jour. VI, 1858, 279. Zonotrichia comata, BP. Consp. 1850, 479.
SP. CHAR. Hood and nape, sides of head anterior to and including the eyes, chin, throat, and a few spots in the middle of the upper part of the breast and on its sides, black. Sides of head and neck ash-gray, with the trace of a narrow crescent back of the ear-coverts. Interscapular region of back with the feathers reddish-brown streaked with dark brown. Breast and belly clear white. Sides of body light brownish, streaked. Two narrow white bands across the greater and middle coverts. Length about 7 inches; wing, 3.40; tail, 3.65.
HAB. Missouri River, above Fort Leavenworth. Chillicothe, Mo. (HOY). Very common in Eastern Kansas (ALLEN). San Antonio, Texas, spring (DRESSER, Ibis, 1865, 488).
The bill of this species appears to be yellowish-red. More immature specimens vary in having the black of the head above more restricted, the nape and sides of the head to the bill pale reddish-brown, lighter on the latter region. Others have the feathers of the anterior portion of the hood edged with whitish. In all there is generally a trace of black anterior to the eye.
This species has a considerably larger bill than Z. leucophrys, the mandible especially.
HABITS. This species was first described in 1840, by Mr. Nuttall, from specimens obtained by him near Independence, Mo., near the close of the month of April. He again met with them on the following 5th of May, when not far from the banks of the Little Vermilion River, a branch of the Kansas. He found them frequenting thickets, and uttering, chiefly in the early morning, but also occasionally at other parts of the day, a long, drawling, faint, solemn, and monotonous succession of notes, resembling tē-dē-dē-dē.
Since then but little additional information has been obtained in regard to their general habits, their geographical distribution, or their mode of breeding, single specimens only having been taken at considerable intervals in the valley of the Missouri and elsewhere until 1872. Two specimens were secured by Mr. Dresser, near San Antonio, in Western Texas, occurring on the Medina River during their spring migrations. More recently this bird was taken twice by Mr. H. W. Parker, in Jasper County, Iowa. The latest of these was secured May 19.
Professor F. H. Snow, in his List of Kansas Birds, published April, 1872, enumerates this species as a bird frequently taken in Kansas in the winter, and probably resident; and Mr. J. A. Allen (American Naturalist, May, 1872) states that Harris’s Finch was, next to the Cardinal, the most abundant species of the family of Sparrows and Finches in the vicinity of Leavenworth, as it was also one of the largest and handsomest. He found it almost exclusively frequenting the damper parts of the woods, associating with the White-throated Sparrow, much resembling it both in habits and in song. Nothing has so far been published respecting the nest and eggs.
GENUS JUNCO, WAGLER.
Junco, WAGLER, Isis, 1831. (Type, Fringilla cinerea, SW.) Niphæa, AUDUBON, Syn. 1839. (Type, Emberiza hyemalis, GM.)
[Line drawing: Junco oregonus. 32411 ♂]
GEN. CHAR. Bill small, conical; culmen curved at the tip; the lower jaw quite as high as the upper. Tarsus longer than the middle toe; outer toe longer than the inner, barely reaching to the base of the middle claw; hind toe reaching as far as the middle of the latter; extended toes reaching about to the middle of the tail. Wings rather short; reaching over the basal fourth of the exposed surface of the tail; primaries, however, considerably longer than the secondaries and tertials, which are nearly equal. The second quill longest, the third to fifth successively but little shorter; first longer than sixth, much exceeding secondaries. Tail moderate, a little shorter than the wings; slightly emarginate and rounded. Feathers rather narrow; oval at the end. No streaks on the head or body; color above uniform on the head, back, or rump, separately or on all together. Belly white; outer tail-feathers white. Young birds streaked above and below.
The essential characters of this genus are the middle toe rather shorter than the short tarsus; the lateral toes slightly unequal, the outer reaching the base of the middle claw; the tail a little shorter than the wings, slightly emarginate. In Junco cinereus the claws are longer; the lower mandible a little lower than the upper.
Species and Varieties.
COMMON CHARACTERS. Prevailing color plumbeous; abdomen, crissum, and lateral tail-feathers white.
A. Bill entirely light flesh-colored, dusky only at extreme point. Color of jugulum (deep ash or plumbeous-black) abruptly defined against the pure white of the abdomen.
a. Posterior outline of the dark color of the jugulum convex; sides pinkish.
1. J. oregonus. Back and wings more or less tinged with dark rusty, in sharp contrast with the black (♂) or ash (♀) of the head and neck. Hab. Pacific Province of North America, from Sitka southward; east across the Middle Province of United States, to the Rocky Mountains (where mixed with J. caniceps[116]) occasionally to the Plains (where mixed with J. hyemalis[117]).
b. Posterior outline of the dark color of the jugulum concave; sides ashy.
2. J. hyemalis. Back and wings without rusty tinge.
Wing without any white; three outer tail-feathers only, marked with white. Bill, .40 and .25; wing, 3.10; tail, 2.80; tarsus, .80. Hab. Eastern Province North America. Straggling west to Arizona (COUES); in the northern Rocky Mountains, mixed with J. oregonus … var. hyemalis.
Wing with two white bands (on tips of middle and greater coverts); four outer tail-feathers marked with white. Bill, .50 and .30; wing, 3.40; tail, 3.20. Hab. High mountains of Colorado (El Paso Co., AIKEN) … var. aikeni.
3. J. caniceps. Back (interscapulars) rufous; scapulars and wings uniform ashy. Hab. Central Rocky Mountains of United States. (Along southern boundary mixed with J. cinereus.[118])
B. Bill with the upper mandible black, the lower yellow. Ash of the jugulum fading gradually into the grayish-white of the abdomen.
4. J. cinereus. Whole back, scapulars, wing-coverts, and tertials rufous.
Throat and jugulum pale ash; back bright rufous. Wing, 3.10; tail, 3.00; bill, .34 and .25; tarsus, .80. Hab. Tablelands and mountains of Mexico … var. cinereus.[119]
Throat and jugulum deep ash; back dull, or olivaceous-rufous. Wing, 3.15; tail, 3.10; bill, .44 and .34; tarsus, .90. Hab. High mountains of Guatemala … var. alticola.[120]
Junco hyemalis, SCLATER.
SNOWBIRD.
Fringilla hyemalis, LINN. Syst. Nat. I, (10th ed.,) 1758, 183 (not of GMELIN or LATHAM).—AUD. Orn. Biog. I, 1831, 72; V, 505, pl. xiii.—MAX. Cab. Jour. VI, 1858, 277. Fringilla (Spiza) hyemalis, BON. Syn. 1828, 109. Emberiza hyemalis, LINN. Syst. Nat. I, 1766, 308. Struthus hyemalis, BON. List, 1838.—IB. Consp. 1850, 475. Niphæa hyemalis, AUD. Synopsis, 1839, 106.—IB. Birds Am. III, 1841, 88, pl. clxvii. Junco hyemalis, SCLATER, Pr. Zoöl. Soc. 1857, 7.—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 468.—COUES, P. A. N. S. 1861, 224.—DALL & BANNISTER, Tr. Ch. Ac. I, 1869, 284.—SAMUELS, 314. Fringilla hudsonia, FORSTER, Philos. Trans. LXII, 1772, 428.—GMELIN, I, 1788, 926.—WILSON’S Index, VI, 1812, p. xiii. Fringilla nivalis, WILSON, II, 1810, 129, pl. xvi, f. 6.
SP. CHAR. Everywhere of a grayish or dark ashy-black, deepest anteriorly; the middle of the breast behind and of the belly, the under tail-coverts, and first and second external tail-feathers, white; the third tail-feather white, margined with black. Length, 6.25; wing, about 3. Female paler. In winter washed with brownish. Young streaked above and below.
HAB. Eastern United States to the Missouri, and as far west as Black Hills. Stragglers at Fort Whipple, Arizona, and mountains of Colorado.
The wing is rounded; the second quill longest; the third, fourth, and fifth, successively, a little shorter; the first longer than the sixth. Tail slightly rounded, and a little emarginate. In the full spring dress there is no trace of any second color on the back, except an exceedingly faint and scarcely appreciable wash of dull brownish over the whole upper parts. The markings of the third tail-feather vary somewhat in specimens. Sometimes the whole tip is margined with brown; sometimes the white extends to the end; sometimes both webs are margined with brown; sometimes the outer is white entirely; sometimes the brownish wash on the back is more distinct.
Some specimens (No. 52,702 and 52,701, males) from Sun River, Dakota, appear to be hybrids with oregonus. They have the general appearance of hyemalis, the back being nearly uniform with the head (with a wash of sepia-brown, however), and the head and neck of the same dark plumbeous; the sides, however, are pinkish, and the plumbeous on the jugulum has its posterior outline convex, as in oregonus. If, as there is every reason to believe, these specimens are really hybrids, then we have the two extreme forms of the genus connected by specimens of such a condition; thus, hyemalis with oregonus, oregonus with caniceps (= annectens, Baird), and caniceps with cinereus (= dorsalis, Henry). It may perhaps be considered a serious question whether all (including alticola) are not, in reality, geographical races of one species. However, as there is no possibility of ever proving this, it may be best to consider them as representative species, and these specimens of intermediate characters as hybrids.
HABITS. The common familiar Snowbird of the Eastern States is found throughout all North America, east of the Black Hills, from Texas to the Arctic regions. Wherever found, it is at certain seasons a very abundant and an equally familiar bird.
It nests as far south, in mountainous regions, as Virginia, and thence to New York and the northern parts of the New England States, breeding only in the highlands, but descending more and more into the plains as we proceed north. As it is a very hardy bird, its migrations are irregular and uncertain. In some seasons I have observed but few at irregular intervals; and in others, in which the spring was cold and backward, I have met with them in every month except July and August.
Mr. Kennicott found but few birds of this species breeding as far south as Fort Resolution or Slave Lake, and was unable to find any of their nests, though he met with a few birds that were evidently breeding there. He found it afterwards nesting in the greatest abundance about latitude 65°. They were very numerous on the Yukon, and Mr. MacFarlane found them breeding plentifully on the Anderson River, at the edge of the barren-ground region.
The nests found by Mr. Kennicott were all on the ground, more or less concealed in tufts of grass, dry leaves, or projecting roots. Some were in thick woods, others in more open regions, and were lined with moose-hair.
Mr. Ross states that this species frequents all the Mackenzie River region in summer, arriving about the 20th of April, and leaving about the 10th of October. Besides its call-note, or chirp, it has a very pretty song.
Mr. Dall also remarks that they were quite common at Nulato in the spring, not arriving there, however, until about the first of June.
According to Mr. Dresser, it is found occasionally about San Antonio in winter, and Dr. Woodhouse says that it is also common in the Indian Territory in fall and winter. According to Mr. Audubon, it makes its appearance in Louisiana in November, and remains there until early spring. It is also abundant in South Carolina, arriving there in October and leaving in April.
This species was observed by Mr. Aiken in Colorado Territory for about three weeks following March 20, after which they were seen no more.
It breeds more or less abundantly in the northern and eastern portions of Maine. About Calais and in all the islands of the Bay of Fundy, and throughout New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, I found this by far the most common and familiar species, especially at Pictou, where it abounded in the gardens, in repeated instances coming within the outbuildings to build its nests. In a woodshed connected with the dwelling of Mr. Dawson, my attention was called to the nests of several of these birds, built within reach of the hand, and in places where the family were passing and repassing throughout the day. In Pictou they were generally called the Bluebird by the common people. On my ride from Halifax to Pictou, I also found these birds breeding by the roadside, often under the shelter of a projecting bank, in the manner of the Passerculus savanna. I afterward found them nesting in similar situations among the White Mountains, the roadsides seeming to be a favorite situation. In habits and notes, at Pictou, they reminded me of the common Spizella socialis, but were, if anything, more fearless and confiding, coming into the room where the family were at their meals, and only flying away when they had secured a crumb of sufficient size.
In Western Massachusetts they breed in all parts of the range of Green Mountains, from Blandford to North Adams. They appear about Springfield in October and November, and are for a while abundant, and are then gone until March, when they return in full song, and remain numerous into April, and less common until into May. In the eastern part of the State they are found from October to late in May, with some irregularity and in varying numbers. Mr. Audubon did not meet with any on the coast of Labrador, and Dr. Coues did not find them so abundant as he expected, and did not observe any until the latter part of July, at which time the young were already hatched, and they were associated in small companies. They kept entirely in the thick woods, and seemed rather timid.
Their food is small berries, seeds of grasses and small plants, insects, and larvæ. They seek the latter on the ground, and in the winter are said to frequent the poultry-yards, and avail themselves of the services of the fowls in turning up the earth. On the ground they hop about in a peculiar manner, apparently without moving their feet. At night and during storms they shelter themselves in the thick branches of evergreens, and also in stacks of hay and piles of brushwood.
During the winter the Snowbird appears to be rather more numerous in the Middle and Southern States than in New England. In the former they appear late in October, at first on the borders of woods, searching for food among the fallen and decaying leaves. Later in the season, as the weather becomes colder, and the snow deprives them of this means of feeding, they resort to the roadsides and feed on the seeds of the taller weeds, and to the farm-houses and farm-yards, and even enter within the limits of large cities, where they become very tame and familiar. They are much exposed to attacks from several kinds of Hawks, and the apparent timidity they evince at certain times and places is due to their apprehensions of this danger. The sudden rustle of the wings of a harmless fowl will cause the whole flock to take at once to flight, returning as soon as their alarm is found to be needless, but repeated again and again when the same dreaded sounds are heard.
Neither Wilson, Nuttall, nor Audubon appear to have ever met with the nests or eggs of this bird, though the first met with them breeding both among the Alleghanies, in Virginia, and the highlands of Pennsylvania and New York. In Otsego County, in the latter State, Mr. Edward Appleton was the first to discover and identify their nest and eggs, as cited by Mr. Audubon in the third volume of his Birds of America. They were found in considerable numbers in the town of Otsego. Their nests were on the ground in sheltered positions, some of them with covered entrances. Their complement of eggs was four. One of their nests was sent me, and was characteristic of all I have since seen, having an external diameter of four and a half inches and a depth of two. The cavity was deep and capacious for the bird. The base and periphery of the nest were made of slender strips of bark, coarse straws, fine roots, and horsehair, lined with fine mosses and the fur of smaller animals. The eggs were of a rounded-oval shape; their ground-color is a creamy yellowish-white, marked with spots and blotches of a reddish-brown confluent around the larger portion of the egg, but rarely covering either end. They measure .75 by .60 of an inch, not varying in size from those of J. oregonus.
Junco hyemalis, var. aikeni, RIDGWAY.
WHITE-WINGED SNOWBIRD.
SP. CHAR. Generally similar to J. hyemalis, but considerably larger, with more robust bill; two white bands on the wing, and three, instead of two, outer tail-feathers entirely white. No. 61,302 ♂, El Paso Co., Colorado, December 11, 1871, C. E. Aiken: Head, neck, jugulum, and entire upper parts clear ash; the back with a bluish tinge; the lores, quills, and tail-feathers darker; middle and secondary wing-coverts rather broadly tipped with white, forming two conspicuous bands. Lower part of the breast, abdomen, and crissum pure white, the anterior outline against the ash of the jugulum convex; sides tinged with ash. Three lateral tail-feathers entirely white, the third, however, with a narrow streak of dusky on the terminal third of the outer web; the next feather mostly plumbeous, with the basal fourth of the outer web, and the terminal half of the inner, along the shaft, white. Wing, 3.40; tail, 3.20; culmen, .50; depth of bill at base, .30; tarsus, .80.
HAB. El Paso County, Colorado.
At first sight, this bird appears to be a very distinct species, being larger than any other North American form, and possessing in the white bands on the wing characters entirely peculiar. Its large size, however, we can attribute to its alpine habitat, agreeing in this respect, as compared with J. hyemalis, with the J. alticola of Guatemala, which we can only consider an alpine or somewhat local form of J. cinereus. That the white bands on the wing do not constitute a character sufficiently important to be considered of specific value is proved by the fact that in many specimens of J. oregonus, and occasionally in J. hyemalis, there is sometimes quite a distinct tendency to these bands in the form of obscure white tips to the coverts.
HABITS. But little is known as to the habits of this variety; probably they do not differ from those of its congeners. It was met with by Mr. C. E. Aiken, near Fountain, El Paso County, in Colorado Territory, in the winter of 1871-72. They were rare in the early winter, became rather common during the latter part of February and the first of March, and had all disappeared by the first of April. During winter only males were seen, but, in the spring, the females were the most numerous. They were usually seen singly, or in companies of two or three, and not, like the others, in larger flocks.
Junco oregonus, SCLATER.
OREGON SNOWBIRD.
Fringilla oregona, TOWNSEND, J. A. N. Sc. VII, 1837, 188.—IB. Narrative, 1839, 345.—AUD. Orn. Biog. V, 1839, 68, pl. cccxcviii. Struthus oregonus, BON. List, 1838.—IB. Consp. 1850, 475.—NEWBERRY, Zoöl. Cal. & Or. Route; Rep. P. R. R. VI, iv, 1857, 88. Niphœa oregona, AUD. Syn. 1839, 107.—IB. Birds Am. III, 1841, 91, pl. clxviii.—CAB. Mus. Hein. 1851, 134. Junco oregonus, SCLATER, Pr. Zoöl. Soc. 1857, 7.—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 466.—LORD, Pr. R. A. Inst. IV, 120 (British Columbia).—COOPER & SUCKLEY, 202.—COUES, Pr. Phil. Ac. 1866, 85 (Arizona).—DALL & BANNISTER, Tr. Ch. Ac. I, 1869, 284.—COOPER, Orn. Cal. 1, 199. Fringilla hudsonia, LICHT. Beit. Faun. Cal. in Abh. Akad. Wiss. Berlin, for 1838, 1839, 424 (not F. hudsonia, FORSTER). “Fringilla atrata, BRANDT, Icon. Rosso-As. tab. ii, f. 8” (CAB.).
SP. CHAR. Head and neck all round sooty-black; this color extending to the upper part of the breast, but not along the sides under the wings, and with convex outline behind. Interscapular region of the back and exposed surface of the wing-coverts and secondaries dark rufous-brown, forming a square patch. A lighter, more pinkish tint of the same on the sides of breast and belly. Rest of under parts clear white. Rump brownish-ash. Upper tail-coverts dusky. Outer two tail-feathers white; the third with only an obscure streak of white. Bill flesh-color, dusky at tip. Legs flesh-color. Length about 6.50 inches; wing, 3.00.
HAB. Pacific coast of the United States to the eastern side of the Rocky Mountains, and north to Alaska. Stragglers as far east as Fort Leavenworth in winter and Great Bend of Missouri.
Sitka and Oregon specimens have the back of a darker rufous than those from California and the Middle Province, in which this portion of the body, as well as the sides, is paler, and in more abrupt contrast with the head.
Immature and the majority of winter specimens do not have the black of the head and neck so well defined, but edged above more or less with the color of the back, below with light ashy.
The Oregon Snowbird in full plumage is readily distinguishable from the eastern species by the purer white of the belly; the more sharply defined outline of the black of the head passes directly across the upper part of the breast, and is even convex in its posterior outline, without extending down the side of the breast, with its posterior outline strongly concave, as in hyemalis. The absence of black or ashy-brown under the wings, with the rufous tinge, are highly characteristic of oregonus. The head and neck are considerably blacker; the rufous of the back and wings does not exist in the other. The wings and quills are more pointed; the second quill usually longest, instead of the third, etc. The dusky of the throat reaches in J. oregonus only to the upper part of the breast; to its middle region in hyemalis.
Sometimes, in adult males, the middle and greater wing-coverts are faintly tipped with white, indicating two inconspicuous bands.
In a large series of Juncos collected at Fort Whipple, Arizona, by Dr. Coues, are several specimens so decidedly intermediate between J. oregonus and J. caniceps as to suggest the probability of their being hybrids; others, from Fort Burgwyn and Fort Bridger, are exactly like them. With the ashy head and jugulum, and black lores, as well as bright rufous back, of the latter, the sides are pinkish as in the former; while, as in this too, the posterior outline of the ash on jugulum is convex, not concave, and the rufous of the back has a tendency to tinge the wings, instead of being confined to the interscapulars. (See foot-note to synoptical table, p. 579.)
HABITS. Dr. Suckley found this bird extremely abundant in Oregon and Washington Territory, where it holds about the same position that the hyemalis does in the Eastern States. Dr. Cooper states it to be a very common bird in Washington Territory, especially in the winter, when it comes about the houses and farms with precisely the same habits as the common Atlantic species. In the summer it is seen about Puget Sound, in which neighborhood it breeds. He met with young fledglings as early as May 24. At that season they were not gregarious, and were found principally about the edges of woods.
Mr. Ridgway also regards the western Snowbird as, in all appreciable respects, an exact counterpart of the eastern hyemalis. In summer he found it inhabiting the pine woods of the mountains, but in winter descending to the lowlands, and entering the towns and gardens in the same manner with the eastern species.
Dr. Cooper states this species to be numerous in winter in nearly every part of California. In the summer it resides among the mountains down to the 32d parallel. On the coast he has not determined its residence farther south than Monterey. The coolness of that locality, and its extensive forests of pines extending to the coast, favor the residence of such birds during the summer. At San Diego he observed them until the first of April, when they retired to the neighboring mountains. A few also were found in the Colorado Valley in the winter. On the Coast Mountains south of Santa Clara he found them breeding in large numbers in May, 1864. One nest contained young, just ready to fly, as early as May 13. This was built in a cavity among the roots of a large tree on a steep bank. It was made of leaves, grasses, and fine root-fibres. On the outside it was covered with an abundant coating of green moss, raised above the surface of the ground. The old birds betrayed the presence of the nest by their extreme anxiety. On the 20th he found another nest on the very summit of the mountains, supposed to be a second laying, as it contained but three eggs. It was slightly sunk in the ground under a fern, and formed like the other, but with less moss around its edge. It was lined with cows’ and horses’ hair. The eggs were bluish-white, with blackish-brown spots of various sizes thickly sprinkled around the larger end, and measuring .74 by .60 of an inch.
The only song Dr. Cooper noticed, of this species, was a faint trill much like that of the Spizella socialis, delivered from the top of some low tree in March and April. At other times they have only a sharp call-note, by which they are distinguishable from other Sparrows. While some migrate far to the south in winter, others remain as far north as the Columbia River, frequenting, in large numbers, the vicinity of barns and houses, especially when the snow is on the ground. They raise two broods in a season.
Dr. Coues found this species a very common winter resident in Arizona, arriving at Fort Whipple about October 10, soon becoming very abundant, and continuing so until the second week in April. Stragglers were seen until May 10.
Dr. Woodhouse also observed numbers of the western Snowbird on the San Francisco Mountains, in the month of October, where they were very abundant. Many specimens were obtained in Sitka by Mr. Bischoff. None have so far been recorded from the Aleutian Islands.
Dr. Kennerly frequently saw these birds near the Pueblo of Zuñi in New Mexico; in the months of October and November they were very abundant among the cedars to the westward of that settlement as far as the Little Colorado. Dr. Heermann also met with them near Fort Yuma in December, having previously noticed them during the fall, migrating in large flocks.
Mr. Aiken frequently found this species throughout the winter in Colorado. It was very common during March and the first of April. By May only a few straggling females were seen, and then they all disappeared.
The nests of this species have a general resemblance in structure to those of the common hyemalis. They are well constructed and remarkably symmetrical, made externally of mosses and other coarse materials, within which is very nicely woven an inner nest of fine, bent stems of grasses, lined with hair. The eggs, four or five in number, resemble those of the hyemalis, but are lighter. They have a ground-color of greenish-white, marked about the larger end with fine dots of reddish-brown. Their measurement is .75 by .60 of an inch.
Junco caniceps, BAIRD.
RED-BACKED SNOWBIRD.
Struthus caniceps, WOODHOUSE, Pr. A. N. Sc. Phila. VI, Dec. 1852, 202 (New Mexico and Texas).—IB. Sitgreaves’s Report Zuñi & Colorado, 1853, 83, pl. iii. Junco caniceps, BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 468, pl. lxxii, f. 1.—COOPER, Orn. Cal. 1, 201.
SP. CHAR. Bill yellowish; black at the tip. Above ashy (of the same shade before and behind); the head and neck all round of this color, which extends (paling a little) along the sides, leaving the middle of the belly and crissum quite abruptly white. Lores conspicuously but not very abruptly darker. Interscapular region abruptly reddish chestnut-brown, which does not extend on the wings, and makes a triangular patch. Two outer tail-feathers entirely white; third with a long white terminal stripe on the inner web. Young streaked with blackish above and below, except along middle of belly and behind. Length, 6.00; wing, 3.23; tail, 3.04.
HAB. Rocky Mountains; from Black Hills to San Francisco Mountains, Arizona. Wahsatch and Uintah Mountains (RIDGWAY).
This species is similar to the common J. hyemalis in color, though paler; the tint of the under parts and sides is not quite so dark, and is less abruptly defined against the white. The conspicuous chestnut patch on the back and the dusky lores will distinguish them. The edge of the outer web of the third tail-feather is brown, not white. It differs from oregonus and cinereus in having no chestnut on the wings, especially the tertials, and from the former in the extension of the ash of the neck along the sides and much lighter head.
Young birds are streaked above and below as in other species; they may be distinguished from those of cinereus by the rufous being confined to the interscapular region, the same as in the adult.
The type skin of Junco dorsalis of Dr. Henry (see foot-note to synoptical table, p. 580) differs mainly in having the whole upper mandible entirely black, as in J. cinereus; and, as in the latter, the jugulum is pale ash, fading gradually into the white of the abdomen, instead of deep ash abruptly defined. It is very probably, as suggested by Mr. Ridgway, a hybrid with J. cinereus.
HABITS. This species was first discovered and described by Dr. Woodhouse from specimens obtained by him among the San Francisco Mountains in Arizona. When procured, it was feeding in company with the Junco oregonus and various species of Parus. Its habits appeared to be very similar to those of the western Snowbird, as well as to those of the common J. hyemalis.
Dr. Coues states that he found this bird a not very common winter resident at Fort Whipple, where its times of arrival and departure, as well as its general habits, were identical with those of J. oregonus, with which it very freely associated. From this we may naturally infer that in New Mexico and Arizona it appears only as a winter visitant, and that in summer it goes elsewhere to breed. Its summer resorts, as well as our knowledge of its breeding-habits, nest, and eggs, remain to be determined, or are only imperfectly known. It evidently retires to the highlands and to mountain regions to breed, and probably has a much more extended habitat than that of which we now have any knowledge. Upon this problem Mr. Ridgway’s observations have already shed some valuable and suggestive light. He met with this bird only among the pine woods of the Wahsatch Mountains, where, however, it was a very common bird, and where it was also breeding. Its manners and notes were scarcely different from those of J. oregonus. It is, however, a shyer bird than the latter, and its song, which is only a simple trill, is rather louder than that of either the hyemalis or the oregonus.
Dr. Coues writes me that both “the Gray-head and the Oregon Snowbirds are common species about Fort Whipple in winter, arriving about the middle of October, and remaining in numbers until early in April, when they thin off, although some may usually be observed during the month, and even a part of the next. Oregonus far outnumbers caniceps. So far as I could see, their habits are precisely the same as those of the eastern Snowbird. During snow-storms they used to come familiarly about our quarters, and I once captured several of both species, enticing them into a tent in which some barley had been strewn, and having the flap fixed so that it could be pulled down with a string in a moment. They always associated together, and once, on firing into a flock, I picked up a number of each kind, and one Junco hyemalis. The latter can only be considered a straggler in this region, although I secured three specimens one winter.”
This species was very rare in Colorado, according to Mr. Aiken, in the winter of 1871-72, but became common in March, and a few remained up to the 3d of May. No females of this species were observed by him.
Mr. J. A. Allen mentions first meeting with this species at an elevation of seven thousand feet, and from that height it was common, on the slopes of Mount Lincoln, to the extreme limit of the timber line.
GENUS POOSPIZA, CABANIS.
Poospiza, CABANIS, Wiegmann’s Archiv, 1847, I, 349. (Type, Emberiza nigro-rufa, D’ORB., or Pipilo personata, SW.)
GEN. CHAR. Bill slender, conical, both outlines gently curved. Under jaw with the edges considerably inflected; not so high as the upper. Tarsi elongated, slender; considerably longer than the middle toe. Toes short, weak; the outer decidedly longer than the inner, but not reaching to the base of the middle claw. Hind toe about equal to the middle without its claw. All the claws compressed and moderately curved. Wings rather long, reaching about over the basal fourth of the exposed portion of the rather long tail. Tertiaries and secondaries about equal, and not much shorter than the lengthened primaries; the second to fifth about equal and longest; the first considerably shorter, and longer than the seventh. Tail long, slightly emarginate, graduated; the outer feather abruptly shorter than the others. Feathers broad, linear, and rather obliquely truncate at the ends, with the corners rounded.
Color. Uniform above, without streaks. Beneath white, with or without a black throat. Black and white stripes on the head.
We are by no means sure that the two North American specimens here indicated really belong to the genus Poospiza, but we know no better position for them. They may be distinguished as follows:—
COMMON CHARACTERS. Lores and beneath the eye black, a white orbital ring, white spot above the lore (in bilineata continued back in a superciliary stripe); a white maxillary stripe. Lateral tail-feathers, with outer web, and terminal border of inner, hoary or pure white.
A. Throat black in adult; sides not streaked.
A continuous white superciliary stripe.
1. P. bilineata. Black patch of throat covering jugulum, with a convex outline behind. Crown and back without streaks, concolored. Wing-coverts without white bands; lesser coverts ash. Wing, 2.75; tail, 2.85; bill, from nostril, .37; tarsus, .65.
No white superciliary stripe.
2. P. mystacalis. Black patch of throat not extending on jugulum; its posterior outline truncated. Crown and back with distinct black streaks. Back scapulars and rump rufous in contrast with the ash of head and neck. Wing-coverts with two narrow, sharply defined white bands; lesser coverts black. Wing, 2.80; tail, 3.30; bill, .40; tarsus, .80. Hab. Mexico.
B. Throat white; sides streaked.
3. P. belli. No white superciliary stripe. A dusky spot in middle of the breast. Upper parts ashy, concolored, with indistinct streaks on the back. Wings somewhat more brownish, the coverts with two indistinct light (not white) bands.
α. Wing, 2.50; tail, 2.50; bill, .31; tarsus, .74. Dorsal streaks obsolete. Hab. California … var. belli.
β. Wing, 3.20; tail, 3.20; bill, .35; tarsus, .76. Dorsal streaks distinct. Hab. Middle Province of United States … var. nevadensis.
Poospiza bilineata, SCLATER.
BLACK-THROATED SPARROW.
Emberiza bilineata, CASSIN, Pr. A. N. Sc. Ph. V, Oct. 1850, 104, pl. iii, Texas.—IB. Illust. I, v, 1854, 150, pl. xxiii. _Poospiza bilineata_, SCLATER, Pr. Zoöl. Soc. 1857, 7.—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 470.—IB. Mex. Bound. II, Birds, 15.—HEERM. X, c. 14.—COOPER, Orn. Cal. 1, 1870, 203.
[Line drawing: Poospiza bilineata. 6316]
SP. CHAR. Above uniform unspotted ashy-gray, tinged with light brown; purer and more plumbeous anteriorly, and on sides of head and neck. Under parts white, tinged with plumbeous on the sides, and with yellowish-brown about the thighs. A sharply defined superciliary and maxillary stripe of pure white, as also the lower eyelid, the former margined internally with black. Loral region black, passing insensibly into dark slate on the ears. Chin and throat between the white maxillary stripes black, ending on the upper part of the breast in a rounded outline. Tail black, the lateral feathers edged externally and tipped on inner web with white. Bill blue. Length, 5.40; wing, 2.75; tail, 2.90. Sexes alike.
HAB. Middle Province of United States north to 40°, between Rocky Mountains and Sierra Nevada. (As far west as Janos and the Mohave villages.) Matamoras (rare at San Antonio; DRESSER, Ibis, 1865, 488).
This species in external form is very similar to P. belli, and will probably fall in the same genus. The cutting edges of the bill are much inflexed. The first quill is shorter than the sixth. The tail is a good deal rounded; the feathers broad.
The white maxillary stripe does not come quite to the base of the under jaw, which there is black. There is a hoary tinge on the forehead. The white superciliary stripes almost meet on the forehead.
In the immature bird the throat is white with a dusky clouding along each side; the upper part of the breast streaked with brown.
HABITS. The Black-throated Sparrow, generically associated with Bell’s Finch, has several well-marked distinctive peculiarities in habits. Their eggs are also totally unlike those of the present species, being much more like those of the Peucæa and of Leucosticte griseinucha, and, like them, white and unspotted.
This species was first described by Mr. Cassin from specimens obtained in Western Texas by John W. Audubon, and its habitat was at first supposed to be restricted to the valleys of the Rio Grande and the Gila, but more recent explorations show it to have a much wider distribution. It is found from Western Texas through part of Mexico, New Mexico, the Indian Territory, and Arizona, to Southern California, and towards the north throughout the region of the Great Basin to an extent not yet fully determined. In portions at least of this territory it is migratory, and only resident in the summer months.
Mr. Dresser found this Sparrow very abundant during July and August in the mesquite thickets in the town of Matamoras. In December it was equally common at Eagle Pass, but at San Antonio it was quite a rare bird. He only observed it on two or three occasions at a rancho on the Medina River, and late in June a nest and four eggs were obtained. Between Laredo and Matamoras, after crossing the Nueces, he found these birds very numerous, and near Laredo met with several nests, some containing young and some eggs nearly hatched. One taken on the 20th of July contained three fresh eggs, probably indicating a second laying. This nest was in a low bush, carefully concealed. It was composed of straws and lined with fine roots. The eggs, when fresh, were nearly white, with a delicate bluish tinge. On his journey down the river he found many nests, all empty or containing young. Some of these were partially lined with cotton. Though not wild, the birds were so restless that he found it difficult to shoot them. Dr. Woodhouse obtained one specimen on the Rio Pedro, in Texas.
In Mexico this Sparrow was found by Lieutenant Couch to be numerous in parts of Tamaulipas, Nueva Leon, Coahuila, and other States on the Rio Grande, immediately south and west of the limits of the territory of the United States. It was first seen at Santa Rosalio, and specimens obtained, though none were noticed at Brownsville, only twenty miles east, during a month’s residence. At Charco Escondido, forty miles farther in the interior, it was very plentiful, and although it was early in March, had already reared a brood of young, one specimen appearing to be a young bird only a few weeks old. Its favorite home appeared to be the scattered mesquite, on the plains east of the Sierra Madre. During the warm hours of the day it does not seek the shade, but may always be found chirping and hopping from one bush to another. South of Cadoreita the birds disappeared, but after a month’s loss of their company he again met with them among some flowering Leguminosa, between Pesquieria and Rinconada. He thus found it several times entirely absent from districts of considerable extent, but always reappearing again throughout his journey. The usual note of this bird, at the season in which he met with it, was a simple chirp; but on one occasion, having halted during a norther in Tamaulipas, he heard a “gay little black-throated fellow,” regardless of the bitter wind, from the top of a yellow mimosa then in bloom, give utterance to a strain of sprightly and sweet notes, that would compare favorably with those of many more famed songsters.
Dr. Coues found this Sparrow very abundant in the southern and western portions of Arizona, though rare at Fort Whipple, where the locality was unsuited to it, as it seemed to prefer open plains, grassy or covered with sagebrush.
Mr. J. H. Clarke, who met with these birds in Tamaulipas, Texas, and New Mexico, speaks of them as abundant and widely distributed. He found them on the lower Rio Grande, but more abundantly in the interior, seeming to prefer the stunted and sparse vegetation of the sand-hills and dry plains to the cottonwood groves and willow thickets of the river valleys, where they were never seen. They would be very inconspicuous did not the male occasionally perch himself on some topmost branch and pour forth a continuous strain of music. In the more barren regions they were the almost exclusive representatives of the feathered tribes.
Dr. Heermann first remarked this Finch near Tucson, in Arizona, where he found it associated with other Sparrows in large flocks. They were flying from bush to bush, alighting on the ground to pick up grass-seeds and insects. They were quite numerous, and he traced them as far into Texas as the Dead Man’s Hole, between El Paso and San Antonio.
Dr. Cooper found a few of these birds on the treeless and waterless mountains that border the Colorado Valley, in pairs or in small companies, hopping along the ground, under the scanty shrubbery. In crossing the Providence Range, in May, Dr. Cooper found their nest, containing white eggs.
Both species of Poospiza, the belli and the bilineata, according to Mr. Ridgway, are entirely peculiar in their manners, habits, and notes. Both, he states, are birds characteristic of the arid artemisia plains of the Great Basin, and, with the Eremophila cornuta, are often the only birds met with on those desert wastes. The two species, he adds, are quite unlike in their habits and manners. They each have about the same extent of habitat, and even often frequent the same locality. While the P. bilineata is partial to dry sandy situations, inhabiting generally the arid mesa extending from the river valleys back to the mountains, the P. belli is almost confined to the more thrifty growth of the artemisia, as found in the damper valley portions. The P. belli is a resident species, and even through the severest winters is found in abundance. The P. bilineata is exclusively a summer bird, one of the latest to come from the South, and much the more shy of the two; its manners also are quite different.
Both birds have one common characteristic, which renders them worthy of especial remark. This is the peculiar delivery and accent, and the strange sad tone of their spring song, which, though unassuming and simple, is indeed strange in the effect it produces. This song, so plaintive and mournful, harmonizes with the dull monotony of the desert landscape.
Mr. Ridgway states that the P. bilineata is not so abundant as the other species, and is more retiring in its habits. It principally frequents the desert tracts and sandy wastes, on which are found only the most stunted forms of sage-brush. Its song, though quite simple, is exceedingly fine, its modulation being somewhat like wut´-wut´-ze-e-e-e-e-e, the first two syllables being uttered in a rich metallic tone, while the final trill is in a lower key, and of the most liquid and tremulous character imaginable. This simple chant is repeated every few seconds, the singer being perched upon a bush. He adds that this bird arrives on the Truckee Reservation about the 13th of May. The nest is built in sage-bushes, and the eggs are found from the 7th to the 21st of June. The nests are usually about one foot from the ground, or thereabouts.
The eggs vary in size from .70 by .55 of an inch to .75 by .60. They are of a rounded-oval shape, and of a pure white with a slight tinge of blue, somewhat resembling the eggs of the Bachman Finch.
Poospiza belli, SCLATER.
BELL’S SPARROW.
Emberiza belli, CASSIN, Pr. A. N. Sc. Phila. V, Oct. 1850, 104, pl. iv (San Diego, Cal.). Poospiza belli, SCLATER, Pr. Zoöl. Soc. 1857, 7.—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 470.—HEERM. X, s. p. 46. Zonotrichia belli, ELLIOT, Illust. Birds N. Am. I, pl. xiv.—COOPER, Orn. Cal. 1, 204.
SP. CHAR. Upper parts generally, with sides of head and neck, uniform bluish-ash, tinged with yellowish-gray on the crown and back, and with a few very obsolete dusky streaks on the interscapular region. Beneath pure white, tinged with yellowish-brown on the sides and under the tail. Eyelids, short streak from the bill to above the eye, and small median spot at the base of culmen, white. A stripe on the sides of the throat and spot on the upper part of the breast, with a few streaks on the sides, with the loral space and region round the eyes, plumbeous-black. Tail-feathers black; the outer edged with white. Wing-feathers all broadly edged with brownish-yellow; the elbow-joint tinged with yellowish-green. Bill and feet blue. Length, 5.70; wing, 2.80; tail, 2.90. (Largest specimen, 6,338 ♂, Cosumnes River).
HAB. Southern California.
The colors are softer and more blended in the autumn; the young are obsoletely streaked on the breast.
HABITS. Bell’s Finch has apparently a more restricted distribution than the Black-throated species, and is resident wherever found. It has been met with at Posa Creek, Cal., by Dr. Heermann, at Fort Thorn by Dr. T. C. Henry, and along the Colorado River by Drs. Kennerly and Möllhausen. It has likewise been found in Southern California, as far north as Sacramento Valley, and in the valley of the Gila.
Dr. Cooper states that all the extensive thickets throughout the southern half of California are the favorite resorts of this bird. There they apparently live upon small seeds and insects, indifferent as to water, or depending upon what they obtain from dews or fogs. They reside all the year in the same localities, and were also numerous on the island of San Nicolas, eighty miles from the mainland. In spring the males utter, as Dr. Cooper says, a low monotonous ditty, from the top of some favorite shrub, answering each other from long distances. Their nest he found about three feet from the ground, composed of grasses and slender weeds, lined with hair and other substances. The eggs, four in number, he describes as pale greenish, thickly sprinkled over with reddish-brown dots. At San Diego he found the young hatched out by May 18, but thinks they are sometimes earlier. It is also a common bird in the chaparral of Santa Clara Valley, and also, according to Dr. Heermann, along the Cosumnes River.
In Arizona, according to Dr. Coues, it is rather uncommon about Fort Whipple, owing to the unsuitable nature of the locality, but is abundant among the sage-brush of the Gila Valley, where it keeps much on the ground, and where its movements are very much like those of a Pipilo.
Drs. Kennerly and Möllhausen met with these Sparrows on the Little Colorado River, in California, December 15. They were found during that month along the banks of the river wherever the weeds and bushes were thick. It was never observed very far from the water, and its food, at that season, seemed to consist of the seeds of various kinds of weeds. Its motions were quick, and, when started up, its flight was short, rapid, and near the earth.
Dr. Heermann states that in the fall of 1851 he found this species in the mountains bordering the Cosumnes River, and afterwards on the broad tract of arid land between Kerr River and the Tejon Pass, and again on the desert between that and the Mohave River. He often found them wandering to a great distance from water. With only a few exceptions, these were the only birds inhabiting the desolate plains, where the artemisia is the almost exclusive vegetation. When undisturbed, it chants merrily from some bush-top, but, at the approach of danger, drops at once to the ground and disappears in the shrubbery or weeds. Its nest he found built in a bush, composed of twigs and grasses, and lined with hair. The eggs, four in number, he describes as of a light greenish-blue, marked with reddish-purple spots, differing in intensity of shade.
Poospiza belli, var. nevadensis, RIDGWAY.
ARTEMISIA SPARROW.
Poospiza belli, var. nevadensis, RIDGWAY, Report on Birds of 40th Parallel.
SP. CHAR. Resembling P. belli, but purer ashy above, with the dorsal streaks very distinct, instead of almost obsolete. Wing, 3.20 (instead of 2.50); tail, 3.20 (instead of 2.50); bill (from forehead), .35; tarsus, .76. (Type, No. 53,516 ♂, Western Humboldt Mountains, Nev., United States Geol. Expl. 40th Par.)
Young. Streaked above, the crown obsoletely, the back distinctly. Whole breast and sides with numerous short dusky streaks upon a white ground. Markings about the head indistinct, wing-bands more distinct than in the adult.
HAB. Middle Province of United States, north to beyond 40° (resident).
[Line drawing: Poospiza belli, var. belli. 11211]
The difference in size between the race of the Great Basin and that of the southern Pacific Province, of this species, is quite remarkable, being much greater than in any other instance within our knowledge. This may, perhaps, be explained by the fact that the former is not migratory, but resident even in the most northern part of its range; while the California one is also resident, and an inhabitant of only the southern portion of the coast region, not reaching nearly so far north as the race of the interior.
The coloration of the two races is quite identical, though in all specimens of var. belli the dorsal streaks are obsolete, sometimes even apparently wanting, while in the var. nevadensis they are always conspicuous. The former appears to be more brownish above than the latter.
HABITS. These birds, Mr. Ridgway states, have a very general distribution, extending as far west as the eastern base of the Sierra Nevada. At Carson City, February 27, he heard for the first time their sweet sad chant. A week later he found the sage-brush full of these birds, the males being in full song and answering one another from all directions. In walking through the sage-brush these Sparrows were seen on every side, some running upon the ground with their tails elevated, uttering a chipping twitter, as they sought to conceal themselves behind the shrubs. Some were seen to alight upon the tops of dead stalks, where they sit with their tails expanded almost precisely after the manner of the Kingbird. The song of this bird is feeble, but is unsurpassed for sweetness and sadness of tone. While its effect is very like the song of a Meadow Lark singing afar off, there is, besides its peculiar sadness, something quite unique in its modulation and delivery. It is a chant, in style somewhat like the spring warbling of the Shore Lark.
On the 24th of March, at Carson City, he found these Sparrows very abundant and everywhere the predominating species, as it was also the most unsuspicious and familiar. It was even difficult to keep them from under the feet. A pair would often run before him for a distance of several rods with their unexpanded tails elevated, and when too nearly approached would only dodge in among the bushes instead of flying off.
On the 9th of April, walking among the sage-brush near Carson City, Mr. Ridgway found several nests of this Sparrow, the female parent in each instance betraying the position of her nest by running out, as he approached, from the bush beneath which it was concealed. With elevated tail, running rapidly and silently away, they disappeared among the shrubbery. In such cases a careful examination of the spot was sure to result in finding an artfully concealed nest, either embedded in the ground or a few inches above it in the lower branches of the bush. He did not find this species east of the northern end of Great Salt Lake, nor was it seen in the neighborhood of Salt Lake City, where the other species was so abundant.
The eggs of this species differ very essentially from those of the P. bilineata. They are oblong in shape, have a light greenish ground, marked all over the egg with very fine dots of a reddish-brown, and around the larger end with a ring of confluent blotches of dark purple and lines of a darker brown, almost black. They measure .80 by .60 of an inch. They resemble very closely a not uncommon variety of the eggs of the Spizella pusilla.
Footnotes:
[1] We are indebted to Professor Theodore N. Gill for the present account of the characteristics of the class of Birds as distinguished from other vertebrates, pages XI-XV.
[2] Dr. Coues, in his “Key to North American Birds,” gives an able and extended article on the general characteristics of birds, and on their internal and external anatomy, to which we refer our readers. A paper by Professor E. S. Morse in the “Annals of the New York Lyceum of Natural History” (X, 1869), “On the Carpus and Tarsus of Birds,” is of much scientific value.
[3] Carus and Gerstaecker (Handbuch der Zoologie, 1868, 191) present the following definition of birds as a class:—
Aves. Skin covered wholly or in part with feathers. Anterior pair of limbs, converted into wings, generally used in flight; sometimes rudimentary. Occiput with a single condyle. Jaws encased in horny sheaths, which form a bill; lower jaw of several elements and articulated behind with a distinct quadrate bone attached to the skull. Heart with double auricle and double ventricle. Air-spaces connected to a greater or less extent with the lungs; the skeleton more or less pneumatic. Diaphragm incomplete. Pelvis generally open. Reproduction by eggs, fertilized within the body, and hatched externally, either by incubation or by solar heat; the shells calcareous and hard.
[4] Methodi naturalis avium disponendarum tentamen. Stockholm, 1872-73.
[5] This group is insusceptible of definition. The wading birds, as usually allocated, do not possess in common one single character not also to be found in other groups, nor is the collocation of their characters peculiar.
[6] Corresponding closely with the Linnæan and earlier Sundevallian acceptation of the term. Equivalent to the later Oscines of Sundevall.
[7] As remarked by Sundevall, exceptions to the diagnostic pertinence of these two characters of hind claw and wing-coverts taken together are scarcely found. For, in those non-passerine birds, as Raptores and some Herodiones, in which the claw is enlarged, the wing-coverts are otherwise disposed; and similarly when, as in many Pici and elsewhere, the coverts are of a passerine character, the feet are highly diverse.
[8] Laminiplantares of Sundevall plus Alaudidæ.
[9] Scutelliplantares of Sundevall minus Alaudidæ.
[10] Nearly equivalent to the Linnæan Picæ. Equal to the late (1873) Volucres of Sundevall.
[11] A polymorphic group, perfectly distinguished from Passeres by the above characters in which, for the most part, it approximates to one or another of the following lower groups, from which, severally, it is distinguished by the inapplicability of the characters noted beyond. My divisions of Picariæ correspond respectively to the Cypselomorphæ, Coccygomorphæ, and Celeomorphæ of Huxley, from whom many of the characters are borrowed.
[12] Groups G., H., and I. are respectively equal to the Charadriomorphæ, Pelargomorphæ, and Geranomorphæ of Huxley.
[13] In the true conirostral or fringilliform genera the under mandible has high strong tomia, bent at an angle near the base; the corresponding portion of the upper mandible is deep, so that the nostrils are nearer the culmen than the tomia. The whole bill is more or less bent in its axis from the axis of the cranial base, so that the palate curves down, or is excavated or, as it were, is broken into two planes meeting at an angle,—one plane the anterior hard imperforate roof of the mouth, the other the back palate where the internal nares are situate (Sundevall). The single North American genus of Tanagridæ (Pyranga) is here conventionally ranged on account of its high nostrils and conic bill, although it does not show angulation of the tomia. The Icteridæ, with obviously angulated tomia, shade into the Fringillidæ in shortness and thickness of bill, and into other families in its length and slenderness.
[14] These two genera, Psilorhinus and Gymnokitta, of the family Corvidæ, have naked nostrils, as under dd, but otherwise show the characters of Corvidæ.
[15] With the Paridæ the authors of this work include the Nuthatches as a subfamily Sittinæ, which I prefer to dissociate and place as a group of equal grade next to Certhiidæ.
[16] In the genus Ampelis and part of the Vireonidæ it is so extremely short as to appear absent, and is displaced, lying concealed outside the second (apparently first) primary, like one of the primary coverts; however, it may always be detected on close examination, differing from the coverts with which it is associated in some points of size and shape, if not also of color.
[17] In Ampelis there is tendency to subdivision of the lateral plates; in Myiadestes the anterior scutella are obsolete.
[18] Excepting Picoides, in which the true hind toe (hallux) is wanting; the outer or fourth toe being, however, reversed as usual, and taking the place of the hind toe.
[19] Excepting Sphyrapicus, in which the tongue is not more protrusible than in ordinary birds.
[20] Our species falls rather in a restricted family Aridæ, as distinguished from Psittacidæ proper.
[21] In a perfectly fresh specimen of Turdus mustelinus, the basal half of the first phalanx of the inner toe is connected with the first joint of the middle toe by a membrane which stretches across to within two fifths of the end of the latter; there appears, however, to be no ligamentous adhesion. The basal joint of the outer toe is entirely adherent, and a membrane extends from nearly the basal half of the second joint to the distal end of the first joint of the middle toe. When this connecting membrane becomes dried the division of the toes appears considerably greater.
When the toes are all extended in line with the tarsus, the hind claw stretches a little beyond the lateral and scarcely reaches the base of the middle claw.
The plates at the upper surface of the basal joints of the toes are quadrangular and opposite each other.
[22] See Baird, Review American Birds, I, 1864, 7, 8.
[23] Harporhynchus ocellatus, SCLATER, P. Z. S. 1862, p. 18, pl. iii.
[24] C. ardesiacus, SALVIN, Ibis, N. S. III, 121, pl. ii.
[25] C. pallasi, TEMM. Man. d’Orn. I, p. 177.—SALVIN, Ibis, III, 1867, 119. (Sturnus cinclus, var. PALLAS, Zoögr. R.-As. I, 426.)
[26] S. azurea, BAIRD, Rev. Am. Birds, 1864, 62. (S. azurea, SWAINSON.)
[27] Parus meridionalis, SCLATER, P. Z. S. 1856, 293.—BAIRD, Rev. 81.
[28] Parus sibiricus, GMEL. S. N. 1788, p. 1013.
[29] This remark applies to the Mexican race.
[30] N. rufa, BAIRD. (Alauda rufa, GMELIN, Syst. Nat. I, 1788, 798.)
[31] P. bogotensis, BAIRD. (Anthus bogotensis, SCLATER, P. Z. S. 1855, 109, pl. ci.)
[32] Anthus (Notiocorys) rufus, BAIRD, Rev. Am. Birds, 1864, 156 (Alauda rufa, GM.). Hab. Isthmus of Panama.
[33] Anthus (Pediocorys) bogotensis, BAIRD, Rev. Am. Birds, 1864, 157 (Anthus bogotensis, SCLATER). Hab. Ecuador, Colombia.
[34] Sylvia pitiayumi, VIEILL. Nouv. Dict. II, 1816, 276. Parula pit. SCLAT. Catal. 26, no. 165.—BAIRD, Rev. Am. Birds, I, 1865, 170.
[35] Parula insularis, LAWR. Ann. N. Y. Lyc. X, Feb. 1871.
[36] Parula inornata, BAIRD, Rev. Am. Birds, I, 1865, 171.
[37] Or if with white markings, the prevailing color yellow, as in D. pinus, in which only the adult ♂ has the wing-bands ashy-white.
[38] The wing-formula, though varying among individuals, is nevertheless in a measure characteristic. An average specimen is in each case chosen.
[39] D. gundlachi, BAIRD, Review Am. B. I, 1865, 197.
[40] Dendroica petechia, BAIRD, Review, 199. (Motacilla petechia, LINN. 1766.)
A specimen from Port au Prince is smaller, measuring, wing, 2.50; tail, 2.10; bill, .31; tarsus, .74. It is perhaps lighter green above than Jamaican specimens. These features may only be characteristic of the particular individual.
[41] D. ruficapilla, BAIRD, Rev. 201.
A single specimen from Porto Rico differs in some respects from the average of a series from the other islands named. The chief differences are, less thickly streaked throat, and distinct shaft-streaks of dark chestnut on the back. However, one or two specimens of true ruficapilla from St. Thomas have the upper part of the throat streaked, and one of them has the streaks on the back. In all probability other specimens from Porto Rico would be more like typical species of this race as seen in the majority of those from St. Thomas and St. Bartholomew.
[42] D. aureola, BAIRD, Rev. 194. (Sylvicola a. GOULD, Voyage Beagle, 1841, 86.)
[43] D. capitalis, LAWR. Pr. Phila. Acad. 1868, 359. Barbadoes. Dendroica, BAIRD, Rev. 201.
[44] D. vieilloti, CASSIN, Pr. A. N. S. May, 1860, 192. (Panama, Carthagena.)—BAIRD, Rev. 203.
[45] D. rufigula, BAIRD, Rev. p. 204. The habitat as Martinique, W. I., was there queried, but without any reason for so doing other than that this was the locality of Vieillot’s species, with which the type described in Review nearly agreed. Should Vieillot’s species be really from Martinique, in all probability the present bird will be found to be different, and therefore not entitled to the name here given. Provided such is the case, the name “ruficeps,” Cabanis, cannot with propriety be used, as under that head he includes specimens from Carthagena (true vieilloti), Costa Rica, and Mexico (the latter bryanti).
[46] D. vieilloti, var. bryanti, RIDGWAY.
[47] Sylvicola eoa, GOSSE, Birds of Jamaica, 1847, 158; Illustrations Birds Jam. Dendroica eoa, BAIRD, Rev. 195. The true position of this species is very uncertain, owing to the imperfect description, or rather the incomplete plumage, of the types. There is no doubt, however, that it is entirely different from any other, and in its having, as expressly stated, the inner webs yellow, thus bringing it into close relation with the “Golden Warblers.”
[48] D. pharetra, BAIRD, Rev. 192. (Sylvicola pharetra, GOSSE, Birds Jam. 1847, 163.)
[49] D. adelaidæ, BAIRD, Rev. April, 1865, 212.
[50] D. pityophila, BAIRD, Rev. 208. (Sylvicola p. GUNDL. Ann. N. Y. Lyc. Oct. 1855, 160.)
[51] Dendroica adelaidæ, BAIRD, Rev. 1865, 212. Hab. Porto Rico.
[52] Geothlypis rostratus, BRYANT, Pr. Bost. Soc. N. H. March, 1867, 67, Inagua.
[53] Geothlypis melanops, BAIRD, Review Am. Birds, I, April, 1865, p. 222.
[54] Geothlypis æquinoctialis (CABANIS), BAIRD, Rev. I, p. 224. (Motacilla æq. GMELIN, S. N. I, 1788, 972.)
[55] Geothlypis velata (CABANIS), BAIRD, Rev. I, 223. (Sylvia vel. VIEILL. Ois. Am. Sept. II, 1807, 22, pl. lxxiv.)
[56] Geothlypis poliocephala, BAIRD, Review Am. Birds, I, April, 1865, p. 225.
[57] Geothlypis poliocephala, var. caninucha, RIDGWAY.
The G. speciosa, SCL. (P. Z. 1858, 447; and BAIRD, Rev. 1864, p. 223), from Mexico, and G. semiflavus, SCL. (P. Z. S. 1860, 273, 291.—BAIRD, Rev. I, 1864, 223), from Ecuador, are species allied to G. trichas, and possibly referable to it. The original descriptions afford no tangible distinctive characters. It is barely possible, however, that they are distinct.
[58] Granatellus, DUBUS. BAIRD, Rev. Am. Birds, 1865, 230. (Type, G. venustus, DUBUS.)
[59] Genera Myioborus, Euthlypis, Myiothlypis, Basileuterus, Idiotes, and Ergaticus. All Middle and South America.
[60] Setophaga picta (SWAINSON), BAIRD, Rev. 1865, 256. Muscicapa leucomus, GIRAUD, Texas Birds. Hab. Mexico and Guatemala.
[61] Setophaga miniata (SWAINSON), BAIRD, Rev. 1865, 256. Muscicapa derhami, GIRAUD, Texas Birds. Hab. Mexico.
[62] Hirundo (Callichelidon) cyaneoviridis (BRYANT), BAIRD, Rev. Am. Birds, 1865, 303. Bahamas. This species may yet be detected on the Florida coast.
[63] Progne subis, var. concolor. Hirundo concolor, GOULD, P. Z. S. 1837, 22 (James I., Galapagos). Progne c. BAIRD, Rev. Am. B. 1865, 278. Progne modesta, GOULD, Birds Beagle, 39, pl. v. (Same specimen.)
[64] Progne subis, var. furcata. Progne furcata, BAIRD, Rev. Am. B. 1865, 278. (Chile.)
[65] Progne subis, var. elegans. Progne elegans, BAIRD, Rev. Am. B. 1865, 275. (Vermejo River. ? Progne purpurea, DARWIN, B. Beagle 38 (Montevideo, November), Bahia Blanca, Buenos Ayres, September.)
[66] Progne (subis var?) dominicensis. Hirundo dominicensis, GM. S. N. I, 1788, 1025. Progne d. MARCH, P. A. N. S. 1863, 295; BAIRD, Rev. Am. B. 1865, 279.
[67] Progne (subis var?) domestica. Progne domestica (VIEILL.) BAIRD, Rev. Am. B. 1865, 282. (Paraguay and Bolivia.) (Hirundo domestica, VIEILL. Nouv. Dict, xiv, 1817, 521.)
[68] Progne, (subis var?) leucogaster. Progne leucogaster, BAIRD, Rev. Am. B. 1865, 280. (Southern Mexico to Carthagena.) Progne dominicensis and P. chalybea, AUCH. (nec GMEL.).
From a careful examination of specimens of the above forms, the opinion that they are all local differentiations of one primitive type at once presents itself. The differences from the typical subis are not great, except in the white-bellied group (dominicensis and its allies), while an approach to the white belly of these is plainly to be seen in P. cryptoleuca; again, some specimens of dominicensis have the crissum mixed with blackish, while others have it wholly snowy-white. While the male of cryptoleuca is scarcely distinguishable, at first sight, from that of subis, the female is entirely different, but, on the other hand, scarcely to be distinguished from that of dominicensis and leucogaster. Adult males of the latter species are much like adult females of dominicensis, while Floridan (resident) specimens of subis approach very decidedly to the rather unique characters of elegans. It is therefore extremely probable that all are merely local modifications of one species.
[69] C. cyaneoviridis, BRYANT; BAIRD, Rev. 303 (Bahamas).
[70] Vireosylvia calidris, BAIRD, Rev. Am. Birds, 1865, 329. (Motacilla calidris, L. Syst. Nat. 10th ed. 1758, 184.)
[71] V. calidris var. barbadense, RIDGWAY.
[72] V. olivacea var. Chivi. Vireosylvia chivi, BAIRD, Rev. 327. (Sylvia chivi, VIEILL. Nouv. Dict. XI, 1817, 174.)
[73] V. flavoviridis var. agilis. Vireosylvia agilis, BAIRD, Rev. 338. (Lanius agilis, LICHT. Verz. Doubl., 1823, no. 526.)
[74] V. magister, BAIRD.
[75] V. gilva var. josephæ. Vireosylvia josephæ, BAIRD, Rev. 1865, 344 (Vireo josephæ, SCLATER, P. Z. S. 1859, 137, pl. cliv). Comparing typical examples of this “species” with those of gilvus from North America, they appear very widely different indeed, so far as coloration is concerned, though nearly identical in form. But a specimen from an intermediate locality (54,262, Orizaba, Mexico, F. SUMICHRAST) combines so perfectly all the characters of the two, that it would be impossible to refer it to one or the other as distinct species. It therefore becomes necessary to assume that the V. josephæ is a permanently resident tropical race of a species of which V. gilvus is the northern representative; which theory is strengthened by the fact that of the latter there are no specimens found south of the United States, indicating that in winter it does not pass beyond their limit, or at least not far to the southward.
[76] The Jamaican bird is V. calidris, not barbatulus. In all probability, however, they do not differ in habits and notes.—R. R.
[77] Vireosylvia propinqua, BAIRD, Rev. 1865, p. 348. This appears to be merely a permanent resident race of solitarius, which itself visits Guatemala only in winter. Closely resembling the latter, it differs essentially in the respects pointed out above. The difference in coloration is produced by a shifting, as it were, toward the head of the yellow and olive, leaving the upper tail-coverts clear ash, and the lower pure white, and encroaching upon the ash anteriorly to the crown and ear-coverts, and the white alongside of the throat. In the V. plumbeus these tints are simply almost entirely removed, leaving clear ash and pure white, with a tinge, however, of olive on the rump and of yellow on the sides. In V. cassini the tints are darkened and browned by the peculiar influence of the region where found, there being neither clear ash, nor olive-green, nor pure yellow or white, in the plumage.
[78] Vireo carmioli, BAIRD, Review Am. B. I, 1865, p. 356. Hab. Costa Rica.
[79] Bombycilla phœnicopterum, TEMM. Pl. Col. II, 1838; pl. 450. The A. phœnicopterum is stated by Temminck to have the nasal setæ so short as to leave the nostrils exposed, and to lack the sealing-wax appendages; the latter condition may, however, result from the immaturity of the specimen, as it is very common to find the same thing in individuals of the other species.
[80] Myiadestes obscurus (LAFRES.), BAIRD, Rev. Am. Birds, 1866, 430. Hab. Mountains of Mexico to Guatemala and Tres Marias Islands.
[81] Myiadestes unicolor (SCLATER), BAIRD, Rev. Am. Birds, 1866, 428. Hab. Central Mexico and Guatemala.
[82] Lanius excubitor, LINN. Syst. Nat. ed. 10, 94.
[83] Certhia flaveola, LINN. Syst. Nat. ed. 10, 1758, 119.
[84] C. flaveola, A. & E. NEWTON, Ibis, 1859, 67. Hab. St. Croix. C. newtoni, BAIRD.
[85] C. flaveola, var. portoricensis, BRYANT, Pr. Bost. Soc. N. H. Jan. 1866. Hab. Porto Rico.
[86] Motacilla bananivora, GMELIN, Syst. Nat. I, 1788, 951. (Bananiste, Buffon, St. Domingo.)
[87] Certhiola luteola, CAB. M. H. 1851, 96. C. major, CAB.; C. minor, BON.
[88] Certhiola bahamensis, REICH. Handb. I, 1853, 253. C. flaveola, BAIRD, B. N. A.; C. bairdi, CAB.
[89] C. caboti, BAIRD, MSS.
[90] C. martinicana, REICH. Hand. I, 1853, 252. C. albigula, BON.
[91] C. dominicana, TAYLOR, Ibis, 1864, 167.
[92] C. barbadensis, BAIRD, MSS.
[93] C. frontalis, BAIRD, MSS.
[94] C. bartholemica, SUNDEVALL & SPARRMANN, Vetensk. Akad. Förhandl. 1869, 622.
[95] C. mexicana, SCLATER, P. Z. S. 1856, 286.
[96] C. peruviana, CAB. Journ. 1865, 413? Perhaps different.
[97] C. chloropyga, CAB. M. H. 1851, 97. C. brasiliensis, BP.
[98] Pyranga erythromelæna, SCLATER, P. Z. S. Lond. 1856, 126. (Tanagra erythromelas, LICHT. Preis.-Verz. d. Saüg. u. Vög. no. 69; 1831.)
[99] Pyranga ardens, SCLATER, P. Z. S. 1856, 126. (Phœnisoma ardens, TSCHUDI. Wieg. Archiv, 1844, 207.)
[100] Pyranga bidentata, SWAINS. Philos. Mag. 1827, 428.
[101] Pyranga rubriceps, GRAY, Gen. B. fol. p. 364, pl. lxxxix, 1849.
[102] Pyranga erythrocephala, BONAP. R. Z. 1851, 178. (Spermagra erythrocephala, SWAINS. Phil. Mag. 1827, 437.) Were it not for the small size, one would, without seeing a specimen, be inclined to suspect this as being a young male of P. æstiva, which often occurs in very similar plumage.
[103] ? Pyranga azaræ, D’ORB. Voy. p. 264. RIDGWAY, Pr. Ac. N. S. Philad. June, 1869, p. 132, fig. 2.
[104] Pyranga saira, SCLATER, P. Z. S. 1856, 124. RIDGWAY, Pr. A. N. S. June, 1869, p. 131, fig. 1. (Tanagra saira, SPIX, Av. Bras. II, 48, fig. 1.)
[105] Pyranga testacea, SCLATER & SALVIN, P. Z. S. 1868, 388. RIDGWAY, Pr. A. N. S. June, 1869, p. 133, f. 1.
[106] Pyranga roseigularis, CABOT. (Description from the type.)
[107] Of this highly colored form, the average length of five specimens is 7.55; in twelve the average is, wing, 3.67; tail, 2.86; culmen, .67. The bill appears to be slightly darker than in North American examples.
[108] Coccothraustes abeillii, SCLATER, Catal. Am. B. 123 (Guiraca abeillii, LESSON).
[109] Carpodacus frontalis, var. hæmorrhous, Carpodacus hæmorrhous, SCLATER, P. Z. S. 1856, 304. (Fringilla hæmorrhous, LICHT. Verz. 1831.)
[110] Loxia curvirostra, LINN., Syst. Nat. 299.
[111] Loxia bifasciata, DE SELYS-LONGCHAMPS, Faune Belge, 76. BONAP. & SCHLEGEL, Mon. des Loxiens, 7.
[112] Fringilla linaria, TEMM. Mass. Orn. 1835, 267 (not of Linnæus). “Fringilla rufescens, VIEILL. Faun. Franç. tab. 41, f. 1.” Linota montium, BP. & SCHLEGEL, Mon. Lox. 1850. “Linaria flavirostris, BREHM.”
[113] Leucosticte brunneinucha. Fringilla (Linaria) brunneinucha, BRANDT, Bull. Acad. St. Petersburg, 1841, 35. Montifringilla (Leucosticte) brunneinucha, BON. & SCHLEGEL, Mon. Loxiens, 1850, 36, pl. xlii.
[114] As this sheet is going through the press, we have been permitted by Mr. J. A. Allen to examine a series of birds, obtained by him in July, 1871, on Mt. Lincoln, Colorado, above the timber line, where they were breeding abundantly. Although very different from winter L. tephrocotis, they yet strongly suggest the idea of their being that species in summer dress. They present the following characteristics:—
Breeding plumage. Differing from the stage first described above, in entire absence of any ash about the head, and in deep black, instead of yellowish bill. ♂ with the red tints intense carmine, instead of peach-blossom pink, that of the abdomen extending farther forward. ♀ lacking the red, or with only a tinge of it. Hood dark vandyke-brown, becoming nearly black on the forehead; rest of head light chocolate-brown, similar to, but more faded than, that of the winter plumage; nasal tufts grayish-white.
Ten specimens collected by Mr. Allen all agree in the characters pointed out, by which they differ from the winter plumage of L. tephrocotis. Taking into consideration the fact of their black instead of yellowish bill, more intense red, and generally more dusky colors, as well as the other points of distinction from the previously known plumages of L. tephrocotis, and also that they are identical in size and proportion, while specimens of L. tephrocotis in the breeding plumage have not before been seen, it seems very reasonable to suppose that these specimens represent the breeding plumage of that species. There is some resemblance to L. brunneinucha, which, from the plate in Bonaparte and Schlegel’s monograph of the Coccothraustinæ, seems to differ mainly in being lighter colored. Mr. Allen says that these birds were breeding abundantly in the locality where they were found.
[115] From the fact that this form is not found in any part of Alaska, nor, indeed, north of California, it is probable that the localities of anthinus and alaudinus were transposed in Bonaparte’s original descriptions.
[116] Hybrid between oregonus and caniceps, = “annectens,” BAIRD, Geol. Surv. Cal. Orn. I, p. 564.
CHAR. Pinkish sides and convex outline to ash of breast, as in oregonus, with the bright rufous back and ashy head, with black lores of caniceps; a tendency in the rufous of back to tinge the wings, as in oregonus. Hab. Southern Rocky Mountains. (Fort Whipple, Arizona, COUES; Fort Bridger, Wyoming, DREXLER; Fort Burgwyn, Mountains of Colorado, AIKEN.)
[117] Hybrid between hyemalis and oregonus.
CHAR. Plumbeous back of hyemalis, with pinkish sides of oregonus; or else reddish back of oregonus and plumbeous sides of hyemalis, or colors mixed both above and below. Hab. Sun River, Dakota; McKenzie River District? Fort Whipple, Arizona; and Fort Bridger, Wyoming.
[118] Hybrid between caniceps and cinereus, = “dorsalis,” HENRY, Pr. Phil. Ac. 1858, 117; BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 467.
CHAR. Rufous restricted to interscapular region, as in the former, with black upper mandible, and pale ash throat of the latter. Hab. Fort Thorn, New Mexico.
[119] Junco cinereus, CABANIS, Mexican Snowbird. Fringilla cinerea, SW. Syn. Birds Mex. in Phil. Mag. I, 1827, 435. Junco cinereus, CABANIS, Mus. Hein. 1850, 134.—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 465. “Fringilla rufidorsis, LICHT.,” BONAPARTE; probably a catalogue name. Junco phæonotus, WAGLER, Isis, 1831, 526.—BONAP. Comptes Rendus, XXXVII, 518.
SP. CHAR. Ash-color above; with a broad quadrate interscapular patch of rufous-chestnut, this extending over the wing-coverts and inner secondaries. Beneath paler ash, lighter in middle region below, but without distinct line of demarcation. Lores and anterior region of eye dusky; in decided contrast. Outer three tail-feathers white, but dusky at base and on outer web at end; the amount increasing internally. Upper bill entirely black; lower yellow. Length, 6.40; height of bill, .25; culmen, .46. Hab. Table-lands of Mexico.
[120] Junco alticola, SALVIN, Guatemalan Snowbird. Junco alticola, SALVIN, P. Z. S. 1863, 189 (Highlands, Guatemala).—IB. Ibis, 1866, 193.
SP. CHAR. Similar to J. cinereus, but darker than Mexican species, with less contrast between the rufous of back and the ash of head. Tail with less white. Bill much larger: height, .34; culmen, .56. Hab. Highlands of Guatemala.
INDEX TO PLATES OF LAND BIRDS.
Ægiothus brewsteri, I. 501, pl. 22, fig. 6 exilipes, ♂ “ 498, “ “ 2 fuscescens, ♂ “ 493, “ “ 3 “ “ “ “ “ 5 Agelaius gubernator (shoulder), ♂ II. pl. 33, “ 4 gubernator, ♀ “ 163, “ “ 8 phœniceus, ♂ “ 159, “ “ 1 “ ♀ “ “ “ “ 2 “ (shoulder), ♂ “ “ “ “ 3 tricolor (shoulder), ♂ “ 165, “ “ 5 “ ♂ “ “ “ “ 6 “ ♀ “ “ “ “ 7 Alauda arvensis, “ 136, pl. 32, “ 3 Ammodromus caudacutus, I. 557, pl. 25, “ 7 maritimus, “ 560, “ “ 8 Ampelis cedrorum, ♂ “ 401, pl. 18, “ 2 garrulus, ♂ “ 396, “ “ 1 Antenor unicinctus, III. 250. Anthus ludovicianus, I. 171, pl. 10, “ 3 pratensis, “ 173, “ “ 4 Antrostomus carolinensis, ♂ II. 410, pl. 46, “ 1 nuttalli, ♂ “ 417, “ “ 3 vociferus, ♂ “ 413, “ “ 2 Aquila canadensis, III. 314. Archibuteo ferrugineus, “ 300. sancti-johannis, “ 304. Astur atricapillus, “ 237. Asturina plagiata, “ 246. Atthis heloisa, ♂ II. 465, pl. 47, “ 6 Auriparus flaviceps, I. pl. 7, “ 11
Bonasa sabinei, III. 454. umbelloides, “ 453, pl. 61, “ 10 umbellus, “ 448, “ “ 3 “ “ “ “ “ 9 Bubo arcticus, “ 64. pacificus, “ 65. virginianus, “ 62. Budytes flava, I. 167, pl. 10, “ 2 Buteo borealis, III. 281. calurus, “ 286. cooperi, “ 295. elegans, “ 277. harlani, “ 292. krideri, “ 284. lineatus, “ 275. lucasanus, “ 285. oxypterus, “ 266. pennsylvanicus, “ 259. swainsoni, “ 263. zonocercus, “ 272.
Calamospiza bicolor, ♂ II. 61, pl. 29, “ 2 “ ♀ “ “ “ “ 3 Callipepla squamata, ♂ III. 487, pl. 63, “ 6 Calypte anna, ♂ II. 454, pl. 47, “ 7 costæ, ♂ “ 457, “ “ 8 Campephilus principalis, ♂ “ 496, pl. 49, “ 1 “ ♀ “ “ “ “ 2 Campylorhynchus affinis, I. 133, pl. 8, “ 6 brunneicapillus, “ 132, “ “ 5 Canace canadensis, III. 416, pl. 61, “ 5 “ ♀ “ “ pl. 59, “ 6 “ ♂ “ “ “ “ 5 franklini, ♂ “ 419, “ “ 3 fuliginosus, “ 495. obscurus, ♂ “ 422, “ “ 1 “ ♀ “ “ “ “ 2 richardsoni, ♂ “ 427, “ “ 4 Cardinalis coccineus, ♂ II. pl. 30, “ 8 igneus, ♂ “ 103, “ “ 0 phœniceus, “ “ “ “ 9 virginianus, ♀ “ 100, “ “ 6 “ ♂ “ “ “ “ 7 Carpodacus californicus, ♂ I. 465, pl. 21, “ 10 “ ♀ “ “ “ “ 11 cassini, ♂ “ 460, “ “ 4 “ ♀ “ “ “ “ 5 frontalis, ♂ “ 465, “ “ 3 “ ♀ “ “ “ “ 6 hœmorrhous, ♂ “ “ “ “ 12 rhodocolpus, ♂ “ 468, “ “ 9 purpureus, ♂ “ 462, “ “ 7 “ ♀ “ “ “ “ 8 Catharista atrata, III. 351. Catherpes mexicanus, I. 139, pl. 8, “ 4 Centrocercus urophasianus, ♂ III. pl. 60, “ 2 “ ♂ “ “ “ 4 “ “ 429, pl. 61, “ 6 Centronyx bairdi, I. 531, pl. 25, “ 3 Centurus aurifrons, ♂ II. 557, pl. 52, “ 3 “ ♀ “ “ “ “ 6 carolinus, ♂ “ 554, “ “ 1 “ ♀ “ “ “ “ 4 uropygialis, ♂ “ 558, “ “ 2 “ ♀ “ “ “ “ 5 Certhia americana, I. 125, pl. 8, “ 11 mexicana, “ 128. Certhiola bahamensis, ♂ “ 428, pl. 19, “ 5 Ceryle alcyon, ♂ II. 392, pl. 45, “ 6 cabanisi, ♂ “ 396, “ “ 9 Chætura pelagica, ♂ “ 432, pl. 45, “ 7 vauxi, ♀ “ 435, “ “ 8 Chamæa fasciata, I. 84, pl. 6, “ 8 Chamæpelia passerina, ♂ III. 389, pl. 58, “ 6 Chondestes grammaca, ♂ II. 562, pl. 31, “ 1 Chordeiles henryi, ♂ “ 404, pl. 46, “ 4 popetue, “ 407. texensis, ♂ “ 406, “ “ 5 Chrysomitris lawrenci, ♂ I. 478, pl. 22, “ 14 “ ♀ “ “ “ “ 15 arizonæ, ♂ “ 476, “ “ 11 mexicana, “ “ “ 12 “ ♀ “ “ “ 13 pinus, ♂ “ 480, “ “ 16 psaltria, ♂ “ 474, “ “ 9 “ ♀ “ “ “ “ 10 tristis (summer), ♂ “ 471, “ “ 7 “ (winter), ♂ “ “ “ “ 8 Cinclus mexicanus, “ 56, pl. 5, “ 1 Circus hudsonius, III. 214. Cistothorus palustris, I. 161, pl. 9, “ 6 stellaris, “ “ “ “ 7 Coccygus americanus, ♂ II. 477, pl. 48, “ 3 erythrophthalmus, “ 484, “ “ 5 minor, “ 482, “ “ 4 Colaptes auratus, ♂ “ 575, pl. 55, “ 1 “ ♀ “ “ “ “ 2 chrysoides, ♂ “ 583, pl. 54, “ 1 “ ♀ “ “ “ “ 2 hybridus, ♂ “ 582, “ “ 3 mexicanus, ♂ “ 578, pl. 55, “ 3 “ ♀ “ “ “ “ 4 Collurio borealis, ♂ I. 415, pl. 19, “ 1 “ (Juv.) “ “ “ “ 2 excubitoroides, ♂ “ 421, “ “ 3 ludovicianus, ♂ “ 418, “ “ 4 robustus, “ 420. Columba fasciata, ♂ II. 360, pl. 57, “ 2 flavirostris, ♂ “ 366, “ “ 3 leucocephala, ♂ “ 363, “ “ 4 Contopus borealis, ♂ “ 353, pl. 44, “ 1 pertinax, ♂ “ 356, “ “ 2 richardsonii, ♂ “ 360, “ “ 4 vireus, ♂ “ 357, “ “ 3 Conurus carolinensis, (Ad.) “ 587, pl. 56, “ 1 “ (Juv.) “ “ “ “ 2 Corvus americanus, ♂ “ 243, pl. 37, “ 5 carnivorus, ♀ “ 234, “ “ 6 caurinus, ♂ “ 248, “ “ 3 cryptoleucus, “ 242, “ “ 8 floridanus, “ 247, “ “ 9 mexicanus, ♂ “ 233, “ “ 4 ossifragus, “ 251, “ “ 7 Coturniculus henslowi, ♀ I. 553, pl. 25, “ 5 leconti, ♀ “ 552, “ “ 6 ochrocephalus, II. pl. 46, “ 6 passerinus, I. 553, pl. 25, “ 4 perpallidus, “ 556. Cotyle riparia, ♂ “ 353, pl. 16, “ 14 Crotophaga ani, ♀ II. 488, pl. 48, “ 2 Cupidonia cupido, III. 440, pl. 61, “ 1 “ “ “ “ “ 7 pallidicincta, “ 446. Cyanocitta arizonæ, II. 292, pl. 41, “ 2 californica, ♂ “ 288, pl. 40, “ 1 couchi, “ 293. floridana, ♂ “ 285, “ “ 4 sordida, “ 292, pl. 41, “ 1 sumichrasti, ♂ “ pl. 40, “ 2 woodhousei, ♂ “ 291, “ “ 3 Cyanospiza amœna, ♂ “ 84, pl. 29, “ 11 “ ♀ “ “ “ “ 12 ciris, ♂ “ 87, “ “ 7 “ ♀ “ “ “ “ 8 cyanea, ♂ “ 82, “ “ 13 “ ♀ “ “ “ “ 14 parellina, ♂ “ “ “ 6 versicolor, ♂ “ 86, “ “ 9 “ ♀ “ “ “ “ 10 Cyanura coronata, ♂ “ pl. 39, “ 4 cristata, ♂ “ 273, pl. 42, “ 3 frontalis, ♂ “ 279, pl. 39, “ 2 macrolopha, ♂ “ 281, “ “ 3 stelleri, ♂ “ 277, “ “ 1 Cyrtonyx massena, III. 492, pl. 61, “ 2 “ ♂ “ “ pl. 64, “ 3 “ ♀ “ “ “ “ 6
Dendroica æstiva, I. 222, pl. 14, “ 1 albilora, ♂ “ 240, “ “ 7 auduboni, “ 229, pl. 13, “ 1 blackburniæ, ♂ “ 237, “ “ 2 “ ♀ “ “ “ “ 3 cærulea, ♂ “ 235, “ “ 10 “ ♀ “ “ “ “ 11 cærulescens, ♂ “ 254, pl. 12, “ 10 “ ♀ “ “ “ “ 11 castanea, ♂ “ 251, pl. 13, “ 4 “ ♀ “ “ “ “ 5 chrysopareia, ♂ “ 260, pl. 12, “ 6 coronata, ♂ “ 227, “ “ 9 “ ♀ “ “ “ “ 12 discolor, ♂ “ 276, pl. 14, “ 9 dominica, ♂ “ 240, “ “ 5 graciæ, ♂ “ 243, “ “ 10 kirtlandi, ♂ “ 272, “ “ 5 maculosa, ♂ “ 232, “ “ 2 montana, “ 271, “ “ 3 nigrescens, ♂ “ 258, pl. 12, “ 8 occidentalis, ♂ “ 266, “ “ 5 olivacea, ♂ “ pl. 14, “ 4 palmarum, ♂ “ 273, “ “ 8 pennsylvanica, ♂ “ 245, pl. 13, “ 7 “ (Juv.) ♂ “ “ “ “ 8 pinus, ♂ “ 268, “ “ 6 striata, ♂ “ 248, “ “ 9 “ ♀ “ “ “ “ 12 townsendi, ♂ “ 265, pl. 12, “ 7 virens, ♂ “ 261, “ “ 4 Dolichonyx orizyvorus, ♂ II. 149, pl. 32, “ 4 “ ♀ “ “ “ “ 5
Ectopistes migratoria, ♂ “ 368, pl. 57, “ 5 Elanus leucurus, III. 198. Embernagra rufivirgata, II. 47, pl. 28, “ 3 Empidonax acadicus, ♂ “ 374, pl. 44, “ 11 difficilis, “ 380. flaviventris, ♂ “ 378, “ “ 12 hammondii, ♂ “ 383, “ “ 7 minimus, ♂ “ 372, “ “ 10 obscurus, ♂ “ 381, “ “ 6 pusillus, ♂ “ 366, “ “ 9 traillii, ♂ “ 369, “ “ 8 Eremophila cornuta, ♂ “ 141, pl. 32, “ 1 “ (Juv.) “ “ “ “ 2 Euspiza americana, ♂ “ 65, pl. 28, “ 11 “ ♀ “ “ “ “ 12 townsendi, ♀ “ 68, “ “ 13
Falco anatum, III. 132. candicans, “ 111. columbarius, “ 144. femoralis, “ 155. isabellinus, “ 171. islandicus, “ 113. labradora, “ 117. pealei, “ 137. polyagrus, “ 123. richardsoni, “ 148. sacer, “ 115. sparverius, “ 169. suckleyi, “ 147.
Galeoscoptes carolinensis, I. 52, pl. 3, “ 5 Geococcyx californianus, ♂ II. 492, pl. 48, “ 1 Geothlypis macgillivrayi, ♂ I. 303, pl. 15, “ 4 “ ♀ “ “ “ “ 5 philadelphia, ♂ “ 301, “ “ 6 “ ♀ “ “ “ “ 9 trichas, ♂ “ 297, “ “ 7 “ ♀ “ “ “ “ 8 Glaucidium californicum, III. 81. ferrugineum, “ 85. Guiraca cærulea, ♂ II. 77, pl. 29, “ 4 “ ♀ “ “ “ “ 5 Gymnokitta cyanocephala, ♂ “ 260, pl. 38, “ 2
Haliaëtus albicilla, III. 324. leucocephalus, “ 326. Harporhynchus cinereus, I. 40, pl. 4, “ 2 crissalis, “ 47, “ “ 1 curvirostris, “ 41, pl. 3, “ 3 lecontei, “ 44, pl. 4, “ 3 longirostris, “ 39, pl. 3, “ 2 palmeri, “ 43. redivivus, “ 45, pl. 4, “ 4 rufus, “ 37, pl. 3, “ 1 Hedymeles ludovicianus, ♂ II. 70, pl. 30, “ 4 “ ♀ “ “ “ “ 5 melanocephalus, ♂ “ 73, “ “ 1 “ ♀ “ “ “ “ 2 Heliopædica xantusi, ♂ “ 467, pl. 47, “ 3 Helminthophaga bachmani, ♂ I. 194, pl. 11, “ 3 celata (var. Cape Lucas), “ 204, “ “ 4 “ (var. Florida), “ “ “ 6 “ (var. Rocky Mts.), I. 202, “ “ 5 chrysoptera, ♂ “ 192, “ “ 2 luciæ, “ 200, “ “ 9 peregrina (in spring), “ 205, “ “ 10 “ (in autumn), “ “ “ “ 11 pinus, ♂ “ 195, “ “ 1 ruficapilla, “ 196, “ “ 7 “ (var. Calif.), “ “ “ 8 virginiæ, “ 199, “ “ 12 Helmitherus swainsoni, “ 190, pl. 10, “ 9 vermivorus, “ 187, “ “ 10 Hesperiphona montana, “ 449, pl. 22, “ 4 vespertina, ♂ “ “ “ “ 1 Hirundo horreorum, ♂ “ 339, pl. 16, “ 9 Hylotomus pileatus, ♀ II. 550, pl. 56, “ 4 “ ♂ “ “ “ “ 5
Icteria longicauda, I. 309. virens, ♂ “ 307, pl. 15, “ 12 Icterus auduboni, ♂ II. 186, pl. 35, “ 1 baltimore, ♂ “ 195, “ “ 5 bullocki, ♂ “ 199, pl. 34, “ 3 “ ♀ “ “ “ “ 7 cucullatus, ♂ “ 193, pl. 35, “ 6 parisorum, ♂ “ 188, “ “ 7 spurius, ♂ “ 190, pl. 34, “ 4 “ (Juv.) ♂ “ “ “ “ 5 “ ♀ “ “ “ “ 6 wagleri, ♂ “ pl. 35, “ 2 Ictinia mississippiensis, III. 203.
Junco aikeni, ♂ I. 584, pl. 26, “ 6 caniceps, ♂ “ 587, “ “ 3 hyemalis, ♂ “ 580, “ “ 5 oregonus, ♂ “ 584, “ “ 2
Lagopus albus, III. 457, pl. 61, “ 8 “ (summer), ♂ “ “ pl. 62, “ 1 “ (winter), ♂ “ “ “ “ 3 “ (summer), ♀ “ “ “ “ 2 leucurus (summer), ♂ “ 464, “ “ 6 rupestris (winter), ♂ “ 462, “ “ 4 “ (summer), ♀ “ “ “ “ 5 Lanivireo cassini, ♂ I. 376, pl. 17, “ 9 flavifrons, ♂ “ 379, “ “ 5 plumbea, ♂ “ 377, “ “ 10 solitaria, ♂ “ 373, “ “ 8 Leucosticte arctous, “ pl. 23, “ 10 australis, “ “ “ 9 campestris, “ 507, “ “ 7 griseinucha, ♂ “ 508, “ “ 5 littoralis, “ 507, “ “ 6 tephrocotis, “ 504, “ “ 8 Lophophanes atricristatus, “ 90, pl. 6, “ 2 bicolor, “ 87, “ “ 1 inornatus, “ 91, “ “ 3 wollweberi, “ 93, “ “ 4 Lophortyx californicus, III. 479, pl. 61, “ 4 “ ♂ “ “ pl. 64, “ 1 “ ♀ “ “ “ “ 2 gambeli, ♂ “ 482, “ “ 4 “ ♀ “ “ “ “ 5 Loxia americana, ♂ I. 484, pl. 23, “ 1 “ ♀ “ “ “ “ 4 leucoptera, ♂ “ 488, “ “ 2 “ ♀ “ “ “ “ 3 mexicana, “ “
Melanerpes angustifrons, ♂ II. 573, pl. 53, “ 3 “ ♀ “ “ “ “ 4 erythrocephalus, ♂ “ 564, pl. 54, “ 4 formicivorus, ♂ “ 566, pl. 53, “ 1 “ ♀ “ “ “ “ 2 torquatus, ♂ “ 561, pl. 54, “ 5 Meleagris gallopavo, III. 404. mexicana, “ 410. Melopeleia leucoptera, ♂ “ 376, pl. 58, “ 4 Melospiza fallax, ♀ II. 22, pl. 27, “ 10 guttata, “ 27, “ “ 12 heermanni, ♂ “ 24, “ “ 9 insignis, “ 30, “ “ 8 lincolni, “ 31, “ “ 13 melodia, “ 19, “ “ 6 palustris, ♂ “ 34, pl. 28, “ 1 “ ♀ “ “ “ “ 2 rufina, “ 29, pl. 27, “ 11 samuelis, “ 26, “ “ 7 Micrathene whitneyi, III. 87. Milvulus forficatus, ♂ II. 311, pl. 43, “ 1 tyrannus, “ 309. Mimus polyglottus, I. 49, pl. 3, “ 4 Mitrephorus pallescens, ♂ II. 386, pl. 44, “ 13 Mniotilta varia, ♂ I. 180, pl. 10, “ 6 Molothrus pecoris, ♀ II. 154, pl. 32, “ 6 “ ♀ “ “ “ “ 7 obscurus, ♂ “ “ “ 8 Motacilla alba, I. 165, pl. 10, “ 1 Myiadestes townsendi, ♂ “ 409, pl. 18, “ 5 “ (Juv.) “ “ “ “ 6 Myiarchus cinerascens, ♂ II. 337, pl. 43, “ 8 crinitus, ♂ “ “ “ 7 lawrencii, ♂ “ “ “ 9 Myiodioctes canadensis, ♂ I. 320, pl. 16, “ 6 minutus, “ 316, “ “ 2 mitratus, ♂ “ 314, pl. 15, “ 10 “ ♀ “ “ “ 11 pileolatus, “ 319. pusillus, ♂ “ 317, pl. 16, “ 3 “ ♀ “ “ “ “ 4 Nauclerus forficatus, III. 192. Neocorys spraguei, ♀ I. 175, pl. 10, “ 5 Nephœcetes niger, ♀ II. 429, pl. 45, “ 4 Nisus cooperi, III. 230. fuscus, “ 224. mexicanus, “ 231. Nyctale richardsoni, “ 40. acadica, “ 43. Nyctea scandiaca, “ 70.
Onychotes gruberi, “ 254. Oporornis agilis, ♂ I. 290, pl. 15, “ 1 “ ♀ “ “ “ “ 2 formosa, ♂ “ 293, “ “ 3 Oreopeleia martinica, ♂ III. 393, pl. 58, “ 1 Oreortyx pictus, ♂ “ 475, pl. 63, “ 5 Oreoscoptes montanus, I. 32, pl. 3, “ 6 Ortalida macalli, II. 398, pl. 57, “ 1 Ortyx texanus, ♀ III. 474, pl. 63, “ 4 “ ♂ “ “ “ “ 3 virginianus, ♂ “ 468, “ “ 1 “ ♀ “ “ “ “ 2 Otus brachyotus, “ 22. wilsonianus, “ 18.
Pandion carolinensis, “ 184. Panyptila melanoleuca, ♂ II. 424, pl. 45, “ 5 Parula americana, ♂ I. 208, pl. 10, “ 7 Parus atricapillus, “ 96, pl. 7, “ 1 carolinensis, “ 102, “ “ 4 hudsonicus, “ 105, “ “ 7 montanus, “ 95, “ “ 5 occidentalis, “ 101, “ “ 3 rufescens, “ 104, “ “ 6 septentrionalis, “ 99, “ “ 2 Passerculus alaudinus, “ 537, pl. 24, “ 11 anthinus, “ 539, “ “ 10 caboti, II. pl. 46, “ 9 guttatus, I. 544, pl. 25, “ 1 princeps, “ 540, “ “ 2 rostratus, “ 542, pl. 24, “ 12 sandwichensis, “ 538, “ “ 9 savanna, “ 534, “ “ 8 Passerella iliaca, II. 50, pl. 28, “ 7 megarrhyncha, “ 57, “ “ 10 schistacea, “ 56. townsendi, ♀ “ 53, “ “ 8 Pediœcetes columbianus, III. 434, pl. 60, “ 1 phasianellus, “ 436, “ “ 3 Perisoreus canadensis, ♂ II. 299, pl. 41, “ 3 “ (Juv.) “ pl. 42, “ 4 capitalis, ♂ II. 302, pl. 41, “ 4 obscurus, “ “ Perissoglossa carbonata, I. 214, pl. 12, “ 3 tigrina, ♂ “ 212, “ “ 1 “ ♀ “ “ “ “ 2 Petrochelidon lunifrons, ♂ “ 334, pl. 16, “ 13 Peucæa æstivalis, II. 39, pl. 28, “ 4 arizonæ, “ 41. carpalis, “ pl. 46, “ 8 cassini, “ 42, pl. 28, “ 5 ruficeps, “ 45, “ “ 6 Phainopepla nitens, ♂ I. 405, pl. 18, “ 3 “ ♂ “ “ “ 4 Phonipara zena, ♂ II. 93, pl. 29, “ 15 “ ♀ “ “ “ “ 16 Phyllopneuste borealis, I. pl. 5, “ 5 Pica hudsonica, ♂ II. 266, pl. 38, “ 1 nuttalli, ♂ “ 270, “ “ 3 Picicorvus columbianus, “ 255, “ “ 4 Picoides americanus, ♂ “ 532, pl. 50, “ 2 arcticus, ♂ “ 530, “ “ 1 Picus albolarvatus, ♂ “ 526, “ “ 7 “ ♀ “ “ “ “ 8 borealis, ♂ “ 524, pl. 49, “ 8 gairdneri, “ 512. harrisi, “ 507. lucasanus, “ 519. nuttalli, ♂ “ 521, pl. 50, “ 3 “ ♀ “ “ “ “ 6 pubescens, ♂ “ 509, pl. 49, “ 6 “ ♀ “ “ “ “ 7 scalaris, ♂ “ 515, pl. 50, “ 4 “ ♀ “ “ “ “ 5 villosus, ♂ “ 503, pl. 49, “ 3 “ ♀ “ “ “ “ 4 “ (Juv.) ♂ “ “ “ “ 5 Pinicola enucleator, ♂ I. 453, pl. 21, “ 1 “ ♀ “ “ “ “ 2 Pipilo aberti, ♂ II. 128, pl. 31, “ 7 albigula, ♂ “ 127, “ “ 11 alleni, “ 112. arcticus, ♂ “ 119, “ “ 5 “ ♀ “ “ “ “ 6 chlorura, ♂ “ 131, “ “ 4 crissalis, ♂ “ 122, “ “ 8 erythrophthalmus, ♂ “ 109, “ “ 2 “ ♂ “ “ “ “ 3 megalonyx, ♀ “ 113, “ “ 9 mesoleucus, ♂ “ 125, “ “ 10 oregonus, ♀ “ 116, “ “ 12 Plectrophanes lapponicus, ♂ I. 515, pl. 24, “ 7 maccowni, ♂ “ 523, “ “ 1 melanomus, ♂ “ 521, “ “ 6 nivalis, ♂ “ 512, “ “ 2 ornatus, ♂ “ 520, “ “ 3 pictus, ♂ “ 518, “ “ 4 “ ♀ “ “ “ “ 5 Polioptila cærulea, “ 78, pl. 6, “ 5 melanura, “ 81, “ “ 7 plumbea, “ 80, “ “ 6 Polyborus auduboni, III. 178. Poocætes gramineus, II. 545, pl. 29, “ 1 Poospiza belli, I. 593, pl. 26, “ 9 bilineata, ♂ “ 590, “ “ 8 nevadensis, “ 594. Progne cryptoleuca, “ 332. subis, ♀ “ 329, pl. 16, “ 7 “ ♂ “ “ “ “ 10 Protonotaria citrea, “ 184, pl. 10, “ 8 Psaltriparus melanotis, “ 108, pl. 7, “ 8 minimus, “ 109, “ “ 9 plumbeus, “ 110, “ “ 10 Pseudogryphus californianus, III. 338. Psilorhinus morio, ♀ II. 304, pl. 42, “ 2 Pyranga æstiva, ♂ I. 441, pl. 20, “ 5 “ ♀ “ “ “ “ 6 cooperi, ♂ “ 444, “ “ 1 “ ♀ “ “ “ “ 2 hepatica, ♂ “ 440, “ “ 9 “ ♀ “ “ “ “ 10 ludoviciana, ♂ “ 437, “ “ 3 “ ♀ “ “ “ “ 4 rubra, ♂ “ 435, “ “ 7 “ ♀ “ “ “ “ 8 Pyrgita domestica, “ 525, pl. 23, “ 12 Pyrocephalus mexicanus, ♂ II. 387, pl. 44, “ 5 Pyrrhula cassini, ♂ I. 457, pl. 23, “ 11 Pyrrhuloxia sinuata, ♂ II. 95, pl. 30, “ 3
Quiscalus æneus, “ 218. aglæus, ♂ “ 221, pl. 37, “ 2 macrourus, ♂ “ 225, pl. 36, “ 1 “ ♀ “ “ “ “ 2 major, ♂ “ 222, “ “ 3 “ ♀ “ “ “ “ 4 purpureus, ♂ “ 214, pl. 37, “ 1
Regulus calendula, I. 75, pl. 5, “ 9 cuvieri, “ “ “ “ 7 satrapa, “ 73, “ “ 8 Rhinogryphus aura, III. 344. Rostrhamus sociabilis, “ 209.
Salpinctes obsoletus, I. 135, pl. 8, “ 3 Saxicola œnanthe, “ 60, pl. 5, “ 6 Sayornis fuscus, ♂ II. 343, pl. 45, “ 2 nigricans, ♂ “ 340, “ “ 1 sayus, ♂ “ 347, “ “ 3 Scardafella inca, ♂ III. 387, pl. 58, “ 7 Scolecephalus cyanocephalus, ♀ II. 206, pl. 35, “ 3 ferrugineus, ♂ “ 203, “ “ 4 Scops asio, III. 49. flammeola, “ 58. floridana, “ 57. kennicotti, “ 53. maccalli, “ 52. Seiurus aurocapillus, I. 280, pl. 14, “ 11 ludovicianus, ♂ “ 287, “ “ 13 noveboracensis, ♂ “ 283, “ “ 12 Selasphorus platycercus, ♂ II. 462, pl. 47, “ 5 rufus, ♂ “ 459, “ “ 4 Setophaga picta, ♂ “ pl. 46, “ 7 “ ♂ “ pl. 56, “ 3 ruticilla, ♂ I. 322, pl. 16, “ 1 “ ♀ “ “ “ “ 5 Sialia arctica, “ 67, pl. 5, “ 4 mexicana, “ 65, “ “ 2 sialis, “ 62, “ “ 3 Sitta aculeata, “ 117. canadensis, ♂ “ 118, pl. 8, “ 7 “ ♀ “ “ “ “ 8 carolinensis, ♂ “ 114, “ “ 1 “ ♀ “ “ “ “ 2 pusilla, “ 122, “ “ 9 pygmæa, “ 120, “ “ 10 Spheotyto hypogæa, III. 90. Spermophila moreleti, ♂ II. 91, pl. 29, “ 17 Sphyropicus nuchalis, ♂ “ 542, pl. 51, “ 3 “ ♀ “ “ “ “ 4 ruber, ♂ “ 544, “ “ 6 thyroideus, ♂ “ 547, pl. 56, “ 6 varius, ♂ “ 539, pl. 51, “ 1 “ ♀ “ “ “ “ 2 williamsoni, ♀ “ 545, “ “ 5 Spizella arizonæ, “ 11. atrigularis, ♂ I. 15, pl. 26, “ 11 “ ♂ “ “ “ “ 12 breweri, II. 13, pl. 27, “ 4 monticola, “ 3, “ “ 5 pallida, “ 11, “ “ 3 pusilla, ♀ “ 5, “ “ 2 socialis, “ 7, “ “ 1 Starnœnas cyanocephala, ♂ III. 395, pl. 58, “ 5 Stelgidopteryx serripennis, ♂ I. 350, pl. 16, “ 12 Stellula calliope, ♂ II. 445, pl. 47, “ 9 Strix pratincola, III. 13. Sturnella magna, ♂ II. 174, pl. 34, “ 2 neglecta, ♂ “ 176, “ “ 1 Sturnus vulgaris, ♂ “ 229, pl. 35, “ 8 Surnia ulula, III. 75. Syrnium cinereum, “ 30. nebulosum, “ 34. occidentale, “ 38.
Tachycineta bicolor, ♂ I. 344, pl. 16, “ 8 thalassina, ♂ “ 347, “ “ 11 Thaumatias linnæi, II. 468. Thryothorus berlandieri, I. 144, pl. 9, “ 2 bewicki, ♂ “ 145, “ “ 3 “ “ “ “ “ 4 leucogaster, “ 147. ludovicianus, “ 142, “ “ 1 spilurus, “ 147. Trochilus alexandri, ♂ II. 450, pl. 47, “ 1 colubris, ♂ “ 448, “ “ 2 Troglodytes ædon, I. 149, pl. 9, “ 5 alascensis, “ 157, “ “ 8 hyemalis, “ 155, “ “ 9 pacificus, “ “ “ 10 parkmanni, “ 153. Turdus aliciæ, “ 11, pl. 1, “ 3 auduboni, “ 21, “ “ 8 confinis, “ 27, pl. 2, “ 1 fuscescens, “ 9, pl. 1, “ 5 iliacus, “ 23, pl. 2, “ 4 migratorius, “ 25, “ “ 3 mustelinus, “ 7, pl. 1, “ 1 nævius, “ 29, pl. 2, “ 2 nanus, “ 20, pl. 1, “ 7 pallasi, “ 18, “ “ 6 swainsoni, “ 14, “ “ 4 ustulatus, “ “ “ 2 Tyrannus carolinensis, ♂ II. 316, pl. 43, “ 2 couchi, ♂ “ 329, “ “ 6 dominicensis, ♂ “ 319, “ “ 3 verticalis, ♂ “ 324, “ “ 4 vociferans, ♂ “ 327, “ “ 5
Vireo atricapillus, ♂ I. 383, pl. 17, “ 6 belli, ♂ “ 389, “ “ 13 huttoni, ♂ “ 387, “ “ 12 noveboracensis, ♂ “ 385, “ “ 11 pusillus, ♂ “ 391, “ “ 14 vicinior, ♂ “ 393, “ “ 7 Vireosylvia barbatula, ♂ “ 360, “ “ 1 flavoriridis, “ 366. gilva, ♂ “ 368, “ “ 3 olivacea, ♂ “ 363, “ “ 2 philadelphica, “ 367, “ “ 4 swainsoni, “ 371.
Xanthocephalus icterocephalus, ♂ II. 167, pl. 32, “ 9 “ ♀ “ “ pl. 33, “ 9 Xanthoura luxuosa, “ 295, pl. 42, “ 1
Zenaida amabilis, ♂ III. 379, pl. 58, “ 3 Zenaidura carolinensis, ♂ “ 383, “ “ 2 Zonotrichia albicollis, ♂ I. 574, pl. 26, “ 10 coronata, ♂ “ 573, “ “ 1 gambeli, ♂ “ 569, pl. 25, “ 11 “ (Juv.) “ “ “ “ 12 leucophrys, (Juv.) ♂ “ 566, “ “ 9 “ ♂ “ “ “ “ 10 querula, (Ad.) ♂ “ 577, pl. 26, “ 4 “ (autumn) “ “ “ “ 7
INDEX OF ENGLISH NAMES.
Ani, II. 488.
Bee Martin, II. 316. Bird of Paradise (Texas), II. 311. Birds of Prey, III. 1. Blackbird, Brewer’s, II. 206. Cow, II. 154. Crimson-shouldered, II. 163. Crow, II. 214. Red and White shouldered, II. 165. Redwing, II. 159. Rusty, II. 203. Savanna, II. 488. Swamp, II. 159. White-winged, II. 61. Yellow-headed, II. 167. Black Warrior, III. 292. Bluebird, Eastern, I. 62. California, I. 65. Rocky Mountain, I. 67. Bobolink, II. 149. Bob-White, III. 468. Bull-Bat, II. 401. Bullfinch, Cassin’s, I. 457. Bunting, Arctic, II. 119. Baird’s, I. 531. Bay-winged, I. 545. Black-crowned, I. 573. Black-throated, II. 65. Blue, II. 82. Cañon, II. 125. Chestnut-collared, I. 520. Green-tailed, II. 131. Henslow’s, I. 550. Indigo, II. 82. Lark, II. 61. Leconte’s, I. 552. Long-clawed, II. 113. Maccown’s, I. 523. Painted, II. 87. Seaside, I. 560. Sharp-tailed, I. 557. Smith’s, I. 518. Townsend’s, II. 68. Varied, II. 86. Western Yellow-winged, I. 556. Yellow-winged, I. 553. Burion, I. 465, 466, 468. Bush-Titmouse, Black-eared, I. 108. Lead-colored, I. 110. Least, I. 109. Yellow-headed, I. 112. Butcher-Bird, I. 415. Buzzard, Harris’s, III. 250. Turkey, III.
Cardinal, Cape, II. 103. Grosbeak, II. 100. Texas, II. 95. Catbird, I. 52. Cedar-Bird, I. 401. Chacalacca, Texas, III. 398. Chaparral Cock, II. 472. Chat, Long-tailed, I. 309. Yellow-breasted, I. 390. Chatterer, Bohemian, I. 396. Chewink, II. 109. Florida, II. 112. White-eyed, II. 112. Chickadee, Brown-capped, I. 105. Chestnut-backed, I. 104. Eastern, I. 96. Hudson’s Bay, I. 105. Long-tailed, I. 99. Mountain, I. 95. Southern, I. 102. Western, I. 101. White-browed, I. 95. Chippy, II. 7. Chuck-Will’s Widow, II. 410. Cock of the Plains, III. 429. Condor, California, III. 338. Cowbird, II. 154. Creepers, I. 124, 425. Creeper, Bahama, I. 428. Brown, I. 125. Mexican, I. 128. Crossbill, Mexican, I. 488. Red, I. 484. White-winged, I. 488. Crow, Carrion, III. 351. Clarke’s, II. 255. Common, II. 243. Fish, II. 251. Florida, II. 247. Northwestern Fish, II. 248. White-necked, II. 242. Cuckoos, II. 470. Cuckoo, Black-billed, II. 484. Mangrove, II. 482. Yellow-billed, II. 477. Curassows, III. 397.
Dipper, American, I. 56. Dove, Carolina, or Common, III. 383. Ground, III. 389. Red-billed, III. 363. Scaly, III. 387. White-winged, III. 376. Zenaida, III. 379.
Eagle, American, III. 326. Bald, III. 326. Caracara, III. 178. Golden, III. 314. Ring-tailed, III. 314. Emerald, Linnæus’s, II. 468.
Falcons, III. 103. Falcon, American Peregrine, III. 132. Aplomado, III. 155. Black Peregrine, III. 137. Prairie, III. 123. Finches, I. 466. Finch, Black-faced, II. 93. Blanding’s, II. 131. California Purple, I. 465. Cañon, II. 122. Cassin’s Purple, I. 460. Crimson-fronted, I. 465, 466. Eastern Purple, I. 462. Gray-cheeked, I. 507. Gray-crowned, I. 504. Gray-eared, I. 508. Hepburn’s, I. 507. Lazuli, II. 84. Lincoln’s, II. 31. Mountain, II. 3. Painted, II. 87. Summer, II. 39. Yellow-throated, II. 65. Flicker, II. 575. Cape, II. 583. Hybrid, II. 582. Red-shafted, II. 578. Flycatcher, Arkansas, II. 324. Ash-throated, II. 337. Buff-breasted Least, II. 386. Canada, I. 320. Cassin’s, II. 327. Crested, II. 334. Fork-tailed, II. 309. Great-crested, II. 334. Green Black-capped, I. 317. Hammond’s, II. 383. Least, II. 372. Little, II. 366. Mexican Olive-sided, II. 356. Olive-sided, II. 353. Red, II. 387. Shining-crested, I. 405. Small-headed, I. 316. Small Green-crested, II. 374. Swallow-tail, II. 311. Traill’s, II. 369. Western Yellow-bellied, II. 380. Wright’s, II. 381. Yellow-bellied, II. 378.
Gerfalcon, Black, III. 117. Iceland, III. 113. McFarlane’s, III. 115. White, III. 111. Gnatcatcher, Arizona, I. 80. Black-capped, I. 81. Blue-gray, I. 78. Eastern, I. 78. Lead-colored, I. 80. Goatsuckers, II. 398. Goatsucker, Long-winged, II. 401. Short-winged, II. 410. Goldfinch, Arizona, I. 476. Arkansas, I. 474. Black, I. 478. Lawrence’s, I. 478. Mexican, I. 478. Pine, I. 480. Rocky Mountain, I. 474. Goshawk, American, III. 237. Grakle, Boat-tailed, II. 222. Bronzed, II. 218. Florida, II. 221. Great-tailed, II. 225. Purple, II. 215. Greenlet, Florida, I. 360. Philadelphia, I. 367. Red-eyed, I. 363. Warbling, I. 368. Western Warbling, I. 371. Grosbeak, Black-headed, II. 73. Blue, II. 77. Evening, I. 449. Pine, I. 453. Rose-breasted, II. 70. Ground-Tits, I. 83, 84. Grouse, III. 414. Canada, III. 416. Dusky, III. 422. Franklin’s, III. 419. Oregon, III. 454. Oregon Dusky, III. 425. Pinnated, III. 440. Richardson’s Dusky, III. 427. Ruffled, III. 448. Sharp-tailed, III. 434. Shoulder-knot, III. 448. Spotted, III. 416. Willow, III. 457. Gyrfalcon. See Gerfalcon.
Hang-Nest, II. 195. Harrier, American, III. 214. Hawk, American Sparrow, III. 169. Baird’s, III. 263. Band-tail, III. 272. Black, III. 304. Broad-winged, III. 259. California Squirrel, III. 300. Cooper’s, III. 230. Cooper’s Red-tailed, III. 295. Duck, III. 132. Fish, III. 184. Gruber’s, III. 254. Harlan’s, III. 292. Marsh, III. 214. Mexican, III. 246. Mexican Blue-backed, III. 231. Pigeon, III. 144. Red-bellied, III. 277. Red-shouldered, III. 275. Red-tailed, III. 281. Rough-legged, III. 304. Sharp-shinned, III. 224. Sharp-winged, III. 266. Swainson’s, III. 263. Swallow-tailed, III. 192. Heathcock, Black-spotted, III. 416. High-Holder, II. 575. Hoot-Owl, III. 34. House-Finch, California, I. 468. Hummer, Ruffed, II. 457. Humming-Birds, II. 437. Humming-Bird, Anna, II. 454. Black-chinned, II. 450. Broad-tailed, II. 462. Calliope, II. 445. Costa’s, II. 457. Heloisa’s, II. 465. Ruby-throated, II. 448. Rufous-backed, II. 459. Xantus’s, II. 467.
Indigo-Bird, II. 82.
Jackdaw, II. 222. Jay, Alaskan Gray, II. 302. Blue, II. 273. Brown, II. 304. California, II. 288. Canada, II. 299. Florida, II. 285. Green, II. 295. Long-crested, II. 281. Maximilian’s, II. 260. Rocky Mountain Gray, II. 302. Sierra, II. 279. Steller’s, II. 277. Ultramarine, II. 293. Woodhouse’s, II. 291.
Kestrel, American, III. 169. Kingbird, II. 316. Couch’s, II. 329. Gray, II. 319. King-Buzzard, III. 178. Kingfishers, II. 391. Kingfisher, Belted, II. 392. Green, II. 396. Texas, II. 396. Kinglet, Cuvier’s, I. 75. Golden-crowned, I. 73. Ruby-crowned, I. 75. Kite, Black-shouldered, III. 198. Blue, III. 203. Everglade, III. 203. Fork-tailed, III. 192. Hook-bill, III. 203. Mississippi, III. 203. White-tailed, III. 198.
Lanner, American, III. 123. Lark, Meadow, II. 174. Old Field, II. 174. Western, II. 176. Linnet, Brewster’s, I. 501. House, I. 465. Red-headed, I. 468. Log-Cock, II. 550. Loggerhead, I. 418. Western, I. 421. Longspur, Black-bellied, I. 520. Black-shouldered, I. 521. Chestnut-shouldered, I. 523. Lapland, I. 515. Painted, I. 518.
Magpie, II. 266. Yellow-billed, II. 270. Martin, Cuban, I. 332. Purple, I. 329. Sand, I. 353. Marsh-Wren, Long-billed, I. 161. Short-billed, I. 159. Merlin, American, III. 144. Black, III. 147. Richardson’s, III. 148. Mocking-Bird, I. 49. Moose-Bird, II. 299.
Night-Hawk, II. 401. Texas, II. 406. Western, II. 404. Nonpareil, II. 87. Nuthatch, Brown-headed, I. 122. Pygmy, I. 120. Red-bellied, I. 118. Slender-billed, I. 117. White-bellied, I. 114.
Orioles, II. 147. Oriole, Audubon’s, II. 186. Baltimore, II. 195. Bullock’s, II. 199. Hooded, II. 193. Orchard, II. 190. Red-winged, II. 159. Scott’s, II. 188. Osprey, American, III. 184. Owls, III. 4. Owl, American Barn, III. 13. American Hawk, III. 75. American Snowy, III. 70. American Sparrow, III. 40. Barred, III. 34. Burrowing, III. 90. California Pygmy, III. 81. Feilner’s, III. 58. Great Gray, III. 30. Great Horned, III. 62. Kennicott’s, III. 53. Kirtland’s, III. 43. Lesser-horned, III. 18. Little Red, III. 49. Long-eared, III. 18. Marsh, III. 22. Mottled, III. 49. Red-tailed, III. 85. Richardson’s, III. 40. Saw-whet, III. 43. Short-eared, III. 22. Spotted, III. 38. Western-barred, III. 38. Western Great-horned, III. 64. Western-mottled, III. 52. White-fronted, III. 43. Whitney’s, III. 87.
Paisano, II. 472. Parakeet, II. 587. Parrots, II. 585. Parrot, Carolina, II. 587. Illinois, II. 587. Orange-headed, II. 587. Partridge, III. 448, 466, 468. Massena, III. 492. Mountain, III. 453. Plumed, III. 475. Scaled or Blue, III. 487. Spruce, III. 416. Pewee, II. 343. Black, II. 340. Say’s, II. 347. Short-legged, II. 360. Western Wood, II. 360. Wood, II. 357. Pheasant, III. 448. Phœbe-Bird, II. 343. Pigeons, III. 357. Pigeon, Band-tailed, III. 360. Blue-headed, III. 395. Key West, III. 393. Passenger, III. 368. White-headed, III. 363. Wild, III. 368. Pipit, American, I. 171. European, I. 173. Sprague’s, I. 175. Poor-Will, II. 417. Prairie-Chicken, III. 440. Prairie-Hen, III. 440. Texas, III. 446. Ptarmigan, White, III. 457. Rock, III. 462. White-tailed, III. 464.
Quail, III. 468. California, III. 479. Gambel’s, III. 482. Mountain, III. 475.
Raven, American, II. 234. Redbird, II. 100. Summer, I. 441. Redbreast, American, I. 25. Red-Poll, Lesser, I. 493. Mealy, I. 498. Redstart, American, I. 322. Red-Tail, Eastern, III. 282. St. Lucas, III. 285. White-bellied, III. 284. Reedbird, II. 149. Ricebird, II. 149. Road-Runner, II. 472. Robins, I. 25. Robin, Cape St. Lucas, I. 27. Golden, II. 195. Ground, II. 109. Oregon, I. 29. Oregon Ground, II. 116.
Sage-Cock, III. 429. Sapsucker, Larger, II. 503. Lesser, II. 509. Scissor-Tail, II. 311. Screech-Owl, III. 49. Sea-Eagle, Gray, III. 324. Seed-Eater, Little, II. 91. Sharp-Tail, Columbia, III. 436. Shore-Lark, II. 141. Shrikes, I. 412. Shrike, Great Northern, I. 415. Southern, I. 418. White-rumped, I. 421. White-winged, I. 420. Skylark, II. 136. Missouri, I. 175. Snowbirds, I. 580. Snowbird, Oregon, I. 584. Red-backed, I. 587. White-winged, I. 584. Snow-Bunting, I. 512. Solitaire, Townsend’s, I. 409. Sparrows, I. 528. Sparrow, Arizona, II. 41. Artemisia, I. 594. Bachman’s, II. 39. Bell’s, I. 593. Black-chinned, II. 15. Black-hooded, I. 577. Black-throated, I. 590. Brewer’s, II. 13. California Shore, I. 539. Cassin’s, II. 42. Chipping, II. 7. Clay-colored, II. 11. Field, II. 5. Fox-colored, II. 50. Golden-crowned, I. 573. Grass, I. 545. Harris’s, I. 577. Heermann’s Song, II. 24. House, I. 525. Ipswich, I. 540. Kodiak Song, II. 30. Lark, I. 562. Little Brown, II. 5. Northwest Savanna, I. 538. Oregon Song, II. 27. Rufous-crowned, II. 45. Rusty Song, II. 29. St. Lucas, I. 544. Samuel’s Song, II. 26. San Diego, I. 542. Savanna, I. 534. Song, II. 19. Swamp, II. 34. Texas, II. 47. Thick-billed, II. 57. Townsend’s, II. 53. Tree, II. 3. Western Chipping, II. 11. Western Savanna, I. 537. Western Song, II. 22. Western White-crowned, I. 569. White-crowned, I. 566. White-throated, I. 574. Starlings, II. 228. Starling, II. 229. Swallows, I. 326. Swallow, Aculeated, II. 432. Bank, I. 353. Barn, I. 339. Chimney, II. 432. Cliff, I. 334. Eave, I. 334. Rough-winged, I. 350. Violet-green, I. 347. White-bellied, I. 344. Swifts, II. 421. Swift, Black, II. 429. Oregon Chimney, II. 435. White-throated, II. 424.
Tanagers, I. 431. Tanager, Louisiana, I. 437. Scarlet, I. 435. Thistle-Bird, I. 471. Thrasher, Brown, I. 37. California, I. 45. Cape St. Lucas, I. 40. Gray Curve-Bill, I. 41. Leconte’s, I. 44. Palmer’s, I. 43. Red-vented, I. 47. Sage, I. 32. Texas, I. 39. Thrushes, I. 1. Thrush, Alice’s, I. 11. Dwarf Hermit, I. 20. Golden-crowned, I. 280. Gray-cheeked, I. 11. Hermit, I. 18. Louisiana Water, I. 287. Rocky Mountain Hermit, I. 21. Olive-backed, I. 14. Oregon, I. 16. Red-wing, I. 23. Rufous-tailed, I. 18. Small-billed Water, I. 283. Swainson’s, I. 14. Tawny, I. 9. Varied, I. 29. Wilson’s, I. 9. Wood, I. 7. Titlark, I. 171. Titmice, I. 86. Titmouse, Black-capped, I. 96. Black-fronted, I. 87. Black-tufted, I. 90. California, I. 91. Gray-tufted, I. 91. Striped-headed, I. 93. Texas, I. 90. Tufted, I. 87. Wollweber’s, I. 93. Towhees, II. 109. Towhee, Abert’s, II. 128. Brown, II. 122. Cape, II. 127. Troupial, II. 184. Turkey-Buzzard, III. 344. Turkeys, III. 402. Turkey, Mexican, III. 410. Wild, III. 404. Tyrant Flycatchers, II. 306.
Vireo, Arizona, I. 393. Bell’s, I. 389. Black-capped, I. 383. Blue-headed, I. 373. Cassin’s, I. 376. Hutton’s, I. 387. Lead-colored, I. 377. Least, I. 391. White-eyed, I. 385. Yellow-green, I. 366. Yellow-throated, I. 379. Vultures, III. 335, 338. Vulture, Black, III. 351. Red-headed, III. 344.
Wagler, I. 578. Wagtails, I. 164. Wagtail, White, I. 165. Yellow, I. 167. Warblers, I. 177. Warbler, Alaska Willow, I. 70. Arizona, I. 243. Audubon’s, I. 229. Bachman’s, I. 194. Bay-breasted, I. 251. Black and White, I. 180. Black and Yellow, I. 232. Blackburnian, I. 237. Black-masked Ground, I. 297. Black-Poll, I. 248. Black-throated Blue, I. 254. Black-throated Gray, I. 258. Black-throated Green, I. 261. Blue Mountain, I. 271. Blue-winged Yellow, I. 195. Blue Yellow-backed, I. 208. Cærulean, I. 235. Cape May, I. 212. Carbonated, I. 214. Chestnut-sided, I. 245. Connecticut, I. 290. Creeping, I. 180. Golden Swamp, I. 184. Golden-winged, I. 192. Hooded, I. 314. Kentucky, I. 293. Kirtland’s, I. 272. Lucy’s, I. 200. Macgillivray’s Ground, I. 303. Maryland Yellow-throat, I. 297. Mourning, I. 301. Myrtle, I. 227. Nashville, I. 196. Olive-headed, I. 258. Orange-crowned, I. 202. Orange-throated, I. 237. Pacific Orange-crowned, I. 204. Pine-creeping, I. 268. Prairie, I. 276. Prothonotary, I. 184. Rocky Mountain, I. 199. Swainson’s Swamp, I. 190. Tennessee, I. 205. Townsend’s, I. 265. Virginia’s, I. 199. Western, I. 266. Western Yellow-rump, I. 229. White-throated Blue, I. 235. Worm-eating Swamp, I. 187. Yellow Red-poll, I. 273. Yellow-rump, I. 227. Yellow-throated Gray, I. 240. Water Ouzel, I. 56. Waxwing, Northern, I. 396. Southern, I. 401. Wheat-Ear, I. 60. Whippoorwill, II. 413. Nuttall’s, II. 417. Whiskey-Jack, II. 299. Woodcock, Black, II. 550. Woodpecker, Black-backed Three-toed, II. 530. Brown-headed, II. 547. California, II. 566. Cape, II. 519. Downy, II. 509. Gairdner’s, II. 512. Gila, II. 558. Hairy, II. 503. Harris’s, II. 507. Ivory-billed, II. 496. Ladder-backed, II. 515. Lewis’s, II. 561. Narrow-fronted, II. 573. Nuttall’s, II. 521. Pileated, II. 550. Red-bellied, II. 554. Red-breasted, II. 544. Red-cockaded, II. 524. Red-headed, II. 564. Red-naped, II. 542. White-backed, Three-toed, II. 532. White-headed, II. 526. White-rumped, II. 564. Williamson’s, II. 545. Yellow-bellied, II. 539, 557. Yellow-shafted, II. 575. Wrens, I. 130. Wren, Alaska, I. 157. Berlandier’s, I. 144. Bewick’s, I. 145. Cactus, I. 132. Cañon, I. 139. Cape Cactus, I. 133. Great Carolina, I. 142. House, I. 149. Long-tailed House, I. 145. Parkman’s, I. 153. Rock, I. 135. Western Wood, I. 153. White-throated Rock, I. 139. Winter, I. 155. Wood, I. 149. Tit, I. 84.
Yellow-Bird, I. 471. Summer, I. 222.
INDEX OF SCIENTIFIC NAMES.
Aburria, III. 397. Acanthis, I. 491. canescens, I. 498. holbölli, I. 493. Acanthylis, II. 431. pelagica, II. 432. vauxi, II. 435. Accipiter, III. 220, 222. æsalon, III. 142. ardosiacus, III. 225. carolinensis, III. 169. cauda furcata, III. 192. cooperi, III. 220, 222, 230. dominicensis, III. 167. falco freti hudsonis, III. 111. falco islandicus, III. 113. falco maculatus, III. 132. falco niger, III. 137. falco piscator antillarum, III. 184. falco piscator carolinensis, III. 184. fringillarius, III. 222. fringilloides, III. 225. fuscus, III. 224, 225. gyrfalco, III. 111. lithofalco, III. 142. mexicanus, III. 231. milvus carolinensis, III. 192. minor, III. 169. palumbarius, III. 144. pennsylvanicus, III. 225. pileatus, III. 230. piscatorius, III. 184. ruficaudus, III. 282. trinotatus, III. 220, 222. velox, III. 225. Aëtos, III. 312. Ægiothus, I. 448, 491. brewsteri, I. 493, 501. canescens, I. 493, 498. exilipes, I. 493. flavirostris, I. 493. fuscescens, I. 493. holbölli, I. 493. linarius, I. 493. rostratus, I. 493. Ægithaliscus, I. 107. melanotis, I. 108. flaviceps, I. 111, 112. Ægolius, III. 17. Æsalon, III. 107, 142. columbarius, III. 144. lithofalco, III. 142. Agelainæ, II. 147, 148. Agelaius, II. 148, 158. assimilis, II. 159. bullocki, II. 199. gubernator, II. 159, 163. icterocephalus, II. 167. longipes, II. 167. phœniceus, II. 158, 159. tricolor, II. 159, 165. xanthocephalus, II. 167. Agrodoma spraguei, I. 175. Alauda, II. 135; III. 519. agrestis, II. 136. alpestris, II. 139, 143. arvensis, II. 136. cælipeta, II. 136. chrysolæma, II. 144. cornuta, II. 143. italica, II. 136. ludoviciana, I. 171. magna, II. 171, 174. minor, II. 144. montana, II. 136. pennsylvanica, I. 171. pratensis, I. 173. rubra, I. 171. rufa, I. 164, 170, 171; II. 144. segetum, II. 136. spraguei, I. 174, 175. vulgaris, II. 136. Alaudidæ, I. 164, 431; II. 135. Alcedinidæ, II. 391. Alcedo alcyon, II. 391, 392. americana, II. 396. cabanisi, II. 396. guacu, II. 392. jaguacate, II. 392. rudis, II. 391. viridis, II. 396. Amazilia xantusi, II. 467. Ammodromus, I. 529, 556. Ammodromus bachmani, II. 39. caudacutus, I. 557. macgillivrayi, I. 560. maritimus, I. 560; III. 515. palustris, II. 34. rostratus, I. 542. ruficeps, II. 45. samuelis, II. 26. Ampelidæ, I. 3, 356, 395, 431. Ampelinæ, I. 395. Ampelis, I. 395. americana, I. 401. cedrorum, I. 396, 401. garrulus, I. 396, 401. phœnicopterurn, I. 396. sialis, I. 63. Angusticolles, II. 492. Anorthura, I. 131, 149. Antenor, III. 105. Anthinæ, I. 164, 169. Anthus, I. 149, 170. aquaticus, I. 171. bogotensis, I. 164, 170. l’herminieri, I. 284. ludovicianus, I. 170, 171, 175, 286; III. 509. pennsylvanica, I. 171. pipiens, I. 171. pratensis, I. 170, 173. reinhardti, I. 171. rubens, I. 171. rufus, I. 170. spinoletta, I. 171. spraguei, I. 175. Antrostomus, II. 399, 400, 408. Antrostomus carolinensis, II. 409, 410; III. 523. cubanensis, II. 409. macromystax, II. 409. nuttalli, II. 409, 417. vociferus, II. 409, 413. Aphelocoma, II. 282. californica, II. 288. crissoleucus, II. 529. floridana, II. 285. Apternus, II. 528. americanus, II. 532. arcticus, II. 530. hirsutus, II. 532. kamtchatkensis, II. 529. tridactylus, II. 529. Aquila, III. 105, 312. albicilla, III. 324. americana, III. 184. canadensis, III. 313, 314. chrysaëtus, III. 313. fulva, III. 314. haliætus, III. 183. leucocephala, III. 324, 326. melanaëtus, III. 314. nobilis, III. 314. ossifraga, III. 324. piscatrix, III. 184. regia, III. 314. valeria, III. 313. Archibuteo, III. 105, 297. ferrugineus, III. 298, 300. lagopus, III. 298. regalis, III. 300. sancti-johannis, III. 299, 304. Argyrtria maculata, II. 468. Asio, III. 17. brachyotus, III. 22. bubo virginianus, III. 62. crassirostris, III. 61. galopagoensis, III. 23. hypogæa, III. 25. macrorhyncha, III. 61. mexicana, III. 61. nævia, III. 49. otus, III. 17. peregrinator, III. 18. scops carolinensis, III. 49. Astragalinus mexicanus, I. 478. tristis, I. 471. Astur, III. 220, 236. atricapillus, III. 237. borealis, III. 282. cinerea, III. 245, 246. cooperi, III. 230. fuscus, III. 224, 275. hyemalis, III. 275. latissimus, III. 259. palumbarius, III. 236, 237. pennsylvanicus, III. 225, 259. plagiata, III. 245, 246. striolatus, III. 245. unicinctus, III. 249. velox, III. 225. Asturina, III. 105, 244. nitida, III. 245. Asyndesmus, II. 559. torquatus, II. 561. Athene cunicularia, III. 90. ferruginea, III. 85. gnoma, III. 81. hypogæa, III. 90. nana, III. 85. noctua, III. 97. phalænoides, III. 43. socialis, III. 90. whitneyi, III. 86, 87. wilsoni, III. 43. Attagen rupestris, III. 462. Atthis, II. 438, 439, 464. anna, II. 454. heloisæ, II. 445. Aulanax, II. 339. fuscus, II. 343. nigricans, II. 340. sayus, II. 347. Auriparus, I. 86, 111. flaviceps, I. 112.
Balbusardus, III. 182. Basileuterus belli, I. 313. culicivorus, I. 312. Bathmidurus major, II. 306. Bidens aurantius, III. 129. dominicensis, III. 166. sparverius, III. 166. Blacicus pallidus, II. 351. Blagrus, III. 320. Bæolophus, I. 86, 87. bicolor, I. 87. Bombycilla americana, I. 401. carolinensis, I. 401. cedrorum, I. 401. phœnicopterum, I. 396. Bonasa, III. 414, 446. cupido, III. 440. sabini, III. 447, 454. sylvestris, III. 446. umbelloides, III. 447, 453. umbellus, III. 446, 448. Brachyotus, III. 5, 17, 18. americanus, III. 23. cassini (plate.), III. 23, 102. galopagoensis, III. 23. palustris, III. 22. Bubo, III. 6, 60. albifrons, III. 43. arcticus, III. 60, 64. asio, III. 49. clamator, III. 61. crassirostris, III. 61. ludovicianus, III. 62. magellanicus, III. 61, 64. maximus, III. 60. mexicanus, III. 60, 61. otus, III. 17. pacificus, III. 61, 65. pinicola, III. 62. subarcticus, III. 64. virginianus (plate), III. 60, 62, 64, 65, 98, 99, 100, 101. virginianus arcticus, III. 64. virginianus atlanticus, III. 62. virginianus pacificus, III. 64, 65. Budytes, I. 164, 167. flava, I. 167, 168. Butaëtes, III. 297. lagopus, III. 299. sancti-johannis, III. 304. Butaquila, III. 297. strophiata, III. 297. Buteo, III. 105, 254. albicaudatus, III. 266. albonotatus, III. 272. americanus, III. 282. ater, III. 304. bairdi, III. 263. borealis, III. 257, 281, 282. calurus, III. 258, 292. cenchris, III. 203. cinereus, III. 263. cooperi, III. 258, 275, 295. costaricensis, III. 285. elegans, III. 257, 277. ferrugineocaudus, III. 282. fuliginosus, III. 266. fulvus, III. 282. fuscus, III. 275. gallinivorus, III. 282. galapagoensis, III. 254. gutturalis, III. 263. hamatus, III. 209. harlani, III. 258, 292. harrisi, III. 250. hyemalis, III. 275. insignatus, III. 263. krideri, III. 258, 284. lagopus, III. 299, 304. leverianus, III. 282. lineatus, III. 257, 275. lucasanus, III. 285. montanus, III. 263. niger, III. 304. oxypterus, III. 256, 266. pennsylvanicus, III. 256, 259. sancti-johannis, III. 304. spadiceus, III. 304. swainsoni, III. 256, 263. unicinctus, III. 249, 250. vulgaris, III. 263. zonocercus, III. 257, 272.
Cacicus alaudarius, II. 174. Cæreba cyanea, I. 425. Cærebidæ, I. 163, 425, 431. Calamospiza, II. 59, 60. bicolor, II. 61. Calandritinæ, II. 135. Callichelidon, I. 327, 338. cyaneoviridis, I. 338. Callipepla, III. 466, 487. californica, III. 479. gambeli, III. 482. picta, III. 475. squamata, III. 487. strenua, III. 487. venusta, III. 482. Calliphlox anna, II. 454. Calocitta, II. 264. Calothorax calliope, II. 445. cyanopogon, II. 445. Calypte, II. 438, 439, 453. anna, II. 453, 454. costæ, II. 453, 457. floresi, II. 453. helenæ, II. 453. Campephilus, II. 493, 494. bairdi, II. 496. imperialis, II. 496. principalis, II. 494, 496. Campylorhynchus, I. 130, 131. affinis, I. 131, 133. brunneicapillus, I. 131, 132; III. 508. scolopaceus, I. 131. Canace, III. 415. canadensis, III. 416. franklini, III. 419. fuliginosus, III. 421, 425. obscurus, III. 421, 422. richardsoni, III. 422, 427. Caprimulgidæ, II. 398. Caprimulginæ, II. 398. Caprimulgus albicollis, II. 399. acutipennis, II. 400. acutus, II. 400. americanus, II. 401. brachypterus, II. 410. carolinensis, II. 408, 410. clamator, II. 413. exilis, II. 400. macromystax, II. 409. nuttalli, II. 417. popetue, II. 401. pruinosus, II. 400. rufus, II. 410. semitorquatus, II. 400. texensis, II. 406. virginianus, II. 400, 401, 413. vociferans, II. 413. vociferus, II. 413. Caracara, III. 176. vulgaris, III. 177. Cardellina, I. 179, 312. rubra, I. 312. Cardellineæ, I. 179. Cardinalis, II. 60, 99. carneus, II. 99. coccineus, II. 99. igneus, II. 99, 103; III. 518. phœniceus, II. 99. sinuatus, II. 95. virginianus, I. 295; II. 99–101. Carduelis lawrenci, I. 478. luxuosus, II. 86. mexicanus, I. 478. spinoides, I. 470. psaltria, I. 474. tristis, I. 471. Carpodacus, I. 447, 459. californicus, I. 460, 465. cassini, I. 459, 460. familiaris, I. 466, 468. frontalis, I. 460, 465, 466. hæmorrhous, I. 460. obscurus, I. 466. purpureus, I. 459, 462. rhodocolpus, I. 460, 468. Catharista, III. 337, 350. atrata, III. 355, 356. californianus, III. 338. Cathartes, III. 337, 339, 343, 350. atratus, III. 351. aura, III. 344. burrovianus, III. 344. californianus, III. 338. falklandicus, III. 345. fœtens, III. 351. iota, III. 345, 351. ruficollis, III. 345. urubu, III. 351. vulturinus, III. 338. Cathartidæ, III. 1, 335. Cathartinæ, III. 335. Catharus melpomene, I. 3. occidentalis, I. 3. Catherpes, I. 130, 137. conspersus, I. 139; III. 508. mexicanus, I. 137–139. Centrocercus, III. 414, 428. phasianellus, III. 436. urophasianus, III. 429. Centrophanes, I. 510. calcaratus, I. 515. lapponicus, I. 515. ornatus, I. 520. Centronyx, I. 529, 530. bairdi, I. 531, 540; III. 514. Centureæ, II. 492, 553. Centurus, II. 553. aurifrons, II. 554, 557. carolinus, II. 553, 554. carolinensis, II. 587. elegans, II. 557. flaviventris, II. 557. hoffmanni, II. 554. hypopolius, II. 558. santacruzi, II. 557. subelegans, II. 554. sulfureiventer, II. 558. tricolor, II. 554. uropygialis, II. 554, 558; III. 523. Ceophloeus pileatus, II. 550. Cerchneis sparverius, III. 169. Certhia, I. 124. americana, I. 125, 128. caroliniana, I. 142. costæ, I. 124, 125. familiaris, I. 124, 125. flaveola, I. 425, 428. fusca, I. 125. maculata, I. 180. mexicana, I. 125, 128. palustris, I. 158, 161. pinus, I. 195. Certhiadæ, I. 124. Certhiidæ, I. 431. Certhiola, I. 425. bahamensis, I. 427, 428. bairdi, I. 428. bananivora, I. 427. barbadensis, I. 428; III. 512. bartholemica, I. 428. caboti, I. 427; III. 512. chloropyga, I. 428. dominicana, I. 428. flaveola, I. 427, 428. frontalis, I. 428; III. 512. luteola, I. 427. major, I. 427. maritima, I. 212. martinicana, I. 428. mexicana, I. 428. minor, I. 427. newtoni, I. 427; III. 512. peruviana, I. 428. portoricensis, I. 427. Ceryle, II. 391. alcyon, II. 392. americana, II. 396. cabanisi, II. 396. Chætura, II. 422, 427, 431. cinereiventris, II. 431. pelagica, II. 431, 432. pelasgia, II. 432. poliura, II. 431. sclateri, II. 431. spinicauda, II. 432. vauxi, II. 431, 435; III. 523. Chæturinæ, II. 422, 427. Chalcophanes macrurus, II. 225. major, II. 222. quiscalus, II. 215. virescens, II. 203. Chamæa, I. 83. fasciata, I. 83, 84; III. 507. Chamæadæ, I. 83. Chamæpelia, III. 375, 389. albivitta, III. 389. granatina, III. 389. pallescens, III. 389. passerina, III. 389. Chamæpelieæ, III. 375. Chamæpetes, III. 397. Chelidon thalassina, I. 347. Chloris, I. 207. Chloroceryle, II. 391. Chlorœnas fasciata, III. 360. flavirostris, III. 366. monilis, III. 360. Chondestes, I. 529, 562. grammaca, I. 562. strigatus, I. 562. Chordeiles, II. 399, 400. acutipennis, II. 400, 406. brasilianus, II. 406. henryi, II. 400, 404. labeculatus, II. 400. minor, II. 400; III. 523. peruvianus, II. 400. popetue, II. 400, 401. saptii, II. 406. texensis, II. 400, 406; III. 523. virginianus, II. 401. Chrysomitris, I. 447, 470. arizonæ, I. 471, 476; III. 513. columbiana, I. 471. lawrenci, I. 471, 478. macroptera, I. 480. mexicana, I. 471, 476, 478. notata, I. 471. pinus, I. 471, 480. psaltria, 470, 474; III. 513. tristis, I. 470, 471. Ciccaba, III. 28. Cichlopsis nitens, I. 405. Cinclidæ, I. 1, 2, 55. Cinclus, I. 55. americanus, I. 56. aquaticus, I. 58. ardesiacus, I. 56. mexicanus, I. 55, 56. mortoni, I. 56. pallasi, I. 56. townsendi, I. 56. unicolor, I. 56. Circus, III. 104, 212. axillaris, III. 197. campestris, III. 214. cinereus, III. 214. cyaneus, III. 213. cyaneus hudsonius, III. 214. frenatus, III. 214. histrionicus, III. 214. hudsonius, III. 214. hyemalis, III. 275. jardini, III. 212. macropterus, III. 212. pygargus, III. 213. uliginosus, III. 214. Cistothorus, I. 131, 158. elegans, I. 159. paludicola, I. 161. palustris, I. 160, 161. stellaris, I. 159, 162; III. 509. Cladoscopus, II. 535. nuchalis, II. 542. ruber, II. 544. varius, II. 539. Cleptes, II. 264. hudsonicus, II. 266. nuttalli, II. 270. Coccoborus, II. 76. cæruleus, II. 77. ludovicianus, II. 70. melanocephalus, II. 73. Coccothraustes abeillii, I. 449. canadensis, I. 453. cardinalis, II. 100. ludoviciana, II. 70. melanocephala, II. 73. rubricollis, II. 70. vespertina, I. 449. virginiana, II. 100. vulgaris, I. 448. Coccothraustinæ, I. 446. Coccyginæ, II. 470. Coccygus, II. 470, 475. americanus, II. 476, 477. bairdi, II. 477. dominicus, II. 472, 477, 484. erythrophthalmus, II. 477, 484. julieni, II. 477. melanocoryphus, II. 476. minor, II. 476, 482. pyrrhopterus, II. 477. seniculus, II. 482. Colaptes, II. 492, 573. auratus, II. 575. ayresii, II. 582. chrysocaulosus, II. 575. chrysoides, II. 575, 583. collaris, II. 578. hybridus, II. 582. mexicanoides, II. 574. mexicanus, II. 574, 578, 582. rubricatus, II. 574, 578. Collocallia, II. 422. Collurio, I. 412. borealis, I. 413–415. elegans, I. 414, 420. excubitor, I. 412, 414. excubitoroides, I. 413, 415, 421. ludovicianus, I. 413, 414, 418. robustus, I. 413, 420; III. 512. Columba, III. 357, 358. albilinea, III. 359. americana, III. 368. araucana, III. 359. canadensis, III. 368. caribœa, III. 359. carolinensis, III. 381, 383. corensis, III. 360. cyanocephala, III. 394, 395. denisea, III. 359. fasciata, III. 358, 360. flavirostris, III. 360, 366. griseola, III. 389. hoilotl, III. 376. inornata, III. 360, 366. leucocephala, III. 359, 364. leucoptera, III. 376. livia, III. 358. marginata, III. 383. martinica, III. 392. meridionalis, III. 359. migratoria, III. 367, 368. monilis, III. 360. montana, III. 393. mystacea, III. 393. passerina, III. 389. rufina, III. 359, 360. solitaria, III. 366. squamosa, III. 387. trudeaui, III. 376. zenaida, III. 378. Columbidæ, III. 357. Columbigallina montana, III. 393. Columbinæ, III. 357. Compsothlypis, I. 207. americanus, I. 208. gutturalis, I. 208. Conirostrum ornatum, I. 112. superciliosum, I. 208. Contopus, II. 308, 350. bahamensis, II. 352. bogotensis, II. 360. borealis, II. 350, 353, 356. brachytarsus, II. 351. caribæus, II. 351. cooperi, II. 353. hispaniolensis, II. 351. lugubris, II. 351. mesoleucus, II. 353. ochraceus, II. 352. pallidus, II. 351. pertinax, II. 351, 356. plebeius, II. 360. punensis, II. 352. richardsoni, II. 352, 360. schotti, II. 351. sordidulus, II. 360. virens, I. 249; II. 352, 356, 357. Conurus, II. 585, 586. carolinensis, II. 587. ludovicianus, II. 587. Cooperastur, III. 220, 222. Coracias, II. 264. mexicanus, II. 299. Coræognathæ, I. 431. Coragypys, III. 350. Corthylio, I. 72. calendula, I. 75. Corveæ, II. 231. Corvidæ, I. 431; II. 231. Corvinæ, II. 231. Corvus, II. 231, 232. americanus, II. 243–247. cacalotl, II. 234. canadensis, II. 297, 299. carnivorus, II. 233, 234. caurinus, II. 233, 248. columbianus, II. 254, 255. corax, II. 232. corone, II. 243. cristatus, II. 271, 273. cryptoleucus, II. 233, 242; III. 520. floridanus, II. 233, 247, 285. hudsonicus, II. 266. jamaicensis, II. 234. leucognaphalus, II. 234. littoralis, II. 234. lugubris, II. 234. megonyx, II. 255. mexicanus, II. 233. minutus, II. 234. nasicus, II. 234. ossifragus, II. 233, 251. palliatus, II. 288. peruvianus, II. 294. pica, II. 264–266. stelleri, II. 277. ultramarinus, II. 288. Corydalina, II. 60. bicolor, II. 61. Corythus, I. 452. canadensis, I. 453. enucleator, I. 453. Coturniculus, I. 529, 548. bairdi, I. 531. dorsalis, I. 549. henslowi, I. 549, 550. lecontei, I. 549, 552. manimbe, I. 549. mexicanus, II. 38. passerinus, I. 195, 549, 553. perpallidus, I. 549, 556; III. 515. tixicrus, I. 553. Cotyle, I. 327, 353. riparia, I. 347, 353. Cracidæ, III. 397. Cracinæ, III. 397. Craxirex, III. 248, 254. unicinctus, III. 250. Crotophaga, II. 470, 486. ani, II. 486–488. lævirostra, II. 488. major, II. 487. minor, II. 488. rugirostra, II. 488. sulcirostris, II. 487. Crucirostra leucoptera, I. 488. Cuculidæ, II. 469, 470. Cuculus americanus, II. 475, 477. auratus, II. 573, 575. carolinensis, II. 477. cinerosus, II. 477. dominicensis, II. 477. dominicus, II. 477. erythrophthalmus, II. 484. minor, II. 482. seniculus, II. 482. Culicivora atricapilla, I. 81. cœrulea, I. 78. mexicana, I. 78, 81. townsendi, I. 409. Cuncuma, III. 320. Cupidonia, III. 414, 439. americana, III. 440. cupido, III. 440. pallidicinctus, III. 440, 446. Cureus americanus, II. 477. Curvirostra, I. 448. americana, I. 484. leucoptera, I. 488. Cyanocephalus, II. 259. Cyanocitta, II. 264, 271, 282. arizonæ, II. 284, 292. californica, II. 283, 288; III. 521. couchi, II. 284, 293. cristata, II. 273. floridana, II. 283, 285. macrolopha, II. 281. sordida, II. 284, 292. stelleri, II. 277. sumichrasti, II. 283. superciliosa, II. 288. ultramarina, II. 284. unicolor, II. 284. woodhousei, II. 283, 291. Cyanocorax californicus, II. 288. cassini, II. 260. cristatus, II. 273. cyanicapillus, II. 295. floridanus, II. 285. luxuosus, II. 295. stelleri, II. 277. unicolor, II. 284. yncas, II. 295. Cyanogarrulus cristatus, II. 273. stelleri, II. 277. ultramarinus, II. 293. Cyanoloxia cærulea, II. 77. Cyanospiza, II. 59, 81. amœna, II. 81, 84. ciris, II. 81, 87. cyanea, II. 81, 82. leclancheri, II. 82. versicolor, II. 81, 86. Cyanura, II. 264, 271; III. 521. coronata, II. 272. cristata, II. 271, 273. diademata, II. 272. frontalis, II. 272, 279. galeata, II. 272. macrolopha, II. 272, 281. stelleri, II. 272, 277. Cyanurus cristatus, II. 273. floridanus, II. 285. stelleri, II. 277. Cymindis cinerea, III. 245. leucopygus, III. 208. Cypselidæ, I. 326; II. 421. Cypselinæ, II. 422, 423. Cypseloides, II. 422. Cypselus, II. 422. borealis, II. 429. melanoleucus, II. 424. niger, II. 429. pelasgius, II. 432. poliurus, II. 431. spinicauda, II. 431. spinicaudus, II. 432. vauxi, II. 435. Cyrtonyx, III. 466, 491. massena, III. 492. ocellatus, III. 492.
Dædalion, III. 220, 236. nitidum, III. 245. Dædalium, III. 220, 236. Dendragapus, III. 421. obscurus, III. 422. richardsoni, III. 427. Dendrochelidon, II. 422. Dendrocopus principalis, II. 496. pubescens, II. 509. varius, II. 539. villosus, II. 503. Dendrofalco, III. 142. Dendroica, I. 178, 215. adelaidæ, I. 220, 241. æstiva, I. 70, 200, 215, 216, 222, 234, 237, 246, 277, 318, 324, 325. albilora, I. 220, 241; III. 510. atricapilla, I. 248. auduboni, I. 215, 219, 229, 260, 272; III. 509. aureola, I. 217. blackburniæ, I. 220, 237; III. 510. bryanti, I. 218, 223; III. 509. cœrulea, I. 219, 235; III. 510. cærulescens, I. 218, 254, 267. canadensis, I. 254. capitalis, I. 217. carbonata, I. 214. castanea, I. 215, 219, 248, 251, 271, 313; III. 510. chrysopareia, I. 221, 260, 262, 266, 268. coronata, I. 215, 219, 227, 230, 231, 254, 260, 272. decora, I. 220, 244; III. 510. discolor, I. 222, 276. dominica, I. 215, 220, 240, 241; III. 510. eoa, I. 218. graciæ, I. 220, 241, 243, 244, 260. gundlachi, I. 216. kirtlandi, I. 215, 221, 272. maculosa, I. 219, 232, 257. montana, I. 222, 271. nigrescens, I. 221, 258; III. 511. niveiventris, I. 266. occidentalis, I. 221, 261, 262, 266, 268; III. 511. olivacea, I. 218, 258. palmarum, I. 215, 222, 269, 273. pennsylvanica, I. 215, 219, 245. petechia, I. 216, 217. pharetra, I. 220. pinus, I. 222, 268, 271, 274. pityophila, I. 221. ruficapilla, I. 217. ruficeps, I. 217. rufigula, I. 217. striata, I. 215, 219, 248. superciliosa, I. 240. tigrina, I. 212. townsendi, I. 221, 261, 262, 265; III. 511. vieilloti, I. 217. virens, I. 221, 239, 261, 262. Despotes tyrannus, II. 309. Diplopterus viaticus, II. 472. Dolichonyx, II. 148. agripennis, II. 149. bicolor, II. 61. oryzivorus, II. 149; III. 519. Dryobates, II. 500, 502. harrisi, II. 507. homorus, II. 512. leucomelas, II. 503. pubescens, II. 509. turati, II. 512. villosus, II. 503. Dryocopus pileatus, II. 550. principalis, II. 496. Dryopicus, II. 548. pileatus, II. 550. Dryotomus, II. 548. pileatus, II. 550. principalis, II. 496. Dyctiopicus, II. 501, 514. scalaris, II. 515. Dyctiopipo, II. 514. scalaris, II. 515. Dysornithia, II. 297. canadensis, II. 299.
Ectopistes, III. 357, 367. carolinensis, III. 383. marginata, III. 383. marginellus, III. 383. migratoria, III. 368. Elanoides, III. 190. cæsius, III. 197. furcatus, III. 192. yetapa, III. 192. Elanus, III. 104, 196. axillaris, III. 197. cæsius, III. 197. cœruleus, III. 197. dispar, III. 198. furcatus, III. 192. leucurus, III. 197, 198. minor, III. 197. notatus, III. 197. scriptus, III. 197. Emberiza americana, II. 65. amœna, II. 84. arctica, I. 538. atricapilla, I. 573. bairdi, I. 530, 531. belli, I. 593. bilineata, I. 590. cærulea, II. 82. canadensis, II. 3. chrysops, I. 538. cinerea, II. 30. ciris, II. 87. coronata, I. 573. cyanea, II. 82. cyanella, II. 82. erythrophthalma, II. 109. glacialis, I. 512. grammaca, I. 562. henslowi, I. 550. hyemalis, I. 578, 580. lapponica, I. 510, 515. lateralis, II. 106. lecontei, I. 552. leucophrys, I. 565, 566. mexicana, II. 65. montana, I. 512. mustelina, I. 512. nigro-rufa, I. 589. nivalis, I. 510, 512. olivacea, II. 93. ornata, I. 520. oryzivora, II. 148, 149. pallida, II. 11, 13. passerina, I. 553. pecoris, II. 154. picta, I. 518. pratensis, II. 50. pusilla, II. 5. rostrata, I. 542. rufina, II. 29, 53. sandwichensis, I. 538. savanna, I. 534. shattucki, II. 11. townsendi, II. 68. unalaschkensis, II. 53. Embernagra, I. 530; II. 46. blandingiana, II. 131. chlorura, II. 131. rufivirgata, II. 47. Empidias fuscus, II. 344. Empidonax, II. 308, 362. albigularis, II. 365. acadicus, II. 365, 374. axillaris, II. 363, 365. bahamensis, II. 352. bairdi, II. 363. brachytarsus, II. 351. brunneus, II. 363; III. 521. difficilis, II. 364, 378, 380. flavescens, II. 363. flavipectus, II. 364. flaviventris, II. 363, 378. fulvifrons, II. 385. griseigularis, II. 365. griseipectus, II. 365. hammondi, II. 364, 383. hypoxanthus, II. 378. magnirostris, II. 365. minimus, II. 364, 372; III. 521. obscurus, II. 364, 381; III. 521. pectoralis, II. 364. pusillus, II. 365, 366. rubicundus, II. 385. trailli, II. 365, 366, 369. wrighti, II. 381. Ephialitis, III. 47. Ephialtes asio, III. 49. choliba, III. 52. Eremophila, II. 135, 139. alpestris, II. 140, 141. chrysolæma, II. 140, 144. cornuta, II. 143. occidentalis, II. 140. peregrina, II. 142, 144. Ergaticus, I. 179, 312. Erythraca arctica, I. 67. wilsoni, I. 63. Erythrophrys, II. 475. americanus, II. 477. erythrophthalmus, II. 484. seniculus, II. 482. Erythrospiza, I. 459; III. 220, 222. frontalis, I. 466. purpurea, I. 462. tephrocotis, I. 504. Euhierax, III. 127. Euspina, II. 65. americana, II. 65; III. 518. Euspiza, II. 59, 65. americana, II. 65. townsendi, II. 65, 69. Eustrinx, II. 10. Euthlypis, I. 312. canadensis, I. 320. Eutolmaëtus, III. 312.
Falco, III. 103, 106, 107, 127. æruginosus, III. 212. æsalon, III. 142, 148. albicaudus, III. 324. albicilla, III. 320. albicilla borealis, III. 324. albigularis, III. 130. americanus, III. 184. anatum, III. 128, 132. aquilinus, III. 282. arundinaceus, III. 183. atricapillus, III. 237. auduboni, III. 144. aurantius, III. 129. axillaris, III. 197. bonelli, III. 312. borealis, III. 254, 282. brasiliensis, III. 176, 177. buffoni, III. 214. buteo, III. 254, 263. buteo, β, III. 111. buteoides, III. 275. cæsius, III. 143. canadensis, III. 314. candicans, III. 108, 111, 112. candicans islandicus, III. 113. candidus, III. 327. carolinensis, III. 184. cassini, III. 132. cayennensis, III. 184. cenchris, III. 159. chrysætos, III. 312. chrysaëtus, III. 313. cineraceus, III. 212. cinereus, III. 115. cinnamominus, III. 168. clamosus, III. 197. cœruleus, III. 197. columbarius, III. 143, 144, 225. communis, III. 127, 128, 132. communis, ζ, η, III. 132. cooperi, III. 230. cucullatus, III. 130. cyanescens, III. 155. cyaneus, III. 212, 214. deiroleucus, III. 129. dispar, III. 198. dominicensis, III. 167. dubius, III. 225. emerillus, III. 143. feldeggii, III. 109. femoralis, III. 154, 155. ferrugineus, III. 300. forficatus, III. 190, 192. frontalis, III. 127. fulvus, III. 314. furcatus, III. 190, 192. fuscocœrulescens, III. 155. fuscus, III. 224. gabar, III. 220, 222. gracilis, III. 166. grœnlandicus, III. 111. gyrfalco, III. 107, 108, 113. gyrfalco norvegicus, III. 108. haliætus, III. 182, 183. hamatus, III. 207, 209. harlani, III. 292. harrisi, III. 248, 250. hinularius, III. 324. hæmorrhoidalis, III. 130. hudsonius, III. 214. hyemalis, III. 275. icthyaëtus, III. 320. imperator, III. 322. intermixtus, III. 142, 144. isabellinus, III. 171. islandicus, III. 108, 111, 113, 114. jugger, III. 107, 109. labradora, III. 108, 117. lagopus, III. 111, 297, 299, 304. lanarius, III. 108, 109, 113. latissimus, III. 259. leucocephalus, III. 326. leucogaster, III. 327. leucophrys, III. 161. leucopterus, III. 322. leverianus, III. 282. lineatus, III. 275. lithofalco, III. 142. lugger, III. 109. macei, III. 320. macropus, III. 129. melanaëtus, III. 314. melanogenys, III. 129. melanopterus, III. 196–198. melanotus, III. 324. mexicanus, III. 109, 123. mississippiensis, III. 202, 203. nævius, III. 132. niger, III. 137, 304, 314. nigriceps, III. 132. nisus, III. 220, 222. nitidus, III. 244, 245. novæhollandiæ, III. 220, 236. obscurus, III. 144. obsoletus, III. 263. orientalis, III. 128, 132. ossifragus, III. 324, 327. palumbarius, III. 220, 236, 237. pealei, III. 129, 137. pelagicus, III. 320, 322. pennatus, III. 312. pennsylvanicus, III. 225, 259. peregrinus, III. 127, 128, 132. plancus, III. 177. plumbea, III. 202. plumbeus, III. 203. polyagrus, III. 109, 110, 123, 137. pterocles, III. 254. pygargus, III. 213, 324, 327. regulus, III. 142. richardsoni, III. 148. rostrhamus, III. 208. rufigularis, III. 129, 130. rusticolus, III. 111. sacer, III. 108, 110, 115. sancti-johannis, III. 304. sibiricus, III. 143. spadicens, III. 214. spadiceus, III. 304. sparverius, III. 159, 166, 169. subæsalon, III. 143. subbuteo, III. 142. sublanarius, III. 109. suckleyi, III. 143, 147. temerarius, III. 144. tharus, III. 177. thermophilus, III. 109. thoracicus, III. 130, 155. tinnunculus, III. 159. tinus, III. 220, 222. uliginosus, III. 214. unicinctus, III. 249. velox, III. 225. vulturinus, III. 312. wilsoni, III. 259. Falconidæ, III. 1, 103. Falconinæ, III. 103, 106. Ficedula canadensis cinerea, I. 227. dominica cinerea, I. 240. jamaicensis, I. 283. ludoviciana, I. 208. Fringilla æstiva, II. 39. æstivalis, II. 37, 39. albicollis, I. 574. ambigua, II. 154. americana, II. 65. amœna, II. 84. arborea, II. 3. arctica, II. 116. atrata, I. 585. atricapilla, I. 573. aurocapilla, I. 573. bachmani, II. 39. bicolor, II. 60, 61, 93. blandingiana, II. 131. borealis, I. 498. brunneinucha, I. 504. cærulea, II. 77. calcarata, I. 515. canadensis, II. 1, 3. cardinalis, II. 100. catatol, I. 478. caudacuta, I. 553, 557. chlorura, II. 131. cinerea, I. 578; II. 27, 30. comata, I. 577. crissalis, II. 122. cyanea, II. 82. domestica, I. 525. erythrophthalma, II. 104, 109. fasciata, II. 19. ferruginea, II. 50. flavicollis, II. 65. frontalis, I. 465, 466. gambeli, I. 569. georgiana, II. 34. graminea, I. 544, 545. grammaca, I. 562. griseinucha, I. 508. henslowi, I. 550. hudsonia, I. 580, 585. hyemalis, I. 534, 580; II. 19. hypoleuca, II. 90. iliaca, II. 49, 50. juncorum, II. 5, 580. lapponica, I. 515. leucophrys, I. 566. linaria, I. 493, 501. lincolni, II. 31. littoralis, I. 557. ludoviciana, II. 70. macgillivrayi, I. 560. mariposa, II. 87. maritima, I. 560. melanocephala, II. 73. melanoxantha, I. 478. melodia, II. 16, 19. meruloides, II. 53. monticola, II. 3. nivalis, I. 580. oregona, I. 584. palustris, II. 34. passerina, I. 548, 553. pecoris, II. 153, 154. pennsylvanica, I. 574. pinus, I. 480. psaltria, I. 474. purpurea, I. 459, 462. pusilla, II. 5. querula, I. 577. rufa, II. 50. rufescens, I. 501. rufidorsis, I. 580. savanna, I. 532, 534. savanarum, I. 553. socialis, II. 1, 7. spinus, I. 470. tephrocotis, I. 504. texensis, I. 478. tristis, I. 470, 471. townsendi, II. 53. xantomaschalis, II. 73. vespertina, I. 448, 449. zena, II. 93. Fringillidæ, I. 431, 446; II. 1.
Galeoscoptes, I. 3, 51. carolinensis, I. 52. Gallopavo sylvestris, III. 404. Garrulinæ, II. 231, 263. Garrulus cærulescens, II. 285. californicus, II. 282, 288. canadensis, II. 299. cristatus, II. 273. cyaneus, II. 285. floridanus, II. 285. fuscus, II. 299. luxuosus, II. 295. sordidus, II. 284. stelleri, II. 277, 281. trachyrrhynchus, II. 299. ultramarinus, II. 288, 293. Gennaia, III. 107. lanarius, III. 109. Geococcyx, II. 470. affinis, II. 471. californianus, II. 471, 472; III. 523. mexicanus, II. 472. variegata, II. 472. velox, II. 471. viaticus, II. 472. Geophilus cyanocephalus, III. 395. Geopicus, II. 573. campestris, II. 573. chrysoides, II. 583. rubricatus, II. 574. Geothlypeæ, I. 179, 295. Geothlypinæ, I. 178, 279. Geothlypis, I. 179, 295; III. 511. æquinoctialis, I. 296. caninucha, I. 296. macgillivrayi, I. 297, 303; III. 512. melanops, I. 296, 298. philadelphia, I. 296, 297, 301, 303. poliocephala, I. 296. rostratus, I. 296. semiflavus, I. 296. speciosa, I. 296. trichas, I. 296–298; III. 512. velatus, I. 296. Geotrygon, III. 375. martinica, III. 393. Glabirostres, II. 399. Glaucidium, III. 6, 79. californicum, III. 81, 83. ferrugineum (plate), III. 81, 85, 98–101. gnoma, III. 81. infuscatum, III. 81. passerinum, III. 80. siju, III. 79. Glaucopteryx, III. 212. Goniaphea, II. 69. cærulea, II. 77. ludoviciana, II. 70. melanocephala, II. 73. Gracula barita, II. 215, 222. ferruginea, II. 203. purpurea, II. 215. quiscala, II. 212, 215, 222. Granatellus, I. 179. venustus, I. 306. Gryphinæ, III. 335. Guiraca, II. 59, 76. abeillii, I. 449. cærulea, II. 77; III. 518. ludoviciana, II. 70. melanocephala, II. 73. tricolor, II. 73. Gymnokitta, II. 232, 259. cyanocephala, II. 259, 260. Gymnorhinus, II. 259. cyanocephalus, II. 260. Gypagus, III. 337. Gyparchus, III. 337. Gypogeranidæ, III. 2.
Hadrostomus affinis, II. 306. aglaiæ, II. 306. Hæmorrhous, I. 459. purpurea, I. 462. Haliaëtus, III. 105, 320. albicilla, III. 320, 323, 324. icthyaëtus, III. 320. leucocephalus, III. 323, 326. leucogaster, III. 320. nisus, III. 324. pelagicus, II. 323. vocifer, III. 320. washingtoni, III. 327. Harpes redivivus, I. 35, 45. Harporhynchus, I. 3, 35. cinereus, I. 35, 36, 40. crissalis, I. 35, 37, 40, 47; III. 505. curvirostris, I. 35, 36, 41; III. 505. lecontei, I. 44, 47. longirostris, I. 39, 41, 144. ocellatus, I. 35, 36; III. 504. palmeri, I. 43; III. 505. redivivus, I. 35, 37, 40, 45, 48; III. 505. rufus, I. 33–37, 40, 46, 58; III. 505. Hedymeles, II. 59, 69. capitalis, II. 70. ludovicianus, II. 70. melanocephalus, II. 70, 73. Heleothreptus, II. 399. Heliaptex arcticus, III. 64. Helinaia, I. 178, 186. bachmani, I. 194. carbonata, I. 211, 214. celata, I. 202. chrysoptera, I. 192. peregrina, I. 205. protonotaria, I. 184. rubricapilla, I. 196. solitaria, I. 195. swainsoni, I. 190. vermivora, I. 187. Heliopædica, II. 438, 440, 466. castaneocauda, II. 467. melanotis, II. 466. xantusi, II. 466, 467. Helminthophaga, I. 178, 191. bachmanni, I. 191, 194. celata, I. 192, 200, 202, 204, 205, 317. chrysoptera, I. 191, 192. citrea, I. 184. gutturalis, I. 191. luciæ, I. 192, 200; III. 509. lutescens, I. 192, 204; III. 509. obscura, I. 192. ocularis, I. 191. peregrina, I. 191, 192, 205. pinus, I. 191, 195. rubricapilla, I. 191, 196, 199, 201, 203, 206, 310. solitaria, I. 195. virginiæ, I. 192, 199; III. 509. Helmitherus, I. 178, 186. bachmani, I. 194. chrysopterus, I. 192. migratorius, I. 187. peregrinus, I. 205. protonotarius, I. 184. rubricapilla, I. 196. solitarius, I. 195. swainsoni, I. 186, 187, 190; III. 509. vermivorus, I. 186, 187; III. 509. Hemiaëtus, III. 297. Hemiprocne, II. 427. pelasgia, II. 432. Henicocichla, I. 279. aurocapilla, I. 280. ludoviciana, I. 287. major, I. 287. motacilla, I. 287. noveboracensis, I. 283. Herpetotheres sociabilis, III. 208. Hesperiphona, I. 447, 448. abeillii, I. 449. montana, I. 449; III. 513. vespertina, I. 449. Hesperocichla, I. 3, 4, 28. Hieracospiza, III. 220, 222. Hieraëtus, III. 312. Hieraspiza, III. 220, 222. Hieroaëtus, III. 312. Hierofalco, III. 107. candicans, III. 111. gyrfalco, III. 108. grœnlandicus, III. 111. islandicus, III. 113. Hirundinidæ, I. 326, 431. Hirundo, I. 327, 338. americana, I. 339. dominicensis, II. 429. bicolor, I. 185, 331, 344. cærulea canadensis, I. 329. cayanensis, II. 423. cinerea, I. 353. cyaneoviridis, I. 327. fulva, I. 334. horreorum, I. 339. leucogaster, I. 344. ludoviciana, I. 329. lunifrons, I. 66, 334. melanogaster, I. 334. nigra, II. 428, 429. opifex, I. 334. pelagica, II. 432. pelasgia, II. 432. purpurea, I. 327, 329, 332. respublicana, I. 334. riparia, I. 353. riparia americana, I. 353. rufa, I. 339. rustica, I. 339. serripennis, I. 350. subis, I. 329. thalassina, I. 344, 347. versicolor, I. 329. violacea, I. 329. viridis, I. 344. Holoquiscalus, II. 213. Hybris, III. 10. Hydrobata, I. 55. mexicana, I. 56. Hydropsalis, II. 399. Hylemathrous ædon, I. 149. Hylocichla, I. 4, 22, 28. Hylotomus, II. 494, 548. pileatus, II. 550. Hypacanthus, I. 470. Hyphantes abeillei, II. 184. baltimore, II. 195. bullocki, II. 199. solitaria, II. 190. Hypomorphnus unicinctus, III. 249. Hypotriorchis, III. 142. æsalon, III. 142. aurantius, III. 129. columbarius, III. 144. femoralis, III. 155.
Icteria, I. 179, 306. auricollis, I. 309. dumecola, I. 307. longicauda, I. 307, 309, 310. velasquezi, I. 307. virens, I. 307. viridis, I. 307. Icterianæ, I. 178, 179, 306. Icteridæ, I. 431; II. 147. Icterieæ, I. 179, 306. Icterinæ, II. 147, 179. Icterus, II. 179. abeillei, II. 184. agripennis, II. 149. auduboni, II. 182, 186. auricapillus, II. 183. baltimore, II. 183, 195; III. 520. bullocki, II. 183, 199; III. 520. cucullatus, II. 183, 193; III. 519. dominicensis, II. 182. emberizoides, II. 154. frenatus, II. 167. graduacauda, II. 186. gubernator, II. 163. hypomelas, II. 182. icterocephalus, II. 167. melanocephalus, II. 182. melanochrysura, II. 188. parisorum, II. 183, 188. pecoris, II. 154. perspicillatus, II. 167. phœniceus, II. 159. portoricensis, II. 182. prosthemelas, II. 182. scotti, II. 188. spurius, II. 183, 190. tricolor, II. 165. vulgaris, II. 181, 184. wagleri, II. 182, 188. xanthocephalus, II. 167. Icthierax, III. 127. Icthyætus, III. 320. Ictinia, III. 104, 202. mississippiensis, III. 203. plumbea, III. 203. Idiotes, I. 312. Ispida, II. 391. ludoviciana, II. 392.
Jerafalco, III. 107. Jeraspiza, III. 220, 222. Jerax, III. 220, 222. Junco, I. 530, 578; III. 516. aikeni, I. 579, 584; III. 516. alticola, I. 580, 584. caniceps, I. 579, 587. cinereus, I. 580, 584. hyemalis, I. 137, 274, 282, 579, 580. oregonus, I. 579, 584; III. 516. phænotus, I. 580.
Kieneria aberti, II. 128. fusca, II. 121, 122. rufipilea, II. 131.
Lagopus, II. 690; III. 414, 456. albus, III. 456, 457. americanus, III. 462. brachydactylus, III. 457. ferrugineus, III. 300. grœnlandicus, III. 462. islandorum, III. 462. leucurus, III. 456, 464. mutus, III. 456, 462. reinhardti, III. 462. rupestris, III. 456, 462. subalpinus, III. 457. Lampornis, II. 438, 440. aurulentus, II. 440. mango, II. 440. porphyrurus, II. 440. virginalis, II. 440. Laniidæ, I. 356, 412, 431. Lanius agilis, I. 359. ardosiaceus, I. 418. borealis, I. 415. carolinensis, I. 418. cristatus, I. 412. elegans, I. 420. excubitor, I. 412, 415. excubitoroides, I. 421. garrulus, I. 395, 396. lahtora, I. 420. ludovicianus, I. 418, 421. olivaceus, I. 363. septentrionalis, I. 415. tyrannus, II. 316, 319. Lanivireo, I. 358, 372. cassini, I. 373, 376. flavifrons, I. 358, 373, 379. plumbea, I. 358; III. 512. plumbeus, I. 373, 377. propinquus, I. 373. solitaria, I. 358. solitarius, I. 373; III. 512. Laphyctes, II. 315. verticalis, II. 324. vociferans, II. 327. Leptostoma, II. 470. longicauda, II. 472. Lepturus galeatus, I. 405. Leuconerpes albolarvatus, II. 526. Leucospiza, III. 220, 236. Leucosticte, I. 448, 502. brunneinucha, I. 504. campestris, I. 504, 507. griseigenys, I. 508. griseinucha, I. 504, 507, 508. littoralis, I. 504, 507. tephrocotis, I. 504; III. 513. Ligonirostres, II. 492. Linaria americana, I. 493. borealis, I. 498. canescens, I. 498. flavirostris, I. 501. holbölli, I. 493. hornemanni, I. 498. lincolni, II. 31. minor, I. 493. savanna, I. 534. tephrocotis, I. 504. Linota canescens, I. 498. montium, I. 501. Lithofalco columbarius, III. 144. Lophophanes, I. 86. atricristatus, I. 87, 90. bicolor, I. 87, 92. cristatus, I. 93. galeatus, I. 93. inornatus, I. 87, 88, 91; III. 507. missouriensis, I. 87. wollweberi, I. 87, 93. Lophortyx, III. 466, 478. californica, III. 479. gambeli, III. 479, 482. plumifera, III. 475. Loxia, I. 483. americana, I. 483, 484. bifasciata, I. 483; III. 513. cærulea, II. 76, 77. canora, II. 92, 93. cardinalis, II. 99, 100. curvirostra, I. 483. enucleator, I. 453. erythrina, I. 459. fusca, I. 484. himalayana, I. 484. leucoptera, I. 483, 488. ludoviciana, II. 69, 70. mexicana, I. 483, 488. obscura, II. 70. pusilla, I. 484. pityopsittacus, I. 484. rosea, II. 70. violacea, I. 462. virginica, I. 441. Lurocalis, II. 399.
Macrocercus pachyrhynchus, II. 586. Megaceryle alcyon, II. 392. Megapicus, II. 494. Megaquiscalus, II. 214. Megascops, III. 47. Melampicus, II. 559. Melanerpes, II. 553, 559. albolarvatus, II. 526. angustifrons, II. 561, 575. erythrocephalus, II. 560, 564. flavigula, II. 561. formicivorus, II. 560, 566. ruber, II. 544. rubrigularis, II. 545. striatipectus, II. 561. thyroideus, II. 547. torquatus, II. 560, 561. williamsoni, II. 545. Meleagridæ, III. 402. Meleagris, III. 403. americana, III. 404. fera, III. 404. gallopavo, III. 403, 404. mexicana, III. 410. mexicanus, III. 403. ocellatus, III. 404. sylvestris, III. 404. Melittarchus dominicensis, II. 319. Mellisuga heloisa, II. 465. Melopelia, III. 375, 376. leucoptera, III. 376. Melospiza, I. 530; II. 16. cinerea, II. 29. fallax, II. 18, 22. gouldi, II. 26. guttata, II. 19, 27, 29. heermanni, II. 18, 24. insignis, II. 19, 30. lincolni, II. 19, 31; III. 516. melodia, I. 146, 158; II. 18, 19. mexicana, II. 18. palustris, II. 19, 34; III. 517. pectoralis, II. 18. rufina, I. 158; II. 19, 27, 29. samuelis, II. 18, 26. unalashkensis, I. 158. Melospizeæ, I. 530. Merula, I. 4. Methriopterus, I. 35. Micrathene, III. 6, 86. whitneyi, III. 87. Microglaux, III. 79. Micronisus, III. 220, 222. Microptynx, III. 79. passerina, III. 80. Milans, III. 196. Milvulus, II. 307, 308. forficatus, II. 309, 311. savanus, II. 309. tyrannus, II. 309. violentus, II. 309. Milvus cenchris, III. 203. dispar, III. 198. furcatus, III. 192. leucurus, III. 198. mississippiensis, III. 203. Mimimæ, I. 2, 31, 34. Mimus, I. 3, 48. carolinensis, I. 52. curvirostris, I. 41. longirostris, I. 39. montanus, I. 32. orpheus, I. 49. polyglottus, I. 33, 46, 49, 52; III. 506. Mitrephorus, II. 308, 385. fulvifrons, II. 385. pallescens, II. 385, 386. phæocercus, II. 385. Mniotilta, I. 178, 180. borealis, I. 180. longirostris, I. 180. noveboracensis, I. 283. rubricapilla, I. 196. striata, I. 248. varia, I. 180, 181, 216, 243, 249. virens, I. 261. Mniotilteæ, I. 178, 179. Mniotiltidæ, I. 298, 431. Molothrus, I. 182, 310; II. 148, 153. obscurus, II. 154. pecoris, II. 154. Monedula purpurea, II. 215. Montifringilla brunneinucha, I. 504. griseinucha, I. 508. Morphnus unicinctus, III. 249. Motacilla, I. 164, 165. æquinoctialis, I. 296. æstiva, I. 222. alba, I. 165. americana, I. 208. aurocapilla, I. 279, 280. auricollis, I. 184. bananivora, I. 427. blackburniæ, I. 237. cærulea, I. 77, 78. cærulescens, I. 254. calendula, I. 72, 75. calidris, I. 359. cana, I. 78. canadensis, I. 227, 254. chrysocephala, I. 237. chrysoptera, I. 192. cincta, I. 227. citrea, I. 183, 184. coronata, I. 227. dominica, I. 240. eques, I. 208. flava, I. 167. flavicauda, I. 322. flavicollis, I. 240. flavifrons, I. 192. fuscescens, I. 283. hudsonica, I. 171. incana, I. 237. juncorum, II. 5. ludoviciana, I. 208. maculosa, I. 232. mitrata, I. 313, 314. noveboracensis, I. 283. œnanthe, I. 60. palmarum, I. 273. pennsylvanica, I. 245. pensilis, I. 240. pileolata, I. 319. pinguis, I. 227. protonotaria, I. 184. regulus, I. 72. rubiginosa, I. 222. ruticilla, I. 322. sialis, I. 62. striata, I. 248. superciliosa, I. 240. tigrina, I. 211, 212. umbria, I. 227. varia, I. 180. vermivora, I. 186, 187. virens, I. 261. yarrelli, I. 165. Motacillidæ, I. 163, 164, 431. Motacillinæ, I. 164, 165. Muscicapa, I. 4. acadica, II. 374. animosa, II. 316. atra, II. 343. belli, I. 313. bonapartei, I. 320. brasieri, I. 312. canadensis, I. 320. cantatrix, I. 385. carolinensis, I. 51, 52; II. 344. cooperi, II. 353. crinita, II. 334. cucullata, I. 314. derhami, I. 322. dominicensis, II. 319. forficata, II. 311. fulvifrons, II. 385. fusca, II. 343. gilva, I. 368. guttata, I. 18, 20. inornata, II. 353. ludoviciana, II. 334. melodia, I. 368. minuta, I. 316. nigricans, II. 340. noveboracensis, I. 357, 382, 385. nunciola, II. 343. olivacea, I. 358, 363. phœbe, II. 343, 360. pusilla, I. 317; II. 366. querula, II. 357, 374. rapax, II. 357. rex, II. 316. richardsoni, II. 360. rubra, I. 441. ruticilla, I. 322. savana, II. 309. saya, II. 347. selbyi, I. 314. semiatra, II. 340. solitaria, I. 373. striata, I. 248. sylvicola, I. 379. trailli, II. 369. tyrannus, II. 309, 316. verticalis, II. 324. virens, II. 350, 357. virginiana cristata, II. 334. viridis, I. 306, 307. wilsoni, I. 317. Muscicapidæ, I. 326. Myiadesteæ, I. 408. Myiadestes, I. 3, 408. genibarbis, I. 408. obscurus, I. 409. townsendi, I. 22, 409. unicolor, I. 409. Myiarchus, II. 307, 329; III. 521. antillarum, II. 332. cinerascens, II. 332, 337. cooperi, II. 331. crinitus, II. 331, 334. erythrocercus, II. 331. irritabilis, II. 331. lawrencei, II. 333. mexicanus, II. 331, 337. nigricans, II. 340. nigricapillus, II. 333. nigriceps, II. 333. pertinax, II. 337. phæocephalus, II. 330. phœbe, II. 332. stolidus, II. 331, 332. tristis, II. 332, 333. tyrannulus, II. 330. validus, II. 331. yucatanensis, II. 331. Myiobius borealis, II. 353. crinitus, II. 334. nunciola, II. 343. pallidus, II. 351. sayus, II. 347. stolidus, II. 332. virens, II. 357. Myioborus, I. 179, 312. Myioctonus, I. 313. mitratus, I. 314. pusillus, I. 317. Myiodiocteæ, I. 179. Myiodioctes, I. 179, 312, 313. canadensis, I. 313, 320. formosus, I. 293. minutus, I. 313, 316. mitratus, I. 313, 314. pardalina, I. 320. pileolata, I. 313, 319; III. 512. pusillus, I. 313, 314, 317, 319. wilsoni, I. 317. Myionax crinitus, II. 334. Myiothlypis, I. 312.
Nauclerus, III. 104, 190. forficatus, III. 191, 192. furcatus, III. 191, 192. Neocorys, I. 164, 170, 174. spraguei, I. 175. Neophron iota, III. 351. Nephœcetes, II. 427, 428. niger, II. 429; III. 523. Nertus, III. 202. mississippiensis, III. 203. plumbeus, III. 203. Niphæa hyemalis, I. 580. oregona, I. 584. Nisastur, III. 220, 222. Nisus cooperi, III. 224, 230. fuscus, III. 224, 225. hyemalis, III. 275. mexicanus, III. 224, 231. pacificus, III. 225. pennsylvanicus, III. 225. unicinctus, III. 249. Noctua aurita minor, III. 49. brodiei, III. 79. ferruginea, III. 85. passerina, III. 80. Notiocorys, I. 164, 170. Nucifraga columbiana, II. 255. Nucifrageæ, II. 232. Nudinares, II. 492. Nyctale, III. 6, 39. abietum, III. 39. acadica, III. 40, 43. albifrons, III. 43. funerea, III. 39. harrisi, III. 40. kirtlandi, III. 39, 43. pinetorum, III. 39. planiceps, III. 39. richardsoni (plate), III. 39–41, 97–101. tengmalmi, III. 39. Nyctalops stygius, III. 17. Nyctea, III. 6, 60, 61. arctica, III. 61, 70. candida, III. 70. nivea (plate), III. 61, 70, 98–102. scandiaca, III. 61. Nyctibius, II. 398. Nyctidromus, II. 399, 400. affinis, II. 399. albicollis, II. 399. americanus, II. 399. derbyanus, II. 399. grallarius, II. 399. guianensis, II. 399.
Ochthæca sayi, II. 347. Odontophorus maleagris, III. 492. Onychotes gruberi, III. 252–254. Oporornis, I. 178, 279, 290. agilis, I. 290, 291, 301. formosus, I. 290, 293. Oreopeleia, III. 392. martinica, III. 393. montana, III. 393. Oreophasinæ, III. 397. Oreophasis derbianus, III. 397. Oreortyx, III. 466, 475. pictus, III. 475. Oreoscoptes, I. 2, 31. montanus, I. 32, 33, 40, 41. Oriolus baltimore, II. 195. castaneus, II. 190. caudacutus, I. 556, 557. costototl, II. 184. dominicensis, II. 182. ferrugineus, II. 202, 203. fuscus, II. 154. icterus, II. 184. ludovicianus, II. 215. mutatus, II. 190. niger, II. 203, 215. phœniceus, II. 158, 159. spurius, II. 190. varius, II. 190. Oriturus wrangeli, II. 122. Ornismya anna, II. 454. arsenni, II. 466. costæ, II. 453, 457. heloisa, II. 464, 465. montana, II. 462. tricolor, II. 462. viridissima, II. 468. Orpheus carolinensis, I. 52. curvirostris, I. 41. leucopterus, I. 49. longirostris, I. 39. meruloides, I. 29. montanus, I. 31, 32. Ortalida, III. 397, 398. maccalli, III. 398. poliocephala, III. 398. Ortyginæ, III. 466. Ortyx, III. 466, 467. californica, III. 479. castaneus, III. 468. cubanensis, III. 468. floridanus, III. 469. massena, III. 491, 492. montezumæ, III. 492. picta, III. 475. plumifera, III. 475. squamata, III. 487. texanus, III. 468, 474. virginianus, III. 467, 468. Oscines, I. 1, 163, 326. Otocoris, II. 139. rufa, II. 144. Otocorys alpestris, II. 143. chrysolæma, II. 144. cornuta, II. 143. occidentalis, II. 143. peregrina, II. 142, 144. Otus, III. 5, 17. albicollis, III. 17. americanus, III. 18. arboreus, III. 17. asio, III. 17, 52. aurita, III. 17. brachyotus, III. 18, 22, 24. communis, III. 17, 18. crassirostris, III. 61. europæus, III. 17. galopagœnsis, III. 23. gracilis, III. 17. italicus, III. 17. macrorhynchus, III. 61. mexicanus, III. 61. nævius, III. 49. palustris, III. 22. siguapa, III. 18. stygius, III. 17, 18. sylvestris, III. 17. virginianus, III. 62. vulgaris, III. 17. wilsonianus (plate), III. 17, 18, 98–101.
Pachyramphus aglaiæ, II. 306. major, II. 306. Pandion, III. 104, 182. alticeps, III. 183. americanus, III. 184. carolinensis, III. 183, 184. fasciatus, III. 184. fluvialis, III. 183. haliætus, III. 182, 183. indicus, III. 183. leucocephalus, III. 183. planiceps, III. 183. Panyptila, II. 422, 423. cayanensis, II. 424. melanoleuca, II. 424; III. 523. sancti-hieronymi, II. 424. Paridæ, I. 69, 86, 431. Parinæ, I. 86. Paroides flaviceps, I. 112. Parula, I. 178, 207. americana, I. 207–209, 259; III. 509. inornata, I. 208. insularis, I. 207. pitiayumi, I. 207. superciliosa, I. 208. Parus, I. 86, 93. albescens, I. 99. americanus, I. 207, 208. annexus, I. 93. atricapillus, I. 91–96, 100, 102, 103, 105, 128, 157. atricapillus canadensis, I. 96. atricristatus, I. 90. bicolor, I. 86, 87. carolinensis, I. 88, 94, 97, 102, 185. cristatus, I. 86, 87. erythrocephalus, I. 107. fasciatus, I. 83, 84. hudsonicus, I. 94, 97, 105. inornatus, I. 91. leucotis, I. 312. littoralis, I. 105. major, I. 93. meridionalis, I. 94, 102. minimus, I. 109. montanus, I. 92–95, 118. occidentalis, I. 94, 100, 101, 104. palustris, I. 96, 103. rufescens, I. 94, 104; III. 507. septentrionalis, I. 94, 97, 99, 101, 107. sibiricus, I. 95, 105. virginianus, I. 227. Passer, I. 525. arctous, I. 508. bicolor bahamensis, II. 93. canadensis, II. 3. domesticus, I. 525. pennsylvanicus, I. 574. Passerculeæ, I. 529. Passerculus, I. 529, 532. alaudinus, I. 533, 537; III. 515. anthinus, I. 533, 537, 539. cassini, II. 42. guttatus, I. 533, 544. lincolni, II. 31. princeps, I. 533, 540; III. 515. rostratus, I. 533, 542. sandwichensis, I. 533, 538. savanna, I. 533, 534. zonarius, II. 31. Passerella, II. 49; III. 518. cinerea, II. 27. iliaca, II. 50. megarhynchus, II. 49, 57; III. 518. obscura, II. 50. rufina, II. 29. schistacea, II. 49, 56. townsendi, II. 29, 49, 53. unalashkensis, II. 53. Passerellinæ, I. 446; II. 48. Passerina, II. 81. caudacuta, I. 557. ciris, II. 87. cyanea, II. 82. nigricollis, II. 65. oryzivora, II. 149. pecoris, II. 154. pratensis, I. 553. Patagiænas, III. 357. leucocephalus, III. 363. Pediocætes, III. 414, 433. columbianus, III. 434, 436, 446. kennikotti, III. 434. phasianellus, III. 434. Pediocorys, I. 164. Pendulinus, II. 179. affinis, II. 190. ater, II. 203. cucullatus, II. 193. dominicensis, II. 188. flavigaster, II. 182. hypomelas, II. 182. lessoni, II. 182. nigricollis, II. 190. portoricensis, II. 182. spurius, II. 190. viridis, II. 182. Penelope, III. 397. Penelopina, III. 397. Penelopinæ, III. 397. Percnopterus aura, III. 345. urubu, III. 351. Perdicidæ, III. 466. Perdix borealis, III. 468. californica, III. 479. marilandica, III. 468. plumifera, III. 475. virginiana, III. 468. Perisoreus, II. 264, 297. canadensis, II. 298, 299. capitalis, II. 298, 302. infaustus, II. 298. obscurus, II. 298, 302. Perissoglossa, I. 178, 211. carbonata, I. 212, 214. tigrina, I. 211, 212. Perissura, III. 381. carolinensis, III. 383. Petrochelidon, I. 327, 334. bicolor, I. 344. lunifrons, I. 334. swainsoni, I. 334. thalassina, I. 347. Peucæa, I. 530; II. 37. æstivalis, II. 34, 38, 39. arizonæ, II. 38, 41; III. 517. bachmani, II. 39. botterii, II. 38. boucardi, II. 38. carpalis, III. 517. cassini, II. 41, 42. lincolni, II. 31. notosticta, II. 38. ruficeps, II. 38, 45. Phabotypus, III. 220. Phænicosoma æstiva, I. 441. hepatica, I. 437. rubra, I. 435. Phænisoma, I. 432. æstiva, I. 441. rubra, I. 435. Phænopepla, I. 405. nitens, I. 405. Phæthornithinæ, II. 438. Phasianus columbianus, III. 436. motmot, III. 398. Phileremos, II. 139. Phlœotomus, II. 548. Pholeoptynx, III. 88. Phonipara, II. 60, 92. bicolor, II. 93. canora, II. 93. marchi, II. 93. olivacea, II. 93. omissa, II. 93. pusilla, II. 93. zena, II. 93. Phrenopicus, II. 501, 523. Phrenopipo, II. 523. borealis, II. 524. Phyllobasileus, I. 72. Phyllomanes, I. 358. barbatula, I. 360. flavoviridis, I. 366. olivacea, I. 363. Phyllopneuste, I. 69, 70. borealis, I. 70, 71. kennicotti, I. 70, 71. sylvicultrix, I. 71. trochilus, I. 71, 72. Pica, II. 264. albiventris, II. 265. cærulescens, II. 285. caudata, II. 265. chloronota, II. 295. cristata, II. 273. europea, II. 265. hudsonica, II. 265, 266. melanoleuca, II. 265, 266. morio, II. 303, 304. nuttalli, II. 265, 270. rusticorum, II. 265. stelleri, II. 277. Piceæ, II. 492, 493. Picicorvus, II. 232, 254. columbianus, II. 255. Picidæ, II. 469, 491. Picinæ, II. 491, 492. Pico cruzado, I. 488. Picoides, II. 494, 529. americanus, II. 529, 532. arcticus, II. 528, 530. crissoleucus, II. 529. dorsalis, II. 529, 532. europæus, II. 529. hirsutus, II. 532. tridactylus, II. 529. Picolaptes brunneicapillus, I. 132, 134. Picumninæ, II. 491. Picus, II. 493, 500. albolarvatus, II. 502, 526. americanus, II. 532. arcticus, II. 530. atrothorax, II. 539. auduboni, II. 503. auratus, II. 575. aurifrons, II. 557. bairdi, II. 515, 517. bogotus, II. 515. borealis, II. 501, 523, 524. cafer, II. 578. canadensis, II. 503. carolinus, II. 554. chrysoides, II. 583. dorsalis, II. 532. erythrauchen, II. 554. erythrocephalus, II. 559, 564. gairdneri, II. 501, 512; III. 523. gracilis, II. 515. graysoni, II. 501, 515, 517. griseus, II. 554. harrisi, II. 501, 507. hirsutus, II. 532. hudsonica, II. 266. hybridus aurato-mexicanus, II. 582. hylocopus, II. 507. inornatus, II. 507. jardini, II. 507. lathami, II. 578. leconti, II. 509. leucomelanus, II. 503. leucomelas, II. 503. leucotis, II. 524. lewisii, II. 561. lucasanus, II. 501, 517, 519, 520. martinæ, II. 503. martius, II. 500. medianus, II. 509. melanopogon, II. 566. meridionalis, II. 509, 512. mexicanus, II. 578. montanus, II. 561. nataliæ, II. 547. nuttalli, II. 501, 517, 520, 521. obscurus, II. 564. orizabæ, II. 515. ornatus, II. 557. parvus, II. 515. phillipsi, II. 503. pileatus, II. 550. principalis, II. 496. pubescens, I. 103, 185; II. 501, 502, 509. querulus, II. 524. ruber, II. 544. rubricapillus, II. 503. rubicatus, II. 578. scalaris, II. 501, 514, 515, 520. septentrionalis, II. 503. submexicanus, II. 574. thyroideus, II. 535, 547. torquatus, II. 559, 561. tridactylus, II. 528, 530. turati, II. 512. undatus, II. 532. undosus, II. 532. undulatus, II. 532. varius, II. 535, 539. vieilloti, II. 524. villosus, II. 500, 503, 520. williamsoni, II. 545. wilsoni, II. 521. zebra, II. 554. Pilumnus, II. 535. ruber, II. 544. thyroideus, II. 547. varius, II. 539. Pinicola, I. 447, 452. americana, I. 453. canadensis, I. 453. enucleator, I. 453; III. 513. Pipile, III. 397. Pipilo, I. 34; II. 60, 104. aberti, II. 106, 126, 128; III. 519. albicollis, II. 121, 122. albigula, II. 121, 122, 127. alleni, II. 108, 112. arcticus, II. 109, 116, 119. ater, II. 109. carmani, II. 109. chlorosoma, II. 105. chlorurus, II. 106, 131; III. 519. crissalis, II. 121, 122. erythrophthalmus, II. 105, 106, 108, 109; III. 518. fuscus, II. 106, 121. lateralis, II. 106. macronyx, II. 105. maculatus, II. 105, 108. megalonyx, II. 108, 113. mesoleucus, II. 121, 122, 125; III. 518. oregonus, II. 108, 116. personata, I. 589. superciliosa, II. 106. virescens, II. 105. Pipra polyglotta, I. 307. Pitylus cardinalis, II. 100. guttatus, II. 73. Planesticus, I. 4, 22, 24, 28. Platypsaris affinis, II. 306. Platyrhynchus pusillus, II. 366. virescens, I. 374. Plectrophanes, I. 448, 510. lapponicus, I. 511, 515. maccowni, I. 511, 523. melanomus, I. 511, 521. nivalis, I. 511, 512. ornatus, I. 511, 520. pictus, I. 511, 518. smithi, I. 518. Ploceidæ, I. 431. Plyctolophinæ, II. 585. Podager, II. 399. Podagrinæ, II. 398. Pœcile atricapilla, I. 96. carolinensis, I. 102. melanotis, I. 108. minima, I. 109. rufescens, I. 104. Pœcilopternis, III. 254. borealis, III. 282. lineatus, III. 275. wilsoni, III. 259. Pœcilornis, III. 159. cinnamominus, III. 168. sparverius, III. 169. Pœcilopteryx, III. 202. plumbeus, III. 203. Polioaëtus, III. 320. Polioptila, I. 77, 201. cærulea, I. 78; III. 506. lembeyi, I. 78. melanura, I. 78, 79, 81; III. 507. mexicana, I. 78. plumbea, I. 78, 80. Polioptilinæ, I. 69, 77. Polyborus, III. 103, 176. auduboni, III. 178. brasiliensis, III. 177, 178. cheriway, III. 177. tæniurus, III. 249. tharus, III. 176–178. vulgaris, III. 177, 178. Pomatorhinus turdinus, I. 41. Pontoaëtus, III. 320. Poocætes, I. 529, 544. gramineus, I. 545. Poospiza, I. 530, 589. belli, I. 33, 590, 593; III. 516. bilineata, I. 589, 590. lateralis, II. 106. mystacalis, II. 589. nevadensis, I. 590, 594. Psittacidæ, II. 469. Progne, I. 326, 327. concolor, I. 328. cryptoleuca, I. 328, 329, 332. domestica, I. 328. dominicensis, I. 328, 329. elegans, I. 328, 330. furcata, I. 328. leucogaster, I. 329, 333. modesta, I. 328. purpurea, I. 328, 332. subis, I. 328, 329, 332. Protonotaria, I. 178, 183. citrea, I. 183, 184, 289. Psaltria, I. 107. flaviceps, I. 112. melanotis, I. 108. plumbea, I. 110. Psaltriparus, I. 86, 107. melanotis, I. 107, 108. minimus, I. 108, 109, 120. personatus, I. 108. plumbeus, I. 108, 110. Psarocolius auricollis, II. 199. baltimore, II. 195. caudacutus, II. 149. cyanocephalus, II. 206. gubernator, II. 163. melanocephalus, II. 186. pecoris, II. 154. perspicillatus, II. 167. phœniceus, II. 159. Pseudaëtus, II. 312. Pseudogryphus, III. 337, 338. californianus (plate), III. 338, 355, 356. Pseudoprocne, II. 423. Psilorhinus, II. 264, 303. cyanocephalus, II. 260. mexicanus, II. 304. morio, II. 304. Psittaca carolinensis, II. 587. Psittacidæ, II. 585. Psittacinæ, II. 585. Psittacus caroliniensis, II. 587. ludovicianus, II. 587. militaris, II. 586. pascha, II. 586. strenuus, II. 586. thalassinus, II. 587. Pteroaëtus, III. 312. Pterocircus, III. 212. Ptilogonateæ, I. 404. Ptilogonatinæ, I. 395, 404. Ptilogonus cinereus, I. 405. Ptilogonys, I. 405. nitens, I. 405. townsendi, I. 409. Pipilo rufipileus, II. 131. Pulsatrix, III. 28. Pygargus, III. 212. Pyranga, I. 432. æstiva, I. 434, 441. ardens, I. 433. azaræ, I. 434, 440. bidentata, I. 433. cooperi, I. 434, 444. erythrocephala, I. 433. erythromelæna, I. 433, 435. erythropis, I. 437. hepatica, I. 433, 440; III. 512. ludoviciana, I. 433, 435, 437. mississippiensis, I. 441. roseigularis, I. 434. rubra, I. 34, 432, 435. rubriceps, I. 433. saira, I. 434. testacea, I. 434. Pyrgita, I. 525. arctica, II. 119. domestica, I. 525. Pyrgitænas passerinus, III. 389. Pyrgitinæ, I. 446, 524. Pyrocephalus, II. 308, 386. mexicanus, II. 387; III. 522. nanus, II. 387. obscurus, II. 387. rubineus, II. 387. Pyrrhula, I. 447, 456. cassini, I. 457; III. 513. coccinea, I. 457. cruentata, I. 468. enucleator, I. 453. falcirostris, II. 90. frontalis, I. 466. ludoviciana, II. 70. Pyrrhuloxia, II. 60, 95. sinuata, II. 95.
Quiscalinæ, II. 147, 202. Quiscalus, II. 202, 212. æneus, II. 213, 218. ænius, II. 218. aglæus, II. 213, 221. assimilis, II. 214. baritus, II. 213, 221. brachypterus, II. 213. breweri, II. 206. ferrugineus, II. 203. gundlachi, II. 213. inflexirostris, II. 214. macrurus, II. 214, 225. major, II. 214, 222. mexicanus, II. 214. niger, II. 213. nitens, II. 215. palustris, II. 214. peruvianus, II. 214. purpuratus, II. 215. purpureus, II. 213–215. tenuirostris, II. 214. versicolor, II. 215, 218.
Raptores, III. 1. Regulinæ, I. 69, 72. Reguloides proregulus, I. 72. Regulus, I. 72. Regula calendula, I. 34, 75; III. 506. cuvieri, I. 75. mystaceus, I. 297. rubineus, I. 75. satrapa, I. 75, 104. Rhimamphus, I. 215. æstivus, I. 222. blackburniæ, I. 237. canadensis, I. 254. castaneus, I. 251. chryseolus, I. 222. coronatus, I. 227. discolor, I. 276. maculosus, I. 232. maritimus, I. 212. olivaceus, I. 258. pensilis, I. 240. pinus, I. 268. rufus, I. 273. striatus, I. 248. tigrina, I. 273. virens, I. 261. Rhinogryphus, III. 337, 343. aura (plate), III. 344, 355, 356. burrovianus, III. 344. Rhinoptynx, III. 60. Rhinostrix, III. 60. Rhynchodon, III. 127. Rhynchofalco, III. 107, 154. Rhynchopsitta pachyrhyncha, II. 586. Rostrhamus, III. 104, 207. hamatus, III. 209. niger, III. 208. plumbeus, III. 208, 209. sociabilis, III. 208. tæniurus, III. 209.
Sagræ, II. 332. Salpinctes, I. 130, 134. obsoletus, I. 135, 140; III. 508. Saltator viridis, II. 46. Sarcorhamphidæ, III. 335. Sarcorhamphus, III. 336, 337. californicus, III. 338. gryphus (plate), III. 355, 356. papa (plate), III. 356. Saurothera bottæ, II. 472. californiana, II. 472. marginata, II. 472. Saxicola, I. 59. œnanthe, I. 59, 60; III. 506. œnanthoides, I. 60. Saxicolidæ, I. 1, 2, 59, 69. Sayornis, II. 307, 339; III. 521. aquaticus, II. 340. cinerascens, II. 340. fuscus, I. 295; II. 343. latirostris, II. 340. nigricans, II. 340. pallidus, II. 347. sayus, II. 347. Scaphidurus palustris, II. 214. Scardafella, III. 375, 387. inca, III. 387. squamosa, III. 387. Scolecophagus, II. 202. cyanocephalus, III. 203, 206. ferrugineus, I. 77; II. 203. mexicanus, II. 206. niger, II. 203. Scops, III. 6, 47. albifrons, III. 43. asio (plate), III. 48, 49, 51, 98–101. enano, III. 48. flammeola, III. 58. floridanus, III. 48, 51. kennicotti, III. 48, 53, 55. maccalli, III. 49, 52. semitorques, III. 56. trichopsis, III. 53. zorca, III. 47. Scotiaptex, III. 5, 28, 29. cinereum (plate), III. 29, 30, 98–102. lapponicum, III. 29, 30. Scotophilus acadicus, III. 43. Securirostres, II. 492. Seirureæ, I. 178, 279. Seiurus, I. 178, 279. aurocapillus, I. 279, 280, 295, 304. gosse, I. 284. ludovicianus, I. 280, 285, 287, 295; III. 511. motacilla, I. 287. noveboracensis, I. 280, 281, 283, 289. sulfurascens, I. 284. tenuirostris, I. 283. Selasphorus, II. 438, 439, 458. costæ, II. 457. flammula, II. 459. heloisæ, II. 465. platycercus, II. 458, 462. rufus, II. 459. scintilla, II. 459. Setirostres, II. 399. Setophaga, I. 179, 312, 322. bonapartei, I. 320. canadensis, I. 320. miniata, I. 322. nigricincta, I. 320. picta, I. 322; III. 512. rubra, I. 312. ruticilla, I. 322, 323. wilsoni, I. 317. Setophageæ, I. 179. Setophaginæ, I. 178, 179, 311. Sialia, I. 59, 62. arctica, I. 62, 66–68. azurea, I. 62, 63. cæruleocollis, I. 65. macroptera, I. 67. mexicana, I. 62, 65, 66, 68; III. 506. occidentalis, I. 65. sialis, I. 62, 66, 68. wilsoni, I. 62. Siphonorhis, II. 399. Sitta, I. 114. aculeata, I. 92, 114, 115, 117. canadensis, I. 114, 117, 118, 121, 122. carolinensis, I. 114, 117, 122. melanocephala, I. 114. pusilla, I. 114, 120, 122; III. 507. pygmæa, I. 92, 114, 120; III. 507. varia, I. 118. Sittace, II. 585. militaris, II. 586. pachyrhyncha, II. 586. Sittacinæ, II. 585. Sittinæ, I. 86, 113. Sparvius, III. 220. cirrhocephalus, III. 220, 222. platypterus, III. 259. Speotyto, III. 6, 88. cunicularia, III. 90. domingensis, III. 89, 90. fusca, III. 89, 90. grallaria, III. 89. guadeloupensis, III. 90. hypogæa (plate), III. 90, 93, 98–101. Spermophila, II. 60, 90. albigularis, II. 91. moreletti, II. 91. Spheotyto hypogæa, III. 90. Sphyropicus, II. 494, 535. nuchalis, II. 538, 542. ruber, II. 538, 544. thyroideus, II. 538, 547. varius, II. 537, 539; III. 521. williamsoni, II. 538, 545. Spilocircus, III. 212. Spinites, II. 1. atrigularis, II. 15. monticolus, II. 3. pusillus, II. 5. socialis, II. 7. Spiza, II. 81. amœna, II. 84. ciris, I. 315; II. 87. cyanea, I. 315; II. 82. versicolor, II. 86. Spizacircus, III. 212. Spizageranus unicinctus, III. 249. Spizella, I. 530; II. 1. arizonæ, II. 2, 11. atrigularis, II. 3, 15. breweri, II. 13; III. 516. canadensis, II. 3. maxima, I. 566. monticola, II. 2, 3; III. 516. pallida, II. 2, 11. pinetorum, II. 2. pusilla, II. 2, 5. shattucki, II. 11. socialis, II. 2, 7; III. 516. Spizelleæ, I. 529. Spizellinæ, I. 446, 528. Spiziacircus, III. 212. Spizinæ, I. 446; II. 58. Spizognathæ, I. 431. Sporophila, II. 90. moreletti, II. 91. Starnœnadeæ, III. 375. Starnœnas, III. 375, 394. cyanocephala, III. 395. Steatornis, II. 398. Steatornithinæ, II. 398. Stegnolæma, III. 397. Stelgidopteryx, I. 327, 350. serripennis, I. 350. Stellula, II. 438, 439, 445. calliope, II. 445. Stenopsis, II. 399. Stolida lucaysiensis, II. 332. Stolidus dominicensis, II. 332. Streptoceryle, II. 391. alcyon, II. 392. Stridula, III. 10. Strigiceps, III. 212. hudsonius, III. 214. uliginosus, III. 214. Strigidæ, III. 1, 4. Stringopinæ, II. 585. Strix, III. 5, 10. acadica, III. 43, 80. acadiensis, III. 43. acclamator, III. 30. albifrons, III. 43. aluco, III. 28. americana, III. 13. arctica, III. 64, 70. asio, III. 47, 49. brachyotus, III. 17, 22. bubo, III. 60, 62. californica, III. 90. canadensis, III. 75. cinerea, III. 28, 30. clamata, III. 61. crassirostris, III. 61. cunicularia, III. 88, 90. delicatula, III. 13. eluta, III. 81. ferruginea, III. 85. flammea, III. 10, 11. freti hudsonius, III. 75. frontalis, III. 43. funerea, III. 75. furcata, III. 12. guatemalæ, III. 11. havanense, III. 79. hudsonia, III. 75. huhula, III. 28. hypogæa, III. 90. javanica, III. 13. macrorhyncha, III. 61. maculata, III. 61. maximus, III. 62. mexicana, III. 60, 61. nævia, III. 49. nacuruta, III. 61. nebulosa, III. 34. nivea, III. 61. nyctea, III. 61, 70. otus, III. 17. passerina, III. 39, 43, 79. passerinoides, III. 81. peregrinator, III. 18. perlata, III. 12, 13. phalænoides, III. 43. pratincola (plate), III. 11, 13, 98–101. pusilla, III. 80. pygmæa, III. 80. scops, III. 47. tengmalmi, III. 39, 40. torquatus, III. 28. ulula, III. 74. virginiana, III. 62. wapacuthu, III. 64. Strobilophaga, I. 452. Struthus atrimentalis, II. 15. caniceps, I. 587. oregonus, I. 584. Sturnella, II. 148, 171. collaris, II. 174. hippocrepis, II. 172, 176. ludoviciana, II. 174. magna, II. 172, 174. meridionalis, II. 172. mexicana, II. 172. neglecta, I. 33; II. 173, 176. Sturnidæ, II. 228. Sturnus, II. 228. cinclus, I. 55, 56. collaris, II. 174. junceti, II. 154. ludovicianus, II. 174. nove-hispaniæ, II. 154. obscurus, II. 154. prædatorius, II. 159. vulgaris, II. 228, 229. Surnia, III. 6, 74. ferruginea, III. 85. hudsonia, III. 75. nævia, III. 49. passerina, III. 80. ulula (plate), III. 39, 75, 98–102. Sylvania bonapartei, I. 320. mitrata, I. 314. pumilia, I. 316. pusilla, I. 317. ruticilla, I. 322. Sylvia æquinoctialis, I. 293. æstiva, I. 222. agilis, I. 290. americana, I. 208. anthoides, I. 283. auduboni, I. 229. auricollis, I. 184. autumnalis, I. 251. azurea, I. 235. bachmani, I. 194. bifasciata, I. 235. blackburniæ, I. 237. cærulea, I. 235. canadensis, I. 254. carbonata, I. 214. carolinensis, I. 222. castanea, I. 251. celata, I. 202. childreni, I. 222. chivi, I. 359. chrysoptera, I. 192. citrinella, I. 222. coronata, I. 227. culicivora, I. 312. discolor, I. 276. domestica, I. 149. flava, I. 222. flavicollis, I. 240. flavifrons, I. 192. formosa, I. 293. halseii, I. 258. icterocephala, I. 245. incana, I. 237. juncorum, II. 5. lateralis, I. 237. leucogastra, I. 196. leucoptera, I. 254. ludoviciana, I. 141, 142. macgillivrayi, I. 303. macropus, I. 254. maculosa, I. 232. magnolia, I. 232. marilandica, I. 297. maritima, I. 212. mexicana, I. 196. minuta, I. 276, 316. missouriensis, I. 205. mitrata, I. 314. montana, I. 271. nashvillei, I. 196. nigrescens, I. 258. noveboracensis, I. 283. occidentalis, I. 266. olivacea, I. 258. palmarum, I. 273. palustris, I. 254. pardalina, I. 320. parus, I. 237. pennsylvanica, I. 245. pensilis, I. 240. peregrina, I. 205. petasodes, I. 317. philadelphia, I. 301. pinus, I. 195, 268. populorum, I. 235. protonotaria, I. 183, 184. pusilla, I. 208, 254. rathbonia, I. 222, 223. ruficapilla, I. 191, 196. sialis, I. 63. solitaria, I. 195. sphagnosa, I. 254. striata, I. 248. swainsoni, I. 186, 190. tæniata, I. 258. tigrina, I. 212, 271. tolmiæi, I. 303. torquata, I. 208. townsendi, I. 265. trichas, I. 239, 297. troglodytes, I. 155. velata, I. 296. vermivora, I. 187. vigorsii, I. 268. virens, I. 261. wilsoni, I. 317. xanthopygia, I. 227. xanthocoa, I. 227. Sylvicola, I. 207, 215. æstiva, I. 222. agilis, I. 290. americana, I. 208. auduboni, I. 229. bachmani, I. 194. blackburniæ, I. 237. cærulea, I. 235. canadensis, I. 254. castanea, I. 251. celata, I. 202. chrysoptera, I. 192. coronata, I. 227. discolor, I. 276. formosa, I. 293. icterocephala, I. 245. kirtlandi, I. 272. macgillivrayi, I. 303. maculosa, I. 232. maritima, I. 212. mitrata, I. 314. montana, I. 271. nigrescens, I. 258. occidentalis, I. 266. olivacea, I. 258. palmarum, I. 273. pannosa, I. 254. pardalina, I. 320. parus, I. 237. pensilis, I. 240. peregrina, I. 205. petechia, I. 273. pinus, I. 268. pusilla, I. 208. rathbonia, I. 222. rubricapilla, I. 196. ruficapilla, I. 273. solitaria, I. 195. striata, I. 248. swainsoni, I. 190. tæniata, I. 258. townsendi, I. 265. vermivora, I. 187. virens, I. 261. Sylvicoleæ, I. 178, 211. Sylvicolidæ, I. 1, 69, 163, 164, 177. Sylvicolinæ, I. 178, 179. Svlviidæ, I. 2, 69, 431. Sylviinæ, I. 69. Syrnia nyctea, III. 70. Syrnium, III. 5, 28. aluco (plate), III. 28, 97. cinereum, III. 28, 30, 31. fulvescens, III. 29. lapponicum, III. 30. nebulosum, III. 28, 29, 34. occidentale, III. 28, 29, 38. sartorii, III. 29.
Tachycineta, I. 327, 338, 344. bicolor, I. 344. thalassina, I. 344, 347. Tachytriorchis, III. 254. Tænioptynx, III. 79. Talpacota, III. 375. Tanagra æstiva, I. 441. columbiana, I. 437. cyanea, II. 81, 82. ludoviciana, I. 437. mississippiensis, I. 441. rubra, I. 435. variegata, I. 441. Tanagridæ, I. 431. Telmatodytes, I. 131, 141, 158. arundinaceus, I. 161. bewickii, I. 141. leucogaster, I. 141. spilurus, I. 141. Teraspiza, III. 220, 222. Terestristeæ, I. 179. Terestristis, I. 179. Tetrao albus, III. 457. bonasia, III. 446. californicus, III. 478, 479. canadensis, III. 415, 416, 419. cristata, III. 487. cupido, III. 439, 440. franklini, III. 415, 419. fusca, III. 419. guttata, III. 492. islandicus, III. 462. lagopus, III. 456, 457, 462. lagopus islandicus, III. 462. lapponicus, III. 457. leucurus, III. 464. marilandicus, III. 468. minor, III. 468. mutus, III. 462. obscurus, III. 415, 421, 423, 425. phasianellus, III. 429, 433, 436. rehusak, III. 457. richardsoni, III. 427. rupestris, III. 462. sabini, III. 454. saliceti, III. 457. togatus, III. 448. tympanus, III. 448. umbelloides, III. 453. umbellus, III. 448, 454. urogallus, III. 434. urophasianellus, III. 436. urophasianus, III. 428. virginianus, III. 467, 468. Tetraonidæ, III. 414. Tetrastes, III. 446. Thalassoaëtus, III. 320, 322. Thaumatias, II. 440, 468. linnæi, II. 468. Theromyias saya, II. 347. Thryomanes, I. 130, 144. Thryothorus, I. 130, 141, 142, 148, 158. arundinaceus, I. 161. bewickii, I. 142, 145. berlandieri, I. 39, 141, 144. leucogaster, I. 147; III. 508. littoralis, I. 142. louisianæ, I. 142. ludovicianus, I. 39, 137, 141, 142; III. 508. mexicanus, I. 137. pinus, I. 268. spilurus, I. 147, 154. torquatus, I. 208. Tiaris omissa, II. 93. pusilla, II. 93. Tichornis, III. 159. Tinnunculus, III. 107, 159. alaudarius, III. 159. australis, III. 166. cinnamominus, III. 168. columbarius, III. 144. dominicensis, III. 166, 167, 171. isabellinus, III. 166, 167. leucophrys, III. 161. phalœna, III. 169. sparveroides, III. 161, 162. sparverius, III. 161, 166, 167, 169, 171. Tolmaëtus, III. 312. Toxostoma curvirostris, I. 41. lecontei, I. 44. longirostre, I. 39. rediviva, I. 45. vetula, I. 35, 41. Trichas, I. 295. agilis, I. 290. brachydactylus, I. 297. macgillivrayi, I. 303. marilandicus, I. 297. personatus, I. 297. philadelphia, I. 301. tephrocotis, I. 290. tolmiæi, I. 303. vegata, I. 303. Trichoglossinæ, II. 585. Trichopicus, II. 502. Trichopipo, II. 502. Tridactylia, II. 509, 528. arctica, II. 530. dorsalis, II. 532. undulata, II. 532. Triorchis, III. 182, 297. Trochilidæ, II. 437, 466. Trochilinæ, II. 438. Trochilus, II. 438, 439, 447. alexandri, II. 450. anna, II. 454. aureigaster, II. 448. calliope, II. 445. colubris, II. 448. icterocephalus, II. 454. leucotis, II. 466. maculatus, II. 468. mango, II. 440. melanotus, II. 466. platycercus, II. 462. rufus, II. 458. tobaci, II. 468. tobagensis, II. 468. tobago, II. 468. Troglodytes, I. 131, 148. ædon, I. 146, 148, 149, 162. alascensis, I. 149, 157. americanus, I. 136, 149, 151, 153. arundinaceus, I. 141, 142. aztecus, I. 148. bewickii, I. 144, 145, 147. brevirostris, I. 159. fulvus, I. 149. hyemalis, I. 149, 155, 158; III. 508. latisfasciatus, I. 135. leucogaster, I. 147. ludovicianus, I. 142, 146. mexicanus, I. 138. obsoletus, I. 134, 135. pacificus, I. 149, 155, 158. palustris, I. 161. parkmanni, I. 148, 153, 162. spilurus, I. 147. stellaris, I. 158, 159. sylvestris, I. 153. Troglodytidæ, I. 130, 431. Trupialis, II. 148. Tryphæna heloisa, II. 465. Turdidæ, I. 1, 2, 59, 69, 130, 431. Turdinæ, I. 2, 3, 31. Turdus (subgenus), I. 2, 4, 22, 59. aliciæ, I. 5, 6, 7, 11, 12, 13, 16. aonalaschkæ, I. 20. ater, II. 182, 190. auduboni, I. 5, 7, 15, 16, 21; III. 504. aurocapillus, I. 280, 286. carolinensis, I. 52. confinis, I. 24, 27. coronatus, I. 280. densus, I. 8. fuscescens, I. 4, 6, 9, 15–21. guttatus, I. 18. hudsonius, II. 203. iliacus, I. 22, 23. jamaicensis, I. 24. jugularis, II. 182, 190. labradorius, II. 203. ludovicianus, II. 287. melodus, I. 8. merula, I. 27. migratorius, I. 13, 23–25, 27, 28, 30, 48. minimus, I. 14. minor, I. 3, 14, 18. montanus, I. 32. motacilla, II. 287. musicus, I. 30. mustelinus, I. 1, 4, 6, 7, 9, 10, 15, 19. nævius, I. 28, 29. nanus, I. 5, 7, 16, 20, 21; III. 504. noveboracensis, II. 203. No. 22, II. 203. olivaceus, I. 14. pallasi, II. 4–7, 11, 12, 14–16, 18, 282. pilaris, I. 23. polyglottus, I. 48, 49. rufus, I. 37, 144. silens, I. 9, 21. swainsoni, I. 4, 5, 7, 11–13, 14, 16–18, 282. trichas, I. 297. ustulatus, I. 5, 7, 13, 15, 16, 20, 46. variegatus, I. 131. virens, I. 306, 307. viscivorus, I. 3, 22. wilsonii, I. 9. Turtur carolinensis, III. 383. leucopterus, III. 376. Tyranni, II. 307. Tyrannidæ, II. 306. Tyrannula acadica, II. 374. caribæa, II. 351. cinerascens, II. 337. coronata, II. 387. crinita, II. 334. flaviventris, II. 378. fusca, II. 343. hammondi, II. 383. minima, II. 372. nigricans, II. 340. obscura, II. 381. pallida, II. 347. phœbe, II. 360. pusilla, II. 362, 366, 378. richardsoni, II. 360. saya, II. 347. Tyrannula trailli, II. 369. virens, II. 357. Tyrannuli, II. 307. Tyrannus, II. 307, 314. acadicus, II. 374. antillarum, II. 332. atriceps, II. 360. borealis, II. 353. carolinensis, II. 315, 316. cassini, II. 327. cooperi, II. 353. couchi, II. 315, 329. crinitus, II. 334. dominicensis, II. 315, 319. forticatus, II. 311. fuscus, II. 343. griseus, II. 319. intrepidus, II. 316. leucogaster, II. 316. ludovicianus, II. 334. matutinus, II. 319. melancholicus, II. 315, 329. mexicanus, II. 311. nigricans, II. 340, 353. phœbe, II. 332, 360. pipiri, II. 316. pusillus, II. 366. savana, II. 309. sayus, II. 347. trailli, II. 369. verticalis, II. 315, 324. virens, II. 357. vociferans, II. 315, 327; III. 521.
Ulula brachyotus, III. 22. cunicularia, III. 90. flammea, III. 13. nebulosa, III. 34. otus, III. 17, 18. passerina, III. 43. virginiana, III. 62. Uraspiza, III. 220, 222. Uroaëtus, III. 312. Urospizia, III. 220, 222. Urubitinga unicincta, III. 249.
Vermivora bachmani, I. 194. celata, I. 202. fulvicapilla, I. 187. nigrescens, I. 258. pennsylvanica, I. 187. peregrina, I. 205. protonotaria, I. 184. rubricapilla, I. 196. solitaria, I. 195. swainsoni, I. 190. Vermivoreæ, I. 178, 183. Vireo, I. 357, 358, 382. atricapillus, I. 358, 382, 383. belli, I. 81, 358, 383, 389. bogotensis, I. 363. carmioli, I. 383. cassini, I. 376. flavifrons, I. 357, 379. flavoviridis, I. 366. gilvus, I. 368. huttoni, I. 358, 383, 387. musicus, I. 385. noveboracensis, I. 357, 358, 383, 385. olivaceus, I. 357, 363. philadelphicus, I. 359, 367. pusillus, I. 358, 383, 391; III. 512. solitarius, I. 357. swainsoni, I. 371. vicinior, I. 358, 383, 393. vigorsii, I. 268. virescens, I. 363. Vireonella, I. 382. gundlachi, I. 382. Vireonidæ, I. 70, 306, 356, 357. Vireosylvia, I. 357, 358. agilis, I. 359. altiloqua, I. 360. barbadense, I. 359. barbatula, I. 357, 359, 360. calidras, I. 358, 359. chivi, I. 359. cobanensis, I. 367. flavifrons, I. 379. flavoviridis, I. 357, 359, 366. gilva, I. 359, 360, 368, 371. gilvus, I. 357. josephæ, I. 360. magister, I. 359. olivacea, I. 357, 359, 363; III. 512. philadelphica, I. 357, 367. plumbea, I. 377. propinquua, I. 373. solitaria, I. 373. swainsoni, I. 360, 371. Vultur albicilla, III. 324, 327. atratus, III. 350, 351. audax, III. 312. aura, III. 343, 344, 351. aura niger, β, III. 351. californianus, III. 338. gryphus, III. 337. iota, III. 345, 351. papa, III. 337. urubu, III. 351. Vulturinæ, III. 335.
Wilsonia, I. 313. minuta, I. 316. pusilla, I. 317.
Xanthocephalus, II. 148, 167. icterocephalus, II. 167. perspicillatus, II. 167. Xanthornus, I. 179, 182. abeillei, II. 184. bullocki, II. 199. gubernator, II. 163. melanocephalus, II. 186. parisorum, II. 188. phœniceus, II. 159. Xanthoura, II. 264, 294. guatemalensis, II. 295. incas, II. 295. luxuosa, II. 295. Xenocraugus, III. 526. albolarvatus, II. 526. Xenopicus, II. 502, 526. albolarvatus, II. 526.
Yunginæ, II. 491. Yphantes, II. 179, 183.
Zebrapicus, II. 553. kaupii, II. 558. Zenaida, III. 375, 378. amabilis, III. 379. aurita, III. 379. hypoleuca, III. 379. leucoptera, III. 376. maculata, III. 379. martinicana, III. 379. montana, III. 393. Zenaideæ, III. 375. Zenaidinæ, III. 357, 374. Zenaidura, III. 375, 381. carolinensis, III. 382, 383. graysoni, III. 382. marginella, III. 383. yucatensis, III. 382. Zonotrichia, I. 530, 565. albicollis, II. 186, 574. aurocapilla, I. 573. belli, I. 593. boucardi, II. 38. cassini, II. 42. chlorura, II. 131. comata, I. 577. coronata, I. 573. fallax, II. 22. fasciata, II. 22. gambeli, I. 566, 569; III. 516. graminea, I. 545. leucophrys, I. 566. melodia, II. 19. monticola, II. 3. pennsylvanica, I. 574. plebeja, II. 47. querula, I. 577. Zygodactyli, II. 469.
Transcriber’s Note:
Words and phrases in italics are surrounded by underscores, like this. Small capital letters were replaced with all capitals.
The index of English names and index of scientific names appear only in Volume III; they are reproduced at the end of this book for the convenience of readers.
Archaic and obsolete spellings were left unchanged, as were variant spellings of local place names.
Missing punctuation was added to ends of sentences and abbreviations. Unprinted letters and numbers were added, where appropriate. A description of the illustration on the title page was added.
Footnotes were renumbered sequentially and moved to the end of the book, preceding the Index to Plates.
In the discussion of the Florida Greenlet, the author used a ‘y’ with a breve above it to describe the song sound. As this character is not easily reproduced in UTF-8, a macron was used instead of a breve.
Obvious printing errors were corrected, such as duplicate words, upside down letters, numbers printed backwards, and letters or spacing in the wrong order.
Changes for consistency with other entries: italics were changed to capital letters for HABITAT, and umlauts were added to Zoö-.
Spelling changes:
‘swainsonii’ to ‘swainsoni’, Plate 1, figure 4 ‘ludovicicianus’ to ‘ludovicianus’ (caption to illustration ‘7113’) ‘moves’ to ‘move’ …They move with rapidity and precision… ‘Guatamela’ to ‘Guatemala’ (habitat, Chestnut-sided warbler) ‘taill’ to ‘tail’ (Townsend's Warbler) ‘Totontopec’ to ‘Totontepec’ …at Totontepec, among the mountains… ‘fellows’ to ‘follows’ …They are as follows:… ‘Lambeye’ to ‘Lembeye’ (references, Barn Swallow) ‘groundcolor’ to ‘ground-color’ …The ground-color of all is… ‘subdivison’ to ‘subdivision’ …tendency to subdivision of… ‘olivacaceous’ to ‘olivaceous’ …to the more olivaceous back.… ‘Phœnicosoma’ to ‘Phœnisoma’ …Phœnisoma æstiva… (references, Summer Redbird) ‘Cardueles’ to ‘Carduelis’ (references, Yellow-bird; Thistle-bird) ‘Is’ to ‘It’ …It is gregarious at all… ‘Linceceum’ to ‘Lincecum’ …from Texas, by Dr. Lincecum… figure number of index entry for Cardinalis ignius from ‘0’ to ‘10’ volume number from ‘II’ to ‘III’ for index entries: Columba fasciata, Columba flavirostis, Columba leucocephala, Ectopistes migratoria, and Ortalida macalli.