Supplement. To the Ornithological dictionary; or, Synopsis of British birds

Introduction

Since the publication .of the Ornithological Dictionary, we have continued our observations upon.the characters and habits of British birds, with the usual ardour and indefatigabie research, the result of which has been a very considerable addition to our knowledge in that branch of natural history.

It might appear arrogant in us to enlarge upon the advantages science may have derived: from: the

‘discoveries we have made, but we may venture to:

say, that a considerable portion of new and interesting matier will be found concerning the economy, habits, changes, and variations of species not before published; and that descriptions of many new and rare birds, elucidated’ by figures, will be observed to enrich the following pages.

There yet remains much to be done in order to complete tne history of the birds of Great Britain, and which is daily swelling our notes; but as the additional matter has already increased upon cur hands so much as to exceed the size of the original work, it was thought most advantageous to the public to give it in its present state, than to wait an

| az indefinite

99499, iv INTRODUCTION.

indefinite. time, till it had arrived at a more considerable bulk.* By withholding individual information, general knowledge is suspended, Science is materially advanced by the promulgation of the sentiments of individuals, and poor indeed must be the resources of those from whom nothing is to be learned.

_We have kept in view those points in Ornithology on which there seems to have been various opinions, in-order that no epportunity might be suffered to escape, which could tend to clear up existing doubts. We have strictly attended to the changes. in. the plumage of birds incidental to age, to sex, and io season, and have taken the advantage of preserving alive, every species that could be obtained, where . any material change was expected, or where the manners required more. -particular attention. By’ this means we have been able to prove, in several instances, that, what were before described as two or three distinct species, are aciually only one, and inother cases we have indubitably ascertained, that, what had been considered as varieties of the same species, are perfectly distinct.

By the kind communications of numerous scientific friends from one extremity of the kingdom to the other, we trust this addition to the original work, accompanied with copious scientific and provincial synonyms, will form the most complete history of British Birds extant. In all the important parts of

* This contains about 472 Pages closely printed. information

INTRODUCTION. yr information, where ocular démonstration could not be obtained, we have, as sual, referred to the authority; and if we have by accident omitted to state the advantage we have derived from the assistance of any of our friends, we beg leave in this place to request that am apology and a ace knowledgement may be accepted.

We are not aware that any thing has been omitted that could contribute towards the completion of the subject up to this date; but we by no means infer, that we have obtained all the knowledge individuals may possess with regard to particular species. If we have differed from other naturalists upon some intricate parts of native Ornithology, we shall be happy to stand corrected by those who may offer stronger evidences in support of a different opinion. Truth is the goal at which we aim; it is the essence of all human knowledge, and therefore, where facts could’ be produced, whether in opposition to the opinion of others, or at variance with any former opinion of our own, we have not scrupled ta notice them, being all equally liable to err.

We know that some species have been placed m collections of British Birds, which are not to be found in this work; but without authentic information upon the subject, we are not justified in recording such upon the bare authority of a catalogue. We should be happy to obtain sufficient authority for giving such additions to the Fauna ef Great Britain ; . atthe same time caution is required in the admission a3 of vi INTRODUCTION..

of subjects, without the fullest evidence of their having been killed at large in the kingdom. It is well known that several species of birds have been captured within these reaims,. that can have no claim to originality, nor even.to migratory accident ; such circumstances therefore must be attributed to their escape from confinement. Some of these we shall have occasion to mention in the progress of this work.

We have now. only to solicit the same indulgence from the public which we formerly experienced, not doubting that the generous critic, and truly scientific physiologist, will leok favourably on the errors occasioned by a slip of the pen, or by typographical delinquency. EHrom those whose pen: sips no other drink than gall, we have no more expectation of favour, than from the hand of an assassin continnally imbued in bleod; their trades are somewhat congenial, each stab in the dark, and are too frequently actuated by similar motives. : G. MONTAGU,

Knowle, June, 1813.

LIST

LAST OF PLATES.

Sie

Cini Bu

Pigmy CurLew, or PigmMy SANDPIPER, in its winter plumage.

FERRUGINOUS, or Nyroca Duck—Mas,

ASH-COLOURED FALCON— Mas.

LITTLE GALLINULE.

OLIVACEOUS GALLINULE.

HARED GREBE.

SCLAVONIAN GREBE.

LirTLe Guitt—immatured.

FRECKLED HERON.

LITTLE WHITE HERON.

AUSTRIAN PRATINCOLE.

GREEN SAN DPIPER—infantine plumage.

LirTLe SANDPIPER—Old and young.

Woop, or LONG-LEGGED SANDPIPER.

Brown SNIPE.

J ADREKA SNIPE, or Rep-Gopwit—Var.

RED-BREASTED SNIPE.

SPOTTED SNIPE.

GULL-BILLED TERN.

ROSEATE TERN.

SANDWICH TERN.

SOLITARY THRUSH.

“TRACHEG of .ANAS Nyroca and GLACIALIS, &e, a pig apie

SUPPLEMENT

TO THE

MNirnitholortcal Pictionary,

A

Anmsa.cock. Vide Puffin.

ALK. Vide Auk-black-billed, and Reazor-bill,*

ALLAMOTTI. Vide Petrel-stormy, ALLAN. Vide Gull-arctic.

ANNETD. Vide Kittywake.

ASSILAG. Vide Petrel-stormy, AUK-BLACK-BILLED. Alca Pica.

PROVINCIAL.

Alk or Oke. €

Tn order to strengthen our former opinion concerning the distinction we conceive to exist between this and the Razor-bill, and as far as possible remove any discordance in the opinion of others, it will be proper to detail our more recent observations on the bird in question.

Tn the year 1802, on the 23ed of January, a variety of this bird was shot on the south coast of Devon, It weighed between sixteen and seventeen ounces: the furrow atthe base of the bill was-white: from the base of the upper meandible to the eye was an obscure line of white feathers: the forehead and crown black: sides of the head behind the

B eyes,

AUK eyes, extending round the nape dingy-white: the upper part of the body and wings, as usual, black: sides of the chin speckled dusky: the feathers of the throat white, slightly tipped with dusky: neck, breast, and upper part of the belly slightly tipped with sooty-brown, giving the feathers a grey appearance, as if they had been soiled” by some exe traneous matter.

Another variety was shot on the 3rd of February. This weighed twenty ounces: the length sixteen inches: breadth twenty eight inches: the bill was furrowed, and had one white line across each mandible on both sides: inside of the mouth yellow : the irides hazel: the eleven first quills were all black, the rest tipped with white, about sixteen in number : from the bill to the eye an obscure line of speckled feathers - legs quite black, and in other respects like the last.

A third specimen, killed on the 16t of February, 1808, had its bill destitute of furrows, and not the smallest ap. pearance of any white line between the bill and the eye.

There is nothing very remarkable in the trachea of this species ; it is rather compressed, and the last ring at the divarication is very firm and bony.

‘From the preceeding description of the variety to which this bird is incident, we might be led to conclude, that, all the intermediate stages might be found between this and the Razor-bill, that would reduce them to the same species; but that is not the case. ‘The weight, and length of this bird are invariably much less, and the dark colour of the head and neck is never observed to possess that rusty tinge, the character of the Razor-bill in all seasons,

It will also be observed, that in the young of the Razor-bill, fom the time it shews its nesiling feathers, to the time of its autumnal migration, the whole head and apper partof ihe neck are dusky. But there is astronger mark of dis-— tinction than even these, observable in their habits, for we

are

AUK are informed by Fabricius, in his Fauna Groenland, that these birds are in greater plenty in that country, during the breeding season, than the Razor-bill, and that they disperse in winter.

If this is really the case, and there is mo reason to doubt such good authority, it being impossible to be mistaken in the bird, the matter is clearly decided; for if the Black-billed Auk was really no other than the young Razor-bill imma. tured in plumage, and continuing so till after the breeding season of the second year, surely such imperfect birds would be equally as plentiful amongst our swarms of Razor-bills du. ring summer as in Greenland; whereas, on the contrary, no such occurrence has been recorded, nor a specimen of the * Black-billed Auk killed on the southern parts of the coast of England till the month of November, a period long after the others have departed. Besides we affirm, that out of many hundreds, perhaps thousands, we have shot-of both the Razor-bill, and Foolish Guillemot, on various parts of the coast of England in the breeding season, neither the Blacks. billed Auk nor the Lesser Guillemot, ever occurred, Whats ever therefore may be the little varieties of both these birds which bring them a shade nearer to those of which they haye been by some naturalists considered as only the young, we should recollect, that though they have not been disco-. vered to breed within the islands of Great Britain, yet they are described by northern physiologists as resorting to the arctic regions for that purpose, and disperse into lower latitudes during the icy months, when those seas are frozen. It is then that the northern parts of Britain receive abundance of them in company with the Lesser Guillemot, and a few spread over the southern parts.

Thus these birds supply the place of the Razor-bill, and Foolish Guillemot, who leave us to seek a more southern clime during the inclement season, B2 What

AUK

What separates the Rook dnd the Crow but their habits, for not a feather is different? It is their manners and note that detect them. | How many are there that still seem to doubt the distinction between the Corvorant and Shag to be more than sexual? How are the Greater aud Lesser Black-backed Gulls to be known but by habits, since naturalists give great scope to variety in size 23 well as in plumage, for although there is sufficient distinction in the colour of the bill and legs, yet these require perhaps the maturation of several years? the manners and habits therefore of such nearly allied birds, are, if they can be obtained, the best criterion of distinction. These and other similar species indigenous to our own country, within the means of our personal observation, teach us that habits are.less erring than the usual marks of discrimination.

Suppose for instance the Black-billed Auk did actually put on the exact plumage, and other markings cf the Razor-bill in the breeding season, (but which is not found to he the case) yet if the former should only visit us in the winter, and the latter only in the summer, who could doubt of their actual distinction, independent of their difference in size? As there= fore we have such good authority for this species inhabiting Greenland in abundance in the summer months, and that they actually breed there, we must not consider the litle variety sometimes observed in their feathers to be a step towards that maturity which would stampthe true character of the Razor bill; for we know others of this class, as well as that of the Guillemot, vary considerably in plumage, and none more than the Black Guillemot, of which no less than seven or eight varieties are described, some of them so very CUCM as to have been considered distinct species.

Since then it bas. been ascertained that the Black-billed

Auk breeds within the artic regions, and there, known by its different plumage, we may cenclude it isat no season sufhiciently

Se a ee

AUK ciently like the Razor-billto admit of their being confounded. And we can have no doubt but that the Lesser Guillemot is as distinct from the Common species, and breeds also in similar latitudes. We may therefore safely conclude, that those species which visit us in the winter migrate from the same northern regions, though each may have its limits or peculiar haunts ; aud like better known species may not be found to inhabit all situations alike.

We have been rather diffuse on this’ subject in order to clear up existing doubts by personal experience. But we éhall have occasion to touch upon it again under the head of Guillemot-lesser, as well as under that of Auk Razor-billed,

AUK LITTLE, Aleca alle, Litule black and white Diver, Greenland Dove, or Sea-Turtle. Bewick Bb. Birds, ii. fig. p. 172.

PROVINCIAL.

In Zetland is called Rochie. Rotch, or Ratch.

The birds of this species that visit Great Britain in the autumnal and winter months, most certainly come from the more northern parts of Europe, like the preceding, and very few, if any, breed with us except in the northern parts of Scotland They retire from the frozen shores of Greenland and Spitzbergen; but remain contented where they can obtain food from the liquid element, and consequently few migrate so far as the southern parts of England,

Muller and Fabricius are evidences of the northern habits of this bird, the latter speaks of their being plentiful, and states that they lay two eggs the size of those of a pigeon, white tinted with blue. A varicty is mentioned that 1s totally white, and another with a red breast.

Since we iast treated of this bird, three specimens have come under examination that were taken in the south of England in the winter ; one on the 4t8 of December, in the year 1804,

. another

AUK another on the 25th of November, 1805, and the third on the 17th of January, 1806. ‘These were dissected in order to discover the sex, with a view to ascertain if there was any sexual diflerence in the plumage, it having been said that the throat of the male was black. ‘The first of these proved to be a male, the description of which is as follows.

Length eight inches anda half. Upper part of the head black, taking in the eyes, (which are whitish); the sides of the head are white, which runs backward and forms a narrow band across the nape, sprinkled with dusky; but immediately above the eye is a small white spot: the whole under parts white ; the chin and fore-part of the neck speckled dusky ; the intermediate part or throat pure while: scapulars with four or five white streaks, or marks disposed in longitadinal lines < the thighs are mixed with a few black feathers: the upper parts of the plumage are of the usual black colour, and the secondary quills tipped with white: legs and feet dusky.

This was found dead near the coast in the South of Devon.

The second was found dead near Bridgewater, in Somer. setshire, and differed in nothing from the former but in sex.

The third was taken alive in a pool of fresh water close to _ the estuary of Kingsbridge, in Devonshire, from which by reason of some defect it did not attempt to rise; and refusing all sustenance died the next day. In this there was no pere ceptable difference in plumage from the others, and consequently the sex was not attended to, or at least not noted.

The Little Auk has sometimes been found dead very remote from the sea. The Rev. Mr. Dajton, of Copgrove, near Knaresborough, in Yorkshire, assures us that both the Alca alle, and Procellaria pelagica, have been found near his houses Whether these were driven by storas, or attempted to cross the land from one sea to the other, is difficult to determine.

There can be no doubt that this species and perhaps some

others

AUK s others of the tribe of Auks and Guillemots, appear in a dif. ferent plumage in winter than what they assume in summer, particularly about the head. ‘Those who have described this species from specimens taken in the breeding season, have informed us that the head and neck are black ; whereas those taken iu winter have the throat, under part of the neck, and cheeks invariably white. This opinion has been confirmed by a physiological friend, the Rev. Mr. Fleming, whose station | in Zetland has enabled him to attend to the habits of some of our more northern birds, This gentleman assures us, that the Little Auk visits Zetland in the winter, and, that then they all have the white about the head and neck; but. that specimens in his possession, shot in Greenland in the summer, had those parts black, with a small white spot over the eye, which last is common at all seasons. —

It is this periodical change of plumage that has caused so much controversy with respect to another species of this genus, as well as of some of the Guillemots, the white parts about the head and neck having been by some injudiciously considered as the criterion of infancy. But it isa most unnatural supposition that the young and the old birds should have a general separationin the autumn, because in the winter all that are noticed on our coasts possess more or Jess white on those parts. This circumstance alone should rather be adduced as a presumptive evidence that other birds of this kind have a periodical change of plumage twice in the year, since itis by no means a peculiar property. The Black. billed Auk, and Lesser Guillemot, (beth of which are only found ia this country during the winter when the others leave us, and which have similar markings about the head and neck, to those ofthe Little Auk,) probably have those parts black, . on their return to the arctic regions to breed. But of this jore is said in ifs proper place.

AUK-RAZOR-BILLED.

be id Me, uy

AUK

AUK-RAZOR-BILLED. Alca torda.

Razor-bill Orn. Dict.

Auk. Murre, Falk. Marrot. Scout. Bewick ii. t. p. 164.

PROVINCIAL.

In Zetland is called Hiogga. Sea-crow. Bawkie. Alk, or Oke. Falk.

Having in our own opinion adduced incontrovertable reasons, under the head of Auk-black-billed, to shew that it is perfectly distinct from this, we shall candidly inmumerate our observations from personal experience.

It will be secn in the former part of the Ornithological Dictionary, that inthe young of this species taken in the month of July, before they could ily, no difference was observable in plumage from the adult. Jt is true we have since had repeated ocular proofs of this fact, but we acknowledge. to have had our astonishment excited by a young specimen brought to us alive on the fourth of August, 1802. This was larger than those we had usually obtained, (some of which had not any while from the bill to the eye) but it was still incapable of flying, the quills not having ar:ived at maturity. .

The bill was destitute of furrows, but the line of white feathers from the bill to the eye was as conspicuous nearly as in adults: the upper part of the head and cheeks black ; ihe throat speckled black and white; on the upper part of the neck before, and on the sides, several white fea. thers were observable amongst the black, and upon lifting up the feathers ou those parts, a great many young white feathers were seen emerging through the skin.

Now by comparing the plumage of this bird with that of the young of inferior age and size, and both with the adult, and with the Black-pilled Auk, we should find circumstances

with

AUK with respect to plimage not reconcileabte but by considering them the same species, subject to variety, were it not for other incontrovertible facts to the contrary. To a collector only of these subjects it might appear, that a certain degree.

of gradation in plumage was apparent, (being ignorant of habits, weight, and measurement, ) sinee int the most infant plumage the early young resemble the parent in the whole head and neck being black, and only differing in the want of the white line to the eye. At a further advanced age, (but before the quill feathers are perfected,) the white line from the bill to the eye is very conspicuous, and the white feathers on the throat, and neck, appearing in spots, it might be inferred that the cheeks would next become spotted, and lastly, that the black on these parts would wholly disappear, and thus unite the two into one species.

If indeed the union rested upon plumage alone, the appearance of the white line of feathers from the bill to the eye, weuld be unfavourable to the cause, because in no one instance have we observed anappearance of such a mark ia the Black-billed Auk, til! after the month of December, and very obscurely in the month of January. Besides in.all the Foolish Guillemots taken in the winter, not the least difference is observable in their plumage from what it is in the summer months, But to that bird, whose habits are similar, we refer for further particulars.

It is indeed extremely difficult to account for some of the changes observed in the plumage of particular birds ; but it certainly appears very unlikely, that the Razor-bill, who at - first is destitute of such a mark, and afterwards in the month of August, before it could fly assumes this white mark, should again discharge it in October or November, to ap pear in the dress of the Black-billed Auk; and again acquire itin the month of March, when they first appear as Razor-bills on our rocky coasts: But even if this most sine

Gg ‘gular

AUK gular and uncommon change of plumage {o less than four times within the space of eight or nine months) was admitted tobe effected by the Razor-bill, the other species has been | traced to its breeding place, and possessing habits of distinction: and it is well known, that until birds arrive at an adult state of plumage, they are incapable of breeding. That many birds duridg the whole period of their lives change part of their plumage spring and autumn, is well known; but we do not recollect any instance where the young assume the most perfect summer plumage of the pa rent bird, to change it again for the winter dress, such as adult birds are frequently observed to effect, except in a few instances where the inliabitants of the snowy regions assimie late the colour of their plumage to their situation. -. The instance of some of our well-known birds will serve to exemplify the fact. The Grey, and White Wagtails, both change a part of their plumage after the breeding season; the black feathers on the throat are replaced by white ones. The Golden Plover is destitute of the black on the fore part of the neck and breast, in the winter, which characterizes it in the breeding season ; but neither the young cf this, nor of either of ‘the Wagtails, partake of these parts of the summer plumage of their parents, till they commence the task of pre. paring for a progeny of their own the succeeding summer. Thus the young of these, and many other species of birds, are at first clothed, similar to the parent birds in their autumnal change, and with them continue in one uniform plumage during the ensuing winter. This isa natural and common change; but similar changes are innumerable in those birds where there is a material sexual distinction in the plumage. In such cases itis an invariable rule, that the young of both sexes at first appear in the dress of their female parent, and that the male attire isin some the work of

SoS ee ee

——

AUK of only a few months, while in others perhaps two, or more » years may be required to perfect it.

There would be no difficulty in supposing that the old

—Razor-bills throw off the black feathers on the sides of the head, throat, and fore part of the neck, as well as the white feathers that constitute the line from the bill to the eye, on the approach of winter, it being nothing more extraordinary than we notice in the Wagtails, and a variety of other birds; but we cannot reconcile the circumstance of so unusual a change, as it is requisite the Razor-bill should make (as before stated) to connect it with the Black-billed’ Auk. as one species. } ;

In some of the birds who are confined to those regions, where, for one half the year at least, the surface of the earth is covered with boundless snow, an autumnal change in the plumage of both old and young takes place. Here we per. ‘ceive the Ptarmigan invariably effect this curious, and we may add most providential change; for if the young of those birds at first assumed their snowy winter plumage, while yet the surface of the ground was not consonant with their colour, few would escape the piercing eye of the Falcon, or the Eagle, in the lofty and exposed situations they are found toinhabit. It has therefore been wisely ordered that these should at first appear like their parents in a mottled plumage, similar to the lichen-covered rocks they frequent, and continue in this dress till the approach of winter, when old and young become equally as white as the surrounding snow. These are changes incidental to the habits of particular species, and are facts well known to those who explore the secrets of nature: but we cannot imagine an unnatural change of plumage, for which we have no precedent, in order to connect two species, when other obstinate facts must ine

| fallibly keep them distinct.

C2 We

BIT

We shall now dismiss this subject with a reference to the Auk-black-billed, and Guillemot-lesser and Foolish.

B.

BASS-COCK. Vide Puffia.

BAWKIE. Vide Auk-razor-bill.

Bee-eater. Shaw. Nat. Miscel. t. 162. Lath. Syn. Sup. ii. p. 148. No. 1. Br. Miscel. t.69. M.& FI’.

This species is common in Egypt, where it is called Melznoorghi (Bees Enemy) and is eaten for food. At the Cape of Good Hope it is called Gnat-snapper; and is a guide to the Hottentots by directing them to the honey, which the bees store in the clefts of the rocks. It probably breeds in some parts of Spain and Portugal, as we are as~ sured by an officer that it was not uncommon about Badajos, where he observed a considerable number flying about like swallows, but that they frequently pitched, and assembled together in trees in the gardens. This was in the spring of the year 1811, while the allied army was encamped before Badajos.

BITTER-BUM. Vide Bittern.

BITTERN. Ardea stellaris | Lath. Syn. Sup. ii. p. 300. No. 7.. Bewick Br. Birds, Di len Denes

PROVINCIAL.

The occassion of the bellowing noise made by this bird, particularly in the breeding season, is supposed to be a loose membrane at the divarication of the ¢rachea, capable of

é great

BIT great distention, and which canbe filled with air and exploded at pleasure. Doctor Latham informs us, that Mr. Lamb had observed this structure in several he dissected.

Whether this membrane has a direct communication’ with the ¢rachea, independent of the lungs, is not noticed. If it is only an enlargement of the membrane, that in many birds is observed within the thorax, close to the clavicles, itis a part of that conformation which constitutes the air cells so peculiar to birds. The aspira arteria of those we have dissected had nothing very remarkable, and certainly had no communication with the interior of the body but through the lungs. Jf this membrane is a part of the branchi of the trachea, ours were not capable of any great extention; the interior part of the divarications is wholly membranous of a very fine texture ; and the exterior sides are furnished with very slender cartilaginous bars, for they do not surround ihe branchial tubes of the trachea. This membranous structure of the part in question is by no means uncommon in other species. | )

In fact the propagation of sound, and different notes in animals, is at present very imperfectly understood ; and the curious conformation observed in the trachea cf some species of birds, rather puzzle than confirm any hypothesis upon the subject. | : ;

If we were to reason mechanically, we might conclude that the labyrinth at. the lower extremity, or the enlargement in the middle of the trachea of some birds, especially the semis ~ ossious chambers in the Mergansers, and some species of Ducks,\were intended as condensers to assist in the comprese sion of the air for augmenting the sound ; but experience informs us this is not the case, for some birds possessing a Jabyrinth have weak voices, exemplified in the Mallard or male of the common Duck. But as sound is produced by birds from the lower extremity of the ¢rachea, and not from the

c 3 larynzs

BIT larynx, the contensation of air before that part cannot promote the force of the expulsion of it through the sonifercus organ, but only serves to modulate the tones As we have touched upon this subject in another place, itis unnecessary to enlarge upon. it in this.