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Title: The Bird Book

Author: Chester A. Reed

Release date: September 15, 2009 [eBook #30000]
Most recently updated: October 24, 2024

Language: English

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*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BIRD
BOOK ***

Page 1

Page 2

Male. Female.
Young.

Page 3

THE BIRD BOOK
ILLUSTRATING IN NATURAL COLORS
MORE THAN SEVEN HUNDRED
NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS;
ALSO SEVERAL HUNDRED
PHOTOGRAPHS OF THEIR
NESTS AND EGGS
BY

CHESTER A. REED, B. S.

Garden City New York
DOUBLEDAY, PAGE & COMPANY
1915

Page 4
Copyright, 1914, by
CHARLES K. REED

All rights reserved, including that of
translation into foreign languages,
including the Scandinavian.

Page 5

BARN OWL.

Page 6

TOPOGRAPHY OF A BIRD.

Page 7

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Diving Birds. Order I. Pygopodes 10
Grebes. Family Colymbidæ 11
Loons. Family Gaviidæ 17
Auks, Murres and Puffins. Family Alcidæ 21

Long-winged Swimmers. Order II. Longipennes 35
Skuas and Jægers. Family Stercoraridæ 35
Gulls and Terns. Family Laridæ 38
Skimmers. Family Rynchopidæ 58

Tube-nosed Swimmers. Order III. Tubinares 59
Albatrosses. Family Diomedeidæ 59
Fulmars, Shearwaters and Petrels. Family Procellariidæ 61

Totipalmate Swimmers. Order IV. Steganopodes 72
Tropic Birds. Family Phæthontidæ 72
Gannets. Family Sulidæ 74
Darters. Family Anhingidæ 77
Cormorants. Family Phalacrocoracidæ 78
Pelicans. Family Pelecanidæ 83
Man-o'-War Birds. Family Fregatidæ 86

Lamellirostral Swimmers. Order V. Anseres 87
Lamellirostral Grallatores. Order VI. Odontoglossæ 115
Flamingoes. Family Phœnicopteridæ 115

Herons, Storks, Ibises, etc. Order VII. Herodiones 115
Spoonbills. Family Plataleidæ 115
Ibises. Family Ibididæ 117
Storks and Wood Ibises. Family Ciconiidæ 118
Herons, Bitterns, etc. Family Ardeidæ 119

Cranes, Rails, etc. Order VIII. Paludicolæ 127
Cranes. Family Gruidæ 127
Courlans. Family Aramidæ 129
Rails, Gallinules and Coots. Family Rallidæ 131

Shore Birds. Order IX. Limicolæ 137
Phalaropes. Family Phalaropodidæ 137
Avocets and Stilts. Family Recurvirostridæ 139
Snipes, Sandpipers, etc. Family Scolopacidæ 140
Plovers. Family Charadriidæ 161
Surf Birds and Turnstones. Family Aphrizidæ 169
Oyster-catchers. Family Hæmatopodidæ 170
Jacanas. Family Jacanidæ 172

Gallinaceous Birds. Order X. Gallinæ 175
Grouse, Partridges, etc. Family Odontophoridæ 175
Turkeys. Family Meleagridæ 178
Curassows and Guans. Family Cracidæ 191

Page 8
Pigeons. Order XI. Columbæ 192
Pigeons. Family Columbidæ 192

Birds of Prey. Order XII. Raptores 198
American Vultures. Family Cathartidæ 198
Hawks, Eagles, etc. Family Buteonidæ 201
Falcons, etc. Family Falconidæ 218
Osprey. Family Pandionidæ 225
Barn Owls. Family Aluconidæ 227
Owls. Family Strigidæ 227

Parrots, Paroquets. Order XIII. Psittaci 241
Parrots and Paroquets. Psittacidæ 241

Cuckoos, etc. Order XIV. Coccyges 241
Cuckoos, Anis, etc. Family Cuculidæ 241
Trogons. Family Trogonidæ 246
Kingfishers. Family Alcedinidæ 247

Woodpeckers, Wrynecks, etc. Order XV. Pici 249
Woodpeckers. Family Picidæ 249

Goatsuckers, Swifts, etc. Order XVI. Macrochires 262
Goatsuckers, etc. Family Caprimulgidæ 263
Swifts. Family Micropodidæ 268
Hummingbirds. Family Trochilidæ 271

Perching Birds. Order XVII. Passeres 280
Cotingas. Family Cotingidæ 280
Tyrant Flycatchers. Family Tyrannidæ 280

Larks. Family Alaudidæ 297
Crows, Jays, Magpies, etc. Family Corvidæ 300
Starlings. Family Sturnidæ 314
Blackbirds, Orioles, etc. Family Icteridæ 314
Finches, Sparrows, etc. Family Fringillidæ 324
Tanagers. Family Tangaridæ 369
Swallows. Family Hirundinidæ 372
Waxwings. Family Bombycillidæ 375
Shrikes. Family Laniidæ 376
Vireos. Family Vireonidæ 378
Honey Creepers. Family Cœrebidæ 385
Warblers. Family Mniotiltidæ 385
Wagtails. Family Motacillidæ 418
Dippers. Family Cinclidæ 419
Wrens. Family Troglodytidæ 423
Thrashers, etc. Family Mimidæ 429
Creepers. Family Certhiidæ 430
Nuthatches. Family Sittidæ 431
Titmice. Family Paridæ 431
Warblers, Kinglets, Gnatcatchers. Family Sylviidæ 433
Thrushes, Solitaires, Bluebirds, etc. Family Turdidæ 442
Index 451

Page 9

BALTIMORE ORIOLE.

Page 10

THE BIRD BOOK

DIVING BIRDS. Order I. PYGOPODES

GREBES. Family COLYMBIDÆ

Grebes are birds having a ducklike body, but with pointed bills. Their feet,
too, are unlike those of the Ducks, each toe having its separate web, and
having a broad flat nail. Their wings are very small for the size of the body,
making it impossible for them to rise in flight from the land. They rise from
the water by running a few yards along the surface until they have secured
sufficient headway to allow them to launch themselves into the air. After
having risen from the water their flight is very swift and strong. On land they
are very awkward and can only progress by a series of awkward hops; they
generally lie flat on their breasts, but occasionally stand up, supporting
themselves upon their whole tarsus. Grebes, together with the Loons, are the
most expert aquatic birds that we have, diving like a flash and swimming for
an incredible distance under water.

Page 11
1. Western Grebe. Aechmophorus occidentalis.

Range.--Western parts of North America, from
southern Alaska southward; east to Minnesota and
south in winter to the southern parts of the United
States and Mexico. Breeds from the Dakotas and
northern California northward. These are the
largest of the American Grebes; owing to their
unusually long necks, they are frequently called
"Swan Grebes." They are very timid birds and
conceal themselves in the rushes on the least
suspicion of danger.

At times, to escape observation, they will entirely
submerge their body, leaving only their head and
part of the long neck visible above the water. This
Grebe cannot be mistaken for any other because of
the long slender neck and the long pointed bill,
which has a slight upward turn. They nest
abundantly in the marshes of North Dakota and
central Canada. Their nests are made of decayed
rushes, and are built over the water, being fastened
to the rushes so that the bottom of the nest rests in
the water. The nesting season is at its height during

the latter part of May. They lay from three to five Western Grebe.
eggs, the ground color of which is a pale blue; this Holboell's Grebe.

color is, however, always
concealed by a thin chalky
deposit, and this latter is
frequently stained to a dirty
white. Size 2.40 × 1.55.

2. Holboell's Grebe.
Colymbus holboellii.

Range.--Throughout North
America, breeding from
Chalky bluish white, stained buff. northern United States
northward and wintering
from the middle to the southern
portions of the United States. In regard
to size this Grebe comes next to the
Western, being 19 in. in length. This
bird can be distinguished by the white
cheeks and throat and the reddish
brown foreneck. They breed
abundantly in the far north placing
their floating islands of decayed
vegetation in the water in the midst of
the marsh grass. They lay from three to
White, stained buff.
six eggs of a dingy white color which
have the stained surface common to
Grebes eggs. Size 2.35 × 1.25.

Page 12

NEST AND EGGS OF HOLBOELL'S GREBE
Lake Winnipegosis, Manitoba.

Page 13
3. Horned Grebe. Colymbus auritus.

Range.--The whole of North America, breeding in the interior from North
Dakota northwest; winters along the Gulf Coast. This species is one of the
most beautiful of the Grebes, having in the breeding season buffy ear tufts,
black cheeks and throat, and chestnut neck, breast and sides. They breed
abundantly in the marshy flats of North Dakota and the interior of Canada.

They build a typical Grebe's nest, a floating mass of decayed matter which
stains the naturally white eggs to a dirty brown. The number of eggs varies
from three to seven. Size 1.70 × 1.15. Data.--Devils Lake, N. Dakota, June
20, 1900. 6 eggs much stained. Nest floating in 4 ft. of water, a large mass of
rotten rushes and weeds. Collector. James Smalley.

4. Eared Grebe. Colymbus nigricollis californicus.

Range.--North America west of the Mississippi, breeding from Texas to
Manitoba and wintering along the Pacific Coast of the United States and from

Te
xa
s
so
ut
hw
ar
d.

Buffy white, nest stained. Ea
re
d Grebes
differ from
the preceding
in having the
entire neck
blackish.
They nest
very
abundantly
throughout
Bluish white, stained. the west, in
favorable
localities, from Texas to Minnesota and Dakota. Horned Grebe.
Their nests are constructed in the same manner as Eared Grebe.
the preceding varieties and are located in similar
localities. As do all the Grebes when leaving the nest, they cover the eggs
with the damp rushes from around the base of the nest. This is probably for
the purpose of assisting incubation during their absence, by the action of the
sun's rays on the wet mass. As they are nearly always thus covered upon the
approach of anyone, this may be done also as a protection from discovery.
They lay from three to eight bluish white eggs with the usual chalky and
discolored appearance. The breeding season is at its height early in June, or
earlier, in the southern portion of its range. Size 1.75 × 1.20. Data.--Artesian,
S. Dakota, June 21, 1899. Nest of rushes, floating in three feet of water. Large
colony in a small lake. Collector, F. A. Patton.

Page 14

NEST AND EGGS OF HORNED GREBE
Saltcoats Marshes, Assiniboia, June 6, 1901.

Page 15
5. Mexican Grebe. Colymbus dominicus brachypterus.

Range.--Southern Texas and Lower California southward to South America,
breeding throughout its range.

The Least Grebe is by far the smallest of the Grebes in this country, being but
10 in. in length; it can not be mistaken for any other, the Eared Grebe being the
only species of this family found in the same localities during the summer.
These little Grebes nest very abundantly along the Rio Grande Valley in Texas,
the nesting season lasting from the latter part of May until well into December.

Their nests are floating piles of grass and weeds upon which they lay from
three to five chalky white eggs, which are always discolored, sometimes to a
deep chocolate hue. These eggs average a great deal darker in color than do
any of the other Grebes. In a series of fifty sets fully half were a rich brown
tint. Size 1.40 × .95.

6. Pied-billed Grebe. Podilymbus podiceps.

Range.--From the British provinces southward to Argentine Republic, breeding
locally throughout the northern portions of its range.

T
h
e
D
a
b
c
h
Deep buff or rich brown.
ic
k, as this
bird is
called, is
the most
evenly
distributed
bird of this
family. It is
nowhere
especially
abundant, Deep buff.
nor is it,
except in a very few localities, regarded as rare.
Consequently it is the best known bird of the
species. They do not congregate in such large
numbers as the other Grebes during the nesting
season, but one or more pairs may be found in
almost any favorable locality. These birds render Mexican Grebe.
their floating nest a little more substantial than Pied-billed Grebe..
those of the preceding varieties by the addition
of mud which they bring up from the bottom of the pond; this addition also
tends to soil the eggs more, consequently the eggs of this bird are, as a general
rule, browner than the other Grebes with the exception of the Least. The bird
may always be known by the shape of its bill which is higher than it is broad,
and in the summer is white with a black band across the middle. The throat is
also black at this season. They lay from five to nine eggs commencing about
the middle of May. Size 1.70 × 1.18.

Page 16

PIED-BILLED GREBE.

Page 17
LOONS. Family GAVIIDAE

Loons may be likened to gigantic Grebes from which they differ externally,
chiefly in the full webbed foot instead of the individually webbed toes of the
Grebe, and in the sharper, more pointed and spear-like bill. These birds are
similar in their habits to the Grebes, except that their homes are generally more
substantially built and are placed upon a solid foundation, generally upon an
island in some inland lake.

Both Loons and Grebes are literally "Water witches," being practically, and in
the case of Grebes, actually, born in the water and living in it ever afterwards.
Loons are strong fliers, but like the Grebes, because of their small wings they
must get their first impetus from the water in order to rise; in case there is any
wind blowing they also make use of this by starting their flight against it. They
are very peculiar birds and the expression "crazy as a loon" is not a fanciful
one, being formed from their early morning and evening antics when two or
more of them will race over the top of the water, up and down the lake, all the
while uttering their demoniacal laughter. They vie with the Grebes in diving
and disappear at the flash of a gun.

EGG OF LOON.
Dark greenish brown.

Page 18
7. Loon. Gavia immer.

Range.--North America north of the Mexican
boundary, breeding from the northern parts of the
United States northward.

Unlike the Grebes, Loons do not build in colonies,
generally not more than one, or at the most two pairs
nesting on the same lake or pond; neither do they seek
the marshy sloughs in which Grebes dwell, preferring
the more open, clear bodies of water. The common
Loon may be known in summer by the entirely black
head and neck with the complete ribbon of black and
white stripes encircling the lower neck and the
narrower one which crosses the throat. The back is
spotted with white. In some sections Loons build no
nest, simply scooping a hollow out in the sand, while
in other places they construct quite a large nest of
sticks, moss and grasses. It is usually placed but a few
feet from the waters edge, so that at the least
suspicion the bird can slide off its eggs into the water,
Loon. where it can cope with any enemy. The nests are
Black-throated Loon. nearly always concealed under the overhanging
bushes that line the shore; the one shown in the full
page illustration, however, was located upon the top of an old muskrat house.

The two eggs which they lay are a very dark greenish brown in color, with
black spots. Size 3.50 × 2.25. Data.--Lake Sunapee, N. H., June 28, 1895. Nest
placed under the bushes at the waters edge. Made of rushes, weeds and
grasses; a large structure nearly three feet in diameter. Collector, H. A. Collins.

8. Yellow-billed Loon. Gavia adamsi.

Range.--Northwestern North America, along the Arctic and northern Alaskan
coasts.

The Yellow-billed Loon with the exception of its whitish or yellowish bill in
place of the black, is practically otherwise indistinguishable from the common
Loon. It averages somewhat larger in size. This is one of the most northerly
breeding birds and it is only within a very few years that anything has been
learned about the breeding habits. Their nesting habits and eggs are precisely
like the preceding except that the latter average a little larger. Size 3.60 × 2.25.

9. Black-throated Loon. Gavia arctica..

Range.--From northern United States northward, breeding along the Arctic
Coast.

This species can be easily separated from the Loon by the gray crown and
white streaks down the back of the neck. Its size, too, is about five inches
shorter. The nesting habits are the same as the Loons and the eggs have rather
more of an olive tint besides having the majority of spots at the larger end.
Size 3.10 × 2.00.

Page 19
10. Pacific Loon. Gavia pacifica.

Range.--Western North America along the coast chiefly, breeding from Alaska
south to British Columbia. In winter, south along the coast to Mexico.

This species differs from the Black-throated only in the tint of the head
reflections. The habits are the same as those of the other members of the
family. They lay two eggs of a greenish brown or greenish gray hue with black
spots. Size 3.10 × 1.90. Data.--Yukon River, Alaska, June 28, 1902. Nest of
rubbish on an island; found by a miner.

11. Red-throated Loon. Gavia stellata.

Range.--Northern parts of North America, breeding from southern Canada
northward in the interior on both coasts. South to the middle portions of the
United States in winter.

This is the smallest of the Loon family, being twenty-five inches in length. In
plumage it is wholly unlike any of the other members at all seasons of the year.

In summer the back, head and neck are gray, the latter
being striped with white. A large chestnut patch
adorns the front of the lower part of the neck. In
winter the back is spotted with white, whereas all the
others are unspotted at this period. The nesting habits
are identical with the other species; the ground color
of the two eggs is also the same. Size 2.00 × 1.75.

Pacific Loon.
Red-throated Loon.

Page 20

NEST AND EGGS OF LOON.
This nest is built on top of a Muskrat house.

Page 21

PUFFINS, AUKS and MURRES.

Family ALCIDÆ

NEST AND EGGS OF PIED-BILLED GREBE.

Puffins, Auks and Murres are all sea birds and are only found inland when
blown there by some severe storm of winter. At this season numbers of them
are apt to lose their bearings and may sometimes be found with their feet
frozen in some of our inland ponds. Puffins are heavily built birds in
appearance, but are very active both on the wing and in the water. Their wings
are much larger comparatively than those of the other members of this family,
so they are enabled to perform evolutions in the air, which are withheld from
the others. They stand upright on the sole of the foot and are able to walk quite
easily on land. Puffins have very heavy and deep but thin bills, which are
entirely unlike those of any other bird and often give then the name of Parrot
Auks. Puffins, Auks and Murres are otherwise recognized by the presence of
but three toes which are webbed.

Page 22
12. Tufted Puffin. Lunda cirrhata.

Range.--Pacific Coast from Alaska southward to
southern California, breeding locally throughout
their range.

Tufted Puffins are the largest of the Puffins. In the
breeding plumage, they are a sooty brownish or
black color; the cheeks are white, and a long tuft of
straw colored feathers extends back from each eye;
the bill is bright red and greenish yellow. They
breed commonly on the Farallones, where two or
three broods are raised by a bird in a single season,
but much more abundantly on the islands in the
north.

Their single eggs are laid in burrows in the ground
or else in natural crevices formed by the rocks. The
eggs are pure white or pale buff and are without
gloss. They very often have barely perceptible shell
markings of dull purplish color. The eggs are laid
about the middle of June. Size 2.80 × 1.90. Data.--
Farallone Is., May 27, 1887. Single egg laid in
crevice of rocks. Collector, W. O. Emerson.

13. Puffin. Fratercula arctica arctica.

Tufted Puffin. Puffin. Range.--North Atlantic Coast, breeding from the
Bay of Fundy northward. Winters from breeding
range along the New England Coast.

The common Puffin has
the cheeks, chin and
underparts white; upper
parts and a band across
the throat, blackish. Bill
deep and thin, and colored
with red, orange and
yellow. They breed in
large numbers on Bird
Rock in the Gulf of St.
Lawrence.

The nest is either among
Page 23 the natural crevices of the
rocks, or in burrows
White.
excavated in the ground
by the birds. These burrows vary in
length from two and a half to four or
five feet. Except upon the positive
knowledge of the absence of the
bird, it is a hazardous thing to put
the hand in one of these burrows for
the bird can, and will nip the
fingers, sometimes to the bone.
They lay but a single egg, usually
dull white and unmarked, but in
some cases obscurely marked with
reddish brown. Size 2.50 × 1.75.
White..
Data.--So. Labrador, June 23, 1884.
Single egg laid at end of burrow in
the ground. Collector, J. H. Jameson.

13a. Large-billed Puffin. Fratercula arctica naumanni.

A more northerly subspecies of the last, inhabiting the Arctic region on the
Atlantic side. The bird is somewhat larger but otherwise indistinguishable from
the common species. The eggs are exactly the same or average a trifle larger.
Size 2.55 × 1.80. Data.--Iceland, July 6, 1900. Single egg in hole under a rock.
Collector, Chas. Jefferys.

14. Horned Puffin. Fratercula corniculata.

Range.--Pacific Coast from Alaska to British Columbia. The Horned Puffin
differs from the common in that the blackish band across the throat extends
upwards in a point to the bill. Their nesting habits are precisely the same as
those of the preceding species. A single pure white egg is laid; the shell is
slightly rougher than those of the others. Size 2.65 × 1.80. Data.--Round Is.,

Alaska, June 24, 1884. Single egg laid at end of burrow in ground; no nest.
Collector, G. L. Kennedy.

15. Rhinoceros Auklet. Cerorhinca monocerata.

Range.--Pacific Coast, breeding from British Columbia northward and
wintering southward to Lower California.

The Rhinoceros Auklet or Horned Auk has a much smaller bill than the
Puffins; in the summer this is adorned at the base by a horn from which it takes
its name. There are also slender plumes from above and below the eyes.
Unlike the Puffins, these birds sit upon their whole tarsus.

They nest on islands of the North Pacific Coast from Vancouver northward. A
single egg is laid in crevices among the rocks or in burrows in the ground. It is
similar both in size and shape to that of the Puffins, but is often quite heavily
blotched with brown. Size 2.70 × 1.80. Data.--Unak Is., Alaska, June 30, 1900.
Egg laid in a fissure of the rocks; no nest. Collector, F. Weston.

Page 24
16. Cassin Auklet. Ptychoramphus aleuticus.

Range.--Pacific Coast from Alaska to Lower
California, breeding nearly throughout its range.

A plain appearing bird about 9 in. in length, with
blackish upperparts relieved only by a white spot
over the eye; breast and throat gray and belly
white. This Auklet is fairly abundant on the
Farallones, breeding on the lower portions of the
island.

The late Mr. C. Barlow says that it is found in
deserted rabbit burrows and in all probability
often excavates its own burrows. It also nests
among the cliffs placing its eggs among the rocks
in any crevice or tunnel which may offer a dark
retreat during the day for they are nocturnal in
their habits. The single egg which they lay is dull
white in color, the inside of the shell being a pale
green, which color can only be seen by holding
the egg to the light. They are generally slightly
nest stained. Size 1.80 × 1.30. Data.--Coronado
Islands, Cal., March 23, 1897. Single egg laid on
the bare ground at end of a burrow three and
one-half feet long. Collector, E. A. Shives.

Horned Puffin.
Rhinoceros Auklet.
Cassin
Auklet.

White..

RHINOCEROS AUKLET.
Color white, sometimes heavily blotched,
as above, and again unspotted.

Page 25
17. Paroquet Auklet.--Phaleris psittacula.

Range.--The Alaskan Coast, casually farther south in winter.

This bird is about the same size as the preceding, and the plumage is similar,
except that it has no white spot over the eye, and the breast is white. It also has
a slender plume extending from back of the eye.

The bill is very peculiar, being quite deep and
rounded and having an upward tendency. It is
orange red in color. They breed very commonly
on the islands of Bering Strait. Their eggs are
laid in the crevices of the cliff, often several feet
in and by a crooked path so that it is impossible
to reach them. The single chalky white egg is
laid in May. Size 2.30 × 1.45. Data.--Rocky Islet
in the Aleutians, June 22, 1890. Single egg laid
on bare rock in a deep crevice. Collector, Capt.
S. Wilson.

18. Crested Auklet. Aethia cristatella.

Range.--Alaska Coast, similar in form and
plumage to the latter, except that the whole
under parts are gray and it has a crest of recurved
feathers. The nesting season begins in May, the
birds nesting upon the same islands and in the
same kinds of sites as the last species. The single
egg is chalky white. Size 2.10 × 1.50. Data.--
Unak Is., Alaska, July 1, 1900. Egg laid in a
crevice among the rocks. Collector, F. Weston.

19. Whiskered Auklet. Aethia pygmaea.

Range.--The Alaska Coast.

Much smaller than the preceding; but 7.5 in. in Paroquet Auklet.
length. Breast gray, belly white; a small tuft of Crested Auklet.

recurved feathers on the
forehead and slender white
plumes from base of bill
over the eye and from under
the eye, backwards. The bill
in summer is a bright
vermillion color. On some of
the islands of the Aleutian
chain they breed quite
abundantly. The nests are
placed back in the crevices
of the rocks, where the
White. single white eggs are laid.
Size 2.00 × 1.25.

Page 26
20. Least Auklet. Aethia pusilla.

Range.--North Pacific on the islands and coast of
Alaska. This is the smallest of the Auklets;
length 6.5 in. This species has no crest, but has
the slender white plumes extending back from
the eye. The entire under parts are white sparsely
spotted with dusky. This species is by far the
most abundant of the water birds of the extreme
Northwest, and thousands of them, accompanied
by the two preceding species, nest on the rocky
cliffs of the islands of Bering Sea. Their nesting
habits are the same as those of the other Auklets,
they placing their single white egg on the bare
rocks, in crevices on the cliffs. Size 1.55 × 1.10.
Data.--Pribilof Is., Alaska, June 8, 1897. Single
egg laid in crevice. Thousands breeding on the
island.

21. Ancient Murrelet. Synthliboramphus
antiquus.

Range.--Pacific Coast, breeding from the border
of the United States, northward, and wintering
south to southern California. The Murrelets have
no crests or plumes and the bills are more
Least Auklet. slender than the Auklets and are not highly
Ancient Murrelet. colored.
Marbled
Murrelet.

The ancient Murrelet or
Black-throated Murrelet, as
it is also called, has a gray
back, white under parts and a
black head and throat, with a
broad white stripe back of
the eye and another formed
by the white on the breast
extending up on the side of
the neck. They breed White.
abundantly on the islands in
Bering Sea, laying one or two eggs at the end of burrows in the banks or on the
ground, and in some localities in crevices on the cliffs. The eggs are a buffy
white color and are faintly marked with light brown, some of these being in the
shape of spots and others lengthened. Size 2.40 × 1.40. Data.--Sanak Islands,
July 1, 1894. Two eggs on the ground under a tuft of grass and in a slight
excavation lined with fine grass.

Buff.

Page 27
23. Marbled Murrelet. Brachyramphus marmoratus.

Range.--North Pacific Coast, breeding
from Vancouver Island. South in
winter to southern California.

In the breeding plumage, this bird is
brownish black above, barred with
rusty and below is marbled with
brownish gray and white. Its nesting
habits and eggs are very similar to
those of the Ancient Murrelet, they
Buff.
placing their single eggs in holes in the
ground or crevices among the cliffs.
Size 2.20 × 1.40. Data.--Chichagof Is., Alaska, June 18, 1898. Single egg in
crevice on face of cliff. Large colony breeding in company with Ancient
Murrelets.

24. Kittlitz Murrelet. Brachyramphus brevirostris.

Range.--North Pacific Coast in the
Aleutian Islands and north to
Unalaska, breeding on isolated islands
throughout its range. This species is
very similar to the Marbled Murrelet,
the chief difference being in the bill
which is shorted. They have been
found breeding on the same islands
with the preceding species. Their
White. single white egg is laid in crevices in
the cliffs. Size 2.40 × 1.30. Data.--
Sanak Is., Alaska, June 25, 1890. Nest

in a hollow under a bunch of rank matted grass. Many ancient Burrelets
breeding on the same Islands. Collector, Capt. Tilson.

25. Xantus Murrelet. Brachyramphus hypoleucus.

Range.--Resident along the coast of
southern and Lower California.

This bird is blackish above and
entirely white below, including the
sides of the head below the eye. The
whole of the under surface of the wing
is also white. They breed on the coast
islands from Santa Barbara southward.
The single egg is laid at the end of a
burrow or in crevices among the rocks.
It is a pale buffy white in color and Pale Blue.
thickly, but finely dotted over the
whole surface with purplish brown,
and with some larger spots at the larger end. Size 2.05 × 1.40. Data.--
Galapagos Islands, March 2, 1901. No nest. Single egg laid in a crevice in the
rocks. Collector, Rollo H. Beck.

Page 28
26. Craveri's Murrelet. Brachyramphus craveri.

Range.--Both coasts of Lower California, breeding chiefly on the Gulf side.
Craveri Murrelet is very similar to the last except that the under surfaces of the
wings are dusky.

27. Black Guillemot. Cepphus grylle.

Breeds on the islands near Cape St. Lucas, burrowing in the ground as do most
of the others of this species. They lay a single egg, the ground color of which is
buff; they are quite heavily blotched with brownish. Size 2.00 × 1.40.

Range.--Coasts and islands of the North Atlantic,
breeding from Maine northward to southern
Greenland. Guillemots are larger birds than the
Murrelets (length 13 inches) and their plumage is
entirely different. This species in summer is
entirely black except the wing coverts which are
white. The bases of the greater coverts, however,
are black, this generally breaking the white
mirror as it is called. The under surfaces of the
wings are white. Legs red. These birds breed
abundantly on the rocky islands and high cliffs
along the coast. Soon after the first of June the
eggs are laid in the crevices of the rocks and
sometimes upon the bare ledges. Two or three
eggs make the set. The ground color is a pale
bluish or greenish white and the markings are
various shades of brown and black. Size 2.40 ×
1.60. Data.--Grand Manan, June 15, 1896. Two
eggs laid in a cavity back of large boulder. No
nest. Collector, D. H. Eaton.

Xantus Murrelet.
Mandt's Guillemot.

Bluish white.

Black Guillemot.

Page 29
28. Mandt's Guillemot. Cepphus mandti.

Range.--North Atlantic coast, more
northerly than the preceding, breeding
from Labrador to northern Greenland.

The bird differs from the Black
Guillemot only in having the bases of the
coverts white also. The nesting habits and
eggs are identical. They nest in colonies
of thousands and place the eggs upon the
bare rock with no attempt at nest
building. Generally the eggs are in the
crevices so as to be difficult to get at.
Size 2.30 × 1.55. Data.--Depot Island,
Hudson Bay, June 6, 1894. Two eggs laid
on bare rocky ground. Collector John
Comer.

29. Pigeon Guillemot. Cepphus columba.

Range.--The Pacific Coast of North Murre.
America, breeding from southern
California northward. This bird is very
similar to the Black Guillemot except that the under surfaces of the wings are

dark. They breed abundantly on some of the islands of Bering Sea and a few of
them nest on the Farallones. They lay their two eggs on the bare rock in dark
crevices. The color is grayish or pale greenish blue and the markings are
brown and black with paler shell markings of lilac. Size 2.40 × 1.60. Data.--S.
Farallone Islands, Cal. Two eggs laid on gravel at the end of a burrow, about
two feet from the entrance and 285 feet above the sea level. Collector, Claude
Fyfe.

30. Murre. Uria troile troille.

Range.--North Atlantic coasts and
islands, breeding from Bird Rock
northward. Murres are similar in
form to the Guillemots, but are
larger, being about 16 inches in
length. Entire head and neck sooty
brown; rest of upper parts

Pale bluish gray.

grayish black except the tips of the
Pale bluish gray.
secondaries which are white. Under
parts white. These birds nest by
thousands on Bird Rock and on the cliffs of Labrador. They build no nests but
simply lay their single egg on the narrow ledges of cliffs, where the only
guarantee against its rolling off is its peculiar shape which causes it, when
moved, to revolve about its smaller end instead of rolling off the ledge. The
eggs are laid as closely as possible on the ledges where the incubating birds sit
upright, in long rows like an army on guard. As long as each bird succeeds in
finding an egg to cover, on its return home, it is doubtful if they either know or
care whether it is their own or not. The ground color of the eggs vary from
white to a deep greenish blue and the markings of blackish brown vary in
endless patterns, some eggs being almost wholly unspotted. Size 3.40 × 2.00.
Data.--South Labrador, June 19, 1884. Single egg laid on the bare cliff. Large
colony breeding. Collector, M. A. Grasar.

Page 30
30a. California Murre. Uria troille californica.

Range.--Pacific Coast, breeding from the Farallones north to Alaska.

This Pacific form of the common Murre is the most abundant breeding bird on
the Farallones. Their eggs are used in enormous numbers for commercial
purposes and these islands being located, as they are, within easy distance from
San Francisco, thousands of dozens of the eggs are sold yearly, chiefly to
bakeries. Although continually robbed, their numbers have not as yet
diminished to any great extent. They lay but a single egg on the bare ledge.

Individual eggs are indistinguishable from the last species but in a large series
the ground color averages brighter. They show the same great difference in
color and markings. The first set is laid in May, but owing to their being so
often molested, fresh eggs can be found during August. Data.--Farallones, July
4, 1895. Single egg laid on bare cliff. Collector, Thos. E. Slevin.

31. Brunnich Murre. Uria lomvia lomvia.

Range.--North Atlantic Coast, breeding range the same as the common Murre.

This species differs from the common Murre in having a shorter and thicker
bill, the base of the cutting edge of which is less feathered. They breed on the
same islands in company with the common Murre and their eggs are
indistinguishable. Data.--Coast of South Labrador. Single egg laid on ledge of
cliff. About three hundred birds in the colony.

Page 31
31a. Pallas Murre. Uria lomvia arra.

Range.--The Pacific coasts and islands.

This is the Pacific form of Brunnich Murre. Its breeding range is more
northerly than that of the California variety. Countless thousands of them breed
on the islands off the coast of Alaska, their breeding habits and eggs being the
same as the more southern form.

32. Razor-billed Auk. Alca torda.

Range.--North Atlantic coast, breeding from Bird Rock northward and
wintering south to the Middle States on the coast.

Grayish white.

The Razor-billed Auk is in form similar to the Murres, but the bill is very
different, being deep and thin, and with the upper mandible rounded at the tip.
Entire upper parts black shading to brownish on the throat. Under parts and
tips of secondaries, white; line from eye to bill and another across the middle
of the bill, white. They nest in large numbers on Bird Rock in company with
the Murres and in still greater numbers off the coast of Labrador. Their eggs
are not placed in as exposed positions as the Murres, being generally behind
boulders or in crevices. This is necessary because, not being of the pear-shaped
form of the Murres, they would be very apt to be dislodged if commonly
placed on the narrow ledges. The eggs vary endlessly in marking but do not
show the differences in ground color that the Murres do. The color is white,
grayish or buffy. But one egg is generally laid, although two are sometimes
found. Size 3.00 × 2.00. Data.--Bay of Fundy. June 17, 1891. Single egg laid
on bare rock in a crevice under loose rocks. Collector, A. C. Bent.

Page 32
33. Great Auk. Plautus impennis.

Range.--Formerly the whole of the North Atlantic coasts. Now extinct.

These great auks formerly dwelt in large numbers on the islands of the North
Atlantic, but owing to their lack of the powers of flight and the destructiveness
of mankind, the living bird has disappeared from the face of the earth.
Although they were about thirty inches in length, their wings were even
smaller than those of the Razor-billed Auk, a bird only eighteen inches in
length. Although breeding off the coast of Newfoundland, they appeared
winters as far south as Virginia, performing their migration by swimming
alone. The last bird appears to have been taken in 1844, and Funk Island, off
the coast of Newfoundland, marks the place of their disappearance from our
shores. There are about seventy known specimens of the bird preserved, and

about the same number of eggs. The immediate
cause of the extinction of these birds was their
destruction for food by fishermen and
immigrants, and later for the use of their feathers
commercially. The single egg that they laid was
about 5.00 x 3.00 inches, the ground color was
buffy white, and the spots brownish and
blackish. The markings varied in endless pattern
as do those of the smaller Auk. There are but two
real eggs (plaster casts in imitation of the Auks
eggs are to be found in many collections) in
collections in this country, one in the Academy
of Natural Science, Philadelphia, and the other in
the National Museum, at Washington. Through
the kindness of Mr. Witmer Stone, of the
Academy of Natural Science, we are enabled to
show a full-sized reproduction from a
photograph of the egg in their collection.

Great Auk Dovekie.

Page 33

EGG OF THE GREAT AUK.
Photographed from the specimen in the Academy of Natural Science,
Philadelphia;
not more than ten or twelve of these eggs are in this country;
the one figured is one of the best marked specimens.

Page 34
34. Dovekie. Alle alle.

Range.--Coasts and islands of the North Atlantic and East Arctic oceans,
breeding in the Arctic regions and wintering as far south as the Middle States.
The little Dovekie or Sea Dove is the smallest member of the family, being
only 8 inches in length, and is the only member of the sub-family allinæ.

The form is very robust and the bill is short and stout. In summer the plumage
is black above; the throat and upper breast are sooty brown, and the under parts
are white, as are also the tips of the secondaries and edges of the scapulars.
They nest in large numbers on the Rocky cliffs of islands in the East Arctic.
Their single pale greenish blue egg is placed in a crevice of the rocks. Size
1.80 × 1.25. Data.--Greenland, June 8, 1893. Single egg laid in a crevice of a
sea cliff.

Dovekie.

Pale greenish blue.

MURRE--White, buff, or deep greenish blue.

Page 35

LONG-WINGED SWIMMERS. Order II. LONGIPENNES
SKUA AND JAEGERS. Family STERCORARIIDAE

Skuas and Jægers are birds having a Gull or Tern-like form and with a hooked
bill, the base of which is covered with a scaly shield. They have webbed feet
and are able to swim and dive, but they commonly get their living by preying
upon the Gulls and Terns, overtaking them by their superior speed and by their
strength and ferocity forcing them to relinquish their food. The Jægers
especially are one of the swiftest and most graceful birds that fly.

Page 36
35. Skua. Megalestris skua.

Range.--Coasts and islands of the North Atlantic,
chiefly on the European side; rare on the Atlantic
coast of North America.

Skuas are large (22 inches in length) and very
powerfully built birds, having the general form
of a Gull.

Their whole plumage is a dingy brownish black
color, palest below. Breeds in Iceland and
possibly on some of the islands in Hudson Strait.
The nest is a hollow on the ground in the marsh
grass and is lined with grass. The two eggs
which they lay have an olive greenish ground,
spotted with dark brown. Size 2.75 × 1.90.

36. Pomarine Jaeger. Stercorarius pomarinus.

Range.--Northern Hemisphere, breeding within
the Arctic Circle, more commonly in the Old
World.

In the breeding plumage, this Jæger has the
crown and face blackish; back and sides of head,
throat and under parts pure white, except the
pointed stiffened feathers of the neck which are

Skua. yellow. Back, wings and tail blackish, the latter
Pomarine Jæger. with the two middle feathers lengthened about

four inches beyond the rest
of the tail, and broad to the
tips, which are twisted so
that the feathers are vertical.
They breed throughout the
Arctic regions, but not as
commonly in America as the
following species. The nest
is on the ground in the marsh
grass and is made of grass
and moss. They lay two and
rarely three eggs of an olive
brown or greenish color.
These are spotted with
brown and black. Size 2.20 × Olive brown.
1.70.

Deep olive brown.

Page 37
37. Parasitic Jaeger. Stercorarius parasiticus.

Range.--Northern Hemisphere, wintering south to South America.

The Parasitic Jæger is very similar to the Pomarine except that the central tail
feathers are pointed and are straight instead of twisted. It is an abundant bird in
Alaska, breeding from the Aleutian Chain northward.

They locate their nests in the highest parts of marshy places, the nest itself
being only a depression in the ground lined with grass and moss. The two eggs
have an olive greenish or brownish ground and are marked with various shades
of brown and black. Size 2.15 × 1.65.

38. Long-tailed Jaeger. Stercorarius
longicaudus.

Range.--Arctic America; south in winter to South
America.

The long-tailed Jæger is, according to length, the
largest of the Jægers, being 21 in. long; this is,
however, due to the long sharp pointed central
pair of tail feathers, which extend about eight
inches beyond the others, and from the most
noticeable distinguishing point from the former
species. The plumages that have been described
are the light phases; all the Jægers have a dark
phase in which the plumage is a nearly uniform
sooty brown, lightest below.

The Long-tailed Jægers are the most numerous
in Alaska and are even more graceful in flight
than are the Gulls and Terns, floating, skimming,
sailing, plunging, and darting about with
incredible swiftness and ease. Like the others of
this family, they pilfer their food from the Gulls,
and are also very destructive to young birds and
eggs. Their eggs are either laid on the bare
ground or in a slight depression, scantily lined
with grasses. The eggs are indistinguishable
from those of the preceding species except that Parastic Jæger.
they average a trifle smaller. Size 2.10 × 1.50. Long-tailed Jæger.

Brownish.

Olive brown.

Page 38

GULLS and TERNS. Family LARIDÆ

Gulls are webbed footed birds having a slight hook to the end of the upper
mandible. Their plumage is generally a silvery gray above and white below.
They nest in large colonies, some on the islands of fresh water inland, but
mostly on the sea coast. They procure their food from the surface of the water,
it consisting mostly of dead fish and refuse matter, and crustacea which they
gather from the waters edge. When tired they rest upon the surface of the
water, where they ride the largest waves in perfect safety.

Terns are birds of similar plumage to the Gulls, but their forms are less robust
and the bills are generally longer and sharply pointed. Their food consists
chiefly of small fish which they secure by hovering above the water, and then
plunging upon them. They are less often seen on the surface of the water than
are the Gulls.

CHARACTERISTIC NEST OF A LOON.

Page 39
39. Ivory Gull. Pagophila alba.

Range.--Arctic regions; south in winter to the
northern border of the United States.

The little Snow Gull, as it is often called, is
eighteen inches in length. In the breeding season
the plumage is entirely white; the bill is tipped
with yellow and there is a red ring around the
eye. These Gulls nest in large colonies in the
Arctic Regions, placing their nests on the high
rocky cliffs. The nest is made of grass, moss and
rubbish, and the three eggs are laid during June.
The eggs are olive color and the markings are
dark brown.

40. Kittiwake. Rissa tridactyla trydactyla.

Range.--North Atlantic and Arctic regions,
breeding from the Gulf of the St. Lawrence
northward and wintering south to the Great
Lakes and Long Island.

The Kittiwake is sixteen inches in length, has a
pearly gray mantle, black tips to the primaries,
and remainder of plumage white. Its hind toe is
very small being apparently wanting in the
eastern form, while in the Pacific it is more
developed. These are very noisy Gulls, their
notes resembling a repetition of their name. They
Ivory Gull.
are very common in the far north, placing nests
on the ledges of high rocky cliffs, often in Kittiwake.
company with Murres and Auks.

They gather together a pile
of sticks, grass and moss,
making the interior cup-
shaped so as to hold their
two or three eggs. Large
numbers of them breed on
Bird Rock, they occupying
certain ledges while the
Gannets and Murres, which
also breed there, also have
distinct ledges on which to
White. make their homes. The
breeding season is at its
height during June. The eggs are buffy or brownish gray and are spotted with
different shades of brown. Size 2.25 × 1.60. Data.--So. Labrador, June 15,
1884. Three eggs. Nest made of seaweed and moss, placed on ledge of cliff.
Many Murres nesting on other ledges.

Page 40
40a. Pacific Kittiwake. Rissa tridactyla
pollicaris.

Range.--Coast of the North Pacific, wintering
south to California.

The Pacific Kittiwake breeds in immense
rookeries on some of the islands in Bering Sea.
They are well distributed over Copper Island
where they nest in June and July, choosing the
high ledges which overhang the sea. The nesting
habits and eggs are precisely the same as those
of the common Kittiwake.

41. Red-legged Kittiwake. Rissa brevirostris.

Range.--Northwestern coasts, breeding in high
latitudes.

This Kittiwake is similar to the preceding, with
the exception that the legs are bright red, the
mantle is darker, and the bill is shorter. This
species was found by Dr. Leonard Stejneger to
be a very abundant nesting bird on islands in
Bering Sea, selecting steep and inaccessible
rocks and ledges on which to build its nest. Their
Red-legged Kittiwake. nesting habits are precisely the same as the
Glaucus Gull. Pacific Kittiwake, but they most often nest in
separate colonies, but can be distinguished
readily when nesting
together by the darker
mantles when on the nest
and the red legs when flying.
Grass, moss and mud are
used in the nest. The ground
color of the eggs is buffy or
brownish, and the spots are
dark brown and lilac. Size
2.15 × 1.50.

42. Glaucous Gull. Larus
Brownish buff.
hyperboreus.

Range.--Arctic regions, south in winter to Long Island, the Great Lakes, and
San Francisco Bay.

This Gull shares with the Great Black-backed Gull the honor of being the
largest of the Gulls, being 28 inches in length. Mantle light gray; it is
distinguished by its size and the primaries, which are white to the tips. A
powerful bird that preys upon the smaller Gulls and also devours the young
and eggs of smaller birds.

They nest on the ground on the islands and shores of Hudson Bay, Greenland,
etc. The nest is made of seaweed, grass and moss and is generally quite bulky.
The two or three eggs are laid in June. They are of various shades of color
from a light drab to a brownish, and are spotted with brownish and black. Size
about 3.00 × 2.20.

Page 41
42.1. Point Barrow Gull. Larus barrovianus.

Range.--Northwest coast from Bering Sea to Point Barrow.

This species is almost identical with
the Glaucus Gull, averaging perhaps a
trifle smaller. Its standing as a distinct
species is still questioned and has not
yet been decided satisfactorily. Early
in June their nests are built on remote
islands in Bering Sea. These nests are
the same as the last species, large piles
of vegetation, hollowed on top for the
reception of the eggs. The eggs have
the same variations in color and
White. markings as the Glaucus Gull. Size
3.00 × 2.10. Data.--Herschel Is.,
Alaska, July 1, 1900. Nest made of
seaweed and grass; placed on the ground. Three eggs. Collector, Rev. I. O.
Stringer.

13. Iceland Gull. Larus leucopterus.

Range.--Arctic regions, south in winter to the Middle States.

This Gull in appearance is precisely like the two preceding ones but is
considerably smaller; 24 inches in length. A very common bird in the north,
breeding in colonies of thousands on many of the islands. It is regarded as one
of the most common of the larger Gulls in Bering Sea and also nests
commonly in Hudson Bay and Greenland, as well as in the Eastern
Hemisphere. They nest indifferently on high rocky cliffs or on low sandy

islands. Except when the eggs are laid
in a sandy depression in the soil, quite
bulky nests are made of seaweed and
moss. The eggs are laid about the first
of June; they number two to three and
have a ground color of brownish or
greenish brown and are blotched with
umber. Size 2.80 × 1.83. Data.--
Mackenzie Bay, Arctic America. June
18, 1899. Nest made of seaweed and
grass on an island in the bay.
Greenish brown.

Page 42
44. Glaucous-winged Gull. Larus glaucescens.

Range.--North Pacific coast, breeding from
British Columbia northwards and wintering from
the same country to southern California.

This Gull is very like the preceding except that
the primaries are the same color as the mantle,
and are tipped with white. Length about 27
inches. Not so northerly distributed a bird as the
previous ones, and consequently better known.
They breed in large numbers both on the high
rocky cliffs of the islands along the coast and on
the low sandy islands of the Aleutian Chain. On
Copper Island they breed on the inaccessible
cliffs overhanging the water. As in the case of the
Iceland Gull, when the nests are on the cliffs, a
large nest of seaweed is made, whereas if they
are on the ground, especially in sandy places no
attempt is made at nest-building. The eggs have
a greenish brown ground color and dark brown
spots. Size 2.75 × 2.05. Data.--West Coast of
Vancouver Island. June 20, 1896. Three eggs;
nest made of seaweed. Located on a low ledge.
Collector, Dr. Newcombe.

Iceland Gull. 45. Kumlien's Gull. Larus Kumlieni.
Glaucous-winged Gull.
Range.--North Atlantic coast, breeding in
Cumberland Sound and wintering as far south as
Long Island.

This bird differs from the
Glaucous-winged only in the
pattern of the gray markings
of the primaries and in
having a little lighter mantle.
It is quite common in its
breeding haunts where it
places its nest high up on the
ledges of the cliffs. The eggs
are not different apparently
from glaucescens.

46. Nelson's Gull. Larus
nelsoni.

Range.--Coast of Alaska. Pale greenish brown.

Plumage exactly like that of Kumlien Gull and questionably a new species.
The nests and eggs are not to be distinguished from the preceding.

Page 43
47. Great- Black-Backed Gull.Larus marinus.

Range.--North Atlantic on both the American and European sides; breeds from
Nova Scotia northward and winters south to the Great Lakes and the Middle
States.

The largest of the Gulls (thirty inches long) and unlike any other. The mantle is
dark slaty black, and the primaries are black with white tips. The bill is very
large and powerful and quite strongly hooked. They are quite abundant birds in
their range, and are very quarrelsome, both among themselves and other
species. They do not breed in as large colonies as do the other Gulls, half a
dozen pairs appropriating a small island to the exclusion of all other birds.
They are very rapacious birds and live to a great extent, especially during the
breeding season, upon the eggs and young of other birds such as Ducks,
Murres and smaller Gulls. They place their nests upon the higher portions of
sandy islands. They are made of grasses and seaweed. The three eggs are laid
early in June; they are grayish or brownish, spotted with brown and lilac. Size
3.00 × 2.15. Data.--South Labrador, June 21, 1884. Three eggs. Nest on a
small island off the coast; of grasses and moss.

48. Slaty-backed Gull.--Larus schistisagus.

Range.--North Pacific and Arctic Oceans.

This Gull, which is similar to the Great Black-backed, but is smaller and has a
lighter mantle, does not breed in any considerable numbers on the American

side of the Pacific. It nests in June on some of
the islands in Bering Sea and probably more
commonly farther north. They often nest in
company with other species, placing their small
mounds of seaweed on the ground on the higher
parts of the islands. The full set contains three
eggs of grayish or brownish color, spotted with
dark brown or black. Size 2.90 × 2.00. Data.--
Harrowby Bay, N. W. T. Canada, June 11, 1901.
Nest of grass, roots and mud and lined with dry
grass; on point making into the bay. Collector,
Capt. H. H. Bodfish.

Great Black-Backed Gull.
Kumlien's Gull.

Grayish buff.

Page 44 49. Western Gull. Larus occidentalis.

Range.--Pacific Coast, breeding from southern
California to British Columbia.

This bird, which is the most southerly distributed
of the larger Gulls is twenty-four inches in
length. Mantle slate colored; primaries black,
both these and the secondaries being broadly
tipped with white. These Gulls nest abundantly
on the Farallones, the majority of them showing
a preference for the lower portions of the island,
although they nest on the ledges also. Besides
man, these Gulls are the greatest enemies that the
Murres have to content against. They are always
on the watch and if a Murre leaves its nest, one
of the Gulls is nearly always ready to pounce
upon the egg and carry it away bodily in his bill.
The Gulls too suffer when the eggers come, for
their eggs are gathered up with the Murres for
the markets. They make their nests of weeds and
grass, and during May and June lay three eggs
showing the usual variations of color common to
the Gulls eggs. Size 2.75 × 1.90.

50. Siberian Gull. Larus affinis.
Western Gull.
Herring Gull. This bird does not nest in North America, and
has a place on our list, by its accidental
occurrence in Greenland. It is an Old World
species and its nesting habits and eggs are like those of the Herring Gull.

51. Herring Gull. Larus argentatus.

Range.--Whole of the Northern Hemisphere, breeding from Maine and British
Columbia northward and wintering south to the Gulf.

This Gull, which formerly was No. 51a, a subspecies of the European variety,
is now regarded as identical with it, and is no longer a sub-species. It is
twenty-four inches in length, has a light gray mantle and black primaries which
are tipped with white. The Herring Gulls nest in colonies in favorable localities
throughout their range, chiefly on the coasts and islands. A few pairs also nest
on islands in some of the inland bodies of fresh water. Except in places where
they are continually molested, when they will build in trees, they place their
nests on the ground either making no nest on the bare sand, or building a bulky
nest of seaweed in the grass on higher parts of the island. They lay three eggs
of a grayish color marked with brown. In rare cases unspotted bluish white
eggs are found. Size 2.80 × 1.70.

Buff.

Page 45
52. Vega Gull. Larus vegae.

Range.--Coast of Alaska, south in winter to
California.

Similar to the Herring Gull, but with the mantle
darker, but not so dark as in the Western Gull.
The nesting habits and eggs are the same as
those of the Herring Gull, except that in a series,
the eggs of the Vega will average a little darker
in ground color. It nests during May on the
coasts and islands of Bering Sea, placing its eggs
in a hollow on the ground. Size 2.75 × 1.65.

53. California Gull. Larus californicus.

Range.--Western North America, breeding in the
interior.

A smaller Gull than the Herring with the
primaries grayish instead of black; length
twenty-five inches. This Gull is found in winter
on the coast from British Columbia southward to
Lower California, but nests in the interior from
Utah northward. They nest very abundantly
around the Great Salt Lake, placing their nests
generally upon the bare ground. Sometimes there Ring-billed Gull.
is a scant lining of grasses or weeds and again California Gull.
the nests will be situated in the midst of a
tussock of grass. Three or four eggs generally
constitute a set, but occasionally five are laid. The usual nesting time is during

May. They show the same
great variations in color and
markings common to most
of the Gulls. Size 2.60 ×
1.80.

54. Ring-billed Gull. Larus
delawarenis.

Range.--Whole of North
America, breeding from the
United States northward and
wintering south to the Gulf
Grayish brown. States.

A small Gull, eighteen
inches in length, with a light gray mantle, black primaries with white tips, and
always to be distinguished in the breeding season by the black band around the
middle of the greenish yellow bill. They nest in enormous colonies on islands
in the interior of the country and in smaller colonies on the coasts. Thousands
of them breed on the lakes of the Dakotas and northward. The majority of them
nest on the ground, although on the coast they are often found on the cliffs.
They commonly lay three eggs placing them in a slight hollow in the ground,
generally on the grassy portions of the islands. The color varies from grayish
to brownish, marked with brown and lilac. The height of the nesting season is
in June. Size of eggs, 2.80 × 1.75.

Page 46
55. Short-billed Gull. Larus brachyrhynchus.

Range.--Breeds from the interior of British Columbia northward to Alaska;
south in winter to Lower California.

The Short-billed or American Mew Gull is seventeen inches in length, has a
short, stout bill and is otherwise similar to the preceding species. Nests on
islands in the lakes and along the river banks of Alaska. The nest is made of
grass, weeds and moss and is placed on the ground. Early in June the birds lay
their set of three eggs, the ground color of which is greenish brown marked
with dark brown. Size 2.25 × 1.60. Data.--Mackenzie River, N. W. T., June 18,
1900. Three eggs. Nest made of seaweed and grass and placed on the ground
on an island in the river.

56. Mew Gull. Larus canus.

This is the European variety of the above species, breeding commonly both in
the British Isles and northern Europe. This species is given a place in our
avifauna because of its accidental appearance in Labrador.

57. Heerman's Gull. Larus heermanni.

Range.--Pacific Coast of North America from
British Columbia south to Panama, breeding
chiefly south of the United States border.

A very handsome species, often called the
White-headed Gull, and wholly unlike any other;
length seventeen inches. Adults, in summer, have
the entire head, neck and throat white, this
shading quite abruptly into the slaty upper and
under parts; the primaries and tail are black, the
latter and the secondaries being tipped with
white. The legs and bill are vermilion. They are
found off the coast of California, but are not
believed to breed there. They are known to breed
on some of the islands off the Mexican coast
nesting on the ground the same as the other
species. The three eggs are greenish drab in color
and are marked with different shades of brown
and lilac. Size 2.45 × 1.50.

Short-billed Gull.
Heerman's Gull.

Pale greenish-brown.

Page 47
58. Laughing Gull. Larus atricilla.

Range.--Eastern North America, breeding from
the Gulf to Nova Scotia, chiefly on the coast. A
beautiful Gull, 16 inches long, with a dark slate
colored head, gray mantle, black primaries, and
white neck, underparts and tail. Bill and feet red.

This bird has its name from its peculiar laughing
cry when alarmed or angry; it is also called the
Black-headed Gull. They nest by thousands on
the islands off the Gulf Coast and along the
South Atlantic States. The nest is placed on the
ground and is made of seaweed. Three, four and
sometimes five eggs are laid, of a grayish to
greenish brown color, marked with brown and
lilac. Size 2.25 × 1.60. Data.--Timbalin Is., La., Laughing Gull.
June 3, 1896. Three eggs. Nest of drift grass
thrown in a pile about 8
inches high, slightly
hollowed on top, in low
marsh back of beach.
Collector, E. A. McIlhenny.

Pale grayish brown.

RING-BILLED GULL--Gray.

Page 48
59. Franklin's Gull. Larus franklini.

Range.--Interior North America, breeding from
middle United States northward.

Like the last but smaller and with the primaries
light. Underparts rosy in breeding season. Nests
very abundantly in the marshes of Minnesota and
northward. Nest made of grasses and placed in
the marsh grass barely above the surface of the
water. Eggs same color as the last but the
markings more inclined to zigzag lines. Size 2.10
× 1.40. Data.--Heron Lake, Minn., May 26,
1885. Nest of wet sedge stalks and rubbish
placed in a bunch of standing sedge in shallow
water; at least five thousand birds in rookery.
Collector, J. W. Preston.

60. Bonaparte's Gull. Larus philadelphia.

Range.--Breeds in the northern parts of North
America; winters from Maine and British
Columbia to the southern border of the United
Franklin's Gull. States.
Bonaparte's Gull.
Smaller than the last; 14 inches long. Plumage
similar, but bill slender and black. They nest in great numbers on the marshes
of Manitoba and to the northward. The nests, of sticks and grass, are placed on
the higher parts of the marsh and the usual complement of three eggs is laid
during the latter part of June. The eggs are grayish to greenish brown, marked
with dark brown and lilac. Size 1.90 × 1.30.

Grayish brown.

Pale grayish brown.

Page 49
60.1. Little Gull. Larus minutus.

This Gull is the smallest of the family; it is a European bird, and has
accidentally strayed to our shores but a few times. Its plumage is similar to that
of the Bonaparte Gull but the bill is red. It breeds in the marshes around the
Baltic Sea, placing its nest of dead vegetation on the highest parts of the
marsh. They lay three eggs of a greenish gray color marked with dark brown
and lilac. Size 1.75 × 1.25.

61. Roses Gull. Rhodostethia rosea.

Range.--The Arctic regions, south in winter to Alaska, Greenland, northern
Europe and Asia.

This beautiful bird is the most rare of all the Gulls, being very difficult to
obtain because of its extreme northerly distribution. It is in form and plumage
like Bonaparte Gull, with the exceptions that the head is white, there being a
narrow black collar around the neck, the tail is wedge shaped, and the whole
under parts from the chin to the tail are rosy in the breeding plumage. The
nests and eggs remain still undiscovered, although Nansen, in August 1896,

found a supposed breeding ground in Franz Josef
Land, because of the numbers of the birds, but
found no nests.

62. Sabine's Gull. Xema sabinii.

Range.--Arctic regions, breeding from Alaska
and Greenland and northward, and wintering
south to New England.

A handsome bird, having the slaty hood bordered
behind with a black ring, the primaries black,
white tipped, and the tail slightly forked. They
breed abundantly on the marshes of northern
Alaska and Greenland, nesting the same as
others of the species. The two or three eggs are
laid in June. They are greenish brown in color
and are marked with dark brown. Size 1.75 ×
1.25. Data.--Hudson Bay, August 1, 1894. Eggs
laid on the ground in the moss; no nest except
the hollow in the moss.

Rose Gull.
Sabine Gull.

Greenish brown.

Page 50
63. Gull-billed Tern. Gelochelidon nilotica.

Range.--Found in North America along
the Gulf Coast and on the Atlantic Coast
north to Virginia and casually farther.

This is one of the largest of the Terns, is
14 inches long, has a short, thick, black
bill and a short slightly forked tail; the
crown is black, mantle pearly gray, white
below. This species is very widely
distributed, being found in Europe,
Australia, Asia and Africa. They are
known locally as "Marsh Terns" where
Pale greenish buff.
they breed in immense numbers on some
of the marshes about the Gulf,
particularly in Texas. They also breed on many of the islands along the Coast,
rarely making any nest, but laying the eggs in a hollow in the sand. They nest
most abundantly in the latter part of May, generally laying three eggs. They are
of a yellowish, grayish or greenish buff color and are spotted with brown and
lilac. Size 1.80 × 1.30. Data.--Northampton Co., Va., May 28, 1882. Three
eggs laid on a mass of seaweed on marsh above tide water.

64. Caspian Tern. Sterna caspia.

Range.--Like the preceding species, this bird is nearly cosmopolitan in its
range, in North America breeding from the Gulf Coast and Texas northward to
the Arctic Regions.

This beautiful bird is the largest of
the Tern family, being about 22
inches in length, with the tail forked
about 1.5 inches. The bill is large,
heavy and bright red; the crest, with
which this and the next three species
are adorned, is black. The mantle is
pale pearl and the under parts white.
These Terns sometimes nest in large
colonies and then again only a few
pairs will be found on an island. In
Texas, the breeding season Grayish buff.
commences in May, it being later in
the more northern breeding grounds. They may be regarded as largely eastern
birds, as while they are common in the interior of the country, they are rarely
found on the Pacific Coast. Two or three eggs constitute a complete set; these
are laid on the sand in a slight hollow scooped out by the birds. They vary

from gray to greenish buff, marked with brown and lilac. Size 2.60 × 1.75.
Data.--Hat Island, Lake Michigan, July 1, 1896. No nest. Two eggs in a hollow
in the gravel. Fully a thousand terns nesting on about one acre. Collector,
Charles L. Cass.

Page 51
65. Royal Tern. Sterna maxima.

Range.--Temperate North and South America,
breeding in the United States locally from Texas
and the Gulf States northward to the northern
boundary of the United States.

The Royal Terns nest in great numbers on the
coasts and islands on the South Atlantic and Gulf
States and in the marshes of southern Texas.
Like the former species they lay two or three
eggs in a hollow on the bare sand. The eggs are
the same size but differ in being more pointed
and having a lighter ground and with the
markings more bold and distinct. Size 2.60 ×
1.70.

66. Elegant Tern. Sterna elegans.

Range.--Pacific Coast of South and Central
America; north to California in summer.

A similar bird to the Royal Tern, but easily
distinguished by its smaller size, slender bill, and
more graceful form. In the breeding plumage the
under parts of these Terns are tinged with rosy,
which probably first gave the birds their name. Gull-billed Tern.
They breed on the coasts and islands of Mexico Caspian Tern.
and Central America, placing their eggs on the Royal Tern.
sand. They are believed to lay but a single egg,
like that of the Royal Tern, but smaller. Size 2.40 × 1.40. Data.--Honduras,
Central America, June 5, 1899. Single egg laid on the sandy beach.

Grayish buff.

Cream color.

Page 52
67. Cabot Tern. Sterna sandvicensis acuflavida.

Range.--A tropical species breeding regularly north to the Bahamas and
Florida; casually farther north.

A beautiful bird distinguished from the three preceding ones by its smaller size
(sixteen inches) and by the bill which is black with a yellow tip. They nest in
colonies on the shores of islands in the West Indies and Bahamas, but not to a
great extent on the United States Coast. Their two or three eggs have a creamy
ground color, and are boldly marked with brown and black. Size 2.10 × 1.40.

68. Trudeau's Tern. Sterna trudeaui.

Range.--South America; accidentally along the coast of the United States.

A rare and unique species with a form similar to the following, but with the
coloration entirely different. About fifteen inches in length; tail long and
deeply forked; bill yellow with a band of black about the middle. Whole head

pure white, shading into the pearly color of the
upper and under parts. A narrow band of black
through the eye and over the ear coverts. A very
rare species that is supposed to breed in southern
South America. Given a place among North
American birds on the strength of a specimen
seen by Audubon off Long Island.

Elegant Tern.
Cabot's Tern.

Cream color.

Page 53
69. Forster's Tern. Sterna forsteri.

Range.--Temperate North America, breeding
from Manitoba, Mass., and California, south to
the Gulf Coast and Texas.

Length about fifteen inches; tail long and deeply
forked; crown black, back and wings pearl and
under parts white. Bill orange red. This species
and the three following are the most graceful of
birds in appearance and flight. Their movements
can only be likened to those of the Swallows,
from which they get the name of "Sea
Swallows." Their food consists of fish, which
they get by diving, and marine insects. They
breed by thousands in the marshes from
Manitoba to Texas and along the South Atlantic
coast. The eggs are laid in a hollow on the dry
grassy portions of the islands or marshes. They
generally lay three eggs and rarely four. They are
buffy or brownish spotted with dark brown and
lilac. Size 1.80 × 1.30. Data.--Cobb's Island, Va.,
June 8, 1887. Eggs in a hollow on grassy bank.
Collector, F. H. Judson.

70. Common Tern. Sterna hirundo.

Range.--Eastern North America, breeding both
on the coast and in the interior from the Gulf
States northward. Forsters Tern.
Common Tern.
This bird differs from the preceding chiefly in
having a bright red bill
tipped with black, and the
under parts washed with
pearl. These are the most
common Terns on the New
England coast, nesting
abundantly from Virginia to
Newfoundland. These
beautiful Terns, together
with others of the family,
Brownish buff.
were formerly killed by
thousands for millinery
purposes, but the practice is now being rapidly stopped. In May and June they
lay their three, or sometimes four eggs on the ground as do the other Terns.
They are similar to the preceding species but average shorter. Data.--Duck Is.,
Maine, June 30, 1896. Three eggs in marsh grass about fifty feet from beach.
No nest. Collector, C. A. Reed.

Buff.

Page 54
71. Arctic Tern. Sterna paradisaea.

Range.--Northern Hemisphere, breeding from
New England northward to the Arctic Regions
and wintering south to California and the South
Atlantic States. A similar bird to the last,
differing in having the bill wholly red and the
feet being smaller and weak for the size of the
bird. A more northern bird than the last, breeding
abundantly in Alaska, both on the coast and in
the interior. In the southern limits of its breeding
range, it nests in company with the Common
Tern, its nests and eggs being indistinguishable
from the latter. When their nesting grounds are
approached, all the birds arise like a great white
cloud, uttering their harsh, discordant "tearrr,
tearrr," while now and then an individual, bolder
than the rest, will swoop close by with an angry
"crack." On the whole they are timid birds,
keeping well out of reach. The nesting season is
early in June. Eggs like the preceding. Data.--
Little Duck Is., Me., June 29, 1896. Three eggs
in a slight hollow on the beach, three feet above
high water mark.

72. Roseate Tern. Sterna dougalli.

Range.--Temperate North America on the east
coast, breeding from New England to the Gulf.
Arctic Tern.
Roseate Tern. These are the most beautiful birds, having a
Aleutian Tern. delicate pink blush on the under parts during the
breeding season; the tail is very long and deeply

forked, the outer feathers
being over five inches longer
than the middle ones; the bill
is red with a black tip. They
nest in large colonies on the
islands from Southern New
England southward, placing
the nests in the short grass,
generally without any lining.
They lay two or three eggs Grayish or Brownish.
which are indistinguishable
from the two preceding species.

73. Aleutian Tern. Sterna aleutica.

Range.--Found in summer in Alaska and the Aleutian Islands.

South in winter to Japan. This handsome Tern is of the form and size of the
Common Tern, but has a darker mantle, and the forehead is white, leaving a
black line from the bill to the eye. They nest on islands off the coast of Alaska,
sometimes together with the Arctic Tern. The eggs are laid upon the bare
ground or moss, and are similar to the Arctic Terns, but average narrower. They
are two or three in number and are laid in June and July. Size 1.70 × 1.15.
Data.--Stuart Is., Alaska. Three eggs in a slight hollow in the moss.

Page 55
74. Least Tern. Sterna antillarum.

Range.--From northern South America to southern New England, Dakota and
California, breeding locally throughout its range.

These little Sea Swallows are the smallest of the Terns, being but 9 inches in
length. They have a yellow bill with a black tip, a black crown and nape, and
white forehead. Although small, these little Terns lose none of the grace and
beauty of action of their larger relatives.

They nest in colonies on the South Atlantic and Gulf Coasts, placing their eggs
upon the bare sand, where they are sometimes very difficult to see among the
shells and pebbles. They are of a grayish or buffy color spotted with umber and
lilac. They number two, three and rarely four, and are laid in May and June.
Size 1.25 × .95. Data.--DeSota Beach, Fla., May 20, 1884. Three eggs laid on
the sandy beach. Collector, Chas. Graham.

75. Sooty Tern. Sterna fuscata.

Range.--Tropical America, north to the South
Atlantic States. This species measures 17 inches
in length; it has a brownish black mantle, wings
and tail, except the outer feathers of the latter
which are white; the forehead and under parts
are white, the crown and a line from the eye to
the bill, black. This tropical species is very
numerous at its breeding grounds on the small
islands of the Florida Keys and the West Indies.
They lay but a single egg, generally placing it on
the bare ground, or occasionally building a frail
nest of grasses. The egg has a pinkish white or
creamy ground and is beautifully sprinkled with
spots of reddish brown and lilac. They are laid
during May. Size 2.05 × 1.45. Data.--Clutheria
Key, Bahamas, May 28, 1891. Single egg laid on
bare ground near water. Collector, D. P.
Ingraham.

Least Tern.
Sooty Tern.

Light buff.

Creamy white.

Page 56
76. Bridled Tern. Sterna anaetheta.

Range.--Found in tropical regions of both
hemispheres; casual or accidental in Florida.
This Tern is similar to the last except that the
nape is white and the white of the forehead
extends in a line over the eye.

The Bridled Tern is common on some of the
islands of the West Indies and the Bahamas,
nesting in company with the Sooty Terns and
Noddies. The single egg is laid on the seashore
or among the rocks. It is creamy white
beautifully marked with brown and lilac. Size
1.85 × 1.25. Data.--Bahamas, May 9, 1892.
Single egg laid in a cavity among the rocks.
Collector, D. P. Ingraham.

77. Black Tern. Hydrochelidon nigra
surinamensis.

Range.--Temperate America, breeding from the
middle portions of the United States northward
to Alaska; south in winter beyond the United
States Border.
Black Tern. The identity of these Terns cannot be mistaken.
Noddy. They are but ten inches in length; the whole
Black Skimmer. head, neck and under parts are black; the back,
wings and tail are slaty and the under tail coverts
are white. Their dainty figure with their long slender wings gives them a grace
and airiness, if possible, superior to other species of the family.

The
y
are
very
acti
ve
and
besi Deep greenish brown.
des
feed
ing upon all manner of Creamy white.
marine crustacea, they
capture many insects in the
air. They nest in large colonies in marshes, both along the coast and in the
interior, making a nest of decayed reeds and grasses, or often laying their eggs
upon rafts of decayed vegetation which are floating on the water. The nesting
season commences in May, they laying three eggs of a brownish or greenish
color, very heavily blotched with blackish brown. Size 1.35 × .95. Data.--
Winnebago City, Minn., May 31, 1901. Three eggs. Nest made of a mass of
weeds and rushes floating on water in a swamp. Collector, R. H. Bullis.

Page 57
78. White-winged Black Tern.
Hydrochelidon leucoptera.

Range.--Eastern Hemisphere, its addition
to American birds being made because of
the accidental appearance of one bird in
Wisconsin in 1873. They nest very
abundantly among the lakes and marshes
of southern Europe, placing their eggs the
same as the American species, upon
masses of decayed reeds and stalks.
Greenish buff.

They lay three eggs which have a somewhat brighter appearance than the
common Black Terns because of a somewhat lighter ground color.

79. Noddy. Anous stolidus.

Range.--Tropical America, north to the Gulf and South Atlantic States.

A
peculi
ar but
hands
ome
bird
(about
fifteen Buff.
inches
long),
with a
silvery
white
head
and
Noddy.
the
rest of
the plumage brownish, and the tail rounded.

They breed in abundance on some of the Florida Keys, the West Indies and the
Bahamas.

Their nests are made of sticks and grass, and are placed either in trees or on the
ground. They lay but a single egg with a buffy or cream colored ground spotted
with chestnut and lilac. Size 2.00 × 1.30. Atwood's Key, Bahamas, June 1,
1891. Nest made of sticks and grasses, three feet up a mangrove. Collector, D.
P. Ingraham.

Page 58

SKIMMERS. Family RYNCHOPIDÆ
Skimmers are Tern-like birds having a very strangely developed bill. The
lower mandible is much longer than the upper and very thin, the upper edge
being as sharp as the lower. The lower mandible is rounded at the end while
the upper is more pointed. Young Skimmers are said to have both mandibles of
the same length, the abnormal development not appearing until after flight.
Skimmers are very graceful birds, and, as implied by their name, they skim
over the surface of the water, rising and falling with the waves, and are said to
pick up their food by dropping the lower mandible below the surface, its thin
edge cutting the water like a knife. There are four species of Skimmers, only
one of which is found in North America.

80. Black Skimmer. Rynchops nigra.

Range.--The South Atlantic and Gulf Coasts,
breeding from New Jersey southward. The
Black Skimmer is about eighteen inches in
length, and besides the remarkable bill is a bird
of striking plumage; the forehead, ends of the
secondaries, tail feathers and under parts are
white; the rest of the plumage is black and the
basal half of the bill is crimson. Skimmers nest
in large communities, the same as do the Terns,
laying their eggs in hollows in the sand. They
Buffy yellow. are partially nocturnal in their habits and their
hoarse barking cries may be heard after the
shadows of night have enveloped the earth. Fishermen call them by the names
of "Cut-water" and "Sea Dog." The nesting season commences in May and
continues through June and July. They lay from three to five eggs, having a
creamy or yellowish buff ground, blotched with black, chestnut and lilac. Size
1.75 × 1.30. Data.--Cobb's Is., Va., June 8, 1894. Three eggs laid in a hollow
on the beach. No nest.

Page 59

TUBE-NOSED SWIMMERS. Order III.
TUBINARES.
ALBATROSSES. Family DIOMEDEIDAE

Albatrosses are the largest of the sea birds and
have an enormous expanse of wing, the
Wandering Albatross, the largest of the family,
sometimes attaining an expanse of fourteen feet.
Their nostrils consist of two slightly projecting
tubes, one on each side near the base of the bill.
They are unsurpassed in powers of flight, but are
only fair swimmers and rarely, if ever, dive,
getting their food, which consists of dead animal
matter, from the surface of the water.

81. Black-footed Albatross. Diomedea
nigripes.

Range.--North Pacific from California
northward. This Albatross is thirty-two inches in
length; it is of a uniform sooty brown color
shading into whitish at the base of the bill, which
is rounded. Like the other members of the
family, this species is noted for its extended
flights, following vessels day after day without
any apparent period of rest, for the purpose of
feeding on the refuse that is thrown overboard.
They breed during our winter on some of the
small isolated islands in the extreme southern
portions of the globe. They lay a single white
egg on the bare ground.

82. Short-tailed Albatross. Diomedea albatrus. Black-footed Albatross.
Short-tailed Albatross.
Range.--North Pacific Ocean in summer, from
Lower California to Alaska. With the exception
of the Wandering Albatross, which is now regarded as doubtful as occurring
off our coasts, the Short-tailed Albatross is one of the largest of the group,
measuring thirty-six inches in length, and has an extent of seven feet or more.
With the exception of the black primaries, shoulders and tail, the entire
plumage is white, tinged with straw color on the back of the head. They breed
on the guano islands in the North Pacific off the coasts of Alaska and Japan.
They lay a single white egg on the bare ground or rocks. As with the other

members of the family, the eggs are extremely variable in size, but average
about 4.25 × 2.50.

Page 60
82.1. Laysan Albatross. Diomedea immutabilis.

Range.--Laysan Island of the Hawaiian Group,
appearing casually off the coast of California.
This species breeds in large numbers on the
island from which it takes its name. The birds
are white with the exception of the back, wings
and tail, which are black. The birds, having been
little molested in their remote island, are
exceedingly tame, and it is possible to go among
the sitting birds without disturbing them. Mr.
Walter K. Fisher has contributed an admirable
report on this species in the 1913 Bulletin of the
Fish Commission, the report being illustrated
with numerous illustrations of the birds from
photos by the author. Their single white eggs are
laid on the bare ground.

83. Yellow-nosed Albatross. Thalassogeron
culminatus.

This is a species which inhabits the South Pacific
and Indian Oceans, and is said to rarely occur on
the California coast. They breed during our
winter on some of the small islands and during
our summer are ocean wanderers. An egg in the
collection of Col. John E. Thayer was taken on
Gough Island, South Atlantic Ocean; Sept. 1st,
1888. The nest was a mound of mud and grass
Laysan Albatross. about two feet in height. The single white egg
Yellow-nosed Albatross. measured 3.75 × 2.25. It was collected by
Sooty Albatross. George Comer.

84. Sooty Albatross. Phoebetria-palpebrata.

Range.--Southern seas, north in our summer along the Pacific coast of the
United States.

This species is entirely sooty brown except the white eyelids. It is similar to
the Black-footed Albatross from which species it can be distinguished in all
plumages by the narrow base of the bill, while the bill of the former species is
broad and rounded. They breed commonly on isolated islands in many quarters
of the southern hemisphere. Sometimes this species constructs a mound of

mud on which to deposit its single white egg, and also often lays it on the bare
ground or rock. A specimen in Mr. Thayer's collection, taken by Geo. Comer
on So. Georgia Is. in the South Atlantic ocean, was laid in a hollow among
loose stones on the ledge of an overhanging cliff. Size 4.10 × 2.75.

Page 61

EGG OF SOOTY ALBATROSS--White.

FULMARS, SHEARWATERS and PETRELS
Family PROCELLARIDAE

Fulmars, Shearwaters and Petrels are Gull-like birds with two nostril tubes
located side by side, in a single tube, on the top of the bill at its base.

The Fulmars are mostly northern birds while the majority of the Shearwaters
nest in the extreme south during our winter, and appear off our coasts during
the summer. Their food consists of fish or offal which they get from the surface
of the water; large flocks of them hover about fishermen, watching their
chance to get any food which falls, or is thrown, overboard.

Page 62
85. Giant Fulmar. Macronectes gigantea.

Range.--This Petrel is a native of the southern
seas and is only casually met with off the Pacific
coast.

It is the largest of the family, being about three
feet in length, and is normally a uniform sooty
color, although it has light phases of plumage.
They nest in December on many of the islands
south of Africa and South America, laying their
single white egg on the bare rocks.

86. Fulmar. Fulmarus glacialis glacialis.
Fulmar.
Range.--North Atlantic coasts from New
England northward, breeding from Hudson Bay
and southern Greenland northward.

This bird which is 19 inches in length, in the light phase has a plumage very
similar to that of the larger Gulls. They nest by thousands on rocky islands of
the north, often in company with Murres and Gulls. Owing to the filthy habits
of the Fulmars, these breeding grounds always have a nauseating odor, which
is also imparted to, and retained by the egg shell. Their single white eggs are
laid on the bare rocks, in crevices of the cliffs, often hundreds of feet above the
water. Size 2.90 × 2.00. Data.--St. Kilda, off Scotland. June 5, 1897. Single
egg laid on rock on side of sea cliff. Collector, Angus Gillies.

Page 63
86b. Pacific Fulmar. Fulmarus glacialis glupischa.

This sub-species of the preceding, has a darker mantle than the common
Fulmar; it is found on the northern Pacific coasts where it breeds on the high
rocky cliffs, the same as its eastern relative. They nest in large colonies, every
crevice in the rocks having its tenant. Their flight is graceful like that of the
Gulls, which they closely resemble. They lay but a single white egg, the
average dimensions of which are slightly smaller than those of the common
Fulmar. Data.--Copper Is., Alaska. May 14, 1889. Egg laid in a crevice among
the cliffs.

86.1. Rodger's Fulmar. Fulmarus rodgers.

Range.--North Pacific, breeding in large numbers on some of the islands in
Bering Sea; south to California in winter. Very similar to the two preceding
species except that the back is mixed with whitish, it is not believed to have a
dark phase. Their breeding habits and eggs do not differ from the common
Fulmar. The eggs are laid on the rocky cliffs during June.

87. Slender-billed Fulmar. Priocella glacialoides.

Range.--Southern seas, appearing on the Pacific coast of the United States in
the summer. This species has a paler mantle than the others of the family, and
the primaries are black. The make-up and plumage of the whole bird is more

like that of the Gulls than any of the others. They
probably breed in the far south during our winter,
although we have no definite data relative to
their nesting habits.

Pacific Fulmar.
Slender-billed Fulmar.

Page 64
88. Cory's Shearwater. Puffinus borealis.

This species probably breeds in the far south. It has been found only off the
coast of Massachusetts and Long Island. This is the largest of our Shearwaters,
and can be distinguished from the next species by its wholly white underparts,
its light mantle and yellowish bill. We have no data relative to its nesting
habits.

89. Greater Shearwater. Puffinus gravis.

Range.--The whole of the Atlantic Ocean.

Thousands of them spend the latter part of the
summer off the New England coast, where they
are known to the fishermen as Haglets. Their
upper parts are brownish gray, darker on the
wings; bill and feet dark; underparts white, with
the middle of the belly and the under tail covers
dusky. Length about 20 inches. Little is known
concerning their nesting quarters, although they
are said to breed in Greenland. From the fact of
their early appearance off the New England coast
it is probable that the greater part of them nest in
the far south.

90. Manx Shearwater. Puffinus puffinus.

This species inhabits the North Atlantic ocean
chiefly on the European side, being abundant in
the Mediterranean and in the British Isles.

Thesebirds deposit
their single pure
white eggs in
crevices among the
cliffs, on the
ground or in
burrows dug by
themselves. Size of
Cory Shearwater. egg 2.35 × 1.60.
Greater Shearwater. Data.--Isle of Hay,
North Scotland.
June 1, 1893.
Single egg laid at the end of a three foot burrow.

Audubon's Shearwater.

Egg of Audubon's Shearwater--White.

Page 65
91. Pink-footed Shearwater. Puffinus creatopus.

Range.--Pacific Ocean, north on American side
to California in summer.

This species, whose breeding habits are little
known, is similar in size and color to the Greater
Shearwater, differing chiefly in the yellowish bill
and pinkish colored feet.

92. Audubon's Shearwater. Puffinus lherminieri.

Range.--Middle Atlantic, ranging north in late
summer to Long Island.

This bird, having a length of but twelve inches,
is the smallest of the Shearwaters found along
our coasts. Large colonies of them breed on
some of the small islands and keys of the West
Indies and Bahamas, and not so commonly in the
Bermudas. Their eggs, which are pure white, are
deposited at the end of burrows dug by the birds.
Size of egg 2.00 × 1.35. Their nesting season
commences about the latter part of March and
continues through April and May. After the
young are able to fly, like other members of the
family, the birds become ocean wanderers and
stray north to southern New England. Data.--
Bahamas, April 13, 1891. Single egg laid at the
end of a burrow about two feet in length.
Collector, D. P. Ingraham.
Pink-footed Shearwater.
92.1. Allied Shearwater. Puffinus assimilis. Black-vented Shearwater.
Townsend's Shearwater.
This is an Australian and New Zealand species
that has accidentally strayed to the shores of Nova Scotia.

93. Black-vented Shearwater. Puffinus opisthomelas.

Range.--Middle Pacific coast of the Americas, north in late summer along the
coast of California. This species breeds commonly on the islands off the coast
of Lower California, especially on the Gulf side. Their single egg is white, size
2.00 × 1.30, and is located at the end of a burrow. Data.--Natividad Is., Lower

California, April 10, 1897. Single egg laid on the sand at the end of a burrow
six feet in length. Collector, A. W. Anthony.

93.1. Townsend's Shearwater. Puffinus auricularis.

This bird ranges from Cape St. Lucas, south along the Pacific coast of Mexico,
breeding on the Revillagigedo Islands off the Mexican coast.

Page 66
94. Sooty Shearwater. Puffins fuliginosus.

Range.--A common species off the Atlantic coast
in summer; breeds along our northern coasts, and
it is also supposed that many of them nest in
southern seas and reach our coasts early in the
summer. These Shearwaters are entirely sooty
gray, being somewhat lighter below. They are
called "black haglets" by the fishermen, whose
vessels they follow in the hope of procuring bits
of refuse. They commonly nest in burrows in the
ground, but are also said to build in fissures
among the ledges. Their single white egg
measures 2.55 × 1.75. Data.--Island in Ungava
Bay, northern Labrador, June 14, 1896. Egg laid
in a fissure of a sea cliff. Collector, A. N. Sooty Shearwater.
McFord.

95. Dark-bodied Shearwater. Puffinus griseus.

This is a southern species which, after having nested on islands in the far south
during our winter, comes north and appears off the Pacific coast of the United
States during the summer. It is a similar bird to the Sooty Shearwater, but is
considerably darker and the under coverts are whitish. Their nesting habits are
the same as those of other members of the family. Size of egg, 2.40 × 1.65.
Data.--Stewart's Island, New Zealand, February 15, 1896. Single egg at the end
of a long burrow.

96. Slender-billed Shearwater. Puffinus tenuirostris.

Range.--Northern Pacific Ocean in the summer, extending from Japan and
Alaska southward. Supposed to breed in the southern hemisphere, as well as
probably on some of the Aleutians in Alaska.

96.1. Wedge-tailed Shearwater. Puffinus cuneatus.

Range.--North Pacific, breeding on the
Revillagigedo Islands off the coast of Mexico,
and probably on some of the small islands in the
Gulf of California.

97. Black-tailed Shearwater. Priofinus cinerus.

This is a Shearwater which inhabits the southern
hemisphere, but which has accidentally
wandered to the Pacific coast of the United
States. It is dark above and whitish below, with
black under tail coverts. It breeds in the far
south.

Dark-bodied Shearwater.
Slender-billed Shearwater.

Page 67
98. Black-capped Petrel. Æstrelata hasitata.

This is not a common species; it is an inhabitant of tropical seas and has only
been casually found on our coasts or inland. It is a handsome species with
white forehead, underparts and nape with a small isolated black cap on the
crown; the rest of the upper parts are blackish. It is a native of the West Indies.

99. Scaled Petrel. Æstrelata scalaris.

This is another rare species which is an inhabitant of southern seas. A single
specimen taken in New York State gives it a claim as a doubtful North
American species. It is a handsome bird, the feathers of the grayish upperparts
being edged with white, thus giving it the appearance of being barred. Its eggs
have only been known to science within the past few years. Data.--
Preservation Inlet, New Zealand, June 7, 1900. Single white egg. Size 2.40 ×
1.75. Collector, P. Seymour. Parent bird taken with the egg.

100. Fisher's Petrel. Æstralata fisheri.

This is a handsome bird known only from the
type specimen taken off Kadiak Is., Alaska, by
Mr. Fisher.

101. Bulwer's Petrel. Bulweria bulweri.

An eastern Atlantic species which is only an
accidental visitant to our shores. They breed on
the Madeira Islands where the eggs are laid in
crevices among the rocks or in burrows in the
ground. Size 1.75 × 1.55, white.

102. Pintado Petrel. Daption capensis.

This is the Cape Pigeon of the southern
hemisphere. It has only accidentally occurred on
our coast.

Black-capped Petrel.
Scaled Petrel.
Fisher's Petrel.

Page 68
103. Least Petrel. Halocyptena microsoma.

Range.--Pacific coast of America from Lower California to Panama. The Least
Petrel is the smallest of this family, in length measuring only 5.75 inches. Their
plumage is entirely dark sooty. They have been found breeding on San Benito
Island, Lower California, and they probably do on others farther south. The
single egg that this bird lays is white with a wreath of fine black specks around
one and sometimes both ends. Data.--San Benito Is., Lower California, June
12, 1897. No nest, the egg being simply laid on the bare rock in a crevice. Size
1.00 × .75. Collector, A. W. Anthony.

104. Storm Petrel. Thalassidroma pelagica.

North Atlantic Ocean chiefly on the European side, wintering south to New
Brunswick. Smallest of the white rumped, black petrels; 5.75 inches in length.

This species is the
originally called
"Mother Cary's
Chicken" by the sailors.
They nest abundantly
on many of the islands
off the coasts of Europe
and the British Isles, White.
laying their single egg
either in burrows or crevices among the cliffs.
Data.--Coast of County Kerry, Ireland, June 1,
1895. Single egg laid at the end of burrow in a
sea cliff. Size 1.05 × .80; white with a wreath of
very fine dots about the larger end. Collector, G.
H. McDonald.

105. Forked-tailed Petrel. Oceanodroma
furcata.

Range.--North Pacific from California to Alaska,
breeding in the Aleutians.

These birds have a plumage of bluish gray, the
wings being darker and the underparts lightest.
The nests are made in burrows or crevices in the
banks. Data.--Uniak Is., Alaska, June 10, 1900.
No nest. Single egg laid at the end of a burrow.
Least Petrel. Several pairs nesting near. Egg white with a fine
Stormy Petrel. wreath of purplish black specks about the large
Forked-tailed Petrel. end. Size 1.25 × .95.

Page 69
105.2. Kæding's Petrel. Oceanodroma kædingi.

This bird is similar to Leach Petrel, but is smaller and the tail is less deeply
forked. Its range is from California to Panama breeding on the Revillagigedo
Islands off Mexico.

106. Leach's Petrel. Oceanodroma leucorhoa.

Range.--North Atlantic and North Pacific
Oceans, breeding from Maine and from the
Farallones, northward to Greenland and the
Aleutians.

These are the most common of the Petrels found
on our coast; they are eight inches in length, of a
sooty brown color, and have a white rump. The
forked tail will at once distinguish them from
any of the Atlantic Petrels. They nest in burrows
in the ground, laying a pure white egg,
sometimes with a very faint dusty wreath about
the larger end. Size 1.20 × .95. These birds
generally take turns in the task of incubation,
one remaining at sea during the day and
returning at night while his mate takes her turn
roving the briny deep in search of food.

The young are fed by
regurgitation upon an
oily fluid which has a
very offensive odor.
This odor is always
noticeable about an
island inhabited by
Petrels and is always
White. retained by the eggs or
skins of these birds. Kæding's Petrel.
They are very rarely seen flying in the vicinity of Leach's Petrel.
their nesting island during the day; the bird that Guadalupe Petrel.
is on the nest will remain until removed by hand.
Data.--Pumpkin Is., Maine, June 22, 1893. Single egg; nest of a few grasses at
the end of a burrow dug in the bank. Collector, J. Lefavour.

106.1 Guadalupe Petrel. Oceanodroma
macrodactyla.

This species, which is very similar to the
preceding, except for a longer and more deeply
forked tail, breeds on Guadalupe Is. Their eggs
are white very minutely wreathed with reddish
brown; they are, however, nearly always nest
stained to an uneven brownish color. Data.--
Guadalupe Is., Lower California, March 24, White, nest stained.
1897. Single egg laid on a few oak leaves and
pine needles at the end of a three foot burrow. Size of egg 1.40 × 1.00.
Collector, A. W. Anthony.

Page 70
107. Black Petrel. Oceanodroma melania.

Range.--South Pacific, from southern California
southward, breeding on the small islands on both
coasts of Lower California. They are similar to
the Leach's Petrel except that the rump is
blackish. Data.--San Benito Is., Lower
California, July 23, 1896. White egg laid on bare
ground at the end of three foot burrow. Size 1.40
× 1. Collector, A. W. Anthony.

108. Ashy Petrel. Oceanodroma homochroa.

Range.--California coast, breeding on the
Farallones and Santa Barbara Islands.

This species, while not common, nests in all
manner of localities on the Farallones,
concealing their eggs under any rock or in any
crevice that may attract their fancy. Their single
white egg is only faintly if at all wreathed with
fine dust-like specks of reddish brown. Size 1.15
× .86. Data.--Farallone Is., California, June 12,
1895. Egg laid on sand in crevice at the base of a
stone wall; well concealed. Collector, Chester
Barlow.
Black Petrel.
108.1. Socorro Petrel. Oceanodroma
Ashy Petrel.
socorroensis.

Breeds on Socorro, San Benito and Coronado Islands, placing its eggs at the
end of burrow. Data.--San Benito Is., Lower California, July 12, 1897. Single
egg at the end of a burrow 3 feet in length. Egg pure white very finely
wreathed with pale reddish brown. Size 1.15 × .87. Collector, A. W. Anthony.

Page 71
109. Wilson's Petrel. Oceanites oceanicus.

Breeds in the southern hemisphere in February
and March and spends the summer off the
Atlantic coast as far north as Newfoundland.
This species can be distinguished from Leach
Petrel by its square tail and from the Stormy
Petrel by its large size and yellow webs to its
feet. These birds are the greatest wanderers of
the genus, being found at different seasons in
nearly all quarters of the globe. Their single egg
is white. Size 1.25 × .90.

110. White-bellied Petrel. Fregetta grallaria.

A small species (length about 7.5 inches)
inhabiting southern seas. Recorded once at
Florida. General plumage blackish. Upper tail
coverts, bases of tail feathers, under wing
coverts, and abdomen, white.

111. White-faced Petrel. Pelagodroma marina.

Range.--Southern seas, accidentally north to the
coast of Massachusetts. This beautiful species is
of about the same size as the Leach's Petrel. It
has bluish gray upper parts; the whole under
parts, as well as the forehead and sides of head,
are white. Wilson's Petrel.
White-billed Petrel.
These birds have the same characteristics as do White-faced Petrel.
others of the species, pattering over the water
with their feet as they skim
over the crests and troughs
of the waves. They are not
uncommon in the waters
about New Zealand where
they breed. Their single eggs
are about the same as
White. Leach's Petrel, are brilliant
white and are, very strongly,
for a Petrel egg, wreathed about the large end with dots of reddish brown. Size
1.32 × .90. Data.--Chatham Is., New Zealand, January 7, 1901. Egg laid at end
of a burrow. Collector, J. Lobb. This egg is in Mr. Thayer's collection.

Page 72

TOTIPALMATE SWIMMERS. Order IV.
STEGANOPODES
TROPIC BIRDS. Family PHAETHONTIDAE

Tropic Birds are Tern-like birds, having all the toes connected by a web, and
having the two central tail feathers very much lengthened.

112. Yellow-billed Tropic Bird. Phæthon
americanus.

Range.--Tropical regions, breeding in the
Bahamas, West Indies and the Bermudas, casual
in Florida and along the South Atlantic coast.

The Tropic Birds are the most strikingly
beautiful of all the sea birds; they are about 30
inches in length, of which their long slender tail
takes about 20 inches. They fly with the ease and
grace of a Tern, but with quicker wing beats.
They feed on small fish, which they capture by
darting down upon, and upon snails which they
get from the beach and ledges. They build their
nests in the crevices and along the ledges of the
rocky cliffs. While gregarious to a certain extent
they are not nearly as much so as the Terns. The
nest is made of a mass of seaweed and weeds;
but one egg is laid, this being of a creamy or pale
purplish ground color, dotted and sprinkled with
chestnut, so thickly as to often obscure the
ground color. Size 2.10 × 1.45. Data.--Coney Is.,
Bermudas, May 1, 1901. Nest made of moss and
seaweed in a crevice on ledge of cliff. Collector,
A. H. Verrill.

Yellow-billed Tropic Bird.
Red-billed Tropic Bird.

Dull purplish.

Page 73
113. Red-billed Tropic Bird. Phæthon æthereus.

Range.--Tropical seas, chiefly in the Pacific Ocean; north to southern
California.

They breed on several islands in the
Gulf of California. This species differs
from the preceding in having a red bill,
and the back being barred with black.
Their plumage has a peculiar satiny
appearance and is quite dazzling when
viewed in the sunlight. They are strong
fliers and are met with, hundreds of
miles from land. They often rest upon
the water, elevating their long tails to
keep them from getting wet. They nest,
Pale purplish. as do the preceding species, on rocky
islands and are said to also build their
nests in trees or upon the ground. The single egg that they lay has a creamy
ground and is minutely dotted with chestnut. Size 2.40 × 1.55. Data.--Daphone
Is., Galapagos Is., South Pacific, March 6, 1901. Egg laid in hole of a sea cliff.
The eggs are easily told from those of the yellow-billed by their much larger
size. Collector, R. H. Beck.

113.1 Red-tailed Tropic Bird. Phæthon rubricaudus.

Range.--Tropical regions of the Pacific and Indian Oceans, accidental off the
coast of Lower California.

This is a singularly beautiful species resembling the latter except that the
central tail feathers are bright red, with the extreme tips white. During August
and September they breed in large colonies on small islands in the South Seas.

On Mauritius Island they build their
nests either in the trees or place them
on the ground; the nest is made of
seaweed, sticks and weeds; numbers of
them nest on Laysan Is., of the
Hawaiian group, concealing their nests
on the ground under overhanging
brush.

The single egg has a pale purplish
ground speckled with brown.
Pale purplish ground color.

Page 74

GANNETS. Family SULIDAE
Gannets are large stoutly built birds, having the
four toes joined by a web; they have a small
naked pouch beneath the bill; the bill is a little
longer than the head, and the tail is quite short.
The plumage of the adults is generally white, that
of the young grayish.

114. Blue-faced Booby. Sula syanops.

Range.--Widely distributed in the tropical seas,
north casually to Florida and breeding in the
Bahamas.

Like the rest of the Gannets, this one is stupid
and will often remain on the nest until removed
with the hand, merely hissing at the intruder.
Often they lay their eggs on the bare ground, but
sometimes the nest is lined with seaweed or
grass. They lay either one or two eggs early in
April. These eggs are of a dull white color and
are heavily covered with a chalky deposit. Size
2.50 × 1.70. Data.--Clarion Is., Mexico, May 24,
1897. Nest a mere hollow in the sand near the
beach. Collector, A. W. Anthony.

114.1. Blue-footed Booby. Sula nebouxi.

Range.--Pacific coasts and islands from the Gulf
of California southward to Chili. Blue-faced Booby.
Blue-footed Booby.
These birds nest in numbers on the island of San
Pedro Martir in the Gulf of California. They lay but a single egg, placing it
upon the bare rock. Their breeding season extends from the latter part of March
into May. The egg is a dull white, generally nest stained and is covered with
the usual chalky deposit. Size 2.35 × 1.60. Data.--Clarion Island, Mexico, May
21, 1897. Two eggs in a hollow in the sand near the beach. Collector, A. W.
Anthony.

Page 75
115. Booby. Sula leucogastra.

Range.--Tropical coasts and islands of the
Atlantic; north casually to Georgia.

The common Booby is an abundant bird on some
of the islands of the Bahamas and Bermudas; it
is commonly called the Brown Booby because
the upper parts are of a brownish gray. These
birds, as do the other Gannets, have great powers
of flight and without apparent effort dart about
with the speed of an arrow. They are quite
awkward upon their feet and are not very
proficient swimmers. They rarely rest upon the
water except when tired. Hundreds and
sometimes thousands of them breed in company,
laying their eggs upon the bare rocks. Sometimes
a few sticks or grasses will be placed about the
bird to prevent the eggs from rolling away. They
generally lay two eggs, chalky white and nest
stained. Size 2.40 × 1.60. Data.--Key West,
Bahamas, April 14, 1891. No nest; two eggs laid
on the bare rocks.

115.1. Brewster's Booby. Sula brewsteri.

Range.--Pacific coast from Lower California
southward. This Gannet replaces the common Booby.
Booby on the Pacific coast. It nests abundantly Red-footed Booby.

on many islands in the Gulf
of California, and in
company with the blue-
footed variety, on San Pedro
Martir Island. They
generally lay two eggs,
placing them upon the bare
rocks and surrounding them
with a ring of sticks and
seaweed to keep them in
place. The eggs are chalky
white and cannot be
Chalky bluish white, nest stained. distinguished from those of
the other Boobies. Data.--
San Benedicto Is., Lower California, May 18, 1897. Single egg laid on the
sand amid a few blades of grass.

116. Red-footed Booby. Sula piscator.

This is another species that is only occasionally taken on the Florida coast. The
habits of the birds and their nesting habits are the same as those of the others
of the family. Two chalky white eggs are laid. Data.--San Benedicto Is., Lower
California, May 18, 1897. Single egg. Nest a few twigs of rank grass.
Collector, A. W. Anthony.

Page 76
117. Gannet. Sula bassana.

Range.--North Atlantic, breeding, in America,
only on Bird Rocks in the St. Lawrence.

These are the largest of the family, being 35
inches in length. They feed on fish which they
catch by diving upon, from the air. When flying
their neck is carried fully extended. They rest on
the water when tired, the numerous air cells
beneath the skin, causing them to sit high up in
the water and enabling them to weather the
severest storm in perfect safety. The only known
breeding place in America is Bird Rocks, where
they nest by thousands, placing their nests in
rows on the narrow ledges; the nests are made of
piles of seaweed, mud and stones. They lay but
one egg of dingy white color and covered with a
chalky deposit. On St. Kilda Island, off the coast
of Scotland, they breed by millions. They are
very tame and will frequently allow themselves
to be touched with the hand. It is said that
thousands of the young are killed by fishermen
every year and marketed in Edinburg and other
places. Data.--St. Kilda Island, Scotland, June
18, 1896. Single egg laid on a large mass of
Ganet Anhinga. seaweed on a sea cliff. Collector, H. McDonald.

Page 77

DARTERS. Family ANHINGIDAE
118. Water Turkey. Anhinga anhinga.

Range.--Tropical America, north to the South Atlantic States and up the
Mississippi Valley to Illinois.

Anhingas or Snake Birds are curiously
formed creatures with a Heron-like head
and neck, and the body of a Cormorant.
They live in colonies in inaccessible
swamps. Owing to their thin and light
bodies, they are remarkable swimmers,
and pursue and catch fish under water
with ease. When alarmed they have a
habit of sinking their body below water,
leaving only their head and neck visible,
Chalky bluish white. thereby having the appearance of a water
snake. They also fly well and dive from
their perch into the water with the greatest celerity.

They nest in colonies in the swamps, placing their nests of sticks, leaves and
moss in the bushes over the water. They breed in April, laying from three to
five bluish eggs, covered with a chalky deposit. Size 2.25 × 1.35. Data.--
Gainesville, Florida, May 18, 1894. Nest in the top of a button-wood tree,
made of leaves and branches, overhanging the water. Collector, George
Graham.

PELICAN POND.
Washington Zoological Park.

Page 78

CORMORANTS. Family
PHALACROCORACIDÆ
Cormorants have a more bulky body than do the Anhingas; their tail is shorter
and the bill strongly hooked at the tip. Cormorants are found in nearly all
quarters of the globe. They are very gregarious and most species are maritime.
They feed upon fish which they catch by pursuing under water. Most of the
Cormorants have green eyes.

Page 79
119. Cormorant. Phalacrocorax carbo.

Range.--The Atlantic coast breeding from Maine
to Greenland.

The common Cormorant or Shag is one of the
largest of the race, having a length of 36 inches.

In breeding plumage, the black head and neck
are so thickly covered with the slender white
plumes as to almost wholly obscure the black.

There is also a large white patch on the flanks.
They nest in colonies on the rocky shores of
Newfoundland and Labrador, placing their nests
of sticks and seaweed in rows along the high
ledges, where they sit, as one writer aptly
expresses it, like so many black bottles. A few
pairs also nest on some of the isolated rocky
islets off the Maine coast. During the latter part
of May and during June they lay generally four
or five greenish white, chalky looking eggs. Size
2.50 × 1.40. Data.--Black Horse Rock, Maine
coast, June 6, 1893. Four eggs in a nest of
seaweed and a few sticks; on a high ledge of
rock. Collector, C. A. Reed.

120. Double-crested Cormorant.
Phalacrocorax auritus auritus.

Range.--The Atlantic coast and also in the Cormorant.
interior, breeding from Nova Scotia and North Double-crested Cormorant.
Dakota northward.

This is a slightly smaller bird
than carbo, and in the
nesting season the white
plumes of the latter are
replaced by tufts of black
and white feathers from
above each eye. On the coast
they nest the same as carbo
and in company with them
on rocky islands. In the
interior they place their nests
Chalky greenish or bluish white. on the ground or
occasionally in low trees on
islands in the lakes. They
breed in large colonies, making the nests of sticks and weeds and lay three or
four eggs like those of the common Cormorant but averaging shorter. Size 2.30
× 1.40. Data.--Stump Lake, North Dakota, May 31, 1897. Nest of dead weeds
on an island. Six eggs. Collector, T. F. Eastgate.

Page 80

NESTS OF DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANTS.

Page 81
120a. Florida Cormorant. Phalacrocorax auritus floridanus.

This sub-species is a common breeding bird in the swamps and islands of the
Gulf coast and north to South Carolina and southern Illinois. The nests are
placed in the mangroves in some of the most impenetrable swamps and are
composed of twigs and lined with leaves or moss. They lay three or four
chalky bluish white eggs. Size 2.30 × 1.40. Data.--Bird Is., Lake Kissimee,
Florida, April 5, 1898. Three eggs. Nest made of weeds and grass, in a willow
bush.

120b. White-crested Cormorant. Phalacrocorax auritus cincinatus.

Range.--Northwestern coast of North America, breeding in Alaska, and south
to the northern boundary of the United States, breeding both in the interior and
on the coast, in the former case generally on the ground or in low trees on
swampy islands and in the latter, on the rocky cliffs of the coasts and islands.
The nests are built in the same fashion as the other Cormorants, and the three
to five eggs are similar. Size 2.45 × 1.40.

120c. Farallon Cormorant. Phalacrocorax auritus albociliatus.

Range.--This sub-species breeds on the coasts and islands of California and
southward.

In company with other species of Cormorants, these birds breed in large
numbers on the Farallones, placing their nests well up on the higher ridges and
rocks. They breed most abundantly during May. When nesting on the inland
islands, they place their nests in low bushes. Their nests and eggs are similar to
those of the other Cormorants. Size 2.40 × 1.50. Data.--Farallones, California.
Nest of weeds and seaweed on the rocks. Collector, W. O. Emerson.

121. Mexican Cormorant. Phalacrocorax vigua mexicanus.

Range.--Breeds abundantly from
southern Texas, south through Mexico;
north rarely to Kansas; has recently been
found breeding in limited number on
some of the Bahamas. In the interior they
nest in trees, chiefly those overhanging
or growing in the water. On the coasts
they nest on the rocky ledges, as do the
other Cormorants. They nest in colonies
building their abode of twigs and weeds,
Greenish white. and during May laying three or four eggs,
greenish white in color and chalky, as are
all the Cormorants. Size 2.25 × 1.35.

Page 82
122. Brandt's Cormorant. Phalacrocorax
penicillatus.

Range.--Pacific coast breeding along the whole
coast of the United States.

This species is found more abundantly on the
Farallones than is the Farallone Cormorant. Like
the other Cormorants breeding on these islands,
these cling closely to their nests, for fear of
being robbed by the Gulls, that are ever on the
watch to steal either eggs or young. Their nesting
habits and eggs are identical with those of the
other species. Size 2.50 × 1.50. Data.--Bird
Island, California, May 24, 1885. A very bulky
nest of seaweed on the rocks. Collector, A. M.
Ingersoll.

123. Pelagic Cormorant. Phalacrocorax
pelagicus pelagicus.

Range.--Coast of Alaska.
120c--122.
These are perhaps the most beautiful species of
Cormorants, having brilliant violet green metallic reflections and, in the
breeding plumage, crests on the forehead and nape, as well as large white flank
patches. They breed in large colonies on the Aleutian Islands, placing their
nests of sticks and sea mosses on the rocky ledges, often hundreds of feet
above the sea level. Three or four eggs are laid during May and June. The
young birds when hatched are naked and black, and are repulsive looking
objects, as are those of all the other Cormorants. The eggs are greenish white
with the usual calcareous deposit. Size 2.30 × 1.40.

123a. Violet-green Cormorant. Phalacrocorax pelagicus robustus.

This sub-species is found on the Pacific coast from Washington to the Aleutian
Islands. Their habits and nests and eggs are the same as those of the Pelagic
Cormorant, nesting on the high cliffs of the rocky islands. The eggs are the
same size as those of the preceding.

123b. Baird's Cormorant. Phalacrocorax pelagicus resplendens.

This variety breeds on the Pacific coast from Washington south to Mexico.
They nest on the Farallones, but in smaller numbers than the other varieties

found there. Both the birds and their eggs are
smaller than the preceding. Size of eggs 2.20 ×
1.40.

124. Red-faced Cormorant. Phalacrocorax
urile.

Range.--Southwest coast of Alaska, migrating to
Japan in the winter.

This species differs from the Pelagic chiefly in
having the forehead bare. They do not differ in
their breeding habits from others of the family.
That the Cormorants are expert fishermen may
be seen from the fact that the Chinese tame and
have them catch fish for them, placing a ring
around their neck to prevent their swallowing the
fish. Their nesting places are very filthy, being
covered with excrement and remains of fish that
are strewn around the nests. They breed in June
laying three or four eggs. Size 2.50 × 1.50.

123b--124.

Page 83

PELICANS. Family PELECANIDÆ
Pelicans are large, short legged, web footed (all four toes joined by a web)
birds, the most noticeable feature of which is the long bill with its enormous
pouch suspended from lower mandible. This pouch, while normally
contracted, is capable of being distended to hold several quarts. It is used as a
scoop in which to catch small fish. Their skin is filled with numerous air cells,
making them very light and buoyant.

125. American White Pelican. Pelecanus erythrorhynchos.

Range.--Temperate North America, breeding in the interior, from Utah and the
Dakotas northward. These large birds, reaching a length of five feet, are
entirely white except for the black primaries. They get their food by
approaching a school of small fish and, suddenly dipping their head beneath
the surface, sometimes scoop up a large number of fish at a time; after
allowing the water to run out of the sides of the mouth, they proceed to
swallow their catch. They nest in large communities on islands in some of the
inland lakes.

Great Salt Lake, Utah, and Shoal Lake, Manitoba, furnish breeding ground for
many thousands of Pelicans. They build their simple nests on the ground,
making them of sticks and weeds. They generally lay two eggs, but often three
or four. Size 3.45 × 2.30. Data.--Egg Island, Great Salt Lake, June 19, 1884.
Two eggs. Nest a slight hollow in the ground, surrounded by a few sticks.
Collector, F. F. Leonard.

Chalky white.

Page 84

AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN.

Page 85
126. Brown Pelican. Pelecanus occidentalis.

Range.--Found on the South Atlantic and Gulf coasts of the United States.

Brown Pelicans are about 50 inches in length;
they have a blackish and grayish body and a
white head and neck with a brown stripe down
the back of the latter. The pouch is a dark
greenish brown. This species is maritime and is
not found inland. They breed in large colonies on
many of the islands in the Gulf of Mexico and on
Pelican Island on the east coast of Florida, in
which latter place they are now protected from
further depredations at the hand of eggers and
gunners.

Their fishing tactics differ from those of the
White Pelican. They dive down upon the school
of fish from the air and rarely miss making a
good catch. Their nests are quite bulky structures
made of sticks and weeds and grasses. These are
generally located on the ground but occasionally
in low mangroves, these latter nests being more
bulky than the ground ones. They lay from two
to five chalky white eggs during May and June.
Size 3. × 1.90. Data.--Tampa Bay, Fla., May 29,
1894. Three eggs. Nest in the top of a stout
mangrove; made of sticks, branches and leaves.
Collector, Geo. Graham.

127. California Brown Pelican. Pelecanus
californicus.
Brown Pelican.
Range.--Pacific coast from British Columbia White Pelican.

south to the Galapagos
Islands.

This bird is similar to the
preceding, but larger and the
pouch is reddish. They breed
abundantly on the Coronado
Islands and southward. Their
habits, nesting habits and
eggs are the same as those of
the Brown Pelican. Size of
the three or four chalky
white eggs is 3.10 × 1.95.
Data.--Coronado Islands,
Chalky white. Calif., March 28, 1897.
Three eggs. Nest of sticks,
lined with green leaves,
located on the ground. Collector, H. McConville.

Page 86

MAN-O'-WAR BIRDS. Family FREGATIDÆ
128. Man-o'-war Bird. Fregata aquila.

Range.--Tropical seas, north regularly in
America to the South Atlantic and Gulf coasts,
casually farther.

Man-o'-war Birds or "Frigates," as they are often
called, are remarkable birds in many respects. In
comparison with their weight they have the
largest expanse of wing of any known bird.
Weighing only about four pounds they have an
extent of from seven to eight feet, their wings
being extremely long and pointed.

The length of the bird is about 40 inches, of
which the tail comprises about 18 in., 10 inches
of this being forked. They have a large bright
orange gular sac, a long, hooked bill, and small
slightly webbed feet. Their powers of flight
combine the strength of the Albatrosses and the
grace of the Terns. They are very poor swimmers
and do not dive, so are forced to procure their
food by preying upon the Gulls and Cormorants,
forcing them to drop their fish, which the pirates
catch before it reaches the water. They also feed
upon flying fish, catching them in the air,
whither they have been driven by their enemies
in their natural element. They nest in large
colonies on some of the Bahama Islands and on
some of the small Florida Keys. Their nests are Man-O'-War Bird.
small frail platforms of sticks and twigs and the
single egg is laid in March
and April. It is white and has
a smooth surface. Size 2.80 ×
1.90. Data.--Key Verde,
Bahamas, March 6, 1889.
Single egg. Nest a frail affair
of sticks on a cactus.
Collector, D. P. Ingraham.

White.

Page 87

Order V. ANSERES
DUCKS, GEESE AND SWANS. Family ANATIDAE

The birds comprising this family are of greatly varying sizes, but all have
webbed feet, and generally the bill is broader than high, and is serrated on the
edges or provided with gutters to act as a strainer in assisting the birds to
gather their food.

129. Merganser. Mergus americanus.

Range.--North America, breeding from the
northern border of the United States northward.

The three species of Mergansers are almost
exclusively fish eating birds. Therefore their
flesh is unpalatable and they are known as "Fish
Ducks."

They are also sometimes called "Sawbills"
because of the teeth-like serration on both the
upper and the under mandibles. Unlike the other
species of ducks, their bills are long, slender and
rounded instead of being broad and flat; it is also
hooked at the tip. Like the Cormorants, they
often pursue and catch fish under the water, their
teeth-like bills enabling them to firmly hold their
prey.

The American Mergansers, Goosanders, or
Sheldrakes, as they are often called, are found
both on the coast and in the interior. Except in
certain mountainous regions, they breed chiefly
north of the United States. The male bird has no
crest and the head is a beautiful green, while the
female has a reddish brown crest and head,
shading to white on the chin. They build their American Merganser.
nest in hollow trees near the water. It is made of Red-breasted Merganser.
grasses, leaves and moss and is lined with
feathers from the breast of the female. During May, they lay from six to ten
eggs of a creamy or buff color. Size 2.70 × 1.75. Data.--Gun Is., Lake
Winnipeg. June 16, 1903. Eleven eggs in a nest of white down, located
between two large boulders. Collector, Walter Raine.

Brownish buff.

Page 88
130. Red-breasted Merganser. Mergus serrator.

Range.--North America, breeding from northern
United States northward.

This species is more abundant than the
preceding. It is slightly smaller, being 22 inches
in length, and the male is crested. Found
abundantly in the United States in winter. Breeds
commonly in the interior of British America and
in Labrador and Newfoundland. They make their
nests on the ground, near the water, concealing
them under rocks or tufts of grass. The nest is
made of grasses, leaves and moss and lined with
feathers. They lay, generally, about ten eggs of a
buffy or greenish buff color. Size 2.50 × 1.70.
Data.--Lake Manitoba, N. W. Canada. Two eggs
in a hollow lined with down, under a patch of
rose bushes near shore. Collector, Jos. Hamaugh.

131. Hooded Merganser. Lophodytes cucullatus.

Range.--North America, breeding locally
throughout its range, in the interior. These are
beautiful little Ducks distinguished from all
others by the semi-circular, compressed crest
Hooded Merganser. which is black with an enclosed white area. They
Mallard. make their nests in hollow trees, in wooded
districts near the water, lining the cavity with
grasses and down. They lay ten or twelve grayish
white eggs. Size 2.15 × 1.70.

132. Mallard. Anas
platyrhynchos.

Range.--Northern
Hemisphere, breeding in
America from northern
United States northward, and
wintering south to Panama
and the West Indies.

Contrasting with the
preceding Fish Ducks, the
Mallards are regarded as one Grayish white.
of the most esteemed table
birds. They feed on mollusks and marine insects which they generally reach by
tipping in shallow water. They nest in many localities in the United States but
more abundantly north of our borders. They nest in fields in close proximity to
ponds or lakes, placing their nests of grasses and feathers in the tall grass. In
May and June they lay from six to ten eggs of a buffy or olive color. Size 2.25
× 1.25. Data.--San Diego, California, May 19, 1897. Nest made of grass, lined
with down, placed on the edge of a field near a pond.

Page 89

NEST AND EGGS OF AMERICAN MERGANSER.

This species usually nest in holes in trees, but on this island
they were nesting in holes under boulders.

Page 90
133. Black Duck. Anas rubripes.

Range.--Eastern North America, breeding from the middle portions north to the
Hudson Bay territory and Labrador.

Throughout their breeding region, one or more pairs of these ducks nest in
nearly every favorable locality. Their nests are placed on the ground in
marshes, swamps or fields bordering a pond or lake, the nest being concealed
in the long grass or reeds. They breed in equal abundance, either in the interior
or along the sea coast; in the latter case their nests are often placed beside of,
or under an overhanging rock. It is made of weeds, grass and moss and is lined
with feathers and down. They lay from six to twelve eggs during May and

June; these are buff or greenish buff in color.
Size 2.30 × 1.70. Data.--Duck Is., Maine, June 3,
1893. Nest of grasses, concealed in a large tuft
on water's edge.

134. Florida Duck. Anas fulvigula fulvigula.

Range.--Florida and the Gulf of the Mississippi.

This is a similar, lighter colored, locally
distributed race of the foregoing. The most
noticeable difference in plumage between this
and the Black Duck is the absence of markings
on the chin. The habits are the same, and the
eggs, which are deposited in April, are similar to
those of the Black Duck, but smaller. Size 2.15 ×
1.60.

Black Duck.
Florida Duck.

Pale greenish buff.

Page 91
134a. Mottled Duck. Anas fulvigula maculosa.

Range.--Gulf coast of Texas and up the
Mississippi Valley to Kansas.

The habits of this bird differ in no way from the
preceding ones. The six to ten eggs are greenish
buff in color. Size 2.15 × 1.55.

135. Gadwall. Chaulelasmus streperus.

Range.--Northern Hemisphere, breeding in
America, chiefly in the United States and north
to Manitoba, chiefly in the interior.

South in winter to the Gulf. The males of these
birds may be identified by the white speculum
and the chestnut wing coverts. Gadwalls nest on
the ground among the reeds of marshes or in the
long grass of bordering fields; they make little or
no nest but line the cavity with down from their
breasts. They lay from seven to twelve eggs of a
creamy buff color. Size 2.10 × 1.60. Data.--
Benson Co., North Dakota, June 19, 1898. Eight
eggs. Nest on the ground among rank grass on a
low island in Devils Lake. Made of weeds lined
with down. Collector, E. S. Rolfe.
Gadwall.
136. Widgeon. Mareca penelope. Widgeon.

Range.--Northern Hemisphere, breeding in America, only in the Aleutian
Islands; rare or accidental in other parts of the country.

The European Widgeon is similar in build and plumage to the following
species, except that the whole head, with the exception of the white crown, is
chestnut. They build their nests in the rushes, making them of reeds and grass
and lining them with feathers. They lay from six to ten light buff colored eggs.
Size 2.20 × 1.50.

Creamy buff.

Pale buff.

Page 92
137. Baldpate. Mareca americana.

Range.--North America, breeding in the interior from Texas north to Hudson
Bay.

The Baldpate (so-called because of the white crown) or American Widgeon is a
handsomely marked bird and is regarded as a great table delicacy.

The male birds cannot be mistaken for any other species because of the white
crown, wing coverts and underparts and the broad green stripe, back of the eye.
They breed locally in many parts of the country, building their nests of grass
and weeds, neatly lined with feathers, on the ground in marshes. They lay from
six to twelve creamy eggs. Size 2.15 × 1.50. Data.--Lac Aux Morts, North
Dakota. Eight eggs. Nest of grass and down on ground in a grassy meadow.
Collector, E. S. Bryant.

138. European Teal. Nettion crecca.

An old world species that is casually found on both coasts of America.

139. Green-winged Teal. Nettion carolinense.

Range.--Whole of North America, breeding
chiefly north of the United States.

A small, handsome species, the male of which
can readily be identified by the reddish brown
head and neck, with the large green patch behind
each ear; length fourteen inches. Green-winged
Teals are our smallest representative of the Duck
family. They are eagerly sought by sportsmen,
both because of their beauty and the excellence
of their flesh. They are among the most common
of Ducks in the interior, where they nest
generally in tufts of grass along ponds, lakes or
brooks. Nest of grass and weeds, lined with
down from the bird. Eggs buffy, four to ten in
number. Size 1.85 × 1.25.

Baldpate.
Green-winged Teal.

Creamy white.

Buff.

Page 93
140. Blue-winged Teal. Querquedula discors.

Range.--North America, breeding from northern
United States northward; rare on the Pacific
coast.

Another small species, known by the blue wing
coverts and the white crescent in front of eye.
They nest in the same localities with the
preceding species, placing their nest of grass and
weeds on the ground in meadows near water.
Eggs buffy white. Six to twelve in number. Size
1.90 × 1.30.

141. Cinnamon Teal. Querquedula cyanoptera.

Range.--Western United States, chiefly west of
the Rocky Mountains. Casually east to Texas,
Illinois and British Columbia.

The Cinnamon Teal is another small Duck,
marked by the uniform rich chestnut plumage
and light blue wing coverts. The speculum is
green. The nesting habits are the same as those
of the Teals, the nests being placed on the ground
in marshes or fields near water. Their nests are
closely woven of grass and weeds and lined with
down and feathers from the breast of the bird. Blue-winged Teal.
The eggs are pale buff and number from six to Cinnamon Teal.
fourteen. Size 1.85 × 1.35.

141.1. Ruddy Sheldrake. Casarca ferruginea.

This is an Old World species that has accidentally occurred in Greenland.

Page 94
142. Shoveller. Spatula clypeata.

Range.--Whole of North America, breeding in
the interior from Texas northward.

This strikingly marked Duck is twenty inches in
length, has a green head and speculum, blue
wing coverts and chestnut belly. The bill is long
and broad at the tip. It makes its nest on the
ground in marshy places, of grass, weeds and
feathers. Six to ten eggs constitute a complete
set. They are greenish or leaden gray color. Size
2.10 x 1.50. Data.--Graham's Island, North
Dakota, May 28, 1899. Nest of dead weed stems
and grass, lined with down. Ten eggs. Collector,
E. S. Bryant.

143. Pintail. Dafila acuta.

Range.--Northern Hemisphere, breeding in North
America from northern United States northward,
wintering south to Panama. This species, which
is also known as the Sprig-tail, is very common
Pintail. in the United States in the spring and fall
Shoveller. migrations. It is about thirty inches long, its
length depending upon the development of the
tail feathers, the central ones of which are long and pointed. They breed
casually in many sections of the United States, but in abundance from
Manitoba to the Arctic Ocean. They nest near the water, laying from six to
twelve eggs of dull olive color. Size 2.20 x 1.50. Data.--Graham's Island,
Devil's Lake, N. Dakota, June 15, 1900. Ten eggs. Nest on the ground, of
weeds, lined with down. Colony breeding. Collector, E. S. Bryant.

Lead gray.

Dull olive gray.

Page 95
144. Wood Duck Aix sponsa.

Range.--Temperate North America, breeding from Labrador and British
Columbia south to Florida.

Bridal Duck is a name often given to this, the most beautiful of all Ducks.

They are beautifully marked, have a large crest, and are iridescent with all
colors of the rainbow. They frequent wooded country near ponds and lakes,
feeding on water insects and mollusks in the coves. They build their nests in
hollow trees and stumps, often at quite a distance from the water. When the
young are a few days old, they slide, scramble, or flutter down the tree trunk to
the ground below, and are led to the water. The nest is made of twigs, weeds
and grass, and warmly lined with down. The eggs are a buff color and number
eight to fifteen. Size 2. × 1.5.

145. Rufous-crested Duck. Netta rufina.

A European species; a single specimen taken on Long Island in 1872.

146. Redhead. Marila americana.

Range.--North America at large, breeding from
northern United States northward, chiefly in the
interior.

A bird commonly seen in the markets where it is
often sold as the following species because of
their similarity. The nests are placed on the
ground in marshes or sloughs, and are made of
grasses, lined with feathers. Eggs from six to
fourteen in number, of a buffy white color. Size
2.40 × 1.70.

Wood Duck.
Redhead.

Rich buff.

Buffy.

Page 96

WOOD DUCK.

Page 97
147. Canvas-back. Marila valisineria.

Range.--Whole of North America, breeding chiefly in the interior from the
United States to the Arctic Ocean.

A noted table bird, especially in the south where it feeds on wild celery. Can be
distinguished from the Redhead by its darker head, lighter back, and gradually
sloping bill. They nest abundantly in Manitoba, their habits being the same as
the preceding. They lay from six to ten eggs of a darker shade than the Red-
heads. Size 2.40 × 1.70. Data.--Haunted Lake, N. Alberta, June 12, 1897. Ten
eggs. Nest of reeds in a heavy reed bed out in the lake. Collector, Walter Raine.

148. Scaup Duck. Marila marila.

Range.--North America, breeding from North
Dakota northward, chiefly in the interior; south
in winter to Central America.

This and the following species are widely known
as "Blue-bills" owing to the slaty blue color of
that member. Their plumage is black and white,
somewhat similar in pattern to that of the
Redhead, but darker, and the whole head is
black. They nest in marshes about many of the
ponds and lakes in the interior of British
America. The nest is made of marsh grasses and
lined with feathers. The six to ten eggs are pale
grayish or greenish gray. Size 2.50 × 1.70. Data.-
-

Saltcoats Marshes, N. W. Canada, June 15, 1901.
Ten eggs. Nest in the grass; a depression lined
with down and dried grasses. Collector, Walter
Raine.

Canvas-back.
American Scaup Duck.

Pale greenish gray.

Page 98
149. Lesser Scaup Duck. Marila affinis.

Range.--North America, breeding from North
Dakota and British Columbia northward; winters
south to Central America.

This Duck is distinguished from the preceding,
chiefly by its size which is about two inches less,
or 17 inches in length. The nesting habits are the
same as those of the Greater Scaup and the eggs
are similar but smaller. Size 2.25 × 1.55. Data.--
Northern Assiniboia, June 10, 1901. Ten eggs on
grass and down at the edge of a lagoon.
Collector, Walter Raine.

150. Ring-necked Duck. Marila collaris.

Range.--North America, breeding in the interior,
from North Dakota and Washington northward.
Winters from Maryland on the east and British
Columbia on the west to Central America.

Similar to the Lesser Scaup in size and plumage,
except that it has a narrow chestnut collar around
the neck, the back is black instead of barred with
white, and the speculum is gray instead of white.
The habits and nesting habits of the Ring-neck
Lesser Scaup Duck. do not differ from those of the other Scaups.
Ring-necked Duck. They lay from six to twelve eggs. Size 2.25 ×
1.60. Data.--Cape Bathurst, N. Y. T., June 18,
1901. Ten eggs in a slight hollow in the moss, lined with down. Collector,
Captain Bodfish.

Lead gray.

Page 99
151. Golden-eye. Clangula clangula americana.

Range.--North America, breeding both on the coast and in the interior, from
the northern border of the United States northward to the Arctic Ocean.

These are handsome Ducks known as "Whistlers" from the noise of their
wings when flying, and "Greatheads" because of the puffy crest. The head is
greenish with a large round white spot in front of, and a little below the eye.
The rest of the plumage is black and white. This species nests in hollow trees
near the water, lining the cavity with grass, moss and leaves, and lining the
nest with down from their breasts. In May and June they lay from six to ten
eggs of a grayish green color. Size 2.30 × 1.70.

152. Barrow's Golden-eye. Clangula islandica.

Range.--Northern North America, breeding north of the United States except
from the mountainous portions of Colorado northward.

This Golden-eye differs from the preceding chiefly in the shape of the white
spot before the eye, which in this species is in the form of a crescent. The size
is the same, about 20 inches in length. The reflections on the head are purplish
rather than greenish as in the preceding. The nesting habits are the same, they
building in hollow trees near water. The six to ten eggs are not different from

the preceding. Size 2.30 × 1.65. Data.--Alfusa,
Iceland, June 30, 1900. Seven eggs. Nest of
grass and down in a box attached to a tree by an
islander.

American Golden-eye.
Barrow Golden-eye.

Grayish green.

Page 100
153. Buffle-head. Charitonetta albeola.

Range.--North America, breeding from United
States northward. Winters south to Mexico.

Gunners know this handsome little duck by the
names of "Butter-ball," and "Dipper," a name
also given to Grebes. It is also quite similar, but
smaller (15 in. long), to the American Golden-
eye but has a large white patch on the back of the
head, from eye to eye. It is an active bird and,
like the two preceding, is capable of diving to a
great depth to get its food. Its nesting habits are
like the preceding. Eggs eight to fourteen. Size 2
× 1.40. Data.--Alberta, Canada, June 6, 1899.
Seven eggs. Nest in hole in tree stump, lined
with down. Collector, Dr. George.

154. Old-squaw. Harelda hyemalis.

Range.--Northern Hemisphere, breeding in the
Arctic regions; south in winter to New Jersey
and Illinois.

The Long-tailed Duck, as it is called, is
especially noticeable because the breeding
plumage of the male differs markedly from that
in the winter. In summer their general plumage is
blackish brown, with a white patch around the
eye, and white belly. In winter they are largely
white. The central tail feathers are much
Buffle-head.
lengthened. They breed abundantly in
Old-squaw.
Greenland, Alaska and the Hudson Bay Territory,
placing their nests of grasses
and weeds on the ground
near the water. It is generally
concealed in the long grass.
The eggs number from six to
twelve. Size 2. × 1.50. Data.-
-N. Iceland, June 10, 1900.
Nest on ground, lined with
down. Collector, S. H.
Wallis.

Dull buff.

Buff.

Page 101
155. Harlequin Duck. Histrionicus histrionicus.

Range.--Northern Hemisphere in America,
breeding from Newfoundland and the Rocky
Mountains in Colorado, northward. South in
winter to California and New England.

A beautiful and most gorgeous bird, not in
colors, but in the oddity of the markings, the
colors only including black, white, gray and
chestnut. Either sex can be recognized by the
small short bill. They breed mostly in single
pairs along swiftly running streams, placing their
nest, which is woven of weeds and grasses, in
the ground near the water. It is also claimed that
they sometimes nest in hollow trees. They lay
from five to eight eggs, yellowish or greenish
buff in color. Size 2.30 × 1.60. Data.--Peel River,
Alaska, June 13, 1898. Seven eggs in a hollow in
river bank, lined with down. Collector, C. E.
Whittaker.

156. Labrador Duck. Camptorhynchus
labradorius.

This bird, whose range was from Labrador to
New Jersey in the winter, has probably been Harlequin Duck.
extinct since 1875, when the last authentic Labrador Duck.
capture was made. It is a strange fact that a bird
of this character should have been completely exterminated, even though they
were often sold in the markets. Only forty-one specimens are known to be

preserved at present and
nothing is known in regard
to their nesting habits or
eggs.

Greenish buff.

Page 102
157. Steller's Duck. Polysticta stelleri.

Range.--Arctic regions in America, chiefly on
the Aleutian Islands and northwest coast of
Alaska.

A very beautiful species eighteen inches long;
head white, washed with greenish on the
forehead and nape; chin, throat, neck, back, tail
and crissum, black; underparts chestnut; wing
coverts white, the long scapulars black and
white. It breeds on the rocky coasts and islands
of Bering Sea. The six to nine eggs are pale olive
green in color. Size 2.25 × 1.60. Data.--
Admiralty Bay, Alaska, June 22, 1898. Nest on a
hummock of the tundra, near a small pool, lined
with grass and down. Collector, E. A.
McIlhenny.

158. Spectacled Eider. Arctonetta fischeri.

Range.--Coast of Alaska from the Aleutians to
Point Barrow.

Like the rest of the true Eiders, this species is
black beneath and mostly white above. The head
Steller's Duck. is largely washed with sea green, leaving a large
Spectacled Eider. patch of white, narrowly bordered by black
around each eye, thus resembling a pair of

spectacles. The nests are
made of grass and seaweed
and lined with down; they
are placed on the ground in
clumps of grass or beneath
overhanging stones. The five
to nine eggs are an olive drab
or greenish color. Size 2.70 ×
1.85. Data.--Point Barrow,
Alaska, June 15, 1898. Six
eggs. Nest of moss and down
in a hollow in dry tundra.
Collector, E. A. McIlhenny. Pale olive green.

159. Northern Eider. Somateria mollissima borealis.

Range.--North Atlantic coast, breeding from Labrador to Greenland and
wintering south to New England.

A large Duck similar to the next species, but with the base of the bill differing,
as noted in the description of the following species, and with a more northerly
distribution. The nesting habits are the same as those of the other Eiders. Six to
ten eggs generally of a greenish drab color. Size 3. × 2.

Page 103
160. Eider. Somateria dresseri.

Range.--Atlantic coast, breeding from Maine to Labrador and wintering south
to Delaware.

This species differs from the preceding only in the fleshy part of the base of
the bill, which extends back on each side of the forehead, it being broad and
rounded in this species and narrow and pointed in the Northern or Greenland
Eider. This species, but more especially the Northern Eider, are the ones
chiefly used for the eider-down of commerce. The preceding species is often
semi-domesticated in Greenland, the people protecting them and encouraging
them to nest in the neighborhood. They make their nests of seaweed and grass
and warmly line it with down from their breast; this down is continually added
to the nest during incubation until there is a considerable amount in each nest,
averaging about an ounce in weight. The birds are among the strongest of the
sea ducks and get their food in very deep water. Their flesh is not good eating.
Their eggs number from five to ten and are greenish drab. Size 3. × 2.

161. Pacific Eider. Somateria v-nigra.

Range.--North Pacific from the Aleutian Islands northward, and east to Great
Slave Lake.

This bird is, in plumage, like the Northern Eider,
except that it has a black V-shaped mark on the
throat. They nest sparingly on the Aleutian
Islands, but in great numbers farther north on the
coast about Point Barrow. Their habits, nests and
eggs are precisely the same as those of the
eastern forms. Their eggs number from five to
ten and are of olive greenish color. Size 3. × 2.
Data.--Cape Smythe, Alaska, June 8, 1900. Eight
eggs. Nest a hollow in the moss, lined with grass
and down.

Eider.
Pacific Eider.

Greenish drab.

Page 104
162. King Eider. Somateria spectabilis.

Range.--Northern Hemisphere, breeding in
America from Labrador to Greenland and the
Arctic Ocean; south in winter to the New
England States and rarely farther on the eastern
side, and to the Aleutians on the Pacific; also
casually to the Great Lakes in the interior.

A handsome and very different species from any
of the foregoing, having the crown ashy blue,
and the long scapulars black instead of white. It
also has a broad V-shaped mark on the throat.
Like all the other Eiders, the female is mottled
brown and black, the different species being very
difficult to separate. The nests are sunk in the
ground and lined with down. Eggs number from
six to ten. Size 2.80 × 1.80. Data.--Point Barrow,
Alaska, July 5, 1898. Five eggs. Nest a hollow in
the moss on tundra lined with moss and down.
Collector, E. A. McIlhenny.

163. Scoter. Oidemia americana.

Range.--Northern North America, breeding from
Labrador, the Hudson Bay region and the
Aleutian Islands northward; winters south to
King Eider. Virginia, the Great Lakes and California.
Scoter.
Scoters or "Coots" as they are generally called
are sea ducks whose plumage is almost wholly black; they have fantastically
colored and shaped bills. The American Scoter is entirely black without
markings; base of bill yellow and orange. This species nest as do the Eiders,
often concealing the nest, of grass and feathers, under some overhanging rock.
They lay from six to ten eggs of a dingy buff color. Size 2.50 × 1.70. Data.--
Mackenzie Bay, June 15, 1899. Ten eggs. Nest a hollow in the sand, lined with
down.

Buff.

Page 105
164. Velvet Scoter. Oidemia fusca.

An Old World species that has accidentally
occurred in Greenland.

165. White-winged Scoter. Oidemia deglandi.

Range.--Abundant in North America, breeding
from Labrador, North Dakota and British
Columbia, northward. Wintering south to the
Middle States, southern Illinois and southern
California.

The largest of the Scoters, length 22 inches,
distinguished by a large white speculum on the
wing, also a white comet extending from under
the eye backwards. It also has a yellow eye. Like
the other Scoters, this species often feeds in very
deep water. They are strong, active diving birds,
and are also strong on the wing, generally flying
close to the surface of the water. Their flesh is
not regarded as good eating, although they are
often sold for that purpose. They nest on the
ground, generally in long grass or under low
bushes making a coarse nest of grasses, and
sometimes twigs, lined with feathers. They lay
Surf Scoter.
from five to eight eggs of a pale buff color. Size
White-winged Scoter.
2.75 × 1.85.

166. Surf Scoter. Oidemia perspicillata.

Range.--Northern North America, breeding north of the United States
boundary, and wintering south to Virginia and southern California.

The male of this species is entirely black, except for the white patches on the
forehead and nape, and the vari-colored bill of black, white, pink and yellow.
They nest either along the coast or in the interior, building a nest lined with
down, in the marsh grass bordering small ponds. They lay from five to eight
buffy cream colored eggs. Size 2.40 × 1.70. The females of all the Scoters are a
dingy brownish color, but show the characteristic marking of the species,
although the white is generally dull or sometimes mottled. Data.--Mackenzie
River, June 25, 1894. Six eggs in a nest of down on an island in the river.

Page 106
167. Ruddy Duck. Erismatura jamaicensis.

Range.--Whole of North America, breeding
chiefly north of the United States border except
locally on the Pacific coast. Winters along the
Gulf and through Mexico and Central America.

This peculiar species may always be recognized
by the brownish or chestnut upper parts, blackish
crown, white cheeks and silvery white
underparts. The bill is very stout and broad at the
end, and the tail feathers are stiff and pointed like
those of a Cormorant. They build their nests in
low marshy places, either placing them on the
ground near the water or in the rushes over it.
Their nests are made of rushes and grasses,
sometimes lined and sometimes not, with down
from the parents breast. The eggs number from
six to twelve and are grayish in color. Size 2.40 ×
1.75. Data.--Northern Assiniboia, Canada, June
6, 1901. Eight eggs. Nest made of aquatic
grasses, lined with down. Built in a tuft of rushes
in a marsh. Collector, Walter Raine.

168. Masked Duck. Nomonyx dominicus.

This is a tropical species which is resident in
Ruddy Duck. Mexico, Central America and in the West Indies.
Masked Duck. It occurs in Mexico north to the lower Rio

Grande Valley and has in
three known instances
strayed to northern United
States. The general plumage
is a rusty chestnut, mottled
with blackish, it has a black
face and throat, with white
wing bars.

Grayish white.

Page 107
169. Snow Goose. Chen hyperboreus hyperboreus.

Range.--North America west of the Mississippi Valley, breeding in northern
Alaska and the MacKenzie River district.

This smaller species of the Snow Goose nests on islands in rivers along the
arctic coast. The nest is a depression in the ground, lined with grasses and,
occasionally down. They lay from four to eight eggs of a buffy or yellowish
white color. Size 2.75 × 1.75.

169a. Greater Snow Goose. Chen hyperboreus nivalis.

Range.--Eastern North America, breeding in the Arctic regions and wintering
chiefly on the Atlantic coast, south to Cuba.

This bird is like the preceding; except in size; about thirty-six inches, instead
of twenty-six inches in length as is the lesser variety. The entire plumage is
white except for the black primaries. They construct their nests of grasses on
the ground the same as the preceding variety. The eggs number from five to
eight and are cream colored. Size 3.40 × 2.40.

169.1. Blue Goose. Chen cærulescens.

Range.--North America, principally in the
interior, breeding from Hudson Bay northward
and wintering along the Gulf coast.

This species may always be recognized by the
entirely white head and neck, the body being
grayish or bluish gray. They nest on the ground
as do the other geese laying from four to eight
eggs of a brownish buff color. Size 2.50 × 1.75.
Data,--Cape Bathurst, Arctic coast, June 29,
1899. Four eggs laid in a depression lined with
grass, on an island. Collected with the parent
birds by the Esquimaux.

Lesser Snow Goose.
Blue Goose.

Grayish White.

Page 108
170. Ross's Snow Goose. Chen rossi.

Range.--This beautiful species, which is similar
in plumage to the large Snow Goose, is but
twenty-one inches in length. It breeds in the
extreme north, and in winter is found in the
western part of the United States as far south as
the Gulf of Mexico. Their nesting habits and
eggs probably do not differ from others in the
family except in the matter of size.

171. White-fronted Goose. Anser albifrons
albifrons.

This European species is exactly like the
American except that it is said to average a trifle
smaller. It is occasionally found in Greenland.

171a. American White-fronted Goose. Anser
albifrons gambeli.

Range.--Whole of North America, breeding in
the Arctic regions and wintering south to the
Gulf coast; not common on the Atlantic coast
during migrations.

These birds may be recognized by their mottled
Ross Snow Goose. plumage, dark head and white forehead. This
American White-fronted
species is more abundant than any of the
Goose.
preceding and nests in large colonies along the
arctic coast and in Alaska. Their nests are made
of dried grasses, feathers and down and are placed on the ground in a slight
depression. From four to nine eggs are laid; these have a dull buff ground. Size
3.00 × 2.05. Data.--Island in delta of Mackenzie River, June 10, 1899. Four
eggs. Nest of grass and feathers on the ground on a small island. Collector,
Rev. I. O. Stringer.

[Illustration z110: ]

171.1. Bean Goose. Anser fabalis.

This European species is casually found in Greenland. It is one of the most
common of the Old World Species.

Page 109
172. Canada Goose. Branta canadensis
canadensis.

Range.--The whole of North America, breeding
from northern United States northward, and
wintering in the southern parts of the United
States.

This species is the most widely known of
American Geese and is the most abundant. Its
familiar "honk" has long been regarded as the
signal of the coming of spring, and the familiar
V-shaped formation in which the flocks migrate
is always an object of interest to everyone. With
the exception of in North Dakota and Minnesota,
they breed chiefly north of the United States.
They construct quite a large nest of weeds and
grass, and warmly line it with down and feathers.
They lay from four to nine eggs of a buff or drab
color. Size about 3.50 × 2.50. Data.--Ellingsars
Lake, North Dakota, May 18, 1896. Five eggs.
Nest on an island in the lake, constructed of
weeds and trash, and lined with a few feathers.
Collector, Edwin S. Bryant.

172a. Hutchins Goose. Branta canadensis
hutchinsi.
Canada Goose.
This sub-species is like the preceding except that Cackling Goose.
it is smaller, thirty inches in length. It is a
western variety, breeding in Alaska and along the
Arctic coast and wintering to southern California. Its breeding habits, nests and
eggs are the same as the common goose except that the eggs are smaller. Size
3.00 × 2.05.

172b. White-cheeked Goose. Branta canadensis occidentalis.

This bird is about the same size as the Canada Goose and the plumage is very
similar except that the black sometimes extends on the throat, thereby isolating
the white cheek patches, and there is a white collar below the back of the neck.
It is a western species, breeding in Alaska and wintering along the Pacific
coast of the United States. Its nesting habits and eggs are same as those of the
Canada Goose except that the latter are a trifle smaller.

172c. Cackling Goose. Branta canadensis minima.

This bird is really a miniature of the Canada Goose, being but twenty-four
inches in length. It breeds in Alaska and along the Arctic coast and migrates
into the western parts of the United States. They are abundant birds in their
breeding range, where they place their nests upon the shores of ponds, or on
islands in inland rivers or lakes. The nests are made of weeds and grasses,
lined with down. The eggs which are buff colored, number from four to nine
and are laid during June and July. Size 2.30 × 1.95.

Page 110

CANADA GEESE.

Page 111
173. Brant. Branta bernicla glaucogastra.

Range.--Eastern North America, breeding in the Arctic regions and wintering
in the United States east of the Mississippi.

The Brant resembles a small Canada Goose, except that the black of the neck
extends on the breast, and only the throat is white. They are one of the favorite
game birds and thousands are shot every fall and spring. Their nests and eggs
are the same as the next species.

174. Black Brant. Branta nigricans.

Range.--Western North America, breeding in
Alaska and wintering on the Pacific coast of the
United States. Rare east of the Mississippi.

This species is like the last except that the black
extends on the under parts. This species nests
very abundantly in northern Alaska, laying their
eggs in a depression in the ground, lined with
down. Favorite locations are the many small
islets in ponds and small lakes. They lay from
four to eight grayish colored eggs. Size 2.80 ×
1.75. Data.--Cape Bathurst, North West Territory,
Junes 22, 1901. Seven eggs in a small hollow in
the ground, lined with down. Collector, Capt. H.
H. Bodfish.

Brant.
Black Brant.

Grayish.

Page 112
175. Barnacle Goose. Branta leucopsis.

This Old World species occurs frequently in
Greenland and very rarely is found on the
mainland of this continent.

176. Emperor Goose. Philacte canagica.

Range.--Alaska, south in winter casually to
California.

This handsome species is twenty-six inches in
length; it may be known from the mottled or
"scaly" appearance of the body, and the white
head with a black chin and throat. While not
uncommon in restricted localities, this may be
considered as one of the most rare of North
American Geese. Their nests are built upon the
ground and do not differ from those of other
geese. They lay from three to seven eggs of a
dull buff color. Size 3.10 × 2.15. Data.--Stuart
Island, Alaska, June 16, 1900. Six eggs laid in a
slight hollow in the ground, lined with a few
feathers and some down. Collector, Capt. H. H.
Bodfish.

Barnacle Goose.
Emperor Goose.

Egg of Canada Goose--Buffy drab.

Page 113
177. Black-bellied Tree-duck. Dendrocygna
autumnalis.

Range.--Tropical America, north in the Rio
Grande Valley to southern Texas.

These peculiar long-legged Ducks are very
abundant in southern Texas during the summer
months. They build their nests in hollow trees,
often quite a distance from the water. They lay
their eggs upon the bottom of the cavity with
only a scant lining, if any, of feathers and down.
They are very prolific breeders, raising two
broods in a season, each set of eggs containing
from ten to twenty. These eggs are creamy or
pure white, size 2.05 × 1.50. The first set is laid
during the latter part of April or early in May,
and fresh eggs may be found as late as July. They
are especially abundant about Brownsville and
Corpus Christi, Texas. Data.--Hidalgo, Mexico,
May 29, 1900. Ten eggs in a hole in an old elm
tree on side of lake in big woods near town.
Eight feet from the ground. Collector, F. B.
Armstrong.

178. Fulvous Tree-duck. Dendrocygna bicolor.

Range.--This species is tropical like the last, but Black-bellied Tree duck.
the summer range is extended to cover, casually Fulvous Tree-duck.

the whole southwestern
border of the United States.

This bird is long-legged like
the last, but the plumage is
entirely different, being of a
general rusty color, including
the entire under parts. The
nesting habits and eggs are
the same as those of the
Black-bellied Duck, the
white eggs being laid at the
White.
bottom of a cavity in a tree.
They number from eight to
(in one instance) thirty-two eggs in one nest. This species is nearly as abundant
as the preceding in southern Texas.

Page 114
179. Whooper Swan. Olor cygnus.

This European variety frequently is found in
Greenland and formerly, regularly bred there.
It nests in secluded swampy places in northern
Europe.

180. Whistling Swan. Olor columbianus..

Range.--North America, breeding in the Arctic
Circle, and wintering south to the Gulf of
Mexico.

These birds, which are nearly five feet in
length, are snow white with the exception of
the black bill and feet. The Whistling Swan is
Whistling Swan. distinguished from the next species by the
presence of a small yellow spot on either side
of the bill near its base. Their nests are made of a large mass of rubbish, weeds,
grass, moss, feathers and occasionally a few sticks. It is generally placed in a

somewhat marshy place in the neighborhood of some isolated pond. The eggs
are of a greenish or brownish buff color, and number from three to six. Size
4.00 × 2.75. Data.--Mackenzie River. Nest a mass of weeds, sods and grass,
lined with feathers; on an island near the mouth of the river. Collector, I. O.
Stringer.

181. Trumpeter Swan. Olor buccinator.

Range.--Interior of North America from the Gulf of Mexico northward,
breeding from northern United States northward.

This is a magnificent bird, about five and one-half feet in length. Its plumage is
exactly like that of the preceding except that the bill is entirely black, and the
nostril is located nearer the eye. Their nesting habits and eggs are the same as
those of the Whistling Swan. While a few pairs may breed within the United
States by far the greater number are found in the extreme north, from Hudson
Bay to Alaska. The eggs may average a trifle larger than those of the preceding
species.

Page 115

LAMELLIROSTRAL GRALLATORES. Order VI.
ODONTOGLOSSÆ
FLAMINGOES. Family PHOENICOPTERIDAE

182. Flamingo. Phœnicopterus ruber.

Range.--Tropical and sub-tropical America on
the Atlantic coasts, breeding in the Bahamas and
West Indies; north to Florida and casually to the
South Atlantic States.

These remarkable and grotesque appearing birds
attain a length of about 48 inches. The plumage
varies from white to a deep rosy red. It requires
several years for them to attain the perfect adult
plumage, and unlike most birds, they are in the
best of plumage during the winter, the colors
becoming faded as the nesting season
approaches. The birds are especially noticeable
because of the crooked, hollow, scoop-shaped
bill, and the extremely long legs and neck. The
feet are webbed, but more for the purpose of
supporting them upon the mud flats than for use
in swimming. The nests are usually built on a
sandy point of an island; they are mounds of
earth, grass and rubbish from one to two feet in
height, the top being hollowed to receive the
eggs. One or two eggs are a complete set. The
shell is pale blue, but this is covered with a
heavy white chalky deposit. The eggs are laid in
June and July. Size 3.40 × 2.15.
American Flamingo.
Roseate Spoonbill.

IBISES, STORKS, HERONS, etc. Order VII.
HERODIONES
The members of this order are wading birds, consequently they all have long
legs and necks. They have four toes, not webbed.

SPOONBILLS. Family PLATALEIDAE

183. Roseate Spoonbill. Ajaia ajaja..

Range.--Tropical America, north in summer to the Gulf States. They formerly
nested in remote swamps along the whole Gulf coast, but are now confined
chiefly to the Everglades in Florida.

Page 116
This bird, with its broad, flat bill,
bare head, and rosy plumage with
carmine epaulets and tail coverts,
seem more like the fanciful creation
of some artist than a real bird of
flesh and blood. Its plumage and
colors are strikingly clear and
beautiful. Full plumaged adult birds
have very brilliant carmine
shoulders and tail coverts, a saffron
Pale greenish blue. colored tail, and a lengthened tuft of
bright rosy feathers on the foreneck.
This species breed in small colonies
in marshy places, often in company with herons and ibises. Their nests are
rather frail platforms of sticks, located in bushes or trees, from four to fifteen
feet from the ground. The eggs are laid during the latter part of May and June.
They are three or four in number and have a ground color of dull white, or pale
greenish blue and are quite heavily blotched with several shades of brown. Size
2.50 × 1.70.

Chalky bluish white.
Egg of American Flamingo.

Page 117

IBISES. Family IBIDIDÆ
Ibises are gracefully formed birds having a long
curved bill and a bare face.

184. White Ibis. Guara alba.

Range.--This is a tropical and sub-tropical
species which is found along the Gulf coast, and
north to South Carolina, west to Lower
California.

These handsome birds are wholly white, with the
exception of black primaries. The legs and the
bare skin of the face is orange red. These birds
are very abundant in most marshy localities
along the Gulf coast, especially in Florida, where
they nest in rookeries of thousands of
individuals. Owing to their not having plumes,
they have not been persecuted as have the white
herons. They build their nests of sticks and
grasses, in the mangroves a few feet above the
water. In other localities they build their nests
entirely of dead rushes, attaching them to the
standing ones a foot or more above the surface of
the water. They are quite substantially made and
deeply cupped, very different from the nests of
the Herons. Their eggs are from three to five in
number, vary from grayish ash to pale greenish
or bluish in color, blotched with light brown. White Ibis.
Size 2.25 × 1.60. The nesting season is during Scarlet Ibis.
May and June. Data.--Tampa Bay, Fla., June 4,
1895. Three eggs. Nest of
sticks and a few weeds in
small bushes on an island.
Collector, Fred Doane.

185. Scarlet Ibis. Guara
rubra..

Range.--Occasionally, but
not recently met with in the
southern states. Their habitat
is tropical America, they
Grayish. being especially abundant

along the Orinoco River in northern South America.

Full plumaged adults of this species are wholly bright scarlet, except for the
primaries, which are black. Their nests are built in impenetrable thickets,
rushes or mangroves, the nests being constructed like those of the White Ibis.
The eggs, too, are very similar to those of the preceding species, but both the
ground color and the markings average brighter. While still common in some
localities, the species is gradually becoming less abundant, chiefly because of
the demand for their feathers for use in fly-tying.

Page 118
186. Glossy Ibis. Plegadis autumnalis..

Range.--This tropical and sub-tropical species, is
chiefly found in the Old World. It is occasionally
found in southeastern United States where it
sometimes breeds. Its habits, nesting habits and
eggs are just the same as the next species.

187. White-faced Glossy Ibis. Plegadis
guarauna.

Range.--A sub-tropical species found in the
southwestern parts of the United States, rarely
found east of the Mississippi.

This species differs from the Glossy Ibis in
having the feathers on the front of the head
white, the rest of the plumage is a dull brownish
chestnut, with greenish reflections on the back.
As these birds are not in demand commercially,
their numbers have not decreased, and thousands
of them breed in colonies in southern Texas.
They build a substantial nest of reeds and rushes
woven about the upright canes, close to the
surface of the water. Their eggs are laid during
May, and number from three to four. They are
Glossy Ibis. easily distinguished from those of the Herons,
White-faced Glossy Ibis. being of a deeper greenish blue color and
Wood Ibis. averaging more elongate. Size 1.95 × 1.35.
Data.--Corpus Christi, Texas, May 26, 1899.
Four eggs. Nest of twigs and rushes on side of
river. Collector, F. B. Armstrong.

STORKS and WOOD IBISES
Family CICONIIDAE

188. Wood Ibis. Mycteria americana.

Range.--A sub-tropical species which is resident along the Gulf coast and
which strays casually north to New England and Colorado.

This peculiar member of the Stork family has the whole head and part of the
neck bare and covered with numerous scales; the bill is large, long and heavy;
the plumage is white, except for the black primaries and tail. It is a large bird
about four feet in length. They are quite abundant in swamps along the

Page 119
Gulf coast, where they place their nests, which are platforms of sticks, in trees
and bushes over the water. They lay three eggs which are white, and have a
rough surface. Size 2.75 × 1.75.

189. Jabiru. Jabiru mycteria.

This large bird, which is the only true Stork that claims a place in our avifauna,
is a native of South and Central America, wandering north, casually to Texas.
Their nests are large platforms of sticks in very high trees.

BITTERNS and HERONS
Family ARDEIDAE

Herons and Bitterns are long-legged waders,
having straight, pointed bills, and with the head
feathered, except for the lores.

190. Bittern. Bautaurus lentiginosus.

Range.--United States and southern British
provinces, breeding in the northern half of the
United States and wintering in the southern
portion.

This species, with its mottled rusty brownish
plumage, is one of the best known of the Heron
family. It is known locally by a great many
names, nearly all of which have reference to the
"booming" or "pumping" sound made during the
mating season. They build their nests in swampy
or marshy places, placing them on the ground,
frequently on a tussock, entirely surrounded by
water. The nest proper is only a few grasses
twisted about to form a lining to the hollow.
Jabiru.
They lay from three to five eggs of brownish
Bittern.
drab. Size 1.95 × 1.50.

They do not breed in
colonies, generally, but one
or two pairs nesting in one
marsh. Data.--Worcester,
Mass., June 3, 1897. Four
eggs laid in a grass lined
hollow in middle of a
hummock of earth and grass,
in middle of marsh.
Collector, James Jackson.
Brownish drab.

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191. Least Bittern. Ixobrychus exilis.

Range.--Common throughout the United States,
especially in the eastern part, and in the southern
British provinces.

This small variety of Bittern is very common in
the southern portions of the United States, but
less so and locally distributed in the northern
portions of its range. They are very quiet and sly
birds, and their presence is often unsuspected
when they are really quite abundant. When
approached, they will remain perfectly quiet,
with the body erect and the head and neck
pointed skyward, in which position their
yellowish brown plumage strongly resembles the
rushes among which they are found. Their nests
are made of strips of rushes woven about upright
stalks, generally over water. They lay from three
to five eggs of a pale bluish white color. Size
1.20 × .90. Data.--Avery's Island, La., May 1,
1896. Four eggs. Nest of strips of rushes woven
together to form a platform and fastened to saw
grass growing on the bank of a stream. Collector,
E. A. McIlhenny.

191.1. Cory's Least
Least Bittern. Cory's Least Bittern. Ixobrychus
Bittern. neoxenus.

This rare species, of which about twenty specimens are
known is probably resident in Florida, wandering north
in the summer, specimens having been taken in Ontario,
Canada, and in several localities in eastern United States. Pale bluish gray.
It is very different from the Least Bittern, having a more
uniform chestnut coloration, especially on the under parts. It is twelve inches
in length. Mr. C. W. Crandall has a set of five eggs of this species, taken on the
Caloosahatchee River, Fla., April 15, 1891, by S. B. Ladd. Nest was made of
grasses and rushes placed in the cane two feet above the water.

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192. Great White Heron. Ardea occidentalis.

Range.--This species occurs in the United States
regularly, only in the southern parts of Florida. It
is a resident of the West Indies.

This large white Heron is about the same size as
the Great Blue Heron; it has none of the slender
plumes found on the smaller White Herons.
These birds are not uncommon in southern
Florida, especially on the Keyes, where they
build their nests in company with Great Blue
Herons. Their nesting habits and eggs are very
similar to those of the Blue Heron. Size of eggs
2.25 × 1.80. Data.--Outside of Torch Key,
Florida, June 16, 1899. Nest a platform of sticks
about five feet from the ground, in a mangrove
tree. Three eggs. Collector, O. Tollin.

194. Great Blue Heron. Ardea herodias
herodias.

Range.--Nearly the whole of North America,
except the extreme north; resident south of the
middle portions of the United States and
migratory north of there.
Great White Heron.
This handsome Heron is about four feet in
length. Its general color is a bluish gray, relieved Great Blue Heron.
by a black crest, primaries and patches on the
sides, and a white crown. In the south they breed in large colonies, often in
company with many other species. In the northern portions of their range they
breed singly or in companies of under a hundred individuals. They generally
place their rude platforms of sticks well up in trees, near ponds, swamps or
rivers, but in the most northerly parts of their range, where trees are scarce,
they often build on the ground. Unless they are disturbed, they return to the
same breeding grounds, year after year. They lay from three to five eggs of a
greenish blue color. Size 2.50 × 1.50. Data.--Duck Island, Maine, May 20,

1883. Three eggs. Nest of sticks and twigs, about fifteen feet from the ground.
Collector, R. B. Gray.

194a. Northwest Coast Heron. Ardea herodias fannini.

This darker sub-species of the breeding is found along the Pacific coast, north
to Sitka, Alaska. Its nests and eggs do not differ from the former species.

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194b. Ward's Heron. Ardea herodias wardi.

This sub-species is a resident in Florida. It is a
lighter variety than the common. It nests together
with the Great Blue Heron and its habits are the
same.

195. European Heron. Ardea cinerea.

This species is only an accidental straggler in
Greenland. It is very similar to our Blue Heron
and is the one which was formerly used to
furnish sport for the royalty when falconry was
at its height.

196. Egret. Herodias egretta.

Range.--Resident in the southern portions of the
United States, straggling northward casually to
the northern parts.

This is one of the beautiful Herons which have
been sought by plume hunters till they are upon
the verge of extermination. They are entirely
white, with a long train of beautiful straight
"aigrettes" flowing from the middle of the back.
In remote localities, quite large colonies of them
may still be found, but where they numbered
thousands, years ago, they can be counted by

Snowy Egret. dozens now. They breed in impenetrable
Egret. swamps, very often in company with the
following species, and also with Louisiana and
Little Blue Herons, and White Ibises. Their nests are but frail platforms,
generally in bushes over the water. Their usual complement of eggs numbers
from three to five, four as the most common number. They are generally laid
during the latter part of May, but often on account of their being disturbed,
nests with eggs may be found in July. The eggs are a light bluish green in
color. Size 2.25 × 1.45. Data.--Gainesville, Florida, April 14, 1894. Four eggs
on a platform of sticks and grass, in a button-wood bush over six feet of water.
Collector, George Graham.

197. Snowy Egret. Egretta candidissima candidissima.

Range.--Common now only in restricted
localities in the Gulf States and Mexico.

This species, which is smaller than the last,
being but twenty-four inches in length, is also
adorned with "aigrettes," but they are beautifully
recurved at the tips. Owing to the merciless
slaughter to which they have been subjected,
their ranks have been woefully decimated, and it
is to be hoped that the remaining ones may be Light greenish blue.
safely protected. Their nesting habits are the
same as the last, although, of course, the eggs are smaller. Size 1.80 × 1.25.

Page 123
198. Reddish Egret. Dichromanassa rufescens.

Range.--In the United States, this species is confined chiefly to the Gulf States.

It is somewhat larger than the last species, the head and neck are rufous, the
body is bluish gray, and the back is adorned with slender gray plumes. It also
has a white phase. This Egret is very abundant along the whole Gulf coast, but
especially so in Texas. Their nesting habits are identical with those of the other
small Herons and Egrets. The three or four eggs are rather of a more greenish
blue than the preceding. Size 1.90 × 1.45. Data.--Gainesville, Florida, April 14,
1894. Three eggs. Nest of sticks and straw in a button-wood tree, two feet
above the water. Collector, George Graham.

199. Louisiana Heron. Hydranassa tricolor ruficollis.

Range.--Sub-tropical America, north regularly to the Gulf States and casually
farther.

This Heron is of about the size of the Reddish
Egret, but the neck is longer, more slender and
dark, while the chin, throat and underparts are
white. The plumes from the back are short,
reaching barely to the end of the tail. They nest
in large colonies in company with Egrets and
Little Blue Herons, placing their nests in the
mangroves, only a few feet above the water.
Their nests are the same as those of the other
species, a slight platform of sticks, and the three
to five eggs are practically not distinguishable
from those of the Snowy or Little Blue Herons.
Size 1.75 × 1.35.

Reddish Egret.
Louisiana Heron.

Pale bluish green.

Pale bluish green.

Page 124
200. Little Blue Heron. Florida cærulea.

Range.--South Atlantic and Gulf coasts, north
casually to New England and Manitoba; west to
Kansas and Nebraska.

A smaller species than the preceding, length 22
inches, plumage a uniform slaty blue changing to
purplish red on the head and neck. They also
have a white phase, but always show traces of
the slaty blue, especially on the primaries. Young
birds are always white. They breed in immense
rookeries during April and May. Their nesting
habits and eggs are very similar to the last
species, although the eggs average a trifle
smaller. Size 1.75 × 1.25. Data.--Avery's Island,
Louisiana, April 21, 1896. 5 eggs. Nest a flat and
frail platform of twigs in a Mimosa tree growing
in floating turf, over deep water in a large
swamp. Collector, E. A. McIlhenny.

201. Green Heron. Butorides virescens
virescens.

Range.--Temperate and sub-tropical America,
breeding north to the British Provinces.
Little Blue Heron.
Green Heron. This is the smallest of our Herons, and is well
known all over the country. Sometimes they
breed in numbers in rookeries, in company with the larger Herons, but in most
sections of the country they will be found nesting, one or two pairs together,
along the border of some swamp or stream. They have a greater diversity of
building sites, than do any of the other Herons and frequently nest a long ways

from water. Their nests may
be found in alders, birches or
even apple trees. It is the
usual Heron type of
platform, upon which the
three to six eggs are laid.
They are a pale greenish blue
in color, and measure 1.45 ×
1.10. Data.--Avery's Island,
Louisiana, April 10, 1894. 5 Pale bluish green.
eggs on a platform of twigs
placed in a willow tree growing on the edge of
a pond. Collected by E. A. McIlhenny.

Light bluish green.

Page 125
201a. Frazar's Green Heron. Butorides virescens frazari.

A darker variety found in Lower California; nesting the same as the common
species.

201b. Anthony's Green Heron. Butorides virescens anthonyi.

A lighter, desert form found in the arid portions of the interior of southwestern
United States and Mexico.

NEST AND EGGS OF GREEN HERON.

Page 126
202. Black-crowned Night Heron.

Nycticorax nycticorax naevius.

Range.--North America from southern British Provinces, southward; winters
along the Gulf coast and beyond.

A well known bird, often called "quawk" from the sound of its note frequently
heard in the evening. While, in some localities, only a few pairs of these birds
are found nesting together, most of them gather together into large colonies
during the breeding season. In New England they generally select a remote
pine grove as their breeding grounds. If not disturbed they will return to this
same place each year. Their nests are built of sticks and lined with small twigs,
and are placed well up towards the tops of the trees.

Frequently several nests will be found in the same tree, and I have counted as
many as fifty nests in view at the same time. In large swamps in the south they
generally nest at a low elevation, while in the marshes of Wisconsin and
Minnesota, large colonies of them nest on the ground, making their nest of
rushes. Like all Heronries, those of this species have a nauseating odor, from
the remains of decayed fish, etc., which are strewn around the bases of the
trees. Their eggs number from three to five and are of a pale bluish green color.

Size 2.00 × 1.40. Data.--Uxbridge, Mass., May
30, 1898. 4 eggs. Nest of sticks, about thirty feet
up in a pine tree. Many other nests. Collector, H.
A. Smith.

203. Yellow-crowned Night Heron. Nyctanassa
violacea.

Range.--Sub-tropical America, breeding along
the Gulf coast and to Lower California; casually
farther north, to Illinois and South Carolina.

A handsome grayish colored species, with long
lanceolate plumes on the back, and two or three
fine white plumes from the back of the head, like
those of the Black-crowned species. Its black
head, with tawny white crown and ear coverts,
renders it unmistakable. This species nests in
colonies or by pairs, like the preceding, and very
often in company with other Herons. They lay
from three to six eggs, very similar in size, shape
and color to those of the Black-crowned Heron.

Black-crowned Night Heron.
Yellow-crowned Heron.

Pale bluish green.

Page 127

CRANES, RAILS, etc. Order VIII. PALUDICOLÆ
CRANES. Family GRUIDAE

Cranes are large, long-legged, long-necked birds,
somewhat resembling Herons. Their structure
and mode of living partakes more of the nature
of the Rails, however. They are found upon the
prairies, where besides shell fish from the ponds,
they feed largely upon grasshoppers, worms, etc.

204. Whooping Crane. Grus americana.

Range.--Interior of North America, breeding
from about the latitude of Iowa northward to the
Arctic regions; winters in the Gulf states and
southward.

The Whooping Crane is the largest of the family
in America, measuring 50 inches or more in
length. The plumage of the adults is pure white,
with black primaries. The bare parts of the head
and face are carmine. It is a very locally
distributed species, in some sections being
practically unknown, while in a neighboring
locality it may be rated as common. They are
very shy birds and are not easily obtained. They
nest either upon the solid earth or in marshy
places over the water. In either case the nest is a
very bulky mass of grass and weeds from two to
three feet in diameter and raised perhaps a foot Whooping Crane.
above the ground. They lay two eggs of a Little Brown Crane.
brownish buff color, irregularly blotched with
brown, and with fainter marking of gray. Size
3.75 x 2.50. Data.--Torkton, northern Assiniboia, northwest Canada. Nest a
mass of marsh hay, three feet in diameter, on the prairie. The birds seen, but
very wary. Collector, Cowbry Brown.

205. Little Brown Crane. Grus canadensis.

Range.--North America in the interior, breeding from Hudson Bay and
southern Alaska north to the Arctic coast; south in winter to Mexico.

This uniform gray colored Crane differs from the next species only in size,
being about three feet in length, while the Sandhill averages three and one-half
feet. The eggs cannot be distinguished with any certainty.

Page 128

Brownish buff.
EGG OF WHOOPING CRANE.

Buff.
EGG OF LITTLE BROWN CRANE.

Page 129
206. Sandhill Crane. Grus mexicana.

Range.--Temperate North America, breeding
from the Gulf States, locally north to the
southern parts of the British Provinces.

This is the most common and the most southerly
distributed member of the family. In some
sections of Florida and Texas it is regarded as
abundant. They nest in marshy places near
secluded ponds. The nests are masses of grass,
weeds and roots, generally placed in marshes
and entirely surrounded by water. The two eggs
are similar to those of the Whooping Crane, but
the ground color is lighter. The eggs of the two
species cannot always, with certainty, be
distinguished. Size 3.75 x 2.40. Data.--Carman,
Manitoba, May 31, 1903. 2 eggs. Nest on a knoll
in a marsh, hidden by dead rushes and weeds; a
flat loose structure of broken rushes and reeds.
Collector, Chris Forge.

Sandhill Crane.
Limpkin.

COURLANS. Family ARAMIDÆ
207. Limpkin. Aramus vociferus.

Range.--This bird is a native of the West Indies and Central America, but
occurs regularly north to the southern portions of Florida.

This strange bird is the only member of its family found in the United States. It
may be likened to a large Rail or a small Crane, being apparently, a connecting
link between the two. It is about two feet in length, and the plumage is mottled
brownish and white. It lives in the marshes, from whence, until late at night,
emanate its strange cries, which are likened to those of a child in distress. They
nest in the most impenetrable parts of swamps, building their nests of rushes,
grass and weeds, in tangled masses of vines a few feet above the ground or
water. They lay from three to eight eggs having a ground color of buff or
grayish white and blotched with light brown. Their coloration is very similar to
those of the Cranes. Size 2.30 x 1.70. They nest in April and May.

Buffy white.

Page 130

NEST AND EGGS OF LITTLE BROWN CRANE.

Page 131

RAILS, GALLINULES and COOTS. Family
RALLIDÆ
Members of this family are almost exclusively frequenters of marshes, where
they lead a shy, retiring life and are more often heard than seen.

208. King Rail. Rallus elegans.

Range.--Fresh water marshes of eastern United States from New England and
the Dakotas, southward. Very abundant on the South Atlantic coast, in the
inland marshes.

This is one of the largest of the Rails, (17 inches
in length) and may be known by the richness of
its plumage, the breast and wing coverts being a
rich cinnamon color. It is almost exclusively a
fresh water species and is very rarely found
around a salt water marsh. Its nest is built on the
ground, in a tuft of grass and weeds woven about
the upright stalks. They lay from five to twelve
eggs having a cream colored ground, sparingly
speckled with brown and lilac. Size 1.60 × 1.20. Cream color.
Data.--Clark County, Missouri, June 6, 1893. 10
eggs. Nest composed of reed stalks; a slightly concave mass 8 inches across,
and only two inches above the water, in a clump of reeds. Collector, Ed. S.
Currier.

209. Belding's Rail. Rallus beldingi.

Range.--Lower California and the islands in the Gulf.

This is a locally confined species, very similar to the preceding but darker and
with the flank bars narrower. Its nesting or eggs will not differ from those of
the King Rail.

210. California Clapper Rail. Rallus obsoletus.

Range.--Salt marshes of the Pacific coast of the United States.

This species is like a dull colored King Rail, with
reference to the markings of the back, or a bright
colored Clapper Rail, as it has a cinnamon colored
breast. It is an abundant species in nearly all the salt
marshes along the coast. They make their nests on the
higher parts of the marsh, where it is comparatively
dry, building them of grass and strips of rushes. They

Light buff. lay from four to nine eggs of a light buff color, boldly
spotted with brown, and with fainter markings of
lilac. Size 1.75 × 1.25. Data.--Palo Alto, Cal., May 1, 1899. Nest of marsh
grass under a small bush on bank of slough. Collector, Ernest Adams.

Page 132
211. Clapper Rail. Rallus crepitans crepitans.

Range.--Salt marshes of the Atlantic coast from
southern New England southward.

A grayish colored Rail, about the size of, and
with the markings similar to those of the King
Rail. It is as exclusively a salt water species as
the King Rail is a fresh water one. With the
possible exception of the Carolina or Sora Rail,
this is the most abundant of all the Rails,
hundreds nesting in a single marsh on the South
Atlantic coast. Their nests are built of rushes and
weeds, and are placed on the ground either in the
tall grass bordering the marshes or attached to
the rushes in the midst of the marsh. The nesting
season commences during April and continues
through May. They lay from six to fourteen eggs,
of a buff color spotted irregularly with brown
and gray. Size 1.70 × 1.20.

211a. Louisiana Clapper Rail. Rallus crepitans
saturatus.

The habitation of this subspecies is limited to the
coast of Louisiana. It is very similar to the
King Rail. proceeding but is said to be brighter in plumage.
Clapper Rail.

211b. Florida Clapper Rail.
Rallus crepitans scotti.

Range.--Western coast of
Florida.

This bird is also similar to
crepitans but is much darker
and brighter.

211c. Wayne's Clapper Rail.
Buff.
Rallus crepitans waynei.

Range.--South Atlantic coast from North Carolina to Florida.

This subspecies is a little darker than crepitans, being about midway between
that species and Rallus scotti. The nests and eggs of any of these sub-species
cannot be distinguished from those of the common Clapper Rail.

211.2. Caribbean Clapper Rail. Rallus longirostris caribaeus.

Range.--West Indies and east coast of Mexico, north to southern Texas.

This species is similar to the Clapper, but has a shorter and relatively stouter
bill.

Page 133
212. Virginia Rail. Rallus virginianus.

Range.--Temperate North America, breeding
from the Middle States and California,
northward to British Columbia and Labrador,
and wintering along the Gulf coast; most
abundant in the east.

A small Rail, 9
inches long, very
similar in
markings and
coloration to the
King Rail. It is
found chiefly in
fresh water
swamps, where it
builds its nests in Creamy white.
tufts of rushes. The
eggs number from six to fourteen, and are
creamy white, or white, speckled with reddish
brown. Size 1.25 × .90 Data.--Fighting Island,
Detroit River, Michigan, May 30, 1904. Nest
made of marsh grass, in rushes, 6 inches above
the water. Collector, E. Leroy King.

213. Spotted Crake. Porzana porzana. Sora.
Virginia Rail.
This common European species is casually
found in Greenland. It breeds in large numbers
throughout temperate Europe, nesting as do the American Rails.

214. Sora. Porzana carolina.

Range.--Temperate North America, breeding from the southern parts of the
British possessions, south to the Gulf coast.

This abundant species of Rail may be readily
known by its small size, about eight inches long,
and the black face and throat of the adult. These
are the "Rail-birds" or "Ortolans" which are
annually slaughtered by thousands, for sport and
marketing, during their fall migration. It is only
because of the large families that they rear, that
they are able to withstand this yearly decimation
of their ranks. They nest either in salt or fresh Bright buff.
water marshes, making a rude structure of grass,
weeds and strips of rushes, on the ground, generally concealed in a tuft of
grass in a tangled swamp or marsh. During May, they lay from six to sixteen
eggs of a bright, buffy gray color, spotted with reddish brown and lavender.
Size 1.25 × .90.

Page 134
215. Yellow Rail. Coturnicops noveboracensis.

Range.--Locally distributed in temperate North America, from New England
and Nova Scotia, to California and British Columbia; south to the Gulf States
in winter.

This is a very handsome species, with plumage of glossy brown, yellowish
buff, black and white; length seven inches. They are very shy and secretive,
and are probably more common than generally supposed. Their nesting habits
are the same as those of the preceding. Their eggs are of a rich buff color,
speckled in the form of a wreath about the large end, with reddish brown. They
are relatively narrower than those of other Rails. Size 1.10 × .80. Data.--
Benson Co., North Dakota, June 4, 1901. Set of ten eggs collected by Rev. P.
B. Peabody. This set is in the collection of Mr. John Lewis Childs.

216. Black Rail. Creciscus jamaicensis.

Range.--Temperate North America, breeding from northern United States
southward.

Smallest of the rails; 5 inches in length. A dark slaty colored bird with white
specks, and a patch of dark chestnut on the fore back. This diminutive species

is very hard to find
because of its retiring
habits, but according to
Mr. Brewster it may be
located by the clicking
sound of its song.

Their nests are woven
of strips of rushes or Rich buff.

grasses, and are well
"cupped" to receive the
eggs. They are on the
ground on the border of,
or in, marshy places.
Mr. Childs has a fine set
of eight eggs, taken by
Arthur T. Wayne, at Mt. Pleasant, S. C., June 10,
1903. The nest was located in an oat field. The
eggs have a creamy white ground, and are
specked all over with reddish brown. Size 1.03 ×
.75.

216.1. Farallon Rail. Creciscus coturniculus.

Known only from a single specimen, which is
slightly smaller than jamaicensis and without the
white specks on the back.
Yellow Rail.
Black Rail.

Page 135
217. Corn Crake. Crex crex.

This European Rail is casually found in Greenland and along the Atlantic coast
of North America. It is the most abundant of European Rails and is found
breeding in marshes, meadows and along streams.

218. Purple Gallinule. Ionornis martinicus.

Range.--South Atlantic and Gulf States; casually north in eastern United States
to Massachusetts and Ohio.

A very handsome bird with purplish head, neck
and under parts, and a greenish back. Like all the
Gallinules and Coots, this species has a scaly
crown plate. An abundant breeding species in the
southern parts of its range. Its nests are made of
rushes or grasses woven together and either
attached to living rushes or placed in tufts of
grass. They lay from six to ten eggs of a creamy
or pale buff color sparingly blotched with
chestnut. Size 1.60 × 1.15. Data.--Avery's Island,
Louisiana, May 7, 1896. Ten eggs. Nest of dry
rushes, woven to standing ones growing around
an "alligator hole" in a marsh. Collector, E. A.
McIlhenny.

Purple Gallinule.
Corn Crake.

Pale buff.

Page 136
219. Florida Gallinule. Gallinula galeata.

Range.--Temperate North America, from New
England, Manitoba and California, southward.

A grayish colored bird of similar size to the last
(13 inches long), with flanks streaked with
white, and with the bill and crown plate reddish.
They nest in colonies in marshes and swamps,
building their nests like those of the Purple
Gallinule. The eggs, too, are similar, but larger
and slightly duller. Size 1.75 × 1.20.

Data.--
Montezuma
marshes,
Florida,
June 6,
1894.
Eleven
eggs. Nest
of dead
flaggs,
floating in
two feet of
water. Pale buff.
Florida Gallinule. Collector,
Coot. Robert Warwick.

220. European Coot. Fulica atra.

A European species very similar to the next, and only casually found in
Greenland. Nesting the same as our species.

221. Coot. Fulica americana.

Range.--Whole of temperate North America, from the southern parts of the
British Provinces, southward; very common in suitable localities throughout its

range.

The Coot bears some resemblance to the
Florida Gallinule, but is somewhat larger, its
bill is white with a blackish band about the
middle, and each toe has a scalloped web.
They inhabit the same marshes and sloughs
that are used by the Rails and Gallinules as
nesting places, and they have the same
retiring habits, skulking through the grass to
avoid observation, rather than flying. Their
nests are either floating piles of decayed
Grayish. vegetation, or are built of dead rushes in
clumps of rushes on the banks. They
generally build in large colonies. The eggs number from six to sixteen and
have a grayish ground color, finely specked all over the surface with blackish.
Size 1.80 × 1.30.

Page 137

SHORE BIRDS. Order IX. LIMICOLÆ
PHALAROPES. Family PHALAROPODIDAE

Phalaropes are small Plover-like birds, but with
lobate webbed feet, similar to those of the
Grebes and Coots.

222. Red Phalarope. Phalaropus fulicarius.

Range.--Northern Hemisphere, breeding in the
far north, and migrating to the middle portions of
the United States, chiefly on the coasts.

The Red Phalarope
during the breeding
season has the
underparts wholly
reddish brown; they are
very rarely seen in the
United States in this
dress, however for it is
Greenish buff.
early changed for a suit
of plain gray and white.
This species has a much stouter bill than the two
following; it is about nine inches in length. All
the Phalaropes are good swimmers, and this
species, especially, is often found in large flocks
off the coast, floating on the surface of the water;
they feed largely upon small marine insects.
Nests in hollows on the ground, lined with a few
grasses. The eggs are three or four in number,
generally of a greenish buff color, spotted and Red Phalarope.
blotched with brown and blackish. Data.-- Northern Phalarope.
Myvates, Iceland, June 19, 1897. Collector, C.
Jefferys.

223. Northern Phalarope. Lobipes labatus.

Range.--Northern Hemisphere, breeding in the northern parts of the British
Provinces.

This is the smallest of the Phalaropes, being about eight inches long; in
summer it has a chestnut band across the breast and on the side of the neck.

Its habits and nesting habits vary but little from those
of the Red Phalarope, although its distribution is a
little more southerly, and it is not as exclusively
maritime as the preceding species. It is found on both
coasts of the United States, but more common on the
Pacific side, during the fall and spring, when going to
or returning from its winter quarters in the tropics.
Their eggs cannot, with certainty, be distinguished Greenish buff.
from the preceding species.

Page 138
224. Wilson's Phalarope. Steganopus tricolor.

Range.--Interior of temperate North America,
breeding from the latitude of Iowa, northward,
and wintering south of the United States.

This is the most
handsome species of the
family, being of a very
graceful form, of a
grayish and white color,
with a broad stripe
through the eye and
down the neck, where it
fades insensibly into a Brownish buff.
rich chestnut color. It is
an exclusively American species and is rarely
found near the coast. It builds its nest generally
in a tuft of grass, the nests also being of grass.
The eggs are of a brownish or greenish buff
color, spotted and blotched with black and
brown. Size 1.30 × .90. Data.--Larimore, N. D.,
May 30, 1897. Nest a shallow depression,
scratched in the sand, under a tuft of grass on an
island. Collector, T. F. Eastgate.

Male, female, young.
Wilson's Phalarope.

Page 139

AVOCETS and STILTS. Family
RECURVIROSTRIDÆ
225. Avocet. Recurvirostra americana.

Range.--Western North America, breeding north
to Northwest Territory.

The Avocet can be known from any other bird by
its up-curved bill, light plumage, webbed feet
and large size (length about 17 inches). These
waders are quite numerous in suitable localities
throughout the west, constructing their nests in
the grass, bordering marshy places. The nest is
simply a lining of grass in a hollow in the
ground. They lay three or four eggs of a dark
greenish or brownish buff color, boldly marked
with brown and black. Size 1.90 × 1.30. Data.--
Rush Lake, Assiniboia. Four eggs laid in a
depression in the sand, lined with dry weeds.
Many birds nesting in the colony.

226. Black-necked Stilt. Himantopus
mexicanus.

Range.--Like the last, this species is rarely found
east of the Mississippi, but is very abundant in
the United States west of that river.

A black and white wader, with extremely long American Avocet.
red legs; otherwise a gracefully formed bird. It Black-necked Stilt.
breeds in large colonies anywhere in its range,
making its nests of weeds
and sometimes a few twigs,
on the ground beside of, or
in the marshes. Their eggs
number three or four and are
brownish or greenish buff
with numerous markings of
brownish black, these
markings being somewhat
lengthened and mostly
Greenish buff. running lengthwise of the
shell. They nest during April
in the southern parts of their range and through May and June in the northern.

Size of eggs 1.80 × 1.25. Data.--
Freshwater Lake, southern California,
June 5, 1891. Four eggs laid on a mud
flat near the water's edge; no nest.
Collector, Evan Davis.

Greenish buff.

Page 140

SNIPES, SANDPIPERS, Family SCOLOPACIDÆ
Members of this family are long-legged waders, of either large or small size,
and found either about streams or ponds in the interior or along the coasts.
They feed upon small shell fish, or insects which they get usually by probing
in the soft mud.

227. European Woodcock. Scolopax rusticola.

This European bird is similar to the American
Woodcock, but is larger and is barred beneath.
Their habits are the same as those of our species.

228. Woodcock. Philohela minor.

Range.--Eastern North America, north to the
British Provinces, breeding throughout its range.

This is one of the
most eagerly
sought game birds
of the east. Their
flight is very rapid
and erratic, and
accompanied by a
peculiar whistling
sound made by the
rapid motion of the Buffy gray.
wings; it requires a
skillful marksman to bring them down. They
frequent boggy places especially "runs" lined
with alders, where they bore in the soft ground
for worms and grubs. Their eggs are laid upon
the bare ground among the leaves and sticks;
American Woodcock. they are of about the color of dead leaves, as is
Wilson's Snipe. also the bird, making it quite difficult to discover
their nests. They lay three or four eggs of a buffy
color, with yellowish brown spots. Size 1.50 × 1.15.

229. European Snipe. Gallinago gallinago.

A common species in Europe; of casual or accidental appearance in Greenland.
The bird does not differ essentially from our Snipe and its habits are the same.

Page 141

WOODCOCK ON HER NEST.

Page 142

WOODCOCK.

Page 143
Wilson Snipe. Gallinago delicata.

Range.--North America, breeding from northern United States northward;
winters along the Gulf States and to California, and southward.

Another favorite game bird, but one which requires
skill to hunt successfully. Of about the same size as
the Woodcock (11 inches long). This species, to a
great extent frequents the same haunts used by
Woodcock, but is especially fond of open marshy
meadows, with winding brooks. Their nests are
depressions in grassy banks, generally unlined; the
three or four eggs have an olive gray color and are
Olive gray. strongly marked with blackish brown. Size 1.50 ×
1.10. Data.--Lake Winnipegosis, Manitoba, June 10,
1903. Nest in a hollow on a tuft of marsh grass, the four eggs having their
points together. Collector, Walter Raine.

230.1. Greater Snipe. Gallinago media.

A European species, only American as having accidentally occurred at Hudson
Bay; similar in appearance to the preceding species.

NEST AND EGGS OF WOODCOCK.

Page 144
231. Dowitcher. Macrorhamphus griseus.

Range.--North America, most abundant in the
eastern parts; breeds in the extreme north, and
winters from the Gulf States to Northern South
America.

This species is
commonly known as
"Red-breasted Snipe" in
late spring and summer
because of the rich,
rusty red coloration of
the underparts, and as
"Gray-back" in winter Greenish buff.
because of its color at
that season. They are
very common along the Atlantic coast during the
Dowitcher. Spring migration; they can be easily identified by
their very long bills, which are over two inches in
length and nearly one quarter the length of the whole bird. They nest during
June, placing their three or four eggs in a slight hollow, which may or may not
be lined with dried grass or leaves. The eggs have a greenish or brownish buff
color and are boldly marked with dark brown. They do not differ greatly from
those of the Snipe. Data.--Mackenzie River, June 27, 1900. Four eggs in a
hollow in the grass, lined with dead grass. Collector, Walter Raine.

LOON.

Page 145
232. Long-billed Dowitcher. Macrorhamphus griseus scolopaceus.

Range.--Whole of North America, but not common on the Atlantic coast;
breeds in the Arctic regions and migrates chiefly through the central and

western parts of the United States to Mexico.

This bird is practically
the same as the last, but
is a trifle larger and the
bill averages about a
half inch longer. They
are very numerous in
their breeding haunts,
and, during their
Greenish buff.
migrations, fly in large
compact flocks. They
are not very timid, and consequently fall an easy
prey to the gunners. Their nesting habits and
eggs are the same as the last species, except that
the eggs may average a trifle larger. Size 1.75 ×
1.15. Data.--Norton Is., Alaska, June, 1900. Nest
a small hollow in the dry ground. Four eggs.
Collector, Capt. H. H. Bodfish.

233. Stilt Sandpiper. Micropalama himantopus.

Range.--North America, east of the Rocky
Mountains; breeds in the Arctic regions and
winters from the Gulf States southward.

In the summer, these birds may be known by the Long-billed.
reddish coloration of the underparts, which are
numerously barred; they are smaller than the
preceding, length about eight inches. Their nesting habits are the same as those
of the majority of the members of the family. The three or four eggs are buffy
or grayish, and are blotched and spotted with shades of brown. Size 1.40 ×
1.00.

Page 146
234. Knot. Tringa canutus.

Range.--Arctic regions in summer; south through the United States, chiefly on
the Atlantic coast, to South America.

Of about the same size as the Dowitchers, length
10.5 inches, but with a much shorter bill. In
summer the entire under parts are a uniform
reddish chestnut color. They are known to breed
in Arctic America, from Point Barrow and
Hudson Bay, northward, but no authentic eggs
are known, at present, to exist in collections. One
taken from a bird by Lieut. Greely, was a pea
green color, specked with brown; size 1.10 ×
1.00. As it was not fully developed, it was
probably correct neither as to size nor color.

235. Purple Sandpiper. Arquatella maritima
maritima.

Range.--Arctic regions, wintering south to the
Middle States and the Great Lakes, but chiefly
on the coast.

A grayish and blackish
colored species, about
nine inches long. It
nests in northern
Labrador, about Hudson
Bay and in Iceland. Its
eggs are a grayish buff
color handsomely
Knot. splashed with rich Grayish buff.
Purple Sandpiper. shades of brown and
obscure markings of darker gray. Data.--
Northern Iceland, June 7, 1897. Four eggs. Nest a hollow in the ground among
grass and weeds and lined with a few grasses. Collector, C. Jefferys.

235a. Aleutian Sandpiper. Arguatella maritima couesi.

Range.--Supposed to be a resident on the coast and islands of Alaska, from the
Aleutians northward.

A very similar species to the preceding; scarcely distinguishable. These
Sandpipers, which are found in Alaska at all seasons of the year, breed during
May and June. Their nesting habits are the same as those of the preceding bird
and the eggs are indistinguishable. Size 1.40 × 1.00. Data.--Unalaska, Bering
Sea, June 3, 1898. Nest containing four eggs, a depression in the moss, lined
with grasses and bits of moss. The eggs were laid with their small ends
together.

Page 147
237. Pribilof Sandpiper. Arquatella maritina
ptilocnemis.

Range.--Coast and islands of Bering Sea, south
in winter to southern Alaska.

This bird, which is ten inches in length, has the
feathers of the upper parts edged with rusty, and
the underparts light, with a distinguishing patch
of black on the breast. Similar in appearance to
the Red-backed Sandpiper, but not so reddish
above, and the latter has the black patch on the
belly. They breed commonly on the Pribilof and
other islands in Bering Sea, nesting the same as
other Sandpipers. Their four eggs are similar to
those of the preceding, but average darker. Size
1.50 × 1.05.

238. Sharp-tailed Sandpiper. Pisobia aurita.

Range.--An Asiatic species, quite abundant in
Alaska in the summer; supposed to migrate south
in winter, wholly on the Asiatic side of the
Pacific.

A similar bird, in appearance, to the following,
Sharp-tailed Sandpiper.
but slightly smaller and with the breast more
Pectoral Sandpiper.
ruddy. Its nesting habits probably do not differ
from those of the following Sandpiper.

239. Pectoral Sandpiper. Pisobia maculata.

Range.--Whole of North America, breeding in the Arctic regions, and
wintering south of the United States, most abundant in the eastern parts of the
United States during migrations.

This species is blackish brown above, with light
brown edgings to the feathers, and white below,
except the chest, which is brownish, streaked with
black. A very peculiar species, having the power,
during the mating season, of inflating the throat to a
great extent, making a balloon-like appendage, nearly
the size of the bird. They have more the habits of
Snipe, than do most of the Sandpipers, frequenting grassy meadows or
marshes, in preference to the seashore. Their nests are grass lined depressions,
and the eggs are grayish or greenish buff, blotched with brown. Size 1.45 ×

1.00. Data.--Cape Smythe, Alaska, June 1900. Four eggs in a hollow in the
ground, lined with grass.

Page 148
240. White-rumped Sandpiper. Pisobia
fuscicollis.

Range.--North America, breeding from Labrador
and southern Greenland, northward and
wintering from central to Southern South
America; most common on the Atlantic coast.

This species is 7.5 inches in length, and has
white upper tail coverts; otherwise it is marked
similarly to the preceding Sandpiper. Its nesting
habits are the same as those of the majority of
the family, and the three or four eggs that they
lay cannot be distinguished from those of the
following species. Size 1.30 × .90. These are one
of the most common of the beach birds along the
Atlantic coast during migrations; they are very
often known as Bonaparte Sandpipers.

241. Baird's Sandpiper. Pisobia bairdi.

Range.--North America, chiefly in the interior,
breeding along the Arctic coast and about
Hudson Bay, and wintering south of the United
States.

White-rumped Sandpiper. A very similar species to the preceding, but
Baird's Sandpiper. without the white rump. Their nests are hollows
Least Sandpiper. in the ground, generally concealed in a tuft of
grass, and lined with grasses and a few leaves.
They lay three or four eggs having a grayish
colored ground, and marked with different shades of brown, and also with
some faint markings of lilac. Size 1.30 × .90. Data.--Peel River, Arctic
America, June 18, 1898. Four eggs, taken with the bird by an Indian. Eggs in a
slight hollow on the river bank.

242. Least Sandpiper. Pisobia minutilla.

Range.--North America, breeding from the southern parts of the British
Provinces northward; winters from southern United States southward.
Common in the interior and on both coasts.

This is the smallest of our Sandpipers, being under six
inches in length. Except for size, they are similar in
appearance to Baird's Sandpiper, only the back is
browner. A very abundant species during migrations,
being found on the seashore or in marshes, nearly
always in company with other species of the family.
Their nests are the same as other Sandpipers, and the
eggs are grayish, thickly specked with brown. Size
1.15 × .80. Data.--Peel River, Arctic America, June Grayish.
20, 1899. Nest simply a depression in the river bank,
lined with grass.

Page 149
242.1. Long-toed Stint. Pisobia damacensis.

An Asiatic species accidentally found on the
Alaskan shores. It is a very similar bird to the
Least Sandpiper, and about the same size. As
implied by its name, it has unusually long toes.

243. Dunlin. Pelidna alpina alpina.

A very common Sandpiper in the British Isles
and in Europe, but only casually occurring as a
straggler along the Atlantic coast. Very similar to
the next species, but a trifle smaller. The nest and
eggs do not differ from the following.

243a. Red-backed Sandpiper. Pelidna alpina
sakhalina.

Range.--Whole of
North America,
breeding from southern
Greenland, Labrador,
Hudson Bay and the
Yukon, northward,
wintering from the Gulf
Greenish buff. States southward. This
handsome species is
similar to the Pribilof Red-backed Sandpiper.
Sandpiper, but is smaller (length 8 inches), the Curlew Sandpiper.
upperparts are more reddish, the breast more

heavily streaked, and it has a black patch on the belly instead of on the breast
as in ptilocnemis. Their nesting habits are similar to others of the family; they
lay three or four eggs with a brownish or greenish buff color, heavily blotched
and spotted with shades of brown and chestnut. Size 1.40 × 1.00. Data.--- Peel
River, Arctic America, June 30, 1899. Nest a simple cavity in the ground, lined
with a few grasses and three or four leaves. Collector, J. O. Stringer.

244. Curlew Sandpiper. Erolia ferruginea.

Range.--A common Old World species, but regarded as rare in eastern North
America and northern Alaska.

A bird of slighter build, but similar coloration to the Knot; smaller (length
eight inches) and with a slightly decurved bill. Until within recent years, eggs
of these birds were rarely seen in collections, and I believe they have not yet
been taken in this country, although a few pairs nest along our Arctic coast.
Their eggs are very similar to those of the Red-backed Sandpiper, but average
somewhat larger. Size 1.50 × 1.05. Data.--Kola, northern Lapland, June 15,
1898. Four eggs laid in a grass-lined hollow in the ground. Collector, J.
Ramberg.

Page 150
245. Spoonbill Sandpiper. Eurynorhynchus pygmeus.

A very rare Asiatic species, which has been taken in Kotzebue Sound, Alaska.
A very peculiar bird having the end of the bill broadened and flattened into a
sort of spatula. Otherwise very similar to the Least Sandpiper, but with the
breast and sides of neck ruddy in summer. About 75 specimens of this rare bird
are known to exist.

246. Semipalmated Sandpiper. Ereunetes pusillus.

Range.--Whole of North America, but chiefly in the eastern and central parts,
breeding about the ponds and streams of Labrador and Hudson Bay, and
northward. These little Sandpipers are abundant during the migrations either in
marshes or on beaches. They are most often found in company with other
species, such as the Spotted and Least Sandpipers. Their appearance is very
similar to that of the Least Sandpipers, but they are slightly larger and the feet
are partially webbed. Their eggs have a greenish buff or grayish ground color
and are spotted with brownish or blackish, sometimes, so heavily as to
completely obscure the shell color. Size 1.20 × .80. Data.--Small island near
Okak, Labrador, July 3, 1895. 2 eggs. Nest a hollow at the foot of a tuft of
grass, lined with a few bits of grass and small leaves. Eggs unmistakable in this
dark type.

Grayish.

Spoonbill Sandpiper.
Semipalmated Sandpiper.

Page 151
247. Western Sandpiper. Ereunetes mauri.

Range.--Western North America, breeding in the Arctic regions and migrating
through the United States, chiefly west of the Mississippi to the Gulf States

and southward.

Scarcely to be
distinguished from the
preceding species, but
the upper parts are said
to be brighter and the
bill, to average a trifle
longer. The nesting
habits and eggs are
Grayish buff. precisely the same as
those of the
Semipalmated variety. Data.--Cape Prince of
Wales, Alaska, June 28, 1898. Four eggs. Nest a
neatly rounded hollow, sunk into a mossy
hummock in marshy ground. Collector, Joseph
Grinnell.

248. Sanderling. Calidris leucophaea.

Range.--Found in all parts of the northern
hemisphere, breeding within the Arctic Circle
and wintering in North America, from California
and South Carolina southward.

A handsome and abundant species, found during
migrations by thousands on beaches and about
large bodies of water in the interior. They are Western Sandpiper.
one of the lightest colored of the Sandpipers,
Sanderling.
either in winter or summer plumage. In summer Marbled Godwit.
the upper parts are a light rusty color and black,
and the whole underparts are white. Owing to
their extreme northerly distribution in summer, but few of their eggs have been
taken. Their nesting habits are like those of the other Sandpipers. The three or
four eggs are greenish buff in color, spotted and blotched with brown. Size
1.45 × .95. Data.--Peel River, Alaska, June 18, 1897. Three eggs in a
depression on the ground.

249. Marbled Godwit. Limosa fedoa.

Range.--North America, breeding, chiefly in the interior, from northern United
States northward.

Godwits are large Plovers with long slightly up-curved bills. This species is 19
inches in length, is of a nearly uniform ruddy color and is handsomely marbled
above, and barred below with black. Their eggs are laid upon the ground in the
vicinity of ponds or rivers; sometimes there is no lining and again a few straws
or grasses may be twisted around the depression. Their eggs number three or
four and have a ground color of grayish or greenish buff, sometimes quite

dark, and are blotched with dark brown. Size 2.25 × 1.60. Data.--Devil's Lake,
N. D., June 10, 1895. Four eggs laid on the ground in the middle of an unused
road. Lined with a few grasses. Collector, W. F. Hill.

Page 152
250. Pacific Godwit. Limosa lapponica baueri.

Range.--Coasts and islands of the Pacific Ocean
on the Asiatic side, north in summer to Alaska.

This species is more uniform and brighter ruddy
beneath than the preceding, and the back is not
marbled as strongly. Even in Alaska where it
breeds, it is not a common species, and it only
occurs elsewhere on the Pacific coast of America
casually. The nesting habits are the same, but the
eggs are somewhat darker than those of the
preceding, but not as dark as those of the
following species. Size 2.20 × 1.45.

251. Hudsonian Godwit. Limosa haemastica.

Range.--North America, east of the Rocky
Mountains, breeding in the Arctic regions and
wintering south of the United States.

This species is apparently not as common or is
more locally distributed during migrations than
is the Marbled Godwit. They are more abundant
in their breeding grounds and are occasionally
seen in large flocks. They are smaller than the
Pacific Godwit. Marbled Godwit (length 18 inches) and are deep
Hudsonian Godwit reddish brown below. They lay four eggs on the

ground, in marshes or near
ponds or streams, lining the
hollow with weeds and dried
leaves. The eggs have a dark
brownish buff ground color
and are blotched with
brownish black. Size 2.20 ×
1.40. Data.--Mackenzie
River, Arctic America. Four
eggs laid in a hollow in the
ground. Collector, J. O.
Stringer.
Brownish.

252. Black-tailed Godwit. Limosa limosa.

A European and Asiatic species only casually occurring in Greenland. Very
similar in appearance to our Hudsonian Godwit, which is frequently called by
the name of this species. The nesting habits and the eggs are precisely like
those of the American bird.

253. Green Shank. Glottis nebularia.

A common bird in Europe and the British Isles, but only American as having
been taken once in Florida. A very similar species to the following.

Page 153
254. Greater Yellow-legs. Totanus
melanoleucus.

Range.--Whole of North America, nesting in the
British Provinces and rarely in the northern part
of the Mississippi Valley.

This and the next species are much sought by
sportsmen during their migrations; they are
commonly called "Tell-tale," the present species
being the "Greater Tell-tale." They are blackish
above, speckled with white, and below are white
and, in summer, marked with arrowhead spots of
black. The legs, as implied by the name of the
bird, are yellow and long; length of bird, 14
inches. They nest most abundantly in localities
remote from habitations, in the interior of
Canada. The eggs are generally laid on the
ground, near a marsh or on the bank of a stream,
with little or no lining to the nest. They are
grayish white, boldly splashed with several
shades of brown, and with lilac. Size 1.65 ×
1.25. Data.--Whale River, Labrador, June 10,
1902. Eggs laid on the ground in an open marsh.

255. Yellow-legs. Totanus flavipes.
Greater Yellow-legs.
Range.--North America, breeding chiefly in the Yellow-legs.
interior and eastern parts of Canada, and rarely
in the upper Mississippi Valley. This species is
very similar to the preceding, but is smaller; length 10.5 inches. It is also called
the "Lesser Tell-tale," a name applied because of their wariness, and because,
when they fly, they warn all other species within hearing, of danger. Their eggs
are laid on the ground, and in similar localities to the preceding. They are three

or four in number, grayish or
buffy in color, and are quite
heavily blotched and spotted
with rich brown and grayish
or lilac. Size 1.60 × 1.20.
Data.--Whale River,
Labrador, June 14, 1902.
Four eggs laid on the ground
in a large marsh.
Grayish white.

Buffy.

Page 154
256. Solitary Sandpiper. Helodromas solitarius
solitarius.

Range.--Eastern North America, breeding chiefly
north of the United States boundary, but apt to be
found nesting in any part of its range; winters
south of the United States.

A bird with a greenish gray back, barred with
white, and white below; length 8.5 inches. This
species is one of the oddities among the waders.
They are most always met with, singly or in
pairs, and are very rarely seen, even in very
small flocks. Their preference is for small ponds
or streams in wet woods or open meadows,
Solitary Sandpiper. rather than marshes which are frequented by
other species. They are occasionally seen during
the nesting season, even in the southern parts of their range, and they probably
breed there although their eggs are very rarely found. The eggs are clay-
colored, spotted with brownish black. Data.--Simco Island, Kingston, Ontario,
June 10, 1898. 5 eggs in a shallow depression on the ground, lined with a few
grasses.

Clay-colored.

NEST OF SPOTTED SANDPIPER.

Page 155
256a. Western Solitary Sandpiper. Helodromas solitarius cinnamomeus.

Range.--North America, west of the Plains; breeds in British Columbia and
probably south of there, also.

This bird is like the last, except that the spots on the back are buffy instead of
white. Its nest and eggs will not differ in any respect from those of the eastern
form.

257. Green Sandpiper. Helodromas acrophus.

This species, which very closely resembles our Solitary Sandpiper, is common
in the northern parts of the Old World. It has only accidentally strayed to our
shores.

258. Willet. Catoptrophorus semipalmatus semipalmatus.

Range.--Eastern United States, breeding north to
the Middle States and occasionally straying to
the Canadian border, especially in the
Mississippi Valley.

These large waders are among the most abundant
of the marsh or beach birds. They breed in small
companies in marshes, frequently in those which
are covered with water at high tide, building a
frail nest of grasses and weeds, where it will be
barely out of reach of the highest water. The
three or four eggs have a brownish, or sometimes
greenish, buff ground color and are blotched
with umber, and have fainter markings of lilac.
Size 2.00 × 1.50. Data.--Sandy Bank, South
Carolina, May 3, 1901. Nest on the ground,
secreted in the high grass. Made of dead marsh
grass, lined with finer grasses.

Western Sandpiper.
Willet.

Buff.

Page 156
258a. Western Willet. Catoptrophorus
semipalmatus inornatus.

Range.--Western North America, breeding north
to Manitoba and British Columbia. Casually
found on the South Atlantic coast during
migrations.

A larger and paler form of the preceding species;
length 15.5 inches. The nesting habits are the
same, and the eggs cannot be distinguished from
those of the common Willet. Data.--Refugio,
Texas, May 18, 1900. 4 eggs in a grass lined
depression on the bay shore flat. Collector, J. W.
Preston.

259. Wandering Tattler. Heteractitis incanus.

Range.--Pacific coast of North America,
breeding from British Columbia northward.

This is a handsome species, uniform grayish
above and white below, closely barred (in
summer) with blackish. During the breeding
season it is found on the rugged coasts and
islands of Alaska, and casually south. It breeds in
Wandering Tattler. the marsh grass near the shores and along the
Ruff. banks of streams.
Upland Plover.
260. Ruff. Machetes pugnax.

A common European species, occasionally found on the Atlantic coast of
North America. It is a species remarkable for its pugnacity during the mating
season; in size and appearance it is about like the Upland Plover, with the
exception of the "ruff" which adorns the neck and breast of the male bird.

261. Upland Plover. Bartramia longicauda.

Range.--North America, chiefly east of
the Rocky Mountains, breeding from
middle United States, northward.

A handsome bird, 12 inches in length,
generally known as the "Upland Plover,"
from its habit of frequenting dry side
hills, where it feeds upon grasshoppers
and worms. It is a favorite bird with
many sportsmen. It builds a nest of
grasses, on the ground in a tuft of grass in
the middle of fields. The three or four
eggs have a buff ground and are blotched Buff.
with yellowish brown. Size 1.75 × 1.25.
Data.--Stump Lake, N. D., June 10, 1897. Nest of grass, lined with wool, under
a tuft of grass left by the mower. Collector, Alf. Eastgate.

Page 157

NEST AND EGGS OF UPLAND PLOVER.

Page 158
262. Buff-breasted Sandpiper. Tryngites subruficollis.

Range.--Interior of North America, breeding
from the Hudson Bay region to the Arctic coast.

A buffy colored species,
with a peculiarly
marbled back. Size 8.5
inches long. It is an
upland species like the
last. The nests are
scantily lined
depressions in the Grayish white.
ground. The eggs have
a grayish white ground and are boldly blotched
with rich brown and chestnut with fainter
markings of lilac. Size 1.45 × 1.05. Data.--Cape
Smythe, Alaska, June, 1900. 4 eggs in a hollow
in dry spot on a marsh. Collector, H. H. Bodfish.

263. Spotted Sandpiper. Actitis macularia.

Range.--Whole of North America from Hudson
Bay southward, breeding throughout its range.

A small wader about 7.5
inches in length, with
brownish gray upper
parts, and white
Buff-breasted Sandpiper. underparts thickly
Spotted Sandpiper. spotted with blackish,
especially on the breast
and flanks. This is the Buff.
most abundant of all the shore birds, and its "peet-
weet" is a familiar sound to every country boy. It has a peculiar habit of
continually moving its tail up and down, when at rest on a stone or when
running along the shore; from these characteristic actions it has received the
very common names of "Teeter-tail" and "Tip-up." They build their nests on
the ground near ponds, brooks or marshes, generally concealing it in a tuft of
grass or weeds on the shore or in the high grass at the edge of the meadows.
The eggs number from three to five and are of a grayish buff color, spotted and
blotched with blackish brown. The young, like those of all the shore birds, are
hatched covered with down, and run about as soon as born. They are anxiously
attended by the parents and at the least sign of danger, conceal themselves
beneath a tuft of grass or behind a small stone, where they remain perfectly
motionless until called by the old birds. The adults frequently attempt to lead
an enemy away from the young by feigning a broken wing, or lameness. Size
of eggs 1.35 × .90. Data.--Parker County, Ind., May 22, 1901. Nest about six
yards from bank of creek, among weeds on a sand bar; a hollow in the sand
lined with weeds. Collector, Winfield S. Catlin.

Page 159
264. Long-billed Curlew. Numenius
americanus.

Range.--Breeds in the South Atlantic states and
northward in the interior to Manitoba and British
Columbia.

This is the largest of the family of shore birds,
having a length of about 24 inches. Its plumage
is of a buffy color, much variegated above with
black and brown; the bill is strongly curved
downward and is from four to eight inches in
length. Their nests are located on the ground in
meadows or on the prairies, and three or four
eggs are laid, of a buff or greenish buff color,
covered with numerous spots of brownish black.
Eggs of the common Curlew of Europe, have
been very frequently used as belonging to this
species, but the eggs of our species have a lighter
and more greenish ground, and the spots are
smaller and more numerous. Size, 2.50 × 1.80.

265. Hudsonian Curlew. Numenius hudsonicus.

Range.--Whole of North America, breeding in
the Arctic regions and wintering south of the
United States.
Long-billed Curlew.
This species is smaller (length 17 inches), Hudsonian Curlew.
darker, more grayish and has a shorter bill than
the preceding species. It also has white median
and lateral stripes on the top of the head. The nesting habits are the same as
those of the Long-billed species; the three or four eggs have a brownish buff
ground color and are blotched with blackish brown. Size 2.25 × 1.60. Data.--
McKenzie River, Arctic America. Nest a pile of grass, moss and weeds on an
island in the river.

Greenish buff.

Brownish buff.

Page 160
266. Eskimo Curlew. Numenius borealis.

Range.--Eastern North America, breeding in the
Arctic regions and wintering in South America;
migrating through the eastern half of the United
States, more abundantly in the interior than on
the coast.

A still smaller species than the last (length 14
inches) and very similar to it. A few years ago
this was considered the most abundant of the
curlews, but so persistently have they been
hunted that they are now practically
exterminated. They were the most unsuspicious
of the shore birds, and would allow the near
Eskimo Curlew. approach of the gunner, and the penalty may now
be seen. Only a short while ago they were very
often found, during migration, in company with other waders such as the
Golden or Black-bellied Plovers. Their nests are simply hollows in the plains,

lined with a few grasses, dried leaves, or moss. The three or four eggs are the
same as the last for color but are smaller; size 2.00 × 1.45.

267. Whimbrel. Numenius phaeopus.

A European species casually appearing in Greenland; very similar to the
Hudsonian Curlew, but with the rump white.

This species is known as the Jack Curlew
in England and Scotland, where it is very
abundant, and is a favorite game bird. It
breeds in the northern parts of Europe
and Asia, and in the extreme north of
Scotland and on the Shetland Islands.
The eggs are laid in hollows on the
ground on higher parts of the marshes.
The three or four eggs have an olive or
greenish brown color and are blotched
with dark brown. Size 2.30 × 1.60. Data.-
-Native, Iceland, May 29, 1900. Six eggs. Olive brown.
Nest a depression in the ground, lined
with dried grass.

268. Bristle-thighed Curlew. Numenius tahitiensis.

Range.--Islands and coast on the Asiatic side of the Pacific; casually found in
Alaska. A very peculiar species with many of the feathers on the flanks
terminating in long bristles.

Page 161

PLOVERS. Family CHARADRIIDÆ
Plovers are stouter built birds than those
of the previous family, have larger head,
shorter necks and but three toes, the bill
also is much harder and shorter.

269. Lapwing. Vanellus vanellus.

An abundant European species
accidentally occurring on the Atlantic
coast. It may readily be recognized by its
long black crest, black chin and throat,
and white under parts. It breeds
throughout temperate Europe, laying its Grayish.
eggs in hollows on the ground. The eggs
have a dark grayish buff ground and are
spotted with black. Size 1.85 × 1.30.

269.1. Dotterel. Eudromias morinellus.

A European bird supposed to have been accidentally taken on the Atlantic
coast.

270. Black-bellied Plover. Squatarola squatarola.

Range.--Northern Hemisphere,
breeding in the Arctic regions and
wintering from the Gulf States to
northern South America.

This is a remarkably handsome species
when in the summer dress. The upper
parts are largely white with black spots
and bars on the back, wings and tail;
the throat, sides of head, breast and
fore under parts, black. In winter,
brownish-black, somewhat mottled, Greenish buff.
above; below, dull white. Young
similar to winter adults, but the back is spotted with yellowish-white. While
these handsome plover migrate to some extent, and sometimes in large flocks,
through the interior of the United States, they are chiefly and most abundantly
found on the coast. This species has a very small hind toe. It is a very familiar
bird to sportsmen and gunners, to whom it is generally known by the names of
"Bull-head," or "Beetle-head Plover." They are very numerous in the fall,
during which season the underparts are entirely white. The eggs are either laid

upon the bare ground or upon a slight lining of grasses or dead leaves. They
are three or four in number, brownish or greenish buff in color and boldly
marked with black. Size 2.00 × 1.40. Data.--Point Barrow, Alaska, June, 1900.
Nest a small hollow on side of hillock, lined with dry grass.

Page 162

BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER.

Page 163
272. European Golden Plover. Charadrius apricarius.

A European bird, similar to the next, casually found in Greenland.

It is a very abundant bird throughout Europe, breeding in the northern parts. Its
habits, nests and eggs are the same as those of the American bird.

272. Golden Plover. Charadrius dominicus dominicus.

Range.--Whole of North America, breeding in the Arctic regions and wintering
south to Patagonia.

This handsome bird is about the same size as the Black-bellied Plover (10.5
inches long). No hind toe. Back and tail mottled with black and yellow; below,
more or less entirely black to the tail. Young and winter adults, more or less
spotted with yellow and blackish-brown above, and grayish-white below, with
indistinct streaks on the breast. Often confused with the last species in this
plumage, but is smaller, bill smaller and more slender, and the axillars, or
feathers nearest the body, under the wings, are gray while those of the Black-
bellied Plover are black. This species is now regarded as rare on the North
Atlantic coast during migrations, while in the interior it is more abundant than
the last species. They do not seem to be as suspicious as the Black-bellies, and

a flock will often allow a close approach, even
when they see you. They nest abundantly along
the coast and islands of the Arctic Ocean. The
four eggs are very similar to those of the
preceding, but smaller. Size 1.90 × 1.30. Data.--
Peel River, Arctic America, June 1, 1898. Nest of
grasses and leaves on the ground in the moss.

272a. Pacific Golden Plover. Charadrius
dominicus fulvus.

Range.--An Asiatic species, breeding in northern
Asia and on the islands and coast of Asia. Very
like the preceding, but more golden color on the
back and wings. Nesting and eggs the same.

Black-bellied Plover.
Golden Plover.

Greenish buff.

Page 164

NEST AND EGGS OF KILLDEER.

Page 165
273. Killdeer. Oxyechus vociferus.

Range.--Temperate North America from the southern parts of Canada
southward. Next to the Spotted Sandpiper, this bird is the most common of the
shore birds in the United States. It is rarely seen in New England, but is
common south of there and in the interior of the country to Canada.

They are very noisy birds, continually uttering their "kil-deer, kil-deer" from
which they take their name. They nest anywhere on the ground, generally near
water, placing their nests in fields, cornfields or meadows. The eggs are drab
or greenish buff and profusely spotted with black. Size 1.50 × 1.10. Data.--
Refugio county, Texas, May 11, 1899. 4 eggs in a depression on the ground,
lined with a few grasses.

274. Semipalmated. Ægialitis semipalmata.

Range.--North America, breeding in the interior of Canada and wintering south
from the Gulf States.

Small web between the bases of the two outer toes. Single broad, black band
across the breast; black line from base of bill to eye. They are very abundant

on our seacoast in Fall, both in flocks composed
entirely of their own kind, and also with Least
and Semipalmated Sandpipers. They usually
keep on the inner side of sandbars or muddy flats
bordering marshes, rather than on the open ocean
beach. It is also found in smaller flocks, about
ponds and marshes in the interior of the country.
They are usually unsuspicious and will allow a
close approach, or if you are still, will run by
within a very few feet. Nest on the ground; eggs
buffy, sparsely specked with black, 1.30 × .90;
June.

Kildeer.
Semi-palmated Plover.

Grayish buff.

Buff.

Page 166
275. Ring Plover. Ægialitis hiaticula.

Range.--A European
bird that breeds
abundantly in
Greenland. It nests in
great numbers on the
banks of streams and in
fields, laying its eggs in
hollows on the ground,
Buffy.
generally without any
lining. Their three or
four eggs are practically not distinguishable from
those of the Semipalmated Plover, but larger;
size, 1.40 x 1.00. The bird, too, is similar, but the
toes are not palmated, and the black breast band
is wider.

276. Little Ringed Plover. Ægialitis dubia.

An Old World species, accidentally occurring on
the Pacific coast. Like the last species, but
smaller. The eggs, too, are smaller; size 1.20 x
.85.

277. Piping Plover. Ægialitis meloda.
Ring Plover.
Range.--Eastern North
Snowy Plover.
America, chiefly along
the Atlantic coast,
breeding from the Carolinas north to Newfoundland.

A handsome little bird, with a black crescent on each
side of neck, a small black patch on top of the head,
and without any black on the lores or ear coverts. It is
the lightest colored of any of the eastern Plovers. Clay Color.
Length, 7 inches. Young, similar, but the black
replaced by grayish, as is the case with the last species. This species,
apparently, never could be classed as abundant and of late years, it is becoming
rather rare along our Atlantic coast; this is probably more due to the building of
summer resorts and homes along their former breeding grounds than to
hunters. They are rather more shy than the last species, but will usually attempt
to escape by running along the beach or by hiding, rather than by flight. Owing
to their light colors it is very difficult to see them at any distance. They lay

their eggs upon the sandy beaches in slight, and generally unlined, hollows.
The eggs have a pale clay colored ground and are sparsely specked with small
black dots. Size 1.25 x 1.00.

Page 167
278. Snowy Plover. Ægialitis nivosa.

Range.--Breeds along the Pacific coast of the United States, and from Texas to
Manitoba in the interior. Winters on the California coast and south to Chili.

Snowy Plovers are very much like the Piping, but are
smaller (length 6.5 inches), have a longer and more
slender bill, and have a small black patch on the side
of head. It is the palest colored of the Plovers. Large
numbers of them nest along the Pacific coast and in
Texas; north of Texas, in the interior, they are locally
distributed. The eggs are pale clay color, marked with
small scratchy dots of black. Size 1.20 x .90. Data.--
Newport Beach, California, May 1, 1897. Nest a Pale buff.
hollow in the sand, a short distance above high water;
lined with broken shell. Collector, Evan Davis.

279. Mongolian Plover. Ægialitis mongola.

An inhabitant of the Old World, awarded a place in our avifauna because of its
accidental occurrence at Alaska.

SPOTTED SANDPIPER AND NEST.

Page 168
280. Wilson's Plover. Octhodromus wilsonius.

Range.--An abundant breeding species on the
Gulf coast, coast of Lower California, and on the
Atlantic coast north to Virginia, and casually
farther.

A common Plover,
which may be
distinguished from
others of the genus by
its comparatively large
heavy black bill, and the
single broad black band
across the breast, and
not extending around Olive gray.
the back of the neck.
They nest on pebbly "shingle" or in the marsh,
back of the beaches. Their eggs are an olive gray
color and are spotted and scratched with blackish
brown, with some fainter markings of gray. Size
1.40 x 1.05. Data.--Corpus Christi, Texas, May
10, 1899. 4 eggs laid on the ground among
drifted grass on a salt marsh near town.
Collector, Frank B. Armstrong.

281. Mountain Plover. Podasocys montanus.

Wilson's Plover. Range.--Plains and
Mountain Plover. prairies of western
North America,
breeding from the central portions north to Manitoba,
and wintering in California and southward.

A very peculiar species, inhabiting even the driest
portions of the western prairies. It is 9 inches in
length, and has a plumage of a pale buffy tone. It Brownish gray.
seems to be less aquatic than any other American
Plover and is rarely found in the vicinity of bodies of water. It nests on the
ground anywhere on the prairie, laying its eggs in a slight hollow. The eggs are
brownish gray in color and are spotted and blotched with blackish brown.
Data.--Morgan county, Colorado, May 7, 1902. Nest a slight hollow on the
ground, near a large cactus bed and close to a water hole. No lining to nest.
Collector, Glenn S. White.

Page 169

SURF BIRDS AND TURNSTONES. Family
APHRIZIDÆ
282. Surf Bird. Aphriza virgata.

This species, which is found on the Pacific coast
from Alaska to Chili, seems to be the connecting
link between the plovers and the Turnstones,
having the habits of the latter combined with the
bill of the former. Its nest and eggs are not
known to have been yet discovered.

283. Turnstone. Arenaria interpres.

Range.--The distribution of this species, which is
grayer above than the following, is supposed to
be confined, in America, to the extreme north
from Greenland to Alaska. Its habits and eggs are
precisely like the next. Turnstone.

283a. Ruddy Turnstone.
Arenaria interpres
morinella.

Range.--Breeds in the Arctic
regions, and migrates
through all parts of the
United States, south to the
southern parts of South
Creamy. America. This species has
the upperparts variegated
with reddish brown, black and white; the underparts are pure white, except for
a black patch on the throat, branching upward to the eye and back to the sides
of the breast. It has a peculiar, slightly up-turned bill, which is used, as their
name implies, for turning over pebbles and stones in their search for food.
They nest commonly in northern Labrador, about Hudson Bay and in Alaska,
laying their eggs in scantily lined hollows on the ground, near water. The eggs
are very peculiar and beautiful, having a light grayish or cream color ground,
peculiarly marbled with many shades of brown and lilac. Size 1.65 × 1.10.
Data.--Mackenzie River, Arctic America, June 28, 1900. Four eggs in a grass
lined depression in the sand.

Page 170
284. Black Turnstone. Arenaria melanocephala.

Range.--Pacific coast of North America,
breeding from British Columbia northward, and
wintering south to Lower California.

This species, which has the form and habits of
the preceding, is blackish above and on the
breast; the rump and the base of the tail are
white, being separated from each other by the
black tail coverts. Their nesting habits are in no
wise different from those of the common
Grayish. turnstone. The eggs are similar, but the markings
are not so strikingly arranged. Size 1.60 × 1.10.
Data.--Kutlik, Alaska, June 21, 1898. Nest simply a depression in the sand on
the sea beach.

OYSTER-CATCHERS. Family
HÆMATOPODIDÆ
285. European Oyster-catcher. Hæmatopus frazari.

This European species is very similar to the American one which follows. It
casually occurs in Greenland.

286. Oyster-catcher. Hæmatopus palliatus.

Range.--Breeds on the coast of the South
Atlantic States and Lower California and winters
south to Patagonia. Oyster-catchers are

large, heavy-bodied birds, with stocky red legs
and long, stout red bills. The present species has
the whole upper parts and entire head and neck,
blackish; underparts and ends of secondaries,
white; length, 19 inches. They are abundant
breeding birds on the sandy beaches of the South
Atlantic States, and casually wander north to
Nova Scotia. They lay their two or three eggs on
the ground in slight hollows scooped out of the
American Oyster-catcher. sand. The eggs are of a buffy or brownish buff

color, and are irregularly
spotted with blackish brown,
with subdued markings of
lavender. Size 2.20 × 1.50.
Data.--Sandy Point, S. C.,
May 12, 1902. Three eggs on
the sand just above high
water mark; nest a mere
depression on a small "sand
dune" lined with pieces of
shells.

Buff.

Page 171
286.1. Frazar's Oyster-catcher. Hæmatopus bachmani.

Range.--Lower California.

This species is darker on the back than the
preceding, and the breast is mottled with dusky.
Bill very long, heavy, compressed, and thin and
chisel-like at the tip.

Bill and eyes red; legs flesh color; under parts
white, and a white wing bar. These are large,
awkward looking birds. It is not an uncommon
wader in its somewhat restricted range. Its
nesting habits are the same as those of the
preceding one, but the markings are generally
more sharply defined. The one figured is from a
set in the collection of Mr. C. W. Crandall.

287. Black Oyster-catcher. Hæmatopus
bachmani.

Range.--Pacific coast of North America from
Lower California north to Alaska.

This species is the same size as the Oyster-
catcher, but the plumage is entirely black both
above and below. They are found upon the rocky
coasts and islands, more frequently than upon
sandy beaches. Their eggs are laid upon bare
rocks or pebbles with no attempt at lining for the 287--286.1.
nest. The eggs are an olive buff in color, spotted
and blotched with brownish
black. Size 2.20 × 1.55.
Breeding throughout the
Aleutian Islands, British
Columbia and south to
Lower California. Three or
four eggs are laid.

Brownish buff.

Olive buff.

Page 172

JACANAS. Family JACANIDÆ
288. Mexican Jacana. Jacana spinosa.

Range.--Tropical America, north in summer to
the lower Rio Grande Valley in Texas, and
casually to Florida.

Yellowish olive.
Mexican Jacana. This interesting species has most of its structural
characters similar to the Plovers, but has more the
appearance and habits of the Rails. They are about eight inches long, the head
and neck are black, the body chestnut, and the wings largely greenish yellow.
They have long legs, long toes and extremely long toe nails, a scaly leaf on the
forehead, and a sharp spur on the shoulder of the wing. Owing to their long toes
and nails, they are enabled to walk over floating weeds and rubbish that would
sink beneath their weight, otherwise. They build their nests on these little
floating islands in the marsh; they are also sometimes made of weeds and trash
on floating lily pads. They lay from three to five eggs of a yellowish olive
color, curiously scrawled with brown and black. Size 1.22 × .95. Data.--
Tampico, Mexico, June 3, 1900. Three eggs. Nest of weeds and drift on lily leaf
floating in fresh water pond near town.

Page 173

NEST AND EGGS OF BOB-WHITE.

Page 174

BOB WHITE.
Female--Male.

Page 175

GALLINACEOUS BIRDS. Order X. GALLINÆ
GROUSE, PARTRIDGES, ETC. Family TETRAONIDAE

The members of this family are birds of robust form, subdued (not brightly
colored) plumage, comparatively short legs and necks; the tarsi and toes are
feathered in the Ptarmigan, the tarsi, only, feathered in the Grouse, and the tarsi
and toes bare in the Partridges and Bob-whites. They feed upon berries, buds,
grain and insects.

289. Bob-white. Colinus virginianus virginianus.

Range.--United States east of North Dakota and
Texas and from the southern British Provinces to
the Gulf coast.

A celebrated "game
bird" which has been
hunted so assiduously
in New England that it
is upon the verge of
extermination, and the
covers have to be
White. continually replenished
with birds trapped in
the south and west.
They frequent open fields, which have a
luxuriant growth of weeds, or grain fields in the
fall. Their nests are built along the roadsides, or
beside stonewalls or any place affording
satisfactory shelter. The nest is made of dried
grasses and is arched over with grass or
overhanging leaves so as to conceal the eggs.
They lay from ten to twenty pure white eggs,
which are very frequently nest stained when
found. Size 1.20 × .95. Often two or three broods
are raised in a season, but frequently one or more Bobwhite.
broods are destroyed by rainy weather. Florida Bobwhite.
Masked Bobwhite.
289a. Florida Bob-white. Colinus virginianus
floridanus.

Range.--This sub-species, which is found in the southern half of Florida, is
very much darker than the northern Bob-white, and is numerously barred
below with black. Its nesting habits and eggs are identical with those of the
preceding.

289b. Texas Bob-white. Colinus virginianus texanus.

Range.--Texas; casually north to Kansas. A grayer variety of the Bob-white.
The nesting habits and eggs are the same as those of the Bob-white, except that
the eggs may average a trifle smaller. Size 1.18 × .92.

291. Masked Bob-white. Colinus ridgwayi.

Range.--Sonoran region of Mexico north to southern Arizona.

The female of this species is like that of the Texan Bob-white. Their nesting
habits and eggs are in all respects like those of the other Bob-whites. Size of
eggs, 1.20 × .95.

Page 176
292. Mountain Quail. Oreortyx picta picta.

Range.--Pacific coast of North America from
California to Washington.

This is the largest of the
Partridges, being 11
inches in length. It is of
a general grayish color,
with chestnut throat
patch, and chestnut
flanks, barred with
white. Two long plumes
extend downward from Reddish buff.
the back of the head.
This species nests abundantly in the
mountainous portions of northern California and
throughout Oregon, and is gradually increasing
in numbers in Washington. As a rule they nest
only on the higher mountain ranges, placing their
nest of leaves under the protection of an
overhanging bush or tuft of grass. Their eggs
number from six to fifteen, and are of a pale
reddish buff color. Size 1.35 × 1.05.

Mountain Partridge. 292a. Plumed Quail. Oreortyx picta plumifera.
Scaled Partridge.
Range.--Mountain ranges of California and
Lower California, chiefly in the southern parts of the former. This species is
like the latter except that it is grayer on the back of the head and neck. Its
nesting habits and eggs are like the preceding.

292b. San Pedro Quail. Oreortyx picta confinis.

Range.--San Pedro Mountains, Lower California.

This species, which is grayer above than the preceding two, breeds only in the
highest peaks of its range. Otherwise its nesting habits and eggs are the same
as the other Plumed Partridges.

293. Scaled Quail. Callipepla squamata squamata.

Range.--Mexico and southwestern border of the
United States.

This blue gray species is 10 inches in length; the
feathers on the neck and underparts have narrow dark
borders, thus giving the plumage a scaly appearance,
from which the birds take their name. They have a
small tuft of whitish or buffy feathers on the top of
the head. It is especially abundant in the dry arid Creamy white.
portions of its range, being found often many miles
away from water. Their eggs are laid in a shallow hollow under some small
bush or cactus, and number from eight to sixteen; they are creamy white, finely
specked with buff or pale brownish. Size 1.25 × .95.

Page 177
293a. Chestnut-bellied Scaled Quail. Callipepla squamata castanogastris.

Range.--Lower Rio Grande Valley in Texas and and southward into Mexico.

This sub-species is like the last with the addition of a chestnut patch on the
belly. Their breeding habits do not vary in any particular way from those of the
Scaled Partridge.

294. California Quail. Lophortyx californica californica.

Range.--Coast region of California, Oregon, Washington and British
Columbia.

This is one of the most beautiful of the Partridges, with its crest of feathers
rising from the crown and curving forwards so that the broadened ends hang
directly over the bill. It is about the size of the preceding species, and is
distinguished from the following one by its white forehead, chestnut patch on
the belly and the scaly appearance of the feathers in that region, by its dark
crown and the gray flanks with white streaks. They lay from eight to twenty
eggs with a creamy white or buffy ground color, handsomely blotched with
shades of brown and yellowish brown. Size 1.20 × .93.

294a. Valley Partridge. Lophortyx californica vallicola.

Range.--Interior
portions of California,
Oregon and
Washington.

The nesting habits of
this grayer sub-species
do not differ in any
Creamy white. manner from those of
the above species. The
eggs are indistinguishable.

295. Gambel Quail. Lophortyx gambeli.

Range.--Southwestern
United States from
Texas to California;
north to Utah.

This handsome species
differs from the
California in the
Buff.
Chestnut crown and
flanks, and the black
patch on the belly. They are very abundant in
Arizona, both on the mountains and in the
valleys, and apparently without any regard to the California Partridge.
nearness to, or remoteness from a water supply.
They breed during May, laying their eggs on the
ground under any suitable cover. The eggs cannot be distinguished from those
of the California Partridge, except that they average a trifle larger. Size 1.25 ×
.95.

Page 178
296. Mearns Quail. Cyrtonyx montezumæ mearnsi.

Range.--Mexico, north to southern Arizona and New Mexico, and to western
Texas.

A remarkable species about 9 inches long; often called "Fool Quail" because of
its eccentric and clownish markings, streaks and spots of black, white, buff,
gray and chestnut. It is met with in small flocks on the mountains and less
frequently in the valleys. It frequents scrubby wooded places rather than open
hill sides and is very easy to approach and kill; this confidence or stupidity
together with its clownish appearance are the reasons for its commonly used
local name. Their nests are hollows in the ground, lined with grasses and
concealed by overhanging tufts of grass. The eggs, which are pure white, are

not distinguishable with certainty from those of
the Bob-white, but average longer. Size 1.25 ×
.95.

297. Dusky Grouse. Dendragapus obscurus
obscurus.

Range.--Rocky Mountain region from central
Montana south to New Mexico.

With the exception of the Sage Grouse, this
species is the largest of the family, being about
20 inches in length. The general tone of its
plumage below is gray; above, blackish gray and
the tail blackish with a broad terminal band of
light gray. They frequent the wooded and
Mearns Partridge. especially the coniferous districts, where they
build their nests under fallen trees or at the bases
of standing ones. They lay from six to ten eggs of a buffy color, sparsely
spotted and blotched with brownish. Size 2.00 × 1.40.

297a. Sooty Grouse. Dendragapus
obscurus fuliginosus.

Range.--Mountain ranges along the
Pacific coast from California to British
Columbia.

Like the last, this somewhat darker sub-
species is met with in timbered regions,
where its habits are about the same as
those of the Ruffled Grouse, except, of Rich buff.
course, that they are not nearly as shy as
the Grouse in New England. Their eggs
are laid in hollows beside stumps or under logs. The eggs are buff colored,
spotted with reddish brown. Size 2.00 × 1.40.

Page 179
297b. Richardson's Grouse. Dendragapus obscurus richardsoni.

Range.--Northern Rocky Mountains from central Montana to British
Columbia.

A dark variety with no terminal band of gray on
the tail. Its habits, nesting and eggs are precisely
like those of the preceding species.

298. Hudsonian Spruce Partridge. Canachites
canadensis canadensis.

Range.--Northern
United States and
southern British
Provinces; west to
Minnesota.

A dark species, smaller
than the last (15 inches
Bright buff. long), and easily
recognized by its black
throat and extensive black patch on the breast.
The habits of this species and the two varieties
into which it has been sub-divided are the same;
as a species, they are very tame, will not fly
unless actually obliged to, and frequently allow
themselves to be knocked down with sticks.
Their nests are hollows in the leaves on the
ground, generally under the sheltering branches
of a low spreading fir tree. The six to fifteen
eggs are a bright buff color, blotched and spotted Sooty Grouse.
boldly with various shades of brown. Size 1.70 × Spruce Grouse.
1.25.

298b. Alaska Spruce Partridge. Canachites canadensis osgoodi.

Range.--Alaska.

This variety is practically the same as the preceding, the birds not always being
distinguishable; the nest and eggs are the same as the Canada Grouse.

298c. Canada Spruce Partridge. Canachites canadensis canace.

Range.--Labrador and the Hudson Bay region.

Like the last, this variety is hardly to be distinguished from the Hudsonian. Its
nesting habits and eggs are the same.

Page 180
299. Franklin's Grouse. Canachites franklin
franklini.

Range.--Northwestern
United States and
British Columbia.

This species is very
similar to the Canada
Grouse, the most
apparent difference
Brownish buff.
being the absence of the
brownish gray tip to the
tail, and the upper coverts are broadly tipped
with white. This species, which is very abundant
in the northwest, has the same stupid habits of
the eastern bird. During the mating season, the
males of both this and the preceding species
have the same habit of "drumming" that the
Ruffed Grouse has. Their nests are placed on the
ground under bushes or fir trees and from eight
to fifteen eggs are laid. These are brownish buff
in color, spotted and blotched with rich brown.
They are very similar to the eggs of the Canada
Ruffed Grouse. Grouse. Data.--Moberly Peak, Cascade Mts.,
British Columbia, June 9, 1902. 7 eggs in a
slight hollow on the ground. Collector, G. F.
Dippie.

300. Ruffed Grouse. Bonasa umbellus umbellus.

Range.--Eastern United States from Minnesota to
New England; south to Virginia.

The Ruffed Grouse is "King of the Game Birds" in
the east, where it has been hunted so freely, that it has
become very wary and requires a skillful marksman
to bring it down. Because of the cutting off of all
heavy timber, and the vigor with which they are
pursued by hunters, they are becoming very scarce in Brownish buff.
New England, and within a few years they will
probably be practically extinct in that section. Their favorite resorts are heavily
timbered woods or low growth birches. Their nests are hollows in the leaves
under fallen trees, beside some stump or concealed among the small shoots at
the base of a large tree. The bird sits very close, but when she does fly, goes
with the familiar rumble and roar which always disconcerts the novice, the
wind created by her sudden flight generally causing the leaves to settle in the
nest and conceal the eggs. They lay from eight to fifteen eggs, of a brownish

buff color, sometimes with a few faint markings of brown, but generally
unspotted. Size 1.55 × 1.15. The young of all the Partridges and Grouse are
born covered with down and follow their parents soon after leaving the shell.
The adults are very skillful in leading enemies away from their young, feigning
lameness, broken wings, etc. The nesting habits and eggs of the three sub-
species are precisely the same in every respect as those of this bird.

Page 181

RUFFED GROUSE.

Page 182
300a. Canada Ruffed Grouse. Bonasa umbellus
togata.

Range.--Northern United States and southern British
Provinces from Maine and Nova Scotia west to
Washington and British Columbia.

300b. Gray Ruffed Grouse. Bonasa umbellus
umbelloides.

Range.--Rocky Mountain region from Colorado to
Alaska.

A grayer species than the common.

300c. Oregon Ruffed Grouse. Bonasa umbellus
sabini.

Range.--Pacific coast from California to British
Columbia.

299--300a. A dark species with the prevailing color a reddish
tone.

NEST AND EGGS OF RUFFED GROUSE.

Page 183
301. Willow Ptarmigan. Lagopus lagopus lagopus.

Range.--Arctic regions, in America south nearly to the United States border,
and casually to Maine.

Ptarmigan are Grouse-like birds, feathered to the toe nails; they have many
changes of plumage, in winter being nearly pure white, and in summer largely
reddish brown or grayish, barred with black. In the breeding plumage they
have red comb-like wattles over the eye. In other seasons, their plumage varies
in all degrees between winter and summer. They nest on the ground in hollows
among the leaves, lined with a few grasses, and sometimes feathers. They lay

from six to sixteen eggs
which have a ground
color of buff or
brownish buff, heavily
speckled, blotched and
marbled with blackish
brown. Size 1.75 ×
1.25.
Brownish buff.
301a. Allen's
Ptarmigan. Lagopus lagopus alleni.

Range.--Newfoundland. A very similar bird to
the preceding; eggs indistinguishable.

302. Rock Ptarmigan.
Lagopus rupestris
rupestris.

Range.--Chiefly in the
interior of British
America, from the
southern portions to
Buff. Alaska and the Arctic
Ocean.

A species with a smaller bill and in summer a
grayer plumage, more finely barred with black.
Willow Ptarmigan.
Its nesting habits are the same as the other
Rock Ptarmigan.
species, it nesting on the ground in such
localities as would be frequented by the Ruffed
Grouse. Its eggs cannot be positively distinguished from those of the Willow
Ptarmigan. Size 1.70 × 1.20.

Page 184
302a. Reinhardt's Ptarmigan. Lagopus rupestris reinhardi.

Range.--Labrador and Greenland; an eastern variety of the preceding species.
Its habits, nesting habits and eggs are just the same as those of Rock
Ptarmigan.

302b. Nelson's Ptarmigan. Lagopus rupestris nelsoni.

Range.--Unalaska, of the Aleutian chain. An abundant species in its restricted
range, making its nest on the ground in the valleys. Eggs like the others.

302c. Turner's Ptarmigan. Lagopus rupestris atkhensis.

Range.--Atka Island, of the Aleutian chain. Nests and eggs not distinctive.

302d. Townsend's Ptarmigan. Lagopus rupestris townsendi.

Range.--Kyska Island of the Aleutian group.

On account of the constantly changing plumage of these birds, while
interesting, they are very unsatisfactory to study, and it is doubtful if anyone
can identify the different sub-species of the Rock Ptarmigan, granting that
there is any difference, which is doubtful.

302.1. Evermann's Ptarmigan. Lagopus evermanni.

Range.--Attu Island, of the Aleutian group.

This is, in summer, the darkest of the Ptarmigans, having little or no rufous and
much blackish. The nesting habits and eggs are the same as those of the Rock
Ptarmigan.

303. Welch's Ptarmigan. Lagopus welchi.

Range.--Newfoundland.

This species, in summer, is more grayish than the
Rock Ptarmigan, and is very finely vermiculated
with blackish. It is a perfectly distinct species
from the Allen Ptarmigan, which is the only
other species found on the island. They inhabit
the higher ranges and hills in the interior of the
island, where they are quite abundant. They
build their nests on the ground under protection
Buff.
of overhanging bushes. The eggs are laid in a
hollow in the dead leaves, sometimes with a
lining of grasses. The eggs do not differ in size or appearance from those of the
Rock Ptarmigan. Data.--Newfoundland, June 3, 1901. Nest a slight hollow in
the moss, besides a fallen stump; lined with a few feathers. Collector, E. H.
Montgomery.

Page 185
304. White-tailed Ptarmigan. Lagopus leucurus leucurus.

Range.--Higher ranges of the Rocky Mountains, from New Mexico north to
Alaska.

Ptarmigan are remarkable birds in that they are in an almost continual state of
molting, nearly every month in the year showing them in different stages of
plumage, ranging from the snow-white winter dress to the summer one in
which reddish-brown prevails on Willow Ptarmigan and a black and gray

barred effect predominates on the other species. Notice that they are feathered
to the toes, in winter the feathers on the toes growing dense and hair-like, not
only protecting the toes from the cold but making excellent snowshoes which
enable them to walk with impunity over the lightest snow.

Ptarmigan form the staple article of diet for northern foxes, and were it not for
the fact that their plumage changes to correspond to the appearance of the
ground at the various seasons they would fare hardly indeed.

In spring the little red combs above the eyes of the males are swollen and
conspicuous. At this season they strut and perform curious antics, such as all
Grouse are noted for.

This species differs from any of the preceding in having at all seasons of the
year, a white tail; it is also somewhat smaller than the Rock Ptarmigan. They
nest abundantly near the summits of the ranges in Colorado, making their nests
among the rocks, and generally lining them with a few grasses. During June,
they lay from six to twelve eggs having a creamy background, speckled and
blotched with chestnut brown. Size 1.70 x 1.15.

304a. Kenai White-tailed Ptarmigan. Lagopus leucurus peninsularis.

Range.--Kenai Peninsular, Alaska. A similar but paler (in summer) variety of
the preceding. The nesting habits or eggs will not differ.

305. Prairie Chicken. Tympanuchus americanus americanus.

Range.--The prairies, chiefly west of the Mississippi; north to Manitoba, east
to Ohio, and west to Colorado.

This familiar game bird of the west is about 18 inches in length, brownish
above and grayish below, with bars of brownish black both above and below.
In the place of the ruffs of the Ruffled Grouse, are long tufts of rounded or
square ended feathers, and beneath these a peculiar sac, bright orange in the
breeding

Olive Buff.

Page 186
season, and capable of being inflated to the size
of a small orange; this is done when the bird
makes its familiar "booming" noise. They are
very good "table birds" and although they are
still very abundant in most of their range, so
many are being killed for market, that it has
become necessary to make more stringent laws
relating to the killing and sale of Pinnated
Grouse, as they are often called. They nest
anywhere on the prairie, in hollows on the
ground under overhanging bushes or tufts of
grass. They lay from eight to fifteen eggs having
a buffy or olive buff ground color, sparingly and
finely sprinkled with brown; size 1.70 × 1.25.

305a. Attwater Prairie Chicken. Tympanuchus
americanus attwateri.

Range.--Coast region of Louisiana and Texas.

This is a slightly smaller and darker variety of
the Pinnated Grouse. Its eggs cannot be
distinguished from those of the more northerly
distributed bird.

306. Heath Hen. Tympanuchus cupido.
Prairie Chicken.
Heath Hen. Range.--Island of Martha's Vineyard, Mass.

This species is similar to the
preceding, but has the
scapulars more broadly
tipped with buff, the axillars
barred, and the pinnated
feathers on the neck pointed.
It is slightly smaller than the
western species. It is found
on the wooded portions of
the island, where its breeding
habits are the same as those of the Ruffed Grouse. Mr. Brewster probably has
the only authentic set of the eggs of this species. They are of a yellowish green
color and are unspotted. Size 1.70 × 1.25. A number of Prairie Hens liberated
on the island several years ago are apparently thriving well, and nests found
there now would be fully as apt to belong to this species.

Page 187
307. Lesser Prairie Chicken. Tympanuchus
pallidicinctus.

Range.--Prairies from southwestern Kansas through
Indian Territory to western Texas.

A smaller and paler species than the Prairie Chicken.
Pale buff. Never as abundant as the common Pinnated Grouse,
this species appears to be becoming scarcer each year.
Its nests are concealed under overhanging brush or placed under a large tuft of
prairie grass, and are generally lined with a few grasses or leaves. They lay
from eight to twelve eggs of a buffy color, much lighter than those of the
Prairie Chicken, and unmarked. Size 1.65 × 1.25.

308. Sharp-tailed Grouse. Pedioecetes
phasianellus phasianellus.

Range.--Interior of British America, from the
United States boundary northwest to the Yukon.

Sharp-tailed Grouse are similar in form to the
Prairie Chicken, but are somewhat smaller and
very much lighter in color, being nearly white
below, with arrowhead markings on the breast
and flanks. This species is very abundant in
Manitoba and especially so on the plains west of
Hudson Bay. Their nests are generally concealed
under a thicket or a large tuft of grass, and are
lined with grasses and feathers. They lay from
six to fifteen eggs of a drab color, very minutely
specked all over with brown. Size 1.70 × 1.25. Prairie Sharp-tailed Grouse.

308a. Columbian Sharp-tailed Grouse. Pedioecetes phasianellus
columbianus.

Range.--Northwestern United States and British Columbia to central Alaska.
Both the nesting habits and eggs of this variety are the same as the last, with
which species, the birds gradually intergrade as their ranges approach.

308b. Prairie Sharp-tailed
Grouse. Pedioecetes
phasianellus campestris.

Range.--Plains of the United
States from the Mississippi
to the Rockies. This sub-
species shades directly into
the two preceding where
their ranges meet, and only
Buffy drab. birds from the extreme parts
of the range of each show
any marked differences. The nesting habits and eggs of all three are not to be
distinguished.

Page 188
309. Sage Hen. Centrocercus urophasianus.

Range.--Sage plains of the Rocky Mountain
region from British Columbia to New Mexico,
and from California to Dakota. This handsome
bird is the largest of the American Grouse, being
about 30 inches long (the hen bird is about six
inches shorter). It may easily be recognized by
its large size, its peculiar graduated tail with
extremely sharp pointed feathers, and the black
belly and throat. Their nests are hollows
scratched out in the sand, under the sage bushes,
generally with no lining. The nesting season is
during April and May, they laying from six to
Sage Hen. twelve eggs of a greenish drab color, spotted
with brown. Size 2.15 × 1.50.

Pale greenish drab.

PHEASANTS. Family PHASIANIDÆ
* * *Ring-necked Pheasant. Phasianus torquatus.

Several species of Pheasants have been introduced
into the United States, among them being the Ring-
necked, English, and Green Pheasants. The Ring-
necked species seems to be the only one that has
obtained a really strong foothold, it being now very
abundant in Oregon and Washington, and adjacent
states, and also found in abundance on many game
preserves in the east. The males of any of the species
may at once be distinguished from any of our birds by
Greenish buff. the long tail. Their nests are hollows in the leaves
under tufts of grass or bushes. They lay from eight to
fourteen eggs of a buff or greenish buff color, unmarked; size 1.50 × 1.30.

Page 189

RING-NECKED PHEASANT.

Page 190

TURKEYS. Family MELEAGRIDÆ
310. Wild Turkey. Meleagris gallopavo
silvestris.

Range.--Eastern United States from southern
Middle States south to central Florida and west
to the Mississippi Valley and eastern Texas.
These magnificent birds, which once ranged over
the whole of eastern United States, are being
yearly confined to a smaller range, chiefly
because of the destruction of their natural covers,
and from persecution by hunters. They are
generally very wary birds and either escape by
running through the underbrush or by flying as
soon as a human being appears in sight. Their
nests are made under tangled growths of
underbrush or briers. Their eggs, which are laid
during April and May, range from eight to
sixteen in number. They are of a buff color
sprinkled and spotted with brownish. Size 2.55 ×
1.90. Data.--Hammond, La., April 17, 1897.
Fifteen eggs. Nest hollow scraped in the ground
under a bush on the edge of a pine woods; lined
with grasses and leaves. Collector, E. A.
McIlhenny.

310a. Merriam's Turkey. Meleagris gallopavo
merriami.
Sage Hen.
Range.--Southwestern United States from Wild Turkey.

Colorado south through
western Texas, New Mexico
and Arizona to Mexico.

This variety is abundant
throughout its range, its
nesting habits and eggs being
practically indistinguishable
from those of the eastern
form.

Buff.

Page 191
310b. Florida Turkey. Meleagris gallopavo osceola.

Range.--Southern Florida.

A small variety of the Wild Turkey, about
42 inches long. They breed in the tangled
thickets in the higher portions of the
southern half of Florida, laying from ten
to sixteen eggs of a brighter and deeper
buff color than the northern variety, and
smaller; size 2.30 × 1.75. Their nests are
generally lined with grasses and
occasionally with feathers. The female
sits very close when incubating and will Greenish buff.
not fly until almost trod upon, trusting to
her variegated markings to conceal her from observation.

310c. Rio Grande Turkey. Meleagris gallopavo intermedia.

Range.--Lowlands of the southern parts of Texas and northern Mexico. A sub-
species which differs slightly in plumage and not at all in nesting habits or
eggs from the common Wild Turkey.

CURASSOWS AND GUANS. Family CRACIDÆ
311. Chachalaca. Ortalis vetula mccalli.

Range.--Eastern portions of Mexico, north to the
Lower Rio Grande Valley in Texas.

A very peculiar grayish colored bird with a
greenish gloss to the back, and a long, broad tail,
quite long legs, and with the face and sides of the
throat devoid of feathers. They are very
abundant birds in some localities, and very noisy
during the breeding season, their notes
resembling a harsh trumpeting repetition of their
name. They are ground inhabiting birds, but nest
in low bushes. Their nests are made of sticks,
twigs, leaves, or moss and are generally frail, flat
structures only a few feet above the ground.
During April, they lay from three to five buffy
white eggs, the shell of which is very rough and
Chachalaca.
hard. Size 2.25 × 1.55.

Buffy white.

Page 192

PIGEONS AND DOVES. Order XI. COLUMBÆ
Family COLUMBIDAE

Pigeons and doves are distributed throughout nearly every temperate and
tropical country on the globe, nearly five hundred species being known, of
which twelve occur within our limits. Their plumage is generally soft and
subdued colors, the head small, the wings strong and the flight rapid.

312. Band-tailed Pigeon. Columba fasciata fasciata.

Range.--The Rocky Mountains and westward to the
Pacific, from British Columbia south to Mexico.

This large species may be generally recognized by the
white crescent on the nape; it is about 15 inches in
length. They nest abundantly on the mountain ranges,
sometimes in large flocks, and again, only a few pairs
together. Their nests are rude platforms of sticks and
twigs either in bushes or in large trees in heavily White.
wooded districts. The two eggs which are laid during
May or June are pure white in color, and like those of all the pigeons, equally
rounded at each end. Size 1.55 × 1.10.

312a. Viosca's Pigeon. Columba fasciata vioscæ.

Range.--Southern Lower California. This is a paler variety of the preceding
species and is not noticeably different in its habits, nesting or eggs.

313. Red-billed Pigeon. Columba flavirostris.

Range.--Mexico and Central America, north to southern Texas, Arizona and
New Mexico.

This species, characterized by its red bill, purplish colored head, neck and
breast and absence of iridescent markings, is abundant in the valley of the
Lower Rio Grande, where they build their frail nests in thickets and low
bushes, and during May and June lay their white eggs. Size of eggs, 1.55 ×
1.05.

314. White-crowned Pigeon. Columba leucocephala.

Range.--Resident of the West Indies; in summer, found on the Florida Keys.
This species, which can be identified by its white crown, nests in trees or
mangroves on certain of the Florida Keys, laying its two white eggs on its rude
platform of sticks and twigs. Size of eggs 1.40 × 1.05. Nests in April and May.

314.1. Scaled Pigeon. Columba squamosa.

A West Indian species, a single specimen of which was taken at Key West,
Florida.

A dark colored species, with purplish head, neck and breast; named from the
scaly appearance of the iridescent feathers on the sides of the neck.

Page 193
315. Passenger Pigeon. Ectopistes migratorius.

Range.--Formerly, North America east of the
Rockies; casually seen in the upper Mississippi
Valley, now extinct.

A handsome species
(see frontispiece) with
ruddy underparts,
grayish upperparts and
a long graduated tail.
This species years ago
found in flocks of
White. thousands or millions,
is now practically
exterminated, chiefly Passenger Pigeon.
by being hunted and trapped. A few pairs
probably now nest in the interior, from northern United States to Hudson Bay.
Their nests are very rude, frail platforms of twigs, on which two white eggs are
laid, they being longer and narrower, comparatively, than those of other
species. Size of eggs, 1.50 × 1.02. Data.--Southwest shore of Lake Manitoba,
June 1, 1891. Nest of twigs in an aspen tree.

316. Mourning Dove. Zenaidura macroura carolinensis.

Range.--North America from New England, Manitoba and British Columbia,
southward.

Now that the Passenger Pigeon has disappeared, this species becomes the only
one found in the east, with the exception of the little Ground Dove in the South
Atlantic and Gulf States. While, sometimes, small flocks of them nest in a
community, they generally nest in companies of two or three pairs. Their nests
are generally at a low elevation, in trees, bushes and often upon the ground.
Their nests are made entirely of twigs and rootlets, and eggs may be found
from early in April until the latter part of September, as they often raise two or
three broods a season. The two eggs are white. Size 1.15 × .80. Data.--Refugio
Co., Texas, May 3, 1899. Two eggs laid on the ground in a slight cradle of
twigs. Collector, James J. Carroll.

White.

Mourning Dove.

Page 194

NEST AND EGGS OF MOURNING DOVE

H. B. Stough.

317. Zenaida Dove. Zenaida zenaida.

Range.--West Indies; in summer, on the Florida Keys, but not in great numbers.

This species is similar in size to the Mourning Dove, but it has a short and
square tail, and the secondaries are tipped with white, and the underparts more
ruddy. They generally nest upon the ground, but occasionally in small bushes,
laying two white eggs a trifle larger than those of the preceding species. Size
1.20 × .90. The nests are made of grasses and twigs, on the ground under
bushes.

Page 195
318. White-fronted Dove. Leptotila fulviventris brachyptera.

Range.--Mexico and Central America north to
southern Texas.

Slightly larger than the last, much paler below,
with no black ear mark as in the two preceding
species, and with the forehead whitish. They
build their nests of sticks, grasses and weeds,
and place them in tangled vines and thickets a
few feet from the ground. Their two eggs, which
are laid in May and June, have a creamy white or
buffy color. Size 1.15 × .85. They cannot be
called a common species within our borders.

319. White-winged Dove. Melopelia asiatica.

Range.--Central
America, Mexico and White-fronted Dove.
the southwestern border White-winged Dove.
of the United States.

This species is 12 inches in length, has a black patch
on the ear coverts, white tips to the greater and lesser

White. coverts and some of the secondaries, and broad white
tips to the outer tail feathers, which are black. This
species is very abundant in some localities within our borders. Their nests are
very frail platforms of twigs placed in trees or bushes or precariously
suspended among tangled vines. Their two eggs are white or creamy white,
and measure 1.15 × .85.

320. Ground Dove. Columbigallina passerina terrestris.

Range.--South Atlantic and Gulf States to eastern Texas.

The Ground Doves are the smallest of the family, measuring but about 6.5
inches in length. Their nesting habits and eggs are exactly like those of the
next to be described. They are very abundant, especially along the South
Atlantic coast.

320a. Mexican Ground Dove. Chæmepelia passerinus pallescens.

Range.--Border of the United States from Texas to southern
California and southward.

This paler sub-species builds a nest of twigs and weeds,
placing the flat structure either in low bushes or on the
ground. Their two white eggs are laid during April to July,
they sometimes rearing two broods a season. Size of eggs,
.85 × .65. White.

320b. Bermuda Ground Dove. Chæmepelia passerina bermudiana.

Range.--Bermuda. Smaller and paler than the last; otherwise the same in
nesting habits and eggs.

Page 196
321. Inca Dove. Scardafella inca.

Range.--Mexican border of the United States south to Central America and
Lower California.

This handsome species is about the size of the last, but its tail is longer and
graduated, consequently its length is greater, it being about 8 inches long. It is
not an uncommon species along our Mexican border, but is not nearly as
abundant as is the Ground Dove. It is often called "Scaled Dove" because of the
blackish edges of nearly all its feathers. They build fairly compact nests of
twigs, rootlets and weeds, these being placed in bushes at a low elevation. They
are two in number and pure white. Size .85 × .65.

322. Key West Quail Dove. Geotrygon chrysia.

Range.--West Indies,
rarely found at Key
West, although supposed
to have been common
there in Audubon's time.
This species is of about
the size of the Mourning White.
Dove, has rusty colored
upper parts, and is whitish below, the white
below the eye being separated from that of the
throat by a stripe of dusky from the base of the
bill. They nest in trees, laying two buffy white
eggs. Size 1.15 × .9O.

322.1. Ruddy Quail Dove. Geotrygon montana.
Inca Dove.
Ground Dove. Range.--Central America, north to eastern
Mexico and the West Indies; once taken at Key
West. This species is similar to the last but has no white streak under the eye,
and the underparts are buffy. Eggs, creamy white. Size 1.15 × .90.

323. Blue-headed Quail Dove. Starnoenas cyanocephala.

Range.--Cuba, accidentally straying to Key West, but not in recent years.

It is a beautiful species, with a bright blue crown, black throat and stripe
through the eye, separated by a white line under the eye. The rest of the
plumage is of a brownish or rusty color. Eggs buffy white. Size 1.30 × 1.05.

Page 197

CALIFORNIA VULTURE.

Page 198

VULTURES, HAWKS and OWLS. Order XII.
RAPTORES
AMERICAN VULTURES. Family CATHARTIDAE

Vultures are peculiarly formed birds of prey, having a bare head and neck, a
lengthened bill strongly hooked at the end for tearing flesh, and long, strong,
broad wings upon which they float in the air for hours at a time without any
visible flapping. They are scavengers and do great service to mankind by
devouring dead animal matter, that, if allowed to remain, would soon taint the
atmosphere. Their eyesight and sense of smell is very acute. They do not,
except in very unusual cases, capture their prey, but feed upon that which has
been killed or died of disease.

Ashy gray.

324. California Vulture. Gymnogyps californianus.

Range.--Apparently now restricted to the coast ranges of California, casually
inland to Arizona, and formerly to British Columbia.

This large bird, which weighs about 20 pounds, measures about 4 feet in
length, and has an expanse of wings of about 10 feet. Its plumage is blackish
with lengthened lanceolate feathers about the neck, and with the greater wing
coverts broadly tipped with grayish white (in very old birds). The birds are
very rare in their restricted range and are becoming scarcer each year, owing to
their being shot and their nests robbed. While the eggs are very rarely found
and only secured at a great risk, they are not as unobtainable as many suppose,
as may be seen from the fact that one private collection contains no less than
six perfect specimens of the eggs and as many mounted birds. These birds lay
but a single egg, placing it generally in caves or recesses in the face of cliffs,