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FOR THE PEOPLE FOR EDVCATION FOR SCIENCE |
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LIBRARY OF THE AMERICAN MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY |
BY GIFT OF
ALBERT S. BICKMORE
AND
CHARLOTTE B. BICKMORE
^oofefii lip f lorence Jilcrriam ^ailep.
BIRDS THROUGH AN OPERA-GLASS. In |
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for Beginners. Fully illustrated. i2nio, $2.00. HANDBOOK OF BIRDS OF THE WESTERN
UNITED STATES. With many illustrations.
i2mo, $3.50, net.
HOUGHTON, MIFFLIN & CO. Boston and New York
RING-BILLED GULL U'age 23)
HANDBOOK OF RFRDR
Western United States
TTTF <iV.V
SIN, PACIFIC ST ovv )E VALLEY "
liV
i^LUKExNCE MERRIAM BAlLi:
"// THIRTY-THREE FULL- PAGE PI AGASSIZ FUERTES, AND OVI.i. HUNDRED CUTS IN THE TEA J
-P
H08T0N AND NEW YORK HOUGHTON, MIFFLIN AND COMPANY
K^^&i^',
^^:.*c«^.t *
m-^-^.t
KING-BILLED (
^feyap
HANDBOOK OF BIRDS
OF THE
Western United States
INCLUDING
THE GREAT PLAINS, GREAT BASIN, PACIFIC SLOPE,
AND LOWER RIO GRANDE VALLEY
BY
FLORENCE MERRIAM BAILEY
Wrril THIRTY-THREE FULL-PAGE PLATES BY LOUIS
AGASSIZ FUERTES, AND OVER SIX
HUNDRED CUTS IN THE TEXT
BOSTON AND NEW YORK
HOUGHTON, MIFFLIN AND COMPANY
Cbr nilicrsibi press, tiTambntioc
I i)0 2
COPYRIGHT, 1902, BY FLORENCE A. BAILEY ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Published November, igo2
PREFATORY NOTE.
The preparation of this book has been facilitated by the good offices of many ornithologists. To Mr. Robert Ridgway and Dr. C. Hart Merriam I am indebted for use of the National Museum and Biological Survey collections, and to Mr. Ridgway for generous help in the study of the museum skins. I am also indebted to Mr. Ridgway for use of the proof of his forthcoming Part II. of Birds of North and Middle America, and to Dr. Merriam for use of the Biological Survey records. Dr. X. K. Fisher has given me kindly advice at all points and important help by a critical reading of the entire manuscript, with especial examination of distributions. From my husband, Mr. Vernon Bailey, I have had untiring advice and assistance, in addition to the preparation of the water bird descrip- tions and keys, and a large number of biographies of both water and land birds. Mr. E. W. Nelson has generously corrected and extended the ranges of the birds in Mexico, and Mr. H. C. Ober- holser has rendered much valuable critical aid, while Dr. T. S. Palmer has contributed an important chapter on bird protection. Local lists of much value to students have kindly been furnished by Mr. A. W. Anthony, ]\Ir. Joseph Grinuell, Mr. Walter K. Fisher, Mr. William II. Kobb(^, and Mr. Frank Bond, to whom, as to all those who have helped in the preparation of the book, I would ex- press my sincere gratitude and appreciation.
CONTENTS
PAGE
List of Illustrations ix
Introduction xxv
Acknowledgments xxv
Collecting and preparing Birds, Nests, and Eggs. By Vernon
Bailey xxvi
Collecting Birds ......... xxvi
Measuring .......... xxvii
Making Bird 8kins xxviii
Skinning .......... xxix
Stuffing XXX
Labeling .......... xxx
Sexing ........... xxx
Collecting and preserving Eggs and Nests .... xxxi
Note-Taking, Note-Books, and Journals xxxiii
Life Zones xxxiii
Migration ........... xxxvi
Economic Ornithology xxxvii
Bird Protection. By Theodore S. Palmer .... xxxix
Local Bird Lists xliii
Portland, Oregon. By A. W. Anthony xliii
San Francisco Bay. By William H. Kobb^ .... xlviii Santa Chira Valley and Santa Cruz Mountains. By Waltt'r
K. Fisher . * . li
Pasadena, California. By Joseph Grinnell .... Ivi
Fort Sherman, Idaho. By J. C. Merrill .... Ixiv
Cheyenne, Wyoming. By Frank Bond .... Ixix
Pinal, Pima, and Gila Counties, Arizona. By W. E. I). .Seott Ixxiv
Books of lioferenee Ixxxiii
Use of Handbook Keys Ixxxviii
lilUDS OF THE UNITED ST.VTE.S WEST OF THE ONE IIUNDBEDTH MEKIDIAN.
Kkv id Ohdkus ...
Kky to Familiks ok Watkk liiun.s
CONTENTS
Order Pygopodes: Diving Birds
Family Podieipiclse : Grebes
Family Gaviidfe : Loons ....
Family Alcidse : Aixks, Murres, and Puflfins Order Longipennes : Long-winged Swimmers
Family Stercorariidse : Jaegers, etc.
Family Laridse : Gulls and Terns Order Tubinares : Tube-nosed Swimmers .
Family Diomedeidae : Albatrosses
Family Procellariidse : Fulmars and Shearwaters Order Steganopodes : Totipalmate Swimmers
Family Anhingidse : Darters
Family Phalacrocoraeidae : Cormorants
Family Pelecanidse : Pelicans
Family Fregatidse : Man-o'-War Birds Order Anseres : Lamellirostral Swimmers
Family Anatidse : Ducks, Geese, and Swans Order Herodiones : Herons, Storks, Ibises, i
Family Ibididfe : Ibises ....
Family Ciconiidae : Storks and Wood Ibises
Family Ardeidse : Herons, Egrets, Bitterns Order Paludicol^ : Cranes, Rails, etc.
Family Gruidae : Cranes ....
Family Rallidae : Rails, Gallinules, and Coots Order Limicol^ : Shore Birds
Family Phalaropodidse : Phalaropes .
Family Recurvirostridaj : Avoeets and Stilts
Family Scolopacidse : Snipe, Sandi^ipers, etc.
Family Cliaradriidse : Plovers
Family Aphrizidte : Surf Birds and Turnstones
Family Haematopodid?e : Oyster-catchers .
Family Jacanidae : Jacanas .... Key to Families of Land Birds . Order Gallin/E : Gallinaceous Birds .
Family Tetraonidte : Grouse, Partridges, Quail, etc
Family Phasianidas : Pheasants and Turkeys
Family Cracidae : Currassows and Guans Order Columb^ : Pigeons ....
Family Columbidae : Pig'eons Order Raptores: Birds op Prey
Family Cathartid^e : Vultures
Family Falconidae : Falcons, Hawks, Eagles, etc
Family Strigidae : Barn Owls
Family Bubonidae : Horned Owls, etc. Order Psittaci : Parrots, Macaws, Paroquets, etc
Family Psittacidae : Parrots and Paroquets .
CONTENTS vii
Order Coccyges : Cuckoos, etc 193
Family Cuculiclie : Anis, Road-ruiuier.s. and Cuckoos . . . 193 Familj^ Trogonida? : Trogons . . . . . . .197
Family Alcedinidse : Kingfishers ....... 198
Order Pici : WooDrECKERS, etc 200
Family Picidae : Woodpeckers 200
Order Macrochires : Goatsuckers. Swifts, and Hummingbirds 222
Family Caprimulgidfe : Goatsuckers ...... 222
Family "Micropodidse : Swifts 229
Family Trochilidte ; Hummingbirds ...... 232
Order Passeres : Perching Birds 245
Family Cotingidae : Cotingas ....... 245
Family Tyraunidae : Tyrant Flycatchers 245
Family Alaudidae : Larks 265
Family Corvidag : Crows, Jays, Mag-pies, etc. .... 269
Family Sturnidaj : Starlings 285
Family Icteridse : Blackbirds, Orioles, etc. ..... 285
Family Fringillidje : Finches, Sparrows, etc. .... 303
Family Tanagridje : Tanagers ....... 379
Family Hirundinidae : Swallows ....... 382
Family AmpelidiB : Waxwings and Phainoijeplas . . . 387
Family Laniidffi : Shrikes 391
Family Vireonidte : Vireos ........ 394
Family Mniotiltid;« : Wood Warblers ...... 401
Family Motaeillidce : Wagtails ....... 431
Family Cinclidaj : Dippers ........ 432
Family Troglodytidae : Wrens, Thrashers, etc. .... 433
Family Certhiidae : Creepers 451
Family Paridae : Nuthatches and Tits 452
Family Sylviidie : Kinglets, Gnatcatchers. etc. .... 463
Family Turdidae: Thrushes, Solitaires, Bluebirds, etc. . 467
Appendix.
Color Key to Genera of some of the Common Passerine Birds . 470
Index 4^1
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
FULL-PAGE PLATES,
I. Ring-billed Gull . II. Zone Map .
III. TOPOGKAPHY OF BlRD
IV. Eared Gkebe . V. Forster Tern .
VI. Pelagic Cormorant VII. Shoveller VIII. Black-crowned Night Heron IX. Wilson Phalakope X. Black-necked Stilt XI. Long-billed Curlew XII. Snowy Plover .
XIII. Scaled Partridge .
XIV. Mearns Quail . XV. White-tailed Ptarmigan
XVI. Marsh Hawk . XVII. Audubon Caracara XVIII. Poor-will
XIX. SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER
XX. Arkansas and Cassin Kingbirds XXI. Ash-throated Flycatcher XXII. Magpie ....
XXIII. Long-crested Jay .
XXIV. WooDHousE Jay XXV. Northern Kaven .
XXVI. Yellow-headed Blackbird XXVII. Western Lark Sparrow XXVIII. Texas Pyrrhuloxia XXIX. Lark Bunting XXX. Pileolated Warbler XXXI. Rock Wren . XXXII. Canyon Wren XXXni. Long-billed Marsh Wren
FACING PAGE
Frontispiece
XXXIV
1
7
29
42
54
77
85
86
101
105
118
122
129
150
171
224
240
249
253
270
273
274
280
288
336
371
377
428
44:3
445
450
X LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
XXXIV. Pygmy Nuthatch 454
XXXV. Mountain Chickadep: 458
XXXVI. Varied Thkush 474
DIAGBAMS.
Measurement of Bill . . . . . ... . . xxviii
Measurement of Tarsus xxviii
FIGUEES IN THE TEXT.
FIGURE PAGE
1. Western Grebe, foot . 2
2. Loon, foot ........... 2
3. Tufted Puffin, foot 2
4. Herring Gull, foot 2
5. Parasitic Jaeger, bill ......... 2
6. Short-billed Gull, bill 2
7. Black-footed Albatross, bill 3
8. Giant Fulmar, bill 3
9. Cormorant, foot .......... 3
10. Man-o'-War Bird, bill . 3
11. White-crested Cormorant, bill ....... 3
12. White Pelican, bill 3
13. Merganser, foot .......... 3
14. White-faced Glossy Ibis, bill 4
15. Green Heron, head 4
16. Sandhill Crane, foot 4
17. Florida Gallhiule, foot 4
18. White -rumped Sandpiper, foot ....... 4
19. Killdeer, foot 4
20. Western Grebe, head ......... 5
21. Horned Grebe, head 7
22. Least Grebe 8
23. Pied-biUed Grebe 8
24. Loon, bill 9
25. Pacific Loon, head .11
26. Tufted Puffin, bill 11
27. California Murre, bill 11
28. Rhinoceros Auklet, bill 12
29. Pigeon Guillemot, bill 12
30. Paroquet Auklet, bill 12
31. Least Auklet, bill 12
32. Tufted Puffin, head 12
33. Rhinoceros Auklet, bill 13
34. Paroquet Auklet, bill .14
35. Least Auklet, bill ......... 14
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
3G. 37. 38. 39. 40. 41. 42. 43. 44. 4.5. 46. 47. 48. 49. 50. 5L 52. 53. 54. 55. 56. 57. 58. 59. 60. 6L 62. 63. 64. 65. 66. 67. 68. 69. .70. 71. 72.
7;}.
74. 75. 7().
80.
Marbled Murrelet Pigeon Guillemot, head California Murre Long-tailed Jaeger, head Herring Gull, bill Forster Tern, bill Heermann Gull . Franklin Gull, head Franklin Gull, wing tip Bonaj)arte Gull, wing tip Sabine Gull, bill . Sabine Gull . Caspian Tern, head Least Tern . Black Tern . Sooty Albatross, bill . Black-footed Albatross, bill Sooty Albatross, bill . Forked-tailed Petrel, bill Slender-billed Fulmar, bill Giant Fulmar, bill Slender-billed Fulmar, bill Kaeding Petrel . White Pelican, bill Man-o'-War Bird, bill Merganser, bill . Mallard, bill Red-breasted Merganser, head Hooded Merganser, head Mallard, head Baldpate. head . Green-winged Teal, head Blue-winged Teal, head Cinnamon Teal, head Pintail, head Wood Duck, head Kedhead,head Canvas-back, head Scaup Duck, head Golden-eye, head . Buffle-head, head Old-squaw, head . Harlequin Duck, head White-winged Scoter, head Kuddv Duck, head
xii LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
8L White-fronted Goose, head ........ 66
82. Canada Goose, head 67
83. White-faced Glossy Ibis, head 71
84. Bittern, head 73
85. Bittern, foot 73
86. Green Heron, head ......... 76
87. Sandhill Crane, foot ......... 79
88. California Clapper Rail ........ 80
89. Virginia Rail, head 80
90. Virginia Rail, foot 80
91. Carolina Rail, head 81
92. Yellow Rail 82
93. Black Rail 82
94. Florida Gallinule 82
95. Florida Gallinule, foot 83
96. Coot 83
97. Coot, foot 83
98. Red Phalarope, foot 84
99. Red Phalarope .84
100. Northern Phalarope 85
101. Avocet, head 86
102. Wilson Snipe, head ......... 88
103. Long-billed Dowitcher 89
104. Stilt Sandpiper 90
105. Knot 91
106. Pectoral Sandpiper 91
107. White-rumped Sandpiper ........ 92
108. Baird Sandpiper 92
109. Least Sandpiper .......... 92
110. Red-backed Sandpiper ........ 93
111. Semipalmated Sandpiper ........ 93
112. Western Sandpiper 94
113. Sanderling 94
114. Sanderling, foot 94
115. Marbled Godwit 95-
116. Greater Yellow-legs " . .96
117. Lesser Yellow-legs ......... 97
118. Solitary Sandpiper 97
119. Black-bellied Plover, head 102
120. Killdeer, head 104
121. Semipalmated Plover, head 104
122. Mountain Plover 105
123. Surf Bird 106
124. Black Turnstone, summer plumage ...... 107
125. Black Turnstone, head, winter plumage 107
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
126. Black Oyster-catcher .
127. Black Oyster-catcher, foot
128. Bob-white, bill .
129. Dove, bill .
130. Turkey Vulture, bill .
131. Turkey Vulture, foot .
132. Sparrow Hawk, bill .
133. Fish Hawk, foot .
134. Owl, bill .
135. Saw-whet Owl, head .
136. Western Horned Owl, head
137. Kingfisher, head .
138. Kingfisher, foot .
139. Cuckoo, foot
140. Cuckoo, bill.
141. Woodpecker (Sphyrapicus), bill
142. Woodpecker (Sphyrapicus), tail
143. Woodpecker (Dryobates), foot
144. Woodpecker (Picoides), foot
145. Hummingbird, bill
146. Swift, bill .
147. Nighthawk, foot .
148. Swift, foot .
149. Song- Sparrow, foot
150. Skylark, bill
151. Horned Lark, foot
152. Flycatcher, bill .
153. Swallow, wing'
154. Sprague Pipit, foot
155. Pipir, foot .
156. Warbler (Dendroica), bill
157. Black and White Warbler, foot
158. Song- Sparrow^ bill
159. Goldfinch, bill . .
160. Crossbill, bill
161. Longspur, bill
162. Evening- Grosbeak, bill 16^j. Scarlet Tanag-er, bill 1(54. .Summer Tanager, bill 165. Oriole, bill . 16<). Cowbird. bill 167. Crow Blackl)ir(l, bill 1(5S. Shrike, wing feathers 16t». Loggerliead Shrike, head 170. Wnn. bill .
xiv LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
171. Jay, bill .112
172. Wren-Tit, bill .112
173. Robin, wing- feathers 112
174. Kinglet, foot 112
175. Warbling Vireo, foot . . 113
176. Warbling- Vireo, bill 113
177. Vireo, tail 113
178. Gnatcatclier, tail 113
179. Sag-e Thrasher, foot . . . . . . . . .113
180. Bro-wn Creeper, bill . 113
181. Brown Creeper, tail . . . . . . . . .113
182. Chickadee, bill 113
183. Nuthatch, bill 113
184. Sage Grouse, tail . . . . . . . . .113
185. Sharjj-tailed Grouse, tail . . . . . . . .114
186. Ptarmigan, foot 114
187. Dusky Grouse, foot 114
188. Ruffed Grouse, foot 114
189. Mearns Quail, foot . . . 114
190. Bob-white, foot 114
191. Bob-white 115
192. Texan Bob-white 116
193. Masked Bob-white 116
194. Plumed Partridge 117
195. Valley Partridge, female . 120
196. Valley Partridge, male 121
197. Gambel Partridge, male . 121
198. Gambel Partridge, female . 121
199. Dusky Grouse • • .124
200. Richardson Grouse 126
201. Franklin Grouse 126
202. Gray Ruffed Grouse 128
203. Southern White-tailed Ptarmigan 129
204. Prairie Hen 1.30
205. Prairie Sharp-tailed Grouse 132
206. Sage Grouse .......-•• 133
207. Band-tailed Pigeon . 138
208. Mourning Dove . . 140
209. White-winged Dove . 142
210. Mexican Ground Dove 143
211. Inea Dove .^ • • 143
212. Turkey Vulture, head 145
213. Fish Hawk, foot 146
214. Prairie Falcon, feather 147
215. Sparrow Hawk, bill . . . ^ . • = • .147
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
216. Swallow-tailed Kite, tail
217. White-tailed Kite, foot
218. Audubon Caracaia, bill
219. Mexican Goshawk, feather
220. Swallow-tailed Kite .
221. Mississippi Kite .
222. Sharp-shinned Hawk .
223. Cooper Hawk
224. Goshawk .
225. Sennett White-tailed Hawk
226. Red-bellied Hawk, primar;
227. Zone-tailed Hawk, tail
228. Red-tailed Hawk 220. Zone-tailed Hawk, tail
230. Swainson Hawk .
231. Rough-leg-ged Hawk .
232. Ferruginous Rough-leg
233. Golden Eagle
234. Bald Eagle .
235. Duck Hawk
236. Pigeon Hawk
237. Sparrow Hawk .
238. Fish Hawk .
239. Earn Owl, foot .
240. Barn Owl .
241. Saw-whet Owl
242. Western Horned Owl, head
243. Long-eared Owl .
244. Short-eared Owl .
245. Barred Owl .
246. Saw-whet Owl, head .
247. Screech Owl
248. Dwarf Screech Owl
240. Western Horned Owl, head
250. Snowy Owl .
251. Hawk Owl .
252. Burrowing Owl .
253. Pygmy Owl .
254. Elf Owl
255. Groove-billed Ani
256. Road-runner
257. Yellow-billed (^ukoo .
258. Black-l)illed Cuckoo, tail 250. C()p])ery-tailod Trogon 2(»(t. Ht'licd Kingfisher
primaries
XVI
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
261. Texas Kingfisher
262. Woodpecker (Dryobates), foot 268. Woodpecker (Sphyrapicus) , bill
264. Woodpecker (Dryobates). bill
265. Woodpecker (Picoides), foot
266. Northern Pileated Woodpecker
267. Flicker ....
268. Northern Hairy Woodpecker
269. Harris Woodpecker
270. Gaii-dner Woodpecker .
271. Texan Woodj)ecker
272. Nuttall Woodpecker .
273. White-headed Woodpecker
274. Arctic Three-toed Woodpecker
275. Alpine Three-toed Woodpecker
276. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker .
277. Red-naj)ed Sapsucker .
278. Red-breasted Sapsucker
279. Williamson Sapsucker
280. Northern Pileated Woodpecker
281. Red-headed Woodpecker
282. Ant-eating- Woodpecker, head
283. Lewis Woodpecker
284. Red-bellied Woodpecker, head
285. Golden-fronted Woodpecker, head
286. Gila Woodpecker
287. Northern Flicker .
288. Whip-poor-will, head .
289. California Poor-will .
290. Nighthawk, foot .
291. Nig-hthawk, head
292. Nig-hthawk, wing-
293. Texas Nig-hthawk. wing-
294. Swift, tail feather
295. Black Swift
296. Chimney Swift .
297. Vaux Swift ....
298. White-throated Swift .
299. Lucifer Hummingbird, bill
300. Calliope Hummingbird, tail
301. Anna Hummingbird, female, tail
302. Black-chinned Hummingbird, tail
303. Rivoli Hummingbird .
304. Blue-throated Hummingbird
305. Ruby-throated Hummingbird, wing-
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
306. 307. 308. 309. 310. 311. 312. 313. 314. 315. 316. 317. 318. 319. 320. 321. 322. 323. 324. 325. 326.
327. Flycatchers
328. 329. 330. 331. 332. 333. 334. 335. 336. 337. 338. 339. 340. 341. 342. 343. 344. 345. 346.
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Black-chinned Hummingbird, tail
Anna Hummingbird, female, tail
Anna Hummingbird, male, tail .
Costa Hummingbird .
Anna Hummingbird
Broad-tailed Hummingbird, outer primaries
Broad-tailed Hummingbird, male, tail
Broad-tailed Hummingbird, female, tail
Rufous Hummingbird, male, tail
Rufous Hummingbird .
Allen Hummingbird, male, tail .
Allen Hummingbird, female, tail
Calliope Hummingbird, tail
Calliope Hummingbird
Lucifer Hummingbird
Broad-billed Hummingbird
Xantus Becard ....
Kingbird
Arkansas Kingbird, wing- tip Cassin Kingbird, wing- tip .
f Crested Flycatcher
I Wood Pewee Phoebe
I Kingbird
[ Least Flycatcher Flycatcher (Myiarchus). foot
Phoebe
Western Black Phcebe, head Flycatcher (Contopus), foot Olive-sided Flycatcher Coues Flycatcher Western Wood Pewee . Flycatcher (Empidonax), foot Western Flycatcher, bill Hammond Flycatcher, bill . Wright Flycatcher, bill Western Flycatcher, bill Hammond Flycatcher . Hammond Flycatcher, bill . Wright Flycatcher, bill Horned Lark, head P.illid Horned Lark . Blue Jay .... iJoeky Mountain .lay, head .
xviii LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
347. Oregon Jay, head 278
348. Crow, bill 279
349. Clarke Nutcracker 282
350. Bobolink, tail . 285
351. Bobolink, head . 285
352. Cowbird, bill . . . . , 285
353. Meadowlark, head 285
354. Bronzed Grackle, bill 285
355. Oriole, bill 285
356. Yellow-headed Blackbird, foot 285
357. Red-wing, head 286
358. Bobolink 286
359. Cowbird 287
360. Red-winged Blackbird 290
361. Meadowlark 292
362. Scott Oriole 294
363. Arizona Hooded Oriole 296
364. Baltimore Oriole 297
365. Bullock Oriole, head 298
366. Brewer Blackbird 300
367. Bronzed Grackle 301
368. Redpoll, wing- 303
369. Crossbill, bill 303
370. Western Evening Grosbeak, bill 303
371. Redpoll, head 304
372. Snowflake, head 304
373. McCown Longspur, tail ........ 304
374. Pine Finch, head 304
375. Black-headed Grosbeak, head 304
376. Western Lark Sparrow 304
377. Longspur, foot 304
378. Vesper Sparrow, tail 304
379. Dickcissel, head 305
380. English Sparrow, male ... .... 305
381. Pine Grosbeak, head 305
382. Pyrrhuloxia 305
383. Cardinal, head 305
384. Arctic Towhee 305
385. Slate-colored Junco, head ........ 305
386. Sparrow (Aimophila), wing ....... 306
387. White-crowned Sparrow . . 306
388. Green-tailed Towhee, head 306
389. Fox Sparrow, head 306
390. California Towhee . ....... 306
391. Bunting (Cyanospiza), bill ..... o .. 306
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS xix
392. Song- Sparrow, head 306
393. Western Evening- Grosbeak 307
394. Pine Grosbeak 308
395. California Purple Finch, tail 310
396. Purple Finch 311
397. Cassin Purple Finch, liead 312
398. House Finch, male 312
399. House Finch, female 312
400. Crossbill, bill 313
401. White-winged Crossbill 315
402. Gray-crowned Leucosticte, head . . .• . . . . 315
403. Hoary Redpoll 318
404. Redpoll, head 319
405. Goldfinch 321
406. Arkansas Goldfinch . . . . " 322
407. Mexican Goldfinch 323
408. Lawrence Goldfinch 323
409. Pine Finch 323
410. English Sparrow, male 324
411. English Sparrow, female ........ 824
412. Snowflake 325
413. Lapland Longspur, summer male 326
414. Lapland Longspur, winter male 326
415. Smith Long-spur, summer male 327
416. Chestnut-collared Longspur, summer male 328
417. Chestnut-collared Longspur, winter male 328
418. McCown Long-spur ......... 328
419. Western Vesper Sparrow, tail 329
420. Sandwich Sparrow . . • • • • • .331
421. Large-billed Sparrow 333
422. Baird Sparrow .......... 333
423. Western Grasshopper Sparrovv' . 334
424. Sharp-tailed Sparrow, tail ........ 335
425. Harris Sparrow ... ...... 337
426. White-crowned Sparrow ........ 338
427. Gambel Sparrow, head 339
428. Golden-crowned Sparrow 340
429. White-throated Sparrow, head 340
430. Western Tree Sparrow ........ 341
431. Western Chipping Sparrow, head 342
432. -Brewer Sparrow, head ........ 343
433. Worthen Sparrow, head ........ 344
434. Black-chinned Sparrow 345
435. Slate-colored J unco ......... 340
436. Thurber J unco .....•-• 348
XX LIST OF ILLUSTKATIONS
437. Red-backed Juneo 349
438. Black-throated Sparrow, head 350
439. Sag-e Sparrow, head 352
440. Cassin Sparrow .......... 353
441. Rufous-winged Sparrow, head 354
442. Rufous-crowned Sparrow, head ....... 354
443. Song- Sparrow, head 356
444. Desert Song- Sparrow ......... 357
445. Mountain Song- Sparrow 357
446. Samuels Song' Sparrow ........ 358
447. Rusty Song Sparrow 358
448. Lincoln Sparrow .......... 359
449. Fox Sparrow 361
450. Townsend Sparrow ......... 361
451. Thick-billed Sparrow, bill 362
452. Slate-colored Sparrow, bill ........ 363
453. Stephens Sparrow, bill 363
454. Calif ornia Towhee 363
455. Towhee, head 363
456. Towhee, head 364
457. Arctic Towhee 364
458. Spurred Towhee 365
459. Oregon Towhee 365
460. California Towhee, head . 367
461. Green-tailed Towhee, head 368
462. Cardinal, head 369
463. Rose-breasted Grosbeak ........ 372
464. Black-headed Grosbeak, head 372
465. Bunting- (Cyanospiza), bill ........ 374
466. Dickcissel, head 377
467. Scarlet Tanager, head 379
468. Summer Tanager, bill 379
469. Scarlet Tanager, bill 380
470. Summer Tanager, bill 382
471. Barn Swallow, tail 382
472. Rough-winged Swallow, feather 382
473. Cliff Swallow, head . .384
474. Barn Swallow, foot 385
475. Barn Swallow 385
476. White-bellied Swallow 386
477. Bank Swallow 386
478. Rough- winged Swallow, feather 387
479. Rough- winged Swallow, head 387
480. Cedar Waxwing 389
481. Phainopepla .......... 390
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
head
head
482. Shrike, bill .... 483o Northern Shrike .
484. White-rumped Shrike .
485. Black-capped Vireo, head .
486. Cassin Vireo, head
487. Red-eyed Vireo, head .
488. Warbling- Vireo. head .
489. Red-eyed Vireo, head .
490. Warbling- Vireo, head .
491. Cassin Vireo, head
492. Black-capped Vireo, head .
493. Redstart, bill
494. Red-faced Warbler, bill
495. Black and White Warbler, head
496. Black and White Warbler, foot
497. Warbler (Helminthophila), foot
498. Chat, head ....
499. Northern Parula Warbler.
500. Warbler (Uendroica), bill
501. Black and White Warblei 502o Calaveras Warbler, head
503. Calaveras Warbler, head
504. Northern Parnla Warbler, head
505. Warbler (Dendroica), foot .
506. Blackburnian Warbler, head
507. Yellow Warbler, head
508. Magnolia Warbler, head
509. Olive Warbler .
510. Black-throated Bine Warbler, head
511. Black-throated Gray Warbler, head
512. Hermit Warbler, head
513. Black-throated Green Warbler, head
514. Golden-cheeked Warbler, head
515. Townsend Warbler, head .
516. Black-poll Warbler, head .
517. Yi41o\v-rnniped Warbler, head
518. Chestnnt-sided Warbler, head
519. Olive Warbler
520. Yellow Warbler, head
521. Black-throated Blue Warbler, head
522. Yellow-rnniped Warbler, head
523. Audnl)on Warbler
524. Maon„li;,. W.irbh-r, head
525. Chestnnt-sid.'d Warbler, head 520. Black-puU Wail.l.-r. lu-ad .
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
527. Blackburnian Warbler, head
528. Black-throated Gray Warbler, head
529. Golden-cheeked Warbler, head
530. Black-throated Green Warbler, head 53L Towiiseiid Warbler, head .
532. Hermit Warbler, head
533. Oven-bird, head .
534. Grinnell Water-Thrush
535. Maegillivray Warbler, head
536. Western Yellow-throat, head
537. Long-tailed Chat
538. Wilson Warbler, head .
539. Canadian Warbler, head
540. Redstart, head
541. Pipit ....
542. Pipit, foot .
543. Sprague Pipit, foot 544o Water Ouzel
545. Sag-e Thrasher
546. Brown Thrasher, head
547. California Thrasher, bill
548. Mockingbird, head
549. Catbird, head
550. Cactus Wren
551. Canyon Wren 552„ Rock Wren .
553. Western Winter Wren
554. House Wren, head
555. Long-billed Marsh Wren, head
556. Carolina Wren, head .
557. Sage Thrasher .
558. Eastern Mocker .
559. Catbird
560. Brown Thrasher .
561. Sennett Thrasher
562. Curve-billed Thrasher .
563. Palmer Thrasher .
564. Bendire Thrasher
565. Calif ornian Thrasher .
566. Leconte Thrasher
567. Crissal Thrasher .
568. Cactus Wren
569. Rock Wren .
570. Canyon Wren
571. Carolina Wren, head .
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
572. Vigors Wren
573. Parkmaii Wren .
574. Western Winter Wren
575. Brown Creeper, bill 570. Brown Creeper, tail
577. Californian Creeper
578. Slender-billed Niithateli, feather
579. White-breasted Nuthatch, feather
580. White-breasted Nuthatch, head 581= Red-breasted Nuthatch, head
582. Plain Titmouse .
583. Bridled Titmouse, head
584. Chickadee, head .
585. Wren-Tit .
586. Bush-Tit .
587. Lloyd Bush-Tit .
588. Kinglet, bill
589. Golden-crowned Kinglet, head
590. Ruby-crowned Kinglet, head
591. Gnatcatcher, tail .
592. Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, head
593. Plumbeous Gnatcatcher, feather
594. Black-tailed Gnatcatcher, feather
595. Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 596o Plumbeous Gnatcatcher
597. Townsend Solitaire
598. Wood Thrush .
599. Robin, bill . GOO. Robin . 001. Bluebird .
XXlll
447 448 449 451 451 452 453 453 453 454 456 457 457 460 461 462 463 463 464 465 465 465 465 465 466 467 469 472 472 475
INTRODUCTION.
The classification, nomenclature, and numeration used in this book are those of the A. 0. IT. Check-List of Worth American Birds, except that modern scientific usage has heen followed in dropping the possessive form in the vernacular names of species, as Clarke nutcracker and Steller jay, instead of Clarke's nutcracker and Stel- ler's jay. The rulings of the nomenclature committee of the Amer- ican Ornithologists' Union have been followed, but new species upon which the committee has not yet ruled have been included in foot- notes under their proper places.
In the matter of authorities, Ridgway's Manual of North Ameri- can Birds, his Hummingbird paper, and Birds of North and Middle America (Parts I. and II.) have been used at all points as standard authorities, and the substance of keys and descriptions frequently quoted.
In the general treatment of species various authorities have been followed.
General Characters. — These summaries of technical characters have been abridged from the generic descriptions in Parts I. and II. of Pidgway's BirdK (f North and Middle America, his monograph on the Jfumminf/hirds, and Coues's Kei/ to North American Birds.
Measurements. — The measurements have been taken from the second edition of Kidgway's Manual of North American Birds, from Parts I, and II. of North and Middle America, with the centimeters converted into inches, and. in the case of sjx'cics not included in thes(; books, from the original descriptions.
Nest and Kijfjs. — Descriptions of nests and eggs are taken mainly from IJendire's Life llifttoriex of North American Birdu, Uitlgway's Mamial, .s(jcond edition, The A^lk, Tlie Condor, Tlie Osprey, The Nidolof/hst, The Ornitholof/ist and Oiilof/ist, Goi^' a lUrds of Kansas, The Biolof/iral Survey Records, and from specimens in the Hendire and Ralph coHectious of the United States National Museum.
xxvi INTRODUCTION
Food. — Food notes have been made up mainly from Bendire's Life Histories, Fisher's Hawks and Owls of the United States, Goss's Birds of Kansas, and the records of the Biological Surve3\
Distribution. — The distributions have been compiled from the manuscript maps and reports of the Biological Survey, and the North American Fauna, (3) San Francisco Mountain, Arizona; (7) Death Valley, and (16) Mount Shasta, California; (22) Hudson Bay; (5) Idaho; (21) The Queen Charlotte Islands, British Columbia; and (14) The Tres Marias Islands, Mexico; The A. 0. U. Check-List of North American Birds; Belding's Land Birds of California; Bendire's Life Histories of North American Birds; Bruner's Birds of Nebraska ; Bryant's Birds and Eggs of the Farallon Islands; Cooke's Bird Mi- gration in the 3Iississippi Valley, and Birds of Colorado; Fannin's Check-List of British Columbia Birds; Goss's Birds of Kansas; Grin- nell's Birds of the Pacific Slope of Los Angeles County; Loomis's Cali- fornia Water Birds; Macoun's Catalogue of Canadian Birds; Mc- Gregor's Pacific Coast Avifauna; and Silloway's Summer Birds of Flathead Lake, Montana; together with local lists in The Auk, The Bulletin of the 'Cooper Ornithological Club, The Condor, and The Osprey.
Illustrations. — The new heads and full figures of birds are by Louis Agassiz Fuertes, the outlines by Miss Franceska Weiser, the old material from drawings of Louis Agassiz Fuertes, Ernest Thomp- son Seton, Robert Ridgway, John L. Ridgway, and Frank Bond, published previously by the Smithsonian Institution, the Biological Survey, The Auk, The Osprey, and Houghton, IMifflin & Company in Birds of Village and Field and A-Birding on a Bronco.
COLLECTING AND PREPARING BIRDS, NESTS, AND EGGS.
By Vernon Bailey.
Collecting Birds. — Our present knowledge of birds and their classification has come from a study of specimens, of the dead bird in the flesh, of crops and stomachs, stuffed skins, and skeletons ; and without this foundation the study of birds would not have its deep interest and meaning nor its practical bearing on the economy of our lives. Even our enjoyment of the birds in life, their beauty, song, and friendship, would be far less than it is without the un- derlying knowledge of their life history, the place they fill, and their importance to us.
INTRODUCTION xxvii
Naturalist collectors are far from being the ruthless destroyers of life they are often supposed to be. It is, indeed, those who collect the birds, study them most deeply, and know them best, who are doing the most for their protection. Most ornithologists have begun their study of birds by making private collections, and have turned the knowledge thus gained to the best good of the birds, while their collections have finally gone to museums, where they could benefit the greatest number of students.
In most museums, it is true, there are large collections of bird skins, often hundreds of specimens of a single species, showing every shade of variation due to age, sex, season, moult, and wear of plumage, and endless geographic variation over a wide range of country ; but to many of those who have the best chance to study the birds ia life these collections are inaccessible.
There are still unknown, rare, and little known species of birds that must be obtained before our knowledge of our own species can be approximately complete and our system of classification firmly established. But the more immediate and pressing question before the young ornithologist is how to identify the obscure species and the females and young of better known birds. In many cases the bird must be shot to be identified, and not infrequently it must be sent to some large museum collection for comparison for satisfactory determination. Collecting, therefore, has not only a legitimate but fundamental place in ornitholog}- as a scientific study.
Measurements. — It should be borne in mind that measurements are not infallible, and even Avhere the maximum and minimum of a series are given, still larger or smaller specimens may be found. In many cases measurements are useless in determining characters, but in others they are the all important differences between species and subspecies. The total length is the most variable measurement, and when taken from a skin instead of a bird in the flesh is only intended to give a general idea of the size of the bird. In quoting Mr. Kidgway's measurements throughout this book tlie word 'about' has been omitted from liis lengtlis, as it applies to all length measurements. Lengtlis are taken from the birds in the flesli, if not specifically stated to be from skins. All measurements in the book are in inches. AVing, tail, bill, and tarsus measurements are the important ones in most species, especially so beca\\se they can- be taken from the dry skin as well as from the fresh specimens. iVIea- surementssliould l)e taken in the following manner: —
Liitijih. — From tip of bill to tip of tail. To get this lay the
xxviii INTRODUCTION
bird on its back ou a rule or. tape-measure, with neck and body straiglit.
Wing. — From the front of the bend of the wrist joint of the wing to the tip of the longest feather. This can be taken with either tape or dividers.
Tail. — From the extreme base of the tail to its tip. To get this exactly place one point of the dividers at the base of the tail be- tween the two middle tail feathers, and the other point of the dividers at the tip of the tail.
Bill. — From edge of feathers on top of bill to tip of bill. When it would be necessary to part the feathers to reach the base of the bill the expression ' exposed culmen ' is used for the mea- sui'eraent.
Tarsus. — From heel joint to angle !^^ of toe with tarsus. If this is difficult
to determine, put the dividers on the outside and bend the toes.
Middle toe. — From angle of tarsus and toes to base of claw, the length of the claw not being taken unless specified.
Such measurements as length of toes, depth of bill at base, at nostril, etc., and relative lengths of certain feathers and spots and markings can usually be taken most accurately and conveniently with dividers.
Making bird skins. — For making bird skins a few simple tools and materials are needed, — two sizes of scalpels or slender-bladed knives for skinning, a pair of stout, sharp scissors, and a pair of forceps, some powdered arsenic and corn-meal, cotton (for large species tow), a round-pointed needle, thread, and labels.
The English sparrow is a good bird to begin with and practice on until skins can be made that are worth keeping, an end not attained without patient and painstaking effort.
Having shot a bird, examine it for bloody or soiled spots, and sprinkle any that are found with corn -meal or fine sand, and plug the throat with cotton to keep any blood or liquids from coming out and soiling the feathers. If an eye is broken remove it with the forceps, and fill the orifice with cotton and corn-meal, to prevent the fluids from soiling the feathers of the head. To keep the bird from injury until you can skin it, make a paper cornucopia, and after smoothing the feathers drop the bird in bill first ; then fold together the gaping edges of the cornucopia, and your bird will carry safely in your game-bag or hunting-coat pocket.
INTRODUCTION xxix
Skinning. — Place the bird on its back Avitli its bill to your left, and part the feathers along the breast and belly. In most species a strip of naked skin will appear. Holding the feathers back with the thumb and finger of the left hand, cut with a down stroke of the scalpel just through the skin from about the middle of the sternum back to the vent. Catch the edge of the skin at one side, and with the end of the scalpel handle or your fingers work it back from the body until the knee-joint of the leg appears, sprinkling in plenty of corn-meal as you go to absorb blood and juices and keep your fingers dry and the feathers from sticking. Cut the bone at the knee-joint with scissors or knife, and draw it up out of the flesh, which can be cut off nearer the heel and left fast to the carcass. Loosen the skin farther back, then treat the other side in the same manner, fre- quently using corn-meal.
Then turn the bird's bill from you, and cut across below the tail to the bone, and either unjoint or snip the bone with the scissors just in front of the base of the quills, keeping the forefinger of the left hand at a point opposite on the outside as a guide to prevent cut- ting the skin, and work the skin up over the rump. At this point a small hook, suspended in front and hooked into the bird's rump, will help the beginner, but he will soon learn to hold up the body between the tips of the first two fingers of the left hand, using the thumb and third or little finger of the same hand to draw down the skin as he cuts with the scalpel in the right. Work the skin from the edges, being careful not to stretch it. As the wings are reached draw them back out of the skin to near the second joint, break the first bone in the middle and remove tlie flesh. Keep the body well sprinkled with meal, and work the skin carefully down over the neck to the head until the ears appear, picking them out rather than cutting them off ; then working the skin along mainly with the finger nails over the eyes (cutting the transparent membrane without inj\iry to the lids), and carrying it down to the base of the bill.
Next remove the ej'cs and cut off the base and lower part of the skull, which can be done so as to leave brains, tongue, and fleshy part of mouth attached to the neck, and the skull and bill clean and free attached to the skin. If any bits of flesh or fat have been left on the skin, remove tlieni. and then dust dry arsenic over the inside of the skill, till the eye sockets with pellets of cotton, and reverse the skin by pushing tlie bill carefully back through the neck. Willi the beginner the skin will become dry before it is ready to be turned l>aek, and will need moistening, l)ut after some practice the
XXX INTRODUCTION
whole process of skinning should take only from two to four min- utes.
As soon as tlie skin is turned back, the feathers should be smoothed and arranged, the eyelids adjusted, and the edges of the opening of the skin laid together before it is put down.
Stuffing. — For the sparrow, take a short thick piece of cotton — tow for large birds — that will make a form the size of the body that has been removed from the skin, and press it firmly together with the fibers all one way. To fill the skull and make a firm neck, pinch one end of the cotton flat and double it over twice, holding it firmly after each time between the thumb and finger of the left hand. Then catch the hard compact point of cotton between the forceps in a position to hold it securely and push it into the bird skin, forcing the point up through the neck and base of the skull, catching it again with the left thumb and finger in the mouth of the bird. Loosen and draw out the forceps, but hold the cotton in the mouth until the skin is drawn back and adjusted over the stufling, and superfluous bits, of cotton removed or tucked in.
Then draw together the edges of the skin and catch with a couple of stitches. When the wings have been put in place under the feathers at the sides, and the feathers properly arranged and smoothed, the skin is ready to be labeled and wrapped in a thin film of cotton. Then the bill can be tied shut with a thread and the bird laid away to dry.
A beginner's skins are often greatly distorted, and only practice can teach the correct amount of cotton to use and its proper form and proportions. The best way is to keep in mind the size and form of the bird's body, and try to reproduce them. Be careful not to make bulging or weak necks. Leave each skin straight and symmetrical when put away to dry, and each feather back in its original place.
Laheling. — Skins should be fully labeled with locality, date, sex, number, and collector's name, while such additional data as color of eyes, bill, feet, or any parts that fade, notes on breeding or locality where taken, stomach contents, etc., can be placed on the back of the label or kept in a catalogue under the number of each specimen.
^-n\ Collection of Vernon Bailey.
vol Washingto'n, D. C.^ ^Vc^ >4- 190 2 V. B.
Sexing. — To determine the sex, cut through the side of the ab- dominal wall, push away the intestines, and close against the small
INTRODUCTION xxxi
of the back, if the bird is a male, you will see the two oval, usually light colored testes, — in the breeding season large and conspicuous, at other seasons small, and, in immature specimens, often difficult to find. If the bird is a female, in place of the two oval bodies there will be the ovary, a mass of spherical ovules, large or small ac- cording to the season, and often obscure in immature specimens. The male sign is Mars' arrow {$), the female, Venus' mirror (9).
Collecting and preserving eggs. — Egg collecting is justifiable only when the collector s earnestness of purpose warrants the sacrifice of happy bird homes, and no amount of pains and care should be spared to make each set a permanent and valuable illustration of the life history of the species. So far as possible only complete sets of fresh eggs should be taken. An incomplete set is of sec- ondary importance, and eggs in which incubation is advanced are not worth troubling with unless very rare.
The first step is to identify the nest positively, which, in cases of rare species, can often be done only by collecting one or both of the birds. Eggs are worse than worthless if there is any question of their identity.
The next step should be to photograph the nest from at least two points, one to show general setting and one at closer range to give detail of form and structure. Then notes should be made on the position, structure, and materials of the nest, the actions of the old birds, and the manner of identification, etc. When possible the nest should also be collected.
Each Qgg shoidd be wrapped in cotton and each set packed snugly in a wooden box with plenty of cotton for carrying home.
The tools necessary for blowing eggs are a slender blowpipe and two drills, large and small, which can be bought of any dealer in naturalist's supplies.
For drilling, hold the egg lightly between the thumb and two fingers of the left liand, and placing the sharp point of the drill against the side twirl it evenly with a slight pressure until it sinks into the shell, grinding out a smooth round hole which points down- ward, fnmi the size of a pin-head in a fresh sparrow's egg to an eighth of an inch in diameter in a larger or j^artly incubated egg. In much incul)ated eggs it is often necessary to make a much larger opening. A fine stream of air shoidd be forced into the egg without touching the blowpipe to the opening, and the contents gently forced out. When the shell is empty, witli mouth full of water blow a stream into it and rinse out thoroughly, afterwards blowinir all the water out and laying carefully away to dry.
xxxii INTRODUCTION
Incubated eggs, though almost at the point of hatching, are made by experts into nearly perfect specimens. Following their methods, drill the hole and then coat the shell with flexible collodion. After removing a small part of the fluid, if the egg is small, insert a solution of pepsin or of chlorinated soda, — Labarraque's solution, — and let the egg stand for a few hours, after which blow out the softened portion of the contents. Add more of the solution, and let the eggs stand again, keeping on until you have emptied the shell. Large eggs may be treated with a solution of caustic potash, care being necessary not to allow the alkali to touch the shell. To prevent accident it is well to have a basin of water near in which to immerse the egg if necessary. The collodion is removed after the completion of the work by the use of ether.
Each set of eggs and each nest should be kept in a box, with a label something like the following, from the Bendire and Ralph collection in the National Museum : —
A. 0. U. No. Scientific name,
Private No. Common name,
Collector,
Locality,
Date, No. of Eggs in Set,
Identification, Incubation,
Nest : Diameter, Depth,.
Composed of
Location,.
Of whom and when received,.
Nests should be kept in boxes to fit their size. Great care should be taken to protect them from moths and other destructive
INTRODUCTION xxxiii
iDsects, as not only wool but hair and all other animal substances will be eaten and the nests ruined if they are not well looked after. The best protection for a r^est is a spray of a solution of corrosive sub- limate, which can be used in a common atomizer, — with a warning red label, bearing the word ' Poison.'
NOTE-TAKING, NOTE-BOOKS, AND JOURNALS.
The value of collections is increased many fold by the fleld-notes which accompany the specimens, and the bird lover who does not collect may add most valuable material to our meagre knowledge of the life histories of our birds.
A compact, statistical journal may be made, as Mr. Chapman i and Mr. Felger^ suggest by means of a - roll or time book,' or any sheets ruled in squares in pad form and punched along the sides to fasten into a cardboard cover. The squares should be used for daily records, the top or top and margin being used for headings, such as locality, zone, zonal plants and trees, slope exposure, temperature, condition of weather, direction and force of wind, amount of rainfall or snowfall, advance of vegetation', new insects abroad, indications of mating and of nest-building, number of nests found with eggs and with nestlings, number of young on the wing, condition of plumage, stage of moult, food, food habits, stomach contents of specimens taken, time spent in field, number of birds seen in tlocks, number seen in migration flights.
For more detailed life history notes, card catalogues, with family, generic, and specific divisions, are popular with many ornithologists. A convenient form of field journal is a pad punched at the sides to fit into a stiff cover, each sheet to be devoted to a species so that the sheets can be slipped out and arranged by species, alphabeti- cally. On the return from the field these can l)e dropped into bo.x manuscript trays and arranged by the check-list.
LIFE ZONES.
The physical geographies have long taught the division of the earth into life zones, from the arctic to the tn)i>i(;il regions, with the corresponding vertical divi.'^ions from the tropical base of ecjua- torial mountains to tlieir snow-clad arctic summits, and naturalists Iiavc l(.ng since worked out the distribution of animals and plants
' //miilhnt/L iif /Unls of h'dsti-ni yintli America, pp. '2()-'J'_'. - " Vhiu for K.'CDnliiiK Field Notes," T/u- Auk; xix. 1S'.»-ll)3.
xxxiv INTRODUCTION
along these lines in Europe and eastern North America. But it is only within recent years that the Biological Survey carried on by the government has studied the old familiar generalizations in the western states in detail and mapped the life zones of the United States as a whole.
The generally accepted theory that the distribution of mammals, birds, reptiles, insects, and plants depends on temperature has been demonstrated by Dr. Merriam as a physical law that "the northward distribution of terrestrial animals and plants is governed by the sum of the positive temperatures for the entire season of growth and reproduction, and that the southward distribution is governed by the mean temperature of a brief period during the hottest part of the year."i With this as the working basis he has divided the United States into three parts, having the northern (Boreal), south- ern (Austral), and intermediate (Transition) climates and flora and fauna. By subdivision seven zones are made, known as Alpine, Hudsonian, Canadian, Transition, Upper Sonoran, Lower Sonoran^ and Tropical. East of the hundredth meridian, which, broadly speaking, is the dividing line between the eastern or humid and western or arid sections, the Austral zone is known as Austral rather than Sonoran, and divided into Alleghanian, Carolinian, and Austroriparian Faunas.
The Alpine Zone lies above the limit of trees, and is characterized by dwarf shrubs and plants, the polar bear, arctic fox, reindeer, the snow bunting, snow^y owl, ptarmigan, pipit, and leucosticte.
The Hudsonian Zone is marked by dwarfed timber along "the northern or higher parts of the great transcontinental coniferous forest, . . . stretching from Labrador to Alaska. It is inhabited by the wolverine, woodland caribou, moose, great northern shrike, pine bullfinch, and wiiite-winged crossbill."- On Mt. Shasta its only trees are the black alpine hemlock and white-barked pine, its character- istic mammal is the cony {Ochotona), and its characteristic bird the Clarke crow. It is also frequented by the sooty grouse, western goshawk, Williamson sapsucker, rufous hummingbird, Oregon jay, pine siskin, junco, Audubon and hermit warblers, creeper, red- breasted nuthatch, kinglets, and solitaire.^
1 Merriam's " Laws of Temperature Control of the Geographic Distribution of Ter- restrial Animals and Plants," National Geographic Magazine, vi. 229-238.
- Merriam, C. Hart, "Life Zones and Crop Zones of the United States," Bull. No. 10, Biological Survey ; " Geographic Distribution of Animals and Plants in North America," YearbooJ; of the U. S. Department of Agriculture, 1894.
3 Merriam, C. Hart, North American Fauna, No. 10, " Result of a Biological Survey
-^"^C"'^
Ta
4s
S//V/
Q I A
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_/ N G
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south'!
^-A^O-TA
NEBRASKA
^H
Upper So
J'/ic ilutlid jiarts of the Sonoi (III Xoiiff cast u/t/ii. (.rml riditi.i iiidicati Hit- v:c<fcni limit of the hiiiiitd dhisiuns nt thn« /.,
LIFE ZONES
BY C. HART MERRIAM
INTRODUCTIOX xxxv
The Canadian Zone comprises " the southern or lower part of the great transcontinental coniferous forest." It is the zone of firs, spruces, and white pines, which on Mt. Shasta are represented by the Shasta fir and the silver pine. One of its characteristic animals is the mountain heaver, and it has also the porcupine, pine squirrel, bear, wild cat, wolf, and other mammals. It is the home of the crossbill, J incoln sparrow, and Arctic three-toed woodpecker, and frequented by birds found in the Hudsouian zone, such as the sooty grouse, rufous hummingbird, siskin, j uncos, warblers, kinglets, and solitaire, together with a number found also in the next lower zone (the Transition), such as the white-headed, hairy, and pileated woodpeckers, uighthawk, olive-sided, Hammond, Wright, and west- ern flycatchers, Steller jay, Louisiana tanager, Macgillivray war- bler, and robin.
TJie Transition Zone, in which northern and southern elements of flora and fauna often overlap, is characterized in the west by the yellow pine {Finns ponderosa), several species of oaks and manza- nita. together with buck brush and sage brush. Some of the char- acteristic mammals are the big gray pine squirrel, the gray fox, and various species of chipmunks, spermophilcs. and pocket go phers. Among birds there are the western wood pewee, Gairdner woodpecker, Lewis woodpecker, California pygmy owl, green-tailed towhee, pygmy nuthatch, red-breasted sapsucker, and Brewer spar- row, mixed with many species from the Upper Sonoran, the zone below, such as the California jay, valley quail, California wood pecker, and spurred towhee.
The Upper Sonoran Zone of the west is characterized by junipers, pifion, and various oaks, jack rabbits, cottontails, five-toed kangaroo rats, and several species of wood rats, the canyon wren, western lark sparrow. California chewink, and California bush-tit, while many Transition zone species also occur.
The Lower Sonoran Zone, coming iie.xt above the Tropical zone, is the zone of the hot valleys, where live-oaks, mes(iultes, and creo- sote bushes abound, and the characteristic mammals and birds an- the four-toed kangaroo rat, cotton rat, and spottctl skunk, the mockingbird, nonpareil, verdin. pyrrhuloxia, road runner, caracara, white-necked raven, i)liain()i)('pla, and scaled (juail.
of Mt. Sliasta ; " Sorth Americdu Ftnni/i, No. 3, " UcHults of a BioloRioal Survey of San Francisco Mountain ReRion and Desert of the Little Colorado; " " The Geographic Dis- tribution of Life in North America, witli Si>ecial Reference to the Munmialiu," Pun: Biol. Soc. Wash. vii. April, IS'JJ, 1-G4.
xxxvi INTRODUCTION
Birds are naturally less restricted to zoues than mammals and plants, find in the held the question of correlating them to zones is rendered difficult by the modifying conditions which complicate the zones themselves. Local conditions are constantly being met which produce a change of temperature within a zone, resulting in the intrusion of a tongue of a higher or lower zone. Forest fires make an artificial change in zones, a Canadian fir forest sometimes being replaced by Transition zone chaparral. Natural modifying conditions are many, and not always so patent. Slope exposure is the most important. If a ridge runs north and south, its southwest- ern slope, which receives the hot afternoon sun, will have, we may say, a Transition zone flora and fauna, while its cold northeast slope will have a Canadian zone flora and fauna. A cold mountain stream, on the other hand, will bring down the flora and fauna of one or two higher zones; and Canadian and even Hudsonian plants and trees bordering such a stream may thrive on its banks in the Transition zone.
So many other modifying conditions are found that the determi- nation of zones is a complex matter, and must be based largely on the study of trees and shrubs, as they are the most stable part of the life of a region. In relating the flora to the fauna the greatest care should be taken with the bird life, as a bird can at will change his zone by a few hours' travel. Zonal notes should always be accom- panied by dates, as breeding zones alone are of much significance, birds wandering widely after tlie breeding season. The Lewis woodpecker is a striking example of this, for, while breeding in Transition zone, after the breeding season it wanders up into Cana- dian and down even into Lower Sonoran zone in its search for mast. Most mountain birds that do not migrate to the south change their zones in this way, Canadian zone birds being found in Upper and Lower Sonoran zones in fall and winter.
MIGRATION.
Many birds wander widely east and west after the breeding sea- son, and some even go north for a short distance. With many mountain birds the Avandering movements after the breeding season amount to a vertical migration. Birds, like the grouse and quail and certain species of juncos, that make only a vertical migration merely come down from the snow-covered mountains into the warm valleys. A number of hummingbirds perform vertical migrations
INTRODUCTION xxxvii
between their first and second broods, following the seasons of flowers from the valleys where they raise their first broods, to the mountain parks, where they rear a second family, retreating rapidly down the mountain as soon as the frosts kill the flowers.
Among land birds a north and south migration is not as vital in the west as the east, especially for the seed-eaters, for the lowland winters are so mild that the food supply is not as extensively de- stroyed as in the east, and accordingly a much larger number of birds winter in the valleys of the western states than in the eastern. But while the western north and south migratory movement is less striking, the absence of winter birds less felt than in the east, the vertical migrations, from the superior height of the mountains and the preponderance of the mountain ranges, assume great impor- tance; and accordingly, while the total winter population may be large, the species in a locality will be markedly different in summer and winter.
Careful notes should be taken on all these phases of the migratory movements to ascertain the exact migratory habits of each species of bird, and the character of the bird population in every season.
As the mildness of climate which lessens the impulse to south- ward migration in the western land birds does not affect the water birds breeding in the arctic regions, the southward migration is found in full force along the coast. At suitable points, like Mon- terey, vast multitudes of birds may be seen passing on their way from the arctic regions to the southern seas, and migration waves and other phenomena studied to the best advantage. INIr. Loomis's observations at Monterey have thrown a great deal of light on this most interesting subject, and demonstrated the richness of the field for future investigations.
ECONOMIC ORNITHOLOGY.
The question of the food of birds assumes peculiar importance in the west from the extent of the fruit industry, and the consequent magnitude of the depredations of insect and rodent pests. Birds if left to themselves keep down the insect life, and the question is in each case if the harm a bird does in eating fruit in June equals the good he does the rest of the year in eating scale insects and otlier pe.sts that take off tlie profits of fruit growing. As it is a matter of statistics, observers should make careful field notes on what birds are actually seen eating, and especially eareful records of the stom
xxxviii INTRODUCTION
acli contents of birds shot. When these cannot be determined with- out microscopes and collections of insects and seeds for comparison, the stomachs should be sent for examination to Professor F. E. L. Beal, of the Biological Survey, Department of Agriculture, Wash- ington, D. C.i In general it may be said that the thousands of stomachs which have already been examined have shown that birds are divided into three classes, —
1. Those that are injurious at all times, as the three accipitrine hawks, which live mainly on small birds, game, and poultry.
2. Those that are injurious part of the year and beneficial the rest of the time^ such as blackbirds that come in hordes in the fall and destroy the crops, but which when scattered out over the coun- try at other times of the year do an immense amount of good by de- stroying injurious insects.
3. Those that are beneficial at all times, as many hawks and owls and a large number of insectivorous and weed-seed-eating birds.
As Professor Beal says: "If crows or blackbirds arc seen in num- bers about cornfields, or if woodpeckers are noticed at work in an orchard, it is perhaps not surprising that they are accused of doing- harm. Careful investigation, however, often shows that they are actually destroying noxious insects ; and also that even those which do harm at one season may compensate for it by eating noxious species at another. Insects are eaten at all times by the majority of land birds, and during the breeding season most kinds subsist largely and rear their young exclusively on this food. When insects are unusually plentiful, they are eaten by many birds which do not ordinarily touch them. Even birds of prey resort to this diet, and when insects are more easily obtained than otlier fare, the smaller hawks and owls live on them almost entirely. This was well illus- trated during the recent plague of Rocky IMountain locusts in the western states, when it was found that locusts were eaten by nearly every bird in the region, and that they formed almost the entire food of a large majority of the species.""-^
1 Tlie Survey will furnish, on application, blank schedules for recording data, tags for numbering the stomachs, and franked envelopes for mailing. When collected, the stomachs (crops and gizzards) should be placed in alcohol or formalin for at least a week. Before forwarding to the department, they should be taken from the fluid, spread out on a newspaper, and dried for several hours, then placed in a baking powder can or cigar box, wrapped with a franked envelope on the outside, and mailed. The collector will be reimbursed for the outlay for alcohol, and will receive five cents apiece for a limited number of stomachs of certain species.
- Beal, F. E. L., " Some Common Birds in their Relation to Agriculture," Farmer^s Bulletbi, No. 54, U. S. Department of Agriculture.
INTRODUCTION xxxix
As birds are the check nature has put upon insect life, the pro- blem is a grave one. How shall we profit by the good offices of the l)irds, and prevent the injury they in turn are capable of doing to our crops?
In the east Professor Beal lias found that birds as a rule prefer wild fruit to cultivated, and are drawn away from the orchard and garden by the cultivation of wild fruit-bearing bushes. In parts of the west the mulberry and elder and pepper are favorite bird foods, and might be useful for such purposes. The question is a large one, however, and can only be settled by patient study and investiga- tion on the part of earnest bird students.
BIRD PROTECTION.
By T. S. Palmer.
Laws for the protection of birds are necessary even in sparsely settled regions. No place, however remote, is beyond the reach of the market hunter, provided a demand for game or feathers for millinery purposes exists, and prices are sufficient to warrant capture of the birds. Game birds have been shipped by thousands from the states beyond the Missouri River ; pelicans, terns, and gulls have been decimated along the gulf coast of Texas; and grebes have been slaughtered on their breeding grounds on distant lakes in the interior of Oregon, — all to supply eastern markets. To meet such conditions every western state and territory now has its game law; but few of these laws protect all the birds within the state, and several of tliem are capable of being improved and made much more effective.
From the legislative standpoint birds may be divided into three categories : (1) Game birds, such as quail and ducks, which are luinted at stated seasons for food or sport. (2) Non-game birds, sucli as thrushes and gulls, which are valuable as insect destroyers or scavengers, and hence are protected throughout the year. (3) Inju- rious species, such as the English sparrow and the great horned owl. which are given no protection. Under the definition framed by the Committee on Protection of Birds of the American Orni- thologists' Union, game birds are restricted to four or five well marked groups: the Anatida', comjirising ducks, geese, and swans; the Itallida". including rails, coots, and gallinules ; the Limicola*, or shore birds in i:<'ii('ral ; the (tallina-, including ([uails, plieasants, grouse, and wild turkeys; and (in sonu' states) the Columba', in- cludini: wild pigeons and doves. All other birds are classed as
xl INTRODUCTION
non-game birds, and the few injurious species are mentioned by name. Such a division provides for all the birds, leaves no ambigu- ity as to which may be killed as game, and defines each group in the simplest and most satisfactory manner. A game law framed on this basis has been adopted with excellent results in some states, but in the west is still an ideal toward whiqli to work rather than an accomplished fact. California, Colorado, and Nebraska have excellent laws for game birds, but they do not provide equally well for insectivorous species. Nevada, New Mexico, and Wyoming have comprehensive statutes for non-game birds, but do not afford complete protection to all their game birds.
O ante Birds. — Experience has shown that a modern game law must do much more than merely prohibit the killing of certain spe- cies at stated times. It must regulate methods of hunting, restrict shipment and sale, and also prescribe means for carrying its pro- visions into execution. It should contain the declaration that all wild birds and animals are the property of the state. This fact, based on the decisions of the highest courts, is now generally ac- cepted, but it is well to have it incorporated in the law, as is the case in the game laws of Colorado, Texas, and other states. Next in importance is a comprehensive definition of game birds like that given above. Another important point not fully appreciated is that a law which prohibits killing certain species is much less effective and permanent than one which simply permits, by declaring that it shall be unlawful to kill or have in possession ' any birds except as hereinafter provided.' This simple statement renders the law to a certain extent automatic, since all birds will be protected until pro- vided with an open season. Changes in season, the bane of game legislation, cannot be made so readily without attracting attention, and if, as often happens, a proposed change in season fails of enact- ment, the species is left with complete protection instead of being without protection as under the old method. Little need be said as to seasons except that they should conform as nearly as possible to those of adjoining states. With improved guns, smokeless powder, and other modern appliances for himting, no state can afford to maintain an open season from the time the birds are mature until they begin to breed the following year, for no species can withstand such an ordeal and not be locally exterminated in a few years. Open seasons are constantly growing shorter, and as they undergo change should be shifted to correspond more and more closely with those of other states. Above all, spring shooting should be abolished, and
INTRODUCTION xli
the close season begin as near the first of January as possible. Big- guns are very properly made illegal, and an unsuccessful attempt was recently made in California to prevent the use of magazine or ' pump guns,' on the ground that they were too destructive. The same might be said of the air gun or parlor rifle, which in the hands of the reckless small boy is not only an effective but a dan- gerous weapon of destruction. Night hunting in all its forms, bait- ing, pursuing game with launches or even sailboats, are condemned by true sportsmen, and should all be prohibited. Trapping and netting should likewise be made illegal, but with some provision for taking a reasonable number of birds for propagation under the super- vision of competent state ofl^icers. Kestrictions on the trade are becoming more general and more necessary every year. Prohibition of shipment out of the state is effective if it can be enforced, and it can be made easier to enforce if transportation of all game for market purposes is prohibited, as is done in Iowa and Texas, but with some provision for carrying a limited amount of game for private pur- poses. Sale is the keynote to the situation, and if it can be pro- hibited the question of protection will be greatly simplified. It is now prohibited in a number of states, and probably the day is not far distant when most if not all game birds will be withdrawn from sale.
Non-game Birds. — Even more important than laws for the pro- tection of game birds (because applying to a much larger number of species) are the statutes for the preservation of birds which are not game, and which apply to ' song,' 'insectivorous,' and ' jilume' birds. In order to accomplish their purpose they must be compre- hensive, and as already stated they should cover all birds except game birds and a few injurious species mentioned by name. If made applicable to certain species, or even to song, insectivorous, or plume birds, some species are sure to be omitted, and often these will be the very ones most in need of protection. Not only killing, but also nest robbing, trapping, possession, shipment, and sale should be prolnbited. The traffic in cage birds, unless checked by strict regulations, may sometimes decimate certain species, ]mrticu- larly those distinguished for their vocal powers or bright colors. A provision prohibiting possession of plumage or ' any part of a bird ' is necessary to jirevent sale of birds for millinery purposes, and overcome the objection wlu'eh is sometimes raised tliat ]irohibitions against the killing and i^os.session of a bird do not ai>ply to its plumage or to one of its wings when used as a liat decoration.
xlii INTRODUCTION
On the other hand, provision must be made for collecting birds for scientific purj^oses, both for educational institutions and for private collections, and also for keeping birds in captivity for study or as pets. These requirements can readily be met by having per- mits issued under the supervision of some state officer to properly accredited collectors and students. In case it is desirable to allow certain birds to be kept in captivity, sale and shipment out of the state should be prohibited in order to avoid abuse of the privilege and prevent wholesale bird-trapping for market, i
Injurious Species. — In every state there are a few injurious spe- cies from which protection should be withdrawn. In general these species comprise the English sparrow, great horned owl, goshawk, duck hawk, sharp-shinned hawk. Cooper haw^k, crow, linnet or house finch, and occasionally some of the blackbirds. Sweeping provisions excluding hawks and owls from protection should be carefully avoided, as most of the species are beneficial, and a clause covering birds of prey in general without naming the injurious species will result chiefly in the destruction of those which are bene- ficial. It is useless to attempt anything more by legislation than simple removal of protection. No means have yet been devised by wiiich an injurious species can be legislated out of existence, and the various methods which have been advocated have almost uniformly resulted in failure. Bounties for birds and eggs have little effect except to drain the state or county treasury. The Colorado hawk bounty, which was in force from 1877 to 1885, seems to have re- sulted chiefly in the diminution of the sparrow hawk, one of the most useful birds in destroying grasshoppers. The Utah bounty on English sparrows, in force since 1888, has not exterminated the spar- row in the state, and the provision of 1896, offering five cents per dozen for eggs, must have resulted disastrously to the native birds, for a year or two after it went into effect reports showed that in Weber County alone payments had been made on 990 dozen (nearly 12,000) eggs, while during the same period only 640 sparrows had been presented for bounty. The sparrow bounties in Illinois and Michigan and the hawk and owl bounty in Pennsylvania all failed to accomplish their objects, although each cost the state from §50,000 to S100,000. The expense attending bounty legislation can be readily illustrated by the records of payments for coyotes and
1 The bill prepared by the Committee on Protection of Birds of the American Orni- thologists' Union covers all of these points. See " Legislation for the Protection of Birds other than Game Birds," Bulletin No. 12, Biological Survey, U. S. Dept. Agricul- ture, pp. 56-60, 1902.
INTRODUCTION xliii
wolves in Wyoming, Montana, and California. The coj^ote bounty law in California remained in force only four j^ears, but actually cost the state §187,485, while the claims filed aggregated about $400,000.1 In the west bounties on birds are now paid only in Utah and Oregon, and in the latter state are restricted to cormorants and sheldrakes.
Enforcement. — The enforcement of game laws depends largely on public sentiment. Although most of the western states have game wardens, the laws are not enforced as they should be. Better results are attained where local wardens are under the authority of a state officer or state board. Unfortunately the liberal appropriations neces- sary to meet the expenses incident to warden service are not often available, but game protection might be made almost self-support- ing if the money derived from licenses, fines, sale of contraband game, and similar sources, were all turned into a state game pro- tection fund instead of going into several different funds, no one of which is available for work of this kind.
A potent influence in bird protection is the federal law popular!}' known as the Lacey Act, which went into effect on Maj' 25, 1900. Under this act interstate commerce in birds killed in violation of l(K-al laws is prohibited, and through cooperation between federal and state authorities statutes which were formerly dead letters are now being enforced. The chief value of the law, however, lies in the interest in protection which it has aroused throughout the coun- try even among persons who formerly gave the subject no thought. T.argely through its influence game protection is now being estab- lished on broader lines, rapid progress is being made in legislation, and the laws are better observed than ever befon-.
LOCAL LISTS.
LLST OF BIRDS IN THE VICINITY OF PORTLAND. OREGON.
By a. W. Anthony.
The country embraced in this list is about ten S(|uare miles in extent. The region between llie city of Portland and the Columbia River perhai)s furnishes most of the sju'cies, and is farming land diversilied ])y forest land, brush patches, and low wet meadows. wliicli in winter are ponds upon whicii are I'ound all of our species
' Sec I'ahiipr, " Extcriniiiiitioii of Noxious Anini.ils liy Bounties," Yidiliintk Dept. Agr.j'or 18%, pp. 55-G8.
xliv INTRODUCTION
•
of waterfowl. The high hills west of the city are less prolific. The heavy forest is cleared in places, offering- homes for such species as white-crowned sparrows, juncos, and wrens, while the woodpeckers and forest-loving species dwell in the undisturbed parts of the region, which is as wild as a hundred years ago. Here also is found the russet-backed thrush nesting in the thickets and deep ravines,
Colymhus nigricollis californicus : Eared Grebe. — Rather common on the ponds along- the Columbia.
Podilymbus podiceps : Pied-billed Grebe. — Common with the eared grebe.
Gavia imher : Loon. — Seen only as a migrant.
Larus glaiicescens : Glaucous-wing-ed Gull. — Five species of g-ull are seen along the river during' the winter, but the glaucous-winged is the com- monest.
Larus argentatus : Herring- Gull.
Larus californicus : California Gull.
Larus delawarensis : Ring--billed Gull.
Larus brachyrhynchus : Shoi-t-billed Gull ('?).
Phalacrocorax dilophus cincinatus : White-crested Cormorant. — In the winter a species is found on the river about Portland, which is probably the white-crested, but as no specimens have been taken I am in doubt about it.
Merganser serrator : Red-breasted Merganser. — A common winter visitor.
Lophodytes cucullatus : Hooded Merganser. — A winter visitant, less com- mon than the red-breasted.
Anas boschas : Mallard. — Very common.
Chaulelasnms streperus : Gadwall. — The gadwall and the baldpate are about equally common, but less so than most of the ducks found.
Mareca americana : Baldpate.
Spatula clypeata : Shoveller. — Common during fall and wintero
Dajila acuta : Pintail. — Common during fall and winter.
Aix sponsa : Wood Duck. — Common summer resident. A few winter about Portland.
Aythya americana : Redhead. — Common in fall and winter.
Aythya vallisneria : Canvas-back. — Common in fall and winter.
Chen hyperborea : Lesser Snow Goose. — One or more species of snow geese are common. During mild winters all the ducks and geese are apt to winter about Portland, but a hard season drives them south.
Anser albifrons gambeli : White-fronted Goose. — Common migrant.
Branta canadensis minima : Cackling Goose. — Two or more races of canadensis are common, but the only species I have taken is the cack- ling goose.
Olor columbiaiius : Whistling Swan. — Not uncommon migrant and winter resident.
Ardea herodias : Great Blue Heron. — Common in summer ; a few winter.
Ardea virescens : Green Heron. — A few herons seen, probably of this species.
Grus canadensis : Little Brown Crane. — Common fall migrant, but very rare in spring.
Rallus virginianus : Virginia Rail. — Like the sora, more or less common, nesting in wet bottoms.
Porzana Carolina : Sora.
Fulica ameripana ' Coot. — Not very abundant ; nests.
INTRODUCTION xlv
Tringa minutilla : Least Sandpiper. — Abundant for a few days during- migration.
Tringa alpina pacijica : Red-backed Sandpiper. — Mig-rant ; less common than the least or western sandpipers.
Ereunetes occidentalis : Western Sandpiper. — Abundant during- migration for a few days.
Totanus melanoleucus : Greater Yellow-leg's. — Migrant ; not uncommon.
Symphemia semipalmata inornata : Western Willet. — Kather rare mi- grant.
j^gialitis vocifera : Killdeer. — (^ommon summer resident.
Oreortyx pictus : Mountain Partridge. — Conmion resident.
Dendragapus obscurus ful iginosus : Sooty Grouse. — Common resident.
Columha fasciata : Band-tailed Pig-eon. — Not uncommon in suitable local- ities, but rare near Portland.
Zenaiclura macroiira : Mourning- Dove. — Common summer resident.
Cathartes aura : Turkey Vulture. — Common summer resident.
Circus hudsonius : Marsh Hawk. — Rnre.
Accipiter velox : Sharp-shinned Hawk. — Common, especially during- mi- grations.
Accipiter cooperii : Cooper Hawk. — Not common,
Buteo borealis caluriis : Western Red-tail. — Common.
Haliceetus leucocephalus : Bald Eag-le. — Seen at times along- the river.
Falco peregrinus anatum : Duck Hawk. — Seen only once or twice.
Falco columbarius : Pigeon Hawk.
Falco columbarius suckleyi : Black Merlin. — The pig-eon hawk and the black merlin are, perhaps, equally common ; more common during- fall and winter.
Megascops asio kennicottii : Kennicott Screech Owl. — Quite common among- the oaks along- the river.
Bubo virginianus saturatus : Dnsky Horned Owl. — Not uncommon in heavy timber.
Nyctea nyctea : Snowy Owl. — A few have been taken near Portland in winter.
(wlaucidinm gnoma califoruicum : California Pygmy Owl. — Rather com- mon ; often seen in the daytime.
Coccyzus americanus occidentalis : California Cuckoo. — Rare ; a few seen in low marshy places along- the Columbia.
Ceryle alcyon : Belted King-fi.sher. — Quite common along all water- courses.
Dryobates villosus harrisii : Harris Woodpecker. — Common in all tim- ber.
Dryobates pubescens gairdncrii : Gairdner Woodpecker. — Coimimii in all timber.
Sphyrapicus ruber notkensis : Northern Red-breasted Sa])sueker. — Com- mon; more often seen in alder or dogwood than in Hr growth.
Ceojj/iltius pile<ttns (diieticoia : \ortliein Pileated \Voodpecker. — Less com- mon than formerly, but still found in heavy fir growth.
Melauerpes torrpiatus : Lewis Woodpecker. — Common sunnner resident.
Colaptes cafer saturatior: Northwestern Flicker. — Abundant resident. The flickers of this region are not constant t«) any race.
I'fialininptilus uultallii c<dij'oruicus : Dusky Poor-will. — .\poor-\\ill has been described to nn*.
Chordcilt's virgini(tuus : Niglitliawk. — Common summer resident.
Chdtura vaurii : \'aux Swift. — Rather common summer resident.
Selasphorus ritf'us : Ifufoiis lluinmingliird. — \'ery common sunimer resi- dent.
xlvi INTRODUCTION
Tyrannus verticalis : Arkansas Kingbird. — A kingbird is found at Port- land, but is rare, and the species not determined.
Contopus borealis : Olive-sided Flycatcher. — Common in tall firs.
Contopus richardsonii : Western Wood Pewee. — Very common every- Avhere ; often seen in shade trees about the city.
Empidonax dijficilis : Western Flycatcher. — Probably taken in migra- tion.
Empidonax trail Hi : Traill Flycatcher. — Very common in alder and vine maple thickets.
Alauda arvensis : Skylark. — Introduced. Common in open fields on the east side of the I'iver ; not seen elsewhere.
Otocoris alpestris strigata : Streaked Horned Lark. — Not uncommon in suitable localities.
Pica pica hudsonica : American Magpie. — Not common ; a few are found along- the Columbia.
Cyanocitta stelleri : Steller Jay. — Common everywhere in the region of Portland.
Aphelocoma californica : California Jay. — Rare ; more common during migrations.
Perisoreus obscurus : Oreg-on Jay. — Rare.
Corvus caurinus : Northwest Crow (?). — Crows are abundant, but species not determined.
Sturnus vulgaris : Starling-. — Introduced ; still rare.
Agelaius pha;7iiceus c<iuri)ius: Northwestern Redwing-. — More or less com- mon.
Sturnella magna neglecta : Western Meadowlark. — Abundant resident.
Icterus bullocki : Bullock Oriole. — Rather common in cottonwoods and oaks along' the river.
Scolecophagus cyanocephalus : Brewer Blackbird. — Abundant resident ; more common in open fields.
Coccothraustes vespertinus montanus : Western Evening- Grosbeak. — Abun- dant winter resident, flocking- about the maples in the streets ; remark- ably tame.
Carpodacus purpureas calif ornicus : California Purple Finch. — Common in fields about the city.
Loxia curvirostra minor: Crossbill. — Rare.
Astragalinus tristis salicamans : Willow Goldfinch, — Abundant.
Astragalinus }}saltria : Arkansas Goldfinch. — Not uncommon.
Spinus jnnus : Pine Siskin. — Not uncommon ; nests about the city in large firs {?).
Passer domesticus : English sparrow. — Abundant in the city.
Poxcetes gramineus affinis : Oregon Vesper Sparrow. — Common in open fields.
Ammodramus sandwichensis : Sandwich Sparrow. — Specimens taken dur- ing migrations were nearer this form than any other, but not typical.
Ammodramus samhvichensis alaudiyms : Western Savanna Sparrow. — Com- mon in cultivated fields.
Zonotrichid leucophrys gambelii : Gambel Sparrow. — Common during mi- grations.
Zonotrichia leucophrys nultalli : Nuttall Sparrow. — Abundant summer resident ; nests in thickets and low brush.
Zonotrichia coronata : Golden-crowned Sparrow. — Common during migra- tion for a few days.
Spizella socialis arizonce : Western Chipping- Sparrow. — Abundant sum- mer resident.
Junco hyemalis oreganus : Oregon Junco. — Abundant resident.
INTRODUCTION xlvii
Melospiza melodia ynorpkna : Rusty .Song' Sparrow. — Abundant resident.
Melo.spiza Uncolnii striata : Forbush Sparrow. — A sparrow probably of this species seen a few times during- migrations.
Passerella iliaca annectens : Yakutat Fox Sparrow. — Common winter resi- dent ; usually seen with i-usty sparrows.
Pipilo macidatus oreyonus : Oregon Towhee. — Common resident ; found in thickets all about the city.
Cardinalis cardinalis : Cardinal. — Several birds were released by a dealer a few years ago and are still seen in the i-esidence part of the city.
Zamelodia melanocephala : Black-headed Grosbeak. — Not uncommon.
Cyanospiza avuena : Lazuli Bunting. — Common along the bottom lands of the Columbia.
Piranga litdoviciana : Louisiana Tanager. — Common in the firs and alders, nesting" in the firs.
Progne suhis hesperia : Western Martin. — Not common.
Petrochelidon lunifrons : Cliff Swallow. — Common.
Hirundo erythrogastra : Barn Swallow. — Not common.
Tachycineta hicolor : Tree Swallow\ — Not common.
Tachycineta thalassina lepida : Northern Violet-g-reen Swallow. — Very abundant ; nesting in barns and outhouses, entering- through knot- holes.
Itijiaria riparia : Bank Swallow (?).
Stelgidopteryx serripennis : Rough-winged Swallow. — Of the bank and rough-wing one or both have been seen, but neither is common.
Ampelis cedrorum : Cedar AVaxwing. — Common summer resident.
Lanins hurealis : Northern Shrike. — Rare winter visitant.
Vireo gilvus : Warbling Vireo. — Common ; nests in the alder and dog- wood tliickets.
Vireo solitarius cassinii : Cassin Vireo. — Common with the warbling.
Vireo htittoni obscurus : Anthony Vireo. — Rare ; seen only about oaks.
Dendroica izstiva : Yellow Warbler. — Very common everywhere about the city.
Dendroica coronata : Myrtle Warbler. — Rare migrant.
Dendroica auduboni : Audubon Warbler. — Common: nests in the small firs.
Dendroica nigrescens : Black-throated Gray Warbler. — Common summer resident.
Dendroica townsendi : Townsend Warbler. — Not rare.
Dendroica occidental is : Hermit Warbler. — Not rare.
Geothlypis trichts arizela : Pacific Coast Yellow-throat. — Common in open fiehls about the water.
Icteria virtns loiigicauda : Long-tailed Chat. Rare ; seen only a few times.
Wilsonia pusilla piholata : PiUM»lat('(l Warbh-r. Common summer resi- dent.
Anthus pensilvunicHs : Pij)it. ('nininoii wintt-r resident.
Salj)inctfs obso/etiis : Rock Wren. Ifarc
Thryoniani's beirirkii ctdopltonus : Vigors Wren. — (\mim()n resident.
Troghidytt's ai'-don /xirkmanii : Parknian Wren. — Ctimnuni summer resi- dent.
Olbiorcfiilus fiitiii(dis jtarifiiiis : Wesl.rii Wiiitei- \\ ren. IJesidt'iit ; com- mon in deep sliailed thickets.
Cistot/ionis jxdustris puludimla : Tnle NVrcii. Not uncommon in the marshes along tlie Columbia.
Certhia J'aniiliaris occidcnialis : ( "alitotnian Creeper. Resident in the tir fore.st.s ; not rare.
xlviii INTRODUCTION
Sitta carol inensis acideata : Slender-billed Nuthatch. — Common.
Sitta canadensis : Red-breasted Nuthatch. — Common fall migrant ; does not seem to be so abundant in spring-.
Parus atricapillus occidentalis : Oregon Chickadee. —'Very common resi- dent.
Poriis rufescens : Chestnut-backed Chickadee. — Common resident.
Psaltriparus minimus : Bush-Tit. Abundant resident.
Regulus satrapa olivaceus : Western Golden-crowned Kinglet. — Abundant winter resident.
Pegulus calendula : Ruby-crowned Kinglet. — Common migrant.
Myadestes townsendii : Townsend Solitaire. — Seen once or twice in the residence part of the city.
Hylocichla ustulata : Russet-backed Thrush. — Common in the city and wooded thickets along- the river.
Hylocichla guttata : Alaska Hermit Thrush. — A few seen . during migra- tions.
Merula migratoria propinqua : Western Robin. — Abundant; a few win- ter.
Ixoreus ncevius : Varied Thrush. — Abundant winter resident.
Sialia mexicana occidentalis : Western Bluebird. — Common.
LIST OF WATER BIRDS OF SAN FRANCISCO BAY. By William H. Kobbk.
^chmophorus occidentalis : Western Grebe. — Abundant throug-hout the winter and spring-.
Colymhus holbaellii : Holboell Grebe. — Rare ; two winter visitants taken.
Coli/mbus auritus : Horned Grebe. — Common winter visitant.
Colymhus nigricollis californicus : American Eax'ed Grebe. — Winter vis- itant, most commonly at Oakland and Alameda.
Podilymhus p)odiceps : Pied-billed Grebe. — Common in the fall; probably resident in favorable situations.
Gavia imher : Loon. — Spring- mig-rant.
Gavia pacijica : Pacific Loon. — Common winter visitant.
Gavia lumme : Red-throated Loon. — Winter visitant ; abundant about Oakland.
C yclorrhynchus p)sittacidus : Paroquet Auklet. — Winter visitant.
Synthliboramphus antiquus : Ancient Murrelet. — Winter visitant.
Brachyramphus marmoratus : Marbled Murrelet. — Taken off Goat Island by Bryant.
Uria troile calif ornica : California Murre. — Visitant ; mainly fall, winter, and spring- ; probably occurs in summer.
Stercorarius parasiticus : Parasitic Jaeg-er. — Fall mig-rant.
Rissa tridactyla pollicaris : Pacific Kittiwake. — Winter visitant.
Larus delawarensis : Ring--billed Gull. — Common about Oakland from the last of autumn until summer.
Larus glaucus : Glaucous Gull. — One noted by Cooper (Proc. Col. Acad- emy of Sciences, iv. 9-10) and one seen by Kobb^.
Larus glaucescens : Glaucous-wing-ed Gull. — Abundant winter visitant.
Larus occidentalis : Western Gull. — Abundant resident.
Larus argentatus : Herring- Gull. — Abundant winter visitant.
Larus vegce : Vega Gull. — Abundant winter visitant.
Larus californicus : California Gull. — Abundant resident.
Larus hrachyrhynchus : Short-billed Gull. — Abundant from November to February.
INTRODUCTION xlix
Larus canus : Mew Gull. — Very abundant from November into February.
Larus heermanni : Heermann Gull. — Abundant on bay in summer, rare in winter.
Larus Philadelphia : Bonaparte Gull. — Common winter visitant.
Xema sabinii : Sabine Gull. — One taken by Lorquin, October (10 ?).
Sterna caspia : Caspian Tern. — One taken by Bryant, December 2.
Sterna maxima : Roval Tern. — One taken at Oakland by Bryant, August 27. ■
Sterna elegans : Eleg-ant Tern. — One taken by Lansing, September IT.
Sterna forsteri : Forster Tern. — Winter visitant.
Diomedea albatrus : Short-tailed Albatross. — One taken near Goat Island by Bryant, March 10.
Fidmarus glacialis ylapischa : Pacific Fulmar. — Winter visitant.
Phalacrocorax dilophus cincinatus : White-crested Cormorant. — Occurs in winter.
Phalacrocorax dilophus alhoriliatus : Farrallone Cormorant. — Common resident.
Phalacrocorax penicillatus : Brandt Cormorant. — Common resident.
Phalacrocorax pelagicus : Pelagic Cormorant. — Common resident.
Pelecanus erythrorhynchos : American White Pelican. — Rather rare win- ter visitant.
Pelecanus calif ornicus : California Brown Pelican. — Common winter visitant.
Merganser americanus : American Merganser. — Winter visitant.
Merganser serrator : Red-breasted Merganser. — Spring and fall migrant.
Anas boschas : Mallard. — Winter visitant in all marshes bordering bay.
Mareca americana : Baldpate. — Winter visitant at Vallejo and Oakland.
Nettion carolinensis : Green- winged Teal. — Common in winter throughout the bay region.
Querquedula discors : Blue-winged Teal. — Taken at Vallejo by Golcher.
Querquedula cyanopfera : Cinnamon Teal. — Winter visitant at Vallejo.
Spatula clypeata : Shoveller. — Winter visitant.
Dajila acuta : Pintail. — Fall and winter visitant at Miller, Marin County, and Vallejo.
Aix sponsa : Wood Duck. — Taken by Slevin at Cordelia, November 8.
Aytliya vallisneria : Canvas-back. — Abundant winter visitant at Vallejo.
Aythfja marila : Scaup Duck. — Winter visitant to all parts of bay.
Aythya affinis : Lesser Scaup Duck. — Winter visitant at Vallejo and Oak- land.
Aythi/a collaris : Ring-necked Duck. — Two taken by Ilornung, February T).
Clangula clangida americana : American Golden-eye. — Fall and winter visitant.
Clangula islaiidica: Barrow Golden-eye. — Two taken by Bryant, Novem- ber It) and December '■).
Charitonetta alheola : Bnffle-head. — Wint«'r visitant.
Oidenua })ers})icillata : Surf Scoter. — Common winter visitant.
Oideiiiia drghuidi : White-wiiigcd Scoter. — Conimon winti*r visitant.
KrisuKitura jauiairensis : Buddy Duck. — Found in lagoons from October until tln' middle of February.
All (\ilifornia 'geese occur in grcatj'r or less abundance in the inner portions of the bay.
Olor columbianus : Whistling Swan. — One taken by Kellogg at Cordelia, December IS.
liotaurus le)itiginosus : American Bittern. — One taken by Bryant and one by Ilornung. I h.ive found it fairly coninion in the marshes.
Ard,'„ Lrndi:,<: C,,..-.! lUue Hen.u. — lireeds at .M.imed;. : resid.-ut.
1 INTRODUCTION
Nycticorax nycticorax ncevius : Black-crowned Night Heron. — Abundant at Alameda in winter ; also a colony at Tiberone ; resident.
Rallus obsoletus : California Clapper Rail. — Abundant in marshes border- ing- the bay in fall and early winter.
jRallus virginianus : Virginia Rail. — Fall migrant.
Porzana noveboracensis : Yellow Rail. — Two taken by Bryant in Decem- ber.
Porzanajamaicensis: Black Rail. — Locally common in winter; probably breeds.
Fulica americana : American Coot. — Common everywhere ; resident.
Crymophilus fulicarius : Red Phalarope. — Found commonly, especially in calmer waters on bay, from October to January.
Phalaropus lobatus : Northern Phalorope. — Fall mig-rant.
Pecurvirostra americana : American Avocet. — Reported from Redwood City (Slevin).
Himantopus mexicanus : Black-necked Stilt. — Fall and winter migrant at Miller, Marin Co.
Gallinago delicata : Wilson Snipe. — Fall, winter, and spring visitant.
Macrorhamphns scolopaceus : Long-billed Dowitcher. — Fall and early win- ter visitant.
Tringa maculata : Pectoral Sandpiper. — One taken by Bryant, October 8.
Tringa minutilla : Least Sandpiper. — Abundant in fall and winter.
Tringa alpina jmcijica : Red-backed Sandpiper. — Abundant from the middle of October till the middle of May.
Ereunetes occidentalis : Western Sandpiper. — Abundant migrant.
Calidris arenaria : Sanderling. — Common migrant at Oakland.
Limosafedoa : Marbled Godwit. — Fall and winter visitant.
Totanus melanoleucus : Greater Yellow-legs. — Winter visitant.
Helodromas solitarius cinnamoriieus : Western Solitary Sandpiper. — Two taken by Bryant, April and September.
Symphemia semipahnata inornata : Western Willet. — Common in sum- mer (Bryant).
Heteractitis incanus : Wandering Tatler. — Two taken by Kobb^ in Sep- tember.
Actitis macidaria : Spotted Sandpiper. — Taken at Tiberone and Angel Island in May and November.
Numenius longirostris : Long-billed Curlew. — Common at Oakland in August (Bryant).
Numenius hudsonicus : Hudsonian Curlew. — Taken at Oakland in August and September (Bryant).
Squatarola squatarola : Black-bellied Plover. — Fall and winter visitant.
Charadrius dominicus : American Golden Plover. — Taken at Vallejo and Menlo Pai'k (Hornung).
^gialitis vocifera : Killdeer. — Common everywhere in fall, winter, and spring.
yTJgialitis nivosa : Snowy Plover. — Taken on Presidio beach (Slevin).
Aretiaria melanocephalo : Black Turnstone. — Two records from Angel Island.
INTRODUCTION
LIST OF BIRDS OF SANTA CLARA VALLEY AND SANTA CRUZ MOUNTAINS, EXCLUSIVE OF WATER BIRDS.
By Walter K. Fishek.
Resident =: Permanent resident.
Winter visitant = Winter resident.
Summer visitant = Breeding bird not occurring in winter.
The country covered by this list includes practically all of the Santa Clara Valley and the northern half of the Santa Cruz Moun- tains. The Santa Cruz Mountains send a long spur northward to form the backbone of the San Francisco peninsula. This ridge has numerous lateral spurs, particularly toward the sea. On the east the mountains slope down into low foothills rather abruptly, and these foothills gradually merge into the floor of the valley, which, north of San Jose, is largely occupied by the bay of San Francisco and its environing marsh. To the east of the bay is the Mount Hamilton range.
To the Transition zone belong most of the Santa Cruz Moun- tains, and the country between them and the seacoast. In the mountains are magnificent stretches of redwood forest, mixed with Douglas spruce, tan-bark oak, and madrone, and underbrush of evergreen huckleberry, myrtle, azalea, rhododendron, wild lilac {Ceanothus thyrsiflorus), and several species of manzanita.
The Upper Sonoran zone includes all the main foothill region and many of the outlying spurs of the Santa Cruz Mountains, much of the Mount Hamilton range, and the greater part of the floor of the valley. The valley contains an infusion of Lower Sonoran ele- ments, but the proximity of the sea, with its tempering breezes, many high fogs during summer, and a rather heavy rainfall (for a valley), so reduces the total (luantity of lieat for the year that the region is really a peculiar humid Upper Sonoran, or perhaps a mix- ture of the two Sonoran zones. Characteristic vallej^ types are the white oak {Qiurnis lolxitu), blue oak ((^. doiigluiiii), valley live-oak {Q- nrjrifoUa), bay tree, buckeye, Christmas berry {ILteronieJcs arhu- tifolia), and sycamore. In the ]\Iount Hamilton range is found the digger june, and on many of the foothills of this range and of the Santa Cruz, chamiso (A(f< nostoma fnKcicitbitiiin), .sage {Artinrisia Cdlifnniird), highland o'i\\<. (Qiicirns irializcni), scrub ox\\i{Q. dinnoxa), ceanothus, and various manzanitas form larire areas of d<'!i«' chap- arral.
lii INTRODUCTION
The broad Salicornia marshes surrounding the bay support a rather numerous fauna that does not occur inland.
Lophortyx californicus : California Partridge. — Abundant resident in hills and valleys,
Coluinha fasciata : Band-tailed Pigeon. — Autumn and winter visitant.
Zenaidura macroura : Mourning Dove. — ISummer visitant; occasionally seen in winter ; open valleys.
Gymnogyps calif ornianus : California Vulture. — Occasional visitant in Santa Cruz Mountains.
Cathartes aura : Turkey Buzzard. — Summer visitants of valley and moun- tain.
Eianus leucurus : White-tailed Kite. — Resident among oak groves of the valley.
Accipiter velox : Sharp-shinned Hawk. — Common winter visitant.
Accipiter cooperii : Cooper Hawk. — Occasional transient visitant.
Circus hudsonius : Marsh Hawk. — A resident of the marshes about San Francisco bay.
Biiteo horealis calurus : Western Red-tail. — Common resident of the val- ley and mountains.
Buteo lineatus elegans : Red-bellied Hawk. — Rare resident of the valley.
Biiteo swainsoni : Swainson Hawk. — Rare transient visitant.
Archibuteo lagopus sancti-johannis : American Rough-legged Hawk. — Rare transient visitant.
Archibuteo ferrugineus : Ferruginous Rough-leg. — Irregular winter vis- itant near San Jos^ (R. H. Beck).
Aquila chrysa'etos : Golden Eagle. — Common resident of valley and foot- hills.
Haliceetiis leucocephalus : Bald Eagle. — Occasional visitant.
Falco sparverius deserticola : Desert Sparrow Haw^k. — Common resident.
Falco mexicanus : Prairie Falcon. — Occasional winter visitant in valley ; resident near Santa Cruz.
Falco 2Jeregrinits anatum : Duck HaAvk. — Marshes.
Falco columbarius : Pigeon Hawk. — Fairly common winter visitant.
Strix pratincola : Barn Owl. — Common resident in valley.
Asio wilsonianus : Long-eared Owl. — Recorded from Santa Cruz Moun- tains.
Asio accipitrinus : Short-eared Owl. — Common resident on the broad marshes about San Francisco bay.
Megascops asio bendirei : California Screech Owl. — Common resident.
Bubo virginianus pacijicus : Pacific Horned Owl. — Permanent resident of the valleys.
Speotyto cunicularia hypogcea : Burrowing Owl. — Common resident of the low valleys.
Glaucidium gnoma californicum : California Pygmy Owl. — A fairly com- mon but inconspicuous resident of the Santa Cruz Mountains.
Geococcyx californianus : Road-runner. — Uncommon resident in hot val- leys.
Coccyzus americanus occidentalis : California Cuckoo. — Summer visitant in heavy thickets.
Ceryle alcyon : Belted Kingfisher. — Resident along the larger streams.
Dryobates villosus harrisii : Harris Woodpecker. — Resident in Santa Cruz Mountains.
Dryobates pubescens gairdnerii : Gairdner Woodpecker. — Common resident in Santa Cruz Mountains, and breeds sparingly in valley.
INTRODUCTION liii
Dryobates nuttaUii : Nuttall Woodpecker. — Recorded from Mount Haiii- iltoii.
Sphyrapicus ruber : Red-breasted Sapsucker. — Fairly connuon winter visitant, principally to Nmta Cruz Mountains.
Melaneipes for in iri varus bairdi : (\ilit"ornia Woodpecker. — Abundant resi- dent among- the oaks of the valleys.
Melanerpes torquatus : Lewis Woodpecker. — Winter visitant.
Colaptes cafer collaris : Red-shafted Flicker. — Abundant resident.
PhaUanoptilus nuttallii calif ornicus : Dusky Poor-will. — Uncommon resi- dent.
Chcetura vauxii : Vaux 8wift. — Summer visitant among- redwoods ; occa- sionally seen in valley.
Ai'ronautes melanoleucus : White-thi*oated Swift. — Occasionally seen in migration ; breeds near Santa Cruz.
Calypte anna : Anna Hummingbird. — Abundant resident in valleys.
Selaspharus rufus : Rufous Hummingbird. — Occurs plentifully in the spring- as a migrant.
Selaspliorus alleni : Allen Hummingbird. — Abundant summer visitant in valley and hills.
Tyrannus verticalia : Arkansas Kingbird. — Rather common summer vis- itant.
Myiarchus citierascens : Ash-throated Flycatcher. — Summer visitant.
Sayornis saya : Say Plujebe. — Rather common winter visitant.
Say(jrnis nigricans semiatra : Western Black Phoebe. — Common resident,
Contopus boreal is : Olive-sided Flycatcher. — Summer visitant in Santa Cruz Mountains ; not common.
Contopus richardsonii : Western Wood Pewee. — Common summer vis- itant.
Empidonax difficilis : Western Flycatcher. — Common summer visitant.
Empidonax traillii : Traill Flycatcher. — Summer visitant in willow patches along- creeks.
Otocoris alpestris chrysoUvma : Mexican Horned Lark. — Common in the open valley.
Pica nuttall i : Yellow-billed Magpie. — Resident in colonies south of San Jo.s^.
Cyanocitta stelleri carbonacea : ^ Coast Jay. — Abundant permanent resi- dent in Santa Cruz Mountains.
Aphelocoma californica : California Jay. — Abundant resident.
Corvus auieriranas : American Crow. — Resident in southern part of Santa Clara valley.
Agelaius gubernafor culiforuicus : Bicolored Blackbird. — Breeds aluin- dantly in meadows bordering niarshes.
Agelaius tricolor : Tricolored nia<-kl)ii-(l. — Occurs locally; rare.
A'anthorepfialus xanthocephalus : Yellow-headed Blackbird. — Breeds in the marshes south of San Jos(5.
Sturnella magna neglecta : Western Meadowlark. Abundant permam-nt resident.
Icterus bullocki : Bullock Oriole. — Resi<lent for nesting season ; common.
Scolecopfiagus cyanocejjfialus : Brewer IJlackbird. — Abundant permanent resident.
Coccothraustes vespertinus montanus : Western Evening Grosbeak. — Occa- sional winter visitants in tit)eks.
(Jarpodarus purjiureus r(di/i>rnirus : California Purple Finch. — Coniinou resident in valley and mouut.-iins.
» A form coiiiiiKtiily ••iilU-il jnui/ithx. hut reiilly cloMer to typioiil slilliri tliiin to tin- Sierr.iii form.
liv INTRODUCTION
Carpodacus mexicanus frontalis : House Fliieli. — Abundant resident. Astrayalinus tristis salicamans : Willow Goldfinch. — Resident in willows
and mustard patches. Aatrayalinus lisaliria : Arkansas Goldfinch. — Abundant resident. Astragulinus laicrencei : Lawrence Goldfinch. — A rare summer visitant,
and erratic in its visits. Spinas pi nils : Pine Siskin. — Resident in the Santa Cruz Mountains ; mi- grant in valley. Ammodramus sandwichensis alaudinus : Western Savanna Sparrow. —
Abundant fall and winter visitant in valley fields. Ammodramus sandwichensis bryanti : Bryant Marsh Sparrow. — Abundant
resident in marshes about San Francisco bay. Ammodramus savannarum bimaculatiis : Western Grasshopper Sparrow. —
Recorded from near San Jos^ (R. H. Beck). Ammodramus nelsoni : Nelson Sparrow. — Two records from Milpitas
marshes. Pooecetes gramineus conjinis : Western Vesper Sparrow. — Recorded from
near San Jos^ (McGreg-or). Chondestes grammacus strigatus : Western Lark Sparrow. — Commoner on
the east than on the west side of the bay. Zonotrichia leucophrgs gambelii : Gambel Sparrow. — Abundant winter vis- itant, leaving- in April. Zonotrichia leucophrys nuttalli : Nuttall Sparrow. — Resident in damp
coast belt ; winter visitant in Santa Clara valley. Zonotrichia coronata : Golden-crowned Sparrow. — An abundant winter
visitant. Spizella socialis arizome : Western Chipping- Sparrow. — Not a very com- mon resident. Junco hyemalis thurberi : Sierra Junco. — Winter visitant ; not common. Junco hyemalis pinosus : Point Pinos Junco. — Resident in Santa Cruz
Mountains, and south in humid coast belt ; commonest junco in valleys
in winter. Amphisjjiza belli: Bell Sparrow. — Said to breed near Los Gates (J. Van
Denburgh). Aimophila rujiceps : Rufous-crowned Sparrow. — Resident, locally, on east
side of valley in sage-brush districts. Melospiza melodia heermanni : Heermann Song- Sparrow. — Resident in
southernmost portions of Santa Clara valley uplands. Melospiza melodia santcecrucis : ^ Santa Cruz Song Sparrow. — Common
permanent resident along streams flowing into San Francisco bay and
into Pacific Ocean from Santa Cruz Mountains. Melospiza melodia pusillula} — Resident in Salicornia marshes about San
Francisco bay. Melospiza melodia morphia : Rusty Song Sparrow. — Winter visitant in
Santa Cruz Mountains. Melospiza lincolnii : Lincoln Sparrow. — Winter visitant. Melospiza lincolnii striata : Forbush Sparrow. — Casual winter visitant ;
marshes. Passerella iliaca unalaschcensis : Townsend Sparrow. — Common winter
visitant in vallej' and Santa Cruz Mountains. Pipilo maculatus megalunyx : Spurred Towhee. — Abundant resident in
valley and in Santa Cruz Mountains. Pipilo jfuscus crissalis : California Towhee. — Abundant resident in valley
and mountains.
1 A local race not yet acted upon by A. O. U. committee.
INTRODUCTION Iv
Zamelodia melanocephala : Black-lieuded (iiosbeak. — Abundant spring' and summer visitant ; departs after nesting-.
Cyanospiza amrena : Lazuli Bunting-. — A common summer visitant during- nesting- season.
Piranga ludovicianu : Louisiana Tanager. — Occurs in Santa Cruz Moun- tains during migrations.
Progne subis hesperia : Western Martin. — Reported from Mount Hamilton range.
Petrochelidon lunifrons : Cliff Swallow. — Common summer visitant.
Hirundo erythrogastra : Barn Swallow. — Summer resident.
Tachycineta birolor : Tree Swallow. — Abundant in spring- and summer : rare in winter.
Tachycineta thalassina lepida : Northern Violet-green Swallow. — Common summer visitant.
Stelgidopteryx serripennis : Rough-winged Swallow. — Reported as breed- ing at San Jos^ (J. Van Denburgh) ; migrant at Palo Alto.
Ampelis cedrorum : Cedar Waxwing. — Irregular winter visitant.
Phainopepla nitens : Phaiuopepla. — Recorded from near San Jos^.
Lanius ludovicianus gaiiibeli : California Shrike. — Abundant resident in valley.
Vireo gilvus : Warbling Vireo. — Common summer visitant.
Vireo huttoni : Hutton Vireo. — Abundant resident in Santa Cruz Moun- tains ; common simmier visitant in valley.
Vireo solitarius cassinii : Cassin Vireo. — Summer visitant in Santa Cruz Mountains.
Helmitithophila celata lutescens : Lutescent Warbler. — Summer visitant on chaparral slopes of Santa Cruz Mountains.
Dendroica testiva : Yellow Warbler. — Abundant summer resident.
Dendroica auduboni : Audubon Warbler. — Abundant winter visitant.
Dendroica coronata : Myrtle Warbler. — leather common winter visitant.
Df^ndroica nigrescens : Black-throated Gray Warbler. — Reported from Mount Hamilton Range.
Dendroica toirnsendi : Townsend Warbler. — Common winter visitant in Santa Cruz Mountains and about Monterey Bay.
Dendroica occidentalis : Hermit Warbler. — Occurs rarely during migra- tions.
Geothlypis tohniei : Tolmie Warbler. — Recorded from Los Gatos ; rare.
Geothlypis trichas sinitosa : ^ Western Yellow-throat. — Breeds about edges of marshes of San Francisco Bay.
Icteria riren.s longicauda : Long-tailed Chat. — Summer visitant along water- courses.
Wilsouia pusilla pileolata : Pileolated Warbler. — Connnon in copses and willow thickets.
Anthiis pensilvanirns : American Pipit. — Abundant duiing- winter months.
Cinrliis /iiejrirdnus : Water C)uzel. — Permanent resident on streams in Santa ( 'rnz Mountains.
Mimits pdlyglottos leiiro/jfrrus : Western M()ckingl)ird. — Occasional visitant at Stanford University.
ToTostonia retlirirum : Califoniian Thrasher. — Common resident in thickets.
Salpinctes obsoletus : Ivock Wn-n. — Permanent resident in eastern and .southern valley foothills, in dry. rocky places.
Catherpes inexiranns pnnitidatns : Dotted Canyon Wren. — Breetls in foot- hills east of San Jose';.
' Ovcidi-ntalis ol%ui\\OT». Tliis form lias not U'cii acti-il upon In tin- A. O. I', com- niittee. It is nearer (tri-iln than mcidrnfiilis.
hi INTRODUCTION
Thryomanes bewickii spilurus : Vigors Wren. — Common resident. Troglodytes aedon parkmanii : Parkman Wren. — Summer visitant among
live-oaks. Olbiorchilus hiemalis jiaciJicHs : Western Winter Wren. — Resident in the
Santa Cruz Mountains. Cistothorus palustris jmludicola : Tule Wren. — Resident on Salicornia
marshes ; breeds in seirpns patches altogether. Certhia familiar is occid entails : Calif ornian Creeper. — Resident in Santa
Cruz Mountains. Sitta carolinensis aculeata : Slender-billed Nuthatch. — Resident in Santa
Cruz Mountains ; oaks. Parus inornatus : Plain Titmouse. — Permanent resident among live, white,
and blue oaks. Parus rafescens harlowi : ^ Barlow Chickadee. — Resident in Santa Cruz
Mountains, migrating to the valleys in winter. ChaniKafasciata intermedia : '^ Wren-Tit. — Common permanent resident of
Santa Cruz Mountains and of valle5^ Found usually on chaparral hills. Psaltriparus minimus californicus : California Bush-Tit. — Common perma- nent resident. Begulus satrapa olivaceus : Western Golden-crowned Kinglet. — Winter
visitant in Santa Cruz Mountains. Begulus calendula : Ruby-crowned Kinglet. — Abundant winter visitant in
valley and Santa Cruz Mountains. Begulus calendula grinnelli : Sitkan Kinglet. — Winter visitant to Santa Cruz
Mountains and to Monterey. Polioptila carulea ohscura : Western Gnatcatcher. — Recorded from near
Mount Hamilton. Myadestes townsendii : Townsend Solitaire. — Fairly common winter visitant
to Santa Cruz Mountains. Hylocichla ustulata : Russet-backed Thrush. — Abundant summer visitant,
arriving in April. Hylocichla guttata : Alaska Hermit Thrush. — Abundant winter visitant in
valley and Santa Cruz Mountains. Hylocichla guttata slevini :^ Monterey Hermit Thrush. — Svimmer visitant
in Santa Crviz Mountains, south in humid belt, along coast. Merula migratoria py-opinqua : Western Robin. — A very abundant winter
visitant. Ixoreus tuevius : Varied Thrush. — Abimdant winter visitant: November
till last of March. Sialia mexicana occidentalis : Western Bluebird. — Common resident. Sialia arctica : Mountain Bluebird. — Rare or casual winter visitant.
LIST OF BIRDS TO BE LOOKED FOR IN THE VICINITY OF
PASADENA.
By Joseph Grinnell.
This list inchides only svicb species as are believed to be of more
or less regular occurrence within a radius of ten miles of Pasadena.
1 A form occupying the Santa Cruz Mountain district and distinguished from neglectus by absence of browii on flanks.
2 Not yet acted on by A. O. U. committee. (F. M. B.)
3 This remarkable little thrush has been recently described by Joseph Grinuell, and can be at once distinguished by its very small size and pale coloring. {The Aid; July, 1901, xviii. 258.)
INTRODUCTION Ivii
This area consists of * mountains ' (Sierra Madre), and ' valley ' (San Gabriel). The mountains are divided into spruce-wooded 'higher mountains,' such as Wilson's Peak and Mt. Lowe, and brush-cov- ered 'foothills.' The valley is separated into a 'mesa,' the dry elevated plain sloping down from the foothills ; and the ' lowlands,' which include the 'willow bottoms,' such as the San Gabriel river bed in the neighborhood of El Monte. The 'oak regions ' occupy an intermediate area, in places running up on to the foothills.
In general, as far as I know, it may be said that the ' lowlands,' the 'mesas,' and tongues extending up into the foothills are Lower Sonoran; that the 'oak regions,' and 'foothills,' and even the hot slopes of the highest peaks, are Upper Sonoran ; while the north slopes and deep canyons of the ' mountains ' to their summits, within the ten mile radius of the list, are mainly Transition, but with a trace of Canadian, and with such characteristic birds as the mountain chickadee, blue-fronted jay, plumed partridge, junco, and slender- billed nuthatch. Pasadena itself is Lower Sonoran, having such birds as the phaiuopepla, mockingbird, road-runner, Texas night- hawk, and Costa hummingbird.
j3£chnnphorus orridentalis : Western Grebe. — Occasional winter visitant
on tlie l;ir<;vr ponds. Podilymbm podiceps : Pied-billed Grebe. — Fairly common resident on
tule-margined ponds. Guria imher : Loon. — Frequent in winter on large ponds and reservoii-s. Larus ralifhrnicus : California Gull. — Occasional in winter about ponds
and streani.s. Phalarrocorax dilophni^ nlbnciliatus : Farallone Cormorant. — Frequent in
winter on the lar<;er ponds. Pelecanus erythrorhijnrhos : American White Pelican. — Occurs in migra- tion ; also more rarely about ponds in winter. Merganser serrator : Red-breasted Merganer — Occasional midwinter
visitant f»n the lowlands. Anas bosrhds : Mallard. — Fairly connnon resident in the vicinity of
streams and ponds. Marera anteriraua : Baldpate. — Conmion winter visitant. Neltion raro/inensis : Groen-winyed T»*al. — Common winter visitant. Querr/itedula ri^anojjtfra : Cinnamon Teal. — Cominoii si>riii<;- and summer
visitant on ponds and marslics. S/xitida rli/peata : Shoveller. — Common winter visitant. Erisnidtura jamaivensis: KuddyDnt-k. — Connnon resident on tlu> larger
l)onds. lintanrus Icntiginosus : Ann-rican IWttern. — Common winter visitant on
niarsli lands. Ardea /lerodias: (Jreat lUue Heron. — Common resident in the lower
country. Ardea riresrcns autlnmiii : Anth(»ny (ireen Heron. — Common migrant ahoui
streams and ponds.
Iviii INTRODUCTION
N ycticorax nycticorax mevius : Black-crowned Night Heron. — Common migrant about streams and ponds.
Grus mexicana : Sandhill Crane. — Conmion in migration and occasional during winter.
Ballus virginianus : Virginia Rail. — Fairly common migrant on marsh lands and along streams.
For zona Carolina : Sora. — Fairly common resident of marsh lands.
GalUnula galeata : Florida Gallinule. — Fairly common resident on the larger tule-bordered ponds.
Fulica americana : American Coot. — Common resident on any body of water.
Himantopus mexicanus : Black-necked Stilt. — Fairly common migrant in the lower coixntry.
Gallinago delicata : Wilson Snipe. — Fairly common winter visitant to lower grass lands.
Tringa minutilla : Least Sandpiper. — Fairly common migrant and winter visitant about streams and ponds.
Tringa alpina pacijica : Red-backed Sandpiper. — Occasional migrant, occurring- at ponds.
Helodromas solitarius cinnamomeus : Western Solitary Sandpiper. — Fairly common migrant along streams.
Actitis macidaria : Spotted Sandpiper. — Common migrant, occurring about any ]ionds or streams.
^gialitis vocifera : Killdeer. — Abundant resident on any marsh lands.
Oreortyx pictus plumiferiis : Plumed Partridge. — Common resident of the mountains ; occasional along their bases.
Lophortyx calif ornicus vallicola : Valley Partridge. — Abundant resident of brush lands.
Columba fasciata : Band-tailed Pigeon. — Common winter visitant to the oak regions.
Zenaidura macroura : Mourning Dove. — Abundant resident everywhere.
Gymnogyps californianus : California Vulture. — Fairly common resident of the mountains.
Cathartes aura : Turkey Vulture. — Abundant resident everywhere.
Circus hudsonius : Marsh Hawk. — Common resident in the loAver coun- try-
Accipiter velox : Sharp-shinned Hawk. — Common winter visitant every- where.
Accipiter cooperii : Cooper Hawk. — Fairly common resident along the foothills.
Buteo horealis calurus : Western Red-tail. — Common resident every- where.
Buteo lineatus elegans : Red-bellied Hawk. — Fairly common resident in the lower country.
Buteo swainsoni : Swainson Hawk. — Common spring and summer vis- itant.
Aquila chrysa'etos : Golden Eagle. — Fairly common resident of the moun- tains.
Falco mexicanus : Prairie Falcon. — Rare visitant to the foothill regions.
Falco columharius : Pigeon Hawk. — Fairly common winter visitant.
Falco sparverius deserticola : Desert Sparrow Hawk. — Abundant resident everywhere.
Strix pratincola : American Barn Owl. — Common resident of the oak regions.
Asio v'ilsonianus : American Long-eared Owl. — Fairly common resident of the lowlands.
INTRODUCTION lix
Asio accipitrinua : Short-eared Owl. — Rare Avinter visitant to the low- lauds.
Syrnium occidentale : vSpotted Owl. — Resident of the mountains ; perhaps fairly connnon. thoiij^h not often met with.
Megascops asio bendirei : California Screech Owl. — Common resident everywhere.
Bubo virginiaii'is parijicHs : Pacific Horned Owl. — Fairly common resident in the oak rej^ion.
Speotyto cuniculuria hypvyaa : Burrowing- Owl. — Common resident of the mesas and lowlands.
Glaucidium ynoma : Pygniy Owl. — Resident of the moimtains ; perhaps fairly common, tliouj;!! by nature of its habits not often seen.
Geococcyx culifornianus : Road-runner. — Fairly conmion resident of the mesas and foothills ; rai)idly becoming- scarce.
Coccyzus americuniis occidentaUs : California Cuckoo. — Rai'e summer vis- itant to the willow bottoms.
Ceryle alcyon : Belted Kingfisher. — Common migrant, appearing- at re- servoirs and ahmg- streams.
Dryobates villosus hyloscopus : Cabanis Woodpecker. — Fairly common in the mountains ; resident.
Dryobates pubescens turati : Willow Woodpecker.^ — Fairly common in the willow regions ; resident.
Dryobates nuttallii : Nuttall Woodpecker. — Common resident in the oak and foothill regions ; visits the willow botton)s in fall and winter.
Xenopirus albolarvatus : White-headed Woodpecker. — Fairly common re- sident in the higher mountains.
Sphyrapicus variiis nuchalis : Red-naped Sapsucker. — Bare midwinter vis- itant along- the foothills.
Sphyrapicus varius daggetti : - Sierra Sjip.sucker. — Common winter visitant, often about orchards and on pepper-trees along the city streets.
Sphyrapicus thyroideus : William.son Sapsucker. — Bare winter visitant on the mountains.
Mehnwrpes forinicivorus bairdi : Californian Woodpecker. — Common resi- dent of tlie oak regions.
Melanerpes torquatus : Lewis Woodpecker. — Fairly common winter vis- itant to the oak regions.
Colaptes cafcr coUaris : Bed-shafted Flicker. — Common resident of both the mountains and lowlands.
Phahi ni>j)tdus nuttallii californicus : Dusky Poor-will. — Common resident of the foothills.
Chordeiles acutipennis texensis : Texas Nighthawk. — Common summer vis- itant, chiefly on the dry mesas.
Cht^tura vauxii : Vaux Swift. — Common migrant .-ilong the foothills.
^liroiiautts iiicldiKihucHs : White-tliroated Swift. — Fairly common, except in midwinter, along the foothills and in tlie mountains.
Trochilus alcxandri : Black-cliinued Hummingbird. — ('ommou sunnmr visitant along the ftjothills and in the mountain canyons.
(Jalypte costa : Costa Hummingbird. — Common summer visitant to tlie dry mesas.
Caly/ite a)iu(i : Anna Hummingbird. — Common resident anywhere.
Srlas/ihorus ruf'us : Kufous Hummingbird. — Common migrant everv- wbere.
Scl(tsj)h()rus alleni : Allen Hummingbird. — F.iirly common spring migr;Mil along the foothills.
' Not vet acted on by A O. U. foiimiitl.-f. ( F. .M H.) = .V. rutin- of tin- Clieck-LiHt.
Ix INTRODUCTION
Stellula calliope: Calliope Hummingbird. — Fairly common summer vis- itant on the mountains.
Tyrannus verticalis : Arkansas Kingbird. — Common summer visitant to the valley.
Tyrannus vociferans : Cassin Kingbird. — Fairly common winter visitant to the valley.
Myiarchus cinerascens : Ash-throated Flycatcher. — Fairly common sum- mer visitant in the oak and foothill regions.
Sayornis saya : JSay Phoebe. — Common winter visitant to the valley.
Sayornis nigricans semiatra : Western Black Phoebe. — Common resident of the valley.
Contopus borealis : Olive-sided Flycatcher. — Fairly common summer vis- itant on the mountains ; migrant through the valley.
Contopus richardsonii : Western Wood Pewee. — Common summer visitant to the canyons and mountains.
Empidonax difficilis : Western Flycatcher. — Common summer visitant to the mountain canyons.
Empidonax ti-aillii : Traill Flycatcher. — Common summer visitant to the willow bottoms.
Empidonax hammondi : Hammond Flycatcher. — Fairly common mig-rant along the foothills.
Empidonax griseus : Gray Flycatcher. — Rare winter visitant to the val- ley.
Otocoris alpestris actia : California Horned Lark.^ — Common i-esident of the lowland plains.
Cyanocitta stelleri frontalis : Blue-fronted Jay. — Common resident of the mountains.
Aphelocoma californica : California Jay. — Common resident of the foothill regions.
Corviis corax sinuatus : American Raven. — Frequent but irregular tran- sient visitant to the valley.
Corvus americanus hesperis : ^ California Crow. — Common resident of the lowlands.
Cyanocephalus cyanocephalus : Piuon Jay. — Irregular fall visitant to the mesas and mountains.
X anthocephalus xanthocephalus : Yellow-headed Blackbird. — Rare and irregular winter visitant.
Agelaius phneniceus neMralis : San Diego Redwing. — Common resident of the lowlands.
Sturnella magna neglecta : Western Meadowlark. — Common resident of the valley.
Icterus cucullatus nelsoni : Arizona Hooded Oriole. — Common summer vis- itant to the mesas and canyons.
Icterus bullocki : Bullock Oriole. — Common summer visitant to the valley.
Scolecojjhagus cyanocephalus : Brewer Blackbird. — Abundant resident of the lowlands and cultivated mesas.
Coccothraustes vespertinus montanus : Western Evening Grosbeak. — Rare and irregular winter visitant along the mountains.
Carpodacus purpureus californicus : California Purple Finch. — Fairly common winter visitant to the valley.
Carpodacus cassini : Cassin Purple Finch. — Fairly common resident on the higher mountains.
Carpodacus mexicanus frontalis : House Finch. — Abundant resident of the valley everywhere.
1 Not yet acted on by A. 0. U. committee. (F. M. B.)
INTRODUCTION Ixi
Loxia ciirvirostra bemlirei : ^ iSierra Crossbill. — Rare and irregular winter visitant.
Astragalifius tristis aalicainans : Willow Goldfinch. — Common resident of the lowlands.
Astragalinus psaltria : Arkansas Goldfinch. — Abundant resident of the valley.
Astragalinus laurencei : Lawrence Goldfinch. — Fairly common spring and summer visitant to the mountains and mesas.
Spimts pinus : Pine Siskin. — Irregular winter visitant anywhere.
Pocecetes gramineus conjinis : Western Vesper Sparrow. — Fairly common winter visitant on the mesas.
Pocecetes gramineus a (finis: Oregon Vesper SpaiTow. — Fairly common winter visitant to the valley.
Ammodramus sandwichensis alaudinus: Western Savanna Sparrow. — Abundant winter visitant to the Rowland plains.
Ammodramus savannarum bitnaculatus : Western Grasshopper Sparrow. — Rare winter visitant to the valley.
Chondestes grammarus strigatus : Western Lark Sparrow. — Common resi- dent of the valley.
Zonotrichia leucophrys gambelii : Intermediate Sparrow. — Abundant winter visitant to the valley.
Zonotrichia coronata : Golden-crowned Sparrow. — Common winter visitant to the foothill regions.
Spizella sorialis arizome : Western Chipiiing Sparrow. — Common summer visitant everywhere ; less common during the winter on the mesas only.
Spizella hreweri : Brewer Sparrow. — Rare migrant along the foothills.
Spizella atrogularis : Black-chinned Sparrow. — Rare summer visitant on the mountain slopes.
Junco ht/emalis : Slate-colored Junco. — Rare winter visitant to the valley.
Junco hyemalis thurberi : Sierra Junco. — Common midwinter visitant to the valley : resident in the mountains.
Amphispiza belli : Bell Si)arrow. — Fairly common resident on the mesas.
Aimophila rnjireps : Rufous-crowned Sparrow. — Rare resident of the foothills.
Melospiza cinerea cooj)eri : ^ San Diego Song Sparrow. — Common resident of the lowlands.
Melospiza linrolnii : Lincoln S))arrow. — Fairly common migrant and winter visitant in the valh-v.
Passerella iliaca insutaris : Kadiak Fox Sparrow.^ — Common winter vis- itant on the mountains.
Passerella iliaca megar/if/ncha : Thick-billed Fox Sparrow. — Fairly com- mon winter visitant on the mountains.
Pipilo macnlatns megaloni/.r : Spurred Towhee. — Common resident of brushlands everywhere.
I*ij)ih) fuscus senicula : Anthonv Towhee. — Abundant resident of the val- ley. ■ ' ^
(heospiza rhlorura : Green-tailed Towhee. — Rare migrant along the foot- hills.
Zamelodia mtlanoiip/ndti : IJ]ack-ln';idi'd (irosbeak. — Common summer visitant to the vallt-y.
(iniraca carulni lazula : WestcMii Blui' (irosbeak. — Rare summer visitant on tlu' mnsas.
Cjianospiza fiinniiii: L.r/.uli iJunting. Ccimmou summer visit.iut to tlu' foothills and nx-sas.
' Not yet a<t«'(l on by A. 0. U. couiiuittcf. (F. M. B.)
Ixii INTRODUCTION
Piranga ludoviciana : Western Tanager. — Common summer visitant on
the mountains ; common migrant on the mesas. Progne subis hesperia : Western Martin. — Fairly common summer visitant
to the mountains. Petrochelidon lunifrons : Cliff Swallow. — Abundant mig'rant . and summer
visitant to the valley. Hirundo erythrogastra : Barn Swallow — Fairly common migrant through
the valley. Tachycineta bicolor : Tree Swallow. — Common resident of the lowlands, a
feAV wintering. Tachycineta thalassina lepida : Northern Violet-green Swallow. — Common
summer visitant to the mountains ; abundant migrant thi'ough the valley. Stelgidopteryx serripe^inis : Rough-winged Swallow. — Fairly common sum- mer visitant to the mesas. Ampelis cedrorum : Cedar Waxwing. — Common winter visitant to the
valley. Phainopepla nitens : Phainopepla. — Common summer visitant to the
mesas. Lanius ludovicianus gamheli : California Shrike. — Common resident of the
valley. Yireo gilvus swainsoni:^ Western Warbling Vireo. — Abimdant migrant
through the valley ; fairly common summer visitant locally. Vireo solitarius cassinii : Cassin Yireo. — Common summer visitant in the
mountain canyons. Vireo huttoni : Hutton Vireo. — Fairly common resident of the oak
regions. Vireo pusillus : Least Vireo. — Common siimmer visitant to the valley. Hebninthophila rubricajnlla giitturalis : Calaveras Warbler. — Fairly com- mon migrant through the valley. HelminthojMa celata hitescens : Lutescent Warbler. — Common migrant
through the valley ; rare summer visitant to the foothills and canyons. Helminthophila celata sordida : Dusky Warbler. — Common fall visitant to
the valley and foothills. Dendroica a^stiva morcomi : ^ Western Yellow Warbler. — Common sum- mer visitant to the willow bottoms and mountain canyons. Dendroica coronata : Myrtle Warbler. — Rare midwinter visitant to the
valley. Dendroica aiiduboni : Audubon Warbler. — Abundant w inter visitant
everywhere. Dendroica nigrescens : Black-throated Gray Warbler. — Common summer
visitant to the mountains ; migrant through the valley. Dendroica townsendi : Townsend Warbler. — Fairly common migrant over
the mesas and foothills. Dendroica occidentalis : Hermit Warbler. — Fairly common migrant along
the foothills and mesas. Geothlyjns tolmiei : Tolmie Warbler. — Fairly common migrant along the
foothills. Geothlypis trichas arizela : Pacific Yellow-throat. — Common resident of
the lowlands and migrant along the foothills. Geothlypis trichas scirpicola : -^ Tule Yellow-throat. — Common resident of
the lowlands. Icteria virens longicauda: Long-tailed Chat. Fairly common sumftier
visitant to the willow bottoms.
1 rfreo fir?7TOS of Check-List. (F. M. B.)
2 X). ifstiva of Check-List. (F. M. B.)
» Not yet acted ou by A. O. U. committee. (F. M. B.)
INTRODUCTION Ixiii
Wilsonia pusilla pileolata : Pileolated Warbler. — Abundant migrant through the valley ; conuuou summer visitant to the willow bottoms.
Anthus pensilvanicus : American Pipit. — Common winter visitant to the lowlands.
Cindus mexicanus : American Dipper. — Rare resident of the mountain canyons.
Mimus polyglottos leucopterus : Western Mockingbird. — Abundant resident of the valley, especially on the mesas.
Toxostoma rediriviim pasadenense : Pasadena Thrasher. — Common resi- dent of brush lands anywhere.
Ileleodytes brunneicapillus: Cactus Wren.- — Rare resident locally on the mesas.
Salpinctes obsoletus : Rock Wren. — Fairly common winter visitant to the valley.
Catherpes mexicanus punctulatiis : Dotted Canyon Wren. — Fairly common resident of the mountain canyons.
Thryomanes bewickii charienturus : San Dieg-an Wren. — Common resident of the mountains ; common winter visitant to the brush lands in the valley.
Troglodytes ai'don parkmanii : Parkman Wren. — Fairly common summer visitant everywhere.
Olbiorchilus hiemalis parijicus : Western Winter Wren. — Rare midwinter visitant to the mountains.
Cistothorus palitstris paludicola : Tule Wren. — Common resident of the lowland marshes.
Certhia familiaris zelotes : Sierra Creeper. — Fairly common resident on the mountains.
Sitta carolinensis aculeata : Slender-billed Nuthatch. Fairly common resi- dent on the mountains.
Sitta canadensis : Red-breasted Nuthatch. — Irregular winter visitant to the mountains.
Sitta jiygmcea : Pygmy Nuthatch. — Fairly common resident of the higher mountains.
Pants inornatus : Plain Titmouse. — Common resident of the oak regions.
Pants gambeli : Mountain Chickadee. — Common resident on the moun- tains.
Chanuea fasciata : Wren-Tit. — Common resident of brush lands every- where.
Psaltriparns minimus californicus : California Bush-Tit. — Abundant resi- dent of tlie oak regions of the valley and foothills.
Pegulus satrapa olivaceus : AVcstein Golden-crowned Kinglet. — Rare mid- winter visitant to the inoiiiitaiiis and mesas.
Hegulus calendula: Ruby-crowned Kinglet. — Abundant winter visitant everywhere.
Polioptila c(trulea obscnra : Western Gnatcatcher. — Common resident everywliere.
Polioptda calif or nica : RLick-tailed Gnatcatcher. — Rare resident locally on brnsliy mesas.
Myadestes townstndii : Townsend Solitaire. — Fairly common winter visit- ant t<» the mountains.
Ilylocichla nstulata : Rus.set-backed Thrush. — Common summer visitant to the willow bottoms ; migrant along the foothills.
Ilylocirfila guttatd : -Vlask.-i Hermit Tlinish. — .Vbnndant wintei- visitant everywhere.
Ilylocichla guttata slt^vini : ^ Monterey Hermit Thrush. — Rare spring migrant over the mesas.
> Not yet acted on by A. O. U. cominittff. (F. M. B.)
Ixiv INTRODUCTION
Merula migratoria propinqua : Western Robin. — Common winter visitant to the valley.
Ixoreus ncEvius meruloides : Northern Varied Thrush. — Common mid- winter visitant to the mountains and mesas.
Sialia mexicana occidentalis : Western Bluebird. — Common summer visit- ant on the mountains ; common winter visitant to the valley.
Sialia arctica : Mountain Bluebird. — Fairly common midwinter visitant to the valley.
LIST OF THE BIRDS OF FORT SHERMAN, IDAHO.
From Dr. J. C. Merrill's Notes in The Auk, vol. xiv. 347-357, 1897, and vol. XV. 14-22, 1898.
Fort Sherman is in northern Idaho, on Coeur d'Alene Lake, which is encircled by hills clad with conifers, and near the Ca?ur d'Alene Mountains. The mouths of streams flowing into the lake afford flats with tules, water grasses, willows, and a few cottonwoods, which are frequented by land birds and a few marsh birds and ducks. At the southern end of the lake the marshy valley of the St. Joseph River affords good nesting and autumnal feeding ground for water birds. When the lake is open a few birds remain on it, going from it to the Spokane River when driven out by ice. The local cli- matic conditions somewhat resemble those of the Northern Cascade Range, and while the avifauna is essentially that of the Rocky Mountains it has Cascade Mountain elements.
JEchmophorus occidentalis : Western Grebe. — A single specimen taken.
Colymbus holboeUii : Holbcell Grebe. — Resident, but most common during- migrations.
Podilymbus j^odiceps : Pied-billed Grebe. — Common on the lake in spring and fall.
Gavia imber : Loon. — Resident and quite common except in winter.
Larus argentatus : Herring Gull. — Several taken on the lake during fall and winter.
Larus delawarensis : Ring-billed Gull. — Fall and winter visitant.
Larus Philadelphia : Bonaparte Gull. — One taken and several seen in No- vember.
Sterna. — A small white tern breeds about the lake, but no specimens were taken.
Phalacrocorax dilophus cincinatus : White-crested Cormorant. — Several cormorants, probably of this form, were seen in September.
Merganser americanus : Merganser. — Common during fall and winter.
Merganser serrator : Red-breasted Merganser. — A single specimen taken.
Lophodytes cucullatus : Hooded Merganser. — The most abundant of the mergansers, frequenting especially the rivers, and in the fall collecting in flocks of forty or fifty individuals.
Anas boschas : Mallard. — The commonest duck of tlie vicinity, a few re- maining throughout the winter.
Mareca americana : Baldpate. — Common fall visitant on marshes at southern end of lake.
INTRODUCTION Ixv
Nettion carolinensis : Green-winged Teal. — Quite common, especially dur- ing migrations.
Querquedula cyanoptera : Cinnamon Teal. — Rare; a female with several young- two or three days old seen. June 11.
Spatula dypeata : JShoveller. — Common ; breeds in St. Joseph marshes.
Dajila acuta: Pintail. — Common migrant.
Aix sponsa : Wood Duck. — Common summer visitor, especially abun- dant in early fall.
Aythya collaris : Ring-necked Duck. — Seems to be more common than the other ' blue-bills,' one or both of which occur but Avere not certainly identified.
Clangula islandica : Barrow Golden-eye. — Abundant throughout the win- ter ; all the golden-eyes seen Avere of this species, although the other doubtless occurs.
Charitonetta albeo/a : Buffle-head. — Common during winter.
Histrionicus histrionicus : Harlequin Duck. — Rare, but occasionally taken on the St. Joseph and Coeur d'Alene rivers.
Erismatura jamaicensis : Ruddv Duck. — Not uncommon in siiring- and fall.
Chen sp. '? : Ross Snow Goose. — Reported by hunters, but decidedly rare.
Anser albifrons gambeli : "White -fronted Goose. — Reported by hunters, but rare.
Branta canadensis : Canada Goose. — Common in spiing-. rare in fall. Most abundant goose, especially on prairie at southern end of lake ; a few nest near the lake ; on the fall flight they and many of the ducks pass south over the open prairie fifty miles Avest of the lake.
Olor sp. ? — In spring swans are sometimes quite common on lake and marshes. No specimens taken.
Botaiirus lentiginosus : Bittern. — Rather common in suitable localities about the lake.
Grtis mexicana : Sandhill Crane. — Not uncommon migrant; a few prob- ably breed.
Porzana Carolina : Sora. — Not rare in marshes; breeds.
Fitlicu ainericana : Coot. — Common, e.specially in autumn.
Fhalaropiis lohatus : Northern Phalarope. — Common fall migrant.
liecurvirostra americana : Avocet. — A pair seen and one taken in Sep- tember.
Gallinago delirata : Wilson Snipe. — I sually rather uncommon migrant-
Macrorhainjjfius yriseus : Dowitcher. — Five taken in September on St. Jo- scpli marshes.
Trinya maculata : Pectoral Sandpiper. — Common in 18U() from last of August till early Octoljer.
Trinya mimitilla : Least Sandpiper. — Three taken in August.
Ereunetes occidentalis : Western Sandpiper. — One taken w ith the least sandj)ipers.
Tutauus mehnwleiirus : Greater Yellow-legs. — Rather common fall mi- giant ; one heard in .lune.
lhlinlromtis salitariuK : Stilitary Sandpiper. — A young bii-d taken in August.
liartruiniu lunyicuuda : Bartramian Sandpiper. — Breeds not luieoinnmnly on prairie north of fort.
Actitis iiiacnlaria : Spotfeil .'"sandpiper. — Common summer visitor.
Nnineniiis liinyirostris : Ji(»ng-hine<l Curlew. — Not uncommon on ])rairie.
Squatarola si/iiatarola : Bhuk-bellied Plover. — Four taki'U in .^ejitember on St. Joseph uiai-slies.
Ixvi INTRODUCTION
Charadrius dominicus : Golden Plover. — Usually rare.
/EgiaUtis vocifera : Killdeer. — A few pairs breed on the prairie near the Spokane River.
Uendragapus obscurus richardsonii : Richardson Grouse. — Occasionally found about the fort ; breeds from lake level to top of mountains.
Canachites franklinii : Franklin Grouse. — Common in surrounding- woods.
Bonasa umbellus togata : Canadian Ruffed Grouse. — Exceedingly abun- dant.
Pedioecetes phasiandliis columhianus : Columbian Sharp-tailed Grouse. — Quite common, particularly about ranches on prairie north of fort ; win- ters in pine woods.
Zenaidura macroura : Mourning Dove. — Not common, but generally dis- tributed.
Cathartes aura: Turkey Vulture. — A few seen at intervals during the summer.
Circus hudsonius : Marsh Hawk. — Not uncommon in autumn.
Accipiter velox : Sharp-shinned Hawk. — One taken in May.
Accipiter atricapillus : Goshawk. — Rather common in migrations and winter, and probably breeds.
Buteo swainsoni : Swainson Hawk. — A young bird taken in September.
Archibuteo lagopus sancti-johannis : Rough-legged Hawk, —r Occasionally seen in spring and fall.
Aquila chrysaetos : Golden Eagle. — Occurs sparingly throughout the year.
Haliteetus leucocephalus : Bald Eagle. — A few pairs breed about the lake ; an adult seen in February.
Falco mexicamis : Prairie Falcon. — Rare ; taken in September.
Falco richardsonii : Richardson Merlin. — Taken in August and October.
Falco sparverius deserticola : Desert Sparrow Hawk. — Summer resi- dent.
Pandion haliaetus carolinensis : Fish Hawk. — Frequently seen in summer.
Asio wilsonianus : Long-eared Owl. — A single specimen examined.
Asio accipitrinus : Short-eared Owl. — Often flushed on prairie and' marshes.
Nyctala tengmalmi richardsoni : Richardson Owl. — Three specimens seen.
Nyctala acadica : Saw- whet Owl. — A specimen taken in January. Notes frequently heard in spring.
Megascops asio subsp. ? — Screech owls occasionally heard, doubtless ynac- farlanei. Apparently quite rare.
Bubo virginianus pallescens : Western Horned Owl.
Bubo virginianus saturatus : Dusky Horned Owl. — Both forms of the great horned owl occur commonly.
Ni/ctea nyctea : Snowy Owl. — Irregular winter visitor.
Glaucidium gnoma : Pygmy Owl. — A not uncommon resident.
Coccyzus americanus occidentalis : California Cuckoo. — One seen in July.
Ceryle alcyon : Belted Kingfisher. — Common in summer ; a few winter.
Dryobates villosus kyloscopus : Cabanis Woodpecker. — Abundant in win- ter ; breeds sparingly.
Dryobates pubescens homorus : Batchelder Woodpecker. — Rather uncom- mon resident.
Xenopicus albolarvatus : White-headed Woodpecker. — Rare resident.
Picoides arcticus : Arctic Three-toed Woodpecker. — Fairly common resi- dent.
Sphyrapicus varius nuchalis : Red-naped Sapsucker. — A few pairs breed among the cottonwoods.
INTRODUCTION Ixvii
Sphyrapicus thyroidens : Willi;imson Sapsucker. — Seen near Coeur d'Alene.
Ceophlatus pileatus abieticola : Pileated Woodpecker. — Rather common resident.
Melanerpes torquatus : Lewis Woodpecker. — Summer resident, breeding in cottonwoods and pines.
Colaptes cajer collaris : Ked-shafted Flicker. — Common summer resi- dent.
Chordeiles virginianus : Niglitbawk. — Common summer resident.
Chcetura vauxii : Vaux JSwif t. — Seen in May and July ; some probably breed.
Trochiliis alexandri : Black-chinned Hummingbird. — Fairly common in spring ; a few remain to breed.
Selasphoriis rufus : Rufous Hummingbird. — Conimon spring migrant ; probably breeds-
Stellula calliope : Calliope Hummingbird. — Common summer resident.
Tyrannus tyrannus : Kingbird. — Fairly common summer resident.
Tyrannus verticalis : Arkansas Kingbird. — Rare ; a paii- or two breed near the fort.
Sayornis saya : Say Flycatcher. — Common at Coeur d'Alene.
Contopus boreal'is : Olive-sided Flycatcher. — Breeds sparingly on hill- sides.
Contopus richardsonii : Western Wood Pewee. — Very common in pines and cottonwoods.
Empidonax hammondi : Hammond Flycatcher. — Common summer resi- dent among cottonwoods and willows along the river and near swamps.
Empidonax icrightii : Wright Flycatcher. — A single specimen taken in May.
Otocoris alpestris arcticola : Pallid Horned Lark. — One specimen taken in September.
Otocoris alpestris merrilli : Dusky Horned Lark. — Conmion in spring and summer.
Pica pica hudsonica : Magpie. — Not uncommon in Avinter,
Cyunocitta stelleri anneciens : Black-headed Jay. — Fairly common in spring and fall, a few wintering.
Perisoreus canadensis capitalis : Rocky Mountain Jay. — Rather common resident.
Corvus corax sinuatus : Raven, — Probably resident.
Corvus americanns : Crow. — Common during migrations, a few pairs breeding.
Nurifraga columh'iana: Clarke Nutcracker. — Irregular visitant; abun- dant in good pine cone winters.
Dolichonyx oryzivarus : Bobolink. — Breeds on St. Jose])h River.
Mo!ot/irus aler : Cowbird. — R:ire.
Agelaius /jhonireiis cauriniis : Northwestern Red-wing. — Breeds sjiariiigly about the lake.
Stiirnflld iiiagiKi nfglerta : Western Meadowlark. — Common in summer.
Icttrus bnlliicki : Bullock Oriole. — Bn^eds sparingly in cottonwoods along the river.
Scolerophagns cyii>i(icf'ji/i(diis : Rrcwcr Hlackbiid. — A ffw hn-i-d ahmg the river.
Coccot/iraiistes cespcrdnus iiKinluniis : W«'storn Evening Grosbeak. — ProI)a- bly conimon, but irregular summer visitor.
Carpodacits russini : Ca.ssin Finch. — Abundant sumnu^r resident.
Loxia rurvirostra minor: Crossbill. — Irregular visitor, breeding in hills.
Ixviii INTRODUCTION
Leiicosticte tephrocotis littoralis : Hepburn Leueostiete. — Apparently an irregular fall and winter visitant.
Acanthis linaria : Redpoll. — Winter visitant.
Astragalinus tristis : Goldfinch. — A fairly eonniion summer resident.
Spinus pinus : Pine Siskin. — Resident.
Passerina nivalis : Snowflake. — An irreg-ular winter visitor.
Calcarius lapponicus : Lapland Longspur. — A single specimen taken in November.
Pooeceles yramineus conjinis : Western Vesper Sparrow. — Breeds spar- ingly.
Ammodramus sanduichensis alaudinus : Western Savanna Sparrow. — Com- mon migrant, a few breeding.
Ammodramus leconteii : Leconte Sparrow. — A single specimen taken.
Zonotrichia leucophrys gambelii : Gambel Sparrow. — Fairly common mi- grant. ,
Spizella monticola ochracea : Western Tree Sparrow. — Rare in winter.
Spizella socialis arizome : Western Chipping- Sparrow. — One of the com- monest summer residents.
Junco hyemalis connectens : Intermediate Junco. — Migrant.
Melospiza fasciata merrilli : Merrill Song Sparrow. — Common summer visitor.
Passerella iliaca schistacea : Slate-colored Sparrow. — Rare migrant.
Pipilo macxdatus megalonyx : Spurred ToAvhee. — Generally but sparingly distributed in summer.
Zamelodia melanocephala : Black-headed Grosbeak. — Not uncommon.
Cyanospiza amcena : Lazuli Bunting. — Not common.
Piranga ludoviciana : Louisiana Tanager. — Common in migrations ; a few breed.
Petrochelidon lunifrons : Cliff Swallow. — Common summer visitor.
Hirundo erythrogastra : Barn Swallow. — Occasionally seen near prairie in summer.
Tachycineta hicolor : White-bellied Swallow. — Breeds abundantly in cot- tonwoods.
Biparia riparia : Bank Swallow. — Breeds on Coeur d' Alene River.
AmpeJis garruhis : Bohemian WaxAving. — Irregular winter visitant.
Ampelis cedrorum : Cedar Waxwing. — Common summer resident.
Lanius boreaiis : Northern Shrike. — Common in fall; a few winter.
Vireo olivaceus : Red-eyed Vireo. — Abundant summer visitor.
Vireo gilvus: Warbling Vireo. — Breeds somewhat sparing!}'.
Vireo solitarius cassinii : Cassin Vireo. — Breeds in moderate numbers.
HdminthophUa ruhricapilla gntturalis : Calaveras AVarbler. — Breeds.
Helminthophila celata lutescens : Lutescent W^arbler. — Several taken in May.
Dendroica cestiva : Yellow Warbler. — Abundant summer resident.
Dendroica auduboni : Andubon Warbler. — Summer resident.
Dendroica townsendi : Tom nsend Wai^bler. — Breeds.
Geothlypis iolmiei : Macgillivray Warbler. — Breeds rather commonly.
Geothlypis trichas occidentalis : Western Yellow-throat. — Breeds sparingly.
Icteria virens longicauda : Long-tailed Chat. — Common at Coeur d'Alene.
Wilsonia pusilla pileolata : Pileolated Warbler. — Occasional migrant.
Setophaga ruticilla : Redstart. — Abundant summer visitor.
Anthus ptensilvanicus : Pipit. — Rare in spring-, abundant in fall.
Cinclus mexicaniis : Dipper. — Fairly common.
Galeoscoptes caroUnensis : Catbird. — Common summer visitor.
Salpinctes obsoletus : Rock Wren. — A pair found, evidently nesting.
INTRODUCTION Ixix
Troglodytes aedonparkmanii : Parkmau Wren. — Breeds rather commonly. Olbiorchilus hiemalis pacijicus : Western W^inter Wren. — Kather common
resident. Cistothorus palustris jmludicola : Tule W'ren. — Rare in fall. Certhia faniiliaris montana : Rocky Mountain Creejier. — Abundant in
winter. Sitta carolinensis aculeata : Slender-billed Nuthatch. — Breeds rather
sparingly. Sitta ciinadensis : Red-breasted Nuthatch. — Common winter resident,
breeding less plentifully near the fort. Sitta pygmcea : Pygniy Nuthatch. — Most abundant resident. Parus atricapillus : Chickadee. — A common resident. Parus grimbeli: Mountain Chickadee. — Abundant resident. Parus rufescens : Chestnut-backed Chickadee. — Resident. Hegulus satrapa olivaccns : Western Golden-crowned Kinglet. — Resident Begidus calendula : Ruby-crowned Kinglet. — Summer resident. Myadestes townsendii : Solitaire. — Not uncommon migrant, one pair found
breeding. Hylocichla fuscescens salicicola : AYillow Thrush. — Rather common sum- mer resident among cottouwoods. ITylocichla ustulata ahme : Alma Thrush. — Breeds rather commonly about
the lake and on nu)untain. Merula inigratoria propinqua : Western Robin. — Abundant summer resident. Ixoreus luevius : Varied Thrush. — Migrant. Sialia mexicana hairdi : Chestnut-backed Bluebird. — Abundant summer
resident. Sialia arctica : Mountain Bluebird. — Summer resident.
LIST OF BIRDS OF CHEYENNE AND VICINITY.
By Fkank Bond.
Cheyenne; is located in the midst of the Great Plains resion, a little over 6000 feet above the ocean, with an annual rainfall of thirteen inches. The plains around Cheyenne are drained b}' streams fringed by cottonwoods and willows Avhicli attract the migrants. One of these streams flows through the city, whicli by persistent arboriculture has been made an immense grove of trees, an oasis in the desert. Five small lakes, from within the city limits to a mile and a half bc3'ond, offer resting places to waterfowl of all descrip- tions. Tlie mountain range twenty miles west of the city, acting as a barrier to flight, completes the conditions which give Cheyenne a peculiar and diversifled avifaima. The list covers a radius of about three miles from the eily limits
^Krhmo])horus occidf nta/is : Wcstei-n Grebe. — Rare visitant.
(^olynibits hoUmllii : Ilolhtell Grelx'. — Hare visitant.
Colymhns nigricoUis ralifoniirus : Eared (Jrebe. — Common during inigra-
tioiis. Gavin iiiiher : Loon. — Not common but tolerably regulai' \ i-<iior (hiiini;
migrations.
Ixx INTRODUCTION
Lams argentatus : Heriing- Gull. — Rare visitor,
Larus delawarensis : Ring-billed Gull. — Common during migrations.
Larus Philadelphia : Bonaparte Gull, — Regular but not very common
visitor. Sterna for ster i : Forster Tern. — Rare visitor. Sterna hirundo : Common Tern, — Occasional visitor. Hydrochelidon nigra surinamensis : Black Tern. — Regular visitor. Pelecanus erythrorhynchos : White Pelican, — Occasional visitor. Pelecanus occidentalis : Brown Pelican. — One specimen taken in 1900. Merganser americanus : Merganser. — Not common ; sometimes winters at
springs in Laramie County. Lophodytes cucullatus : Hooded Merganser. — Rare. Anas boschas : Mallard. — Common migrant. Chaulelasmus streperus : Gadwall, — Common, Mareca americana : Baldpate. — Common. Nettion carolinensis : Green-winged Teal. — Common. Querquedula discors : Blue-winged Teal. — Common.
Querquedula cyanoptera : Cinnamon Teal. — Occasional on city reservoirs. Spatida clypeata : Shoveller, — Common, The blue and green winged teal
and the shoveller breed commonly in suitable localities a few miles from
town, Dajila acuta : Pintail. — Common. Aix sponsa : Wood Duck. — Very rare visitor. Aythya americana : Redhead, — Common migrant. Aythya vallisneria : Canvas-back. — Common migrant, but not so common
as the redhead. Aythya marila : Scaup Duck. — Not common. Aythya affinis : Lesser Scaup Duck. — Rare. Aythya collaris : Ring-necked Duck. — Not common. Clangida clangula americana: American Golden-eye. — Rare. Clangula islandica : Barrow Golden-eye. — Rare, Charitonetta albeola : Buffle-head. — Tolerably common. Oidemia americana : Scoter. — Rare.
Erismatura jamaicensis : Ruddy Duck. — Very common migrant. Chen hyperborea : Lesser Snow Goose. — Rare visitor. Anser albifrons gambeli : White-fronted Goose. — Rare visitor. Branta canadensis : Canada Goose, — Not common,
Branta canadensis hutchinsii : Hutchins Goose. — Common for the species. Olor columbianiis : Whistling Swan, — Rare,
Ardea herodias : Great Blue Heron. — Common, for the species. Nycticorax nycticorax noivius : Black-crowned Night Heron. — Not com- mon. Porzana Carolina : Sora. — Tolerably common. Fulica americana : Coot. — Very common. Phalaropus lobatus : Northern Phalarope, — Rare, Steganopus tricolor : Wilson Phalarope. — Tolerably common ; breeds
abundantly on Laramie plains fifty miles west of Cheyenne. Becurvirostra americana : Avocet. — Tolerably common for the species
during migrations. Gallinago delicata : Wilson Snipe. — Not very common. Macrorhamphus scolopaceus : Long-billed Dowitcher, — Rare, Micropalama himantopus : Stilt Sandpiper. — Very rare. Tringa bairdii : Baird Sandpiper. — Very common. Tringa minutilla : Least Sandpiper. — Very common. Limosa fedoa : Marbled Godwit. — Tolerably commoHo
INTRODUCTION Ixxi
Totanus melanoleucus : Greater Yellow-legs. — Rare.
Toianus flavipes : Yellow-legs. — Tolerably coniiuon.
Symphemia semipalmata inornata : Western Willet. — Comnion migrant.
Bartramia lohgicauda : Bartramian Sandpiper. — Not eonimou.
Actitis macularia : Spotted Sandpiper. — Common ; breeds.
Numenius lonyirostris : Ijong-billed Curlew. — Common migrant.
Squatarola squatarola : Black-bellied Plover. — Rare.
Charadrius dominicus : Golden Plover. — Rare.
u^gialitis vocifera : Killdeer. — Common ; breeds.
j^gialitis semipalmata : Semipalmated Plover. — Rare.
j^gialitis meloda circumcincta : Belted Piping- Plover. — Rare.
^^gialitis nivosa : Snowy Plover. — Rare.
jJ^gialitis montana : Mountain Plover. — Common.
Zenaidura macroura : Mourning- Dove. — Common ; breeds.
Cathartes aura : Turkey Vulture. — Rare.
Accipker velox : Sharp-shinned Hawk. — Tolerably common.
Accipiter cooperii : Cooper Hawk. — Not common.
Buteo borealis calurus : Western Red-tail. — Not common.
Buteo swainsoni : Swainson Hawk. — Tolerably common.
Arcliibuteo ferrugineus : Ferruginous Rough-leg'. — Common.
Haliceetus leucocephalus : Bald Eagle. — Rare.
Falco rnexicanus : Prairie Falcon. — (/'ommon.
Falco peregrinus anatum : Duck Hawk. — Rare.
Falco sparverius : Sparrow Hawk. — Common ; breeds.
Pandion haliaetus carolinensis : Osprey. — Not common.
Asio wilsonianus : Long--eared Owl. — Common.
Asio accipitrinus : Short-eared Owl. — Rare.
Nyctala acadica : Saw-whet Owl. — Not common. ^
Nyctea nyctea : Snowy Owl. — Rare.
Speotyto cunirularia hypogaa : Burrowing- Owl. — Common ; breeds.
Ceryle alct^on: Belted Kingfislier. — Tolerably common.
Sphyrapirufi tityroideus : A\'illiamson Sapsucker. — Rare.
Melanerpes erythrocephalus : Red-headed Woodi^ecker. — Tolerably com- mon.
Melanerpes torquatus : Lewis Woodpecker. — Occasional visitor.
Colaptes cafer collaris : Red-shafted Flicker. — The most comnion wood- pecker.
Phahenoptilus nuttalUi : Poor-will. — Not common.
Chordeiles virginiayins henryi : Western Nighthawk. — Common.
Selasjjhorus ptatyterriis : Brojid-tailed Huniniingbird. — Not very common
Selasj)/i(>rus riij'u>:: Kufoiis llumiiiiugbird. — Not very common.
Tyraniius tyrunnus : Kingbird. — ( Oninion ; breeds.
Tyrannus verticalis : Arkansas Kiugl)ird. — Most comnion kingbii-d : breeds.
Tyrannus voriferaus : Cassin Kingbird. — Not common.
Myiarrhus cinerascens : Ash-throated Flycatcher. — l\are.
Cnntopus horf(dis : Olive-sided Flycatcher. — Not common.
Coiitdfjus rir/tardsoiiii : ^V(■st(■ru Wood Pewee. — Tolerably comnutn.
Empidomix Iraillii : Traill Flycatcher. — Bare.
Fmpu/ouax minimus: Least Flycatcher. — Tolerably conuuon. I'irajjira hudsonica : Magpie. — Hare in the city.
Cyanoiitta sttlleri diademata : Long-crested .Jay. — Rare in the city.
Nuri/'raga rulumhiana : Clarke Niitcracker. — Autumnal Hocks of young tolerai)ly common.
Cyani>njt/i(dus rijanonpludus : Pinon.Iay. — Ueguhir :iiituuin visitor, stuue- times wintering-.
Ixxii INTRODUCTION
Dolichonyx oryzivorus : Bobolink. — Occasional summer resident.
Molothrus ater : Cowbird. — Common summer resident.
X anthocejihalus xanthocephalus : Yellow-headed Blackbiixl. — Not com- mon.
Agelaius phieniceiis : Red-wing-ed Blackbird. — Common summer resident.
Sturnella magna neglecta : Western Meadowlark. — Common summer resi- dent.
Icterus hullocki : Bullock Oriole : Tolerably common summer resident.
Scolecophagus cyanocejjhalus : Brewer Blackbird. — Common.
Quiscalus quiscula (eneus : Bronzed Grackle. — Rare.
Coccothraustes vespertinus montanus : Western Evening Grosbeak. — Visit- ant ; does not breed.
Carpodacus mexicanus frontalis : House Finch. — Abundant summer resi- dent ; sometimes also winter resident.
Leucosticte tephrocotis : Gray-crowned Leueosticte. — Frequent winter visitor.
Acanthis linaria : Redpoll. — Occasional winter visitor.
Astragalinus tristis : Goldfinch. — Common summer i-esident.
Astragalinus psaliria : Arkansas Goldfinch. — One taken in Cheyenne.
Spinus pinus : Pine Siskin. — Regular autumn visitor.
Passerina nivalis : Snowflake. — Regular winter visitor, often in very large flocks.
Calcarius ornatus : Chestnut-collared Longspur. — Summer resident ; not common.
Bhynchophanes mccoumii : McCown Longspur. — Abundant summer resi- dent.
Pooecetes graminens con finis : Western Vesper Sparrow. — Common mi- grant ; probably breeds near.
Ammodramus sandwichensis alaudinus : Western Savanna Sparrow. — Com- mon migrant.
Chondestes gramniacus strigatus : Western I^ark Sparrow. — Common mi- grant.
Zonotrichia lencophrys gambelii : Gambel Sparrow. — Common migrant.
Spizella monticola ochracea : Western Tree Sparrow. — Common migrant.
Spizella socialis arizonce : Western Chipping Sparrow. — Tolerably com- mon migrant.
Spizella jmllida : Clay-colored Sparrow. — Common ; probably breeds.
Spizella hreweri : Brewer Sparrow. — Tolerably common.
Junco hyemalis : Slate-colored Junco. — Tolerably common.
Junco hyemalis connectens : Intermediate Junco. — Tolerably common,
Junco mearnsi : Piuk-sided Junco. — Common migrant.
Amphispiza belli nevadensis : Sage Sparrow. — Rare visitor.
Melospiza melodia montana : Mountain Song Sparrow. — Tolerably com- mon migrant.
Melospiza lincolnii : Lincoln Sparrow. — Common migrant.
Oreospiza chlorura : Green-tailed Towhee. — Common migrant.
Zamelodia melanocephala : Black-headed Grosbeak. — Occasional city vis- itor only.
Cyanospiza amxena : Lazuli Bunting. — Summer resident ; not many nest.
Calamospiza melanocorys : Lark Bunting. — Abundant; breeds.
Piranga ludoviciana : Louisiana Tanager. — Common migrant.
Piranga erythromelas : Scarlet Tanager. — Rare visitor.
Progne subis : Purple Martin. — Rare visitor.
Petrochelidon lunifrons : Cliff Swallow. — Common ; l)reeds.
Hirundo erythrogastra : Barn Swallow. — Common ; breeds.
INTRODUCTION Ixxiii
Tachycineta bicolor : White-bellied Swallow. — Not very common.
Hiparia riparia : Bank Swallow. — Tolerabh' common.
Stelgidopteryx serripennis : Kougli-winged Swallow. — Tolerably conmion.
Ampelis garrulus : Bohemian AVaxwing-. — Rare.
Ampelis cedroruvi : Cedar Waxwing-. — Rare.
Lanius borealis : Northern Shrike. — Regular winter visitor.
Lanius ludovicianus excubitorides: White-rumped Shrike. — Common sum- mer resident.
Vireo oUvaceus : Red-eyed Vireo. — Not common.
Vireo gilvus swainsoni : ^ Western Warbling- Vireo. — Common.
Helminthophila celata : Orange-crowned Warl>ler. — Common migrant.
Helininthophila peregrina : Tennessee Warbler. — Rare.
Coinpsot/ilypis americana usnece : Northern Parula Warbler. — Rare.
DendroUa (estiva : Yellow Warbler. — Common summer resident.
Dendroica coronata : Yellow-rumped Warbler. — Common migrant.
Dendroica auduboni : Audubon Warbler. — Common migrant.
Dendroica striata : Black-poll Warbler. — Tolerably common migrant.
Seinrus noveboracensis notabilis : Grinnell Water-Thrush. — Rare visitor.
Geothlypis tolmiei : Macgillivray Warbler. — Common migrant.
Geothlypis trichas occidentalis. — Western Yellow-throat. — Common mi- g-rant.
Setophaga ruticilla : Redstart. — Tolerably common migrant.
Anthxis spragueii : Sprag'ue Pipit. — Common migrant.
Cinclus mexicanus : Dipper. — Rare visitor.
Oroscoptes vtontanus : Sage Thraslier. — Common migrant.
Mimus polyglottos leucopterus : Western Mockingbird. — Regular summer resident ; a few pairs breed.
Galeoscoptes caroliiiensis : Catbird. — Tolerably common migrant.
Toxostoma rufum : Brown Thrasher. — Common; breeds.
Salpinctes obsoletiis: Rock ^^'ren. — Conmion migrant.
Troglodytes ai'don aztecus : Western House Wren. — Tolerably common migrant.
Certhia fa miliar is mnntana : Rocky Mountain Creeper. — Casual visitor.
Sitta carolinensis aculeata : Slender-billed Nuthatch. — Rare visitor.
iSitta canadensis : Red-breasted Nuthatch. — Occasional visitor.
Sitta pygntcea : Pygmy Nuthatch. — Rare visitor.
Parus gatnbeii : Mountain Chickadee. — A flock occasionally visits the city.
JRegtdus calendula : Rul)y-crowned Kinglet. — Tolerably regular spring- migrant.
Myadestes tnwnsendii : Townscnd Solitaire. — Regular migrant : tolerably common.
llylocichhi ustulata sirainsoni : Olive-backed Thrush. — Common migrant.
Mf^rtiia iiiigratoria : Robin. — Tolerably common summer resident.
Merula iiiigratoria jtropinqua : Western Kobin. — Frequently winters.
Sialia sialis : Bluebird. — Occa.sionally seen both in winter and in midsum- mer ; may breed.
Sialia arctica : Mountain liluebird. — .\bundant l)reeder tor species.
' r. ,jilriis of Check-List. (F. M. IJ.)
ixxiv INTRODUCTION
BIRDS OF PINAL, PIMA, AND GILA COUNTIES, ARIZONA.
From W. E. D. Scott, in The Aul\ vol. iii. 383, 421, 1886 ; vol. iv. 16, 196, 1887 ; vol. V. 29, 159, 1888.
The region covered by Mr. Scott's paper extends eighty miles north and forty miles south of Tucson. The Santa Catalina Moun- tains form its backbone, and the Gila, Santa Cruz, and San Pedro rivers flow through it. The region about Tucson is a plain of about 2300 feet altitude, arid and cactus-grown except where it is watered by springs and sporadic streams which support cottonwoods and other trees. The Florence region in the valley of the Gila is similar to that about Tucson. At Riverside the valley is much narrower. Mineral Creek rises at about 5000 feet altitude in the Pinal Moun- tains. The birds of the entire region may be divided into birds of the plains and valleys, birds of the oak belt, and birds of the pine re- gions, though of course the species shift back and forth, the vertical migration being here as important as the north and south migra- tions.
Podilymbus podiceps : Pied-billed Grebe. — Two taken by Mr. Herbert
Brown near Tucson in February. Gavia lumme : Red-throated Loon. — One taken in December near Tucson. Merganser aviericanus : Merganser. — Seen at San Pedro River in Jan- uary. Lojjhodytes cucuUatus : Hooded Merganser. — One taken by Mr. BroAvn
near Tucson in December. Anas boschas : Mallard. — One of the commonest ducks about Tucson in
fall and winter. Chaidelasnius streperns : Gadwall. — One taken by Mr. Brown near Tuc- son. Mareca americana : Baldpate. — Found on San Pedro River in small flocks
in January. Nettion carolinensis : Green-winged Teal. — Abundant about Tucson at
times during the winter (Brown). Querquedula discors : Blue-winged Teal. — A few seen on San Pedro
River; uncommon about Tucson (Brown). Querquedula cyanoptera : Cinnamon Teal. — Common winter visitant about
Tucson (Brown). Spaitda clypeata : Shoveller. — Common about Tucson in winter (Brown). Dajila acuta : Pintail. — Not uncommon on San Pedro River in March. Aythya americana : Redhead. — Common about Tucson in winter (Bjown),
and found in small flocks on San Pedro River in January. Aythya vallisneria : Canvas-back. — A small flock seen on San Pedro in
January. Aythya marila : Scaup Duck. — Rather common on San Pedro River in
winter. Aythya affinis : Lesser Scaup Duck. — A few seen on the San Pedro in
January.
INTRODUCTION Ixxv
Charitonetta albeoia : Buffle-head. — One taken in December near Tucson,
and one on San Pedro in January. Erismatura jamaicensis : Ruddy Duck. — Not uncommon about Tucson at
times. Branta canadensis (subsp. ?): Canada Goose. — Three seen on pond near
the San Pedro in January. Plegadis autumnalis: Glossy Ibis. — Not infrequent about bottom lands
near Tucson (Brown). Plegadis guarauna : White-faced Glossy Ibis. — Common in May near
Tucson. Tantalus loculator : Wood Ibis. — Rather common on (jila and San Pedro
rivers most of the. year. Botaurus lentiginosus : Bittern. — Rare about Tucson (Brown). Ardea herodias : Great Blue Heron. — Rather common resident. Ardea egretta : Egret. — Rather common about Tucson in May. Ardea candidissima : Snowy Heron. — Five seen near Tucson in May. Ardea virescens anthoni/i : Anthony Green Heron. — Rather rare about
Tucson (Brown). Nycticorax ni/cticorax nceviits : Black-crowned Night Heron. — Rather
rare about Tucson (Brown) ; found on the Santa Cruz in May. Ealliis virginianus : Virginia Rail. — One seen on the San Pedro in Jan- uary. Porzana Carolina: Sora. — One taken at Tucson in April (Brown). Gallinula galeata : Florida Gallinule. — Not uncommon about Tucson
(Brown) ; rare on San Pedro in late January. Ftdica americana : Coot. — Common except in summer. Steganopus tricolor : Wilson Phalarope. — Common during migration about
Tucson. Becurvirostra americana : Avocet. — Common at times in fall migration
near Tucson (Brown). Gallinago delicata : Wilson Snijje. — Common in migrations about Tucson.
a few wintering- there and in San Pedro River region. Tringa minntilla : Least Sandpiper. — Common about Tucson in migra- tions (Brown). Tringa alpina pacijica : Red-backed Sandpiper. — Flocks seen in April
near Tucson. Erennetes occidentalis : Western Sandpiper. — Common migrant about
Tucson, Limosa fedoa: Marbled Godwit(?). — A godwit probably of this species
seen in January on San Pedro River. Totanus riulanoleucus : Greater Yellow-legs. — Two taken by Mr. Brown
near Tucson in October. Helodroinas solitarius cinnainomens : Western Solitary Sandpiper. — Not
unconmion about Tucson in migrations. Actitis macularia : Spotted Sandpiper. — Occasional about Tucson in
spring. Ntnuf nius lonf/iro.^tris : Lonu-l)illed Curlew. — Not common in migrations
al>out Tucson (Broun). ^■Ktji(dilis vorifrrii: Killdeer. — Common about Tucson in spring and fall.
bn*eding in small numbers in the San Pedro region. zEglalitis senti/ialmata : Scmipalniated Plover. — Doubtless common about
Tucson in niigratioiis. Colinits ridiiHdi/i : Masked Dob-w liitf. — Found by Mr. Bntwu in the
Barbo([uivari Mount. lins. Callipepla sf/iiainatft : Scab'd P.iit ridge. — Most al)undant on the dry mesjus
of the San Pedro slope ot the Sauta Catalina Mountains.
Ixxvi INTRODUCTION
Lophortyx gambelii : Gambel Partridge. — Common below 5000 feet.
Cyrtonyx montezumce. mearmi : Mearns Massena Partridge. — Common in oak regions of the mountains.
Meleagris gallapavo merriami : Merriam Turkey. — Found on the San Pedro River and in oak and pine regions of the Catalina Mountains.
Coltimba fasciata : Band-tailed Pigeon. — Common in Catalina Moun- tains.
Zenaidura n.acroura: Mourning Dove. — Resident except in pine region.
Melopelia leucoptera : White-winged Dove. — Generally distributed up to o500 feet.
Columhigallina passerina jiallescens : Mexican Ground Dove. — Not uncom- mon about Tucson, Riverside, and Florence.
Scardafella inca : Inca Dove. — Found at Tucson and Florence.
Cathartes aura : Turkey Vulture. — Common at low altitudes throughout the year.
Circus hudsonius : Marsh Hawk. — Recorded from Tucson in fall, winter, and spring.
Accipiter velox : Sharp-shinned Hawk. — Common in fall migration in oak region of Santa Catalina range.
Accipiter cooper ii : Cooper Hawk. — Common resident.
Parabuteo unicinctus harrisi : Harris Hawk. — One taken by Mr. Brown near Tucson.
Buteo borealis calurus : Western Red Tail. — Abundant resident through- out the entire region.
Buteo abbreviatm : Zone-tailed Hawk. — Breeds throughout the region.
Buteo swainsoni : Swainson Hawk. — Common near Tucson in warmer part of year.
Asturina plagiata : Mexican Goshawk. — Not uncommon in spring and summer about Tucson.
Aquila chrysaetos : Golden Eagle. — Common resident above 4000 feet.
Falco niexicanus : Prairie Falcon. — Rather common resident of the plains.
Falco columbarius : Pigeon HaAvk ('?). — A small falcon seen at a distance in the Catalina pine region.
Falco sparverius deserticola : Desert Sparrow Hawk. — Common resident up to 5000 feet. Breeds in woodpecker holes in giant cactus.
Polyborus cheriway : Audubon Caracara. — Rather common about Tucson in warmer part of year ; a few apparently resident.
Pandion haliaetus carolinensis : Osprey. — Not uncommon along large watercourses.
Strix pratincola : Barn Owl. — Three specimens taken near Tucson.
Megascaps trichopsis : Spotted Screech Owl. — Common resident about Tucson : also taken at Riverside and in Catalinas.
Bubo virginianus pallescens : Western Horned Owl. — Common resident.
Speotyto cunicularia hypogcea : Burrowing Owl. — A colony reported from near Benson and another near Florence, but unusual in region.
Glaucidium j^halcenoides : Ferruginous Pygmy Owl. — Not uncommon about Tucson.
Micropallas whitneyi : Elf Owl. — Commonest resident owl up to 5000 feet.
Geococcyx californianus : Road-runner. — Common resident up to 4000 feet.
Coccyzus americanus occidentalis : California Cuckoo. — Rare in June and July on San Pedro slope of Catalinas.
Trogon (sp. ?). — A species of trogon undoubtedly occurs in Catalina Moun- tains. Reported.
INTRODUCTION Ixxvii
Ceryle alcyon : Belted King-fisher. — Resident.
Dryohates villosus kyloscopus : Cabunis Woodpecker. — Resident in pine
forest ; winter visitor to lower altitndes. Dryohates jmbescens homorus ; Eatchelder Woodpecker. — One seen on Gila
River. Dryobaies scalaris bairdi: Texan Woodpecker. — Common below 4000 feet. Dryohates arizonce : Arizona Woodpecker. — Not uncommon in Santa Ritas
and Catalinas. Sphyrapicus varins nnchalis : Red-naped Sapsucker. — Migrant. Sphyrapicus thyroUhus : Williamson Sapsucker. — Found in pines of Cata-
lina Mountains. Melanerpes formicivorus : Ant-eating- Woodpecker. — Common resident of
mountains down to 4(U)() feet. Melanerpes torquatus : Lewis Woodpecker. — Abundant though irregular
migrant in Catalina Mountains at low altitudes. Melanerpes uropygialis : Gila Woodpecker. — Common resident, especially
in giant cactus region, and occurs in numbers up to 4500 feet. Colaptes cafer rollaris : Red-shafted Flicker. — Common throughout the
region, but breeding above OOOO feet Colaptes rhrysoides : Gikled Flicker. — Rather common resident in giant
cactus belt. Antrostotiuis vociferus iiiacromystax : Stephens Whip-poor-will. — A whip- poor-will, undoubtedly of this species, lieard in the Catalinas. Phakcnopl ilus nuttalUi : Poor-will. — An abundant migrant ; breeds in
mountain regions. Chordeiles virginianus henryi : Western Nighthawk. — Seen in Catalinas in
early spring- above 40C0 feet. Chordeiles acutipenms texensis : Texan Nighthawk. — Abundant migrant
below 4r)00 feet. Chi^tura vauxii : Vaux Swift. — Seen between 8000 and 4000 feet in the
Catalinas in October. Aeronautes )iielanolfiirHs : White-throated Swift. — An abundant migrant;
a few proba])ly winter. Trochilus alexandri : Rlack-chinned Hummingbird. — Common summer
resident in Catalina Mountains. Calypte cost(v : Costa Hummingbird. — Conmion in Catalinas. Calypte anna : .\nna Hummingbird. — One seen in Catalina Mountains at
.■)()00 feet in October. Selasphorus j)/atynrrus : Broad-tailed Ilnuimingbird. — Common migrant,
doubtless bn-eding in Catalinas. Selaspliorus rufus : Rufous Ilumniingbird. — Probably breeds at higher
altitudes in Catalinas ; abundant in August and September from 4000
toOOOOfeet. Selasphorus alien i : Allen Hunmiingbird. — One taken in Catalina Moun- tains. Stellnia callioj)r : Calliope llumniingl)ir(l. — Two taken in (\-italinas at
.■■)(M)0 fp«>t. lar/if latirostris : Bro.Kl-l.ilIrd Huniniini^liird. — Summer resident in Cat- alina Mountains. TyrattuHx ffrtindis : .\rkansas Kingbird. — One of the coinincincst sum- mer resident binls of tlie plains, and (Munnion in X\n'\\ up to 0000 feet. TyrnuuHs voriftrans : Cassin Kingbinl. — Found in footliills aluuit Hivcr-
sidc :ind in Catalina Mountains. Myidrc/iiifi i/ie.riraiiits niagistrr : .Arizona Crested Flypatchcr. — Common in
spring and summer al)out Tucson. Florence, Rivei-side. and the Catalinj^s
up to 4r><)0 feet.
Ixxviii INTRODUCTION
Myiarrhus cinerascens : Ash-throated Flycatcher. — Abundant migrant and summer resident.
Myiarchus lawrencei olivascens : Olivaceous Flycatcher. — One taken at 5000 feet in Catalina Mountains ; common in Santa Rita Mountains (Stephens).
Sayornis saya : Say Phcfibe. — Common winter resident, breeding- sparingly in Catalina Mountains.
Sayornis nigricans: Black Phoebe. — Regular resident in valleys about watercourses, and summer resident of mountains.
Contopus borealis : Olive-sided Flycatcher. — Rather common migrant in mountains.
Contopus pertinax j^allidiventris : Coues Flycatcher. — Two recorded from the Catalinas.
Contopus richardsonii : Western Wood Pewee. — Common summer resident in Catalina Mountains.
Empidonax dijficilis : Western Flycatcher. — Found in Catalinas from June till last of October.
Empidonax traillii : Traill Flycatcher. — Two taken in the Catalina Moun- tains.
Empidonax hammondi : Hammond Flycatcher. — Migrant in Catalina Mountains.
Empidonax wrightii : Wright Flycatcher. — Four taken in Catalina Moun- tains, 3500 to 4500 feet.
Pyrocephalus ruhineus mexicanus : Vermilion Flycatcher. — Resident at Tucson and Florence ; a few breeding up to 4500 feet in the Catalinas.
Otocoris alpestris (subsp. ?) : Horned Lark. — Found about Tucson in fall and winter.
Cyanocitta stelleri diademata : Long-crested Jay. — Resident in pines in Catalina Mountains, descending to oak region in winter.
Aphelocoma woodhouseii : Woodhouse Jay. — Common resident at head- waters of Mineral Creek and in foothills of the Catalinas.
Aphelocoma sieberii arizonce : Arizona Jay. — Abundant resident in oak region of Catalinas.
Corvus corax sinuatus : Raven. — Common about Tucson throughout the year.
Corvus cryptoleucus : White-necked Raven. — Common at times about Tucson and other jioints. '
Corvus americanus : Crow. — Large flocks seen in spring and fall on foot- hills of Catalinas.
Cyanocephalus cyanocephalus : Pifion Jay. — Seen in oak belt of Catalinas.
Molothrus ater obscurus : Dwarf Cowbird. — Common at Riverside and not uncommon about Tucson and Florence.
XanthocephaJus xanthocephalus : Yellow-headed Blackbird. — Abundant about Tucson, Florence, and valley of the San Pedro in winter.
Agelaius j^hoeniceus sonoriensis : Sonoran Red-wing. — Common resident.
Sturnella magna hoopesi : Rio Grande Meadowlark. — Resident.
Icterus parisorum : Scott Oriole. — Breeds near water, and on arid plains and mesas from oOOO to 8000 feet.
Icterus cucullatus nelsoni : Ainzona Hooded Oriole. — Common throughout the region, being absent only about four months, ranging in summer up to nearly 6000 feet.
Icterus bxdlocki : Bullock Oriole. — Not uncommon about Tucson and Flor- ence ; rare in the Catalinas.
Scolecophagus cyanocephalus : Brewer Blackbird. — Abundant winter resi- dent below 3000 feet.
INTRODUCTION Ixxix
Coccothraustes vesj)ertinus montanus : Western Evening- Grosbeak. — Seen in pine woods of Catalinas.
Carpodacus ])urpureus califoniicus : California Purple Finch. — Large flocks seen in Catalina Mountains in fall and winter of 1885.
Carpodacus cassini : Cassin Purple Finch. — Seen in Catalinas in winter.
Carpodacus uiexicanHs frontalis : House Finch. — Abundant summer resi- dent ; less common winter resident.
Loxia curvirostra stricklandi : Mexican Crossbill. — Irregularly abundant in Catalinas.
Astragalinus tristis pallid us : Western Goldfinch. — Seen in Catalinas in winter.
AstragaUnus psaltria : Arkansas Goldfinch. — Nomadic and not very com- mon in the Catalinas.
Astragal inus psaltria arizomv : Arizona Goldfinch. — Less common than the Arkansas.
Astragalinus laicrencei : Lawrence Goldfinch. — One taken by Mr. Brown in February.
' Spinus pinus : Pine Siskin. — Common and at times an abundant winter visitor in the Catalinas.
Calcarius ornatus : Chestnut-collared Longspur. — A large flock seen in November on mesa of Catalina foothills.
Pooecetes gramineus conjinis : Western Vesper Sparrow. — Migrant in Cat- alina region.
Ammodranius sandwichensis alaudinus : Western Savanna Sparrow. — Oc- curs rather sparingly about Tucson in fall, winter, and spring (Brown).
Ainmodramus savannarum bimaculatus : Western Grasshopper Sparrow. — Apparently rather an uncommon resident of the mesas of the Catalina foothills.
Chondestes grammacus strigatus : Western Lark Sparrow. — Resident about Tucson and common in .the Catalina region up to ;j(JOO feet in the warmer months.
Zonotrichia leucophrijs : White-crowned Sparrow. — Apparently rare.
Zonotrichia leucophri/s gamhelii : Intermediate Sparrow. — Winter resident.
Spizella socialis arizonw : Western Chipping" sparrow. — In Catalinas ; rare in summer, abundant in fall, winter, and spring.
Spizella pallida : Clay-colored Sparrow. — Seen at Mineral Creek in Octo- ber. November, and March.
Sjjizella utrogularis : Black-chinned Sparrow. — Apparently rare.
Jwico hi/emalis : Slate-colored Junco. — Rare, but of regular occurrence in the Catalina region.
Junro hijevialis connectens : Intermediate Junco. — Common winter resident.
Junco niearnsi : Pink-sided Junco. — Apparently not very common in the Catalinas.
Junco caniceps : Gray-headed Junco. — Common in winter in foothill n'gion of the Catalinas.
Junco jjliiionotiis palliatus : Arizona Junco. — Found in Catalinas and Pinal mountiiiiis in pine woods in fall and winter.
Junco }>h(f<)notus dorsaiis : Ited-bacUcd Junco. — Three specinifus taken in the Catalinas.
Anijtliis/iizd bilineata dtserticola : Desert Sparrow. — Coninion resident of the foothill ri'gion of the Catalinas. and abundant al»out 'i'licson.
Aiiiphis/)iz(i In Hi n( radcnsis : Sage Sparrow. — One seen in Catalina Moun- tains ; not coninion at Tucson. A number seen on low mesa near the S;in Pedro in November.
Ainitijihila r<irj)alis : Rufous-winged Sparrow. — Common in Cat.ilina foot- hills in migrations. oOOD to 4'*(H) feet.
Ixxx INTRODUCTION
Aimophila rujiceps scottii : Scott Sparrow. — Resident in the Catalinas
down to oOOl J feet in winter. Melospiza melodia fallax : Desert Song' Sparrow. — Apparently resident
about Tucson. Melospiza melodia montana : Mountain Song Sparrow. — Not uncommon on
San Pedro River in January ; irregular winter visitor about Tucson. Melospiza lincolnii : Lincoln Sparrow. — Regular migrant in the Catalina
Mountains ; a few probably winter. Pipilo maculatus megalonyx : Spurred ToAvhee. — Common resident of the
Catalinas, breeding' above 5000 feet. Pipilo fuscus mesoleucus : Canyon Towhee. — Common resident throughout
the entire region, ranging up to pine forests in warmer months. Pipilo aberti : Abert Towhee. — Resident about Tucson and Florence. Oreospiza chlorura : Green-tailed Towhee. — Common migrant in the
Catalinas, a few wintering. Cardinalis cardinalis superbus : Arizona Cardinal. — Generally distributed,
ranging- up to about 5000 feet. Pyrrhuloxia sinuata : Arizona Pyrrhuloxia. — Rare or casual in foothills of
the Catalinas. Rather common about Tucson. Zamelodia melanocephala : Black-headed Grosbeak. — Found breeding at
5000 feet at Mineral Creek ; found also in Catalina Mountains. Guiraca ccerulea lazula : Western Blue Grosbeak. — Rather rare about
Tucson in spring (Brown). Cyanospiza amcena : Lazuli Bunting. — Found at Mineral Creek and in
Catalinas ; breeds, but not commonly, about Tucson. Spiza americana : Dickcissel. — One taken near Tucson in September by
Mr. Brown. Calamospiza melanocorys : Lark Bunting. — Seen nearly throughout the
year, sometimes in enormous flocks. Piranga ludoviciana : Louisiana Tanager. — Summer resident in pine
forests of the mountains. Piranga hepatica : Hepatic Tanager. — Summer resident in the oak regions. Piranga rubra cooperi : Cooper Tanager. — Common sunnner resident about
Tucson, Riverside. Florence, Mineral Creek, and the San Pedro Valley.
A few breed in the Catalinas. Progne subis hesperia : Western Martin. — Rather uncommon about Tucson. Petrochelidon lunifrons : Eave Swallow. — Seen in numbers about Riverside
in April. Hirundo erythrogastra : Barn Swallow. — Common migrant. Breeds spar- ingly in the Catalinas at 5000 feet. Tachycineta bicolor : Tree Swallow. — Rare about Tucson (Brown). Tacky cineta thalassina lepida : Violet-green Swallow. — Commonest swal- low of the Catalinas. Riparia riparia : Bank Swallow. — Breeds about Fort Lowell (Brown). Stelgidopteryx serripennis : Rough-winged Swallow. — Rather rare about
Tucson (Brown). Ampelis cedrorum : Cedar Waxwing. — Taken near Tucson in May and
June. Phainopepla nitens : Phainopepla. — Summer resident to about 5000 feet.
Winters in small numbers from Tucson soutliAvard. Lanius ludovicianus excubitorides : White-rumped Shrike. — Resident to
about 5500 feet. Vii'eo gilvus : Warbling Vireo. — Common migrant. A few breed in the
Catalinas as low as 3500 feet. Vireo solitarius cassinii : Cassin Vireo. — Rather unpommon migrant in
the Catalinas.
INTRODUCTION Ixxxi
Vireo solitarius plumbeus : Plumbeous Vireo. — Undoubtedly breeds in the
mountains above TUOU feet. Vireo huttoni stephensi : ^Stephens Vireo. — Four specimens taken in the
mountains. Vireo pusillus : Least Vireo. — Common summer resident up to 4000 feet. Vireo vicinior : Gray Vireo. — Fairly abundant on Catalina foothills from
2S00 to 4000 feet". Ilelininthophila luciie: Lucy Warbler. — A common mi<;raut and summer
resident in suitable places up to 4000 feet. Hdminthophila virginice : Virginia Warbler. — Doubtless breeds in the
Catalinas above 4000 feet. Jlel minthophila ruhricapilla gittturalis : Calaveras 'Warbler. — Migrant in
the Catalinas at 4000 feet." Ilel minthophila cdata lutescens : Lutescent Warbler. — Rather common
spring and fall migrant in the Catalinas at 4000 feet and probably breeds
in the pine forests of the higher altitudes. Dendroica olivacea : Olive Warbler. — Seen in the Catalinas at about
10.000 feet in November, in company with bluebirds. Dendroica lestiva sonorana : Sonora Yellow Warbler. — Rather common,
breeding- in the Catalinas up to 4500 feet. Dendroica coronata : Yellow-rumped Warbler. — Xot nearly so common as
I), auduhoni. but of regular occurrence as a migrant. Dendroica auduboni : Audubon AVarbler. — A common migrant; a few
probably breed in the pine forests. They winter in small numbers in
the river valleys. Dendroica gracite : Grace Warbler. — Seen in pine forests of Catalinas in
sjjring'. Dendroica nigrescens : Black-throated Gray Warbler. — Quite common
migrant in the Catalinas. breeding rarely above 4.")00 feet. Dendroica toicnsendi : Townsend Warbler. — Found migrating- in the Pinal
and Catalina ranges. Dendroica occidentalis : Hermit Warbler. — Found once in Catalinas at
:;rjOOfeet. Seiurus noveboracensis notabiiis : Grinnell Water Thrush. — Two birds
})robably of this subspecies taken at 8500 feet in the Catalinas, in Sep- tember. Geothlypis tolmiei : Macgillivray Warbler. — Rather a common mig;rant, a
few probably breeding- in the Catalinas. fieothlf/pis trichas occidentalis : Western Yellow-throat. — A rather com- mon migrant; breeds about Tucson. Icteria virens longicauda : Long-tailed Chat. — Common migrant ;uid sum-
njer resident in suita])le localities up to 4000 feet. Wilsonia pusilla pileolata : Pileolated Warbler. — Rather common mi- grant. Setophaga ruticilla : Redstart. — One taken near Tucson by Mr. Drown.
and one in Catalina Mountains. Setojdtaga j)ict(t : Painted Redstart. — Snmmer resident in the Catalinas.
Ijreeding as low as 5000 f,.,.t in th.- oak belt. Cardi'llina rubrifrons : Red-faced Warbler. — Common in the pine forests
of the Catalinas in April. . Inthits /)ensilranirus : Pipit, — Not uncommon as a migrant throug-liout the
region. Orosrn/ttis moiitunns : Sage Thrasher. — Common fall migrant in I'in.il
Mountains; common migrant and winter resident of Catalina foolliills ii|>
to :}50() feet.
Ixxxii INTRODUCTION
Miinus polyglottos leucopterus : Western Mockingbird. — Common resident
throughout the region up to 5000 feet. Toxostoma hendirei : Bendire Thrasher. — Resident on the plains from
Tucson southward, and quite common about Florence in the warmer
months. Breeds in Catalinas below 4000 feet. Toxostoma curvirostre palmeri: Palmer Thrasher. — Common resident in
cholla cactus region. Tuxosto/iia crissalis : Crissal Thrasher. — Apparently resident throughout
the region. Ileleodytes brunneicapillus : Cactus Wren. — Common resident throughout
the region below 4000 feet. Salpinctes obsoletus : Rock Wren. — More or less abundant in the counties
considered. Catherpes mexicanus conspersus : Canyon Wren. — Resident in mountain
canyons up to 5(100 feet. Thryomanes bewickii leucogaster : Baird Wren. — Resident in the Catalinas
and Pinal Mountains up to about 6000 feet. Troglodytes a'edon aztecus : Western House Wren. — Breeds in pine re- gions. Cistothorus palustris plesius : Western Marsh Wren. — One taken by Mr.
Brown near Tucson. Certhia familiaris albescens : Mexican Creeper. — One taken in pine forests
of Catalinas in April. Sitta carolinensls aculeata : Slender-billed Nuthatch. — Common resident in
pine woods and higher altitudes. Sitta canadensis : Red-breasted Nuthatch. — One taken at 4500 feet in the
Catalinas. Sitta pygnuea : Pygmy Nuthatch. — Found in pine forests of Pinal and
Catalina Mountains. Parus wollweberi : Bridled Titmouse. — Rather common resident of the
oak region in the Pinal and Catalina Mountains. Psaltriparus phwibeus : Lead-colored Bush-Tit. — Resident in the Cata- linas up to about 7500 feet. Auriparus flaviceps : Verdin. — Resident throughout the entire region up
to 4001) feet. Regulus calendula : Ruby-crowned Kinglet. — Common migrant and
winter resident in the oak belt. Polioptila cmrnlea obscura : Western Gnatcatcher. — Breeds commonly in
the Catalinas, but winters on the plains and mesas. Polioptila plumbea : Plumbeous Gnatcatcher. — Common resident about
Tucson and in valley of San Pedro. Myadestes townsendii : Townsend Solitaire. — Found in the mountains. Hylocichla Juscescens salicicola : Willow Thrush. — One taken by Mr. Brown
at Tucson. Hylocichla guttata : Alaska Hermit Thrush. — Winter visitant. Hylocichla guttata auduboni : Audubon Hermit Thrush. — Three speci- mens taken. Merula migratoria propinqua : Western Robin. — Common winter resident,
3500 to 0000 feet. Sialia mexicana occidentalis : Western Bluebird. — Winter resident of the
foothills ; also breeds in small numbers in the Catalinas. Sialia arctica : Mountain Bluebird. — Irregular fall and winter visitant of
the foothills.
INTRODUCTION Ixxxiii
BOOKS OF refp:rence.
GENERAL WORKS.
American Oknithologists' Union. Check-List of North American
Birds. Second Edition (18U5). Audubon, John Jamks. Birds of America. — Ornitholog-ical Bioofraphy. Baird, Spencer F. Review of American Birds. Smithsonian Mis. Col.
18(34-1800 ; U. S. and Mexican Boundary Survey, vol. ii. part ii. 1809. Baird, S. F., Cassin, J., and Lawrence, G. N. Pacific R. R. Reports,
vol. ix.. Birds, 18-"J8. Baird, S. ^., Brewer. T. M., and Ridgway, R. History of North
American Birds. Little, Brown & Co., Boston, o vols.. Land Birds,
1874 ; 2 vols., Water Birds, 1884. Beddard, F. E. Study and Classification of Birds. Longmans, Green &
Co., New York, 1898. Bendire. Charles E. Life Histories of North American Birds. Smith- sonian Institution. 2 vols. 189:i. 189'>. (Land birds through Icteridae.) Cassin, J. Illustrations of tlie Birds of Texas, California, etc., 1858, 1855,
185G. Cooper, J. G., and Suckley, G. Pacific R. R. Report, vol. xii. No. ii.
1860. CouES, Elliott. Bibliography of Ornithology, Part i.. Faunal Papers,
Appendix to Birds of Colorado Valley. 5(36-784, 1878; Parts ii. and
iii.. Systematic Papers. Bull. Geol. and Geog. Surv. Terr., Hayden, vol.
V. Nos. 2 and 4, 1879; Part iv., Faunal Papers on British Birds. Proc.
U. S. Nat. Mus. vol. ii. for 1879. — Birds of the Colorado Valley, U. S.
Geol. Surv. Terr. 1878. — Birds of the Northwest. U. S. Geol. Surv.
Terr. 1874. — Key to North American Birds, 2d ed. 1884. Evans, A. H. Cambridge Nat. Hist., vol. ix., Birds, Macmillan Co.,
New York, 1899. Fisher, A. K. Rept. Orn. Death Valley Exped., N. A. Fauna No. 7,
189o. U. S. Dept. Agr. Heer>la.n, a. L. Pacific R. R. Rept., vol. x. part iv. Nos. i. and ii., Birds,
1859. Henshaw, H. W. Rept. Orn. Spec, Wheeler's Surv. for the Years 1871,
1872, and 187o. — Exp. West Hundredth Meridian, vol. v. chap. iii. Zo- ology, 1S75. Kennekly, C. B. R. Pacific R. R. Rept, vol. x. No. 8, Birds, 19, 1859. Merriam, C. H. Mammals and Birds. 0th Ann. Rept. U. S. Geol. Surv.
Terr. 1872. Nelson, E. W. Rept. Nat. Hist. Coll. Alaska Arct. Ser., No. iii. j)art i..
Birds, 1877. Newton, Alfred. Dictionary of Birds. Macmillan Co.. New York. 4
vols., 189:;- 1890. Ridgway. Robert. Birds of North and Middle America. Bull. No. 50,
U. S. Nat. Mus. 1901. 1902. — Hummingbirds, Ann. Rept. U.S. Nat.
Mus. 1S90, sec. iii. 25;>. — Nomenclature of Colors, Little, Brown tfc
Co., Bo.ston, 1S<)0. — Manual of North American Birds. J. B. Lippin-
cott Co., Philad.'li)hia, 2d ed. 1S9('). — Ornithology of Survey of 4<ith
Parallel, U. S. (J.ol. Kxi.l.. jK.rt iii. IS77. StkjneoeR, L., and Ol litis. Kiverside Natural History, vol. iv.. Birds.
(1885.) Houghton. Mittlin A: Co., Boston.
Ixxxiv INTRODUCTION
TowNSEND, C. H. Notes on Birds of Kowak River, and other portions of
Alaska, Cruise of the Corwin, 1885. Turner, L. M. Coutr. to Nat. Hist. Alaska, Arctic Ser. No. ii. 188G. WooDHOUSE, k5. W. Rept. Sitgreaves Exped. Zuni and Colorado Rivers,
1853.
PERIODICALS.
Amehican Field. American Field Publishing- Company, 801 Masonic
Temple, Chicago. Auk, The. Camhi'idge, Mass.
Bird-Lore. The Macmillan Company, Harrisburg'. Pa. Bulletin of the Cooper Ornithological Club. (See Condor.) Bulletin of the Nuttall Ornithological Club, Cambridge, Mass.,
18T<5-1883. Condor, The. Santa Clara, California (vol. i. published as Bull. Cooper
Orn. Club). Forest and Stream. 343 Broadway. New York. NiDOLOGiST, The. Alameda, California, 18U3-1896. Ornithologist and Oologist. Hyde Park, Mass., 1881-1892. Ospref, The. The Osprey Company, Washington, D. C. Proceedings California Academy of Sciences. Cal. Acad. Sci., San
Francisco. California. Recreation. 23 West 24th Street, New York. ZoE. San Diego, California, 1st ser. 1890-1894.
STATE LISTS.
Arizona. — Coues, Elliott. Birds of Fort Whipple, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. xviii. 1865, 1866 ; Birds of Colorado Valley, U. S. Geol. Surv. Terr. 1878. — Henshaw, H, W. Annotated List of Birds of Arizona, Expl. and Surv. West 100th Meridian, 1875. — Mearns, E. A. Avi- fauna of Portions of Arizona, Auk, vii. 45, 251, 1S90. — Merriam, C. H., San Francisco Mountain Region and Desert of Little Colorado, N. Am. Fauna, No. 3, Biol. Surv. U. S. Dept. Agr. — Scott, W. E. D. Notes from Mountains of Southern Arizona, Auk, ii. 348, 1885. Avi- fauna of Pinal County, with Remarks on Birds of Pima and Gila Coun- ties, Auk, iii. 240, 383, 421 ; iv. 16, 196 : v. 29, 159.
British Columbia. — Chapman, F. M. Collection of Birds of British Columbia, by C. P. Streator, Am. Miis. Nat. Hist. vol. 3, No. i. 1890.— Fannin, John. Check-List of British Columbia Birds, Provincial Mu- seum, 1898. — Osgood, W. H. Natural History of Queen Charlotte Islands, N. Am. Fauna, No. 21, Biol. Surv. U. S. Dept. Agr.
Canada. — Macoun, John. Catalogue of Canadian Birds, Geol. Surv. Canada, 1900.
California. — General. Bedding, Lyman. Land Birds of the Pacific District, Cal. Acad. Sci., San Francisco, 1890. — Cooper, J. G. Orni- thology of California, Geol. Surv. Calif. 1870. — Grinnell, Joseph. Check-List of California Birds, Pacific Coast Avifauna, No. iii. 1902. — LooMis, L. M. California Water Birds. Proc. Cal. Acad. Sci. Ser. 2 and 3, 1895, 1896, 1900. — Local. Barlow, C, and Price. W. W. List of Birds, Placerville to Lake Tahoe, Condor, iii. 150, 1901. — Blake, E. W. Summer Birds of Santa Cruz Island, Auk, iv. 328, 1887. — Bryant, Walter. Birds and Eggs from the Farallon Islands, Proc. Cal. Acad. 2d Ser. i. 1888. — Cooper, J. G. Additions to Birds of Ventura County, Auk, iv. 85, 1887 ; Californian Garden Birds, Am. Nat, x. No. 2, 90,
INTRODUCTION Ixxxv
1876. — EvERMANN, B. W. Birds of Veutura County. Auk, iii. 8tJ, 179, 1886. — Grixnell, Joseph. Birds of Pacific JSlope of Los Angeles County, Piisadena Acad. iSci. No. ii. 1898. — Keeler, Chas. A. Bird Notes Afield. Elder & ►'Shepard, ISan Francisco, 1889. — McGregor. R. C. Land Birds of Santa Cruz County, Pac. Coast Avifauna, No. 2. 1901. — Merriam, C. H. Biological Survey of Mount Shasta, N. Am. Fauna, No. 16, Biol. Surv. U. S. Dept. Agr. — Oberholser, H. C. Birds from Santa Barbara Islands, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus. vol. xxii. No. 119.J, 'lOb, 1900. — Taylor, H. R., and Barlow. C. Story of the Farallones, Alameda, Cal., 1897. — Townsend. C. H. Field Notes on Mammals, Birds, and Reptiles of Northern California, Birds, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus. X. 190, 1887. — Van Denbdrgh, John. Birds Observed in Cen- tral California in 189:1, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. 1898 : Birds of Santa Clara County, Proc. Am. Philos. Soc. vol. xxxviii. 157, 1899.
Colorado. — Cooke, W. W. Birds of Colorado, State Agr. Coll. Bull.. 87, 1897 ; 44, 1898 ; oG, 1900. — Drew, F. M. Vertical Range of Birds in Colorado, Auk, ii. 11, 188.*).
Hudson Bay. — Preble, Edward A. Biolog'ical Investigations of Hudson Bay Region, N. Am. Fauna, No. 22, U. S. Dept. Agr. 1902.
Idaho. — Merriam, C. H. Biological Reconnoissance of South Central Idaho, N. Am. Fauna, No. 5, U. S. Dept. Ag'r. — Merrill, J. C. Notes on Birds of Fort Sherman. Auk, xiv. o47, 1897 ; xv. 14, 1898. ^
Kansas. — Goss, N. S. Birds of Kansas, Crane & Co., Topeka, Kan.. 1891.
LoAver California. — Belding, Lyman. Catalogue Coll. Bmls from Western Coast and Cape Regions of Lower California, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus. vol. V. .527. 1882. — Brewster, William. Birds of Cape Region, Lower California, Bull. Mus. Comp. Zoiil. xli. 1, Sept. 1902. — Bryant, Walter. Catalogue of Birds of Lower California, Mexico, Proc. Cal. Acad. Sci. 1889.
Manitoba. — Thompson, E. E. Birds of Manitoba, Proc. U. S. Nat- Mus. vol. xiii. 458. 1890.
Montana. — Cooper, J. G. Fauna of Montana, Am. Nat. ii. and iii. ISO'.*. — Richmond, Charles W., and Knowlton, F. H. Birds of South Central Montana, Auk, xi. 298. 1894. — Silloway, P. M. Sum- mer Birds of Flatliead Lake, University Montana, Bull. No. o. Biol. Ser. i. 1901. — Thorne, P. M. Birds of Fort Keogh, Auk, xii. 211, 189.5.
Nebraska. — Bruner, Lawrence. Notes on Nebraska Birds, Neb. State Ilorticult. Soc. 1896. — Walcott, R. II. Corrections to Bruner, Proc. Neb. Orn. l^nion.
Nevada. — Fisher, A. K. Ornithology of Death Valley Exp., from N. Am. Fauna, No. 7, 1S98, U. S. Dept. Agr. — Hoffman, W. J. Birds of Nevada, Bull. Geol. and Geog". Surv. vol. vi. No. 2, Hayden Surv. ISSI.
New Mexico. — Anthony, A. W. Birds of Southwestern New Mex- ico, Auk. ix. :l.')7, 1S92. — Henry, T. C. Catalogue of Birds of New Mexico. Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. xi. 104, 18.")9 ; Notes on Birds of New Mexico, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. vii. :J06. IS.").'). — Henshaw, H. W. Birds of Upi)er P«-ct>s Kiver. Auk, ii. :;2<>, 1S85 ; iii. 7;I, 1886. Mitchell, W. 1. Birds of San Miguel C..unty, Auk, xv. :;0(), 1S98.
Oregon. — Anthony, A. W., lHr<is of W.ishington County, Auk. iii. 161, ISSO. — Beluing, Lyman. Birds of Pacific Co.ist, California Acad. Sci., San Francisco, ISOO. — Bkndire, Charles E. Notes on Birds of Soullu'justern Orep^on. Proc. Bost. Soc. Nat. Hist. xix. 1877, 109. — Mkkkill. J. ('. Birds ..f Fort Klamath, Auk, v. i:'.9, 2.'>1, :r)7. 188S. — TowNSEND, J. K. Catalogue Birds of Oregon, Narrative Journ. aci-oss
Ixxxvi INTRODUCTION
Rocky Mts., Appendix, Perkins & Marvin, Boston, 1839. — Woodcock, A. R. Annotated List of Birds of Oregon, Ore. Agr. Exper. Station, Bull. No. 68, 1902, Corvallis, Ore.
South Dakota. — Grinnell. G. B. Ludlow's Rept. Reconn. Black Hills, Zool. Rept. chap, ii.. Birds, 1875. — McChesney, C. E. Birds of Cotean des Prairies of Eastern Dakota, Forest and Stream, vol. viii. 176, 192, 224, 214, 261.
Texas. — Attwater, H. P. Birds of San Antonio, Auk, ix. 337, 1892. — Brown, N. C. Second Season in Texas, Auk, i. 120, 1884. — Chapman, F. M. Birds of Corpus Christi, Bull. Am, Mus. Nat. Hist. iii. No. 2, art. xxii. 315. — Lloyd, W. Birds of Tom Green and Concho Counties. Auk, iv. 181, 289, 1887. — Merrill, J. C. Notes on Texan Birds, Bull. Nutt. Ornith. Club, i. No. iv. 88, 1876. — Sennett, G. B. Notes on Orni- thology of Lower Rio Grande, Bull. U. S. Geol. Surv. Terr. iv. No. i. 1, 1878; V. No. 3, 371, 1879.
Utah. — Henshaw, H. W. Annotated List of Birds of Utah, Ann. Lye. Nat. Hist. N. Y. xi. 1874, 1 ; Notes on the Bird Fauna of the Salt Lake Valley, Bull. Essex Inst. v. No. ii. xi. 168, 1873.
Washington. — Cooper, J. C. and Sdckley, G. Birds of 47th and 49th Parallels, Pacific R. R. Rept. vol. xii. book ii. part iii. No. 3, 1860.
— Dawson, W. L. Birds of Okonogan County, Auk, xiv. 168, 1897 ; Birds of Yakima County, Wilson, Bull. New Ser. vol. ix. No. 2, No. 39, 1902. — KoBBE, W. H. ^ Birds of Cape Disappointment, Auk, xvii. 349,
1900. — Lawrence, R.H. Birds of Grav's Harbor, Auk, ix. 39, 352, 1892. — Rathbun, S. F. Birds of Seattle, Auk, xix. 131, 1902. — Rhoads, S. N. Notes on Washington and British Columbia Birds, Auk, X. 16, 1893.
Wyoming. — Cary, Merritt. Birds of Black Hills, Auk, xviii. 231,
1901. — Knight, Wilbur C. Birds of Wyoming, University of Wyo- ming, Laramie. In press.
SPECIAL SUBJECTS AND POPULAR WORKS.
SPECIAL SUBJECTS.
Bird Protection.
A. 0. U. Committee on Bird Protection. Annual Repts., Auk, xiv. 21, 1897; XV. 81, 1898; xvi. 55, 1899; xvii. 51, 1900; xviii. 68, 1901 ; xix. 31, 1902. — Game Laws in Brief, Forest and Stream Publishing Co. (Quarterly), New York. — Palmer, T. S., and Oldys, H. W. Digest of Game Laws, 1901, Bull. 16, Biol. Surv. U. S. Dept. Agr. Game Laws for 1902, Farmer's Bull. No. 160, U. S. Dept. Agr. — Palmer, T. S. Legislation for the Protection of Birds other than Game Birds, Bull. No. 12, Biol. Surv., revised ed. 1902. — Lange, D. Our Native Birds, How to Protect them and Attract them to our Homes, The Macmillan Company, New York, 1899. — Masefield, J. R. B. Wild ^Bird Pro- tection and Nesting Boxes, Taylor Bros., Leeds, England, 1897. — Bird- Lore, Audubon Department, The Macmillan Company, Harrisburg, Pcnn.
— Babcock. C. a. Bird Day ; How to Prepare for It, Silver, Burdett & Co., New York and Boston, 1901.
Food of Birds.
Publications of Biological Survey, U. S. Department of Agriculture. — Beal, F. E. L. Food of Woodpeckers, Bull. No. 7, 1895. — Food of Bobo- link, Blackbirds, and Crackles, Bull. No. 13, 1900 ; Some Common
INTRODUCTION Ixxxvii
Birds in their Relation to Agriciilture, Farmer's Bulletin, No. 54, 1897 ; Crow Blackbirds and their Food, Yearbook for 1894 ; The Meadowlark and Baltimore Oriole, Yearbook for 189") ; The Blue Jay and its Food, Yearbook for 1890 ; Birds that Injure Grain, Yearbook for 1897 ; How Birds Affect the Orchard, Yearbook for 1900 ; The Food of Cuckoos, Bull. No. 9, 1898; The Food of Nestling- Birds, Yearbook for 1900.
— FiSHBK, A. K. Hawks and Owls from the Standpoint of the Farmer, Yearbook for 1894 ; Two Vanishing- Game Birds, Woodcock and Wood Duck, Yearbook for 1901. — Judd. S. D. Four Common Birds of the Farm and Garden, Yearbook for 189.J ; The Food of IShrikes, Bull, No. 9, 1898; The Relation of Sparrows to Agriculture. Bull. No. 15, lUOl.
— Merriam. C. H., and Barrows, W. B. The English Sparrow in America, Bull. No. 1, 1889. — Palmer, T. S. A Review of Economic Ornithology in the United States, Yearbook for 1899.
Migration.
Baird, S. F. Distribution and Migration N. Am, Birds, Am. Journ. Sei. Arts, vol. xli., Jan. 18u6. — Belding, Lyman. Land Birds of Pacific Coast District. Cal. Acad. Sci., San Francisco, 1890. — Brewster, Wil- liam. Bird Migration Memoirs Nutt. Orn. Club, Cambridge, Mass., 188(5,
— Chapman, F, M. Remarks on Origin of Migration. Auk, xi. 12. 1894.
— Cooke, W.W. Bird Migration in the Mississippi Valley, Div. Econ. Orn. Bull. No. 2, U. S. Dept. Agr. — Gatke, H. Heligoland, David Doug- las, Edinburgh, 1895. — LoOMis, L. M. Water Birds of California, Proc. Cal. Acad. Sci., San Francisco. — Stone, Witmer. Bird Waves and their Grapliic Representation, Auk, viii. 194, 1891 ; Graphic Representa- tion of Bii-d Migration, Auk. vi. 189, 1889. See, also, sections on Migra- tion in Chapman's Bird-Life and Newton's Dictionary of Birds.
Moult and Protective Coloration.
Chadbourne, A. P. Individual Dichromatism in Megascops asio. Auk, xiii. ;>21, 1896 ; xiv. o3, 1897. — Clarke, H. L. Pterylography of the Ca- primulgidte. Auk, xviii, 107, 1901. — DwiGHT, Jonathan, Jr. Moult of Quails and Grouse, Auk, xvii. 14;j, 1900 ; Plumage Cycles and lielation between Plumages and Moults, Auk, xix. 248, 1902 ; Sequence of Moults and Plumages of Larida;, Auk, xviii. 49, 1901 ; Sequences of Plumages and Moulr.s of Passerine Birds. Annals New York Acad. Sci. vol. xiii. 77, ISOO. — Stone, Witmer. Moulting of Birds, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. 189(), 108; Moult and Alleged Color Change in Birds, Ibis. Apr. 1901, 177 ; Summer Moulting- of Plumage of Certain Ducks. Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. 1899. 4«'»7. See, ahso, Newton's Dictiouai-y, Moult, and Chapman's Bird-Life, chap, iii., Colors of Birds.
Nests and Eggs.
Bkndire, Charles E. Life Histories of North American Birds, 2 vols. Sniitli. In.st. 1S02, 1895. — Davie, Olivek. Nests and Eggs of North American Birds, 5th ed. Landon Press, Columbus, Ohio, 1898. See, also, the Condor, Osprey, and Nidologist.
Songs.
BiCKNKLL, E. P. A Studv of the Singing of our Birds, Auk. i. ()0, 12<'>, 209, :522. 1884; ii. 144,"24'.», 18S5. — Cheney. S. P. Wood Notes Wild. Lee & Sliepard, Boston, 1892. — Oluys, II. W. Parallel Growth of Birtl
Ixxxviii INTRODUCTION
and Human Music, Harper's Monthly, August, 1902, vol. ev. No. dexxvii. 474. — WiTCHELL, Charles A. Evolution of Bird-Song-, Adam & Charles Black, London, 1896.
POPULAR BIRD BOOKS.
Baskett, J. N. The Story of the Birds, D. Appleton & Co., New York, 1897. — BuKKOUGHS, John. Wake-Robin ; Fresh Fields ; Birds and Poets ; Locusts and Wild Honey ; Pepacton ; Winter Sunshine ; Signs and Seasons; Riverby, Houghton, Mifflin & Co., Boston. — Chapman, Frank M. Bird Life (popular colored ed.), 1902 ; Bird Studies with a Camera, 1900 ; Handbook of Birds of Eastern North America, 1902, D. Appleton & Co, New York. — Eckstobm, Fannie Hardy. The Bird Book, D. C. Heath & Co., Boston, 1901; The Woodpeckers, Houghton, Mifflin & Co., Boston, 1901. — Elliot, D. G. Shore Birds, 1895; Game Birds, 1897 ; Wild Fowl, 1898, Francis P. Harper, New York. — Herkick, Francis H. Home Life of Wild Birds, G. P. Putnam & Sons, New York, 1901. — Job, Herbert K. Among- the Water-Fowl, Doubleday, Pag-e & Co., New York, 1902. — Keeler, Charles A. Bird Notes Afield, Elder & Shepard, San Francisco, 1889. — Keyser. Leander S. Birds of the Rockies, A. C. McClurg- & Co., Chicago, 1902. — Lord, W. R. Birds of Oregon and Washington, J. K. Gill Company, Portland, Oregon, revised edition, 1902. — Merriam, F. a. A-Birding on a Bronco, Houghton, jy^ifflin & Co., Boston, 1896. — Miller, Olive Thorne. Bird-Ways; In Nesting- Time ; Little Brothers of the Air ; A Bird-Lover in the West ; Upon the Tree-Tops ; First Book of Birds ; Second Book of Birds, Houghton, Mifflin & Co., Boston. — Torrey, Bradford. Birds in the Bush ; A Rambler's Lease ; The Foot-Path Way ; Everyday Birds, Houghton, Mifflin & Co., Boston. — Sandys and Van Dyke. Upland Game Birds, Macmillan Co.. New York, 1892. — Van Dyke, T. S. Game Birds at Home, Fords, Howard & Hulbert, New York. 1895. — AVright, Mabel Osgood. Birderaft, 2d ed., Macmillan Co., New York, 1899.— Wright, Mabel Osgood, and Dr. Elliott Coues. Citizen Bird, 2d ed., Macmillan Co., New York, 1900.
USE OF THE KEYS.
If you are a beginner with a bird to identify, and do not know the orders into which birds are divided, go first to the Key to Orders, pp. 1,2. If your bird is a plover, you may not be sure whether it is classed with the water or land birds ; so begin with the Key to Water Birds. This key, as all others in the book, is dichotomous, that is to say, at every step the birds are divided into two classes, which have or have not a given character — birds are black or they are not black, they have crests or they have not crests, their feet are webbed or their feet are not webbed. At each step of the key a number and its prime are used to set apart the two classes. In the case of the Key to Orders of Water Birds the first two classes are birds which have
1. Feet fully webbed.
INTRODUCTION Ixxxix
r. Feet incompletely or not at all webbed.
If the bird you want to name lias fully webbed feet, read down the key from 1 ; if not, go to 1', and read down. The numbers fol- low consecutively from each heading. In this case the birds with fully webbed feet are divided again into several classes, and those without fully webbed feet also have subdivisions.
1. Feet fully webbed (except Grebes in Pyg-opodes. which have the toes lobed or margined). 2. Foot with three webs, all four toes connected.
Steganopodes : Totipalmate Swimmers, p. 3. 2'. Foot witli two webs, three front toes connected. 3. Nostrils tubular . Tubinares : Tube-nosed Sw^immers, p. 3. 3'. Nostrils not tubular.
4. Edg'es of mandibles toothed or serrate.
Anseres : Lamellirostral S-wimmers. p. 3. 4'. Edges of mandibles not tootlied or serrate. ;"). Legs placed far back, wings short.
Pygopodes : Diving Birds, p. 2. •")'. Leg's placed near middle of body ; wings long- and pointed.
Longipennes : Long-winged Sw^immers, p. 2. 1'. Feet incompletely or not at all webbed. 2. Lores and ring- around eye naked.
Herodiohes : Herons. Storks, and Ibises, p. 4. 2'. Lores and ring- around eye feathered.
3. Hind toe long and approximately on a level with front toes (except in Cranes whicli are over three feet long).
Paludicolae : Cranes. Rails. Coots. Gallinules, etc.. p. 4.
3'. Hind toe short and elevated or absent ; bird never over twenty-six
inches long- Limicolee : Shore Birds, p. 4.
Read down the key, passing the orders to which it does not belong till you come to the order to whicli it does belong. For in- stance, if your bird is a duck it has feet fully webbed (1). with two webs, three front toes connected (2'), nostrils not tubular (3'). and edges of mandibles toothed or serrate (4). It belongs to the Order Anseres: Lamellirostral Swimmers. If, on the other hand, the bird you want to name is a great blue heron, as it has not fully webbed feet, you throw out 1 and all its subdivisions, passing on to 1'. — feet incompletely or not at all wel)bed. The first subdivision here is
2. Lores and ring around cy*' naked.
Herodiones : Herons, Storks, and Ibises.
You know if there is a naked ring around the eye, and to tind wliat lorcx means you turn to tiie diagram of a bird, i>. 1. When you find that your bird belongs to Order Herodiones. turn to the page given (4), where you will lind a key to the families in the ohUt.
xc INTRODUCTION
Read down this as before, when, by throwing out the families to which it does not belong, you come to Ardeidm — 2'. Bill straight and sharp, neck and most of head' feathered, to which it does belong. Go now to the page specified (72), and run down the Key to Genera, contained in Family Ardeidse, and you find that it belongs to the genus Ardea, to which you are referred (p. 74). Here you find the general characters of the genus and a key to its species. As you know the bird is bluish gray and its size large you find it to be Ardea herodias, of which a detailed description is given (p. 75). If you have been identifying a bird that you have shot, you will have your own fresh measurements to compare with those in the description (see page xxvii.).
In some of the more obscure birds you will find on getting to the description of the species that you have made a mistake in running- down the keys, but by patience and care in following them you will be able to identify all but the most difficult birds.
After a little study you will grasp the general classification of birds so that it will not be necessary to go through the whole series of keys for each bird. You may not know what it is, but you know many things that it is not, and if you make a practice of eliminating you will narrow down the possibilities so that it will be much easier to find your bird. You may not know whether it is a crow or a raven, but you do know that it is not a water bird, a hawk, owl, or sparrow, and so you can go on throwing out what you know it is not until you have to look up only those about which you feel uncertain.
The question as to which subspecies a bird belongs to, unless de- terminable by geographic range, can often be decided only by expert ornithologists with large series of skins for comparison, and, in such cases, found often among some of the flycatchers, the song spar- rows, and wrens, the only way to be sure of your bird is to send it to a museum for identification. The National Museum in Washing- ton and the American Museum of Natural History in New York will both identify material sent them.
Measurement of BUI
Measurement of Tarsus
TOPOGRAPHY OF A BIRD
BIRDS OF THE WESTERN UNITED STATES
KEY TO ORDERS. WATER BIRDS.
1. Feet fully webbed (except grebes in Pygopodes, vvliicli have the toes lobed or margined). 2. Foot with tlirye webs, all four toes connected.
Steganopodes : Totipalmate Sw^immers, p. o. 2'. Foot with two webs, three front toes connected. 3. Nostrils tubuhir. Tubinares : Tube-nosed Swimmers, p. ;]. 3'. Nostrils not tubular.
4. Edges of mandibles toothed or serrate.
Anseres : Lamellirostral S"wimmers, p. 3. 4'. Edg-es of mandibles not toothed or serrate. 5. Leg's placed far back ; wings short.
Pygopodes : Diving Birds, p. 2. 5'. Legs placed near middle of body ; wings long- and pointed.
Longipennes : Long--winged Swimmers, p. 2. I'.Feet incompletely or not at all webbed. 2. Lores and ring around eye naked.
Herodiones : Herons, Storks, and Ibises, p. 4. 2'. Lores and ring around eye feathered.
3. Hind toe long and approximately on a level with front toes (except
in cranes, which are over three feet long) . . . Paludicolae :
Cranes, Rails. Coots. Galliniiles. etc.. j). 4.
3'. Hind toe short and elevated or absent ; l)ir(l never over twiMity-six
inches long- Limicolae : Shore Birds, p. 4.
•
LAND BIRDS,
1. Bill strongly hooked.
2. Toes two in front and two behind, outer toi' i)ernianently revei-sed.
Psittaci : Parrots, etc.. p. KM). 2'. Toes three in front, or outer toe reveisil)le.
Raptores : Birds of Prey. p. 101». r. Bill not strongly hf)oked.
2. Hind toe small and elevated .•il)ove front ones.
Gallince : Gallinaceous Birds, p. lOS. 2'. Hiinl toe not elevated .ibove front ones.
3. Bill with soft swollen skin .ironnd nostiils.
Columbae : Pigeons or Doves. j». lOS.
KEY TO FAMILIES OF WATER BIRDS
3'. Bill without soft swollen skin around nostrils.
4. Toes always three in front, middle and outer ones never connected for half their length ; feet strong'.
Passeres : Perching Birds, p. 110. 4'. Toes two or three in front ; if three, middle and outer connected for at least half their length, or feet small and weak. 5. Bill needle-like, or short, with Avide gape . Macrochires : Goatsuckers, Swifts, and Hummingbirds, p. 110. 5. Bill not needle-like nor with wide gape. 6. Tail feathers stiff and pointed.
Pici : Woodpeckers, p. 110.
6'. Tail feathers soft, with normal tijjs .... Coccyges :
Cuckoos, Trogons, and Kingfishers, p. 109.
KEY TO FAMILIES OF WATER BIRDS. ORDER PYGOPODBS: DIVING BIRDS.
1. Tail wanting; feet not fully webbed.
Podicipidae : Grebes, p. 5.
1'. Tail present, but short ; feet webbed.
2. Hind toe present Gaviidae : Loons, p. 9.
2'. Hind toe absent ...*... Alcidae : Auks, Murres, and Pufifins, p. 11.
Fig. 3.
ORDER LONGIPENNES: LONG- WINGED SWIMMERS.
I ' • Upper mandible with distinct basal saddle.
f Stercorariidee : Jaegers, etc., p. 17.
:^^^^^j_ 1'. Upper mandible in one piece.
^ Laridce : Gulls and Terns, p. 19.
Fig. 6.
KEY TO FAMILIES OF WATER BIRDS 3
ORDER TUBINARBS: TUBE-NOSED SWIMMERS.
1. Nasal tubes separated and at sides of bill.
Diomedeidae : Albatrosses, p. 32.
r. Nasal tubes connected on top of bill. Procellariidae : Fulmars,
Shearwaters, and Petrels, p. 3J
Fig. 8.
ORDER STEGANOPODES : TOTIPALMATE SWIMMERS.
1. Bill straight and .sharp, not hooked at tip. *'^'' ■^•
Anhingidae : Darters, p. 39. 1. Bill strongly hooked at tip.
2. Tail deeply forked ; space around eye feath- ered. Fregatidae : Man-o -War Birds, p. 43.
2'. Tail not forked ; space around eye naked.
3. Bill narrow, with slight pouch at base.
Phalacrocoracidae :
Ccrnaorants, p. 3U.
3'. Bill wide and flat, with large pouch. Pelecaiiidae : Pelicans, p. 42.
FiR. !•_'
ORDER ANSERES: LAMELLIROSTRAL SWIMMERS.
Short-legged swinnners Anatidde :
6 Ducks. Geese, and Swans, p. 44.
Fig. U.
4: KEY TO FAMILIES OF WATER BIRDS
ORDER HERODIONES: HERONS, STORKS, AND IBISES.
1. Bill grooved along sides from nostril to tip.
Ibididee : Ibises, p. 70.
1'. Bill not grooved along sides from nostril to tip.
2, Bill slightly decurved or else inclined upward
toward end ; head and part of neck naked.
Ciconiidae :
Storks and "Wood Ibises, p. 72.
2'. Bill straight and sharp ; neck and most of
head feathered. Fig. 15. Ardeidae :
Fig. 15. Herons, Bitterns, Egrets, p. 72.
1
ORDER PALUDICOL^ : CRANES, RAILS, COOTS, AND GALLINULES. ^^
1. Hind toe small and much elevated ; size large, wing 17 or
more. Fig-. 10 Gruidae : Cranes, p. 78.
1'. Hind toe long-, nearly on a level with front toes ;
size small, wing 10 or less. Fig. 17. Rallidae :
Rails, Coots, Gallinules, etc., p. 70.
Fig. 17. Fig. 16.
ORDER LIMICOL^: SHORE BIRDS.
1, Hind claw, if any, not longer than its toe.
2. Front of tarsus covered with transvei'se scutellse. Fig-. 18. 3. Tarsus very thin, toes with lateral scallops or membranes. Phalaropodidae : Phalaropes, p. 84. 3'. Tarsus rounded, toes without lateral scallops or mem- j,. " jg hranes. 4. Bill slender, longer than middle toe without claw.
Scolopacidae : Snipes, Sandpipers, etc.. 4'. Bill stout, not longer than middle toe without claw\ AphrizidaB : Surf Birds and Turnstones, p. 106. 2'. Front of tarsus covered Avith hexagonal or irregular scu- tellaj. Fig. 19. 3. Tarsus more than twice as long as middle toe and claw.
Recurvirostridae : Avocets and Stilts, p. 86. 3'. Tar.sus less than twice as long as middle toe and claw. ■ 4. Bill longer than tarsus, laterally compressed and wedge- ^^"
shaped . . Haematopodidae : Oyster-catchers, p. 107. 4'. Bill shorter than tarsus, pointed, not laterally compressed.
Charadriidae : Plovers, p. 102. 1'. Hind claw longer than its toe ; wing with .spur.
Jacanidae : Jacana, p. 108.
GREBES 5
ORDER PYGOPODES: DIVING BIRDS. (Families Podigipid.e, Gaviid.e, Alcid^.)
FAMILY PODICIPIDiE: GREBES.
KEY TO GENERA.
1. Bill long' and slender, tip not decurved.
2. Bill five or more times as long- as depth at base.
^chmophorus, p. 5. 2'. Bill less than four times as long as depth at base.
Colynibus, p. (*». r. Bill short and stont, tip of upper mandible decurved.
Podilymbus, p. S.
GENUS JECHMOPHORUS.
1. ^chmophorus oceidentalis (Lawr.). Western Grebe. Head without side crests; billslendui; neck nearly as Ioiil; as body. Adults : top of head and line down back of neck blackish ; Ixiek
slaty gi-ay ; thro.ir and under parts sil- very white. Mull : length 24-"21>, win^ 7.4o-8.50.billLMHt 3.05. Ff^7tiaie: smaller, bill 2.10-