BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER
270. Squatarola squatarola. 11.5 in.
Hind toe very small. Bill short and stout. Adults in summer with the
back, wings and tail barred or marked with black and white; top of head
and nape white, except for a few black markings on the crown; face,
throat, breast and fore part of belly, black. In winter, brownish-black,
somewhat mottled, above; below dull white. Young similar to winter
adults, but the back is spotted with yellowish-white. While these
handsome plover migrate to some extent, and sometimes in large flocks,
through the interior of the United States, they are chiefly and most
abundantly found on the coast. They are the plover most eagerly sought
by gunners.
Call.—A plaintive whistle, “ter-lee.”
Nest.—Grass-lined hollows in marshes or dry land, back from the beach;
eggs greenish-buff, spotted with black.
Range.—Breeds in the Arctic regions; winters in South America, migrating
through the U. S. in Sept. and May.
[Illustration: ]
AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER
272. Charadrius dominicus. 10.5 in.
No hind toe. Back and tail mottled with black and yellow; below, more or
less entirely black to the tail. Young and winter adults, more or less
spotted with yellow and blackish-brown above, and grayish-white below,
with indistinct streaks on the breast. Often confused with the last
species in this plumage, but is smaller, bill smaller and more slender,
and the axillars, or feathers nearest the body, under the wings, are
gray while those of the Black-bellied Plover are black. This species is
now regarded as rare on the North Atlantic coast during migrations,
while in the interior it is more abundant than the last species. They do
not seem to be as suspicious as the Black-bellies, and a flock will
often allow a close approach, even when they see you.
Nest.—Nesting habits like those of the last, and other shore birds; eggs
slightly smaller (1.90 × 1.30).
Range.—Breeds in the Arctic regions; winters south to South America.
[Illustration: ]
KILLDEER
273. Oxyechus vociferus. 10 in.
No hind toe. Rump and base of tail reddish-brown; breast crossed by two
black bands. Like the Spotted Sandpiper, this bird is locally and
abundantly distributed throughout the United States and Southern Canada;
it is, however, rare in New England, where it is sometimes found in the
Fall. It frequents meadows, fields and ploughed ground, where it feeds
upon insects, and around the edges of pools and streams where it gets
small shellfish and larvæ. As usual, they will attempt to lead an
intruder away from their nest by feigning lameness.
Notes.—A loud, noisy and incessant “killdee.”
Nest.—A slight hollow in the ground, usually in a clump of weeds;
sometimes lined and sometimes not; the four eggs are greenish-buff,
heavily blotched with black.
Range.—Breeds locally throughout United States, except New England, and
southern Canada; winters in southern U. S.
[Illustration: ]
SEMIPALMATED PLOVER
274. Ægialitis semipalmata. 7 in.
Small web between the bases of the two outer toes. Single broad, black
band across the breast; black line from base of bill to eye. They are
very abundant on our seacoast in Fall, both in flocks composed entirely
of their own kind, and also with Least and Semipalmated Sandpipers. They
usually keep on the inner side of sandbars or muddy flats bordering
marshes, rather than on the open ocean beach. It is also found in
smaller flocks, about ponds and marshes in the interior of the country.
They are usually unsuspicious and will allow a close approach, or if you
are still, will run by within a very few feet.
Notes.—A clear double whistle, usually uttered when on the wing or when
alarmed. They decoy to an imitation of it.
Nest.—On the ground; eggs buffy, sparsely specked with black (1.30 ×
.90); June.
Range.—Breeds from the Gulf of St. Lawrence northward; winters from the
Gulf States southward.
[Illustration: ]
PIPING PLOVER
277. Ægialitis meloda. 7 in.
Very pale above; no black in front of eye; black patch on each side of
breast. Young similar, but the black replaced by grayish, as is the case
with the last species. This species, apparently, never could be classed
as abundant and of late years, it is becoming rather rare along our
Atlantic coast; this is probably more due to the building of summer
resorts and homes along their former breeding grounds than to hunters.
They are rather more shy than the last species, but will usually attempt
to escape by running along the beach or by hiding, rather than by
flight. Owing to their light colors it is very difficult to see them at
any distance.
Notes.—A two-syllabled piping whistle.
Nest.—On the ground; eggs buff with fine black specks.
Range.—Breeds on the coast from Va. to Newfoundland and in the
Mississippi Valley.
[Illustration: ]
SNOWY PLOVER
278. Ægialitis nivosa. 6.5 in.
Very small and very pale colored. Small black patch on either side of
the breast, on ear coverts, and on crown. Bill more slender but longer
than that of the Piping Plover.
Notes.—Low, mournful, piping whistles.
Range.—United States chiefly west of the Rockies, east to Kansas and
north to Dakota.
WILSON PLOVER
280. Ochthodromus wilsonius. 7.5 in.
Bill large and heavy for birds of this genus. A black band across the
neck, not extending to the back of the neck; dark line between eye and
bill.
Notes.—A “mixture of whistle and chirp,” very different from that of
allied plovers. (Elliott).
Nest.—A shallow hollow in the sand, sometimes concealed by short beach
grass; eggs grayish, spotted and scratched with blackish brown (1.25 ×
.95).
Range.—Breeds on the Gulf and South Atlantic coasts north to Virginia;
later may stray to Maine.
[Illustration: ]
MOUNTAIN PLOVER
281. Podasocys montanus. 9 in.
No black on breast or sides, but with black hand on fop of head and a
black line from bill to eye. Above grayish-brown; below buffy across the
breast, white elsewhere. Mountain or Prairie Plover, as they are often
and better called, are abundant on the western prairies. Like the
Bartramian Sandpiper, they do not frequent the vicinity of water, but
live and get their food in the dry grass-covered districts. They are not
at all shy where they are not hunted. Like all the family, they are very
fleet on foot, and may often be seen chasing grasshoppers or other
active insects. Their flight is very rapid, often devious and usually at
a low elevation.
Notes.—A single, low, musical whistle.
Nest.—A depression in the ground, anywhere on the prairie. Eggs
brownish-gray, blotched with blackish.
Range.—West of the Mississippi River, breeding north to Dakota. Winters
from Southwestern United States southward.
[Illustration: ]
TURNSTONE
283. Arenaria interpres. 9.75 in.
Very similar to the next, which is the one figured, but slightly larger,
and with black prevailing in the upperparts. This is the Old World
species, found in America only in Labrador and Alaska.
RUDDY TURNSTONE
283.1. Arenaria interpres morinella. 9.5 in.
Bill short and stout, the upper mandible being straight, so that the
bill has an upturned appearance. Legs reddish on adult birds and orange
on young.
Known by a great many names, referring to its peculiarly pied
appearance:—Calico-bird, Checkered-snipe, etc. An abundant species
usually found on pebbled beaches.
Notes.—One or two clear whistles.
Nest.—A scantily lined hollow; eggs grayish, beautifully marbled with
brown, lilac and blackish.
Range.—Breeds in the Arctic regions; winters in Southern South America,
migrating on both coasts.
[Illustration: ]
AMERICAN OYSTER-CATCHER
286. Hæmatopus palliatus. 19 in.
Bill very long, heavy, compressed, and thin and chisel-like at the tip.
Bill and eye, red; legs flesh color. These large, awkward looking birds
are not scarce on the South Atlantic coast, where they are met with in
pairs or small companies. They run with great swiftness, or walk
sedately along the beaches and marshes gathering insects and fiddler
crabs, of which they are very fond. They are said to have got their name
from the habit of eating oysters when they found them with the shell
open, a practice that would be extremely hazardous for them to
undertake, as these shellfish close their two valves very quickly and
would be apt to catch the bird. Owing to their large size they are
frequently shot at and, consequently, are usually shy.
Nest.—A depression in the sand; the two or three eggs are buffy, spotted
with blackish-brown (2.20 × 1.50); May.
Range.—Breeds on the coast north to Virginia; later may stray to Nova
Scotia. Winters south of the U. S.
[Illustration: ]
MEXICAN JACANA
*** Jacana spinosa. 8 in.
A very peculiar species. Bill plover-like; at the base, terminating in a
leaf-like sheaf that covers the forehead; a hard spur on the shoulder of
each wing; legs and toes extremely long, the toenails being abnormally
so, the hind nail often being an inch and a half long. Young very
different from the adult.—Grayish-brown above, with wings
greenish-yellow as in adult; below whitish, darker across the breast and
on the sides; a light line above the eye. Jacanas are inhabitants of
marshy, muddy pools and ponds, where they can easily run over the
surface, their long toes getting a good foothold on the floating aquatic
plants. They are said to be very pugnacious in defence of their young,
and also to fight among themselves during the mating season.
Nest.—Nests made of weeds and trash, on little floating islands or lily
pads. 3 to 5 olive colored eggs, curiously scrawled with black (1.20 ×
.95); May.
Range.—Is found and breeds within our borders only in Southern Texas.
[Illustration: ]
GROUSE, PARTRIDGES, ETC.—Order Gallinæ
Family Odontophoridæ
BOB-WHITE; QUAIL; VIRGINIA PARTRIDGE
289. Colinus virginianus. 10 in.
Male with white throat, bordered with black; female with a
yellowish-brown throat, and line above eye. One of the most popular
“game birds,” so popular that it is exterminated in New England, and
birds imported from the west are unable to regain the lost foothold.
Found in stubble and low brush, where they hide until almost stepped
upon. They feed upon insects and grain.
Notes.—A clear whistled “bob-white” and a series of low, clear whistles
when in flocks.
Nest.—Of grass at the end of tunnel in tall grass bordering fields; 8 to
16 white eggs (1.20 × .95); May.
Range.—Resident east of the Rockies, north to Minn. and Ontario. 289a,
Fla. Bob-white (C. v. floridanus), found in southern Florida, is
extremely dark (shown on plate). 289b, Texan Bob-white (C. v. texanus)
is paler with black areas wider.
[Illustration: ]
SCALED PARTRIDGE
*** Callipepla squamata. 10 in.
With a whitish or buffy-white crest; plumage bluish-gray, with darker
edges giving the bird the appearance of being covered with scales. The
female is more brownish, but is marked the same as the male. These birds
are locally abundant in arid, cactus-covered deserts, often at a
distance from water, and frequently in company with Gambel Partridge.
Nest.—8 to 15 eggs are laid in some hollow under a low bush or cactus;
they are creamy-white, dotted with minute specks of pale brown (1.25 ×
.95); April, May.
Range.—Mexico north to Central and Western Texas, New Mexico and
Arizona.
293a. Chestnut-bellied Scaled Partridge (C. s. castanogastris), is more
richly colored and has a chestnut patch on the middle of the belly. It
is found in southern Texas and northeastern Mexico.
[Illustration: ]
GAMBEL PARTRIDGE
295. Lophortyx gambelii. 10 in.
Head with an elegant recurved crest of six or seven feathers; normally
these are carried in one packet so that there appears to be but one
feather, but when excited, or during the mating season, they may
separate the feathers, or sometimes curve them forward so as to touch
the bill. Hindhead and sides chestnut, throat and middle of belly black.
Female with the throat light and hindhead gray; crest small; no black on
belly. An abundant species both in mountains, valleys or deserts, near
or remote from water. Habits like those of the eastern Bob-white, but
instead of taking wing, they will generally run.
Nest.—Eggs laid on the ground under any suitable cover; creamy-white,
handsomely blotched with brown.
Range.—Resident in western Texas, New Mexico and Arizona, north to
southern Utah and Nevada.
[Illustration: ]
MEARNS OR MASSENA PARTRIDGE
296. Cyrtonyx montezumæ mearnsi. 9 in.
Bill very stout and compressed. Crest large, puffy and flat. Markings on
the male very grotesque and clownish; general color of the female,
pinkish brown with streaks of black, and white specks, below, and barred
and streaked above. These strange birds are very local in their
distribution in the southwest, rare in some localities and occurring in
quite large flocks in others. They are so confiding in their
disposition, that this, in connection with their clownish plumage, has
given them the name of “Fool” Quail. They frequent dry deserts, valleys,
or mountains up to an elevation of at least 8,000 feet. When startled,
they often squat down, and can almost be caught in the hand, but when
they do fly, their flight is very rapid, and accompanied with a peculiar
clucking noise.
Nest.—A depression in the ground, lined with grasses, and concealed in
clumps of weeds or grass. Their eggs, like those of other partridges,
are numerous, pure white, and not as sharply pointed as those of the
Bob-white.
Range.—Western Texas, New Mexico and Arizona.
[Illustration: ]
DUSKY GROUSE
297. Dendragapus obscurus. 20 in.
Plumage gray, white and black, with a few rusty markings on the back;
wide gray band on tip of tail. Female smaller, browner and more barred
above. These large grouse are found on side hills or in gulches, usually
not far from water. Like our common Ruffed Grouse, during mating season,
the males of this species strut about with tail fully spread over the
back, and head thrown back until it nearly touches the tail. At this
season they are very pugnacious and the woods will resound with their
challenging “toots,”—loud and hollow sounds with a ventriloquial effect.
Nest.—Eggs laid on ground in woods, usually under fallen logs or at the
bases of trees; buffy, sparsely spotted with brown (2.00 × 1.40); May,
June.
Range.—Rocky Mts., from Mexico to Montana and east to South Dakota.
297b., Richardson Grouse (D. o. richardsonii), is found on the eastern
slopes of the Rockies, north to British America. Little or no band on
the tail.
[Illustration: ]
HUDSONIAN SPRUCE GROUSE
298. Canachites canadensis. 15 in.
Very similar to the next, which is our common species, but the female is
not quite as rusty. Found in Labrador and about Hudson Bay.
CANADA GROUSE; SPRUCE GROUSE
298c. C. c. canace. 15 in.
Male black and grayish; female chiefly rusty, barred with black. The
Spruce Grouse is usually found in dense thickets and groves or swamps of
evergreen woods. It is one of the least suspicious of birds, and in
winter, is sometimes knocked down by sticks in the hands of deer
hunters. Their flesh is unfit to eat and consequently they are not
hunted.
Notes.—A drumming, said to be produced by the wings, when in the air; a
clucking by the female.
Nest.—Eggs laid on the ground, usually under low, spreading branches of
spruces; bright buff with bold black blotches (1.70 × 1.25).
Range.—Northern New England, New York and Minnesota, northward.
[Illustration: ]
RUFFED GROUSE
300. Bonassa umbellus. 17 in.
Crested and with two large, black, neck-ruffs; plumage brown, black and
white. Female with the ruffs smaller and usually brownish. These grouse
have two color phases, the general tone of plumage being either reddish
brown or gray, independent of age or sex of bird. These naturally wild,
shy grouse are the kings of the eastern game birds, their wariness and
speed with which they will dodge through the trees being the only
reasons they have so long withstood the hunting to which they are
subjected. During spring, the male struts often, tail expanded into a
half circle, head thrown back to meet the upturned tail, and ruff spread
so as to form a complete collar. They make a loud drumming by beating
the air with their wings.
Nest.—Eggs on leaves in the woods; plain brownish-buff (1.55 × 1.15).
Range.—Resident from Va. and Ark. north to southern Canada. 300a.,
Canadian Ruffed Grouse (B. u. togata), is found in the southern British
provinces and northern New England.
[Illustration: ]
WILLOW PTARMIGAN
301. Lagopus lagopus. 15 in.
In winter, white with black tail feathers. In summer, usually
reddish-brown with black bars. This species has a much stouter bill than
the next.
Nest.—Eggs laid on the ground. Rich buffy, so heavily blotched and
streaked with black as to nearly conceal it (1.75 × 1.25).
Range.—Breeds in the northern half of Canada, migrating southward to
southern Canada.
301a., Allen Ptarmigan (L. l. alleni), found in Newfoundland, is
similar, but in winter the shafts of the primaries are always black.
ROCK PTARMIGAN
302. Lagopus rupestris. 14 in.
In winter, like the last species, except that the bill is smaller, and
the lores are black.
Range.—From the Gulf of St. Lawrence and northern British Columbia
northward. 302a. Reinhardt Ptarmigan, replaces the last variety in
northern Labrador. 303. Welch Ptarmigan (L. welchi), found in
Newfoundland, is said to be grayer in summer.
[Illustration: ]
PRAIRIE HEN; PINNATED GROUSE
305. Tympanuchus americanus. 18 in.
Tufts of neck feathers rounded or square at the ends, long on the males,
and short on the females. Above, barred with brownish-black and white or
buffy white, the bars being of about equal width; top of head barred
black and grayish. Female differs from the male in having the tail
feathers barred, whereas they are black in the male. Found locally
throughout the prairie regions of the Mississippi Valley north to
Manitoba. Owing to the immense numbers shot for sale in eastern markets,
they have become exterminated in many places where they were formerly
abundant. Male birds have a loose sac or naked skin beneath the tufts of
feathers on the neck; they inflate these to the size of small oranges,
and then produce a loud, hollow, resonant booming sound.
Nest.—Anywhere on the ground on the prairie; eggs olive-buff, finely
specked with brown.
Range.—From La. and Tex. north to Manitoba and Dakota. 305. Attwater
Prairie Hen, smaller and darker, is found in Louisiana and Eastern
Texas.
[Illustration: ]
HEATH HEN
306. Tympanuchus cupido. 17 in.
Neck feathers pointed; scapulars more broadly tipped with white;
axillars always barred; top of head paler and always brownish. These
differences will always separate this species from the very similar
western bird. They were formerly found throughout Southern New England
and the Middle States, their range meeting that of the Prairie Hen, but
now they are restricted to the island of Martha’s Vineyard, south of
Mass., and probably the true form is extinct there for western birds
have been liberated on the island and interbred with the natives.
LESSER PRAIRIE HEN
307. Tympanuchus pallidicinctus. 16 in.
Nearest like the prairie hen but paler above, the brown bars being
narrower and lighter colored, but with the edges blackish, giving the
back of the bird a very different appearance from that of the Prairie
Hen. It is found in western Kansas, Indian Territory and Texas.
[Illustration: ]
PRAIRIE SHARP-TAILED GROUSE
308b. Pediæcetes phasianellus campestris. 18 in.
No pinnates or ruffs on the neck, but the head is crested a little more
than that of the Prairie Hen; tail with the central feathers nearly two
inches longer than the rest, which are also graduated so the outside
ones are much the shortest. Plumage much paler than that of the Prairie
Hen, and feathers on the breast and sides being marked with blackish
loops. Found in more or less abundance on the plains and prairies west
of the Mississippi River. In mating season flocks of them indulge in
curious antics, dancing, ruffling their feathers, and cooing and
crowing.
Nest.—Eggs laid in a hollow in the ground, usually sheltered by a tuft
of grass or bunch of weeds. The eggs are brownish-drab, finely specked,
over the whole surface, with blackish-brown (1.70 × 1.25).
Range.—West of the Miss. River, from New Mexico and Indian Territory
north to Manitoba. 308. Sharp-tailed Grouse, is found in the interior of
British America from Hudson Bay to Alaska. Darker and less rusty than
the preceding.
[Illustration: ]
SAGE GROUSE
309. Centrocercus urophasianus. 29 in.
The female of this large and very interesting grouse differs from the
male only in its smaller size and paler, duller plumage. They are found
in abundance on the dry sagebrush-covered plains about the Rocky Mts.
and to the westward. In summer they feed largely upon insects and buds
of various plants, but in fall and winter, their food is almost entirely
the leaves of the sagebrush; at this season, in consequence, their flesh
is unfit to eat, so they are not hunted for market, and are able to
pursue a life of quiet as far as man is concerned. In spring, they
indulge in amusing play, as do all the grouse; they have a few wiry
hairs on either side of the neck, covering the naked sacs that
correspond to those of the Prairie Hen; they strut about with these sacs
inflated, and their spread tail, erect, making peculiar buzzing sounds.
Nest.—Eggs laid on the ground under sagebrush; greenish-buff, spotted
rather sparingly with brown.
Range.—Sagebrush covered plains from New Mexico to Southern British
Columbia and Assiniboia.
[Illustration: ]