family. In some sections of Florida and Texas it is regarded as
abundant. They nest in marshy places near secluded ponds. The nests are
masses of grass, weeds and roots, generally placed in marshes and
entirely surrounded by water. The two eggs are similar to those of the
Whooping Crane, but the ground color is lighter. The eggs of the two
species cannot always, with certainty, be distinguished. Size 3.75 x
2.40. Data.--Carman, Manitoba, May 31, 1903. 2 eggs. Nest on a knoll in
a marsh, hidden by dead rushes and weeds; a flat loose structure of
broken rushes and reeds. Collector, Chris Forge.
COURLANS. Family ARAMIDÆ
207. LIMPKIN. _Aramus vociferus._
Range.--This bird is a native of the West Indies and Central America,
but occurs regularly north to the southern portions of Florida.
This strange bird is the only member of its family found in the United
States. It may be likened to a large Rail or a small Crane, being
apparently, a connecting link between the two. It is about two feet in
length, and the plumage is mottled brownish and white. It lives in the
marshes, from whence, until late at night, emanate its strange cries,
which are likened to those of a child in distress. They nest in the most
impenetrable parts of swamps, building their nests of rushes, grass and
weeds, in tangled masses of vines a few feet above the ground or water.
They lay from three to eight eggs having a ground color of buff or
grayish white and blotched with light brown. Their coloration is very
similar to those of the Cranes. Size 2.30 x 1.70. They nest in April and
May.
[Illustration 131: Sandhill Crane. Limpkin.]
[Illustration: Buffy white.]
[Illustration: right hand margin.]
Page 130
[Illustration 132: Walter Raine.
NEST AND EGGS OF LITTLE BROWN CRANE.]
Page 131
RAILS, GALLINULES and COOTS. Family RALLIDÆ
Members of this family are almost exclusively frequenters of marshes,
where they lead a shy, retiring life and are more often heard than seen.
208. KING RAIL. _Rallus elegans._
Range.--Fresh water marshes of eastern United States from New England
and the Dakotas, southward. Very abundant on the South Atlantic coast,
in the inland marshes.
This is one of the largest of the Rails, (17 inches in length) and may
be known by the richness of its plumage, the breast and wing coverts
being a rich cinnamon color. It is almost exclusively a fresh water
species and is very rarely found around a salt water marsh. Its nest is
built on the ground, in a tuft of grass and weeds woven about the
upright stalks. They lay from five to twelve eggs having a cream colored
ground, sparingly speckled with brown and lilac. Size 1.60 × 1.20.
Data.--Clark County, Missouri, June 6, 1893. 10 eggs. Nest composed of
reed stalks; a slightly concave mass 8 inches across, and only two
inches above the water, in a clump of reeds. Collector, Ed. S. Currier.
209. BELDING'S RAIL. _Rallus beldingi._
Range.--Lower California and the islands in the Gulf.
This is a locally confined species, very similar to the preceding but
darker and with the flank bars narrower. Its nesting or eggs will not
differ from those of the King Rail.
210. CALIFORNIA CLAPPER RAIL. _Rallus obsoletus._
Range.--Salt marshes of the Pacific coast of the United States.
This species is like a dull colored King Rail, with reference to the
markings of the back, or a bright colored Clapper Rail, as it has a
cinnamon colored breast. It is an abundant species in nearly all the
salt marshes along the coast. They make their nests on the higher parts
of the marsh, where it is comparatively dry, building them of grass and
strips of rushes. They lay from four to nine eggs of a light buff color,
boldly spotted with brown, and with fainter markings of lilac. Size 1.75
× 1.25. Data.--Palo Alto, Cal., May 1, 1899. Nest of marsh grass under a
small bush on bank of slough. Collector, Ernest Adams.
[Illustration 133: Cream color.]
[Illustration: Light buff.]
[Illustration: right hand margin.]
Page 132
211. CLAPPER RAIL. _Rallus crepitans crepitans._
Range.--Salt marshes of the Atlantic coast from southern New England
southward.
A grayish colored Rail, about the size of, and with the markings similar
to those of the King Rail. It is as exclusively a salt water species as
the King Rail is a fresh water one. With the possible exception of the
Carolina or Sora Rail, this is the most abundant of all the Rails,
hundreds nesting in a single marsh on the South Atlantic coast. Their
nests are built of rushes and weeds, and are placed on the ground either
in the tall grass bordering the marshes or attached to the rushes in the
midst of the marsh. The nesting season commences during April and
continues through May. They lay from six to fourteen eggs, of a buff
color spotted irregularly with brown and gray. Size 1.70 × 1.20.
211a. LOUISIANA CLAPPER RAIL. _Rallus crepitans saturatus._
The habitation of this subspecies is limited to the coast of Louisiana.
It is very similar to the proceeding but is said to be brighter in
plumage.
211b. FLORIDA CLAPPER RAIL. _Rallus crepitans scotti._
Range.--Western coast of Florida.
This bird is also similar to crepitans but is much darker and brighter.
211c. WAYNE'S CLAPPER RAIL. _Rallus crepitans waynei_.
Range.--South Atlantic coast from North Carolina to Florida.
This subspecies is a little darker than crepitans, being about midway
between that species and Rallus scotti. The nests and eggs of any of
these sub-species cannot be distinguished from those of the common
Clapper Rail.
211.2. CARIBBEAN CLAPPER RAIL. _Rallus longirostris caribaeus._
Range.--West Indies and east coast of Mexico, north to southern Texas.
This species is similar to the Clapper, but has a shorter and relatively
stouter bill.
[Illustration 134: King Rail. Clapper Rail.]
[Illustration: Buff.]
[Illustration: left hand margin.]
Page 133
212. VIRGINIA RAIL. _Rallus virginianus._
Range.--Temperate North America, breeding from the Middle States and
California, northward to British Columbia and Labrador, and wintering
along the Gulf coast; most abundant in the east.
A small Rail, 9 inches long, very similar in markings and coloration to
the King Rail. It is found chiefly in fresh water swamps, where it
builds its nests in tufts of rushes. The eggs number from six to
fourteen, and are creamy white, or white, speckled with reddish brown.
Size 1.25 × .90 Data.--Fighting Island, Detroit River, Michigan, May 30,
1904. Nest made of marsh grass, in rushes, 6 inches above the water.
Collector, E. Leroy King.
213. SPOTTED CRAKE. _Porzana porzana._
This common European species is casually found in Greenland. It breeds
in large numbers throughout temperate Europe, nesting as do the American
Rails.
214. SORA. _Porzana carolina._
Range.--Temperate North America, breeding from the southern parts of the
British possessions, south to the Gulf coast.
This abundant species of Rail may be readily known by its small size,
about eight inches long, and the black face and throat of the adult.
These are the "Rail-birds" or "Ortolans" which are annually slaughtered
by thousands, for sport and marketing, during their fall migration. It
is only because of the large families that they rear, that they are able
to withstand this yearly decimation of their ranks. They nest either in
salt or fresh water marshes, making a rude structure of grass, weeds and
strips of rushes, on the ground, generally concealed in a tuft of grass
in a tangled swamp or marsh. During May, they lay from six to sixteen
eggs of a bright, buffy gray color, spotted with reddish brown and
lavender. Size 1.25 × .90.
[Illustration 135: Creamy white.]
[Illustration: Sora. Virginia Rail.]
[Illustration: Bright buff.]
[Illustration: deco.]
[Illustration: right hand margin.]
Page 134
215. Yellow Rail. _Coturnicops noveboracensis._
Range.--Locally distributed in temperate North America, from New England
and Nova Scotia, to California and British Columbia; south to the Gulf
States in winter.
This is a very handsome species, with plumage of glossy brown, yellowish
buff, black and white; length seven inches. They are very shy and
secretive, and are probably more common than generally supposed. Their
nesting habits are the same as those of the preceding. Their eggs are of
a rich buff color, speckled in the form of a wreath about the large end,
with reddish brown. They are relatively narrower than those of other
Rails. Size 1.10 × .80. Data.--Benson Co., North Dakota, June 4, 1901.
Set of ten eggs collected by Rev. P. B. Peabody. This set is in the
collection of Mr. John Lewis Childs.
216. BLACK RAIL. _Creciscus jamaicensis._
Range.--Temperate North America, breeding from northern United States
southward.
Smallest of the rails; 5 inches in length. A dark slaty colored bird
with white specks, and a patch of dark chestnut on the fore back. This
diminutive species is very hard to find because of its retiring habits,
but according to Mr. Brewster it may be located by the clicking sound of
its song.
Their nests are woven of strips of rushes or grasses, and are well
"cupped" to receive the eggs. They are on the ground on the border of,
or in, marshy places. Mr. Childs has a fine set of eight eggs, taken by
Arthur T. Wayne, at Mt. Pleasant, S. C., June 10, 1903. The nest was
located in an oat field. The eggs have a creamy white ground, and are
specked all over with reddish brown. Size 1.03 × .75.
216.1. FARALLON RAIL. _Creciscus coturniculus._
Known only from a single specimen, which is slightly smaller than
_jamaicensis_ and without the white specks on the back.
[Illustration 136: Rich buff.]
[Illustration: Yellow Rail. Black Rail.]
[Illustration]
[Illustration: deco.]
[Illustration: left margin.]
Page 135
217. Corn Crake. _Crex crex._
This European Rail is casually found in Greenland and along the Atlantic
coast of North America. It is the most abundant of European Rails and is
found breeding in marshes, meadows and along streams.
218. PURPLE GALLINULE. _Ionornis martinicus_.
Range.--South Atlantic and Gulf States; casually north in eastern United
States to Massachusetts and Ohio.
A very handsome bird with purplish head, neck and under parts, and a
greenish back. Like all the Gallinules and Coots, this species has a
scaly crown plate. An abundant breeding species in the southern parts of
its range. Its nests are made of rushes or grasses woven together and
either attached to living rushes or placed in tufts of grass. They lay
from six to ten eggs of a creamy or pale buff color sparingly blotched
with chestnut. Size 1.60 × 1.15. Data.--Avery's Island, Louisiana, May
7, 1896. Ten eggs. Nest of dry rushes, woven to standing ones growing
around an "alligator hole" in a marsh. Collector, E. A. McIlhenny.
[Illustration 137: Purple Gallinule. Corn Crake.]
[Illustration: Pale buff.]
[Illustration: deco.]
[Illustration: right hand margin.]
Page 136
219. FLORIDA GALLINULE. _Gallinula galeata._
Range.--Temperate North America, from New England, Manitoba and
California, southward.
A grayish colored bird of similar size to the last (13 inches long),
with flanks streaked with white, and with the bill and crown plate
reddish. They nest in colonies in marshes and swamps, building their
nests like those of the Purple Gallinule. The eggs, too, are similar,
but larger and slightly duller. Size 1.75 × 1.20.
Data.--Montezuma marshes, Florida, June 6, 1894. Eleven eggs. Nest of
dead flaggs, floating in two feet of water. Collector, Robert Warwick.
220. EUROPEAN COOT. _Fulica atra._
A European species very similar to the next, and only casually found in
Greenland. Nesting the same as our species.
221. COOT. _Fulica americana._
Range.--Whole of temperate North America, from the southern parts of the
British Provinces, southward; very common in suitable localities
throughout its range.
The Coot bears some resemblance to the Florida Gallinule, but is
somewhat larger, its bill is white with a blackish band about the
middle, and each toe has a scalloped web. They inhabit the same marshes
and sloughs that are used by the Rails and Gallinules as nesting places,
and they have the same retiring habits, skulking through the grass to
avoid observation, rather than flying. Their nests are either floating
piles of decayed vegetation, or are built of dead rushes in clumps of
rushes on the banks. They generally build in large colonies. The eggs
number from six to sixteen and have a grayish ground color, finely
specked all over the surface with blackish. Size 1.80 × 1.30.
[Illustration 138: Pale buff.]
[Illustration: Florida Gallinule. Coot.]
[Illustration: Grayish.]
[Illustration: deco.]
[Illustration left hand margin.]
Page 137
SHORE BIRDS. Order IX. LIMICOLÆ
PHALAROPES. Family PHALAROPODIDAE
Phalaropes are small Plover-like birds, but with lobate webbed feet,
similar to those of the Grebes and Coots.
222. RED PHALAROPE. _Phalaropus fulicarius._
Range.--Northern Hemisphere, breeding in the far north, and migrating to
the middle portions of the United States, chiefly on the coasts.
The Red Phalarope during the breeding season has the underparts wholly
reddish brown; they are very rarely seen in the United States in this
dress, however for it is early changed for a suit of plain gray and
white. This species has a much stouter bill than the two following; it
is about nine inches in length. All the Phalaropes are good swimmers,
and this species, especially, is often found in large flocks off the
coast, floating on the surface of the water; they feed largely upon
small marine insects. Nests in hollows on the ground, lined with a few
grasses. The eggs are three or four in number, generally of a greenish
buff color, spotted and blotched with brown and blackish.
Data.--Myvates, Iceland, June 19, 1897. Collector, C. Jefferys.
223. NORTHERN PHALAROPE. _Lobipes labatus._
Range.--Northern Hemisphere, breeding in the northern parts of the
British Provinces.
This is the smallest of the Phalaropes, being about eight inches long;
in summer it has a chestnut band across the breast and on the side of
the neck. Its habits and nesting habits vary but little from those of
the Red Phalarope, although its distribution is a little more southerly,
and it is not as exclusively maritime as the preceding species. It is
found on both coasts of the United States, but more common on the
Pacific side, during the fall and spring, when going to or returning
from its winter quarters in the tropics. Their eggs cannot, with
certainty, be distinguished from the preceding species.
[Illustration 139: Greenish buff.]
[Illustration: Red Phalarope. Northern Phalarope.]
[Illustration: Greenish buff.]
[Illustration: right hand margin.]
Page 138
224. WILSON'S PHALAROPE. _Steganopus tricolor._
Range.--Interior of temperate North America, breeding from the latitude
of Iowa, northward, and wintering south of the United States.
This is the most handsome species of the family, being of a very
graceful form, of a grayish and white color, with a broad stripe through
the eye and down the neck, where it fades insensibly into a rich
chestnut color. It is an exclusively American species and is rarely
found near the coast. It builds its nest generally in a tuft of grass,
the nests also being of grass. The eggs are of a brownish or greenish
buff color, spotted and blotched with black and brown. Size 1.30 × .90.
Data.--Larimore, N. D., May 30, 1897. Nest a shallow depression,
scratched in the sand, under a tuft of grass on an island. Collector, T.
F. Eastgate.
[Illustration 140: Male, female, young. Wilson's Phalarope.]
[Illustration: Brownish buff.]
[Illustration: deco.]
[Illustration: left hand margin.]
Page 139
AVOCETS and STILTS. Family RECURVIROSTRIDÆ
225. AVOCET. _Recurvirostra americana_.
Range.--Western North America, breeding north to Northwest Territory.
The Avocet can be known from any other bird by its up-curved bill, light
plumage, webbed feet and large size (length about 17 inches). These
waders are quite numerous in suitable localities throughout the west,
constructing their nests in the grass, bordering marshy places. The nest
is simply a lining of grass in a hollow in the ground. They lay three or
four eggs of a dark greenish or brownish buff color, boldly marked with
brown and black. Size 1.90 × 1.30. Data.--Rush Lake, Assiniboia. Four
eggs laid in a depression in the sand, lined with dry weeds. Many birds
nesting in the colony.
226. BLACK-NECKED STILT. _Himantopus mexicanus_.
Range.--Like the last, this species is rarely found east of the
Mississippi, but is very abundant in the United States west of that
river.
A black and white wader, with extremely long red legs; otherwise a
gracefully formed bird. It breeds in large colonies anywhere in its
range, making its nests of weeds and sometimes a few twigs, on the
ground beside of, or in the marshes. Their eggs number three or four and
are brownish or greenish buff with numerous markings of brownish black,
these markings being somewhat lengthened and mostly running lengthwise
of the shell. They nest during April in the southern parts of their
range and through May and June in the northern. Size of eggs 1.80 ×
1.25. Data.--Freshwater Lake, southern California, June 5, 1891. Four
eggs laid on a mud flat near the water's edge; no nest. Collector, Evan
Davis.
[Illustration 141: Greenish buff.]
[Illustration: American Avocet. Black-necked Stilt.]
[Illustration: Greenish buff.]
[Illustration: right hand margin.]
Page 140
SNIPES, SANDPIPERS, Family SCOLOPACIDÆ
Members of this family are long-legged waders, of either large or small
size, and found either about streams or ponds in the interior or along
the coasts. They feed upon small shell fish, or insects which they get
usually by probing in the soft mud.
227. EUROPEAN WOODCOCK. _Scolopax rusticola_.
This European bird is similar to the American Woodcock, but is larger
and is barred beneath. Their habits are the same as those of our
species.
228. WOODCOCK. _Philohela minor_.
Range.--Eastern North America, north to the British Provinces, breeding
throughout its range.
This is one of the most eagerly sought game birds of the east. Their
flight is very rapid and erratic, and accompanied by a peculiar
whistling sound made by the rapid motion of the wings; it requires a
skillful marksman to bring them down. They frequent boggy places
especially "runs" lined with alders, where they bore in the soft ground
for worms and grubs. Their eggs are laid upon the bare ground among the
leaves and sticks; they are of about the color of dead leaves, as is
also the bird, making it quite difficult to discover their nests. They
lay three or four eggs of a buffy color, with yellowish brown spots.
Size 1.50 × 1.15.
229. EUROPEAN SNIPE. _Gallinago gallinago_.
A common species in Europe; of casual or accidental appearance in
Greenland. The bird does not differ essentially from our Snipe and its
habits are the same.
[Illustration 142: Buffy gray.]
[Illustration: American Woodcock. Wilson's Snipe.]
[Illustration: deco.]
[Illustration: left hand margin.]
Page 141
[Illustration 143: C. A. Reed.
WOODCOCK ON HER NEST.]
Page 142
[Illustration 144: WOODCOCK.]
Page 143
WILSON SNIPE. _Gallinago delicata_.
Range.--North America, breeding from northern United States northward;
winters along the Gulf States and to California, and southward.
Another favorite game bird, but one which requires skill to hunt
successfully. Of about the same size as the Woodcock (11 inches long).
This species, to a great extent frequents the same haunts used by
Woodcock, but is especially fond of open marshy meadows, with winding
brooks. Their nests are depressions in grassy banks, generally unlined;
the three or four eggs have an olive gray color and are strongly marked
with blackish brown. Size 1.50 × 1.10. Data.--Lake Winnipegosis,
Manitoba, June 10, 1903. Nest in a hollow on a tuft of marsh grass, the
four eggs having their points together. Collector, Walter Raine.
230.1. GREATER SNIPE. _Gallinago media_.
A European species, only American as having accidentally occurred at
Hudson Bay; similar in appearance to the preceding species.
[Illustration 145: Olive gray.]
[Illustration: NEST AND EGGS OF WOODCOCK.]
[Illustration: right hand margin.]
Page 144
231. DOWITCHER. _Macrorhamphus griseus_.
Range.--North America, most abundant in the eastern parts; breeds in the
extreme north, and winters from the Gulf States to Northern South
America.
This species is commonly known as "Red-breasted Snipe" in late spring
and summer because of the rich, rusty red coloration of the underparts,
and as "Gray-back" in winter because of its color at that season. They
are very common along the Atlantic coast during the Spring migration;
they can be easily identified by their very long bills, which are over
two inches in length and nearly one quarter the length of the whole
bird. They nest during June, placing their three or four eggs in a
slight hollow, which may or may not be lined with dried grass or leaves.
The eggs have a greenish or brownish buff color and are boldly marked
with dark brown. They do not differ greatly from those of the Snipe.
Data.--Mackenzie River, June 27, 1900. Four eggs in a hollow in the
grass, lined with dead grass. Collector, Walter Raine.
[Illustration 146: Dowitcher.]
[Illustration: Greenish buff.]
[Illustration: LOON.]
[Illustration: left hand margin.]
Page 145
232. LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER. _Macrorhamphus griseus scolopaceus_.
Range.--Whole of North America, but not common on the Atlantic coast;
breeds in the Arctic regions and migrates chiefly through the central
and western parts of the United States to Mexico.
This bird is practically the same as the last, but is a trifle larger
and the bill averages about a half inch longer. They are very numerous
in their breeding haunts, and, during their migrations, fly in large
compact flocks. They are not very timid, and consequently fall an easy
prey to the gunners. Their nesting habits and eggs are the same as the
last species, except that the eggs may average a trifle larger. Size
1.75 × 1.15. Data.--Norton Is., Alaska, June, 1900. Nest a small hollow
in the dry ground. Four eggs. Collector, Capt. H. H. Bodfish.
233. STILT SANDPIPER. _Micropalama himantopus_.
Range.--North America, east of the Rocky Mountains; breeds in the Arctic
regions and winters from the Gulf States southward.
In the summer, these birds may be known by the reddish coloration of the
underparts, which are numerously barred; they are smaller than the
preceding, length about eight inches. Their nesting habits are the same
as those of the majority of the members of the family. The three or four
eggs are buffy or grayish, and are blotched and spotted with shades of
brown. Size 1.40 × 1.00.
[Illustration 147: Greenish buff.]
[Illustration: Long-billed.]
[Illustration: deco.]
[Illustration: right hand margin.]
Page 146
234. KNOT. _Tringa canutus_.
Range.--Arctic regions in summer; south through the United States,
chiefly on the Atlantic coast, to South America.
Of about the same size as the Dowitchers, length 10.5 inches, but with a
much shorter bill. In summer the entire under parts are a uniform
reddish chestnut color. They are known to breed in Arctic America, from
Point Barrow and Hudson Bay, northward, but no authentic eggs are known,
at present, to exist in collections. One taken from a bird by Lieut.
Greely, was a pea green color, specked with brown; size 1.10 × 1.00. As
it was not fully developed, it was probably correct neither as to size
nor color.
235. PURPLE SANDPIPER. _Arquatella maritima maritima_.
Range.--Arctic regions, wintering south to the Middle States and the
Great Lakes, but chiefly on the coast.