[Illustration: White.]
[Illustration: deco.]
[Illustration: right hand margin.]
Page 258
410. GOLDEN-FRONTED WOODPECKER. _Centurus aurifrons._
Range.--Mexico and southern Texas, resident.
This is also one of the "zebra" or "ladder-backed" Woodpeckers, having
the back and wings closely barred with black and white, the same as the
preceding; the forehead, nasal tufts and nape are golden yellow, and the
male has a patch of red on the crown. This is a very common resident
species in the Lower Rio Grande Valley in Texas, where it nests in trees
or telegraph poles, sometimes so numerously in the latter situations as
to become a nuisance. Their nesting habits are not in any manner
peculiar, and the eggs cannot be distinguished from those of the
preceding. Size 1.00 × .75. Laid during April and May.
411. GILA WOODPECKER. _Centurus uropygialis._
Range.--Mexican border of the United States, in southern Arizona and New
Mexico.
Like the preceding but without any yellow on the head, the male having a
red patch in the center of the crown. They are locally distributed in
New Mexico, but appear to be abundant in all parts of southern Arizona,
where they nest principally in giant cacti, but also in many other trees
such as cotton-woods, mesquite, sycamores, etc. Besides their decided
preference for giant cacti, there is nothing unusual in their nesting
habits, and the eggs are not different from those of others of the
genus. They lay from three to six eggs in April or May. Size 1.00 × .75.
412. FLICKER. _Colaptes auratus auratus._
Range.--Southeastern United States.
Flickers are well known, large Woodpeckers (13 inches long), with a
brownish tone to the plumage, barred on the back and spotted on the
breast with black. The present species has a golden yellow lining to the
wings and tail, and the shafts of the feathers are yellow; it has a red
crescent on the nape, and the male has black moustache marks. This
species and its sub-variety are the most widely known Woodpeckers in
eastern North America, where they are known in different localities, by
something like a hundred local names, of which
[Illustration 260: 408--411.]
[Illustration: White.]
[Illustration: White.]
[Illustration: left hand margin.]
Page 259
Pigeon Woodpecker and Yellow-hammer seem to be the most universal. They
have the undulating flight common to all Woodpeckers and show the white
rump patch conspicuously when flying. They are often found on the ground
in pastures or on side hills, feeding upon ants; they are more
terrestrial than any others of the family. They nest anywhere, where
they can find or make a suitable cavity for the reception of their eggs;
in trees in woods or solitary trees in large pastures, in apple trees in
orchards, in fence posts, in holes under the roofs of buildings, etc.
They ordinarily lay from five to ten very glossy eggs, but it has been
found that they will continue laying, if one egg is removed from the
nest at a time, until in one case seventy-one eggs were secured. Fresh
eggs may be found at any time from May until August, as they frequently
raise two broods a season. Size of eggs, 1.10 × .90 with considerable
variations.
412a. NORTHERN FLICKER. _Colaptes auratus luteus._
Range.--Whole of North America, east of the Rockies, except the
southeastern portion.
Averaging larger than the preceding, but individual specimens of the
northern variety are frequently found to be even smaller than the
southern, and vice versa, making the distinction one of the study rather
than Nature.
413. RED-SHAFTED FLICKER. _Colaptes cafer collaris._
Range.--United States west of the Rockies.
This species is marked similarly to the preceding, but the top of the
head is brownish instead of gray, and the underparts of the wings and
tail, and their quills are reddish. Neither sex has the red crescent on
the back of the head, except in the case of hybrids between the two
species, but the male has red moustache marks. There are no differences
in the nidification between this species and the preceding, but the eggs
of this average a trifle larger (1.15 × .90).
413a. NORTHWESTERN FLICKER. _Colaptes cafer saturatior._
Range.--Pacific coast, breeding from Oregon to Alaska.
This is a much darker variety of the Red-shafted Flicker, but its
nesting habits or eggs do not differ in any way.
[Illustration 261: Northern Flicker.]
[Illustration: Red-shafted Flicker.]
[Illustration: White.]
[Illustration: right hand margin.]
Page 260
[Illustration 262: NORTHERN FLICKER.]
Page 261
[Illustration 263: G. E. Moulthrope.
NEST AND EGGS OF NORTHERN FLICKER.]
Page 262
414. Gilded Flicker. _Colaptes chrysoides._
Range.--Arizona and southward through Mexico to southern Lower
California.
This pale species has the yellowish lining to the wings and tail as in
the Flicker, but has a pale cinnamon brown crown, no crescent on back of
head, and the male has red moustache marks. It is a common species in
all localities where the giant cactus abounds, and shows a preference to
nesting in these strange growths, to any other trees. Their habits are,
in all respects, the same as those of the other Flickers and their eggs
cannot be distinguished. Size 1.10 × .90.
414a. SAN FERNANDO FLICKER. _Colaptes chrysoides brunnescens._
Range.--Northern Lower California.
This is a slightly smaller and darker variety of the Gilded Flicker.
415. GUADALUPE FLICKER. _Colaptes rufipileus._
Range.--Guadalupe Island.
Similar to the Red-shafted Flicker, but with the crown darker and the
rump a solid pinkish white. They are common in a large cypress grove in
the middle of the island, but rarely found on any other portions. The
eggs have been described by Mr. Walter E. Bryant, who found them
breeding on the island, to be indistinguishable from those of the others
of the genus.
GOATSUCKERS, SWIFTS, AND HUMMINGBIRDS.
Order XVI. MACROCHIRES.
GOATSUCKERS, Family CAPRIMULGIDAE.
Goatsuckers are long winged birds, with small bills, but with an
extraordinarily large mouth, the opening of which extends beneath and
beyond the eyes. They are chiefly dusk or night fliers, their food
consisting of insects which they catch on the wing. Their plumage is
mottled black, brownish and white, resembling the ground upon which they
lay their eggs.
[Illustration 264.]
[Illustration: left hand margin.]
Page 263
416. CHUCK-WILL'S-WIDOW. _Antrostomus carolinensis._
Range.--South Atlantic and Gulf States, breeding north to Virginia and
Indiana, and west to Arkansas and eastern Texas.
These birds are abundant summer residents in the southern portions of
their range, but as they are silent and hiding in the woods during the
day time, they are not as popularly known as are most birds. They rarely
fly during the day time unless disturbed from their roosting place which
is on the ground under underbrush or in hollow logs. Their notes, which
are a rapid and repeatedly uttered whistling repetition of their name,
are heard until late in the night. They nest during April, May or June,
laying two eggs on the ground amid the leaves in woods or scrubby
underbrush. The eggs are grayish to creamy white in color, handsomely
marked with shades of lilac, gray and brownish; size 1.40 × 1.00.
417. WHIP-POOR-WILL. _Antrostomus vociferus vociferus._
Range.--North America east of the Plains; north to the southern parts of
the British possessions; winters along the Gulf coast and southward.
This species is well known, by sound, in nearly all parts of its range,
but comparatively few ever observed the bird, and probably the greater
number mistake the Nighthawk for this species. The two species can
readily be distinguished at a distance by the absence of any pronounced
white marking in the wings, and by the white tips to the outer tail
feathers in the present species, while the Night Hawk has a prominent
white band across the tail, but the top is black, and the tail slightly
forked. The Whip-poor-will, rarely leaves its place of concealment
before dark, and is never seen flying about cities, as are the
Nighthawks. In their pursuit of insects, they glide like a shadow over
fields and woods, their soft plumage giving forth no sound as their
wings cleave the air. Until late at night, their whistling cry
"whip-poor-will," repeated at intervals, rings out in all wooded hilly
districts. Their two eggs are deposited on the ground among dead leaves,
generally in dense woods. They are grayish white or cream color marbled
with pale brown and gray, with fainter markings of lilac. Size 1.50 ×
.85.
[Illustration 265: Grayish white.]
[Illustration: Chuck-will's-widow.]
[Illustration: Creamy white.]
[Illustration: Whip-poor-will.]
[Illustration: right hand margin.]
Page 264
417a. STEPHEN'S WHIP-POOR-WILL. _Antrostomus vociferus macromystax._
Range.--Arizona and New Mexico, south through the tableland of Mexico.
This sub-species is slightly larger and has longer mouth bristles than
the eastern bird. Their nesting habits are the same and the eggs differ
only in averaging lighter in color, with fainter markings, some
specimens being almost immaculate.
418. POOR-WILL. _Phalænoptilus nuttalli nuttalli._
Range.--United States west of the Mississippi, breeding from Kansas and
northern California northward to Montana and British Columbia.
This handsome species is the smallest of the family, being under 8
inches in length. Its plumage is mottled black, white and frosty gray,
harmoniously blended together. They can easily be distinguished from all
other Goatsuckers by their size and silvery appearance. They nest on the
ground, either placing their two eggs upon a bed of leaves or upon a
flat rock. The breeding season is from the latter part of May through
July. The eggs are pure white and glossy; size 1.00 × .75.
418a. FROSTED POOR-WILL. _Phalænoptilus nuttalli nitidus._
Range.--Texas and Arizona, north to western Kansas.
This variety is like the last but paler, both above and below. Eggs
indistinguishable from those of others of the genus.
418b. DUSKY POOR-WILL. _Phalænoptilus nuttalli californicus._
Range.--A darker race found on the coast of California, having the same
nesting habits as the others.
The egg figured is of this species. Data.--Los Angeles, Cal., June 24,
1900. 2 eggs on the ground at the foot of an oak tree on the side of a
hill. Collector, F. M. Palmer.
[Illustration 266: Poor-will. Merrill's Paraque.]
[Illustration: White.]
[Illustration: deco.]
[Illustration: left hand margin.]
Page 265
419. MERRILL'S PARAUQUE. _Nyctidromus albicollis merrilli._
Range.--Mexico, north to the Lower Rio Grande in southern Texas.
This species is the same length as the Chuck-will's-widow, but is not as
stoutly built, and has a slightly longer tail. It can be distinguished
from any other of the family by its tail, the outer feather on each side
being black (or brownish barred with black in the female), and the next
two having white ends for nearly half their length. Their eggs are laid
on the ground in open localities, and generally under the protection of
an overhanging bush. They are two in number and differ greatly from
those of any other American member of this family, being a buff or rich
salmon buff in color, spotted and splashed with gray, lavender, and
reddish brown; size 1.25 × .90. Data.--Brownsville, Texas, April 16,
1900. Eggs laid on the ground in a dense thicket. Collector, Frank B.
Armstrong.
[Illustration 267: Salmon buff.]
[Illustration: Geo. S. Fiske. NEST AND EGGS OF WHIP-POOR-WILL.]
[Illustration: right hand margin.]
Page 266
420. NIGHTHAWK. _Chordeiles virginianus virginianus._
Range.--North America, east of the Plains and from Labrador to the Gulf
of Mexico; winters through Mexico to northern South America.
The Nighthawk or some of its sub-species is found in nearly all parts of
North America, its habits being the same in all localities. It is of the
same size as the Whip-poor-will, from which species it can readily be
distinguished by its lack of mouth bristles, forked tail with a white
band near the end, and the white band across the primaries, the latter
mark showing very plainly during flight. Besides in the country, they
are very common in cities, where they will be seen any summer day
towards dusk flying, skimming, sailing, and swooping over the tops of
the buildings, upon the gravel roofs on which they often lay their eggs.
They nest generally on rocky hillsides or in open woods, laying their
two eggs upon the top of a flat rock. The eggs are a grayish white
color, marbled, blotched and spotted with darker shades of gray. Size
1.20 x .85.
420a. WESTERN NIGHTHAWK. _Chordeiles virginianus henryi._
Range.--United States west of the Plains.
A similar bird to the preceding, but with plumage somewhat more rusty.
It frequents the more open portions of the country in its range, its
habits and nesting habits being the same as others of the former
species; the eggs average a trifle lighter in color.
420b. FLORIDA NIGHTHAWK. _Chordeiles virginianus chapmani._
Range.--A smaller and paler form found in Florida and along the Gulf
coast. No difference can be observed in the nesting habits of this as
compared with the northern form and the eggs are indistinguishable.
[Illustration 268: Nighthawk.]
[Illustration: Grayish white.]
[Illustration: Grayish white.]
[Illustration: left hand margin.]
Page 267
[Illustration 269: J. E. Seebold.
NEST AND EGGS OF NIGHTHAWK.]
Page 268
420c. SENNETT'S NIGHTHAWK. _Cordeiles virginianus sennetti._
Range.--A very pale species with little or no tawny; found in the Great
Plains from Texas north to the Saskatchewan; winters south of the United
States.
421. TEXAS NIGHTHAWK. _Chordeiles acutipennis texensis._
Range.--Mexico and Central America, breeding north to southern Utah and
California.
The pattern of the marking of this species is finer and more mottled
with rusty than the Nighthawk. Its habits do not differ to any extent
from those of the preceding species; they lay their two mottled gray
eggs upon the bare ground, often on the dry sand and in arid regions
where they are exposed, with no protection, to the scorching rays of the
sun. The eggs vary endlessly in extent of markings, some being very pale
and others very dark gray, mottled with various shades of gray, brown
and lilac. Size 1.10 x .75.
SWIFTS. Family MICROPODIDÆ
422. BLACK SWIFT. _Cypseloides niger borealis._
Range.--Mountain ranges from Central America north to British Columbia,
locally distributed throughout its range.
The plumage of this Swift is entirely sooty black, darkest above; the
tail is slightly forked and is without spines; length of bird, 7 inches.
Although the general habits of this species are well known, little is
known of their nesting; they are seen during the breeding season about
the higher ranges throughout their United States habitat, and are
supposed to nest in crevices on the face of cliffs at a high altitude.
[Illustration 270: 420-421.]
[Illustration: Grayish white.]
[Illustration: 422-424.]
[Illustration: left hand margin.]
Page 269
423. CHIMNEY SWIFT. _Chætura pelagica._
Range.--North America east of the Plains, breeding from central Canada,
south to the Gulf coast, and wintering south of our borders.
This well known species is sooty brownish black, 5.5 inches long, and
has the tail feathers terminating in sharp spines. They are very
abundant in all portions of their range, and may be seen on the wing at
all hours of the day, but especially abundant in the early morning and
toward dusk. They formerly dwelt and bred only in hollow trees, and a
great many still continue to do so, as large hollow stumps are known
where hundreds nest every year. The majority of the eastern Chimney
Swifts now nest in old chimneys that are unused, at least during the
summer; some small chimneys contain but a single pair while other large
ones may have from fifty to a hundred or more nests glued to the sides.
The birds are on the wing during the greater part of the day, generally
not frequenting the vicinity of their nesting site, but returning toward
dusk, when they may
[Illustration 271: Chimney Swift.]
[Illustration: E. R. Forrest. NEST AND EGGS OF CHIMNEY SWIFT.]
[Illustration: right hand margin.]
Page 270
be seen to, one at a time, dive headforemost into the tops of chimneys.
The nest is made of small twigs firmly glued to the sides of the
chimney, or tree, and to each other, with the glutinous saliva of the
bird, making a narrow semi-circle platform for the reception of their
three to five white eggs which are deposited in May or June; size .75 ×
.50.
424. VAUX'S SWIFT. _Chætura vauxi._
Range.--Western United States, chiefly west of the Rockies; breeding
north to British Columbia, and wintering south of the United States.
Similar to the last but smaller (length 4.5 inches), and paler in color,
fading to white on the throat. The habits of this species are like those
of the eastern Chimney Swift, except that the majority of these species
still continue to use hollow trees as nesting places. The eggs are just
like those of the last bird.
425. WHITE-THROATED SWIFT. _Æronautes melanoleucus._
Range.--Western United States south of Canada, and chiefly in the Rocky
Mountains, and in California ranges, north to Lat. 38°.
A handsome species, 6.5 inches in length, with blackish upper parts and
sides, and white throat, breast and central line of under parts, flank
patches and ends of secondaries; tail feathers not spined or stiffened.
These birds are fairly common in some localities within their range, but
appear to be found only on high ranges or in their immediate vicinity.
They nest in crevices and caves in the face of cliffs, making a nest
similar in construction to that of the Chimney Swift but of weed stalks
instead of twigs, and lined with feathers. They lay four or five dull
white eggs, during June or July; size .85 × .50.
[Illustration 272: White.]
[Illustration: White.]
[Illustration: 425--426.]
[Illustration: White.]
[Illustration: deco.]
[Illustration: left hand margin.]
Page 271
HUMMINGBIRDS. Family TROCHILIDAE
Hummingbirds have been truly called "Winged Gems." They are the smallest
of birds, the usual plumage being a metallic green with throat or crown
patches of the brightest of iridescent shining red, orange, blue or
violet. Their nests are marvels of architecture being compactly and
intricately made of plant fibres and downy feathers ornamented in some
cases with lichens. Their flight is accompanied by a peculiar buzzing
sound produced by their rapidly vibrating stiffened wing feathers. Their
food is small insects and honey both of which they get chiefly from
flowers.
426. RIVOLI'S HUMMINGBIRD. _Eugenes fulgens._
Range.--Mexico, north in summer to southern Arizona where they breed at
high elevations in the Huachuca Mountains.
This is one of the most gorgeous of the Hummers having the crown a
violet purple color, and the throat brilliant green. This species
saddles its nest upon branches often at heights of 20 or 30 feet from
the ground. They are made of plant down and generally decorated with
lichens on the outside, similar to nests of the Ruby-throat. The two
white eggs measure .65 × .40.
427. BLUE-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD. _Cyanolæmus clemenciæ._
Range.--Mexico, north in summer to the border of Arizona and western New
Mexico.
This species is the largest of North American Hummers being 5.25 inches
long, this being slightly larger than the preceding. As the name
implies, it has a patch of blue on the throat, the upper parts being a
uniform greenish; the outer tail feathers are broadly tipped with white.
Their nests, which are placed upon the limbs of trees, are made of
mosses and plant fibres covered with cobwebs. The two eggs are laid
during July and August, and measure .65 × .40.
[Illustration 273: 427--429.]
[Illustration: deco.]
[Illustration: right hand margin.]
Page 272
[Illustration 274: J. H. Miller.
FEMALE RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD ON NEST.]
Page 273
428. RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD. _Archilochus colubris._
Range.--North America east of the Plains and north to Labrador.
This is the only representative of the family found east of the
Mississippi. It is a small species, 3.5 inches long, with greenish upper
parts and a bright ruby throat. Its nest is as beautiful, if not more
so, than that of any other species. They build their nests on horizontal
limbs of trees at any height from the ground, but usually more than six
feet. Branches an inch or more in diameter are usually selected, they
not being particular as to the kind of tree, but oaks, pines and maples
perhaps being used the most often. The nests are made of plant fibres
and down, and the exterior is completely covered with green lichens so
that it appears like a small bunch of moss on the limb. The two white
eggs are laid in May or June; size .50 × .35.
429. BLACK-CHINNED HUMMINGBIRD. _Archilochus alexandri._
Range.--North America west of the Rocky Mountains; north to British
Columbia; winters south of the United States.
Similar in size and appearance to the Ruby-throat, but with the chin and
upper throat black, the rest of the throat gorget being violet or
amethyst. It is an abundant species in summer in many localities,
especially in the southern half of its range. They build their nests at
low elevations, rarely above ten feet, on small branches or the fork at
the end of a limb. The nests are made of yellowish plant fibres and are
not covered with lichens, so that they have a peculiar spongy
appearance. Eggs indistinguishable from those of the Ruby-throat. Laid
during April, May or June.
[Illustration 275: Ruby-throated Hummingbird.]
[Illustration:]
[Illustration: right hand margin.]
Page 274
[Illustration 276: RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD.]
Page 275
430. COSTA'S HUMMINGBIRD. _Calypte costæ._
Range.--Southwestern United States; north to southern Utah; winters
south of our border.
Smaller than the last and with both the crown and the throat gorget,
violet or amethyst, the feathers on the sides of the latter being
lengthened. Their nests are situated in the forks of branches generally
near the ground, and seldom above six feet from it. They are made of
plant down with shreds of weeds, bark and lichens worked into the
outside portions, and are often lined with soft feathers. The two eggs
average .48 × .32. Data.--Arroyo Seco, California, June 10, 1900. Nest
in an alder bush. Collector, Charles E. Groesbeck.
431. ANNA'S HUMMINGBIRD. _Calypte anna_.
Range.--Pacific coast of the United States from northern California,
southward, wintering in Mexico and southern California.
This handsome species has both the crown and the broadened and
lengthened throat gorgets, a purplish pink; it is slightly larger than
the Ruby-throat. They are very abundant in their restricted range, and
nest in February and March and again in April or May, raising two broods
a season. Their nests are made of plant down and covered on the outside
with cobwebs and a few lichens, and are generally located at a low
elevation. The white eggs average .50 × .30. Data.--Santa Monica,
California, March 4, 1897. Nest in a bunch of seed pods in a gum tree,
ten feet from the ground. Collector, Tom Bundy.
[Illustration 277: 430--431.]
[Illustration.]
[Illustration: right hand margin.]
Page 276
432. BROAD-TAILED HUMMINGBIRD. _Selasphorus platycercus._
Range.--Rocky Mountain regions, north to Wyoming; winters south of the
United States.
This species is similar to the Ruby-throat, but larger and with the back
more golden green color, and the throat shining lilac. They are very
abundant in Colorado and Arizona, nesting as do the Ruby-throats in the
east, and their nests being similar in construction and appearance to
those of that species. The eggs cannot be distinguished from those of
other species.
433. RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD. _Selasphorus rufus._
Range.--Western North America, breeding from the Mexican border north to
Alaska and fairly abundant in most of its range.