protracted than that of some of our Rails, especially when put up by
a dog coming inadvertently upon it. At other times, when in places not
frequented, it rises and removes to a distance rarely exceeding thirty
or forty yards, falling as it were among the grass with wings stretched
upwards and dangling legs. The gizzard is large and muscular, as in
the Water-hen and our other Rails. One which I opened was filled with
minute fresh-water shell-fish and gravel. They feed also on insects of
various kinds, and the seeds of grasses.
My friend THOMAS NUTTALL has so well described the notes of this bird,
that I cannot do better than present you with his account of them.
“On the 6th of October (1831), having spent the night in a lodge, on
the borders of Fresh Pond, employed for decoying and shooting Ducks, I
heard, about sunrise, the Yellow breasted Rails begin to stir among the
reeds (_Arundo Phragmites_) that thickly skirt this retired border of
the lake, and in which, among a host of various kinds of Blackbirds,
they had for sometime roosted every night. As soon as awake, they
called out in an abrupt and cackling cry, _’krèk_, _’krèk_, _’krèk_,
_’krèk_, _’kuk’ k’kh_, which note, apparently from the young, was
answered by the parent (probably the hen), in a lower soothing note.
The whole of these uncouth and guttural notes have no bad resemblance
to the croaking of the tree frog, as to sound. This call and answer,
uttered every morning, is thus kept up for several minutes in various
tones, till the whole family, separated for the night, have met and
satisfactorily recognised each other.”
I once shot a female bird of this species near New Orleans upon which I
had nearly trodden as she was on the nest and about to lay an egg, and
which she dropped as she flew before me, previously to my touching the
trigger. In August and September I have found this species uncommonly
fat, and most delicious. The difficulty of procuring them, however,
renders them a rarity for the table even in those parts of the country
where they are most abundant.
I have no doubt that a few stragglers now and then go far north to
breed, as I find in the Fauna Boreali-Americana the following note
from Mr Hutchins’s manuscripts:—“This elegant bird is an inhabitant of
the marshes (on the coast of Hudson’s Bay, near the efflux of Severn
River, where Mr Hutchins resided) from the middle of May to the end of
September. It never flies above sixty yards at a time, but runs with
great rapidity among the long grass near the shores. In the morning and
evening it utters a note, which resembles the striking of a flint and
steel; at other times it makes a shrieking noise. It builds no nest,
but lays from ten to sixteen perfectly white eggs among the grass.”
Now, this making no nest is to me a convincing proof that the species
is not there in its natural place, but finding itself pushed for time,
and yet obliged to breed, is contented to do so under unfavourable
circumstances. Dr RICHARDSON, who spent several years in the northern
parts of America, did not meet with this species. I saw none in
Labrador or Newfoundland; and in the British provinces of New Brunswick
and Nova Scotia, the only bird of this family known is the Sora,
_Rallus carolinus_.
GALLINULA NOVEBORACENSIS, _Lath._ Ind. Ornith. vol. ii. p.
771.
RALLUS NOVEBORACENSIS, _Ch. Bonaparte_, Synopsis of Birds of
United States, p. 335.—_Ch. Bonaparte_, American Ornith. vol.
iv. p. 136, pl. 27, fig. 2.
YELLOW-BREASTED RAIL, RALLUS NOVEBORACENSIS, _Richards. and
Swains._ Fauna Bor.-Amer. vol. ii. p. 402.
YELLOW-BREASTED RAIL, _Nuttall_, Manual, vol. ii. p. 402.
Adult Male. Plate CCCXXIX.
Bill shorter than the head, rather stout, compressed, tapering. Upper
mandible with the dorsal line nearly straight, being slightly convex
towards the end, the ridge narrow and convex in its whole length, the
sides convex towards the end, the edges sharp, slightly overlapping,
destitute of notch. Nasal groove broad, and extending to a little
beyond the middle of the bill; nostrils linear, lateral, submedial,
pervious. Lower mandible with the angle long and narrow, the sides
erect, the dorsal line sloping upwards, the edges a little inflected,
the tip narrowed, the gape-line straight.
Head rather small, oblong, compressed. Neck shortish. Body compact,
deeper than broad. Feet of moderate length, rather stout; tibia bare
a short way above the joint; tarsus of ordinary length, compressed,
anteriorly covered with broad scutella, posteriorly with smaller, and
on the sides reticulated. Hind toe small and very slender; middle toe
longest, and longer than the tarsus; inner toe considerably shorter
than the outer; toes free, with numerous scutella above. Claws much
compressed, slightly arched, tapering to a fine point, flat and
marginate beneath.
Plumage rather stiff, but soft, blended, and slightly glossed above.
Feathers of the forehead somewhat bristly, broad and rounded; of
the hind parts elongated. Wings short, broad, concave; alula large,
primaries curved, broad, abruptly rounded, the second longest, third
scarcely shorter, first equal to seventh; secondaries broad and
rounded, the inner elongated, some of them extending a quarter of an
inch beyond the longest primary. Tail extremely short, much rounded, of
_ten_ feeble rounded feathers; the upper and lower tail-coverts as long
as the tail-feathers.
Bill greenish-black, with the base dull yellowish-orange. Iris
hazel. Feet and claws light flesh-colour. Upper part of the head
and hind neck blackish-brown, the feathers slightly edged with dull
light brownish-red, those on the occiput and hind neck with a small
white spot on the outer edge. The upper parts are brownish-black,
longitudinally streaked with brownish-yellow, each feather being
broadly margined with the latter, and crossed with from one to three
narrow white bars. Alula greyish-brown, each feather with a white
dot near the tip; primaries similar, the outer four unspotted; the
edge of the wing, and the basal half of the outer web of the first
primary yellowish-white; outer secondaries greyish-brown, white
towards the end, three of them having that colour extending over
more than half of their length; inner secondaries like the back;
as are the tail-feathers. Loral space and a line beyond the eye
blackish-brown. Sides of the head, neck, and anterior part of the
body light brownish-red, each feather terminally margined with deep
brown; sides like the back; axillaries, lower wing-coverts, and middle
of the abdomen, pure white; sides of the rump like the back; lower
tail-coverts brownish-red, with faint whitish dots.
Length to end of tail 7-3/4 inches, to end of claws 9-3/4, to end of
wings 7; extent of wings 12-1/4; wing from flexure 3-9/12; tail 1-4/12;
tarsus 11/12; first toe and claw 5/12; second toe 10/12, its claw 3/12;
third toe 1-1/12, its claw (3-1/2)/12; fourth toe (10-1/2)/12, its claw
(2-1/2)/12. Weight 2-3/4 oz.
The Female is smaller than the male, but similar in colour.
Length to end of tail 6-3/4 inches, to end of claws 8-3/4; extent of
wings 11. Weight 2 oz.
AMERICAN RING PLOVER.
_CHARADRIUS SEMIPALMATUS_, BONAP.
PLATE CCCXXX. MALE AND YOUNG.
I have had great pleasure in observing the migrations of this species,
particularly in early spring, when great numbers enter the southern
portions of the United States, on their way northward, where it is
now well known to breed. At that period, whatever attempts you may
make to prevent their progress, they always endeavour to advance
eastward; whereas in early autumn, they will rove in any direction, as
if perfectly aware that, the task imposed upon them by Nature having
been accomplished, they may enjoy their leisure. Those which pass
the winter within the limits of the Union, are mostly found along the
shores of South Carolina, Georgia, the Floridas, and as far south as
the mouths of the Mississippi; there being no doubt that many remain
on the coasts of the Gulf of Mexico, as I have found some there early
in spring, before observing those which I knew by their manners to be
recently arrived. In the course of my late visit to Texas, I found them
on Galveston Bay, where I observed some arriving from the westward.
During their polar migration, they proceed rather swiftly, for although
they appear to touch at every place likely to afford them food and
repose, they seldom tarry long. Thus, many individuals, which may have
been in Texas early in April, not unfrequently reach Labrador by the
middle of May; although some are a month later in reaching the ultimate
point of their journey, which, according to Dr RICHARDSON, sometimes
extends as far as the Arctic Regions.
While with us in spring, they confine themselves to the sandy beaches
of our sea-coasts, whether on the mainland or on islands; but when
they arrive at their breeding stations, they abandon their maritime
life, and resort to mountainous mossy lands, as is also the custom with
several other species. On my way to Labrador, I saw some of them in
almost every place at which we landed; and when I reached Nastasguan
Bay, they were breeding in all the spots that were adapted for that
purpose. Their manners formed an agreeable subject of observation to
all the members of my party. As soon as one of us was noticed by a
Ring Plover, it would at once stand still and become silent. If we did
the same, it continued, and seldom failed to wear out our patience. If
we advanced, it would lower itself and squat on the moss or bare rock
until approached, when it would suddenly rise on its feet, droop its
wings, depress its head, and run with great speed to a considerable
distance, uttering all the while a low rolling and querulous cry,
very pleasing to the ear. On being surprised when in charge of their
young, they would open their wings to the full extent, and beat the
ground with their extremities, as if unable to rise. If pursued, they
allowed us to come within a few feet, then took flight, and attempted
to decoy us away from their young, which lay so close that we very
seldom discovered them, but which, on being traced, ran swiftly off,
uttering a plaintive _peep_ often repeated, that never failed to bring
their parents to their aid. At Labrador, the Ring Plover begins to
breed in the beginning of June. On the 2d of July, I procured several
young birds apparently about a week old; they ran briskly to avoid
us, and concealed themselves so closely by squatting, that it was very
difficult to discover them even when only a few feet distant.
This species, like the Piping Plover, _Charadrius melodus_, forms
no nest; and whilst the latter scoops a place in the sand for its
eggs, the Ring Plover forms a similar cavity in the moss, in a place
sheltered from the north winds, and exposed to the full rays of the
sun, usually near the margins of small ponds formed by the melting
of the snow, and surrounded by short grass. Some of these pools are
found on the tops of the highest rocks of that country. The eggs,
like those of all the family, are four, and placed with the small ends
together. They are broad at the larger end, rather sharp at the other,
measure 1-1/4 inch in length, 7-1/8 inches in their greatest breadth,
are of a dull yellowish colour, irregularly blotched and spotted all
over with dark brown of different tints. The young are at first of
a yellowish-grey colour, prettily marked with darker spots on the
shoulders and rump. As soon as their parents dismissed them, they were
observed searching for food among the drying cod-fish, and along the
beaches.
By the 12th of August, all the individuals which had bred in Labrador
and Newfoundland, had taken their departure, migrating southward in
company with the Phalaropes and Schintz’s Sandpipers. Many of these
birds proceed by our great lakes and rivers, they being sometimes seen
in September along the shores of the Ohio and Mississippi. At this
period they are now and then observed on ploughed lands, where they
appear to procure different species of seeds and insects. Along the
whole extent of our Atlantic shores, they are numerous at this season,
and great numbers are killed, the flesh of the young birds especially
being juicy and tender.
The flight of this species is swift and sustained. They are fond of
associating with other birds of similar habits, and are generally
unsuspicious, so that they are easily approached. When on wing,
their notes are sharp, sonorous, and frequently repeated. The young
members of my party were often much amused by witnessing our pointer
chasing the old birds, whilst the latter, as if perfectly aware of
the superiority in speed, would seem to coax him on, and never failed
to exhaust him by flying along the declivities of the rocks up to
their summits, and afterwards plunging downwards to the base, thus
forming great circuits over a limited range. Their food consists of
small crustacea, mollusca, and the eggs of various marine animals.
The old males are very pugnacious in the breeding season, and engage
in obstinate conflicts, drooping their wings, and trailing their tail
fully spread out in the manner of some species of Grouse on similar
occasions.
RING PLOVER, TRINGA HIATICULA, _Wils._ Amer. Ornith. vol.
vii. p. 65, pl. 59, fig 3.
CHARADRIUS SEMIPALMATUS, _Ch. Bonaparte_, Synopsis of Birds
of United States, p. 296.
AMERICAN RING PLOVER, CHARADRIUS SEMIPALMATUS, _Richards. and
Swains._ Fauna. Bor.-Amer. vol. ii. p. 367.
SEMIPALMATED RING PLOVER, _Nuttall_, Manual, vol. ii. p. 24.
Adult Male. Plate CCCXXX. Fig. 1.
Bill shorter than the head, straight, somewhat cylindrical. Upper
mandible with the dorsal line straight for half its length, then
bulging a little and curving to the tip, which is rather acute, the
sides sloping at the base, convex towards the end, where the edges are
sharp and direct. Nasal groove extended along more than half of the
mandible; nostrils basal, linear, in the lower part of the membrane,
open, and pervious. Lower mandible with the angle short, narrow, but
rounded, the sides at the base sloping outwards and flat, the dorsal
line ascending and slightly convex, the edges sharp and involute
towards the tip.
Head of moderate size, oblong, rather compressed, the forehead rounded.
Eyes large. Neck rather short. Body ovate, compact. Wings long. Feet
slender, of moderate length; tibia bare a considerable way above the
joint; tarsus of moderate length, rather compressed, covered all round
with sub-hexagonal scales; toes slender; the hind toe wanting; third
or middle toe much longer than the outer, which exceeds the inner; all
with numerous scutella; the outer connected with the middle toe by a
web which extends to the second joint of the former, and runs along
the edge of the latter, forming a broad margin, the outer toe also
connected with the middle toe by a short membrane which does not extend
more than half-way to the second joint. Claws small, slightly arched,
compressed, rather blunt, that of the middle toe having the inner edge
dilated.
Plumage soft and blended; the feathers rounded, those of the back
somewhat distinct. Wings long and pointed; primary quills tapering, the
first longest, the second a little shorter, the rest rapidly graduated;
outer secondaries incurved and obliquely emarginate; the inner tapering
and elongated, one of them reaching to half an inch from the tip of
the longest primary. Tail of moderate length, considerably rounded, of
twelve feathers.
Bill black, its basal half rich orange. Iris deep hazel. Feet pale
flesh-colour, claws black. Forehead, loral space, and a band passing
below the eye and including the auriculars, black; the rest of the
head above and the nape, light greyish-brown, tinged with dull olive.
A broad band between the eyes, continuous with a streak over them,
a small band on the lower eyelid, and a ring on the middle of the
neck, enlarged in front so as to cover the throat, pure white. A
broad ring of black on the lower part of the neck, broader in front.
All the lower parts and the sides of the rump white. The upper parts
of the same greyish-brown as the head, the scapulars and elongated
inner secondaries more decidedly glossed with olive. Alula, primary
coverts, and primary quills dusky, the coverts tipped with white, the
outer primaries, with a portion of the shaft white, the inner with
an elongated patch of white on the outer web in addition, and the
proximal part of the inner web of the same colour. Secondary quills
with a narrow terminal margin of white, which is much enlarged on (or
in some specimens covers) the two next to the elongated ones, which
are externally margined with brownish-white. Tail pale greyish-brown,
brownish black towards the end, the tip white, enlarging on the outer,
and including the whole of the lateral feather, and the outer web of
the next.
Length to end of tail 7-1/4 inches, to end of wings 8, to end of claws
7; extent of wings 14; bill along the ridge 1/2, along the edge of
lower mandible 7/12; wing from flexure 5, tail 2-1/2; tarsus 11/12,
middle toe and claw 10/12. Weight 1-1/2 oz.
The Female is a little larger than the male, but similar, although the
black markings are tinged with brown.
Young in September. Plate CCCXXX. Fig. 2.
Bill dusky, at the base yellowish. Feet pale yellowish-green, claws
dusky. Upper parts lighter than in the adult, the feathers margined
with pale yellowish-grey; no black band on the forehead, or on the
neck, but a patch of dusky on the side of the neck and breast; the band
from the bill to behind the eye greyish-brown.
This species exhibits a very intimate affinity to _Charadrius
Hiaticula_ of Europe, which is precisely similar in form, proportions,
and colouring, but considerably larger, and having the feet
orange-coloured, with the webs much less extended.
GOOSANDER.
_MERGUS MERGANSER_, LINN.
PLATE CCCXXXI. MALE AND FEMALE.
This species may be said to be a constant resident with us, as
many individuals breed in the interior of the States of New York,
Massachusetts, and Maine. When I first resided in Kentucky, some bred
there also, although at the present day none pass the summer in that
country. In the latter part of autumn, in winter, and in early spring,
they are found in all parts of the Union; in Texas I procured some in
April 1837, and in the beginning of May saw a considerable flock in
Galveston Bay. How much farther southward their migrations extend I
know not, but from having observed them coming from that direction,
I suspect that they advance pretty far into the interior of Mexico,
from which some perhaps cross to the Arkansas River, on which I have
also seen them. On the Mississippi, the Ohio, and their tributaries,
Goosanders are found during the coldest weather; and when the larger
streams are covered with ice, they betake themselves to such smaller
creeks as have very rapid currents or cascades, about which they feed.
But there are parts of our southern coast, where they are exceedingly
rare, such as South Carolina, where my friend Dr BACHMAN has never seen
one, and the Floridas, in which none occurred to me during my rambles
there. Indeed one is surprised to find that among birds like this,
which is so hardy as to remain in our North-eastern States during the
severest part of the winter, some should extend their movements at the
same season as far to the south-west as Texas; but facts like these are
beyond our philosophy. In the lower parts of Louisiana, this species is
called the “Bee-scie-de-mer,” probably because there it is found only
on the large salt-water lakes, and about the mouths of the Mississippi,
and to distinguish it from the Hooded Merganser, which there is
more usually seen on fresh water. I have been assured by Professor
MACCULLOCH of Pictou that it now and then breeds in Nova Scotia. Yet I
found none in Labrador or Newfoundland, where the Red-breasted species
was breeding in great numbers. Dr RICHARDSON found it in abundance in
the Fur Countries.
The Goosander is a vigorous and robust bird. It swims deeply, but with
considerable speed, even against a strong current, running waters being
generally preferred by it, even when rather shallow, provided their
beds are of sand or pebbles, for it is rarely seen on muddy or stagnant
waters, even during the breeding season, when it returns to the inland
lakes. Like the Grebes it has the power of sinking backwards, and it
dives expertly, remaining occasionally several minutes beneath the
surface. It usually swims and dives against the current, and close by
the shores, extricating itself from floating ice by passing under it.
Its voracity is great, so that it consumes an extraordinary quantity
of fish. I have found fishes in its stomach seven inches in length, and
of smaller kinds so many as to weigh more than half a pound. Digestion
takes place with great rapidity, insomuch that some which I have fed
in captivity devoured more than two dozen of fishes about four inches
in length, four times daily, and yet always seemed to be desirous of
more. The alleged awkwardness of this bird when on shore is a fable,
for I have seen individuals while courting in spring run with great
celerity fifty or more yards at a time, keeping nearly in an erect
position. On occasions of this kind I have observed on the sand-bars of
the Mississippi flocks of seven or eight males chasing each other with
great animosity. At other times, however, they are not fond of walking
much, but when on shore are generally seen lying flat on the ground. At
times the Mergansers rise almost at once on wing from the water, but
at others they seem to find considerable difficulty, patting it with
their feet for many yards. These differences seem to depend on various
circumstances, such as their being suddenly surprised, or during
violent winds. They generally, if not always, rise on wing against the
breeze.
The flight of the Goosander is powerful, and as rapid and sustained
as that of the Red-breasted and Hooded Mergansers. When fairly under
way and at a good height, they advance in an almost direct course and
proceed with surprising velocity, so that, when suddenly apprised
of the vicinity of man, they at times find it difficult to check
their speed so quickly as may be necessary for their safety. I well
remember that on several occasions having watched one of these birds
flying directly up a creek and towards me, I have taken aim at it
and fired when it was at the proper distance, and yet such had been
its velocity that it would advance, after being shot, many yards
towards me. When rising from the water, whatever number may be in the
flock, they all start together, paddle off with their feet and wings,
stretching out their necks, and thus run as it were on the water to
the distance of twenty or thirty yards with great velocity, extending
in a front, or following each other in a line, according to the extent
of the space before them. They then gradually ascend to the height
of the trees, and move off to some considerable distance, but often
return to the same place. They seem to ascertain the fertility of the
water by sipping a little on their alighting, and then, having found
appearances favourable, they open their bills, apparently to take
a deep inspiration, and immediately dive. When they have procured a
sufficiency of food, they betake themselves to some sand-bar, on which
they repose until it is digested.
The Goosander rises to the surface with the fish in its bill, and,
shifting it about until it is in a proper position, swallows it head
foremost, then dives for more. So deeply does it swim, that on such
occasions not more than a third of its body is seen on the surface;
and there is very little chance of shooting it, for it dives on seeing
the flash, or even on hearing the click of the lock. The only chance
of procuring one at such times is when, on coming to the surface, it
stretches itself up and beats its wings. If it is only wounded, it
often exhibits great tenacity of life, and diving at once remains
a long time in the water. On emerging, it is seen shaking its head
violently, for the purpose of disgorging its food, and, perhaps, the
blood that has flowed into its lungs; and, on effecting this, it again
plunges headlong. At length, you see it come to the surface, with its
beautifully tinged breast upwards; but if your object be to obtain
game, you will have little satisfaction in procuring a Goosander or
any of its genus, for they are all fishy, oily, tough, and fitted for
the palate of none but experienced epicures. The food of the Goosander
consists chiefly of fish, but also of bivalve shells, snails, leeches,
aquatic lizards, crays, and frogs.