pointed; upper mandible with the dorsal line slightly
declinato-arcuate, the sides convex toward the end, the edges sharp,
with a slight sinus close to the narrow declinate tip; lower mandible
with the angle short and narrow, the dorsal line straight, the edges
sharp and a little declinate at the end, the tip narrow; the gape-line
very slightly arched.
Head oblong, of ordinary size; neck rather short, but somewhat slender.
Feet longish, rather strong; tarsus compressed, anteriorly covered
with seven large scutella, sharp-edged behind; toes of moderate
length, slender, the hind toe stout, the lateral nearly equal, the
anterior united for a short space at the base. Claws slender, arched,
compressed, acute.
Plumage soft and blended. Wings of moderate length, rounded, the first
quill short, the third and fourth longest, the second and fifth equal,
and about a quarter of an inch shorter than the fourth. Tail long,
rounded, of twelve rather narrow rounded feathers.
Bill dark-brown, the base of the lower mandible paler. Feet
yellowish-brown, claws dusky. The general colour of the upper parts
is greyish-brown, the tips of the secondary coverts, the edges of
the primary quills, and a large spot at the end of the three lateral
tail-feathers, white; the lower parts whitish, marked with triangular
dusky spots, of which there is a distinct line from the base of the
bill; the throat, the middle of the breast, the abdomen, and lower
tail-coverts unspotted.
Length to end of tail 8 inches, to end of wings 5-3/4; wing from
flexure 3-9/12; tail 3-1/2; bill along the ridge (7-1/2)/12; tarsus
1-2/12; hind toe 4/12, its claw 4/12; middle toe 8/12, its claw
(3-1/4)/12.
VARIED THRUSH.
_TURDUS NÆVIUS_, GMEL.
PLATE CCCLXIX. ADULT MALE.
Of this beautiful Thrush, of which a figure not having the black band
running quite across the breast, as is the case in the adult male, is
given by Mr SWAINSON, in the Fauna Boreali-Americana, Dr RICHARDSON
speaks as follows:—“This species was discovered at Nootka Sound, in
Captain COOK’S third voyage, and male and female specimens, in the
possession of Sir JOSEPH BANKS, were described by LATHAM: PENNANT has
also described and figured the same male. The specimen represented in
this work was procured at Fort Franklin, lat. 65-1/4°, in the spring of
1826. We did not hear its song, nor acquire any information respecting
its habits, except that it built its nest in a bush, similar to that
of the _Merula migratoria_. It was not seen by us on the banks of the
Saskatchewan; and, as it has not appeared in the list of the Birds of
the United States, it most probably does not go far to the eastward of
the Rocky Mountains in its migrations north and south. It may perhaps
be more common to the westward of that ridge.”
Dr RICHARDSON’s conjecture as to the line of march followed by it
has proved to be correct, Dr TOWNSEND and Mr NUTTALL having found it
abundant on the western sides of the Rocky Mountains. The former of
these zealous naturalists informs me that he “first found this Thrush
on the Columbia River in the month of October, and that it becomes more
numerous in winter, which it spends in that region, though some remove
farther south. It there associates with the Common Robin, _Turdus
migratorius_, but possesses a very different note, it being louder,
sharper, and quicker than those of the latter, and in the spring,
before it sets out for its yet unascertained breeding-place, it warbles
very sweetly. It is called _Ammeskuk_ by the Chinooks.”
Mr NUTTALL’s notice respecting it is as follows:—“Of this bird, whose
manners so entirely resemble those of the Common Robin, we know almost
nothing. They probably breed as far north as Nootka, where they were
first seen by the naturalists of COOK’s expedition. On the Columbia
they are only winter birds of passage, arriving about October, and
continuing more or less frequently throughout the winter. At this time
they flit through the forest in small flocks, frequenting usually low
trees, on which they perch in perfect silence, and are at times very
timorous and difficult of approach, having all the shy sagacity of the
Robin, and appearing at all times in a very desultory manner.”
The numerous specimens of this Thrush in my possession have enabled
me to compare it with _Turdus migratorius_, and another new Thrush
from Chili. On examining the tail, from the shape of which Mr SWAINSON
considers this species allied to our Mocking Bird, I found its form,
length, and extent beyond the wings, to correspond almost exactly with
those of the tail of our Robin; and, if it proves true that the Varied
Thrush forms a nest bedded with mud, it will strengthen my opinion that
both these and the Chilian species are as nearly allied as possible,
and therefore ought to be considered as true Thrushes, of which, to
assume the language of systematic writers, _Turdus migratorius_ is the
type in America, whilst _Turdus Merula_ is that of Europe.
The two figures in my plate were taken from adult males shot in spring.
You will find a figure of the female in Plate CCCCXXXIII.
TURDUS NÆVIUS, _Gmel._ Syst. Nat. vol. i. p. 817.—_Lath._
Ind. Ornith. vol. i. p. 331.
ORPHEUS MERULOIDES, THRUSH-LIKE MOCK-BIRD, _Richards. and
Swains._ Fauna Bor.-Amer. vol. ii. p. 187.
Adult Male, Plate CCCLXIX. Figs. 2, 3.
Bill of moderate length, rather strong, compressed, acute; upper
mandible with its dorsal outline slightly arched, the ridge narrow, the
sides convex toward the end, the edges sharp, overlapping, destitute
of notch, there being in its place an extremely slight sinus, the tip a
little declinate; lower mandible with the angle rather long and narrow,
the dorsal line very slightly convex, the ridge narrow, the sides
erect and convex, the edges sharp and slightly decurved towards the
narrow, rather obtuse, tip. Nostrils basal, oblong, half closed by a
horny operculum. Head of moderate size, ovate, convex anteriorly; neck
rather short, body moderately full. Feet of ordinary length, rather
stout; tarsus compressed, anteriorly covered with a long plate and four
inferior scutella, posteriorly with two long plates meeting at a very
acute angle. Toes rather large, the first strongest, the lateral nearly
equal, the third and fourth united as far as the second joint of the
latter. Claws rather large, moderately arched, much compressed, acute.
Plumage soft and rather blended. Wings of moderate length, broad,
rounded; the first primary extremely short, being about a fifth of the
length of the third, which is longest, but scarcely exceeds the fourth;
the second four-twelfths shorter than the third. Tail large, rather
long, nearly even, of twelve broad rounded feathers.
Bill black, with the basal half of the lower mandible yellow; iris
hazel; feet and claws flesh-coloured. The general colour of the upper
parts is a deep leaden-grey, darker on the head, the feathers very
narrowly margined with brown; the quills and tail-feathers dusky, the
outer webs of the latter tinged with grey, and their tips white; the
lore dusky; a band of reddish-orange passes from over the fore part of
the eye down the side of the neck, and almost meets its fellow on the
hind part; two conspicuous bands of the same cross, the wing obliquely
being formed of the tips of the first row of small coverts, and those
of the secondary coverts; the outer webs of the primary coverts about
the middle, a band on the primaries near the base, part of the outer
webs towards the end, and the tips of the secondaries, also pale
reddish-orange. The lower parts in general are reddish-orange, paler
behind; a band of greyish-black passes down the side, and crosses the
lower part of the neck, where it is almost pure black; the feathers
of the sides are tipped with light grey; those of the middle of the
abdomen are white; and the lower tail-coverts are tipped with the
latter colour. The axillary feathers are white, tipped with grey; the
smaller coverts grey, tipped with reddish-white, the primary coverts
grey, the secondary nearly white, of which also there is a bar formed
by part of the inner webs of the quills.
Length to end of tail 10-1/4 inches; wing from flexure 5-1/4; tail
3-10/12; bill along the ridge 10/12, along the edge of lower mandible
1-(1-1/2)/12; tarsus 1-1/4; hind toe (5-1/2)/12, its claw (5-1/2)/12;
middle toe (10-1/2)/12, its claw 4/12.
Adult Female. Plate CCCCXXXIII. Fig. 6.
The female, which is scarcely smaller than the male, is coloured in the
same manner; but the upper parts are strongly tinged with olive-brown;
the reddish-orange bands are much paler, the tail-feathers are margined
with dull reddish-brown; the band on the lore, down the sides of the
neck, and across it, is light greyish-brown; the orange tint of the
lower parts is much paler; the lower wing-coverts have no tinge of red,
and part of the breast and abdomen is nearly pure white.
Length to end of tail 10 inches; wing from flexure 5-2/12; tail 3-8/12;
bill along the ridge 10/12; tarsus 1-1/4; middle toe and claw 1-3/12.
The plant represented on the plate is the American Mistletoe, _Viscum
verticillatum_, on the berries of which several of our Thrushes
occasionally feed, as the Mistle thrush, _Turdus viscivorus_, is said
to do on those of _Viscum album_. It is found in almost every part of
the United States, growing chiefly on oaks and apple-trees.
AMERICAN DIPPER.
_CINCLUS AMERICANUS_, SWAINSON.
PLATE CCCLXX. MALE AND FEMALE.
The specimens from which figures here given have been taken, were
procured on the Rocky Mountains, on the 15th of June, when they were
supposed to be breeding, so that they were probably adults in full
plumage. Having little taste for critical discussions, I shall refrain
from inflicting on the reader a long and elaborate review of all that
has been said on the subject of this interesting but little-known
bird, which was figured by the Prince of MUSIGNANO from a specimen
obtained near the sources of the Athabasca River, under the name of
_Cinclus Pallasii_; and has been described by Mr SWAINSON, first
as _C. Mexicanus_, and again, in the Fauna Boreali-Americana, as
_C. Americanus_. The latter name I prefer to that of _C. unicolor_,
which is in fact incorrect, the bird not being of one single colour.
Unfortunately very little is known respecting the habits of the
American Dipper, which however, being in form and size so very similar
to that of Europe, probably resembles it in its mode of life. I
therefore cannot do better than endeavour to supply the deficiency
by presenting you with the history of the latter species, as given in
detail by my friend WILLIAM MACGILLIVRAY, who, among the wild hills of
his native country, has studied its habits with a zeal and acuteness
certainly not exceeded by those of any ornithologist. His account,
which first appeared in a periodical named “The Naturalist,” and which
he has revised and amended for insertion here, is in truth a model of
histories of this kind.
“The Dipper is in many respects one of the most interesting of our
native birds. Residing chiefly in the wild glens of the mountainous
districts, it now and then presents itself to the wandering naturalist
as it flits along the streams, or is seen perched on a stone in
the midst of the water, the white patch on its breast rendering it
conspicuous at a great distance. Even the mere collector of plants,
who, of all men, seems to be the least capable of comprehending the
harmonies of nature, pauses to gaze upon it, as it shoots past him
in its rapid and even flight; the solitary shepherd, wending his way
to the mountain corry, meets it with delight; and the patient and
contemplative angler, as he guides his tackle over the deep pool,
smiles upon the tiny fisher, whose frequent becks have attracted his
notice. The singular circumstance of its obtaining its food under the
surface of the water, although in form and structure it is allied to
the Thrushes, Wrens, and other land birds, has especially drawn the
attention of ornithologists to it; and the explanation of its mode of
progression in that element has exercised their ingenuity, although
very few have based their conjectures on actual observation. Lastly,
the land-proprietor, or his factor, too much occupied with other
pursuits to inquire for themselves, and trusting to the reports of
prejudiced persons, direct their gamekeepers and shepherds to destroy
the lively and harmless creature, whenever an opportunity occurs,
because it has been supposed to destroy the eggs and fry of the salmon.
“This bird having in a particular manner engaged my attention in the
course of my many rambles, I have been enabled to trace its history
in a satisfactory degree, so that the account here presented of it I
consider as among the most accurate of those which I have written.
“It frequents the sides of rivers and streams of inferior magnitude,
especially such as are clear and rapid, with pebbly or rocky margins.
I have met with it in every part of Scotland, as well as in the hilly
parts of Cumberland and Westmoreland, and it is said by MONTAGU to
occur in Wales and Devonshire. In Scotland it is not peculiar to the
mountainous regions, being found in the lowest parts of the Lothians,
as well as on the alpine rills of the Grampians, and other elevated
tracts, but it is generally more abundant in hilly ground, and,
although never common in any district, is nowhere more plentiful than
on the Tweed and its tributaries, in the pastoral counties of Peebles
and Selkirk. It is also a well-known inhabitant of all the larger
Hebrides. It is not only a permanent resident, but seldom shifts its
station to any great extent, excepting during continued frosts, when it
descends along the streams, and is seen flitting about by the rapids
and falls. Mill-dams are also favourite resorts, especially in winter
and spring. On lakes having a muddy or peaty bottom I have never
observed it; but it may sometimes be seen on those which are shallow
and pebbly at the margins, as on St Mary’s Loch in Yarrow, where I have
shot it.
“The flight of the Dipper is steady, direct, and rapid, like that of
the Kingfisher, being effected by regularly timed and quick beats of
the wings, without intermissions or sailings. It perches on stones or
projecting crags by the sides of streams, or in the water, where it
may be seen frequently inclining the breast downwards, and jerking
up the tail, much in the manner of the Wheatear and Stonechat, and
still more of the Wren; its legs bent, its neck retracted, and its
wings slightly drooping. It plunges into the water, not dreading the
force of the current, dives, and makes its way beneath the surface,
generally moving against the stream, and often with surprising speed.
It does not, however, immerse itself head foremost from on high like
the Kingfisher, the Tern, or the Gannet; but either walks out into
the water, or alights upon its surface, and then plunges like an Auk
or a Guillemot, slightly opening its wings, and disappearing with an
agility and dexterity that indicate its proficiency in diving. I have
seen it moving under water in situations where I could observe it with
certainty, and I readily perceived that its actions were precisely
similar to those of the Divers, Mergansers, and Cormorants, which I
have often watched from an eminence, as they pursued the shoals of
sand-eels along the sandy shores of the Hebrides. It in fact flew,
not merely using the wing, from the carpal joint, but extending it
considerably and employing its whole extent, just as if advancing in
the air. The general direction of the body in these circumstances is
obliquely downwards; and great force is evidently used to counteract
the effects of gravity, the bird finding it difficult to keep itself at
the bottom, and when it relaxes its efforts coming to the surface like
a cork. MONTAGU has well described the appearance which it presents
under such circumstances:—“In one or two instances, where we have been
able to perceive it under water, it appeared to tumble about in a very
extraordinary manner, with its head downwards, as if picking something;
and at the same time great exertion was used, both by the wings and
legs.” This tumbling, however, is observed only when it is engaged
in a strong current, and its appearance is greatly magnified by the
unequal refraction caused by the varying inequalities of the surface
of the water. When searching for food, it does not proceed to great
distances under water; but, alighting on some spot, sinks, and soon
reappears in the immediate neighbourhood, when it either dives again,
or rises on wing to drop somewhere else on the stream, or settle on a
stone. Often from a shelving crag or large stone it may be seen making
short incursions into the water, running out with quiet activity,
and presently bobbing up to the surface, and regaining its perch by
swimming or wading. The assertion of its walking _in_ the water, _on_
the bottom, which some persons have ventured, is not made good by
observation, nor countenanced by reason and the nature of things. The
Dipper is by no means a walking bird: even on land I have never seen
it move more than a few steps, which it accomplished by a kind of
leaping motion. Its short legs and curved claws are very ill adapted
for running, but admirably calculated for securing a steady footing
on slippery stones, whether above or beneath the surface of the water.
Like the Kingfisher, it often remains a long time perched on a stone,
but in most other respects its habits are very dissimilar.
“The first opportunity which I had of observing this bird advancing
under water occurred in Braemar, in 1819, when, from the bank of the
stream which passes by Castletown, I noticed one “tumbling about” in
the rapid current. In September 1832 I watched a Dipper for some time,
on a part of the Tweed, where the current was very rapid. It flew off
from the shore, and alighted in the middle of the stream, where it
immediately dived. Reappearing a little way farther up the river, it
floated for a few seconds, dived, emerged, and flew to the opposite
bank, on reaching which it again disappeared under water for a short
time, and thus continued its exertions. When perched on a stone near
the shore, especially if the water be not much agitated around, it
usually makes short incursions into it, apparently for the purpose of
procuring food, and returns to its station. On these occasions it is
not difficult to approach it, provided due precaution be used; but in
general it is shy and easily alarmed. I have several times shot at an
individual which observed me as I was quietly walking up to it; but
it is not often that one remains until you come within shot. A method
which I have often successfully practised was to mark the position of
the bird at a distance, taking note of an object on the bank opposite
to it, then make a circuit and suddenly come upon the spot. When one
has been pursued either up or down a stream for a quarter of a mile or
so, it usually turns, to regain its ordinary station, when it may be
shot as it dashes past.
“In August 1834, while ascending White Coom, the highest mountain in
Dumfriesshire, accompanied by my son, I observed a Dipper retreating
behind a large stone, over which the water fell, in the midst of
a streamlet that flowed along the bottom of a narrow sear or rut.
Imagining that its nest or young might be concealed there, we went up
to the place, and, on perceiving the bird behind the little waterfall,
endeavoured to catch it, on which it sallied forth, plunged into a
pool, and attempted to escape down the stream, but without success, for
we met it at every turn, and it was obliged to betake itself again to
its retreat. We now turned off the water from the stone, when it again
plunged into the pool, and after some windings, at length effected its
escape. On emerging at some distance it flew off, and I considered
it strange that it had not used its wings at first, as it certainly
could more easily have escaped through the air than through the water.
The chase afforded another rare opportunity of viewing its subaqueous
flight, which in all probability was caused by excessive alarm. It flew
about in the pool, just as a bird would fly in a confined space in the
air, but of course, with less velocity, and on diving at first seemed
covered with small air-bubbles which adhered to its surface.
“On being wounded the Dipper commonly plunges into the water, flies
beneath its surface to the shore, and conceals itself among the stones
or under the bank. In fact, on all such occasions, if enough of life
remains, it is sure to hide itself, so that one requires to look
sharply after it. In this respect it greatly resembles the Common
Gallinule. In the winter of 1829, I shot one on the Almond, which flew
to the other side, walked deliberately out into the water, disappeared,
and slowly emerged under a bank at some distance, where I found it
after wading through the stream, which was partially frozen. Another
had just strength sufficient to fly into a deep hole under a bridge on
the Yarrow, partially filled with water, on which it was found floating
dead. In August 1834, I shot a Dipper on Manor Water in Tweeddale,
which flew off, dived, and hid itself under a bank, on which I forded
the stream and endeavoured to secure it, but it slipped out under
water, swam down the current twenty yards or so, and got under a large
stone, where it was traced. The introduction of the gun-rod only caused
the persecuted bird to retreat as far as it could, and when I was
employed in removing some pebbles and gravel from behind the stone, it
slipped out under water, and proceeded down the stream a considerable
way before it rose to breathe. I noticed the place where it dived in
under the bank, and it being at length obliged to come up to respire,
I met the bird with my hand and so secured it.
“When wounded and caught, it struggles hard, grasping firmly with the
feet, but does not attempt to bite. I mention this circumstance as
common to certain species of birds, such as the Fieldfare, Blackbird,
and Starling, which without possessing the power of annoying their
enemy, yet do not tamely suffer themselves to be destroyed, but
struggle to the last, undismayed, and ready to use the slightest chance
of escape. Other species, equal in strength, such as the Snipe, the
Golden Plover, and the Lapwing, do not struggle so vigorously, but meet
their fate in a quiet and apparently stupid manner. Some birds, again,
such as the Tits and Warblers, although evidently extremely frightened
on being seized, watch every opportunity of biting. I need scarcely add
that some, as the Kestril and Sparrowhawk, grasp and bite with as much
good-will as effect.
“The most melancholy ornithological exhibition that I remember to have
witnessed, was that of a wounded Dipper which was shot through the
lungs, above Cramond Bridge, near Edinburgh. It stood still, without
attempting to fly off, apparently insensible to all external objects,
its legs bent, its wings drooping, its head declined. The blood was
oozing from its side, and gurgling in its windpipe, which the poor bird
made ineffectual efforts to clear. At intervals, a convulsive heaving
of the chest took place, followed by an effort to vomit; and in that
state the sufferer stood for five minutes, until I got over the stream
to it, when it expired in my hand. In the agony of death, the pupil
became contracted to a mere point, and presently after dilated, when
the lower eyelid gradually rose and covered the eye. This is commonly
the case in birds, which do not expire with their eyes open, like man
and most quadrupeds.