BULLETIN
OF THE
NUTTALL ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB:
=A Quarterly Journal of Ornithology.=
VOLUME VII.
=Editor.=
J. A. ALLEN.
=Associate Editors.=
S. F. BAIRD AND ELLIOTT COUES.
CAMBRIDGE, MASS.:
PUBLISHED BY THE CLUB.
1882
_W. H. Wheeler, Printer,
15 & 17 Brighton Street, Cambridge, Mass.
1882._
CONTENTS OF VOLUME VII.
NUMBER I.
PAGE.
ON AN APPARENTLY NEW HERON FROM FLORIDA. By _Robert Ridgway_. 1
LIST OF BIRDS OBSERVED AT HOUSTON, HARRIS CO., TEXAS, AND
VICINITY, AND IN THE COUNTIES MONTGOMERY, GALVESTON, AND FORD
BEND. By _H. Nehrling_. 6
ON THE SESAMOID AT THE FRONT OF THE CARPUS IN BIRDS. By _F. Amory
Jeffries_. 13
NOTES ON SOME OF THE BIRDS OBSERVED NEAR WHEATLAND, KNOX CO.,
INDIANA, IN THE SPRING OF 1881. By _Robert Ridgway_. 15
NOTES ON THE HABITS AND CHANGES OF PLUMAGE OF THE ACADIAN OWL
(_Nyctale acadica_), WITH SOME ADDITIONAL RECORDS OF ITS
BREEDING IN MASSACHUSETTS. By _William Brewster_. 23
DESCRIPTION OF A NEW RACE OF _Peucæa ruficeps_ FROM TEXAS. By
_Nathan Clifford Brown_. 26
ON KENNICOTT’S OWL AND SOME OF ITS ALLIES, WITH A DESCRIPTION OF
A PROPOSED NEW RACE. By _William Brewster_. 27
A RECONNOISSANCE IN SOUTHWESTERN TEXAS. By _Nathan Clifford
Brown_. 33
RECENT LITERATURE.
Memorial Volume of Garrod’s Scientific Papers, 43; Shufeldt’s
Osteology of the North American Tetraonidæ, 44; Illustrations
of Ohio Nests and Eggs, 45; Shufeldt’s “The Claw on the Index
Digit of the Cathartidæ,” 46; Papers on Minnesota Birds, 47;
Freke on the Birds of Amelia County, Virginia, 48; Langdon’s
Field Notes on Louisiana Birds, 48; Krider’s Field Notes, 49;
Langdon’s Zoölogical Miscellany, 50; Hoffman on the Birds of
Nevada, 51.
GENERAL NOTES.
The Tufted Titmouse on Staten Island, N. Y., 52; Nesting of the
White-bellied Wren (_Thryothorus bewicki leucogaster_), 52; An
Erroneous Record of the Orange-crowned Warbler (_Helminthophaga
celata_) in New Hampshire, 53; On the Generic Name
_Helminthophaga_, 53; _Dendræca palmarum_ again in
Massachusetts, 54; _Ampelis cedrorum_ as a Sap-sucker, 54;
Capture of _Plectrophanes lapponicus_ in Chester, S. C., 54;
Occurrence of _Coturniculus lecontei_ in Chester County, South
Carolina, 54; The Sharp-tailed Finch in Kansas, 55; Note on
_Mitrephanes_, a New Generic Name, 55; Nesting of _Empidonax
minimus_ and _Helmintherus vermivorus_ in Pennsylvania and New
Jersey, 55; Cuckoos laying in the Nests of other Birds, 56;
_Melanerpes erythrocephalus_ about Boston, 57; The Barn Owl in
Maine; a Retraction, 58; The Snowy Owl at Fort Walla Walla, W.
T., 58; Capture of the Golden Eagle in Crawford County,
Pennsylvania, 58; The Swallow-tailed Kite in Dakota, 59; A
Remarkable Specimen of the Pinnated Grouse (_Cupidonia
cupido_), 59; Wilson’s Plover (_Ægialites wilsonius_) in New
England, 59; Capture of Baird’s Sandpiper on Long Island, N.
Y., 60; An Addition to the Maine Fauna, 60; Capture of _Larus
leucopterus_ near Boston, 60; The Great Black-backed Gull
(_Larus marinus_) from a new Locality, 60; The Snake-bird in
Kansas, 61; Capture of the Sea Dove 150 Miles from the Sea, 61;
Additions to the Catalogue of North American Birds, 61; Notes
on Some Birds of the Belt Mountains, Montana Territory, 61;
Remarks on Some Western Vermont Birds, 63.
ERRATUM 64
NUMBER II.
ON A COLLECTION OF BIRDS LATELY MADE BY MR. F. STEPHENS IN
ARIZONA. By _William Brewster_. 65
NOTES ON THE OS PROMINENS. By _Frederic A Lucas_. 86
A LIST OF BIRDS FROM THE LOWER MISSISSIPPI VALLEY, OBSERVED
DURING THE SUMMER OF 1881, WITH BRIEF NOTES. By _O. P. Hay_. 89
IMPRESSIONS OF SOME SOUTHERN BIRDS. By _William Brewster_. 94
NOTES ON SOME OF THE RARER BIRDS OF SOUTHERN NEW BRUNSWICK. By
_Montague Chamberlain_. 104
NOTES ON THE SUMMER BIRDS OF THE UPPER ST. JOHN. By _Charles F.
Batchelder_. 106
RECENT LITERATURE.
Dr. Coues’ New Check List and Dictionary, 111; Nests and Eggs of
Ohio Birds, 112; Professor Macoun’s Report of Exploration, 113;
Knowlton’s Revised List of the Birds of Brandon, Vermont, 113;
Krukenberg on the Coloring Matter of Feathers, 114; Minor
Ornithological Papers, 115.
GENERAL NOTES.
Description of a Nest of the Water Ouzel, 118; The Short-billed
Marsh Wren in New Hampshire, 118; Early Arrival of the Yellow
Rump in Southern Maine, 119; Late Stay (probable Wintering) of
_Dendrœca pinus_ in Massachusetts, 119; The Hooded Warbler in
Western New York, 119; Breeding of the Pine Grosbeak (_Pinicola
enucleator_) in Lower Canada, 120; _Coturniculus lecontei_, _C.
henslowi_, and _Cistothorus stellaris_ in Florida, 121;
_Ammodramus caudacutus_—a somewhat Inland Record on the
Atlantic Coast, 122; The White-throated Sparrow in Winter near
Worcester, Mass., 122; _Peucæa ruficeps eremœca_, 122; The
Canada Jay at Portland, Maine, 122; The White-throated Swift
breeding on Belt River, Montana, 122; Capture of the Golden
Eagle (_Aquila chrysaëtus canadensis_) near Columbus, Ohio,
123; The Little Blue Heron in Maine, 123; Baird’s Sandpiper on
Long Island, N. Y.—a Correction, 123; _Pelidna subarquata_ on
the Maine Coast, 124; The King Rail in New England, 124; Purple
Gallinule (_Ionornis martinica_) in Rhode Island, 124; Note on
the Habits of the Young of _Gallinula galeata_ and _Podilymbus
podiceps_, 124; _Rhynchops nigra_—an Early Record for the
Massachusetts Coast, 125; Notes on the Habits of the Kittiwake
Gull, 125; _Sterna forsteri_ breeding off the Eastern Shore of
Virginia, 126; Note on the Foot of _Accipiter fuscus_, 126;
Supplementary Notes on two Texas Birds, 127; Addenda to the
Preliminary list of Birds ascertained to occur in the
Adirondack Region, Northeastern New York, 128.
ERRATA 128
NUMBER III.
THE COLORS OF FEATHERS. (_Plate I._) By _J. Amory Jeffries_ 129
ON A COLLECTION OF BIRDS LATELY MADE BY MR. F. STEPHENS IN
ARIZONA. By _William Brewster_ 135
NOTES ON THE SUMMER BIRDS OF THE UPPER ST. JOHN. By _Charles F.
Batchelder_ 147
A SKETCH OF THE HOME OF _Hylocichla aliciæ bicknelli_, RIDGWAY,
WITH SOME CRITICAL REMARKS ON THE ALLIES OF THIS NEW RACE. By
_Eugene P. Bicknell_ 152
SHORT NOTES ON THE BIRDS OF BAYOU SARA, LOUISIANA. By _Charles
Wickliffe Beckham_ 159
LIST OF BIRDS OBSERVED AT HOUSTON, HARRIS CO., TEXAS, AND IN THE
COUNTIES MONTGOMERY, GALVESTON, AND FORD BEND. By _H. Nehrling_ 166
RECENT LITERATURE.
Bailey’s Index to Forest and Stream, 175; Chamberlain’s Catalogue
of the Birds of New Brunswick, 176; Krukenberg on the Coloring
Matter of Feathers, Second Part, 177; Stejneger’s Nomenclatural
Innovations, 178; Ingersoll’s Birds’-Nesting, 179.
GENERAL NOTES.
Note on _Mimus polyglottus_, 180; The Nest of the House Wren,
180; Remarkable plumage of the Orchard Oriole, 181; The Nest
and Eggs of _Perisoreus canadensis_, 181; Notes on the Plumage
of _Nephæcetes niger borealis_, 182; Plumage of the Young of
_Eclectus polychlorus_, 183; An Owl’s Egg laid in Confinement,
183; _Buteo brachyurus_—a Correction, 184; The Turkey Buzzard
in New Hampshire, 184; Rapacious Birds in Confinement, 184;
Note on _Mareca americana_, 185; Destruction of Birds by the
Cold Wave of May 21st and 22d, 185; More Definite Statistics
needed in regard to the Abundance of Birds, 186; Remarks on
Five Maine Birds, 189; Maine Notes, 190; Stray Notes from
Lookout Mountain, Tenn., 191.
ERRATA 192
NUMBER IV.
ON A COLLECTION OF BIRDS LATELY MADE BY MR. F. STEPHENS IN
ARIZONA. By _William Brewster_ 193
NOTES UPON THE OSTEOLOGY OF _Cinclus mexicanus_. By _R. W.
Shufeldt_ 213
LIST OF BIRDS OBSERVED AT HOUSTON, HARRIS CO., TEXAS, AND IN THE
COUNTIES MONTGOMERY, GALVESTON, AND FORD BEND. By _H. Nehrling_ 222
NOTES ON SOME BIRDS COLLECTED BY CAPT. CHARLES BENDIRE AT FORT
WALLA WALLA, WASHINGTON TERRITORY. By _William Brewster_ 225
LIST OF BIRDS ASCERTAINED TO OCCUR WITHIN TEN MILES FROM POINT DE
MONTS, PROVINCE OF QUEBEC, CANADA, BASED CHIEFLY UPON THE NOTES
OF NAPOLEON A. COMEAU. By _C. Hart Merriam_ 233
RECENT LITERATURE.
The Coues Check List and Ornithological Dictionary, 242; Gentry’s
Nests and Eggs of Birds of the United States, 246.
GENERAL NOTES.
_Dendræca palmarum_ at Sing Sing, N. Y., 249; Nest and Eggs of
_Setophaga picta_—a Correction, 249; The Summer Tanager
(_Pyranga æstiva_) in New Brunswick, 249; The Evening Grosbeak
in New York, 250; The Black-throated Bunting in Florida, 250;
Distribution of the Fish Crow (_Corvus ossifragus_), 250; The
Swallow-tailed Kite (_Elanoïdes forficatus_) taken in Southern
Michigan, 250: _Garzetta candidissima_ at Nantucket,
Massachusetts, 251; The Snow Goose (_Chen hyperboreus_) at Sing
Sing, N. Y., 251: Note on the Long-tailed Duck, 251; _Lomvia
arra brünnichi_ and _L. troile_ in New England, 251; Rare
Warblers in Massachusetts, 252; The Unusual “Wave” of Birds
during the Spring Migration of 1882, 252; Birds new or rare in
the District of Columbia, 253; Notes on some Birds and Eggs
from the Magdalen Islands, Gulf of St. Lawrence, 253; Second
Addendum to the Preliminary List of Birds ascertained to occur
in the Adirondack region, Northeastern New York, 256; List of
Additions to the Catalogue of North American Birds, 257.
INDEX 259
BULLETIN
OF THE
NUTTALL ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB.
VOL. VII. JANUARY, 1882. NO. I.
ON AN APPARENTLY NEW HERON FROM FLORIDA.
BY ROBERT RIDGWAY.
The following facts in relation to an apparently hitherto unnoticed
large Heron found in Southwestern Florida, I am kindly permitted to lay
before the readers of the Nuttall Bulletin, by Mr. Charles W. Ward, of
Pontiac, Michigan, who spent several weeks at the breeding grounds of
the bird in question, and was thus enabled to make many very interesting
observations on its habits, etc. Mr. Ward’s memoranda are especially
interesting in connection with the question of _Ardea occidentalis_ Aud.
and _A. würdemanni_ Baird, but unfortunately the matter, in the light of
the evidence which he adduces, becomes involved in greater obscurity
than before.
Under date of September 3 (1881), Mr. Ward writes as follows:—
“My observations of the Herons during the past season do not correspond
with those of Mr. N. B. Moore, as recorded on page 232 of your
article[1], in regard to their feeding habits. I found them generally
living in communities, roosting, nesting, and feeding together, like
Pigeons, and often observed flocks of the Little White, Reddish, and
other Egrets, feeding together like Teal Ducks. Two specimens of _A.
occidentalis_ were seen feeding quietly within twenty feet of one of the
Herons procured by me [_A. wardi_, nobis]. They were feeding on a mud
bar at low tide. I was once concealed in the low brush near a small pool
watching three Louisiana Egrets chasing minnows, when two of them making
for the same minnow squared off for a knock-down, while the third coolly
appropriated the prize, leaving the combatants situated like complainant
and defendant at the close of a law suit. In all my observations of the
Herons I have seen nothing to lead to a conclusion that one of these
birds held any particular antipathy against its own species while
feeding. In the many squabbles between Herons on their feeding grounds
the encounters occurred quite as often between different species as
members of the same species. It may be that during the breeding season
they are more friendly than at other times. In order that you may
understand my opportunities for observing these birds, I enclose a rough
map of Mound Key and surroundings, my camping place from January 20 till
April 10. As you will see by the figures marked ... it was in the midst
of their feeding grounds, these places being mud- and sand-bars, bare at
low tide. Regarding the Reddish Egret, among many thousands of them I
saw only one in the pure white plumage, and no white young; but one of
my dark specimens has white feathers on the head and in the tail, while
one of the secondary quills has the outer web chiefly white. My
companion of last winter’s Florida trip reports that he saw no Reddish
Egrets with white except on the secondaries.
“Regarding the large Herons [_i.e._, _A. wardi_], I am much inclined to
think them a geographical variety ... the specimens being very uniform
in color.... I examined some thirty nests at least, fifteen of which
contained young, all being dark colored, _with one exception_. These
birds are common in Southwestern Florida, and their nests are frequently
found along the coast. From all the information at my command, connected
with my own observations, I am almost convinced that the bird in
question is separate and distinct from _A. occidentalis_ and _A.
würdemanni_, and the fact that Audubon found the former in immense
numbers among the mangrove islands of Eastern Florida is strong evidence
that he happened in the vicinity of one of their rookeries. As you will
observe by examining the diagram of my camping place and noting the
rookeries of large Herons ... these birds were quite common in that
vicinity, while I saw only a few specimens of _A. occidentalis_. The
white bird found in the nest with the blue might have come there from an
adjoining empty nest, some 30 or 40 feet distant, as it could easily
have done, being nearly full-grown. This surmise is strengthened by the
circumstance that I saw a large white Heron on the island marked ‘*,’
and my companion killed a similar, if not the same, specimen on the
large island marked ‘2,’ which he threw away, supposing it to be a
common White Egret [_Herodias egretta_]. These I now believe to have
been _A. occidentalis_; the other [_H. egretta_] was then laying its
eggs, while the description of _A. occidentalis_ corresponds to my
recollection of the bird he killed. At the time, I was not familiar with
the description of _A. occidentalis_.
“In the Little Blue Heron [_Florida cærulea_] and Reddish Egret
(_Dichromanassa rufa_), where dichromatism appears to be an established
fact, each species presents different phases and mixtures of both
colors, especially the Little Blue, which shows almost every variety of
curious markings of blue and white; while in the Reddish Egret, one
specimen shows white on the head, tail, and wings, and others reported
by Mr. Adams show white on the wings.
“As before said, I believe the bird to be a geographical variation of
_A. herodias_, residing permanently and breeding in South Florida. I
think that further search and observation will develop more evidence
concerning _A. occidentalis_ and _A. würdemanni_, which may result in
confirming your theory of their being one and the same species. You will
pardon my opposing your opinion, but my convictions are so strong that
only the finding of white birds with blue young and more cases of blue
parents with white young, or adults showing mixtures of both phases,
would overcome them.”
Assuming that the large white birds observed by Mr. Ward were really a
white phase of the dark-colored birds obtained by him, and which were so
numerous in the locality, it certainly appears strange that so few of
the former were seen. The case of the Reddish Egret, which he cites,
affords, however, an exact parallel, and it is now considered
established beyond question that “Peale’s Egret” (_Ardea pealei_
Bonap.—a pure white bird) is merely a white phase of this species. As to
the comparative rarity of these large white birds, in the locality where
observed by Mr. Ward, militating against any theory of their specific
identity with the dark-colored birds, it should be remembered that in
the case of nearly every dichromatic species of bird this condition is
more or less variable with locality. A pertinent example may be cited in
the case of _Demiegretta sacra_, a Heron of wide distribution in the Far
East. This species inhabits a considerable number of islands in the
Polynesian group, and it has been noticed and recorded by naturalists
who have visited that region, that on some islands all or nearly all the
birds of this species are dark colored, on others all or nearly all are
white, while on others still there may be a more equal proportion of the
two phases. It may be remarked that the two phases in this species are
even more distinct in coloration than in the case of _Dichromanassa
rufa_, the colored phase being darker than in the latter species. Upon
the whole, even admitting the possibility of the white young bird seen
by Mr. Ward having of its own volition taken up its abode in a nest
containing dark-colored young, I am strongly inclined to believe that it
belonged to the same species with the latter, the question of its
parentage (_i.e._, whether its parents were white or dark-colored birds)
being a comparatively unimportant consideration, as affecting the main
question. But in adopting the view of their specific identity a problem
arises which in the light of our present knowledge appears unsolvable,
and which may be briefly stated thus:—
The large “blue” Herons obtained by Mr. Ward are, in every respect as
regards size and proportions, identical with _Ardea occidentalis_ Aud.
and _A. würdemanni_ Baird; in coloration they agree exactly with the
latter, except only in the pattern of the head and tint of the neck,
which are precisely as in _A. herodias_. The bird in question is
apparently “dichromatic,” having a white phase; hence, assuming that _A.
occidentalis_ and _A. würdemanni_ are dichromatic phases of one species,
it necessarily follows that white individuals of the bird in question
would be _absolutely indistinguishable from white examples of A.
occidentalis_! Still, in view of the fact that the colored phase differs
from _A. würdemanni_ in its most essential feature of coloration,
_i.e._, the pattern of the head markings, it seems impossible to unite
them, unless it can be shown that the type of _A. würdemanni_ does not
represent the perfect colored phase of that species.[2] There are hence
several hypotheses which might be plausibly argued upon theoretical
grounds, and which may be stated as follows: (1) That _A. occidentalis_,
_A. würdemanni_, _A. wardi_, and _A. herodias_ all belong to a single
species, which reaches its extremes of variation in the first- and
last-named; (2) That these names include three distinct races or
species: _A. herodias_, which is never white; _A. occidentalis_, which
is dichromatic (having separate white and colored phases), and _A.
wardi_, also dichromatic, its white phase indistinguishable from that of
_A. occidentalis_, and its colored phase distinguishable from that of
the same species (_A. würdemanni_) by the different pattern and color of
the head and neck alone; and (3) that there are two species, _A.
occidentalis_ and _A. herodias_, which in Florida hybridize on an
extensive scale, producing the intermediate specimens which have been
distinguished as _A. würdemanni_ and _A. wardi_.
Of these hypotheses I have, after careful consideration of them all,
concluded to adopt the second as being most consistent with known facts,
and accordingly propose for the bird in question the name
=486* Ardea wardi= _Ridgw._
WARD’S HERON.
With the following characters:—
CH.—Colored phase exactly like _A. würdemanni_ (= dark phase of _A.
occidentalis_?), but with the head colored as in _A. herodias_.
Differing from _herodias_ in much larger size (culmen 6.50–7.00
inches, tarsus, 8.50–9.00 inches), lighter general coloration, and (in
dried skin) light brown instead of black legs. Dichromatic; the white
phase being indistinguishable from that of _A. occidentalis_ (?).
_Adult_ ♂ (No. 82,329, U. S. Nat. Mus., Oyster Bay, Florida, March,
1881; Chas. W. Ward): Head white, with the sides of the crown and
entire occiput (including the lengthened plumes) deep black;[3] neck
lavender-gray (much lighter than in the type of _würdemanni_), the
fore-neck white thickly streaked with black for the lower two-thirds;
jugular plumes chiefly white, their lengthened tapering portion
entirely so. Upper surface uniform bluish plumbeous, the lengthened
scapular plumes hoary whitish or pale silvery gray. Upper breast
uniform black; abdomen and lower breast white, rather indistinctly
streaked with dark gray; anal region mixed black and white, in
longitudinal dashes (the black rather predominating); crissum
immaculate pure white. Tibiæ uniform light cinnamon; edge of the wing
(especially near the bend) deeper cinnamon, but this much mixed with
white toward the bases of the quills; lining of the wing, axillars,
sides, and flanks, uniform plumbeous. Bill, apparently, entirely
olivaceous-yellow; naked portion of tibiæ very pale brown (evidently
yellowish or flesh-colored in life); tarsi light brown (olivaceous in
life?), darker in front; toes light brown. Wing, 20.50: culmen, 6.75;
depth of bill through nostril, 1.10; tarsus, 8.75; middle toe, 5.10;
naked portion of tibiæ, 5.50.
Mr. W. H. Collins, of Detroit, who kindly presented the specimen
described above to the National Museum, has sent me measurements of two
other specimens, one in his own possession, the other mounted for Mr.
Ward. As may be seen below they agree closely in dimensions with the
type, their measurements being, respectively, wing 20.00–20.50; culmen
6.50–7.00; depth of bill through nostril, 1.25; tarsus, 8.75–9.00;
middle toe, 5.25–5.45; naked portion of tibia, 5.75–6.00.
LIST OF BIRDS OBSERVED AT HOUSTON, HARRIS CO., TEXAS AND VICINITY AND IN
THE COUNTIES MONTGOMERY, GALVESTON AND FORD BEND.
BY H. NEHRLING.
1. =Turdus migratorius=, _L._ ROBIN.—Very common in the woods from
November to April. Very shy and retiring during their stay; only a few
have been observed in the larger gardens of Houston. Feeds abundantly on
the berries of the holly (_Ilex opaca_) and the myrtle-holly (_Oreophila
myrtifolia_). About the 15th of April all have departed for the North.
2. =Turdus mustelinus=, _Gmel._ WOOD THRUSH.—Arrives from the North
early in October when the aromatic berries of the _Magnolia grandiflora_
are ripe, on which they eagerly feed. On account of this food the flesh
is very delicate and large numbers are killed by pot hunters, who call
them “Grassets.” In the winter months they appear not to be common and
inhabit swampy thickets and bottom woods.
3. =Turdus fuscescens=, _Steph._ WILSON’S THRUSH.—Only a few observed
during the fall migration.
4. =Turdus swainsoni=, _Cab._ OLIVE-BACKED THRUSH.—Not rare during the
migrations.
5. =Mimus polyglottus=, _Boie_. MOCKINGBIRD.—A very abundant resident.
Only a few remain to winter, in protected localities; the majority
migrate further south. They arrive from their winter quarters early in
March and are by the end of that month again common. Nest-building
commences usually in the middle of April. Many are killed by farmers and
gardeners on account of their fondness for ripe figs and grapes. Besides
insects, they feed eagerly on the berries of the poke (_Phytolacca
decandra_), the elder (_Sambucus canadensis_), and the Mexican mulberry
(_Callicarpa americana_). In winter the berries of the myrtle-holly
(_Oreophila myrtifolia_) and those of the mistletoe (_Phoradendron
flavescens_) are their principal food.
6. =Mimus carolinensis=, _Gray_. CATBIRD.—I first observed a single
specimen of this bird April 25, 1879. It was then my opinion that this
bird must be a very rare migrant, as I did not meet with another that
year. It was this year (1881), May 5, when I wandered through the thick
underbrush in the woods on Spring Creek that I heard the peculiar cry of
the Catbird, and a few minutes after I discovered the nest, which was
built in a young oak sapling, about ten feet above the ground. They are
not the familiar and confident birds of the Northern States, but
extremely shy and retiring in their habits. They kept a good distance
from me when I took the nest.
7. =Harporhynchus rufus=, _Cab._ BROWN THRUSH.—Common during the winter
months in the thick underbrush of the woods near Spring Creek, in the
northern part of Harris County. Very silent and extremely shy.
8. =Sialia sialis=, _Hald._ BLUEBIRD.—A very abundant winter sojourner
and a common summer resident; but not so abundant as in the Northern
States, and not so familiar. Commences to breed as early as February 15.
I found a nest March 6, which contained newly hatched young. A nest
discovered April 29 contained four pure white eggs.
9. =Regulus calendula=, _Licht._ RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET, and
10. =Regulus satrapa=, _Licht._ AMERICAN GOLDEN-CRESTED KINGLET.—Both
are common during the winter months, when, in company with Titmice, they
inhabit the pine woods near Houston. Are to be observed during the whole
winter in the mountain cedars (_Juniperus occidentalis texanus_), which
are common in the gardens of the city.
11. =Polioptila cærulea=, _Sclat._ BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER.—Common in the
heavy wooded bottom lands on the Brazos, Spring Creek, and San Jacinto,
and especially abundant on Buffalo Bayou when the magnificent _Magnolia
grandiflora_ is in bloom. Almost with the agility and grace of a
Hummingbird, it flies around the showy flowers in pursuit of insects.
Nest-building commences early in May. This beautiful little domicile is
built very high, in small branches of elms, swamp oaks (_Quercus
palustris_) and other densely leaved forest trees.
12. =Lophophanes bicolor=, _Bon._ TUFTED TITMOUSE.—A very common bird
and resident throughout the year, even in the city gardens, where it is
exceedingly tame and confiding. Breeds as early as the beginning of
March. Nests in deserted Woodpeckers’ holes, in old stumps, in
cedar-posts, in hollow branches, etc.
13. =Parus carolinensis=, _Aud._ SOUTHERN CHICKADEE.—Very common and
familiar. Resident throughout the year. April 15 I discovered a nest of
this diminutive bird in an old fence-post; it contained six nearly
fledged young. The cavity was filled up about nine inches with soft
mosses, cow’s hair, and the fur of smaller animals. Usually the nest is
built in the hollow of a branch.
14. =Thryothorus ludovicianus=, _Bon._ CAROLINA WREN.—Very common in all
low wooded localities with dense underbrush. Thickets of smilax,
blackberry bushes, snowball (_Viburnum molle_ and _V. dentatum_),
_Rhamnus carolinianus_, _Bumelia lanuginosa_, intermixed with a few
larger trees (oaks or elms), which are commonly overgrown by the
mustang-grape and the grotesque forms of the supple jack (_Berchemia
volubilis_), are its favorite resorts. In a few instances I have known a
pair to build their nest in a bird-box near a dwelling.
15. =Thryothorus bewicki=, _Bonap._ LONG-TAILED HOUSE WREN.—Abundant in
all suitable localities and very familiar, breeding in bird-boxes,
stables, corn-cribs, and even in houses over doors, etc. One pair built
their nest in the pocket of an old coat, hanging out doors.
16. =Troglodytes aëdon=, _Vieill._ HOUSE WREN.—Only a winter visitant,
occurring in considerable numbers in secluded localities.
17. =Cistothorus palustris=, _Baird_. LONG-BILLED MARSH WREN.—Rare
during the migrations.
18. =Cistothorus stellaris=, _Cab._ SHORT-BILLED MARSH WREN.—Observed so
late as May 2 in the marshy prairie districts in the northern part of
Harris County, and in September in the sugar-cane fields on the Brazos
in Ford Bend County. Probably breeds.
19. =Anthus ludovicianus=, _Licht._ AMERICAN PIPIT; TITLARK.—Very common
during winter, from the middle of November to the second week in April.
Comes fearlessly in the streets of the city and in the door-yards.
20. =Neocorys spraguei=, _Sclat._ MISSOURI SKYLARK.—Observed small
flocks early in November on the prairies near Houston. They were often
associated with _Passerculus savanna_, and in habits resembled very
closely the Titlark. All disappeared soon.
21. =Mniotilta varia=, _Vieill._ BLACK-AND-WHITE CREEPER.—Not uncommon
during the migrations. Noted first March 22. At the 15th of April the
majority depart for the north, only few remaining to breed.
22. =Parula americana=, _Bon._ BLUE YELLOW-BACKED WARBLER.—This
beautiful little Warbler is rather common during the migrations in all
wooded portions, especially in the river bottoms, where almost every
tree is covered with the long gray Spanish moss (_Tillandsia
usneoides_). Some remain to breed, as I have seen the parents feeding
the young in July and August.
23. =Protonotaria citrea=, _Bd._ PROTHONOTARY WARBLER.—A not uncommon
summer resident in marshy localities on Spring Creek and in Ford Bend
County in the Brazos bottom, where so-called lakes are abundant. It
breeds in hollows of trees, deserted Woodpeckers’ holes, and in stumps
standing in the water. I usually met with this bird in localities where
the Little Blue Heron (_Florida cærulea_) and the Snowy Heron (_Garzetta
candidissima_) were common. I can add nothing to the unsurpassable life
history of this bird given by Mr. William Brewster in this Bulletin,
Vol. III, pp. 153–162.
24. =Helmintherus vermivorus=, _Bon._ WORM-EATING SWAMP WARBLER.—A few
seen April 6, 1881, in a flowering plum tree in a city-garden.
25. =Helminthophaga chrysoptera=, _Cab._ GOLDEN-WINGED WARBLER.—Common
during the migrations, in October and April.
26. =Helminthophaga peregrina=, _Cab._ TENNESSEE WARBLER.—Not uncommon
during migrations.
27. =Helminthophaga celata=, _Bd._ ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER.—Seen only
during migrations and very rare.
28. =Dendrœca æstiva=, _Bd._ SUMMER YELLOW BIRD.—Very abundant during
migrations. Not a very common summer sojourner, but quite regularly
distributed.
29. =Dendrœca coronata=, _Gray._ YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER.—The most common
of all the Warblers from November to April. Winters abundantly in this
region and numbers visit the gardens, even those in the interior of the
city.
30. =Dendrœca maculosa=, _Bd._ BLACK-AND-YELLOW WARBLER, and
31. =Dendrœca blackburniæ=, _Bd._ BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER, are both, so far
as I observed, exceedingly rare during migrations.
32. =Dendrœca pennsylvanica=, _Bd._ CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER.—Somewhat
common in the latter part of April and early in May.
33. =Dendrœca castanea=, _Bd._ BAY-BREASTED WARBLER.—This elegant
Warbler is one of the most common of its family during the spring
migration. I observed small flocks of from eight to ten so late as May
5.
34. =Dendrœca striata=, _Bd._ BLACK-POLL WARBLER.—Transient; arrives
from winter quarters late in April, when the host of Warblers pass
northward. Tolerably common.
35. =Dendrœca virens=, _Bd._ BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER.—Abundant
during migrations. Moves in flocks of from four to ten.
36. =Dendrœca dominica albilora=, _Ridg._ YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER.—A
very rare summer resident and very difficult to observe in the high
moss-grown forest trees of the river bottoms. The song resembles that of
_Dendrœca æstiva_, but is louder and more varied. I think it is almost
impossible to discover a nest of this bird in the high trees, so densely
covered with _Tillandsia._
37. =Dendrœca pinus=, _Bd._ PINE WARBLER.—Winters in small companies in
the woods in the northern part of Harris County, near Spring Creek.
I did not find so many Warblers as I expected, although I kept a
diligent lookout. I did not observe _D. palmarum_, _D. canadensis_, _D.
discolor_, or _D. cærulea._
38. =Siurus auricapillus=, _Sw._ GOLDEN-CROWNED THRUSH.—Transient and
not common.
39. =Siurus nævius=, _Coues_. WATER THRUSH.—Not uncommon in suitable
localities during migrations.
40. =Oporornis formosa=, _Bd._ KENTUCKY WARBLER.—A common summer
resident; exceeding in numbers even the Maryland Yellow-throat, with
which it occupies the same localities. Common in wet fields with patches
of low bushes, and in the dense undergrowth near water. Visits
frequently the country gardens. Very abundant on Spring Creek, in the
northern part of Harris County, and in Montgomery County. Arrives about
April 21. Commences nest-building early in May. Nest very difficult to
find.
41. =Geothlypis trichas=, _Cab._ MARYLAND YELLOW-THROAT.—Arrives about
April 15, from its winter quarters. A common summer sojourner. Like the
preceding species, most common in grassy localities with thickets
interspersed. On a farm near Houston is a wet piece of land containing
about two acres, where I found three pairs breeding. Through this runs a
ditch and the whole ground is covered with high broom-grass (_Andropogon
macrurus_) with briar patches, thickets of water oak. _Viburnum
dentatum_, black haw (_V. pruneifolium_), etc. The field is surrounded
by an almost impenetrable hedge of Cherokee roses (_Rosa lævigata_).
Here the Yellow-throats occur with Kentucky Warblers, White-eyed Vireos,
Yellow-throated Vireos, Painted Finches, and Blue Grosbeaks, all living
in harmony. Two broods are raised yearly in this latitude. In almost
every nest of this bird, and also of the Kentucky Warbler, eggs of the
Cow Bird are to be found.
42. =Geothlypis philadelphia=, _Bd._ MOURNING WARBLER.—Transient and
rather rare.
43. =Icteria virens=, _Bd._ YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT.—A common summer
resident, arriving from its winter quarters about April 15. Many winter
in sheltered places. Its most favorable resorts are brier-patches in
fields, thickets on the edge of woods, myrtle-holly thickets overgrown
with tangled Smilax laurifolia, and similar localities. Nest in the
interior of thickets near the ground; it has some resemblance to the
Catbird’s, and is built of nearly the same material.
44. =Myiodioctes mitratus=, _Aud._ HOODED WARBLER.—This beautiful
species is common during migrations. Arrives from the South in the last
part of April, when the host of Warblers migrate northward. I never
observed the bird during the summer months and do not think that any
remain to breed.
45. =Myiodioctes canadensis=, _Aud._ CANADIAN FLYCATCHING WARBLER.—Not
very common during the spring migration.
46. =Myiodioctes pusillus=, _Bon._ BLACK-CAPPED WARBLER.—I consider this
the most common species of the genus during migrations.
47. =Setophaga ruticilla=, _Sw._ AMERICAN REDSTART.—Moves northward late
in April and early in May, when the throng of Warblers migrate to their
summer quarters in high northern latitudes.
48. =Vireosylvia olivacea=, _Bon._ RED-EYED VIREO.—A common summer
resident in all the deciduous woods.
49. =Vireosylvia gilva=, _Cass._ WARBLING VIREO.—Evidently a rare
species, even during the migrations.
50. =Lanivireo flavifrons=, _Bd._ YELLOW-THROATED VIREO.—Abundant and
breeding. The first nest, beautifully constructed, I discovered April 28
in a high blackberry-bush about four feet above the ground, near
Houston. It contained four fresh eggs and one of the Dwarf Cowbird
(_Molothrus ater obscurus_). Nest and eggs in my collection. Many more
nests were discovered during the months of May and June, and many
contained one and two eggs of the Cowbird.
51. =Lanivireo solitarius=, _Bd._ SOLITARY VIREO.—Rare during
migrations.
52. =Vireo noveboracensis=, _Bon._ WHITE-EYED VIREO. A common summer
resident in localities where _Viburnum dentatum_, _V. molle_, _V.
pruneifolium_, _Rhamnus carolinensis_, _Cornus florida_, laurel-oaks
(_Quercus imbricaria_), and elms are growing, especially on the borders
of woods, in open thickets, peach gardens, etc.
53. =Vireo belli=, _Aud._ BELL’S VIREO.—A common summer sojourner. A not
quite finished nest was discovered April 15 on a horizontal branch of a
_Viburnum dentatum_ on the edge of a thicket, about five feet above the
ground. It contained three fresh eggs. The nests of this Vireo are more
purse-shaped and deeper than any other Vireo nests I am acquainted with.
54. =Lanius ludovicianus excubitorides=, _Coues_. WHITE-RUMPED SHRIKE.—A
generally dispersed summer resident, but not abundant. Prefers to build
in the hedges of the osage orange.
55. =Ampelis cedrorum=, _Vieill._ CEDAR BIRD.—Abundant migrant. Observed
flocks of from thirty to fifty as late as May 6. None remain to breed.
56. =Progne subis=, _Bd._ PURPLE MARTIN.—Abundant summer resident.
Arrives March 1 from the South. Breeds in large numbers under the wooden
awnings of sidewalks, even in the business part of Houston and
Galveston. Abundant also in the country where bird-boxes are put out for
its convenience. Two broods are commonly raised in this latitude.
57. =Petrochelidon lunifrons=, _Lawr._ CLIFF SWALLOW.—Seen in great
numbers during September, but does not breed in this region.
58. =Hirundo erythrogastra=, _Bodd._ BARN SWALLOW.—Large numbers seen in
the latter part of August, but not found breeding.
59. =Tachycineta bicolor=, _Cab._ WHITE-BELLIED SWALLOW.—Common during
migrations. A few observed in summer on the borders of woods.
60. =Cotyle riparia=, _Boie_. BANK SWALLOW.—A few pairs remain to breed
in such localities as the banks of Buffalo Bayou and Galveston Bay.
61. =Stelgidopteryx serripennis=, _Bd._ ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW.—A very
abundant summer resident. Often nests under the roofs of sidewalks and
on old buildings in Houston, but is more a companion to the preceding on
the high banks on Buffalo Bayou and Galveston Bay.
62. =Pyranga rubra=, _Vieill._ SCARLET TANAGER.—A moderately common bird
during the migrations. Arrives from the South about April 15 and passes
without lingering to its more northern breeding range.
63. =Pyranga æstiva=, _Vieill._ SUMMER REDBIRD.—A common summer
resident, particularly in oak woods. It is an elegant species, as are
all the members of this family, but is more retired in its habits and
quicker and more restless in its motions than the preceding. The song is
more varied, louder, and wilder. The nest is usually built on the
horizontal branch of an oak, from seven to twenty feet above the ground.
It is a very open-worked inartificial structure, and the eggs cannot
with certainty be distinguished from those of the Scarlet Tanager.
64. =Astragalinus tristis=, _Cab._ GOLDFINCH.—A very abundant winter
sojourner. Feeds almost entirely on the seeds of the sycamore or
button-wood (_Platanus occidentalis_).
65. =Chrysomitris pinus=, _Bon._ PINE FINCH.—A somewhat rare winter
sojourner.
66. =Passerculus savanna=, _Bon._ SAVANNA SPARROW.—Common resident
throughout the year. Breeds on the low grassy prairies, but the nest is
difficult to find.
67. =Poœcetes gramineus=, _Bd._ GRASS FINCH.—Only to be found during
migrations. None remain, so far as I know, to winter or to breed.
68. =Coturniculus passerinus=, _Bon._ YELLOW-WINGED BUNTING.—Seen
occasionally during the winter months.
69. =Ammodromus caudacutus=, _Sw._ SHARP-TAILED FINCH.—Observed near the
coast of the Gulf of Mexico and Galveston Bay. Doubtless breeds.
70. =Chondestes grammicus=, _Bon._ LARK FINCH.—This interesting, lively
bird is the most common of its family in all suitable localities, that
is, on the prairies, near woods. Departs for the South late in September
and early in October; arrives from his winter quarters again in April.
Breeds in May, June, and July, and two or even three broods are raised
yearly. Nests in gardens on mulberry-trees, in the corners of
rail-fences, in cotton fields on the ground, but most commonly on a low
horizontal branch of an oak densely covered with _Tillandsia_, on the
borders of woods, where they are exceedingly difficult to discover.
After breeding-time the birds assemble in large flocks.
71. =Zonotrichia albicollis=, _Bon._ WHITE-THROATED SPARROW.—Rare and
occurs only in winter.
72. =Zonotrichia leucophrys=, _Sw._ WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW.—Abundant in
winter.
73. =Zonotrichia gambelli intermedia=, _Ridg._ GAMBEL’S FINCH.—Not
uncommon in winter.
74. =Spizella socialis=, _Bon._ CHIPPING BIRD.—Abundant in October and
November, and again in March.
75. =Spizella pallida=, _Bon._ CLAY-COLORED BUNTING.—Abundant in winter
near thickets and in fields with brier-patches.
76. =Spizella pusilla=, _Bon._ FIELD SPARROW.—Not uncommon during
winter.
77. =Junco hiemalis=, _Sclat._ COMMON SNOWBIRD.—Abundant winter visitor.
78. =Melospiza fasciata=, _Scott._ SONG SPARROW.—Common during the
winter months.
79. =Melospiza lincolni=, _Bd._ LINCOLN’S SPARROW.—Common in winter in
the thick undergrowth on the borders of woods.
80. =Peucæa cassini=, _Bd._ CASSIN’S FINCH.—A common summer resident on
the open grassy prairies. It runs like a mouse through the grass, and is
very shy and difficult to observe. A nest I never discovered.
81. =Pipilo erythrophthalmus=, _Vieill._ GROUND ROBIN.—A rare summer
resident. A few pairs breed in the woods on Spring Creek.
82. =Calamospiza bicolor=, _Bon._ LARK BUNTING.—Abundant in winter on
the prairies.
83. =Euspiza americana=, _Bon._ BLACK-THROATED BUNTING.—A common summer
resident. Breeds abundantly in all the prairie districts.
84. =Cardinalis virginianus=, _Bon._ CARDINAL GROSBEAK.—This well-known
bird is the most abundant of the family and resident throughout the
year.
85. =Guiraca cærulea=, _Sw._ BLUE GROSBEAK.—Regularly distributed summer
resident, but nowhere abundant. Nests discovered always in brier-patches
in fields, on roadsides, and on the border of woods.
86. =Cyanospiza ciris=, _Bd._ PAINTED FINCH.—Inhabits with the preceding
similar localities. Very common from April to October. Nest usually in
blackberry-bushes, but always well hidden and not easy to find. These
birds are very shy and exceedingly quick in all their motions.
87. =Cyanospiza cyanea=, _Bd._ INDIGO BIRD.—Observed only during the
migrations. None I think remain to breed.
(_To be concluded._)
ON THE SESAMOID AT THE FRONT OF THE CARPUS IN BIRDS.
BY J. AMORY JEFFRIES.
In the Bulletin for October, 1881, is a paper by Dr. Shufeldt entitled
“On the Ossicle of the Antibrachium as found in some of the North
American Falconidæ,” in which the author describes the sesamoid ossicle
at the distal end of the radius in the Marsh Hawk (_Circus hudsonius_)
as a new bone. Dr. Shufeldt says: “It does not seem possible that a bone
the size of one which I am now about to describe could have been
entirely overlooked by ornithologists, yet after a careful perusal of
such parts of the works of the most prominent writers, as refer to the
skeletology of the upper extremity I fail to discover the barest mention
as to the existence of any such an one.” Now this bone was figured, as
it occurs in _Aquila fucsa_, by Milne-Edwards in his famous work on the
Fossil Birds of France, the publication of which began in 1866, so that
the bone as it occurs in the _Falconidæ_ can scarcely be considered
unknown to anatomists. The “os prominens” as it occurs in the
_Falconidæ_ is a modification of the sesamoid ossicle which very often
occurs in the tendon of the tensor petagii longus where it passes over
the carpus;[4] its function here being that of a simple sesamoid over
the carpus. In many of the _Falconidæ_[5] this sesamoid becomes bound to
the distal end of the radius, and lengthened out at right angles to the
long axis of that bone, as figured by Dr. Shufeldt. By this means the
function of the ossicle becomes very much altered. It no longer slides
over the carpus, but serves, since the tendon of the extensor petagii
longus includes only its free end, to keep that tendon off the carpus,
thus avoiding friction at the joint. Again, since the ossicle attains
considerable length,—6 centimeters (millimeters?) according to Dr.
Shufeldt in _Circus_,—it materially alters the action of the extensor
petagii longus so that it tends much more to extend the hand and draw
the thumb away from the index. In this way the extensor petagii longus
seems to antagonize the slip of the flexor longus digitorum sublimis,
and since its tendon is elastic, owing to the amount of yellow fibrous
tissue in it, the action must be to a considerable degree automatic.
My views of the functions of this ossicle are, it will be seen, very
different from those of Dr. Shufeldt, who considers it to protect the
carpus and greatly increase the area of the wing. This bone, standing up
as it does on the anterior edge of the wing, would seem to be
particularly liable to injury, sufficient, we should think, to offset
the amount it may protect the compact carpals below. The extra area
covered by the wing on account of the ossicle is easily measured. It is
simply the area of a triangle, which has for its base the difference in
altitude between the process of the metacarpus and the sesamoid ossicle,
3 millimeters say, and for its altitude the distance between the carpus
and the origin of the extensor petagii longus, say 2.5 decimetres.
Absolute measurements cannot be given since no Hawks are to be got in
Boston at present. So the entire increase of area would be 3.75 square
centimetres, and this increase is at the base of the wing, where it
would least increase the resistance of the wing. This difference becomes
quite small in the ratio (√2 _a_)/(∛weight) where _a_, the area of one
wing, represents hundreds of square centimeters. Yet the ratio is that
of the supporting power of the wing to the weight of the body, other
things being equal. In the above calculation it is assumed that Dr.
Shufeldt meant millimeters not centimeters,[6] when giving the
dimensions of the “os prominens.”
To sum up, the bone serves: (1) To keep the friction of the extensor
petagii longus muscle off the carpus. (2) To increase the power of that
muscle to abduct the thumb. (3) To slightly increase the supporting
power of the wing. (4) To protect the carpus (?).
Here it may not be improper to state that during the winter of 1880–81,
the writer _showed a specimen_ of the carpus of _Accipiter fuscus_, and
explained his views as here stated of the function of the “os
prominens,” at a meeting of the Nuttall Ornithological Club.
NOTES ON SOME OF THE BIRDS OBSERVED NEAR WHEATLAND, KNOX CO., INDIANA,
IN THE SPRING OF 1881.
BY ROBERT RIDGWAY.
Monteur’s Pond, situated about ten miles east of Vincennes and two miles
west of the village of Wheatland, on the O. & M. R. R., is of
considerable extent, being about nine miles long by a mile in average
width. It is rather a swamp, however, than a pond, probably less than
half its area being open water, the remainder filled with trees, chiefly
willows (_Salix nigra_) averaging 50–60 feet high, mixed in places with
a larger growth, chiefly ashes (_Fraxinus americana_, _F. sambucifolia_
and _F. pubescens_), red maple, and swamp cottonwood (_Populus
heterophylla_), the latter chiefly around the margin of the pond, where
grow also swamp, white, and water oaks, sweet-gums, and an occasional
catalpa (_C. speciosa_). The surrounding country, where not cleared,
consists chiefly of original forest of various oaks and hickories,
“poplar” (_Liriodendron_), beech, elm, and other trees in great variety,
coniferous species being wholly absent.
The pond is never very deep, probably nowhere or at anytime exceeding
four feet, and in seasons of drouth becomes absolutely dry, then forming
an excellent pasturage for the stock of the neighboring farmers. Even
when filled with water, the latter is, in the season of vegetable
growth, entirely hidden by a luxuriant growth of aquatic plants,
rendering the passage of a boat, of any description, impossible, while
numerous muskrat holes and the intricate submerged stems render wading
difficult and fatiguing in the extreme. For these reasons the pond was
but slightly explored, while it was wholly neglected after the use of a
boat became out of the question. I am therefore quite ignorant as to
what species may have been breeding in the recesses of the pond, my
investigations having been wholly confined to the surrounding fields and
woodland, the northern portion of the pond and its immediate vicinity
having been the scene of my ornithological investigations from April 15
to May 27.
Notwithstanding the very unusual lateness of the season I found on my
arrival (April 15) that many of the migratory birds had preceded me, but
subsequent arrivals were carefully noted up to May 6, and are presented
herewith.
April 15. Prairie Warbler (_Dendrœca discolor_).