Yellow-throated Vireo (_Lanivireo flavifrons_), Least Flycatcher
(_Empidonax minimus_).
April 18. Prothonotary Warbler (_Protonotaria citrea_), Canada
Flycatching Warbler (_Myiodioctes canadensis_), Blue Yellow-backed
Warbler (_Parula americana_), Scarlet Tanager (_Pyranga rubra_),
Summer Redbird (_P. æstiva_), Lark Finch (_Chondestes grammica_),
Summer Yellowbird (_Dendrœca æstiva_), Maryland Yellow-throat
(_Geothlypis trichas_), White-eyed Vireo (_V. noveboracensis_), Wood
Thrush (_Hylocichla mustelina_), Black-throated Green Warbler
(_Dendrœca virens_), Indigo Bird (_Passerina cyanea_).
April 19. Great-crested Flycatcher (_Myiarchus crinitus_), Kingbird
(_Tyrannus carolinensis_), Catbird (_Galeoscoptes carolinensis_),
Pine-creeping Warbler (_Dendrœca pinus_).
April 20. Golden-crowned Thrush (_Siurus auricapillus_), Kentucky
Warbler (_Oporornis formosa_).
April 21. Red-eye Vireo (_Vireosylvia olivacea_), Tawny Thrush
(_Hylocichla fuscescens_).
April 22. Yellow-breasted Chat (_Icteria virens_).
April 23. Blue-winged Yellow Warbler (_Helminthophaga pinus_).
April 24. Warbling Vireo (_Vireosylvia gilva_), Ruby-throated Humming
Bird (_Trochilus colubris_), Baltimore Oriole (_Icterus galbula_),
Chestnut-sided Warbler (_Dendrœca pennsylvanica_), Worm-eating Warbler
(_Helminthotherus vermivorus_), Nighthawk (_Chordeiles popetue_).
April 25. Rose-breasted Grosbeak (_Zamelodia ludoviciana_[7]), Blue
Warbler (_Dendrœca cærulea_[7]), Hooded Warbler (_Myiodioctes
mitratus_), Yellow-billed Cuckoo (_Coccyzus americanus_).
April 26. Black-throated Bunting (_Spiza americana_), Yellow-winged
Sparrow (_Coturniculus passerinus_), Wood Pewee (_Contopus virens_),
Oak-woods Sparrow (_Peucæa æstivalis illinoensis_).
April 30. Bay-breasted Warbler (_Dendrœca costanea_), Long-billed
Marsh Wren (_Telmatodytes palustris_).
May 2. Black-throated Blue Warbler (_Dendrœca cærulescens_),
Black-and-yellow Warbler (_D. maculosa_), Chestnut-sided Warbler (_D.
pennsylvanica_), Red-poll Warbler (_D. palmarum_).
May 3. Blackburnian Warbler (_D. blackburniæ_).
May 6. Nashville Warbler (_Helminthophaga ruficapilla_), Cape May
Warbler (_Perissoglossa tigrina_), Mourning Warbler (_Geothlypis
philadelphia_).
May 7. Tennessee Warbler (_Helminthophaga peregrina_).
Among the migratory species which had already arrived by the 15th were
the Large-billed Water Thrush (_Siurus motacilla_), numbers of which
were heard singing in the swamp, the Black-and-white Creeper (_Mniotilta
varia borealis_), Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (_Polioptila cærulea_), and a
few others.
The nesting season began much later than usual, as the following list,
of the earliest date on which the eggs of any species were obtained,
will show.[8]
April 27. Yellow-crowned Night Heron (_Nyctherodius violaceus_).
April 30. Hairy Woodpecker (_Picus villosus_), two sets; Grass Finch
(_Poœcetes gramineus_).
May 2. Field Sparrow (_Spizella pusilla_), Chewink (_Pipilo
erythrophthalmus_).
May 9. Redbird (_Cardinalis virginianus_).
May 18. Red-eyed Vireo (_Vireosylvia olivacea_).
May 19. Prothonotary Warbler (_Protonotaria citrea_), Wood Thrush
(_Hylocichla mustelina_).
May 20. Acadian Flycatcher (_Empidonax acadicus_).
May 22. Yellow-breasted Chat (_Icteria virens_), Maryland
Yellow-throat (_Geothlypis trichas_), Indigo Bird (_Passerina
cyanea_), Black-billed Cuckoo (_Coccyzus erythrophthalmus_).
May 24. Green Heron (_Butorides virescens_).
Although situated about 20 miles north and the same distance east of Mt.
Carmel, the bird-fauna was entirely the same, allowing for differences
in the character of the country, the environs of Wheatland being much
less varied, and therefore not such as to attract so great a variety of
species. Nearly all the characteristic summer birds found further south
were abundant near Wheatland, however, even _Peucæa illinoensis_
occurring there. Among the more numerous species were the Cerulean,
Blue-winged Yellow, Kentucky and Prothonotary Warblers, all of which
were quite as numerous as near Mt. Carmel. At the time of my arrival,
the most abundant bird was probably the Cardinal Grosbeak, it being no
unusual sight to see several males at one time along the railroad track,
picking up grain dropped from passing cars, while the swamp and
surrounding woods were filled with their sweet but monotonous
whistlings. Later in the season, however, other species became rather
more numerous, it being difficult to decide between the Redstart and
Red-eyed Vireo, as to first rank in point of numbers. Other species
almost as well represented as those mentioned, were the Red-headed
Woodpecker, Tufted Titmouse, Blue Jay, and Red-winged Blackbird, and,
for a brief season, the Rose-breasted Grosbeak and Cedarbird. Hawks were
very plentiful, especially the Red-shouldered and Red-tailed, and on one
occasion eight of the former (all adults) were observed soaring about,
near together, uttering their clamorous cries. Barred Owls were
exceedingly numerous among the trees growing in the swamp, and at night
afforded much amusement by their “family squabbles.” Ducks and Geese
which had been very plenty on the pond during the winter, had gone
northward prior to the middle of April, except a few Mallards,
Shovellers, and Blue-winged Teal, which remained until about the end of
the month, as did also multitudes of Coots (_Fulica americana_).
The following list of course includes only a small proportion of the
total number of species observed.
GRAY-CHEEKED THRUSH (_Hylocichla aliciæ_).—The exact date of arrival
of this species was not noted, but was somewhere near the 20th of
April. During the last week of April and the first three weeks of May
it was very common, perhaps more so than any other of the small
Thrushes. Specimens were shot May 23, and others were observed as late
as the 28th of that month, the date of my departure.
TAWNY THRUSH (_Hylocichla fuscescens_).—Arrived April 21 and remained
until toward the last of May. Less common than _H. aliciæ_ but
frequenting the same localities and having nearly identical manners.
BEWICK’S WREN (_Thryomanes bewicki_).—Rather common, found only about
the out-buildings of farms and in the village.
HOUSE WREN (_Troglodytes aëdon_).—Less common than Bewick’s Wren, and
noticed only about brush-heaps and along old fences.
PROTHONOTARY WARBLER (_Protonotaria citrea_).—Very abundant among the
“elbow-brushes” (_Cephalanthus occidentalis_) and willows in the pond,
nesting in hollows of the latter.
BLUE-WINGED YELLOW WARBLER (_Helminthophaga pinus_).—Very abundant
among the undergrowth in thick woods, chiefly in the bottoms.
GOLDEN-WINGED WARBLER (_Helminthophaga chrysoptera_).—Not uncommon for
a few days during the early part of May.
TENNESSEE WARBLER (_Helminthophaga peregrina_). As usual, very
numerous for several days, arriving May 7.
NASHVILLE WARBLER (_Helminthophaga ruficapilla_).—Rather rare during
the middle portion of May, arriving about the 6th.
CAPE MAY WARBLER (_Perissoglossa tigrina_). Probably not uncommon,
four specimens being obtained, all shot from the top branches of tall
trees, and not recognized until after being shot.
BLACK-AND-YELLOW WARBLER (_Dendrœca maculosa_).—Much the most abundant
of the migratory species.
BAY-BREASTED WARBLER (_Dendrœca castanea_).—Rather common for a few
days.
BLUE WARBLER (_Dendrœca cærulea_).—Very abundant summer resident,
first noticed about the 25th of April. Diligent search failed to
discover a single nest, though pairs evidently having nests were met
with on every hand through the woods.
YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER (_Dendrœca dominica albilora_).—Unaccountably
rare, only two having been obtained, and one or two others heard. I am
at a loss to account for the scarcity of this species, unless it be
the rarity of sycamore (_Platanus_) trees in the locality under
consideration.
Since there is evidently a general misapprehension of the characters
distinguishing this race from true _D. dominica_, it may be as well to
state here that the latter is larger, with a _constantly and very
decidedly longer bill_, while the yellow over the lores is _never
absent_. Var. _albilora_ frequently has the yellow over the lores
almost as distinct as in typical _dominica_, but the bill is always
much smaller, and somewhat differently shaped.
PINE-CREEPING WARBLER (_Dendrœca pinus_).—Rather rare.
PRAIRIE WARBLER (_Dendrœca discolor_).—Heard singing among the bushes
in an old field on the day of my arrival, and frequently afterward.
CONNECTICUT WARBLER (_Oporornis agilis_).—Not uncommon about the
middle of May, but very shy. Frequented the borders of the swamp, and
escaped into the thick button-bushes when surprised.
KENTUCKY WARBLER (_Oporornis formosa_).—One of the most abundant of
the summer residents.
MOURNING WARBLER (_Geothlypis philadelphia_).—Became suddenly very
common May 6. Frequented chiefly brush-piles and old fences. Most of
the specimens observed were males in fine plumage.
BLACK-CAPPED YELLOW WARBLER (_Myiodioctes pusillus_).—Rare during
migration.
CANADA FLYCATCHING WARBLER (_Myiodioctes canadensis_).—One of the most
numerous of the migratory species; first noted April 18, but not
common until a week later.
HOODED WARBLER (_Myiodioctes mitratus_).—Rather common in deep woods,
but much less so than in the vicinity of the Cypress swamp, further
south.
SOLITARY VIREO (_Lanivireo solitarius_).—Rare.
CEDARBIRD (_Ampelis cedrorum_).—Exceedingly numerous among the willows
in the swamp, where feeding upon the larvæ of _Diabrotica 12–maculata_
infesting these trees.
SUMMER REDBIRD (_Pyranga æstiva_).—Rather common, but owing to the
comparative absence of high, dry woods, much less so than near Mt.
Carmel. A female, killed at the same shot with her mate, resembled the
male except in the tint of the red, which was of a brick-red rather
than vermilion, the male also being in the parti-colored plumage of
the immature bird, the red occupying, in both male and female,
one-half or more of the plumage. The ovaries of the female were well
developed.
GRASS FINCH (_Poœcetes gramineus_).—Common in the meadows, a nest with
four eggs being taken April 30.
LARK FINCH (_Chondestes grammica_).—Rather common, chiefly in fields
near roadsides.
WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW (_Zonotrichia leucophrys_).—Became common about
the middle of May.
WHITE-THROATED SPARROW (_Zonotrichia albicollis_).—Very abundant up to
the middle of May, and a female was started among some bushes near the
edge of the swamp about the 27th or 28th of the month, her actions and
notes strongly suggesting a nest in the vicinity, but I was unable to
discover one.
FIELD SPARROW (_Spizella pusilla_).—A very common bird. Remarkable
variations were noticed in the song of this species, several
individuals repeating the usual song three times without stopping.
Another had such peculiar notes that it was followed and shot for a
strange bird.
OAK-WOODS SPARROW (_Peucæa æstivalis illinoensis_).—Rare, and observed
only on one occasion, on the 26th of April. The locality was a “woods
pasture,” about one-half cleared of trees, with occasional old logs
and brush-piles on the open portion, and plenty of dead standing
trees, the ground high and rolling. Immediately upon sighting the
locality I thought of this bird, and at almost the same instant heard
one sing. This one was shot, as he sat upon a brush-pile. Two or three
others were heard at a distance, but I failed to discover them.
LINCOLN’S SPARROW (_Melospiza lincolni_).—Very abundant about
brush-piles in swampy clearings.
CARDINAL GROSBEAK (_Cardinalis virginianus_). By far the most numerous
of the resident _Fringillidæ_, and one of the most abundant of all
birds. It was a very common thing to hear several males singing at the
same time, and I once saw three males and two females near together on
the railroad track, picking up grain scattered from the cars.
ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK (_Zamelodia ludoviciana_).—Exceedingly common
during the greater part of the month of May. The first were seen April
25. They were most numerous among the willows in the swamp, engaged in
feeding upon a small green beetle (_Diabrotica 12–maculata_) which
infested the trees. They were also common in the sugar-maple groves,
and were in full song during their stay.
BLUE GROSBEAK (_Guiraca cærulea_).—A single specimen seen but not
obtained (date forgotten).
BRONZED GRACKLE (_Quiscalus purpureus æneus_).—Very numerous, breeding
among the willows in the swamp. The “love note” of this bird is
decidedly more metallic and more musical than that of _Q. purpureus_.
RED-HEADED WOODPECKER (_Melanerpes erythrocephalus_).—Much the most
numerous of the Woodpeckers.
BARRED OWL (_Strix nebulosa_).—Exceedingly numerous, the swamp
resounding at night with their hootings.
COOPER’S HAWK (_Accipiter cooperi_).—Common, breeding.
RED-SHOULDERED HAWK (_Buteo lineatus_).—Much the most numerous of the
Hawks. On one occasion eight adults were observed circling together
overhead, all uttering their clamorous cries.
MOURNING DOVE (_Zenaidura carolinensis_).—Abundant. All the specimens
shot had the ends of the toes frozen off, showing that they had
remained during the past severe winter.
WILD TURKEY (_Meleagris gallopavo americana_).—Common. Scarcely a day
but what one or more were seen, and on one occasion a flock of
fourteen was met with. When surprised they fly into the swamp, where,
alighting on the trees, they are secure from pursuit. The inhabitants
pay no attention whatever to the game laws, and it is owing entirely
to the safe retreat afforded by the swamp that the Turkeys have not
been more nearly exterminated.
VIRGINIA QUAIL (_Ortyx virginiana_).—Almost exterminated by the severe
winter of 1880–81.
GREEN HERON (_Butorides virescens_).—Abundant. A small colony had
their nests in a second-growth thicket, some distance from the swamp.
The nests (seven in number) were placed in saplings at 12–15 feet from
the ground, and, with two exceptions, contained five eggs each.
YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT HERON (_Nyctherodius violaceus_).—Abundant, a
colony of perhaps a hundred pairs having their nests among the tall
ash and sweet-gum trees in a creek bottom, near the edge of the pond.
The nests were mostly at a considerable height, and few of them
readily accessible. They had just begun to lay, and were frightened
away from the locality during a “wet spell” by squirrel hunters. A
female was shot from her nest April 27, and a perfect egg cut from her
oviduct. Several fine specimens of the bird were secured, and it was
noticed that the delicate, almost luminous, yellowish buff of the
forehead very soon faded.
AMERICAN WOODCOCK (_Philohela minor_).—Common, breeding.
SOLITARY SANDPIPER (_Rhyacophilus solitarius_).—Common, and
undoubtedly breeding, about small ponds in the woods.
SORA RAIL (_Porzana carolina_).—Common among the sedges in the swamp.
FLORIDA GALLINULE (_Gallinula galeata_).—Probably common in the swamp.
A fine specimen with its neck broken was picked up on the railroad
track near the depot in Vincennes, having been killed by flying
against the telegraph wires.
AMERICAN COOT (_Fulica americana_).—Exceedingly numerous in the swamp
during latter half of April and early part of May, but toward the last
of the latter month the greater part had disappeared.
MALLARD (_Anas boscas_).—Very numerous at the time of our arrival and
for a week or two afterward. A few pairs are said to breed in the
swamp.
SHOVELLER DUCK (_Spatula clypeata_).—Much the most numerous of the
Ducks at the time of my arrival (April 15).
BLUE-WINGED TEAL (_Querquedula discors_).—Abundant, even up to the
latter part of May, and undoubtedly breeding.
SUMMER DUCK (_Aix sponsa_).—Common and breeding in the swamp.
HOODED MERGANSER (_Lophodytes cucullatus_).—More common than _A.
sponsa_, breeding, like that species, in hollow trees in the swamp.
THICK-BILLED GREBE (_Podilymbus podiceps_).—Very common in the swamp,
where it was breeding.
At the time of my arrival the Ducks had mostly departed for the North,
while the Geese had entirely disappeared. Both had passed the winter
in the swamp, in immense numbers. A thorough exploration of the swamp
would no doubt have added largely to the list of Water Birds, but I
could not afford the time and labor necessary to accomplish even a
partial exploration after the birds had begun breeding.
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.
In the Bulletin for July, 1881, I gave an account of the breeding of the
Acadian Owl at Tyngsboro’, Massachusetts, with a description of a set of
eggs taken there by Mr. Perham on April 5. Early in June of the same
season Mr. Perham sent me a brood of four young Saw-whets which he had
taken from the nest about the 15th of the preceding month. They were all
in the plumage of _N. “albifrons,”_ and showed little individual
variation, save in respect to size, the two females being slightly
larger than their brothers. In their fresh, silky feathering they were
beautiful little creatures, the warm sepia-brown of the upper parts
harmonizing well with the rich fulvous beneath, and their white
foreheads showing in strong contrast with both. Nor were their manners
less engaging than their plumage, for, unlike most Owls, they were
perfectly gentle from the first, never attempting to bite or scratch
those who handled them. With each other they were really affectionate,
often going through a caressing performance with their bills, and
showing a mutual forbearance at meal-times which was very pleasing. They
eat all kinds of meat with avidity, but seemed especially fond of mice.
The latter were invariably skinned and the flesh torn in shreds and
devoured, the skins being swallowed afterwards as dessert. I often saw
them eject those peculiar pellets of bones, fur, and other indigestable
fragments which all Owls and many Hawks are in the habit of depositing
about their haunts. The operation was a peculiar one. The Owl would gape
several times, then the head would be violently shaken sideways, and
finally the pellet, coated with mucous, would shoot forth, frequently
falling several inches in front of the spot where the bird was sitting.
After it was all over the little fellow assumed an expression of relief
and contentment which was very comical.
Although not less grave and solemn than other Owls, their movements were
much more animated and restless. They were continually flying or hopping
from place to place, even in the day-time, and they had a frequent habit
of oscillating the head, at the same time lengthening and shortening the
neck. This was apparently done for the purpose of fixing the exact
position of some distant object, as afterwards the bird usually flew to
the top of some door or book-case towards which its eyes had evidently
been directed. Their only cry at this time was a shrill bat-like
squeaking, which was frequently given by all four at once. Altogether
they were unusually interesting pets and when the time came for
preparing three of them as specimens, I found it very hard to break up
the affectionate and attractive little family.
I believe it is now generally admitted by ornithologists, that the so
called “_N. albifrons_” is simply the young of _N. acadica_. Indeed, Mr.
Ridgway satisfactorily settled this point when he cited[9] the testimony
of Dr. J. W. Velie of Chicago who kept a live “_albifrons_” “until it
moulted and became a fine specimen of _Nyctale acadica_.” But as no one
seems to have published a detailed account of the transition it may be
worth while to briefly record some observations made on the survivor of
the brood just mentioned.
This bird was placed in a large cage where it had abundant room to fly
about, and was kept well supplied with food. Through June and July there
was absolutely no change in its plumage, but on August 1 I noticed a few
medially spotted feathers pushing their way through the uniformly brown
ones of the fore part of the crown. Through the next two weeks they
gradually increased and developed until the full-face aspect of the head
was that of an adult Saw-whet. At this stage there was no indication of
any second plumage on the other parts, but about August 15 a few
streaked feathers appeared along the central line of the breast and
abdomen, while a little later the moult began over the back and wings
and quickly became general. Through the last two weeks of the month the
new plumage gained daily, and by Sept. 1 the final stage was perfected
and the bird had become a remarkably beautiful Saw-whet Owl. From this
it appears that the “_albifrons_” condition is simply the first plumage,
which in the Saw-whet is apparently better defined (as contrasted with
the earlier downy stage and later autumnal plumage), as well as longer
worn, than in most other Owls.
The specimen just mentioned is still (at the date of this writing, Dec.
1) alive and well. It has become rather wilder and less gentle than
formerly, and lately has acquired a habit of swelling its plumage and
snapping the bill when closely approached. Shortly after the moult it
began a new cry, which is now frequently heard at night and occasionally
also in the day-time. This utterance consists of a series of five or six
low, chuckling but nevertheless whistled calls, which remind one of that
peculiar, drawling soliloquy sometimes indulged in by a dejected hen on
a rainy day. I cannot reconcile these notes with descriptions of the
saw-filing ones which are supposed to have given the species its name,
but they perhaps represent the unfinished performance of a young bird.
The bat-like squeaking was discontinued before the bird began to
whistle, and has never since been heard.
At the time of writing the article already referred to I received the
impression that the nest then mentioned was the only one that Mr. Perham
had found. But I have since learned that, including the two taken the
present season, he has actually examined no less than seven during the
past ten years, all of which occurred in or near the township of
Tyngsboro’. Most of these nests were, however, broken up by red
squirrels before the full complement of eggs was laid. The nesting
places were usually of the artificial sort which I have already
described, but occasionally use was made of a deserted Flicker’s hole.
Mr. Perham frequently hears the notes of Saw-whets during the month of
March, and believes that many pairs breed about Tyngsboro’ every season.
The region is a heavily wooded one and apparently offers exceptional
attractions to all kinds of Raptorial birds.
DESCRIPTION OF A NEW RACE OF _PEUCÆA RUFICEPS_ FROM TEXAS.
BY NATHAN CLIFFORD BROWN.
=Peucæa ruficeps eremœca.=[10] General aspect dull gray. Dorsal region
grayish-ash, the feathers brownish centrally and with their shafts
almost black. Top of head rufous, much admixed with grayish. A black
frontlet, divided at the culmen by a white line, as in _ruficeps_ and
var. _boucardi_. Breast and sides clear gray. Abdomen whitish. Crissum
and flanks tinged with fulvous. A black maxillary stripe. Length of
fresh specimen, 6.25; extent, 8.62; wing and tail about 2.75. Sexes
alike.