have one or more pairs of Mockingbirds. About St. Mary’s they were
especially abundant, and nowhere more so than in the gardens of the
village. Here they were half-domesticated, building their nests in the
shrubbery that surrounded the houses, and hopping about, like Robins,
upon the grass-plats and gravelled walks. An orange tree directly in
front of the windows of my room was appropriated by a remarkably fine
singer. There is a noticeable difference in the performances of most
males, but the voice of this bird possessed a compass and perfection of
tone that I have never heard equalled. His repertoire included the notes
of nearly all the birds of the surrounding region besides many of the
characteristic village sounds, and most of the imitations were simply
perfect. Moreover he was continually adding to his accomplishments. An
interesting instance of this occurred one afternoon, when several of us
were sitting on the veranda. A Greater Yellow-leg passing over the town
was attracted by my answering whistle, and circled several times above
the house reiterating his mellow call. The Mockingbird up to this time
had been singing almost uninterruptedly, but at the sound of these
strange notes he relapsed into silence and retreated into the thickest
foliage of his favorite tree; after a while we heard him trying them in
an undertone. The first note came pretty readily, but the falling
inflection of the succeeding three troubled him. Whenever I ventured to
prompt he would listen attentively, and at the next attempt show an
evident improvement. Finally he abandoned the task, as we thought in
despair, and at sunset that evening for the first and only time during
my stay his voice was missing in the general chorus. But at daylight the
next morning the garden rang with a perfect imitation of the
Yellow-leg’s whistle. He had mastered it during the night, and ever
afterwards it was his favorite part. The discomfiture of the rival males
in the neighborhood was as amusing as it was unmistakable. Each in turn
tried it, but not one of them succeeded.
Another frequenter of the village shrubbery was the Orchard Oriole. His
flute-like voice, which bears some resemblance to that of the Fox
Sparrow, could be heard almost any time after April 10. Our garden
offered especial attractions to these Orioles, for the hedge of wild
olive trees that bordered it on two sides was overrun with Cherokee
roses and trumpet-vines among which they found a congenial shelter. They
were fond, too, of sipping the honey from the trumpet-flowers, and it
was no uncommon thing to see half a dozen collected about a single
cluster. In this occupation they were almost invariably joined by
numerous Hummingbirds;—and such a group, with its setting of green
leaves and scarlet and white blossoms, formed the prettiest picture
imaginable.
To our garden also came the Blue Jays; bold, familiar birds very
different in bearing from the outcast that boys and would-be sportsmen
pursue so relentlessly in the northern woods. Everywhere at the South
this Jay is as much an inhabitant of the cultivated grounds as of the
forests, and if not actually encouraged, it is universally tolerated. In
Jacksonville I have heard them screaming among the live-oaks that shade
the busiest streets, and at St. Mary’s they were scarcely less tame and
confiding than the Mockingbirds.
The average Georgian is indifferent to the shooting of most of the birds
that inhabit his plantation; but it is little short of a crime in his
eyes to take the life of either a Turkey Buzzard or a Mockingbird. The
killing of one of the former is considered an offence against the State,
which protects them on account of their services as scavengers. But the
Mockingbirds are treasured as personal property, and any interference
with them is sure to be promptly resented. The natural result of this
sentiment is that both species are universally abundant and familiar.
The Buzzards, especially, are ubiquitous. At all hours of the day, in
every kind of weather, they float over the cities, villages,
plantations, pine woods, hummocks, cypress swamps, salt marshes and even
the beaches of the Sea-islands. Go where you will, it is almost
impossible to look upward without seeing the picturesque forms drifting
about in the sky. Some are soaring almost beyond the reach of human
vision. Others at a lower elevation cross and recross each other in
interminable mazy lines; while still others glide across the landscape
passing just above the tops of the trees. Both species occurred at St.
Mary’s, but the Black Vulture was much the less common. It associated
freely with the Turkey Buzzards, among which it could be recognized at
almost any distance by its different color, shape and manner of flying.
The tail is so short as to be altogether out of proportion with the body
and wings, while its square tip gives it the appearance of having been
cut off. This bird’s flight is heavy, awkward and generally straight
forward, although it occasionally soars. The wings are flapped every few
seconds in a hurried, nervous manner that seems to betoken a lack of
power or confidence. The flight of the Turkey Buzzard, on the contrary,
is a picture of repose in motion. The bird rarely moves its wings, save
to alter their inclination, and its dark form drifts through miles of
space without the slightest perceptible effort. The impression of entire
freedom from exertion which its movements convey, is curiously in accord
with the general enervating influence of southern life and its
surroundings. Its impassive flight may perhaps be regarded as the most
characteristic feature of a southern landscape, as it certainly is one
of the most attractive. But the observer who would keep this impression
untarnished will be wise to refrain from looking too closely into the
_useful_ side of the bird’s character.
The Buzzard’s flight will not bear comparison however with that of the
Swallow-tailed Kite. The latter is equally easy and graceful of wing,
and, in addition, its movements are characterized by a certain dash and
energy of purpose that one looks for in vain in the calm, emotionless
flight of the Vulture. I hardly know a more attractive sight than that
presented by one of these Kites playing about an opening in the woods.
For a moment it floats motionless, as if suspended by an invisible wire;
the next, it glides close over the ground crossing and recrossing every
yard of space. The long, thin wings, firmly set, cleave the air like
knife-blades and the forked tail, spread to its fullest, is inclined to
one side or the other as the bird changes its swift course. When it
turns, the snowy head and breast are contrasted against the green
background and its steel blue back glances in the sunlight. Finally
rising to a level with the tree-tops it is gone as it came, like a
beautiful vision.
But my space is exhausted, although many interesting birds remain to be
mentioned. Perhaps at some future time I may take up the threads where
this sketch leaves them.
NOTES ON SOME OF THE RARER BIRDS OF SOUTHERN NEW BRUNSWICK.
BY MONTAGUE CHAMBERLAIN.
1. =Sialia sialis.= BLUEBIRD.—About the middle of March, 1877, Mr.
Harold Gilbert saw one at Mount Pleasant, a suburb of St. John. Some
time early in June, 1879, Mr. J. W. Banks saw one at Milledgeville,
with food in its mouth, apparently for its young. On April 26, 1881,
Mr. Henry Gilbert shot one at Rothesay, nine miles north of St. John.
2. =Dendrœca pennsylvanica.= CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER.
3. =Dendrœca castanea.= BAY-BREASTED WARBLER.
4. =Dendrœca blackburnæ.= BLACKBURN’S WARBLER.—These three species are
but rarely found here. In my note-book is a record of one of each
taken during the summer of 1881, and I can learn of none others having
been seen or heard.
5. =Vireo noveboracensis.= WHITE-EYED VIREO.—Mr. Harold Gilbert shot
one specimen of this bird at South Bay, a few miles northwest from St.
John, on May 24, 1877, and this is the only known instance of its
occurrence in this vicinity.
6. =Pyranga rubra.= SCARLET TANAGER.—I saw an adult male of this
species sitting on a fence in the suburbs of St. John on June 20,
1879, and have examined two specimens taken near Hampton during the
summer of 1880.
7. =Ammodromus caudacutus.= SHARP-TAILED FINCH.—On June 21, 1881, five
individuals of this species were taken by Mr. H. A. Purdie, Mr. Fred.
W. Daniel and myself, on a marsh near Hampton. This marsh is watered
by the Kenebecasis, a tributary of the St. John, and lies some
twenty-five miles up the former river. The junction of the two rivers
takes place about five miles from the mouth of the St. John. The marsh
is some twenty miles, air line, from the nearest point on the Bay of
Fundy shore, and at the time we visited it, the water running past it
did not taste in the least brackish.[50]
8. =Pipilo erythrophthalmus.= TOWHEE.—A specimen, now in the
collection of the Natural History Society of St. John, was shot at
Irishtown on May 8, 1881, by Mr. J. Belyea.
9. =Zamelodia ludoviciana.= ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK.—I have examined
the skin of one of this species taken near Hampton in June, 1879.
10. =Passerina cyanea.= INDIGO BUNTING.—There is a skin in the
collection of James McGivern, Esq., said to have been taken about six
miles north of St. John in June, 1880. I can learn of no other
occurrence of this bird near here, though I have frequently seen
specimens taken on the western, or Bay of Fundy shore of Nova Scotia.
11. =Zenaidura carolinensis.= MOURNING DOVE.—This bird has been but
rarely met with here; one taken at Hampton in June, 1880, one at
Rothesay on September 30, 1881, and one at Milkish on October 17,
1881, are the only specimens I have heard of.
12. =Ardetta exilis.= LEAST BITTERN.—Between the spring of 1877 and
the fall of 1880 there were five individuals of this species taken on
the Bay of Fundy shore, about ten miles to the eastward of St. John.
13. =Micropalama himantopus.= STILT SANDPIPER.—The only known
occurrence of this bird in this vicinity is of three seen by Mr. F. W.
Daniel on the sand flats back of St. John on September 8, 1881. He
secured one of them, which is now in the museum of the Natural History
Society.
14. =Recurvirostra americana.= AVOCET.—Mr. William Ellis of St.
Martins, a village on the shore of the Bay of Fundy, says he has shot
one or more of these birds each year for the last five years, usually
meeting two together. A specimen taken by him in 1880 is in the museum
of the Natural History Society.
15. =Himantopus mexicanus.= BLACK-NECKED STILT.—I procured one of this
species in September, 1880, from Mr. John Ellis of Mace’s Bay, an arm
of the Bay of Fundy, lying some thirty miles to the westward of St.
John, and was told by Mr. Ellis that several had been taken there
during former years.
16. =Ionornis martinica.= PURPLE GALLINULE.—Since obtaining the male,
announced by Mr. Wm. Brewster in this Bulletin for July, 1881, I have
had the good fortune to get possession of a female which was shot near
Gagetown, a village on the St. John River, about forty miles from its
mouth. The bird was taken in the early part of September, 1880.
17. =Chen hyperboreus.= SNOW GOOSE.—One of these birds was taken at
Gagetown in December, 1880, and sent by me to Mr. E. O. Damon of
Northampton, Mass.
18. =Anas boscas.= MALLARD.—A pair in the museum of the Natural
History Society were shot near Hampton by the late Col. Otty some
fifteen years ago. The only late occurrences of this species are of
one mounted by J. H. Carnell, taxidermist, and a flock of some six or
eight seen by Mr. Henry Gilbert on the Kenebecasis River in August,
1880, from which he obtained a male and female.
19. =Æthyia vallisneria.= CANVAS-BACK.—Carnell has mounted one of this
species taken within the Province, and E. C. Sutton, Esq., of Sutton,
who is familiar with their appearance, saw a flock on the St. John
River, about four miles from the city, several times during the fall
of 1879.
20. =Pelecanus erythrorhynchus.= AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN.—One of these
birds in the collection of the Natural History Society was shot on the
shore of the Gulf of St. Lawrence near Pt. du Chene by Mr. Robert
Bustin, and I have very good authority for announcing the occurrence
of another at Cape Spencer, some five miles east of St. John, during
the first week in April, 1881.
NOTES ON THE SUMMER BIRDS OF THE UPPER ST. JOHN.
BY CHARLES F. BATCHELDER.
During the spring of 1879 Messrs. W. A. Jeffries and J. Amory Jeffries
spent some time at Grand Falls, New Brunswick, collecting and studying
the birds of that neighborhood; and at about the same time Mr. J.
Dwight, Jr., and myself were similarly engaged at Fort Fairfield,
Aroostook Co., Maine.
Owing to the limited time of our stay the number of species observed was
not large, but as it included almost all the commoner summer
residents,—the species really characteristic of the fauna of the
region—it has been thought worth while to lay the results of our
observations before the public, especially as the fauna is in some
respects peculiar. One might be led to expect, from the latitude of the
region, that the fauna would be thoroughly Canadian in its character.
Our experience shows, however, that it has a strong tinge of the
Alleghanian.
Grand Falls is situated on the right bank of the St. John River at about
N. Lat. 47° 03′, and W. Long. 67° 50′. The river below the falls runs
through a narrow valley, almost all of which is under cultivation. On
the higher land above the falls and about the town are farms devoted
chiefly to hay, potatoes and buckwheat. The country is hilly, and is
scantily watered, the few rapid streams and brooks draining directly
into the river. There are no lakes or ponds, except a few insignificant
puddles, although there are occasional cedar swamps and “barrens.” The
tributary streams below the falls have cut narrow*, steeply walled
ravines in their passage to the river. These were cold and damp, and
apparently without birds.
In some places forests of hard woods exist, tall maples, elms and
birches that have no doubt stood there for ages. There is but little
underbrush in these woods, and they have a rather park-like aspect. The
second growth and the woods on the low lands along the river consist of
firs, spruces and hemlocks of all sizes, and often have an almost
impenetrable underbrush. Where fires have spread large tracts are
stripped of their woods, and are covered with fallen trunks overgrown
with vines, with here and there tall dead “stubs” still standing.
Mr. W. A. Jeffries’ observations extended from May 21 to June 19. He was
joined by his brother on the 9th of June. During the ten days following
this latter date the weather was cold—there was a frost June 15, and
rain fell every day except the 9th and the 15th.
Fort Fairfield is twenty miles south of Grand Falls. It is situated on
the Aroostook River, about five miles in an air line west of its
junction with the St. John. It is in a rolling country containing but
few ponds and swamps, and watered merely by small brooks which empty
into the Aroostook River. The river itself is broad, with a rapid
current, and flows between banks which though not very high, are yet
never swampy. Much of the original forest has been removed, especially
in the neighborhood of the town and along the river, where the stretches
of wooded land are interspersed with clearings, pastures and cultivated
fields, large crops of buckwheat and potatoes being raised on the
fertile soil. The woods are mostly evergreen—the several species of
_Abies_ and the arbor vitae—intermingled, of course, with a few yellow
birches and an occasional maple, but few tracts being wholly covered by
deciduous trees.
Our collecting was done mostly within two or three miles of the town.
Our notes were made between June 14 and July 1. On our arrival we found
the trees by no means in full leaf, and were told that the season was
very backward, and had been very wet. Heavy frosts occurred on the 15th
and 19th of the month.
The nights were generally cold, the days warm—even hot during the latter
part of our stay.
Fort Fairfield is 415 feet above the sea, and has a mean annual
temperature of 38.11° F.
Through the kindness of Mr. H. A. Purdie I have been enabled to
supplement our observations by extracts from some manuscript notes on
the birds occurring at Houlton, Maine, made by Mr. Robert R. McLeod.
These notes were written in 1877, and are based on his experience during
a residence of four years at Houlton.
This town is in the southeastern part of Aroostook County, on the
Meduxnekeag River about twelve miles from its junction with the St.
John. It is forty-five miles south of Fort Fairfield, its Latitude being
46° 8′. I quote the following from Mr. McLeod’s notes: “The country
round about is well watered with lakes and streams. Much of the land is
under cultivation, but where it is not, the old forests are standing in
great tracts of many miles in extent. The first snow falls about the
10th of November, and it generally remains on the fields till the middle
of April, and in the woods until the last of May.”
At each locality several species, that would doubtless have been much
more abundant had local conditions been favorable, were absent or
represented by but few individuals.
All statements are given on the authority of both the observers at the
locality to which they refer, except in some few cases, in which the
initials of the observer are appended. All references to Houlton are,
unless otherwise stated, on the authority of Mr. McLeod.
1. =Turdus migratorius= _Linn._ ROBIN.—Rather common at Fort
Fairfield. At Grand Falls it was abundant everywhere.
2. =Turdus fuscescens= _Steph._ WILSON’S THRUSH.—Rare at Grand Falls.
On June 16 a nest with four fresh eggs was found on top of a stump.
Not met with at Fort Fairfield. Mr. McLeod says that it appears at
Houlton by May 15, and by the 10th of June becomes common. Breeds.
3. =Turdus pallasi= _Caban._ HERMIT THRUSH.—Common. One nest taken May
30 at Grand Falls was about three feet from the ground in a small fir
tree.
4. =Turdus ustulatus swainsoni= (_Caban._) _Coues_. OLIVE-BACKED
THRUSH.—Common at Grand Falls, especially in the hard woods and more
open fir woods. At Fort Fairfield it appeared to be rather common,
though seldom seen. Common and breeding at Houlton.
5. =Mimus carolinensis= (_Linn._) _Gr._. CATBIRD.—At Houlton “very
rare. A pair has bred in this vicinity each year since I have been
here” (R. R. McL.). Not met with at Fort Fairfield or Grand Falls.
6. =Sialia sialis= (_Linn._) _Hald._ BLUEBIRD.—At Grand Falls they
were frequently seen, as many as seven or eight in the course of a
day. Apparently not common at Fort Fairfield. At Houlton “very rare,”
one pair breeding.
7. =Parus atricapillus= _Linn._ BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEE.—At Grand Falls
it was not uncommon. Some days four or five pairs would be seen, on
others none at all. At Fort Fairfield it was not very common, though
seen occasionally. At Houlton “very common.”
8. =Parus hudsonicus= _Forst._ HUDSONIAN CHICKADEE.—About half a dozen
were seen at Grand Falls, mostly in hardwood brush or small woods. It
was not seen at Fort Fairfield.
9. =Sitta carolinensis= _Gmel._ WHITE-BELLIED NUTHATCH.—Common in the
hard woods at Grand Falls. Breeding.
10. =Sitta canadensis= _Linn._ RED-BELLIED NUTHATCH.—One shot at Fort
Fairfield. Both species are said to be common at Houlton.
11. =Certhia familiaris= _Linn._ BROWN CREEPER.—Seen occasionally at
Fort Fairfield. Breeds. Rare at Grand Falls. “Common” at Houlton.
12. =Troglodytes aëdon= _Vieill._ HOUSE WREN.—At Grand Falls one pair
was noticed which had a nest in the frame work of a barn.
13. =Anorthura troglodytes hyemalis= (_Vieill._) _Coues_. WINTER
WREN.—This species is common at Houlton,[51] and no doubt occurs
throughout this region; it was seen and heard at Grand Falls, but not
observed at Fort Fairfield.
14. =Mniotilta varia= (_Linn._) _Vieill._ BLACK-AND-WHITE CREEPER.—We
saw several at Fort Fairfield. Not seen at Grand Falls.
15. =Helminthophaga ruficapilla= (_Wils._) _Bd._ NASHVILLE
WARBLER.—Apparently not very common at Fort Fairfield. It was not
observed at Grand Falls.
16. =Dendrœca æstiva= (_Gmel._) _Bd._ YELLOW WARBLER.—Rather common at
Fort Fairfield. Not met with at Grand Falls.
17. =Dendrœca cærulescens= (_Linn._) _Bd._ BLACK-THROATED BLUE
WARBLER.—Rather common at Fort Fairfield. At Grand Falls it was common
in hard woods where the underbrush was thick.
18. =Dendrœca coronata= (_Linn._) _Gray_. YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER.—It
was common at Fort Fairfield. At Grand Falls it was rare during May.
All had left before the 9th of June.
19. =Dendrœca maculosa= (_Gm._) _Bd._ BLACK-AND-YELLOW
WARBLER.—Common.
20. =Dendrœca pennsylvanica= (_Linn._) _Bd._ CHESTNUT-SIDED
WARBLER.—Common.
21. =Dendrœca blackburnæ= (_Gm._) _Bd._ BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER.—This
bird was seldom seen while we were at Fort Fairfield, and was not met
with at Grand Falls.
22. =Dendrœca virens= (_Gm._) _Bd._ BLACK-THROATED GREEN
WARBLER.—Rather common at Fort Fairfield. Not met with at Grand Falls.
23. =Dendrœca tigrina= (_Gm._) _Bd._ CAPE MAY WARBLER.—I shot a male
at Fort Fairfield, June 23, in a thick second growth of spruces on the
edge of a path.
24. =Siurus auricapillus= (_Linn._) _Swains._ GOLDEN-CROWNED
THRUSH.—Rather common at Fort Fairfield. At Grand Falls it was seen
only in the hard woods, where it was not common.
25. =Siurus nævius= (_Bodd._) _Coues_. WATER THRUSH.—Breeding at Fort
Fairfield, but not very common. It was not met with at Grand Falls.
26. =Geothlypis philadelphia= (_Wils._) _Bd._ MOURNING WARBLER.—Common
in suitable places. It was almost sure to be found in “burnt lots,”
where the fallen trunks lay, half hidden by a luxuriant growth of tall
weeds, or thickly overrun with vines. Under the shelter thus afforded
they undoubtedly nested, safely screened from the most searching eyes.
27. =Geothlypis trichas= (_Linn._) _Caban._ Maryland
YELLOW-THROAT.—Common.
28. =Myiodioctes pusillus= (_Wils._) _Bp._ WILSON’S BLACK-CAP.—At Fort
Fairfield this bird was common. We usually found them in thickets of
willow bushes, often in rather wet places. The birds were apt to go in
companies of three or four or more. June 23 Mr. Dwight caught a young
bird, just able to fly two or three yards at a time. The nest was no
doubt close at hand, but the ground among the willow bushes was
covered so deeply with brush that a diligent search for the nest
showed nothing—except that it was not built in the bushes. The
youngster showed in the most marked way the energy of disposition and
restless activity that characterize the adults. The species was not
common at Grand Falls.
29. =Myiodioctes canadensis= (_Linn._) _Aud._ CANADA FLYCATCHING
WARBLER.—Rare at Grand Falls, but common at Fort Fairfield.
30. =Setophaga ruticilla= (_Linn._) _Swains._ REDSTART.—This species
was exceedingly abundant at Grand Falls wherever there were hard
woods. It was a common bird at Fort Fairfield.
31. =Hirundo erythrogastra= _Bodd._ BARN SWALLOW.—Common.
32. =Tachycineta bicolor= (_Vieill._) _Caban._ WHITE-BELLIED
SWALLOW.—At Grand Falls it was common in suitable localities. None
were seen about the town. It was abundant at Fort Fairfield.
33. =Petrochelidon lunifrons= (_Say_) _Lawr._ EAVE SWALLOW.—Common at
Grand Falls. Abundant at Fort Fairfield.
34. =Cotile riparia= (_Linn._) _Boie_. BANK SWALLOW.—Common.
35. =Progne subis= (_Linn._) _Bd._ PURPLE MARTIN.—Common, breeding in
martin-houses at Fort Fairfield. This bird seems to be generally
distributed throughout eastern Maine and the adjoining parts of New
Brunswick, where there are settlements. While on our way to Fort
Fairfield we noticed it at a number of places between Bangor and
Woodstock, N. B., as well as at various points along the St. John
River between Fredericton, N. B., and Fort Fairfield. It is also
common at Houlton.
36. =Ampelis cedrorum= (_Vieill._) _Bd._ CEDARBIRD.—It was not
uncommon at Grand Falls. At Fort Fairfield we found it common.
37. =Vireo olivaceus= (_Linn._) _Vieill._ RED-EYED VIREO.—Common.
38. =Vireo philadelphicus= _Cass._ PHILADELPHIA VIREO.—Taken only at
Grand Falls in May, singing in the hard woods.
39. =Vireo solitarius= _Vieill._ SOLITARY VIREO.—This species was
apparently not very common at Fort Fairfield. It was not seen at Grand
Falls. Mr. McLeod gives it in his notes as “quite common” at Houlton.
40. =Pyranga rubra= (_Linn._) _Vieill._ SCARLET TANAGER.—Not rare in
the hard woods at Grand Falls. The people there call them “war-birds.”
We did not see them at Fort Fairfield, though we have reason to think
that they occur. At Houlton Mr. McLeod says they are “rare. They
arrive May 29. I have not found the nest, but have a young one taken
here. They remain all summer.”
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