During the considerable interval of time since the printing of this work
was commenced, many additional facts have come to light in regard to the
habits and geographical distribution of the land birds of North America;
and while several so-called species have proved to be mere races, or
even of less rank, some others have been added to the list. The more
important of these are herewith subjoined.
Most of the new facts here announced are the results of the more recent
labors of Captain Charles Bendire, First Cavalry, U. S. A., and of
Messrs. J. A. Allen, C. E. Aiken, Dr. E. Coues, H. W. Henshaw, Mr. C. J.
Maynard, and others, whose names are mentioned in their appropriate
places.
* * * * *
=Turdus pallasi=, var. =nanus= (I, 20). Dr. Cooper has sent to the
Smithsonian Institution skins of his _T. nanus_, and they prove to be
_T. ustulatus_. The surmise expressed on page 21, that the nest and eggs
described by Dr. Cooper as those of the former in reality belonged to
the latter species, is thus undoubtedly correct.
=Turdus pallasi=, var. =auduboni= (I, 21). A nest with the eggs (S. I.
16,320) of this species was taken near Fort Ellis, Montana, July 16,
1872, by C. H. Merriam, attached to Dr. Hayden’s party. The nest is
large and bulky for the size of the bird, is deeply saucer-shaped in
form, measuring 6 inches in external diameter by 3 in depth. The cavity
of the nest is 3 inches in diameter by about 1.75 deep. It is composed
entirely of green mosses and lined with fine grass leaves.
The eggs were three in number, in shape broadly ovate and obtusely
rounded at either end. They measure .85 of an inch in length by .72 in
breadth; their color is a rather deep greenish-blue, almost exactly like
those of _Turdus migratorius_.
The nest was built in a small pine-tree, about eight feet from the
ground, in the pine regions of the mountains. In its position it differs
from any now known of the _Turdus pallasi_, which, so far as known,
builds invariably on the ground.
=Harporhynchus ocellatus= (I, 36). This is probably a Mexican form of
_H. cinereus_.
=Harporhynchus rufus= (I, 37). According to Mr. Allen (Bull. Mus. Comp.
Zoöl., Vol. III, No. 6, p. 134) this species is found on the eastern
slope of the Rocky Mountains in Colorado. It is not included in the
“Birds of California,” but Dr. Cooper states that in September, 1870,
he found a straggler at Clear Lake, close to the lower town. It was in
a thicket with its western cousins, but possessed unmistakably all the
characteristics of the eastern bird. Unfortunately, it was not secured.
As this species is short-winged and nearly resident in many localities,
its occurrence so far from its usual resort is somewhat remarkable. It
had none of the appearance of a cage-bird.
=Harporhynchus curvirostris=, var. =palmeri= (I, 43). Four specimens
from Tucson, Arizona, were recently forwarded for examination by Dr.
Coues, collected by the indefatigable Captain Bendire, U. S. A., when
stationed at that post. The specimens are all true _palmeri_ in the
characters which definitely separate it from _curvirostris_, its nearest
ally, and show the seasonal discrepancies in the shades of color. A male
and female, collected in November, differ from the types, which are
summer birds, in being of a brownish-plumbeous above, even more ashy
than in any specimens of _curvirostris_ which we have seen. In all other
respects, however, they are typical examples of var. _palmeri_, and
substantiate the validity of this well-marked form. The measurements of
these two specimens are as follows:—
♂. Wing, 4.50; tail, 4.90; culmen, 1.45; tarsus, 1.25; middle toe,
1.00.
♀. Wing, 4.20; tail, 4.80; culmen, 1.40; tarsus, 1.20; middle toe,
.90.
The description of this form was first published by Dr. Coues in “Key to
North American Birds” (October, 1872), p. 351, the type being specimen
No. 61,589, Mus. S. I.
=Harporhynchus bendirei=, COUES (Am. Nat. Vol. VII, June, 1873, p. 330,
fig. 69).
CHAR. Nearly similar to _H. palmeri_ in color, but whiter on the breast,
and apparently more ochraceous on the flanks. Much smaller than _H.
palmeri_, with smaller and very differently shaped bill. _Male_ (not
adult), No. 2,686, Mus. E. C. Wing, 4.10; tail, 4.50; culmen, 1.15;
tarsus, 1.20; middle toe, .88. _Female_ (adult), No. 2,688, Mus. E. C.
Wing, 3.80; tail, 4.40; culmen, 1.15; tarsus, 1.15; middle toe, .88.
_Hab._ Tucson, Arizona.
This new form Dr. Coues considers to be most nearly related to the _H.
cinereus_ of Cape St. Lucas; and judging from its eggs, lately sent to
the Smithsonian Institution by Captain Bendire, such appear to be really
its affinities.
The eggs sent by Captain Bendire (No. 16,486, Mus. S. I.) measure
1.00 in length by .80 in breadth, and are three in number. Their
ground-color is a dull bluish-white, spotted with a very faint shade of
reddish-brown, the spots thickest round the larger end.
=Harporhynchus crissalis= (I, 47). Captain Bendire found this species
breeding abundantly near Tucson, Arizona (See COUES, Am. Nat. VI, June,
1872, 370). The eggs in all instances were similar to those described as
found by Dr. Palmer, unspotted, and in size, shape, and color, hardly
distinguishable from the eggs of the common Robin (_T. migratorius_).
They are of an oblong-oval shape, rounded and nearly equal at either
end, and measure 1.10 inches in length by .75 in breadth.
[Illustration: =3932= ⅔ ⅔
_Harporhynchus redivivus._]
=Harporhynchus redivivus= (I, 45). The accompanying cut, showing the
extreme anatomy of the species, was omitted in its proper place.
=Mimus polyglottus= (I, 49). Mr. C. E. Aiken has obtained this species
in El Paso County, Colorado.
=Saxicola œnanthe= (I, 60). Mr. C. J. Hampton obtained a specimen of
this bird at Junius, Seneca County, N. Y., on the 9th of September,
1872. Professor Newton suggests, by letter, as an interesting problem,
the route by which this species reaches Alaska in its migrations. It
is not known to occur near the Sea of Ochotsk, has not been found on
the Lower Amoor, and probably does not occur farther eastward than the
Baikal Mountains. It has never been noticed in Japan or on the coast of
China. It must therefore be very nearly certain that it cannot take that
way to Alaska. Sundeval states that it is found in Kamtschatka, but this
Mr. Newton questions, as no authority is given for this statement. The
only alternative is to assume a route _via_ Greenland, in this, perhaps,
in a measure indorsing Petermann’s suggestion that Greenland extends
across the pole nearly to the Asiatic coast and to Alaska.
=Sialia mexicana= (I, 65). This species has been obtained in Western
Iowa by Mr. Atkinson.
=Regulus calendula= (I, 75). We present the outlines of bill, feet,
wings, and tail, omitted in their proper place.
[Illustration: =28782=
_Regulus calendula._]
=Polioptila cærulea= (I, 78). Mr. Aiken has taken this species in El
Paso County, Colorado. Dr. Cooper informs me that he found it quite
numerous near Auburn, Placer County, Cal., May 11, 1870, apparently
migrating northward. In the following December he saw one near San
Francisco. From this he infers that it winters much farther to the north
in that State than it does east of the Rocky Mountains, and that the
individuals occurring in Guatemala are eastern birds. He also states
that it is the prevailing and probably the only form in all the northern
and western parts of the State of California. About September 20, 1872,
this species came in great numbers to the vicinity of San Buenaventura
and remained there all winter, going to the mountains northward by March
20.
=Polioptila melanura= (I, 81). Dr. Cooper informs me that while he found
_P. cærulea_ common in September, he saw none of this species near San
Buenaventura until November 12, when small parties appeared moving
westward from the colder desert regions east of the mountains. They kept
entirely in the artemisia thickets among the sandy and dryest tracts,
never going into the high trees like _P. cærulea_. In form, color,
restless habits, and scolding mew, this species is said to be a perfect
miniature and mimic of the Catbird.
According to Captain Bendire the species is not common in Arizona, where
he met with three nests. “One before me, found July 25, 1872, fastened
in a bunch of mistletoe, or rather suspended in it, is composed of a
species of wild hemp fibres nicely woven together, and lined with a few
feathers and exceedingly fine grass.” The nest is very neatly made:
Outer diameter, 2 inches; inner, 1.60; depth, 1.50. The number of eggs
is five, ground-color pale green, with spots of light reddish-brown
color scattered over the egg. Measurement, .50 by .40 of an inch. Their
notes are a rather harsh twitter, kept up for some time. They are active
little birds, and are very restless.
=Chamæa fasciata= (I, 84). Mr. Allen thinks that he saw this species in
Colorado Territory. See Am. Nat. VI, June, 1872, and Bull. Mus. Comp.
Zool. III, No. 6, p. 184.
=Lophophanes inornatus= (I, 91). Mr. Aiken has obtained this species
in El Paso County, Colorado, where it is common, while Mr. Henshaw,
the naturalist of Lieutenant Wheeler’s expedition, found it abundant
in Southern Utah. These Rocky Mountain specimens are much grayer and
somewhat larger than those from California.
=Parus rufescens= (I, 104). Nests and eggs of a _Parus_ which
undoubtedly belong to this species were found by Mr. William A. Cooper,
at Santa Cruz, Cal. One of these nests, sent to the Smithsonian
Institution, was found about four miles from Santa Cruz, April 22, 1873.
The nest was composed of moss and fine bark, largely intermingled with
the fur of rabbits and other small quadrupeds. It was built in a hole
in the branch of a tree about ten feet from the ground. The branch was
about half a foot in diameter and was partially decayed. The cavity
was about a foot in length from the nest to the place where the bird
gained an entrance, which was a small hole about an inch and a quarter
in diameter. The eggs were seven in number and contained partially
formed embryos. They measure .64 of an inch in length by .52 in breadth,
resemble the eggs of the _atricapillus_, but are more sparingly marked
with spots, rather more minute and of a lighter shade of reddish-brown,
on a white ground.
=Sitta pygmæa= (I, 120). This bird is probably a geographical form of
_S. pusilla_, as suggested by Mr. Allen (Bull. Mus. Comp. Zoöl., Vol.
III, No. 6, p. 115).
=Sitta pusilla= (I, 122). Young specimens collected at Aiken, S. C., by
Mr. C. H. Merriam, are quite different in color from the adult plumage.
The head is pale dull ashy, instead of light hair-brown, and the colors
are duller generally. There is a near approach to _S. pygmæa_ in their
appearance.
=Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus= (I, 132). This species has been
collected at Toquerville, Southern Utah, by Mr. Henshaw, and in Southern
Nevada by Mr. Bischoff, naturalists to Lieutenant Wheeler’s expedition.
=Salpinctes obsoletus= (I, 135). The range of this species has been
remarkably extended by the capture of a specimen in Decatur County,
Southern Iowa, where others were seen, by Mr. T. M. Trippe. See Proc.
Boston Soc. N. H., December, 1872, p. 236.
=Catherpes mexicanus=, var. =conspersus= (I, 139). Numerous specimens
obtained in Colorado by Mr. Allen and Mr. Aiken, and in Southern Utah by
Mr. Henshaw, establish the fact of great uniformity in the characters
of this race, and its distinctness from var. _mexicanus_. On page 139
“it is noticed that it is a remarkable fact that this northern race
should be so much smaller than the Mexican one, especially in view of
the fact that it is a resident bird in even the most northern parts of
its ascertained habitat.” As we find this peculiarity exactly paralleled
in the _Thryothorus ludovicianus_ of the Atlantic States (see below),
may not these facts point out a law to the effect that in species which
belong to essentially tropical families, with only outlying genera or
species in the temperate zone, _the increase in size with latitude is
toward the region of the highest development of the group_?
Dr. Cooper met with two specimens of this species in California in
1872; one about twelve miles back of San Diego, the other the same
distance back of San Buenaventura, and both at the foot of lofty, rugged
mountains. Their song he compares to loud ringing laughter; it is so
shrill as to be heard at quite a distance, and seems as if it must be
produced by a much larger bird.
=Thryothorus ludovicianus= (I, 142). Specimens of this species from
Miami, Fla., are much darker colored than those from the Middle States
(Maryland, Illinois, and southward), as might be expected; but very
strangely, they are also much larger. In colors they very nearly
resemble var. _berlandieri_, from the Lower Rio Grande.
A specimen in Mr. Ridgway’s collection (No. 1,864, January 9), from
Miami, Fla., compares with one from Southern Illinois (No. 1,652, Mt.
Carmel, January, 1871) as follows:—
+-----+----------------+----+-----+-----+-------+-------+-----------+
| No. | Locality. |Sex.|Wing.|Tail.|Culmen.|Tarsus.|Middle Toe.|
+-----+----------------+----+-----+-----+-------+-------+-----------+
|1,864|Miami, Fla. | ♂ | 2.75| 2.60| .90| .95| .60|
+-----+----------------+----+-----+-----+-------+-------+-----------+
|1,652|Mt. Carmel, Ill.| ♂ | 2.45| 2.30| .80| .80| .55|
+-----+----------------+----+-----+-----+-------+-------+-----------+
In coloration they are more nearly alike, the Florida specimen being
hardly appreciably darker on the upper surface, though the lower parts
are much deeper ochraceous, almost rufous. The Illinois specimen is
deep ochraceous beneath, just about intermediate between Maryland and
Florida specimens. Another Florida specimen (No. 62,733, Mus. S. I.;
C. J. Maynard) measures: wing, 2.50; tail, 2.40; culmen, .85.
=Thryothorus bewicki=, var. =leucogaster= (I, 147). Specimens of this
form were obtained at Toquerville, Southern Utah, in October, 1872, by
Mr. Henshaw, attached to Lieutenant Wheeler’s expedition.
[Illustration: =31045=, ♂
_Troglodytes parvulus_, var. _hyemalis_.]
=Troglodytes parvulus=, var. =hyemalis= (I, 155). Dr. Cooper has noticed
a few of these Wrens near San Buenaventura in winter, after November 10.
They probably reside in the summer in the high coast mountains lying
east as well as in the Sierra Nevada. Outlines, omitted before, are here
given.
=Cistothorus stellaris= (I, 159). Mr. Henshaw obtained good evidence
of this bird’s breeding at Utah Lake. Nests and eggs were found in a
farm-house, unquestionably those of this species, and said to have been
obtained among the tulés or sedges along the shore of the lake. Outlines
of this species are here given.
[Illustration: =3073=
_Cistothorus stellaris._]
=Anthus ludovicianus= (I, 171). Mr. Allen found this species breeding
in the summer of 1871 on the summit of Mt. Lincoln, Colorado Territory,
above the timber-line, at an altitude of over 13,000 feet.
=Helmitherus vermivorus= (I, 187). Professor Frank H. Snow procured a
specimen of this species near Lawrence, Kansas, May 6, 1873.
=Helmitherus swainsoni= (I, 190). Was obtained in Florida by Mr. W.
Thaxter.
=Helminthophaga virginiæ= (I, 199). Very common in El Paso County,
Colorado, where it was obtained by Mr. Aiken.
=Helminthophaga luciæ= (I, 200). We are indebted to Captain Bendire for
the discovery of the nest and eggs of this comparatively new Warbler. He
first met with its nest near Tucson, Arizona, May 19, 1872. Unlike all
the rest of this genus, which, so far as is known, build their nests on
the ground, this species was found nesting something after the manner of
the common Gray Creeper, between the loose bark and the trunk of a dead
tree, a few feet from the ground. Except in their smaller size the eggs
also bear a great resemblance to those of the Creeper. In shape they
are nearly spherical, their ground is of a crystal whiteness, spotted,
chiefly around the larger end, with fine dottings of a purplish-red.
They measure .54 of an inch in length by .45 in breadth.
=Helminthophaga celata=, var. =lutescens= (I, 204). See Am. Nat. Vol.
VII, October, 1873, p. 606.
=Helminthophaga peregrina= (I, 205). Obtained in El Paso County,
Colorado, in September, 1873, by Mr. Aiken.
=Parula americana= (I, 208). Obtained in May in El Paso County,
Colorado, by Mr. Aiken.
=Dendroica vieilloti=, var. =bryanti= (I, 218). See Am. Nat. VII,
October, 1873, p. 606.
=Dendroica auduboni= (I, 229). In July, 1870, Dr. Cooper found families
of this species fully fledged, wandering through the woods, at the
summit pass of the Central Pacific Railroad, 7,000 feet altitude,
confirming his supposition that they breed in the high Sierra Nevada.
There they are very numerous in summer, following the retreating snow
to this elevation about May 1, when the males are in full plumage,
retaining it till August. Their song is always faint, and similar to
that of _D. æstiva_.
=Dendroica cærulea= (I, 235). A nest, containing one egg, of the
Cærulean Warbler, was obtained in June, 1873, by Frank S. Booth, the
son of James Booth, Esq., the well-known taxidermist of Drummondville,
Ontario, near Niagara Falls. The nest was built in a large oak-tree
at the height of fifty feet or more from the ground. It was placed
horizontally on the upper surface of a slender limb, between two small
twigs, and the branch on which it was thus saddled was only an inch
and a half in thickness. Being nine feet from the trunk of the tree,
it was secured with great difficulty. The nest is a rather slender
fabric, somewhat similar to the nest of the Redstart, and quite small
for the bird. It has a diameter of 2½ inches, and is 1¼ inches in depth.
Its cavity is 2 inches wide at the rim, and 1 inch in depth. The nest
chiefly consists of a strong rim firmly woven of strips of fine bark,
stems of grasses, and fine pine-needles, bound round with flaxen fibres
of plants and wool. Around the base a few bits of hornets’ nests,
mosses, and lichens are loosely fastened. The nest within is furnished
with fine stems and needles, and the flooring is very thin and slight.
The egg is somewhat similar in its general appearance to that of _D.
æstiva_, but is smaller and with a ground-color of a different shade
of greenish-white. It is oblong-oval in shape, and measures .70 of an
inch in length by .50 in breadth. It is thinly marked over the greater
portion of its surface with minute dottings of reddish-brown. A ring of
confluent blotches of purple and reddish-brown surrounds the larger end.
=Dendroica blackburniæ= (I, 237). Obtained at Ogden, Utah, in September,
1871, by Mr. Allen (Bull. Mus. Comp. Zoöl. III, No. 5, p. 166).
=Dendroica dominica= (I, 240). A superb nest of the Yellow-throated
Warbler was taken by Mr. Giles, near Wilmington, N. C., in the spring
of 1872. The nest was enclosed in a pendent tuft of Spanish moss
(_Tillandsia usneoides_), and completely hidden within it. Its form
is cup-shaped, and it is made of fine roots, mixed with much downy
material and a few soft feathers, and, except in its situation, does not
differ much from other nests of this genus. Other nests have since been
received from Mr. Giles; also a nest of _Parula americana_ similarly
situated. Mr. Ridgway, from an examination of the nests, infers that
this situation is not constant, but that in other localities where the
moss is not found this Warbler may build in thick tufts of leaves near
the extremity of drooping branches, or in other similar situations.
=Dendroica dominica=, var. =albilora= (I, 241). See Am. Nat, VII,
October, 1873, p. 606.
=Dendroica graciæ=, var. =decora= (I, 244). See Am. Nat. VII, October,
1873, p. 608.
=Dendroica castanea= (I, 251). This Warbler is cited by us as
exceedingly rare in Eastern Massachusetts, though not unknown. A
remarkable exception to this otherwise general rule occurred in the
spring of 1872. For several days, in the latter part of May, they were
found in great abundance in the vicinity of Boston. As the same unusual
occurrence of this species in large numbers was noticed by Mr. Kumlien
in Southern Wisconsin, it is probable that along the 42d parallel
something occurred to cause a deviation from their usual migrations. The
long pause of this species in its spring migrations, and its appearance
in large numbers, are not known to have occurred before.
Mr. Salvin (Ibis, April, 1872) expresses the opinion that this Warbler,
in its southern migration, does not pause in its flight from the
Southern United States to stop in any of the West India Islands, nor in
any point of Central America north of Costa Rica. It is by no means rare
at Panama during the winter. We may therefore infer that in both its
southern and its northern migrations long flights are made, at certain
periods, over sections of country in which they do not appear at all, or
where only a straggling few are ever seen, and that their abundance in
1872 was exceptional and due to causes not understood.
=Dendroica nigrescens= (I, 258). Obtained in El Paso County, Colorado;
AIKEN.
=Dendroica occidentalis=, =D. townsendi=, and =D. nigrescens= (I, 258,
265, 266). While travelling over the Cuyamaca Mountains east of San
Diego, in April, 1872, Dr. Cooper found _D. occidentalis_, for the first
time, quite common. They seemed to be still migrating during the last
week of April, but perhaps were only moving upwards, being numerous
between the elevation of 1,500 and 4,000 feet, while heavy frosts still
occurred at the latter height. They probably go in May as high as 6,200
feet, the summits of the highest peaks, which are densely covered by
coniferous trees. _D. townsendi_ and _D. nigrescens_ were in company
with _occidentalis_ in small flocks, among the oaks, and all seemed to
be following an elevated route northward. In 1862, Dr. Cooper found them
among the chaparral along the coast, but he regards this as exceptional
and probably occasioned by a severe storm in the mountains, as he saw
none in 1872 in a spring of average mildness. They occur about Petaluma
as early as April 1.
=Seiurus ludovicianus= (I, 287). Mr. E. Ingersoll met with the nest and
eggs of the Large-billed Thrush near Norwich, Conn. The nest was sunk
in the ground, in some moss and in the rotten wood underneath the roots
of a large tree on the banks of the Yantic River. It was covered over,
except just in front, by the roots. The nest was 2½ inches in internal
diameter and rather shallow, and was somewhat loosely constructed of
fine dry grasses and little dead fibrous mosses. About the nest, but
forming no part of it, were several loose leaves. These were chiefly
in front of the nest, and served as a screen to conceal it and its
occupant. The nest itself was placed under the edge of the bank, about
ten feet above the water. The eggs were four in number and were quite
fresh. Unblown, they have a beautiful rosy tint, the ground-color is
a lustrous white, the egg having a polished surface. They are more
or less profusely spotted all over with dots and specks, and a few
obscure zigzag markings of reddish-brown of two shades, and umber, with
faint touches of lilac and very pale washing of red. These markings are
much more thickly distributed about the larger end, but nowhere form a
ring. They resemble the eggs of _S. aurocapillus_, but differ in their
somewhat rounder shape, the brilliant polish of their ground, and the
greater distinctness of the markings. They varied from .75 to .80 of an
inch in length, and from .60 to .62 in breadth.
=Geothlypis= (I, 295). For a new synopsis of all the species of this
genus, see Am. Journ. Science and Arts, Vol. X, December, 1872.
=Geothlypis trichas= (I, 297). Dr. Cooper found this species wintering
in large numbers near San Buenaventura. They frequented the driest as
well as the wettest spots.
=Geothlypis macgillivrayi= (I, 303). We now consider this form a
geographical race of _S. philadelphia_. (See Am. Journ. Science and
Arts, Vol. X, December, 1872.)
=Myiodioctes pusillus=, var. =pileolatus= (I, 319). See Am. Nat. VII,
October, 1873, p. 608.
=Setophaga picta= (I, 322). This species, not included in the preceding
pages among North American Birds, was noticed on only two occasions by
Captain Charles Bendire in the vicinity of Tucson, Arizona. This was on
the 4th of April, and again on the 12th of September, 1872. He thinks
that they unquestionably breed in the mountains to the northward of
Tucson. When seen in September they appeared to be moving southward, on
their way to their winter quarters. He saw none throughout the summer.
(See Am. Nat. VII.) By letter from Mr. Henshaw, we learn that he has
obtained this species at Apache, Arizona.
=Vireosylvia olivacea= (I, 369). Obtained at Ogden, Utah, in September,
1871, by Mr. Allen.
=Lanivireo solitarius= (I, 373). Dr. Cooper found, April 30, 1870, a
male of this species in full plumage and singing delightfully on a
ridge above Emigrant Gap on the west slope of the Sierra, about 5,500
feet altitude, and where the snow was still lying in deep drifts. He
is confident that he saw the same species at Copperopolis in February,
1864. He thinks there is no doubt that to some extent they winter in the
State.
=Lanivireo solitarius=, var. =plumbeus= (I, 378). El Paso County,
Colorado; AIKEN.
=Vireo pusillus= (I, 391). Dr. Cooper found this species near San
Buenaventura as early as March 26, 1872, where it was quite common. On
the 22d of April he found a nest pendent between the forks of a dead
willow branch. This was five feet from the ground, built on the edge of
a dense marshy thicket, of flat strips and fibres of bark, and lined
with fine grass, hair, and feathers. There were a few feathers of the
Barn Owl, also, on the outside. The nest measured three inches each way.
The eggs were laid about the 28th, were four in number, white, with a
few small black specks mostly near the larger ends, and measured .69 of
an inch in length by .51 in breadth.
=Phænopepla nitens= (I, 405). Captain Bendire writes me that he found
this species common in the vicinity of Tucson, Arizona, during the
summer, a few only remaining during the winter; most of these had
white edgings on all their feathers, and were probably young of the
year. Their flight is described as wavering, something like that of
_Colaptes mexicanus_. While flying they utter a high note, resembling
_whuif-whuif_, repeated several times. He never heard them sing, as they
are said to do, although he has watched them frequently. They are very
restless, and are always found about the mistletoe, on the berries of
which they feed almost exclusively. The nest is saddled on a horizontal
branch, generally of a mesquite-tree. It is a shallow structure, about
4 inches across; its inner diameter is 2½ inches, depth ½ an inch. It
is composed of fine sticks, fibres of plants, and lined with a little
cottonwood down and a stray feather. The first nest was found May 16.
This was principally lined with the shells of empty cocoons. The number
of eggs was two. Though he found more than a dozen nests with eggs and
young, he never found more than two in a nest. Their ground-color varies
from a greenish-white to a lavender and a grayish-white, spotted all
over with different shades of brown. The spots are all small, and most
abundant about the larger end, and vary greatly in their distributions.
In size they range from .97 of an inch to .84 in length, and in breadth
from .66 to .60.
=Collurio ludovicianus=, var. =robustus= (I, 420). See Am. Nat. VII,
October, 1873, p. 609.
=Certhiola newtoni= (I, 427). See Am. Nat. VII, October, 1873, p. 611.
=Certhiola caboti= (I, 427). See Am. Nat. VII, October, 1873, p. 612.
=Certhiola barbadensis=, =Certhiola frontalis= (I, 427). See Am. Nat.
VII, October, 1873, p. 612.
=Pyranga hepatica= (I, 440). Captain Bendire found what he identified as
this species breeding near Tucson, Arizona. Its nests and eggs resembled
those of _P. æstiva_. The latter vary in length from 1.02 inches to
.95, and in breadth from .70 to .67 of an inch. Their ground-color is
a pale light green. Some are sparingly marked over the entire egg with
very distinctive and conspicuous blotches of purplish-brown; others are
covered more generally with finer dottings of the same hue, and these
are so numerous as partly to obscure the ground. In shape the eggs are
oblong oval, and are of nearly equal size at either end. This species
was also obtained by Mr. Henshaw, at Apache, Arizona.
As no skins of the parent appear to have been preserved, it is not
improbable that the bird in question may be really _P. æstiva_, var.
_cooperi_.
=Hesperiphona vespertina=, var. =montana= (I, 450). Two adult males
obtained at Waukegan, Illinois, in January, 1873, by Mr. Charles
Douglass, are typical examples of the Rocky Mountain form.
=Pinicola enucleator= (I, 453). Dr. Cooper mentions having shot a fine
male of this species near the summit of the Central Railroad Pass at an
elevation of about 7,000 feet. It was in a fine orange-red plumage. It
was moulting, and appeared to be a straggler.
=Pyrrhula cassini= (I, 457). Since the publication of the article on
this species we learn from Cabanis (Journal für Ornithologie, 1871,
318, 1872, 315) that the species is not uncommon in the vicinity of
Lake Baikal, in Siberia, and that it has even been observed in Belgium
(Crommelin, Archives Neérlandaises). The bird, therefore, like the
_Phyllopneuste borealis_ (_P. kennicotti_, Baird) and _Motacilla flava_,
is to be considered as Siberian, straggling to continental Alaska in the
summer season.
=Chrysomitris psaltria= (I, 474). See Am. Journ. of Science and Arts,
Vol. IV, December, 1872, for a special paper upon the races of this
species and their relation to climatic regions.
=Chrysomitris psaltria=, var. =arizonæ= (I, 476). On the 7th of May,
1872, Dr. Cooper saw a single specimen (male), which he had no doubt was
of this bird, at Encinetos Ranch, thirty miles north of San Diego. It
was feeding with other species among dry sunflowers. He also saw another
near San Buenaventura in January, 1873.
=Loxia “leucoptera=, var.” =bifasciata= (I, 483). At the time when the
synopsis of the species of this genus was prepared, we had not seen any
specimens of the European White-winged Crossbill. A recent examination
of specimens from Sweden has convinced us, however, that the species
is entirely distinct from _leucoptera_, and more nearly related to
_curvirostra_, with the several forms of which it agrees quite closely
in the details of form and proportions, as well as in tints, with the
exception of the markings of the wing.
=Leucosticte tephrocotis= (I, 504). The specimens collected by Mr. Allen
in Colorado, mentioned in the foot-note on page 505, and there said to
be the summer dress of _L. tephrocotis_, we now believe to be a distinct
form, which may be named var. _australis_, ALLEN, characterized as
follows:—
_Leucosticte tephrocotis_, var. _australis_, ALLEN, MSS. _Leucosticte
tephrocotis_, ALLEN, Am. Nat. VI, No. 5, May, 1872.—IB. Bull. Mus.
Comp. Zoöl. Vol. III, No. 6, pp. 121, 162.
CHAR. Similar to var. _tephrocotis_, but without any gray on the head,
the red of the abdomen and wing-coverts bright carmine, instead of
dilute rose-color, and the bill deep black, instead of yellow tipped
with dusky. Prevailing color raw-umber (more earthy than in var.
_tephrocotis_), becoming darker on the head and approaching to black on
the forehead. Nasal tufts white. Wings and tail dusky, the secondaries
and primaries skirted with paler; lesser and middle wing-coverts and
tail-coverts, above and below, broadly tipped with rosy carmine,
producing nearly uniform patches; abdominal region with the feathers
broadly tipped with deep carmine or intense crimson, this covering
nearly uniformly the whole surface. Bill and feet deep black.
_Male_ (No. 15,724, Mus. C. Z., Mt. Lincoln, Colorado, July 25, 1871;
J. A. Allen). Wing, 4.20; tail, 3.10; culmen, .45; tarsus, .70; middle
toe, .60.
_Female_ (Mt. Lincoln, July 25; J. A. Allen). Wing, 4.00; tail, 3.00.
Colors paler and duller, the red almost obsolete.
_Hab._ Breeding on Mt. Lincoln, Colorado, above the timber-line, at an
altitude of about 12,000 feet. (July, 1872, J. A. Allen.)
Since the descriptions of the several stages of _L. tephrocotis_ were
cast, we have received from Mr. H. W. Elliott—Assistant Agent of the
United States Treasury Department, stationed at St. Paul’s Island,
Alaska, an accomplished and energetic collector—numerous specimens of
_L. griseinucha_ in the breeding plumage. The fact that these specimens
have the gray of the head as well defined as do examples in the winter
plumage, while the red is at the same time much intensified, induces
us to modify our views expressed on pages 504, 505, in regard to Mr.
Allen’s Colorado specimens, and to regard them as representing a race
which must have the head dusky _at all seasons_, and _not_ a seasonal
phase of var. _tephrocotis_. The winter plumage probably differs from
that described above only in the red being of a soft, rather dilute,
rosy tint, instead of a harsh bright carmine; the bill is also probably
yellow in winter, since in the breeding specimens of _griseinucha_ from
Alaska the bill is black, while in winter examples it is yellow, with
only the point dusky.
A series of seven fine specimens sent in by Mr. J. H. Batty, the
naturalist of Dr. Hayden’s expedition, confirm the validity of this
form, and even so much as suggest to us the possibility of its
eventually proving a distinct species, more nearly related to _L.
brunneinucha_ than to _L. tephrocotis_. They were collected on some one
of the high peaks of Colorado, but as Mr. Batty’s notes have not come
to hand we cannot tell which. The specimens are all males, and resemble
Mr. Allen’s specimens, except that they are perhaps more highly colored.
They all have the _throat_ tinged with carmine, and in some the tinge is
very deep,—on one extending over the whole breast and throat, up to the
cheeks and bill. We hope to learn soon from Mr. Batty some interesting
details regarding this series.
=Centronyx bairdi= (I, 531). The past year has been a remarkably
fortunate one for our knowledge of this species, and, owing to the
investigations of Mr. C. E. Aiken, Dr. Coues, and Mr. H. W. Henshaw,
it cannot now be classed among the rare birds of our country; the
total number of specimens collected by these gentlemen amounting to
more than one hundred. The first example—the second one then known—was
collected by Mr. Aiken in El Paso County, Colorado, October 9, 1872,
and, being in the soft autumnal plumage, appeared to be so distinct
from the type that, after a careful comparison of the two specimens,
Mr. Ridgway wrote Mr. Aiken that it was in his opinion different, and
accompanied his letter by a comparative diagnosis of the two supposed
species. The Colorado specimen was then described in the American
Naturalist (Vol. VII, April, 1873, p. 236) as _Centronyx ochrocephalus_,
AIKEN. On the 6th of May, 1873, Mr. Aiken obtained another specimen at
the same locality; and this one, being forwarded to Mr. Ridgway for
comparison, proved to be so decidedly intermediate between the types of
_C. bairdi_ and _C._ “_ochrocephalus_” that they immediately suggested
the probability of their being seasonal stages of one species,—_C.
bairdi_ representing the very faded and much abraded midsummer dress;
_C. ochrocephalus_ being the autumnal dress, probably of a young bird,
with the pattern of coloration distinct, and the colors soft and deep;
and the May specimen the spring plumage, just intermediate between the
two others.
During the past summer (1873) Dr. Coues collected about seventy
specimens along the northern border of Dakota, from just west of the
Pembina Mountains to the second crossing of the Mouse River. They
frequented the open prairie exclusively, associating in vast numbers
with _Neocorys spraguei_ and _Plectrophanes ornatus_, these three being
the most abundant and characteristic birds of the prairie. By the middle
of July young birds were already observed; and, equally young ones
being taken in the middle of August, it is presumed that two broods
were raised. The splendid suite of specimens brought in by Dr. Coues
comprises both adult and young birds. Of the former, many examples
exactly match Audubon’s type, while others approach very closely Mr.
Aiken’s specimen in the spring plumage. The young, however, are in a
plumage entirely new. We give below descriptions of the several stages
of plumage:—
_Adult male in spring_ (No. 2,141, Mus. R. R., El Paso County, Colorado,
May 6, 1873; C. E. Aiken). Ground-color of the head deep buff, growing
paler toward the throat, which is white; crown sharply streaked with
deep black, the streaks aggregated laterally so as to form two broken
stripes; a cuneate speck of black at the post-superior corner of the
auriculars; maxillary stripe deep buff, bounded above and below by
continuous stripes of black,—one from the rictus along lower edge of
cheeks, the other from side of chin down side of throat. Above pale
hair-brown, the feathers paler, or brownish-white, externally, and
brownish-black centrally. Beneath white, tinged with buff across the
jugulum, where thickly marked with cuneate streaks of deep black; sides
sparsely streaked, the streaks more brown. “Legs and lower mandible
flesh-color; upper mandible horn-color; toes and claws dusky. Length,
5.62; extent, 9.04.” Wing, 2.80; tail, 2.15; culmen, .45; tarsus, .80;
middle toe, .60.
_Adult female in summer_, exactly similar, but rather smaller, and the
colors duller and paler.
_Young, in first plumage._ Similar in general appearance to the adult in
fall plumage, but the markings more suffused. All the contour feathers
of the dorsal surface sharply bordered terminally and laterally with
white; streaks on the breast heavier and shorter.
_Adult male in autumn_ (No. 1,113, Mus. C. E. A., El Paso County,
Colorado, October 9, 1872).[118] Ground-color of the head deep
ochraceous, deepest on the middle of the crown, and gradually fading to
buffy-white on the throat; feathers of the crown with broad, deep black
medial streaks, these narrower toward the middle, forming two lateral
broadly black-streaked areas, with an intervening, badly defined,
deep-ochraceous, narrowly streaked stripe. A distinct black spot behind
the upper posterior corner of the auriculars; a smaller one at the
middle of their posterior edge, and two black streaks bordering the
light-ochraceous maxillary stripe,—a narrow one from the rictus along
the lower edge of the deeply ochraceous ear-coverts and suborbital
region, and a heavy “bridle” on each side of the throat. Lower parts
buffy-white, fading into nearly pure white posteriorly; jugulum crossed
by a series of heavy cuneate deep-black streaks, these continuing
backward along the sides, but becoming reddish on the flanks; tibiæ
brownish-gray. Neck, laterally and posteriorly, light ochraceous-yellow,
each feather with a sharply defined medial streak of black. Dorsal
feathers deep black centrally, then hair-brown (not reddish), and
broadly bordered with white, both laterally and terminally. Rump and
upper tail-coverts reddish hair-brown, each feather broadly bordered
with buffy-white and with a black shaft-streak. General aspect of the
wings grayish-pinkish ochraceous, the feathers all blackish centrally;
outer web of outer primary pure white. Tail-feathers black, skirted with
whitish ashy-ochraceous, this becoming pure white on the lateral pair of
feathers, the exterior of which is pale gray centrally. Lining of wing
immaculate pure white.
Wing, 3.00; tail, 2.40; culmen, .45; depth of bill, .23; tarsus, .85;
middle toe, .63; lateral toes, .20 shorter; hind toe, .35. End of the
wing formed by the four outer quills, of which the second and third
are equal and longest, the first and fourth equal and just appreciably
shorter; tertials considerably longer than the secondaries, and only .20
shorter than the longest primaries. Tail deeply emarginated (fork .20
deep), the lateral feathers longest.
The following measurements of about thirty fresh specimens, kindly
furnished us by Dr. Coues, indicate the normal variation in size: “The
males range from 5.10 to 5.85 in length, by 9.10 to 9.85 in extent,
averaging about 5.65 by 9.50. The shortest-winged specimen was a female,
expanding 8.85, though measuring 5.50 in length; the wing ordinarily
ranged from 2.75 to 3.00.”
Dr. Coues also furnishes the following account of the habits of this
species, which we print _verbatim_:—
“Out of thirty-one specimens collected July 14 and 15, twenty-nine were
males, one female, and one young. This remarkable preponderance of males
collected was owing to the fact that these attracted my attention as
they sat singing on the tops of the weeds and low bushes; the females
being probably down in the grass, incubating, or attending to their
young,—at any rate not singing. In general appearance and manners they
were so similar to Savanna Sparrows (_Passerculus savanna_) with which
they were here associated, that they could only be distinguished at
gunshot range after several days’ close observation. The song resembles
that of the Savanna Sparrow, but may soon be learned; it consists of two
or three chirps and an indefinite trill—_zip, zip, zip, zurrrrrrr_—in
a mellow tinkling tone. The birds rise from the grass with a quick
flickering flight, seldom going far before re-alighting. They remain in
this portion of the country at least until October. Though scattered
over the prairie, they tend to gather in little colonies; that is to
say, one might ride a mile or so without seeing any, and then find
numbers in the same spot. After leaving the prairie included in the
bend of the Souris River, none were seen on the Coteau de Missouri;
though this may have been owing to the lateness of the season. Late in
July I scared a female off her nest on the prairie: the bird ran slyly
through the grass, like a mouse, for some distance, before taking wing;
her actions being like those of _Plectrophanes ornatus_ under similar
circumstances. Unfortunately, however, the nest was not found; but it
will almost certainly be found to be built upon the ground, like that of
_Poocætes_, _Passerculus_, and other allies.”
We learn by letter (dated October 7, 1873) from Mr. H. W. Henshaw, the
naturalist of Lieutenant Wheeler’s expedition, that he has obtained
(somewhere along the line of their route, apparently in New Mexico,
but the locality is not mentioned) about thirty specimens of what he
supposes to be this bird in the fall plumage. In regard to their habits,
Mr. Henshaw writes as follows: “It is essentially a plain bird, with
habits about half-way between those of the Savanna and Yellow-winged
Sparrows, both of which were abundant in the same locality.”
=Plectrophanes ornatus= (I, 520). The abundant material brought in
by recent collectors, among whom we may mention particularly Mr.
Allen (see Bull. Mus. Comp. Zoöl. III, No. 6, p. 135) and Dr. Coues,
throws additional light upon the relationship of this species and
_P._ “_melanomus_” (I, 521), and affords conclusive evidence of their
identity. The latter is merely a high stage of plumage, with the lesser
coverts deep black, instead of brown as in midsummer, and rufous borders
to the black feathers of the lower parts, which become worn off in
midsummer.
=Passerculus alaudinus= (I, 537). Dr. Cooper informs me that in July,
1873, he found young but fully fledged birds of this species quite
common along the beach near Santa Barbara, and where, possibly, they
may have been mistaken by Dr. Heermann for _P. rostratus_. One he shot
closely resembled in plumage the young _Melospiza heermanni_. They had
been, without doubt, hatched on the grassy hills near by, and may breed
farther south on the mountains. _P. anthinus_ was numerous all summer in
the neighboring marshes, but not away from salt water.
=Passerculus princeps= (I, 540). Additional specimens collected at
Ipswich, Mass., by Mr. Maynard, and on Long Island by Mr. Lawrence,
confirm the validity of this form, and likewise considerably extend its
known range.
=Coturniculus passerinus=, var. =perpallidus= (I, 556). First described
in Coues’s Key, October, 1872, p. 137.
=Coturniculus lecontei= (I, 558). Seven specimens of this interesting
species were collected in August, 1873, by Dr. Coues, while attached
to the Northern Boundary Survey. Five of them were obtained August 9,
at the head-waters of the Souris River, on a boundless prairie. They
inhabited the low portions of the prairie, where the grass was tall,
recalling to mind the sea-shore marshes inhabited by the _Ammodromi_
of the Atlantic coast. In habits they entirely resembled the seaside
Buntings (_A. caudacutus_ and _A. maritimus_).
These specimens reveal the fact that Leconte’s Bunting is quite as much
an _Ammodromus_ as a _Coturniculus_, being, in fact, just intermediate
between _A. caudacutus_ and _C. henslowi_, agreeing most nearly with
the latter in style of coloration, and exactly resembling the former in
form, the rectrices being even longer, stiffer, and more acute. This
renders it necessary to unite _Ammodromus_ and _Coturniculus_ into one
genus, recognizing them as subgenera, definable chiefly by the different
style of coloration of the superior surface in the two groups. The name
_Ammodromus_ stands as the proper designation of the genus, being of
earlier date.
Several stages of plumage are represented in the series obtained by Dr.
Coues; and, the diagnosis of the species given on p. 552 being taken
from a very defective specimen, we give here short descriptions taken
from the elegant skins before us.
_Adult male_ (No. 3,442, Coll. E. C.). Ground-color of the head white,
tinged with buff on the maxillæ, and with ash on the auriculars; crown
with two broad black stripes, separated by a narrow medial one of
whitish; nuchal feathers bright rufous, edged with ashy-white, and
shafted with black; dorsal feathers black, broadly edged exteriorly with
white, and interiorly narrowly skirted with rufous. Beneath entirely
white, tinged on the throat with buff, and streaked on the sides—from
the breast to the flanks—with black. Length, 5.00; extent, 7.10; wing,
2.10; tail, 2.00; culmen, .42; tarsus, .68.
_Adult female_ (No. 3,443, E. C.). Resembling the male, but, being in
less abraded plumage, the colors more pronounced. The head is deep
buff (just as in _Ammodromus caudacutus_), the auriculars and lores
distinctly grayish-white, and the medial stripe of the crown ashy-white,
except the anterior third, which is buff. On the lower parts, the whole
lower side of the head, the entire breast, sides, flanks, and tibiæ,
are deep buff, the sides sharply streaked with black. The abdomen, anal
region, and crissum are pure white, in marked contrast. Length, 5.00;
extent, 7.00; wing, 2.00; tail, 2.10; culmen, .45; tarsus, .70.
_Young_ (Nos. 3,444, 3,445, and 3,446, E. C.). Ground-color above
dull buff, below white; the pattern of the old birds seen in the
markings, which, however, are pure black, all red and brown tints being
absent,—except on the wings and tail, which are nearly as in the adult.
=Ammodromus maritimus= (I, 560). Mr. Maynard has discovered a very
remarkable new local form of this species in Florida, which he has named
var. _nigrescens_, possessing the following characters:—
_Ammodromus maritimus_, var. _nigrescens_, RIDGWAY.
CHAR. Above black, nearly uniform, and with a faint brownish cast;
dorsal feathers with their outer edges narrowly grayish-white; remiges
and tail-feathers edged with olive-brown; edge of the wing bright
gamboge-yellow; supra-loral stripe deep yellow to above the middle of
the eye; an obscure supra-auricular stripe of olive-grayish. Lores,
auriculars, and cheeks nearly uniform black; lower parts pure white,
covered with broad streaks of black, the anal region and middle line of
the throat only unstreaked. Wing, 2.40; tail, 2.50; culmen, .55; tarsus,
.95; middle toe, .55. (1855, Coll. R. R.)
Specimens of var. _maritimus_ from Fort Macon, North Carolina, are much
darker than Connecticut examples.
=Zonotrichia leucophrys=, var. =gambeli= (I, 569). Specimens from the
Pacific Coast, which are true _gambeli_, are uniformly different from
Middle Province examples in several important particulars; the colors
are all darker, the ash more sombre, and the dorsal streaks sooty-black
instead of chestnut-brown. In everything except the coloration of the
head they closely resemble _Z. coronata_. The Middle Province form may
be named _Zonotrichia leucophrys_, var. _intermedia_, Ridgway.
=Junco= (I, 578). For a new synopsis of the genus, see Am. Nat. VII,
October, 1873, p. 613.
=Junco hyemalis=, var. =aikeni= (I, 584). First described in Am. Nat.
VII, October, 1873, p. 615.
=Junco oregonus= (I, 584). Dr. Cooper writes that the Oregon Snowbird
frequents the Sierra Nevada, lat. 39°, up to an elevation of 9,000 feet.
He found a nest with three eggs at an elevation of about 7,000 feet,
July 28, 1870.
=Poospiza belli= (I, 593). A fall specimen from Dr. Cooper, collected at
Saticoy, California, October 8, 1872, shows a new plumage of this form,
and substantiates the remarkable difference, in every stage of plumage,
from var. _nevadensis_ (I, 594). It differs from specimens of the latter
in the corresponding dress, in the following particulars:—
Sub-maxillary bridle deep black, very broad, and reaching to the bill;
pectoral spot conspicuous, black; sides strongly washed with ochraceous;
above dark plumbeous instead of light ash; no trace of streaks on the
back. Wing, 2.80; tail, 3.00; culmen, .40; tarsus, .80. (No. 63,652,
Mus. S. I.)
=Spizella monticola= (II, 3). Collected by Henshaw in Southern Utah, in
October, 1872. Probably found throughout the Middle Province region.
=Spizella socialis= (II, 7). Dr. Cooper informs us that the Chipping
Sparrow frequents the Sierra Nevada, near latitude 39°, up to 9,000 feet
elevation, in summer, and is the only species of Spizella to be seen
there at that season.
=Spizella pallida=, var. =breweri= (II, 13). Dr. Cooper met with
this species arriving from the South, in small flocks, April, 1873,
frequenting bushy grounds ten miles inland. They had the song and habits
as described, but were not seen in the low country in summer.
=Melospiza lincolni= (II, 31). Dr Cooper writes that in July, 1870,
he found this species numerous at and near the summit of the Central
Railroad in an elevation of from 7,000 to 9,000 feet. They were always
about marshy thickets, often close to fields of perpetual snow. They had
there raised their young, which were mostly fledged. He found a nest
with one egg on the ground. As he found this July 27, he thinks that
without doubt it raises two broods in a season even in that subalpine
region. The song he found quite different from that of the other
_Melospizæ_, being fainter, more lively and continuous, like that of
some Wren or Warbler.
=Melospiza palustris= (II, 34). Collected in Southern Utah (Washington),
October 23, 1872, by Mr. Henshaw. (Mus. S. I., No. 63,500.)
=Peucæa æstivalis=, var. =arizonæ= (II, 41). First described in Am. Nat.
VII, October, 1873, p. 616.
=Peucæa carpalis.= An additional species of _Peucæa_ has been discovered
in Arizona by that diligent collector, Lieutenant (now Captain) Charles
Bendire, U. S. A. It has been described (Am. Nat. VII, June, 1873, p.
322) by Dr. Coues as _Peucæa carpalis_. Its characters are as follows:—
_Peucæa carpalis_, COUES. Rufous-shouldered Sparrow.
SP. CHAR. Resembling in general appearance a large _Spizella
pusilla_, but with rufous lesser wing-coverts, and blackish rictal
and infra-maxillary streaks. Above grayish earth-brown, each feather
with the medial portion dusky, forming conspicuous black streaks on
the dorsal region, and dusky centres to the wing-coverts and tertials.
Nape and rump plain, and more ashy. Crown and lesser wing-coverts plain
rufous, the former divided anteriorly with a whitish medial line.
Beneath ashy-white, including a well-defined superciliary and maxillary
stripe, which have a slight buffy tinge. Throat nearly pure white,
bordered on each side by a conspicuous narrow streak of black; whitish
maxillary stripe bordered above by a dusky rictal streak. Bill reddish,
darker on the culmen. Tarsi dilute brown; toes horn-brown. Wing, 2.50;
tail, 2.75; culmen, .45; tarsus, .80; middle toe, .55.
_Hab._ Tucson, Arizona. (No. 62,372. September, 1872, Captain C.
Bendire, U. S. A.)
Another specimen, supposed to be a female, in winter plumage (Tucson,
January 10, 1873) differs quite appreciably in its markings and colors.
The crown is more streaked, every feather being edged laterally with
ashy-gray; the blackish streaks on the back and scapulars are more
distinct, and the inner web of the lateral tail-feather is broadly
bordered with white terminally. It measures, wing, 2.50; tail, 2.90;
culmen, .45; tarsus, .70. “Length, 5.75; stretch, 7.80.”
Captain Bendire informs me that he found this species rather common in
the vicinity of Tucson. It was generally seen in company with _Poospiza
bilineata_. Its usual call-note resembled the syllables _zib-zib-zib_.
He believed it to be a resident of Arizona throughout the year. It
commences nesting early in June, generally building in the small
mesquite bushes, sometimes not over six inches, seldom more than four
feet, from the ground. The nests are composed of fine dry grasses and
rootlets, and lined with the fine, slender seed-tops of the secatow or
rye-grass, and sometimes with a few hairs. The nest is very deep, and
is firmly fixed into a fork of the bush in which it is built. The eggs,
when fresh, are of a pale green color, and average .73 of an inch in
length by .58 in breadth, are unspotted, are generally four, seldom
five, in a nest. One nest with four eggs was found September 11, 1872.
=Passerella= (II, 49). The capture of a specimen exactly intermediate
between _P. iliaca_ and _P. townsendii_, at Saticoy, California,
December 14, 1872, by Dr. Cooper, renders it extremely probable that all
the known forms of this genus are but geographical races of one species.
The characters of this specimen (No. 63,651) are as follows: Most like
_iliaca_ in reddish tints and coloration of the head, with occasional
nearly pure ashy lights, but with the suffused pattern of _townsendii_.
Wing, 3.60; tail, 3.60; culmen, .50; tarsus, 1.00.
=Passerella megarhynchus= (II, 57). Dr. Cooper found this species common
between 5,000 and 7,000 feet elevation, on the Central Pacific Railroad
line, where most of the country was still covered with snow. One or
two were to be found in every thicket at distances of a quarter of a
mile, already paired and having selected their summer residence, having
remained in close proximity to the snowy region all winter. In July,
on a second visit to the mountains, he observed them still singing
occasionally, at Truckee, near 6,000 feet altitude, on the east slope.
=Euspiza americana= (II, 65). According to Mr. Allen this species is
abundant at Denver, Colorado, being found entirely across the Plains to
the eastern slope of the Rocky Mountains.
=Guiraca cærulea= (II, 77). Has been obtained in El Paso County,
Colorado, by Mr. Aiken.
=Cardinalis virginianus=, var. =igneus= (II, 103). Has been found in El
Paso County, Colorado. Specimens from Eastern Kansas, collected by Mr.
Allen, seem also to be referrible to this form.
=Pipilo erythropthalmus= (II, 109). Specimens collected by Dr. Coues
at Pembina, Minnesota, in June, 1873, have (both males and females) a
greater or less number of minute white specks more or less distinctly
indicated on the portion where the large white spots of the western
forms are located. This points to the probability that all the black
races ranged in the synopsis under _maculatus_ (including the latter
itself) must be referred to _erythropthalmus_.
=Pipilo mesoleucus= (II, 125). Captain Bendire found this species
breeding in Southern Arizona, in the neighborhood of Tucson. One nest
was found August 2, another September 4, 1872. Both were built in
mesquite-trees, and were six feet from the ground,—an unusual position
in birds of this family. The eggs are also peculiar, and differ from any
of this genus I have ever met with, having more resemblance to eggs of
_Sturnellæ_, especially to the _militaris_ of South America. The eggs
from one nest are one inch in length by .73 in breadth, have a bright
white ground, with a slight tinge of bluish, and are boldly plashed,
especially around the larger end, with distinct deep dashes of reddish
and purplish brown. A few of these blotches are scattered irregularly
over the entire egg, but the greater portion are grouped around the more
obtuse end. The eggs are of oval shape, both ends rounded, one slightly
less than the other. The eggs in another nest are more nearly spherical,
with less difference in the ends; the ground-color is more distinctly
white; the spots, of reddish-brown, are finer and more concentrated
about the larger end; and the faint markings of purplish are much more
numerous. These measure .74 by .90 of an inch.
This species has also been found resident in El Paso County, Colorado,
by Mr. Aiken.
=Pipilo aberti= (II, 128). Captain Bendire found this species breeding
abundantly in the vicinity of Tucson, in Southern Arizona. The nests
were not on the ground, as is usual among the more northern forms of
Pipilos, but in trees and in bushes at the height of several feet
from the ground. One nest was taken July 28, in a small ash-tree, and
another was found on the same day in a willow-tree, more than eight
feet from the ground. The eggs bear a close resemblance to those of
_Pipilo fuscus_ and to those of _P. albigula_, having a ground-color of
very light blue, marked almost exclusively around the larger end with
a wreath of irregular blotches of dark purplish-brown. They are of a
rounded oval shape, are quite obtuse at one end, and vary in length from
.97 of an inch to .88, and in breadth from .76 to .75.
=Pipilo chlorurus= (II, 131). Dr. Cooper met with none of this species
in the Sierra Nevada between 3,000 and 7,000 feet elevation in April,
1870, when they were leisurely working their way up from the lower
country; but in July he found them from Truckee, 6,000 feet on the east
slope, up to the summit, 7,000 feet, but not higher. They were then
feeding half-grown young. Dr. Albert Kellogg found a nest on the ground,
with four eggs, spotted near the larger end on a bluish ground. The
males were still singing occasionally and very melodiously, and had the
same cry of alarm or anger as the _Pipilo erythropthalmus_. Dr. Cooper
also met with this species at Clear Lake, near the end of September,
showing that they probably breed in the northern Coast Range.
=Dolichonyx oryzivorus= (II, 149). Specimens from every portion of the
Plains, and west to the Great Basin, have the black intenser and more
continuous, the nuchal patch clear ochraceous-white, the scapulars and
rump unshaded white, and the white of the back confined to a median
line. The bill and feet are also jet-black, instead of horn-color. They
constitute var. _albinucha_, Ridgway.
=Icterus cucullatus= (II, 193). Except in the materials, which
difference may be more local than specific, the nests of this species
are hardly distinguishable from those of _I. spurius_. A nest from
Cape St. Lucas (S. I. No. 4,954), collected May, 1860, by Mr. Xantus,
is basket-shaped and pendulous, suspended on two sides to the numerous
twigs of each fork of a drooping branch. In structure it is exactly
like that of _I. spurius_, and is composed of dry wiry grasses, lined
scantily with vegetable down. The length is six inches, lower side of
aperture only two and a half inches from the bottom. Another (S. I. No.
1,940) taken May 20, 1859, at San José, Lower California, by Mr. Xantus,
is a very elaborately wrought basket-shaped nest. The circumference of
the circular rim is much less than the greatest girth of the nest. The
lower walls and base of the nest are very thick. The whole is composed
of fine wiry grasses and scantily lined with vegetable down and soft
flaxy fibres. The external diameter is 5.00 inches, the internal 2.10,
height about 3.00, and the depth of the cavity 2.80.
Captain Charles Bendire met with this species in Southern Arizona. It
was first noticed by him on the 15th of April, but he thinks they had
arrived nearly ten days previously, and that the date of their coming
may be given as during the first week of April. He describes it as a
shy, active, and restless bird, generally frequenting the extreme tops
of the tallest cottonwood-trees near the borders of the watercourses,
which, however, are usually dry. There the bird flutters through the
dense foliage in search of insects, and is scarcely ever seen for more
than an instant at a time. It commences building about the first of
June. The nest is suspended from the extremities of the lower branches
of an ash, walnut, mesquite, or cottonwood tree, and is exclusively
composed of fine wire-like grasses, which are made use of while green
and pliable, and sparsely lined with the silky fibres of a species of
_Asclepias_. These grasses are interlaced in such a complicated manner
as to form, even when dry, a very strong structure. The dimensions
of a nest are: Inner diameter, three inches; inside depth the same;
outside from five and a half to four inches wide and about four deep.
The eggs are from two to four in number, usually three, are of a pale
bluish-white ground, spotted with dark lilac and umber-brown about the
larger end. The largest eggs measure one inch by .64. Captain Bendire
adds that he cannot regard this Oriole as a fine singer. Besides a usual
chattering note resembling the syllables _char-char-char_, frequently
repeated, it has a call-note something like _hui-wit_, which is also
several times repeated.
=Icterus baltimore= (II, 195). Extends its range westward to the Rocky
Mountains. Collected in El Paso County, Colorado, by Mr. Aiken.
=Icterus bullockii= (II, 199). Extends eastward to Eastern Kansas, where
it is not uncommon. (See Snow’s Catalogue of the Birds of Kansas, 1873.)
=Corvus cryptoleucus= (II, 242). According to Mr. Aiken this species is
abundant, and nearly replaces _C. carnivorus_ along the eastern base of
the Rocky Mountains, as far north as Cheyenne.
Captain Bendire found this a resident species in Southern Arizona, and
met with two nests at the base of the St. Catharine Mountains, near
Tucson. One of these contained three, the other four eggs. These he
described as very light colored, so pale that if mixed with hundreds
of others of this family they could be picked out without difficulty.
Their ground-color is said to be a very pale green, with darker markings
running more into lines than spots; in fact, very few spots were found
on either set. The size of the largest was 1.85 inches by 1.33, that
of the largest 1.70 by 1.19. They were not common in the vicinity of
Tucson.
=Cyanura= (II, 271). For a special treatment of the races of _C.
stelleri_, see Am. Journ. Science and Arts, January, 1873.
=Cyanocitta californica= (II, 298). Dr. Cooper has ascertained that
this species does occur on the eastern slope of the Sierra Nevada, but
lower down than the region he visited in 1863. He found a few at Verdi,
close to the eastern boundary-line of California, at about 4,500 feet
elevation, in July, 1870. He saw none elsewhere.
=Tyrannus vociferans= (II, 327). Captain Bendire writes that this
species arrives in the neighborhood of Tucson about the middle of April,
but does not commence nesting until the middle of June. All the nests he
found were difficult to get at, being generally placed on a branch of
a large cottonwood-tree, and at a distance from the trunk. The nest is
described as very large for the size of the bird, composed of sticks,
weeds, dry grasses, and lined with hair, wool, and the inner soft fibres
of bark of the cottonwood. The usual complement of eggs is three, seldom
four. They measure from 1.00 by .75 to 1.10 by .80 of an inch, are of
a creamy-white color, with large isolated spots of a reddish-brown,
scattered principally about the larger end.
=Myiarchus= (II, 329). For a discussion of the races of _M. lawrencii_
considered in their relation to climatic color-variation, see Am. Journ.
Science and Arts, December, 1872.
=Sayornis= (II, 339). The outlines of species of _Sayornis_ given below
are additional to those already published.
=Empidonax brunneus= (II, 363). Specimens in the collection of the
Boston Society bear the MSS. name of _E. olivus_. But we cannot find a
reference to this name.
=Empidonax minimus= (II, 372). Has been collected in El Paso County,
Colorado, by Mr. Aiken.
[Illustration: =7226= ♂
_Sayornis sayus._]
[Illustration: =2707=
_Sayornis fuscus._]
[Illustration: =10028= ♀
_Sayornis nigricans._]
=Empidonax obscurus= (II, 381). Dr. Cooper found a few of this species
wintering in a large grove of balsam, poplars, and willows, which
retained most of their old leaves till spring, near San Buenaventura.
Those shot were remarkably gray, and were supposed to have been blown
down from the borders of the desert by the violent northeast-wind.
=Pyrocephalus mexicanus= (II, 387). Captain Bendire found the Red
Flycatcher quite abundant in Southern Arizona, where they breed as
early as April. They were most common in the neighborhood of Reledo
Creek, near Tucson, and were generally found in the neighborhood of
water. Their nests were in various situations, in one instance in a
cottonwood-tree thirty feet from the ground, in another in the forks
of a mesquite not more than ten feet from the ground. The nests were
small, slight, and loosely made, and not readily preserved. They were
made externally of twigs, fine bark, stems of plants, etc., and lined
with hair and feathers. The usual number of eggs was three, and never
more. Except in size these bear a close resemblance to the eggs of
_Milvulus forficatus_. Their ground is a rich cream-color, to which the
deep purplish-brown markings with which they are blotched imparts a
slight tinge of red. These markings are few, bold, and conspicuous, and
encircle the larger end with an almost continuous ring. In shape they
are of a roundish oval, and measure .66 of an inch in length by .55 in
breadth. The nest and eggs of this species were also obtained at Cape
St. Lucas by Mr. John Xantus, and the eggs correspond. Dr. Cooper found
two male birds of this species in a grove near the mouth of the Santa
Clara River, six miles from San Buenaventura, in October, 1872. They
had obtained their perfect plumage, but seemed to be young birds. They
hunted insects much like a _Sayornis_, and uttered only a faint chirp.
=Chordeiles popetue=, var. =minor= (II, 400). Specimens from Miami,
Florida, collected by Mr. Maynard, agree very nearly with typical
examples of var. _minor_ from Cuba, both in size and color, and should
possibly be referred to that race. A male (7,414, Mus. C. J. M.)
measures: wing, 7.00; tail, 4.15. The colors are those of var.
_popetue_, with less rufous than in the single specimen of _minor_ with
which it has been compared.
=Chordeiles texensis= (II, 406). Dr. Cooper shot a single specimen of
this species near San Buenaventura, April 18, 1873.
=Antrostomus carolinensis= (II, 410). This species has been detected by
Mr. Ridgway in Southern Illinois (Wabash County), where it is a rare
summer sojourner.
=Panyptila melanoleuca= (II, 424). Dr. Cooper saw many of this species
in the cañon of Santa Anna, flying about inaccessible cliffs of
sandstone, where they doubtless had nests, May 20. He saw also them near
San Buenaventura, August 25, when they came down to the valley from
the sandstone cliffs ten miles distant. They afterwards hunted insects
almost daily near the coast, flying high during the calm morning, but
when there were sea-breezes flying low and against it. After a month
they disappeared, and none were seen until December 14, when they were
again seen until the 20th. None were seen during the rains, or until
February 26, when they reappeared, and after April 5 they retired to the
mountains.
=Nephœcetes niger= (II, 429). Dr. Cooper informs us that a fine specimen
of this rare bird was taken at San Francisco in the spring of 1870, and
brought to Mr. F. Gruber. It had, from some cause, been driven to alight
on the ground, from which it was not able to rise, and was taken alive.
The exact date was not noted.
=Chætura vauxi= (II, 435). Dr. Cooper states that in the spring of 1873
this Swift appeared as early as April 22 near San Buenaventura. The year
before he first saw them near San Diego on the 26th.
=Geococcyx californianus= (II, 472). Has been found in El Paso County,
Colorado, by Mr. Aiken.
=Picus gairdneri= (II, 512). Four eggs of this Woodpecker were taken by
Mr. William A. Cooper near Santa Cruz, Cal., from a hole in a tree, one
side of which was much decayed. Four is said to be the usual number of
their eggs, although five were found in one instance. The eggs resemble
those of _P. pubescens_, and measure .75 of an inch in length by .57 in
breadth.
=Sphyropicus varius= (II, 539). Collected in El Paso County, Colorado,
by Mr. Aiken.
=Centurus uropygialis= (II, 558). Captain Bendire found this Woodpecker
the most common of the family in the vicinity of Tucson, Arizona, where
it was resident throughout the year. Like nearly all of its kindred,
it is an exceedingly noisy bird. It appears to be a resident species
throughout the year in all the southern portions of the Territory. Its
favorite localities for nesting appear to be in the gigantic trunks of
the large _Cereus giganteus_, which plants are called by the natives
Suwarrows. These are easily excavated, and form a remarkably safe place
in which to rear their young ones, on account of the many thorns with
which these cacti are protected. Their eggs are usually four in number,
but sometimes are only two, and resemble those of all the other kinds
of Woodpeckers in their color and in their rounded oval shape. They
average .98 of an inch in length and .76 in breadth. Usually two, and
occasionally even three, broods are raised in a season.
=Strix pratincola= (III, 13). Dr. Cooper informs us that, though most
of these Owls are resident in California south of latitude 35°, there
is a migration southward in fall from the north. Great numbers of them
appeared near San Buenaventura about October 20, 1872, for a few days,
and most of them went still farther southward. They return north about
the first of April. On the 12th of April he found a nest built four
feet up in a pepper-tree (_Schinus molle_), forming part of a hedge,
composed of coarse sticks, straws, and dry horse-dung inside, shallow
but strongly built, and containing two eggs.
=Falconidæ= (III, 103). The following outlines of the _Falconidæ_ were
omitted in their proper places.
[Illustration:
=58983=, ♀. ½
=58983=, ♀. ½