Male. Tarsus with a few scutella; toes terminally scutellate. Male with the bill, cere, iris, and feet yellow; the head, the neck for half its length, the rump, upper and lower tail-coverts, and tail white; the rest of the plumage chocolate-brown, the terminal margins of all the feathers pale greyish-brown. Female similar. Young with the bill brownish-black, iris dark brown, feet yellow; the general colour of the plumage very dark chocolate, uniform, the feathers without edgings, all white at the base, that colour appearing more or less on the hind part, and more especially on the fore part and sides of the neck, and on the sides of the body and lower wing-coverts; quills and tail-feathers brownish-black, tinged with grey toward the base; the latter with the greater part of the inner webs, and a portion of the outer brownish-white, freckled with dusky. In more advanced stages the colours of the plumage vary considerably in different individuals. The general tint continues brown for several years, a variable and often a large proportion of white, or brownish-white, appearing on the neck, the lower part of the body, the sides, and under the wings, the tail meanwhile gradually becoming white in freckled patches, some have a large patch of brownish-white across the breast. When the feathers are new, they are of a glossy deep brown, but when old and worn they present a bleached appearance, and the upper parts are often patched with pale brown or brownish-white. On account of these circumstances, individuals of different ages, and shot at different periods of the year, differ so much from each other in appearance, that one might, without a very extended comparison, conceive that in a collection of specimens, there might be several species. The bill remains dark until the head and tail become white; the anterior tarsal scutella differ from none to six, the posterior from nine to twelve; those on the hind toe are four, on the middle toe from nine to thirteen.

Male, 34, 84.

Throughout North America. Resident in the south and west.

Bald Eagle, Falco Haliaetus, Wils. Amer. Ornith. v. iv. p. 89. Adult.

Sea Eagle, Falco ossifragus, Wils. Amer. Ornith. v. vii. p. 16. Young.

Falco leucocephalus, Bonap. Synops. p. 26.

Aquila leucocephala, White-headed Eagle, Swains. & Rich. F. Bor Amer. v. ii. p. 15.

White-headed or Bald Eagle, Falco leucocephalus, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 72.

White-headed Eagle, Falco leucocephalus, Aud. Ornith. Biog. v. i. p. 160, v. ii. p. 160, v. v. p. 354.

GENUS V. PANDION, Sav. OSPREY.

Bill short, as broad as deep at the base, the sides convex, the dorsal outline straight at the base, decurved towards the end; upper mandible with a festoon on the edges at the curvature, the tip trigonal, very acute; lower mandible with the edges slightly arched, the tip obtusely truncate. Nostrils oval, oblique, large, half-way between the ridge and the cere. Legs rather long; tarsus very short, remarkably thick, covered all round with hexagonal scales; toes also remarkably thick, the outer versatile larger than the inner, all scutellate only towards the end, and covered beneath with prominent, conical, acuminate scales; claws long, curved, convex beneath, tapering to a fine point. Plumage compact, imbricated; feathers of the head and neck narrow, acuminate; of the tarsus short and very narrow, without the elongated external tufts seen in all the other genera. Tail rather long, a little rounded. Intestine extremely long and slender, its greatest width 2¹/₄ twelfths, the smallest ¹/₂ twelfth.

15. 1. Pandion Haliaetus. Common Osprey.—Fish Hawk. Fishing Eagle.

Plate LXXXI. Adult male.

Bill bluish-black, cere light blue, feet pale greyish-blue tinged anteriorly with yellow. General colour of upper parts deep umber-brown, the tail barred with whitish on the inner webs; the upper part of the head and neck white, the middle part of the crown dark brown; a broad band of the latter colour from the bill down the side of the neck; lower parts white, the neck streaked with light brown; anterior tibial feather tinged with brown. Young with the feathers of the upper parts broadly tipped with brownish-white, the lower pure white.

Male, 23, 54. Female, 25¹/₂, 58.

From Texas northward, and throughout the interior, as well as along the north-west coast. Resident in the south.

Fish Hawk, Falco Haliaetus, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. v. p. 13.

Falco Haliaetus, Bonap. Syn. p. 26.

Fish Hawk or Osprey, Falco Haliaetus, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. i. p. 415, v. v. p. 362.

GENUS VI. ELANUS, Sav. ELANUS.

Bill short, small, very wide at the base, much compressed toward the end; upper mandible with the dorsal line convex and declinate to the end of the cere, then decurved, the sides slightly convex, the tip narrow and acute, the edges with a distinct festoon, lower mandible with the angle very wide and long, the dorsal line very short, and slightly convex, the tip obliquely truncate, and narrow. Nostrils elliptical, rather large, about half-way between the cere and ridge. Head rather large, broad, flattened above; neck short; body compact. Legs rather short; tarsus very short, stout, roundish, feathered anteriorly for half its length, the rest covered with small roundish scales; toes short, thick, scaly, with a few terminal scutella; claws long, curved, conical, rounded beneath, acute. Plumage very soft, and rather blended. Wings very long and pointed, the second quill longest. Tail of moderate breadth, long, emarginate, and rounded.

16. 1. Elanus dispar, Temm. Black-shouldered Elanus.

Plate CCCLII. Male and Female.

Ash-grey above; head, tail, and lower parts white, with a large bluish-black patch on the wing above, and a smaller beneath; feet orange-yellow. Young with the upper parts brownish-grey, the larger feathers tipped with white, the patches on the wings brownish-black.

Male, 14, 40. Female, 16³/₄, 41¹/₂.

From Texas to North Carolina. Rare. Never far inland. Migrates southward.

Black-winged Hawk, Falco melanopterus, Bonap. Amer. Orn. v. ii.

Falco melanopterus, Bonap. Syn. p. 31. Falco dispar, App. p. 435.

Black-shouldered Hawk, Falco dispar, Aud. Amer. Orn. v. iv. p. 397.

GENUS VII. ICTINIA, Vieillot. ICTINIA.

Bill very short, wide at the base, much compressed toward the end; upper mandible with the dorsal line decurved in its whole length, the sides slightly convex, the tip narrow and acute, the edges with an obtuse lobe; lower mandible with the angle very wide, the dorsal line ascending and convex, the tip rather broad and obliquely truncate. Nostrils round, lateral, with a central papilla. Head rather large, roundish, broad, flattened; neck short, body compact. Legs rather short; tarsus stout, covered anteriorly with scutella; toes scutellate above, scabrous beneath, with pointed papillÆ; claws rather long, curved, acuminate, flattened beneath. Plumage rather compact. Wings very long, the third quill longest. Tail long, emarginate.

This genus is easily distinguished from Elanus; the tarsi and toes being scutellate in this, and scaly in that; and the festoon on the upper mandible is much more prominent in Ictinia, while the nostrils, instead of being elliptical, are round, as in the Falcons.

17. 1. Ictinia plumbea, Gmel. Mississippi Ictinia.—Mississippi Kite.

Plate CXVII. Male and Female.

Head, secondary quills, and lower parts light ash-grey; back and wing coverts dark leaden-grey; primaries black, margined externally with deep red; tail bluish-black; scutella dark purplish-red.

Male, 14, 36. Female, 15.

From Texas, where it is abundant, to North Carolina; up the Mississippi to Natchez. Migratory.

Mississippi Kite, Falco Mississippiensis, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. iii. p. 80.

Falco plumbeus, Bonap. Syn. p. 90.

Mississippi Kite, Falco plumbeus, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. ii. p. 108, v. v. p. 374.

GENUS VIII. NAUCLERUS, Vig. SWALLOW-TAILED-HAWK.

Bill short, wide at the base, much compressed toward the end; upper mandible with the dorsal line decurved from the base, the sides slightly convex, the edges with a slight festoon, the tip narrow and acute; lower mandible with the angle very wide, the dorsal line straightish, the tip rounded and declinate. Nostrils round, with a central papilla. Head rather large, roundish, flattened; neck short; body compact. Feet short; tarsus very short, thick, scaly all round; toes scutellate above, scabrous beneath, with pointed papillÆ; claws rather long, curved, acuminate. Plumage blended, glossy. Wings extremely long, pointed, the third quill longest; secondaries short. Tail extremely long, very deeply forked.

18. 1. Nauclerus furcatus, Linn. Common Swallow-tailed Hawk.

Plate LXXII. Male.

Male, 22, 47. Female, 25, 51¹/₂.

From Texas to North Carolina. Rather abundant. Up the Mississippi and Ohio to Louisville. Accidental in Pennsylvania. Migratory.

Swallow-tailed Hawk, Falco furcatus, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. vi. p. 70.

Falco furcatus, Bonap. Syn. p. 31.

Swallow-tailed Hawk, Falco furcatus, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. i. p. 368. v. v. p. 371.

GENUS IX. FALCO, Linn. FALCON.

Bill short, robust; its upper outline decurved from the base; cere short, bare; edge of upper mandible with a festoon and a prominent angular process. Nostrils round, with an internal ridge, ending in a central tubercle. Feet strong; tarsi moderate, reticulate; toes long, broadly scutellate, the anterior webbed at the base; claws long, well curved, very acute. Wings long, pointed; second quill longest, first and third nearly equal; outer toe abruptly cut out on the inner web. Tail rather long, nearly even.

19. 1. Falco Islandicus, Lath. Iceland or Jer Falcon—Gyr Falcon. Labrador Falcon.

Plate CCCLXVI. Adult Female. Plate CXCVI. Young Male and Female.

20. 2. Falco peregrinus, Gmel. Peregrine Falcon.—Large-footed Hawk. Duck Hawk. Wandering Falcon.

Plate XVI. Adult Male and Female.

Wings, when closed, of nearly the same length as the tail. Adult male with the upper parts greyish-black, excepting the head and hind neck barred with light greyish-blue, lower parts white, the breast and sides transversely spotted with black. Female with the upper parts darker than those of the male, the lower yellowish or reddish-white, with larger dusky spots on the breast and sides, and oblong streaks on the neck. Young blackish-brown above, the breast of the male yellowish-white, of the female pale yellowish-red, with broad longitudinal dusky streaks. In all stages, a large mystachial patch, black in adult, brown in young birds.

Male, 16¹/₂, 30. Female, 19¹/₂, 36.

Breeds in the northern parts, visiting the southern and western in winter as far as Texas.

Great-footed Hawk, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. ix. p. 120.

Falco peregrinus, Bonap. Synops. p. 27.

Common or Wandering Falcon, Falco peregrinus, Nuttall, Man. v. i. p. 53.

Great-footed Hawk, Falco peregrinus, Aud. Amer. Orn. v. i. p. 85; v. v. p. 365.

Falco peregrinus, Peregrine Falcon, Swains. & Rich. F. Bor. Amer. v. ii. p. 23.

21. 3. Falco columbarius, Linn. Pigeon Falcon.—Pigeon Hawk.

Plate LXXV. Young Male and Female. Plate XCII. Adult Male.

Wings from two to three inches shorter than the tail, on the middle feathers of which are five, on the lateral six broad whitish bands. Adult male with the cere greenish-yellow, the feet pale orange, the upper parts light bluish-grey, each feather with a black central line; lower parts reddish or yellowish white, the breast and sides with large oblong brown spots; tibial feathers light red, streaked with blackish-brown. Female with the cere and legs greenish-yellow, the upper parts dark greyish-brown, the lower pale red, spotted as in the male. Young with the head light reddish-brown, streaked with dusky, the upper parts brownish-grey, the feathers margined and spotted with pale red, throat white, lower parts pale red, streaked with brown. The tail-bands vary from pale red to white.

This species is so nearly allied to Falco Æsalon, that it is extremely difficult to distinguish many individuals. The number and form of the scutella differ; but the most certain distinctive character is found in the light-coloured bands of the tail, which are more numerous in the Merlin, there being seven on its middle, and nine on its lateral tail-feathers.

Male, 10³/₄, 27. Female, 14, 30.

From Texas northward. Breeds in the Labrador and Arctic regions. Abundant. Migratory.

Pigeon Hawk, Falco columbarius, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. ii. p. 107.

Falco columbarius, Bonap. Syn. p. 38.

Pigeon Hawk, Falco columbarius, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 60.

Little Corporal Hawk, Falco temerarius, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 61. Adult Male.

Falco columbarius, Pigeon Hawk, Swains. & Rich. F. Bor. Amer. v. ii. p. 35.

Falco Æsalon, Merlin, Swains. & Rich. F. Bor. Amer. v. ii. p. 37.

Pigeon Hawk, Falco columbarius, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. i. p. 466; Young, v. i. p. 381, Male; v. v. p. 368.

22. 4. Falco sparverius, Linn. Sparrow Falcon.—Sparrow Hawk.

Plate CXLII. Male and Female.

Male with the upper part of the head and wing-coverts light greyish-blue, seven black spots round the head, and a light red patch on the crown; back light red, spotted with black; tail red, with a broad subterminal black band. Female with the head nearly as in the male, the back, wing-coverts, and tail, banded with light red and dusky. Young similar to the female, but with more red on the head, which is streaked with dusky.

Male, 12. Female, 12.

Generally distributed. Resident in the south. Abundant.

American Sparrow-Hawk, Falco sparverius, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. ii. p. 117.

Falco sparverius, Bonap. Syn. p. 27.

American sparrow-hawk, Falco sparverius, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 58.

Falco sparverius, Little Rusty-crowned Falcon, Swains. & Rich. F. Bor. Amer. v. ii. p. 31.

American Sparrow-Hawk, Falco sparverius, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. ii. p. 246; v. v. p. 370.

GENUS X. ASTUR, Cuv. HAWK.

Bill short, robust; its upper outline sloping, and nearly straight at the base, then decurved; cere short, bare above; edge of upper mandible with a festoon, succeeded by a broad sinus. Nostrils elliptical. Feet of moderate length; tarsi moderate or slender, feathered at least one-third of their length, broadly scutellate before and behind; first and second toes strongest and equal, third much longer, and connected at the base by a web with the third, which is shortest; claws long, well curved, acuminate. Wings very broad, of moderate length, much rounded, fourth and fifth quills longest, first much shorter, outer four abruptly cut out on the inner web. Tail long, much exceeding the wings, rounded.

Those of more slender form, with proportionally longer tails and tarsi, are separated by many authors to form a group, to which the name of Accipiter and Nisus are given.

23. 1. Astur palumbarius, Linn. Gos Hawk.

Plate CXLI. Fig. 1. Adult Male. Fig. 2. Young.

Adult male dark bluish-grey above, the tail with four broad bands of blackish-brown, the upper part of the head greyish-black; a white band, with black lines, over the eyes; lower parts white, narrowly barred with grey, and longitudinally streaked with dark brown. Young brown above, the feathers edged with reddish-white, the head and hind neck pale red, streaked with blackish-brown, the lower parts yellowish-white, with oblong longitudinal dark brown spots.

Male, 24, 47.

From Maryland, northward. From Kentucky, northward. Migratory.

Ash-coloured or Black-capped Hawk, Falco atricapillus, Wils. Amer. Ornith. v. vi. p. 80.

Falco palumbarius, Bonap. Syn. p. 28.

American Goshawk, Falco atricapillus, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 85.

Accipiter (Astur) Palumbarius, Swains. & Rich. F. Bor. Amer. v. ii. p. 39.

Goshawk, Falco palumbarius, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. ii. p. 241.

24. 2. Astur Cooperi, Bonap. Cooper's Hawk.

Plate CXLI. Fig. 3. Adult Male. Plate XXXVI. Young Male and Female.

Tail rounded, tarsi moderately stout. Adult male dull bluish-grey above; the tail with four broad bands of blackish-brown, and tipped with white; the upper part of the head greyish-black; lower parts transversely barred with light red and white, the throat white, longitudinally streaked. Female similar, with the bands on the breast broader. Young umber-brown above, more or less spotted with white, the tail with four blackish-brown bars; lower parts white, each feather with a longitudinal narrow, oblong, brown spot.

Male, 20, 36. Female, 22, 38.

From Louisiana northward, and all over the interior, in winter. Some breed in the United States. Columbia River.

Cooper's Hawk, Falco Cooperii. Bonap. Amer. Orn. Young.

Falco Cooperii, Bon. Syn. App. p. 433. Young.

Stanley Hawk, Falco Stanleii, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. ii. p. 245. Adult Male.

Stanley Hawk, Falco Stanleii, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. i. p. 186. Young.

25. 3. Astur fuscus, Gmel. Sharp-shinned Hawk.

Plate CCCLXXIV. Adult Male and Female.

Tail even, tarsi extremely slender. Adult male bluish-grey above; the tail with four broad bands of blackish-brown, and tipped with white; upper part of head darker; lower parts transversely barred with light red and white, the throat white, longitudinally streaked. Female similar, more tinged with yellow beneath, and with the bands on the breast broader. Young umber-brown above, more or less spotted with white, the tail with four dark brown bars; lower parts white, each feather with a longitudinal narrow, oblong, brown spot. Miniature of Falco Cooperii, and intimately allied to Astur Nisus.

Male, 11¹/₄, 20¹/₂. Female, 14, 26.

Generally distributed. Not very abundant. Migratory.

Slate-coloured Hawk, Falco Pennsylvanicus, Wils. Amer. Ornith. v. vi. p. 13. Adult Male.

Sharp-shinned Hawk, Falco velox, Wils. Amer. Ornith. v. vi. p. 116. Young Female.

Falco velox, Bonap. Syn. p. 29.

Falco fuscus, Bonap. Syn. Append. p. 433.

Accipiter Pennsylvanicus, Slate-coloured Hawk, Swains. & Rich. F. Bor. Amer. v. ii. p. 44.

American Brown or Slate-coloured Hawk, Nutt. Man. v. ii. p. 87.

Sharp-shinned or Slate-coloured Hawk, Falco fuscus, Aud. Amer. Orn. v. iv. p. 522. Adult.

GENUS XI. CIRCUS, Bechst. HARRIER.

Bill short, compressed; upper mandible with the dorsal line sloping to beyond the cere, then decurved, the sides sloping, the edge with a festoon a little anterior to the nostril, the tip acute; lower mandible with the dorsal line ascending and convex, the tip rounded. Nostrils large, ovato-oblong, with an oblique ridge from their upper edge. Head of moderate size, oblong, neck rather short; body slender. Legs long and slender; tarsi long, compressed, anteriorly and posteriorly scutellate; toes slender, scutellate unless at the base; claws long, compressed, moderately curved, flat beneath, acuminate. Plumage very soft; a distinct ruff of narrow feathers from behind the eye on each side to the chin, the aperture of the ear being very large. Wings long, much rounded, the fourth quill longest; outer four quills with their inner webs sinuate. Tail straight, long, slightly rounded. Quills and tail-feathers covered with velvety down.

26. 1. Circus cyaneus, Linn. Common Harrier.

Plate CCCLVI. Fig. 1. Male. Fig. 2. Female. Fig. 3. Young.

Adult male light ash-grey; abdomen, tail-coverts, lower wing-coverts, inner webs of secondary quills and tail-feathers, white, primaries black toward the end. Female umber-brown above, head, hind neck and scapulars, streaked with light red; tail-coverts white; tail banded with light red; lower parts light yellowish-red, the neck streaked with brown. Young like the female, but lighter.

Male, 19³/₄, 44. Female, 20¹/₂, 46³/₄.

Breeds from Texas northward. Columbia River.

Marsh Hawk, Falco uliginosus, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. vi. p. 67. Young Female.

Falco cyaneus, Bonap. Amer. Orn. v. ii. p. 30.

Hen-Harrier or Marsh Hawk, Nutt. Man. v. ii. p. 109.

Marsh Hawk, Falco cyaneus, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. iv. p. 396.

Buteo (Circus) cyaneus? var? Americanus, American Hen-Harrier, Swains. & Rich. F. Bor. Amer. v. ii. p. 55.

FAMILY III. STRIGINÆ. OWLS.

Bill very short, strong, cerate; upper mandible with the tip elongated and decurved; lower mandible with the end rounded and thin-edged. Head extremely large, owing to the wide separation of the tables of the cranium, roundish, more or less vertically flattened behind, feathered. Eyes excessively large, with prominent superciliary ridges, and encircled by series of decomposed feathers. External aperture of ear always very large, frequently excessive, simple or operculate. Tarsus short, very short, or of moderate length, always feathered, as are the toes, of which the outer is versatile, the first shorter than the second, the anterior free; claws very long, slender, curved, extremely acute. Plumage very full and soft. Wings long, broad, rounded, the second, third, and fourth quills longest, the filaments of the outer more or less enlarged and recurved at the end. Tail broad, rather short or of moderate length, of twelve feathers. Œsophagus very wide, without crop or dilatation; stomach very large, round, somewhat membranous, its muscular fasciculi being placed in a single series; intestine short and wide; coeca large, oblong, obtuse, narrowed at the base. Young at first covered with light-coloured down, when fledged, with the face darker than that of adults. Eggs white, somewhat globular or broadly ovate, from four to six. Nests rudely constructed, in hollow trees, on branches, in buildings, or on the ground.

GENUS I. SURNIA, Dumeril. DAY-OWL.

Bill very short, strong, its upper outline decurved from the base; lower mandible abruptly rounded, with a sinus on each side. Nostrils elliptical, rather large. Aperture of ear elliptical, simple, not more than half the height of the head. Feet strong; tarsi very short or of moderate length. Plumage rather dense; facial disks incomplete above. Wings very large, the third quill longest, the first with the filaments thickened and a little free, but scarcely recurved at the end. Tail varying in length.

27. 1. Surnia funerea, Gmel. Hawk Day-Owl.—Hawk Owl.

Plate CCCLXXVIII. Male and Female.

29. 3. Surnia passerina, Linn. Passerine Day-Owl.—Little Night Owl.

Plate CCCCXXXII. Fig. 3. Female.

Tail rather short, arched, nearly even; wings almost as long as the tail, the outer four quills cut out on the inner web, the outer five sinuated on the outer; filaments of the first free and slightly recurved, as are those of the second and third beyond the sinus. General colour of upper parts chocolate-brown, the feather of the head with an oblong median white mark; hind neck with very large white spots, forming a conspicuous patch; on the back most of the feathers with a single large subterminal roundish spot, as is the case with the scapulars and wing-coverts, most of which, however, have two or more spots; quills with marginal reddish-white spots on both webs, the third with six on the outer and four on the inner, with two very faint pale bars toward the end; the tail similarly marked with four bands of transversely oblong, reddish-white spots; feathers of the anterior part of the disk whitish, with black shafts, of the lower part whitish, of the hind part brown tipped with greyish-white; a broad band of white crossing the throat, and curving upwards on either side to the ear; a patch of white on the lower part of the fore-neck; between these a brownish-grey band. Lower parts dull yellowish-white, each feather with a broad longitudinal band of chocolate-brown; abdomen and lower tail-coverts unspotted; tarsal feathers dull white.

Female, 10¹/₂; wing from flex. 6¹/₄; tail 3¹/₂.

From Nova Scotia eastward. Rather rare.

Little Night Owl, Strix passerina, Aud. v. v. p. 269.

31. 5. Surnia cunicularia, Gmel. Burrowing Day-Owl.

Plate CCCCXXXII. Fig. 1. Male. Fig. 2. Female.

Feet rather long, slender; tarsus covered with short soft feathers, of which the shafts only remain toward the lower part; toes short, their upper surface covered with bristles or the shafts of feathers; tail short, arched, narrow, slightly rounded. Bill greyish-yellow; claws black. General colour of upper parts light yellowish-brown, or umber-brown, spotted with white; the quills with triangular reddish-white spots from the margins of both webs, there being five on each web of the first; the tail similarly barred, there being on the middle feathers four double spots, and the tips of all white. Face greyish-white; throat and ruff white, succeeded by a mottled brown band, beneath which is a patch of white; the rest of the lower parts yellowish-white, with broad bars of light reddish-brown, which are closer on the sides of the breast; abdomen, lower tail-coverts, and legs without spots.

Male, 10, 24. Female, 11.

Prairies west of the Mississippi. Abundant.

Burrowing Owl, Strix cunicularia, Say, in Long's Exped. v. i. p. 200.

Burrowing Owl, Strix cunicularia, Bonap. Amer. Orn. v. i. p. 68.

Burrowing Owl, Strix cunicularia, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. v. p. 264.

Burrowing Owl, Strix cunicularia, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 118.

30. 4. Surnia passerinoides, Temm. Columbian Day-Owl.

Plate CCCCXXXII. Fig. 4, 5. Male.

Tail of moderate length, straight, slightly rounded; wings rather short, much rounded, fourth quill longest, outer three abruptly cut out on the inner web, the first with its filaments thickened but not recurvate, those of the second and third also thickened toward the end. General colour of the upper parts olivaceous brown; the head with numerous small, roundish, yellowish-white spots margined with dusky, of which there are two on each feather; the rest of the upper parts marked with larger, angular, whitish spots; the quills generally with three small and five large white spots on the outer and inner webs; the tail barred with transversely oblong white spots, of which there are seven pairs on the middle feathers. Facial disk brown, spotted with white; throat white, then a transverse brown band, succeeded by white; the lower parts white, with longitudinal brownish-black streaks, the sides brown, faintly spotted with paler. Young with the upper parts rufous, the head with fewer and smaller white spots; those on the lower part of the hind neck very large; the back, scapulars, and wing-coverts unspotted; the wings marked as in the adult, but with pale red spots in the outer, and reddish-white on the inner webs; the tail with only five bands of spots; the lower parts white, longitudinally streaked with light red, of which colour are the sides of the body and neck, and a band across the throat.

Male, 7, wing 3^7½/₁₂.

Columbia River.

Cheveche chevechoide, Strix passerinoides, Temm. Pl. Col. 344.

Little Columbian Owl, Strix passerinoides, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. v. p. 271.

GENUS II. ULULA. NIGHT-OWL.

Bill short, strong, very deep, its upper outline decurved from the base; lower mandible abruptly rounded, with a notch on each side. Nostrils broadly elliptical, rather large. Conch of ear very large, elliptical, extending from the base of the lower jaw to near the top of the head, with an anterior semicircular operculum in its whole length. Feet rather short, strong; tarsi and toes covered with very soft downy feathers. Plumage full, and very soft; facial disks complete. Wings rather long, very broad, much rounded, the third quill longest; the filaments of the first, half of the second, and the terminal part of the third, free and recurved. Tail of moderate length, arched, slightly rounded.

32. 1. Ulula Tengmalmi, Gmel. Tengmalm's Night-Owl.

Plate CCCLXXX. Male and Female.

General colour of upper parts greyish-brown tinged with olive; feathers of the head with an elliptical central white spot; those of the neck with a larger spot; scapulars with two or four large round spots near the end, and some of the dorsal feathers and wing-coverts with single spots on the outer web; all the quills margined with white spots on both webs, arranged in transverse series, there being six on the outer web of the third; on the tail five series of transversely elongated white spots. Disk yellowish-white, anteriorly black; ruff yellowish-white, mottled with dusky; throat brown, chin white; lower parts yellowish-white, longitudinally streaked with brown; some of the feathers of the sides with two white spots; tarsal and digital feathers greyish-yellow, with faint transverse brown bars.

Male, 11, wing 6¹⁰/₁₂. Female, 12.

From Maine on the east, and from Columbia River on the west, northward.

Strix Tengmalmi, Tengmalm's Owl, Swains. & Rich. F. Bor. Amer. v. ii. p. 94.

Tengmalm's Owl, Strix Tengmalmi, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. iv. p. 559.

33. 2. Ulula Acadica, Gmel. Acadian Night-Owl.—Little Owl. Saw-whet.

Plate CXCIX. Male and Female.

General colour of upper part olivaceous brown; scapulars and some of the wing-coverts spotted with white; the first six primary quills obliquely barred with white; tail darker, with two narrow white bars; upper part of head streaked with greyish-white; disks pale yellowish-grey; ruff white, spotted with dusky. Lower parts whitish, the sides and breast marked with broad elongated patches of brownish-red.

Male, 7¹/₂, 17. Female, 8¹/₂, 18.

From North Carolina on the east, and from Columbia River on the west, northward.

Little Owl, Strix passerina, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. iv. p. 61.

Strix acadica, Bonap. Syn. p. 38.

Strix acadica, American Sparrow Owl, Swains. & Rich. F. Bor. Amer. v. ii. p. 97.

Acadian Owl, Strix acadica, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 137.

Little or Acadian Owl, Strix acadica, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. ii. p. 567: v. v. p. 397.

GENUS III. STRIX, Linn. SCREECH-OWL.

Bill short, compressed, deep, strong; upper mandible with its dorsal outline straight to the end of the cere, then curved, the sides nearly flat and erect, the tip deflected, with a rounded but sharp-edged point; lower mandible with the dorsal line convex, the sides convex, the edges arched, the tip obliquely truncate. Conch of the ear semicircular, extending from over the anterior angle of the eye to the middle of the lower jaw; aperture large, somewhat square, with an anterior operculum fringed with feathers. Legs rather long, tarsus long, feathered, scaly at the lower part; toes large, the first short, the inner nearly as long as the middle, all with series of small tuberculiform oblong scales, intermixed with a few bristles, and three broad scutella at the end. Claws arched, long, extremely sharp, the edge of the third thin and transversely cracked in old birds. Plumage very soft and downy; facial disks complete. Wings long, ample, rounded; the first quill with the filaments recurved. Tail rather short, even.

34. 1. Strix Americana, Aud. American Screech-Owl.—Barn Owl.

Plate CLXXI. Male and Female.

Feathers margining the operculum with the shaft and webs undeveloped. Bill pale greyish-yellow; claws and scales brownish-yellow. General colour of upper parts greyish-brown, with light yellowish-red interspersed, produced by very minute mottling; each feather having toward the end a central streak of deep brown, terminated by a small oblong greyish-white spot; wings similarly coloured; secondary coverts and outer edges of primary coverts with a large proportion of light brownish-red; quills and tail transversely barred with brown; lower parts pale brownish-red, fading anteriorly into white, each feather having a small dark brown spot at the tip.

Closely allied to Strix flammea, but larger, and differing somewhat in colour, being generally darker, with the ruff red. A character by which they may always be distinguished is found in the operculum, the feathers margining which are in the present species reduced to their tubes, the shafts and filaments being wanting, whereas in the European species each tube bears a very slender shaft, about half an inch long, and furnished with about half a dozen filaments on each side.

Male, 17, 42. Female, 18, 46.

Southern States. Breeds from Texas to North Carolina. Never seen in the interior, or to the north. Rather common.

White or Barn Owl, Strix flammea, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. vi. p. 57.

Strix flammea, Bonap. Synops. p. 38.

White or Barn Owl, Strix flammea, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 139.

Barn Owl, Strix flammea, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. ii. p. 403: v. v. p. 388.

GENUS IV. SYRNIUM, Cuv. HOOTING-OWL.

Bill short, stout, broad at the base; upper mandible with its dorsal outline convex to the end of the cere, then curved, the sides sloping and nearly flat, the tip compressed, decurved, acute; lower mandible small, with the dorsal line convex, the tip narrow, the edges decurved toward the end. Nostrils large, elliptical. Conch of the ear of medium size, and furnished with an anterior semicircular operculum, beset with slender feathers. Legs rather short; tarsi very short, and with the toes feathered. Claws slightly curved, long, slender, compressed, acuminate. Plumage very soft and downy; facial disks complete. Wings very large, much rounded, the outer quill with the tips of the filaments separated and recurved, as are those of the terminal portion of the next; the outer six with the inner webs sinuate. Tail broad, rounded.

35. 1. Syrnium cinereum, Linn. Great Cinereous Hooting-Owl.—Cinereous Owl.

Plate CCCLI. Female.

Great Grey or Cinereous Owl, Strix cinerea, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 128.

Cinereous Owl, Strix cinerea, Swain. & Rich. F. Bor. Amer. v. ii. p. 77.

Great Cinereous Owl, Strix cinerea, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. iv. p. 364.

36. 2. Syrnium nebulosum, Linn. Barred Hooting-Owl. Barred Owl.

Plate XLVI. Male.

General colour of upper parts light reddish-brown; face and greater part of the head brownish-white; the feathers of the latter broadly marked with brown, of which a narrow band passes from the bill along the middle of the head; feathers of the back and most of the wing-coverts largely spotted with white; primary coverts, quills, and tail, barred with light brownish-red; wings and tail tipped with greyish-white; lower parts pale brownish-red, longitudinally streaked with brown, excepting the neck and upper part of the breast, which are transversely marked, the abdomen, which is yellowish-white, and the tarsal feathers, which are light reddish.

Male, 18, 40.

From Texas to Nova Scotia. Resident in the south and west. Very abundant.

Barred Owl, Strix nebulosa, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. iv. p. 61.

Strix nebulosa, Bonap. Syn. p. 38.

Barred Owl, Strix nebulosa, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 133.

Barred Owl, Strix nebulosa, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. i. p. 242: v. v. p. 386.

GENUS V. OTUS, Cuv. EARED-OWL.

Bill short, stout, broader than high at the base, compressed toward the end; upper mandible with its dorsal line slightly curved from the base, toward the end decurved, the ridge broad at the base, narrowed anteriorly, the sides convex toward the tip, which is acute, and descends obliquely; lower mandible straight, with the dorsal line very short and slightly convex, the back and sides convex, the edges toward the end decurved, and with a slight sinus on each side, the tip obliquely truncate. Nostrils large, oblique, oblong. Conch of extreme size; extending from the level of the forehead over the eye to the chin in a semilunar form, with an anterior semicircular flap in its whole length, the aperture large, of a rhomboidal form. Feet of moderate length, and stout; tarsi short, feathered, as are the toes; the first shortest, the second and fourth nearly equal; claws long, curved in the fourth of a circle, extremely acute, the first and second rounded beneath. Plumage extremely soft and downy, facial disks complete, ruff distinct. Two small tufts of elongated feathers on the head. Wings long and broad; the second quill longest; the outer in its whole length, the second toward the end, and the first alular feather, with the filaments disunited and recurved at the ends. Tail rather short, a little rounded.

37. 1. Otus vulgaris, Fleming. Common Eared-Owl.—Long-eared Owl.

Tufts elongated; general colour of plumage buff, mottled and spotted with brown and greyish-white; dirty whitish anteriorly, with the tips black, posteriorly reddish-white; ruff mottled with red and black; upper part of head minutely mottled with whitish, brownish-black, and light red; the tufts light reddish toward the base, brownish-black in the centre toward the end, the inner edge white, dotted with dark brown; upper parts buff, variegated with brown and whitish-grey, minutely mottled or undulatingly barred; first row of coverts tipped with white; quills and scapulars pale grey barred with dark brown, the primaries buff toward the base externally. Tail with ten bars on the middle and eight on the outer feathers; lower parts with more buff and fewer spots than the upper, each feather with a long dark brown streak, and several irregular transverse bars; legs and toes pure buff.

Male, 14¹/₂, 38. Female, 16, 40.

From Maryland eastward, and Kentucky westward to the Missouri. Rather rare. Resident.

Long-eared Owl, Strix Otus, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. vi. p. 52.

Strix Otus, Bonap. Syn. p. 37.

Long-eared Owl, Strix Otus, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 130.

Long-eared Owl, Strix Otus, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. iv. p. 573.

38. 2. Otus brachyotus, Linn. Short-tufted Eared-Owl.—Short-Eared Owl.

Tufts inconspicuous, general colour of plumage buff variegated with dark brown; eye surrounded by a ring of brownish-black, much broader behind; anterior half of disk white, with the tips black, posterior yellowish; anterior auricular ruff white, posterior yellowish, each feather with an oblong dark brown spot; upper parts buff, longitudinally streaked with dark brown; scapulars and wing-coverts spotted and banded in large patches, many with a large yellowish-white spot on the outer web near the end; quills buff, with two or three dark brown bands; tail similar, with five broad dark bands, the tip yellowish-white; on the middle feathers, the light-coloured spaces have a brown central patch; lower parts pale buff, whitish behind, the neck with oblong, the breast and sides with linear dark brown streaks; chin, feet, abdomen, and lower tail-coverts unspotted.

Male, 15, 40. Female, 17, 45.

From Texas eastward. Columbia River. Common. Migratory.

Short-eared Owl, Strix brachyotos, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. iv. p. 64.

Strix brachyotos, Bonap. Syn. p. 37.

Short-eared Owl, Strix brachyotos, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 132.

Short-eared Owl, Strix brachyotos, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. v. p. 273.

GENUS VI. BUBO, Cuvier. HORNED-OWL.

Bill short, stout, broader than high at the base, compressed toward the end; upper mandible with its dorsal line curved from the base, the edges with a slight festoon, the tip trigonal, very acute; lower mandible with the dorsal line convex, the tip obliquely truncate. Nostrils broadly elliptical, aperture of ear elliptical, less than half the height of the head, without operculum. Feet of ordinary length; tarsi and toes feathered. Plumage full and very soft; facial disks complete; a tuft of elongated feathers on each side of the crown of the head. Wings ample, the first quill short, the fourth longest. Tail of ordinary length, rounded.

39. 1. Bubo Virginianus, Gmel. Virginian Horned-Owl.—Great Horned-Owl.

Plate LXI. Male and Female.

Adult with the upper parts pale brown, spotted and dotted with brownish-black; a pale grey line from the base of the upper mandible over each eye; quills light brownish-grey, barred with brownish-black, their coverts dark brown, secondary coverts with the tip white; throat yellowish-grey, lower parts light grey, patched and sprinkled with brownish-black; tail-feathers tinged with red. Young with the upper parts light brownish-red, each feather with a central blackish-brown line; tail and quills barred with dull brown; a line over the eye, and the tips of the secondary coverts reddish-white; breast and sides light yellowish-grey, spotted and lined with brownish-black and bright reddish-brown, the rest of the lower parts yellowish-grey, the tarsal feathers pale yellowish-red.

Male, 10, 22. Female, 10, 23.

From Texas eastward. Columbia River. Resident. Abundant.

Mottled Owl, Strix nÆvia, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. iii. p. 16. Adult.

Red Owl, Strix Asio, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. v. p. 83. Young.

Mottled and Red Owl, Strix Asio, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 120.

Little Screech Owl, Strix Asio, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. i. p. 486; v. v. p. 392.

FAMILY VI CAPRIMULGINÆ. GOATSUCKERS.

Mouth opening to beneath the centre of the eyes; bill much depressed, generally feeble, the horny part being small; upper mandible with the tip somewhat decurved. Nostrils elliptical, prominent, marginate. Eyes extremely large. Aperture of ear elliptical, very large. Head of extreme breadth, depressed; body very slender. Feet very small; tarsus partially feathered, scaly; anterior toes webbed at the base; hind toe small, and versatile, all scutellate above; claw of third toe generally elongated, with the inner margin thin and pectinate. Plumage very soft and blended. Wings very long, the second and third quills longest. Tail long, of ten feathers. Œsophagus rather wide, without crop; stomach very large, roundish, its muscular coat very thin, and composed of a single series of strong fasciculi; epithelium very hard, with longitudinal rugÆ; intestine short and wide; coeca large, oblong, narrow at the base; cloaca globular. Trachea of nearly uniform width, without inferior laryngeal muscles. Nest on the ground, or in hollow trees. Eggs generally two. Young covered with down. Very nearly allied in some respects to the Owls.

GENUS I. CAPRIMULGUS, Linn. GOATSUCKER.

Bill feeble, gape extending to beneath the posterior angle of the eye. Nostrils elliptical, prominent. Wings long, pointed, the second quill longest; tail long. Claw of middle toe pectinate. Along the base of the bill on each side, a series of feathers having very strong shafts, terminating in an elastic filamentous point, and with the barbs or lateral filaments extremely slender, distant, and not extended beyond the middle of the shaft. Plumage very soft and blended. Wings long and pointed, the second quill longest; tail long, rounded.

41. 1. Caprimulgus Carolinensis, Gmel. Carolina Goatsucker.—Chuck-will's-widow.

Plate LII. Male and Female.

Bristles without lateral filaments; tail much rounded. General colour of upper parts dark brownish-grey, streaked and minutely sprinkled with brownish-black; quills and coverts dark brown, spotted in bars with light brownish-red; four middle tail-feathers like those of the back, the three lateral white in their terminal half; throat and breast similar to the back, with a transverse band of white on the fore neck, the rest of the lower parts paler and mottled. Female like the male, but with the lateral tail-feathers reddish-white toward the tip only, and the band across the fore neck pale yellowish-brown.

Male, 9¹/₂, 19. Female.

From Texas to Lake Huron, and the base of the Rocky Mountains. A few remain in winter in Florida.

Whip-poor-will, Caprimulgus vociferus, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. v. p. 71.

Caprimulgus vociferus, Bonap. Syn. p. 62.

Whip-poor-will, Caprimulgus vociferus, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. i. p. 422; v. v. p. 405.

Whip-poor-will, Caprimulgus vociferus, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 614.

GENUS II. CHORDEILES, Swainson. NIGHT-HAWK.

Mouth opening to beneath the centre of the eyes; bill extremely small; upper mandible with the tip decurved, and a deep lateral groove. Nostrils oblong, prominent, marginate. Eyes very large. Aperture of ear elliptical, very large. Head very large, depressed, but less so than in Caprimulgus. Claw of middle toe pectinate. No bristles at the base of the upper mandible. Wings very long, pointed, with the first quill longest, and the secondaries very short. Tail emarginate.

43. 1. Chordeiles Virginianus, Briss. Virginian Night-Hawk.—Bat. Crapaud volant.

Plate CXLVII. Male and Female.

Night-Hawk, Caprimulgus Americanus, Wils. Amer. Ornith. Biog. v. v. p. 65.

Caprimulgus Virginianus, Bonap. Syn. p. 62.

Caprimulgus (Chordeiles) Virginianus, Swains. & Rich. F. Bor. Amer. v. i. p. 62.

Night-Hawk, Caprimulgus Americanus, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 619.

Night-Hawk, Caprimulgus Virginianus, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. ii. p. 273; v. v. p. 406.

FAMILY V. CYPSELINÆ. SWIFTS.

Mouth opening to beneath the hind part of the eyes; bill extremely short, very broad at the base, compressed at the end; upper mandible decurved at the point, the edge inflected, with an indistinct sinus. Nostrils basal, approximate, oblong. Head large and depressed; neck short; body rather slender. Feet extremely short; tarsus rounded, destitute of scutella; toes extremely short, the three anterior nearly equal; hind toe very small, and versatile; claws strong, compressed, arched, very acute. Plumage compact; no bristles at the base of the upper mandible; wings extremely elongated, falciform, the first quill longest; tail of ten feathers. Œsophagus of moderate width, without crop; stomach oblong, moderately muscular, with a dense rugous epithelium; intestine short, and rather wide; no coeca. No inferior laryngeal muscles. Nest in crevices or holes, or attached to high places. Eggs elongated, white.

GENUS I. CHÆTURA, Stephens. SPINE-TAIL.

All the characters as above. Tarsus bare, longer than the middle toe, which scarcely exceeds the outer. Tail short, even, the shafts very strong, and prolonged into acuminate points.

44. 1. ChÆtura pelasgia, Linn. American Spine-tail.—Chimney Swallow. American Swift.

Brownish-black, lighter on the rump, with a slight greenish gloss on the head and back; throat greyish-white, lower parts greyish-brown, tinged with green; loral space black, and a greyish-white line over the eye. Female similar to the male.

Male, 4¹/₄, 12.

Extends as far eastward as Nova Scotia. Abundant. Migratory.

Chimney Swallow, Hirundo pelasgia, Wils. Amer. Ornith. v. v. p. 48.

Cypselus pelasgius, Bonap. Syn. p. 63.

Chimney Swift or Swallow, Cypselus pelasgius, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 609.

Chimney Swallow or American Swift, Cypselus pelasgius, Aud. Ornith. Biog. v. ii. p. 329; v. v. p. 419.

FAMILY VI. HIRUNDINÆ. SWALLOWS.

Bill very short, much depressed and very broad at the base, compressed toward the tip; upper mandible with the dorsal line convex, the edges overlapping, with a small notch close to the slightly decurved tip. Head broad, depressed; neck very short, body moderate. Feet very short, tarsus very short, anteriorly scutellate; toes of moderate size; first large, all scutellate in their whole length; claws rather strong, compressed, well curved, acute. Plumage soft, blended, glossy. No bristles at the base of the bill. Wings extremely long, narrow, pointed, somewhat falciform; secondaries very short. Tail generally emarginate, of twelve feathers. Mouth extremely wide; oesophagus rather wide, without crop; stomach elliptical or roundish, muscular, with a dense rugous epithelium; coeca very small. Four pairs of inferior laryngeal muscles. Nest in holes in banks, buildings, or trees, or attached to the surface of these objects. Eggs from four to six, white, plain, or spotted.

GENUS I. HIRUNDO, Linn. SWALLOW.

Characters as above; tail emarginate or forked.

45. 1. Hirundo purpurea, Linn. Purple Martin.

Plate XXIII. Male and Female.

From the Texas northward. Rocky Mountains, and all intermediate districts. Migratory.

Purple Martin, Hirundo purpurea, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. i. p. 58.

Hirundo purpurea, Bonap. Syn. p. 64.

Purple Martin, Hirundo purpurea, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 598.

Purple Martin, Hirundo purpurea, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. i. p. 115; v. v. p. 408.

46. 2. Hirundo bicolor. Vieill. White-bellied Swallow.

Plate XCVIII. Male and Female.

Wings a little longer than the tail, which is deeply emarginate. Upper parts steel blue, with green reflections, lower white; feet flesh-coloured. Female similar to the male.

Male, 5¹/₄, 10. Female.

From Texas northward. Columbia River, and all intermediate districts. Winters in Florida and Louisiana.

Green-blue or White-bellied Swallow, Hirundo viridis, Wils. Amer. Ornith. v. iii. p. 44.

Hirundo bicolor, Bonap. Syn. p. 65.

White-bellied Swallow, Hirundo bicolor, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 605.

White-bellied Swallow, Hirundo bicolor, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. i. p. 491; v. v. p. 417.

47. 3. Hirundo fulva, Vieill. Cliff-Swallow,—Republican Swallow.

Bill shorter than in the last species; wings of the same length as the tail, which is slightly emarginate. Upper part of head, back, and smaller wing-coverts black with bluish-green reflections; forehead white, generally tinged with red; loral space and a band on the lower part of the forehead black; chin, throat, and sides of the neck deep brownish-red; a patch of black on the fore-neck; rump light yellowish-red; lower parts greyish-white, anteriorly tinged with red. Female similar to the male. Young dark greyish-brown above, reddish-white beneath.

Male, 5¹/₂, 12. Female, 5⁴/₁₂, 12³/₄.

From Kentucky northward. Abundant from New York to Nova Scotia. Columbia River. Rocky Mountains. Migratory.

Fulvous or Cliff Swallow, Hirundo fulva, Bonap. Amer. Orn. v. i. p. 63.

Hirundo fulva, Bonap. Syn. p. 64.

Fulvous or Cliff Swallow, Hirundo fulva, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 603.

Republican or Cliff Swallow, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. i. p. 353; v. v. p. 415.

48. 4. Hirundo rustica, Linn. Chimney-Swallow.—Barn-Swallow.

Plate CLXXIII. Male and Female.

Tail very deeply forked, the lateral feathers much exceeding the wings. Forehead and throat bright chestnut; upper parts and a band on the fore-neck glossy deep steel-blue; quills and tail brownish-black glossed with green; the latter with a white spot on the inner web of each of the feathers, except the two middle. Female similar to the male. Young less deeply coloured, the forehead and throat pale red, the band on the fore-neck dusky tinged with red; lateral tail-feathers not exceeding the wings.

Male, 7, 13. Female, 6⁵/₁₂, 12⁹/₁₂.

Throughout North America, Europe, and Africa. Migratory.

Barn Swallow, Hirundo Americana, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. v. p. 34.

Hirundo Americana, American Barn Swallow, Swains. & Rich. F. Bor. Amer. v. ii. p. 329.

Hirundo rufa, Bon. Syn. p. 64.

Barn Swallow, Hirundo rufa, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 601.

Barn Swallow, Hirundo rustica, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. ii. p. 413; v. v. p. 411.

49. 5. Hirundo thalassina, Swains. Violet-green Swallow.

Plate CCCLXXXV. Fig. 4. Male. Fig. 5. Female.

Bill narrower than in the preceding species; wings extremely long, extending far beyond the tail, which is emarginate. Upper part of head deep green, gradually shaded into the dark purple of the hind neck; back rich grass-green, rump and upper tail-coverts carmine purple; a line over the eye, cheeks, and all the lower parts pure white, excepting the wing-coverts, which are light grey. Female with the upper part of the head and hind neck light greyish-brown, glossed with green; the back as in the male, the rump greyish-brown; lower parts white, anteriorly tinged with grey.

Male, 4¹⁰/₁₂, wing 4⁶/₁₂.

California, Rocky Mountains, and Oregon Territory. Migratory.

Hirundo thalassinus, Swains. Syn. of Mex. Birds, Phil. Mag. for 1827, p. 365.

Violet-green Swallow, Hirundo thalassina, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. iv. p. 597.

50. 6. Hirundo riparia, Linn. Bank Swallow.

Plate CCCLXXXV. Fig. 1. Male. Fig. 2. Female. Fig. 3. Young.

Tail slightly forked, margin of first quill smooth, tarsus with a tuft of feathers behind; upper parts greyish-brown, lower whitish, with a dusky band across the fore part of the neck. Young with the feathers of the upper parts margined with reddish-white.

Male, 5, 11. Female, 4⁷/₈.

From Texas northward. Rocky Mountains. Columbia River. Migratory; but vast numbers winter in Florida.

Bank Swallow or Sand Martin, Hirundo riparia, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. v. p. 46.

Hirundo riparia, Bonap. Syn. p. 65.

Hirundo riparia, Sand Martin, Swains. & Rich. F. Bor. Amer. v. ii. p. 333.

Bank Swallow or Sand Martin, Hirundo riparia, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 607.

Bank Swallow or Sand Martin, Hirundo riparia, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. iv. p. 584.

51. 7. Hirundo serripennis, Aud. Rough-winged Swallow.

Tail slightly emarginate, margin of first quill rough with the strong decurved tips of the filaments, tarsus bare; upper parts greyish-brown, lower pale greyish-brown, white behind. Very nearly allied to the last in form and colour, but readily distinguishable by drawing the finger along the edge of the wing, when the stiff projecting tips of the filaments are felt like the edge of a fine saw.

Male, 5³/₄, 12¹/₂.

Louisiana and South Carolina. Migratory.

Rough-winged Swallow, Hirundo serripennis, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. iv. p. 593.

FAMILY VII. MUSCICAPINÆ. FLYCATCHERS.

Bill depressed, triangular, compressed at the end, upper mandible notched, lower with the point slightly ascending. Head rather large, depressed; neck short; body rather slender. Feet generally short; tarsus short, slender, with very broad scutella; toes four, free; the hind toe not proportionally large; claws arched, compressed, acute. Plumage soft and blended. Wings long, with the first quill generally long, the outer three longest. Tail various. Tongue flattened, sagittate, bristly at the tip; oesophagus wide, without crop; stomach elliptical, moderately muscular, with the lateral muscles distinct, the epithelium thin, dense, longitudinally rugous; intestine short; coeca extremely small; cloaca globular. Trachea simple; inferior laryngeal muscles, forming on each side a large pad, but not divisible into several portions as in the singing birds. Nests regularly formed, cup-shaped. Eggs from four to six.

GENUS I. MILVULUS, Swains. SWALLOW-TAIL.

Bill moderate, rather stout, straight, broad at the base, gradually compressed toward the end; upper mandible with the dorsal outline a little convex, the edges sharp and nearly perpendicular, with a very small notch close to the small deflected tip; lower mandible with the ridge very broad at the base, the sides rounded, the tip minute and ascending. Nostrils basal, broadly elliptical. Head rather large, depressed; neck short; body rather slender. Feet rather short; tarsus short, slender, compressed, with very broad scutella, some of which almost meet behind; toes free, the hind toe not proportionally larger, all scutellate above; claws of moderate size, arched, compressed, acute. Plumage soft and blended. Wings long, second quill longest, first almost as long as third, the three outer abruptly notched near the attenuated tip. Tail extremely elongated and forked, the middle feathers being of ordinary length, the lateral longest.

52. 1. Milvulus Tyrannus, Linn. Prairie Swallow-tail.—Fork-tailed Flycatcher.

Plate CLXVIII. Male.

Tail more than twice the length of the body; upper part of head and cheeks deep black, the feathers of the crown bright yellow at the base; back ash-grey, rump bluish-black; wings and tail brownish-black, the lateral feathers of the latter with the outer web white for half its length; lower parts white.

Male, 14¹/₄, 14.

In Louisiana, very rare. Accidental in New Jersey.

Fork-tailed Flycatcher, Muscicapa Savana, Bonap. Amer. Orn. v. i. p. 1.

Muscicapa Savana, Bonap. Syn. p. 67.

Fork-tailed Flycatcher, Muscicapa Savana, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 274.

Forked-tailed Flycatcher, Muscicapa Savana, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. ii. p. 387.

53. 2. Milvulus forficatus, Gmel. Red-shouldered Swallow-tail.—Swallow-tailed Flycatcher.

Plate CCCLIX. Fig. 3. Male.

Tail longer than the body; upper part of the head, cheeks, and hind neck ash-grey; back brownish-grey, rump dusky; anterior wing-coverts scarlet, quills brownish-black, tail-feathers deep black, the three outer on each side rose-coloured to near the end; lower parts white before, rose-coloured behind.

Male, 11, wing 5¹/₈.

Arkansas. Rare in Louisiana.

Swallow-tailed Flycatcher, Muscicapa forficata, Bonap. Amer. Orn. v. i. p. 15.

Muscicapa forficata, Bonap. Syn. p. 275.

Swallow-tailed Flycatcher, Muscicapa forficata, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 275.

Swallow-tailed Flycatcher, Muscicapa forficata, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. iv. p. 426.

GENUS II. MUSCICAPA, LinnÆus. FLYCATCHER.

Bill moderate, or rather long, stout, straight, broad at the base, gradually compressed toward the end; upper mandible with the dorsal outline sloping, the edges sharp and overlapping, with a very small notch close to the small deflected tip; lower mandible with the ridge very broad at the base, the sides rounded, the tip minute and ascending. Nostrils basal, roundish. Head rather large, depressed; neck short; body rather slender. Feet short; tarsus very short, slender, with six very broad scutella, three of which almost meet behind; toes free, the hind toe large, all scutellate above; claws rather long, very slender, arched, finely pointed. Plumage soft and blended. Wings long, second and third quills longest; outer primaries generally attenuated at the end. Tail long, even, or emarginate.

* Bill large. Head with a vermilion patch, outer quills attenuated. Tyrannus of authors.

The outer six primaries attenuated at the end, the first more so, the sixth least; the third longest, but the second almost equal, the fourth and fifth very little shorter, the first much longer than the seventh; tail emarginate. Upper parts dull ash-grey, shaded with brown posteriorly; a concealed patch of bright vermilion on the top of the head; wing-coverts, quills and tail chocolate-brown, margined with brownish-white; lower parts anteriorly ash-grey, behind greyish-white tinged with yellow, lower wing-coverts pale sulphur yellow. Female similar.

Male, 8⁷/₈, 14³/₈.

Florida Keys; and southern parts of South Carolina. Abundant. Migratory.

Tyrannus griseus, Vieill., Ois. d'Amer. pl. 46.

Pipiry Flycatcher, Muscicapa dominicensis, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. ii. p. 392.

56. 3. Muscicapa Tyrannus, Linn. Tyrant Flycatcher,—King Bird.

Plate LXXIX. Male and Female.

The outer two primaries attenuated at the end, the second longest, the first longer than the third; tail even. Upper parts dark bluish-grey, the head greyish-black, with a bright vermilion patch margined with yellow; quills, coverts, and tail-feathers brownish-black, the former margined with dull white; the latter largely tipped with white; lower parts greyish-white, the breast pale grey. Female duller, the upper parts tinged with brown, the lower more dusky.

Male, 8¹/₂, 14¹/₂.

North America generally. Migratory. A few winter in South Florida.

Lanius Tyrannus, Linn. Syst. Nat. v. i. p. 136.

Tyrant Flycatcher, Muscicapa Tyrannus, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. i. p. 66.

Muscicapa Tyrannus, Bonap. Syn. p. 66.

King-bird or Tyrant Flycatcher, Muscicapa Tyrannus, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 265.

Tyrant Flycatcher, Muscicapa Tyrannus, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. i. p. 403; v. v. p. 420.

** Bill large. Head plain, crested, quills not attenuated.

57. 4. Muscicapa crinita, Linn. Great Crested Flycatcher.

Plate CXXIX. Male.

Third quill longest, first and sixth equal; upper parts dull greenish-olive; quills and coverts dark brown, the primaries margined with light red, the secondaries with yellowish-white, of which there are two bars across the wing, formed by the tips of the secondary coverts and first row of small coverts; inner webs of the tail-feathers, except the two middle, light red; margins of inner webs of quills tinged with the same; fore-neck and sides of the head greyish-blue, the rest of the lower parts yellow. Female similar.

Male, 8¹/₂, 13.

From Texas northward, generally distributed. Abundant. Migratory.

Great Crested Flycatcher, Muscicapa crinita, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. ii. p. 75.

Muscicapa crinita, Bonap. Syn. p. 67.

Great Crested Flycatcher, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 271.

Great Crested Flycatcher, Muscicapa crinita, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. ii. p. 176; v. v. p. 423.

58. 5. Muscicapa Cooperi, Nuttall. Cooper's Flycatcher.—Olive-sided Flycatcher.

Wing pointed, second quill longest, first longer than third, tail emarginate, the three first primaries very slightly attenuated at the ends; upper parts, cheeks, and sides of the neck, dusky brown, tinged with greyish-olive, the head darker; quills and tail blackish-brown, the secondaries margined with brownish-white; downy feathers on the sides of the rump white; lower parts greyish-white, the sides dusky grey. Young similar to adult.

Male, 7¹/₂, 12³/₄.

From Texas northward along the Atlantic. Never seen far in the interior. Columbia River. Migratory.

Olive-sided Flycatcher or Pe-pe, Muscicapa Cooperi, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 282.

Tyrannus borealis, Northern Tyrant, Swains. & Rich. F. Bor. Amer. v. ii. p. 141.

Olive-sided Flycatcher, Muscicapa Cooperi, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. ii. p. 422; v. v. p. 422.

* Bill more slender. Tyrannula of authors.

59. 6. Muscicapa Saya, Bonap. Say's Flycatcher.

Plate CCCLIX. Fig. 4. Male. Fig. 5. Female.

Third quill longest, second and fourth scarcely shorter, first a little longer than sixth; tail very slightly emarginate; upper parts greyish-brown; upper tail-coverts and tail brownish-black; wings of a darker tint than the back, the feathers margined with brownish-white; a dusky spot before the eye; fore part and sides of neck light greyish-brown, shaded with pale brownish-red on the breast and abdomen; lower wing-coverts reddish-white.

Male, 7, wing 4²/₁₂.

Arkansas. Columbia River. Fur Countries. Never seen along the Atlantic. Abundant. Migratory.

Say's Flycatcher, Muscicapa Saya, Bonap. Amer. Orn. v. i. p. 20.

Muscicapa Saya, Bonap. Syn. p. 67.

Tyrannula Saya, Swains. & Rich. F. Bor. Amer. v. ii. p. 142.

Say's Flycatcher, Muscicapa Saya, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 277.

Say's Flycatcher, Muscicapa Saya, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. iv. p. 428.

60. 7. Muscicapa nigricans, Swains. Rocky Mountain Flycatcher.

Plate CCCCXXXIV. Fig. 6. Male.

Third quill longest, second and fourth little shorter, first and sixth about equal; tail very slightly emarginate; head, hind neck, fore part of back, fore neck, a portion of the head, and sides, dark sooty-brown; the rest of the upper parts greyish-brown; secondary coverts tipped, and secondaries margined with greyish-white, of which colour is the great part of the outer web of the lateral tail-feathers; middle of breast, abdomen, and lower tail-coverts white; lower wing-coverts greyish-brown, edged with white.

Male, 7, wing 3^7½/₁₂.

Mexico and California. Rare. Migratory.

Tyrannula nigricans, Swains. Syn. of Mex. Birds, Phil. Mag. N. S. v. i. p. 367.

Rocky Mountain Flycatcher, Muscicapa nigricans, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. v. p. 302.

61. 8. Muscicapa Phoebe, Lath. Short-legged Pewit Flycatcher.

Plate CCCCXXXIV. Fig. 5. Male.

Second quill longest, third almost equal, first and fourth nearly equal; tail slightly emarginate; upper parts dark olivaceous brown; the head darker, wings and tail blackish-brown, secondary coverts tipped with brownish-white, and secondary quills margined with the same; outer edges of lateral tail-feathers pale brownish-grey; fore part of neck, breast, and sides light dusky grey tinged with olive, abdomen pale dull yellow, lower tail-coverts brownish-grey margined with yellowish-white.

Male, 6⁹/₁₂, wing 3¹/₄.

Columbia River. Fur Countries. Labrador. Rare. Migratory.

Tyrannula Richardsonii, Swainson's Short-legged Pewit, Swains. & Rich. F. Bor. Amer. v. ii. p. 146.

Short-legged Pewee Flycatcher, Muscicapa Richardsonii, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. v. p. 299.

62. 9. Muscicapa acadica, Gmel. Small Green-crested Flycatcher.

Plate CXLIV. Male and Female.

Bill broad and much depressed; second quill longest, third a little shorter, first shorter than fourth; tail scarcely emarginate, upper parts dull greenish-olive, the head darker; wings and tail dusky-brown; two bands of dull pale yellow on the wing, the secondary quills broadly edged and tipped with the same; a narrow ring of yellowish-white round the eye; throat greyish-white; sides of neck and fore part of breast greyish-olive, the rest of the lower parts yellowish-white.

Male, 5¹/₂, 8¹/₂.

From Texas northward. Migratory.

Small Green Crested Flycatcher, Muscicapa querula, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. ii. p. 77.

Small Pewee, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 288.

Muscicapa acadica, Bonap. Syn. p. 68.

Small Green-Crested Flycatcher, Muscicapa acadica, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. ii. p. 256; v. v. p. 427.

63. 10. Muscicapa fusca, Gmel. Pewee Flycatcher.

Plate CXX. Male and Female.

Wing much rounded, third quill longest, fourth scarcely shorter, but considerably longer than second, first intermediate between sixth and seventh; tail emarginate; upper parts dull olive, the head much darker; quills and tail dusky brown, secondaries and their coverts edged with pale brown; outer tail-feathers whitish on the outer edge, unless toward the tip; lower parts dull yellowish white, the breast tinged with grey.

Male, 7, 9¹/₂.

Throughout the United States, and northward. Spends the winter in vast numbers in the southern parts.

Pewit Flycatcher, Muscicapa nunciola, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. ii. p. 78.

Muscicapa fusca, Bonap. Syn. p. 68.

Pewit Flycatcher or Phoebe, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 278.

Pewee Flycatcher, Muscicapa fusca, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. ii. p. 122; v. v. p. 424.

64. 11. Muscicapa virens, Linn. Wood Pewee Flycatcher.

Plate CXV. Male.

Slightly crested; second quill longest, first shorter than third and longer than sixth; tail deeply emarginate; upper parts dusky olive, upper part of head much darker; a pale greyish ring round the eye; two bands of greyish-white on the wings, secondaries margined with the same; quills and tail-feathers blackish-brown; throat and breast ash-grey tinged with green, the rest of the lower parts pale greenish-yellow.

Male, 6¹/₂, 11.

Throughout the United States. British Provinces. Labrador. Newfoundland. Rocky Mountains. Columbia River. Migratory.

Wood Pewee, Muscicapa rapax, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. ii. p. 81.

Wood Pewee, Muscicapa virens, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 285.

Muscicapa virens, Bonap. Syn. p. 68.

Wood Pewee, Muscicapa virens, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. ii. p. 93; v. v. p. 425.

65. 12. Muscicapa Traillii, Aud. Traill's Flycatcher.

Plate XLV. Male.

Slightly crested; wing rounded, with the third quill longest, second and fourth almost equal, first a little longer than sixth; tail slightly rounded, and faintly emarginate; upper parts dusky olive, upper part of head much darker; a pale greyish ring round the eye; two bands of greyish-white on the wings, secondaries margined with the same; throat and breast ash-grey, the rest of the lower parts shaded into pale yellow.

Male, 5³/₄, 8¹/₂.

Arkansas. Columbia River. Migratory.

Traill's Flycatcher, Muscicapa virens, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. i. p. 236; v. v. p. 426.

66. 13. Muscicapa pusilla, Swains. Least Pewee Flycatcher.

Plate CCCCXXXIV. Fig. 1. Adult.

Third quill longest, fourth scarcely shorter, second nearly one-twelfth shorter, and exceeding the first by three and a quarter twelfths; tail slightly emarginate; upper parts light greenish-brown; loral band whitish, a narrow pale ring surrounding the eye; wings olive-brown, with two bands of dull white, secondaries margined with the same; tail olive-brown, the lateral feathers lighter, the outer web pale brownish-grey; fore part of neck and a portion of the breast and sides ash-grey, the rest of the lower parts pale yellow.

Male, 5²/₁₂, wing 2⁵/₁₂.

Columbia River. Fur countries. Labrador. Newfoundland. Rare in the Atlantic States.

Tyrannula pusilla, Little Tyrant Flycatcher, Swains. & Rich. F. Bor. Amer. v. ii. p. 144.

Little Tyrant Flycatcher, Muscicapa pusilla, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. v. p. 288.

67. 14. Muscicapa minuta, Wils. Small-headed Flycatcher.

Plate CCCCXXXIV. Fig. 2. Male.

Wings short, the second quill longest; tail of moderate length, even; general colour of upper parts light greenish-brown; wings and tail dark olive-brown, the outer feathers of the latter with a terminal white spot on the inner web; a narrow white ring surrounding the eye; two bands of dull white on the wing; sides of the head and neck greenish-yellow, the rest of the lower parts pale yellow, gradually fading into white behind.

Male, 5, 8²/₈.

Kentucky, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey. Exceedingly rare. Migratory.

Small-headed Flycatcher, Muscicapa minuta, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. vi. p. 62.

Sylvia minuta, Bonap. Syn. p. 86.

Small-headed Sylvan Flycatcher, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 296.

68. 15. Muscicapa Ruticilla, Linn. Redstart Flycatcher.—American Redstart.

Plate XL. Fig. 1. Male. Fig. 2. Female.

Second and third quills equal and longest, fourth longer than first; tail rounded. Male with the head, neck all round, fore part of breast, and back, glossy bluish-black; sides of the breast, lower wing-coverts, a patch on the wings formed by the margins of the primaries and the basal half of most of the secondaries, together with three-fourths of both webs of the outer four tail-feathers on each side, and the outer web of the next, bright orange-red; abdomen and lower tail-coverts white. Female with the upper parts yellowish-brown, the head grey, the quills greyish-brown, the tail darker, the parts yellow which in the male are bright orange; the rest of the lower parts white, tinged with yellow. Young similar to the female, more grey above, and with less yellow beneath.

Male, 5, 6¹/₂. Female.

Throughout the United States. Abundant. Migratory.

American Redstart, Muscicapa Ruticilla, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. i. p. 103.

Muscicapa Ruticilla, Bonap. Syn. p. 68.

American Redstart, Muscicapa Ruticilla, Aud. Amer. Orn. v. i. p. 202; v. v. p. 428.

American Redstart, Muscicapa Ruticilla, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 291.

GENUS V. PTILOGONYS, Swains. PTILOGONYS.

Bill short, rather strong, somewhat triangular, depressed at the base, a little compressed at the end; upper mandible with the dorsal line convex at the end, the nasal groove wide, the sides convex toward the end, with a distinct notch, the tip short, rather obtuse; lower mandible with the angle rather long and wide, the dorsal line ascending and convex, the sides convex toward the end, the tip small, with a slight notch behind. Nostrils linear, oblong, partially concealed by the feathers. Head ovato-oblong; neck rather short; body slender. Feet short, and rather slender; tarsus shorter than the middle toe with its claw, compressed, covered anteriorly with a long plate and three inferior scutella; toes free, the outer only adherent at the base; hind toe rather large, stouter, outer a little longer than inner; claws moderate, arched, much compressed, laterally grooved, acute. Plumage soft and blended; slight bristles at the base of the upper mandible, and the feathers in the angle of the lower jaw bristle-tipped and curved forward. Wings long, rounded; first quill very small, fourth longest. Tail very long, straight, emarginate, and rounded, of twelve feathers.

This genus seems to connect the Thrushes with the Flycatchers.

69. 1. Ptilogonys Townsendi, Aud. Townsend's Ptilogonys.

Plate CCCCXIX. Fig. 2. Female.

General colour dull brownish-grey; quills and coverts dusky brown; edge of wing dull white; basal part of primaries pale yellow, of secondaries ochre-yellow; edges of all the quills dull greyish-white; secondaries with a faint patch of light brownish-grey on the outer web toward the end; middle tail-feathers greyish-brown, the rest blackish-brown, the outer with an oblique white space, including, from the tip, a considerable portion of the inner web, and more than two-thirds of the outer; the next with a white patch at the end; lower parts paler than the upper; lower tail and wing-coverts broadly tipped with dull white, some of the inner wing-coverts white.

Female, 8¹/₄, wing, 4¹/₂.

Columbia River.

Townsend's Ptilogonys, Ptilogonys Townsendi, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. v. p. 206.

GENUS IV. CULICIVORA, Swains. GNAT-CATCHER.

Bill of moderate length, depressed at the base, rapidly attenuated, becoming very slender toward the end; upper mandible with the ridge distinct, the tip extremely narrow and deflected, the edges overlapping, the notch distinct, but very small; lower mandible with the angle of moderate length, the ridge narrowed towards the end, the edges inclinate, the tip acute. Nostrils oblong, exposed. Head ovate; neck short; body slender. Feet of moderate length, tarsus longer than the middle toe, extremely slender, with the upper scutella indistinct; toes very small, extremely compressed; hind toe proportionally very large; outer adherent at the base. Claws well arched, extremely compressed, laterally grooved, acute. Plumage very soft and blended. Wings of moderate length, concave; the first quill about a third of the length of the second, fourth longest, third and fifth little shorter. Tail long, slender, much rounded.

70. 1. Culicivora coerulea, Lath. Blue-grey Gnat-catcher.

Plate LXXXIV. Male and Female.

Upper parts bright blue, deeper on the head, paler on the tail-coverts; a narrow black band on the forehead, extending over the eyes; wings brownish-black, margined with blue, some of the secondaries with bluish-white; tail glossy black, the outer feather on each side nearly all white, the next with its terminal half, and the third with its tip of that colour; lower parts greyish-white. Female similar, but with the tints duller, and the black band on the head wanting.

Male, 4¹/₂, 6¹/₂.

From Texas northward. Abundant. Migratory.

Blue-grey Flycatcher, Muscicapa coerulea, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. ii. p. 164.

Sylvia coerulea, Bonap. Syn. p. 85.

Blue-grey Sylvan Flycatcher, Muscicapa coerulea, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 297.

Blue-grey Flycatcher, Muscicapa coerulea, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. i. p. 431.

FAMILY VIII. SYLVICOLINÆ. WOOD-WARBLERS.

Bill short, or of moderate length, rather slender, somewhat conical, considerably broader than high at the base, gradually compressed toward the end; upper mandible with its dorsal outline straight until near the end, the point very narrow, the notches very slight; lower mandible with the angle rather short and narrow, the dorsal line straight, the edges somewhat involute, the tip acute. Head moderate, ovate; neck short; body rather slender. Feet of moderate length; tarsus longer than the middle toe, slender, much compressed, with eight anterior scutella, of which the upper are blended; toes rather small, or of moderate size, hind toe proportionally stout, outer adherent for a short way at the base; claws moderate, much compressed, arched, acute. Plumage generally soft and blended. Wings of moderate length. Tail of moderate length, of twelve feathers. Tongue of moderate length, sagittate, tapering. Œsophagus of moderate width, without dilatation, proventriculus bulbiform; stomach of moderate size, roundish or elliptical, moderately muscular, with the muscles distinct; epithelium dense, longitudinally rugous; intestine short, rather wide; coeca very small; cloaca oblong. Trachea simple; with four pairs of inferior laryngeal muscles.

GENUS I. MYIODIOCTES, Aud. FLYCATCHING-WARBLER.

Bill of moderate length, stoutish, straight, considerably broader than high, compressed toward the end; upper mandible with the ridge distinct, the dorsal line convex toward the end, the edges sharp and overlapping, with a very faint notch close to the slightly deflected tip; lower mandible with the ridge indistinct, the sides rounded, the edges somewhat involute, the tip narrow, not ascending. Nostrils basal, oblong. Head ovate, of moderate size; neck short; body rather slender. Feet of moderate length; tarsus pretty stout, much compressed; scutella blended, excepting the lower three; toes of moderate length, very slender, the hind toe proportionally large, the third and fourth united at the base, all scutellate. Claws moderate, extremely compressed, well arched, very acute. Bristles at the base of the bill elongated but slender. Wings of moderate length, the second and third quills longest, the first scarcely shorter than the fourth. Tail moderate, slightly rounded. Name from [Greek: Myia], an insect, [Greek: DiÔchtÊs], a pursuer.

71. 1. Myiodioctes mitratus, Lath. Hooded Flycatching-Warbler.—Hooded Flycatcher. Hooded Warbler.

Plate CX. Male and Female. Plate IX. Young.

Hooded Warbler, Sylvia mitrata, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. ii. p. 66. Adult Male and Female; v. v. p. 465.

Selby's Flycatcher, Muscicapa Selbyii, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. i. p. 46. Young.

72. 2. Myiodioctes canadensis, Linn. Spotted Canadian Flycatching Warbler.—Canadian Flycatcher. Canada Warbler.

Plate CIII. Male and Female.

Third quill longest, scarcely exceeding the second, fourth slightly shorter, first intermediate between the fourth and fifth; tail rounded. Male with the upper parts ash-grey; the feathers of the wings and tail brown, edged with grey; the head spotted with black; loral space, a band beneath the eye, proceeding down the side of the neck, and a belt of triangular spots across the lower part of the fore neck, black; the lower parts, and a bar from the nostril over the eye, pure yellow; lower wing and tail-coverts white. Female similar to the male, but with the black spots on the neck smaller and fainter. Young similar to the female, with the tints paler, and the neck unspotted.

Male, 5¹/₄, 9.

From Kentucky northward. Not found in the Atlantic districts. Migratory.

Motacilla canadensis, Linn. Syst. Nat. v. i. p. 27.

Canada Flycatcher, Muscicapa canadensis, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. iii. p. 100.

Sylvia pardalina, Bonap. Syn. p. 79.

Canada Flycatcher, Muscicapa canadensis, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. ii. p. 17.

73. 3. Myiodioctes Bonapartii, Aud. Bonaparte's Flycatching Warbler.

Plate V. Male.

Bristles longer than in the last, second quill longest; tail very long, nearly even; upper parts light greyish-blue; quills dusky brown, their outer webs greyish-blue, the two outer margined with white; middle tail-feathers and edges of the rest like the back; lower parts and a band on the forehead ochre-yellow, with a few faint dusky spots on the lower part of the fore neck. This species differs from the last chiefly in being of a more elongated form, in having the bristles much longer, the upper parts of a much lighter tint; in wanting the black band down the side of the neck, and the yellow band over the eye, the bill is straighter and more pointed, and the outer primaries are edged with white.

Male, 5¹/₄.

Louisiana. Only one specimen ever found.

Bonaparte's Flycatcher, Muscicapa Bonapartii, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. i. p. 27.

74. 4. Myiodioctes formosus, Wils. Kentucky Flycatching Warbler.—Kentucky Warbler.

Plate XXXVIII. Male and Female.

Third quill longest, second scarcely shorter, first longer than fourth, the outer three being nearly equal. Tail slightly emarginate and slightly rounded. Male with the upper part of the head and a band from the base of the upper mandible under the eye and down the side of the neck black; a streak from the nostril over the eye, and all the lower parts bright yellow; the upper parts yellowish-olive; wings brown, the feathers margined with yellowish-olive; tail light greenish-brown. Female similar, without the black band on the cheek and neck, and the black of the head less extended.

Male, 5¹/₂, 8.

Valley of the Mississippi, and Kentucky. Migratory.

Kentucky Warbler, Sylvia formosa, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. iii. p. 85.

Sylvia formosa, Bonap. Syn. p. 34.

Kentucky Warbler, Sylvia formosa, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. i. p. 196.

75. 5. Myiodioctes Wilsonii, Bonap. Wilson's Flycatching Warbler.

Plate CXXIV. Male and Female.

Wings short, the second and third quills longest and about equal, the first much shorter than the fourth and a little longer than the fifth; tail even. Back, rump, and upper tail-coverts yellowish-green; crown glossy bluish-black, bordered on the forehead and over the eyes with a broad band of bright yellow, of which colour are all the lower parts; wings and tail dusky brown, the feathers margined with yellowish-green. Female similar to the male, but with the black of the crown of much less extent. Young similar to the female, without black on the head.

Male, 4¹/₂, 6³/₄.

From Texas northward, Columbia River, and intervening regions. Not in the Fur Countries. Rather rare. Migratory.

Green Black-capt Flycatcher, Muscicapa pusilla, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. iii. p. 103.

Sylvia Wilsonii, Bonap. Syn. p. 86.

Green Black-capt Warbler, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 149.

Green Black-capped Flycatcher, Muscicapa Wilsonii, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. ii. p. 148.

GENUS II. SYLVICOLA, Swainson. WOOD-WARBLER.

Bill short, straight, rather strong, tapering, scarcely broader than high at the base, compressed toward the end; upper mandible with its dorsal outline declinate and nearly straight, the tip slightly declinate, the edges overlapping, with a slight notch; lower mandible with the angle short and rounded, the dorsal line straight, the sides convex, the edges a little inclinate, the tip narrow. Nostrils basal, oval or oblong, partially concealed by the feathers. Head of ordinary size; neck short; body rather slender. Feet of ordinary length, rather slender; tarsus longer than the middle toe, much compressed, covered anteriorly with seven scutella, very sharp behind; toes of moderate length, slender, free, the outer united as far as the second joint, the hind toe proportionally large; claws moderate, well arched, much compressed, laterally grooved, very acute. Plumage soft and blended. Bristles at the base of the upper mandible feeble. Wings rather long, little curved, pointed; the second quill longest, the first and third slightly shorter. Tail rather long, emarginate.

76. 1. Sylvicola coronata, Lath. Yellow-crowned Wood-Warbler.—Yellow-crowned Warbler. Yellow-rump Warbler.

Second quill longest, third scarcely shorter, first longer than fourth; tail slightly emarginate. Male with the upper parts deep ash-grey, streaked with black; crown, rump, and a patch on the sides of the body, rich yellow: secondary coverts, and first row of small coverts tipped with white, which forms two bars on the wing; quills dark brown, margined with light greyish-brown; tail feathers brownish-black, margined with ash-grey, the outer three on each side with a white patch on the inner web near the end; a slender white line over the eye; feathers of the eyelids white; lore and cheek black; throat white; lower neck, fore part of breast and sides variegated with black, the tips of the feathers being white; the rest of the lower parts white. Female without the yellow spot on the crown, although the feathers there are tinged with that colour at the base; the upper parts tinged with light brown, the yellow spots on the sides and rump paler.

Male, 5¹/₄, 8¹/₂.

From Texas northward, and throughout the interior. Extremely common. Migratory.

Yellow-rump Warbler, Sylvia coronata, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. ii. p. 138.

Sylvia coronata, Bonap. Syn. p. 78.

Yellow-crowned Warbler, or Myrtle Bird, Sylvia coronata, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 361.

Yellow-rump Warbler, Sylvia coronata, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. ii. p. 303.

77. 2. Sylvicola Auduboni, Townsend. Audubon's Wood-Warbler,—Audubon's Warbler.

Plate CCCXCV. Fig. 1. Male. Fig. 2. Female.

Outer four quills nearly equal, second longest; tail slightly emarginate. Male with the upper parts bluish ash-grey, streaked with black; crown, rump, upper part of throat, and a patch on the sides of the body, rich yellow; first row of small coverts largely tipped, and secondary coverts broadly margined and tipped with white, which thus forms a conspicuous patch on the wing; quills and tail brownish-black, narrowly margined with greyish-white; a patch of white on the inner webs of all the tail-feathers, but on the central reduced to a mere edging; a small white spot on each of the eyelids; loral space and cheek black; lower part of neck anteriorly, fore part of breast, and sides, variegated with black and white or ash-grey, the latter colours margining the feathers; the rest of the lower parts white. Female without the yellow spot on the crown, although the feathers there are tinged with that colour at the base; upper parts light brownish-grey, streaked with dusky; lower parts whitish, tinged with brown, and streaked with dusky; throat and rump yellow, but of a lighter tint than in the male, and but slight indications of the yellow patch on the sides; there is much less white on the wings, and the white patches on the tail-feathers are of less extent.

In size, form, and proportion, this species and Sylvicola coronata are almost precisely similar; and their colours are almost exactly alike, the only remarkable difference in this respect being, that the throat of the present species is yellow, while that of the former is white.

Male, 5³/₄, wing, 3¹/₁₂.

Columbia River, northward. Common. Migratory.

Sylvia Audubonii, Audubon's Warbler, Townsend, Journ. Acad. Nat. Sc., Philadelphia, v. vii. p. 190.

Audubon's Warbler, Sylvia Audubonii, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. v. p. 52.

78. 3. Sylvicola striata, Lath. Black-poll Wood-Warbler.

Plate CXXXIII. Male and Female.

First and second quills equal and longest, third a little shorter; tail emarginate. Male with the upper parts bluish ash-grey, streaked with black; the upper part of the head deep black; the secondary coverts and first row of small coverts largely tipped with white; quills and tail-feathers blackish-brown; primaries narrowly edged with greenish-yellow, secondaries broadly with white; three outer tail-feathers with a patch of white on the inner web at the end; cheeks and lower parts white; a band of black spots from the base of the lower mandible down the side of the neck and body. Female with the upper parts oil-green, streaked with black; the rump and upper tail-coverts plain and edged with grey; white wing-bands tinged with yellow; cheeks yellowish-grey, mottled with dusky, lower parts dull white, tinged with yellow and reddish the sides of the neck and body with fainter dark streaks. Young like the female.

Male, 5¹/₄, 8¹/₂.

From Texas to Labrador, where it breeds. Columbia River. Common. Migratory.

Black-poll Warbler, Sylvia striata, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. iv. p. 40.

Sylvia striata, Bonap. Syn. p. 81.

Sylvicola striata, Black-poll Warbler, Swains. & Rich. F. Bor. Amer. v. ii. p. 218.

Black-poll Warbler, Sylvia striata, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 383.

Black-poll Warbler, Sylvia striata, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. ii. p. 201.

79. 4. Sylvicola pensilis, Lath. Yellow-throated Wood-Warbler.

Plate LXXXV. Male.

Outer three quills almost equal, second quill longest, fourth shorter than first; tail slightly emarginate. Male with the upper parts light greyish-blue; the forehead black, the crown spotted with the same; a white line over the eye; secondary coverts and first row of small coverts largely tipped with white; quills greyish-black, margined with light greyish-blue; tail-feathers of the same colour, the outer three with a patch of white on the inner web at the end; loral space, a band under the eye, ear-coverts, a band down the side of the neck, and numerous oblong spots on the sides of the body, black; throat bright yellow; rest of lower parts white. Female similar, but with the tints paler.

Male, 5¹/₂, 8¹/₂.

From Texas to New Jersey. In the interior along the Mississippi to Natchez. Common. Migratory.

Yellow-throated Warbler, Sylvia flavicollis, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. ii. p. 64.

Sylvia pensilis, Bonap. Syn. p. 79.

Yellow-throated Warbler, Sylvia pensilis, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. i. p. 434.

80. 5. Sylvicola castanea, Wils. Bay-breasted Wood-Warbler.—Bay-breasted Warbler.

Plate LXIX. Male and Female.

Outer three quills almost equal, fourth considerably shorter; tail slightly emarginate. Male with the upper part of the head, the fore neck, and the sides, chestnut-red; forehead and cheeks, including a small space over the eye, deep black, behind which is a transverse patch of yellowish-white on the sides of the neck; back bluish ash-grey, streaked with black; tips of the secondary coverts and first row of small coverts white; quills and tail-feathers brownish-black edged with grey, the outer three of the latter with a white patch on the inner web near the end; middle of breast, abdomen, and lower tail-coverts, white, tinged with reddish. Female similar to the male, but with the tints fainter, especially the chestnut of the head and throat, which are converged into light brownish-red.

Male, 5¹/₄, 11.

From Texas northward. Rather common. Migratory.

Bay-breasted Warbler, Sylvia castanea, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. ii. p. 97.

Sylvia castanea, Bonap. Syn. p. 80.

Bay-breasted Warbler, Sylvia castanea, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 382.

Bay-breasted Warbler, Sylvia castanea, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. i. p. 358.

81. 6. Sylvicola icterocephala, Lath. Chestnut-sided Wood-Warbler.—Chestnut-sided Warbler.

Plate LIX. Male and Female.

Outer three quills nearly equal, second slightly longer; tail slightly emarginate. Male with the upper part of the head light yellow, a small part of the forehead white; loral space and two bands proceeding from it, one over and behind the eye, the other downwards, black; upper parts bluish ash-grey, tinged behind with greenish-yellow, and streaked with black; secondary coverts and first row of small coverts largely tipped with pale yellow; quills and tail-feathers brownish-black, primaries edged with greyish-white, secondaries with yellowish-green; outer three tail-feathers on each side with a white patch on the inner web at the end; lower parts white, sides of the neck and body deep chestnut. Female similar, but with the chestnut on the sides less extended, and the yellow on the head tinged with green.

Male, 5¹/₄, 8.

From Texas northward. Rather common. Migratory.

Chestnut-sided Warbler, Sylvia icterocephala, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. i. p. 99.

Sylvia icterocephala, Bonap. Syn. p. 80.

Chestnut-sided Warbler, Sylvia icterocephala, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 380.

Chestnut-sided Warbler, Sylvia icterocephala, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. i. p. 806.

82. 7. Sylvicola pinus, Lath. Pine-creeping Wood-Warbler.

Plate CXI. Male and Female. Plate XXX. Young Male.

Wings of moderate length, with the outer three quills almost equal, the first and second longest; tail emarginate. Male with the upper parts light yellowish-green, inclining to olive, the rump brighter; a streak over the eye, the eyelids, throat, breast, and sides, bright yellow, with a greenish tinge, the rest of the lower parts white; wings and tail blackish-brown; secondary coverts and first row of small coverts largely tipped with dull white; primaries edged with whitish, secondaries with brownish-grey; outer two tail-feathers with a patch of white on the inner web near the end. Female with the upper parts yellowish-brown tinged with grey, the lower parts of paler and duller tints than in the male. Young similar to the female.

Male, 5, 8.

From Texas to Maine. Very abundant. Resident in the Southern and Middle States.

Pine Creeping Warbler, Sylvia pinus, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. iii. p. 25.

Sylvia pinus, Bonap. Syn. p. 81.

Pine Warbler, Sylvia pinus, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 387.

Pine Creeping Warbler, Sylvia pinus, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. ii. p. 232.

Vigors's Warbler, Sylvia Vigorsii, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. i. p. 153. Young.

83. 8. Sylvicola parus, Wils. Hemlock Warbler.

Plate CXXXIV. Male and Female. Plate LXXXVIII. Young.

Wings of moderate length, with the outer two quills almost equal, the first longest, the third little shorter; tail very slightly emarginate. Male with the upper parts yellowish-green, spotted with dusky, the head greenish-yellow; secondary coverts and first row of small coverts largely tipped with white; quills and tail-feathers blackish-brown; primaries narrowly edged with greenish-white, secondaries broadly with white; outer two tail-feathers with the greater part white; a bright yellow streak over the eye; a dusky band on the lore and behind the eye; fore neck and breast bright yellow, the rest of the lower parts white, the sides streaked with black. Female similar to the male, but rather paler. Young with the upper parts light olive-brown; a pale line over the eye, which is encircled by a narrow line of whitish; wings and tail dark brown, the former with two brownish-white bands, the quills edged with brownish-white, the two outer tail-feathers with a white patch on the inner web; the lower parts dull white, tinged on the neck with yellow, on the sides with greyish-brown.

Male, 5¹/₂, 8¹/₂.

Middle districts. Rather common. Migratory.

Hemlock Warbler, Sylvia parus, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. v. p. 114. Male.

Autumnal Warbler, Sylvia autumnalis, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. iii. p. 65. Young.

Sylvia parus, Bonap. Syn. p. 82.

Sylvia autumnalis, Bonap. Syn. p. 74.

Hemlock Warbler, Sylvia parus, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. ii. p. 205. Adult.

Autumnal Warbler, Sylvia autumnalis, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. i. p. 447.

84. 9. Sylvicola virens, Lath. Black-throated Green Wood-Warbler.

Plate CCCXCIX. Fig. 1. Male. Fig. 2. Female.

Outer three quills almost equal, second very slightly longer; tail slightly emarginate. Male with the upper parts very light yellowish-green; the anterior part of the forehead, a band over the eye, the cheeks, and the sides of the neck, bright yellow; the fore part of the neck, anterior part of the sides, and some spots on the hind parts of the latter, black; the rest of the lower parts white, partially tinged with yellow; quills and tail-feathers brownish-black; secondary coverts and first row of small coverts largely tipped with white, quills margined with greyish-white, as are the tail-feathers, of which the greater part of the outer three, and a patch on the inner web of the fourth, are white. Female with the upper parts similar, but with less yellow on the forehead; ear-coverts greenish; the yellow band over the eye less bright, the yellow on the sides of the neck of less extent; the lower parts dull yellowish-white, the sides streaked with dusky.

Male, 4¹⁰/₁₂, wing, 2¹/₂. Female, 4¹/₂, wing, 2^5½/₁₂.

From Texas to Newfoundland. Abundant. Migratory.

Black-throated Green Warbler, Sylvia virens, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. ii. p. 127.

Sylvia virens, Bonap. Syn. p. 80.

Black-throated Green Warbler, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 376.

Black-throated Green Warbler, Sylvia virens, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. iv. p. 70.

85. 10. Sylvicola maritima, Wils. Cape May Wood-Warbler.

Plate CCCCXIV. Male and Female.

Wings pointed, first quill longest, the second a quarter of a twelfth shorter, the third a twelfth shorter; tail slightly emarginate. Male with the upper part of the head and fore part of the back yellowish-olive, streaked with black; the rump, throat, and a collar scarcely meeting behind, yellow; ear-coverts and a band over the eye yellowish-red, loral space paler; a white patch on the wing, formed by the first row of small coverts and the outer edges of the secondary coverts; quills and tail-feathers blackish-brown, edged with dull greyish-white, the secondaries more broadly; tail-feathers edged with yellow at the base, the outer three with a white patch on the inner web near the end; lower parts yellow, streaked with black, abdomen and lower tail-coverts white, the latter tinged with yellow. Female similar to the male, with the tints duller, the dusky streaks on the upper parts very faint, the rump greenish-yellow, the ear-coverts dull yellow, the white of the abdomen more extended, and the black streaks on the breast less distinct.

Male, 5¹/₂, 8¹/₂.

New Jersey, and Blue Mountains of Vermont. Exceedingly rare.

Cape May Warbler, Sylvia maritima, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. iv. p. 99.

Sylvia maritima, Bonap. Syn. p. 79.

Cape May Warbler, Sylvia maritima. Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 156.

Cape May Warbler, Sylvia maritima, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. v. p. 156.

86. 11. Sylvicola coerulea, Wils. Coerulean Wood-Warbler.

Plate XLVIII. Males. Plate XLIX. Young Male.

Wings long, with the outer three quills nearly equal, the first and second longest; tail slightly emarginate, upper parts of a fine light blue, brighter on the head, the back marked with longitudinal streaks of blackish; a narrow band of black from the forehead along the lore to behind the eye; two conspicuous white bands on the wings, formed by the tips of the secondary coverts and first row of small coverts; quills black, margined with pale blue; tail-feathers black, edged with blue, all with a white patch on the inner web near the end; lower parts white, with a band of dark bluish-grey across the fore neck, and oblong spots of the same along the sides. Female with the upper parts light bluish-green, the lower and a streak over the eye very pale yellow. Young of both sexes like the female.

Male, 4¹/₂, 8.

From Texas to Nova Scotia. Columbia River. Rather common. Migratory.

Coerulean Warbler, Sylvia coerulea, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. ii. p. 141. Male.

Blue-green Warbler, Sylvia rara, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. iii. p. 119. Young.

Sylvia azurea, Bonap. Syn. p. 85.

Sylvia rara, Bonap. Syn. p. 82.

Coerulean Warbler, Sylvia azurea, Bonap. Amer. Orn. v. ii. p. 27. Female.

Azure Warbler, Sylvia azurea, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. i. p. 255, Male; v. v. p. 456.

Blue-green Warbler, Sylvia rara, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. i. p. 258. Young Male.

87. 12. Sylvicola BlackburniÆ, Lath. Blackburnian Wood-Warbler.—Blackburnian Warbler.

Plate CXXXV. Male. Plate CCCXCIX. Fig. 3. Female.

Outer three quills nearly equal, first generally longest; tail slightly emarginate. Male black above, streaked with white; a small patch on the top of the head, a band from the base of the upper mandible over the eye, passing down the neck and curving forwards, and a small band under the eye, orange-yellow; lore and a patch behind the eye black; quills black, the outer margined with grey, the inner with white, of which there is a large patch on the wing, including the inner secondary coverts, and the tips of the outer, with those of the first row of small coverts; three outer tail-feathers on each side white, excepting an oblong portion toward the end, the next also partially white; throat and fore part of breast rich reddish-orange; breast dull yellow, the rest white; the sides of the neck and body streaked with black. Female with the upper parts light olivaceous, each feather dusky in the centre, the other parts as in the male, but the tints much paler, the spot on the top of the head greenish-yellow, the feathers tipped with dusky, the band over the eye pale yellow, that on the lore and ear-coverts brown, the fore part of the neck yellow, and the sides less strongly streaked than black.

Male, 4³/₄, 7³/₄. Female, 4⁸/₁₂, wing 2^7½/₁₂.

From Texas northward. Rather rare. Migratory.

Blackburnian Warbler, Sylvia BlackburniÆ, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. iii. p. 67.

Sylvia BlackburniÆ, Bonap. Syn. p. 80.

Blackburnian Warbler, Sylvia BlackburniÆ, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 379.

Blackburnian Warbler, Sylvia BlackburniÆ, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. ii. p. 208; v. v. p. 78.

88. 13. Sylvicola Æstiva, Gmel. Yellow-Poll Warbler.

Plate XCV. Male. Plate XXXV. Young Male and Female.

Outer four quills nearly equal, second longest; tail emarginate. Male with the upper parts pale yellowish-green, the rump greenish-yellow, the fore part of the head, cheeks, throat, sides of the neck and lower parts pure yellow, the breast and sides streaked with brownish-red; feathers of the wings deep brown, primaries margined with yellowish-green, secondaries, their coverts, and the first row of small coverts with yellow; tail-feathers brown, with the greater part of the inner webs and a portion of the outer yellow, excepting the middle two. Female similar, but with the colours less bright, and the streaks on the breast and sides obsolete. Young with the upper parts yellowish-green, tinged with brown, forehead, sides of head, and lower parts deep yellow.

Male, 4³/₄, 8.

From Texas northward, and throughout the interior. Abundant. Migratory.

Blue-eyed Warbler, Sylvia citrinella, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. ii. p. 111.

Sylvia Æstiva, Bonap. Syn. p. 83.

Yellow-poll Warbler, Sylvia Æstiva, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. i. p. 476. Adult Male.

Children's Warbler, Sylvia Childrenii, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. i. p. 180. Young.

89. 14. Sylvicola Rathbonii, Aud. Rathbone's Wood-Warbler.

Plate LXV. Male and Female.

Wings of ordinary length, the second quill longest; tail nearly even. The general colour of the plumage bright yellow, the upper parts olivaceous; quills and tail wood-brown, the former yellow on the outer web, the latter margined externally with the same. Female similar.

Male, 4¹/₂.

Mississippi. Only one pair seen.

Rathbone Warbler, Sylvia Rathbonia, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. i. p. 333.

90. 15. Sylvicola petechia, Lath. Yellow Red-poll Wood-Warbler.

Plate CLXIII. Fig. 1. Male. Fig. 2. Young Male.

Plate CLXIV. Fig. 1. Male. Fig. 2. Female.

Wings of ordinary length, with the outer three quills almost equal, the second longer than the first, which slightly exceeds the fourth; tail emarginate. Male with the crown of the head deep brownish-red, the upper parts yellowish-olive, streaked with brown, the rump greenish-yellow, without streaks; quills dusky brown, primaries edged with whitish, secondaries with yellowish; tail feathers dusky brown, margined with greenish-yellow, the outer two with a white patch on the inner web at the end, sometimes the outer white on both webs at the end; a bright yellow streak from the nostril over the eye; lore dusky; ear-coverts brownish-red; lower parts yellow, the sides of the neck, its lower part, and the sides of the body, streaked with deep red. Female similar to the male, but with the tints duller and paler, the red of the head scarcely apparent, and the fore-neck very faintly streaked. Young dull light greenish-brown, tinged with grey, the head streaked with dusky; lower parts yellowish-grey, the sides of the neck and body, with the breast, faintly streaked with greyish-brown.

Male, 4¹/₂, 8¹/₂.

From Texas northward. Very abundant. Spends the winter in all the Southern States.

Yellow Red-poll Warbler, Sylvia petechia, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. vi. p. 19.

Sylvia petechia, Bonap. Syn. p. 83; S. palmarium, p. 78.

Sylvicola petechia, Yellow Red-poll Warbler, Swain. & Rich. F. Bor. Amer. v. ii. p. 215.

Yellow Red-poll Warbler, Sylvia petechia, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 364.

Yellow Red-poll Warbler, Sylvia petechia, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. ii. p. 259, Adult Male and Young; p. 360, Adult Male and Female.

91. 16. Sylvicola Americana, Lath. Blue Yellow-backed Wood-Warbler,—Yellow-backed Warbler,—Blue Yellow-back Warbler.

Plate XV. Male and Female.

Bill much attenuated; outer three quills nearly equal, first or second longest; tail almost even, with the feathers pointed. Male with the upper parts light blue, the fore part of the back yellowish-green; two broad bands of white on the wing, formed by the tips of the secondary coverts, and first row of small coverts; quills and tail-feathers dusky, margined with blue; a white spot on the outer three of the latter; loral space black; both eyelids with a white spot; throat yellow, with whitish patches, a lunular band of blackish on the fore neck; breast yellow, spotted with dull orange, the rest of the lower parts yellowish, fading into white, the sides pale greyish-blue. Female similar but paler; the loral band wanting; throat, fore neck, and breast yellow, without the black lunule.

Although the bill of this species is much attenuated, it is not essentially different in form from that of S. BlackburniÆ, and others of this genus; the wings are similar to those of the rest, and there seems no reason for setting it apart to form a genus, as has been done by Bonaparte.

Male, 4¹/₆, 6¹/₂.

From Texas, generally distributed. Exceedingly abundant. Migratory.

Blue Yellow-back Warbler, Sylvia pusilla, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. iv. p. 17.

Sylvia Americana, Bonap. Syn. p. 33.

Blue Yellow-backed Warbler, Sylvia Americana, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. i. p. 78.

92. 17. Sylvicola Townsendi, Nutt. Townsend's Wood-Warbler.

Plate CCCXCIII. Fig. 1. Male.

Wings of moderate length, rather pointed, with the second and third quills longest, the first and second nearly equal and very little shorter; tail scarcely emarginate. Upper parts light greenish-olive, more yellow behind, all the feathers dusky in the centre; cheeks, ear-coverts, and throat black; a band over the eye, a broader band on the side of the neck, and the fore part of the breast bright yellow; the rest of the lower parts white, but the sides marked with oblong dusky spots; wings blackish-brown; the secondary coverts and first row of small coverts largely tipped with white, the quills margined with light grey; tail-feathers blackish-brown, edged with grey; outer two on each side almost entirely white, the next with a small white spot.

Male, 4¹⁰/₁₂, wing 2⁸/₁₂.

Columbia River, northward. Migratory.

Sylvia Townsendi, Townsend's Warbler, Towns. Journ. Acad. Nat. Sc. Philadelphia, v. vii. p. 191.

Townsend's Warbler, Sylvia Townsendi, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. v. p. 36.

93. 18. Sylvicola occidentalis, Towns. Hermit Wood-Warbler.

Plate CCCXCV. Fig. 3. Male. Fig. 4. Female.

Wings of moderate length, the outer three quills almost equal, the third longest; tail slightly emarginate. Male with the upper parts bluish-grey, spotted with black; the upper part of the head, which is similarly spotted, the cheeks, and sides of the neck, bright yellow; throat black; breast and abdomen white; ground and tail-feathers greyish-dusky; two white bands on the wing formed by the tips of the secondary coverts and first row of small coverts; two outer tail-feathers on each side almost entirely white. Female with the upper parts of a duller grey, the yellow of the head less extended and not so bright; throat whitish, spotted with dusky.

Male, 3⁵/₁₂, wing 2⁸/₁₂.

Columbia River. Migratory.

Sylvicola occidentalis, Hermit Wood-Warbler, Towns. Journ. Acad. Nat. Sc. Philadelphia, v. vii. p. 190.

Hermit Warbler, Sylvia occidentalis, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. v. p. 55.

94. 19. Sylvia nigrescens, Towns. Black-throated Grey Wood-Warbler.

Plate CCCXCV. Figs. 5 and 6. Male.

Wings of moderate length, with the outer three quills nearly equal, the second longest, the first shorter than the fourth; tail slightly rounded and emarginate. Male with the upper parts bluish ash-grey, the middle of the back and tail-coverts streaked with black; the upper part of the head and neck, the loral space and cheeks, and the fore part of the neck, with a small portion of the breast black; a band from the nostril to near the eye yellow; a band over the eye, and another from the lower mandible along the side of the neck white; breast and abdomen white, the sides tinged with grey, and streaked with black; wings blackish-brown, with two white bands formed by the tips of the secondary coverts and first row of small coverts; quills edged with light grey; tail blackish-brown, the two outer feathers on each side almost entirely white, the next with a white patch on the inner web.

Male, 5, wing 2⁸/₁₂.

Columbia River. Migratory.

Sylvia nigrescens, Black-throated Grey Warbler, Journ. Acad. Nat. Sc. Philadelphia, v. vii. p. 191.

Black-throated Grey Warbler, Sylvia nigrescens, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. v. p. 57.

95. 20. Sylvicola canadensis, Linn. Canada or Black-throated Blue Wood-Warbler.

Plate CLV. Male. Plate CXLVIII. Female and Young.

Wings rather long, with the third quill longest, the second almost equal, the fourth longer than the first; tail even. Male dull light blue above, white beneath; frontal band, cheeks, throat, and sides, black; a white patch on the wing formed by the bases of the primaries; outer three tail-feathers with a patch of white on the inner web near the end, all the rest with a touch of the same. Female greenish-olive above, light dull-yellow below, with a less extended white patch on the wing, the white on the tail unconspicuous. Young similar to the female.

Male, 5, 7¹/₂.

From Texas northward. Migratory. Abundant.

Motacilla canadensis, Linn. Syst. Nat. v. i. p. 334.

Black-throated Blue Warbler, Sylvia canadensis, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. ii. p. 115. Male.

Sylvia canadensis, Bonap. Syn. p. 84. Male.

Black-throated Blue Warbler, Sylvia canadensis, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 398. Male.

Black-throated Blue Warbler, Sylvia canadensis, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. ii. p. 309. Male.

Pine-swamp Warbler, Sylvia pusilla, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. v. p. 100. Young.

Sylvia sphagnosa, Bonap. Syn. p. 85. Young.

Pine-swamp Warbler, Sylvia sphagnosa, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 406. Young.

Pine-swamp Warbler, Sylvia sphagnosa, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. ii. p. 279. Female and Young.

96. 21. Sylvicola maculosa, Lath. Blue-headed Yellow-rumped Wood-Warbler.—Black-and-Yellow Warbler.

Plate CXXIII. Male and Female. Plate L. Young.

Wings of moderate length, the outer four quills nearly equal, the second and third longest and equal, the fourth longer than the first; tail almost even. Upper part of head and hind neck ash-grey; eyelids, and a band over the eye, white; part of forehead, loral space, and a broad band down the side of the neck, with the fore part of the back, and upper tail-coverts deep black; lower parts and rump bright yellow; the lower part of the throat, the breast and sides, spotted with black; wings and tail-feathers brownish-black, edged with grey; two white bands on the wing; all the tail-feathers, except the middle two, with a large patch of white on the inner web, at about two-thirds of their length. Young yellowish-grey above, with the head light grey, the rump yellow; lower parts of a duller yellow, with only faint dusky streaks on the sides.

Male, 5, 7¹/₂.

From Texas northward. Very abundant. Migratory.

Black-and-Yellow Warbler, Sylvia magnolia, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. iii. p. 63. Adult.

Sylvia maculosa, Bonap. Syn. p. 78.

Black-and-Yellow Warbler, Sylvia maculosa, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 370.

Sylvicola maculosa, Yellow-rump Warbler, F. Bor. Amer. v. ii. p. 213.

Black-and-Yellow Warbler, Sylvia maculosa, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. ii. p. 145, Adult; v. i. p. 260, Young; v. v. p. 458.

97. 22. Sylvicola discolor, Vieill. Prairie Wood-Warbler.

Plate XIV. Male and Female.

Wings rather short, with the outer four quills nearly equal, the second and third longest; tail emarginate and rounded. Male with the upper parts yellowish-green, the back spotted with chestnut-red; lower parts, and a band over the eye, bright yellow; two bands of dull yellow on the wing; outer four tail-feathers with a white patch on the inner web; a small streak before and behind the eye, one on the cheek, a spot on the side of the neck, and oblong markings on the sides, black. Female similar, but paler, especially beneath, and without the black streaks on the side of the head.

Male, 5, 7.

From Texas to Massachusetts. Migratory. Abundant.

Prairie Warbler, Sylvia minuta, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. iii. p. 87.

Sylvia discolor, Bonap. Syn. p. 83.

Prairie Warbler, Sylvia discolor, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 294.

Prairie Warbler, Sylvia discolor, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. i. p. 76.

98. 23. Sylvicola montana, Wils. Blue-Mountain Warbler.

Plate CCCCXXXIV. Fig. 3. Male.

No bristles at the base of the bill; wings rather short, the third and fourth quills longest; tail much rounded. Upper parts light greenish-olive; a band across the forehead, one over the eye, the cheeks, throat, fore part and sides of neck bright yellow; the rest of the lower parts yellowish-white, the sides marked with narrow longitudinal dusky streaks; wings dusky brown, all the feathers edged with yellowish-white, the secondary quills more broadly, the first row of small coverts and the secondary coverts tipped with white, forming two conspicuous bands; tail brownish-black, the feathers edged with yellowish-green, the two outer on each side white in their terminal half.

Male, 4¹/₁₂, wing 2⁶/₁₂.

Blue Mountains. Only one individual seen.

Blue-Mountain Warbler, Sylvia montana, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. v. p. 113.

Sylvia tigrina, Bonap. Syn. p. 83; but not of Gmelin or Latham, as the figure of Edwards, to which reference is made, has the tail not rounded, but emarginate.

99. 24. Sylvicola agilis, Wils. Connecticut Wood Warbler.—Connecticut Warbler.

Plate CXXXVIII. Male and Female.

Wings long, with the first quill longest, and exceeding the first secondary by eleven-twelfths of an inch; middle toe and claw longer than the tarsus; tail of moderate length, nearly even, with acuminate feathers. Male olive-green above; a ring of yellowish-white round the eye; the head, neck all round, and part of the breast ash-grey, the sides greyish-green; the rest of the lower parts bright yellow. Female olive-green above, yellow beneath, the sides of the neck and a band across the breast tinged with brown.

Male, 5³/₄, 8.

New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Connecticut. Very rare. Migratory.

Connecticut Warbler, Sylvia agilis, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. v. p. 64.

Sylvia agilis, Bonap. Syn. p. 84.

Connecticut Warbler, Sylvia agilis, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 399.

This species forms a connecting link between Sylvicola and Trichas, having the long pointed wings of the former, and the general appearance of the latter, which it resembles, especially in its tail, which is neither emarginate, nor marked with the white spots seen on that of almost all the other SylvicolÆ, but which do not exist in the genus Trichas. Some of the SylvicolÆ are, in like manner, assimilated to Myiodoctes, and others to Vermivora. Of the former may be mentioned, Sylvicola Auduboni and S. coronata; of the latter, S. BlackburniÆ.

GENUS III. TRICHAS, Swains. GROUND-WARBLER.

Bill of moderate length, similar in form to that of Sylvicola, differing only in being a little decurved. The general form does not differ materially from that of Sylvicola, the head being ovate and of moderate size, the neck short, the body rather slender; the feet of moderate length, slender; tarsus slender, much compressed, longer than the middle toe with its claw, anteriorly covered with eight scutella, of which the upper are blended; toes of moderate size, hind toe proportionally large, lateral toes equal, fourth adherent at the base; claws rather long, arched, much compressed, laterally grooved, very acute. Plumage soft and blended. Wings rather short, convex, considerably rounded, the third and fourth quills longest, the fifth little shorter. Tail of moderate length, rounded, always plain, or without white spots.

100. 1. Trichas Macgillivrayi, Aud. Macgillivray's Ground-Warbler.—Macgillivray's Warbler.

Plate CCCXCIX. Fig. 4. Male. Fig. 5. Female.

Wings rather short, the second quill longest, the fourth longer than the first, the tail long, considerably rounded, its feathers rounded; tarsus longer than the middle toe and claw. Male olive-green above; the head, hind part, and sides of the neck bluish-grey; the fore neck and part of the breast greyish-black, lunulated with greyish-white; a black loral band; a conspicuous white spot on each eyelid; the lower parts bright yellow. Female olive-green above, yellow beneath, the sides of the neck and a band across the breast ash-grey.

Male, 5¹/₄, 6¹/₂. Female, 5, wing 2^4½/₁₂.

Columbia River. Common.

Macgillivray's Warbler, Sylvia Macgillivrayi, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. v. p. 75.

101. 2. Trichas Philadelphia, Wils. Mourning Ground-Warbler.—Mourning Warbler.

Wings of moderate length, with the second quill longest, the fourth shorter than the first; the tail long, considerably rounded, its feathers scarcely pointed; tarsus longer than the middle toe and claw. Male olive-green above, the head, hind part and sides of the neck, bluish-grey; the fore neck and part of the breast deep black, lunulated with white; a blackish loral band, margins of eyelids dusky grey; the lower parts bright yellow. Female olive-green above, yellow beneath, the sides of the neck and a band across the breast ash-grey, the throat yellowish-white.

Male, 5, 8.

New Jersey and Blue Mountains of Vermont. Rare. Migratory.

Mourning Warbler, Sylvia Philadelphia, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. ii. p. 101.

Sylvia Philadelphia, Bonap. Syn. p. 85.

Mourning Warbler, Sylvia Philadelphia, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 404.

Mourning Warbler, Sylvia Philadelphia, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. v. p. 79.

102. 3. Trichas Marilandica, Linn. Maryland Ground-Warbler.—Maryland Yellow-throat. Yellow-breasted Warbler.

Plate XXIII. Male and Female. Plate XXIV. Young Male.

Wings rather short, with the third and fourth quills longest, fifth longer than second, first and sixth equal; tail considerably rounded, the lateral feathers being three-twelfths shorter than the middle. Male with a broad band of black across the forehead, including the loral space and eyes, and terminating in a rather pointed form behind the ear-coverts; over this band a narrow one of very pale blue, or bluish-white; upper parts yellowish-green, on the head slightly tinged with red; quills and tail-feathers wood-brown, margined with yellowish-green; the edge of the wing and the margin of the outer primary yellow; fore part of neck bright yellow, as is the anterior part of the breast and the lower tail-coverts, the rest pale, the sides shaded with dull yellowish-brown; the axillaries and some of the lower wing-coverts white. Female with the upper parts lighter, the lower less bright, tinged with reddish-brown, the head of pale brownish-red, without the bands so conspicuous in the male. Young similar to the female, the males with a black mystachial band.

Male, 4³/₄, 6¹/₂.

From Texas northward to Nova Scotia, and throughout the interior; Columbia River.

Maryland Yellow-throat, Sylvia Marilandica, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. i. p. 88, Male; v. ii. p. 163, Female.

Sylvia Marilandica, Bonap. Syn. p. 85.

Maryland Yellow-throat, Nutt. Man. v. i.

Yellow-breasted Warbler, or Maryland Yellow-throat, Sylvia Trichas, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. i. p. 121, Adult; v. v. p. 463.

Roscoe's Yellow-throat, Sylvia Roscoe, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. i. p. 124. Young.

103. 4. Trichas Delafieldii, Aud. Delafield's Ground-Warbler.

Wing rather long, much rounded, with the third and fourth quills longest, sixth longer than second, first and tenth about equal; tail much rounded, the lateral feathers being half an inch shorter than the middle. Male with a band of black across the forehead, including the loral space and eyes, and terminating on the ear-coverts; upper part of head light greyish-blue, tinged behind with green; the rest of the upper parts dull yellowish-green; quills and tail-feathers wood-brown on the inner webs, the edge of the wing and margin of the outer primary yellow; all the lower parts rich yellow, excepting the sides, which are shaded into dull greenish-yellow.

Male, 5¹/₄, wing, 2⁵/₁₂.

North California.

Delafield's Yellow-throat, Sylvia Delafieldii, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. v. p. 307.

GENUS IV. HELINAIA, Aud. SWAMP-WARBLERS.

Bill rather long, being nearly of the same length as the head, straight, or slightly decurved, tapering to a very acute point, much compressed; the upper mandible with the ridge distinct, the sides declinate and flat at the base, the edges somewhat inflected beyond the middle, the notch obsolete; lower mandible with the dorsal line straight, the edges involute, the tip extremely acute. Nostrils oblong; exposed. Feet of moderate length; tarsus about equal to the middle toe and claw, slender, much compressed, with the upper scutella blended; toes slender; claws rather long, moderately arched, slender, much compressed, laterally grooved, extremely acute, plumage soft and blended. Bristles obsolete. Wings rather long, somewhat pointed, the outer three nearly equal, the second longest. Tail of moderate length, nearly even.—Name from [Greek: Helos], a swamp, and [Greek: NaiÔ], to inhabit.

104. 1. Helinaia Swainsonii, Aud. Swainson's Swamp-Warbler.

Plate CXCVIII. Male.

Bill nearly as long as the head, less compressed than in the last; wings rather long, second quill longest, first and third equal; tail very slightly rounded. Upper parts light olive-green; head and lower parts pale brownish-yellow, the former with four longitudinal black bands; throat and abdomen nearly white.

Male, 5¹/₂, 8¹/₂.

From Texas northwards, and in the interior to the Missouri. Not very abundant. Migratory.

Worm-eating Warbler, Sylvia vermivora, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. iii. p. 74.

Sylvia vermivora, Bonap. Syn. p. 86.

Worm-eating Warbler, Sylvia vermivora, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. i. p. 177; v. v. p. 460.

106. 3. Helinaia Protonotarius, Lath. Prothonotary Swamp-Warbler.

Plate III. Male and Female.

Bill nearly as long as the head; first quill longest; tail even. Male with the head, neck, breast, and sides rich yellow, abdomen and lower tail-coverts white; hind neck and fore part of back greenish-yellow, rump, tail-coverts, smaller wing-coverts and margin of the quills and tail-feathers light greyish-blue; the latter, except the middle, having the greater part of their inner webs white.

Male, 5¹/₂, 8¹/₂.

From Texas eastward to Nova Scotia. In the interior to Kentucky. Saskatchewan. Rather rare. Migratory.

Prothonotary Warbler, Sylvia Protonotarius, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. iii. p. 72.

Sylvia Protonotarius, Bonap. Syn. p. 86.

Prothonotary Warbler, Sylvia Protonotarius, v. i. p. 410.

Prothonotary Warbler, Sylvia Protonotarius, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. i. p. 22; v. v. p. 460.

107. 4. Helinaia chrysoptera, Linn. Golden-winged Swamp-Warbler.

Plate CCCCXIV. Fig. 1. Male. Fig. 2. Female.

Bill slightly shorter than the head, tapering to an acute point; wings with the second and third quills equal and longest, the fourth and first about equal; tail even. Male light ash-grey above, greyish-white beneath; upper part of head, and a patch on the wing, formed by the first row of small coverts and the secondary coverts, bright yellow; a band from the bill to the eye, continued under it, and including the ear-coverts, black, as is the throat; a white band from the upper mandible over the eye, and another from the lower mandible down the neck. Female with the tints less bright, the back tinged with green, the side of the head and the throat grey, and the white bands on the head narrower and less extended.

Male, 5¹/₄, 7⁵/₈. Female, 5, 7¹/₄.

From Texas to Nova Scotia. In the interior to Kentucky. Rather rare. Migratory.

Golden-winged Warbler, Sylvia chrysoptera, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. ii. p. 113.

Sylvia chrysoptera, Bonap. Syn. p. 87.

Golden-winged Warbler, Sylvia chrysoptera, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 411.

Golden-winged Warbler, Sylvia chrysoptera, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. v. p. 154.

108. 5. Helinaia Bachmanii, Aud. Bachman's Swamp-Warbler.

Plate CLXXXV. Male and Female.

Bill nearly as long as the head, slightly decurved, much attenuated; outer four quills nearly equal, second longest, tail even. Male with the upper parts yellowish-green, the feathers of the crown black, with greyish margin; the hind neck grey; forehead, a line over the eye, cheeks, chin, sides of neck, flexure of wing, lower wing-coverts, and breast, yellow; sides greenish-grey, lower tail-coverts white; a patch of black, enlarging beneath, on the fore neck; quills and tail greyish-brown; a patch of white on each of the tail-feathers, excepting the middle. Female with the tints fainter, the forehead yellowish-green, the fore neck dusky.

Male, 4¹/₁₂, 6¹/₄. Female, 3¹⁰/₁₂.

South Carolina. Rare. Migratory.

Bachman's Warbler, Sylvia Bachmanii, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. ii. p. 483.

109. 6. Helinaia carbonata, Aud. Carbonated Swamp-Warbler.

Plate LX. Male.

Bill shorter than the head, straight, very acute; wing with the second quill longest; tail slightly emarginate. Male with the upper part of the head black; fore part of back, smaller wing-coverts, and sides dusky green, spotted with black; a line over the eye, the sides of the neck, throat, the rest of the lower parts, and the rump yellow.

Male, 4³/₄.

Kentucky. Only two specimens procured. Migratory.

Carbonated Warbler, Sylvia carbonata, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. i. p. 308.

110. 7. Helinaia peregrina, Wils. Tennessee Swamp-Warbler.

Plate CLIV. Male.

Bill shorter than the head, straight, very acute; wing with the second and third quills longest; tail nearly even. Upper parts yellowish-olive, the head darker; lower parts cream-coloured, fading behind into white; a pale yellow line over the eye; quills and tail-feathers dusky, the primaries margined with whitish, the secondaries with greenish-yellow.

Male, 4¹/₂, 8.

Florida to New York, and in the interior to Kentucky. Rare. Migratory.

Tennessee Warbler, Sylvia peregrina, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. iii. p. 83.

Sylvia peregrina, Bonap. Syn. p. 87.

Tennessee Warbler, Sylvia peregrina, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 412.

Tennessee Warbler, Sylvia peregrina, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. ii. p. 307.

111. 8. Helinaia solitaria, Wils. Blue-winged Yellow Swamp-Warbler.

Plate XX. Male and Female.

Bill shorter than the head, straightish, very acute; wings with the outer four quills almost equal, the second longest; tail nearly even. Forehead, crown, and lower parts bright yellow; hind part of the head, neck, and back light green, rump greenish-yellow; lore black; wings and tail greyish-blue, the feathers margined with greyish-white; two bands of white on the wing, formed by the tips of the first row of small coverts and the secondary coverts; tail-feathers, except the middle, with a patch of white on the inner web. Young with the upper parts, including the forehead, yellowish-green, the lower pale greenish-yellow.

Male, 4³/₄, 7.

From Texas to Massachusetts. In the interior, to Kentucky. Rather rare. Migratory.

Blue-winged Yellow Warbler, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. ii. p. 109.

Sylvia solitaria, Bonap. Syn. p. 87.

Blue-winged Yellow Warbler, Sylvia solitaria, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 410.

Blue-winged Yellow Warbler, Sylvia solitaria, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. i. p. 102.

112. 9. Helinaia celata, Say. Orange-crowned Swamp-Warbler.

Plate CLXXVIII. Male and Female.

Bill shorter than the head, very much attenuated; wings with the outer four quills almost equal, the second longest; tail even. Male with the upper parts dull green, the rump yellowish-green; a patch of dull reddish-orange on the crown, concealed by the grey tips of the feathers; lower parts dull olivaceous yellow; lower tail-coverts light yellow; quills and tail-feathers greyish-brown, edged with yellowish-green. Female similar, with the orange on the crown duller. Young with the lower parts paler, and without red on the head.

This species and the next seem to form the transition from the SylvicolinÆ to the Reguli, as Mniotilta varia does to the CerthiÆ.

Male, 5¹/₂, 7¹¹/₁₂.

In summer from Texas to Nova Scotia. Winters in the southern states. Columbia River. Rather common.

Sylvia celata, Say, Long's Exped. v. i. p. 169.

Sylvia celata, Bonap. Syn. p. 38.

Orange-crowned Warbler, Sylvia celata, Bonap. Amer. Orn. v. i. p. 45.

Orange-crowned Warbler, Sylvia celata, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 413.

Orange-crowned Warbler, Sylvia celata, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. ii. p. 449.

113. 10. Helinaia rubricapilla, Wils. Nashville Swamp-Warbler.

Plate LXXXIX. Male and Female.

Bill shorter than the head, very much attenuated; wings with the outer four quills almost equal, the second longest; tail slightly emarginate. Upper part of the head, cheeks, hind part and sides of neck light bluish-grey; a patch of dull red on the crown, concealed by the grey tips of the feathers; upper parts of the body yellowish-green, lower parts greenish-yellow; quills and tail-feathers greyish-brown, edged with yellowish-green, the primaries with greyish-white. Female similar but paler, and with faint indications of red on some of the feathers on the crown. Young similar to the female.

Male, 4¹/₂, 7.

Texas to Massachusetts. Inland to Kentucky. Columbia River. Rare. Migratory.

Nashville Warbler, Sylvia rubricapilla. Wils. Amer. Orn. v. iii. p. 120.

Sylvia rubricapilla, Bonap. Syn. p. 87.

Nashville Warbler, Sylvia rubricapilla, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 412.

Nashville Warbler, Sylvia rubricapilla, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. i. p. 450.

GENUS V. MNIOTILTA, Vieill. CREEPING-WARBLER.

Bill rather long, straight, very slender, nearly as broad as high at the base, much compressed toward the end; upper mandible with the dorsal line very slightly convex, the edges a little inflected toward the end, the notches obsolete, the tip acute; lower mandible with the dorsal line straight, the sides convex, the edges involute, the tip attenuated. General form slender. Feet of moderate length, very slender; tarsus shorter than the middle toe and claw, much compressed, the upper scutella blended; toes rather long, extremely compressed, the first very long, the second shorter than the third, which is adherent at the base, claws rather long, well arched, extremely compressed, and acute. Plumage very soft and blended. Bristles obsolete. Wings long, with the second and third quills longest and about equal, the first slightly shorter, and exceeding the fourth. Tail of moderate length, nearly even. This genus connects the SylvicolinÆ with the CerthianÆ.

114. 1. Mniotilta varia, Linn. Black-and-white Creeping Warbler.

Plate XC. Male.

Male with the plumage white, variegated with glossy black, longitudinally disposed; a band along the middle of the head and hind neck, a streak over the eyes, a band along the sides of the neck, two bars on the wings, the middle of the breast and abdomen, with a patch at the end of the outer two tail-feathers, white. Female with the upper parts similar, but with the black less deep, the lower parts greyish-white, the sides and lower tail-coverts marked with black. Young light brownish-grey above, paler beneath, with the abdomen white.

Male, 5¹/₂, 7¹/₂.

Generally distributed. Migratory.

Black-and-white Creeper, Certhia varia, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. iii. p. 23.

Sylvia varia, Bonap. Syn. p. 81.

Black-and-white Creeper, Certhia varia, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. i. p. 452; v. v. p. 471.

FAMILY IX. CERTHIANÆ. CREEPERS.

Bill of moderate length or rather long, slender, slightly arched, much compressed, acute; upper mandible with its dorsal outline convex or arched, the ridge narrow, the notches slight or obsolete, lower mandible with the angle rather long and narrow, the dorsal line straight or slightly decurved, the edges inclinate, the tip acute. Head moderate, ovate; neck short, body slender. Feet of moderate length, or rather short; tarsus about the same length as the middle toe, compressed, with eight anterior scutella, toes of moderate length, much compressed, hind toe proportionally long, outer adherent at the base; claws rather long, extremely compressed, arched, acute. Wings short or of moderate length. Tail of twelve feathers, generally much rounded. Tongue slender, emarginate and papillate at the base, very narrow, tapering to a lacerated point. Œsophagus of moderate width, without crop; proventriculus bulbiform; stomach of moderate size, oblong, or elliptical, moderately muscular, with the muscles distinct; epithelium dense, longitudinally rugous; intestine short, rather wide; coeca very small; cloaca globular. Trachea simple, with four pairs of inferior laryngeal muscles.

GENUS I. CERTHIA, Linn. TREE-CREEPER.

Bill about the same length as the head, very slender, arched, much compressed, acute; upper mandible with the dorsal line arched, the ridge narrow, the sides sloping at the base, nearly erect in the rest of their extent, the edges sharp, arched, without notch, the tip acute; lower mandible with the angle rather long, narrow, and pointed, the outline decurved, the sides erect and convex, the edges inclinate, the tip acute. Nostrils linear-oblong, operculate. Head ovate; neck short; body slender. Feet rather short, very slender, tarsus rather shorter than the middle toe, very slender, much compressed; toes extremely compressed; the first comparatively large, longer than the middle toe, including the claw; the inner toe shorter than the outer; claws long, moderately arched, slender, extremely compressed, laterally grooved, acute, that of the hind toe very long. Plumage long, loose, very soft. Bristles obsolete. Wings of moderate length, very broad; the first quill very short, the fourth and fifth longest. Tail long, graduated, of twelve moderately stiff pointed feathers.

115. 1. Certhia familiaris, Linn. Brown Tree-Creeper.

Plate CCCCXV. Male and Female.

Upper parts reddish-brown, the head darker, the rump light brownish-red; all the feathers with a central dull whitish streak; wings deep brown, the coverts tipped, the secondaries barred at the base with dull yellow, of which a broad band, in the midst of a brownish-black space, crosses both webs of the quills, excepting the inner webs of the outer four, and the outer webs of the outer three; most of the quills also with a greyish-yellow patch along the outer web toward the tip, which is dull white; tail-feathers yellowish-brown; with shafts of a lighter tint, the webs darker toward the end; a silvery white band over the eye; cheeks dark brown; lower parts silvery white, sides tinged with brown.

Male, 5¹/₂, 8¹/₂.

From Louisiana to Maryland, and in the interior to Kentucky, during winter. From Pennsylvania eastward to Nova Scotia, in summer, breeding in all the intermediate parts. Common.

Brown Creeper, Certhia familiaris, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. i. p. 122.

Certhia familiaris, Bonap. Syn. p. 280.

Brown Creeper, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 585.

Brown Creeper, Certhia familiaris, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. v. p. 158.

GENUS II. TROGLODYTES, Cuv. WREN.

Bill of moderate length, or nearly as long as the head, slender, slightly arched, much compressed toward the end; upper mandible with the dorsal line slightly convex, the edges a little inflected toward the end, the notches slight, the tip rather acute; lower mandible with the angle rather long and narrow, the outline slightly decurved, the sides erect and convex, the edges inclinate, the tip acute. Nostrils oblong, operculate, exposed. Head oblong; neck short; body slender. Feet of ordinary length, rather strong; tarsus longer than the middle toe, compressed, with eight anterior distinct scutella; toes of moderate size, the third and fourth united at the base, the first very large, the lateral nearly equal; claws rather long, moderately arched, much compressed, very acute. Plumage soft and blended. Bristles obsolete. Wings of moderate length, or short, convex, much rounded; the first quill very small, the fourth and fifth longest. Tail rather short, rounded, of twelve slightly arched, weak, rounded feathers.

116. 1. Troglodytes obsoletus, Say. Rock-Wren.

Plate CCCLX. Fig. 4. Female.

Upper parts dull yellowish-brown, and, excepting the rump, barred with greyish-brown; wings similarly barred, excepting the primaries; secondary coverts with a small white spot near the tip; tail-coverts and two middle tail-feathers barred with dusky; the rest broadly tipped with pale yellowish-red, undulated with dusky, behind which is a broad band of brownish-black, the remaining or basal part banded like the central feathers, the outer with four reddish-white spots or bars on the outer web, the intervals being brownish-black, and a spot of white on the inner web; lower parts greyish-white, tinged with sienna, the sides inclining to yellowish-red; lower tail-coverts barred with dusky.

Female, 6, wing 2¹¹/₁₂.

Rocky Mountains and Columbia River. Abundant. Migratory.

Troglodytes obsoleta, Say, Long's Exped.

Troglodytes obsoleta, Bonap. Amer. Orn. v. i. p. 6.

Rocky Mountain Wren, Troglodytes obsoleta, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 435.

Rock Wren, Troglodytes obsoletus, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. iv. p. 443.

117. 2. Troglodytes ludovicianus, Bonap. Great Carolina Wren.

Plate LXXVIII. Male and Female.

Bill stouter than in the last, nearly as long as the head; wing with the fourth and fifth quills longest; tail much rounded; upper parts brownish-red; a yellowish-white streak over the eye, extending far down the neck, and edged above with dark brown; a broader band of reddish-brown behind the eye; quills, coverts, and tail barred with blackish-brown; secondary and first row of small coverts tipped with white, shafts of the latter also white; throat greyish-white, lower parts light reddish-buff, deeper behind; lower tail-coverts white, barred with black. Female lighter above, tinged with grey beneath, without white on the wing-coverts.

Male, 5¹/₂, 7¹/₂.

From Texas to New York, along the Atlantic coast. In the interior to the Missouri, and up the Ohio to Pittsburgh. Resident in the Southern States. Abundant.

Great Carolina Wren, Certhia Caroliniana, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. ii. p. 61.

Troglodytes ludovicianus, Bonap. Syn. p. 93.

Great Carolina Mocking Wren, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 429.

Great Carolina Wren, Troglodytes ludovicianus, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. i. p. 399; v. v. p. 466.

118. 3. Troglodytes Bewickii, Aud. Bewick's Wren.

Plate XVIII. Male.

Bill more slender than that of the last, nearly as long as the head, slightly arched; wing very short, with the fifth quill longest, but little exceeding the fourth and sixth; tail rather long, graduated. Upper parts dusky brown tinged with grey; lower greyish-white, the sides tinged with brown; a band of yellowish-white from the upper mandible over the eye to half-way down the neck; quills and wing-coverts barred with dusky, as are the tail-coverts and two middle tail-feathers; outer web of the lateral tail-feathers, and the terminal portions of the others whitish, barred with black, their middle parts black, toward the base barred with reddish-brown.

Male, 5, 6¹/₂.

From Louisiana to Columbia River on the one hand, and to Pennsylvania on the other, principally on high grounds. Not very common. Migratory.

Bewick's Wren, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 434.

Bewick's Wren, Troglodytes Bewickii, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. i. p. 96; v. v. p. 467.

119. 4. Troglodytes Americanus, Aud. Wood-Wren.

Plate CLXXIX. Male.

Bill of moderate length, nearly straight; wings short, with the third, fourth, and fifth quills almost equal, the fourth longest; tail rather long, much rounded. Upper parts dark reddish-brown, duller and tinged with grey on the head, indistinctly barred with dusky; lower parts brownish-grey, faintly barred on the fore neck, breast, and sides, the abdomen and lower tail-coverts distinctly barred; feathers of the cheeks light grey tipped with brown, wings and tail undulatingly banded with blackish-brown.

Male, 4⁷/₈, 6³/₄.

Northern parts of Vermont and Maine, during summer. Winters in South Carolina. Not very rare.

Wood-Wren, Troglodytes Americana. Aud. Orn. Biog. v. ii. p. 452; v. v. p. 469.

120. 5. Troglodytes Ædon, Vieill. House-Wren.

Plate LXXXIII. Male, Female, and Young.

Bill of moderate length, nearly straight, a little stouter than that of the last; wings short, with the third, fourth, and fifth quills almost equal, the fourth longest; tail rather short, much rounded. Upper parts dull reddish-brown, darker on the head, brighter on the tail-coverts, indistinctly barred with dusky; lower parts brownish-grey, faintly barred on the fore neck and breast, the sides, abdomen, and lower tail-coverts distinctly barred; feathers of the cheeks grey, tipped with brown; wings and tail undulatingly banded with blackish-brown. This species differs from the last in being considerably smaller, in having the bill shorter and stouter, the lower parts more tinged with brown; but the colouring of the two is extremely similar.

Male, 4¹/₂, 5¹/₂.

From Maryland to Nova Scotia, and across the continent to the Columbia River. Very abundant. Migratory.

House Wren, Sylvia domestica, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. i. p. 129.

Troglodytes Ædon, Bonap. Syn. p. 92.

House Wren, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 422.

Troglodytes Ædon, House Wren, Swains. & Rich. F. Bor. Amer. v. ii. p. 316.

House Wren, Troglodytes Ædon, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. i. p. 427; v. v. p. 470.

121. 6. Troglodytes hyemalis, Vieill. Winter-Wren.

Plate CCCLX. Fig. 1. Male. Fig. 2. Female. Fig. 3. Young.

Bill of moderate length, nearly straight; wings shortish, with the fourth quill longest; tail short, much rounded. Upper parts reddish-brown, faintly barred with dusky, darker on the head, brighter on the tail-coverts, quills, and tail; lower parts pale reddish-brown, the sides and abdomen barred with brownish-black and greyish-white; fore neck and breast more faintly barred; lower wing-coverts and axillars greyish-white, barred with dusky, lower tail-coverts brownish-red, barred with dusky, and having the tip white; a whitish streak over the eye; cheeks brown, spotted with brownish-white; secondary coverts, and first small coverts, each with a white spot at the tip, forming two inconspicuous bands; wing-coverts and quills banded with blackish-brown and brownish-red; tail with twelve dusky bands.

This species is very nearly allied to Troglodytes EuropÆus.

Male, 3⁷/₈, 6^1½/₁₂. Female, 3⁵/₈, 5³/₈.

Generally distributed in the middle and southern districts during winter. Breeds from Pennsylvania northwards to Hudson's Bay. Columbia River.

Winter-Wren, Sylvia Troglodytes, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. i. p. 139.

Troglodytes europÆus, Bonap. Syn. p. 93.

Troglodytes hyemalis, Winter Wren, Swains. & Rich. F. Bor. Amer. v. ii. p. 318.

Winter-Wren, Troglodytes hyemalis, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 427.

Winter-Wren, Troglodytes hyemalis, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. iv. p. 430.

122. 7. Troglodytes Parkmanii, Aud. Parkman's Wren.

Bill rather long, slightly arched (much longer, stouter, and more curved than that of the last species); wings of moderate length, with the fourth quill longest; tail rather long, much rounded, (half an inch longer, and more rounded). Upper parts reddish-brown, faintly barred with dusky; lower parts dull brownish-white, sides barred with brownish-black and greyish-white, fore neck and breast with scarcely any markings, lower wing-coverts and axillars greyish-white, obscurely barred with dusky.

Length, 4²/₁₂, wing 2¹/₄.

Columbia River. Not very rare.

Parkman's Wren, Troglodytes Parkmanii, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. v. p. 310.

123. 8. Troglodytes palustris, Wils. Marsh Wren.

Plate C. Male and Female.

Bill rather long, slightly arched; wings short, with the fourth quill longest. Upper parts dark brown, the sides of the head deeper, the fore part of the back brownish-black, longitudinally and conspicuously streaked with white, the quills externally margined with lighter brown, the tail barred with dark brown; a white line over the eye, extending down the neck; the sides of the latter mottled with light brown and grey; the lower parts of a silvery greyish-white; abdominal feathers and lower tail-coverts tipped with brown. Female differs only in having the black of the back of a less deep tint, the white lines less conspicuous, and the lower parts of a duller white.

Male, 5, 6¹/₄.

Breeds from Texas to Massachusetts, along all the shores of the Atlantic. Resident in Louisiana. Occurs accidentally far in the interior.

Marsh-Wren, Troglodytes palustris, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. iii. p. 58.

Troglodytes palustris, Bonap. Syn. p. 93.

Marsh-Wren, Troglodytes palustris, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 439.

Troglodytes palustris, Marsh Wren, Swains. & Rich. F. Bor. Amer. v. ii. p. 319.

Marsh-Wren, Troglodytes palustris, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. i. p. 500; v. v. p. 467.

124. 9. Troglodytes brevirostris, Nutt. Short-billed Marsh-Wren.

Plate CLXXV. Male and Female.

Bill comparatively very short, nearly straight; wings short, very convex, with the third, fourth, and fifth quills almost equal. Upper parts blackish-brown, each feather with a brownish-white line along the shaft, and the outer edge toward the end reddish-brown; quills dusky, the outer webs barred with pale yellowish-brown; upper tail-coverts and tail similarly barred; a pale yellowish streak over the eye; throat and central part of the breast greyish-white, the rest of the lower parts pale reddish-brown, the sides under the wings faintly barred with dusky.

Male, 4³/₈, 5⁵/₈.

Resident during winter from Texas to South Carolina. In spring proceeds as far eastward as Massachusetts, breeding in all the fresh-water marshes.

Short-billed Marsh-Wren, Troglodytes brevirostris, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 436.

Nuttall's Short-billed Marsh-Wren, Troglodytes brevirostris, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. ii. p. 427; v. v. p. 469.

FAMILY X. PARINÆ. TITS.

Bill very short or of moderate length, straight, strong, compressed, rather sharp; both mandibles with the dorsal line sloping and slightly convex, the sides convex, the edges sharp; notches obsolete. Nostrils basal, roundish, concealed by the feathers. Head rather large, roundish; neck short; body short, and rather full. Feet of moderate length, rather stout; tarsus rather short, compressed, with eight distinct scutella; toes large, the three anterior united as far as the second joint, the hind toe much stronger and flattened beneath; claws rather long, stout, arched, much compressed, acute. Plumage very soft, blended, and full. Feathers at the base of the bill directed forwards. Wings of moderate length, much rounded, with the first quill very small, the fourth and fifth longest. Tail rather long, slender, of twelve narrow rounded feathers. Tongue emarginate and papillate at the base, abrupt at the tip, with four bristles. Œsophagus narrow, without dilatation; proventriculus oblong; stomach a rather strong oblong gizzard, with the muscles distinct, the epithelium dense, thin, longitudinally rugous; intestine short, of moderate width; coeca very small; cloaca oblong. Trachea simple, with four pairs of inferior laryngeal muscles.

GENUS I. PARUS, Linn. TIT.

Bill short, stout; upper mandible with the dorsal line slightly decurved toward the end, the edges overlapping, with a slight lobe or festoon near the base, destitute of notch, rather acute; lower mandible with the dorsal outline slightly convex, the edges direct, the tip rather acute. Nostrils roundish, covered by bristly feathers. Head rather large, roundish; neck short. Feet proportionally large; tarsus of moderate length; hind toe very large and strong, the two lateral nearly equal, the outer adherent at the base; claws large, much compressed, very acute. Wings of moderate length, convex. Tail long, or of moderate length, rounded or graduated, of twelve rather narrow feathers.

125. 1. Parus bicolor, Linn. Tufted Titmouse.—Crested Titmouse. Great Chicadee.

Plate XXXIX. Male and Female.

Bill very stout; feathers of the upper part of the head elongated into a crest; tail long, slightly rounded; upper parts leaden-blue, forehead black, lower parts greyish-white, the sides light red.

Male, 6¹/₂, 9.

From Texas, where it breeds, to the Fur Countries, generally distributed eastward of the Rocky Mountains. Resident in the middle, southern, and western districts. Abundant.

Crested Titmouse, Parus bicolor, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. i. p. 187.

Parus bicolor, Bonap. Syn. p. 100.

Tufted Titmouse, Parus bicolor, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 236.

Crested Titmouse, Parus bicolor, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. i. p. 199; v. v. p. 472.

126. 2. Parus atricapillus, Linn. Black-cap Tit.—Black-cap Titmouse, or Chicadee.

Plate CCCLIII. Fig. 3. Male. Fig. 4. Female.

Bill moderately stout; tail long, emarginate, and rounded. Upper part of the head and hind neck, with a large patch on the fore neck, black; cheeks and sides of the neck white; back yellowish-grey; quills and tail-feathers dark greyish-brown, margined with bluish-white; the secondaries broadly edged with white; lower parts pale yellowish-red, the breast white.

Male, 5¹/₈, 8¹/₄.

From Maryland eastward and northward to Lat. 65°. In Kentucky during winter. Never in the southern parts.

Black-capt Titmouse, Parus atricapillus, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. i. p. 134.

Parus atricapillus, Bonap. Syn. p. 100.

Black-capt Titmouse, Nutt. Man. p. 241.

Black-capt Titmouse, Parus atricapillus, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. iv. p. 374.

127. 3. Parus Carolinensis, Aud. Carolina Tit.

Plate CLX. Male and Female.

Bill very short, moderately stout; tail rather long, emarginate, and rounded. Upper part of the head and hind neck, with a large patch on the fore neck, black; cheeks and sides of the neck greyish-white; back yellowish-grey; quills and tail-feathers dark greyish-brown, margined with bluish-white, secondaries not conspicuously; lower parts greyish-white, tinged with yellow. This species is very similar to the last, but much inferior in size.

Male, 4¹/₄, 6.

Breeds from Texas to New Jersey. Rather abundant. Resident.

Carolina Titmouse, Parus Carolinensis, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. ii. p. 341; v. v. p. 474.

128. 4. Parus Hudsonicus, Lath. Hudson's Bay Tit.

Plate CXCIV. Male, Female, and Young.

Bill short, moderately stout; tail long, emarginate, and considerably rounded. Upper parts dull light brown, tinged with grey; fore neck black; cheeks and sides of the neck white; breast and abdomen white, sides light yellowish-brown.

Male, 5, 7.

Northern parts of Maine, during winter. Breeds from New Brunswick to Labrador and Hudson's Bay. Common. Migratory.

Parus Hudsonicus, Lath. Ind. Orn. v. ii. p. 566.

Hudson's Bay Titmouse, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. ii. p. 543.

129. 5. Parus rufescens, Towns. Chestnut-backed Tit.

Plate CCCLIII. Fig. 1. Male. Fig. 2. Female.

Bill moderately stout; tail rather long, emarginate, scarcely rounded; upper part of head and hind neck dark brown, fore neck of a deeper tint of the same; cheeks and sides of neck white; back, rump, and sides of the body under the wings bright chestnut; the rest of the lower parts greyish-white.

Male, 4¹/₂, wing, 2³/₈.

Columbia River. Abundant. Resident.

Parus rufescens, Chestnut-backed Titmouse, Towns. Journ. Acad. Nat. Sc. Philadelphia, v. vii. p. 190.

Chestnut-backed Titmouse, Parus rufescens, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. iv. p. 371.

130. 6. Parus minimus, Towns. Chestnut-crowned Tit.

Plate CCCLIII. Fig. 5. Male. Fig. 6. Female.

Upper mandible with its outline more arched, the tip acute and considerably elongated; tail very long, emarginate, and much rounded; upper part of the head and hind neck pale brown; upper parts brownish-grey; wings and tail dusky, margined with greyish-white; cheeks of a paler tint than the head; all the lower parts brownish-white, the sides tinged with reddish.

Male, 4¹/₂, wing, 1^10½/₁₂.

Columbia River. Common. Migratory.

Parus minimus, Chestnut-crowned Titmouse, Towns. Journ. Acad. Nat. Sc. Philadelphia, v. vii. p. 190.

Chestnut-crowned Titmouse, Parus minimus, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. iv. p. 382.

FAMILY XI. SYLVIANÆ. WARBLERS.

Bill of moderate length, slender, straight, a little broader than high at the base, compressed toward the end; upper mandible with its dorsal line straight and declinate, convex at the end, the tip small, acute, the notches small; lower mandible with the angle of moderate length and narrow, the dorsal line straight, the sides convex, the tip narrow. Nostrils basal, oval or oblong. Head rather large, ovate; neck short; body rather slender. Feet of ordinary length, slender; tarsus compressed, with seven anterior scutella; toes moderate, compressed; first stouter, second and fourth nearly equal, third much longer, and adherent at the base; claws moderate, arched, slender, compressed, acute. Plumage soft and blended. Bristles short or weak. Wings of moderate length or long; the first quill very small, the second, third, and fourth longest. Tail long or of moderate length, of twelve feathers. Tongue, sagittate, slender, tapering to a slit and lacerated point. Œsophagus rather narrow, without crop; proventriculus oblong; stomach a gizzard of moderate strength, with the muscles distinct, the epithelium dense and rugous; intestine of moderate length; coeca very small. Trachea simple, with four pairs of inferior laryngeal muscles.

Of this family, which in Europe is so numerous, there are in North America only two genera, Regulus and Sialia, the former composed of very small birds, allied in manners to the Tits, the latter approaching the Thrushes in form. The connecting links being wanting with us, these genera might seem at first sight very dissimilar.

GENUS I. REGULUS, Cuv. KINGLET.

Bill short, straight, very slender, a little broader than high at the base, compressed toward the end; upper mandible nearly straight in its dorsal outline, the edges slightly notched, the tip a little declinate, acute; lower mandible with its outline ascending, nearly straight, the tip acute. Nostrils basal, elliptical, concealed by the reversed feathers. Head large, broadly ovate; neck short; body short. Legs rather long; tarsus slender, longer than the middle toe, much compressed, scutella blended, excepting the lower four toes, rather small, much compressed, hind toe large; lateral equal; claws rather long, arched, much compressed, acute. Plumage very loose and full. Short bristles at the base of the bill. Feathers of the head elongated and silky in the adults. Wings of ordinary length, with the first quill very small, the fourth and fifth longest. Tail of ordinary length, emarginate.

131. 1. Regulus Cuvieri, Aud. Cuvier's Kinglet.

Plate LV. Male.

Upper parts dull greyish-olive; anterior part of forehead, lore, and a line behind the eye, black; a greyish-white band across the forehead over the eye; a semilunar band of black on the forehead and sides of the head, enclosing a vermilion space; wings and tail dusky, edged with greenish-yellow; secondary coverts, and first row of small coverts tipped with greyish-white; lower parts greyish-white.

Male, 4¹/₄, 6.

Pennsylvania. Only one specimen found.

Cuvier's Crested Wren, Regulus Cuvierii, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 416.

Cuvier's Regulus, Regulus Cuvierii, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. i. p. 288.

132. 2. Regulus Satrapa, Lichtenstein. American Golden-crested Kinglet.

Plate CLXXXIII. Male and Female.

Male with the upper parts yellowish-green, changing to ash-grey on the neck and sides of the head, to greenish-yellow on the rump; a band of greyish-white across the anterior part of the forehead, which, at the eye, separates into two bands, one extending over, the other under the eye; above this, a broadish band of black, also margining the head on either side; the inner webs and tips of the feathers of this black band pure yellow; the crown of the head, in the included space, bright orange with silky gloss; a dusky spot at the anterior angle of the eye; an obscure dusky line from the angle of the mouth to beneath the eye; quills and coverts dusky, the former margined with greenish-yellow; secondary coverts and first row of small coverts broadly tipped with yellowish-white; base of all the quills, except the four outer yellowish-white; from the seventh primary to the innermost secondary but two, a broad bar of blackish-brown; tail dusky, the feathers edged with greenish-yellow, lower parts greyish-white. Female differs chiefly in having pale yellow substituted for the flame colour of the crown, and less grey on the hind neck. Young without coloured feathers on the head.

Male, 4, 7.

Breeds in Labrador and Newfoundland. In autumn migrates to the Southern States, as far as Texas. Columbia River.

Golden-crested Wren, Sylvia Regulus, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. i. p. 126.

Regulus cristatus, Bonap. Syn. p. 91.

American Fiery-crowned Wren, Regulus tricolor, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 420.

American Golden-crested Wren, Regulus tricolor, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. ii. p. 476.

133. 3. Regulus Calendula, Linn. Ruby-crowned Kinglet.

Plate CXCV. Male and Female.

Upper parts greenish-olive, anteriorly tinged with grey, on the rump inclining to yellow; a patch of vermilion on the crown of the head; quills and tail dusky, edged with greenish-yellow; secondary coverts and first row of small coverts tipped with greyish-white, a circle of the same round the eye; lower parts greenish-white. Female similar, with the tints duller, especially the greenish-yellow of the wings. Young without the coloured patch on the crown, and more deeply tinged with yellow beneath.

Male, 4¹/₄, 6.

Breeds in Labrador. In autumn migrates to the Southern States, as far as Texas. Abundant.

Ruby-crowned Wren, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. i. p. 83.

Regulus Calendula, Bonap. Syn. p. 91.

Ruby-crowned Wren, Sylvia Calendula, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 415.

Ruby-crowned Regulus, Regulus Calendula, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. ii. p. 546.

GENUS II. SIALIA, Swains. BLUE BIRD.

Bill of ordinary length, nearly straight, broader than high at the base, compressed toward the end; upper mandible with the dorsal line straight and slightly declinate, until near the end, when it becomes convex, the ridge narrow, the sides convex toward the end, the edges overlapping, with a distinct notch close to the narrow deflected tip; lower mandible with the angle of moderate length, and narrow, the dorsal line straight, the sides convex, the edges direct, the tip narrow. Nostrils basal, oval. Head rather large, ovate, neck short; body moderately full. Feet of ordinary length, rather slender; tarsus shorter than the middle toe and claw, its lower scutella only distinct; toes of moderate length, the first stouter, the lateral equal, the third much longer; the fourth adherent at the base; claws moderate, well curved, compressed, laterally grooved, acute. Plumage soft and blended; short bristles at the base of the upper mandible. Wings very long, pointed; the first quill very small, second, third, and fourth longest. Tail rather long, emarginate, of twelve rather strong feathers.

134. 1. Sialia Wilsoni, Swains. Common Blue Bird.

Plate CXIII. Male, Female, and Young.

Male with the upper parts ultramarine blue, the lower parts light chestnut-red, excepting the abdomen, which is white. Female with the upper parts dull greyish-blue, brighter behind; lower parts as in the male, but much duller. Young with the upper part of the head, hind neck, and part of the back greyish-brown, the rest as in the female, the lower parts light grey, the feathers on the breast and sides margined with brown.

Male, 7, 10. Female, 6¹/₂.

Generally distributed from Texas to the Fur Countries. Vast numbers spend the winter in the Southern States. Columbia River. Migratory.

Blue Bird, Sylvia Sialis, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. i. p. 56.

Saxicola Sialis, Bonap. Syn. p. 39.

Erythaca (Sialia) Wilsonii, Swains. & Rich. F. Bor. Amer. v. ii. p. 210.

Blue Bird, Ampelis Sialis, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 444.

Blue Bird, Sylvia Sialis, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. ii. p. 84; v. v. p. 452.

135. 2. Sialia occidentalis, Townsend. Western Blue Bird.

Plate CCCXCIII. Fig. 4. Male. Fig. 5. Female.

Male with the upper parts and throat ultramarine blue; fore part of back, breast, and sides, light chestnut-red; rest of lower parts light blue, the abdomen whitish. Female with the upper parts dull greyish-blue, the back tinged with brown, the wing-coverts and rump brighter; lower parts pale red, the abdomen light grey.

Male, 7; wing, 4⁵/₁₂. Female, 6³/₄.

North California, and Oregon Territory. Abundant. Migratory.

Sialia occidentalis, Western Blue Bird, Towns. Journ. Acad. Nat. Sc. Philadelphia, v. vii. p. 188.

Western Blue Bird, Sylvia occidentalis, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. v. p. 41.

136. 3. Sialia arctica, Swains. Arctic Blue Bird.

Plate CCCXCIII. Fig. 2. Male. Fig. 3. Female.

Male with the upper parts light ultramarine, with a tinge of green; sides of the head, fore neck, and sides of neck, and the anterior half of the breast, light greenish-blue, that colour gradually fading into white behind. Female with the upper parts light greyish-brown, the rump and wing-coverts blue; fore part of neck and anterior portion of the breast reddish-grey, the rest of the lower parts pale brownish-grey.

Male, 7¹/₄; wing, 4^7½/₁₂. Female, 6³/₄; wing, 4²/₁₂.

Columbia River, Rocky Mountains, and Fur Countries. Abundant. Migratory.

Erythaca (Sialia) Arctica, Arctic Blue Bird, Swains. & Rich. F. Bor. Amer. v. ii. p. 209.

Arctic Blue Bird, Sialia Arctica, Nutt. Man. v. ii. p. 573.

Arctic Blue Bird, Sylvia Arctica, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. v. p. 38.

FAMILY XII. TURDINÆ. THRUSHES.

Bill short, or of moderate length, rather strong, straight, compressed toward the end; upper mandible with its dorsal outline a little convex and declinate, the tip small, rather acute, the notches small; lower mandible with the angle rather short, of moderate width, the dorsal line straight, the sides convex, the tip acute. Head oblong, compressed, of moderate size; neck rather short; body moderate. Eyes of moderate size. External aperture of ear large and roundish. Feet of moderate strength; tarsus compressed, with seven anterior scutella; toes rather strong, compressed; first, second, and fourth, nearly equal, third much longer, and adherent to the fourth at the base; claws rather long, arched, compressed, laterally grooved, acute. Plumage rather blended. Bristles small. Wings of moderate length, broad, rounded; the first quill very small, third and fourth longest. Tail of twelve feathers, varying in length. Tongue sagittate, and papillate at the base, slender, tapering, its tip slit. Œsophagus rather narrow, without crop; proventriculus oblong; stomach a gizzard of moderate strength, its lateral and lower muscles distinct; the epithelium dense and rugous; intestine of moderate length; coeca very small, cylindrical. Trachea simple, with four pairs of inferior laryngeal muscles.

GENUS I. CINCLUS, Bechst. DIPPER.

Bill rather short, slender, slightly ascending, much compressed toward the end; upper mandible with its dorsal line straight until toward the end, the ridge rounded, the sides convex, the edges somewhat inflected, with an obscure notch close to the narrow deflected tip; lower mandible slightly bent upwards, the angle medial and very narrow, the dorsal line ascending and slightly convex, the tip narrow and rather acute. Nostrils linear, direct, exposed. General form short, full, and compact. Head oblong, compressed. Legs strong; tarsus of moderate length, compressed, covered anteriorly with a long undivided plate and four inferior scutella; toes rather large and strong; claws arched, much compressed, laterally grooved, that of the hind toe considerably larger. Plumage ordinary, rather blended. Bristles obsolete. Wings rather short, convex, rounded. Tail short, even.

137. 1. Cinclus Americanus, Swains. American Dipper.

Plate CCCLXX. Adult. Plate CCCCXXXV. Young.

GENUS II. ORPHEUS, Swains. MOCKING-BIRD.

Bill of moderate length or longish, rather slender, straight or slightly arched, broader than high at the base, compressed toward the end, acute; upper mandible with the ridge rather narrow, the sides convex toward the end, the notches very slight, the tip narrow; lower mandible with the angle of moderate length, the dorsal line straight or slightly decurved toward the end, the sides nearly erect, the tip narrow. Nostrils oblong, partially concealed by the feathers. Head of ordinary size, ovato-oblong; neck of moderate length; body rather slender. Feet of ordinary length, slender; tarsus scarcely so long as the middle toe and claw; hind toe of moderate length, stout, lateral toes equal; claws moderate, arched, compressed, acute. Plumage soft and blended. Bristles rather long. Wings of ordinary length, broad, rounded, the first quill very small, the fourth and fifth longest. Tail very long, straight, much rounded, or graduated.

138. 1. Orpheus polyglottus, Linn. Grey Mocking-Bird.

Plate XXI. Male and Female.

Upper parts light grey tinged with yellowish-brown; feathers of the wings and tail greyish-black; primary coverts white, as are the primary quills in their proximal part; secondary coverts and first row of small coverts tipped with white; outer tail-feather white, as are the greater part of the next, and a portion of the third toward the end; lower parts greyish-white, on the breast tinged with brown, on the sides and under the tail with yellow. Female smaller, with the tints duller, and the white markings on the wings less extended.

Male, 9¹/₂, 13¹/₂. Female, 9, 12¹/₂.

From Texas to Massachusetts. In the interior up the Mississippi and Ohio, to Henderson in Kentucky. Abundant and resident in the southern parts.

Mocking Bird, Turdus polyglottus, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. ii. p. 14.

Turdus polyglottus, Bonap. Syn. p. 74.

Mocking Bird, Turdus polyglottus, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 320.

Mocking Bird, Turdus polyglottus, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. i. p. 108; v. v. p. 438.

139. 2. Orpheus montanus, Townsend. Mountain Mocking-Bird.

Plate CCCLXIX. Fig. 1. Male.

Upper parts greyish-brown; feathers of the wings and tail greyish-black; tips of secondary coverts, edges of primary quills, and a large spot at the end of the three lateral tail-feathers, white; lower parts whitish, marked with triangular dusky spots, of which there is a distinct line from the base of the bill; throat, middle of the breast, abdomen, and lower tail-coverts, unspotted.

Male, 8; wing, 3⁹/₁₂.

Rocky Mountains. Common. Migratory.

Orpheus montanus, Mountain Mocking-Bird, Towns. Journ. Acad. Nat. Sc. Philadelphia, v. vii. p. 192.

Mountain Mocking Bird, Turdus montanus, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. iv. p. 487.

140. 3. Orpheus Carolinensis, Linn. Black-capped Mocking-Bird.—Cat Bird.

Plate CXXVIII. Male and Female.

Blackish-grey, lighter beneath; upper part of head black; lower tail-coverts deep red. Female with the tints duller. Lateral tail-feathers more or less banded with lighter, sometimes whitish tints.

Male, 9, 12.

From Texas to Massachusetts, inland to the Missouri. Accidental in the Fur Countries. Constant resident in the Southern States. Abundant.

Cat Bird, Turdus lividus, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. ii. p. 90.

Turdus felivox, Bonap. Syn. p. 75.

Orpheus felivox, Cat Bird, Swains. & Rich. F. Bor. Amer. v. ii. p. 192.

Cat Bird, Turdus felivox, Nutt. Man. v. ii. p. 332.

Cat Bird, Turdus felivox, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. ii. p. 171; v. v. p. 440.

141. 4. Orpheus rufus, Linn. Ferruginous Mocking-Bird.—Thrushes. Brown Thrush.

Bill and tail more elongated than in the other species, wings shorter. Upper parts light brownish-red; inner webs of quills dusky. Wings crossed by two white bars margined anteriorly with black, being on the tips of the first row of small and secondary coverts; lower parts yellowish-white, the breast and sides marked with triangular dark brown spots. Female smaller.

Male, 11¹/₂, 13.

From Texas eastward, and to the Fur Countries, breeding everywhere. Abundant, and resident in the Southern and Western States.

Ferruginous Thrush, Turdus rufus, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. ii. p. 83.

Turdus rufus, Bonap. Syn. p. 75.

Orpheus rufus, Fox-coloured Mocking-Bird, Swains. & Rich. F. Bor. Amer. v. ii. p. 189.

Ferruginous Thrush or Thrasher, Turdus rufus, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 328.

Ferruginous Thrush, Turdus rufus, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. ii. p. 102; v. v. p. 441.

GENUS IV. TURDUS, Linn. THRUSH.

Bill of moderate length or shortish, rather stout, straight, broader than high at the base, compressed toward the end, acute; upper mandible with the ridge rather narrow, the sides convex toward the end, the notches small, the tip narrow; lower mandible with the angle of moderate length, the dorsal line ascending, slightly convex, the sides rounded, the tip narrow. Nostrils oblong, partially concealed by the feathers. Head of ordinary size, ovate; neck rather short; body rather full. Feet longish, rather strong; tarsus as long as the middle toe and claw; hind toe rather stout; lateral toes equal; claws arched, compressed, acute. Plumage soft and rather blended. Wings of moderate length, rounded, the first quill very small, the third and fourth longest. Tail rather long, nearly even.

142. 1. Turdus migratorius, Linn. Migratory Thrush.—Robin.

Plate CXXXI. Male, Female, and Young.

Male with the bill yellow, the upper part and sides of the head black; upper parts dark grey with an olivaceous tinge; quills blackish-brown, margined with light grey; tail brownish-black, the outer two feathers tipped with white; three white spots about the eye, throat white, densely streaked with black; lower part of fore neck, breast, sides, axillars, and lower wing-coverts reddish-orange; abdomen white; lower tail-coverts dusky, tipped with white. Female with the tints paler. Young with the fore neck, breast, and sides, pale-reddish, spotted with dusky, the upper parts darker than in the adult. Bill at first dusky, ultimately pure yellow.

Male, 10, 14. Female, 9, 13.

From Texas eastward and northward, to the Fur Countries. Throughout the interior. Winters in abundance in all the southern States. Columbia River. Abundant.

Robin, Turdus migratorius, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. i. p. 35.

Turdus migratorius, Bonap. Syn. p. 75.

Merula migratoria, Red-breasted Thrush, Swains. & Rich. F. Bor. Amer. v. ii. p. 176.

American Robin or Migratory Thrush, Turdus migratorius, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 338.

American Robin or Migratory Thrush, Turdus migratorius, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. ii. p. 190; v. v. p. 442.

143. 2. Turdus nÆvius, Gmel. Varied Thrush.

Plate CCCLXIX. Fig. 2, 3. Male. Plate CCCCXXXIII. Fig. 6. Female.

Male with the bill black, the upper parts deep leaden-grey, the head darker; quills and tail-feathers dusky, the outer webs of the latter tinged with grey, and their tips white; lore dusky; a band of reddish-orange from over the fore part of the eye down the side of the neck; two conspicuous bands of the same crossing the wing obliquely, being formed by the tips of the first row of small coverts, and those of the secondary coverts; outer webs of primary coverts about the middle, a band on the primaries near the base, part of their outer webs towards the end, and the tips of the secondaries pale reddish-orange; lower parts light reddish-orange, paler behind; a band of greyish-black passing down the side of the neck, and a belt of the same crossing its lower part; feathers of the sides tipped with bluish-grey; those of the middle of the abdomen white; lower tail-coverts tipped with white; axillar feathers white, tipped with grey, smaller coverts grey, tipped with reddish-white; primary coverts grey, secondary nearly white. Female similar, with the upper parts tinged with olive-brown, the reddish-orange bands much paler, the tail-feathers margined with dull reddish-brown; a band on the lore down the sides of the neck and across it light greyish-brown; the orange tints of the lower parts much paler.

Male, 10¹/₂, wing, 5¹/₄. Female, 10, wing, 5²/₁₂.

Columbia River, North California, and Fur Countries. Abundant. Migratory.

Orpheus meruloides, Thrush-like Mock-Bird, Swains. & Rich. F. Bor. Amer. v. ii. p. 187.

Varied Thrush, Turdus nÆvius, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. iv. p. 489; v. v. p. 284.

144. 3. Turdus mustelinus, Gmel. Wood-Thrush.

Plate LXXIII. Male and Female.

Upper parts light yellowish-brown, the head and hind neck of a tint approaching to reddish-orange; the rump and tail-coverts duller and of an olivaceous tint; quills and tail-coverts light olive-brown, the outer webs of the coverts and quills like the back; eyes margined with a whitish circle; lower parts white, anteriorly tinged with yellow, the sides and lower part of the neck, the fore part of the breast, and the sides of the body marked with large roundish or broadly ovato-triangular decided brownish-black spots.

Male, 8, 13.

From Texas to Nova Scotia, and throughout the interior. Many spend the winter in Louisiana, Florida, and Texas. Abundant.

Wood Thrush, Turdus melodus, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. i. p. 35.

Turdus mustelinus, Bonap. Syn. p. 75.

Wood Thrush, Turdus mustelinus, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 343.

Wood Thrush, Turdus mustelinus, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. i. p. 372; v. v. p. 446.

145. 4. Turdus Wilsoni, Bonap. Tawny Thrush.

Plate CLXVI. Male.

Wings with the third quill largest, the fourth scarcely shorter, and slightly exceeding the second. Upper parts uniform light reddish-brown, a little deeper on the head; quill and tail-coverts light olive-brown, the outer webs of the former like the back; lower parts greyish-white, the sides and lower part of the neck, and a small portion of the breast tinged with pale yellowish-brown, and marked with small faint and undecided triangular brown spots. Female an inch less in length than the male, but otherwise similar.

Male, 7²/₁₂, 12.

From Texas to the Fur Countries, as well as in the interior. Resident in winter in the Floridas, though the greater number remove beyond the United States. Rather abundant.

Tawny Thrush, Turdus mustelinus, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. v. p. 98.

Turdus Wilsonii, Bonap. Syn. p. 76.

Merula minor (Swainson), Little Tawny Thrush, Swains. & Rich. F. Bor. Amer. v. ii. p. 179, Plate 36. The description and figure clearly refer to the present species.

Wilson's Thrush or Veery, Turdus Wilsonii, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 349.

Tawny Thrush, Turdus Wilsonii, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. ii. p. 362; v. v. p. 446.

146. 5. Turdus solitarius, Wils. Hermit Thrush.

Plate LVIII. Male and Female.

Wings with the fourth quill longest, the third and fifth equal and slightly shorter, the second nearly equal to the sixth. Upper parts light olivaceous brown, the rump and upper tail-coverts brownish-red, as is the tail; quills dusky brown, margined with reddish-brown; a whitish ring round the eye; lower parts white, the sides tinged with greyish-olive, the fore part of the neck very slightly with yellowish-brown, and marked with rather decided ovato-triangular dusky brown spots of moderate size. The female is smaller, but otherwise similar.

Male, 7, 10¹/₂.

From Texas to the Fur Countries. Resident in winter from the Carolinas southward. Rather common.

Hermit Thrush, Turdus solitarius, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. v. p. 95.

Turdus minor, Bonap. Syn. p. 75.

Little or Hermit Thrush, Turdus minor, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 346.

Merula solitaria, Hermit Thrush, Swains. & Rich. F. Bor. Amer. v. ii. p. 184.

Hermit Thrush, Turdus minor, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. i. p. 303; v. v. p. 445.

147. 6. Turdus nanus, Aud. Dwarf Thrush.

Plate CCCCXIX. Fig. 1. Male.

Wings with the fourth quill longest, the third and fifth equal and slightly shorter, the second shorter than the sixth. Upper parts light olivaceous-brown, the rump and upper tail-coverts brownish-red, as is the tail; quills dusky brown, margined with light brownish-red; a whitish ring round the eye; lower parts greyish-white, the sides tinged with greyish-brown, the neck and breast tinged with yellowish-red, and marked with broad triangular blackish-brown spots, becoming fainter on the hind part of the breast and sides.

Although this species closely resembles the last in its colours, and the proportions of the quills, it is yet so much inferior in size, and its bill, tarsi, and toes are so much shorter, that it cannot be considered otherwise than as distinct.

Male 6, 9¹/₂.

Columbia River. Accidental in the Middle Atlantic districts. Migratory.

Turdus nanus, Dwarf Thrush, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. v. p. 201.

FAMILY XIII. MOTACILLINÆ. WAGTAILS.

Bill of moderate length, straight, slender, a little broader than high at the base, compressed toward the end; upper mandible with the dorsal line sloping, a little convex toward the end, the nostrils slight, the tip acute; lower mandible with the angle rather long and narrow, the dorsal line ascending and scarcely convex, the edges somewhat involute, the tip acute. General form slender; head ovato-oblong; neck short. Feet of ordinary length, slender; toes very slender, the lateral equal, the outer adherent at the base, the hind toe rather large; claws rather long, arched, compressed, acute, that of the hind toe generally very long. Plumage soft and blended. Bristles small. Wings long and pointed, one of the minor secondaries often much elongated and tapering. Tongue sagittate, slender, with the tip slit; oesophagus uniform; stomach a very muscular gizzard, roundish, with large tendons, and thin rugous epithelium; intestine of moderate length; coeca very small. Trachea simple, with four pairs of inferior laryngeal muscles.

This family is connected with the TurdinÆ by Seiurus, and with the AlandinÆ by Anthus, which are the only two American genera.

GENUS I. SEIURUS, Swains. WOOD-WAGTAILS.

Bill rather short, straight, slightly broader than deep at the base, compressed toward the end, the edges a little inflected, the dorsal lines of both mandibles slightly convex, the notches very slight, the tip acute. Nostrils basal elliptical. General form slender; head ovato-oblong. Feet of ordinary length; tarsus slender, compressed, covered anteriorly with a long undivided piece and three inferior scutella; toes of moderate length, slender; the first a little stouter than the third, the inner slightly shorter than the outer, which is adherent at the base; claws of moderate length, very slender, much compressed, moderately arched, acute. Plumage soft, blended. Bristles very small. Wings of moderate length; the first or outer quill little shorter than the third, which is longest. Tail of moderate length, even.

148. 1. Seiurus aurocapillus, Lath. Golden-crowned Wood-Wagtail.

Plate CXLIII. Male and Female.

Upper parts yellowish-olive, the crown brownish-orange, with two lateral bands of brownish-black spots; lower parts white, the throat with two lateral lines of brownish-black, the lower neck, fore part of breast, and sides, marked with triangular spots of the same. Female similar to the male. Young without the orange crown.

Male, 6, 9.

From Texas eastward. Fur Countries. Not seen in Labrador. Throughout the interior. Resident in Florida, Louisiana, and Texas. Abundant.

Golden-crowned Thrush, Turdus aurocapillus, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. ii. p. 88.

Sylvia aurocapilla, Bonap. Syn. p. 77.

Seiurus aurocapillus, Golden-crowned accentor, Swains. & Rich. F. Bor. Amer. v. ii. p. 227.

Golden-crowned Thrush or Oven Bird, Turdus aurocapillus, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 355.

Golden-crowned Thrush, Turdus aurocapillus, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. ii. p. 253; v. v. p. 447.

149. 2. Seiurus NovÆboracensis, Gmel. Aquatic Wood-Wagtail.

Plate XIX. Plate CCCCXXXIII. Fig. 7.

Upper parts dull greenish-brown, wings and tail dark chocolate-brown, lower parts pale yellow; a streak of the latter from the bill over the eye; loral space, and a streak behind the eye dusky; cheeks yellowish-grey, streaked with brown; the whole fore part and sides of the neck, the breast, and sides, marked with triangular blackish-brown spots, which are more elongated on the sides; abdomen and lower tail-coverts unspotted; bill dusky; feet flesh-coloured and transparent. Individuals vary, the throat sometimes without spots, the lower parts pale or yellowish-white, the feet dusky tinged with purple.

Male, 6²/₁₂, 9¹/₂. Female, 5⁸/₁₂, 8⁷/₁₂.

In winter resident from Texas to Florida, including Louisiana. In summer migrates as far as the Fur Countries. Not Abundant.

Water Thrush, Turdus aquaticus, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. iii. p. 66.

Sylvia novÆboracensis, Bonap. Syn. p. 77.

Seiurus aquaticus, Aquatic Accentor, Swains. & Rich. F. Bor. Amer. v. ii. p. 229.

New York or Aquatic Thrush, Turdus novÆboracensis, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 353.

Louisiana Water Thrush, Turdus ludovicianus, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. i. p. 99.

Common Water Thrush, Turdus aquaticus, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. v. p. 284.

GENUS II. ANTHUS, Bechst. PIPIT.

Bill of moderate length, straight, very slender, as broad as high at the base, compressed toward the end; upper mandible with the ridge narrow at the base, the notches slight, the tip a little deflected; lower mandible with the dorsal line straight, the edges involute, the tip acute. General form very slender. Tarsus of moderate length, much compressed; toes slender; claws arched, extremely compressed, acute, that of the hind toe much elongated. Plumage soft and blended. Wings long; the outer three quills about equal and longest; inner secondaries tapering, one of them nearly as long as the outer primaries when the wing is closed. Tail rather long, emarginate.

150. 1. Anthus Ludovicianus, Lichtenstein. American Pipit.

Plate X. Male and Female. Plate LXXX. Young.

Hind claw longer than the toe, slightly arched, and very slender. Male, in winter plumage, with the bill dusky, the legs and claws deep greenish-brown; upper parts greyish-olive, tinged with green, and obscurely streaked with dusky; a whitish band over the eye, cheeks brown; lower parts brownish-white, the throat white, the sides and lower part of the neck, fore part of breast, and sides of body marked with elongated, distinct, blackish-brown spots; quills and tail-feathers dusky, margined with greenish-grey, the lateral tail-feathers half white, the next obliquely white at the end. Female similar. Male in summer with the bill black, the upper parts olive-brown, tinged with grey; a greyish-white line over the eye, cheeks greyish-brown; lower parts light yellowish-grey, the fore neck and breast often deeply tinged with red, and marked with short, slender, brownish-black spots, the sides streaked; quills and tail-feathers as in winter with the pale margins less distinct. Young more tinged with green above, the bill paler, with a great part of the lower mandible yellowish-red, the lower parts pale yellowish-grey, with an obscure lunule of brownish-black on the fore neck, the lower part of which and the sides are streaked with dark brown, and tinged with reddish-brown.

Male, 6¹/₂, 10¹/₂.

Throughout the Western and Southern Districts during autumn and winter. Breeds in Labrador and the Fur Countries. Abundant.

Brown Lark, Alauda rufa, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. v. p. 89.

Anthus Spinoletta, Bonap. Syn. p. 90.

Brown Titlark, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. i. p 49. Adult.

Prairie Titlark, Anthus pipiens, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. i. p. 408, Young. Brown Titlark and Prairie Titlark, v. v. p. 449.

This species is nearly allied to Anthus aquaticus and A. pratensis, more especially to the latter, from which it is distinguished by having the bill much stouter, the tarsus longer, the hind claws stouter, more curved, and much shorter, the colour of the feet much darker, in being always much more rufous beneath, and in sometimes, when the summer is advanced, being almost entirely unspotted there. From A. aquaticus it is at once distinguished by the whitish band over the eye, and the white on the outer tail-feathers. It indeed seems wonderful that any ornithologist should have mistaken it for that species.

FAMILY XIV. ALAUDINÆ. LARKS.

Bill rather short, or of moderate length, somewhat conical, compressed toward the end; upper mandible with its dorsal line sloping and slightly convex, the edges sharp and overlapping, the notches generally obsolete; the tip narrow and a little deflected; lower mandible with the angle of moderate length and narrow, the dorsal line ascending and nearly straight, the edges slightly inflected, the tip acute; gape-line straight. Nostrils elliptical or oblong, basal. Head oblong, of moderate size; neck rather short; body ovate. Feet of moderate length, or rather long; tarsus compressed, with eight anterior scutella; toes slender, compressed; the hind toe elongated, second and fourth about equal, third much longer. Claws rather long, arched, slender, much compressed, laterally grooved, acute, that of the hind toe very long, straightish, tapering. Plumage generally soft and blended. Wings rather long, broad, the inner secondaries tapering, and one so elongated as nearly to equal the longest primary, when the wing is closed. Tail of twelve feathers, generally emarginate. Roof of the upper mandible concave, generally with three prominent lines; tongue slender, thin, flat, tapering to a slit and bristly tip; oesophagus of uniform width; stomach a very strong muscular gizzard of a roundish form and compressed, its lateral muscles very large, its epithelium dense and rugous; intestines short, of moderate width; coeca very small, cylindrical. Nest on the ground. Eggs five or six, oval, spotted.

GENUS I. ALAUDA, Linn. LARK.

Bill rather short, stout, somewhat conical, compressed, straightish, acute; upper mandible with the dorsal line slightly arched, the edges without notch, the tip acute; lower mandible with the dorsal line ascending, slightly convex, the edges a little inflected, the tip acute. Head rather large; neck short; body ovate. Legs of ordinary length, anteriorly scutellate; lateral toes nearly equal, hind toe of moderate size, with a very long, tapering, acute, and nearly straight claw. Plumage rather dense and compact. Wings of moderate length, the second and third quills longest; inner secondaries much elongated. Tail of moderate length, emarginate.

151. 1. Alauda alpestris, Linn. Shore Lark.—Horned Lark.

Male with two erectile pointed tufts of feathers on the anterior lateral parts of the head. In winter the upper parts dusky brown, the feathers paler on the edges; on the forehead a recurved crescentic band of brownish-black; another curved downwards, proceeding on each side from the base of the upper mandible; a band of yellowish-white over the eye and forehead; throat pale-yellow, with a broad dusky patch on the lower neck, the rest of the lower parts brownish-white; quills dusky, tail-feathers blackish, excepting the two middle, which are reddish-brown, like the upper tail-coverts. In summer, the brownish-black bands on the head and neck become deep black, the throat and frontal band white, and the upper parts light brownish-red. Female dusky brown above, dull white beneath; the wings and tail as in the male, but the black bands on the head and neck wanting. Young from the nest with the upper parts deep brown, mottled with pale reddish-brown, lower parts pale yellowish-grey.

Male, 7¹/₂, 14.

Breeds in Labrador and northwards. Migrates in autumn southward, as far as the Texas. Not uncommon in the Western Country at that season.

Shore Lark, Alauda cornuta, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. i. p. 85.

Alauda alpestris, Bonap. Syn. p. 102.

Horned or Shore Lark, Alauda cornuta. Swains. & Rich. F. Bor. Amer. v. ii. p. 245.

Shore Lark, Nutt. Man. v. i. p.

Shore Lark, Alauda alpestris, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. ii. p. 570; v. v. p. 488.

FAMILY XV. FRINGILLINÆ. FINCHES.

Bill short, stout, conical, acute; upper mandible generally with its dorsal line more or less convex, the sides rounded, the edges inflected or direct, the tip acute; lower mandible with the dorsal line ascending and slightly convex, the edges involute. Gape-line ascending for more than a fourth of its length, then direct. Nostrils basal, roundish, partly concealed by the feathers. Head of moderate size, or rather large, ovate or roundish; neck short; body compact; tarsus generally shorter than the middle toe with its claw, compressed, with seven or eight anterior scutella; hind toe stout; outer toe adherent at the base, lateral about equal. Claws long or moderate, compressed, laterally grooved, acute. Plumage soft and blended, but firm. Wings various, acute, or rounded. Tail of twelve feathers. Roof of upper mandible concave, with three prominent lines, of which the middle is sometimes elevated into an oblong hard prominence. Tongue much compressed, pointed; oesophagus rather wide, with a dilatation or crop on the right side; stomach roundish or oblong, muscular, with the epithelium thin, dense, and longitudinally rugous; intestine short, rather wide; coeca very small, cylindrical. Trachea simple, with four pairs of inferior laryngeal muscles. The FringillinÆ pass into the IcterinÆ on the one hand, and the AlaudinÆ on the other. The Buntings scarcely differ from the Finches in any other character than the knob on the palate, which is common to them with the IcterinÆ.

GENUS I. PLECTROPHANES, Meyer. LARK-BUNTING.

Bill very short, robust, tapering, somewhat compressed; upper mandible considerably narrower than the lower, its dorsal outline very slightly convex, the sides rounded, the edges inflected, the marginal outline slightly angulate; lower mandible with the dorsal line ascending and slightly convex, the edges involute. Nostrils basal, roundish, partly concealed by the feathers. Head of moderate size, ovate; neck short; body compact, tarsus shorter than the middle toe with its claw, compressed, with seven anterior scutella; hind toe stout; claws long, rather stout, little arched, acute, that of the hind toe much elongated. Plumage soft and blended. Wings long, pointed; the first quill longest. Tail rather long, emarginate.

152. 1. Plectrophanes Lapponica, Linn. Lapland Lark-Bunting.

Plate CCCLXV. Male and Female.

Fur Countries in summer. In winter, as far westward as Kentucky. Abundant. Migratory.

Lapland Longspur, Emberiza lapponica, Bonap. Amer. Orn. v. i. p. 53.

Emberiza lapponica, Bonap. Syn. p. 440.

Emberiza (Plectrophanes) lapponica, Lapland Buntling, Swains. & Rich. F. Bor. Amer. v. ii. p. 248.

Lapland Longspur, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 463.

Lapland Longspur, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. iv. p. 473.

153. 2. Plectrophanes pictus, Swains. Painted Lark-Bunting.

Plate CCCC. Fig. 5. Male.

Male with the upper part and sides of the head deep black, with three bands of white on each side, one from the base of the upper mandible over the eye and along the neck, another under the eye and over the ear, the third bordering the throat; upper parts brownish-yellow spotted with black; a band of white on the smaller wing-coverts; lower parts, and a band across the fore part of the back, buffy orange.

Male, 6²/₁₂; wing, 3¹/₄.

Fur Countries. Accidental, in winter, on the banks of the Mississippi. Migratory.

Emberiza (Plectrophanes) picta, Painted Bunting, Swains. & Rich. F. Bor. Amer. v. ii. p. 250.

Painted Bunting, Nutt. Man. v. ii. p. 589.

Painted Bunting, Emberiza picta, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. v. p. 91.

154. 3. Plectrophanes ornatus, Towns. Chestnut-collared Lark-Bunting.

Plate CCCXCIV. Fig. 1. Male.

Male, in summer, with the upper part of the head, a streak, and some spots behind the ear, and the breast black; a broad band over the eye, the throat and sides of the neck, the abdomen, lower tail-coverts, and three lateral tail-feathers, white; a transverse belt of yellowish-red on the hind neck; upper parts yellowish-grey, spotted with dusky.

Male, 5¹/₄; wing, 3²/₁₂.

Rocky Mountains.

Plectrophanes ornata, Chestnut-collared Lark-Finch, Towns. Journ. Acad. Nat. Sc. Philadelphia, v. vii. p. 189.

Chestnut-collared Lark-Bunting, Emberiza ornata, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. v. p. 44.

155. 4. Plectrophanes nivalis, Linn. Snow Lark-Bunting.

Plate CLXXXIX. Male and Female in winter.

Male, in winter, with the head, neck, lower parts, a great portion of the wings, including the smaller coverts, secondary coverts, several secondary quills, the bases of the primaries and their coverts, and the greater part of the outer tail-feathers on each side, white; the head and hind neck more or less tinged with brownish-red, the upper parts reddish-grey or yellowish-red, mottled with black, the concealed part of the plumage being of the latter colour, the bill brownish-yellow. Female, in winter, with the white less extended. Young, at this season, like the female, but more brown. Male, in summer, with the back, scapulars, inner secondaries, terminal portion of primaries, and four middle tail-feathers, deep black, all the other parts pure white, the bill black. Female with the black parts tinged with brown, and more or less reddish-brown on the head and rump.

Male, 7, 13.

In winter, from Nova Scotia to Kentucky. Abundant. Much rarer along the Atlantic coast. Some breed in Vermont and Massachusetts. Fur Countries in summer.

Snow-Bunting, Emberiza nivalis, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. iii. p. 86.

Emberiza nivalis, Bonap. Syn. p. 103.

Emberiza (Plectrophanes) nivalis, Snow Buntling, Swains. & Rich. F. Bor. Amer. v. ii. p. 247.

Snow Bunting, Emberiza nivalis, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 458.

Snow Bunting, Emberiza nivalis, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. ii. p. 515; v. v. p. 496.

GENUS II. EMBERIZA, Linn. BUNTING.

Bill short, robust, tapering, somewhat compressed; upper mandible with its dorsal line declinate and slightly convex, the ridge indistinct, the sides convex, the edges a little inflected, ascending to beneath the nostrils, then descending or direct, with a slight notch close to the narrow tip; lower mandible with the angle short and wide, the dorsal line ascending, and very slightly convex, the ridge broad at the base, the sides convex, the edges inclinate, their outline ascending for a third or more of its length, then direct, the tip narrow. Nostrils basal, roundish. Head large, ovate; neck very short; body rather stout. Feet of moderate length, rather strong; tarsus of ordinary length, compressed, with seven anterior scutella; toes rather large; the hind toe strong, and longer than the lateral, which are equal, the third much longer, and united to the fourth at the base. Claws long, arched, much compressed, acute. Plumage soft and blended, but firm. Bristles feeble. Wings of moderate length, rather acute; the first three quills longest. Tail of moderate length, emarginate.

* Wings rather long, with the second and third quills longest.

156. 1. Emberiza Americana, Gmel. Black-throated Bunting.

Plate CCCLXXXIV. Male and Female.

Bill very stout; tail-feathers acute. Male with the upper part of the head, the cheeks, and the hind neck dark ash-grey, faintly streaked with dusky; loral space whitish, a band over the eye, and a patch below the cheek, yellow; the fore part of the back greyish-brown, with longitudinal streaks of brownish-black, the hind part brownish-grey; the smaller wing-coverts bright chestnut; chin white, throat black; the lower neck and part of the breast, yellow, the rest of the breast and abdomen, white. Female similar to the male, but paler, and without the black patch on the throat.

Male, 6¹/₂, 10³/₈.

Breeds abundantly in Texas and all the Western Prairies; less so from Virginia to Massachusetts. Rare in Ohio and Kentucky. Migratory.

Black-throated Bunting, Emberiza Americana, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. i. p. 411.

Fringilla Americana, Bonap. Syn. p. 107.

Black-throated Bunting, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 461.

Black-throated Bunting, Emberiza Americana, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. iv. p. 599.

157. 2. Emberiza Townsendii, Aud. Townsend's Bunting.

Plate CCCC. Fig. 4. Male.

Bill very stout, with the upper outline considerably convex. Head, cheeks, hind neck, sides of the neck, fore part of the breast, and sides of the body, deep bluish-grey, the head streaked with black; back yellowish-brown, streaked with dusky, the feathers edged with grey, rump yellowish-grey; quills and tail-feathers wood-brown, slightly edged with paler; a narrow white line over the eye; throat white, with a narrow band of black on each side; abdomen and middle part of breast greyish-white.

Male, 5³/₄, 9.

One specimen (in my possession) procured in Pennsylvania.

Townsend's Bunting, Emberiza Townsendii, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. ii. p. 183; v. v. p. 90.

158. 3. Emberiza Grammaca, Say. Lark Bunting.

Plate CCCXC. Fig. 1. Male.

Second and third quills longest, first and fourth about equal; tail rather long, rounded. Male with three longitudinal bands of white on the head, separated by two bands of bright chestnut-red, the anterior part of which is black; upper parts light greyish-brown, longitudinally streaked with dusky, the central part of each feather being of the latter colour, the hind part of the back and the rump without streaks; two faint bands of yellowish-white on the wings, formed by the tips of the first row of small coverts, and those of the secondary coverts, and a patch of the same formed by the bases of the outer primaries; quills dusky brown, primaries margined with whitish, secondaries more broadly with light red; tail darker, all the feathers except the middle, terminated by white, which, on the outer, occupies more than a third of its length, and extends nearly to the base of the outer web; below the eye a white streak, cheeks bright chestnut, with an anterior black spot, under them a broad white band from the lower mandible, curving upwards, separated from the throat, which is white, by a short line of black on each side; lower parts white, the lower part of the neck greyish, the sides tinged with greyish-white. Female similar to the male, but with the head simply coloured like the back, and the sides streaked with brown.

Male, 6¹/₂, 8¹/₄.

Upper Missouri, and eastern declivities of the Rocky Mountains. Common. Migratory.

Fringilla grammaca, Bonap. Amer. Orn. v. i. p. 47.

Lark Finch, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 480.

Lark Finch, Fringilla grammaca, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. v. p. 17.

159. 4. Emberiza graminea, Gmel. Grass or Bay-winged Bunting.

Plate XC. Male.

Second, third, and fourth quills longest, first and fourth nearly equal; tail rather long, slightly emarginate. Upper parts light greyish-brown, streaked with dusky; smaller wing coverts yellowish-red or bay; quills and larger coverts dusky brown, margined with greyish-white; two whitish bands on the wing, formed by the tips of the first row of small coverts, and the secondary coverts; tail dusky brown, the greater part of the outer feather, and the terminal portion of the outer web of the next white; a narrow circle of white round the eye; lower parts dull white, the throat, fore part of neck, and sides streaked with dark brown.

Male, 5³/₄, 10.

From Texas to the Columbia River and Fur Countries. Breeds from Maryland eastward and northward. Resident in winter from Carolina southward and westward. Extremely abundant.

Bay-winged Bunting, Emberiza graminea, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. iv. p. 51.

Fringilla graminea, Bonap. Syn. p. 108.

Fringilla (Zonotrichia) graminea, Bay-winged Finch, Swains. & Rich. F. Bor. Amer. v. ii. p. 254.

Bay-winged or Grass Finch, Fringilla graminea, Nutt. Man. v. i. p 482.

Grass Finch or Bay-winged Bunting, Fringilla graminea, Aud. Orn Biog. v. i. p. 473; v. v. p. 502.

160. 5. Emberiza Savanna, Bon. Savannah Bunting.

Plate CIX. Male and Female.

Outer four quills almost equal; tail emarginate, with the feathers pointed. Upper parts light greyish-brown, streaked with dusky; smaller wing-coverts like the back; a faint yellow band over the eye, and a faint whitish band in the middle of the crown; two whitish bands on the wing, formed by the tips of the first row of small coverts and the secondary coverts, the latter very inconspicuous, quills and tail-feathers dusky brown, edged with paler, the lateral tail-feathers merely of a lighter tint; cheeks dull yellow, streaked with brown; lower part white, the throat and sides streaked with dusky.

Male, 5¹/₂, 8¹/₂.

From Texas to the Columbia River, and along the whole Atlantic coast to Nova Scotia. Extremely abundant during winter in all the Southern States. Breeds from Maryland eastward.

Savannah Finch, Fringilla savanna, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. iv. p. 72.

Fringilla savanna, Bonap. Syn. p. 109.

Savannah Sparrow, Fringilla savanna, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 489.

Savannah Finch, Fringilla savanna, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. ii. p. 63; v. v. p. 516.

161. 6. Emberiza pallida, Swains. Clay-coloured Bunting.

Plate CCCXCVIII. Fig. 2. Male.

Bill more slender and pointed than in the preceding species; wings more rounded, the second, third, and fourth quills being about equal, the first and fifth equal; tail long, emarginate, and a little rounded, upper parts light yellowish-brown, streaked with brownish-black, the streaks on the rump fainter; quills and tail-feathers greyish-brown, margined with brownish-white; over the eye a band of brownish-white; cheeks pale brown; sides of neck very light buff; the rest of the lower parts greyish-white, the sides tinged with greyish-brown. Female similar to the male, but with less yellow on the sides of the neck.

Male, 5²/₁₂, wing 2⁷/₁₂.

Platte River, Missouri Plains, and Fur Countries. Common. Migratory.

Emberiza pallida, Clay-coloured Bunting, Swains. & Rich. F. Bor. Amer. v. ii. p. 251.

Clay-coloured Bunting, Emberiza pallida, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. v. p. 66.

162. 7. Emberiza passerina, Wils. Yellow-winged Bunting.

Plate CXXX. Male.

Bill very short and stout; tail-feathers acute. Upper parts light greyish-brown, mixed on the neck with ash-grey, the central parts of all the feathers brownish-black, the margins of those of the back bright chestnut; upper part of the head brownish-black, with a longitudinal central line of yellowish-white, and a yellow line over each eye; secondary coverts dusky, margined with greyish-white; the edge of the wing at the flexure bright yellow; quills and tail-feathers dusky brown, margined with whitish; lower parts pale yellowish-grey, the fore neck and lower tail-coverts of a richer tint; the sides inclining to grey, and faintly streaked with dusky.

Male, 4⁹/₁₂, 8.

Passes from Texas to Connecticut; breeds from Maryland to Connecticut. Columbia River. Rather Common. Migratory.

Yellow-winged Sparrow, Fringilla passerina, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. iii. p. 76.

Fringilla passerina, Bonap. Syn. p. 109.

Savannah Finch or Yellow shouldered Bunting, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 494.

Yellow-crowned Sparrow, Fringilla passerina, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. ii. p. 180; v. v. p. 497.

163. 8. Emberiza Henslowii, Aud. Henslow's Bunting.

Plate LXX. Male.

Bill very stout; wings short, convex, the first quill equal to the fourth, and scarcely shorter than the second and third; tail emarginate and rounded, with the feathers acute. Upper parts light yellowish-brown, streaked with brownish-black, the margins of the feathers on the back and scapulars light red; the edge of the wing pale yellow; quills dusky, primaries edged with brownish-yellow, secondaries with light red; tail-feathers dusky, the outer margined with yellowish-brown, the middle more broadly with light red; lower parts light brownish-yellow, the abdomen and throat paler, the sides of the neck and body, and the fore part of the breast streaked with black.

Male, 5.

Winters in Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Louisiana, and Florida. Breeds from Maryland to New York. Abundant. Accidental in Ohio.

Henslow's Bunting, Emberiza Henslowii, Nutt. Man. App. v. ii. p.

Henslow's Bunting, Emberiza Henslowii, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. i. p. 360; v. v. p. 498.

* Wings considerably rounded, with the third and fourth quills longest. Tail rather long, emarginate.

164. 9. Emberiza pusilla, Wils. Field Bunting.—Field Sparrow.

Plate CXXXIX. Male.

Bill light brownish-red; upper part of the head chestnut-red; anterior part of the back streaked with dusky, bright chestnut, and yellowish-grey; a faint ring on the neck, a band over the eyes, and the throat pale bluish-grey; rump yellowish-grey; quills and tail dusky brown, the former margined with light red, the latter with yellowish-grey, lower parts greyish-white, the sides of the neck and body, and the fore part of the breast, tinged with yellowish-brown.

Male, 6, 8.

From Texas to Maryland, in Kentucky and the intermediate parts, during winter. Breeds from Maryland to Maine. Abundant.

Field Sparrow, Fringilla pusilla, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. ii. p. 121.

Fringilla pusilla; Bonap. Syn. p. 110.

Field or Rush Sparrow, Fringilla juncorum, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 499.

Field Sparrow, Fringilla pusilla, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. ii. p. 229.

165. 10. Emberiza socialis, Wils. Chipping Bunting.—Chipping Sparrow.

Plate CIV. Male.

Bill with the upper mandible blackish-brown; upper part of the head bright chestnut-red, part of forehead black; anterior part of the back streaked with dusky, bright chestnut, and yellowish-grey; a faint ring on the neck, a band over the eyes, the throat, and fore part of the breast, pale bluish-grey; rump bluish-grey, streaked with dusky; quills and tail dusky brown, the former margined with light red, the latter with yellowish-grey; two white bands on the wing; breast and sides pale grey, inclining to white. This species closely resembles the last in colour, but may be distinguished by the black on the forehead, and the dusky colour of the bill.

Male, 5¹/₄, 8.

Abundant throughout the United States. Winter resident in all the Southern States. Not seen in Texas, Nova Scotia, or Labrador.

Chipping Sparrow, Fringilla socialis, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. ii. p. 127.

Fringilla socialis, Bonap. Syn. p. 109.

Chipping Sparrow, Fringilla socialis, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 497.

Chipping Sparrow, Fringilla socialis, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. ii. p. 21; v. v. p. 517.

166. 11. Emberiza Canadensis, Lath. Canada Bunting.—Tree Sparrow.

Plate CLXXXVIII. Male and Female.

Bill with the upper mandible blackish-brown above, yellowish-red beneath; upper part of the head bright chestnut-red; anterior part of the back streaked with dusky, bright chestnut, and yellowish-grey; a faint ring on the neck, a band over the eyes, the throat and fore part of the breast pale bluish-grey; rump pale yellowish-grey, faintly streaked with dusky; quills and tail dusky brown, the former margined with light red, the latter with greyish-white; two white bands on the wing; breast and sides pale grey, inclining to white, the latter tinged with yellowish-brown.

This species is much larger than the last, wants the black spot on the forehead, and has the wing-bands more conspicuous.

Male, 6¹/₄, 8³/₄.

Rarely reaches the Carolinas during winter, or Louisville on the Ohio. Breeds from Maine northward to the Fur Countries. Abundant. Migratory.

Tree Sparrow, Fringilla arborea, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. ii. p. 12.

Fringilla canadensis, Bonap. Syn. p. 109.

Emberiza canadensis, Tree Bunting, Swains. & Rich. F. Bor. Amer. v. ii. p. 252.

Tree Sparrow, Fringilla canadensis, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 495.

Tree Sparrow, Fringilla canadensis, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. ii. p. 511; v. v. p. 504.

GENUS III. NIPHÆA, Aud. SNOW-BIRD.

Bill short, rather small, conical, acute; upper mandible a little broader than the lower, its dorsal line straight, slightly declinate at the tip, the sides convex, the edges nearly straight, slightly inflected, but overlapping; lower mandible with the angle short and rounded, the dorsal line straight, the sides convex, the edges a little inflected, the tip acute. Nostrils basal, roundish, concealed by the feathers. Head broadly ovate; neck short; body full. Feet of moderate length; tarsus rather short, stout, with seven scutella; toes rather strong, the first stout, the lateral equal. Claws rather long, arched, compressed, laterally grooved, tapering to a fine point. Plumage very soft and blended. Wings rather short, curved, rounded, second, third, and fourth quills longest, first longer than fifth. Tail rather long, slightly emarginate. Roof of upper mandible concave, with thin ridges, and a small knob at the base; tongue narrow, deep, grooved above, tapering to a horny point; oesophagus dilated about the middle; stomach rather small, roundish, muscular; intestine rather short; coeca very small. Name from [Greek: Niphos], snow.

167. 1. NiphÆa hyemalis, Linn. Common Snow-Bird.

Plate XIII. Male and Female.

Male with the head, hind neck, fore part of the breast, back, wings, and upper parts of the sides, greyish-black, deeper on the head and throat; quills margined with whitish; tail with the two lateral feathers on each side, and a patch on the inner web of the next white, as are the breast and abdomen. Female lighter grey, on the back tinged with brown.

Male, 6¹/₄, 9.

Distributed, in winter, over the Southern, Western, and Middle Districts, as far as the base of the Rocky Mountains, and in the Fur Countries. Breeds from Maryland eastward, on the mountains. Very abundant.

Snow Bird, Fringilla nivalis, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. ii. p. 129.

Fringilla hyemalis, Bonap. Syn. p. 109.

Fringilla hyemalis, Black Finch, Swains. & Rich. F. Bor. Amer. v. ii. p. 505.

Common Snow-Bird, Fringilla Hudsonia, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 491.

Snow-Bird, Fringilla hyemalis, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. i. p. 72; v. v. p. 505.

168. 2. NiphÆa Oregona, Towns. Oregon Snow-Bird.

Plate CCCXCVIII. Fig. 3. Male. Fig. 4. Female.

Male with the head, neck all round, and a portion of the breast black; the rest of the lower parts white, excepting the sides, which are tinged with brown; fore part of back reddish-brown, rump dull grey; quills dusky, the primaries edged with grey, the secondaries with reddish-brown; tail dusky, with the outer two feathers on each side white. Female with the head and neck blackish-grey, the back and wing-coverts dull brownish-red, the other parts as in the male.

Male, 6¹/₄; wing, 3¹/₁₂.

Columbia River. Common. Migratory.

Fringilla oregona, Oregon Snow-Finch, Towns. Journ. Acad. Nat. Sc. Philadelphia, v. vii. p. 188.

Oregon Snow-Finch, Fringilla oregona, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. v. p. 68.

GENUS IV. SPIZA, Bonap. PAINTED-BUNTING.

Bill short, moderately stout, conical, acute; upper mandible rather narrower, with the dorsal line somewhat convex, the ridge narrow, the sides sloping and a little convex, the edges inclining upwards for a third of their length, then direct, with a slight notch close to the narrow declinate tip; lower mandible with the angle short and rounded, the dorsal line very slightly convex, the sides rounded, the edges involute, the tip acute. Nostrils basal, roundish, partly concealed by the feathers. Head broadly ovate; neck short; body rather full. Feet of moderate length; tarsus much compressed, with seven scutella; toes of moderate size, hind toe large, lateral equal. Claws slender, compressed, well arched, acute. Plumage full, soft, and blended. Wings of moderate length, the second and third quills longest, the first about equal to the fourth. Tail of moderate length, emarginate. Palate anteriorly with their narrow ridges, forming a large oblong hard knob at their base; tongue higher than broad, deeply grooved above, pointed; oesophagus dilated into a crop; stomach elliptical, muscular; intestine of moderate length; coeca very small.

169. 1. Spiza Ciris, Wils. Blue-headed Painted-Bunting.—Painted-Bunting. Painted-Finch.

Plate LIII. Male and Female.

Male with the head and hind neck ultramarine-blue, eyelids vermilion; fore part of back and scapulars yellowish-green; rump purplish-red; smaller wing-coverts purplish-blue, secondary coverts green; quills and tail-feathers dusky; lower parts bright vermilion. Female yellowish-green above, greenish-yellow beneath. Young like the female. In the second year, the male with the upper parts olive-green, the lower dull orange, paler behind, head as in the adult; in the third year, with the back mottled with yellow and light green, the secondary coverts green, the rest as in the adult.

Male, 5¹/₄, 7¹/₂.

From Texas to North Carolina, and up the Mississippi to Natchez. Abundant. Migratory.

Painted Bunting, Emberiza Ciris, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. iii. p. 68.

Fringilla Ciris, Bonap. Syn. p. 107.

Painted Bunting, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 477.

Painted Finch, Fringilla Ciris, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. i. p. 279; v. v. p. 517.

170. 2. Spiza cyanea, Wils. Indigo Painted-Bunting.—Indigo Bird.

Plate LXXIV. Male and Female.

Male blue, tinged with verdigris-green, on the head approaching to ultramarine; quills and tail-feathers dusky, edged with greenish-blue. Female yellowish-brown above, paler beneath. Young like the female. Male, in the first autumn, of a lighter and duller blue than in the adult, the feathers of the upper parts tipped with brown, of the lower with yellowish, in the second year nearly as in the adult, but with the smaller coverts dull brown.

Male, 5¹/₄, 7¹/₂.

Distributed throughout the United States during summer. Abundant. Migratory.

Indigo Bird, Fringilla cyanea, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. i. p. 100.

Fringilla cyanea, Bonap. Syn. p. 107.

Indigo Bird, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 473.

Indigo Bird, Fringilla cyanea, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. i. p. 377; v. v. p. 503.

171. 3. Spiza amoena, Say. Lazuli Painted-Bunting.—Lazuli Finch.

Plate CCCXCVIII. Fig. 1. Male. Plate CCCCXXIV. Fig. 1. Female.

Male with the head, neck, and upper parts, light greenish-blue, the fore part of the back duller; loral space black; wings and tail dusky, the feathers margined with blue; two white bands on the wing; on the fore part of the breast a broad band of yellowish-red, the rest of the lower parts white. Female with the upper parts light yellowish-brown, the rump greenish-blue; fore parts pale yellowish-red, fading behind into white.

Male, 5¹/₂; wing, 3¹/₁₂.

From the Arkansas to the Columbia River. Never seen near the Atlantic coast. Plentiful. Migratory.

Emberiza amoena, Say, Long's Exped.

Lazuli Finch, Fringilla amoena, Bonap. Amer. Orn. v. i. p. 61.

Fringilla amoena, Bonap. Syn. p. 106.

Lazuli Finch, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 478.

Lazuli Finch, Fringilla amoena, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. v. p. 64, and p. 230.

GENUS V. AMMODRAMUS, Swains. SHORE-FINCH.

Bill rather long, being little shorter than the head, rather slender, straight, considerably compressed, acute; upper mandible with the dorsal line considerably convex, the ridge narrow, the sides convex, the edges inflected, with a slight festoon about the middle, and a faint notch, close to the tip, which is deflected and acute; lower mandible with the angle short and rounded, the dorsal line ascending and straight, the ridge rounded, the sides convex, the edges involute, the tip acute. Nostrils small, elliptical, basal, partially concealed by the plumage. Head ovate; neck short; body slender. Tarsus rather short, stoutish, compressed, with seven scutella; toes rather long, hind toe large, outer shorter than inner, and adherent at the base. Claws long, slender, little arched, much compressed, laterally grooved, tapering to a fine point. Plumage soft and blended, with the filaments stiffish and disunited. No bristles. Wings short, convex, rounded, the second, third, and fourth quills longest, the first considerably shorter. Tail of moderate length, graduated, slender, of twelve narrow, acuminate feathers. No difference in the colours of the sexes.

172. 1. Ammodramus maritimus, Wils. Grey Shore-Finch.—Sea-side Finch.

Plate XCIII. Male and Female.

Third and fourth quills longest, first and eighth equal; tail graduated; upper parts brownish-grey, tinged with olivaceous, two faint longitudinal bands of darker on the head; the feathers on the fore part of the back brown in the centre; margin of the wing at the flexure light yellow, smaller wing-coverts and outer webs of secondary coverts dull reddish-brown; quills and tail-feathers dusky brown, edged with pale brownish-grey; a yellow band from the base of the upper mandible over the eye, fainter behind; throat greyish-white, with a longitudinal bluish-grey band on each side; lower part of neck, fore part of breast, and sides, light bluish-grey, streaked with light olivaceous-brown; middle of breast pale grey, abdomen white, lower tail-coverts pale yellowish-brown, with a central dusky streak.

Male, 8, 11.

From Texas to Massachusetts along the shores of the Atlantic. Resident in the Southern States. Abundant.

Sea-side Finch, Fringilla maritima, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. iv. p. 68.

Fringilla maritima, Bonap. Syn. p. 110.

Sea-side Finch, Fringilla maritima, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 505.

Sea-side Finch, Fringilla maritima, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. i. p. 471.

173. 2. Ammodramus Macgillivrayi, Aud. Macgillvray's Shore-Finch.

Plate CCCLV. Male and Female.

Second, third, and fourth quills longest, first and seventh equal; tail rounded. Upper parts dull olivaceous-grey, streaked with blackish-brown, the central parts of all the feathers being of the latter colour; margin of the wing at the flexure yellowish-white; all the feathers of the wings dusky brown, margined with pale olivaceous; tail-feathers blackish-brown, margined with olivaceous; a yellowish-brown streak from the base of the upper mandible over the eye; throat and fore neck greyish-white, with an indistinct dusky streak on each side; breast and sides pale dull yellowish-grey marked with brownish-black streaks; middle of the breast and abdomen greyish-white, tinged with yellowish-brown; lower tail-coverts pale yellowish-brown, with a central dusky streak.

Male, 5¹/₂, 7³/₄.

Abundant in Texas and along the Gulf of Mexico. Rather rare in South Carolina, from which it migrates in autumn.

Macgillivray's Finch, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. ii. p. 285; v. iv. p. 394; v. v. p. 499.

174. 3. Ammodramus caudacutus, Lath. Buff-breasted Shore-Finch.—Sharp-tailed Finch.

Plate CXLIX. Male and Female.

Second, third, and fourth quills longest, first and fifth equal; tail graduated. Upper part of the head with a central bluish-grey streak, deep brown at the sides with the feathers black in the centre; hind neck dull grey, tinged with brown; back brown, tinged with grey, some of the feathers marked with black and edged with greyish-white; quills dusky brown, edged with reddish-brown, the secondary and smaller coverts with their outer webs chiefly of the latter colour; tail-feathers dusky brown, margined with greyish-olive; a broad band of light yellowish-red from the base of the upper mandible over the eye, and extending beyond the middle of the neck, where it is broader; ear-coverts grey; a broad band of yellowish-red from the lower mandible down the neck; throat whitish, with a line of dusky streaks on each side; the lower part of the neck, a portion of the breast, the lower tail-coverts, and the sides, pale yellowish-red, streaked with dusky; the rest of the lower parts white.

Male, 5, 7¹/₄.

Breeds from Texas along the coast to Massachusetts. Never in the interior. Resident in the Southern States. Very abundant.

Sharp-tailed Finch, Fringilla caudacuta, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. iv. p. 70.

Fringilla caudacuta, Bonap. Syn. p. 110.

Shore Finch, Fringilla littoralis, Nutt. Man, v. i. p. 504.

Sharp-tailed Finch, Fringilla caudacuta, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. ii. p. 281; v. v. p. 499.

175. 4. Ammodramus palustris, Wils. Marsh Shore-Finch. Swamp Sparrow.

Plate LXIV. Male.

Bill shorter than in the other species; tail-feathers less acuminate; upper part of head deep chestnut-red, streaked with black; hind part and sides of the neck light bluish-grey, cheeks dusky brown; a greyish-yellow streak over the eye; upper parts of body yellowish-brown, streaked with brownish-black; wing-coverts and secondaries broadly edged with yellowish-red, primaries with duller red; tail similar; throat greyish-white, with two small dusky streaks, the rest of the fore neck and part of the breast pale bluish-grey, the abdomen whitish, the sides yellowish-brown, streaked with dusky.

Male, 5¹/₂, 7¹/₂.

From Texas to North Carolina in winter. Spreads in spring and summer to the Missouri westward, and to Labrador eastward. Abundant.

Swamp Swallow, Fringilla palustris, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. iii. p. 49.

Fringilla palustris, Bonap. Syn. p. 110.

Swamp Sparrow, Fringilla Georgiana, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 502.

Swamp Sparrow, Fringilla palustris, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. i. p. 331; v. v. p. 508.

GENUS VI. PEUCÆA, Aud. PINEWOOD-FINCH.

Bill of moderate length, rather stout, straight, considerably compressed, acute; upper mandible with the dorsal line somewhat convex, the ridge rather narrow, the sides convex, the edges inflected, with the notches obsolete, the tip acute; lower mandible with the angle short and rounded, the dorsal line ascending and slightly convex, the ridge rounded, the sides convex, the edges involute, the tip acute. Nostrils small, roundish, partially concealed by the plumage. Head ovate; neck short; body moderately stout. Tarsus rather short, compressed, with seven scutella; toes moderate, very slender, hind toe rather large, lateral toes about equal, outer adherent at the base. Claws of moderate length, very slender, extremely compressed, arched, tapering to a fine point. Plumage very soft, blended. Wings very short, convex, rounded, the third and fourth quills longest, the first and seventh about equal. Tail rather long, graduated, of twelve narrow rounded feathers. No difference in the colours of the sexes. Name from [Greek: PeuchÊ], a pine.

176. 1. PeucÆa Bachmanii, Aud. Bachman's Pinewood-Finch.

Plate CLXV. Male.

Feathers of the upper parts brownish-red margined with bluish-grey, those on the fore part of the back darker; quills dusky brown, primaries margined with yellowish-grey, secondaries with brownish-red; tail-feathers dusky brown margined with grey; a band of ochre-yellow from the base of the upper mandible over the eye; throat pale yellowish-grey, with a short dusky streak on each side; lower parts light yellowish-grey, the fore part of the breast and the sides tinged with brown.

Male, 6, 7¹/₂.

Georgia and South Carolina. Rather rare. Migratory.

Bachman's Finch, Fringilla Bachmanii, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. ii. p. 366.

177. 2. PeucÆa Lincolnii, Aud. Lincoln's Pinewood-Finch.

Plate CXCIII. Male and Female.

Bill shorter and more slender. Upper parts yellowish, streaked with brownish-black: on the head a thin greyish-blue longitudinal band; quills dusky brown, margined with yellowish-brown; tail-feathers broadly margined with yellowish-brown; cheeks greyish-brown, with an inferior band of ochreous; throat white, streaked with dusky, and having a line of dusky spots on each side; fore part of breast and sides pale greyish-yellow, streaked with dusky; the rest of the lower parts greyish-white.

Male, 5³/₄, 8²/₁₂.

New York and Labrador. Rather rare. Migratory.

Lincoln's Finch, Fringilla Lincolnii, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. ii. p. 539.

GENUS VII. LINARIA, Ray. LINNET.

Bill short, conical, moderately stout, higher than broad at the base, compressed toward the end, acuminate; upper mandible with the dorsal line straight, the nasal sinus very short and broad, the ridge distinct and narrow, the sides convex, the edges ascending at first, afterwards direct, the tip very narrow, without notches; lower mandible with the angle short and semicircular, the dorsal line straight or very slightly concave, the sides convex, the tip acuminate. Nostrils basal, roundish, concealed by the feathers. Head of moderate size, roundish; neck short; body moderate. Feet of moderate length; tarsus short, compressed, with seven scutella; toes rather stout, the first large. Claws long, moderately arched, much compressed, very acute. Plumage soft and blended. Wings rather long, the first three quills nearly equal, the second generally longest, the first longer than the third. Tail rather long, deeply emarginate or forked, with the feathers pointed. Roof of upper mandible concave, with two ridges; tongue deeper than broad, concave above toward the point, which is acute; oesophagus enlarged about the middle; stomach roundish, muscular; intestine of moderate length, slender; coeca very small.

178. 1. Linaria borealis, Temm. Mealy Redpoll Linnet.

Plate CCCC. Fig. 2. Male.

Male with the upper part of the head crimson, the cheeks, sides of the body, and hind part of the rump pale carmine; a band edging the forehead, the loral space, and the throat black; upper parts dusky, streaked with brownish-white, the fore part of the rump nearly white; feathers of the wings and tail dusky, margined with greyish-white, of which there are two transverse bands on the wings, formed by the tips of the secondary coverts and first row of small coverts; lower parts greyish-white, the sides streaked with dusky. Female somewhat less, with the black on the forehead and throat tinged with brown, the crimson patch on the head of less extent, the sides and rump destitute of red.

Male, 5¹/₄, 9.

Accidental in New Jersey and New York. More common from Maine northward. Labrador and Fur Countries. Columbia River.

Grosbec boreal, Fringilla borealis, Temm. Man. d'Orn. v. iii. p. 264.

Mealy Redpoll, Fringilla borealis, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. v. p. 87.

179. 2. Linaria minor, Ray. Lesser Redpoll Linnet.

Plate CCCLXXV. Male and Female.

Male with the upper part of the head crimson; the sides of the neck, its fore part, the breast, and flanks, rich carmine; a band edging the forehead, the loral space, and the throat, brownish-black; the hind part of the head, the neck, the fore part of the back, and the scapulars deep-brown, streaked with pale yellowish-brown; the feathers on the rump margined with whitish, and tipped with carmine; feathers of the wings and tail brown, edged with yellowish-brown, of which there are two bands on the wings formed by the tips of the secondary coverts and first row of small coverts; middle of the breast, abdomen, and lower tail-coverts white, tinged with rose-colours; the sides longitudinally streaked with dusky. Female somewhat less, with the back of the forehead and throat more brown, less red on the head, and little or none on the rump or lower parts, which are white, the breast and flanks streaked with dusky. Young with the feathers of the upper parts blackish-brown, edged with yellowish-brown, the rump yellowish-grey, the lower parts dull white, streaked with blackish-brown; no red on any part.

Male, 5, 8³/₄.

From Pennsylvania and New Jersey to Maine, in winter; inland, to Kentucky. Breeds in Maine, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, Labrador, and the Fur Countries. Abundant. Migratory.

Lesser Redpoll, Fringilla linaria, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. iv. p. 42.

Fringilla linaria, Bonap. Syn. p. 112.

Linaria minor, Lesser Redpoll, Swains. & Rich. F. Bor. Amer. v. i. p. 267.

Lesser Redpoll, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 512.

Lesser Redpoll, Fringilla Linaria, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. iv. p. 533.

180. 3. Linaria pinus, Wils. Pine Linnet.

Plate CLXXX. Male and Female.

Upper parts yellowish-grey, streaked with dark brown; feathers of the wings dusky, the primaries margined with yellow, of which there is a patch formed by the bases of all the quills, except the outer three, and a few of the inner; tips of first row of small coverts, secondary coverts and outer edges of secondary quills dull white; tail-feathers dusky, their bases and outer edges yellow; lower parts greyish-white, streaked with brown, the fore neck tinged with reddish.

Male, 4⁹/₁₂, 8¹/₂.

Wanders during winter to South Carolina, Louisiana, and Kentucky. Breeds north of the United States, in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Labrador. Columbia River. Plentiful.

Pine Finch, Fringilla pinus, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. ii. p. 133.

Fringilla pinus, Bonap. Syn. p. 111.

Pine Finch, Fringilla pinus, Nutt. Man. v.i. p. 511.

Pine Finch, Fringilla pinus, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. ii. p. 455; v. v. p. 509.

GENUS VIII. CARDUELIS, Cuv. GOLDFINCH.

Bill short, or of moderate length, conical, very stout at the base, compressed toward the end, and tapering to a fine point; upper mandible a little broader, with the nasal sinus very broad, the dorsal outline very slightly convex, the ridge narrowed toward the end, the sides convex, the edges a little inflected and overlapping, the edges slightly ascending at the base, the notches obsolete, the tip very acute; lower mandible with the angle short and rounded, the dorsal line straight, the sides convex, the tip very acute. Nostrils basal, roundish, concealed by the feathers. Head roundish-ovate; neck short; body rather full. Legs rather short; tarsus short, compressed, slender, with seven scutella; toes moderate, the first large, the lateral nearly equal. Claws long, compressed, moderately curved, very acute. Plumage very soft and blended. Wings rather long, pointed, the first, second, and third quills about equal and longest. Tail rather short, deeply emarginate. Roof of upper mandible deeply concave; tongue grooved above, pointed; oesophagus dilated about the middle; stomach small, broadly elliptical, moderately muscular; intestine short; coeca very small.

181. 1. Carduelis tristis, Linn. American Goldfinch.

Plate XXXIII. Male and Female.

Bill rather slender, second and third quills longest. Male rich lemon-yellow, fading behind into yellowish-white; upper part of head, wings, and tail black; smaller coverts yellow, quills margined, and secondary coverts tipped with yellowish-white; inner webs of tail-feathers in their terminal half white. Female brownish-olive above, without black on the head; fore neck and breast greyish-yellow, the rest of the lower parts greyish-white. Young like the female, as is the male in winter.

Male, 4¹/₂, 8.

Abundant in the Middle and Western Districts, during summer. Accidental in the Southern States during winter. Columbia River and Fur Countries. Abundant. Migratory.

American Goldfinch, Fringilla tristis, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. i. p. 20.

Fringilla tristis, Bonap. Syn. p. 111.

Carduelis Americana (Edwards), American Goldfinch, Swains. & Rich. F. Bor. Amer. v. ii. p. 268.

Yellow Bird or American Goldfinch, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 507.

American Goldfinch, Fringilla tristis, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. i. p. 172; v. v. p. 510.

182. 2. Carduelis magellanicus, Vieill. Black-headed Goldfinch.

Plate CCCXCIV. Fig. 2. Male.

Bill moderately stout; first and second quills equal and longest. Male with the head and throat black, back yellowish-green, rump and lower parts greenish-yellow; wings black, with two bands of yellowish-green, terminating the first row of small coverts, and the secondary coverts; a conspicuous band of yellow on the basal portion of all the quills, most of which are margined with the same toward the end; tail yellow, with the terminal half black.

Male, 4³/₄, wing 2¹⁰/₁₂.

Five seen in winter at Henderson in Kentucky, of which I procured two.

Black-headed Siskin, Fringilla magellanica, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. v. p. 46.

183. 3. Carduelis psaltria, Say. Arkansaw Goldfinch.

Plate CCCC. Fig. 1. Male.

Bill moderately stout; second quill longest, third scarcely shorter. Male with the upper part of the head black; hind neck, back, and scapulars yellowish-green, spotted with greenish-brown; rump greenish-yellow; upper tail-coverts dusky, margined with yellow, as on the smaller wing-coverts; the other coverts and quills black; secondary coverts broadly tipped with pale yellow, forming a conspicuous band; quills margined with yellowish-white, all except the outer three and the inner secondaries, white toward the base; tail-feathers brownish-black, narrowly edged with whitish, and all, except the middle and lateral with a whitish space at the base, running out along the outer margin so as to form a conspicuous patch. Female similar, but without the black on the head.

Male, 4¹/₂, 8.

Eastern bases of Rocky Mountains, and Western Plains. Accidental in Lower Louisiana. Common. Migratory.

Arkansaw Siskin, Fringilla psaltria, Say, Long's Exped. v. ii. p. 40.

Fringilla psaltria, Bonap. Syn. p. 111.

Arkansas Siskin, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 510.

Arkansaw Siskin, Fringilla psaltria, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. v. p. 85.

184. 4. Carduelis Yarrellii, Aud. Yarrell's Goldfinch.

Plate CCCCXXXIII. Fig. 4. Male. Fig. 5. Female.

Bill very thick; second quill longest, third slightly longer than first. Male with the upper part of the head black, the back and scapulars yellowish-green, the hind neck and rump yellow; the wings and tail brownish-black; the former, when extended, crossed by two bands, one greenish-yellow, tipping the first row of small coverts, the other bright yellow and broad, on the base of the primary and secondary quills; tail also yellow in its basal half; lower parts bright yellow. Female with the upper parts yellowish-green, the lower dull greenish-yellow. This species, which has the bill thicker than any other here described, although it is otherwise inferior in size, not having been found by me any where noticed, I propose to honour with the name of my excellent friend Mr Yarrell. In my ornithological biography it is described as the Mexican Goldfinch, but that species has the back black, and the bases of the quills and tail-feathers white.

Male, 4, wing, 2¹/₂.

Upper California.

Mexican Goldfinch, Fringilla Mexicana, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. v. p. 282.

185. 5. Carduelis Stanleyi, Aud. Stanley Goldfinch.

Not figured.

Bill thick; second and third quills equal, first little shorter. Male with the upper part of the head black, the back and scapulars yellowish-green, faintly streaked with dusky, the rump inclining to greenish-yellow; the wings and tail black; the former, when extended, crossed by two bands, one greenish-yellow, tipping the first row of small coverts, the other bright yellow and broad at the base of the primary and secondary quills; tail also yellow in its basal third, except on the middle feather; lower parts greenish-yellow, feeding into white on the abdomen; feathers on the throat black at the base; lower tail-coverts yellow, tipped with white, and having a central dusky streak. Female dull yellowish-green above, faintly streaked with dusky, paler beneath.

In this species, which I have named in honour of the illustrious Earl of Derby, the bill is so thick and short as to approach in form to that of the European Greenfinch.

Male, 4⁹/₁₂, wing, 2¹⁰/₁₂.

Upper California.

GENUS IX. FRINGILLA, Linn. FINCH.

Bill short, stout, conical, somewhat compressed, pointed; upper mandible of the same breadth as the lower, with its dorsal line straight, the ridge indistinct, the sides rounded, the edges ascending at the base, the notches obsolete, the tip scarcely deflected; lower mandible with the angle very short and rounded, the dorsal line straight, the sides convex, the edges inflected, the tip acute. Nostrils basal, roundish, concealed by the feathers. Head rather large, ovate; neck short; body compact. Legs of moderate length; tarsus rather short, compressed, with seven scutella; toes moderate; hind toe stout, lateral equal. Claws rather long, arched, compressed, acute. Plumage rather compact, but blended. Wings of moderate length, with the second, third, and fourth quills longest. Tail of moderate length, slightly emarginate. Roof of upper mandible moderately concave, with three longitudinal ridges; tongue compressed, channelled above, horny, rather obtuse and concave at the end; oesophagus dilated about the middle; stomach roundish, muscular; intestine rather short; coeca small.

* Wings rather short, claws long, little arched.

186. 1. Fringilla iliaca, Merrem. Fox-coloured Finch.

Plate CVIII. Male and Female.

Upper parts light red, claws long, hind toe and its claws of equal length, tail lighter, the head and neck intermixed with light bluish-grey; inner webs of quills brown, secondary coverts slightly tipped with whitish; lower parts white, and, except the abdomen, spotted with light red, the spots on the breast smaller and inclining to black; a patch of dusky on its fore part, produced by the inner webs of several of the feathers.

Male, 7¹/₂, 10¹/₂. Female, 7¹/₂.

Dispersed in winter throughout the Southern and Western Districts. Breeds from Nova Scotia to Labrador and the Fur Countries. Rather common.

Fox-coloured Sparrow, Fringilla rufa, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. iii. p. 53.

Fringilla iliaca, Bonap. Syn. p. 112.

Fringilla (Zonotrichia) iliaca, Swains. & Rich. F. Bor. Amer. v. ii. p. 257.

Ferruginous Finch, Fringilla iliaca, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 514.

Fox-coloured Sparrow, Fringilla iliaca, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. ii. p. 58; v. v. p. 512.

187. 2. Fringilla Townsendi, Aud. Townsend's Finch.

Plate CCCCXXIV. Fig. 7. Female.

Claws very long, hind toe much shorter than its claw; upper parts very dark olivaceous-brown, with a slight tinge of red, which is more conspicuous on the rump and outer webs of the tail-feathers, and margins of the wings and quills; sides of the neck and body and feathers of legs similar, the rest white with dark brown triangular spots, lower tail-coverts brown, broadly margined with pale dull yellow.

Female, 7, 10¹/₂.

Colorado of the West. Rocky Mountains.

Townsend's Finch, Fringilla Townsendi, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. v. p. 236.

188. 3. Fringilla cinerea, Gmel. Brown Finch.

Plate CCCXC. Fig. 4. Male.

Hind claw and toe of equal length; upper parts brownish-grey tinged with olivaceous, streaked with dark reddish-brown; three longitudinal bands of bluish-grey on the head; secondaries and their coverts broadly margined with dull chestnut; tail-feathers with a fainter tint of the same; on the cheek a whitish line, and beneath it a dusky brown band; throat and fore part of the neck white, with longitudinal dark reddish-brown streaks; the middle of the breast yellowish-white, the sides dark yellowish-brown, streaked with dark reddish-brown; lower tail-coverts brown, broadly margined with pale yellowish-grey.

Male, 6, 8.

Platte River, North California, and Columbia River. Common. Migratory.

Fringilla cinerea, Gmel. Syst. Nat. v. i. p. 922.

Cinereous Finch, Arct. Zool. v. ii. N. 260.

Brown Song Sparrow, Fringilla cinerea, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. v. p. 22.

189. 4. Fringilla melodia, Wils. Song Finch.

Plate XXV. Male and Female.

Hind toe and claw of equal length; upper parts yellowish-grey, streaked with brownish-black and brownish-red; on the head three greyish-blue longitudinal bands; quills dusky brown, margined with brownish-red, tail-feathers dull light brown, edged with lighter; sides of the head yellowish-grey, with two bands of dusky brown; throat white, with a broad band of dusky brown on each side; lower parts white, the fore neck and sides tinged with reddish, and streaked with dusky brown. Bill stouter than in the preceding species.

Male, 6, 8¹/₂.

Breeds from Texas to Nova Scotia. Not observed in Kentucky. Winter resident in the Southern States. Very abundant.

Fringilla melodia, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. ii. p. 125.

Fringilla melodia, Bonap. Syn. p. 108.

Common Song Sparrow, Fringilla melodia, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 486.

Song Sparrow, Fringilla melodia, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. i. p. 126; v. v. p. 507.

190. 5. Fringilla Mortoni, Aud. Morton's Finch.

Not figured.

Wings of moderate length, the first quill two-twelfths of an inch shorter than the second, which is almost equal to the third; tail of moderate length, nearly even; bill dusky; feet and claws yellowish-brown; upper part of head ash-grey, with a longitudinal band of black on each side, externally of which is a greyish-white band; loral space, cheek-feathers, and auriculars dusky, the feathers under the eye tipped with white; throat white, surrounded with a black band; a light chestnut-red band surrounding the neck unless for a short space in front; fore-part of back and scapulars light dull yellowish-red, streaked with brownish-black, the hind part, rump, and upper tail-coverts yellowish-grey; the smaller wing-coverts yellowish-grey, the first row brownish-black toward the end with the tip white, the secondary coverts and inner secondary quills brownish-black, broadly margined with light yellowish-red, the former tipped with white, the rest of the quills dusky brown, edged with yellowish-red fading on the outer whitish; tail-feathers blackish-brown, narrowly edged with pale yellowish-grey, the lateral of a lighter tint; lower parts dull brownish-white, sides light greyish-brown, lower wing-coverts yellowish-white.

Male, 5¹/₂, wing, 2¹¹/₁₂.

North California.

Morton's Finch, Fringilla Mortoni, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. v. p. 312.

* Claws shorter and more curved.

191. 6. Fringilla Pennsylvanica, Lath. White-throated Finch.

Plate VIII. Male and Female.

Male with the bill dusky; the upper part of the head black, with a central white band; a bright yellow band from the nostril to the eye continued into a white band passing over and behind it, and margined beneath with black; fore part of back bright bay, streaked with dusky and reddish-yellow; rump yellowish-grey; edge of wing light yellow; quills brownish-black, primaries edged with yellowish-grey, secondaries and their coverts with light red; two narrow bands of white on the wings, formed by the tips of the secondary coverts and first row of small coverts; tail-feathers brown, edged with rufous; throat white; cheeks, sides, and fore part of neck, and a portion of breast, ash-grey, the rest of the lower parts greyish-white, the sides tinged with yellowish-grey. Female similar, but with the colours duller.

Male, 6¹/₂, 9. Female, 6¹/₄, 8¹/₂.

Winter resident from Louisiana to Maryland, and inland as far as Kentucky. Breeds from Maine to the Fur Countries. Abundant.

White-throated Sparrow, Fringilla albicollis, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. iii. p. 51.

Fringilla Pennsylvanica, Bonap. Syn. p. 108.

Fringilla (Zonotrichia) Pennsylvanica, White-throated Finch, Swains. & Rich. F. Bor. Amer. v. ii. p. 256.

White-throated Sparrow, Fringilla Pennsylvanica, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 481.

White-throated Sparrow, Fringilla Pennsylvanica, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. i. p. 42; v. v. p. 497.

192. 7. Fringilla leucophrys, Gmel. White-crowned Finch.—White-crowned Sparrow.

Plate CXIV. Adult Male and Female in second plumage.

Male with the bill yellowish-red, tipped with brown; upper part of the head with four longitudinal black, and three white bands; fore part of the back streaked with reddish-brown and yellowish-grey; rump light yellowish-brown; quills dark brown, primaries edged with yellowish-grey, secondaries and their coverts with yellowish-red; edge of wing whitish; two bands of white on the wing, formed by the tips of the secondary coverts and first row of small coverts; tail-feathers brown, edged with yellowish-brown; throat greyish-white; cheeks, sides, and fore part of the neck, and a portion of the breast, ash-grey; abdomen white, sides, and lower tail-coverts yellowish-brown. Female similar to the male. Young in first plumage with the back, wings, and tail as in the adult, but duller, and the bands inconspicuous; on the head three greyish-white bands, streaked with dusky, and four dull greyish-brown bands similarly streaked; cheeks, sides, and fore part of the neck, with a portion of the breast dull greyish-white, streaked with dusky, the rest of the lower parts dull yellowish-white. At the second moult the colours approximate to those of the old bird, but the central band on the head is dull yellowish-brown, the lateral bands brownish-red; while the lower parts are of much duller tints.

Male, 7¹/₂, 10¹/₂.

Breeds from Newfoundland and Labrador northward. Abundant. Migratory. Passes southward in autumn beyond the Texas.

White-crowned Bunting, Emberiza leucophrys, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. iv. p. 49.

Fringilla leucophrys, Bonap. Syn. p. 479.

Fringilla (Zonotrichia) leucophrys, White-crowned Finch, Swains. & Rich. F. Bor. Amer. v. ii. p. 255.

White-crowned Bunting or Finch, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 479.

White-crowned Sparrow, Fringilla leucophrys, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. ii. p. 88; v. v. p. 515.

193. 8. Fringilla atricapilla, Gmel. Black-and-yellow-crowned Finch.

Plate CCCXCIV. Fig. 3. Male.

Bill dusky above, reddish-brown beneath; upper part of head black, with a median longitudinal band of yellow, changing behind to grey; upper parts yellowish-brown, tinged with grey; the feathers of the fore part of the back, scapulars, and wing-coverts, with a central dusky spot; quills and larger coverts dark brown, bordered with reddish-brown, paler on the primaries; the tips of the secondary coverts and first row of small coverts white, forming two bands across the wing; tail-feathers brown, edged with yellowish-grey; sides of the head, throat, fore part and sides of the neck, and breast, light grey, the sides and lower tail-coverts pale yellowish-brown, the abdomen brownish-white. Young with the upper parts dull yellowish-grey, streaked with dusky; wings and tail dusky brown, the primaries and tail-feathers edged with yellowish-green; the lower parts greyish-white, streaked with dusky, the throat white, with a dusky band on each side, the sides and lower tail-coverts tinged with light yellowish-brown.

Male, 8, wing 3⁵/₁₂.

Rocky Mountains and Columbia River. Rare. Migratory.

Emberiza atricapilla, Gmel. Syst. Nat. v. i. p. 875.

Black-and-yellow-crowned Finch, Emberiza atricapilla, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. v. p. 47.

GENUS X. PIPILO, Vieill. GROUND-FINCH.

Bill short, stout, narrower than the head, conical, somewhat compressed, acute; upper mandible with the dorsal line slightly convex, the ridge narrow and distinct, the sides convex, the edges somewhat inflected, ascending for more than a third, then direct, with a slight festoon; notches very slight, tip declinate, narrow; lower mandible with the angle very short and broad, the dorsal line slightly convex, the sides rounded, the edges involute, the point acute. Nostrils basal, roundish, partially concealed by the feathers. Tarsus of moderate length, compressed, with seven scutella; toes rather large, scutellate above, the first stronger, the lateral nearly equal. Claws rather long, moderately arched, slender, compressed, laterally grooved, acute. Small bristles at the base of the upper mandible. Plumage full, soft, and blended. Wings of ordinary length, much rounded, the fourth quill longest; tail long, rounded. Roof of upper mandible rather flat, with a narrow median and two broad lateral flattened ridges, tongue compressed, convex above, with a median groove, horny at the end, and pointed; oesophagus slightly dilated about the middle; stomach a strong muscular gizzard; intestine short; coeca small.

194. 1. Pipilo arcticus, Swains. Arctic Ground-Finch.

Plate CCCXCIV. Fig. 4. Male. Fig. 5. Female.

Columbia River, and northward to the Fur Countries. Abundant. Migratory.

Pyrgita (Pipilo) arctica, Arctic Ground-Finch, Swains. & Rich. F. Bor. Amer. v. ii. p. 260.

Arctic Ground-Finch, Nutt. Man. v. ii. p. 589.

Arctic Ground-Finch, Fringilla arctica, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. v. p. 49.

195. 2. Pipilo erythrophthalmus, Linn. Towhe Ground-Finch.—Towhe Bunting. Ground Robin. Swamp Robin.

Plate XXIX. Male and Female.

Head, neck all round, a portion of the breast, and upper parts in general, black; sides and lower tail-coverts orange-red, the latter paler; central part of the breast and abdomen white; feathers of the tibia dusky, margined with whitish (no white spots on the scapulars or wing-coverts); a white patch on the wing, formed by the bases of the outer webs of six or seven of the primaries; outer three tail-feathers with a white patch toward the end on their inner webs chiefly (much more extended than in the last species). Female smaller, differing from the male only in having the parts which in him are deep black, dusky reddish-brown. Young in first plumage with the upper parts dull reddish-brown, streaked with brownish-black; the wings and tail as in the adult, the lower parts pale yellowish-grey, marked with short longitudinal streaks of dusky.

Male, 8¹/₂, 12.

Breeds from Texas along the Atlantic districts, as well as in the interior, northward to Labrador. Abundant. Migratory.

Towhe Bunting, Emberiza erythrophthalma, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. ii. p. 35.

Fringilla erythrophthalma, Bonap. Syn. p. 112.

Ground Robin or Towhe Finch, Fringilla erythrophthalma, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 515.

Towhe Bunting, Fringilla erythrophthalma, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. i. p. 151; v. v. p. 511.

GENUS XI. ERYTHROSPIZA, Bonap. PURPLE-FINCH.

Bill rather short, robust, bulging, conical, pointed; upper mandible a little broader, with the nasal sinus very short and broad, the dorsal line a little convex, the ridge indistinct, the sides rounded, the edges a little inflected, ascending at the base, afterwards direct, the notches faint, the tip slightly deflected, rather acute; lower mandible with the angle short and rounded, the dorsal line ascending, straight, the back and sides rounded, the edges involute, the tip acute. Nostrils roundish, partially concealed by the short reflexed bristly feathers. Head large, roundish-ovate; neck short, body moderate. Tarsus short, slender, compressed, with seven scutella; toes rather small, first stout, lateral nearly equal. Claws slender, much compressed, well arched, acute. Plumage soft and rather blended; feathers of the hind head somewhat elongated and pointed. Wings of moderate length, rather pointed, the outer four quills longest. Tail of moderate length, deeply emarginate. Upper mandible concave beneath, with two prominent lines, of which the lateral are much larger; tongue higher than broad, channelled above, the tip somewhat rounded and concave; oesophagus dilated about the middle; stomach roundish, muscular; intestine short; coeca very small.

196. 1. Erythrospiza purpurea, Gmel. Crested Purple-Finch.—Purple Finch.

Plate IV. Male and Female.

Second quill longest, first shorter than third. Male with the head, neck, breast, back, and upper tail-coverts, crimson, paler behind; fore part of the back spotted with brown; quills, larger coverts, and tail, deep brown, margined with dull red. Female with the upper parts yellowish-olive, streaked with brown; a whitish band over the eye; lower parts greyish-white, streaked with brown. Young like the female.

Male, 6, 9.

During winter, from Texas to the Carolinas, and northward to Kentucky. In summer, from St Louis to the Columbia, and in the Fur Countries. Abundant.

Purple Finch, Fringilla purpurea, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. i. p. 119.

Purple Finch, Bonap. Syn. p. 114.

Fringilla purpurea Wilson, Crested Purple Finch, Swains. & Rich. F. Bor. Amer. v. ii. p. 264.

Purple Finch, Fringilla purpurea, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. i. p. 24; v. v. p. 200.

197. 2. Erythrospiza frontalis, Say. Crimson-fronted Purple-Finch.

Plate CCCCXXIV. Fig. 2. Male.

Third quill longest, second and fourth equal; tail long, slightly emarginate, and a little rounded. Male with the forehead and a band over the eye, proceeding down the neck, crimson; throat, fore part of breast and sides, with the rump, rich carmine, the latter paler; upper parts greyish-brown, the head, hind neck, and fore part of back, tinged with crimson; feathers of wings and tail dusky, edged with brownish-grey; hind part of breast, abdomen, and lower tail-coverts yellowish-white, streaked with dusky. Female with the feathers of the upper parts brown, edged with brownish-white; the lower parts brownish-white, streaked with brown.

Male, 6¹/₄, wing, 3¹/₂.

Bases of Rocky Mountains. Rare. Migratory.

Fringilla frontalis, Say, Long's Exped. v. ii. p. 40.

Crimson-necked Bullfinch, Pyrrhula frontalis, Bonap. Amer. Orn. v. i. pl. 1.

Crimson-fronted Bullfinch, Pyrrhula frontalis, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 534.

Crimson-necked Finch, Fringilla frontalis, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. v. p. 230.

198. 3. Erythrospiza tephrocotis, Swains. Grey-crowned Purple-Finch.

Plate CCCCXXIV. Fig. 3. Male.

Male dark umber-brown; upper part of head ash-grey, anteriorly spotted with black; first row of small wing-coverts, rump, and upper tail-coverts broadly edged and tipped with rose-red, as are the feathers of the sides, and the lower tail-coverts, feathers of wings and tail dusky brown, margined with brownish-white, the secondary coverts with dull red.

Male, 6; wing, 4.

Saskatchewan River. Very rare. Migratory.

Linaria (Leucosticte) tephrocotis, Swainson's Grey-crowned Linnet, Swains. & Rich. F. Bor. Amer. v. ii. p. 265.

Grey-crowned Linnet, Fringilla tephrocotis, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. v. p. 232.

GENUS XII. CORYTHUS, Cuv. PINE-FINCH.

Bill short, robust, bulging at the base, conical, acute; upper mandible of the same breadth as the lower, with its dorsal line very convex, the nasal sinus semicircular, the sides convex, the edges sharp, overlapping, gently ascending at the base, then arched, with a slight festoon, the notches obsolete, the tip declinate, acute; lower mandible with the angle semicircular, the dorsal line slightly convex, the back rounded at the base, the sides convex, the edges somewhat inflected, the tip obtuse. Nostrils basal, round, concealed by bristly feathers. Head large, roundish-ovate; neck short; body moderately stout; feet short; tarsus short, compressed, with seven scutella; toes stout, the first proportionally large, the lateral nearly equal, the outer adherent at the base. Claws long, moderately arched, compressed, acute, that of the third toe longer than that of the first. Plumage soft, full, rather blended; two tufts of bristly feathers at the base of the upper mandible directed forwards. Wings of moderate length, pointed, the first, second, and third, nearly equal. Tail rather long, deeply emarginate. Roof of the mouth concave, with five prominent ridges; tongue deeper than broad, in its distal half oblong, concave, obtuse, and horny; oesophagus dilated about the middle; stomach large, muscular, with the lateral muscles distinct, and the epithelium rugous, intestine long, and rather slender; coeca very small; cloaca oblong.

199. 1. Corythus Enucleator, Linn. Common Pine-finch.—Pine Grosbeak.

Plate CCCLVIII. Male, Female, and Young.

Male bright carmine, tinged with vermilion; the feathers on the fore part of the back and the scapulars greyish-brown in the centre; bristly feathers at the base of the bill blackish-brown; middle of the breast, abdomen, and lower tail-coverts, light grey, the latter with a central dusky streak; wings blackish-brown; primaries edged with reddish-white, secondaries more broadly with white; secondary coverts and first row of small coverts tipped with reddish-white; smaller coverts edged with red. Female with the upper part of the head and hind neck yellowish-brown, the rump brownish-yellow, the rest of the upper parts light brownish-grey, wings and tail as in the male, but the white edgings and tips tinged with grey; cheeks and throat greyish-white, or yellowish; lower parts ash-grey, anteriorly tinged with brownish-yellow. The young resemble the female. Young males yellow and red, like those of Loxia curvirostra.

Male, 8¹/₂, 14. Female, 8¹/₄, 13¹/₂.

From Pennsylvania and New Jersey, in winter, eastward to Newfoundland. Breeds from Maine northward. Common. Migratory.

Pine Grosbeak, Loxia Enucleator, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. i. p. 80.

Pyrrhula Enucleator, Bonap. Syn. p. 119.

Pyrrhula (Corythus) Enucleator, Pine Bullfinch, Swains. & Rich. F. Bor. Amer. v. ii. p. 262.

Pine Grosbeak or Bullfinch, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 535.

Pine Grosbeak, Pyrrhula Enucleator, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. iv. p. 414.

GENUS XIII. LOXIA, Linn. CROSSBILL.

Bill rather long, stout at the base, where it is much higher than broad, extremely compressed toward the end, the mandibles towards their extremity deflected to opposite sides, so as to cross each other; upper mandible with the dorsal line convex and deflected, the sides slightly convex, the edges sharp, and towards the end united, the tip excessively compressed and decurved; lower mandible with its angle semicircular, the dorsal line ascending and convex, the edges sharp, inflected, and approximated at the tip, which is extremely acute. Nostrils small, basal, round, covered by the short bristly feathers. Head large, broadly ovate; neck short; body compact. Feet rather short and strong; tarsus short, compressed, with seven scutella; toes of moderate size, the first strong, the lateral nearly equal. Claws long, arched, very slender, much compressed, tapering to a fine point, that of the middle toe nearly as long as that of the first. Plumage soft, full, and blended. Two tufts of bristly feathers at the base of the upper mandible directed forwards. Wings of moderate length, pointed, the outer three primaries longest, the first generally exceeding the rest. Tail short, distinctly emarginate. Roof of the mouth concave, with three ridges, of which the median is much smaller; tongue deeper than broad, at the end oblong, obtuse, concave above, and horny; oesophagus dilated into a very large crop; stomach roundish, muscular, with the epithelium rugous; intestine of moderate length; coeca very small.

200. 1. Loxia curvirostra, Linn. Common Crossbill.

Plate CXCVII. Male, Female, and Young.

Male dull light red, inclining to vermilion; the wings and tail blackish-brown, the feathers narrowly margined with dull red. Female with the upper parts greyish-brown, tinged with green, the rump dull greenish-yellow, the sides of the head and neck of the same colour as the back, the lower parts pale greyish-yellow, brighter on the fore part of the breast, wings and tail as in the male, but the feathers edged with dull yellowish. Young with the central part of the feathers greyish-brown, the edges yellowish-grey, the upper parts thus appearing spotted, the lower streaked with dusky. Young males vary in the tints of the plumage from yellowish-green to orange and vermilion.

Male, 7, 10.

From Maryland eastward and northward, to lat. 52. Breeds in Pennsylvania, New York, and the north-eastern States to Nova Scotia. Common. Migratory.

American Crossbill, Curvirostra americana, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. iv. p. 44.

Loxia curvirostra, Bonap. Syn. p. 117.

Common Crossbill, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 583.

Common Crossbill, Loxia curvirostra, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. ii. p. 559; v. v. p. 511.

201. 2. Loxia leucoptera, Gmel. White-winged Crossbill.

Plate CCCLXIV. Male, Female, and Young.

Bill excessively compressed, with the mandibles less curved. Male rich carmine, inclining to crimson; the feathers on the fore part and middle of the back dusky, excepting the tips; the scapulars, wings, upper tail-coverts, and tail black; two broad bands of white on the wings, the anterior formed by the first row of small coverts, and several of those adjoining, the other by the secondary coverts, of which the basal half only is black. Female with the feathers of the upper parts dusky, edged with greyish-yellow, the rump wax-yellow; the wings and tail as in the male, but with the white bands of less breadth; lower parts yellowish-grey, streaked with dusky, the fore part of the breast wax-yellow. Young similar to the female, but with the lower parts dull yellowish-grey, spotted and streaked with dark brown.

Male, 6¹/₂, 10⁵/₈. Female, 6¹/₄, 10.

During winter, as far south as Maryland. Not uncommon in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, where a few breed. Common in Maine, Nova Scotia, Labrador, and the Fur Countries. Migratory.

White-winged Crossbill, Loxia leucoptera, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. iv. p. 48.

Loxia leucoptera, Bonap. Syn. p. 117.

White-winged Crossbill, Loxia leucoptera, Bonap. Amer. Orn. v. ii. p.

Loxia leucoptera, White-winged Crossbill, Swains. & Rich. F. Bor. Amer. v. ii. p. 263.

White-winged Crossbill, Loxia leucoptera, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 540.

White-winged Crossbill, Loxia leucoptera, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. iv. p. 467.

GENUS XIV. CORYDALINA, Aud. LARK-FINCH.

Bill of the same form as in the Guiraca, but smaller, and approaching to that of Dolichonyx, being short, robust, conical, a little compressed; upper mandible a little narrower, with the dorsal line very slightly convex, the ridge indistinct, the nasal sinus very broad and short, the sides convex, the edges ascending for a third of their length, then direct, the notches almost obsolete, the tip narrow; lower mandible with the angle short and very broad, the dorsal line ascending and slightly convex, the back broad, the sides rounded, the edges inflected, the tip pointed. Nostrils basal, roundish. Head large, ovate; neck short; body full. Feet of moderate length, stout; tarsus of ordinary length, compressed, with seven scutella; toes rather large, the first stouter, the lateral equal, the third very long. Claws rather long, arched, much compressed, laterally grooved, tapering to a very acute point. Plumage soft and blended. Bristles at the base of upper mandible feeble. Wings of moderate length, the outer three quills nearly equal, the second longest, the fourth slightly shorter than the third; outer secondaries broadly rounded and emarginate; inner tapering to a rounded point, one of them, when the wing is closed, little shorter than the outer primaries. Tail of moderate length, a little rounded. Name from [Greek: Korydalos], a lark.

202. 1. Corydalina bicolor, Towns. Prairie Lark-Finch.

Plate CCCXC. Fig. 2. Male. Fig. 3. Female.

Male black, slightly tinged with grey; a large patch of white on the wing, including some of the smaller coverts, the tips of the first row, and their secondary coverts; primaries and outer secondaries narrowly, inner secondaries broadly margined with white; tail-feathers narrowly edged with white, and having a narrow speck of the same at the end of the inner web. Female smaller, with the upper parts greyish-brown, streaked with dusky brown; the lower white, with oblong spots of brownish-black, the abdomen nearly pure white, their sides tinged with reddish-brown; quills dark brown, edged and tipped with reddish-white; the patch on the wing of the same tint; tail-feathers dark brown, the outer externally edged, and all tipped with white on the inner web.

Male, 7, wing 3⁵/₁₂.

Plains of the Platte River. Plentiful. Migratory.

Fringilla bicolor, Prairie Finch, Towns. Journ. Acad. Nat. Sc. Philadelphia, v. vii. p. 189.

Prairie Finch, Fringilla bicolor, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. v. p. 19.

GENUS XV. PITYLUS, Cuvier. CARDINAL GROSBEAK.

Bill rather short, very robust, much higher than broad, tapering to a point; upper mandible considerably smaller than the lower, with the dorsal line convex, the ridge indistinct, the nasal sinus very wide, the sides convex, the edges ascending rapidly for a third of their length, then direct, with a slight festoon, slightly inflected, the notches faint, the tip a little deflected and narrow; lower mandible with the angle semicircular, the dorsal line straight, the sides at the base inflected, toward the end convex, the edges involute, the tip acute. Nostrils basal, round, concealed by the feathers. Plumage soft and blended, feathers of the head elongated and erectile; distinct bristles at the base of the upper mandible. Wings of moderate length, much rounded, the fourth and fifth quills longest, the first and eighth about equal. Tail long, rounded. Tarsus short, compressed, with seven scutella; toes moderate, hind toe stout, broad beneath, outer toe slightly longer than inner, and adherent at the base. Claws moderate, arched, compressed, acute. Upper mandible concave beneath, with three longitudinal ridges; tongue as high as broad, convex above, tapering to a point. Œsophagus nearly uniform, stomach pretty large, roundish, its lateral muscles strong.

203. 1. Pitylus Cardinalis, Linn. Common Cardinal Grosbeak.—Cardinal Bird. Red Bird. Virginian Nightingale.

Plate CLIX. Male and Female.

Breeds abundantly from Texas to New York. Very rare in Massachusetts. Valleys of the Mississippi and Missouri, Kentucky and Ohio. Resident from Maryland southward.

Cardinal Grosbeak, Loxia cardinalis, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. ii. p. 38.

Fringilla cardinalis, Bonap. Syn. p. 113.

Cardinal Grosbeak or Red Bird, Fringilla cardinalis, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 519.

Cardinal Grosbeak, Fringilla cardinalis, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. ii. p. 336; v. v. p. 514.

GENUS XVI. COCCOBORUS, Swains. SONG-GROSBEAK.

Bill rather short, extremely robust, almost as broad as the head and somewhat compressed, tapering to a point; upper mandible considerably smaller than the lower, with the dorsal line convex, the ridge indistinct, the nasal sinus very wide, the sides convex, the edges ascending for a third of their length, then direct, with a slight festoon, and inflected, the notches faint, the tip a little deflected, and narrow; lower mandible with the angle short and semicircular, the dorsal line straight, the sides at the base inflected, toward the end convex, the edges involute, the tip acute. Nostrils basal, round. Plumage somewhat compact, blended; distinct bristles at the base of the upper mandible. Wings of moderate length, pointed, the outer three quills nearly equal, the second longest. Tail of moderate length, slightly emarginate. Tarsus short, compressed, with seven scutella; toes moderate, hind toe stout, broad beneath, outer toe slightly longer than inner, and adherent at the base. Claws moderate, arched, compressed, acute. Upper mandible concave beneath, with three longitudinal ridges; tongue as high as broad, convex above, tapering to a point; oesophagus rather wide, dilated about the middle; stomach rather small, roundish, compressed, with its muscles distinct and of moderate thickness, the epithelium longitudinally rugous; intestine short, and of moderate width; coeca very small.

204. 1. Coccoborus coeruleus, Linn. Blue Song-Grosbeak.

Plate CXXII. Male, Female, and Young.

Male blue; with the lores, chin, and a line round the base of the mandibles black; wings and tail brownish-black, the latter and the primaries edged with blue, the first row of small coverts and the secondary coverts tipped with reddish-brown. Female with the head and hind part of the back blue; the fore part of the back brown, the wings and tail as in the male, the lower parts light greyish-brown, the sides, and fore part of the neck and the breast tinged with blue. Young yellowish-brown, lighter beneath; the upper part of the head, the back, smaller wing-coverts, and upper tail-coverts tinged with dusky.

Male, 7¹/₂, 11.

From Texas to New Jersey, and up the Mississippi to Memphis. Rocky Mountains. Rather rare. Migratory.

Blue Grosbeak, Loxia coerulea, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. iii. p. 78.

Fringilla coerulea, Bonap. Syn. p. 114.

Blue Grosbeak, Fringilla coerulea, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 529.

Blue Grosbeak, Fringilla coerulea, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. ii. p. 140; v. v. p. 508.

205. 2. Coccoborus Ludovicianus, Linn. Rose-breasted Song-Grosbeak.

Plate CXXVII. Male, Female, and Young.

Male with the head, neck, fore part of back, wings, and tail, black; lower part of the fore neck, a portion of the breast, axillars, and lower wing-coverts, rich carmine; hind part of the back, two bands on the wings, bases of primary quills, tips of secondaries, and terminal half of inner webs of outer three tail-feathers, white. Female with the upper parts light yellowish-brown, streaked with darker, the lower yellowish-white, the sides of the neck, fore part of breast, and sides streaked with yellowish-brown; three white bands on the head; white wing-bands narrower than in the male; axillars and lower wing-coverts light buff. Young like the female.

Male, 7³/₄, 13.

Passes from Texas northward and eastward in great numbers. Breeds on the Missouri, in the Middle States, Newfoundland, and Labrador. Rather common. Migratory.

Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Loxia rosea, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. ii. p. 135.

Fringilla ludoviciana, Bonap. Syn. p. 113.

Coccothraustes ludoviciana, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, F. Bor. Amer. v. i. p. 271.

Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Fringilla ludoviciana, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 527.

Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Fringilla ludoviciana, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. ii. p. 166; v. ii. p. 513.

206. 3. Coccoborus melanocephalus, Swains. Black-headed Song-Grosbeak.

Plate CCCLXXIII. Male and Female.

Male with the head, cheeks, a small portion of the throat, wings, and tail, black; a band on the hind neck, the fore part and sides of the neck, a portion of the breast, and the sides, dull reddish-orange; the middle of the breast, axillars, and lower wing-coverts, light yellow; back black, streaked with yellowish-red; rump of the latter colour; two bands on the wings, the base and outer margins of the primaries, the tips of the secondaries, and a terminal patch on the inner webs of the outer three tail-feathers, white. Female with the upper parts light yellowish-brown, streaked with darker, the lower light yellowish-brown; the axillars and lower wing-coverts light yellow; white wing-bands narrower than in the male.

Male, 8¹/₂, wing 4¹/₄.

Central Table-land of Rocky Mountains. Common. Migratory.

Black-headed Grosbeak, Fringilla melanocephala, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. iv. p. 519.

GENUS XVII. COCCOTHRAUSTES, Briss. GROSBEAK.

Bill of moderate length, extremely robust, almost as broad as the head, not compressed, conical, pointed; upper mandible rather broader than the lower, with the dorsal line slightly convex, the ridge indistinct, the nasal sinus extremely wide and short, the sides rounded, the edges simply arched and a little inflected, the notches almost obsolete, the tip a little deflected; lower mandible with the angle extremely short and wide, forming the fourth of a circle, the dorsal line straight, the sides at the base and in their whole length convex, the edges involute, the tip acute; nostrils basal, round. Plumage blended. Wings of moderate length, pointed, the outer three quills nearly equal, the second longest. Tail of moderate length, emarginate. Tarsus short, compressed, with seven scutella; toes moderate, hind toe stout, broad beneath; outer toe a little longer than the inner, and adherent at the base. Claws moderate, or rather stout, arched, compressed, acute. Upper mandible concave beneath, with three prominent lines.

207. 1. Coccothraustes vespertina, Cooper. Evening Grosbeak.

Plate CCCLXXIII. Fig. 1. Male.

Plate CCCCXXIV. Fig 5. Female. Fig. 6. Young Male.

Male with the upper part of the head and hind neck black, bounded anteriorly by a broadish band of bright yellow passing over the eyes; a narrow line of black margining the base of the bill; cheeks, lower part of hind neck, and throat, dark yellowish-olive, this colour gradually brightening on the body, until, on the outer edges of the scapulars, the rump, the axillars, lower wing-coverts, abdomen, and lower tail-coverts, it becomes pure yellow; smaller wing-coverts, alula, primary coverts, primaries, outer three secondaries, outer web of the next, and the bases of the inner secondaries black, as is the tail; six inner secondaries, and their coverts, the basal part excepted, black. Female with the upper parts brownish-grey, the head and cheeks darker, the lower parts pale grey, the throat white, with two longitudinal black bands; a band of greenish-yellow across the fore part of the back, axillars and lower wing-coverts light yellow; wings and tail, with their coverts, brownish-black, secondary coverts, and quills edged with yellowish-white, bases of some of the primaries, tips of the tail-coverts, and inner webs of all the tail-feathers at the end, white. Young male similar to the female, but without the black bands on the throat.

Male, 8, wing 4³/₄. Female, 7¹/₂, wing 4¹/₄.

Michigan. Columbia River. Saskatchewan. Common. Migratory.

Fringilla vespertina, Cooper, Ann. Lyc. New York, v. i. p. 220.

Evening Grosbeak, Fringilla vespertina, Bonap. Syn. p. 113.

Evening Grosbeak, Fringilla vespertina, Bonap. Amer. Orn. v. ii. pl. 14.

Coccothraustes vespertina, Evening Grosbeak, Swains. & Rich. F. Bor. Amer. v. ii. p. 269.

Evening Grosbeak, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 594.

Coccothraustes Bonapartii, Lesson, Young Male.

Evening Grosbeak, Fringilla vespertina, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. iv. p. 515; v. v. p. 235.

GENUS XVIII. PYRANGA, Vieill. RED-BIRD.

Bill of moderate length, robust, tapering, compressed toward the end, acute; upper mandible with its dorsal line declinate and considerably convex, the ridge rather narrow, nasal sinus very short and wide, the sides convex, the edges sharp, slightly arched, with a festoon about the middle, the notches distinct, the tip very slender, declinate; lower mandible strong, with the angle short and rounded, the dorsal line straight, the sides convex, the edges direct, the tip acute. Nostrils basal, round. Head ovate; neck short; body compact. Tarsus short, with seven scutella; toes rather small, the first moderate, the outer slightly longer than the inner, and adherent at the base. Claws moderate, well arched, much compressed, laterally grooved, acute, those of the first and third toes equal. Plumage soft and blended; distinct bristles at the base of upper mandible. Wings rather long, with the second and third quills longest, the first a little shorter. Tail of moderate length, emarginate. Upper mandible concave, with three longitudinal ridges; tongue somewhat triangular, convex above, with the point thin-edged and lacerated; oesophagus dilated about the middle; stomach broadly elliptical, small, its lateral muscles rather small; epithelium thin, longitudinally rugous; intestine short; coeca extremely small. Inferior laryngeal muscles four on each side, but very small.

208. 1. Pyranga Æstiva, Gmel. Summer Red-bird.

Plate XLIV. Male and Female.

Male vermilion, brighter beneath; inner webs of quills brown. Female greenish-yellow above. Young like the female; young males variegated according to age; old females sometimes like the males, but duller.

Male, 7¹/₂, 11.

From Texas to Massachusetts. In the interior to Canada. Abundant. Migratory.

Summer Red Bird, Tanagra Æstiva, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. i. p. 95.

Tanagra Æstiva, Bonap. Syn. p. 105.

Summer Red Bird, Tanagra Æstiva, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 469.

Summer Red Bird, Tanagra Æstiva, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. i. p. 232; v. v. p. 518.

209. 2. Pyranga rubra, Linn. Scarlet Red-bird.—Scarlet Tanager.

Plate CCCLIV. Fig. 3. Male. Fig. 4. Female.

Male scarlet, with the wings and tail black. Female yellowish-green above, greenish-yellow beneath, wings and tail dusky, the feathers margined with yellowish-green. Males have been met with, having a scarlet band on the wing, formed by the first row of small coverts. Young like the female.

Male, 7, 11³/₄. Female, 6¹/₂, 10³/₄.

From Texas to Lake Huron. Throughout the Valley of the Mississippi, Kentucky, and Ohio. Common. Migratory.

Scarlet Tanager, Tanagra rubra, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. ii. p. 42.

Tanagra rubra, Bonap. Syn. p. 105.

Scarlet Tanager or Black-winged Summer Red Bird, Swains. & Rich. F. Bor. Amer. v. ii. p. 273.

Scarlet Tanager, Tanagra rubra, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 465.

Scarlet Tanager, Tanagra rubra, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. iv. p. 388.

210. 3. Pyranga Ludoviciana, Wils. Louisiana Red-bird.—Louisiana Tanager.

Plate CCCLIV. Fig. 1, 2. Male. Plate CCCC. Fig. 4. Female.

Male with the head and throat rich carmine; lower parts, neck, rump, and a broad band on the wing, rich yellow; middle of the back, wings, and tail black; secondary coverts and inner secondaries tipped with yellowish-white. Female with the upper parts yellowish-green, the fore part of the back greyish-olive; lower parts greenish-yellow; two bands on the wings, the anterior pale yellow, the other whitish.

Male, 7¹/₄, wing, 3^9½/₁₂.

Platte River. Columbia River. Common. Migratory.

Louisiana Tanager, Tanagra ludoviciana, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. iii. p. 27.

Tanagra ludoviciana, Bonap. Syn. p. 105.

Louisiana Tanager, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 471.

Louisiana Tanager, Tanagra ludoviciana, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. iv. p. 385; v. v. p. 90.

FAMILY XVI. AGELAINÆ. MARSH-BLACKBIRDS.

Bill of moderate length, sometimes short, seldom longer than the head, stout, straight, conical, compressed, tapering, pointed; upper mandible with the dorsal line nearly straight, the nasal sinus short and very wide, the ridge thus appearing to encroach on the forehead, the sides rounded, the edges without notch; lower mandible with the angle short and rounded, the dorsal line straight, the edges involute. Nostrils basal, roundish or oblong. Head rather large, ovate; neck short; body moderately full. Legs of moderate length, stout, rather slender; tarsus compressed, with eight anterior scutella; hind toe large, lateral toes equal, the outer adherent at the base. Claws generally long, arched, compressed, acute. Plumage soft, blended, in the males usually glossy. Wings of moderate length, with the outer three or four quills longest, the first being very little shorter than the second, or sometimes even exceeding it; tail of twelve feathers, of moderate length, or elongated. The roof of the upper mandible concave, with three longitudinal ridges, of which the middle is larger, and at the base forms a hard prominence; tongue sagittate and papillate at the base, narrow, deep, pointed. Œsophagus wide, dilated about the middle; proventriculus oblong; stomach roundish or elliptical, with the lateral muscles distinct and well developed; the epithelium dense and longitudinally rugous; intestine short and rather wide; coeca very small, cylindrical; cloaca oblong. Trachea simple, with four pairs of inferior laryngeal muscles. Female much smaller. Nest various, on trees or bushes, or on the ground, generally elaborate. Eggs about five, ovate, spotted and streaked.

GENUS I. DOLICHONYX, Swains. RICE-BIRD.

Bill rather short, very stout, moderately compressed, conical; upper mandible with the dorsal line straight, a little convex at the base, and very slightly deflected at the end, its ridge rather broad, indistinct, sides rounded, edges direct, overlapping, tip rather acute; lower mandible with the angle of moderate length, very broad, dorsal outline ascending, slightly convex at the base, sides erect and convex, tip acute; gape-line ascending for a fourth of its length, then direct. Nostrils small, elliptical, operculate. Plumage blended, but firm, with little gloss. Wings rather long, pointed, the first quill longest. Tail of moderate length, the feathers narrow and acuminate. Toes large; claws very long, little arched, slender, tapering to a fine point.

211. 1. Dolichonyx oryzivora, Linn. Wandering Rice-bird.—Bob-o-link. Maybird. Ortolan.

Plate LIV. Male and Female.

Rice-Bunting, Emberiza oryzivora, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. ii. p. 48.

Icterus agripennis, Bonap. Syn. p. 53.

Dolichonyx oryzivorus, Sharp-Tailed Rice-Bird, Swains. & Rich. F. Bor. Amer. v. ii. p. 278.

Rice-Bird, or Bob-o-link, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 185.

Rice-Bird, Icterus agripennis, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. i. p. 283; v. v. p. 486.

GENUS II. MOLOTHRUS, Swains. COW-BIRD.

Bill rather short, very stout, moderately compressed, conical; upper mandible with the dorsal line slightly convex, its ridge flattened for half its length, afterwards narrow, sides convex, edges direct, tip rather acute; lower mandible with the angle short and wide, the dorsal outline ascending, straight, sides erect and convex, edges involute, tip acute; gape-line gently ascending for a third of its length, afterwards direct. Nostrils small, elliptical. Plumage blended, glossy. Wings rather long, pointed, the second quill longest, the first almost equal. Tail of moderate length, the feathers broad and rounded.

212. 1. Molothrus pecoris, Gmel. Common Cow-bird.

Plate XCIX. Male and Female. Plate CCCCXXIV. Fig. 4. Young.

GENUS III. AGELAIUS, Swains. MARSH-BLACKBIRD.

Bill shorter than the head, stout, straight, conical, tapering to an acute point; upper mandible with the dorsal line straight, slightly convex at the base, the ridge flattened toward the base, where it forms a short tapering process on the forehead, the sides rounded, the edges inflected, the tip a little depressed; lower mandible with the angle short and wide, the sides convex at the base, toward the end rounded, the edges involute, the tip acute; the gape-line ascending at the base, afterwards direct. Nostrils basal, oval, with a small operculum. Head ovate, of moderate size; neck short; body moderately stout. Feet of ordinary length, rather stout; tarsus compressed, with seven anterior scutella; toes rather large, the first much stronger, the outer a little shorter than the inner, and adherent at the base. Claws long, little arched, compressed, laterally grooved, very acute. Plumage soft and blended, glossy in the males. Wings of moderate length, with the outer four quills nearly equal. Tail rather long, rounded. Roof of the upper mandible with three longitudinal ridges; tongue tapering to a horny, flattened, slightly emarginate tip; oesophagus wide, considerably dilated about the middle; stomach roundish, muscular; intestine short and of moderate width; coeca very small, cloaca oblong.

213. 1. Agelaius xanthocephalus, Bonap. Saffron-headed Marsh-Blackbird.

Plate CCCLXXXVIII. Fig. 2. Male. Fig. 3. Female. Fig. 4. Young.

Male with the head, upper part of hind neck, sides of the neck, its fore part, and a portion of the breast, orange-yellow, the throat paler; feathers along the base of the bill, loral space, a band below the eye, and a narrower one above it, black; the rest of the plumage glossy black, excepting two bands on the outer part of the wing, formed by some of the smaller coverts, and the primary coverts, which are white. Female much smaller, of a uniform chocolate-brown, with the edges of the feathers paler, the feathers at the base of the upper mandible, a band over the eye, and the fore part of the neck light yellow, the throat dull white, and the feathers on the middle of the breast margined with white toward the end. Young similar to the female, but without yellow on the fore neck.

Male, 9; wing, 5¹⁰/₁₂.

Western Plains, California, and Fur Countries. Abundant. Migratory.

Yellow-headed Troopial, Icterus icterocephalus, Bonap. Amer. Orn. v. i. p. 27.

Icterus xanthocephalus, Bonap. Syn. p. 52.

Agelaius xanthocephalus, Saffron-headed Maize-Bird, Swains. & Rich. F. Bor. Amer. v. ii. p. 281.

Yellow-headed Troopial, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 176.

Yellow-headed Troopial, Icterus xanthocephalus, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. v. p. 6.

214. 2. Agelaius tricolor, Aud. Red-and-white-shouldered Marsh-Blackbird.

Plate CCCLXXXVIII. Fig. 1. Male.

Tail almost even. Male with the plumage glossy bluish-black; the smaller wing-coverts deep carmine, their first or posterior row white. Bill considerably longer than in the two following species.

Male, 9; wing, 5.

North California. Abundant. Migratory.

Red-and-white-winged Troopial, Icterus tricolor, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. v. p. 1.

215. 3. Agelaius Gubernator, Wagler. Red-and-black-shouldered Marsh-Blackbird.

Plate CCCCXX. Male and Female.

Tail slightly rounded. Male with the plumage glossy bluish-black; the smaller wing-coverts carmine scarlet, their first or posterior row tinged with yellow, and broadly tipped with black. Female much smaller, with the upper parts dark brown, the feathers edged with light brown; some of the smaller wing-coverts edged with dull scarlet, the first row with brownish-white; the larger coverts, quills, and tail-feathers, blackish-brown, edged with dull reddish-brown; lower parts longitudinally streaked with dusky and whitish, the fore neck strongly tinged with dull carmine.

Male, 9; wing, 5⁷/₁₂.

California.

Psarocolius Gubernator, Wagler, Syst. Avium.

Crimson-winged Troopial, Icterus Gubernator, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. v. p. 211.

216. 4. Agelaius phoeniceus, Linn. Red-and-yellow-shouldered Marsh-Blackbird.—Red-winged Starling.

Plate LXVII. Male, Female, and Young.

Tail considerably rounded. Male with the plumage glossy black, the smaller wing-coverts scarlet, their first or posterior row buff-coloured, at the tip whitish. Female much smaller, with the upper parts dark brown, the feathers edged with light brown; some of the smaller wing-coverts tinged with red; wings and tail blackish-brown, the feathers margined with brownish-red, the first row of small coverts and secondary coverts narrowly tipped with whitish; a yellowish-brown band over the eye; lower parts longitudinally streaked with dusky and whitish, the fore neck strongly tinged with dull carmine. Young similar to the female, but without red on the small wing-coverts or throat, the latter part with the sides of the head being pale yellowish-brown.

Male, 9, 14. Female, 7¹/₂.

Breeds from Texas throughout the United States, and northward to the Saskatchewan. Vast numbers spend the winter in the Southern and Western States.

Red-winged Starling, Sturnus prÆdatorius, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. iv. p. 30.

Icterus phoeniceus, Bonap. Syn. p. 52.

Agelaius phoeniceus, Red-winged Maize-bird, Swains. & Rich. F. Bor. Amer. v. ii. p. 280.

Red-winged Blackbird, Icterus phoeniceus, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 169.

Red-winged Starling or Marsh-Blackbird, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. i. p. 348; v. v. p. 487.

GENUS IV. ICTERUS, Briss. HANGNEST.

Bill a little shorter than the head, conical, very slightly decurved, compressed, tapering to a very attenuated point; upper mandible with the dorsal line almost straight, being very slightly convex, the ridge indistinct, narrowed at the base; the sides convex, the edges overlapping, the tip extremely sharp; gape-line ascending at the base, afterwards direct; lower mandible with the angle long and of moderate width, the dorsal line and that of the crura slightly concave, the sides erect at the base, convex towards the end, the edges slightly inflected, the tip extremely slender. Nostrils basal, elliptical, with a small operculum. Head ovate, of moderate size; neck short; body rather slender. Feet of moderate length, rather stout; tarsus much compressed, with seven anterior scutella; toes of moderate size, the hind toe much stronger, the lateral about equal, the third and fourth united at the base. Claws rather long, moderately arched, much compressed, laterally grooved, very acute. Plumage soft and blended. Wings of moderate length, with the outer four quills nearly equal. Tail of moderate length, rounded and slightly emarginate. Roof of the upper mandible with a broad median ridge, somewhat prominent at the base; tongue tapering to a deeply slit point; oesophagus wide, considerably dilated about the middle; stomach elliptical; intestine short, and of moderate width; coeca very small; cloaca globular.

217. 1. Icterus Baltimore, Linn. Baltimore Hangnest.—Golden Robin.

Plate XII. Adult and Young Male. Plate CCCCXXIII. Fig. 3. Female.

Second and third quills longest, fourth longer than first; tail slightly rounded. Male with the head, throat, sides, and hind part of the neck, with the fore part of the back, black; lower parts, rump, upper tail-coverts, and smaller wing-coverts rich orange, passing into orange-red on the breast; wings black, the secondary coverts largely tipped, and the quills margined with white; tail black, all the feathers tipped with rich yellow, the outer for half their length, the middle on a very small space. Female considerably smaller, with the upper part of the head, hind neck, sides of the neck at the middle, and anterior half of the back, brownish-black, the feathers edged with dull yellowish-green; hind part of the back light brownish-yellow, purer on the rump; tail yellowish-brown, the middle feathers darker; wing-coverts blackish-brown, quills dark brown, all margined with whitish; first row of small coverts and secondary coverts largely tipped with white; loral space, a band over the eye, and another beneath it, dull yellow; below the latter the cheeks spotted with dusky; lower parts yellowish-orange, duller than in the male, paler behind; some dusky streaks on the throat. Young similar to the female, but with the upper parts brownish-yellow, the head and back faintly spotted with dusky.

Male, 7³/₄, 12. Female, 7, 11.

In summer dispersed over the United States, to Nova Scotia. Columbia River. Texas. Abundant. Migratory.

Baltimore Oriole, Oriolus Baltimore, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. i. p. 23.

Icterus Baltimore, Bonap. Syn. p. 51.

Baltimore Oriole or Golden Robin, Icterus Baltimore, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 152.

Baltimore Oriole, Icterus Baltimore, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. i. p. 66; v. v. p. 278.

218. 2. Icterus Bullockii, Swains. Bullock's Hangnest.

Plate CCCLXXXVIII. Fig. 5. Male.

Plate CCCCXXXIII. Fig. 1. Young Male. Fig. 2. Female.

First quill longer than fifth, the intermediate quills almost equal. Male with the upper part of the head, the hind neck, and the anterior portion of the back, with the loral space, some feathers at the base of the lower mandible, and a rather narrow longitudinal band on the fore neck, deep black; anterior part of the forehead, a band over the eye, the cheeks, sides of the neck, and the breast, rich orange-yellow, the rest of the lower parts paler; lower wing-coverts and anterior edge of the wing pale yellow; hind parts of the back and upper tail-coverts yellow tinged with green; wings brownish-black, with a large patch of white formed by the outer small coverts and the edges of the secondary coverts; quills edged with white; four middle tail-feathers black, the rest orange-yellow, with a dusky patch near the end. Female smaller, with the upper parts greyish-olive, lighter on the rump; on the head and upper tail-coverts tinged with yellow; loral space somewhat dusky; anterior part of the forehead, a band over the eye, the cheeks, and sides of the neck, with the fore part of the breast, light greenish-yellow; throat dull white, the rest of the lower parts greyish-white, slightly tinged with yellow; wings dark brown, the larger small coverts tipped with greyish-white; secondary coverts and quills edged with the same; tail dull olivaceous-yellow. Young like the female.

Male, 7¹/₄, wing, 4¹/₁₂.

Rocky Mountains, Columbia River, and California. Common. Migratory.

Xanthornus Bullockii, Swains. Syn. of Mex. Birds, Phil. Mag. 1827, p. 436.

Bullock's Troopial, Icterus Bullockii, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. v. p. 9.

219. 3. Icterus spurius, Gmel. Orchard Hangnest.—Orchard Oriole.

Plate XLII. Male, Female, and Young.

Tail much rounded. Male with the head, neck, and fore part of the back, black; the rest of the body chestnut-red; quills and larger coverts black, the former margined, the latter tipped with greyish-white; tail-feathers black, tipped with dull white. Female with the head and upper parts dull yellowish-green, the fore part of the back tinged with brown; lower parts pale yellow; wings and tail greyish-brown, the feathers of the former margined with greyish-white, of the latter with yellowish-green. Young, like the female. Young males in various stages variously coloured.

Male, 6¹/₂, 9.

From Texas to Connecticut, over the valley of the Mississippi, Kentucky, and Ohio. Abundant. Rare in Massachusetts and Maine. Missouri to the bases of the Rocky Mountains. Migratory.

Orchard Oriole, Oriolus mutatus, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. i. p. 64.

Icterus spurius, Bonap. Syn. p. 51.

Spurious or Orchard Oriole, Icterus spurius, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 165.

Orchard Oriole, Icterus spurius, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. i. p. 221; v. v. p. 485.

GENUS V. QUISCALUS, Vieill. CROW-BLACKBIRD.

Bill as long as the head or somewhat longer, nearly straight, strong, tapering, compressed from the base; upper mandible with its outline slightly declinate, a little convex, the ridge narrow at the base and encroaching a little on the forehead, afterwards broad, rounded, and indistinct, the sides convex, the edges sharp and direct, or slightly inflected, with a faint festoon anterior to the nostrils, the tip deflected, acute; lower mandible with the angle short and rounded, the dorsal line straight, slightly deflected at the end, the ridge convex, the sides rounded, the edges inflected, the tip very acute. Nostrils basal, oval, half-closed by a membrane. Head of moderate size, ovate, flattened above; neck of moderate length; body rather slender. Feet of moderate length; tarsus as long as the middle toe and claw, compressed, with eight anterior scutella; toes rather long, with large scutella, the hind toe stronger, the lateral toes nearly equal, the middle toe much longer. Claws rather long, slightly arched, compressed, not laterally grooved, acute. Plumage blended, highly glossed. Wings of moderate length, the second and third quills longest, the first and fourth little shorter. Tail long, graduated or rounded, the feathers flat or slightly concave, slightly emarginate, with the inner webs longer than the outer. Roof of the upper mandible concave with three longitudinal ridges, of which the middle is enlarged at the base and prominent; tongue slender, sagittate, concave above, tapering to a thin lacerated point; oesophagus rather wide, considerably dilated about the middle; stomach of moderate size, elliptical or roundish, moderately muscular, the lateral muscles distinct, the epithelium dense, horny, slightly rugous, with two roundish grinding surfaces; intestine of moderate length, rather wide; coeca very small; cloaca oblong.

220. 1. Quiscalus major, Vieill. Great Crow-Blackbird.—Boat-tailed Grakle.

Plate CLXXXVII. Male and Female.

Tail very long, graduated, with the feathers slightly concave above. Male with the plumage silky, splendent, the head and neck deep purplish-blue, the back, breast, and sides deep blue, passing into green behind, the rump bronzed black; the wings and tail black, glossed with green, the abdomen, lower tail-coverts, and tibial feathers, plain black. Female much smaller, with the tail shorter, the plumage unglossed beneath, and but slightly glossy above, the upper parts dusky, with slight tints of green and blue; the head and neck dull brown; the lower parts light yellowish-brown, the tibial feathers and lower tail-coverts dusky.

Male, 15⁷/₈, 23³/₄. Female, 12⁵/₈, 18.

Abundant from Texas to North Carolina along the coast. Up the Mississippi about 200 miles. Constantly resident.

Quiscalus major, Bonap. Syn. p. 54.

Great Crow Blackbird, Quiscalus major, Bonap. Amer. Orn. v. i. p. 35.

Great Crow Blackbird, Quiscalus major, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 192.

Boat-tailed Grakle or Great Crow Blackbird, Quiscalus major, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. ii. p. 504; v. v. p. 480.

221. 2. Quiscalus versicolor, Vieill. Common or Purple Crow-Blackbird.—Purple Grakle.

Plate VII. Male and Female.

Tail long, much rounded, with the feathers flat. Male with the plumage silky and splendent, the head, neck, and anterior part of the breast blackish, with vivid reflections of violet, steel-blue, and green; general colour of the body dusky, glossed with purple, green, and blue, these colours arranged in three terminal zones, on each feather; rump violet-purple; wings and tail black, glossed with green and blue. Female considerably smaller, with the body more brown, the reflections much less brilliant. Young brown.

Male, 13, 19. Female, 11, 16.

Breeds from Texas to the Fur Countries. Resident in the Southern States. Extremely abundant.

Purple Grakle, Gracula quiscala, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. iii. p. 44.

Purple Grakle, Gracula quiscala, Bonap. Amer. Orn. v. i. p. 42.

Gracula quiscala, Bonap. Syn. p. 54.

Common Crow Blackbird, Quiscalus versicolor, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 194; v. v. p. 481.

Quiscalus versicolor, Common Purple Boat-tail, Swains. & Rich. F. Bor. Amer. v. ii. p. 485.

Purple Grakle or Common Crow Blackbird, Quiscalus versicolor, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. i. p. 35; v. v. p. 481.

222. 3. Quiscalus ferrugineus, Lath. Rusty Crow-Blackbird.—Rusty Grakle.

Plate CXLVII. Male, Female, and Young.

Tail of moderate length, slightly rounded. Male with the plumage glossy black, with green and bluish reflections, the feathers, when new, slightly margined with reddish. Female with the plumage somewhat duller, a reddish band over, and another under, the eye. Young with the head and neck light brown, the rest of the upper parts brownish-black, the feathers edged with light reddish-brown, the rump tinged with grey; a band over the eye, and the fore part and sides of the neck and body pale yellowish-brown; abdomen dusky, lower tail-coverts dusky brown.

Male, 9¹/₂, 14¹/₄.

From Texas to Maryland, and along the Mississippi and Ohio to Kentucky, during winter. Migrates northward to the Fur Countries, and to the Columbia River, in summer. Common.

Rusty Grakle, Gracula ferruginea, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. iii. p. 41.

Quiscalus ferrugineus, Bonap. Syn. p. 55.

Scolecophagus ferrugineus, Rusty Maggot-eater, Swains. & Rich. F. Bor. Amer. v. ii. p. 286.

Rusty Blackbird, Quiscalus ferrugineus, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 199.

Rusty Grakle, Quiscalus ferrugineus, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. ii. p. 325; v. v. p. 483.

FAMILY XVII. STURNINÆ. STARLINGS.

Bill nearly as long as the head, moderately stout, or rather slender, nearly straight, compressed toward the end; upper mandible with its outline straight, slightly convex toward the tip, the ridge somewhat flattened, the sides sloping and convex, the edges sharp and overlapping, with a very slight or obsolete notch, close to the depressed tip; lower mandible with the angle long and rather acute, the crura rather broad and flat at the base, the dorsal line straight, the edges sharp, the tip slender; gape-line ascending gently at the base, then direct. Head ovate or oblong, flattened above; neck of moderate length; body rather full. Feet moderately stout; tarsus rather short, compressed, with seven anterior scutella; toes moderate, or rather long, the first stouter, the lateral toes equal, the outer adherent at the base. Claws rather long, moderately arched, compressed, acute. Plumage rather compact. Wings of moderate length, with the first quill very small, the third and fourth longest. Tail short or of moderate length, rounded, and generally emarginate. Roof of upper mandible with a median ridge; tongue slender, thin-edged, with the tip slit and lacerated; oesophagus without dilatation; stomach roundish, its muscular coat rather thin, the epithelium dense, and longitudinally rugous; intestine of moderate length and width; coeca very small, cylindrical; cloaca ovate or oblong. Trachea simple, with four pairs of inferior laryngeal muscles. Nest on the ground, or in cavities; eggs about five.

GENUS I. STURNELLA, Vieill. MEADOW-STARLING.

Bill rather long, almost straight, conico-subulate, depressed toward the end; upper mandible with the ridge somewhat flattened, the edges sharp and overlapping; the tip narrow, but rounded; lower mandible with the outline straight, the ridge convex, the sides ascending; the tip slightly rounded. Nostrils oval, with an arched membrane above. Head of ordinary size, depressed; neck of moderate length; body rather full. Feet of moderate length, strong; tarsus distinctly scutellate; lateral toes nearly equal, hind toe stout. Claws arched, compressed, acute, that of the hind toe large. Plumage rather compact. Upper eyelid margined with strong bristles. Wings of moderate length, broad; the second, third, and fourth quills longest; one of the inner secondaries nearly as long when the wing is closed. Tail short, much rounded, of twelve acute feathers.

223. 1. Sturnella Ludoviciana, Linn. Crescent Meadow-Starling.—Meadow Lark.

Plate CXXXVI. Male and Female.

Upper parts variegated with dark brown, bay, and dull yellowish, the latter bordering the feathers; those of the hind parts of the back barred, as are the secondary quills and their coverts; primary quills dark brown, margined, the outer with whitish, the rest with pale yellowish; edge of the wing yellow; three outer tail-feathers white, with a dash of black on the outer web near the end, the next feather also more or less white, and barred on the outer web; on the upper part of the head a central and two lateral bands of brownish-yellow, the lateral hand sometimes white, anteriorly tinged with yellow; sides of the head and neck greyish-white, flanks and lower tail-coverts reddish-white, streaked with black; fore neck and breast rich yellow, the former with a large crescent of black. Female smaller, but otherwise similar.

Male, 11²/₁₂, 16¹/₂.

Breeds from Texas to the Columbia River, and along the Atlantic coast to Nova Scotia and the Fur Countries. Resident in the Southern and Western States. Abundant.

Meadow Lark, Alauda magna, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. iii. p. 20.

Sturnus ludovicianus, Bonap. Syn.

Sturnus ludovicianus, Crescent Starlet, Swains. & Rich. F. Bor. Amer. v. ii. p. 282.

American Starling or Meadow Lark, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 147.

Meadow Lark or American Starling, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. ii. p. 216; v. v. p. 492.

FAMILY XVIII. CORVINÆ. CROWS.

Bill about the length of the head, robust, nearly straight, compressed; upper mandible with the dorsal line more or less arched, its tip slightly deflected, the edges sharp, with a slight notch or sinus. Nostrils basal, roundish, concealed by reversed slender stiff feathers. Head rather large, ovate; neck of moderate length, body compact. Feet of ordinary length, rather stout; tarsus compressed, with about eight large scutella; toes four, first stronger, but about the same length as the second and fourth, which latter is adherent at the base. Claws rather large, arched, compressed, acute. Plumage various; wings long or of moderate length, much rounded, the first quill about half the length of the fourth or fifth, which are longest; tail of twelve broad feathers. Upper mandible concave, with several longitudinal ridges; tongue oblong, flat above, horny, thin edged, with the tip slit and lacerated; oesophagus of moderate width, without dilatation; proventriculus bulbiform; stomach, a gizzard of moderate power, with a rugous dense epithelium; intestine of moderate length and width; coeca small, cylindrical, adnate. Trachea with four pairs of inferior laryngeal muscles. Nest in high places, or in cavities, rudely constructed; eggs from four to six, ovate or oblong.

GENUS I. CORVUS, Linn. CROW.

Bill rather long, stout, considerably compressed; upper mandible with the dorsal line declinate and arched, the sides somewhat convex, the edges nearly straight, and overlapping, the notches faint, the tip declinate, rather sharp; lower mandible with the angle rather long, and of moderate width, the dorsal line ascending, and slightly convex, the edges direct, the tip narrow. Nostrils basal, lateral, round, covered by narrow stiff feathers directed forwards. Head large, ovate; neck rather short; body robust. Legs of moderate length, strong; tarsus stout, compressed, with eight scutella; toes of moderate length, stout, first and second nearly equal, fourth longer, and slightly adherent at the base. Claws strong, arched, compressed, acute. Plumage compact, glossed. Wings long, with the first quill short, the fourth longest. Tail of moderate length, rounded. Roof of upper mandible concave, with five ridges; tongue emargined and papillate at the base, horny toward the end, thin-edged, with the point slit.

224. 1. Corvus Corax, Linn. Raven.

Plate CI. Male.

Feathers of the head and neck oval and blended; fourth quill longest; general colour black, with purplish-blue reflections; the hind parts of the neck tinged with purplish-brown; the lower parts less glossy. Young of a rather dull brownish-black, with the blue and purple reflections much less brilliant.

Male, 18, 38.

Generally distributed from the Gulf of Mexico to Columbia River; throughout the interior, and along the coast, northward to Lat. 55°. Congregates in immense numbers in the Southern and Western States during winter.

Crow, Corvus Corone, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. iv. p. 79.

Cervus Corone, Bonap. Syn. p. 56.

Cervus Corone, Crow, Swains. & Rich. F. Bor. Amer. v. ii. p. 291.

Crow, Corvus Corone, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 209.

American Crow, Corvus Americanus, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. ii. p. 317; v. v. p. 477.

226. 3. Corvus ossifragus, Wils. Fish-Crow.

Plate CXLVI. Male and Female.

Feathers of the head and neck oval and blended; third quill longest; tail considerably rounded, a small space at the base of the lower mandible on each side bare; general colour black, with blue and purple reflections above, blue and greenish beneath. Young brownish-black, with the blue and purple reflections less brilliant.

Male, 16, 33, Female, 15, 31.

From the mouths of the Mississippi upwards to Natchez, and along the Atlantic to New York. Common. Resident in the Southern States. Columbia River.

Fish Crow, Corvus ossifragus, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. v. p. 27.

Corvus ossifragus, Bonap. Syn. p. 57.

Fish Crow, Corvus ossifragus, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 216.

Fish Crow, Corvus ossifragus, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. ii. p. 268; v. v. p. 479.

GENUS II. PICA, Briss. MAGPIE.

Bill of moderate length, stout, considerably compressed; upper mandible with the dorsal line declinate and arched, the sides convex, the ridge narrow, the edges nearly straight and overlapping, the notches faint, the tip declinate, and rather sharp; lower mandible with the angle rather long and wide, the dorsal line ascending and slightly convex, the edges inclinate, the tip narrow. Nostrils basal, lateral, roundish, covered by narrow stiff feathers directed forwards. Head large, ovate; neck rather short; body compact. Legs of moderate length, strong; tarsus stout, compressed, with eight scutella; toes of moderate length, stout, first large, stronger; lateral nearly equal, third considerably longer. Claws strong, arched, compressed, acute. Plumage full, soft, blended. Wings of moderate length, much rounded, the first quill very short, extremely narrow and falciform, fourth and fifth longest. Tail very long, graduated. Digestive organs as in Corvus.

227. 1. Pica melanoleuca, Vieill. Common Magpie.

Plate CCCLVII. Male and Female.

Bill black; head, neck, fore part of breast and back black, glossed with green and blue; middle of the back greyish-white; scapulars white; smaller wing-coverts black, secondary coverts, alula and primary coverts splendent with green and blue; primaries black, glossed with green, their inner webs white, except at the end, and for some way along their margin; secondaries bright blue, changing to green, their inner webs greenish-black; tail splendent with bright green, changing to greenish-yellow, purplish-red, bluish-purple, and dark green at the end; breast and sides pure white; legs, abdomen, lower tail-coverts, and lower wing-coverts, black.

Male, 18¹/₂, 22¹/₂.

Interior of Texas, West Louisiana, Arkansas, Missouri, Rocky Mountains, and Saskatchewan. Common. Resident.

Corvus Pica, Linn. Syst. Nat. v. i. p. 157.

Magpie, Corvus Pica, Wils. Amer. Orn.

Corvus Pica, Bonap. Syn. p. 57.

Magpie, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 219.

Common Magpie, Corvus Pica, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. iv. p. 408.

228. 2. Pica Nuttallii, Aud. Yellow-billed Magpie.

Plate CCCLXII. Fig. 1. Male.

Bill and bare space beneath the eyes yellow; in form, proportion, and size, similar to the last; the feathers of the tail narrower; the colours similar, but the top of the head glossed with green, and the black of the back and fore neck tinged with brown.

Male, 18; wing, 7³/₄.

Upper California. Common. Resident.

Corvus Nuttali, Yellow-billed Magpie, Aud. Orn. Biog, v. iv. p. 450.

229. 3. Pica Bullockii, Wagler. Columbia Magpie.—Columbia Jay.

Plate XCVI. Adult.

Feathers of the head long and recurvate; tail extremely elongated; general colour blue; cheeks, fore neck, and anterior part of the breast black, the rest of the lower parts, with the tips of the outer four tail-feathers on each side, white.

Male, 31, 26.

Woody portions of North California.

Columbia Jay, Garrulus Bullockii, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 220.

Columbia Jay, Corvus Bullockii, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. i. p. 483.

GENUS III. GARRULUS, Briss. JAY.

Bill of moderate length, strong, straight, compressed, rather pointed; upper mandible with the dorsal line slightly arched, the ridge scarcely distinct, the sides sloping, the edges nearly straight, sharp, and overlapping, the notches slight, the tip slightly depressed; lower mandible with the angle of moderate length, rather wide, the dorsal line ascending, slightly convex, the sides sloping outwards, the edges direct, the tip acute. Nostrils basal, elliptical, covered by reversed stiffish feathers. Head rather large; neck short; body stout. Feet of moderate length, rather stout; tarsus of ordinary length, compressed, with eight scutella; toes moderate, the first large, the outer considerably longer than the inner; claws well-arched, rather long, compressed, acute. Plumage blended; small bristles at the base of the upper mandible; feathers of the head generally elongated; wings rather short, first quill very short, fourth and fifth longest; tail rather long, much rounded. Roof of upper mandible concave, with three ridges; digestive organs as in Corvus.

230. 1. Garrulus Stelleri, Gmel. Steller's Jay.

Plate CCCLXII. Fig. 2. Male.

Male, 13, wing 5¹¹/₁₂.

Rocky Mountains, Columbia River, and north-west coast. Common. Migratory.

Corvus Stelleri, Gmel. Linn. Syst. Nat. v. i. p. 370.

Corvus Stelleri, Bonap. Syn. p. 433.

Steller's Jay, Corvus Stelleri, Bonap. Amer. Orn. v. ii. p. 44.

Garrulus Stelleri, Steller's Jay, Swains. & Rich. F. Bor. Amer. v. ii. p. 294.

Steller's Jay, Nutt. Man. v. ii. p. 229.

Steller's Jay, Corvus Stelleri, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. iv. p. 453.

231. 2. Garrulus cristatus, Linn. Blue Jay.

Plate CII. Male and Female.

Feathers of the head elongated, oblong; tail much rounded. Upper parts light purplish-blue; wings and tail ultramarine, secondaries, their coverts, and tail-feathers barred with black, and tipped with white; a narrow band margining the forehead, loral space, and a band round the neck, black; throat and cheeks bluish-white; lower parts greyish-white tinged with brown.

Male, 12, 14.

Breeds from Texas eastward and northward to the Fur Countries, and as far as the bases of the Rocky Mountains. Abundant. Resident in the Middle, Interior, and Southern States.

Blue Jay, Corvus cristatus, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. i. p. 2.

Corvus cristatus, Bonap. Syn. p. 58.

Garrulus cristatus, Blue Jay, Swains. & Rich. F. Bor. Amer. v. ii. p. 293.

Blue Jay, Corvus cristatus, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. ii. p. 11; v. v. p. 475.

232. 3. Garrulus ultramarinus, Bonap. Ultramarine Jay.

Plate CCCLXII. Fig. 3. Male.

Feathers of the head short; tail much rounded; upper part of head, sides, and hind part of neck, wings and tail, with its coverts, light blue; back light greyish-brown; a faint band over the eye, formed by the tips of the feathers; cheeks dusky; fore neck greyish-white, faintly streaked with dusky, and banded below by a narrow semilunar band of light blue, continuous with that of the neck; lower parts pale grey passing into white.

Male, 12, wing 5⁸/₁₂.

Columbia River, and Upper California. Common. Migratory.

Ultramarine Jay, Corvus ultramarinus, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. iv. p. 456.

233. 4. Garrulus Floridanus, Bartram. Florida Jay.

Feathers of the head short; tail much rounded; upper part of head, sides, and hind part of neck, wings and tail, with its coverts, light blue; back very light greyish-brown; a bluish-white band over the forehead and eyes; cheeks dusky; fore neck greyish-white, with the shafts of the feathers dusky, and bordered below by a rather broad band of light blue, continuous with that of the neck; lower parts pale purplish-grey.

Intimately allied in colour to the Ultramarine Jay, but distinguishable by its smaller size, and more rounded tail, and by its having a band of whitish across the forehead, and extended over the eye, where it is not in dots as in that species.

Male, 11¹/₄, 14.

Confined to the Floridas. Not very common. Resident.

Corvus floridanus, Bonap. Syn. p. 58.

Florida Jay, Garrulus floridanus, Bonap. Amer. Orn. v. ii. p.

Florida Jay, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 230.

Florida Jay, Corvus floridanus, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. i. p. 444.

234. 5. Garrulus Canadensis, Linn. Canada Jay.

Plate CVII. Male and Female. Plate CCCCXXX. Fig. 3. Young.

Upper parts dull leaden-grey; lower dull yellowish-white; forehead yellowish-white; hind part of the head and neck greyish-black; throat and band passing round the neck, greyish-white; secondary quills and tail-feathers narrowly tipped with white. Young very dull slate-colour, paler on the abdomen, on the head blackish, wings and tail as in the adult, their tips of a duller white.

Male, 11, 15.

Rare, and only in winter, from Pennsylvania to New York. More abundant in Massachusetts. Common from Maine northward to the Fur Countries. Columbia River.

Canada Jay, Corvus canadensis, Wils. Amer. Ornith. v. iii. p. 33.

Corvus canadensis, Bonap. Syn. p. 58.

Garrulus canadensis, Whisky Jack, Swains. & Rich. F. Bor. Amer. v. ii. p. 295.

Garrulus brachyurus, Short-billed Jay, Swains. & Rich. F. Bor. Amer. v. ii. p. 296. Young.

Garrulus canadensis, Canada Jay, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 232.

Short-billed Jay. Nutt. Man. v. ii. p. 599.

Canada Jay, Corvus canadensis. Aud. Orn. Biog. v. ii. p. 58; v. v. p. 208.

GENUS IV. NUCIFRAGA, Briss. NUTCRACKER.

Bill as long as the head, moderately stout, conical, compressed, at the tip rather depressed; upper mandible with its dorsal line slightly arcuato-declinate, the ridge convex, the sides rounded, the edges sharp and overlapping, without notch, the tip flattened and obtuse; lower mandible with the angle short and rounded, the dorsal line straight, the sides convex, the edges sharpened a little involute, the tip flattened and rather obtuse. Nostrils basal, lateral, roundish, covered by bristly feathers, which are directed forwards. Head large, broadly ovate, neck rather short; body moderately stout. Tarsus rather short, compressed, with eight scutella; toes stout, the first very large, the inner a little shorter than the outer, which is adherent at the base. Claws large, arched, much compressed, acute. Plumage soft and blended; no distinct bristles at the base of the upper mandible, wings long, much rounded, the first quill very short, the fourth longest; tail of moderate length, rounded.

235. 1. Nucifraga Columbiana, Wils. Columbian Nutcracker.—Clark's Crow.

Plate CCCLXII. Fig. 4. Male. Fig. 5. Female.

Light brownish-grey; forehead, throat, fore part of cheeks, and space round the eye yellowish-white; wings glossy bluish-black, seven of the secondaries largely tipped with white; upper tail-coverts greyish-black; tail pure white, except the two middle feathers, and the greater part of the inner webs of the next pair, which are bluish-black.

Male, 12, wing 7¹¹/₁₂.

Rocky Mountains.

Clarke's Crow, Corvus columbianus, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. iii. p. 29.

Corvus columbianus, Bonap. Syn. p. 57.

Columbian Crow, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 218.

Clarke's Nutcracker, Nucifraga columbiana, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. iv. p. 459.

FAMILY XIX. LANIINÆ. SHRIKES.

Bill short, or of moderate length, stout, broader than high at the base, compressed toward the end; the gape-line slightly arched, the ridge narrow, the notch and dentiform process large, the tip narrow and decurved. Head large, roundish, ovate; neck short; body compact. Legs of moderate length; tarsus compressed, with seven anterior scutella; toes moderate, compressed; hind toe rather stout, lateral about equal, the outer adherent at the base. Claws arched, compressed, acute. Plumage soft and blended. Bristles rather strong. Wings and tail various. Roof of upper mandible narrow, with a median ridge; tongue slender, concave above, horny toward the end, with the margins lacerated, and the tip slit; oesophagus wide, uniform; proventriculus elliptical; stomach broadly elliptical or roundish; its muscular coat thin, the epithelium dense and longitudinally rugous; intestine of moderate length; coeca very small; cloaca oblong or globular. Trachea simple; four pairs of inferior laryngeal muscles.

GENUS I. LANIUS, Linn. SHRIKE, or BUTCHER-BIRD.

Bill of moderate length, strong, compressed; upper mandible with the dorsal line a little arched, towards the end decurved, the sides convex, the edges direct, with a large prominence succeeded by a deep notch, the tip decurved and acute; lower mandible with the angle short and wide, the dorsal line convex, the sides convex, the edges inflected, the tip ascending, acute. Nostrils basal, lateral, oval, concealed by the bristly feathers. Head large, broadly ovate; neck short; body robust. Tarsus rather short, compressed, slender, with eight scutella; toes small, the first stout, the lateral nearly equal. Claws rather large, arched, compressed, extremely acute. Plumage soft and blended. Bristles stiff. Wings of ordinary length, first quill very short, fourth longest. Tail long, graduated, or rounded.

236. 1. Lanius borealis, Vieill. Great American Shrike.

Plate CXCII. Male and Female.

Fourth quill longest, third little shorter, second shorter than sixth, first half the length of second; tail long, graduated; bill brownish-black at the end, paler towards the base; upper parts light ash-grey, the ends of the scapulars and the upper tail-coverts grayish-white; a streak of whitish over the eye; loral space and a patch behind the eye brownish-black; first row of smaller wing-coverts, larger coverts, and quills, brownish-black; secondary quills and coverts edged and tipped with whitish; base of primaries white, forming a conspicuous patch, when the wing is extended; tail-feathers brownish-black, outer web of lateral feathers, and more than a third of its inner web from the tip, white; the extremities of all the rest, excepting the middle two, also white, gradually occupying less extent on the inner feathers; lower parts greyish-white, the fore part of the breast tinged with brown, and faintly marked with transverse undulating lines of dark grey, as are the sides. Female similar, but with the head and neck slightly tinged with brown, and the lower parts more banded.

Lanius Excubitor differs in being considerably smaller, and in having the white on the wings and tail more extended, the bases and a great portion of the inner webs of the secondaries, except the inner three, being of that colour, as well as the bases of the primaries, and forming a conspicuous spot when the wing is closed, and the outer tail-feathers being often white in their whole length.

Male, 10²/₁₂, 14²/₁₂.

Breeds from Pennsylvania northward. During winter, migrates westward to the Mississippi, and as far south as Natchez. Not uncommon.

Great American Shrike or Butcher Bird, Lanius Excubitor, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. i. p. 74.

Lanius septentrionalis, Bonap. Syn. p. 72.

Lanius borealis, Greater Northern Shrike, Swains. & Rich. F. Bor. Amer. v. ii. p. 111.

Great American Shrike, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 258.

Great American Shrike, Lanius Excubitor, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. ii. p. 534; v. v. p. 434.

237. 2. Lanius Ludovicianus, Linn. Loggerheaded Shrike.

Plate LVII. Male and Female.

Third quill longest, fourth scarcely shorter, second and sixth equal; tail rather long, graduated; bill black, upper parts deep leaden-grey, lower greyish-white, the sides bluish-grey; a streak of whitish over the eye, and margining the forehead; loral space, and a patch behind the eye, black; posterior scapulars almost entirely white; quills and coverts black, secondaries narrowly tipped with white; bases of primaries white, forming a conspicuous patch on the extended wing; tail-feathers black, all except the middle pair white at the end, that colour occupying nearly two-thirds of the outer, and gradually diminishing on the rest. Female with the plumage somewhat darker. Young brownish-white beneath, the breast and sides transversely barred with dark grey.

Male, 8¹/₂, 13.

From Louisiana to Carolina, laterally to the Columbia River, and northward to the Fur Countries. Abundant. Resident in the south. Migratory in the north.

Loggerhead Shrike, Lanius Carolinensis, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. iii. p. 57.

Lanius ludovicianus, Bonap. Syn. p. 72.

Lanius Excubitorides, American Grey Shrike, Swains. & Rich. F. Bor. Amer. v. ii. p. 115.

Loggerhead Shrike, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 261.

Loggerhead Shrike, Lanius Ludovicianus, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. i. p. 300; v. v. p. 300.

FAMILY XX. VIREONINÆ. GREENLETS.

Bill of moderate length, straight, rather stout, compressed toward the end; gape-line slightly arched, notches distinct, tip very small, declinate. Head rather large, ovate; neck short; body rather slender. Feet of moderate length; tarsus compressed, slender, with seven anterior scutella; toes rather small, hind toe rather stout, lateral equal. Claws moderate, arched, compressed, acute. Plumage soft and blended. Wings of moderate length, rather pointed. Tail of moderate length, even or emarginate. Roof of upper mandible concave, with a median ridge; tongue narrow, flat above, with the point slit; oesophagus of moderate length, without dilatation; stomach, roundish, muscular, with a dense rugous epithelium; intestine short, and rather wide; coeca very small. Trachea simple, with four pairs of inferior laryngeal muscles.

GENUS I. VIREO, Vieill. GREENLET.

Bill rather short or of moderate length, rather strong, straight, broader than high at the base, compressed toward the end; upper mandible with the dorsal line slightly convex, the ridge narrow, the sides sloping and towards the end somewhat convex, the edges straight, the notches distinct, the tip small, decurved, acute; lower mandible with the angle of moderate length and rather narrow, the dorsal line ascending and rather convex, the sides convex, the edges inclinate, the tip acute and ascending. Nostrils basal, oblong. Head rather large, ovate; neck short; body rather stout. Tarsus rather short, slender, compressed, with seven scutella; toes small, first large, inner considerably shorter than outer, which is adnate at the base. Plumage soft and blended; bristles small. Wings rather long, with the second and third quills longest, the first not much shorter. Tail of moderate length, nearly even.

238. 1. Vireo flavifrons, Vieill. Yellow-throated Greenlet.

Plate CXIX. Male.

Upper parts light green, the rump, scapulars, and smaller wing-coverts bluish-grey; quills and coverts brownish-black; two bands of white on the wing, formed by the tips of the secondary coverts and first row of small coverts; primaries narrower, edged with yellowish-green, secondaries broadly with white; tail-feathers brownish-black, the outer edged with white; sides of the neck yellowish-green; a line over the eye, throat, and breast yellow, the rest of the lower parts white.

Male, 5³/₄, 9¹/₂.

From Texas to Nova Scotia. Rare in the interior, more abundant in the middle Atlantic districts. Migratory.

Yellow-throated Flycatcher, Muscicapa sylvicola, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. ii. p. 117.

Vireo flavifrons, Bonap. Syn. p. 70.

Yellow-throated Vireo, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 302.

Yellow-throated Flycatcher or Vireo, Vireo flavifrons, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. ii. p. 119; v. v. p. 428.

239. 2. Vireo solitarius, Vieill. Solitary Greenlet.

Plate XXVIII. Male and Female.

Upper parts light olive-green, head greyish-blue; lower white, the sides greenish-yellow; eyelids and a band of white from the bill over the eye; a dusky spot before the eye; quills and coverts brownish-black; two bands of white on the wing, formed by the tips of the secondary coverts and first row of small coverts; primaries narrowly edged with yellowish-green, secondaries broadly with white; tail-feathers brownish-black, the outer edged with white; head and sides of neck inclining to greyish-blue.

Male, 5¹/₂, 8¹/₂.

From Texas to Nova Scotia, rather abundant. Rare in the interior. Columbia River. Migratory.

Solitary Flycatcher, Muscicapa solitaria, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. ii. p. 143.

Vireo solitarius, Bonap. Syn. p. 79.

Solitary Vireo or Flycatcher, Vireo solitarius, Nutt. Man. v. ii. p. 305.

Solitary Flycatcher or Vireo, Vireo solitarius, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. i. p. 147; v. v. p. 432.

240. 3. Vireo Noveboracensis, Gmel. White-eyed Greenlet.

Plate LXIII. Male.

Upper parts light green, inclining to olivaceous, forehead tinged with yellow; lower parts greyish-white, the sides yellow; eyelids and a band from the bill over the eye yellow; quills and coverts brown; two bands of yellowish-white on the wing formed by the tips of the secondary coverts, and first row of small coverts; primaries narrowly margined with yellowish-green, secondaries broadly with white; tail-feathers brown, without white edgings; iris white.

Male, 5, 7.

Throughout the United States and Nova Scotia. Columbia River. Migratory, but great numbers spend the winter in the Southern States.

White-eyed Flycatcher, Muscicapa cantatrix, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. ii. p. 266.

Vireo noveboracensis, Bonap. Syn. p. 70.

White-eyed Vireo or Flycatcher, Vireo noveboracensis, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 806.

White-eyed Flycatcher or Vireo, Vireo noveboracensis, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. i. p. 328; v. v. p. 431, 433.

241. 4. Vireo gilvus, Vieill. Warbling Greenlet.

Plate CXVIII. Male and Female.

Upper parts light greenish-olive, the head and hind neck greyish-brown; a white band over the eye; wings and tail brown, quills edged with green; lower parts dull yellowish-white, the sides tinged with yellow.

Male, 5¹/₄, 8¹/₂.

From Texas to Maine, and in the interior to Columbia River. Abundant. Migratory.

Warbling Flycatcher, Muscicapa melodia, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. v. p. 85.

Vireo gilvus, Bonap. Syn. p. 70.

Warbling Vireo, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 309.

Warbling Flycatcher or Vireo, Vireo gilvus, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. ii. p. 114; v. v. p. 433.

242. 5. Vireo Bartrami, Swains. Bartram's Greenlet.

Plate CCCCXXXIV. Fig. 4. Male.

Wings of moderate length, with the second and third quills longest and about equal, the fourth scarcely shorter, the first considerably shorter than the fifth. Upper parts light yellowish-olive, the crown of the head deep grey, bordered on each side by a blackish line, below which is a band of yellowish-white from the nostril over the eye; loral space dusky; quills and tail-feathers brown, margined with greenish-yellow; lower parts greyish-white, the sides greenish-yellow.

Male, 4⁷/₈, 7³/₄.

From Texas to New York. Not met with in the interior. Rather rare. Migratory.

Vireo Bartramii, Swains. Bartram's Greenlet, Swains. & Rich. F. Bor. Amer. v. ii. p. 235.

Bartram's Vireo, Vireo Bartramii, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. v. p. 296.

243. 6. Vireo olivaceus, Linn. Red-eyed Greenlet.

Plate CL. Male.

Wings long, with the second quill longest, the third slightly shorter, the first considerably longer than the fourth, upper parts light yellowish-olive, crown of the head deep grey, bordered on each side by a blackish line, below which is a band of white; quills and tail-feathers brown, margined with greenish-yellow; lower parts greyish-white, the sides greenish-yellow; iris red.

Male, 5¹/₂, 9.

From Texas to Nova Scotia, and through the interior. Accidental in the Fur Countries. Abundant. Migratory.

Red-eyed Flycatcher, Muscicapa olivacea, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. ii. p. 55.

Vireo olivaceus, Bonap. Syn. p. 71.

Vireo olivaceus, Red-eyed Greenlet, Swains. & Rich. F. Bor. Amer. v. ii. p. 233.

Red-eyed Vireo, Vireo olivaceus, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. ii. p. 287; v. v. p. 430.

FAMILY XXI. PIPRINÆ. MANAKINS.

Bill short, stout, straight, depressed, being much broader than high at the base, with the dorsal line arched, the ridge narrow, the sides sloping, the gape-line straightish or slightly arched, the notches rather large, the tip very small and declinate. Head rather large, broadly ovate; neck short; body compact. Tarsus of moderate length, compressed, with seven anterior scutella; toes small, the hind one not much stouter, the lateral equal. Claws moderate, arched, compressed, acute. Plumage soft, full, and blended. Wings of moderate length, broad, and rounded. Tail short or of moderate length, generally rounded. Roof of upper mandible concave, with a prominent median line; tongue triangular, horny, thin-edged, rather obtuse, bristly at the end; oesophagus wide, without dilatation; stomach rather small, roundish, moderately muscular, with a dense rugous epithelium; intestine short, of moderate width; coeca very small.

GENUS I. ICTERIA. Vieill. CHAT.

Bill of moderate length, stout, slightly arched, broad at the base, compressed toward the end; upper mandible with the sides convex, the edges sharp, destitute of notch, the tip acute and a little declinate; lower mandible with the dorsal line nearly straight, the edge-line slightly arched and inflected. Nostrils roundish, half covered by a vaulted membrane. General form rather robust; head ovate, neck short, body moderate. Legs of moderate length, slender; tarsus compressed, anteriorly covered with eight scutella, of which the upper are blended; two lateral toes nearly equal, the hind one not much stouter. Claws moderate, arch much compressed, laterally grooved, very acute. Plumage soft and blended. Bristles very small. Wings of moderate length, rounded, third and fourth primaries longest, second little shorter, first longer than sixth. Tail rather long, rounded.

244. 1. Icteria viridis, Gmel. Yellow-breasted Chat.

Plate CXXXVII. Male and Female.

FAMILY XXII. AMPELINÆ. CHATTERERS.

Bill short, depressed, rather weak, triangular when viewed from above, compressed at the end, its upper outline arched, the gape-line nearly straight, the notches very small, the tip very small and declinate. Nostrils elliptical, partially concealed by reversed bristly feathers. Head ovate; neck short; body moderate or full. Feet short; tarsus short, rather stout, compressed; toes rather small. Claws rather long, arched, much compressed, acute. Plumage generally blended and glossy. Wings of moderate length, broad. Tail short or of moderate length. Roof of upper mandible rather concave, with three longitudinal ridges; tongue horny, deeply slit; oesophagus very wide, dilated about the middle; stomach small, elliptical, moderately muscular; intestine of moderate length and very wide; coeca very small. Trachea simple, with four pairs of very small inferior laryngeal muscles.

GENUS I. BOMBYCILLA, Briss. WAXWING.

Bill short, rather stout, straightish, broader than high at the base, compressed towards the end; upper mandible with its dorsal line convex and declinate towards the tip, which is deflected, narrow, and rather acute, its sides convex, the edges sharp and overlapping, the notches distinct; lower mandible with the angle short and wide, the dorsal line convex and ascending, the edges sharp and inflected, the tip very small, acute, ascending, with a small sinus behind; gape-line nearly straight. Nostrils oval, partially concealed by the reversed stiffish feathers. Head of ordinary size, ovate; neck short; body full. Feet rather short; tarsus short, rather stout, compressed, with six scutella; toes of moderate size, first stout, broad beneath, outer slightly adherent at the base; inner a little shorter. Claws rather long, arched, much compressed, very acute. Plumage blended, very soft, somewhat silky, but with little gloss; head tufted; no bristles. Wings rather long, broad, and pointed, the first quill longest. Tail of moderate length, even. This genus is remarkable for the oblong bright red horny appendages to the tips of the wings and tail-feathers, which, however, are not seen in all the species. Roof of upper mandible slightly concave, with three ridges; tongue triangular, concave, horny, deep slit, with two slender points; oesophagus very wide, much dilated about the middle; stomach rather small, elliptical, muscular; intestine short and extremely wide; coeca very small.

245. 1. Bombycilla garrula, Vieill. Black-throated Waxwing.—Bohemian Chatterer.

Plate CCCLXIII. Male and Female.

General colour light greyish-brown, passing behind in ash-grey, before into brownish-orange, of which colour are the forehead, a patch on each side of the throat near the base of the bill, and the feathers under the tail; a band of deep black from the nasal membrane over the eye to the top of the head, where it is concealed by the crest; feathers at the base of the lower mandible and a narrow streak below the eye, white; upper part of throat deep black; feathers of the wings greyish-black; primary coverts largely tipped with white; primary quills with a bright yellow, secondary with a white elongated spot at the end of the outer web, and tipped with oblong wax-red appendages; tail light grey at the base, gradually shaded into deep black, with a broad band of bright yellow. Female similar to the male, but somewhat smaller. Oblong waxen appendages to the secondary quills, varying from seven to three, sometimes wanting, especially in young birds; males with the shafts of the tail-feathers very slightly enlarged at the end, and bright red. Carefully compared with European specimens.

Male, 9³/₄, 16¹/₄.

From New York, eastward and northward, to the Fur Countries.

Bombycilla garrula, European Chatterer, Swains. & Rich. F. Bor. Amer. v. ii. p. 237.

Bombycilla garrula, Bonap. Syn. p. 438.

Bombycilla garrula, Bonap. Amer. Orn. v. iii. pl. 16.

European Waxen Chatterer, Nutt. Man. v. ii. p. 579.

Bohemian Chatterer, Bombycilla garrula, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. iv. p. 462.

246. 2. Bombycilla Carolinensis, Briss. Cedar Waxwing.—Cedar Bird.

Plate XLIII. Male and Female.

General colour light greyish-brown, passing behind into ash-grey, before into pale brownish-red, of which colour is the upper part of the head; a black band on the forehead passing backwards over the eye to the occiput, and margined above and below by a narrow white band; feathers in the angle of the lower mandible black; abdomen pale yellow; lower tail-coverts white; wings and tail dull leaden-blue, darker toward the end; primaries with a very small pale yellow spot at the tip, secondaries tipped with an oblong wax-red appendage, as are the tail-feathers, of which the extremity is bright yellow. Female similar to the male but somewhat smaller. The oblong appendages to the wings vary from nine to three. Young with the upper parts of a uniform dull greenish-brown, lower parts of the same colour, the throat pale buff, abdomen and lower tail-coverts yellowish-white.

Male, 6³/₄, 11.

From Texas northward to the Fur Countries. Westward to the Columbia River. Extremely abundant in Louisiana during winter.

Bombycilla carolinensis, Briss. v. ii. p. 337.

Cedar Bird, Ampelis americana, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. i. p. 107.

Bombycilla carolinensis, Bonap. Syn. p. 59.

Cedar Bird or Cherry Bird, Nutt. Man. v. i.

Cedar Bird, Bombycilla carolinensis, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. i. p. 227; v. v. p. 494.

FAMILY XXIII. SITTINÆ. NUTHATCHES.

Bill of moderate length or rather long, straight, rather slender, conico-subulate, somewhat compressed, with the tips acute, or cuneate. Head ovate; neck short; body full. Tarsi rather short, or of moderate length, slender, compressed, with seven or eight scutella; toes long, very slender; hind toe extremely long; anterior little spreading; claws long, little arched, slender, much compressed, acute. Plumage soft and full. Wings of moderate length, broad, rounded. Tail short, broad, of twelve feathers. Roof of upper mandible very narrow, slightly concave, with three ridges; tongue very slender, with the tip abrupt and bristly; oesophagus without dilatation; stomach roundish, moderately muscular; intestine short and wide; coeca very small. Trachea simple; with a single pair of large inferior laryngeal muscles. Allied to the Titmice on the one hand, and the Woodpeckers on the other.

GENUS I. SITTA, Linn. NUTHATCH.

Bill rather long, or of moderate length, straight, conico-subulate, a little compressed, rather obtuse; upper mandible with the dorsal outline very slightly arched, the ridge rather narrow, the sides sloping, the edges sharp without notches, the tip rather blunt; lower mandible with the angle of moderate length and narrow, the dorsal line ascending and very slightly convex, the sides slightly convex, the tip narrow. Nostrils basal, round operculate, partially concealed by the reversed bristly feathers. Head ovate; neck short; body short. Tarsi rather short, stout, compressed, with eight scutella; toes long, much compressed; first very long, second much shorter than fourth; anterior toes adherent at the base. Claws long, arched, much compressed, laterally grooved, acute. Plumage very soft and blended. Small bristles at the base of the upper mandible. Wings rather long, first quill extremely small, third and fourth longest. Tail short, of twelve feathers broad, nearly even. Upper mandible slightly concave with three ridges; tongue slender, very thin, with the point abrupt and terminated by strong bristles; oesophagus without dilatation; stomach rather large, roundish, moderately muscular; intestine rather short and wide; coeca very small.

247. 1. Sitta Carolinensis, Linn. White-breasted Nuthatch.

Plate CLII. Male and Female.

Upper part of head and hind neck deep black; back light greyish-blue; quills black, edged with light greyish-blue; middle tail-feathers of the same colour, the rest black, with a broad band of white near the end; sides of the head and lower parts white; lower tail-coverts with the inner webs brownish-red. Young without black on the head.

Male, 5¹/₄, 11.

Common from Texas to Maine. Throughout the interior to the Columbia. Resident.

White-breasted American Nuthatch, Sitta carolinensis, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. i. p. 10.

Sitta carolinensis, Bonap. Syn. p. 96.

White-breasted American Nuthatch, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 581.

White-breasted Nuthatch, Sitta carolinensis, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. ii. p. 299; v. v. p. 473.

248. 2. Sitta Canadensis, Linn. Red-bellied Nuthatch.

Plate CV. Male and Female.

Upper parts of head and hind neck deep black; back light greyish-blue; quills brownish-black, edged with light greyish-blue; middle tail-feathers of the same colour, the rest black, the outer two with a white band near the end; lower parts yellowish-red. Female with the head paler.

Male, 4¹/₂, 8.

From Maryland to Nova Scotia. Common. One seen in Labrador. Columbia River. Resident.

Red-bellied Nuthatch, Sitta canadensis, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. i. p. 40.

Sitta canadensis, Bonap. Syn. p. 96.

Red-bellied Nuthatch, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 583.

Red-bellied Nuthatch, Sitta canadensis, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. ii. p. 24; v. v. p. 474.

249. 3. Sitta pusilla, Lath. Brown-headed Nuthatch.

Plate CXXV. Male and Female.

Upper part of head and hind neck light reddish-brown, the latter with a white spot; back light greyish-blue; quills brownish-black, edged with light greyish-blue; middle tail-feathers of the same colours, the rest black, the outer three with a broad band of white near the end; lower parts yellowish-white, the sides greyish-blue.

Male, 4, 8.

From Texas to Maryland. In the interior to Mississippi. Extremely abundant. Louisiana, Georgia, Alabama, Florida, and the Carolinas. Resident.

Brown-headed Nuthatch, Sitta pusilla, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. ii. p. 105.

Sitta pusilla, Bonap. Syn. p. 97.

Brown-headed Nuthatch, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 584.

Brown-headed Nuthatch, Sitta pusilla, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. ii. p. 151.

250. 4. Sitta pygmÆa, Vigors. Californian Nuthatch.

Plate CCCCXV. Figs. 3, 4. Adult.

Upper part of head and hind neck dull greyish-brown; back dull leaden-grey; quills and tail-feathers dusky, margined with light grey, the lateral two feathers on each side with a white band toward the base; lower parts brownish-white.

Adult, 3¹⁰/₁₂, wing, 3⁵/₁₂.

California.

Californian Nuthatch, Sitta pygmÆa, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. v. p. 163.

FAMILY XXIV. TROCHILINÆ. HUMMINGBIRDS.

Bill long, very slender, straight or arched, somewhat depressed at the base, subcylindrical, flexible, acute. Head rather large; neck of moderate length; body moderately robust. Feet very short, rather stout; tarsus extremely short; toes of moderate size; the anterior coherent at the base, and nearly of equal length, the hind toe articulated high on the tarsus; claws rather long, arched, much compressed, very acute. Plumage compact above, soft and blended beneath, often with metallic lustre; wings very long, extremely narrow, falciform, with the first quill longest, the other primaries rapidly diminishing; secondaries extremely short. Tail various, of ten feathers. Tongue very long, slender, with two flat, thin-edged terminal filaments, and extensile by means of the elongation of the hyoid bones, which curve over the head to the fore part of the forehead, and with their muscles slide in a groove, like those of the Woodpeckers. Œsophagus narrow, considerably enlarged about the middle; stomach extremely small, roundish, moderately muscular, its epithelium dense and longitudinally rugous; intestine very short and of moderate width; no coeca; cloaca globular. Trachea simple, but divided very high up on the neck, so that the bronchi are of excessive length, with a large pair of inferior laryngeal muscles.

GENUS I. TROCHILUS, Linn. HUMMINGBIRD.

Bill long, subulate, depressed at the base, cylindrical, straight, or slightly arched, flexible; upper mandible with the ridge narrow at the base, convex in the rest of its extent, the sides sloping, the edges soft; lower mandible with the angle extremely acute and elongated, the sides erect, the tip acute. Nostrils linear, with a membranous flap above. Head small; neck short; body moderately stout. Feet very short; middle toe scarcely longer than the rest. Plumage rather blended and glossy above. Wings very long, extremely narrow; tail rather long, broad, nearly even. The other characters as above.

251. 1. Trochilus Mango, Linn. Mango Hummingbird.

Plate CLXXXIV. Male and Female.

Male with the head, hind neck, and back green, splendent with bronze and golden reflections; wings dusky, changing to purplish-brown; middle tail-feathers black, glossed with green and blue, the rest deep crimson-purple, tipped and partially margined with steel-blue; fore part of neck, and middle of breast velvet-black, margined on each side with emerald-green, the sides yellowish-green, with a tuft of white downy feathers; lower tail-coverts dark purple. Female with the upper parts similar, the tail-feathers more broadly and extensively margined with blue, and tipped with white; fore neck and centre of the breast white, with a central longitudinal band of black, and an emerald-green margin along the sides of the neck and body; lower tail-coverts green.

Male, 4³/₄, 8.

Florida Keys. Rare. Migratory.

Trochilus Mango, Linn. Syst. Nat. v. i. p. 191.

Mango Humming Bird, Trochilus Mango, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. ii. p. 480.

252. 2. Trochilus Anna, Less. Anna Hummingbird.

Plate CCCCXXV. Male and Female.

Bill almost straight, acuminate; tail of moderate length, emarginate and rounded. Head, cheeks, and throat blood-red, changing to gold, and having a tinge of blue; upper parts light gold-green; quills and tail-feathers dusky brown; lower parts brownish-white. Female with merely a patch of red on the throat, upper part of head and cheeks greenish-grey; upper parts glossy green as in the male; wings dusky, middle tail-feathers green, the rest greenish-grey at the base, black toward the end, with the tips white; lower parts dull grey, sides tinged with brown.

Male, 3¹⁰/₁₂, wing, 2¹/₁₂.

Rocky Mountains towards California. Common. Migratory.

Oiseau-mouche Anna, Ornismya Anna, Less. Traite d'Ornith. p. 281.

Anna Humming Bird, Trochilus Anna, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. v. p. 238.

253. 3. Trochilus Colubris, Linn. Ruby-throated Hummingbird.

Plate XLVII. Male, Female, and Young.

Bill straight, acute; tail of moderate length, even. Upper parts light green with golden reflections; quills and tail purplish-brown, the two middle feathers like the back; throat, sides of the head, and fore neck carmine-purple, spotted with black, varying to crimson, orange, and deep black; sides light green, the rest of the lower parts greyish-white mixed with green. Female differs in wanting the brilliant patch on the throat, which is white, as are the lower parts generally, and having the three lateral tail-feathers tipped with the same colour. Young with the lower parts brownish-white, the tail tipped with white, the upper parts light green.

Male, 3¹/₄, 4¹/₂.

In summer, from Texas to Lat. 57°, and in all intermediate districts, east of the Rocky Mountains. Common. Migratory.

Humming Bird, Trochilus Colubris, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. ii. p. 26.

Trochilus Colubris, Bonap. Syn. p. 98.

Trochilus Colubris, Northern Humming Bird, Swains. & Rich. F. Bor. Amer. v. ii. p. 323.

Ruby-throated Humming Bird, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 588.

Ruby-throated Humming Bird, Trochilus colubris, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. i. p. 248; v. v. p. 544.

GENUS II. SELASPHORUS, Swains. RUFFED-HUMMINGBIRD.

Bill long, straight, subulate, extremely slender, somewhat depressed at the base, acute; upper mandible with the dorsal line straight, the ridge narrow at the base, broad and convex toward the end, the sides convex, the edges overlapping, the tip acuminate; lower mandible with the angle very long and extremely narrow, the dorsal line straightish, the edges erect, the tip acuminate. Nostrils basal, linear. Head of ordinary size, oblong; neck short; body short and ovate. Feet very small; tarsus very short, feathered more than half-way; toes small, the lateral equal, the third not much longer, the first a little shorter than the lateral; claws rather long, arched, compressed, very acute. Plumage soft and blended; elongated feathers on the sides of the neck in the males. Wings rather short, falcate, pointed, the second primary longest. Tail rather long, broad, graduated.

254. 1. Selasphorus rufus, Gmel. Rufous Ruffed-Hummingbird.—Nootka Hummingbird.

Plate CCCLXXIX. Male and Female.

Male with the upper parts bright cinnamon or reddish-orange, the head bronzed green, the wings dusky purple, their coverts glossed with green; each of the tail-feathers with a narrow, longitudinal, lanceolate, median streak toward the end; loral space, a narrow band over the eye, another beneath it, and auricular, orange-red; scale-like feathers of the throat and sides of the neck splendent, fire-red, changing to purplish-red, yellowish-red, greenish-yellow, or yellowish-green; behind them on the fore neck a broad band of reddish-white; the rest of the lower parts like the upper, the abdomen inclining to white. Female with the upper parts gold-green, the head inclining to brown; wings as in the male; tail-feathers orange-red at the base, brownish-black toward the end, the tip white; lower parts white, tinged with rufous, especially the sides; throat with roundish spots of metallic greenish-red.

Male, 3⁷/₁₂, wing, 1^7¼/₁₂.

From California along the north-west coast to Nootka Sound. Abundant. Migratory.

Trochilus rufus, Gmel. Syst. Nat. v. i. p. 497.

Trochilus (Selasphorus) rufus, Cinnamon or Nootka Humming Bird, Swains. & Rich. F. Bor. Amer. v. ii. p. 324.

Ruffed-necked Humming Bird, Trochilus rufus, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. iv. p. 555.

FAMILY XXV. ALCEDINÆ. KINGFISHERS.

Bill long, straight, stout, broader than high at the base, much compressed, tapering to a rather acute point, and gape-line commencing beneath the middle of the eyes. Head large, ovato-oblong; neck short; body stout. Tarsus extremely short; anteriorly scaly; anterior toes united for more than half their length, outer longer than inner, hind toe small. Claws stout, compressed, arched, very acute. Plumage rather compact. Wings rather long, pointed. Tail various, of twelve feathers. Tongue very short, fleshy, with the sides parallel, the tip tapering to a bluntish point. Roof of upper mandible moderately concave, with a median ridge and oblique lateral grooves. Œsophagus very wide, without crop; stomach very large, round, with its muscular coat very thin; the epithelium dense, very thin, with tortuous rugÆ; intestine very long, extremely slender; no coeca; cloaca very large, globular. Trachea with three pairs of inferior laryngeal muscles.

GENUS I. ALCEDO, Linn. KINGFISHER.

Bill long, straight, rather stout, broader than high at the base, but suddenly much compressed, and tapering to an acute point; upper mandible with the dorsal line almost straight, the ridge distinct, but somewhat flattened, the edges nearly straight, without notch, the tip acute; lower mandible with the angle of moderate length and narrow, the dorsal line ascending and nearly straight; gape-line commencing beneath the middle of the eye; nostrils basal, near the ridge, linear, obliquely ascending, half closed by a bare membrane. Head large, oblong; neck short; body robust. Feet very short; tarsus extremely short, roundish, anteriorly faintly scaly; anterior toes cohered for a great part of the length, outer longer than inner, first small. Claws rather short, stout, arched, acute. Plumage rather compact, more blended above. Wings long, pointed, with the second and third quills longest. Tail short, even, of twelve rounded feathers.

255. 1. Alcedo Alcyon, Linn. Belted Kingfisher.

Plate LXXVII. Male and Female.

Crested, with the upper parts, cheeks, and a broad belt across the fore part of the breast, light blue, the shaft of each feather darker; lower parts, with a small spot before the eye, and another on the lower eyelid, white; many of the feathers on the sides light blue, banded with white; quills black; the primaries barred with white at the base, and having the inner web of that colour for half its length; the secondaries broadly edged with light blue, dotted and tipped with white, and having the inner web barred with the same; tail-feathers dusky, edged with blue, barred and tipped with white. Female similar to the male, with the tints duller, and the sides with a band across the middle of the breast light red.

Male, 12¹/₂, 20.

Breeds from Texas all over the United States, to the Fur Countries, Missouri, Rocky Mountains, and Columbia River. Common. Resident.

Belted Kingfisher, Alcedo Alcyon, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. iii. p. 59.

Alcedo Alcyon, Bonap. Syn. p. 48.

Alcedo Alcyon, Belted Kingfisher, Swains. & Rich. F. Bor. Amer. v. ii. p. 339.

Belted Kingfisher, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 594.

Belted Kingfisher, Alcedo Alcyon, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. i. p. 394; v. v. p. 548.

FAMILY XXVI. PICINÆ. WOODPECKERS.

Bill long or of moderate length, straight, stout, angulate, tapering, compressed toward the tip, which is generally wedge-shaped and abrupt; mandibles nearly equal, outline of the upper slightly convex, the ridge narrow, sides sloping, with a lateral ridge, edges straight; lower with the angle short and narrow, the dorsal line nearly straight, the ridge narrow, the sides with a faint ridge. Nostrils basal, elliptical or oblong, concealed by reversed bristly feathers. Head of moderate size, oblong; neck of moderate length; body stout. Legs short; tarsus short, moderately stout, anteriorly scutellate, scaly behind; toes usually four, first short, rudimentary, or sometimes wanting, fourth very long and reversed, equalling or exceeding the third. Claws large, strong, much curved, much compressed, very acute. Plumage soft, blended, rather compact on the back; wings of moderate length or long; with the first quill very small, the third, fourth, and fifth longest. Tail of moderate length, much rounded or cuneate, of twelve feathers, of which the lateral are extremely small, and placed above the next, the rest, but especially the three middle pairs, with the shafts exceedingly large and strong, the webs narrowed toward the end, with their filaments deflected and stiff, the tip pointed or emarginate from being worn. Tongue slender, with the tip horny and furnished with reversed prickles or bristles, capable of being protruded to a great length by the elongation of the hyoid bones, which curve over the head to between the right eye and nostril, or even extend round a great part of that eye. Œsophagus of uniform width; proventriculus extremely large; stomach of moderate size, or rather small, broadly elliptical or roundish, moderately muscular; epithelium thin, dense, and longitudinally rugous; intestine of moderate length, rather wide; no coeca; cloaca very large, globular, or elliptical. Trachea simple, with a single pair of inferior laryngeal muscles. Nest a cavity dug in a tree; eggs from four to six, elliptical, white.

The groups present characters which are so undecided, and exhibit such gradual approximations, that I think it better here to consider all our Woodpeckers as of one genus.

GENUS I. PICUS, Linn. WOODPECKER.

Character as above.

* Bill straight, with the angles prominent.

258. 3. Picus pileatus, Linn. Pileated Woodpecker.—Log-cock.

Plate XIII. Male and Female.

Fourth toe longer, considerably shorter than third; an occipital crest of elongated linear feathers; general colour black glossed with blue, upper part of head, and a band from the lower mandible, deep carmine; loral space and a broad band from the eye to the occiput, greyish-black; a narrow band from the eye margining the red of the crest, a band from the base of the upper mandible, down to the side of the neck, the throat, axillars, lower wing-coverts, and bases of the quills, white. Female similar, with the fore part of the head dusky, and the red on the cheek substituted by blackish-brown.

Male, 18, 28.

From Texas to the Columbia River, and along the Atlantic coast, as well as in the interior, to the Fur Countries. More abundant in the south. Resident everywhere.

Pileated Woodpecker, Picus pileatus, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. iv. p. 27.

Picus pileatus, Bonap. Syn. p. 44.

Picus (Dryotomus) pileatus, Pileated Woodpecker, Swains. & Rich. F. Bor. Amer. v. ii. p. 304.

Pileated Woodpecker or Log-cock, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 567.

Pileated Woodpecker, Picus pileatus, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. ii. p. 74; v. v. p. 533.

259. 4. Picus lineatus, Linn. Lineated Woodpecker.

Not figured.

Third and fourth toes about equal, hind toe very small; an occipital crest of elongated near feathers; upper part of the head carmine, inclining to scarlet; a narrow dusky line from the nostril to the eye; a patch, including the eyelids and ear-coverts, leaden-grey; a narrow band down the hind part of the neck, gradually enlarging, the back, wings, and tail, deep black; a band from the nostrils descending obliquely over the side of the head, passing backwards and behind the ear, then much enlarged, and running down the side of the neck to the shoulders, a large oblique patch at the commencement of the wing, including the outer scapulars, the small feathers on the edge of the wing under the alula, the lower wing-coverts, and the inner webs of the quills for about half the length, pure white; an elongated crimson patch at the base of the lower jaw; chin yellowish-white, longitudinally streaked with dusky; the rest of the fore neck and part of the breast black; the lower parts and sides brownish-white, transversely barred with black.

Male, 15, wing, 7²/₁₂.

Columbia River.

Picus lineatus, Linn. Syst. Nat v. i. p. 174.

Lineated Woodpecker, Picus lineatus, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. v. p. 315.

260. 5. Picus Canadensis, Gmel. Canadian Woodpecker.

Plate CCCCXVII. Fig. 7. Male.

Fourth toe considerably longer than third; fourth quill longest, fifth longer than second; bristly feathers over the nostrils dull yellow; upper part of head and hind neck glossy black; over the eye a band of white, continuous with a transverse band of scarlet on the occiput, usually interrupted in the middle; a black band from near the bill to the eye, continued behind it over the auriculars, and joining the back of the hind neck; beneath this a white band from the angle of the mouth, curving backwards below the middle of the neck, so as to meet the other behind; then a narrow band of black from the base of the lower mandible and continuous with the black of the shoulders; upper part of the body, wings, and tail, black, feathers along the middle of the back tipped with white; wing-coverts, the anterior excepted, and quills spotted with the same, there being on the four longest primaries seven spots on the outer, and five on the inner webs, on most of the secondaries five on each web, but on the outer quill only one patch on each web, and on the second three spots on the outer, and four on the inner web; four middle tail-feathers glossy black, the rest black towards the base, that colour gradually diminishing, so that the outermost is almost entirely white; lower parts white.

Extremely similar to Picus villosus, but always much larger.

Male, 10¹/₂, 17³/₄.

From the northern parts of New York to the Fur Countries. Common. Migratory in winter to New York.

Picus canadensis, Gmel. Syst. Nat. v. i. p. 437.

Picus (Dendrocopus) villosus, Hairy Woodpecker, Swains. & Rich. F. Bor. Amer. v. ii. p. 305.

Canadian Woodpecker, Picus canadensis, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. v. p. 188.

261. 6. Picus Phillipsii, Aud. Phillips's Woodpecker.

Plate CCCCXVII. Figs. 5, 6. Male.

Fourth toe a little longer than third; fourth quill longest; bristly feathers over the nostrils yellowish-white; fore part of the head, to a little beyond the top, orange-yellow; occiput and hind neck glossy black; over the eye a band of white passing to behind the auriculars; a black band from above the angle of the mouth to the eye, and behind it, including the auriculars; below this a white band from the angle of the mouth joining that over the eye; then a narrower black band from the lower mandible; upper parts black, tinged with brown behind; feathers along the middle of the back tipped with white; some of the wing-coverts also tipped with white, and the quills spotted with the same, there being on the four largest primaries seven spots on the outer, and five on the inner web; the four middle tail-feathers glossy black, the rest black at the base, that colour gradually diminishing, so that the outermost is entirely white; lower parts white.

Male, 10¹/₂; wing, 5.

Massachusetts. Very rare.

Phillips's Woodpecker, Picus Phillipsii, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. v. p. 186.

262. 7. Picus MartinÆ, Aud. Maria's Woodpecker.

Plate CCCCXVII. Fig. 1. Male. Fig. 2. Female.

Fourth toe slightly longer than third; fourth quill longest, third longer than fifth; tufts of bristly feathers over the nostrils dull yellow; upper part of head scarlet; forehead and occiput black; a band of white over the eye; a black band from the bill to the eye, continued behind it over the auriculars, and joining the black of the hind neck; beneath this a band of white from the angle of the mouth, curving backwards below the middle of the neck, so as almost to meet its fellow behind; then a band of black from the base of the lower mandible, and continuous with the black of the shoulders; upper parts black; feathers along the middle of the back tipped with white; wing-coverts and quills spotted with the same, there being on the four longest primaries seven spots on the outer, and four on the inner web, on most of the secondaries five on each web, but on the outer quill only one patch on each web, and on the second four spots on the outer, and three on the inner web; four middle tail-feathers glossy black, the next black on the inner web, and on the greater part of the outer toward the base, the rest black only at the base, the two outer being almost entirely white; lower parts white, tinged with grey, and a little red, the sides faintly mottled with dusky grey.

Male, 9²/₁₂; wing, 4^10½/₁₂.

A pair found at Toronto, Upper Canada.

Maria's Woodpecker, Picus MartinÆ, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. v. p. 181.

263. 8. Picus Harrisii, Aud. Harris's Woodpecker.

Plate CCCCXVII. Fig. 8. Male. Fig. 9. Female.

Fourth toe considerably longer than third; fourth quill longest, fifth longer than second; bristly feathers over the nostrils dull yellow, with the tips black; upper part of the head and hind neck glossy black; over the eye a band of white, continuous with a transverse scarlet band on the occiput; a black band in the loral space continued behind the eye over the auriculars, and joining the black of the hind neck; beneath is a band of white, from the angle of the mouth, curving backward below the middle of the neck, but without meeting the other; then a band of black from the base of the lower mandible, and continuous with the black of the hind neck and shoulders; upper parts black, the quills tinged with brown; feather along the middle of the back largely tipped with white; quills, excepting the inner three, marked with small roundish spots, of which there are five on the outer and four on the inner web of the four longest quills, while on the outer there is only an elongated spot on the inner web, and on the next one spot on the outer and three on the inner; four middle tail-feathers black, the next black, with a small part of the inner web, and a large portion of the outer toward the end, white; the rest white, with the base black; the outermost small feathers almost entirely white; lower parts brownish-white. Female wants the red occipital band. This species is distinguishable from all the other spotted species, by having no white spots on the wing-coverts.

Male, 9; wing, 5²/₁₂.

Columbia River. Rare.

Harris's Woodpecker, Picus Harrisii, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. v. p. 191.

264. 9. Picus villosus, Linn. Hairy Woodpecker.

Plate CCCCXVI. Fig. 1. Male. Fig. 2. Female.

Bill as long as the head; fourth toe considerably longer than third; fourth and fifth quills longest and equal; bristly feathers over the nostrils dull yellow, tipped with black; upper part of head and hind neck glossy black; over the eye a band of white, continuous with a transverse band of scarlet on the occiput, usually divided in the middle; a black band from the bill to the eye, continued behind it over the auriculars, and joining the black of the hind neck; beneath this, a band of white from the angle of the mouth, curving backwards below the middle of the neck, so as to meet its fellow behind; then a black band from the base of the lower mandible; upper parts black, tinged with brown behind; feathers along the middle of the back, tipped with white; wing-coverts, the anterior excepted, and quills spotted with white, there being on the four longest primaries seven on the outer and five on the inner web, on most of the secondaries five on each web, but on the outer quill only one patch on each web, and on the second, two spots on the outer and three on the inner; four middle tail-feathers glossy black, the rest black only towards the base; lower parts white, tinged with dull green on the fore neck and breast, the sides with blackish-grey. Female without red on the head.

Male, 8³/₄, 14¹/₂. Female, 8¹/₂, 15.

Breeds from Texas to New Hampshire, Kentucky, and Valley of the Mississippi. Common. Resident.

Hairy Woodpecker, Picus villosus, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. i. p. 150.

Picus villosus, Bonap. Syn. p. 46.

Hairy Woodpecker, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 575.

Hairy Woodpecker, Picus villosus, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. v. p. 164.

265. 10. Picus pubescens, Linn. Downy Woodpecker.

Plate CXII. Male and Female.

Bill much shorter than the head, slender; fourth toe considerably longer than third; fourth quill longest; upper bristles over the nostrils yellowish, tipped with black; upper part of the head glossy black; a band of white over the eye ending in a scarlet occipital band; then a band of black from the eye to the hind neck, succeeded by one of white from the angle of the mouth, curving so as nearly to meet its fellow on the hind neck, and a black band from the lower mandible down the side of the neck. Upper parts black; feathers along the middle of the back tipped with white; coverts and quills spotted with white, there being six spots on the outer, and five on the inner webs of the four longest primaries, the outermost quill with one patch of white on the inner web, and the next with four spots on each web; outer small tail-feathers white, with a single black spot, next two white, with two terminal black bands, the rest variegated, except the two middle, which are black. Female without red.

Male, 6³/₄, 12.

Breeds from Texas to Labrador, and northward to Lat. 58°. Common throughout the interior to the eastern bases of the Rocky Mountains. In every district, a constant resident.

Downy Woodpecker, Picus pubescens, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. i. p. 153.

Picus pubescens, Bonap. Syn. p. 46.

Picus (Dendrocopus) pubescens, Downy Woodpecker, Swains. & Rich. F. Bor. Amer. v. ii. p. 307.

Downy Woodpecker, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 576.

Downy Woodpecker, Picus pubescens, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. ii. p. 81; v. v. p. 539.

266. 11. Picus Gairdnerii, Aud. Gairdner's Woodpecker.

Not figured.

Bill shorter than the head, slender; fourth toe considerably longer than third, fifth quill longest; black above, with a scarlet occipital band, brownish-white beneath; spotted with white, and in all respects as to colour like the last species, only the spots on the wings are much smaller, and the patch of red brocade; the toes and bill larger.

Length, 6⁸/₁₂; wing, 3¹⁰/₁₂.

Columbia River.

Gairdner's Woodpecker, Picus Gairdnerii, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. v. p. 317.

267. 12. Picus querulus, Wils. Red-cockaded Woodpecker.

Plate CCCLXXXIX.

Upper part of the head, hind neck, and a band on each side of the neck, glossy black; a large patch on the side of the head and neck white; back black, barred with white; wings brownish-black, spotted with white, there being eight spots on the outer, and six on the inner webs of the longest quills; middle tail-feathers black, outer four on each side white, with black bars; lower parts white, sides of the neck and body with oblong black spots. Male with a small carmine line behind the eye.

Male, 8¹/₂, 14¹/₂. Female, 7³/₈, 13¹/₄.

From Texas to New Jersey, along the Atlantic districts. Common. In the interior to Lower Mississippi. Resident.

Red-cockaded Woodpecker, Picus querulus, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. ii. p. 103.

Picus querulus, Bonap. Syn. p. 46.

Red-cockaded Woodpecker, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 577.

Red-cockaded Woodpecker, Picus querulus, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. v. p. 12.

268. 13. Picus Auduboni, Trudeau. Audubon's Woodpecker.

Plate CCCCXVII. Adult.

Bill about the length of the head, with the outlines considerably arched, the tips acute, and not laterally worn; upper parts black, lower white, with a tinge of brown, the sides very faintly barred with dusky; tufts covering the nostrils white; on the anterior part of the top of the head some feathers largely tipped with yellow; a band of white over the eye; loral space and a broad band behind the eye black; feathers along the middle of the back tipped with white; wings spotted with white; six spots on the outer, and four on the inner webs of the longer primaries; four middle tail-feathers black, the next with the tip obliquely white, that colour enlarging on the rest, so as to include almost the whole of the outer feathers.

Adult, 7, 13¹/₂.

Louisiana.

Picus Auduboni, Audubon's Woodpecker, Trudeau, Journ. Acad. Nat. Sc. Philadelphia, v. vii. p. 404.

Audubon's Woodpecker, Picus Auduboni, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. v. p. 194.

269. 14. Picus ruber. Gmel. Red-breasted Woodpecker.

Plate CCCCXVI. Fig. 9. Male. Fig. 10. Female.

Head, neck, and fore part of breast, deep carmine; upper parts black, variegated with white, lower pale yellow, with the sides undulated with dusky; middle tail-feathers with the inner web white, obliquely banded with black.

Male, 8, 14. Female, 8; wing, 5²/₁₂.

Upper California. Columbia River. Nootka. Common. Migratory.

Red-breasted Woodpecker, Picus ruber, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. v. p. 179.

270. 15. Picus varius, Linn. Yellow-bellied Woodpecker.

Male with the crown of the head and throat bright carmine; a semicircular patch of black on the lower fore neck, and a semilunar band on the occiput; upper parts bluish-black, variegated with white and yellow, lower yellow, with the sides undulated with dusky; middle tail-feathers with the inner web white, obliquely banded with black. Female similar, but with the throat white, and the yellow of the lower parts less pure. Young without red on the head or throat, the former dusky, streaked with faint brown, the latter greyish-white, the upper parts as in the adult, but duller, the tail variegated with white, the lower parts dull yellowish-grey, undulated with dusky, the abdomen dull yellowish.

Male, 8¹/₂, 15.

Breeds from Maryland northward to the Saskatchewan. Rather rare in the interior in summer. Many spend the winter in the Southern and Western Districts.

Yellow-bellied Woodpecker, Picus varius, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. i. p. 147.

Picus varius, Bonap. Syn. p. 45.

Picus (Dendrocopus) varius, Yellow-bellied Woodpecker, Swains. & Rich. F. Bor. Amer. v. ii. p. 309.

Yellow-bellied Woodpecker, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 574.

Yellow-bellied Woodpecker, Picus varius. Aud. Amer. Orn. v. i. p. 519; v. v. p. 537.

** Hind toe wanting. Genus Apternus of authors.

271. 16. Picus arcticus, Swains. Arctic Three-toed Woodpecker.

Plate CXXXII. Male and Female.

Three-toed, with the upper parts glossy bluish-black, the lower white, the sides and lower wing-coverts transversely barred with black; tufts of bristly feathers black; crown of the head saffron-yellow; a white line from behind the eye, a band of the same from the base of the upper mandible to beneath the ear-coverts, succeeded by a black band; inner webs of all the quills and outer webs of the primaries spotted with white, there being seven spots on the outer, and five on the inner webs of the three longest; four middle tail-feathers black, the next with an oblique band of white, the rest black only at the base, except the outermost, of which nearly all the inner web is of that colour. Female without yellow on the head.

Male, 10¹/₂, 16.

From the northern parts of New York to the Fur Countries, as well as along the eastern declivities of the Rocky Mountains. Rather common. Partially migratory.

Picus tridactylus, Bonap. Syn. p. 46.

Northern Three-toed Woodpecker, Picus tridactylus, Bonap. Amer. Orn. v. ii. p. 14.

Picus (apternus) arcticus, Arctic Three-toed Woodpecker, Swains. & Rich. F. Bor. Amer. v. ii. p. 313.

Northern Three-toed Woodpecker, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 578.

Three-toed Woodpecker, Picus tridactylus, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. ii. p. 198.

272. 17. Picus hirsutus, Vieill. Banded Three-toed Woodpecker.

Plate CCCCXVII. Fig. 3. Male. Fig. 4. Female.

Three-toed, with the upper parts deep glossy-black, the head with blue reflections, the back and wings tinged with brown; tufts over nostrils dull yellow; anterior part of head pale yellow, spotted with white; a band of white, with small dusky lines, from the angle of the mouth to the occiput; the back transversely banded with white; inner webs of all the quills and outer webs of the primaries spotted with white, there being seven spots on the outer, and five on the inner, webs of the three longest quills; four middle tail-feathers black, the next white at the end, the rest white, unless at the base, but the outermost banded with black. Female with the head black, streaked with white.

Male, 9; wing, 4⁵/₁₂.

From Lake Superior to the Arctic Sea. Abundant. Resident.

Picus hirsutus, Vieill. Ois. de l'Amer. v. ii. p. 124.

Picus (Apternus) tridactylus, Common Three-toed Woodpecker, Swains. & Rich. F. Bor. Amer. v. ii. p. 311.

Common Three-toed Woodpecker, Picus hirsutus, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. v. p. 184.

*** Bill straight, with the angles obsolete, and the upper outline somewhat arched.

273. 18. Picus Carolinus, Linn. Red-bellied Woodpecker.

Plate CCCCXV. Fig. 3. Male. Fig. 4. Female.

Male with the upper part of the head and hind neck bright carmine; the back and scapulars transversely banded with black and white; the rump and tail-coverts with the white predominating; primaries black, with a band of white; tail black, with the inner webs of the middle, and both webs of the outer barred with white; lower parts yellowish-white, abdomen red; lower wing and tail-coverts white, spotted with dusky. Female similar, but with the top of the head ash-grey and with less red on the abdomen.

Male, 7³/₄, 15³/₄. Female, 8, 14¹/₂.

Breeds from Kentucky in the West, and from Maryland to Nova Scotia and Canada. Abundant in winter in all the Southern States, from Carolina to Texas, and especially in the Floridas.

Red-bellied Woodpecker, Picus carolinus, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. i. p. 113.

Picus carolinus, Bonap. Syn. p. 45.

Red-bellied Woodpecker, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 572.

Red-bellied Woodpecker, Picus carolinus, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. v. p. 169.

274. 19. Picus erythrocephalus, Linn. Red-headed Woodpecker.

Plate XXVII. Male and Female.

Head and neck bright crimson, that colour descending on the fore neck, and margined with a semilunar band of black; back wings and tail glossy bluish-black; inner secondaries, rump, and lower parts, pure white. Young with the head and neck brownish-grey, streaked with dusky; feathers of back and wing-coverts dusky, edged with grey; secondary quills yellowish-white barred with black; lower parts greyish-white, the sides streaked with dusky.

Male, 9, 17. Female, 8¹/₂.

Breeds from Texas to Nova Scotia, and throughout the interior to the head waters of the Missouri; thence to Lake Huron. Extremely common. Great numbers spend the winter in Louisiana.

Red-headed Woodpecker, Picus erythrocephalus, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. i. p. 142.

Picus erythrocephalus, Bonap. Syn. p. 45.

Melanerpes erythrocephalus, Red-headed Woodpecker, Swains. & Rich. F. Bor. Amer. v. ii. p. 316.

Red-headed Woodpecker, Picus erythrocephalus, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. i. p. 141; v. v. p. 536.

275. 20. Picus torquatus, Wils. Lewis's Woodpecker.

Plate CCCCXVI. Fig. 7. Male. Fig. 8. Female.

Upper parts black, highly glossed with dark green; a band across the forehead, the chin, and a broad patch on the side of the head, surrounding the eye, deep carmine, or blood-red; beyond this, the throat and part of the sides of the neck black; a band of dull white across the hind neck, continuous anteriorly with a large patch of yellowish-white, occupying the fore neck and part of the breast; the rest of the breast and the sides bright red; lower wing-coverts, abdomen, and lower tail-coverts black. Young with the red on the head scarcely apparent, that on the lower parts mixed with greyish-white, the fore part of the neck dull grey, and the white ring on the hind neck wanting; many of the feathers there with one or two white spots near the end.

Male, 11, wing, 7²/₁₂.

Rocky Mountains, and Columbia River. Abundant. Migratory.

Lewis's Woodpecker, Picus torquatus, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. iii. p. 31.

Picus torquatus, Bonap. Syn. p. 46.

Lewis's Woodpecker, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 577.

Lewis's Woodpecker, Picus torquatus, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. v. p. 176.

**** Bill comparatively slender, slightly arched, acute, with the lateral angles obsolete. Genus Colaptes of authors.

276. 21. Picus auratus, Linn. Golden-winged Woodpecker.—Flicker. Tucker. High-holder.

Plate XXXVII. Male and Female.

Male with the upper part of the head and neck ash-grey; a transverse band of carmine on the hind neck; back, scapulars, and secondaries light greenish-brown, transversely spotted with black, rump white; tail-coverts white, with black markings; primaries and tail-feathers blackish-brown, the shafts yellow; sides of the head and fore neck light pale purplish-red, inclining to lilac; a black streak on each side of the throat, and a semilunar patch of the same on the fore part of the breast; lower parts reddish-white, tinged with yellow, and spotted with black; lower wing-coverts and inner edges of quills clear buff, lower surface of quills and tail-feathers yellow, the latter black toward the end. Female similar, but without the black bands on the throat.

Male, 12¹/₂, 16.

Breeds from Texas to Nova Scotia, and the Fur Countries. Generally distributed in the United States. Eastern bases of Rocky Mountains. Extremely common. Resident in the Southern States.

Gold-winged Woodpecker, Picus auratus, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. ii. p. 45.

Picus auratus, Bonap. Syn. p. 44.

Colaptes auratus, Golden-shafted Woodpecker, Swains. & Rich. F. Bor. Amer. v. ii. p. 314.

Flicker or Golden-winged Woodpecker, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 561.

Golden-winged Woodpecker, Picus auratus, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. i. p. 191; v. v. p. 540.

277. 22. Picus Mexicanus, Swains. Red-shafted Woodpecker.

Plate CCCCXVI. Fig. 5. Male. Fig. 6. Female.

Male with the upper part of the head and hind neck light greyish-brown; forehead and a band over the eye dull red; sides and fore part of neck ash-grey, with an oblong patch of bright carmine on each side of the throat; back, scapulars, and secondaries light reddish-brown, transversely spotted with black; rump white; upper tail-coverts black, barred with white; primaries blackish-brown, tail-feathers black, their shafts vermilion; lower parts reddish-white, spotted with black, of which there is a semilunar patch on the fore part of the breast; lower wing-coverts, and inner webs of quills of roseate tints; lower surface of quills and tail-feathers orange-red, inclining to vermilion, the tail black toward the end.

Male, 13¹/₂, wing, 6¹⁰/₁₂. Female, 13.

Rocky Mountains, Columbia River, and northward to the Saskatchewan. Abundant. Migratory.

Colaptes mexicanus, Swains. Synop. Birds of Mex. Phil. Mag. N. 84.

Colaptes mexicanus, Red-shafted Woodpecker, Swains. & Rich. F. Bor. Amer. v. ii. p. 315.

Red-shafted Woodpecker, Nutt. Man. v. ii. p. 603.

Red-shafted Woodpecker, Picus mexicanus, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. ii. p. 314.

FAMILY XXVII. CUCULINÆ. CUCKOOS.

Bill long or of moderate length, broader than high at the base, compressed toward the end, straight or somewhat arched; upper mandible with the dorsal line convex or arched, the ridge indistinct, the sides convex, the edges arched, sharp, without notch, the tip decurved; lower mandible with the angle rather short, the dorsal line straight or decurved, the ridge thin, the sides erect or convex, the tip slightly decurved, acute. Nostrils basal, oblong, generally marginate. Head of moderate size; neck of ordinary length; body rather slender. Feet of moderate length; tarsus with broad scutella; toes long, slender, flat beneath, outer directed outwards or backwards. Claws long or of moderate length, arched, compressed, acute. Plumage blended; wings generally long, with the first quill short, the third and fourth longest. Tail long, of ten feathers; upper mandible very narrow beneath, with three longitudinal ridges; tongue slender, emarginate, and papillate at the base, the tip horny, thin, lacerated, and slit; oesophagus rather wide, without dilatation; stomach large, round, with the muscular coat very thin, the epithelium soft, rugous; intestine of moderate length and width; coeca long, oblong, narrowed at the base. Trachea simple, with a single very slender pair of inferior laryngeal muscles.

GENUS I. COCCYZUS, Vieill. AMERICAN CUCKOO.

Bill of moderate length, rather slender, somewhat arched, much compressed, acute; upper mandible with the dorsal line arched, the ridge rounded, the sides erect toward the end, the edges thin, direct, the tip narrow, decurved; lower mandible with the angle of moderate length, rather wider, the dorsal line decurved toward the end, the sides nearly erect, the edges decurved, the tip narrow; the nostrils small, oblong, operculate. Eyelids bare, except at the margin. Head rather small; neck of moderate length; body slender. Feet rather short; tarsus compressed, rather stout, with seven very broad scutella; toes slender, compressed, anterior united at the base, first small. Claws moderate, arched, compressed, laterally grooved, acute. Plumage soft and blended, somewhat compact on the back. Wings of moderate length, with the first quill very short, the third and fourth longest. Tail very long, cuneate or graduated.

278. 1. Coccyzus Americanus, Linn. Yellow-billed American Cuckoo.—Rain Crow. Cow-bird.

Plate II. Male and Female.

Bill brownish-black above, with the margin of the upper, and nearly the whole of the lower mandible yellow; margin of the eye yellow; upper parts light greenish-brown, with a tinge of grey on the head; lower parts silvery white; quills with the inner webs brownish-orange; middle tail-feathers like the back, glossed with green, the rest brownish-black, all tipped with white, that colour gradually enlarging to the outer, which, besides, has nearly the whole outer web white.

Male, 12¹/₂, 16. Female, 11³/₄, 15¹/₂.

Breeds from Texas to Nova Scotia, and throughout the interior, to the eastern bar of the Rocky Mountains. Common. Many spend the winter in the Floridas.

Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Cuculus carolinensis, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. iv. p. 13.

Coccyzus americanus, Bonap. Syn. p. 42.

Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Coccyzus americanus, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 551.

Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Coccyzus americanus, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. i. p. 18; v. v. p. 520.

279. 2. Coccyzus erythrophthalmus, Wils. Black-billed American Cuckoo.—Rain-Crow. Cuckoo-Bird.

Plate XXXII. Male and Female.

Bill black; margin of the eye blue, before and behind bright red; upper parts light greenish-brown; lower parts silvery-white, the breast and sides faintly tinged with yellow; quills with the inner webs pale buff toward the base; tail-feathers like the back, tipped with white.

Male, 11¹/₂, 15.

From Texas to Nova Scotia, and in the interior to Kentucky. Rather common. Migratory.

Black-billed Cuckoo, Cuculus erythrophthalmus, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. iv. p. 15.

Coccyzus erythrophthalmus, Bonap. Syn. p. 42.

St. Domingo Cuckoo, Coccyzus dominicus, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 556.

Black-billed Cuckoo, Coccyzus erythrophthalmus, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. i. p. 170; v. v. p. 523.

280. 3. Coccyzus Seniculus, Lath. Mangrove American Cuckoo.

Plate CLXIX. Male.

Upper mandible, and the tip and edges of the lower black, the rest yellow; upper parts light greenish-brown, with a tinge of grey on the head; lower parts brownish-orange; inner webs of quills uniform with the rest; middle tail-feathers like the back, the rest brownish-black, tipped with white, that colour gradually enlarging to the outer.

Male, 12, 15.

Florida Keys. Common. Migratory.

Mangrove Cuckoo, Coccyzus Seniculus, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 558.

Mangrove Cuckoo, Coccyzus Seniculus, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. ii. p. 390.

FAMILY XXVIII. PSITTACINÆ. PARROTS.

Bill short, bulging, very strong, deeper than broad, convex above and below; upper mandible cerate at the base, its outline decurved, the sides convex, the edges sharp, with an angular process, the tip trigonal, decurved, elongated, acute; lower mandible with the angle short and wide, the tip thin-edged, rounded, or abrupt. Nostrils basal, round, open, in the cere. Head very large; neck of moderate length; body compact. Feet short and robust; tarsus short, scaly; toes stout, the outer directed backwards, the third and fourth coherent at the base. Claws stout, curved, acute. Plumage generally blended, but firm. Wings and tail various. Tongue short, fleshy, rounded, or emarginate; oesophagus wide, with a large crop; stomach small, muscular; intestine of moderate length; coeca small; cloaca globular.

GENUS I. CENTURUS, Kuhl. PARRAKEET.

Bill short, very strong, bulging; upper mandible with the dorsal line decurved, the sides convex, the edges ascending at the base, then direct, with a deep notch, the tip decurved, acute; lower mandible very deep at the base, with the dorsal line convex and ascending, the tip sharp-edged and truncate. The nostrils basal, round. Feet short, stout; tarsus very short; toes of moderate length, stout; claws strong, curved, acute. Plumage blended, compact on the wings, which are long and pointed, with the second quill longest. Tail long, cuneate.

281. 1. Centurus Carolinensis, Linn. Carolina Parrakeet.

Plate XXVI. Male, Female, and Young.

Fore part of the head and cheeks bright carmine, that colour extending over and behind the eyes, the rest of the head and neck pure bright yellow; upper parts emerald-green, with light blue reflections, lower parts lighter; edge of wing yellow, primary coverts deep bluish-green, secondary coverts yellowish-green; quills with the inner webs dusky, the outer yellow at the base, blue toward the end; tail green; tibial feathers yellow, the lowest bright red. Young with the head green.

Male, 14, 22.

South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Louisiana, and up the Mississippi to Kentucky. Abundant. Resident.

Psittacus carolinensis, Linn. Syst. Nat. v. i. p. 141.

Carolina Parrot, Psittacus carolinensis, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. iii. p. 89.

Psittacus carolinensis, Bonap. Syn. p. 41.

Carolina Parrot, Psittacus carolinensis, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 545.

Carolina Parrot, Psittacus carolinensis, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. i. p. 135.

FAMILY XXIX. COLUMBINÆ. PIGEONS.

Bill short, soft for half its length, horny toward the end; upper mandible with a tumid fleshy covering at the base, its dorsal line straight, toward the end convex and deflected, the tip narrow, but obtuse; lower mandible at its base wider than the upper, its sides elastic and slender, the angle long and obtuse, the dorsal line short and convex, the tip obtuse. Nostrils linear in the lower and fore part of the nasal membrane. Head small, oblong; neck of moderate length; body rather full. Feet short; tarsus partially feathered, scutellate, or scaly; toes four, on the same level, broad beneath, marginate; the first short, the lateral nearly equal, all scutellate above. Claws moderate, arched, compressed, rather blunt. Plumage generally compact, the feathers with thick spongy shaft, and destitute of plumule. Wings and tail various. Tongue rather broad at the base, toward the end narrow, horny, induplicate, pointed; oesophagus very wide, enlarged into an enormous crop; stomach a very large and strong gizzard, placed obliquely, its lateral muscles exceedingly thick, the lower prominent, the tendons very large, the epithelium dense, with longitudinal broad rugÆ, and two opposite grinding surfaces; intestine long, of moderate width; coeca very small; cloaca oblong. Trachea simple, flattened, with a single pair of inferior laryngeal muscles. Nest flat, rudely constructed. Eggs two, elliptical, white.

GENUS I. COLUMBA, Linn. DOVE.

Bill straight, rather short, slender, compressed; upper mandible with the dorsal line straight at the base, convex toward the end, the nostrils linear, oblique, covered with a fleshy bare membrane, the edges sharp toward the end, with a distinct notch, the tip narrow, sharp-edged, rounded; lower mandible with the angle long and pointed, the sides erect, the base sloping outwards toward the end, the edges sharp, the tip narrow, but blunt. Head small, oblong, compressed; neck of moderate length; body full. Feet short, strong; tarsus very short, roundish, with a single row of scutella above, and two anterior rows of large hexagonal scales; toes beneath rather slender, broad and flat beneath, marginate, with large scutella; hind toe smallest, lateral about equal. Claws of moderate size, arched, compressed, acute. Plumage rather compact above, blended beneath; wings long, pointed, the second and third quills longest. Tail of moderate length, rounded, of twelve broad rounded feathers.

282. 1. Columba fasciata, Say. Band-tailed Dove.

Plate CCCLXVII. Male and Female.

Wings long, the second quill longest, the first with the outer web narrower at the base than beyond the middle; tail of moderate length, rounded. Head, fore neck, and breast, light reddish-purple, that colour fading on the abdomen and lower tail-coverts into whitish; a narrow half-ring of white on the hind neck, the lower part of which is of a metallic greenish-brown tint; upper parts greyish-blue, tinted with brown; rump and sides of the body blue; quills brownish-black, very narrowly margined with brownish-white; tail greyish-blue at the base, much paler, and tinged with yellow toward the end, these colours being separated at the distance of two inches from the tip by a band of black. Female with the black band on the tail less decided, the middle feathers being but slightly marked with it.

Male, 16, wing, 9. Female, 15¹/₂.

From the eastern spurs of the Rocky Mountains, and across them to the Columbia River. Common. Migratory.

Columba fasciata. Say, Long's Exped. v. ii. p. 10.

Columba fasciata, Bonap. Syn. p. 119.

Band-tailed Pigeon, Columba fasciata, Bonap. Amer. Orn. v. i. p. 77.

Band-tailed Pigeon, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 624.

Band-tailed Pigeon, Columba fasciata, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. iv. p. 479.

283. 2. Columba leucocephala, Linn. White-headed Dove.

Plate CLXXVII. Male and Female.

Upper parts dusky greyish-blue, lower paler; quills and tail-feathers darker; upper part of head white, hind neck dark purplish-brown, lower part and sides green, changing gold-colour, each feather margined with deep black.

Male, 14¹/₄, 23¹/₂. Female, 14.

Florida Keys. Common during summer only.

Columba leucocephala, Bonap. Syn. p. 119.

White-headed Pigeon, Columba leucocephala, Bonap. Amer. Orn. v. ii. p. 15.

White-crowned Pigeon, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 625.

White-headed Pigeon, Columba leucocephala, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. ii. p. 443; v. v. p. 557.

284. 3. Columba Zenaida, Bonap. Zenaida Dove.

Plate CLXII. Male and Female.

Wings of moderate length, with the second quill longest; tail rounded, upper parts light yellowish-brown; quills brownish-black, narrowly margined with whitish, seven of the secondaries broadly tipped with white, the inner secondaries and the coverts with a broad black spot on the inner web toward the end; middle tail-feathers like the back, the rest greyish-blue, with broad black band toward the end, the extremity bluish-white; lower parts light brownish-red, paler on the throat, and passing into greyish-blue on the sides; lower wing-coverts light blue; a small spot of deep blue immediately behind the eye, a large one of brilliant rich blue a little below, on the side of the neck; and a band of splendent purple over the back and sides of the neck.

Male, 11¹/₂, 18¹/₈. Female, 10¹/₂.

Florida Keys during summer only. Common.

Columba Zenaida, Bonap. Syn. p. 119.

Zenaida Dove, Columba Zenaida, Bonap. Amer. Orn. v. ii. p.

Zenaida Dove, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 625.

Zenaida Dove, Columba Zenaida, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. ii. p. 354; v. v. p. 558.

285. 4. Columba montana, Linn. Key-West Dove.

Plate CLXVII. Male and Female.

Wings of moderate length, with the third quill longest, the outer webs of the outer five quills narrowed in the middle; tail rounded. Upper part brownish-red; upper part of head and hind neck shining with purplish and light green reflections; sides of the neck cream-coloured, changing to lilac, with green, blue, and purple tints behind; back and scapulars also splendent with purplish-red; a broad band from the lower mandible beneath the eye, and the throat white; fore neck and breast pale purple, the rest cream-coloured.

Male, 11³/₄, 17¹/₂.

Key West only during summer. Not rare.

Columba montana, Linn. Syst. Nat. v. i. p. 281.

Key-West Pigeon, Columba montana, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. ii. p. 382.

286. 5. Columba passerina, Linn. Passerine Dove.—Ground Dove.

Plate CLXXXII. Male, Female, and Young.

Wings of moderate length, with the third quill longest, the first having the outer web narrow at the base, the next four with a contraction toward the end; tail rounded. Male with the forehead, sides of the head, anterior and lateral parts of the neck, breast, and sides, light purplish-red, the central part of the neck-feathers dusky; hind head and neck pale blue, the feathers edged with dark grey; back brownish-grey; primaries and their coverts deep chestnut-red, margined externally, and tipped with dusky; secondary quills and their coverts pale grey, tinged with red; smaller inner secondaries, with their coverts and some of the smaller coverts, with oblong glossy blue spots; lower wing-coverts deep chestnut-red; tail-feathers, except the middle two, blue at the base, bluish-black toward the end. Female paler; the forehead and wing-coverts but slightly tinged with red, the hind neck less blue, and the spots on the wings of smaller extent, and more purple. Young resemble the female, with a tinge of yellow beneath.

Male, 6³/₄, 11. Female, 6¹/₄.

Throughout the Floridas and their Keys, as well as from Louisiana to North Carolina, including Alabama and Georgia. Pretty abundant. Resident.

Columba passerina, Linn. Syst. Nat. v. i. p. 285.

Ground Dove, Columba passerina, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. iv. p. 15.

Columba passerina, Bonap. Syn. p. 120.

Ground Dove, Columba passerina, Aud. Amer. Ornith. v. ii. p. 471; v. v. p. 558.

GENUS II. STARNÆNAS, Bonap. GROUND-DOVE.

Bill of moderate length, slender, compressed toward the end; upper mandible with a tumid fleshy covering at the base, the tip convex, declinate, obtuse. Nostrils oblique, linear. Head small, compressed; neck of moderate length; body full, robust. Legs stout; tarsus longer than the hind toe, covered anteriorly and laterally with subhexagonal scales; toes of moderate length. Claws rather small, arched, compressed, obtuse. Plumage compact. Wings short, rounded; third, fourth, and fifth quills longest, and almost equal; second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth, cut out on the outer web. Tail of moderate length, slightly rounded, of twelve broad, rounded feathers. Tongue and digestive organs as in the preceding genus.

287. 1. StarnÆnas cyanocephala, Linn. Blue-headed Ground-Dove.

Plate CLXXII. Male and Female.

GENUS III. ECTOPISTES, Swains. LONG-TAILED-DOVE.

Bill straight, of ordinary length, rather slender, broader than high at the base, with a tumid fleshy covering, compressed toward the end. Head small, oblong; neck of moderate length; body rather slender. Feet short; tarsus as short as the hind toe and claw, anteriorly scutellate; outer toe slightly shorter than inner; claws rather short, stout, arched, obtuse. Plumage compact above; blended, but firm beneath. Wings long; first and second quills longest, and about equal. Tail long, cuneate, pointed. Digestive organs as in the preceding genus.

288. 1. Ectopistes migratoria, Linn. Wandering Long-tailed-Dove.—Passenger Pigeon.

Plate LXII. Male and Female.