  WATER AND SHORE BIRDS. General Hints. Being hints on identifying 145 birds, prepared primarily for the spring migration in Lincoln Park, Chicago BY REVISED AND ENLARGED EDITION Chicago Copyright 1901, 1902 and 1904 Note to Third Edition.With the continued success of this little booklet the authors have been led to revise and enlarge the present issue in the hope that it will prove more helpful and complete to those beginning the outdoor study of birds. The new features of this edition are the addition of forty-five birds—the majority of which are shore and water birds—and a simple field key. The number of each bird as given in the check-list of the American Ornithologist’s Union has also been inserted after its scientific name as an aid in referring to larger bird-books. The subject matter has been carefully rewritten and the order of the birds rearranged in accordance with data covering observations during the last seven years, as well as the charts which show the relative abundance of the birds and the height of the migration in Lincoln Park. We wish to thank our friends for their kind support in furthering our efforts to enlarge the circle of admirers which the wild birds so richly deserve. “All nature is so full that that district produces the greatest variety which is most examined.” Preface.The object of this little book is to furnish those who may be interested in making the acquaintance of wild birds with a simple letter of introduction to 145 birds, the majority of which are commonly seen during the spring migration. Complete descriptions have been avoided, in the belief that the student should rely upon his own observation for the discovery of minor details. The living bird is the one important fact which will make the brief hints offered of value. Anyone caring to make use of these hints may be assured that during the migrations of the birds city dwellers have one of the keenest delights of country life brought to their very doors, because many birds, migrating largely at night, are attracted by the lights of the city and stop off in their long journey to feed, so that a city park often contains a greater variety of feathered visitors than an equal area in the country. We wish to remind those of our friends who have asked for pictures in a future edition that this book actually is copiously illustrated by hundreds of living birds every springtime in our parks and around our homes, illustrations that are all life size, absolutely accurate in detail and colored true to nature. “As for the birds * * * they add immeasurably to the wholesome beauty of life.” General Hints.“A good observer is quick to take a hint and follow it up.”—John Burroughs. The identification of birds depends quite as much upon accurate observation of their size, motions, flight, characteristic attitudes, manner of feeding, company, song, call-notes and haunts, as upon details of form and color. Especial care is necessary to insure correct estimates of size for the reason that living birds often appear smaller to the unpracticed eye than they actually are. The familiar English Sparrow is a convenient standard of size because it is usually at hand in our city parks for instant reference. Remembering that it is 6 inches long a practical though rough division of wild birds may be made as follows:—
If a few general characteristics of the principal bird-families be kept in mind, and these are quickly and almost unconsciously learned, the identity of a strange bird may usually be narrowed down to a few possibilities. For example: Female birds can usually be identified after the adult males have been seen, although the females and young of many species are obscurely marked or quite different from the adult males, a fact especially true of the warblers. Immature birds are not considered in the present scheme of study since they are a source of confusion to the beginner and occur in any considerable number only during the fall migration. The time of arrival, that is, when a bird may be expected during the migration, is a point worthy of particular attention. Many wild guesses may be avoided by simply noticing the dates when a bird has been known to arrive in any given locality from year to year. As a rule birds are identified by the method of elimination. Suppose, for example, a small bird of lively motions is seen feeding among the twigs of a tree late in March. It is, of course, neither a warbler nor a vireo for these birds, although active and frequenting trees, arrive much later in the spring. Provided it does not brace its tail and climb up and around the trunk of the tree it is not likely to be a woodpecker, because the motions of woodpeckers are too characteristic to be mistaken. In similar manner, although sparrows and juncos may have arrived, it is probably neither of these since it does not feed upon the ground, while its size precludes the possibility of its being any bird larger than the English Sparrow. There are only a few birds therefore, which it might be and close observation together with the aid of a few leading hints, will usually settle the question. In any case watch the bird for it is better to look at the bird than at a printed description of it. The safest way, however, is to make careful notes about a stranger on the spot. Memory is never more treacherous than in the case of the description of a doubtful bird when one appeals to some book of reference, a museum collection or the judgment of others. It is not advisable to attempt extensive “field-notes” at first but it is essential to keep a daily, dated list of all identified birds. A blank chart for this purpose is inserted in the back part of the book. Never chase birds. Have patience, stand still a great deal and use your common sense all the time. Do not make yourself believe that you see a certain bird because it has been reported by others. Do your own looking and listening and do it well. If you cannot go birding alone take along as few friends as possible because birds are suspicious of human beings in flocks, especially when they talk much. A pair of field or opera-glasses is an invaluable aid, although practice is necessary in learning to adjust them rapidly and to fix them instantly upon the bird. Do not feel obliged to use the glasses when you are near enough to see well without them. Keep the sun at your back, otherwise colors will deceive you. Remember that birds do not stay “indoors” on account of rain, clouds or unfavorable weather. Warm spring rains literally fill the parks with feathered travelers who often tarry but a day. Particular Hints.Note:—The following one hundred and fourteen birds are arranged in the order of their average first appearance in Lincoln Park, based upon observations made during the last seven years. For the convenience of those desiring access to reliable sources of information, the scientific name of each bird is placed in parenthesis below its common name, followed by its number in the official list of the American Ornithologist’s Union. Following the hints given about each bird are the names (in black faced type) of any bird or birds for which it might easily be mistaken. 1. BLUE JAY. 11-1/2 in.(Cyanocitta cristata. 477.) Black collar; crested; wings and tail deep blue, white-tipped and black-barred; bold; harsh, noisy call-note; stays the year around in Lincoln Park. 2. LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE. 9 in.(Lanius ludovicianus. 622.) Slaty-gray; commonly white beneath, not marked with dark transverse lines; wings and tail black, marked with white; hooked bill; bar through the eye and over forehead, black; imitates notes of other birds. 3. ROBIN. 10 in.(Merula migratoria. 761.) Dark slate color; black head; yellow bill; throat white streaked with black; underparts bright chestnut red; sings “cheer-i-ly, cheer-i-ly, cheer-up;” nests in Lincoln Park. 4. JUNCO. 6-1/4 in.(Junco hiemalis. 567.) Slate color; blackish bib (female brownish) over a white belly; ivory bill, two white tail-feathers; feeds in flocks on ground, often in company with other birds; “sucks its teeth” for a call-note; song, a melodious trill. 5. MEADOWLARK. 10-1/2 in.(Sturnella magna. 501.) Streaked; black crescent on a bright yellow breast; outer tail-feathers white; flies straight, hovering as it reaches the ground; noteworthy song. 6. CROW. 19 in.(Corvus americanus. 488.) Entirely black, including bill and feet; often seen in flocks; wings appear frayed and ragged in flight; note, a lusty “caw.” 7. BLUEBIRD. 6-1/2 in.(Sialia sialis. 766.) Sky-blue; brownish-red below; usually in pairs; sometimes nests in Lincoln Park; call, “pu-ri-ty, pu-ri-ty;” often heard before seen. 8. SAVANNA SPARROW. 5-1/4 in.(Passerculus sandwichensis savanna. 542a.) Much streaked above and below; line over eye and edge of wing, yellowish; cheek sometimes suffused with yellow tinge; tail short, feathers pointed; movements stealthy; song, a weak trill. 9. BRONZED GRACKLE. 13 in.(Quiscalus quiscula Æneus. 511b.) Iridescent black; body distinctly bronzy; often carries its tail rudderwise in flight; pompous walk; rusty, grating call; nests in Lincoln Park. 10. SONG SPARROW. 6-1/2 in.(Melospiza cinerea melodia. 581.) Reddish-brown, showing black streaks; ashy line over eye; whitish below with dark-brown streaks which form a spot in the middle of the breast; noteworthy song. 11. COWBIRD. 8 in.(Molothrus ater. 495.) Male black with glossy brown head and neck; sparrow-like bill; female brownish; fly in large flocks, uttering a greasy, squeaking note. 12. TREE SPARROW. 6-1/4 in.(Spizella monticola. 559.) Streaked; shows much grayish; two showy white wing-bars; chestnut-brown cap; breast whitish, shading to a dark spot in the middle; in flocks, often with Juncos; returns north early in the season; noteworthy song. 13. FOX SPARROW. 7-1/2 in.(Passarella iliaca. 585.) Fox-red back and tail; ashy about neck and head; white breast thickly streaked with dark spots; scratches like a hen; alert; noteworthy song. 14. PHOEBE. 7 in.(Sayornis phoebe. 456.) Dull olive-brown; darker on head and tail; whitish below; bill and feet black; tail drooping but jerking constantly; note, “phoe´be.” 15. TOWHEE. 8-3/4 in.(Pipilo erythrophthalmus. 587.) Black above and black bib (female rich brown); reddish-brown sides; white underneath; outer tail-feathers white; scratches about under bushes; brilliant notes, “tow-hee´” and “che-wink´.” 16. DOWNY WOODPECKER. 6-1/4 in.(Dryobates pubescens medianus. 394c.) Bill small; closely resembles the Hairy Woodpecker but is scarcely larger than the English Sparrow and has the outer tail-feathers barred with black. 17. GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLET. 4 in.(Regulus satrapa. 748.) Olivaceous; two whitish wing-bars; orange-yellow stripe edged with black on crown; restless and fearless; often seen feeding in evergreens; note, rapid “tzee, tzee, tzee.” 18. FLICKER. 12-1/2 in.(Colaptes auratus luteus. 412a.) Brown, barred with black; head grayish; back of neck marked with bright red; black crescent on cinnamon-brown spotted breast; in flight shows white rump and yellow lining of wings and tail; feeds much on ground, unlike other woodpeckers; call-note, “flee´-ker.” 19. BROWN CREEPER. 5-1/2 in.(Certhia familiaris americana. 726.) Brown finely streaked with white; silky white below; long curved bill; flies to the base of tree-trunks and works up in spirals bracing with its long pointed tail-feathers; calls softly, “screep, screep.” 20. CHICKADEE. 5-1/4 in.(Parus atricapillus. 735.) Ashy-gray; black throat and cap; white cheeks; frowsy; lively; often swings head downward from the tips of twigs; song, “chick-a-dee-dee”; call-note musical, “pewee,” sometimes confused with note of 21. WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCH. 5-3/4 in.(Sitta carolinensis. 727.) Ashy-blue; cap and back of the neck, black; white below; constantly exploring the bark of trees but does not brace, woodpecker fashion, with its tail-feathers; note, nasal “yank, yank, yank.” 22. BELTED KINGFISHER. 14 in.(Ceryle alcyon. 390.) Blue-gray; white collar; big, crested head; sits erect watching for fish and flies near the surface of the water, uttering a rattling call; summers in Lincoln Park. 23. YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER. 8-1/4 in.(Sphyrapicus varius. 402.) Mixed black and white; yellowish-white underneath; streaked on sides; white bar lengthwise the wing; scarlet patch, bordered with black on crown and throat (female with throat white); harsh, squealing note. 24. RUSTY BLACKBIRD. 9-1/2 in.(Scolecophagus carolinus. 509.) Black, uniformly iridescent and more or less rusty; tail almost even; female smaller and rustier with pale line over eye. 25. FIELD SPARROW. 5-3/4 in.(Spizella pusilla. 563.) Streaked; crown and bill reddish-brown; neck ashy; brownish-white unspotted breast; two indistinct white wing bars; song, “fe-u, fe-u, fu, fee, fee, fee,” beginning slowly and ending almost in a trill. 26. HERMIT THRUSH. 7-1/4 in.(Hylocichla guttata pallasii. 759b.) Olive-brown; tail reddish-brown; below dull white tinged with buff and thickly spotted across the breast; shy, hiding in bushes; famous for its song but silent during migration. 27. RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD. 9-1/4 in.(Agelaius phoeniceus. 498.) Black; scarlet shoulder-straps edged with yellow; female much streaked, marked with rusty; likes marshy places; note, “quonk-a-ree´.” 28. RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET. 4-1/4 in.(Regulus calendula. 749.) Dark greenish-olive; light underneath; ring about eye and wing-bars white; male shows at will a brilliant ruby crown-patch; remarkable song. 29. HAIRY WOODPECKER. 9 in.(Dryobates villosus. 393.) White band down the middle of black back; wings black spotted with white; beneath white; outer tail-feathers white not barred; red band on neck of male; large bill; note, sharp resonant “plick.” 30. TREE SWALLOW. 6-1/4 in.(Iridoprocne bicolor. 614.) Metallic blue-green; shining white below; tail appears nearly square at end in flight; often seen skimming near the surface of still water. 31. CARDINAL. 8-1/2 in.(Cardinalis cardinalis. 593.) Bright red, including large blunt bill; crested; black markings on face and throat; female olive-gray, tinged lightly with red and obscurely marked; fine songster. 32. WHITE-THROATED SPARROW. 7 in.(Zonotrichia albicollis. 558.) White throat; unmarked ashy breast; whitish on belly; crown striped with black and white; broad white stripe over the eye shading to yellow in front; in flocks about shrubbery; clear, sweet whistle, “pee-bod-dee-dee-dee.” 33. MARSH HAWK. 22 in.(Circus hudsonius. 331.) Bluish gray, showing light streaks; gray below, belly white marked with brown; tail barred; white rump patch; female brown, barred and streaked more heavily; note shrill. 34. CHIPPING SPARROW. 5-3/4 in.(Spizella socialis. 560.) Streaked; plain ashy breast; two faint white wing-bars; chestnut-brown cap; whitish line over eye; song, a strong clear trill. 35. MOURNING DOVE. 12 in.(Zenaidura macroura. 316.) Gray-blue, tinged with brownish; tail broadly tipped with white, tapering to a narrow point; sides of neck iridescent; marked with black on wings and sides of head; rapid whistling flight; note, “coo-oo.” Pigeon. 36. WINTER WREN. 4-1/4 in.(Olbiorchiles hiemalis. 722.) Dark tawny-brown, barred on wings and tail; lighter below, barred posteriorly; pale line over eye; stub tail, carried erect; very fine song. 37. VESPER SPARROW. 6-1/4 in.(PoÆcetes gramineus. 540.) Streaked above and below; underparts whitish, tinged with buff across breast and on sides; shows two conspicuous white tail feathers in flight; noteworthy song. 38. MYRTLE WARBLER. 5-1/2 in.(Dendroica coronata. 655.) Blue-gray, streaked; crown, rump and spot on each side of breast, yellow; white below, marked on breast and sides with black; usually in small flocks. 39. SWAMP SPARROW. 5-3/4 in.(Melospiza georgiana. 584.) Very darkly colored and heavily streaked; chestnut cap, sometimes indistinctly streaked; black forehead; plain ashy breast; shy; frequents bushes along the water’s edge. 40. PURPLE FINCH. 6-1/4 in.(Carpodacus purpureus. 517.) Not “purple,” but faded crimson-red, somewhat streaky; belly whitish; large, heavy bill; female mottled olive-brown, resembling sparrows; noteworthy song. 41. CEDAR WAXWING. 7 in.(Ampelis cedrorum. 619.) Smooth snuff-brown; crested; chin and line from bill to crest, black; end of tail banded with yellow; in flocks; “monotonous lisping note.” 42. WILSON THRUSH. 7-1/4 in.(Hylocichla fuscescens. 756.) Uniform tawny brown; no ring about the eye; below white, faintly tinged and lightly spotted; shy, about bushes; sometimes sings in Lincoln Park. 43. AMERICAN SPARROW HAWK. 10-1/2 in.(Falco sparverius. 360.) Reddish-brown, usually barred or spotted with black; head bluish, marked on sides with black; tail white-tipped with one broad black bar; below white, more or less spotted; narrow pointed wings; female, much more barred, darker and streaked below. The smallest hawk. 44. BARN SWALLOW. 7 in.(Hirundo erythrogastra. 613.) Blue-back; chestnut shading to white below; deeply forked tail. 45. BROWN THRASHER. 11-1/4 in.(Toxostoma rufum. 705.) Bright rusty red; white below, much streaked; long bill and long, sweeping tail; song, loud, bold and varied; about bushes. 46. HOUSE WREN. 5 in.(Troglodytes aedon. 721.) Brown, barred with darker; below grayish, tinged with brown, also barred; rusty-colored tail, two inches long; remarkable song. 47. BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER. 5 in.(Polioptila cÆrulea. 751.) Blue-gray; white beneath; long tail edged with white; male has a black line over eye; fidgety, never long in a place; wheezy song. 48. WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW. 7 in.(Zonotrichia leucophrys. 554.) Ashy-gray; rump, tail and wings, brown, streaked with black; crown conspicuously striped with black and white; no yellow; two white wing-bars; in flocks, often with White-throated Sparrows; scratches with both feet; notice the song. 49. PALM WARBLER. 5 in.(Dendroica palmarum. 672.) Streaky olive-gray; chestnut cap; yellow line over eye; beneath yellowish (brightest on throat and under tail) streaked with brown; feeds on ground in flocks; constantly tilts its tail up and down. 50. HENSLOW SPARROW. 5 in.(Coterniculus henslowii. 547.) Back conspicuously marked and streaked, showing much chestnut; head and neck a peculiar greenish tinge, finely lined with black; below tinged with buff and finely streaked; dark stripes and spots on sides of head; sharp tail; hides in the grass and can be carefully observed only with patience. 51. GRINNELL WATER-THRUSH. 5-3/4 in.(Seiurus noveboracensis notabilis. 675a.) Very dark olive-brown; below yellowish white, thickly streaked; pale stripe over the eye; skulks along the very edge of the water; tilts its tail; brilliant song. 52. CATBIRD. 8-3/4 in.(Galeoscoptes carolinensis. 704.) Slate-gray; bill, crown and tail, black; chestnut patch under tail; about shrubbery; willing to be looked at; calls like a cat; song, greatly varied. 53. PINE WARBLER. 5-3/4 in.(Dendroica vigorsii. 671.) Olive-green; yellow breast; sides of head suffused with yellowish—sometimes forming a yellow line over eye; two dull white wing-bars; song, a loud, penetrating trill. 54. RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH. 4-3/4 in.(Sitta canadensis. 728.) Bluish-gray; crown and stripe through eye, black, with a white line over the eye; below rusty-red, throat white; climbs up and down and around trees; note, “cark, cark, cark.” 55. BLACK AND WHITE CREEPER. 5-1/4 in.(Mniotilta varia. 636.) Black and white, striped; white belly; female shows more white below; creeps up and down trees like the 56. BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER. 5-1/4 in.(Dendroica virens. 667.) Olive-green; bright yellow cheeks; throat and upper part of breast, black; white wing-bars; song, repeated often and rapidly, “chee, chee, chee, chee, char, chee.” 57. RED-HEADED WOODPECKER. 9-1/2 in.(Melanerpes erythrocephalus. 406) Black and white, not streaked; entire head, neck and upper part of breast, crimson; pure white belly; note, a loud “kr-r-r-r r.” 58. MOCKINGBIRD. 10 in.(Mimus polyglottus. 703.) Ashy-gray, wings and tail darker; whitish below; wing shows white patch; outer tail-feathers white; famous for its song. 59. CHIMNEY SWIFT. 5-1/4 in.(ChÆtura pelagica. 423.) Dark sooty-gray; bob-tail; long, pointed wings, which often vibrate rapidly in flight; twittering note; never seen perching like other birds. 60. OLIVE-BACKED THRUSH. 7-1/4 in.(Hylocichla ustulata. 758a.) Uniform dark olive; below white, darker on sides; cheeks, throat, breast and ring about eye, buff; spotted on breast; noteworthy song. 61. GREAT-CRESTED FLYCATCHER. 9 in.(Myiarchus crinitus. 452.) Olive, showing rusty brown on wings and tail; crested head; throat and breast, ashy-gray; wing-bars; belly sulphur-yellow; usually perches high; note, “loud whistle.” 62. LOUISIANA WATER-THRUSH. 6-1/4 in.(Seiurus motacilla. 676.) Olive; white below, buff-tinged posteriorly and streaked, but not thickly, with dusky; throat and middle of belly, unmarked; white line over eye; loud, ringing song. 63. LEAST FLYCATCHER. 5-1/4 in.(Empidonax minimus. 467.) Olive-gray; wings, tail and head, darker; two narrow wing-bars; decidedly grayish below, whiter on throat; jerks its tail and utters a sharp, energetic call, “che-bec´.” 64. WOOD THRUSH. 7-3/4 in.(Hylocichla mustelina. 755.) Bright brown on head shading to olive-brown on rump and tail; white beneath, with conspicuous round spots except on throat and middle of belly; remarkable song. 65. WESTERN YELLOW-THROAT. 5-1/4 in.(Geothlypis trichas occidentalis. 681a.) Olive-green, showing brownish tinge; broad, black stripe across forehead and through eye; bordered broadly with white; yellow beneath; female duller and without black stripe and easily confused with female 66. MAGNOLIA WARBLER. 5 in.(Dendroica maculosa. 657.) Back and tail, black; crown blue-gray; yellow rump; yellow below, streaked with black on breast and sides; white patch on wings; broad white band across tail, seen from below. 67. AMERICAN GOLDFINCH. 5-1/4 in.(Astragalinus tristis. 529.) Canary-yellow, with black crown, tail and wings; white wing-bars; female olive-tinged, without pure black or yellow; in flocks; canary-like song; also sings in its undulating flight, “per-chic-o-ree, per-chic-o-ree.” 68. YELLOW WARBLER. 5 in.(Dendroica Æstiva. 652.) Yellow all over shading to olive on back; orange-brown streaks on breast; female not so yellow and less streaked; song, penetrating and unceasing; nests in Lincoln Park. 69. KINGBIRD. 8-1/2 in.(Tyrannus tyrannus. 644.) Dusky black; below white; tail tipped with broad band of white; fire-red patch on crown, usually concealed; spreads its tail like a fan when about to alight. 70. BALTIMORE ORIOLE. 7-1/2 in.(Icterus galbula. 507.) Bright orange, with black head, throat, back and wings; two white wing-bars; female smaller, brownish-yellow and showing little black; loud call, “co-weet´, co-weet´, co-weet´;” song noteworthy. 71. SUMMER TANAGER. 7-1/2 in.(Piranga rubra. 610.) Vermillion all over; no black; female yellowish-olive and usually near the male; very rare. 72. YELLOW-BELLIED FLYCATCHER. 5-1/2 in.(Empidonax flaviventris. 463.) Bright olive-green, with dark-brown tail and wings; yellowish wing-bars; sulphur-yellow below, brightest between legs and tinged elsewhere with pale olive; yellow eye-ring; call, a soft, slow whistle, “pe´-a.” 73. BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER. 5-1/4 in.(Dendroica blackburniÆ. 662.) Black streaked with white; middle of crown, throat and sides of head, flaming orange; black patch behind eye; white wing-bars; female duller; usually high up among the leaves. 74. OVENBIRD. 6-1/4 in.(Seiurus aurocapillus. 674.) Olive-green showing yellow tinge; below pure white, thickly spotted; orange-brown cap bordered with black stripes; scratches like a hen; tilts tail up and down; under shrubbery; note, “teacher” repeated rapidly with increasing emphasis. 75. RED-EYED VIREO. 6 in.(Vireo olivaceus. 624.) Olive-green; crown, slaty; white below, lightly tinged on sides; dark line above a white one over eye; clear, persistent song; nests in Lincoln Park. 76. AMERICAN REDSTART. 5-1/4 in.(Setophaga ruticilla. 687.) Male black, with six flame-colored spots; female olive, with six yellow spots; spreads its tail like a fan; song, “chee, chee, chee, chew.” 77. CAPE MAY WARBLER. 5-1/4 in.(Dendroica tigrina. 650.) Yellowish-olive spotted with black on back; crown very dark; cheeks yellow with an orange-brown ear patch; yellow below, black streaks on breast; wing-bars; song all on one note. 78. SCARLET TANAGER. 7-1/4 in.(Piranga erythromelas. 608.) Scarlet, with black wings and tail; female olive-green, usually near by; rather sluggish; note, “chip, chree;” song noteworthy. 79. YELLOW-THROATED VIREO. 5-1/2 in.(Vireo flavifrons. 628.) Bright olive-green, shading to ashy-blue on rump; yellow throat and breast, sharply defined against white belly; line around eye and to the bill, yellow; two white wing-bars; fine song. 80. ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK. 8-1/4 in.(Zamelodia ludoviciana. 595.) Black, including throat, with white rump and wing-patches; breast white with a brilliant rose-red blotch; lining of wings also rose-red; large beak; female yellowish-brown, darkly mottled, no red; sluggish; remarkable song. 81. PURPLE MARTIN. 7-1/2 in.(Progne subis. 611.) Blue-black all over; female lighter and streaked with grayish-white below; often nests in bird houses; twittering song. 82. YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT. 7-1/4 in.(Icteria virens. 683.) Olive-green; bright yellow below, belly white; region about eye black, marked with a white line above eye; white spot and shorter line below eye; the largest warbler; remarkable song. 83. BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER. 5-1/4 in.(Dendroica cÆrulescens. 654.) Slaty-blue; below white, with black throat and sides; conspicuous white patch on wing; female grayish, no black, but may be recognized by wing patch; hoarse note, “kree, kree.” 84. NASHVILLE WARBLER. 4-3/4 in.(Helminthophila rubricapilla. 645.) Olive-green; head and neck bluish gray; indistinct brown patch on crown; bright yellow below; no wing bars; white eye ring; song, not loud, “wee´-see, wee´-see, wit´-a-wit´-a-wit´.” 85. WARBLING VIREO. 5-1/4 in.(Vireo gilvus. 627.) Mouse gray, with olive rump; white below, tinged with greenish yellow; creamy-white around the eye; song, rippling warble. 86. BLUE-HEADED VIREO. 5-1/2 in.(Vireo solitarius. 629.) Olive-green; ashy-blue head; pure white below, sides yellowish; line around the eye and to the bill, white; two white wing-bars; song, noteworthy. 87. ORCHARD ORIOLE. 7 in.(Icterus spurius. 506.) Male, rich chestnut-brown with black head, wings and tail, narrow white wing-bar; female olivaceous above and greenish-yellow below with two white wing-bars; young male like female but with black throat; high trees; loud, clear song. 88. LONG-BILLED MARSH WREN. 5-1/4 in.(Telmatodytes palustris. 725.) Brown, almost black on head, tail and between shoulders, the latter streaked with white; barred only on wings and tail; line over eye and middle of breast white; long bill; spluttering song. 89. BAY-BREASTED WARBLER. 5-1/2 in.(Dendroica castanea. 660.) Ashy-brown, black-streaked; black cheeks and forehead; throat, upper part of breast, sides and crown, rich chestnut brown; white wing-bars. 90. PARULA WARBLER. 4-1/2 in.(Compsothlypis americana. 648.) Grayish-blue, yellowish across the back; throat and breast yellow, latter crossed by brownish band; wing-bars; peculiar song. 91. WOOD PEWEE. 6-1/4 in.(Contopus virens. 461.) Dark olive-brown; brownish black on wings and tail; frowsy head; below white, showing olive tinge on sides; two narrow white wing-bars; plaintive note repeated slowly and often, “pee´to-way´, pee´-to-way´, hee´-rue.” 92. BOBOLINK. 7-1/2 in.(Dolichonyx orizivorus. 494.) Male black with light back, creamy buff on neck; female, sparrow colored, streaked above; long merry musical song; open fields; in Lincoln Park usually seen in flocks flying overhead, singing on the wing. 93. BLUE GOLDEN-WINGED WARBLER. 5 in.(Helminthophila chrysoptera. 642.) Blue-gray; crown and patch on wing, golden yellow; throat, and stripe through eye, black; white below; song, drawling “zee, zee, zee, zee.” 94. INDIGO BUNTING. 5-3/4. in.(Cyanospiza cyanea. 598.) Indigo blue; wings and tail blackish; female brown; in flocks; often feeds in the grass; noteworthy song. 95. PROTHONOTARY WARBLER. 5-1/4 in.(Prothonotaria citrea. 637.) Entire head, neck and breast, bright orange yellow; blue-gray wings, rump and tail; female duller; prefers shrubbery near water. 96. TENNESSEE WARBLER. 4-1/2 in.(Helminthophila peregrina. 647.) Olive-green, brightest on rump; head and neck, blue gray; dull white below; faint white line over eye; no wing-bars; song, shrill and feeble. 97. MOURNING WARBLER. 5-1/2 in.(Geothlypis philadelphia. 679.) Bright olive-green; head, neck, throat and upper part of breast, bluish ash; yellow belly; black band on breast; about bushes and in the grass; noteworthy song. 98. CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER. 5 in.(Dendroica pennsylvanica. 659.) Back shows black streaks mixed with olive-green; yellow cap; white below with dainty chestnut markings on sides of breast; song, “chee, chee, chee, chee´ar.” 99. WHIP-POOR-WILL. 9-3/4 in.(Antrostomus vociferus. 417.) Mottled, strongly resembling the bark of certain trees; narrow white band across upper part of breast; big head; in daytime lies motionless, lengthwise a branch. 100. CERULEAN WARBLER. 4-1/2 in.(Dendroica cÆrulea. 658.) Azure-blue, marked with black on back and sides of head; white below, streaked with blue; two white wing-bars; frequents tree-tops; song resembles that of 101. HOODED WARBLER. 5-1/2 in.(Wilsonia mitrata. 684.) Olive-green; yellow below; head, neck and upper breast, black; yellow “mask” across forehead and cheeks; white spots on tail; female less black. 102. BLACK-POLL WARBLER. 5-1/2 in.(Dendroica striata. 661.) Streaked black and white; black crown; white cheeks; below white with line of black spots down sides; tree-tops; song, a staccato musical “chink” repeated rapidly. 103. YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO. 12-1/4 in.(Coccyzus americanus. 387.) Bronzy olive-gray; white below; lower half of curved bill yellow tipped with black; outer tail-feathers black tipped broadly with white; wings show a reddish-brown tinge in flight; glides stealthily from tree to tree and keeps concealed among the leaves; slowly droops and raises its tail when perching; song, loud “kuk-kuk, kuk-kuk.” 104. CANADIAN WARBLER. 5-1/2 in.(Wilsonia canadensis. 686.) Bluish-lead color; yellow below with a necklace of black spots; no wing-bars; noteworthy song. 105. WILSON BLACK-CAP WARBLER. 4-3/4 in.(Wilsonia pusilla. 685.) Bright olive-green; yellow below; black cap; in low bushes. 106. LINCOLN SPARROW. 5-3/4 in. |
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