613.Hirundo erythrogastra.7½ inches
Female duller plumaged and with a less deeply forked tail than the male. Forehead and throat chestnut and entire under parts buffy; tail deeply forked and with a white spot on the inner web of each feather except the central pair.
This is the most graceful and beautiful of all our swallows, and is the most common about farmhouses, the inside beams and rafters of which they appropriate for their own use. They delight in skimming over the rolling meadows or the surface of ponds, now rising with the wind, now swooping downward with the speed of an arrow.
Song.—A continuous, rapid twitter.
Nest.—A bowl-shaped structure made up of pellets of mud cemented together with the birds’ saliva, and lined with feathers; attached to rafters in barns, the opening being at the top and not at the side as in the last; eggs exactly like those of the last.
Range.—N. A., breeding north to the limit of trees; winters in northern South America.
614.Iridoprocne bicolor.6 inches
Male, steely blue or greenish above; female, duller and often plain gray above, but both sexes always entirely white below.
These Swallows are also abundant about farmyards; except when they are skimming over ponds, they are almost always scouring the air above buildings or fields, at higher elevations than theBarn Swallows. When weary they roost on dead twigs or telephone wires, hundreds often being seen in rows on the latter. Like theMartins, these birds frequently nest in bird boxes, but usually not more than one or two pairs in a single house.
Notes.—A twittering like that of the other Swallows.
Nest.—Of grass, lined with feathers, in hollow trees on the border of water or in orchards, or in bird boxes erected for their use; eggs white (.75 × .52).
Range.—Breeds in the northern half of the U. S. and northward to Labrador and Alaska; winters in southern U. S. and southward.
616.Riparia riparia.5¼ inches
These are the smallest of our Swallows; this species can be distinguished, even at a distance, by the conspicuous band across the breast, showing in bold relief against the lighter throat. They are found throughout North America, breeding from the middle of the U. S. north to the Arctic regions.
They nest in colonies in holes in banks, laying the four to seven white eggs on a grass nest in an enlarged chamber at the end of the tunnel.
617.Stelgidopteryx serripennis.5½ inches
In this species the throat is gray as well as the breast. The outer vane of the outer primary is stiff and bristly, thus giving the species its name. These birds breed from the Gulf north to Massachusetts and Washington, in banks or in crevices of stone bridges. The eggs cannot with certainty be distinguished from those of theBank Swallow. They measure .75 × .52.
618.Bombycilla garrula.8 inches
Larger and grayer than our commonCedar Waxwingand with yellow and white on the wing; it is a northern species and is only casually found in eastern U. S. They nest within the Arctic Circle and only a few of their nests have ever been found. In winter they are found in flocks, roving restlessly about the country, often appearing where least expected and utterly deserting other places where they are usually found.
Nest.—Of small twigs and moss, lined with feathers, usually placed at low elevations in spruce or coniferous trees; eggs dull bluish white specked sparingly with black (1.00 × .70), similar to those of theCedar Waxwingbut larger.
Range.—Northern parts of the Northern Hemisphere, breeding within the Arctic Circle and wintering casually south to Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Kansas and California.
619.Bombycilla cedrorum.7 inches
Plumage very soft colored with a general brownish tone, shading to gray on the rump. The Waxwings are named from the curious wax-like appendages attached to the tips of the secondaries, and rarely to the tail feathers. They are very sociable and usually feed in flocks. They live chiefly upon fruit and are especially fond of cherries, for which reason they are very often known as Cherry-birds. They are very tame and allow any one to almost touch them while they are feeding or sitting upon their nests.
Note.—An insignificant lisping hiss.
Nest.—A substantial structure of twigs, mosses, twine, etc., lined with fine grasses; placed in cedar trees or, when near habitations, usually in orchard trees; the four or five eggs are dull bluish white specked with black (.85 × .60).
Range.—N. A., breeding from Virginia, Missouri and northern California north to Labrador and southern Alaska; winters throughout the United States.
621.Lanius borealis.10 inches
This shrike is larger than any of the species found in summer in the United States and has the breast quite distinctly barred.
Shrikes are cruel, rapacious and carnivorous birds, feeding upon insects, grasshoppers, lizards and small birds. As they have passerine feet, the same as all our small birds, they are unable to hold their prey between the feet while tearing it to pieces, so they impale it upon thorns or the barbs of a wire fence so they may tear it to shreds with their hooked bill.
Song.—Loud snatches consisting of various whistles and imitations suggesting that of aCatbird.
Nest.—They breed chiefly north of the U. S., placing their rude, bulky structures of twigs and weeds in thorny trees or hedges; their four to six eggs are grayish white with spots of light brown and darker gray (1.08 × .80).
Range.—N. A., breeding chiefly in the northern parts of Canada; winters south to Pennsylvania, Kansas and California.
622.Lanius ludovicianus.9 inches
Pure white below and with the markings above, intense black instead of the brownish or grayish black of the last species. Although smaller, these Shrikes have the same destructive habits of the northern species. All the Shrikes do considerable good to mankind, for they eat quantities of grasshoppers and mice, and probably resort to their diet of small birds when other food is unusually scarce. It cannot be denied that they are cruel, for they often kill more than they can eat and leave it impaled on thorns to decay.
Song.—Of harsh, discordant whistles.
Nest.—In scrubby hedges and thickets; of twigs, weeds, leaves, etc.; eggs four to seven in number, grayish white, spotted with shades of brown and gray.
Range.—Eastern U. S., breeding from the Gulf to southern New England and Manitoba; winters in southern states.
Sub-Species.—622a. White-rumped Shrike (excubitorides), paler and with a white rump; found from the Plains to the Pacific in the U. S.
624.Vireosylva olivacea.6 inches
Crown slaty gray with a black border; white stripe above eye; eye reddish brown.
Throughout the United States this is one of the most abundant of the family. All through the spring and summer months their warble is heard from woodland and roadside, often becoming so monotonous as to be irritating. Oftentimes during the spring migrations of Warblers, Vireos are so numerous and singing so lustily that it is impossible to hear or distinguish the songs of any of the smaller birds.
Song.—Delivered in parts with intermission of a few seconds between, from morning until night; a short varied warble; call, a petulant mew.
Nest.—A basket woven of strips of bark and fibres, and often with pieces of newspaper worked in, lined with fine grass; eggs white with a few blackish-brown specks on the large end (.85 × .55).
Range.—U. S. east of the Rockies, breeding from the Gulf to Labrador and Manitoba; winters in Central America.
626.Vireosylva philadelphica.5 inches
This is one of the least common of the eastern Vireos, although it is more common than most people know; its song is not distinctive and it keeps high up in trees, so it is not usually noticed. Their nests are swung from branches at high altitudes and are seldom found.
627.Vireosylva gilva.5 inches
Above olive-green; crown grayer but with no black border. These are among the most common of the Vireos and may be found even in the hearts of large cities, swinging their pretty little nests high up in shade trees. Their song is after the style of that of thePurple Finch, very different from that of theRed-eye. The eggs are white with a few brown specks on the large end. These birds breed throughout the U. S. and southern Canada.
628.Lanivireo flavifrons.5¾ inches
Upper parts greenish; throat, breast and line over eye yellow; two prominent whitish wing bars.
A handsome Vireo found in localities such as are frequented by the Red-eyed species. Nowhere do they appear to be as abundant as that species, however; they are more abundant than many suppose, but the difficulty of clearly seeing the yellow breast when they are feeding in the tree tops, combined with the similarity of their songs, usually caused them to be passed by without inspection.
Song.—Similar to that of theRed-eye, but louder and more nasal, less varied and not uttered as often.
Nest.—A pensile structure of strips of bark, grasses, etc., with the outside often ornamented with lichens; three to five eggs with a creamy or rosy-white tint, specked, more profusely than those of theRed-eye, with reddish brown (.82 × .60).
Range.—Eastern U. S., breeding from the Gulf to southern Canada; winters in Central America.
629.Lanivere solitarius.5¾ inches
Crown and sides of head bluish slate; lores, eye-ring and underparts white; back and flanks greenish yellow; two whitish wing bars.
This species, to my eye, is the prettiest of the Vireos, all the colors being in just the right proportion and blending and harmonizing perfectly. They are solitary, in that they are usually found in deep woods, glens or ravines, and seldom is more than one pair found in a single woods.
Song.—Similar to that of theYellow-throated Vireobut longer and more varied.
Nest.—A handsome, finely woven basket, with the outside covered with spider webs and often with lichens; eggs pale creamy white with chestnut specks.
Range.—Eastern N. A., breeding from the Gulf to New Brunswick and Manitoba; winters south of the United States.
Sub-Species.—629c. Mountain Solitary Vireo (alticola), head darker and back less greenish; Alleghanies from North Carolina to Georgia.
630.Vireo atricapillus.4½ inches
Male, with crown and sides of head glossy black, lores and eye-ring white; female, duller colored.
This strange and comparatively rare Vireo frequents brushwood on the prairies of Kansas, Indian Territory and central and western Texas. Their habits in all respects resemble those of the more common Vireos or Greenlets as they are otherwise called.
Notes.—Similar to those of theWhite-eyed Vireo.
Nest.—Suspended as usual from forked branches at low elevations; made of fibres and bark strips closely woven together with spider webs. The four eggs are pure white, unmarked (.70 × .52).
Range.—Breeds from central and western Texas north to southern Kansas; winters in Mexico.
631.Vireo griseus.5 inches
This species shows a partiality for low, swampy places, covered with briars or tangled thickets of blackberry vines. Their habits are entirely different from any of the preceding Vireos. They do not seem to sing as they eat, but feed in silence, then, the task ended, mount to the tops of the brush and indulge in an endless variety of calls and whistles.
Song.—A great variety of clear whistles and squeaky notes.
Nest.—A bulky structure of strips of bark, leaves, paper, etc., either placed in the branches or partially suspended in a fork; eggs white with minute brown specks (.75 × .55).
Range.—Eastern United States, breeding from the Gulf to Massachusetts and Manitoba; winters in Mexico.
Sub-Species.—631a. Key West Vireo (maynardi), southern Florida. 631b. Bermuda White-eyed Vireo (bermudianus), resident in the Bermudas. 631c. Small White-eyed Vireo (micrus); southeastern Texas.
636.Mniotilta varia.5¼ inches
Male, heavily streaked with black below; female, with only a few streaks on the sides.
These Warblers are usually known as Black and White Creepers because of their habit of creeping along the limbs and branches of trees. They are abundant in northern United States, being found in open woods, swamps and often in parks, gleaning insects and grubs from crevices in the bark.
Song.—A weak, thin, wiry “tsee, tsee, tsee.”
Nest.—Of grasses and strips of bark on the ground at the foot of a stump or tree trunk or beside a rock; they lay four or five eggs, white with a wreath of reddish brown around the large end (.65 × .55).
Range.—Eastern N. A., breeding from Virginia and Louisiana north to Labrador and Hudson Bay; winters in northern South America.
637.Protonotaria citrea.5¼ inches
Whole head and underparts intense yellow, almost orange on the head of the male; tail with white spots near the tip; female, duller.
A common species in the interior, found in bushy swamps and the willows around the borders of pools and lakes; they are found in the latter localities withTree Swallowsand oftenChickadeesall nesting in holes in hollow stubs along the bank, they being one of the few members of this family to make use of such locations for their nests.
Song.—A loud, ringing “tweet, tweet, tweet.”
Nest.—In hollow stubs near or over water, the cavity of the stump being partially filled with moss, leaves and grasses hollowed on the top to receive the four to six creamy-white eggs which are heavily spotted over the entire surface with reddish brown (.72 × .55).
Range.—Eastern U. S., breeding from the Gulf north to Virginia, Illinois and Minnesota; winters in Central America.
638.Helinaia swainsonii.5 inches
Upper parts brownish; underparts whitish; a white superciliary stripe and a brown stripe through the eye.
Some of the habits of this species are similar to those of the last but they are even more aquatic; they like swamps or stagnant pools thickly grown with rushes and tangled underbrush; unless cognizant of their habits, one would never look for a Warbler in the places frequented by these birds in company with Least Bitterns andMarsh Wrens. Until within a few years these were regarded as rare birds but are now found to be not uncommon in certain of the South Atlantic states, notably Georgia.
Song.—A series of descending, loud, clear whistles with a ventriloquial effect.
Nest.—Quite large structures consisting mostly of leaves with strips of bark, roots and pine needles. The four or five eggs are plain white, being the only eggs of American Warblers that are unmarked.
Range.—Southeastern U. S. from Georgia to Louisiana and north to North Carolina and Missouri.
639.Helmitheros vermivorus.5½ inches
Crown buffy with two black stripes; back, wings and tail olive green with no white markings; below buffy white.
These birds are very unsuspicious and easy to approach; they spend the greater portion of their time on or near the ground; they are very fond of spiders and find quantities by overturning bits of bark and leaves. They also glean part of their living from the underside of the foliage much as do theVireos. They are met with in open woods and brush-grown pastures.
Song.—A weak, rapid chipping.
Nest.—On the ground in depressions under logs, stones or bushes; of leaves and grass, lined with fine grass or hair; eggs four or five in number, white, spotted principally around the large end with brownish (.70 × .55).
Range.—Eastern U. S., breeding from the Gulf north to Connecticut, Ohio and Iowa; winters in Central America.
640.Vermivora bachmani.4¼ inches
Male, with a yellow forehead, shoulders and underparts; black cap and breast patch; female, duller and with less black.
This species was first discovered by Dr. John Bachman near Charleston, S. C.
Song.—An insignificant warble or twitter, similar to the song of theParula.
Nest.—In low bushes or briers, one to three feet above ground. Made of fine grasses and leaf skeletons, lined with black fibres. Found breeding by Widmann in Missouri, by Embody in Kentucky and by Wayne in South Carolina. Eggs four in number; pure white (.63 × .48).
Range.—Southeastern U. S., north to North Carolina and west to Missouri. Rare and local in distribution.
641.Vermivora pinus.4¾ inches
Crown and underparts yellow; a narrow black line through the eyes; two broad whitish wing bars.
A common bird of the southeastern states and north to Connecticut, frequenting open woods, thickets and gardens. They are ground birds, spending most of their time on the ground or in low bushes which they clean of the insects which are destructive.
Song.—A loud, rapid chirrup, similar to that of theGrasshopper Sparrowbut loud and distinct.
Nest.—Of leaves and strips of bark, lined with fine grasses; on the ground in clumps of weeds or blackberry vines; eggs white, sparingly spotted around the large end with rufous (65. × .50).
Range.—Eastern U. S., breeding north to southern Connecticut and Wisconsin; winters in the tropics.
Hybrids.—Lawrence Warbler, which is a hybrid between this species and the next; it has the general plumage of this species with the black ear patches and throat of theGolden-winged Warbler. It is found chiefly in southwestern Connecticut and New York.
642.Vermivora chrysoptera.5 inches
Crown and two large wing bars yellow; throat and ear patches black; rest of plumage gray and white; female with less black.
The distribution of this beautiful Warbler is about the same as that of the last, with which it seems to have many habits in common. It seems to prefer low ridges and side hills covered with small bushes.
Song.—A buzzing “zwee-ze-ze.”
Nest.—Of leaves, rootlets, strips of bark and grass; located on the ground among clumps of weeds, usually in moist places; eggs white with brown specks (.62 × .48).
Range.—Eastern U. S., breeding north to Connecticut and Michigan; winters in Central America.
Hybrid.—Brewster Warbler is a hybrid between this species and the last. It resembles the Golden-winged Warbler without the black, but with a yellow patch on the breast and the black line of theBlue-wingthrough the eye.
645.Vermivora rubricapilla.4¾ inches
Male with a brown crown patch; female duller colored and with no crown patch. Dry side hills covered with young trees are favorite resorts for the Warblers. They conceal their nests on the ground under tufts of dead grass or overhanging stones. They are often rather shy and hard to sight, but you can usually hear their song, a lazy sounding “ker-chip-chip-chip-cherr-wee-e-e,” ending in a short trill. These birds breed in the northern half of the U. S. and southern Canada, wintering in Central America. A sub-species is found on the Pacific Coast.
646.Vermivora celata.5 inches
This species is fairly common in the Mississippi Valley but is rare in New England. Its habits are much like those of the last species and it is often mistaken for that bird. These birds breed only north of the U. S. and winter in Mexico. A sub-species, the Lutescent Warblers, nests from California to Alaska.
647.Vermivora peregrina.5 inches
Male, with a gray head and greenish back; female, with the top of the head the same color as the back.
A dull-colored bird that, with the exception of the bill, bears a strong resemblance to some of theVireos. Like many others of our birds, this one has received an inappropriate name, because the first specimen was shot on the banks of the Cumberland River, while the bird is no more abundant in Tennessee than in other states during migration.
Song.—A simple ditty similar to that of theChipping Sparrow.
Nest.—Either on the ground or at low elevations in bushes; of grasses and fibres lined with hair; eggs white, sparsely specked with reddish brown (.62 × .45).
Range.—Eastern N. A., breeding from the northern parts of the northern tier of states northward to the limit of trees; winters in Central and South America.
648.Compsothlypis americana.4½ inches
In the summer Parulas are found in wet swamps where the ground is covered with a carpeting of moss which only partially keeps your feet from the water below; the dead trees are covered with a growth of long, drooping moss; the ends of this moss are turned up and formed into a neat cradle within which the eggs are laid.
Song.—A little lisping trill.
Range.—Breeds in the southern half of the U. S. The Northern Parula (usnea), No. 648a, breeds in the northern half of the U. S. and southern Canada; it is brighter colored than the southern form. Both varieties winter from the Gulf States southward.
649.Compsothlypis pitiayumi nigrilora.4½ inches
A smaller similar bird from southern Texas. Note the black ear patches and lack of black on breast.
650.Dendroica tigrina.5 inches
Male, with a chestnut wash on the ears and throat; female, duller and with little or no chestnut.
In the greater part of eastern North America, Cape May Warblers are regarded as rare birds; they appear to migrate in compact bodies, not spreading out over the country as do most of the others; consequently they may be very common in restricted areas while lacking entirely in others. I have never met with but two specimens in Massachusetts. While passing through the United States you may meet with them in open woods, parks or in shade trees along the streets of cities.
Song.—A thin, high-pitched whistle repeated several times.
Nest.—Of small cedar twigs lined with horse hair, placed within a few feet of the ground in small cedar trees; eggs white spotted with brown (.68 × .50).
Range.—Eastern N. A., breeding in eastern Canada and, rarely, northern New England; winters south of the U. S.
652.Dendroica æstiva.5 inches
Male, with chestnut streaks on the sides; female, duller and without the streaks.
An abundant bird everywhere in woodland, park, orchard or garden and one of the most vivacious of the family. Arrives in the north soon after May first and is seen flitting about like a gleam of sunshine snatching insects from the foliage or darting after them in the air. Often known as the Summer Yellow-bird. It frequently nests in garden or orchard trees, where it is a most welcome tenant.
Song.—A sharp, vigorous “che-wee, che-wee, che-wee.”
Nest.—A beautiful and compact structure of vegetable or plant fibres firmly quilted together, and fastened to upright forks of bushes or trees at low elevations. Willows along creeks, ponds or rivers are favorite resorts.
Range.—N. A., breeding from the Gulf to Labrador and Alaska; winters in Central America.
654.Dendroica cærulescens.5¼ inches
Male, grayish blue above and with a black face, throat, breast and sides; female, grayish olive above, whitish below. Both sexes always have a white patch or speck at the base of the primaries.
You will find these birds in damp woods or swamps, or less often in parks or open woods. They are usually seen at low elevations in scrubby underbrush. Their notes are very peculiar and will draw attention to them anywhere.
Song.—A deep grating whistle with a sharply rising inflection, “zee-zee-zwee.”
Nest.—In deep, swampy woods, especially common in laurel; of grapevine bark and rootlets lined with fine black roots and hair; the four eggs are white or buffy white with reddish brown spots and blotches.
Range.—Eastern N. A., breeding from Connecticut (sparingly) and Michigan north to Labrador and Hudson Bay; winters in Central America. 654a. Cairns Warbler (cairnsi) is said to be darker on the back; found in the southern Alleghanies.
655.Dendroica coronata.5½ inches
Yellow patches on crown, sides and rump; outer tail feathers with large white spots; female duller and browner.
During migrations these pretty birds are very abundant in the United States. They usually travel in large flocks so that a small piece of woodland is literally flooded with them when they pause in the flight to feed upon insects or small berries. They are often known as Yellow-rumped Warblers.
Song.—A clear, broken trill or warble.
Nest.—Usually in coniferous trees, though sometimes in others, and at low elevations; of plant fibres and grasses; the four or five eggs are white, spotted and blotched with reddish brown (.70 × .54).
Range.—Eastern N. A., breeding from northern New England and Minnesota northward; winters south of the U. S.
657.Dendroica magnolia.5 inches.
Male, with black ear patch, back, and necklace; female, with the black replaced with grayish; both sexes have a yellow rump and white spots midway of the tail feathers.
One of the prettiest of the Warblers and one of the least timid. I have often had one or more of these birds follow me the whole length of a piece of woods apparently out of curiosity, coming down to the nearest twigs within arms’ reach of me. Birch woods are their favorites during migrations, although a few of them will be found almost anywhere.
Song.—A short, rapidly uttered warble.
Nest.—Usually in coniferous trees, far out on the longer branches, where they are often difficult to get at, of rootlets lined with fine black rootlets and hair; four or five white eggs with small spots of chestnut around the large end (.60 × .48).
Range.—Eastern N. A., breeding from Massachusetts and Michigan northward; winters south of the U. S.
658.Dendroica cærulea.5 inches
Above grayish blue with black streaks, below white with a bluish breast band and streaks on the sides; female washed with greenish above and yellowish below; both have white patches near the ends of the tail feathers.
These dainty little Warblers are not abundant anywhere, but seem to be most so in the central states. They are birds of the tree tops, rarely coming down so that they can be distinctly seen. They may be more common than supposed, for so small a body at such heights can readily be overlooked.
Song.—A little warbling trill, “zee-zee-ze-ee-eep.”
Nest.—In the higher outer branches of large trees usually in deep woods; compactly made of dry grasses and cobwebs, adorned with a few lichens; eggs white specked at the large end with brownish (.65 × .50).
Range.—Interior portions of the U. S., breeding north to Michigan and Minnesota; east to western New York and, rarely, southern New England; winters in northern South America.
659.Dendroica pennsylvanica.5 inches
Yellow crown, black line through eye and on side of throat and broad chestnut stripe on sides; female, paler and with less chestnut; young greenish yellow above and with no chestnut.
Nearly every swamp or bush-covered pasture within their range shelters one or more pairs of these Warblers. While they sometimes feed in the tree tops, they are birds of the lower foliage and are usually seen in low bushes.
Song.—Similar to that of theYellow Warblerbut more choppy.
Nest.—In low bushes or weeds, and often in sweet fern or briars; similar to that of theYellow Warblerbut coarser, being made more with grasses than with fibres, situated in upright forks or attached to several weed stalks; eggs white, specked around the large end with reddish brown (.68 × .50).
Range.—Eastern N. A., breeding from New Jersey and Ohio north to Manitoba and New Brunswick; winters south of U. S.