509.Euphagus carolinus.9 inches.
This is a bird of the east, but is found on the eastern slope of the Rockies, and straying into southern California to the Gulf of Mexico. Breeds along the northern borders of the United States, northwest to Alaska. The female is very much lighter than the male, and of a brownish drab color. They build large substantial nests of moss, twigs and grass, lined with finer material of the same, and placed in low bushes or trees only a few feet from the ground. Three to five eggs, pale bluish green, blotched and spotted with brown (.96 × .71).
510.Euphagus cyanocephalus.10 inches.
Found throughout western North America, breeding from Alaska to southern California. They differ from the preceding in having a purplish reflection on the head and upper parts, and greenish black body. They nest abundantly throughout their range, either in bushes or trees at low elevations, or upon the ground; the nests are made of sticks, roots and grasses, lined with finer grass. Three to five eggs are laid, which are very variable in marking, a dull white, spotted and blotched all over thickly with brown of different shades (1.00 × .75).
514a.Hesperiphona vespertina montana.8 inches.
Western North America, and breeding from British Columbia to central California. They build in the evergreen trees upon the mountain side or along some stream in the willows; they are always frail structures made up of a few loosely put together twigs and roots. Three or four pale greenish eggs, spotted sparingly with brown, are the usual complement (.90 × .65).
515b.Pinicola enucleator californica.8 inches.
These are one of the most unsuspicious birds that we have, and can be approached to within a few feet. The male is a bright red above and an ashy gray below, having much less of the red than his eastern relative. The female is a dull ashy gray, with a yellowish brown on the top of head and rump. They like the cooler places in which to live, and are found about the snow lines on the mountain, where they feed largely upon the seeds of the coniferous trees, in which they place their nests, making them of fine twigs and rootlets, and lining with grass and moss. They lay three or four eggs, light greenish blue, with splashes of brown and fainter markings of lilac (1.00 × .70).
517a.Carpodacus purpureus californicus.6 inches.
This is found from British Columbia to southern California. It breeds well up in the mountains, usually in evergreens. Three or four eggs of a greenish blue, spotted with brown (.85 × .65).
518.Carpodacus cassini.6 inches.
It is found west of the Rockies, breeding from British Columbia south to New Mexico, well up in the mountain regions, as far as the timber line extends. The back, wings and tail of this are darker than the preceding species; the purple color being more of a rosy tint. Their nests are made of twigs and rootlets, loosely put together, and almost flat; they lay three or four eggs not to be recognized from the last.
519.Carpodacus mexicanus frontalis.6 inches.
This is one of the most familiar birds on the Pacific coast. With his bright colors, and the more quiet colors of his mate, and the habit they have of keeping close to civilization, building their nests in the vines about the porches of the houses, both in the country and even in the cities, they are great favorites with every one. Their clear and pleasant song is kept up continually during the day, and where two or three pairs are nesting nearby, there is no lack for bird music. Their nests are made of fine rootlets and grass placed in almost any bush, tree or vine, if near some dwelling.
521.Loxia curvirostra minor.6 inches.
Found throughout the greater part of North America, and breeds in suitable locations on the mountain sides among the coniferous trees. On the Pacific coast, breeding from Alaska to southern California. In abundance they vary each year greatly, according to the food supply of cones in the evergreen trees from which they secure their seed supply; their twisted bill quickly opening up the cones and cleaning out the small seeds. Their nests are made of fine roots and grasses, and three or four eggs, greenish white, spotted and lined with shades of brown, are laid (.75 × .55).
522.Loxia leucoptera.6½ inches.
These are of a lighter and more rosy color than the preceding, and also have a large white patch on the wings. The female is marked the same, with grayish and buff in place of the red on the males. Nesting habits and locations are the same as above. The eggs average a little larger and heavier marked (.80 × .55).
523.Leucosticte griseonucha.6½ inches.
This is the largest of the family; they are pretty birds, with dark chestnut back and breast, and with the rump, wings and tail with a rosy tint. These are birds of the mountains and high altitudes, above or near the snow line. They are found breeding on the islands of Bering Sea, and in the western part of Alaska. They nest in crevices of the rocks or under ledges, making their nests of grasses and roots. Their four or five eggs are pure white (.97 × .67).
524.Leucosticte tephrocotis.6½ inches.
This is a lighter colored bird than the above. It is found on the eastern slope of the Rockies and has been found breeding in the Sierra Nevadas, in crevices of the rocks, after the same manner as the above. The eggs cannot be distinguished from the above.
524a.Leucosticte tephrocotis littoralis.6½ inches.
These have more gray on the back of the head; otherwise the same as preceding in habits and nesting.
525.Leucosticte atrata.6½ inches.
This species is the same in markings as theGray-crowned, excepting that the brown is replaced with almost black on the back and breast. The females of this family are much the same as the males, only not as bright in markings, and the young are the same as the females. Found in the northern Rocky Mountains, breeding in the mountains south to Colorado. They are all restless birds, seldom making a long stop in one place, but flitting from one locality to another. After the breeding season, they congregate in large flocks and keep together about the snow line, getting their supply of seed and insect food. Their nesting habits and their eggs are the same as the Gray-crowned.
526.Leucosticte australis.6½ inches.
These are to be found more southerly in the Rocky Mountains than any of the others, breeding in Colorado, and wintering in New Mexico. Their nesting habits and eggs are the same. Most of this family keep above the timber line during the summer, and only come down into the valleys as the heavy snow comes.
527a.Acanthis hornemanni exilipes.5 inches.
These pretty little birds, with their caps of bright crimson and rosy breasts, are birds of the coldest regions, breeding in the Arctic regions, and wintering to the northern parts of the United States.
Nest.—They build very large nests, mostly of small sticks and grass, and lined with fine grass and feathers, which are placed usually within a foot or two of the ground in scrub bushes. Their three to five eggs are a light bluish green, with specks of brown, mostly about the larger end (.65 × .50).
528.Acanthis linaria.5 inches.
Its range is the northern part of North America, breeding in Alaska, and wintering as far south as southern Oregon, or into California on the western coast, in the mountain regions above the timber line. In Colorado, they have been seen at 10,000 feet, and with the temperature far below zero. Their nesting habits are the same as the above, and eggs are the same.
529a.Astragalinus tristis pallidus.5 inches.
A paler form, found in the Rockies, south to Colorado (not illustrated).
529b.Astragalinus t. salicamara.5 inches.
A western form of the eastern bird, rarely reaching the five inches in length, and of a paler color, both the black and the yellow. It is common on the Pacific coast, from Washington to southern California, breeding in willows and low bushes. Nest is made of plant down, very compactly built, usually in a crotch. Four to five eggs, plain bluish white (.60 × .45).
530.Astragalinus psaltria.5 inches.
Found from Colorado to Mexico in the Rockies (not illustrated).
530a.Astragalinus p. hesperophilus.5 inches.
In southwestern United States from Central California to Mexico.
531.Astragalinus lawrencei.4½ inches.
This bird differs from the others of this family in being mostly gray in place of the yellow, having the head and throat black. They are found quite commonly on the Pacific coast of California, and south to Mexico. Their nests are nicely made, cup-like structures of plant down, in which they deposit four white eggs.
533.Spinus pinus.5 inches.
These are a more northern bird, breeding mostly to the Canadian zone, and in the Rockies and higher mountains to the west. They feed largely upon weed seeds and seeds from the different coniferous trees, the latter of which they most often frequent, building their nests in these trees of twigs and rootlets loosely put together and placed on the crotch of a horizontal limb; usually four eggs, of a greenish white color, spotted finely with reddish brown (.65 × .45). They have a habit, while feeding, of clinging to the under side of a branch or cone, similar to theChickadee, and, if disturbed when on some favorite tree, will make a short flight and circle back to the same tree.
534.Plectrophenax nivalis.7 inches.
To be found in the whole of the northern hemisphere, breeding within the Arctic Circle and wintering south to the central portions of the United States. They are one of the birds that change their dress completely from winter to summer, in color. In winter they are a clear black and white, while in summer the black is changed for a coat of chestnut or brownish. They are to be found in the winters, on the hillsides and in fields where the weeds are showing through, feeding upon the small seeds, and at this time they are as restless and uncertain as the snowflake itself, from which it is called. They nest on the ground, making it of dried grasses and lining with finer grass and feathers; the four or five eggs are a dull white, spotted and splashed with shades of brown, mostly on the larger end (.90 × .65).
535.Plectrophenax hyperboreus.7 inches.
This species is still more white than the preceding, having only a few specks of black on the tips of the primaries, and the central tail feather. They build, in crevices of the rocks on the ground, a nest of grass, lined with moss and feathers.
536a.Calcarius lapponicus alascensis.6½ inches.
Their breeding grounds are in the northern part of Alaska in summer, and in winter coming as far south as Oregon and Colorado, when they may be frequently found in with flocks ofSnow Buntings, and, like the Snowflakes, they breed on the ground in a depression in the moss or under some boulder, making their nest of grass and lining it with feathers. Their four to six eggs are grayish, nearly covered with spots and blotches of shades of dark brown (.80 × .60).
540a.Poœcetes gramineus confinis.6 inches.
The chestnut shoulders and outer white tail-feather will distinguish this from any others of the sparrows, and the sides are more of a gray color than the eastern variety. Its habit of singing later in the evening gave it the name of “Vesper.” Found on the Pacific coast, from British Columbia to Mexico. Nest is made of grass, placed in a depression on the ground. Four dull white eggs, blotched with brown (.80 × .60).
542b.Passerculus s. alaudinus.5½ inches.
This is a slightly paler form of the preceding, and is very common in the fields and meadows, from northern Alaska to Mexico. They are birds but very little seen, keeping in the grass the greater part of the time. Their nests are hollows in the ground lined with fine grass and concealed by tufts of grass. They usually deposit four eggs, grayish white, blotched heavily with brown (.75 × .55).
542c.Passerculus s. bryanti.5½ inches.
Found on the salt marshes of California to Lower California. It is a darker and brighter bird than the preceding (not illustrated).
543.Passerculus beldingi.5½ inches.
Found on the marshes of southern and Lower California. Is darker and more streaked below. Nesting habits the same; eggs darker.
544.Passerculus rostratus.5½ inches.
The large and stouter bill, paler, and more of a grayish brown color, will distinguish this from any of the preceding. They are fairly common in the salt marshes of southern and Lower California. Their nesting habits and eggs are practically the same as those mentioned previously.
544c.Passerculus r. sanctorum.5½ inches.
Breeds on San Benito Islands, winters in southern Lower California. Nesting habits are identical (not illustrated).
545.Ammodramus bairdi.5¼ inches.
These sparrows breed abundantly in parts of the Dakotas on the plains, and winter in eastern Colorado, through Arizona to New Mexico. The tail-feathers of this species are much more pointed than on any of the preceding.
Nest.—This is placed on the ground in clumps of grass, and is made of fine dried grass. Usually four eggs are laid of a dull white, blotched and spotted with shades of brown and lilac (.80 × .60).
546a.Ammodramus s. bimaculatus.5 inches.
These birds are common in dry fields and pastures, where their faint lisping song is heard throughout the day. Nest is usually a deep structure in a hollow in some dry field, and usually placed near some rock or suitable place where they can watch the locality for danger. Four eggs are laid; white, finely dotted with chestnut (.72 × .55).
548.Passerherbulus lecontei.5 inches.
More slender in form than the preceding; breeding above the line and winters through eastern Colorado to southern Texas. Nesting habits and eggs similar to above (not illustrated).
552a.Chondestes grammacus strigatus.6½ inches.
One of the most common, as well as the most handsome of the sparrow family on the western coast; with its bright chestnut on the sides of the head, and black and white on the crown. They nest in low bushes, or on the ground in a clump of grass; four eggs are laid; white with dark brown markings, mostly about the larger end (.80 × .60).
554a.Zonotrichia leucophrys gambelt.6½ inches.
This bird, a favorite with the people of the northwest, has been rightly called the “Northern Nightingale.” Their sweet song may be heard all during the day about dwellings or remote from them, or even in the night they have a habit of awakening and giving out the same sweet notes. In habits they much resemble the above, feeding upon the ground among the dead leaves in search of seed and insect food.
Nest.—This is placed on the ground in a clump of grass, and is made of fine grasses; four to six eggs of a pale greenish blue color, spotted and splashed with shades of brown (.90 × .65).
557.Zonotrichia coronata.7 inches.
The crown of white in the above is replaced with a golden color. These are common birds about the cities of California during the winter months. Habits the same as above, and also their eggs.
559a.Spizella monticola ochracea.6 inches.
Somewhat resembling the “Chippy Sparrow,” but is larger and has a dark spot on the breast as an identification mark. It breeds in the far north, above the northern borders of the United States, and in winter is common through Oregon, California, into Arizona and Texas.
Nest.—This is usually placed in low trees or bushes or on the ground made of grasses and lined with feathers. They lay three to five greenish white eggs, spotted with different shades of brown (.80 × .55).
560a.Spizella passerina arizonæ.5 inches.
This is one of the most helpful birds to our gardens, living upon insects injurious to vegetation and on the seeds from the garden weeds. They will nest in trees and shrubs, or vines about the house, making a small compact nest, mostly of rootlets and horsehair. They lay from three to five greenish blue eggs, with few spots of brown, mostly about the larger end (.70 × .52).
561.Spizella pallida.5¼ inches.
These are much like theChipping Sparrowin every way, with the exception of color, the brown being replaced by the clay-color. Breeds in the Northern United States and into Canada; winters south to Texas and Mexico, rarely in eastern Colorado. Their nest is usually placed on the ground, but may be found in low shrubs in some localities; four eggs are the usual complement, of a light greenish blue, with spots of brown about the larger end (.65 × .50).
562.Spizella breweri.5 inches.
This is very similar to above, but much more streaked with dark above. It is to be found from British Columbia south to Mexico, especially in sections where the sage brush is found, and in southern California near the coast. Its nesting habits are much the same as the above, and the eggs are indistinguishable.
564.Spizella wortheni.5 inches.
This is a southern form of theChipping Sparrow, and is found in New Mexico and Mexico.
565.Spizella atrogularis.5½ inches.
This is easily identified by the black chin, throat and forehead. It is quite common in parts of southern California, and south into Arizona and New Mexico. The habits are similar to those of the Field Sparrow, their eggs differing in being unspotted and are a bluish green (.65 × .50).
566.Junco aikeni.6½ inches.
This is slightly larger than the common “Black and White Snowbird” (Hyemalis). It is also a paler bird and the wings are crossed by two white bars. It is found in the central Rocky Mountain regions, where it breeds in the northern part, and winters to eastern Colorado.
567.Junco hyemalis.6 inches.
This is common “Black and White Snowbird” of the east, and is the same as above, but darker and does not have any white wing bars. They breed mostly north of the United States, nesting on the ground, often under some boulder, making their nest of roots and grass in which they lay four greenish white eggs, spotted with brown about the larger end (not illustrated).
567a.Junco hyemalis oreganus.6 inches.
There are several of the sub-species of “Hyemalis,” all of which are very much alike in habits; varying in color and location. The Oregon Junco is found from British Columbia to southern California, breeding on the mountains of Oregon and northward. In color, this differs much from the preceding, with more black, and on the back a brownish color. The nesting habits and eggs are very much the same as the preceding.
567g.Junco hyemalis mearnsi.6 inches.
These breed at high altitudes in the mountains of Montana, Wyoming and Idaho, and winter south to Mexico.
567c.Junco hyemalis thurberi.6 inches.
Found most commonly in the Sierra Nevadas from Oregon to southern California. The difference in coloring is shown in the illustrations of this and the two preceding.
570b.Junco phœonotus caniceps.6 inches.
The same as the Slate-colored, with the exception of having the back a reddish brown. The nests of all the Juncos are placed on the ground, and the markings of their eggs vary but little.
571.Juncobairdi. 6 inches.
Found in the mountains of southern and Lower California. This is a gray-headed variety with brown on the back and sides.
572.Junco insularis.5½ inches.
One of the smallest of the family, and found locally only on the Guadalupe Islands off the lower California coast, where they nest commonly in the pine groves, among the needles on the ground, or frequently protected by some overhanging stone. Their nest and eggs are the same as the others. Eggs bluish white, with fine dots of brown about the larger end (.77 × .60).
573a.Amphispiza bilineata deserticola.5¼ inches.
This is an abundant bird among the foothills of southwestern United States, in Texas, New Mexico and southern California. It is found in the hot desert plains, where it builds its nest in low bushes, of the sagebrush or cactus, within two or three feet of the ground. It is made up of twigs, roots and fine grass, and lined with feathers and horsehair. They lay three or four bluish white eggs (.72 × .55).
574.Amphispiza belli.5¼ inches.
In the hot valleys and foothills of the southern half of California and in the Colorado Desert, south to Lower California, these grayish, black and white sparrows are found abundantly in localities where the sagebrush is common. They build their nests of roots and twigs, loosely put together, and usually lined with grass, feathers and horsehair, in the low sagebrush within two feet of the ground, or quite often placed on the ground under the cover of one of these bushes. They lay three or four pale greenish eggs, heavily blotched and spotted with shades of brown (.75 × .60).
574.1.Amphispiza nevadensis.6 inches.
These are a very quiet and shy sparrow, rarely singing except at their breeding season, and to be found commonly throughout the sage deserts of the Great Basin, from Oregon and Montana to Lower California and New Mexico. They nest either in small sagebrush or upon the ground, making their nests of shred from the sage and grasses, lining it with feathers and hair. They lay from three to four grayish eggs, with heavy markings of shades of brown about the larger end (.75 × .60).
574.1b.Amphispiza n. canescens.5½ inches.
Somewhat smaller than the last, and found from eastern California east to Nevada (not illustrated).
576.Peucæa botterii.6¼ inches.
A larger gray sparrow, streaked with brown, and black spots. A southern bird, found in Arizona, Texas and Mexico (not illustrated).
578.Peucæa cassini.5½ inches.
Found on the arid plains from Texas to Kansas, where it breeds much the same as does the Sage Sparrow.
579.Aimophila carpalis.5¼ inches.
This small and paler sparrow is found on the plains of Mexico and north to Arizona. In appearance and habits it is similar to theChipping Sparrow, and the two are frequently found in the same locality. They nest in low bushes, making them of coarse grass and lined with down and hair, in which they place four sunmarked, bluish white eggs (.70 × .60).
580.Aimophila ruficeps.5½ inches.
Slightly larger than the former, and the color more of a brown streaked with darker, and still more of a reddish brown on the crown. It is found throughout California along the coast to Lower California. They build on the ground, concealing their nest in a clump of grass or under some bush. They lay from three to five pale bluish white, unmarked eggs (.80 × .60).
581.Melospiza melodia.6¼ inches.
A bird of song, as the name indicates, and their song can be heard in every state of the Union and in Canada. This is the most subdivided of any of the bird family; more than twenty sub-species are listed, all having about the same song and general appearance. In some localities they will be a darker brown, and in the light desert sands they are very light in color. It is almost impossible to distinguish one from another even when in the hand. Their eggs also have the same variation, and cannot be positively identified one from another. They all build either in low bushes or upon the ground. Usually four eggs, greenish white, blotched and spotted with all shades and patterns of brown (.80 × .60).
581c.Melospiza m. heermanni.6¼ inches.
Found in the central valleys of California, casually to Nevada.
581e.Melospiza m. morphna.6¼ inches.
In the Pacific Coast belt from Alaska to southern California.
583.Melospiza lincolni.5½ inches.
To be found most commonly in the central and western parts of North America, rare in the eastern part. In appearance they are very much like the Song Sparrow, but in their habits are more retiring, and keep more closely in the grass, and out of sight. They nest in tufts of grass within a few inches of the ground, or in a slight depression in the ground. The nest is made of twigs, roots and grasses. Their eggs are similar to the Song Sparrows; three or four in number, greenish white, heavily marked with brown (.80 × .58).
585a.Passerella iliaca unalaschcensis.6½ inches.
These are large reddish brown sparrows, thickly marked with spots of darker brown on the back and under parts. They are to be found from Alaska to southern California.
Nest.—In low bushes near the ground. Four pale greenish eggs, marked with brown (.94 × .68).
585b.Passerella i. megarhyncha.7¼ inches.
This is quite a little larger than the above, has a much thicker bill, and is to be found throughout California in the mountains.
588b.Pipilo maculatus oregonus.8 inches.
This family are all ground birds, and are usually found scratching among the leaves for their food supply of seeds and insects. This is a much darker bird than his eastern relative. The females are marked much the same as the males, replacing the black with a brown. They build their nest on or near the ground, of twigs, grass and with a finer lining of grass, and usually it is well concealed in bunches of grass or under some brush pile. They lay four or five eggs of a pale gray or white, much spotted with brown (.95 × .75).
588d.Pipilo maculatus megolonyx.8 inches.
Darker and with few white markings. Southern California (not illustrated).
591.Pipilo fuscus mesoleucus.8½ inches.
These birds have more brown, and nest in bushes or trees and not so much on the ground. Their eggs are more strongly marked. They range from Colorado to Texas and Arizona.
591.1.Pipilo crissalis.9½ inches.
A larger and still darker variety, with but very little white if any. It is found in California, from Shasta County to the southern part of the state. They are not as shy as the Towhee family generally are, and frequently come about habitations, where they will scratch about barnyards like chickens. They nest within a few feet of the ground, building much the same as other members of this family. The eggs are also very similar to the others.