Chapter XXIII: Part 23

Of this beautiful Thrush, of which a figure not having the black band running quite across the breast, as is the case in the adult male, is given by Mr SWAINSON, in the Fauna Boreali-Americana, Dr RICHARDSON speaks as follows:—“This species was discovered at Nootka Sound, in Captain COOK’S third voyage, and male and female specimens, in the possession of Sir JOSEPH BANKS, were described by LATHAM: PENNANT has also described and figured the same male. The specimen represented in this work was procured at Fort Franklin, lat. 65-1/4°, in the spring of 1826. We did not hear its song, nor acquire any information respecting its habits, except that it built its nest in a bush, similar to that of the _Merula migratoria_. It was not seen by us on the banks of the Saskatchewan; and, as it has not appeared in the list of the Birds of the United States, it most probably does not go far to the eastward of the Rocky Mountains in its migrations north and south. It may perhaps be more common to the westward of that ridge.”

Dr RICHARDSON’s conjecture as to the line of march followed by it has proved to be correct, Dr TOWNSEND and Mr NUTTALL having found it abundant on the western sides of the Rocky Mountains. The former of these zealous naturalists informs me that he “first found this Thrush on the Columbia River in the month of October, and that it becomes more numerous in winter, which it spends in that region, though some remove farther south. It there associates with the Common Robin, _Turdus migratorius_, but possesses a very different note, it being louder, sharper, and quicker than those of the latter, and in the spring, before it sets out for its yet unascertained breeding-place, it warbles very sweetly. It is called _Ammeskuk_ by the Chinooks.”

Mr NUTTALL’s notice respecting it is as follows:—“Of this bird, whose manners so entirely resemble those of the Common Robin, we know almost nothing. They probably breed as far north as Nootka, where they were first seen by the naturalists of COOK’s expedition. On the Columbia they are only winter birds of passage, arriving about October, and continuing more or less frequently throughout the winter. At this time they flit through the forest in small flocks, frequenting usually low trees, on which they perch in perfect silence, and are at times very timorous and difficult of approach, having all the shy sagacity of the Robin, and appearing at all times in a very desultory manner.”

The numerous specimens of this Thrush in my possession have enabled me to compare it with _Turdus migratorius_, and another new Thrush from Chili. On examining the tail, from the shape of which Mr SWAINSON considers this species allied to our Mocking Bird, I found its form, length, and extent beyond the wings, to correspond almost exactly with those of the tail of our Robin; and, if it proves true that the Varied Thrush forms a nest bedded with mud, it will strengthen my opinion that both these and the Chilian species are as nearly allied as possible, and therefore ought to be considered as true Thrushes, of which, to assume the language of systematic writers, _Turdus migratorius_ is the type in America, whilst _Turdus Merula_ is that of Europe.

The two figures in my plate were taken from adult males shot in spring. You will find a figure of the female in Plate CCCCXXXIII.

TURDUS NÆVIUS, _Gmel._ Syst. Nat. vol. i. p. 817.—_Lath._
Ind. Ornith. vol. i. p. 331.

ORPHEUS MERULOIDES, THRUSH-LIKE MOCK-BIRD, _Richards. and
Swains._ Fauna Bor.-Amer. vol. ii. p. 187.

Adult Male, Plate CCCLXIX. Figs. 2, 3.

Bill of moderate length, rather strong, compressed, acute; upper mandible with its dorsal outline slightly arched, the ridge narrow, the sides convex toward the end, the edges sharp, overlapping, destitute of notch, there being in its place an extremely slight sinus, the tip a little declinate; lower mandible with the angle rather long and narrow, the dorsal line very slightly convex, the ridge narrow, the sides erect and convex, the edges sharp and slightly decurved towards the narrow, rather obtuse, tip. Nostrils basal, oblong, half closed by a horny operculum. Head of moderate size, ovate, convex anteriorly; neck rather short, body moderately full. Feet of ordinary length, rather stout; tarsus compressed, anteriorly covered with a long plate and four inferior scutella, posteriorly with two long plates meeting at a very acute angle. Toes rather large, the first strongest, the lateral nearly equal, the third and fourth united as far as the second joint of the latter. Claws rather large, moderately arched, much compressed, acute.

Plumage soft and rather blended. Wings of moderate length, broad, rounded; the first primary extremely short, being about a fifth of the length of the third, which is longest, but scarcely exceeds the fourth; the second four-twelfths shorter than the third. Tail large, rather long, nearly even, of twelve broad rounded feathers.

Bill black, with the basal half of the lower mandible yellow; iris hazel; feet and claws flesh-coloured. The general colour of the upper parts is a deep leaden-grey, darker on the head, the feathers very narrowly margined with brown; the quills and tail-feathers dusky, the outer webs of the latter tinged with grey, and their tips white; the lore dusky; a band of reddish-orange passes from over the fore part of the eye down the side of the neck, and almost meets its fellow on the hind part; two conspicuous bands of the same cross, the wing obliquely being formed of the tips of the first row of small coverts, and those of the secondary coverts; the outer webs of the primary coverts about the middle, a band on the primaries near the base, part of the outer webs towards the end, and the tips of the secondaries, also pale reddish-orange. The lower parts in general are reddish-orange, paler behind; a band of greyish-black passes down the side, and crosses the lower part of the neck, where it is almost pure black; the feathers of the sides are tipped with light grey; those of the middle of the abdomen are white; and the lower tail-coverts are tipped with the latter colour. The axillary feathers are white, tipped with grey; the smaller coverts grey, tipped with reddish-white, the primary coverts grey, the secondary nearly white, of which also there is a bar formed by part of the inner webs of the quills.

Length to end of tail 10-1/4 inches; wing from flexure 5-1/4; tail 3-10/12; bill along the ridge 10/12, along the edge of lower mandible 1-(1-1/2)/12; tarsus 1-1/4; hind toe (5-1/2)/12, its claw (5-1/2)/12; middle toe (10-1/2)/12, its claw 4/12.

Adult Female. Plate CCCCXXXIII. Fig. 6.

The female, which is scarcely smaller than the male, is coloured in the same manner; but the upper parts are strongly tinged with olive-brown; the reddish-orange bands are much paler, the tail-feathers are margined with dull reddish-brown; the band on the lore, down the sides of the neck, and across it, is light greyish-brown; the orange tint of the lower parts is much paler; the lower wing-coverts have no tinge of red, and part of the breast and abdomen is nearly pure white.

Length to end of tail 10 inches; wing from flexure 5-2/12; tail 3-8/12; bill along the ridge 10/12; tarsus 1-1/4; middle toe and claw 1-3/12.

The plant represented on the plate is the American Mistletoe, _Viscum verticillatum_, on the berries of which several of our Thrushes occasionally feed, as the Mistle thrush, _Turdus viscivorus_, is said to do on those of _Viscum album_. It is found in almost every part of the United States, growing chiefly on oaks and apple-trees.

AMERICAN DIPPER.

_CINCLUS AMERICANUS_, SWAINSON.

PLATE CCCLXX. MALE AND FEMALE.

The specimens from which figures here given have been taken, were procured on the Rocky Mountains, on the 15th of June, when they were supposed to be breeding, so that they were probably adults in full plumage. Having little taste for critical discussions, I shall refrain from inflicting on the reader a long and elaborate review of all that has been said on the subject of this interesting but little-known bird, which was figured by the Prince of MUSIGNANO from a specimen obtained near the sources of the Athabasca River, under the name of _Cinclus Pallasii_; and has been described by Mr SWAINSON, first as _C. Mexicanus_, and again, in the Fauna Boreali-Americana, as _C. Americanus_. The latter name I prefer to that of _C. unicolor_, which is in fact incorrect, the bird not being of one single colour. Unfortunately very little is known respecting the habits of the American Dipper, which however, being in form and size so very similar to that of Europe, probably resembles it in its mode of life. I therefore cannot do better than endeavour to supply the deficiency by presenting you with the history of the latter species, as given in detail by my friend WILLIAM MACGILLIVRAY, who, among the wild hills of his native country, has studied its habits with a zeal and acuteness certainly not exceeded by those of any ornithologist. His account, which first appeared in a periodical named “The Naturalist,” and which he has revised and amended for insertion here, is in truth a model of histories of this kind.

“The Dipper is in many respects one of the most interesting of our native birds. Residing chiefly in the wild glens of the mountainous districts, it now and then presents itself to the wandering naturalist as it flits along the streams, or is seen perched on a stone in the midst of the water, the white patch on its breast rendering it conspicuous at a great distance. Even the mere collector of plants, who, of all men, seems to be the least capable of comprehending the harmonies of nature, pauses to gaze upon it, as it shoots past him in its rapid and even flight; the solitary shepherd, wending his way to the mountain corry, meets it with delight; and the patient and contemplative angler, as he guides his tackle over the deep pool, smiles upon the tiny fisher, whose frequent becks have attracted his notice. The singular circumstance of its obtaining its food under the surface of the water, although in form and structure it is allied to the Thrushes, Wrens, and other land birds, has especially drawn the attention of ornithologists to it; and the explanation of its mode of progression in that element has exercised their ingenuity, although very few have based their conjectures on actual observation. Lastly, the land-proprietor, or his factor, too much occupied with other pursuits to inquire for themselves, and trusting to the reports of prejudiced persons, direct their gamekeepers and shepherds to destroy the lively and harmless creature, whenever an opportunity occurs, because it has been supposed to destroy the eggs and fry of the salmon.

“This bird having in a particular manner engaged my attention in the course of my many rambles, I have been enabled to trace its history in a satisfactory degree, so that the account here presented of it I consider as among the most accurate of those which I have written.

“It frequents the sides of rivers and streams of inferior magnitude, especially such as are clear and rapid, with pebbly or rocky margins. I have met with it in every part of Scotland, as well as in the hilly parts of Cumberland and Westmoreland, and it is said by MONTAGU to occur in Wales and Devonshire. In Scotland it is not peculiar to the mountainous regions, being found in the lowest parts of the Lothians, as well as on the alpine rills of the Grampians, and other elevated tracts, but it is generally more abundant in hilly ground, and, although never common in any district, is nowhere more plentiful than on the Tweed and its tributaries, in the pastoral counties of Peebles and Selkirk. It is also a well-known inhabitant of all the larger Hebrides. It is not only a permanent resident, but seldom shifts its station to any great extent, excepting during continued frosts, when it descends along the streams, and is seen flitting about by the rapids and falls. Mill-dams are also favourite resorts, especially in winter and spring. On lakes having a muddy or peaty bottom I have never observed it; but it may sometimes be seen on those which are shallow and pebbly at the margins, as on St Mary’s Loch in Yarrow, where I have shot it.

“The flight of the Dipper is steady, direct, and rapid, like that of the Kingfisher, being effected by regularly timed and quick beats of the wings, without intermissions or sailings. It perches on stones or projecting crags by the sides of streams, or in the water, where it may be seen frequently inclining the breast downwards, and jerking up the tail, much in the manner of the Wheatear and Stonechat, and still more of the Wren; its legs bent, its neck retracted, and its wings slightly drooping. It plunges into the water, not dreading the force of the current, dives, and makes its way beneath the surface, generally moving against the stream, and often with surprising speed. It does not, however, immerse itself head foremost from on high like the Kingfisher, the Tern, or the Gannet; but either walks out into the water, or alights upon its surface, and then plunges like an Auk or a Guillemot, slightly opening its wings, and disappearing with an agility and dexterity that indicate its proficiency in diving. I have seen it moving under water in situations where I could observe it with certainty, and I readily perceived that its actions were precisely similar to those of the Divers, Mergansers, and Cormorants, which I have often watched from an eminence, as they pursued the shoals of sand-eels along the sandy shores of the Hebrides. It in fact flew, not merely using the wing, from the carpal joint, but extending it considerably and employing its whole extent, just as if advancing in the air. The general direction of the body in these circumstances is obliquely downwards; and great force is evidently used to counteract the effects of gravity, the bird finding it difficult to keep itself at the bottom, and when it relaxes its efforts coming to the surface like a cork. MONTAGU has well described the appearance which it presents under such circumstances:—“In one or two instances, where we have been able to perceive it under water, it appeared to tumble about in a very extraordinary manner, with its head downwards, as if picking something; and at the same time great exertion was used, both by the wings and legs.” This tumbling, however, is observed only when it is engaged in a strong current, and its appearance is greatly magnified by the unequal refraction caused by the varying inequalities of the surface of the water. When searching for food, it does not proceed to great distances under water; but, alighting on some spot, sinks, and soon reappears in the immediate neighbourhood, when it either dives again, or rises on wing to drop somewhere else on the stream, or settle on a stone. Often from a shelving crag or large stone it may be seen making short incursions into the water, running out with quiet activity, and presently bobbing up to the surface, and regaining its perch by swimming or wading. The assertion of its walking _in_ the water, _on_ the bottom, which some persons have ventured, is not made good by observation, nor countenanced by reason and the nature of things. The Dipper is by no means a walking bird: even on land I have never seen it move more than a few steps, which it accomplished by a kind of leaping motion. Its short legs and curved claws are very ill adapted for running, but admirably calculated for securing a steady footing on slippery stones, whether above or beneath the surface of the water. Like the Kingfisher, it often remains a long time perched on a stone, but in most other respects its habits are very dissimilar.

“The first opportunity which I had of observing this bird advancing under water occurred in Braemar, in 1819, when, from the bank of the stream which passes by Castletown, I noticed one “tumbling about” in the rapid current. In September 1832 I watched a Dipper for some time, on a part of the Tweed, where the current was very rapid. It flew off from the shore, and alighted in the middle of the stream, where it immediately dived. Reappearing a little way farther up the river, it floated for a few seconds, dived, emerged, and flew to the opposite bank, on reaching which it again disappeared under water for a short time, and thus continued its exertions. When perched on a stone near the shore, especially if the water be not much agitated around, it usually makes short incursions into it, apparently for the purpose of procuring food, and returns to its station. On these occasions it is not difficult to approach it, provided due precaution be used; but in general it is shy and easily alarmed. I have several times shot at an individual which observed me as I was quietly walking up to it; but it is not often that one remains until you come within shot. A method which I have often successfully practised was to mark the position of the bird at a distance, taking note of an object on the bank opposite to it, then make a circuit and suddenly come upon the spot. When one has been pursued either up or down a stream for a quarter of a mile or so, it usually turns, to regain its ordinary station, when it may be shot as it dashes past.

“In August 1834, while ascending White Coom, the highest mountain in Dumfriesshire, accompanied by my son, I observed a Dipper retreating behind a large stone, over which the water fell, in the midst of a streamlet that flowed along the bottom of a narrow sear or rut. Imagining that its nest or young might be concealed there, we went up to the place, and, on perceiving the bird behind the little waterfall, endeavoured to catch it, on which it sallied forth, plunged into a pool, and attempted to escape down the stream, but without success, for we met it at every turn, and it was obliged to betake itself again to its retreat. We now turned off the water from the stone, when it again plunged into the pool, and after some windings, at length effected its escape. On emerging at some distance it flew off, and I considered it strange that it had not used its wings at first, as it certainly could more easily have escaped through the air than through the water. The chase afforded another rare opportunity of viewing its subaqueous flight, which in all probability was caused by excessive alarm. It flew about in the pool, just as a bird would fly in a confined space in the air, but of course, with less velocity, and on diving at first seemed covered with small air-bubbles which adhered to its surface.

“On being wounded the Dipper commonly plunges into the water, flies beneath its surface to the shore, and conceals itself among the stones or under the bank. In fact, on all such occasions, if enough of life remains, it is sure to hide itself, so that one requires to look sharply after it. In this respect it greatly resembles the Common Gallinule. In the winter of 1829, I shot one on the Almond, which flew to the other side, walked deliberately out into the water, disappeared, and slowly emerged under a bank at some distance, where I found it after wading through the stream, which was partially frozen. Another had just strength sufficient to fly into a deep hole under a bridge on the Yarrow, partially filled with water, on which it was found floating dead. In August 1834, I shot a Dipper on Manor Water in Tweeddale, which flew off, dived, and hid itself under a bank, on which I forded the stream and endeavoured to secure it, but it slipped out under water, swam down the current twenty yards or so, and got under a large stone, where it was traced. The introduction of the gun-rod only caused the persecuted bird to retreat as far as it could, and when I was employed in removing some pebbles and gravel from behind the stone, it slipped out under water, and proceeded down the stream a considerable way before it rose to breathe. I noticed the place where it dived in under the bank, and it being at length obliged to come up to respire, I met the bird with my hand and so secured it.

“When wounded and caught, it struggles hard, grasping firmly with the feet, but does not attempt to bite. I mention this circumstance as common to certain species of birds, such as the Fieldfare, Blackbird, and Starling, which without possessing the power of annoying their enemy, yet do not tamely suffer themselves to be destroyed, but struggle to the last, undismayed, and ready to use the slightest chance of escape. Other species, equal in strength, such as the Snipe, the Golden Plover, and the Lapwing, do not struggle so vigorously, but meet their fate in a quiet and apparently stupid manner. Some birds, again, such as the Tits and Warblers, although evidently extremely frightened on being seized, watch every opportunity of biting. I need scarcely add that some, as the Kestril and Sparrowhawk, grasp and bite with as much good-will as effect.

“The most melancholy ornithological exhibition that I remember to have witnessed, was that of a wounded Dipper which was shot through the lungs, above Cramond Bridge, near Edinburgh. It stood still, without attempting to fly off, apparently insensible to all external objects, its legs bent, its wings drooping, its head declined. The blood was oozing from its side, and gurgling in its windpipe, which the poor bird made ineffectual efforts to clear. At intervals, a convulsive heaving of the chest took place, followed by an effort to vomit; and in that state the sufferer stood for five minutes, until I got over the stream to it, when it expired in my hand. In the agony of death, the pupil became contracted to a mere point, and presently after dilated, when the lower eyelid gradually rose and covered the eye. This is commonly the case in birds, which do not expire with their eyes open, like man and most quadrupeds.

“The food of the Dipper is said by authors to consist of small fishes, roe, and water-insects. Thus, according to WILLUGHBY, “Pisces predatur, nec insecta aversatur.” MONTAGU states that he saw an “old bird flying in with a fish in its bill,” and that “these birds will sometimes pick up insects at the edge of the water.” M. TEMMINCK alleges that its food consists of “insectes d’eau, demoiselles et leurs larves; souvent du frai de truite.” Mr SELBY judiciously combines these statements, informing us that “water-insects and the fry and spawn of fish form its food.” Mr JENYNS, more wary, confines it to “aquatic insects.” It would answer no good purpose to bring forward the notions of other compilers. There is nothing incredible in all these statements, although it is to be remarked that no one states that he has actually observed fishes, or their eggs, in the stomach of this bird. I have opened a great number of individuals, at all seasons of the year, but have never found any other substances in the stomach than _Lymneæ_, _Ancyli_, Coleoptera, and grains of gravel. As to the ova and fry of the salmon, there is no evidence whatever that the Dipper ever swallows them; and, therefore, the persecution to which this bird has been subjected in consequence of the mere suspicion, ought to cease until the fact be proved. That the mollusca above mentioned form a principal part of its food was never suspected, and therefore I was much pleased with making the discovery, which satisfactorily accounted to me for all the subaqueous excursions of the species.

“The Dipper is generally seen in pairs, sometimes singly, and, for a short period, at the breeding season, in families but never in flocks. In some favourite places, such as a water-fall, or a series of rapids, one may in winter find so many as four or five individuals, but always scattered. Its song is short, but lively, and continued at intervals. It bears no resemblance to the full song of the Thrushes, but closely resembles the subdued winter warble of the Redwing and Starling, or the first notes of a young Song Thrush. This gentle warble is not confined to any period of the year, but may be heard during sunny weather at all seasons. Its common note, which it frequently utters while perched on a stone or while flying along the stream, resembles the syllable _chit_.

“About the middle of spring it begins to form its nest, so that its first brood is abroad at the same time with that of the Blackbird. The nest, which is placed among the moss on the bank of a stream, or among the roots of a tree in a concealed place overhanging the water, sometimes in a crevice of a rock, or under a bridge, or even in the space behind a waterfall, varies considerably in form and size, according to its position; but is always very bulky, arched over, and resembles that of the Wren more than of any other bird. A perfect specimen found by my friend Mr WEIR, in the county of Linlithgow, presents externally the appearance of a flattened elliptical mass, measuring ten inches from the front to the back part, eight and a half in breadth, and six in height. The aperture is in front, of a transversely oblong form, three inches and a quarter wide, and one inch and a half high. The exterior is composed of various species of mosses, chiefly hypna, firmly felted, so as to form a mass not easily torn asunder, especially in its lower part. This portion may be considered as forming a case for the nest properly so called, and in this respect resembles the mud case of the swallows. The nest itself is hemispherical, five and a half inches in diameter, composed of stems and leaves of grasses, and very copiously lined with beech-leaves. I have examined several other nests, which were similarly constructed, and all lined with beech-leaves, one having a few of ivy, and another one or two of the plane, intermixed. MONTAGU describes the nest as “very large, formed of moss and water plants externally, and lined with dry oak leaves”, and others have stated that the lining is of leaves of various trees, which may depend upon the locality. The eggs, five or six in number, are of a regular oval form, rather pointed, pure white, varying from eleven-twelfths to an inch and one-twelfth in length, and averaging nine-twelfths in their greatest breadth. They are somewhat smaller than those of the Song Thrush.

“The genus _Cinclus_ may be considered as placed on the limits of the families of Turdinæ and Myrmotherinæ, being in fact more allied to _Turdus_ than to _Pitta_, although through _Chamæza_ perhaps more obviously related to the latter. The digestive organs of the Common Dipper are entirely analogous to those of the Thrushes and allied genera, but bear no resemblance to those of the piscivorous birds, the œsophagus being narrow, and the stomach a true gizzard. The bird, being destined to feed upon aquatic insects and mollusca, which adhere to the stones under the water, is fitted for making its way to the bottom at small depths, and maintaining itself there for a short time, a minute or more; in conformity with which design its plumage is rather short and dense, its tail abbreviated, its wings short, broad, and strong, its bill unencumbered by bristles, and of the proper form for seizing small objects, as well as for detaching them from stones. Having its feet constructed like those of the Thrushes, but proportionally stronger, the Dipper thus forms a connecting link between the slender-billed land birds and the diving palmipedes, as the Kingfisher seems to unite them with the plunging birds of the same order.”

The only original observations respecting the habits of the American Dipper that I have to present here are the following, with which I have been favoured by Dr TOWNSEND:—“This bird inhabits the clear mountain streams in the vicinity of the Columbia River. When observed it was swimming among the rapids, occasionally flying for short distances over the surface of the water, and then diving into it, and reappearing after a long interval. Sometimes it will alight along the margin, and jerk its tail upwards like a Wren. I did not hear it utter any note. The stomach was found to contain fragments of fresh-water snails. I observed that this bird did not alight on the surface of the water, but dived immediately from the wing.”

CINCLUS PALLASII, _Ch. Bonaparte_, Amer. Ornith. vol. iii. p.
1, pl. 16, fig. 1.

CINCLUS AMERICANUS, _Swains. and Richards._ Fauna Bor.-Amer.
vol. ii. p. 173.

BLACK WATER-OUSEL, or DIPPER, _Nuttall_, Manual, vol. ii. p.
358.

Adult Male. Plate CCCLXX. Fig. 1.

Bill rather short, slender, slightly ascending, much compressed toward the end; upper mandible with its dorsal line slightly arched, the ridge rounded, the sides convex, the edges sharp and inflected with an obscure notch close to the narrow slightly 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, the gape-line straight. Nostrils linear, direct, in the lower and fore part of the nasal membrane which is covered with very short feathers. Eyes rather small; eyelids densely feathered.

The general form is short, full, and compact; the head oblong, compressed, rather small; the neck rather short; the body rather deeper than broad. Legs strong, of ordinary length; tarsus compressed, covered anteriorly with a long undivided plate and four inferior scutella, posteriorly with two long plates meeting at a very acute angle. Toes rather large and strong; the first, second, and fourth, nearly equal in length, but the first much stronger, the third much longer; the third and fourth united as far as the second joint of the latter. Claws rather long, arched, much compressed, that of the hind toe considerably larger.

Plumage very soft and blended, the feathers oblong and rounded; those about the base of the bill very short and velvety. No bristles at the base of the bill. Wings rather short, broad, convex, and rounded; the first quill very short and narrow, being about a third of the length of the second, which is shorter than the fourth, the third longest, and with the next three slightly cut out on the outer web towards the end; secondary quills long, broadband rounded. Tail short, even, of twelve rather broad feathers, which are slightly decurved. Legs feathered to the joint, but the tarsus entirely bare.

Bill brownish-black; iris hazel; feet flesh-coloured, toes dusky towards the end; claws yellowish-grey. The general colour of the plumage is blackish-grey or deep bluish-grey; the head and neck chocolate-brown, that colour extending lower on the fore part of the neck than behind; the downy feathers of both eyelids white; the quills and tail-feathers dusky; the secondaries terminally margined with white.

Length to end of tail 7-1/2 inches; extent of wings 10-1/2; wing from flexure 3-3/4; tail 2-1/4; bill along the ridge 9/12, along the edge of lower mandible 11/12 tarsus 1-1/12; hind toe 5/12, its claw 4/12; middle toe 10/12, its claw 4/12.

Adult female. Plate CCCLXX. Fig. 2.

The Female is in all respects similar to the male.

In form, size, and proportion, the American Dipper is almost precisely similar to the European.

COCK OF THE PLAINS.

_TETRAO UROPHASIANUS._ BONAPARTE.

PLATE CCCLXXI. MALE AND FEMALE.

Although the Cock of the Plains has long been known to exist within the limits of the United States, the rugged and desolate nature of the regions inhabited by it has hitherto limited our knowledge of its habits to the cursory observations made by the few intrepid travellers, who, urged by their zeal in the cause of science, have ventured to explore the great ridge of mountains, that separate our western prairies from the rich valleys bordering on the Pacific Ocean. Two of these travellers, my friends Dr TOWNSEND and Mr NUTTALL, have favoured me with the following particulars respecting this very remarkable species, the history of which, not being myself personally acquainted with it, I shall endeavour to complete by adding some notes of Mr DOUGLAS.

“_Tetrao Urophasianus_, _Pi-imsh_ of the Wallah Wallah Indians, _Mak-esh-too-yoo_ of the Nezpercee Indians, is first met with about fifty miles west of the Black Hills. We lose sight of it in pursuing the route by the Snake River until we reach Wallah Wallah, on the banks of the Columbia, near the mouth of Lewis River. This bird is only found on the plains which produce the worm-wood (_Artemisia_), on which plant it feeds, in consequence of which the flesh is so bitter that it is rejected as food. It is very unsuspicious, and easily approached, rarely flies unless hard pressed, runs before you at the distance of a few feet, clucking like the common Hen, often runs under the horses of travellers when disturbed, rises very clumsily, but when once started flies with rapidity to a great distance, and has the sailing motion of the Pinnated Grous. In the autumn they frequent the branches of the Columbia River, where they feed on a narrow-leaved plant. At this time they are considered good food by the natives, who take great quantities of them in nets. J. K. TOWNSEND.”

“On the north branch of the Platte (Larimie’s Fork) we begin to meet with the _Tetrao Urophasianus_ in considerable numbers, always on the ground in small flocks or pairs, by no means shy, but when too nearly approached arising with a strong whirring noise, and uttering at the same time a rather loud but very short alarmed guttural cackle. The notes of the female indeed at such times almost resemble those of a common Hen. The old male when killed by Dr TOWNSEND turned out so different from the imperfect and unadult specimens figured, that we could scarcely recognise it for the same species. Its size seemed to promise a fine meal, but appearances are often deceitful, and after being nicely broiled, it truly deserved to be treated like the well-prepared plate of cucumbers, proving so very bitter, though delicately white, that our hungry hunters could scarcely swallow more than a morsel. In short, it feeds by choice on the bitterest shrubs of these sterile plains, and under-wood (several species of _Artemisia_) is literally its favourite food. Of its nest and breeding habits we ascertained nothing, but cannot for a moment hesitate to say that some mistake must exist in either asserting or supposing that a bird so constantly confined to the open desert plains, could retire to the shady forests and dark alluvial thickets of the Columbia to rear its young apart from their usual food and habits. We met with this very fine Grous near to the plains around Wallah Wallah, on the south side of the Columbia, but never saw it either in the forests of the Columbia or the Wahlamet, nor, so far as we know, has it ever been found on the coast of California, or in the interior of Mexico. T. NUTTALL.”

Mr DOUGLAS’s statement is as follows:—“The flight of these birds is slow, unsteady, and affords but little amusement to the sportsman. From the disproportionately small, convex, thin-quilled wing,—so thin that a vacant space half as broad as a quill appears between each,—the flight may be said to be a sort of fluttering, more than any thing else: the bird giving two or three claps of the wings in quick succession, at the same time hurriedly rising; then shooting or floating, swinging from side to side, gradually falling, and thus producing a clapping, whirring sound. When started, the voice is _cuck_, _cuck_, _cuck_, like the Common Pheasant. They pair in March and April. Small eminences on the banks of streams are the places usually selected for celebrating the weddings, the time generally about sunrise. The wings of the male are lowered, buzzing on the ground; the tail, spread like a fan, somewhat erect; the bare yellow œsophagus inflated to a prodigious size,—fully half as large as his body, and, from its soft, membranous substance, being well contrasted with the scale-like feathers below it on the breast, and the flexile, silky feathers on the neck, which on these occasions stand erect. In this grotesque form he displays, in the presence of his intended mate, a variety of attitudes. His love-song is a confused, grating, but not offensively disagreeable tone,—something that we can imitate, but have a difficulty in expressing—_Hurr-hurr-hurr-r-r-r-hoo_, ending in a deep, hollow tone, not unlike the sound produced by blowing into a large reed. Nest on the ground, under the shade of _Purshia_ and _Artemisia_, or near streams, among _Phalaris arundinacea_, carefully constructed of dry grass and slender twigs. Eggs, from thirteen to seventeen, about the size of those of a common fowl, of a wood-brown colour, with irregular chocolate blotches on the thick end. Period of incubation twenty-one to twenty-two days. The young leave the nest a few hours after they are hatched. In the summer and autumn months these birds are seen in small troops, and in winter and spring in flocks of several hundreds. Plentiful throughout the barren, arid plains of the river Columbia; also in the interior of North California. They do not exist on the banks of the River Missouri; nor have they been seen in any place east of the Rocky Mountains.”

TETRAO UROPHASIANUS, _Ch. Bonap._ Amer. Ornith. vol. iii. pl.
21, fig. 1. Female.

TETRAO (CENTROCERCUS) UROPHASIANUS, _Richards. and Swains._
Fauna Bor.-Americana, vol. ii. p. 358.

COCK of the PLAINS, _Nuttall_, Manual, vol. ii. p. 665.

Adult Male. Plate CCCLXXI. Fig. 1.

Bill shortish, strong, somewhat compressed; upper mandible with the dorsal line arcuato-declinate, the ridge flattened at the base and narrowed on account of the great extent of the nasal sinus, which is feathered, the sides convex toward the end, the edges inflected, the tip narrow and rounded; lower mandible with the angle of moderate length and width, the dorsal line ascending and convex, the edges sharp and inflected, the tip obtuse, but like the upper thin-edged. Head rather small, oblong; neck of moderate length; body full. Feet rather short, stout; tarsus roundish, feathered, bare and reticulated behind. Toes of moderate size, covered above with numerous scutella, laterally pectinated with slender projecting flattened scales; first toe small, second a little shorter than fourth, third much longer. Claws stout, slightly arched, moderately compressed, obtuse.

Plumage dense, soft, rather compact, the feathers in general broadly ovate; those on the head very short, on the sides of the neck anteriorly at its lower part and across the fore part of the breast, small, very short, broad, stiff, and imbricated like scales; higher up on the sides of the neck a tuft of feathers having their shafts elongated, bristle-like, and terminated by a few filaments. On each side of the lower part of the neck in front is a large bare space capable of being inflated into a hemispherical sac. On the fore part of the breast the feathers, although long, have the shaft thickened and elongated; the rest of the feathers are of ordinary structure. Wings rather short, concave, much rounded, the primaries stiff and very narrow, so as to leave a large interval when the wing is extended; the third, fourth, and fifth quills longest. Tail long, graduated, of twenty stiffish feathers, each tapering to a very elongated point.

Bill black; iris light hazel; superciliary membrane vermilion; toes brownish-grey; claws brownish-black. The upper parts are light yellowish-brown, variegated with brownish-black and yellowish-white; the feathers of the head and neck transversely barred, of the back barred, undulated and dotted, with a whitish longitudinal line along the shafts of the wing-feathers. The quills chocolate-brown, their outer webs and part of their inner margins mottled with yellowish-white. Tail with about ten bands of yellowish-white on the outer webs, which are otherwise variegated like the back, the inner webs nearly plain brown. The throat and fore part of neck whitish, longitudinally spotted with brownish-black; a narrow white band across the throat; the sides of the neck and fore part of the breast white; the elongated shafts of the tuft-feathers, black; the sides variegated like the back with a broad line of white along the middle of each feather; the axillars and lower wing-coverts pure white; the hind part of the breast and the abdomen, brownish-black; the sides of the rump like the back, the lower tail-coverts brownish-black, largely tipped with white, the feathers of the tibiæ and tarsi pale brownish-grey, faintly barred with brown.

Length to end of tail 30 inches; extent of wings 36; wing from flexure 13; tail 12, shortest feathers 7; bill along the ridge 1-6/12, along the edge of lower mandible 1-4/12; tarsus 2-1/2; hind toe 1/2, its claw 4/12; middle toe 2-1/4, its claw 6/12.

Adult Female. Plate CCCLXXI. Fig. 2.

The female is much smaller than the male, and differs in being destitute of the bare skin on the fore neck, in having the superciliary membranes smaller, the plumage entirely of ordinary texture; the tail less elongated, with the feathers less narrow and ending in a rounded point. All the upper parts, fore neck and sides are variegated with brownish-black, yellowish-grey and whitish disposed nearly as in the male; the throat whitish, the fore part of the breast white, the middle part brownish-black, the legs and tarsi as in the male, as are the quills; the tail-feathers mottled like the back and tipped with white.

Length to end of tail 22 inches; wing from flexure 10-1/2; tail 7-3/4; bill along the ridge 1-4/12; tarsus 1-(10-1/2)/12; middle toe 1-(8-1/2)/12, its claw 6/12.

The size of this species has been exaggerated, it having been by some compared to the Turkey, and by others to the Great Wood Grous of Europe, _Tetrao Urogallus_, whereas, in fact, it seems not much to exceed _Tetrao hybridus_. In some individuals, as I am informed by Dr TOWNSEND, the hair-like shafts of the feathers on the sides of the neck, are considerably longer than in my figure of the male.

COMMON BUZZARD.

_FALCO BUTEO_, LINN.

PLATE CCCLXXII. FEMALE.

The specimen from which the figure before you was taken, was shot by Dr TOWNSEND on a rock near the Columbia River, on which it had its nest. Unfortunately, however, he has not supplied me with any account of this species, and the only notice respecting its habits that I have seen, is that in the Fauna Boreali-Americana, by Dr RICHARDSON:—“The Common Buzzard arriving in the Fur Countries in the middle of April very soon afterwards begins to build its nest; and, having reared its young, departs about the end of September. It haunts the low alluvial points of land which stretch out under the high banks of a river; and may be observed sitting for a long time motionless on the bough of a tree, watching patiently for some small quadruped, bird, or reptile, to pass within its reach. As soon as it espies its prey, it glides silently into the air, and, sweeping easily and rapidly down, seizes it in its claws. When disturbed, it makes a short circuit, and soon settles on another perch. It builds its nest on a tree, of short sticks, lining it sparingly with deer’s hair. The eggs, from three to five in number, are equal in size to those of the domestic fowl, and have a greenish-white colour, with a few large dark brown blotches at the thick end. It was seen by the Expedition as far north as the fifty-seventh parallel of latitude, and it most probably has a still higher range.”

FALCO BUTEO, _Linn._ Syst. Nat. vol. i. p. 127.—_Lath._ Ind.
Ornith. vol. i. p. 23.

BUTEO VULGARIS, COMMON BUZZARD, _Richards. and Swains._ Fauna
Bor.-Amer. vol. ii. p. 47.

Female. Plate CCCLXXII.

Bill short, strong, as broad as deep at the base, compressed toward the end. Upper mandible cerate, its dorsal outline declinate and a little convex as far as the cere, then decurved, the sides rapidly sloping, towards the end nearly perpendicular but convex, the edge with a slight festoon, the tip trigonal, acute; lower mandible with the angle short and rounded, the dorsal line convex and ascending, the edges sharp, arched, at the end deflected, the tip rounded. Nostrils irregularly obovate, in the fore part of the cere, nearer the ridge than the margin.

Head large, roundish, flattened above; neck rather short; body full. Feet short, robust; tarsi roundish, anteriorly feathered half-way down, anteriorly scutellate, laterally reticulate, posteriorly also scutellate; the lower part all round covered with series of small scales, as are the toes for half their length, the terminal portion being scutellate: they are strong, of moderate length, the hind toe stouter, with four large scutella, the inner with four, the middle with about eight, and connected at the base by a web with the outer, which has four large scutella. Claws long, arched, compressed, tapering to a point, flat beneath.

Plumage ordinary, full, rather blended beneath. Space between the bill and eye covered with bristly feathers; eyelids with soft downy feathers, and ciliate: the superciliary ridge prominent. Feathers of the head and neck ovato-oblong, of the back and breast ovate and rounded, of the sides and outer part of the leg elongated, of the rest of the leg short. Wings long, broad, the fourth quill longest, the third next, the fifth very little shorter, the second longer than fifth, the first and seventh about equal; first four abruptly cut out on the inner web; secondaries broad and rounded. Tail rather long, broad, slightly rounded.

Bill light blue at the base, with the margins yellowish, the tip black; the cere yellow. Iris hazel. Feet yellow; claws black, at the base bluish. The general colour of the upper parts is chocolate-brown. The quills are of the general colour externally, but the primaries are black toward the tip, a great part of the inner web, with the shaft, white, and barred with brownish-black, the bars more extended on the secondaries. The tail is marked with about ten dusky bars on a reddish-brown ground, tinged with grey, the last dark bar broader, the tips paler. The eyelids are whitish, as is the throat, which is longitudinally streaked with dusky. The rest of the lower parts are yellowish or brownish white, barred with brown. The lower wing-coverts are white, barred or spotted with dusky; the white of the inner webs of the primaries forms a conspicuous patch, contrasted with the greyish-black of their terminal portion.

Length to end of tail 23 inches; wing from flexure 17; tail 10-1/2; bill along the ridge 1-8/12, along the edge of lower mandible 1-7/12; tarsus 3-5/12; hind toe 1, its claw 1-1/12; middle toe 1-10/12, its claw 1-1/12.

Another specimen in my possession, procured by Dr TOWNSEND on the plains of Snake River, has the upper parts brown, streaked and spotted with reddish-white; the upper tail-coverts white, barred with dusky, the lower parts as above described. The colours however vary, and in some the upper parts are deep brown, the lower reddish or brownish white, barred with reddish-brown.

When compared with European specimens, mine have the bill somewhat stronger; but in all other respects, including the scutella and scales of the feet and toes, and the structure of the wings and tail, the parts are similar.

MARSH HARE.

LEPUS PALUSTRIS, _Bachman_.

The Hare figured in the plate is thus described by my learned friend Dr BACHMAN, in his excellent observations on the different species of the genus Lepus inhabiting the United States and Canada, inserted in the seventh volume of the Journal of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia:—

“Smaller than the American Hare. Ears much shorter than the head; eyes rather small; tail very short; feet small, thinly clothed with hair. Upper surface yellowish-brown; beneath, grey.

Incisors 4/2, Canines (0—0)/(0—0), Molars (6—6)/(5—5) = 28.

“The upper incisors are longer and broader than those of the American Hare, marked, like all the rest of the species, with a deep longitudinal furrow. The small accessory incisors are smaller and less flattened than those of the last mentioned species, and the molars are narrower and a little shorter. The transverse diameter of the cranium is much smaller, the vertical diameter about equal. Orbits of the eyes one-third smaller. This is a striking peculiarity, giving it a smaller and less prominent eye than that of any other American species. The pterygoid processes of the temporal bone project downwards nearly in a vertical line, whilst those of the American Hare are almost horizontal.

“Head and ears shorter than those of the _Lepus Americanus_; legs short, and rather small; body short and thick; feet small, thinly clothed with hair beneath, so as not to cover the nails, which are larger than those of the American Hare. Tail shorter than that of any other species of true hare inhabiting the United States, except the _Lepus Nuttalli_. Hair on the back long and somewhat rough. From the short legs and ears of this species, and its general clumsy habit, it has the appearance when running through the marshes, splashing through mud and mire, and plunging into creeks and ponds of water, of some large Norway Rat, hastening to escape from its pursuers.

“The teeth are yellowish-white; the eyes are dark brown, appearing in certain lights quite black. Upper parts of the head brown and greyish-ash. Around the orbits of the eyes slightly fawn-coloured. Whiskers black. Ears dark greyish-brown. The back and whole upper parts yellowish-brown, intermixed with many strong black hairs. The hairs, when examined singly, are bluish-grey at the roots, then light brown, and are tipped with black. The fur, beneath, is light plumbeous; under the chin grey; throat yellowish-brown; belly light grey, the fur beneath bluish. Under surface of the tail ash-colour, edged with brown. During winter the upper surface becomes considerably darker than in summer.

Dimensions, taken from a specimen in the flesh:

Length, from point of nose to insertion of tail, 13 inches
Height, from the top of the fore-shoulder to the end
of the middle claw 7
Length of the head, 3-1/2
ears, 2-1/2
hind foot, 3
tail (vertebræ), 5/6
tail, including the fur, 1-1/2
Weight 2-1/2 lb.

“I have not heard of the existence of this small species of Hare to the north of the State of South Carolina, nor is it found in the upper parts of this State,—confining itself to the maritime districts, to low marshy grounds partially inundated, to the borders of rivers subject to the overflowing of their banks, and to the ponds, usually termed reserves, where the waters intended to overflow the rice-fields are preserved. In these situations, rendered almost inaccessible on account of mud, entangled vines, and stagnant waters, sending up poisonous miasmata, the fruitful source of disease, surrounded by frogs, water-snakes, and alligators, this species resides through the whole year, scarcely molested by man. In these forbidden retreats, frequented by Herons (_Ardea_), Snake-birds (_Plotus Anhinga_), and Ibises, this almost aquatic quadruped finds a home suited to its habits; making up for its want of speed in eluding pursuit, by its facility in winding through miry pools and marshes overgrown with rank weeds and willows. In such situations, I have met with it fifty miles north of Charleston; but, as soon as the traveller arrives at the high grounds of the middle country, where the marshes disappear, this Hare is no longer seen. It is common in all the lower parts of Georgia, and I have observed it for sale in the market of Savannah. It is abundant in East Florida, even at its farthest southern extremity. I received a living animal of this species, taken on one of the islands near Indian Key, called Rabbit Key, separated from the main-land by several miles of sea; where it could have proceeded only by swimming, but where it is now found in great numbers. In all the low grounds of Florida, this species takes the place of the American Hare, which has not been observed in those situations.

“The Marsh Hare is one of the most singular in its habits of all the species. It runs low on the ground, and cannot be said to possess the fine leaping gait of the American Hare. It is so slow of foot, that nothing but the sheltered and miry situations in which it resides can save it from being easily overtaken and captured. I have, indeed, observed the domestics on a plantation, during a holiday, setting fire to a piece of marsh ground, in a very dry season, and armed with clubs, waiting till the flames drove these Hares from their retreats, when they were run down and killed in considerable numbers, I noticed that when the American Hare made its appearance it was suffered to pass, on account of the speed they knew it to possess, but no sooner did the Marsh Hare appear, than with a whoop, they gave chase, and seldom failed to overtake it.