Chapter II: Part 2

The male has the tail with only one bar; the
breast unmarked; the abdomen with black spots;
while the female has the tail with several bars,
the underparts streaked with brownish. In both
sexes the bright reddish brown of the upperparts,
black markings about the head, and small size are
gold field characters. L. 10.

_Range._ Sparrow Hawks are found throughout the
greater part of the Western Hemisphere. Our
eastern race inhabits the region east of the
Rockies and is migratory at the northern limit of
its range. Southern Florida specimens are slightly
smaller and darker and are known as the Florida
Sparrow Hawk (_F. s. paulus_).

Washington, common W.V., rare S.R. Ossining,
rather rare P.R. Cambridge, P.R., common in
summer, rare in winter. N. Ohio, common P.R. Glen
Ellyn, rather rare S.R., Mch. 10-Oct. 26.

The Sparrow Hawk is one of our commonest and most familiar Hawks. He is a handsome little Falcon, and though his prey is chiefly humble grasshoppers, he captures them in a sportsmanlike manner by "waiting on" or hovering on rapidly beating wings over his game and dropping on it with deadly aim. His call is a high, rapidly repeated _Killy-killy-killy_. The three to seven eggs, finely marked with reddish brown, are laid in a hollow limb or similar situation in April.

AUDUBON'S CARACARA

_Polyborus cheriway cheriway_

A falcon-like Vulture with a bare face, black cap,
white throat, breast and nape; the rest of the
plumage is black, the tail barred with white. L.
22.

_Range._ Mexican border and southward; south
central Florida.

In the eastern United States the Caracara is found only in the Kissimmee prairie region of southern Florida where its presence, so far from others of its kind, furnishes one of the problems in distribution which stimulate the imagination of the faunal naturalist.

OSPREYS. FAMILY PANDIONIDÆ

OSPREY

_Pandion haliætus carolinensis. Case 3, Fig. 14_

The Osprey or Fish Hawk is often miscalled
'Eagle,' but it is a smaller bird with white,
instead of blackish underparts. L. 23.

_Range._ The Osprey is found throughout the
greater part of the world; the American form
occurs in both North and South America and winters
from the southern United States southward,
starting northward in March.

Washington, uncommon S.R., Mch. 19-Nov. 30.
Ossining, common T.V., rare S.R., Apl. 3-May 26;
Sept. 29-Oct. 20. Cambridge, rather common T.V.,
Apl.-May; Sept.-Oct. N. Ohio, rare S.R., Apl.
20-Oct. Glen Ellyn, two records, May and Sept.

The Osprey, or Fish Hawk, feeds on fish and nothing but fish. He is, therefore, never found far from his fishing grounds, where no one who has seen him plunge for his prey and rise with it from the water will doubt his ability to supply his wants. Ospreys usually nest in trees at varying distances from the ground, but sometimes on cliffs or even on the ground itself, and return year after year to the same nest. The Osprey's alarm note is a high, loud, complaining whistle, frequently repeated. The eggs are laid in late April and early May. They are usually four in number, buffy white, heavily marked with chocolate.

BARN OWLS. FAMILY ALUCONIDÆ

BARN OWL

_Aluco pratincola pratincola. Case 3, Fig. 17_

A light-colored Owl, looking almost white in the
dusk. L. 18.

_Range._ Barn Owls are found throughout the world.
Our species is rare north of New Jersey and Ohio.
It is migratory only at the northern limit of its
range.

Washington, not rare P.R. Ossining, A.V.

This is the 'Monkey-faced Owl' of towers and steeples. Few who hear its loud, sudden scream or rapidly repeated _crree-crree-crree_ know their author, who may live for years in the heart of a village a stranger to its human inhabitants. The mice, however, have tragic evidence of his presence in the nightly raids he makes upon their ranks. The nest is made in the diurnal retreat, 5-9 white eggs being laid in April.

HORNED OWLS, HOOT OWLS, ETC. FAMILY STRIGIDÆ

LONG-EARED OWL

_Asio wilsonianus. Case 1, Fig. 17_

Distinguished by very long ear-tufts. L. 14-3/4.

_Range._ Temperate North America. Winters south to
Georgia and Louisiana.

Washington, common P.R. Ossining, common P.R.
Cambridge, rare, P.R. but sometimes common in fall
and winter. N. Ohio, uncommon P.R. Glen Ellyn,
rare, fall records only, Nov. 7-Dec. 14.

An Owl of evergreen clumps and dense growths, where its presence is often betrayed by the litter below of undigested pellets of hair and bones which Owls eject at the mouth. It is not a "hoot" Owl, and even many ornithologists have not heard its notes, which are described as a "soft-toned, slow _wu-hunk, wu-hunk_, and a low twittering, whistling _dicky, dicky, dicky_." It is not a hole-inhabiting Owl and like the Great Horned nests in an old Hawk, Crow, or Squirrel nest. Three to six white eggs are laid in April.

SHORT-EARED OWL

_Asio flammeus. Case 1, Fig. 18_

The 'ears' are barely evident, the eyes are
yellow; underparts streaked. L. 15-1/2.

_Range._ Found throughout the greater part of the
world; migrating southward at the northern part of
its North American range.

Washington, common W.V. Ossining, casual.
Cambridge, T.V., Mch. 15-Apl. 15, rare; Oct.-Nov.,
uncommon. N. Ohio, uncommon P.R. Glen Ellyn, rare,
Dec. 11-May 15. SE. Minn., common S.R.

This is a marsh Owl and we are therefore not likely to find it associated with other members of its family. Its notes are said to resemble the _ki-yi_ of a small dog. Four to seven white eggs are laid in an open nest in the grasses in April.

BARRED OWL

_Strix varia varia. Case 1, Fig. 15_

A large Owl with black eyes (the figure is
incorrect) and no 'ears.' L. 20.

_Range._ Eastern North America. Generally a
Permanent Resident. The Florida Barred Owl (_S. v.
alleni_, Case 3, Fig. 16), is somewhat darker than
the northern form and has nearly naked toes. It
inhabits Florida and the coast region from South
Carolina to Texas.

Washington, not common, rare P.R. Ossining, rare
P.R. Cambridge, P.R., sometimes common in Nov. and
Dec. N. Ohio, common P.R. Glen Ellyn, rare and
local P.R. SE. Minn., common P.R.

An Owl of the woods, common in the less thickly settled parts of its range. Its loud, sonorous notes, _whoo, whoo-whoo who-whoo, to-whoo-ah_, are often uttered. When two birds come together their united calls produce some of the most startling sounds to be heard in nature. The Barred Owl feeds chiefly on mice. It nests in hollow trees in March, laying 2-4 white eggs.

GREAT GRAY OWL

_Scotiaplex nebulosa nebulosa_

Largest of American Owls, with a general
resemblance to the Barred Owl, but nearly a third
larger and with yellow eyes. L. 27.

_Range._ Northern North America, rarely straggling
to United States in winter.

Cambridge, very rare and irregular W.V. SE. Minn.,
rare W.V.

RICHARDSON'S OWL

_Cryptoglaux funerea richardsoni_

A small Owl about the size of a Screech Owl, but
without ear-tufts. It is grayish brown above and
both head and back are spotted with black; the
underparts are white heavily streaked with grayish
brown.

_Range._ Northern Canada and Alaska, rarely
visiting the eastern United States in winter. We
are not likely to meet this Owl.

Cambridge, very rare W.V.

SAW-WHET OWL

_Cryptoglaux acadica acadica. Case 2, Fig. 41_

Smallest of our Owls; eyes yellow, no ear-tufts.
L. 8.

_Range._ Nests in the northern United States and
northward, south in the Alleghanies to Maryland;
winters rather rarely and irregularly southward to
Virginia.

Washington, rare W.V., Oct.-Mch. Ossining, rather
rare W.V., Oct. 28-Jan. 13. Cambridge, not
uncommon, W.V., Nov.-Mch. N. Ohio, rare P.R. SE.
Minn., uncommon. P.R.

A tame little Owl which sometimes may be caught in one's hand. It passes the day in dense growth, usually evergreens. Its note resembles the "sound made when a large-tooth saw is being filed."

SCREECH OWL

_Otus asio asio. Case 1, Figs. 13, 14_

The two sexes are alike, the two color phases
being individual and representing dichromatism.
Among animals, gray and black squirrels furnish a
similar case. The ear-like feather-tufts give the
bird a cat-like appearance, hence the name 'Cat
Owl.' The young are downy-looking creatures evenly
barred with dusky. L. 9-1/2.

_Range._ Screech Owls are found throughout the
greater part of the Western Hemisphere. Our
eastern form occurs in the eastern United States
from Canada southward. The Florida race (_O. a.
floridanus_, Case 3, Fig. 19) is smaller and of a
darker gray than the northern bird. The 'red'
phase is rare.

Washington, common P.R. Ossining, common P.R.
Cambridge, common P.R. N. Ohio, common P.R. Glen
Ellyn, common P.R. SE. Minn., common P.R.

This, the smallest of our 'horned' Owls, is also the commonest. It lives near and sometimes in our homes even when they are situated in towns. Its tremulous, wailing whistle (in no sense a 'screech') is therefore one of our most characteristic twilight bird-notes. Mice and insects form the greater part of the Screech Owl's fare. Four to six white eggs are laid in a hollow tree, bird-box, or similar site in April.

GREAT HORNED OWL

_Bubo virginianus virginianus. Case 1, Fig. 16_

Largest of the 'horned' Owls. L. 22.

_Range._ Western Hemisphere in many forms; our
form is confined to the eastern United States. A
Permanent Resident.

Washington, rare P.R. Ossining, tolerably common
P.R. Cambridge, uncommon, autumn or winter. N.
Ohio, rare P.R. SE. Minn., common P.R.

The Great Horned Owl retreats before the civilization that destroys the forests in which it lives. In thinly settled regions its deep-toned, monotone, _whoo-hoo-hoo-hoo, whooo, whooo_ is still a characteristic bird voice, but most of us hear it only when we camp in the wilderness. The bird's fierce nature has won for it the name of "tiger among birds." Rabbits, skunks, game birds and smaller prey form its fare. The 2-3 white eggs are laid in an abandoned Hawk, Crow, or squirrel nest in February; it is the first of our northern birds to nest.

SNOWY OWL

_Nyctea nyctea_

A large Owl with no 'ear' tufts and yellow eyes;
chiefly white with small brownish or blackish
markings. L. 25.

_Range._ Nests in Arctic regions, migrating
southward irregularly in winter to the northern
United States.

Washington, casual W.V. Ossining, A.V. Cambridge,
rare and irregular W.V. N. Ohio, rare W.V. Glen
Ellyn, very rare W.V. SE. Minn., common W.V.,
Oct.-Apl.

A rare winter visitant which is more often seen along the seashore. Unlike most Owls it hunts by day, feeding chiefly on mice but also on birds.

HAWK OWL

_Surnia ulula caparoch_

A medium-sized Owl with a whitish face and yellow
eyes and a _long, rounded_ tail; the head is
spotted, the back barred with whitish; the
underparts are barred with white and blackish. L.
15; T. 7-1/4.

_Range._ Northern North America, rarely visiting
the northern United States in winter.

Cambridge, very rare in late fall. N. Ohio, rare
W.V. SE. Minn., uncommon W.V., Oct.-Mch.

"The Hawk Owl is strictly diurnal, as much so as any of the Hawks, and like some of them often selects a tall shrub or dead-topped tree in a comparatively open place for a perch, where it sits in the bright sunlight watching for its prey" (Fisher).

FLORIDA BURROWING OWL

_Speotyto cunicularia floridana_

A small, ground Owl, with nearly naked legs and
feet and no ear-tufts. The upperparts are grayish
brown marked with white; the throat is white, rest
of underparts barred with grayish brown and white.
L. 9.

_Range._ Southern Florida, chiefly in the
Kissimmee Prairie region.

This is a representative of our western Burrowing Owl, which, in some way unknown to man, has established itself far from others of its kind in central southern Florida, where it is locally common. It nests in a hole in the ground, excavated by itself, and lays 5-7 white eggs in March.

PARROTS, MACAWS, PAROQUETS, COCKATOOS. ORDER PSITTACI

PARROTS AND PAROQUETS. FAMILY PSITTACIDÆ

CAROLINA PAROQUET

_Conuropsis carolinensis carolinensis_

A long-tailed, green Paroquet with a yellow head,
orange forehead and cheeks. L. 12-1/2.

_Range._ Formerly southeastern United States north
to Virginia, west to Nebraska and Texas; now
southern Florida where it is on the verge of
extinction, if not extinct.

Washington, extinct, known only from specimens
shot in Sept., 1865.

The Paroquet has paid the penalty of wearing bright plumes, of making a desirable cage-bird, of being destructive to fruit, and of having little fear of man. Once abundant and wide-spread, for nearly the past half a century it has been restricted to Florida, where the species will soon go out of existence, if it has not already done so. Its nesting habits are unknown.

CUCKOOS, KINGFISHERS, ETC. ORDER COCCYGES

CUCKOOS, ANIS, ETC. FAMILY CUCULIDÆ

YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO

_Coccyzus americanus americanus. Case 7, Fig. 1_

Broadly white-tipped tail-feathers, a partly
yellow bill, and largely reddish brown primaries
distinguish this species from its black-billed
cousin. L. 12-1/2, of which one-half is tail.

_Range._ Nests from northern Florida to Canada;
winters in tropical America, returning to the
United States in April.

Washington, common S.R., May 3-Oct. 13. Ossining,
common S.R., May 4-Oct. 31. Cambridge, common
S.R., May 12-Sept. 15. N. Ohio, common S.R., Apl.
20-Sept. 25. Glen Ellyn, quite common S.R., May
15-Sept. 29. SE. Minn., common S.R., May 21-Aug.
20.

Cuckoos are common birds, but are more often heard than seen. Their notes are not like those of the cuckoo clock, which exactly imitates the voice of the European Cuckoo, but a series of _cuck-cuck-cucks_ and _cow-cows_ repeated a varying number of times. The Cuckoo rarely makes long flights but slips from one tree to another, seeking at once the inner branches and avoiding an exposed perch. The nest, a platform of sticks, thinly covered, is placed in low trees or bushes. The 3-5 greenish blue eggs are laid in May.

BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO

_Coccyzus erythrophthalmus. Case 7, Fig. 2_

A wholly black bill (note that in both our Cuckoos
it is slightly curved), wings without reddish
brown, and small, inconspicuous white tips to the
tail-feathers distinguish this species from the
preceding.

_Range._ A more northern species than the
Yellow-billed Cuckoo. Nests from Virginia (Georgia
in the mountains) to Quebec; winters in tropical
America, reaching the southern States in April.

Washington, rather rare S.R., May 5-Oct. 6.
Ossining, common S.R., May 3-Oct. 7. Cambridge,
common S.R., May 12-Sept. 20. N. Ohio, tolerably
common S.R., May 1-Sept. 25. Glen Ellyn, S.R., May
5-Oct. 21. SE. Minn., common S.R., May 8-Sept. 27.

The day after penning the foregoing notes on the Yellow-billed Cuckoo, I saw a Black-bill make a prolonged, dashing flight through the open, alight on the limb of a dead, leafless tree, directly over a young girl who was calling loudly to an active dog near her, and from this conspicuous perch utter its low _coo-coo_ notes, both looking and sounding more like a Dove than a conventional Cuckoo. So while we may say that the Cuckoos are much alike in habits one must not accept generalized statements too literally. There is much individuality among birds, a fact that makes their study far more interesting than if all were cast in the same mold.

The notes of this species are softer than those of the Yellow-bill, but the difference between the calls of the two species must be learned from the birds, not from books. The nest of the Black-bill is the more compactly built of the two, and its eggs are of a deeper shade.

KINGFISHERS. FAMILY ALCEDINIDÆ

BELTED KINGFISHER

_Ceryle alcyon. Case 3, Fig. 18; Case 5, Fig. 10_

The female resembles the male, but the sides and
the band across the breast are reddish brown. This
is our only Kingfisher. Crest, color, size,
habits, all distinguish him. L. 13.

_Range._ North America; winters from Illinois and
Virginia, southward; migrates north in early
April.

Washington, common P.R., except in midwinter.
Ossining, common S.R., Apl. 1-Nov. 23; casual in
winter. Cambridge, common S.R., Apl. 10-Nov. 1;
rare W.V. N. Ohio, common S.R., Mch. 20-Nov. 1;
rare W.V. Glenn Ellyn, isolated pairs, Apl. 1-Nov.
19. SE. Minn., common S.R., Mch. 21-Dec. 12.

The Belted Kingfisher is a watchman of the waterways who sounds his loud rattle when we trespass on his territory, a gallant fisherman, who, like a Falcon 'waits on' with fluttering wing, and the moment his aim is taken plunges headlong with a splash on some fish that has ventured too near the surface.

The nest is made at the end of a burrow in a bank; 5-8 white eggs are laid in May.

WOODPECKERS, WRYNECKS, ETC. ORDER PICI

WOODPECKERS. FAMILY PICIDÆ

IVORY-BILLED WOODPECKER

_Campephilus principalis_

Our largest Woodpecker, black with a white stripe
down each side of the neck, white showing in the
wing in flight, the male with a flaming red crest,
the female with a black one and both with an
ivory-white bill. L. 20.

_Range._ Formerly southeastern United States to
North Carolina; now rare and local in the wilder,
less settled portions of the Gulf States.

When man appears, the Ivory-bill disappears. This is not alone due to the destruction of the birds' haunts but to the bird's shy, retiring nature. Its days are numbered even more surely than are those of the forests it inhabits.

The nesting cavity is usually made in a cypress some forty feet from the ground, and 3-5 white eggs are laid in March.

HAIRY WOODPECKER

_Dryobates villosus villosus. Case 2, Figs. 28, 29_

The Hairy is a large edition of the Downy with
white, unmarked outer tail-feathers. The male has
a red head-band. L. 9-1/2.

_Range._ Middle and northern states; a permanent
resident. The southern Hairy Woodpecker (_D. v.
auduboni_) inhabits the southeastern United States
north to southern Virginia. It is smaller than the
Hairy and has less white in the plumage. L.
8-1/10.

The Northern Hairy Woodpecker (_D. v. leucomelas_)
is found from the northern United States
northward. It is larger and whiter than the Hairy.
L. 10.

The Newfoundland Hairy Woodpecker (_D. v.
terrænovæ_) is larger and darker than the Hairy;
it inhabits Newfoundland.

Washington, rare P.R. Ossining, rare P.R.
Cambridge, uncommon W.V., one summer record. N.
Ohio, common P.R. Glen Ellyn, fairly common P.R.

The Hairy is not so common as his small cousin the Downy, and does not so readily make friends. He prefers the woods to our orchards and is for these reasons less often seen at our feeding-stands. The Hairy's notes are noticeably louder than the Downy's. The nest-hole is usually in a dead tree. The 2-4 white eggs are laid the last half of April.

DOWNY WOODPECKER

_Dryobates pubescens medianus. Case 2, Figs. 26, 27_

The Downy differs from the Hairy Woodpecker in
color by having the outer tail-feathers with black
bars, but it is the bird's obviously smaller size
that will serve to distinguish it. L. 6-3/4.

_Range._ From Virginia northward into Canada. A
Permanent Resident. The Southern Downy Woodpecker
(_D. p. pubescens_, Case 3, Fig. 25) is smaller,
darker below and with the white markings smaller.
L. 6. It inhabits the south Atlantic and Gulf
States north to North Carolina.

Washington, common P.R. Ossining, common P.R.
Cambridge, common P.R. N. Ohio, common P.R. Glen
Ellyn, common P.R. SE. Minn., common P.R.

Our commonest Woodpecker; an alert, active little driller for insects and their eggs and larvæ, and frequent visitor to our lunch-counters, particularly if we supply them with suet. His sharp _peek, peek_, running at times into a diminishing string of _peeks_, and his rolling tatoo, as he pounds a limb with amazing rapidity, are prominent parts of every-day bird language, the tatoo being a 'song' of the breeding season.

Four to six white eggs are laid in a hole, usually in a dead tree, the first week in May. The Southern Downy nests in April.

RED-COCKADED WOODPECKER

_Dryobates borealis_

Between the Downy and Hairy in size (L. 8-1/2)
with a general resemblance to both, but the male
with a small tuft of red feathers on each _side_
of the back of the head.

_Range._ Southeastern States north to North
Carolina.

An inhabitant of the pine woods, who utters a coarse _yank-yank_ note and may at times be seen feeding from the terminal tufts of pine 'needles' in the higher branches. The nest is usually in a living pine; the 2-5 white eggs are laid in April.

ARCTIC THREE-TOED WOODPECKER

_Picoides arcticus_

Two toes in front and one behind, a solid black
back and an orange-yellow crown in the male
distinguish this from all our other Woodpeckers.
Size of the Hairy, L. 9-1/2.

_Range._ Canada, and northern parts of our border
states, rarely south in winter, as far as Nebraska
and Ohio.

Cambridge, one record. N. Ohio, rare W.V. SE.
Minn., rare.

An inhabitant of the spruce and balsam forests of our northern states, occasionally straggling southward in winter. Nests in May.

THREE-TOED WOODPECKER

_Picoides americanus americanus_

Two toes in front and one behind, an orange-yellow
crest in the male, and a black back _closely and
evenly barred with white_ distinguish this bird;
it is somewhat smaller than the preceding, L.
8-3/4.

_Range._ Canada, south to the northern parts of
our boundary states; unknown south of
Massachusetts.

Not so common as the Arctic Three-toed Woodpecker, and less often found south of its breeding range. Nests in early June.

YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER

_Sphyrapicus varius varius. Case 3, Fig. 26, Case 5, Fig. 30_

The female has the throat white, and rarely, crown
wholly black. Young birds have the throat whitish,
crown dull black, breast brownish. The black
breast-patch and red forehead, and red or white
throat are distinguishing characters. L. 8-1/2.

_Range._ Nests from northern New England and
Minnesota (in Alleghanies from North Carolina) to
Canada; winters from Pennsylvania (rarely)
southward to the Gulf States.

Washington, common T.V., Mch.-May; Sept. and Oct.,
Occasional in winter. Ossining, common T.V., Apl.
5-May 13; Sept. 18-Oct. 23; casual in winter.
Cambridge, not uncommon T.V., Apl. and Sept.
15-Nov. 1; occasional W.V. N. Ohio, common T.V.,
Apl. 1-May 20; Sept. 15-Oct. 20. Glen Ellyn,
common T.V., Mch. 31-May 12; Sept. 14-Oct. 13. SE.
Minn., common S.R., Mch. 25-Oct. 19.

This is the mysterious maker of the rows of little holes drilled in even lines, like hieroglyphics, on the trunks of apple and other trees. Using his brush-tipped tongue as a swab, he drinks the sap that oozes from these punctures.

As a migrant the Yellow-belly is not conspicuous. His business takes him into the heart of living trees and he is usually seen only when flying from one to another. His low 'snarling' note attracts the attention of only the observant.

The nest-hole is 25-40 feet up; the 5-7 white eggs are laid in May.

PILEATED WOODPECKER

_Phloeotomus pileatus pileatus_

Next to the nearly extinct Ivory-bill this is the
largest of our Woodpeckers. (L. 17.) Both sexes
have a flaming red crest (reaching the forehead in
the male) the remainder of the plumage being
black, with the throat, a stripe from the bill
down the sides of the neck, and the basal half of
the wing-feathers white; bill horn-color.

_Range._ Southeastern and Gulf States, north to
North Carolina. The Northern Pileated Woodpecker
(_P. p. abieticola_) is found thence northward
into Canada and west to the Pacific. It is a
larger bird, with the white areas larger.

In the south the Pileated is by no means rare and seems not averse to the presence of man; but in the north he retires to the wilder forested areas and we are apt to see him only when we go a-camping. And he is well worth seeing with his flaming crest and powerful bill which, used either as a chisel or drum-stick, produces impressive results. Strangely enough the Pileated's notes resemble those of the Flicker but are louder.

The nest is usually well up; the 3-5 white eggs are laid in April in the south, in May in the north.

RED-HEADED WOODPECKER

_Melanerpes erythrocephalus. Case 3, Figs. 21, 22; Case 6, Fig. 43_

Adults of both sexes have the whole head red;
young, during their first winter, have the head
grayish brown, and a black band across the white
wing-feathers. L. 9-3/4.

_Range._ Eastern United States, west to Rockies;
local east of the Alleghanies and north of
Pennsylvania.

Washington, rather common S.R., rare W.V.
Ossining, rare P.R., common in fall, Aug. 27-Oct.
12. Cambridge, irregular at all seasons; sometimes
common in fall. N. Ohio, common S.R., Apl.
20-Sept. 25; occasionally winters. Glen Ellyn,
common S.R., Feb. 19-Nov. 6; a few winter. SE.
Minn., common S.R., Apl. 4-Sept. 17; rare in
winter.

Adding to the normal habits of a Woodpecker marked skill as a flycatcher, the Red-head stops his grub-hunting and swings out after a passing insect with a dazzling display of red, white and blue-black. Noisy as he is conspicuous, he beats his log-drum, rolls a tree toad-like _krrring_, or, with tireless persistency utters a whistled croak. In the northeastern states Red-heads are distributed irregularly. They are rarely common in the summer, but in the fall they sometimes appear in numbers. Whenever they come we are soon aware of their presence.

The nest is generally in a dead tree; the 4-6 white eggs are laid in May.

RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER

_Centurus carolinus. Case 3, Fig. 23_

Back and wings evenly barred with black and white,
hence the name 'Zebra'; the female and young have
the front part of the crown gray. L. 9-1/2.

_Range._ Eastern United States, north to southern
Pennsylvania, western New York and southern
Minnesota; casually further.

Washington, locally common P.R. Cambridge, A.V.,
one record. N. Ohio, tolerably common P.R. SE.
Minn., uncommon P.R.

A common, hoarse-voiced resident of orange groves and gardens who with a _chuh-chuh_, jerkily hitches himself upward in the routine of the daily grub hunt. It is rare at the northern part of its range, but resident wherever found. The nest is in dead or living trees; the 4-6 white eggs are laid in late April or early May.

NORTHERN FLICKER

_Colaptes auratus luteus. Case 2, Figs. 21, 22; Case 3, Fig. 20_

The white rump and yellow wing-linings, displayed
in flight; black breast-crescent, spotted
underparts and fairly large size, readily
distinguish this beautiful bird. The female very
properly lacks the male's 'moustache.' L. 12.

_Range._ Eastern North America, from North
Carolina and southern Illinois to Canada and
Alaska. The Southern Flicker (_C. a. auratus_) a
smaller, darker race, inhabits the South Atlantic
and Gulf States.

Washington, common S.R., rare W.V. Ossining,
common S.R., Mch. 25-Oct. 30; a few winter.
Cambridge, very common S.R., common W.V. N. Ohio,
common S.R., Mch. 10-Nov. 15 a few winter. Glen
Ellyn, common S.R., Mch. 7-Dec. 24; a few winter.
SE. Minn., common S.R., Mch. 21-Oct. 16.

Thirty years ago the Flicker, High-hole or Yellow-hammer, was prey of any boy with a gun and was correspondingly wild and little known; now, thanks to the Audubon Society, he is almost as domestic as the Robin. In search of ants and their eggs, he hunts our lawns and even accepts the hospitality of our nest-logs. A great acquisition to our dooryard life is this bird of beautiful colors, quaint habits, and strange notes. His loud, strongly accented call, _kée-yer_, his rapidly repeated mellow _weéchew, weéchew_, possess character even if they lack musical quality.

The Flicker nests in holes and lays from 5-9 white eggs in late April or early May.

GOATSUCKERS, SWIFTS, HUMMINGBIRDS. ORDER MACROCHIRES

NIGHTHAWKS, WHIP-POOR-WILLS, ETC. FAMILY CAPRIMULGIDÆ

CHUCKWILL'S WIDOW

_Antrostromus carolinensis. Case 6, Fig. 40_

A larger, browner bird than the Whip-poor-will,
with branched, not simple bristles at the sides of
the bill. Breast-patch whiter in the male than in
the female. L. 12.

_Range._ Southern states north to Virginia;
wintering from southern Florida southward and
migrating northward in March.

Washington, one record. Cambridge, A.V., one
record, Dec.

What the Whip-poor-will is to the north the Chuckwill is to the south. The difference in their names expresses the syllabic difference in their calls, but the Chuckwill's notes are uttered more evenly and lack the marked accent on the first "Whip" of its northern cousin's song.

The Chuckwill lays its two eggs in April on the ground in the woods, where it lives. They are white with delicate lilac markings and a few brownish spots.

WHIP-POOR-WILL

_Antrostomus vociferus vociferus. Case 6, Fig. 41_

Outer wing-quills barred with rusty, breast-band
white in the male, buff in the female. L. 9-3/4.

_Range._ Breeds from northern Georgia north to
Canada, winters from the Gulf States southward,
starting north in April.

Washington, common S.R., Apl. 13-Oct 13. Ossining,
common S.R., Apl. 19-Oct. 17. Cambridge, formerly
S.R., now chiefly T.V., Apl. 30-Sept. 20. N. Ohio,
locally common S.R., Apl. 29-Sept. 15. Glen Ellyn,
rare, spring records only, Apl. 19-May 21. SE.
Minn., common S.R., Apl. 17-Sept. 28.

A mysterious, silent, flitting shadow, should we chance to arouse it from its sleep in the forest by day, at dusk the Whip-poor-will takes the center of the stage and announces his presence to the world. _Whi['p]-poor-will, whi['p]-poor-will_ he calls with a snap and a swinging rhythm that makes the twilight ring with the oft-repeated notes.

Two eggs are laid on the ground in the woods in May. They are dull white with delicate obscure lilac markings, and a few brownish gray spots.

NIGHTHAWK

_Chordeiles virginianus virginianus. Case 6, Fig. 39_

A white mark across the black outer wing-quills is
very conspicuous in flight; seen from below it
suggests a hole in the bird's wing. The female has
the throat buff and no white band in the tail. L.
10.

_Range._ Eastern North America from the Gulf
States and Georgia north to Canada and Alaska.
Winters in the tropics coming north in April. The
Florida Nighthawk (_C. v. chapmani_) a smaller
race (L. 8-1/2) is a Summer Resident in the Gulf
States.

Washington, not common S.R.; abundant T.V., Apl.
19-Oct. 8. Ossining, common S.R., May 9-Oct. 11.
Cambridge, rare S.R., common T.V., May 15-Sept.
25. N. Ohio, locally common S.R., May 1-Sept. 20.
Glen Ellyn, not common S.R., common T.V., May
1-Oct. 14. SE. Minn., common S.R.. May 4-Sept. 30.

Doubtless because we see the Nighthawk and only hear the Whip-poor-will the notes of the latter have been often attributed to the former, with the result that many people think there is but one species. While it is true that there is a general resemblance in form, in details of color and markings, the two birds are quite unlike, while so far as notes and habits are concerned, few members of the same family differ more. The Whip-poor-will haunts the shadows of the woods and rarely flies far above the ground, the Nighthawk, like a Swift, courses high in the open, even over city house-tops, where anyone who looks may see him. The Whip-poor-will's notes have made him famous, the Nighthawk calls only a nasal _peent, peent_, and, diving earthward on set wings, produces a hollow, booming sound. Both nest on the ground, but the Nighthawk lays in the fields or on pebbly roofs, and its two finely marked eggs (laid in May or June) are quite unlike those of the Whip-poor-will.

SWIFTS. FAMILY MICROPODIDÆ

CHIMNEY SWIFT

_Chætura pelagica. Case 6. Fig. 42_

A near relative of the Hummingbird, not of
Swallows. Note the 'spine'-tipped tail-feathers.

_Range._ Eastern North America; winters in Central
America; reaches the Gulf States in March.

Washington, abundant S.R., Apl. 6-Oct. 27.
Ossining, common S.R., Apl. 19-Oct. 23. Cambridge,
abundant S.R., Apl. 25-Sept. 20. N. Ohio, abundant
S.R., Apl. 10-Oct. 20. Glen Ellyn, common S.R.,
Apl. 16-Sept. 29. SE. Minn., common S.R., Apl.
20-Sept. 18.

A twittering courser of evening skies who makes his home in our chimneys. Here the bracket-like nest of dead twigs is attached to the bricks by the bird's saliva, to be loosened, at times, after heavy rains and fall to the fire-place below. In the fall great flocks roost in chimneys, generally large ones, returning night after night.

The 4-6 white eggs are laid in May.

HUMMINGBIRDS. FAMILY TROCHILIDÆ

RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD

_Archilochus colubris. Case 7, Figs. 4, 3_

Females and young lack the 'ruby' throat.

_Range._ Eastern North America, nesting from
Florida to Quebec; winters from central Florida to
Panama.

Washington, common S.R., Apl. 23-Oct. 23.
Ossining, common S.R., Apl. 30-Oct. 3. Cambridge,
very common T.V., uncommon S.R., May 10-Sept. 20.
N. Ohio, common S.R., May 1-Sept. 15. Glen Ellyn,
rare S.R., May 1-Sept. 22. SE. Minn., common S.R.,
May 19-Oct. 8.

Any Hummingbird seen east of the Mississippi may, with confidence, be called a Ruby-throat; exceptions will probably prove to be sphinx moths, which, it must be confessed, look singularly hummingbird-like as they hover before flowers. When the eggs are laid the male deserts the female, leaving to her the task of incubation and care of the young.

The nest, most exquisite of bird homes, is saddled to a limb usually 15 or more feet up. The two bean-like white eggs are laid in May.

PERCHING BIRDS. ORDER PASSERES

FLYCATCHERS. FAMILY TYRANNIDÆ

KINGBIRD

_Tyrannus tyrannus. Case 7, Fig. 6_

Note the white-tipped tail; young birds lack the
orange crest. L. 8-1/2.

_Range._ North America; nests from northern
Florida to Canada; winters in South America,
reaching Florida in March.

Washington, common S.R., Apl. 18-Sept. 23.
Ossining, common S.R., Apl. 29-Sept. 10.
Cambridge, common S.R. May 5-Sept. 1. N. Ohio,
common S.R., Apl. 20-Sept. 15. Glen Ellyn, fairly
common S.R., Apl. 16-Sept. 6. SE. Minn., common
S.R., Apl. 26-Aug. 31.

A valiant defender of his home who, at the approach of Crow or Hawk, utters his steely, chattering, battle-cry and sallies forth to attack. Fearlessly he plunges down on an enemy many times his size who dodging this way and that beats a hasty retreat before his active, aggressive assailant. In the fall migration Kingbirds gather in loose flocks.

The nest is placed near the end of a branch about 20 feet up; the 3-5 white eggs spotted with dark brown, are laid in May.

GRAY KINGBIRD

_Tyrannus dominicensis dominicensis. Case 7, Fig. 7_

Resembles the Kingbird but is lighter gray, and
the tail lacks the conspicuous white tip.

_Range._ West Indies, nesting north through
Florida to southeastern South Carolina; winters to
South America; reaches Florida early in May.

A not uncommon summer resident in parts of Florida and the coastal region of Georgia and South Carolina, with the general habits and appearance of our Kingbird, but with a quite different call which suggests the words _pitírri-pitírri_. It nests in May, laying four salmon-colored eggs, marked with dark brown and lilac.

CRESTED FLYCATCHER

_Myiarchus crinitus. Case 7, Fig. 5_

The reddish brown tail-feathers may sometimes be
seen and the crest is usually evident. L. 9.

_Range._ Eastern North America; nests from Florida
to Canada; winters in the tropics, reaching
Florida on its northward journey in March.

Washington, very common S.R., Apl. 20-Sept. 29.
Ossining, common S.R., May 7-Sept. 12. Cambridge,
rare S.R., May 15-Sept. 11. N. Ohio, common S.R.,
Apl. 25-Sept. 15. Glen Ellyn, not common S.R., May
1-Sept. 18. SE. Minn., common S.R., Apl. 25.

A character of the woods distinguished alike by appearance, voice and habits. His crested head seems too big for his body; his exclamatory whistle, which sounds like a shout above a monotone of conversation, his habit of always lining his nest with a cast-off snake skin, all mark him as an odd genius. Even his wife's eggs, with their long chocolate streaks, are quite unlike any other birds' eggs. They are laid in a hole in a tree in May or June.

PHOEBE

_Soyornis phoebe. Case 4, Fig. 52; Case 5, Fig. 15_

Head slightly crested, somewhat darker than body.
In the fall the underparts are tinged with yellow.
L. 7.

_Range._ Eastern North America; nests from
northern Mississippi and northwestern Georgia to
Canada; winters from South Carolina to Mexico. The
only Flycatcher to winter in the eastern United
States and hence the first to reach us in the
spring.

Washington, common S.R., Feb. 25-Oct.;
occasionally winters. Ossining, common S.R., Mch.
14-Oct. 29. Cambridge, common T.V., and not
uncommon S.R., Mch. 25-Oct. 10. N. Ohio, common
S.R., Mch. 14-Oct. 15. Glen Ellyn, S.R., Mch.
13-Oct. 6. SE. Minn., common S.R., Mch. 22-Oct.
11.

The Phoebe is the best known member of a group of small Flycatchers which the beginner, and not infrequently the advanced student, names with more or less uncertainty. Fortunately for the field student, and as if to compensate for their close resemblance in plumage, they all possess distinctive, quite unlike, and easily recognizable calls, and consequently can readily be identified by their voices if not by their colors.

The Phoebe shows so marked a fondness for our society, nesting under our piazzas, in barns or outbuildings, and calls his _pewit-phoebe_ so plainly, wagging his tail the while in a friendly, sociable kind of a way, that there is never any doubt about his identity; but we will not make the acquaintance of his less common, less confiding relatives so readily.

The Phoebe's 4-6 white eggs (rarely with a few brown spots) are laid the latter half of April.

OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER

_Nuttalornis borealis. Case 8, Fig. 59_

With the general appearance of a large Phoebe,
but with the breast and sides the color of the
back, and a tuft of white feathers on each flank.
L. 7-1/2.

_Range._ North America; nests from northern New
England northward (southward in the Alleghanies to
North Carolina); winters in the tropics.

Washington, casual T.V. Ossining, tolerably common
T.V., May 20; Aug. 15-Sept. 16. Cambridge, rare
T.V., May 20-June 6; formerly not uncommon S.R.,
one Sept. record. Glen Ellyn, not common T.V., May
13-June 11; Aug. 11-Sept. 15. SE. Minn., common
T.V., May 10-Sept. 9.

To most of us the Olive-sided is known as a rare migrant passing northward in May, among the later transients, and southward in September. When traveling the bird retains the fondness of its kind for perching on tall tree-tops, but its loud, unmistakable, whistled "come right _here_, come right _here_" is usually heard only on the nesting ground.

The nest is placed in coniferous trees about 25 feet up, and 3-5 white, brown-spotted eggs are laid in June.

WOOD PEWEE

_Myiochanes virens. Case 8, Fig. 63_

Resembles the Phoebe but is smaller with
relatively longer wings and more evident
wing-bars. L. 6-1/2.

_Range._ Eastern North America; nesting from
Florida to Canada; winters in the tropics.

Washington, common S.R., Apl. 20-Oct. 12.
Ossining, common S.R., May 10-Oct. 2. Cambridge,
common T.V., not uncommon S.R., May 18-Sept. 15.
N. Ohio, abundant S.R., May 2-Sept. 27. Glen
Ellyn, fairly common S.R., May 9-Sept. 29. SE.
Minn., common S.R., May 10-Sept. 23.

In color Phoebe and Pewee are much alike and both are Flycatchers, but the resemblance ends there. Pewee loves the solitude of the forest rather than the sociability of the barnyard, and his pensive _pee-a-wee_ does not even suggest the business-like _pewit-phoebe_ of his better-known cousin. Nor does his dainty lichen-covered nest saddled so skillfully on the limb of a forest tree, recall the Phoebe's bulky moss and mud dwelling. Finally, the Pewee's eggs, laid in May, are wreathed with brown.

YELLOW-BELLIED FLYCATCHER

_Empidonax flaviventris. Case 8. Fig. 61_

The entire underparts, including the throat, are
unquestionably sulphur-yellow. L. 5-1/2

_Range._ Eastern North America; nests from
northern New York and northern New England
northward into Canada; winters in the tropics.

Washington, rather common T.V., May; July 28-Oct.
6. Ossining, common T.V., May 17-June 4; Aug.
8-Sept. 20. Cambridge, T.V., sometimes rather
common, May 25-June 3; Aug. 28-Sept. 8. N. Ohio,
rare T.V., May 10. Glen Ellyn, rather rare T.V.,
May 20-June 5; Sept. 3. SE. Minn., common T.V.,
May 19.

Known chiefly as a not common migrant who visits our woods on his journey to and from his northern home. He is a silent traveler and gives no clue to his identity by calling or singing, but his underparts are so much yellower than those of any other of our small Flycatchers that they make a definite field character. Nests in coniferous forests on the ground, laying 4 white, lightly spotted eggs in June.

ACADIAN FLYCATCHER

_Empidonax virescens. Case 8, Fig. 60_

Throat white, upperparts bright, light
olive-green, without tinge of brown as in the
Alder Flycatcher.

_Range._ Eastern North America; rather southern,
nesting from Florida north to Connecticut and
Michigan; winters in the tropics.

Washington, common S.R., May 1-Sept. 15. Ossining,
common S.R., May 10-Aug. 27. N. Ohio, common S.R.,
May 4-Sept. 15. Glen Ellyn, not common S.R., May
6-Aug. 27, and probably later.

On the low-sweeping limb of a beech over a stream is an ideal site for the frail nest of the Acadian. The bird is never found far from it and its low-ranging habits permit us to see its characteristic markings and hear its peculiar sudden, explosive little _pee-e-yúk_ and more commonly uttered _spee_ or _peet_.

The creamy white, brown-spotted eggs are laid the latter part of May.

ALDER FLYCATCHER

_Empidonax trailli alnorum. Case 8, Fig. 62_

Larger than the Least Flycatcher, but resembling
it in having the back olive-brown instead of
olive-green as in the Acadian and Yellow-bellied
Flycatchers. L. 6.

_Range._ Eastern North America; nests from
northern New Jersey (locally) and mountains of
West Virginia to Canada; winters in the tropics.

Washington, irregularly common T.V., May 8-May 28;
Aug. 16-Sept. 17. Ossining, rare T.V., May 19-May
31; Aug. 29. Cambridge, rare T.V., May 28-June 6;
Aug.; occasional in summer.

Traill's Flycatcher (_E. t. trailli_), a slightly
browner bird is the Mississippi Valley form. N.
Ohio, common S.R., May 7-Sept. 10. Glen Ellyn,
quite common S.R., May 14-Sept. 19. S.E. Minn.,
common S.R., May 6-Aug. 10.

A rare recluse of the alders who, traveling silently between his summer and his winter homes, makes few friends among men. Dwight describes its call note as "a single _pep_," and its song as _ee-zee-e-up_, resembling that of the Acadian. The bird places the nest low down in the crotch of one of the bushes among which it lives and lays 3-4 white, brown-spotted eggs in June.

LEAST FLYCATCHER

_Empidonax minimus. Case 6, Fig. 44_

Smallest of the Flycatchers; like the Alder
Flycatcher its back is olive-brown rather than
olive-green; no evident yellow on the underparts.
L. 5-1/2.

_Range._ Eastern North America; nests from Iowa,
Pennsylvania and New Jersey to Canada; winters in
the tropics.

Washington, common T.V., Apl. 20-May 20; Aug.
13-Sept. 15. Ossining, tolerably common S.R., Apl.
25-Aug. 26. Cambridge, very common S.R., May
1-Aug. 25. N. Ohio, common T.V. Apl. 15-May 25;
Aug. 25-Oct. 1; rare in summer. Glen Ellyn, not
common S.R., chiefly T.V., May 4-Sept. 24. SE.
Minn., common S.R., Apl. 30-Sept. 13.

A Flycatcher of lawns and orchard, seldom going far from the tree in which its nest with its white eggs is placed. A dry-voiced little bird whose unmusical, but distinctly uttered _chebéc, chebéc_ makes up in character what it lacks in sweetness. Between whiles he swings out for a passing insect only to call _chebéc, chebéc, chebéc_ when he returns to his perch.

LARKS. FAMILY ALAUDIDÆ

PRAIRIE HORNED LARK

_Otocoris alpestris praticola. Case 2, Fig. 42_

Note the long hind-toe nail (or the track it
leaves), the little feathered 'horns,' the black
patch on cheeks and breast (less evident in
winter). Smaller than the Northern Horned Lark,
which visits the United States only in winter,
with the line over the eye white, and throat but
faintly tinged with yellow. L. 7-1/4.

_Range._ Nests in the Upper Mississippi Valley
from Missouri and in the Atlantic States
(locally), from Connecticut northward; winters
southward to Texas and Georgia. The Horned Lark
(_Otocoris alpestris alpestris_), is a more
northern race, nesting in the Arctic regions and
migrating southward as far as Ohio and rarely
Georgia, when it is often associated with the
resident Prairie Horned Lark. It is larger than
that race (L. 7-3/4) and has the throat and line
over the eye yellow.

Washington, common W.V., Aug. 11-Apl. Cambridge,
one record. N. Ohio, common P.R. Glen Ellyn,
common P.R. SE. Minn., S.R., Mch.-Nov., a few in
mild winters.

A bird of open places--shores, plains, and prairies, and roadways--who runs (not hops) nimbly ahead of one, or, with a short note, rises, and on its long, pointed wings, flies on ahead. He usually returns to the ground, but may alight on a fence; his long hind toe-nail not being suited to grasping a small perch. The weak, twittering song is uttered on the wing, when the bird, like its relative the Skylark, mounts into the air. It also sings from a perch near the ground.

The Prairie Horned Lark is the first of our small birds to nest, making its home on the ground and laying four finely speckled eggs early in March. After the nesting season the birds gather in flocks.

CROWS, JAYS, ETC. FAMILY CORVIDÆ

BLUE JAY

_Cyanocitta cristata cristata. Case 2, Fig. 20_

Color, habits and voice combine to render the Blue
Jay conspicuous. L. 11-3/4.

_Range._ Eastern North America from Georgia to
Quebec; migratory only at the northern limit of
its range. The Florida Blue Jay (_Cyanocitta
cristata florincola_, Case 4, Fig. 75) is smaller
(L. 10-3/4) and grayer above. It is found
throughout Florida.

Washington, rather rare P.R., common T.V., Apl.
28-May 15; Sept. 15-Oct. 15. Ossining, tolerably
common P.R. Cambridge, common P.R., abundant T.V.,
Apl. and May; Sept. and Oct. N. Ohio, common P.R.
Glen Ellyn, common P.R. SE. Minn., common P.R.

If the Blue Jay were as good as he is beautiful he would be our most popular bird. But fine feathers do not always make fine birds, and to those who judge birds by human standards the Blue Jay's loud, harsh voice, overbearing manners, and nest-robbing habits are unpardonable. With all his faults, however, the true bird enthusiast loves him still. His bright colors, dashing ways and intelligence win our admiration and we feel honored when he makes his home near ours, building in early May a well-made nest in a tree-crotch, for the reception of the 4-6 olive-green, thickly speckled eggs.

FLORIDA JAY

_Aphelocoma cyanea_

Size of the Blue Jay but quite unlike it in color.
The head, wings and tail are grayish blue without
white markings; the back is pale brown, the
underparts dirty white, with the throat
inconspicuously streaked and a faint bluish
breast-band.

_Range._ Florida between lat. 27° and 30°, and
chiefly along the coasts.

This is the 'Scrub-Jay' of Florida and is not to be confused with the Florida Blue Jay. It lives in districts where scrub palmetto grows, but also comes into gardens and grows where it soon responds to proper treatment and becomes semi-domesticated. It nests early in April.

CANADA JAY.

_Perisoreus canadensis canadensis_

Size of the Blue Jay; a gray bird with a black
crown and white forehead, cheeks and throat.

_Range._ Northern New England and northern New
York, northward; resident, rarely straggling
southward.

Cambridge, A.V., one record, Oct.

It is singular that the Canada Jay at the north and the Florida Jay in the south should show exceptional confidence in man, while the Blue Jay always seems to regard him with suspicion. The very day we make camp in the north woods the Canada Jay or Whiskey Jack becomes our guest. As though assured of a welcome he fearlessly joins our party, helping himself to such supplies as please his fancy. Long before our arrival, when snow still covered the ground, he has reared his family and for the rest of the year has only his own wants to fill.

RAVEN

_Corvus corax principalis_

Much larger than the Crow, the throat with long,
pointed feathers, instead of short, rounded ones.
L. 24.

_Range._ North America rare and local in the
Eastern States, south to New Jersey on the coast
and to Georgia in the mountains.

Crows _caw_, while Ravens _croak_; but to be sure that you have actually seen a Raven he should be with Crows, when the Raven's much larger size is evident. Unless, however, you should visit the few localities in the eastern States where Ravens live you are not likely to make the bird's acquaintance. Ravens nest on cliffs as well as in trees. Their eggs, which resemble those of the Crow in color, are laid in April.

CROW

_Corvus brachyrhynchos brachyrhynchos. Case 1, Fig. 19; Case 3, Fig. 27_

Sexes alike in color. L. 19-1/2.

_Range._ North America; migratory at the northern
limit of its range; roosting in colonies in
winter.

Washington, abundant P.R. Ossining, common P.R.
Cambridge, common P.R. abundant T.V. N. Ohio,
common P.R. Glen Ellyn, common P.R. SE. Minn.,
common S.R., Mch.-Nov., uncommon W.V.

The Crow and the Robin are probably the best known of all our birds. The former we treat as an enemy and the latter as a friend, and one therefore is as wild as the other is tame. Whether the Crow deserves to be outlawed has not as yet been decided. But we should not condemn him out of court and let us remember that as an intelligent, self-respecting citizen, who animates wintry wastes with his shining sable form and clarion call, he has other than economic claims to our consideration. The nest is placed in a tree about 30 feet up, and 4-6 eggs, green thickly marked with brownish are laid in April.

The Florida Crow (_C. b. pascuus_) is very near the northern bird, but has the wings and tail smaller, the bill and feet larger. It lives chiefly in the pine barrens of Florida and is much less common in the state than the Fish Crow.

FISH CROW

_Corvus ossifragus_

Brighter, more uniformly colored above and below,
the feathers without dull tips.

_Range._ Atlantic and Gulf coast region from the
lower Hudson Valley and Long Island Sound
southward. Migratory only at the northern limit
of its range. Found throughout Florida, but
elsewhere usually not far from tidal water.

Washington, rather common P.R. Cambridge, A.V.,
one record, Mch.

In life the Fish Crow may be distinguished from the common Crow by its smaller size and hoarser voice. The difference in size, however, is evident only when the two are together, but once the cracked, reedy _car_ (not _caw_) of the Fish Crow has been learned the species may always be identified when heard. It is somewhat like the note of a young Crow, but less immature. The nest and eggs are much like those of the common Crow. The eggs are laid in May.

STARLINGS. FAMILY STURNIDÆ

STARLING

_Sturnus vulgaris. Case 2, Figs. 24, 25_

In winter conspicuously dotted with whitish; in
summer with but few dots and a yellow bill; at all
times with a short tail and long wings. L 8-1/2.

_Range._ Introduced from Europe into Central Park,
New York City, in 1890, now more or less numerous
from Virginia to Maine; occasional west of the
Alleghanies. It is a quick, active bird, probing
the ground now this side, now that, as it walks
rapidly over our lawns. The short tail and long
wings are most noticeable in the air and
distinguish the Starling from our other black
birds.

A long-drawn whistle, such as one calls to a dog, is the Starling's most common note, but it has many others. It nests in April, often after quarreling with Flickers for possession of a nest-hole in which to lay its pale bluish eggs. The young appear in mid-May and their harsh, rasping food-call is a common note for several weeks; then the birds begin to gather in companies which, later, form flocks of thousands.

BLACKBIRDS, ORIOLES, ETC. FAMILY ICTERIDÆ

BOBOLINK

_Dolichonyx oryzivorus. Case 7, Figs. 13, 14_

In July, after nesting, the male molts into a
plumage resembling that of the female, when both
are known as Reedbird. L 7-1/4.

_Range._ Nests from northern New Jersey and
northern Missouri to southern Canada and westward
to British Columbia; leaves the United States
through Florida and winters chiefly in
northwestern Argentina; returns to United States
early in April.

Washington, T.V., common in spring, abundant in
fall; Apl. 26-May 30; July 23-Nov. 14. Ossining,
tolerably common S.R., May 1-Oct. 5. Cambridge,
very common S.R., May 8-Sept. 10. N. Ohio, common
S.R., Apl. 10-Oct. 10. Glen Ellyn, S.R., Apl.
27-Oct. 9. SE. Minn., common S.R., Mch. 5-Aug. 27.

A bird with a dual personality; welcome minstrel of the meadows when nesting, dread scourge of the rice-fields when traveling. With the loss of his trim suit of black, white, and buff, Bob loses also his merry tinkling, rippling song, and acquires with his streaked Reedbird suit a single watchword. _Tink, tink_ he calls from somewhere overhead, and _tink, tink_ his comrades answer as they follow a trackless path through the sky on their 5000-mile journey.

The nest is placed on the ground and 4-7 grayish, blotched eggs are laid late in May or early in June.

COWBIRD

_Molothrus ater ater. Case 5, Figs. 8, 9_

The male's brown head distinguishes him from other
Blackbirds; the female wears a dull gray garb well
designed to make her inconspicuous. L. 8.

_Range._ North America; nesting from North
Carolina and Louisiana to Canada; winters from
Virginia and Ohio southward.

Washington, rather rare P.R., common T.V.
Ossining, common S.R., Mch. 23-Nov. 11.
Cambridge, common S.R., Mch. 25-Nov. 1; occasional
in winter. N. Ohio, abundant S.R., Mch. 10-Nov.
15. Glen Ellyn, common S.R., Mch. 15-Sept. 10. SE.
Minn., common S.R., Apl. 11-Aug. 19.

Outlaws among birds, they pair not neither do they build. Without moral standards or maternal instincts the female accepts the attention of any male that chances to win her fancy and deposits her eggs in the nests of other birds. She is a slacker and a shirker, who keeps much in the background during the breeding season. Color, habit, his sliding, glassy whistle, and guttural gurgling, make the male conspicuous. Leaving the care of their foster parents the young join others of their kind and flock in the grainfields or about cattle in the pastures.

YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD

_Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus. Case 6, Fig. 45_