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- '^ NATURAL HISTORY SURVEY OF ILLINOIS,
State Laboratory of Natural History,
S. A. FORBES, Director.
THE
ORNITHOLOGY
OF ILLINOIS.
PART I, DESCRIPTIVE CATALOGUE,
By ROBERT RIDGWAY.
PART II, ECONOMIC ORNITHOLOGY,
By S. a. FORBES.
VOLUME I
Published by Authority of the State Legislature.
SPRINGFIELD, ILL.: H. W. BoKKEB, Pkintek and Binder.
1889.
GENERAL INTRODUCTION.
This volume is the first to appear of a series on the zoiUogy and cryptogamic botany of the State of IlUuois, author- ized and provided for by the Thirty-fourth General vVssembly.*
The series is intended to summarize the facts relating to the natural history of Illinois which have been accumulated by general investigations made in the districts of which the State forms a part, by the studies of local naturalists, and by the operations of the State Laboratory of Natural History.
The work of this institution has been especially directed, dur- ing the past twelve years, to the supply of the more important deficiencies remaining in our knowledge of the zoology and botany of the State. Neglecting the flowering plants and the classification and description of birds and mammals— already fairly well studied for this region,— we have paid particular at- tention, so far as descriptive work is concerned, to the lower plants, to reptiles, amphibians, and fishes, and to insects and aquatic invertebrates. Still greater prominence has been given to a general research on the system of actions and reactions occurring within the assemblage of living forms native to Illinois, with a view to exhibiting the laws of interaction and coordination by which the inumerable host and vast variety of the plants and animals of our region are held together as a definitely organized, living whole.
As an item of this research the economic relations of the most important groups,— especially of birds, fishes, and insects,
♦Laws o£ the State ot Illinois, 1885, p. 23, sec. 3.
iv (MCNKKAI. IN TltiiKI criOS.
— linvc Ix'fii sIihIm'iI rxti'ii.sivi'ly. niiil rcfcpciH-c lias lii-cii liinl at I'Vfi-y slfp hi till- ii(M"(is (if I 111' |iiililir sclmols aiitl tin- lii^rlnT in- stitutions nf li'ainin^.
Ill llir iiii'|iaiiiti<>n of till' Niiliiiiii's of tliis n']iort i1 will In- oni- main linal ol>ii(t to furnish tlic inalorials for a full and aiTiiralc piitiii-f of the iiativi; |ilanl anil animal lifr of Illinois as it aitiialiv I'xists in our (ii'Ms. womls. ami wati'i-s, ami to liiin^i' most |ii'oniiii('iitly into virw lliosi- jiaits of tin- suhjiMt wliirli liavi' a )iiMuliar educational oi- I'conomic valin'. ICsjiccial- l_v \\i' liavf lioiii'il to furnisli in this si-rii's a solid ami piTnia- iii-nt basis for llii' si inly and l('acliin<i- of tin- natiiial liistory of tliis Stall' ami of its diflVrcnt scitions. Iliiis o|prniiij:' to tin' simli'iit and llii' IrailiiT tlic way to a familiar know li'il;;i> of llif lifi' of liis ni'i^liboriiuod in all lin' ri'lalioiis likriy to iia\i' any im]iortaiit l)oafiii(j,'on |io])ulari'iliirat ion of on thu fi'i'iK'i'alwi'lftin'.
Classilicatioii and dcsi riiilion iiiiisl furnish the fouiidiit ion of Huch a work; luit to thcsi' will hr added iici-onnts of hahils. of life history, and of i-t'lations to natiiri' in di'tail and at lar<i-t'. as full as till' stale of oni- knowIed{j;e and llie funds at our dis- |iosal will |>i'rmit.
'{'he volume lii'ii' |ui'senti'il is due to the generous and disin- ti'l-i'sli'd laliois of l)r. KohiTl liidu'way, foiiiicilx of M I . ( 'ariin'!. Illinois, — an ornit holojiisl w hose lonj; and emineiil ser\ iie in I he Sinitiisdiiiuii institution and the Kiiited Stales National Museiiiii seems only to Inrve intensified his interest in the |(roinotion of the study (jf liis ftivorite seieine in his native Stall'.
Tlie teehnieal .and l)iolos'i«'td I'fU't (to lie tinislii'd in N'olume II.) will he followid in tliat volume by a second paii ilevoled to a full and detailed disriissiun of the lelalioiis of oiii- liinis to nalnrc at lari^c. and es]ii'ii;il!\ tu man. W'iiili' the si'iiind |i;iil will be based ii|ion the |)ri'rci|iii!.;. til wliirh it will form a eeii-
OENBRAL INTRODUCTION. V
eral and economic appendix, it will be so constructed as to make it a practically independent manual of our economic or- nithology,— using this tei'm in its broadest sense.
The long delay in the publication of Volume I. has been due partly to the pressure of other duties and to lack of ofBce assistance, but chiefly to the destruction by fire in the printing office, in February, 1887, of an entire edition of the volume and of the plates and cuts from which it was printed.
To the characteristic generosity of the honored and lamented Dr. Spencer F. Baird, we owe the illustrations of this volume, with the exception of the fi'ontispiece, — all being printed from copies of cuts loaned to the Laboratory by the Smithsonian Institution.
S. A.*FORBES,
Director of Laboratory. Champaign, June 30, 1889.
CONTENTS.
PAGE
GENERAL INTKODUCTION iii
PREFACE 3
INTRODUCTION 7
I. Physical Featukes of the State 7
The Lake Shore District 10
The Prairies 13
The Southern Bottom Lands 17
Climate 19
II. Chakactekistic Features of the Avifauna of the State 2i
Position with regard to Faunal Provinces or Districts 30
Migrations 31
Bibliogkaphy 36
BIRDS OF ILLINOIS 43
Analysis of Higher Groups 44
Order Passeres— The Passerine Birds 47
Family Turdida; (The Thrushes), 40.— Family Sylviidfe (The Warblers). 72.— Family Paridai (The Titmice and Nuthatches). 78.— Family Certhiidie (The Creepers), 8B.— Family Troglodytidai (The Wrens and Mockiiig-Tlu-ushes), 88.— Family Motacillidfe (The Wagtails and Pipits), 100.— Family MniotiltidEe (The American Warblers), 113.— Family Vireonid* (The Vireos), 170.— Family Laniida> (The Shrikes), 102.— Family Ampelida (The Waxwings), 198.— Family Hirundinidse (The Swallows), 203.— Family Tanagridffi (The Tanagers), 214.— Family Fiingil- lidije (The Finches), 319.— Family Icteridfc (The American Orioles), 305.— Family Corvida? (The Crows and Jays), 329.— Family Alaudida; (The Larks), 336. —Family Tyrannidee (The Tyrant Flycatchers), 341.
Order Macrochikes— The Goatsuckers, Swifts, and Hummingbu'ds 368
Family Trochilidai (The Hummingbirds), 350.— Family Mioropodidaj (The Swifts), 363.— Family Caprimulgidte (The Goatsuckers), 366.
Order Pici— The Woodpeckers, etc 371
Family Picidai (The Woodpeckers), 371.
Order Coccyges- The Cuckoos, etc 389
Family AlcedinidEe (The Kingfishers), 380.— Family Cuculidae (The Cuckoos), 302.
Order Psittaci— The Parrots, etc 396
Family Psittacida; (The Parrots), 396.
VIII roNTKNTH.
I'AUK
Ordxr Ai-<;iPITKE«-Tli.' lllr.l- <•! Tfy :»;>
8ulK>rd<T BtrlB«'*— Nwliiriuil llnptorfU (C)wl«), IWt-Faiiilly Klrlirldn- (Tin- lliirn OwIhI. lOO.-Famlly IlulioiiiiUf (Thi- OwIh). 1(0.— 8iil>i>nl<T Fiili;oni'K— Diurnal UaptoD'K, 0>.— FhiiiIIv KHk'oiiUlii' <Kul<'oii.s, KKck. HurrhTH. HnwkH.aiid Kiieli'H), 4*.— KiibiinliT Haivorhuraplil— Til" AiuiTlemi Vulluros. IS*.— Family Catliitr- llclw (Till- AiiiiTli-an Vulturi,'H). <88,
(InliT CoLUMli^-Tli'' ri«>'on»nr Duvi>» 494
Fanilly ColunibMir (Tliu IMirvoiiH). 494.
PART I.
A DESCRIPTIVE CATALOGUE
OF THE
Birds of Illinois
By Robert Ridgway.
PREFACE.
When, at Prof. Forbes's request, the writer consented to under- take the preparation of a work on the birds of lOinois, he had many misgivings as to his abihty to perform the task within the alloted time; but by persistent labor during hours not required for other engagements, difficulties have been surmounted and the volume completed.
Were it not for the generous and cordial permission of the Direc- tor of the National Musuem to make use of the collections of that establishment in the preparation of this work, the undertaking would have been impossible to the author. The National Museum contains thousands of specimens of birds from Ilhnois, contributed by various naturalists now or formerly residing in the State, and to these free access has been granted. Among the principal col- lections are the following: (1) From Cook county and the south- ern portion of the State (chiefly Union county), by the lamented Robert Kennicott — Illinois' first and most gifted naturalist, who sadly ended a short but brilHant and promising career in the wilds of Alaska ; (2) from Cook county, by Mr. E. W. Nelson, of Chicago, and (3) many interesting specimens from the same region by Mr. H. K. Coale, also of Chicago ; (4) contributions of rare and inter- esting specimens from Warsaw, Hancock county, Mr.^ by Chas. K. Worthen ; (5) a fine collection made at Mount Carmel, Wabash county, by my deceased young friend, Mr. Samuel Turner, and presented to the National Museum by his brother, Mr. Lucien M. Turner, now of the U. S. Signal Service ; (6) occasional interesting speci- mens from Dr. J. Schneck, of Mount Carmel, and (7) specimens col- lected by the writer in Wabash and Pdchland counties, but chiefly in the vicinity of Mount Carmel.
The author is autoptically familiar only with the bird-fauna of the southeastern portion of the State. At Mount Carmel, his native place, observations were made almost continuously from about 1860 to 1867, while one month of each succeeding year has been mainly
I BIRDS OP ILLINOIS.
or partially devoted to a continuation of investigations at the same place. The summer of lHt>;'> was passud at Olney, Uiebland county, wliL-re several birds not observed at Mount Carmel were discovered ; while subsequent visits to the same place, including several trips to the neit^hborinR prairies, have further increased his knowledge of the bird-life of that locality.
Without the aid furnished by the collections above referred to, and the assistance kindly rendered by several gentlemen who have been making a special study of the birds of their respective neigh- borhoods, this catalogue would of necessity have been a purely local one. Mr. H. K. Coale, of Chicago, has most generously placed his note-books, full of valuable records, at the author's disposal, while Mr. Chas. K. Worthen has contributed many important notes ; 80 that, with help from so many sources, together with various local lists, and other publications' on the birds of Illinois, it has been possible to prepare a tolerably full list of the birds of the State at large. Much remains to be done, however, especially in the western and extreme southern counties, which are certain to produce important and perhaps unlooked for additions.*
The author has endeavored to make the work as original as the circumstances would allow; but on account of the limited time allotted for its completion (one year), and being mainly occupied with other duties, he has found it necessary to draw, to a certain extent, upon previous publications. Thus, for the land-birds, many of the generic diagnoses have been taken from the Ilistor;/ of North American Birds,^ while for the water-birds the descriptions have been copied from The Water Birds of North America.' In every case, however, matter which is not original with the present work is enclosed in quotation marks, and the source whence obtained explicitly stated. It may further be explained that the author has the permission of the publishers to make extracts, at his discretion.
' A pnrthil lilhllocraphy o( Illlnoln ornltholORy Is (fiven on pnjres 36-A2.
•Tho (iiitlior at llrst Intomled to (tivo an Appendix ineliulliii; descriptions of species which may In time lio fouml within the liorders of the State, to aid the collector or Inves- tigator In identifying any species which may not appear in tho cataioRue proper; hut tho idea had to bo abandoned on account of the noceHsity of llmitlDK the number of pases of this work.
' A History of North American Birds, by 8. P. Baird, T. M. Brewer and B. Rideway. Land Birds. Illiislrated by (il colored plates and 5'.i:i wood cuts. (Volume I, pp. l-.txvlll. l-.W. 1-vi, plates 1-xxvi. Volume II. ;t p. II. pp. l-.WO. i-vl, plates ixvll-lvl. Volume III. 3 p. II. pp. l-5ii0, 1 1., l-.xxvlii. plates lvli-l.\iv.i Boston: Little. Brown and Company, 1874.
" .Memoirs of the Museum of Comparative ZooloKy nt Harvard ColleKe. Vol. XII, Tho Water Birds of North America, by 8. F. Baird. T. M. Brewer and R. Ilidnway. Issued in continuation of the publications of the OcolOKical Survey of California. J. D. Whitney. State OooloBlst. (Volume I, pp. l-xl, l-5:t7. Vol. 11, pp. l-Kfi). iBoston: Little. Brown and Company, 1884.
PREFACE. 5
An original feature of the work — the vernacular synonymy* — will enable the reader to more readily identify, by reference to the index, any bird whose local name is known to him but whose scientific name he has not learned. The biographies are necessarily short, but it has been endeavored to mention the more prominent characteristics of each species.
For all faults of omission or commission, the author begs the indulgence of the generous reader. It has been with him so truly a "labor of love" that no effort has been spared to make the work as complete as the circumstances would allow; and it is hoped that' it may prove in some degree useful to those who are engaged in the study of our birds.
Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D. C. July 2, 1885.
*A vernacular synonymy of North American birds was at cue time contemplated by Mr. Earnest IngersoU, wife, in the Bulletin of the Nultall Ornithological Club, Vol. VIII, April, 1883, pp. 72-78, called attention to the desirability of such a work, and gave a very interesting list of the numerous local names of the Colaptes auratus. Mr. Ingersoll's plan, however, was unfortunately never carried out; but it is to be hoped that may eventually be consummated.
INTRODUCTION.
I. Physical features of the State.
General. The total length of the State of Illinois is 378 miles, the extremes of latitude being 36'^ 59' and 42° 30', while the maxi- mum breadth is 210 miles. The great length of the State from north to south gives it a climatic range of 5h degrees, which exceeds that of any other State except Calif oniia. The topography of Illi- nois is so simple, however, that any decided differences of climate or temperature must necessarily result from diifereuce of latitude or season, there being no mountains sufficiently elevated to produce any perceptible modification in this respect.
"Illinois occupies the lower part of that inclined plane of which Lake Michigan and both its shores are the higher sections. Down this plane in a very nearly S. W. direction the principal rivers have their courses to the Mississippi. The lowest section of this plane is also the extreme S. angle of the State, and is only 840 ft. above the Gulf of Mexico. The greatest elevation of the country is 1,150 ft., and the mean elevation about 550 ft., above tide water. Next to Louisiana and Delaware, indeed, Illinois is the most level State of the Union. A small tract in the N. W. corner of the State around Galena is hilly and somewhat broken, and there are bluffs on the Mississipi and Illinois rivers; but by far the greater portion of the surface consists of vast level or gently undulating prairies. A low mountain ridge extends across the S. end of the State, from Grand Tower, on the Mississippi to Shawneetown on the Ohio, constituting the fruit region of southern Illinois." {Ameri- can Cyclopedia.)
The highest point within the State is said to be near the north- ern border, between Preeport and Galena, where the so-called "mounds" are 1,100 to 1,150 feet above sea-level, though only 200 to 250 feet above the surrounding country. The lowest part of the State is, of course, the river-bed at Cairo, where the elevation above mean tide in the Gulf of Mexico is 340 feet. The general surface in the southern is much more varied or broken than that of the central
8 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS.
and northern portions, there being a bold, almost mountainous, range uf bills with an elevation of 50(1 to more than (JlKJ feet above the surrounding country, or a total altitude approximating 1,000 feet above sea-level, the lowlands along the norllnrn side of the range averaging only about 55 feet above the river at Cairo. (Worthen's Geology of Illinois, Vol. I., pages 3 and 4.)
Continuations of this range extend, with occasional breaks or in- terruptions, to the northward, along the western border of the State. "A range of heights commences at the blulTs that bound the American Bottom, near Kaskaskia, and stretches northwardly through the State toward Lake Michigan. A noble limestone bluff breaks olT, almost at right anglos to this chain, and stretches along the margin of the American Bottom to the point nearly opposite the Missouri. This bluff has, in many places, a regular front of perpendicular limestone, not unfrequently 800 feet high. Another line of river blulfs commences opposite the mouth of the Missouri,
and reaches the mouth of the Illinois. Opposite Portage des Sioux, these lihiffs shoot up into detached points and pinnacles, which, with the hoary color of the rocks, have, at a distance, the appear, ance of the ancient spires and towers of a town." ("Illinois in 1837 & 8; a sketch descriptive of the country," etc. Philadelphia: S. Augustus Mitchel, 1838.) "Along the banks of the Upper Mis- sissippi there stretch for hundreds of miles the ruined fa9ades of stately castles and magnificent temples, built by Nature's hand. Seamed and scarred are they, too, as if by the lightning, and here and there appear ghastly rents and yawning chasms half concealed by vines sweeping from every ledge, and shrubs rooted in every crevice. One should see them in the beauty of the morning, as cool, silent and dark; with the dew heavy on rock and shrub, and trembling vine ; mild convolvuli, full-blossomed and rejoicing in the shadow, swinging gaily from every projecting rock. And all through the autumn, while the oaks and maples and the vines, in russet and scarlet and gold, hold their death together, and with the clus- tering masses of golden-rod and purple asters, mock the cedars and hemlocks in their dress of sombre green." (M. L. W., in The Pastime, Washnigton, D. C. Vol. II, No. 5, May, 1884.)
There is probably no better index or key to the distribution of birds in any country than that afforded by the character of the vegetation; should this vary essentially within a given area, a cor- responding difference in the bird-life is a certainty. The author may, therefore, be excused for going somewhat into detail on this subject.
INTRODUCTION. V-
The two extremes of the State present vast differences in the character of their vegetation, as might be expected from climata- logical considerations alone ; but some of the most conspicuous dissimilarities arise from causes quite independent of climate. The southern third is for the most part heavily wooded, the northern and central portions mostly prairie. At least, this was the normal or original condition of things before the planting of orchards and shade trees in the prairie districts, and the clearing of forests in the wooded sections changed somewhat theii- relative proportions. The change thus wrought has been in some respects very great ; but it is asserted (and certainly with truth as regards some sec- tions) that the conversion, by Nature's own hand — though through the agency of civilized man by the stoppage of prairie fires — of what were prairies fifty years ago into what are forests at the present time, has very nearly, if not quite, balanced the extent of deforestation.
The northern Coniferce are scarcely represented in the sylva of the State, only six (out of ten species found in the Northern States) occurring altogether, and nearly all of these solely in the northern tier of counties, and there locally. Thus, of the pines, Pinus banks- iana (gray pine) occurs in Cook and Ogle counties*, and P. strobus (white pine) in Cook, Winnebago, and Ogle counties ; the larch {Larix ajiiericana) in McHenry, Stephenson, and Winnebago counties, Juni- perus sabina, var. procumbens, in Cook county, and the yew {Taxus baccata, var. canaderuis) in Winnebago and Ogle counties ; the only other one occurring in more than two counties being the arbor-vitae {Thvja occidentalis), which has been found in Peoria, Cook and Kane counties. Of the numerous southern and eastern species of Coniferce, only four, or possibly five, occur in Illinois, as follows : The bald cy- press {Taxodium distichum) in the inundated lands of the southern part of the State ; the white cedar {Chamacyparis spihceroidea) in Gal- latin county, and the yellow pine {Pimis mitis) on the rugged south- ern hills. It is supposed that a fifth species, the Jersey scrub pine {Pinus inops), probably occurs with the last species, since it is very abundant on the "knobs" of southern Indiana. Two species of gen- eral distribution, so far as the country at large is concerned, occur both in the northern and southern portions, though they are more or less local, and wanting, too, for the greater part of the State. These are the red cedar {Juniperus virginiana) and common juniper {J. communis).
* Probably in Lee county also (fide Professor Forbes, in epist.)
10 Binos OF ILLINOIS.
As to dicotyledonous trees, it may be said that while only 3 species (t e., wild red cherry, l'runu» pennsiih-ariira; cork elm, Ulmus raef- mosa, uud paper or canoe birch, BttuUi papi/racea,) are confined to the northern portion of the State, at least 33 species are restricted mainly to the southern half, the following coniprisint; the latter list: Cucumber tree {MitijiitilUi acuminata), umiirella tree (M. um- brella), tulip tree (Llriodemlron tulipifera)* , deciduous holly {lUx tlec'ulua). Indian cherry {lihamuus caroiiniana), black locust (liohinia pseudacdcia), water locust (Gliditschia moni)gpcrmii)\, Chicasaw plum {Prunus chicasa), Washinpton thorn {CraUegus cordata), tree haw- thorn {('rat(f(jiis arhorcscens) , narrow-leafed cral>-apple (Fyrax tiiiiiun- ti/ulla), sweet gum {Lupi'idamhar styracijlua), Hercules' club {Aralia sjnnosa), tupelo gum (Xyssa unijlora), farklebeiTy (Vaccinium arbor- eum), southern buckthorn (Bitmcrta lycioidcs), southern iron-wood (li. lamtri'mosa), silver bell tree (llalcsia tctraptcra), western catalpa (Catiilpa speeiosa), "privet" (Forcsticra acinninata), wiuped elm {Ulmus alata), water elm {Planera aquatica), Mississippi hackberry (Ccltis missisitippicnsis), water liickory (Carya tnjiiaticd), small shell- bark (C. microcarpa), overcup oak {Qiicrrus lyruta), Spanish oak (Q. falcata), willow-oak {Q. phvlhs), chinquapin {Castatiea pumila), i)lack alder (Alnuii scrrulata), yellow pine {I'iitus viilis), white cedar {Cliam((cy])(iris splucroidea), and bald cypress {Tujrodium distichum).
The decidedly "Austroriparian" fades presented by the vegetation of the southern counties (north to Wabash and St. Clair) is further illustrated by the parasitic mistletoe (I'lioradi'iidron /larcxccns), the arborescent grass, forest-reed, or switch-cane (Aruiidinaria teda), and the large number of vines, besides the great luxuriance of vege- tation generally. It will be best to treat of each section (so far as the writer possesses the knowledge to do so), under a separate heading, rather than to enter here into further details.
The Lake Shore District (by E. W. Nklson.;) "The region about tin: southern end of Lake Michigan, in Illinois, presents an unusually fertile field for the ornithologist. Situated, as it is, mid- way between the wooded region of the East and the treeless plains of the West, with the warm river bottoms of the South, rich in southern species, extending within a comiiaratively short distance, and the great Lake upon the north, northeastern Illinois forms a kind of "four corners" where the avian-faunie of four regions inter- grade. To the proximity of Lake Michigan we are indebted for a
• North to Vprmlllon iflde Trofesgor Forber, iii episl.)
f North to Illinois River bottons, nenrtho mouth of that stream (Forbes).
: In Bulletin of the Esisex Institute (Halem, Moss.), Vol. VIII, 1876, pp. 90-!)2.
INTRODUCTION. 11
number of more or less strictly maritime species, among the most important of which are, during summer, Ammodromas caudacutus, jEgialitis melcdas and Anas obscura, and, during the migrations, Strepsilds interpres, Tringa bonapartei, T. maritima, T. canuta, Cali- dris arenaria, with all the common water-birds, with very few exceptions, found upon the coast at that season. In winter the list is larger, during which season are found Histrionicus torqtiatus, Harelda glacialis, the three species of CEdemia, Somaieria moUissima, S. spectabilis, Stercorarius potnatorhinus, Larus glaucus, L. letiropterus, L. mariims, and Rissa tridactyla.
"As would be expected, the southern species occur only in sum- mer, with the exception of Lophophancs bicolor, which is found only in winter. The principal southern species are : Mimus polyglottus, Parus carolinensis, Thryothorus ludovicianus, T. bewicki, Protonotaria citrea, Dendrceca var. albilora, D. c.cendea, Oporornis formosus, Icteria virens, Myiodioctes mitratus, Pyranga (estiva, CoUario var. Ivdoviciana, Cardiiialis virginianus, Centurus carolinus, Nauclerus forficatus, Rhi- nogryj>lms aura, Tantalus loculator, Gallimda martinica, Porzana jamaicensis. Sterna rcgia and iS'. antdlarum.
"We also have, either as residents or transient visitants, the fol- lowing western species : Myiadestes towiisendi, Vireo belli (breeds), Hesperiphona vespertina, Plectrophanes pictus, Ammodromus lecontei, Zonotrichia var. intermedia, Z. coronata, Z. querula, Spisella pallida (breeds), Eremophila var. leucolcema (breeds), Sturnella var. neglecta (breeds), Scolecophagus cyanocephalus. Pica var. hudsonica, Chordeiles var. henryi (breeds), Buteo var. calurus (breeds?), B. swainsoni (breeds?) Tringa bairdii, Steganopus ivilsoni (breeds), and numerous others less strictly western.
"Not only is the influence of the Lake upon the fauna shown by the occurrence of numerous species of birds, attracted by the pres- ence of a large body of water with its congenial surroundings, but the influence of the Lake upon the climate and the vegetation in its immediate vicinity has a marked influence upon the list of sum- mer residents.
"As is well known, the country bordering upon the great lakes possesses an average lower temperature during summer, and a higher temperature during the winter, than the surrounding dis- tricts. This has a decided effect upon the movements and distri- bution of the birds in the vicinity of these large bodies of water.
"This influence is seen in a retardation, often of a week or more, in the spring migration, and in the scarcity of small woodland
I'-i UUiDH OJ? ILLINOIS.
species during the breeding season. Although birds are exceedingly nuoiurous hero during the uiigrutions, and the number of species found during the summer compares favorably with the number found at the same season in other localities having the same latitude, they are represented by decidedly few individuals. This fact is especially noticeable after one has passed a day in the marshes of the vicinity, where the abundance of numerous marsh and water birds, both iii species and individuals, would lead one to suppose the woods were equally favored.
"The limits of the field discussed in this paper embrace two counties, Cook county upon the south, and Lake county upon the north. Each possesses certain topot,'nipliical peculiarities. Cook county is mainly prairie land, interspersed with ridges and groves of timber, the former of which generally extend jjaraliel to the lake shore. Near the southeastern portion of the county the surface of the prairie is but slightly above the level of the lake. Through this county flows the Calumet river, along which are extensive marshes, which form a favorite haunt for various waterfowl. Along the lake shore, in northwestern Indiana, extending thence slightly into Illinois, is the Pinery, a peculiar, sandy, barren tract of land partly covered by a sparse growth of pines and deciduous underbrush, with, near the lake, patches of juniper. Lake county has much more woodland, and is more hilly or rolling than Cook county. Extend- ing along the lake shore, from the northern border of the State nearly the entire length of this county, is a tract quite similar to the Pinery before described, except that here the sandhills near the lake are nearly covered with the junipers (JiDiiperiin commiiitU). Throughout this county are scattered a large number of small lakes, many of which have a marshy border and are much fre- quented by waterfowl, both during the migrations and the breeding season.
"The woods near Lake Michigan, in both these counties, are upon ridges extending parallel to the lake shore, which are separated by belts of prairie. These ridges form convenient highways for the woodland species during the migrations. The water i)irds either follow the lake shore or the river courses. The migrations of the latter are almost directly north and south, but with the woodland species it is quite different. They follow the heavily wooded river bottoms from the south, and approach the sparsely wooded States along the upper Mississippi in immense numbers, where they swerve toward the heavily wooded region of the noi'thern lake region, where
INTRODUCTION. 13
they find extensive breeding grounds. This change in the direction of their migration causes them to move diagonally across the northern half of Illinois toward the northeast. To this we are in- debted for the vast numbers of migrants found along the lake in this vicinity. Weary from their flight up the Mississippi and Illinois rivers, they halt along the inviting ridges bordering along the lake. After a short rest they resume their northward way, striking boldly across the lake towards their summer homes in northern Michigan and beyond. I have many times stood upon a wooded bluff on the lake shore and seen flock after flock of warblers and other small birds pass out of sight over the lake.
"The fall migration is less uniform, the birds straggling along in such a manner that it is difficult to trace any movement except a general inclination to the south. A severe storm upon the lake during the spring migration works sad havoc among the birds, for when a fog arises they become bewildered and perish by thousands, and large numbers are washed ashore. An instance of this kind occurred the last of May, 1876, when I counted over two hundred birds, representing over fifty species, in walking about a mile along the lake shore."
The Prairies. The author's personal acquaintance with the prairies, their vegetation and their fauna, is very limited. In his section of the State, there is no open or uncultivated prairie nearer to Mount Carmel than 25 miles, the nearest one being Allison's Prairie, opposite the city of Vincennes, Indiana.
In Jasper and Eichland counties, prairies of considerable size occur. They are offshoots or arms of the Grand Prairie, although each particular arm or "bay" has its own distinctive name. A few miles west of Olney, Eichland county, lies Fox Prairie ; and to the southeast of this (the wooded bottoms of the Fox River and tribu- taries intervening) is Sugar Creek prairie. These two are the only prairies which the writer has explored ornithologically.
The first visit to Fox Prairie was made on the 8th of June, 1871, the writer and his companions arriving a little before noon. A rolling plain spread before us, the farther side bounded by timber, while the prairie itself was free from tree or brush, except where some intersecting stream was followed by a narrow line of thickets, interspersed with occasional fair-sized and gracefully formed elms ; or along the edge, where the jungle of sumac, thorn-bushes, wild plum, hazel, etc., backed by young oak and hickory trees, showed plainly the encroachment of the woodland. Herds of horses and
14 BIRDS OF UlilNOIU.
cattle scattered about over the prairfe, and two or tliree nt-:it farm houaeH, witb their atteiidaut orchiirdH and cullivated ground, made U8 realize that we were yet within the bounds of comfortable civil- ization ; otlu-rwise, the landscape jirosented much of its primitive aspect. The day was a delightful one; for, although the heat ranged above 80°, the fresh prairie breeze tempered it to a delight- ful mildness. Resting upon the cool, green-sward in the shade of a large elm in the hollow, our ears were delighted by such a chorus of bird-songs as we have heard nowhere else. Among the leafy arches overhead tlie Baltimore Orioles whistled their mellow riute- like notes, ncoompanied by soft, contented warble and joyous rarol of the Warliiing and lied-eyed Vireos ; the birds of the meadow were chanting on every hand their several ditties, while the breeze wafted to us the songs of various woodland species. In the scrubby jungle a Mocking-bird fairly filled the air with his rich mcdly of varied notes, the singer leaping in restless ecstacy from branch to branch, with drooping wings and spread tail, or Hitting from tree to tree as he sang. A Brown Thrasher poured forth a ceaseless accompani- ment as he sat perched sedately upon the summit of a small vine- canopied tree — a contrast in bearing to the restive, sportive Mimna, his rival in vigor, and superior in sweetness, of song. Several Yellow-breasted Chats interpolated their loud cat-calls, vehement whistlings, and croaking notes. These three, loudest of the song- sters, well nigh drowned the voices of the smaller birds ; but in the brief intervals — "between the acts" — were heard the line and sweet, though plaintive, song of the little Field Sparrow, the pleasant notes of the Cliewink, the rich whistlings of the Cardinal, and the clear, proud call of Bob White. Upon proceeding to the thickets and thus interrupting the louder songsters, the wondrously strong and vehement notes of the "Chickty-beaver Bird" or White-eyed Vireo greeted us from the tangled copse, and soon a song we had never heard before — the gabbling, sputtering harangue of Bell's Yireo — attracted our attention and, of course, our interest. In the more open woods marking the border of tlie timber the several woodland species were noticed; there the Vermilion Tanager or Summer l!ed- bird warbled his Robin-like but fine and well-sustained song, the Blue-jays chuckled and screamed as they prowled among the branches, and gaudy Red- headed Woodpeckers flaunted their tri- colored livery as they sported about the trunks or occasional dead tree-tops.
INTEODCCTION. 15
On the open prairie, comparative quiet reigned. The most numerous bird there was "Dick Cissel" (Spisa aviericana), who monopolized the iron-weeds, uttering his rude but agreeable ditty with such regularity and persistence that the general stillness seemed scarcely broken ; hardly less numerous Henslow's Buntings were like- wise perched upon the weed-stalks, and their weak but emphatic se-wick sounded almost like a faint attempt at imitation of Dick Cissel's song. The grasshopper-like wiry trill of the Yellow-winged Sparrow; the meandering, wavering warble of the Prairie Lark {Otocoris alpestris praticola) — coming apparently from nowhere, but in reality from a little speck floating far up in the blue sky, — and the sweet "peek — you caii't see me" of the Meadow-lark, completed the list of songs heard on the open prairie. Many kinds of birds besides those already described were seen, but to name them all would require too much space. We should not, however, omit to mention the elegant Swallow-tailed Kites, which now and then wheeled into view as they circled over the prairie, or their cousins and companions, the Mississippi Kites, soaring above them through the transparent atmosphere; nor must we forget a pair of croaking ravens who, after circling about for a short time over the border of the woods, flew away to the heavy timber in the Fox River bottoms. Early in the following August we paid a second visit to the same spot, and found a material change in its aspect. A season of universal drought having passed, the prairie, which before was com- paratively brown and sober in its coloring, was bedecked with flowers of varied hue. The Mocking-birds, Brown Thrashers, Chats, and most of the other songsters, were silent, but the shrill screech of a large species of Cicada repeatedly startled us as we brushed against the weeds, while numerous grasshoppers were far more noisy than the birds. As we came well out on the prairie, however, a beautiful and unlooked-for sight appeared; in short, we were com- pletely transfixed by the to us novel spectacle of numerous exquisitely graceful Swallow-tailed Kites floating about on bouyant wing, now gliding to the right or left, then sweeping in broad circles, and approaching so near that several were easily shot. Soaring lightly above them were many Mississippi Kites, of which one would now and then close its wings and plunge downward, as if to strike the very earth, but instantly checking the velocity of its fall by sudden spreading of the wings, would then shoot upward again almost to
IG BIRDS OP IIXINOIS.
the height from which it had descended. When two or more passed one another at ojjpoaite angles— as frequently hajjpened— the sight was heautiful in the extreme.
The total number of species observed during these two trips, within the bounds of the prairie itself, numbered about ninety-five on each occasion; while the surrounding woodlands, cultivated grounds and river bottoms added so many more, that a total of about one hundred and forty species were ascertained to. in all probability, breed upon an area live miles square, having for its centre the portion of the prairie whore we made our investigations. Of this grand total, only twenty-five were water-birds, the remainder of one hundri'd and fifteen species of laud-birds being, perhaps, as large a number of regular summer residents as any locality of equal extent in North America can boast.
A third visit to this prairie was made early in June, 1883— exactly twelve years after the lirst trip. The change which had taken place in the interval was almost beyond belief. Instead of an absolutely open prairie some six miles broad by ten in extreme length, covered with its original characteristic vegetation, there revmiiied oiili/ KtU acres vol under fence. With this insignificant exception, the entire area was covered by thriving farms, with their neat cottages, capa- cious barns, lields of com and wheat, and even extensive orchards of peach and apple trees. The transformation was complete; and it was only by certain ineffacable landmarks that we were able to identify the locality of our former visits. As a consequence, we searched in vain for the characteristic prairie birds. Upon the unenclosed tract of ICO acres — a common grazing ground for the herds of the neighborhood— Dick Cissels, Ilenslow's Buntings, Yellow- winged Sparrows, and the Meadow-larks were abundant as ever; and running in the road, now wallowing in the dust, then alighting upon a fence stake, were plenty of Prairie Larks (Olocoris); but — shades of Audubon !— equally numerous were the detestable and de- tested European House Sparrow, already ineradicably established. We searched in vain for Bell's Yireo, for all the thickets had been de- stroyed. Neither was a solitary kite, of either species, to be seen. We left our beautiful prairie with sad heart, disgusted with the change (however beneficent to humanity) which civilization had wrought.
The same is the history of all the smaller prairies in many por- tions of the State; and it will probably not be many years before a prairie in its primitive condition cannot be found within the hmite of Illinois.
INTEODUCTION. 17
The Southern Bottom Lands. As a typical example of a lo- cality i^resenting the characteristic features of the southern bottom- lands, I shall select, for special description, the "Cypress Swamps" of Knox county, Indiana, which, to the writer, have been the scene both of many fruitful exiilorations and delightful memories.
The series of ponds~which, together with their connecting "sloughs," constitute the so-called cypress swamps, are situated on the point of land known as "The Neck," a sort of peninsula between the mouth of White Eiver, on the south and east, and the Wabash, on the west. The most southerly of these ponds lies about two miles to the northeast of Mount Carmel, in a direct line; and interspersed through the forest, at distances from one another of from a hun- dred yards or less to perhaps a quarter of a mile, are other ponds, varying in their shape, extent and character. Those best known are designated as the "Cypress," "Forked," "Beaver-dam," and "Washburne's " ponds, the latter being the largest. They all drain, by connecting swamps, into White river, a short distance above the mouth of the latter stream, through a crooked ditch, known as the "White Eiver slough," deeply cut through the alluvial soil and everywhere overshadowed by dense forest.
Some of these ponds are mostly open, but others are filled with willow trees {Salix nigra), averaging perhaps 50 feet, but occasion- ally growing more than 70 feet, in height, but of slender form; while even the open ponds have a bordering fringe of these trees, occasionally mixed with swamp cottonwood {Popnlus heterophylla). In the swampy tracts between the ponds grow dense and tangled thickets of button-bush {Cephalanthus occidentalis), clumps of black alder or water holly (Ilex verticillata), tall stems of Amorpha fruticosa, and occasional crooked, thorny trees of the water locust (Glediischia nwnosperma). The open portions of the ponds are in summer choked with a rank growth of various aquatic plants, the "spatter- dock" {Nuphar advena) prevailing, but giving way in deeper water to the beautiful western pond lily {Nymphcea tuberosa).
The southern cypress {Taxodium distichum) — here almost at its northern limit — formerly grew in abundance and attained magnifi- cent proportions about the borders of the ponds and in the inter- vening swamps, as well as along the main "slough," but at present few fine trees are to be seen. Nowhere do they now form the ex- clusive or even prevailing growth, but are scattered singly or in groups among tall sycamores, ashes {Fraodnus americana), sweet
gums {Liquidamhar styracijiua) , water oaks {Quercus palustris) and —2
IB BIRDS OF ILLINOIS.
otber moisture-loving trees, and attain an average height of about 100 feet. Good-sized l)ircheH, lietula n'ujra (and leiita'), also grow along the margins of the ponds. It should be added that these ponds are nowhere very deep, and that they consequently sometimes become uoniploti'ly dry in seasons of extreme drought.
The surroundings of these ponds consist of continuous magnificent forest (now deprived of many of its finest trees and no doubt doomed to early destruction), comprising everywhere a mixed growtli, em- bracing altogctlier more than fifty species of trees, among which oaks (11 species) and hickories (5 species) predominate, although the sweet gum, black gum {Nyssa sylcatica), box-elder {Xrgundo aceroidcn), white elm (Ulmits americnna), honey-locust (Glnlitsrhia triacaiithos), coffee-bean (G ymnodadus canadensis), black walnut (Juy- lans nigra), hackberries {Oellis cccidentalis and mississippiensis), tulip tree {Liriodoidnm tidipifera), and other species are (or were) also abundant; there are also a few beeches (Fayns fcrrnyinea), and black cherries (Prunus serotina), besides occasional specimens of the beautiful C(it(dpa speciosa. These woods are very open, it being comparatively easy, in many places, to drive through them with a light wagon. There is almost no shrubby undergrowth, the usual underwoods consisting of red-bud {Ccrvis canndcmfix), dog-wood {Cormis jloridti), pawpaw {Asimina triloba), and mulberry {Morii.i rubra) here attaining the stature of good-sized trees. The unob- structed sunlight, which, directly or by reflection and diffusion, freely permeates all portions of these beautiful forests, promotes the development of a luxuriant and varied lurbaceous growth— grasses, sedges, ferns, flags, balsam-plants {Impatunit ftdra and pallidu), car- dinal flower {Lobelia eardinalis), etc., according to locality, and others far too numerous to mention ; even the decaying logs are covered with weeds, thus presenting the appearance of miniature gardens. Other characteristic features are the abundance and luxuriance of climbing plants, embracing no less than four (probably five) species of wild grape, the Virginia creeper {Ampelopsis quinqucforui), cross- vine {Biynonia capreolata), trumpet-flower {Tecoma radicans), pipe- vine {Arintoloehia tomentosa) and others, not forgetting the far too abundant poison vine (Bhus to.rieodendron). The switch-cane {Arun- dinaria iecta) occasionally chiefly monopolizes the soil, and the scouring rush (Kquisetum liyemale) sometimes constitutes the exclu- sive growth, but only in a few places of limited extent.
It is because of this abundance of sunlight and exuberance of vegetation, that these woods surpass all others in abundance of
INTRODUCTION. 19
bird-life, and therefore afford the richest field for the ornithologist. The willows are the chosen home of the Prothonotary Warbler {Protonotaria citrea); the undergrowth, of the Hooded and Blue- winged Yellow Warblers {Sylvania jnitrata and Helminthophila pinus); ducks and other aquatic species have a secure home in the shelter of the water-lilies ; herons build their nests in the lofty tops, and turkey buzzards hide their young in the hollow bases, of the gigantic sycamores. Thirty years or more ago. Parakeets {Conurus caroUii- ensis) disturbed the solitude or drowned the voices of the songsters by their piercingly shrill screeching notes, but they have long since vanished, never to return. The turkey still lingers, how- ever, but must surely disappear when its shelter shall have passed away.
Climate. The climatic conditions of Eastern North America are remarkably uniform, as might be expected from the exceeding simplicity of its topographical features. The Alleghany mountains, although sufficiently elevated to carry on their summits many Canadian types, both of plants and animals, quite to the southern limits of the range, in northern Georgia and Alabama, yet form so slight a barrier that a very large majority of the species in both the animal and vegetable kingdoms are common to the Atlantic seaboard and the Mississippi Valley. In fact, diversity of flora in the two regions is usually due chiefly to local causes — character of soil and geological formation — it being a common circumstance to find localities along the Atlantic coast and in the interior which more resemble one another in their vegetation than do contiguous localities in either district.
It is a well known fact, however, that in the interior of large continents the climate reaches greater extremes of temperature than in the same latitudes along the seacoast; and this principle applies to the districts here under consideration, though to a very slight extent. From the meteorological records of the United States Signal Office, we are able to deduce the information that, as a rule, in cases where the mean annual temperature is essentially the same at places of corresponding latitude on the Atlantic coast and in the Mississippi Valley, the annual range is greater in the latter; that is, the maximum heat of summer and minimum cold of winter excel those of the former. The rainfall also, as a rule, is somewhat heavier along the coast. There are many exceptions, however, to these rules, and instances can be found where, according to the records, they are reversed.
20 BIRDS OF ILUNOIS.
With regard to this snbject we cannot, in the present work, enter into detail, liiit must be content with presenting a few diita by way of illustration of the above remarks.
In the "Tables and Results of the Precipitation, in Rain and Snow in the United States," collected and published (in 187"2 and 1K81) by the Smithsonian Institution, Professor Charles A. Schott, the compiler, recognizes (pp. 127 — 183 of first edition, 197-203 of second edition), ten geographical areas, each of which is characterized by marked peculiarities in the distribution and quantity of the rainfall. Illinois comes chiefly if not entirely within "Type IV" pf these regions, including the Ohio Valley, which is characterized as follows : "One principal maximum, and one principal minimum; the former early in June, the latter early in February. Range, moderate." This region is to be compared, in the illustration of our subject, with "Type I. Atlantic seacoast from Porllund to ]Vash'ui<iton," which has "Three nearly equal maxima, about the middle of May, .August and December, and one principal minimum about the beginning of
February;" "the range between the extreme monthly values
small," and "the August maximum generally the highest."
These are, however, mere technical differences, only appreciable to, or recognizable by, the meteorologist.
With the following data* we shall dismiss this subject : —
I. Comparath-c viean annual temperature and rainfall. Chicago.— hat. 41^52' alt. G60.92 feet.
Mean annual temperature (8 years) 49"1.
Total annual rainfall (8 year8( 8r).27 inches.
Boston.— hat. 42 21', alt. 142.19 feet.
Mean annual temperature (9 years) 48''4.
Total annual rainfall (9 years) 50.82 inches.
Lidianapolis, Ind.— hat. 89^47', alt. 746.58 feet.
Mean annual temperature (1 year) - • .53"3.
Total annual rainfall (8 years) 45.22 inches.
Philadelphia, Pfl.— Lat. :31' r>7, alt. 52.42 feet.
Mean annual temperature (9 years) 5;V1.
Total annual rainfaU (8 year8( 42.93 inches.
•Compiled from the Annual Reports ot the Chief Signal Offlce. C. S. Army, 1871-1880.
INTKODUCTION.
21
Cincinnati, 07iio.— Lat. 39-6', alt. 620.42 feet.
Mean annual temperature (8 years) 5o°3.
Total annual rainfall (8 years) 42.39 inches.
Baltimore, Md.—Lat. 39=28', alt. 45.19 feet.
Mean annual temperature (8 years) 5o'5.
Total annual rainfall (8 years) 42.46 feet.
St. Louis, Mo.— Lat. 38^37', alt. 567.67 feet.
Mean annual temperature (8 years) 55=5.
Total annual rainfall (8 years) « 39.67 inches.
Washington, D. C— Lat. 38=53', alt. 105.56 feet.
Mean annual temperature (9 years) 55°1.
Total annual rainfull (9 years) 42.73 inches.
n. Comparative mean monthly and annual temperature and rainfall at Cairo, Illinois, flat. 37°0', alt. 3?7.35 ft. J and Norfolk, Virginia Clat. 36^51', alt. 54.50 ft.) , for 10 -years.
Maximum Mean Annual Temperature for 10 Years.
|
it P o |
P |
a ?3 |
> |
9 |
c •< |
(R C CD |
a o p |
O o cr |
o < B |
b a a. B |
> a a Bg |
|||
|
o o |
■< |
•< |
. |
i |
c at |
ji |
cr |
a |
||||||
|
Cairo |
187S39.8 |
1 1 44.7 57.8 64.3 |
68 1 |
7.S P |
S2.7 81,2 |
70 fi |
•W 0 |
50 1 |
3.<i '^ |
59 62 |
||||
|
Norfolk |
1876 47 7 |
45.0 iA ."i.Vi S |
65.7 |
"S 1 |
81 7 7S 9 «<) 7 |
56.8 |
49.4 |
:«.6 |
58.92 |
|||||
Minimu7n Mean Annual Temperature for 10 Years.
Cairo 1875 28.3 32.9 44.8 54.8
Norfolk 1872 35.0 37. 0j39. 0 57.0
65. S 68.0
74.2178.9 ~3.6!67.5l.W.2f45.9 45-6 55.62 76. 0 81. 0;79. 0 72.6158. 9,46. 2 36. 8 57.20
I I I I I I I
|
Average Mean Annual Temperature for 8 Years. |
||
|
Cairo |
57 9 |
|
|
Norfolk |
||
|
Mean Annnal Rainfallfo |
• iO Year |
S. |
|||||||||||
|
P |
a- c -I |
g |
2^ |
c B © |
c |
> a in c 03 |
m a •a 1 cr |
C o o a* ? |
o B c 0) |
O o a a 3 cr o |
1^ o |
||
|
Cairo Norfolk |
2. 973. no ■J.5ut3.(l,i |
4.39 4.21 |
4.31 3 98 |
3.80,4.64 3 2714 0-2 |
3.33 5.36 |
2.88 6 36 |
2.51 18. 02 4 9l'3 fi9 |
4.06 3.42 3 83 4 3ii |
42.83 50 54 |
||||
*The comparative rainfall of the two localities, as given in the report of the Clilef
Signal OfBcer for 1880, is as follows:—
Cairo. 8 years. (1S71-79) 45.09 inches.
Norfolk ., 53.83
22
DtHDB OF ILLINOIS.
Observations tukon at West Saleui, Eilwanls Co., UlinoiB, (lat. 38"' 30', lonf,'. SS ), for 1 years, f;ive almost exactly the same total precipitation for the year as that which, according to the above table, has been ascertained for Cairo, the difference amounting to only .(>0 of an inch. The monthly means are considerably dif- ferent, however, as the following will show. In this tabic are also included the results of observations at New Harmony, Posey Co., Indiana, (lat. 38" .08', long. 87^ 50'), for 12 years — both being com- piled from the Smithsonian tables of precipitation, above referred to:—
|
Ch |
•0l» |
> |
B |
cl <:, |
> |
IE |
O |
5P! |
tl |
K |
|||
|
= |
o |
||||||||||||
|
C |
C -1 c |
3 |
2. |
*< |
s |
: |
i |
•a o R |
o IS |
< a, 3 |
® B |
p 1 |
|
|
»«a |
•-I |
•1 |
er |
a |
|||||||||
|
^ |
o n |
n |
|||||||||||
|
Wflfit Kdlrtm, 4 years |
1 1 1 2.8r.:t.4T2.n4 3.«t4.!ifl4.50 |
4. Si |
3 42 |
2.83 |
1.74 |
4.09 4 13 |
42.2;i |
||||||
|
Nftw Hurmony. IJ yeuiB |
•J. 77 2.01;*. 40 3. 641 3. 76 4. lO 1 1 |
3.U |
n.m |
3.87 |
2.25 |
3.21 3 W |
38.75 |
The rainfall is apportioned to the different seasons, as follows:-
|
•a «9 |
00 c B S ■-I |
i |
s |
|
|
10.34 10. Wi |
12.77 io.:ri |
8.66 933 |
10.46 |
|
|
New Huriuon>*. I2yeiirs |
8.37 |
|||
The maximum and minimum mean annual rainfalls, during the years of observation, at the above mentioned localities was as follows :
West Salem.— Maximum (1858) 51 .00 inches.
Minimum (1859) 41 02
New Harmony. — Maximum (1855) 48.11 "
Minimum (185(.)) 23.18 "
Meteorological observations have been taken regularly at Mount Carmel during the past few years by Mr. James Pool, recently ap- pointed U. S. Signal Observer, who lias kuully favored me with the following data:
Mean monthly temperature and total precipitation, for the year 187G. (Three obervations daily, viz., at 7 A. M., 2 P. M., and 9 P. M., local time.)
INTEODUCTION.
23
|
Precipita- tion. |
Mean temperat're |
||
|
9 35 2.71 5.04 3.33 1.7rt b.-H 1.68 3.81 2.f)3 1.74 2.10 1.95 |
42.1° |
||
|
February - |
39 6 |
||
|
411,6 |
|||
|
April . |
6(i.l |
||
|
May |
(IS.l |
||
|
74 0 |
|||
|
July |
80,1 |
||
|
August . . ,...-. |
7li,2 |
||
|
(17. 3 |
|||
|
Of lober |
54.9 |
||
|
November |
41.0 |
||
|
23.4 |
|||
|
42.39 iu. |
|||
|
55.3'' |
|||
The largest rainfall in 24 hours during 1876 was 2.60 inches. The maximum heat for the year was 97°, and greatest degree of cold during the winter 1876-7 was 0° (zero).
Rainfall during the year commencing June 16, 1884, was as follows :
June 0,38
July 2.05
August 1-29
Beptfimber 5.35
October 2.33
November 1.97
December 7,59
January 3.81
February 1.48
March 0,95
April 1,69
May 2,75
June 3.59
Tot^lfor the year 35.23 inches.
Maximum precipitation during 24 hours in 1883 4.40 inches.
Maximum precipitation during 24 hours from June 16,
1884, to June 15, 1885 2.09 inches.
Maximum temperature for summer of 1884 +98°
1885 +98
Minimum temperature for winter of 1883-4 — 25°
1884-5 —15°
The following are a few of the unusually heavy rainfalls for localities in Illinois as recorded in the report of the Chief Signal Officer for 1880:
Louisville: 2 inches in 5 hours (Jan. 2, 1880), 5 inches in 2 hours (July 1, 1878). Peoria: 3.94 inches (May 8, 1880). Rack Idand: 3.74 inches (June 1, 1880). Cairo: 3 inches in 90 minutes (June 27, 1879). Elmira: 3.29 inches in 1 hour 55 minutes (August 19, 1878.) Chicago: 4.14 mehes (July 26, 1878).
24
BIRDS OF ILLINOIS.
II. Characteristic Features of the Avikalxa of the State.
General Remarks. Observntiou-s iu many sections of the State from which wo as yet have no data, and also more extended inves- tigations in those sections already explored, are necessary before we can have an accurate knowledge of the distribution of the spe- cies within our limits. At present we know the subject merely in outline, and what we assume to know is undoubtedly subject to greater or less modification — according to the species involved — in the light of future information. The following tables are, therefore, to be considered as provisional, and as expressing merely the author's present knowledge of the subject, based in part on his own explorations, but to a greater extent on the published records of other observers.
|
A. Species which hnrc been |
ohscrv |
|
|
Hon of the State, many of them |
rcgith |
|
|
1. |
Meruliv mieratoriu. |
3t. |
|
11^ |
Sialiiislalis. |
35. |
|
3. |
UpKuliis satrapa. |
36. |
|
4. |
Parus bicolor. |
37. |
|
5. |
Parus atricaplllus. |
38. |
|
11. |
SItta carollnensls. |
3.1. |
|
7. |
Sitta canadonBis. |
■Id. |
|
8. |
Tliryothonis liniovloianua. |
41. |
|
». |
TrogloUytos hyemalis. |
42. |
|
10. |
Antlius ponsllvanious. |
43. |
|
u. |
Lanius ludovieanus. |
44. |
|
VI. |
Ampolls codrorum. |
45. |
|
i:i. |
CarpoJaou3 purpureus. |
46. |
|
14. |
Lo.'cia minor. |
47. |
|
15. |
Lo.\la leucoptern. |
48. |
|
16. |
Acaothlb lltmriu. |
49. |
|
17. |
Spinu8 tiistis. |
50. |
|
18. |
Calcarlus lapponlcus. |
51. |
|
19. |
Zouotrlehia albicollis. |
52. |
|
3). |
Splzulla moutleola. |
53. |
|
21. |
Junco hyemalis. |
64. |
|
22. |
Cai'dlDalis eardinalia. |
55. |
|
23. |
Sturnolla maena. |
6i;. |
|
•HI |
. Hturnella noclei'ta. |
57. |
|
25. |
Oorvua Blnuatiis. |
68. |
|
26. |
Corvus americaiins. |
59. |
|
27. |
Cyanoclttaerislata. |
6"). |
|
28. |
Otocoris alpestrla. |
61. |
|
2!!. |
Otoeorls alpestris praticolo. |
62. |
|
»0. |
Dryobatos villosiis. |
6:t. |
|
31, |
Dryobates pubescons. |
64. |
|
32. |
Sphyraptcus varius. |
C5. |
|
33. |
Ceophlouus piloatus. |
66. |
•ed in Winter over the greater por-
ir Winter residents.
Melaoorpes caroliDus. Melanerpes crythroeuphalus. Colaptes auratus. Aslo wllsonianus. Aslo acclpitrinus. Nyctala aeadica. Mp(ta.soops a.sio. Bubo virelnianus. Syrnium nobulosuin. Falco pereerinus. Fnlco oolumbarlus. Falco sparvorlu8. Circus hudsonlus. Aocipitor atricaplllus. Acclplter oooperi. Accipltorivelox. Buteo borealis. Butco lineatus. Butoo pennsylranicus. Archibuteo sancti-jobannls. Aquila ohrysaitos. HaliiBOtus leucoccphalus. Ectoplstos mlBratorla, Melea^ris eallopavo. Bonasa umbellus. Tympanuchus pinnatua. Ooliniis vlrcinianus. Ardea hurodlim. Olor buccinator. Olor columblanus. Chen byporboreua. Chen cojruloscens. AnserKumboli.
INTRODUCTION.
25
|
67. |
Branta canadensis. |
|
68. |
Branta hutehinsii. |
|
69. |
Anas boschas. |
|
70. |
Anas obseura. |
|
71. |
Auas strepera. |
|
72. |
Daflla acuta. |
|
73. |
Anas amerioana. |
|
74. |
Auas diseors. |
|
75. |
Anas earolinensis. |
|
76. |
Aythyavallisneria. |
|
77. |
Aythya americana. |
|
78. |
Glauoionetta islandica. |
|
79. |
Glauoionetta amerioana. |
80. Charitonetta albeola.
81. Histrionicus hiistrionieus,
82. Clangula hyemalis.
83. Oidemia perspieillata.
84. Merganser amerieanus.
85. Merganser serrator.
86. Lophodytes eueullatus.
87. Larus argentatus.
88. Larus delawarensis.
89. Colymbus holboelli.
90. Urinator imber.
91. Urinator lumme.
B. Species which have been observed in Winter only in the Southern portion of the State, (latitude of Mount Carmel, or furtlier South).
The following list is based in part upon the observations of Mr.
Cyrus W. Butler, "during the month of December and January, "in
the vicinity of Anna, Union Co., lat. 37° 30', as recorded by Mr.
W. W. Cooke, in Forest and Stream for Jan. 1 and 8, 1885,* but
chiefly on the author's observations at Mount Carmel, about one
degree farther northward.
Molotlirus ater.
Xanthoeephalus xanthoeephalus.
Agelaius plioeniceus.
Seolecopliagus carolinus.
(Seolecophagus eyanocephalus.)
Quisealus sneus.!
Sayornis phcebe.
Ceryle alcyon.
Stris pratineola.
Pandion earolinensis.
Catliartes aura.
Catharista atrata.
Zenaidura macroura.
Nyetieorax naevius.
Botaurus lentiginosus,
iEgialitis vooiterus.
Piiilohela minor.
Gallinago delicata.
Eallus elegans.
Rallus virginianus.
Porzana Carolina.
Porzana noveboraeensis.
Porzana jamaicensis.
Gallinula galeata.
Fuliea americana.
Spatula clypeata.
Aix sponsa.
Ayttiya marila.
* See Bibliography, p. 42.
tProfessor Forbes writes me that "Mr. Garman has shot this species a little past the middle of winter near Normal," (McLean county).
;Has been known to winter at Normal [fide Professor Forbes).
|
1. |
Turdus pallasi. |
28. |
|
la |
. Turdus swainsoni. |
29. |
|
2. |
Mimus polyglottos. |
30. |
|
3. |
Galeoscoptes earolinensis. |
31. |
|
4. |
Harporhynchus rufus. |
32. |
|
5. |
Regulus calendula.t |
83. |
|
6?, |
. Parus earolinensis. |
34. |
|
7. |
Certhia americana. |
35. |
|
8. |
Thryothorus bewickii. |
36. |
|
9. |
Cistothorus palustris. |
37. |
|
10. |
Cistothorus stellaris. |
38. |
|
11. |
Dendroiea coronata. |
39. |
|
12. |
Dendroica pinus. |
40?. |
|
13. |
Dendroiea palmarum. |
41. |
|
14. |
Seiurus noveboraeensis. |
42. |
|
15. |
PoocEEtes gramineus. |
43. |
|
16. |
Ammodramus savanna. |
44. |
|
17. |
.\mmodramus passerinus. |
45. |
|
18. |
Ammodramus henslowi. |
46. |
|
19. |
Ammodramus leeontei. |
47. |
|
20. |
Zonotrichia leucophyrs. |
48. |
|
21. |
Spizellasooialis. |
49. |
|
22. |
Spizella pusilla. |
50. |
|
23. |
Melospiza fasciata. |
51. |
|
24. |
Melospiza georgiana. |
52. |
|
25. |
Melospiza lincolni. |
53. |
|
26. |
Passerelia iliaea. |
54, |
|
27. |
Pipilo erythrophthalmua. |
55. |
20
bIKl>S Of ILLINOIS.
M. Aytliyu iilllula. 60. (Htoroorarius lonKlciiuduaJ
.'.". Aythyai'ollurln. 61. ColyiiihuH aurltuB.
M. Krismaturu rubido. Ki, Col>mbUHcull(orDicus.
!>'■>. I'buluvrocorujc dilopbus. Si. Podllymbus podlceps.
Note.— The lotorroKalion mark pretlxeO to bodik of the above Hpeelcs. Impllus doubt iiM to wbolliKr Iboy uro restricted, us wliiler roBldcni.s, to the Houthern portion of ibe Mtiito. Upe>'lo8 uucloaed In parenthesis may be considered as accidental. beluK baaed on u sinRlo known occurrence.
C. Sprcics occurring in hut not yet observed as far
1. (Myudcstes townsendU
2. (Slalin urctlcu.)
3. (Purus liudxonicus.)
4. Lanlus borenlis.
6. Ampi'lls Kurrultis.
6. Coccothraustes vespertinaa.
7. Plnleola enuclcator.
8. AcnnthlM cxilipos.
9. Aeanlhis rostratus.
10. riectrophenax nivalis.
11. Calearlus plctus.
Vi. iRhynohophanes maccownl.)
1.1. (Plea huilsonlca.)
14. Plcoides arcllcus.
15. Ulula clnoreii.
III. Nyctala riebardsonl.
Note.— Species In parenthesis
Winter in the Northern portion of the State, South as Mount Carmcl, are the following:
17. Bubo subarcUcus.
18. Hurula I'aparoch.
19. (LiiKopus liieopus.) '2(1. SomatPrla dresserl.
21. Homaterla spnctabiiis.
22. OidoDiia amerlcana.
23. Oidemia velvellna. U. liissa tridaetylu.
25. Larus elauous.
26. Larus leucopterus.
27. Laiufl miirinus.
28. Xoma sublricl.
29. Sterna tsohPBrava.
30. btercorarlus pomarinus.
31. Orinator arctlcus.
may be considered as aocidentaL
D. Summer residents of General Distribution.
1. Turdus mustollnus.
2. Merula ralcratoria.
3. Mlmus polyKlottos. S.
4. Galcoseoptes carolinensls. 6. Hurporhynchus rufus.
6. Slalin »iiM».
7. Pollojitila c.-pruloa, 8.
8. Parus carolinensls, 8.
9. Bitta carolinensls.
10. Thryothorus ludoviclanus, 8.
11. Thryothorus bewlckli, S.
12. Troglodytes acdon.
13. Cislothorus palustrls. H. Clstothorus stollaris.
15. Mnlolilta varla. 8.
16. Protonotaria oitrea.
17. Holmitherus vertulvorus, 8.
18. Helminthophila pinus, 8.
19. Compsothlypls amerlcana. 2«. Dendrolca n^stlvo.
21, Uonilrolca cairulea. 3.
22. Dendrolca albilora. 8.
23. Dendrolca pinus.
24, Dendrolca discolor.
25. BeiuruR aurocapillus.
26. Beiurus motacilla, 8.
27. Geothlypls formosa, 8.
28. Geothlypls trichas.
29. leterla virens.
:<U. Bylvania mitrata. 8,
31. Setoiihocu ruticilla.
32. Vireo olivaceus.
33. Vireo Bilvus.
34. Vireo llnvifrons.
35. Vireo noveboracensis.
36. Vlroo bellll.
37. Lnuius ludovicianus.
38. Ampelis cedrorum.
39. ProKiif subis.
411. Petrochelldon lunlfrons.
41. C'helklon erythrOKik-ter.
42. Tacliycineta bloolor. 4:i. Clivicola rlparia.
44. Biulnidopteryx serriponnis.
45. Piraneuerythromolos,
46. Piranea rubra, B.
47. Bpiuus tristis.
48. Ammodramus savanna, N.
liJTBODUCTION.
27
. Circus hudsonius. Aecipiter eooperl. Aecipiter fuseus. Buteo borealis. Buteo lineatus. Buleo swainsoni. Buteo pennsylvanicus. HaliseetQs leueoeephalus. Cathartes aura, S. Eetopistes migratoria. Zenaidura macroura. Meleagris gallopavo. Bonasa umbellus. TyrapaDuchu4 pinnatus. Colinus virginianus. Ardea herodias. Ardea vireseens. Nyctieorax nsevius. Botaurus lentiginosus. Botaurus exilis. ^gialitis voeiferus. iEgialitis melodus. ff. Philohela minor. Totanus solitarius. Actitis maeularius. Sympliemia semipalmata. Bartramia longieauda. Numenius longirostris, N. Plialaropus tricolor. N. Kecurvii'ostra amerioana. Himantopus mexicanus. Eallu.s elegans. Rallus virginianus, N. Porzana Carolina. N. Porzana noveboracensis. Porzana jamaicensis. Gallinula galeata. Fulica americana. Grus americana, N. (irus mexicana. Branta canadensis. Anas boschas. Anas discors, N. Aix sponsa. Erismatura rubida. Lophodytes cucullatus. Phalacrocorax dilophus. Sterna forsteri.
Hydrochelidon surinamensis, N. Podilymbus podiceps.
Note.— The initial S. following a name indicates that the species is more abundant southward; "N," on the other hand, implies that the species so distinguished belongs chiefly to the northern portion of the State.
|
49. |
PoocEBtes gramineus, N. |
99a, |
|
50. |
Ammodramus passerinus. |
100. |
|
51. |
Ammodramus henslowi. |
101. |
|
52. |
Chondestes grammaca. |
102. |
|
53. |
Spizella soeialis. |
103. |
|
51. |
Spizellapusilla. |
104. |
|
55. |
Pipilo erythrophthalmus. |
105. |
|
56. |
Cardinalis cardinalis S. |
106. |
|
57. |
Passerina cyanea. |
107. |
|
58. |
Spiza americana. |
108. |
|
59. |
Molothrus ater. |
109. |
|
60. |
Agelaius phcenieeus. |
110. |
|
61. |
Sturnella magna. |
111. |
|
02. |
Icterus galbula. |
112. |
|
63. |
Icterus spurius. S. |
113. |
|
64. |
Quiscalus a^neus. |
114. |
|
65. |
Corvus sinuatus. |
115. |
|
66. |
Corvus amerieanus. |
116. |
|
67. |
Cyanocitta ci-istata. |
117. |
|
68. |
Otoeoris pratieola. |
118. |
|
69. |
Tyrannus tyrannus. |
119. |
|
70. |
Myiarehus crinitus. |
120. |
|
71. |
Sayornis phoebe. |
121. |
|
72. |
Contopus Tirens. |
122. |
|
73. |
Empidonax trailli. |
123. |
|
74. |
Empidonax aeadicus. |
124. |
|
75. |
Trochilus colubris. |
125. |
|
76. |
Chsetura pelagica. |
126. |
|
77. |
Antrostomus voeiferus. |
127. |
|
78. |
Chordeiles virginianus. |
128. |
|
79. |
Dryobates villosus. |
129. |
|
80. |
Dryobates pubescens. |
130. |
|
81. |
Ceophloeus pileatus. |
131. |
|
82. |
Melanerpes carolinus, S. |
132. |
|
83. |
Melanerpes erythrocephalus. |
133. |
|
84. |
Colaptes auratus. |
134, |
|
85. |
Ceryle alcyon. |
135. |
|
86. |
Coceyzus amerieanus. |
130, |
|
87. |
Cocoyzus erythrophthalmus. |
137. |
|
88. |
Conurus earolinensis. |
138. |
|
89. |
Strix pratincola, S. |
139. |
|
90. |
Asio wilsonianus. |
140. |
|
91. |
Syrnium nebulosum. |
141. |
|
92. |
Megascops asio. |
142. |
|
93. |
Bubo virginianus. |
143. |
|
94. |
Faleo peregrinus. |
144. |
|
95. |
Falco columbarius. |
145. |
|
96. |
Falco sparverius. |
l46. |
|
97. |
Pandion earoUnensis. |
147. |
|
98. |
Elanoides forfioatus, S. |
148. |
|
99. |
lotinia mississippiensis, S. |
•28
mr.PB OF ILLINOIS.
E. Sumimr res'ulcnl>i awjined
utason to the Nurthern portion of
I. Turdus fusceseoDS.
i TurdurtBWiiliisonl.
:i. Piiriis HtrU-ii|>lUus.
4. Sltta oiinndf>nslB.
r«. Holmin(hoi>lilla chryBoptertt.
I'l. Qolmlntliophila riitlinipilliu
7. Dondroli'ii peonsylvuhica.
8. Dendroicit vIrenB.
!>. Kciuriis novoborHcensls.
1<|. OoolhlypiH phllailt'lphla.
II. Sylviiniii caniidi'nsls.
IL'. Vlreo iihiladelptiicus.
i:i. Curpodncus purpiiroua. ^
H. Ammodriimus nol!<i>iii.
Ii'i. Zonotrieliiu nlbicolU^.
HI. Spizolla pallida.
17. MoloBplza fafclata.
18. Mclospizaseoreiana. in. Molo.splzalincoliii.
20. Habia ludnvloiaua.
21. Dollchonv.x oryzivorus. ii. Xaiitliocephalu.s xanllioeephnUis.
NoTE.-Tlie iucorroKation murk Implies species Is really so restricted.
inainly, so far as known, duriiiy that
the Stale.
23. Bturnolla mii«rna.
21. EmpidoDnx minimus,
as. AbIo aoctpltrlnuB?
'X. Nyutala acadioa.
27. C'lrouii liudHonius,
28. A(iiilla i"hrys»'t08?
29. Pedloca-los cnmpe»trl». SO. J^elalitlH raeloduB?
31. GalllnuRO dellcata.
32. TolanuB molaiioloucus. 3S. Totanii!- fluvipus.
34. Anas obneura.
35. Anas streperiu
36. Ana'* amprii-ana.
37. Dallla aciiliu
33. Spatula clypeata. SSI. Anas carolinoDsIs, 4(1. Aythya afflnls.
41. Aythya collaris.
42. Sterna hirundo.
43. Colymbus aurltiis.
44. XTrluator Imber.
donbt OS to whether the brccdlne ranee of tho
F, Summer residents xohich, so far as known, are confined mainly to the Southern portion of the State.
1. Hellnnia swalneonl.
2. Peuca>a bachmani.
3. Gulraca coorulea.
4. Antrostomus oarolloensis.
5. Campi^philus principalis.
6. Cathuristu atrata.
7. Tantalus loculator.
8. Ardea eftretta. •
9. Ardea candUilsslma.
10. Ardea ctpruloa.
11. Ardea rufa.
12. Nyctlcora.x violaceus.
13. Anhineaanhinua.
G. Summer i-isitants to Southern portion of the Slate, but not ascer- tained to breed within our limits.
1. Pa.s8erlna ciris. (Mt. Carmol, .lune. 1871.)
2. Elanus loiieurus. (.Mt. Carmel, summer. 18<5<?)
3. Asturlna pliiitialiu (Richland Co., AuRust. 1871.)
4. Bnteo harlanl. (Warsaw, Hancor-k Co., March, 1879.)
5. Ouara alba. (.Mt. Carmel. May, ISiil, and at other times.) G. PIcRadls autumnalls.
7. Ajaja ujaja. (MissL-islppi bottom, about IStiO; said to have been common.)
8. Ardea occidentalis. (Mt. Carmel. September. IS7il).
9. Pelecanus fuscuB. (Warsaw. Hancock Co.. October 1S73.) Ifl. Phalacrocorox mexicanus. (Cairo: summer.)
• "Abundant all summer on tho Illinois lllver as far north as Peoria." Fiirbes, in epist.)
(Professor
INTRODUCTION.
29
H. Irregtdar or casual Vis-ltants from the JVestcrn Province.
1. Sialia arctica. (Winter.)
Myadestes townsendi. (Winter.) Rhynohophanes maeeowni. (Winter.) Zonotriehia querula. (Spring and fall.)
Junoo oresonus. (Fall.) Seolecophagus eyanoeephalus. (Win- ter.)
7. Pica hudsoniea. (Winter.)
8. Sayoruis sayi. (Season not linown.;
9. Bubo subaretieus.
10. Faleo mexieanus. (Pall.)
11. Buteo krideri. (Summer.*)
12. Buteo calurus. (Spring.)
13. Archibuteo t'errugineus. (Pall.)
14. Anas eyanoptera.
I. Regular Residents or Visitants tvhich intnidc from the Westward. a. Observed only in Summer.
1. Vireobellii. (Breeding.)
2. Spizella pallida. (Breeding.)
3. Xanthocephalus xanthoeephalus. (Breeding.)
4. Chordeiles henryi. (Breeding?)
b. Observed only in Winter, or during migration.
5. Coceothr-iuBtes vespertinuf.
6. Ammodramus leeontel. (Breeding?)
7. Colymbus californious.
c. Observed irrespective of season.
8. Chondestes grammaea. (Breeding.)
9. Sturnella negleeta. (Breeding.)
10. Buteo swainsoni. (Breeding.)
11. PediooEBtes oampestris. (Breeding.)
J. Stragglers and doubtful species, the former including those of which not more than one specimen has been taken or obsen'ed.
1. Sialia arctica. W.
2. Myadestes townsendi. W.
3. Parus hudsonieus. N.
4. Junco oregonus. N. .1. Passerina ciris. S.
G. Pioa hud?oniea. N.
7. Sayornis sayi. W.
8. Buteo calurus. W.
9. Buteo krideri. N. W.
10. Buteo harlani. S.
11. Asturnia plaglata. S.
12. Ardea oecidentalig. S.
13. Pelecanus fuseus. S.
14. Phalaoroooras mexieanus. 8.
* Probably breeding.
30 IIIRDS OK ILLINOIS.
K. S/iecies foruurly occuriitij hut ixmnihly but now to be found in the State.
I. Plea hudftonica. 4. Lnuopim Ihropud.
'J. Campi'phllus princlpniis. S. Ajiiju iijigii.
3. CoDiirus carollnvnsii).
Position with regard to Faunal Provinces or Districts. — Illinois lies far within the Efistt'in, or .\tliiiitic, Province, and were it not for the prairies its fiiuna would probably not possess the slightest tincturing of western forms. The State is also wholly em- braced within the "Carolinian I-'auna" of Mr. Alkn ;* l)ut the southern portion possesses so many of the elements characterizing the "Louisi- anian Fauna" (or "Austroriparian Province" of Professor Copef), tliat it shouhl probai)ly be referred to the latter district — and has, in fact, been so referred by Mr. Allen, Professor Cope and otlier writers.
With regard to so-called geographical variation Illinois likewise belongs strictly to the Eastern or Atlantic Province, none of the resident or summer-resident species showing any tendency toward the representative forms which belong to the Western Province, except very rarely, or sporadically, and apparently not more fre- quently tlnm along the Atlantic coast itself. The writer has been able to obtain but a single example of Pipilo eri/throphtluilmus showing white spots on wing-coverts or scapulars, and this ex- ample has these markings less distinct than have two specimens obtained at Washington, D. C. He has been able to secure but one specimen of Sphi/rapicus varius showing an indication of a red nuchal bar, and in this case also the feature is less developed than in one from the District of Columbia. Among more than one hundred Flickers shot in Wabash and Kichland counties, only one showed the slightest variation toward the western type (C. mexi- canus), in a very slight tinge of red at the end of the black mous- tache, much less, indeed, than in some specimens from Pennsylva- nia, the District of Columbia, and Florida.* The same observation may be made with respect to other species, with scarcely an excejition, the only one, in fact, being the case of Geotlilypis trichas, the Illinois form of which seems to be the western race, G. trichas occid^ntalis, Brewst., which, however, apparently replaces the true G. triclias every- where west of the AUeghauies.
*8oo liulletlD of the Museum of Comparative ZooloKjr, CambrUlee. Mass., Vol. It.. No 3. pp. .■»:)-3'.i5.
t See Bulletin of the United States National .Museum, No. I, isrr,. pp. C7-71.
•The speolnion In question Is, however, almost exactly matched by one from MarlD Co., California, (coast, north of San Francisco).
INTRODUCTION,
31
In the southern portion of the State, there is observable in some species a marked tendency to the characters of extreme southern races, in smaller size and darker coloration, and, in some species, larger bill. This tendency is especially noticeable in the quails {Colinus virginianus) from the bottom-lands of the lower Wabash, some specimens of which are so much like the Florida form (C. vir- ginianus floridanus) that they have been referred to that race.
Migrations. — Data for the elucidation of this subject are un- fortunately very meagre. While residing at Mount Carmel, the author made careful record of the dates of arrival and departure of many species during the years 1863-'66, inclusive, the results of which are herewith given : —
Spring Arrivals.
Species marked with an asterisk (*) winter.
*I. Anas boschas January
*i. Ectopistes migratoria
*'i. Daflla acuta
*4. Branta (canadensis
*5. Merganser amerieanus "
♦C. Spatula clypeata
*7. Aythya americana. "
*8. Anas carolinensis February
*9. Anas americana "
10. Seiurus motacilla
*n. Aix sponsa "
•12, Anas diseors "
13. Grus mexicana March
14. Grus americana
*15. Cliaritonetta albeola "
16. Phalacrocorax floridauub
17. Charadrius dominicus
18. Spizella socialis
19. Tringa maculata
20. Taehycineta bicolor
21. Progne subis
*22. Harporhynohus rufus
23. Bartramia longicauda
24. Regulus calendula Vpril
25. Mniotilta varia
26. Chelidon erythrogastra
27. Polioptila ecerulea
28. Chaetura pelagica
29. Numenius longirostris
30. Stelgidopterys serripennis.
31. Dendroica albilora '.
33. Petroehelidon lunifrons
33. Dendroica asstiva
34. Vireo noveboracensis
35. Tyrannus tyranuus
sometimes remaining all
15.
15 -Feb
20.
20-Feb
20.
20.
25.
1.
18-28. 20. 25. 28.
1—4.
6.
1.
1—7. 12.
13-19; 15. 15—24;
25. 1.14.
remains until Sept. 20.
20—28; 21-26. 28.
1—9.
1-15.
2—5.
2—10;
3-11;
4.
8-12;
9—18; 10-20; 14-22. 15. 15-21;
remains until remains until
remains until remains until
remains until remains until remains until
Sept. 20. Sept. 8.
Sept. 20. Oct. 20.
Oct. 17. Sept. 13. Sept. 20.
remains until Sept. 9.
32
BinPS OF ILLINOIS.
•36.
S7. •38.
:i9.
40.
4L
«.
43.
44.
4&.
46.
47.
48.
49. •.V).
5L
£2.
53.
&4.
55.
£6.
57.
58.
59.
60.
6\.
62.
3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.
n.
12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19.
Dondrolca palmnriim April 16—23; remains until Oct. IS,
AntroHtomiirt vorlforuB " 17.
Oul«08COptoH niirollnoDHls " 18— 24: rPmnlus until OcLK.
Icterus Biilliulii " 19-22; ri-muluH ur.tll Sept. 14.
Ictvru« gpurliiH '■ 19-25.
PaBserlnitoyuDou " 19; rumuliiH uulll Oct. 15.
VIreo llavlfron* " 19; romuliis until OcL 15,
Empi'lonox triUIII " 19.
Empldonn.T acadicus " 19.
Mylarchus crinluis " 19-26; remains until Sept. 10.
Tiirtlus mnsti'llnus " 19— 21; remains until Oct. —,
Vireo plilladi'ipliica " 20.
Plranga urylliromclii.s " 20—23; remainn until Sept. —.
PiranKa rubra . " 20— 29; rcmahiH until Sept. 27.
Gootlilypl»trlclia» " 20—30; remains until Sept. 16.
Bplza aiui>rlcuna " 22—30.
VIrco olivacoui* " 22; remains until Oct. 15.
Protonotarlacitrca " 23.
Icteria vlrens " 23— May 4.
Dondroica pennsylvanlcas " 26.
Geothlypis formosa " 28; remains until Oct. IS.
Dollchonyx oryzlvorus " 29— May 7.
Coccyzus amorlcanus " 29— May 14.
Cbordolles virBinlanus May 2—8,
Dendrolcn tiBrina " 3.
Contopus virons " 6—7; remains until Oct. 15.
Ilabia ludovlclana " 6; remains until Oct.
Autumnal Airivalg.
SphyraplcHs varius September 15-29.
Ampolls cedrorum* " 18.
Junco liyomalls " 26— Oct.21.
Certhia umericana " 29— Nov. 2.
Dendrolcacoronata October 1—4.
SItta canadensis " 2.
Kegulus satrapa " 2.
Melosplza Keorelana " 8.
Zonotrlchia alblcollls " 9—10.
Carpodacus purpureas " 20— Nov.8.
Zonolrlclilaleucophrys "■ 15.
Spizella montlcola " 20— Nov. 1.
Loxla minor " 22.
Passerella iliaca " 27.
Anlbus punsilvanlcus November 15.
Troglodytes liypmalls " 3— Deo.25.
Aauila chry»a'"'tos September 8.
Melosplza fasclata ....i October 15.
Calcarlus lappoulcus " 20.
• Since ascertained to bo also a summer roslduul, tliougli much more numerous in winter.
INTRODUCTION.
33
To show the relation between the return of birds from the South and the vernal change of vegetation, I give the following dates of the leafing and flowering of certain plants at Mt. Carmel, as noted in the spring of 1872, by Dr. J. Schneck. It should be remarked, however, that the season was much later than usual. (See foot- note below.)
Species.
DatB of leiiflng.
Date of flowering.
Red Maple (Acei- ruhrum)
Silver Maple [Acer dasycarpum)
Sugar Maple {Acer saccharinum)
Shell-bark Hickory iCarya alba)
Kedbud {Cercis canadensis)
Wild Cherry (.Primus serotina)
Flowering Dogwood [Gornus ftorida)
White Ash {Fraxinus americana)
Tulip Poplar [Liriodendron tulipifera)
Peach (.Fersica vulgaris)
Apple (Pyrus malus)
White Oak {Quercus alia)
Lilac (Syringa vulgaris)
American Elm (Ulmus americana)
Wild Columbine lAguilegia canadensis)
Spring Beauty (.Claytoniavirninica)
Dogs-tooth Violet {Erythroniumamericanum).
Orane's-blU [Geranium maeulatum)
Liverwort (Hepatica triloba)
Blue Flag [Iris versicolor)
May Apple (Podophyllum peltatum)
Blackberry {Rubus villosus)
Elder iSambucus canadensis)
Blood-root (Sanguinaria canadens ts)
April
12. 12. 15. 13. 20.... 5.... 20.
April i.
" 20.
•• 13.
•• 13.
•• 19.
April
April
March
April
March
April
March 20*. April 8..
April 10. ■• 25.
April 12
April 12.. ■' 20..
April 12.. March 30t.
April 12t.
March 31 §
April 14..
* In 1876, flowered February 1. tin 187{i, flowered February 15. 1 In 1876. flowered March 2. §In 1876, flowered March 2.
-S
34
BIBDS OF ILUNOIS.
The date of Howering of additional species, in 1876, was noted by Dr. Scbueck, as follows :
Species.
Date of leallDK.
Date of flowviiDK.
fianunculus abortivnf
Capselta bursa-ijastoris
Pear (/'i/nix cotiimunis)
Apple l/'u''"" "i<i'"»i
White Oak (Viif reus a(i)a)
Currant (RiTies rubnim)
Bloclcberry (fittbus villosus)
Elder (SamfiHCUs cauadeusisi
Blood-root (SartQiiiuaria canadtitisis).
Lilac (Surinoa vulgaris)
Dandelion {Taraxacum dens-leonis) .. White Elm (CVmu.i americana)
March 1
" 1....
April 1....
March 30 ...
April -H ...
March ffi.... " »0....
April 2....
March lu....
April l3....
April 20-21* April 2«t ..
April 13.
April 13: ..
May lOi ..
June 15
April 2....
April 30....
April 13... March 25....
For purpose of comparison, I give below the earliest and latest recorded dates of arrival for a number of species at Mt. Carinel, Illinois ; Wheatland, Indiana ; St. Louis, Missouri, and Washington, D. C, — localities in nearly the same latitude. For the latter, I am indebted to Mr. H. W. Ilenshaw and Mr. Wm. Palmer, of Wash- ington, who have kindly given me their records ; the data for St. Louis, I have compiled from Mr. Otto Widman's "General Notes and Weather Report from St. Louis," published in Bulletin No. 1 of the Ridgway Ornithological Club, of Chicago,' which abound with valuable data pertaining to the subject of bird-migration in the Mississippi Valley.
• Fruit rlpo July 30. tFiult rlpo July in. t Fnilt ripe June 10. ! Fruit ripe July l.
'Cook. W. W., and Wldman, Otto.-BIrd Miirratlon I In the I Mississippi Valley. I
I By I W. W. Cook and Otto Wldmann. I I Uoad before the I lildeway Ornitholoelcal
Club, I Novembers. ISSt. I I Published In the "American Field" I Vol. X.\, No. 22. to
Vol. XXI, No. 3. I Published In pamphlet form with the followlni; title on cover: The I
Ridgway OmltholoBlonl Club. | ot I Chlcaeo. Illinois, U. 8. A, I | Bulletin No. 1. 1
Bird Miitratlon in the Mississippi Valley j By I W. W. Cooke and Otto Wldmann I I
Published by | Tho American Fulld. I December, 1883. 8 vo., pp, 37, the contents as fol- lows: "Parti, Introduction. I I (W. W. Cooke.)" Pp.3, 4. "Part II. | I Gen- eral Notes and Weather Report from St. Louis, I Mo„ beRinnlne with January 1, 1883. I
I 0. Wldmann." I Pp. 5-13. "Part III. I j General Notes on Birds and Weather
at JelTorson, I Wisconsin, in the SprinK of 1883. | I W. W. Cooke." Pp, U-18. "Part
IV. I I Notes on each species of Bird observed at St. Louis, | Missouri, and Jeffer- son, Wisconsin, during the I Sprlni; Mieraion of ISS'J. | | Pp. 19-37.
INTRODUCTION.
35
00~
o
00 5=
1. Antrostomus vocif ems
2. Compsothlypis amerleana.
3. Geothlypis triohas
4. Vireo olivaceus
5. Vireo noveboraoensis
6. Empidonax minimus
7. Turdus mustelinus
8. Sylvania mitrata
9. Seiurus aurocapillus
10. Tyrannus tyrannus
11. Vireo gilvus
12. Vireo flavifrons
13. Dendroica vigorsii
14. Dendroica albilora
15. Dendroica Eestiva
16. Dendroica cserulea
17. Dendroica palmarum
18. Dendroica virens
19. HelminthopUla pinus
20. Sylvania canadensis
21. Passerina cyanea
22. Cliondestes grammaca
23. Piranga erythromelas
24. Pirangarubra
25. CliEetura pelagica
26. Myiarchus crinitus
27. Galeoscoptes earolinensis.
28. Turdus alicise
29. Turdus fusceseens
30. Icteria virens
31. Troehilus colubris
32. Helmitlieros vermivorus...,
33. Dendroica penusylvaniea...
34. Spiza americana ,
April 17.... April 20-30.
15.
April 19-21.
April 18-21. April 19....
April 9-18. . ' 14-22.
April 16-23.
April 19.
April 20-23. •' 20-29. ■• 3-11.. •' 19-26. •• 18-24.
April 15....
•• 10-18.
" 18-18.,
•' 16-21..
•' 16-18..
" 17
" 171-8..
April23-May 4.
April 26.... ■ 22-30.
• 16-20 ' 16-19
• 17-24 ' 17.... ' 17-19
■ 17....
■ 17-18,
■ 17-25. Apr. 18-(May2.)
" 18-(May3.)
April 18-23
' 18-30
• 18-30
• 18-21
' 18-30
' 18-23
' 18.)
' 18-19
' 19-20
' 20
' 21-25*
' 2226-
' 24-25
Apr. 24-(May 8.)
" 24-(May3.)
April 24-26
April 1..
•' 17.
'• 17.
'■ 25.
" 14.
May 5... April 19 .
• 17.
• 17. ' 18. ' 18. ' 17.
• 21 ' 12.
• 18
■ 17
■ 13
AprillS— Mayll
May 6-13
April 22— May 1.
April 18-28
April 20— May 2 April 28-May 2
April 20 -May 7 May 3
April 17 May 14* April 21 * 3.,
27 26.
May 14.. April 23, May 11..
Auril 27. • 21.
Mar. 15-May 12
April 28— May 5
April 15... May 7—11.
May 14-15. May 9—12. .
May 11-13.
April 30.. May 12... May 14 .. May 2-24.
May 7-14 .
May 10-11.
80
BIRDS OF ILLINOIS.
So
o
as
a o
35. %. 37. 38. 39. 40. 41. 42. 43. 44. 4S. 4(i. 47. 48. 4!). .10.
51. 52. 53. 54. 55.
Ictoru!) salbiila " l»-22.
Qeothlypls foruiosa " "JS
Setophiiea ruli<HI!a
Hublaludovlclitnu Muy 8
Coocyzus amerioanus I April 29-May H
Vmmodnimns pas.seriQUS
Contopus virens May 6-7 .
Icterus spurius " 19-25..
Dondroica castunea
UoDtlroluu mnculosQ
Deodrolcn c.-crulescens
Cliordollos viriiinianus May 2-8.
Dondrok'a blaekburuiHS. . Helminlhophlla peregrina Helminthophlla ohryeoptera
Dollehony.\ oryzlvorua
Geothlypis pbiladolphia — HolmlnthophlU ruUcapllla .
Doiulroloa tigrlna May 3.
Vireo phlladelphicus April 20..
Sendrolca striata.
Apr.24-{May4.) •' 19. April JS-Miiy 4
April 20-30' May 2...I
'• p April 17.'April 20— May 2
■• •)0-25 ■■ 2.'
25 May 16..
26 April 26.
20-May 2 May 5.
19(-29) JAprll IS.JMny 1-8.
I
Apr. 3n-May in.
May 2-5
•• a-6
Aprll24-May2. May 3-8
• 3-7 ,
• 5 ,
April29-May7.
Mays... •• S... " 3... ■• 15 .
April 29-May 7
May 11-15
Muy 111-6
•• 6....
" 6....
■• 6-9..
" 9....
•• W..
.\prll25. May 2...
16.
2..
April 21 . May 2
May U-15.
May 11-28.
BIBLIOGRAPHY.
The following bibliography is far from complete, but embracea titles of all the publications which have been actually consulted by the writer.
1853-54.
Le Bauon, Dr. Wm. — Observations ujion some of the birds of Illi- nois most interesting to the agriculturist. < Trans. III. State Agri. Soc, I., 1853, p. 559-565. [A general notice of the common birds of the State, of considerable popular uud economic interest.]
INTRODUCTION. 37
1855.
Pkatten, Henry. — Catalogue of the birds of [Bouthem] Illinois [Wayne and Edwards counties]. <Trans. III. State Agri. Soc, I. (for 1853-54), p. 698-609. [184 species.]
Kennicott, Eobert. — Catalogue of the animals observed in Cook county, Illinois. [Birds.] <Trans. III. State Agrlc. Soc, I. (for 1853-54), pp. 580-589. [187 species.]
Kennicott, E. — Species observed in the middle and southern por- tions of the State which are not given in Mr. Pratten's catalogue of the birds of Southern Illinois. <Trans. III. State Agrlc. Soc., I. (for 1853-54), pp. 589-591.
1856.
Kennicott, R. — Notes of the Occurrence of Plotus anMnga and Tantalus loculator in Southern Illinois. <Pr. Boston Soc. Nat. Hist., v., 1856, p. 391.
1857.
Brendel, F. — Vogel der Umgegend Peorias in Illinois. <Giehel's Zcitsch. fur Naturw., 1857, p. 420. [Not seen by me.]
1858.
Cassin, John. — Piemarks on Falco polyagrus. <Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. 1858, p. 1. [Specimens obtained near Eock Island, Illinois.]
1869-60.
Holder, R. H. — Birds of Illinois. < Trans. III. State Agric. Soc, IV., 1859-GO, pp. 605-613. [A nominal list of 247 species.]
1862.
Holder, E. H.— Catalogue of the birds of Illinois, (2nd ed.) <Trans. III. Nat. Hist. Soc, I. 1862, pp. 77. [Not seen; "enumer- ates 248 species."]
1868. Allen, J. A. — [Some remarks upon the birds of Iowa and Illinois, read by the secretary of the Society.] <Pr. Boston Soc. Nat. Hist., XII., 1863, p. 85. [Not seen.]
88 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS.
Allen, J. A. — Notes on birds observed in Northern Illinois, in June, 1807. <Mim. Boston Soc. Nat. Hist., I., lH<;s. pp. 502 52-1. [9i species.]
1872.
l^DtiWAY, Robert. — New birds in Houtbern Illinois. <A)ii. Nat., July, IHT'i, pp. J:iO-431. [Virco beUii, I'cxu-aa <rstiniliii, ( = P. rtstitalui bachmani) Cyanospiza {=Pasgerina) ciris, Asturiiia pLiyiata and Falco poUjagrus added to the fauna of the State (Fox Prairie, Richland county).]
1873.
RiDflWAY, RonEUT. — The Prairie Birds of Southern Illinois. <Am. Nat., VII., April, 1873, pp. I'.t7-2i)3. [Based on observations made on Fox Prairie, iliohhiud county, in June and August, 1871. j
187-1.
RiDowAY Robert. — Catalogue of the birds ascertained to occur in Illinois. <Ann. Lifc. Nat. Hist., N. Y., X., January, 1871, pp. 3(i4- 391. [A list of 311 species, with range of eacii within the State approximately indicated.]
RiDGWAY, Robert. — The Lower Wabash Valley, considered in its relation to the Faunal Districts of the Eastern Region of North America; with a synopsis of its Avian Fauna. </-*;•. Boston Soc. Nat. Hist., XVI., February 18, 1874, pp. 3n.l-332.
"OKNEKAL SUMMAllY."
["Found Irrespective of season 77
FounJ only In summer 92
youud only in winter '. 47
Found only in spring iind fall 71
Total number of species 288
Number or species breedinc. about 155
Number of species wintering, about I55"l
CouES, E. — Birds of Illinois. < Field and Stream {Chicago), May 2, 1874. [A review of Ridgway's "Catalogue of the Birds ascer- tained to occur in Illinois," in Ann. Lye. N. Y., January, 1874, pp. 364-394.]
INTRODUCTION. 39
1876.
Nelson, E. W. — Additions to the Avi- fauna of Illinois, with notes on other species of Illinois birds. <Bull. Nutt. Orn. Club, I., No. 2 July, 1876, pp. 39-44. [The species added are, Myiadestes town- sendi, Waukegan, December 16, 1876 ; Gottmiiculus lecontei, Riverdale, May 13, 1875 ; Ammodromus caudacutus var. nelsoni, Calumet Lake, &c., June, September, November; Chordeiles popehie var. heiiryi, Waukegan, July, 1875 ; Bideo borealis var. calurus, near Chicago, April, 1873; Ardea nifa, near Cairo, August, 1875.]
Nelson, E. W. — Notes upon birds observed in Southern Illinois, between July 17, and September 4, 1875. <Bull. Essex Inst., IX., 1875, pp. 32-65. [Includes lists of the species observed at the fol- lowing localities : Mt. Carmel and vicinity, July 17 — September 4 (pp. 32-46 ; 113 species) ; Fox Prairie, Richland county, (pp. 47-50 ; 64 species) ; Cairo and vicinity, August 17-31 (pp. 50-61 ; 79 species) ; vicinity of Anna, Union county (pp. 61—4; 83 species). Total num- ber of species observed at the four localities, 133. Cf. Bull. Nutt. Orn. Club, III., January, 1878, p. 36, for review by J. A. Allen.]
Nelson, E. W. — Birds of Northeastern Illinois. <Bull. Essex Inst., VIII., December, 1876, pp. 90-155. [816 species and 12 addi- tional "races;" 180 species breed (?); 24 occur in summer, but are not known to breed ; 69 occur only during migrations ; 76 are winter visitants and residents. A list is given of 16 species "not given in the preceding list," but which are known to occur in Illinois, making a total of 332 species, exclusive of geographical races, which are known to occur in the State. Cf. Bull. Nutt. Orn. Club, II., July, 1877, pp. 68, 69, for review by W. Brewster.]
Jones, Wm. L. — April Birds in Illinois. <Forest and Stream, Aug. 3, 1876, p. 418. [Dates of arrival of several species, at Leb- anon, St. Clair county.]
1877.
Jones, W. L. — Arrivals of birds [at Lebanon, Illinois.] <Field and Forest, III., No. 1, July, 1877, pp. 17, 18.
CoAiiE, H. K. — Junco oregonus in Illinois. <Bidl. Nutt. Orn. Club. n., July, 1877, p. 82. [Near Chicago, October 14, 1875 ; one speci- men.]
40 BIRDS OP ILLINOIS.
"\V. B." [Brewster, William].— Nelson's "Birds of Northeastern Illinois." <Iiull. \iitl. Orn. Cliih, II, July, 1877. pp. (is, C'.l. .Synopsis of Nelson's paper iu Hull. Kssfx Iit»t., ]H7ti.]
CoALE, Hknry K. — MiicCown's Loiigspur in Illinois. <Jinll. Xiiti. (ini. Clitl), April, 1877, p. 52. [Champaign, 111., .lau. 15; » spt'cimens.]
"J. A. A." [.■Vllkn, .1. A.] — Birds of Southern Illinois. <lhiU. Xult. Orn. Club, III., .Jan., 1878, p. HC). [Review of Nelson's Cata- logue in Bull. Essex Inst., IX., 1876.]
1878.
KiDGWAY, l^inKUT.— Notes on Birds observed at Mt. Carniel, South- ern Illinois, in the spring of 1878. <BnU. Knit. Orn. Club, Vol. III., No. 4, Oct., 1878, pp. 102-l()f). [Twenty-five species mentioned, of which two, lleimaia swainsoni (?) and Ibis (=Guara) alba were new to the fauna of the State.]
1879.
Pi:nowAY, Robert. — On a new species of Priuuea from Southern Illinois and Central Texas. <Bull. Nutt. Orn. Club, October, 1879, pp. '218-222. [P. illinocnsis,=P. <estivaUs bachmani.]
1880.
RiDGWAY, Robert. — On six species of Birds new to the Fauna of lUinois, with notes on other rare Illinois Birds. <Bull. Nutt. Orn. Club, v., January, 1880, pp. 30-32. [Zonotrirhia iiucntla, Buleo luirhini, Ajaja ajaja, Pclecanus fuscus, Plialacrocora.v mcricauuH, Stercorarius buf- foni {=^longicaudus), Coturniculus ( = Am mod ram us) Iccontei, Ammodra- mu.'< raudacutus nehoni, Elanoidvn forjicatu.i, Frolonutaria c'ltrea, Opo- Tornis formosa, Ibis {=Guara) alba, Larus franklinl.]
RiDGWAY, Robert. — The Northern Waxwijig (AmpeHs t/arrulus) in Southern Illinois. <Bull. Nutt. Oni. Club, V., April, 1880, p. 118. [A tine specimen shot by Prof. Forbes, at Villa Ridge, Pulaski Co., December 18, 1879.]
WiDMANN, Otto. — Notes on Birds of St. Louis, Mo. <Bull. Xutt. Orn. Club, July, 1880, 191. [Relates in great part to birds iu Illi- nois, immediately opposite St. Louis.j
INTRODUCTION. 41
1881.
HuRTER, Julius.— The Harlequin Duck and the Glossy and Wood Ibises in Southern Illinois. <Bidl. Nutt. Orn. Club, VI., April, 1881, p. 124.
1880-85.
Nehrling, H. — Beitrage zur Ornis des nordliehen Illinois. <Jmir. fur Orn., (October, 1880, pp. 408—41; April, 1881, pp. 196-203; October, 1881, pp. 405-116; January, 1883, pp. 84-97; July, 1883, pp. 255-257; April, 1885, pp. 142-151. [233 species.]
1883.
Strumberg, C. W. — Notes from Galesburg, 111. < Ornithologist and Oologist, Vol. VIII., No. 1, January, 1883, p. 8. [Interesting notes on seven species.]
PiiDGWAY, Robert. — On Leconte's Bunting {Cotumindm lecontei) and other Birds observed in Southeastern Illinois. <Bull. Nutt. Orn. Club, VIII., January, 1883, p. 58. [C lecontei found in great abundance on Sugar Creek Prairie, Eichland Co., 111., October 27, 28, 1882. C. Iienslowi was also found, though less abundant, and some specimens of Peuccea illinoensis (=P. <sestivalis hachniMii) were seen.]
Hancock, Joseph L. — Parkman's Wren in Illinois. <Bull. Nutt. Orn. Club, Vol. VIII,, July, 1883, p. 179. [A specimen captured near Chicago, May 7, 1883. The second record of its occurrence in Illinois.]
CoALE, H. K.— The Willow Thrush and HolboU's Linnet in lUi- nois. <Btdl. Nutt. Orn. Club, Vol. VIII., Oct., 1883, p. 239. [A specimen of Hylocichla {=-Turdus) fuscescens salicicola shot in Chi- cago, Sept. 16, 1877, and a specimen of ^^giothus linaria holboclli, (=Acanthis linaria rostrata) Nov. 2, 1878.]
MuNDT, A. H. — Oological and Ornithological. < Ornithologist and Oologist, Vol. VIII., No. 2, Feb., 1883, pp. 9, 10. [Interesting notes on 18 species found breeding at Fairbury (Livingston Co.), Illinois.]
CooKE, W. W. — Mississippi Valley Migration. < Ornithologist and Oologist, VIII., No. 12, Dec, 1883, pp. 89-91. [Dates of arrival for the following species, with various remarks, the notes pertaining to several Illinois stations : Olive-backed Thrush, Catbird, Euby- crowned Kinglet, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Brown Creeper, House Wren, lied-eyed Vireo, White-bellied Swallow, and Scarlet Tanager.]
42 BIRDS OK ILLINOIS.
1884.
Cooke, W. W. — Migration in the Mississipjii Vnlloy. <Ornitlio- loyixl and Oohnj'tut, IX., No. St, Keptciuljer, 1HH4, pp. 1(I."-1(I8. [HxtenKive notes on the following species: American Kohin, Yellow-rum ped Warbler, and Cliff Swallow.] No. Id. October. 1881. pp. 117-118. Notes on the following: Cape May Warbler, Snow Hunting, Lap- land Longspur, Smith's Longspur, Chestnut-collared Longspur (not in Illinois), and McCown's Longspur.]
[W. S. C.J— Notes from Peoria, 111. <■ Vouiui Oolof/ist, Vol. 1, No. 3, July, 1884, p. 43. [Brief notes on nests of six species.!
Cooke, W. W. — Bird Migration in the Mississippi Valley. Winter Birds of Southern Illinois. <Forcst and Stream, Vol. XXIII., No. •23, Jan. 1, 18S.5, pp. 441, 44.';; No. -24, Jan. 8, 188o, p)). ir,3, W\. An annotated list of 141 species.]
CoALE, H. K. — A New Bird for Illinois. <The Auk, Vol. II., Jan. 1885, pp. 109, 110. [Buteo horcalis kridcri, taken at Half Day, Dli- nois, July 2.5, IHTfi; the specimen now in the collection of the U. S. National Museum.]
1885.
Dickinson, J. E. — [Note announcing capture of a specimen of Nyctala tcngmalmi richardnoni at-Eockford, W^innebago Co., Illinois, Oct. 15, 1884. Snowy Owls and Northern Waxwings also mentioned.] <i Ornithologist and Oologist, March, 1885, p. 47.
"Kinney." — Notes from Northern Illinois. <1'oi/h(/ Oologist, Vol. II., No. 2, June, 1885, p. 27. [Interesting notes on Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Crossbill, "English" Sparrow, and Kose-breasted Grosbeak. Locality, Lena, Stephenson Co.]
BIRDS OF ILLINOIS.
In the following catalogue are included only those species which undoubtedly occur at the present time, and those of whose for- mer occurrence there exists reliable evidence. In strict accuracy, Campephilus principalis, Conurus carolincnsis, and Ajaja ajaja might with propriety be excluded from the regular list and in- cluded in a special category. I have decided to retain them, how- ever, for the reason that any doubt which may now exist concern- ing their present or very recent occurrence can be supported by merely negative evidence, based upon extremely meager data ; while my expei'ience relating to other southern species, resulting from a personal, though by no means thorough, exploration of localities more than 100 miles north of Cairo, leads me to expect interesting discoveries (some of them perhaps unanticipated), from careful ob- servations in some of the more secluded portions of the extreme southern counties of the State. It is not at all impossible that in these fastnesses, the above mentioned species may still exist.
The classification and nomenclature followed in the present work are those adopted by the special committee of the American Or- nithologists' Union, and used in the official check-list of the Union, now being printed. As to the classification, however, I have re- versed the sequence of families and higher groups, preferring to commence, as has been customary, with the Thrushes.
H UlRDS OF ILLINOIS.
ANALYSIS OF HIGHER GROUPS.
Rootricos iirosoiit.
6.' Nostrils not tubular.
c' Uiiiil tfjo, if present, not connected with the nnlerior oiioh by a nienibrane. J.' BiU without frinced or somite tomia.
«.' Anterior toos not webbed, or else legs oxccsslvely lentrth- cnod. /.' liower part of tibia feathered, or else toos united for most of tliuir leiitrth. p.' Bill not hooked, or else witlioiit core, /i.' Hind too, it present, incumbent.
«.' No web between bases of anterior toes. J.' Toes 3 or 1 anteriorly.
*.' Anterior toes cleft to the base, or else not united beyond llrst |>ha- Innx. t' Secondaries more than il.
m.' Middle too considerably lonsor than the lateral ones. n.< hose of bill without coro. o.> Posterior half of t.irsus undivided, or if divided the semnentsdislinet fromllio.seonan- terior i)orlion.
Fasserea (Oscines).
O.' rostcrior half of
tArsus reticulate,
or else anterior
covering wrap-
p i n K entirely
nn>iind the outer
a n d posterior
sides to a croove
on the inner
side. .Fassores iClamatoren).
n.' Base of bill consistinu
of a .soft, swollen
coro .Colamb».
tn,« Middle toe not longer llian one or the other of the
' outoroncs
Hacrochires (^p.ic/0.
(.' SocondariesS Hacrochires (7Vor/i/fi).
J'.' Anterior toes connected at ba.se for
more than their basal phalanx
Coccyges (Alcuones). iJ Toes a anteriorly.
A'.' Bill strongly hooked
Fsittaci (\nrth American species).
ANALYSIS OF HIGHER GROUPS. 45
fc.2 Bill not strongly hooked.
U Beotriees rigid, aeiiminate Picl.
J.S Beotriees neitiier rigid nor acu- minate. m.' Inner hind toe 5-jointed.
Coccygea (Trogones). m.> Inner hind toe 2-jointi.'d,
Coccyges (CucuU). i.2 With webs between bases of anterior toes. j'.' Gape excessively broad and deeply cleft.
Wings greatly elongated
Macrochires (Capi-hnulgi). j.' Gape normal. Wings short, concave...
Gallinse {Penelopes).
/i.2 Hind toe elevated Gallinae (.Phasiani).
g.' Bill strongly hooked, with a distinct cere at base.
ft.' Toes2in front Psittaci {exotic species).
A.2 Toes 3 in front, or else outer toe reversible, i.' Hind toe incumbent.
y.i Eyes directed forward. Outer toe re- versible A.ccipittes (Sti-iges).
].' Eyes latetal. Outer toe not reversible
(except Pandion) Accipitres (Fahones).
i.' Hind toe short, elevated... Accipitres (Sarcorhamphi). /.- Lower part of tibia not feathered near joint, or else bill lengthened and grooved, ff.i Hind toe, if present, elevated, or else claws ex- tremely lengthened, ft.i' Whole head feathered, or else size small (length
less thanlfoot) Limicolae.
7i.2 Part of head naked. Size large (more than 3
feet long) Paludicolae (G^-ues).
g.- Hind toe incumbent, and claws never extremely lengthened.
ft.' Loral and orbital regions fully feathered
Paludicolae (Ralli). ft.2 Loral or orbital regions, or both, naked.
»'.' Inner edge of middle claw pectinated
Herodiones {Herodii). i.' Inner edge of middle claw not pectinated. J.' Sides of maxilla without trace of lateral
groove Herodiones (Ciconim).
j.' Sides of maxilla with distinct lateral
groove Herodiones Ubides).
e." Anterior toes distinctly webbed.
/.' Legs inserted underneath the equilibrium, the body
being horizontal when in standing position Longipemies,
/.' Legs inserted far backward, the body being more or
less erect when in a standing position Pygopodes (Cepphi).
d." Bill mth distinctly fringed or toothed tomia.
p.' Legs extremely lengthened: bill bent abruptly downward
at the middle Odontoglossae.
e.'' Legs short or but moderately lengthened; 'bill not bent
downwards in middle Anseres.
c' Hind toe connected with the inner one by a web Steganopodes.
b.- Nostrils tubular Tubinares,
a.- Bectriees entirely absent Pygopodes (Podicipedes).
OEDEE PASSERES — THE PASSEEINE BIRDS. 47
Order PASSERES.— The Passerine Birds.
Chaeacteks.— Three toes in front and one behind; the latter well-developed and on a level with the rest. Bill without a cere, and never distinctly hooked.* Primaries 9 or 10; secondaries 9; reotriees usually la, rarely 10 or 14. Wing-coverts arranged in three series or tracts, as follows: ,1) a well-defined lesser-covert area, the numerous small feathers of which are arranged in several rows, the feathers alternately in more or less squamate fashion; (2) the middle coverts, which form a single row, the feathers of which overlap one another with their inner webs, or the reverse of all the other feathers of the wing; (3) the greater coverts, which overlie the basal portion of the secondaries, but covering less than the basal half of the latter.
The Order Passeres includes the vast assemblage of so-called "Perch- ing Birds," which comprises by far the larger part of known species. The majority of them are of small size, but there are many excep- tions to this rule, the Raven and other large Gorvidce being true Passeres.
The Passeres include two rather distinct major groups, which may be distinguished as follows : —
Oscines. Tarsus compressed posteriorly, with comparatively sharp hinder edge; or
else, hind claw longer than its digit, and straight. Clamatores. Tarsus cylindrical, the hind claw shorter than its digit and distinctly arched.
Analysis or Families op PASSERES. A. Oscines.
a>. Posterior half of tarsus compressed, with two lateral plates uniting In a comparatively sharp edge, and for the most part undivided. 6'. Primaries obviously 10, or else tip of bill hooked.
c'. Tarsi "booted," i. e. the anterior plates undivided for the greater portion of their length, d'. With distinct rictal bristles. Rectrices normally developed. Nostril oval. e'. Larger (wing more than 3.01) inches). Young distinctly spot- ted TurdidsB.
e^. Smaller (wingless than 3.00 inches). Young not spotted
Sylviidae (Sylviince, Begtdinx). d'. Without rictal bristles. Rectrices much abreviated. Nostrils
linear Cinclidse .
e'. Tarsi not booted, but anterior plates divided for the greater portion of their length into more or less distinct segments, or "scutellse " di. Bill strongly hooked Laniidse.
*An exception to this is found in the Family Laniidce, in which the maxilla is con- spicuously uncinate, with a pronounced notch and well developed tooth behind it. All the other characters ot this family, however, are distinctly Passerine.
48 BIKDS OF ILLINOIS.
(P. Bill not stroncly hooked.
t'. Tarsux lonuor thiin middle toe with claw, or the bill eioDKBt* ed. not deprossod. oarruwor nt biutu tbun length of culmoD.
/'. Bill modurutnly hooltod ut tip Vireonidee
p. Bill not distinctly hooked at tip.
9'. Tall-fcnthers stifT, pointed ut tip Certliiida.
B'. Tail-feuther« normal.
A'. Nasal feathers directed forward.
i'. Smaller (wing les.s than i.VO Inches).
j'. Bl'l notched. Bul>ulate Sylviiia (PoUoplilinir).
p. Bill without notch, more or less conoid Paridtr
P. Larjrer iwintr more than 4.oii Inches) Corridse.
A'. Nasal feathers erect or inclined backward.
»'. Bill eloncate-conical, culmon straight. First primary minute, not reocbine to tip of covertA.
Stomids. i*. Bill not conical, culmen more or less cur\'od. First primary well developed, extending be- yond tips of coverts TroglodytidiB.
e'. Tarsus not loncer than middle toe with claw . Bill short, de- pressed, width at base cvceedhiK lencth of Konys Ampelids
b'. Primarlos apparently only 9, the lip of the bill not hooked.
e'. Bill very short, very broad at base and deeply deft, the cape more than twice as lone as the culmen. Outer primary more than twice
as lone as (he Innermost Hinmdinida.
I-'. Bill variously formed, but gape never twice as lone as culmen, etc. Outer primary lo.ss than twice as long as the innermost.
d'. Bill decurved and very acute at lip .CeerebidsB {Certhiola) .
df. Bill not decurved.
e'. Bill not conoid; angle of Konys not forward of the nostril.
p. Tertials elouKatod, reachinK nearly to tip of longest priniarins. Hind claw nearly as long as, or louger
than, its digit Motacillids.
6'. Terlial.s not elongated, falling far short of tips of longest
primaries. Hind claw much shorter than Its digit. ..Hniotiltidce, «'. Bill conoid; if slender, the angle of Iho gonys forward of the nostril. /'. Bill notched, and with bristles at gape.
O'. Nostril exposed, rounded anteriorly, and without dis- tinct operculum. Ba-soof tomia not forming a distinct
angle Tanagridte
Q*. Nostril concealed by feathers, or pointed anteriorly and overhung by a distinct operculum, or base of
tomia forming a distinct angle FringUlidte
p. Bill without notcli, and witlioul bristles at gape Icteridae.
a'. Posterior half of tarsus not compressed, but rounded and divided into dis- tinct segments, or "sculella>." like the anterior half Alaudidee.
B. Clamatores.
«'. Inner toe entirely free at the base from Iho middle one. Posterior face of
tarsus not reticulate Tyrannidte.
a". Inner too with basal phalanx united to that of middle toe. Posterior face
of tarsus reticulate Cotingidae.
TURDIDa; — THE THRUSHES. 49
Family TURDID^.— The Thrushes.
Chaeacteks.— Bill slender, usuiilly distinctly notched, and with distinct rictal bristles. Tarsi booted; i. e., the anterior covering undivided for the greater part of its length. Young, distinctly spotted.
All the North American Turdidfe have the wing more than three inches long, and may thus be readily distinguished from members of the most nearly related family, the Sylviidge.
The American Turdidse include two strongly marked sub-families, which may be distinguished as follows : —
Turdinae. Gonys more than one third as long as the commissure. Myadestinas Gonys less than one third as long as the commissure.
Subfamily TURDIN^.— The True Thrushes.
Analysis of GENERA.
o.' Wing less than five times as long as tarsus.
&.= First primary not reaching beyond tips o£ primary coverts. Tail with- out rufous patch at base.
c.> Tarsus not longer than middle toe with claw Hesperocichla.
C.2 Tarsus decidedly longer than middle toe with claw.
d.' Second quill shorter than fourth. Tail without white at base.
e.' Tail less than three times as long as the tarsus Turdus iRi/locichla).
e." Tail more than three times as long as the tarsus Merula.
d.- Second quill not shorter than fourth. Tail white at base Saxicola.
6.2 First primary reaching beyond tips of primary coverts. Tail with
rufous patch at base Cyanecula.
a.- Wing more than five times as long as the tarsus Sialia.
Of the above genera, only Turdus, Mci-ula, and Sialia are, so far as known, represented in the Illinois fauna. The typical species of Turdus are exclusively Old World, a single one (T. iliacus Linn.) occurring accidentally in Greenland. All the American species belong to a very strongly marked subgenus, or perhaps genus, Hylocichla, which differs from Turdus proper in the much more lengthened tar- sus, and other characters.
5u uikd8 of illinois.
Genus TUEIDUS Lin.njjus. Subgenus Hylocichla Biiird.
Bvlociihla Gaiiio. Uovluw Am. B.. 1., 1*4. U. Typo, Tardus mua'.elinut GuHU
The essential characters of the subgenus Hylocichla consist in the much lengthened tarsus, proportionally shortened tail, and small size. The group comprises the small North American "Wood Thrushes," which are closely connected on the one side with Catharus, by tlieir lengthened tarsi, and with Tnrdus hy the shape of the wing. The bill is shorter, more (lci)ressed, and broader at base than in typical Tnrdus, so much so that the 6])ecies have fre- quently been described under Mtisckapa.
It is not at all improbable that naturalists may ultimately con- clude to consider the group as of generic rank, as has already been done in some instances.
As to their general appearance when seen in the forest, the Hylocichla?, with the exception of the Wood Thrush, which is conspicuously larger and more rich in color than its congeners, are much alike in their general appearance and in their habits. As has been truly said by a discriminating observer,* their general resemblance to one another is so close "that none but ex- perts can distinguish them, though, upon a close examination the characteristics of each arc found to be marked with sulheient dis- tinctness to leave no doubt of their identification. In the field all three [i. c.fuscescens, swainsojiii, and pallasii] have the same outline from beak to tail, the same russet coloring above and the same dull white breasts, more or less spotted ; but lay examples of each side by side and it will be proven that the Tawny was correctly named, for his russet plumes have a reddish tint in marked contrast with the greenish shade of the Olive-backed, while the Hermit is distin- guished by his tawny tail which changes to olive above the rump. But the actions of these birds are more nearly identical than either form or color, for whether seen hopping along the ground or perched upon a tree, feeding or Hying, it is impossible to detect any differ- ence in them."
*Mr. Moiita«rue Chamberlain, In the Canadian Sportsman and yaturalitt. Vol. ill.. Ho. 1, JanuaiT. 1883. pp. I!01-ai3.
TURDID^ — THE THEUSHES. 51
Key to the species of Eastern North America.
Common Chakactehs.— Above plain brown: beneath white, more or less spotted with brown or dusky. Young, with the upper parts, including wing-coverts, spotted and streaked with yellowish fulvous.
ai. Sides distinctly spotted, as well as the breast; culmen, .70 or more, and wing usually more than 4.25.
1. T. mustelinus. Above cinnamon-brown, brighter and more rufous on the crown, more olive on the tail; beneath, including the sides, white, the breast and sides marked with roundish or inversely cordate spots of black. Wing 4.10-4.50, tail 3.00-3.30. culmen .<«-.75, tarsus 1.20-1.30, middle toe .70-.75.
a-. Sides uniform grayish or brownish, without distinct spots; jugulum. etc., more or less tinged with buff. Culmen .60 or less, and wing usually less than 4.25.
6', Second primary shorter than fltth, the fourth longest. Tail and upper
coverts rufous, in decided contrast with the olive of the back, etc. A
distinct buff orbital ring.
2. T. aonalaschkae pallasii. Jugulum with very large triangularspots of dusky. Wing 3.40-3.90 (3.64), tail 2.55-3.15 (2.82), culmen .50-60 (.54), tarsus 1.15-1.30 (1.19), middle toe .65-.75 (.70).
V^. Second primary much longer than fifth, the third longest. Tail and upper coverts, not noticeably different in color from the other upper parts.
c'. A distinct buff orbital ring,
3. T.ustulatus swainsonii. Above uniform olive, of variable shade, the outer surface of the wings (and sometimes the tail also), very slightly browner, or less olive, than the back. Jugulum bright buff with rather lar^e triangular spots of dusky. Wing 3.80-4.10 (.3.96), tail 2.80-3.10 (2.95), culmen .50-.55 (.52), tarsus 1.05-1.18 (1.10), middle toe .65- .72 (.69).
c^. No trace of light orbital ring.
4. T. aliciae. Very similar to 3. ustulatxis swainsonii, but buff of jug- ulum. etc., usually very much paler, and buff orbital ring wholly ab- sent, the whole side of the head nearly uniform grayish.
a aliciae. Wing 3.75-4.40 (average 4.07), tail 2.95-3.40 (3.09), culmen .45-.58 (.55). tarsus 1.12-1,30 (1.18), middle toe .60-.75 (.68).
/3 bicknelli. Wing 3.40-3.80 (average 3.65), tail 2.60-2.70 (2-75), culmen .59-.52 (.51), tarsus 1.10-1.25 (1.13), middle toe .65-.70 (.68). Bill more slender, and colors usually darker. 6. T. fuscescens. Above uniform fulvous-brown or tawny, jugulum creamy buff, marked with small cuneate spots or streaks of brown, somewhat darker than the crown. Two races, as follows: a fuscescens . Above light fulvous-brown, or tawny: jugulum creamy buff with narrow cuneate markings of brown, scarcely darker in tint than the upper parts. Wing 3.75-4.15 (3.90), tail 2.70-3.30 (2.96), culmen .52-.60 (.55), tarsus 1.05.-125 (1.15), middle toe .65-72 (.69). (The prevalent eastern form.)
^ salicicolus. Above russet-olive, jugulum very pale buff, with cuneate markings of dark brown. Wing 3.80-4.25 (4.02), tail 2.95-3.40(3.20), culmen .55-.60 (.57), tarsus 1.15-1.28(1.17), middle toe .65-.75 .69). (Rare straggler from the Boeky Mountains).
5'A BIHDB OF ILLINOIS.
Tiirdus mustelinus (Gmol.)
WOOD THRUSH.
Popular 8ynonym«.-I5oll TbrusU: Bell liird; Wood Robin: Orlve des BoIr nnd Morlo luiiiiD (Cunadiun Frenchi.
Turdiix iHKs/^diiK.i Omei,. S. N. 1, 1788. 817.— NuTT. Mnn. 1, 1832. 313. -AuD. Orn. BloB. I, \Ki-2. sn: V, ISItn. HG. pi. 73: B. Am. 111. IU\.-M. pi. U4.-BAIBD. B.'N. Am. 1818. 21i: Cttt. N. Am. B. 1K39, No. US: Kovlew. \im. IH.-Couek. Key. ISTi, Ti: Chock Ll»l. iwn. No. 3: 2d od. 1882. No. C: B. N. W. 1874, 2.-B. B. & U. Hist. N. Am. B. I, 1871, 7. pi. 1. Kle. 1.
Titrdim {Hi/locirhla) niustelimia CouES. B. Col. Val. 1S78, 28.
Ilylociehla mnstrUua ItiDOW. Proc. U. S. Nut. Miis. ill, ISSO. 166: Nom. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 1.
Turdus melodus WiLS. Am. Orn. i, 1808, :t5. pi. 2. FIk. 1.
run. F.anteni United ytatas and British Provinces la summer, brooding throughout. In winter. Mexico, (iiiatemala, Cuba, and Bermuda!).
8p. Cii. .\bovo bricht tawny clnnamon-tirown. more rufescent anteriorly, more (trajr- Ish posteriorly; aurlculars streaked white and dusky. Lower parts white, the breast and sides with lareo blackish spots.
Adult in stuiiiner: Above cinnamon-brown, becoming bright tawny rufous on the head, the color clearer and somewhat lighter ou the eorvl.t; wings loss reddish than the back, nimp still more olivaceous, and tail decidedly grayish brown. A pure wliite orbital ring: lores grayish white, more gray Immediately In (ront of the eye; aurlculars dusky, distinctly streaked with whitish. A white malar stripe, curving upward beneath the au- rlculars. the anterior portion speckled with dusky. Entire lower parts white, usually somewhat tinged with buff on the breast; sides of throat bounded by a stripe of aggre- gated blackish cuncate streaks; jugulum marked with distinct cuneate or deltoid, the breast and sides with larger, broader. Inversely corJate, spots of black : abdomen and crissum iinmnculate: thront with very few minute spots, or entirely immaculate. Bill dark horn-color, the basal half of the mandible paler: iris dark brown; tarsi and toes pule brown. Wing 4.10— 1.50; tail, 3. 00-3.. ■«): culmen, .70— .75: tarsu.s, 1.20— 1.30; middle toe, .70— .75.
Adult in tci'iter: Similar, but jugulum more decidedly tinged with bull.
Yoima.fii-.it plumage: Similar to the adult, but feathers of the plleum nnd back with paler (ochracuous) shaft-streaks; middle wing-coverts with terminal triangular spots of ochraceou". the greater coverts narrowly tipped with the same; spots on breast, etc., less sharply defined.
Specimens of this species vary considerably in the intensity of the color of the upper surface, the variation involving Imtb the rufous of the anterior and the grayish brown of the posterior portions. Beneath, the jugulum is occasionally without any buff tinge whatever, while in some spring sjjecimens this color is quite as evident as in most autiininal or winter exiimples. The spots on the breast and sides also vary much in size and exact shape, being larger :ind more rounded in some, smaller and narrower in others ; in some speci- mens they are deep black, in others decidedly brownish. Extreme variations, however, in this respect, appear to be purely individual, and not at all dependent on locality.
TUBDID^ — THE THRUSHES. 53
Although a common species throughout the temperate portions of eastern North America, the Wood Thrush cannot be said to be a well-known bird in the same sense as the Eobin, Catbird, or other more familiar species ; but to every inhabitant of rural districts his song, at least, is known, since it is of such a character that no one with the slightest appreciation of harmony can fail to be im- pressed by it.
The song of the Wood Thrush is of a richer, more melodious tone than, perhaps, that of any other North American bird ; and, did it possess continuity, would be incomparable. It is one of the few birds which the Mocking-bird cannot imitate — he cannot even ap- proach the liquid metallic melody of the Wood Thrush's tones. Yet, just as the hearer becomes an attentive listener the beauti- ful notes cease with disappointing abruptness.
The favorite haunts of the Wood Thrush are damp woodlands and shaded dells, but he has on a few occasions been known to take up his abode in wooded parks within large cities. It is not often, however, that he is to be met with away from the wild-wood, where, however, he is by no means shy.
The nest of this species is usually built upon a horizontal branch of a low tree, usually from six to ten — rarely fifteen — feet from the grotind. It is a firm, compact structure, with much mud in its composition. The eggs are from three to five, but usually four, in number, and are of a uniform greenish blue color, thus, as does also the nest, closely resembling those of the Eobin, except in size, being considerably smaller.
Turdvis fuscescens Steph.
WILSON'S THRUSH,
Popular synonyms.— Tawny Thrush; Veery.
Turdun mustelinus WrLS. Am. Orn. v, 18ia, 98, pi. 43, fig. 3 (nee Gmee.).
Tardus fiifsceaceiis Steph. Shaw's Gen. Zool. x, 1817, 18'?.— Baikd, B. N. Am. 1S53, 214;^
Cat. N.Am. B. 1859, No. 151; Review, 1864, 17.— B. B. & R. Hist. N. Am. B. i, 1874,
9, pi. i,flg. 5.— CouES, Key, 1872, 73; Check List, 1873, No. 6; ed. 2, 1881, No. 7; B. N.
W , 1874, 5; B. Col. Val. 1878, 39. Hylocichla fuscescens Bidgw. Proe. U. S. Nat. iii, ISSit, 1()6: Norn. N. Am., 1881, No. 2. Tardus wUsnni. Bonap. Jour. Phila. Ac. iv. 1824. 34.— AuD. Orn. Biog. ii, 1834, 362, pi. 164;
Synop. 1839, 90; B. Am. iii. 1811, 27, pi. 145. Merula minor Sw. & Rich. F. B. A. ii, 1831, 179, pi. 36. Tardas hrunneus Bkewer, Jour. Best. Soc. vi, 1852, 304.
Hab. Eastern United States and British Provinoes; wintering in the Southern States and in Cuba, aud breeding in the northern portions of its range. (Replaced in the Rocky Mountains by the allied race T. fuscescens salicicolus).
51 BIRDS OF IU.IMOIS.
Sr. Cb. Above UDlform, rutlier lielit (uIvoub brown, varylDB in preclBO t>hu<le: no trace ot u IlKbtor orbitul-rlni;. tliu bidos of the bead boluK uearly uulfurm m'avlHb, a» in T.alicia: Jueulum and posttirior iiortlon of tliroiit crcaiuv bufT, wlili uunuuttt 8pc>t» of brown, usiiuUy ii llttli- darker tban tbu color of the crown, thcpe murkiiiKs narrower and more di^itluct antoriurly: cbin and upper part of throat, nearly white, iiumuculuto, but bordered alunu oaeb side by a longitudinal series of brown HtroakH.bomeliujvs blended Into a Hinelo stripe, below an lll-dellned whitt.sb or bulTy malar stripe: lores pale eruylsb or Krayisli white; auriculars darker and more brownish. Bides of breast, sides, and flanks. Ilicht brownish gray, the sides of the breast sooiotlines faintly spotted with a deeper shade, but fretiuently uniform; tlbliu grayish white in front, brown on posterior side: rest of lower parts pure white. ISill du.'^ky, the basal half of the mandible paler; iris dark brown: tarsi pale brown (in skin), toes darker. Wing '■•."5-4.15 H.MI; tall J.7i>-3.3i> (3.«); tarsus 1.05-1.25 (1.15); middle toe .ti5-.72 (.69); culmeo icxposed portion) .5i-.W (.5«).*
In sutnmer, the colors paler: in fall and winter, the brown above brlehter, the bull of juuulum deeper, and spots darker.
'First tilmnaoe: female. Above brieht rcddish-bulT. deepest on back and rump; feathers of pileum, nape, back, and wlnc-covorts mareined with dark brown, conllnInK the lighter color to somewhat Indefinitely doflned central drop-shaped spots. Lores and line from lower mandible alontt sides of throat, dark sooty-brown: throat, sides and abdomen pale brownish-yellow with indistinct transverse bands of brown: breast deep bulT, each feather edged broadly with dull sooty-brown; anal reKlon dirty white. In my collection, taken lu Cumbridne, Mass., July 23, isii.' (Bbewsteji. Bull. Nutt. Orn. Club, January, 1878. p. 18.)
Specimens vary a great deal in the precise shade of brown on the upper parts, which, however, is always decidedly more fulvous or tawny than in any other species, while there is also much varia- tion in the depth of the bull" color and the disliuctucss of the spots or streaks on the jugulum and sides of throat ; the latter are occa- sionally, but rarely (as in No. G30u8 3, Massachusetts, and 2115 5, Pennsylvania), very small and no darker in color than the upper parts.
^Yil8on's Thrush is a common enough bird of the northern United States, but south of the parallel of 40' it is known only as a migrant, or winter resident, and on the AUeghanies, where, at the proper altitude it spends the summer. According to Dr. Brewer {Hht. N. Am. B., I, p. 10; "it is timid, distrustful, and retiring; delighting in shady ravines, the edges of tliick, close woods, and occasionally the more retired parts of gardens."
The song of this Thrush is so very delicate and wiry that the hearer must be near by to catch all the subtle quavers and trills which are its characteristics. Dr. Brewer says it "is quaint, but not unmusical ; variable in its character, changing from a prolonged and monotonous whistle to quick and almost shrill notes at the close. Their melody is not unfrcquently prolonged until quite late in the evening, and, in consequence, in some portions of Massa-
'Extreme and average measurements of IG adults.
TUEDID^ — THE THRUSHES. 55
ehusetts these birds are distinguished by the name of Nightingale, — a distinction due rather to the season than to the high quahty of their song."
This estimate of the song of the Tawny Thrush is shared by Mr. Chamberhxin, who says (L c.) that "the Veery displays the least musical ability yet his simple strain is exceedingly pleasant to the ear and his beautiful voice exhibits most strongly that peculier resonant metallic tone which is characteristic of the genus."
The nest is placed on or near the ground, resting on a thick mat of dry leaves, and is without mud in its composition. The eggs are four or five in number, of a bluish green color, usually immacu- late, but in very rare cases finely speckled with brown.
Mr. H. K. Coale's notes regarding this species as observed by him in the vicinity of Chicago, are to the effect that it is a rather com- mon migrant, but not often seen, on account of its shyness, and that it is generally found in clearings, in company with Towhee Buntings.
Turdus fuscescens salicicolus Eidgw.
WILLOW THRUSH,
Popular synonyms.— Rocky Mountain Veery.
Turdus fuscescens Baied, B. N. Am. 1858, 922, 927 (Ft. Bridger, Wyoming).— Allen. Bull. M. C. Z. iii. 1872, 155, 173 (Mts. of Colorado).— Bidgw. Bull. Essex Inst. 1873, 172 (Salt Lake Valley, Utah); Bull. Essex Inst. 1873,179 (Colorado); (6. 1875, 35(Provo B.,Utah); Orn. 40th Paral. 1874,398 (valleys of Bear, Provo, and Weber B's, Utah; breeding).— Henshaw, Ann. Lye. N. Y. xi, 1874 (Utah); Hep. Wheeler's Exp. 1874, 39, 56, 71 (do.); Zool. Wheeler's Exp. 1875, 148 (Denver & Ft. Garland, Colorado; breeding).- CouES, B. N. W. 1874, 5 (part).
Turdus [Ilulocichla] fuscescens CouES. B. Col. Val. 1878, 39 (part).
Sylocichla fuscescens salicicola Bidgw. Pr. U. 8. Nat. Mus. vol. 4, Apr. 10, 1882, 374.
Turdus fuscescens salicicolus CouEs, 2d Key, 1884, 246.
Hab. Rooky Mountain region, west to the Salt Lake Valley; wintering in eastern Mexico (and southward?). Accidental fall straggler to Illinois (Chicago, Sept. 16, 1877, H. K. Coale.
Ch.— Similar to T./«scesce«.s, but averaging decidedly larger, the upper parts much less tawny,andthe jugulum less distinctly buff. Wing 3.80-4.25 (4.02); tail2. 95-3. 40 (3.20); culmen .55-. 60 (.57n tarsus 1.15-1.28 (1.17); middle toe .65-. 75 (.69).*
Adult in spring: Above uniform russet-oUve, (much as in T.ustulatus): jugulum and lower part of throat pale buff, as in ustulatus, much lighter than in fuscescens, the mark- ings, however, small and narrow as in the latter. Sides of head dull grayish, without trace of lighter orbital ring; sides of breast, sides, and flanks ash-gray (rather deeper than in fuscescens), the breast very faintly or not at all spotted with darker.
* Extreme and average measurements of 11 adults.
5b UUIDS OF ILLINOIS.
Adull iu fall and iriii/cr: Abovo dnrkor. more umbur, browD; iuiiulum and lower part and Hldus of tbroiit doopur bufT. with mui'b durkor »pot8.
The general appearance of this bird at iirst glance is more that of T. uxtiiliitiis than true T. fttgcescens, the upper parts and anterior lower parts heing quite similarly colored. A close examination, how- ever, immediately reveals radical difTereuces, the most important of which 18 the total absence of any light orbital ring, which is always present, and very distinct, in ttitulatm. The wings and tail, instead of being appreciably more rufescent than the back and rump are, on the other hand, less so ; the buflf of the jugulum gives way very abruptly to the ash-gray on the sides of the l)reast, and the spots end (juite as abruptly, the breast being plain ash-gray laterally, and white medially, with very indistinct spots of grayish between the white and the gray. In mtuhtlus the sides are decidedly brown, with very distinct transverse spots of a darker shade of the same color entirely across the breast. Another excellent character consists in the color of the axillars and lining of the wing, which are light grayish in the present bird, and deep brownish bulT in usttilaliis.
The dill'erences from typical fuscesccns of the Atlantic States, as indicated in the above diagnosis, are exceedingly constant.
A specimen from Chicago, 111., in the collection of H. K. Coale, of that city, (No. 15(J8, Coll. II. K. C, Sept. IG), is referable to this race, and is evidently a fall straggler from the Rocky Mountain district. It is even more olive above than most specimens from that region, having almost exactly the same shade of color as a fall specimen of T. swainsonii from Massachusetts, the latter, however, an unusually brown example. The entire absence of any light or- bital ring, the narrow, almost linear, streaks of the jugulum, and the peculiar proportions, however, refer it at once to fusccsctiis.
This form was named salicicolu^ on account of its marked predi- lection for willow thickets, to which, along the streams in the val- leys and lower canons of the Rocky Mountain region, it is chiefly confined during the breeding season.
The Willow Thrush is a purely accidental visitor to the country east of the Mississippi River, its occurrence in Illinois resting upon the capture of a single specimen in Chicago, by Mr. Henry K. Coale, September 16, 1877, as noted above. (See " Nuttall Bulletin," Oct., 1883, p. 23i}.)
TURDID^ — THE THRUSHES. 57
This strongly marked race is decidedly distinct from its eastern representative in both habits and song, the latter being far finer.
Turdus aliciae Baird.
GRAY-CHEEKED THRUSH.
Popular synonyms. Alice's Thrush.
Turdus alicia;. Bated, B. N. Am. 1858, 217; ed. 18(11, pi. 81. fig. 2; Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No.
134; Review, 1864.21.— B. B. & R. Hist. N. Am. B. i, 1874, ii, pi, i. flg. .3. Tardus swainsoni var. aliciw CouES, Key, 1872, 7.S; Cheek List, 1S7S, No. 5a. Tardus swaiasouii b. aliciie C:UEs B. N. W. 1874, 4; B. Col. Tal. 1878, 35. Turdus ustulatus alicice CouES. 2nd Check: List, 1882, No. 12.
Eylocicldaalickc BiDG-w.Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus. ill. 1880,160; Nom. N. Am. B. 1880, No. 3. Hab. Arctic and subarctic America in summer, from Labrador to Alaska (Pacific coastj; passing through the eastern United States during migrations, and wintering in Central America, south to Colombia; eastern Siberia.
Sp. Ch. Above uniform greenish olive-brown; no trace of light orbital ring. Beneath ■white usually more or less tinged with buff on the jugulum. the sides uniform olive-gray. Jugulumwith lower parts and sides of throat marked with rather small triangular spots ot dusky. Wing, 3.S5-4.40 (4.18); tail, 2.85-3.25 (3.05); culmen, .50-58 (.54); tarsus, 1.15-1.25 (I.IU); middle toe, .63- .72 (.09).*
Adult in Spring. Above uniform greenish olive-brown, the tail and outer portion of wings sometimes appreciably browner, or less greenish; sides of head nearly uniform dull grayish, the auriculars faintly streaked with white. Malar region and lower parts in general, white, the entire sides uniform olive-gray, and the jugulum usually (but not always) more or less tinged with light buff; jugulum, with lower part and sides of throat, marked with rather small but very distinct deltoid spots ot dusky, these markings more cuueate anteriorly, and forming a nearly continuous submalar stripe along each side of throat, the extreme posterior spots decidedly transverse; breast marked with transverse spots of olive-gray, like the color of the sides. Bill black, the basal half of the mandible pale colored (dull flesh-color in life); interior of mouth bright yellow; tarsi and toes pale brown or horn-color, the toes usually darker.
Adalt in fall and winter. Similar, but usually more greenish olive, and the buff tinge on jugulum more distinct.
Turdus alic'uE is apparently a very near ally of T. fuscesccns, with which it agrees much more closely in measurements and in pattern of coloration, than with T. ustulatus swainsonii with which it has usually been compared, and, by many confused, though needlessly so. From the latter it may be invariably distinguished by the en- tire absence of a light orbital ring, the whole side of the head being nearly uniform grayish, as in fuscescens. The spots on the jugulum average decidedly smaller; the jugulum and malar region are much less distinctly buff ; the sides much grayer, etc. Some specimens of alicia and swaiiisoiiii are identical in the color of the upper parts,
*Extreme and average measurements of 38 adults.
58 UIRDS OK ILLINOIS.
but a large majority of the former species are decidedly darker itnd less brown, appearing on actual comparisou almost gray m con- ti'ast.
There is the usual range of individual variation in this species, affecting not only the color but the proportions also ; hut I have been uualile to discover any variation with locality, althun^'h specimens from the far North, being in midsummer dress, are paler and grayer than specimens from the United States obtained in spring or autumn, and therefore in fresher plumage.
rirst described in 1858 from specimens obtained at West North- field, Illinois, by Miss Alice Kennicott, and near Cairo by her brother, the lamented Robert Kennicott, this species remained for several years rare in collections and its distribution comparatively unknown ; but at the present time its habits and range are known perhaps as exactly as those of any of its congeners. Everywhere within the United States the typical form is merely a migrant, although a small southern race passes the summer on the higher mountains of the extreme northeastern portions of the country; but of the latter it may be best to treat especially under its appro- priate heading. (See T. alic'ue hichiieUi, page o'.»).
The breeeding range of the Gray-cheeked Thrush includes a vast extent of territory, from the bleak regions of Labrador to the shores of the Arctic Ocean and westward to the coasts -of Behring's Sea, including those of the Asiatic as well as the American side.
In its general habits, this species much resembles its congeners, being, perhaps, most like T. itstuldtus swainsniiii, although its rela- tionship to T. fuscescens are in some respects equally close. The eggs ai-e spotted, like those of the Olive-backed Thrush, however, and not plain colored as are usually, but not invariably, those of the Tawny. The notes are said to he quite diirtinetive, the song being most like that of the Hermit Thrush, "but differs in being its exact inverse," beginning with its highest and concluding with its lowest notes, instead of the reverse.
TURDID^— THE THRUSHES. 59
Turdus aliciaB bicknelli (Eidgw.)
BICKNELL'S THKUSH.
Uulocichla alicia; bicknelli RiDGw. Pr. U. S. Nat. Mus. Vol. 4, Apr. 10. 1882, 377.— BiCK- NELL, Bull. Nutt. Orn. Club, July, 188i, pp. 152-159 (habits).— Brewsiee, ib. Jan.. 1883, pp. 12-17 (critical). Turdus aliclai bicknelli CouES, 2d Key, 1884, 248.
Hab. Higher mountains of the northeastern United States, from the Catslcilla and Adirondacks. In New York, to the White mountains of New Hampshire; breeding from an elevation of 4.0DU feet upward. StragglertoIUinoisi Warsaw, May 24, 1884; Chas.K. Wortheu).
SuBSP. CHAE. Similar to T«c(Z«s alicim Baird, but much smaller and (usually) with the bill more slender.- Wing, 3.40-3.80 (3.05); tail, 2.00-2.90(2.75); culmen, .50-.52 (.51); tarsus. 1.10-1.25 (1.13); middle toe, .65-.70 (.08).
The seven specimens upon which this new race is based are uniformly very much .smaller than true T. alicia; with slenderer bills, and present also certain slight butrather indefinite peculiarities of coloration. After a very careful comparison, however, I am un- able to find any constant color- differences which can be expressed in a diagnosis. Some specimens, notably the two males from Slide Mountain (where Mr. Biekneli found the present bird breeding in company with T.vstulatusswainsoniia,ndT.aonalaschkcepallasii, and having very distinctive habits and notes as compared with the two species in question), have the upper parts much browner than in alicia: with the wings and tail appreciably more reddish. In fact, tlie general aspect of the upper parts approaches more closely that of T. ustulatus, but the shade is much darker and less fulvous, while, as in typical aliciiB, there is no trace of a lighter orbital ring. The bill is much more slender than in most specimens of the larger form, while in several examples it is of a very peculiar shape, being much depressed basally, with the middle portion of the culmen somewhat concave. In fact, the bill in these specimens is much like that of the Nightingale (Lus- cinia Philomela) in shape, butwith even a more prominent angle at the base of the gonys, and still more depressed at the base. The extreme form of the bill, in this respect, as ex- hibited in No. 653 (coll. E. P. B.), suggests very strongly that of a Dipper, or Water Ouzel (Cmcius) in miniature.
This newly discovered race, was first obtained on the Catskill Mountains by Mr. Eugene P. Biekneli, to whose kindness I am in- debted for the privilege of describing it. Mr. Biekneli found it breeding on Slide Mountain, at an elevation of 4,000 feet, and made careful observations on its habits, which were recorded in the "Nut- tail Bulletin" for July, 1882, pp. 152-159.
A single specimen was obtained at Warsaw, Illinois, on the 24th of May, 1884, by Mr. Chas. K. Worthen, thus considerably extend- ing its known range and adding it to the fauna of this State.
GO
mUDS OK ILLINOIS.
Turdus ustiilatus swainsonii ^Cab.)
OLIVE-BACKED THRUSH.
Popular synonyms.— Swuliisiiu'ii Thrush; Bwiimp Itobin (Now KiiKlan'l).
Tunlun .■iiniinnnhii Cahan. Fiiun. Por. I8i.'.-4fi. 1S7.— Uaibd, B. N. All), ltr.8. 216; Cut. N. Am. 15. IHJ'i, No. IM; Hovlew, IHIH, I'J.-Coukh, Key, IliTJ. T': Chock I.l«t. IHTJ. No. S: B. N. W. I«;i. 4; B. Col. Val. 1K7S. ;H.-B. B. * It.. HUI. N. Am. B. I. 1KT4. U. pi. 1. Ili{. t.
JIulociclila iistiiliila swaitisoni RiDuw. Proc. U. 8. Nat. Mus. Ill , l-Wi, Hit: Norn. N. Am. B. IWI. No. In.
TurdiiK nntnlaliis mcainsoni Coueb, 2(1 Koy, 1884,248.
Has. Eiistorn North America. includlDK thu Iloek)r Hountnin dlKtrlct. woKt to the border of thi> Orent Basin: broedinK in the British Province.') ami far Houlhward in the Rocky Mountains: winterinx in moulhoro Union Statu!',* Central America and various parl.s of South America (Ecuador, Peru, Brazil, etc.).
8r. Cii. Adult. Above uniform olive-brown, more eraylsh in acme oxampleB; a very di.^tinct orbital riuK of bulT; supralorul Rtripu. malar rcclon, chin. Ihroat. and juk- ulum. liKhl liulT. UHually deepest toward sides of head and neck. Jueulum thickly marked with very broad triangular spots of dusky brown (much darker than the color of the crown), these marklncs more cunente anteriorly, and continued alonir sides of the throat In a series of loneitudinal dashes, usually blended into u more or less continuous sub- malar stripe, narrower and unbroken anteriorly: chin and upper part of throat immacu- hito: sides of breast, side.s. and flanks, oIlvuceous-Kray; rest of lower parts pure while: breast marked with distinct transverse spots of deep brownish cray; tibia' lluht brownish «ray. A.\illar8 and lining of wiuK deep drayish fulvous, ml.xed with ochracoous. Kill ilusky, brts;il half of mandible pale (dull llesli-color in life): interior of mouth rich yellow (in life); iris dark brown; tarsi and toes pale brownish, the latter darker. Loneth, 7.— 7 ia; extent of wines. 11.5(1— 12.25: wine, 3.8()-4 1" (3.9G); tail, 2.8(»-3.10(2.!l5): culmen, .50— .55 (.52): tarsus, 1 (15-1.18(1.10): middle toe. .(!5-.?2 (.69).t
"First iiUiinaoi'- Male. Above" much darker than adult, each feothor, exceptine on rump and tail-coverts, with a tear-shaped spot of rich bulT; beneath like adult, but rather more darkly and thickly spotted on the breast, and with narrow terminal bands of dull black on the feathers of the lower breast and sides. From a specimen in my collection shot at Upton, Me.. Aueust 4, 1874." (Buewsteb, Bull. Nutt. Oru. Club. .Tan., 1878, p. 18.)
Among a large series of specimeus there is miicii variation in the precise shacie of color of the upper parts, some heing much grayer than others. As a rule, examples from the Eocky Mountains are appreciahly grayer than those from the East, and in the case of two or tlireo the difference is very decided; but after a careful com- parison I find that that the ditfcrt'iico is not sullicieutly constant to warrant varietal distinction, especially since the measurements of the two series coincide very closely. I
•The only record the author has seen Is that of Mr. W. W. Cooke, in the Ontiihnlo'jist ami Oi'lnoi."!. for Oecember. 18sl. p. .s.i, to the effect that this species has been found win- terinein (ho Mississippi bottom, Illiuois,
t E.\treme and averace measurements of 14 examples.
1 A series includine 5 males and 2 females from the Eastern States and Rocky Moun- tains averaee us follows:
Wine. Tall. C'lmen Tarsus M. toe
Eastern specimens. Western
3% .S.M
2 92
.52 .52
1.12 1.09
.(i9 .139
Seven specimens measured.
TDEDID^ — THE THRUSHES. 61
A specimen said to be from San Francisco (No. 39i68 ; F. Bisch- off) agrees exactly with eastern specimens. There may be an error in the locahty, or it may be an accidental straggler.* Three specimens from the Yukon region in Alaska (50146, Kamen- sichta, May 31, W. H. Dall; 73227, Ft. Yukon, June 22, L. M. Turner; and 81106, Anvik, lower Yukon, May or June, E. W. Nelson), are more grayish, like Kocky Mountain examples.
Extralimital specimens are from Tehuantepec, Guatemala, Costa Eica, and Ecuador (55335, Arehidona, Eio Napo; Orton). They agree entirely with North American specimens.
The Olive-backed Thrush, or "Swamp Robin" as it is familiarly known in New England, is another of the species which in most parts of the United States where it is found occiirs simply as a migrant. It breeds from northern New England north well into the more southern parts of the region inhabited by T. alicicE, both species often breeding in the same localities and yet each retaining its special characteristics of habits and notes — a fact sufficient to at once dispose of any theory of their representing races of one species. In the higher mountains, this species breeds far southward, Wilson having found its nest and eggs on the high lands of north- ern Georgia, while in the Eocky Mountains of Colorado Mr. Hen- shaw found it abundant, in May, in the vicinity of Fort Garland.
The song of this species, according to the writer's experience in the ihountains of Utah, is simple and brief, but very sweet, though less so than that of either T. fuscescens saUcicolus or T. aonalaschkce.
Mr. H. K. Coale informs me that several specimens shot in May, 1883, were about a dead cow, where they had probably been at- tracted by the supply of maggots.
The nest of the Olive-backed Thrush is usually built in bushes or low trees, near or along the banks of streams. Those found by the writer in the mountains of Utaht were in willows overhanging or growing very near to the banks of a mountain brook at heights varying from three to ten, but usually about seven, feet from the ground. In no instance were there more than four eggs in a nest. The composition of the nest of this species (as built in New Bruns- wick) is thus described by Mr. Chamberlain : t "In a specimen of this nest before me coarse grass is the predominating material in
' The "make" of this skin is precisely that of specimens prepared by the same col- lector at Peoria, Illinois.
t Ornithology of the 4lith Parallel, pp. 397, 39S.
t Canadian Sportsman and Naturalist, Jan., 1883, p. 20.
62
BIRDS OF ILLINOIS.
the extenial parts, but in the walls twigs of spruce, bits of lichens and (Irietl leaves are mixed with the grass and all are woven into a solid mass, very firm and strong. The lining is formed by a luj-cr of line grass interwoven with pieces of a black, vine-like root, nil neatly laid ; over these, at the bottom, is a layer of skeleton leaves. The moasunments are: Depth, inside, II inches; width at mouth, '2:| inches ; outside, the diameter is irregular, varying from lA to 5 inches. Mr. J. W. Banks tells me that of some fifty nests of the Olive-backed Thrush that he has examined all were lined with skele- ton leaves; but Mr. Harold (iilbert found one in 187.S that was lined with moose hair. This nest was built in a garden, in the suburbs of St. John, within twenty feet of the house and but an arm's-length from one of the main walks. The moose hair was furnished by a tame animal kept on the grounds."
Turdus aonalaschksD pallasii (Cab.)
HERMIT THRUSH.
Popular synonyms.— Eastern neriuit Tliriisli: IJufous-talled Thrush ; Swamp Robin, or Gruuiul Swiimp liobln (Now EiikIiiikJi: Solitiiry Thrush.
Turdus soUlarius (not of Lisx.) WiLS. Am. Orn. v. 1812, 95 (not pi. 43, Og. 2, whlch=
jtirain.iom').— AUD. Synop. IX)!). 'M: 1). Am. iii, IWI. 29. pi. H6. Mernla soUlaria Sw. & UicH. F. li. A. II, 1831. 184, p1. ";«" (=,37).
Turdus minor (not of Gm.) Nutt. Miin. 1. 1832, 34«.-AuD. Orn. Blog. I. 1832, ,3(8, pi. 58. Turdus pallasii Caban. Wlegm. Archlv. 1847. 1. 205.— Baird. B. N. Am. IS58. 212; Tat. N.
Am. B. 1&59. No. 149; Review, 18ii4, 14,— COUES, Key, 1872, 72; Cheek LUt. 1873. No. 4;
B, N. W. 1874, 2: B. Col. Val. 1878, 2«,-B. B, & U, Hist. N, Am. B. 1. 1874, IS, pi, 1. (Ik. 6. Turdus aonalaschka: pallasi, BiDow. Proo. U. 8. Nat. Mus. Vol. ill, Mureh 22, IsSii, 1, Hi/hcichta unalasca: pallasi BiDOW. Proo. U. 8, Nat. Mus. ill, 1880, Itifi. Norn. N. Am. B,
1880, No. Sb. Tttrdua unalasar nanus CouES, 2d Check List, 1882, No. 10.
Had. Eastern North America, brcedinc chiefly north of the United States ami win- terine in the more southern States, or from about the parallel of 4fl' to the Gulf const. Represented In western North America by the allied races audnboni (Rocky Mountain district) and uonalasclikw (Pacific const).
Sv. Cii. Second primary shorter than fifth. Tail much mora reddish than back. Wing. 3.40-3.90 (3. (>t): tail. 2.55-3.15 (2.88): culmen, M-M(.Si): tarsus. 1.15-1. 30 (1.19); middle toe, .65-. 75 (.70).*
• Extreme and avorace measurements of 21 adults. The average of 32 adults meas- ured by Mr. Henshaw(r/. Bull. Nutt. Orn. Club) is slightly dKTeront, being, wing, 3.t;i; tail, 2.87; culmon, .53; tardus, 1.15. Though the sexes are not constantly dilTi>runt In dimen- sions, the .Is usually a little the smiillor. as the following averages of 16 males and 8 females will show:
|
Wing. |
Tall. |
Culmen.' Tarsus. 1 |
Middle too. |
||
|
Males |
3.71 3.57 |
3.00 2.77 |
.55 .5» |
1.21 1.17 |
70 |
TUKDID^ — THE THRUSHES. 63
Adult in spring and early summer. Above uniform olive-brown, changing to dull einnamon-rutous on the tail, the upper tail-eoverts of an intermediate tint; outer portion of tlie wings more rusty than the back, but much less rufous than the tail. A very distinct orbital ring of palo buff; aurioulars and suborbital region dull grayish brown, in- distinctly streaked with paler. Lower parts dull white, purer on the abdomen, the jugu- lum usually faintly tinged with buff; jugulum marked with large deltoid spots of dark brown or blackish, the more posterior of these spots broader and less pointed, the ante- rior ones more cuueate; sides of the neck with cuneate streaks of dark brown or blackish, narrower and more Unear anteriorly, where they form a well defined stripe or "bridle" along eaeh side of the tlu-oat: malar region dull white, indistinctly speckled or streaked with brown; breast with distinct roundish or somewhat saggitate spots of deep grayish brown; sides and flanks light grayish olive-brown, axillars and lining of wing pale dull ochraceous; tibiae olive-brown.
Adult in fall and winter. Similar, but above much browner (almost umber on the back), the tail deeper rufous, the jugulum more distinctly tinged with buff, and the sides browner olive.
"Fu-st plumage: female. Eemiges and rectrices as in adult, but darker and duller; rump and tail-coverts bright rusty-yellow; rest of upper parts, including wing-coverts dark reddish brown, each feather with a central tear-shaped spot of golden-yellow; en- tire under parts rich buff, fading to soiled white on abdomen and anal region; each feather on jugulum and breast broadly tipped with dull black, so broadly, indeed, that this color covers nearly four-flfths of the parts where it occurs; rest of under parts, with exception of abdomen and crissum. which with the central region of the throat are im- maculate, crossed transversely with lines of dull black. From a specimen in my collec- tion shot at Upton, Me., June 20, 1873. This bird was very young.— scarcely able to fly. infact,— yet the color of the rectrices is suliiciently characteristic to separate it at once from the corresponding stage of 7'. svainsoni, which it otherwise closely resembles. Another specimen of apparently nearly the same age. taken at Rye Beach, N. H., July 25, 1872, differs in having a decided reddish or rusty wash over the entire plumage, and by the spots on the breast being brownish instead of blaek." (Bkewster, Bull. Nutt. Orn. Club. Jan., 1878. p. 17.)
Specimens vary a good deal in the precise shade of color on the upper parts, the relative blackness of the spots on the jugulum, the distinctness of the buff tinge to the latter region, and other minor details. In the spring or early summer plumage the color of the back is much that of T. ustulatus swainsonii, but is browner, or with less of an olive cast. In winter the back and crown are sometimes decidedly reddish brown, some specimens, (as Nos. 7591, Washing- ton. D. C. and 54823, Enterprise, Florida, Feb. 1), being in fact even more rufescent than the Rockey Mountain form of T. fascescens. The spots on the jugulum vary in form from decidedly cuneate to broadly deltoid, and in color from dark grayish brown to black.
An excellent treatise on the several geographical races of this species by Mr. H. W. Henshaw may be found in. the "Nuttall Bul- letin," for July, 1879, pp. 134-139.
The Hermit Thrush is a species of more general distribution than any other of the small thrushes, being found entirely across the continent and north to the arctic regions. It is not quite the same bu-d, however, in all parts of its range, the Eocky Mountain region
64
BLBOS UF UXINOIS.
being occupied by a larger, grayer, race, while in the Pacific coast district a dwarf race takes its place. These two geographical forms being Kiitliciontly distinct to rank as subspecies they need not be mentioned further hero.
The "Oroinul Swaiup Kobin," as this species is known in parts of New Eiighmd in contradistinction from its relative, the Olive-backed ed Thrush, (called "Swamp Eobin") breeds from Massachnsetts north- ward, and passes the winter from the Middle States, or from about the parallel of KT to the Gulf coast. It has been found common in winter in vicinity of Washington, D. C, during the severest weather, the mercury registering -1C°. Most of the habits of this species arc very similar to those of its congeners. Its song is said by Dr. Brewer to be "very line, having many of the characteristics of that of the Wood Thrush. It is as sweet, has the same tinkling sounds, as of a bell, but is neither so powerful nor so prolonged, and rises more rapidly in its intonations. It begins with low, sweet notes, and ends abruptly with its highest, sharp ringing notes."
Genus Meriila Leach.
Menila LBAcn, Syst. Cat. Miunm. and Birds. ISIC. p. 20. Type. Turrinn merttla Linn.
Gen. CiiAii. Tail about four-llfths n8 lone as the wine and more than throe times as lone as the tarsus. sliBhtly roiindod; tarsus a little lontior thtin commissure. oxcocillnB middle too and <daw by U'ss than the lencth of the latter; 3d. 4th, and r>th quills loncest. the 'Jd about equal to the Cth, never much loneer or shorter. 3d to nth quIUs with outer widjs sinuated. Outstretched feet not reachinK beyond the middle of the tail. Plumaeo variable, but never distinctly spotted beneath, except In young. Sexes sometimes very dilTerent in plumace.
The above characters apply equally well to the type species, M. memla (the European Blackbird) and the North American repre- sentative congener, M. migratoria. The former, however, has the tail a little longer, proportionally, has the bill decidedly narrower at the base, and has the plumage uniform black in the male, gray- ish brown in the female.
North America possesses only two species of this genus, the com- mon so-called Robin (.1/. mhjmlorin) and the 3/. coiijinis (Baird) of Lower California, the latter being very distinct.
TUEDID^ — THE THRUSHES. 65
Merula migratoria (Linn.)
AMERICAN ROBIN.
Popular synonyms— Eobin; Eobin Red-breast; Mijjratory Thrush; Eobin Thrush; Red-breasted Thrush; American or Carolina Fieldfare.
Turdux migratorius Linn. S. N. i, 1766, 292.— Wilson, Am. Orn. i, 1808. 35, pL 2, flg. 2.—
NUTT. Man. i. 1832. 338.- AUD. Orn. BiOK. ii, 1834, 190, v, 1839, U2, pi. 131; Synop.
18.39. 89: B. Am. iii, 1841, 14, pi. 142.— Baikd. B. N. Am. 1853, 218; Cat. N. Am. B. 1859.
No. 155; Review, 1864, 28.— CouEs, Key, 1872, 71; Check List, 1873, No. 1: 2d ed.
1882. No. 1; B. N. W. 1874, 1, 228; B. Col. Tal. 1878, 8.— B. B. & R. Hist. N. Am. B. i,
1874, 25, pi. 2, fig. 3. Mei-ula migratoria Sw. & Rich. F. B. A. ii, 1831, 176.— Ridgw. Nom. N. Am. B. 1881,
No. 7.
Hab. Breeding throughout northern and eastern Norlh America, but more sparingly in the Southern States. Replaced in the western United States and high table-lands of Mexico by the allied race M. migratoria propinqua.
Sp. Ch. Adult f, in summer: Head deep black, with the lower eyelid, part of the upper eyelid, and a supra-loral streak, pure white; chin pure white, the throat streaked with the same, Upper parts grayish slate-color, the scapulars and interscapulars show- ing darker centers, these usually most conspicuous anteriorly; wing-eoverts also darker centrally but this mostly concealed; primaries, primary-coverts, and alulffi, black, narrowly but distinctly edged with ash-gray. Tail uniform slate-black, the two outer feathers with inner webs distinctly tipped with white, Jugulum, breast, entire sides, upper part of abdomen, axiflars. and lining of the wing, uniform deep rufous or reddish ochraceous (varying much in shade in different individuals); posterior part of abdomen and femoral region pure white; anal region and crissum white, mixed with plumbeous, this mostly beneath the surface. Bill, bright yellow, tipped with dusky; iris brown; tarsi and toes brownish black or dark horn-color— sometimes deep black. Total length lo.-ii; extent 15.50-17.; wing, 8.10-5,40; tail, 4.10-4.50; culmen, 85-92; tarsus, 1.30-1.40; middle toe, .82-.95.*
Adult ? in summer: Usually a little paler and duller in color than the male, but not always distinguishable. Bill less purely yellow; dimensions about the same.
Adult in winter: Upper parts decidedly tinged with olive; rufous feathers of the lower parts distinctly bordered with white, producing a scaly appearance. Bill mostly blackish, the yellow confined chiefly to the lower mandible.
Young in first winter: Differing from the autumnal or winter adult in much paler colors; head grayish, the pileum scarcely or not at all darker than the back, the upper parts being uniform dull gray; breast, etc., reddish ochraceous, much mixed with white posteriorly, the jugulum tinged with ashy. A more or less distinct supra-auricular streak of white.
Toung in first plumage: Pileum and side of head dull blackish, with an indistinct dull whitish superciliary streak between; the lower eyelid also whitish. Upper parts dull brownish gray, the scapulars and interscapulars variegated with blackish terminal bars and whitish shaft-streaks; lesser and middle wing-coverts also marked with pale shaft- streaks. A whitish malar-stripe, bordered below by a blackish stripe along each side of throat; chin and throat white, immaculate, or with only very faint scattered specks. Breast, sides and abdomen, pale rufous or ochraceous, thickly spotted with black; lining of wings uniform ochraceous or pale rufous; posterior lower parts chiefly whitish.
♦Extreme measurement of 9 adult males. —5
G6 BIRDS OK ILLINOIS.
Among a Inr^'c scries of Bpcoimons, bucIi as tliat contained in the U. B. Katiiiual Mubcuiu, tliire is of course, a very eouhiderable range of individual variation, but the extremes of normal variation are included in the general terms of the above diagnoses. The deepest-colored specimen in the series is an achilt male olitained at Laurel, Maryland, April 3, 1879, (No. 82,539 ; H. Marshall). In this the dorsal feathers are all black, but distinctly bordered with slate-gray. All the wing feathers are decidedly black centrally, this showing very conspicuously on the tertials, while the primaries, with their coverts and alulie are deep slate-back, narrowly, but very sharply edged with pale gray. The black of the head is very intense, while the black streaks on the throat, are much broader than the white ones. The lower parts are of a very rich, bright, uniform rufous. The bill, in the fresh specimen, was a pure, rich, golden-yellow, with the extreme tip black. This specimen I do not consider to be at all abnormal in the respects indicated, however, but believe that it represents merely the most perfect plumage of the fuUy adult male.
The palest colored individual is a female from the District of Colum- bia, obtained October 15 (No. 59,30 J ; D. W. Prentiss), and in the i)lu- mage described above as that of the young in first autumn. The entire npper parts are a uniform ash-gray (slightly tinged with olive anteriorly), the feathers of the pileum darker centrally. The entire throat is white, very narrowly streaked with dusky. The breast and sides pale rufous, or bright redchsh ochraceous, strongly shaded with ash-gi'ay across the jugulum, and posteriorly broken into large spots by the broad white borders to the feathers.
The habits of the American Kobin are too well known to require particular description. With many characteristics which of them- selves should endear him to every lover of birds, he possesses cer- tain bad qualities which have made him enemies. Seeking the so- ciety of man, he "outwears his welcome" by pilfering cherries and other small fruits with most provoking industry and pertinacity; and though a persistent singer during early morn, he deli\er8 his sweet carol in a vacillating manner and quite spoils its effect by the interspersion of harsh, squeaky notes, while as the "evening shades deepen" his sharp complaining chirps annoy us by their too frequent I'cpetition; and the twilight seems to make him all the more vociferous. However, "with all his faults, we love hira still." No American orchard would be complete without its pan- of Robins,
TURDID^ — THE THRUSHES. 67
and his absence would create a void in the ranks of our birds, which would be felt by every one who cherishes memories of his boyhood days. ,
Genus SIALIA Swainson.
Sialia Swainson, ZooI. Jour, iii, Sept. 18'i7, 173. Type, MotaciUa sialis Linn.
"Gen. Char. Bill short, stout, broader than high at the base, than compressed; slightly notched at tip. Rictus with short bristles. Tarsi not longer than the middle toe. Claws considerably curved. Wings much longer than the tail; the first primary spuri- ous, not one fourth the longest. Tail moderate; .slightly forlied. Eggs plain blue. Nest in holes.
"The species of this genus are all well marked, and adult males are easily distinguishable. In all, blue forms a prominent feature. Three well-marked species are known, with a fourth less distinct. The females are duller in color than the males. The young are spotted and streaked with white." {Hist. N. Am. B.)
Common Chakacteks. Adult male bright blue above, beneath cinnamon and white (S. sialis), blue and chestnut (S. niexicana), or blue and white {S. arctica); adult female with the blue above confined to the wings, rump, and tail, the upper parts being grayish, the lower parts paler and duller than in the male (in S. arctica, breast, etc., grayish drab). Young, with the grayish or dusliy upper parts spotted or streaked with whitish, and the whitish lower parts squamately spotted with dusky.
qI. Breast and sides chestnut or cinnamon.
1. S. sialis. Throat cinnamon, like the breast; belly white; upper parts cobalt-blue. Bah. Eastern North America.
2. S. mexicana. Throat deep blue; belly grayish blue; upper parts rich smalt-blue, the back usually with a chestnut patch. Sab. Western U. S,, chiefly in the val- leys.
6°. Breast and sides turquoise-blue.
3. S, arctica. Upper parts rich azure-blue; belly white. Bal). Western U. S., chiefly on the higher mountains, and northward to the interior of British America.
The three known species of this genus are included in the above synopsis for the reason that two of them have akeady been recorded as occurring in the State, while the third {S. mexicana) is said to have been taken in Iowa, and may therefore possibly, like other western species, occasionally straggle to Illinois.
The females of the three species differ from one another in much the same characters as those which distinguish the males, though the colors being much duller the differences are far less striking.
G8 UIRDB OF ILUNOIS.
Sialia sialis ^Liuu.)
BLDEBIRD.
Fopolu syaonym.— Eastern BlueLiird.
MotaciUa sialis Linn. 8. N. ed. 10. i. 17M. VT,; ed. 12, 1. 176C. S36. t>uliia sialis L\TH. InJ. Orn. 11. 17J0, 5i!.— WiLs. Am. Orn. I. 180S. M, pi. 3, (Ik. S. Ampflis sialis Nutt. Man. I. MiU, Ui.
Sialia sialis Haldem. TreRo'.-* GeoR. Peun. 1813. 77.— Baibd. B. N. Am. 18S8. 22.': Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 158; Review, Idftl, 62.— CouKS, Key, 1872. 70; Cheek IA»U 1873, No. IG: 2d ed. I8S2. No. 27: B. N, W. 1871. 13: B. Col. Val. 1S78. 77.-B. B. i R. Hint. N. Am. B. 1. 1874. 62, III. 5. lie 3.-RIDOW. Nom. N. Am. B. 18S1. No. 22. Sialia wilsonii Swains. ZoOl. Jour. 111. 1827. 173.- Sw. Si Kicu. F. B. A. II. 1831, 210.
Hab. Eastern North America, west to the eastern base or the Rockr Mountains, north to British Provinces. Breeds throughout Its normal ranite, and winter." in most portions of the eastern U. 8. Resident in BermudiL
"Bp. Chab. Entire upper parts, int'ludini; winifs and tall, continuous and uniform azure-blue: the cheeks of a duller tint of the same. Beneath reddish brown; the abdo- men, anal reRion, and under tail-coverts white. Bill and feet black. Shafts of the quills and tail feathers black. LonRth. 6.75: winR. 4.oo; lull. 2!«l.
"Yuiinf}. Male.s of the yeardull brown on head, buck, and lesser coverts; streaked, except on head, with white. Throat and fore pari of breast streaked with white. Tertlals edeed with brown. Rest of coloration somewhat like adult.'
So well known are the liahits of the common, familiar Bluebird, that little need be said here on the subject. Partially miKratory almost everywhere, it may be occasionally seen in winter even in the most northern States, but probably nowhere north of the paral- lel of 40' can it be looked for with any certainty at this season of the year. Few birds in the whole world possess as many attractive features as the Bluebird. With the confiding familiarity of the European Robin Redbreast {Kritlutcim ruJivcula), it is adorned with a pluniiige of tropical beauty and is endowed with a voice of pecu- liar tenderness. By an English writer residing in Bermuda, he is
styled "the loveliest of birds with the blue of a
Bermuda sky upon his back, and on his breast the tint of its rosy dawn."
"Common summer resident, nesting in boxes put up for their ac- commodation. The English sparrows attack and chase away the Bluebirds, and many that nested in the city have gone into the suburbs and now nest in hollow trees or holes in fence posts. In August tboy frequent stump fields and cleared woods, in flocks and families. The males sing at this time, but in a weird, far-away tone. Once found a nest built between the stalks of a geranium plant in a large flower urn. Arrived March 6, 1879, but in warm seasons are as early as February '20," (H, K, Coale, MS,)
TUKDID^ — THK THEUfeHES. 69
Sialia arctica (Swains.)
MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRD.
Popular synonyms.— Arctic Bluebird; Rocky Mountain Bluebird.
Erythaca [Sialia] arctica Sw. & Rich. F. E. A. ii, 1831, 209, pi. 39. SialiM. arctica NuTi. Man. ii, 183-1, 573; ed. 2, i, 1840, 514.— AUD. Synop. 1839, 84; B. Am. ii, 1841, 176, pi. 1:36.— Bated, B. N. Am, 1858, 224; Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 160; Rev-ew, 1864. 64.— CouES. Key, 1872, 76; Check List, 1873. No. 18; 2d ed. 1882, No. 29; B. N. W. 1874, 14; B. Col. Val. 1878. 82.— B. B. & R. Hist. N. A. B. i, 1874. 67, pi. 5, flg. 4.— Ridgw. Nom. N. Am. B. ISSl. No. 24. Sylvia arctica AuD. Orn. Biog. v, 1839. 38, pi. 393.
Hab. Western mountain districts of North America, north to lat. 64'n°, south nearly, or Quite, to the Mexican boundary, at high elevations.
"Sp. Chak. Greenish azure-blue above and below, brightest above; the belly and under tail-coverts white; the latter tinged with blue at the ends. Female showing blue only on the rump, wings, and tail; a white ring round the eye; the lores and som'Himes a narrow front whitish; elsewhere replaced by brown. Length. 6.25; wing. 4.36; tail, 3.00. '1875.)
"Toung. Male birds are streaked with white, as in S. sialis, on the characteristic ground of the adult.
"As already stated, the blue of this species is greener than in sialis. The females are distinguished from those of the other spe- cies by the greener blue, entire absence of rufous, and longer wings.
"In autumn and winter the blue of the male is much soiled by umber-brown edges to the feathers, this most conspicuous on the breast, where the blue is sometimes almost concealed ; the plumage of the female, too, at this season is different from that of spring, the anterior lower parts being soft isabeUa-color, much less grayish than in spring." (Hist. N. Am. B.)
The only claim of this species to a place in the Illinois fauna rests on the single record, by Mr. Nelson (Pr. Essex Inst. viii. 1876, p. 95) of the capture of a specimen opposite Dubuque, Iowa.
The home of the Arctic or Eocky Mountain Bluebird is the mountainous region of western North America, especially the ranges of the interior, and thence northward through the more elevated portions of British America to a high latitude. As the Californian Bluebird {S. mexieana) is essentially a bird of the lower valleys, so is the present species emphatically a bird of the mountains, its visits to the lower portions of the country being mainly during winter.
Subfamily MYADESTIN.ffi.— The Solitaires.
The birds of this subfamily have usually been placed with the Ampelidse, in a group including also the genera Phainopepla and
(t» uiitns or ILLINOIS.
Ptilo<ii»i;ig. Its true relntionship, however, is decidedly witli the Turdidie, to which its hooted tarsi, its haLits, the spotted plumajju of its younj;, and many otlier characters ally it clu.sc-ly. The ouly North American geuus is the following:
Genos MYADESTES Swainson.
ituadeslea Bwaikson. Jard. Nat. Library, xlll., Flycatchers, "1838." 1S2. Type. .V. gfniharhis 8w,
"Gen. Chab. Occipital reatliers full and soft PlamaKO rather loose. IJlll weak, mnch depressed. Commlssuro neiirly straicht. Hind toe loricer than inner liUural. TofS deeply cleft. Closed wlnis externally with an exposed lieht baml across the base of tlie Quills, and another nearer the end, separated by a darker one. Toil somewhat ^aduatod on the sides.
"Of the ten or more described species of the genus, only one be- longs to the limits of the United States, although several others oc- cupy adjacent territory in Mexico. Several are pecuUar to islands of the West Indies." (Hist. N. Am. B.)
Myadestes townscndi (.Vud.)
TOWNSEND'S SOLITAIHE.
Popular synonyms.— Townsend's Flycatcher, or Flycatchlng Thrush; Townsond's. PtlloKonys.
Ptilogoni/s loinifendi AuD. Orn. Biosr. v, 1819. 200, pi. 419, lie. 2; Synop. 1839, 46; B. Am. 1. 1840, 243, pi. CO.— NOTT. Man. 2d ed. t, 18«0,361.
Myadestes (oioi.'Jenc/ii Caban. Wleprm. Archlv. 1847. 1., 208.— BArRD, B.N.Am. 1858, 321: Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 2.'io; Uoviow. IsiW, 429.-CouEs, Key, is?-', 117; Chock List. 1873. No. 121; 2d od. 1882, No. ItW; B. N. W. 1874. 93; B. Col. Val. lh7C, 44.-B. B. & K Hist. N. Am. B. I. 1874. 106. pi. 18. tigs. 3,4.— BiDOW. Nom. N. Am. B. 1881. No. 25.
Hab. Western Mountain districts of the United States, from the Me.xIcan boundary to British Columbia. (Accidental straKirler to northern Illinois.)
"Sp. Chab. Tall rather deeply forked. Exposed portion of spurious quill less than one third that of the second: fourth 'lulll lonsest: second u little lonuer than thosLxlh. Head not oroslod. Qenonil color brownish ash, paler beneath: under winc-coverts white. Quills with u brownish yellow bar at the base of both webs, mostly concealed, but show- InK a little below the Kreater coverts and uluijc: this succeeded by a bar ofdu^ky, and next to it another of brownish yellow across the outer webs of the central cmills only. Tertials tipped with white. Tail feathers dark brown: the middle ones more like the back; the lateral with the outer web and tip, the second with the tip only, white. A white rlnc round the eye. Length, 8 inohes; wing. l.-IO; tall, ;'.S5. (8.2:14.)
"Young birds have a large triangular pale-ocliraceous light spot on the end of each feather (rather paler below), bounded externally by a narrow border of blackish; the quill and tail feathers as in adult." {Hist. N. Am. B.)
TURDIDiE — THE THBUSHES. 71
Illinois is far from the normal habitat of this interesting bird, whose true home is the mountainous regions of the Far West. A single specimen, however, was shot at Waukegan, by Mr. Charles Douglas, on the 16th of December, 1875. Mr. Nelson informs us that it was "found in a sheltered ravine, extending a short distance into the bluff, bordering the lake shore near the above-named place, and showed no alarm when approached. Nothing peculiar was observ- ed concerning its habits except that its movements were very sprightly." Mr. Douglas has recently written me tbat it was eat- ing the seeds of the common black thorn-apple {Cratagus tomentosa), and that it was quite silent.
Townsend's Solitaire is, from all accounts, a charming songster — the finest, perhaps, among North American birds. Dr. Newberry describes its song as clear, full and melodious, and, although not greatly varied, the notes are all particularly clear and sweet, with strains of pure gushing melody that were both spontaneous and ins- piring. Dr. Cooper says that its song can be compared with noth- ing uttered by any other' bird he has ever heard in the United States; and that it excels that of the Mockingbird in sweetness, while it is entirely original. Mr. J. K. Lord, who heard them sing- ing in November, at Fort Colville, Washington Terr., describes their song, as heard on that occasion, as resembling that of the Song Thrush {Tv.rdus musicus) of Europe.
72 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS.
Famtt.t SYLVITD^.-Tite Warhlf.rb.
CnARACTRRS. There is very little by which to distinguish the birds of this Family from the Turdidio, beyond the very much smaller size and the unspotted plumage of the young. Of the so-called subfamilies here recognized, the PolioptiUme are without much question out of place, though it is very uncertain where they do belong. For the convenience of the student, however, we place them here in accordance with the arrangement adopted by the American Ornithologists' Union.
The so-called subfamilies may be distinguished as follows :
d.' Wines loDKer tban the nearly even or emaiRinate tail. Anterior tarsal envelope conllniious for the Krenter part of its extent. No white on t^ill.
6.' Nostrils oxposetl. Scutelln! distinct on inner side of tarsus Sylviinee
h.' Nostrils concealed by feathers. Tarsal envelope without appreciable
scutellii' BegalinsB
n.» Wines not longer than the cradiiated tail. Anterior tarsal envelope dis- tinctly scutellate. Tail with white terminal spots and edgings Polioptilinae
Subfamily POLIOPTILIN^.— The Gnatcatchers. Genus POLIOPTILA Sclater.
PoUoplila ScLATEB Tr. Zool. 8oe. 1855, U. Type, Motacilla canitea Linn.
Chab. Bill slender, attenuated, but depressed at the base: nearly as long as the head, distinctly notched at the tip, and provided with moderate rietui bristles. Nostrils rather eloncated, not concealed, but anterior to the frontal feathers. Tarsi ionccr than the middle toe, distinctly scutellate; the toes email, the hinder one scarcely longer than the lateral; its cl.-vw scarcely longer than the middle. Outer lateral too longer than the inner. First primary about one-tliird the longest; second euual to the seventh. Tail a little longer than the wings, moderately graduated; the feathers rounded. Nest felted and covered with moss or lichens. Eggs greenish white, spotted with purplish brown.
"The species all lead-color above ; white beneath, and to a greater or less extent on the exterior of the tail, the rest of which is black. Very diminutive in size (but little over four inches long)." {Hist. N. Am. B.)
SYLVIIDiE — THE WARBLERS. 73
Polioptila cserulea (Linn.)
BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER.
Popular synonyms.— Blue Wren; Long-tailed Blue Wren; Eastern Gnatoateher.
Motacilla ccerulea Linn. S. N. ed. 12, i. 1766, 337. Sulvania cwrulea Nutt. Man. 2d ed. i, 1S4II, 337. CuUcivora cwrulea Aud. B. Am, i, 1840, 244, pi. 70. Polioptila ccerulea ScL. v. Z. S. 1855, 11.— B.iiKD, B. N. Am. 1858, 380; Cat. N. Am. B.
1859, No. 282; Review, 1864, 74.-CouEs, Key, 1872; Cheek List, 1873, No. 23; 2d ed.
1882, N0..36; B. N. W. 1874, 17; B. Col. Val. 1878, lOl.-B. B. & R. Hist. N. A. B. i, 1874.
78, pi. 6, flg. 5.— BiDGW. Norn. N. Am. B., 1881, No. 27.
Hab. United States, cbiefly south of 40°; wintering in extreme southern States, Cuba, Mexico, and Guatemala,
"Sp. Chak. Above grayish blue, gradually becoming bright blue on the crown. A narrow frontal band of black extending backwards over the eye. Under parts and lores bluish white tinged with load-color on the sides. First aud second tail feathers white except at the extreme base, which is black, the color extending obliriuely forward on the inner web: third and fourth black, with white tip, very slight on the latter; fifth and sixth entirely black. Upper tail-coverts blackish plumbeous. Quills edged externally with pale bluish gray, which is much broader and nearly white on the tertials. Female without any black on the head. Length, 4.30; wing, 2.15; tall, 2.25. (Skin.)" {Hist. Jf. Am. B.)
This active little bird inhabits chiefly open high woods, often along streams, where he may be seen skipping and darting about among the topmost branches, his long tail elevated and jerking in wren- like fashion, — always moving about and ever uttering hi.s wheezy, squeaky notes. During the breeding season the male has a very varied song of considerable power but lacking in sweetness, and uttered in an erratic manner, portions of it suggesting a weak imitation of the Catbird's medley.
The nest of this species is one of the gems of bird architecture. It is a very compact mass of soft felted materials, elaborately and artistically ornamented on the outside with gray and glaucous lichens, the deep interior cavity cosily lined with softest down and feathers. The shape varies from that of a deep cup to that of an inverted cone, the. opening being always at the top. This elegant structure is securely fastened — either saddled to or woven about — a horizontal limb, usually near the top of a tree, but, especially if the tree be a very tall one, sometimes on one of the lower branches. Often it is attached to a limb of nearly the same diameter as itself, thus appearing as a knot or other excrescence.
74 lilBOB OK ILLINOIS.
This species is one of fhe earliest to arrive in spring, making its appearnnco at Ut. Cnrmel early in April, the 2n(l and lOlh of tbnt month being the earliest and latest dates recorded by the writer. In Cook county, Mr. Coale says that it is a "rather common migrant," but that it was really common only in the spring of 1875, when several were shot in Hyde Park. lie had not found it breed- ing, however, though it was found doing so by Mr. G. F. Clingman at Whiting Station, Indiana, near the Illinois hne. At St. Louis, Mr. Coale found it very common and nesting on May 22, 1883.
Subfamily REGULINiE.— The Kinglkts.
Gencs REGULUS Cu\ter.
lif cuius Cut. Lecjons d'Annt. Comp. 1799-18(10, tnbl. li. Type. Molacilla regulus Lnm.
CoW?ii/;io Cab. Jour. Orn. i, 1853.8). Typo. ^fotacH^a calendula Linn.
"Gen. Char. Bill slender, much shorter tlinn the head, depressed at base, bnt becom- iiiK rapidly compressed; modoratoly notched at tip. Culmen straicht to near the tip, then Kontly curved. Commissure straieht; Bonys convex. Rictus well provided with bristles; nostrils covered by a sinclo bristly feather directed forwards (not distinct In calendula). Tarsi elongated, excoedinc considerably the middle toe, and without seu- tolla). Lateral toes about eiiual; hind toe with the claw, lonc^r than the middle one by about halt the claw. Claws all much curved. First primary about one third as loncas the longest; second niual to fifth or sixth. Tail shorter than the wings, moderately forked.tho feathers acuminate. Colors olive-green above, whitish beneath. Size very small." aiisl. K Am. B.)
(Common Chakactebs. Above olive-greenish, brighter on rump and edges of second- aries and roctrices; 80i!0ndarics with a broad black basal bar. Beneath dull whitish. .Vn^p with a brightly colored crown-patch of red, orange, or yellow, with black stripes In .some species, In which the female has a yellow crown-patch. Young land adult female of 7i. calendula) without any markings or bright colors on head.
a' Crown with a broad black stripe on each side.
1. E, satrapa. Forehead smoky whitish; crown-patch bicolored In the male— Intense
orange centrally, with a yellow border— uniform yellow In the female.
2. K. ouvieri. Forehead and a stripe across lores and behind the eye, black; crown-
patch uniform red in the male.
a' Crown without black .stripes. ,
3. E. calendula. Crown with a central patch of vermllion-red in the aldult male, thi?
usually al^scnt, or when pro-ent much reduced In size, in the female.
The first and third species whose characters are given above are very abundant birds in all parts of the State — the first throughout the winter, the other chielly during the spring and fall miguations, but wintering to some extent in the southern portions. The second species {R. cuvicri) was discovered many years ago, on the banks of
SYLVIID^ — THE WARBLERS. 75
the Schuylkill River, in Pennsylvania, by Audubon, and is at pres- ent known only by the description and illustration given in the works of its discoverer. It is one of several species belonging to the same category, among which may be mentioned the Carbonated Warbler {Perissoglossa carbonata). Small-headed Flycatcher (Sylvan- ia microcephala). Blue Mountain Warbler {Dendroica moiitana), etc. But since two other species (Centonyx halrdii and Cotimiiculus Iccontci) until within a few years past included in the same list are now well-known birds, it is quite possible that a few years hence, when the number of intelligent observers has increased, we may know more of Cuvier's K.inglet.
Eegulus satrapa LIcht.
GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLET.
Popular synonyms. — Golden-crested Kinglet; Golden-crowned Wren; American Golden- crowned Wren, or Kinglet; American Golden-crest.
Sylvia regulus WiLS. Am. Orn. i. 1808, 126, pi. 8, flg. 2 (not of Linn.)
Regulus cristatus Nutt. Man. i. 1832, 420.— AuD. Orn. Biog. ii. 1834, 476, pi. 185 (not of
Koch). Regulua satrapa Licht. Verz. Doubl. 1823, No. 410.— AuD. Synop. 1839, 82; B. Am. ii. 1841,
165, pi. 132.— Baied, B. N. Am. 1858, 227; Gat. N. Am. B. 1859. No. 162; Review, 1864, 65.
— CoUES, Key, 1872, 78; Check List, 1873, No. 22; 2d ed. 1882, No. 34; B. N. W. 1874, 16;
B. Col. Val. 1878. 96.— B. B. & R. Hist. N. A. B. i. 1874, 73, pi. 5, flg. 8.— Ridgw. Norn. N.
Am. B. 1881, No. 33.
Hab. Whole of North America, breeding mostly northward o{ and wintering chiefly within the United States; in winter extending also far into Mexico, on the elevated table- lands.
"Sp. Char. Above olive-green, brightest on the outer edges of the wing and tail feathers, and tinged with brownish gray towards the head. Forehead, a line overthe eye and a space beneath it, white. Exterior of the crown before and laterally black, embracing a central patch of orange-red, encircled by gamboge yellow. A dusky space around the eye. Wing-coverts with two yellowish-white bands, the posterior covering a similar band on the auills. succeeded by a broad dusky one. Under parts dull whitish. Length under four inches; wing, 2.23; tail, 1.80. Female without the orange-red central patch. Young birds without the colored crown." (Rint. N. Am, B.)
"First plumage: female. Pileum (including forehead) dark smoky-brown; line over the eye entirely cut off at its anterior corner by the junction ot the dusky lores with the brown of the forehead; tertiaries broadly tipped with white; breast strongly washed with pale fawn-color; otherwise like adult. From a specimen in my collection taken at Upton, Me., August 25, 1874. A young male taken August 25, 1873. is in every way similar. A good series of specimens of various ages shot during August and the early part of September illustrate well the transitional stages. First the brown of the pileum darkens into two black stripes, while the line over the eye broadens to meet its external margin. Next, two lines of yellow feathers appear inside and parallel with the black ones, while the orange of the central space (of the male) is produced last." (Bkewstee, Bull. Nutt. Orn. Club, June, 1878, 19.)
76 HIRUS OK ILLINOIS.
The delifiite little Golden-crowned Kinjjilet — smaller even than the Ruby-crown — ib known in IJlinois. and indeed in all portions of the United States, except the northern coniferous woods and siuiihir forests of the higher mountains, only as a winter visitant or resi- dent, lie is most often seen during clear frosty mornings in mid- winter, and seems particularly in his element when the trees are decked with an icy covering of sleet — when the woods appear like fairy land, and the pure crisp air instills fresh vigor to those who sally forth to enjoy its exliilianiting inllnence. Then the little Gold-crests may be seen in woods or parks in scattered troops, nim- bly hunting among the crystal branches, now hanging in Titmouse fashion, then dropping to another limb, and carelessly hopping about, apparently not feeling the contact of the ice with their tiny feet. At such times none of our birds are tamer tlian these dainty little creatures and none certainly more lovely. They come aliout the intruder as if utterly unmindful of his jiresence, often so near that the sparkle of the little black eye, the Hash of the glowmg orange crown, and every detail of bis pretty plumage can be plainly seen.
In its northern summer home, the (iuld-crest is said to have an agreeable though delicate song, far inferior, however, to that of the Ruby-crown. In winter, its usual note is a delicate wiry chirp, im- possible to express in writing, but nearly if not quite undistinguisha- ble from the ordinary note of the Brown Creeper.
According to Mr. Coiile, it is a "very common migrant" in Cook county. "Ever active and uttering a tc-t:c, tze-tze as they Hy into every nook and corner of the foliage of trees."
Regulus calendula iMim.)
ROBY-CROWNED KINGLET.
Popular synonyms.— Ruby-crowned Wren.
MotaciUa cuUiutiilit LlNN. N. N. od. 12. i. ITrt;. ;H7. Si/li'ia i-aleniluin Lath. Ind. Orn. II. I7K0. .1l!l.— WiLs. Am. Orn. 1. 1S08. Sf. pi. S. lie. ». /fpOH/Hji (■a/i>»</ii'(( LiciiT. Vorz. Doiilil. 1S2S.— Ni'TT. Man. 1. 1«J, 415.— Ai'D. Orn. Bloc. 11. ISM, 5W, pi. 195: Synop. lSi!>. St: B. Am. 11 ISU, lt!8, pi. i:«.— lUutD, B. N. Am. \X<».. 226; Cut. N. Am. B. \X,9, No. liJI; Uuvlow. IStM. 6ti.— CoUES, Key. 18Ti 78: Clit-ck List. 1873. No. i;i: LM ed. 1S.S2, No. ;«: B. N. W. 1S71. 15; B. Col. Viil. 1S78, 9J.-B. B. & I!. Hist. N. Am. B. 1. 187«, 75. pi. 5, llR. 9.-KiD0\v. Nom. N. Am. B. IWl, .No. W. Hab. The whole of North Amoricn, breodlncclilelly north of the United States, bill south to Colorado, lit least. In the Rocky Mountains: wintering in the more southern United States, and thenco to Mexico and Gautemala. (Accidental in Europe and Greenland.)
SYLVIID^ — THE •WARBLERS. 77
"Sp. Chak. Above dark greenish-olive, passing into briglit olive green on the rump and outer edges of the wings and tail. The under parts are grayish white tinged with pale olive yellow, especially behind. A ring round the eye, two bands on tne wing-oov- erts, and the exterior of the inner tertials white. Male. Crown with a large concealed patch of scarlet feathers, which are white at the base. Female and yotma without the red on the crown. Length, 4.50, wing. 2.33; tail, 1.85.
"This species of Regidus appears to lack the small feather which in satrapa overlies and conceals the nostrils, which was probably the reason with Cabanis and Blyth for placing it in a different genus. There is no other very apparent difference of form, how- ever, although this furnishes a good character for distinguishing between young specimens of the two species. (Hist. N. Am. B.)
The diminutive Euby-crowned Kinglet is scarcely known in the United States except as a transient visitor in spring and fall, mak- ing himself more conspicuous in the former season, when the fruit- trees are decked with blossoms, among which he may be seen en- gaged in the occupation of snatching from the half opened buds and the unfolding leaves the minute insects which constitute his food. His summer home is among the northern coniferous forests, and he winters in the milder regions of the more southern States.
The song of this bird is comparatively powerful for so small a creature, and is remarkable for its softness and sweet expression. It consists of an inexpressibly delicate and musical warble, aston- ishingly protracted at times, and most beautifully varied by softly rising and falling cadences, and the most tender whistlings imagina- ble. Dr. JBrewer says that its notes are "clear, resonant, and high, and constitute a prolonged series, varying from the lowest tones to the highest, and terminating with the latter. It may be heard at quite a distance, and in some respects bears more resemblance to the song of the English Sky-lark than to that of the Canary, to which Mr. Audubon compares it." We have never heard the Sky- lark sing; but there is certainly no resemblance between the notes of the Euby-crowned Wren and those of the Canary, the latter be- ing as much inferior in tenderness and softness as they are super- ior iu volume.
78 JIIKDS OF ILLINOIS.
Fajhly PARID^. — Tirr, Titmice and Nuthatctteb.
CnARACTEns. Bill more or less conical, without notch, the nasal feathers directed forward and usually concealing the nostrils. Size small (wing less than four inches long). Tarsi distinctly scutellate.
The above characters are drawn up to include Chdrntra, whose claim to a place in the Family ParidsB is a matter of serious doubt. Sitta, although appearing so very distinct from the typical Paridie is yet so closily connected through Paliearctic forms of the latter (as Parus varhis of Japan) that there can be no doubt of its belong- ing to the same family.
The North American subfamilies, including Cluinuca, may be de- fined as follows : —
a.' Bill stout, much shorter than head. Tall about as lone as tho wing, or longer. Hallux shorter than miilille too. !(.' Nostrils coneoaloJ by foiithors. Tarsus with anterior covorlnK scu- tellate on outer siile Parinte.
!).' Nostrils exposed. Tarsus with anterior covorinR fused on outer sidcChamsBinae. a.' Bill slender, as lone us the head. Tail much shorter than the winK. Hallux
lODser than middle toe Sittinee.
Subfamily PARIN.S1.— The Titmice.
This subfamily, as above characterized, includes three North American Genera, which may be defined as follows: —
a'. Bill with either the culmon or gonys decidedly convex. Nostrils wholly eoncoalod. Plumaco very lax.
&•. Tail about equal to ornot much longer than wine, rounded Paras.
c'. Head not crested (Subgenus I'nnis,)
c'. Head crested (Subgenus Loiihoiihanea.)
V. Tail much longer than wing, graduated Psaltriparas.
a''. Bin with both eulmen and gonys nearly straight, the tip acute. Nostrils
partly exiiosod. Plumage rather compact Anripams.
The genera PsaUripanis and Auriparus, as well as the subfamily Chavuebue (the latter including the single genus Chanxea), are extra- limital, belonging to the southwestern portions of the United States.
Genus PARUS Linn.eus. Subgenus Lophophaues Kacp.
Lophophanes Kaup. Eutw Gesch. Euro|i. Thier. IS£i. Type. I'arns crislattm Linn.
IttKolophux Cabanis. Mas. Heln. 1850. 1S'>1. 91. Typo, Panm bicnior LlNN.
"Gen. Char. Crown with a conspicuous crest. Bill conical: both upper and lower outlines convex. Wings grailuatod: llrst aulU very short. Tail moderately long and rounded. Nests In hollow trees; eggs white with Une rod dottlngs." (Ifisi. Jf. Atn. B.)
PAKID^ — THE TITMICE AND NUTHATCHES. 79
This subgenus scarcely differs from Parus except in the possession of a well developed pointed crest. But one species occurs east of the Rocky Mountains, except in Texas, where a Mexican species, P. atricristatus is found. In Western Texas to Arizona occurs another Mexican species, P. wollweberi, while in California and other parts of the Western Province P. inornatus is found.
Parus bicolor Linn.
TUFTED TITMOUSE.
Popular synonyms.— Black-fronted Titmouse. jPa™.s bicoloi- Linn. S. N. ed. 12, i, 1766, 340.— WiLS. Am. Orn. 1. 1808. 137, pi. 8, flg. 5.—
AUD. Orn. Biog. i, 1831, 199, pi. 39; Synop. 18-39, 78; B. Am. ii. 1841, 143, pi. 125.-NUTT.
Man. i, 1832, 230. Lophophanes hicolor Bonap. Consp. i, 1850, 228.— Bated, B. N. Am. 1858, 384; Cat. N. Am.
B. 1859, No. 285; Review, 1864, 78.— CouES. Key, 1872, 80; Cheek List, 1873, No. 27;
2d ed. 1682. No. 40; B. N. W. 1874. 19: B. Col. Val. 1878, 113.— B. B. & B., Hist. N. Am. B.
i. 1874, 87, pi. 6, flg. I.— RiDGW, Nom. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 36.
Hae. Eastern United States, west to Nebraska and eastern Texas, north to the Con- necticut Valley; resident and breeding throughout.
"Sp. Chak. Above ashy; a black frontiil band. Beneath dull whitish; sides brownish chestnut, o' more or less intensity. Feathers of the crown elongated into a flattened crest, which extends back as far as the occiput. Bill conical: lower edge of upper mandible nearly straight at the base. Fourth and fifth quills equal; third a little shorter than seventh; second rather shorter than the secondaries. Tail nearly even, the outer feather about .20 of an inch shorter than the longest. Upper parts ash-color, with a tinge of olivaceous. Forehead dark sooty-brown. The feathers of the upper part of the head and crest ob- scurely streaked with hghter brown. Under parts of head and body, sides of head, in- eluding aurioulars, and a narrow space above the eye, dirty yellowish white, tinged with brown ; purest on the side of head, the white very distinct in the loral region, and includ- ing the tuft of bristly feathers over the nostrils, excepting the tips of those in contact with the bill, which ai-e blackish. The sides of the body and the under tail-coverts are tinged with yellowish brown. The quills and tail feathers are edged with the color of I he back, without any whitish. Bill black. Feet lead-color." [Hist. N.Am. B.)
Length, about 6.25 inches: extent, 9.25; wing, 3.05— 3.45.
Perhaps no bird is more abundant in wooded districts of the southern half of the State, than this species; and this ap- plies equally to all parts of the year. Eoving in restless noisy troops through the woods, scolding at every intruder and calling to one another in harsh tones, they are often, on this account, very annoying to the collector or the hunter. During winter they become very familiar, approaching with confidence the immediate vicinity of dwellings (which, indeed, they seem inclined to shun only during the breeding season), and, in company with Snowbirds {Junco hy- fmalis), Carolina Chickadees, Nuthatches (Sitta caroUnensis), Blue- jays, and other familiar species, glean their portion from the refuse
MO BIBDS of ILLINOIS.
of the table — bread-crumbs, bits of meat, or indeed anytbiiig eat- able. The notes of this species in their general character resemble those of the Chickadees, but are much louder and more vehement. In sprinjj; tho male has a very pleasant call, consisting of a rei)eti- tion of the syllables pito, pito, pito in a very clear and rather sweet whistling tone. The nest is built in cavities of trees, like that of other species of the family.
Subgenus Parus Linnaeus.
7'ari/s I.ixs. S. N. ed. 10. 1.1758,189; ed 12, 1. lTC6.34(i. Type, by climinnUon. P. major Linn.
"Gen. Chab. Head not crested. Body and head full. Tail moderately lonR. and .<>llKlitly rovindod. Bill conical, not very stout; the upper nud under outlines very Kently anil slightly convex. Tarsus but little longer than middle too. Head and neck Keucnilly black or brown, with sides white. Nest in holes. Eges white, sprinkled with red." (IJisl. N.Am.B.)
The species of this subgenus which occur in Illinois, may be dis- tinguished as follows:
Common Chahacters. Above plain eraylsh, with or without distinct whitish edcinKS on Inriter wing feathers; beneath whitish, the sides tineed with ochreous. fulvous, or ru- fous; entire pileum, chin, and throat, black, or brownish, the sides of the bead whitish. Sexes alike, and youne similar in plumaee to the adult.
a'. Crown and throat deep black.
1. P. atricapillns. Tail about c<iual to the wine (rarely a very little shorter, usually
lonscr); cri'uterwinc-cjvertsand tertials very conspicuously eoced with whitish; black of the throat much broken posteriorly by white tips to the feathers. Winit 2.iJ0-2.75 (2.t;t). tail 2.50-2.75 (2.6.3). tarsus, .W-.70 (CO). Uab. Northern portion of the State; very rare winter visitant to southern half.
2. F.'carolinensis. Tail decidedly .shorter than wing: wing-coverts and tertials with-
out distinct whitisli edges; black of throat with abruptly defined posterior border. Wln« 2.I0-2.C0 (2.11), tail 2.10-2.50 (2.19), tarsus .Si-.CS (.<>1). Hah. Southern half or more of the State, resident wherever found, a'. Crown and throat brownish, the latter darkest.
3. P. hudsonicus. Crown hair- brown, back slightly more olivaceous; siilcsof neck ash-
gray, the cheeks paler. Inclining to white anteriorly; throat sooty blackish; sides dull rusty. Ifab. Rare winter visitant to extreme northern part of State.
Parvis atricapillus Liuu.
CHICKADEE.
Popular synonyms. Black-capped Titmouse or Chlcadee; Eastern Chickadee; Kortbern Chickadee.
I'arus atricapillus LlNN. S. N. ed. 12. 1, 17fiC. .Sll.-Wll.s. Am. Orn. 1, 1808. 131. pi. 8. llg. 4.— 8w. & Rich. F. B. A. ii. 1831, 220.— Aud. Orn. Biog. Iv. 1««. pi. 35.1. fig. 3; Synop. 1839. 79; B. Am. II. 1811, 110, pi. 12G.— Baikd. B. N. Am. IS3S. {RiO; Cat. N, Am. B. 18,-.9. No. 290; Review. W>i, 80.-CoUES, Key. 1872, 81; Check List, isrt. No. 31; 2d ed. 18S2, No. «; B. N. W. 1874, 20.-B. B. & B. Hist N. Am. B. i, 1874, 9C, pi, vil, flg. l.-RiDOW. Norn. N. Am. B. 1881, No. il.
PARID^ — THE TITMICE AND NUTHATCHES. 81
Hab. Northeastern North America, or from northern United States east of the" Great Plains and northward; winter visitant south to abont40''oralittle further. (Eeplaced intheEoelcy Mountain district and Great Plains and thence northward to Alaska b7 the more slender, lighter colored race, septentrionalis Harris.)
Sp. Char. Adult: Entire pileum and cervix glossy black; chin, throat, and malar region black, this broken posteriorly by whitish tips to the feathers; sides of head and neck white. Upper parts ash gray, more or less tinged with yellowish; wings blackish, the feathers edged with light ashy, the greater coverts and tertials broadly edged with white. Tail dusky, the feathers edged with ashy, inclining to white on lateral reetrices. Median lower parts (from jugulum back) white, lateral portions buff. Bill black; feet bluish plumbeous, iris dark brown. Young; Very similar to the adult, but black of pileum and cervix without gloss, that of the throat more sooty, buff of sides less distinct, and plumage of looser texture.
Male (7 specimens): Wing. 2.60-2.75 (average, 2.66); tail, 2.60-2.75 (2.63); tarsus, .65-.70 (.69(.
Female (3 specimens:) Wing, 2.55-2.60 (2.58); tail, 2.50-2.60 (2.57), tarsus, .68-.70 (.69).
This familiar and active little bird is almost confined to the north- ern half of the State, making its appearance south of the 39th parallel, so far as the writer's knowledge and observation are con- cerned, only at rare or at least very irregular intervals during the coldest weather. Its habits are too well known to require descrip- tion here.
Parus carolinensis Aud.
CAROLINA CHICKADEE. Popular synonyms.— Carolina Titmouse; Southern Chickadee.
Farus carolinensis AnD. Orn. Biog. ii, 1834, 471, pi. 160; B. Am. ii, 1311, 152, pi. 127.— Baikd, B. N. Am. 1858. 392; Cat. N. Am. B. 1859. No. 293; Eeview, 1861, 81.— CouES, 2d CheckList, 1882, No. 47; 2d Key, 1884, 206.— B. B. & K. Hist. N. Am. B. 1, 1871, 102, pi. 7, fig. 3.— RiDGW. Norn. N. Am. B. 1881. No. 42.
Paras atricapillus var. carolinensis Coues, Key, 1872, 81; Cheek List, 1873, No. 316.
Hab. Southern halt of Eastern United States, north to or beyond 40°, west to eastern Texas and Indian Territory. (Resident throughout its range.)
"Sp. Char. Second ciuill appreciably longer than secondaries. Tail very little rounded Length about 4.50 inches; wing less than 2.50; tail, 2.40.* Back brownish ash. Head above, and throat, black, separated on sides of head by white. Beneath white; brownish white on sides. Outer tail feathers; primaries, and secondaries, not edged with white."
This species, which is the more common one in Illinois (except the extreme northern counties) may readily be distinguished from P. atricapillus by the more extensive and more "solid" black on the throat; by the absence of distinct white edgings to the wing and tail feathers, and by the different proportionate length of the wing and tail. (See synoptical table.)
This pretty, active and familiar little bird occurs throughout the State, but is most common in the southern half, where it is the representative of the northern Black-cap (P. atricapillus). The
*In fourteen adults, the wing measures 2.40-2.60, the average being 2.46; tail 2,10-2.50 (average, 2.15); tarsus, .55-.65 (average, .60).
—6
82 Dinns ok Illinois.
relative areas oecnpicd by these two species are, however, by no means well made out, but it is probable that the larger portion of the State is occupied by the present species, to the exclusion of the other.
Woods, especially those of bottom-lands, are the favorite resort of this species ; and in summer it may always be found wherever there are plum thickets or many red-i)ud trees, since in the soft wood of dead trees of these kinds it is able to excavate with ease a hole for its nest. As a rule, however, it selects a cavity already made, as the deserted hole of the Downy Woodpecker, a knot-hole, or a hollow fence rail. In winter it is very familiar, keeping much about door-yards and orchards, even in towns, and {,'k'aninR its daily food from the "back steps," where the table cloth is shaken, and where it may often be seen perched on the edge of the garbage pail, pecking bits of meat, etc., from the contents.
The notes of this species are decidedly louder than those of the Black-cap, and his spring song of cliick'-a-dec, chick'-a-dcc, cliicli'-d- dee, uttered in a very clear and sweet whistling tone, is very pleasing.
Parus hudsonicus Forst.
HDDSONIAN CHICKADEE.
Fopnlar synonyms. Hudsonian Titmouss; Hudson's Bay Titmouse, or Chickadee.
Parus hudsonicus FoRST. Phllos. Trans. Ixill, ITTJ.SSt.-HJO.— AUD. Orn. Biog. ii. IKM. 543, pi. 19<; B. Am. ii, 1S1I,155, pi. 12S.-BAIitD, B. N. Am. 1858,395; Cut. N. Am. B. ISSS, No. 29C: Review, l»(M,S2.-CouE8, Key, 1S7l', 81; C'beci: List, 1S73. No. :«; 2d cd. 1882, No. 49.— B. B. & B. Hist. N. Am. B. I. 1874, 105, pi. 7. flg. 7.-RiD<tw. Nom. N. Am, B, 1881. No, 45, Hab. Nortliorn North America, south to extreme northern border of the United States, except on tlie Pacillc; coast, where replaced from Sitka south (andiprobably farther north- ward) by /'. rn/c.'.cpn.s Towns,
"8p. Chab. Above yillowlsh olivaceous brown; top of head purer brown, not very dif- ferent in tint. Chin and throat dark sooty-brown. Sides of head white. Benejith white; sides and anal recion licht brownish chestnut. No whitish on wings or tail. Tail nearly even, or sllRhtly emarglnate and rounded. Lateral feathers about .2i> shortest Length about 5 inches; wing, 2.40; tail, 2.66."* (Uist. X. Atn. B.)
This species can only be considered the merest straggler to the extreme northern portion of the State. The author has never met with it alive, and therefore knows nothing of its habits from personal observation.
Mr. Nelson informs us (see page 9;5 of his list) that Dr. J. W. Velie took a single specimen at Eock Island, but at what date it is not stated, and I learn from Mr. Coale's memoranda, that Dr. Hoy obtained one at Racine, Wisconsin, in January, 188'2.
•Five specimens from Maine, Nova Scotia, and Labrador, measure as follows: Wing, 2.50-2.65 (average, 2.52); tail. 2.40-2.70; tarsus. .62-70.
PARID^ — THE TITMICE AND NUTHATCHES. 83
Subfamily SITTING. — The Nuthatches,
The SittincB include a single American genus, Sitta, which is represented by numerous species in Europe and Asia. The allied genus Sittella belongs to Australia.
Genus SITTA Linn^us.
Sitta LiKNains, Syst. Nat. ed. 10, i, 175S, p. 115. Type, S. europcea Linn.
"Gen. Chak. Bill subulate, acutely pointed, eompi-essed, about as long as the head; culmen and commissure nearly straight; gonys convex and ascending; nostrils covered by a tuft ot bristles directed forward. Tarsi stout, scutellate, about equal to the middle toe, much shorter than the hinder, the claw of which is halt the total length. Outer lat- eral toe much longer than inner, and nearly equal to the middle. Tail very short, broad, and nearly even; the feathers soft and truncate. Wings reaching nearly to the end of the tail, long and acute, the first primary one third (or less) the third, or longest. Iris brown. Nest in holes of trees. Eggs white, spotted with reddish." (Hist. N. Am. B.)
Species.
Common Chakacteks. Above plain bluish gray, the crown different in color (black, plumbeous, or light brown); tail and wings varied, more or less (the wings slightly), with black and white; beneath chiefly plain whitish, rusty, or dull buffy.
a' Crown glossy black in the male, plumbeous in the female; abroad white superciliary stripe.
1. S, carolinensis. Wing more than 3.30. Whole side of head and most of lower parts
pure white, the lower tail coverts spotted with chestnut-rufous; tertials marked with black, ^fale.^/f ith entire pileum and cervix glossy black ;/(»maZe with pileum dusky plumbeous, the cervix black.
2. S. canadensis. Wing less than 3 inches. Side of head with a broad black stripe;
lower parts, except throat, light rusty, or ochraceous; tertials plain grayish. Male with pileum and cervix glossy black, female with the same parts dark plumbeous. a- Crown light brown. Sexes alike.
3. S. pusilla. Pileum light brown, down to the eyes, the lores and postoeular stripe
somewhat darker; a conspicuous cervical spot of white; lower parts buffy. Young with the crown grayish, the wing-coverts edged with light fulvous. Wing about 2. 60.
The Brown-headed Nuthatch [S. pusilla), is a species belonging to the Southern States, where it is abundant from Louisiana and Florida to lower Maryland. It has been taken in the vicinity of St. Louis, Missouri, and also in Michigan and Ohio ; therefore, its presence in the southern part of Illinois, especially among the pine woods which there occur in certain localities, is to be anticipated.
64 BIRDS OF nxiNois.
Sitta carolinensis Lath.
WHITE-BELLIED l.OTHATCH.
Popular Bynonyms.— Tomtit; Blue SupHucker. Stlla inr..//ii^;..ii» Lath. Ind. Orn. I. 1790, 26-.'.-\Vil8. Am. Orn. I. Vm. 10, pi. 2. Ilg. 3.— NuTT. Miin. I.1S«, .Vtl.— Aui). Orn. BIok. 11. ^K». -W: v. IKW. 4-1, pi. ISi; Synop. ISB, 107: B. Am. iv, 1812, 17a, pi. 247.— Baibd, B. N. Am. 18M. aU: Cat. N. Am. B. 1859. No. 277: lloviow, 18*4, 8C.-CoUE«. Key, I8?J, 83; Cheek Ll8l. 11(73, No. ;«: 2il ed. 1882, No. 57; B.N. W. 1874. 24.-B. B. 4 B. Hist. N. Am. B. I. 1874, 114, pi. «. IlKs. 1,2.-Rn)«\v, Nom. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 51.
Hab. Eiistern United States nnd Britl.'*!! Provinces. (Replaced in western United States by the more slender billed, duller colored form, S. carolineniu aculeata.)
Thi,s well-known bird is abundant throughout the State, and is a permanent resident everywhere except perhaps in the extreme northern counties. In the South it breeds very early, the writer having observed, on April 19, 1883, a female feeding well-feathered young in a knot-hole of a small white-oak tree (about 30 feet from the ground). A week later the tree was cut down, but the young had Uown. This was at \\'heAtland, Indiana, but there is no doubt that the species breeds equally early in corresponding latitudes in Illinois.
Sitta canadensis Linn.
EED-BELLIED NUTHATCH.
Popular synonym.— Canada Xiitha'cli.
Sida eanaileimix LiNN. S. N. ed. 12, i. I7fi6, 177.— NuTT. Man. 1, 1832, T>S3: 2d ed. I. 1840, C97.— AUD. Orn. BioR. il, I8:tl, 24. pi. 105; synop. IW.i, Itu; B. Am.lv. 1812, 179, pi. 248.-BAII1D, B. N. Am. 18.')8. 37i;; Cat. N. Am. B, 185'.i. No. 279: Uuvlew. ISiil, 87. CoUEs, Key. 1872, 83; Check List. 1873. No. 39: 2d ed. 1SS2, No. 59: B. N. W. 1874, 25; B. Col. Val. 1S7S. i:!(!.-B. B. & K. Hist. N. A. B. 1, 1874, 118, pi. 8. Ilg. 7.-I!ii)(iW, Nom. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 52.
Sitta earia, Bartii. Trav. 1791,289 bis.— Wn,a. Am. Orn. i, 1S08, 40. pi. 2. llj:, 4.
Hab Northern North America, to the limit of timber; breedinit chlnlly north of the United States (except In elevated mountain regions); Eastern United States cblcOy in winter.
While this species breeds sparingly in the extreme northern coun- ties of the State, it is only a winter visitor to the southern portion. Indeed, its appearance there is both infrequent and irregular; at least this is the writer's experience in Wabash and Eiclihind coun- ties. During winter it is semi-gregarious, roving in scattered troops
PAKID^ — THE TITMICE AND NUTHATCHES. 85
throngh the woods, and making its presence known, when it cannot be seen, by its penny-trumpet toot, toot, — a very peculiar note, totally different from that of its larger white-bellied relative (<S. Car- oline iisis).
Mr. Nelson makes the following reference to this species in his list of the birds of northeastern Illinois :
"A rare summer resident. I found a pair near Chicago with full grown young the first of July, and Mr. Eice observed a pair feeding unfledged young the last of April, 1874, at Evanston. The excava- tion containing the nest was in a tree, standing on one of the principal streets of the town. It was about twenty feet from the ground. The young were thrusting their heads out of the hole and clamoring for food, thus attracting his attention when they would otherwise have been unnoticed."
86 JIUIUS OF 1LL1.N018.
FASfTiA CERTHIIDJE.— The CRKEPKnR.
CiiARACTERs. Bill gloDdor And urcliud: hind too lonKOr than middle toe, the claw lengthened and stronKly arched. Tull lenirthened, graduated, the feathers atltt und iicumlnate at tipB.
The above brief diagnosis is sufficient to characterize the family Certhiidie if we exclude from it the European genus Tichodroma, which differs in short, even tail, with feathers broad and rounded at ends, and in other characters. As thus restricted, the family includes only one genus, Certhia, the single North American species of which is qi^ite circumpolar, thoutjh modified into more or less distinct geographical races in different parts of its habitat.
Genus CERTHIA Lixn;t:us.
Certhia LtKN.EUB, Syst. Nat. 10th ed. 1758, 112. Type. C. /amiliaria LiNN.
"Qen. Chad. Plumage soft and loose. Bill as lone as head, not notched. comproRsed; all Its lateral outlines decurved. Nostrils not overhune by fealhers, linear, with an In- cumbent thickened scale, as in Troglodyle.i. No rictal bristles, and the loral an^I frontal