BULLETIN OF THE NUTTALL ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB. VOL. VII. January, 1882. No. I.

ON AN APPARENTLY NEW HERON FROM FLORIDA.

BY ROBERT RIDGWAY.

The following facts in relation to an apparently hitherto unnoticed large Heron found in Southwestern Florida, I am kindly permitted to lay before the readers of the Nuttall Bulletin, by Mr. Charles W. Ward, of Pontiac, Michigan, who spent several weeks at the breeding grounds of the bird in question, and was thus enabled to make many very interesting observations on its habits, etc. Mr. Ward’s memoranda are especially interesting in connection with the question of Ardea occidentalis Aud. and A. würdemanni Baird, but unfortunately the matter, in the light of the evidence which he adduces, becomes involved in greater obscurity than before.

Under date of September 3 (1881), Mr. Ward writes as follows:—

“My observations of the Herons during the past season do not correspond with those of Mr. N. B. Moore, as recorded on page 232 of your article^[1], in regard to their feeding habits. I found them generally living in communities, roosting, nesting, and feeding together, like Pigeons, and often observed flocks of the Little White, Reddish, and other Egrets, feeding together 2like Teal Ducks. Two specimens of A. occidentalis were seen feeding quietly within twenty feet of one of the Herons procured by me [A. wardi, nobis]. They were feeding on a mud bar at low tide. I was once concealed in the low brush near a small pool watching three Louisiana Egrets chasing minnows, when two of them making for the same minnow squared off for a knock-down, while the third coolly appropriated the prize, leaving the combatants situated like complainant and defendant at the close of a law suit. In all my observations of the Herons I have seen nothing to lead to a conclusion that one of these birds held any particular antipathy against its own species while feeding. In the many squabbles between Herons on their feeding grounds the encounters occurred quite as often between different species as members of the same species. It may be that during the breeding season they are more friendly than at other times. In order that you may understand my opportunities for observing these birds, I enclose a rough map of Mound Key and surroundings, my camping place from January 20 till April 10. As you will see by the figures marked ... it was in the midst of their feeding grounds, these places being mud- and sand-bars, bare at low tide. Regarding the Reddish Egret, among many thousands of them I saw only one in the pure white plumage, and no white young; but one of my dark specimens has white feathers on the head and in the tail, while one of the secondary quills has the outer web chiefly white. My companion of last winter’s Florida trip reports that he saw no Reddish Egrets with white except on the secondaries.

“Regarding the large Herons [i.e., A. wardi], I am much inclined to think them a geographical variety ... the specimens being very uniform in color.... I examined some thirty nests at least, fifteen of which contained young, all being dark colored, with one exception. These birds are common in Southwestern Florida, and their nests are frequently found along the coast. From all the information at my command, connected with my own observations, I am almost convinced that the bird in question is separate and distinct from A. occidentalis and A. würdemanni, and the fact that Audubon found the former in immense numbers among the mangrove islands of Eastern Florida is strong evidence that he happened in the vicinity of one of their rookeries. As you will observe by examining the diagram 3of my camping place and noting the rookeries of large Herons ... these birds were quite common in that vicinity, while I saw only a few specimens of A. occidentalis. The white bird found in the nest with the blue might have come there from an adjoining empty nest, some 30 or 40 feet distant, as it could easily have done, being nearly full-grown. This surmise is strengthened by the circumstance that I saw a large white Heron on the island marked ‘*,’ and my companion killed a similar, if not the same, specimen on the large island marked ‘2,’ which he threw away, supposing it to be a common White Egret [Herodias egretta]. These I now believe to have been A. occidentalis; the other [H. egretta] was then laying its eggs, while the description of A. occidentalis corresponds to my recollection of the bird he killed. At the time, I was not familiar with the description of A. occidentalis.

“In the Little Blue Heron [Florida cærulea] and Reddish Egret (Dichromanassa rufa), where dichromatism appears to be an established fact, each species presents different phases and mixtures of both colors, especially the Little Blue, which shows almost every variety of curious markings of blue and white; while in the Reddish Egret, one specimen shows white on the head, tail, and wings, and others reported by Mr. Adams show white on the wings.

“As before said, I believe the bird to be a geographical variation of A. herodias, residing permanently and breeding in South Florida. I think that further search and observation will develop more evidence concerning A. occidentalis and A. würdemanni, which may result in confirming your theory of their being one and the same species. You will pardon my opposing your opinion, but my convictions are so strong that only the finding of white birds with blue young and more cases of blue parents with white young, or adults showing mixtures of both phases, would overcome them.”

Assuming that the large white birds observed by Mr. Ward were really a white phase of the dark-colored birds obtained by him, and which were so numerous in the locality, it certainly appears strange that so few of the former were seen. The case of the Reddish Egret, which he cites, affords, however, an exact parallel, and it is now considered established beyond question that “Peale’s Egret” (Ardea pealei Bonap.—a pure white bird) 4is merely a white phase of this species. As to the comparative rarity of these large white birds, in the locality where observed by Mr. Ward, militating against any theory of their specific identity with the dark-colored birds, it should be remembered that in the case of nearly every dichromatic species of bird this condition is more or less variable with locality. A pertinent example may be cited in the case of Demiegretta sacra, a Heron of wide distribution in the Far East. This species inhabits a considerable number of islands in the Polynesian group, and it has been noticed and recorded by naturalists who have visited that region, that on some islands all or nearly all the birds of this species are dark colored, on others all or nearly all are white, while on others still there may be a more equal proportion of the two phases. It may be remarked that the two phases in this species are even more distinct in coloration than in the case of Dichromanassa rufa, the colored phase being darker than in the latter species. Upon the whole, even admitting the possibility of the white young bird seen by Mr. Ward having of its own volition taken up its abode in a nest containing dark-colored young, I am strongly inclined to believe that it belonged to the same species with the latter, the question of its parentage (i.e., whether its parents were white or dark-colored birds) being a comparatively unimportant consideration, as affecting the main question. But in adopting the view of their specific identity a problem arises which in the light of our present knowledge appears unsolvable, and which may be briefly stated thus:—

The large “blue” Herons obtained by Mr. Ward are, in every respect as regards size and proportions, identical with Ardea occidentalis Aud. and A. würdemanni Baird; in coloration they agree exactly with the latter, except only in the pattern of the head and tint of the neck, which are precisely as in A. herodias. The bird in question is apparently “dichromatic,” having a white phase; hence, assuming that A. occidentalis and A. würdemanni are dichromatic phases of one species, it necessarily follows that white individuals of the bird in question would be absolutely indistinguishable from white examples of A. occidentalis! Still, in view of the fact that the colored phase differs from A. würdemanni in its most essential feature of coloration, i.e., the pattern of the head markings, it seems impossible to unite them, unless it can be shown that the type of A. würdemanni does not represent 5the perfect colored phase of that species.^[2] There are hence several hypotheses which might be plausibly argued upon theoretical grounds, and which may be stated as follows: (1) That A. occidentalis, A. würdemanni, A. wardi, and A. herodias all belong to a single species, which reaches its extremes of variation in the first- and last-named; (2) That these names include three distinct races or species: A. herodias, which is never white; A. occidentalis, which is dichromatic (having separate white and colored phases), and A. wardi, also dichromatic, its white phase indistinguishable from that of A. occidentalis, and its colored phase distinguishable from that of the same species (A. würdemanni) by the different pattern and color of the head and neck alone; and (3) that there are two species, A. occidentalis and A. herodias, which in Florida hybridize on an extensive scale, producing the intermediate specimens which have been distinguished as A. würdemanni and A. wardi.

Of these hypotheses I have, after careful consideration of them all, concluded to adopt the second as being most consistent with known facts, and accordingly propose for the bird in question the name

486* Ardea wardi Ridgw. Ward’s Heron.

With the following characters:—

Ch.—Colored phase exactly like A. würdemanni (= dark phase of A. occidentalis?), but with the head colored as in A. herodias. Differing from herodias in much larger size (culmen 6.50–7.00 inches, tarsus, 8.50–9.00 inches), lighter general coloration, and (in dried skin) light brown instead of black legs. Dichromatic; the white phase being indistinguishable from that of A. occidentalis (?).

Adult ♂ (No. 82,329, U. S. Nat. Mus., Oyster Bay, Florida, March, 1881; Chas. W. Ward): Head white, with the sides of the crown and entire occiput (including the lengthened plumes) deep black;^[3] neck lavender-gray (much lighter than in the type of würdemanni), the fore-neck 6white thickly streaked with black for the lower two-thirds; jugular plumes chiefly white, their lengthened tapering portion entirely so. Upper surface uniform bluish plumbeous, the lengthened scapular plumes hoary whitish or pale silvery gray. Upper breast uniform black; abdomen and lower breast white, rather indistinctly streaked with dark gray; anal region mixed black and white, in longitudinal dashes (the black rather predominating); crissum immaculate pure white. Tibiæ uniform light cinnamon; edge of the wing (especially near the bend) deeper cinnamon, but this much mixed with white toward the bases of the quills; lining of the wing, axillars, sides, and flanks, uniform plumbeous. Bill, apparently, entirely olivaceous-yellow; naked portion of tibiæ very pale brown (evidently yellowish or flesh-colored in life); tarsi light brown (olivaceous in life?), darker in front; toes light brown. Wing, 20.50: culmen, 6.75; depth of bill through nostril, 1.10; tarsus, 8.75; middle toe, 5.10; naked portion of tibiæ, 5.50.

Mr. W. H. Collins, of Detroit, who kindly presented the specimen described above to the National Museum, has sent me measurements of two other specimens, one in his own possession, the other mounted for Mr. Ward. As may be seen below they agree closely in dimensions with the type, their measurements being, respectively, wing 20.00–20.50; culmen 6.50–7.00; depth of bill through nostril, 1.25; tarsus, 8.75–9.00; middle toe, 5.25–5.45; naked portion of tibia, 5.75–6.00.

LIST OF BIRDS OBSERVED AT HOUSTON, HARRIS CO., TEXAS AND VICINITY AND IN THE COUNTIES MONTGOMERY, GALVESTON AND FORD BEND.

BY H. NEHRLING.

1. Turdus migratorius, L. Robin.—Very common in the woods from November to April. Very shy and retiring during their stay; only a few have been observed in the larger gardens of Houston. Feeds abundantly on the berries of the holly (Ilex opaca) and the myrtle-holly (Oreophila myrtifolia). About the 15th of April all have departed for the North.

2. Turdus mustelinus, Gmel. Wood Thrush.—Arrives from the North early in October when the aromatic berries of the Magnolia grandiflora are ripe, on which they eagerly feed. On account of this food the flesh is very delicate and large numbers are killed by pot hunters, who call them “Grassets.” In the winter months they appear not to be common and inhabit swampy thickets and bottom woods.

73. Turdus fuscescens, Steph. Wilson’s Thrush.—Only a few observed during the fall migration.

4. Turdus swainsoni, Cab. Olive-backed Thrush.—Not rare during the migrations.

5. Mimus polyglottus, Boie. Mockingbird.—A very abundant resident. Only a few remain to winter, in protected localities; the majority migrate further south. They arrive from their winter quarters early in March and are by the end of that month again common. Nest-building commences usually in the middle of April. Many are killed by farmers and gardeners on account of their fondness for ripe figs and grapes. Besides insects, they feed eagerly on the berries of the poke (Phytolacca decandra), the elder (Sambucus canadensis), and the Mexican mulberry (Callicarpa americana). In winter the berries of the myrtle-holly (Oreophila myrtifolia) and those of the mistletoe (Phoradendron flavescens) are their principal food.

6. Mimus carolinensis, Gray. Catbird.—I first observed a single specimen of this bird April 25, 1879. It was then my opinion that this bird must be a very rare migrant, as I did not meet with another that year. It was this year (1881), May 5, when I wandered through the thick underbrush in the woods on Spring Creek that I heard the peculiar cry of the Catbird, and a few minutes after I discovered the nest, which was built in a young oak sapling, about ten feet above the ground. They are not the familiar and confident birds of the Northern States, but extremely shy and retiring in their habits. They kept a good distance from me when I took the nest.

7. Harporhynchus rufus, Cab. Brown Thrush.—Common during the winter months in the thick underbrush of the woods near Spring Creek, in the northern part of Harris County. Very silent and extremely shy.

8. Sialia sialis, Hald. Bluebird.—A very abundant winter sojourner and a common summer resident; but not so abundant as in the Northern States, and not so familiar. Commences to breed as early as February 15. I found a nest March 6, which contained newly hatched young. A nest discovered April 29 contained four pure white eggs.

9. Regulus calendula, Licht. Ruby-crowned Kinglet, and

10. Regulus satrapa, Licht. American Golden-crested Kinglet.—Both are common during the winter months, when, in company with Titmice, they inhabit the pine woods near Houston. Are to be observed during the whole winter in the mountain cedars (Juniperus occidentalis texanus), which are common in the gardens of the city.

11. Polioptila cærulea, Sclat. Blue-gray Gnatcatcher.—Common in the heavy wooded bottom lands on the Brazos, Spring Creek, and San Jacinto, and especially abundant on Buffalo Bayou when the magnificent Magnolia grandiflora is in bloom. Almost with the agility and grace of a Hummingbird, it flies around the showy flowers in pursuit of insects. Nest-building commences early in May. This beautiful little domicile is built very high, in small branches of elms, swamp oaks (Quercus palustris) and other densely leaved forest trees.

812. Lophophanes bicolor, Bon. Tufted Titmouse.—A very common bird and resident throughout the year, even in the city gardens, where it is exceedingly tame and confiding. Breeds as early as the beginning of March. Nests in deserted Woodpeckers’ holes, in old stumps, in cedar-posts, in hollow branches, etc.

13. Parus carolinensis, Aud. Southern Chickadee.—Very common and familiar. Resident throughout the year. April 15 I discovered a nest of this diminutive bird in an old fence-post; it contained six nearly fledged young. The cavity was filled up about nine inches with soft mosses, cow’s hair, and the fur of smaller animals. Usually the nest is built in the hollow of a branch.

14. Thryothorus ludovicianus, Bon. Carolina Wren.—Very common in all low wooded localities with dense underbrush. Thickets of smilax, blackberry bushes, snowball (Viburnum molle and V. dentatum), Rhamnus carolinianus, Bumelia lanuginosa, intermixed with a few larger trees (oaks or elms), which are commonly overgrown by the mustang-grape and the grotesque forms of the supple jack (Berchemia volubilis), are its favorite resorts. In a few instances I have known a pair to build their nest in a bird-box near a dwelling.

15. Thryothorus bewicki, Bonap. Long-tailed House Wren.—Abundant in all suitable localities and very familiar, breeding in bird-boxes, stables, corn-cribs, and even in houses over doors, etc. One pair built their nest in the pocket of an old coat, hanging out doors.

16. Troglodytes aëdon, Vieill. House Wren.—Only a winter visitant, occurring in considerable numbers in secluded localities.

17. Cistothorus palustris, Baird. Long-billed Marsh Wren.—Rare during the migrations.

18. Cistothorus stellaris, Cab. Short-billed Marsh Wren.—Observed so late as May 2 in the marshy prairie districts in the northern part of Harris County, and in September in the sugar-cane fields on the Brazos in Ford Bend County. Probably breeds.

19. Anthus ludovicianus, Licht. American Pipit; Titlark.—Very common during winter, from the middle of November to the second week in April. Comes fearlessly in the streets of the city and in the door-yards.

20. Neocorys spraguei, Sclat. Missouri Skylark.—Observed small flocks early in November on the prairies near Houston. They were often associated with Passerculus savanna, and in habits resembled very closely the Titlark. All disappeared soon.

21. Mniotilta varia, Vieill. Black-and-white Creeper.—Not uncommon during the migrations. Noted first March 22. At the 15th of April the majority depart for the north, only few remaining to breed.

22. Parula americana, Bon. Blue Yellow-backed Warbler.—This beautiful little Warbler is rather common during the migrations in all wooded portions, especially in the river bottoms, where almost every tree is covered with the long gray Spanish moss (Tillandsia usneoides). Some remain to breed, as I have seen the parents feeding the young in July and August.

923. Protonotaria citrea, Bd. Prothonotary Warbler.—A not uncommon summer resident in marshy localities on Spring Creek and in Ford Bend County in the Brazos bottom, where so-called lakes are abundant. It breeds in hollows of trees, deserted Woodpeckers’ holes, and in stumps standing in the water. I usually met with this bird in localities where the Little Blue Heron (Florida cærulea) and the Snowy Heron (Garzetta candidissima) were common. I can add nothing to the unsurpassable life history of this bird given by Mr. William Brewster in this Bulletin, Vol. III, pp. 153–162.

24. Helmintherus vermivorus, Bon. Worm-eating Swamp Warbler.—A few seen April 6, 1881, in a flowering plum tree in a city-garden.

25. Helminthophaga chrysoptera, Cab. Golden-winged Warbler.—Common during the migrations, in October and April.

26. Helminthophaga peregrina, Cab. Tennessee Warbler.—Not uncommon during migrations.

27. Helminthophaga celata, Bd. Orange-crowned Warbler.—Seen only during migrations and very rare.

28. Dendrœca æstiva, Bd. Summer Yellow Bird.—Very abundant during migrations. Not a very common summer sojourner, but quite regularly distributed.

29. Dendrœca coronata, Gray. Yellow-rumped Warbler.—The most common of all the Warblers from November to April. Winters abundantly in this region and numbers visit the gardens, even those in the interior of the city.

30. Dendrœca maculosa, Bd. Black-and-yellow Warbler, and

31. Dendrœca blackburniæ, Bd. Blackburnian Warbler, are both, so far as I observed, exceedingly rare during migrations.

32. Dendrœca pennsylvanica, Bd. Chestnut-sided Warbler.—Somewhat common in the latter part of April and early in May.

33. Dendrœca castanea, Bd. Bay-breasted Warbler.—This elegant Warbler is one of the most common of its family during the spring migration. I observed small flocks of from eight to ten so late as May 5.

34. Dendrœca striata, Bd. Black-poll Warbler.—Transient; arrives from winter quarters late in April, when the host of Warblers pass northward. Tolerably common.

35. Dendrœca virens, Bd. Black-throated Green Warbler.—Abundant during migrations. Moves in flocks of from four to ten.

36. Dendrœca dominica albilora, Ridg. Yellow-throated Warbler.—A very rare summer resident and very difficult to observe in the high moss-grown forest trees of the river bottoms. The song resembles that of Dendrœca æstiva, but is louder and more varied. I think it is almost impossible to discover a nest of this bird in the high trees, so densely covered with Tillandsia.

37. Dendrœca pinus, Bd. Pine Warbler.—Winters in small companies in the woods in the northern part of Harris County, near Spring Creek.

10I did not find so many Warblers as I expected, although I kept a diligent lookout. I did not observe D. palmarum, D. canadensis, D. discolor, or D. cærulea.

38. Siurus auricapillus, Sw. Golden-crowned Thrush.—Transient and not common.

39. Siurus nævius, Coues. Water Thrush.—Not uncommon in suitable localities during migrations.

40. Oporornis formosa, Bd. Kentucky Warbler.—A common summer resident; exceeding in numbers even the Maryland Yellow-throat, with which it occupies the same localities. Common in wet fields with patches of low bushes, and in the dense undergrowth near water. Visits frequently the country gardens. Very abundant on Spring Creek, in the northern part of Harris County, and in Montgomery County. Arrives about April 21. Commences nest-building early in May. Nest very difficult to find.

41. Geothlypis trichas, Cab. Maryland Yellow-throat.—Arrives about April 15, from its winter quarters. A common summer sojourner. Like the preceding species, most common in grassy localities with thickets interspersed. On a farm near Houston is a wet piece of land containing about two acres, where I found three pairs breeding. Through this runs a ditch and the whole ground is covered with high broom-grass (Andropogon macrurus) with briar patches, thickets of water oak. Viburnum dentatum, black haw (V. pruneifolium), etc. The field is surrounded by an almost impenetrable hedge of Cherokee roses (Rosa lævigata). Here the Yellow-throats occur with Kentucky Warblers, White-eyed Vireos, Yellow-throated Vireos, Painted Finches, and Blue Grosbeaks, all living in harmony. Two broods are raised yearly in this latitude. In almost every nest of this bird, and also of the Kentucky Warbler, eggs of the Cow Bird are to be found.

42. Geothlypis philadelphia, Bd. Mourning Warbler.—Transient and rather rare.

43. Icteria virens, Bd. Yellow-breasted Chat.—A common summer resident, arriving from its winter quarters about April 15. Many winter in sheltered places. Its most favorable resorts are brier-patches in fields, thickets on the edge of woods, myrtle-holly thickets overgrown with tangled Smilax laurifolia, and similar localities. Nest in the interior of thickets near the ground; it has some resemblance to the Catbird’s, and is built of nearly the same material.

44. Myiodioctes mitratus, Aud. Hooded Warbler.—This beautiful species is common during migrations. Arrives from the South in the last part of April, when the host of Warblers migrate northward. I never observed the bird during the summer months and do not think that any remain to breed.

45. Myiodioctes canadensis, Aud. Canadian Flycatching Warbler.—Not very common during the spring migration.

46. Myiodioctes pusillus, Bon. Black-capped Warbler.—I consider this the most common species of the genus during migrations.

1147. Setophaga ruticilla, Sw. American Redstart.—Moves northward late in April and early in May, when the throng of Warblers migrate to their summer quarters in high northern latitudes.

48. Vireosylvia olivacea, Bon. Red-eyed Vireo.—A common summer resident in all the deciduous woods.

49. Vireosylvia gilva, Cass. Warbling Vireo.—Evidently a rare species, even during the migrations.

50. Lanivireo flavifrons, Bd. Yellow-throated Vireo.—Abundant and breeding. The first nest, beautifully constructed, I discovered April 28 in a high blackberry-bush about four feet above the ground, near Houston. It contained four fresh eggs and one of the Dwarf Cowbird (Molothrus ater obscurus). Nest and eggs in my collection. Many more nests were discovered during the months of May and June, and many contained one and two eggs of the Cowbird.

51. Lanivireo solitarius, Bd. Solitary Vireo.—Rare during migrations.

52. Vireo noveboracensis, Bon. White-eyed Vireo. A common summer resident in localities where Viburnum dentatum, V. molle, V. pruneifolium, Rhamnus carolinensis, Cornus florida, laurel-oaks (Quercus imbricaria), and elms are growing, especially on the borders of woods, in open thickets, peach gardens, etc.

53. Vireo belli, Aud. Bell’s Vireo.—A common summer sojourner. A not quite finished nest was discovered April 15 on a horizontal branch of a Viburnum dentatum on the edge of a thicket, about five feet above the ground. It contained three fresh eggs. The nests of this Vireo are more purse-shaped and deeper than any other Vireo nests I am acquainted with.

54. Lanius ludovicianus excubitorides, Coues. White-rumped Shrike.—A generally dispersed summer resident, but not abundant. Prefers to build in the hedges of the osage orange.

55. Ampelis cedrorum, Vieill. Cedar Bird.—Abundant migrant. Observed flocks of from thirty to fifty as late as May 6. None remain to breed.

56. Progne subis, Bd. Purple Martin.—Abundant summer resident. Arrives March 1 from the South. Breeds in large numbers under the wooden awnings of sidewalks, even in the business part of Houston and Galveston. Abundant also in the country where bird-boxes are put out for its convenience. Two broods are commonly raised in this latitude.

57. Petrochelidon lunifrons, Lawr. Cliff Swallow.—Seen in great numbers during September, but does not breed in this region.

58. Hirundo erythrogastra, Bodd. Barn Swallow.—Large numbers seen in the latter part of August, but not found breeding.

59. Tachycineta bicolor, Cab. White-bellied Swallow.—Common during migrations. A few observed in summer on the borders of woods.

1260. Cotyle riparia, Boie. Bank Swallow.—A few pairs remain to breed in such localities as the banks of Buffalo Bayou and Galveston Bay.

61. Stelgidopteryx serripennis, Bd. Rough-winged Swallow.—A very abundant summer resident. Often nests under the roofs of sidewalks and on old buildings in Houston, but is more a companion to the preceding on the high banks on Buffalo Bayou and Galveston Bay.

62. Pyranga rubra, Vieill. Scarlet Tanager.—A moderately common bird during the migrations. Arrives from the South about April 15 and passes without lingering to its more northern breeding range.

63. Pyranga æstiva, Vieill. Summer Redbird.—A common summer resident, particularly in oak woods. It is an elegant species, as are all the members of this family, but is more retired in its habits and quicker and more restless in its motions than the preceding. The song is more varied, louder, and wilder. The nest is usually built on the horizontal branch of an oak, from seven to twenty feet above the ground. It is a very open-worked inartificial structure, and the eggs cannot with certainty be distinguished from those of the Scarlet Tanager.

64. Astragalinus tristis, Cab. Goldfinch.—A very abundant winter sojourner. Feeds almost entirely on the seeds of the sycamore or button-wood (Platanus occidentalis).

65. Chrysomitris pinus, Bon. Pine Finch.—A somewhat rare winter sojourner.

66. Passerculus savanna, Bon. Savanna Sparrow.—Common resident throughout the year. Breeds on the low grassy prairies, but the nest is difficult to find.

67. Poœcetes gramineus, Bd. Grass Finch.—Only to be found during migrations. None remain, so far as I know, to winter or to breed.

68. Coturniculus passerinus, Bon. Yellow-winged Bunting.—Seen occasionally during the winter months.

69. Ammodromus caudacutus, Sw. Sharp-tailed Finch.—Observed near the coast of the Gulf of Mexico and Galveston Bay. Doubtless breeds.

70. Chondestes grammicus, Bon. Lark Finch.—This interesting, lively bird is the most common of its family in all suitable localities, that is, on the prairies, near woods. Departs for the South late in September and early in October; arrives from his winter quarters again in April. Breeds in May, June, and July, and two or even three broods are raised yearly. Nests in gardens on mulberry-trees, in the corners of rail-fences, in cotton fields on the ground, but most commonly on a low horizontal branch of an oak densely covered with Tillandsia, on the borders of woods, where they are exceedingly difficult to discover. After breeding-time the birds assemble in large flocks.

71. Zonotrichia albicollis, Bon. White-throated Sparrow.—Rare and occurs only in winter.

72. Zonotrichia leucophrys, Sw. White-crowned Sparrow.—Abundant in winter.

73. Zonotrichia gambelli intermedia, Ridg. Gambel’s Finch.—Not uncommon in winter.

1374. Spizella socialis, Bon. Chipping Bird.—Abundant in October and November, and again in March.

75. Spizella pallida, Bon. Clay-colored Bunting.—Abundant in winter near thickets and in fields with brier-patches.

76. Spizella pusilla, Bon. Field Sparrow.—Not uncommon during winter.

77. Junco hiemalis, Sclat. Common Snowbird.—Abundant winter visitor.

78. Melospiza fasciata, Scott. Song Sparrow.—Common during the winter months.

79. Melospiza lincolni, Bd. Lincoln’s Sparrow.—Common in winter in the thick undergrowth on the borders of woods.

80. Peucæa cassini, Bd. Cassin’s Finch.—A common summer resident on the open grassy prairies. It runs like a mouse through the grass, and is very shy and difficult to observe. A nest I never discovered.

81. Pipilo erythrophthalmus, Vieill. Ground Robin.—A rare summer resident. A few pairs breed in the woods on Spring Creek.

82. Calamospiza bicolor, Bon. Lark Bunting.—Abundant in winter on the prairies.

83. Euspiza americana, Bon. Black-throated Bunting.—A common summer resident. Breeds abundantly in all the prairie districts.

84. Cardinalis virginianus, Bon. Cardinal Grosbeak.—This well-known bird is the most abundant of the family and resident throughout the year.

85. Guiraca cærulea, Sw. Blue Grosbeak.—Regularly distributed summer resident, but nowhere abundant. Nests discovered always in brier-patches in fields, on roadsides, and on the border of woods.

86. Cyanospiza ciris, Bd. Painted Finch.—Inhabits with the preceding similar localities. Very common from April to October. Nest usually in blackberry-bushes, but always well hidden and not easy to find. These birds are very shy and exceedingly quick in all their motions.

87. Cyanospiza cyanea, Bd. Indigo Bird.—Observed only during the migrations. None I think remain to breed.

(To be concluded.)

ON THE SESAMOID AT THE FRONT OF THE CARPUS IN BIRDS.

BY J. AMORY JEFFRIES.

In the Bulletin for October, 1881, is a paper by Dr. Shufeldt entitled “On the Ossicle of the Antibrachium as found in some of the North American Falconidæ,” in which the author describes 14the sesamoid ossicle at the distal end of the radius in the Marsh Hawk (Circus hudsonius) as a new bone. Dr. Shufeldt says: “It does not seem possible that a bone the size of one which I am now about to describe could have been entirely overlooked by ornithologists, yet after a careful perusal of such parts of the works of the most prominent writers, as refer to the skeletology of the upper extremity I fail to discover the barest mention as to the existence of any such an one.” Now this bone was figured, as it occurs in Aquila fucsa, by Milne-Edwards in his famous work on the Fossil Birds of France, the publication of which began in 1866, so that the bone as it occurs in the Falconidæ can scarcely be considered unknown to anatomists. The “os prominens” as it occurs in the Falconidæ is a modification of the sesamoid ossicle which very often occurs in the tendon of the tensor petagii longus where it passes over the carpus;^[4] its function here being that of a simple sesamoid over the carpus. In many of the Falconidæ^[5] this sesamoid becomes bound to the distal end of the radius, and lengthened out at right angles to the long axis of that bone, as figured by Dr. Shufeldt. By this means the function of the ossicle becomes very much altered. It no longer slides over the carpus, but serves, since the tendon of the extensor petagii longus includes only its free end, to keep that tendon off the carpus, thus avoiding friction at the joint. Again, since the ossicle attains considerable length,—6 centimeters (millimeters?) according to Dr. Shufeldt in Circus,—it materially alters the action of the extensor petagii longus so that it tends much more to extend the hand and draw the thumb away from the index. In this way the extensor petagii longus seems to antagonize the slip of the flexor longus digitorum sublimis, and since its tendon is elastic, owing to the amount of yellow fibrous tissue in it, the action must be to a considerable degree automatic.

My views of the functions of this ossicle are, it will be seen, very different from those of Dr. Shufeldt, who considers it to protect the carpus and greatly increase the area of the wing. This bone, standing up as it does on the anterior edge of the 15wing, would seem to be particularly liable to injury, sufficient, we should think, to offset the amount it may protect the compact carpals below. The extra area covered by the wing on account of the ossicle is easily measured. It is simply the area of a triangle, which has for its base the difference in altitude between the process of the metacarpus and the sesamoid ossicle, 3 millimeters say, and for its altitude the distance between the carpus and the origin of the extensor petagii longus, say 2.5 decimetres. Absolute measurements cannot be given since no Hawks are to be got in Boston at present. So the entire increase of area would be 3.75 square centimetres, and this increase is at the base of the wing, where it would least increase the resistance of the wing. This difference becomes quite small in the ratio √2 a ∛weight where a, the area of one wing, represents hundreds of square centimeters. Yet the ratio is that of the supporting power of the wing to the weight of the body, other things being equal. In the above calculation it is assumed that Dr. Shufeldt meant millimeters not centimeters,^[6] when giving the dimensions of the “os prominens.”

To sum up, the bone serves: (1) To keep the friction of the extensor petagii longus muscle off the carpus. (2) To increase the power of that muscle to abduct the thumb. (3) To slightly increase the supporting power of the wing. (4) To protect the carpus (?).

Here it may not be improper to state that during the winter of 1880–81, the writer showed a specimen of the carpus of Accipiter fuscus, and explained his views as here stated of the function of the “os prominens,” at a meeting of the Nuttall Ornithological Club.

NOTES ON SOME OF THE BIRDS OBSERVED NEAR WHEATLAND, KNOX CO., INDIANA, IN THE SPRING OF 1881.

BY ROBERT RIDGWAY.

Monteur’s Pond, situated about ten miles east of Vincennes and two miles west of the village of Wheatland, on the O. & M. R. R., is of considerable extent, being about nine miles long by 16a mile in average width. It is rather a swamp, however, than a pond, probably less than half its area being open water, the remainder filled with trees, chiefly willows (Salix nigra) averaging 50–60 feet high, mixed in places with a larger growth, chiefly ashes (Fraxinus americana, F. sambucifolia and F. pubescens), red maple, and swamp cottonwood (Populus heterophylla), the latter chiefly around the margin of the pond, where grow also swamp, white, and water oaks, sweet-gums, and an occasional catalpa (C. speciosa). The surrounding country, where not cleared, consists chiefly of original forest of various oaks and hickories, “poplar” (Liriodendron), beech, elm, and other trees in great variety, coniferous species being wholly absent.

The pond is never very deep, probably nowhere or at anytime exceeding four feet, and in seasons of drouth becomes absolutely dry, then forming an excellent pasturage for the stock of the neighboring farmers. Even when filled with water, the latter is, in the season of vegetable growth, entirely hidden by a luxuriant growth of aquatic plants, rendering the passage of a boat, of any description, impossible, while numerous muskrat holes and the intricate submerged stems render wading difficult and fatiguing in the extreme. For these reasons the pond was but slightly explored, while it was wholly neglected after the use of a boat became out of the question. I am therefore quite ignorant as to what species may have been breeding in the recesses of the pond, my investigations having been wholly confined to the surrounding fields and woodland, the northern portion of the pond and its immediate vicinity having been the scene of my ornithological investigations from April 15 to May 27.

Notwithstanding the very unusual lateness of the season I found on my arrival (April 15) that many of the migratory birds had preceded me, but subsequent arrivals were carefully noted up to May 6, and are presented herewith.

April 15. Prairie Warbler (Dendrœca discolor).

April 17. Yellow-throated Warbler (Dendrœca dominica albilora), Yellow-throated Vireo (Lanivireo flavifrons), Least Flycatcher (Empidonax minimus).

April 18. Prothonotary Warbler (Protonotaria citrea), Canada Flycatching Warbler (Myiodioctes canadensis), Blue Yellow-backed Warbler (Parula americana), Scarlet Tanager (Pyranga rubra), Summer Redbird (P. æstiva), Lark Finch (Chondestes grammica), Summer Yellowbird 17(Dendrœca æstiva), Maryland Yellow-throat (Geothlypis trichas), White-eyed Vireo (V. noveboracensis), Wood Thrush (Hylocichla mustelina), Black-throated Green Warbler (Dendrœca virens), Indigo Bird (Passerina cyanea).

April 19. Great-crested Flycatcher (Myiarchus crinitus), Kingbird (Tyrannus carolinensis), Catbird (Galeoscoptes carolinensis), Pine-creeping Warbler (Dendrœca pinus).

April 20. Golden-crowned Thrush (Siurus auricapillus), Kentucky Warbler (Oporornis formosa).

April 21. Red-eye Vireo (Vireosylvia olivacea), Tawny Thrush (Hylocichla fuscescens).

April 22. Yellow-breasted Chat (Icteria virens).

April 23. Blue-winged Yellow Warbler (Helminthophaga pinus).

April 24. Warbling Vireo (Vireosylvia gilva), Ruby-throated Humming Bird (Trochilus colubris), Baltimore Oriole (Icterus galbula), Chestnut-sided Warbler (Dendrœca pennsylvanica), Worm-eating Warbler (Helminthotherus vermivorus), Nighthawk (Chordeiles popetue).

April 25. Rose-breasted Grosbeak (Zamelodia ludoviciana^[7]), Blue Warbler (Dendrœca cærulea^[7]), Hooded Warbler (Myiodioctes mitratus), Yellow-billed Cuckoo (Coccyzus americanus).

April 26. Black-throated Bunting (Spiza americana), Yellow-winged Sparrow (Coturniculus passerinus), Wood Pewee (Contopus virens), Oak-woods Sparrow (Peucæa æstivalis illinoensis).

April 30. Bay-breasted Warbler (Dendrœca costanea), Long-billed Marsh Wren (Telmatodytes palustris).

May 2. Black-throated Blue Warbler (Dendrœca cærulescens), Black-and-yellow Warbler (D. maculosa), Chestnut-sided Warbler (D. pennsylvanica), Red-poll Warbler (D. palmarum).

May 3. Blackburnian Warbler (D. blackburniæ).

May 6. Nashville Warbler (Helminthophaga ruficapilla), Cape May Warbler (Perissoglossa tigrina), Mourning Warbler (Geothlypis philadelphia).

May 7. Tennessee Warbler (Helminthophaga peregrina).

Among the migratory species which had already arrived by the 15th were the Large-billed Water Thrush (Siurus motacilla), numbers of which were heard singing in the swamp, the Black-and-white Creeper (Mniotilta varia borealis), Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (Polioptila cærulea), and a few others.

The nesting season began much later than usual, as the following list, of the earliest date on which the eggs of any species were obtained, will show.^[8]

18April 27. Yellow-crowned Night Heron (Nyctherodius violaceus).

April 30. Hairy Woodpecker (Picus villosus), two sets; Grass Finch (Poœcetes gramineus).

May 2. Field Sparrow (Spizella pusilla), Chewink (Pipilo erythrophthalmus).

May 9. Redbird (Cardinalis virginianus).

May 18. Red-eyed Vireo (Vireosylvia olivacea).

May 19. Prothonotary Warbler (Protonotaria citrea), Wood Thrush (Hylocichla mustelina).

May 20. Acadian Flycatcher (Empidonax acadicus).

May 22. Yellow-breasted Chat (Icteria virens), Maryland Yellow-throat (Geothlypis trichas), Indigo Bird (Passerina cyanea), Black-billed Cuckoo (Coccyzus erythrophthalmus).

May 24. Green Heron (Butorides virescens).

Although situated about 20 miles north and the same distance east of Mt. Carmel, the bird-fauna was entirely the same, allowing for differences in the character of the country, the environs of Wheatland being much less varied, and therefore not such as to attract so great a variety of species. Nearly all the characteristic summer birds found further south were abundant near Wheatland, however, even Peucæa illinoensis occurring there. Among the more numerous species were the Cerulean, Blue-winged Yellow, Kentucky and Prothonotary Warblers, all of which were quite as numerous as near Mt. Carmel. At the time of my arrival, the most abundant bird was probably the Cardinal Grosbeak, it being no unusual sight to see several males at one time along the railroad track, picking up grain dropped from passing cars, while the swamp and surrounding woods were filled with their sweet but monotonous whistlings. Later in the season, however, other species became rather more numerous, it being difficult to decide between the Redstart and Red-eyed Vireo, as to first rank in point of numbers. Other species almost as well represented as those mentioned, were the Red-headed Woodpecker, Tufted Titmouse, Blue Jay, and Red-winged Blackbird, and, for a brief season, the Rose-breasted Grosbeak and Cedarbird. Hawks were very plentiful, especially the Red-shouldered and Red-tailed, and on one occasion eight of the former (all adults) were observed soaring about, near together, uttering their clamorous cries. Barred Owls were exceedingly numerous among the trees growing in the swamp, and at night afforded much amusement by their “family squabbles.” Ducks 19and Geese which had been very plenty on the pond during the winter, had gone northward prior to the middle of April, except a few Mallards, Shovellers, and Blue-winged Teal, which remained until about the end of the month, as did also multitudes of Coots (Fulica americana).

The following list of course includes only a small proportion of the total number of species observed.

Gray-cheeked Thrush (Hylocichla aliciæ).—The exact date of arrival of this species was not noted, but was somewhere near the 20th of April. During the last week of April and the first three weeks of May it was very common, perhaps more so than any other of the small Thrushes. Specimens were shot May 23, and others were observed as late as the 28th of that month, the date of my departure.

Tawny Thrush (Hylocichla fuscescens).—Arrived April 21 and remained until toward the last of May. Less common than H. aliciæ but frequenting the same localities and having nearly identical manners.

Bewick’s Wren (Thryomanes bewicki).—Rather common, found only about the out-buildings of farms and in the village.

House Wren (Troglodytes aëdon).—Less common than Bewick’s Wren, and noticed only about brush-heaps and along old fences.

Prothonotary Warbler (Protonotaria citrea).—Very abundant among the “elbow-brushes” (Cephalanthus occidentalis) and willows in the pond, nesting in hollows of the latter.

Blue-winged Yellow Warbler (Helminthophaga pinus).—Very abundant among the undergrowth in thick woods, chiefly in the bottoms.

Golden-winged Warbler (Helminthophaga chrysoptera).—Not uncommon for a few days during the early part of May.

Tennessee Warbler (Helminthophaga peregrina). As usual, very numerous for several days, arriving May 7.

Nashville Warbler (Helminthophaga ruficapilla).—Rather rare during the middle portion of May, arriving about the 6th.

Cape May Warbler (Perissoglossa tigrina). Probably not uncommon, four specimens being obtained, all shot from the top branches of tall trees, and not recognized until after being shot.

Black-and-yellow Warbler (Dendrœca maculosa).—Much the most abundant of the migratory species.

Bay-breasted Warbler (Dendrœca castanea).—Rather common for a few days.

Blue Warbler (Dendrœca cærulea).—Very abundant summer resident, first noticed about the 25th of April. Diligent search failed to discover a single nest, though pairs evidently having nests were met with on every hand through the woods.

Yellow-throated Warbler (Dendrœca dominica albilora).—Unaccountably rare, only two having been obtained, and one or two others 20heard. I am at a loss to account for the scarcity of this species, unless it be the rarity of sycamore (Platanus) trees in the locality under consideration.

Since there is evidently a general misapprehension of the characters distinguishing this race from true D. dominica, it may be as well to state here that the latter is larger, with a constantly and very decidedly longer bill, while the yellow over the lores is never absent. Var. albilora frequently has the yellow over the lores almost as distinct as in typical dominica, but the bill is always much smaller, and somewhat differently shaped.

Pine-creeping Warbler (Dendrœca pinus).—Rather rare.

Prairie Warbler (Dendrœca discolor).—Heard singing among the bushes in an old field on the day of my arrival, and frequently afterward.

Connecticut Warbler (Oporornis agilis).—Not uncommon about the middle of May, but very shy. Frequented the borders of the swamp, and escaped into the thick button-bushes when surprised.

Kentucky Warbler (Oporornis formosa).—One of the most abundant of the summer residents.

Mourning Warbler (Geothlypis philadelphia).—Became suddenly very common May 6. Frequented chiefly brush-piles and old fences. Most of the specimens observed were males in fine plumage.

Black-capped Yellow Warbler (Myiodioctes pusillus).—Rare during migration.

Canada Flycatching Warbler (Myiodioctes canadensis).—One of the most numerous of the migratory species; first noted April 18, but not common until a week later.

Hooded Warbler (Myiodioctes mitratus).—Rather common in deep woods, but much less so than in the vicinity of the Cypress swamp, further south.

Solitary Vireo (Lanivireo solitarius).—Rare.

Cedarbird (Ampelis cedrorum).—Exceedingly numerous among the willows in the swamp, where feeding upon the larvæ of Diabrotica 12–maculata infesting these trees.

Summer Redbird (Pyranga æstiva).—Rather common, but owing to the comparative absence of high, dry woods, much less so than near Mt. Carmel. A female, killed at the same shot with her mate, resembled the male except in the tint of the red, which was of a brick-red rather than vermilion, the male also being in the parti-colored plumage of the immature bird, the red occupying, in both male and female, one-half or more of the plumage. The ovaries of the female were well developed.

Grass Finch (Poœcetes gramineus).—Common in the meadows, a nest with four eggs being taken April 30.

Lark Finch (Chondestes grammica).—Rather common, chiefly in fields near roadsides.

White-crowned Sparrow (Zonotrichia leucophrys).—Became common about the middle of May.

White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis).—Very abundant up to the middle of May, and a female was started among some bushes 21near the edge of the swamp about the 27th or 28th of the month, her actions and notes strongly suggesting a nest in the vicinity, but I was unable to discover one.

Field Sparrow (Spizella pusilla).—A very common bird. Remarkable variations were noticed in the song of this species, several individuals repeating the usual song three times without stopping. Another had such peculiar notes that it was followed and shot for a strange bird.

Oak-woods Sparrow (Peucæa æstivalis illinoensis).—Rare, and observed only on one occasion, on the 26th of April. The locality was a “woods pasture,” about one-half cleared of trees, with occasional old logs and brush-piles on the open portion, and plenty of dead standing trees, the ground high and rolling. Immediately upon sighting the locality I thought of this bird, and at almost the same instant heard one sing. This one was shot, as he sat upon a brush-pile. Two or three others were heard at a distance, but I failed to discover them.

Lincoln’s Sparrow (Melospiza lincolni).—Very abundant about brush-piles in swampy clearings.

Cardinal Grosbeak (Cardinalis virginianus). By far the most numerous of the resident Fringillidæ, and one of the most abundant of all birds. It was a very common thing to hear several males singing at the same time, and I once saw three males and two females near together on the railroad track, picking up grain scattered from the cars.

Rose-breasted Grosbeak (Zamelodia ludoviciana).—Exceedingly common during the greater part of the month of May. The first were seen April 25. They were most numerous among the willows in the swamp, engaged in feeding upon a small green beetle (Diabrotica 12–maculata) which infested the trees. They were also common in the sugar-maple groves, and were in full song during their stay.

Blue Grosbeak (Guiraca cærulea).—A single specimen seen but not obtained (date forgotten).

Bronzed Grackle (Quiscalus purpureus æneus).—Very numerous, breeding among the willows in the swamp. The “love note” of this bird is decidedly more metallic and more musical than that of Q. purpureus.

Red-headed Woodpecker (Melanerpes erythrocephalus).—Much the most numerous of the Woodpeckers.

Barred Owl (Strix nebulosa).—Exceedingly numerous, the swamp resounding at night with their hootings.

Cooper’s Hawk (Accipiter cooperi).—Common, breeding.

Red-shouldered Hawk (Buteo lineatus).—Much the most numerous of the Hawks. On one occasion eight adults were observed circling together overhead, all uttering their clamorous cries.

Mourning Dove (Zenaidura carolinensis).—Abundant. All the specimens shot had the ends of the toes frozen off, showing that they had remained during the past severe winter.

Wild Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo americana).—Common. Scarcely a day but what one or more were seen, and on one occasion a flock of 22fourteen was met with. When surprised they fly into the swamp, where, alighting on the trees, they are secure from pursuit. The inhabitants pay no attention whatever to the game laws, and it is owing entirely to the safe retreat afforded by the swamp that the Turkeys have not been more nearly exterminated.

Virginia Quail (Ortyx virginiana).—Almost exterminated by the severe winter of 1880–81.

Green Heron (Butorides virescens).—Abundant. A small colony had their nests in a second-growth thicket, some distance from the swamp. The nests (seven in number) were placed in saplings at 12–15 feet from the ground, and, with two exceptions, contained five eggs each.

Yellow-crowned Night Heron (Nyctherodius violaceus).—Abundant, a colony of perhaps a hundred pairs having their nests among the tall ash and sweet-gum trees in a creek bottom, near the edge of the pond. The nests were mostly at a considerable height, and few of them readily accessible. They had just begun to lay, and were frightened away from the locality during a “wet spell” by squirrel hunters. A female was shot from her nest April 27, and a perfect egg cut from her oviduct. Several fine specimens of the bird were secured, and it was noticed that the delicate, almost luminous, yellowish buff of the forehead very soon faded.

American Woodcock (Philohela minor).—Common, breeding.

Solitary Sandpiper (Rhyacophilus solitarius).—Common, and undoubtedly breeding, about small ponds in the woods.

Sora Rail (Porzana carolina).—Common among the sedges in the swamp.

Florida Gallinule (Gallinula galeata).—Probably common in the swamp. A fine specimen with its neck broken was picked up on the railroad track near the depot in Vincennes, having been killed by flying against the telegraph wires.

American Coot (Fulica americana).—Exceedingly numerous in the swamp during latter half of April and early part of May, but toward the last of the latter month the greater part had disappeared.

Mallard (Anas boscas).—Very numerous at the time of our arrival and for a week or two afterward. A few pairs are said to breed in the swamp.

Shoveller Duck (Spatula clypeata).—Much the most numerous of the Ducks at the time of my arrival (April 15).

Blue-winged Teal (Querquedula discors).—Abundant, even up to the latter part of May, and undoubtedly breeding.

Summer Duck (Aix sponsa).—Common and breeding in the swamp.

Hooded Merganser (Lophodytes cucullatus).—More common than A. sponsa, breeding, like that species, in hollow trees in the swamp.

Thick-billed Grebe (Podilymbus podiceps).—Very common in the swamp, where it was breeding.

At the time of my arrival the Ducks had mostly departed for the North, while the Geese had entirely disappeared. Both had passed the winter in 23the swamp, in immense numbers. A thorough exploration of the swamp would no doubt have added largely to the list of Water Birds, but I could not afford the time and labor necessary to accomplish even a partial exploration after the birds had begun breeding.

NOTES ON THE HABITS AND CHANGES OF PLUMAGE OF THE ACADIAN OWL (NYCTALE ACADICA), WITH SOME ADDITIONAL RECORDS OF ITS BREEDING IN MASSACHUSETTS.

BY WILLIAM BREWSTER.

In the Bulletin for July, 1881, I gave an account of the breeding of the Acadian Owl at Tyngsboro’, Massachusetts, with a description of a set of eggs taken there by Mr. Perham on April 5. Early in June of the same season Mr. Perham sent me a brood of four young Saw-whets which he had taken from the nest about the 15th of the preceding month. They were all in the plumage of N. “albifrons,” and showed little individual variation, save in respect to size, the two females being slightly larger than their brothers. In their fresh, silky feathering they were beautiful little creatures, the warm sepia-brown of the upper parts harmonizing well with the rich fulvous beneath, and their white foreheads showing in strong contrast with both. Nor were their manners less engaging than their plumage, for, unlike most Owls, they were perfectly gentle from the first, never attempting to bite or scratch those who handled them. With each other they were really affectionate, often going through a caressing performance with their bills, and showing a mutual forbearance at meal-times which was very pleasing. They eat all kinds of meat with avidity, but seemed especially fond of mice. The latter were invariably skinned and the flesh torn in shreds and devoured, the skins being swallowed afterwards as dessert. I often saw them eject those peculiar pellets of bones, fur, and other indigestable fragments which all Owls and many Hawks are in the habit of depositing 24about their haunts. The operation was a peculiar one. The Owl would gape several times, then the head would be violently shaken sideways, and finally the pellet, coated with mucous, would shoot forth, frequently falling several inches in front of the spot where the bird was sitting. After it was all over the little fellow assumed an expression of relief and contentment which was very comical.

Although not less grave and solemn than other Owls, their movements were much more animated and restless. They were continually flying or hopping from place to place, even in the day-time, and they had a frequent habit of oscillating the head, at the same time lengthening and shortening the neck. This was apparently done for the purpose of fixing the exact position of some distant object, as afterwards the bird usually flew to the top of some door or book-case towards which its eyes had evidently been directed. Their only cry at this time was a shrill bat-like squeaking, which was frequently given by all four at once. Altogether they were unusually interesting pets and when the time came for preparing three of them as specimens, I found it very hard to break up the affectionate and attractive little family.

I believe it is now generally admitted by ornithologists, that the so called “N. albifrons” is simply the young of N. acadica. Indeed, Mr. Ridgway satisfactorily settled this point when he cited^[9] the testimony of Dr. J. W. Velie of Chicago who kept a live “albifrons” “until it moulted and became a fine specimen of Nyctale acadica.” But as no one seems to have published a detailed account of the transition it may be worth while to briefly record some observations made on the survivor of the brood just mentioned.

This bird was placed in a large cage where it had abundant room to fly about, and was kept well supplied with food. Through June and July there was absolutely no change in its plumage, but on August 1 I noticed a few medially spotted feathers pushing their way through the uniformly brown ones of the fore part of the crown. Through the next two weeks they gradually increased and developed until the full-face aspect of the head was that of an adult Saw-whet. At this stage there was no 25indication of any second plumage on the other parts, but about August 15 a few streaked feathers appeared along the central line of the breast and abdomen, while a little later the moult began over the back and wings and quickly became general. Through the last two weeks of the month the new plumage gained daily, and by Sept. 1 the final stage was perfected and the bird had become a remarkably beautiful Saw-whet Owl. From this it appears that the “albifrons” condition is simply the first plumage, which in the Saw-whet is apparently better defined (as contrasted with the earlier downy stage and later autumnal plumage), as well as longer worn, than in most other Owls.

The specimen just mentioned is still (at the date of this writing, Dec. 1) alive and well. It has become rather wilder and less gentle than formerly, and lately has acquired a habit of swelling its plumage and snapping the bill when closely approached. Shortly after the moult it began a new cry, which is now frequently heard at night and occasionally also in the day-time. This utterance consists of a series of five or six low, chuckling but nevertheless whistled calls, which remind one of that peculiar, drawling soliloquy sometimes indulged in by a dejected hen on a rainy day. I cannot reconcile these notes with descriptions of the saw-filing ones which are supposed to have given the species its name, but they perhaps represent the unfinished performance of a young bird. The bat-like squeaking was discontinued before the bird began to whistle, and has never since been heard.

At the time of writing the article already referred to I received the impression that the nest then mentioned was the only one that Mr. Perham had found. But I have since learned that, including the two taken the present season, he has actually examined no less than seven during the past ten years, all of which occurred in or near the township of Tyngsboro’. Most of these nests were, however, broken up by red squirrels before the full complement of eggs was laid. The nesting places were usually of the artificial sort which I have already described, but occasionally use was made of a deserted Flicker’s hole. Mr. Perham frequently hears the notes of Saw-whets during the month of March, and believes that many pairs breed about Tyngsboro’ every season. The region is a heavily wooded one and apparently offers exceptional attractions to all kinds of Raptorial birds.

26

DESCRIPTION OF A NEW RACE OF PEUCÆA RUFICEPS FROM TEXAS.

BY NATHAN CLIFFORD BROWN.

Peucæa ruficeps eremœca.^[10] General aspect dull gray. Dorsal region grayish-ash, the feathers brownish centrally and with their shafts almost black. Top of head rufous, much admixed with grayish. A black frontlet, divided at the culmen by a white line, as in ruficeps and var. boucardi. Breast and sides clear gray. Abdomen whitish. Crissum and flanks tinged with fulvous. A black maxillary stripe. Length of fresh specimen, 6.25; extent, 8.62; wing and tail about 2.75. Sexes alike.

The above description characterizes a bird very unlike Peucæa ruficeps both in size and in coloration. It is much larger and entirely lacks the peculiar rufous tint of the upper parts seen in P. ruficeps. Var. boucardi, which is simply a larger race of ruficeps, the present form therefore resembles only in size and in the distribution of its markings. Indeed it is so unlike both described races that, but for thorough investigations by Mr. Robert Ridgway which fail to justify such a procedure, I should urge the claims of the new form to specific rank. Mr. Ridgway has with great kindness made a careful comparison of several of my specimens with all accessible material bearing upon the matter, and writes me that he finds the former insufficiently differentiated from ruficeps, through boucardi, to stand as a species. An interesting fact, incidentally brought to light by Mr. Ridgway, is that of the few Mexican examples upon which Dr. Sclater based his Zonotrichia boucardi, those from Orizaba are apparently referable to the race I have named eremœca. The National Museum possesses one of the three original Orizaba skins.

The specimens above described were taken, during the months of Dec., 1879 and Jan., Feb., and March, 1880, at Boerne, Kendall Co., Texas. Some account of their habits may be found on another page of the present number of the Bulletin.

27

ON KENNICOTT’S OWL AND SOME OF ITS ALLIES, WITH A DESCRIPTION OF A PROPOSED NEW RACE.

BY WILLIAM BREWSTER.

Since the date of its first description in 1867, Kennicott’s Owl (Scops asio kennicotti) has remained a very rare bird, and ornithologists have gained but little additional knowledge regarding either its distribution or variations of color. The prominent characters of Elliot’s type were its large size and tawny or umber-brown plumage, and as the few specimens subsequently recognized have closely resembled it, this peculiar coloring has come to be regarded as constant and diagnostic. But not long since Capt. Bendire sent me a Screech Owl from Fort Walla Walla, Washington Territory, which, although equaling kennicotti in size and resembling it in some other respects, was colored more nearly like S. asio in its gray dress. Being unable to reconcile the peculiarities of this bird with any of the standard descriptions, I set to work, at Capt. Bendire’s request, to bring together a sufficiently large number of specimens to determine its identity or relationship. In this I have at length succeeded, thanks to the kind assistance of Professor Baird and Mr. Ridgway of the National Museum, Mr. Allen of the Cambridge Museum of Comparative Zoölogy, Capt. Charles Bendire, U. S. A., Mr. H. W. Henshaw, Mr. Purdie and several other friends, all of whom have been most generous in placing their material at my disposal.

The series now before me comprises about fifty specimens, and includes representatives of all the known North American forms of Scops except S. flammeolus. Among the number are two typical kennicotti, a fine suite of asio, illustrating its numerous variations of plumage, and no less than nine examples referable to the large gray form already mentioned as coming from Fort Walla Walla. A comparison of the latter with asio and kennicotti shows that while a few of the grayer specimens bear a strong superficial resemblance to asio in its corresponding condition, the evidence of the series as a whole points to a stronger affinity 28with kennicotti. In regard to size, they are fully up to the standard of the latter, the difference from asio in this respect being so decided that the smallest male of the series is considerably larger than any female which I have from the East. Moreover, the purely gray style is represented by only a small proportion of the number, the majority being more or less tinged with tawny-rufous, in this as well as some other respects indicating evident approaches to the supposed typical characteristics of kennicotti. In short, the intermediate character of several of these specimens is so unmistakable that, although the transition is not completely shown, they furnish ample evidence that the gray form actually does intergrade with brown kennicotti.

The bearing of this testimony is not doubtful. Geographical considerations preclude our regarding the two birds as allied races, for one of the most typical examples of kennicotti comes from Idaho (No. 59,068 Coll. Nat. Mus., Dr. Whitehead), while I have a specimen referable to the gray condition from the coast of Oregon (Portland, Capt. Bendire), thus showing that they cannot be assigned different habitats. Clearly, then, the only alternative remaining is the assumption that kennicotti, like asio, is dichromatic, the purely gray birds from Fort Walla Walla representing the extreme of one phase, as the tawny brown type probably does that of the other. And considered in connection with its bearing on similarly variable allied forms, the hypothesis of dichromatism certainly offers a very easy and natural way out of the difficulty. Nor is there anything inconsistent in the fact that one or the other style apparently predominates in many sections of their mutual range, and in some is perhaps the exclusive representative, for a similar state of affairs is well known to obtain with other dichromatic members of this genus.^[11]

Assuming the preceding conclusions to be granted, the gray condition of kennicotti may be characterized as follows:—

Scops asio kennicotti. Gray phase; adult (♀, no. 6456 author’s collection, Fort Walla Walla, W. T., October 22, 1881, Capt. Bendire). Ground-color above brownish-ash, darkest on the head, palest on the wings, with confused, often nearly obsolete transverse mottling and shaft-stripes of dull black, broadest and most numerous on the crown. Outer webs of scapulars and alula-coverts cream-color, the former tipped and narrowly 29margined with black. Secondaries and inner webs of primaries crossed by from six to seven bars of pale reddish-brown. Outer webs of primaries with broad, quadrate spots of brownish-white. Tail regularly but faintly barred with light reddish-brown. Feathers of the sides of head and neck thickly but minutely mottled with dusky upon a lighter ground. Lores nearly pure white. A somewhat broken facial-circle of black or chestnut spots and blotches. Beneath ashy-white, lightest on the abdomen, with numerous fine, regular, transverse bars of black and coarse shaft-stripes of the same color; the only immaculate space being that along the middle of the abdomen. Lining of wings and concealed silky plumage of sides under the wings, pale ochraceous. Tarsi, dull chestnut. Wing, 7.10; culmen, .61; tarsus, 1.77; tail, 4.10; middle toe, .75; ear-tufts, 1.45.

The above description is of a specimen representing the extreme grayish phase so far as shown by the series before me. Six others from the same locality vary a good deal in color and markings, some of them being very dark with coarse shaft-stripes, both above and below, while one or two have the dorsal surface nearly like that of asio in its corresponding condition. In all, however, the plumage of the under parts is somewhat different from that of asio, the transverse bars being usually much finer and more regular and the ground-color ashy instead of clear white. These differences seem to be most strongly marked in the purely gray specimens which otherwise afford the nearest approaches to asio.

Among the darker birds are three which may be considered as about intermediate between the extreme brown and gray phases. The first, from Mr. Henshaw’s collection (Fort Walla Walla, Nov. 7, 1880, Capt. Bendire) has the dorsal plumage dark brown with an umber cast, while the tibiæ, lining of wings, outer webs of scapulars, and numerous pairs of rounded spots forming a band or collar across the nape, are tawny-ochraceous of nearly as deep a shade as in typical brown birds. The dark shaft-stripes in this specimen are broader and blacker than in any of the others and the usual ashy cast beneath is replaced by an ochraceous one. The remaining two birds are similarly characterized but to a less marked degree. All three combine the gray and brown coloring of the respective extreme phases, precisely as do many of the eastern specimens before me, the gray and red conditions of S. asio.

The Portland specimen already mentioned, although in some respects an intermediate, is on the whole nearer the gray than 30the brown condition. Its general coloring is essentially similar to that of Mr. Henshaw’s bird, but the ground shade above is darker and the scapular spots are confined to the edges of two or three of the outer feathers, while the ochraceous wash beneath occurs only on the sides, lining of the wings, and tibiæ, the ground-color of the under parts being otherwise clear ashy-white.

An unusually large female from Hellgate, Montana (No. 18,299, Nat. Mus.), which Mr. Ridgway very naturally treated as asio in the “Birds of North America” (Vol. III, p. 50), agrees closely with Capt. Bendire’s specimens and with them must now be referred to kennicotti.

In the light of the present evidence it becomes necessary to rearrange the typical characters of this Owl. I accordingly offer the following diagnosis:—

Scops asio kennicotti. Wing, 6.40 to 7.60. Dichromatic, assuming either a gray or a tawny brown condition. Gray phase similar to that of asio, but with the plumage beneath thickly barred and streaked along the median line. Brown phase characterized by a general dusky-umber or tawny-ochraceous coloring unlike that of any other North American form.^[12]

The following table includes the most essential measurements of all the specimens of kennicotti which I have examined, together with some taken at second hand, of Elliot’s type of the race.

Gray and Intermediate.

Wing. Tail.

6457, W. B. ♂ ad. Ft. Walla Walla, W.T. Nov. 20, 1881. 7.50 4.07

6458, W. B. ♂ ad. „ „ Apr. 25, 1881. 7.07 4.05

82,330, Nat. Mus. ♂ ad. „ „ Dec. 22, 1880. 7.06 4.25

6459, W. B. ♂ juv. John Day River. Ore. Aug. 6, 1881. 6.92 3.65

30,624, C. Mus. ♂ ad. Ft. Walla Walla. W.T. Feb. 12, 1881. 7.00 4.22

H. W. H. ♀ ad. „ „ Nov. 7, 1880. 7.05 wanting

6456, W. B. ♀ ad. „ „ Oct. 22, 1881. 7.10 4.10

18,299, Nat. Mus. ♂ ad. Hellgate, Mon. 7.60 4.10

6466, W. B. ad. Portland, Oregon. 6.40 3.82

Brown.

4.530, Nat. Mus. Washington Ter. 6.80 4.07

59,068, Nat. Mus. Idaho. 6.67 3.65

59,847, Nat. Mus. ♂ ad. Sitka, Alaska. March, 1866. 7.40 4.00

31During the course of the preceding investigation I had occasion to compare a large number of Eastern specimens of Scops asio with some California examples from Nicasio and Alameda County. Somewhat to my surprise, I detected several apparently constant differences which, taken in connection with the pretty definitely settled fact that the California bird is not, like asio, subject to dichromatism, seem to me to warrant the varietal separation of the two. I accordingly propose a new race as follows:—

Scops asio bendirei,^[13] var. nov. California Screech Owl.

Ch. Sp. Similis S. asioni, sed auribus brevioribus; colore subtus magis cinerario, transversis lineis tenuioribus, pallidioribus, ac in medio haud interruptis. Nulla rubra conditione cognita.

Adult ♀ (No. 1,546, author’s collection, Nicasio, California, April 24, 1877, C. A. Allen). Above essentially similar to asio in its gray dress. Beneath ashy-white, every where thickly barred and streaked with black; the transverse bars being fine, numerous and regular, the shaft-stripes coarse and generally distributed from the throat to the crissum, both markings occurring as thickly on the median line of the breast and abdomen as along their sides. Wing, 6.20; tail, 3.30; tarsus, 1.50; culmen, .60; ear-tufts, 1.15.

Another adult from the same locality (♀, May 18, 1878, Coll. H. A. Purdie), measures: wing, 6.22; tail, 3.18; ear-tufts, 1.05: while seven unsexed specimens from Alameda county furnish the following extremes: wing, 6.01–6.52; tail, 3.22–3.72, ear-tufts, 1.05–1.25.

The above detailed characters, so far as my series goes, are sufficient to distinguish the California specimens from any gray examples of asio taken in the Eastern States. The chief difference is in the ground-color and markings of the plumage beneath. In asio the central line of the breast and abdomen is nearly always immaculate, while there is frequently a broad, entirely unspotted gular space: in bendirei these parts are as thickly barred and streaked as are the sides, while the ashy tinge of the entire lower surface and the much finer character of the transverse pencilling gives the plumage a clouded appearance which, although difficult of description, is very characteristic. The ear-tufts, also, are usually shorter than those of S. asio.

32Among the nine examples before me there is remarkably little individual variation, much less in fact than with any equal number of asio which I have ever examined. The Alameda County specimens as a rule are rather more finely and faintly barred than the Nicasio ones and the ground-color beneath is of a slightly different shade, inclining more to clayey than ashy-white. In one bird the under surface is decidedly dull clay-color, which is so generally and evenly distributed that there is positively no approach to clear white even on the throat, lores, forehead or abdomen. But the essential characters already given are so well maintained on the whole that the description of the one chosen as the type will apply nearly as well to them all. This uniformity is doubtless largely owing to the absence in this race of any tendency to dichromatism, for much of the variation among the dichromatic ones can be traced to the combination in varying degrees of the colors of both phases, purely colored birds of either style being, at least in some sections, of comparatively rare occurrence. It is of course to be expected that larger suites of specimens will furnish occasional aberrant ones some of which may approach asio; but, so far as the present material is concerned, the tendency of variation is rather towards kennicotti and “tricopsis.” Indeed, as will be seen by comparing my diagnoses, the general coloring and markings of bendirei are so nearly like those of kennicotti in its extreme gray phase, that were it not for their wide difference in size it might be difficult to separate some of the specimens. That bendirei grades into the larger bird at the point where their respective habitats meet is shown by a specimen (No. 16,027, Nat. Mus.) from Fort Crook, Northern California, which is almost exactly intermediate in size, although more nearly like kennicotti in color and markings. As to our bird of the Southwest border, I believe that Mr. Ridgway is still undecided whether it really represents the tricopsis of Wagler or not, but he writes me that however this may turn out, he is now convinced that it intergrades with the form found over California at large and must hence be reduced to a variety of Scops asio. After a careful comparison of specimens I can unhesitatingly endorse this opinion, my Arizona examples of “tricopsis” differing from some of the more faintly barred bendirei only in the purer ash and sharper streaking of their dorsal plumage.

Save in cases where this fresh material has thrown new light 33on old data, I have deemed it unnecessary to go over any of the ground trodden by Mr. Ridgway in his elaborate and invaluable monograph of the genus Scops,^[14] but the bearing of some of the present testimony has proved so far reaching that I venture, in concluding, to suggest the following rearrangement of the North American Screech Owls belonging to the S. asio group.

Dichromatic: erythrismal phase bright rufous.

Scops asio. Habitat, United States north of the Gulf States and east of the Rocky Mountains.

Scops asio floridanus. Habitat, Florida and Southern Georgia.

Scops asio maccalli. Habitat, Highlands of Guatemala, Eastern Mexico, and Valley of the Lower Rio Grande in Texas.

Dichromatic: erythrismal phase tawny or reddish-brown.

Scops asio kennicotti. Habitat, Northwest Coast from Sitka to Oregon and eastward across Washington Territory into Idaho and Montana.

Non-dichromatic: always gray in color.^[15]

Scops asio bendirei. Habitat, Coast region of California.

Scops asio tricopsis? Habitat, Western Mexico and the extreme southwestern border of the United States.

Scops asio maxwellæ. Habitat, Mountains of Colorado.

A RECONNOISSANCE IN SOUTHWESTERN TEXAS.

BY NATHAN CLIFFORD BROWN.

The village of Boerne in Southwestern Texas, with its environing country, was the field of my ornithological labors between December 21, 1879 and April 4, 1880. Boerne is situated about thirty miles northwest of San Antonio, and less than that distance 34westerly from New Braunfels, where Messrs. Werner and Ricksecker made their collection, a few years ago.^[16] It lies in a country of hills and “flats,” scantily watered and largely unproductive, beyond which timber and general vegetation rapidly disappear, as the westward-bound traveller nears the desolation of the Great Plains. Live-oak grows in scattering groves, the postoak in more compact clusters, and cedar occurs in small “brakes” of some density. There are also, along the creek to which the village owes its existence, two or three small oases of deciduous trees admixed with vines, no one of them, perhaps, an acre in extent. The mesquite, which is so common on the prairies to the south and east, is not seen, but is replaced by a small variety of live-oak growing in the form of chaparral. Throughout my stay in it, the country had a very inhospitable and dreary aspect, on account of the almost total lack of grass of any kind; and by its absence the number of the local birds is of course materially diminished.

In presenting a list of the birds observed in this locality, I wish to call especial attention to the curious admixture of geographical races found here. Among the species which are subject to climatic variation, several are represented by two distinct varieties and with them confused and indeterminable intermediate forms. In others but one constant form is found. And in a third class the bird occurs in a varying, transitional phase of plumage which, however, occasionally becomes typical of some described race.

1. Hylocichla unalascæ (Gm.) Ridg. Dwarf Thrush.—Uncommon resident. Not heard to sing. Several of my specimens very closely approach the variety auduboni. I saw nothing of the eastern pallasi, which I have received from Mr. Geo. H. Ragsdale, of Gainesville.

2. Merula migratoria propinqua, Ridg. Western Robin.—Irregularly abundant.

3. Mimus polyglottus (Linn.) Boie. Mockingbird.—Rare resident.

4. Sialia sialis (Linn.) Haldem. Bluebird.—Comparatively common during the winter. All of my specimens were in most beautiful plumage. Not one male in a dozen showed the slightest brownish edging to the feathers of the back. I was particularly struck with this in view of the fact that almost every individual in a large series collected in Alabama, in the winter of 1878, exhibited more or less of this brownish edging.

355. Sialia arctica, Swains. Rocky Mountain Bluebird.—Abundant winter visitor. Generally in dull plumage.

6. Polioptila cærulea (Linn.) Scl. Blue-gray Gnatcatcher.—Apparently a common summer resident. Arrived March 8.

7. Regulus calendula (Linn.) Licht. Ruby-crowned Kinglet.—Abundant up to the last week in March.

8. Regulus satrapa, Licht. Golden-crested Kinglet.—Not common. Last seen about March 22.

9. Lophophanes atrocristatus, Cassin. Black-crested Tit.—Very abundant resident.

10. Parus carolinensis, Aud. Carolina Chickadee.—Uncommon during my stay. Usually seen in pairs.

11. Certhia familiaris rufa (Bartr.) Ridg. Brown Creeper.—Rare. Only two individuals observed: one Jan. 16, the other Jan. 29.

12. Salpinctes obsoletus (Say) Cab. Rock Wren.—I obtained a single female on March 4, in a cañon of the Cibalo Creek. It was very shy and was secured with difficulty.

13. Catherpes mexicanus conspersus, Ridg. White-throated Wren.—About three pairs were resident in the cañon above referred to. They lurked almost constantly in the interstices of the rocks, and had it not been for their delightful song would many times have entirely escaped observation.

14. Thryothorus ludovicianus (Gm.) Bp. Carolina Wren.—Uncommon resident.

15. Thryomanes bewicki leucogaster, Baird. Texan Bewick’s Wren.—Very common resident. Sang throughout the winter.

16. Anthus ludovicianus (Gm.) Licht. Titlark.—Abundant winter visitor. Became uncommon towards the last of March.

17. Neocorys spraguei (Aud.) Scl. Missouri Skylark.—Mr. Sennett having detected this species at Galveston,^[17] it was, of course, to have been expected in the present locality. Since, however, I observed no examples until the 16th of March, it is to be inferred that the bird’s winter habitat lies much farther to the south than has been supposed. I met with specimens up to within a few days of my departure, but never in abundance and, I believe, all upon one “flat” containing about twenty acres.

While according to Dr. Coues^[18] the manners and habits of this bird and the Titlark agree so closely during the breeding season, they were quite unlike at the time of my own observations. At Boerne the flight of the Skylark was peculiarly characteristic, being made slowly, at a height of but a few inches from the ground and with the regular, undulating movement of the Goldfinch. When several birds were associated together—as was usually the case—they were invariably much scattered about upon the ground, and in flight never closed ranks sufficiently to form anything 36like a flock. The Titlarks, on the contrary, as I have also found them at the North, were birds of erratic and more rapid flight, frequently ascending to a considerable height and always preserving the semblance of a flock, however straggling their order.

18. Mniotilta varia (Linn.) Vieill. Black-and-white Creeper.—Rather common after March 13.

19. Helminthophaga ruficapilla (Wils.) Bd. Nashville Warbler.—Two specimens,—March 30 and April 1.

20. Helminthophaga celata (Say) Bd. Orange-crowned Warbler.—Arrived the first week in March and thereafter was the most abundant of the Warblers. One of my specimens is a partial albino, the first, I believe, that has been detected in this peculiar phase of plumage.

21. Parula americana (Linn.) Bp. Blue Yellow-back.—Rare migrant. Arrived March 20 in full song.

22. Dendrœca coronata (Linn.) Gray. Yellow-rump.—An abundant winter visitor, seen throughout my stay.

23. Dendrœca blackburnæ (Gm.) Bd. Blackburnian Warbler.—A single male taken March 31.

24. Dendrœca dominica albilora, Bd. White-browed Yellow-throat.—Uncommon migrant, first seen on March 19. The song of this variety is very different from that of its eastern analogue, and is a close reproduction of the Field Sparrow’s familiar chant, without his decrescendo termination.

25. Dendrœca chrysoparia, Scl. and Salv. Golden-cheeked Warbler.—Previous to the capture of my Boerne specimens, there were only about seven^[19] skins of this elegant Warbler in existence. It was a rare bird at Boerne, and my own series was not brought up to a total of seven without special exertion. The first individual made his appearance on March 12. Within forty-eight hours from that time, under the influence of a biting norther, the mercury sank to 29° and hovered about that figure for several days. So that in his semi-tropical habitat this little bird is sometimes called upon to endure pretty severe weather. The remaining examples were taken at intervals up to March 24, after which I saw none. I found them usually in cedar brakes; never more than a few rods distant from them. They were sometimes very shy, at other times easily approached, but almost always pursued their various avocations rather silently. I did not hear the song at all, until by this I was attracted to the last specimen that I procured. The notes were an exact counterpart of the song of Dendrœca discolor, as I heard it in Alabama, and, indeed, for the utterances of that bird I mistook them.

By the few examples of this species hitherto existing in cabinets, the plumage of the adult male has been represented with much green on the 37back. Four of my five males conform to this pattern of coloration, but the fifth is in a much more beautiful dress, undoubtedly showing the male bird in full perfection. In this specimen the back is deep black, glossy and continuous. Upon close examination, faint and irregular traces of greenish are perceptible, but in much too slight a degree to materially affect the groundwork. This high state of plumage greatly enhances the bird’s beauty and renders its wearer one of the handsomest of the Sylvicolidæ.

26. Dendrœca virens (Gm.) Bd. Black-throated Green Warbler.—An uncommon migrant, first seen on March 13. Found in hardwood growth and never in company with the preceding species. On March 25 I heard a male singing the plaintive song so familiar in northern woods.

27. Siurus motacilla (Vieill.) Coues. Large-billed Water Thrush.—A single male taken, March 25, in one of the “oases” of the creek.

28. Lanivireo flavifrons (Vieill.) Bd. Yellow-throated Vireo.—A pair taken on March 25.

29. Vireo atricapillus, Woodh. Black-capped Vireo.—One specimen, March 27. Could I have remained a few days later, other specimens would have undoubtedly been detected.

30. Vireo noveboracensis (Gm.) Bp. White-eyed Vireo.—Common summer resident, first seen on March 13.

31. Lanius ludovicianus excubitorides (Sw.) Coues. White-rumped Shrike.—Of irregular and uncommon occurrence. I obtained one specimen of ludovicianus proper.

32. Ampelis cedrorum (Vieill.) Bd. Cedar Bird.—Very irregular in its occurrence, and never common.

33. Progne subis (Linn.) Bd. Purple Martin.—Common summer resident. Arrived from the south, Feb. 17.

34. Petrochelidon lunifrons (Say) Lawr. Eave Swallow.—Common summer resident. Arrived about March 20. The cañon, to which I have several times alluded, contained many nests of this bird.

35. Hirundo erythrogastra, Bodd. Barn Swallow.—Common summer resident. A single individual seen on March 4, but no others noticed until the 10th of the month when there was a general arrival.

36. Stelgidopteryx serripennis (Aud.) Bd. Rough-winged Swallow.—But two observed,—March 3 and 4.

37. Pyranga æstiva (Linn.) Vieill. Summer Redbird.—One specimen taken in April.

38. Astragalinus tristis (Linn.) Cab. Goldfinch.—Rather common winter visitant.

39. Centrophanes ornatus (Towns.) Cab. Chestnut-collared Longspur.—This and the following species apparently do not winter here. I first met with them in the second week of February. They were often associated together, sometimes with the addition of a few Horned Larks. The present species, though not common, was the more numerous and lingered later, being taken up to March 2.

3840. Rhynchophanes maccowni (Lawr.) Bd. McCown’s Longspur.—Uncommon migrant, taken between Feb. 11 and 21.

41. Passerculus sandwichensis alaudinus (Bp.) Ridg. Western Savanna Sparrow.—Common, throughout my stay, in cultivated fields.

42. Poœcetes gramineus confinis, Bd. Western Grass Finch.—Abundant in cultivated fields and less common elsewhere, throughout my stay. Several specimens were taken in plumage intermediate between this and the eastern form; and one which can hardly be referred to anything but gramineus proper.

43. Coturniculus passerinus (Wils.) Bp. Yellow-winged Sparrow.—A single specimen, Feb. 14.

44. Chondestes grammica (Say) Bp. Lark Finch.—Rare during the winter. A general arrival on March 11, after which it was common.

45. Zonotrichia querula (Nutt.) Gamb. Harris’s Sparrow.—Excepting two specimens taken by Mr. Dresser near San Antonio, this species has no Texas record. I found it very abundant during the winter, and in smaller numbers up to within a few days of my departure.

46. Zonotrichia leucophrys (Forst.) Sw. White-crowned Sparrow.—Uncommon winter visitor.

47. Zonotrichia gambeli intermedia, Ridg. Ridgway’s Sparrow.—More common than the preceding, tarrying into March, if not later.

48. Spizella domestica arizonæ (Coues) Ridg. Western Chipping Sparrow.—Rare during the winter. More numerous after Feb. 13. This form is new to the State.

49. Spizella breweri, Cass. Brewer’s Sparrow.—One specimen, March 5, amongst sterile hills. Doubtless is not rare in suitable localities, of which there are none in the immediate vicinity of the village.

50. Spizella pusilla (Wils.) Bp. Field Sparrow.—Common during my stay.

51. Junco hyemalis (Linn.) Scl. Black Snowbird.—Common during my stay.

52. Junco oregonus (Towns.) Scl. Oregon Snowbird.—Uncommon. In addition to the specimens typical of the two Juncos here given, I acquired a series of very puzzling examples intermediate between the two. Such connecting links between the accepted species are perhaps best accounted for under Mr. Ridgway’s theory^[20] of hybridization, until it can be decisively shown that they are an effect of climatic causes.

53. Peucæa ruficeps eremœca,^[21] Brown. Rock Sparrow.—This beautiful Sparrow was uncommon though apparently resident at Boerne. I found it altogether in rocky localities, usually in close proximity to the creek, but occasionally upon barren hills, a mile or more from water. It has the same shy, skulking habits which are familiar in other species of the genus, rarely taking wing, on the approach of an intruder, so long as 39rock, bush or weed affords a hiding place. The male’s song, which I first heard on Feb. 25, is a pretty warble, not strongly accentuated, and quite unsparrowlike,—equalling neither in sweetness nor in quality of music, the beautiful chant of P. æstivalis. Before becoming thoroughly familiar with it, I more than once attributed it to some unknown Warbler. The call-note is extremely fine and sharp, suggesting the eep of Ampelis cedrorum.

54. Melospiza fasciata (Gm.) Scott. Song Sparrow.—Rare throughout my stay. Specimens are not typical of this form, but are not referable to any of the western varieties.^[22]

55. Melospiza lincolni (Aud.) Bd. Lincoln’s Finch.—Arrived March 4; common thereafter.

56. Passerella iliaca (Merrem) Sw. Fox Sparrow.—Two or three individuals met with. This species was detected in the valley of the Brazos by Mr. L. Kumlien,^[23] but is not included in the papers of other Texas collectors.

57. Pipilo maculatus megalonyx (Bd.) Coues. Spurred Towhee.—To this form I refer a large series of Pipilos, which is by far the most remarkable of the many curious series from this locality. The relation of some specimens to restricted maculatus and the variety arcticus is indicated in the extract from Mr. Ridgway’s letter, under M. fasciata. Other examples are links in the chain of evidence that is gradually accumulating against the specific distinctness of Pipilo erythrophthalmus. Indeed, I am not sure that they may not be considered as establishing the intergradation between that form and the maculatus group. The extreme approach to the eastern bird is seen in a single specimen, in which the white spotting, partially concealed, appears upon the outer scapulars alone, and there only in very slight measure.

58. Cardinalis virginianus (Briss.) Bp. Cardinal.—Abundant resident. In a series of fifty specimens, two or three are typical, the remainder exhibiting to a greater or less degree the characters of both virginianus as restricted and var. igneus. In one specimen the black band across the culmen is hardly perceptible, but in none does the red of the forehead reach completely to the bill.

59. Calamospiza bicolor (Towns.) Bp. Lark Bunting.—One specimen, in a scattering grove of post oaks, March 24.

4060. Molothrus ater (Bodd.) Gray. Cowbird.—A few females shot out of flocks of the following variety, in March.

60 b. Molothrus ater obscurus (Gm.) Coues. Dwarf Cowbird.—On Jan. 20 I shot the first females that I had observed, after which they soon became common. No males were detected until Feb. 25, but from that time both sexes were found in abundance.

61. Agelæus phœniceus (Linn.) Vieill. Red-winged Blackbird.—Abundantly represented, during the winter, but by females only, so far as my observations went. The males are said by the villagers to occur rarely.

62. Sturnella neglecta, Aud. Western Field Lark.—Abundant during my stay.

63. Icterus spurius (Linn.) Bp. Orchard Oriole.—One individual seen in April.

64. Scolecophagus cyanocephalus (Wagl.) Cab. Brewer’s Blackbird.—Found throughout my stay; in great abundance up to the middle of March.

65. Corvus corax carnivorus (Bartr.) Ridg. Raven.—Uncommon. Usually solitary, but on Jan. 28, I noticed a flock of a dozen.

66. Corvus frugivorus, Bartr. Crow.—Rare.

67. Eremophila alpestris chrysolæma (Wagl.) Coues. Mexican Horned Lark.—Abundant up to the first week of March, after which none were seen until March 27. From this time occasional individuals only were observed.

68. Milvulus forficatus (Gm.) Sw. Scissor-tail.—Arrived March 24, and became at once common.

69. Myiarchus crinitus (Linn.) Cab. Great-crested Flycatcher.—One specimen taken March 30.

70. Sayornis fuscus (Gm.) Bd. Pewee.—Found rather uncommonly throughout my stay.

71. Caprimulgus vociferus, Wils. Whip-poor-will.—One specimen taken April 2.

72. Picus scalaris, Wagl. Texas Woodpecker.—An abundant resident.

73. Sphyrapicus varius (Linn.) Bd. Yellow-bellied Woodpecker.—Rare and irregular.

74. Centurus carolinus (Linn.) Bp. Red-bellied Woodpecker.—The rarest species of this family: but three seen.

75. Centurus aurifrons, Wagl. Golden-fronted Woodpecker.—Uncommon resident. Unlike Mr. Sennett,^[24] I found it always very shy.

76. Colaptes auratus hybridus (Bd.) Ridg. Hybrid Flicker.—Uncommon and of irregular occurrence. This form does not appear to have been met with in Texas limits before. The present locality is at all events exceptionally southern.

4176 b. Colaptes auratus mexicanus (Sw.) Ridg. Red-shafted Flicker.—One specimen, taken Jan. 2. Others doubtless occurred amongst the shy Flickers which escaped my gun.

77. Ceryle alcyon (Linn.) Boie. Belted Kingfisher.—A pair seen on Feb. 18, one of which was shot by a friend on Feb. 21.

78. Geococcyx calfornianus (Less.) Bd. Chaparral Cock.—Though said by the inhabitants to be usually numerous, I found it rare during my stay.

79. Tinnunculus sparverius (Linn.) Vieill. Sparrow Hawk.—Common winter visitant.

80. Accipiter fuscus (Gm.) Bp. Sharp-shinned Hawk.—Common winter visitant.

81. Cathartes aura (Linn.) Illig. Turkey Buzzard.—Common resident.

82. Catharista atrata (Wils.) Less. Black Vulture.—Common resident.

83. Zenaidura carolinensis (Linn.) Bp. Carolina Dove.—In great numbers throughout my stay.

84. Meleagris gallopavo, Linn. Mexican Turkey.—The Boerne Hotel occasionally favored its guests with Wild Turkey obtained of ranchmen from the surrounding country, but I did not meet with the bird myself.

85. Ortyx virginiana texana (Lawr.) Coues. Texas Quail.—Uncommon resident. Nearly all of my specimens lack the outer one or two joints of all the toes,—a result, perhaps, of excessive cold.

86. Ardea herodias, Linn. Great Blue Heron.—Occasionally observed.

87. Charadrius dominicus, Müll. Golden Plover.—Uncommon after March 9, which was the date of its arrival.

88. Oxyechus vociferus (Linn.) Reich. Killdeer.—Abundant resident.

89. Podasocys montanus (Towns.) Coues. Mountain Plover.—Occurs uncommonly in the migrations. A flock of about twenty individuals encountered on Jan. 2; two specimens taken on March 15; and a flock of a dozen or more seen on March 17. They were very tame, but, from some peculiar constitutional trait, difficult to kill. This Plover was not procured in southern Texas by Mr. Sennett nor by Dr. Merrill. It was, however, met with by Mr. Dresser,^[25] and two specimens obtained in the State by other collectors are catalogued in the ninth volume of Pacific Railroad Reports.

90. Gallinago media wilsoni (Temm.) Ridg. Wilson’s Snipe.—In the course of the winter I met with perhaps a dozen individuals, at one particular spot in the bed of the creek, where a little grass afforded partial cover. Specimens which I shot are exactly similar to eastern examples in plumage, but when freshly killed all agreed in having pale, 42flesh-colored legs and feet—those of the female being tinged with greenish-yellow. So far as my own experience goes, this is a peculiarity never seen in eastern Snipe, in which the legs and feet are olivaceous.

91. Actodromas maculata (Vieill.) Coues. Grass-bird.—One specimen, March 21.

92. Actodromas bairdi, Coues. Baird’s Sandpiper.—One specimen, March 16. A Sandpiper seen on Feb. 18, and two small flocks seen in March were also probably of this species.

93. Totanus melanoleucus (Gm.) Vieill. Great Yellow-legs.—One seen, Jan. 1; three others observed in the last week of March.

94. Rhyacophilus solitarius (Wils.) Cass. Solitary Sandpiper.—One specimen, March 25.

95. Bartramia longicauda (Bechst.) Bp. Upland Plover.—First seen on March 22, and but few noted subsequently.

96. Numenius longirostris, Wils. Sickle-billed Curlew.—Two observed, Dec. 21.

97. Numenius borealis (Forst.) Lath. Esquimaux Curlew.—Rather common migrant, first seen on March 9.

98. Grus canadensis (Linn.) Temm. Sandhill Crane.—Solitary individuals occasionally noted.

99. Anas obscura, Gm. Black Duck.—Small flocks rather unfrequently found in the creek.

100. Chaulelasmus streperus (Linn.) Gray Gadwall.—I did not detect this species until March 25, after which I found it uncommonly.

101. Nettion carolinensis (Gm.) Bd. Green-winged Teal.—Rare. First seen Feb. 6.

102. Fulix collaris (Donov.) Bd. Ring-billed Black-head.—One of three shot, Feb. 27.

103. Mergus merganser americanus (Cass.) Ridg. Goosander.—Small flocks observed in January.

104. Plotus anhinga, Linn. Snake-bird.—A female shot by a friend, on March 24.

To the foregoing list of species actually taken or identified beyond question, are to be added six others which I was unable to fix decisively. These are a Hawk, believed to have been Ictinia subcærulea, seen in pursuit of a Buzzard, on March 4; a red-tailed Buteo of which I saw a pair, Feb. 26; a shy, black Buteo, almost undoubtedly Buteo abbreviatus, frequently observed about the village; an Owl, apparently Strix nebulosa, several times scared up in an unusually dense grove of deciduous trees; a Hummer, noted a few times towards the close of my stay; and a beautiful Larus which hovered over the stage as it forded the creek, on my return journey to San Antonio.

43

Recent Literature.

Memorial Volume of Garrod’s Scientific Papers.^[26] Garrod’s work is apparently not so well known in this country as it must eventually become, forming as it does a permanent way-mark in the progress of the science, and contributing indispensable material for the solving of the most vexed problem in ornithology—we mean a sound, rational classification of birds, based on morphological data according to the theory of genetic relationship, and as such one which any considerable number of ornithologists can agree to adopt and stand by. As is well understood, those of us who have no classification of our own to advance, fall back upon some convention as make-shift, practically waiving the points at issue. As far as taxonomy is concerned, the present attitude of ornithology is thoroughly iconoclastic; but, while we agree that much of what has been set up must be upset, few claim to know what ought to replace the broken images, and fewer still agree on that point. There is nevertheless a large amount of material at hand, the soundness and utility of which no one questions; and of late years Garrod has been both indefatigable and successful in setting bricks and mortar. Of the anatomical papers in the present volume, some 73 in number, more than half relate to birds, describing conditions of the osseous, muscular, respiratory, vascular, digestive and nervous systems which appear to promise most of value in taxonomy, and discussing in candid and scientific spirit, from a vantage-ground of long experience, the bearing of the anatomical points upon classification. Of the accuracy and high rate of reliability of these papers there can be no question; they are sufficiently lucid to shine with their own light, and there is a certain “finish” about them which is truly admirable. This is seen when the author is drawing the comparisons which his extensive knowledge enables him to adduce, and summing his conclusions. These are always clean-cut and luminous, so that we know exactly where to find Garrod, whether we like him and agree with him or not. It is scarcely possible that he has been exempt from the all but inevitable tendency of the mind’s eye to magnify the particular subjects there focussed for the time, and so get them more or less out of perspective of the whole range of vision; but he seems to have known and guarded against this most scrupulously, unless, perhaps the “ambiens” muscle proved too much for him. On the whole, we do not think that even the warm praise of the editor, his personal friend and admirer, is too much to say, and we quote with pleasure: