Part 3

These strange little Flycatchers are found in swamps such as those usually frequented by Olive-sided Flycatchers and Parula Warblers. They are one of the few of the family to nest on the ground or very close to it. Their homes are made in the moss-covered mounds or stumps found in these swamps.

Range.—N. A. east of the Plains north to Labrador, breeding from northern U. S. northward.

GREEN-CRESTED OR ACADIAN FLYCATCHER 465. Empidonax virescens. 5½ inches

This bird is very similar to the last, but the lower mandible is light, and the throat and belly white. Their favorite resorts are shady woods not far from water. Here they nest in the outer branches of bushes or trees at heights of from four to twenty feet from the ground. The nests are shallow and composed of twigs and moss. Eggs creamy with brown spots.

Range.—U. S. east of Plains, breeding from the Gulf to New England and Manitoba; winters in the Tropics.

ALDER FLYCATCHER 466a. Empidonas trailli alnorum. 6 inches

This species is very similar to, but larger, than the well-known Least Flycatcher or Chebec. They are found in swampy pastures or around the edges of ponds or lakes, where they nest in low bushes.

Range.—U. S. east of the Mississippi, breeding from New York to New Brunswick.

LEAST FLYCATCHER 467. Empidonax minimus. 5½ inches

Smaller than the last and with the tail slightly forked. Common everywhere in orchards, swamps, or along roadsides. They are very often known by the name of “Chebec,” because their notes resemble that word. Their nests are placed in upright forks of any kind of trees or bushes; they are made of plant fibres and grasses closely felted together. The eggs range from three to five in number and are creamy white, without markings; size .65 × .50.

Range.—N. A. east of the Rockies, breeding from middle U. S. north to New Brunswick and Manitoba.

VERMILION FLYCATCHER 471. Pyrocephalus rubinus mexicanus. 6 inches

Female with only a slight tinge of pink, where the male is brilliant vermilion.

This is the most gorgeously plumed species of the American Flycatchers. It has all the active traits of the family and, to those who are only accustomed to the demure gray plumage of most eastern species, the first sight of this one as he dashes after an insect is a sight never to be forgotten.

Note.—During the mating season the male often gives a twittering song while poised in the air, accompanying it by loud snapping of the mandibles.

Nest.—Saddled on limbs of trees at low elevations from the ground; composed of small twigs and vegetable fibres closely felted together and often adorned on the outside with lichens similar to the nests of the Wood Pewee. The four eggs are of a creamy-buff color with bold spots of brown and lilac, in a wreath around the large end (.73 × .54).

Range.—Mexican border of the United States, from Texas to Arizona.

HORNED LARK 474. Otocoris alpestris. 7¾ inches

This variety, which is larger than its sub-species, is only found in the U. S. in winter, but several of the sub-species are residents in our limits. During the mating season they have a sweet song that is uttered on the wing, like that of the Bobolink.

Note.—Alarm note and call a whistled “tseet,” “tseet”; song a low, sweet, and continued warble.

Nest.—A hollow in the ground lined with grass; placed in fields and usually partially concealed by an overhanging sod or stone. The three to five eggs have a grayish ground color and are profusely specked and blotched with gray and brownish. (.85 × .60).

Range.—Breeds in Labrador and about Hudson Bay; south in winter to South Carolina and Illinois.

Sub-Species.—474b. Prairie Horned Lark (praticola). A paler form usually with the line over the eye white, found in the Mississippi Valley. 474c. Desert Horned Lark (leucolæma). Paler and less distinctly streaked above than the Prairie; found west of the Mississippi and north to Alberta.

AMERICAN MAGPIE 475. Pica pica hudsonia. 20 inches

This handsome member of the Crow family is sure to attract the attention of all who may see him. He is very pert in all his actions, both in trees and on the ground, and is always ready for mischief. In a high wind their long tail often makes traveling a laborious operation for them, and at such times they usually remain quite quiet. They are very impudent and always on the lookout for something to steal; they are also very noisy and forever scolding and chattering among themselves.

Note.—A loud, harsh “cack,” “cack,” and an endless variety of whistles and imitations.

Nest.—A large, globular heap of sticks placed in bushes or trees from four to fifty feet from the ground. The entrance to the nest is on one side and the interior is made of grass and mud. The four to six eggs are white, thickly specked with yellowish brown (1.25 × .90).

Range.—Western North America, east to the Plains and north to Alaska; resident.

BLUE JAY 477. Cyanocitta cristata. 11½ inches

These are one of the best known and most beautiful birds that we have, but, unfortunately, they have a very bad reputation. They often rob other birds of their eggs and young as well as food and nesting material. They are very active birds and are always engaged in gathering food, usually acorns or other nuts, and hiding them away for future use.

Note.—A two-syllabled whistle or a harsh, discordant scream. Besides these two common notes they make an endless variety of sounds mimicking other birds.

Nest.—Of twigs and sticks in bushes or low trees, preferably young pines. The four eggs are pale greenish blue specked with brown (1.10 × .80).

Range.—N. A. east of the Rockies from the Gulf to Labrador, resident in the U. S. The Florida Blue Jay (florincola) is smaller and has less white on wings and tail.

FLORIDA JAY 479. Aphelocoma cyanea. 11½ inches

This Jay is locally distributed chiefly in the southern parts of Florida, being found principally in scrub oaks. Like the Blue Jay, their food consists of animal matter and some seeds, berries, and acorns. Their habits are very similar to those of the northern bird and their calls resemble those of our bird, too. They are rather slow in flight and pass a great deal of their time upon the ground.

Note.—A “jay,” “jay,” similar to that of the Blue Jay, and a great variety of other calls.

Nest.—In the latter part of March and in April they build their flat nests of twigs, usually in bushes or scrub oaks, and lay three or four greenish-blue eggs, with brown spots; size 1.05 × .80.

Range.—Middle and southern portions of Florida chiefly along the coasts.

GREEN JAY 483. Xanthoura luxuosa glaucescens. 12 inches

These Jays are very beautiful, and we are sorry to have to admit that, like all the other members of the family, they are merciless in their treatment of smaller birds. During the summer their diet consists of raw eggs with young birds “on the side,” or vice versa; later they live upon nuts, berries, insects; in fact, anything that is edible.

Note.—Practically unlimited, being imitations of those of most of the birds in the vicinity.

Nest.—Not easily found, as it is usually concealed in dense thickets. The nests are like those of other Jays, loosely made of twigs and lined with black rootlets. The four eggs that are laid in May have a grayish ground color and are thickly spotted with several shades of brown and lilac. They measure 1.05 × .80.

Range.—Fairly common in the Lower Rio Grande Valley in southern Texas.

CANADA JAY 484. Perisoreus canadensis. 11½ inches

These birds are well known to hunters, trappers, and campers in the northern woods. They are great friends, especially of the lumbermen, as some of the pranks that they play serve to enliven an otherwise tedious day. They seem to be devoid of fear and enter camp and carry off everything, edible or not, that they can get hold of. They are called by guides and lumbermen by various names, such as Whiskey Jack, Moose Bird, etc.

Note.—A harsh “ca-ca-ca,” and various other sounds.

Nest.—Usually in coniferous trees at low elevations; made of twigs, moss, and feathers. The three or four eggs are gray, specked and spotted with darker (1.15 × .80). They nest early, usually before the snow begins to leave the ground and often when the mercury is below zero.

Range.—Eastern North America from northern United States northward. 484c. Labrador Jay (nigricapillus), which is found in Labrador, has the black on the hind head deeper and extending forward around the eye.

NORTHERN RAVEN 486a. Corvus corax principalis. 25 inches

The habits of all the ravens and crows are identical and are too well known to need mention. They are all very destructive to young birds and eggs. The Raven can be known by its large size, its very large bill, and lanceolate feathers on the throat. They are found in the mountains from Georgia and on the coast from Maine northward.

WHITE-NECKED RAVEN 487. Corvus cryptoleucus. 18½ inches

This species has the bases of the feathers on the back of the neck white. Found in southwestern United States.

AMERICAN CROW 488. Corvus brachyrhynchos. 19 inches

The common Crow of North America, replaced in Florida by the very similar Florida Crow (pascuus).

FISH CROW 490. Corvus ossifragus. 16 inches

This small species is found on the Atlantic Coast north to Massachusetts.

CLARKE NUTCRACKER 491. Nucifraga columbiana. 12½ inches

Clarke Crows are found abundantly in all coniferous forest on the higher mountains in their range. They are very peculiar birds, having some of the traits of Woodpeckers, but more of those of the Jays.

They are very active, very noisy, and very inquisitive, sharing with the Rocky Mountain Jay the names of “Camp Robber,” “Moose Bird,” etc. They are great travellers and may, one season, be absent where they were abundant the preceding one.

Notes.—Various calls and imitations like those of all others of the Jay family.

Nest.—Of sticks, at high elevations on horizontal boughs of coniferous trees. The four eggs have a pale greenish-gray ground, thickly sprinkled with darker (1.25 × .92).

Range.—Mountains of western North America, casually east to Kansas.

STARLING 493. Sturnus vulgaris. 8½ inches

Plumage metallic green and purple, heavily spotted above and below with buffy or white.

These European birds were introduced into New York a number of years ago, and are now common there and spreading to other localities in Connecticut and about New York City. They live about the streets and in the parks, building their nests in crevices of buildings and especially in the framework of the elevated railroads of the city, and less often in trees. They lay from four to six pale-blue, unspotted eggs (1.15 × .85). How they will affect other bird life, in case they eventually become common throughout the country, is a matter of conjecture, but from what I have seen of them they are quarrelsome and are masters of the English Sparrow, and may continue their domineering tactics to the extent of driving more of our song birds from the cities.

BOBOLINK 494. Dolichonyx oryzivorus. 7¼ inches

Bobolinks are to be found in rich grass meadows, from whence their sweet, wild music is often borne to us by the breeze. While his mate is feeding in the grass or attending to their domestic affairs, Mr. Bobolink is usually to be found perched on the tip of a tree, weed stalk, or even on a tall blade of grass, if no other spot of vantage is available, singing while he stands guard to see that no enemies approach. He is a good watchman and it is a difficult matter to flush his mate from the nest, for she leaves at his first warning.

Song.—A wild, sweet, rippling repetition of his name with many additional trills and notes. Alarm note a harsh “chah” like that of the Blackbird.

Nest.—Of grasses in a hollow on the ground, in meadows. They lay four to six eggs with a white ground color, heavily spotted, clouded and blotched with brown (.85 × .62).

Range.—N. A. east of the Rockies, breeding from New Jersey and Kansas north to Manitoba and New Brunswick; winters in South America.

COWBIRD 495. Molothrus ater. 7¾ inches

Male glossy greenish black, with a brown head; female and young, dull gray.

Groups of these birds are often seen walking sedately about among the cows in the pasture, hence their name. They are the only birds that we have that neither make a nest of their own nor care for their young. The female slyly deposits her egg in the nest of a smaller bird when the owner is absent, leaving further care of it to its new owner. Warblers, Sparrows and Vireos seem to be most imposed upon in this manner.

Notes.—A low “chack,” and by the male a liquid, wiry squeak accompanied by a spreading of the wings and tail.

Range.—U. S., chiefly east of the Rockies, breeding from the Gulf to Manitoba and New Brunswick; winters in southern U. S. A sub-species, the Dwarf Cowbird (obscurus), is found in southwestern United States; it is slightly smaller.

YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD 497. Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus. 10 inches

Male black, with head and breast bright yellow; female more brownish and with head paler and mixed with brown.

These handsome birds are common locally on the prairies, frequenting sloughs and extensive marshes and borders of lakes. They are very sociable birds and breed in large colonies, sometimes composed of thousands of birds.

Notes.—A harsh “chack,” and what is intended for a song, consisting of numerous, queer-sounding squeaks, they being produced during seemingly painful contortions of the singer.

Nest.—Of rushes woven around upright canes over water, in ponds and sloughs. The nest is placed at from four inches to two feet from the water and is quite deep inside. The four to six eggs are grayish, profusely specked with pale brown (1.00 × .70).

Range.—U. S., chiefly west of the Mississippi, north to British Columbia and Hudson Bay; winters on southwestern border of the U. S.

RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD 498. Agelaius phœniceus. 9½ inches

Male black, with scarlet and buff shoulders; female brownish black above and streaked below. Nearly all our ponds or wet meadows have their pair or colony of Blackbirds.

Note.—A harsh “cack”; a pleasing liquid song, “conk-err-ee,” given with much bowing and spreading of the wings and tail.

Nest.—Usually at low elevations in bushes, in swamps or around the edges of ponds or frequently on the ground or on hummocks in wet pastures. The nest is made of woven grasses and rushes, and is usually partially suspended from the rim when placed in bushes. The three to five eggs are bluish white, scrawled, chiefly around the large end, with blackish (1.00 × .70).

Range.—East of the Rockies, breeding north to Manitoba and New Brunswick; winters in southern U. S.

Sub-Species.—498b. Bahaman Redwing (bryanti). 498c. Florida Redwing (floridanus).

MEADOWLARK 501. Sturnella magna. 10¾ inches

Meadowlarks are familiar friends of the hillside and meadow; their clear fife-like whistle is often heard, while they are perched on a fence-post or tree-top, as well as their sputtering alarm note when they fly up before us as we cross the field.

Song.—A clear, flute-like “tseeu-tseeer,” and a rapid sputtering alarm note.

Nest.—Of grasses, on the ground in fields, usually partially arched over. Three to five white eggs specked with brown (1.10 × .80).

Range.—N. A. east of the Plains and north to southern Canada; winters from Massachusetts and Illinois southward.

Sub-Species.—501.1. Western Meadowlark (neglecta). This race has the yellow on the throat extended on the sides; its song is much more brilliant and varied than the eastern bird. It is found from the Plains to the Pacific. 501c. Florida Meadowlark (argutula) is smaller and darker than the common.

AUDUBON ORIOLE 503. Icterus melanocephalus audubonii. 9½ inches

Within the United States, these large Orioles are found only in southern Texas. They are not uncommon there and are resident. Their notes are loud, mellow whistles like those of the other Orioles. Their nests are semi-pensile and usually placed in mesquite trees not more than ten or fifteen feet from the ground.

SCOTT ORIOLE 504. Icterus parisorum. 8 inches

These beautiful birds are found in southwestern United States, from California to western Texas.

They are said to sing more freely than other members of the family, but the song, while loud and clear, is of short duration. Their nests, which are semi-pensile, are often placed in giant yucca trees, or in vines that are suspended from cacti. The three or four eggs are pale blue, scrawled and spotted with black and lavender (.95 × .65).

HOODED ORIOLE 505. Icterus cucullatus sennetti. 8 inches

This very brilliantly plumaged Oriole is, perhaps, the most abundant of the family in southern Texas. It is not as shy a bird as the two preceding species and is more often found in the neighborhood of houses.

With the exception of a few kinds of fruits, their food consists almost entirely of insects; all the Orioles are regarded as among our most beneficial birds.

Notes.—A harsher and more grating whistle than that of most of the Orioles.

Nest.—Usually in bunches of hanging moss, being made by hollowing out and matting the moss together and lining it with finer wiry moss. Others are placed in yucca trees, such nests being made of the fiber of the tree. Eggs dull white, scrawled about the large end with black and lavender (.85 × .60).

Range.—Found only in southern Texas. A sub-species (nelsoni) is found in New Mexico, Arizona and southern California.

ORCHARD ORIOLE 506. Icterus spurius. 7¼ inches

Male chestnut and black; female dull yellowish and gray; young male, second year, like female, but with black face and throat. These Orioles are usually found in open country and, as their name suggests, have a preference for orchards. They are also found abundantly in shrubbery along streams and roadsides. They feed chiefly upon worms, caterpillars, beetles, grasshoppers, etc., and are one of the most beneficial birds that we have.

Song.—A rich, loud and rapid warble, cheery and pleasing but impossible to describe; a chattering note of alarm.

Nest.—A beautiful basket of grasses woven into a deeply cupped ball and situated in forks of trees or bushes; often they are made of green grasses. Four to six white eggs, specked, scrawled and spotted with black and brown (.80 × .55).

Range.—U. S. east of the Plains, breeding from the Gulf to Massachusetts and Michigan; winters in Central America.

BALTIMORE ORIOLE 507. Icterus galbula. 7½ inches

Male orange and black; female dull yellowish and gray.

They are sociable birds and seem to like the company of mankind, for their nests are, from choice, built as near as possible to houses, often being where they can be reached from windows. As they use a great deal of string in the construction of their nests, children often get amusement by placing bright-colored pieces of yarn where the birds will get them, and watch them weave them into their homes.

Song.—A clear, querulous, varied whistle or warble; call, a plaintive whistle.

Nest.—A pensile structure, often hanging eight or ten inches below the supporting rim, and swaying to and fro with every breeze. They lay five or six white eggs, curiously scrawled with blackish brown (.90 × .60).

Range.—N. A. east of the Rockies and breeding north to New Brunswick and Manitoba. Winters in Central America.

RUSTY BLACKBIRD 510. Euphagus carolinus. 9½ inches

Male glossy black, female grayish; both sexes in winter with most of the head and breast feathers tipped with rusty. In the United States we know these birds chiefly as emigrants; but a few of them remain to breed in the Northern parts. Their songs are rather squeaky efforts, but still not unmusical. These birds are found east of the Rockies.

BREWER BLACKBIRD 510. Euphagus cyaneocephalus. 10 inches

Male with a glossy purplish head and greenish black body; female grayish brown. This is the Western representative of the preceding; it is most abundant west of the Rockies, but is also found on the Plains. Its distribution is not so northerly and it nests commonly in its United States range. Their eggs are whitish, very profusely spotted and blotched with various shades of brown (1. × .75).

PURPLE GRACKLE 511. Quiscalus quiscula. 12 inches

Male with purple head and greenish back; female brownish gray. All the Grackles are very similar in appearance, the colors varying with different individuals of the same species. Their habits are alike, too, and I consider them one of the most destructive of our birds.

Note.—A harsh “tchack,” and a squeaky song.

Nest.—Of sticks and twigs, usually in pines in the North and bushes in the South. Four eggs, pale bluish gray with black scrawls (1.10 × .80).

Range.—Eastern U. S., breeding north to Mass.

Sub-Species.—511a. Florida Grackle (aglæus), slightly smaller. 511b. Bronzed Grackle (æneus), with a purple head and usually a brassy back. Eastern U. S., breeding north to Labrador and Manitoba.

BOAT-TAILED GRACKLE 513. Megaquiscalus major. 15 inches

Similar in color to the last but much larger, and having the same habits. Eggs also larger (1.25 × .95). Southeastern U. S. The Great-tailed Grackle (macrourus), found in Texas, is still larger.

EVENING GROSBEAK 514. Hesperiphona vespertina. 8 inches

Female paler and with white on upper tail coverts. As would be judged from the large bills that these birds have, their food consists almost entirely of seeds, with occasionally a few berries and perhaps insects. In certain localities they are not uncommon, but, except in winter, they are rare anywhere in the U. S., and east of the Mississippi they can only be regarded as accidental even in winter. They have been taken several times in Massachusetts. In winter they usually travel about in small bands, visiting localities where the food supply is the most abundant.

Song.—A clear, Robin-like whistle; call, a short whistle.

Nest.—A flat structure of twigs and rootlets placed at low elevations in trees or bushes. Four eggs, greenish white, spotted with brown (.90 × .65).

Range.—Breeds in mountains of western British America and northwestern U. S. South and east in winter to the Mississippi and rarely farther.

PINE GROSBEAK 515. Pinicola enucleator leucura. 8½ inches

Male rosy red; female gray and yellowish.

These pretty birds visit us every winter, coming from Canada and northern New England, where they are found in summer. They are very fearless birds and might almost be regarded as stupid; when they are feeding you can easily approach within a few feet of them, and they have often been caught in butterfly nets. They may, at times, be found in any kind of trees or woods, but they show a preference for small growth pines, where they feed upon the seeds and upon seeds of weeds that project above the snow.