Part 9

The Chickadees are one of the most popular birds that we have, owing to their uniform good nature even in the coldest weather, and their confiding disposition. They are common about farms, and even on the outskirts of large cities they will come to feasts prepared for them on the window sill.

Notes.—A clear “phe-be”; a “chick-a-dee-dee-dee” or “dee-dee-dee,” and several scolding or chuckling notes.

Nest.—In hollow stumps at any elevation from the ground but usually near the ground, and most often in birch stubs; eggs white, sparingly specked with reddish brown.

Range.—Eastern N. A., breeding in the northern half of the U. S. and northward; resident.

736. Carolina Chickadee (Parus carolinensis) is similar to the last but smaller and with no white edges to the wing feathers; length 4½ inches; found in southeastern U. S., breeding north to Virginia and Ohio.

HUDSONIAN CHICKADEE 740. Penthestes hudsonicus. 5 inches

Crown and back brownish.

The habits of this little northerner are like those of the bird that we know so well; if anything they are even more tame than our bird, especially in the vicinity of lumbermen’s camps. They are only met with along our northern border or casually farther south; I have seen one individual in company with other Chickadees in Massachusetts.

Song.—Not distinguishable from that of our Chickadee, but uttered more incessantly.

Nest.—In cavities of stumps, trees, posts or telephone poles, the cavity being lined with grass, feathers and fur; the six or seven eggs are white sprinkled with brown (.60 × .46).

Range.—Resident in Canada and the northern border of the U. S.

VERDIN; YELLOW-HEADED TIT 746. Auriparus flaviceps. 4¼ inches

Adult male with the head and throat yellow, usually with some concealed orange brown on the forehead; lesser wing-coverts reddish brown. The female is colored very similarly, but is much duller. These are among the smallest of N. A. birds; they are even smaller than their length would indicate, for their bodies are slender. The birds are usually found in high dry portions of the country where cacti and thorny bushes predominate.

Nest.—Their nests are remarkable structures for so diminutive birds; flask-shaped, the outside being a mass of thorny twigs and stems interwoven; this is lined with feathers and the entrance is a small circular hole near the top. The eggs are bluish white specked around the large end with reddish brown.

Range.—Mexican border of the United States from southern Texas to Arizona and Lower California.

GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLET 748. Regulus satrapa. 4 inches

Male with crown orange and yellow, bordered with black; female with yellow crown.

Although very small, these birds are very rugged and endure the severe storm and low temperatures of our northern states apparently with little concern, for they always seem to be happy. They are always busily engaged among the underbrush of side hills and along the banks of brooks, hunting for the scanty fare that awaits them.

Song.—A few weak chips, chirps and trills.

Nest.—A large ball of soft green mosses and feathers, suspended from the small twigs in the tops of coniferous trees; it is neatly hollowed out for the reception of the six to nine eggs that are laid; eggs creamy white, minutely but profusely specked with brown (.56 × .44).

Range.—N. A., breeding from Northern U. S. northward and farther south in mountain ranges; winters throughout the U. S.

RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET 749. Regulus calendula. 4¼ inches

Male with a concealed patch of red on the crown; female with no red.

Like the last, these are chiefly winter visitants in the United States and they do not remain with us in the coldest weather, but pass on to the southern half of our country. They are nearly always met with in pine or other coniferous trees, being very abundant in spring in open pine woods and parks.

Song.—A clear warble, surprisingly loud and varied for so small a bird; call, a grating chatter.

Nest.—A ball of moss, grass and feathers, deeply cupped, like that of the last; partially suspended among the small twigs in the tops of coniferous trees; eggs white more sparingly marked than those of the last (.55 × .43).

Range.—N. A., breeding northward from the northern boundary of the U. S. and farther south in mountains; winters in the southern half of the U. S.

BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER 751. Polioptila cærulea. 4½ inches

Forehead black; tail black with white edges and tips to the outer ones.

Their food is chiefly insects, which they are very expert in catching, taking them on the wing with great celerity. Their movements are all very rapid, flitting from one part of a tree to another, but usually among the upper branches. Their nests are among the most beautiful of bird architecture, even surpassing that of the Hummingbird.

Song.—Sweet, but very faint.

Nest.—Situated on horizontal limbs of trees at medium heights; made of plant fibres, woolly substances and cobwebs, adorned with handsome lichens; the walls are very high and thick, the bird sitting so low inside that only her tail is visible; the four or five eggs are bluish white specked with reddish brown (.56 × .44).

Range.—Eastern U. S., breeding north to New Jersey and Illinois.

WOOD THRUSH 755. Hylocichla mustelina. 8 inches

Reddish brown above, brightest on the head; below white heavily spotted with black.

These large Thrushes are locally abundant in swamps and moist woodland. They are one of our best songsters, their tones being very rich and flute-like, and, like most of the Thrushes, their songs are most often heard along toward night.

Song.—Very clear and flute-like, containing many notes of the scale; often two or more birds answer back and forth from different parts of the woods; calls, a sharp “quit, quit,” and a liquid “quirt.”

Nest.—Either in forks or on horizontal boughs of bushes or trees, usually not more than ten feet from the ground; made of grass, weeds, leaves and some mud; the three or four eggs are bluish green (1.02 × .75)

Range.—Eastern U. S., breeding from Virginia and Missouri north to Maine, Ontario and Minnesota; winters south of the U. S.

WILSON THRUSH OR VEERY 756. Hylocichla fuscescens. 7½ inches

Entire upper parts a uniform reddish brown; below soiled white with a few faint marks on the breast.

This species is more abundant than the last. It is found in swamps and also in dry open woods, they being especially numerous where ferns grow luxuriantly.

Song.—Very peculiar and not nearly as melodious as that of the Wood Thrush, but still attractive; a slightly descending “too-whe-u-whe-u-whe-u”; call, a clear “whee-you.”

Nest.—On the ground among the leaves, on hummocks, or in tangled masses of briars; made of strips of bark and leaves; eggs greenish blue, darker and smaller than those of the Wood Thrush (.88 × .65).

Range.—Eastern N. A., breeding in the northern half of the United States and southern Canada; winters in Central America. 756a. Willow Thrush (salicicola) is more olive above; it is found in the Rockies and eastward to the Mississippi River.

GRAY-CHEEKED THRUSH 757. Hylocichla aliciæ. 7½ inches

Quite similar to the following but with the eye ring white and the sides of head and breast much paler.

Breeds in northern Canada and migrates through the eastern states to Central America. 757a. Bicknell Thrush (bicknelli) is similar to the Gray-cheeked but smaller. It breeds in Nova Scotia.

OLIVE-BACKED THRUSH 758a. Hylocichla ustulata swainsonii. 7¼ inches

Upper parts woolly olive gray, with no brownish tinge; eye ring, sides of head and breast distinctly buff; breast spotted with blackish.

Song.—Quite similar to that of the Veery.

Nest.—Composed of leaves, grass and strips of bark, located in bushes or small trees near the ground; the four eggs are greenish blue spotted with reddish brown (.90 × .65).

Range.—Eastern N. A., breeding from northern U. S. to New Brunswick and Manitoba.

HERMIT THRUSH 759b. Hylocichla guttata pallasii. 6¾ inches

Tail reddish brown, much brighter than the back and head; breast quite heavily spotted with black.

During its migrations it rarely sings, but in its summer home it is regarded as a remarkable musician. Its song has the sweetness and purity of tone of that of the Wood Thrush, and is, perhaps, more varied, but it is not nearly as powerful, and has a ventriloquial effect. I watched one that was perched on a dead stump, about twenty feet from me, for several minutes with a pair of glasses before I could make sure that he was the author of the song I heard, for it sounded as though coming from across the next field.

Nest.—Similar to that of the Wilson Thrush and like that, placed on the ground or very near it; the eggs are plain greenish blue (.85 × .65).

Range.—Breeds from northern U. S. northward, and farther south in mountains; winters in the Gulf States.

AMERICAN ROBIN 761. Planesticus migratorius. 10 inches

Male with a black head and bright reddish-brown breast; female with a gray head and much paler breast; young intermediate between the two and with a reddish-brown breast spotted with black.

These well-known birds are very abundant in the northern half of the United States, being found most commonly about farms and dwellings in the country, and also in cities if they are not persecuted too severely by English Sparrows.

Song.—A loud cheery carol, “cheerily-cheerup, cheerily-cheerup,” often long continued.

Nest.—A coarse but substantial structure of mud and grass, placed on horizontal boughs or in forks at any height, or in any odd place about dwellings; the four or five eggs are bluish green (1.15 × .80).

Range.—Eastern N. A., breeding from the middle of the U. S. northward; winters throughout the U. S. 761b. Southern Robin (achrustera) is a paler form found in the Carolinas and Georgia.

GREENLAND WHEATEAR 765a. Saxicola œnanthe leucorrhoa. 6 inches

The Wheatear is a European bird, but this sub-species is found in Greenland and occasionally in Labrador.

Their habits are about the same as those of the Bluebird. They feed upon insects, larvæ, fruits, berries and some seeds. They are essentially ground birds and are usually found in rocky country.

Nest.—Their nests are made of grasses, hair or any rubbish obtainable, and are hidden in the innermost recesses of crevices among rocks, in deserted Bank Swallow nests or even in rabbit burrows.

The four to six eggs are pale greenish blue, a little brighter in shade than those of the Bluebird. They measure .94 × .60

BLUEBIRD 766. Sialia sialis. 7 inches

These beautiful, gentle and well-known birds spend the winter in the southern parts of the United States and north to the snow line; some more hardy than the rest are found throughout the winter in southern New England.

Call.—A short sweet warble; song, a continued warbling.

Nest.—In holes in trees, particularly in orchards, in bird boxes or crannies about the buildings. The bottom of the cavity is lined with grasses for the reception of the four or five pale bluish eggs, which measure .84 × .62.

Range.—Eastern United States, breeding from the Gulf to New Brunswick and Manitoba; winters chiefly in the southern parts of the United States. 766a. Azure Bluebird (azurea) is found in the mountains of eastern Mexico and north casually to southern Arizona. It is paler both above and below than our eastern bird.

FIELD KEY FOR IDENTIFICATION OF EASTERN LAND BIRDS BY CONSPICUOUS MARKINGS

We have added this key at the request of many of our readers for a color scheme for identification. It includes all the birds that have markings of sufficient prominence to be readily noticed in the field.

1. BIRDS WITH RED OR ORANGE MARKINGS

Scarlet body; black wings and tail; 7½ in.—SCARLET TANAGER. Red; darker above; crested; black face; 9 in.—CARDINAL. Rosy-red; wings and tail slightly darker; 7½ in.—SUMMER TANAGER. Rosy-red; white wing bars; crossed bill; 6 in.—WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILL. Rosy-red; gray back, wings and tail; stout bill; 8½ in.—PINE GROSBEAK. Brick-red; wings and tail darker; crossed bill; 6 in.—CROSSBILL. Purplish-red, streaked with darker; dark wings and tail.—PURPLE FINCH. Red below; blue head; yellow back; 5½ in.—PAINTED BUNTING. Red patch on crown (concealed); greenish back; 4½ in.—KINGLET. Red cap; black chin; rosy breast; streaked; 5¼ in.—REDPOLL. Pink breast and under wings; black head and back; 8 in.—ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK. Ruby throat; metallic green back; tiny birds—HUMMINGBIRD. Orange-red under wings and patch on crown; long forked rail.—SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER. Orange; black head, wings and tail (marked with yellow)—BALTIMORE ORIOLE. Orange breast, crown patch and above eye; black and white back, wings and tail—BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER. Orange crown patch, edged with black; green back; 4 in.—KINGLET. Orange on sides, wings and tail; black above; 5½ in.—REDSTART. Orange-brown crown edged with black; green back; spotted breast—OVEN-BIRD.

2. BIRDS PROMINENTLY MARKED WITH BLUE

Blue, shading to purplish on head; 5½ in.—INDIGO BUNTING. Blue; chestnut shoulders; black face; 7 in.—BLUE GROSBEAK. Blue above; brownish breast; 7 in.—BLUEBIRD. Blue above; black collar, bars on wings and tail (also white)—BLUE JAY. Pale blue above and streaks below; white on wings and tail—CERULEAN WARBLER. Dark blue above; black throat and sides; white on wing—BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER. Light blue head and back; brown breast; 5½ in.—LAZULI BUNTING.

3. BIRDS WITH YELLOW AS PROMINENT COLOR

Yellow below; green back; black mask—MARYLAND YELLOW-THROAT. Yellow below; gray head and breast; 5½ in.—MOURNING WARBLER. Yellow below; gray head and breast; white eye ring—CONNECTICUT WARBLER. Yellow below; black crown and ears; yellow over eye—KENTUCKY WARBLER. Yellow below; green back; brown spots on back; black stripes on side—PRAIRIE WARBLER. Yellow below; green back; brown crown and streaks on side; white on tail—PALM WARBLER. Yellow below; green back; yellow crown; brown stripes on sides—YELLOW WARBLER. Yellow below; green back; brown ear patch and streaks on sides—CAPE MAY WARBLER. Yellow below; green back; brown patch on crown; head gray above—NASHVILLE WARBLER. Yellow below; green back; orange-yellow head; white on tail—PROTHONOTARY WARBLER. Yellow forehead, ears and below; green back; cap and throat black—HOODED WARBLER. Yellow breast; gray black spotted necklace—CANADIAN WARBLER. Yellow breast; green back; gray head; white over eye—YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT. Yellow breast; gray back; black through eye and down sides—YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER. Yellow breast; yellowish patch on back; brown on throat—PARULA WARBLER. Yellow breast; green above; black throat and down sides—BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER. Yellow breast with black crescent; streaked above; 11 in.—MEADOWLARK. Yellow above and below; black cap, wings and tail—GOLDFINCH. Yellow head; black body; white patch on wing—YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD. Yellow head; gray body; brown on shoulders; 4½ in.—VERDIN. Yellow crown; chestnut on sides; streaked above—CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER. Yellow below and on rump; black back and spots on breast—MAGNOLIA WARBLER. Yellow patch on crown, rump and side; streaked with gray above—MYRTLE WARBLER.

4. BIRDS WITH BROWN MARKINGS MOST PROMINENT

Small brown birds (4 to 6 in.) with barred wings and tail—WRENS. Uniform brown above, gray below; long broad tails—CUCKOOS. Bright reddish brown above; spotted breast; 11½ in.—BROWN THRASHER. Brown body; black head, wings and tail; 7½ in.—ORCHARD ORIOLE. Reddish brown breast; slate back; dark head; 10 in.—ROBIN. Dull brown back; grayish, more or less spotted breasts—THRUSHES. Brown belly; black crown and stripe through eye; gray back—NUTHATCH. Streaked brown and white; curved bill; climbs up trees—BROWN CREEPER. Brownish gray; crested; yellow tip to tail; black through eye—WAXWING. Brown crown, throat and streaks on sides; black mask—BAY-BREASTED WARBLER. Brown sides; black head, throat and back; white on wings and tail—TOWHEE. Brown rump and tail; gray back; streaked above and below—FOX SPARROW. Brown shoulder, yellow breast patch; black on throat—DICKCISSEL. Brown shoulder; streaked above; white outer tail feathers—VESPER SPARROW. Brown shoulder; black cap and patch on breast—McCOWN LONGSPUR. Brown nape; black breast and cap; light throat—CHESTNUT-COLLARED LONGSPUR.

5. SHARPLY DEFINED BLACK AND WHITE MARKINGS

Black crown and throat; gray back; 5 in.—CHICKADEE. Black and white streaked bird; black crown; 5 in.—BLACK POLL WARBLER. Black and white streaked bird; striped crown—BLACK AND WHITE WARBLER. Slate head, breast and back; white below and outer tail feathers—JUNCO. White throat; gray breast; crown striped black and white—WHITE-THROATED SPARROW. Large white crown patch edged with black; light below—WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW. Black body; yellowish nape; white rump and on wings—BOBOLINK. Black crown; gray back; climbs down trees—WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCH. Dull gray birds with no markings may be FLYCATCHERS. Dull brownish, streaked birds are probably species of SPARROWS. Plain greenish backs and dull white underparts denote VIREOS. Glossy blackbirds are GRACKLES or CROWS; if with red shoulders, RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD; with dull brown head, COWBIRD.

CLASSIFIED TABLE OF EASTERN LAND BIRDS Showing Divisions into Orders, Families and Genera, as Adopted by the American Ornithologists’ Union.