Part 7

The American egret (=Ardea egretta=) ranges from Oregon south to South America. It was at one time quite plentiful in California, but its handsome plumes attracted the eye of the milliner, which in turn aroused the cupidity of the market hunter, and these beautiful birds are now rare north of Lower California and Mexico, and are rapidly decreasing even there. The reddish egret (=Ardea rufescens=) is an inhabitant of Lower California and Mexico, not coming north of these places. Though not as handsome as the white egret, it is also being exterminated for the same purposes.

The birds that I have so far mentioned, while not game birds, are so constantly before the eyes of the sportsmen who engage in waterfowl shooting that they can not help but be interested in them. They add a variety and a beauty to the scene, and many an hour's wait, that otherwise would have been tedious, has passed away pleasantly in watching the graceful movements of some one or more of these stately waders.

THE CRANES, RAILS, GALLINULES

To the order, =Paludicolae=, belong the cranes, rails, gallinules and coots, or mudhens, as they are commonly called. Of the members of this order we are concerned only with the cranes, rails and coots. The sandhill crane (=Grus canadensis) is a common visitor to all parts of the Coast, but more plentiful in the interior valleys than near the seashore. They are generally hard to approach and for that reason they are but little hunted by our sportsmen. The whooping crane (=Grus americana) once common throughout the middle states, is still met with to considerable extent in Mexico, but it is by no means a common visitor.

The California clapper rail, known also as the San Mateo rail (=Rallus obsoletus=), is the largest as well as the most important of the rail family in this section. At one time the clapper rail was very plentiful in certain localities in California and furnished abundant sport, though rather of a tame nature, to those who hunted them. Being an easy bird to kill and unsuspicious, they have been rapidly reduced in numbers until now they are in danger of extinction unless laws are enacted giving them better protection. The clapper is only a straggler south of San Francisco bay.

The Virginia rail (=Rallus virginianus=), a species not more than half the size of the clapper rail, is found sparingly over the Coast, but principally on the fresh water marshes.

The little yellow rail (=Porzana noveboracensis=) is found on the fresh waters from central California south, but it is nowhere abundant.

The black rail (=Porzana jamaicensis=) is another of the smaller rails that are found on the fresh waters to a limited extent. Both this and the last preceding one are so small that they are seldom shot, though as an article of food they are very delicate.

THE SHORE BIRDS

(Order, LIMICOLAE)

The order =Limicolae=, which is composed of the shore birds proper, is abundantly represented. They are seen wading in the shallow waters, carefully watching for worms, insects and other species of food upon which they live, boring in the soft mud, scurrying in flocks from place to place, or running along the beach as the surf recedes, picking up the jetsam of the sea, then taking wing or running back like a playful child to the higher ground as the foaming crest of the next breaker rushes up the sandy shingle. Or, as is the case of the phalaropes and some others, they may be seen riding lightly upon the restless billows far out at sea. Modest in coloring and plain in plumage, the shore birds seem to belong to the plebeians of the avafauna, for they are constant workers, always busy, always plying their slender legs rapidly as they hurry from one spot to another, never idle, never resting for a moment.

Of the shore birds there are six families and twenty genera represented on the Coast. Most of them are quite abundant from Washington to Mexico on their respective feeding grounds.

THE WILSON, OR JACK SNIPE

(Gallinago delicata)

Of all the shore birds the jack snipe, English snipe or Wilson snipe as it is variously called, is the most highly prized as a table delicacy and furnishes the best sport with the dog and gun. Usually lying well for the dog, erratic in its flight and quick on the wing, the Wilson snipe is one of the most difficult birds to bring to bag. It is not only erratic in its flight, but it is erratic in its nature as well. One day it will be found on a given feeding ground in abundance and on the next not one is to be seen, while possibly the day following they are there again in great numbers. To this uncertainty and the corkscrew flight, peculiar to it alone, is due much of the charm that jack snipe shooting affords. While these birds are commonly called jack snipe or English snipe, their proper name is Wilson snipe, but like the rose, no matter what the name, they are just as gamy and just as delicious. The Wilson snipe migrates here to but little extent, and these migrations are altitudinal rather than latitudinal. They breed commonly in all the mountain valleys and even as low down as on the Sacramento marshes south of the city of the same name. I found a pair breeding a few years ago in the low hills of San Luis Obispo county not half a mile from the ocean beach.

=Color=--Head, black, with a central stripe of brown; back, a mixture of dark brown, pale brown, yellow and dull white; greater wing-coverts, dark brown, tipped with white; throat, dull white, barred with brown; a dark stripe running from the base of the bill across the eye to the occiput; under parts of the wings, dull white, barred with black; tail feathers, dark brown, tipped with white, and with a sub-terminal bar of black. No web between the toes.

=Nest and Eggs=--The nest is a very crude affair made on the ground and with but little lining of any kind. It contains from three to four grayish eggs, blotched with brown.

=Measurements=--Total length, 11 inches; wing, 5-1/2; bill, 3 inches.

THE DOWITCHER, OR RED-BREASTED SNIPE

(Macrorhampus scolopaceus)

Though not of the same genus, the closet relative to the Wilson snipe is the dowitcher or red-breasted snipe. By many who are not accustomed to the Wilson snipe and its many vagaries, the red-breasted snipe is often mistaken for the former. The red-breasted snipe may easily be distinguished by the small web between the outer and middle toes. This species of the dowitcher is a western bird, breeding well to the north and migrating south to Mexico.

=Color=--Head and back, more of a gray than the Wilson snipe, with the feathers edged with a pale buff; light gray stripe running from the base of the bill over the eye to the occiput; chin, dull white; breast, gray, with a tinge of cinnamon red; tail, banded with dark brown; a small web between the outer and middle toes, extending about one-fourth down the outer toe.

=Eggs and Nest=--Nest made on the ground and containing from three to four dull white eggs.

=Measurements=--Total length, 10-1/2 inches; wing, 5-3/4; bill, about 2-1/2 inches, and with a considerable swelling at the end.

THE GREATER YELLOW-LEGS

(Totanus melanoleucus)

The greater yellow-legs migrates throughout the entire region, being common on the beaches of Washington, Oregon and California during the fall and early winter as it works its way to Lower California and Mexico. It somewhat resembles the godwit in coloring, but it is more of a grayish tinge. Its shorter bill--not over two and a half inches in length--will always distinguish it from the godwit. So, also, will its sharp whistling note. It is nearly as delicate a table bird as the Wilson snipe.

=Color=--Top of head and neck, brown, with whitish streaks; back, brown, with the feathers edged with white; chin, white; breast, white, lined with narrow streaks of brown; bill, black, and legs, yellow.

=Nest and Eggs=--The nests are built close to the water's edge, containing four light buff eggs, spotted with brown.

=Measurements=--Total length, 14 inches; wing, 7-3/4; bill, 2-1/4, to 2-1/2 inches.

THE MARLIN, OR MARBLED GODWIT

(Limosa fedoa)

The marbled godwit, or marlin as it is also called, is one of the largest birds of the =Scolopacidæ= family. It ranges from Alaska to Central America. This species is seen in large numbers in the early fall along the sea beaches of California as they are working their way south. They spend the winter in great quantities in Lower California and Mexico. There should be no difficulty in distinguishing the godwit from any of the other shore birds, its long upward curved bill and brownish-barred back being features by which it may always be known.

=Color=--Top of head and back of neck, brown, streaked with paler brown; feathers of the back, brown, with ochreous edges; throat and forehead, pale buff, with faint markings of brown; bill slightly turned upward.

=Nest and Eggs=--Nest a crude affair on the ground, containing four eggs of an ash color, mottled with a dead brown.

=Measurements=--Total length, 19 inches; wing, 8-3/4; bill, about 4 inches.

THE RED-BACKED SANDPIPER

(Tringa alpina pacifica)

The red-backed sandpiper, or American dunlin, is one of the larger members of the genus and quite plentiful on the Coast marshes, but it is seldom seen in the interior valleys except during its migrations. In its winter plumage, in which our sportsmen see it, it is of a dull light gray color. A diagnostic feature of this species is the slightly downward curved bill.

=Color=--Head and upper parts, light gray, with a white stripe over the eye; shafts of the feathers are dark brown, producing a streaky appearance. In its summer plumage the head and back are reddish brown, wings brownish and abdomen black.

=Nest and Eggs=--Nests on the ground without lining. Eggs, bluish white, with brown spots.

=Measurements=--Total length, about 8-1/2 inches; wing, 4-3/4; bill, 1 5/8.

THE WILLET

(Symphemia Semipalmata inornata)

The willet, or stone curlew as it is sometimes called, is a resident species, breeding from Washington to Mexico. It is a western bird, ranging eastward to the Mississippi valley, where it is but a straggler. In size it is nearly as large as the marlin. Its black wings, with broad, white patches, and feet webbed for about half the length of the toes, are distinguishing features, easily recognized. It is generally found on the salt marshes.

=Color=--The general color of the plumage is ashy white or light gray, usually with some light buff markings on the breast. When flying it shows a broad, white patch on the wings, caused by the upper part of the primaries and part of the secondaries being white. Its smoky black axillars will always distinguish it.

=Nest and Eggs=--The nest is any place on the ground where it can deposit three or four pale buff eggs, spotted with dark brown.

=Measurements=--Total length, 15-1/2 inches; wing, 8-1/2; bill, 2-1/2 to 2-3/4 inches.

Order, LIMICOLAE

Family SCOLOPACIDAE.

Genus Species Common Names Range and Breeding Grounds ------------- --------------- ----------------- -------------------

{Wilson snipe {Throughout the { {marshes of the coast. Gallinago delicata {Jack snipe {Breeds in the { {mountain valleys.

{Dowitcher {Along the fresh waters { {of the interior Macrorhamphus scolopaceus {Red-breasted {valleys. Breeds in { snipe {British Columbia { {and Alaska.

{ {From the Central {Red-backed {Mexican coast north. Tringa pacifica {sandpiper {Breeds from { {Washington north.

{Marble godwit {Early and late { {migrant along the Limosa fedoa {Marlin {coast from Mexico {north. Breeds in {the far north.

{Early and late {migrant along the {coast, passing the Totanus melanoleucus Yellow-legs {winter in Southern {California and Mexico. {Breeds in the mountain {valleys.

{semipalmata {From Mexico north. Symphemia {inornata {Western Willet {Breeds throughout {its range.

{Early and late migrant. {longirostris {Jack curlew {Winters in Southern { {California and Mexico. { {Breeds throughout its { {range. { Numenius { {Long-billed {Same habits as the { { curlew {long-billed and { { {usually found with it. {hudsonicus { {But breeds farther {Hudsonian curlew {north.

THE LONG-BILLED CURLEW

(Numenius longirostris)

The long-billed curlew, or sickle bill as it is often called, is a plentiful resident in all suitable localities. The young birds mature early and find their way to the marshes during August, when the season for their killing should begin. At this time and even during the month of September they are quite palatable, but later they become strong in flavor. In these months they feed largely upon the seeds and insects to be found on the plains, but later they confine themselves principally to the marshes. They breed near the mountain lakes and streams and even to considerable extent on the lower grounds. A glance at the accompanying illustration will be sufficient to enable the uninitiated to always know a curlew.

=Color=--Head, back of neck and back, dark brown, mottled with buff; throat and under parts, pale buff, the feathers on the breast being streaked with brown; axillars, reddish brown.

=Nest and Eggs=--The nest is usually made on the ground in tall grass and back some distance from the marsh. The eggs are about four and of an olive gray, spotted with brown.

=Measurements=--Total length, without the bill, which varies very much, about 20 inches; wing, 9 to 11; bill, from four to eight inches, and bent downwards, with nearly as much curve as a sickle; in most specimens the bill will be about six inches in length.

THE HUDSONIAN CURLEW

(Numenius hudsonicus)

The Hudsonian curlew, or jack curlew, by which name it is also known, is also a common visitor to our hunting grounds. It is often seen mixed with flocks of the preceding species, which leads many to suppose that they are the younger birds of that species. Unlike the long-billed, the Hudsonian curlew is not a resident species, or, at least, not to so great an extent, although it makes its appearance on our marshes quite early in the season, even as far south as central California. In markings the two species are almost identical, with the exception that the Hudsonian is somewhat paler in shade. Any doubt arising as to which species a specimen may belong can easily be settled by an examination of the axillar plumes. If a long-bill, these feathers will be a solid reddish-brown, but if a Hudsonian, they will be of a pale buff color barred with a dull-brown, the buff and brown being nearly of the same width. Both species become less common north of southern California during the late winter months.

=Color=--Same as the long-billed curlew, except that it is a little paler on the under parts, and the mottling shows more distinctly on the back. The axillars are pale buff, distinctly barred with light brown.

=Nest and Eggs=--The same as the long-billed curlew.

=Measurements=--Total length, including bill, which varies but little in this species, about 17 inches; wing, 9, and bill about 3-1/2 inches.

BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER

(Charadrous squaterola)

The largest of the family =Charadridæ= is the black-bellied plover. In its plumage, both summer and winter, it closely resembles the golden plover, as the black on the sides of the head, front of neck, breast and abdomen disappear from both species in their winter plumage. But, notwithstanding this, they can easily be distinguished by the small rudimentary hind toe of the black-bellied species, the other having but three toes. A few specimens of the golden plover have been taken on the Coast, but it is of rare occurrence. The black-bellied plover is reasonably common along the coast line, but it is not seen to any great extent in the interior valleys.

=Color=--Upper plumage, dull brown, mottled with gray, the top of the head being somewhat darker; under parts, nearly white and the sides and breast streaked with brown. In the summer the throat and belly are black.

=Nest and Eggs=--The nest is usually made on the uplands, where four eggs are deposited of a pale olive, spotted with brown.

=Measurements=--Total length, 11 inches; wing, 7-1/2, and bill, 1-1/4 inches.

THE MOUNTAIN PLOVER

(AEgialitis montana)

The mountain plover is very plentiful on the plains of southern California during the winter months. This little bird as a table delicacy is not surpassed by any of the long list of shore birds. In fact it is preferred by many to the far-famed jack snipe. It is an upland bird, feeding largely on insects, and rarely found near the marshes whether salt or fresh-water. In its winter plumage, as seen here, its underparts are white with the breast and upper parts of a brownish gray.

=Color=--Throat, breast and under parts, white; the rest of the plumage, light buffish gray; sometimes the breast will show a slight tinge of buff; axillars, white; bill, black. Three toes without web.

=Nest and Eggs=--The nests are placed on the uplands and contain three grayish eggs, spotted with brown.

=Measurements=--Total length, 8-3/4 inches; wing, 6, and bill, 9/10 of an inch.

THE SNOWY PLOVER

(AEgialitis nivosa)

The snowy plover is quite common from northern California to Mexico. It is a small bird and, while it is hunted but little, its flesh is quite delicate. In its winter plumage it is much lighter in color than any of the others named.

=Color=--Top of head, back of neck and back, buffish gray; forehead and under parts, white; a patch of dull brown just above the white of the forehead, and another of the same color on each side of the throat. Three toes without web.

=Nest and Eggs=--The nests are found throughout its range; they are nothing more than a depression in the sand and contain four grayish buff eggs, spotted with black.

=Measurements=--Total length, about 6-3/4 inches; wing, 4-1/4, and bill 5/8 of an inch.

THE RING-NECKED PLOVER

(AEgialitis semipalmata)

The ring-neck plover is a fairly common visitor during the winter months. It is usually seen on the coast or on other sandy shores. It may be known by its partially webbed feet.

=Color=--Forehead, chin and neck, white, with a faint streak of dull brown from the bill under the eye to the back of the neck; a band of dull, brownish gray on the breast; back and wings, ashy gray; under parts, white; bill, black with a spot of orange at the base. Three toes which are webbed for about half their length.

=Nest and Eggs=--Nests are made in the sand and contain from three to four dirty white eggs, spotted with brown. =Measurements=--Total length, 6-3/4 inches; wing, 4-3/4, and bill, 1/2 inch.

WILSON'S PLOVER

(AEgialitis wilsonia)

While the Wilson plover is found to some extent on the southern Atlantic Coast, it may properly be said to be a Pacific species. Here it is seen on the beaches in large numbers, just beyond the reach of the surf, picking the insects and minute shellfish as they are washed on the sand, or flying in flocks just above the breakers.

=Color=--Forehead and stripe over the eye, white; black stripe in front of crown; top of head and stripe from the eye to the bill, black; black band just below the throat; back, gray; under parts, white; bill black, and legs and feet, light pink.

=Nest and Eggs=--The nest is a mere depression in the ground, with three to four eggs of a pale olive, spotted with dark brown.

=Measurements=--Total length, 7 to 8 inches; wing, 4 to 5; bill, about 3/4 of an inch. Three toes with a small

[Note: Unfinished sentence in original printed version.]

There are a number of other plovers on the hunting grounds of the Pacific Coast, but they are either too small or the flesh too poor to interest the sportsman. Of these the killdeer plover is the most common and the best known. A description of these would be of no interest to the sportsman and therefore add nothing to the purposes of this work.

THE AVOCET

(Recurvirostra americana)

The family =Recurvirostridæ= has but two representatives on the Coast. The American avocet breeds from Washington southward and spends its winters from central California south. They are quite plentiful in southern California during the winter months, increasing in numbers in Lower California and Mexico. Its webbed feet and long upward turned bill are features by which it may always be known. It is generally found in flocks and frequents both fresh and salt-waters.

=Color=--Head and neck, ashy gray; back and under parts, white; the primaries and upper half of the secondaries, black, making the wing about half black; bill, very slender and curved upward; legs, very long and of a lead color; feet, webbed.

=Nest and Eggs=--The nest contains three to four eggs of a pale olive, spotted with brown.

=Measurements=--Total length, about 19 inches; wing, 8, and bill, 3-1/2 inches.

THE BLACK-NECKED STILT

(Himantopus mexicanus)

The black-necked stilt is the other representative of the family. The stilt breeds as far north as eastern Oregon, but is little seen north of southern California in the winter. From there south it is plentiful. It may be easily known by the back of its head and neck, its back being black and the rest of the plumage nearly pure white. Its legs are a dark pink.

=Color=--Wings, back, back of neck and top of head, black; balance of the plumage, white; legs, dark pink and very long. Toes, three and partly webbed.

=Nest and Eggs=--The nest is rarely anything but bare ground on which is deposited three to four eggs of a pale brown, spotted with dark brown.

=Measurements=--Total length, about 15-1/2 inches; wing, 9, and bill 2-3/4 inches.

Order, LIMICOLAE

Family, CHARADRIDAE - Plovers

Genus Species Common Names Range and Breeding Grounds -------------- -------------- ---------------- --------------------------