Part 14

8. Aquila maculosa. Vieill., Ois d’Am. Sept., I. p. 28, pl. 3 bis. (1807.)

Upper part of the head, nape, neck, and mantle, black; eyebrow white, bordered by a black line from the eye; space between the bill and eye and cere blue, the former with scattered hairs; iris yellow; throat and breast white, every feather with a longitudinal central stripe of black; abdomen black, many feathers having circular spots of white; tibia and under tail-coverts ferruginous, with central spots of brownish; rump and upper tail-coverts white, with transverse stripes of black; quills and tail leaden gray above, light bluish-gray beneath; feet orange; claws blackish. Total length, about 25 inches; wing, 16; tail, 10 inches.

An excellent figure of this bird is given by Vieillot, as above, but which represents no species with which we are acquainted. In general appearance it resembles _Phalcobænus carunculatus_, Des Murs (Rev. et Mag. de Zool., April, 1853, p. 154), a South American species, of which specimens are in the collection of the Philadelphia Academy. Though given by Vieillot as a bird of North America (as above, and in Nouv. Dict., XXXII. p. 56), we suspect that he was mistaken.

9. Sparvius ardosiaceus. Vieill., Ency. Meth., III. p. 1274. (1823).

Body above, bluish slate color; beneath, ferruginous, with transverse white bands; chin white; bill bluish-black; feet orange; cere and edges of the mouth dull green; quills and tail brownish-black; eyebrows dull white; tail slightly forked. North America.

Possibly _Accipiter fuscus_, but we regard it as quite remarkable that Vieillot, at so late a date, should have again described that species, being undoubtedly well acquainted with North American birds. We recollect no bird which exactly suits this description.

10. Falco Bachmanii. Aud., Orn. Biog., V. p. 334. (1839, the date on the title-page of this volume is erroneously printed 1849.)

“I have several times seen in South Carolina a Hawk flying, equal in size to _Falco lineatus_, and remarkable for the great breadth of its wings. It was of a uniform brown color, excepting the tail, which was barred with white. The same bird has also been repeatedly observed by my friend, Dr. Bachman, who feels assured of its being distinct from any other Hawk hitherto found in North America.” (Audubon, as above.)

This is the entire and only description published and the species alluded to has never been identified, to our knowledge.

11. Milvus leucomelas. Rafinesque, Annals of Nature, part I. p. 4. (1820.)

“White, unspotted; top of head and part of the back, wings, tail, and bill, black; feet yellow. It is found in West Kentucky and Illinois; it feeds on fishes, and is therefore called Fishing Hawk. Size small, tail quite forked.” (Raf., as above.)

This is a puzzler. If any such bird exists, it has escaped late researches, though we very much suspect that Rafinesque ventured a description on reports, rather oddly confounding the Forked-tailed Hawk (_Nauclerus_) and the Osprey, or Fish Hawk (_Pandion_).

12. Aquila dicronyx. Rafinesque, Atlantic Journal, p. 63. (1832.)

The specimen described under this name was the same that is alluded to by Mr. Audubon in his article on the White-headed Eagle, in Orn. Biog., II. p. 163, as being kept in captivity in the suburbs of Philadelphia, and this description and its author he also alludes to. We mention this bird for the purpose of facilitating the student who may not have access to the works of Rafinesque, and for the purpose of pointing out a curious error into which Mr. Audubon and Dr. Harlan, as quoted by him, seem to have fallen, in regarding it as the White-headed or Bald Eagle (_Haliaetus leucocephalus_). It is expressly stated by Rafinesque to have been brought from “near Buenos Ayres,” and was evidently, from his description, the _Circaetus coronatus_ of South America. This name is therefore by no means to be cited as a synonyme for _Haliaetus leucocephalus_.

13. Falco doliatus. Shaw, Gen. Zool., Aves., VII. p. 77. (1809.)

“Length ten inches; bill violet; cere, irides, and legs, yellow; tail marked with whitish bars more apparent beneath than above; under tail-coverts and flanks brown, with two or three round white spots on each side of the shaft; thighs ferruginous, with black shafts. Inhabits Carolina, observed by Bosc.” (Shaw, as above.)

Probably the young of either _Hypotriorchis columbarius_ or _Accipiter fuscus_, but quite impossible to identify from such a meagre description.

14. Falco glaucus. Bartram, Travels, p. 290. (1791.) Barton, Fragments of the Nat. Hist. of Penna., p. 11. (1799.)

“The sharp-winged hawk, of a pale sky-blue color, the top of the wings black.” (Bartram, as above.)

This insufficient description has been supposed to be intended for the adult of the Marsh Hawk (_Circus hudsonius_), but Barton (as above) applies it to the _Nauclerus furcatus_. It is probably one or the other.

15. Falco subceruleus. Bartram, Travels, p. 290. (1791.)

“The sharp-winged hawk, of a dark or dusky blue color.” (Bartram, as above.)

Impossible to identify, from its brevity. It may be either the Mississippi Kite (_Ictinia mississippiensis_), the Fork-tailed Hawk (_Nauclerus furcatus_), or the adult Marsh Hawk (_Circus hudsonius_).

16. The following names have been given without descriptions, by the authors cited:—

Falco regalis. The great Gray Eagle. Bartram, Trav., p. 290. Barton, Frag. Nat. Hist. Penna., p. 11. Falco gallinarius. The Hen Hawk. Bartr. Trav., p. 290. Falco pullarius. The Chicken Hawk. Bartr. Trav., p. 290. Falco ranivorus. The Marsh Hawk. Bartr. Trav., p. 290. Falco piscatorius. The Fishing Eagle. Bartram, Trav., p. 290. Barton, Frag. Nat. Hist. Penna., p. 2, 17. Falco cæsius. The Blue Hawk. Ord., Zool. N. A., in Guthrie’s Geog, I. p. 315.

The above embrace all the names and descriptions of birds of this family that have come under our notice, except those of such as are now well ascertained to inhabit other countries exclusively, and for which nearly allied species of North America have been mistaken. Of the latter we may more particularly mention the European _Falco rusticolus_ (Linn.), which is given by Fabricius as a bird of Greenland, but stated by Holboll to have been the young of _F. anatum_, and _Buteo vulgaris_ and _Hypotriorchis æsalon_, both of which are also European species, and have never been found in America to our knowledge, though there are species which are nearly related to them.

The student may advantageously bear in mind that of those above, which were originally described by Pennant, in English, abstracts or compilations only, in Latin, are given by Gmelin in his edition of the Systema Natura of Linnæus. These abstracts are mostly very short, and not always to be relied on as conveying strictly the sense of the originals. Nor are they at all improved by Turton in his edition of Linnæus, in which, so far as relates to these species, he merely retranslates into English the Latin text of Gmelin without reference to Pennant. In the study of the obscure species alluded to, the original descriptions only can be consulted without risk of error.

FALCO POLYAGRUS.—Cassin. The American Lanier Falcon. PLATE XVI.—Male and Female.

The researches of late naturalists have tended to demonstrate that the animals of Western North America have a more intimate relationship with those of Asia and the old world generally than those of the Eastern portion of this continent. Nor is this affinity restricted, apparently, to any one class, or to such as might have migrated, but is found to exist in a greater or less degree in classes of animals, as that of reptiles, possessing powers of locomotion too limited to admit of such supposition. When, too, we have had our attention directed to the family of Sparrows and Finches, to the beautiful Jays and Magpies, or the various species of Grouse, Partridges, and many other families, we have been almost persuaded to entertain the opinion that the birds of Western America are of a higher grade of organization than those of the Atlantic States. Whether such is the case in other classes of animals, we are not prepared to say, but, if true, it is singularly accordant with the fact that, of the aboriginal American races of men, the West has produced the superior. And it is remarkable, too, that there are Western tribes which very intimately resemble the Mongolian variety of the human race, if they do not really belong to it; thus connecting themselves with the Chinese and Japanese, and other nations of Northern Asia.

The remarkable Falcon which we now have the pleasure of introducing to the reader, is one of the species that show close affinity to an Asiatic congener. It is so much like a common Falcon of India, a bird much used for the purposes of falconry, and known by the name of the _Jugger_, in the valley of the Indus and other parts of India (_Falco jugger._ Gray, Ill. of Indian Zoology, II. pl. 26, and Jerdon, Ill. Indian Orn., pl. 44), that it can scarcely be distinguished from it by any character, except size. It is in fact one of the most remarkable instances of close proximity to an Asiatic relative to be found in American birds. It is larger than the Indian _Jugger_, and more powerful and robustly organized.

Though trained for the chase, the Asiatic bird alluded to is not held in as high estimation as several others; the greatest favorites being the Peregrine Falcon (_Falco peregrinus_), nearly related to the Duck Hawk of the Atlantic coast of America (_F. anatum_), and the Indian Goshawk (_Astur palumbarius_), which is also a relative of an American species. Falconry, though now little cultivated in Europe, is yet a much-pursued and favorite pastime in several countries of the East. In addition to the Hawks just mentioned, several others, a few of which are more or less nearly related to species of this country, are employed. Some of the smaller Hawks of India are so easily trained that they are set free at the close of a hunting season, the Falconer not considering them of sufficient value to induce him to keep them until another.

The home of the bird now before us, appears to be the mountainous regions of Oregon and California, from which it descends in the winter season to the lower districts, in the valleys of the rivers, and on the shores of the Pacific. In the former country, near the sources of the Platte river, the first specimen that we ever saw, was obtained by the late Dr. John K. Townsend during his trip across the continent in the year 1834, and in whose collection, now belonging to the Philadelphia Academy, it yet remains. Since that period it has been observed in the Rocky Mountains and on the Columbia river, by the naturalists attached to the United States Exploring Expedition, in the Vincennes and Peacock. In the fine zoological collection made by this expedition, is preserved the only female specimen, in the dark plumage, described below, yet known to have been brought to the attention of naturalists. In California, Dr. Heermann particularly noticed this bird, and his collection contains several specimens which he obtained in the plains near Sacramento city.

DESCRIPTION AND TECHNICAL OBSERVATIONS.

Genus Falco. Linnæus, Syst. Nat., I. p. 124. (1766.)

General form compact and strong; bill strong, short, with a distinct and sharp tooth in the upper mandible; wings long, pointed; tail moderate, or rather long; tarsi short, robust; toes long, claws large, curved, sharp; tarsi covered with hexagonal or circular scales. A genus of birds remarkable for their courage and very rapid flight, species of which are found in all countries.

Falco polyagrus. Cassin, Birds of California and Texas, I. p. 88. (1853.)

Form robust; wings rather long, second and third quills longest, and nearly equal; tail rather long; bill short, rather wide at base; tooth in the upper mandible prominent.

Dimensions. Female. Total length of skin, about 20 inches; wing, 14; tail, 8 inches.

Colors. Female nearly adult. Narrow frontal band, line over the eye, and entire under parts white; narrow stripe from the corner of the mouth running downwards, dark brown; some feathers on the breast, and abdomen with longitudinal stripes and spots of brown, which color forms a large and conspicuous spot on the flank. Entire upper parts brown, paler on the rump, many feathers with rufous edgings; tail above pale grayish-brown, with transverse bars of white, and narrowly tipped with white; quills dark grayish-brown, with numerous bars of white On their inner-webs; under wing-coverts dark brown; edge of the wing at the shoulder and below, white, spotted with brown. The brown of the back extending somewhat on to the breast at the wing. Bill, bluish horn color, under mandible yellow at its base. Large space around the eye, bare, with a narrow edging of brown on the first plumage by which it is encircled.

Younger female. Entire plumage above and below, brownish-black; throat white; many feathers on the under parts with edgings and circular spots of white; under wing-coverts also with circular spots of white, and the under tail-coverts with wide transverse stripes of the same.

Young male? Frontal band nearly obsolete; entire upper parts uniform pale brown, with narrow rufous stripes on the head; under parts white, with a tinge of fulvous, and nearly every feather with a narrow longitudinal stripe of blackish-brown; large spaces on the flanks, brown; tarsi and feet, lead-colored.

Hab. Oregon and California. Spec. in Nat. Mus., Washington; and Mus. Acad., Philada.

Obs. This is the only American Falcon yet discovered, which belongs to the group forming the sub-genus _Gennaia_, Kaup., which contains _Falco laniarius_, Linn., (Gould, B. of Eur., I. pl 20); _Falco biarmiaus_, Temm., (Pl. col., 324); _Falco jugger_, Gray, and several other species. It especially resembles the last, but is larger, and we are at present of opinion that the young of the two species differ in the colors of their plumage.

PIPILO FUSCA.—Swainson. The Cañon Finch. PLATE XVII.—Adult Male.

This plain-plumaged and sober-looking bird is another of the feathered inhabitants of the mountainous wilds of California and New Mexico. Numerous specimens have been brought in the various collections which have been made in those countries, and it may be regarded as one of the most abundant of the peculiar species of Western America.

It was first described, however, by Mr. Swainson, from Mexican specimens.

Our friend, T. Charlton Henry, M. D., of the United States Army, a zealous and talented young naturalist, who has been for some years in New Mexico, has noticed this bird at all seasons in that country. For much valuable and satisfactory information relating to the birds to be included in the present work, we are indebted to this gentleman, amongst whose notes in our possession we find the following, relating to the species now before the reader:—

“This bird is common in New Mexico during both summer and winter, and so far as I have observed, lives almost entirely in the mountains. It is very retiring in its habits, and seems to prefer the cañons; indeed, I have seldom observed it far from some shady gorge, where, like its relative of the Eastern States, the Towhe-Bunting (_Pipilo erythropthalma_), it passes the greater part of its time on the ground, and is generally accompanied by its congener, the Arctic Ground Finch (_Pipilo arctica_). When disturbed, it seeks the thickest cover, though it is by no means shy nor difficult to approach. Its nest is usually constructed in the thick branches of a cedar or dwarf oak, and I am not aware of its producing more than a single brood in a season.

“The only note that I have ever heard this bird utter, is a simple chirp, somewhat resembling that of the Fox Sparrow (_F. iliaca_), but more subdued. It is usually to be met with in pairs, at all seasons.”

Col. McCall observed this bird to be abundant also in California, and with his usual kindness, has furnished a notice of it for our present article.

“The _habitat_ of this species, I am inclined to believe, extends throughout California, as I met with it from the upper waters of the Sacramento river to the mouth of the Gila, the former having its origin in the north, the latter debouching at the extreme southern boundary of the State; yet, it is by far the most abundant from Santa Barbara southwardly.

“The habits and manners of this species differ somewhat from those of its relatives, the Towhe and the Arctic Finch (_P. erythropthalmus_, and _P. arctica_). Its flight is more even and regular, as it is without that violent jerking of the tail from side to side which gives such singularity and appearance of awkwardness to the movements of the Towhe. It is also less shy and suspicious than the Arctic Finch, which I occasionally met with in the same regions. The latter I had previously observed with attention in New Mexico, where I procured specimens; and all my observations lead me to pronounce the present species less decidedly a _Ground Finch_ than either of the others, although all are doubtless closely allied.

“The favorite abode of this species appeared to be the vicinity of water-courses, where it was generally seen singly or in pairs, though I have at times surprised eight or ten together, under the shade of a large bush, at noon in a summer-day; and at such times I had no difficulty in procuring, with my gun, three or four specimens before the party was dispersed. In fact, it appeared at all times a familiar bird, boldly coming into the roads to feed, and permitting the close approach of a person either mounted or on foot. If compelled to retreat, it darted suddenly into the thicket, but returned again as soon as the cause of alarm had disappeared. Near Santa Barbara, in the month of July, I found thirty or forty of these birds dispersed over an old field of some five acres in extent, lying contiguous to the sea-beach, and through which a small stream of fresh water trickled as it crept silently away to the sea. Here they were feeding on the ground, sheltered by a rank growth of weeds; and when I flushed one of them as I walked along, he almost invariably flew into a neighboring tree, instead of seeking shelter again in the weeds at a little distance.

“At this time, the birds of the year were fully fledged, and scarcely differed in the color of their plumage from the adults. The rufous tints of the head, the wing-coverts, and the lower parts generally, being only rather more bright and distinct in the old birds than in the others.”

The collections made in California by both Mr. Bell and Dr. Heermann, contained many fine specimens of this species. According to the latter (in Journal of the Philadelphia Academy, quarto, II. p. 267), it builds its nest always in a bush or tree, in which respect it differs from the Arctic Ground Finch (_Pipilo arctica_), another Western species, which builds on the ground, and from others of the same genus, in this respect confirming the observation of Dr. Henry, as given in a preceding page. Dr. Heermann’s observations possess an especial interest, from his having so carefully stated the peculiarities of the construction of the nests and other facts relating to the nidification of many species. He says, respecting the present bird: “I found one nest built in a grape-vine, overhanging the Sacramento river, and all that I have seen were placed in the immediate vicinity of water. The nest is composed of coarse twigs and grasses, and lined with fine roots. The eggs, four in number, are of a pale blue color, dashed with black spots, and interspersed with a few faint neutral tint blotches, which are more abundant at the larger end.”

The name Cañon Finch we have taken the liberty of adopting from Dr. Henry’s manuscript notes in our possession: it was very appropriately given by him with reference to the localities which he has observed to be the favorite haunts of this bird in the mountains of the Far West.

DESCRIPTION AND TECHNICAL OBSERVATIONS.

Genus Pipilo. Vieillot, Analyse, p. 32. (1816.)

Form lengthened, but rather robust; bill short, conical, strong; wings short, rounded, the fourth primary usually longest, but little longer than the third and fifth; tail long, wide, much rounded at the end; tarsi and toes strong, compressed. An American genus, comprising several species of both divisions of this continent.

Pipilo fusca. Swainson. Philos. Mag., 1827, p. 434.

Form large for this genus; bill rather longer than in other species; tail long, and composed of broad feathers.

Dimensions. Total length (of skin) from tip of bill to end of tail, about 9 inches; wing, 4⅛; tail, 4⅝ inches.

Colors. Entire upper parts olive-brown, with a rufous tinge on the head, and ashy on the scapulars and wing-coverts. Nares, circle around the eye and throat, pale rufous; the latter spotted with black. Breast, sides, and flanks, cinereous; middle of the abdomen white, with a tinge of fulvous; under tail-coverts bright fulvous. Quills and tail-feathers brown, the former edged exteriorly with ashy, the latter with olive. Bill and feet light. Sexes very nearly alike.

Hab. California and New Mexico. Spec. in Mus. Acad., Philada.

Obs. This bird resembles no other species of its genus, except _Pipilo Aberti_, Baird, (Stansbury’s Report of a Survey of the Valley of the Great Salt Lake of Utah, Zoology, p. 325, 1852). From this it differs in the color of the throat, that of the latter being uniform with the other inferior parts of the body, and in other characters.

The figure in our plate represents the adult male about two-thirds of the natural size.

PYROCEPHALUS RUBINEUS.—Boddaert. The Scarlet-crowned Flycatcher. PLATE XVIII.—Adult and Young Males.

This bright-plumaged little bird is a summer visitor to Texas and New Mexico, in which countries it rears its young, and appears to be an inhabitant also not only of Mexico, but of nearly the whole of Central and South America. It has been long known as a bird of the last-named division of this continent, though but recently ascertained to be a resident within the limits of the United States, having been first observed in Texas by Captain J. P. McCown, of the United States Army, in 1850, and announced as an addition to the ornithology of North America, by Mr. Lawrence, in the Annals of the New York Lyceum of Natural History, V. p. 115. In some interesting notes on the birds of Texas, by Capt. McCown, published in the same journal, VI. p. 12, we find the following in reference to the present species:

“This beautiful little Flycatcher is seldom seen. I did not notice over a dozen of them while in Western Texas. I always found them near the ponds along the Rio Grande, and generally on a tree or stake near the water. The only nest I ever found was built upon a _retama_ (a variety of acacia), over the water, and I was not able to procure it. The female is quite a plain bird.”