Part 17

“Europeans who have seen only the stuffed remains of these little feathered gems in museums, have been charmed with their beautiful appearance; but those who have examined them whilst living, displaying their moving crests, throats, and tails, like the peacock in the sun, can never look with pleasure on their mutilated forms. I have carefully preserved about two hundred specimens, in the best possible manner, yet they are still but the shadow of what they were in life. The reason is obvious; for the sides of the laminæ, or fibres of each feather, being of a different color from the surface, will change when seen in a front or oblique direction; and as each lamina or fibre turns upon the axis of the quill, the least motion, when living, causes the feathers to change suddenly to the most opposite hues. Thus the one from Nootka Sound (_T. rufus_) changes its expanded throat from the most vivid fire color to light green; the topaz-throated does the same, and the Mexican Star changes from bright crimson to blue.

“The sexes vary greatly in the plumage in many species, so much so, that it is with difficulty we recognize them. The male and female of the Mexican Star (_Cynanthus Lucifer_) could not have been known had they not been seen constantly together, and proved to be so by dissection. They breed in Mexico in June and July, and the nest is a beautiful specimen of the architectural talent of these birds; it is neatly constructed with cotton or the down of thistles, to which is fastened on the outside, by some glutinous substance, a white flat lichen resembling ours. The female lays two eggs, perfectly white, and large for the size of the bird, and the Indians informed me they were hatched in three weeks, by the male and female sitting alternately. When attending their young, they attack any bird indiscriminately that approaches the nest. Their motions, when under the influence of anger or fear, are very violent, and their flight rapid as an arrow; the eye cannot follow them, but the shrill, piercing shriek which they utter on the wing, may be heard when the bird is invisible, and often led to their destruction by preparing me for their approach. They attack the eyes of the larger birds, and their sharp needle-like bill is a truly formidable weapon in this kind of warfare.

“Nothing can exceed their fierceness when one of their own species invades their territory during the breeding season. Under the influence of jealousy, they become perfect furies; their throats swell, their crests, tails, and wings, expand; they fight in the air (uttering a shrill noise), till one falls exhausted to the ground. I witnessed a combat of this kind near Otumba, during a heavy fall of rain, every separate drop of which I supposed sufficient to have beaten the puny warriors to the earth.

“In sleeping, they frequently suspend themselves by the feet, with their heads downwards, in the manner of some parrots.

“These birds were great favorites with the ancient Mexicans. They used the feathers as ornaments for their superb mantles in the time of Montezuma, and in embroidering the pictures so much extolled by Cortez. Their name signifies, in the Indian language, beams or locks of the sun. The feathers are still worn by the Indian ladies as ornaments for the ears.”

It may be properly remarked here that the statement made by Mr. Bullock, of the habit of these birds sleeping with their heads downwards, has attracted considerable attention, and it has been thought probable that he may have been mistaken, or misinformed, not having been confirmed by subsequent naturalists. It may, however, apply only to some species.

The pugnacity of these little birds is almost universally alluded to by writers who have enjoyed opportunities of observing them in the countries where they abound. A Humming Bird of any size, even the smallest, is not on that account less a fighting character, and jealous of whatever rights and privileges he considers himself entitled to. But as both of the authors above quoted, have alluded to this point, we beg the indulgence of the reader to lay before him another extract especially relating to this hostility of disposition, and happily illustrative of the fights and feuds of the Humming Birds. It is from the very pleasant and valuable little work, previously mentioned, on the Birds of Jamaica, by Mr. Philip Henry Gosse; and the species alluded to, the Mango Humming Bird (_T. mango_), is one which is considerably larger than the common ruby-throated species of the United States. It is abundant in the West Indies, and in some parts of South America, and it occasionally visits the shores of Florida. It is figured by Mr. Audubon:—

“A Mango Humming Bird had, every day, and all day long, been paying his _devoirs_ to these charming blossoms” (the Malay apple, _Eugenia malaccensis_). “On the morning to which I allude, another came, and the manœuvres of these two tiny creatures became highly interesting. They chased each other through the labyrinth of twigs and flowers, till, an opportunity occurring, the one would dart with seeming fury upon the other, and then with a loud rustling of their wings, they would twirl together, round and round, until they nearly came to the earth. It was some time before I could see, with any distinctness, what took place in these tussles; their twirlings were so rapid as to baffle all attempts at discrimination. At length, an encounter took place pretty close to me, and I perceived that the beak of the one grasped that of the other, and thus fastened, both whirled round and round in their perpendicular descent, the point of contact being the centre of the gyrations, till, when another second would have brought them both to the ground, they separated, and the one chased the other for about a hundred yards, and then returned in triumph to the tree, where, perched on a lofty twig, he chirped monotonously and pertinaciously for some time;—I could not help thinking, in defiance. In a few minutes, however, the banished one returned, and began chirping no less provokingly, which soon brought on another chase and another tussle. I am persuaded that these were hostile encounters, for one seemed evidently afraid of the other, fleeing when the other pursued, though his indomitable spirit would prompt the chirp of defiance; and, when resting after a battle, I noticed that this one held his beak open, as if panting. Sometimes they would suspend hostilities to suck a few blossoms, but mutual proximity was sure to bring them on again with the same result. In their tortuous and rapid evolutions, the light from their ruby necks would now and then flash in the sun with gem-like radiance; and as they now and then hovered motionless, the broadly-expanded tail,—whose outer feathers are crimson-purple, but when intercepting the sun’s rays, transmit orange-colored light—added much to their beauty. A little _Banana Quit_ (_Certhiola flaveola_), that was peeping among the blossoms in his own quiet way, seemed now and then to look with surprise on the combatants; but when the one had driven his rival to a longer distance than usual, the victor set upon the unoffending Quit, who soon yielded the point, and retired, humbly enough, to a neighboring tree. The war, for it was a thorough campaign, a regular succession of battles, lasted fully an hour, and then I was called away from the post of observation. Both of the Humming Birds appeared to be adult males.”

In the United States, there have been discovered as yet not more than five species of Humming Birds, including that which is presented to the reader in our present plate. They are the ruby-throated Humming bird (_Trochilus colubris_), which is the much-admired little species everywhere common in the summer-time, in the States on the Atlantic; the Mango Humming Bird (_T. mango_), an abundant South American and West Indian species that occasionally visits Florida, as above stated; the Anna Humming Bird (_T. Anna_), a species of California and Mexico, the most beautiful of the northern species, and which derives additional interest from the fact that it was named by an eminent French naturalist, in honor of Anna, Duchess of Rivoli, whose husband, General Massena, Duke of Rivoli, the distinguished officer of the armies of the Emperor Napoleon I., founded the ornithological collection which now belongs to the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia. In addition to these, are the rufous-throated or Northern Humming Bird (_T. rufus_), a western species, which extends its range on the Pacific coast to a high northern latitude, and the bird now before us. Another species or two have been named as inhabiting California, without it being stated whether the upper or lower divisions of that country was intended. They are not known to inhabit that portion which is one of the States of this Union, though it is quite probable that others of the numerous Mexican species will be found extending their range into the western and southwestern territories.

Within the limits of the United States, the Humming Bird now before the reader, has been noticed only by Dr. Heermann, whose fine collection made in California contained numerous specimens. He detected it in one locality only, which was the burying-ground at Sacramento city. There several pairs remained during the season of incubation, and reared their young, finding suitable food and protection amongst the flowering plants, with which, with great feeling and propriety, that last resting-place of the emigrant and stranger has been adorned.

Dr. Heermann represents the nest as composed of fine mosses, lined with the feathery down of various seeds, and containing two white eggs. He saw this bird also at Guaymas, in Mexico.

The figures in our plate are of the size of life, and represent adult males. The plant represented is _Odontoglossum Cervantesii_, a native of Mexico.

DESCRIPTION AND TECHNICAL OBSERVATIONS.

Genus Trochilus. Linnæus, Syst. Nat., I. p. 189. (1766.)

Size small, in some species diminutive, and the smallest of birds; bill slender, frequently straight, and also frequently curved, acute; wings comparatively large, generally pointed and formed for rapid flight; quills flattened, first primary longest, and curved inwards; tail various; legs and feet very short and feeble. The birds of this group are exclusively American.

Trochilus Alexandri. Bourcier and Mulsant, Annals of the Royal Society of Physical and Natural Sciences of Lyons, IX. p. 330. (1846.)

Form. Small; bill long; nearly straight; wings rather short; first quill longest, and somewhat curved; tail rather short, marginated, with its feathers narrow and pointed; legs and feet very short and weak.

Dimensions. Total length of skin, about 3¼ inches; wing, 2¹/₁₀; tail, 1 inch.

Color. Entire upper parts golden green; dark on the head; wings and tail brownish-black, except the central feathers of the latter, which are green; throat brilliant purple, with violet reflections, which color is succeeded by a broad transverse band of white; other under parts golden green, mixed with pale brownish and ashy; bill and feet dark.

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

Obs. This bird is about the size of, or slightly larger than the ruby-throated Humming Bird (_T. colubris_) of North America, and resembles it in the general distribution of its colors. Those of the throat are, however, entirely different. The two species belong evidently to the same subdivision of the old genus _Trochilus_, which is, however, given so differently by late authors, that we have not at present determined the relative claims of either. It is given by one as belonging to the genus _Mellisuga_, and by another as _Trochilus_ proper, in a restricted sense.

The study of the Humming Birds, now difficult, will be rendered easy by Mr. Gould’s great work on these birds, now in the course of publication. All the known species are to be figured of the size of life; and in the parts already published, the drawing and coloring is exceedingly accurate, and magnificent beyond any precedent in the literature of ornithology.

In the old world, the Humming Birds are represented by the Sun Birds (genus _Cinnyris_, Cuvier; _Nectarinia_ of some authors), numerous species of which inhabit Africa and Southern Asia. They partake in some measure of the habits of the Humming Birds, and also of their lustrous colors, many of the species being very beautiful.

Several naturalists and admirers of ornithology have formed special collections of Humming Birds, and there are now extant several which contain very nearly all the known species, of which may be mentioned those of Mr. Edward Wilson, and Mr. John Gould, in England, and of Messrs. Edward and Jules Verreaux, in Paris. That of the first named, who is an American gentleman resident in England, is the most extensive and complete, and includes several of the only specimens known of the species which they represent. This gentleman and his brother, Dr. Thomas B. Wilson, of Philadelphia, have won for themselves the imperishable respect and gratitude of American naturalists, by forming in their native city the most extensive library and collections in natural history in America, and, in some departments, unrivalled by any in the old world. For these, now constituting, mainly, the magnificent museum and library of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, it is indebted to the distinguished patrons of zoological science whom we have just mentioned.

EMBERIZA BILINEATA.—Cassin. The Black-throated Finch. PLATE XXIII.—Adult Male.

This curious little Finch was discovered in Texas, in 1849, by Mr. John W. Audubon, a son of the celebrated ornithologist, and himself a naturalist and zoological draughtsman of high merit and accomplishments.

It appears to be extensively diffused throughout Mexico, Texas, and New Mexico, and in the former country is a common species. In the States last mentioned, it has been noticed by nearly all the naturalists who have visited them; though, as a bird of the United States, little beyond the fact of its existence in those regions has been placed on record, or has otherwise come to our knowledge.

In Mexico, this bird was found by Lieut. Couch to be numerous in some parts of Tamaulipas, Nueva Leon, Coahuila, and other States on the Rio Grande, immediately south and west of the limits of the territory of the United States. For our present article, this gentleman has very kindly furnished the following interesting communication, for which and other similar favors we beg to tender our grateful acknowledgments:—

“This bird was first seen at Santa Rosalio, and specimens were obtained. Though a month had been spent at Brownsville, in Texas, only about twenty miles distant, it had not been observed. At Charco Escondido, forty miles farther in the interior, it was very plentiful, and early in March, seemed to have already reared a breed of young; one specimen procured, having the appearance of being a young bird but a few weeks old.

“Its favourite home appears to be the scattered Mesquite or Acacias that sprinkle the plains east of the Sierra Madre. Like many other birds of its family, it does not seek the shade during the warmer hours of mid-day, but may always be found chirping and hopping from one bush to another, apparently as much for the pleasure of enjoying the society of its fellows as to seek for food.

“After striking south from Cadorcita, this little bird suddenly disappeared, much to my regret, as I had become so accustomed to seeing it constantly during my daily marches, that I almost regarded it as a travelling companion. But after nearly a month’s absence, I again recognized it among some flowering _Leguminosa_, between Pesqueria and Rinconada. I afterwards ascertained that it would thus be entirely absent from districts of considerable extent, but always reappeared again throughout my journey, and was always welcome.

“The usual note of this bird at the season in which I saw it, is a simple chirp; but one day, having halted during a _norther_, in the State of Tamaulipas, I amused myself watching a party of adult and young birds of this species, in the neighboring bushes. One gay little black-throated fellow, who was probably the father, showed unusual uneasiness at my presence, which fact led me particularly to observe him. After carefully reconnoitering and apparently satisfying himself that there was no immediate danger, he flew off a few yards to the top of a yellow mimosa then in bloom, and, regardless of the bitter wind still blowing, gave utterance to a strain of sprightly and sweet notes, that would have compared favorably with those of many a more famed songster of the feathered race. This was the only time that I ever heard this species indulge in anything more than a single chirp.”

This little Finch was observed at various localities in Texas by gentlemen attached to the commission for running the boundary line between the United States and Mexico.

The figure in our plate, which is that of an adult male from Lieut. Couch’s collection, is about two-thirds of the size of life.

The plant represented is _Spirea Douglasii_, a native of western North America.

DESCRIPTION AND TECHNICAL OBSERVATIONS.

Genus Emberiza. Linnæus, Syst. Nat., I. p. 308. (1766.)

Emberiza bilineata. Cassin, Proc. Acad., Philada., V. p. 104. (Oct. 1850.)

Form. Rather short and compact; fourth quill slightly longest, but nearly equalled by the third and fifth; legs rather long and robust; tail moderate.

Dimensions. Total length, about 5⅛ inches; wing, 2½; expanse from tip to tip, 8; tail, 2⅜ inches.

Colors. _Adult._—Superciliary stripe over the eye, and another from the corner of the lower mandible, white. Large space on the throat and neck before black, which is also the color of the lores. Cheeks and entire upper parts brownish-cinereous, darker, and tinged with olive on the back; quills hair-brown, with nearly white external edgings; tail feathers brownish-black, the two central palest, and the external feather, with its outer web, white, and with a large spot of white on its inner web, near the tip,—in some specimens the two outer tail feathers are largely tipped with white. Entire under parts white, tinged with ashy and olive, especially on the sides and flanks; bill dark bluish or horn color; feet dark. _Young._—Throat and other under parts white, with some longitudinal stripes of brownish-black; upper parts as in adult, but more tinged with brown; wing-coverts edged with brownish-white.

Hab. New Mexico and Texas; Mexico. Spec. in Mus. Acad., Philada., and Nat. Mus., Washington city.

Obs. This Finch resembles no other species known to us, in such a degree as would render it liable to be confounded with it. It may be easily recognised when adult by its black throat, bordered on each side by a conspicuous white stripe, and having also another equally conspicuous and well-defined stripe over the eye. In the young there is no vestige of the black throat, that part being of a uniform color with the under parts of the body, but bears a strong general resemblance to the adult. It is related to the group designated _Euspiza_ by authors, though it is probably the type of a distinct subdivision.

VIREO ATRICAPILLUS.—Woodhouse. The Black-headed Flycatcher. PLATE XXIV.—Adult Male.

On account of their modest attire and sylvan habits, the birds of the group to which the present species belongs, are seldom noticed by the general observer, though some of them are to be met with commonly during the summer, in nearly all parts of the United States. But though inconspicuous in appearance, they make ample compensation by the loudness of their notes, which, after the early love-songs of the Thrushes, and other of our songsters of spring, have subsided into the more serious duties of parental responsibility, are to be heard above those of any other of our resident birds. They are active insect-catchers, and may be seen at nearly all hours of the day, patiently searching amongst the leaves and branches of the trees in almost every woodland, hopping from branch to branch, or sometimes making short sallies in pursuit of fugitive moths or butterflies, and occasionally pausing to refresh themselves with a rather quaint but very melodious warble, lengthened in the spring into a cheerful and agreeable song.

The red-eyed Flycatcher (_V. olivaceus_) is the most numerous, and not only is constantly to be met with in the woods, but ventures confidently into the public squares or parks, and the yards and gardens of the cities. In many such localities in Philadelphia, several of which are in the denser parts of the city, this little warbler rears its young, and pipes out his sprightly song, in entire security, and apparently feeling himself as much at home as if in the recesses of the most remote forest. The warbling Flycatcher (_V. gilvus_) is another pleasing singer, though in our opinion but an indifferent performer compared with the preceding. A species common in the West Indies, and which has been found in Florida, has some very singular notes, from one combination of which he has had assigned to him a name quite as singular, the “Whip Tom Kelly” (_V. altiloquus_).

The immediate relatives, however, of the little species before the reader in the present plate, are birds that rarely venture far from the woods. One of them, the White-eyed Flycatcher (_V. noveboracensis_), has a partiality for marshes and low grounds producing thick growths of vines and shrubbery; and although the smallest of his tribe has some quite remarkable notes, and so loud, that a person not sufficiently acquainted with him to recognise his voice, would be surprised to find such a high-sounding solo proceed from such a diminutive performer.

The species represented in our present plate is an inhabitant of Texas, but it has as yet been only observed in a very limited district. It was discovered by S. W. Woodhouse, M. D., of Philadelphia, while attached to Capt. Sitgreave’s Surveying party. It is the handsomest bird of this group.

The following notice of this bird by Dr. Woodhouse, we take the liberty of extracting from Sitgreave’s report of an expedition down the Zuñi and Colorado rivers:

“On the twenty-sixth of May, 1851, while encamped on the Rio San Pedro, within about ten miles of its source, I was out in pursuit of specimens. Wandering about the hills among some cedars (_Juniperus_), my attention was first attracted by a singular note, which I am unable to describe; on looking, I discovered this beautiful little bird, which I at first took to belong to that interesting family of fly-catching warblers, _Sylvania_, it being constantly in motion. It was with the greatest difficulty that I could procure specimens; two, however, I secured, both of which, on dissection, proved to be males.”

Mr. John H. Clark, zoologist attached to the Mexican boundary commission, who observed this species in Texas, and near the same locality at which it was found by Dr. Woodhouse, has very obligingly made for us the following note from his journal:

“My attention was drawn to this bird by a shrill, discontented chirp which accompanied its incessant motion in pursuit of insects. Three specimens only were seen, and all of them at one locality, near the head of the Rio San Pedro, or Devil’s River, to the valley of which it appeared to be confined, for, being aware of its novelty to the fauna of the United States, I kept a strict look-out, but did not meet with it elsewhere.