Part 25

“Often in my wanderings through the _chapparel_ on the Rio Grande, I observed piles of broken snail shells, and always near some hard substance, such as a bone, or hard piece of wood, which had evidently been used in breaking the shells. I made many conjectures as to the probable animal, but never suspected that a bird had left these evidences of its peculiar habits. I heard, also, at times, generally in the morning or evening, a sound very similar to that made by some Woodpeckers, rapidly beating their bills upon an old dry tree. This was also a mystery, as I could find no Woodpeckers near the place where the sound came from. Upon inquiry of a Mexican, I was told that it was the _Paisano_ breaking the snail-shells to get at the snail, which explained at once both the noise and the mutilated shells. I was afterwards so fortunate as to see a bird so occupied. It took the snail in its bill and beat it upon the hard substance, striking faster and faster, until the shell broke.

“A few of these birds are to be found on the Rio Nueces. They run with great speed, seldom taking to wing. I have seen them on trees apparently observing the vicinity. I had a young bird of this species, about half-grown, but it refused to eat, and soon died; and I have seen some in coops, and have been informed that they have been tamed.

“When approached, this bird runs very swiftly until near cover, when it stops and reconnoitres the intruder, gives its tail a flirt, and away it goes again.

“In 1846, on the mountains between Monterey and Saltillo, I saw a pair of birds much like these, but much smaller. I observed them for some time, and feel satisfied that they were another species. The snail that seems to form the principal food of these birds is found sticking to almost every bush, and some are literally covered with them.”

In California, this bird was frequently noticed by Dr. Heermann, from whose manuscripts in our possession we have permission to make the following extract:—

“We found this bird throughout California inhabiting the most arid portions of the country. It often crossed our path, or ran before us for a short distance on the road, dashing, when alarmed, immediately into the _chapparel_, in which its swiftness of foot enabled it to readily elude pursuit. It may, however, be overtaken when followed on horseback over the vast open plains in which it is found, if no friendly bush offers it a shelter. When closely chased, if on an elevated point, it will sometimes fly, but appears to prefer sailing downwards. I once saw a specimen captured by a couple of dogs, their appetites whetted by recent success in overtaking and bringing down a Prairie wolf, or cayote.

“The stomachs of all the specimens that I examined of this bird were filled with the grass-hoppers and large black beetles found on the plains. The nest, built on the branches of the cactus, is formed of loose sticks, thrown negligently together, in the same manner as that of the yellow-billed Cuckoo of the United States (_Coccyzus americanus_). It contains two large, nearly spherical, white eggs.

“I have never witnessed the following, but was gravely assured of its truth by several old Californians: It is said that this bird, on perceiving the rattlesnake coiled up asleep, will collect the cactus and hedge him around in a circle, out of which he is prevented from escaping by the prickly points opposing him on every side; and becoming enraged, strikes himself, and dies from the effects of his self-inoculated venom.

“This bird is common in Western Texas and on the Rio Grande.”

This remarkable bird has been found in the vicinity of Fort Webster, New Mexico, by Dr. Henry, and was also noticed in that country and in Texas by Mr. Clark, Mr. Schott, and Dr. Kennerly, and in Mexico by Lieut. Couch.

Though neither of the authors above cited have mentioned that this bird devours reptiles as well as insects and snails, that fact is stated by Dr. Gambel in his paper on the Birds of California, in the first volume of the quarto Journal of the Philadelphia Academy, and it is so represented in some spirited sketches by Mr. Arthur Schott, now attached to the United States and Mexican Boundary Surveying party, whose drawings of this bird made in its native wilds are in the possession of our valued friend, Professor Baird, of the Smithsonian Institution. It is probable that although it may prefer insects, other small animals afford suitable food.

Lieut. D. N. Couch, of the U. S. Army, to whom we have been indebted for other valuable contributions, has, with his usual kindness, added to our present article the following interesting notice of this bird as an inhabitant of Northern Mexico:—

“This bird was first met with in Southwestern Texas, near the Rio Grande, where it is called ‘Prairie Cock’ by the inhabitants. Few or no opportunities occurred for me to observe it carefully, until I found myself in the dreary chapparel districts of Tamaulipas, and next beyond the Sierra Madre.

“The chapparel is its home. Equally avoiding the forests of high trees or the open prairies,—in the former of which its short wings would preclude an easy flight to the branches, and in the latter, for the same reason, it would be unable to escape from the numerous hawks of various species that are ever hovering over the arid wastes of that region. Once only I saw it perched near the top of a stout Mesquite tree, though not many feet from the ground.

“So far as I have observed, this bird rarely takes to wing, but with head lowered and tail nearly horizontal; crouching to the ground, it runs without using its wings, with incredible swiftness; stopping suddenly, its long and beautiful tail is raised and depressed with as much grace as a fan in the hand of an accomplished senorita.

“In one of my excursions, I saw a wolf chase a hare (_Lepus texianus_), but was distanced in a few seconds, in the short race, a bird of this species was started, and the wolf in turn tried its fleetness, with the same result very distinctly arrived at. Apparently much disappointed, he looked at me for a moment, with an expression that seemed to say, “I have half a mind to try you;” but he turned off sulkily and trotted away, leaving me quite satisfied with his conclusion.

“Pa-i-san-o is the name by which this bird is known to the Mexicans. They hold it in high estimation on account of its enmity to the rattlesnake, which it usually succeeds in killing in fair combat. Notwithstanding that it is by no means deficient in courage, there is scarcely one of the feathered tribe that is so quiet and harmless in its habits. I have never noticed any note except a weak scream, and that very seldom. It is apparently not social, never occurring in flocks, not a wanderer to much extent, and though almost a hermit, is the most pleasing and friendly-looking inhabitant that lives only in the chapparel.”

DESCRIPTION AND TECHNICAL OBSERVATIONS.

Genus Geococcyx. Wagler, Isis, 1831, p. 524.

General form lengthened and rather slender; bill long, straight, strong, compressed, curved at the tip; wings short, rounded; fourth and fifth primaries longest; first short; tail long, graduated; legs long, especially the tibiæ; tarsi covered with wide transverse scales, very distinct in front; toes moderate, covered with scales; claws curved, flattened laterally. An American genus, containing two or three species only, all of which inhabit California, Texas, and Mexico.

Geococcyx mexicanus. (Gmelin.) Phasianus mexicanus. Gm., Syst. Nat., II. p. 741. (1788.) Geococcyx variegatus. Wagler, Isis, 1831, p. 524. Diplopterus viaticus. Boie, Isis, 1831, p. 541. “Cuculus viaticus. Licht. Mus. Berol.” Wagler and Boie, as above. Saurothera marginata. Kaup, Isis, 1832, p. 991, pl. 26. Saurothera californiana. Less, Ann. du Mus., Paris, 1835, p. 121, pl. 9. Leptostoma longicauda. Swains., Cab. Cy. Birds, II. p. 325. (1837.) “Saurothera Bottæ. Blainville.” Upupa mexicana. Gm., Syst. Nat., I. p. 467?

Form. Head above with elongated, erectile, crest-like feathers. A large bare space around and behind the eye extending towards the occiput; wings short; tail long; legs long, stout; tarsus with about eight or nine wide and strong scales in front.

Dimensions. _Male._—Total length of skin, about 22 inches; wing, 6½; tail, 11 inches. _Female_, smaller.

Colors. _Male._—Space around and behind the eye, in the living bird, yellow, with a large red spot on its most posterior part; plumage of the head above dark blue, with a metallic lustre, every feather edged with reddish fulvous and white; entire other upper parts dark metallic green, darkest on the neck behind and on the back; lightest on the wings and central feathers of the tail; all the upper plumage edged with white, and very narrowly with pale fulvous; primary quills dark brown, with a green metallic lustre, and edged with white on their outer webs; upper coverts of the tail and two central tail feathers green, with metallic lustre, and edged with white; other feathers of the tail deep shining blue, narrowly edged, and widely tipped with white, and having in some lights a green lustre; under parts white, slightly tinged with ashy and very pale yellowish; and on the throat and neck before with longitudinal stripes of dark greenish-brown; bill and feet light bluish. _Female_ similar, but with the colors less vivid.

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

Obs. As the reader will have discovered from our preceding synonymes, an unusual superabundance of names has been proposed for this bird. We have no doubt, however, that it is the _Hoitlallotl_ of Hernandez (Nova, plantarum, animalium et mineralium Mexicanorum, Historia, p. 25. Folio, Rome, 1651), whose description is cited by both Buffon and Latham. On the faith of the notice by the latter (Synopsis of Birds, II. p. 723), Gmelin gave the name _Phasianus mexicanus_ as cited above. The description by Hernandez is short and not very accurate; but we could mention many species of birds, the original descriptions of which are quite as much so, both ancient and modern. Prof. Wagler, in his description of _Geococcyx variegatus_, above alluded to, expresses the opinion that his bird is the same as that described by Hernandez; and Mr. Strickland, in Ann. and Mag. of Nat. Hist., VIII. p. 544 (1842), arrives at the same conclusion.

We regard it as at least possible, too, that this bird is the _Upupa mexicana_ (Gmelin, Syst. Nat., I. p. 467), which is the “Mexican Promerops” (Latham, Syn., II. p. 691). The descriptions are founded on a figure in Seba (pl. 45, fig. 3), that about as accurately represents this species as any other; which can also be said of his description. In Seba’s figure it will be observed that three toes are directed forward, which might appear to be a difficulty; but in reference to that point we ask attention to Col. McCall’s valuable contribution in a preceding page. There is, too, some peculiarity intended or attempted to be represented in the figure to which we allude.

The sexes of this bird differ in size very considerably; and there are, also, variations in size and measurements, such as comparative lengths of their bills and tails between different specimens. We have seen a large number of specimens, from various localities, but of one species only. Though we have been constantly on the watch for it, we have never detected the smaller species alluded to by Captain McCown, which is very probably _Geococcyx affinis_, described by Dr. George Hartlaub, of the State Museum of Bremen, one of the most learned and accurate of European ornithologists. That species may be more an inhabitant of the mountainous or hilly country than the subject of our present article.

VIREOSYLVIA ALTILOQUA.—(Vieillot.) The Long-billed Flycatcher. The Whip-tom-kelly. The John-to-whit. PLATE XXXVII. Adult Male.

This little bird is very similar in form and general appearance to the Red-eyed Flycatcher (_Vireosylvia olivacea_), of the United States, but is larger, and is distinctly characterized by the dark line on the side of the neck. It appears to possess much the same habits as the common species just mentioned, and others that inhabit the northern division of the continent of America. Passing its life, for the greater part, searching for insects amongst the thick foliage of the forest, in which its color favors concealment, it utters its peculiar notes, evidently of the same general character, but much louder and quite different from those of either of its northern brethren.

Though long known as a bird of the West Indies, and represented by Mr. Gosse to be abundant in the Island of Jamaica, it has but recently been discovered within the limits of the United States. Vieillot, it is true, gave it as a North American species, and in his fine work, which is of standard value in the history of our birds, figures it accurately, but from specimens obtained in the West Indies. It was first ascertained to be a summer visitor in Florida, by Dr. A. L. Heermann, who observed it in considerable numbers in that State, at a season when it was certainly engaged in the duties of incubation; but it has as yet never been noticed in any other part of the United States. It is probable, too, that it inhabits Cuba, but the several able naturalists of that Island have not detected it, or at least have not stated it to be different from the common Red-eyed Flycatcher.

For our article on this bird, Dr. Heermann has, with great kindness, furnished the following notice:—

“Charlotte Harbour is situated on the Gulf of Mexico, and is studded with numerous small islands or keys, as they are called, on which grows the cocoa-nut, said to be brought hither from the West Indies by the tides, and being thrown on the shore, takes root and flourishes. Some of these islands, during my visit, I may say almost swarmed with Herons, Cormorants, Snake-birds, Spoonbills, and Pelicans, engaged in attending to their nests, and raising their young. The wild fig, orange, lemon, palmetto, and pine, abound—the first of which is the principal food of several species of birds, while the large numbers of fishes everywhere in the surrounding waters afford ample subsistence to those that I have mentioned. On the sand-bars, various species of Terns were to be found in abundance, also engaged in incubation, while the Fish Crow, ever on the alert to seize the eggs or young, or the captured prey of any of these species when left unguarded, was ever to be seen on the wing, and at a distance, and not to be approached easily, I have frequently seen flocks of Flamingoes dredging perseveringly for shell-fishes, or standing in groups, looking almost like files of soldiers in red uniforms.

“I mention these birds because, like the little Long-billed Flycatcher, and like the cocoa-nut, too, if the prevailing belief is correct, they appear to be visitors only from a more southern clime. They seem to have reached Florida in the course of a northern migration, and although remaining for a season, retire periodically, again to appear in due time.

“In this vicinity, I met with the Long-billed Flycatcher, which, coming with his larger and more conspicuous fellow-travellers, to which I have alluded, appears to be a more transient visitant, performing the duties of incubation on this the northern district of his range, and soon retiring southwardly to the West Indies. This bird much resembles in manners and appearance the Red-eyed Flycatcher of the Northern States, but is not, I think, its equal as a vocalist. His notes, at the season when I heard them, were not as numerous, nor his song so long-continued. They are quite different from those of the Red-eye, but clear and musical, and very distinctly uttered. He is constantly on the search for insects, and appeared to me to be more active than either of the northern species, darting about amongst the foliage, or peering into a crevice or recess in a branch, or a spider’s web, with his back downwards, like the warblers,—or occasionally chasing a flying insect, in the manner of the Pewee Flycatchers. These actions were usually accompanied by his song, as is the case with the Red-eye and the Warbling Flycatchers. This species was not abundant, though I saw it frequently, and obtained several specimens.”

The name, “Whip-tom-kelly,” is applied to this bird in Brown’s Jamaica, one of the standard authorities on that Island (the Civil and Natural History of Jamaica, by Patrick Brown, M. D., London, 1789, folio), as its popular appellation, and has been transferred to the works of various authors. Mr. Gosse, however, in his pleasant volume on the Birds of Jamaica, mentions that he had never heard this designation.

The naturalists of Jamaica and Cuba appear to have considered this bird as identical with the Red-eyed Flycatcher. The latter may be a visitor, most probably, in the winter, to these islands, but the present is undoubtedly the resident summer species, at least in Jamaica. The figure in Edward’s Gleanings of Natural History (V. pl. 253), is particularly stated to have been made from Dr. Brown’s specimen brought from Jamaica, and clearly represents the present bird. Mr. Swainson, in Fauna Boreali Americana, Birds, p. 237, in his description of _Vireo longirostris_, which is this bird, mentions having received specimens from the Islands of Jamaica and St. Vincent.

As a bird of Jamaica, this little Flycatcher is described in his usually agreeable manner, by Mr. Gosse, in his work above alluded to. Holding ourselves in duty bound, we take the liberty of transcribing from his pages as followeth, premising that he calls this bird the “John-to-whit:”—

“Much oftener heard than seen, though not unfamiliar to either sense, this sober-colored bird is one of those whose notes have such a similarity to articulations as to procure them a common appellation. The Flycatchers, in general, are not very vociferous, but this is pertinacious in its tritonous call, repeating it with energy every two or three seconds. It does not ordinarily sit on a prominent twig, or dart out after insects, though I have seen one in eager but unsuccessful pursuit of a butterfly (_Terias_); but it seems to love the centre of thick woods, where it sits announcing its presence, or flits from bough to bough as you approach, so that it is not easy to get a sight of it.

“This bird does not winter with us, but leaves with the Grey Petchary (_Tyrannus Dominicensis_), at the beginning of October. It returns early—and like the bird just named, evidently makes an eastward progress, arriving at the southwest end of the island first. On the 26th of March, on my return to Bluefields, after a visit to Spanishtown, I heard its well-known voice, but my lad had noticed it a week before. From this time, every grove, I might almost say every tree, had its bird, uttering, with incessant iteration and untiring energy, from its umbrageous concealment, ’_Sweet-John!—John-to-whit!—Sweet-John-to-whit!—John-t’-whit!—Sweet-John-to—whit!_’ I can scarcely understand how the call can be written ‘Whip-tom-kelly,’ as the accent, if I may so say, is most energetic on the last syllable. Nor have I ever heard this appellation given to it in Jamaica. After July, we rarely hear ‘_John-to-whit_’—but, ‘_to-whit—to-whoo_,’ and sometimes a soft, simple chirp, or _sip, sip_, whispered so gently as scarcely to be audible. This, however, I have reason to believe is the note of the young, for I have heard young ones repeatedly utter it, when sitting on a twig, receiving from time to time, with gaping beak and quivering wing, the food contributed by the dam.

“The food of the John-to-whit is both animal and vegetable. In March, I have found in its stomach the seeds of the tropic birch, and in April, the berries of sweet-wood, in an unripe state. In the same month, I observed one hunting insects by the borders of Bluefields rivulet, in which I was bathing, and so intent was it upon its occupation, that it allowed me to approach within a foot of it before it flew. It sought insects successfully among the grass and low herbage, perching on the stalks of the weeds, and jumping out after stationary, as well as vagrant, prey. I observed it eat two spider’s nests, which it masticated as if peculiarly savory. As it sat, it vomited a little white body, which I found to be the globose seed of the misletoe berry.

“Incubation takes place in June and July. The nest is rather a neat structure, though made of coarse materials. It is a deep cup, about as large as an ordinary tea-cup, narrowed at the mouth, composed of dried grass, intermixed with silk-cotton, and sparingly with lichen and spiders’ nests, and lined with thatch-threads. It is usually suspended between two twigs, or in the fork of one, the margin being over-woven so as to embrace the twigs. This is very neatly performed. Specimens vary much in beauty,—one before me is particularly neat and compact, being almost globular in form, except that about one-fourth of the globe is wanting, as it is a cup. Though the walls are not thick, they are very firm and close, the materials being well woven. These are fibres of grass-like plants, moss, a few dry leaves, flat papery spiders’ nests, with a little cotton or down for the over-binding of the edges. It is lined smoothly with fibres, I know not of what plant, as slender as human hair. Another nest, similarly formed, has the cavity almost filled with a mass of white cotton, which looks as if thrust in by man, but that those filaments of the mass that are in contact with the sides, are interwoven with the other materials. As it is picked cotton, it must be a bit stolen from some house or yard, not plucked by the bird from the capsule. The eggs, commonly three in number, are delicately white, with a few small red-brown spots thinly scattered over the surface, sometimes very minute and few. Their form is a somewhat pointed oval, measuring nine-tenths of an inch by rather less than thirteen-twentieths.”

Our figure is about three-fourths of the size of life, and represents the adult male from one of Dr. Heermann’s specimens obtained in Florida.

DESCRIPTION AND TECHNICAL OBSERVATIONS.

Genus Vireosylvia. Bonaparte, Geog. and Comp. List of the Birds of Europe and North America, p. 26. (1838.)

Size small, but with the general form compact and stout; bill straight, rather long, wide at base; upper mandible slightly notched near the point; gonys slightly ascending; wing long, second quill usually longest; tail rather short, even; legs and toes moderate in length, slender. A genus containing five or six species, all of which are American. Colors in all known species olive green, narrowly shaded and tinged with yellow.

Vireosylvia altiloqua. (Vieillot.) Muscicapa altiloqua. Vieill., Ois. d’Am., Sept. 1, p. 67, pl. 38. (1807.) Vireo longirostris. Swains., Fau. Bor. Am., II. p. 237. (1831.) Phyllomanes mysticalis. Cabanis, Erichson’s Archiv., 1837, p. 348? Turdus hispaniolensis. Gm., Syst. Nat., I. p. 822?

Form. Bill long, strong, wide at base, with a few pairs of short, weak bristles; wing long; second quill longest; tail moderate, truncate; legs rather long, slender.

Dimensions. Total length of skin, 5½ inches; wing, 3½; tail, 2¼ inches.