Part 4

Col. McCall’s observations on the habits of this bird confirm an opinion expressed by Mr. Gould in his Monograph of American Partridges: “No account whatever has yet reached us of the habits and economy of this species, which, judging from the comparative shortness of the toes, and the great development of its claws, we may expect to be different from those of other members of the family.”

The circular spots which are numerous on the inferior parts of the body in this partridge, appear to indicate as a character an analogy to the Guinea fowls, which is further sustained by its habit of uttering its note continually when in company with its fellows, or when feeding. The Guinea fowls in their native wilds also associate in small parties, and take wing only reluctantly, and for short distances.

Capt. S. G. French, of the U. S. Army, has most kindly and very opportunely presented us with fine specimens of this and other species preserved in spirits, for which, as well as for some valuable memoranda, we beg here to express our gratitude. He remarks, with reference to this species: “It was in the summer of 1846, when crossing the then pathless and untrodden plains or table lands which extend westwardly from San Antonio, Texas, to New Mexico, that I first met with this beautiful partridge. On a bright summer afternoon, I undertook the ascent of a high rocky mountain for the purpose of obtaining a view of the valley through which the San Pedro river takes its course, and when I had gained the summit I observed several of these birds, a few feet only in advance of me, running along over the fragments of rocks and through the dwarf bushes, which grew wherever there was sufficient soil. Their handsome plumage and their gentleness attracted my attention, and I felt many regrets that I had left my gun behind me, thereby losing the opportunity of securing specimens for examination.

“A few days afterwards, however, when encamped on the head waters of the river, I found a covey, and succeeded in obtaining several specimens, one of which I had skinned, but which was afterwards unfortunately lost. From that point we occasionally met with these birds on the route to the Pecos river, a distance of over one hundred miles. I did not see them again until we came to the Eagle Springs, in a mountainous region about twenty-five miles from the Rio Grande. Two covies were found there, and several specimens were obtained.

“In the spring of 1851, I again passed over the same route in charge of a military expedition, and on the way out, two of these birds only were seen, one of which, (a female,) was killed by Major E. Backus, U. S. Army, and is now in the collection of Dr. Woodhouse, who was then going out with a party of topographical engineers to which he was attached. When returning in July last, I chanced to kill at an encamping ground near Howard’s Springs, between the San Pedro and Pecos rivers, the specimen which I now send you. It was the only one that I saw on the route as I came back from New Mexico, and it is but fair to conjecture that these birds are not at all numerous.

“They appear to inhabit the rocky sides of the mountains and hills in that desolate region of elevated plains, west of the fertile portions of Texas, living amidst the solitude that wraps them in silence, far from enemies and the busy haunts of men. In no instance have I met with this species near any settlements. The wild, rocky hill-sides in the lone wilderness, seem to be their favorite resort; and there, where trees are almost unknown, and vegetation is scant, and where hardly a living thing is seen, are these fine birds found in all their beauty and gentleness. The covies of them showed but little alarm at our approach, and ran along over the rocks, occasionally attempting to secrete themselves beneath them, in which case they would let a person approach within a few feet. When startled by the firing of a gun, they fly but a few yards before again alighting, and exhibit little of that wildness peculiar to all the other species of partridges with which I am acquainted.”

In 1832 this bird was described under the name _Tetrao guttata_, by Don Pablo de la Llave, in _Registro trimestre ó coleccion de Memorias de Historia, Literatura, Ciencasóy Artes_, Vol. I. p. 145, Mexico, 1832, which periodical, though little known, and discontinued, we believe, before the completion of the second volume, contains several valuable papers by this and other Mexican authors, relative to the natural history of their country. The ornithological papers by Sr. De la Llave, evince much ability, and contain very accurate observations and descriptions; and a tone pervades them too, which proclaims him to be a true lover of nature. That in which we are interested at present, is entitled, “Sobre tres especias neuvas del genero _Tetrao_,” and consists of notices of birds of this genus, of which he had living specimens at his residence in the city of Mexico, and descriptions of three species, viz.: _Tetrao marmorata_ (which is _Ortyx macroura_, Jardine and Selby), _T. cristata_, (which is _O. squamata_, Vigors.) and _T. guttata_, (which is _O. Massena_, Lesson.)

To the last bird he thus alludes: “It is only a few days since the third species has been brought to me. It is rather smaller than the former, and its deportment is entirely different. It carries its head habitually resting upon its shoulders, the neck being excessively _small_ and deflexed, and in every thing it shows an amiability, and so to speak, a kindness of character (_una bondad de caracter_) which is not found in any other species of this genus, and it is naturally so tame and domestic as to permit itself to be caught with the hand. These birds are always united, forming a covey, and whenever one is separated, the others follow it; they do not, like others, wish to sleep on elevated places, but sit on the ground, drawing very near together. Their notes, which are not varied, are very low and soft, and I have never heard loud cries from the male. When they are frightened, they show much activity and swiftness; at other times their gait and movement are habitually slow and deliberate, carrying the crest puffed up (_esponjada_).”

Sr. De la Llave gives as the locality of his specimens, the warm regions near the city of Mexico.

These statements comprise all that is known at present of the Massena Partridge.

The contents of the crop in Capt. French’s specimen consisted exclusively of fragments of insects, pronounced by Dr. Leconte to be principally grasshoppers, and a species of _Spectrum_. No trace whatever of food of a vegetable character.

DESCRIPTION AND TECHNICAL OBSERVATIONS.

Genus Cyrtonyx. Gould, Monograph of the Odontophorinæ (American Partridges) Introduction, p. 14, London, 1850. Folio.

Bill short, robust, ridge of the mandible curving downwards from its base; lower mandible straight with two slight dentitions near its point; nostrils large, covered and bordered with a membrane. Head crested, the feathers inclining backward and forming a thick tuft on the occiput; wings rather long, tertiaries pendant, longer than the primaries; tail short, and composed of soft feathers. Tarsi rather long and robust; toes short, hind-toe focal, nails large, long and curved. All the known species are natives of America. Type _C. Massena_.

Cyrtonyx Massena. (Lesson.) Ortyx Massena. Lesson. Centurie Zoologique, p. 189. Paris, 1830. Ortyx Montezumæ. Vigors. Zoological Journal, Vol. V., p. 275. London, 1830. Odontophorus Meleagris. Wagler. Isis. Vol. XXV. p. 277. Leipzig, 1832. “Perdix perspicillata. Lichtenstein in Mus. Berlin.” Gould in Monograph. _ut supra_. Tetrao guttata. Llave Reg. trimestre, I. p. 145. Mexico, 1832.

Form. Compact and robust; plumage of the head above, elongated, and forming a pendant thick tuft on the occiput. Wings rather long; tail short, formed of weak feathers, and concealed by the superior coverts; tarsi rather short, robust; toes short; claws long, curved.

Dimensions of Capt. French’s male specimen in spirits. Total length, from tip of bill to end of tail, about 9 inches; wing 5; tail 2 inches. Female. Dr. Woodhouse’s female specimen, (dried skin.) Total length about 8¼ inches; wing, 4¾; tail, 2 inches.

Colors. Male. General color of the sides of the head and throat, white, with black stripes commencing at the base of the bill and curving above and below the eye, forming a broad, abruptly terminated somewhat triangular patch on the cheek, which is united to a wide longitudinal mark on the throat;—the entire white space enclosed by an edging of black.

Occipital tuft of crest-like feathers, buff yellow, frequently nearly white, but varying in shade of color in different specimens. Head above with a central black line commencing at the base of the bill, and running into brownish and black, on the upper part of the head.

Upper surface of the body brown, inclining to reddish chestnut, every feather having several transverse bars of black, and a narrow longitudinal stripe of pale yellowish, nearly white in the centre; wing coverts and tertiaries paler, and with the black bars much broader, and inclining to form circular spots on some of the feathers. Primaries brownish black, transversely barred with pale reddish yellow, especially on the outer webs.

Middle of the breast and abdomen fine deep chestnut, forming a wide longitudinal stripe on those parts of the body; sides and flanks sooty black, every feather marked with about six or eight circular spots of pure white; ventral region, thighs, and under tail coverts, deep black. Tail and long superior coverts same color as the wing coverts. Upper mandible nearly black; under mandible lighter; tarsi pale colored.

Female. Head above, and occipital tuft and body above, pale reddish or purplish brown, with a tinge of cinereous; every feather with transverse irregular bars and lines of black, and with a conspicuous longitudinal narrow stripe of yellowish white in the centre.

Throat pale white; inferior surface of the body pale purplish brown on the belly and flanks, with irregular lines and minute spots of black.

Hab. Mexico and Texas. Spec. in Mus. Acad. Philada.

Obs. The descriptions by M. Lesson and Mr. Vigors, as cited above, were published nearly at the same time. That by M. Lesson appears to have had a short period of priority, which entitles his name to preference.

In our article on another species, we propose to give a synopsis, with descriptions of all the partridges inhabiting the continent of America.

LARUS HEERMANNI.—Cassin. The White-Headed Gull. PLATE V.—Adult Male and Young female.

Amongst the many species of sea-birds which frequent the coast of the American continent on the Pacific ocean, there is a race of Gulls with very graceful forms, slender and brightly colored bills, and handsome plumage, of which no immediate representatives have yet been discovered on the eastern shores of this continent. The range of the species of this race extends from Oregon to Cape Horn, and one species similar in general characters inhabits the coasts of Australia and some of the islands in the Pacific ocean.

This group appears to be characterized generally by the uniform lead-colored plumage which prevails in several of the known species, and seems to embrace _Larus Belcheri_. Vigors. _Larus fuliginosus._ Gould. _Larus nova hollandiæ._ Stephens, the present species, and some others.

The bird, which is the subject of the present description, is one of the most handsome of the numerous family to which it belongs, and of which species are found on all the sea shores of the world. It is one of many additions to the ornithological fauna of the United States, which have been discovered by Adolphus L. Heermann, M. D., of Philadelphia, who has been occupied for nearly three years in making researches and collections, with excellent judgment and great enterprise, in California, and has now succeeded in safely bringing home the most extensive collections ever made in that country.

Dr. Heermann found this Gull occurring frequently on the coast of California, but most numerous in the harbor of San Diego in the month of March, at which time though it appeared to have attained its perfect plumage in some instances, yet many specimens were clothed in that of young birds. Both of these stages of plumage are represented in our plate, and it is possible that the plumage assumed in winter, at all ages, may be similar in most respects to that of the young.

It was observed, at the localities alluded to, usually flying in company with the western Gull, _Larus occidentalis_, Audubon, a large and handsome species, of which, in a future part of our work, we hope to have the pleasure of presenting a figure and description to our readers. It appeared to be engaged in the capture of small fishes, of which several species abound in the harbor of San Diego, and also appeared to feed on the small maritime animals of various classes, that inhabit the immense beds of _Kelp_ which occur on the coast, and are especially extensive off the harbor of San Diego less than a mile from its mouth.[1] The nests and eggs of both the present species and of the western Gull were found by Dr. Heermann on the Coronadoes islands which are situated a short distance below the mouth of the harbor.

Our first notice of this bird which we regard as having been previously undescribed, and which we dedicated to its discoverer, is in the Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, Vol. VI. p. 187, (October, 1852.) The figures given in the present plate are about one-sixth of the natural size.

DESCRIPTION AND TECHNICAL OBSERVATIONS.

Genus Larus. Linn. Syst. Nat. I. p. 224, (1766.) Larus Heermanni. Cassin. Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci., Philada., Vol. VI. p. 187, (1852.)

Form. Bill rather long and slender; wings very long, extending beyond the end of the tail; first primary longest; tail truncate or slightly emarginate.

Dimensions. Adult. Total length of skin from tip of the bill to the end of the tail, about 17½ inches; wing, 13½; tail, 5½; bill from the angle of the mouth to the tip of the upper mandible 2½ inches.

Colors. Adult. Bill red, both mandibles tipped with black; feet and legs dark; head white, which color gradually blends into an ashy lead color enveloping the entire body above and below—darker on the back and wings and paler on the abdomen. Secondary quills tipped with white, forming an oblique bar when the wings are folded. Superior coverts of the tail very pale cinereous, nearly white. Quills and tail feathers brownish black, all of the latter narrowly tipped with white. Shafts of the two first primaries white on the inferior surface of the wing.

Young. Smaller, total length about 16 inches, wing 13, tail 5 inches. Entire plumage brown, darker on the head and paler on the under surface of the body; quills and tail feathers brownish black, the latter narrowly tipped with white.

Hab. Coast of California. Spec. in Mus. Acad. Philada.

Obs. We are acquainted with no species of Gull which intimately resembles the bird now described. Judging from the only description extant of _Larus Belcheri_. Vigors, which is in the Zoological Journal, Vol. IV. p. 358, and which is too short to be of service in this family of birds—it appears to resemble that species to some extent. _L. Belcheri_ is much larger, and is described as having the entire plumage brownish lead-color, and as being 21 inches in total length. It appears to be, however, the only western American species with which our present bird can be confounded.

HALIAETUS PELAGICUS.—(Pallas.) The Northern Sea Eagle. PLATE VI—Female.

The study of the rapacious birds of western and north western America presents great attractions to the ornithologist, and a wide field for discovery.

Owing, principally, to the difficulties in obtaining, or even in observing the shy and vigilant birds of this family, their investigation is of peculiar character, and dependent on accidental opportunity in some measure every where, but especially in countries where the primitive forests yet flourish in undisturbed vigour, and which abound in unexplored and, as yet, inaccessible mountains; or in plains of an extent only known to the adventurous hunter, and traversed only by the wandering Indian, or by the pioneers of civilization: the devoted missionary, or the enterprising and hardy emigrant. Such is the character of the regions of that portion of North America, the visits of naturalists to which have been too transient to afford proper opportunities for the study of the rapacious birds, and the detached items of information which have appeared from time to time are not sufficiently numerous to be regarded as giving any clear insight into their history.

The naturalist, generally travelling expeditiously with a military or other party on business for the government, or with a caravan of emigrants, may get a glimpse of a Falcon of singularly novel and beautiful plumage as it darts away into concealment; or may see, occasionally, an Eagle seated at ease, and viewing the novel cavalcade leisurely, but beyond the range of his rifle; or as he performs, in turn, his assigned duty, and guards his sleeping companions in the encampment, his watch-fire may attract clamorous night birds of strange forms whose cries are unfamiliar to him, but to his practised ear may present unmistakable family relationship, yet it is readily demonstrable that the proper study of those birds requires facilities of a description only attainable in the course of more protracted residence and frequently recurring opportunities.

The discovery in western America of the Californian Vulture, second in size only to the great Condor of the Andes; of the Ferrugineous Buzzard, _Archibuteo ferrugineus_, one of the handsomest of the American Falcons; of the Burrowing Owl, a very remarkable species which lives in holes in the ground; of the Little Californian Owl, _Athene infuscata_, the most diminutive of its family yet discovered in the United States, and of other curious species, may be regarded as affording an indication of the interesting results in this group of birds which will reward the future labours of naturalists and travellers in those vast and diversified regions.

The bird which is the subject of our present article is the largest and most powerful of the Eagles. It is a native of the remote sea-coasts of northern Asia and America, and has been especially observed in the group or girdle of islands which extends from one continent to the other.

It also, very probably, extends its range into the interior of Russian America, and possibly southward, in the winter season, into Oregon and California. In size, and in the strength of its beak and talons, this gigantic Eagle far surpasses any other of its tribe. The Golden Eagle, and the White-headed Eagle, are comparatively insignificant; and if its habits correspond to its powerful organization, as may safely be presumed, it is one of the most destructive of the rapacious birds. It appears, however, like other species of its genus, to prey principally on fishes, which are caught either by its own exertions, or appropriated summarily by the right of the strongest, from the acquisitions of more expert or more successful fishermen.

Though, like the White-headed or Bald Eagle, the range of this extraordinary bird may be very extensive, yet the solitudes of the extreme northern parts of the two continents appear to be its proper home; where, it has been fully demonstrated, that although the resident animals of the land are necessarily restricted in numbers, the sea teems with multitudes of inhabitants. There, in the bleak regions of almost perpetual winter, the Great Sea Eagle reigns, a mighty chieftain, without a competitor, and with power unrivalled: finding ample subsistence in the arctic quadrupeds, and in the fishes of the northern seas, or occasionally levying tribute from the hosts of feathered travellers that make their annual pilgrimage to the places of their nativity, and intrude on his domain. Even the famous Condor of the Andes, the largest of Vultures, scarcely exceeds him in size, and in swiftness of flight, and power of beak and talons, is much his inferior.

Pallas, a celebrated Russian naturalist, was the first who gave a satisfactory and reliable account of this Eagle, in his Zoology of Asiatic Russia, I. p. 343, (published at St. Petersburg in 1811, though printed many years previously,) but it appears to have been previously noticed by the distinguished navigators, Steller and Billings.

Before the time of Pallas, and, it may be added, since, also, various reports of remarkable and sometimes very large Eagles having been seen in different parts of America, were from time to time made by travellers and voyagers. In fact, some are carefully and credibly described which are yet unknown to naturalists. Capt. Cook, in the account of his last voyage, or rather in that part of it which was written by himself, states that several Eagles, one of which is very remarkable, were seen at Kayes’ Island, on the northwest coast of America, in latitude 59° 49′ N. “We saw,” he says, “flying about the woods, a Crow, two or three of the white-headed Eagles, mentioned at Nootka, and another sort full as large, which appeared also of the same colour, or blacker, and had only _a white breast_.” Last Voyage, II. p. 352, quarto, London, 1784. It is necessary for me to say only, that no species of Eagle having a white breast is yet known as an inhabitant of any part of America.

In the History of the Expedition of Lewis and Clarke it is stated, that “The Calumet Eagle sometimes inhabits this side of the Rocky mountains. The colours are black and white, beautifully variegated. The tail feathers, so highly prized by the natives, are composed of twelve broad feathers of unequal length, which are white except within two inches of their extremities, when they immediately change to a jetty black, the _wings_ have each a large circular _white spot_ in the middle, which is only visible when they are extended.” II. p. 188, Philada., 1814. This statement, though it appears to have been usually regarded as referring to the Golden Eagle, does not apply to any established species, but it is worth bearing in mind that in the number of the feathers of the tail, the bird here alluded to agrees exactly with Audubon’s Washington Eagle, (Orn. Biog. I. p. 63.)

The black-checked Eagle of Pennant, said to be from North America, (Arctic Zoology, I. p. 227,) and which is _Falco americanus_, Gmelin, is described as being “about the size of the Golden Eagle, but with the head, neck and breast of a _deep ash colour_, each cheek marked with a broad black bar, passing from the corner of the mouth beyond the ears; back, belly, wings and tail, black.”