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TRANSCRIBER'S NOTES:

Page numbers have been retained for easier references. As a result, pages are not concatenated; a few pages will end without punctuation, and the following page will start in lower case.

Inconsistencies in the numbering sequence have been retained.

The illustration descriptions have been regrouped at the end of each page. Where the description only states a color, it should be understood as an "egg color". -----------------------------------------------------------------------

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THE BIRD BOOK [Illustration: 003]

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THE BIRD BOOK

ILLUSTRATING IN NATURAL COLORS MORE THAN SEVEN HUNDRED NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS; ALSO SEVERAL HUNDRED PHOTOGRAPHS OF THEIR NESTS AND EGGS

BY

CHESTER A. REED, B. S.

GARDEN CITY, NEW YORK DOUBLEDAY, PAGE & COMPANY

1915

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_Copyright, 1914, by_ CHARLES K. REED

_All rights reserved, including that of translation into foreign languages, including the Scandinavian._

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Diving Birds. Order I. Pygopodes 10 Grebes. Family Colymbidæ 11 Loons. Family Gaviidæ 17 Auks, Murres and Puffins. Family Alcidæ 21

Long-winged Swimmers. Order II. Longipennes 35 Skuas and Jægers. Family Stercoraridæ 35 Gulls and Terns. Family Laridæ 38 Skimmers. Family Rynchopidæ 58

Tube-nosed Swimmers. Order III. Tubinares 59 Albatrosses. Family Diomedeidæ 59 Fulmars, Shearwaters and Petrels. Family Procellariidæ 61

Totipalmate Swimmers. Order IV. Steganopodes 72 Tropic Birds. Family Phæthontidæ 72 Gannets. Family Sulidæ 74 Darters. Family Anhingidæ 77 Cormorants. Family Phalacrocoracidæ 78 Pelicans. Family Pelecanidæ 83 Man-o'-War Birds. Family Fregatidæ 86

Lamellirostral Swimmers. Order V. Anseres 87 Ducks, Geese and Swans. Family Anatidæ 87

Lamellirostral Grallatores. Order VI. Odontoglossæ 115 Flamingoes. Family Phœnicopteridæ 115

Herons, Storks, Ibises, etc. Order VII. Herodiones 115 Spoonbills. Family Plataleidæ 115 Ibises. Family Ibididæ 117 Storks and Wood Ibises. Family Ciconiidæ 118 Herons, Bitterns, etc. Family Ardeidæ 119

Cranes, Rails, etc. Order VIII. Paludicolæ 127 Cranes. Family Gruidæ 127 Courlans. Family Aramidæ 129 Rails, Gallinules and Coots. Family Rallidæ 131

Shore Birds. Order IX. Limicolæ 137 Phalaropes. Family Phalaropodidæ 137 Avocets and Stilts. Family Recurvirostridæ 139 Snipes, Sandpipers, etc. Family Scolopacidæ 140 Plovers. Family Charadriidæ 161 Surf Birds and Turnstones. Family Aphrizidæ 169 Oyster-catchers. Family Hæmatopodidæ 170 Jacanas. Family Jacanidæ 172

Gallinaceous Birds. Order X. Gallinæ 175 Grouse, Partridges, etc. Family Odontophoridæ 175 Turkeys. Family Meleagridæ 178 Curassows and Guans. Family Cracidæ 191

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Pigeons. Order XI. Columbæ 192 Pigeons. Family Columbidæ 192

Birds of Prey. Order XII. Raptores 198 American Vultures. Family Cathartidæ 198 Hawks, Eagles, etc. Family Buteonidæ 201 Falcons, etc. Family Falconidæ 218 Osprey. Family Pandionidæ 225 Barn Owls. Family Aluconidæ 227 Owls. Family Strigidæ 227

Parrots, Paroquets. Order XIII. Psittaci 241 Parrots and Paroquets. Psittacidæ 241

Cuckoos, etc. Order XIV. Coccyges 241 Cuckoos, Anis, etc. Family Cuculidæ 241 Trogons. Family Trogonidæ 246 Kingfishers. Family Alcedinidæ 247

Woodpeckers, Wrynecks, etc. Order XV. Pici 249 Woodpeckers. Family Picidæ 249

Goatsuckers, Swifts, etc. Order XVI. Macrochires 262 Goatsuckers, etc. Family Caprimulgidæ 263 Swifts. Family Micropodidæ 268 Hummingbirds. Family Trochilidæ 271

Perching Birds. Order XVII. Passeres 280 Cotingas. Family Cotingidæ 280 Tyrant Flycatchers. Family Tyrannidæ 280 Larks. Family Alaudidæ 297 Crows, Jays, Magpies, etc. Family Corvidæ 300 Starlings. Family Sturnidæ 314 Blackbirds, Orioles, etc. Family Icteridæ 314 Finches, Sparrows, etc. Family Fringillidæ 324 Tanagers. Family Tangaridæ 369 Swallows. Family Hirundinidæ 372 Waxwings. Family Bombycillidæ 375 Shrikes. Family Laniidæ 376 Vireos. Family Vireonidæ 378 Honey Creepers. Family Cœrebidæ 385 Warblers. Family Mniotiltidæ 385 Wagtails. Family Motacillidæ 418 Dippers. Family Cinclidæ 419 Wrens. Family Troglodytidæ 423 Thrashers, etc. Family Mimidæ 429 Creepers. Family Certhiidæ 430 Nuthatches. Family Sittidæ 431 Titmice. Family Paridæ 431 Warblers, Kinglets, Gnatcatchers. Family Sylviidæ 433 Thrushes, Solitaires, Bluebirds, etc. Family Turdidæ 442 Index 450

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THE BIRD BOOK

DIVING BIRDS. Order I. PYGOPODES

GREBES. Family COLYMBIDÆ

Grebes are birds having a ducklike body, but with pointed bills. Their feet, too, are unlike those of the Ducks, each toe having its separate web, and having a broad flat nail. Their wings are very small for the size of the body, making it impossible for them to rise in flight from the land. They rise from the water by running a few yards along the surface until they have secured sufficient headway to allow them to launch themselves into the air. After having risen from the water their flight is very swift and strong. On land they are very awkward and can only progress by a series of awkward hops; they generally lie flat on their breasts, but occasionally stand up, supporting themselves upon their whole tarsus. Grebes, together with the Loons, are the most expert aquatic birds that we have, diving like a flash and swimming for an incredible distance under water.

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1. WESTERN GREBE. _Aechmophorus occidentalis_.

Range.--Western parts of North America, from southern Alaska southward; east to Minnesota and south in winter to the southern parts of the United States and Mexico. Breeds from the Dakotas and northern California northward. These are the largest of the American Grebes; owing to their unusually long necks, they are frequently called "Swan Grebes." They are very timid birds and conceal themselves in the rushes on the least suspicion of danger. At times, to escape observation, they will entirely submerge their body, leaving only their head and part of the long neck visible above the water. This Grebe cannot be mistaken for any other because of the long slender neck and the long pointed bill, which has a slight upward turn. They nest abundantly in the marshes of North Dakota and central Canada. Their nests are made of decayed rushes, and are built over the water, being fastened to the rushes so that the bottom of the nest rests in the water. The nesting season is at its height during the latter part of May. They lay from three to five eggs, the ground color of which is a pale blue; this color is, however, always concealed by a thin chalky deposit, and this latter is frequently stained to a dirty white. Size 2.40 × 1.55.

2. HOLBOELL'S GREBE. _Colymbus holboellii._

Range.--Throughout North America, breeding from northern United States northward and wintering from the middle to the southern portions of the United States. In regard to size this Grebe comes next to the Western, being 19 in. in length. This bird can be distinguished by the white cheeks and throat and the reddish brown foreneck. They breed abundantly in the far north placing their floating islands of decayed vegetation in the water in the midst of the marsh grass. They lay from three to six eggs of a dingy white color which have the stained surface common to Grebes eggs. Size 2.35 × 1.25.

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3. HORNED GREBE. Colymbus auritus.

Range.--The whole of North America, breeding in the interior from North Dakota northwest; winters along the Gulf Coast. This species is one of the most beautiful of the Grebes, having in the breeding season buffy ear tufts, black cheeks and throat, and chestnut neck, breast and sides. They breed abundantly in the marshy flats of North Dakota and the interior of Canada. They build a typical Grebe's nest, a floating mass of decayed matter which stains the naturally white eggs to a dirty brown. The number of eggs varies from three to seven. Size 1.70 × 1.15. Data.--Devils Lake, N. Dakota, June 20, 1900. 6 eggs much stained. Nest floating in 4 ft. of water, a large mass of rotten rushes and weeds. Collector. James Smalley.

4. EARED GREBE. _Colymbus nigricollis californicus._

Range.--North America west of the Mississippi, breeding from Texas to Manitoba and wintering along the Pacific Coast of the United States and from Texas southward.

Eared Grebes differ from the preceding in having the entire neck blackish. They nest very abundantly throughout the west, in favorable localities, from Texas to Minnesota and Dakota. Their nests are constructed in the same manner as the preceding varieties and are located in similar localities. As do all the Grebes when leaving the nest, they cover the eggs with the damp rushes from around the base of the nest. This is probably for the purpose of assisting incubation during their absence, by the action of the sun's rays on the wet mass. As they are nearly always thus covered upon the approach of anyone, this may be done also as a protection from discovery. They lay from three to eight bluish white eggs with the usual chalky and discolored appearance. The breeding season is at its height early in June, or earlier, in the southern portion of its range. Size 1.75 × 1.20. Data.--Artesian, S. Dakota, June 21, 1899. Nest of rushes, floating in three feet of water. Large colony in a small lake. Collector, F. A. Patton.

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5. MEXICAN GREBE. _Colymbus dominicus brachypterus._

Range.--Southern Texas and Lower California southward to South America, breeding throughout its range.

The Least Grebe is by far the smallest of the Grebes in this country, being but 10 in. in length; it can not be mistaken for any other, the Eared Grebe being the only species of this family found in the same localities during the summer. These little Grebes nest very abundantly along the Rio Grande Valley in Texas, the nesting season lasting from the latter part of May until well into December.

Their nests are floating piles of grass and weeds upon which they lay from three to five chalky white eggs, which are always discolored, sometimes to a deep chocolate hue. These eggs average a great deal darker in color than do any of the other Grebes. In a series of fifty sets fully half were a rich brown tint. Size 1.40 × .95.

6. PIED-BILLED GREBE. _Podilymbus podiceps._

Range.--From the British provinces southward to Argentine Republic, breeding locally throughout the northern portions of its range.

The Dabchick, as this bird is called, is the most evenly distributed bird of this family. It is nowhere especially abundant, nor is it, except in a very few localities, regarded as rare. Consequently it is the best known bird of the species. They do not congregate in such large numbers as the other Grebes during the nesting season, but one or more pairs may be found in almost any favorable locality. These birds render their floating nest a little more substantial than those of the preceding varieties by the addition of mud which they bring up from the bottom of the pond; this addition also tends to soil the eggs more, consequently the eggs of this bird are, as a general rule, browner than the other Grebes with the exception of the Least. The bird may always be known by the shape of its bill which is higher than it is broad, and in the summer is white with a black band across the middle. The throat is also black at this season. They lay from five to nine eggs commencing about the middle of May. Size 1.70 × 1.18.

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LOONS. Family GAVIIDAE

Loons may be likened to gigantic Grebes from which they differ externally, chiefly in the full webbed foot instead of the individually webbed toes of the Grebe, and in the sharper, more pointed and spear-like bill. These birds are similar in their habits to the Grebes, except that their homes are generally more substantially built and are placed upon a solid foundation, generally upon an island in some inland lake.

Both Loons and Grebes are literally "Water witches," being practically, and in the case of Grebes, actually, born in the water and living in it ever afterwards. Loons are strong fliers, but like the Grebes, because of their small wings they must get their first impetus from the water in order to rise; in case there is any wind blowing they also make use of this by starting their flight against it. They are very peculiar birds and the expression "crazy as a loon" is not a fanciful one, being formed from their early morning and evening antics when two or more of them will race over the top of the water, up and down the lake, all the while uttering their demoniacal laughter. They vie with the Grebes in diving and disappear at the flash of a gun.

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7. LOON. _Gavia immer._

Range.--North America north of the Mexican boundary, breeding from the northern parts of the United States northward.

Unlike the Grebes, Loons do not build in colonies, generally not more than one, or at the most two pairs nesting on the same lake or pond; neither do they seek the marshy sloughs in which Grebes dwell, preferring the more open, clear bodies of water. The common Loon may be known in summer by the entirely black head and neck with the complete ribbon of black and white stripes encircling the lower neck and the narrower one which crosses the throat. The back is spotted with white. In some sections Loons build no nest, simply scooping a hollow out in the sand, while in other places they construct quite a large nest of sticks, moss and grasses. It is usually placed but a few feet from the waters edge, so that at the least suspicion the bird can slide off its eggs into the water, where it can cope with any enemy. The nests are nearly always concealed under the overhanging bushes that line the shore; the one shown in the full page illustration, however, was located upon the top of an old muskrat house. The two eggs which they lay are a very dark greenish brown in color, with black spots. Size 3.50 × 2.25. Data.--Lake Sunapee, N. H., June 28, 1895. Nest placed under the bushes at the waters edge. Made of rushes, weeds and grasses; a large structure nearly three feet in diameter. Collector, H. A. Collins.

8. YELLOW-BILLED LOON. _Gavia adamsi._

Range.--Northwestern North America, along the Arctic and northern Alaskan coasts.

The Yellow-billed Loon with the exception of its whitish or yellowish bill in place of the black, is practically otherwise indistinguishable from the common Loon. It averages somewhat larger in size. This is one of the most northerly breeding birds and it is only within a very few years that anything has been learned about the breeding habits. Their nesting habits and eggs are precisely like the preceding except that the latter average a little larger. Size 3.60 × 2.25.

9. BLACK-THROATED LOON. _Gavia arctica._.

Range.--From northern United States northward, breeding along the Arctic Coast.

This species can be easily separated from the Loon by the gray crown and white streaks down the back of the neck. Its size, too, is about five inches shorter. The nesting habits are the same as the Loons and the eggs have rather more of an olive tint besides having the majority of spots at the larger end. Size 3.10 × 2.00.

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10. PACIFIC LOON. _Gavia pacifica._

Range.--Western North America along the coast chiefly, breeding from Alaska south to British Columbia. In winter, south along the coast to Mexico.

This species differs from the Black-throated only in the tint of the head reflections. The habits are the same as those of the other members of the family. They lay two eggs of a greenish brown or greenish gray hue with black spots. Size 3.10 × 1.90. Data.--Yukon River, Alaska, June 28, 1902. Nest of rubbish on an island; found by a miner.

11. RED-THROATED LOON. _Gavia stellata._

Range.--Northern parts of North America, breeding from southern Canada northward in the interior on both coasts. South to the middle portions of the United States in winter.

This is the smallest of the Loon family, being twenty-five inches in length. In plumage it is wholly unlike any of the other members at all seasons of the year. In summer the back, head and neck are gray, the latter being striped with white. A large chestnut patch adorns the front of the lower part of the neck. In winter the back is spotted with white, whereas all the others are unspotted at this period. The nesting habits are identical with the other species; the ground color of the two eggs is also the same. Size 2.00 × 1.75.

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PUFFINS, AUKS and MURRES. Family ALCIDÆ

Puffins, Auks and Murres are all sea birds and are only found inland when blown there by some severe storm of winter. At this season numbers of them are apt to lose their bearings and may sometimes be found with their feet frozen in some of our inland ponds. Puffins are heavily built birds in appearance, but are very active both on the wing and in the water. Their wings are much larger comparatively than those of the other members of this family, so they are enabled to perform evolutions in the air, which are withheld from the others. They stand upright on the sole of the foot and are able to walk quite easily on land. Puffins have very heavy and deep but thin bills, which are entirely unlike those of any other bird and often give then the name of Parrot Auks. Puffins, Auks and Murres are otherwise recognized by the presence of but three toes which are webbed.

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12. TUFTED PUFFIN. _Lunda cirrhata._

Range.--Pacific Coast from Alaska southward to southern California, breeding locally throughout their range.

Tufted Puffins are the largest of the Puffins. In the breeding plumage, they are a sooty brownish or black color; the cheeks are white, and a long tuft of straw colored feathers extends back from each eye; the bill is bright red and greenish yellow. They breed commonly on the Farallones, where two or three broods are raised by a bird in a single season, but much more abundantly on the islands in the north. Their single eggs are laid in burrows in the ground or else in natural crevices formed by the rocks. The eggs are pure white or pale buff and are without gloss. They very often have barely perceptible shell markings of dull purplish color. The eggs are laid about the middle of June. Size 2.80 × 1.90. Data.--Farallone Is., May 27, 1887. Single egg laid in crevice of rocks. Collector, W. O. Emerson.

13. PUFFIN. _Fratercula arctica arctica._

Range.--North Atlantic Coast, breeding from the Bay of Fundy northward. Winters from breeding range along the New England Coast.

The common Puffin has the cheeks, chin and underparts white; upper parts and a band across the throat, blackish. Bill deep and thin, and colored with red, orange and yellow. They breed in large numbers on Bird Rock in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. The nest is either among the natural crevices of the

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rocks, or in burrows excavated in the ground by the birds. These burrows vary in length from two and a half to four or five feet. Except upon the positive knowledge of the absence of the bird, it is a hazardous thing to put the hand in one of these burrows for the bird can, and will nip the fingers, sometimes to the bone. They lay but a single egg, usually dull white and unmarked, but in some cases obscurely marked with reddish brown. Size 2.50 × 1.75. Data.--So. Labrador, June 23, 1884. Single egg laid at end of burrow in the ground. Collector, J. H. Jameson.

13a. LARGE-BILLED PUFFIN. _Fratercula arctica naumanni._

A more northerly subspecies of the last, inhabiting the Arctic region on the Atlantic side. The bird is somewhat larger but otherwise indistinguishable from the common species. The eggs are exactly the same or average a trifle larger. Size 2.55 × 1.80. Data.--Iceland, July 6, 1900. Single egg in hole under a rock. Collector, Chas. Jefferys.

14. HORNED PUFFIN. _Fratercula corniculata._