Chapter 16

Range.--Now rare in Florida and along the Gulf coast to Indian Territory. As late as 1885, the Carolina Paroquets were abundant in the South Atlantic and Gulf States, but owing to their wanton destruction by man, they have been exterminated in the greater portion of their range, and now are rarely seen in any locality, and then only in the most unhabitable swamps and thickets. A reliable account of their nesting habits is lacking, as are also specimens of their eggs taken from wild birds. They are said to build rude nests of sticks upon horizontal branches of cypress trees, and to nest in colonies; it is also claimed that they nest in hollow trees, laying from three to five pure white eggs. The one figured is one of three laid in confinement at Washington, D. C., by a pair of birds owned by Mr. Robert Ridgeway. It is 1.31 × 1.06 and was laid July 12, 1892. This set is in the collection of Mr. John Lewis Childs.

382.1. Thick-billed Parrot. _Rhynchopsitta pachyrhyncha._

Range.--Mexico, north casually to the Mexican border of the United States. This large Parrot (16 inches long) has a heavy black bill, and the plumage is entirely green except for the deep red forehead, strips over the eye, shoulder, and thighs, and the yellowish under wing coverts. Their eggs are white and are laid in natural cavities in large trees in forests.

CUCKOOS, TROGANS, KINGFISHERS, ETC. Order XIV.

CUCKOOS, ANIS, ETC. Family CUCULIDAE

383. ANI. _Crotophaga ani._

Range.--Northeastern South America and the West Indies; casual in Florida, and along the Gulf coast; accidental in Pennsylvania.

This species is similar to the next, but the bill is smoother and without grooves. Its nesting habits are the same as those of the more common American species.

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384. GROOVE-BILLED ANI. _Crotophaga sulcirostris._

Range.--Mexico and the border of the United States; common in southern Texas. This odd species has a Cuckoo-like form, but is wholly blue black in color, and has a high thin bill with three conspicuous longitudinal grooves on each side. They build large bulky nests of twigs, lined with leaves and grasses, and located in low trees and bushes. They build in small colonies but do not, as is claimed of the common Ani, build a large nest for several to occupy. They lay from three to five eggs of a greenish blue color, covered with a chalky white deposit. Size 1.25 × 1.00. They are laid in May or June.

385. ROAD-RUNNER. _Geococcyx californianus._

Range.--Western United States from Oregon, Colorado and Kansas, southward; most abundant on the Mexican border, and wintering in central Mexico. This curious species is known as the "Chaparral Cock", "Ground Cuckoo," "Snake-killer," etc. Its upper parts are a glossy greenish brown, each feather being edged or fringed with whitish; the tail is very long, broad and graduated, the feathers being broadly tipped with white. They are noted for their swiftness on foot, paddling over the ground at an astonishing rate, aided by their outstretched wings and spread tail, which act as aeroplanes; their legs are long and have two toes front and two back. Their food consists of lizards and small snakes, they being particularly savage in their attacks upon the latter. They build rude nests of sticks and twigs, in low trees or bushes, and during April or May, lay from four to ten eggs, depositing them at intervals of several days. They are pure white and measure 1.55 × 1.20.

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386. MANGROVE CUCKOO. _Coccyzus minor minor._

Range.--West Indies, Mexico and South America, north regularly to southern Florida.

This species is very similar to our common Yellow-billed Cuckoo, but the whole underparts are deep buff. It is a common species and nests abundantly in the West Indies, but occurs only in limited numbers in southern Florida. Their nests are shallow platforms of twigs and rootlets, placed in bushes and low trees, and upon which they lay three or four pale greenish blue eggs, similar to those of the Yellow-billed species but averaging smaller; size 1.15 × .85.

386a. MAYNARD'S CUCKOO. _Coccyzus minor maynardi._

Range.--Bahamas; accidental on Florida Keys. This is a slightly smaller and paler form than the preceding.

387. YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO. _Coccyzus americanus americanus._

Range.--United States east of the Plains and from southern Canada southward.

This species is generally abundant in all localities in its range, which afford suitable nesting places of tangled underbrush or vines. It may be distinguished from the Black-billed variety by its larger size (12 inches long), blackish tail with broad white tips, and yellowish lower mandible. They are often regarded by the superstitious as forecasters of rain, and as omens, probably because of their gutteral croaking notes.

Their nests are made of twigs, lined with shreds of grape vine bark or catkins; the nests are generally very shabbily made and so flat on the top that the eggs frequently roll off. They are located near the ground in bushes or low trees. The three or four eggs are deposited at intervals of several days, and frequently young birds and eggs are found in the nest at the same time. Like the Flicker, this bird will frequently continue laying if one egg is removed at a time, and as many as twelve have been taken from the same nest, by this means. The eggs are light greenish blue. Size 1.20 × .90. They are usually laid during May or June.

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387a. CALIFORNIA CUCKOO. _Coccyzus americanus occidentalis._

Range.--Western North America, from British Columbia, southward.

Slightly larger and with a stouter bill than the last. Eggs not distinguishable.

388. BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO. _Coccyzus erythrophthalmus._

Range.--United States east of the Rocky Mountains; north to Labrador and Manitoba; south in winter to Central and South America.

This species is rather more common in the northern part of the United States than the Yellow-billed variety. The bird is smaller, has a blackish bill, and the tail is the same color as the back and only slightly tipped with white. Their nests are built in similar locations and of the same materials as used by the Yellow-bill; the three or four eggs are smaller and a darker shade of greenish blue. Size 1.15 × .85. All the Cuckoos are close sitters and will not leave the nest until nearly reached with the hand, when they will slowly flutter off through the underbrush, and continue to utter their mournful "Kuk-kuk-kuk," many times repeated.

388.1. KAMCHATKA CUCKOO. _Cuculus canorus telephonus._

An Asiatic subspecies of the common European Cuckoo, accidentally occurring in Alaska.

TROGONS. Family TROGONIDÆ

389. COPPERY-TAILED TROGON. _Trogon ambiguus._

Range.--Southern Mexico, north to the Lower Rio Grande in Texas and in southern Arizona, in both of which localities they probably breed.

This is the only member of this family of beautiful birds which reaches our borders. This species is 12 inches in length, and is a metallic green color on the upper parts and breast, and with coppery reflections of the middle tail feathers, the outer ones being white, very finely vermiculated with black, as are the wing coverts. The underparts, except for a white band across the breast, are rosy red. This species nest in cavities in large trees, generally in large, deserted Woodpecker holes. They are also said to have been found nesting in holes in banks. Their eggs are three or four in number and are a dull white in color. Size 1.10 × .85.

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KINGFISHERS. Family ALCEDINIDÆ

390. BELTED KINGFISHER. _Ceryle alcyon._

Range.--Whole of North America, breeding from southern United States, northward and wintering from the southern parts of its breeding range, southward.

This well known bird is abundant in all localities near water, where its rattling notes are among the most familiar of sounds. Their food is almost entirely of small fish, which they catch by plunging upon from their perch on an old dead limb overhanging the water, or by hovering in the air like an Osprey. Their nests are located at the end of burrows in sand banks or the banks of creeks and rivers. These tunnels, which are dug by the birds, generally commence two or three feet from the top of the bank and extend back from six to eight feet, either in a straight line or curved; the end is enlarged to form a suitable nesting place, in which from five to eight eggs are laid. They are glossy and pure white in color. Size 1.35 × 1.05. Data.--Lake Quinsigamond, Massachusetts, June 6, 1900. 7 eggs at the end of a 6 foot tunnel in a sand bank. Bird removed by hand from the nest. Collector, C. E. Howe.

390.1. Ringed Kingfisher. _Ceryle torquata._

Range.--Mexico, north casually to the Lower Rio Grande Valley in Texas.

This handsome species is much larger than the Belted Kingfisher and the underparts are nearly all bright chestnut, except the white throat. They nest in river banks the same as the common American species, and the eggs are white, but larger. Size 1.45 × 1.10.

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391. TEXAS KINGFISHER. _Ceryle americana septentrionalis_.

Range.--Southern Texas, south through Mexico.

This variety is much smaller than the Belted, length 8 inches, and is a lustrous greenish above, variously speckled with white, and is white below, spotted with greenish. It is a common and resident species in southern Texas, where it lays its eggs in holes in the banks along streams. The eggs are white and glossy, and measure .95 × .70.

WOODPECKERS. Order XV. PICI.

Family PICIDAE

Woodpeckers are well known birds having sharp chisel-like bills, sharply pointed and stiffened tail feathers, and strongly clawed feet with two toes forward and two back, except in one genus. Their food is insects and grubs, which they get by boring in trees, and from under the bark, clinging to the sides of trunks or the under side of branches with their strong curved nails, aided by the tail, for a prop. They are largely resident where found.

392. IVORY-BILLED WOODPECKER. _Campephilus principalis._

Range.--Locally distributed, and rare, in Florida, along the Gulf coast and north casually to South Carolina and Arkansas.

This is the largest of the Woodpeckers found within our borders, being 20 inches in length. But one other American species exceeds it in size, the Imperial Woodpecker of Mexico, which reaches a length of nearly two feet; as this species is found within a few miles of our Mexican border, it may yet be classed as a North American bird. The present species has a large, heavy, ivory-white bill. They can readily be identified, at a great distance, from the Pileated Woodpecker by the large amount of white on the secondaries. They used to be not uncommonly seen in many sections of the southeast but are now found very locally and only in the largest and remote woods. They nest in holes in large trees in the most impenetrable swamps; laying three, and probably as many as six pure white glossy eggs measuring 1.45 × 1.00.

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393. HAIRY WOODPECKER. _Dryobates villosus villosus._

Range.--United States east of the Plains and from North Carolina to Canada.

The Hairy Woodpecker or its sub-species is found in all parts of North America. The nesting habits and eggs of all the sub-species are not in any way different from those of the eastern bird, consequently what is said in regard to the eastern form will apply equally to all its varieties.

Except during the winter months, this species is not as commonly seen about houses or orchards as the Downy Woodpecker. During the summer they retire to the larger woods to nest, laying their eggs in holes in the trunks or limbs of trees at any height from the ground, and generally using the same hole year after year, and often twice or three times during one season, if the first sets are taken. They lay from three to six glossy white eggs; size .95 × .70. This species can be distinguished from the Downy Woodpeckers by their larger size (9 inches long), and the white outer tail feathers, which are unspotted.

393a. NORTHERN HAIRY WOODPECKER. _Dryobates villosus leucomelas._

Range.--North America, north of the United States.

Slightly larger than the preceding.

393b. SOUTHERN HAIRY WOODPECKER. _Dryobates villosus auduboni._

Range.--Southern United States; north to South Carolina.

Similar to the Hairy Woodpecker, but smaller.

393c. HARRIS'S WOODPECKER. _Dryobates villosus harrisi._

Range.--Pacific coast from California to British Columbia.

Similar to the Hairy but with fewer or no white spots on the wing coverts, and grayish on the underparts.

393d. CABANIS WOODPECKER. _Dryobates villosus hyloscopus._

Range.--Southern California, east to Arizona and south into Mexico. Like the preceding but whiter below.

393e. ROCKY MOUNTAIN HAIRY WOODPECKER. _Dryobates villosus monticola._

Range.--Rocky Mountains from British Columbia south to New Mexico.

Similar to _harrisi_ but slightly larger and pure white below.

393f. QUEEN CHARLOTTE WOODPECKER. _Dryobates villosus picoideus._

Range.--Queen Charlotte Islands, British Columbia.

Like Harris Woodpecker, but with the flanks streaked and the middle of the back spotted with blackish.

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394. SOUTHERN DOWNY WOODPECKER. _Dryobates pubescens pubescens._

Range.--Gulf and South Atlantic States; north to South Carolina.

This species, which is the smallest of the North American Woodpecker (length 6 inches), is similar in plumage to the Hairy Woodpecker, but has the ends of the white, outer tail feathers spotted with black. Like the last species, it is represented by sub-species in all parts of North America, the nesting habits of all the varieties being the same and the eggs not distinguishable from one another. They nest in holes in trees, very often in orchards or trees in the neighborhood of houses. They are not nearly as shy as the Hairy Woodpeckers, and also associate with other birds very freely. The three to six eggs are laid upon the bottom of the cavity, with no lining. The height of the nesting season is during May or June. The white glossy eggs are .75 × .60.

394a. GAIRDNER'S WOODPECKER. Dryobates pubescens gairdneri.

Range.--Pacific coast from northern California to British Columbia.

This sub-species is like the last, but is without spots on the wing coverts and is a dingy white below, differing the same as Harris Woodpecker from the Hairy.

394b. BATCHELDER'S WOODPECKER. _Dryobates pubescens homorus._

Range.--Rocky Mountain region of the United States.

Like the last but whiter below.

394c. DOWNY WOODPECKER. _Dryobates pubescens medianus._

Range.--North America, east of the Plains and north of South Carolina.

Similar to the southern variety but slightly larger and whiter.

394d. NELSON'S DOWNY WOODPECKER. _Dryobates pubescens nelsoni._

Range.--Alaska.

Similar to the northern variety but still larger.

394e. WILLOW WOODPECKER. _Dryobates pubescens turati._

Range.--California except the northern parts and the ranges of the south.

Similar to Gairdner Woodpecker, but smaller and whiter.

395. RED-COCKADED WOODPECKER. _Dryobates borealis._

Range.--Southeastern United States, from South Carolina and Arkansas, southward.

This black and white species may be known from any other because of the uniform black crown and nape, the male having a small dot of red on either side of the crown, back of the eye. They are quite abundant in the Gulf States and Florida, where they nest during April and May, and in some localities in March. They build in hollow trees or stumps at an elevation from the ground, laying from three to six glossy white eggs; size .95 × .70.

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396. TEXAS WOODPECKER. _Dryobates scalaris bairdi._

Range.--Southwestern United States from southern Colorado south to northern Mexico. This species is brownish white below, has the back barred with black and white, and the male has the whole crown red, shading into mixed black and whitish on the forehead. Its habits and nesting are just the same as those of the Downy, but the three or four white eggs, that they lay in April, are larger; size .80 × .65.

396a. SAN LUCAS WOODPECKER. _Dryobates scalaris lucasanus._

Range.--Lower California, north to the Colorado Desert, California.

Very similar to the last; less barring on the outer tail feathers. Eggs the same.

397. NUTTALL'S WOODPECKER. _Dryobates nuttalli._

Range.--Pacific coast from Oregon south to Lower California.

Similar to the Texan Woodpecker but whiter below, with whitish nasal tufts, and the fore part of the crown black and white striped, the red being confined to the nape region. They nest in holes in trees, either in dead stumps or in growing trees, and at any height above ground. During April or May they deposit their white glossy eggs upon the bottom of the cavity. The eggs measure .85 × .65.

398. ARIZONA WOODPECKER. _Dryobates arizonæ._

Range.--Mexican border of the United States, chiefly in Arizona and New Mexico.

This species is entirely different from any others of our Woodpeckers, being uniform brownish above, and soiled whitish below, spotted with black. The male bird has a red crescent on the nape. They are said to be fairly abundant in some sections of southern Arizona. Their nesting habits do not vary from those of the other Woodpeckers found in the same regions, and they show no especial preference for any particular kind of a tree in which to lay their eggs. The nesting season appears to be at its height in April. The pure white eggs average in size about .85 × .60.

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399. WHITE-HEADED WOODPECKER. _Xenopicus albolarvatus._

Range.--Western United States from southern California to southern British Columbia.

This odd species is wholly a dull black color, except for the white head and neck, and basal half of the primaries. They are quite abundant in some localities, particularly in California on mountain ranges. They nest at any height, but the greater number have been found under twenty feet from the ground and in old pine stubs. They lay from four to six glossy white eggs, measuring .95 × .70. They are said to be more silent than others of the Woodpecker family, and rarely make the familiar tapping and never drum. It is claimed that they get at their food by scaling bark off the trees, instead of by boring.

400. ARCTIC THREE-TOED WOODPECKER. _Picoides arcticus._

As implied by their name, members of this genus have but three toes, two in front and one behind. The plumage of this species is entirely black above, and whitish below, with the flanks barred with blackish. The male has a yellow patch on the crown. They breed abundantly in coniferous forests in mountainous regions throughout their range, laying their eggs in cavities in decayed stumps and trees, apparently at any height, from five feet up. The eggs are laid in May or June. Size .95 × .70.

Range.--Northern parts of the United States, north to the Arctic regions.

401. THREE-TOED WOODPECKER. _Picoides americanus americanus._

Range.--From northern United States northward.

The chief difference between this species and the last is in the white on the back, either as a patch or in the form of broken bars. The nesting habits are just the same and the eggs cannot be distinguished from those of the preceding. Both forms are found breeding in the same localities in the Adirondacks and in nearly all other portions of their range.

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401a. ALASKA THREE-TOED WOODPECKER. _Picoides americanus fasciatus._

Range.--Alaska, south to British Columbia and Washington.

Like the last, but with more white on the back. Eggs like the arcticus.

401b. ALPINE THREE-TOED WOODPECKER. _Picoides americanus dorsalis._

Range.--Rocky Mountains from British Columbia south to New Mexico.

Slightly larger than the preceding and with more white on the back, almost entirely losing the barred effect of the American Three-toed variety. They nest chiefly in dead pines, laying four or five white eggs that cannot be distinguished from those of many other species. Size .95 × .70.

402. YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER. _Sphyrapicus varius varius._

Range.--North America, east of the Plains; breeding from Massachusetts northward, and wintering from the Carolinas and Illinois southward.

This species is one of the most handsomely marked of the family; they can easily be recognized by the red crown and throat (white on the female), each bordered by black, and the yellowish underparts. The members of this genus have been found to be the only ones that are really injurious, and these only to a slight extent, to cultivated trees. This species and the two following are the only real "sapsuckers," a crime that is often attributed to the most useful of the family. Their nesting season is during May and June, they then resorting to the interior of the woods, where they deposit their four to seven glossy eggs on the bottom of holes in trees, generally at quite an elevation from the ground. Size of eggs .85 × .60.

402a. Red-naped Sapsucker. _Sphyrapicus varius nuchalis._

Range.--Rocky Mountain region of the United States and southern Canada south to Mexico and west to California.

This variety differs from the last, chiefly in addition of a band of scarlet on the nape in place of the white on the Yellow-bellied species. Coming as it does, midway between the ranges of the preceding species and the following, this variety, with its extension of red on the head and throat, may be regarded somewhat as a connecting link between the two species, but it is perfectly distinct and does not intergrade with either. There appears to be no difference in the nesting habits of the two varieties, except that the present one, according to Bendire, shows a preference to nesting in live aspens. The eggs measure .90 × .65.

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403. RED-BREASTED SAPSUCKER. _Sphyrapicus ruber ruber._

Range.--Pacific Coast from Lower California to Oregon.