Chapter 12

The Brown-headed Nuthatch is a bird of southern pine forests; one may travel for miles without seeing a single individual and then discover a company of a score or more. They pass most of their time among the upper branches uttering a _pit-pit_ as they hunt for food, or all suddenly joining in a metallic _tnee-tnee-tnee_, when they are apt to take flight to the adjoining trees. The nest is in a hole in a tree or stump, generally near the ground; 5-6 white, heavily marked eggs being laid in March.

TITMICE. FAMILY PARIDÆ

TUFTED TITMOUSE

_Bæolophus bicolor. Case 4, Fig. 67_

A large, gray Titmouse, with a conspicuous crest, black forehead, and reddish brown flanks. L. 6.

_Range._ Nests from the Gulf States north to New Jersey and Nebraska. Resident, except at the northern limit of its range.

Washington, very common P.R., more so in winter. N. Ohio, common P.R. Glen Ellyn, only two records, Apl. 4 and Nov. 19.

The loud _peto, peto, peto_ of the Tufted Tit can be confused only with certain notes of the Carolina Wren, but while skilfull stalking is required to see the Wren, one may walk up and inspect the Tit with little or no caution. When he sees us he may change his call to a hoarse _dee-dee-dee_ which at once betrays his relationship to the Chickadee. The nest is made in a hole, and the 5-8 white, brown-marked eggs are laid in April.

BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEE

_Penthestes atricapillus atricapillus. Case 2, Fig. 37_

Crown black, wing-coverts margined with whitish. L. 5-1/4.

_Range._ Nests from central Missouri and northern New Jersey north into Canada, south, along the Alleghanies to North Carolina; winters south to Maryland.

Washington, rare and irregular W.V., Oct. 19-Apl. 19. Ossining, tolerably common P.R. Cambridge, common P.R., more numerous in fall and winter. N. Ohio, common P.R. Glen Ellyn, fairly common P.R. SE. Minn., common P.R.

While the Chickadee is with us throughout the year, it is during the winter that he takes first place in our affections. Active, cheerful, friendly, he is an ever welcome visitor to our lunch-counters, and often shows complete and winning confidence in us by perching on our hands. His clearly enunciated _chick-a-dee_, with its variations, we accept as his characteristic language, but the sentiment expressed in his two- or three-noted whistle seems to belong to the Pewee rather than the sprightly Black-cap. It is, in fact, often falsely attributed to that bird, even when our books tell us that the Pewee is wintering in the tropics!

The Chickadee nests in holes, usually within ten feet of the ground, laying 5-9 white, brown-speckled eggs in the first half of May.

CAROLINA CHICKADEE

_Penthestes carolinensis carolinensis. Case 4, Fig. 68_

Smaller than the Black-cap; without white margins on the wing-coverts. L. 4-1/2.

_Range._ Southeastern United States, north to northern New Jersey and central Missouri. The south Florida form (_P. c. impiger_) is slightly smaller and darker.

Washington, very common P.R., particularly in winter.

Whether because of a different temperament or because milder winters make him less dependent on man's bounty, the Carolina Chickadee does not show that unquestioning confidence in our good faith which makes the Black-cap so dear to us.

The _chick-a-dee_ note is less clearly and more hurriedly given by the Carolina, and the _pe-wee_ whistle is not so loud and usually consists of four notes instead of two. The nesting habits and eggs of the two species are alike, but the southern bird begins to lay in March.

BROWN-CAPPED CHICKADEE

_Penthestes hudsonicus_

Similar to the Black-cap but crown dark brown; back brownish ashy.

_Range._ Northern New England and Canada; rarely further south in winter. Represented by three races: the Acadian Brown-capped Chickadee (_P. h. littoralis_) of northern New England, New Brunswick. Nova Scotia and Newfoundland; the Labrador Brown-capped Chickadee (_P. h. nigricans_) of Labrador, and the Hudsonian Brown-capped Chickadee (_P. h. hudsonicus_) of the region west of Hudson Bay.

Until recent years the Brown-capped Chickadee was rarely seen far south of its breeding range, but during several winters it has invaded New England in considerable numbers and has been found in the lower Hudson Valley, Long Island, Staten Island and northern New Jersey. At close range an experienced observer may know it by its dark brown head, while Brewster states that its "nasal, drawling, _tchick, chee-day-day_" at once distinguishes it from the Black-cap. All three races have been reported in these winter migrations and only expert examination of specimens can determine whether the little wanderer is from Labrador, New Brunswick, or the country west of Hudson Bay.

OLD-WORLD WARBLERS, KINGLETS AND GNATCATCHERS. FAMILY SYLVIIDÆ

GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLET

_Regulus satrapa satrapa. Case 2, Figs. 62, 63; Case 4, Figs. 72, 73_

Very small, olive-green birds with a flame and yellow crown-patch in the male and a yellow crown-patch in the female. L. 4.

_Range._ Nests from northern New England northward and, in the Alleghanies, south to North Carolina.

Washington, abundant W.V., Sept. 30-Apl. 27. Ossining, common W.V., Sept. 20-Apl. 28. Cambridge, very common T.V., not uncommon W.V., Sept. 25-Apl. 20. N. Ohio, common W.V., Sept. 26-May 4. Glen Ellyn, common T.V., irregular W.V., Sept. 19-May 8. SE. Minn., common T.V., Mch. 30-; Sept. 21-Dec. 1.

It is surprising, in the depth of winter, when in great coat and muffler we keep warm only by vigorous exercise, to see these dainty, feathered mites, unconcerned by the temperature, flitting here and there in their search for insects' eggs and larvæ. They have small fear of man and we may readily approach near enough to hear their thin _ti-ti_ or see their golden-crown. In proportion to its size, this diminutive species lays a larger number of eggs than any other of our birds, as many as 9 or 10 white, brown-marked eggs being laid in their pensile, mossy nest in the latter part of May.

RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET

_Regulus calendula calendula. Case 4. Figs. 70, 71; Case 5. Figs. 36, 37_

A white eye-ring; two whitish wing-bars, no white in the tail; adult male with a ruby crown-patch; absent in females and young. L. 4-1/2.

_Range._ Nests chiefly north of the United States; winters from Virginia and Iowa southward.

Washington, abundant T.V., Apl. 12-May 15; Sept. 25-Nov. 1; occasionally winters. Ossining, common T.V., Apl. 8-May 13; Sept. 16-Nov. 3. Cambridge, rather common T.V., Apl. 12-May 5; Oct. 10-30. N. Ohio, common T.V., Apl, 1-May 23; Sept. 9-Nov. 3. Glen Ellyn, fairly common T.V., Mch. 22-May 19; Sept. 9-Oct. 27. SE. Minn., Mch. 12-; Sept. 18-Oct. 24.

A tiny, olive-green bird, with a large white eye-ring, fluttering actively among the yellowing leaves, uttering from time to time a wren-like _cack_ as he twitches his wings and showing little or no fear of man can be only the Ruby-crown, southward bound. He returns before the trees are clad, as the author of a song as marvelous in volume as it is musical in tone; a whistled song of rare sweetness.

BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER

_Polioptila cærulea cærulea. Case 4. Fig. 69_

A slender, gray mite with a comparatively long tail of which the central feathers are black, the outer ones white. L. 4-1/2.

_Range._ Nests from the Gulf States to southern Wisconsin and southern New Jersey; winters from the Gulf States southward.

Washington, rather common S.R., Mch. 30-Nov. 23. N. Ohio, common S.R., Apl. 20-Sept. 15. Glen Ellyn, not common S.R., Apl. 22-Aug. 20; possibly later. SE. Minn., rare S.R.

In color, form, proportions and voice, the Gnatcatcher may properly be called 'dainty.' His slightly explosive call-note _tin-ng_, is louder than his exquisitely finished, varied, miniature song. The nest is almost as fine in workmanship as a Hummer's. The 4-5 white, thickly speckled eggs, are laid in April and early May.

THRUSHES, BLUEBIRDS, ETC. FAMILY TURDIDÆ

WOOD THRUSH

_Hylocichla mustelina. Case 6, Fig. 74_

Head brighter than tail; underparts _white_, heavily spotted with large, round black dots. Largest of our Thrushes. L. 8-1/4.

_Range._ Nests from Florida and Texas north to central Minnesota and southern New Hampshire; winters in the tropics.

Washington, common S.R., Apl. 10-Oct. 10. Ossining, common S.R., Apl. 30-Oct. 2. Cambridge, locally common S.R., May 10-Sept. 15. N. Ohio, common S.R., Apl. 20-Oct. 1. Glen Ellyn, fairly common S.R., Apl. 30-Sept. 29 SE. Minn., common S.R., May 1-Sept. 19.

Most familiar of our Thrushes. From late April to early August his bell-like notes are heard, not only in the forest, but in wood-bordered village streets and from the shade trees of our lawns. His sharp, pebbly, _pit-pit_, is prominent in the chorus of protesting notes which greet the Screech Owl should he leave his retreat before diurnal birds have gone to bed.

The nest is usually built in small trees about 8 feet from the ground. The 3-5 greenish blue eggs are laid in May. There is a second brood in June.

VEERY

_Hylocichla fuscescens fuscescens. Case 6, Fig. 73_

Upperparts, including tail, uniform cinnamon-brown, breast buff with indistinct brownish spots; sides white. L. 7-1/2.

_Range._ Nests from northern New Jersey and northern Illinois into Canada and south in the Alleghanies to Georgia; winters in the tropics. A closely related western form, the Willow Thrush (_H. f. salicicola_) nests in Minnesota and westward, and migrates through the Mississippi Valley. To the field naturalist it is essentially the Veery.

Washington, common T.V., Apl. 26-June 2. Aug. 18-Sept. 25. Ossining, common S.R., Apl. 29-Sept. 5. Cambridge, locally abundant S.R., May 8-Sept. 5. N. Ohio, common S.R., Apl. 20-Oct. 1. Glen Ellyn, tolerably common T.V., Apl. 24-May 29; Aug. 26-Sept. 3; SE. Minn., common S.R. May 5.

Low, wet woods with considerable undergrowth, where skunk cabbage and hellebore flourish are the home of the Veery. Here he winds his mysterious double-toned spiral song, and here, on the ground, hidden beneath the rank vegetation, he builds his nest. The eggs, laid late in May, resemble those of the Wood Thrush. The Veery's common call is a clearly whistled _wheé-you_, quite unlike the _quirt_ or _pit-pit_ of the Wood Thrush. Except in mountainous regions and some local 'stations,' the Wood Thrush and Veery are the only Thrushes which nest in the eastern United States south of Massachusetts.

GRAY-CHEEKED THRUSH

_Hylocichla aliciæ aliciæ. Case 8, Fig. 82_

Upperparts uniform olive; eye-ring whitish, not buffy as in the Olive-backed Thrush (Case 8, Fig. 81); sides of throat and breast less buffy than in the Olive-back. L. 7-1/2.

_Range._ Nests north of the United States. Bicknell's Thrush (_H. a. bicknelli_) a slightly smaller, southern form, nests in the higher parts of the Catskills, the mountains of northern New York and northern New England, and northward and eastward into Canada; both visit us in migration and both winter in the tropics.

Washington, rather common T.V., May 8-31; Sept. 15-Oct. 20. Ossining, tolerably common T.V., May 15-June 1; Sept. 20-Oct. 17. Cambridge, uncommon T.V., May 18-28; Sept. 15-Oct. 9. N. Ohio, not common T.V., Apl. 29-May 23. Glen Ellyn, common T.V., May 7-June 4; Aug. 26-Oct. 9. SE. Minn., common T.V., May 7-; Sept. 8.

The Gray-cheeked and Bicknell's Thrushes are merely the larger northern and smaller southern forms, respectively, of the same species. They are known in the United States chiefly as migrants and can be distinguished with certainty in life only by an expert under favorable conditions. The larger form is the commoner. The species may be known from the Veery and Wood Thrush by its olive, instead of cinnamon-brown back, and from the Olive-backed Thrush by its whitish eye-ring and paler breast.

Brewster describes the song of the southern form (Bicknell's Thrush) as exceedingly like that of the Veery but more interrupted, while the ordinary call-note is practically identical with the _pheu_ of the Veery. The nest is placed in low trees or bushes. The eggs are greenish blue spotted with brown.

OLIVE-BACKED THRUSH

_Hylocichla ustulata swainsoni. Case 8, Fig. 81_

Upperparts uniform olive; eye-ring buff; breast and sides of the throat deeper than in the Gray-cheeked Thrush. L. 7-1/4.

_Range._ Nests from northern Michigan and northern New England northward into Canada and southward in the mountains to West Virginia; winters in the tropics.

Washington, common T.V., Apl. 19-June 2; Sept. 2-Nov. 1. Ossining, tolerably common T.V., May 2-30; Sept. 19-Oct. 22. Cambridge, common T.V., May 13-28; Sept. 15-Oct. 5. N. Ohio, common T.V., Apl. 22-June 13; Sept. 2-Oct. 24. Glen Ellyn, common T.V., Apl. 23-June 6; Aug. 16-Oct. 24. SE. Minn., common T.V., May 1-; Sept. 25-.

We know this Thrush chiefly as a migrant when, in the latter part of May, and again in September and October, it passes us _en route_ to and from its northern home. At these seasons we may even hear its whistled _puit_ from the sky as it journeys through the night. "Its song," Dwight says, "lacks the leisurely sweetness of the Hermit Thrush's outpourings, nor is there pause, but in lower key and with greater energy it bubbles on rapidly to a close rather than fading out with the soft melody of its renowned rival."

The Olive-back nests in bushes or low trees, and lays 3-4 greenish blue brown-spotted eggs in June.

HERMIT THRUSH

_Hylocichla guttata pallasi. Case 4, Fig. 77; Case 5, Fig. 26_

Back midway in color between Figs. 77 and 26; the tail noticeably brighter, more rusty. L. 7-1/4.

_Range._ Nests from Long Island (locally), the higher parts of Connecticut, and central Minnesota northward to Canada, and southward in the mountains to Maryland; winters from New Jersey and Ohio Valley to the Gulf States and Cuba.

Washington, very common T.V., sometimes not uncommon W.V., Apl. 6-May 17; Sept. 18-Nov. 12. Ossining, common T.V.. Apl. 5-May 9; Oct. 18-Nov. 26. Cambridge, very common T.V., Apl. 15-May 5; Oct. 5-Nov. 15; occasionally one or two may winter; one summer record. N. Ohio, common T.V., Mch. 21-May 10; Oct. 2-28. Glen Ellyn, common T.V., Mch. 18-May 11; Sept. 14-Nov. 1. SE. Minn., common T.V. Apl. 1-; Sept. 13-Oct. 26.

The Hermit is the only one of the Thrushes to winter in the eastern United States and it is, therefore, the first one to reach us in the spring. It comes early in April and takes about a month to complete its migration. It rarely sings at this season and then only an echo of the heavenly music which has won for it first place among American songsters.

We may know the Hermit Thrush by the season in which he visits us, by his reddish brown tail, which he slowly raises and lowers after alighting, and by the low _chuck_ note with which he usually accomplishes this movement.

The Hermit nests on the ground, laying, in the latter part of May, 3-4 greenish-blue eggs, slightly lighter in tint than those of the Wood Thrush.

ROBIN

_Planesticus migratorius migratorius. Case 4, Fig. 80; Case 5, Fig. 12_

In spring and summer the head is blacker, the breast brighter, the bill more yellow than in fall and winter. L. 10.

_Range._ Nests from Virginia (in the mountains, northern Georgia) and northern Mississippi to Labrador and Alaska; winters from New Jersey and Ohio Valley to the Gulf. Birds from the lowlands, from Maryland southward, are somewhat smaller and paler and are known as the Southern Robin (_P. m. achrusterus_).

Washington, rather common S.R., abundant T.V., from Feb-Apl.; irregularly common W.V. Ossining, common S.R., Mch. 4-Oct. 30; a few winter. Cambridge, very abundant S.R., common but irregular W.V. N. Ohio, abundant S.R., Feb. 26-Nov. 30; a few winter. Glen Ellyn, very common S.R., rare W.V., Jan. 25-Nov. 19. SE. Minn., common S.R., rare W.V., Mch. 8-Nov. 11.

The Robin is the best-known and probably most abundant of our native birds. Civilization agrees with him. Man has destroyed many of his enemies and has provided him with a bountiful supply of fruits and a vast area of lawns where worms are at his mercy. Sociable and trustful he has taken up his abode with us and become as much a part of our outdoor life as the flowers in our gardens and trees in our lawns. His varied calls have an intimate association with the hour and season and spring itself speaks through his cheerful song.

Robins show their confidence in us by building their nests in situations where few birds would venture to rear a family, and from mid-April to July they are occupied with household cares.

BLUEBIRD

_Sialis sialis sialis. Case 4, Fig. 78; Case 5, Fig. 13_

The Bluebird's red, white and blue mark him as a truly American bird. L. 7.

_Range._ Nests from the Gulf States to Florida; winters from Connecticut and northern Ohio southward.

Washington, common S.R., and W.V. Ossining, common P.R. Cambridge, common S.R., Mch. 6-Nov. 1; more numerous during migrations, in Mch. and Nov. N. Ohio, common S.R., Feb. 17-Nov. 18; a few winter. Glen Ellyn, fairly common S.R., Feb. 19-Nov. 18. SE. Minn., common S.R., Mch. 16-Oct. 31.

Not many years ago the Bluebird was as familiar as he was welcome about our homes; but too gentle to battle effectively with English Sparrows and Starlings for the possession of bird houses, he has sought such nesting sites in the orchard as the 'tree surgeons' have left. If we would not lose this bird, "beloved of children, bards and spring," who wears our national colors so modestly, we must supply him with a home in which he may rear his family in peace. It may be placed not only in our garden, but also in the orchard where it is less likely to be occupied by Sparrows or Starlings. It should be erected not later than March 15, for the Bluebird's bluish white eggs are laid in the first half of April.

INDEX

Blackbird, Bahama Red-wing, 50 Cow. _See_ Cowbird Crow. _See_ Grackles, Purple and Bronzed Florida Red-wing, 50; Case 4, Figs. 28, 29 Red-winged, 49, Case 5, Figs. 5, 6 Rusty, 52; Case 5, Figs. 3, 4 Yellow-headed, 49; Case 6, Fig. 45

Black-cap, Wilson's. _See_ Warbler, Wilson's

Bluebird, 134; Case 4, Fig. 78; Case 5, Fig. 13

Bobolink, 48; Case 7, Figs. 13, 14

Bob-white, 1; Case 1, Figs. 1, 2 Florida, 2; Case 3, Figs. 1, 2

Bull-bat. _See_ Nighthawk

Bunting, Bay-winged. _See_ Sparrow, Vesper Black-throated. _See_ Dickcissel Indigo, 79; Case 7, Figs. 23, 24 Painted, 79; Case 6, Figs. 49, 50 Snow, 61; Case 2, Fig. 57

Butcher-bird. _See_ Shrike, Northern

Buzzard, Turkey, 6; Case 3. Fig. 9

Canary, Wild. _See_ Goldfinch

Caracara, Audubon's, 18

Cardinal, 77; Case 4, Figs. 34, 35 Florida, 78 Kentucky. _See_ Cardinal

Catbird, 117; Case 4, Fig. 81; Case 6, Fig. 71

Cedar-bird. _See_ Waxwing, Cedar

Chat, Yellow-breasted, 113; Case 8, Fig. 49

Chebec. _See_ Flycatcher, Least

Cherry-bird. _See_ Waxwing, Cedar

Chewink. _See_ Towhee

Chickadee, Acadian, 127 Black-capped, 125; Case 2, Fig. 37 Brown-capped, 127 Carolina, 126; Case 4, Fig. 68 Florida, 126 Hudsonian, 127 Labrador, 127

Chicken, Prairie, 3

Chippy. _See_ Sparrow, Chipping Winter. _See_ Sparrow, Tree

Chuck-will's-widow, 33; Case 6, Fig. 40

Clape. _See_ Flicker

Cowbird, 48; Case 5, Figs. 8, 9

Creeper, Black and White. _See_ Warbler, Black and White Brown, 122; Case 2, Fig. 59

Crossbill, American, 58; Case 2, Figs. 49, 50 White-winged, 58; Case 2, Figs. 51, 52

Crow, 46; Case 1, Fig. 19; Case 3, Fig. 27 Carrion. _See_ Vulture, Black Fish, 46 Florida, 46

Cuckoo, Black-billed, 25; Case 7, Fig. 2 Yellow-billed, 25; Case 7, Fig. 1

Darter, Little Blue. _See_ Hawk, Sharp-Shinned Big Blue. _See_ Hawk, Cooper's

Dickcissel, 80; Case 7, Fig. 20

Dove, Carolina. _See_ Dove, Mourning Ground, 5; Case 3, Fig. 4 Mourning, 5; Case 3, Fig. 3; Case 5, Fig. 11 Turtle. _See_ Dove, Mourning

Eagle, Bald, 14; Case 3, Fig. 11 Golden, 14

Falcon, Peregrine, 16

Finch, Grass. _See_ Sparrow, Vesper Lark. _See_ Sparrow, Lark Pine. _See_ Siskin, Pine Purple, 57; Case 2, Figs 32, 33; Case 4, Figs. 48, 49

Firebird. _See_ Oriole, Baltimore

Flicker, Northern, 32; Case 2, Figs. 21, 22; Case 3, Fig. 20 Southern, 32

Flycatcher, Acadian, 41; Case 8, Fig. 60 Alder, 41; Case 8, Fig. 62 Crested, 38; Case 7, Fig. 5 Least, 42; Case 6, Fig. 44 Olive-sided, 39; Case 8, Fig. 59 Traill's, 42 Yellow-bellied, 40; Case 8, Fig. 61

Gnatcatcher, Blue-gray, 129; Case 4, Fig. 69

Goldfinch, 60; Case 2, Figs. 35, 36; Case 4. Figs. 50, 51

Goshawk, 11

Grackle, Boat-tailed, 54 Bronzed, 53; Case 5, Fig. 2 Florida, 53; Case 4, Fig. 74 Purple, 53; Case 5, Fig. 1

Grosbeak, Blue, 78; Case 6, Figs. 52, 53 Cardinal. _See_ Cardinal Evening, 55 Pine, 56; Case 2, Figs. 53, 54 Rose-breasted, 78; Case 7, Figs. 25, 26

Grouse, Canada. _See_ Partridge, Spruce Canada, Ruffed, 3 Pinnated. _See_ Chicken, Prairie Ruffed, 2; Case 1, Fig. 3 Spruce. _See_ Partridge, Canada Spruce

Gyrfalcon, 15 Black, 15 Gray, 15 White, 15

Hair-bird. _See_ Sparrow, Chipping

Hang-nest. _See_ Oriole, Baltimore

Harrier. _See_ Hawk, Marsh

Hawk, Broad-winged, 13 Chicken. _See_ Hawks, Red-shouldered and Red-tailed Cooper's, 10; Case 1, Figs. 9, 10 Duck, 16 Fish, 18; Case 3, Fig. 14 Florida Red-shouldered, 13 Florida Sparrow, 17 Harlan's, 11 Hen. _See_ Hawks, Red-shouldered and Red-tailed Killy. _See_ Hawk, Sparrow Krider's, 11 Marsh, 9; Case 3, Fig. 15 Pigeon, 16 Red-shouldered, 12; Case 1, Fig. 4; Case 3, Fig. 12 Red-tailed, 11; Case 1, Figs. 5, 6; Case 3, Fig. 13 Rough-legged, 14 Sharp-shinned, 9; Case 1, Figs. 11, 12; Case 3, Figs. 7, 8 Sparrow, 17; Case 1, Figs. 7, 8; Case 3, Figs. 5, 6

Hen, Heath, 4 Mud. _See_ Rail, Clapper and Coot, American Prairie. _See_ Chicken, Prairie

High-hole. _See_ Flicker

Hummingbird, Ruby-throated, 36; Case 7, Figs. 3, 4

Indigo-bird. _See_ Bunting, Indigo

Jackdaw. _See_ Grackle, Boat-tailed

Jay, Blue, 44; Case 2, Fig. 20 Canada, 45 Florida, 44 Florida Blue, 44; Case 4, Fig. 75 Scrub, 44

Joree. _See_ Towhee

Junco, Carolina, 73 Slate-colored, 73; Case 2, Fig. 43; Case 4, Fig. 41

Kingbird, 37; Case 7, Fig. 6 Gray, 37; Case 7, Fig. 7

Kingfisher, Belted, 26; Case 3, Fig. 18; Case 5, Fig. 10

Kinglet, Golden-crowned, 127; Case 2, Figs. 62, 63; Case 4, Figs. 72, 73 Ruby-crowned, 128; Case 4, Figs. 70, 71; Case 5, Figs. 36, 37