A History Of North American Birds; Land Birds - free ebook by Spencer Fullerton Baird

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

LAND BIRDS. VOL. I. CAT BIRD. (Galeoscoptes carolinensis.) Adult. A HISTORY OF NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS BY LAND BIRDS ILLUSTRATED BY 64 PLATES AND 593 WOODCUTS VOLUME I. BOSTON LITTLE, BROWN, AND COMPANY 1905...

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S. F. BAIRD, T. M. BREWER, and R. RIDGWAY

BOSTON LITTLE, BROWN, AND COMPANY 1905 Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1874, BY LITTLE, BROWN, AND COMPANY, in the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington. Printers S. J. Parkhill &amp; Co. , Boston, U. S. A....

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PREFACE.

The present work is designed to meet the want, which has long been felt, of a descriptive account of the Birds of North America, with notices of their geographical distribution, habits, methods of nesting, character of eggs, their popular nomenclature, and other points connected with their life history. For many years past the only systematic treatises bearing upon this subject have been “The American Ornithology” of Alexander Wilson, finished by that author in 1814, and brought down to the date

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INTRODUCTION.

The class of Birds ( Aves ), as represented in the present age of the world, is composed of very many species, closely related among themselves and distinguished by numerous characters common to all. For the purposes of the present work it is hardly necessary to attempt the definition of what constitutes a bird, the veriest tyro being able to decide as to the fact in regard to any North American animal. Nevertheless, for the sake of greater completeness, we may say that, compared with other clas

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Family TURDIDÆ.—The Thrushes.

Saxicolidæ. Wings very long and much pointed, reaching beyond the middle of the short square or emarginated tail, and one and a half times or more the length of the latter. The spurious primary very short, the second quill longer than the fourth. In the closed wing the outer secondary reaches only about two thirds the length of longest primary. Turdidæ. Wings moderate, more rounded, not reaching beyond middle of the often rounded tail, and not more than one and a third the latter, usually more n

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Family CINCLIDÆ.—The Dippers.

Cinclus , Bechstein , Gemein. Naturg. 1802. (Not of Moehring, 1752. Type Sturnus cinclus , L. )— Salvin , Ibis, 1867, 109. (Monograph.) Cinclus mexicanus. 8117 Gen. Char. Bill without any bristles at the base; slender, subulate; the mandible bent slightly upward; the culmen slightly concave to near the tip, which is much curved and notched; the commissural edges of the bill finely nicked towards end. Feet large and strong, the toes projecting considerably beyond the tail; the claws large. Latera

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Family SAXICOLIDÆ.—The Saxicolas.

Genus SAXICOLA , Bechstein . Saxicola , Bechstein , Gemeinnützige Naturg. 1802. (Type, S. œnanthe .) Saxicola œnanthe , Bechst. 18075 Gen. Char. Commissure slightly curved to the well-notched tip. Culmen concave for the basal half, then gently decurving. Gonys straight. Bill slender, attenuated; more than half the length of head. Tail short, broad, even. Legs considerably longer than the head; when outstretched reaching nearly to the tip of tail. Third quill longest; second but little shorter. C

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Family SYLVIIDÆ.—The Sylvias.

Nostrils overhung by bristly feathers. Scutellæ of tarsus not appreciable. Head with a colored central crest … Regulinæ. B. Wings about equal to the graduated tail. Tarsal scutellæ distinct. Above bluish; tail with white spots or patches. Nostrils uncovered. Head plain; either bluish or black above … Polioptilinæ. Subfamily SYLVIINÆ . Char. Size and form of Sylvicolinæ , but with a spurious first primary about one third the second quill. Wings considerably longer than the nearly even or emargina

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Family CHAMÆADÆ.—The Ground-Tits.

The family may, perhaps, be best placed between the Sylviidæ and Paridæ . This family has but one representative ( Chamæa fasciata ), and this confined to the coast region of California. The characters of the genus are those of the family. Genus CHAMÆA , Gambel . Chamæa , Gambel , Pr. A. N. Sc. Phil. III , 1847, 154. (Type, Parus fasciatus .) But one species of this genus has as yet been described. Chamæa fasciata , Gamb. GROUND-TIT; WREN-TIT. Parus fasciatus , Gambel , Pr. A. N. Sc. Aug. 1845,

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Family PARIDÆ.—The Titmice.

Subfamily PARINÆ . The characters of the subfamily will be found sufficiently detailed above. The genera are as follows: — Bill with curved outlines. Head with a long pointed crest. Wings and tail rounded. Body full and large. Tail about equal to wings … Lophophanes. Head with feathers full, but not crested. Wings and tail rounded. Body full. Tail about equal to wings; rounded … Parus. Body slender. Tail much longer than wings; much graduated … Psaltriparus. Bill with outlines nearly straight. H

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Family CERTHIADÆ.—The Creepers.

Certhia americana. 827 ♂ Gen. Char. Plumage soft and loose. Bill as long as head, not notched, compressed; all its lateral outlines decurved. Nostrils not overhung by feathers, linear, with an incumbent thickened scale, as in Troglodytes . No rictal bristles, and the loral and frontal feathers smooth, without bristly shafts. Tarsus scutellate anteriorly, shorter than middle toe, which again is shorter than hind toe. All claws very long, much curved and compressed; outer lateral toe much the long

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Family TROGLODYTIDÆ.—The Wrens.

b. Culmen compressed basally, the interval between the nostrils narrower than the rather depressed anterior half of the bill. Plate on the posterior half of the tarsus broken into smaller scales. Salpinctes. B. Lateral toes equal. c. Length about 8 inches. Campylorhynchus. d. Length less than 6 inches. Bill abruptly decurved or hooked at the tip. Outstretched feet not reaching near to end of tail. Thryothorus. Tail longer than the wing, the feathers black, variegated terminally with whitish … Su

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Family MOTACILLIDÆ.—The Wagtails.

Tail from coccyx considerably longer than the wings, doubly forked. Hind claw shorter than the toe; decidedly curved … Motacilla. Tail from coccyx equal to the wings, slightly graduated. Hind claw decidedly longer than the toe, slightly curved … Budytes. Anthinæ. Tail shorter than the wings, emarginate at end, the two central shorter than lateral; the feathers broadest near the end, and rounding rapidly at end. Above grayish-brown, the feathers edged with paler. Under parts streaked. Wings much

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Family SYLVICOLIDÆ.—The Warblers.

A. Bill conical, its bristles very weak, or wanting. a. Bill sub-conical, the culmen and commissure nearly straight. Sylvicolinæ. Feet weak, not reaching near the end of the tail. Wing pointed, considerably longer than the nearly even or slightly emarginated tail. Feet dark-colored (except in Helmitherus , Helinaia , and Parula ). Arboreal. Geothlypinæ. Feet strong, reaching nearly to end of the tail. Wing rounded. Feet pinkish-white. Terrestrial. b. Bill high and compressed, the culmen and comm

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Family HIRUNDINIDÆ.—The Swallows.

a. Edge of wing smooth. Tarsus short, stout; equal to middle toe without claw; feathered on the inner side above. Nostrils almost or entirely without membrane. Bill stout; culmen and commissure much curved. Frontal feathers without bristles. Tail deeply forked. Color lustrous-black; belly and crissum sometimes white … Progne . Bill rather weaker; commissure and culmen nearly straight to near tip. Frontal feathers bristly. Tail nearly even. Throat, rump, and crissum, and usually forehead, rufous;

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Family VIREONIDÆ.—The Vireos.

Vireo , Vieill. Ois. Am. Sept. I, 1807, 83. (Type, Muscicapa noveboracensis , Gm. ) No great violence will be done by considering all the American Vireos as belonging to one genus, divisible into three subgenera, as, however different the extremes of the series may be from each other, the gradation is quite complete. The North American species take a wide range during their southern winter migration, only paralleled in this respect by the Sylvicolidæ ; they do not visit the West Indies, save as

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Family AMPELIDÆ.—The Chatterers.

Ptilogonatinæ. Horny appendages like red sealing-wax at end of shaft of secondaries. Wings rounded, shorter than the graduated tail. First primary nearly half the second. Gape well bristled. Frontal feathers falling short of the nostrils. No red horny appendage to wing-feathers. Subfamily AMPELINÆ . Char. Legs moderate. Nostrils elongated, linear, with the frontal feathers extending close to the edge and to anterior extremity, concealing them; these feathers short, velvety, and erect, with few b

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Family LANIIDÆ.—The Shrikes.

Lanius , Auct. (not of Linnæus , whose type is L. cristatus ). Collyrio , G. R. Gray .— Baird , Birds N. Am. 1858, 323. Collurio excubitoroides. 38423 Gen. Char. Feathers of forehead stiffened; base of bill, including nostrils, covered by bristly feathers directed forward. Bill shorter than the head, much compressed, and very powerful. Culmen decurved from base, the mandible abruptly bent down in a powerful hook with an acute lobe near the tip. Tip of lower mandible bent upwards in a hook; the g

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Family CÆREBIDÆ.—The Creepers.

Certhiola flaveola , Sund. 38055 Gen. Char. Bill nearly as long as the head; as high as broad at base, elongated, conical, very acute, and gently decurved from base to tip. Culmen uniformly convex; gonys concave. No bristles at base of bill. Tail rounded, rather shorter than the wings. Tarsi longer than the middle toe. Iris brown? Nest pensile and arched. Eggs with yellowish ground dotted thickly with rufous spots. This genus is one of those especially characterizing the West Indies, almost ever

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Family TANAGRIDÆ.—The Tanagers.

Group II. Coræognathæ. Palatine bone broad and rather flat behind, the external angles prolonged, not extended into a vertical plate. Base of bill generally narrower. Primaries nine or ten. This section embraces, of North American forms: — Mniotiltidæ, Motacillidæ, Alaudidæ, Sylviidæ, Turdidæ, Cærebidæ, Hirundinidæ, Ampelidæ, Laniidæ, Troglodytidæ, Certhiidæ, Paridæ, Icteridæ, Corvidæ, all of which have already been described in the present work, with the exception of the last two. The family of

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NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

LAND BIRDS. VOL. II. RED-HEADED WOODPECKER. (Melanerpes erythrocephalus.) Adult male. A HISTORY OF NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS BY LAND BIRDS ILLUSTRATED BY 64 PLATES AND 593 WOODCUTS VOLUME II. BOSTON LITTLE, BROWN, AND COMPANY 1905...

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S. F. BAIRD, T. M. BREWER, and R. RIDGWAY

BOSTON LITTLE, BROWN, AND COMPANY 1905 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. Genus SPIZELLA , Bonap. Spizella , Bonap. Geog. and Comp. List, 1838. (Type, Fringilla canadensis , Lath. ) Spinites , Cabanis , Mus. Hein. 1851, 133. (Type, Fringilla socialis , Wils. ) Spizella monticola. 871 ♂ Gen. Char. Bill conical, the outlines slightly curved; the lower mandible decidedly larger than the upper; the commissure gently sinuated; the roof of the mouth not knobbed. Feet slender; tarsus rather longer than the middle t

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Family FRINGILLIDÆ.—The Finches. (Continued.)

Spinites , Cabanis , Mus. Hein. 1851, 133. (Type, Fringilla socialis , Wils. ) Spizella monticola. 871 ♂ Gen. Char. Bill conical, the outlines slightly curved; the lower mandible decidedly larger than the upper; the commissure gently sinuated; the roof of the mouth not knobbed. Feet slender; tarsus rather longer than the middle toe; the hinder toe a little longer than the outer lateral, which slightly exceeds the inner; the outer claw reaching the base of the middle one, and half as long as its

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Family ALAUDIDÆ.—The Larks.

Crown with a depressed soft crest of feathers, of normal structure; a spurious primary; tail deeply emarginate … Alauda . Crown without a crest, but occiput with an erectile tuft of narrow elongated feathers on each side. No spurious primary; tail square, or slightly rounded … Eremophila . Calandritinæ. Bill broader, more depressed, and straighter at the base; nasal fossæ longitudinal, large, elongated, the nasal opening rather linear. (Old World.) Of the Alaudidæ only the two genera diagnosed a

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Family ICTERIDÆ.—The Orioles.

There are three subfamilies of the Icteridæ ,—the Agelainæ , the Icterinæ , and the Quiscalinæ , [29] which may be diagnosed as follows, although it is difficult to define them with precision: — Agelainæ. Bill shorter than, or about equal to, the head; thick, conical, both mandibles about equal in depth; the outlines all more or less straight, the bill not decurved at tip. Tail rather short, nearly even or slightly rounded. Legs longer than the head, adapted for walking; claws moderately curved.

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Family STURNIDÆ.—The Starlings.

Genus STURNUS , Linnæus . Sturnus , Linn. Syst. Nat., I , ( ed. 10,) 1758, 167. (Type, S. vulgaris .) Gen. Char. Bill long, conical, much depressed; the culmen, gonys, and commissure nearly straight, the latter angulated at base. Wings, twice length of tail; much pointed, the primaries graduating rapidly from the second, the first being rudimentary, the secondaries much shorter. Tail nearly even; the feathers acuminate. Tarsi short; about equal to middle toe; lateral toes equal. Plumage coarse a

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Family CORVIDÆ.—The Crows.

Corvinæ. Bill as long as the head. Tail short, nearly even; wings long and pointed, longer than tail, and nearly reaching its tip; projecting beyond the under tail-coverts, which reach the middle of tail. Tip of wing formed by the third, fourth, and fifth quills, which are longest. Garrulinæ. Bill usually shorter than head. Tail lengthened, rounded, and generally longer than the wings, which are short, rounded, and extend scarcely beyond the lower tail-coverts; these not reaching the middle of t

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Family TYRANNIDÆ.—Tyrant Flycatchers.

The bird fauna of America may be said to have one of its chief features in the great number and variety of its Tyrannidæ , the family being strictly a New World one. Nearly every possible diversity of form is exhibited by different members; the size, however, usually varying from that of our common Robin to that of the Kinglet, our smallest bird with exception of the Humming-Bird. Of the numerous subfamilies, however, only one, the Tyranninæ proper, belongs to North America, and will be readily

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Family ALCEDINIDÆ.—The Kingfishers.

Genus CERYLE , Boie . Ceryle , Boie , Isis, 1828, 316, ch. (Type, Alcedo rudis of Africa.) Ispida , Sw. Birds, II , 1837, 336. (Type, A. alcyon , in part.) Gen. Char. Bill long, straight, and strong, the culmen slightly advancing on the forehead and sloping to the acute tip; the sides much compressed; the lateral margins rather dilated at the base, and straight to the tip; the gonys long and ascending. Tail rather long and broad. Tarsi short and stout. This genus is distinguished from typical Al

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Family CAPRIMULGIDÆ.—The Goatsuckers.

I. Podarginæ. Claw of middle toe not pectinated; outer toe with five phalanges. Sternum with two pairs of posterior fissures. Outer pair of posterior sternal fissures much deeper than inner pair; tarsus long and naked. Eggs colorless. Podargus , Batrachostomus , Ægotheles , Old World. Outer pair of posterior fissures much deeper than inner pair; tarsus extremely short and feathered. Nyctibius , New World. II. Steatornithinæ. Claw of middle toe not pectinated; outer toe with five phalanges. Stern

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Family CYPSELIDÆ.—The Swifts.

Progne subis. In this family, as in the Caprimulgidæ , we find deviations in certain forms from the normal number of phalanges to the toes, which serve to divide it into two sections. In one, the Chæturinæ , these are 2, 3, 4, and 5, as usual; but in the Cypselinæ they are 2, 3, 3, and 3, as shown in the accompanying cut borrowed from Dr. Sclater’s masterly memoir on the Cypselidæ , ( Pr. Zoöl. Soc. London, 1865, 593), which also serves as the basis of the arrangement here presented. Left foot o

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Family TROCHILIDÆ.—The Humming-Birds.

The bill of the Humming-Bird is awl-shaped or subulate; thin, and sharp-pointed; straight or curved; sometimes as long as the head, sometimes much longer. The mandibles are excavated to the tip for the lodgement of the tongue, and form a tube by the close apposition of their cutting edges. There is no indication of stiff bristly feathers at the base of the mouth. The tongue has some resemblance to that of the Woodpecker in the elongation of the cornua backwards, so as to pass round the back of t

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Family CUCULIDÆ.—The Cuckoos.

Coccyginæ. Face covered with feathers; bill elongated, more or less cylindrical, straight or curved. Tail of ten feathers. Bill about the length of the head, or not longer; curved. Loral feathers soft. Legs weak, tarsus shorter than the toes. Arboreal … Coccygus. Bill longer than the head; straight. Loral feathers stiff, bristly. Tarsi much longer than the toes. Terrestrial … Geococcyx. Crotophaginæ. Face naked. Bill much compressed, with a sharp crest. Tail of eight feathers. Bill shorter than

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Family PICIDÆ.—The Woodpeckers.

The Picidæ are found all over the world with the exception of Madagascar, Australia, the Moluccas, and Polynesia. America is well provided with them, more than half of the described species belonging to the New World. The subfamilies of the Picidæ may be most easily distinguished as follows, although other characters could readily be given: — Picinæ. Tail-feathers pointed, and lanceolate at end; the shafts very rigid, thickened and elastic. Picumninæ. Tail soft and short, about half the length o

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NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. LAND BIRDS. VOL. III.

PARAKEET. (Conurus carolinensis.) Adult. A HISTORY OF NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS BY S. F. BAIRD, T. M. BREWER, and R. RIDGWAY LAND BIRDS ILLUSTRATED BY 64 PLATES AND 593 WOODCUTS VOLUME III. BOSTON LITTLE, BROWN, AND COMPANY 1905 Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1874, BY LITTLE, BROWN, AND COMPANY, in the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington. Printers S. J. Parkhill &amp; Co., Boston, U. S. A....

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RAPTORES.1—The Birds of Prey.

The group of birds usually known as the Raptores , or Rapacious Birds, embraces three well-marked divisions, namely, the Owls, the Hawks, and the Vultures. In former classifications they headed the Class of Birds, being honored with this position in consequence of their powerful organization, large size, and predatory habits. But it being now known that in structure they are less perfectly organized than the Passeres and Strisores , birds generally far more delicate in organization, as well as s

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Genera and Subgenera.

A. Inner toe equal to the middle in length; inner edge of middle claw pectinated. First quill longer than the third; all the quills with their inner webs entire, or without emargination. Tail emarginated. Feathers of the posterior face of the tarsus recurved, or pointed upwards. 1. Strix. No ear-tufts; bill light-colored; eyes black; tarsus nearly twice as long as middle toe; toes scantily haired. Size medium. Ear-conch nearly as long as the height of the skull, with an anterior operculum for on

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Genus STRIX, Savigny.

6885 ⅓ Strix pratincola. Gen. Char. Size medium. No ear-tufts; facial ruff entirely continuous, very conspicuous. Wing very long, the first or second quill longest, and all without emargination. Tail short, emarginated. Bill elongated, compressed, regularly curved; top of the cere nearly equal to the culmen, straight, and somewhat depressed. Nostril open, oval, nearly horizontal. Eyes very small. Tarsus nearly twice as long as the middle toe, densely clothed with soft short feathers, those on th

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Genus OTUS, Cuvier.

Char. Size medium. Ear-tufts well developed or rudimentary; head small; eyes small. Cere much arched, its length more than the chord of the culmen. Bill weak, compressed. Only the first, or first and second, outer primary with its inner web emarginated. Tail about half the wing, rounded. Ear-conch very large, gill-like, about as long as the height of the skull, with an anterior operculum, which extends its full length, and bordered posteriorly by a raised membrane; the two ears asymmetrical. A.

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Genus SYRNIUM, Savigny.

Gen. Char. Size varying from medium to very large. No ear-tufts. Head very large, the eyes comparatively small. Four to six outer primaries with their inner webs sinuated. Tarsi and upper portion, or the whole of the toes, densely clothed with hair-like feathers. Tail considerably more than half as long as the wing, decidedly rounded. Ear-orifice very high, but not so high as the skull, and furnished with an anterior operculum, which does not usually extend along the full length; the two ears as

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Genus NYCTALE, Brehm.

Nyctale , Brehm , 1828. (Type, Strix tengmalmi , Gmel. ) Gen. Char. Size small. Head very large, without ear-tufts. Eyes moderate; iris yellow. Two outer primaries only with their inner webs distinctly emarginated. Tarsi and toes densely, but closely, feathered. Ear-conch very large, nearly as high as the skull, with an anterior operculum; the two ears exceedingly asymmetrical, not only externally, but in their osteological structure. Furcula not anchylosed posteriorly, but joined by a membrane.

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Genus SCOPS, Savigny.

Gen. Char. Size small, the head provided with ear-tufts. Bill light-colored; iris yellow. Three to four outer quills with inner webs sinuated. Wings long (more than twice the length of the tail, which is short and slightly rounded); second to fifth quills longest. Toes naked, or only scantily feathered. Ear-conch small and simple. Plumage exceedingly variegated, the colors different shades of brown, with rufous, black, and white, in fine mottlings and pencillings; feathers above and below usuall

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Genus BUBO, Dum.

Gen. Char. Size varying from medium to very large; head with or without ear-tufts. Bill black; iris yellow. Two to four outer quills with their inner webs emarginated. Third or fourth quill longest. Bill very robust, the lower mandible nearly truncated and with a deep notch near the end; cere gradually ascending basally (not arched) or nearly straight, not equal to the culmen. Tail short, a little more than half the wing, slightly rounded. Ear-conch small, simple, without operculum; the two ears

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Genus SURNIA, Duméril.

Surnia , Duméril , Zoöl. Anal. 1806, 34. (Type, Strix ulula , Linn. ) Gen. Char. Size medium; form elongated, and general aspect hawk-like. No ear-tufts. Four outer quills with their inner webs sinuated, the third longest; tail nearly as long as the wing, graduated. Ear-conch small, simple, oval. Bill strong, yellow; eyes small, the iris yellow. Tarsi and toes thickly covered with soft dense feathers; tarsus shorter than the middle toe. Plumage much more compact, and less downy, and remiges and

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Genus GLAUCIDIUM, Boie.

Gen. Char. Size very small; head rather small; bill and feet very strong and robust; no ear-tufts; tail long, about three fourths as long as the wing, rounded. Nostrils circular, opening in the middle of the inflated cere-membrane (except in G. siju ). Tarsus about equal to the middle toe, densely feathered; toes haired. Four outer quills with their inner webs emarginated; third to fourth longest. Ear-conch very small, simple, rounded. Bill yellowish (except in G. phalænoides ?); iris yellow. Th

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Genus MICRATHENE, Coues.

Micrathene , Coues , P. A. N. S. Philad. 1866, 57. (Type, Athene whitneyi , Cooper .) Gen. Char. Size very small (the smallest Owl known); head small, and without ear-tufts. Bill and feet weak. Tail short, less than half the wing, even. Nostril small, circular, opening in the middle of the much inflated ceral membrane. Tarsus a little longer than the middle toe, naked, scantily haired, as are also the toes. Four outer quills with their inner webs sinuated; fourth longest. Ear-conch very small, s

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Genus SPEOTYTO, Gloger.

Gen. Char. Size small; head small, and without ear-tufts. Bill moderately strong, pale yellowish. Tarsi more than twice as long as the middle toe, feathered in front, naked behind; toes scantily haired. Tail short, less than half the wing, nearly even, or very slightly rounded. Three outer quills with their inner webs emarginated; second to fourth longest. Ear-conch very small, simple, roundish. Diurnal and terrestrial. 5896 ½ ½ Speotyto hypogæa. This genus is peculiar to America, where it is di

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NOTE.

The crania of the Owls present many features of interest, which may serve a good purpose in the definition of the sections and the genera, and to which attention has been occasionally called in the preceding pages. The tendency to asymmetry is especially marked in some species, and the better to illustrate this and other features we append several plates, in which the corresponding views are placed side by side. 39 The figures and accompanying lettering tell their own story, without any necessit

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Genera.

A. Nasal bones almost completely ossified, the nostril being a small orifice, with a conspicuous central bony tubercle; its form nearly or quite circular, or linear and oblique (in Polyborus), with its upper end the posterior one Falconinæ . 1. Falco. Nostril circular. Commissure with a prominent tooth and notch; lower mandible abruptly truncated and notched. Primaries stiff and hard, and more or less pointed, the first to the second longest, and the outer one or two with their inner webs cut, t

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Subfamily FALCONINÆ. Genus FALCO, Auct.

National Museum, 4; Boston Society, 2; Mus. Comp. Zoöl., 3; Philadelphia Academy, 4; New York Museum, 2; G. N. Lawrence, 4. Total, 19. Habits. The common Sparrow Hawk of America has an extended distribution throughout the greater portion of North America, although it was not observed by Mr. MacFarlane, nor by any other collectors in the higher Arctic regions, nor was it met with by Mr. Dall in Alaska. Mr. Kennicott found it nesting at Fort Resolution (lat. 62°), on Great Slave Lake, and Mr. Clar

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Genus POLYBORUS, Vieillot.

Gen. Char. General aspect somewhat vulturine, but bearing and manners almost gallinaceous. Neck and legs very long. Bill very high and much compressed, the commissure very straight and regular, and nearly parallel with the superior outline; cere very narrow, its anterior outline vertical and straight. Nostril very small, linear, obliquely vertical, its upper end being the posterior one; situated in the upper anterior corner of the cere. Lateral and under portions of the head naked and scantily h

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Genus PANDION, Savigny.

Gen. Char. Bill inflated, the cere depressed below the arched culmen; end of bill much developed, forming a strong, pendent hook. Anterior edge of nostril touching edge of the cere. Whole of tarsus and toes (except terminal joint) covered with rough, somewhat imbricated, projecting scales. Outer toe versatile; all the claws of equal length. In their shape, also, they are peculiar; they contract in thickness to their lower side, where they are much narrower than on top, as well as perfectly smoot

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Genus NAUCLERUS, Vigors.

Gen. Char. Form swallow-like, the tail excessively lengthened and forked, and the wings extremely long. Bill rather small, and narrow; commissure faintly sinuated; upper outline of the lower mandible very convex, the depth of the mandible at the base being only about half that through the middle; gonys drooping terminally, nearly straight. Side of the head densely feathered close up to the eyelids. Nostril ovoid, obliquely vertical. Feet small, but robust; tarsus about equal to middle toe, cover

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Genus ELANUS, Savigny.

Gen. Char. Bill rather small and narrow, the tip normal; commissure moderately sinuated; upper outline of lower mandible greatly arched, the height at base less than half that through middle; gonys almost straight, declining downward toward tip. Nostril roundish, in middle of cere. Tarsus and toes (except terminal joint) covered with small roundish scales; under surface of claws just perceptibly flattened; sharp lateral ridge on middle claw very prominent; a very slight membrane between outer an

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Genus ICTINIA, Vieillot.

♂ 1485 , R. R. ½ Ictinia mississippiensis. ♂ 1486 , R. R. ¼ Ictinia mississippiensis. 32974 , ♀. ½ 32974 , ♀. ½ 32974 , ♀. ¼ I. plumbea. Gen. Char. Form falcon-like; the neck short, wings long, and pointed, the primaries and rectrices strong and stiff, and the organization robust. Bill short and deep, the commissure irregularly toothed, and notched; gonys very convex, ascending terminally; cere narrow; nostril very small, nearly circular; feet small, but robust; tarsus about equal to middle toe,

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Genus ROSTRHAMUS, Lesson.

Rostrhamus , Less. 1831. (Type, Falco hamatus , Illig. ) Gen. Char. Wings and tail large, the latter emarginated. Bill very narrow, the upper mandible much elongated and bent, the tip forming a strong pendent hook; lower mandible drooping terminally, the gonys straight; the upper edge arched, to correspond with the concavity of the regular commissure. Nostril elongate-oval, horizontal. Tarsus short, about equal to middle toe, with a continuous frontal series of transverse scutellæ; claws extreme

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Genus CIRCUS, Lacepede.

1042 , ♀. ½ ½ ¼ Circus hudsonius. Gen. Char. Form very slender, the wings and tail very long, the head small, bill weak, and feet slender. Face surrounded by a ruff of stiff, compact feathers, as in the Owls (nearly obsolete in some species). Bill weak, much compressed; the upper outline of the cere greatly ascending basally, and arched posteriorly, the commissure with a faint lobe; nostril oval, horizontal. Loral bristles fine and elongated, curving upwards, their ends reaching above the top of

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Genus NISUS, Cuvier.

The average size of the eggs of this bird is 1.56 by 1.94 inches. The color is usually a uniform dull white, but is occasionally tinged with as light bluish shade. They are nearly spherical, though not more so than the eggs of several species, and are equal at either end. Their surface is slightly granulated. The number of the eggs varies from three to four, though occasionally there are five in a nest. The maximum length of the egg of this species is 2.00 inches, the minimum 1.85; the maximum b

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Genus ASTURINA, Vieillot.

Asturina , Vieill. 1816. (Type, Falco nitidus , Latham .) Gen. Char. Somewhat similar to Astur , but of much heavier and more robust build; tarsi longer and stouter, tail shorter and less rounded, wings longer, etc. Bill more elongated than in Astur , the cere longer, and the festoon on the commissure more developed; nostril oval, horizontal. Wings rather short, but less concave beneath than in Astur ; third to fourth quill longest; first shorter than eighth or ninth; four outer quills with thei

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Genus ANTENOR, Ridgway.

42559 , ♀. ¼ 42559 , ♀. ½ 42559 , ♀. ½ Parabuteo harrisi. Gen. Char. Similar to Asturina , but form heavier, the bill and wings more elongated, the tail slightly rounded, and the lores almost naked. Bill very much as in Asturina , but more elongated, the top of the cere longer in proportion to the culmen, and the commissural lobe more anterior; the upper and lower outlines more nearly parallel. Nostril oval, horizontal, with an exposed cartilaginous tubercle. Lores nearly naked, with scant brist

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Genus ONYCHOTES, Ridgway.

Onychotes , Ridgway , P. A. N. S. Philad. Dec. 1870, 142. (Type, O. gruberi , nov. sp.) Gen. Char. Bill short, the tip remarkably short and obtuse, and only gradually bent; cere on top about equal to the culmen, very broad basally in its transverse diameter, and ascending, in its lateral outline, on a line with the culmen; commissure only faintly lobed. Nostril nearly circular, with a conspicuous (but not central or bony) tubercle; cere densely bristled below the nostril, almost to its anterior

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Genus BUTEO, Cuvier.

Gen. Char. Form robust and heavy, the wings long, and rather pointed, the tail moderate and rounded, the bill and feet strong. Bill intermediate between that of Astur and that of Parabuteo . Wing long and rather pointed, the third to fifth quill longest, the first shorter than eighth; three to four with inner webs emarginated. Tail moderate, slightly rounded. 1750 , ♀. ½ 1750 , ♀. 10571 , ♀. ½ 10571 , ♀. ¼ Buteo borealis (1750; 10571). Buteo borealis (1750; 10571). 52763 , ♂. ½ Buteo zonocercus

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Genus ARCHIBUTEO, Brehm.

Char. Similar to Buteo , but bill and feet weaker, wings longer, and tarsi feathers in front, to the toes. Bill small, compressed anteriorly, but very broad through the gape; upper outline of the cere ascending basally; nostril broadly oval, nearly horizontal. Tarsus densely feathered in front and on the sides down to the base of the toes; naked behind, where covered with irregular scales. Tarsus more than twice as long as the middle toe; basal half of the toes covered with small scales; outer t

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Genus AQUILA, Auctorum.

41901 , ♀. ¼ 9128 , ♀. ¼ 41901 , ♀. ¼ 41901 , ♀. ¼ 54338 , ♀. ½ 12006 , ♀. ¼ 19124 , ♀ ? ¼ 54338 , ♀. ½ 12006 , ♀. ¼ 19124 , ♀ ? ¼ Gen. Char. Form robust and structure powerful; the bearing and general aspect that of Buteo and Archibuteo . Wing long, the primaries long and strong, with their emarginations very deep. Tail rather short, slightly rounded or wedge-shaped. Bill stronger than in the preceding genera, its outlines nearly parallel, and the tip somewhat inclined backward at the point; co

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Genus HALIAËTUS, Savigny.

Gen. Char. Form robust, and organization powerful, as in Aquila ; size large. Bill very large, usually somewhat inflated, the chord of the arch of the culmen more than twice the length of the cere on top; commissure with a more or less distinct festoon and sinuation behind it. Nostril oval, obliquely vertical. Feet robust and strong, the tarsus less than one and a half times the middle toe; tarsus feathered in front and on the sides for about one half its length; front of the tarsus and top of t

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Genera and Subgenera.

A. Crop naked. Male with a fleshy crest, or lobe, attached to the top of the cere. Bill very robust and strong, its outlines very convex; cere much shorter than the head. 1. Sarcorhamphus. Entire neck bare; nasal cavity entirely open; posterior claw very thick and strongly curved. Tail even. Sexes different, the female lacking any fleshy caruncles, or appendages, on the head and neck. Frontal lobe, or fleshy crest of male, extending from the anterior border of the cere to the middle of the crown

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Genus PSEUDOGRYPHUS, Ridgway.

Cathartes , Auct. (in part.) Gen. Char. Size very large, and aspect vulturine. Head much elongated, with regular outlines; the entire head and neck bare of feathers, the skin faintly wrinkled, but free from corrugations or caruncles. Nostril small, occupying only the posterior third, or less, of the nasal orifice, its anterior end acute. Plumage beginning at the bottom of the neck in a ruff of lanceolate, acuminate feathers, these continued over the breast and abdomen. Wings very large, the prim

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Genus RHINOGRYPHUS, Ridgway.

Cathartes , Auct. (in part). (Type, Vultur aura , L.) Gen. Char. Size medium (about equal to Neophron ), the wings and tail well developed, the remiges very long and large. Head and upper portion of the neck naked; the skin smooth, or merely wrinkled; a semicircular patch of antrorse bristles before the eye. Nostril very large, with both ends broadly rounded, occupying the whole of the nasal orifice. Cere contracted anteriorly, and as deep as broad; lower mandible not so deep as the upper. Pluma

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Genus CATHARISTA, Vieillot.

Gen. Char. Size of Rhinogryphus , but more robust, with shorter wings, and very different flight. Wings with the remiges abbreviated, the primaries scarcely reaching to the middle of the tail. Tail even, or faintly emarginated. Head and upper portion of the neck naked, the feathers extending farther up behind than in front; naked skin of the side of the neck transversely corrugated; no bristles before the eye. Nostril narrow, occupying only about the posterior half of the nasal orifice, its ante

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NOTE.

The following figures are given to illustrate some of the cranial and sternal peculiarities of the Cathartidæ . 14. 3369. 7260. 1588. 14. 3369. 7260. 1588. 14. 3369. 7260. 1588. 14. 1588. 3369. 260. 14. 3369. 1588. 260. 6373. 9007. 3369. 9007. 3369. 14. 3369. 1588. 260. 6373. 9007. 3369. 9007. 3369. Char. The basal portion of the bill covered by a soft skin, in which are situated the nostrils, overhung by an incumbent fleshy valve, the apical portion hard and convex. The hind toe on the same lev

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Subfamily COLUMBINÆ.

Char. Tarsi stout, short, with transverse scutellæ anteriorly; feathered for the basal third above, but not at all behind. Toes lengthened, the lateral decidedly longer than the tarsus. Wings lengthened and pointed. Size large. Tail-feathers twelve. This section of doves embraces the largest North American species, and among them the more arboreal ones. The genera are as follows:— Columba. Head large; tail short, broad, and rounded. Outer toe much longer than the inner; bill rather short, stout

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Genus COLUMBA, Linnæus.

Columba , Linnæus , Syst. Nat. 1735. (Type, Columba livia , L.) Gen. Char. Bill stout and rather short; culmen from the base of the feathers about two fifths the head. Lateral toes and claws about equal, reaching nearly to the base of the middle claw; the claws rather long, and not much curved. Tail rather short, rounded, or nearly even; as long as from the carpal joint to the end of secondaries in the closed wing. Second and third quills longest. 8741 ♂. ½ ½ Columba fasciata. The genus Columba

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Genus ECTOPISTES, Swainson.

Ectopistes , Swainson , Zoöl. Jour. III, 1827, 362. (Type, Columba migratoria , L.) Gen. Char. Head very small. Bill short, black; culmen one third the rest of the head; feathers of the chin running very far forward; gonys very short. Tarsi very short, half covered anteriorly by feathers. Inner lateral claw much larger than outer, reaching to the base of the middle one. Tail very long and excessively cuneate; above as long as the wings. First primary longest. Black spots on scapulars; a black an

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Genus MELOPELIA, Bonap.

Melopelia , Bonap. Consp. II, Dec. 1854, 81. (Type, Columba leucoptera , L.) Gen. Char. Similar to Zenaida ; the orbital region and lore more naked; the bill longer; the middle toe longer; the hinder shorter. Tarsal scutellæ in a single series anteriorly. First quill nearly as long as the second and third. A large white patch on wing-coverts, lower parts light ashy. This genus, like nearly all the North American ones, is represented by but a single species in the United States. Columba leucopter

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Genus ZENAIDA, Bonap.

Zenaida , Bonaparte , Geog. &amp; Comp. List, 1838. (Type, Columba zenaida , Bp. ) Gen. Char. Bill black; the culmen about two fifths the rest of the head. Tarsi a little shorter than the middle toe and claw, but considerably longer than the lateral toes. Tarsus with broad scutellæ anteriorly, those on the lower half bifid, making two hexagonal series. Inner lateral toe a little the longer. Hind toe and claw as long as the inner lateral without claw. Wings lengthened; second and third quills

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Genus ZENAIDURA, Bonap.

Gen. Char. Bill weak, black; culmen from frontal feathers about one third the head above. Tarsus not quite as long as middle toe and claw, but considerably longer than the lateral ones; covered anteriorly by a single series of scutellæ. Inner lateral claw considerably longer than outer, and reaching to the base of middle. Wings pointed; second quill longest; first and third nearly equal. Tail very long, equal to the wings; excessively graduated and cuneate, of fourteen feathers. The fourteen tai

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Genus SCARDAFELLA, Bonap.

Scardafella , Bon. Conspectus, II, 1854, 85. (Type, Columba squamosa , Temm. ) 33658 ½ ½ Scardafella inca. Gen. Char. Bill lengthened; culmen more than half the length of the head measured from frontal feathers. Feet as in Chamæpelia . Wing with the tertials nearly as long as the primaries; shorter, however, than the first primary. Tail considerably longer than the wing, of twelve feathers, of peculiar shape; the ten middle feathers nearly even, or very slightly decreasing toward the sides, but

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Genus CHAMÆPELIA, Swainson.

Chamæpelia , Swainson , Zool. Jour. III, 1827, 361. (Type, Columba passerina , L.) Gen. Char. Size very small. Bill slender, elongated. Culmen more than half the head measured from frontal feathers. Legs stout. Tarsi longer than lateral toes; equal to the middle without its claw; covered anteriorly by a single series of scutellæ. Wings broad; the tertials excessively lengthened, nearly as long as the primaries, quite equal to the first primary. Tail nearly as long as the wings; rounded laterally

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Genus OREOPELEIA, Reichenbach.

Oreopeleia , Reichenbach , Handbuch der speciellen Ornithol. I, i, 1851, page xxiv. (Type, Columba martinica , L.) Gen. Char. Bill lengthened, slender; culmen half the rest of the head from the frontal feathers. Feet large, stout; tarsi longer than the middle toe and claw, covered anteriorly by transverse scutellæ. Inner lateral claw longer than outer; reaching beyond the base of the middle one, the outer falling short of it. Hind toe and claw more than half the middle. Quills and tail-feathers

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Genus STARNŒNAS, Bonaparte.

Starnœnas , Bonaparte , Geog. &amp; Comp. List, 1838. (Type, Columba cyanocephala , L.) Gen. Char. Bill short; culmen about one third the rest of head, measured from the frontal feathers. Legs very stout and large; tarsus bare on the entire tibial joint, and covered with hexagonal scales, largest anteriorly, longer than the middle toe and claw. Inner lateral claw the larger, reaching the base of the middle claw; all the claws short, thick, and blunt. Hind toe and claw short; half the middle.

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Subfamily PENELOPINÆ.

This is the most extensive section of Cracidæ , embracing, according to Sclater and Salvin, no less than thirty-nine species. The genera indicated are as follows:— A. A central fold of skin on the throat. Outer quills narrow, but entire. Throat feathered … 1. Stegnolæma. Throat naked. Sexes similar … 2. Penelope. Sexes different … 3. Penelopina. Outer quills emarginated. Gular fold short … 4. Pipile. Gular fold lengthened; linear … 5. Aburria. B. No central gular fold. Throat feathered; out

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Genus ORTALIDA, Merrem.

Ortalida , Merrem , Av. rar. Icones et Desc. II, 1786, 40 ( Gray ). (Type, Phasianus motmot , L.) 37977 ♂ ⅓ ⅓ Ortalida maccalli. Of Ortalida , as characterized above, Messrs. Sclater and Salvin enumerate eighteen species; like the rest of the family, all American. Of these only one has so far been detected within our limits, although it is by no means improbable that the O. poliocephala , Wagler (Sclater and Salvin, Pr. Zoöl. Soc. 1870, 537), may yet be detected in New Mexico or Arizona. 112 Ort

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Genus MELEAGRIS, Linnæus.

Meleagris , Linnæus , Syst. Nat. 1735. (Type, Meleagris gallopavo , Linn. ) ¼ ¼ ¼ Meleagris gallopavo. Gen. Char. Legs with transverse scutellæ before and behind; reticulated laterally. Tarsi with spurs. Tail rounded, rather long, usually of eighteen feathers. Forehead with a depending fleshy cone. Head and the upper half of the neck without feathers. Breast of male in most species with a long tuft of bristles. M. gallopavo. Head livid blue, legs red, general color copper-bronze, with copper and

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Genera.

A. Legs feathered to and on the basal membrane of the toes, which are bare. No ruff on the side of the neck, which, however, has an extensible bare space. Canace. Tail broad, nearly even, or truncate, and rounded laterally, two thirds the wing. Nasal fossæ scarcely half the culmen. Centrocercus. Tail excessively lengthened and cuneate; longer than the wings. Nasal fossæ two thirds the culmen. Shafts of feathers on the lower throat very spinous. Pediœcetes. Tail very short, but graduated, and wit

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Genus CANACE, Reichenbach.

Gen. Char. Bill smooth, with no lateral groove, depressed, or broader than high. Feathers of the head and neck all normal, i.e. no crest, nor lengthened plumes of any kind. Tail lengthened (i.e. nearly equal to wing), rounded, the feathers broad to the end; consisting of from sixteen to twenty feathers. Toes naked. Canace. Tail of sixteen feathers; no air-sac on side of the neck. Size small. (Type, T. canadensis , L.) Dendragapus. Tail of twenty feathers; an inflatable air-sac on side of the nec

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Genus CENTROCERCUS, Swainson.

Centrocercus , Swainson , F. B. A. II, 1831, 496. (Type, Tetrao urophasianus , Bon. ) Gen. Char. Tail excessively lengthened (longer than the wings), cuneate, the feathers all lanceolate and attenuate. Lower throat and sides of the neck with stiffened, apparently abraded, spinous feathers. Nasal fossæ extending very far forward, or along about two thirds of the culmen. Color mottled yellowish-grayish and dusky above; beneath whitish with black abdominal patch. Stomach not muscular, but soft, as

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Genus PEDIŒCETES, Baird.

Pediœcetes , Baird , Birds N. Am. 1858, 625. (Type, Tetrao phasianellus , Linn. ) 4543 ♂ ⅓ ⅓ Pediœcetes phasianellus. Gen. Char. Tail short, graduated; exclusive of the much lengthened middle part, where are two feathers (perhaps tail-coverts) with parallel edges and truncated ends half the full rounded wing. Tarsi densely feathered to the toes and between their bases. Neck without peculiar feathers. Culmen between the nasal fossæ not half the total length. P. phasianellus. Above variegated with

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Genus CUPIDONIA, Reichenbach.

Cupidonia , Reichenbach , Av. Syst. Nat. 1850, p. xxix. (Type, Tetrao cupido , L.) Gen. Char. Tail of eighteen feathers, short, half the lengthened wings; the feathers stiffened and more or less graduated. Bare inflatable air-sac of the neck concealed by a tuft of long, stiff lanceolate feathers; an inconspicuous crest on the vertex. Tarsi feathered only to near the base, the lower joint scutellate. Culmen between the nasal fossæ scarcely one third the total length. This genus, as far as known,

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Genus BONASA, Stephens.

Gen. Char. Tail widening to the end, its feathers very broad, as long as the wings; the feathers soft, and eighteen in number. Tarsi naked in the lower half; covered with two rows of hexagonal scales anteriorly, as in the Ortyginæ . Sides of toes strongly pectinated. Naked space on the side of throat covered by a tuft of broad soft feathers. Portion of culmen between the nasal fossæ about one third the total length. Top of head with a soft crest. This genus, in its partly naked tarsi, with two r

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Genus LAGOPUS, Vieillot.

Lagopus , Vieillot , Analyse, 1816. (Type, Tetrao lagopus , L.) Gen. Char. Nasal groove densely clothed with feathers. Tail of sixteen or eighteen feathers. Legs closely feathered to the claws. The northern species snow white in winter. The Ptarmigans inhabit the northern regions of both hemispheres, and with the Arctic fox and hares, the lemmings, and a few other species, characterize the Arctic zone. They are of rare occurrence within the limits of the United States, though farther north they

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Subfamily ORTYGINÆ.

Char. Bill stout, the lower mandible more or less bidentate on each side near the end. The Ortyginæ of Bonaparte, or Odontophorinæ of other authors, are characterized as a group by the bidentation on either side of the edge of lower mandible, usually concealed in the closed mouth, and sometimes scarcely appreciable. The bill is short, and rather high at base; stouter and shorter than what is usually seen in Old World Partridges. The culmen is curved from the base; the tip of the bill broad, and

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Synopsis of Genera found in the United States.

Ortyx. Tail not much more than half the wings; outstretched feet reaching beyond the tail. Oreortyx. Crest-feathers very long, linear; tail scarcely more than half the wings; bill stout; claws blunt, the lateral not reaching the base of the middle claw. Toes of the outstretched foot reaching beyond the tail. Lophortyx. Crest-feathers widening much terminally, and recurved at the ends. Tail nearly or quite as long as wings. Bill rather small. Claws acute, the lateral reaching to the base of middl

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Genus ORTYX, Stephens.

Ortyx , Stephens , Shaw’s Gen. Zoöl. XI, 1819. (Type, Tetrao virginianus , L.) Gen. Char. Bill stout. Head entirely without any crest. Tail short, scarcely more than half the wing, composed of moderately soft feathers. Wings normal. Legs developed, the toes reaching considerably beyond the tip of the tail; the lateral toes short, equal, their claws falling decidedly short of the base of the middle claw. The genus Ortyx embraces numerous species, more or less resembling the well-known Bob-white o

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Genus OREORTYX, Baird.

Oreortyx , Baird , Birds of N. Am. 1858. (Type, Ortyx picta , Douglas .) Gen. Char. Body stout, broad; bill large; a crest of two or three much elongated linear feathers, springing from the middle of the vertex; tail short, broad, scarcely more than half the wing, rounded, the longest feathers not much exceeding the coverts. Legs developed, the claws extending beyond the tip of the tail; the lateral toes short, the outer claw falling considerably short of the base of the middle. Very similar to

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Genus LOPHORTYX, Bonaparte.

Lophortyx , Bonap. Geog. &amp; Comp. List, 1838. (Type, Tetrao californicus , Shaw .) Gen. Char. Head with a crest of lengthened feathers springing from the vertex, the shafts in the same vertical plane, and the webs roof-shaped and overlapping each other; the number varies from two to six or more; they widen to the tip, where they are slightly recurved. Tail lengthened and graduated, nearly as long as the wing, composed of twelve stiff feathers. Wings with the tertials not as long as the pr

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Genus CALLIPEPLA, Wagler.

Callipepla , Wagler , Isis, 1832. (Type, Ortyx squamata , Vig .) Gen. Char. Head with a broad, short, depressed tufted crest of soft, thick feathers springing from the vertex. Other character, as in Lophortyx . Sexes similar. The single United States species is of a bluish tint, without any marked contrast of color. The feathers of the neck, breast, and belly have a narrow edging of black. Ortyx squamatus , Vigors , Zoöl. Journ. V, 1830, 275.— Abert , Pr. A. N. Sc. III, 1847, 221. Callipepla squ

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Genus CYRTONYX, Gould.

Cyrtonyx , Gould , Mon. Odontoph.? 1845. (Type, Ortyx massena , Lesson .) Gen. Char. Bill very stout and robust. Head with a broad, soft occipital crest of short decumbent feathers. Tail very short, half the length of the wings, composed of soft feathers, the longest scarcely longer than the coverts; much graduated. Wings long and broad, the coverts and tertials so much enlarged as to conceal the quills. Feet robust, extending considerably beyond the tip of the tail. Claws very large, the outer

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I. ADDITIONS AND CORRECTIONS.

During the considerable interval of time since the printing of this work was commenced, many additional facts have come to light in regard to the habits and geographical distribution of the land birds of North America; and while several so-called species have proved to be mere races, or even of less rank, some others have been added to the list. The more important of these are herewith subjoined. Most of the new facts here announced are the results of the more recent labors of Captain Charles Be

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II. EXPLANATION OF TERMS USED IN DESCRIBING THE EXTERNAL FORM OF BIRDS.

½ NAT. SIZE . Turdus migratorius , L. N. B. In the figure the adjacent regions are separated by a double bar, with the letters belonging to each affixed. Note. —I am under obligations to Professor Sundevall of Stockholm and Dr. Sclater of London for assistance in correcting and improving the present article.— S. F. Baird. For the purpose of defining the form, markings, coloration, and other peculiarities of birds, the different regions of the body have received names by which intelligible refere

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GLOSSARY OF TECHNICAL TERMS USED IN DESCRIPTIVE ORNITHOLOGY.

Including a number of prominent Anatomical and Physiological Terms. ( Prepared by Dr. Coues. ) Note. —The number in parenthesis refers to the foregoing “Explanation of Terms,” etc. The sign (´) marks accent; n. , noun; a. , adjective; pl. , plural; gen. , genitive. Abdo´men or Ab´domen , n. Belly; part of gastræum between sternum and anus. (63.) Abdom´inal , a. Pertaining to the belly. Abduc´tion , n. Act of carrying a limb away from the axis of the body. Opposed to adduction . Muscles so acting

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