127 chapters
6 hour read
Selected Chapters
127 chapters
BIRD BIOGRAPHIES A GUIDE-BOOK FOR BEGINNERS
BIRD BIOGRAPHIES A GUIDE-BOOK FOR BEGINNERS
An Introduction to 150 Common Land Birds of the Eastern United States BY ALICE E. BALL Author of “A YEAR WITH THE BIRDS” ILLUSTRATED BY ROBERT BRUCE HORSFALL Painter of Backgrounds in Habitat, Groups American Museum of Natural History New York City 56 COLORED PLATES NEW YORK DODD, MEAD AND COMPANY 1923 NEW YORK DODD, MEAD AND COMPANY 1923 Copyright, 1923. By DODD, MEAD & COMPANY, Inc. PRINTED IN U. S. A. VAIL-BALLOU COMPANY BINGHAMTON AND NEW YORK TO MY FRIEND ELIZABETH JONES IN LOVING A
38 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
In the “Foreword” of this book I express my grateful appreciation to Dr. A. K. Fisher and Mr. E. H. Forbush for permission to use extracts from published works. I wish to add my thanks to Dr. Charles Richmond and Mr. Joseph Riley of the National Museum of Washington, for their courtesy in furnishing me with bird-skins from the National Museum collections and a copy of the A. O. U. Check-list of 1910, used for the descriptions and ranges of the birds described in the text. I am indebted to Dr. Jo
5 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
SPRING TWILIGHT
SPRING TWILIGHT
“Surely thus to sing, Robin, Thou must have in sight, Beautiful skies behind the shower, And dawn beyond the night. Would thy faith were mine, Robin! Then, though night were long All its silent hours would melt Their shadow into song.” Beautiful memories that soothed pain came to Helen Hunt Jackson at the mere shadow of a bird’s wing across her darkened window. Bird-song bowed Lucy Larcom’s heart in reverence: “Then will the birds sing anthems: for the earth and sky and air Will seem a great cat
5 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
WINTER BIRDS Permanent Residents and Winter Visitors
WINTER BIRDS Permanent Residents and Winter Visitors
Most people are surprised to learn that about sixty species of birds may be seen in the north-central part of Eastern North America during the winter months. Many of us, if questioned, would affirm that sparrows, crows, and jays are the only winter birds to be found. If some one opens for us the door which leads out into the great bird-world, we may say, as did the writer of the old couplet: “I hearing get, who had but ears, And sight, who had but eyes before,” and we may then find, even during
2 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
PERMANENT RESIDENTS
PERMANENT RESIDENTS
WINTER RESIDENTS or WINTER VISITANTS are birds that breed farther north and move southward during the winter months to obtain food. They may arrive in the fall and remain until spring....
9 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
WINTER RESIDENTS AND VISITORS
WINTER RESIDENTS AND VISITORS
Grebes, Loons, Auks, Cormorants, Snowy Owls, and several species of Gulls and Ducks may also be found during the winter months in the vicinity of New York City. Length : About 11½ inches; 1½ inch longer than the robin; tail, over 5 inches long. General Appearance : A crested grayish-blue bird, with bright blue wings and tail , barred and tipped with black and white. In flight, the long tail is conspicuous; it resembles a pointed fan. Male and Female : Grayish-blue above, grayish-white below, lig
4 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
FLORIDA JAYS
FLORIDA JAYS
Two species of jays are found in Florida. One, called the FLORIDA BLUE JAY , resembles its northern relative, except that it is somewhat smaller (10½ inches), is less brilliant in color, and has narrower, less conspicuous white tips to its feathers. These jays frequent live-oak trees. A flock of six or eight on the ground searching for acorns, is pleasing to the eye, but not to the ear. A second species is called the FLORIDA JAY . The top and sides of its head are a grayish-blue ; its neck, wing
43 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
PACIFIC COAST JAYS
PACIFIC COAST JAYS
Two species of jays are common in California and its neighboring states. One, the STELLER JAY , enjoys a good reputation. It differs from its better-known relatives in appearance, also. Its head , crest , throat , breast , and back are a brownish-black ; its belly and rump are light blue , its wings and tail purplish-blue, barred with black. It is a shy bird and does not often approach the haunts of man. Its food is very like that of other jays, but its habits bring no condemnation upon it. [7]
2 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
THE CANADA JAY
THE CANADA JAY
The CANADA JAY is similar in form and size to its blue relatives, but has the coloring of a northern winter landscape—gray, black, and white. This jay has no crest; the back of its head and nape are black; the forehead and neck are white; the upper parts are gray, with darker gray wings and tail; under parts, light gray; tail, long; plumage, fluffy and fur-like. This bird is found in the forests of Canada and in the northern part of the United States, where it is most common in the coniferous fo
6 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
THE RAVEN
THE RAVEN
The NORTHERN RAVEN so resembles the crow that it is often difficult to distinguish them. The chief differences are the raven’s much greater size (from 22 to 26½ inches), and its note, which sounds more like Croak than Caw . This is the raven found in Alaska, northern Canada, and Greenland,—the bird especially revered by Alaskan Indians. It is found also in the northern United States,—in the state of Washington, in Minnesota, the Adirondacks, and elsewhere. Major Charles Bendire, in his “Life His
58 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
THE CARDINAL Cardinal Grosbeak, Redbird, Virginia Nightingale
THE CARDINAL Cardinal Grosbeak, Redbird, Virginia Nightingale
( Cardinals belong to the Grosbeak group of the large Finch or Sparrow Family, or the Fringillidæ. ) Length : About 8¼ inches; slightly smaller than the robin. General Appearance : Brilliant rose-red plumage; crested head and thick beak. Male : A soft cardinal red, except for a black throat, a black band encircling bill, and, in winter, a grayish tinge to wings. Bill large, heavy, and light red. Red crest conspicuous; it may be raised and lowered at will. Tail long and slender; it is twitched ne
2 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
THE PINE GROSBEAK Finch Family—Fringillidæ
THE PINE GROSBEAK Finch Family—Fringillidæ
Length : A little over 9 inches; slightly larger than his cousin, the cardinal, and nearly an inch smaller than the robin. General Appearance : A red bird with brown and white wings, a brown tail, and a heavy beak . Male : A bright raspberry-red, deepest on the head , breast , rump , and upper tail-coverts ; the rest of the body a slaty gray, lighter underneath, with a soft red breast ; wings dark brown, edged with white, forming two broad wing-bars; tail forked; beak large and strong, with a sm
4 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
THE LEGEND OF THE CROSSBILL
THE LEGEND OF THE CROSSBILL
On the cross the dying Saviour Heavenward lifts his eyelids calm, Feels, but scarcely feels, a trembling In his pierced and bleeding palm. And by all the world forsaken, Sees He how with zealous care At the ruthless nail of iron A little bird is striving there. Stained with blood and never tiring With its beak it doth not cease; From the cross ’twould free the Saviour, Its Creator’s Son release. And the Saviour speaks in mildness: “Blest be thou of all the good! Bear, as token of this moment, Ma
47 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
THE WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILL
THE WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILL
The White-winged Crossbill is similar to the Red Crossbill, but its body is a dull crimson instead of red , and its black wing-feathers are so tipped with white as to form two broad white wing-bars . The female is olive-green, gray underneath, with a yellow rump, dark wings and tail, white wing-bars, and dark streaks on head, breast, and back. This crossbill breeds in Canada, south to the Adirondacks, White Mountains, and Maine. Its note is a soft cheep ; its song a gentle warble. To see a flock
37 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
THE JUNCO OR SLATE-COLORED SNOWBIRD Finch Family—Fringillidæ
THE JUNCO OR SLATE-COLORED SNOWBIRD Finch Family—Fringillidæ
Length : About 6¼ inches; slightly smaller than the English sparrow. General Appearance : Trim, dainty little birds, all gray and white, except for a pinkish or flesh-colored bill. White outer tail-feathers , showing in flight, are distinguishing marks. Male : Dark slate-gray above and white below. The gray extends to the center of the breast in a nearly horizontal line, and with the white under parts, gives the effect of the birds’ having waded breast-deep in the snow, or having been sliced in
2 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
THE SNOWFLAKE OR SNOW BUNTING Finch Family—Fringillidæ
THE SNOWFLAKE OR SNOW BUNTING Finch Family—Fringillidæ
Length : A little less than 7 inches; slightly larger than the junco and the English sparrow. General Appearance : A brown, black, and white bird; the white is conspicuous on wings and tail , especially in flight. The bird has a characteristic way of “hugging the ground” when walking or running—it does not hop. Male and Female : In winter : head brown on top, lighter on neck; white on sides of head, with a brown thumb-mark below eye; back brown, streaked with black; throat and belly white; a bro
5 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
THE TREE SPARROW
THE TREE SPARROW
When lordly Winter stalks abroad With trailing robes of snow, That hide the lovely tender things His icy breath lays low; When grasses, shrubs, and hardy weeds Hold high their heads, and mock Their tyrant lord,—from Northland woods There come a merry flock Of feathered songsters, soft and brown With a dark spot on each breast. They sway on stalk of golden-rod Above a snowdrift’s crest. Their voices ring like tinkling bells Beneath the wintry sky, Till April, when with joyous songs Back to the No
3 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
THE BOBWHITE OR QUAIL American Partridge Family—Odontophoridæ
THE BOBWHITE OR QUAIL American Partridge Family—Odontophoridæ
Length : About 10 inches; the same length as the robin, but the quail has a stouter body and a shorter tail. General Appearance : A plump, mottled brown bird, with a small head, short bill, and short tail. Male: Upper parts reddish-brown and chestnut-brown, mottled with black, gray, and buff; head slightly crested; forehead and line above eye white , line extending to neck; black patch below eye, that curves to enclose white throat and forms a band below it; under parts whitish, barred with blac
7 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
THE RUFFED GROUSE Grouse Family—Tetraonidæ
THE RUFFED GROUSE Grouse Family—Tetraonidæ
Length : About 17 inches. Male : Upper parts reddish-brown, with black, yellowish, gray, and whitish markings; large tufts or “ruffs” of glossy black feathers at the sides of the neck. Tail long and broad, gray and reddish-brown, mottled and barred with black, and a broad blackish band near the end; when spread, the tail resembles a fan. Under parts buffy, becoming white, with black bars that are indistinct on breast and belly, and darker on the sides; a broken band on the breast. Female : Simil
7 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
THE BOHEMIAN WAXWING
THE BOHEMIAN WAXWING
The Bohemian Waxwing is very similar to its cousin, the Cedar Waxwing, in color and markings, but may be distinguished by its larger size , (8 inches), by reddish-brown feathers under the tail, by the absence of yellow on the breast, by a crown that is reddish-brown in front , and by yellow and white markings on the wings . In note, feeding habits, and other characteristics, it resembles the Cedar-bird. This larger species of waxwing is found in the colder regions of the whole Northern Hemispher
38 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
THE TUFTED TITMOUSE OR TOMTIT Titmouse Family—Paridæ
THE TUFTED TITMOUSE OR TOMTIT Titmouse Family—Paridæ
Length : About 6 inches; a little smaller than the English sparrow. General Appearance : A slender, active, gray and white bird, with a crest . Its reddish-brown sides are not visible at a distance. The titmouse need never be confused with the waxwing; it is much smaller, and lacks the yellow and red markings on tail and wings. Male and Female : Head conspicuously crested; crest gray and pointed; forehead black; bill short, sharp, black; back, wings, and tail gray; under parts whitish, with a re
2 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
THE CHICKADEE OR BLACK-CAPPED TITMOUSE Titmouse Family—Paridæ
THE CHICKADEE OR BLACK-CAPPED TITMOUSE Titmouse Family—Paridæ
Length : About 5¼ inches. General Appearance : A very active little gray and white bird, with a black cap and throat and dull yellowish sides. Male and Female : Head and throat a glistening black; sides of head white; bill small, black, sharp-pointed; back a soft brownish-gray; wings and tail gray, edged with white; breast white, becoming yellowish at the sides below the wings. Song : Chick-a-dee-dee-dee , uttered with gurgles and chuckles, and with variations. Call-notes : Day’-day , and a whis
3 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
THE GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLET Old World Warbler Family—Sylviidæ
THE GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLET Old World Warbler Family—Sylviidæ
Length : About 4 inches; smaller than the chickadee. Male : Olive-green above, grayish-white underneath; crown with a bright red center, bordered on each side by bright yellow , and by a black stripe that edges the yellow; a light line over the eye; wings and tail brown; tail forked. Female : Like male, but without the red in the center of the yellow-and-black crown. Call-note : A weak tzee, tzee , highly pitched. Song : William Brewster, in the Auk for 1888, describes the song as follows: [It]
2 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
THE CAROLINA WREN Wren Family—Troglodytidæ
THE CAROLINA WREN Wren Family—Troglodytidæ
Length : About 5½ inches; the largest of the six more common eastern wrens. Male and Female : Reddish-brown above; no bars or streaks , except on wings and tail, and occasionally underneath the body, near the tail; a long light line over the eye, extending to the shoulders ; under parts buff with a brownish wash; throat white. Notes : “Wren-like chucks of annoyance or interrogation,” and “a peculiar fluttering k-r-r-r-r-uck , which resembles the bleating call of a tree-toad.” [33] Song : A loud
2 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
THE WINTER WREN Wren Family—Troglodytidæ
THE WINTER WREN Wren Family—Troglodytidæ
Length : About 4 inches; the same size as the golden-crowned kinglet. Male and Female : Similar in appearance to the house wren, but smaller and with a shorter tail; body brown, mostly barred with fine, black lines; light line over the eye; under parts darker than those of the house wren, with a buff wash across throat and breast. Song : A very beautiful song, unusually loud for so small a bird. Those fortunate enough to hear it are extravagant in their praise. Mr. Eaton calls it the sweetest me
1 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
THE DOWNY WOODPECKER Woodpecker Family—Picidæ
THE DOWNY WOODPECKER Woodpecker Family—Picidæ
Length : A little over 6½ inches; the smallest of our woodpeckers. General Appearance : A small black and white bird, with a white stripe extending down the middle of its back ; a red patch on back of male’s head. The tail is used for a prop as the woodpecker climbs tree-trunks. Male : Upper parts black and white; crown of head black with red patch at nape ; two broad white stripes above and below eye; a broad white stripe down the center of back ; wings spotted and barred with white; tail sharp
5 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
THE HAIRY WOODPECKER Woodpecker Family—Picidæ
THE HAIRY WOODPECKER Woodpecker Family—Picidæ
Length : About 9½ inches; nearly ⅓ larger than the Downy, whom he resembles almost identically as to general appearance, except in SIZE . Male : Black and white above; white underneath; broad white stripe down the middle of the back ; head with black and white stripes, a red patch at the back, and bristles at the bill; wings black, with white stripes and bars; tail black, with white outside feathers; the absence of black flecks on the tail-feathers and the larger size of the bird distinguishes t
2 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
THE WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCH Nuthatch Family—Sittidæ
THE WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCH Nuthatch Family—Sittidæ
Length : About 6 inches. General Appearance : A short, thickset bird, blue-gray, black, and white. Bill long; tail short and square. Male : Mostly bluish-gray above; white underneath, shading to reddish-brown at sides and under tail; top of head and nape a shining blue-black; sides of head and throat white; wings gray shading to brown, edged and tipped with light gray or white; shoulders gray and black; bill large and strong, (¾ of an inch in length); tail short and square-cut; middle feathers b
4 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
THE RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH Nuthatch Family—Sittidæ
THE RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH Nuthatch Family—Sittidæ
The Red-breasted Nuthatch is very similar to its white-breasted cousin except that it is smaller, (4½ to 5 inches), and is yellowish or “ rusty ” underneath , (except for a white throat), has a white stripe on each side of its black crown , and a black stripe extending through the eye . The head of the female is gray, with white and gray stripes. This species is not so well known as the white-breasted nuthatch, because it frequents coniferous forests or woods that contain evergreens. It breeds f
1 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
THE BROWN CREEPER Creeper Family—Certhiidæ
THE BROWN CREEPER Creeper Family—Certhiidæ
Length : About 5½ inches. Male and Female : Brown above, mottled with gray, buff, and white; under parts white. A whitish line over eye ; bill long, curved; a bar of buff across wings; tail-feathers long, sharply pointed ; upper tail-coverts bright reddish-brown . Note : A faint, monotonous, skreek-skreek, skreek-skreek . Song : According to Brewster, the brown creeper sings an unusually sweet song during the nesting season. Habitat : Tree-trunks, which are carefully inspected by these industrio
2 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
THE STARLING Starling Family—Sturnidæ
THE STARLING Starling Family—Sturnidæ
Length : About 8½ inches. General Appearance : A short-tailed, long-billed black bird with flecks of brown that look like freckles. Male and Female : Head purple, flecked with light brown spots; body purple and green, the purple predominating on back and sides, the green on the breast. In summer, the upper parts and sides are speckled, the breast and belly dark, and the bill yellow . In winter, the upper parts are spotted with light brown, the under parts with white; the bill is brown until Janu
3 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
THE NORTHERN SHRIKE OR BUTCHER-BIRD Shrike Family—Laniidæ
THE NORTHERN SHRIKE OR BUTCHER-BIRD Shrike Family—Laniidæ
Length : A little over 10 inches. Male and Female : Gray above, lighter underneath; forehead, rump, and upper tail-coverts white; wings black, irregularly marked with white; tail black, bordered with white; a heavy black streak extending from the bill beyond the eye ; bill hooked and blackish. Notes : A call-note and a sweet song. Habitat : Fields or roadsides where it can find insects, small rodents, and little birds for its prey. Range : Northern North America. Breeds from northwestern Alaska
2 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
EARLY SPRING BIRDS
EARLY SPRING BIRDS
On a mild day late in February or early in March, before winter is really over and snow has entirely disappeared, one may hear the cheerful voice of the song sparrow, the welcome chirp of the robin, or the sweet note of the bluebird. Even though ice and snow return, courage is renewed with the advent of winged messengers who presage the ever fresh miracle of spring, and who hold home-love in their hearts so strong that they brave cold and distance to return to the “Land of Their Hearts’ Desire.”
2 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
Dates of Arrival of “Summer Visitants” Near New York City
Dates of Arrival of “Summer Visitants” Near New York City
February 15 to 28 Purple Grackle Rusty Blackbird Red-winged Blackbird Robin Winter Residents and Visitants BIRDS SEEN IN MARCH Winter Residents Leaving For The North Snowflake Northern Shrike Horned Lark Redpoll Migrants Arriving From The South Loon 4 species of Ducks March 1 to 10 Purple Grackle Red-winged Blackbird Rusty Blackbird Robin March 10 to 20 Phœbe Meadowlark Cowbird Fox Sparrow Woodcock March 20 to 31 Kingfisher Mourning Dove Swamp Sparrow White-throated Sparrow Wilson’s Snipe BIRDS
5 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
DESCRIPTIONS AND BIOGRAPHIES THE AMERICAN ROBIN Thrush Family—Turdidæ
DESCRIPTIONS AND BIOGRAPHIES THE AMERICAN ROBIN Thrush Family—Turdidæ
Length : 10 inches. Male : Head black; bill yellow; a white spot above and below eye; throat white, streaked with black; back and wings gray; tail black, with white spots near tips of outer feathers; white beneath tail; entire breast and sides reddish-brown; color less brilliant in autumn and winter, and bill darker. Young Female : Paler than male. Young : Similar to female, except for speckled breasts and backs. Call-note : A sharp tut , used to express anger or alarm; also a sweet tender note,
6 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
THE BLUEBIRD Thrush Family—Turdidæ
THE BLUEBIRD Thrush Family—Turdidæ
Length : About 6½ to 7 inches. General Appearance : Upper parts bright blue; under parts reddish-brown; no crest . Male : Head, back, and tail bright blue; wings blue, edged with black; in the fall, edged with reddish-brown; throat, breast, and sides reddish-brown; white from center of breast to tail. Female : Similar to male, but paler; wings and tail brightest in flight. Young : Grayish-blue, speckled with whitish; wings and tail bluish. Call-note : An indescribably sweet rendering of the syll
6 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
THE SONG SPARROW
THE SONG SPARROW
“See? See? See? The herald of spring you see! What matters if winds blow piercingly! The brook, long ice-bound, struggles through Its glistening fetters, and murmurs anew With joy at the freedom the days will bring When the snow has gone! And I, too, sing! “See? See? See? A flush of color you see! The tassels are hung on the budding tree, Before it has drawn its curtain of leaves To shade the homes of the birds. Now weaves The silent spring a carpet fair, With wind-flower and hepatica there. “Se
48 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
THE FOX SPARROW Finch Family—Fringillidæ
THE FOX SPARROW Finch Family—Fringillidæ
Length : A little over 7 inches; about an inch longer than the English sparrow, and nearly as large as a hermit thrush. Male and Female : Upper parts reddish-brown, brightest on lower back and tail . (The red-brown tail is a distinguishing mark of the fox sparrow as it is of the hermit thrush.) Under parts grayish-white; throat , breast , belly , and sides heavily and irregularly streaked with reddish-brown and black, except the middle of the belly, which is white. Note : A faint seep or cheep .
4 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
THE BLACK PHŒBE
THE BLACK PHŒBE
The Black Phœbe is found from Texas west to the Pacific coast. It catches flies persistently and well deserves its family name. In appearance it resembles the slate-colored junco, for it has a dusky head, back, wings, tail, and breast, with a white belly. Professor Beal writes of this bird as follows: “The black phœbe has the same habits as its eastern relative, both as to selection of food and nesting sites, preferring for the latter purpose some structure of man, as a shed, or, better still a
4 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
THE BRONZED GRACKLE
THE BRONZED GRACKLE
The Bronzed Grackle, like the Purple Grackle, has a purple head, but has a bronzed back without iridescent bars . It is found in central and eastern North America from Great Slave Lake to Newfoundland in Canada, south to Montana and Colorado, (east of the Rockies), and southeast to the northern part of the Gulf States, western Pennsylvania, New York, and Massachusetts. It winters mainly from the Ohio Valley to southern Texas....
20 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
THE FLORIDA GRACKLE
THE FLORIDA GRACKLE
The Florida Grackle is abundant from South Carolina to Florida, and west along the Gulf Coast to southeastern Texas. It is similar to the Purple Grackle in appearance, but is smaller in size. Flocks of these grackles frequent groves of palmettoes and live-oaks....
12 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
THE BOAT-TAILED GRACKLE
THE BOAT-TAILED GRACKLE
The Boat-tailed Grackle, the largest member of the blackbird family, (16 inches long), has wonderful violet reflections on head and neck. The female is much smaller and is brownish. This grackle is found in the South Atlantic and Gulf States from Chesapeake Bay to Florida and west to the eastern coast of Texas, and like the red-winged blackbird seems to prefer the vicinity of water....
18 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
THE RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD American Blackbird Family—Icteridæ
THE RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD American Blackbird Family—Icteridæ
Length : About 9½ inches; length varies in different individuals. Male : Jet black, except shoulders, which are scarlet edged with yellow ; plumage mottled in winter—upper parts edged with rusty brown; bill long, sharp-pointed, black; legs and feet black; eyes dark. Female : Head and back blackish, rusty brown, and buff. Light streak over and under eye; throat yellowish; under parts streaked with black and white; wings brown, edged with buff; tail brown. Plumage inconspicuous, but attractive on
3 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
THE COWBIRD American Blackbird Family—Icteridæ
THE COWBIRD American Blackbird Family—Icteridæ
Length : About 8 inches. Male : Glossy black, with a brown head, neck, and breast; some metallic reflections on body, tail, and upper wing-feathers. Smaller than the grackle , with a shorter tail, less iridescence, and dark eyes . Like the grackle, the cowbird is a walker. Female : Dark brown, with a grayish tinge; under parts lighter, especially the throat, which has two dark streaks outlining the light patch. Call-note : A loud chuck . Song : No real song, only a disagreeable gurgle, that is e
2 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
THE MEADOWLARK Called also Field Lark and Old Field Lark American Blackbird Family—Icteridæ
THE MEADOWLARK Called also Field Lark and Old Field Lark American Blackbird Family—Icteridæ
Length : About 10¾ inches, a little larger than the robin; bill 1½ inches. General Appearance : A large brown bird, with a short tail that shows conspicuous white feathers at each side in flight. The bright yellow breast crossed by a black crescent is less frequently seen. Male and Female : Upper parts dark brown, mottled with black and buff; head striped, with a light line through the center and a yellow line over each eye, alternating with two dark stripes; cheeks gray; throat, breast, and bel
5 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
THE NORTHERN FLICKER OR GOLDEN-WINGED WOODPECKER Woodpecker Family—Picidæ
THE NORTHERN FLICKER OR GOLDEN-WINGED WOODPECKER Woodpecker Family—Picidæ
Length : About 12 inches; one of our largest common birds. General Appearance : A large brown bird with a red patch on the back of the head , conspicuous white rump and yellow lining of wings , which distinguish it from the brown meadowlark with its white tail-feathers. Male : Top of head and neck gray; a crescent of red across nape ; cheeks and throat pinkish-brown, separated by black patches ; strong bill 1½ inches long; under parts pinkish-brown and white, heavily spotted with black ; a black
5 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
THE RED-HEADED WOODPECKER Woodpecker Family—Picidæ
THE RED-HEADED WOODPECKER Woodpecker Family—Picidæ
Length : About 9¾ inches; nearly as large as a robin. General Appearance : A black and white bird with entire head and neck bright red . Male and Female : Head, neck, throat, and upper part of the breast brilliant red; upper part of back and wings black; longer wing-feathers or primaries also black; lower back and secondary wing-feathers white; under parts white; tail pointed, black, margined with white. In flight, the areas of red, black, and white are very distinct. Young : Brown heads and nec
3 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
THE RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER Woodpecker Family—Picidæ
THE RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER Woodpecker Family—Picidæ
Length : About 9½ inches. Male : Crown of head and back of neck bright red , resembling slightly that of the red-headed woodpecker, but throat and cheeks gray ; back and wings barred with white, the barring reminding one of the flicker. Under parts gray mashed with red ; tail black and white; upper tail-coverts white, streaked with black. Female : Crown gray, nostrils and neck bright red. Notes : Mr. Frank Chapman writes of this woodpecker: “It ascends a tree in a curious, jerky fashion, accompa
2 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
THE YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER Woodpecker Family—Picidæ
THE YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER Woodpecker Family—Picidæ
Length : About 8½ inches, larger than the Downy, and smaller than the Red-headed woodpecker. General Appearance : A medium-sized bird, with bars , stripes , and patches of black and white. The scarlet crown , the black band across the breast , and the scarlet throat of the males are distinguishing marks. Male : Crown and throat bright red; bill long; head with broad black and white stripes, extending to neck. The black stripe beginning at bill unites with a black crescent that encloses red throa
5 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
THE MOURNING DOVE Pigeon Family—Columbidæ
THE MOURNING DOVE Pigeon Family—Columbidæ
Length : Nearly 12 inches; tail 5½ inches. General Appearance : A large, plump, grayish-brown bird, with a small head, a black mark below the ear , and a long pointed tail , in contrast to the round, fan-shaped tail of tame pigeons. Male : Upper parts a soft grayish-brown, except the head, which is bluish-gray on the crown, with a pinkish-buff forehead, and the wings, which have long, gray primaries. Sides of neck beautifully iridescent , with a small black spot below the ear , an identification
2 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
THE BELTED KINGFISHER Kingfisher Family—Alcedinidæ
THE BELTED KINGFISHER Kingfisher Family—Alcedinidæ
Length : About 13 inches—a rather large, stocky bird. General Appearance : A large bluish-gray and white bird, with a very large crested head , a long bill , and a short tail. Male : Bluish-gray above, becoming darker on the wings; a ragged-looking crest on an unusually large head; a white spot in front of each large dark eye; small flecks on the wings; tail bluish-gray, flecked and barred with white; throat white , a band of white extending nearly around the neck; a broad band of bluish-gray ex
3 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
THE FIELD SPARROW Finch Family—Fringillidæ
THE FIELD SPARROW Finch Family—Fringillidæ
Length : About 5½ inches. General Appearance: A small brown bird with a reddish back and bill , and a buff breast without spots or streaks . Male and Female : Top of head reddish-brown; sides of head, nape of neck, and line over eye gray; bill reddish-brown; back reddish-brown, streaked with black and gray; rump brownish-gray; wings and tail brown, some wing-feathers edged with gray; sides and breast washed with buff . Song : A sweet trill, consisting of the syllable dee repeated a number of tim
2 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
THE VESPER SPARROW
THE VESPER SPARROW
When the meadows are brown or flushed with green And the lark’s glad note rings clear,— When the field sparrow’s voice like a silver bell Chimes a melody sweet to hear,— A small brown bird with bay-capped wings And feathers white in his tail, Flutters along by a roadside hedge And alights on a zigzag rail, And breathes forth a song entrancing, Of a beauty surpassed by few— A wistful, plaintive, minor strain— “O Sweetheart, I love you!” A wistful, plaintive, minor strain— “O Sweetheart, I love yo
1 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
THE CHIPPING SPARROW Finch Family—Fringillidæ
THE CHIPPING SPARROW Finch Family—Fringillidæ
Length : A little over 5 inches; the smallest of our common sparrows. Male and Female : Crown reddish-brown, bill black; a black line extending through the eye ; a gray line above the eye ; back, wings, and tail brown; tail forked; rump gray; breast pale gray without streaks or spots . In the fall, the reddish crown becomes brown, streaked with black. Call-note : Chip-chip. Song : A monotonous trill, Chippy-chippy-chippy-chippy-chippy-chippy-chippy , more like the metallic sound made by a locust
3 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
THE WHITE-THROATED SPARROW Finch Family—Fringillidæ
THE WHITE-THROATED SPARROW Finch Family—Fringillidæ
Length : About 6¾ inches. General Appearance : One of the larger sparrows, with a black and white striped crown , a white throat , and a yellow spot before the eye . Male and Female : Striped crown, with a narrow white line in the center , a broad black stripe on each side of the white; a broad white stripe over the eye edged with a narrow black line; a yellow spot in front of the eye , and at the outer curve of the wing. Back brown, streaked with black; rump and tail grayish-brown; wings with t
1 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
THE WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW Finch Family—Fringillidæ
THE WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW Finch Family—Fringillidæ
Length : Nearly 7 inches; a little larger than the white-throated sparrow. Male and Female : Crown white , bordered on each side by a broad black stripe that extends from bill in front of the eye; a broad white stripe borders each black stripe; a narrow line of black borders the white. No yellow on head or wing like that of the white-throated sparrow. Cheeks, neck, throat, and under parts gray; belly white, sides buff; back, wings, and tail brown; back streaked; wings with two white bars. Song :
1 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
THE PURPLE FINCH Finch Family—Fringillidæ
THE PURPLE FINCH Finch Family—Fringillidæ
Length : About 6¼ inches; a little smaller than the English sparrow. Adult Male : Body largely raspberry- or rose-red, streaked with brown. For two seasons the male is a brown sparrowlike bird, with a yellowish-olive chin and rump; the third season his body seems to have been washed with a beautiful red, not purple , the color richest on his head, breast, and rump. Head slightly crested; bill thick, with bristles at nostrils; cheeks and back brownish; under parts grayish-white; wings and tail br
3 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
THE TOWHEE OR CHEWINK CALLED ALSO GROUND ROBIN AND CHAREE Finch Family—Fringillidæ
THE TOWHEE OR CHEWINK CALLED ALSO GROUND ROBIN AND CHAREE Finch Family—Fringillidæ
Length : About 8½ inches; smaller than the robin and larger than the oriole. General Appearance : A black bird with reddish-brown sides , black breast , and white belly ; outer tail-feathers tipped with white . Male : Head, back, throat, and breast, a glossy black; wings black, outer feathers edged with white; tail black, outer edge of outer feather white; three other feathers partly white, decreasing in size toward middle of tail; belly white; eyes dark red . Female : Brownish, where male is bl
2 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
LATER SPRING BIRDS
LATER SPRING BIRDS
Spring comes with a rush in some parts of our country and remains but a short time, so closely does Summer follow in her footsteps. But in New England, New York, northern Pennsylvania, Ohio, and neighboring states, her approach is more gradual and restrained. When maple and red-bud have laid aside their corals and fruit-trees have donned their robes of white and shell-pink; when the woods show again a flush of tender green, Spring arrives. She has long been heralded by early choristers; she is n
1 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
DESCRIPTIONS AND BIOGRAPHIES THE TREE SWALLOW Swallow Family—Hirundinidæ
DESCRIPTIONS AND BIOGRAPHIES THE TREE SWALLOW Swallow Family—Hirundinidæ
Length : About 6 inches. General Appearance : Bluish-green above; pure white underneath, from beak to tail; tail not deeply forked ; wings very long. Male and Female : Back, a dark, glistening green, giving this swallow the name of “The Green-backed Swallow”; the snowy white under parts give it the names of “White-breasted Swallow” and “White-bellied Swallow.” The green and white are about equally distributed; the green on the head resembles a close-fitting skull-cap, pulled down below the eyes.
2 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
THE BARN SWALLOW Swallow Family—Hirundinidæ
THE BARN SWALLOW Swallow Family—Hirundinidæ
Length : About 7 inches; an inch longer than the tree swallow because of longer tail; body nearly the same size. General Appearance : Upper parts a glossy bluish-black; under parts reddish-brown and buff; tail deeply forked. Male : Forehead and throat bright reddish-brown; breast, belly, and feathers under wings a light brown, becoming buffy; breast and throat separated by an indistinct dark band; upper parts a shimmering bluish-black; tail very deeply forked—the proverbial “swallow-tail”; round
2 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
THE PURPLE MARTIN Swallow Family—Hirundinidæ
THE PURPLE MARTIN Swallow Family—Hirundinidæ
Length : About 8 inches, the largest of the six common species of swallow. Wings nearly 6 inches long—very large when spread. Male : Glossy purplish-black head, body, and shoulders; wings and tail duller. No reddish-brown or white. Tail forked. Female : Bluish-black head and back; black wings and tail; brownish-gray throat, neck, and sides, mottled with white-tipped feathers; belly, grayish-white. Young : Similar to female. Note : A sweet, rich, joyous warble. Mr. Forbush describes it as “a full
2 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
THE CLIFF OR EAVE SWALLOW Swallow Family—Hirundinidæ
THE CLIFF OR EAVE SWALLOW Swallow Family—Hirundinidæ
Length : About 6 inches; one inch smaller than the barn swallow, and two inches smaller than the martin. General Appearance : A multi-colored swallow—a sort of combination of barn swallow and martin, with areas and patches of dark blue, chestnut, gray, and white, and bright reddish-brown upper tail-coverts , that differentiate it from the other swallows. Male and Female : Forehead creamy white, head bluish-black; throat and cheeks reddish-brown; a brownish ring about the neck shading to gray; ba
1 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
THE BANK SWALLOW Swallow Family—Hirundinidæ
THE BANK SWALLOW Swallow Family—Hirundinidæ
Length : A little over 5 inches; the smallest of the six common swallows. General Appearance : Brownish-gray above; band of same color across breast ; throat and under parts white. The gray head and white throat form a cap similar in effect to that of the tree swallow. Note : A twitter, less pleasing than that of the martin and the barn swallow. Habitat : Sandy banks of rivers, and shores of lakes. Nests : In holes made in sand-banks. Range : North and South America. Breeds from the tree-regions
1 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
THE CHIMNEY SWIFT Swift Family—Micropodidæ
THE CHIMNEY SWIFT Swift Family—Micropodidæ
Length : About 5½ inches; wings nearly 5 inches long. General Appearance : In the sky, the swift looks unlike any other bird. The wings are long and flap like those of a mechanical toy-bird. The tail appears rounded , not forked , like those of swallows. Male and Female : Brownish-gray, lighter gray on throat; a black spot before each eye; wings longer than tail; tail short, with ribs of the feathers extending beyond the vanes, giving the effect of sharp needle- or pin-points. The bird has a soo
4 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
THE WHIP-POOR-WILL Goatsucker Family—Caprimulgidæ
THE WHIP-POOR-WILL Goatsucker Family—Caprimulgidæ
Length : Nearly 10 inches; wings 7 inches long. General Appearance : A mottled brown bird with a narrow white band around throat, and white outer tail-feathers . “He seems a lichen on a log, A dead leaf on the ground.” Male and Female : Soft brown, irregularly mottled and barred with black, buff, and white. Throat dark with a narrow curve of white in the male, and one of buff in the female. Beak short, slightly hooked, and very wide (1½ inches), with long bristles at the sides. Breast dark, bell
3 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
THE NIGHTHAWK Goatsucker Family—Caprimulgidæ
THE NIGHTHAWK Goatsucker Family—Caprimulgidæ
Length : 10 inches; wings 7¾ inches. General Appearance : A large dark bird, with a white throat , a white band across the tail , and very long wings , on each of which is a large white spot or bull’s-eye , unfortunately a target, like the white rump of the flicker. Male : Black above, mottled with buff and white; under parts lighter (becoming whitish), barred with black; throat with a tent-shaped white patch below the very wide bill; upper breast black; tail notched, a white band extending acro
3 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
THE HOUSE WREN Wren Family—Troglodytidæ
THE HOUSE WREN Wren Family—Troglodytidæ
Length : About 4¾ inches. Male and Female : Cinnamon-brown above, reddish-brown on the rump and tail. Back with fine indistinct bars; wings and tail with heavier bars; under parts grayish-white washed with brown, lighter on throat and breast; sides, and feathers under tail, barred with black; tail frequently held upright. Notes : Sharp scolding notes. Song : A sweet bubbling song. The notes are poured forth with joyous abandon and tireless energy. Habitat : Near the homes of man preferably, thou
2 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
THE RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD Hummingbird Family—Trochilidæ
THE RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD Hummingbird Family—Trochilidæ
Length : About 3¾ inches; bill over ½ inch. Male : Iridescent green above; gray below, with a glint of green, especially on the sides; wings and tail brown, with slight iridescence; throat brilliant ruby,—brownish in some lights; tail forked . Female : Similar to male, but without ruby on throat , which is flecked with minute brownish spots; tail-feathers of nearly even length , outer feathers with white tips. Note : No song—only a faint squeak. Habitat : Open country; cultivated tracts of land,
4 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
THE INDIGO-BIRD OR INDIGO BUNTING Finch Family—Fringillidæ
THE INDIGO-BIRD OR INDIGO BUNTING Finch Family—Fringillidæ
Length : About 5½ inches. Male : Head and throat deep, purplish blue, becoming lighter on back and above tail; wings and tail a brownish black, edged with blue. Winter plumage, brownish like the female, mottled with blue. Female : Brown above, darker on wings and tail; no streaks on back ; breast grayish, washed and faintly streaked with brown ; belly lighter. The female resembles her sparrow relatives, but may be distinguished by a glint of blue in her tail and wings. Call-note : A sharp chip .
1 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
THE BALTIMORE ORIOLE American-Blackbird Family—Icteridæ
THE BALTIMORE ORIOLE American-Blackbird Family—Icteridæ
Length : About 7½ inches. Male : Head, throat, neck, and upper half of back black; breast, belly, shoulders, lower half of back and outer tail-feathers brilliant orange ; wings black, many feathers edged with white; half of middle tail-feathers black; others largely orange; bill long, slender, sharp. Female : Upper parts grayish-olive, washed with yellow and mottled with black on head and back; under parts, tail, and rump dull orange, paler at throat, which is sometimes marked with black; wings
4 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
THE ORCHARD ORIOLE American Blackbird Family—Icteridæ
THE ORCHARD ORIOLE American Blackbird Family—Icteridæ
Length : About 7 inches. Adult Male : Breeding Plumage : Head, throat, neck, and upper half of back black; breast, belly, shoulders, lower half of back a bright chestnut brown; wings and tail dark brown; wing-feathers tipped or edged with white, forming a bar across wing. The winter plumage is different from the breeding plumage; the male passes through several changes as he matures. Female : Olive-green above, darkest on head and back, dull yellow below; wing-feathers tipped with white, forming
1 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
THE SCARLET TANAGER Tanager Family—Tangaridæ
THE SCARLET TANAGER Tanager Family—Tangaridæ
Length : About 7 inches. General Appearance : A bright scarlet body, with black wings and tail; no crest. Male : Scarlet and black in breeding plumage; after the molt, olive and yellow, with black wings and tail ; wings white underneath. The male does not acquire red plumage until the second year. While molting, the adult male has irregular patches of olive and yellow mixed with his red feathers, giving a curious effect. Female : Olive-green above; yellowish-olive below, brightest on throat; win
2 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
THE ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK Finch Family—Fringillidæ
THE ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK Finch Family—Fringillidæ
Length : A little over 8 inches. General Appearance : A black and white bird, with a rose-colored breast and heavy, flesh-colored beak . Male : Head, throat, and back black; rump and under parts white, except on breast and under wings , which are a beautiful rose-red ; wings black, with bars and patches of white; tail black; outer feathers with white tips to their inner webs. The winter plumage is slightly different from the summer plumage. Female : A soft grayish-brown, streaked with white, buf
3 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
THE BLUE GROSBEAK Finch Family—Fringillidæ
THE BLUE GROSBEAK Finch Family—Fringillidæ
Length : 7 inches; indigo bunting, 5½ inches. Male : Body a deep blue, almost black on the back; chin and cheeks black; bill heavy; tail black, edged with blue; wings black, tipped with bright brown, giving the effect of one broad and one narrow wing-bar. Winter plumage, rusty brown mottled with blue. Female : Grayish-brown above, more or less washed with blue; wings brown, barred with buff; under parts washed with buff. Song : A sweet grosbeak warble. Range : Eastern North America. Breeds from
52 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
THE EVENING GROSBEAK Finch Family—Fringillidæ
THE EVENING GROSBEAK Finch Family—Fringillidæ
Length : 8 inches; 3 inches larger than the goldfinch. Male : Forehead bright yellow; crown of head black; body olive-brown, with yellow on shoulders, rump, and belly; wings black and white; tail forked, black; bill heavy and yellowish. Female : Brownish-gray, tinged with yellow underneath; wings black and white; forked tail black, tipped with white. Range : Central North America. Breeds in western Alberta; winters in the interior of North America east of the Rocky Mts., more or less irregularly
1 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
THE BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK Finch Family—Fringillidæ
THE BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK Finch Family—Fringillidæ
The Black-headed Grosbeak has cinnamon-brown upper parts, breast, band about the neck, and rump; yellow belly, black head, wings, and tail; wings with two white bars and a white patch; tail with white tips. Female brownish-black and buff above; under parts tawny and yellow, streaked with dark; chin, sides of throat, and line over eye whitish. “The Black-headed Grosbeak takes the place in the West of the rosebreast of the East, and, like it, is a fine songster. Like it, also, the blackhead readil
48 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
THE BOBOLINK American Blackbird Family—Icteridæ
THE BOBOLINK American Blackbird Family—Icteridæ
Length : A little over 7 inches. Male : Spring or Breeding plumage : Crown, sides of head, throat, and other under parts black; back of head and neck light yellow ; upper half of back black, streaked with creamy white; lower half of back, rump, and shoulders white ; wings black, some of the feathers tipped with buff; tail black, the feathers pointed. Many birds have dark upper parts and light breasts; the bobolink wears his bright breast upon his back during the summer. In the fall, he resembles
4 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
THE GOLDFINCH Finch Family—Fringillidæ
THE GOLDFINCH Finch Family—Fringillidæ
Length : About 5 inches. Male : Spring and summer plumage — body and shoulders bright yellow ; crown black ; wings and tail , black and white ; tail forked; feathers above tail, gray. Winter plumage —olive-brown back; throat, breast, and shoulders yellow; wings black and white. Female : Olive-brown above; dull yellow below; wings and tail a dull black; white bars on wings, tail white-tipped; shoulders olive-green; grayish above tail. No black on crown. Notes : An unusually sweet chirp or call-no
4 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
THE CATBIRD Mockingbird Family—Mimidæ
THE CATBIRD Mockingbird Family—Mimidæ
Length : Nearly 9 inches. Male and Female : A slender, long-tailed, gray bird, with a black crown and tail , and chestnut-brown feathers under the tail ; breast somewhat paler than back; bill slightly curved. Note : A soft wă , not unlike the mew of a kitten. Song : A delightful warble—soft, sweet, and musical, though it is occasionally interspersed with the catlike noise wă , and with sounds of mimicry. Catbirds are sometimes called northern mockingbirds. Habitat : Tangled thickets preferred. F
3 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
THE BROWN THRASHER Mockingbird Family—Mimidæ
THE BROWN THRASHER Mockingbird Family—Mimidæ
Length : About 11 inches, larger than the robin; tail 5 inches long. General Appearance : A large bird with a bright brown back, white breast streaked with brownish-black , and a very long tail which is moved or “thrashed” about incessantly. Male and Female : Reddish-brown above; white underneath, becoming buff after the August molt; throat indistinctly marked with dark streaks; breast and sides heavily streaked ; wings with two indistinct white bars; tail almost half the length of the bird; bil
3 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
THE MOCKINGBIRD Mockingbird Family—Mimidæ
THE MOCKINGBIRD Mockingbird Family—Mimidæ
Length : About 10 inches; an inch longer than the catbird and an inch shorter than the thrasher; tail about 5 inches long. Male and Female : A long, slender, brownish-gray bird, with grayish-white under parts; wings and tail dark brown; wings with two white bars and white patches that are conspicuous in flight ; middle tail-feathers brown, outer feathers white, others partly white . The female frequently has less white than the male. Notes : A great variety. Some mockingbirds seem to possess unl
4 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
THE YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO Cuckoo Family—Cuculidæ
THE YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO Cuckoo Family—Cuculidæ
Length : About 12 inches; tail over 6 inches. Male and Female : Brownish-gray above with a greenish tinge; white underneath; reddish-brown wings ; feathers brightest on inner web; middle tail feathers brownish-gray; outer ones black, broadly tipped with white, tips decreasing in size toward center ; lower mandible of bill yellow except at the end. Notes : A rapid, guttural utterance of the words cook-cook-cook-cook and cow-cow-cow-cow . Our cuckoos sometimes give a cooing note, but do not say cu
3 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
THE LEAST FLYCATCHER OR CHEBEC Flycatcher Family—Tyrannidæ
THE LEAST FLYCATCHER OR CHEBEC Flycatcher Family—Tyrannidæ
In March, there comes to us from the South the phœbe, inconspicuous in plumage, yet easy to identify because of its distinctive call. About a month later there arrives the smallest member of our Flycatchers,—the Chebec or Least-Flycatcher. Less than five and a half inches in length, slender, olive-brown above, grayish-white beneath with an indistinct grayish band across the breast, this little bird might escape our notice were it not for its oft repeated and unmistakable call-note. It announces
54 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
THE KINGBIRD Flycatcher Family—Tyrannidæ
THE KINGBIRD Flycatcher Family—Tyrannidæ
Length : About 8½ inches. Male and Female : Upper parts dark gray; under parts pure white, with an indistinct grayish wash at the sides of the breast; head grayish-black, slightly crested, with a concealed orange patch ; bill with bristles at the base; wing-feathers and upper tail-coverts tipped or edged with white; tail fan-shaped in flight, showing a broad white band at the end . Note : An unmusical, rattling Squeak-squeak? squeak-squeak-squeak? uttered frequently, and apparently in an irritat
2 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
THE GRAY KINGBIRD Flycatcher Family—Tyrannidæ
THE GRAY KINGBIRD Flycatcher Family—Tyrannidæ
Length : About 9 inches. Male and Female : Upper parts light gray, darker about the cheeks; concealed orange patch on the crown; under parts whitish, washed with gray on the breast; wings and tail brownish; no white band on the tail , like the northern kingbird; bill very heavy—almost an inch long , with bristles at the base. Note : A loud call, Pit-tear′-re , “which is constant and is at times lengthened and softened until it might almost be called a song.” [127] The natives of Porto Rico call
1 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
THE CRESTED FLYCATCHER Flycatcher Family—Tyrannidæ
THE CRESTED FLYCATCHER Flycatcher Family—Tyrannidæ
Length : About 9 inches. Male and Female : Olive-gray above; throat and breast light gray; belly, bright yellow; head conspicuously crested ; bill, long, dark, slightly hooked, with bristles at its base; wings brown, margined with white, pale yellow, and reddish-brown; middle tail-feathers, dull brown; inner web of other tail-feathers reddish-brown. Notes : A whistle that attracts attention. Major Bendire describes the “Great Crest’s” notes as follows: “It utters a variety of sounds; the most co
1 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
THE OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER Flycatcher Family—Tyrannidæ
THE OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER Flycatcher Family—Tyrannidæ
Length : About 7½ inches. Male and Female : Upper parts and sides olive-gray , the gray extending across the breast; throat and belly yellowish, the yellow extending in a point almost to the center of the breast; a patch of whitish feathers on both sides of the back near the rump; head slightly crested; bill long, black above, yellow below, bristles at the base, wings and tail olive-brown. Notes : A monotonous call-note, Pit-pit-pit , and a loud, clear Peep-here or Peep-peep-here , frequently ut
43 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
THE WOOD PEWEE Flycatcher Family—Tyrannidæ
THE WOOD PEWEE Flycatcher Family—Tyrannidæ
Length : From 6 to 6½ inches. Male and Female : Dark olive-gray above, darkest on the head, which is somewhat crested; the slightly hooked bill has bristles at its base; under parts, grayish-white, slightly tinged with yellow; breast and sides a darker gray; brownish wings and tail; two whitish wing-bars that are more conspicuous than those of the phœbe. Notes : Pee-a-wee , uttered slowly and mournfully, yet with sweetness and tenderness. Sometimes the phrase is followed by an abrupt Peer , give
3 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
THE RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET Old World Warbler Family—Sylviidæ
THE RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET Old World Warbler Family—Sylviidæ
Length : A little over 4¼ inches. Male : Olive-green above, buff underneath, a ruby-red crown ; wings brown, edged with olive-green; two light wing-bars; tail brown, forked. Female : Similar to male, but lacking the red crown. The females resemble tiny warblers in appearance. Note : A sharp scolding-note. Song : A wonderful song,—full, loud, and indescribably beautiful. It is hard to believe that so finished and remarkable a song could come from so small a bird. Habitat : Woods, thickets, and or
1 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
THE BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER Old World Warbler Family—Sylviidæ
THE BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER Old World Warbler Family—Sylviidæ
Length : About 4½ inches. Male : Bluish-gray above; grayish white below; forehead black, black line over the eye; slender, curving bill; wings dark gray, edged with grayish-white; tail long, outer tail-feathers nearly all white; middle tail-feathers black; tail elevated and lowered frequently. Female : Similar to male, but without the black forehead; line over eye indistinct. Call-note : A nasal tang . Song : A delightful song,—sweet, but not strong. Habitat : Woodlands, where it usually frequen
58 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
THE RED-EYED VIREO Vireo Family—Vireonidæ
THE RED-EYED VIREO Vireo Family—Vireonidæ
Length : About 6¼ inches. Male and Female : Olive-green above, silvery white below; crown gray, bordered with a narrow black line; a broader white line over the eye, a dark streak through the eye; iris red or reddish-brown ; wings and tail grayish-green, edged with olive. Habitat : In open woodlands and along well-shaded roads. Range : North and South America. Breeds from central Canada, northwestern, central, and eastern United States, to central Florida; winters in South America. Note : A nasa
4 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
THE WARBLING VIREO Vireo Family—Vireonidæ
THE WARBLING VIREO Vireo Family—Vireonidæ
Length : About 5¾ inches. Male and Female : Grayish-olive above; indistinct whitish line over eye ; under parts grayish-white with a faint yellowish tinge; no bars on wings; iris dark brown , not reddish. Note : A nasal yăh , not unlike the call-note of the red-eyed vireo. Song : A sweet continuous warble, with a rising inflection at the end. It sounds like a whistled Whew-whew-whew whew-whew-whew-whee? Habitat : Parks and shaded village streets. Its neutral coloring and its preference for treet
55 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
THE WHITE-EYED VIREO Vireo Family—Vireonidæ
THE WHITE-EYED VIREO Vireo Family—Vireonidæ
The White-Eyed Vireo differs from his red-eyed cousin in being slightly smaller, in having a small patch of yellow around the eye , a white iris , and two wing-bars . His head is greener and his breast and sides are tinged with yellow. He lives in thickets. He possesses in a marked degree the vireo habit of scolding. He has more power as a songster than his better-known relatives. Mr. Chapman describes him most delightfully as follows: “If birds are ever impertinent, I believe this term might wi
1 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
THE YELLOW-THROATED VIREO Vireo Family—Vireonidæ
THE YELLOW-THROATED VIREO Vireo Family—Vireonidæ
The Yellow-throated Vireo resembles the White-eye in being olive-green above, yellowish underneath, and in having two distinct white wing-bars. He differs in possessing a bright yellow throat , breast , and ring about a dark eye . Mr. Forbush says of this bird; “The song is a little louder than that of most vireos, and may be easily distinguished from all others. It usually consists of two or three rich and virile notes, uttered interrogatively or tentatively, followed immediately by a few simil
2 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
IDENTIFICATION OF WARBLERS
IDENTIFICATION OF WARBLERS
In order to identify warblers, most people need to group them in some way. The following grouping of my own has helped me to recognize and remember the more common species: I The Ground Warblers 1 The Ovenbird 2 The Water Thrushes 3 The Worm-eating Warbler 4 The Palm Warblers II Black and White Warblers 1 The Black and White Creeping Warbler 2 The Black-poll Warbler III Black, White, and Yellow Warblers 1 The Myrtle or Yellow-rumped Warbler 2 The Magnolia Warbler IV Black and Orange Warblers 1 T
1 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
GROUP ONE—THE GROUND WARBLERS 1. THE OVEN-BIRD
GROUP ONE—THE GROUND WARBLERS 1. THE OVEN-BIRD
Length : A little over 6 inches. Male and Female : Olive-brown above; head with a golden-brown crown, bordered with two black lines that extend from bill to neck; under parts white; a brown streak at each side of the throat; breast and sides heavily streaked with black; no bars on wings, or patches on tail. Note : Mr. Forbush interprets the oven-bird’s note as “ chick ,′ KERCHICK ,′ KERCHICK,′ repeating the phrase an indefinite number of times.” [138] John Burroughs has rendered it as, “teacher,
1 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
2. THE WATER-THRUSHES
2. THE WATER-THRUSHES
Water-Thrushes : The Water-thrushes resemble the oven-bird in size and general appearance. Their crowns are dark instead of golden; the NORTHERN WATER-THRUSH has a light line over the eye, and a bright yellow streaked breast; the LOUISIANA WATER-THRUSH a conspicuous white line over the eye, buff sides, and white under parts. OVEN-BIRD Both birds, as their name implies, love the vicinity of forest brooks. Both walk instead of hop, and “ tip-up ” when they alight. They are wonderful songsters, but
46 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
3. THE WORM-EATING WARBLER
3. THE WORM-EATING WARBLER
Length : About 5½ inches. Male and Female : Back, wings, and tail olive-green, without white markings; head with two narrow and two broad black stripes, alternating with three cream-colored stripes; under parts cream-colored, lighter on throat and belly. Song : A weak trill. Habitat : “The Worm-eating warbler seems to prefer dense undergrowth in swampy thickets and wet places, ... wooded hillsides and ravines, and dense undergrowths of woodland.... The nesting site is on the ground.” [140] Range
32 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
GROUP TWO—THE BLACK AND WHITE WARBLERS 1. THE BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER
GROUP TWO—THE BLACK AND WHITE WARBLERS 1. THE BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER
Length : About 5¼ inches. Male : Black, streaked with white— no yellow ; head with broad black and white stripes; body with narrow stripes; white stripe over eye, black patch back of eye; striped throat and sides, white belly; tail grayish black; outer tail-feathers with white patches on inner web; wings black, with two distinct white bars. Female : Similar, but with gray cheeks and whiter under parts, fainter streaks, and brownish sides. Song : A thin, unmusical se-se′-se-se′-se-se′-se-se′ . Th
51 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
2. THE BLACK-POLL WARBLER
2. THE BLACK-POLL WARBLER
Length : About 5 inches. Male : A black crown and white cheeks, giving the effect of a black cap pulled down over the eyes; throat and belly white; back and sides gray, streaked with black; two white wing-bars; two outer tail-feathers with white spot near tip. Female : Olive-green above, streaked with black; breast and sides with yellowish wash. Range : Widely distributed; common in the East during migration. Breeds in the forests of Alaska and north-central Canada, in Michigan, northern Maine,
1 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
GROUP THREE—THE BLACK, WHITE, AND YELLOW WARBLERS 1. THE MYRTLE WARBLER OR YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER
GROUP THREE—THE BLACK, WHITE, AND YELLOW WARBLERS 1. THE MYRTLE WARBLER OR YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER
Length : A little over 5½ inches, one of the larger warblers. Male : The grayish upper parts, white under parts, (both streaked with black), and the black cheeks of the Myrtle Warbler remind one of the Black and White Creeping Warbler. Its four patches of yellow ,—on the crown , rump , and on each side are distinctive. The wings and tail are brownish-gray; wings, with two white bars ; tail with graduated patches of white near end of outside feathers; white throat and belly. Female : Browner abov
1 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
2. THE MAGNOLIA WARBLER
2. THE MAGNOLIA WARBLER
Length : About 5 inches. Male : Smaller than the Myrtle Warbler, and at first glance, not unlike it in appearance, because each bird has a yellow rump, a striped breast, dark gray upper parts, and back and breast streaked with black. The head of the Magnolia Warbler, however, has no yellow patch , but a broad white line over the eye , black cheeks and forehead, and yellow under parts, (instead of white), which are heavily streaked with black. The wings have large white patches instead of bars ;
1 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
GROUP FOUR—THE BLACK AND ORANGE WARBLERS 1. THE REDSTART
GROUP FOUR—THE BLACK AND ORANGE WARBLERS 1. THE REDSTART
Length : About 5½ inches. Male : Body glossy black, with a white belly, orange patches at the sides of the body and under the wings; an orange band across the wings; middle tail-feathers black; other tail-feathers broadly tipped with black but largely orange, conspicuous in flight; bill with bristles. Female : Gray and olive-green above, white underneath; yellow instead of orange on sides, wings, tail, and under tail. Young Male : Like female till end of first breeding season. Nest : A beautiful
1 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
2. THE BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER
2. THE BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER
Length : A little over 5 inches. Male : Black crown, with bright orange patch in the center; irregular black patch extending from eye, bordered with orange; throat and breast orange, becoming yellowish on belly; back black, streaked with white; sides streaked with black; wings black, with white edges and a large white patch ; tail black, most of the feathers nearly all white on inner web . Colors duller in the fall. Female : Upper parts grayish-olive, streaked with white; orange parts paler, les
2 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
GROUP FIVE—THE YELLOW AND OLIVE-GREEN WARBLERS 1. THE YELLOW WARBLER, OR SUMMER YELLOW-BIRD
GROUP FIVE—THE YELLOW AND OLIVE-GREEN WARBLERS 1. THE YELLOW WARBLER, OR SUMMER YELLOW-BIRD
Length : About 5 inches. Male : Olive-green above, bright yellow below; breast streaked with brown ; wings edged with yellow; tail dark brown, with yellow on inner web; no black on head, throat, wings , or tail ; bill slender. Female : Similar; with fainter streaks on breast, or an unstreaked breast. Song : A sweet chee-chee-chee-chee-chee′-a-wee? Habitat : Orchards, gardens, and shade trees, rather than woods. Nest : A beautiful cup lined with felt. This bird’s nest has been recorded as a favor
1 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
2. THE PINE WARBLER
2. THE PINE WARBLER
Length : About 5½ inches. Male : Upper parts olive-green with a grayish tinge; throat and breast yellow; sides streaked with gray; belly white; wings and tail brownish-gray; wings with two whitish bars; outer tail-feathers tipped with white on inner web . Female : Similar to male, but browner above and duller underneath. Notes : “Its alarm note is a sharp chirp, its other notes are few and weak.” Song : “The song is one of the most soothing sounds of the pine-woods. It has in it the same dreamy
2 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
The Maryland Yellow-Throat
The Maryland Yellow-Throat
A host of warblers northward come in May, And linger with us only one brief day; You, yellow-throated songster, love to stay. We glimpse your dainty coat of olive-green, Your breast and throat of shimmering yellow sheen And mask of black, where ferns and bushes lean O’er sparkling streamlets, rimmed with many a reed, And hung with brilliant golden jewel-weed. Midst feathery spikes of meadow-sweet you speed. Your brooding mate you watch, as to and fro You flit; and while the summer breezes blow Y
33 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
4. THE HOODED WARBLER
4. THE HOODED WARBLER
Length : About 5½ inches. Male : Forehead, cheeks, breast, and belly yellow; back of crown and throat black , the two dark areas united by a black line ; mask yellow ; back and rump olive; wings and tail a dark grayish-olive; the outer tail-feathers largely white on their inner webs . Female : Similar to male, but without the black hood; dark edge to crown; breast faintly washed with black. Song : E. H. Eaton in his “ Birds of New York ” writes: “The song of this warbler is one of the few which
1 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
5. WILSON’S WARBLER
5. WILSON’S WARBLER
Length : About 5 inches. Male : Olive-green above, except for a black crown, outlined with yellow in front and at the sides of crown ; under parts yellow, except for a grayish tinge at the sides; wings and tail without white bars and patches . Female : Similar to male, but without a clearly defined black cap. Song : A loud, sweet trill, containing variations. Habitat : Low thickets, usually at the edges of woods, rather than in treetops. Range : Eastern North America. Breeds in the tree-regions
55 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
6. THE BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER
6. THE BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER
Length : About 5 inches. Male : Olive-green above; dull black patch below eye, encircled with a broad rim of yellow ; throat and breast black , becoming yellowish-white on the belly; sides streaked with black; wings with two whitish bars; tail with outer feathers largely white . Female : Similar to male; black of throat and breast mottled with yellow, streaks on sides less conspicuous. Song : An insect-like trill, zee-zee? ze-ze-zee? Habitat : Coniferous woods preferably. Range : North America,
52 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
7. THE CANADIAN WARBLER
7. THE CANADIAN WARBLER
Length : About 5½ inches. Male : Gray above without white wing-bars or spots on tail; crown with fine black spots; eye-ring , and line from bill to eye-ring bright yellow ; under parts bright yellow; short black streaks extending across the entire breast ; white under tail. Female : Similar to male, with fainter streaks on breast. Song : A rapid and clear warble, more easily recognized than that of some warblers. Habitat : “The Canadian Warbler during the migration season is found about our door
45 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
8. THE YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT
8. THE YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT
Length : About 7½ inches; the largest of the warblers. Male and Female : Olive-green above; bright yellow throat and breast; belly white; broad white streak extending from bill above eye; white crescent beneath eye; white streak at each side of throat , separating the olive-green and yellow areas. Song : A medley impossible to describe, full of chucks and gurgles—a strange mixture of sounds. As a singer, the chat is in a class by himself; he is very different from the other warblers. Habitat : T
59 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
9. THE YELLOW PALM WARBLER
9. THE YELLOW PALM WARBLER
Length : About 5½ inches. Male and Female : Crown chestnut; line over the eye and ring around the eye yellow ; upper parts olive-green, browner on the back; under parts bright yellow, with streaks of brown on throat, breast, and sides ; wings sometimes edged with brown; tail edged with olive-green; outer tail-feathers with white spots on inner webs near tips. Song : Two songs, one “thinner” and more rapid than the other. Habitat : Fields and roadsides; feeds chiefly on the ground and among low b
1 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
GROUP SIX—BLUE OR BLUE AND YELLOW WARBLERS 1. THE CERULEAN WARBLER
GROUP SIX—BLUE OR BLUE AND YELLOW WARBLERS 1. THE CERULEAN WARBLER
Length : About 4½ inches; one of the smaller warblers. Male : Upper parts bright blue; head and back streaked with black; light streak above eye; white throat, breast, and belly, with a bluish-black line that extends across the breast and down each side; wings with two broad white bars; inner webs of all except the middle tail-feathers with small white patches near tips. Female : Bluish-olive above, under parts pale yellow; light streak over eye; wings with white bars; tail-feathers with white t
50 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
2. THE BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER
2. THE BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER
Length : About 5¼ inches. Male : Upper parts a dull grayish-blue , darker on the back, black bordering crown above the eye; cheeks, throat , and upper breast black ; belly white ; sides black and white ; wings black, edged with blue, and with white next to body; a white patch on wing; tail bluish-black, outer feathers largely white . Female : Very different from male; olive-green above, yellowish-white underneath; light streak over eyes; white patch near the base of the primary quills; tail blui
1 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
3. THE BLUE-WINGED WARBLER
3. THE BLUE-WINGED WARBLER
Length : About 5 inches. Male : Crown and under parts bright yellow; a black line through the eye; back olive-green, yellower at the rump; wings bluish-gray , edged with olive and white; two broad yellowish-white wing-bars ; tail bluish-gray, with white patches of different sizes on outer feathers. Female : Similar to male, but with less yellow on head,—on forehead and not on crown. Song : “The song is insignificant, a wheezy performance of notes resembling the syllables ‘ swee-e-e-e-e, chee-che
1 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
4. THE GOLDEN-WINGED WARBLER
4. THE GOLDEN-WINGED WARBLER
Length : A little over 5 inches. Male : Crown bright yellow ; white line over eye, broad black line extending through eye ; black throat bordered with white ; wings bluish-gray, with a large, bright yellow patch ; upper parts, bluish-gray; under parts, except throat, grayish-white; tail bluish-gray, with outer feathers nearly all white on their inner webs. Female : Similar to male, but duller; cheeks and throat dark gray instead of black. Song : “Its song is a ‘lazy zee-zee-zee .’ It has also an
57 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
5. THE NORTHERN PARULA WARBLER
5. THE NORTHERN PARULA WARBLER
Length : A little less than 5 inches. Male : Grayish-blue above, with a bright olive-yellow patch in the middle of the back ; yellow throat and breast, with a dark bluish or reddish-brown band across the breast ; belly white; sides sometimes reddish-brown; two white wing-bars; tail gray, edged with blue, with white spots near tips of inner webs. Female : Similar to male, except that the reddish-brown markings and band across the breast are less distinct or wanting. Song : A “buzzing” song rather
1 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
GROUP SEVEN—WARBLERS WITH REDDISH-BROWN MARKINGS 1. THE BAY-BREASTED WARBLER
GROUP SEVEN—WARBLERS WITH REDDISH-BROWN MARKINGS 1. THE BAY-BREASTED WARBLER
Length : A little over 5½ inches. Male : Forehead and cheeks black , giving the effect of a black mask ; crown, nape, throat, upper breast , and sides a beautiful chestnut-red; a patch of buff at each side of the neck; lower breast and belly buff; back brownish-gray, with black streaks; wings and tail brownish-gray; two broad white wing-bars; tail with white spots near tip of outer feathers. Female : Upper parts grayish-brown, streaked with black; under parts buff, breast and sides washed with r
1 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
2. THE CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER
2. THE CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER
Length : About 5 inches. Male : Crown yellow , bordered with black; back gray, streaked with black and yellow; ear-patch and under parts white ; black line extending from bill meets broad chestnut streak which runs down the side of the body; wings with two broad yellowish-white wing-bars; tail black, outer feathers with large white spots varying in size. Female : Somewhat like male, but duller; the colors are less sharply contrasted. Song : In the spring a loud warble, not unlike that of the yel
2 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
THE WOOD THRUSH
THE WOOD THRUSH
The Wood Thrush is the best known of these thrushes. It may be identified by its large size (a little over 8 inches); by its bright brown head , dull brown back, wings, and tail; white under parts that are heavily spotted, especially on the breast and sides ; and by distinct streaks below the eyes. Note : Its call-note is a sharp pit ; its song a series of sweet cadences beginning with the liquid syllables ah-oh-ee ? Song : Four phrases often constitute the song, between which a soft purring sou
1 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
THE OLIVE-BACKED THRUSH
THE OLIVE-BACKED THRUSH
The Olive-backed Thrush is about an inch smaller than the wood thrush (7 inches), and is uniformly olive-brown above . Its breast, throat, cheeks , and eye-ring are buff ; its sides gray . The breast, sides of the throat, and cheeks are spotted with black. Note : Its call-note is puck ; Song : its song pleasing, with a phrasing that reminds one of the hermit thrush, but it is louder and less deliberate, and lacks, also, the hermit’s liquid sweetness. The olive-back has a habit of singing from th
54 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
THE GRAY-CHEEKED THRUSH AND BICKNELL’S THRUSHES
THE GRAY-CHEEKED THRUSH AND BICKNELL’S THRUSHES
Gray-Cheeked Thrush : “The Gray-cheeked Thrush is found in migration over all the Eastern States, but breeds farther north, beyond our limits. Bicknell’s Thrush : “Bicknell’s Thrush, a closely related form, while having somewhat the same general range, breeds farther south and nests in the mountains of northern New York and New England. The species does not seem to be very abundant anywhere.” [158] Their resemblance to each other and to the olive-back makes them difficult to identify. The absenc
33 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
THE VEERY
THE VEERY
The Veery or Wilson’s Thrush is slightly smaller than the wood thrush (7½ inches), and is a lighter and more uniform brown above . It has a whitish throat and belly, and grayish sides . The breast and sides of the throat are a soft buff, with faint spots of brown. Its light brown upper parts and its less conspicuous markings distinguish the veery from other thrushes. Note : Its call-note is a whistled whee′-u ,—loud, clear, and uttered frequently. Song : The song is inexpressibly beautiful,—like
1 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
THE HERMIT THRUSH
THE HERMIT THRUSH
The Hermit Thrush may be described in superlatives. Of the four commoner thrushes, it comes earliest (in March or early April) on its way to its haunts in northern woods, remains longest (till October or November), and is considered by many to be the finest singer of a highly gifted family. It is so very shy that it is rarely seen and yet, during migration time, I once discovered a solitary hermit in a tree on a vacant lot only a few blocks from the business center of Cleveland. Because we sit q
1 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
AFTERWORD
AFTERWORD
The great psychologist, William James, preached the doctrine that it was immoral to have emotions that did not bear fruit in action,—a doctrine that many educators and teachers are putting into practice nowadays. Music, art, noble architecture, poetry, fine prose, the drama, and the beauties of nature, all of which arouse the emotion of joy and minister to our higher natures, were formerly sought as means of self-development or culture—one of the great ends to be attained in life. Excessive cult
1 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter