An Introduction To The Birds Of Pennsylvania - free ebook by George Miksch Sutton

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An Introduction To The Birds Of Pennsylvania

George Miksch Sutton

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AN INTRODUCTION TO THE BIRDS OF PENNSYLVANIA

AN INTRODUCTION TO THE BIRDS OF PENNSYLVANIA

BY GEORGE MIKSCH SUTTON STATE ORNITHOLOGIST OF PENNSYLVANIA CHIEF OF BUREAU OF RESEARCH AND INFORMATION PENNSYLVANIA STATE GAME COMMISSION MEMBER OF THE AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGISTS’ UNION, ETC. With a frontispiece in color and numerous pen-and-ink text-drawings by the author 1928 PUBLISHED BY J. HORACE McFARLAND COMPANY HARRISBURG, PENNA. Copyright, 1928 By J. HORACE McFARLAND COMPANY MOUNT PLEASANT PRESS Harrisburg, Penna....

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PREFATORY NOTE

PREFATORY NOTE

I have written this book for those who are beginning a study of birds in Pennsylvania; or for those who, after some study in a certain region, wish to know more about the birds in other sections of the Commonwealth. This book is not intended to be a complete reference work. The descriptions of the birds and statements of their status are as brief as I felt I could make them under the circumstances. Many species of birds which have been recorded in Pennsylvania are not even mentioned. These are o

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BIRD-SONGS

BIRD-SONGS

It is my belief that but few people altogether lack a sense of tune. Some of my students at the University of Pittsburgh had difficulty, I remember, in diagramming bird-songs; but with a little practice you will be able to jot down syllables which will help you to recall bird-songs. The well-known names Chickadee , Phœbe , and Killdeer are all permanent records of this very sort of syllabization of bird-songs—an attempt to write down what the bird is saying. Sometimes a bird will be heard again

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NOTE-BOOKS

NOTE-BOOKS

Write down all sorts of notes, be they ever so incomplete. Make sketches of birds as you see them; diagram the songs and call-notes. Keep all that you write as accurate and free from imagination as possible. Do not accredit a bird with certain colors until you see them. A note-book may take the form of a diary wherein is stated the temperature of the day, the weather conditions, the length and route of your field-trip, and the birds which you saw, together with notes upon them. Or, your system m

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SPECIMENS

SPECIMENS

Only a few ornithologists can have a complete collection of birds for reference. Everyone can save feathers of birds, or old nests, however, and when birds are found dead, they may be saved as specimens, if a permit for holding them is requested from the State Game Commission. When I was a lad I saved feathers which I found in the woods and had a large collection of these. Some of them, I later found, were all that were needed in authenticating a good record. You will find it helpful to visit a

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FIELD-GLASSES

FIELD-GLASSES

A good binocular, preferably one which magnifies about six times, is a great aid to the amateur. The field of the glass, its illumination, ease of adjustment, and such points should be investigated before the purchase is made. A well-made glass with good lenses is probably the best in the long run, even though it be more expensive. Glasses should be handled carefully. They should have a good carrying-case, and should not be left lying in the sun nor exposed to the rain....

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BOOKS

BOOKS

Many excellent standard works upon birds are available. When I was a youngster I wore out three volumes of Dr. Frank M. Chapman’s Bird-Life ; I devoured the reading matter, cut up the pictures, and studied the technique of the artist who had painted them. By the time I had destroyed the third copy of this helpful volume, I knew the birds treated there pretty well. Chapman’s Handbook of Birds of Eastern North America is a desk-side companion today. The little pocket volumes called Bird Guides , b

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MAGAZINES

MAGAZINES

The proceedings of the Delaware Valley Ornithological Society, published under the title Cassinia , contain a wealth of material interesting to the Pennsylvania student. The Cardinal , journal of the Audubon Society of the Sewickley Valley, and a well-edited periodical, contains articles of interest chiefly to workers in western Pennsylvania; The Auk , The Wilson Bulletin , Bird-Lore , The Oologist , The Condor (western), and Nature Magazine , all are likely to contain articles of interest to Pe

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BIRD HIKES

BIRD HIKES

Early-morning hikes are good, but activity among birds is high, as a rule, until 10 o’clock A.M. , or later, so you need not be in haste to get out at 4 o’clock, unless you have to go far. The trained bird student so comes to depend upon songs that he stays out as long as the birds are singing. Windy days are poor, because the birds are shy. In gentle rains, birds will often be very active and tame. Toward evening, birds often become active and vociferous again. Only a few of our birds sing duri

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IN THE FIELD

IN THE FIELD

Winter is an ideal time to begin bird-study, because there are no leaves and because the birds are few and not difficult to identify. If you learn the winter birds thoroughly, you will be ready for the rush of the spring as old favorites return and new friends appear. Midsummer is often a disappointing season because birds are silent and in poor feather. At this time you will be able to study the plumages of the young birds, however, and you will find much of interest in watching the affairs of

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VALUE OF PENNSYLVANIA BIRDS

VALUE OF PENNSYLVANIA BIRDS

Birds are of great value from the economic standpoint. The insects, destructive mammals and reptiles, and weed-seeds which they destroy are all enemies of man. It is amazing that in the scheme of nature certain birds should patrol the air, others the fields, others the trees, others the forest-floor, and so on, so that all outdoors is, in a sense, cared for by our feathered friends. It has been said that our very existence depends upon these birds who make it possible for the trees, the flowers,

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HELPING OUR BIRD FRIENDS

HELPING OUR BIRD FRIENDS

We may encourage birds to live about us, if we bear in mind their needs. In winter we may feed the Chickadees, Cardinals, Downy Woodpeckers, and other birds which live in our neighborhood. We may tack pieces of suet on a sheltered branch and scatter grain and grit on “feeding counters.” When snow is on the ground the birds have considerable difficulty in getting enough food, and our assistance will sometimes keep them from starvation. Feeding-shelters may be very simple, or they may be elaborate

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LIFE-ZONES IN PENNSYLVANIA

LIFE-ZONES IN PENNSYLVANIA

The term Life-Zone is used by scientists in referring to a region where environmental conditions so react upon each other as to form a suitable home for certain plant and animal forms. A Life-Zone naturally has no hard and fast boundaries as does a geographical zone; its boundaries are determined by temperature, rainfall, soil, altitude, drainage, and innumerable other factors, which so create a certain average whole as to attract certain species of plants, birds, mammals, and so forth, which in

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BIRD-MIGRATION IN PENNSYLVANIA

BIRD-MIGRATION IN PENNSYLVANIA

Some of our winter birds spend the year round in one region. Certain of them, like the Song Sparrow and Crow, migrate to an extent, the nesting individuals moving southward during winter, their place being taken by other individuals of the same species from farther north. Some winter birds, such as the Junco, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Brown Creeper, and Tree Sparrow, visit us from the north and return to their Canadian nesting-ground with the arrival of spring. Most of our familiar summer birds sp

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HORNED GREBE Colymbus auritus Linnæus

HORNED GREBE Colymbus auritus Linnæus

Other Names. —Dipper; Hell-Diver. Description. —Neck long; no tail-feathers; toes flat and broad, feet at rear of body; sexes similar. Adult in spring : Large, puffy head, black, with stripe and silken plumes behind eye buffy; plumage of back blackish edged with gray; secondaries white; neck, breast, and sides chestnut; belly silvery white; eyes bright pink, the pupil encircled with a white ring. Immature birds and adults in winter : Grayish black above, silvery white beneath, grayish on the thr

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PIED-BILLED GREBE Podilymbus podiceps podiceps (Linnæus)

PIED-BILLED GREBE Podilymbus podiceps podiceps (Linnæus)

Other Names. —Dabchick; Hell-Diver; Dipper; Dipper-Duck (erroneous). Description. —Sexes similar. Adults in summer : Glossy, dark brown above; throat black; neck, breast, and sides grayish, washed with brownish and indistinctly mottled with blackish; lower breast and belly glossy white; black band across bill. Immature birds and adults in winter : Similar, but without black on throat and bill. Length : 13½ inches. Range in Pennsylvania. —Rare as a summer resident, chiefly because there are so fe

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LOON Gavia immer immer (Brünnich)

LOON Gavia immer immer (Brünnich)

Other Names. —Great Northern Diver; Loom. Description. —Size large; bill long and sharp; tail very short, with legs sticking out behind. Adults in spring : Upperparts black, with bluish and greenish reflections; patches on throat and sides of neck streaked with white; back and wings marked regularly with rows of white squares; underparts silvery white; sides black, spotted finely with white; eyes red. Immature birds and adults in winter : Upperparts blackish, margined with gray and without white

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HERRING GULL Larus argentatus argentatus Pontoppidan

HERRING GULL Larus argentatus argentatus Pontoppidan

Other Names. —Sea Gull; Gray Gull. Description. —Sexes similar. Adults in summer : White, with pearl-gray back and wings; tips of wings black with white spots; bill yellow with orange spot near tip of lower mandible; feet pale pink; eyes pale yellow. Adults in winter : Similar, with gray spots on head and neck. Immature birds : Dark gray-brown at a distance, with blackish bill and dark brown eyes; in the hand the upper-parts are found to be dark gray, considerably marked with buffy. The acquirin

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RING-BILLED GULL Larus delawarensis Ord

RING-BILLED GULL Larus delawarensis Ord

Description. —Sexes similar. Adults in summer : Like the Herring Gull, but much smaller, with greenish yellow bill crossed near tip by black band, and with greenish yellow feet. In winter the head and neck are spotted with gray. Immature : Gray-brown; tail white, with black band near tip; end of bill black. Length : 18 inches. Range in Pennsylvania. —An irregular migrant in February, March, and April, and in October and November, sometimes appearing in flocks; occasional in winter. The Ring-bill

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BONAPARTE’S GULL Chroicocephalus philadelphia (Ord)

BONAPARTE’S GULL Chroicocephalus philadelphia (Ord)

Description. —Size small; sexes similar. Adults in summer : White, with rosy flush on belly, head black with white spot at eye, pearl-gray mantle, and black-tipped wings. Adults in winter lack the rosy flush of the underparts and have white heads upon the back of which are two dusky spots. Immature birds are similar to adults in winter but have a black band near the tip of the tail. Length : 14 inches. Range in Pennsylvania. —A fairly regular migrant along the waterways from about April 1 to May

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COMMON TERN Sterna hirundo Linnæus

COMMON TERN Sterna hirundo Linnæus

Other Names. —Sea Swallow; Striker; Wilson’s Tern. Description. —Smaller than a gull, with long, deeply forked tail. Adults in summer : Top of head glossy black; rest of body pearl-gray, save throat, sides of head, and tail, which are white, the outer tail-feathers with outer webs pearl-gray; bill red, with black tip; feet orange-red. Adults in winter : Similar, but with forepart of head and underparts white, and bill blackish. Immature : Similar to adults in winter, but plumage considerably was

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BLACK TERN Chlidonias nigra surinamensis (Gmelin)

BLACK TERN Chlidonias nigra surinamensis (Gmelin)

Other Name. —Marsh Tern. Description. —Size small; tail short, forked. Adults in summer : Head and underparts black, save under tail-coverts, which are white; upperparts gray; bill and feet red. Adults in winter and immature : White, with pearl-gray back and wings and dusky spots on head; bill and feet dusky. Length : 10 inches. Range in Pennsylvania. —Irregular as a migrant throughout the Commonwealth; more frequently seen than other Terns about marshes and on small bodies of water; usually see

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DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT Phalacrocorax auritus auritus (Lesson)

DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT Phalacrocorax auritus auritus (Lesson)

Other Name. —Shag. Description. —Four toes all webbed together; bill long and strongly hooked at tip; tail stiff and moderately long; plumage thick and firm. Adults in breeding plumage : Glossy greenish black, save on back which is dark gray, each feather being margined with lighter gray; two filamentous tufts of black feathers on back of head; neck with thin sprinkling of silken white feathers during period of courtship; bill blackish, marked at base with dull yellow; sack under bill yellow; ey

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MERGANSER Mergus merganser americanus Cassin

MERGANSER Mergus merganser americanus Cassin

American Merganser, Male Other Names. —Shelldrake; Goosander; Fish Duck; Sawbill; American Merganser. Description. —One of the largest of the ducks; bill long and narrow, with teeth on both mandibles. Adult male : Head and upper neck greenish black; lower neck, patches in wings, and underparts white; belly suffused with salmon-pink, noticeable in some individuals; back, shoulders, and wings black; rump and tail gray; bill and feet red; eyes bright red. Adult female : Head, with two large crests,

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RED-BREASTED MERGANSER Mergus serrator Linnæus

RED-BREASTED MERGANSER Mergus serrator Linnæus

Other Names. —Shelldrake; Fish Duck; Sawbill. Description. —Male, with long, graceful crest of fine feathers; female with double crest, as in the female Merganser. Male : Head and upper neck glossy greenish black; lower neck, patch on upper chest, patches on wing, and underparts white; back black; rump and tail grayish; breast reddish brown, mottled with black, and on sides marked with a striking double row of black and white feathers; sides finely barred with blackish; legs, feet, and eyes red.

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HOODED MERGANSER Lophodytes cucullatus (Linnæus)

HOODED MERGANSER Lophodytes cucullatus (Linnæus)

Other Names. —Shelldrake; Fish Duck. Description. —Bill long and narrow, with teeth on both mandibles. Male : Head, neck, back, and tail black; a high, fan-shaped crest on head strikingly marked with white; speculum white; sides rufous, finely barred with black; breast and belly white; eyes bright yellow. Female : Dull brown, somewhat brighter on the thin crest, and grayer on head and neck; upper throat, belly, and speculum white; eyes brown. Length : 18 inches. Range in Pennsylvania. —Fairly co

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MALLARD Anas platyrhynchos platyrhynchos Linnæus

MALLARD Anas platyrhynchos platyrhynchos Linnæus

Other Names. —Gray Mallard; Wild Duck. Description. — Male : Head and neck rich glossy green, with violet reflections; neck with striking white collar; back and wings gray; speculum violet, bordered with black and white; rump, and upper and under tail-coverts black; tail feathers whitish; breast rich glossy chestnut; sides gray, finely barred; belly white; bill yellow; feet bright pink. Female : Mottled and streaked all over with grayish brown; speculum as in male; bill dull greenish yellow; fee

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BLACK DUCK Anas rubripes tristis Brewster

BLACK DUCK Anas rubripes tristis Brewster

Other Names. —Black Mallard; Dusky Mallard. Description. —Sexes similar; general appearance dark brown, darkest on top of head and on back, all feathers margined with brownish buff; cheeks buffy, streaked with black; speculum rich violet, bordered with black, and, at tips of feathers, with white; under-wing plumage white; bill greenish; feet dusky in Black Duck; bright red in the Red-legged Black Duck. Length : 22 inches. Range in Pennsylvania. —A fairly common migrant from March 1 to May 10 and

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GADWALL Chaulelasmus streperus (Linnæus)

GADWALL Chaulelasmus streperus (Linnæus)

Other Name. —Gray Duck. Description. —Smaller than Mallard. Male : Top of head with low, fluffy crest, mottled with rufous and black; sides of head and neck buffy, streaked and spotted with black; breast and lower neck black, each feather with a central spot and border of white which gives a remarkably beautiful scaled appearance; back gray-brown; rump and upper and under tail-coverts black; breast and belly whitish; sides finely barred with blackish, lesser wing-coverts chestnut ; speculum whit

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BALDPATE Mareca americana (Gmelin)

BALDPATE Mareca americana (Gmelin)

Other Names. —Widgeon; American Widgeon. Description. — Male : Top of head white or buffy; sides of crown back of eye glossy green, spotted with black; rest of head buffy, finely streaked and spotted with black; breast and sides pinkish brown, the sides finely and thickly barred with black; belly white; back gray-brown, finely barred black; bill blue-gray. Female : Head and neck pale buffy, finely streaked with black; breast and sides dull pinkish brown, washed with grayish; belly white; back gr

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GREEN-WINGED TEAL Nettion carolinense (Gmelin)

GREEN-WINGED TEAL Nettion carolinense (Gmelin)

Other Name. —Mud Teal. Description. —Small for a Duck, being about half as large as a domestic Duck. Male : Head, with flowing crest, chestnut, an area around and back of eye to nape glossy green, bordered below with a thin whitish line; chin black; upperparts gray, finely barred with black; speculum green, bordered with black and buffy; middle under tail-coverts black, lateral ones creamy; breast and sides pinkish brown, finely barred with black, a white bar on side of breast; belly white or bu

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BLUE-WINGED TEAL Querquedula discors (Linnæus)

BLUE-WINGED TEAL Querquedula discors (Linnæus)

Blue-winged Teal, Male Description. —Size small, as in Green-wing. Male : Head dark blue-gray with violet reflections; crown dark brown; chin and sides of base of bill blackish; a crescent-shaped patch of white in front of eye; back brown, barred and mottled with black; breast white, buffy, or rusty, heavily spotted with black; lesser and middle wing-coverts gray-blue, forming a conspicuous color-area, particularly in flight; speculum glossy green. Female and immature : Crown dark brown, irregul

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SHOVELER Spatula clypeata (Linnæus)

SHOVELER Spatula clypeata (Linnæus)

Other Name. —Spoonbill Duck. Description. —Comparatively small, but larger than the Teals. Bill very large and broad, noticeably so even at considerable distance in the field. Male : Head and neck rich black, glossed with green and violet; line down back of neck and back dark brown; belly and sides rich chestnut; lesser wing-coverts gray-blue, as in the Blue-winged Teal, the greater coverts brownish, tipped with white; speculum green; upper and under tail-coverts black; eyes yellow; feet pink. F

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PINTAIL Dafila acuta tzitzihoa (Vieillot)

PINTAIL Dafila acuta tzitzihoa (Vieillot)

Other Names. —Sprig; Sprig-tail; Spike-tail. Description. —Neck long and slender in both sexes. Male in mating plumage, which is characteristic of the winter months : Head warm brown, glossed faintly on cheeks with violet; back of neck blackish, bordered by white stripes which run down sides of neck to breast; back brownish gray; shoulders black, margined with white or buffy; wing brownish gray, the greater coverts tipped with cinnamon; speculum green, bordered narrowly with white; central tail-

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WOOD DUCK Aix sponsa (Linnæus)

WOOD DUCK Aix sponsa (Linnæus)

Wood Duck Female Male Description. —Smaller than Mallard; both sexes with crest, smaller in female than in male. Male : Head and crest rich glossy green, with violet and blue reflections; a line from bill over eye, a line along side of crest, and other lines in flowing feathers of crest, white; throat, a band from it up cheeks, and a wide band at nape, white; breast and an area at either side of base of tail, chestnut, the breast spotted with white; band on breast in front of wing, white; sides

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REDHEAD Nyroca americana (Eyton)

REDHEAD Nyroca americana (Eyton)

Description. —Head high, rising abruptly from bill; both sexes with tendency toward fluffy, round crest. Male : Entire head bright rufous, glossed with purplish; lower neck, all around, breast, and upper back, blackish; rest of back and scapulars finely barred with wavy black and white lines of equal width; wing-coverts brownish gray; wings gray, without a noticeable speculum; upper and under tail-coverts black; belly white, lower belly more or less barred like back; sides barred as in back; eye

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CANVASBACK Aristonetta valisineria (Wilson)

CANVASBACK Aristonetta valisineria (Wilson)

Description. —Bill long and gradually sloping up to the head which is long and low, different markedly in this respect from that of the Redhead. Male : Head and neck rufous; chin and crown blackish; lower neck, breast, and upper back, black; back and wing-coverts barred with black and white, the white lines so much wider as to appear, even at some distance, whiter than in the Redhead; belly white, sides finely barred; upper and under tail-coverts and tail, black; eyes reddish brown; bill blackis

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SCAUP Fulix marila nearctica (Stejneger)

SCAUP Fulix marila nearctica (Stejneger)

Other Names. —Blue-bill; Black-head; Raft Duck; Greater Scaup; American Scaup. Description. — Adult male : Head, neck, breast, and upper back, black, head with greenish reflections; back and scapulars barred with black and white; speculum white; upper and under tail-coverts black; belly white, lower belly and sides finely barred with black; bill blue-gray; eyes yellow. Female : Area about base of bill white; head, neck, upper back, and breast, dark brown, margined with buffy on breast; rest of u

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LESSER SCAUP Fulix affinis (Eyton)

LESSER SCAUP Fulix affinis (Eyton)

Other Names. —Blue-bill; Black-head; Raft Duck. Description. —Decidedly similar, in both sexes, to the preceding species, but smaller, and the male’s head with purplish, rather than greenish reflections. The barring of the sides of the Lesser Scaup is stronger than in the Scaup. The females of the two species are practically indistinguishable in the field. Length : 16½ inches. Range in Pennsylvania. —Commoner throughout than the preceding species, although some of our field records may be open t

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RINGED-NECKED DUCK Perissonetta collaris (Donovan)

RINGED-NECKED DUCK Perissonetta collaris (Donovan)

Other Names. —Blue-bill; Black-head; Raft Duck. Description. —Both sexes similar to the Scaup and Lesser Scaup in general appearance, differing in the following respects: in the male Ring-neck the chin is white; the head, which has a somewhat higher crest than in either Scaup, is richly glossed with purplish blue; there is a rich brown collar about the neck (not easily noted in the field); the back is blackish , and the speculum is gray , not white; the female Ring-neck may be distinguished from

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GOLDENEYE Glaucionetta clangula americana (Bonaparte)

GOLDENEYE Glaucionetta clangula americana (Bonaparte)

Other Names. —Cuphead; Whistler. Description. —Both sexes with short, stubby bills and high heads. Male : Head black, glossed with green; a white spot below and in front of eye; neck, exposed part of wing-coverts, speculum and part of scapulars, and underparts, white; rest of plumage black; eyes yellow. Female : Head brown, neck paler; breast, back, and sides gray; speculum and underparts white; eyes yellow. Length : 20 inches. Range in Pennsylvania. —A migrant which sometimes occurs in winter w

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BUFFLEHEAD Charitonetta albeola (Linnæus)

BUFFLEHEAD Charitonetta albeola (Linnæus)

Other Names. —Butterball; Dipper Duck. Description. —About half as large as a Mallard; both sexes with short bills and high, rounded crests, more or less as in the Goldeneye. Male : Head black, glossed handsomely with greenish, purplish, bluish, and fiery orange; a large white band across back of head from eye to eye; lower neck, wing-coverts, speculum, outer scapulars, and underparts, white; back and wings black; lower back and tail grayish; eyes dark brown. Female : Head and upper breast dull

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OLD SQUAW Clangula hiemalis (Linnæus)

OLD SQUAW Clangula hiemalis (Linnæus)

Other Names. —Old Wife; Sou’ Southerly; Long-tailed Duck. Description. —Male with very long, narrow, middle tail-feathers, longer than in the Pintail; female without long tail-feathers. Male in winter : Sides of head washed with grayish brown; sides of back of head and upper neck black, more or less margined with buffy; rest of head, neck, upper back, scapulars, and lower belly, white; back and wings, breast, and upper belly, black; bill black with yellowish orange band across end; eyes pale bro

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THE SCOTERS

THE SCOTERS

Three species of scoter occur in Pennsylvania. They are diving ducks and are usually to be found only on the larger bodies of water. As a rule, they are not common; they are fond of salt water, and are commonly found in the bays along the Atlantic coast. The adult males all have grotesque and highly colored bills. All scoters are commonly called “Black Ducks” in the interior; along the coast they are called also “Sea Coots.” Scoters will, as a rule, be found in large, raft-like flocks....

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AMERICAN SCOTER Oidemia americana Swainson

AMERICAN SCOTER Oidemia americana Swainson

Description. — Male : Black, with rich purplish reflections; ridges among feathers of neck, bill black, with knob at base of upper mandible peach-yellow ; feet brownish red; eyes dark brown. Female and young : Gray-brown in general appearance, with cheek region whitish, sharply defined from crown; underparts whitish, irregularly barred and mottled with dusky. Length : 19 inches. Range in Pennsylvania. —Rare migrant and winter visitant from November until early April, commonest, perhaps, at Lake

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WHITE-WINGED SCOTER Oidemia deglandi Bonaparte

WHITE-WINGED SCOTER Oidemia deglandi Bonaparte

Description. —Size large, noticeably larger than a Mallard. Male : Black, with white spot below and at rear of eye, and white speculum; belly and sides rich deep brown; bill orange, with long knob, black at base, feathers reaching forward on it far beyond corners of mouth; feet red; eyes white . Female and immature : Deep brown, lighter below; speculum white; spot at base of bill and ear-coverts whitish, not always clearly defined. Length : 22 inches. Range in Pennsylvania. —As a rule, rare, sav

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SURF SCOTER Melanitta perspicillata (Linnæus)

SURF SCOTER Melanitta perspicillata (Linnæus)

Description. —Larger than Mallard. Male : Black, with square crown-patch and triangular nape-patch of white; feet red; bill marked with red, white, and yellow, a black spot near base; eyes white. Female and immature : A whitish spot at base of bill and on ear-coverts, much as in the White-winged Scoter; upperparts dark brown; throat, breast, and sides grayer; belly white. Length : 20 inches. Range in Pennsylvania. —Like the White-winged Scoter, rare, save at Conneaut Lake and Lake Erie where it

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RUDDY DUCK Erismatura jamaicensis (Gmelin)

RUDDY DUCK Erismatura jamaicensis (Gmelin)

Other Names. —Butterball; Bullhead; Bullneck; Dipper Duck. Description. —Both sexes with thick necks, short upper tail-coverts, and stiff tails; about half as large as a Mallard. Male : Crown black; cheeks and chin white; throat, neck, and back rich rufous; lower back and tail blackish; breast and belly silvery white, somewhat mottled along sides; bill pale gray-blue; eyes black. Female and immature : Upperparts dark grayish brown, feathers marked with narrow, wavy, buffy bars; sides of head and

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CANADA GOOSE Branta canadensis canadensis (Linnæus)

CANADA GOOSE Branta canadensis canadensis (Linnæus)

Other Names. —Wild Goose; Honker. Description. —Size large, about that of a domestic Goose, with about the same proportions; sexes similar. Head and neck black, a broad band under eye, and across throat, white; upperparts brownish gray, the feathers margined with a lighter shade, giving a somewhat scaled appearance; breast and sides gray-brown, more or less as in back; belly white; rump and tail black; upper tail-coverts white. Feet and bill black; eyes dark brown. Length : About 3 feet. Range i

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WHISTLING SWAN Cygnus columbianus (Ord)

WHISTLING SWAN Cygnus columbianus (Ord)

Description. —Size very large; neck extremely long, and wing-spread sometimes as much as 6 to 7 feet; sexes similar. Adults : Pure white; bill and feet black, a small yellow spot at base of upper mandible just in front of eye; eyes brown. Young birds are pale brownish gray in color, usually darkest on the head and neck. As the immature plumage is replaced by the adult plumage, a vague mottling appears. Length : About 4½ feet. Range in Pennsylvania. —A fairly regular migrant along the larger wate

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AMERICAN BITTERN Botaurus lentiginosus (Montagu)

AMERICAN BITTERN Botaurus lentiginosus (Montagu)

Other Names. —Thunder-pump; Bum Cluck; Stake-Driver; Plum Pudd’n. Description. —Sexes similar; larger than Crow. Upperparts brown, considerably mottled, streaked, and barred with black; a glossy black streak from corners of mouth down sides of neck; throat white; neck and breast marked with broad buffy brown streaks, which are mottled with brownish gray, in imitation of dead cat-tail leaves; belly buffy; feet greenish; bill greenish yellow at base, blackish at tip; eyes bright yellow. Length : 2

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LEAST BITTERN Ixobrychus exilis exilis (Gmelin)

LEAST BITTERN Ixobrychus exilis exilis (Gmelin)

Description. —Size very small, body hardly as heavy as that of a Robin; proportions those of a heron, however, with long bill and feet and short tail. Male : Crown, which has a crest, back, and tail, glossy black; back of neck chestnut; lesser wing-coverts buffy; greater wing-coverts and secondaries chestnut, darker than neck; underparts buffy, somewhat streaked on neck with white and fine lines of brownish; a black patch at each side of breast; throat, line along sides of back and of breast, an

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GREAT BLUE HERON Ardea herodias herodias Linnæus

GREAT BLUE HERON Ardea herodias herodias Linnæus

Other Names. —Crane; Fish Crane; Sandhill Crane (all erroneous). Description. —Size very large, the largest of our herons; sexes similar. Adults in breeding plumage : Blue-gray, generally speaking; center of crown and throat white; sides of crown and nape black, where long, black feathers form a considerable crest; neck grayish brown, tinged with pinkish; a narrow black, white, and buffy line down middle of foreneck; feathers of lower neck much lengthened and narrowed, with whitish and blackish

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AMERICAN EGRET Casmerodius albus egretta (Gmelin)

AMERICAN EGRET Casmerodius albus egretta (Gmelin)

Other Names. —Egret; White Crane (erroneous). Description. —Size large, standing about 3 feet high. Pure white, with black-tipped yellow bill , yellow eyes, and black feet . In its breeding plumage it has exquisite plumes on the back. Birds seen in Pennsylvania usually have no trace of these plumes. Length : About 3 feet, with neck fully stretched. Range in Pennsylvania. —A midsummer wanderer, found chiefly in the southeastern counties where it may occur in some numbers during July and August. T

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LITTLE BLUE HERON Florida cærulea cærulea (Linnæus)

LITTLE BLUE HERON Florida cærulea cærulea (Linnæus)

Other Names. —White Heron; White Crane (erroneous). Description. —Smaller than Egret. White, with dusky wing-tips ; bill dark, dull gray-green; feet greenish. In its breeding-range some birds are dark blue, others white. It is supposed that there are two phases of plumage. In Pennsylvania the white phase is customarily seen. Length : 22 inches. Range in Pennsylvania. —A midsummer wanderer, usually seen in the southeastern counties during July and August. This bird should not be confused with the

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GREEN HERON Butorides virescens virescens (Linnæus)

GREEN HERON Butorides virescens virescens (Linnæus)

Other Names. —Fly-up-the-Creek; Shite-poke; Green Bittern. Description. —Size small; sexes similar. Crown, crest, and line below the eye black, glossed with green; throat whitish, extending down neck as a frontal line which widens at breast; neck reddish brown, glossed with purplish; back with plume-like feathers, blue-green, appearing blue in most lights; wing-coverts glossy green, margined with buffy; tail green; belly gray, some feathers edged with buffy; bill yellowish with dusky tip; feet a

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BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERON Nycticorax nycticorax nævius (Boddært)

BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERON Nycticorax nycticorax nævius (Boddært)

Other Names. —Quawk; Bull Bittern. Description. —Larger than Crow; bill heavy and blunt for a heron; neck usually drawn in, though it is of considerable length, as in other members of the family; sexes similar. Adults : Forehead, lores, neck, and underparts white, somewhat grayish on neck; crown, upper back, and scapulars black, glossed with green; two or three long white plumes on back of crest; wings, tail, and lower back clear gray; legs and feet yellow; bill dusky with yellowish green base a

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KING RAIL Rallus elegans elegans Audubon

KING RAIL Rallus elegans elegans Audubon

Description. —The largest of our rails, about the size of a crow, but with slenderer body; sexes similar. Upperparts dark brown, feathers of the back and scapulars widely margined with olive-gray; wings and tail olive-brown; throat and areas in front of and above eye, white; neck and breast rich reddish brown, much like the breast of a robin; sides and flanks dark brown, or blackish, sharply and widely barred with white; bill dull reddish yellow, tipped with black; feet dull reddish; eyes bright

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VIRGINIA RAIL Rallus virginianus Linnæus

VIRGINIA RAIL Rallus virginianus Linnæus

Description. —Size of robin; sexes similar. Upperparts dark brown or black, the feathers edged with olive-brown or gray; wings and tail dark brown, reddish brown on coverts; forepart of superciliary line and throat, white; cheeks grayish; underparts reddish brown, save on flanks and under tail-coverts which are black or dark gray, sharply barred with white; bill and feet reddish; eyes red. Immature birds are darker throughout and the red-brown of the underparts is replaced by blackish, mixed wit

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SORA RAIL Porzana carolina (Linnæus)

SORA RAIL Porzana carolina (Linnæus)

Other Names. —Ortolan; Reed Bird; Carolina Rail. Description. —Smaller than a robin; bill rather short; sexes similar. Adults : Center of crown, region at base of bill back to eye, and broad line down chin and throat, black; front of crown, sides of head, and rest of throat and breast, ashy gray, a tiny white spot back of eye; upper-parts olive-brown, the feathers with blackish centers, those of the back and scapulars narrowly but sharply edged with white; wings dark brown, the coverts somewhat

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FLORIDA GALLINULE Gallinula chloropus cachinnans Bangs

FLORIDA GALLINULE Gallinula chloropus cachinnans Bangs

Florida Gallinule Other Name. —Mud Hen. Description. —Smaller than crow; bill of medium length; general appearance rail-like; sexes similar. Adults : Head, neck, upper back and underparts slaty gray, darker on crown and face; a row of white streaks along sides and indistinct bars of white on the belly; lower back and wings olive-brown, richest on scapulars and tail; under tail-coverts white laterally, black in middle; bill, with frontal shield, red, and yellow tip; feet greenish yellow, with red

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COOT Fulica americana Gmelin

COOT Fulica americana Gmelin

Other Name. —Mud Hen. Description. —Size of a small duck; feet with wide, flat lobes , unique among American birds; sexes similar. Adults : Head and neck black, rest of plumage dark slaty gray, somewhat paler below, and sometimes irregularly barred with whitish on breast and belly; edge of wing, tips of secondaries, and lateral undertail coverts, white; bill whitish, with frontal shield and two small spots near tip mahogany-red; legs and feet greenish, somewhat paler on tibiæ and on lobes on toe

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WOODCOCK Rubicolor minor (Gmelin)

WOODCOCK Rubicolor minor (Gmelin)

Other Names. —Wall-eyed Snipe; Bog Snipe. Description. —Appearance snipe-like, with very long bill and large eyes in back of the head, but feet very short, more as in gallinaceous birds; sexes similar, the female larger; three outer primaries narrow and stiff. Adults : Back of crown black, crossed with buffy bars; upperparts dark brown and black, the feathers barred, margined, and speckled with buffy brown and gray; wing coverts buffy brown, barred with darker brown; underparts buffy, tending to

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WILSON’S SNIPE Capella gallinago delicata (Ord)

WILSON’S SNIPE Capella gallinago delicata (Ord)

Other Names. —Jack Snipe; English Snipe (erroneous). Description. —A little heavier than a Robin, but with short tail, very long bill, and moderately long feet; sexes similar. Upperparts black, plumage edged, barred, and variously marked with white, buffy, and grayish; a light line through middle of crown, another over eye; wings dark brown, outer edge of outer primary and tips of greater coverts, white; tail black, tipped with orange-buff and white, the outer feathers white, barred with black;

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PECTORAL SANDPIPER Pisobia maculata (Vieillot)

PECTORAL SANDPIPER Pisobia maculata (Vieillot)

Other Name. —Oxeye. Description. —Smaller than Robin. Adults in summer : Upperparts black, the feathers margined with creamy buff, a distinct superciliary line of buffy white; rump and upper tail-coverts black, narrowly tipped with buffy; middle tail-feathers brownish gray, narrowly margined with white; underparts white, the neck and breast rather heavily but finely streaked with blackish and buffy brown. Adults in winter and immature : Similar, but the general appearance much more reddish brown

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LEAST SANDPIPER Pisobia minutilla (Vieillot)

LEAST SANDPIPER Pisobia minutilla (Vieillot)

Other Names. —Meadow Peep; Oxeye. Description. —About as large as an English Sparrow. Adults in spring : Upperparts black, margined and tipped with buffy and reddish brown; rump and upper tail-coverts black; middle tail-feathers black, outer ones ashy gray; throat, superciliary, and narrow ring about eye, white; neck and breast buffy, streaked with dark brown; rest of underparts white, the sides with narrow streaks of dusky; bill blackish; feet dull green. Adults and young in winter : Upperparts

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RED-BACKED SANDPIPER Pelidna alpina pacifica Coues

RED-BACKED SANDPIPER Pelidna alpina pacifica Coues

Description. —About the size of a Spotted Sandpiper; bill slightly curved at tip. Adults in spring : Back and scapulars bright reddish brown, the feathers with dark centers; breast white, finely streaked with dark brown; large black patch on middle of belly ; lower belly white. Adults and young in winter : Upperparts gray, wing-coverts gray, edged with buffy; underparts white, the breast grayish, the sides sometimes somewhat streaked. Length : 8 inches. Range in Pennsylvania. —A migrant, rare in

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SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER Ereunetes pusillus (Linnæus)

SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER Ereunetes pusillus (Linnæus)

Description. —About as large as an English Sparrow; half-webs between the front toes, which are responsible for the bird’s name. Adults in spring : Upperparts dark brown, plumage margined with brownish gray and traces of reddish brown; rump grayish brown; upper tail-coverts blackish; tail gray, central feathers darkest; underparts white, with faint streaking on breast. Young birds in their first fall plumage have a somewhat scaly appearance above as a result of the buffy tips and borders of the

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SANDERLING Crocethia alba (Pallas)

SANDERLING Crocethia alba (Pallas)

Description. — Three toes ; a little smaller than Robin. Adults in summer : Head, back, lower throat, and sides of breast, rusty brown, the feathers edged with whitish and centered with black; wings with white area on basal half of inner flight-feathers; belly and narrow margins of tail-feathers white. Adults in winter : Gray above, white below, with white face and eye-ring. Young in first winter plumage : Whitish, streaked with black above; breast buffy; rest of underparts white. Length : 8 inc

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GREATER YELLOW-LEGS Totanus melanoleucus (Gmelin)

GREATER YELLOW-LEGS Totanus melanoleucus (Gmelin)

Other Name. —Yellow-legs Snipe. Description. —Larger than Robin; legs very long and yellow ; bill long, slender, and straight. Adults : Upperparts black; head and neck streaked with white; feathers of back spotted and barred with whitish; upper tail-coverts and tail white, barred with black; underparts white, breast spotted and sides barred with black. Adults and young in winter : Similar but with less striking markings both above and below; sides only slightly barred; bill and eyes black. Lengt

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LESSER YELLOW-LEGS Totanus flavipes (Gmelin)

LESSER YELLOW-LEGS Totanus flavipes (Gmelin)

Other Names. —Summer Yellow-legs; Yellow-legs. Description. —Remarkably similar to the Greater Yellow-legs in all respects, even in habits, but noticeably smaller, even in the field. Length : Almost 11 inches. Range in Pennsylvania. —A fairly common and regular migrant, often commoner than the Greater Yellow-legs and more apt to be noted in small flocks. It is to be found from late April to mid-May and from early August to mid-October. Look for the Yellow-legs along some mud-flat, preferably on

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SOLITARY SANDPIPER Tringa solitaria solitaria Wilson

SOLITARY SANDPIPER Tringa solitaria solitaria Wilson

Description. —Smaller than Robin; flight swift and graceful; wings in flight look black . Adults : Upperparts dark olive-brown; head and neck streaked, and back finely spotted with white; middle tail-feathers dark, the others white, barred with black ; underparts white, the breast streaked, the sides sometimes barred with black. In winter the birds are similar but are less streaked and spotted. Length : 8½ inches. Range in Pennsylvania. —Common and regular migrant from early May until about the

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BARTRAMIAN SANDPIPER; UPLAND PLOVER Bartramia longicauda (Bechstein)

BARTRAMIAN SANDPIPER; UPLAND PLOVER Bartramia longicauda (Bechstein)

Other Names. —Field Plover; Prairie Whistler. Description. —Larger than Robin; tail rather long and much pointed; upperparts rich buffy; the head and neck streaked and the back barred with black; primaries dark brown, the outermost barred with white; inner tail-feathers dark brown, the outer ones buffy, all tipped and edged with white, showing plainly in the field, and all more or less barred with black and marked with noticeable subterminal band of black; underparts whitish, the breast and side

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SPOTTED SANDPIPER Actitis macularia (Linnæus)

SPOTTED SANDPIPER Actitis macularia (Linnæus)

Other Names. —Tilt-up; Tip-up; Peep. Description. —Larger than an English Sparrow, with long, narrow, pointed wings; upperparts brownish gray, with a faint greenish gloss, more or less barred with black; an indistinct superciliary line of white; face and underparts white, spotted throughout with black , the largest spots on the sides and flanks; wings like back, the bases of the primaries and secondaries whitish, showing in flight; inner tail-feathers dark like back, outer ones lighter, about wh

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KILLDEER Oxyechus vociferus vociferus (Linnæus)

KILLDEER Oxyechus vociferus vociferus (Linnæus)

Other Names. —Killdee; Killdeer Plover. Description. —Three toes; size of Robin; forehead, patch over eye, throat, ring around neck, and underparts white, the breast crossed by two prominent black bands ; forepart of crown and line from bill under eye, blackish; rest of head and upperparts gray-brown, with greenish reflections; wings with bases of flight-feathers white, showing plainly in flight; rump and upper tail-coverts bright orange-brown; middle tail-feathers dark brown, outer feathers whi

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SEMIPALMATED PLOVER Charadrius semipalmatus Bonaparte

SEMIPALMATED PLOVER Charadrius semipalmatus Bonaparte

Other Name. —Ring Plover. Description. —Like the Killdeer in general appearance, but much smaller, and with only one black band around the neck ; rump and upper tail-coverts the same gray-brown as the back; eyelids yellow; bill short, orange, tipped with black. Length : A little under 7 inches. Range in Pennsylvania. —A rather rare migrant during May and from August 10 to October 1, save at Erie, where it is regular and common. Semipalmated Plover The clear call-note of this species, ker-ee, ker

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RUDDY TURNSTONE Arenaria interpres morinella (Linnæus)

RUDDY TURNSTONE Arenaria interpres morinella (Linnæus)

Description. —Size of Robin; bill sharply pointed. Adults in spring : Upperparts strikingly marked with black, white, and rusty red; tail white, with black band near tip; underparts white, marked with black on throat and breast. In winter : Upperparts blackish, the feathers margined with grayish; lower back white; tail as in summer; legs orange-red. Length : 9½ inches. Range in Pennsylvania. —A rare but rather regular migrant in May and September, noted chiefly at Erie....

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RING-NECKED PHEASANT Phasianus colchichus torquatus Gmelin

RING-NECKED PHEASANT Phasianus colchichus torquatus Gmelin

Other Names. —Ring-neck; Pheasant; English Pheasant. Description. —Size of a chicken; male with a long, pointed tail; female with shorter, more rounded tail. Adult male : Head and neck, with tufts on sides of head, glossy green; collar about neck white; back and scapulars golden yellow, the centers of the feathers glossy green; rump grayish, glossed with green, and marked with black spots; wings light gray, the primaries barred with black; tail brown, barred with black and glossed with pinkish;

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BOB-WHITE Colinus virginianus virginianus (Linnæus)

BOB-WHITE Colinus virginianus virginianus (Linnæus)

Other Names. —Quail; Partridge; Virginia Partridge. Description. —Size of small bantam chicken. Male : Head blackish, mottled with gray and red-brown; throat, spots on neck, and a prominent line above eye, white; back and breast mottled with gray, pinkish brown, buffy, black, and white; scapulars bordered with buffy; rump and tail gray; belly whitish, barred with black; flanks rusty red, feathers margined with white. Female : Similar, but with buffy yellow superciliary and throat. Length : 10 in

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RUFFED GROUSE Bonasa umbellus umbellus (Linnæus)

RUFFED GROUSE Bonasa umbellus umbellus (Linnæus)

Other Names. —Partridge; Gray Partridge; Birch Partridge; Silver-tail (gray phase); Pheasant (erroneous). Description. —Size of chicken, with broad, fan-shaped tail; sexes similar. Upperparts principally reddish brown, irregularly marked with black, buffy, gray, and whitish; sides of neck with ruffs of broad, black feathers glossed with greenish; tail reddish brown or gray, or of intermediate shade, irregularly barred and mottled with black, with a broad blackish band near end, and a gray tip; t

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WILD TURKEY Meleagris gallopavo silvestris Vieillot

WILD TURKEY Meleagris gallopavo silvestris Vieillot

Description. —Size and appearance very similar to that of the domestic bird, but tips of tail-feathers and upper tail-coverts rich deep chestnut; primaries barred with black and white; feet mahogany- red . A large Wild Turkey gobbler in spring is a magnificent creature with its rich, iridescent plumage, highly colored and wattled head, and proud carriage. Length : About 4 feet. Range in Pennsylvania. —Once fairly common throughout the State, especially in the southern mountainous counties, but b

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MOURNING DOVE Zenaidura macroura carolinensis (Linnæus)

MOURNING DOVE Zenaidura macroura carolinensis (Linnæus)

Other Names. —Carolina Dove; Rain Crow (erroneous); Turtle Dove. Description. —A little larger than a Robin; head small, tail long and pointed. Adults : Crown clear gray; front of head, face, throat, and lower neck, soft reddish brown, two small black spots back of and below the eye; sides and back of neck gray, with patches of iridescent feathers which reflect greenish, golden, and purplish lights; back and wings grayish brown, some of the coverts and tertials with black spots; rump and tail gr

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TURKEY VULTURE Cathartes aura septentrionalis Wied

TURKEY VULTURE Cathartes aura septentrionalis Wied

Other Names. —Buzzard; Turkey Buzzard. Description. —Smaller than a Turkey; head and upper neck virtually bare; ruff of feathers about lower neck; wings long as in most birds of prey, but feet without the sharp, curved claws of the hawk tribe; plumage blackish brown, glossed with purplish when fresh, rusty and soiled in appearance when old; under surface of flight-feathers lighter, showing in flight; skin of neck and head reddish, with whitish tubercles and ridges, and some hairs and small feath

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MARSH HAWK Circus cyaneus hudsonius (Linnæus)

MARSH HAWK Circus cyaneus hudsonius (Linnæus)

Marsh Hawk Male Female Other Names. —Swamp Hawk; Marsh Harrier; Pigeon Hawk (erroneous); Chicken Hawk; Hen Harrier. Description. —Face with an owl-like ruff of feathers; wings and tail long; feet long and slender. Adult male : Upperparts light ashy gray, somewhat darker on top of head, and slightly streaked on neck; tips of wings black; tail barred with black; upper tail-coverts white ; lower parts white, grayer on throat and upper breast, and flecked with pale reddish brown on sides and flanks;

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SHARP-SHINNED HAWK Accipiter velox (Wilson)

SHARP-SHINNED HAWK Accipiter velox (Wilson)

Other Names. —Bird Hawk; Blue Darter; Chicken Hawk; Pigeon Hawk (erroneous). Description. —Small for a Hawk, being but little larger than a Robin; wings comparatively short and rounded; tail long and square at tip : female considerably larger than male. Adults : Top of head and neck blackish, base of feathers of nape white; cheeks and malar region whitish streaked with reddish brown; throat white, finely streaked with black; upperparts blue-gray, the tail marked with three or four blackish bands

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COOPER’S HAWK Accipiter cooperi (Bonaparte)

COOPER’S HAWK Accipiter cooperi (Bonaparte)

Other Names. —Chicken Hawk; Blue Darter; Pigeon Hawk (erroneous); Hen Hawk. Description. —Almost precisely like the Sharp-shin in proportions and coloration, but larger, the smaller male bird usually being a few ounces heavier than the largest female Sharp-shin, but not always to be distinguished easily from that species in the field. In the hand the Cooper’s Hawk may always be recognized by the shape of the tip of the tail which is rounded , not square, as it is in the Sharp-shin. Length : Male

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GOSHAWK Astur atricapillus atricapillus (Wilson)

GOSHAWK Astur atricapillus atricapillus (Wilson)

Other Names. —Hen Hawk; Gray Hawk; Partridge Hawk; Squirrel Hawk; Chicken Hawk. Description. —A large, heavy-bodied Hawk, with comparatively short wings and long tail; female considerably larger than male. Adults : Crown black; area above and back of eye white, marked irregularly with black; rest of head whitish, streaked with black; upperparts blue-gray, the tail marked with three or four broad blackish bands; underparts heavily and finely barred with clear gray throughout , also somewhat strea

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RED-TAILED HAWK Buteo borealis borealis (Gmelin)

RED-TAILED HAWK Buteo borealis borealis (Gmelin)

Other Names. —Chicken Hawk; Hen Hawk. Description. —Large, with broad wings and comparatively short tail; often seen circling in the sky or perched on a prominent dead stub; female larger than male. Adults : Upperparts dark brown, glossed with violet on back; scapulars and wing-coverts somewhat barred with buffy brown; throat white; breast usually crossed by a brownish band or by a row of streaks; rest of underparts whitish, barred and streaked with blackish, particularly on flanks and sides; ti

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RED-SHOULDERED HAWK Buteo lineatus lineatus (Gmelin)

RED-SHOULDERED HAWK Buteo lineatus lineatus (Gmelin)

Other Name. —Chicken Hawk. Description. —Smaller than the Red-tail, with broad wings and comparatively short tail. Adults : Head and neck dark brown, streaked with reddish brown; back dark brown, with irregular barring and edging of gray and whitish; wings black, barred and spotted with white, lesser coverts rich reddish brown; tail black, crossed with three distinct but narrow white bands; underparts reddish brown, barred on belly, sides, and flanks with white; throat whitish, streaked, not bar

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BROAD-WINGED HAWK Buteo platypterus platypterus (Vieillot)

BROAD-WINGED HAWK Buteo platypterus platypterus (Vieillot)

Other Names. —Chicken Hawk; Pigeon Hawk (erroneous). Description. —The Broad-wing, because of its name, is often thought to be one of our largest hawks, but in reality it is one of the smaller species, being about the size of a Crow. Adults : Gray-brown above; throat white; malar region blackish; tail crossed with three distinct and rather broad white bands; underparts warm brown, the belly and sides heavily barred with white, the under tail-coverts largely whitish; cere and feet yellowish green

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ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK Archibuteo lagopus sancti-johannis (Gmelin)

ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK Archibuteo lagopus sancti-johannis (Gmelin)

Other Name. —Chicken Hawk. Description. —Larger than a Red-tail; two distinct types of plumage, one light, one dark; feet, down to the very toes , fully feathered. Light phase of plumage : Head and neck black, boldly streaked with white; back dark brown; tail white at base, black on terminal third; breast and throat buffy, broadly streaked with black; feathers of leg buffy, spotted with blackish; belly and under tail-coverts black ; wing-linings white, with black spots at wrist and black tips on

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GOLDEN EAGLE Aquila chrysaëtos chrysaëtos (Linnæus)

GOLDEN EAGLE Aquila chrysaëtos chrysaëtos (Linnæus)

Description. —Size very large; wing-spread from 6 to 8 feet; female noticeably the larger. Adults : Plumage rich deep brown, save on crown, nape, and hind neck where the pointed feathers are golden brown, and on the basal half of the tail, which is barred with whitish or gray; cere and toes yellow; bill blue-black; eyes dark brown; tarsus, which is fully feathered down to the toes, white or pale buffy. Immature : Similar, but the basal half or two-thirds of the tail is white and the under tail-c

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BALD EAGLE Haliæëtus leucocephalus leucocephalus (Linnæus)

BALD EAGLE Haliæëtus leucocephalus leucocephalus (Linnæus)

Other Names. —American Eagle; White-headed Eagle. Description. —Size very large, a wing-spread of over 6 feet. Fully adult birds : Brownish black with head and neck, tail, and upper and under tail-coverts, white; bill clear bright yellow; feet dull yellow; eyes bright pale yellow. Young birds in their first plumage : Almost black, with irregular mottling of white on underparts; bill and cere dusky; eyes dark brown. In somewhat older young the plumage is much mottled with white, buffy, and grayis

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DUCK HAWK Rhynchodon peregrinus anatum (Bonaparte)

DUCK HAWK Rhynchodon peregrinus anatum (Bonaparte)

Other Names. —Peregrine Falcon; Rock Hawk; Bullet Hawk; Blue Hawk; American Peregrine; Ledge Hawk. Description. —Size medium; female much larger than male; wings long and pointed; plumage very firm and stiff. Adults : Top of head and patch below eyes and on rear part of cheeks, black; back, wings, and tail bluish slate, heavily barred with darker gray; tail tipped with white; underparts buffy, barred and spotted with black, chiefly on sides and flanks. Immature : Upperparts dark brown, the pluma

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PIGEON HAWK Tinnuculus columbarius columbarius (Linnæus)

PIGEON HAWK Tinnuculus columbarius columbarius (Linnæus)

Description. —Size small, a little larger than a Sparrow Hawk, but heavily built, and with plumage firm like that of the Duck Hawk. Adults : Blue-gray, narrowly streaked with black above, an inconspicuous band of buffy or pale reddish brown at neck, primaries barred with white; tail blackish with three or four distinct, though narrow, white or grayish bars, and a white tip; underparts buffy or rich ochraceous, streaked with black, save on throat. Immature : Dark brown above, the primaries and ta

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SPARROW HAWK Cerchneis sparveria sparveria (Linnæus)

SPARROW HAWK Cerchneis sparveria sparveria (Linnæus)

Other Names. —Mouse Hawk; Killy Hawk; Pigeon Hawk (erroneous). Description. —Size small, not much larger than a Robin; adults and young alike; wings pointed. Male : Top of head blue-gray, with rusty brown crown-patch; sides of head buffy or whitish, with black marks below eye, on ear-coverts, and on side of nape; back rich reddish brown, barred on scapulars, and sometimes on back, with black; wing-coverts blue-gray, spotted with black; primaries black, barred with white; tail rich rufous, tipped

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OSPREY; FISH HAWK Pandion haliaëtus carolinensis (Gmelin)

OSPREY; FISH HAWK Pandion haliaëtus carolinensis (Gmelin)

Description. —Size large, wings long, giving the bird in flight somewhat the appearance of a gull; feet large, the outer toe reversible, the under side of the toes with spiny scales for holding slippery prey; upperparts blackish brown, the feathers margined with brownish; nape and superciliary white or whitish spotted with black; tail with from six to nine grayish bands, noticeable particularly on the inner web; underparts shining white, with spots of brown on breast, particularly in the female.

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BARN OWL Tyto alba pratincola (Bonaparte)

BARN OWL Tyto alba pratincola (Bonaparte)

Other Names. —Monkey-faced Owl; Golden Owl. Description. —Larger than a Crow; face with round ruff of feathers about eyes; legs very long and lanky, with sparse feathering down to tips of toes. Face white, with reddish brown area about eye and narrow ring of reddish brown at outer edge of facial disc; upperparts golden brown, much variegated with fine gray barring and black and white speckling; underparts white, buffy, or ochraceous, finely spotted with black. The under surface of the wings is p

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LONG-EARED OWL Asio otus wilsonianus (Lesson)

LONG-EARED OWL Asio otus wilsonianus (Lesson)

Other Names. —Cat Owl; Cedar Owl; Hoot Owl. Description. —Size medium, about that of a Crow; head with two prominent tufts of feathers which are nearly always held erect in life; feet fully feathered. Upperparts gray, mottled with buffy brown and speckled with black and white; tail with six or eight dark gray bars; face whitish to rich buff, bordered by black; ear-tufts black margined with whitish or buffy; underparts whitish, washed irregularly with buffy—the breast broadly and irregularly stre

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SHORT-EARED OWL Asio flammeus (Pontoppidan)

SHORT-EARED OWL Asio flammeus (Pontoppidan)

Other Names. —Meadow Owl; Marsh Owl; Swamp Owl; Bog Owl. Description. —Size medium, like the Long-eared Owl; head with very small tufts, not apparent in field . Dark brown above, the feathers margined with buffy brown, the wings spotted and barred with buffy, the tail with rich buffy and brown bands of about equal width; underparts buffy or whitish, streaked, broadly on breast, narrowly on belly, with dark brown; feet buffy; eyes yellow. Length : 15 inches. Range in Pennsylvania. —A fairly commo

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BARRED OWL Strix varia varia Barton

BARRED OWL Strix varia varia Barton

Other Names. —Hoot Owl; Black-eyed Owl (rare). Description. —Much larger than a Crow; no tufts on the head; feet feathered almost to claws. Upperparts dull chocolate-brown, each feather with two or three grayish white or buffy bars, especially noticeable on scapulars; tail and wings distinctly barred; face grayish, finely barred with dark gray; underparts whitish or grayish white, tinged with buff, the breast distinctly barred, the belly and sides streaked with dark brown; bill greenish yellow;

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SAW-WHET OWL Cryptoglaux acadica acadica (Gmelin)

SAW-WHET OWL Cryptoglaux acadica acadica (Gmelin)

Description. —Considerably smaller than a Screech Owl; no tufts on head. Adults : Facial disc white, with radial streaks of brown; upperparts dull chocolate-brown, finely streaked on head and spotted on back and wings with white; tail with three or four whitish bars; underparts white, broadly streaked with dark reddish brown; legs and feet white, feathered down to claws; eyes yellow. Immature : Like adult, but head and back unspotted, and breast brown, unstreaked; belly deep buffy; eyes brownish

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SCREECH OWL Otus asio nævius (Gmelin)

SCREECH OWL Otus asio nævius (Gmelin)

Other Names. —Squinch Owl; Little Owl; Red Owl; Gray Owl; Hoot Owl; Squeak Owl; Mottled Owl. Description. —Size small, but little longer than a Robin, though heavier; head with prominent ear-tufts, almost always visible in the field; feet feathered down to claws. Red phase of plumage : Upperparts bright reddish brown, finely streaked with black, the scapulars streaked with buffy white; underparts white, streaked finely with black, and barred with reddish brown, chiefly on sides. Gray phase of pl

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GREAT HORNED OWL Bubo virginianus virginianus (Gmelin)

GREAT HORNED OWL Bubo virginianus virginianus (Gmelin)

Other Names. —Hoot Owl; Big Owl; Cat Owl. Description. —Size large; head with prominent tufts of feathers; feet fully feathered down to claws; female noticeably larger than male. Facial disc rich orange-brown; ear-tufts black, edged with rich buffy; upperparts mottled and speckled with gray, black, white, and buffy; throat pure white; underparts buffy and white, finely and thickly barred with black; feet buffy; tail and wings inconspicuously barred; eyes large, bright yellow. Length : About 2 fe

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SNOWY OWL Nyctea nyctea (Linnæus)

SNOWY OWL Nyctea nyctea (Linnæus)

Other Names. —White Owl; Arctic Owl; Snow Owl. Description. —Size large, head without ear-tufts; feet so heavily feathered that the claws are sometimes hidden. Plumage white, barred with dark grayish brown, particularly on the back and wings and sides of breast. Individuals vary greatly in appearance, some being pure white, others being heavily barred. Younger birds are usually darker. Eyes bright yellow. Length : About 2 feet. Range in Pennsylvania. —A rare and irregular winter visitor, particu

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YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO Coccyzus americanus americanus (Linnæus)

YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO Coccyzus americanus americanus (Linnæus)

Other Name. —Rain-Crow. Description. —A long, slender bird about the size of a Robin, with very long tail and curved bill; feet with two toes pointing forward, two backward. Upperparts olive-gray, glossed with green, the primaries rich reddish brown, apparent in flight; tail with outer feathers black, broadly tipped with white, the outer vane of outer feathers also white; underparts white; bill blackish, the lower mandible rich yellow; eyes dark brown; eyelids yellowish. Length : 12 inches. Rang

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BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO Coccyzus erythophthalmus (Wilson)

BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO Coccyzus erythophthalmus (Wilson)

Other Name. —Rain-Crow. Description. —Upperparts grayish brown, faintly glossed with greenish and bronze; outer tail-feathers narrowly and inconspicuously tipped with white; underparts white, somewhat grayish on throat and breast; bill black; eyes dark brown; eyelids red . Length : A little under 12 inches. Range in Pennsylvania. —A summer resident from early May to latter September. I have found this species common in some of the northern counties where the Yellow-billed species was rare. Nest.

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BELTED KINGFISHER Streptoceryle alcyon alcyon (Linnæus)

BELTED KINGFISHER Streptoceryle alcyon alcyon (Linnæus)

Description. —Head large, with long bill and prominent crest; feet small and short; plumage firm and compact. Male : Head and crest blue-gray, the feathers with dark centers; two spots, one in front of, and one under eye, and collar about neck, white; back and band across breast blue-gray, the wings and tail considerably spotted with white; bill blackish; eyes dark brown. Female and young : Similar, but with sides and a broken band across lower breast bright reddish brown, noticeable in the fiel

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HAIRY WOODPECKER Dryobates villosus villosus (Linnæus)

HAIRY WOODPECKER Dryobates villosus villosus (Linnæus)

Other Name. —Sapsucker (erroneous). Description. —Smaller than Robin; like other Woodpeckers, usually seen perched on the trunk of a tree or flying, in a strongly undulating fashion, through the air. Adult male : Top of head, line through eye and line from lower mandible to rear part of head, black, nape bright red , rest of head, white; back, black with white median stripe; wings black, spotted profusely with white; tail black, the outer feathers white, unspotted ; underparts white. The adult f

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DOWNY WOODPECKER Dryobates pubescens medianus (Swainson)

DOWNY WOODPECKER Dryobates pubescens medianus (Swainson)

Other Name. —Sapsucker (erroneous). Description. —About the size of an English Sparrow. Precisely like the Hairy Woodpecker, but noticeably smaller, with shorter, weaker bill, and the outer tail-feathers distinctly barred with black . The Downy is quieter, less energetic bird than its larger cousin; its call-note is softer in quality and its song, which is composed of a series of call-notes rapidly repeated, is more musical than that of the Hairy Woodpecker. Length : A little under 7 inches. Ran

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YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER Sphyrapicus varius varius (Linnæus)

YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER Sphyrapicus varius varius (Linnæus)

Other Names. —Yellow-bellied Woodpecker; Sapsucker. Description. —Smaller than a Robin, with all the characteristics of the woodpecker tribe to which it belongs. Adult male : Top of head and throat rich, deep red; lines below crown-patch, back of eye, and enclosing throat to form prominent breast-patch, black ; lines above and below eye white; back black, spotted with white; wings black, with prominent white patch on greater coverts, and primaries spotted; tail black, the central and outer feath

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PILEATED WOODPECKER Phlœotomus pileatus abieticola (Bangs)

PILEATED WOODPECKER Phlœotomus pileatus abieticola (Bangs)

Other Names. —Red-headed Woodpecker (erroneous); Cock o’ the Woods; Log-cock; Woodcock (erroneous); Indian Hen; Black Woodpecker. Description. —Size large, about that of a Crow; both sexes with prominent triangular crests. Adult male : High crest and line from lower mandible to middle of head, bright glossy red; narrow line back of eye and prominent line from bill under eye to neck and down to edge of breast, white; throat whitish; patch at base of folded primaries and irregular barring, on side

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RED-HEADED WOODPECKER Melanerpes erythrocephalus erythrocephalus (Linnæus)

RED-HEADED WOODPECKER Melanerpes erythrocephalus erythrocephalus (Linnæus)

Other Name. —Red-head. Description. —A little smaller than a Robin. Adults : Head, neck, and upper breast, rich, deep red; upperparts glossy blue-black; the terminal half of the secondaries, rump, and upper tail-coverts, white; tail black, the outer feathers tipped and somewhat edged with white; lower breast and belly white, a reddish or buffy cast in the middle. Immature birds : Head and neck grayish brown, somewhat mottled; upper back glossy black, barred with gray; wings black, the terminal h

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RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER Centurus carolinus (Linnæus)

RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER Centurus carolinus (Linnæus)

Other Names. —Ladder-back; Zebra Woodpecker; Chiv; Sapsucker (erroneous). Description. —A little smaller than a Robin. Adult male : Top of head and back of neck bright, glossy scarlet; rest of head, neck, and underparts, ashy gray, the region about the bill and the belly usually tinged with red; upperparts, including wings, strikingly barred with glossy black and white; upper tail-coverts white, with median streaks or sagittate markings of black; tail black, the feathers considerably marked with

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NORTHERN FLICKER Colaptes auratus luteus Bangs

NORTHERN FLICKER Colaptes auratus luteus Bangs

Other Names. —Golden-winged Woodpecker; Yellow Hammer; Wake Robin; Ground Woodpecker; Wickup; Clape; Yarrup; High-hole; Plickah; Ant-bird, and many other names, most of them colloquial. Description. —A little larger than a Robin. Male : Top of head gray, scarlet patch on nape, black patch extending backward from each lower mandible, rest of head cinnamon-brown; back and wings olive-brown, barred with black, the wing-linings and shafts of feathers bright yellow, noticeable in flight; rump and upp

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WHIP-POOR-WILL Setochalcis vocifera vocifera (Wilson)

WHIP-POOR-WILL Setochalcis vocifera vocifera (Wilson)

Description. —Head and eyes large; bill very small; mouth lined with long, hair-like feathers which protrude in front of bill; feet small and weak; plumage soft and lax; color pattern highly protective. Head and upperparts rich deep brown and gray, streaked, mottled, and barred with black, buffy, and whitish; a noticeable white band across throat; tail with terminal half of three outer feathers white; no white spot in wings ; underparts buffy, irregularly and finely barred and marked with blacki

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NIGHTHAWK Chordeiles minor minor (J. R. Forster)

NIGHTHAWK Chordeiles minor minor (J. R. Forster)

Nighthawk Other Names. —Bull-Bat; Whip-poor-will (erroneous); Goatsucker; Night Jar; Mosquito Hawk. Description. —Mouth without prominent bristles protruding in front of short bill; wings long and pointed; tail forked. Male : Upperparts black, barred and variously marked with whitish, gray, buffy, and cream-color, the flight-feathers blackish, the middle of the primaries marked with a prominent bar of white which is especially noticeable from below, in flight; tail with a white bar across all bu

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CHIMNEY SWIFT Chætura pelagica (Linnæus)

CHIMNEY SWIFT Chætura pelagica (Linnæus)

Other Name. —Chimney Swallow (erroneous). Description. —Wings very long; bill and feet very small; tail of stiff feathers, all with noticeable spines at tip; sexes alike. Plumage brownish black, grayer on the throat, a deep black spot in front of eye; a ridge of feathers over the eye, forming a sort of brow. Length : 5½ inches. Range in Pennsylvania. —A common migrant and summer resident from about the middle of April to October. It is widely distributed and occurs in all towns . Nest. —A shallo

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RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD Archilochus colubris (Linnæus)

RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD Archilochus colubris (Linnæus)

Other Names. —Hummer; Ruby-throat. Description. —Our smallest bird; bill about twice as long as head; feet small, with downy plumage at base; wings with comparatively short bones, but with powerful muscles; tail-feathers pointed in male, rounded in female. Adult male : Upperparts glossy, bright green; wings and tail with steel-blue or violet reflections; throat gorgeous orange-red in proper lights, velvety black from some angles; breast with noticeable white patch; rest of underparts grayish, gl

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KINGBIRD Tyrannus tyrannus tyrannus (Linnæus)

KINGBIRD Tyrannus tyrannus tyrannus (Linnæus)

Other Names. —Bee Bird; Bee Martin; Tyrant Flycatcher. Description. —Smaller than a Robin, with upright attitude in perching; sexes alike. Upperparts dark gray, darkest on head, wings, and tail; crown with concealed patch of orange-red; wing-coverts edged with lighter gray; tip of tail white ; underparts pure white, washed with grayish on throat and breast; eyes dark brown. Young birds are similar, but lack the crown-patch, are duller in appearance, and the plumage is often more or less tinged w

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CRESTED FLYCATCHER Myiarchus crinitus boreus Bangs

CRESTED FLYCATCHER Myiarchus crinitus boreus Bangs

Description. —A little smaller than a Robin, with upright perching attitude and dignified, masterful bearing; sexes similar. Upperparts grayish olive-brown, outer primaries edged with dull reddish brown, and inner-vane of all tail-feathers pale reddish brown , which often shows plainly in flight; throat and breast light gray; belly pale yellow. Length : 9 inches. Range in Pennsylvania. —A fairly common migrant and summer resident in the orchards and woodlands, from mid-April to mid-September. Ne

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PHŒBE Sayornis phœbe (Latham)

PHŒBE Sayornis phœbe (Latham)

Other Names. —Bridge Bird; Phœbe-bird; Pewee (erroneous). Description. —Larger than English Sparrow, with upright position and comparatively long tail which is occasionally quickly lifted as the bird watches for insects. Upperparts grayish olive-brown, darkest on top of head; bar on wings noticeable in field; tail with outer edge of outer tail-feathers white, not noticeable in field; underparts white, suffused with yellowish, and tinged with brownish gray on breast and sides; bill and eyes black

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OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER Nuttallornis borealis borealis (Swainson)

OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER Nuttallornis borealis borealis (Swainson)

Description. —Smaller than a Robin, with upright carriage and dull, unmarked appearance. Upperparts, sides of breast, and sides dark olive-gray; wings and tail darker; throat and middle of breast and belly very pale yellow, or yellowish white; under tail-coverts marked with dusky; a loose tuft of fluffy, silver-white feathers on either flank, sometimes protruding through wings, on back ; bill dark, save base of lower mandible which is yellow. Length : 7½ inches. Range in Pennsylvania. —A rather

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WOOD PEWEE Myiochanes virens (Linnæus)

WOOD PEWEE Myiochanes virens (Linnæus)

Description. —About the size of an English Sparrow, with upright perching attitude . Adults : Dark grayish olive above, the wings with two rather indistinct whitish wing-bars; underparts white or pale yellowish, washed with grayish on sides of throat and on breast; upper mandible dark; lower mandible yellowish; eyes black. Immature birds : Similar, but the wing-coverts tipped with buffy and underparts more yellowish. Length : 6½ inches. Range in Pennsylvania. —A common migrant and summer residen

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THE SMALL FLYCATCHERS

THE SMALL FLYCATCHERS

The bird student will find the shy, dull-colored, small flycatchers difficult to identify. All forms of the group found regularly in Pennsylvania, aside from the Phœbe and Pewee, are dull olive-green or grayish above, lighter or whitish below, have a more or less noticeable eye-ring and two noticeable wing-bars. These small flycatchers are so similar in size and color that it is at times almost impossible to distinguish specimens in the hand. But they are reasonably easy to identify in the field

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YELLOW-BELLIED FLYCATCHER Empidonax flaviventris (W. M. and S. F. Baird)

YELLOW-BELLIED FLYCATCHER Empidonax flaviventris (W. M. and S. F. Baird)

The Yellow-bellied Flycatcher is a migrant in mid-spring and early autumn, not found during summer , save at one or two high altitudes, where it nests rarely. It is always rather noticeably yellow below and is found in low, thick woodlands, not often far from the ground. The call-note is a nervous tsek , or chuh-bec , its song a querulous tsu-eek , with a rising inflection. In fall immature birds are sometimes exceedingly abundant....

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ACADIAN FLYCATCHER Empidonax virescens (Vieillot)

ACADIAN FLYCATCHER Empidonax virescens (Vieillot)

This flycatcher lives in shadowy woodlands along ravines where long, swaying branches of beech, maple, or hemlock overhang a stream. Here, not at great height, is built the shallow, thin nest, where three eggs are laid. These are creamy white, spotted with dark brown at the larger end. The call of this bird may be written pit-i-yuk or wee-zee-eep , and is of an explosive character. Do not look for this bird save in woodlands along streams. It will not be found in swamps, or in orchards. It comes

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ALDER FLYCATCHER Empidonax traillii traillii (Audubon)

ALDER FLYCATCHER Empidonax traillii traillii (Audubon)

The Alder Flycatcher will be seen in low growth along streams or in swamps, often actually among alders. Its sides are yellowish, but the belly is always white. The song of this species, which is usually delivered from a prominent and sometimes high perch, may be written becky-weer , and is different from any other flycatcher song, save, perhaps that of the Olive-sided. Its nest is a compact structure, built in the alders, 2 to 3 feet from the ground, usually in a swamp. The three or four eggs a

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LEAST FLYCATCHER; CHEBEC Empidonax minimus (W. M. and S. F. Baird)

LEAST FLYCATCHER; CHEBEC Empidonax minimus (W. M. and S. F. Baird)

The Least Flycatcher is a bird of open aspen copses or orchards. Its energetic che-bec , which is given with a violent toss of the head, is always characteristic and is responsible for its common name. Look for the bird during migration in May and in September. As a summer resident it occurs chiefly in the more northern counties, where it builds its deep nest in the crotch of some low tree. The eggs, 3 or 4 in number, are pure white. Feathers are often used in the nest, which is made of vegetabl

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HORNED LARK Otocoris alpestris alpestris (Linnæus)

HORNED LARK Otocoris alpestris alpestris (Linnæus)

This northern relative of our Prairie Horned Lark visits Pennsylvania occasionally in winter, especially in the northern counties. It is a larger, more reddish bird, and the line above the eye is distinctly yellow, sometimes quite colorful....

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PRAIRIE HORNED LARK Otocoris alpestris praticola Henshaw

PRAIRIE HORNED LARK Otocoris alpestris praticola Henshaw

Other Name. —Shore Lark. Description. —Larger than an English Sparrow; a bird of the ground, with straight toe-nails, the hind one very long. Adult male : Patch on forepart of crown with lateral lines leading to two tiny tufts or horns on nape, patch in front of and below eye, and another on upper breast, black; forehead and line above eye whitish, sometimes very faintly tinged with yellow; throat pale yellow; back of head and upperparts pale grayish brown mixed with reddish brown on neck, back,

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BLUE JAY Cyanocitta cristata bromia Oberholser

BLUE JAY Cyanocitta cristata bromia Oberholser

Description. —Larger than Robin; sexes similar, both with prominent crest; nostril covered with tuft of feathers. Head, crest, and back grayish blue; forehead and a noticeable collar across lower throat, ear-coverts, and back of crest, black; region about eye whitish; throat and underparts grayish white, darkest on sides; wings and tail bright turquoise-blue, the greater coverts, secondaries, and tertials tipped broadly with white, and all of the feathers barred strikingly with black on their ex

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NORTHERN RAVEN Corvus corax principalis Ridgway

NORTHERN RAVEN Corvus corax principalis Ridgway

Description. —Much larger than a Crow; bill and feet very strong and heavy; feathers of throat long and pointed , not rounded. Entire plumage black, glossed with steel-blue and pale greenish and purplish. Length : About 24 inches. Wingspread about four feet. Range in Pennsylvania. —A rare permanent resident, found only in the wildest mountain gorges, chiefly in the central counties. Nest. —A very large and bulky affair, deeply cupped like a Crow’s, usually placed in an inaccessible niche on a cl

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CROW Corvus brachyrhynchos brachyrhynchos Brehm

CROW Corvus brachyrhynchos brachyrhynchos Brehm

Description. —Black, glossed with bluish and purplish, underparts duller in appearance. The Crow is probably our best-known bird. Length : 19 inches. Range in Pennsylvania. —In southeastern counties the Crow occurs the year round, and during winter in great flocks; elsewhere it is chiefly absent in winter, returning in late February or early March, and remaining until December. It is widely distributed and abundant as a summer resident. Nest. —A bulky structure made of twigs, moss, and leaves, l

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FISH CROW Corvus ossifragus Wilson

FISH CROW Corvus ossifragus Wilson

The Fish Crow is decidedly smaller than the common Crow (16 inches in length), though this is not noticeable in the field. The underparts are brightly glossed as above, and the call-notes are decidedly different from those of the Crow, being higher and not sounding like a caw . The Fish Crow occurs in Pennsylvania chiefly along the Susquehanna and Delaware rivers, and is not usually seen far from these streams. At Harrisburg a large colony nests at McCormick’s Island. Fish Crows often pick their

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STARLING Sturnus vulgaris vulgaris Linnæus

STARLING Sturnus vulgaris vulgaris Linnæus

Other Names. —Blackbird (erroneous); Black Sparrow (erroneous). Description. —A little smaller than a Robin, with a long, pointed bill and short tail; feathers of head and neck narrow and pointed; walks when on the ground . Adults in spring : Plumage black, highly glossed with blue, green, purple, and violet, particularly on the neck, all feathers above more or less broadly tipped with creamy or buffy; unspotted below, save on sides and flanks; wings brown, the coverts glossy, all feathers edged

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BOBOLINK Dolichonyx oryzivorus (Linnæus)

BOBOLINK Dolichonyx oryzivorus (Linnæus)

Bobolink, Male, in Spring Other Names. —Skunkbird; in fall, Reedbird; Ricebird. Description. —Bill short, conical, and sparrow-like; tail-feathers sharply pointed. Adult male in spring : Glossy black, with broad patch of buffy yellow on nape and hind neck, a few streaks of yellowish on the back, and scapulars, lower back, rump, and upper tail-coverts, white, the upper part of the rump-patch grayer; tertials and greater coverts edged with buffy; underparts sometimes indistinctly barred with buffy

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COWBIRD Molothrus ater ater (Boddaert)

COWBIRD Molothrus ater ater (Boddaert)

Other Names. —Cow Blackbird; Blackbird. Description. —Smaller than Robin; bill short, heavy, and sparrow-like. Adult male : Head, neck, and breast coffee-brown, with faint purple gloss; rest of plumage black, with greenish reflections over most of the surface, but bluish and purplish in certain lights. Adult female : Noticeably smaller than male, dull gray-brown all over, slightly streaked on underparts, and paler on throat. Young birds are similar to the female but are somewhat more buffy on th

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RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD Agelaius phœniceus predatorius (Wilson)

RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD Agelaius phœniceus predatorius (Wilson)

Other Names. —Swamp Blackbird; Redwing; in autumn, Reedbird. Description. —Smaller than Robin. Adult male in spring : Black, with bluish reflections and occasionally narrow rusty edgings; lesser coverts bright scarlet, the outer row of largest feathers buffy or whitish; eyes dark brown; bill and feet black. Males in first breeding plumage : Similar but likely to be more marked with rusty, and some of the feathers of the scarlet patch are streaked with dark brown. Adult males in winter : Upperpar

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MEADOWLARK Sturnella magna magna (Linnæus)

MEADOWLARK Sturnella magna magna (Linnæus)

Other Name. —Field Lark. Description. —Size of Robin, with short tail, large, strong feet, and long, pointed bill. Male : Upperparts brown, the plumage of the back marked with black and margined with creamy and whitish, the tertials and middle tail-feathers barred with black; line above eye, yellow in front and buffy behind; cheeks gray; throat, breast, and belly bright yellow, the breast marked with a prominent black collar; sides buffy, streaked heavily with dark brown and black; outer tail-fe

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ORCHARD ORIOLE Icterus spurius (Linnæus)

ORCHARD ORIOLE Icterus spurius (Linnæus)

Other Name. —Orchard Bird. Description. —Smaller than Baltimore Oriole. Adult male : Head and neck, back, wings, and tail black, the greater coverts and secondaries edged with white; breast, belly, rump, upper tail-coverts and lesser coverts of wing, rich deep chestnut. Female : Olive-gray above; yellow on face, underparts and rump; wings with two whitish bars. The male in its first breeding plumage is like the female, but has a black throat-patch. Length : A little over 7 inches. Range in Penns

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BALTIMORE ORIOLE Icterus galbula (Linnæus)

BALTIMORE ORIOLE Icterus galbula (Linnæus)

Other Names. —Hang-bird; Hang-nest; Golden Robin. Description. —Smaller than Robin. Adult male : Head, neck, back, wings, and tail, black; lesser coverts orange; tertials and greater coverts edged with white; outer tail-feathers tipped with orange or yellow; breast, belly, rump, and upper tail-coverts, bright orange, deepest on breast. Female : Olive-brown above, yellow below; breast somewhat tinged with orange; wings with two noticeable buffy yellow bars; tertials prominently edged with whitish

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RUSTY BLACKBIRD Euphagus carolinus (Müller)

RUSTY BLACKBIRD Euphagus carolinus (Müller)

Description. —Smaller than Robin. Adult male in spring : Entire plumage glossy blue-black; bill and feet black; eyes pale yellow. Adult female : Slate color, somewhat glossy above; wings and tail blackish. Adult male in winter : Black, all the feathers edged with buffy brown, the top of the head almost solid brownish. Young birds in their first winter plumage are chiefly responsible for the name of the bird. They are rusty brown, paler on head, richest on back, with slate-colored wings and tail,

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PURPLE GRACKLE AND BRONZED GRACKLE Quiscalus quiscula rigdgwayi Oberholser and Quiscalus quiscula æneus Ridgway

PURPLE GRACKLE AND BRONZED GRACKLE Quiscalus quiscula rigdgwayi Oberholser and Quiscalus quiscula æneus Ridgway

Other Names. —Blackbird; Crow Blackbird. Description. —Males larger than Robin, with large tails, distinctly trough-shaped, especially in flight. The male Purple Grackle’s head and neck are brilliant, iridescent blue and violet; the body, which appears blackish at a distance, is glossed with blue, green, plum-color, and bronze, and the back and scapulars, and sometimes the sides, are crossed with iridescent bars . The male Bronzed Grackle’s head is iridescent greenish blue, with little or no vio

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EVENING GROSBEAK Hesperiphona vespertina vespertina (W. Cooper)

EVENING GROSBEAK Hesperiphona vespertina vespertina (W. Cooper)

Description. —Smaller than Robin; beak very large and heavy. Male : Forehead, line over eye, scapulars, lower back and rump, sides of breast and belly, dull yellow; crown and most of wing brownish black; secondaries and their greater coverts white, a prominent field-mark; rest of plumage olive-brown. Female : Grayish, the back and scapulars faintly washed with olive-yellow; wings, tail, and upper tail-coverts considerably spotted and marked with white; tips of the inner webs of all the tail-feat

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PINE GROSBEAK Pinicola enucleator leucura (Müller)

PINE GROSBEAK Pinicola enucleator leucura (Müller)

Description. —About the size of a Robin; a small bunch of bristling feathers over the nostrils; bill sparrow-like, but upper mandible somewhat curved like a parrot’s. Adult male : Gray, suffused with soft rose-red, principally on the crown, rump, upper tail-coverts, and breast; wings and tail dark brownish gray, the wings with two prominent white bars. Adult female : Gray, the crown, rump, upper tail-coverts, and breast more or less strongly suffused with yellowish or olive; the wings and tail a

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PURPLE FINCH Carpodacus purpureus purpureus (Gmelin)

PURPLE FINCH Carpodacus purpureus purpureus (Gmelin)

Purple Finch Upper, Female; Lower, Male Other Name. —Linnet. Description. —Size and general proportions of English Sparrow; nostrils covered with small, bristly feathers; tail slightly forked. Adult male : Head and breast rosy pink, not purple , some of the feathers with dusky tips, and a darker streak through the eye; back brownish gray, streaked and suffused with rose-color; wings and tail brownish; belly whitish; sides somewhat streaked with brownish. Adult female : Very sparrow-like in appea

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RED OR AMERICAN CROSSBILL Loxia curvirostra pusilla Gloger

RED OR AMERICAN CROSSBILL Loxia curvirostra pusilla Gloger

Description. —Size and general shape of English Sparrow, but mandibles sharply pointed and crossed . Adult male : Deep dull red, brightest on rump, browner on back; wings and tail brownish black. Female : Dull olive-green, yellowish on the rump; head and back indistinctly streaked with blackish; underparts mixed with whitish. Immature male : Like the female, with some red mixed in the plumage. Length : 6 inches....

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WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILL Loxia leucoptera Gmelin

WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILL Loxia leucoptera Gmelin

Description. —Size and shape of English Sparrow. Male : Dull rose-pink, brightest on rump, more or less streaked with blackish on back; wings and tail black, the wings with two prominent white bars , the tertials sometimes tipped with white; belly and under tail-coverts whitish. Female : Dull grayish green, yellowish on the rump, grayish below, the wings, as in the male, with two prominent white bars. Immature male : Similar to the female, but mottled irregularly with pink. Length : 6 inches. Ra

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REDPOLL Acanthis linaria linaria (Linnæus)

REDPOLL Acanthis linaria linaria (Linnæus)

Description. —Smaller than an English Sparrow; conical bill, sharply pointed; nostrils covered with tufts of bristling feathers. Adult male : Crown bright red; chin and upper throat blackish; neck and back grayish brown, streaked with buffy and whitish; rump grayish, tinged with pink; wings and tail dark brown, the wings with two white bars; breast and cheeks washed with delicate rosy pink; belly white; sides buffy streaked with blackish. Female : Similar, but more heavily streaked above and wit

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GOLDFINCH Astragalinus tristis tristis (Linnæus)

GOLDFINCH Astragalinus tristis tristis (Linnæus)

Other Names. —Salad Bird; Wild Canary; Thistle Bird; Yellow Bird. Description. —Smaller than English Sparrow; bill sharply pointed. Adult male in summer : Bright lemon-yellow with black crown, wings, and tail, the wings crossed with two white bars, the lesser coverts yellow like the body, and the tail-feathers with their inner webs white; upper tail-coverts gray. Adult female in summer : Upperparts yellowish brown, the crown unmarked; below, dull yellowish; wings and tail more or less as in male

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PINE SISKIN Spinus pinus pinus (Wilson)

PINE SISKIN Spinus pinus pinus (Wilson)

Other Name. —Pine Finch. Description. —Smaller than English Sparrow; bill sharply pointed; a tuft of small feathers over nostril. Upperparts grayish brown streaked with black, the feathers margined with buffy; wing-feathers edged with yellowish and yellow at base ; tail dark gray-brown, neatly forked, all but middle feathers yellow at base ; underparts white, washed with buffy and heavily streaked with black. Length : 5 inches. Range in Pennsylvania. —A somewhat irregular migrant in April and Ma

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ENGLISH SPARROW Passer domesticus (Linnæus)

ENGLISH SPARROW Passer domesticus (Linnæus)

Other Names. —Sparrow; House Sparrow. Description. — Male : Chin and throat black; crown gray; cheeks whitish; back of head, neck, and back reddish brown, the back streaked with black; a prominent white wing-bar; underparts grayish white; wings and tail dull brown. Female : Grayish brown, with an indistinct wing-bar, a darker line through the eye, and a rather distinct superciliary line. Length : About 6 inches. Range in Pennsylvania. —An abundant permanent resident, principally in the towns and

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SNOW BUNTING Plectrophenax nivalis nivalis (Linnæus)

SNOW BUNTING Plectrophenax nivalis nivalis (Linnæus)

Other Names. —Snowflake; Snow Bird. Description. —A little larger than an English Sparrow. Male in winter : Upperparts dull reddish brown, darkest on the crown; feathers of back with partly concealed black bases, causing a streaked effect; outer primaries black, white at base; secondaries white ; middle tail-feathers black, outer ones white; underparts white. Female : Similar, but duller, and with primaries all dark brown, and white secondaries somewhat tipped with dusky. Length : 6¾ inches. Ran

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VESPER SPARROW Poœcetes gramineus gramineus (Gmelin)

VESPER SPARROW Poœcetes gramineus gramineus (Gmelin)

Other Names. —Grass Finch; Grass or Ground Sparrow; Bay-winged Bunting; Road Sparrow. Description. —Size of English Sparrow. General appearance grayish above, lighter below, considerably streaked above and on breast and sides; outer tail-feathers white; lesser wing-coverts reddish brown, not particularly conspicuous save at close range. Length : 6 inches. Range in Pennsylvania. —A common summer resident from early April to late October. It is not found in woodlands. Nest. —A cup in the ground, i

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SAVANNAH SPARROW Passerculus sandwichensis savanna (Wilson)

SAVANNAH SPARROW Passerculus sandwichensis savanna (Wilson)

Description. —Smaller than English Sparrow. General appearance above, gray, considerably streaked, and with white underparts considerably streaked on breast and sides with black; line above eye pale yellow , not noticeable in field save at close range in ideal light; a blotch of blackish in middle of breast. Length : 5½ inches Range in Pennsylvania. —A fairly common but not often recorded migrant, and a local and sometimes common summer resident, particularly in the central and northern counties

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GRASSHOPPER SPARROW Ammodramus savannarum australis Maynard

GRASSHOPPER SPARROW Ammodramus savannarum australis Maynard

Other Names. —Yellow-winged Sparrow; Yellow-winged Bunting. Description. —Smaller than English Sparrow. Tail-feathers rather short and pointed. Adult male : General color buffy brown, the upperparts streaked with black and margined with whitish, in characteristic pattern; bend of the wing yellow (this mark usually not evident in the field); forepart of superciliary line yellow, noticeable in good light in the field. Female : Similar, but duller. Length : 5½ inches. Range in Pennsylvania. —A rath

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WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW Zonotrichia leucophrys (J. R. Forster)

WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW Zonotrichia leucophrys (J. R. Forster)

Description. —One of the larger sparrows, being larger than an English Sparrow. Adult male : Crown white, with two broad black streaks along either side and a blackish streak through eye; rest of upperparts grayish brown, considerably streaked; underparts clear light gray, palest on throat and belly, and somewhat brownish on sides. Adult female : Similar, but duller. Immature : Similar, but crown buffy and brown, and underparts more buffy. Length : A little under 7 inches. Range in Pennsylvania.

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WHITE-THROATED SPARROW Zonotrichia albicollis (Gmelin)

WHITE-THROATED SPARROW Zonotrichia albicollis (Gmelin)

Other Name. —Peabody-bird. Description. —A little larger than an English Sparrow; similar in general appearance to the White-crowned Sparrow. Adult male : Crown white, marked laterally with two black bands which extend backward to nape; forepart of superciliary line yellow ; rest of upperparts rich brown, streaked with black and margined with grayish; bend of wing yellow, not usually noticeable in field ; chin and throat pure white, in contrast with gray of breast; belly whitish; sides washed wi

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TREE SPARROW Spizella arborea arborea (Wilson)

TREE SPARROW Spizella arborea arborea (Wilson)

Description. —About as long as, but slenderer than, an English Sparrow; tail longer proportionately than an English Sparrow’s. Crown-patch bright rufous; rest of upperparts brownish gray, streaked with black and reddish brown; wing with two noticeable white wing bars; underparts brownish gray, whitish on chin and throat, and in middle of belly; a dusky spot in center of breast. Female : Similar but duller. Bill yellow with dusky tip. Length : About 6 inches. Range in Pennsylvania. —A winter visi

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CHIPPING SPARROW Spizella passerina passerina (Bechstein)

CHIPPING SPARROW Spizella passerina passerina (Bechstein)

Other Name. —Chippy. Description. —A small, slender Sparrow, noticeably smaller than the English Sparrow. Male : Crown bright reddish brown; forepart of crown and line through eye black; line above eye whitish; rest of upperparts grayish brown, streaked with black; chin and throat white; rest of underparts grayish; bill black . Female : Similar, but duller. In winter both sexes are similar but they are much more streaked, particularly on the crown. Length : Under 5½ inches. Range in Pennsylvania

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FIELD SPARROW Spizella pusilla pusilla (Wilson)

FIELD SPARROW Spizella pusilla pusilla (Wilson)

Description. —Size small; this is one of our slenderest, smallest sparrows. Male : Crown-patch rufous; upperparts grayish brown, streaked with black and rufous; wings with two prominent white wing-bars; underparts whitish, unmarked; bill pink . Female : Similar but duller. Young : Similar but somewhat more streaked. Length : 5½ inches. Range in Pennsylvania. —An abundant summer resident from early April to mid-October, and occasionally later. Nest. —A neat cup made of fine grasses and slender we

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SLATE-COLORED JUNCO Junco hyemalis hyemalis (Linnæus)

SLATE-COLORED JUNCO Junco hyemalis hyemalis (Linnæus)

Other Names. —Snow-bird; Junco. Description. —About the size of an English Sparrow, but with a longer tail. Male : Head, neck, breast, and upperparts slaty gray, sometimes brownish on the wings and back, the outer tail-feathers pure white, always showing in flight ; bill pink, narrowly tipped with dusky. Female and young : Similar, but duller and often browner. Length : A little over 6 inches. Range in Pennsylvania. —Best known as a winter visitant from October 1 to about the first of May, or la

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SONG SPARROW Melospiza melodia melodia (Wilson)

SONG SPARROW Melospiza melodia melodia (Wilson)

Other Name. —Ground Sparrow. Description. —About the size of an English Sparrow, but with relatively longer tail; sexes similar. Above, rich brown streaked with grayish and black; a rather distinct gray superciliary, and a buffy streak back from lower mandible; underparts white, heavily streaked with black, especially on breast and sides; a blotch in the center of the breast. Length : A little over 6 inches. Range in Pennsylvania. —In much of Pennsylvania the Song Sparrow is abundant the year ro

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SWAMP SPARROW Melospiza georgiana (Latham)

SWAMP SPARROW Melospiza georgiana (Latham)

Description. —A little smaller than an English Sparrow, with the proportions of a Song Sparrow. Male in summer : Crown rich reddish brown; rest of head gray, a black line through the eye, and a buffy streak extending backward from the lower mandible; back reddish brown streaked with black, the feathers margined with grayish; no wing-bars ; underparts grayish, the sides washed with olive-brown. Female: Similar, but duller. Male in winter : Somewhat streaked crown-patch and duller in general appea

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FOX SPARROW Passerella iliaca iliaca (Merrem)

FOX SPARROW Passerella iliaca iliaca (Merrem)

Description. —Larger than an English Sparrow. Male : Rich, warm brown on crown and back, these regions somewhat streaked; superciliary line and neck gray; ear-coverts brown; slight wing-bars ; rump, upper tail-coverts, and tail bright reddish brown , very noticeable in the field, particularly when the bird is in flight; underparts white; breast and sides heavily streaked with black. Female : Similar, but duller. Length : A little over 7 inches. Range in Pennsylvania. —A common and regular migran

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TOWHEE Pipilo erythrophthalmus erythrophthalmus (Linnæus)

TOWHEE Pipilo erythrophthalmus erythrophthalmus (Linnæus)

Other Names. —Chewink; Ground Robin; Swamp Robin; Joree; Guffee (local). Description. —A little smaller than a Robin, with long tail and comparatively short wings. Male : Head, neck, upper breast, and upperparts black, the base and part of the outer web of the primaries, and spots on the tertials, white; three outer tail-feathers with white tips, the outer web of the outer feather entirely white; sides and under tail-coverts rich reddish brown, bordered irregularly with black spots along sides o

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CARDINAL Richmondena cardinalis cardinalis (Linnæus)

CARDINAL Richmondena cardinalis cardinalis (Linnæus)

Other Names. —Redbird; Virginia Cardinal or Redbird; Cardinal Grosbeak. Description. —Smaller than Robin; both sexes with high crests and huge, pink bills. Adult male : Bright, deep rose-red, richest on breast; back, wing and tail-feathers edged with grayish; region in front of eye and on throat black; bill orange-pink; eyes brown. Female : Grayish brown above, buffy white and grayish below, the crest, wings, and tail tinged with red, noticeable especially in flight. Young male : Like the adult

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ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK Hedymeles ludoviciana (Linnæus)

ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK Hedymeles ludoviciana (Linnæus)

Description. —Smaller than Robin, with very large beak. Adult male : Head, neck, and upperparts black, the wings, tail, and upper tail-coverts marked with white; triangular breast-patch and under-wing linings light rose-red; rest of underparts white, streaked on sides with black; bill white or pinkish white; eyes dark brown. Adult female : Sparrow-like in appearance, being dull brown, streaked with black above, the wings marked with two whitish wing-bars, the underparts buffy, streaked with brow

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INDIGO BUNTING Passerina cyanea (Linnæus)

INDIGO BUNTING Passerina cyanea (Linnæus)

Indigo Bunting Female Male Description. — Adult male in spring : Bright, glossy green-blue all over, purplish on head, somewhat dusky on wings and tail, and the belly sometimes marked with a few whitish feathers; bill and eyes black. Adult female : Grayish brown, lighter below, the lesser coverts and edge of wing and tail-feathers bluish; two obscure grayish wing-bars. Young birds : Like the females. Adult males in winter : Similar to those in spring but all feathers tipped widely with brown, gi

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SCARLET TANAGER Piranga olivacea (Gmelin)

SCARLET TANAGER Piranga olivacea (Gmelin)

Description. —Larger than the English Sparrow, with bill which is heavy like a sparrow’s but longer and not so conical. Adult male in summer : Bright scarlet, our brightest red bird, with black wings and tail, pale olive-green bill, and dark brown eyes. Adult female : Olive-green above, dull yellow below. Male in winter : olive-green, like the female, but with black wings and tail. Male birds in changing plumage, such as is found in late summer, are much blotched in appearance. Length : A little

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PURPLE MARTIN Progne subis subis (Linnæus)

PURPLE MARTIN Progne subis subis (Linnæus)

Description. —Larger than English Sparrow; wings long and pointed; tail moderately long and noticeably forked. Adult male : Rich purplish and bluish black, the lores velvety black; feet and bill black; eyes dark brown. Adult female : Blackish glossed with blue above; forehead, underparts, and imperfect collar around neck, gray; belly whitish. Immature birds : Like the adult female. Length : 8 inches. Range in Pennsylvania. —A fairly common but extremely local migrant and summer resident from ear

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CLIFF SWALLOW; EAVES SWALLOW Petrochelidon albifrons albifrons (Rafinesque)

CLIFF SWALLOW; EAVES SWALLOW Petrochelidon albifrons albifrons (Rafinesque)

Description. —About the size of an English Sparrow, but with long wings; tail of moderate length, not noticeably forked; sexes similar. Adults : Forehead buffy white; crown and back glossy steel-blue, the latter obscurely streaked with white; cheeks, ear-patches, chin, and throat rich reddish brown; back of neck, narrow collar, and underparts grayish; belly white; wings and tail blackish, glossed with blue; rump pale reddish or orange-brown , very noticeable in flight. Young : Dull grayish brown

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BARN SWALLOW Hirundo rustica erythrogastris Boddaert

BARN SWALLOW Hirundo rustica erythrogastris Boddaert

Description. —Smaller and slenderer, but longer than an English Sparrow, with long, pointed wings and very long, deeply forked tail which is noticeable in flight or while the bird is perched on a wire. Adult male : Forehead, chin, and throat rich reddish brown; line through eye and band across breast blackish; upperparts blackish, highly glossed with steel-blue, the inner margins of the tail-feathers marked with white spots; rest of underparts and wing-linings pale reddish brown. Adult female :

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TREE SWALLOW; WHITE-BELLIED SWALLOW Iridoprocne bicolor (Vieillot)

TREE SWALLOW; WHITE-BELLIED SWALLOW Iridoprocne bicolor (Vieillot)

Description. —Smaller than an English Sparrow; tail of moderate length and not deeply forked. Adult male : Upperparts glossy blue-green, brightest on crown and back, less colorful on wings and tail; entire underparts pure white . Female : Similar, but duller. Young birds : Like the female. Length : 6 inches. Range in Pennsylvania. —A fairly common migrant throughout, but a rather rare and local summer resident in northern counties and at high altitudes, from early April to late August. As a nest

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BANK SWALLOW Riparia riparia riparia (Linnæus)

BANK SWALLOW Riparia riparia riparia (Linnæus)

Other Name. —Sand Martin. Description. —Smallest of the swallow family, considerably lighter and slenderer than an English Sparrow; sexes similar. Adults : Grayish brown above; wings and tail noticeably darker than back in flight; underparts white; breast crossed by a narrow, dull brown band, distinctly noticeable when the bird is at rest; tail not deeply forked. Length : About 5¼ inches. Range in Pennsylvania. —Formerly found at several points during summer where it does not nest now, due to po

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ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW Stelgidopteryx serripennis serripennis (Audubon)

ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW Stelgidopteryx serripennis serripennis (Audubon)

Description. —About the size of a Barn Swallow; outer web of outer primary with tiny recurved hooks along the entire edge, noticeable when the thumb or finger-nail is drawn along it; these hooklets are sometimes absent in the female; the purpose they serve is not known. Adults : Above brownish gray, quite dark on wings and tail; throat and breast pale brownish gray; belly white. Immature : Similar, but the outer web of the outer primary has no hooklets and the gray of the throat and breast is so

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CEDAR WAXWING Bombycilla cedrorum Vieillot

CEDAR WAXWING Bombycilla cedrorum Vieillot

Cedar Waxwing Other Names. —Cherry Bird; Cedar Bird. Description. —Plumage soft and silken; feet rather short and small; head with high crest; bill small. Adult male : Head, neck, breast, and back, glossy olive-brown; forehead and line through eye, chin, and throat, black; a white line extending backward from lower mandible to beneath eye; black forehead bordered behind with white; wings, rump, and tail, blue-gray; secondaries tipped with small waxen appendages; tail prominently tipped with pale

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NORTHERN SHRIKE Lanius borealis Vieillot

NORTHERN SHRIKE Lanius borealis Vieillot

Northern Shrike Other Name. —Butcher Bird. Description. —Size of Robin, but with larger head and large, strongly hooked bill; sexes similar. Adults : Top of head, hind neck, and back, light gray, lightest along outer edges of scapulars and fading into white on rump and upper tail-coverts; line above eye, white; broad line through eye to ear-coverts, wings and tail, black; tips of the secondaries, base of the primaries, and tips of outer tail-feathers, white; underparts finely barred with light g

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MIGRANT SHRIKE Lanius ludovicianus migrans W. Palmer

MIGRANT SHRIKE Lanius ludovicianus migrans W. Palmer

Other Name. —Butcher Bird. Description. —Smaller than Robin, with proportionally large head and strongly hooked bill; sexes similar. Top of head, hind neck, and back, clear gray, shading into whitish at outer edges of scapulars and on rump and upper tail-coverts; wings and tail black; tips of secondaries, base of primaries, and tips of outer tail-feathers, white; broad band through eye back to ear-coverts, black; underparts white, grayer on breast and belly, which are not barred . Range in Penns

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THE VIREOS

THE VIREOS

The Vireos are a difficult group for the beginner. They are dull in color, they come at a time when other birds are abundant, and they do not, for the most part, have particularly noticeable songs. In identifying the Vireos it is well to remember that all of them move deliberately , turning the head from side to side pensively, and crawling about the branches in a very characteristic fashion. No Vireo has any white in the tail, as have many of the otherwise similarly colored warblers. Note that

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RED-EYED VIREO Vireosylva olivacea (Linnæus)

RED-EYED VIREO Vireosylva olivacea (Linnæus)

Other Name. —Preacher Bird. Description. —Size of English Sparrow. Adults : Top of head blue-gray; line above eye white, bordered above with a blackish line; line through eye blackish; rest of upperparts olive-green; underparts whitish, washed with olive-green and pale yellowish on sides; eyes reddish or red-brown. Young : Similar, but duller. Length : 6¼ inches. Range in Pennsylvania. —Abundant migrant and summer resident from late April or early May to late September and October. Nest. —A pens

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PHILADELPHIA VIREO Vireosylva philadelphica Cassin

PHILADELPHIA VIREO Vireosylva philadelphica Cassin

Description. —Like the Red-eyed Vireo, but smaller, with slightly shorter bill, greener upperparts, and rather decidedly yellower underparts. Range in Pennsylvania. —A rather rare and little-known migrant in late April and early May and in September, found usually in alder thickets in the company of various species of the warbler family. This species is not easy to identify in the field. Its song, which is like the Red-eye’s, but more rapidly delivered, may be heard in the spring; but in the fal

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WARBLING VIREO Vireosylva gilva gilva (Vieillot)

WARBLING VIREO Vireosylva gilva gilva (Vieillot)

Description. —Like the Red-eye, but smaller, less strikingly marked, the top of head being almost the same color as the back, the sides less tinged with yellow. Length : 5¾ inches. Range in Pennsylvania. —A common summer resident from late April to late September; usually found in or near towns. Nest. —A pensile cup, made much like the Red-eye’s, but found high in shade trees, in towns, or along country roadsides. Eggs : 3 or 4, white, with a few small spots. Dull, plain in appearance, this is o

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YELLOW-THROATED VIREO Lanivireo flavifrons (Vieillot)

YELLOW-THROATED VIREO Lanivireo flavifrons (Vieillot)

Description. —About the size of the Red-eye, but with line in front of and around the eye, and chin, throat, and breast, clear light yellow; two prominent white wing-bars , and the blackish tertials strongly edged with white. The sexes are similar. Length : 6 inches. Range in Pennsylvania. —Fairly common but somewhat irregular summer resident from late April and May to September. Nest. —A deep, pensile cup, swung from a branch high in a large deciduous tree standing at the edge of a woodland or

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WHITE-EYED VIREO Vireo griseus griseus (Boddaert)

WHITE-EYED VIREO Vireo griseus griseus (Boddaert)

Description. —Smaller than the Red-eye and with a more sprightly manner. Line above and around eye yellow ; wing with two yellowish or white bars; sides yellowish; breast and belly grayish; chin and throat white; eyes white , rather noticeable in the field. Length : 5¼ inches. Range in Pennsylvania. —An extremely rare migrant in the western part; east of the mountains somewhat commoner, particularly along the Susquehanna and Delaware drainage, where it sometimes nests. Nest. —A neat, pensile cup

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BLUE-HEADED VIREO Lanivireo solitarius solitarius (Wilson)

BLUE-HEADED VIREO Lanivireo solitarius solitarius (Wilson)

Description. —Size of the Red-eye, but upper part of head rich blue-gray, with a prominent line in front of and around eye, white ; wings with two noticeable bars ; sides yellow, irregularly washed with olive-green; chin, throat, breast, and belly, white. Length : A little over 5½ inches. Range in Pennsylvania. —A fairly common migrant and summer resident. It is the first of the vireos to arrive in spring, appearing in mid- or latter April and remaining until October. It nests only at high altit

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BLACK AND WHITE WARBLER Mniotilta varia (Linnæus)

BLACK AND WHITE WARBLER Mniotilta varia (Linnæus)

Other Names. —Black and White Creeper; Black and White Creeping Warbler. Description. —Black and white all over, the colors about evenly balanced, giving the bird in the field a streaked appearance, noticeable particularly in the male. Since no other warbler is thus streaked with black and white all over , it is thought that this description is sufficient. Females and young : Duller, the young with buffy washings on sides. Length : 5⅓ inches. Range in Pennsylvania. —A migrant and summer resident

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WORM-EATING WARBLER Helmitheros vermivorus (Gmelin)

WORM-EATING WARBLER Helmitheros vermivorus (Gmelin)

Description. —Crown and superciliary buffy brown; prominent black streak at either side of crown; black streak through the eye; underparts buffy, the centers of the under tail-coverts darker; upperparts olive-green, much as in a vireo. Female and young : Similar but duller. Length : 5½ inches. Range in Pennsylvania. —In southern and particularly southwestern Pennsylvania this species is a fairly common summer resident from early May to mid-September. It is found chiefly in deciduous woodlands al

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BLUE-WINGED WARBLER Vermivora pinus (Linnæus)

BLUE-WINGED WARBLER Vermivora pinus (Linnæus)

Other Name. —Blue-winged Yellow Warbler. Description. — Adult male : Front of head, breast, and belly bright, clear yellow; sharp black line through eye; back of head and back olive-green; wings and tail blue-gray, the wings with two noticeable white bands ; the tail with white spots at tips of inner webs of outer feathers. Female : Much duller, the whole top of the head being greenish, as a rule. Length : 4¾ inches. Range in Pennsylvania. —A decidedly local summer resident from early May until

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GOLDEN-WINGED WARBLER Vermivora chrysoptera (Linnæus)

GOLDEN-WINGED WARBLER Vermivora chrysoptera (Linnæus)

Description. — Male : Top of head yellow; line through eye, and chin and throat, black; an area from lower mandible back to neck, white; back of head, neck, wings, and tail, gray; wing, with lesser and most of greater coverts, pale yellow; outer feathers of tail with white spots on inner webs; breast and belly white, the sides washed with grayish. Female : Similar, but duller, the black of the head being replaced with gray. Length : 5 inches. Range in Pennsylvania. —A rather uncommon and local s

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NASHVILLE WARBLER Vermivora ruficapilla ruficapilla (Wilson)

NASHVILLE WARBLER Vermivora ruficapilla ruficapilla (Wilson)

Description. — Adult male : Upper part of head blue-gray, with a partly concealed rufous crown-patch and noticeable white eye-ring ; chin, throat, breast, and belly clear, strong yellow; upperparts olive-green, without markings in wings or tail. Female : Duller. Immature : Almost unmarked, the eye-ring being buffy and not noticeable, the sides being washed with buffy. Length : 4¾ inches. Range in Pennsylvania. —A regular and often abundant migrant in May and September; rare and very local as a s

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ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER Vermivora celata celata (Say)

ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER Vermivora celata celata (Say)

Description. —Olive-green above; crown with more or less concealed dull orange patch, not easily seen in the field; underparts and obscure ring about eye dull yellow; sides irregularly streaked with olive-green; sexes similar. Young birds : Duller. Length : 5 inches. Range in Pennsylvania. —The Orange-crown is one of our little-known warblers which may be considerably commoner than we suppose. It occurs as a migrant in May and September, and is to be found chiefly in swampy situations, principal

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TENNESSEE WARBLER Vermivora peregrina (Wilson)

TENNESSEE WARBLER Vermivora peregrina (Wilson)

Description. — Adult male : Crown clear gray; prominent white superciliary; line through eye black; underparts white, washed along sides with faint yellow; upperparts olive-green; wings unmarked; outer tail-feathers marked with white along the inner margin. Female : Similar, but crown tinged with greenish. Immature : Olive-green above, brightest on rump; dull yellowish below, brightest on the under tail-coverts. Length : 5 inches. Range in Pennsylvania. —A migrant in May and September, apparentl

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PARULA WARBLER; BLUE YELLOW-BACKED WARBLER Compsothlypis americana pusilla (Wilson)

PARULA WARBLER; BLUE YELLOW-BACKED WARBLER Compsothlypis americana pusilla (Wilson)

Description. — Adult male : Head, all but chin and throat, blue-gray, extending down to upper back, scapulars, wings, and tail; back dull yellow ; wings with two prominent white wing-bars; outer tail-feathers with white along inner vanes; chin, throat, and lower breast clear yellow, a dusky band across upper breast which is bordered below with reddish brown; belly, sides, and under tail-coverts white. There is an almost complete, but not particularly noticeable, white eye-ring. Female : Similar,

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CAPE MAY WARBLER Dendroica tigrina (Gmelin)

CAPE MAY WARBLER Dendroica tigrina (Gmelin)

Description. — Adult male : Crown black, the feathers tipped with gray toward the back of the head; patch about eye, including ear-coverts, rich orange-brown; fore part of superciliary, chin and throat, sides of neck, breast, sides and rump, clear yellow; lower throat, breast, and sides strikingly streaked with black; wing with two wing-bars which are so broad that they merge, forming a white patch; outer tail-feathers with white spots on inner vanes at tip. Female : Much duller, the brown of th

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YELLOW WARBLER Dendroica æstiva æstiva (Gmelin)

YELLOW WARBLER Dendroica æstiva æstiva (Gmelin)

Other Names. —Summer Yellow Bird; Wild Canary (erroneous). Description. — Adult male : Head and underparts bright yellow, the breast, sides, and belly streaked with reddish brown; back, wings, and tail dull yellowish green, brightest on rump, and obscurely streaked; wing with two yellow wing-bars, and the inner webs of all the tail-feathers but the central pair, yellow, showing plainly in flight. Female : Similar, but much duller, the underparts almost altogether without streaks. Length : A litt

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BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER Dendroica cærulescens cærulescens (Gmelin)

BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER Dendroica cærulescens cærulescens (Gmelin)

Description. — Male : Upperparts dark gray-blue, lightest on forehead and crown; face, throat, upper breast, and sides solid black; belly and under tail-coverts white; base of primaries with a white spot, rather obscure in some individuals; tips of inner vanes of outer tail-feathers white. Female : Dull greenish gray above, pale buffy gray below, with white spot at the base of the primaries which is always characteristic of this species in any plumage. The female has an obscure whitish line abov

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MYRTLE WARBLER; YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER Dendroica coronata coronata (Linnæus)

MYRTLE WARBLER; YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER Dendroica coronata coronata (Linnæus)

Description. — Adult male in spring : Crown-patch, patches at sides of chest, and rump, clear yellow; white line above eye; rest of upperparts blue-gray; back streaked with black; wings with two white wing-bars; outer tail-feathers tipped with white on the inner webs; chin and throat white; sides of breast black, merging into streaks along the sides; belly and under tail-coverts white. Adult female : Similar, but browner, and the black breast-patches replaced with streaks. Immature and adults in

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MAGNOLIA WARBLER Dendroica magnolia (Wilson)

MAGNOLIA WARBLER Dendroica magnolia (Wilson)

Description. — Adult male : Crown blue-gray; line above eye and spot under eye, white; area in front of and behind eye, black; back, wings, and tail blackish; wing with large white patch; tail with the bases of the inner webs of all but the inner pair of feathers white ; rump and underparts yellow, breast and sides heavily streaked with black; under tail-coverts white. Adult female : Similar, but duller, the underparts less heavily streaked. Immature : Dull olive-greenish above, without noticeab

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CERULEAN WARBLER Dendroica cerulea (Wilson)

CERULEAN WARBLER Dendroica cerulea (Wilson)

Description. — Adult male : Light gray-blue above, with a distinct white line over the eye, two prominent white wing bars, and obscure black streaking on the back; inner webs of outer tail-feathers tipped with white; underparts white, a band of gray or gray-blue usually completely encircling the breast; sides streaked with black. Female : Glossy green-blue on the head, dull grayish green on the rest of the upperparts, the wings and tail marked much as in the male; underparts dull yellowish white

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CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER Dendroica pensylvanica (Linnæus)

CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER Dendroica pensylvanica (Linnæus)

Description. — Adult male : Crown pale yellow; line through eye black; back greenish or yellowish white, strikingly streaked with black; wings with two white wing-bars; inner webs of outer tail-feathers tipped with white; underparts white or grayish white, the sides marked with a broad streak of chestnut very noticeable in the field . Female : Similar, but duller, the chestnut of the sides being almost obsolete at times, the top of the head streaked. Immature birds are not easy to identify; they

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BAY-BREASTED WARBLER Dendroica castanea (Wilson)

BAY-BREASTED WARBLER Dendroica castanea (Wilson)

Description. — Adult male : Mask across forehead and face, including the ear-coverts and entirely surrounding the eyes, blackish brown; prominent round patch on side of neck, buffy white; back of head, chin, throat, upper breast, and sides, rich reddish brown; back grayish, streaked with black, the wings with two prominent white wing-bars, the inner webs of the outer tail-feathers white at tips; lower breast, belly, and under tail-coverts white or creamy white. Adult female : Has but little sugg

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BLACK-POLL WARBLER Dendroica striata (J. R. Forster)

BLACK-POLL WARBLER Dendroica striata (J. R. Forster)

Description. — Adult male : Crown black; sides of head below eye, white, showing plainly in the field; black line from lower mandible to side of breast; neck, back, and wings greenish gray, streaked with black, the wings with two white bars, the tail with the inner webs of the outer feathers white; underparts white; sides of neck and breast and the sides heavily streaked with black. Adult female : Lacks the black crown and white facial patch, is dull olive-green all over, yellower on the breast,

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BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER Dendroica fusca (Müller)

BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER Dendroica fusca (Müller)

Description. — Adult male : Above black; center of forehead, line above eye, patch on side of neck, and spot under eye, bright orange-yellow; back with two lateral streaks of yellow; wings with two wide white wing-bars which so merge as to form a patch which extends into the white edging of the tertials; tail-feathers edged with whitish, particularly at the base, and inner webs of outer tail-feathers tipped with white; chin, throat, and breast, bright, rich orange, fading into yellowish on belly

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BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER Dendroica virens virens (Gmelin)

BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER Dendroica virens virens (Gmelin)

Description. — Adult male : Top of head and line through eye, olive-green; sides of head clear yellow; chin, throat, and upper breast, black; back, wings, and tail, olive-green, back streaked obscurely with black; wings with two white wing-bars; outer tail-feathers with white on inner webs; belly and sides white, washed with yellowish, the sides streaked with black. Female and young : Similar, but duller, having very little black on the throat, and being somewhat more yellowish on belly. Length

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PINE WARBLER Dendroica pinus pinus (Wilson)

PINE WARBLER Dendroica pinus pinus (Wilson)

Description. — Adult male : Olive-green above, with yellow superciliary not clearly defined; two prominent white wing-bars and the tips of the inner webs of the outer tail-feathers white; underparts dull yellow; an obscure line of olive-green from lower mandible leading back to side of chest where streaking of sides begins. Female : Similar but a little duller. Length : 5½ inches. Range in Pennsylvania. —A summer resident rather locally distributed; found chiefly in the southern and central moun

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PALM WARBLER AND YELLOW PALM WARBLER Dendroica palmarum palmarum (Gmelin) and Dendroica palmarum hypochrysea Ridgway

PALM WARBLER AND YELLOW PALM WARBLER Dendroica palmarum palmarum (Gmelin) and Dendroica palmarum hypochrysea Ridgway

Two forms of the Palm Warbler occur in Pennsylvania, both as migrants. They are usually seen near the ground and are especially noticeable in the spring when they appear among the first of the smaller birds. Description. — Adult male Palm Warbler : Crown rufous; rest of upper-parts dull olive-green, brightest on rump; wings with two white wing-bars; outer tail-feathers marked with white; dusky line through eye; distinct yellow line above eye; chin, throat, and breast dull yellow, streaked with o

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PRAIRIE WARBLER Dendroica discolor (Vieillot)

PRAIRIE WARBLER Dendroica discolor (Vieillot)

Description. — Adult male : Upperparts olive green, back with patch of rufous brown; wing-bars yellowish; outer tail-feathers with white patches at tips; line over eye, face, and underparts yellow; lores and line under eye black; sides heavily streaked with black. Adult female : Similar, but duller, the back sometimes without reddish brown. Immature : Much duller than adults. Length : 4¾ inches. Range in Pennsylvania. —A common migrant east of the Alleghany Mountains in late April and May and in

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OVENBIRD Seiurus aurocapillus aurocapillus (Linnæus)

OVENBIRD Seiurus aurocapillus aurocapillus (Linnæus)

Description. — Adult male : Crown-patch orange-brown, bordered on either side by a black stripe; rest of upperparts dull olive-green; a rather prominent white eye-ring; underparts white, washed with buffy along sides, and heavily streaked on breast and sides with black. Female and young : Similar but duller. Length : A little over 6 inches. Range in Pennsylvania. —An abundant migrant and summer resident from early April to November; found in open woodlands. Nest. —A neat cup of leaves, grasses,

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NORTHERN WATER-THRUSH Seiurus noveboracensis noveboracensis (Gmelin)

NORTHERN WATER-THRUSH Seiurus noveboracensis noveboracensis (Gmelin)

Description. —Upperparts, including wings and tail, olive, without wing-bars or marks on tail; line over eye, buffy or yellowish; underparts whitish, tinged with pale yellow; throat, breast, sides, and belly streaked with black. The sexes are alike and young birds are like adults; in fall, the underparts are more yellowish than in spring. Length : 6 inches. Range in Pennsylvania. —A rather regular and fairly common migrant throughout, from latter April to mid-May, and during the first half of Se

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LOUISIANA WATER-THRUSH Seiurus motacilla (Vieillot)

LOUISIANA WATER-THRUSH Seiurus motacilla (Vieillot)

Description. —Like the Northern Water-Thrush, but a little larger, the line over the eye whiter and more conspicuous, the underparts white , tinged with buffy, not with yellow, and streaked with blackish on the breast and sides, not on the throat or belly . Length : 6¼ inches. Range in Pennsylvania. —Fairly common but local summer resident in central and southern Pennsylvania. Nest. —Built along the bank of a stream, sometimes not far from the water’s edge, of leaves, lined with grasses and root

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KENTUCKY WARBLER Oporornis formosus (Wilson)

KENTUCKY WARBLER Oporornis formosus (Wilson)

Description. — Male : Crown and area below eye and on side of throat, black, crown-feathers tipped with gray; line from bill, which extends over and back of eye, yellow; rest of upperparts olive-green; wings and tail unmarked; underparts bright, clear yellow. Female : Similar, but duller, the black areas inclined to be grayish and not clearly defined. Length : About 5½ inches. Range in Pennsylvania. —A fairly common summer resident in southeastern and southwestern counties from about May 1 to Se

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CONNECTICUT WARBLER Oporornis agilis (Wilson)

CONNECTICUT WARBLER Oporornis agilis (Wilson)

Description. — Adult male : Head, neck, and breast, ashy gray, with prominent white eye-ring ; rest of upperparts olive-green; wings and tail unmarked; underparts yellow; sides washed with olive-green. Female and young : Similar to adult male, but uniform olive-green above, the lighter eye-ring not noticeable, the throat and breast light brownish gray. Length : 5½ inches. Range in Pennsylvania. —A migrant, very rare in spring, during latter May, and somewhat commoner from latter August to about

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MOURNING WARBLER Oporornis philadelphia (Wilson)

MOURNING WARBLER Oporornis philadelphia (Wilson)

Description. — Adult male : Much like the Connecticut Warbler, but without eye-ring, and throat blackish, blending into a fan-shaped black area on breast . Female and young : Similar, but with upperparts olive-green, slightly grayer on head, and throat and breast gray, lightest on throat. Length : 5½ inches. Range in Pennsylvania. —A rather uncommon migrant during May and from mid-August to the end of September. As a summer resident it occurs only in the northern and higher counties. Nest. —A ra

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MARYLAND YELLOW-THROAT Geothlypis trichas trichas (Linnæus)

MARYLAND YELLOW-THROAT Geothlypis trichas trichas (Linnæus)

Description. — Adult male : A mask of black across forehead; cheeks and ear-coverts bordered behind by gray; rest of upperparts olive-green, unmarked; throat and breast bright yellow, fading to white on belly and brownish on sides; under tail-coverts yellow. Female : Similar, but without the black mask, the forehead sometimes tinged with reddish brown. Adult males in the fall : Browner above and on sides. Immature males : Black facial mask obscured by grayish edgings. Length : 5⅓ inches. Range i

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YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT Icteria virens virens (Linnæus)

YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT Icteria virens virens (Linnæus)

Description. —Larger than an English Sparrow; the largest of our warbler tribe. Adults : Upperparts olive-green, grayer on crown; wings and tail unmarked; line from bill over and around eye, and line on side of throat, white; throat and breast rich yellow; sides grayish; belly and under tail-coverts white. Young birds in first flight plumage are much streaked. Length : 7½ inches. Range in Pennsylvania. —A decidedly local summer resident from May 1 to mid-September—common in some sections, absent

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HOODED WARBLER Wilsonia citrina (Boddaert)

HOODED WARBLER Wilsonia citrina (Boddaert)

Description. — Adult male : Forehead and sides of head rich yellow; crown, hind neck, and throat black; rest of upperparts olive-green; outer tail-feathers white on their inner webs; rest of underparts bright yellow. Young male : Similar, but the black feathers of head tipped with yellow. Adult female : Like adult male, but duller, the black of the head largely replaced by gray. Length : A little over 5½ inches. Range in Pennsylvania. —Fairly common summer resident in central and southern counti

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WILSON’S WARBLER Wilsonia pusilla pusilla (Wilson)

WILSON’S WARBLER Wilsonia pusilla pusilla (Wilson)

Other Names. —Black-capped Warbler; Wilson’s Black-cap. Description. — Male : Forehead and underparts bright yellow; crown glossy black; upperparts olive-green; wings and tail unmarked. Female and young : Similar, but duller, the female with only a suggestion of the black cap, the young altogether without it. Length : 5 inches. Range in Pennsylvania. —A fairly common migrant from May 10 to June 10 and from early to latter September. It appears to me to be less common in spring than in fall. The

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CANADIAN WARBLER Wilsonia canadensis (Linnæus)

CANADIAN WARBLER Wilsonia canadensis (Linnæus)

Description. — Adult male : Upperparts gray, darkest on crown; line from bill to eye, and underparts, yellow; marks on sides of neck black, and a necklace of black spots across breast; under tail-coverts white. Female : Similar, but duller, with no black on head, and only a suggestion of the black necklace. Length : 5½ inches. Range in Pennsylvania. —A fairly common migrant in May and September, found chiefly in low, bushy growth. As a summer resident, found only in more northerly and mountainou

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REDSTART Setophaga ruticilla (Linnæus)

REDSTART Setophaga ruticilla (Linnæus)

Description. — Adult male : Glossy blue-black, with basal half of the wing-feathers and basal two-thirds of tail-feathers orange-pink, the sides of breast and flanks bright rosy orange, and the belly white. Adult female : Grayish above, white below; wings, tail, and sides of breast with the same pattern as male, but marked with yellow, not orange-pink. Young males : Like the females, but more or less mottled with black. During the young male’s first breeding season he looks much like the female;

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PIPIT; TITLARK Anthus spinoletta rubescens (Tunstall)

PIPIT; TITLARK Anthus spinoletta rubescens (Tunstall)

Description. —A little larger than an English Sparrow. Grayish brown above, the edge of outer tail-feathers white ; a buffy line over the eye; underparts buffy; breast and sides streaked with dark brown. If the bird be in the hand, the hind toe-nail, which is very long, will be noted. Length : 6½ inches. Range in Pennsylvania. —A rather irregular migrant from early April to mid-May and from late September to late October, sometimes fairly common, and often occurring in flocks; occasional in mild

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MOCKINGBIRD Mimus polyglottos polyglottos (Linnæus)

MOCKINGBIRD Mimus polyglottos polyglottos (Linnæus)

Description. —Length of Robin, but slenderer. Light gray above, with whitish line above eye; wings and tail dark brown-gray, the primaries basally white, the outer tail-feathers white; underparts grayish white; eye pale yellow. Length : 10½ inches. Range in Pennsylvania. —Rare and irregular in the southernmost counties, where it may occur at any time of the year. It occasionally nests. Nest. —Bulky, of twigs, lined with rootlets, placed in a bush or low tree. Eggs : 4 to 6, pale green-blue, spot

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CATBIRD Dumetella carolinensis (Linnæus)

CATBIRD Dumetella carolinensis (Linnæus)

Description. —Smaller than Robin; slate gray with blackish crown, tail and wings, and rich red-brown under tail-coverts. Length : Almost 9 inches. Range in Pennsylvania. —Abundant migrant and summer resident from late April to early October, especially common in more cultivated districts; usually rare in wilder woodlands. Nest. —A large, bulky structure of twigs, lined with rootlets or grape-vine bark. Eggs : 3 to 5, deep blue-green, glossy. Nests are placed in thickets or bushy trees, from 3 to

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BROWN THRASHER Toxostoma rufa rufa (Linnæus)

BROWN THRASHER Toxostoma rufa rufa (Linnæus)

Other Name. —Brown Thrush (erroneous). Description. —Size of Robin, with longer tail. Rich, bright red-brown above, the wing-bars whitish, and a rather noticeably buffy line above eye; underparts whitish, heavily streaked with black, save on throat and middle of belly; eyes yellow. Length : 11½ inches. Range in Pennsylvania. —An abundant migrant and summer resident from mid-April to mid-October. Nest. —Large and strong, of twigs, lined with rootlets and strips of weed-stalks, usually placed in a

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CAROLINA WREN Thryothorus ludovicianus ludovicianus (Latham)

CAROLINA WREN Thryothorus ludovicianus ludovicianus (Latham)

Other Name. —Teakettle Bird. Description. —Smaller than English Sparrow, but largest of our wrens. Rich red-brown above; prominent whitish or buffy line above eye; concealed white spots on rump; wings and tail barred with blackish; underparts buffy, lightest on throat, sometimes somewhat barred on flanks and under tail-coverts. Length : 5½ inches. Range in Pennsylvania. —A local permanent resident in the southernmost counties; its range is apparently gradually extending northward. Nest. —Large,

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BEWICK’S WREN Thryomanes bewickii bewickii (Audubon)

BEWICK’S WREN Thryomanes bewickii bewickii (Audubon)

Description. —Dark gray-brown above, with whitish line over eye; wings and tail barred with black; outer tail-feathers broadly tipped with gray ; underparts grayish; flanks brownish. Length : 5 inches. Range in Pennsylvania. —A rare, irregular, and local summer resident in southern, central, and southwestern counties, where it occurs in sections in which the House Wren is not found, from early April to October, and perhaps occasionally in winter. Nest. —Built under or about buildings, often near

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HOUSE WREN Troglodytes aëdon aëdon Vieillot

HOUSE WREN Troglodytes aëdon aëdon Vieillot

Other Name. —Jenny Wren. Description. —Smaller than English Sparrow; tail usually held erect. Brownish gray, brightest on rump and tail, the wings and tail finely barred with black; underparts grayish; sides, flanks, and under tail-coverts barred with blackish. Length : 5 inches. Range in Pennsylvania. —Abundant migrant and summer resident from mid-April to latter September; commonest near the habitations of man, as a rule. Nest. —A bulky mass of twigs, lined with feathers, generally filling the

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WINTER WREN Nannus troglodytes hiemalis (Vieillot)

WINTER WREN Nannus troglodytes hiemalis (Vieillot)

Description. —A chubby, small wren, with ludicrously short tail. Upperparts deep brown, barred on wings and tail with black; buffy line over eye; underparts buffy, barred and speckled with black, whitish, and brown. Length : 4 inches. Range in Pennsylvania. —A fairly common migrant from early April to mid-May and from mid-September to October 20 or later; a summer resident in the mountainous counties; occasional in winter. Nest. —Of moss and plant-down, finely built, placed on or near the ground

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SHORT-BILLED MARSH WREN Cistothorus stellaris (Naumann)

SHORT-BILLED MARSH WREN Cistothorus stellaris (Naumann)

Description. —Small, even for a wren. Upperparts brownish buffy , streaked with black and white; wings and tail barred; underparts white; under tail-coverts, flanks, and zone about breast, buffy brown. Length : 4 inches. Range in Pennsylvania. —A rare and local migrant and summer resident from early May to October. Nest. —Spherical, of grasses, built on or near ground among grasses in marshy situations, the entrance to one side. Eggs : 5 to 8, white. I have seen this bird in only a few places in

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LONG-BILLED MARSH WREN Telmatodytes palustris palustris (Wilson)

LONG-BILLED MARSH WREN Telmatodytes palustris palustris (Wilson)

Description. —Crown brown, bordered on sides with black; white line over eye; middle of back black streaked with white , rest of back brown; wings and tail barred with black; underparts white; sides reddish brown. Length : About 5 inches. Range in Pennsylvania. —A migrant and summer resident in suitably marshy situations from latter April to early October. It is very local in occurrence. Nest. —A globular, strongly built structure of grasses and cat-tail leaves, made while the materials are damp

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BROWN CREEPER Certhia familiaris americana Bonaparte

BROWN CREEPER Certhia familiaris americana Bonaparte

Description. —Climbs a tree-trunk like a woodpecker; smaller than an English Sparrow; bill curved like a wren’s. Plumage brown above, considerably streaked and otherwise marked with white, grayish, and darker brown; underparts grayish white; tail-feathers pointed and somewhat barred. Length : 4½ inches. Range in Pennsylvania. —A common migrant in March and April and in September and October; occasional, sometimes common, in winter; a summer resident only at high altitudes or in northern counties

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WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCH Sitta carolinensis cookei Oberholser

WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCH Sitta carolinensis cookei Oberholser

Description. —Size of English Sparrow, but with long, pointed bill, short tail, and short, strong feet. Adult male : Crown glossy blue-black; rest of upperparts blue-gray; outer tail-feathers blackish, tipped with black and white; wings with indistinct bars, and the tertials marked with black spots; sides of head and underparts white; under tail-coverts mottled with reddish brown. Female : Similar, but top of head grayish, not black. Length : 6 inches. Range in Pennsylvania. —A common, permanent

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RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH Sitta canadensis Linnæus

RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH Sitta canadensis Linnæus

Description. —Smaller than English Sparrow. Male : Crown and wide line through eye to back of head, glossy black; line over eye white; rest of upperparts bluish gray, the outer tail-feathers blackish with white spots near their tips; underparts pale reddish buff, save on throat which is whitish. Female : Similar, but duller, the black of the head replaced with gray. Length : 4½ inches. Range in Pennsylvania. —A migrant in late April and May, and more or less throughout the fall; occasional in wi

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TUFTED TITMOUSE Bæolophus bicolor (Linnæus)

TUFTED TITMOUSE Bæolophus bicolor (Linnæus)

Description. —Size of English Sparrow; with prominent crest. Upperparts gray, forehead dark brown, a light spot in front of and above eye; underparts grayish white, the sides washed with reddish brown. Length : 6 inches. Range in Pennsylvania. —A common permanent resident in southern and middle counties, gradually extending its range northward. Nest. —Mass of leaves, mosses, hair, and feathers, placed in a cavity, at from 10 to 30 feet from the ground. Eggs : 5 to 8, white, spotted and blotched

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BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEE Penthestes atricapillus atricapillus (Linnæus)

BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEE Penthestes atricapillus atricapillus (Linnæus)

Description. —Smaller than English Sparrow. Top of head and throat black; cheeks white; rest of upperparts grayish; underparts grayish white, washed with brownish on sides. Length : 5 inches. Range in Pennsylvania. —A common permanent resident, usually more numerous about towns in winter than in summer. Nest. —Of fur, plant-down, and feathers, couched in moss and bark strips, placed in a cavity in a tree, usually from 5 to 15 feet from the ground. The birds often dig their own nest-cavity. Eggs

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GOLDEN CROWNED KINGLET Regulus regulus satrapa Lichtenstein

GOLDEN CROWNED KINGLET Regulus regulus satrapa Lichtenstein

Description. —Size very small, one of our smallest birds; tail somewhat forked. Male : Center of crown red-orange, bordered with yellow which sometimes conceals the orange, and with black; line above eye whitish; rest of upperparts olive-gray; wings with an indistinct bar; tail and rump with greenish edgings; underparts pale gray, washed with olive and dull yellowish. Length : 4 inches. Range in Pennsylvania. —A common migrant and winter resident from about the first of October to the end of Apr

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RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET Corthylio calendula calendula (Linnæus)

RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET Corthylio calendula calendula (Linnæus)

Description. —Size very small, tail somewhat forked. Adult male : Grayish olive above, grayest on head, greenest on rump; crown with brilliant red patch which is sometimes concealed; wings with two indistinct bars; underparts soiled white, washed with faint yellowish and olive. Length : 4½ inches. Range in Pennsylvania. —A migrant, usually common, from mid-April to mid-May, and from mid-September to latter October. The song of the tiny Ruby-crown is amazingly loud and brilliant, and as the littl

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BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER Polioptila cærulea cærulea (Linnæus)

BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER Polioptila cærulea cærulea (Linnæus)

Description. —Size very small, with long tail and short wings. Male : Upperparts blue-gray, a line across forehead and above eye white, bordered above by narrow black line; central tail-feathers black, the outer ones white; underparts soiled whitish. Female : Similar, the black of the head duller or missing. Length : 4½ inches. Range in Pennsylvania. —A rather local summer resident in southern counties. Nest. —A beautifully made structure of fur, plant-fibers, and bark, covered with lichens and

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WOOD THRUSH Hylocichla mustelina (Gmelin)

WOOD THRUSH Hylocichla mustelina (Gmelin)

Description. —Smaller than Robin. Rich brown above, brightest on head and neck, with noticeable whitish eye-ring; below white, marked all over with round black spots ; eyes large, very dark brown. Length : 8 inches. Range in Pennsylvania. —Common migrant and summer resident from about the first of May to October. It is not found in dense hemlock woods in the wilder districts, nor at higher altitudes. Nest. —A firm, neat cup of grasses, weed-stalks, paper, string, and leaves, lined with finer mat

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WILSON’S THRUSH; VEERY Hylocichla fuscescens fuscescens (Stephens)

WILSON’S THRUSH; VEERY Hylocichla fuscescens fuscescens (Stephens)

Description. —Smaller than Robin. Uniform brown above; throat and belly white; sides of throat and breast washed with buffy, and marked with indistinct rows of short, brown streaks; sides white, faintly washed with gray-brown; eye-ring not noticeable in field. Length : 7½ inches. Range in Pennsylvania. —A common migrant throughout in later April and May and in September. Nests in the more northerly counties and in the mountains. It is common as a summer resident in suitable damp woodlands. Nest.

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GRAY-CHEEKED THRUSH Hylocichla minima aliciæ (Baird)

GRAY-CHEEKED THRUSH Hylocichla minima aliciæ (Baird)

Description. —Upperparts olive, unmarked, not even a whitish eye-ring being noticeable in the field; sides of head dull grayish ; sides of throat and breast faintly washed with buff, the breast marked with a few dark streaks, which lie in rows; throat and belly white; sides gray. Length : 7½ inches. Range in Pennsylvania. —A regular migrant, though not often recorded, during May and in late September and early October. This bird is difficult to identify in Pennsylvania. It does not often sing, a

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OLIVE-BACKED THRUSH Hylocichla ustulata swainsoni (Tschudi)

OLIVE-BACKED THRUSH Hylocichla ustulata swainsoni (Tschudi)

Description. —Upperparts olive; eye-ring and sides of head buffy , the color spreading more or less over the face, throat, and breast; throat streaked and breast somewhat spotted with blackish; belly white; sides grayish. Length : A little over 7 inches. Range in Pennsylvania. —An abundant migrant in late April and early May and in September and October; rare as a summer resident, found only at high altitudes in the mountains. Nest. —Deeply cupped, compact, and neat, of grasses, moss, rootlets,

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HERMIT THRUSH Hylocichla guttata faxoni Bangs and Penard

HERMIT THRUSH Hylocichla guttata faxoni Bangs and Penard

Description. —Underparts olive-brown, with a somewhat noticeable buffy eye-ring, and a noticeably red-brown tail , which is the most dependable field-mark; throat and breast washed with buffy, the breast marked with rows of short, blackish, rounded streaks; belly white; sides grayish brown. Length : A little over 7 inches. Range in Pennsylvania. —A common migrant, appearing early in spring often during March, and remaining late in fall, often until November or even Christmas; it is casual in win

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ROBIN Turdus migratorius migratorius Linnaeus

ROBIN Turdus migratorius migratorius Linnaeus

Description. — Adult male : Head blackish; partial white eye-ring; rest of upperparts gray, darker on wings and tail; outer tail-feathers narrowly tipped with white; throat white, streaked with black; breast and sides brownish red, sometimes somewhat barred with whitish; belly and undertail-coverts white, the latter sometimes marked with grayish. Eyes dark brown. Female : Duller. Young : The breasts are spotted with black. Length : 10 inches. Range in Pennsylvania. —Abundant migrant and summer r

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BLUEBIRD Sialis sialis sialis (Linnaeus)

BLUEBIRD Sialis sialis sialis (Linnaeus)

Description. —A little larger than an English Sparrow. Adult male : Rich, deep, glossy blue above; throat, breast, and sides reddish brown; belly and under tail-coverts white. Female : Similar, but upperparts largely gray, bluest on wings and tail. Young : Similar to female, but with spotted breast. Length : 6 inches. Range in Pennsylvania. —A common migrant and summer resident from early March until November; casual in winter. It is to be found chiefly in more cultivated districts. Nest. —Of gr

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