Kitabı oku: «Western Bird Guide», sayfa 11

BOHEMIAN WAXWING

618. Bombycilla garrula. 8½ inches

A northern variety, breeding in Alaska and northward, winters to California and the northern states of the United States. It may be identified from the following by the markings on the wings of white and yellow, and the larger band of yellow at the end of the tail. The wax-like appendages on the wings and tail may be found on both species.

Their nests are made of rootlets, grass and moss, and placed in bushes or trees at a few feet from the ground. Usually four eggs are laid, of a grayish color, sharply spotted with brown (.95 × .70).

CEDAR WAXWING

619. Bombycilla cedrorum. 7½ inches

These are a North American bird, and great travelers in large flocks all over the country, separating at breeding time, and mating up, with a pair or two selecting some orchard or suitable locality to remain during nesting time. They breed throughout the northern United States and north into Canada. Their nests are placed in almost any kind of tree, on horizontal limbs, made of twigs, rootlets, string and grass, in which they lay usually four eggs of a dull grayish color, spotted with dark brown, mostly about the larger end (.85 × .60).

PHAINOPEPLA

620. Phainopepla nitens. 7½ inches

These are found from central California to Texas and into Mexico. In habits they are very much like the preceding, and the female is quite similar in looks, while the male is a rich shining blue black, with a long pointed crest, and a white patch on the wings. Their food consists of insects and small berries. They build loosely constructed nests, with a more compact lining of plant down. They lay two or three eggs of a light gray, spotted with brown (.88 × .65).

NORTHERN SHRIKE

621. Lanius borealis. 10 inches

One of the largest of the family in the United States, the breast being barred with wavy lines of gray above the paler gray, with the wings and tail having much white, showing especially in flight. They are bold birds; carnivorous in their habits, living upon other small birds, insects and small rodents. In winter they have been known frequently to live about cities, catching the English Sparrows in the parks and city streets. They tear their food to pieces with their bill, which is shaped similar to that of a hawk’s, while their feet are small and weak, not at all resembling the hawk’s feet. Their nests are placed in thickets or thorny bushes, and are made of shreds of vines, grasses and plant down. Four to six grayish white eggs are laid, these being spotted and blotched with shades of brown (1.05 × .75).

CALIFORNIA SHRIKE

622b. Lanius ludovicianus gambeli. 8 inches

In size the same as the White-rumped Shrike, and in habits and general appearance much the same, being somewhat darker, more on the under parts and sides. Eggs similar but smaller.

RED-EYED VIREO

624. Vireosylva olivacea. 6 inches

One of the most common of the family throughout its range, from the eastern slope of the Rockies over the United States. Wherever they may be found, their song is heard continuously during the day, from early morning until late in the evening, it consisting only of two or three notes, first a rising inflection, then a falling, and repeated over and over, even while they are feeding. The nests are placed within a few feet of the ground on an overhanging limb, suspended from a fork, and made of strips of bark, plant fiber and often with pieces of string and paper included in its construction. Three or four eggs are white, specked sparingly with brown (.85 × .55). This is one of the favorite nests in which the Cowbird deposits its eggs.

WARBLING VIREO

627. Vireosylva gilva. 5½ inches

These are nearly as common as the above, but probably not as well known, as they keep well up in the tops of the taller trees, where they also build their nests, very much the same as the Red-eye. Their song is much more pleasant. Four eggs, like above (.72 × .52).

CASSIN VIREO

629a. Lanivireo solitarius cassini. 5 inches

To be found west of the Rockies from British Columbia south to Lower California and Mexico. In southern California, it is found breeding much more commonly than the Western Warbling Vireo, placing its nest high in the oaks and coniferous trees. It belongs to the same musical family, keeping up its song from morning until night. The nest is made of similar material to the previous, and the eggs are the same, except in size (.75 × .58).

BLACK-CAPPED VIREO

630. Vireo atricapillus. 4½ inches

A smaller variety, the male marked with a black cap. Breeds in Texas, north to Kansas. Winters in Mexico (not illustrated).

HUTTON VIREO

632. Vireo huttoni. 4½ inches

Similar to last, without the black cap. Found in central and southern California. Nesting habits similar to others of the family. Eggs white with a few spots of brown about the larger end (.70 × .50).

ANTHONY VIREO

632c. Vireo huttoni obscurus. 4¼ inches

Like Hutton, but a trifle smaller and darker. Found from British Columbia to southern California, breeding in Oregon (not illustrated).

LEAST VIREO

633a. Vireo belli pusillus. 4¼ inches

Much like the last, and found nesting in southern California, Texas and Arizona. Their nest is a neat, compact, cup-shaped structure, made of shreds of vines and fine roots, and lined with fine grass. The four eggs are white, spotted finely with brown about the larger end (.70 × .80).

GRAY VIREO

634. Vireo vicinior. 5½ inches

Found in the southwestern United States, from western Texas, and southern California, into Mexico. They are not uncommon birds in the mountains of Arizona, where they nest in low bushes or trees, building their nest similar to the Red-eyed vireo in the horizontal fork of some overhanging limb, within a few feet from the ground. Usually four white eggs, which are finely spotted with brown about the larger end (.72 × .53).

Family MNIOTILTIDÆ – WOOD WARBLERS

BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER

636. Mniotilta varia. 5¼ inches

This eastern bird, with its black and white markings, is found in southern Texas, and has been seen accidental in California and Washington (not illustrated).

LUCY WARBLER

643. Vermivora luciæ. 4 inches

Range.– Southwestern United States and Mexico. It breeds quite commonly in Arizona, where it builds in almost any situation, in the loose bark on tree trunks, in deserted woodpecker holes, in the cactus or in small bushes near the ground. The nest is made of fine grass, leaves and feathers, in which they lay usually four white eggs, spotted and wreathed with brown about the larger end (.60 × .50).

VIRGINIA WARBLER

644. Vermivora virginiæ. 4¼ inches

Range.– Rocky Mountains, from Colorado to Arizona, and winters in Mexico. They are much like the last, but have a patch of yellow on the rump and breast. Their nest on the ground, beside some rock or stump, is made of shreds of vines and grass. Three or four white eggs, specked and wreathed with brown (.62 × .50).

CALAVERAS WARBLER

645a. Vermivora rubricapilla gutturalis. 4½ inches

Found in the Pacific coast regions, breeding from central California north to British Columbia. Winters south to Mexico. In Oregon and California, these birds are quite common in favorable localities on the mountain sides. They build their nest on the ground in a slight depression, making it of twigs and grasses, and usually well concealed with overhanging grass or brush. Their four eggs are a creamy white, with fine spots of brown and lavender, forming a wreath about the larger end (.60 × .45).

ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER

646. Vermivora celata. 4½ inches

Range.– Central North America, breeding in the Rockies locally, from Alaska to Mexico. Crown with a concealed, dull orange patch. Nesting habits and eggs same as above (not illustrated).

LUTESCENT WARBLER

646a. Vermivora celata lutescens. 4¼ inches

This bird is found breeding from Alaska along the Pacific coast to southern California. Nest placed in similar locations, and the eggs are the same as above (.60 × .45).

OLIVE WARBLER

651. Peucedramus olivaceus. 5 inches

Range.– In the mountains of Arizona and New Mexico, southward. They may be easily identified by their orange-brown head and neck, with a broad black band through the eyes. Their nests are placed at high elevations in coniferous trees on the mountain sides. They build a very compact nest, saddled upon a horizontal limb, the nest having a resemblance to a knot; it is made of moss, lichens, etc., and lined with fine rootlets and down from plants. Their four eggs are a pale gray, completely covered with spots of dark brown, the heaviest at the larger end (.64 × .48).

YELLOW WARBLER

652. Dendroica æstiva. 4 inches

Range.– The whole of North America, breeding throughout its range. They are active little bunches of yellow, as they gather in their many insects for food, all the while singing their happy song. They place their nests in almost any kind of trees, but seem to prefer willows and alders near some brook or pond, where insect life is abundant. Their nest is a compact, cup-shaped structure, made of fibers and grasses, lined with plant down or cotton.

MYRTLE WARBLER

655. Dendroica coronata. 5½ inches

Range.– Most of North America. On the Pacific coast, it is found from central Oregon to southern California. It is quite commonly known as the Yellow-rumped Warbler, both in the east and west. They differ from the following, mostly in the throat markings, this one having a white throat and much more black on the head and breast, while on the following the throat is yellow. They nest in the lower branches of coniferous trees, making it of grasses, rootlets and fiber, in which they lay usually four eggs, white, spotted with shades of brown and lilac, more heavily about the larger end (.70 × .50).

AUDUBON WARBLER

656. Dendroica auduboni. 5½ inches

This species is found in the western United States from British Columbia to Mexico, and rarely east of the Rockies. They are more of a dull-colored bird than the preceding. Their nesting habits and eggs are identical with the last (.68 × .52).

MAGNOLIA WARBLER

657. Dendroica magnolia. 5 inches

Range.– This is an eastern bird, found west to the Rockies and accidental in California. The white over the eye, white wing patch, and the band of white across the tail will identify this species (not illustrated).

BLACK-POLL WARBLER

661. Dendroica striata. 5½ inches

Range.– North America, mostly east of the Rockies, but found in the Rockies from Alaska to Colorado. They nest on the lower branches of coniferous trees, made of roots and strips of vine, and lined with feathers and lichens. Four dull white eggs, spotted with brown (.72 × .50).

GRACE WARBLER

664. Dendroica graciæ. 4½ inches

Range.– Western North America, British Columbia to Lower California and Arizona. Nest usually in pines near the tops of the trees, made of roots, fibers and lined with plant down. Eggs white, with light spots of brown (.65 × .45).

BLACK-THROATED GRAY WARBLER

665. Dendroica nigrescens. 4½ inches

Range.– Western North America, British Columbia to Lower California. A small bird, with a black throat and breast, forming a circle about the neck, and black on top of the head. They are found mostly in the woodlands, bordered with thickets, in which they will place their nests, within a few feet of the ground. It much resembles that of the Yellow Bird, being compact and made of the same materials. Three or four eggs are creamy white, spotted with brown, forming a wreath about the larger end (.65 × .52).

BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER

667. Dendroica virens. 5 inches

Range.– Mostly in the eastern part of North America, but occasionally in the southern Rockies, Texas and Arizona. Black throat and breast, with bright yellow cheeks and olive head and back (not illustrated).

TOWNSEND WARBLER

668. Dendroica townsendi. 5 inches

Range.– Western United States. A similar bird to the above, with black on top of the head in place of the olive. Nesting habits are practically the same, as are also the eggs.

HERMIT WARBLER

669. Dendroica occidentalis. 5 inches

Range.– Western North America, from British Columbia to southern California, Texas and Arizona. These are to be found in the high, mountainous regions among the coniferous trees, where they build their nests on the outer limbs of tall pines, almost impossible to find. Their nests are made of grass, and the needles from the pine, and not much of a nest as compared with some of this same family. They lay four white eggs, spotted and wreathed with shades of brown (.68 × .52).

GRINNELL WATER THRUSH

675a. Seiurus noveboracensis. 5½ inches

Range.– From Alaska to Mexico, breeding in the northern portions. They are a quiet bird, solitary in habits, nesting in stumps near the ground or among roots of fallen trees. Four white eggs, spotted and blotched with brown and lilac (.80 × .60).

MACGILLIVRAY WARBLER

680. Oporornis tolmiei. 5½ inches

Range.– Western North America, from British Columbia to southern California, breeding throughout its range. They are common warblers of the Pacific coast, to be found on or near the ground in thick shrubbery, where they build their nests within a few feet of the ground. This is made of grasses and shreds of vines, and lined with finer grasses and hair. Four eggs are laid, white, spotted and quite heavily marked with shades of brown (.72 × .52).

WESTERN YELLOW-THROAT

681a. Geothlypis trichas occidentalis. 5¼ inches

Range.– Western North America, from British Columbia south to Arizona, but not near the Pacific coast. It is one of the seven or eight forms of the Maryland Yellow-throat, the greatest difference in them being in the locality in which they are found. They place their nest in a clump of grass, well concealed, laying usually four white eggs, with few spots of brown (.70 × .50).

PACIFIC YELLOW-THROAT

681c. Geothlypis trichas arizela. 5¼ inches

Range.– The Pacific coast. Habits, nest and eggs same as above.

LONG-TAILED CHAT

683a. Icteria virens longicauda. 7½ inches

Range.– Western United States, breeding from British Columbia to Mexico. They are an attractive bird both in looks and habits. They are great singers, but nature seemed to give them no special song of their own, and they make good attempts to mimic the song of any bird in their locality, and keep continually at it. They like the bramble and vine-covered hillsides, where it is hard to obtain a sight of the bird. They build their nests in the thickest of such places a few feet from the ground, made up of shreds of vines, leaves and twigs, lined with grass. Four white eggs, spotted with fine dots of shades of brown (.90 × .70).

PILEOLATED WARBLER

685a. Wilsonia pusilla pileolata. 5 inches

Range.– Western North America, breeding in Oregon, Washington and California to Mexican borders. These little birds, with their deep yellow under parts and breast, and little cap of jet black, are quite common about many of the orchards and gardens when the trees are in full blossom, taking insects that abound at that time. They nest in moist grounds in a slight depression or in low bushes, made of fibers and grass.

REDSTART

687. Setophaga ruticilla. 5½ inches

Range.– North America, found more commonly east of the Rockies, but less common in Oregon, California and to Arizona. These birds are always the most conspicuous when in flight, at that time showing off to the best advantage their bright orange markings on the wings and tail of the males, and the bright yellow of the females. They build a neat, cup-shaped nest of plant fibers and down, which is placed in the crotch of small trees, in which they lay four white eggs, spotted with different shades of chestnut and black (.65 × .50). They are very active, and constantly flying from place to place, taking insects while on the wing, which constitute their food.

PAINTED REDSTART

688. Setophaga picta. 5½ inches

Range.– New Mexico and Arizona. These have much the same habits as the above, except that they build their homes in cavities of rocks or on the ground in swampy places.

RED-FACED WARBLER

690. Cardellina rubrifrons. 5¼ inches

Range.– Arizona and New Mexico.

ALASKAN YELLOW TAIL

696. Budytes flavus alascensis. 6½ inches

Range.– Alaska and Bering Sea in summer, where they are fairly common on the islands and coast. They nest on the ground, under or beside stones and in bunches of grass; it is made of roots and grasses, lined with moss and animal fur. They lay from four to six white eggs, thickly covered with spots of brown (.75 × .55).

PIPIT, OR TITLARK

697. Anthus rubescens. 6½ inches

Range.– It breeds on the high mountains of Colorado, California, Alaska, north to the Arctic Zone. During migration they may be found over most of the United States in quite large flocks. Their nests are placed on the ground in tufts of grass, and are made of fine grass and moss, lined with feathers and hair. Four to six eggs are grayish, heavily blotched with brown (.75 × .55).

SPRAGUE PIPIT

700. Anthus spraguei. 6½ inches

Range.– Breeds from Manitoba to Montana and Dakota, and west to the Rockies. Habits, nest and eggs are similar to preceding.

Family MIMIDÆ. – SAGE THRASHER

702. Oreoscoptes montanus. 8½ inches

Range.– From Lower California and Mexico on the plains to Montana. This is an abundant bird in the sage regions of the plains throughout its range, and are frequently called the Mockingbird, on account of the varied song which they give from the top of some sagebrush or cactus, in which they nest. Four eggs, greenish, spotted with brown (.60 × .55).

Family CINCLIDÆ

DIPPER, OR WATER OUZEL

701. Cinclus mexicanus unicolor. 8 inches

Range.– Mountains of western North America from Alaska to Mexico. Among the rapid streams that are falling down the mountain side, these gray birds are to be found. They are strange members of bird life; they do not have webbed feet, and yet they swim on, or under the water, using their wings as paddles. They have a thrush-like bill, the habit of teetering similar to the sandpiper, and a song that is not to be forgotten if once heard. They nest on the rocks of these rapid streams, making their nest of moss, a bulky affair with an opening in the side, in which they deposit their four or five eggs of pure white (1.00 × .70).

WESTERN MOCKINGBIRD

703a. Mimus polyglottos leucopterus. 10 inches

Range.– Texas to California and southward, breeding commonly from central California southward. These birds not only have a song of their own which puts them in the opera class, but, as their name implies, they can mimic or mock nearly anything in the bird line for song or bird notes. They are not satisfied with a few notes early in the morning and evening, but will keep their song in full play all day, without hardly seeming to take time to hunt up a few worms or insects, as if eating was not to be considered when he could sing.

They nest usually low down in bushes and thickets, and construct a bulky nest of sticks, roots and grass. Three to five eggs are of a greenish color, spotted and blotched all over in many patterns with shades of brown (.95 × .72).

CATBIRD

704. Dumetella carolinensis. 9 inches

Range.– Mostly eastern North America, but extends over the Rockies, occasionally to the Pacific coast. It is a fine songster and almost as much of a mimic as the Mockingbird. Breeding habits are much the same, but eggs are bluish green (.95 × .70).

PALMER THRASHER

707a. Toxostoma curvirostre palmeri. 11 inches

Range.– Arizona to Mexico, breeding abundantly in the desert regions of Arizona, where the cactus is mostly to be found. They all seem to belong to the happy family of songsters, and there is no lack of bird music in localities where these birds are in any numbers. Their nests are usually placed in cactus, or on the ground under them, and are made up of twigs, dried grass and moss. Usually four eggs are laid, bluish green, spotted with brown very finely all over (1.00 × .80).

BENDIRE THRASHER

708. Toxostoma bendirei. 10 inches

Range.– Arizona and Mexico to southern Colorado. It breeds in Arizona and southern California. General habits are the same as above. While it may not be as common as the above, it is possibly a better singer. Eggs are the same, spots larger (1.00 × .72)