Kitabı oku: «Western Bird Guide», sayfa 4

BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERON

202. Nycticorax nycticorax nævius. 24 inches

A well-known bird often called “quawk” from the note which it makes during its evening flights. They are usually found nesting in large colonies, while in some places a few secluded pairs nest; a favorite place being among pine trees on the edge of muddy ponds.

Nest.– Is built of sticks, with no lining, and placed in the higher limbs of the trees, not unusual to find a dozen or more in each tree. Eggs are pale greenish color (2.00 × 1.40).

YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT HERON

203. Nyctanassa violacea. 23 inches

The head of this species is adorned with three long, rounded white plumes; in life these plumes are rarely separated, but are nested together so that they appear to be as one. On the back they also have long lanceolate gray plumes; crown and a comet shaped patch under the eye of a yellowish white. As dusk approaches, these birds start out from their roosting places, and, with slow, measured flaps, wing their way to their feeding grounds, which are fresh water bogs, their food consisting of insects, frogs, snails and small fish.

WHOOPING CRANE – Family Gruidæ

204. Grus americana. 50 inches

This is the largest of the family in America. The plumage of the adults is pure white, with black primaries; the bare parts of the head and face are carmine; eyes yellow; bill and feet black. These great birds are not uncommon on the prairies of the interior of America.

Nest.– Either upon the solid earth or marshy places on the bogs, the nest being very bulky, a mass of grass and weeds two or three feet in diameter. They lay two eggs of a brownish buff color blotched with shades of brown and gray (3.75 × 2.50).

Range.– Interior of North America, breeding to the Arctic regions and wintering to the Gulf states and southward.

LITTLE BROWN CRANE

205. Grus canadensis. 36 inches

This smaller variety is very much like the Sandhill Crane, but more brown, especially on the wings. When in flight this family always carry the neck fully extended, while the Herons draw the neck back between the wings. Unlike herons the young birds are born covered with down, and can run about as soon as they appear.

Range.– In northern Canada, where it breeds.

LIGHT-FOOTED RAIL. – Family Rallidæ

210.1. Rallus levipes. 10 inches

They inhabit the grassy marshes, and keep closely concealed if any danger is lurking about the locality where they are. They are very quick to get away in the tall grass if startled, and rarely take to the wing for protection. This species is found about the marshes in southern California.

CALIFORNIA CLAPPER RAIL

210. Rallus obsoletus. 15 inches

Color above olive-grayish, with no strong black markings; cinnamon colored breast. It is an abundant species on nearly all of the marshes along the coast. They are excellent runners, and are very difficult to start from the marsh grass in which they are concealed. Its nest is built on the ground on the higher parts of the marsh, where it is comparatively dry, building it of grass and strips of rushes.

Nest.– They lay from four to nine eggs of a light buff color, spotted and blotched with brown and lilac (1.75 × 1.25). The young of this family are born covered with a shining black down, and remain in the nest but a few hours.

VIRGINIA RAIL

212. Rallus virginianus. 10 inches

Back handsomely patterned with black, olive-brown and gray; wing coverts grayish brown, neck and breast cinnamon brown, brightest on the breast. Sides sharply barred with black and white; chin and line over the eye white, side of head slaty color. Like others of this species, it is found in either the fresh or salt marshes, but more abundant in the fresh.

Nest.– Of grasses on the ground or in tufts of rushes; eggs of a creamy white spotted and blotched with brown and lilac; six to ten are the number laid (1.25 × .90).

Range.– North America, breeding from British Columbia to southern California and the Gulf of Mexico.

SORA RAIL

214. Porzana carolina. 9 inches

Adults with throat and face black; young with no black on the head. Unless disturbed they pass the greater part of the day in quiet and do most of their feeding after dusk, when their clucking notes may be heard all over the marshes.

Nest.– A rude structure of grass in the rushes; 6 to 16 eggs, buff colored with reddish-brown specks (1.25 × .90).

YELLOW RAIL

215. Coturnicops noveboracensis. 7 inches

This is a very handsome species, with plumage of glossy brown, yellowish buff; black and white barred side feathers. The back is blackish with the feathers edged with white. These small Rails are like field mice, hard to locate or obtain sight of when in the marsh grass. They object to flying unless forced to do so, and trust to their small size and their agility to get through rushes to avoid being seen.

Nest.– Is placed on the ground and made of grass woven and twisted together; the six to twelve eggs are rich buff color, specked with reddish brown in a wreath about the larger end (1.10 × .80).

Range.– Locally distributed in temperate America from southern California to British Columbia.

BLACK RAIL

216. Creciscus coturniculus. 5 inches

This is the smallest of the Rails. A dark slaty colored bird, with back a dark brown thickly spotted with white, gray feathers on the sides and flank spotted and barred with white.

Nest.– These are woven of strips of rushes and grass, nicely cupped to hold the eggs, which number from six to twelve; creamy white, specked all over with reddish brown (1.03 × .75).

FLORIDA GALLINULE

219. Gallinula galeata. 13 inches

Plumage gray, changing to blackish about the head; the back a brownish color. Bill and frontal plate bright red, the former being tipped with yellow, legs greenish with a red ring about the top. The grayish side feathers tipped with white at the wing and lower ones with black. They have an almost endless variety of notes; all of them harsh and explosive.

Nest.– They build in colonies in the marshes, making their nests of rushes and grasses woven together and attached to stalks of rushes quite often over the water. They lay from six to ten eggs of a creamy buff color (1.60 × 1.15).

AMERICAN COOT

221. Fulica americana. 15 inches

Head and neck nearly black, shading into a gray over the whole bird. Toes lobed and scalloped along the edge; bill white with a blackish band near the tip; shield narrow and brownish, ending in a point.

Nest.– This is placed in the same localities as are the Rails, and they have the same retiring habits. Six to fifteen eggs of a grayish color finely specked all over with black or brown (1.80 × 1.30).

RED PHALAROPE. – Family Phalaropodidæ

222. Phalaropus fulicarius. 8 inches

These birds are very rarely seen in the United States in their breeding plumage; when they come in the fall nearly all have changed to their winter dress, and they retain this until after they leave us in the spring. In summer the under parts and neck a reddish brown; sides of the head white; top of head blackish; wings bluish gray crossed by a white band. The female is the larger and brighter plumaged bird.

Nest.– A hollow in the ground, lined with a few grasses. Three or four eggs greenish buff color, spotted and blotched with brown or black (1.20 × .80).

Range.– Northern hemisphere, breeding in the far north, and in winter migrating to middle portions of United States on both coasts.

NORTHERN PHALAROPE

223. Lobipes lobatus. 8 inches

This is a maritime species that nests in the far north, and appears on the coasts a short time during migration. Like the last they are expert swimmers, and pass most of their time when not breeding upon the surface of the water. They feed upon minute insects secured from beds of floating kelp. Nest and eggs similar to above.

WILSON PHALAROPE

224. Steganopus tricolor. 9 inches

This is the most handsome species of the family, being of a very graceful form, of a grayish and white color, with a broad black stripe through the eye and down the side of the neck, where it changes gradually into a rich chestnut color. Bill is long and slender. It is a bird of the interior, and is only rarely met with on the coasts. It does not congregate in large flocks, as the two preceding, and is not as often seen upon the water, although a good swimmer.

Nest.– Made of grasses on the ground, usually concealed in a tuft of grass near the border of a marsh or pond. Three or four greenish-buff eggs with black markings (1.30 × .90).

Range.– Interior of North America, breeding from Canada to southern California and inland to Colorado and Dakota.

WILSON SNIPE

230. Gallinago delicata. 11 inches

This species to a great extent frequents the open marshy meadows with its winding brooks. They procure their food by boring in the muddy banks of the meadows, the tip of the bill being flexible.

Nest.– On grassy edge of ponds or marshes; 4 eggs (1.50 × 1.10).

AVOCET – Family Recurvirostridæ

225. Recurvirostra americana. 17 inches

In summer the head and neck are pale cinnamon color; young birds and winter adults have the head and neck white. Feathers on the under part white and very thick and, duck-like, being impervious to water. Bill slender and recurved; feet webbed. Large patches of white on the wings, making them very conspicuous at all times. During the breeding season, if not molested, they become very tame.

Nest.– Is simply a lining of grass in a slight depression in the ground. They lay three or four eggs of a dark greenish or brownish buff color, spotted and blotched with brown and black (1.90 × 1.30).

BLACK-NECKED STILT

226. Himantopus mexicanus. 15 inches

Legs extremely long and bright red; neck and bill moderately long and slender. Male black and white as shown; female and young with back brownish. They are strong and swift upon the wing.

Nest.– On the ground, made of weeds, twigs and grass. Three or four eggs, greenish buff, with numerous markings of brown and black about the larger end.

DOWITCHER

231. Macrorhamphus griseus. 11 inches

Bill very long like that of the Snipe. In summer these birds are reddish brown below; more or less specked with black on the breast and barred with black on the sides; above mottled with brown and black, lighter or even white on the rump, crossed with wavy lines of black.

In winter they are gray above and white below. By the gunners known as “Red-breasted Snipe” in the spring and summer and as “Graybacks” in the winter months.

Nest.– Placed in a slight hollow on the ground and lined with grass and leaves; three or four eggs of a greenish buff color boldly marked with brown most heavily about the larger end (1.75 × 1.15).

STILT SANDPIPER

233. Micropalama himantopus. 9 inches

These seem to be one of the least abundant of our shore birds, single individuals being found in flocks of other species rather than in flocks by themselves. Bill slender and only moderately long. In summer the entire under parts are a rusty white, closely barred with blackish. In winter they are gray above and white below.

KNOT

234. Tringa canutus. 11 inches

This is one of the birds that feed along the ocean beaches, following out each wave as it rolls away and eagerly picking the small insects from the sand, and hurrying back to get clear from the next wave. Bill moderately long and quite stout; form more robust than most of the shore birds. Adults in summer mixed with brown and grayish above and of a reddish uniform brown below. In winter plain gray above and white below.

Nest.– They are supposed to breed in Arctic America, but no eggs are known as yet in any collections.

Range.– Arctic regions in summer; in winter south through the United States to South America.

PRIBILOF SANDPIPER

235b. Arquatella maritima ptilocnemis. 9 inches

This bird has the feathers of the upper parts edged with rusty and the under parts light, with a distinguishing patch of black on the breast. Three or four eggs of a grayish buff color, spotted and blotched with brown, laid on the ground in a depression with a light lining of grass (1.50 × 1.05).

SHARP-TAILED SANDPIPER

238. Pisobia aurita. 9 inches

This species is blackish-brown above, feathers strongly edged with reddish brown, white below except the breast, which is reddish brown. Fairly common in summer on the coast of Alaska; in winter supposed to migrate south wholly on the Asiatic side of the Pacific.

PECTORAL SANDPIPER

239. Pisobia maculata. 9 inches

A peculiar species, having the power during the mating season of inflating the throat to a great extent. They have more the habits of the Snipe than do most of the Sandpipers, frequenting grassy meadows or marshes, and feeding along the muddy flats in place of the sandy beaches. They are very dark brown above, with much lighter brown edging the feathers, and are white below and on the throat; the breast is brownish. These are well-known birds, and are called by gunners “Grass Snipe” or “Jack Snipe” as a more common name.

Nest.– Are grass-lined depressions, in which are laid three or four grayish or greenish buff eggs (1.45 × 1.00).

Range.– Whole of North America, breeding in the Arctic regions and wintering south of the United States.

WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER

240. Pisobia fuscicollis. 7 inches

Back, wings and top of head brownish streaked with black, below white, but with the breast and throat streaked; primaries black; upper tail coverts white. Nesting habits the same as those of the majority of the family, breeding from Labrador northward, and wintering to Central America. Eggs 1.30 × .90.

BAIRD SANDPIPER

241. Pisobia bairdi. 7½ inches

Very similar to the preceding, but without the white rump, being of a blackish color instead.

Nest.– In the grass bordering fresh water ponds rather than near the seashore. Their nest is a slight hollow in the ground lined with grasses and usually concealed in a bunch of grass. Three to four eggs of a grayish white marked with shades of brown and lilac (1.30 × .90).

LEAST SANDPIPER

242. Pisobia minutilla. 6 inches

This is the smallest of the family; except for size they are the same in color and markings as the preceding. Found more on the seashore. Nesting habits and eggs are the same as the two above.

RED-BACKED SANDPIPER

243a. Pelidna alpina sakhalina. 8 inches

Bill slightly decurved and rather stout. Adults in summer, with the upper parts largely bright chestnut, spotted with black; belly black; head, throat, breast and sides strongly streaked with black.

In winter, dull brownish-gray above and white below, with the breast washed with grayish and slightly streaked with dusky. These small birds are found in large flocks both on the Atlantic and Pacific coasts, during migrations, but rarely in the interior. Their flight is very rapid and performed in compact flocks, that act as if governed by one impulse.

Nest.– Usually built on dry grassy knolls, a hollow in the earth being lined with a few dried grasses; they lay three or four eggs with a greenish or brownish buff color, heavily spotted and blotched with shades of brown and chestnut (1.40 × 1.00).

SPOONBILL SANDPIPER

245. Eurynorhynchus pygmeus. 7 inches

A very rare Asiatic species, which is taken in Alaska. It is a very peculiar bird, having the end of the bill broadened and flattened into a sort of spoon shape.

SANDERLING

248. Calidris leucophæa. 8 inches

These are a handsome and abundant species, found during migrations by thousands. On the coast it is one of the boldest of the shore birds, feeding on the edge of the outer beach, often under the combing crest of the incoming waves, retreating just as the wave breaks and is dashed to foam on the beach. They are usually very shy, and will not allow a close approach. Toes are short and stout; no hind toe. Adults in summer, variegated above with bright reddish brown and black. In winter, plain grayish above and white below.

Nest.– The three or four greenish buff eggs, spotted and blotched with brown, are laid in nests that differ but little from others of this family (1.45 × .90).

Range.– Found in all parts of North America, breeding within the Arctic Circle, and wintering to southern California.

WESTERN SANDPIPER

247. Ereunetes mauri. 6½ inches

Their appearance is very similar to the Least Sandpiper, but they are slightly larger and the feet are partially webbed. Their nesting habits are the same, and eggs are very much alike.

MARBLED GODWIT

249. Limosa fedoa. 19 inches

These large waders are found in moderately large flocks both in the interior and on the coast in the fall. They are like large Plovers, with long, slightly upcurved bills. Back, wings and tail rufous barred with black; rump white.

Nest.– Their eggs are laid upon the ground, sometimes there is no lining to the nest, and again a few grasses may be twisted about the depression. Three or four eggs with a ground color of grayish buff, sometimes quite dark, are blotched with dark brown (2.25 × 1.60).

GREATER YELLOW-LEGS

254. Totanus melanoleucus. 14 inches

Head and neck streaked with gray and white; back dark gray margined with white; rump white; tail barred black and white; primaries black; bill long and rather slender; legs long and yellow.

Nest.– The eggs are laid in a depression on the ground with very little attempt at nest building. Three or four eggs, grayish white, heavily blotched with shades of brown and lilac (1.65 × 1.25).

Range.– North America, breeding in the British Provinces.

WESTERN SOLITARY SANDPIPER

256a. Helodromas solitarius cinnamomeus. 9 inches

A bird with a greenish gray back, barred with buff, and white below. These are almost always met with in pairs or singly, and are very rarely seen even in small flocks. They prefer small ponds or streams in wet woods or open meadows, rather than marshes, which are frequented by other species. As their name signifies they are inclined to be alone.

Nest.– Is usually well concealed in a clump of grass, near some small piece of water, and is only a slight hollow with very little lining of grasses. Three to five eggs are clay colored, spotted with dark shades of brown (1.30 × 1.00).

WESTERN WILLET

258a. Catoptrophorus semipalmatus inoratus. 16 inches

These breed in small colonies in the marshes in central Oregon and northern California, and are quite abundant in many localities. Upper parts a brownish gray, specked with black; under parts lighter gray, with lighter streaks of darker gray. Primaries white at the base and black on the outer end.

Nest.– Is placed upon the ground secreted in clumps of grass just barely out of reach of the water. Three or four eggs; buff blotched with umber (2.00 × 1.50).

WANDERING TATTLER

259. Heteractitis incanus. 11 inches

This is a handsome species, uniform gray above and white below, closely barred (in summer) with blackish, the bars becoming broken on the throat, forming spots. In winter the under parts and throat are white. During the breeding season it is found on the coast and islands of Alaska, building its nest along the marshy shores and banks of streams.

UPLAND PLOVER – BARTRAMIAN SANDPIPER

261. Bartramia longicauda. 12 inches

This is a bird of the hillsides or prairies, seldom being found near the water, their food consisting more of insects and worms than is usual with others of the Plover or Sandpiper families. They are quite shy, and are one of the birds much hunted for the table. Upper parts almost black, with feathers all edged with buff, giving them a very mottled appearance. Black on top of the head; neck light buff, streaked with black; under parts white.

Nest.– Usually placed in fields of grass, in slight hollows of the ground, lined with grass. They are frequently made and eggs deposited in good mowing fields just about the time for cutting the grass, and many nests are destroyed at this time.

BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER

262. Tryngites subruficollis. 8 inches

Above, brownish black; each feather edged with buff; under parts buff, as are also the neck and head; blackish spots on the sides extending up the back of the neck and top of the head; primaries black.

Nest.– Placed in tufts of grass or in open fields; nest scantily lined with grass, in which three or four eggs, having a grayish white ground color, spotted with rich brown and chestnut, are placed.

Range.– Interior of North America, breeding from the Hudson Bay region to the Arctic coast. During migration, casual on the Pacific coast, and abundant in the interior, to South America.