Kitabı oku: «Western Bird Guide», sayfa 7
PYGMY OWL
379. Glaucidium gnoma. 7 inches
These interesting little Owls, which are found in the Rocky Mountains, westward from British Columbia to Mexico, feed in the day time upon insects, mice and occasionally small birds. They are to be seen in the wooded districts. Nest in holes of trees. Four eggs (1.00 × .90).
FERRUGINOUS PYGMY OWL
380. Glaucidium phalænoides. 7 inches
This is very similar to the last, but in color is much more rufous on the upper parts, and the tail is of a bright chestnut color crossed by several bands of black. They live largely on the small rodents and birds which they secure during the daytime. They nest in hollow cavities of trees, from ten to forty feet from the ground, laying four glossy white eggs (1.10 × .90).
ELF OWL
381. Micropallas whitneyi. 6 inches
This odd little bird is the smallest of the family found in America. In plumage it may be described as being very like a small Screech Owl, without the ear tufts, only with the pattern of the markings much finer. They are quite abundant in central Mexico and in southern Arizona, where they build their nests in deserted Woodpecker holes, or perhaps more frequently in the giant cactus. It differs from the preceding in being a bird of the night, rarely flying in daylight. They feed almost exclusively upon insects, and rarely a mole or field mouse. They lay from three to five white eggs, having a slight gloss (1.02 × .90).
THICK-BILLED PARROT – Family Psittacidæ
382.1. Rhynchopsitta pachyrhyncha. 16 inches
A Mexican bird, casually found north to the Mexican borders of the United States. It has a heavy, thick bill; black; and the plumage is entirely green, except for the deep red forehead and wings at the shoulder; under-coverts of wings yellowish. Their eggs are white and laid in natural cavities of trees in the deep forests.
Order – COCCYGES
ROADRUNNER
385. Geococcyx californicus. 22 inches
This curious species is known as the “Chaparral Cock,” “Ground Cuckoo,” “Snake Killer,” etc. Its upper parts are a glossy greenish brown, each feather being edged or fringed with white. The tail is very long, broad and graduated, the central feathers being much the longest; the feathers being tipped with white. They are noted for their swiftness of foot, getting over the ground at an astonishing rate, aided by their outstretched wings and spread tail, which act as aeroplanes. Their legs are long, and they have two toes in front and two back. Their food consists of caterpillars, lizards and small snakes.
CALIFORNIA CUCKOO
387a. Coccyzus americanus occidentalis. 13 inches
This bird is the same as the eastern variety, except being a little larger and the bill more stout. It may be distinguished by its blackish, long tail, tipped with white, and its yellow under-bill. Reddish brown patch on the wings.
Nest.– Is made of twigs loosely put together, and lined with grass, or shreds of grape vine bark. The nests are generally very shabbily built and so nearly flat on top that the eggs will frequently roll out. They are located near the ground in low bushes or trees; three or four eggs are deposited at intervals of several days, and frequently young birds and eggs are found in the nest at the same time. Like the Flicker this bird will continue laying if one egg is removed at a time, and as many as twelve have been taken from the same nest by this means. Eggs are a pale greenish blue (1.20 × .90).
COPPERY-TAILED TROGAN – Family Trogonidæ
389. Trogon ambiguus. 12 inches
This is the only member of this family of beautiful birds that reaches our borders. They nest in cavities of trees, usually in Woodpecker holes. Three or four white eggs (1.10 × .85).
BELTED KINGFISHER – Family Alcedinidæ
390. Ceryle alcyon. 13 inches
The rattling note of this well known bird is familiar in almost all localities in the neighborhood of ponds or rivers where small fish are common, throughout North America. Their food consists almost entirely of small fish, which they catch by plunging upon from high in the air, where they will hover over the water similar to the Osprey, or they will spend their time sitting upon an overhanging limb, and, when a fish is seen, drop from that upon the fish, usually taking it back to the limb to be eaten.
Nest.– Is located at the end of burrows, which they dig out of the sand banks or the banks of creeks and rivers, sometimes extending back from six to eight feet, usually with a little rise in the tunnel for the purpose of keeping it dry. They lay from five to eight glossy white eggs (1.35 × 1.05).
RINGED KINGFISHER
390.1. Ceryle torquata. 8½ inches
This is somewhat larger than the above, and found only on the most southern borders of the United States. Eggs white (1.45 × 1.10).
Order PICI – WOODPECKERS
HARRIS WOODPECKER – Family Picidæ
393c. Dryobates villosus harrisi. 10 inches
This species is similar in every way to its eastern relatives and for coloring is as illustrated. The nesting habits of this and the sub-species are the same, and the eggs cannot be identified as being different. Four pure white eggs are placed at the bottom of some cavity, in tall trees usually (.95 × .70).
CABANIS WOODPECKER
393d. Dryobates villosus hyloscopus. 10 inches
Some lighter on the under parts than preceding (not illustrated).
ROCKY MOUNTAIN HAIRY WOODPECKER
393e. Dryobates villosus monticola. 10½ inches
A trifle larger, and white below (not illustrated).
GAIRDNER WOODPECKER
394a. Dryobates pubescens gairdneri. 7 inches
A smaller bird than any of the preceding, similar in coloring, as illustrated. It is a more sociable bird and is found about the dwellings in country places, and even in the larger cities about the parks.
TEXAS WOODPECKER
396. Dryobates scalaris bairdi. 7½ inches
This species is brownish white below, has the back barred with black and white, on account of which it is often known as the “Ladder-back Woodpecker.” The male has the whole crown red, shading into mixed black and whitish on the forehead. Its habits and eggs are the same as the previous species.
NUTTALL WOODPECKER
397. Dryobates nuttalli. 7 inches
Where the two former have red crowns, this one has a crown of black and a small red patch on the back of nape. Outer tail feathers nearly all white, while in the former they are barred with black and white. They are pugnacious little birds and will drive many of the larger Woodpeckers from their locality.
Nest.– In holes of trees, either in dead stumps or growing trees at no great elevation from the ground. Four pure white eggs are laid at the bottom of the cavity, on the decayed wood (.85 × .65). Their food is gathered from under the bark, consisting of larvæ, ants and small insects.
ARIZONA WOODPECKER
398. Dryobates arizonæ. 8 inches
This is an entirely different looking bird from any of the others of the Woodpecker family, being uniform brownish above and a grayish white below, with black spots. The male having a crescent shaped patch of red on the back of the head, outlined mostly with white. It is locally common at the higher altitudes in the mountains of Arizona.
Nest.– Is practically the same in habits as others mentioned, nesting in holes of trees, and laying four white eggs (.85 × .60).
WHITE-HEADED WOODPECKER
399. Xenopicus albolarvatus. 9 inches
This odd species is wholly a dull black color, except for the white head and neck, and basal half of the primaries. It also has on the male a small red spot on the back of the neck. They are said to be more silent than other members of the Woodpecker family, and rarely make the familiar tapping and never the drumming sound. They secure their food by scaling the bark from the trees, prying it off, instead of drilling a hole. They nest at any height, but the greater number seem to prefer near the ground (20 feet), and in old dead pine stubs. They lay from four to six glossy white eggs (.95 × .70).
ARCTIC THREE-TOED WOODPECKER
400. Picoides arcticus. 9½ inches
As implied by the name, members of this genus have but three toes, two in front and one behind. The plumage of this species is entirely black above, and whitish below, with the flanks barred with blackish. The male has a yellow patch on the crown. They breed abundantly in coniferous forests in mountain regions throughout their range, laying their four or five pure white eggs in decayed tree stumps (.95 × .70). They do more boring for their insect food, and, during mating season, are very persistent in their roll call on dead limbs of trees.
AMERICAN THREE-TOED WOODPECKER
401. Picoides americanus. 9 inches
The greatest difference between this bird and the last is on the back, it having several narrow bars of white near the neck or a patch of white in place of the bars. Breeding habits are the same.
ALASKA THREE-TOED WOODPECKER
401a. Picoides americanus fasciatus. 9 inches
In every particular similar to the last, with the patch of white on the back possibly a little larger. Habits just the same (not illustrated).
YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER
402. Sphyrapicus varius. 8½ inches
This is one of the most handsomely marked of the family; they may be identified easily by the red crown and throat (female having white on the throat), each bordered by black, forming a wide breast band, with a band of white, black and white back of it. The under parts yellow. This species and the two following are the only real sapsuckers, a crime that is often attributed to the most useful of the family. While they without doubt will take some of the sap from trees, their food consists more of insect life, ants in particular.
Nest.– Is placed in a cavity of decayed trees. Four to seven glossy white eggs (.85 × .60).
RED-BREASTED SAPSUCKER
403. Sphyrapicus ruber. 8½ inches
A Pacific coast bird from Lower California to Oregon. The entire head, neck and breast of this species is red, of varying shades in different individuals, from carmine to nearly a scarlet. The remainder of their plumage is similar to the above. Nesting habits the same.
WILLIAMSON SAPSUCKER
404. Sphyrapicus thyroideus. 9 inches
A great variation in the plumage of this oddly marked bird is found. The male is mostly black on the back and breast, with a white rump, and with only a narrow patch of red on the throat; the under parts are bright yellow. The female is entirely different, being brownish in place of the black on the male, has no red on the throat, and on the back is barred with black and white.
Their nesting habits are the same as those of the family previously mentioned. Four to seven white eggs (.97 × .67).
NORTHERN PILEATED WOODPECKER
405a. Phlœotomus pileatus albieticola. 17 inches
This is one of the largest and strongest of the Woodpeckers; they are a sooty black on the upper parts and breast; the crest is long and bright red, and the male has a red line back of the eye; sides of the neck pure white, and patch of white on the wings. Female is more of a grayish black color than the male. As the large trees are being cut away in many localities where these birds were to be found, they are gradually driven farther north or into the mountain regions, where they can find the heavy timber in which they make their homes.
RED-HEADED WOODPECKER
406. Melanerpes erythrocephalus. 9½ inches
In flight, this is one of the most conspicuous of the woodpeckers. It has a bright red head, neck and breast, glossy blue-black on the back and tail, white rump, under parts and secondaries. It is more abundant in the east and middle United States, but occurs fairly common in Arizona and Texas to Colorado. It nests in any kind of trees, telegraph poles or will even drill a hole under the eaves of the barn or house in some localities. They are the most pugnacious of the woodpeckers, and often are seen chasing one another or driving away some other bird. They feed also upon ants, larvæ of insects, and small fruits and berries.
They lay from four to eight pure white eggs (1.00 × .75).
CALIFORNIA WOODPECKER
407a. Melanerpes formicivorus bairdi. 9½ inches
A common and attractive woodpecker throughout California and Oregon. With its red cap and white forehead, and back or upper parts black tinged with green, a solid black band across the breast, white under parts and rump, and, above all, their continual talking among themselves. Nest, eggs, food, same as above, with the addition to its diet of acorns in great numbers.
LEWIS WOODPECKER
408. Asyndesmus lewisi. 10½ inches
An oddly colored species, with a crimson red face, under parts streaked with crimson and white, a gray breast, and upper parts a glossy greenish black. They are more common in the mountain ranges among the tall pines from the eastern Rockies to the Pacific coast range, breeding high up in the trees. Their food consisting of insect life mostly, and acorns, which they gather and store away for future use. Four to eight eggs are pure white (1.05 × .80).
RED-BELLIED WOODPECKERS
409. Centurus carolinus. 9½ inches
Found on the eastern slope of the Rockies and south to central Texas. It is an attractive bird, frequently called the “Zebra Woodpecker,” on account of the black and white markings on the back, wings and tail. Nests in live trees; three to five white eggs (1.00 × .75). Not illustrated.
GILA WOODPECKER
411. Centurus uropygialis. 9½ inches
This is also one of the “Zebra Woodpeckers” to be found in Arizona and the Mexican borders of the United States. Its preference for nesting site is the Giant Cactus. Eggs same as above.
RED-SHAFTED WOODPECKER
413. Colaptes cafer collaris. 13 inches
These birds are not inclined to search for their food among the trees as are most of the woodpeckers, but may often be found on the ground on the edges of the woods or in open fields, where they secure ants as their principal article of food. The top of the head is brownish instead of gray, and the under parts of the wings, tail and the quills are reddish orange and not yellow as on the eastern varieties. The male has a bright red streak from the bill extending back and below the eye, the female does not have this. The throat is a gray, with a black crescent on the breast, under parts light gray with numerous black spots, rump is white and tail is mostly black above.
Nest.– Is placed in holes of trees in the woods, or in any locality where they make or find a suitable hole.
Four to eight white eggs (1.10 × .90).
GILDED FLICKER
414. Colaptes chrysoides. 13 inches
Very similar to above, with the under side of wings and tail yellow. Found only in southern California and Arizona southward.
STEPHENS WHIP-POOR-WILL – Family Caprimulgidæ
417a. Antrostomus vociferus macromystax. 10 inches
One of the birds that are heard much more often than seen, and in their habits they are very secluded, keeping in the dark woods the greater part of the time, rarely leaving its place of concealment before dark. In pursuit of insects, they are swift and noiseless, their soft plumage giving forth no sound, as their wings cleave the air.
Nest.– Is on the ground among the leaves, usually in dense woods. Their two eggs of a grayish or creamy white are very faintly marbled or marked with pale brown and gray. These birds are only found in southern Arizona, Texas and New Mexico.
POOR-WILL
418. Phalænoptilus nuttalli. 8 inches
The smallest of the family. A handsome species, with plumage mottled black, white and gray, beautifully blended together. To be found west of the Mississippi from British Columbia to southern California. Eggs are a pure white (1.00 × .75).
WESTERN NIGHTHAWK
420a. Chordeiles virginianus henryi. 10 inches
The nighthawk may be distinguished from the Whip-poor-wills by its forked tail in place of the rounded tail of the “Poor-wills.” It also has a white band near the end of the tail, and across the primaries, the latter making a very conspicuous mark when in flight.
Nest.– They lay their eggs upon the ground or on a ledge with no attempt at nest building. The two eggs are a grayish white color, marbled, blotched and spotted with darker shades of gray and brown (1.20 × .95). Found from the plains to the Pacific and from British Columbia to Mexico.
SENNETT NIGHTHAWK
420c. Chordeiles virginianus sennetti. 10 inches
A paler and more of a grayish color than preceding. Habits the same.
TEXAS NIGHTHAWK
421. Chordeiles acutipennis texensis. 10 inches
The markings of this species are much finer and more mottled with a reddish brown color than the preceding. They are very abundant in Arizona, southern Texas and quite common in southern California.
BLACK SWIFT. – Family Micropodidæ
422. Cypseloides niger borealis. 7 inches
The plumage of the Swift is a dull sooty black, somewhat lighter on the under parts. The tail is slightly forked and does not have the spines which are usual with this family. Although the general habits of this species are well known, but little is known of their nesting; they are seen during the breeding season about the higher ranges of their United States range, and are supposed to nest in the crevices of cliffs at high altitudes.
VAUX SWIFT
424. Chætura vauxi. 4½ inches
This small Swift is not nearly as common as the preceding, is much paler in color and white on the under parts and throat. Their habits are much like the last, only that they make use of hollow trees in which to place their nests, which are made of twigs glued to the tree with the glutinous saliva of the birds, forming a very shallow platform in which they deposit three or four pure white eggs. They are on the wing much of the time during the day catching insects, or several pairs seemingly at play in the air, generally at quite high elevations, toward dusk returning to their nesting places.
WHITE-THROATED SWIFT
425. Aeronautes melanoleucus. 6½ inches
A handsome bird, in fact, the most beautiful and graceful of this family. Its flight is very rapid, and they congregate in thousands about the tops of inaccessible cliffs, where in small burrows in the earth or under the sods, or in crevices they build their nests, which are generally made of roots and grasses and lined with feathers. Four or five dull white eggs are laid (.85 × .50).
Range.– Western United States, mostly in the Rocky Mountains, and in California ranges north to Canada borders.
RIVOLI HUMMINGBIRD. – Family Trochilidæ
426. Eugenes fulgens. 5 inches
This is one of the most gorgeous of the Hummers, having the crown a violet purple color, and the throat a changeable brilliant green. Upper parts a bronze green, the under parts almost a black. Female lacks all the brilliant colors of the male. Upper parts dull green, under parts greenish gray, top of head brownish with a small white spot back of the eye. This species saddles its nest upon the branches, generally for its favorite tree selecting a maple or sycamore, and usually at from twenty to thirty feet from the ground.
BLUE-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD
427. Cyanolæmus clemenciae. 5 inches
This bird is a trifle larger than the preceding, and, as the name implies, it has an iridescent bright blue throat, with a streak of white extending from the bill to back of the eye, the upper parts of a uniform greenish color, under parts are a greenish gray. Tail dark with outer tail feathers broadly tipped with white.
Nest.– Is built similar to above, but placed at lower elevations, at times very near the ground. They are to be found only in Arizona and the southern borders of the United States.
BLACK-CHINNED HUMMINGBIRD
429. Archilochus alexandri. 3½ inches
This is similar in size and appearance to the “Ruby-Throat,” but has the chin and upper throat black, the rest of the throat being violet or amethyst, as seen in different lights. It is a very common bird in the southern part of its range. It nests low, rarely above ten feet from the ground. Nest made of plant fiber, not covered with lichens, but resembles a small piece of sponge.
COSTA HUMMINGBIRD
430. Calypte costæ. 3 inches
A slightly smaller bird than the last, with the crown and the lengthened feathers of the neck which form a ruff of the most brilliant violet or amethyst, back and rump of a greenish bronze color, under parts whitish with a green cast on the sides. Female lacks the brilliant colors of the male on the head and neck and shows no sign of a ruff.
Nest.– Is usually placed in the forks of small shrubs near the ground, seldom above six feet from it, and made of plant down, with shreds of weeds, bark and lichens worked into the outside portion, and lined with a few soft feathers. Two pure white eggs (.48 × .32).
