'7 FOR THE PEOPLE FOR EDVCATION FOR SCIENCE LIBRARY OF THE AMERICAN MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY s\ NATURAL HISTORY SURVEY OF ILLINOIS, STATE LABORATORY OF NATURAL HISTORY, S. A. FORBES, Director. THE ORNITHOLOGY OF ILLINOIS. PART I, DESCRIPTIVE CATALOGUE, By ROBERT RIDGWAY. VOLUME II. PART I. Published by Authority of the State Legislature. SI'IMNGFIELD, ILL. H. W. liOKKEB. PRINTKB AND BlNDEB. 1895. CONTENTS PA.OK Order Galling— The Gallinaceous Birds 3 Suborder Phasiana, 3.— Family Phasianida? (The Pheasants), 3.— Family Tetraonidae (The Grouse, Partridges, and Quails). 6. Order Limicol.e— The Shore Birds 18 Family Aphrizidaj (The Turnstones), 20. — Family Charadriidee (The PloTers), 22.— Family Scolopacidse (The Snipe Family), 32.— Family Recurvirostrida? (The Av- ocets and Stilts), 74.— Family Phalaropodidae (The Phalaropes), 77. Order Alectorides— The Cranes. Courlans, Rails, Gallinules, and Coots 82 Suborder Ralli, 83. -Family Rallidae (The Rails, Gallinules, and Coots), 83.— Family Gruidae (The Cranes), 98. Order Hebodiones— The Herons. Storks, Ibises, etc 101* Suborder Ibides (The Spoonbills and Ibises), 101*.— Family Plataleidae (The Spoon- bills). 102*.— Family Ibididae (The Ibises), 106*. Suborder Ciconiae (The Storks and Wood Ibises). 113*.— Family Ciconiidae (The Storks and Wood Ibises), 113*. Suborder Herodii (The Herons and Boatbills), lie*.— Family Ardeidae (The Herons), 117*. Order Anseres— The Lamellirostral Swimmers 102 Family Anatida? (The Swans, Geese, and Ducks), 103. Order Steganopodes— The Totipalmate Swimmers 193 Family Pelecanidas (The Pelicans), 195.— Family Phalacrocoracidas (The Cormorants), 202.— Family Anhingidaj (The Anhingas), 207. Order Lonqipennes— The Long- winged Swimmers 210 Family Stercorariidae (The Skuas and Jaegers), 211.— Family Laridae (The Gulls and Terns), 219. Order Ptgopodes— The Diving Birds Kl Family Urinatoridae (The Loons , 252.— Family Podioipidae (The Grebes PART I. (Concluded.) A DESCRIPTIVE CATALOGUE Birds of Illinois By Robert Ridgway. ORDER GALLING— THE GALLINACEOUS BIRDS. Order GALLIN-ffi.— The Gallinaceous Birds. The following families of GdUinm are represented in Illinois: A. Tarsi spurred, and head partly naked. 1. Phasianidae. B. Tarsi without spurs, and head entirely feathered, except, sometimes, a bare space over eyes. 2. Tetraonidae. Suborder PHASIANT. Family PHASIANIDiE.— The Pheasants. Chak. Hind toe short and elevated, as in Tetraonidae. Tarsi spurred. Head partly naked. Tail often vaulted or arched. Two subfamilies of Phadcmidce are represented in the Illinois fauna, one of them (Phasicmmce) , however, only by introduced species. Their characters are as follows: Phasianinae. Head mostly feathered, except round eyes. Tail elongated, graduated, arched, or vaulted. Plumage of sexes widely different, the female much smaller than the male and without brilliant coloring. (Introduced species only.) Meleagrinae. Head entirely naked, or else with only small hair-like feathers or short tufts oi imperfect feathers. Tail moderate as to length, flat, rounded, the feathers broad and nearly truncated at lips. Hexes essentially alike in plumage but females duller in color than males. Subfamily MELEAGRINiE— The Turkeys. Char. Head unfeathered, the skin wrinkled and often waited, the Forehead with a more or less developed extensile fleshy appendage (smaller in females). Nasal fossa' bare. Tail moderately lengthened, rounded at end. not vaulted nor arched, the feathers (more than twelve) broad and nearly truncated at tips. Hind toe elevated; tarsus armed with spurs in the male. Plumage of the sexes essentially alike, hut females somewhat duller in color than males. The subfamily AfeleagrmcB, or Turkeys, belongs to thai branch or section of the greal gallinaceous Order {GalUnm) to which Professor Huxley has given the name of Alectoropodes, ami which have been later named Gallina Alectoropodes l>y Messrs. 4 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. Sclater and Salvin. To the same suborder belong the common domestic fowl, the Guinea-fowl {Numida meleagris), the Old World Phasianidw, or Pheasants, and all of the Grouse and Partridge families {Tetraonidce and Perdicidce). To the other suborder (known as Gallium Peristeropodes) belong the tropical American Cracidce (Curassows, Guans, and Chachalacas) and the Australian Megwpodidm (Mound-Fowl or Brush-Turkeys). The Meleagrmce, as at present known, include a single genus, Meleagris, which is peculiar to eastern and southeastern North America, its southern limit being the Peten district of Gua- temala and parts of British Honduras, where (as also in Yuca- tan) occurs the M. oeellata (the Ocellated or Honduras Tur- key)— a magnificent bird, almost rivaling the Impeyan Pheasant and Peacock in the brilliancy of its colors. Genus MELEAGRIS Linnaeus. Meleagris Linn. Syst. Nat. ed. 10, 1758. 156. Type, Meleagris gallopavo Linn. Gen. Char. Legs with transverse scutelloe before and behind ; reticulated laterally. Tarsi with spurs. Tail rounded, rather long, usually of eighteen feathers. Forehead with a depending fleshy cone. Head and the upper half of the neck without feathers. Breast of male in one species with a long tuft of bristles. The two species of this genus (one of them with two very strongly marked geographical races) may be distinguished as follows : 1. M. gallopavo. Breast of the male with a tuft of long, coarse, hair-like black bristles. Tail bright umber- or dull ferruginous-brown, narrowly barred with black, and crossed near the end with a broad subterminal band of black. Spurs moderately developed. Female much smaller and duller colored than the male. a. gallopavo. Tip of tail and all of the upper tail-coverts dark chestnut; prevailing hue of metallic reflections coppery. Hab. Eastern United States and Canada. 6. mexicana. Tip of tail and all of the upper tail-coverts white or pale buff;* prevail- ing hue of metallic reflections greenish. Hab. The common domesticated bird, derived from the wild Mexican race; the latter ranging from southern Mexico north to mountains of Arizona, New Mexico, southern Colorado, and western Texas. 2. M. oeellata. Breast of male without tuft of bristles. Tail ash-gray, narrowly barred with black, broadly tipped with refulgent copper-bronze, and ornamented with large subterminal eye-spots or ocellse of brilliantly metallic steel-blue, bordered with velvety black; longer upper tail-coverts similarly adorned, and body barred with richly lus- trous golden-bronze, steel-blue, green, etc., and velvety black. Spurs greatly devel- oped and very sharp in the male. Female decidedly smaller than the male but scarcely less brilliant. Hab. Yucatan, Peten district of Guatemala, and adjoining portions of British Honduras. * Some varieties, due to domestication, are wholly black, cream-colored, or tawny. PHASIANID.E — THE PHEASANTS. 5 Meleagris gallopavo (Linn.) WILD TURKEY. Meleagris gallopavo LlNN. S. N. ed. 10, i, 1758, 156; ed. 12, i. 1766, 208. — Aud. Orn. Biog. i, 1831, 1, pis. 1, 6: v, 1839, 55'.t; Synop. 1839, 194; B. Am. v, 1812, 42, pis. 287. 288— Nutt. Man. i, 1832. 630— Baibd, B. N. Am. 1858, 651; Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 457— B. B. & R. Hist. N. Am. B. iii, 1874. 404.-A. O. U. Check List, 1886. No. 310.— Ridgw. Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 207. Meleagris americana Bakte. Travels. 1791, 290. Meleagri ■ gallopavo var. americana Coues, Key, 1872, 232; Check List, 1874, No. 379 a ; B. N. W. 1874, 391. Meleagris gallopavo americana Ridgw. Nom. N. Am. 1881, No. 47<> a— Coues, 2d Check List, 1882, No. 554. Hab. Eastern United States, north to southern Minnesota and Dakota, Ontario, etc.— formerly to Massachusetts and Vermont, but now extinct in most parts of the northeast- ern States; south to the Gulf coast (including Florida); west to Iowa, eastern Kansas, In- dian Territory, and eastern Texas. Sp. Chab. The naked skin of the head and neck is blue: the excrescences purplish red and whitish. The legs dull red. The feathers of the neck and body generally are very- broad, abruptly truncate, and each one well defined and scale-like; the exposed portion coppery bronze, with a bright coppery reflection in some lights, most brilliant on the under parts. Each feather is abruptly margined with velvety black, the bronze assuming a greenish or purplish shade near the line of junction, and the bronze itself sometimes with a greenish reflection in some lights. The black is opaque, except along the extreme tip, where there is a metallic gloss. The feathers of the lower back and rump are black, with little or no coppery gloss. The feathers of the sides behind, and the coverts, upper and under, are of a very dark pui plish chestnut, with purplish metallic reflections near the end, and asubterminal bar of black; the tips are of the opaque purplish chestnut referred to. The concealed portion of the coverts is dark chestnut, barred rather finely with black, the black wider than the interspaces. The tail feathers are dark brownish chestnut, with nu- merous bars of black, which, when most distinct, are about a quarter of an inch wide and about double their interspaces; the extreme tip for about half an inch is plain chestnut, lighter than the general color; and there is a broad subterminal bar of black about two inches wide on the outer feathers, and narrowing to about three quarters of an inch to the central ones. The innermost pair scarcely show this band, and the others an- all much broken and confused. In addition to the black bars on each feather, the chestnut inter- spaces are sprinkled with black. The black bands are all must distincl on the inner webs; the interspaces are considerably lighter below than above. There are no whitish tips whatever to the tail or its coverts. The feathers on the mi. I. lie of the belly are downy, opaque, and tipped obscurely with rusty whitish. 7"DThe wing-coverts are like the back; the quills, however, are blackish brown, with numer- ous transverse bars of white, half the width of the interspaces. The exposed surfaces of Die wing, however, and most of the inner secondaries, are tinged with brownish rusty, the uppermost ones with a dull copper oi- e;re uj s |i gloss. The female differs in smaller si/.e, less brillianl colors, absence generally of bristles on the breast and of spur, and a much smaller fleshy pr s^ above the base of the bill. Vale. Length. 48.00 to 50.00; extent, 60.00; wing, 21.00; tail. 18.50. Weight, 16 to 10 ll.s. /•', male. Weight, about 12 lbs.; measurements smaller in proportion. Once abundanl throughout fche State, the Wild Turkey is now exterminated in some seel ions and reduced in numbers elsewhere. In some densely wooded districts <>i" the extreme southern coun- ties it is still common. bu1 is becoming less so every year. BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. Family TETRAONHXaS. — The Grouse, Partridges, and Quails. Chak. Hind toe small (much less than half as long as lateral toes), and inserted above the level of the anterior toes. Tarsi without spurs. Head entirely feathered (in American species) except, sometimes, over eyes. Tail not vaulted or arched, The following subfamilies of Tetraonidse have usually been given full family rank, but almost without doubt are more closely related. Tetraoninse. Tarsi with at least the upper half feathered; sides of toes with decidu- ous comb-like pectinations (falling off in summer). Perdicinas. Tarsi entirely naked, and toes without pectinations at any season. Subfamily TETRAONTNiE .— The Grouse. Chae. Gallinaceous birds with the margins of the toes distinctly pectinated*, the tarsi at least half feathered, the nasal fossae densely filled with feathers (so as to completely en- close and partially conceal the nostril). Sides of neck often with an inflatable air-sac. A bare (usually red or yellow) space over eyes. The TetraonmcB are very strongly characterized among galli- naceous birds by the peculiarities of structure named in the above diagnosis. In addition, the following characters (not always present) may be mentioned. The superciliary region is usually more or less bare, and some- times (notably in the Ptarmigans) adorned with a comb-like, or ciliated, erectile process, of a brilliant red or yellow color during the breeding season. The tail is extremely variable in development and form, and may be either short and rounded (as in Tympomuchus and Lagopus), rather lengthened and fan- shaped (as in Dmdragapus and Bonasa), very short and grad- uated, with the middle feathers lengthened and nearly truncate (Pedioccetes), or considerably lengthened and much graduated, with the feathers acute (Centrocercus) . Some genera have an in- flatable air-sac on the side of the neck, while ornamental tufts of feathers on the neck are possessed by others, Tympomuchus and Bonasa. * These pectinations, however, are wanting in summer. TETRAONID.E — THE GEOUSE, ETC. 7 The subfamily is most numerously developed in North America, its other representatives belonging to the colder portions of Europe and Asia. Of the genera included in the following ana- lytical table all but one are to be found either within or very near to the geographical field of the present work. A. Legs feathered to and on the basal membrane of the toes, which are bare. No ruff on the side of the neck, which, however, has an extensible bare space. Dendragapus. Tail broad, nearly even, or truncate, and rounded laterally, two thirds the wing. Nasal fosste scarcely half the culmen. Centrocercus. Tail excessively lengthened and cuneate; longer than the wings, the feathers acuminate. Nasal fossa' two thirds the culmen. Shafts of feathers on the lower throat very spinous in the male. Pediocaetes. Tail very short, but graduated, and with the two middle feathers (per- haps tail-coverts) lengthened beyond the rest, and two thirds as long as the wing ; the next longest half the wing. Nasal fossae not half the length of culmen. Shafts of throat feathers normal. B. Legs feathered to the lower end of tarsus. Tympanuehus. Tail very short, truncate, but laterally graduated; half as long as the wings. Sides of neck with long, narrow, and rather stiff feathers. Nasal fossae scarcely one thii d the culmen. C. Legs feathered to the claws. Lagopus. Tail about two thirds the wing, truncate, of sixteen to eighteen feathers. Most species becoming white in winter; none of the other genera exhibiting this peculiarity. D. Lower half of tarsi bare, with two rows of scutellse anteriorly. Bonasa. Sides of neck with ruff of broad, truncate, soft feathers. Tail very broad, square or slightly rounded, as long as the wings. Genus BONASA Stephens. Bonasa Stephens, Shaw's Gen. Zool, xi, 1819,298. Type, Tetrao bonasia Linn. Tetrastes Keys. & Blas. Wirb. Europ. 1840, p. lxiv. Gen. Chae. Tail fan- shaped, its feathers very broad, soft, as long as the wings; eighteen in number. Tarsi naked for the lower half ; covered with two rows of hexagonal scales anteriorly. Sides of toes strongly pectinated. Side of neck with a tuft of very broad soft feathers. Portion of culmen between the nasal fossa; about one third the total length. Top of head with soft crest. Although but one species of this genus has been detected in North America, this has a very extensive range, embracing nearly the entire continent; all the wooded portions, in fact, excepting, perhaps, the extreme southern parts. As is often the ease with birds whose range covers a large extent of territory, this species Varies remarkably in color in the different portions of its habi- tat; northern specimens and those from the Rocky Mountains having almost invariably ash-gray tails, with the whole plumage of a decidedly grayish casl . while specimens from t he grandly t im- bered and reekingly moisl region of t lie northwest coast (Oregon to Sitka) have I lie bails dark ferruginous, while rich rusty 8 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. and chestnut tints prevail in the plumage. Specimens from the more southern districts of the eastern United States, where the rainfall is abundant and the country (formerly at least) thickly forest-clad, are much like those from the last-mentioned region, having always rufous tails, but the general coloration is decid- edly paler. As we proceed northward (to New England and the British Provinces), and also in the mountain districts of the Middle States, the birds become gradually grayer (many New England specimens having distinctly gray tails) until finally, in the interior provinces of British America the extreme gray type (B. umhelloides Dougl.) is reached. A single species of this genus, the Hazel Grouse (B. bonasia), inhabits the northern portions of the Old World, from western Europe to Japan. It bears a general resemblance to B. umbel- lus, but is decidedly smaller, lacks the conspicuous neck-tufts (which, however, appear to be present in a rudimentary condi- tion), and has the throat black. Bonasa umbellus (Linn.) RUFFED GROUSE. Popular synonyms. "Partridge" (in New England); "Pheasant" (in southern and western States); Ruffled Grouse; Drumming Grouse. Tetrao umbellus Linn. S. N. ed. 12, i, 1766, 275— Wils. Am. Orn. vi, 1812, 46, pi. 49— Nutt. Man. i, 1832, 657— Aud. Orn. Biog. i, 1831, 211; v, 1839, 560, pi. 41; Synop. 1839, 202; B. Am. v, 1842, 72, pi. 293. Bonasaumbellus Steph. Gen.Zool. xi, 1819, 300.— Baibd. B. N. Am. 1S58, 630; Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 465— Coues, Key, 1872, 232; Check List, 1874, No. 385; 2d ed. 1882, No. 565; B. N. W. 1874, 420— B. B. & R. Hist. N. Am. B. iii, 1874, 448, pi. 61, figs. 3, 9.— Ridgw. Nom. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 473; Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 197.— A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 300. Hab. Eastern United States, south to the Gulf coast (?). [Replaced from Manitoba, northwestward, and also in the Rocky Mountains, by a gray race, B. umbellus umbelloides (Dougl.), and on coast of Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia by the dark rusty B. umbellus sabini (Dougl.)] Sp. Chae. Above ochraceous-brown finely mottled with grayish; the scapulars and wing-coverts with pale shaft- streaks, the rump and upper tail-coverts with median cordate spots of pal' 1 grayish. Tail ochraceous-rufous, narrowly barred with black, crossed termi- nally with a narrow band of pale ash; then a broader one of black, this preceded by another ashy one. (In specimens from the Alleghany Mountains and New England States, the tail usually more or less grayish to the base, sometimes entirely destitute of rufous tinge.) Throat and foreneck ochraceous. Lower parts white (ochraceous beneath the surface), with broad transverse bars of dilute brown, these mostly concealed on the abdomen. Low- er tail-coverts pale ochraceous, each with a terminal deltoid spot of white, bordered with dusky. Neck- tufts brown or black. Length. 18.00; wing, 7.20; tail, 7.00. Female smaller, and with the neck-tufts less developed, but colors ^'similar. Young (No. 39,161, St. Stephen's TETRAONID.E— THE GROUSE, ETC. 9 N. B.; G. A. Boardman): Brown above, and dingy white beneath; a rufous tinge on the scapulars. Fea'hers of the jugulum, back, scapulars, and wing-coverts with broad median streaks of light ochraceous, and black spots on the webs; jugulum with a strong buff tinge. Secondaries and wing coverts strongly mottled transversely. Head dingy buff, the upper part more rusty ; a postocular or auricular dusky patch, and a tuft of dusky feathers on the vertex. Chick: Above light rufous, beneath rusty white; uniform above and below; a dusky postocular streak inclining downwards across the auriculars. Bill whitish." {Hist. N. Am. B.) The Ruffed Grouse or "Pheasant" as it is popularly known, is found throughout the State in wooded districts, becoming more rare southward. It is uncommon in the vicinity of Mount Carmel, and is growing less so as the woods become cleared. The Ruffed Grouse is a constant resident in the districts where it occurs, and, as a general rule, is in no sense migratory, though it is stated by Audubon that in some regions where they are very abundant they perform partial sorties at the ap- proach of autumn. These only occur in mountainous regions, in which during the winter months there is an insufficiency of food. "The flight of this Grouse is low, straightforward, and rarely protracted more than a few hundred yards at a time. It is somewhat stiff, and performed with frequent, almost continual, beatings of the wings. When it is flushed from the nest, or is suddenly startled from the ground by a dog, it rises with a long whirring sound, which noise, however, is not made when the bird rises of its own accord. Its movements on fehe ground are very stately and graceful, except when it is approached too near, when it runs in a rapid manner, lowers its head and spreads its tail, and either seeks shelter or takes to tlight. When it hides in the bushes, it usually squats and remains dose." (Brewer.) on Few matters pertaining to our birds has there been greater difference of opinion than as to the manner in which the drum- ni in-- sound of this species is produced. In the American Sports- man for February 21. L874, the writer gaveageneral review of whnt had I n published on the subject, supplemented l..\ some original information received from Mr. H. \Y. Henshaw, which we re to the effecl that the sound was produced by hard strokes of the wings, both downward and forward,^ without touching thi /><>/ of' tin />//. Size . small. C. Bill variable, but never longer than the tarsus ; more or less depressed in the middle portion, the terminal portion of the culmen being more or less arched; never ex- panded laterally to the end. Hind toe usually absent. Charadriidae. Size large to very small. Bill slender or small, straight, always shorter than "the tarsus. D. Characters much the same as given for section "C," but toes, including the hallux, exceedingly lengthened, the claws also very much lengthened; scutellationof legs much as in the Rallidce. Jacanidae. Size medium or rather small. Claws very long and compressed, nearly straight, that of the hallux equal to or longer than its digit, linear, and slightly recurved. Bend of the wing (head of metarcapus) armed with a sharp conical horny spur. E. Bill exceedingly variable,— short or long, straight, slightly recurved or decidedly de- curved, but more or less expanded laterally at the end, which is more or less sensitive. Hind toe usually present, rarely absent. Scolopacidae. Tarsus rounded in front, where clothed with a single row of transverse scutellae. LIMICOL.E — THE SHORE-BIRDS. 19 F. Bill subulate (except in Crymophilus). Toes either partly webbed, or fringed by a lateral, usually lobed, margin. Plumage peculiarly soft and compact for this order, resembling greatly in this respect that of the Longipennes. Tarsi compressed, the anterior edge sharp. Fhalaropodidae. Size small: tarsi and bill rather short, or but moderately lengthened; toes edged with a lateral, usually scalloped, margin. Eecurvirostridae. Size large ; tarsi and bill very long; toes partly webbed, and without scalloped margin. 20 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. Family APHRIZID-ffi.— The Turnstones. Char. Rather small, plover-like birds, differing from the true Plovers (Vharadriidce) chiefly in the more robust feet, without trace of web between the toes, the well-developed hind toe, and the strong claws; the toes with a lateral margin, forming a broad flat under- surface (especially in Aphriza); the bill of one genus (Arenaria) peculiar. The two genera may be distinguished by the following characters: Arenaria. Bill compressed and pointed terminally, somewhat upturned at the end, the cul- men straight or even slightly concave; tarsus not longer than the bill; tail slightly rounded. Aphriza. Bill slightly swollen terminally, the terminal portion of the culmen decidedly convex; tarsus decidedly longer than the bill; tail slightly emarginated. Genus ARENARIA Brisson. Arenaria Bbiss. Orn. v, 17G0, 132. Type, Tringa interpres Linn. Strepsilas Illigee, Prodromus, 1811,263. Same type. Char. Form robust, the head small, neck short, wings long and pointed, feet stout. Bill straight along the culmen (or else slightly concave above), somewhat upturned termi- nally, compressed toward the end and pointed. Wings reaching beyond the tail, the first primary longest, the tertials not reaching to the end of the primaries. Tail slightly rounded. Tarsus decidedly longer than the middle toe, the latter shorter than the bill. Arenaria interpres (Linn.) TURNSTONE. Popular synonyms. Calico-back; Brant Bird; Chicaric (Plymouth Bay, Mass.). Tringa interpres Linn. S. N. ed. 10, i, 1758, 148; ed. 12, i, 1766, 248— Wils. Am. Orn. vii, 1813, 32, pi. lvii. Strepsilas interpres Illig. Prodr. 1811, 263.— Swains. P. B.-A. ii, 1831, 371.— Nutt. Man. Water Birds, 1834, 30— Aud. Orn. Biog. iv, 1838, 31, pi. 304; Synop. 1839, 227; Birds Am. v, 1842, 331, pi. 323,-Baird, B. N. Am. 1858, 701; Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 515.— Coues, Key, 1872. 246; Check List, 1874, No. 406; 2d ed. 1882, No. 598— Ridgw. Norn. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 509— B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. i, 1884, 119. Arenaria interpres Vieill. Gal. Ois. ii, 1834, 102.— A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 283.— Ridgw. Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 180. Morinella interpres Stejn. Proe. U. S. Nat. Mus. iv, 1882, 32. Tringa morinellus Linn. S..N. i, 1766, 249 (young). Strepsilas collaris Temm. Man. ii, 1820, 553. "Charadrius cinclus Pallas" (Baird, 1. c.) Hab. Sea-coasts of nearly all counti'ies; in America, from Greenland and Alaska to Chili and Brazil; in the interior, more or less common along the shores of the Great Lakes and larger rivers. APHRIZID.E — THE TURNSTONES. 21 Sp. Char. Adult: Chin and throat, a large loral patch, another covering terminal half of the auriculars, border of the pileum, and lar^e transverse patch on each side of the jugu- lum, white ; stripe from the frontlet to the eye, squarish patch beneath the eye, malar stripe, side of the neck, jugulum, and sides of the breast uniform black, all these markings confluent and sharply denned. Remainder of the lower parts, upper part of the rump, upper tail-coverts, and ends of secondaries, pure white. Breeding plumage: Upper parts dusky blackish, the wing-coverts lighter, more brownish gray, the feathers showing darker centres; back and scapulars little, if at all, varied with rufous; crown dusky, uniform, or streaked. Spring (or winter) plumage: Upper parts mixed black and bright rufous, the latter color occupying chiefly the middle of the back (longitudinally) and the wing-coverts; the scapulars and tertials mixed black and rufous. Pileum more streaked with white, and markings about the head and neck more sharply defined than in the summer dress. "Bill black; iris hazel; feet deep orange-red, claws black." (Audubon.) Young: Head chiefly mottled grayish, without well-defined markings; black of the jugulum and breast indicated by mottled dusky, occupying the same area, but not sharply defined; upper parts grayish dusky, the feathers bordered terminally with buff or whitish. Total length, about 9 inches; wing, 6.00; tail, 2.50; culmen, .80-90; tarsus, 1.00; middle toe, .75. The Turnstone occurs in Illinois only as a migrant, and is chiefly confined to the shores of Lake Michigan. There, accord- ing to Mr. Nelson (pp. 123, 124 of his list), it arrives "May 15th in full breeding plumage and is found until the first week in June. Returns early in August, still in breeding plumage, which is exchanged for that of winter during the last of the month. Departs about the 20th of September. While here they are generally found in company with flocks of the smaller species of sandpipers." 22 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. Family CHARADRIIDiE. — The Plovers. Chae. Small or medium-sized shore-birds (scarcely waders), with rather short, some- what pigeon-like bill, large round head, short neck, long and pointed wings, and moder- ately lengthened legs, the hind toe usually absent. The Plovers are quite distinct in their structural characters from the Sandpipes and other Scolopacidce, being- more nearly related to the Turnstones and Oyster-catchers, notwithstanding the fact that the latter are so different in appearance. Instead of wading about in the shallow ponds or the margins of streams, as is the custom of the Scolopacidce, they frequent meadows and sandy tracts, where they run swiftly along the ground, in a peculiarly graceful manner. The North American genera may be distinguished as follows : A. Size large (wing more than eight inches); head more or less crested; plumage more or less metallic above. Occiput with a slender recurved crest; a well-de- veloped hind toe, with claw ; wing rounded, first quill shorter than fourth. 1. Vanellus. Wing unarmed, or with rudimentary spur; tarsus not more than twice as long as the middle toe. B. Size medium or small (wing less than eight inches); head without crest, and plumage without metallic gloss above. c. Wing more than six inches ; plumage much speckled or spotted above ; lower parts chiefly black in summer. 2. Charadrius. A well-developed hind toe, without claw Subgenus Squatarola 3. No trace of hind toe; otherwise very similar to Squatarola, but smaller and more slender Subgenus Charadrius. d. Wing less than six inches; plumage nearly or quite uniform grayish or brownish above (the rump ochraceous in subgenus Oxyechus), the lower parts chiefly or entirely white at all stages. 4. .ZEgialitis. e 1 . Tail very long (half as long as the wing, or more), extending half its length beyond tips of closed wings ; rump and upper tail-coverts pale rufous or ochraceous in the American species. Bill slender, about equal in length to the middle toe; tarsus decidedly less than twice as long as middle toe ; rump and upper tail-coverts rufous or ochraceous (except in 0. tricollaris) Subgenus Oxyechus. e-. Tail short (less than half as long as the wing), reaching little, if any, be- yond ends of closed wings; rump concolor with the back. Bill variable, but usually shorter than middle toe, or, if longer, very slender; tarsus less than twice as long as middle toe. Subgenus JEQialitis. CHAKADKIID.E— THE PLOVERS. 23 Bill very large (as long as, or longer than middle toe), the terminal half of the culmen much arched, the base of the gonys forming a decided angle; tarsus about one and one half times to nearly twice as long as middle t oe Subgenus Ochthodromus Bill slender, wide at base, much longer than middle toe; tarsus more than twice as long as middle toe Subgenus Podasocys. Genus CHARADRIUS Linx.ei s. Subgenus Squatarola Cuvier. Squatarola Cuviek, Reg. Anim. i, 1817, lfi7. Type, Tringa squatarola Linn. Chak. A rudimentary hind toe. Legs reticulated with elongated hexagons anteriorly, of which there are five or six in a transverse row; fewer behind. First primary longest. Tail slightly rounded. But a single species of this subgenus is known, this being- the well-known "Beetle-head'' or "Bull-head" Plover of eastern gunners, a bird of nearly cosmopolitan distribution. Charadrius squatarola (Linn.) BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER. Popular synonyms. Beetle-head or Bull-head; Plover of eastern gunners and sportsmen; Bottle-head; Black-breast. Tringa squatarola Linn. S. N. ed. 10, 1758, 149; ed. 12. 1766, 252. Charadrius s./uatarola Naum. Vog. Doutschl. vii, 1834.250.— A. O. U. Check List. 1886. No. 270— Ridgw. Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 173. Tringa helveticalirsv. S.N. ed. 12, 1766. 250, S neck ami rump tinged with ashy, and ha\ ing irregular transverse spots >>f brownish black on the back, scapulars, and wing-coverts; the brownish black frequently predomi- nating on those parts, and the rump also frequently with transverse bars of the same. Lower part "f tin' abdomen, tibia, and under tail-coverts, white, (.mills brownish black, light "i- on their inner webs, with a middle portion of their shafts white, and a narrow longi- tudinal strip.' of white frequent!: the shorter primaries and secondaries, Tail white, with transverse Imperfect narrow bands of black. The black color of the under parts gen- i ly with a faint i. ion . ,i or c 'pi" si y lustre, and presenting a ycale-like appearance; the brownish black of the upper parts with a greenish lustre. Bill and legs black; iris brown. Youngtr and winter i^umn^r . Entire upper parts dark brown, with oiroular and Irregular unall spots of white, and frequently of yellow, oaosl numerous on the wing-ooverts; upper 24 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. tail-coverts white. Under parts white, with short longitudinal lines and spots of dark brownish cinereous on the neck and breast; quills brownish black, with a large longitudi- nal space of white on their inner webs and also on the outer webs of the shorter pri - maries. Young: Upper parts lighter, and with the white spots more irregular or scarcely- assuming a circular shape; narrow lines on the neck and breast more numerous. Total length about 11.50 inches; wing, 7.50; tail, 3.00: culmen, about 1.10; tarsus, 1.95; middle toe, 1.15. In general coloration this species resembles very closely the Golden Plover {Charadrius dommicus), but, besides being much larger and stouter built, may always be distinguished by the blackish axillars, these feathers being smoky gray in the Golden Plover. This species, the largest of our Plovers, is more or less com- mon during the migrations. In Cook county, according to Mr. Nelson, it "arrives in full breeding plumage the last of May and after lingering a few days the majority pass north. A few re- main during the summer and undoubtedly breed. Returning early in September in fall plumage, they remain until well into October. While with us in the migrations this species is gen- erally solitary, sometimes a half dozen individuals joining com- pany, or a single specimen will be found leading a miscellaneous company of sandpipes and small plovers." Subgenus Charadrius Linnaeus. Gharadrius Linn. S. N. ed. 10, 1758, 150; ed. 12, 1766, 253. Type, C. apricarius Linn. Chae. Similar to Squatarola, but without any trace of hind toe. Plumage also very- similar, but form rather more slender. Only two species of Charadrius proper are known; one peculiar to the Pakearctic Region, but occurring accidentally in Greenland; the other spread over the remaining portions of the world, including the greater part of America, the islands throughout the Pacific, and the coasts of Asia. They differ chiefly in the color of the axillary feathers and the lining of the wings, which are white in ft apricarius, smoky gray in ft dominicus. Charadrius dominicus (Mull:) AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER. Popular synonyms. Green Plover; Squeeler (Plymouth Bay, Mass.). Charadrius dominicus Muller. Syst. Nat. Suppl. 1776, 116.— Ridgw. Nom. N. Am. B. 1881 No. 515; Man. N. Am. B., 1887, 174.— Coues, Check List, 2d ed. 1882, No. 581.— B B. & R. Water B. N. Am. i, 1884, 139.— A. O. U., Check List, 188C, No. 272. Charadrius pluvialis Wilson, Am. Orn. vii, 1813, 71, pi. 50, fig. 6. (nee Linn.)— Swains. & Rich. F. B.-A. ii, 1831, 36!).— Nutt. Man. ii, 1834, 16— Aud. Orn. Biog. iii, 1835, 623. Charadrius virginicus "Boeckhausen and Bechstein," Licht. Verz. Doubl. 1823, No. 729— Cass, in Baird's B. N. Am. 1858, 690.— Baird, Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 503. CHARADRIID.E — THE PLOVERS. 25 Charadrius fulvus var. virginicus Coues, Key, 1872,243; Check List, 1874, No. 326; Birds N. W. 1874, 449 (synonymy). Charadrius marmoratus Wagl- Aud. Orn. Biog. v, 1839, 575, pi. 300; Synop. 1839,222; Birds Am. v, 1842, 203, pi. 31G. Hab. America in general, from the Arctic coast (including Greenland) to Paraguay and Chili; breeding in the arctic and subarctic districts, winter migrant to southern localities. "Sp. Chak. Bill rather short, legs moderate, wings long, no hind toe, tarsus covered be- fore and behind with small circular or hexagonal scales. Summer plumage: Upper parts brownish black, with numerous small circular and irregular spots of golden yellow, most numerous on the back and rump.and on the upper tail-coverts assuming the form of trans- verse bands generally; also with some spots of ashy white. Entire under parts black, with a brownish or bronzed lustre, under tail-coverts mixed or barred with white. Forehead, border of the black of the neck, under tail-coverts, and tibia?, white; axillary feathers cinere- ous; quills dark brown; middle portion of the shafts white, frequently extending slightly to the webs and forming longitudinal stripes on the shorter quills; tail dark brown, with numerous irregular bands of ashy white, and frequently tinged with golden yellow; bill black; legs dark bluish brown. Winter plumage {young and adult): Under parts dull a-hy, spotted with brownish on the neck and breast, frequently more or less mixed with black; many spots of the upper parts dull ashy white; other spots, especially on the rump, golden yellow. "Total length, 9.50 inches; wing, 7.00; tail, 2.50; culmen, .92; tarsus, 1.70; middle toe, 90. " Specimens vary in the relative amount of the black and golden on the upper parts, in the width of the white on the forehead, and other details of coloration. Careful measure- ments of twenty-six specimens afford the lollowing results:— Eleven specimens in summer /damage: Wing, 6.80-7.35, average, 7.11; culmen, .85-1.00, average, .91; tarsus, 1.60-1.85. average, 1.73; middle toe, .85-1.05, average. .91. Six adults in changing plumage: Wing, 6.90- 7.30, average. 7.12; culmen, .90-1.00, average, .96; tarsus, 1.65-1.82, average, 1.70; middle toe. .80-.95, average, .90. Seven specimens in winter plumage [mostly young): Wing, 6.80-7.20, average, 7.03; culmen, .80-1.00, average, .91 ; tarsus, 1.55-1.75, average. 1.66; middle toe, .85-.05, average, .87. Average of the whole series: Wing, 7.09; culmen, .91; tarsus, 1.70; middle t( e, .9(i." [Water B.N. Am.) Iii Cook county, this species is, according to MY. Nelson, "a very abundant migrant," arriving "in large flocks early in April, and at this time the black of the breeding plumage lias just be- gun to mottle their white breasts. Frequents wet praries until the hist of the month, when it generally departs. Sometimes a few remain as late as May 5, and are then in perfecl br line,- dress. Returning early in September, with the fall plumage jusl appearing, it remains until October." Genus ^EGIALITIS Boie. Subgenus Oxyechus Reichenbach. • hut i; i mil. A.v. 8 j ' 1853, [ntrod. p. xviii. Type, ( 'Iiaradrius vo> Linn, Chab. Bill small, slender, about equal to 1 1 1 • • middle toe (without nail); tarsus nearly ' w as long as middle toe; tail long (about two thirds at long ah the wings), reaching half ogth beyond the ends of the primaries, graduated, the lateral feath than the middle pair; rump different In oolor from the i 26 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. , The single North American' species of this subgenus differs con- spicuously from the Plovers usually included together under jEglalitis in the broad, lengthened tail, and, so far as coloration is concerned, in the ochraceous rump and the pair of black bands across the breast. It may be remarked, however, that coloration alone is of slight importance as a character in this group. The Old World species appear to belong here rather than with true JEglalith, namely, Chwadrms tricollaris Vieill., of South Africa, and C. nigrifons Cuvier, of Australia. The former is much like a miniature Killdeer Plover, having two black pec- toral bands, like 0. vociferus (though their relative width is reversed, the posterior one being broader) ; the proportions and details of form are quite the same, but the rump and upper tail-coverts are concolor with the back. The Australian species agrees essentially with the above in size and proportions, but has broader and acuminate rectrices, and the tail is more nearly even, while the plumage is handsomer and more varied than in any other species of the group, the scapular region being adorned with a patch of rich maroon-chestnut, the upper tail-coverts rufous-chestnut, etc. -ffigialitis vocifera (Linn.) killdeer. Popular synonyms. Kill-dee; Killdeer Plover. Charadrius vociferus Linn. S. N. ed. 10, i, 1758, 150 ; ed. 12, i, 1706, 253.— Wils. Am. Orn. vii, 1813, 73, pi. 59, fig. 6.— Nutt. Man. ii. 1834, 22 — Aur>. Orn. Biog. iii, 1835, 191; v, 1839, 577, pi. 225; Synop. 1839, 222; B. Am. v, 1842, 207, pi. :;17. ^Egiahtis voiferus Bonap. 1838.— Cass, in Baird'.s B. N. Am. 1858, 692. — Baird, Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 504.-Coues. Key, 1872. 244 ; Check List, 1874, No. 397; 2d ed. 1882, No. 584. ^Egialitis vocifera A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 273. Ridgw. Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 174. Oxyechus vociferus Reich.— Ridgw. Nom. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 516.— B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. i, 1884, 148. Hab. The whole of temperate North America, migrating in winter into tropical Amer- ica as far as Colombia; West Indies in general; Bermudas: River Avon, England {fide Scl., Ibis, 1862, 275; one specimen taken April, 1857). Sp. Chae. Adult. Pileum and upper parts generally, grayish brown, inclining to umber; rump and upper tail-coverts ochraceous-rufous, lighter on the latter. Forehead and broad superciliary stripe, throat, nuchal collar, and lower parts, white. Fore part of the crown, loral stripe, continued toward occiput, collar round neck, and band across breast, black. Primaries dusky, the inner quills marked on outer webs with white. Tail chiefly pale ochraceous-rufous, variegated with white, dusky, and grayish, chiefly toward the end . Bill black; iris dark brown; eyelids (in life) orange-red or scarlet; legs and feet pale pinkish grayish, or pale grayish yellow. CHARADRIID.E — THE PLOVERS. 27 " Young. Similar to adult, but feathers of the upper parts more or less conspicuously margined with pale rusty or fulvous. "Downy Young. Upper parts generally, including pileum, light grayish brown, the two areas of this color bounded all around by black, a wide collar of which crosses the jugulum, and, extending across the nape beneath a broad white collar, completely encircles the neck; a broad bar of velvety black down the middle of the humeral region, and a narrow, more interrupted stripe of the same down the rump. Forehead, throat, lower parts gener- ally, "hand-wing, " and posterior border of the humerus, pure white, the flanks and crissum more Isabella-color; a narrow black line running from the rictus to the eye. Total length, about 10 inches; extent of wings, 20.50; wing, 0.50; tail, 3.50. This common and well-known bird is found throughout the State, and is decidedly the most numerous member of its fam- ily except during the season of migTation. It is a great nui- sance to the gunner, being usually the first to take alarm at his approach, and starting up all birds in the vicinity by its loud cries. "Like most of its race, this Plover passes much of its time on the ground, over which it moves with great rapidity. It can run with such swiftness that — according to Audubon — to run "like a Kildeer" has in some parts of the country passed into a proverbial phrase. The bird is also equally active on the wing, and mounts at pleasure to a great height in the air with a strong and rapid flight, which can be continued for a long distance. Sometimes it skims quite low over the ground, and at other times mounts to a great height; and during the love seasons it is said to perform various kinds of evolutions while on the wing. "Its note consists of two syllables, resembling in sound kill- dee, rapidly enunciated; and occasionally, when the bird is much excited, only the last syllable is repeated after the firsl utterance of the double note. Generally it is sounded inn loud, clear tone and as a signal of alarm. It not unfrequentlv startles other birds and puts bhem on their guard, this habit rendering tic Kildeer an objed of dislike to the gunner. Dur- ing the summer— especially when it is breeding, and afterward, even when its young .'in- fully grown— tin' Kildeer is a noisy ami restless bird, and is disturbed by the near approach of man. It will often squal until one is close upon it. and will then suddenly fly up or run off, startling the unwary intruder bv a loud and clear erv. According to Audubon, during 1 he 28 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. winter it is an unusually silent bird. At this season it is found dispersed over the cultivated fields in Florida, Georgia, the Carolinas, and other Southern States, diligently searching for food." (Brewer.) Subgenus -ffigialitis Bon:. JEgialitis Boie, Isis, 1822, 558. Type, Gharadrius hiatievla Linn. Char. Similar to Oxyechus, but the species of smaller size, with shorter and less gradu- ated tail (less than half as long as the wing), and rump concolor with the back (grayish). The numerous species of this subgenus vary greatly among themselves in the details of structure, although there is a general similarity of coloration throughout the group. The North American species may be distinguished as follows: A. Nape crossed by a more or less distinct white collar. a. Bill decidedly shorter than middle toe, very stout (except in JE. dubia), the basal half light colored (orange or yellow) in adults, except in JE. dubia. a'. A distinct web between base of inner and middle toes. 1. JE. semipalmata. Above, grayish brown; forehead, ring round neck, and lower parts white. In sumbner, fore part of crown, lores, and broad pectoral collar (continued round back of neck, below the white nuchal collar) black or dusky. In winter, these black markings replaced by grayish brown, like the back, etc. Young, like winter adults, but bill wholly black, and feathers of upper parts margined narrowly with buff. Wing, about 4.50-4.75; culmen, .45-50; depth of bill at base, .20; tarsus, .95; middle toe, .65-70. Hab. Nearly the whole of America. a". No web between base of inner and middle toes. 2. JE. hiaticula. Similar to JE. semipalmata, but pectoral band broader. Wing, about 5.00; culmen. .50-.55; depth of bill at base, .20-.22; tarsus, 1.00; middle toe, .00-05. Hab. Palasarctic region and portions of Arctic Am<'iica. 3. IE, dubia.. Similar to JE. hiaticula, but smaller and much more slender, espe- cially the bill, which is entirely black; middle of crown crossed by a more or less distinct whitish bar, immediately behind the black patch. Wing, 4.35-4.70; cul- men, .50-52; depth of bill at base, .15-18; tarsus, 1.00-1.05; middle toe, .55-.60. Hab. Palasarctic region generally; accidental in California and Alaska. 4. JE. meloda. Above, pale brownish gray; forehead, lores, nuchal collar, and lower parts white. In summer, a band across fore part of crown, and one across each side of breast (the latter sometimes connected, so as to form a con- tinuous pectoral band), black or dusky. In winter, these black markings replaced by light brownich gray, and the bill almost entirely, or wholly, black. Young, like the winter plumage, but feathers of upper surface with distinctly paler terminal margins. Wing, 4.50-4.80; culmen, .45-50: depth of bill at base, .20-22 ; tarsus, .85-1.00 ; middle toe, .55. OC. meloda. Black pectoral band wholly or partially interrupted in the mid- dle portion. Hab. Atlantic coast of United States. (3. circumcincta. Black pectoral band continuous. Hab. Missouri River region of United States, straggling eastward. b. Bill much longer than the middle toe, very slender, wholly black. 5. JE. alexandrina. Above, light brownish gray; forehead suporciliaries, nuchal collar, and lower parts white. In summer, fore part of the crown, a transverse patch on each side of breast (and sometimes a loral streak), black or dusky; pileum sometimes (especially in adult males) huffy or rufescent. Bill, legs, and feet, black or dusky. CHARADRIID.E — THE PLOVERS. 29 a. alexandrina. Lores always crossed by a dusky stripe. In summer, pileum brownish gray or dull buff. Wing, 4.40 : eulmen, .r.5-.tj0 ; tarsus, 1.02-1.12; middle toe, .55-.60. Hab. Europe, etc. fi. nivosa. Lores usually entirely white (never with a continuous or distinct dusky streak). In summer, pileum pale brownish gray or grayish buff. Wing, 4.20-4.30; eulmen, .90; tarsus, .90-1.05; middle toe, .55-. CO. Hab. • estern America ; Yucatan ; Cuba. B. Nape without trace of white or dusky collar. a. Culmen equal lo or longer than the middle toe, the bill slender. 6. JE. mongola. In summer, whole breast and nape clear cinnamon-rufous, and top of head tinged with the same; lores, suborbital region, and auriculars black, the former bordered above by a white line, sometimes meeting over the forehead; chin, throat, foreneck, belly, and crissum pure white; upper parts brownish gray. In winter, the rufous entirely absent ; forehead and lower parts white, the breast crossed by a faint grayish brown bar, darkening into a dusky patch on each side; auriculars and loral streak somewhat dusky. Wing, 5.15- 5.40. Hah. Asia in general, breeding northward; Choris Peninsula, Alaska. JEgialitis semipalmata (Bona)).) SEMIPALMATED PLOVER. Popular synonyms. Semipalmated Ring Plover; American Ring Plover-; Ring-neck; Beach Bird. Tringa hiaticula Wilson, Orn. vii, 1813, 65, pi. 59, f. 3 {nee Linn.). Charadrivs hialtcula Obd, ed. Wils. vii, 69. Charadrius semipalmatus Bonap. Comp. List. 1838, 15. JEgialitin semipalmatus Cab. 1856.— Cass, in Baird's B. N. Am. 1858, 094.— Baied. Cat N. Am. B. 1859, No. 507.— Coues, Key, 1872, 214; Check List t 1874, No. 399; 2d ed. 1882, No. 586-Ridgw. Norn. N. Am. B. 1881. No. 517. jEgialitis semipalmata B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. i. 1884, 154.— A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 274.-RIDGW. Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 176. Hab. North America in general, breeding in the arctic and subarctic districts, migrat- ing south in winter throughout the tropical regions, as far as Brazil and Peru. Bermudas; whole of West Indies; Galapagos. "Sp. Char. Small; wing-s long; toes connected at base, especially the outer to the middle toe. Front, throat, ring around the neck, and entire under pars white; a band of deep black across the breast, extending around the back of the neck below the white ring. Band from the base of the bill, under the eye, and wide frontal band above the white band, black Upper parts ashy brown; quills brownish black, with their shafts white in middle portion, and occasionally a lanceolate white spot along the shafts of the shorter pri- maries; shorter tertiaries edged with white; greater coverts tipped with white. Middle feathers of the tail ashy brown, with a wide subterminal band of brownish black, and nar- rowly tipped with white; two outer tail feathers white, others intermediate, like the mid- dle, but widely tipped with white. Bill orange-yellow al base, black terminally ; legs pale flesh color. Female similar, bu1 rath r lighter colored. Young with the black replaced by ashy brown, the feathers of the upper parts bordered with paler. Downy young. Above, pale grayish brown, mottled with black; a frontal orescent, broad nuchal collar, and entire lower parts white. "Total length, about 7 inches; wing, 1.75; tail, 2, "Common during the migrations, generally in small flocks. In spring the migrations extend from April 2 tfa bo May 30th, and in Fall from July 3ls1 to the lasl of October. The 2d of .Ink. lsT'l. I obtained several specimens of this Bpecies near Chicago. 30 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. From the condition of the abdomen and ovaries of one speci- men, and the presence of several recently fledged young, I came to the conclusion that they had nested in the vicinity. It is barely possible, however, that these birds were unusually early arrivals from more northern breeding grounds, although the arrivals from the north generally begin about the last of the month. My suspicions that the species either breed in this state, or at no far distant point, were strengthened the following sea- son when several females examined the last of May contained eggs which would have been deposited within a short time." (Nelson.) -ZEgialitis meloda circumcincta Ridgw. BELTED PIPING PLOVEE. Popular synonyms. Ringed Piping Plover; White Ring-neck. JEgialitis melodus var. circumcinctus Ridgw. Am. Nat. viii, 1874, 109. JEgialitis meloda var. circumcincta Coues. Check List, 1874, App. p. 133, No. 400rt; Birds N.W. 1874.455. JEgialitis melodus circumcinctus Ridgw. Nom. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 520a.— Coues, Check List, 2d ed. 1882, No. 588. JEgialitis meloda, b. var. circumcincta B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. i, 1884, 160. JEgialitis meloda circumcincta A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 277 a.— Ridgw. Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 178. Hab. Chiefly the Missouri River region, but also contiguous parts of the interior of North America. "Sp. Char. About the size of JE. s em ipalmata; bill short, strong. Adult male: Fore- head, ring around the back of the neck, and entire under parts, white ; a band of black in front above the band of white: band encircling the neck before and behind, black, imme- diately below the ring of white on the neck behind. Head above and upper parts of body light brownish cinereous; rump and upper tail-coverts lighter, and often nearly white ; quills dark brown, with a large portion of their inner webs and shafts white; shorter pri- maries with a large portion of their outer webs white; tail at base white, and with the outer feathers white; middle feathers with a wide subterminal band of brownish black, and tipped with white. Bill orange at base, tipped with black; legs orange-yellow. Female: Similar to the male, but with the dark colors lighter and less in extent. Young: No black band in front; collar around the neck ashy brown. "Total length, about 7 inches ; wing, 4.50; tail, 2 inches." ( Water B. N. Am.) "Very common summer resident along the lake shore, breed- ing on the flat, pebbly beach between the sand dunes and shore. Arrives the middle of April and proceeds at once to breeding. "From a specimen shot the 24th of April, 1876, at Wauke- gan, I obtained a perfect egg, and the abdomen of several females obtained the same day exhibited unmistakable signs that they were already breeding, as did, also, the actions of the birds. Some thirty pairs were breeding along the beach at CHARADRIID.E — THE PLOVERS. 31 this place, within a space of two miles, and I afterwards found the birds as numerous at several points along the shore. Every effort was made to discover their nests but without suc- cess, although the birds were continually circling about or standing at a short distance uttering: an occasional note of alarm. The first of July, the year previous, Dr. Velie obtained young but a very few days old at this same locality, showing that there is considerable variation in the time of breeding. This was also shown by specimens obtained the last of May.— which I think were later arrivals than those found breeding; in April, — having- the ova just approaching maturity. "Departs the last of September. The larger portion of the specimens examined show the complete ring of circumcincta, while others exhibit but little more black than in meloda, or have the complete ring of the former indicated by faint I thick lips to the feathers across the breast." (Nelson.) 32 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. Family SCOLOPACID-ffi.— The Snipe Family. The characters of the family Scolopacidse having been given in sufficient detail on p. 18, in the analysis of the families of Limi- colse, it is unnecessary to repeat them here. The Scolopacidge are among the most widely dispersed of birds, a large propor- tion of the genera being nearly cosmopolitan. They embrace a very great variety of forms, from the diminutive " Peeps" (Actodro)nas and Er&imetes),, smaller than a Sparrow, to the large Curlews, of Ibis-like stature and appearance. The bill may be either straight, bent upward, as in the Avocets (e. g. Limosa and T&rekia), or strongly decurved like a sickle; nar- rowed at the end, or widely expanded into a paddle-shaped form (EurynorhynchMs). The legs may be short and stout (as in Arqtiatella, CaUdris, etc.), or of almost stilt-like length (as in Mlcropalamia, Totem -w, etc.). Between these wide extremes of form, however, there are others possessing characters interme- diate in almost every conceivable degree— so much so as to render it extremely difficult to tabulate the characters of the numerous genera. The following is an attempt at a diagnostic table of the North American genera.* A. Bill longer than the tarsus and middle toe, straight. B. Bill shorter than the tarsus and middle toe, straight or slightly curved (either up or down); wing lengthened, pointed. C. Bill widely expanded laterally at the end. D. Bill much longer than tarsus, decidedly decurved or arched. A. (Scolopacince.) a. Tibiae completely feathered. 1. Scolopax. Outer quill longest, broad, like the others. 2. Philohela. Outer quill shorter than the sixth, the three outer primaries abruptly much narrower than the rest. b. Tibiae partly naked. 3. Gallinago. Toes all cleft to the base. l. Macrorhamphus. A well-developed web between anterior toes, at base. * B. ( Tringince.) a. Feathers of the forehead not reaching to the nostril; anterior toes all webbed at the base. * There are but two additional genera of this family in South America; viz., Phegomis Gray (type Leptopus mitchelli Fraser), and Iihynchcea. SCOLOPACID .E— THE SNIPE FAMILY. 33 5. Micropalama. Bill and legs much elongated, the former much com- pressed, except at end; tarsus twice as long as middle toe; size medium; 6. Ereunetes. Bill and legs moderately elongated, or rather short, the former scarcely, if at all, compressed; tarsus muoh less than twice the middle toe; size small. . Feathers on the forehead not reaching to the nostril; anterior toes all cleft to the base. §. A well-developed hind toe. 7. Tringa. Tarsus one third its length longer than the middle toe and claw; toes stout, the middle about half as long as the bill; bill stout, straight. Middle pair of rectrices not longer than the rest. Size rather large (wing more than 6. 00) Subgenus Tringa. Tarsus shorter than the middle toe and claw; toes slender, the middle two thirds or three fourths as long as the bill; bill slender, much com- pressed, straight, or very slightly decuxwed at the end; size medium (wing less than 6.00) Subgenus Arquatella. Tarsus about equal to the bill; bill straight, moderately slender; toes slender, the middle one decidedly shorter than the tarsus; size medium to very small Subgenus Actodromas. Bill very long (nearly as long as the tarsus and the middle toe), decid- edly decurved terminally ; toes slender, the middle one decidedly shorter than the tarsus Subgenera Pelidna and Ancylocheilns. §§. No hind toe. 8. Calidris. Size rather small; bill short, straight, expanded at end. Feathers of forehead not reaching to nostril; a web between outer and middle toes at base (between all in Symphemia). 1 . ' Gape not extending back of the culmen . 0. Limosa. Size large (wing 8.00 or more); bill much longer than tarsus, tapering toward the end, where slightly but decidedly upturned, the lateral groove extending nearly to the tip. 1." Gape extending decidedly back of the base of the culmen. 2. ' Lateral groove of the maxilla extending scarcely more than half way to end of bill. .'$. ' Back of tarsus covered with transverse scutelhe, as in front. 10. Totanus. No web between inner and middle toes; size medium to large (but wing always less I ban 8 inches). Middle toe not more than half as long as tarsus Subgenus Totanus. .Midi lie toe nearly as long as tarsus Subgenus Helodromas. 11. Symphemia. A well-developed web between base of inner and middle toes; a large white patch on base of primaries; size large (wing more than 8 Inches). :;." Back of tarsus < overed with small roundish scales. 12. Heteractitis. No web between base of inner and middli toes; size medium (wing less than eight Inches). ■i." Lateral groove of maxilla extending nearly to tip of hill. 13. Pavoncella. Size large (wing 7 inches or more); tail short (less than half the wine), rounded. Adult male with the neck ruffed and anterior por- tion of head bare. II. Bartramia. Size large (wing nearlj ; indie-'; tail lengthened (more than halt the wing), graduated. Adult male without ruff, the anterior pari of the head uormall] feathered. 16. Actitis. Size small (wing less than 1.60); tail rather lengthened (more t ban half the « ing), graduated. Feathers of the forehead reaching to and pai Ing the nostril; an- t. rior toes ail clef! at the b i 34 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. 16. Tryngites. Size small (a little lai-ger than Actitis) ; bill small and slender (shorter than the head, about equal to the middle toe), the lateral groove reaching nearly to the tip ; gape reaching back of the culmen ; middle toe more than half as long as the tarsus; inner webs of quills and under primary-coverts beautifully speckled. C. 17. Eurynorhynchus. Size small (among the smallest of the family); bill widely expanded laterally at the end; otherwise, much as in Acto- dromas. D. (Numenince.) 18. Numenius. Size large to very large (wing 7 inches or more) ; bill long (much longer than tarsus), decidedly decurved or arched. Of the above, the following genera are not represented, so far as known, in the bird-fauna of Illinois: Scolopax, embracing the European Woodcock {S. rusticola), which is merely acci- dental in the Atlantic States; Heter actitis, which embraces two species of Wandering Tatler (//. incanus and II brevvpes), belonging to the shores and islands of the Pacific ; and Enryno- rkynchm, including only the remarkable Spoonbill Sandpiper (E. pygmwm) , a bird of eastern Asia, which has occurred accidental- ly in Alaska. Subfamily Scolopacinse. Chae. Bill straight, longer than the tarsus and middle toe ; back of tarsus with a con- tinuous row of transverse scutellae. Ears situated directly underneath the eyes; tip of up- per mandible thickened, with cutting- edges brought near together; plumage the same at all stages and seasons. Genus PHILOHELA Gray. Philohela Gbay, List Genera, 1841, 90. Type, Scolopax minor Gmel. Chab. Body very full, and head, bill, and eyes very large. Tibia short, feathered to joint. Toes cleft to base. Wings short, rounded, the three outer primaries very narrow and much attenuated; the fourth and fifth equal to the longest. Tarsi stout, shorter than the middle toe. Hind claw very short, conical, not extending beyond the toe. Tail of twelve feathers. The present genus, embracing a single species, th a American Woodcock, is much like Scolopax, with the European Woodcock as type, in color and external appearance. The most striking difference is seen in the wings, which are short, rounded; the fourth and fifth primaries longest and the outer three abruptly attenuated; while in Scolopax the wings are long, the first primary longest, and none attenuated. Philohela minor Gmel. AMEBICAN WOODCOCK. Popular synonyms. Bog-sucker; Mud Snipe; Blind Snipe. Scolopax minor Gmel. S. N. i, 1788, 661— Wils. Am. Orn. vi, 1812, 40, pi. 48, fig. 2.- Aud. Orn. Biog. iii, 1835, 474, pi. 268. SCOLOPACID.E— THE SNIPE FAMILY. 35 Rusticola (Microptera) minor Nutt. Man. ii, 1834, 134. Fhilohela minor Gkat, Genera B. 1841, 90— Cass, in Baird's B. N. Am. 1868, 709.— Baied, Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 522 — Coues, Key, 1872, 251, fig. 162; Check List 1874, No. 412; 2d ed. 1882, No. 605: Birds N. W. 1874, 472.— Kidgw. Nom. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 525; Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 150— B. B. & B. Water B. N. Am. i, 1884, 183— A. O- U. Check List, 1886, No. 228. Microptera americana Aud. Synop. 1839, 250; B. Am. vi, 1843, 15, pi. 352. Hab. Eastern Province of North America, north to the British Provinces and west to Dakota, Nebraska, and Kansas; breeding throughout its known range; no extra-limital record, except the Bermudas. Sp. Chae. Bill long, compressed, punctulated near the end; upper mandible longer than the under, and fitted to it at the tip; wings moderate, three outer quills very narrow; tail short; legs moderate; eyes inserted at an unusual distance from the bill. Adult: Occiput with three transverse bands of black, alternating with three much narrower ones of pale yellowish rufous; upper parts of body variegated with pale ashy, rufous, or yellowish red of various shades, and black; large space on front and throat reddish ashy; line from the eye to the bill, and another on the neck below the eye, brownish black; entire under parts pale grayish rufous, brighter on the sides and under wing-coverts. Quills ashy-brown; tail feathers brownish black, tipped with ashy, darker on the upper surface, paler and frequent- ly white on the under; bill light brown, paler and yellowish at base; legs pale brownish. Downy young: General color light reddish buff or isabella- color, uniform on the lower surface. Line from bill to eye, a large, somewhat ehiptical patch covering forehead and fore part of the crown, a patch on the occiput (connected with that on the crown by a nar- row isthmus), and a narrow mark behind the eye, with an oblique one below it, very dark chestnut; broad stripe down the rump, also dark chestnut; stripe down the nape, and vari- ous large blotches on the back, wings, etc., rather light snuff-brown. Total length about 11 inches; wing, 4.80-5.70; tail, 2.25; bill, 2.50 to nearly 3.00; tarsus, 1.25; middle toe, 1.37. The American Woodcock is found throughout the State, in suitable localities, and though known chiefly as a summer res- ident remains throughout the year in well-sheltered places es- pecially in the more southern districts. 'In its habits the Woodcock is nocturnal. It never flies vol- untarily by day only when forced from its retreats, usually keeping in close and sheltered thickets, and resorting at twilight to its favorite feeding-places. It feeds almost exclusively dur- ing the night, as its sight is very imperfect by day. Its eye is remarkably large and handsome, but unfit to bear the glare of the sun, its full and almost amaurotic appearance plainly suggest mg the crepuscular habits of the bird. During tin 1 greater portion of the day tin' Woodcock remains closely concealed in marshy thickets or in rank grass, hut in the early morning or evening, and also on moonlight nights it seeks ils food ID open places, bul during i he day-time in dark and druse covert. "The favorite places of resort of this Bpecies are low marshy grounds, sw;iii)|)s, ,ind meadows with soft bottoms. During very wet seasons it seeks higher land— generally corn-fields 36 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. — and searches for food in the soft ploughed ground, where its presence is indicated by the holes made by its bill. In seasons of excessive drought the Woodcock resorts in large numbers to tide-water creeks, and the banks of fresh-water rivers; but so averse is it to an excess of water, that after continued or very heavy rains it has been known suddenly to disappear over widely extended tracts of country." (Brewer.) A curious habit of the Woodcock, and one which is compara- tively little known, is that of carrying its young in order to re- move them from danger. This has been attested by so many reliable observers that there can be little doubt as to its truth. Genus GALLINAGO Leach. Gallinago Leach, Cat. British Birds, 1816, 31. Type, Hcolopax major Linn. Chab. Lower portion of the tibia bare of feathers, scutellate before and behind, reticu- lated laterally, like the tarsi. Nail of hind toe slender, extending beyond the toe. Bill de- pressed at the tip. Middle toe longer than tarsus. Tail with twelve to twenty-six feathers Plumage the same in winter and summer; young like the adult in colors and markings. The more slender body, longer legs, partly naked tibia, and other features, distinguish this genus from Scolopax and PJdlolieia, and the cleft toes from 3facrorhamphus. The species of Gallinago are quite numerous, about fifteen be ing recognized, this number nearly equally divided between Amer- ica and various portions of the Old World. Of the seven Ameri- can species, North America claims but two, the common Wilson's Snipe, or, as it is perhaps more popularly known, the "English Snipe," from its very close resemblance to the Common Snipe of Europe, and the latter species itself, which has been taken in Greenland. With a few exceptions, the various species resemble one another very closely in colors and markings, — in some cases so much so that it is necessary to resort to the rectrices in order to discover tangible points of difference. The single species peculiar to North America has usually six- teen rectrices, of which the outer is not notably narrower than the rest; its nearest relative, the European G. gallinago, has usually but fourteen tail-feathers, of which the outer pair are differently marked from those of G. delicata ; and the several South American species possess from fourteen to eighteen rec- trices, of which the outer pair are very narrow. SCOLOPACIDiE — THE SNIPE FAMILY. 37 Gallinago delicata (Ord). WILSON'S SNIPE. Popular synonyms. Englisn Snipe; American Snipe; Gutter Snipe. Scolopax gallinago Wilson. Am. Orn. vi, 1812. 18, pi. 47, f, 1 (nee Linn.). Scolopax wilsoni Temm. PL Col. v, 1824, livr. lxviii (in text).— S\v. & Rich. P. B.-A. ii, 1831, 401.— Nutt. Man. ii, 1834, 185.— AuD. Orn. Biog. iii, 1835,322; v, 1839,583, pi. 243; Synop. 1839, 248; B. Am. v, 1842. 339. pi. 350. Gallinago wilsoni Bonap. 1838.— Cass, in Baird's B. N. Am. 1858, 710— Baikd, Cat. N. Am. B. 1859. No. 523.— Coues, Key, 1872, 2G2; Check List, 1874, No. 414; 2d ed. 1882, No. 608; Birds N. W. 1874. 475.-B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. i, 18X4, 188. (•'nllinago media wilsoni Ridgw. Nom. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 526. Scolopax drummondi Sw. & Rich. P. B.-A. ii. 1831, 400— Nutt. Man. ii, 1834, 190.— Aud. Orn. Bios:, v, 1839, 319; Synop. 1839,240; N. Am. vi, 1843, 9. Scolopax douglasii Sw. & Rich. F. B.-A, ii, 1831, 400.— Nutt. Man. ii, 1834, 491. Scolopax leucurus Sw. & Rich. 1. c. 501.— Nutt. 1. c, 617. Scolopax delicata Okd, Wils. Orn. ix, 1825. cexviii. Gallinago delicata Ridgw. in A. O. U. Check List. 1886, No. 230; Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 150. Hab. The whole of North and Middle America, breeding from northern United States northward, migrating south in winter as far as Colombia and throughout the West Indies; Bermuda; accidental in England. Sp. Chae. Bill long, compressed, flattened and slightly expanded toward the tip, punc- tulated in its terminal half; wings rather long; legs moderate; tail short. Entire upper parts brownish black, every feather spotted and widely edged with light rufous, yellowish brown, or ashy white; back and rump transversely barred and spotted with the same; a brownish white or pale buffy line from the base of the bill over the top of the head. Throat and neck before, dull reddish ashy; wing-feathers marked with dull brownish black; other under parts white, with transverse bars of brownish black on the sides, axillary feathers, under wing-coverts, and under tail-coverts; quills brownish black; outer edge of first pri- mary white; tail glossy, brownish black, widely tipped with bright rufous, paler at the tip, and with a subterminal narrow band of black. Bill brown (greenish gray in life), paler at base and darker toward the end; legs dark brown (light greenish gray In life). Total length, about 10.50 to 11.50 inches; extent, 16.50 to 17.00; wing, 5.00 to 5.60; tail. 2.60; bill, 2.50 to 2.70; tarsus, 1.25. In a very large series of specimens from all parts of the con- tinent north of Panama, no variations are noticeable other than what appear to be of a purely individual character, and these are seldom very pronounced. This well-known bird is abundant, a1 the proper seasons, throughoui the State. In Cook county, according to Mr. Nel- son, it is "abundant during the migration and not n very rare summer resident. Arrives the tirsl of April and nearly .-ill are gone by the first of May. Returns in fall thefirsl of September and departs by the first <>f November. Mr. T. II. Douglas bas obtained its eggs Dear Waukegan, and while there in the spring of L876, I found several pairs during the breeding season, in various portions of the marsh near that place. 38 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. "Morning and evening and throughout cloudy days in the early part of the breeding season the male has a curious habit of mounting high overhead, then descending obliquely for some distance, and as it turns upwards strikes rapidly with its wings, producing a loud whistling sound with each stroke. This ma- noeuvre is repeated again and again, and appears to be per- formed for the same purpose as is the "booming" of the night hawk. Besides this sound the Wilson's Snipe has a peculiar, sharp cry during the season, which is uttered when the bird is disturbed. I first became acquainted with the note in May, 1876, when, while walking along a marshy strip of land, I was sur- prised to hear a loud ka-ka-kdr-ka-ka, uttered with great force and in a rather loud, harsh tone. Turning quickly I was still more astonished to find the author to be one of these birds. It was flying restlessly from post to post along a fence and showed the greatest uneasiness at my presence, the notes being repeated at short intervals. Although its nest was probably near, I could not discover it." Subfamily TRIXsTGINiE. Chab. Ears situated decidedly posterior to the eyes; tip of upper mandible thin, with cutting edges far apart; plumage very different in winter and summer, and young different in color from adult. Genus MACRORHAMPHUS Leach. Macrorhamphus Leach, Cat. Brit. Birds, 1816, 31. Type, Scolopax grisea Gmel. Char. General appearance of Gallinago. Tarsi longer than middle toe ; a short web be- tween the base of outer and middle toes. Plumage very different in winter and summer; young different from the adult. The membrane at the base of the toes will at once distinguish this genus from Gallinago, though there are other characters involved. The two North American species of this genus* are character- ized as follows: Common Characters. About the size of Gallinago delicata, or larger. Bill long, com- pressed, flattened and expanded toward the end, where (in dried specimens) punctulated and corrugated. Shaft of first primary strong, pure white. Axillars, tail-coverts, and lower part of rump, white, barred, or transversely spotted, with slate-color; upper part of rump white, usually immaculate. Tail slaty or dusky, barred with white (or, in summer adult, with pale cinnamon on the middle feathers). Adult in summer: Head, neck, and lower parts light cinnamon (the abdomen sometimes whitish), the foreneck and sides of breast speckled, the sides and crissum barred or speckled with dusky. Upper parts mixed black, light cinnamon, and white, the former prevailing. Adult in ivinter: Belly and anal region white, usually unspotted; rest of the plumage nearly uniform ash-gray, somewhat inter- *A third species, M. semipalmatus Bi.yth, occurs in eastern and southern Asia. It is much larger than its American relatives, and belongs to the subgenus Pseud oscolopax BLTTH. SCOLOPAC1D.E— THE SNIPE FAMILY. 39 mixed with white on the breast and sides; wing-coverts bordered with whitish; a whitish superciliary stripe. Young, first plumage: Back, scapulars, and tertials, variegated black and light clay-color, the latter chiefly on the edges of the feathers; lower parts dirty white, soiled with dull buff or pale clay color, especially across the breast; jugulum and sides us- ually indistinctly speckled with dusky. Total length, about 10 to 12.50 inches; extent, 17.50 to 20.25; wing, 5.30-6.00(5.73); culmen, 2. 00-3. 00; tarsus 1.25-1. 75 (1.53); middle toe, 90-1.10 (1.00). 1. M. griseus. Wing, 5.22-5.90 (5.65) ; culmen, 2.00-2.55 (2.30); tarsus, 1.20-1.55 (1.35 ; middle toe, .90-1.05 (.95).* Adult in summer. Abdomen whitish; breast and sides speckled with dusky. Hab. Eastern Province of North America. 2. M. scolopaceus. Wing, 5.40-6.00 (5.74) ; culmen. 2.10-3.00 (2.72) ; tarsus, 1.30-1.75 (1.58); mid- dle toe, .95-1.15 (1.01).+ Adult in summer. Abdomen uniform cinnamon, without markings; breast speckled (usually scantily), and sides barred with dusky. Hab. Mississippi Valley and Western Province of North America, from Mexico to Alaska. Macrorhamphus griseus (Gmel.) DOWITCHER. Popular synonyms. Gray Snipe; Gray-back; Dowitch; Driver (Plymouth Bay Mass.). Scolopax griseus Gmel. S. N. i, 1788, 658. Macrorhamphus griseus Leach, Syst. Cat. Brit. Mam. & B. 1816, 31.— Cass, in Band's B. N. Am. 1858,712— Bated, Cat. N. Am. B. 1859,No. 524— Coues, Key, 1872, 253; Check List, 1874, No. 415; 2d ed. 1882, No. 609; Birds N. W. 1874, 476— Ridgw. Norn. N. Am B. 1881, No. 527; Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 151— A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 231. Scolopax {Macrorhamphus) grisea Bonap. 1828.— Nutt. Man. ii, 1834, 181. Macrorhamphus griseus, a, griseas B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. i, 1884, 196. Siolopax noveboracens is Gmel— Wils. Am. Orn. vii, 1813, 45, pi. 68. fig. 1.— Sw. & Rich. F. B.-A. ii, 1831, 398— Aud. Orn. Biog.iv, 1838, 388, pi. 399; Synop. 1839, 219; B. Am. vi, 1843, 10, pi. 351. Hab. Eastern Province of North America (breeding in the region about Hudson's Bay?). Sp. Char. About the size of Gallinago delicata. Shaft of the first primary strong, pure white; axillars, tail-coverts, and lower part of rump white, barred or transversely spotted with slate-color; upper part of rump white, usually immaculate: tail slate-colored or dusky, barred with white, (or, in summer adult, with a pale cinnamon on middle feathers). Adult in summer: Head, neck, and more or less of lower parts, light cinnamon, the abdo- men whitish, breast and sides speckled with dusky, the head and neck streaked with the same; upper parts mixed black, light cinnamon and white, the first prevailing. Winter plumage: Belly and anal region while, usually unmarked ; rest of plumage nearly uniform ash-gray, somewhat mixed with white on breast and sides; a whitish superciliary stripe, and wing-eoverts bordered with white. Young : Back, scapulars, and ten ials, varied with black and light clay-brown, the latter chiefly mi edges of the feathers: lower parts dull whitish, soiled with dull bull' it .day-color, especially across breast, the jugulum and sides usually indistinctly speckled with dusky. "Bill dark olive; iris reddish hazel; feet light yellowish olive; claws black." (Audubon.) Wing. 5.25 5.90 (5.65); culmen, 2.00-2.55 (2.S0 : tarsus, 1.20 I middle toe, .90-1.1 Comparatively little is on record respecting (Ik- habits of this s|MM-ics. h is apparently more abundanl along the Atlantic coasl than in the interior, bu1 its presence in Illinois is attested by specimens in fche National Museum collection, received from Mr. II. K. Coale, and collected by him near Chicago. Along the i ttremes and average "f eighteen fully adult specimens. ernes and average of fori v fully adult specimens. 40 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. coast it is known to sportsmen as the Dowitcher, Dowitch, or Gray-back, and in the latter part of summer, when the immense flocks move southward, it is a favorite game bird. Macrorhamphus scolopaceus (Say). LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER. Popular synonyms. Greater Long-beak; Greater Gray-back; Red-bellied Snipe. Limosa scolopacea Say, Long's Exped. ii, 1823, 170. Macrorhamphus scolopaceus Lawk. Ann. Lye. N. Y. v, 1852, 4, pi. 1 (Long island).— Cass, in Baird's B. N. Am. 1858, 712.— Baied, Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 525— A. 0. U. Check List, 1886, No. 232.— Ridgw. Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 151. Macrorhamphus griseus var. scolopaceus Coues, Check List, 1874, No. 415a. Macrorhamphus griseus scolopaceus Ridgw. Nom. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 527a.— Coues. 2d Check List, 1882. No. 610. Macrorhamphus griseus, b, scolopaceus B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. i, 1884, 196. Scolopax longirostris Bell, Ann. Lye. N. Y. v, 1852, 3. Macrorhamphus griseus (part) Coues, Key, 1872, 253; B. N. W. 1874, 476. Hab. North America in general, but chiefly the western portions of the continent; east to the Mississippi Valley, north to Alaska, and south to South America and the West Indies. Occasional along the Atlantic coast of the United States during migrations. Sp. Chab. Adult in summer: Similar to M. griseus, butabdomen pale cinnamon, like rest of lower parts, and without markings, the breast scantily speckled and the sides barred with dusky. Winter plumage and young: Distinguishable from the corresponding stage s of M. griseus only (?) by larger size. Wing, 5.40-6.00 (5.74); eulmen, 2.19-3.00 (2.72); tarsus, 1.35-1.75 (1.58); middle toe, .97- 1.15 (1.01). So far as known the habits of this species are essentially the same as those of the M. griseus. We have at present no means of knowing which is the commoner form in Illinois, but in all probability the present one is that which predominates. It is rather a straggler along the Atlantic coast, where, however, many specimens have been taken. Genus MICROPALAMA Baird. Micropalama Baird, B. N. Am. 1858, 720. Type, Tringa himantopus Bonap. " Chak. Form slender, the legs very long, the bill long and much compressed, the an- terior toes all webbed at the base. Tarsus nearly twice as long as the middle toe, which is a little shorter than the bare portion of the tibia, this scutellate before and behind, like the tarsus. Bill slender, straight, about equal to the tarsus, greatly compressed, except at the end, which is decidedly expanded laterally. Tail nearly even, but the central and exterior feathers usually perceptibly longer than the rest. Wings long and pointed. "The present genus with a basal membrane to all the anterior toes, as in Erewietes, has this a little more deeply emarginate; the bill and legs much longer; the former more curved. The bare portion of tibia is covered before and behind by transverse scutelhe, like the tarsus. The tail is nearly even, with a double SCOLOPACID.E — THE SNIPE FAMILY. 41 emargination. The middle toe is not two thirds the length of the tarsus, and about equal to the bare portion of the tibia. The bill is much pitted at the end in the dry skin. "In many respects this genus approaches the Snipe, and its true place is probably very near Macrorkamphus. The legs, however, are much longer, and equal to the bill, instead of much shorter." ( Water />'. W. Am.) Micropalama himantopus (Bonap.) STILT SANDPIPER. Popular synonyms. Long-legged Sandpiper; Frost Snipe (coast Connecticut). Tringa himantopus Bonap. Ann. Lye. N. Y. ii. 1826. 157.-Sw. &Rich. F. B.-A. ii. 1831, 380-Aud. Orn. Biog. ii, 1838, 332, pi. 334; Synop. 1839, 235; B. Am. v. 1842. 271, pi. 334. Tringa [Hemipalama) himantopus Bonap. 1827— Nutt. Man. ii. 1834, 138. Micropalamalhimantopus Baibd, B. N. Am. 1858, 726; Cat. N. Am. B . 1859, No. 536- Coues, Key, 1872, 253; Check List, 1874, No. 416; 2d ed. 1882, No. 611; Birds N. W. 1874. 480-Ridgw. Norn. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 528; Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 152.-B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. i, 1884, 201— A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 233. Tringa douglasii Sw. & Rich. F. B.-A. ii, 1831, 379, pi. 66. Tringa (Hemipalama) douglasii'SvTE. Man. ii, 1834, 141. Tringa {Hemipalama) andv.boni Nutt. 1. c. 141. Hab. Eastern Province of North America, Middle America, and greater part of South America; breeding north of the United States and visiting the southern localities in winter; Bermudas; West Indies, in generaJ; Brazil; Peru. Not recorded from west of the Rocky Mountains. Sp. Chab. A 'hilt, sum mer plumage: Above, variegated with black, whitish gray, and pale buff, the first prevailing on the back and scapulars; wings rather dark gray, the feathers edged with paler; primaries dusky slate; rump grayish, the feathers with darker centres; upp»u- tail-covers white, the longer ones barred, the anterior ones longitudinally marked, with dusky. Middle tail-feathers light gray, the others varied longitudinally with white and pale gray. Pilcum dusky, streaked with whitish; a dark brown loral stripe, from base of maxilla to the eyes; aurioulars and patch on each side of the occiput. light cinna- mon-rufous. Lower parts dirty white, the throat and jugulum streaked, other portions transversely barred with dusky. Lining of the wing, and axillars, white, the latter slightly marked with gray. Adult in winter: Above, uniform ash-gray, the upper tail-coverts, tail andwingsas in the summer plumage Superciliary stripe and lower parts white, the nigulum, sides of neck, and crissum. streak, d with gray. Young: Back and scapulars blackish, all the feathers widely bordered with bully white; the middle of the back tinged with rusty; wing-coverts bordered with pale buff and white; upper tail-QOveite nearly im- maoulate white. Pileum streaked with dusky, pal.' buff, and grayish; nap.' nearly uniform ash-gray. died white, the breast and sides more • ongly suffused with bnff, the jugulum, sides of the i k, and Banks, Indistinctly Btreaked with grayish. "Bill black; bis brown; f".-i dull yellowish green, claws black." (Audi Wingabou oulmen, 1.60-1.76; tarsus.1.50 L.75; mm ^k85. We have no data a1 hand regarding the abundance of this species in Illinois, i.nt it is in all probability ;i more or less common migranl . "It moves in c pad Hocks, and often when aboul to alight, or after being disturbed, it inclines the body to either side, showing -«; 42 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. alternately the upper and the lower parts. On foot it moves more like a Curlew than a Tringa, and is more sedate in its motions than the true Sandpiper. At times M on being approached, it will squat on the ground after the manner of the Esquimaux Curlew. Its flesh is said to be extremely delicate. In the stomachs of those he killed he [Audubon] found small worms, minute shell-fish, and vegetable substances, among which were hard seeds of some unknown plant. He found great differences in the color of the plumage of those he killed. He adds that its passage through the United States is very rapid, both in spring and in autumn. A few are said to spend the winter in lower Louisiana, but nearly all pass on southward beyond Texas." Genus TRINGA Linn^cus. Subgenus Tringa. Tringa Linn. S. N. ed. 10, 1758, 148; ed. 12, 1766, 247. Type, T. canutus Linn. Chab. Body robust; bill and legs short, the former straight, widened terminally, and scarcely longer than the head; tarsus about equal to the bill; or a little shorter; middle toe about two-thirds the tarsus. Wings long and pointed, reaching beyond the end of the tail. The above characters separate at once this subgenus from Arquatella, the one most nearly related, bufc which has the bill much more compressed, slightly but decidedly decurved toward the end, and much longer than the tarsus; the latter scarcely, if any, longer than the middle toe; the wings shorter, etc. The single species, T. canutus, is the largest of American Sand- pipers. Tringa canutus (Linn.) KNOT. Popular synonyms. Robin Snipe ; Knot Sandpiper; Red-breast(adult) ; Gray-back (young). Tringa canutus Linn. S. N. ed. 10, 1758, 149; ed. 12, 1766, 251— Cass, in Baird's B. N. Am. 1858, 715.— Baied, Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 526— Coues, Key, 1872, 256; Check List, 1874. No. 426 ; 2d ed. 1882, No. 626 ; Birds N. W. 1874, 490-Ridgw. Norn. N. Am. B. 1881, 529 ; Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 153.-B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. i, 1884. 211— A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 234. Tringa cinerea Bkunn. Orn. Bor. 1764, 53.— Wils. Am. Orn. vii, 1813, 36, pi. 57, fig. 2.— Sw. & Rich. F. B.-A. ii, 387.— Nutt. Man. ii, 1834, 125. Tringa islandica Gmel. S. N. i, 1788, 682.— Aud. Orn. Biog. iv, 1838, 130, pi. 315; Synop. 1839, 232; B. Am. v, 1842, 254, pi. 328. Tringa rufa Wils. Am. Orn. vii, 1813, 43, pi. 57, fig. 5. Hab. Chiefly northern portion of the northern hemisphere, but occasionally visiting the southern hemisphere during winter migration; chiefly littoral, but occurring also on the larger inland waters. Brazil; Australia; New Zealand. SCOLOPACTD^E — THE SNIPE FAMILY. 43 Sp. Chae. Largest of American Sandpipers (Tringince). Bill straight, rather longer than the head, widened terminally, slightly compressed basally; tarsus about equal to the bill, or a little longer; middle toe about two thirds the tarsus; toes flattened beneath, with a rather wide lateral margin; lower third of the tibia bare, but the tips of the feathers reach- ing to the joint. Wings long and pointed, extending beyond the tail, which is short, and slightly graduated. Adult in summer: Above, mixed black, light gray, and pale rusty' these colors varying in relative extent with the individual, but the grayish usually prevail- ing; rump and upper tail-coverts white, with narrow bars and spots of blackish. Lower parts, and a distinct superciliary stripe, uniform vinaceous-rufous, or pinkish cinnamon, paler on the middle of abdomen; crissum, flanks, axillars, and lining of the wing white, usually with spots and bars of dusky. Primaries dusky, with white shafts; tail-feathers plain grayish, edged with whitish, and sometimes with a sub-edging of dusky. Young: Above light ash-gray, darker on the back, each feather bordered with whitish and marked with a sub-edging of dusky: upper tail-coverts white, marked with dusky crescents. Lower parts whitish (nearly pure white on the abdomen), the neck and breast marked with streaks and flecks of dusky, the sides with dim crescentic and irregular spots of the same. An in- distinct whitish superciliary stripe. "Bill and feet black; iris dark hazel" (Audubon). Total length, about 10 inches; wing, 6.50; tail, 2.50; bill, from gape, 1.50; tarsus, 1.25. Adult specimens vary individually in the relative extent of the black, gray, and reddish colors on the upper parts; gray usu- ally predominates in the spring, the black in midsummer. Sometimes there is no rufous whatever on the upper surface. The cinnamon-color of the lower parts also varies in intensity. So far as known, the occurrence of the Knot in Illinois is con- fined to the shores of Lake Michigan, but it no doubt some- times visits the shores of the larger rivers. Mr. Nelson says: "This is another of the so-called 'maritime species' which regularly visits its breeding grounds by way of the Great Lakes, as well as along the coast. It is not a common but a regular migrant, passing north during May. It returns early in September and remains until October. I have never observed it away from the vicinity of the lake shore, where it is generally found in company with one or two others of the same family" Subgenus Arquatella Baird. Arnuatella Baird, B. N. Am. 18.vs, 717. Typo, Trihga maritima Hkunn. Chab. Form very compact or robust, the legs espivially. Tarsus shorter than the middle toe, with olaw, the latter two thirds to three fourths as long as the t>ill. whioh Is slender, much compressed, straight, or very slightly decurved at th medium (wing loss than 6 indies). Although three species of this subgenus belong to North America, only one of them is known to visit the eastern United Stub's, ilif other two oeeiining iu the extreme northwest, one of them, (.1. ptiloonemis Coues), confined mainly to the Prybilov [slands. 44 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. Tringa maritima Brunn. PURPLE SANDPIPER. Popular synonyms. Winter Snipe (Maine); Rock Snipe. Tringa maritima Beunn. Orn. Bor. 1764, 54.— Sw. & Rich. F. B.-A. ii, 1831, 382.— Nutt. Man. ii, 1834, 115— Aud. Orn. Biog. iii, 1835, 558, pi. 284; Synop. 1839, 233; B. Am. v, 1842, 261, pi. 330.— Cass, in Baird's B. N. Am. 1858, 717— Baikd, Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 628.— Coues, Key, 1872. 255; Check List, 1877, No. 423; B. N. W. 1874, 488— A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 235— Ridgw. Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 153. Arquatella maritima Ridgw. Bull. Nutt. Orn. Club, v, July, 1880, 162; Nom. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 530— Coues, Check List, 2d ed. 1882, No. 620.— B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. i, 1884, 217. Hab. Northeastern portions of North America, breeding in the high north, and migrat- ing southward in winter to the Middle States, the Great Lakes, and shores of the larger streams in the Mississippi Valley. Bermudas? Also, the northern portion of the Paloe- arctic Region. Sp. Char. Adult, breeding plumage: Above, dusky slate, the scapulars and inter- scapulars nearly black, and faintly glossed, the edge of each feather notched or indented with ochraceous or dull buff, the terminal portion bordered with dull white or pale buff; rump, upper tail-coverts, and middle tail-feathers glossy dusky-black, the feathers of the rump sometimes faintly bordered with grayish; remaining rectrices uniform grayish, with white shafts, the shade of gray becoming gradually lighter to the exterior feather. Lesser and middle wing- coverts bordered terminally with grayish white or pale ash; greater cov- erts tipped with pure white, forming a distinct bar across the wing; secondaries narrowly tipped with white and faintly edged with light ashy, the three or four feathers adjoining the tertials mostly white; primaries with white shafts, the inner quills edged, especially toward the base, with white. Pileum dusky, streaked with pale grayish buff (these streaks some- times nearly obsolete); a conspicuous superciliary stripe of grayish white, streaked with dusky; a broad grayish dusky streaked stripe across the lores, from the bill to and beneath the eye, and continued rather indistinctly across the auriculars ; cheeks, lower part of throat, and foreneck grayish white, streaked with grayish dusky; chin, and sometimes upper part of throat, unstreaked white; jugulum similarly but more broadly streaked; breast grayish white or pale ashy, irregularly spotted with dusky, these spots occupying chiefly the cen- tral portion of each feather; remaining lower part white, the sides irregularly streaked and spotted with grayish; crissum narrowly streaked with dusky; axillars and lining of the wing pure white, the latter bordered externally with grayish. "Bill brown, yellow at base; tarsi and toes dusky yellow; iris brown." (Kumlien, MS.) [Bill and legs dusky in dried skins.*] Winter dress: Above, uniform smoky plumbeous, the scapulars, interscapulars, rump feathers, and upper tail-coverts, darker centrally, where glossed with purple; wings and tail as in the summer plumage. Head and neck uniform smoky plumbeous, darker immediately before the eye, and, to a less extent, on the crown; the chin and upper part of throat, lower eyelid, and supraloral space, white; jugulum and breast light smoky plum- beous, squamated with white; remaining lower parts white, the sides broadly streaked with light brownish gray ; crissum with narrow mesial streaks of dusky. Young, first plumage: Above, quite, similar to the breeding adult, but the dorsal feathers lacking the lateral ochra- ceous indentations, and the light borders to the feathers rather more regular, and more creamy in tint, the light borders to the wing-coverts also broader, and pale grayish buff instead of white or pale ashy; nape and cheeks uniform smoky plumbeous; lower parts much as in the summer adult. Downy young: Above, brown, lighter and more gray- ish on the nape; the brown irregularly marbled with black; the wings, back, and rump thickly bespangled with whitish downy flecks on the tips of the down-tufts. Head pale fulvous, variously marked with black, the crown deep brown, variegated with black. Beneath, entirely grayish white. Total length, about 9 inches ; wing, 4.85-5.40(5.06); culmen, 1.10-1.45 (1.20); tarsus, .90-1.00 (.99); middle toe, .83-95 (.90). [Extreme and average dimensions of 13 adults.] * Audubon says: "Bill deep orange, toward the end dusky; edges of eyelids gray; iris orange ; feet light orange, claws dusky." SCOLOPACID.E— THE SNIPE FAMILY. 45 This is another of the "maritime," or, more properly littoral, species, which visits the shore of Lake Michigan, in Illinois. Mr. Nelson says that it is a "very rare migrant during migra- tions," and that "a fine adult male obtained on the Lake shore, near Chicago, November 7th, 1871, is in the collection of Dr. J. W. Velie. When first seen it was in company with a flock of Sanderlings." "This," adds Mr. Nelson, "is the only instance of the occurrence of this species of which I have learned." Subgenus Actodromas Kaup. Actodromas Kaup, Sk. Ent. Eur. Thierw. 1829, 37. Type, Tringa minuta Leisl. Heteropygia Coues, Proc. Phila. Acad. 1861, 191. Type, Tringa bonapartei ScHLEG.= r fuscicollis VlEILL. Leimonites Kaup, 1. e. Type, Tringa temmincki Leisl. Delopygia Coues, Proc. Phila. Acad. 1861, 190 {—Heteropygia). Chak. Size medium to very small (smallest of the family) ; form graceful, legs and bill slender, the latter straight, and little, if any, longer than the tarsus. Tarsus decidedly longer than the middle toe with its claw; toes slender, completely cleft. Wings long and pointed, then- ends when closed reaching beyond the tip of the tail. Although the species of this subgenus vary greatly in size, they all agree very closely in the details of structure. Besides the American species included in the following synoptical table, there are several Old World Actodromi, among which may be named Tringa mvrmta Leisl,, T. dafnacensis (Hobsf.)*, and /'. albescens, Tem.m., all nearly allied to, though quite distincl from, our A. mwmtilla. The American species may be distin- guished as follows : A. Size large (wing more than 5.50). 1. A. cooperi. Tail even, the middle feathers scarcely narrowed at the end. and not projecting notably beyond the rest. Lower parts white, the jugulum, breast, and Bides longitudinally decked with dusky. Above (in adult), brownish gray, the feathers marked centrally with black, producing conspicuous spots on th< and scapulars, streaks elsewhere. Upper tail-coverts white with irregular sagit- tate marks of dusky. Wing, 5.80; culmen. 1.25; tarsus, 1.20; middle toe, .80. Eab. Long Island. B. Size medium (wing less than 5.50 and more than • .00). 2. A. fuscicollis. Tail as in A. cooperi, but middle feathers slightly narrower at end and more projecting. Colors of adult as in .1. cooperi, but more tinged with lik'ht rufous on crown, back, and scapulars. Young: Back and scapulars mixed black and rusty, the feathers conspicuously bordered terminally with white; upper tail- i-ts white, In marked contrast with the dusky rump; breasl light grayish- brown, Btreaked with dusky. Wing about 1.90; culmen, .90 i 00; tarsus, .96 i 00; middle toe, .;n .;:.. Huh. Eastern North America; South America in migrations. A. bairdii. Tail a- in .1 . fuse u ■<> - i pper tail-coverts dusky, only the lateral whitish. Adult in summer: Back and scapulars black, irregularly rati (spotted and edged! with dull buff. Jugulum white, streaked with dusky. •This species has been taken in Alaska since the above was written. 46 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. in winter: Above nearly uniform grayish brown, tinged with clay-color ; jugulum and sides deeply suffused with clay-color or dirty buff, the former very indistinctly streaked. Young: Above, light buffy brown, streaked with dusky, the feathers of the back and the scapulars blackish, conspicuously bordered terminally with dull white; wing-coverts dark grayish, also bordered terminally with white or light buff. Jugulum suffused with buff and indistinctly streaked. Wing, about 4.75- 5.00; culmen, about .90; tarsus, .90; middle toe, .70. Hab. Western America, from the arctic regions to Patagonia; straggler in eastern North America. 4. A. maculata. Middle tail-feathers wedge-shaped at the end and projecting a quarter of an inch or more beyond the rest. Upper tail-coverts dusky, like the rump, the outer feathers whitish, marked with dusky. Jugulum and breast light clay-color, streaked with dusky. Adult: Above, without white markings. Young: Scapulars bordered terminally with white. Wing, about 5.00; culmen.1.10; tarsus 1.00-1.10; middle toe, .90. Hab. America in general, breeding in the arctic regions. 5. A. acuminata. Similar to A. maculata, but with the middle tail-feathers still nar- rower and more pointed, the bill smaller, the jugulum and breast scarcely streaked; lower tail-coverts marked with shaft-streaks of dusky (entirely absent in maculata); pileum deep rusty, in strong contrast. Adult in winter: Upper parts brownish gray, the feathers marked centrally with blackish; jugulum and breast pale grayish buff, very sparsely streaked; pileum cinnamon-brown streaked with blackish. Young: Above, rusty fulvous, the feathers of the back and the scapulars black centrally, the larger feathers edged terminally with white; pileum bright rusty rufous, in very sharp contrast with a whitish superciliary stripe, and streaked with black ; throat immaculate white; jugulum and breast deep rusty ochraceous, the former narrowly streaked anteriorly. Wing, about 5.00; culmen scarcely 1.00; tarsus, 1.20 ; middle toe, .85. Hab. Australia, etc.; abundant in autumn on coast of Alaska. C. Size very small (wing less than 4.00). 6. A, minutilla. Middle tail-feathers slightly projecting, narrow and somewhat pointed at end in summer, broader and rounder in winter plumage. Upper tail- coverts blackish, the lateral ones white, marked with dusky. Adult in summer: Back and scapulars black, the feathers bordered and irregularly barred with rusty ochraceous; tertials bordered with the same. Jugulum dull white, streaked with dusky. Adult in winter: Above uniform brownish gray, the feathers with indistinct dusky mesial streaks, most distinct on the back. Jugulum pale grayish indistinctly streaked. Young: Similar to the adult in summer, but the scapulars and exterior feathers of the back bordered terminally on outer webs with white and lacking the concealed ochraceous bars. Jugulum very indistinctly streaked as in the winter plumage. Hab. North America, migrating into South America in winter. Tringa maculata Vieill. PECTORAL SANDPIPEK. Popular synonyms. Jack Snipe; Grass Snipe; Marsh Plover; Meadow Snipe; Creaker. Tringa maculata Viell. Nouv. Diet, xxxiv,' 1819, 465.— Cass, in Baird's B. N. Am. 1858, 720.— Baird, Cat. N. Am. B. 1850, No. 531— Coues, Key, 1872, 255; Check List, 1874, No. 420; B. N. W. 1874, 486.-A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 239,-Ridgw. Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 156. A ctodromas maculata Coues, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sei. Phila. 1861, 179, 230; Check List. 2d ed. 1882, No. 616.— Ridgw. Norn. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 534.— B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. i, 1884, 232. Tringa pectoralis Say, Long's Exp. i, 1823, 171.— Nutt. Man. ii, 1834, 111.— Aud. Orn. Biog. iii, 1835, 601; v, 1839, 582, pi, 294; Synop. 1839, 232; B. Am. v, 1842, 259, pi. 329. EM OLOPA< ID.E— THE SNIPE FAMIEY. -4-7 Hab. The whole of North and the greater part of South America, ranging south in winter to southern Brazil and Chili; "West Indies in general; Bermudas; frequent in Europe ; North China? (Swixh. Ibis, 1863, 97.) Sp. Chae. Adult in summer: Above, light clay-color, the crown, back, scapulars, and tertials washed with light rufous or rusty orchraceous ; the feathers black centrally, pro- ducing conspicuous streaks, which widen into spots on the scapulars and back; rump and middle upper tail-coverts brownish black; lateral upper tail-coverts white, with dusky shaft- streaks. Middle tail-feathers dusky, edged with lighter; other rectrices pale brown- ish gray, bordered with white. Wing-coverts light grayish brown, with paler borders and darker centres; a light superciliary stripe, and a darker loral one. Cheeks, sides of the neck, whole jugulum, and breast, pale clay-color or light grayish buff, streaked with d\ - sides sparsely streaked. Remaining lower parts immaculate white. "Basal half of bill dull greenish yellow." (Nelson, MS.) Adult in -imilar to summer plumage, but the rusty tint above almost or wholly absent, and the black markings less sharply defined. Young, first plumage: Quite similar to the summer adult, but the scapulars and outer interscapulars conspicuously tipped externally with white, the breast, etc., more distinctly buff, and rather more narrowly streaked. Total length, about 9.00 inches; wing, about 5.00; eulmen, 1.10; tarsus, 1,00-1.10; middle toe. .90. This .veil-known Sandpiper is one of the most abundant spe- cies of its family during- its migrations. In the northeastern portion of the State, it i.-. says Mr. Nelson, a very abundant migrant, "sometimes uniting into large flocks containing - eral hundred, and frequenting wet prairies or marsh'-.-. At other times it can only be found singly, scattered over the same ter- ritory. March 25th to May 10th. and the middle of Septem- ber to the first of November. A few remain through the sum- mer, but whether they breed or not I have been unable to decide."' Tringa fuscicollis Vieill. BONAPAETES SANDPIPER. Popular synonym. White-tail Stile (Plymouth Bay, Mass.). Tringa Vieill. Nouv. Diet. xxxiv, 1819,461.— Coces, B.N. W A. <>. U. Check List, 1886, No. 240.— Redgw. Man. N. Am B. lv«7. 1". >Uis Redgw. Nom. N. Am. I; Am. i,1884. 227. sap. Synop. Lm.Orn.iv n'utt. Man. li, 1831. 109.— Sw. & Rich. F. B.-A. il, ; B. Am. v. 1812, 275. p Tring v. Crit. Oi- in Baird's B. N. Am. part).— Baikd. Cat. N. Am. B. 1- I . - •.']. H«. thw&rd; in winter, th^ wh< viand Islar _• onti Ik contrail-. 48 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. scapulars, streak-like elsewhere, the streaks broadest on the crown and back; rump dusky blackish, the feathers bordered with light gray; upper tail-coverts pure white, in marked contrast, some of the feathers having irregular sagittate, mostly concealed, spots of dusky. Tail brownish gray, the middle feathers blackish, and all slightly edged with whitish. Wing-coverts and tertials brownish gray, lighter on edges and dusky centrally, the shafts nearly black., Superciliary stripe and entire lower parts pure white; auriculars light buff, indistinctly streaked: sides of head and neck, foreneck, jugulum, and upper part of breast, streaked or dashed with dusky ; sides and flanks with larger irregular markings of the same. Adult in winter: Wings, rump, upper tail-coverts, and tail as in summer plumage ; rest of upper parts continuous brownish gray, relieved by rather indistinct mesial stieaks of black ; streaks on jugulum, etc., less sharply defined than in the summer plumage. Young, first plumage : Back and scapulars black, the feathers bordered terminally with pure white, and laterally with ferruginous, those of the middle of the back also tipped with this color; feathers of the pileum and rump, as well as the tertials, also' bordered with rusty ; wing-coverts bordered with pale grayish buff. Otherwise as in the winter plumage, but breast, jugulum, etc., suffused with pale fulvous. Total length, about 7 inches; wing, 4.90; culmen, .90-1.00; middle toe, .70-75. Specimens from South America are exactly like northern ones, among which there is the usual amount of individual variation. In midsummer the black of the back and scapulars increases in relative extent, partly by the wearing away of the rusty borders to the feathers, until, in some examples, the dorsal aspect is chiefly black. The habits of this species are, so far as known, so much like those of the Pectoral Sandpiper that we shall not enter into detail concerning them. It is comparatively a rare species in Illinois, Mr. Nelson referring to it as follows: "Rather uncom- mon migrant. Dr. Hoy writes 'that it was formerly abundant during the migrations, but is now rare,' (at Racine). June 9th, 1876, 1 obtained one specimen and saw quite a number of others upon the Lake shore near Waukegan. Mr. R. P. Clarke informs me that he has taken it late in autumn upon the Lake shore near Chicago." Tringa bairdii (Coues). BAIRD'S SANDPIPER. Actodromas bairdii Coues, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. 1861, 194; Check List, 2d ed. 1882^ No. 615— Ridgw. Norn. Am. B. 1881, No. 537— B. B. & B. Water B. N. Am. i, 1884, 230. Tringa bairdii Scl. P. Z. S. 1867, 332 (Chili).— Coues, Key, 1872, 255; Check List, 1874, No. 419; Birds N. W. 1874, 484— A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 241— Ridgw. Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 157. Hab. America in general, but chiefly the interior of the northern and western portion of the southern continent ; ranging from Alaska to Chili and Argentine Republic ; rare in the Eastern Province, and not yet recorded from the Pacific coast of the United States; acci- dental in southern Africa. SCOLOPACID.E — THE SNIPE FAMILY. 49 Sp. Chak. Adult in summer: Above, variegated with black and grayish buff, the former prevailing, in the form of irregular, somewhat diamond- shaped spots on the back and scapulars, the buff occupying most of the border of the feathers, and sending indentations toward the shaft; elsewhere, the black forms distinct streaks, widest on the crown and anterior part of the back; rump and upper tail-coverts dusky brownish black, feathers bor- dered with dull clay-color, the anterior ones of the latter chiefly white, with irregular U-shaped markings of dusky. Tail light brownish gray, the middle feather nearly black, all narrowly edged with whitish. Wing-coverts and tertials grayish brown, with lighter edges and darker centres ; remiges dull slate. Lower parts white, the sides of the head and neck, the jugulum, and anterior portion of the sides, streaked with dusky. Adult in winter: Above, continuous grayish clay-color, the feathers with darker mesial streaks: rump and middle upper tail-coverts dusky, the feather* bordered terminally with dull clay- color; lateral upper tail-coverts brownish white, Beneath, brownish white, the jugulum, breast, sides (anteriorly), and sides of the neck, deeply suffused with clay-color or buff. Young, first plumage: Above, grayish clay-color, the scapulars and interscapulars black- ish centrally, and conspicuously bordered with whitish terminally; the feathers of the crown and nape streaked with dusky. Wing-coverts, rump, etc., much as in the winter plumage ; sides of the head and neck, the jugulum, and breast, pale clay-color, rather indis- tinctly streaked with dusky. Other lower parts white. Total length, about 7.00 to 7.50 inches; extent, about 15.00; wing, about 4.75; culmen, usually less than 1.00 inch; tarsus, nearly 1.00; middle toe, about .70. Bill black; iris dark brown; legs and feet slate-black. This species, like Bonaparte's Sandpiper, is one of the less abundant of the Limicohe in Illinois. Mr. Nelson says that it is "a rather uncommon migrant during the middle of May, and the last of August and first of September. It is generally found in small parties or singly, with other species of Sandpipers, but it sometimes occurs in large flocks." Tringa minutilla Yieill. LEAST SANDPIPER Popular synonyms. Peep ; Ox-eyo ; Bumble-bee ; Wilson's Sandpiper. Tringa minutilla Vieill. Nouv. Diet, xxxiv, 1819, 452.-Coues. Key, 1872. 254; Check List, 1874.No. lis; B. N. W. 1874. 482.-A. 0. U. Check List. 1886. No. 2I2.-Ridg\v. Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 158. Actodromas minutilla Bonap. 1856.-Bn>aw. Norn. N. Am, B. 1881. No. 53*.-Coues. Check List, 2d ed. 1882. No. 6I4.-B. B. & K. Water B. N. Am. i. 1884, 236. Tringa pusilla Wn.s. Am. Orn. v, 1813, 32. pi. 37. f. 4 (nee Lnra.).-Sw. & Rich. F. B.-A. U. 1831.386.— Aud. Orn. JJiot,'. iv, is:w. iso.pl. 32"; Svnop. 1839. 237; B. \m v. 1842 280 pi. 337. Tringa wilaonii Hutt. Man. ii, 1834, 121.-Cass. in Baird's B. N. Am. 1858, 7H.-Baibd Cat. N. Am. B. 1869, No. 532. Hah. The whole of America, but breeding (so far as known! only north of the United Bp.Ohab. Adult, summer plum t and scapulars black, the feathers bordered and somewhat barred (not continuously, and mostly beneath the surface) with ru oeous, the tips ofsoi tthe feathers often whitish; rump and middle upp b ™"™°W lateral upper tail-ooverts white, with wedge-shaped markings of grayish; aUddletail-fi dusky, with paler edges; other reotrloes light brownish gray with 50 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. white shafts. Crown light grayish fulvous or oohraceous. heavily streaked with black; wing-coverts brownish gray, with darker centres and paler edges, the shafts blackish; ter- tials edged with ochraceous ; primaries dusky. A light superciliary stripe, and a darker one on side of the head; neck and jugulum very pale grayish fulvous or fulvous-ashy streaked with dusky; sides and crissum narrowly streaked; other lower parts immaculate white. Adult in winter: Above, rather dark brownish-gray, the feathers with indistinctly darker centers; rump, etc., as in summer plumage. Superciliary stripe and lower parts white, the jugulum light ashy, indistinctly streaked. Young, first plumage: Very similar to the summer plumage of the adult, but many of the scapulars and interscapulars tipped with white, these feathers without any bars; wing-coverts bordered with ochraceous. Jugulum suffused with pale fulvous, and indistinctly streaked.* Total length, about 5.50 to 6.50 inches; extent 11 to 11.50; wing, about 3.50 to nearly 4; culmen, about .75 to .92; tarsus, .75; middle toe, .60. Bill dull black; iris dark brown; legs and toes dusky. This abundant and extensively diffused little species resembles very closely, both in its small size and in its colors, at all sea- sons, the equally common and widely distributed Semipalmated Sandpiper {Ereunetes puslUus). It may be immediately distin- guished, however, by the completely cleft toes, the other species having all the anterior toes webbed at the base. Little need be said about the habits of so common a bird as the present species, especially since it so much resembles its con- geners in this respect. Mr. Nelson refers to its occurrence in Cook county as follows: "Common migrant. Not so numerous as the preceding [_E/reu- netes pusilhis]. Arrives the 1st of May and remains until the last of the month ; returns with the preceding. The 5th of June, 1875, I found one of these birds building its nest near the Calumet Eiver. When first observed it was busily at work in the midst of a small bunch of grass, but upon my approach it ran a few feet to one side and watched my movements. The nest was nearly finished, and was a shallow depression in the center of the tuft of grass, formed by the bird, which had just commenced lining it with small straws. Unfortunately work was not resumed upon the nest after my visit, but the birds were noticed several times in the vicinity, and they probably had a nest in some safer spot. Several Least Sandpipers were ob- served near Waukegan, the first of July, 1875, by Mr. Rice, who is certain they had nested in the vicinity." ♦Some young specimens in the collection, apparently of the same age and almost cer- tainly the same species, differ very strikingly from the above description in the less amount or total absence of rufous above, the feathers having merely narrow ochraceous borders, and scarcely any white on the ends of the feathers; the whole plumage being thus very much duller. SCOLOPACID.E — THE SNIPE FAMILY. 51 Subgenus Pelidna Cuvier. Pelidna Cuv. Reg. Anim. 1817. 490; ed. 2, 1829, 526. Type, Tringa alpina Linn. Char. Bill slender, longer than the head, deep through the base, compressed, scarcely or not at all expanded at the tip, and decidedly decurved terminally. Tarsus shorter than the bill, longer than the middle toe. Wings reaching beyond end of tail. The subgenus Pelidna includes two well-known Sandpipers, botli of which are common to North America and Europe, although one of them, the Curlew Sandpiper, P. ferruginea, can scarcely be considered as more than a straggler here. The other is repre- sented in the two continents by distinguishable races. The char- acters of the species and races of Pelidna are as follows: 1. T. alpina. Upper tail-coverts dusky. Adult in summer: Belly black, other lower parts whitish. Winter plumage: No black beneath; above, uniform brownish gray. Young: Belly and breast spotted with black. a. alpina. Wing, 4.30-4.75; culmen, 1.15-1.40; tarsus, .85-1.00; middle toe, .70-.75. Hab. Europe, etc. ft. pacifica. Wing, 4.60-4.95; culmen, 1.40-1.75; tarsus, 1.00-1.15; middle toe, .7H-.75. Hab. North America and Eastern Asia. 2. T. ferruginea. Upper tail-coverts white. Adult in summer: Beneath, including belly, doep cinnamon- rufou . Winter plumage: Beneath, white, indistinctly streaked on the jugulum; above, brownish gray. Young: Belly and breast unspofte:! Y Palaearctic Region; occasional in northern and eastern North America. Tringa alpina pacifica (Coues). RED-BACKED SANDPIPER. Popular synonyms. Stile (Plymouth Bay, Mass.); American Dunlin. Tringa alpina Wils. Am. Orn. vii, 1813, 25, pi. 56, fig. 2 {nee Linn.).— Sw. & Rich. P. B.-A. ii. 1831, 383.— Nutt. Man. ii, 1831, 106.— Aud. Orn. Biog. iii. 1835, 580, pi. 290. Synop. 1839, 234; B. Am. v, 1842,266. Tringa cinclus Wils. Am. Orn. vii, 1813, 39, pi. 57, fig. 3 (nee Linn.). Tringa alpina var. amerioana Cass, in Baird's B. N. Am. 1858, 719.— Baird, Cat. N. Am. B, 1859, No. 530.— Coues, Key. 1872, 256; Check List. 1874, 424; Birds N. W. 1874, 489. Pelidna alpina americana Ridgw. Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus. 1881. 200; Nom. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 539a.— Coues. Check List, 2d ed. 1882, No. 624. Pelidna pacifica Coues, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. 1861, 189 (in text). Tringa alpina pacifica Ridgw. in A. O. U. Check List. 1886.JNO. 243«; Man. N. Am. B. 1887. 160. Pelidna alpina, (i. pacifica B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. i, 1881, 242, Hab. North America in general; breeding far northward; eastern Asia. Sp. Char. Adult in summer: Grown, back, scapulars, romp, and upper tail-ooverts, Hunt rufous, tin: crown streaked, other parts spotted with black; wing-coverts brownish gray, the greater broadrj tipped with whit'-. pt crown), neck, jugulum. and breast, grayish white, streaked with dusky; abdomen black; sides, flanks, anal region, tun, and lining of the wing, pure white, the Bides, flanks, and orlssum aparsely aked Adult and young in winter: above, entirely plain ash-gray, sometimes with Indistinct dusky shaft-etreaks; Indistinct Buperolliary Btripe and lower part- white. 52 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. the neck and jugulum indistinctly streaked with grayish, the sides, flanks, and crissum sometimes sparsely streaked. Young: Back and scapulars black, the feathers broadly bordered with rusty ochraceous, this becoming paler, or even white, on the ends of some of the feathers; lesser and middle- wing coverts bordered with buff; rump plain brownish slate; upper tail-coverts darker, tipped with rusty; crown light rusty, streaked with black. Head and neck (except crown and throat) dull dingy buff indistinctly streaked with dusky; remaining lower parts, including throat, white, the breast and belly with numerous irreg- ularly cordate spots of black, the flanks, crissum, and lining of the wing immaculate. "Bill and feet black ; iris dark brown." (Audubon.) Total length about 8.50 inches; wing, 4.60-4.95; culmen, 1.40-1.75 tarsus, 1.00-1.15: middle toe, .70-.80. There is a considerable amount of individual variation in this species, especially noticeable in the extent and continuity of the black abdominal area, the distinctness of the black markings above, and the depth of the rufous tint; not unfrequently the latter is mixed with grayish. In the winter plumage some ex- amples have the sides and crissum narrowly streaked, while in others these parts are immaculate. The Red-backed Sandpiper is an abundant species during the spring and fall migrations. Mr. Nelson records it as "a very abundant migrant" in Cook county, and says that it "arrives in full breeding plumage the last of May, and is found about muddy pools and flats near the Lake until the 5th of June. Returning in winter dress during September it remains well into October. At this season it is generally found in small parties, while in spring the flocks often contain hundreds of individuals." Genus EREUNETES Illiger. Ereunetes Illiger, Prodromus, 1811, 262. Type, E. petriftcatus Illig.,= Tringa inisilla Linn. Chae. Size small; anterior toes webbed at the base; a well-developed hind toe. Bill about as long as or a little longer than the head, straight, somewhat expanded at the end, about as long as the tarsus; middle toe more than half as long as the tarsus; bare portion of tibia nearly equal to the middle toe. The bill of Ereunetes is quite stout and considerably expanded, by which it is really distinguished from Tringa mvrmtilla inde- pendently of the semipalmated feet. The tarsus and middle toe are about equal; the tibia denuded anteriorly for about two thirds the length of tarsus. The basal membrane of toes is more scalloped out interiorly than exteriorly; the notch exter- nally not quite as deep as to the first joint, although the SCOLOPACIDiE— THE SNIPE FAMILY. 53 membrane extends beyond the second. There is a tendency to hexagonal subdivision in the bare portion of tibiae anteriorly. The tail is doubly emarginate. Two species are known, the common Semipalmated Sand- piper or "Peep," and a northwestern relative. Ereunetes pusillus (Linn.) SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER. Popular synonyms. Peep; Ox-eye; Bumble-bee. Tringa pusilla Linn. S. N. ed. 12, i, 1766, 252. Ereunetes pusillus Cass. Proe. Acad. Nat. Sei. Phila. xiii, 1860, 195.— CouES.Key, 1872, 254; Check List, 1874, No. 417; 2d ed. 1880, No. 612; Birds N. W. 1874, 481 (part).- Ridgw. Norn. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 541; Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 161.— A. O. U. Cheek List. 1886. No. 246. Ereunetes pusillus, a, pusillus B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. i, 1884, 205. Ereunetes petrificatus Illig. Prodr. 1811, 262 (Bahia).— Cass, in Baird's B. N. Am. 1858, 724 (part).— Baied, Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 535. Tringa semipalmata Wils. Am. Orn. vii, 1813, 131, pi. 63, flg. 3.-Sw. & Rich. F. B.-A. ii, 1831, 381.— Aud. Orn. Biog. v, 1839, 111, pi. 408; Synop. 1839, 236; B. Am. v, 1842, 277. pi. 336. Tringa (Eeteropoda) semipalmata Nutt. Man. ii, 1834, 136. Hab. The whole of North and Middle, and a considerable portion of South America; throughout the West Indies, Bermuda; south to Colombia and Brazil; breeding chiefly, if not exclusively, north of the United States. Sp. Char. Adult, breeding plumage: Uppersurface light grayish brown, the sides ofthe pileum and edges of some of the scapulars and interscapulars tinged with pale buff y cinna- mon, but this sometimes almost wholly absent ; pileum heavily streaked, and dorsal region heavily spotted with black, the latter color occupying the central portion of each feather. A streaked white superciliary stripe, and dusky loral space, the latter usually very dis- tinctly denned along its upper edge, the lower part broken into streaks, which extend back- ward across the cheeks; auriculars streaked grayish brown. Lower parts pure white, the jugulum and breast tinged with ashy and streaked with dusky. Winter plumage: Above brownish gray, relieved by dusky shaft- streaks; superciliary stripe and lower parts pure white, the jugulum faintly streaked. Young: Similar to the summer adult, but jugulum tinged with pale grayish buff, and without well-defined streaks or spots, the scapulars and interscapulars bordered terminally with white, and the brown usually less rusty. Downy young: Forehead dingy white, divided by a mesial line of black; crown light chestnut, marbled posteriorly with black and white; occiput mottled whitish. A distinct loral line of black, forking just before the eye, the upper branch running toward the anterior corner of the eye, the other inclining downward. Throat fulvous- white; other lower parts whitish, nearly pure on the abdomen. Upper parts pale fulvous-brown laterally, blank centrally, the whole surface thickly bespangled with one white tufts, terminating the down-filaments. Wing, 3,50-4.00(3.88); culmen, .68-.92 (.77); tarsus, .80-. 95 (.86); middle toe. .65-.6S (.61). [Eighteen summer adults measured, i This is perhaps the mosl abundanl of bhe Sandpipers during the migrations, when several hundred may sometimes be seen in a single flock. Its habits are so much like those of other species that no special description is required. 54 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. Ereunetes occidentalis Lawr. WESTERN SANDPIPER. Ereunetes occidentalis Lawr. Proc. Phila. Acad. 1864, 107.— A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 247— Ridgw. Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 162. Ereunetes pusillus var. occidentalis Coues, Check List, 1874, No, 417 a. Ereunetes pusillus occidentalis RiDGW.Nom.N. Am. B. 1881, No. 541 a.— Coues, Check List, 2d ed. 1882, No. 713. Ereunetes pusillus, b, occidentalis B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. i, 1884, 205. Ereunetes pusil dllus | rificatus \ Ereunetes petri* - Hab. North America in general, except portion east of the Rocky Mountains north of the United States boundary. Breeding along western coast of Alaska (Bering's Sea, Nor- ton Sound, etc.), and thence southward for an undetermined distance; migrating chiefly through the Western Province, but frequently straying to the Atlantic coast of the U. S. (Massachusetts, Virginia, Georgia, etc.); Curaeoa, Venezuela, and some of the West Indies in winter. Sp. Char. Adult, breeding plumage: Upper surface bright rusty cinnamon, the feathers spotted centrally with black, the cinnamon sometimes nearly uniform along the sides of the crown; a white superciliarly stripe streaked with dusky grayish, this bordered below by a stripe of light rufous or rusty on the side of the head, from the bill across the lores, and beneath the eyes across the auriculars ; remainder of the head white, streaked, ex- cept on the throat (where also sometimes finely flecked) with grayish dusky. Lower parts pure white, the jugulum and breast thickly marked with broad streaks of dusky, these broadest and of triangular form on the sides of the breast; sides marked with sagittate dusky spots. Adult, winter plumage: Not distinguishable from E. pusillus in the same stage, except by greater average length of bill and tarsus. Young: Similar to young of pusillus, but with rusty ochraceous prevailing on the dorsal region and pileum. Downy young: Similar to the same stage of E. pusillus, but the rusty areas of the upper parts more extended and more castaneous. Wing, 3.60-3.90 (3.74); culmen, .85-1.15 (.95); tarsus .85.-95 (.89); middle toe, .55-.65 (.60). [Eighteen summer adults measured.] This western species is not uncommon during the migrations, usually mixed in with flocks of the E. pusilhis, but sometimes in small companies by itself. Genus CALIDRIS Cuvier. Oalidris Cuvier, Anat. Comp. i, 1799-1800, tabl. ii. Type, Tringa arenaria Linn. Char. General characters of Tringa, but hind toe entirely absent. Bill straight, rather longer than the head, slightly expanded or spoon-shaped at end. Toes short, the middle one scarcely two thirds the tarsus. SCOLOPACID^E — THE SNIPE FAMILY. 55 Calidris arenaria (Linn.) SANDEELING. Popular synonyms. Skinner (Plymouth Bay, Mass.); White Snipe. Tringa arenaria Linn. S. N. ed. 12,i, 1766,251.— Aud. Orn. Biog. iii, 1835,231; Synop. 1839,287; B. Am. v, 1812, 287, pi. 338. ( •alidrls arenaria Leach, Syst. Cat. Brit. Mam. & B. 1816, 28.— Sw. & Rich. F. B.- A, ii, 1831, 366.— Nutt. Man. ii, 1834, 4.— Cass, in Baird's B. N. Am. 1858, 723— Baikd, Cat. N. Am. B. 185!). No. 534.— Coues, Key, 1872, 257, fig. 167; Check List, 1874, No. 427; 2d ed. 1882. No. 627; Birds N. W. 1874, 492.-Ridgw. Norn. N. Am.-B. 1881, No. 542; Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 162.-B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. i, 1884, 249. -A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 248. Charadrius calidris Linn. S. N. ed. 12, i, 1766, 255.— Wils. Am. Orn. vii, 1813, 68, pi. 59, fig 4. Charadrius rubidus Gmel. S. N. ed. 13, i, 1788, 688.— Wils. Am. Orn. vii, 1813, 129, pi. 58, fig. :;. Hab. Nearly cosmopolitan, but breeding only in the Arctic and Subarctic districts; in America migrating south to Patagonia and Chili. Chiefly littoral, but freauenting also the larger inland waters. " Sp. Chab. No hind toe; front toes moderate or rather long, flattened underneath, dis- tinctly margined with a membrane. Bill rather longer than the head, straight, rather thick; edge of upper mandible flattened ; nasal groove deep and nearly as long as the upper man- dible, not so distinct in the lower; both mandibles widened and flattened at the tip; aper- ture of the nostril large and covered with a membrane. Wing long; tail short, with the middle feathers longest; under coverts long as the tail; legs moderate; lower third of the tibia naked. Lower parts white, immaculate on the belly, sides, flanks, axillary, anal region, andcrissum; greater wing-coverts broadly tipped with white, and inner primaries white at base of outer webs. Adult in summer: Above, light rufous, broken by large spots of black, the feathers mostly tipped with whitish. Head, neck, throat, and jugulum, pale cin- namon-rufous, speckled below and streaked above with blackish. Adult in winter: Above very pale pearl-gray (the lesser wing-coverts darker anteriorly), relieved only by faint darker shaft-streaks of the feathers. Throat and jugulum immaculate pure white. Adult in spring: Above, light grayish, with large black spots (streaks on the crown), here and there tnix^d with rufous; jugulum speckled with dusky on a white ground. Young: Above pale gray, spotted with black and whitish, the latter on tips of the feathers; jugulum im- maculate white, faintly tinged with dull buff. " Bill and feet black; iris brown." (Audubon.) "Total length, about 7.75-8.00 inches; wing, 4.70-5.00; culmen, .95-1.00; tarsus, .90-1.05; middle toe, .55-.60. (Water B. N. Am.) The Sanderling is not uncommon in Illinois during the migrat- ing seasons, but is chiefly confined to tin- shores of the larger bodies of water. Near Chit-ago, Mr. Nelson says that it is ;in "abundant migrant along the Lake shore," and adds the fol- lowing: "Arrives in full breeding plumage— which varies greatly with individuals— about the 20th of May. and is found in Hocks, numbering from five to seventy-live, along the shore, until June 10th. Returns tin- first of August, still wearing its breeding dress, which is changed the hist of the month for the duller garb of winter. Departs for the south by bhe 20th of October. This species, with ./;'. rneloda, is found almosi exclusively along the bare sandy beach, where it would seem an impossibility for ii to obtain ;i living." 56 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. Genus LIMOSA Brisson. Limosa Brisson, Orn. v, 1760, 261. Type, Scolopax limosa Linn. Chae. Bill lengthened, exceeding the tarsus, slender, and curving gently upwards, grooved to near the tip, the latter not attenuated. Tarsus with transverse scutellse before and behind, reticulated laterally. A short basal membrane between the middle and outer toes. Bill much longer than head, nearly equaling tarsi and toes together, curving gently upwards from the base, where it is elevated and compressed, depressed, however, at the end. The grooves on sides of bill and beneath extend nearly to the tip : the tip of the upper mandible is thickened, and extends a little below the lower. The gape is slight, not exceed- ing beyond the base of culmen; the feathers on the side of the bill reach forward to about the same point, those on the chin a little farther. Tarsus more than one and one half times the toes, twice the bare part of tibia?; hind toe lengthened; outer toe webbed as far as end of first joint, inner toe with only a short basal web. Tail short, even, two fifths the wings. In some respects the bill of this genus resembles that of Macro- rhampfms, the chief apparent difference being the upward curve of the one and its straightness in the other. But two species are known to occur in Illinois. Two others are included in the North American fauna, one, L. limosa (Linn.) — the Black-tailed Godwit — by reason of its accidental occurrence in Greenland, the other, L. lapponica haueri (Naum.) — the Pacific Godwit — occurring abundantly on the coasts and islands of Alaska. Since the occurrence of either of these species in Illinois is very unlikely, it is not thought worth while to in- clude them in the following synopsis: 1. L. fedoa. Tail narrowly barred; axillars and lining of wing ochraceous. Prevailing color ochraceous. the head and neck streaked, the remaining upper parts barred with brown- ish dusky ; axillars and lining of the wing deep cinnamon-ochre. Wing, 8.50-9.00; culmen, 3.50-5.00; tarsus, 2.75-3.00; middle-toe. 1.40. 2. L. haemastica. Tail black, with white base and tip; axillars uniform smoky blackish. Upper tail-coverts crossed by a wide band of pure white; longer upper tail-coverts, en- tire rump, and axillars, uniform dusky; lining of wing dusky, spotted with white out- wardly. Summer plumage: Beneath, chestnut barred with dusky; above, mottled black- ish. Winter plumage: Beneath, whitish, without markings, the breast and jugulum gray- ish; above, uniform brownish gray, except rump, upper tail-coverts, and tail. Young: Beneath, light grayish clay-color, darker on breast; above, brownish gray, feathers bordered with ochraceous, and somewhat spotted with dusky. Wing, 8.10-8.60; culmen, 2.85-3.45; tarsus, 2.25-2.50; middle-toe, 1.15-1.30. SCOLOPACID^C — THE SNIPE FAMILY. 57 Limosa fedoa (Linn.) MAKBLED GODWIT. Popular synonyms. Marlin; Straight-billed Curlew. Scolopax fedoa Linn. S. N. i. ed. 10, i. 1758, 146; ed. 12, 1766, 244.— WrLS. Am. Orn. vii. 1813, 30, pi. 56, f. 4. Limosa fedoaOnv, ed.Wilson, vii, 1824,30— Sw.& Rich. RB.-A.ii, 1831, 335.-NuTT.ii, 1834- 173.— Aud. Orn. Biog. iii, 1835, 287; v, 590, pi. 238; Synop. 1830, 246; B. Am. v, 1812, 331, pi. 348.— Cass, in Baird's B. N. Am. 1858, 740.— Baibd, Cat N. Am. B. 1859, No. 547.— Coues, Key, 1872, 257; Check List, 1874, No. 528; Birds N. W. 1874, 492— B. B. &R. Water B. N. Am. i, 1884. 255— A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 249— Eidgw. Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 163. Limosa fceda Ridgw. Norn N. Am. B. 1881, No. 543.— CouES.Check List, 2d ed. 1882, No. 628. Hab. North America; breeding in the interior of the continent (Missouri region and northward), wintering southward to Yucatan and Guatemala; Cuba. Sp. Chab. Bill long, curved upwards; both mandibles grooved; wings long; tail short; legs long; tibia with its lower half naked; toes rather short, margined and flattened under- neath ; the outer and middle toes united by a large membrane. Entire upper parts varie - gated with brownish black and pale reddish, the former disposed in irregular and confluent bands, and the latter in spots and imperfect bands; in many specimens the black color pre- dominating on the back, and the pale reddish on the rump and upper tail-coverts. Under parts pale cinnamon, with transverse lines of brownish black on the breast and sides; under wing-coverts and axillaries darker cinnamon ; outer webs of primaries dark brown, inner webs light cinnamon; secondaries light cinnamon ; tail light blackish brown; iris brown; feet bluish gray. (Audubon.) Total length about 18.00 inches; wing, 9.00; tail, 4.00-5.00; tarsus, 3.00 inches. * The plumage of this bird is in some stages wonderfully similar to that of Nwnervms longvrosbris; in fact the resemblance is so great that were it not for the conspicuous generic difference it would be rather difficult to distinguish them specifically. Both have precisely the same tints of color, and also a nearly identi- cal distribution of the markings. The main differences appear to be the following: In Nivmenim the black bars of the upper parts are connected by broad stripes along the middle of the feathers, while in Lvmosa these bars are all isolated and nar- rower, as well as of a less deep black. The longitudinal streaks on the head and neck arc much less conspicuous in Limosa; in the latter there is also oftener a tendency to transverse- bars on the crissnm, and less often to streaks on the foreneek. This fine bird is a rather common migrant in Illinois, known to sportsmen by the names of Marlin. Godwit, and Straight- hilled Curlew. We have nothing special bo offer concerning its habits. ♦ \ series of ten specimens, Including an eqrual number of males and female*, ahol by Mr. Franklin Banner, In Minnesota, between Jnne 5th and loth, was carefullj measured, with the following results: Vales. Total length, lti e. 17.00; extent, ige, 31.10; bill. 3. 6fi 1.00, average, 8.84 Total length, 18. 12-19 age, 19.10; extent, 32 00-83.87, a 32; bill, 1.64 5.06, average, i". I8ee "BulL Xutt. Orn. I v, J in 1880, p. 18.) - 8 58 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. Lirnosa haemastica (Linn.) HTIDSONIAN GODWIT. Scolopax hcemastica Linn. S. N. ed. 10, i, 1758, 147. Lirnosa hcemastica Coues, B.N. W. 1874, 760; Bull. Nutt. Orn. Club, 1880, 100; Check List, ed. 2, 1882, No. 629.— Ridsw. Nom. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 545; Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 164— B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. i, 1884, 260.-A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 251. Scolopax hvdsonica Lath. Ind. Orn. ii, 1790, 720. Lirnosa hudsonica Sw. &Rich. F. B.-A. ii, 1831, 396.— Nutt. Man. ii, 1834, 175.— Aud. Orn. Biog. iii, 1S%, 426; v, 592, pi. 258; Synop. 1839, 247; B. Am. v, 1842, 335, pi. 349.— Cass, in Baird's B. N. Am. 1858, 741.— Baied, Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 548.— Coues, Key, 1872, 258; Check List, 1874, No. 429; Birds N. W. 1874, 494. Hab. Eastern North America and the whole of Middle and South America. No West Indian localities recorded except Cuba. Breeds only northward. Sp. Chab. Smaller than L . fedoa. Summer adult : Above, blackish brown, irregularly spotted and barred with pale ochraceous.the rump plain brownish black; upper tail-coverts immaculate white; wing-coverts and shorter quills plain dark brownish gray; primaries brownish black, their shafts white. Lower parts chestnut-rufous, narrowly barred with brownish black, the feathers of the belly, etc., often tipped with white. Tail black, with the base and tip (narrowly) white. Lining of wings and axillars plain smoky black. Winter plumage : Above, plain dull brownish gray; beneath, white, the breast shaded with brown- ish gray. Other characters as in summer dress. Young : Somewhat like the winter plum- age, but each feather of dorsal region marked with a subterminal dusky crescent and a narrower terminal one of dull ochraceous ; beneath very pale drab, or dull light buff, the abdomen whitish, and the jugulum more grayish. " Bill grayish yellow, dark brown along the ridge of the upper mandible, and blackish towards the tips of both; iris brown; feet light grayish blue." (Audubon.) This species resembles somewhat the European L. lirnosa, having the tail marked much the same as in that species. The latter, however, has two white patches on the wing (which in. the present bird has no white at all, except the shafts of the primaries), and the axillars pure white instead of brownish black. There are also other differences of coloration, while the proportions are quite different, L. lirnosa having the bill and legs much longer. South American specimens are quite identical with northern ones. This species is an abundant migrant in our State, making its appearance both in April and October. Like the Marbled God- wit it is fine eating, and on account of its size is, like that species, much sought by gunners. SCOLOPACLTLE — THE SNIPE FAMILY. 59 Genus TOTANUS Bechstein. Subgenus Totanus. Totanus Bechst. Orn. Taschenb. 1803,282. Type, Scolopax totanus Linn. Chab. Bill usually slender, and slightly upturned terminally, the lateral groove of the maxilla extending about half way to the tip. No web between the middle and inner toes. Tarsus about twice as long as the middle toe. The subgenus Totanus is very closely allied to Helodromas (see page 62), but differs as follows: Totanus. Middle toe not more than half as long as the tarsus; bill decidedly shorter than tarsus. Helodromas. Middle toe nearly or quite as long as the tarsus; bill longer than tarsus. The two North American species of Totanus, while resembling each other minutely in coloration, are very different in size and proportions, as the following comparative measurements will show : 1. T. melanoleucus. Size large— wing more than 7 inches. Terminal half of bill slightly recurved. Wing, 7.40-8.00; cul men, 2.05-2.40; tarsus, 2.35-2.70 ; middle toe, 1.25-1.50. 2. T. flavipes. Size small— wing less than 7 inches. Terminal half of bill not perceptibly recurved. Wing, 6.10-6.65; culmen, 1.30-1.55; tarsus, 2.00-2.15 ; middle toe, 1.00-1.15. Totanus melanoleucus (Gmel.) GREATER YELLOW-LEGS. Popular synonyms. Big Yellow-legs; Stone Snipe; Tell-tale; Big Cueu (Plymouth Bay, Mass.); Yelper. Scotomas melanoleuca Gmel. S. N. ed. 13, i, 1788, 659. Totanus melanoleucus Vieill. Nouv. Diet, vi, 1816, 398.— Aud. Orn. Biog. iv, 1838, 68, pi. 308— COUES, Key, 1872, 268; Check List, 1874, No. 432; 2d ed. 1882, No. 633 ; B. N. W. 1874, 4%-Ridow. Nom. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 548; Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 168.— B. B. & Et. Water B. N. Am. i, 1881, 269— A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 254. Gambetta melanoleuca Bonap. 1856.— Cass. inBaird's B. N. Am. 1858,731.— Baibd. Cat. N. Am. B. No. 589. 8colopax oociferus \\ ils. Am. Orn. vii, 1813, 57, pi. 58, lit:. 5. Totanus vociferus Vieill. 1816.— Sw. & Rich.F. B.-A. ii, 1831, 389.— Aud. Synop. 1839,314; B. Am. V, 1842, 316, pL 346. Hab. America in general, but breeding only in cold-tcmp»Tatt> and subarctic r Tell-tale ( '/'. melanoleucus) so far as appearance is concerned; and in its general habits is not conspicuously dif- ferent. t, I MUDS OF ll-l-lNnis Mr. Nelson refers to ii< as being much iiiKiv numerous in n < mi lioasteru Illinois than the /'. md n,\ . near 8 prairie slough bhe flrst of ,iui\ is, i. :i i<-\\ miles from Chiuago, aud have since observed several pairs during the breeding season aboul the Calumel inarshe Si i;«, i ini s Elelodromai K hup, u ht, \ M ij ii i s •■>. 111 T) i"'. /'- Inga oohropua Lnw. (',, w , Similar t.e but imallor, and with middlo too uo.trly at long as tarsu There Is bu1 one American speeios of Ihis subgenus, and bhifl lias n single Old World representative, Hi< v T. ockmpm (Linn ). which differs ohiefh in largci si 8 and pure white rump, Totunus soiitarius (Wils.) BOUTABI BANDPZPSB, Populai lynonymi Pool woot; \\ I Bnlpooi Bandptpor; Pond Pool woetor Tlltup, w ii | \.u oim mi. 181 ;. B, pi 18 fli I Botur joui Load Nal Boi. Philn v,1885,8fl toD.Bynop 1889, r. \ui v, 1848, 809, pi 343 Ooum, Key, 1878 869; Oheok List, 1874, No 135; Birds \ w is, i |Q8 \ i Oheok List, 1886, No 956 ftinav Mian v \m B 1887,188. i'. \ \in 1888, ■' :; f'Mi.p. Oat N, Am. B l85tt.No 'H i;n'.;» N.'iu N Am B, 1881, No, MO OOVES, Oheok List, 2d od, 1888, \,. 887 ii B \ K w.ii.M B, N im I, 1884 \ mi i Nou> Dlol vl, 1816, 10 '•« \ R» B F B \ U, 1883 \r ir M:in ii. 1884, i ■" iW Orn BlOl lit 183S s; . pi 89 u M. pho whole of North and Middle Vmorion andUie trroater pari of Bouth /Lmerioa, ranging south to Braail and Porui b broughout temperate North amerioa, but ohtcih northwards ao< Idontal In] :.r Okas i .7 in 8m»m • s.bove oil vaoeous-slato, rather sparse!] speckled with wiiu.-. the orown and nape Indistinetlj streaked with the same; outer upper tall ooverta .,i with white; primaries end primary oovorta plain slate blaok Tail white (the mid die toatitera dusky), all the feathers wldel> barred with dusky, these baraiaost numerous on outer wol «. s ondiug to Uie baso of the feathers Eyelids* supraloral stripe, and lower parts white, iit>' sides of the head, nook (all round), and jugulum streaked with ivnlali glnto; renminbi urts immaculate Liningof wing and axiliars slate color, regularh barred with white H Biroilar tothesummer dress, but dark ash] above, less distinctly speoklod, andforonook verj IndistinoUj streaked, or sinud) washed withaahy, 1'ownc, \ >ove ayish brown (lighter and more oltvaoeous Hon the adult), thiakU speckled with buff; crown and nape plain brownish gray; oheeka und sides of neck nearl) uniform ked, as in the adult CjOLOVACADM mil ill. i '. 111. , 00 I M Inch .•- '•.' . i IMI Bill Hid fft*st OlIV'l V'.i • • n in if I nil. mi, i I I (f I ii i 1 1 .n '.'iii^, Willi th«- oxception ol the Hpottod Sandpiper this is Hi<- 011I3 pecie of the smaller ScolojnwUla vhich breeds throughout the . 1 .1 be 1 'i not ii ii 1 .1 nding 1 in ■ ).i< 1 ii egg ho >■ ne er el 1 1 .1 1 ;■. 1. riown 1 o 1 he writer, been 1 nken In Long I land, according bo Giraud 11 1 uo ■ r abund ant ol I-, no mean rare I 1 i di bributed 1 1 1 • - 1 . or in pain along such creel a are reached by the bide and i1 1 al ob erved aboul pools and rivulet more remote From bhe oa M H<-I*l')ui 1 ii bhe beach and 1 ory rarel ( tnel -. 1 1 1 1 in the ;ilt marshes on the bayn. Ii often bakei up ii ; • t > » > « I < - near bhe habitation ol man preferring hi ooioty to bhal of bhe numer on specie of shore-birds frequenting the seaside. Ii 1 nol con sidorod game and 1 nol hunted and thu become • | • 1 i 1 « - famil 1. 11 When nearly approached ii flies bul aHhorl
  • > habit if in by some known us the 'Wood Tatlor." When surprised ii uttem .1 sharp whi bling note rai b ii ing and run nimbrj er the miry ground If closely pursued, it retreats to the opposite ide ni the pond arrange iti feather and oon re ume it u ual gentle manner 'I In bird in \<-i . n-i i vr* 011 the wing, and n sometimes be seen darting after winged in ects, which it is \<-rv expert in catching and when flying, ii long and gracefulh curved wingi add greatly to the effect ol iti neat plumage. Ii arrives "ii Long 1 land in Ma and 1 not eeii thereafter Sep bomber \\ il 'in bate Mi. 1 1 1 in pecie 1 f< mnd in 1 he summer in damp meadowi among our highest mountains, from Kentui to New Vorl., mi the mossy margin of mountain pring He found ii unsuspiciou and permitting h neai approach without appearing to be in the loa 1 alarmed ho had no doubt that the ' bird rogularlj bred on Po 1 Mountain, near iCaaton, mprobabl Iplpor 1 / HI, 'I Ol 64 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. though he could never find their nests. He notes its resemblance, both in manners and markings, to the Totanus ochropus, or Green Sandpiper, of Europe. "Nuttall states that a pair frequented, very familiarly, the small fish-pond in the Botanic Garden in Cambridge, attracted by larva? that fed on the water-lily. They would trip over the sinking leaves with all the lightness and agility of the Kail." (Brewer.) In Cook county, Mr. Nelson says that it is a "common mi- grant," arriving the first of May and remaining until about the 25th, when the majority go farther north. He says: "I have several times taken young of this species just able to fly, and have observed the adults throughout the breeding season. I do not think there is the slightest doubt of its breeding in this vicinity. Departs for the south in August and September." Genus SYMPHEMIA Rafinesque. Symphemia Rafinesque, Jour, de Phys. vii, 1819, 418. Type, Scolopax semipalmata Gmel. Char. Bill compressed, very thick, the culmen rounded. The lower mandible scarcely grooved, the upper grooved to about the middle. Culmen slightly convex; gonys ascend- ing. Bill cleft but little beyond base of culmen. Feathers of sides of both mandibles fall- ing short of the nostrils, the lower rather farther forward. Chin-feathers reaching to mid- dle of nostrils. Bill longer than head ; about equal to tarsus, which is more than one and one half times the middle toe. Both toes webbed; the emargination of inner web as far forward as the middle of basal joint of middle toe, the outer reaching nearly to the end. Bare portion of tibia rather less than middle toe without claw. Tail nearly even, or a little rounded, not half the wings. Symphemia semipalmata (Gmel.)* WILLET. Scolopax semipalmata. Gmel. S. N. ed. 13, i, 1788, C59.— Wils. Am. Orn. vii, 1813, 27, pi. 56, fig. 3. Totanus sem.ipalmatus Temm. 1828.— Sw. & Rich. F. B.-A. ii, 1831, 388, pi. 67— Aud. Orn. Biog. iii, 1836, 510; v, 1839, 585, pi. 574; Synop. 1839, 245; B. Am. v, 1842,324, pi. 347.— Coues, Key, 1872, 258; Check List, 1874, No. 431; Birds N. W. 1874, 494. Totanus [Oatoptrophorus) semipalmatus Bonap. 1827.— Nutt. Man. ii, 1834,144. Symphemia semipalmata Hartl. Rev. Zool. 1845. 342.— Cass, in Baird's B. N. Am. 1858, 729.— Baird, Cat. N. Am. B. 1859. No, 537.— Ridgw. Norn. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 552; Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 167— Coues, Check List, 2d ed. 1882, No. 632.-B. B. & R. Water B. N. A.m. i, 1884, 285— A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 258. Hab. Temperate North America, south to Brazil ; West Indies. Accidental in Europe, Sp. Char. Largest of American Scolopacidae, except genera Numenius and Limosa. Primaries black, with nearly the basal half white, producing a very conspicuous patch on the spread wing Summer adult : Above, light brownish gray, streaked on head and neck, * The western birds have recently (Ank, iv, April, 1887, p. 145.) been separated by Mr. Brewster as S. semipalmata inornata. This form occurs in Illinois, but whether the true S. semipalmata does also, I am not at present able to state. SCOLOPACID.E — THE SNIPE FAMILY. G5 and spotted and barred on the back, etc., with blackish; beneath, white, tinged with ashy on foreneck and with buff along sides, the former, with jugulum, spotted with dusky, and the latter barred with the same; upper tail-coverts white; tail ashy, more or less distinctly mol tied transversely with a deeper shade of the same; wing-coverts plain ash-gray ; axil- lars and lining: of wing plain sooty'black. Winter plumage: Above, plain ash-gray ; beneath, immaculate dull white, the foreneck shaded with grayish. Young: Above, lnownish gray, the feathers margined with pale ochraceous; sides much tinged with the same, and finely mottled transversely with grayish. Bill black; legs and feet grayish. In life, "liill light blue, dusky toward end; iris brown ; feet light blue, claws black." (Audubon.) Total length, about 15.00-17.00 inches; extent, 25.00-30.00 ; wing, 8.00-9.00; culmen, 2.30-2.60; tarsus, 2.40-2.85; middle toe, 1.35-1.40. "The Willet," says Dr. Brewer, "is one of the most extensively distributed of North American birds. It is not only found along the entire Atlantic coast from Nova Scotia to Florida, and along* the entire Gulf coast, but is equally abundant on the Pacific and through nearly all the marshy regions of the in- terior; it also occurs throughout Central and South America as far south as the Pampas, where it breeds in large numbers." "Mr. Nelson refers to this species as being a rare summer resi- dent in the marshes and on the wet prairies of northwestern Illinois, where it arrives the last of April, leaving by the first of October. The same writer afterward found it abundant on the shores of Salt Lake, in company with Avocets, where its clamor made it a perfect nuisance to the sportsman. Captain Bendire also noticed it as an abundant summer residenl in southeastern Oregon, where he procured several sets of its eggs, which began to be laid about the 10th of May. These birds were quite as abundant in the higher mountain valleys, .11 an altitude of six thousand feet, as they were in the lower regions, apparently frequenting all marshy localities. Dr. Bryanl found this to be an abundant species in the Bahamas, where it was also resident, breeding in all suitable Localities, and being known as the 'Duck Si»i ] >< -. ' * ' (BREWER.) Genus BARTRAMIA Lesson. Bartramia Lesson. Traite d'Orn. lfcSl, 663. Type, /•'. ' ,.=Tringa oauda Beohst. Oh \i:. Upper mandible grooved laterally to within the terminal fourth, tho lower aot quit! 10 far. Oulmei noave to near the tip, where it is slightly deourved;gonys Btraight. Month deeply oleft, olmosl as far back oa the anterior eanthua of the eye. The eulmi a I ii >ut two thirds Mi unissure, shorter than the head <>r tarsu9,andaboa1 equal to middle toe, without olaw. Feathers extending much farther forward on the upper jaw than "ii the lower, although those of ohin reaoh nearly to end of nostrils. Tarsus one and "tie half middle toe and olaw; the bare part of tibia nol Quite equal to the mlddl outer toe united at base a far as first it; web of inner I gradu more than half the wings. —9 06 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. Bartramia longicauda (Bechst.) BARTRAM'S SANDPIPER. Popular synonyms. Bartramian Tatler ; Field Plover; Upland Plover ; Prairie Plover. Tringa longicauda Bechst. Uebers. Lath. Ind. Orn. ii, 1812, 453. Bartramius longicaudus Bonap. Rev. et Mag. Zool. xx, 1857, 59. Bartramia longicauda Coues, Bull. N. O. C. Apr. 1880, 100; Check List, 2d ed. 1882, No. 640.— Ridgw. Norn. N. Am. B. 1882, No. 555; Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 169.-B.B. &R. Water B. N. Am. i, 1884, 296- A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 261. Tringa bartramia Wils. Am. Orn. vii, 1813, 63, pi. 59, fig. 2.— Aud. Synop. 1839, 231; B. Am. v, 1842, 248, pi. 327. Tringa {Euliga) bartramia Nutt. Man. ii, 1834, 168. Totanus bartramius Temm. 1820— Sw. & Rich. P. B.- A. ii, 1831,391— Aud. Orn. Biog. iv, 1838, 24, pi. 303. Actiturus bartramius Bonap. 1831.— Cass, in Baird's B. N. Am. 1858. 737.— Baibd, Cat. N. Am. B. 1859. No. 545— Coues, Key, 1872, 260; Check List, 1874, No. 438; Birds N. W. 1874, 502. Hab. Eastern Province of North America, migrating south to Brazil and Peru, and ex- tending north to the interior of Alaska and to Nova Scotia. Breeds throughout its North American range. Occasional in Europe. Sp. Chae. Bill about as long as the head, rather wide and flattened at base, slightly curved at the tip; nostril with a large membrane; nasal groove long; wing long; tail long for this group; legs moderate or rather long; lower half of the tibia naked; toes moderate, the outer and middle united by a membrane, inner and middle free to the base, hind toe small. Adult: Above, grayish brown, the feathers paler and more ochraceous toward their edges, spotted and barred with black; head and neck (except throat) streaked with blackish; crown blackish, divided by a mesial line of buff; throat, belly, and crissum plain buff y white ; axillars pure white and clear dusky slate in regular bars of nearly equal width; tail feathers (except middle pair) creamy buff, broadly tipped with white, crossed by a broad subterminal black spot, and with a few irregular narrow bars anterior to this; outer webs of primaries plain dusky slate, the inner webs with wide transverse bars of white on the outer quill, on the others broken into a confused mottling. Rump and upper tail- coverts nearly uniform blackish, the lateral feathers of the latter with their outer webs partly white. Young: Similar to the adult, but the buff of the head, jugulum, wings, etc., much deeper, the streaks on the foreneck and jugulum much less distinct, and the back plain black, the feathers bordered with buff. "Bill yellowish green, the tip dusky, the edges toward the base yellow; iris dark hazel; legs and tarsi light yellowish gray, toes rather darker, claws brownish black". Downy Young: Above coarsely and irregularly mottled with black on a grayish-white ground, tinged with light rusty. Lower parts buffy white, with about thiec blackish spots on the flanks, one beneath the eye, a smaller one on the lores, about half-way between the bill and the eye, and a large, nearly vertical, one back of the ears. Total length, about 12 inches; wing, 6.50-7.00; culmen, 1.10-1.15; tarsus, 1.90—1.95; middle toe, .90-1.05. To the residents of the prairie districts of our State, the "Up- land Plover," or "Field Plover," as this bird is usually named, is as familiar a bird as the Prairie Chicken or Meadowlark. The following- observations by Mr. Nelson, will apply to almost any portion of the State with reference to this species : SCOLOPACID.E— THE SNIPE FAMILY. 67 "Very common summer resident. Arrives early in April and departs in September. Frequents in greatest abundance the borders of marshes and half wild prairies. Quite difficult to approach when.it first arrives, but during the breeding season becomes perfectly reckless, and hovers over head or follows through the grass within a few yards until it has escorted the intruder well off its domain. The presence of a dog in the vicinity of its nesting place is the signal for a general onslaught by all the birds in the vicinity, which hover over the dog, and with loud cries endeavor to drive it away. Being but little ap- preciated as game it is seldom hunted in this vicinity. ; " Genus ACTITIS Llliger. Actitis Illiger, Prodr. 1811, p. 202. Type, by elimination, Tringa hypoleiica Linn. Tr inanities Bonap. Saggio di una dist., etc.. 1831, 58. Same type. Char. Upper mandible grooved to the terminal fourth: the bill tapering and rather acute. Cleft of mouth only moderate; the culmen about five sixths the commissure. Feathers extending rather farther on side of lower jaw than upper, the former reaching as far as the beginning of the nostrils; those of the chin to about their middle. Bill shorter than the head, straight, eaual to the tarsus, which is of the length of middle toe and claw. Bare part of tibia half the tarsus. Outer toe webbed to first joint; inner cleft nearly or quite to the base. Tail much rounded, more than half the wing. Actitis macularia (Linn.) SPOTTED SANDPIPER. Popular synonyms. Sand Snipe; Sand Lark; River Peet-weet or Tip-up; River Snipe. Tringa macularia Linn. S. N. ed. 12. i. I76f», 249.— Wn.8. Am. Orn. vii, 1813. 60, pL 59. llg. 1. Totanus macularius Temm. 1815.— Nutt. Man. ii, 1834, 162.— AUD. Orn. Bi"t:. iv. 1839, M. pi, 310; Synop.1839, 242; B. Am. v. is 12. 30S.pl.342. Tringoides macularius Gray, 1849.— Cass, in Baird's B. N. Am. 1858, 735.— Baxbd.I Am. B.18.V1, No. 543.— Coues. Key, 1872, 260; Cheek List. 1873, No. 346; 2dv,|. It 638; B.N. W. 1874, 501.— Redow. Nom. N. Am. B. 1881. 557.— B. B.& B. Water B. N. Am. i, 1884.301. Actitia macularia Natjm. Vog. Deutsohl. vili. 1836, 34.— A. O. V. Check List, 1886, No. 263.— Redow. Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 170. Hab. The whole of North and Middle America, and Sooth Amerloa as far occasional in Europe; no Greenland record. Br is throughout temperate North Amerloa. Bp. Chab. small, bill rather longer than the head, straight, slender; long grooves In both mandibles; wing rather \<>\\k. pointed; tail medium, rounded; legs rather long; lower third of the tibia naked; toes long, margined, and Rattened underneath, the outer con- nected with the middle toe by a large □ ibrane, the Inner very -lightly oonnec middle toe. Adult: Upper parts greenish ashy, with a Borneo hat metallic or broni ed luster and with numerous sagittate, Ian late, and Irregular, mo J brown- ish black, having the same lustre. Lino over the eye and entire under parts white, with numerous circular and oval M">t^ "f brownish blaok over the whole Burfaoe, smaller on the 68 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. throat, largest on the abdomen. Primaries plain dusky; tail dark ashy, the outer feathers with dusky and white transverse spots on their terminal portion; axillars immaculate white. Young: Above, greenish ashy, the wings with narrow transverse bars of black and buffy most numerous on the coverts. Beneath, white, without any spots, and with an ashy suffusion across the jugulum. Downy chick: Above, yellowish gray, with a nar- row black dorsal stripe from the bill to the tail; a narrow black line through the eye. Be- neath, dull white. Total length, about 7.75 inches; extent, 13.00-14.00; wing, 4.05-1.30; culmen, .90-1.00; tarsus .90-1.05; middle toe, .70.-80. Mandib'e and edge of the maxilla pale wax-yellow (in life); rest of bill black; iris dark brown; tarsi and toes pale grayish olive. This is probably the most generally distributed species of the family, since it is to be found along the banks of nearly every stream, large or small, in the land. In Cook county, the Spotted Sandpiper is, according to Mr. Nelson, a "very common summer resident." Mr. Nelson's note concerning it continues as follows: "Arrives in April and departs late in autumn. Breeds in abundance among the small sand hills, along the Lake shore. Near Waukegan, the first of June, 1876, I saw Mr. T. H. Douglas secure over two dozen of their eggs in considerably less than an hour. The nests were generally placed under a small shrub or in a thin tuft of grass and the eggs could be seen several yards away." Genus TRYNGITES Cabanis. Tryngites Cab. Journ. fiir. Orn. 1856, 418. Type, Tringa rufescens Vieill.,= 2'. subru- ficollis Vieill. Char. Upper mandible grooved to about the terminal fourth; the lower not quite so far. Culmen and gonys about straight. Mouth deeply cleft more than half way to the eye ; the culmen about two thirds the commissure. Culmen much shorter than the head, and about equal to middle toe without claw. Tarsus about one and one sixth as long as middle toe and claw. Bare part of tibia decidedly shorter than middle toe without claw. Toes cleft to the base, with only a very rudimentary web. Upper jaw feathered to the nostrils; the side of the lower, and beneath, feathered much farther, or to the end of the nostrils ; the interspace of the rami entirely filled. Tail somewhat graduated, not half the wing. Tryngites subruficollis (Vieill.) BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER. Tringa subruficollis Vieill. Nouv. Diet, xxxiv, 1819, 465. Tryngites subruficollis Bidgw. Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus. viii, 1885, 356; Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 169-A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 262. Tringa rufescens Vieill. Nouv. Diet, xxxiv, 1819, 470 (Louisiana).— Nutt. Man. ii, 1834, 113— Aud. Orn. Biog. iii, 1835, 451, pi. 265; Synop. 1S39, 235; B. Am. v, 1842, 264, pi. 271. Tryngites rufescens Caban. J. f. O. 1856, 418 (Cuba).— Cass, in Baird's B. N. Am. 1858, 739.— Baikd, Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 546— Coues, Key, 1872, 260; Check List, 1873, No. 439; 2d ed. 1882, No. 641; B. N. W. 1874, 506— Ridgw. Nom. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 556.— B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. i, 1884, 305. Actidurus ncevius Heekm. Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. vii, 1854, 178; Pacific R. R. Rep. x, pt. vi, 1859, 20, pi. 6 (Texas). SCOLOPACID.E— THE SNIPE FAMILY. 69 Hab. North America in general, especially the interior: breeding chiefly in the interior of British America and the Yukon district; migrating south to Peru and Uruguay. Fre- quent in Europe. No West Indian record, except Cuba. Sp. Chak. Bill shorter than the head, straight, compressed, narrow at the poinl : nasal groove long; wings very long, first quill longest, the tertials rather shorter; tail moder- ate or longer than usual in this group: legs rather long, lower third of the tibia naked; toes free at base, flattened underneath, and slightly margined; hind toe small. Upper parts pale and dull ochraceous, with an ashy tinge; every feather with a large central, lanceolate, crescent-shaped, or oblong spot of black, frequently with a glossy green tinge, especially on the back and shorter tertials. Under parts light ochraceous or p le fawn-color, many feathi is tipped with white, and paler on the flanks and abdomen, on the breast with par- tially concealed small spots of black; axillary feathers white. Quills white, their outer webs light brown, inner webs ashy whito marbled with black and narrowly tipped with white; middle tail-feathers brownish black; outer feathers lighter, with transverse waved lines of black on the terminal half, and tipped with white; under primary- coverts beautifully marbled with black. Bill greenish black; legs greenish yellow. Young. Generally simi- lar, but the upper parts with the black and fawn-color less sharply contrasted, and each feather with a conspicuous terminal border of white. Marbling on inner webs of primaries and on under primary-coverts much more minute and delicate than in the adult. "Bill dull olive-green, dusky toward the point: iris hazel; feetdull yellowish green, claws dusky." (Audubon.) Total length, about 7. 511-8. 0(» inches; wing, 5.10-5.50; culmen, .75-.80; tarsus. 1.15-1.30; middle toe, .75-. 85. This handsome species is, so far as we know, one of the rarer migrants in Illinois. Mr. Nelson mentions a single specimen "in the collection of Mr. R. P. Clarke, obtained upon the Lake shore, at Chicago, September 1th, 1873," and is inclined bo doubt Dr. Hoy's statemenl (Wis. Agr. Rep. 1852) thai ii is "quite common" near Racine, Wis., from September 15th to October 10th. It may be, however, that it is not so rare as Mr. Nelson supposes, but has escaped his observation, since in other portions of the Mississippi Valley it is very abundant. Subfamily NUMENINJE. Chak. Back of tarsus covered with small hexagonal scales ; i • ■ 1 1 much longer than tar- sus, decided!} decurved or arched. Genus NUMENIUS Brisson. i ■ i.iss. ( >rn. \ i. 1760, :n i. Type, Scolo Chab. Legs covered anteriorly with transverse Boutellas, laterally and behind with -mall hexagonal scales. Bill rorj long, exceeding the tibia, and curved downward for the terminal half; the culmen rounded. Tip of bill expanded laterally and olnb-shaped. i of bill not reaching beyond the middle. T< ong as prima Kill variable In length, alVi •M at the base, then deoui • upper mandible is thickened downward beyond and over the upylng 70 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. only the basal half or third of the bill; under mandible not grooved beneath. Cleft of mouth extending but little beyond the base of culmen. Feathers of head extending about the same distance on both mandibles; those of chin to opposite the anterior extremity of the nostrils. Tarsi nearly twice as long as middle toe, rather more than twice the bare part of tibia. It is covered behind by hexagonal scales larger than the lateral ones. Outer toe webbed at its basal joint; inner for half this distance. Tail short, nearly even, not quite half the wings. Of the genus Numenms several species are found in North America, none of them occurring regularly in the Old World, as is the case with so many of the Trmgince. The three species occurring in eastern North America may be distinguished as follows: 1. N. longirostris. Wing, 10.00-12.00; culmen, 3.80-5.90; tarsus, 2.25-3.50; middle toe, 1.30- 1.55. Lower parts pale cinnamon ; axillars deep cinnamon, without distinct bars ; crown uniformly streaked, without median stripe. Hab. Temperate North America south to Guatemala, Cuba, Jamaica, and Brazil (?). 2. N. hudsonicus. Wing, 8.00-10.25; culmen, 3.00-4.00; tarsus, 2.25-2.30; middle toe, 1.35- 1.40. Lower parts pale buff, the breast marked with linear streaks ; inner webs of primaries spotted with buff toward edges; axillars deeper buff, distinctly barred with dusky; crown uniform dusky, divided by a median stripe of pale buff. Hab. The whole of America, including West Indies, but breeding only in the colder regions; Greenland. 3. N. borealis. Wing, 8.00-8.50; culmen, 2.25-2.50; tarsus, 1.70-1.80; middle toe, 1.00. Very similar to If. hudsonicus, but breast with V-shaped dusky markings, axillars pale cinnamon, barred with dusky, inner webs of primaries uniform dusky, the whole crown streaked, and without distinct median stripe. Hab. Northern and eastern North America, and southern South America; no West Indian record; Greenland; occasional in Europe. Only two others are known to occur in the New World. One of these (JV. femoralis), which has been taken in Alaska, is dis- tinguished by having the thighs ornamented by long bristles, the tail and its coverts ochraceous, the latter crossed by nar- row bands of dusky brown; the size and general coloration much as in JV. hudsonicus. JV. phceopus, an Old World species which occasionally visits Greenland, is still more like JSf. hud- sonicus, from which it differs chiefly in having the rump pure white. Numenius longirostis Wils. LONG-BILLED CURLEW. Popular synonyms. Sickle-bill, or Sickle-bill Snipe or Curlew; Snipe (Salt Lake Val- ley); Big Curlew. Numenius longirostris Wils. Am. Orn. viii, 1814, 24, pi. 04, fig. 4— Sw. & Rich. F. B.-A. ii, 1831, 370— Nutt. Man. ii, 1834, 04.— Aud. Orn. Biog. iii, 1835, 240; v, 1839, 587, pi. 231; Synop. 1839,254; B. Am. vi, 1843,35, pi. 355.— Cass, in Baird's B. N. Am. 1858, 743.— SCOLOI'ACID.E— THE SNIPE FAMILY. 71 Baied. Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 5l'.i— Coues. Key, 1872, 202; Check List, 1873, No. 441; 2d ed. 1882, No. 643; Birds L N. W. 1874, 508— Ridgw. Norn. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 558; Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 170.-B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. i, 1884, 311.-A. O. U. Checklist. 1886, No. 264. Numenius occidentalis Woodh. Proc. Acad. Nat. Sei. Phila. vi, 1852, 194; Sitgreaves' Rep. 1853, 98, pi. 6 (= young; Albuquerque, N. M.h Hab. Temperate North America, migrating south to Guatemala. Cuba; Jamaica; Brazil (V). Sr. Char. The largest American species of this genus. Bill very long, much curved ; upper mandible longer than the under, somewhat knobbed at the tip; wing rather long; legs moderate; toes united at base. Entire upper parts pale rufous, tinged with ashy; every feather with transverse and confluent bands of brownish black, most numerous and predominating on the back and scapulars; secondary quills, under wing-coverts, and axillars, cinnamon-rufous; primaries with their outer webs brownish black and their inner webs rufous, with transverse bands of black. Under parts pale rufous, with longitudinal lines of black on the neck and sides; tail rufous, tinged with ashy, transversely barred with brownish black. Bill brownish black; baso of under mandible reddish yellow; legs bluish brown. Specimens vary to some extentin the shade of the rufous color of the plum- age, and very much in the length of the bill. The rufous color is probably more distinct in the young. Total leDgth, about 25.00 inches ; extent, about 40.00; wing, 10.00-11.00; tail, 4.00; bill, 2.30 (immature individual) to 8.50; tarsus, 2.25. Bill black, becoming dull light lilac- brown on basal half of the mandible; iris brown; legs and feet gray. Downy young. Very pale oehraceous with a tinge of sulphur-yellow, rather deepei be- low than above. Upper parts marbled coarsely and rather irregularly with black. Bill straight, about 1.40 inches long. This bird appears to vary in size quite materially, and in the length of bill in different specimens so much so as to be quite perplexing; in fact, the bills of scarcely any two specimens are of the same length. In color, also, there is considerable variety, but the species can readily be distinguished. There are in the National Museum rolled ion specimens which are undoubtedly .V. occidentalis, Woodhouse, as above cited. The clear rufous of the plumage and the shorter hill, as given by Dr. Woodhouse, are present in these specimens : hut the rufous color is very probably characteristic ofyoung age. while in I he col- lection almost any length of bill can l»<' produced, the extremes being aboul 2.30 and 8.50. The Long-billed Curlew or "Sickle-bill" is more or les> com- mon, according to the locality, during the migrations. Mr. Nelson refers t<> it in his list (p. 130) as follows: "Formerly \rery abundanl during the migrations and a com- mon summer resident. Now rather unco ion in the migra- tions and ;i very rare summer resident. A pair nested on the Calumet Marshes the spring of 1873. Mure numerous on the large marshes in central Illinois. Arrives the last of April and departs in < October." 72 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. Numenius hudsonicus (Lath.) HUDSONIAN CURLEW. Popular synonyms. Jack Curlew; Short-billed Curlew. Scolopax borealis Wils. Am. Orn. vii, 1813, 22, pi. 56, fig. 1 (nee Forster 1772). Numenius borealis Ord, eel. Wilson, 1825— Brewer, ed. Wilson, 1840, 473 (excl. syn.). Numenius hudsonicus Lath. Ind. Orn. ii. 1790, 712.— Sw. & Rich. F. B.-A. ii, 1831, 377- Nutt. Man. ii, 1834, 97— Aud. Orn. Biog. iii, 1835, 283; v, 1830, 589, pi. 237; Synop. 1839, 554; B. Am. vi, 1843, 42, pi. 356.— Cass, in Baird's B. N. A. 1858, 744— Baird, Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 550— Coues. Key, 1872, 262; Check List, 1873, No. 442; 2d ed. 1882, No. 645; Birds N.W. 1874, 509.— Ridgw. Nom. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 559; Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 171. -B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. i, 1884, 315.-A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 265. Numenius intermedins Nutt. Man. ii, 1834, 100. Hab. The whole of America, including the West Indies ; breeds in the high north, and winters chiefly south of the United States. Greenland. Sp. Char. Adult. Crown dark sooty brown, divided longitudinally by a mesial stripe of buff; a narrow dusky stripe on side of head, from bill to anterior angle of the eye, con- tinued back beneath the eye and along upper edge of auriculars, separated from the dusky of the crown by a wide, well-defined superciliary stripe of light buff, the chin, throat, and abdomen immaculate; other portions, including cheeks, entire neck, jugulum, and breast marked with linear streaks of dark brown; axillars pinkish buff or dilute cinnamon, barred with dark brown. Upper parts spotted with dark sooty brown and light buff, the latter pre- vailing on the wing-coverts, the former on the back; rump and upper tail-coverts similarly spotted; primaries dusky, the inner quills spotted with buff. This species is much rarer than the Long-billed Curlew, and never remains within the State during the breeding season. We are unfortunately unable to present any information of partic- ular interest respecting its habits. Numenius borealis (Forst.) ESKIMO CURLEW. Popular synonyms. Little Curlew; Dough-bird; Futes (Long Island). Scolopax borealis Forst. Phil. Trans, lxii, 1772, 411, 431 (Albany Fort). Numenius borealis Lath. Ind. Orn. ii, 1790, 712.— Sw. & Rich. F. B.-A. ii, 1831, 378, pi. 65.— Nutt. Man. ii, 1834, 101.— Aud. Orn. Biog. iii. 1835, 69; v, 1839, 590, pi. 208; Synop. 1839, 255; B. Am. vi, 1843, 45, pi. 357.— Cass, in Baird's B. N. Am. 1858, 714.— Baird, Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 551.— Coues, Key, 1872,262; Check List, 1873, No. 443; 2d ed. 1882, No. 646; B. N. W. 1874, 510.— Ridgw. Nom. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 560; Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 171 — B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. i, 1884,318.— A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 266. Hab. Eastern Province of North America; breeding in Arctic districts, where extend- ing from the Prybilof Islands (not breeding) to Greenland: migrating south to extremity of South America (Falkland Islands, Patagonia, and Chili); no West Indian record, but noted from Bermuda and Trinidad (Leotaud). Occasional in Europe. Not recorded from western North America. Sp. Char. A dult. Crown dusky, streaked with buff, but without distinct mesial stripe ; a dusky stripe of aggregated streaks on side of head, from bill to and behind the eye; rest of head, neck, and entire lower parts light buff, the cheeks and neck streaked, the breast, SOOLOPACHXE — THE SNIPE FAMILY. 73 sides, flanks, and crissum with V-shaped markings of dusky brown; axillars and lining of the wing pale cinnamon, the former narrowly barred with dusky. Upper parts dusky and buff, the wing-coverts more grayish brown, with dusky shaft-streaks ; primaries , including their inner webs, plain brownish dusky. Rump and upper tail-coverts spotted dusky and light buff. Tail brownish gray, barred with dusky. In plumage, this little Curlew closely resembles N. hudsonicus, but has the inner webs of the primaries either plain dusky or else finely and confusedly mottled, instead of being marked with very distinct and regular ochraccous spots; the breast with transverse V-shaped markings instead of linear, longitudinal streaks, while then: are other differen- ces, besides the important one of size, which servo to readily distinguish them. The Little Curlew or "Dough Bird" is of rather common oc- currence in Illinois during the migrations, arriving, according to Mr. Nelson, a little later than A T . hudsonicus, passing north with short delay, and returning the last of September and in October, While lingering with us it frequents chiefly the wet prairies, in company with the Golden Plover. -10 74 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. Family RECUR VIROSTRIDiE.— The Avocets and Stilts. The Jiccxroirostridce, in addition to the features already men- tioned (see p. 19), are characterized by the excessive length of the legs, with very long slender neck and subulate, elongated bill. The plumage has the same dense, soft character as that of the Pkalaropodidce, Falicinie, and Longipermes. Genera. A. Hind toe present. 1. Recurvirostra. Anterior toes all webbed; bill recurved. B. Hind too wanting. 2. Himantopus. No web between middle and inner toes, and web between outer and middle toes Quite small; bill slightly upturned from the middle, cylindrical or scarcely depressed ; tarsus much longer than the bill. Genus RECURVIROSTRA Linn^us. Recurvirostra Linn. Syst. Nat. ed, 10, i, 1758, 151. Type, R. avosetta Linn. Chab. Hind toe rudimentary, but distinct; anterior toes united by a much emarginated membrane. Bill depressed, decidedly recurved, extended into a fine point, which is slightly decurved. Tail covered by the wings. The species of Avocet are few in number, there being one pe- culiar to North America, South America, Australia, and Europe respectively. Recurvirostra americana Gmel. AMERICAN AVOCET. Popular synonyms. White Snipe (Salt Lake Valley) ; Yelper; Lawyer; Scooper. Recurvirostra americana Gmel. S. N. ed. 13, i, 1788,693.— Wilson, Am. Orn.vii, 1813, 126, pi. 63, fig. 9— Nutt. Man. ii, 1834, 75.— Aud. Orn, Biog. iv, 1838, 168, pi. 318 ; Synop. 1839,252 ; Birds Am. vi, 1843, 24. pi. 353— Baied, Birds N. Am. 1858, 703; Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 517.— Coues, Key. 1872, 147; Check List. 1873, No. 407; 2d ed. 1882, No. 600.— Ridgw. Norn. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 566; Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 146.-B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. i, 1884, 341— A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 225. Recurvirostra occidentalis Vig. Zool. Jour, iv, 1829, 356 ; Zool. Voy. Blossom, 1839, 28, pi 12.— Cass. Illustr. B. Cal., Tex., etc. 1855, 232, pi. 40 (^winter plumage!). RECURVIROSTRID.E— THE AVOCETS AND STILTS. 75 Hab. Temperate North America; north to the Saskatchewan and Great Slave Lake, south (in winter) to Guatemala, Cuba, and Jamaica. Much rarer in the Eastern than in the Western Province. Sp. Char. Wings (except secondaries, terminal half of greater coverts, and inner secondaries), inner scapulars, and adjoining feathers of the back, brownish black; lower parts, rump, outer scapulars, and middle of the back white ; tail ashy white or pale ashy. Adult in summer: Head, neck, and breast, light cinnamon, becoming white around the bill and fading gradually into the white of the body. Tertials brownish gray. Adult [and young) in winter: Head, neck, and breast, white, more or less tinged with pale bluish gray, especi- ally on crown and nape. Young: Primaries slightly tipped with whitish; scapulars and feathers of back tipped or transversely mottled with pale fulvous or buff. Crown dull gray- ish; nape tinged with light rufous. Total length, about 17.00 to 18.75 inches; extent, 30.00 to 36.00; wing, 8.50-9.00; culmen, 3.40-3.65; tarsus, 3.70-3.80; middle toe, 1.60-1.70. Bill deep black; iris, deep brown; legs and feet ashy blue. The intensity of the cinnamon-color on the head and neck varies with the individual; sometimes there is a dusky gray suffusion around the eye, this being especially characteristic of younger birds. Mr. Nelson says that in the northeastern portion of Illinois, the Avocet ''generally occurs in small parties the last of April and first of May, and during September and the first of Oc- tober," and that it "frequents the borders of marshy pools." Genus HIMANTOPUS Brisson. Hvmantopus Bbiss. Orn. vi. 1760, 33. Type, Oharadrius himantopus Linn. Char. Hind toe wanting; outer and middle toes connected at the base by a short web; the inner toe completely separated from the middle. Bill subulate, deeper than broad, slightly upturned toward the end. Legs excessively lengthened, the bare part of the tibia about half as long as the tarsus, which greatly exceeds the bill in length, the latter being nearly twice the length of the middle toe. The Stilts have much the same range as the Avocets, but the species are more numerous, there being at the present time about seven recognized by authorities. Like Reewrwrostra, the genus Himcmtopus is represented in America by two very distinct spe- cies; one belonging to North, Central, and northern South America, the other peculiar to the southern portion of the southern continent. 76 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. Himantopus mexicanus (Mull.) BLACK-NECKED STILT. Popular synonyms. Lawyer; Long-shanks; Pink- stockings. Gharadrius mexicanus Mulleb, S. N. Suppl. 1776, 117. Himantopus mexicanus Obd, ed. Wilson, vii, 1824, 52.—Bonap. Comp. List, 1838, 54.— Ridgw. Norn. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 567; Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 147.— Coues, 2d Check List, 1882, No. 601.— B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. i, 1884, 345— A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 226. Becurvirostra himantopus Wils. Am. Orn. vii, 1813, 48, pi. 58, fig. 2. Himantopus nigricollis Vieill. 1817.— Nutt. Man. ii, 1834, 8.— Aud. Orn. Biog. iv, 1838, 247, pi. 328; Synop. 1839, 252; Birds Am. vi, 1843, 31, pi. 354— Baird, Birds N. Am. 1851,704; Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 518-Coues, Key, 1872, 247; Check List, 1874, No. 408; Birds N. W. 1874, 462. Hab. The whole of temperate North America, Middle America, and northern South America, south to Peru and Brazil; Galapagos; West Indies in general, and Bermudas; north, on the Atlantic coast, to Maine. More generally distributed and more abundant in the Western than in the Eastern Province. Sp. Chab. Adult mate: Forehead, a large postocular spot, lores, entire lower parts rump, and upper tail-coverts white. Remainder of the head, whole nape, back, scapulars, and wings (both surfaces), glossy black, with a greenish blue reflection. Tail pale grayish- Bill black; iris crimson; legs and feet lake-red or beautiful pink in life, yellowish in the dried skin. Adult female: Similar to the male, but back and scapulars brownish slate, and the black of other portions duller. Young, first plumage: Similar to the adult female, but the feathers of the back, the scapulars, and tertials bordered with deep buff or whitish, the black of the head and nape finely mottled with the same. Downy young: Above light ful- vous-grayish, mottled with dusky, the back and rump relieved by several large black blotches. Head, neck, and lower parts fulvous-whitish, the crown, occiput, and nape gray- ish, the crown with a mesial black streak, the occiput with coarse spots of the same. Total length, about 14-15.50 inches; extent, 27-30 ; wing, 8.50-9.00; culmen, about 2.50; tar- sus,4.00; middle toe, 1.37. Bill deep black; iris rosy carmine; legs and feet fine rose-pink or delicate pal© lake-red (in life). Adult specimens in high breeding plumage sometimes have the white of the breast, etc., tinged with soft creamy pink. While on record only as a summer visitant to Illinois, the Stilt undoubtedly breeds in some portion of the State. Mr. Nel- son says that it is "an exceedingly rare visitant" to Cook county, and mentions the fact that there is in the collection of the Illi- nois Natural History Society, at Normal, a fine specimen taken in McLean County. He also says that Dr. P. R. Hoy, of Racine, Wisconsin, records the occurrence of a small flock near that place in April, 1847. PHALAROPODID.E — THE PHALAROPES. < I Family PHALAROPODIDiE.— The Phalaropes. Char. Small birds of Sandpiper-like appearance, but with very full, compact |.]iiiij;i un- like that of the Coots, Gulls, and Petrels; the tarsus greatly compressed, and the toe partlj webbed as well as fringed by a lateral, sometimes scalloped, margin. The Phalaropes are small northern birds combining the habits, as well as to a certain extent the appearance, of the Waders and Swimmers. The two recognized genera may be distinguished as follows: Crymophilus. Bill flattened, broad, the nostrils sub-basal; web between outer and middle toe extending to beyond second joint of the latter; lateral membrane of all the toes deeply scalloped. Phalaropus. Bill subulate, the nostrils strictly basal. Subgenus Pha laropus. Feet as in Grvmoph lus. Subgenus Steganoims. Web between outer and middle toes not reaching to second joint <>f latter; lateral membrane to all the toes narrow and scarcely scalloped. Genus CRYMOPHILUS Vieillot. Crymophilus Vieill. Analyse, 1810, ti2. Type, Tringa Linn. Chak. Bill flattened, broad, the nostrils sub-basal; web between outer and middl extending to beyond second joint of the latter; lateral membrane of the toe- broad and deeply sealloped. Crymophilus fulicarius (Linn.) RED PHALAEOPE. Tringa fulicaria I. inn. s. n. ed. 10, 1,1758, 148; ed. 12. i. 1766,249. aropus fulicarius Sw. & BlOH. V. I'.. -A. 11,1831, t"7.- NuTT. Man.ii. 1834, Orn. Biog. iii. 1885, 104, pi. 265; By nop. 16 19, 239; B Am. n. 1842, 291, pi. B Balrd'sB. N. Am. 1858,707, Baibd. Cal N Jim. B U Cooks. B 248; Check List, 1874, No 111 ; 2d ed. 1882, No. 604 ; I'. N W. 1874.471 R] i Nom. N \ m . B 1882, No i63 B. B. \ R. Water B. N \n Crymophilus fulicarius %tzsv. Auk. ii. 1885,183 \ . I . Chook Li l;ii.,.v.. Ban. N. Am !'.. 1887, in. live. Northern portions of the northern hemisphere, breeding In ?erj nigh latitudes, and migrating southward in winter; chiefly maritime; in america, recorded Iron Boutb a- Ohio, Illinois, and Oape Bl I 78 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. Sp. Char. A dult, summer plumage : Entire lower parts deep purplish cinnamon ; sides of head white. Back and scapulars light ochraceous or buff, striped with black; wing- coverts deep bluish plumbeous, the greater widely tipped with pure white; remiges plum- beous-dusky. Lining of the wing white, bordered exteriorly with dusky grayish. Male: Crown and nape streaked, like the back ; white on side of head not well defined. Female : Crown uniform plumbeous-black or dark plumbeous, the white on side of the head sur- rounding the eyes, and abruptly defined, the nape unstreaked cinnamon and plumbeous. Adult and young in winter: Head, neck and lower parts pure white, the occiput and a space partly or completely surrounding the eyes dark plumbeous. Upper parts uniform fine pearl-gray or light bluish plumbeous, the remiges slate-color. Young, first plumage. : Crown, nape, back, and scapulars dull black, the feathers edged with ochraceous; wing- coverts, rump, and upper tail-coverts plumbeous, the middle coverts bordered with pale buff, the tail-coverts with ochraceous. Head (except crown) and lower parts generally, white ; the throat and jugulum suffused with brownish buff. Downy young : Above, bright tawny-buff, marked with broad irregular stripes of black; superciliary stripe bright tawny buff, 1he two of opposite sides separated only by a narrow and sometimes interrupted dusky streak; pileum bright raw-umber brown, bordered exteriorly with black; chin and throat light fulvous- buff, changing to smoky buff on jugulum; rest of lower parts dull whitish. Total length, about 7.50 inches; wing, about 5.25-5.50; culmen, .80-.95; tarsus, .80-.85; middle toe, .75-.80. The Ked Phalarope occurs in Illinois as a rare migrant. Its summer home is in the Arctic regions, which it leaves after the assumption of its winter plumage, which is so unlike that of summer as to give the bird a totally different appearance. Genus PHALAROPUS Brisson. Subgenus Phalaropus. Phalaropus Briss. Orn. vi, 1700, 12. Type, by elimination, Tringa lobata Linn. Lobipes " Cuv. Reg. Anim. 1817." Type, Tringa hyperborea Linn.,= T lobata Linn. Char. Similar to Grymophilus, but bill subulate, and the nostrils strictly basal. Phalaropus lobatus (Linn.) NORTHERN PHALAROPE. Tringa lobata Linn. S. N. ed. 10, i, 1758, 148; ed. 12. i, 17G6, 249. Lobipes lobatus B. B. & R. Water B.N. Am. i, 1884, 330. Phalaropus lobatus Stejn. Auk, ii, 1885, 183.-A. O. U. Check List, 1880. No. 223.— Ridgw. Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 145. Tringa hyperborea~Lmx. S. N. ed. 12, i, 17G6, 249 (based on Faun. Suec. 179; Edw. 143; Will. 270; Ray, 132.— Phalaropus cinereus Briss. Orn. vi, 5). Phalaropus hyperboreus (male) Lath. Ind. Orn. ii, 1790, 775 (excl. syn.; supposed female —G. fulicarius). — Nutt. Man. ii, 1834, 239.— Aud. Orn. Biog. iii, 1835. 118; v, 1839. 595, pi. 215.— Cass, in Baird's B. N. Am. 1858. 706— Baird, Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 520. Lobipes hyperboreus Cuv. Beg. Anim. i,ed. 1829, 532.— Aud. Synop. 1839, 240; B. Am. v. 1842. 295, pi. 340,-Coues, Key, 1872, 248; Check List, 1873. No. 410; 2d ed. 1882, No. 603; B. N. W. 1874, 469.-RIDGW. Nom. N. Am. B. 1882, No. 564. PHALAROPODID.E — THE PHALAROPES. 79 Hab. Northern portions of the northern hemisphere ; breeding very far north, and not penetrating far within the tropics in winter; chiefly, but not strictly, maritime. In America, recorded from the following southern localities: Bermudas; Duefias, Guatemala; Isthmus of Tehuantepec. Sp. Chae. Adidl : Above dark plumbeous, the back striped with ochraceous; wings dusky, the greater coverts widely tipped with white; lower parts chiefly white, the neck with more or less rufous. Female, with the sides of the neck and jugulum uniform cinna- mon-rufous, the plumbeous above pure and continuous. Male, with the rufous confined chiefly to the sides of the neck, the jugulum being mixed white and grayish, tinged with rufous; plumbeous above duller and less continuous than in the female. Young, first plum- age: Crown plumbeous-dusky, with or without streaks; back and scapulars black, dis- tinctly streaked with buff or ochraceous; wings as in a^lt, but middle coverts bordered with buff or whitish. Forehead, supra-auricular stripe, lores, and lower parts white, the jugulum and sides of breast sometimes suffused with dull brownish; auriculars dusky. Downy young : Above, bright tawny, the rump with three parallel stripes of black, enclos- ing two of lighter fulvous than the ground-color; crown covered by a triangular patch of m ttled darker brown, bounded irregularly with blackish; a black line over ears, not reach- ing to the eye; throat and rest of head light tawny-fulvous; rest of lower parts white, be- coming grayish posteriorly. Total length, about 7.00 inches; wing, 4.00-4. 15 ; culmen, .80-/K); tarsus, .75-85; middle toe, . 65-. 75. This species, which is a rather rare migrant in Illinois, is es- sentially similar in its habits and distribution to the Red Phal- arope. Mr. Nelson's record concerning it is as follows : "Rather rare migrant the first of May, and the last of Sep- tember and first of October. Frequents slow streams or marshy pools, where, swimming gracefully from one patch of floating weeds to another, it obtains its food. It is quite gentle and unsuspicious, and I have approached in a boat within five yards of one without its showing the least concern."" Subgenus Steganopus Vieillot. Steganopus Vieill. Nouv. I'i.-t. d'Hist. Nat. xxxii.1819, 136. Type, 8, tricolor Vieill. Chab. Bill slender and subulate, with strictly basal nostrils, as in s ; web be- tween outer and middle toes not reaching to second joint, the lateral membrane of all the U>"s narrow and scarcely scallops I. Phalaropus tricolor (Vieill.) WILSONS PHALAROPE. Phalaropus lobatua Wn.s. Am. Orn. i\. \^s>.7'.. pi. ?:(. tig. 3 (nee Tringa • i • LlM Phalaropus in/sum Sabinb, App. Frankl. Journ. 1823,691. Bw, \ Rich, i . I I06.pl.69.- \' it. Man. n. 1834, 246.- Aim. Orn. Biog. Ill, 1636, 100, pi. 2E Baird's B. N. Am. 1858, 706, Baebd, OatN. \m B. 1869, No. 619. Phalaropus [Holopodius] wilsoni Bonap. Synop. 1828, :u Nin r. Man. II, [834, 246. /<■<>>• iwi oni Lud. Synop. 1839. 241 ; B Lm. v, 1812. 299. pi. 341, 80 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. Steganopus wilsoni Coues, Ibis, Apr. 1865, 158; Key, 1872, 248; Chock List, 1874, No. 409; 2d ed. 1882, No. 602; B. N. W. 1874, 467— Ridgw. Nom. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 565— B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. i, 1884, 335. Steganopus tricolor Vieill. Nouv.Dict. xxxii, 1819, 136. Phalaropus tricolor Stejn. Auk, ii, 1885, 183.— A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 224.— Ridgw. Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 145. Hab. Temperate North America, chiefly inland; north to eastern Oregon, Saskatche- wan, and Nova Scotia; south, in winter, to Brazil and Patagonia. (Not recorded from the Pacific coast of North America,) Sp. Chab. Adult female in summer: Forehead and crown pale pearl-gray, the former with a blackish line on each side; occiput and nape white, changing to piumbeous- gray on the back and scapulars. Stripe on side of head (chiefly ba?k of the eye), and con- tinued down sides of neck, deep black, changing on lower part of the neck into rich dark chestnut, which extends backward, somewhat interruptedly, on each side of the interscapu- lar region; outermost scapulars marked with a similar stripe. A short stripe above the lores and eyes (not reaching to the bill), cheeks, chin, and throat, pure white; foreneck and chest soft buffy-cinnamon, deepest laterally and posteriorly, and fading gradually into creamy buff on the breast; remaining lower parts white. Wings brownish gray, the coverts and tertials margined with paler; rump brownish gray; upper tail-coverts pure white. Adult male in summer: Smaller and much duller in color than the female, with the beautiful markings of the latter usually but faintly indicated. Adult and young in winter: Above plain light ash-gray; upper tail-coverts, superciliary stripe, and lower parts, white, the chest and sides of breast faintly tinged with pale ashy. Young r Crown, back, and scapulars blackish dusky, the feathers conspicuously margined with buffy ; upper tail-coverts, superciliary stripe, and lower parts white, the neck tinged with buff. Downy young: General color bright tawny, or tawny-brown, paler beneath, the belly nearly white; occiput and nape with a distinct median streak of black, on the former branching laterally into two narrower, somewhat zig-zag lines; lower back and rump with three broad black stripes ; flanks with a black spot, and caudal region crossed by a wide sub- terminal bar of black. Female. Length, about 9.40-10.00 inches; wing, 5.20-5.30; culmen, 1.30-1.35; tarsus, 1.30- 1.35; middle toe, .90-1.00. Male. Length, about 8.25-9.00; wing, 4.75-4.80; culmen, 1.25; tarsus, 1.20-1.25; middle toe, .90. This beautiful bird, the adult female of which is by far the handsomest of our small Waders, is a common summer resi- dent in the prairie districts of Illinois. Mr. Nelson publishes an interesting account of the peculiari- ties, or characteristics, of this species, in his catalogue of the Birds of Northeastern Illinois (p. 124), which is as follows: "Very common summer resident in this vicinity. Found in abundance about damp prairies and on grassy marshes. Arrives about the middle of May and remains until into August. I have found its nest from the 25th of May to June 25th. The young usually appear about the middle of June and commence to fly the first of July. The breeding plumage of the female of this species is much brighter and richer than that of the male, as has been recently announced by Mr. A. L. Kumlein {Field mid Forest, July, 1876). The male builds the nest and attends exclusively to the duties of incubation, it alone possessing the PHALAROPODID.E— THE PHALAROPES. 81 naked abdomen during- the breeding season. The female always remains near, and shows great solicitude upon the nests' being approached. The first plumage of the 3 r oung, described by Dr. Coues on page 467, "Birds of the Northwest," is retained until they depart for the south, the last of July or early in August . The adults assume the winter plumage during July. This plum- age is much like the breeding plumage of the male, except that there is a hoary cast over the back and neck caused by grayish tips to the feal hers, and the female has a greater amount of dull chestnut on the sides of the neck. * * * "The nest is a simple structure of fine grass blades placed in a small saucer-shaped depression, generally in a perfectly open situation, where but slight concealment is afforded by the few surrounding grass blades. Sometimes the eggs are deposited directly upon the ground, without any nest other than the slight hollow. The eggs usually number four and are very dark. Their general appearance is much like that of a small killdeer's egg, with an unusual amount of dark markings." 1 1 82 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. Order ALECTORIDES.— The Cranes, Courlans, Rails, Gal- LINULES, AND COOTS. The Alectorides are a tolerably well-defined group of birds, related somewhat closely to the Limicolce, but very distinct from the Herodiones, to which some of the forms (more es- pecially the Gruidm) bear a teleological resemblance. Typical families of this Order are the Gruidm (Cranes), Aramidce (Cour- lans), and Rallidce (Rails), all represented in North America. In addition to these families, South America possesses several others which have been placed here, but whether rightly or not, we cannot say. These extralimital families are the Eurypygidm (Sun Bitterns), Cariamidw (Cariamas), and PsophUdm (Trum- peters). The typical members of the group are prsecocial and ptilopeedic. The North American families are the following: A. Size small or medium; head normally feathered or with a frontal shield; middle toe nearly as long as the tarsus; hallux well developed (nearly as long as the first joint of the middle toe), nearly incumbent. [Ralli.) Rallidae. Size medium to very small; outer primary longer than the sixth, very broad ; second nearly or quite equal to the longest. Rectrices almost rudimentary, soft, nearly hidden by the coverts. Bill not curved to one side at tip (usually shorter than the tarsus). Aramidae. Size medium or rather large ; outer primary shorter than seventh, the inner • web very narrow, except at end ; second quill much shorter than the longest (fifth). Rectrices well developed, firm, twelve in number. Bill curved to one side at tip, equal to or longer than the tarsus; inner secondaries broad, reaching to end of primaries, their webs partially decomposed. B. Size large; head partly naked (except in young), or with ornamental plumes; middle toe less than half the tarsus; hallux small, much elevated. (G-raes.) Gruidae. [Characters as^above.] KALLIIEE— THE HAILS, GALLINULES, AM) COOTS. 83 Subordeh RALLI. Family RALLID.ZE.— The Rails, Gallinules, and Coots. Chae. Small or medium- sized wading or swimming birds, with compressed body, very long toes, which are sometimes (in tho Coots) lobed along the edges, short, rounded, concave wings, and very muscular t highs. The brief diagnosis given above is sufficient to distinguish the Rails, of whatever subfamily, from the Courlans and Cranes, their only near allies. The typical Rails (Rail lure) are of very small to medium size, the typical genus, RaZlus, being charac- terized particularly by a lengthened slender bill, while other gen- era, as Porza/iia and Ofex, have this member comparatively short and thick. The Coots and Gallinules have the base of the culmen continued upon the forehead, where it widens out into a more or less gibbous or expanded plate or frontal shield. The Coots, however, are peculiar in having the toes fringed with scalloped flaps or lateral lobes. The three subfamilies occurring in North America may be thus distinguished: Rallinae. No frontal process; toes without lateral lobes ; size variable ; bill sometimes much elongated. Gallinulinae. A frontal process, as in Fulicincs ; toes without lateral lobes; size large. Fulicinae. A frontal pn ss, aa in Gallinulinae; toes with a lateral lobed margin; size large. The several subfamilies having thus been defined, the North American genera may be characterized as follows: Subfamily RALLINJE.— The Rails. A. Bill Blender, equal to or longer than the tarsus. 1. Rallus. i Page 89.) B. Bill stout, doI more than two thirds the tarsus (usually much li 2. Porzana. Middle toe about equal to or slightly longer than tarsus; base "f gonys ii'. i forming a decided angle; middle of culmen decidedlj d< pressed or concave. (Page 92.) 3. Crex. Middle toe shorter than tarsus; base ol gonys forming a deoided angle; middle ofoulmen scarce!] appreciably depressed. \ el found In Illinois.) Subfamily GALLINULINJE. -The Gallinules. i. Ionornis. Nostril small, oval; middle toe shorter than tarsus: toes without I of lateral membrane; Inner posterioi fa f tarsus with a single row of large quadrate souteUre. ■V Gallinula. Nostril elongated, slit-like : middle toe long* nrltha deoided indication of lateral membrane; Im ' tarsus e with leveral irregulai ro^i of mall hexagonal 84 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. Subfamily FULICIN-ffi.— The Coots. 6. Fulica. Nostrils, and proportionate length of toes and tarsus, as in Gallinula; toes bordered with a very wide, scalloped, lateral membrane; inner posterior face of tarsus covered with small scales, as in Gallinula. 1 Subfamily FULICIN-ffi. Genus FULICA Linn.eus. Fulica Linn. S. N. ed. 10, 1758, 152; ed. 12, i, 1766, 257. Type, F. atra Linn. Chab. Very similar to Gallinula, but the toes margined by a broad, deeply scalloped lateral membrane. Bill shorter than the head, straight, strong, compressed, and advancing into the feathers of the forehead, where it frequently forms a wide and somewhat project- ing frontal plate; nostrils in a groove, with a large membrane, near the middle of the bill. Wings rather short, second and third quills usually longest; tail very short; tarsus robust, shorter than the middle toe, with very distinct transverse scales: toes long, each having semi-circular lobes, larger on the inner side; hind toe rather long, lobed. Almost the only difference between Fulica and Gallinula consists in the single character of the toes, as pointed out above. The two genera are, however, quite distinct, since there appears to be no species known that is intermediate in the charaoter of the feet. Fulica americana Gmel. AMERICAN COOT. Popular synonyms. Mud-hen; White- billed, or Ivory-billed, Mud- hen; Crow Duck. Fulica americana Gmel. S. N. i,pt. ii, 1788, 704.— Sw. & Rich. F. B.-A. ii, 1831, 404.— Nutt. Man. ii, 1834, 229.— Aud. Orn. Biog. iii, 1835. 291; v, 1839, 508; Synop. 1839, 212; B. Am. v, 1842, 138, pi. 305.— Cass, in Baird's B. N. Am. 1858, 751.— Baied, Cat. N.Am. B 1859, No. 559. -Coues, Key, 1872, 275; Check List, 1873, No. 474; 2d ed. 1882, No. 686;' Birds N. W. 1874, 541.— Ridgw. Norn. N. A. B. 1881, No. 580; Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 142 — A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 221. Fulica wilsoni Stephens, Shaw's Gen. Zool. xii, 1824, 236. Fulica atra Wils. Am. Orn. ix, 1825, pi. 73, flg. 1 (nee Linn.). Hab. The whole of North America, Middle America, and West Indies; north to Green- land and Alaska, south to Veragua and Trinidad. Sp. Chab. Adult: General color uniform slate-color or slaty plumbeous, the head and neck and anterior central portion of the crissum black ; lateral and posterior portions of the crissum, edge of wing, and tips of secondaries white. (In winter the belly suffused with whitish.) Bill milk-white, more bluish terminally, each mandible with a spot of dark brown near the end, bordered anteriorly with a more or less distinct bar of reddish chestnut; frontal shield dark chestnut, or liver-brown, the culmen just in front of this tinged with greenish yellow; iris bright crimson; legs bright yellowish green, the tibiae tinged behind and above with orange-red; toes light bluish gray, tinged with yellowish green on scutellae of basal phalanges. 2 Young: Similar, but lower parts more gray, and much suffused. 1 A South American genus, Porphyriops Pucheean, belonging to the Gallinulinas, is much like Gallinula, but has the lateral margin to the toes more decidedly developed the gonys very short, and much ascending terminally, the culmen very straight and the front- al shield small and very pointed. 8 Fresh colors of an adult male killed at Wheatland, Indiana, April 15, 1881. RALLID^E— THE RAILS, GALLINULES, AND COOTS. 85 with whitish, especially on the throat and belly; bill dull flesh-color, tinged with olive- greenish, the frontal shield rudimentary; iris brown. Downy young: Prevailing color blackish plumbeous; head, neck, and upper parts relieved by numerous crisp, elongated, somewhat filamentous bristles, these sparse, light orange-buff and white on the upper parts, but dense and deep salmon-orange on the head and neck, where the dark plumbeous down is almost or quite concealed; these colored filaments entirely absent from the whole pileum. which is mostly bald toward the occiput, elsewhere covered with closely appressed black bristles; lores densely covered with short, stamen-like, orange-red papillie. Bill orange-red, the tip of the maxilla black ; feet dusky (in skin). Total length, about 14 inches; wing, 7.25-7.60; culmen (to commencement of frontal shield), 1.25-1.50; tarsus, 2.00-2.20; middle toe, 2.45-2.65. The Coot is an exceedingly abundant summer resident in the more northern portions of the State. Mr. Nelson, in his list of the birds of Cook and adjacent counties {Hull. Essex Inst. VIII., 187G, pp. 185, 136), says the following concerning it : "Exceedingly abundant. Summer resident in large marshes, and it is far from rare in any marshy situation. Arrives the last of April and remains until the last of November. Nests ;it the same time as the Florida Gallinule, but shows a greater preference for reed patches, in which its nests are usually located, often in from two to four feet of water. The nests are gener- ally larger than those of gallinules, and rarely composed of other material than the dry stalks of reeds. Dr. Coues's descrip- tion of the nidification of this species will answer lor most of the eases I have observed, and I have examined a large number of nests. (See ''Birds of the Northwest." p. 512.) As winter approaches, and the marshes and shallow pools become covered with ice, these birds congregate in immense Hocks on the rivers and sih.m11 lakes, and remain until the cold weather closes the streams. "This bird has a curious habii when approached by a boal in .i stream, rising often before the bbal is within gunshot, and flying directly by the boatman, generally so near that it may he easily broughl down. The abundance of ducks and other game birds has caused the birds of this family to he hut little molested, until within a few years, when the amateur sportsmen from Chicago, finding the ducks difficult to obtain, ami "mud- hens," as coots ami gallinules are called, conveniently tame. have turned their batteries upon them ami have caused a dimi- nution iu their numbers aboul the Calumet Marshes. But in i he more retired marshes they si ill br I in undiminished num- bers." 86 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. Subfamily GALUNULIN-ffi. Genus GAL.LINULA Brisson. Gallinula Bbiss. Orn. vi, 1760, 3. Type, Fulica chloropus Linn. Char. Bill shorter than head, compressed, its vertical outlines convex terminally, straight or slightly concave opposite the nostril; nostril elongated, longitudinal, slit-like; forehead covered by an extension of the horny covering of the bill (rudimentary in the young). Middle toe longer than the tarsus; toes with a slight lateral membrane or margin. The above characters will serve readily to distinguish the species of this genus from the American genera, Ionornis and Porphyriops, the former having the nostril small and oval, the middle toe shorter than the tarsus, and the toes without trace of lateral membrane, while the latter (an exclusively South American genus) has the frontal shield small and conical, and is, moreover, composed of birds of small size. Two American species of Gallinula are known, one of them (G. ga/nmami Allen) peculiar to the basin of Lake Titicaca, Peru. Both are more nearly allied to the G. chloropus of Europe than to any other species, but are very distinct from that, as well as from each other. Gallinula galeata (Licht.) FLORIDA GALLINULE. Popular synonyms. American Gallinule; Scarlet-fronted Gallinule; Red-billed Mud-hen. Crex galeata Licht. Verz. Doubl. 1823, 80, No. 826. Gallinula galeata Bonap. Am. Orn. iv, 1832, 128.— Nutt. Man. ii, 1834, 221.— Cass, in Bairds B. N. Am. 1858, 752— Baikd, B. N. Am. 1859, No. 560— Coues. Key, 1872, 275; Check List, 1873, No. 472; 2d ed. 1882, No. 684; Birds N. W. 1874. 540.— Ridgw. Norn. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 579; Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 141.-A. O. U. Check List,1886,No. 219. Gallinula chloropus Bonap. Synop. 1828, 336 (nee Lath.).— Aud. Orn. Biog. iii, 1835, 330, pi. 224; Synop. 1839, 210; B. Am. v, 1842, 132, pi. 304. Hab. The whole of tropical and temperate America, from Canada to Brazil and Chili. Sp. Chab. Adult: Frontal plate large, obovate, truncated or slightly convex posteri- orly, flat and smooth, or tumid and corrugated. Bill shorter than the head, rather thick, compressed. Head, neck, and entire lower parts dark plumbeous, with a bluish cinereous cast, frequently nearly black on the head and neck, and generally lighter (in autumnal and winter specimens quite white) on the abdomen. Crissum white, the middle feathers black; feathers of the flanks widely edged with white, producing broad stripes ; edge of the wing and edge of outer primary white. Upper parts dark russet, or sepia-brown, darker on the rump. Bill and frontal shield bright vermilion in life, the end of the former greenish yellow or bright yellow; iris brown; legs and feet yellowish green, the joints ashy blue; upper HALLID.K — THE RAILS, GALLINULES, AND COOTS. 87 part of the naked tibiae scarlet. Young: Similar, but frontal shield rudimentary, the bill orownish, paler at the tip; the whole lower parts suffused with whitish, and the head mixed with th<> same, particularly the throat, whi-h is sometimes wholly white. Stripes on the flanks less distinct or nearly obsolete. Downy Young: Glossy black, the median lower parts fuliginous; throat and cheeks interspersed with silvery white hairs; bill yel- lowish (red in life?) crossed about the middle by a dusky bar. Total length, about 12.00-13.00 inches; extent, 20.00 to 21.00; wing, 6.85-7.25; culmen (to end of frontal shield) 1.70-1.85; tarsus, 2.10-2.30; middle toe. 2.50-2.60. This species much resembles the Moor-hen, Water-hen, or Gal- linule of Europe (G. chlorqpus), but is larger, has the frontal shield truncated instead of pointed posteriorly, and is other- wise different. It likewise resembles other exotic species, par- ticularly G. garrrwmi of the Peruvian Andes, but is quite dis- tinct. Specimens vary a great deal in the size and shape of the frontal shield, and in the amount of white on the abdomen. These variations are by no means dependent on locality, how- ever, but upon the individual, having doubtless some connec- tion, with age and season, the white on the abdomen being more marked on winter specimens. Although in most places less numerous than the Coot (ttt- Uca americcma), the Florida Gallinule is, in favorable localities. a common summer, resident throughout the State. Mr. Nelson bears witness to its abundance in Cook county, and in his ex- cellent list gives us the following information concerning it: "Abundant summer resident everywhere in marshes and the larger prairie sloughs. Arrives the last of April or the first of May. Generally has a full set of eggs, numbering from seven to twelve, the first week of June. Its nests are placed wherever fancy dictates; on low ridges a rod or more from the water; in perfectly bare situations on the borders of marshes, or in the midst of bulrushes or wild rice growing in several feel of water. The material used varies with the situation, from fine grasses bo the coarsest rushes and fragments of wild rice stalks. In the latter case fche uesl often floats in the water and is held in place by the surrounding reeds. The young possess the usual black down and disproportionate feel of members of this family a1 an early age. hut the basal two thirds of the bill is bright red, the tip only being yellow. I have placed eggs under a hen, bu1 the young, unless removed as soon as hatched, would scramble oul and manage to get away, A.1 this age they have a clear metallic | p, quite unlike thai of a chicken." 88 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. Genus IONORNIS Reichenbach. ? Porphyrula Blyth, Cat. B. Asiat. Soc. 1849, 283. Type, P. chloronotus Blyth. > Ionornis Reichenb. Syst. Av. 1853, p. xxi. Type, Fulica martinica Linn. Chae. Similar to GalUnulabnt form more slender, nostrils small and oval, middle toe shorter than the tarsus, and the toes without trace of lateral membrane. Colors very hand. some (chiefly opaque blue, purple, and green). Whether the American species, to which the generic name adopted above is properly applicable, is congeneric with the old world species {Porphyrio chloronotus Blyth, nee Vieill.), which is the type of the genus Porphyrula Blyth, is at present un- certain. [6Y. D. G. Elliot: "The Genus Porphyrio and its Species;" separate pamphlet, from "Stray Feathers," pp. 1-20.] Ionornis martinica (Linn.) PURPLE GALLINTJLE. Popular synonyms. Blue Coot; Blue Peter; Blue Mud-hen. Fulica martinica Linn. S. N. i, 1766, 259. . G-allinula martinica Lath. 1790.— Nutt. Man. ii, 1834, 221.— Aud. Orn. Biog. iv. 1838, 37, pi. 305; Synop. 1839, 210; B. Am. v, 1842, 128, pi. 303— Cass, in Baird's B. N. Am. 1858, 753-Baikd, Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 561. Porphyrio martinica Gosse, Birds Jam. 1847, 377.— Coues, Key, 1872, 275; Check List, 1873, No. 473. Ionornis martinica Reich. Av. Syst. 1853. 21.— Ridgw. Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus. iii, 1881, 202, 227; Norn. N. Am. B.1881. No. 578; Man. N.Am. B. 1887, 141.— Coues, Check List, 2d ed. 1882, No. 685; A. O. U. CheckList 1886, No. 218. Oallinula porphyrio Wils. Am. Orn. ix, 1824, 69, pi. 73. Hab. The whole of tropical and warm-temperate America, south to Brazil; north, cas- ually, to Massachusetts, Maine, New York, Ohio, Wisconsin, Illinois, and Missouri. Ber- mudas and throughout West Indies. Not recorded from any part of the United States west of the Rocky Mountains. Sp. Chab. Adult: Head, neck, and lower parts slaty bluish purple, darker (sometimes nearly black) on abdomen and tibiae; crissum pure white; upper parts bright olive-green, changing to bright verditer-blue toward the purple of the lowerTparts, the sides and lining of wing also greenish blue; wings brighter green than the back, and shaded with bright ver- diter-blue. Frontal shield bright blue in life (greenish or olivaceous in dried skin); bill bright red, tipped with yellow; iris crimson; legs and feet yellowish. Young: Above, light fulvous-brown, tinged with greenish on wings ; beneath, fulvous or buff y, the belly whitish ; frontal shield smaller than in adult, dusky (in skins); bill dull yellowish. Downy young : "Entirely black," (Audubon). Total length about 12.50 inches; wing, 7.00-7.50; culmen (in- cluding frontal shield), 1.85-1.95; tarsus, 2.25-2.50; middle toe, 2.25-2.35. Specimens vary remarkably in the size and form of the frontal plate. In 36,785 Ceara, Brazil, it is broader than long, and its posterior margin rounded; usually it is longer than broad, and its posterior extremity an angle — sometimes acute. There is also much difference among individuals in the intensity of the colors. 1 The interrogation mark here implies the doubt as to whether the Indian bird is con- generic with the American species. Should such prove to be the case, which we do not re- gard probable, our bird would stand as Porphyrula martinica. RALLID.E— THE RAILS, GALLINULES, AND COOTS. 89 All these variations appear, however, to be purely individual (perhaps partially seasonal), or at least entirely independent of locality. This essentially southern species is comparatively a rare bird in Illinois, though it may be more common than the records show. According to Mr. Nelson, a male specimen was taken in May, 1886, by Mr. C. N. Holden, Jr., near Chicago, and he was informed by Dr. Hoy that a specimen had been captured at Racine. Its general habits are much like those of the Florida Gallinule (Gallinula galeata). Subfamily RALLINiE Genus RALLXJS Linn.eus. Rallus Linn. S. N. ed. 10, 1758. 153; ed 12. 1766.261. Type. //. aquaticus Linn. Char. Bill longer than the head, rather slender, compressed; upper mandible slightly curved; nostrils in a long groove, and with a large membrane; wings short ; tertiary quills long, frequently longer than the primaries; tail very short; lees moderate; tarsus shorter than the middle toe, and covered on all sides with transverse scales; toes l'>ng and rather slender; inner toe rather shorter than the outer; hind toe short and weak. This genus contains numerous species, inhabiting all the tem- perate countries of the world. They are very similar in their habits, and frequently in appearance. Their long toes enable them to run over and climb amongst aquatic plants with great facility. Synopsis of tht North American Species. Common Characters. Above olive or ashy, with more or less distinct broad longitudi- nal strip.- of darker; beneath concolored anteriorly, variegated wit h bar- on the Hanks and crissum. Breast more or less reddish; flanks and crissum with brown and white transverse bars; a supraloral light stripe. Wing-coverts usually more rufesoenl than back. A. Size large (wing more than Ave inches). a. Axillars and Hanks dusky, with wide white bars (bars aboul .15 of an Inch wide on Hanks). l. R. elegans. Back and scapulars ochraoeous-olive or yellowish drab, sharply and conspicuously striped with black; breasl deep cinnamon. Wing, •"■.'."' ,; > n ; cul- men, 2.10-2.50; least depth of bill. .22-.S5; tarsus, 1.90 2.40; middle toe, 1.70 J. in. ffdb. Fresh-water marshes of eastern North America. i>. Axillars and flanks brownish eray, with narrow white bars (bars about .10 of aninoh wide on Hanks). -'. R. crepitans. Back and Boapulars brownish gray or ashy, obBQletely striped with brown (in Gulf coast specimens distinctly 9triped with dusky); breast pale buff (Id Gulf coast i [mens dull oinnamon). Wing. 5.20-6.00; culmen, 2J least depth of bill, .22-.S6; tarsus, 1.86-2.10; middle toe, 1.76-2.00. Uab. Bait- marshes of ea B. Size -mall (wing less than 1.50 inches). :t. R. virginianus. similar to /.'. - egans, but rather more deeply colored. ffo©. i and Middle Am —12 90 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. Rallus elegans Aud. KING KAIL. Popular synonyms. Red-breasted Rail: Great Red-breasted Rail; Marsh Hen; Sedge Hen; Mud-hen. ' Ealhis crepitans Wils. Am. Orn. vii, 1813, pi. 62, fig, 2 (fig. but not descr. Not R. crepitans Gmel.).— (?) Allen, Bull. Mus. Comp. Zool. iii, 1872, 182 (Great Salt Lake, Utah). 1 Rallus elegans Aud. Orn. Biog. iii, 1835, 27, pi. 203; Synop. 1839,215; B. Am. v, 1842, 160. pi. 309.-BAIKD, B. N. Am. 1858, 746; Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 552.— Coues, Key, 1872, 273; Check List, 1873, No. 466; 2d ed. 1882, No. 676; Birds N. W. 1874, 535.-Ridgw. Norn. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 569; Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 138.-A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 208. Hab. Fresh-water marshes of the Eastern Province of the United States, north, casu- ally, to Massachusetts, Maine, and Ontario, regularly to the Middle States and northern Illinois; west to Kansas (Great Salt Lake, Allen? 2 ). Replaced in the salt marshes along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts by representative forms of R. crepitans. Sp. Chak. Adult: Above, yellowish olive or ochraceous-drab. very conspicuously and sharply striped with black; crown dark brown; asupfaloral streak of brownish white, con- tinued to the occiput in a broader stripe of brownish gray; lores and suborbital region brownish gray or dull brownish; chin and throat white; remainder of head and neck, in- cluding chest and breast, light cinnamon; flanks and sides dark brownish or blackish dusky, barred with white, the white bars averaging about .10-.15 of an inch in width, the in- terspaces more than twice as wide; crissum mixed dusky and white, the lateral feathers almost immaculate white; middle of the abdomen considerably lighter than the breast, sometimes quite white; axillars and lining of the wing similar to the flanks, but white bars narrower, and less distinct. Wing-coverts rusty brownish, sometimes inclining to chest- nut, and not infrequently more or less barred with reddish white; tertials widely striped, like the scapulars: remiges plain umber brown; rectrices raw- umber, with a dusky medial stripe. "Lower mandible and edges of upper brownish yellow; ridge of upper, and tfps ot both, deep brown; iris bright red; feet yellowish brown, tinged with olive; claws of the same color" (Audubon). Bon-ny young: Uniform glossy black: bill dusky, the end, and in- complete wide band near the base (enclosing the nostril), pale yellowish or whitish (in the skin); legs and feet brownish (in skin). Total length, about 17 inches; wing. 5.90-6.80; culmen, 2.12-2.50; depth of bill in middle. .27-.35; tarsus, 2.20-2.40; middle toe, 1.80-2.10. The individual variation in this species is very considerable, both as regards coloration and the proportions; but it may always be readily distinguished from the allied forms by the characters pointed out above, the very conspicuous, sharply- defined, and broad black stripes above, upon an ochrey brown or yellowish olivaceous ground-color, combined with the cinna- mon breast and dark flanks, being the prominent distinctive features. The chief variation in colors consists in the degree of ashiness on the side of the head (some examples being distinctly ashy, as in most specimens of B. crepitans), and in the precise shade of the ground-color of the upper parts, which, however, is never ashy. 1 May possibly be R. obsoletus. 2 No specimens seen: may possibly be R. obsoletus. RALLIDvE— THE RAILS, GALLINULES, AND COOTS. 91 This fine bird, the largest of the American true Rails, is a common summer resident, in suitable localities, throughout the State. In Cook county it arrives, according to Mr. Nelson, "the last of April and departs in October." Rallus virginianus Linn. VIRGINIA RAIL. Rallus virginianus Linn.S.N. ed. 12, i,1766,263.-WiL8. Am. Orn. vii.1813.109.pl. G2, fig. 1.- Nutt. Man. ii, 1834.205; Aud. Orn. Biog. iii. 1835, 41; v, 1839, 573, pl.205;B. Am. v, 1842. 174, pi. 311,-Baird, B. N. Am. 1858, 748; Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 554,-Coues, Key. 1872,273: Check List, 1873. No. 4(57; 2.1 ed. 1882, No. 677; Birds N. W. 1874. 536.-Ridgw. Bull. Nutt. Orn. Club, v, No. 3. 1880, 140; Nom. N. Am. B. 1881. No. 572; Man. N. Am. B. 1887. 138- A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 212. Hab. The whole of temperate North America as far as the British Provinces, south to Guatemala and Cuba; winters a'most to the northern limit of its range. 1 Sp. Char. Adult: A miniature of R. elegans. but more deeply colored. Above oliva- ceous,' heavily striped with black; wing-coverts chestnut-rufous; remiges plain dusky; crown and nape dusky, sometimes uniform, usually indistinctly streaked with olive; a brownish white supraloral line; side of head uniform plumbeous (sometimes obscured with a brownish wash); malar region, forene-k. chest, breast, sides, and abdomen, some- times throat also, cinnamon, the middle of the belly lighter (sometimes whitish): flanks (not sides) and axillars dusky, barred with white; lining of wing dusky, the feathers tipped and bordered with white. Downy young: Glossy black; bill scarlet or orange-red in life (whitish or pale yellowish in the skin), slightly marked with blackish in front of the nostril and on the base of mandible. Voung (first plumage): "Top and sides of head, neck behind. back anteriorly, rump, breast, and sides, dull dead black. Interscapular region black, with a few of the feathers margined with brownish olive. Wing-coveits and wings nearly as in adult a little duller and darker, perhaps. Superciliary line obscure ashy. Throat ashy white, finely spotted with black. Central region of lower breast and abdomen, with a few of the feathers on the sides, tinged with white. Anal region and crissum dull reddish chestnut. In my cabinet, from Cambridge, Mass.. August, 1875. Several other specimens of corresponding ages agree closely with the one above described. A male, however (Cam- bridge, Aug. 9, 1875), differs in having a faint reddish wash over the white on the breast and abdomen." (Bkewstf.h. Bull. Nutt. Orn. Club.Jan, 1879, p. 45). Total length, about 7.50 inches; wing, 3.90-4.25; culmen. 1.45-1.60; tarsus, 1.30-1.40: middle toe. L.20-1.40. "Bill dark brown, the lower mandible and edges of upper yellowish brown; iris bright red; Eee1 yellowish brown tinged with olive; claws more dusky." (Au- dubon.) This species is very much like A', elegans in miniature, being exc lingly similar to thai species in colpration. Close exam- ination, however, reveals several importanl differences, the more obvious of whirl] are fche following: The whole plumage is darker; the sides of the head more uniformly and distinctly plumbeous; the sides and abdomen are cinnamon, like the breast, instead of being respectively barred, like the Banks, and i \ Bpeoimen was 3en1 by C " :i1 Museum from Walla Walla, Washington, which waa Bhol Jan. 16. 1879. when th. 679; Birds N. W. 1874, .538— Ridgw. Norn. N. Am. B 1881, No. 574; .Man. V Am. I'... 1887, 139.— \. o. (J., Cheok List, 1886, No. 214. Bab. The whole oftemperate North a rioa, bul most common In the Eastern Prov- ince; Wesl Indies in general; whole of Middle America, Bouth t.> Colombia ami Venezuela; accidental in Greenland ami Europe; Bermudas [numerous in migration: Bi • • da ohlefl) in Ihe northern pa' is of its range. 94 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. Sp. Chab. Adult: Above bright olive-brown, with longitudinal spots of black, some of the feathers edged with white; tori of head with a long longitudinal stripe of black; ante- rior portion of head, with chin and throat, black; sides of head and nsck (except as de- scribed), chest, and breast light plumbeous; abdomen white; anal region and crissum creamy white or pale buff; flanks sharply barred with white and slate-color. Young: Similar, but lores and superciliary stripe brownish, the chin and throat whitish; rest of neck, with chest and breast, light brownish. Bill greenish yellow (more orange, espe- cially at base, in summer adults); iris brown; legs and feet greenish. "Downy stage— chick a few days old: Bill short, exceedingly depressed, high at base, rapidly tapering, the tip deflected. The whole body densely covered with dull black down, beyond which are produced abundant long, glossy, black hair-like filaments. Upon the throat is a tuft of stiff, coarse bristle-like feathers of a bright orange-color. These are directed forward, and give the bird a most singular appearance. (Prom a specimen in my cabinet collected at Cam- bridge, Mass., June 24, 1874.) This bird, although the only specimen of the kind now at hand, is one of a large brood which was attended by the female parent. Several of Ihe others were distinctly seen and closely examined at the time. All had a similar orange tuft upon the throat." [Bkewsteb, in Bull. Nutt. Orn. Club, January 1879, p. 48.] The most abundant and most universally known bird of its genus inhabiting the United States, and variously known as the "Kail," ''Sora," or "Ortolan," according to locality. It is especially numerous along the creeks and rivers on the Atlantic during the autumnal migration, when excursions for obtaining it are a favorite amusement of gunners and sportsmen. It appears to inhabit the entire temperate regions of North America. There is apparently little, if any, geographical varia- tion noticeable in a large series of specimens, and the principal individual variation consists in the extent of the black on the throat, which in some examples extends back as far as the middle of the abdomen. Mr. Nelson thus describes the nesting habits of the Sora: "Exceedingly abundant summer resident in all marshy situa- tions. Arrives the first of May and departs in October. Nests along the borders of prairie sloughs and marshes, depositing from eight to fourteen eggs. Their nest may often be discovered at a distance by the appearance of the surrounding grass, the blades of which are in many cases interwoven over the nest, apparently to shield the bird from the fierce rays of the sun, which are felt with redoubled force on the marshes. The nests are sometimes built on a solitary tussock of grass, growing in the water, but not often. The usual position is in the soft, dense grass growing close to the edge of the slough, and rarely in grass over eight inches high. The next is a thick matted platform of marsh grasses, with a medium-sized depression for the eggs." RALLID.E THE— RAILS, GALLINULES, AND COOTS. 95 Porzana noveboracensis (Gmel.) YELLOW KAIL. Popular synonym. Little Yellow Rail. Fulica noveboracensis Gmel. S. N. i.pt. ii. 1788, 701. Ortygometra noveboracensis Stephens, 1824.- Aud. Synop.1830. 213; B. Am. v. 1S!2, 152. pi. 307. Eallus noveborncmsis Bonap. 1827; Am. Orn. iv. 1832. 136, pi. 27. fig. 2.-Nutt. Man. 11. 1831 215 -Sw. & Rich. F. B. A. ii, 1831. 402- Aud. Orn. Biog. iv, 1838, 251, pi. 32tf. Porzana noveboracensis Cass, in Baird's B. N. Am. 1858, 750.-Baird, Cat. N. Am.B. 1859, No. 557.-C0UES.Key, 1872, 274; Check List, 1873,No. 469; 2d ed. 1882, No. 680; Birds N. W. 1874,539-Ridgw. Nom. N. Am. B. 1881> No. 575; Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 140- A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 215. "Porzana jamaicensis (?)" (error) Ridgw. Orn. 40th Par. Exp. 1877, 613 (Nevada and Utah).i Hab. Eastern North Ameriea, north to Hudson's Bay. Nova Scotia, west to Utah and Nevada. No extralimital record except Cuba and the Bermudas. Sp. Char. Adult. Yellowish ochraceous, very glossy above, where broadly striped with black, the black intersected by narrow bars of white; belly whitish; flanks dusky narrowly barred with white ; crissum light cinnamon ; axillars, lining of wing, and exposed portion of secondaries, white. "Bill greenish black, with the base dull yellowish orange: iris hazel; feet and claws light flesh-color" (Audubon). Total length about 6.00 inches; wing 3.00-3.50; culmen, .50.55; tarsus, .90-1.00; middle toe, .90. There is considerable individual variation, both in size and markings, even among specimens from the .same locality. Although very rarely seen, on account of its skulking habits and extreme reluctance to take wing, the little Yellow Rail is not an uncommon bird in Illinois. Mr. Nelson gives it as "not very rare'' in Cook county, where it arrives early in May. Sev- eral specimens, he says, are taken each spring, before the grass becomes sufficiently high to effectually conceal them. The National Museum possesses its eggs from Winnebago, taken by Mi-. .1. \V. Tolmaii. thus proving that it breeds in the northern pari of the State. i The small Kail referred by me, with greal hesitation, to /'. iamaicensis. in , 1U '-Report of the Ornithology of the Fortieth Parallel Expedition" (Vol I v.. Pt Hi, p. 613), was undoubtedly this species, which is the only one sho wing white alone the hinder margin ofthewlng a] ulii d ol the birds observed. The apparently "blackish ci was .in.' to Imperfect observation. 96 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. Porzana jamaicensis (Gmel.) BLACK RAIL. Popular synomym. Little Black Rail. Rallus jamaicensis Gmel S. N. i, pt. ii, 1788, 718— Aud. Orn. Biog. iv, 1838, 359, pi. 349. Ortygometra jamaicensis "Stephens, Shaw's Gen. Zool."— Aud. Synop. 1839, 2i4; B. Am. v, 1842, 157, pi. 308. Porzana jamaicensis Cass, in Baird's B. N. Am. 1858.749.— Baird, Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No- 556— Coues, Key, 1872, 247; Check List, 1873, No. 470; 2d ed. 1882, No. 681 : Birds N. W. 1874, 539— Ridgw. Norn. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 576; Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 140.-A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 216. Hab. Temperate North America, north to Massachusetts, northern Illinois (breeding), Utah, Nevada, and California; south through western South America to Chili; Cuba; Jamaica; Bermudas. Sp. Char. Smaller than P. noveboracensis, and the smallest of North American Ral- lidee. Adult: Head, neck, and lower parts dark plumbeous or slate-color, darkest, and often nearly black, on the pileum; abdomen and crissum brownish black, marked with transverse bars of white; nape and back dark chestnut or reddish sepia-brown, the other upper parts brownish black, with small dots and irregular transverse bars of white; prima- ries immaculate dusky, or with small spots of white. Young: Similar, but lower parts dull ashy, the throat inclining to white, and the crown tinged with reddish brown. Downy young: "Entirely bluish black" (Cassin). Bill black; iris red; "feetbright yellowish green" (Audubon 1 ). Total length, about 5.00 inches; wing 2.50-3.20; culmen, .50-.60; tarsus, 85-.90 ; middle toe, 80-1.00. Like its relative, the Yellow Rail, the present species is much more numerous than one not familiar with its habits would suppose. Mr. Nelson's memoranda concerning it {Bull. Essex Inst., VIII., 1876, pp. 134, 135) are as follows: "Like the preceding, of not very rare occurence. Breeds, Dur- ing the spring of 1875 I saw three specimens in the Calumet Marshes. The first was observed early in May. On the 19th of June, the same season, while collecting with me near the Calumet River. Mr. Frank DeWitt, of Chicago, was fortunate enough to discover a nest of this species containing ten freshly laid eggs. The nest was placed in a deep cup-shaped depression in a per- fectly open situation on the border of a marshy spot, and its only concealment was such as a few straggling carices afforded. It is composed of soft grass blades loosely interwoven in a cir- cular manner. The nest, in shape and construction, looks much like that of a meadow lark. The following are its dimensions in inches: Inside depth, 2.50; inside diameter, 3.25; outside depth, 3.50; outside diameter, 4.50. The eggs are a cream-white 1 In an adult male, killed June 6, 1879, near Washington, D. C, the fresh colors of the "soft parts" were as follows: Bill entirely deep black; iris bright brick-red; legs and feet brown, much the same color as the wing-coverts. RALLID.E— THE RAILS, GALLINULES, AND COOTS. 97 instead of clear white, as I stated in a recent article {Bull. Wutt. Orn. CI iih, Vol. I., p. 43), and average 1.00 by .81 inches. They are nearly perfectly oval, and are thinly sprinkled with fine reddish-brown dots, which become larger and more numerous a1 one end. Minute shell markings in the form of dots are also visible. Owing to the small diameter of the nest, the eggs were in two la vers." -13 98 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. Family GRUID-ffi— The Cranes. The diagnosis of this family has already been given on page 82. The species are all of very large size, and inhabit grassy plains, as well as marshes. The bill is moderately long; the nostrils broad and pervious, the nasal groove extending but little beyond them. The legs are long, but the toes are short; the hind toe is very short and much elevated, the claw scarcely touching the ground. The genera are few in number, but one, Crrus, belonging to North America. Genus GRUS Pallas. Grus Pall. Misc. Zool. 1766, 66. Type, Ardea grus Linn. Chak. Bill lengthened, straight, the upper mandible only slightly decurved at the ex- treme tip ; the commissure and other outlines straight. Nasal groove very large and open, extending over the basal two thirds of the bill. Nostrils broadly open, pervious ; the ante- rior extremity half way from the tip of bill to eye. The upper half of the head naked, warty, but with short hairs. Legs much lengthened; toes short, hardly more than one third the tarsus. Inner toe rather longer, its claw much larger than the outer. Hind toe elevated, short. Toes con- nected at base by membrane. Tarsi broadly scutellate anteriorly. Tertials longer than primaries, decurved; first quill not much shorter than second. Tail of twelve feathers. Synopsis of Species. A. Adult plumage white, the primaries black ; cheeks naked. Bill very thick, the gonys strongly convex. 1. G. americana. B. Adult plumage grayish or plumbeous, the primaries slate-color; cheeks always feath- ered. Bill slender, longer than middle toe ; gonys straight. 2. G. canadensis. Wing, 17.75-19.00 inches ; culmen, 2. 90-3.70 ; tarsus, 6.70-8.00 ; middle toe 2.80-2.95. Hah. Alaska to New Mexico and Texas, breeding (exclusively?) far northward. 3. G. mexicana. Wing, 22.00 inches; culmen, 5.00-6.00; tarsus, 10.00; middle toe, 3.50 or more. Hah. Western United States and Gulf States from Washington to Florida. GRITID.E— THE CRANES. 99 Grus americana (Linn.) WHOOPING CRANE. Popular synonym. Great White Crane. A rdea americana Linn. S. N. ed. 18, i. 1766, 234.— Wils. Am. Orn. viii, 1814, 20, pi. 64, fig. 3. Grus americana Sw. & Rich. F. B.-A. ii, 1831, 372.— Nutt. Man. 1834, 34.— Aud. Orn. Biog. iii, 1835, 202, pi. 226; Synop. 1839, 219; B. Am. V.1842,188,pl.313.-BAIBD, B. N. Am. 1858, 654; Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 478.— Coues, Key, 1872. 271; Check List, 1873, No. 462; ed. 2, 1882, No. 668; Birds N. W. 1874, 530, Redgw. Nom. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 582; Man. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 582.-A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 204. Grus hoy anus, Dudley, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. vii, 1854. 64 (young).— Stimpson, Mem. Chicago Acad, i, 1868, 129, pi. 19. Hab. The interior of North America from Texas and Florida to the Fur Countries, and from Colorado to Ohio; south to Guanajuato, Central Mexico? 1 Formerly found, casually, in the Atlantic States. Sp. Chab. Adult: Whole crown and occiput covered by a warty or granulated skin almost bare on the occiput, but covered anteriorly by black hair-like bristles; the color of this skin reddish in life. Lores and malar region, including a narrow angular strip extending from the latter down each side of the throat, also naked, and similarly bristled, the bristles denser anteriorly. Color entirely puro white, excepting the primaries and their coverts, which are uniform slate- black, and a patch of plumbeous on the upper part of the nape, adjoining the bare skin of the occiput and extending downward for the distance of about two inches. "Bill wax-yellow; iris gamboge-yellow; bare skin of head dull orange-color; legs blue-black." (Sw. & Rich. 1. c.) Young: Head completely feathered. General color white, with large patches here and there, especially above, of light cinnamon, the head and neck almost continuously of this color. The primaries and their coverts uniform dull black, as in the adult, Bill dull wax-yellow, the terminal portion blackish; lees and feet blackish. Immature: Bare portions of the head indicated by feathers of a harsher texture and darker color than elsewhere, occupying the areas which are naked in the fully adult. Plumage much stained with pale cinnamon, as in the first plumage. Total length, about 52.00 inches; extent, 92.00; wing, 24.00; culmen, 5.35; tarsus, 12.00; middle toe, 4.25. Once an abundant migrant, and in some localities a common summer resident, this grand bird is now rare in most parts of the State, and is becoming yearly more so. Mr. Nelson remarks of it: "Along the Illinois River and more thinly settled portions of the State it is still common during the migrations, and a few pairs breed upon the large marshes in central Illinois." Grus mexicana (Mull.) SAND HILL CRANE. Popular synomym. Brown Crane. Ardea {grus) mexicana Muli,. s. N. BappL 1776. 110 (6Z BBIS8. Orn. v. 380). Grus oanadensia, />. mi ticana B. B. ft K. Water 15. N. Am. 1, 1884. 107. Grus mexicana Riuow. Proc. U. S. Nut. MUB. vffl.1885, SM; Man. N. Am. B, 1887.135. A. O. U. ( 'lHK'k. List. 1886. No. 106. i Fide Professor A. Duges, in eplst 100 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. Ardea canadensis, var. /3. Lath. Ind. Orn. ii, 1790, 676 (Mexico). Grus pratensis Babte. Travels, 1791, 144, 218— Coues, Check List, 2d ed. 1882, No. 670. Grus fusca (part) Vieill. Nouv. Diet, xiii, 1817, 558. Grus canadensis Nutt. Man. ii, 1834, 38 (nee Ardea canadensis Linn.).— Baied, B. N. Am. 1858, 655 ; Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 479— Coties, Key, 1872,271 ; Check List, 1873, No. 463 ; B.N. W. 1874, 532.— Hensh. Zool. Wheeler's Exp. 1875, 467.— Ridgw. Orn. 40th Par. 1877, 611 ; Norn. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 583. Grus americana (supposed young) Aud. Orn. Biog. iii, 1835, 441, pi. 261; Synop. 1839, 219; B. Am. v. 1842, 188, pi. 314. Hab. Southern half of North America, but now very rare along Atlantic coast north of Georgia; south to central Mexico; breeding in Florida and Cuba, and from the States im- mediately west of the Mississippi River to the Pacific coast; winters in the Gulf States and in Mexico. Sp. Chab. Adult: Entire pileum, including lores, covered with a bare, granulated skin (reddish in life), interspersed with scattered fine blackish hairs; the posterior margin of this bare skin divided medially, on the occiput, by an angular projection of the feathers on the upper part of the nape. General color of the plumage continuous and nearly uniform slaty gray, this frequently stained or overlaid in places by a rusty wash, the primaries slate-colored, with whitish shafts. Cheeks and throat sometimes distinctly whitish. Legs and feet blackish; bill blackish, paler at tip; iris crimson? Young: Head entirely feath- ered. Plumage much as in the adult, but of a lighter and more brownish gray, and always conspicuously stained, especially on upper parts, with tawny-cinnamon or rusty. Sandhill Cranes usually arrive in Illinois on their way north- ward during the latter half of March, and return in October or November. Formerly, large numbers remained within the State to breed, but so thickW has the country become settled, that those which now do so are very few indeed — at least in com- parison with former years. As long ago as 1876, Mr. Nelson stated that, while formerly nesting abundantly on all the large marshes, but few then bred except on one or two large marshes in the central part of the State, where he was informed they were "still quite numerous". Just where the large marshes in question are located, Mr. Nelson has not told us. During their migrations they pass high in the air, often be- yond the limits of sight, but making their presence known by their sonorous, rattling, trumpet-like notes, which have been aptly compared to the sound "made by the blocks and ropes when hoisting sail on a vessel". Unlike the Great Blue Heron, which usually passes under the name of "crane" or "blue crane," the Sandhill Crane feeds more in meadows, prairies, and plowed fields than in marshes, and its food, instead of being chiefly frogs, crayfish, and fishes, con- sists largely of field-mice and other small mammals, grasshop- pers, succulent roots, seeds, etc., potatoes, and especially sweet GRUED2E — THE CRANES. 101 potatoes, being greatly relished. In fact, it is practically om- nivorous; and when domesticated will devour almost anything eatable that is presented to it. Like the heron, however, it is extremely wary, and cautious indeed must be the hunter who approaches within gunshot. The nest of the Sandhill Crane is placed on the ground among vegetation, which conceals it, sometimes in a marsh, but often on dry spots. The eggs are usually two in number, their average size being about 3.98 by 2.44 inches, and their color some shade of pale olive-brown, or drab, spotted with darker brown, red- dish brown, and purplish gray. The young are at first covered with a soft dense down, bright rusty on the upper parts and pale grayish on the lower, and are said to be unable to fly until they become nearly as large at their parents, whom they follow about until able to take wing, before which time they elude pur- suit by swiftly running and then hiding among the grass and weeds. Taken when quite small, they are very easily domesti- cated and become most amusing pets; but are somewhat dan- gerous on account of their propensity to use their sharp bills, thus endangering the eyesight of persons who allow them to become too familiar. —A. 101* BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. Order HERODIONES.— The Herons, Storks, Ibises, etc. Characters. Altricial ptilopasdic Grallatores, with the hallux lengthened and nearly or quite incumbent; palate desmognathous; carotids double; habits more or less arboreal. The Order Herodiones includes several distinct gvoups, which may be defined as follows: a 1 . Sides of upper mandible with a deep narrow groove extending uninterruptedly from the nostrils to the tip Suborder Djides. i s . Sides of upper mandible without any groove. b 1 . Hind toe inserted above the level of the anterior toes; claws broad and flat, resting on a heavy pad or shoe, the middle one not pectinated. Suborder Cicoaiae. b 2 . Hind toe inserted on the same level as the anterior toes; claws narrow, arched, the under surface free, and the middle one with its inner edge pectinated. Suborder Herodii. Suborder IBIDES.— The Spoonbills and Ibises. Families. a 1 . Bill very broad and excessively flattened, greatly widened toward end, only the ex- treme tip decurved Plataleidae. «*. Bill slender, nearly cylindrical, or even narrower than deep toward end, gradually but decidedly decurved for nearly whole length Ibididae. PLATALEID-E— THE SPOONBILLS. 102 4 Family PLATALEID^E.— The Spoonbills. Chae. Large-sized Ibis-like birds, with the bill greatly flattened and expanded term- inally. Bill deep through the base (the culmen ascending), but immediately flattened ; nar- rowest across the middle portion, the end widely expanded, the tip rounded and decurved. Nostrils superior, longitudinal, without surrounding or overhanging membrane; nasal fossse prolonged forward in a narrow, continuous groove to the extreme tip of the bill (as in the Ibises), its course nearly (or in some genera quite) parallel with the lateral outline of the maxilla; approximate surfaces of maxilla and mandible with one or two rows of more or less prominent tooth-like papillce along each side. Tarsus longer than middle toe, and with small longitudinal hexagonal scales in front; outer toe decidedly longer than inDer, its claw reaching to the base of the middle claw; hallux nearly incumbent, about equal to the basal phalanx of the inner toe; bare portion of tibia longer than outer toe; web between inner and middle toes well developed. Wings ample, reaching about to the end of the tail, the primaries a little longer than the tertials. Tail short, even, of twelve stiff, broad, round-ended feathers. The Spoonbills are closely related to the Ibises, but differ con- spicuously in the flattened, paddle-shaped bill, as well as in some other minor characters. They belono- chiefly to the east- ern hemisphere, where six or seven species, representing three genera, occur, the western hemisphere possessing but a single species, of different generic type from those of the Old World. Genus AJAJA Reichenbach. Ajaja Eeichenb. Handb. 1851, xvi. Type, Platalea ajaja Linn. Gen. Chab. Bill much expanded and excessively depressed terminally, (ho tip de- curved, much broader than deep at the base, the middle portion contracted to considerably less than one half the width of the terminal "disk." Nostrils sub-basal, superior, near to- gether, longitudinal, and without adjacent membrane. Head completely bald in the adult (feathered almost to the bill in the young). Legs comparatively short, the tarsus but little longer than the middle toe, covered in front, as well as all round, with small, longitudinal. hexagonal sealos. Plumage of the neck short, downy. 1 > A Rpeeiitl modification of the trachea further distinguishon the genus Ajaja from riatalea. according to Professor Garrod (P. Z. 8. 1875, p. »9. fig. 2), who describes this organ 88 "simple, straight, of uniform calibre, and peculiarly short, extending only two thirds the neck, whore the uncomplicated syrinx is situated, 88*1 the bifuroatiOD of th« bronchi occurs." In Platalea, on the other hand, the trachea is "eousoluud within th« thorax," etc. (Soo Yarbell. liitt. Brit. S. vol. ii, i 103* BIRDS OP ILLINOIS. Ajaja ajaja (Linn.) KOSEATE SPOONBILL. Popular synonym. Pink Curlew (Florida). Platalea ajaja Linn. S. N. ed. 10, 1758, 140 (ex Sloank, B. Jam. ii, 316; Mabcgb.; Rat); ed. 12, i, 1766, 231.— Wils. Am. Orn. vii, 1813, 123, pi. 62 (immature).— Nutt. Man. ii,1834, 79.— Aud. Orn. Biog. iv, 1838, 188; B. Am. vi, 1843, 72, pi. 362 (adult).— Cass, in Baird's B. N. Am. 1858, 686.— Baied, Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 501.— Coues, Key. 1872, 264; Check List, 1873, No. 448. Ajaja ajaja Bouo. Cat. Av. 1876, 54.— A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 183.— Ridgw. Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 123. Platea mexicana ("Willoughby") Gamb. Jour. Acad. Nat. Sei. Phila. Ser. 2, I, 1849, 222 ("San Francisco"). Ajaja rosea (ex Platea rosea Beiss.) Reich. "Nat. Syst. 16".— Ridgw. Nom. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 505.— Coues, 2d Check List, 1882, No. 653.— B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. i, 1884, 102. Hab. Whole of tropical and subtropical America; north regularly to Gulf coast of the United States; formerly ranging northward in Mississippi Valley to southern Illinois. Sp. Chae. A dult: Head entirely bare. Neck, back, and breast, white ; tail orange-buff, the shafts of the feathers deep pink, the inner webs inclining to pale pink. Rest of the plumage pale rose-pink, the lesser wing-coverts' region, and upper and lower tail-coverts, brilliant, intense carmine. Chest with a tuft of light carmine, somewhat twisted, or curled, narrow plumes. Sides of the breast, at base of the wings (concealed by the latter), pale creamy buff. "Bill yellowish gray at the base, mottled with brownish black, in the rest of its extent pale greenish blue, light on the margins; base of margin of lower mandible greenish yellow; iris bright carmine; feet pale lake; claws brownish black; head yellowish green; space around the eye and the gular sac orpiment-orange; a band of black from the lower mandible to the occiput" (Audubon). Immature: Like the adult, but lacking the brilliant carmine of the lesser wing-coverts' region, tail-coverts, etc., these portions being pale peach-blossom pink. Tail delicate peach-blossom pink, instead of orange-buff. Nuchal and pectoral colored tufts absent. Young: Head completely feathered, except im- mediately around the base of the bill. Head, neck, back, and anterior lower parts white, in some specimens more or less tinged, especially above, with orange-buff; 1 wings, tail, and posterior part of the body delicate pale peach-blossom pink, the shafts of the remiges and rectrices deeper pink. Outer webs of alulae, outer primary-coverts, and wide borders to outer primaries (principally on outer webs), clear snuff-brown. [Note. We have not seen the young in down, nor when first feathered. The latter is described by Audubon as follows: "The young, . . . when able to fly, . . . are grayish white. The bill is then quite smooth, of a yellowish green color, as are the legs and feet, as well as the skin on part of the head. Young birds in their second year have the wings and the lower wing-coverts of a pale roseate tint, the bill more richly colored, and the legs and feet dark brownish red or purplish. At this age they are unadorned with the curling feathers on the breast; but in the third spring the bird is perfect, although it in- creases in size for several seasons after."] Length, about 28,00-35.00 inches ; expanse of wings, 48.00-53.00; wing, 14.10-15.30; tail, 4.20-5.20; culmen, 6.20-7.15; width of bill, 2.00-2.20; tarsus, 3.75-4.65; middle toe, 2.95-3.35; bare portion of tibia, 2.80-3.20. Although, like the Carolina Parrakeet and Ivory-billed Wood- pecker, the Roseate Spoonbill may not now be found in Illinois, I was informed, in 1879, by a taxidermist 2 whom I have every 1 Qu. An accidental stain? * Mr. Alexander Wolle, Sr„ of Baltimore. Md. (See Bull. Nutt. Orn. Club, v, Jan. 1880, p. 31.) FLATALElDiE— THE SPOONBILLS. 104* reason to believe reliable, that some twenty years previously, or about 1859, he shot several specimens about some ponds in the Mississippi Bottoms, below St. Louis. More recently, I have received a letter from Mr. R. E. Kirkman, of Richmond, Indiana, giving the information that a specimen was shot in Jay Co., that state, July 14th, 1889. "According to Audubon the Roseate Spoonbill is to be met with, for the most part, along the marshy or muddy borders of estuaries, the mouths of rivers, on sea islands, or keys par- tially overgrown with bushes, and still more abundantly along the shores of the salt-water bayous so common within a mile or two of the shore. There it can reside and breed, with almost complete security, in the midst of an abundance of food. It is said to be gregarious at all seasons, and that seldom less than half a dozen may be seen together, unless they have been dis- persed by a tempest, At the approach of the breeding-season these small flocks collect together, forming immense collections, after the manner of the Ibis, and resort to their former breed- ing-places, to which they almost invariably return. Their moult takes place late in May; during this time the young of the pre- vious year conceal themselves among the mangroves, there spending the day, and returning at night to their feeding-grounds, but keeping apart from the old birds, which last have passed through their spring moult early in March. Like the several species of Ibis, this bird is said occasionally to rise suddenly on the wing, and ascend gradually, in a spiral manner, to a great height. It flies with its neck stretched forward to its full lengi li, and its legs and feet extended behind. It moves in the manner of a Heron, with easy flappings, until just as it is about to alight, when it sails over the spot with expanded wing, ami comes gradually to the ground. It flies in a confused manner, except when on one of its extended movements. "It is usually found in the company of differenl Eerons, whose vigilance apprises it of any danger. It can usually be ap- proached, when feeding, with proper care. When one is wounded in the wing it usually makes for deep water, and swims for some distance without attempting to dive. If the wing is un- injured, this bird, even though mortally wounded, will fly until it drops dead. It is as nocturnal as the Night Heron, and its 105* BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. principal feeding time is from near sunset until daylight. In procuring its food the Spoonbill usually wades up to the tibse, immerses its bill in the soft mud, with the head, and even the whole neck, beneath the surface, moving its partially opened mandibles to and fro laterally, munching the small fry — insects or shell-fish — before it swallows them. Where many are together, one usually acts as a sentinel. He did not see it feeding in fresh water, though he was told that it does so occasionally. "It can alight on a tree and walk on the large branches with all the facility of a Heron." ( Water Birds of North America, Vol. I., pp. 105, 106. IBIDID.E— TIIE IBISES. 106* Family IBIDID^ — The Ibises. Chae Wading birds of medium to rather large size, the bill much elongated more or less attenuld toward the end. and bent downward, more or less decidedly, in sickle- Isnion Ske tha oT the Curlews { Numeniu S) . Nostrils sub-basal, latero-superior, with ror^leL^Ta membrane above and behind; ^^™^»™*^Z extremity of the maxilla in the form of a deep, narrow, continuous groove. Hallux almost incumbent; claws slender, projecting far beyond the ends of the toes. The true Ibises form an eminently natural group of wading birds, distinguished from their nearest allies by the above char- acters The species are moderately numerous (about twenty-six beino- known), and are dispersed over the warmer regions of the the earth-America possessing a larger number than any other country (ten species, all but one of which are peculiar, or more than one third of those known). Of the exotic species, Africa possesses about nine (two of them in common with south- ern Europe), Asia five, and Australia two. A very great diver- sity of form and plumage is to be seen among the various species, some being trim and graceful in their build, and others uncouth with Vulture-like head and neck-some plain in colors, while others are among the most brilliant of birds. The scarlet plumage of Guara rubra is not surpassed in nature for pureness and intensity of color, and the beautiful decomposed tertial plumes of Ibis athiopica are scarcely excelled in gracefulness. The species of MolyUophomes, T/wistioua, and Cercibis, however, possess but little beauty. The family is divisible into two well-defined sections, which may be termed subfamilies, distinguished mainly by the character of the tarsal scutellation. They may be defined as follows: in a more or les* continuous single aeries. 107* BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. Both of the above subfamilies are represented in America, but only the latter in the northern continent. The North American genera may be recognized by the following characters: Subfamily GUARIN-ffi. Guara. Head of adult wholly naked anteriorly. Feathers of the pileum short, close, and blended, and those of the neck not distinctly lanceolate. Colors plain white or red, with black wing-tips, in adults ; dull gray and white in young. Plegadis. Head of adult wholly feathered, except the lores; feathers of the pileum distinctly lanceolate and slightly elongated, forming a slightly rounded crest when erected. Colors highly metallic, of varied tints; motallic greenish, bronzo or purple above; neck and under parts chestnut in adults; neck streaked with white and under parts grayish brown in young. Genus GUARA Reichenbach. Eudocimus WAGii. Isis, 1832, 1232 (nee Eudocima Billbeeg, 1820). Type, Soolopax rubra Linn. Guara Reich. Syst. Av. 1852, p. xiv. Type, Scolopax rubra Linn. Leucibis Reich. Syst. Av. 1852, p. xiv. Type, Scolopax alba Linn. Gen. Chae. Bill moderately slender, attenuated toward the end, strongly decurved; bare portion of the tibia eaual to or rather shorter than the outer toe ; middle toe, with claw, shorter than the tarsus ; inner toe (without claw) reaching to or a little beyond the sub- terminal articulation of the middle toe; outer toe reaching to or beyond the middle of the Bubterminal phalanx of the middle toe; hallux about equal to the basal phalanx of the inner toe; claws short, moderately curved, that of the middle toe more or less bent outwardly to- ward the tip, its inner projecting edge convex. Anterior half of the head bare (in the adult) including the forehead, lores, orbital and malar regions, chin, and more or less of the throat; in the young, this bare skin more restricted. Feathers of the head and neck dense but rather soft, with rather distinct outlines, but with somewhat truncated tips. Primaries ex- tending a little beyond the tertials, the second and third quills longest and nearly equal, first a little shorter than the fourth ; inner webs of outer four slightly sinuated toward their ends. Adults with the plumage entirely uniform white or scarlet, except tips of the longer quills, which arelglossy black. Young, uniform dark brownish gray, the belly white. Species. a\ Adult, pure intense scarlet, the tips of the longer primaries glossy blue-black. Young, dark brownish gray, with belly white G. rubra. a 8 . Adult, pure white (sometimes tinged with pink in the breeding season or in freshly killed specimens), the tips of longer primaries glossy greenish black. Young, gray- ish brown, the rump, tail-coverts, base of tail, and under parts white G. alba. Both the Scarlet and the White Ibises are peculiar to the warmer parts of America. They are in a measure complementary to one another in their distribution, for, while their respective ranges overlap in Central America the former is found chiefly in the northern parts of South America and the latter in the more southern United States and in Mexico. So similar are these spe- cies in size, proportions, and pattern of coloration, and to a cer- roiDID^E— THE IBISES. 108* tain extent in color also, that the question has been raised, 1 whether they are not really offshoots from a common ances- tral stock, which, like a species of eastern Asia (Ibis nippon) and certain herons, was at one time "dichromatic." Guar a alba (Linn.) WHITE IBIS. Popular synonyms. White Curlew; Spanish Curlew (Florida); Gray Ibis, Brown Ibis (young); Coco (Cuba); Ibis bianco (Mexico). Scolopax alba Linn. S. N. i, ed. 10, 1758, 145. Tantalus albus Gmel. S. N. i. 1788, 651.— Wils. Am. Orn. viii, 1814, 43, pi. 60. Ibis alba Vieill. Nouv. Diet, xvi, 1817, 16.— Nutt. Man. ii, 1834, 86.— Aud. Orn. Biog. iii. 1835, 178; v, 1839.593.pl. 222; Synop. 1839. 257; B. Am. vi, 1843, 54, pi. 360.— Cass, in Baird's B. N. Am. 1858, 684.— Baied, Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 499— Coues, Check List, 1873, No. 446. Eudocimus albus Wagl. Isis, 1832, 1232.— Bidgw. Nom. N. Am. B. 1881, No.' 501.— Coues, Check List, 2d ed. 1882, No. 651. Guar a alba Stejn. Stand. Nat. Hist, iv, 1885. 9.— A. O. 0. Check List, 1886, No. 184.— Bidgw. Man. N. Am. B. 13, 1887, 123. Tantalus after Linn. S. N. i. 1766. 242. Tantalus coco Jacq. Beitr. 1784, 13. Tantalus griseus Gmel. S. N. i, 1788, 653 (young). Eudocimus longirostris Wagl. Isis, 1829, 760. Hab. Warm-temperate eastern North America, West Indies, Middle America, and tropical South America; north to Connecticut, eastern Pennsylvania, Illinois, and Great Salt Lake, Utah; south to Brazil. Sp. Chab. Adult: Terminal portion (beyond the omargination) of three to live 2 outer primaries, glossy greenish black, with a bright metallic green lustre. Best of the plumag<' entirely pure white. Bill, bare skin of the head, legs and feet, bright carmine in tin- ' ing season; at other times paler, or orange-red; iris fine pearly blue (Audubon). 3 End of 1 See The Auk, vol. i. 1884, pp. 239, 240. 2 According to Audubon, "There is a curious, though not altogether general, difference between the sexes of this species as to plumage,— the male has five of its primaries tipped with glossy black for several inches, while the female, which is very little smaller than the mal'-, has only four marked in this manner. On examining more than a bundled individ- uals of each sex. I found only four 3xceptions, which occurred in females that - ere very old birds, and which, as happens in some other species, might perhaps have been under- going the curious change ex hi l lit. '.l by Ducks, Pheasants, and some other birds, the females of which, when old, sometimes assumo the livery of the males." This supposed sexual difference we have been unable to verify with the series before us, though it is vei Bible that some specimens may not have the sex correctly determined. '"Bare parts of the head Lin the adult male] light orange-red; bill the samo. but towards the tip dusky. Iris of a One pearly blue. Legs and toes paler than the bill; claws dusky. tipped with horn color. "After the ilrst moult, the bill is pale yellowish orange, toward the base greenish; the naked parts of the* head are pale orange yellow, inclining to flesh-color; the eyi brown ; the feel pale blue. "The change in the coloring of the bill, legs, and feet of this bird, that takes plaoe in the breeding season, is worthy erf remark, the bill being then of a deep orange-red, and the legs and feet of a red nearly amounting to carmine. The males at this season have the gnlar pouch of a rloh '.range color, and Borneo hat resembling in Bhape thai of the Frigate Pelican, although proportionally less. During winter these parts are of a dull dash The Lrides also lose much of their clear blue, and resume in some degree the umber color of the young birds, tamthu particular in these m it is doubtful if any one ever paid attention to them." (Audubon.) — B. 109* BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. the bill sometimes blackish. Young: Uniform, rather dark, grayish brown, the rump, upper tail-coverts, basal half of tail, and entire lower parts, including axillars and lining of the wing, continuous white; head and neck streaked with dusky or grayish brown on a grayish or dull whitish ground-color. Feathering of the head extending forward almost to the bill. Length, about 24.00-26.00; expanse, about 40.00; wing, 10.30-11.75; tail, 4.00-5.00; culmen, 4.15-G.30; depth of bill, .60-72; tarsus, 3.10-4.00; middle toe, 2.15-2.70; bare portion of tibia, 2.00-2.S0. Downy young. "The young birds are at first covered with a thick down of a dark gray color." (Audubon.) Immature specimens show, according to age, all possible stages of plumage intermediate between the pure white adult and gray young. I have very little information respecting the White Ibis in Illinois, having observed it but once, a flock of seven or eight examples, all in the gray plumage, having been seen by Mr. William Brewster and myself about the 8th of May, 1878, fly- ing along the Wabash River, at Mt. Carmel. Genus PLEGADIS Kaup. "Falcinp.Uus Bechst." Auct. (ncc Bechstein). Plegadis Kaup, Skizz. Entw. Gesch. 1829, 82. Type, Tantalus falclnellus LlNN. Tantalides Wagl. Isis, 1832, 1231. Type, Tantalus falclnellus Linn. Gen. Chab. Bill shallow through tho base, moderately tapering, and gently curved; the base not turgid, and the basal outline of the maxilla deeply concave; bare portion of tibia equal to or longer than outer toe; middle toe about three fourths the tarsus; inner toe reaching past the subterminal articulation of the middle toe; hallux about equal to the basal phalanx of the inner toe. Forehead and orbital, malar, and gular regions completely feathered, the lores and interramal space only being naked, the feathering on the chin forming an acute angle which advances to as far as the middle of the nostrils; feathers of the pileum elongated, lanceolate, and distinct, forming, whon erected, a sort of full, round- ed crest; those of the occiput and nape, and upper half of the neck all round, also distinct and lanceolate. Plumage chiefly metallic green above: the adults with head and upper part of neck chestnut, and lower parts chestnut {autumnalis and guarauna) or violet- blackish (ridgwayi); the young with head and^upper part of neck streaked grayish brown and white, the lower parts grayish brown (autumnalis and guarauna) or violet-dusky (ridgwayi). This genus differs conspicuously from Guara in the complete feathering of the head (excepting only the lores and tho space between the mandibular rami) and in the brilliantly metallic plumage. There are two species in North America, one, P. autumnalis, inhabiting the eastern portion, and identical, apparently, with the Old World species, the other, P. guarauna, replacing it in the western parts of the United States and southward through IBIDIDJ3— THE IBISES. 110* Mexico and Central America and over the greater part of South America. A third species, P. ridgwayi (Allen *) inhabits the highlands of Peru. The two North American species are almost exactly alike in plumage, and probably cannot be distinguished with certainty in the immature stage. When fully adult, however, they may readily be recognized by the followiug characters: a 1 . Feathers around base of bill blackish; lores greenish in life, and bill and legs green- ish, or at least not red P. autumnalis. a 2 . Feathers around base of bill white; lores lake-red in life; bill more or less reddish, and legs lake-red P. guarauna 2 . P. guarauna very likely occurs occasionally in Illinois, having been taken in Nebraska, Kansas, and other States immediately west of the Missouri River; but so far as I know it has not been detected within our limits. Plegadis autumnalis (Hasselq.) GLOSSY IBIS. Popular synomyms. Bay Ibis; Green Ibis (young); Black Curlew. Tringa autumnalis Hasselq. Reise nach Palast. Deutsche Ausg. 1762, 306. Plegadis autumnalis Stejn. Stand. Nat. Hist, iv, 1885, 160.— A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 186.— Ridgw. Man. N. Am. B. 1887. 124. Tantalus f ale melius Linn. S. N. ed. 12, i, 1766, 241. Ibis falcincellus Vjeill. N. D. xiv, 1817, 23.— Bonap. Obs. Wils. 1825, No. 19:1.— Nutt. Man. ii, 183-1. 88.— Aud. Orn. Biog. iv, 1838, 608, pi. 387; Synop. 1839,257; B. Am. vi, 1843,50, pi. 358 (adult). Plegadis falcinellus "Kaup." FRiTSCH.Vog. Eur. 1869, Taf. 43. fig. 3, p.378.— Ridgw. Nom. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 603.— Coues, 2d Chock List, 1882, No. 649.— B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. i, 1884. 94. Tantalus castaneus Mull. 8. N. Suppl. 1766, 112 (adult). Tantalus viridis Gmel. 8. N. i, 1788, 648 (young). Tantalus igneus Gmel. S. N. i, 1788,649 (adult). Falcinellus igneus Gray, Gen. B. ed. 2, 1841, 87.— Elliot, P. Z. 8. 1877,503. Tantalus mexicauus (nee Gmel.) Ord., Journ. Acad. Nat. 8ci. Phila. i, 1817. 52. Ibis ordii Bonap. Comp. List, 1838, 49.— Cass, in Baird's B. N. Am. 1858, 635 (part).— Baird, Cat. N. Am. 1859. No. 500. Ibis falcinellus, var. ordii Coues. Key. 1872. 263; Check List, 1873. No. 445; B. N. W. 1874, 517. us ridgwayi Allen, Bull. Mus. Comp. Zool. iii, July, 1876. S55 (vicinity of Lake Titk-aca, Peru).— Plegadis ridgwayi B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. i. 1884, 94, 'Soolopax guarauna Linn. 8. N. od. 12, i. 1766, 212.— Plegadis guarauna Kidow. Proo. U. B. Nat. Mus. i, Oct. 2. 1678, 163. HI* BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. ilbis guarauna (nee Linn.) Cabot, Proc. Bost. Soc. ii, 1850, 313, 332. .Numenius longirostris (nee Wils.) Gosse, B. Jam. 1847, 348. Tantalus bengalensis "Licht." Bonap. Consp. ii, 1855, 158. Ibis peregrina "Mull." Bonap. Consp. ii, 1855, 159. Hab. Warmer parts of the eastern hemisphere; Westlndies, and eastern United States. Of irregular distribution and only locally abundant in America. Sp. Chak. Adult. Feathers bordering the base of tho bill all round, blackish, Pileum, cheeks, and chin glossy greenish black, with purplish reflections. Hinder part of head, whole neck, anterior portion of back, and anterior half of lesser wing-covert tract rich reddish chestnut, darkest on back. Lower parts, except under tail-coverts, axillars, and under wing-coverts, uniform bright reddish chestnut, lighter, brighter, and less purplish than neck. Upper parts (except as described), under wing-coverts, axillars, and under tail- coverts, glossy metallic dark purple, green, and bronze; the posterior portion of back, pos- terior scapulars, wing-coverts, tertials, rump, upper tail-coverts, and tail nearly uniform dull violet-purple, changing to bottle-green in certain lights; alula?, primary-coverts, pri- maries.and lower secondaries brighter bronze-green; upper secondaries more bronzy, with a purple shade in certain lights. Under surface of wings and tail more burnished, metallic green, bronze, and purple, the tint varying with the inclination to the light; axillars less shining, and more violaceous; crissum violet-purple and green, like the rump. Bill black; bare loral space greenish or bluish; legs and feet greenish blackish. 1 Young (changing from first to second plumage): Head and neck distinctly streaked with dusky brown and white, the dusky streaks wider and more blackish on the pileum, the whitish streaks gradually becoming more indistinct below. Entire lower parts plain snuff-brown, with a soft purplish tinge, especially on the breast and tibiae; crissum, metal- lic green and violet. Upper parts dark, metallic violet-purple, green and bronze, the first largely predominating, the last in traces; the back darkest and most uniform, the rump in- terspersed with bright dark green feathers. A few dark chestnut feathers interspersed over the anterior portion of the lesser wing-covert region (No. 57, 003, Greece). Young (changing from second to third plumage): In general appearance much like the preceding, but breast, abdomen, and tibise mostly reddish chestnut, and the anterior portion of the back and scapulars mixed with many feathers of the same color; head and neck much tinged with chestnut, the streaks indistinct (No. 17,493. female, Hungary). [Note. The Tantalus viridis of Gmelin (Syst. Nat. ii, pt. i, p. 648, No. 8, based on Green Ibis of Latham, Synopsis, iii, pt. i, p. 114, No. 13) seems to be this species in incomplete first plumage, or still retaining the downy covering of the head and neck.] Length, about 25 inches; expanse, 42; wing, 10.20-11.85; tail, 4.30-4.50; culmen, 4.30-5.45 ; depth of bill, .50-.60; tarsus, 2.90-4.30; middle toe, 2.10-2.80; bare portion of tibia, 1.70-3.10. The young of P. autumnalis closely resembles that of P. guarauna, but is rather darker colored, the upper parts being much more violaeeous. and the lower parts less grayish. The Glossy Ibis, like its white relative, is an irregular sum- mer visitor to Illinois, and is not known to breed within our limits. Mr. Julius Hurter, of St. Louis, Mo., took one speci- 1 Audubon says: "Bill black; bare part of head grayish blue; iris hazel; feet grayish black, claws brown." IBIDID^J— THE IBISES. 112* men and saw two others at a small lake in Madison Co., seven miles from St. Louis, on February 27, 1880. * ^ee Bull. Nutt. Orn. Club, vi, April, 1881, p. 124. This specimen was kindly sub- mitted to me for examination by Mr. Hurter, and I identified it as P. autumnalis in immature plumage, but I now fear that my identification is open to question. I have just re-read a letter from Mr. Hurter (dated April 12, 1881), in which he describes the fresh colors of the soft parts as follows: "Iris reddish; bill slate-color with a very slight reddish tint; legs slate with also a reddish tint on the upper parts; bare skin in front of the eye brownish red." (Italics my own.) The presence of a reddish tint to the soft parts point rather to P. guarauna, and the specimen should be carefully re-examined. 113* BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. Suborder CICONL3E.— The Storks and Wood Ibises. Family CICONIID.SJ.— The Storks and Wood Ibises. Chab. Large, Heron-like birds, with bill much longer than the head, thick through the base, and more or less elongate-conical; the nostrils sub-basal, more or less superior, and bored into the bony substance of the bill, without overhanging or surrounding membrane; maxilla without any lateral groove. Legs covered with small, longitudinally hexagonal scales ; claws short, depressed, their ends broad and convex, resting upon horny, crescentic "shoes;" hallux with its base elevated decidedly above the base of the anterior toes. The above characters are sufficient to define this family, which is related to the Ibises (Ibididce) and Spoonbills (Plataleidw) as well as to the Herons. There are two well-marked subfamilies, with the following characters: Subfamily Ciconiinse. Bill elongate- conical, acute, compressed, the end not decurved, though sometimes recurved. Nostrils rather lateral than superior. Toes very short, the middle one much less than half the tarsus (only a little more than one third); lateral toes nearly equal; claws short, broad, nail-like. Subfamily Tantalinae. Bill elongated, subcorneal, subcylindrical, the end attenuated and decurved, with the tip rounded; nostrils decidedly superior; toes long, the middle toe one half or more the length of the tarsus; lateral toes unequal, the outer decidedly longer than the inner; claws normal, moderately lengthened, rather narrow. Subfamily TANTALIN-3E.— The Wood Ibises. Genus TANTALUS Linn^us. Tantalus Linn. S. N. ed. 10, i. 1758, 140; ed. 12, i, 1766, 240. Type, T. locutator Linn. Tantalides Reichenb. Hand-b. 1851, p. xiv. Same type. (Not of Waoleb, ld32,=Pleffadis Kaup.) Tantalops Coues, Key, 2d ed. 1882, 653. Same type. Gen. Chab. Large. Stork-like birds, with long legs, neck, and beak, the latter attenu- ated and decurved terminally, much as in the true Ibises. Bill much thickened at the base, both vertically and laterally, much attenuated terminally, where almost abruptly, but no greatly, decurved. Nostrils bored directly into the bony substance of the bill, the maxilla destitute of any trace of a nasal groove. Legs covered with small longitudinally hexagonal Bcales. Toes long, very slender, the middle one about, or a little more than, half the length of the tarsus, the outer one reaching to the middle of the subterminal phalanx of the middle toe, the inner much shorter, not reaching the subterminal articulation of the middle toe; CICONIID.E— THE STORKS AND WOOD IBISES. 114* hallux about eaual to the inner toe and claw; bare portion of the tibia longer than the mid- dle toe, the upper third, or more, without scales, and smooth; web between inner and mid- dle toes well developed, but smaller than the outer web. Plumage compact above, loose below, the feathers of the neck small, their webs somewhat decomposed. Remiges well developed, the tertials reaching to the end of the primaries, the latter hard, concave be- neath, the outer four with their inner webs deeply sinuated at or anterior to the middle portion; second, third, and fourth Quills nearly equal, or longest. Tail short (shorter than bill or tarsus), even, of 12 broad, stiff feathers. Adult, with the whole head and upper half of hind neck bare, covered with a hard, scurfy, and more or less corrugated skin. Young, with the whole head and neck, except the chin and forehead, feathered. Tantalus loculator Linn. WOOD IBIS. Popular synonyms. WoodPelican; Gannet (Florida) ; Colorado Turkey (Arizona); Sowewies, Negroscopes (Brit. Guiana); Tagarote, Galambas, Garzon (Mexico). Tantalus loculator Linn . S. N. ed. 10, i, 1758.140, No. l (ex Klein,127; CATESBY,i,81); ed. 12, 1766, i. 241, No. 1.— Wils. Am. Orn. viii, 1814,39, pi. 66. fig. 1.— Nutt. Man. ii, 1834,^.- Aud. Orn. Biog. iii, 1835,128, pi. 216; Synop. 1839, 259; Birds Am. vi. 1843, 64, pi. 361 (adult).— Cass, in Band's B. N. Am. 1858, 682-Baird, Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 197. Coues, Key, 1872, 262; Check List, 1873, No. 444; 2d ed. 1882, No. 648; Birds N. W. 1874. 513— Eidgw. Nom. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 500; Man. N. Am. B. 1887.125— A. 0. 0. Check List, 1886, No. 188. Tantalus plumicollis Spix, Av. Bras. pi. 85 (young). "Ibis nandasson; I. nandapoa, Vieill." (Gbay & Bonap,) Wood Pelican Catesbx, Carolina, pi. 81. Le Curiaca de Cayenne Buff. PI. Enl. 1770-84, pi. 868 (adult). Wood Ibis Penn. Arct. Zool. ii, 1785, 458. No. 360. Tantalus ichthyophagus, the Gannet, Babtbam, Travels, 1791,293. Hab. The whole of tropical and most of warm- temperate America; north to New York (casual), Ohio, Indiana, Wisconsin, Colorado, Utah, Nevada, and California; south to Ecua- dor and Argentine Republic. Sp. Chae. Adult: Head and upper half of the neck naked, and covered with a hard, scurfy skin, of a dusky color; the vertex covered by a somewhat shield-shaped horny plate, of a lighter color, the neck with transverse, somewhat ovate, bark-like, rugose scales. Plum- age in general uniform white, the primary-coverts, remiges, and rectrices black, with me- tallic purple, bronze, and green reflections. Under wing-coverts pale rose-pink in breed- ing season. "Bill dusky yellowish brown, the edges yellow; sides of the head dark bluish purple, upper part of the head horn-color, or dull grayish yellow, the rest of the bare skin of the same tint, many of the scales anteriorly blue ; iris deep brown, at a distance seeming black : tibia and tarsus indigo-blue ; toes above black, on the lateral and hind toes, however, many of the scutellee bluish gray, the webs pale yellowish flesh-color; claws black" (Audu- bon). Young: Head and neck covered with rather scant, somewhat "woolly," feathers, ex- cepting the forehead, anterior part of the crown, lores, anterior portion of malar region, chin, and anterior part of throat, which are covored with a smooth skin. Head and neck grayish brown, darkest on the occiput (where dark sooty), growing gradually paler below. Rest of the plumage as in the adult, but the black feathers of wings and tail less metallic. 1 Immature: Head bare and corrugated, as in the adult; neck feathered, as in the young. T jtal length, about 35.00-45.00 inches; extent of wings, 62.00-70.00 ;lwing, 17.60-19.50; tail, 6.10- culmen. 7.55-9.30; depth of bill through nostril. 1.55-1.90; tarsus. 7.00-8.50; middle toe. 3.85-4.30; bare part of tibia, 5.00-6.25 \" weight UK lbs. » According to Audubon, "the young are dusky gray all over, the quill-; and tail In black; the head all covered with down, excepting just al the base of the bill. After the flrsl moult, the bare space extends over the head and cheeks; the downy feathers of the hind head and neck are dusky ; the general color of the plumage is white, the Quills and tail as in the adult, but with less gloss." * Ton adults measured. 115* BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. This remarkable bird is an irregular summer visitor to Illi- nois, particularly the more southern counties, where it occurs, usually in small flocks, about the secluded, forest-hemmed ponds and sloughs. It probably breeds in the extreme southern portion, though oftenest seen during the latter part of summer, when small companies, composed chiefly of young birds, straggle northward. As described by Bartram, it may often be seen stand- ing listless and alone on the topmost limb of some tall dead cypress, its neck drawn in upon its shoulders, and its enormous bill resting, like a scythe, upon its breast. The writer has fre- quently seen it soaring majestically in broad circles over the Wabash River, at Mt. Carmel, its large size and pure white color rendering it at such times very conspicuous. Audubon describes its flight as heavy on rising from the ground: its neck is then deeply curved downward, its wings flap heavily, and its legs are not stretched out behind until it has proceeded several yards. It then ascends with great celerity, generally in a spiral direction, in silence unless alarmed; if frightened, it utters a rough guttural croaking note. It pro- ceeds in a direct flight, with alternate flapping and sailing, the latter being more prolonged. It alights on trees with more ease than the heron, and either stands erect, or crouches on the branch in the manner of a wild turkey. When at rest it places its bill against its breast, while the neck seems to shrink be- tween the shoulders. In this position one may sometimes see fifty on the same tree. In the spring months it collects in large flocks before returning to its breeding-place. When a breeding- place has been once chosen, it is resorted to for many years in succession, and the birds are with difficulty made to abandon it. The Wood Ibis feeds largely on fishes, but also devours frogs, young alligators, wood-rats, various kinds of young birds, crabs, snakes, turtles, and the like. It is very tenacious of life, and if wounded resists vigorously, and is dangerous to approach. It is very tough and oily, and unfit for food. THE HERONS AND BOATBIEL&. 116* Suborder Herodii — HERON'S AND BOATBILLS. The Herodii contain two families, distinguished by the folio w- characters : a. 1 Bill lance- shaped, or compressed, narrow, and pointed, its lateral outlines nearly straight, the gonys several times longer than the width of the under mandi- ble Ardeidae. a.- Bill shaped like a broad inverted boat; its lateral outlines much bowed, and the gonys not longer than width of under mandible CochleariidEe, The Cochlea I'Lidw are not represented in our fauna, being peculiar to tropical America. 117* BIRDS OF ILljlNOia. Family ARDEID^.— The Herons. Char. Altricial waders having the bill compressed, pointed, all the outlines nearly straight; the lores and orbits naked: the rest of the head (except, sometimes, the malar region, or part of the throat) feathered, the occiput, also lower foreneck, back, or scapu- lars, frequently with ornamental plumes. Plumage generally handsome and variegated. Two to three pairs of powder-down tracts. Other characters variable. The Herons are among the most widely diffused of birds, one species, the common Night Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax) being nearly cosmopolitan. Many of the Old World forms have not been examined in the present connection, but there is good reason for believing that the number of subfamilies here recog- nized as represented in America can be consistently increased. Ardeinse. Tail-feathers 12, more lengthened, and decidedly more stiff than the coverts; outer toe as long as or decidedly longer than the inner; claws comparatively shoit and strongly curved. Botaurinse. Tail-feathers 10. very short, scarcely more stiff than the coverts; outer toe de- cidedly shorter than the inner; claws lengthened, slightly curved. Subfamily ARDEINiE.— The True Herons and Egrets. Analysis of Genera. Bill comparatively long and narrow, the culmen longer than the tarsus, and equal to at least Ave times the greatest depth of the bill ; plumage of the young not conspicu- ously different in pattern from that of the adult Ardea. Bill comparatively short and thick, the culmen not longer than the tarsus, and equal to not more than four times the greatest depth of the bill; plumage of the young con- spicuously different in pattern from that of the adult Nyetioorax, ARDEIDA/— THE HERONS. 118* Genus ARDEA Linnaeus. Ardea Linn. S. N. ed. 10, i, 1758, 141. Type, by elimination, A. cinerea Linn. Analysis of Subgenera a 1 Culmen decidedly shorter than tarsus, the latter more than one and a half times as long as the middle toe, without claw. b 1 Tarsus much less than twice as long as middle toe, without claw. c 1 Wing more than 13 inches. d l Wing more than 17 inches. Adults with scapular plumes narrowly lanceolate, with compact webs: head crested, the occiput, during pairing season, with two or more long, slender, compactly webbed plumes: plumes of lower neck stiffened, narrowly lanceolate, or acicular Ardea. d 2 Wing less than 17 inches. Adults in nuptial plumage with the scapular plumes excessively elongated, reaching far beyond the tail, their shafts thick and stiffened, their webs decomposed; head without crest or plumes, and feathers of lower neck (in American species) soft, broad, and not lengthened; color, always wholly pure white Herodias. c- Wing less than 11 inches. d l Adults with occipital, jugular, and scapular plumes greatly developed, with much decomposed webs (occipital and jugular plumes with compact webs in exotic species); the scapular plumes extending to or beyond end of tail and recurved at tips; color of plumage always wholly pure white. Garzetta. d- Adults with jugular and scapular plumes much elongated; the former nar- rowly lanceolate, with compact webs, the latter also narrow, but more loosely webbed, and often extending far beyond the tail; color of plumage varying from uniform dark slate-blue, with maroon-colored head and neck an most adults), to pure white with only the tips of some prima bluish (in young) ; adults sometimes mixed white and bluish Florida . h* Tarsus twice as long as middle toe, without claw. Adults with feathers of entire head and neck, except throat and upper foreneck, elongated and narrowly lanceolate, especially on occiput and lower foreneck; scapular plumes much elongated, extending beyond end of tail, with shafts straight and stiffened, and webs decomposed, but the hair-like librilke rather close together: color of plum- age uniform bluish and reddish, uniform white, or pied Dichromanassa. a* Culmen equal to or longer than tarsus, the latter less than on© and a half times as U-imz as middle toe without claw. b 1 Wins morr th".n 8 inches; culmen and tarsus more than 3 inches. Adults with an occipital tuft of several moderately lengthened, lanceolate, compactly webbed feathers; jugular plumes broadly lanceolate, with oompaot webs; scapular [■lurnes greatly elongated, extending to night, hair-like; color of plumage mixed grayish or bluish ami white, never entirely white. Hydranassa. b* Wing not more than 8 inches; culmen and tarsus less than Adults with isular plunvs and feathers on top of head moderately lengthened, lane* with compact webs; jugular plumes broad, soft, and blended; color of plumage more or less metallic, in adults, on upper farts, grayish or rusty beneath; never white ButorluV. 119* BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. Seyeral of the above are unquestionably good genera; but having announced my determination to follow the A. 0. U. classification and nomenclature in this work I am obliged to do so in this case. With the exception of Dichromanassa and Hydranassa (which are related most nearly to Demiegretta, of south- eastern Asia, Polynesia, etc.) and Florida, all the groups are cosmopolitan, being represented in different regions by distinct species, all agreeing minutely in structural characters. Butorides, for example, has, besides the North American species, one in Cuba, another in South America, a third in the Galapagos Archi- pelago, and several others in various parts of the eastern hem- isphere. Subgenus Ardea Linnaeus. Ardea Linn. S. N. ed. 10, i. 1758. 141. Type, by elimination, A. cinerea Linn. Subgen. Chab. Herons of largest size (of Stork-like stature), the adults distinguished by lengthened, narrowly-lanceolate, acute jugular and scapular plumes (the former rather rigid, the latter overhanging the wings and rump); a tuft of broad feathers on each side the breast (having a different color from adjacent parts), and, in the breeding season, by the presence of two or three extremely lengthened, narrow, pendant, c ccipital plumes. Culmen almost straight; gonys ascending, slightly convex, about equal in length to the mandibular rami ; upper and lower outlines of the bill parallel for the basal half. Mental apex anterior to half-way between point of bill and anterior angle of the eye; frontal apex a little posterior to the nostrils and a little anterior to the malar apex.* Middle toe more than half the tarsus, and about equal to bare portion of tibia; outer toe reaching to abouc the middle of the penultimate phalanx of the middle toe; inner toe decidedly shorter, reaching only to the second articulation of the middle toe; hallux a little longer than the basal phalanx of the outer toe ; claws rather short, strongly curved. Front of tarsus with broad, transverse scutellaa, in single series, for upper half. Pileum crested, the feathers of the crown and occiput being elongated, lanceolate, and decurved. Primaries reaching de- cidedly beyond tertials. Second, third, and fourth quills nearly equal, and longest; first longer than fifth; inner webs of outer three slightly sinuated near ends. Synopsis of Species. a 1 . Color of plumage entirely pure white. Hab. Southern Florida A. oecidentalis. a*. Color of plumage chiefly bluish or grayish. 6 1 . Adult with head entirely white, except (usually) black or dusky streaks on fore- head, or (rarely), a blackish patch on sides of crown or occiput, beneath edge of crest; more white on under parts, edge of wing, etc. Hab. Southern Florida: accidental in southern Illinois A. wuerdemannii. & a . Adult with top of head, including occipftai plumes, black, with a large white patch covering forehead and center of crown; more black on lower parts and more rufous on edge of wing. c 1 . Larger, with legs and feet yellowish brown or olive-yellowish ; total length, about 48 to 54 inches; wing, 19.50-21.00; exposed culmen, 5.90-0.90 ; tarsus, 7.85-8.40. Hab. Florida .«— A. wardi. * The terms "mental apex", "malar apex", and "frontal apex" are here employed to de- note the apices, or points of the feathering of the head at the base of the bill. ABDEID.E — THE HERONS. 120* c 2 . Smaller, with legs and feet black or dusky, only the tibiaa yellowish; total length about 40 to 48 inches; wing, 18.00-19.50; exposed culmen, 5.45-5.95; tarsus, 6.75- 7.85. Hab. Whole of temperate North America and parts of tropical Amer- ica A. herodias. The relationship between these four species or races is very puzzling, and no one, apparently, fully understands the case- While each of the four forms is easily recognized by the char- acter given above, and while a large majority of specimens are typically either one or the other of them, intermediate examples not unfrequently occur. The only apparent difference between A. herodias and A. wa/rdi consists in general dimensions and in the color of the legs; but in both respects there seems to be a complete intergradation among Florida specimens. On the other hand, A. wardi, A. wuerdemannii, and A. occidentalis agree minutely in measurements and in the color of the legs; and the first two unquestionably intergrade. The writer has already expressed the hypothesis that A. wuerdemannii and A. occidentalis are merely dichromatic phases of one species, corresponding to the colored and white phases of the Keddish Egret (A. rufescens and A. "pealei"). This hypothesis he would now modify by sug- gesting that A. wardi is the perfect colored phase of A. occi- dentalis, and that A. wuerdemannii is merely an intermedial. 1 phase, — a suggestion prompted by the circumstance that A. wuerdemannii varies more in coloration than either of the others, the variations moreover tending toward both A. wardi and A. occidentalis. Whether the intergradation between A. wa/rdi and A. herodias is the result of hybridization or an evidence of their specific identity remains to be determined, if it be possible to determine it. The whole question is indeed so complicated thai much patient research will be necessary before we can hope to know more about it. Ardea wuerdemannii Caird. WIEDEMANN'S HEKON, Ardea wurdemannii P.atrd, B. N. Am. 1858, 609, ed. 18C0. atl. pi. 86; Cat. N. Am. B, li No. 488.— Coues. Key. 1872. 207; Check List, 1873, No. 460— Nels. Bull. Essex In !. Dec. 1876. 11. Ardea wiwrdemannii A. 0. U. Check List, 1886, 351 ( "Hypothetical List," No. 9).— BXDGW. Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 128, 583; Proo. U. B. Nat. Mus. x. 1887. 112-115 (critical). - Auk. Jan. 1889, 16-17 (description, etc.). 121* BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. Ardea oecidentaHs (supposed colored phase) Ridgw. Bull. U. S. Geol. & Geog. Surv. Terr, iv, No. 1, Feb. 5, 1881, 227-237 (descriptive and critical) ; Norn. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 486 (part).-CouES, 2d Check List, 1882, No. 656; 2d Key, 1884, 658.— B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. i, 1884, 6. Hab. Southern Florida; Cuba; Jamaica; accidental in southern Illinois. Sp. Chab. Adult: Entire head, including occipital crest, pure white; the forehead streaked with black (the feathers edged with black, the median stripe being white). Abdo- men and under tail -coverts pure white, the former sparsely streaked with black (these streaks on the inner edge of the feathers, and broader anteriorly), the latter immaculate. Neck deep violaceous-drab (darker and more violaceous than in A. herodias, and. ending almost abruptly against the white of the head) ; the throat with a narrow series ef black and rufous dashes on a white ground; plumes of the lower neck white, most of them edged with black, but the longer without grayish tinge. Lateral jugular tuft3 blue-black, with wide median stripes of pure white. Upper parts exactly as in A. herodias, except that the outermost wing-coverts have conspicuous median streaks of white, while the edge of the wing from the carpus back is white, tinged with rufous, instead of wholly rufous. Tibial feathers paler rufous than in A. herodias, growing almost white next the body on the in- ner side Naked tibiae yellow; under side of toes yellow; rest of legs and feet yellowish olive. Young: Similar to young of A . herodias, but lesser wing-coverts widely tipped with bright ferruginous, producing thereby a conspicuous spotting of this color; all the more exterior wing-coverts, large and small, with a large, terminal, wedge-shaped spot of white. Forehead and crown dusky slate-color, most of the feathers with whitish shafts; occipital plumes all whitish at the base, only the ends being dusky. Total length, about 48 to 54 inches; wing, 18.75-21.00; tail, 6.25-8.00; exposed culmen, 5.75-6.70; tarsus, 7.30-8.75; middle toe, 4.20-5.20. The habits of this bird are essentially the same as those of the Great Blue Heron. Its right to a place in the Illinois fauna may seem questionable, in view of the southern location and restricted area of its proper range, but a single specimen was seen on several occasions by the writer from September 11 to 22, inclusive, in the Wabash River, at the Grand Rapids, near Mt. Carmel. Even at a distance which rendered it secure from gunshot, it could at once be distinguished, by its white head and greater size, from individuals of the common species, from which it kept aloof. Unfortunately it could not be secured. Ardea herodias Linn. THE GREAT BLUE HERON. Ardea herodias Linn. S. N. ed. 10, i, 1758, 143; ed. 12, i. 1766, 237.— Wils. Am. Orn. viii, 1814, 28, pi. 65. fig. 5— Sw. &RIOH. F. B.-A. ii, 1831, 373.— Nutt. Man. ii, 1834, 42.— Aud. Orn. Biog. ii, 1835, 87; v, 1839, 599, p!. 211; Synop. 1839, 265; B. Am. vi, 1843, 122, pi. 369.— BaiedB. N. Am. 1858, 668; Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 487.— Coues, Key, 1872, 267; 2d ed. 1881; Check List, 1873, No: 449; 2d ed. 1882, No. 655; Birds N. W. 1874,517.— Ridgw. Norn. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 487; Man. N. Am. B., 1887, 129.— B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. i, 1884, 13— A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 194. Ardea hudsonias Linn. S. N. ed. 12, i, 1766, 238. Ardea lessoni Wagl. Isis, 1831. 531.— Reichen. J. f. O., 1877, 263. ARDEID.E — THE HERONS. 122* Hab. The whole of North and Middle Amorica, excepting Arctic districts; north to Hudson's Bay, "Fur Countries," and Sitka; south to Colombia, Venezuela, and the Galapagos; Bermudas, and throughout the West Indies. Sp. Char. Adult: Length, about -12.00-50.00; extent, 72.00; weight, b to 8 pounds. Forehead and central feathers of the crown pure whito; sides of crown and whole of the occiput, including the long plumes, blue-black. Chin, throat, and malar region pur- white. Nock lavender-gray, fading gradually above into the white of cheeks and throat. Foreneck with a narrow median series of black and ferruginous dashes mixed with white; lower neck-plumes pale lavender-gray. Lateral jugular tufts uniform blue-black; br- and abdomen black, almost uniform laterally, but the middle feathers with broad median stripes of white. Under tail-coverts white, sometimes edged with rufous. Tibial leath- ers deep chestnut-rufous, not growing conspicuously paler toward the body. Upper parts fine slate-blue, the dorsal and scapular plumes paler, more pearl-gray-the lightness of the tint proportionate to the length of the plume; remiges black, the inner secondaries growing gradually more slaty, so that the innermost are scarcely darker than the tertials. Tail d«ep slate-blue, a shade darker than the tertials. Entire border of the wing, from the armpit to the metacarpophalangeal joint, rich purplish rufous, scarcely mixed anywhere with white, and much the widest at the bend. Bill olive above, the culmen blackish; lower mandible wax-yellow, brighter terminally (sometimes wholly yellow); iris bright yellow; bare loral space cobalt- blue in spring, olive-greenish or yellowish after breeding season. Leg* and feet dusky-black, the tibiee paler, more olivaceous, sometimes tinged with yellow- ish Young : Above slate-gray (less bluish than in the adult), destitute of any penicillate plumes; anterior lesser wing-coverts bordered terminally with light rufous; border of the wing (broadly) white, more or less tinged with rufous, especially at and near the bend, where this color prevails. Entire pileum, including all the occipital feathers, blackish- sla-e, with a narrow median crest of more elongated darker-colored feathers, with pale ful- vous shaft-streaks. Cheeks dark grayish; malar region, chin, and throat only, pure wl Neck dull gray, sometimes tinged with rufous, some of the feathers with indist.i lighter shaft-streaks; foreneck with a narrow longitudinal series of black, rufous, and whitish dashes, much as in the adult. Breast and abdomen broadly striped with dark cinereous and white, in nearly equal amount (sometimes suffused with rufous . Tibia: very pale rufous, sometimes almost white; crissum white. Upper mandible black, paler, or horn-color, along the tomium; lower, pale pea-green, deepening into clear horn-yellow on terminal half; eyelids and horizontal space on lores light apple-green; iris gamboge yellow; tibia and soles of toes, apple-green; rest of logs and feet black. Wing 17 90-19 85; tail. 7.30-8. 00; culmen, 4.30-6.00; depth of bill, through middle of nos- tril. 0.85-1.10; naked portion of tibia, 3.50-5.00; tarsus, 6.00-8.00; middle toe. 3.50-4.50. [Extremes of 17 adult specimens.] The Great Blue Heron is a common bird throughout the State, except in localities far removed from streams or ponds which furnish its food supply. It sometimes winters in the ex- fcreme southern counties, but it is usually a migrant, returning from the south in February, March, or early April, according to t he Ia1 i' NA.TH. Ind. Orn. ii, 1791. 688. Ardea carolinensis Oed, ed. Wils. vii, 1825, 125. Ardea lactea "Cuv." Less. Traite, i, 1831. 575 (Cayenne). Hab. The whole of temperate and tropical America, from the northern United States to Chili and Argentine Republic ; summer or autumnal visitant only at the northern and southern extremes of its range. West Indies. Sp. Chab. Plumage entirely pure white, at all ages and seasons. Bill black, the basal portion of the under mandible (sometimes one half) yellow or otherwise pale-colored ; lores, iris, and eyelids yellow or orange-yellow; tibia? and tarsi black, the lower portion of the latter, with the toes, yellow; claws blackish. Nuptial plumes slender-shafted and loose-fibred, those of the back reaching to or slightly beyond the end of the tail, and, normally, recurved terminally; those of the occiput sometimes exceeding the bill in length; those of the jugulum slightly less developed. In the young theso are all absent, except on the occiput, where they are but slightly de- veloped; in the adults the occipital plumes appear to be permanent, the others assumed only during the breeding season, ARDEID.E— THE HERONS. 126" Total length, about 20.00-27.25; expanse of wings, about 36.00-40.00; wing, 8.20-10.50; tail, 3.00-4.80; culmen, 2.08-3.G5; depth of bill, .40-.55; tarsus, 3.15-4.50; middle toe, 2.20-3.20; bare portion of tibia, 1.70-2.75; weight, about 10-14 ounces. This beautiful e«ret occurs during summer in various parts of the State, but probably not abundantly except in the more southern portions. Subgenus Dichromanassa Ridgway. Bichromanassa Ridgw. Bull. U. S. Geol. & Geog. Survey, Terr, iv, No. 1, Feb. 5, 1878,246. Type, Ardearufa Bodd., =A. rufescens Gmel. Subgen. Char. Medium-sized Herons, of uniform white or plumbeous plumage, with (adult) or without (young) cinnamon-colored head and neck; the form slender, the toes very short, and the legs very long; the adults with the entire head and neck (except throat and foreneck) covered with long, narrowly lanceolate, compactly webbed feathers, which on the occiput form an ample crest, the feathers of which are very narrowly lanceolate and decurved. Bill much longer than the middle toe (about two thirds the tarsus), the upper and lower outlines almost precisely similar in contour, being nearly parallel along the middle portion, where slightly approximated; the terminal portion of both culmen and gonys gently and about equally curved. Mental apex extending to a little more than one third the distance from the middle of the eye to the tip of the bill, or to about even with the anterior end of the nostril; malar apex about even with that of the frontal feathers. Toes very short, the middle one less than half the tarsus, the hallux less than half the middle toe; bare portion of tibia more than half as long as tarsus; scutellation.of tarsus, etc., as in Herodias, Gar- zetta, and al ied subgenera. Plumes of the adult consisting of a more or less lengthened train of fastigiate, stiff- shafted feathers, with long, loose, and straight plumules, and extending beyond the tail; in addition to this train, the scapulars and the feathers of the whole head and neck, except the throat and foreneck, are long and narrow, distinctly lanceolate, and acuminate, with com- pact webs, and on the occiput are doveloped into an ample decurved crest. There is only one species belonging to this subgenus, the di- chromatic Ardea rufescens Gmel., the white phase of which was formerly considered a distinct species, under the name of Peale's Egret {Ardea i>ealel Bonap.). Ardea rufescens fimel. REDDISH EGRET. Popular synonyms. Russet Egret; Peale's Egret a. Colored Phase, L' Aigrette rousse, de la Louisiana Buff. PI. Enl. 1777-1781, pi. 002 (adult). Ardea riifu Vow. (nee Scop. 1769) Tab!. P. I ksed on PL EnL 902).— CoUE3, Kny. 1872,268; Check List. ! ,.— RkichkNOW, J. £. 0. 1877, 269 A.o. I < heck List, . No. m8.-Uinn\v. Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 11. Demiegretta rvfa Baibd. Birds N. Am. 1838,662; Cat. N. Am. B. I s 127* BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. Dichromanassa rufa Eidgw. Bull. U. S. Geol. & Geog. Surv. Terr. iv. No. 1, 1878, 236 (in text); Nom. N. Am.B. 1881, No. 491— CouES.Check List, 2d ed. 1882, No. 661— B.B. & K. Water B. N. Am. i, 1884, 33. Reddish Egret Lath. Synop. iii, 1785, 88 (quotes PL Enl. 902). Areda rufescens Gmel. S. N. i, pt. ii, 1783,628, No. 33 (based on PI. Enl. 902L— Aud. Orn. Biog. iii, 1835,411; v. 1889, 604, pi. 256; Birds Am. vi, 1843, 139, pi. 371 (adult: both phases).— Eidgw. Man. N. Am. B. 1887. 131. Ardea cub en sis "Gundl. MSS." Lemb. Aves de Cuba, 1850, 84, pi. 13, fig. 1 (young). 6 . White phase. Ardea pealei Bonap. Ann. Lye. N. T. ii, 1826, 154.— Nutt. Man. ii, 1834, 49— Eidgw. Man. N. Am. B. 1887. 181. Demiegretta pealei Bair-d, B. N. Am. 1858, 661; Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 182. Ardea rufa, var. pealei. Eeichenow, J. f. 0. 1877, 270. Ardea (Dichromanassa) pealei A. O. U. Check List, 1886, 352 (hypothet. list, No. 10). Hae. Warm-temperate and tropical North America, south to Guatemala; in the United States, apparently restricted to the Eastern Province, but in Mexico occurring on both coasts; north to southern Illinois; Jamaica; Cuba. Colored phase. Adult. Plumage in general uniform slate-gray, darker on the back, a little lighter be- neath; entire head and neck rich vinaceous-cinnamon, ending abruptly below; the penieil- late tips of some of the longer feathers, particularly on the occiput, lighter; train similar to the back anteriorly, but passing into a more brownish tint towards the end, the tips some- times whitish. Terminal half of the bill black; basal half, including the lores and eyelids, pale flesh-color or pale grayii-h (according to season); iris yellow or white; legs and feet black, or (in breeding season) ultramarine blue, the seutellae and claws black. (Audubon.) Young. No train on the back, and no lanceolate feathers on head or neck, except some- times (in older individuals) on the occiput or lower neck. Prevailing color dull bluish ashy, tinged here and there with reddish cinnamon, principally on the throat and lower neck. White phase. Adult. Plumage entirely pure white, the plumes exactly as in the adult of the colored phase. Iris white; color of bill, lores, and eyelids in life also similar; but legs and feet sometimes "dark olive-green, the soles /greenish yellow." (Audubon.) Young . Entirely pure" white, and destitute of the plumes and train of the adult. • Total length, a ou l 27.00-32.00; expanse, about 45.00-50.00; weight, about 1J6 pounds. (Audubo.sj Wing, 11.90-18.60; tail, 4.10-5.00; culmen,3.30-4.00; depth of bill. .55-. 70; tarsus, 4.90-5.75; middle toe, 2.50-2.85; bare portion of tibia, 2.60-3.75. The inclusion of this southern species of heron in the Illinois fauna rests on the statement of Mr. E. W. Nelson, in his paper on the birds of southern Illinois,* that he found it "quite com- mon in the vicinity of Cairo during the last week in August, 1875," the unusually high water of that season having caused a much larger number of herons than usual to make their ap- pearance. He observed that "although Ardea egretta and A. ccerulea— both of which were seen by the hundred daily— were quite unsuspicious, A. rufa was so exceedingly shy that it was almost impossible to get within gunshot of one." ♦Bulletin Nuttall Ornithological Club, i. 1876, p. 40. ARDEID.E— THE HERONS. 128 According to Dr. Brewer, the flight of this species is said to be more elevated and regular than that of the smaller herons. It is peculiarly graceful during the mating season, especially when one unmated male is pursuing another. It is said to pass through the air with great celerity, turning and cutting about in curious curves and zigzags, the pursuing bird frequently erecting its beautiful crest and uttering a cry at the moment it is about to give a thrust at the other. When travelling to and from their feeding-grounds, it propels itself with the usual regular flapping, and in the customary manner of flight oi other herons. On approaching a landing-place, it performs several circumvolutions, as if to satisfy itself that all is safe before alighting. It is much more shy and wary than the smaller herons; and after the breeding season is over it is almost im- possible to shoot one, except when it is taken by surprise, or when flying overhead among the mangroves. Subgenus Florida Baird. Florida Baird, B. N. Am. 1858, 671. Type, Ardea ccerulea Linn. Gen. Char. Small Herons, dark plumbeous, with maroon-colored necks; pure white, with bluish tips to some of the primaries; or with the plumage variously intermediate l e- tween these extremes. Bill slender, appreciably curved toward the tip, the culmen some- what depressed just above the anterior end of the nostril; lower edge of the mandibular rami slightly concave, the gonys nearly straight but ascending; anterior point of the malar feathers reaching just about as far forward as that of the frontal feathers, and very far posterior to the posterior end of the nostril; anterior point of chin feathers almost di recti y beneath the anterior end of the nostril, and a little over two thirds the distance from the middle of the eyo to the point of the bill. Toes long, the middle one two thirds, or more, as long as the tarsus, the hallux a little less than half its length; bare portion of tibia considerably less than middle toe. Tarsal scutellse as in Garzetta and Herodias. Nuptial plumes (occipital, jugular, and scapular) long, slenderly lanceolate, the webs rather compact, especially those of the dorsal region, the longer scapulars, however, loose- webbed, those of the back reaching, when fully developed, far beyond the tail. This subgenus also is peculiar to America, and contains a single species, the Little Blue Heron (Ardea carrulea Linn.), the adults of which are usually dark slaty blue with maroon-chest- nut head and neck and the young pure white with bluish tips to some of the longer primary quills. 129* BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. Ardea cserulea Linn. LITTLE BLUE HERON. Popular synomyms. Btue Egret; Little White Heron (young); Booby (parts of Florida); Garza azul (Mexico). A rdea ccerulea Catesby, Carolina, i, 1731, pi. 76 (blue adult). II won bleuatre de Cayenne Buff. PL Enl, 1770-84, pi. 319 (blue adult). Ardea ccerulea Linn. S. N. ed. 10. i, 1758, 143, No. 13 (ex Brown, Jam. 478; Catesby, I. c), i, 1766, 238, No.l7— Wils. Am. Orn. vii, 1813, 117, pi. 62— Nutt. Man. ii, 1834, 58 — Aud. Orn. Biog. iv, 1838, 58, pi. 307; Synop. 1839, 266; B. Am. vi, 1843, 148, pi. 372— CoUES, Key, 1872, 268; Cheek List, 1873, No. 456.— A. 0. U. Check List, 1886, No. 200— Ridgw. Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 130. Florida ccerulea Baikd. Birds N.Am. 1858.671; Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 490— Ridgw. Nom. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 493— Coues, Check List, 2d ed. 1882, No. 662.— B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. i, 1884, 43. Blue Heron, var. A. Lath. Synop. iii, 1785, 79 (blue adult. Quotes PL Enl. 349). Ardea ccerulescens Lath. Ind. Orn. ii, 1790, 690, No. 49 (based on the above). Le Crabier bleu a cou brun Buff. Ois. vii, 399 (blue adult). Blue Heron Lath. Synop. iii, 1785, 78 (quotes Ardea ccerulea, Linn.). ? Little White Heron, var. B. Lath. Synop. iii, 1785, 94 (Mexico. Probably young white bird). Ardea ardesiacea Less. Traite, i. 1881,575 (Cayenne. Individual in pied plumage). Herodias poucheti Bonap. Consp. ii, 1855, 123 (blue adult). "Egretta nivea" Gosse, Birds Jam. 1847, 334; Illustr. R. Jam. pi. 90 (young white bird). Ardea ccerulea, var. alba, Reichenow, J. f. O. July, 1877, 264 (white phase). Ardea ccerulea, var. cyanopus, Reichenow, 1. c. (intermediate, or pied, phase. Ex Ardea cyanopus Gmel. S. N. i. pt. ii, 1788, 644). A rdea mexicana cinerea Bbiss. Orn. v, 1760, 404 (intermediate phase). Ardea americana cinerea Bbiss. t. c. 406. Ardea cancrophagus brasiliensis Bkiss. t. c. 479. Ardea chalybea Stephens, Shaw's Gen. Z06I. xi, ii, 1819, 582. A rdea cristata Mull. S. N. Suppl. 1766, 111 (based on PI. Enl. 349). Hab. Warm-temperate eastern North America, the whole of the West Indies and Mid- dle America, and northern South America; north to Massachusetts (accidentally to Maine), Illinois, Kansas, etc.; south to Colombia and Guiana. Colored phase. Adult: Head and neck rich purplish maroon, with a ghucous cast, the feathers more chestnut beneath the surface; rest of the plumage uniform dark bluish plumbeous, the plumes with a glaucous cast, the maroon and plumbeous gradually blended. In breeding season, bill ultramarine-blue at the base, the end black; lores, eyelids, and base of bill, ultramarine-blue; iris pale yellow 1 ; tibae, tarsi, and toes black (Audubon). In autumn, bill light plumbeous on the basal half, the terminal half black; lores and eyelids very pale dull greenish; iris sulphur-yellow; legs and feet uniform pea-green, darker at the joints 2 . Young: Similar in color to the adult, but with less developed plumes, or with none at all; the head and neck more plumbeous. 1 According to Mr. W. E. D. Scott (Bull. Nutt. Orn. Club, vi, 1880, p. 20), the color of the iris in specimens collected March 20, when they had just begun to breed, at Clearwater, Florida,' was "deep lead-color" in eleven and "brown or hazel" in another. 2 From a fresh specimen killed August 6, near Washington, D. O. ARDEIDvE— THE HERONS. 130* White phase. A dult: Prevailing color white, with the ends of several outer primaries plumbeous, the plumage tinged here and there (in Quantity varying with the individual) with delicate pale bluish pearl-gray. Colors of the soft parts as in the blue adult. Young: Similar to the adult, but with the plumes absent or but slightly developed. Bill pale lilaceous, becoming gradually black on terminal third, the lores, orbits, and base of under mandible pale apple- green; legs and feet uniform pea-green, lighter and brighter than in the blue phase; iris Naples yellow 1 . Pied, or intermediate, phase. The plumage mixed white and plumbeous, in proportion varying with the individual, forming a series connecting unbrokenly the two extremes described above. Total length, abort 20 UO-25.00 inches; expanse, 40 .00-42.00; wing, 0.00-10.60; tail, 3.60-4.70; culmen, 2.70-3.30; depth of bill, .45-.5S; tarsus, 3.15-4.00; middle toe, 2.35-55.60 ; bare portion of tibia. 2.00-2.90. Weight, about 11-16 ounces. While there is evidently such a thing as an intermediate phase among fully adult birds, specimens representing; it appear to be excessively rare. The young in blue plumage seems to be equally uncommon. It may be, however, that all birds become blue at some time of their existence, and it is quite certain that a very great majority of the youug are white, only one unques- tionably young bird in blue plumage having come under my notice. The Little Blue Heron is a common bird during the latter part of summer, particularly during August, when (in 1875) Mr. E. W. Nelson found it exceedingly abundant near Cairo. Considerable numbers make their appearance along the Wabash River, at least as far north as Mt. Carmel, and doubtless it occurs generally throughout the State. Subgenus Butorides Blyth Butorides "Blytii. 1810," Bonap. Consp. ii, 1855, 128. Type, -I rd< a 'avanica Horsf. Oniscus Caban. J. f. O. iv, 1856. :?43. Typo, Ardea virescens Linn. Gbn. Chak. Small Herons, of darkish, moro'or less variegated, colors, the pileum and occiput crested. Bill rather stout, decidedly longer than the tarsus. Mental apex reach- ing to a little less than half-way (in B. brunnescena exactly half-way) f rem the middle of (ho '■ye to the point of the bill, and to decidedly beyond the anterior end of the nostril; malar c about even with the frontal, and decidedly posterior to the hinder end of the nostril In /:. brunnescena this point falls considerably short of the frontal one). Middle toe very nearly or quid- equal to the tarsus (equal to it In B. javanicua, a little shorter in the American forms, the difference being most marked In - taroely or no) al all longer than the Inner (except In /:. bn out half the length of the middle toe; ba ol tibia equal to or Bhorter than the hallux. 1 Fresh colors of a specimen killed .\u-\i>' ■ hjngton, 1 1 131* BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. Tileum with a full crest of broadly lanceolate, compactly webbed feathers, these longer and more narrowly lanceolate on the occiput. Scapulars and interscapulars elongated and lanceolate in the adult, but not reaching the end of the tail (very much as in Ardea). Ardea virescens Linn. GREEN HERON. Popular synonyms. "Schytepoko;" "Squawk;" Fly-up-the-Creek; Booby (parts of Florida); Crab-catcher (Jamaica); Martineta cangrejero (Mexico). Ardea stellaris minima'GATESBY, Carolina, i, 1754, pi. 80 (adult). Ardea virescens Linn. S. N. ed. 10, 1758, 144, No. 15 (based, in part, on the above) ; ed. 12, 1766, i, 238, No. 20— Wils. Am. Orn. vii, 1813, 97, pi. 61.— Nutt. Man. ii, 1834, 63.— Aud. Orn. Biog. iv, 1838, 217, pi. 333; Synop. 1839, 264; Birds Am. vi, 1843. 105, pi. 367— Coues. Key, 1872, 268; Check List. 1873, No. 457; Birds N. W. 1874, 522— Reichenow, J. f. O. 1877, 255— A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 201— Ridgw. Man. N. Am. B. 1887. 132. Butorides virescens Bonap. Consp. ii, 1855, 128— Baibd, Birds N. Am. 1858, 676; Cat. N. Am. B. 1859. No. 493— Ridgw. Norn. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 494— Coues, Check List, 2d. ed. 1882. No. 663— B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. i, 1834, 50. Crabier, de la Louisiane Buff. PI. Enl. 1770-84, pi. 909 (adult). Crabier tachete, de la Martinique Buff. PL Enl. 912 (young). Green Heron Lath. Synop. iii, 1785, 68. Louisiana Heron Lath. t. c. 81. Ardea ludoviciana Gmel. S. N. i, pt. ii, 1788, 630. No. 39 (based on PI. Enl. 909). ? Blue Heron, var. B. Lath. Synop. iii, 1785, 75 (Queen Charlotte's Sound). A rdea chloroptera Bodd. Tabl. P. E. 1783, pi. 909. Cancroma maculata Bodd. t. c. pi. 912. ? Ardea virgata, Gmel S. N. i, pt. ii, 1788, 643. Hab. The whole of temperate North America, West Indies, Middle America, and northern South America, to Venezuela; north to Ontario and Oregon; abundant both in the Pacific States and Eastern Province, but apparently wanting in the Middle Province; Ber- mudas. Sp. Chab. Adult: Entire pileum, including oocipital crest, glossy darn metal'ic bottle- green; rest of the head and neck, except throat and foreneck, rich chestnut, varying from a cinnamon shade to a fine purplish maroon; bare orbital space bordered posteriorly with greenish black, from the lower part of which projects backward, from the rictus, a short stripe of the same; below this, along the upper edge of the malar region, a narrow stripe of white, the lower malar feathers being mixed black and rufous, forming another stripe; th oat and foreneck, from chin to chest, white, marked with broad longitudinal dashes of dusky. Lower parts ash-gray, the lining of the wing somewhat spotted, and distinctly bordered, outwardly, with creamy white. Scapular plumes glaucous-plumbeous, with a green reflection in certain lights, the shafts white. Wing-coverts and rectrices brilliant metallic bottle-green, the former distinctly bordered, narrowly, with fulvous-white; these borders on the lesser-coverts, more rusty or fulvous ; rectrices immaculate bottle-green; remiges and primary-coverts plumbeous, with a green reflection, the inner primaries and adjoining secondaries with narrow crescentic tips of white, the coverts with terminal del- toid spots of the same. Bill deep black, the lower mandible sometimes partly yellowish or greenish; lores and orbits varying from olive-green to bright yellow; iris gamboge-yellow; legs and feet olive-green or olive-yellow, the scutellae more greenish; claws horn-color. Young: Pileum, including crest, as in the adult, but usually streaked with dark rusty an- teriorly; sides of the head and neck dull dark rusty, indistinctly streaked with light ochra- ceous, or buff; lower parts white, tinged with buff, and striped with dusky. Back, scapu- ,ars. and rump uniform dull dusky-green, some of the feathers indistinctly bordered with ARDEID.E— THE HERONS. 132* rusty; wings and tail as in the adult, but light borders to larger wing-coverts more ochra- ceous.and the two or three middle rows marked with median wedge-shaped dashes of the same. Bill lighter colored than in the adult, dull greenish prevailing, only the culmen dusty, the lower mandible mostly pale yellowish; legs and feet dull greenish yellow or olivaceous. Length, about 15.00-22.50; expanse, 25.00-27.00. Weight, 6% ounces (A.udubon). Wing, 6.30-8.00; tail, 2.40-3.40; culmen, 2.00-2.55; depth of bill, .40-.60; tarsus, 1.75-2.15; middle toe, 1.05-1.95; bare portion of tibia, .70-.90. This small and very handsome heron is perhaps the most generally distributed species of the family, being found along all streams which pass through or near wooded tracts. It comes from the south in April, and departs in September or October. According to Mr. N. B. Moore (as quoted by Dr. Brewer in the Water Birds of North America), "this heron has its own pe- culiar manner of searching for its food, which, in some respects, differs from that of all the other kinds. It fishes from the shore or from a log, root, snag, or shelving rock, preferring not to wade into the water or to stand in it; still, on seeing a tempt- ing morsel, it will quit its point of observation and walk into the water towards it. Its approach at such times is peculiar; though the Louisiana Heron seems occasionally to copy its style, except that the latter is constantly in the water at the time of fishing. The Green Heron, however, on seeing a fish, crouches low on its legs, draws back its head, crooks its neck, creeps slyly along, laying its tarsi almost down on the rock or the ground, carries the bill level with the top of the back, and, when near enough, darts the bill forward towards it, sometimes with such force as to topple forward a step or two. It seldom immerses its head in fishing, is always disposed to steal upon its prey in a sly, cat-like, crouching manner, remaining quite motionless for a long time, and often advancing so slowly ami stealthily that even a keen-eyed observer would hardly perceive Hie motion. Its ant i | hi thy to and jealousy of its own species at the t*ecdinTounds is decided." "i-> n Genus NYCTICORAX Stephens. Nyoticorax Btephhns, Shaw's Gon. Zool. xi, 1819,603. Type, Ardea nycticorax Linn. i Ihab. Bill comparatively short ami thlok, the '-11111100 not longer than the tarsus, nan four times the greatest ■/.. (Audubob). Wing, 11.00- 12 B0; tail, 4.20 5.80; culmen, 2.80 3.10; a I Ny etcmai »Hn in. Proc.U. S.Nat. Mus.x.sig. 19, Aug. 3,188; , l cab. If edlum-slzed Heron , of short, thick build; the bill extremely thick and stout, with both outlines strongly convex; the lega long ari'l slender; the dorsal plumes much elongated and very na beyondthe tall; the occiput (In ad with everal extremi ly long, linear whiti feat! Bill short, and yery stout, the culmen curved regularly from tfa cidedlycbi much ascending; 4 maxlllai , straight throughout, bul appreciabl theba e; mandibular tomlumne: rht, butpen 1 A cap men had the Iris and - m to June 80th, the only portion of thi d feet uniform lli ' neck, without -• rton, /' C ! irth and Middle \ i * Thi tllne of the bill is, in fact, m d< rable yai • decidedly < onvex in the middi ii U and thi an I 135* BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. apex less than half-way from centre of eye to end of bill, and about even with anterior end of nostril; apex of malar region a little posterior to the frontal' apex. Tarsi long and slender, exceeding the middle toe by more than half [the length of the latter; outer toe de- cidedly longer than inner; hallux slightly longer than the first phalanx of the middle toe; bare portion of tibia as long as the outer toe; tarsal scutellae with a tendency to form trans- verse plate- on the upper half, in front; claws exceedingly short, strongly curved, and blunt. Inncj we = of two outer primaries emarginated near the end; tail of twelve broad, moderately hai-.i feathers; interscapular plumes greatly elongated (extending beyond the tail), narrow, the plumulne thread-like and soft, and separated outwardly. Occipital plumes linear, flattened, longer than the head and bill, when fully developed, half a dozen or more in number, and graduated in length. Nycticorax violaceus (Linn.) YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT HERON. Popular synonyms. White-crowned Night Heron: Pedrete de marcara (Mexico). Ardea stellaris cristata americana Catesby, Carolina, 1754. pi. 79 (adult). Bihoreau de Cayenne Buff. PI. Enl. 1770-84. pi. 899 (adult). Ardea violacea Linn. S. N. ed. 10, i, 1758, 143, No. 12 (ex Catesby, 1. a); ed. 12. i, 1766. 238, No. 16.— Wils. Am. Orn. viii, 1814, 26, pi. 65.— Nutt. Man. ii, 1834, 52.— Aud. Orn. Biog. iv, 1838, 290, pi. 336; Synop. 1839, 262; Birds Am. vi, 1843. 89, pi. 364 (adult and young). Nyctiardea violacea Swains. Classif. B. ii, 1837. 354— Coues, Key, 1872, 269; Check List, 1873, No. 459. Nyctherodius violaceus Reichenb. Syst. Av. 1851, p. xvi.— Baird, Birds N. Am. 1858,679; Cat. N. Am. B. 1859. No. 496— Ridgw. Norn. N. Am. B. 1831, No. 496.— Coues, Check List, 2d ed. 1882, No. 665 [Nycterodius).—B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. i, 1884. 61. Nycticorax violaceus Vig. Zool. Jour, iii, 1827, 446— A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 203.— Ridgw. Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 133. Cayenne flight Heron Lath. Synop. iii, 1785, 56 (quotes PI. Enl. 899). Yellow-crowned Night Heron Lath. t. c. 80. Ardea cayennensis Gmel. S. N. i.'pt. ii, 1788, 626, No. 31 (based on PL Enl. 899). Ardea sexsetacea Yieill. Enc. Meth. iii, 1823, 1130 (Reichenow). Ardea callocephala Wagl. Syst. A v. 1827, Ardea, sp. 34. Hab. Warm-temperate eastern North America, West Indies, Middle America, and northern South America, breeding north to southern Illinois and Indiana. On Atlantic coast north to Pennsylvania (rare). West to Colorado, south to western Ecuador and the Amazonian regions. Bermudas. Sp. Chak. Adult. Forehead, middle of the crown, long occipital plumes, and a large longitudinal patch from the rictus to the ears, pure white; 1 rest of the head deep In living and freshly killed specimens the forehead is a delicate creamy sulphur- yellow color; but this fades perceptibly in a very short time after death, and finally disap- appears entirely. Audubon (Birds of America, Vol. YL, p. 91) says, however, that this is characteristic of the breeding season, and "disappears at the approach of autumn, when the bird might with all propriety be named the White-crowned Heron." In view of the fact that this beautiful yellow color is seldom if ever to be seen in dried skins, the term "yello w- crowned" is a decided misnomer; and since it is thus calculated to mislead the student, we prefer the name "white-crowned," and have. On previous occasions, adopted the latter in this work. In many skins the white of the forehead is tinged more or less with ochrace- ous, or cinnamon-brown; but this is without much doubt an actual stain caused by contact with the slimy coating of leaves of aquatic plants, ferruginous mud, etc. ARDEID.E— THE HERONS. 136* black. Plumage in general, clear bluish gray, or cinereous, lighter beneath (the de- gree of blueness probably depending on the age of the bird): all the feathers of the upper surface marked with a median stripe of black; the secondaries and rectrices dark plumbe- ous, bordered with a lighter shade of tho same; primaries plain bluish plumbeous. Bill deep black, the lower basal portion of the mandible, in some specimens, greenish yellow; lores and eyelids greenish yellow; iris pale orange; legs dull yellowish green, the large scutellaj and the claws dusky. 1 Young. Above, dark sooty grayish brown, sometimes of a slightly olive east, the feathers of the pileum and wings (in youngest individuals the entire upper surface?) marked with median streaks of white or pale buff; these streaks assuming on the wintr coverts a narrowly cuneate form. Lower parts soiled whitish, striped with brownish gray. "Bill greenish black, the lower and basal part of the lower maDdible greenish yellow, as are the eyelids and bare space before the eye. Iris pale orange. Legs and feet dull yellowish green, the scutella and scales in front, as well as the claws, dusky." (Audubon.) Length, about 23.00-25.00; expanse, 40.00-45.00; weight, 1 lb. 7 oz. to 1 lb. 9 oz. (Audubon.) Wing, 10.50- 12.65; tail, 4.20-5.10 ; culmen, 2.50-3.00; depth of bill, .70-.92; tarsus, 3.10-4.20 ; middle toe, 2.20- 2.55; bare portion of tibia, 1.60-2.40. The Yellow-crowned Night Heron occurs during summer throughout at least the southern third of Illinois, though of course only in such localities as are suited to it. These consist of timbered swamps, where the principal food of the species, consisting of crawfish, frogs, and the smaller reptiles, is to be found in abundance. It first became known to the writer as an Illinois bird through Mr. Samuel Turner, of Mt. Carmel, who obtained specimens of the bird and its eggs in the Coffee Flats, a few miles south of that place. At Monteur's Pond, about eight miles east of Yincennes, Indiana, the writer found it to be much the most numerous species of heron, far outnumbering all other kinds together, during several visits there, in different years. Many nests were found, but all inaccessible except by special and in most cases extraordinary effort, being built not only high up in the tallest sweet gum and oak trees but far out upon the branches. 1 In an adult female shot from the nest, at Wheatland. Indiana, April 27, 1881, the bill and naked lores were wholly slate-black, the eyelids similar, but tinged with green anteriorly; iris Mars-orange; legs palo olive-buff, the large scutell.'e of tarsus and toes deep brownish. In the adult male in spring, according to Audubon, tho unfoathered parts are colored as follows: "Bill black. Iris reddish-orange; margins of eyelids and bare Bpaee in front of the eye dull yellowish green. Tibia, upper part of the tarsus, its hind part and soles, bright yellow; the scutellSB and sculos, the fore part of the tarsus, tho toes, and the claws, black. " 137 ; BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. Subfamily BOTAUBJN^.— The Bitterns. Genus BOTAURUS Hermann. Botaurus Heemann, Tabl. Affln. Anim. 1783, 135. Type, Ardea stellaris Linn. Gen. Char. Tail-feathers ten, very short and soft; outer toe shorter than inner; claws lengthened, slightly curved. Two really distinct genera are comprised in the so-called genus Botaurus, as above denned, but in order to be consistent in the classification and nomenclature of this work we are compelled to follow the A. O. D. Check List and call them subgenera. They may be distinguished by the following char- acters: a. 1 Size large (wing more than 9.50 inches); sexes alike in coloration, and young not ob- viously different in color from adults Botaurus. a. a Size very small (wing less than 6.00 inches); sexes more or less different in color, (in North American species, at least), and young obviously different from adults Ardetta. Subgenus Botaurus Hermann. Botaurus Hermann. Tabl. Affln. Anim. 1783, 135. Type, Ardea stellaris Linn. Butor Swains. Classif. B. ii, 1837, 354. Same type. Gen. Char. Medium-sized, or rather large, Herons, with the plumage much mottled or striped with different shades of brown and ochraceous (the plumage essentially the same in both sexes and at all seasons); the plumage, particularly of the lower neck in front, exceedingly soft and full, and destitute of any ornamental plumes; the bill comparatively small and short (shorter than the middle toe); the tibiae almost completely feathered, and the claws very long and but slightly curved. Tail, of ten short, soft feathers, slightly rounded or nearly even. Bill gradually tapering from the base to the point, the upper outline more convex than the lower, the gonys very slightly convex and gently ascending, the lower edge of the max- illary rami perfectly straight; mental apex extending forward about half-way from the centre of the eye to the point of the bill, and slightly in advance of the anterior end of the nostril; malar apex falling far short of that of the frontal feathers. Toes very long, the middle one considerably exceeding the bill and almost equaling the tarsus ; inner toe decid- edly longer than the outer; hallux about half the middle toe; claws very long (that of the hallux nearly equal to its digit), and but slightly curved; bare portion of the tibia shorter than the hallux. Tarsi with large regular scutellse in front. ARDEID.E— THE HERONS. 138* Botaurus lentiginosus (Montag.) AMEEICAN BITTERN. Popular synonyms. Stake-driver; Post-driver; Thunder-pump Water-belcher; Bog-bull; Bog- bumper; Mire-drum; Look-up; Indian hen; Indian pullet, etc. Ardea mugitans Bartr. Travels. 17i»2, (nomen nudum). Botaurus mugitans Coues. Check List, 2d ed. 1882, No. 666. Ardea lenliginosa Montague, Orn. Diet. Suppl. 1813.— Sw. & Rich. F. B.-A. ii, 1831,374.— Nutt. Man. ii, 1831. 00.— Aud. Synop. 1839. 263; Birds Am. vi. 1813. 94, pi. 365 Botaurus lentiginosus Stephens, Shaw's Gen. Zool. xii, 1819, 596.— Baibd, Birds N. Am. 1858, C74: Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 492.-:Reichenow. J f. O. 1877. 218.— RlDGW. Nom. Am. B. 1881, No. 497; Man. 1887. 120..— A. O. U. Check List, 1S86, No. 190. Ardea hudsonias Merrem, Ersch. Grub. Ency. v. 1820, 175. Ardea minor WiL3. Am. Orn. viii. 1814, 35, pi. 65, fig. 3. Botaurus minor Boie, Isis, 1826, 979— Coues, Key, 1872, 209; Check List, 1873, No. 460; Birds N. W. 1874, 523. Butor americanus Swains. Classif. B. ii, 1837, 351. Ardea mokoko Vieill. Nouv. Diet, xiv, 1817, 440. Botaurus adspersus "Cab.," Bonap. Consp. ii. 1857, 156. Ardea stellaris canadensis Edwards, Nat. Hist. pi. 136. Le Butor de laBaye de Hudson Edwards, I. c. Botaurus Freti-Hudsonis Briss. Orn. v, 1700, 450. pi. 37, (ig. 1. Ardea stellaris Varietas Forst. Philos. Trans. l»ii, 1772, 410. No. 38 (Severn R.). Bittern Var. A. Lath. Synop. iii, 1785, 58. Ardea stellaris B. Lath. Ind. Orn. ii, 1790. 680, No. 18 B. (ex Edwards, pi. 136 . Hab. The whole of temperate and tropical North America, north to latitude about 00°, south to Guatemala. Cuba; Jamaica; Bermudas. Occasional in Europe (18 British records). Sp. Char. Adult: Ground-color of the plumage ochraceous-buff; but this densly mot- tled and iinely sprinkled above with reddish brown and blackish, the latter color prevailing on the dorsal and scapular regions, where the feathers have lighter edges, the butt prevail- ing on the wing-coverts, where the variegation consists of a liner and sparser sprinkling of the dusky and brown; on the tertials and ends of the secondaries, the reddish (a sort of cin- namon shade) forms tin- ground-color, and is thickly sprinkled with irregular dusky dot- i 1 zigzags; pectoral tufts nearly uniform dark brown, the feathers with broad lateral borders of clear yellowish ochraceous. Pileum rusty brown, darker anteriorly, changing gradually backward into the greenish olive-gray of the nape; sides of the head and neck yellowish ochraceous; a malar stripe of dark rusty, changing posteriorly into a wry conspicuous stripe of blue-black (or in somo specimens dull grayish) down each side of the neck; chin and throat white, with a very narrow median dusky streak, suffused with ceous; foreneck pale bull, with sharply defined stripes of cinnamon-brown edged with a black line; lower parts pale buff, with narrower brownish stripes; tibise and orissum plain light or eamy buff; primary-coverts and primaries dark slate, tipped with pale reddish ochracei . but not densely, sprinkled with dusky. Upper mandible olive. black, the tomium (broadly) lemon- yellow; lower mandible pale lemon-yellow, deeper i.asally, with astri] f dusky bro^ I the tomium; loi eyelids lemon- yellow, the former divided longitudinally by a median stripe of dusky olive, from the eye to the base of the upper mandible; Iris clear, light sulphur-yellow next the pupil, shadin ige-brownish, this encircled narrowly with blaok; lege and feet bright yellowish green ; olaws pale brown, dusky toward po ig: Similar to the adult, but more reddish, the mottling coarser, and with a tender.. transvi illy on the posterior upper parts. Imens (male and female) killed Nevada, Nov. 18, and Deo. 11, 18 ■■ 139* BIEDS OF ILLINOIS. Length, about 24.0U-28.00; expanse, 37.00-45.00; weight about V& lbs. (Audubon); wing, 9.80- 12.00; tail. 3.10-4.40; culmen, 2.50-3.20; depth of bill. .50-.65; tarsus, 3.10-3.85; middle toe, 2.90-3.00; bare portion of tibia, 1.00-1.35. 1 Subgenus Ardetta Gray. Ardeola Bonap. Synopsis, 1828 (teste Gkat, Gen. & Subg. 1855. 113). Type, Ardea exilis Gmel. (Not of Boie, 1822!) Ardetta Gray, List of Genera, App. 18(2, 13. Type, Ardea minuta Linn. Erodiscus Gloger, Handb. i, 1842, 410. Same type. "Ardeiralla" (1855) Vebeeaux (teste Habtl. Orn. Westafr. p. 224). Type, Ardea sturml Wagl. Subgen Char. Extremely small (the smallest of) herons, or miniature bitterns; dif- fering from the true bitterns chiefly in their diminutive size, and in the fact that the sexes differ in color. 2 Although only two species of Ardetta are known to occur in North America (with one additional species in South America), there are various species in other parts of the world. The two North American species differ as follows: o 1 . Primaries tipped with cinnamon-rufous or pale cinnamon; adults with a distinct nar- row stripe of buff along each side of back B. exilis. a". Primaries without rufous or cinnamon tips; adults without trace of lighter stripe along sides of back B. neoxenus. ;i This species, which was originally discovered in southern Florida, has also been taken in Ontario, Canada, and may possibly occur in Illinois. It is very different in color from B. exilis, the prevailing colors being black and rich chestnut. Botaurus exilis (Gmel.) LEAST BITTERN. Popular synonyms. American Least Bittern; Tortoise-shell Bird, or Tortoise-shell Bittern (Jamaica) ; Little Yellow Bittern; Ardeola and Pescadora (Mexico). Little Bittern Penn. Arct, Zool. ii, 1785, 453, No. 359 (part). Minute Bittern Lath. Synop. iii. 1785, 66 (Jamaica); = female ad.). Ardea exilis Gmel. S. N. i, pt. ii, 1788, 645, No. 83 (based on the Minute Bittern of Lath. t # c .).— Wils. Am. Orn. viii. 1814, 37, pi. 65, fig. 4.— Nutt. Man. ii, 1834, 66.— Aud. Orn. Biog. iii, 1835, 77; v, 1839, 606. pi. 210; Synop. 1839, 263; Birds Am. vi, 1843, 100, pi. 366. Ardetta exilis Gundl. J. f. O. 1856, 345. -Baied. B. N. Am. 1858, 673; Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 491.— Ridgw. Nom. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 498.— Coues, Check List 2d ed. 1882, No. 667. Botaurus exilis Reichen. J. f. 0. 1877, 244.— A. O. U. Cheek List, 1886. No. 134.— Ridgw. Man. 1887, 127. ? Ardea spadicea Gmel. t. c. 641 (Reichenow). 1 From measurements of twenty-five adult specimens. 2 We can find no other difference in form or proportion between Botaurus and Ardetta. In the sexed specimens of A . involucris which we have been able to examine there is no sexual difference of plumage. The sex of the single supposed female, however, may have been incorrectly determined. » Ardetta neoxena Cory, Auk, iii, Apr. 1886, 262.— Botaurus neoxenus Ridgw. Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 127. AKDEID/E — THE HERONS. 140* Hab. The whole of temperate North America, north to the British Provinces; West Indies, Middle America, and northern South America, to Brazil. Bermudas. Sp. Chak. Adult male: Pileum, including slight occipital crest, with entire hack, scapu- lars, rump and tail, glossy greenish black, the outer webs of the outermost row of scapu- lars edged with pale buff, forming a narrow longitudinal stripe. Sides of the head and neck bright ochraceous, deepening into reddish chestnut on the nape; chin, throat, and foreneek paler, the first sometimes whitish, with a mediansories of dusky and yellowish butl'dashes; the foreneek and chest faintly striped with white and pale orange-bull', the latter pre- dominating; on each side the breast a patch of maroon-dusky, the feathers tipped with paler and suffused with blackish, forming tufts of large loose feathers, partly concealed by the large feathers of the chest; lower parts whitish, washed with pale creamy-buff . Carp;il region, greater wing-coverts, lower webs of tertials and tips of primary-coverts, second- aries, and innermost primaries, rich cinnamon- rufous; large area covering middle wing- covert region, pale ochraceous or buff; remiges and primary-coverts blackish slate, except at tips. "Bill dark olive-brown above, edge of upper mandible and bare frontal space yel- low; lower mandible pale yellow, inclining to flesh color; iris yellow; feet dull greenish yel- low; claws brown." (Audubon.) Adult female: Similar to adult male, but the greenish- black replaced by brown (varying from umber-drab to cinnamon; the pileum darker, usu- ally auite dusky); the buff stripe along outer edge of scapular region much broader, and the stripes on the foreneek usually more distinct. Young: Similar to the adult female, but feathers of the back and scapulars tipped with buff, and si ri pes on foreneek usually still more distinct. Downy young: Above uniform buff, or brown is li buff, beneath dull white. Total length, about 12.00-1:1.50 inches; extent of wings, 17.00-18.00; wing, 4.80-5.25; tail. 1.60- 2.10; culmen, 1.60-1.90; depth of bill at base, .28-.3S; tarsus, 1.50-1.75; middle toe. 1.40-1.60; bare portion of tibia, .45-.50. The Least Bittern, although comparatively seldom seen, is an abundant summer resident in marshy localities throughout Illinois, but keeps well hidden among the tall sedges, cat-tails, and other aquatic plants among which it dwells, often permit- ting itself to be almost brushed against before it will take wing. Mr. Nelson says it breeds abundantly in the marshes and sloughs of the northeastern counties, where it arrives about May 1, and breeds in June. He always found its nest sup- ported, at from two to three feet above the water, by the surrounding rushes, and describes it as a very frail structure— a thin platform from one to three inches thick, with scarcely de- pression enough in the center to prevent the eggs from rolling out. Small dry pieces of reeds are used in building it. The eggs are usually from two to six in number. If approached while on the nest, the female generally stops quietly to one side; but if suddenly surprised, takes to flight. Bach nest is asually placed by itself, but sometimes six or eight may be found in close proximity. — F. lOSJ BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. Order ANSERES.— the Lamellirostral Swimmers. Characters. Lamellirostral swimming birds, with straight bills, short legs (always shorter than the wing), the tibiae usually completely feathered, and scarcely free from the body ; hallux well developed, though usually small, never absent. Reproduction prsecocial, and young ptilopasdic; eggs numerous and unmarked, with a hard, usually very smooth, shell. Bill flattened terminally, and provided at the tip with a more or less hooked nail or "unguis", and along the edges with distinct vertical lamella? or strainers (more tooth-like in the subfamily Mergince). The Order Anseres is composed mainly of a single family {Anat- idw), 1 which, however, includes very numerous genera and species. The order is represented in every portion of the globe, but most numerously in the northern hemisphere. It is allied most nearly to the orders Phmdcopteri (Flamingoes) and Palamedm (Screamers), the former Tropicopolitan, the latter confined to the central portion of the Neotropical Region. 'Extralimital families, are (1) Anse.rantidcp (Semipalmated Geese), and (2) Cereopsic'ce (Capo Barren Geese), both peculiar to Australia. ANATIDJ3— THE SWANS, GEESE, AND DUCKS. 103 Family ANATID-ffi.— The Swans, Geese, and Ducks. Chabactees. The same as those of the Order. (See Volume I, page 45.) The family Anatidce, which includes all the North American Ans&res, constitutes so well-marked and natural a group of birds as to need no further definition than has already been given. The species, being very numerous, naturally fall into several more or less well-defined groups, which have been accorded the rank of subfamilies. These, however, grade so insensibly into one another that it is extremely doubtful whether this rank can be maintained for them. 1 Birds of this family are found in every known part of the world; but they abound most in the northern hemisphere, particularly in boreal regions. The North American representatives may, for convenience of classification, be divided into four tolerably well-defined groups, as follows: Cygninae. Neck extremely long (as long as or longer than the body); size very large; bill long as or longer than the head, the edges parallel, the nail small; tarsi shorter than middle toe ;lores naked; tail-feathers 20-24; color chiefly or entirely white (except in Ghenopis atrata, the Black Swan, of Australia). Anserinae. Neck moderately long (shorter than the body); size variable (usually medi- um, never very large): bill not longer than the head, tapering to the end, which is chiefly occupied by the large, broad nail; tarsus longer than the middle toe; lores feathered; tail-feathers 14-20; color extremely variable. Anatinae. Neck moderately long (shorter than the body); size variable (usually small or medium); bill extremely variable; tarsus shorter than the middle toe; lores usually feathered; tail-feathers 14-18; color extremely variable. Merginae. Similar to the Anatince, but biU narrow, with tooth-like processes instead of fine lamelkr. The genera which have representatives within our limits may be distinguished by the following characters: '"The whole family Inatidce forms, as to structural features, a very homogeneous group, and Intermediate links are everywhere to be found. Thus it is very difficult to de- fine the subfamilies anatomically, and to give the atruotural differences by which they are to be separated, so that I And it not improbable that an exact Investigation, based on a more abundant material than I can at present procure, will reduce the subfamilies to groups of lower rank." Ste.tnecser, in Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., Vol. 5, 1S82, pp. 174. 175. I ^ 1 iukps or U 1 INiMS Subfamily OYQNINJB. Dhe Swans length more th&athn ■ Subfamily anskrinjk Phe Geese a. • atsMe through i Qfc ■ . o than half with Haokish priUMkl \-.. hrough the base loss than head, nor n. s the mouth, the .•. blaofctsh ftNAta PPtw w»e without .v - I i - S l ( I : tail. s . - - 1«» Glauciont:' ■ I - / - ■■ I - ' V.: .;./ MJZRGIWJE A. :. . . CYQWLMM CfUOR ■.;.■ :.■-.;. , : ■ ;. riant - -. as ■ . ■ >~ :. ■ I | — 11 106 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. Common Chabactebs. Adults with whole plumage pure white, the head often stained with rusty; bill either entirely black, or black and yellow; iris dark brown; feet blackish. Young ashy, sometimes tinged with brownish, the bill flesh-color (or at least partly of this color) and feet grayish or whitish. 1. 0. columbianus. Tail-feathers usually 20 ; bill not longer than the head, the anterior end of the nostrils considerably anterior to the middle of the maxilla; naked loral skin usually with a yellowish oblong spot. 2. 0. buccinator. Tail-feathers usually 24; bill longer than the head, the anterior end of the nostrils reaching to about the middle of the maxilla; naked loral skin entirely black. Size considerably larger. They are both found, at one time or another, entirely across the continent, though O. buccinator is rare on the Atlantic coast. Olor buccinator (Rich.) TRUMPETER SWAN. Cygnus buccinator Rich. F. B.-A. ii, 1831, 464 (Hudson Bay).— Nutt. Man. ii, 1834, 370.— Aud. Orn. Biog. iv, 1838, 536; v, 1839,114, pis. 406. 376; Synop. 1839, 74; B. Am. vi, 1843, 219, pi. 382, 383,-Baibd, B. N. Am. 1858, 758; Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 562— Coues, Key, 1872, 281 : Check List, 1873, No. 476; 2d ed. 1882, No. 688; Birds N. W. 1874,544.— Ridgw. Orn. 40th Par. 1877, 619. Olor buccinator Wagl. Isis, 1732, 1234— Ridgw. Norn. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 589; Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 120; Proc. U. S.Nat. Mus. iii, 1882, 216.— B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. i 1884. 430— A. 0. U. Check List, 1886, No. 181. Cj/grawspasmoreiHiNCKS, Proc. Linn. Soc.viii. 1864,1 (Toronto); P. Z. S. 1868,211.— Mooee. P. Z. S. 1867, 8 (critical). Hab. Chiefly the interior of North America, from the Gulf coast to the Fur Countries, breeding from Iowa and Dakota northward; west to the Pacific coast, but rare or casual on the Atlantic. Accidental in England. Sp. Chab. Tail usually of 24 feathers; bill longer than the head. Adult: Plumage entirely pure white, the head, sometimes the neck also, or even the entire lower parts, tinged with rusty. Bill, naked lores, legs, and feet, uniform deep black, the "outer lamel- late edges of the lower mandible and the inside of the mouth flesh-eolor," (Audubon); iris brown. Young: "In the winter the young has the bill black, with the middle portion of the ridge, to the length of an inch and a half, light flesh-color, and a large elongated patch of light dull purple on each side ; the edge of the lower mandible and the tongue dull yellowish flesh-color. The eye is dark brown. The feet are dull yellowish brown, tinged with olive; the claws brownish black, the webs blackish brown. The upper part of the head and the cheeks are light reddish brown, each feather having toward its ex- tremity a small oblong whitish spot, narrowly margined with dusky ; the throat nearly white, as well as the edge of the lower eyelid. The general color of the upper parts is grayish white, slightly tinged with yellow ; the upper part of the neck marked with spots similar to those on the head." (Audubon.) Total length, about 58.50 to 68.00 inches ; extent, about 8.00 to nearly 10.00 feet ; wing, 21.00-27.25 inches ; culmen (from frontal feathers) 4.34-4.70 ; tarsus, 4.54-4.92 ; middle toe 6.00-6.50 ; weight, of adults, about 28 to nearly 40 lbs. The arrangement of the trachea in this species is very different from that in O. columbianus, in having, besides the horizontal bend, a vertical flexure, occupying a prominent protuberance on the anterior portion of the dorsal aspect of the sternum. The Trumpeter Swan is chiefly a transient visitor to Illi- nois, but undoubtedly once bred within the State, since it ANATLD.E— THE SWANS, GEESE, AND DUCKS. 107 is now known to do so in Iowa. It is said to occasionally winter in the southern counties, where migrating flocks arrive from the South about, or a little after, the middle of March, and return from the North about the last of October. It is a grand bird, weighing often as much as thirty pounds and sometimes nearly forty, with a spread of wings of eight to nearly ten feet — much greater than any other American bird excepting only the Condor and the California Vulture, both of which are considerably inferior in weight. Its eggs, averag- ing about 4.46 by nearly 3.00 inches in size, are so large thai one of them is said to be a sufficient meal for a moderate man. Although so large, it is very swift of wing, and Hearne states that in his opinion it is more difficult to shoot when flying than any other bird. The name ''Trumpeter'' is derived from its ringing note, much more sonorous than that of the common species (O. cokim- bicmus), and said to resemble a blast upon a French horn. Olor columbianus (Ord). WHISTLING SWAN. Popular synomym. American Swan. Cygnus musicua Bonap. Synop. 1828, 379 (nee Bechst. 1809). Cygnus bewicklSw. & Rich. F. B.-A. ii, 1831. 465 (nee Yarr.).— Nutt. Man. ii, 1834. 372. Cygnus ferus Nutt. Man. ii, 1834, 306 (nee Leach, 181ti). Cygnus americanus Sharpless, Doughty's Cab. N. H. i. 1830, 185, pi, 16.— And. Orn. Biog. v, 1839.133, pi. 411; Synop. 1839, 274; B. Am. vi, 1843, 226, pi. 384.— Baikd, B. N. Am. 1858,758; Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 561a.-CouES. Key, 1872, 281; Check List, is;;. \ >. 477; B. N, W. 1874,545. Olor americanus Gray, Cat. Brit. Mus. 1844, 131.— Bonap. Compt. Rend, xliii. 1856.— Ridgw. Norn. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 558. A nas columbianus Ord, Guthrie's Geog. 2d Am. ed. 181;".. 819. Cygnus oolumbianus Coues, Bull. U. S. Geol. and Geogr. Surv. Terr, 3d series, No, 6, 1876, 444; Check List, 2d ed. 1882, No. 689. Olor columbianus Stejn. Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus. v, 1882. 210.-B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. i, 1884. 425.— A. O. U. Check List. 1886. No. 180.— Ridgw. Man.N. Am. B. 1887. 120. Hab. The whole of North america, breeding far north; accidental In Scotland. 8p. Char. Tall usually of twenty feathers; bill not longer than the head. Ad\ I En- tire plumage pur-' white, the head, sometimes the neck, or even entire under parts, tinged with rusty. Bill, and bare loral Bpaoe black, the latter usuall] marked by an oblong spot of orange or yellow (dull pale reddish, yellowish, or whitish In the skin); iris brown; legs and feet slate-black or dark -late-color. Voting: Light ashy gray, paler beneath, the tore] and top of the head tinged with reddish brown Bill reddish flesh-color, dusky al the tip; feet dull yellowish flesh color, or graj Ish, Total length, about 63.00-65.50 Inches; extent aboul r.00 [eet; wink'. 21.60-22.00 Inches; oulmen. 3.8^-4.20; tarsu-. i 06-4.32; middle toe, 5.40 :..'.'•. Weight of adults aboul 18 to 26 lbs 108 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. The common American or Whistling* Swan is a more northern species, as to its breeding range, than the Trumpeter, but at the same time it is a more abundant or at least more widely distributed species, and therefore better known. It does not, apparently, breed within the limits of the United States, but betakes itself during summer to the desolate lands near and beyond the Arctic circle, where it rears its young in compara- tive security. It is said to occasionally winter in southern Illinois, but ordinarily its principal winter residence is the Gulf and south Atlantic coasts, including their various bays and estuaries. The best account of the habits of this species is that furnished by Dr. Sharpless, of Philadelphia, to Mr. Audubon, supple- mented by articles, presumably of the same writer, in "Dough ty's Cabinet." Dr. Sharpless states that in its migrations south- ward it collects in flocks of twenty or thirty, and moves only when the wind is not opposed to the direction of its flight. It mounts high in the air, forms an elongated wedge, and utters loud screams as it departs, these cries being occasionally re- peated as the bird moves on its way. When flying, the wings seem almost without movement, and their sweep is very unlike the semicircular movements of geese. He estimates that this bird travels at the rate of at least a hundred miles an hour when at a high elevation and with a moderate wind in its favor. Its flight is estimated to be twice as rapid as that of the Wild Goose. In traveling from its summer abode to its winter resi- dence it keeps far inland, mounted above the highest peaks of the Alleghany, and rarely follows the watercourses. It usually arrives at its regular feeding-grounds at night, and signalizes its coming by loud and vociferous screaming, with which the shores ring for several hours. In the spring these birds again assemble, as early as March, and after many preparations by incessant washings and dressings, meanwhile disturbing the neighborhood with their noise, they depart for the north with a general clamor of unmusical screams. In the Chesapeake they collect in flocks of from one to five hundred on the flats near the western shores, from the mouth of the Susquehanna almost to the Rip Raps. When alarmed they become instantly silent, and they depend much more on swimming than on flying for effect- ANATIDjE— the swans, geese, and ducks. 109 ing an escape. When feeding, or dressing their plumage, this Swan is usually very noisy, and at night these clamors may be heard to the distance of several miles. Their notes are varied, some resembling the lower ones made by the common tin horn, others running through the various modulations of the notes of the clarionet. The differences are presumed to be dependent upon age. Regarding the edible qualities of the swan there is great di- versity of opinion among persons who have eaten its flesh, but it is probable that due allowance has not been made for the remarkable difference which exists between the tender, juicy flesh of a young bird, and the tough, dry meat of a very old one. A writer in "Doughty's Cabinet," above mentioned, (probably Dr. Sharpless), referring to swans on Chesapeake Bay, says that this bird, when less than five years old, is by far the finest eat- ing of any of the waterfowl found on that bay. It possesses the flavor of the finest goose, and is far more tender. The length of time that its flesh can be preserved untainted is also mentioned as remarkable, this same writer having seen one still perfectly sweet four weeks alter its death, no other method of preservation than an exposure to air having been employed. The age of this swan may be known by the color of the feathers, the yearling being of a deep leaden tint, with a deli- cate red bill. In the second year it has a lighter color, and a white bill. In the third season the bill has become jet. black, and about one third of the plumage is still tipped with gray; and until it is fully five years old an occasional feather will pre- sent this tint of youth. This bird is supposed to live to a great age, and its flesh becomes exceedingly tough and tasteless. In consequence of this, the more experienced hunters of the Chesa- peake usually allow the patriarchs of the flock, who lead in their flight, to pass unharmed. These old lenders have a note thought to resemble in a remarkable degree the sound of a common tin horn; and the unmusical character of their cries increases in in- tensity wit h their age. 110 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. Subfamily ANSERIN-flB— The Geese. Genus CHEN Boie. Chen Boie, Ms, 1822, 563. Type, Anser hyperboreus Pallas. Exanthemops Elliot, Proc. Phila. Acad. 1868. Type, Anser rossii Baird. Of the three North American species of this genus, two. G. hyperborea, the type, and C. ccerulescens, are precisely alike in the details of form, the only difference being the coloration, which is very distinct in the two; the third species, O. rossii, while agreeing strictly with C. hyperborea in plumage, both in the adult and young stages, differs decidedly in the form of the bill, which is quite peculiar. It seems unnecessary, however, to adopt the generic term Exanthemops, proposed for it by Mr. D. G. Elliot, since the difference in the character of the bill from that of the typical species of the genus is hardly of generic value. The species may be distinguished as follows: Synopsis of Species. Common Characters. Adult with whole head and at least part of the neck white (in two of the three species the plumage entirely white, except quills, which are blackish) ; the bill dull purplish red (in life) with whitish nail, and feet purplish red. Young with head and neck grayish, the rest of the plumage either chiefly grayish brown or else striped with grayish on a whitish ground ; bill and feet dusky. A. Plumage never chiefly white; the adult mainly grayish brown, with bluish-gray rump and wing-coverts, the head and part of the neck white. Young almost wholly grayish brown, including head and neck. 1. C. ceeruleseens. Bill very robust, the posterior lateral outline of the maxilla de- cidedly concave ; commissure widely gaping, and lower outline of the mandible decidedly convex. (Page 110 . ) B. Plumage of the adult pure white, the primaries black, more grayish toward the base ; young grayish white, the centres of the feathers darker gray. 2. C. hyperborea. Bill robust, and shaped like that of G. coerulescens. 13. C. rossii. Bill small, the posterior lateral outline of the maxilla almost perfectly straight, the tomia closely approximated, and the lower outline of the mandible scarcely convex; in older specimens the base of the maxilla corrugated or warty. Wing, 13.75-15.50 inches; culmen, 1.50-1.70; depth maxilla at base, .85-.95; tarsus, 2.30-3.00; middle toe, 1.80-2.05. Hab. Northwestern North America.] Chen cserulescens (Linn.) BLUE-WINGED GOOSE. Popular synonyms. Blue Brant; Blue Goose; White-head; White-headed Brant, or Goose; Bald Brant ;IBlue Wavey (Hudson Bay). Anas coerulescens Linn. S. N. ed. 10, i, 1758, 124; ed. 12, i, 1766, 198.-Gmel. S. N. i, 1788, 513,-Lath. Ind. Orn. ii, 1790. 836. ANATID.E — THE SWANS, GEESE, AND DUCKS. Ill Anser cfzrulescens Vieill. Enc. Meth. I, 1823, 115.^-Baibd, Cat. N. Am. B. 1869, No. 564,-Coues, Key, 1872, 282; Check List, 1873, No. 479; Birds N. W. 1874, 553. Chen ccerulescens Ridgw. Proc. U. S.Nat. Mus., iii, 1880, 202; Norn. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 590;Man. N. Am B. 1887, 115— Coues, Check List, 2d ed. 1882, No. 694— B. B. & R. "Water B. N. Am. i. 1884, 436.-A. O. U. Check List, 1886, p. 351, hypthet. list, No. 8. Anser hyperborevs (supposed young) Stephens, Shaw's Gen. Zool. xii, ii, 1824, 33.— Baied, B. N. Am. 1858, 760. Hab, Interior of North America, east of Rocky Mountains, breeding in the interior of Labrador; migrating south, in winter through the Mississippi Valley, occasionally along the Atlantic coast also. Sp..Chak. Adult: Head and upper half of the neck white, or mostly white, the former frequently washed with orange-rufous anteriorly; lower neck and body grayish brown, the feathers bordered terminally with paler, these pale edgings, however, nearly obsolete on the neck, where the tint is darker, and joins irregularly against the white above it. Rump and wings plain pearl-gray or bluish cinereous (the former sometimes white), in striking contrast to the deep grayish brown of the scapulars, sides, etc.; that of the rump fading into/white on the upper tail-coverts, and that of the greater coverts edged externally with the same. Primaries black, fading basaily into hoary gray; secondaries deep black,' nar- rowly edged with white; tail deep ash-gray, the feathers distinctly bordered with white Bill reddish, the commissural space black; feet reddish, Young: Very similar, but the chin, only, white, the rest of the head and neck being uniform dark grayish brown or brown- ish slate, like the breast, only darker in shade; body more cinereous than in the adult, the pale tips to the nearly truncated contour feathers being obsolete. Rump, wings, and tail as in the adult. Bill and feet blackish. Downy young, not seen. Total length, about 30.00 inches; wing, 15.00-17.00; eulmen, 2.10-2.30; tarsus, 3.00-3.30; mid- dle toe, 2.15-2.50. The chief variation in the plumage of adults of this species consists in the extent and continuity of the white of the neck. This is usually more or less broken, the dusky of the lower por- tion running upwards in irregular spots or projections; it ex-, tends highest on the nape, where it sometimes reaches to the crown. The bright orange-rufous tinge to the anterior portion of the head, being an adventitious stain, is frequently entirely ab- sent. The color of the abdomen also varies from nearly pure white to a tint hardly paler than the breast; the rump is also sometimes, but rarely, entirely white, while occasionally white feathers are irregularly interspersed among the dark feathers of t hf body. In both the adull and young stages of this goose the plumage is so very distinct from that of C. hyperborea that there is no occasion for confounding the two when the points of distinction are understood. We are unable, however, to find the slightest difference in the details of form or in proportions— a fact which suggests the mere possibility of their being white and colored phases of the same Bpecies, as in some Herons; bul we do not 112 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. consider this as at all probable, although in view of their sim- ilarity of form and size, and the fact that the chief variations are a tendency toward partial albinism, the possibility of such a relationship should be borne in mind. A specimen figured in the "Transactions' 1 of the Chicago Academy of Sciences, Vol. I., 1869, pi. 18, has the whole under parts, posterior to the chest, pure white. We have also seen examples in which not only the abdomen, but also the rump, was white ; while, as noted above, white feathers are sometimes interspersed irregularly in the dark plumage of the body. There is also something very "unsatisfactory" or suspicious in the irregular, variable, and undecided way in which the white of the neck joins upon the dark color below it. Mr. E. W. Nelson, of Chicago, who has enjoyed the advantage of inspecting very numerous specimens in the markets of that great game center, writes as follows (Bull. Nutit. Orn. Club, VIII., 1876, p. 137) with regard to the changes of plumage in this species: "The adults of this species invariably possess the white head and upper part of the neck, which in the younger specimens is more or less variegated with dark feathers. These disappear as the bird becomes older ; and in many the head is a pure snowy white, in sharp contrast to the dark plumage of the rest of the upper parts. The young would appear at first sight to be a distinct species, so different is the pattern of coloration. The white of the head, neck, abdomen, and tail-coverts is entirely absent, and the bird is of an almost uniform ashy plumbeous, slightly darker about the head, and lighter on the abdomen. This plumage is retained until the second year at least, as many specimens are procured in the spring with the dark head, neck and abdomen still immaculate ; and these, I think, are young of the preceding year. At the same time specimens are found with the dark feathers about the head well mixed with white, repre- senting the second year. In birds of the third year the white predominates; but not until the fourth or fifth year does the plumage become perfect.'' The Blue Goose is a common species in Illinois during the migrations, sometimes mixed in with flocks of the Snow Goose, but often in flocks composed entirely of its own species. In his ANATID.E— THE SWANS, GEESE, AND DUCKS. 113 paper on the birds of northern Dakota, Dr. McChesney, referring to its migrations, mentions as a singular fact that he never observed this goose during the spring migrations when the Snow Goose is so abundant, and with which it makes its ap- pearance in the fall — being afterwards constantly found mixed with the flocks of that goose, and associating with it on terms of such familiarity as to suggest the query whether there may not be a doubt as to its distinctness from that species, and whether it may not in reality be the young, or a semi-melanotic condi- tion. He saw flocks of the Snow Goose covering acres of ground, with here and there a Blue Goose scattered through the flock, and he also saw them associated on the wing. "The case of this goose and that of the Black-bellied Plover" says he, "constitute the only exceptions falling under my notice of a migrator}' bird appearing in the fall that does not pass this region during the spring migrations. This goose departs with the preceding about the end of October." On the other hand, Prof. Cooke says that it migrates through the Mississippi Valley, and winters along the Gulf coast, in mild winters extending up to northern Mississippi and southern Illinois;" and that "during migration it was noticed at Burling- ton, Towa, where bulk arrived March 20, 1884" — thus showing that, nearer the Mississippi River at least, it does pass north- ward in the spring. The breeding ground of the Blue Goose is not known with cer- tainty, but, according to Mr. Barnston, the Indians of the Hud- son's Bay district report that it is the country lying in the interior from the northeast point of Labrador, where extensive swamps and impenetrable bogs prevail, and where these geese ni'st on the more solid tufts interspersed through the morass, safe from man or any other than winged enemies. Chen hyperborea (Pall.) LESSER SNOW GOOSE, Pomilar synonyms. Lesser Snow Goose ; White Brant. Anter hyperboreua Paul. Spio. Zool. vlli, 1767, 25, pi. 65 (Eastern Siberia ;Z -As. ii. 1896, 297. Bw. \ Rl( B. P. B. A II, 1831, 167.— NtJTT. Man.il, 1884. 844.— AUD. Orn. BiOtf, lv.1888, 562, pi 581; B nop. 1839,278; B. Am. vl. 1848, 212, pi. 881.— lUmn. B. N. \m. 1868, 760; Oat. v Lm. B. I860, No 563. Coobb, ttej neok List, 1873, No, - N w. 1874. 648.— Henbh. ZooL Wheeler's Exp 181 -15 114 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. Anas hyperboreus Gmel. S. N. i, pt. ii, 1788, 501.— Wils. Am. Orn. viii, 1814, 76, pi. 68, f. 3. Chen hyperboreus Ridgw. Nom. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 591.— Coues, Check List, 2d ed. 1882, No. 695.— B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. i, 1884, 139. Chen hyperborea Boie, Isis, 1822, 563— A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 169.— Ridgw. Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 115. Anser albatus Cass. Proc. Phila. Acad. 1856, 41— Baikd, B. N. Am. 1858, 925; Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No.. 563a— Ridgw. Orn. 40th Par. 1877, 619. Chen albatus Elliot, Illust. Am. B. ii, 1869, pi. 42. Anser hyperboreus, var. albatus Coues, Key, 1872, 282; Check List, 1873, No. 480a. Anser hyperboreus, b. albatus Coues, Birds N. W. 1874, 549. Chen hyperboreus albatus Ridgw. Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus. 1880. 202; Nom. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 591a— Coues, Check List, 2d ed. 1882, No. 696. Snow Coose Penn. Arct. Zool. ii, 1790, 479.— Lath. Synop. vi, 1885, 445. Hab. Northern Asia (as far west as European Russia) and western North America, breeding in the Arctic districts (Alaska, etc.), migrating south in winter to southern Cali- fornia, Mexico, and the Gulf coast; occasional on the Atlantic coast during migrations, in Asia, as far south as Japan in winter; casual in various parts of Europe, including Ireland. Sp, Char. Adult: Entire plumage, except the primaries, snow-white, the head some- times stained with orange-rufous anteriorly; primaries deep black, fading basally into grayish, the primary coverts and alula being hoary ash. Bill purplish red or flesh-color, the nail whitish, and the intertomial space black ; iris dark brown ; eyelids whitish or flesh- color; feet purple- or orange-red, the soles dingy yellowish. Young: Above, including the head and neck, pale ashy, the feathers of the dorsal region more whitish on their edges ; wing- coverts and tertials dark ashy or slate -grayish centrally, their edges broadly pure white; secondaries mottled ashy, edged with white; primaries as in the adult. Rump, upper tail-coverts, tail, and lower parts, immaculate pure white, the tail and breast tinged with pale ash. Head usually more or less tinged with orange-rufous, this deepest anteriorly. Bill and feet dusky. Downy young not seen. Total length, about 23,00 to 28.00 inches; wing, 14.50-17.00 (average, 16.36); culmen 1.95- 2.30 (2.15) ; tarsus, 2.80-3.25 (3.01) ; middle toe, 2.00-2.50 (2.34). The Snow Goose, more commonly known as the "White Brant," is an abundant migrant in Illinois, coming south in October and returning in January to March, according to the character of the season. According to Mr. Nelson it visits us in large flocks, either composed entirely of its own species or mixed with indi- viduals of the larger race {Chen hyperborea nivalis) and the Blue Goose, and in the central portion of the State frequents corn- fields. The summer home of the Snow Goose includes the vast extent of territory stretching from the "barren-grounds" of middle Arctic America to Bering's Strait, and also a considerable por- tion of northern Asia, which it traverses until the eastern portion of European Russia is reached. Chen hyperborea nivalis (Forst.) GREATER SNOW GOOSE. Popular svnonyms. Wavey, or Common Wavey (Hudson's Bay); Mexican Goose (Rhode Island): Red Goose (New Jersey); Texas Goose (New Jersey). Anas nivalis Fokst. Philos. Trans, lxii, 1772, 413 (Severn R.). ANATID.E— THE SWAN'S, GEESE, AND DUCKS. 115 Chen hyperborea nivalis RlDGW. Proe. Biol. Soo. Wash, ii, 1884, 107; Man. N. Am. B. 1887. 115— A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 169a. Tadorna nivea Beehm, Vog. Deutschl. 1831, 854. Hab. Eastern North America; breeding grounds unknown, but probably region be- tween McKenzie River and Hudson's Bay; migrating south in winter through eastern United States, including Mississippi Valley, to the Gulf coast, even reaching Cuba; occa- sional or accidental in the Bermudas. Subsp. Chak. Entirely similar i" C. hyperborea except in size, being considerably- larger; young somewhat darker in color than in true C. hyperborea? Total length, about 30.00-38.00; wing, 17.35-17.50 (17.42); culmen, 2.55-2.70(2.63); tarsus, 3.15- 3,50 (3.28) ; middle toe, 2.60-2.80 (2.70). This is simply a larger race of the Snow Goose, and occurs with the smaller form throughout the Mississippi Valley during its migrations. Mr. Nelson is of the opinion that in Illinois the two occur in about equal numbers. Farther eastward, however, particularly along the Atlantic coast, the larger form is decidedly the prevailing one. while west of the Rocky Mountains it prob- ably does not occur at all, though the smaller race is abundant there. According to Mr. Boardman, it is common during migration in eastern Maine, and it is said to be more or less common, according to the locality and other circumstances, at various points along the coast farther south. Genus ANSER Brisson. Anser Briss. Oru. i, 1760, 261. Type, Anas anser Linn.,=.1. cinereua Meter. Gen. Char. Bill much weaker or less -wollenthan in Chen (depth through baseless than half the length of the culmen); plumage never whit'-,* nor with white head, nor bluish wing-coverts. This genus differs from Chen chiefly in the form of the bill, which is much less robust, more depressed terminally, the nails thinner and less arched, the toniia less divergent, etc. In fact, the bill of some species is quite identical in form with that of larger species of Brcmta (canadensis and h/utchinsii). The type of the genus, however, A. (cinereus Meyer), has the bill decid- edly approximating lo thai of Chen, the commissure gaping quite widely. Only one species occurs in America, the common White-fronted Goose (Anser gambeli Bartlaub). The same species occurs also in Europe in a representative form — the A. albifrons Gmel. The difference between them is chiefly one of size, the American bird being decidedly the larger Another • I i apt sometimes in si lea whiob have been i"m: domestioated. 116 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. European species or race resembling A. albifrons, but much smaller, seems to bear to the latter about the same relation which Branta JmtcMnsii or B. minima do to B. canadensis. Anser albifrons gambeli (Hartl.) AMERICAN WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE. Popular lynonyms. Brant; Speckle-belly; Laughing Goose; Pied Brant; Speckled Brant; Gray Brant; Harlequin Brant; Prairie Brant or Goose; Yellow-legged Brant or Goose; Ansar salvage {Mexico). Anser albifrons Bonap. Synop. 1828, 376.— Sw. & Rich. F. B.-A. ii. 1831, 466— Nutt. Man. ii, 1834, 346— Aud. Orn. Biog. iii, 1835, 568, pi. 286; Synop. 1839, 272; B. Am. vi, 1843, 209, pi. 380, Anser gambeli Haktlaub, Rev. et Mag. Zool.1852, 7.— Baird, B. N. Am. 1858, 761; Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 565. Anser albifrons, var, gambeli Coues, Key, 1872, 282; Check List, 1873. No. 487; B. N. W . 1874, 546. Anser albijrons b. gambeli B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am, i, 1884, 448. Anser albifrons gambeli Ridgw. Proc.U. S. Nat. Mus. 1880,203; Nom.N. Am. B.1881, No. 593 a; Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 116-Coues, Check List, 2d ed. 1882, No. 693- A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 171 a. Anser erythropus Baird, Stansbury's Rep. 1852, 321 Jnec Linn.). Anser frontalis Baird, B. N. Am. 1858, 562 (= young; New Mexico) ; Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 566. Hab. The whole of North America, breeding far northward; Cuba. Sp. Char. Adult: Prevailing color brownish gray, this uniform on the head and neck, and becoming much darker on the flanks; feathers of mantle, wings, sides, and flanks dis- tinctly bordered terminally with pale brownish gray (sometimes approaching grayish white); upper edges of the upper layer of flank- feathers pure white, producing a conspicu- ous white stripe when the feathers are properly adjusted. Breast and abdomen grayish white, mixed more or less with irregular spots and patches of black, sometimes scattered and isolated, but often more or less confluent. Anal region, crissum, and upper tail-coverts immaculate pure white; rump brownish slate; greater wing-coverts glaucous gray tipped with white; secondaries black, their edges narrowly white; primaries slaty black, growing ashy basally; primary-coverts glaucous-gray. Tail brownish slate, broadly tipped with white, the feathers narrowly edged with the same. Front of the head, from the base of the bill to about half way across the lores and ' forehead, including the anterior border of the chin, white, bordered behind by brownish black, which gradually fades into the grayish bro\wn of the head and neck. Bill reddish (waxy-yellow, fide Nelson), the nail white; feet reddish.* Young (= A. frontalis Baird): Nearly similar to the adult, but the anterior portion of the head dark brown, instead of white; wing-coverts less glaucous; black blotches of the under surface absent. Nail of the bill black. Downy young: Above, olive- green; beneath, dingy greenish yellow, deepest yellow on the abdomen. (Hardly distin- guishable trom young of Branta canadensis, but apparently more deeply colored, and with greater contrast between color of upper and lower surfaces). Total length, about 27.00—30.00 inches ; extent, about 60.00; wing, 14.25—17.50 ; culmen, 1. 10— 2.35; tarsus. 2.60—3.20; middle toe, 2.35-2.70. Tail-feathers 16 to 18. usually the former. The principal variation among individuals of this species is in the amount of the black blotching on the lower parts. In ♦"Color of bill varying with different specimens, from flesh-color and yellowish, to darker and more reddish tint; the nail at end white or nearly so. Legs and feet orange, the webs lighter, and claws white." (Gurdon Trumbull, Names and Portraits of Birds, p. 11. ANATID.E— THE SWANS, OEESE, AND DUCKS. 117 some specimens (as No. 10,463, Frontera, Texas), there are only two or three small spots, while in others (as No. 16,788, Hudson's Bay Territory) the black predominates over the lower parts, being continuous on the abdomen, and only broken on the breast by the admixture of a few pale grayish feathers. In No. 4,517, Washington, D. C, the whitish gray of the lower parts is strongly tinged with ochraceous-rufous— without doubt merely an adventitious stain from ferruginous matter. There is also a slight range of variation in the shade of the brownish tints of the body, some specimens inclining to ashy and others ap- proaching a decided brownish hue. The smallest specimen (see measurements above) is No. 10,463, Frontera, Texas; the larg- est is No. 16,788, Washington, D. C. In No. 20,138, Fort Reso- lution, the white of the forehead is more extended than in any others, reaching as far as the middle of the eye, and sending back a stripe over the eye to its posterior angle, and another on each side the throat. The variations of plumage in this species are thus discussed by Mr. E. W. Nelson, in the "Bulletin of the Essex Institute," Vol. VIII. (1876), pp. 136, 137: "The individual variation in this species is very great. A large majority have the ordinary white frontal band and the under parts plentifully mottled with black. In others the black grad- ually decreases, until some specimens do not show the leas! trace of dark on the abdomen; in such instances the frontal white band is usually present. The young exhibited a dark brown frontal band in place of white, but with more or less dark spots on the abdomen. In very high plumage t he abdomen becomes almost entirely black, only a few rusty-colored feathers being interspersed through the black. The white nail on the bill is generally crosseil by one or more Longitudinal stripes of dark horn-color. In spring, as the breeding season approaches, the bill becomes a clear waxy yellow. There is also much varia- tion in size among adults of this species. I have examined a number of specimens, which by correci comparison were a1 leasl oru fowrth smaller bhan the average." The White-fronted Goose is another species which visits Illi- nois only during its migrations, coming some time in October or early in November, and returning in March or April. 118 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. During its sojourn in this State it frequents chiefly open prairies, or wheat fields, where it nibbles the young and tender blades, and corn-fields, where it feeds upon the scattered grains. In California, it is so numerous in winter as to be very destruc- tive to the growing wheat crop, and it is said that in the Sac- ramento and San Joaquin valleys farmers often find it neces- sary to employ men by the month to hunt and drive them from the fields. This is most successfully accomplished by means of brush hiding-places, or "blinds,"' or by approaching the flocks on horseback, by the side of an ox which has been trained for the purpose. The present species is greatly esteemed for the excellent qual- ity of its flesh, which, by those who have learned to appreciate it, is generally considered superior to that of any other goose. Genus BRANTA Scopoli. Branta Scop. Ann. i, Hist. Nat. 1709, 67. Type, Anas bernicla Linn. Bernicla Stephens, Gen. Zool. xii, ii, 1824, 45. Type, Anas bernicla Linn. Leucopareia Reich. Syst. Av. 1853, pi. ix. Type, Anser leucopsis Bechst. Leucoblepharon Baied, B. N. Am. 1858, 703. Type, Anas canadensis Linn. Gen. Char. Serrations on edge of upper mandible visible (from the outside) only near angle of the mouth, the edge (tomium) itself very slightly or not at all sinuated; otherwise much like Anser, but bill and feet always black, and the head and neck also chiefly black. With much the same form throughout as the species of Anser, the birds belonging to the genus Brcmta are distinguished by the darker plumage, with the head and neck chiefly black, and the bill and feet entirely deep black, at all ages. All the known species occur in North America, and all but two of them in Illinois : Our species may be distinguished by the following characters : A. Head and neck black, with a somewhat triangular patch of white on each cheek, usu- ally confluent underneath the head, but sometimes separated by a black stripe or "isthmus" along the throat; in some specimens a white collar around the lower neck. Tail, rump, and primaries brownish black; upper tail-coverts, crissum, and anal region white; rest of the plumage grayish brown, lighter below, the feathers tipped with paler. a. Lower parts light brownish gray; white cheek-patches usually confluent on the throat; white collar round lower neck usually wanting, rarely distinct. 1. B. canadensis (proper). Larger (wing usually more than 16.00 inches, culmen more than 1.75); tail-feathers usually 18-20; length about 35.00-43.00; wing 15.60- 21.00; culmen 1.55-2.70 ; tarsus 2.45-3.70. 2. B. canadensis hutchinsii. Smaller (wing usually less than 16.00 inches ; culmen less than 1.75); tail-feathers usually 14-16; length about 25.00-34.00; wing 14.75-17.75; culmen 1.20-1.90; tarsus 2.25-3.20. ANATIDvE— THE SWANS, GEESE, AND DUCKS. 119 b. Lower parts deep grayish brown or brownish gray (often but little paler than up- per parts), abruptly contrasted with white of anal region; white cheek- patches usually separated by a black throat-stripe ; white collar round lower neck usually very distinct. 3. B. canadensis minima. Smallest (wing less than 16.00 inches, culmen less than 1.25); tail-feathers 11-16; length about 23.00-25.00; wing 13.60-14.50; culmen 0.95-1.15; tarsus 2.40-2.75. B. Head, neck, and chest black, the middle of the neck with a white patch on each side, or a wide collar of the same, interrupted behind. 4. B. bemicla. Wing, 12.30-13.60 inches; culmen, 1.20-1. 50; tarsus, 2.10-2.40; middle toe 1.70-2.10. White of the neck confined to two broken (streaked) patches on each side. Above, brownish gray, the feathers narrowly tipped with grayish white ; wing-coverts nearly uniform, more bluish gray; remiges, rump, middle upper tail-coverts, and rectrices, brownish black;" terminal and lateral upper tail-coverts, crissum, and anal region white; lower parts pale gray, the feathers tipped with grayish white, abrubtly and strongly contrasted with the black of the chest and fading insensibly into the white of the anal region. There is probably 110 more perplexing- problem in North American ornithology than the relationship of the three forms which are named above as races of B. ccmadensis. Comparing a very large true B. ccmadensis with a small B. mdnima, no one probably would for a moment think of considering them the same species; yet in a large series of specimens so many exam- ples occur which seem to connect both these extremes with the middle-sized B. hutchmsii, that the chain appears to be com- plete; not only is the size thus variable, but every character of coloration also appears to be unreliable. It may be that these intermediate specimens are hybrids, but whether such is the true explanation or not cannot now be determined. Branta canadensis (Linn.) CANADA GOOSE. Popular synonyms. Common Wild Goose; Big Wild Goose; Honker; Reef G i arolina); Bay Goose (Texas); Cravat (ioose. Anas canadensis Linn. 8.N. ed.10, i. 1758,123; ed. L2, i. 1766, 198.— Wils. Am. Orn. viii. 1814. 52. 67. f. 4. , . canadensis Yikij.i.. Eno. Meth. 1823. 114.— Sw. & Rich. P. B.-A. Ii, 1831, 188. Man. ii. 1834,349. AUD.Orn. Biog. HI, 1835,1; v. 1839. 607, pi. 201; Synop. 1839,270; B. Am. \\. 1843. 178. pl.376. Bernicla canadensis Bora.] I ,1826.921. Band, B N. Am. 1858, xllx.764; Cat. N. Am. B. \ i, .>,; Ridow. Nqm. N. Am. B. 1881. N< r. Check List. 2d ed. ,No. 702. Branta canadensis Bannist. Proa Acad. Nat Boi. Phila. 1870, 131. ouks, Key. 1872, 283; Check List, 1873. No. 485; Birds N. W. 1874. 554. Henbh. Zool. Wheeler's Exp. 1875, t:i. A. o. r. Check List, 1886, No. 172. Ridow. Orn. 10th Par. 1877, 620; Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 117. 120 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. Bernicla canadensis a. canadensis B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. i, 1884, 455, 457. ? Bernicla barnstoni Koss, Canad. Nat. vii, Apr. 1862, 152. Hab. Temperate North America in general, breeding chiefly within the United States, Canada, Newfoundland, etc. Sp. Chab. Adult: Head and neck deep black, the former with a white patch covering the throat and extending up over the cheeks to behind the eyes, growing gradually nar- rower above, the upper outline usually more or less truncated; this white patch, however, sometimes interrupted on the throat by a narrow black stripe or isthmus. Very rarely, a broad white band, more or less distinctly indicated, crosses the forehead between the eyes. Black of neck frequently bordered below by a white collar, more or less distinct. Upper surface grayish brown, each feather bordered terminally by a paler shade; lower parts with the exposed surface of about the same shade as the tips of the feathers of the upper parts, the concealed portion of the feathers of the shade of the prevailing color above— this much exposed along the sides and on the flanks. Primaries and their coverts plain dusky, the former growing nearly black terminally. Anal region, crissum, and lower tail-coverts im- maculate white. Tail plain deep black; rump plain blackish slate. Bill and feet deep black. Young: Similar to the adult, but the colors duller, the markings less sharply defined; black of the neck passing gradually below into the grayish of the chest; white cheek- patches usually finely speckled with dusky; light-colored tips to the contour-feathers broader. Downy young: Above, including an occipital patch, golden olive-green; beneath pale greenish ochre, the head rather deeper. Total length/about 35. 00-43. 00 inches; wing, 15. 60-21. 00; culmen. 1.55-2.70; tarsus, 2.45-3.70. According to Professor Cooke,* the Canada Goose "winters in the southern half of the United States, and breeds on both sides of our northern boundary. It breeds regularly at Heron Lake, Minn., and has been known to breed in southern Illinois (Nel- son)." This statement of course applies to the present time, its former breeding range being undoubtedly far more exten- sive, and including a large portion of the United States to the southward, where the settlement of the country has driven it to more secluded haunts. Even yet a few pairs seem to linger in the more retired spots of its former range. Mr. Nelson's rec- ord for Union Co., Illinois (vicinity of Anna), is one case in point, while the more recent record of its breeding at Reelfoot Lake, Tennessee (L. O. Pindar, in The Auk, for October, 1886, p. 481) is another. The general habits of this species are so well known that it is scarcely necessary to speak of them here at any length. It maybe mentioned, however, that in certain portions of the "North- west, " especially in parts of Montana and Dakota, the Canada Goose is said to sometimes nest in trees, possession being taken of a deserted nest of a Fish Hawk or some other large bird of prey. * Bird Migration in the Mississippi Valley, p. 75. ANATID.E— -THE SWANS, GEESE, AND DUCKS. 121 This circumstance, mentioned by Dr. Coues and Dr. Merrill has, however, been discredited by Dr. Agersborg, who says'" that he has "several times been shown nests in trees, claimed by the settlers to be the nests of geese; but the "geese" have invari- ably turned out to be cormorants (Phalacrocorax dilqphus). Of the few nests of the Canada Geese found, the majority have been far away from any water, far out on the prairie; but one nest was built among some large boulders, two feet from the water's edge * * * May not many, if not all of the nests seen in trees by other observers have belonged to the shag?" The following interesting notes on domesticated Canada Geese are given by Mr. Win. Dutcher, in The Auk, for January, 1885, p. Ill: During the last week in May, 1870, I saw some goslings, just hatched, belonging to Capt. Lane, of Shinnecock Bay, Long Island, N. Y. August 16, I saw them again and was unable to distinguish them from the rest of the nock by their size or plumage. The present season ('apt. Lane raised nineteen geese I saw the flock daily from June 26 to July 25, and during the Lit lei' pari of the time the young birds were hardly distinguish- able from the old ones, except by the solicitude the parents dis- played for the safety of their progeny. Capt. Lane has had re- markable success in breeding Canada Geese in confinement, and has kindly furnished me with the following information regard- ing their habits during the incubating season : "They make their nests of dried grass, raising them about twelve inches from fche ground. They feather them when they begin to lay. which is aboul May 1. None lay until three years old: the Brs1 season four eggs are laid, five the second season, and when older six and seven. A goose never has more than one mate. The gander never sits on the nest, but while the goose is sitting never leaves her. The time of incubation is four weeks. The young when hatched are strong enough to take care of themselves, ih.-ii is. theye.-il grass and walk' and swim us soon as they get dry. They will ea1 meal on the second day. They are in the down four weeks, and no- fully grown in six weeks, When swimming, i he gander goes ahead, (he young next, and the goose follows, invariably." —16 122 BIEDS OF ILLINOIS. Branta canadensis hutchinsii (Sw. & Rich.) HUTCHINS'S GOOSE. Popular synonyms. Lesser Canada Goose; Small Gray Goose; Little Wild Goose; Eskimo Goose; Mud Goose (Long Island); Marsh Goose (North Carolina); Prairie Goose; Bay Goose (Texas). Anas bernicla, var. b. Kich. App. Parry's Voy. 368. Anser hutchinsii Sw. &Rich. E. B.-A, ii, 1831, 470.— Nutt. Man. ii, 1834, 362.— Aud. Orn. Biog. iii, 1835,226, pi. 277; Synop. 1839,271; B. Am. vi, 1843, 198, pi. 377. Bernicla hutchinsii Woodh. Sitgr. Exp. 1853, 102.— Baied, B. N. Am. 1858, pp. xlix, 766; Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 569. Branta hutchinsii Bannist. Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. 1870, 131.— Ridgw. Orn. 40th Par. 1877,620. Branta canadensis, var. hutchinsii Coues, Key, 1872, 284; Check List, 1873, No. 485?>. Branta canadensis, c. hutchinsii Coues, B .N. W. 1874, 554. Bernicla canadensis hutchinsii, Ridgw. Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus. iii, 1880, 203; Nom. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 594a.-CouES, Check List, 2d ed. 1882, No. 704. Bernicla canadensis y. hutchinsi B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. i, 1884, 455, 458. Branta canadensis hutchinsii A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No, 172a.— Ridgw. Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 117. Anser leucopareius Brandt, Bull. Sc. Ac. St. Petersb. i, 1836, 37. Hab. North America in general, breeding in the Arctic districts, and migrating south in winter, chiefly through the western United States and Mississippi Valley; northeastern Asia. Subsp. Char. Exactly like B. canadensis in plumage, but considerably smaller, and tail-feathers usually 14 or 16. Total length about 25.00-35.00 inches; wing, 14.75-17.75; culmen, 1.20-1.90; tarsus, 2.25-3.20. In a large series of specimens, the following variations are noted: The ashy beneath varies from a pale tint of canadensis to the dark shades of minima and occidentaUs, but is usually about intermediate between the two extremes; the white collar round the neck, at the lower edge of the black, is seen only in autumnal or winter specimens. The white of the head is usually uninterrupted on the throat, even in very dark-plum aged ex- amples, but occasionally is separated into two patches by a black throat-stripe, as in minima and occidentalism the plumage other- wise being light colored. This small form of the Canada (Joose is abundant in Illinois during its migrations, and has little to distinguish it from the larger kind beyond its smaller size, proportionally smaller bill, and the possession, ordinarily, of fewer tail-feathers (one or two pairs less). anatid^e— the swans, geese, and ducks. 123 Branta canadensis minima Ridgw. cackling ooose. Popular synonyms. Little Cackling Goose; Little White-cheeked Goose; Chornie Goose (Prybilov Islands). Bernicla leucopareia Cass. Illustr. B. Cal. Tex., etc., 1853, 272, pi. 45, nee Anser leucopareius Brandt. (California.) Branta canadensis var. leucopareia Coues, in Elliott's "Affairs in Alaska," 1875, 190; not of Key, 1872, p. 284, which = B. occidentalis Baird. (Prybilov Islands.) Bernicla canadensis leucopareia Ridgw. Nom. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 594fr.— Coues, 2d Check List, 1882, No. 703; 2d Key, 1884, No. C89. Bernicla canadensis, (3. leucojiareia B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. i, 1884, 456, 459. Branta hutchinsi, fi. leucoparia Ridgw. Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus.i, 1878, 445. (Stockton, Cal.) Branta canadensis, b. leucopareia Coues, B. N. W. 1874, 554. Branta minima Ridgw. Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus. viii, Apr. 20, 1835, 23.— Stejn. Orn. Expl. Kamtseh. 1885, 147 (in text). Branta canadensis minima Ridgw. Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus. viii, 1885, 355; Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 117— Turner, Contr. Nat. Hist. Alaska, 1886, 139 (habits).— A. O. U. Check List, 1887, No. 172c. —Nelson, Rep. Nat. Hist. Alaska, 1887, 86 (habits). Branta canadensis Elliott, Monog. Seal Islands, 1882, 130. Hab. Pacific coast of North America, breeding abundantly about the Yukon delta and contiguous shores of Norton Sound, and migrating south in winter to California; occasional migrant to Mississippi Valley (Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois, etc.). Subsp. Char. Similar to B. canadensis occidentalis, Baird, but very much smaller. Differing from B. canadensis hutchinsii in smaller size, especially the bill, and much darker coloration. White cheek-patches usually separated by a black stripe or spotting on the throat, and lower part of neck encircled by a more or h>ss distinct white collar. Lower parts dark grayish brown, abruptly defined against the white of the anal region. Total length, about 22.00-25.00 inches; wing, 13.60-14.50; culmen, 0.95-1.35; depth of bill at base, .60- .7:.; width, .52-60; tarsus, 2,40-2.75; middle toe, 1.90-2.30; tail-feathers, 14 or 16. Adult (No. 68,526, male ad., St. Paul's Island, Aiaska. May 14, 1872: H. W. Elliott). Throat with a black "isthmus" .75 of an inch broad, separating widely the white cheek- patches. A distinct white collar between the black of the neck and dark brownish gray of the chest, this about .75 of an inch wide in front, and extending completely around, though much narrower, and some- what interrupted, behind. Lower parts dark brownish gray, abruptly defined against the white of the crissum. Wing, 1 1.25 inches; culmen. 1.30; depth of maxilla at base. .75; width, .65; tarsus, 2.55; middle toe, 2.30; tail-feathers. 11. Other specimens in the collection are chiefiy in summer plumage, having paler lower parts and less conspicuous white collar; but~noarly all havo the two cheek-patches com- pletely separated by a broad black Isthmus on the throat. With only two exceptions, the specimens are from the Pacific coast, ohlefly the northern portion. • (No. '.'.'.'".•;. North Red Biver, Manitoba, September: R. Kennioott). Hnoh like the adult, but tin' black of tin' aeok fades gradually Into the Bmoky gray of the chest, wlth- oul being separated by tin' usual white Dollar; the white- oheek-patohes are thiokly, though minutely, speckled with black; the feathers <>f the lower parts, and also the upper tail- ooverts, have blackish shaft-, it measures as follows: Wing. 18.70: oulmen, L25; tarsus. . -'.Id. V24 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. The smallest examples seen are the following : No. Locality. B Date. O e B CD P ctcd CD P : ° \ & : p CD t> : o : £ p CO C CO P 5" O B CD O CO Fort Klamath, Or . ] 4.20 3.60 4.25 4.15 4.25 .95 1.10 1.25 1.05 1.12 .60 .60 .70 .60 .70 .55 .52 .65 .55 .55 2.50 2.60 2.10 2.60 2.40 1.00 1.90 1.80 1.90 1.95 16 77164 Stockton, Cal December ] ] 15 70806 Andalusia, 111 10 73130 72744 St. Michael's, Alaska .. Washoe Lake, Nev Sept. 13... ] Nov. 12.... 1 15 16 There are others but slightly larger. Any of the above could stand, in a natural atti- tude, beneath the breast of some of the larger examples of the true Canada Goose. This diminutive goose, hardly larger than a Mallard Duck, is rare in Illinois, being chiefly a bird of the western portions of the continent. It is very abundant during winter in California, where it is known as the "Cackling Goose," on account of its peculiar notes. Mr. Nelson informs us* that it "is the most common and gen- erally distributed goose found breeding along the Alaskan coast of Bering Sea," and that its breeding grounds extend along the courses of the great rivers far into the interior. "As May advances and one by one the ponds open the flocks come cleaving their way from afar, and as they draw near their sum- mer homes raise a chorus of loud notes in a high-pitched tone like the syllable 'Ink,' rapidly repeated, and a reply rises upon all sides, until the whole marsh re-echoes with the din, and the new-comers circle slowly up to the edge of a pond amid a per- fect chorus raised by all the geese about, as if in congratula- tion." Mr. Turner saysf that this is the first of the geese to visit the vicinity of St. Michael's, where it arrives about the first of May, or even earlier. He states that it is the commonest of all the geese that abound there, and that while it breeds all along the coast of the Yukon district it is reported to be rare in the in- terior, .where it is replaced by Hutchins's Goose. * Report upon Natural History Collections in Alaska, 1887, p. 86. t Contributions to the Natural History of Alaska, 1886, pp. 139-141. ANATTDJ3— THE SWANS, GEESE, AND DUCKS. 125 Branta bernicla (Linn.) BRANT. Pouular synomyms. Brant Gooso; Brent Goose; Common Brant. Anas bernicla Linn. S. N. ed. 10, i, 1758, 124; ed. 12, i, 1766, 198-Wils. Am. Orn. viii, 1814, pi. 72, fig. 1. Anser bernicla Illig. Prodr. 1811, 277,-Sw. & RicttJ'. B.-A. ii, 1&31,469.-Nutt. Man. ii, 1834, 359. -Aud. Orn. Biog. v. 1839, 21, 610, pi. 39flpfcynop. 1839, 272; B. Am. vi, 1SI3, 203, pi. 379. Branta bernicla Scopoi.i.A.mi.I. Hist. Nat. 1769, 67— BANNiST.Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. 1870, 131.-Coues, Key, 1872,284; Check List, 1873, No. 484; B. N. W. 1874.55G.-A. <>. U. Check List, 1886, No. 173.-Ridgw. Man. N. Am. B. 1887,118. A nser brenta Pall. Zoog. Rosso. -As. ii, 1826, 223. Bernicla brenta Stephens, Gen. Zool. xii, pt. ii, 1821, 46.— Baied, B. N. Am. 1858, 767; Cat. N. Am. B. 1859.No. 570.— Ridgw. Nom. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 595— Coues, Check List, 2d ed. 1882, No. 700. -B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. i, 1881, 467. Anser torquata Fkisch, Vug. Deutschl. ii.pl. 156. Bernicla mela ,, opis MACGlLL.Man. Orn. ii, 1842, 151. Hab. Eastern North America in general, but chiefly the Atlantic coast ; rare in the in- terior, or away from salt water; breeds in hyporborean latitudes. Palaearcl ie Regii m. Sp. Chab. Adult (No. 63,616. New York market: J. H. Batty). Head, neck, and chest continuous black, the anterior portion of the head having a brownish cast ; posterior out- line of the black on the chest very regular and sharply-defined against the brownish gray of i he breast. Middle of the neck with a t ransverse crescentic patch of white on each side, Eormed of white tips and sub-tips <>f the feathers, the black showing through in places so o form oblhiue lines. Above,' smoky- slate, the fea'hers distincly bordered termi- nally with a much paler and more brownish shade. Wings like the back, but with a -ome- whatless brownish cast, the paler margins nearly obsolete Secondaries blackish brown; primaries brownish black. Tail uniform black, but almost concealed by the snow-v lengthened coverts, the uppor of which, however, are invaded by a median stripe of black- ish brown from the rump, in east, abdomen, sides, ami Hanks much like the upper parts, bu1 the light tips to the feathers whiter, broader, and more conspicuous; anal region an. I crissum immaculate pure white. Wing, 12.30 inches; culmon, 1.20; tarsus, 2.05; middle l.Tn. Young (No. 12,786, Washington. D. G, Decomber, 1X58: C. Deexleb). Similar to tho adult, but the wing-coverts and secondaries broadly tipped with pure white, formingvery conspiouous bars. Lower parti paler and more uniform; white on middle of the neck re- duced to small sp The Branl is chiefly a salt-water species, and therefore not often see n in tin- interior, though, as Professor Cooke, in his "Bird Migration in tin- Mississippi Valley" (|>. 78) has correctly st Mini, "there is much uncertainty in using the records concern- ing this species, because it is so commonly confounded with the Snow Goose, which is locally known as Branl nil through the West. From the few records thai can be depended on it would seem to have migrated a1 aboul tin- same time as Brcmta >;/,,- Professor Cookesays thai "duringthe winter of L883 84 this s|M'ri.'s was represented from Illinois southward by a i'ow rare 126 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. visitants. In the spring it was rare south of Minnesota, but by the time it reached that State its numbers had been in- creased by recruits from the southeast, and it became almost common." Subfamily ANATINJ33.— The Ducks. Genus ANAS Linn/EUS. Anas Linn. S. N. ed. 10, i, 1758, 122; ed. 12, i, 17G6, 194. ,Type, by elimination, A. bosckas Linn. Gen. Chae. Hind too without a membranous lobe, or "flap"; bill not spatulato; tail- feathers 14, narrow and pointed at the tip, but the middle pair not conspicuously elongated, the graduation amounting to less than one third its total length ; culmen shorter than mid- dle toe without tarsus. Having in the introduction to this work stated my intention to follow the classification and nomenclature of the American Ornithologists' Union's ''Check List of North American Birds", I find myself obliged to group several very strongly marked and obviously distinct generic types under the generic name Anas, these groups being admitted to merely subgeneric rank in the scheme referred to. These so-called subgenera are char- acterized as follows: A. Culmen longer than middle toe without claw. a. Width of upper mandible near tip more than one third the culmen, the upper and lateral outlines more or less convex for the terminal half. 1. Anas. Wing more than 8.00 inches; scapulars and tertials in adult males broad, and without light-eolored median stripes. 2. Querquedula. Wing less than 8.00 inches ; scapulars and tertials in adult males lan- ceolate, and marked with buff y or whitish median stripes. b. Width of upper mandible near tip less than one third the length of the culmen, the upper and lateral outlines straight for the terminal half. I (Wing less than 8.00 inchos.) 3. Nettion. B. Culmen shorter than middle toe without claw. 4. Chaulelasmus. Distance from anterior border of nostril to tip of upper mandible more than three times the distance from the same point to nearest loral feathers; lamellae fine and very numerous (more than 30 visible from the outside); tail- feathers 16. 5. Mareca. Distance from anterior border of nostril to tip of upper mandible less than three times the distance from the same point to nearest loral feathers; lamel- lae coarser and less numerous (fewer than 15 visible from the outside) ; tail-feathers 14, the tail much graduated. For the greater convenience of the reader, keys to the species are given under the separate subgeneric headings, which follow. ANAT11LE— THE SWANS, GEESE, AND DUCKS. 127 Subgenus ANAS Linn.eus. Anas Linn. S. N. cd. 10, i, 1758, 122: ed. 12, i, 17C0, 194. Type, by elimination, A. bos- chas Linn. Subgkn. Char. Usually rather large-sized ducks (wing, in North American species, 10 inches or more), with the bill a little longer than the head or foot, rather broad, de- pressed, the edges parallel, the end rounded; speculum metallic green, blue, or violot, in both sexes, usually bordered posteriorly by a black band, this generally succeeded by a white one. The two species which are known- to occur in Illinois are characterized as follows: A. Adult male, except in breeding season, very different from the female, the plumage varied and brilliant; secondaries tipped with white, and greater coverts crossed by a subterminal bar of the same. 1. A. boschas. Adult rhale: Four middle tail-feathers strongly recurved; head and neck brilliant velvety green; chest rich chestnut, with a white collar between it and the green of the neck; speculum rich metallic violet, bounded anteriorly by a black bar, this preceded by a white one, and posteriorly by a black subterminal and white terminal band. Adult female and main in breeding season: Wings as in the above; elsewhere variegated with dusky and ochraceous, the former on the centres of the feathers, and predominating on the upper parts, the latter on the borders, and prevailing beneath. B. Sexes alike, at all ages and seasons; no white on the outer surface of the wing. 2. A. obscura. Prevailing color dusky, iho feathers bordered with dull ochraceous ; head and neck dull buff, everywhere streaked with dusky; no black at b the bill; speculum usually deep yiolet. Anas boschas Linn. MALLARD. Popular synonyms. Green-head; Wild Drake; Wild Duck; English Duck (Florida'; h Duck (Louisiana); Gray Duck; Gray Mallard. Anas boschas LlNN. S. N. ed, 10, i, 17.",s, 1.7; ed. 12, i. 1766. 205.- Wins. Am. Orn. viii. 1814, 112, pi. 70. f. 7.-Aur>. Orn. Biog. iii. 18:;:., Pit, pi. 221; Synop. 1839, 276; B. Am. vi. 1843, 236, pi. 885.— Baird, B. N. Am. 1 it. X. Am. B. 1859, No. 576.— Coues, Key, L872, : List, 1873, 188; B. N. W. 1874, 559. B. B, & R, Water ];. N. Am. i. 1884, 491.— Hbnsh. Zool. Wheeler's Exp. 1875, 172.— A. 0. U. Cheok I t. 1886. No. 132.— BlDGW. Orn. 40th Par. Is;;, 621; Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 91. Anasboscas Whabton, l ; 153.— Bidgw. Nom. N. Am, B. 1881, No. 601. Q< Check List, 2d od. 1882, No. 707. domestica Gmel. 8. N. i, pt. Li, 1788, sw. & Rich. f. B.-A. Ii, 1831, Man. ii. is;i. :;;s. :. Mus. 1811 Anas ed. 12, I, 1766, 206.— Gmhi.. S. N. i. pt ii. 1788 ii u . d hemisphere; In North America, generally distributed, migrating south in winter to Panama, Cuba, and Sr. CHAB. f| liril- lianl metallic green, showing purple and golden-bpron In different lights. A ring ol pure white round the lowi tpted behind; oh 128 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. upper part of the breast rich dark chestnut. Interscapulars brownish gray, finely waved with grayish white; scapulars and lower parts grayish white, delicately waved with dark ash. Outer webs of tertials dark umber-brown, this also tinging the adjoining scapulars; wing-coverts uniform deep brownish gray, the last row tipped with opaque velvety black, and with a subterminal bar of pure white ; speculum rich metallic violet, with a subterminal velvety black, and terminal pure white bar; primaries plain brownish gray. Rump, upper tail-coverts, and crissum. intense velvety black, showing faint reflections of bluish green. Tail whit \ the feathers grayish centrally. Two middle feathers black, slightly recurved; the two longer upper tail-coverts greatly recurved. Bill olive-yellow or ochraceous-olivo (in life), the nail black; iris dark brown; tarsi and toes fine rich orange-red (changing to yellowish in dried skin). Length, about 24.00 inches; extent, 38; wing, 11.00-11.85; culmen, 2.10-2.40; tarsus, 1.60-1.80; middle toe, 2.00-2.15. Adult male in summer: "Closely resembling the female, being merely somewhat darker in color. This plumage is donned by degrees early in June; and in August the full rich winter dress is again resumed" (Shaepe & Deessee). Adult female: Wing as in the male. Above, brownish dusky, much varie- gated by broad pale ochraceous edges to the feathers; beneath pale ochraceous, the feathers dusky centrally, producing a thickly spotted or striped appearance. On the top of the head the dusky predominates, as it also does in a loral and auricular line, form- ing a lighter superciliary stripe between this and the crown. Bill dark olive-greenish, becoming olivaceous-yellow along edges; feet lighter orange-red than in male. Length, about 20.00-21.50 inches; wing, 10.25-11.50; culmen, 2.00-2.35; tarsus, 1.50-1.80; middle toe, 1.90-2.05. Downy young: Above, deep olivaceous, relieved by two pairs of yellowish buff spots, the first pair on the back, just behind the wings, the second at the base of the tail, the first not confluent with the buff of the lower parts; wings deep olivaceous, varied on both edges with dull greenish yellow; pileum and nape olivaceous, darker on the occi- put, lighter on the forehead; a broad superciliary stripe, including the sides or the fore- head, sides of the head and neck, and entire lower parts, yellowish buff, deepest on the head, paler on the anal region and crissum; sides more grayish, and crossed, between the wings and thighs, by two wide patches of dark olive projecting from that of the back. Side of the head marked by a narrow but very distinct stripe of dark brown from the upper basal angle of the maxilla to the eye. thence back to and confluent with the oliva- ceous of the occiput; beneath the latter, almost directly over the ear, an isolated spot of the same. The adult males in winter plumage vary chiefly in the extent and richness of the chest- nut of the chest. Sometimes this is restricted to the chest, but occasionally it spreads over the breast, as in No. 12,718, Washington, D. C. (December), in which the entire lower parts, except the sides, are tinged with rich cream-color. The Mallard is probably the best known of all our wild ducks, being both plentiful and conspicuous on account of its size, Although chiefly a migrant, a few sometimes remain during mild winters in the southern portion of the State, and isolated pairs undoubtedly breed in a few of the more secluded localities, where they are reasonably free from danger of molestation. "Marshy places, the margins of ponds and streams, pools and ditches, are its favorite resorts. It walks with ease, and can even run with considerable speed, or dive, if forced to do so ; but never dives in order to feed. Its food consists chiefly of the seeds of grasses, fibrous roots of plants, worms, mollusks, and insects. In feeding in shallow water it keeps the hind part of its body erect, while it searches the muddy bottom with its bill. When ANATIDiE— THE SWANS, GEESE, AND DUCKS. 129 alarmed and made to fly, it utters a loud quack, the cry of the female being- the louder. It feeds silently; but after hunger is appeased, it amuses itself with various jabberings, swims about, moves its head backward and forward, throws the water over its back, shoots along the surface, half flying, half running, -and seems quite playful. If alarmed, it springs up at once with a bound, rises obliquely to a considerable height, and flies off with great speed, the wings producing a whistling sound. It flies by repeated flaps, without sailing or undulations; and when in full flight its speed is hardly less than a hundred miles in an hour. "The Mallard pairs early in the spring, and soon disperses. each pair seeking its breeding-place, and nesting on the ground, in the midst of marshes or among water plants, occasionally on higher ground, but always in the vicinity of water. Its nest is usually large, and rudely constructed of sedges and coarse grasses, rarely lined with down or feathers. It has been known in rare instances to nest in a tree; in such cases occupying the deserted nest of a Hawk, Crow, or other large bird. The eggs, usually six or eight in number, are pale dull green or greenish white, and measure 2.25 inches by 1.00 inches. "The female alone incubates, the male leaving her to undergo his annual moult. The female sits very closely, and will some- times even allow herself to be taken on the nest, or permit the eggs to be removed while she is sitting. When she leaves the nest she conceals the eggs with hay, down, or any convenient material, The period of incubation is four weeks. The young, when hatched, immediately follow their mother to the water, where she attends them devotedly, aids i hem in procuring food, ;ind warns them of the approach of danger. While fchey are at- tempting to escape, she feigns lameness, to attrad to herself the attention of the enemy. The young are extremely active, dive with surprising celerity, and remain under water with only the bill above the surface. When the young are full grown, the male rejoins the brood: and several families unit.' bo form ;i small Bock." ( Water Birds of North America.) -1 130 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. Anas obscura Gmel. DUSKY DUCK. Popular synonyms. Black Mallard; Black Duck; Black English Duck (Florida). Anas obscura Gmel. S. N. i, pt. ii, 1788, 541— WlLS. Am.0rn.viii,1814,141,pl.72,fig.5.— Nutt Man. ii, 1834,392— Aud. Orn. Biog. iv, 1838, 15, pi. 302; Synop. 1839,276; B. Am. vi, 1843, 244,pl. 386— Baibd, B. N. Am. 1858, 775; Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 577.-Coues, Key. 1872, 285; Check List, 1873, No. 489; 2d ed. 1882, No. 708; B. N. W, 1874, 560— Ridgw. Nom. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 602; Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 91— B. B. &R. Water B. N. Am. i, 1884,499. —A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 133. , Hab. Eastern North America, west to the Mississippi Valley, north to Labrador and Fort Anderson and York Factory; breeding from Long Island, northern Illinois, and Iowa, northward. Sp. Chae. Adult. Prevailing color brownish black or dusky, the feathers edged, more or less distinctly, with pale grayish fulvous. Head and neck about equally streaked with grayish white (more ochraceous near the bill) and dusky; pileum nearly uniform dusky, and a dusky stripe back from the eye. Speculum violet, changing to green in some lights, narrowly tipped with white, and with a broad subterminal bar of velvety black; last row of coverts dusky brownish, broadly tipped with black. Sexes alike. "Bill yellowish green, the unguis dusky; iris dark brown; feet orango-red, the webs dusky" (Audubon). Wing, 10.50-11.50 inches; culmen, 2.00-2.35; tarsus, 1.70-1.80; middle toe. 1.90-2.10. Downy young. Above olivaceous-brown, faintly relieved by six inconspicuous mark- ings of light brownish buff, situated as follows: one on the posterior border of each arm- wing; one (small and sometimes nearly obsolete) on each side of the back, behind the wings, and one, more distinct, on each side the rump, near the base of the tail. Pileum and hind neck (longitudinally) brown, like the back; rest of the head and neck, with lower parts, light dingy brownish buff, paler on the abdomen ; side of head marked with a narrow dusky stripe running from the upper basal angle of the maxilla to the eye, thence back toward the occiput, but scarcely confluent with the brown on the latter; an indistinct spot on the auricular region, with a still less distinct dusky mark extending back from this to the nape. A summer specimen from Moose Factory, Hudson's Bay Territory (No. 17,971, John Mo- Kenzie), differs from fall, winter, and spring examples from the United States in having the pale edges of the feathers nearly all worn off, so that the plumage appears to be almost uniform black, while the lower parts are strongly tinged with rusty, this approaching a bright ferruginous tint on the breast. Some examples have a slight tinge of metallic green on the sides of the head, behind the eye. The Dusky Duck is chiefly an eastern species, and reaches nearly the western limit of its range in Illinois. Just how far to the west and southwest it extends is unknown, but Col. N. S. Goss is convinced that it does not occur in Kansas, where a quite distinct though a somewhat similar species, Anas fulvigula maculosa (Senn.), replaces it. It has been recorded from Utah Lake, Utah, but in view of what we now know the record in question doubtless refers to the species just mentioned. Professor Cooke says that "though principally a bird of the Eastern States, the Black Duck is not rare in the northern part of the Mississippi Valley," and that it breeds in Iowa and Illi- nois, but he does not give particulars as to its breeding in the latter State. ANATID.E— THE SWANS, GEESE, AND DUCKS. 131 Subgenus Querquedula Stephens. Querquedula Stephens, Shaw's Gen. Zool. xii, pt. ii, 1824,142. Type, Anas querquedula Linn. Cyanopterus Eyton, Mon. Anat. 1838, 38. Type? (Not of Halliday, 1835.) Pterocyanea Bonap. Cat. Met. 1842, 71. Type? Subgen. Char. Size small (wing less than 8 inches). Bill slightly longer than the head, the edges nearly parallel, the maxillary tomium sinuated, so as to distinctly ex- pose the lamellaa for the basal half, and the terminal half of the culmen slightly but dis- tinctly arched. Otherwise much like Nettion. The two North American species of Querquedula agree very closely in the details of form, in which respect they scarcely differ from the type of the genus, the Q. querquedula of Europe. The coloration of the wing, which is almost exactly that of Spatula, is also essentially the same in these three species. The females are very different from the males, except in the colors of the wing, being much duller. The following are the main differential characteristics of the North American species: 1. A. discors. Adult male: Head and neck dull plumbeous, with a faint lavender- purple gloss on the sides of the occiput; pileum blackish; a large white, some- what crescent-shaped, mark before the eye, entirely across fore part of the head; lower parts pale reddish, spotted with black. 2. A. cyanoptera. Adult male: Head, neck, and lower parts rich uniform chestnut, the abdomen duller (sometimes dusky), the pileum blackish. Anas discors Linn. THE BLUE-WINGED TEAL. Popular synonyms. Blue-wing; White-face, or White-faced Teal; Summer Teal; Cer- ceta comun (Mexic >). Anas discors Linn. S. N. ed. 12, i. lTf.G. 2r reddish buffy, thickly spotted with i>l:i--k. the oriseum uni- form black. Back and anterior Bcapulars dusky, marked with concentric or (T-shaped l>ars of pale reddish buff; lesser wing-coverts and outer webs of some of the longer ■oapulare pale blue; middl white forth , forming a bar act the wing; Bpeoulum bronzy green, dusk] terminally, with a yery narrow white tip; ter- 132 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. tials black, with a central stripe of buff; a white patch at the base of the tail on each side; axillars immaculate pure white. Bill uniform black; iris brown; feet yellowish, with dusky webs. Adult female: Wings, only, as in the male; upper parts dusky, the feathers bordered with dull buff, the pileum and nape finely streaked; rest of head and neck, and lower parts generally, brownish white, the head and neck streaked with dusky, except on the chin and upper part of the throat, the streaks more dense immediately before and behind the eye; thus forming an indistinct stripe on the side of the head; feathers of the lower parts generally with dusky grayish brown centres, forming spots when exposed, less distinct on the abdomen, where sometimes obsolete. Total length, about 16 inches; extent, about 25; wing, 7.00-7.50; culmen, 1.40-1.65; tar- sus, 1.20-1.30; middle toe, 1.40-1.45. The Blue-winged Teal is probably the most numerous of our smaller ducks, and, though by far the larger number occur only during the migrations, individuals may be found at all times of the year under favorable circumstances of locality and weather. The bulk of the species, however, winter in the Gulf States and southward, while the breeding range is difficult to make out, owing to the fact that it is not gregarious during the breeding season, but occurs scatteringly in isolated localities where it is most likely to escape observation. "The flight of this duck is extremely rapid, fully as swift as that of the Passenger Pigeon. When advancing against a stiff breeze it shows alternately its upper and lower surface. During its flight it utters a soft, lispiug note, which it also emits when apprehensive of danger. It swims buoyantly, and when in a flock so closely together that the individuals nearly touch each other. In consequence of this habit hunters are able to make a frightful havoc among these birds on their first appearance in the fall, when they are easily approached. Audubon has seen as many as eighty-four killed by a single discharge of a double- barelled gun. "It may readily be kept in confinement, soon becomes very docile, feeds readily on coarse corn-meal, and might easily be domesticated. Professor Kumlien, however, has made several unsuccessful attempts to raise this duck by placing its eggs under a domestic hen. He informs me that this species is the latest duck to arrive in the spring. It is very common, and breeds abundantly, in southern Wisconsin, especially on the borders of Lake Koshkonong. It nests on the ground among the reeds and coarse herbage, generally near the water, but he has met with its nest at least half a mile from the nearest water, though always on low land. The nest is simply an accumula- ANATID.E— THE SWANS, GEESE, AND DUCKS. 133 tion of reeds and rushes lined in the middle with down and feathers. This duck prefers the dryer marshes near creeks. He has always found its nests well lined with down, and when the female leaves her nest she always covers her egos with down, and draws the grass, of which the outside of the nest is com- posed, over the top. He does not think that she ever lays more than twelve eggs, the usual number being eight to twelve. These are of a clear ivory white, without even the slightest tinge of green. They range from 1.80 to 1.95 inches in length, and 1.25 to 1.35 in breadth." (.Water Birds of North America.) Anas cyanoptera Vieill. CINNAMON TEAL. Popular synonyms. Eed-breasted Teal; Red Teal; lied Duck; Cerccta cafe (Mexico). Anas cyanoptera Vieill. Nouv. Diet, v, 1816, 104.— A. O. U. Check List, 188C. No. 111.— Eidgw. Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 93. Querquedula cyanoptera Cass. U. S.N. Astr. Exp. ii, 1855, 202 (Chili); Illustr. B. Cal. Tex. etc. 1855, 82, pi. 15.— Baibd, B. N. Am. 1858, 780; Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 582.— Coues, Key, 1872, 288; Check List, 1873, No. 497; 2d ed; 1882, No. 717; B. N. W. 1874, 567.— Hensh. Zool. Wheelers Exp. 1875, 477— Bidgw. Orn. 40th Tar. 1^77, 623; Nom. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 610.— B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. i, 1884,535. Anas rafflesi, King, Zool. Jour, iv, 1828, 87; Suppl. pi. 29 (Straits of Magellan). Pterocyanea creruleata "Licht." Gbay, Gen. B. iii, 1849, 617. Hab. Western America, from the Columbia Eiver to Chili, the Argentine Eepublic.and Falkland Islands. Casual in Eastern North America (Louisiana, Illinois, Florida?). Sp. Chab. Ad 'a I It male: Head, neck, and lower parts rich purplish ehestnut, duller —sometimes quite dusky— on the abdomen; pileum and crissum black; scapulars and part of the back chestnut, marked with U-shaped bars of black, the middle of the back more dusky; tertials Mark, with a central stripe of buff; longer scapulars similar, the outermost feathers with tin- outer webs light blue; lesser wing-coverts plain light blue; middle coverts dusky, tipped with white; si ulum uniform green, varying from metallic grass-green to bronze; primaries ami primary-coverts dusky; upper tail-coverts dusky, edged with pale fulvous; rectrices dusky, edged with brownish white or pale brownish gray; axillar s immaculate pure white. Bill deep black; iris orange; feel orange, joints and webs blackish. A Similar to thai <>f .1. discors, but larger and deeper colored, only the upper pari of the throat (sometimes only the chin) unstreaked. the ab- domen usually distinctly spotted; chest deeply tinged with b"ght brown. Bill dusky, paler beneath and along edge; Iris ;s and feel ochr»eous-drab. )'■■ Similar to the adult female, bul markings on the lower parts all dlstinotly longitudinal break-like. Downy young: Above dark olivaceous, relieved by a longitudinal ob- long oblique Bpot of deep greenish buff on each Bide the baou ■!" bind the wings), an i a similar spot of clearer yellowish on each side "f the base of tie' tail; the anterior fluent with the the Miles the i" is isolated by the ext beneath them of the olivaceous of the tail. I 'ileum and hind ueek similar to the back, but darker; forehead, broad superciliary Btripe, and resl "f the head and neck, except desoribed, with entire lowei p yellowish buff, the Bide "f the head marked with a distinct narrow stripe ,,f dark brown extending from the upper base of the max- illa to the eye, and thOnOe buck to the OCOiput. 134 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. Total length (adult), about 15.50-16.50 inches; extent, 24.00-24.50; wing, 7.20-7.75; eul- men, 1.65-1.85; tarsus, 1.25-1.35; middle toe, 1.40-1.50. Examples from Chili and the Argentine Republic are larger and more richly colored than those from the United States ; the white bar across the end of the middle coverts narrower, and nearly con- cealed by the overlying last row of lesser coverts. The differ- ences, however, may not prove constant. The female of this species is very difficult to distinguish from that of A. discors, and it is probably not possible always to separate them with certainty. The present species averages considerably larger, however; the wings in the adult female ranging from 7.20 to 7.50 inches, the culmen 1.70 to 1.75, against 6.70 to 7.00, and 1.40 to 1.50, as in A. discors. The colors are also deeper, nearly the whole throat being streaked, the breast deeply tinged with light brown, and the abdomen almost always distinctly spotted. This western representation of the Blue-winged Teal, is com- mon as far east as middle Kansas, where, according to Col. N. S. Goss, it probably breeds, but nearer the Mississippi River it is of irregular and uncertain occurrence, having been only once or twice taken in Illinois. Its habits are very similar to those of the Blue-wing. Subgenus Nettion Kaup. .Xrftion Kaup, Entw. Eur. Thierw. 1829, 95, 196. Type, Anas crecca Linn. Subgen. Chae. Bill shorter than head, narrow, depressed (except at base), the edges parallel; tarsus shorter than bill or middle toe; nape with a small mane-like tuft; rec- trices more or less acuminate, the middle pair longest. This subgenus is very readily distinguished from Querquedwld by the conspicuously different form of the bill, which is far more like that of Daftla, though much smaller, being conspicuously more depressed terminally and proportionally deeper through the base than in Querquedula, while the lower edge or maxillary tomium is either gently convex throughout (as in the southern species), or straight anteriorly and decidedly convex posteriorly (as in the northern forms), the lamellae being thus completely hidden. In Querquecktla, on the other hand, the terminal portion of the tomium is strongly convex, and the posterior half cut away, as ANATID.E— THE SWANS, GEESE, AND DUCKS. 185 it were, so as to fully expose the lamellae. Through the forms occurring in the southern hemisphere, this genus leads directly to PcecUonetta, which in turn is intermediate between Nettion and Dafila. The two species of Nettion occurring in the northern hemi- sphere are much alike, the males being very handsome in plumage. They may be distinguished as follows: Common Characters. A dull males: Head and upper half of the neck chestnut-rufous, marked with a large patch of metallic green on each side of the head, behind the e chin and upper part of throat dull black; nuchal tuft blue-black; lower part of the neck, upper part of the back, scapulars, and lateral parts of the body beneath, undulated with black and white; outer scapulars marked with black and white; speculum bright met, green the lower feathers black, tipped with white; crissum black centrally, creamy buff laterally Adult females: Wing, only, as in the males; elsewhere varied with dusky and brownish white, the former prevailing above, the latter beneath; the abdomen nearly or quite immaculate. 1 A carolinensis. A broad white bar aeross side of breast, before the wing; inner webs of outer scapulars vermiculated with dusky and brownish white, the outer webs marked with a longitudinal lanceolate spot of black, bordered internally with a white line. i> A crecca. No white bar on side of breast; inner web of outer scapulars wholly. and outer web partly, white, the exposed surface of outer webs almost entirely black: undulations of sides, etc., much coarser than in A. carolinensis. Hah. Pakearctie Region, occasional in eastern North America.] .1. orecca, the common teal of Europe, has several times been taken in (he Atlantic States, but has not yet been detected in Illinois. Anas carolinensis Gmel. GREEN -WINGED TEAL. Popular synonyms. Green-wing; American Green-winged Teal; Red-headed Teal: Mud Teal '.Main.'; Winter Teal (Long Islandi; Cerceta de listo verde (Mexico). OBST. Philos. Trans, lxii. 177.'. 883, 119. Anas [Boschas) crecca, vex. Sw. & Rich. F. B.-A. ii. 1851, 443,-NtJTT. Man. u 100. ecoa Wn.s. Am. Orn. viii. 1814, 101. pi. 60, Bg. 1 (not of Linn.).-Aod. Orn. Biog. iii. 1835, Jl^; v, L839, 616, pi. 228. inaa carolinensis dun,. 8. N. I. pt.il, 1878.633, atro. Synop. 1839.281; B. am vi. 1843. .., p] 392 -a. ... r. Oheok List 139, Rmow. Man. N. Am. B. 1887.94. Querqued Btbphbnb. Shaw's Gen. Zool.xii.pt ii.1824, 1872, >7; Check List. 1873, No. 195; 2d ed. 1882. No. 715; B. N. W. L874, 16 . Zool. Wheeler's Exp. L875, 175. fa Bakd. B. n. Am v am. B. L85 Norn. N. Am. B. 1881. No. 612. B. B.&B.Wal Am. ii. 1884, 2. i \ ii.ii i . i no. Meth, I-- ; . i ••'■■ ".l not «i/l ' mi. 136 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. Hab. North. America in general, breeding chiefly north of the United States, migrat- ing south as far as Honduras and Cuba. Greenland. Sp. Chab. Adult male: Head and neck rich chestnut-rufous, inclosing a broad patch of soft dark metallic green on each side of the occiput, from the eye (which it sur- rounds) down the sides of the nape, where the two areas of the opposite sides touch a short nuchal crest of bluish-black. The green patch bordered anteriorly and beneath by a yellowish white line, and a less distinct line of the same bordering the base of the upper mandible, extending thence back to, and indistinctly following, for a short dis- tance, the upper anterior portion of the green patch. Chin and upper part of the throat dull black. Front of the chest deep pinkish cream-color, with roundish and transverse- ly ovate spots of black. Collar round the lower neck, sides of the chest, sides, and flanks, very delicately and beautifully waved with black upon a white ground; outer scap- ulars similarly waved. Sides of the breast with a large transverse bar of plain white. Cris- sum rich deep cream-color, bounded anteriorly, and divided medially, with velvety black : post-femoral region waved like the flanks : rest of lower parts plain white, sometimes tinged with cream-color. Back, scapulars, rump, wing-coverts, primaries, and tail, plain slate- grayish. Outer row of scapulars with their outer webs about half velvety black bordered interiorly with a white line. Last row of coverts broadly tipped with deep ochraceous ; speculum opaque black, narrowly tipped with white, the four or five upper feathers with their outer webs richly brilliant soft metallic green, varying from golden to violaceous, ac- cording to the light. Bill black; iris brown ; feet light fleshy (horn-color when dried). Adult female: Wing as in the male, but duller. Above grayish dusky, variegated with edgings and transverse bars of ochraceous-white. Ground-color of the head, neck, and jower parts, dingy whitish, more or less tinged with ochraceous ; head and neck speckled with dusky, the spots enlarged and aggregated on the pileum, so as to form the prevailing color, and also along the upper border of the ear-coverts, producing a stripe behind the eye. Chest, sides, and flanks more heavily spotted with dusky. Abdomen sometimes plain, but usually speckled. Bill brownish ; iris brown ; feet pale brown (fleshy in life) Young . male: Similar to the adult female, but entire abdomen and sides immaculate white. Downy young: Above grayish brown, with a light grayish-buff spot on each side the back, and a similar pair on the rump; wings crossed near the end by a light grayish- buff bai\ Head, neck, and lower parts light dull buff ; crown and occiput covered by an elongated patch of grayish brown (darker than the back), this scarcely reaching the fore- head, but continued down the hind neck to the brown of the back ; a dusky streak behind the eye, not reaching to the occiput ; below the posterior end of this, an oblong spot of grayish brown. Total length, about 14 inches; extent 20.00-24.50; wing, 6.25-7.40; culmen, 1.40-1.60; tarsus, 1.25; middle toe, 1.30-1.35. Many specimens, both males and females, have the lower parts tinged with orange-rusty like the stain on the head of the swans and white geese. Sometimes this tinge pervades the whole under surface, and is occasionally so deep as to give the lower parts a uniform rusty or almost chestnut aspect. Adult females usually have the abdomen and sides thickly spotted or necked with brown, being thereby readily distinguished from the young males, which have the whole abdomen, etc., immac- ulate white. This beautiful little duck is a common species during migra- tions, and sometimes passes the winter in the southern portions of the State. Although stated by Kennicott to breed in the ANATID.K— THE SWANS, GEESE, AND DUCKS. 137 northern part, there appears to be no recent record of its doing so. Professor Cooke says that it "breeds in Manitoba and along onr northern border." "Mr. Robert Kennicott, in his notes on this species, states that it is very rare on the upper Yukon River, although he found it abundant in Oregon and in Washington Territory, and throughout British America as far north as latitude 70° ; but he did not see it anywhere in the Mackenzie Region in any considerable abundance. As it is more common in the Atlantic States than in the valley of the Mississippi, the main body breed more toward the northeast, beyond the limits of the United States in the region of Hudson's Bay. Though arriv- ing in this country among the earliest of the migrating ducks, this species is quite late in leaving the Yukon and the Mackenzie. Mr. Kennicott saw it October 2 at Fort Liard. The nests found by him were in nearly open ground, among moss, and generally far from water. In one instance he saw the nest of this duck at the foot of a small spruce in a mossy, half-barren, small dry plain, and at least forty rods from water. This nest was a simple depression in the moss, but thickly lined with down, and well protected by the overhanging branches of the spruce The female fluttered slowly off along the ground at his approach, and the nest was found to contain eight eggs. According to Mr. Dall nests of this species frequently have from sixteen to eighteen eggs. "Audubon says that the food of the Green-winged Teal con- sists principally of the seeds of grasses— which are collected when floating, or while still adhering to their stalk-small acorns, fallen grapes or berries, as well as aquatic insects, worms, and small snails. It is much more particular in the selection of its food than are most ducks, and its flesh is there- fore delicious, and probably better thai bhal of any other of the duck bribe. Audubon adds that when this bird has fed on wild oats a1 Green Bay, or soaked rice in the fields of Georgia or Carolina, it is much superior to the Canvas-back in tender- ness, miriness, and flavor. •on land 'n ves with more grace and ease than any other species except the Wood Duck, and it can run with considerable -is 138 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. speed without its feet becoming entangled. In the water also it moves with great ease and rapidity, and on the wing it is one of the swiftest of its tribe. It rises from the water with a. single spring, and so swiftly that it can only be hit by a very expert marksman; and it also dives readily when wounded. This is a fresh-water bird, and it is very rarely met with near the sea. Its migrations are over the land, and not along the sea-shore." (Water Birds of North America.) A nest containing ten eggs was found by Mr. H. W. Henshaw, near Ft. Garland, Colorado, under a sage-bush, perhaps thirty feet from the water's edge. A deep hollow had been scooped in the sand, and lined warmly with fine grass and down, evidently taken from the bird's own breast, which was plucked nearly bare. The eggs were of a pale yellowish color, and averaged 1.81 in length by 1.31 in diameter. Subgenus Chaulelasmus Gray. Chaulelasmus Gbay, 1838, 56. Type. Anas strepera Linn. Chauliodus Swains, F. B.-A. ii, 1831, 440. Type, Anas strepera Linn. (Not of Bloch, 1801.) (Jhauliodes Eyton, Mon. Anat. 1838, 43. Same type. (Not of Latreille, 1798.) Subgen. Chad. Culmen shorter than middle toe, without claw; distance from an- terior border of nostril to tip of upper mandible mote t han three times the distance from the same point to the nearest loral feathers; lamellae very fine and numerous, more than 30 being visible from the outside; tail-feathers 16. But two species of this subgenus are known; the common and widely diffused A. strepera and the more recently discovered A. couesi (Streets) of Washington Island, in the South Pacific Ocean. The latter is very similar to A. strepera, having the same form and essentially the same coloration, but is much smaller, with several differences in plumage. The sides are white, coarsely spotted with grayish, instead of finely undulated with the same, as is the case with the adult male of A. strepera; but this may be owing to a difference of age, the type of A. couesi being an immature bird. ANATID/E— THE SWANS, GEESE, AND DUCKS. 139 Anas strepera Linn. GADWALL. Popular synonyms. Gray Duck ; Gray Widgeon (Savannah, Ga.) ; Speckle-belly ; Creek Duck 'Long Island); Blaten Duck (coast of New Jersey); Pato pardo de Grupo (Mexico). Anas strepera Linn. S. N. ed. 10, i, 1758,125; ed. 12,i,1766,200.-WiLS. Am. Orn. viii, 1814,120, pi. 71-Nutt. Man. ii, 1834, 383— Aup. Orn. Biog. iv. 1838, 353, pi. 348; Synop. 1839, 378; B. Am.,vi, 1843, 254, pi. 388— A. O. U. Check List,1886, No. ia5.-RiDGW. Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 95. Anas (Ghavlindus) streperus Sw. & Rich. F. B.-A. ii, 1831, 440. ( 'haulelasmus streperus "Gray. 1838;" List B. Br. Mus. 1844, 139-Baird, B. N. Am. 1858, 782; Cat. N.Am. B. 1859, No. 584— Coues, Key, 1872. 280; Check List, 1873, No. 491; 2d ed. 1882, No. 711; Birds N. W. 1874,5i13.—Hensh.Zo6I. Wheeler's Exp. 1875, 474.— Ridgw. Orn. 40th Par. 1877, 622; Norn. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 604.-B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. i, 1884, 506. Anas strepera americana Max. Jour, fiir Orn. ii, 1842, 169. "Chaulelasmus americana, Br." (Gray). "Anas cinerea et subulata, S. G. Gmelin." (Gray). Anas kekuschka Gmel. S. IS. i, pt. ii, 1788, 531. "Anas mail, Hodgson" (Gray). "Anas capensis, SWAINSON" (Gray). Hab. Nearly cosmopolitan (Europe, Asia, Africa, and North America). Temperate North America in general, breeding chiefly within the United States; West Indies. Sp. Char. Adult male tnfall, winter, and spring: Ground-color of the head and neck pale brown, or brownish white, thickly speckled with black; on the pileum the brown more uniform, and the specks obsolete; on the occiput, when present, they incline to the form of transverse bars. Chest marked with horseshoe-like bars, or crescents, of white and black, the bars of the latter wider. Lateral portions of the body beneath, back, and scapulars finely waved, in curved transverse lines, with slate-color and white. Many of the longer scapulars plain brownish gray, broadly edged with a lighter, more fulvous tint. Bump plain dull slate. Tail-covorts. above and below, intense opaque velvety black. Tail ashy, faintly edged with white. Middle rows of wing-coverts bright chestnut, the anterior coverts brownish gray, and the posterior ones deep black; last row deep velvety black. Speculum immaculate pin-.' white, the lower feathers ashy (some with black on outer webs.) narrowly tipped with white; tortials plain pale ash. the primaries a darker shade of the same. "Bill bluish black. Iris reddish hazel. Feet dull orange-yellow, claws brownish black, webs dusky" (Audubon). Adult male, in summer: "Crown brownish black, with a greenish tinge; anindistinot Btreak through the eye, dark brown; rest of the head and nock dull brownish white, marked with blackish brown, as in the previously described bird [adult male in spring]; back, rump, and upper tail-coverts dark blackish brown, each feather margined with rustj re I ; wings and tail as in the bird abovo described; breast dull rusty red, each feather with a central black spot; Hanks dark brown, broadly marked and margined with dull rufous; the rest of the under parts dull white, each feather having a central blackish brown drop-shaped mark". (Shabpb & Dresser.) lale: Colors chiefly brownish dusky and brownish white, in longitudinal aks on the head and neok, and in Irregular transverse spots and bars on other portions. !.• upper surface the dusky prevails,and on the lower parts the whitish predominates. Wing nearly as In the male, but the chestnut usually absent, the blank less extended, and the gray of the coverts generally more or less barred and tipped with white. Abdomen and lower part of the breasl pure w hlte; throat finely Btreaked with dusky. Oovmy young: "Covered with Bofl Bhorl down; head, nape, back, and rump, dark dull brown, on ea >\\ Bide of the rump and baok of eaoh wing-jolnl a sulphur yellow spot, the wing-joints being marked with that oolor; forehead, spa -ound the eye, throat, and chest pale sulphur- yellow; abdomen white, Bhaded with Bulphur-yellow, on the lower part Booty may." (BRIBPB A I ' k i BBRB.) 140 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. Male. Wing, 10.25-11.00 inches; culmen, 1.60-1.75 ; width of bill. .60-75; tarsus, 1.45-1.70; middle toe, 1.80-1.90. Female. Wing, 10.00-10.10; culmen, 1.55-1.65; width of bill, .60-.70; tarsus. 1.60; middle toe, 1.75-1.80. Although one of the above diagnoses will fit almost any ex- ample of this species, there is yet a very considerable extent of individual variation noticeable in a large series. Thus, No. 17,04:0 (Washington, D. C, Feb. 25, 1860; C. Drexler) has the uniform brown of the pileum coming down over the side of the head to a line on a level with the lower eyelid, the whole upper half of the head being thus nearly free from specks; while that portion behind the eye has a faint, but very perceptible, rose- purple reflection — this part of the head calling strongly to mind the head-pattern of A. caroUnensis and .1. a/m&riccma. On the other hand, an adult male from Philadelphia (No. 40,658, J. Krider) has even the top of the head spotted. No. 9,791, adult male, Fort Steilacoom, Washington (Dr. George Suck- ley), has the pileum almost chestnut, the brown having there so deep a reddish cast; the lower neck is nearly plain pale ochraceous, abruptly defined against the darkly colored jugulum. Specimens from Cape St. Lucas and Utah present no unusual features. All American specimens differ uniformly from the single Euro- pean pair before us, in several very tangible respects. The European male has the neck quite deeply ochraceous, while in the American ones there is seldom more than a mere tinge of this color; the chest is pervaded by a wash of a more pinkish tinge of ochraceous, while there is appreciably less regu- larity and clearness in the markings of that region. The longer scapulars are more deeply tinged with fulvous, and the finely undulated portions are pervaded with a brownish wash, entirely wanting in the American series. The measurements of this specimen (No. 57,187, Europe; Schluter Collection) are as fol- lows: Wing, 10.80 inches; culmen, 1.65; width of bill, .70; tarsus, 1.55 ; middle toe, 1.85. The female specimen from Eu- rope is very similar to North American examples, but is rather more deeply colored, the dark centres to the feathers being nearly deep black. The whole throat is immaculate white. The measurements are as follows: Wing, 9.50 inches; culmen, 1.50; tarsus, 1.35; middle toe, 1.60. ANATID.E— THE SWANS, GEESE, AND DUCKS. 141 According to Professor Cooke," the Gad well "winters abun- dantly in the Gulf States and sometimes in Illinois in mild win- ters ; it is also known to winter near a warm spring in Wyo- ming. It breeds locally throughout most of its range." Subgenus Mareca Stephens. Mareca Stephens, Shaw's Gen. Zool.xii, pt. ii. 1824, 130. Type, Anas penelope Linn. Subgen. Chak. Bill small, shorter than the head, rather narrow, the edges parallel to near the end, where they gradually converge to a rounded tip; culmen gently concave; lamellae of the maxilla? almost concealed; feet small, the tarsus about as long as the bill. Adult male in winter with the scapulars and tertials (in the North American species the tail-coverts and rectrioes also) lanceolate. The two North American species of the subgenus Mareca may be distinguished as follows: Common Characters (adult males in winter dress). Forehead white; posterior half of the middle wing-covert region white, forming a large patch of this color: abdo- men immaculate white; speculum velvety black, with or without green. 1 . A. penelope. Head and neck plain rufous, the forehead and part of the crown white ; ground-color of the dorsal region, sides, and flanks, whitish. 2. A. amerieana. Head and neck whitish, speckled with black, and with a dark metal- lic-green space on the side of the occiput (sometimes continued down the nape); ground-color of the dorsal region, sides, and flanks, vinaceous or pinkish cinna- mon. Anas penelope Linn. WIDGEON. Popular synonyms. Europeon Widgeon; Red-headed Widgeon. Anas penelope Linn. S. N. ed. 10. i, 1768, 126; ed. 12, i, 1766, 202. -NAUM. V6g. Deutsehl. xi, 1*12. 724, pi. 305.— Reinh. Ibis, iii, 1861, 12 (Greenland).— A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 13G. — Ridgw. Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 96. Mareca penelope SELBY.Br. Orn. ii, 324. — Baird. B. N. Am. 1858, 784; Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 586— Coues, Proc. Essex Inst, v, 1868, 2'. »9 (Now England); Key. 1872,268; ( 1 k List, 1873, No. 192; 2d ed. 1882, No. 712; B. N. W. 1871. 5(il (foot-note).— Ridgw. Nora. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 606. -B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am.i, 1884,517. .1 nos eagolca S. G. Gmel. Reise i, 1770, 77. Mareca fistularis Stephens. Shaw's Gen. Zool. xii. pt. ii. 1824, 131, pi. 50. 11 ieon, 5 w:k. Brit B.ed.2,iii,286; ed.3,iii, 287. flg. II lb. Northern hemisphere in general, bu1 less uniformly distributed In North Amer- ica, where, howevi ring not uncommonlj in New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, Florida, Illinois, Wisconsin, California, etc.; br ling in the Aleutian island-. Alaska. Bird Migration in tin- Mississippi Valley, p. 65. 142 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. Sp. Chae. Adult male in winter. Head and neck plain cinnamon rufous, abruptly de- fined below, and becoming paler next the bill; forehead and pileum medially immacu- late white; a few blackish feathers around the eyelids. Chest and sides of the breast pinkish vinaceous, the tips of the feathers paler. Sides, flanks, and entire dorsal surface delicately waved with transverse zigzag bars of black and pure white, the bars of the latter rather the narrower. Wing-coverts immaculate pure white, except the anterior portion of the lesser-covert region, which is deep ashy; last row of coverts tipped with velvety black; tertials velvety black, shafted and edged with pure white, the lower one with the entire lower web pure white. Speculum soft metallic green on the anterior half or two thirds, the terminal portion velvety black. Primaries plain slate-grayish. Tail-coverts (both upper and lower) deep black, with a very faint bluish gloss; rest of the lower parts immaculate white. Tail-feathers dark ashy, edged with ashy white. Bill "light grayish blue, with the tip, including the unguis, black;'' iris "hazel brown;" legs and feet "light grayish blue." (Macgillivbay.) Wing, 10.00-11.00 inches; culmen, 1.35-1.45; tarsus, 1.15-1.60; middle toe, 1.65-1.75. Adult female! "Much smaller and differently colored. The bill, iris, and feet, how- ever, are as in the male. The head and upper neck are yellowish red, with small green- ish black spots, the feathers being barred with that color, of which there is more on the upper part of the head. The feathers of the upper parts in general are dusky brown, edged with brownish red or whitish, and barred with the same. The wings are dusky gray; the coverts in the part which is white in the male tipped with that color, the secondary coverts with an indication of a dark terminal bar: the speculum grayish, without lustre; the inner secondaries marked somewhat as in the male, but with dark gray in place of gray. The tail-feathers brownish gray, edged with brownish white. On the lower forepart and sides of the neck the feathers are obscurely barred with reddish brown and brownish gray; the sides are similar; the breast and abdomen white; the feathers under the tail white, barred with brown, as are the smaller lower wing- coverts; the larger pale gray." (Macgillivray.) Length, about 19.25 inches; extent, 32.50; wing, 10.00; tail, 4.00; culmen, 1.50; tarsus, 1.50; middle toe, 1.25. Young male. Head, neck, chest, sides, and flanks, umber-brown, varying to a cinna- mon shade, the head and neck thickly streaked with black, and the feathers of the chest sides, etc., centred with dusky. Back and scapulars dusky, the feathers broadly bordered with dull fulvous; crissum irregularly streaked and spotted with dusky; rump and upper tail-coverts slaty brown, bordered with dull whitish. Wing as in the adult, except that the coverts are dull cinereous broadly bordered with white. Lower parts, except as described, pure white. An adult male from Alexandria, Va. (No. 29,519), has the rufous of the head perfectly uniform, with only a few blackish feathers immediately around the eye, and a suffusion of the same on the chin; while the pinkish of the chest joins the rufous of the neck. No. 1,271, New York market, has the sides of the head speckled minutely with greenish black, the nape and entire throat clouded with the same, and the pinkish of the chest separated from the rufous of the neck by a narrow indistinct collar of whitish, undulated with blackish. No. 10,376, from Florida, approaches still more closely to A. wnericcma in having also the occiput spotted with black, the eye more broadly surrounded with greenish, the ground-color of the cheeks nearly white, and the sides pervaded by a tinge of the ANATID.E— THE SWANS, GEESE, AND DUCKS. 143 pinkish of the chest. No. 62,525, from St. Paul's Island, Alaska, is most like the Alexandria specimen. A young male (No. 57,119, Europe) has the brown of the head, neck, sides, and flanks, almost chestnut; the wing as in the adult, and the dorsal region mostly clothed with feathers of the adult dress. According to Dr. Brewer ( Water Birds of North. America, Vol. I., p. 519), "two instances are on record" of the occurrence of the Widgeon in Illinois. Its habits are quite similar to those of the Baldpate. Anas americana Gmel. BALDPATE. Popular synonyms. American Widgeon; Green-headed Widgeon; Bald-head; Bald-face; Bald-crown; White-belly; Poacher (Detroit, Mich.); Wheat Duck (Oregon). Anas americana Gmel. S. N. i,pt. ii, 1788, 526— Wils. Am. Orn. viii, 1814, 86, pi. 09, fig. 1.— Aud. Orn. Biog. iv, 1838, 337, pi. 315; Synop. 1839, 279; B. Am. vi, 1843, 259, pi. 389.— A. O. U. Check List, ISSt;, No. 137— Kidgw. Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 96. Mareca americana Stephens, Shaw's Gen. Zool. xii, pt. ii, 1821, 135.— Sw. & Rich. F. B.- A. ii, 1831, 445— Baird, B. N. Am. 1858, 783; Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 585— CouES.Key, 1872, 286; Check List, 1873, No. 493; 2d ed. 1882, No. 713; Birds N. W. 1874, 561.— Hensh. Zool. Wheeler's Exp. 1875, 475— Bidgw. Orn. 40th Tar. 1877, 622; Norn. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 607.— B. B. & 11. Water B. N. Am. i, 1884, 520. Mareca penelope, b., Blasius, B. Eur. 1862, 21. Hab. North America in general, north to Arctic Ocean, south, in winter, to Guatemala and Cuba. A' -cidental in Europe. Breeds nearly throughout its range. Sp. Char. Adult male in winter: Forehead and middle of crown (lbngitudinallyi white, generally immaculate; ground-color of head and neck white, sometimes more or less soiled with grayish or brown, and thickly speckled with black; a broad space of metallic blackish green on the side of the occiput, running forward to the eye, and sometimes down the nape, where the two spaces are confluent. Chest plain pinkish vinaceous; sides and flanks the same, delicately waved with black; lower tail-coverts velvety black; rest of lower parts pure white. Lack am - grayish white, more or less tinged with the color of the sides, and similarly wared with black. Wing-coverts immaculate pure white, the an- terior portion of the lesser-covert region ashy, and the last row tipped with velvety black : speculum soft metallic green anteriorly, velvety black posteriorly; tertials velvety black, sharply edged with white, the lower one with its lower edge entirely pure white; primaries plaiD slate-grayish. Bump ashy, minutely waved en the edges oi the feathers; upper tail- coverts velvety black, the inner webs mostly grayish: tail hoary grayish. Bill light grayish blue, the end black; iris b;own; legs an.! leet light bluish. Length, about 20.00 inches; wing. 10.25-10.75; culmen.l 1.45-105; middle lee, 1.65-1.85. Adult I Lbove, .in i.\ grayish brown, with trans erse, rather distant, bars of dull white or light ochrai us. Wing-coyerts dark dull ashy, broadly tipped and bordered with white: speculum dullbl Eeadand ueck streaked with blackish upon a dull whitish ground, the former color pre- vailing "ii the nape and behind the eye, Chest pale grayish vina us, the feathers darker : sides and flanks deeper vinaceous; lower tail-coverts transversely ted with brown; reel of lower parts pure white. Somewhat smaller than the male (length aboul 18.00 inches). Young malt : Similar to the adult female, bid the colors more pronounced and the pattern ben. r defined, especially on the wing. Downy young: Above, 144 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. dark olive, with a sepia tinge ; a spot of pale greenish fulvous on the posterior half of the wing, one on each side of the back, and one on each side of the rump. Lower parts, includ- ing head and neck, pale fulvous; a distinct blackish olive stripe from bill to and back from the eye, with a wide and conspicuous superciliary stripe of fulvous above it. The chief variation in the plumage of adult males of this spe- cies consists in the extent of the green patch and the amout of black spotting on the head, the pureness of the white on the forehead, and the extent of the white patch on the wing-coverts. The green patch on the sides of the occiput is usually poorly de- fined, and broken up by lighter spotting; but in No. 21,426, Washington, D. C, and No. 84,712, from southern Ohio (Dr. F. W. Langdon), it is as conspicuous as in the adult male of A. catolinensis, and of very similar extent and form. Anteriorly it surrounds the eye, and posteriorly it passes down the nape, where the two opposite spaces are confluent for the entire length of the neck); its outlines are firm throughout, and its surface is entirely unbroken by admixture of white. In the former speci- men the black spotting is so aggregated on the throat that the gular region is almost uniformly dusky, while the spots at the lower end of the white portion of the neck are so large as al- most to blend into a collar, uniting the green of the nape with the black of the throat. All the other characters of the species are very much exaggerated in this specimen. Younger speci- mens, just possessed of the adult dress, are usually distinguished by having the white wing-covert patch clouded with ash, the green of the head poorly defined, and the white of the forehead more or less speckled. "The Baldpate ranges over the whole of North America. In winter it is common in the Gulf States and lower part of the Misissippi Valley. It breeds chiefly in the North, but is known to breed in Manitoba, Dakota. Minnesota, Nebraska, Kansas, Illinois, and Texas. Its movements in migration resemble those of the Gadwall." (Cooke.) "The Widgeon breeds rather abundantly throughout the whole of British America, as far north as the Arctic Ocean, but only rarely in the extreme northern pa,rts of the United States, both east and west of the Rocky Mountains. In October and April it visits in large numbers the rivers and marshes, as well as both sea-coasts, of the northern United States, and is much sought by hunters, its flesh being excellent, and the bird generally in good ANATIILE— THE SWANS, GEESE, AND DUCKS. 145 condition. It winters in the Southern States, Mexico, and the West Indies. Though in winter the Widgeon collects in very large flocks, it passes over the northern parts of the Mississippi Valley in small bands, and usually arrives at the Mackenzie and the Yukon in pairs, or in small parties of three or four together. It reaches Slave Lake and the Yukon early in May, and begins to nest about the middle of that month, though some do not do so till the early part of June. It is rather more common west of the mountains than in the Mackenzie region, and con- siderable numbers are found in the breeding season on Lake Winnipeg, where several were obtained by Mr. Donald Gunn. In the north the Widgeon exhibits a greater preference for rivers and open lakes than most of the other fresh-water ducks, which prefer the grassy lakes and marshes. Most of the nests which Mr. Kennicott observed were near rivers in places not frequented by other ducks, except sometimes by the Mallard. The favorite situation for the nest is remarkable ; for while the other ducks — except, perhaps, the teal — choose the immediate vicinity of water, he found the Widgeon always breeding at some consider- able distance from it. Several of the nests obtained on the Yukon were fully half a mile from the river — the nearest water. He invariably found the nest among dry leaves, upon high, dry ground, either under large trees or in thick groves of small ones — frequently among thick spruces. The nest is rather small— simply a depression among the leaves — but thickly lined with down, with which, after incubation is begun, the eggs are covered when left by the parent. The nest is usually placed at the foot of a tree or bush, with generally no attempt at concealment. The female, when started from her nest, rises silently into the air, ;ui