AUDUBON CARACARA
These peculiar birds cannot be mistaken for any of our hawks or falcons. They are very sluggish birds, with habits resembling both those of buzzards and some of the hawks. They are usually known in localities where they are found, as Caracara Eagles. As we might suspect from the shape of their bill, the naked and bristle-covered lores, and the feet, which have not the strongly hooked talons of hawks, the food of these birds is largely carrion. It is terrestrial in its habits and is most often seen, when not in flight, either upon the ground, or standing erect on branches at low elevations. They are more quarrelsome in their disposition than are vultures, and frequently fight over their prey.
Nest.—A bulky, but shabby pile of sticks and weeds, in bushes or low trees; eggs buff, sprinkled, spotted or blotched with yellowish brown or chestnut (2.50 × 1.80).
Range.—Resident of the Mexican border of the U. S. and in southern Florida.
AMERICAN OSPREY; FISH HAWK
Real old birds have the head whiter, and less white edging to the back feathers, than do the young. Feet very strong, and very hard and rough, perfectly adapted to grasping slippery fish; outer toe can be used equally as well, either in front or behind, when perching or grasping their prey. Their food is entirely of fish, which they catch themselves, by plunging after it, hovering in the air a few seconds while watching the fish, preparatory to diving upon it. They are always found about water and are very numerous on the seacoasts, where twenty or more may frequently be seen at a time. They are protected by law in some states, and by public sentiment in most others.
Notes.—A loud, tremulous, piercing whistle.
Nest.—Usually in trees; large and bulky, of sticks; sometimes on the ground, telegraph poles, chimneys, etc. Eggs creamy buff, blotched with rich brown (2.40 × 1.80).
Range.—Breeds from the Gulf to Labrador and Alaska; winters in the southern half of the U. S.
FAMILY ALUCONIDÆ
BARN OWL
Plumage very soft, finely barred and specked; general coloration gray, yellowish-brown and white. No ear tufts; eyes small and brown; face very long; legs very long. These peculiar owls are abundant in the south, where they are commonly known as “Monkey-faced Owls,” because of their odd visage. They are very useful birds, and are usually recognized as such. Their food consists almost wholly of small squirrels, rodents, reptiles and insects. It does most of its hunting just after dusk and early in the morning. Its flight is rather slow and entirely noiseless, as is that of all the members of the family.
Nest.—In hollow trees, under the roofs of barns or in caves; the four to six eggs are pure white (l.70 × 1.30).
Range.—United States, breeding north to New York, Ontario, and Washington. Winters in the southern half of the United States.
HORNED OWLS—Family Bubonidæ
AMERICAN LONG-EARED OWL
This species can readily be distinguished from the next, which is the only one of the same size, by its long ear tufts; it is also darker, and the markings on the breast are largely in the form of bars. In the northern portions of the United States, this species is probably the most abundant of owls, excepting the little Screech Owl. It is often quite common, where its presence is little suspected, because, unless disturbed, it flies only at night and is a rather silent species. During the daytime it is usually sitting upright in the dense tops of evergreen trees. Crows often discover them, and proclaim their hiding place to the whole neighborhood by their incessant cawing. Owls of all kinds are in disfavor with crows.
Notes.—A soft-toned “wo-hunk, wo-hunk.” (Bendire.)
Nest.—They lay from four to seven pure white eggs, usually in old crow nests.
Range.—Resident from the Gulf to Nova Scotia and Manitoba.
SHORT-EARED OWL
Ear tufts very short; general color buffy, not nearly as brown nor as dark as the last species usually is. They are not nearly as nocturnal as most of the owls, and most of their hunting is done about dusk, when they may be seen flying close to the ground over marshes or low land. Their flight is perfectly silent, which aids them in securing their prey of field mice, which they usually get without stopping in their flight, just swooping down, extending their long legs, armed with wicked little claws, and it is all over with the little rodent, he being carried to a nearby stump, and devoured, fur, bones and all.
Notes.—A very short, shrill cry, evidently their call note, and a low clucking uttered as they swoop over your head; besides the usual snapping of the bill.
Nest.—On the ground, usually in marshes; the four to seven eggs are pure white, (1.55 × 1.25).
Range.—Breeds locally from the Gulf to the Arctic regions; winters throughout the United States.
BARRED OWL
Eyes dark brown. This is the most abundant of the large owls throughout its range. It has no ears. This species is the common “hoot owl,” that is the terror of small children and many older ones. They are noisy birds, and two of them like to get at opposite sides of a piece of woods and talk to each other. Their notes are very variable but are oftenest combinations of “who-whos” and “too-toos,” often ending in a mournful wail. They spend the day in slumber, unless routed out of the dense trees where they rest, by crows or human beings. They are one of the least harmful of the family and should be protected.
Nest.—Usually in hollow trees, but sometimes in old crow nests. Eggs pure white (1.95 × 1.65).
Range.—Resident in eastern North America. 368a. Florida Barred Owl (alleni), is smaller, darker and the toes are unfeathered, as are those of 368b, Texas Barred Owl, found in southern Texas.
GREAT GRAY OWL
Tail long; eyes small and yellow. This large owl is only found in Northern United States during the winter. Its tail is unusually long, as are all its feathers, thereby making it appear a very much larger bird than it really is; it weighs but little more than the Barred Owl. They do not appear to be in especial abundance anywhere, but occasionally large flights of them will occur in some parts of the country; they seem to occur most freely in Minnesota and North Dakota. They are nocturnal like the majority of the family, and subsist largely upon mice and hares.
Nest.—Of sticks, in trees, usually pines, in heavily wooded districts; eggs white (2.15 × 1.70).
Range.—Breeds from southern Labrador, Hudson Bay and Alaska northward; winters south to the northern border of the United States and casually to Long Island and Illinois.
RICHARDSON OWL
This species bears considerable resemblance to the little Acadian Owls, but is grayer; the top of the head has numerous round white spots and the wing coverts are spotted with white.
Nest.—Usually in holes of trees; eggs white.
Range.—Breeds throughout Canada, and possibly in the northern parts of the northern states; winters south to northern United States.
SAW-WHET OWL; ACADIAN OWL.
Smallest of our eastern Owls; no ear tufts. General color brownish above and white below with the sides streaked with brown. No markings on wing coverts, but scapulars spotted with white. It is chiefly nocturnal in its habits and, consequently, is not often seen even if they are abundant.
Range.—Breeds from northern U. S. northward; winters in northern United States.
SCREECH OWL
Two color phases independent of age, sex or season; eyes yellow; has ear tufts. The Screech Owl, or its sub-species, is found throughout the United States, and is one of the most abundant and best known of the family. They are not at all timid, in winter frequently being found in church towers, while on the outskirts of cities and in the country, they reside, at all seasons of the year, in orchards. They remain mated for life, and live in the same tree for years, if not too much disturbed by curious boys. Both adults and the four young are often found in the nest together, and they offer no resistance when they are removed by hand. Their food is almost wholly of insects and rodents.
Notes.—A wavering trill.
Nest.—In holes of trees; eggs white (1.35 × 1.20).
Range.—Resident in U. S. and southern Canada. 373a. Florida Screech Owl (floridanus), is smaller and slightly darker, 373b. Texas Screech Owl (mccalli), is smaller and more heavily barred on the sides.
GREAT HORNED OWL
Has ear tufts, thus distinguishing it from any other of our large, powerfully built owls. These large birds are the fiercest, most active and most destructive of the family. Their size and strength allows them to kill skunks and woodchucks, as well as poultry, grouse and small mammals and birds. They seem to be especially fond of skunks, and nearly all of them that I have seen or handled, have given unmistakable evidence of their recent and close association with these animals.
Notes.—A deep, dismal “who-who,” and a loud unearthly shriek.
Nest.—Usually in deserted hawk or crow nests, and also in hollow trees; eggs white (2.25 × 1.85). Feb., March.
Range.—Breeds and resident from the Gulf to Labrador. 375a. Western Horned Owl (pallescens) is paler colored; found in the plains and Rockies north to Manitoba. 375b. Arctic Horned Owl (subarcticus), is chiefly black and white; found in Arctic America, wintering south to northern border of United States.
SNOWY OWL
No ear tufts. Plumage white, more or less heavily spotted with black, the female usually being quite strongly barred on the back. They are locally abundant in the far north, preferring low, mossy lands to the more timbered districts. Here they find an abundance of food during the summer months, living upon hares, lemmings, ptarmigan and ducks. They are about the equal of the Horned Owl in strength, and usually will weigh a few ounces more; they will frequently kill animals or birds as heavy, or heavier, than themselves. They also catch a great many fish; these they get in shallow water among the rock-weed covered stones, by reaching down quickly and seizing their prey in their strong claws.
Nest.—On the ground in dry portions of marshes; the 2 to 8 eggs are pure white.
Range.—Breeds from Labrador and Hudson Bay, northward, and possibly farther south; winters casually to the Middle States, and commonly to Minnesota and Maine.
AMERICAN HAWK OWL
Tail long and rounded; plumage mottled black, white and gray, with little, if any, brownish tinge; heavily barred with black. These owls, curiously resembling a hawk in build, and more so in flight, are very active and hunt more during the daytime than after dark. They feed largely upon small rodents and lemmings which are very abundant in their summer home, and also kill a great many small birds. They seem to be impartial to wooded districts, or open marshes and low lands, where they may be seen skimming about close to the ground.
Nest.—Either of sticks in the tops of trees, or in hollow cavities. The eggs are white, as are those of all owls, and nearly globular in shape (1.40 × 1.25).
Range.—Breeds from Newfoundland and Manitoba northward, and possibly farther south on the mountains. Winters south to northern United States, rarely to New York and Illinois.
BURROWING OWL
Legs very long, and nearly bare on the lower part of tarsi; tail short; no ear tufts. An abundant and useful species in the prairie regions west of the Mississippi. They live in the same region that prairie dogs are found, using deserted burrows of these animals, or taking them by force, for they are more than a match for these curious animals; they do not, as has often been said, live peaceably in the same burrows with them. On the contrary, young prairie dogs, as well as rodents, small snakes and birds, form a large part of their daily diet. They are both diurnal and nocturnal, doing most of their hunting after dusk, but often seen sitting at the mouth of the burrow during the daytime. The six to ten eggs that they deposit at the end of these burrows are white.
Range.—West of the Miss. Valley, north to Southern Manitoba and British Columbia. 378a. Florida Burrowing Owl (floridana), is smaller and whiter; found in southern Florida.
INDEX.
[A] [B] [C] [D] [E] [F] [G] [H] [I] [J] [K] [L] [M] [N] [O] [P] [Q] [R] [S] [T] U [V] [W] X [Y] Z
- B
- Bittern, American, 118
- Cory Least, 119
- Least, 119
- Bob-white, 177
- Florida, 177
- Texan, 177
- Booby, 66
- Blue-faced, 65
- Brant, 108
- C
- Caracara, Audubon, 220
- Chachalaca, 191
- Coot, American, 140
- Cormorant, 69
- Double-crested, 70
- Florida, 70
- Mexican, 71
- Crane, Little Brown, 131
- Sandhill, 131
- Whooping, 130
- Curlew, Eskimo, 166
- Hudsonian, 165
- Long-billed, 164
- D
- Dovekie, 31
- Dove, Ground, 195
- Inca, 195
- Mourning, 193
- White-fronted, 194
- White-winged, 194
- Dowitcher, 148
- Long-billed, 148
- Duck, Am. Golden-eye, 94
- Am. Scaup, 92
- Baldpate, 83
- Barrow Golden-eye, 94
- Black, 79
- Black-bellied Tree, 109
- Buffle-head, 95
- Canvas-back, 91
- Eider, American, 99
- Northern, 99
- King, 100
- Florida, 80
- Fulvous Tree, 110
- Gadwall, 81
- Harlequin, 97
- Lesser Scaup, 92
- Long-tailed, 96
- Labrador, 98
- Mallard, 78
- Mottled, 80
- Old Squaw, 96
- Pintail, 88
- Redhead, 90
- Ring-necked, 93
- Ruddy, 103
- Scoter, Am., 101
- Surf, 102
- White-winged, 101
- Shoveller, 87
- Teal, Blue-winged, 85
- Cinnamon, 86
- Green-winged, 84
- Widgeon, 82
- Wood, 89
- E
- Eagle, Bald, 213
- Golden, 212
- Egret, American, 122
- Reddish, 124
- Eider, American, 99
- Northern, 99
- King, 100
- G
- Gallinule, Florida, 139
- Purple, 138
- Gannet, 67
- Godwit, Hudsonian, 157
- Marbled, 156
- Goose, Am. White-fronted, 106
- Cackling, 107
- Canada, 107
- Blue, 105
- Snow, Greater, 104
- Snow, Lesser, 104
- Goshawk, American, 203
- Grebe, Eared, 20
- Horned, 19
- Holbœll, 18
- Least, 21
- Pied-billed, 22
- Western, 17
- Grouse, Canada, 182
- Dusky, 181
- Richardson, 181
- Ruffed, 183
- Sage, 188
- Sharp-tailed, 187
- Sharp-tailed Prairie, 187
- Spruce, 182
- Guillemot, Black, 27
- Mandt, 27
- Gull, Black-backed, 39
- Bonaparte, 44
- Franklin, 43
- Glaucous, 37
- Herring, 40
- Iceland, 38
- Ivory, 35
- Kittiwake, 36
- Kumlien, 38
- Laughing, 42
- Ring-billed, 41
- Ross, 45
- Sabine, 46
- Gyrfalcon, 214
- White, 214
- H
- Hawk, Am. Rough-legged, 210
- Am. Sparrow, 219
- Broad-winged, 209
- Cooper, 202
- Duck, 216
- Ferruginous Rough-leg, 211
- Harlan, 205
- Harris, 204
- Krider, 205
- Marsh, 200
- Pigeon, 217
- Red-shouldered, 206
- Red-tailed, 205
- Sennett White-tailed, 207
- Sharp-shinned, 201
- Swainson, 208
- Heath Hen, 186
- Heron, Great White, 120
- Great Blue, 121
- Green, 127
- Little Blue, 126
- Louisiana, 125
- Night, Black-crowned, 128
- Night, Yellow-crowned, 129
- Snowy, 123
- K
- Killdeer, 179
- Kite, Everglade, 199
- Mississippi, 198
- Swallow-tailed, 197
- White-tailed, 198
- Kittiwake, 36
- Knot, 150
- M
- Mallard, 78
- Man-o-War Bird, 74
- Merganser, American, 75
- Red-breasted, 76
- Hooded, 77
- Merlin, Richardson, 218
- Murre, 28
- Brunnich, 28
- N
- Noddy, 56
- O
- Osprey, American, 221
- Owl, Am. Hawk, 231
- Arctic Horned, 229
- Barn, 222
- Barred, 225
- Barred, Florida, 225
- Burrowing, 232
- Burrowing, Florida, 232
- Great Gray, 226
- Great Horned, 229
- Long-eared, 223
- Richardson, 227
- Saw-whet, 227
- Screech, 228
- Short-eared, 224
- Western Horned, 229
- Snowy, 230
- Oyster-catcher, 175
- P
- Partridge, Gambel, 179
- Messena, 180
- Mearns, 180
- Scaled, 178
- Pelican, Am. White, 72
- Brown, 73
- Petrel, Leach, 63
- Stormy, 62
- Wilson, 62
- Phalarope, Northern, 142
- Red, 141
- Wilson, 143
- Pheasant, Ring-necked, 190
- Pigeon, Passenger, 192
- Plover, Am. Golden, 168
- Black-Bellied, 167
- Killdeer, 169
- Mountain, 173
- Piping, 171
- Piping, Belted, 171
- Semipalmated, 170
- Snowy, 172
- Upland, 161
- Wilson, 172
- Prairie Hen, 185
- Lesser, 186
- Ptarmigan, Allen, 184
- Rock, 184
- Willow, 184
- Welch, 184
- Puffin, 26
- Large-billed, 26
- Q
- Quail, 188
- R
- Rail, Black, 137
- Carolina, 136
- Clapper, 134
- Louisiana, 134
- Florida, 134
- Wayne, 134
- King, 133
- Sora, 136
- Virginia, 135
- Yellow, 137
- S
- Sanderling, 155
- Sandpiper, Baird, 152
- Bartramian, 161
- Buff-breasted, 162
- Least, 153
- Pectoral, 151
- Purple, 151
- Red-backed, 154
- Semipalmated, 153
- Solitary, 159
- Sandpiper, Spotted, 136
- Stilt, 149
- Western, 153
- White-rumped, 152
- Scoter, American, 101
- Surf, 102
- White-winged, 101
- Shoveller, 87
- Snake-bird, 68
- Snipe, Wilson, 147
- Shearwater, Audubon, 59
- Cory, 59
- Greater, 60
- Sooty, 61
- Skimmer, Black, 57
- Skua, 32
- Spoonbill, Roseate, 113
- Stilt, Black-necked, 145
- Swan, Trumpeter, 111
- Whistling, 111
- T
- Teal, Blue-winged, 85
- Cinnamon, 86
- Green-winged, 84
- Tern, Arctic, 51
- Black, 55
- Bridled, 54
- Cabot, 49
- Caspian, 48
- Common, 51
- Forster, 50
- Gull-billed, 47
- Least, 53
- Noddy, 56
- Roseate, 52
- Royal, 48
- Sooty, 54
- Tropic Bird, Yellow-billed, 64
- Turkey, Wild, 189
- Turnstone, 174
- Ruddy, 174
Transcriber’s Notes
- Retained publisher information from the printed copy (the electronic edition is in the public domain in the country of publication).
- Corrected some obvious typographical errors, and standardized spelling of some bird names, e.g., “Redwing Blackbird” vs. “Red-winged Black-bird”.
- Included *** as the A.O.U. number for non-native game birds.
- In the text versions only, text in italics is delimited by _underscores_.