| Family 1. | PARROTS and PAROQUETS. | Psittacidæ. | 2 species. |
Parrots are found throughout the warmer parts of the earth. About one hundred and fifty of the some five hundred known species inhabit America. The Carolina Paroquet, practically the only member of this family found in the United States, since the Thick-billed Parrot barely reaches our border in Arizona, was once an abundant bird in the Southern States, but it is now restricted to a few localities in Florida and possibly Indian Territory.
| Family 1. | CUCKOOS, ANIS, etc. | Cuculidæ. | 5 species 2 subspecies. |
| Family 2. | TROGONS. | Trogonidæ. | 1 species. |
| Family 3. | KINGFISHERS. | Alcedinidæ. | 2 species. |
The Cuckoos are a group of world-wide distribution, but are more numerous in the eastern than in the western hemisphere where only thirty-five of the some one hundred and seventy-five species are found. The habit of the European Cuckoo in placing its eggs in the nest of other birds is well known. The American species, however, build nests of their own though it is true they are far from well made structures. With the Anis one nest serves for several females who may deposit as many as thirty eggs, incubation and the care of the young being subsequently shared by the members of this singular family.
Trogons are found in the tropics of both the Old and New Worlds. They are quiet, sedentary birds inhabiting forests and feeding largely on fruit. So far as is known they nest in hollow trees.
Only eight of the one hundred and eighty or more known Kingfishers are found in America, the remaining species being confined to the Old World where they are most numerous in the Malay Archipelago.
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382.1. Thick-billed Parrot (Rhynchopsitta pachyrhyncha). L. 16.5. Ads. Forehead, loral region, stripe over eye, bend of wing and thighs red; greater under wing-coverts yellow; rest of plumage green. Range—Central Mexico north rarely to southern Arizona. 382. Carolina Paroquet (Conurus carolinensis). L. 12.5 Ads. Forehead and cheeks deep orange, rest of head yellow. Yng. Forehead and loral region orange; rest of head green like back; no yellow on bend of wing. Notes. A sharp, rolling kr-r-r-r-r-r. Range.—Formerly eastern United States, north to Maryland, Great Lakes, and Iowa; west to Colorado, Oklahoma and eastern Texas; now restricted to southern Florida and parts of Indian Territory. |
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383. Ani (Crotophaga ani). Resembling No. 384 but upper mandible without grooves. Notes. A complaining whistled oo-eeek, oo-eeek. Range eastern South America; north to West Indies and Bahamas, rarely to southern Florida; accidental in Louisiana and Pennsylvania. 384. Groove-billed Ani (Crotophaga sulcirostris). L. 12.5 B. .7 high; the upper mandible with ridges and furrows. Ads. Blue-black, many of the feathers with iridescent margins. Range.—Northwestern South America, north through Mexico to Lower California and southeastern Texas; casually Arizona, Louisiana and Florida. 385. Road-runner (Geococcyx californianus). L. 23. Toes two in front, two behind. Ads. Above glossy olive-brown with whitish and rusty margins, tail much rounded, outer tail-feathers tipped with white. Notes. A soft cooing and a low chittering note produced by striking the mandibles together. Bendire mentions a note like that of a hen calling her brood. Range central Mexico north, rarely to southwestern Kansas, southern Colorado, and Sacramento Valley, California, rarely to southern Oregon. 386. Mangrove Cuckoo (Coccyzus minor). L. 13. Ads. Underparts uniformly rich buff; above grayish brown, crown grayer; ear-coverts black; tail black, outer feathers broadly tipped with white. Range.—Northern South America, north through Central America, Mexico and Greater Antilles (except Porto Rico?) to Florida and Louisiana, migrating south in fall. 386a. Maynard Cuckoo (C. m. maynardi). Similar to No. 386, but underparts paler, the throat and forebreast more or less ashy white. Range.—Bahamas and (eastern?) Florida Keys. 387. Yellow-billed Cuckoo (Coccyzus americanus). L. 12.2. Ads. Below white; lower mandible largely yellow, tail black, outer feathers widely tipped with white. Notes. Tut-tut, tut-tut, tut-tut, tut-tut, cl-uck, cl-uck, cl-uck, cl-uck, cl-uck, cl-uck, cow, cow, cow, cow, cow, cow, usually given in part. Range.—Eastern North America; breeds from Florida to New Brunswick and Minnesota; winters in Central and South America. 387a. California Cuckoo (C. a. occidentalis). Similar to No. 387 but somewhat grayer and larger; the bill slightly longer, 1.05. Range.—Western North America; north to southern British Columbia; east to Western Texas; winters south into Mexico. 388. Black-billed Cuckoo (Coccyzus erythrophthalmus). L. 11.8. Ads. White below; bill black; tail, seen from below, grayish narrowly tipped with white; above, especially on crown, browner than No. 387. Notes. Similar to those of No. 387, but softer, the cow notes connected. Range.—Eastern North America; west to Rocky Mountains; breeds north to Labrador and Manitoba; winters south of United States to Brazil. |
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389. Coppery-tailed Trogon (Trogon ambiguus). L. 12. Ad. ♂. Wing-coverts finely vermiculated; tail coppery tipped with black; outer web and end of outer feathers white, mottled with black. Ad. ♀. Ear-coverts gray; back grayish brown; middle tail-feathers rusty brown tipped with black; breast brownish; upper belly grayish; ventral region pink. Notes. Resemble those of a hen Turkey. (Fisher.) Range.—Southern Mexico north to Lower Rio Grande and Arizona. 390. Belted Kingfisher (Ceryle alcyon). L. 13. Ad. ♂. Breast-band and sides like back. Ad. ♀. Breast-band and sides rusty. Notes. A loud, harsh rattle. Range.—North America; breeds from Florida, Texas, and California north to Arctic regions; winters from Virginia, Kansas, and southern California south to northern South America. 391. Texas Kingfisher (Ceryle americana septentrionalis). L. 8.7. Ad. ♂. Breast rusty brown; back greenish; a white collar. Ad. ♀. Throat and breast white, sometimes tinged with buffy; a breast and belly band of greenish spots. Notes. When flying, a sharp, rattling twitter; when perching, a rapid, excited ticking. Range.—Tropical America, from Panama north to southern Texas. |
| Family 1. | WOODPECKERS. | Picidæ. | 24 species, 22 subspecies. |
The some three hundred and fifty known species of Woodpeckers are distributed throughout the wooded parts of the world, except in Australia and Madagascar, nearly one half of this number being found in the New World. Feeding largely upon the eggs and larvæ of insects, which they can obtain at all seasons, most of the North American species are not highly migratory but are represented in the more northern parts of their range at all times of the year.
Woodpeckers nest in holes in trees generally excavated by themselves. The eggs, four to eight or nine in number, like those of most birds that lay in covered situations, are pure white. The young are born naked and are reared in the nest.
In few birds is the close relation between structure and habit more strikingly illustrated than in the Woodpeckers. Their lengthened toes placed two before and two behind (except in one genus) and armed with strong nails enable them readily to grasp the bark of trees up which they climb. Their stiffened, pointed tail-feathers are also of assistance to them in retaining their position on tree trunks, serving as a prop on which they may rest while chiseling out their homes or laying bare the tunnels of the grubs of wood boring beetles. For this purpose they use their bill, a marvellously effective tool with which some of the large Woodpeckers perform astonishing feats. I have seen an opening made by a Pileated Woodpecker in a white pine tree, twelve inches long, four inches wide, and eight inches deep, through perfectly sound wood to reach the larvæ at work in the heart of the tree. The bill is also used as a musical instrument, the 'song' of Woodpeckers being a rolling tattoo produced by rapid tappings on some resonant limb.
As might be supposed the Woodpeckers are great of economic value. Professor Beal states that at least two-thirds to three-fourths of the food of our common Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers consists chiefly of noxious insects.
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392. Ivory-billed Woodpecker (Campephilus principalis). L. 20; B. 2.7, ivory white. Ad. ♂. Crest scarlet. Ad. ♀. Similar to the ♂, but crest black. Notes. A sharp, penny trumpet-like yap-yap. Range.—Florida west to eastern Texas; north to southern Missouri and Oklahoma; formerly north to North Carolina, Illinois, and Indiana. 400. Arctic Three-toed Woodpecker (Picoides arcticus). L. 9.5. Back shining black without white; toes two in front, one behind Ad. ♂. Crown yellow. Ad. ♀. Crown black. Notes. A sharp, shrill, chirk, chirk. (Hardy.) Range.—"Northern North America, from the Arctic regions south to northern United States, (New England, New York, Michigan, Minnesota and Idaho), and in the Sierra Nevadas to Lake Tahoe." (A. O. U.) 401. American Three-toed Woodpecker (Picoides americanus). L. 8.7. Back with white: toes two in front, one behind. Ad. ♂. Crown yellow; white bars on back broken, detached not confluent. Notes. A prolonged squealing, rarely uttered. (Turner.) Range.—Northern North America; west to Rocky Mountains; breeds from Maine, mountains of New Hampshire, northern New York, and northern Minnesota northward; south in winter, rarely to Massachusetts, central New York, and northern Illinois. 401a. Alaskan Three-toed Woodpecker (P. a. fasciatus). Similar to No. 401, but white bars on back confluent forming a more or less continuous white patch. Range.—"Alaska Territory; casually? south through western British Columbia to northwestern Washington (vicinity of Mt. Baker); east irregularly to Great Bear Lake and the Mackenzie River Valley, Northwest Territory." (Bendire.) 401 b. Alpine Three-toed Woodpecker (P. a. dorsalis). Similar to No. 401a, but larger. W. 5; bill narrower. Notes. A harsh, nasal cry; a sudden, sharp whip, whip, whip, (Mearns.) Range.—"Rocky Mountain region from British Columbia and Idaho south into New Mexico." (A. O. U.) 405. Pileated Woodpecker (Ceophlœus pileatus). L. 17. W. 8.9. Ad. ♂. Crown, crest, and streaks on sides of throat red; sides of neck and patch on wing white. Ad. ♀. Forehead brownish, no red on sides of throat. Notes. A sonorous cow-cow-cow, repeated slowly many times and a wichew call when two birds meet; both suggesting calls of the Flicker. Range.—Southern United States, north to South Carolina. 405a. Northern Pileated Woodpecker (C. p. abieticola). Similar to No. 405, but slightly larger, W. 9; T. 6.2. Range.—Locally distributed throughout more heavily wooded regions of North America, except in southern United States, north to Lat. 63°. |
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393. Hairy Woodpecker (Dryobates villosus). L. 9; W. 4.7 Outer tail-feathers white without terminal black marks. Ad. ♂. Wing-coverts spotted, underparts white; nape with a red band. Ad. ♀. Similar but nape band white. Notes. A sharp peek and a Kingfisher-like rattle. Range.—Eastern United States from North Carolina to Canada. 393a. Northern Hairy Woodpecker (D. v. leucomelas). Similar to No. 393, but larger; L. 10; W. 5.2. Range.—British America north to Alaska. 393b. Southern Hairy Woodpecker (D. v. audubonii). Similar to No. 393, but smaller; L. 8; W. 4.2. Range.—South Atlantic and Gulf States, north to South Carolina. 393c. Harris Woodpecker (D. v. harrisi). Similar to No. 393, but wing-coverts usually without white spots; underparts dirty, dusky, brownish. Range.—Pacific coast from northern California to British Columbia. 393d. Cabanis Woodpecker (D. v. hyloscopus). Similar to No. 393c, but whiter below. Range.—California, east to Arizona. 393e. Rocky Mountain Hairy Woodpecker (D. v. monticola). Similar to No. 393c, but pure white below; larger, size of No. 393a. Range.—Rocky Mountain region from northern New Mexico north to British Columbia. 393f. Queen Charlotte Woodpecker (D. v. picoideus) Similar to No. 393c, but middle of back barred and spotted with black; flanks streaked with black. (Osgood.) Range.—Queen Charlotte Islands, British Columbia. 394. Southern Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens). L. 6; W. 3.5. Outer tail-feathers white with terminal black marks. Ad. ♂. Nape-band red; smallest of group, underparts dingier than in No. 394c; white of less extent; wing-coverts spotted. Ad. ♀. Similar but nape-band white. Notes. A sharp peek and a rattle similar to that of No. 393, but not so loud. Range.—South Carolina, Georgia, and Gulf States to Texas. 394a. Gairdner Woodpecker (D. p. gairdnerii). Similar to No. 394b, but underparts sooty gray; the darkest below of any form in the group. Range.—Pacific coast from northern California north to British Columbia. 394b. Batchelder Woodpecker (D. p. homorus). Similar to No. 394c, but wing-coverts with few or no white spots, under tail-coverts without dusky streaks. Range.—"Rocky Mountain region of the United States." (A. O. U.) 394c. Northern Downy Woodpecker (D. p. medianus). L. 6.5; W. 3.7. Similar to No. 394, but larger; whiter below; white markings of greater extent. Range.—Eastern North America south to South Carolina. 394d. Alaskan Downy Woodpecker (D. p. nelsoni). W. 4. Similar to No. 394c, but still larger and whiter; largest of the group. Range.—Alaska. |
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394e. Willow Woodpecker (D. p. turati). Similar to No. 394a, but smaller, W. 3.8. superciliary patch and underparts whiter; tertials always more or less spotted with white. (W. K. Fisher.) Range.—"California, except: desert ranges and eastern slope of Sierra Nevada, coast region north of Marin Co., and region north of upper end of Sacramento Valley." (W. K. Fisher.) 395. Red-cockaded Woodpecker (Dryobates borealis). L. 8.4. Sides of head and neck white bordered by black below. Ad. ♂. A nearly concealed red tuft on either side of the hindhead. Ad. ♀. Similar, but no red on head. Notes. A loud, hoarse, yank, yank. Range.—Southern United States; west to eastern Texas; north to Virginia and Arkansas. 396. Texan Woodpecker (Dryobates scalaris bairdi). L. 7.5. Outer tail-feathers barred to their base; nasal tufts brownish. Ad. ♂. All crown feathers tipped with red; back barred: below brownish white, spotted and streaked with black. Ad. ♀. Similar but top of head wholly black. Range.—Northern Mexico, north to Texas boundary, New Mexico, southern Colorado, southern Nevada, southwestern Utah, and southeastern California. 396a. Saint Lucas Woodpecker (D. s. lucasanus). Similar to No. 396, but outer tail-feather barred with black only on terminal half or less, except sometimes on inner web. (Ridgw.) Range.—Lower California, north, rarely to Colorado Desert, California. 397. Nuttall Woodpecker (Dryobates nuttallii). L. 7.5. Below white only slightly soiled; outer tail-feather barred only on end half. Ad. ♂. Crown black streaked with white; nape red. Ad. ♀. Similar but top of head entirely black, usually, with a few white spots. Yng. Top of head dull red. Notes. A sharp quee-quee-quee-queep; a diminutive chittah. Bailey. Loud rattling notes. (Henshaw.) Range.—Northern Lower California, north locally, to southern Oregon. 398. Arizona Woodpecker (Dryobates arizonæ). L. 8.2. Above brown, below spotted. Ad. ♂. A red nape band. Ad. ♀. Similar but no red on nape, brown of crown continuous with that of back. Yng. Whole crown red. Range.—Northwestern Mexico north to southern Arizona and southwestern New Mexico. 399. White-headed Woodpecker (Xenopicus albolarvatus). L. 9. Whole head and part of wings white. Ad. ♂. Nape red. Ad. ♀. Nape white. Notes. A sharp, clear witt-witt; a rather silent bird. (Bendire.) Range.—Mountains of western United States from southern California north to southern British Columbia; east to western Idaho and western Nevada. |
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402. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius). L. 8.5; W. 4.8. Ad. ♂. Crown and throat red; a whitish band from eye to eye across nape; belly washed with yellow; breast patch black Ad. ♀. Similar, but throat white; crown rarely black. Yng. Breast grayish with internal dark rings or bars; crown dirty yellowish margined with dusky; red feathers soon appear on throat and crown. Notes. A clear ringing cleur repeated; a low snarling cry resembling mew of Catbird. (Brewster.) Range.—Eastern North America; breeds from Massachusetts and northern Illinois north to about Lat. 63° 30'; south in Alleghanies to northwest Georgia; winters from southern Illinois and southern Virginia to Central America. 402a. Red-naped Sapsucker (S. v. nuchalis). Similar to No. 402, but slightly larger. W. 5; the nape band red; red of throat encroaching on black bordering streaks; female the same but chin white. Range.—Rocky Mountain region; breeds from Colorado and northeastern California (?), north to British Columbia; winters from southern California south to northwestern Mexico. 403. Red-breasted Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus ruber). L. 9. Ads. Crown, whole throat and breast dull red; in other respects resembling No. 402. Notes. Jay or chaē, peeye, pinck, and peurr: (Bendire.) Range.—Breeds in mountains from northern Lower California north to southern Oregon. 403a. Northern Red-breasted Sapsucker (S. r. notkensis). Similar to No. 403, but colors deeper, red brighter; belly yellower. Range.—Pacific coast region from Santa Cruz Mountains, California, north to southern Alaska. 404. Williamson Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus thyroideus). L. 9. Belly bright yellow; rump white. Ad. ♂. Above black;, a red stripe on throat; lesser wing-coverts white. Ad. ♀. Crown and throat brownish; back and lesser wing-coverts barred black and whitish. Yng. Similar to ♀, but breast barred like sides. Notes. A shrill huit-huit uttered when flying. (Bendire.) The roll of this Woodpecker is not continuous, but is broken or interrupted. Range.—Higher mountain ranges of western United States; breeds from northern New Mexico, Arizona, and southeastern California north to Wyoming and southern British Columbia; winters from southern California and western Texas into Mexico. 408. Lewis Woodpecker (Asyndesmus torquatus). L. 11. Ads. Breast and a collar around the neck gray; region about base of bill dark red; belly pinkish red; above shining green black. Yng. No gray collar; crown suffused with red. Notes. A weak, peeping twitter. (Lawrence). Generally a silent bird. Range.—Western United States; breeds from New Mexico, Arizona, and southern California north to southern Alberta and British Columbia; winters from southern Oregon and Colorado south to western Texas and southern California. |
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406. Red-headed Woodpecker (Melanerpes erythrocephalus). L. 9.7. Ads. Whole head and breast red; end half of secondaries white. Yng. Whole head and breast grayish streaked with blackish; back black margined with grayish; end half of secondaries white with black bars. Notes. A tree-toad-like ker-r-ruck, ker-r-ruck. Range.—Eastern United States west to Rocky Mountains: breeds from Florida and Texas north to New York and Manitoba; local and irregular in northern parts of range; winters from Virginia, and occasionally from New York, southward. 407. Striped-breasted Woodpecker (Melanerpes formicivorus). L. 9.5. Breast band streaked with white; rump white. Ad. ♂. Forehead, white, crown, nape, and breast-spot red. Ad. ♀. Center of crown with a black band of same width as white band on forehead. Notes. A loud tchurr, tchurr. Range.—Mexico north to southwest Texas and Arizona. 407a. Californian Woodpecker (M. f. bairdi). Similar to No. 407, but black breast-band with white only on its posterior margin. Range.—Pacific coast region from northern California to southern Oregon. 407b. Narrow-fronted Woodpecker (M. f. angustifrons). Ad. ♂. Similar to No. 407, but smaller, W. 5.2; the throat brighter yellow. Ad. ♀. With black crown-band wider than white forehead band. Range.—Cape Region of Lower California. 409. Red-bellied Woodpecker (Centurus carolinus). L. 9.5. Center of belly reddish. Ad. ♂. Top of head and nape entirely red. Ad. ♀. Nape red, crown grayish, forehead tinged with red. Notes. A hoarse, chûh-chûh. Range.—Eastern United States, west to the Plains; breeds from Florida and Texas to Maryland, Ontario, and South Dakota; winters from Virginia and southern Ohio southward; casually north as far as Massachusetts. 410. Golden-fronted Woodpecker (Centurus aurifrons). L. 10.5; center of belly yellow. Ad. ♂. Forehead yellow, crown-patch red, nape orange. Ad. ♀. Forehead and nape yellow, crown entirely gray. Notes. Loud and penetrating. (Bailey.) Range.—Mexico, north to central Texas. 411. Gila Woodpecker (Centurus uropygialis). L. 10. Center of belly yellow. Ad. ♂. Top of head and nape sooty gray; a red-crown patch. Ad. ♀. Top of head and nape entirely sooty gray. Notes. Dchūrr, dchūrr; when flying, a shrill huit like call-note of Phainopepla. (Bendire.) Range.—Northwestern Mexico, north to southwestern New Mexico, and Lower California. |
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412. Southern Flicker (Colaptes auratus). Smaller than No. 412a, W. 5.6. Range.—Southeastern United States north to South Carolina. 412a. Northern Flicker (C. a. luteus). L. 13; W. 6.4. Crown bluish gray; throat pinkish brown; a scarlet nape-band; lining of wings and tail yellow. Ad. ♂. With black patches on the sides of the throat. Ad. ♀. Without black throat patches. Notes. A loud, emphatic keé-yer; a low chuckle when taking flight; a weéchew repeated and used only when two or more birds are together; and a mellow cûh-cûh-cûh-cûh, repeated, doubtless a song. Range.—Eastern North America west to the Rocky Mountains and Alaska; rare on the Pacific coast; apparently hybridizing with No. 413 at the western border of its range. 413. Red-shafted Flicker (Colaptes cafer collaris). L. 13. No red nape band; crown brownish; throat bluish gray; lining of wings and tail reddish. Ad. ♂. Patches at side of throat red. Ad. ♀. No red throat patches. Notes. Resemble those of No. 412. Range.—Western United States, except northwest coast region; east to the Rocky Mountain region; apparently hybridizing with No. 412 at the eastern border of its range. 413a. Northwestern Flicker (C. c. saturatior). Similar to No. 413, but much darker throughout, back vinous-brown. Range.—Pacific coast region; breeds from Oregon north to southern Alaska; winters south to northwest California. 414. Gilded Flicker (Colaptes chrysoides). L. 12; W. 5.7. Crown cinnamon; under surface of wings and tail yellow. Ad. ♂. No red band on nape; throat bluish gray, its sides with a red patch. Ad. ♀. No red on sides of throat. Notes. Resemble those of No. 412. (Bendire.) Range.—"Central and southern Arizona from Lat. 34° to southern Sonora, and Lower California south of Lat. 30°." (A. O. U.) 414a. Brown Flicker (C. c. brunnescens). Similar to No. 414, but slightly smaller; upperparts darker. (Anthony). Range.—Lower California north of Lat. 30°. 415. Guadalupe Flicker (Colaptes rufipileus). Similar to No. 413, but bill 1.6 or more; more slender, wing averaging less than 6.2; crown cinnamon-brown; rump vinaceous-white. (Ridgw.) Range.—Guadalupe Island, Lower California. |
| Family 1. | GOATSUCKERS. | Caprimulgidæ. | 6 species, 6 subspecies. |
| Family 2. | SWIFTS. | Micropodidæ. | 4 species. |
| Family 3. | HUMMINGBIRDS. | Trochilidæ. | 17 species. |
The Goatsuckers are birds of the dusk and early morning. They live chiefly on insects which they capture on the wing, their enormous mouths being especially well adapted to this kind of hunting. Our species build no nest but lay their two mottled eggs on the bare ground or leaves. The young are hatched covered with down and can follow their parents about long before they acquire the power of flight. Goatsuckers are noted for their singular calls, most of the species uttering loud, characteristic notes which, heard at night, are especially effective.
Swifts are birds of world-wide distribution; about half the seventy-five known species being found in America. They are pre-eminently birds of the air with wings so well developed that few birds can surpass them in power of flight, but with feet so weak and small that many species cannot perch as do most birds, but, when resting, cling to a vertical surface and use their tail to aid their feet in supporting themselves. Their nests are often marvels of architectural skill and constructive ability. The eggs, four to six in number, are white.
Hummingbirds are found only in America where they range from Patagonia to Alaska, but the larger part of the some five hundred known species are found in the Andean region of Columbia and Ecuador. Only one species is found east of the Mississippi, and nine of our sixteen western species advance but little beyond our Mexican border.
Hummingbirds nests are the most exquisite of birds' homes. Their eggs, so far as is known, number two, and are pure white. The young are born naked and, in the case of our Ruby-throat, at least, spend about three weeks in the nest.
The notes of some tropical Hummingbirds are sufficiently varied to be classed as songs but our species utter only sharp squeaks and excited chipperings.
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416. Chuck-will's-widow (Antrostomus carolinensis). L. 12. Mouth bristles with fine, hair-like branches near their base. Ad. ♂. End half of outer tail-feathers white, rusty, and black on outer webs; chin chiefly rusty; throat-patch buffy. Ad. ♀. No white in tail. Notes. A loudly whistled chuck-will's-widow, repeated many times. Range.—South Atlantic and Gulf States; breeds north to Virginia and Illinois; west to Kansas and central Texas; winters from southern Florida southward. 417. Whip-poor-will (Antrostomus vociferus). L. 9.7. Mouth bristles without branches. Ad. ♂. Three outer tail-feathers broadly tipped with white; white on inner vane of outer feather 1.4 or more wide; throat patch white; chin chiefly black. Ad. ♀. Three outer tail-feathers narrowly tipped with rusty buff; throat patch rusty buff. Notes. A rapid, vigorous, whistled whip-poor-will, repeated many times. Range.—Eastern North America, west to the Plains; breeds from Gulf States north to New Brunswick and Manitoba; winters from Gulf States southward. 417a. Stephens Whip-poor-will (A. v. macromystax). Similar to No. 417, but slightly larger, W. 6.5; mouth bristles much longer; male with throat-patch rusty; white on inner web of outer feather less than 1.3 wide. Range.—"Arizona, New Mexico, and southwestern Texas, south over mountains bordering tablelands of Mexico to Guatemala." (Bailey.) 418. Poor-will (Phalænoptilus nuttallii). L. 7.7. Primaries rusty barred with black. Ad. ♂. Three outer tail-feathers evenly tipped with white; a large white throat patch; plumage above suggesting in color the wings of certain moths. Ad. ♀. Similar, but tail-tips buffy. Notes. Variously rendered poor-will, cow-day, pearl-rob-it, puir-whee-er. Range.—Western United States; breeds from Kansas, Nebraska, and Dakota west to eastern slope of Sierra Nevadas: north to Montana and British Columbia; winters from Mexican border southward. 418a. Frosted Poor-will (P. n. nitidus). Similar to No. 418, but paler, the upperparts especially whiter, more frosty. Range.—"Texas to Arizona and from western Kansas south to northern Mexico." (Bailey.) Lower California. 418b. California Poor-will (P. n. californicus). Similar to No. 418, but darker. Range.—Breeds on coast of California, north to Butte County; winters from southern California southward. |
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419. Merrill Parauque (Nyctidromus albicollis merrilli). L. 12; T. 6.2. Outer tail-feather without white. Two color phases, one gray, one rusty. Ad. ♂. Outer tail-feather black with sometimes a little rusty, next feather white on inner web, third feather white except at base. Ad. ♀. Outer tail-feathers brownish with broken rusty bars; next two with white at tip. Notes. A vigorous ker-whee-you repeated and sometimes running into a whit-whit-whit, ker-whee-you. Range.—Mexico north to southern Texas; winters chiefly south of Rio Grande. 420. Nighthawk (Chordeiles virginianus). L. 10; W. 7.8. Primaries blackish with a white bar and no rusty spots; darkest of our Nighthawks. Ad. ♂. Above black with white and buff markings; throat and band near end of tail white. Ad. ♀. Throat rusty, no white band in tail. Notes. A nasal peent; and in the breeding season, a booming sound produced by diving from a height earthward. Range.—Eastern United States, chiefly, breeds from Florida to Labrador, west and northwest to northern California, British Columbia, and Alaska; winters south of United States. 420a. Western Nighthawk (C. v. henryi). Similar to No. 420, but markings above rusty and more numerous; belly washed with rusty. Range.—Western United States, east to the Plains, wintering south of United States; exact distribution unknown. 420b. Florida Nighthawk (C. v. chapmani). Similar to No. 420, but smaller (L. 8.6; W. 7.1;) and paler; white and buff markings above larger and more numerous. Range.—Florida, west along Gulf Coast to eastern Texas; south in winter to South America. 420c. Sennett Nighthawk (C. v. sennetti). Similar to No. 420b, but still paler, white and buff prevailing on back and scapulars; palest of our Nighthawks. Range.—Great Plains north to Saskatchewan; winters south of the United States. 421. Texan Nighthawk (Chordeiles acutipennis texensis). Wing quills with rusty spots; outer primary shorter than one next to it; belly conspicuously washed with rusty buff. Ad. ♂. Throat-patch and band near end of tail white. Ad. ♀. No white band in tail. Notes. A mewing call and a tapping accompanied by a humming sound. (Merrill.) Range.—Central America; breeding north to southern Texas, southern New Mexico, southern Utah, southern Nevada, and Lat. 38° in California; winters south of United States. |
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422. Black Swift (Cypseloides niger borealis). L. 7; W. 6.5. Tail without spines, slightly forked. Ads. Sooty black, paler below; a black spot before the eye; forehead whitish. Notes. Generally silent. (Bendire.) Range.—Breeds from Central America north, in mountains of western United States, to British Columbia; east to Colorado; winters south of United States; more common in Pacific coast states. 423. Chimney Swift (Chætura pelagica). L. 5.4; W. 4.9. Tail with protruding spines. Ads. Above sooty, rump and underparts paler; throat whitish. Notes. A rolling twitter. Range.—Eastern North America, west to the Plains; breeds from Florida to Labrador and Manitoba; winters south of United States, to Central America. 424. Vaux Swift (Chætura vauxii). L. 4.5; W. 4.4. Ads. Similar to No. 423, but smaller and somewhat browner. Notes. Resemble those of No. 423, but are less frequently uttered. (Bendire.) Range.—Western United States; breeds on Pacific coast, locally, north to British Columbia; east casually to Montana and Arizona; winters south of United States to Central America. 425. White-throated Swift (Aëronautes melanoleucus). L. 6.5. Tail forked, without spines. Ads. Above sooty brownish black; breast, middle of belly and flank patches white. Notes. A sharp, metallic twitter. Range.—Western United States; east to western Nebraska and Black Hills; breeds in Rocky Mountains north to Montana; on Pacific coast north to Lat. 38°; winters south of United States to Central America. |
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426. Rivoli Hummingbird (Eugenes fulgens). L. 5.1. A small white spot behind eye. Ad. ♂. Crown purple, throat bright green, back bronzy green; tail somewhat more bronzy. Ad. ♀. Above bronzy green, all but central tail-feathers with blackish ends and narrow grayish tips; below grayish, all but throat feathers green centrally. Yng. ♂. Throat with more or less green, belly and above more bronzy than in ♀. Range.—Nicaragua, north in mountains to mountains of southeastern Arizona, and southwest New Mexico; winters south of United States. 429. Black-chinned Hummingbird (Trochilus alexandri). L. 3.5; W. 1.7. Ad. ♂. Chin and upper throat black, lower throat amethyst; tail forked, feathers pointed. Ad. ♀. Throat grayish white; chin buffy; tail feathers more rounded, three outer ones tipped with white. Yng. ♂. Similar ♀, but throat with dusky spots. Range.—Western United States; breeds from San Antonio, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California north to Montana and British Columbia; rare on Pacific coast north of southern California; winters south of United States. 430. Costa Hummingbird (Calypte costæ). L. 3.1. No rusty in plumage. Ad. ♂. Crown, throat and lengthened neck-feathers amethyst, back dull green. Ad. ♀. Below grayish white; above grayish green; outer tail-feathers gray at base, then black and at tip white. Yng. ♂. Similar to ♀, but throat usually with some amethyst spots; tip of outer tail-feather grayish. Range.—Northwestern Mexico; breeds north throughout Lower California, to southern California, northern Nevada, southwestern Utah, and southwestern New Mexico; winters from Mexican border southward. 437. Lucifer Hummingbird (Calothorax lucifer). L. 3.6; B. .8. Ad. ♂. Throat purplish pink, feathers at its side much lengthened; tail feathers very narrow, the outer ones less than .05 in. wide on end half. Ad. ♀. Below nearly uniform rusty buff, above bronzy green; tail-feathers white-tipped. Range.—"From western Texas and southern Arizona south to the city of Mexico and Puebla." (Bailey.) 440. Xantus Hummingbird (Basilinna xantusi). L. 3.6. A white streak behind eye. Ad. ♂. Chin, forehead and cheeks black; throat green; tail rusty brown. Ad. ♀. Below uniform rusty, above green; outer tail-feathers rusty brown. Range.—Lower California, north to Lat. 29°; most common in Cape Region. |
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427. Blue-throated Hummingbird (Cœligena clemenciæ). L. 5.2. A white stripe behind, and a smaller one before eye. Ad. ♂. Throat blue; belly grayish; back green; tail blue-black, outer feathers broadly white tipped. Ad. ♀. Similar but throat dusky gray. Range.—Southern Mexico north. In mountains to mountains of southwestern New Mexico and southern Arizona; winters south of United States. 438. Reiffer Hummingbird (Amazilis tzacatl). L. 4.1. Ads. Above, throat and breast shining green; belly grayish; tail square, rusty brown, narrowly margined with coppery. Yng. Similar but more rusty above. Range.—Northern South America; north, rarely, to Lower Rio Grande Valley, Texas. 439. Buff-bellied Hummingbird (Amazilis cerviniventris chalconota). Similar to No. 438, but belly rusty gray, tail forked and broadly margined with coppery green. Range.—Central America, north, in spring, to Lower Rio Grande Valley, Texas. 440.1. White-eared Hummingbird (Basilinna leucotis). L. 3.7. A white line behind eye. Ad. ♂. Chin, forehead and cheeks blue, throat and breast green, tail blackish bronzy green. Ad. ♀. Crown rusty, back bronzy green, below gray spotted with green; outer tail-feathers tipped with gray. Yng. ♂. Similar. Range.—Nicaragua north, in spring, through mountains to southern Arizona. 441. Broad-billed Hummingbird (Iache latirostris). L. 4. Ad. ♂. Above green; below darker; throat purplish blue; tail darker. Ad. ♀. Below gray; outer tail-feathers green at base, then bluish black tipped with gray. Yng. ♂. Similar to Ad. ♀, but tail blue black with faint gray tips; throat with metallic green feathers. Range.—Southern Mexico; breeds north through mountains to southern Arizona and southwestern New Mexico. 428. Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Trochilus colubris). L. 3.5; W. 1.5. Ad. ♂. Throat ruby, chin blackish; tail forked, the feathers pointed. Ad. ♀. Throat grayish, tail-feathers rounded, three outer ones tipped with white. Yng. ♂. Like ♀ but throat with dusky spots. (See next page) Range.—Eastern North America, west to about Long. 100°; breeds from Florida and eastern Mexico, north to Labrador and Hudson Bay region; winters from southern Florida to Central America. |
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431. Anna Hummingbird (Calypte annæ). L. 3.6. Ad. ♂. Crown and throat glittering purplish pink; feathers at sides of throat much lengthened. Ad. ♀. Above green; below grayish washed with green; throat usually with pink feathers; tail with a narrow white tip. Yng. Similar but browner above. Range.—Western United States, from northern Lower California north to northern California; east to southern Arizona; south in winter to Mexico; recorded from Guadalupe Island. 432. Broad-tailed Hummingbird (Selasphorus platycercus). L. 4. Ad. ♂. Outer primary very narrow, end sharp; crown green, throat pink; tail green above, purplish below without white tips. Ad. ♀. Outer tail-feathers rusty at base, then black with a broad white tip; middle feathers entirely green; above bronzy green; throat feathers with dusky centers; sides rusty. Range.—Rocky Mountains: west, rarely to eastern California; north to southern Wyoming and Idaho; winters south of United States. 433. Rufous Hummingbird (Selasphorus rufus), L. 3.6. Ad. ♂. Next to middle pair of tail-feathers notched near tip of inner web; back reddish brown sometimes washed with green. Ad. ♀. Sides rusty, back green, throat spotted with green and sometimes ruby, outer tail-feathers rusty at base, then black and a white tip, the feather more than .12 wide; middle tail-feathers green at base, end black. Yng. ♂. Similar to ♀ but all tail-feathers rusty at base. Range.—Western United States; breeds from the higher mountains of southern California and Arizona, north to Lat. 61° in Alaska; during migrations east to Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico, and western Texas; winters in southern Mexico. 434. Allen Hummingbird (Selasphorus alleni). L. 3.6. Ad. ♂. Crown and back green, and tail rusty tipped with dusky, no notch in tail-feathers; in other respects like No. 433. Ad. ♀ and Yng. ♂. Like the same of No. 433, but outer tail-feather less than .12 in. wide. Range.—Pacific coast, from Monterey, California, north to British Columbia; migrates south through Arizona, and southern California to Mexico. 435. Morcom Hummingbird (Atthis morcomi). L. 2.9. Ad. ♀. Above bronzy green; middle tail-feathers bronzy green tinged with rusty on basal half; rest of tail-feathers rusty brown, then green, then black and tipped with white; below white, sides rusty, throat spotted with bronze-green. (Ridgw.) Male unknown. Range.—Huachuca Mountains, southern Arizona, (known from one specimen.) 436. Calliope Hummingbird (Stellula calliope). L. 3. Ad. ♂. Throat purplish pink, white at base showing through; above green. Ad. ♀. Sides rusty, throat with green spots, above green, outer tail-feathers gray at base, then black, then white in nearly equal amounts. Yng. ♂. Similar to ♀. Range.—Mountains of western United States; breeds north to Montana, Idaho, and British Columbia; west to eastern Oregon and eastern California; winters, south of United States; rare on Pacific coast of United States. |