Illustrations of the Birds of California, Texas, Oregon, British and Russian America

1. Sub-genus Hirundo.

Tail with the two external feathers disproportionately long; others graduated.

1. Hirundo rufa. Gmelin, Syst. Nat. I. p. 1018. (1788.) The Barn Swallow.

Hirundo horreorum. Barton, Frag. Nat. Hist. of Penna. p. 17. (1799.)

Hirundo americana. Wilson, Am. Orn. V. p. 34. (1812.)

Hirundo erythrogaster. Boddaert, Tab. Pl. Enl. p. 45. (1783.)?

Hirundo cyanopyrrha. Vieill., Nouv. Dict. XIV. p. 510. (1817.)

“Hirundo rustica. Linn.” Aud. Orn. Biog. II. p. 413.

Wilson, Am. Orn. V. pl. 38, fig. 1, 2; Aud., B. of Am. pl. 173, Oct. ed. I. pl. 48; Nat. Hist. N. Y. Birds, pl. 29, fig. 64; Buff., Pl. Enl. 724, fig. 1?

Wings long; tail deeply forked with the two outer feathers much the longest; forehead, throat, and neck in front, chestnut, which color is separated from the paler color of the breast by a partial or rarely perfect collar of dark steel blue; entire upper parts steel blue, with a purple lustre, inclining to green on the wings and tail; breast, abdomen, and under tail coverts, chestnut, very pale in some specimens, but generally darker on the tail coverts; tail with a large spot of white on the inner web of every feather, except the middle two; bill and feet black; sexes very nearly alike.

Dimensions. Total length, 7 inches; wing, 4½; tail, 3½. Female smaller.

Hab. Throughout North America. Canada (Dr. Hall); Oregon (Dr. Townsend); Texas (Dr. Woodhouse); Santa Fé (Col. McCall); Indiana (Dr. Haymond); Long Island (Mr. Giraud); Cuba (Mr. Lembeye).

This is one of the most abundant of the birds of the United States, and known to all classes and ages of the population. It is nearly related to the European House Swallow (Hirundo rustica), but can readily be distinguished on comparison. The European is rather the larger, the under-parts are darker, and the collar on the neck in front complete. In the present bird this collar is imperfect, with very rare exceptions.

2. Sub-genus Petrochelidon.

Tail moderate or short, emarginate, but slightly forked.

2. Hirundo lunifrons. Say., Long’s Exp. to the Rocky Mts. II. p. 47. (1823.) The Cliff Swallow.

Hirundo opifex. Clinton, Ann. N. Y. Lyceum I. p. 161. (1824.)

Hirundo respublicana. Aud., Ann. N. Y. Lyc., I. p. 164. (1824.)

“Hirundo fulva. Vieill.” Aud., Orn. Biog. V. p. 415, and Clinton, as above.

Bonap., Am. Orn., 1. pl. 7, fig. 1; Aud., B. of Am., pl. 68, Oct. ed. I. pl. 47; Nat. Hist. N. Y. Birds, pl. 30, fig. 64.

Bill very wide at base, short; wings long; tail rather short, emarginate; forehead white, nearly pure in some specimens, but generally tinged with reddish chestnut; head above and back bluish-black, with a purple lustre; plumage of the back usually edged and streaked with grayish white; rump pale chestnut; throat dark brownish chestnut, which color extends upwards and forms a complete collar around the neck behind; lores and large spot on the neck in front black; entire other under-parts ashy-white, tinged with pale chestnut, especially on the breast; under tail coverts with a green lustre, and tipped with pure white; wings and tail brownish-black; bill and feet dark; sexes very nearly alike.

Dimensions. Total length, 5½ inches; wing, 4⅜; tail, 2 inches. Female rather smaller.

Hab. Throughout North America. Oregon (Dr. Townsend); California (Dr. Heermann); New Mexico (Col. McCall); Texas (Dr. Woodhouse); Indiana (Rufus Haymond, M. D.); Canada (Dr. Hall).

This handsome species is now well known throughout almost the whole of the United States, but is said to have appeared for the first time in the States on the Atlantic seaboard within the memory of persons now living. It builds a curiously-formed nest of the shape of a gourd, faithfully represented in Mr. Audubon’s plates, cited above.

Hirundo fulva, Vieill., is an allied species, but much smaller, and not ascertained to inhabit any part of North America. It is best known as a bird of the Island of Jamaica.

The paper referred to above, in which this bird is named Hirundo opifex, possesses additional interest, from the fact that it was written by the late De Witt Clinton, formerly Governor of the State of New York, who had given particular attention to American Natural History.

3. Hirundo bicolor. Vieill., Ois. d’Am., Sept. 1, p. 61. (1807.) The White-bellied Swallow.

Hirundo viridis. Wilson, Am. Orn. V. p. 44. (1812.)

Hirundo leucogaster. Stephens, Gen. Zool. X. p. 106. (1817.)

Vieill., Ois. d’Am., Sept. 1, pl. 31; Wilson, Am. Orn. V. pl. 38, fig. 3; Aud., Birds of Am., pl. 98, Oct. ed. I. pl. 46; Nat. Hist. N. Y. Birds, pl. 29, fig. 1.

Wings long, exceeding the tail, pointed; tail deeply emarginate; entire upper parts uniform dark green, changing to blue in some lights, very glossy; wings and tail brownish-black, slightly tinged with green; entire under-parts silky-white, generally with a tinge of cinereous; bill black; feet yellow; sexes alike, but the female with the colors duller.

Dimensions. Total length, male, 5½ inches; wing, 4¾; tail, 2¼ inches.

Hab. Throughout North America. Canada (Dr. Hall); Oregon (Dr. Townsend); California, Texas (Dr. Woodhouse); Cuba (Mr. Lembeye); Wisconsin (Dr. Hoy); Northern Ohio (Prof. Kirtland); Long Island (Mr. Giraud).

When in full plumage, this is one of the handsomest of the Swallows of the United States. It is quite abundant everywhere in the States on the Atlantic during the summer.

Specimens from California present some points of difference from the bird of Pennsylvania, being apparently more tinged with blue, and having the bill perhaps slightly large. We regard the two, however, as specifically the same.

4. Hirundo thalassina. Swains., Philos. Mag., 1827, p. 366.

Aud., B. of Am., pl. 385, fig. 4, 5, Oct. ed. I. pl. 49.

Wings long, exceeding the tail, which is rather short and emarginate; entire upper-parts rich grass-green, very glossy, and shaded with purple, especially on the head, and in some specimens approaching to carmine on the back, rump, and upper tail-coverts; entire under-parts silky-white, generally with a tinge of cinereous; bill and feet dark. Female, less glossy, and with the purple generally tinged with brown.

Dimensions. Total length, male, 5 inches; wing, 4½; tail, 2 inches. Female, smaller.

Hab. Western North America. Oregon (Townsend); California (Gambel); Mexico (Swainson); New Mexico (Woodhouse).

This is the most beautiful of the North American birds of this family. It is exclusively an inhabitant of the countries west of the Rocky Mountains and of Mexico.

II. GENUS PROGNE. Boie, Isis, 1826, p. 971.

Form robust and compact; bill wide at base, compressed suddenly to the tip, rather strong; upper mandible overlapping the under; wings long, pointed; first and second primaries longest; tail moderate, rather wide, usually deeply emarginate; tarsi and feet larger and stronger than usual in this family.

Size, largest of American birds of this family. This genus contains about five or six American species, several of which are nearly related to each other, and not well understood, and probably one other (Hirundo borbonica, Gm.), which is a native of Madagascar, and of the Island of Bourbon. All the species, except the last, considerably resemble each other, and are difficult to distinguish in some stages of plumage.

1. Progne purpurea. (Linn.) The Purple-Martin. The House Martin.

Hirundo purpurea et subis. Linn., Syst. Nat. I. p. 344. (1766.)

Hirundo violacea. Gm., Syst. Nat. I. p. 1026. (1788.)

Hirundo cœrulea. Vieill., Ois. d’Am., Sept. 1, pl. 57. (1807.)

Hirundo versicolor. Vieill., Nouv. Dict. XIV. p. 509. (1817.)

Hirundo ludoviciana. Cuv., Reg. An. I. p. 374. (1817.)

Catesby, Carolina I. pl. 51; Vieill., Ois. d’Am., Sept. 1, pl. 26, 27; Buff, Pl. Enl. 722; Wilson, Am. Orn. V. pl. 30, fig. 2, 3; Aud., B. of Am., pl. 22, Oct. ed. I. pl. 45; Nat. Hist. N. Y. Birds, pl. 28, fig. 61.

Bill moderately wide at base, rather strong, curved; wings reaching about to the end of the tail, which is deeply emarginate; legs short; toes rather long. Male.—Entire plumage above and below deep black, with a purple and blue silky lustre; quills and tail less lustrous, and in many specimens plain brownish-black; bill and feet black. Female. Upper-parts same as in the male, but paler; under-parts ashy-brown, dark on the throat and breast; paler and sometimes nearly white on the abdomen; under tail coverts dark brown, every feather edged with ashy-white.

Dimensions. Total length, male, 7½ inches; wing, 5¾; tail, 3 inches. Female slightly smaller.

Hab. Eastern North America. Canada (Dr. Hall); Oregon (Dr. Townsend); Texas (Dr. Woodhouse); Cuba (Mr. Lembeye); Florida (Mr. John Lee Williams).

In mature plumage, a beautiful species. This bird is common throughout the eastern United States, and comes with much punctuality in the spring to take possession of the boxes prepared for its accommodation in the rural districts, and occasionally in the cities. Our esteemed friend, Mr. Thomas Fisher, an eminent mathematician of this city, has been annually visited by a colony of this species for several years, though his residence is in one of the most dense parts of Philadelphia.

This bird is nearly allied to several species of South America and the West Indies. In fact, the genus Progne is one of the most difficult of the family of Swallows.

2. Progne chalybea. (Gmelin.) The Western Martin.

Hirundo chalybea. Gm., Syst. Nat. I. p. 1026. (1788.)

Buff, Pl. Enl. 545, fig. 2.

Size smaller than that of the preceding; bill very wide at base, much longer than in the preceding, gradually compressed to the tip, curved; wings reaching about to the end of the tail, which is deeply emarginate; under tail coverts long; legs short. Male, adult? Plumage of the upper parts dusky black, with a dark green lustre; throat and breast ashy white, running into light smoky brown on the sides of the neck, breast, and flanks; abdomen and under tail-coverts pure white, many feathers having dark lines on their shafts; under wing-coverts and axillaries fuliginous brown. Female? Similar to the male, but less lustrous on the upper parts, and with the entire plumage more tinged with fuliginous; under tail-coverts pure white, many feathers with dark shafts; bill and feet dark.

Dimensions. Total length, about 6¾ inches; wing, 5¼; tail, 3 inches. Female slightly smaller.

Hab. Western North America. South America, California, Panama (Mr. Bell).

This species, long known as a bird of South America, was first ascertained to be entitled to a place in the ornithological fauna of the United States by Mr. John G. Bell, of New York, who noticed it in California, and previously at Panama. We have since seen specimens from various parts of California, and suspect that it is abundant in that and probably in other countries of Western America.

Though closely related to other South American species, the present bird may be distinguished very easily from the Purple Martin of the United States (P. purpurea), by the greater width and much greater length of the bill, and it is smaller in size. We are not confident that we have ever seen the perfectly plumaged adults of this bird, though the specimens above described were obtained by Mr. Bell in the spring, and have the general appearance of maturity, except that the lustre of the plumage is but faint. Little or nothing is known of its habits or history.

III. GENUS COTYLE. Boie, Isis, 1822, p. 350.

Bill small, weak, wide at base, compressed to the tip; wing long, pointed, first and second quills longest; secondaries short, truncate, and emarginate; tail moderate, wide, even or slightly emarginate; legs short, slender; toes rather long, slender; colors dull, usually fuliginous brown of various shades; size of American species smaller than those of either of the preceding genera.

This genus contains about twelve species, inhabiting various regions of both continents, and all, so far as known, more or less terrestrial in their habits. In addition to those about to be described, there are three other American species restricted to the southern division of this continent.

1. Cotyle riparia. (Linn.) The Bank Swallow. The Sand Martin.

Hirundo riparia. Linn., Syst. Nat. I. p. 344. (1766.)

Hirundo cinerea. Vieill., Nouv. Dict. XIV. p. 526.

Wilson, Am. Orn. V. pl. 38, fig. 4; Aud., B. of Am., pl. 385, Oct. ed. I. pl. 50; Nat. Hist. N. Y. Birds, pl. 28, fig. 62.

Bill weak; wing long; first primary longest; tail emarginate; legs short; tarsus with a tuft of short downy feathers near the insertion of the hind toe; entire upper parts and wide band across the breast light fuliginous or grayish brown; quills and tail brownish black; throat, abdomen and under tail coverts white; under wing coverts light fuliginous; bill and feet dark.

Dimensions. Total length, 5 inches; wing, 4; tail, 2 inches. Female slightly smaller.

Hab. The whole of North America. Oregon (Dr. Townsend); California (Mr. Bell); Indiana (Dr. Haymond); Cuba (Mr. Lembeye); Indian Territory, New Mexico (Dr. Woodhouse); Florida (Mr. William Bartram).

Frequently met with, and remarkable for constructing its nest in a hole in the ground, usually by the side of a quarry or stream of water. This is one of the few American birds that appear to be absolutely identical with European species. On close comparison, we can discover no characters in the present sufficient to raise a probability of specific distinction.

Specimens from California, that we have examined, present slight variations from those of the Eastern States. The bill appears to be smaller, and the tail not so deeply emarginated.

2. Cotyle serripennis. (Audubon.) The Rough-winged Swallow.

Hirundo serripennis. Aud., Orn. IV. p. 593. (1838.)

Aud., B. of Am., Oct. ed. I. pl. 51.

Larger than the preceding; wing long; first primary longest; tail emarginate; legs short; outer edge of the first primary furnished throughout its length with a row of reversed hooked bristles, easily apparent to the touch; entire upper parts light ashy white, darker on the breast and flanks, lighter on the throat and middle of the abdomen; under-coverts of the tail white; under-coverts of the wing ashy brown; bill and feet dark. Female lighter in all the colors.

Dimensions. Total length, male, 5½ inches; wing, 4½; tail, 2¼ inches. Female slightly smaller.

Hab. Louisiana, South Carolina (Mr. Audubon); Pennsylvania (Prof. Baird); California (Dr. Heermann).

This remarkable species is easily distinguished from any other North American Swallow by the recurved and stiff bristles of the outer edges of the first primary quills. There is a South American species which has, however, the same character (Cotyle flavigastra).

The present bird considerably resembles that immediately preceding, but is larger, and is quite distinct. It was regarded as a rare southern species, until demonstrated by Professor Spencer F. Baird, then of Dickinson College, Carlisle, Pennsylvania, to be of frequent occurrence in the interior of that State. Dr. Heermann states that it is not uncommon in California. Ornithologists generally, however, have not noticed it, and in the vicinity of Philadelphia, it has been entirely overlooked, or does not inhabit this district.

II. SUB-FAMILY CYPSELINÆ. THE SWIFTS.

Bill less flattened than in the preceding sub-family, very wide at base, short, curved; wings very long, somewhat falcate, flattened; tail short; legs and toes short, strong; claws strong; general form adapted to very swift and vigorous flight, and the capture of insects on the wing.

I. GENUS CYPSELUS. Illiger, Prodromus, p. 229. (1811.)

APUS. Scopoli. MICROPUS. Wolf.

Bill wide at base, curved; nostrils basal, with large membrane; wings very long; pointed shafts of the primaries strong and rigid; first and second primaries longest; secondaries short; tail moderate, with the shafts of its feathers strong and rigid; legs short, strong; tarsus usually feathered; toes short, strong; claws strong, curved, and sharp; hind toe very short, reversible; general form robust; head broad.

This genus includes about twenty species, which are inhabitants of the countries of the old world, except six American and one Australian species. They are remarkable for great swiftness of flight, and live habitually in the crevices of rocks, in caverns, or in hollow trees. The bird now about to be described is the only species of this genus yet observed within the limits of the United States, the others of this continent being confined to South America.

1. Cypselus melanoleucus. Baird, Proc. Acad., Phila., VII. p. 118. (1854.)

Not figured.

Wings very long, exceeding the tail; second primary longest; first primary tapering towards the end; secondaries short, obliquely incised at their ends; tail moderate, emarginate; shafts of the tail-feathers very stiff at their bases; tarsi and toes feathered, short, and very strong; entire plumage above dark fuliginous, paler on the head, nearly black on the back and rump; throat, breast, wide longitudinal stripe down the middle of the abdomen, and large spot on the flank, pure white; sides and under-coverts of the tail dark fuliginous, which is also the color of the plumage of the tibiæ, tarsi, and toes; wings and tail dark fuliginous; secondaries tipped with white; wings at the shoulders edged with white; under-wing-coverts ashy fuliginous; claws light-colored.

Dimensions. Total length of skin, from tip of bill to end of tail, about 5½ inches; wing, 5½; tail, 2½ inches. Female very nearly the same.

Hab. New Mexico (Dr. Kennerly, Dr. Heermann).

Only noticed, as yet, by the two naturalists just mentioned. This is a handsome bird, and an interesting addition to the ornithology of the United States, being the first species of the genus Cypselus discovered within our limits. According to the gentlemen above mentioned, this bird habitually frequents the crevices in rocks, in which it builds its nest and rears its young. Its flight is represented to be exceedingly rapid and long-continued.

This bird is evidently of the same group of species as Cypselus montivagus, D’Orbigny, Voyage dans L’Amerique Meridionale, Ois., p. 357, pl. 42, fig. 1 (Paris, 1844), which inhabits the mountains of Bolivia. The white stripe down the middle of the abdomen distinguishes the present bird.

II. GENUS ACANTHYLIS. Boie, Isis, 1826, p. 971.

CHÆTURA. Stephens. HIRUNDAPUS. Hodgson.

General characters similar to the last genus, but with the shafts of the tail-feathers prolonged beyond the webs, and forming strong thorn-like points; tarsi and toes naked; bill small, curved, wide at base; wings long; tail usually short; legs short, rather slender; claws curved, strong; general form plump and robust. Of this genus there are about fifteen species, two only of which are known to inhabit the United States, though several are natives of South America. Like the birds of the preceding genus, they possess great rapidity of flight, and live in similar situations.

1. Acanthylis pelasgia. (Linn.) The Chimney Bird. The American Swift.

Hirundo pelasgia. Linn., Syst. Nat. I. p. 345. (1766.)

Hirundo cerdo. Bartram, Trav., p. 292. (1791.) Barton, Frag., p. 18.

“Cypselus acutus. Temm., Mus. Lugd.” Bonap., Consp. Av., p. 64.

Vieill., Ois. d’Am., Sept. 1, pl. 33; Wilson, Am. Orn., V. pl. 39, fig. 1; Aud., B. of Am., pl. 58, Oct. ed., I. pl. 44; Nat. Hist. N. Y. Birds, pl. 27, fig. 58.

Wings very long, extending beyond the tail, flattened, somewhat falcate; shafts of primaries rigid; tail short; exserted spines sharp, elastic; tarsi and toes naked; entire plumage above and below fuliginous brown, darkest on the upper parts, and with a slight greenish lustre on the head and back (in mature specimens), much paler on the throat and neck before; quills dark fuliginous; tail lighter; spot in front of the eye black, a very narrow superciliary line ashy-white; shafts and spines of the tail-feathers black; bill and feet dark.

Dimensions. Total length, male, from tip of bill to end of tail, 4¾ to 5 inches; wing, 5¼; tail, 1¾ inches. Female very nearly the same.

Hab. Throughout North America. Canada (Dr. Hall); Florida (Mr. Williams); Indiana (Dr. Haymond); Indian Territory, Texas, New Mexico, California (Dr. Woodhouse).

The Chimney bird is abundant in all the States on the Atlantic, and, according to Dr. Woodhouse, equally so in Texas. It possesses powers of sustaining protracted and rapid flight, perhaps not equalled by any other bird of North America, though characteristic in some measure of all the birds of this family. In Europe, birds of genera nearly allied to the present have received the name of “Swifts” from this fact.

2. Acanthylis Vauxii. (Townsend.) Vaux’s Swift.

Cypselus Vauxii. Towns., Jour. Acad., Philada., VIII. p. 148. (1839.)

Not figured.

Smaller than the preceding, but very similar to it in form and general appearance; wings very long, exceeding the tail, which is short; exserted spines of the tail-feathers sharp, slender, and not so rigid as in the preceding species; tarsi and toes rather slender, naked; plumage above fuliginous brown, lighter on the rump and upper tail-coverts, darker, and tinged with greenish on the head and back; quills dark fuliginous, with a greenish lustre; tail lighter fuliginous; under-parts pale fuliginous, nearly white on the throat, darkest on the abdomen; shafts and spines of the tail-feathers black; bill and feet dark.

Dimensions. Total length of skin, sex unknown, 4¼ inches; wing, 4½; tail, 1½ inches.

Hab. Columbia River, Oregon (Dr. Townsend).

This species, though apparently totally distinct from the common Chimney bird of the United States, has never been noticed since its discovery by Dr. Townsend. It is probably a bird exclusively inhabiting the countries west of the Rocky Mountains. The original specimen brought by Dr. Townsend remains unique in the collection of the Philadelphia Academy.

The name of this species was given in honor of Mr. William S. Vaux, of this city, and is a just compliment to one of the most active and valuable members of the Academy.

B.
OBSCURE AND DOUBTFUL SPECIES OF THIS FAMILY.

1. Hirundo unalaschkensis. Gm., Syst. Nat. I. p. 1025. (1788.)

Hirundo aoonalaschkensis. Lath., Ind. Orn., II. p. 577. (1790.)

Originally described by Latham from a specimen in the Leverian Museum, as follows:—

“Length four inches and a half; bill very short, dusky; the plumage above dull black, without gloss; beneath and sides of the head dusky ash color, the last darkest; rump dirty white; tail forked, each feather round at the end; legs dusky. Inhabits Aoonalashka.” Gm., Syn. II. p. 571.

This species is unknown to ornithologists of the present day, and from the above description and the evident similarity of the bird to other small species of this family, would not be recognized without difficulty, unless obtained in the locality as given. It appears to belong to the genus Collocalia, Gray, a very remarkable group of small Swallows, that inhabit caves, and are found in several islands in the Pacific Ocean. A species of this genus is the Esculent Swallow of authors (Collocalia esculenta), the nests of which are so highly esteemed as an article of food by the Chinese, and are the principal constituent in the somewhat celebrated “Bird’s-nest soup,” a prominent feature in Chinese entertainments. It is probable, too, that the nests of other species of these birds are used for the same purpose.

No species of the genus alluded to has been discovered on the continent of America, nor in either of the American islands, except the above.

2. Hirundo phenicephala. Rafinesque, Annals of Nature, p. 4. (Lexington, Kentucky, 1820.)

“Head scarlet; back grey; belly white; bill and feet black. A fine and rare Swallow, seen only once by Mr. Audubon, near Hendersonville, in Kentucky; it must have been a wanderer, and is probably a native of Louisiana or Mexico.”

“Head scarlet”—enough said; Professor Rafinesque brings our ornithological ideas to a stand immediately. We never heard of a Swallow with the head of that color, exactly. But as Mr. Audubon’s name is brought in as authority, we think it possible that the bird alluded to in this description may have been a straggling specimen of a South American species, which has the head of a rufous color (Cortyle fucata, Temm., Pl. Col. 161, fig. 1). Rafinesque apparently gave his description and name without ever having seen the bird, or made further inquiry, and probably misunderstood or partly forgot the statement of Mr. Audubon respecting the color of the head.

Several instances of South American birds having been captured in the United States have come to our knowledge. We ought to have said, though, previously, that many more South American birds inhabit Mexico than are recorded in the books. Several specimens of Crotophaga sulcirostra have come under our notice, the last one of which was shot on an island in the Delaware, opposite to the northern portion of this city. Its plumage was perfectly mature and uninjured, showing evidently that it had never been caged.

3. Acanthylis saxatilis. Woodhouse, Sitgreave’s Report of an Expedition down the Zuni and Colorado Rivers, Zoology, p. 64 (Washington, 1853).

“Head and rump white; back, tail, wings, and side, black; beneath white; upper tail-coverts black; under tail-coverts white. About the size of A. pelasgia, and in its mode of flight the same.”

“This beautiful Swift I saw whilst encamped at Inscription Rock, New Mexico. Being on the top of this high rock at the time without my gun, I was unable to procure specimens. I had a fair view of the birds at this time, as they flew close to me. I descended immediately and procured my gun, but the birds by this time flew too high for me to be able to procure a shot at them. They were breeding in the crevices of the rocks. I was still in hopes of seeing them again along our route, but I had not that pleasure, it being the only place that I have observed them.”

This bird has not been noticed since the publication of the above description by Dr. Woodhouse.

4. Hirundo cinerea. “The Ash-bellied Swallow.” Ord, in Guthrie’s Geography, II. p. 317. (1815.)

This name occurs, without a description, in Mr. Ord’s Catalogue of the Birds of North America, in Guthrie’s Geography, as above.

Hirundo cinerea, Gmelin, is a native of Tahiti and of the Marquesas Islands, but has not to our knowledge ever been detected on the continent of North America. It belongs to the genus Collocalia, Gray. The Bank Swallow (Cotyle riparia) also was named Hirundo cinerea by Vieillot, but is given in Mr. Ord’s list as distinct from the present.

5. Hirundo rupestris. “The Rock Swallow.” Ord, in Guthrie’s Geog., II. p. 317. (1815.)

This name also occurs in Mr. Ord’s Catalogue, cited above. Hirundo rupestris, Scopoli, inhabits Europe and Asia, but we have never been informed of its appearance in America. It is a Cotyle.

We have now given all the species of Swallows known or supposed to inhabit the continent of America, north of Mexico.

As stated in a preceding page, Swallows are found in all countries except the Arctic regions, and are, so far as known to naturalists, birds of very considerable similarity of habits and of general characters. The various groups usually regarded as sub-families and genera are perhaps as easily distinguished in this family as in any other of the entire class of Birds, and it is one in which it is remarkable that almost every country produces species which belong to the genus (Hirundo) which is the type and apparently primary form of the family, besides forms peculiarly its own.

The types of great groups apparently more pre-eminently characterize the ornithology of Europe than that of any other division of the globe. In other words, Europe appears to produce the greatest number of species of birds exhibiting the fullest development of the especial characters of the groups to which they belong. It is very remarkable, too, that species are found almost throughout the world slightly aberrating, as it were, from European forms, or as though a typical form was produced with a greater or less degree of imperfection. Of this description of birds, the various species nearly allied to the House Swallow of Europe (Hirundo rustica), are a striking illustration. The American Hirundo rufa, and several Asiatic and African species, are only distinguished from that bird by characters of inferior value in specific identification. Australia, too, produces species, which, though apparently farther removed, are still similar. There are many other European birds which appear to occupy the same relative positions. The Goatsucker, Raven, Crow, Jay, and Peregrine Falcon, are instances. Of the European Conisostral birds, nearly every species has nearly allied forms in other regions.

In connection, however, with this subject, there are two considerations by no means to be lost sight of: Firstly, the extent to which the entire science of ornithology may be regarded as having been derived from European birds; those having been studied, and ornithological science being in some measure an induction from them by the fathers and founders of this branch of Zoology. Secondly, whether in reality the production of the higher developments in birds is not peculiar to the western portions of the two great hemispheres, at least in the northern regions of these divisions of the globe. We regard it as evidently the case in the Old World, and not less so in America. That the ornithology of western North America produces the highest developments of forms in this class of animals that are to be found on this continent, we think fully demonstrable. But at present we regard it as true that Europe produces marked ornithological types of divisions strictly natural.

There are about one hundred known species of Swallows, of which eighty-five are in the collection of the Philadelphia Academy. The South American birds of this family, for the greater part, belong to genera represented in North America. Of the genus Progne there are several species peculiar to that portion of this continent, several of which possess habits and manners very similar to those of the Purple Martin. The same may be said of several species of Acanthylis, two or three of which considerably resemble our Chimney Bird. Of the Bank Swallows (Cotyle), there are also several South American species.

III. SUB-FAMILY HALCYONIDÆ. THE KING-FISHERS.

General form short, thick, and robust; bill usually long, sharp, and adapted to striking and seizing their prey, which, in the greater part of the species, consists of fishes; wings generally long, and adapted to quick though not long-continued flight; tail usually short; legs short, frequently very strong; toes long, frequently partially joined together and flattened on the soles.

Of this extensive family, species are distributed throughout all the temperate and tropical regions of the world, though much more abundant in the latter. Many species habitually frequent the vicinity of the water, and subsist on fishes and small aquatic animals of other classes, but there are birds of this family that are found in the recesses of forests and other comparatively dry localities.

Two species only of King-Fishers have as yet been discovered in the United States.

I. GENUS CERYLE. Boie, Isis, 1828, p. 312.

Form stout and strong; head large; bill long, straight, wide at base, and suddenly compressed to the point, which is sharp; aperture of the nostrils large; wings long; second and third quills usually longest; tail rather short, wide; legs short; tarsi very short; toes moderate, united at their bases, flattened and padded beneath.

The two species which inhabit North America within the limits of the United States belong to this genus, and it contains also various others of different parts of the world. They are, however, most numerous in South and Central America and Mexico.

1. Ceryle alcyon. (Linn.) The Belted King-Fisher.

Alcedo alcyon. Linn., Syst. Nat., I. p. 180. (1766.)

Ispida ludoviciana. Gm., Syst. Nat., I. p. 452. (1788.)

Alcedo jaguacati. Dumont, Dict. Sci. Nat., I. p. 455. (1816.)

Alcedo guacu. Vieill., Nouv. Dict., XIX. p. 406?

Buffon, Pl. Enl., 593, 715; Catesby’s Carolina, I. pl. 69; Wilson, Am. Orn., III. pl. 23, fig. 1; Aud., B. of Am., pl. 77, Oct. ed. IV. pl. 255.

Form robust; head large, with the feathers of the crown and occiput lengthened, crest-like and erectile; wings long; second quill longest; tail moderate; tarsus very short; tibia longer; entire upper-parts, cheeks, and a wide transverse band or belt on the breast, light ashy-blue, generally with minute white spots on the wing-coverts and secondaries; throat and abdomen, and a small spot before the eye, white; flanks, and frequently the sides, ashy-blue, with white spots; quills black, more or less marked with white on their inner webs; secondaries widely edged on their outer webs with ashy-blue, uniform with other upper parts, and tipped narrowly with white; tail bluish-black, outer feathers edged externally with light ashy-blue, and middle feathers almost entirely of that color, and all having about ten to twelve narrow transverse bands of white, and narrowly tipped with white; under wing-coverts white. Younger, with the pectoral band light reddish chestnut, and frequently with a second and sometimes with a third band across the abdomen, and the sides and flanks of the same color; bill and feet dark. Sexes alike? Specimens occur with the wide pectoral band in all stages of change, from the light red to light ashy-blue.

Dimensions. Total length, male, about 12 inches; wing, 6¼; tail, 3⅓ inches.

Hab. Throughout North America. Oregon (Dr. Townsend); California (Dr. Heermann); Texas (Dr. Woodhouse); Canada (Dr. Hall); Florida (Mr. Williams).

Frequently met with in all parts of the United States, frequenting streams of water. It is a sprightly and handsome bird, and was until recently considered as the only North American species of the extensive family of King-Fishers. That honor must now, however, be partially shared with the succeeding.

2. Ceryle americana. (Gmelin.) The Texan Green King-Fisher.

Alcedo americana. Gm., Syst., I. p. 451. (1788.)

Alcedo viridis. Vieill., Nouv. Dict., XIX. p. 413. (1818)?

Buff., Pl. Enl. 591.

Much smaller than the preceding; bill straight; wing rather long, third quill longest; tail moderate; tarsus very short; legs rather slender; two outer toes united at base; entire plumage above dark shining green, darker and generally tinged with brownish on the head, and with numerous very small spots or points of white on the forehead; quills brownish-black, edged with green on their outer-webs; secondaries white at their bases, and all the quills with white spots on their outer-webs, regularly disposed, and forming three transverse bands on the wing; outer feathers of the tail white, irregularly marked on both webs with green; middle feathers green; breast bright reddish chestnut, forming a wide transverse band; throat, and ring around the back of the neck and abdomen, white; sides, flanks and under tail-coverts spotted with green; inferior wing-coverts white, with green spots; bill dark; feet lighter. Younger or female? Like the preceding, but with the pectoral band green, uniform with the color of the upper parts; white of the throat tinged with dull yellow.

Dimensions. Total length of skin, 7¼ inches; wing, 3¼; tail, 2½ inches.

Hab. Texas, Rio Grande (Capt. McCown, Mr. Clarke); Mexico (Lieut. Couch); South America.

This handsome little King-Fisher, though well known as a bird of South America, has, within the limits of the United States, only been observed on the Rio Grande in Texas. Several naturalists, however, mention having heard of a small species of King-Fisher in Southern California, and it is probable that the present bird will yet be found inhabiting that State.

This bird may very readily be distinguished from the common species of the United States by its small size and different colors; but there are other South American species of the same genus which it resembles. There is a group of these birds, the species of which, in fact, bear so great similarity to each other in form and in colors also, that they can be distinguished specifically mainly by their size. This group embraces Ceryle amazona, inda, superciliosa, Cabanisii, and the bird now before us. The first is as large as our Belted King-Fisher (Ceryle alcyon), and has been found in Mexico. All of these species are colored very much like the present bird, though, as above intimated, presenting marked difference in size.

The King-Fishers are most abundant in the southern regions of the world, and the preceding two species are all that have ever been noticed within the limits of the United States, though several others inhabit Mexico. Two species also are known as birds of Europe, though one of them (Ceryle rudis), like our second species in the United States, is a visitor only in the southern countries of that division of the globe.

In Asia and the Asiatic islands, and in Australia, numerous species of these birds are found. Some of the Australian species are the largest of this family, being of the size of or larger than the Crow of the United States, and are remarkable for their loud and discordant voices. They belong to the genus Dacelo of naturalists. Great diversity of size occurs in this family. There are other species (of the genera Ispidina and Ceyx), which are not larger than the Chipping Sparrow of this country, though, to all intents and purposes, regularly established King-Fishers, and probably preying on fishes of a size accordingly.

Though many of the birds of this family are partially aquatic in their habits, and subsist exclusively on fishes, there are species principally inhabiting the islands in the Pacific, and Australia, which are stated to live habitually in forests, subsisting on reptiles and small terrestrial animals of other classes. These birds belong to the genera Todiramphus and Dacelo of authors.

Naturalists enumerate about ninety species of King-Fishers, of which specimens of seventy-seven are in the collection of the Philadelphia Academy.

We find recorded no species of King-Fishers to be considered as doubtful or obscure birds of that portion of North America within our prescribed limits.

With this family we close that division of the Perching Birds classed by ornithologists as Fissirostres. Two other families, the Trogonidæ and the Meropidæ, are not represented by species inhabiting the United States or the more northern countries of this continent. Of the Trogonidæ, however, several species are found in Mexico, one of which (Trogon mexicanus) was observed by Lieut. Couch, in the northern part of that country, and will very probably yet be found within the present limits of this confederacy. All the American Trogons are birds of remarkable beauty, and one of them (Calurus resplendens) can scarcely be surpassed in any country. It inhabits Central America, and is the sacred bird of the aborigines, and mentioned by Mr. Stephens and other travellers in the countries which it inhabits. Its plumage, and that of many other American species, is of fine metallic golden green and scarlet.

Of the Meropidæ, or Bee-eaters, no species inhabits America. Those birds are almost restricted to Asia and Africa, one species only being European.

BUTEO BAIRDII.—Hoy.
Baird’s Buzzard.
PLATE XLI. Adults?

Of the several new species of rapacious birds of North America, which have been discovered within a few years, the bird now before the reader is one of the most interesting. It is the second species now ascertained to inhabit this continent, of a group constituting the typical genus Buteo of naturalists, which until a recent period was supposed to be peculiar to the Old World, the previously known American species being Swainson’s Buzzard (Buteo Swainsonii), a bird of the northern regions, little known and nearly lost sight of until recently by ornithologists.

The birds of this group are more active and Falcon-like in their habits than the other species of the North American Buzzards, all of which have been classified in other sub-genera. They also appear to be more strictly predatory in their habits.

The present species was discovered by P. R. Hoy, M. D., an active and enthusiastic naturalist of Racine, Wisconsin, who first observed it and obtained specimens in the vicinity of that city. In the same State, it has also been observed by the Rev. A. O. Barry, of Racine, and Mr. William Dudley, of Madison, both naturalists of extensive acquirements, who have done much to elucidate the zoology of that district. All of those gentlemen concur, however, in representing it as very probably a visitor only in Wisconsin, and migrating to more northern regions of the continent of America. In addition to their specimens, we have seen one other only, which is contained in a collection now deposited in the National Museum, Washington, and was obtained near the Great Salt Lake, Utah Territory, by Lieut. E. G. Beckwith, of the United States Army, in whose charge a party surveyed one of the proposed routes for a Railroad to the Pacific Ocean.

We have to express our obligations to Dr. Hoy for his kindness in furnishing the following notice of this bird for our present article:—

“Although never numerous, this fine Hawk is not unfrequently met with during the fall and spring, especially in the vicinity of Racine, but is exceedingly wary and difficult to approach, and as it is here an inhabitant almost exclusively of the prairies, the procuring of specimens even by an experienced hunter or collector, is almost entirely dependant on encountering it accidentally within gunshot.

“This bird may be readily known, though seen at a considerable distance or heighth in the air, by its long pointed wings and rapid flight; in the last respect somewhat resembling the Duck Hawk (Falco anatum), and in fact looking somewhat like that species when on the wing. I witnessed not long since, a bird of this species flying rapidly, but he wheeled about suddenly and struck into a covey of Partridges with wonderful celerity of movement, and bore off in his talons sufficient evidence that his exploit had been fully successful. This bird possesses much greater activity of habits than any other of our Hawks of the same genus (Buteo), and its mode of flight is quite different.

“The favorite haunts of this species are the broad prairies, over which it may be seen generally flying or coursing around in quest of its prey, or occasionally perched in repose, but very carefully keeping out of the range of the gun. It is one of the most shy of our Hawks, and I have never known an instance of its visiting the vicinity of the farm-house, or disturbing the domestic poultry, as is done by nearly all other of our birds of the Falcon kind, much to the disadvantage of their reputation with our farmers and housewives. The present bird at least saves his character in that respect, for he never comes near, and prefers also that no one shall come near him.

“The prey of this species is principally Grouse, Quails, and other birds; but when opportunity offers, he does not disdain field-mice, or even snakes. The Pinnated Grouse, or Prairie Hen, as it is universally called in our region of country (Tetrao cupido), is his most common food, which, frequenting the prairies habitually, his pursuit of this bird is the cause of his being so constantly seen in such localities. Usually he has little difficulty in procuring a supply sufficient for his wants. I am under the impression that this bird does not rear its young in this part of Wisconsin, as I have never known its nest to be found, though I have of various other species. I have never seen this bird soar in the manner of other Buzzards. It is apparently a visitor only to this part of the State of Wisconsin.”

The specimens obtained by Dr. Hoy, one of which is represented in the upper figure in our plate, present considerable similarity in colors; but we have seen one other, which had the colors much darker, and the under-parts especially much marked with black. The latter specimen is represented in our lower figure, and was obtained in the neighborhood of Madison, Wisconsin, by Mr. William Dudley, Secretary of the Wisconsin Natural History Society. The specimen from Utah Territory is almost precisely identical in color with those obtained by Dr. Hoy.

We have no further information respecting this interesting species.

DESCRIPTION AND TECHNICAL OBSERVATIONS.

Genus Buteo. Cuvier, Regne Animal, I. p. 323. (1817.)

Buteo Bairdii. Hoy, Proc. Acad., Philadelphia, VI. p. 451. (1853.)

Form. Rather smaller than Buteo lineatus; compact and robust; wings long, and pointed; third primary longest; tail moderate, rather wide, rounded.