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

Obs. This minute species of Owl is exclusively Western, having as yet only been noticed in California. It much resembles the European Glaucidium passerinum, and is about the same size. The most readily detected differences are the nearly naked toes of the present bird, and the absence of the decided reddish tinge which prevails in the color of the European species. It also resembles G. passerinoides of South America, but differs also from that species in color and other particulars.

This is the least of the species of Owls inhabiting North America, and has never been observed east of the Rocky Mountains. It lives on insects.

V. SUB-FAMILY NYCTEININÆ. THE DAY OWLS.

Head moderate, without ear-tufts; wings rather long, wide; tail rather long, ample; tarsi strong, and with the toes densely covered with hair-like feathers; claws strong, sharp; plumage very thick and compact. This sub-family includes only the two species now about to be described, both of which are common to the Arctic regions of America, Europe, and Asia, migrating southward in the winter. They are the least nocturnal of all the birds of this family.

I. GENUS NYCTEA. Stephens, Cont. of Shaw’s Gen. Zool., XIII. p. 62. (1826.)

Size large; head large, without ear-tufts; no facial disc; bill short, very strong, nearly concealed by projecting feathers; wings long, wide, third quill longest; tail moderate or rather long, broad; legs short, and with the toes densely covered with feathers, almost concealing the claws, which are long, curved, and strong; general form compact and robust, and thickly feathered. This genus contains only the species described below.

Nyctea nivea. (Daudin.) The Snowy Owl. The White Owl.

Strix nivea. Daudin, Traité d’Orn., II. p. 190. (1800.)

Strix nyctea. Linn., Syst. Nat., I. p. 132. (1766.)

Strix candida. Lath., Ind. Orn., Supp., p. 14. (1801.)

Strix erminea. Shaw, Gen. Zool., VII. p. 251. (1809.)

Strix arctica. Bartram, Trav., p. 289 (1791, but not of Sparrman, 1789.)

Large; eyes large; bill nearly concealed by projecting feathers; tarsi and toes densely covered with hair-like feathers, nearly concealing the claws. Adult. Entire plumage white, in some specimens with a few spots only on the upper parts of dark brown, and on the under parts with a few irregular transverse bars of the same; quills and tail with a few spots or traces of bands of dark brown. In other specimens every feather except on the face and neck before, is distinctly banded transversely with brown, and in some specimens that color predominates on the upper parts; quills and tail with regular transverse bands of dark brown; plumage of the legs and feet pure white; bill and claws dark horn-color; irides yellow.

Dimensions. Female.—Total length, 24 to 26 inches; wing, 17; tail, 10 inches. Male, smaller.

Hab. Northern North America. Northern Europe and Asia. Greenland (Prof. Holboll); Hudson’s Bay (Mr. Hearne); Canada (Dr. Hall); Vermont (Mr. Thompson); Oregon (Dr. Townsend); Kamschatka (Pallas); Ohio (Prof. Kirtland); South Carolina, Kentucky (Audubon); Bermuda (Sir W. Jardine). Spec. in Mus. Acad., Philada.

Obs. This large and handsome Owl is abundant in the Arctic regions of America, and has been observed at the highest northern latitude yet reached by voyagers. In the winter, it migrates southward over the greater part of Asia, Europe, and North America. It is to be met with every winter in the Northern and Middle States of the Union, though greatly varying in numbers in different years. We have known it to be so abundant in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, as to be brought commonly by the farmers to the market in Philadelphia, and sold for a trifle.

According to Dr. Hall, this fine species breeds in the vicinity of Montreal, making its nest on the ground. Mr. Audubon’s plate represents this bird unusually dark.

II. GENUS SURNIA. Dumeril, Zoologie Analytique, p. 34. (1806).

Size medium or small; head moderate, without ear-tufts; facial disc obsolete; bill moderate, strongly curved, with projecting plumes at base; wings long, third quill longest; tail long, graduated, broad; legs short, and with the toes densely feathered. General form rather lengthened, but moderately robust. This genus includes the Hawk Owl of the Arctic regions and two other species of South Africa.

1. Surnia ulula. (Linn.) The Hawk Owl. The Day Owl.

Strix ulula. Linn., Syst. Nat. I., p. 133. (1766.)

Strix uralensis and hudsonia. Gm., Syst. Nat. I., p. 295. (1788.)

Strix doliata. Pallas, Zool. I., p. 316. (1811.)

Surnia borealis. Less., Traité d’Orn. I., p. 100. (1831.)

“Strix funerea. Linn.” Audubon and other authors.

Buff., Pl. Enl. 463; Edward’s Birds, pl. 62; Wilson, Am. Orn. VI., pl. 50, fig. 6; Aud., B. of Am., pl. 378; Oct. ed. I., pl. 27; Nat. Hist. N. Y. Birds, pl. 9, fig. 19.

Size medium; first three quills incised on their inner-webs; tail long, with its central feathers about two inches longer than the outer; tarsi and toes thickly feathered. Adult. Entire upper parts fuliginous brown; the head and neck behind with numerous small circular spots of white; scapulars and wing-coverts with numerous partially-concealed large spots of white; face silky grayish-white; throat mixed dark brown and white; a large brown spot on each side of the breast; all the other under parts transversely lined or striped with pale brown; quills and tail brown, with white stripes; bill pale yellowish and horn color; irides yellow; color of upper parts darkest on the head, and the white markings on the head and body varying somewhat in different specimens.

Dimensions. Female.—Total length, 16 to 17 inches; wing, 9; tail, 7 inches. Male smaller.

Hab. Northern regions of both continents. Montreal (Dr. Hall); Maine, Massachusetts (Dr. Brewer); Wisconsin (Dr. Hoy); Northern Ohio (Prof. Kirtland); Vermont (Mr. Z. Thompson); Hudson’s Bay (Dr. Richardson); New Jersey (Mr. Harris). Spec. in Mus. Acad., Philada.

Obs. This remarkable species, which partakes of the characters of both an Owl and a Hawk, is of very rare occurrence in the Middle States of this Union, though abundant in the northern regions of America, and occasionally met with in the Northern States. It is in a great measure diurnal in its habits, venturing abroad boldly in daylight.

Careful examination of numerous American and European specimens has not enabled us to detect any differences.

This bird was undoubtedly meant by Linnæus in his description of Strix ulula. The name applied to it by various authors, Strix funerea, is properly applicable to the European species, to which Gmelin gave the name Strix Tengmalmi.

The descriptions now given embrace all the species of Owls the existence of which in America north of Mexico is satisfactorily demonstrated; though in the succeeding pages various others will be enumerated as obscure or little known.

All the species enumerated in the preceding synopsis, except Nyctale albifrons, are known to be of common occurrence in some part of that portion of this continent included in our limits; and specimens of a majority of them can be obtained generally in the course of a single winter in the markets of either of the larger cities, being brought for sale from the country, as is the case with the Falcons, and also all the larger and most common wading and swimming birds. The study of the habits of Owls is, however, attended with peculiar difficulties, on account of their nocturnal habits; and it is not therefore remarkable that questions respecting common species are yet to be regarded as unsettled. The identity, for instance, of Scops asio and Scops nævia, is by no means universally admitted; nor, if identical, is the change in the colors of their plumage sufficiently well understood. Gentlemen well acquainted with American ornithology, and in whose opinions we have the highest confidence (as, for instance, Thomas B. Wilson, M. D., and Samuel W. Woodhouse, M. D., of Philadelphia), are strongly disposed to doubt that they are identical.

Specimens of Owls to be met with in North American collections are very generally in winter plumage; and the procuring of several of the species in the spring or during the summer, is comparatively of unusual occurrence. The fully ascertaining of the seasonal changes in any species is yet desirable, even if only confirming previously known facts, or the statements of authors. It is possible that Nyctale albifrons is the adult of Nyctale acadica. This we give as an example illustrative of the importance of further observations, and may be allowed to add that, of several American species nearly related to others of Europe and Asia, the comparison of specimens of similar ages and in similar seasonal plumage, is only satisfactory and reliable.

In Western North America, it is exceedingly probable that species of this family exist which are yet unknown to naturalists. In Texas, species known as inhabitants of Mexico may yet be detected.

All the Owls found in the northern portion of the United States, are in some measure migratory, and some species appear to travel in large bands, scattered over a considerable extent of country. The Snowy Owl is sometimes abundant for a few days, and then will suddenly disappear from a district, perhaps soon to appear again. The Marsh Owl appears along the river Delaware occasionally in considerable numbers, and staying but a short time, or leaving apparently only a few stragglers. We once saw what was very nearly a flock of this species, on a shooting excursion in “the Neck,” as it is called, or the point of land below Philadelphia, formed by the junction of the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers, the larger portion of which is wholly devoted to the cultivation of culinary vegetables for the market of the city. On getting over the fence into a small field, in which a crop of cabbages had been raised, the smaller heads of many of which remained, we were surprised to see a large number of stalks ornamentally surmounted by Owls. They soon, however, dispersed in all directions.

The Barn Owl (Strix pratincola), as well as the Marsh Owl (Otus brachyotus), we have known to occur in open fields, where but little concealment was possible.

The Red or Mottled Owl is very persistent in its locality, and the same pair probably returns to the woods that it has previously occupied in preceding seasons, in some measure disregarding encroachments on its extent. In a small tract of timbered land at Powelton, the hospitable residence of John Hare Powel, Esq., surrounded by villages constituting a portion of the suburbs of Philadelphia, a pair of this species continued to appear and to raise broods of young until within a period of only two or three years past, notwithstanding constantly occurring chances of molestation.

An interesting fact relating to the species just mentioned (Scops asio), has recently been communicated to us by our esteemed friend, Mr. William Kite, of Chester county, Pennsylvania, a careful observer, much attached to the pursuit of natural history. He made the singular discovery that in this species the early ceremonies in the association of a pair about to assume the duties of incubation were for the greater part performed on the ground, and were accompanied invariably by unusual and continued cries, thus illustrating in a striking manner the strong analogy of these birds to the cat-like quadrupeds. This remarkable circumstance we regard as new in the history of this family of birds, and the observation of other species would be in a high degree interesting.

Further investigations and collections in this family are particularly desirable in the western and northwestern regions of North America, and will very probably result in the discovery of species not now known to naturalists.

B.

Doubtful and obscure species which have been described as inhabiting America north of Mexico:—

1. Strix wapacuthu. Gm., Syst. Nat. I., p. 291. (1788.) Pennant, Arctic Zoology I., p. 268. Rich. and Sw. Fauna Boreali Americana, Birds, p. 86, 99.

“The Spotted Owl (Wapacuthu) weighs five pounds, and is two feet long and four broad; the irides bright yellow; bill and talons shining black, and much curved, the former covered with bristly hairs projecting from the base; space between the eyes, the cheeks, and throat, white; on the top of the head, and on each side of the concha, the extreme parts of the feathers are dusky black; concha dirty white; scapularies, with the lesser and greater coverts of the wings, white, elegantly barred with reddish dusky spots pointing downwards; the quill feathers and tail are irregularly barred and spotted with pale red and black; back and coverts of the tail white, with a few dusky spots; under coverts and vent feathers white; the breast and belly dusky white, crossed with an infinite number of narrow reddish bars; the legs are feathered to the toes; the latter covered with hairs like those of the bill, but not so strong.

“This bird is an inhabitant of the woods, makes a nest in the moss on dry ground, lays from five to ten white eggs in May, and the young fly in June, and are entirely white for some time after. They feed on mice and small birds, which they generally kill themselves. Hutchins’ MSS., p. 99.” Fauna. Bor. Am., Birds, p. 99.

This species, if distinct from the Snowy Owl, is absolutely unknown to naturalists, never having been noticed by any traveller since Mr. Hutchins. Though, from the description above quoted, apparently a peculiar species, the same name is given by the natives in the vicinity of Hudson’s Bay, to the Snowy Owl, according to Mr. Hearne (Journey to the Northern Ocean, p. 402. London, 1795, quarto); and it, too, makes its nest on the ground. With so little positive information, it is impossible to form more than conjectures respecting the bird alluded to in the description, and it must be left as an interesting matter of inquiry for future explorers and naturalists.

It may be observed with reference to Mr. Hearne’s statement, that if the bird he alluded to was really an Owl, it differs from any other American species in laying from “five to ten eggs.” Careful and evidently accurate statements respecting the incubation of nearly all the northern species, are given by Dr. Hall, in his “Sketch of the Zoology of the District of Montreal” (manuscript in our possession); and no species is represented as producing more than “four to five eggs,” except the Mottled Owl (Scops nævia), which lays “five to six.” The Snowy Owl, it is stated by Dr. Hall, lays “two white eggs.”

2. Otus mexicanus. (Gm.)

Strix mexicana. Gmelin, Syst. Nat. I., p. 288. (1766.)

Bubo clamator. Vieill., Ois d’Am., Sept. I., p. 52, pl. 20. (1807.)

Strix longirostris. Spix Av. Bras. 1., p. 20, pl. 9 a. (1824.)

This Owl, which is a rather common South American species, is stated by Vieillot to inhabit America from Cayenne to Hudson’s Bay. His remarks apply, however, to the Scops asio in mottled plumage; though a good plate is given by him of the bird, of which the name is above cited, no specimen of which has ever come under our notice, captured in any part of the United States.

3. Strix Georgica. Lath., Gen. Syn. Supp., p. 15. (1801.)

“Size of the Barn Owl; length sixteen inches and a half; bill yellow; the plumage on the upper parts of the bird is brown, banded with yellowish; throat and breast pale brown, crossed with whitish bands; belly yellowish white, marked with longish red brown streaks; thighs and legs woolly, whitish or very pale in color, varied with small blackish spots; quills and tail feathers brown, crossed with four or five white bands.

“I met with this specimen in the collection of Mr. Humphries, said to have come from several miles within South Georgia, in America.” (Latham, General Synopsis of Birds, Supplement II., p. 64.)

This bird is placed by Latham, in his division of Owls, “with smooth heads,” and probably refers to the Short-eared Owl (Otus brachyotus). The description is not, however, entirely applicable. This name may, however, be entitled to precedence as the proper name of that species in the genus Brachyotus; and, as an aspirant to such honors, we recommend it to the favorable notice of enterprising ornithologists; and also, while our hand is in, respectfully suggest that as a name for the allied European species, arctica, Sparrmann, which dates 1789 (Mus. Carls., pl. 51), might do as well as palustris, and have the advantage of more mature age.

4. Strix forficata. Aud., Orn. Biog. V., p. 334. (1839.)

“I shot this bird in the vicinity of Green Bay, when on my way across to the Mississippi; but the drawing which I made of it on the spot has been lost. It was about the size of Strix acadica, of a dark grey color, with the tail long and deeply forked; but I am unable to describe it more particularly, the Journal in which it was noticed having been, along with others, destroyed by the great fire which happened in New York some years ago.” (Audubon, as above.)

The bird here alluded to has never again been observed so far as we have learned. The description probably applies to an unknown species, and certainly to one not known as an inhabitant of the United States.

5. “Strix passerina. Gmel.” Aud., Orn. Biog. V., p. 269. (1839.)

Aud., B. of Am., pl. 432, fig. 3; Oct. ed. I., pl. 29.

“Bill greyish, its ridge and tip greyish yellow; iris dark; claws brownish black, lighter at the base; the general color of the upper parts is chocolate brown; the feathers of the head have an oblong white median mark, and, as they are small, this part is marked with numerous spots; on the hind neck the white spots are very large, forming a conspicuous patch; on the back most of the feathers have a single large subterminal roundish spot, which is also the case with the scapulars and wing coverts, some of which, however, have two or more spots; all the quills have marginal reddish-white spots on both webs, the third quill with six on the outer and four on the inner, with two very faint pale bars toward the end; the tail is similarly marked with four bands of transversely-oblong reddish-white spots; on the anterior part of the disc, the feathers are whitish, with black shafts, on the lower part whitish, on the hind part brown, tipped with greyish-white; a broad band of white crosses the throat and curves upward on either side to the ear; there is also a patch of white on the lower part of the fore-neck, and between them is a brownish-grey band; the general colour of the lower parts is dull yellowish-white, each feather with a broad longitudinal band of chocolate-brown; the abdomen and lower tail coverts unspotted; the tarsal feathers dull white.”

Dimensions. Length, to end of tail, 10½ inches; to end of wings, 10; wing, from flexure, 6¼; tail, 3½; tarsus, 1¼ inches. (Aud., as above.)

The bird here described is stated by Mr. Audubon to have been procured near Pictou, Nova Scotia; and he appears to have been confident that it was identical with the European Strix passerina. It is, however, clearly not that species. We would suppose it to be the young of Nyctale Richardsoni, were it not described as having the “iris dark.” It may be a small and curious new species of Syrnium, or perhaps Nyctale, and the procuring of specimens would be in a high degree interesting. We have no knowledge of it ever having been observed since the publication of the above description by Mr. Audubon.

6. Syrnium aluco. (Linn.)

Strix aluco. Linn., Syst. Nat. I., p. 132. (1766.)

Strix stridula. Linn., Syst. Nat. I., p. 133. (1766.)

Selby, Brit. Orn., pl. 25; Gould, B. of Eur. I., pl. 47.

This well known European species is given by Mr. Nuttall, in his “Manual of the Ornithology of the United States and Canada” (I., p. 135), and is stated by him to have been found in the northern regions of this continent. Such is probably the case; but no American specimen has ever come under our notice.

This species exhibits very nearly the same variety of plumage as the American Red and Mottled Owls (Scope asio and nævia), and has been described repeatedly under different names.

7. Strix peregrinator. The Sharp-winged Owl. Bartram, Travels, p. 285. (1793.)

With the head eared and the body variegated in color.

Impossible to determine from the brief description, though being given as a species inhabiting Pennsylvania, probably applicable to the Long-eared Owl (Otus Wilsonianus).

8. Strix diurnalis. The Short-winged Day Owl. Barton, Fragments of the Nat. Hist. of Penna., p. 9. (1799.)

Stated by Professor Barton to have been observed by him in Pennsylvania on the 15th of December, 1791, but of the species he gives no description.

The names and descriptions now given comprise all that have come under our notice, represented as inhabiting North America within our limits.

Of the birds of this family, the names proposed by the older American naturalists and others, are not numerous; and though the group may be regarded as presenting some difficulties to the student, the correct nomenclature of North American species is not difficult to determine. Bartram enumerated six species (Travels, p. 285), to all of which, except one, he gives names for the first time employed to designate the birds to which he alludes, and to a few of which he attaches sufficient descriptions. All of his species had, however, been previously described, and we have, we believe, cited his names as synonymes, so far as they can be ascertained.

The greatest difficulty in the study of the Owls of North America will be found in the intimate resemblance that a few species bear to others of Europe and Asia, and, we may add, in the examination of the birds which we have given in the preceding pages as varieties of the Great-horned Owl (Bubo virginianus). The variations that we have noticed, and especially those of color, may be ascertained by subsequent observation to be so uniform and constant as to constitute specific distinction, though at present we cannot so regard them.

In the Owls of other countries there are several groups in which it is very difficult to determine the species, on account of their resemblance to each other. This is especially the case with the small species of the genus Scops, which inhabit India and other countries of Asia; and there are, too, many of the birds of this genus, of all countries, that are exceedingly perplexing. In fact, we would hardly recommend a student in natural history to begin General Ornithology with the Owls.

With this family we conclude the rapacious Birds.

BUTEO INSIGNATUS.—(Cassin.)
The Brown Buzzard.
PLATE XXXI.—Adult Male and Young Female.

One of the most remarkable facts in the geographical distribution of the birds of western and northwestern North America is, that many species extend their range in northern latitudes almost or quite to the shores of the Atlantic ocean, while not a single instance is on record of the same species having been observed in either of the middle or southern States of the Union. The Magpie, which on the Pacific is commonly found southwardly as far as Mexico, has been noticed by Dr. Hoy, at Racine, in the State of Wisconsin. The Lark Bunting (Emberiza grammaca), another western bird, has also been ascertained by the same gentleman to be abundant in the State just mentioned; and the only specimen that we have ever seen of the Stone Chat of America (Saxicola œnanthoides), a bird discovered some years since on the coast of Oregon, was obtained in the vicinity of Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Many instances tending to demonstrate this extensive and remarkable migration might be produced, but we have unfortunately to acknowledge ourselves unable to offer a theory or even hypothesis attempting to account for it, and must regard the facts as remaining among many in natural history with which naturalists are for the present under the necessity of resting, without inference or application to any established general principles. Important results will yet reward American naturalists who may engage in this interesting field of scientific research.

Instinct is little or nothing more than inherited memory. But we are by no means satisfied that any definition which we have yet met with of the faculty known by the latter name is strictly correct. Whatever memory is, that inherited we are disposed to regard as instinct. And that the impressions on this faculty are transmissable in animals from parents to their offspring, we regard the migration of young birds, particularly those of a first brood, when the parents remain to attend to a second, as clearly substantiating.

The bird now before the reader is a species that appears to perform the extended northward migration to which we have alluded, and is one of the most remarkable instances that has come to our knowledge. It was first described by us from a specimen obtained in the vicinity of Montreal, Canada, and the only instance of its having been observed since, has been by Dr. Heermann, in California; though if ever occurring in the middle or southern States on the Atlantic, in the same latitude as on the Pacific, it has escaped the researches of all previous naturalists or travellers.

Adult and young birds of this species were observed, and specimens were obtained by Dr. Heermann, who ascertained that it reared its young in California.

For an opportunity to examine the specimen originally described by us in the present volume (p. 102), we are indebted to our lamented friend and correspondent, M. McCulloch, M. D., a naturalist of extensive acquirements, and an eminent physician, late of Montreal, but, we much regret to add, now recently deceased, and to John Pangman, Esq., of Grace Hall, in the vicinity of that city. Mr. Pangman had the kindness to interest himself, in conjunction with Dr. McCulloch, so much as to obtain the loan of the specimen from the Natural History Society of Montreal, in the museum of which it was deposited, and to bring it for our inspection to Philadelphia, and we shall not soon forget his evident and enlightened gratification, nor our own great pleasure, when we assured him that it was a bird hitherto unknown as an inhabitant of North America, and, as we then supposed, very probably an undescribed species, which we subsequently ascertained to be the case.

This is one of the most remarkable of the rapacious birds which have been recently added to the ornithological fauna of the United States. It differs entirely in color from any previously-known American species, unless it may be supposed to approximate in that character to the little-known Harlan’s Buzzard of Audubon. It bears also some distant resemblance to one stage of plumage of the Black Hawk.

The only information relative to the habits of this bird that we have in our power at present to lay before the reader, is the following from the Journal of Dr. Heermann:

“I first remarked this species at the crossing of Graysonville ferry, on the San Joaquim river, California, and continued to meet with it occasionally until we had crossed Kern river. Owing to the lateness of the season, I was able to ascertain but little respecting its propagation; the only nests which were found having been forsaken some time previously by the young. These nests, composed externally of coarse sticks, and lined with roots, were built in the topmost branches of oaks, which grow abundantly on the banks of the large water-courses.

“This bird, like the rest of its genus, appears sluggish in its habits, perching for hours in a quiescent state on some tall tree, and permitting the hunter to approach without showing any signs of fear. This apparent stolidity may, however, be owing to the fact that it is seldom molested, and has not yet learned to mistrust a gun, as do the birds of prey in more settled portions of the country.”

The specimens brought by Dr. Heermann are now in the national collection at Washington city.

DESCRIPTION AND TECHNICAL OBSERVATIONS.

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

Buteo insignatus. Cassin, Birds of California and Texas, I., p. 102. (1854.)

Form. Short and robust; wing long; third quill longest, secondaries emarginate at their tips; quills wide; tail moderate or rather short, somewhat rounded; under coverts of the tail long; tarsi rather short, feathered in front below the joints, with the tibiæ naked behind, and having in front about ten transverse scales; claws rather long, moderately curved; bill short; upper mandible slightly festooned.

Dimensions. Adult male.—Total length of skin, 17 inches; wing, 14½; tail, 7½ inches.

Colors. Under coverts of the wing and tail white, the former striped longitudinally with pale ferruginous, each feather having a central dark line, and the latter transversely with reddish-brown; edges of wings at the shoulders nearly pure white; plumage of the tibiæ rufous, mixed with brown; throat and a few feathers of the forehead white, each feather having a line of dark brown, nearly black; entire other plumage above and below dark brown, nearly every feather having a darker or nearly black central line; quills above brown, with a slight purple lustre, beneath pale cinerous, with their shafts white, and with irregular and indistinct transverse bands of white; tail above dark brown, with an ashy or hoary tinge, and having about ten transverse bands of a darker shade of the same color; beneath nearly white, with conspicuous transverse bands of brown, the widest of which is subterminal; tip paler; bill dark; cere, tarsi, and feet yellow. Adult male.

Young. Entire upper plumage dark brown; on the back of the head and neck white at base, and edged with reddish; scapulars and greater coverts of the wing with large partially-concealed rufous spots; under parts reddish-white, every feather with a large terminal oblong spot of dark brown, and on the abdomen and tibiæ with numerous transverse bands of the same color; under tail coverts very pale reddish-white, with a few transverse spots and lines; inferior coverts of the wing pale reddish-white, with large brown spots.

Hab. Canada and California. Spec. in Nat. Mus., Washington city.

Obs. There is no other North American Buzzard with which there is any probability of the present bird being confounded by the student, on account of the peculiarity of its colors. In this character it bears a resemblance to some stages of plumage of Circus hudsonius, or to the European Circus æruginosus. It also is somewhat similar in colors, especially those of the young bird, to Buteo pennsylvanicus, but is much larger, and readily distinguished.

MELANERPES THYROIDEUS.—(Cassin.)
The Black-breasted Woodpecker.
PLATE XXXII.—Male.

The species of Woodpeckers are more abundant in the regions on the Pacific Ocean or west of the Rocky mountains than in any other part of North America. Several of them inhabiting those countries are, too, amongst the handsomest birds of this family, as, for instance, Lewis’s Woodpecker (Melanerpes torquatus), a species now brought in almost every collection from California; the Red-breasted Woodpecker (Melanerpes ruber), a beautiful little species, with the head, neck and breast brilliant carmine; the Californian Woodpecker (Melanerpes formicivorus), figured in plate 2 of the present volume; and various others, attractive on account of either the beauty or the singularity of their colors.

The extensive and but partially-explored forests of Northern California and Oregon are peculiarly well adapted to the habits of this group of birds. This is, however, not solely the reason that they are found there; but there are principles involved which are at present beyond the deepest reasoning of zoologists, and are as yet subjects of theory only. All that we can positively advance is, that of the Woodpeckers of North America, the greatest number of species, and of more handsome plumaged forms, than elsewhere in our portion of the continent, are inhabitants of California and Oregon; and that whatever causes have tended to the development of this family of birds, they have been more efficient in the regions alluded to, than elsewhere in North America.

Philosophic zoology is yet in its infancy. Extreme conservatism in science fondly rests satisfied with present knowledge, and visionary speculators raise mountains of opinionative systems and theories, which must be cleared away to allow real progress. Between the two classes of operators, the true man of science may have a difficult time of it. Of sawing the air there is abundance, but much as elsewhere very little is done in zoology with due emphasis and discretion.

In addition to the species alluded to above, there is found in the forests of Oregon and the Rocky Mountains, the largest of all the Woodpeckers, a magnificent species related to the Ivory-billed Woodpecker of the Southern States, but much larger, and which has up to this period escaped the observation of any American naturalist, except Dr. Townsend, who saw it, but did not procure specimens. It is the Dryocopus imperialis, first described by Mr. Gould, a distinguished English ornithologist. This fine bird will be figured in a subsequent part of the present volume.

The bird now before the reader was discovered in California by Mr. John G. Bell, of New York, deservedly well known as a naturalist, and beyond comparison the most skilful preparer of birds and quadrupeds and general taxidermist in the United States. Mr. Bell was the first naturalist who visited California after it became a portion of the United States; and during his stay in that country, made a large and highly interesting collection, in which was the present and other new species. He observes in his notes now before us, that he found this bird in one locality only, and observed but two specimens, both of which he obtained.

Subsequently this Woodpecker has been found in California by Dr. Heermann, and in New Mexico by Dr. Henry; but is stated by both to be of rare occurrence. The former of these gentlemen observes:—

“I procured this bird three years since in the southern mines of California, where it frequents more especially the pine trees. I never saw it alight on the oaks, although abundant in that locality. It is one of the most rare of the Woodpeckers of that country.”

Dr. Henry states: “Of this bird I know nothing farther than that I procured a single specimen in the mountains near Fort Webster, in the winter of 1852-3. I shot it from near the summit of a tall pine tree, and was not aware until I obtained it, that it was different from any other species that I had ever seen. My efforts to find it again have been unremitting, but without success; and I regard it as a rare bird in this district. The specimen in my collection is an adult male.”

The figure in our plate is two-thirds of the size of life.

The plant represented is Habrothamnus fasciculatus, a native of Mexico.

DESCRIPTION AND TECHNICAL OBSERVATIONS.

Genus Melanerpes. Swainson, Fauna Boreali Americana, Birds, p. 316.

Melanerpes thyroideus. (Cassin), Proc. Acad. Philada., V., p. 349. (1851.)

Form. Short and compact; bill moderate, strong; upper mandible with the ridge (or culmen) very distinct, and short ridges over the apertures of the nostrils; wing rather long; third primary longest; tail moderate, graduated, with all its feathers somewhat rigid; two middle feathers longest.

Dimensions. Total length of skin, about 8¾ inches; wing, 5¼; tail, 3¾ inches.

Colors. Male.—Breast with a large semi-circular patch or transverse belt of black; middle of the abdomen yellow; head above and throat pale brown, with obscure longitudinal lines and spots of black; back, wing coverts, sides of the body, and inferior coverts of the tail, transversely striped with white and black, the former tinged with obscure yellowish; rump and superior coverts of the tail white; a few feathers of the coverts with irregular bars of black on their outer webs; quills black, with spots of white on both edges; tail black, with irregular spots of white; bill and tarsi dark. Female.—Similar to the male, but with the colors more obscure, and the black of the breast of less extent and not so deep in shade.

Hab. California and New Mexico. Spec. in Mus. Acad., Philada., and Nat. Mus., Washington city.

Obs. Somewhat resembles in form only the Red Woodpecker of western North America (Melanerpes ruber), but is larger and differently colored. It also in some respects resembles the yellow-bellied Woodpecker (Picus varius), but not so much as to render it necessary for differences to be specially designated. It is possible that this species, when perfectly mature, or in spring plumage, may assume more brilliant colors, as do others of its genus.

We regard this bird as singularly blending the characters of genera which in typical species are very distinct and easily defined. It is of the general form of Melanerpes, though not strictly; while in some other respects, especially in colors, it shows an alliance to that group of typical Picus, which includes Picus varius, and several other American species. Our present arrangement or generic designation is provisional only.

CARDINALIS SINUATUS.—Bonaparte.
The Texan Cardinal Bird.
PLATE XXXIII. Male and Female.

In our present plate we present to the reader one of the most delicately colored of the many fine-plumaged birds which inhabit the southwestern countries of this Republic, and it is another of the birds of Mexico whose range of locality northwardly extends to within the limits of the United States. Our bird is, however, resident in Texas, or of but limited migration during the coldest season. It has occasionally been observed in considerable numbers; but is as yet to be met with in comparatively few collections, and is much valued by collectors.

Though not very closely resembling the beautiful Cardinal bird of the Northern States (Cardinalis virginianus), its general form, particularly its lengthened and handsome crest and long tail, are strictly similar, and its habits are of the same general character. The bill, however, in the present species will be found to be singularly different from that of any other bird of this genus.

The group of birds to which that now before us belongs, is composed of four or five species remarkable for their graceful forms and very showy colors, all of which inhabit North and Central America. In addition to the attractions of their plumage, these birds possess very considerable powers of voice, though by no means entitled to be ranked as songsters. The Cardinal bird, known also by the names of Virginia Nightingale and Red Bird, is the only species inhabiting the States north of Texas, and is frequently met with at all seasons in the States on the Atlantic. It inhabits, for the greater part, low and damp woods, in which there is a profuse undergrowth of bushes, and is particularly partial to the vicinity of water-courses. The male, on account of the splendid vermilion of his plumage, always attracts attention; and though rather shy and careful in exposing himself, is frequently shot by gunners for no other purpose than the possession of such a handsome bird.

The colors of our northern Cardinal bird are vermilion, with the throat black. In Mexico, there is found another beautiful species, singularly resembling in form and color that to which we have just alluded, but wanting the black throat. It differs also in the shape of the bill and some minor characters.

The bird now before the reader was originally described as a bird of Mexico, in the Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London, by Charles Lucian Bonaparte, Prince of Canino, one of the most accomplished zoologists of Europe, and held in deservedly high estimation in this country, on account of his splendid volumes on American Ornithology. His specimens were obtained near the city of Mexico.

Within the limits of the United States, this species was first observed by Capt. J. P. McCown, of the United States Army, at Ringgold Barracks, in Texas. Since that period, it has been noticed and specimens brought in collections by several of the naturalists, who have accompanied expeditions sent by the government, though never, so far as we have learned, out of the State of Texas.

To Captain McCown we are indebted for the following note respecting this species, for which and many similar favors we beg to tender our acknowledgements.

“This handsome species was occasionally seen on the Rio Grande, having apparently a strong partiality for damp and bushy woods; and in fact so far as I observed never venturing far from the river. I cannot speak positively, but am under the impression that it remains in Texas during the whole year, having seen it so late in the fall, and again so early in the Spring, that if not constantly resident, its migration must at any rate be very limited. It is a gay, sprightly bird, generally seen in company with others of the same species, frequently erecting its crest, and calling to its mate or comrades, though rather shy and not easily approached. Its voice and general habits appeared to me as very similar to those of the common species of the Northern States. I never saw its nest, though it undoubtedly breeds in Texas.”

During his late connection with Lieut. Williamson’s expedition, this bird was noticed by Dr. Heermann, from whose beautiful specimens, through his kindness, our plate has been prepared, and who has allowed us to make the following extract from his Journal:—

“After leaving Teusoa, we observed the first specimen of this bird but little beyond the crossing of the San Pedro river. It was in a dry caignau, perched on a bush, and seemed weary and lost, and was probably a wanderer, as no more were observed until we reached El Paso. At this place, in the vicinity of the habitations of man, we found it quite common, frequenting the hedges and trees, and continued to see it occasionally on our road until we left civilization behind us. Raising its crest erect as it moves actively about in search of food, it emits at intervals a clear, plaintive whistle, varied by a few detached notes. It is said to be quite common on the Rio Grande river and in Mexico.”

This species was also found in Texas by Mr. John H. Clark, zoologist, attached to the Mexican boundary surveying party. In Mexico, particularly in the States of Tamaulipas and Nueva Leon, Lieut. Couch observed it in considerable numbers.

Our figures, which are those of the adult male and female, are rather less than two-thirds of the size of life.