A Synopsis of the Birds of North America

Part 1

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Transcriber's note:

Text enclosed by underscores is in italics (italics).

Complicated fractions appear in several places. For example, 3-((7-1/2)/12). This should be read as three and seven and one-half twelfths.

This book contains numerous references to numbered Plates. Each plate had one or more illustrations pertinent to the species being discussed. The Plates were published and sold separately and were not included in this book.

A SYNOPSIS OF THE BIRDS OF NORTH AMERICA.

JOHN JAMES AUDUBON, F.R.SS. L. & E.

Member of Various Scientific Associations in Europe and America.

Edinburgh: Adam and Charles Black, Edinburgh; Longman, Rees, Brown, Green, and Longman, London. MDCCCXXXIX.

Printed by Neill and Co. Old Fishmarket Edinburgh.

PREFACE.

I have been induced to present this Volume to the Public by two considerations. The figures and descriptions contained in the works entitled "The Birds of America," and "Ornithological Biography, or an Account of the Habits of the Birds of the United States," having been issued in the miscellaneous manner which was thought best adapted to the occasion, or which was rendered necessary by circumstances, seemed to require a systematic index, in which the nomenclature should be corrected, and the species arranged agreeably to my present views. This Synopsis, then, will afford a methodical catalogue of all the species hitherto discovered in the vast regions, extending from the northern confines of Mexico to the Polar Seas, and which have been described, and, with few exceptions, depicted in the works above named. Another important object has been to present an arrangement of these birds, so characterized, that a person desirous of studying them, might, without much difficulty, be enabled to discover their names, and trace some of the most important features in their organization.

The species are disposed into genera and families; and, although the location of the groups is not such as, in all respects, to satisfy me, the arrangement will, I trust, be found in some degree useful. It will be seen that, although I have adopted many of the modern groups, I have not sectioned our birds on so minutely divided a scale as that employed by some recent writers. Besides the characters of the Families, Genera, and Species, which are given with considerable detail, I have presented a short account of the Geographical Distribution of the species, and references to the principal authors by whom they have been described. I am confident that these notices will suffice to enable the student to determine with certainty any species that may come under his consideration, and that the information respecting its habits, which he will find in the works referred to, will afford him at least sufficient knowledge to form a basis for the more extended observation which he may contemplate. To the name of the genus I have appended that of the author by whom it has been instituted; and with the specific names I have dealt in the same manner, giving as authorities the individuals who first employed them, although they may have referred them to different genera. It is probable that many errors have been made in this department; but I shall be happy to see them corrected, as my wish is to do justice to all.

On this occasion I have again to acknowledge the benefit derived from the aid of my friend Mr Macgillivray, whose general knowledge of ornithology, and perfect candour, have rendered his advice peculiarly valuable.

J. J. AUDUBON.

Edinburgh, 1st July 1839.

TABLE OF CONTENTS.

Page

FAMILY I. VULTURINÆ. VULTURINE BIRDS, 1

Genus 1. Cathartes. Turkey-Vulture, 1

II. FALCONINÆ. FALCONINE BIRDS, 3 1. Polyborus. Caracara, 4 2. Buteo. Buzzard, 5 3. Aquila. Eagle, 8 4. Haliaetus. Sea-Eagle, 9 5. Pandion. Osprey, 11 6. Elanus. Elanus, 12 7. Ictinia. Ictinia, 13 8. Nauclerus. Swallow-tailed Hawk, 14 9. Falco. Falcon, 15 10. Astur. Hawk, 17 11. Circus. Harrier, 19

III. STRIGINÆ. OWLS, 20 1. Surnia. Day-Owl, 21 2. Ulula. Night-Owl, 23 3. Strix. Screech-Owl, 24 4. Syrnium. Hooting-Owl, 26 5. Otus. Eared-Owl, 27 6. Bubo. Horned-Owl, 29

IV. CAPRIMULGINÆ. GOATSUCKERS, 30 1. Caprimulgus. Goatsucker, 31 2. Chordeiles. Night-Hawk, 32

V. CYPSELINÆ. SWIFTS, 33 1. Chætura. Spine-Tail, 33

VI. HIRUNDINÆ. SWALLOWS, 34 1. Hirundo. Swallow, 34

VII. MUSCICAPINÆ. FLYCATCHERS, 37 1. Milvulus. Swallow-Tail, 37 2. Muscicapa. Flycatcher, 39 3. Ptilogonys. Ptilogonys, 45 4. Culicivora. Gnat-Catcher, 46

VIII. SYLVICOLINÆ. WOOD-WARBLERS, 47 1. Myiodioctes. Flycatching-Warbler, 48 2. Sylvicola. Wood-Warbler, 50 3. Trichas. Ground-Warbler, 63 4. Helinaia. Swamp-Warbler, 66 5. Mniotilta. Creeping-Warbler, 70

IX. CERTHIANÆ. CREEPERS, 71 1. Certhia. Tree-Creeper, 72 2. Troglodytes. Wren, 73

Part 2

X. PARINÆ. TITS, 77 1. Parus. Tit, 78

XI. SYLVIANÆ. WARBLERS, 80 1. Regulus. Kinglet, 81 2. Sialia. Blue Bird, 83

XII. TURDINÆ. THRUSHES, 85 1. Cinclus. Dipper, 86 2. Orpheus. Mocking-Bird, 86 3. Turdus. Thrush, 88

XIII. MOTACILLINÆ. WAGTAILS, 92 1. Seiurus. Wood-Wagtails, 92 2. Anthus. Pipit, 94

XIV. ALAUDINÆ. LARKS, 95 1. Alauda. Lark, 96

XV. FRINGILLINÆ. FINCHES, 97 1. Plectrophanes. Lark-Bunting, 98 2. Emberiza. Bunting, 100 3. Niphæa. Snow-Bird, 106 4. Spiza. Painted-Bunting, 107 5. Ammodramus. Shore-Finch, 109 6. Peucæa. Pinewood-Finch, 112 7. Linaria. Linnet, 113 8. Carduelis. Goldfinch, 115 9. Fringilla. Finch, 118 10. Pipilo. Ground-Finch, 123 11. Erythrospiza. Purple-Finch, 124 12. Corythus. Pine-Finch, 126 13. Loxia. Crossbill, 127 14. Corydalina. Lark-Finch, 129 15. Pitylus. Cardinal Grosbeak, 131 16. Coccoborus. Song-Grosbeak, 132 17. Coccothraustes. Grosbeak, 134 18. Pyranga. Red-Bird, 135

XVI. AGELAINÆ. MARSH-BLACKBIRDS, 137 1. Dolichonyx. Rice-Bird, 138 2. Molothrus. Cow-Bird, 139 3. Agelaius. Marsh-Blackbird, 139 4. Icterus. Hangnest, 142 5. Quiscalus. Crow-Blackbird, 145

XVII. STURNINÆ. STARLINGS, 147 1. Sturnella. Meadow-Starling, 148

XVIII. CORVINÆ. CROWS, 149 1. Corvus. Crow, 150 2. Pica. Magpie, 151 3. Garrulus. Jay, 153 4. Nucifraga. Nutcracker, 155

XIX. LANIINÆ. SHRIKES, 156 1. Lanius. Shrike, or Butcher-Bird, 157

XX. VIREONINÆ. GREENLETS, 159 1. Vireo. Greenlet, 159

XXI. PIPRINÆ. MANAKINS, 162 1. Icteria. Chat, 163

XXII. AMPELINÆ. CHATTERERS, 163 1. Bombycilla. Waxwing, 164

XXIII. SITTINÆ. NUTHATCHES, 166 1. Sitta. Nuthatch, 166

XXIV. TROCHILINÆ. HUMMINGBIRDS, 168 1. Trochilus. Hummingbird, 169 2. Selasphorus. Ruffed-Hummingbird, 171

XXV. ALCEDINÆ. KINGFISHERS, 172 1. Alcedo. Kingfisher, 172

XXVI. PICINÆ. WOODPECKERS, 174 1. Picus. Woodpecker, 175

XXVII. CUCULINÆ. CUCKOOS, 186 1. Coccyzus. American Cuckoo, 186

XXVIII. PSITTACINÆ. PARROTS, 188 1. Centurus., 188

XXIX. COLUMBINÆ. PIGEONS, 189 1. Columba. Dove, 190 2. Starnænas. Ground Dove, 193 3. Ectopistes. Long-tailed Dove, 194

XXX. PAVONINÆ. PAVONINE BIRDS, 195 1. Meleagris. Turkey, 196

XXXI. PERDICINÆ. PARTRIDGES, 198 1. Ortyx. American Partridge, 198

XXXII. TETRAONINÆ. GROUSE, 201 1. Tetrao. Grouse, 201 2. Lagopus. Ptarmigan, 206

XXXIII. RALLINÆ. RAILS, 209 1. Gallinula. Gallinule, 209 2. Fulica. Coot, 211 3. Ortygometra. Crake-Gallinule, 212 4. Rallus. Rail, 214 5. Aramus. Courlan, 216

XXXIV. GRUINÆ. CRANES, 218 1. Grus. Crane, 218

XXXV. CHARADRIINÆ. PLOVERS, 219 1. Charadrius. Plover, 220 2. Aphriza. Surf-Bird, 225 3. Strepsilas. Turnstone, 226 4. Hæmatopus. Oyster-catcher, 228

XXXVI. SCOLOPACINÆ. SNIPES, 229 1. Tringa. Sandpiper, 230 2. Phalaropus. Phalarope, 238 3. Lobipes. Lobefoot, 240 4. Totanus. Tatler, 241 5. Limosa. Godwit, 246 6. Scolopax. Snipe, 247 7. Microptera. Bogsucker, 250 8. Recurvirostra. Avocet, 251 9. Himantopus. Stilt, 252 10. Numenius. Curlew, 253

XXXVII. TANTALINÆ. IBISES, 256 1. Ibis. Ibis, 256 2. Tantalus. Tantalus, 258 3. Platalea. Spoonbill, 259

Part 3

XXXVIII. ARDEINÆ. HERONS, 261 1. Ardea. Heron, 261

XXXIX. ANATINÆ. DUCKS, 267 1. Phœnicopterus. Flamingo, 268 2. Anser. Goose, 270 3. Cygnus. Swan, 273 4. Anas. Duck, 275 5. Fuligula. Sea-Duck, 284

XL. MERGINÆ. MERGANSERS, 298 1. Mergus. Merganser, 297

XLI. PELECANINÆ. PELICANS, 300 1. Phalacrocorax. Cormorant, 301 2. Plotus. Anhinga, 305 3. Tachypetes. Frigate Bird, 306 4. Pelecanus. Pelican, 308 5. Sula. Gannet, 310 6. Phaeton. Tropic Bird, 312

XLII. LARINÆ. GULLS, 313 1. Rhynchops. Skimmer, 313 2. Sterna. Tern, 315 3. Larus. Gull, 322

XLIII. PROCELLARINÆ. FULMARS, 330 1. Lestris. Jager, 331 2. Diomedea. Albatross, 333 3. Procellaria. Fulmar, 335 4. Puffinus. Shearwater, 337 5. Thalassidroma. Petrel, 339

XLIV. ALCINÆ. AUKS, 341 1. Mormon. Puffin, 342 2. Alca. Auk, 344 3. Phaleris. Phaleris, 345 4. Mergulus. Sea-Dove, 348 5. Uria. Guillemot, 349

XLV. COLYMBINÆ. DIVERS AND GREBES, 351 1. Colymbus. Diver, 352 2. Podiceps. Grebe, 355

SYNOPSIS.

FAMILY I. VULTURINÆ. VULTURINE BIRDS, OR VULTURES.

Bill of moderate length, stout, cerate; upper mandible with the tip elongated and decurved; lower mandible rounded and thin-edged at the end. Head rather small, or of moderate size, ovato-oblong, and with part of the neck destitute of feathers. Eyes of moderate size, without projecting ridges. External aperture of ears rather small and simple. Skin over the fore part of the neck bare or merely downy. Tarsus rather stout, bare, and shorter than the middle toe; hind toe much smaller than the second; anterior toes connected at the base by a web; claws large, moderately curved, rather acute. Plumage full and rather compact. Wings very long, subacuminate. Œsophagus excessively wide, and dilated into a crop; stomach rather large, somewhat muscular, with a soft rugous epithelium; intestine of moderate length and width; cœca extremely small. The young when fledged have the head and upper part of the neck generally covered with down. Eggs commonly two.

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