Part 41

Range.—Eastern N. A., breeding from the middle of the U. S. northward; winters throughout the U. S. 761b. Southern Robin (achrustera) is a paler form found in the Carolinas and Georgia.

GREENLAND WHEATEAR 765a. Saxicola œnanthe leucorrhoa. 6 inches

The Wheatear is a European bird, but this sub-species is found in Greenland and occasionally in Labrador.

Their habits are about the same as those of the Bluebird. They feed upon insects, larvæ, fruits, berries and some seeds. They are essentially ground birds and are usually found in rocky country.

Nest.—Their nests are made of grasses, hair or any rubbish obtainable, and are hidden in the innermost recesses of crevices among rocks, in deserted Bank Swallow nests or even in rabbit burrows.

The four to six eggs are pale greenish blue, a little brighter in shade than those of the Bluebird. They measure .94 × .60

BLUEBIRD 766. Sialia sialis. 7 inches

These beautiful, gentle and well-known birds spend the winter in the southern parts of the United States and north to the snow line; some more hardy than the rest are found throughout the winter in southern New England.

Call.—A short sweet warble; song, a continued warbling.

Nest.—In holes in trees, particularly in orchards, in bird boxes or crannies about the buildings. The bottom of the cavity is lined with grasses for the reception of the four or five pale bluish eggs, which measure .84 × .62.

Range.—Eastern United States, breeding from the Gulf to New Brunswick and Manitoba; winters chiefly in the southern parts of the United States. 766a. Azure Bluebird (azurea) is found in the mountains of eastern Mexico and north casually to southern Arizona. It is paler both above and below than our eastern bird.

FIELD KEY FOR IDENTIFICATION OF EASTERN LAND BIRDS BY CONSPICUOUS MARKINGS

We have added this key at the request of many of our readers for a color scheme for identification. It includes all the birds that have markings of sufficient prominence to be readily noticed in the field.

1. BIRDS WITH RED OR ORANGE MARKINGS

Scarlet body; black wings and tail; 7½ in.—SCARLET TANAGER. Red; darker above; crested; black face; 9 in.—CARDINAL. Rosy-red; wings and tail slightly darker; 7½ in.—SUMMER TANAGER. Rosy-red; white wing bars; crossed bill; 6 in.—WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILL. Rosy-red; gray back, wings and tail; stout bill; 8½ in.—PINE GROSBEAK. Brick-red; wings and tail darker; crossed bill; 6 in.—CROSSBILL. Purplish-red, streaked with darker; dark wings and tail.—PURPLE FINCH. Red below; blue head; yellow back; 5½ in.—PAINTED BUNTING. Red patch on crown (concealed); greenish back; 4½ in.—KINGLET. Red cap; black chin; rosy breast; streaked; 5¼ in.—REDPOLL. Pink breast and under wings; black head and back; 8 in.—ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK. Ruby throat; metallic green back; tiny birds—HUMMINGBIRD. Orange-red under wings and patch on crown; long forked rail.—SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER. Orange; black head, wings and tail (marked with yellow)—BALTIMORE ORIOLE. Orange breast, crown patch and above eye; black and white back, wings and tail—BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER. Orange crown patch, edged with black; green back; 4 in.—KINGLET. Orange on sides, wings and tail; black above; 5½ in.—REDSTART. Orange-brown crown edged with black; green back; spotted breast—OVEN-BIRD.

2. BIRDS PROMINENTLY MARKED WITH BLUE

Blue, shading to purplish on head; 5½ in.—INDIGO BUNTING. Blue; chestnut shoulders; black face; 7 in.—BLUE GROSBEAK. Blue above; brownish breast; 7 in.—BLUEBIRD. Blue above; black collar, bars on wings and tail (also white)—BLUE JAY. Pale blue above and streaks below; white on wings and tail—CERULEAN WARBLER. Dark blue above; black throat and sides; white on wing—BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER. Light blue head and back; brown breast; 5½ in.—LAZULI BUNTING.

3. BIRDS WITH YELLOW AS PROMINENT COLOR

Yellow below; green back; black mask—MARYLAND YELLOW-THROAT. Yellow below; gray head and breast; 5½ in.—MOURNING WARBLER. Yellow below; gray head and breast; white eye ring—CONNECTICUT WARBLER. Yellow below; black crown and ears; yellow over eye—KENTUCKY WARBLER. Yellow below; green back; brown spots on back; black stripes on side—PRAIRIE WARBLER. Yellow below; green back; brown crown and streaks on side; white on tail—PALM WARBLER. Yellow below; green back; yellow crown; brown stripes on sides—YELLOW WARBLER. Yellow below; green back; brown ear patch and streaks on sides—CAPE MAY WARBLER. Yellow below; green back; brown patch on crown; head gray above—NASHVILLE WARBLER. Yellow below; green back; orange-yellow head; white on tail—PROTHONOTARY WARBLER. Yellow forehead, ears and below; green back; cap and throat black—HOODED WARBLER. Yellow breast; gray black spotted necklace—CANADIAN WARBLER. Yellow breast; green back; gray head; white over eye—YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT. Yellow breast; gray back; black through eye and down sides—YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER. Yellow breast; yellowish patch on back; brown on throat—PARULA WARBLER. Yellow breast; green above; black throat and down sides—BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER. Yellow breast with black crescent; streaked above; 11 in.—MEADOWLARK. Yellow above and below; black cap, wings and tail—GOLDFINCH. Yellow head; black body; white patch on wing—YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD. Yellow head; gray body; brown on shoulders; 4½ in.—VERDIN. Yellow crown; chestnut on sides; streaked above—CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER. Yellow below and on rump; black back and spots on breast—MAGNOLIA WARBLER. Yellow patch on crown, rump and side; streaked with gray above—MYRTLE WARBLER.

4. BIRDS WITH BROWN MARKINGS MOST PROMINENT

Small brown birds (4 to 6 in.) with barred wings and tail—WRENS. Uniform brown above, gray below; long broad tails—CUCKOOS. Bright reddish brown above; spotted breast; 11½ in.—BROWN THRASHER. Brown body; black head, wings and tail; 7½ in.—ORCHARD ORIOLE. Reddish brown breast; slate back; dark head; 10 in.—ROBIN. Dull brown back; grayish, more or less spotted breasts—THRUSHES. Brown belly; black crown and stripe through eye; gray back—NUTHATCH. Streaked brown and white; curved bill; climbs up trees—BROWN CREEPER. Brownish gray; crested; yellow tip to tail; black through eye—WAXWING. Brown crown, throat and streaks on sides; black mask—BAY-BREASTED WARBLER. Brown sides; black head, throat and back; white on wings and tail—TOWHEE. Brown rump and tail; gray back; streaked above and below—FOX SPARROW. Brown shoulder, yellow breast patch; black on throat—DICKCISSEL. Brown shoulder; streaked above; white outer tail feathers—VESPER SPARROW. Brown shoulder; black cap and patch on breast—McCOWN LONGSPUR. Brown nape; black breast and cap; light throat—CHESTNUT-COLLARED LONGSPUR.

5. SHARPLY DEFINED BLACK AND WHITE MARKINGS

Black crown and throat; gray back; 5 in.—CHICKADEE. Black and white streaked bird; black crown; 5 in.—BLACK POLL WARBLER. Black and white streaked bird; striped crown—BLACK AND WHITE WARBLER. Slate head, breast and back; white below and outer tail feathers—JUNCO. White throat; gray breast; crown striped black and white—WHITE-THROATED SPARROW. Large white crown patch edged with black; light below—WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW. Black body; yellowish nape; white rump and on wings—BOBOLINK. Black crown; gray back; climbs down trees—WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCH. Dull gray birds with no markings may be FLYCATCHERS. Dull brownish, streaked birds are probably species of SPARROWS. Plain greenish backs and dull white underparts denote VIREOS. Glossy blackbirds are GRACKLES or CROWS; if with red shoulders, RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD; with dull brown head, COWBIRD.

CLASSIFIED TABLE OF EASTERN LAND BIRDS Showing Divisions into Orders, Families and Genera, as Adopted by the American Ornithologists’ Union.

ORDER PSITTACI. Parrots, Macaws, etc. Family PSITTACIDÆ. Genus CONUROPSIS Carolina Paroquet ORDER COCCYGES. Cuckoos, Kingfishers, etc. Family CUCULIDÆ. Genus CROTOPHAGA Anis GEOCOCCYX Road-runner COCCYZUS Cuckoos Family ALCEDINIDÆ. Genus CERYLE Kingfishers ORDER PICI. Woodpeckers. Family PICIDÆ. Genus CAMPEPHILUS Ivory-billed Woodpecker DRYOBATES Hairy to Texan Woodpecker PICOIDES Three-toed Woodpeckers SPHYRAPICUS Sapsuckers PHILŒOTOMUS Pileated Woodpeckers MELANERPES Red-headed Woodpeckers CENTURUS Red-bellied Woodpeckers COLAPTES Flickers ORDER MACROCHIRES. Goatsuckers, Swifts, Hummingbirds, etc. Family CAPRIMULGIDÆ. Genus ANTROSTOMUS Whip-poor-will PHALÆNOPTILUS Poorwill NYCTIDROMUS Paraque CHORDEILES Nighthawks Family MICROPODIDÆ. Genus CHÆTURA Chimney Swift ÆRONAUTES White-throated Swift Family TROCHILIDÆ. Genus TROCHILUS Ruby-thr. Hummer ORDER PASSERES. Perching Birds. Family TYRANNIDÆ. Genus MUSCIVORA Scissor-tailed Flycatcher TYRANNUS Kingbirds PITANGUS Derby Flycatchers MYIARCHUS Crested Flycatchers SAYORNIS Phoebes NUTTALLORNIS Olive-sided Flycatchers MYIOCHANES Pewees EMPIDONAX Least Flycatchers PYROCEPHALUS Vermilion Flycatchers Family ALAUDIDÆ. Genus OTOCORIS Horned Larks Family CORVIDÆ. Genus PICA Magpie CYANOCITTA Blue Jays APHLECOMA Non-crested Jays XANTHOURA Green Jay PERISOREUS Canada Jay CORVUS Crows and Ravens NUCIFRAGA Clarke Nutcracker Family STURNIDÆ. Genus STURNUS Starling Family ICTERIDÆ. Genus DOLICHONYX Bobolink MOLOTHRUS Cowbirds XANTHOCEPHALUS Yellow-headed Blackbird AGELAIUS Red-winged Blackbirds STURNELLA Meadowlarks ICTERUS Orioles SCOLECOPHAGUS Rusty Blackbirds QUISCALUS Grackles Family FRINGILLIDÆ. Genus HESPERIPHONA Evening Grosbeak PINICOLA Pine Grosbeaks CARPODACUS Purple Finches LOXIA Crossbills LEUCOSTICTE Leucostictes ACANTHIS Redpolls ASTRAGALINUS Goldfinches SPINUS Pine Siskin PLECTROPHENAX Snowflakes CALCARIUS Longspurs RHYNCOPHANES McCown Longspurs POŒCETES Vesper Sparrow PASSER English Sparrow PASSERCULUS Ipswich Sparrow COTURNICULUS Grasshopper, Leconte AMMODRAMUS Sharp-tail, Seaside CHONDESTES Lark Sparrow ZONOTRICHIA Harris and White-Crowned Sparrow SPIZELLA Chippy, Tree, Field JUNCO Juncos AMPHISPIZA Black-throated, Bell PEUCÆA Pine-woods Sparrow MELOSPIZA Song, Swamp Sparrow PASSERELLA Fox Sparrow PIPILO Towhees OREOSPIZA Green-tailed Towhee CARDINALIS Cardinal PYRRHULOXIA Pyrrhuloxia ZAMELODIA Rose-breasted Grosbeak GUIRACA Blue Grosbeak PASSERINA Buntings SPOROPHILA Seed-eater SPIZA Dickcissel CALAMOSPIZA Lark Bunting Family TANAGRIDÆ. Genus PIRANGA Tanagers Family HIRUNDINIDÆ. Genus PROGNE Purple Martin PETROCHELIDON Cliff Swallow HIRUNDO Barn Swallow IRIDOPROCNE Tree Swallow RIPARIA Bank Swallow STELGIDOPTERYX Rough-winged Swallow Family BOMBYCILLIDÆ. Genus BOMBYCILLA Waxwings Family LANIIDÆ. Genus LANIUS Shrikes Family VIREONIDÆ. Genus VIREOSYLYA Red-eye., Warbling Vireo LANIVIREO Yell.-thr., Blue-head VIREO White-eyed Vireo Family MNIOTILTIDÆ. Genus MNIOTILTA Black and White Warbler PROTONOTARIA Prothonotary HELINAIA Swainson Warbler HELMITHEROS Worm-eating Warbler HELMINTHOPHILA Bachman to Tennessee COMPSOTHLYPIS Parula Warbler DENDROICA Cape May to Palm Warbler SEIURUS Oven-bird, Water-Thrush OPORORNIS Ky., Conn., and Mourning GEOTHLYPIS Yellow-throats ICTERIA Chat WILSONIA Hooded to Canadian SETOPHAGA Redstarts Family MOTACILLIDÆ. Genus ANTHUS Pipits Family TROGLODYTIDÆ. Genus OROSCOPTES Sage Thrasher MIMUS Mockingbird DUMATELLA Catbird TOXOSTOMA Thrashers HELEODYTES Cactus Wren SALPINCTES Rock Wren THRYOTHORUS Carolina Wren THRYOMANES Bewick Wren TROGLODYTES House Wren NANNUS Winter Wren CISTOTHORUS Short-billed Marsh Wren TELMATODYTES Long-billed Marsh Wren Family CERTHIDÆ. Genus CERTHIA Brown Creeper Family PARIDÆ. Genus SITTA Nuthatches BÆOLOPHUS Titmice PENTHESTES Chickadees AURIPARUS Verdin Family SYLLVIIDÆ. Genus REGULUS Kinglets POLIOPTILA Gnatcatchers Family TURDIDÆ. Genus HYLOCICHLA Thrushes PLANESTICUS Robins SAXICOLA Wheatear SIALIA Bluebird

INDEX

A Ani, Grooved-billed, 18

B Blackbird, Brewer, 71 Blackbird, Red-winged, 65 Blackbird, Florida, 65 Blackbird, Rusty, 71 Blackbird, Yellow-headed, 64 Bluebird, 208 Bluebird, Azure, 208 Bunting, Black-throated, 122 Bunting, Indigo, 117 Bunting, Lark, 123 Bunting, Lazuli, 118 Bunting, Varied, 119 Bunting, Painted, 120 Bobolink, 62