Part 54

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.

DESCRIPTION AND TECHNICAL OBSERVATIONS.

Genus Cardinalis. Bonaparte, Comp. List., p. 35. (1838.)

Bill short, very thick at base; culmen advancing on the forehead; wing moderate; fourth and fifth quills longest and nearly equal; tail long, slightly rounded; tarsi rather long; middle toe long, others moderate; general form robust; tail long; and head above with elongated crest-like feathers on all known species. A genus containing five or six species of handsome birds, peculiar to America.

Cardinalis sinuatus. Bonaparte, Proc. Zool. Soc., London, p. 111. (1837.)

Form. About the size or rather larger than Cardinalis virginianus of North America; not strictly exhibiting the characters of this genus; bill short; lower mandible much thicker than the upper; gonys ascending abruptly; upper mandible curved; wings short; third, fourth and fifth quills nearly equal and longest; tail long; tarsi moderate; head with a conspicuous crest of lengthened erectile feathers.

Dimensions. Total length of skin, about 8 inches; wing, 3¾; tail, 4¼ inches.

Colors. Male.—Plumage encircling the base of the bill; longer feathers of the crest, wide medial longitudinal band on the under parts, tibiæ, and under coverts of the wings, fine crimson; entire upper parts light cinerous, which is the color also of the sides and flanks; quills ashy brown, both webs edged with crimson; tail above and below dark crimson, tinged with brown; abdomen and under tail coverts pale rosy white, the feathers of the latter crimson at their bases; plumage of the breast edged and tipped with pale ashy; bill and tarsi pale yellowish.

Female. Under wing coverts, edges of quills, crest, and tail, pale crimson, the last shaded with brown; entire plumage above cinerous, below yellowish-cinerous; no crimson on the forehead or on the throat or other under parts.

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

Obs. This beautiful species, though in general form and appearance presenting the characters of Cardinalis, is quite different in the form of the bill, and has been placed by the distinguished and accomplished naturalist who first described it (the Prince of Canino) in a subdivision which he names Pyrrhuloxia (Conspectus Avium, p. 500).

It appears to be restricted to Mexico and the southern part of Texas, though its northern range may yet be ascertained to extend farther than at present known. It does not resemble any other species sufficiently to lead to confusion.

SAXICOLA ŒNANTHOIDES.—Vigors. The American Stone Chat. PLATE XXXIV.—Adult.

The Stone Chats and Wheat Ears, which are the English names of birds of the genus Saxicola, are abundant in the old world, though the greater number of the species appear to be restricted to Africa. The few that are natives of Europe are numerous throughout the greater part of that continent. They are birds of plain but agreeable colors, and inhabit fields and other open grounds or plains covered with shrub-like vegetation, running with facility, and making their nests on the ground, or in holes beneath the surface. These are curiously constructed by some species of this group, and very carefully concealed, though frequently in situations much exposed. There are nearly forty species of this group of birds composing the present and a nearly allied genus.

Though there are so many species of these genera, the bird now before us is the only one that appears to be peculiar to the continent of America. One other, the Saxicola œnanthe, a common European bird, is, however, a visitor to this continent. We have seen undoubted specimens from Greenland, and occasionally it strays so far southwardly as New York, in the vicinity of which city a few specimens have been captured, one of which is in the collection of our friend, Mr. George N. Lawrence.

The present bird was originally described in the Zoology of the Voyage of the Blossom, from specimens obtained on the western coast of North America; but apparently the naturalists attached to the party which performed that voyage, had no opportunities of acquiring any information respecting its history or the district that it inhabits. Nor have others been more successful; no American naturalist or traveller having noticed it again in Western America, notwithstanding the researches which have been carried on in that portion of this continent.

The only specimen that we have ever seen of this bird is in the collection of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, to which it was presented by our intimate and valued friend, Thomas M. Brewer, M. D., of the city of Boston, one of the most eminent of American ornithologists, and now particularly devoted to the investigation of the nidification and oology of the birds of this country, the results of which we hope soon to see published. Dr. Brewer obtained the specimen alluded to in Nova Scotia, but could procure no account of it beyond the fact that it was considered as of unusual occurrence in that province.