Part 62

Obs. An abundant species everywhere in the United States.

2. Chordeiles sapiti. Bonaparte, Cons. Av., p. 63. (1849.)

Not figured.

Very similar in form and general appearance to the preceding, but smaller, and with all the colors paler; bill very short and weak; gape large; wing long; first quill slightly longest; tail moderate, emarginate; tarsus feathered in front somewhat below the point with the tibia; throat white; entire upper plumage brownish-black, mottled, and variegated, with very pale cinereous, which predominates on the back, rump, and coverts of the wings; under-parts with transverse narrow bands of dark brown and yellowish-white; quills brownish-black, with a wide transverse band of white at the distance from their end of about one-third their length, and also with some irregular spots and pairs of spots of rufous in their basal halves. Female paler, and with the white of the throat tinged with pale reddish fulvous.

Dimensions. Total length, about 8½ inches; wing, 7¼; tail, 4½ inches.

Hab. Texas (Mr. Clark, Capt. McCown); New Mexico, Central America. Spec. in Mus. Acad., Philada., and Nat. Mus., Washington.

Obs. This species is nearly allied to the preceding, and also to Chordeiles brasilianus, from both of which it differs in some particulars of form, and also in having its colors much paler. In the latter character it somewhat resembles the C. acutipennis of South America. We regard this bird provisionally under the name above given, but the description as cited is too brief to be satisfactory. It is, however, the only species known to us that can be referred to it.

This bird is abundant in Texas during the summer.

3. Chordeiles Henryi. nobis (new species, January, 1855).

Not figured.

Larger than either of the two preceding species; wing long; second quill longest; tail rather long; emarginate; legs and feet short; tarsus feathered in front slightly below the joint with the tibia; bare part of the tarsus and the toes with very distinct scales; entire upper parts variegated with dark brown and pale reddish fulvous, every feather being tipped and spotted with the latter, which predominates on the back, rump, wing-coverts, and tertiaries; some spots on the tertiaries rufous; breast dark brown, every feather tipped with dull reddish fulvous; abdomen white, tinged with pale reddish-yellow, every feather with transverse stripes of brownish-black; under-coverts dull reddish white, with transverse lines of brownish-black; neck with a large band of white in front; quills brownish-black, tipped with dull reddish-white; primaries with a wide transverse band of white at about half their length; tail with alternate irregular stripes of brownish-black and pale reddish fulvous, the latter mottled with black; under wing-coverts pale reddish-white, with bands and spots of brownish-black. Female. Colors paler, and white of the neck obscure.

Dimensions. Total length of skin, about 10 inches; wing, 8; tail, 4½ inches.

Hab. New Mexico (Dr. Henry, Lieut. Gunnison). Spec. in Nat. Mus., Washington, and Mus. Acad., Philada.

Obs. This bird may be distinguished from other American species by its color, which is lighter and of a different style of variegation, the prevailing tone being a dull, pale reddish and yellowish, somewhat approaching what is called buff or drab color. It is larger than Chordeiles virginianus.

Specimens of this interesting species have been procured at Fort Webster, New Mexico, by Dr. Henry, and by the unfortunate party under command of the late Lieut. Gunnison.

As a token of respect for T. Charlton Henry, M. D., of the United States Army, whose exertions in the investigation of the natural productions of New Mexico, now continued for several years, and the formation of large collections in various departments, which attest his zeal and attachment to zoological science, we propose the specific name above given.

B. OBSCURE OR LITTLE KNOWN SPECIES OF THIS FAMILY.

1. Caprimulgus macromystax. Wagler, Isis, XXIV. p. 533. (1831.)

This species is noticed by Wagler, as above, from a Mexican specimen, and his description is essentially a comparison with the Caprimulgus europæus. It is stated that the bristles at the base of the bill are very long, or “nearly as long as the head without the bill,” and the plumage generally bearing a resemblance to the European species mentioned.

There is in the collection of the Philadelphia Academy, a specimen from Mexico, and another from California, differing in shade of color only from the Antrostomus vociferus, and from which the distinctive characters are too slight to establish a separate species. We regard these specimens as C. macromystax. The length of the bristles in Wagler’s description applies as well to A. vociferus, and we think it probable that his name is a synonyme.

The following is a translation of Wagler’s description or notice as above cited, and is at the end of an elaborate and valuable paper, in which he describes several new American species of birds:—

“At the conclusion of these descriptions of birds, I will yet remark that we have received from Mexico, also, a Caprimulgus (which specimen unfortunately is without the tail), that nearly resembles ours in size and color, but which nevertheless may be distinguished at a glance; the tarsi on their upper sides are hardly feathered to the middle, and the bristles on both sides of the upper mandible are uncommonly stiff, and longer than in any other American Night Swallow, nearly as long as the head without the bill, and are turned rake-like obliquely downwards. I have named it, therefore, Caprimulgus macromystax. The feet are short, as in ours; also as in ours, the claw of the middle toe on its inner border is pectinated, the primaries are small, the second, third, and fourth, externally from their middles to their ends, are strongly sinuated; they are brown-black, without white spots, but have internally and externally rust-red angular dots.”

2. Caprimulgus minor. Forster. Catalogue of the Animals of North America, p. 13. London, 1771.

A name given without being accompanied by a description, though probably applicable to Antrostomus vociferus, which was known to some of the older naturalists, and, previous to the introduction of the binomial nomenclature, was called minor, in distinction from the Caprimulgus europæus.

The catalogue by Forster above referred to is a pamphlet, and is, so far as We know, the first attempt at an enumeration of the species of all classes of animals inhabiting North America. There is also a catalogue of the Plants of North America by the same author.

3. Antrostomus californianus. Bonaparte, Cons. Av. p. 61. (1849.)

The description by the Prince of Canino, as above, is as follows:—

“(Confer Capr. nuttalli, Aud. Am. Orn., 2d edit., t. 495,) ex California, Vix Turdi magnitudine. Mas. Griseus, nucha fulvescenti, abdomine cervino, nigro undulato; gula macula utrinque alba nigro terminata: remigibus fuscis, macula mediana alba, rectricibus lateralibus nigricantibus, extima late ad apicem candida.”