Part 15

A paler form of the Great Gray Owl, inhabiting the Arctic regions of the Old World; accidental on the coast of Alaska. Their nesting habits and eggs do not differ from those of the American bird.

371. RICHARDSON'S OWL. _Cryptoglaux funerea richardsoni._

Range.--Northern North America, breeding north of the United States; winters south to our border and casually farther.

This is a dark grayish and white bird, 10 inches in length, and without ear tufts. Breeds commonly in the extensively wooded districts of British America, chiefly in the northern parts. Their three or four white eggs are usually at the bottom of a cavity in a tree, but occasionally the birds build a rude nest of sticks and twigs, lined with leaves and placed in trees at a moderate height from the ground. Size of eggs, 1.25 × 1.05.

372. SAW-WHET OWL; ACADIAN OWL. _Cryptoglaux acadica acadica._

Range.--North America, breeding in the northern parts of the United States and in British America, and south in the Rockies to Mexico; winters south to the middle portions of the United States.

This small species (length 8 inches) is marked very similarly to the preceding, but the plumage is brown instead of gray. They normally nest in hollow trees, generally in deserted Woodpecker holes, in extensively wooded sections, and usually in mountainous country, especially in the United States. They have also been known to nest in bird boxes near farm houses and in old Crow's nests. During April or May, they lay from three to six white eggs. Size 1.20 × 1.00. They are quiet and chiefly nocturnal birds, not often seen, and may be found nesting in any of the northern states.

372a. NORTHWESTERN SAW-WHET OWL. _Cryptoglaux acadica scotiæa._

Range.--A dark variety found on the coast of British Columbia.

[Illustration 234: Richardson's Owl. Saw-whet Owl.] [Illustration: White.] [Illustration: deco.] [Illustration: left hand margin.]

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373. SCREECH OWL. _Otus asio asio._

Range.--North America, east of the plains and from the southern British Provinces to Florida.

This well known species, which is often called "Little Horned Owl" because of its ear tufts is found either in the type form of some of its varieties in all parts of the United States. They have two color phases, the plumage being either a yellowish brown or gray, and black and white; these color phases are not dependent upon sex or locality, as often young or both phases are found in the same nest; the gray phase is the most abundant. They nest anywhere in hollow trees, being found very frequently in decayed stubs of apple trees. They also often nest in barns or other old buildings which are not frequented too freely. Their food consists chiefly of mice and meadow moles, with occasionally small birds. During April or May they lay their white eggs, the full complement of which is from five to eight. Size 1.35 × 1.20. The nesting habits of all the sub-species, as far as we can learn, are exactly like those of the eastern Screech Owl; the eggs cannot be distinguished, and in most cases, even the birds cannot be distinguished.

373a. FLORIDA SCREECH OWL. _Otus asio floridanus._

Range.--South Atlantic and Gulf coasts.

Slightly smaller and darker than asio. The eggs average slightly smaller. Size 1.30 × 1.15.

373b. Texas Screech Owl. _Otus asio mccalli._

Range.--Texas, and southward into Mexico. Very similar to floridanus.

373c. CALIFORNIA SCREECH OWL. _Otus asio bendirei._

Range.--Coast of California and Oregon. Size of, but darker than asio.

373d. KENNICOTT'S SCREECH OWL. _Otus asio kennicotti._

Range.--Pacific coast from Oregon to Alaska. This is the darkest of the Screech Owls and averages a trifle larger than the eastern form.

373e. ROCKY MOUNTAIN SCREECH OWL. _Otus asio maxwelliæ._

Range.--Foothills of the Rockies, from Colorado to Montana. This is the palest form of the Screech Owl. Of the same size as the last.

[Illustration 235: White.] [Illustration: Screech Owl.] [Illustration: right hand margin.]

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373f. Mexican Screech Owl. _Otus asio cineraceus._

Range.--Western Mexico and southwestern border of the United States. A gray form with little or no buff, and more numerously barred below.

373g. AIKEN'S SCREECH Owl. _Otus asio aikeni._

Range.--El Paso County, Colorado. A gray form, with the dark markings coarser and more numerous than in any other.

373h. MACFARLANE'S SCREECH OWL. _Otus asio macfarlanei._

Range.--Northern border of the United States from Washington to Montana.

373.1. Spotted Screech Owl. _Otus trichopsis._

Range.--Mountains of southern Arizona, south into Mexico.

A grayish species, similar to asio, but paler and more finely barred beneath, and with whitish spots on the feathers of the foreback. The nesting habits and eggs are probably the same as those of the Screech Owl.

373.2. XANTUS'S SCREECH OWL. _Otus xantusi._

Range.--Southern Lower California.

A grayish species with the back and underparts finely vermiculated with reddish brown, and with streaks of darker. It is not likely that the habits or eggs of this species will be found to differ from those of the Screech Owl.

374. FLAMMULATED SCREECH OWL. _Otus flammeolus flammeolus._

Range.--Mountain ranges of Mexico, north to Colorado and west to California.

This species is smaller than asio, has shorter ear tufts, the plumage is much streaked and edged with rusty, and the toes are unfeathered to their base. They nest in hollow trees, generally using deserted Woodpecker holes. Their three or four eggs are white. Size 1.15 × .95. This species is uncommon in all parts of its range.

374a. DWARF SCREECH OWL. _Otus flammeolus idahœnsis._

Range.--Local in Idaho, eastern Washington and California.

This rare variety is smaller than the preceding and is considerably paler. Its eggs have not been described, but should be a trifle smaller than the last.

[Illustration 236: 374--375a.] [Illustration: deco.] [Illustration: left hand margin.]

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375. GREAT HORNED OWL. _Bubo virginianus virginianus._

Range.--North America, east of the Plains and north to Labrador.

This species and its varieties are the only large Owls having conspicuous ear tufts. They are about 22 inches in length, and have a mottled brown, black and white plumage, barred below. This is also one of the "Hoot Owls," but is not nearly as abundant as the Barred Owl. It is one of the strongest of the family, and captures rabbits, grouse and poultry, and is very often found to have been feeding upon, or to have been in the immediate vicinity of a skunk. They nest very early, January, February and March. Deserted Hawk's or Crow's nests are very frequently used by this bird, if they are located in dense woods. They also sometimes nest in hollow cavities in large trees. They lay from two to four pure white eggs. Size 2.25 × 1.85.

375a. Western Horned Owl. _Bubo virginianus pallescens._

Range.--Western North America, except the Pacific coast.

A smaller and lighter colored form of the preceding, having the same habits and the eggs being indistinguishable from those of the eastern bird.

375b. ARCTIC HORNED OWL. _Bubo virginianus subarcticus._

Range.--Interior of Arctic America from Hudson Bay to Alaska; south in winter to the northwestern tier of states.

A very pale colored Horned Owl with little or no buff or brownish in the plumage, some specimens (very rare) being pure white with only a few black bars on the back. Their nesting habits are the same and the eggs do not vary appreciably from those of the eastern Horned Owl.

375c. DUSKY HORNED OWL. _Bubo virginianus saturatus._

Range.--Pacific coast from California to Alaska.

This is the darkest of the Horned Owls, the extreme case being nearly black on the back and very dark below. Nesting the same as the Great Horned Owl.

375d. PACIFIC HORNED OWL. _Bubo virginianus pacificus._

Range.--California, southward and east to Arizona.

Smaller and darker than the eastern form but not as dark as the last. Eggs the same as those of the others.

[Illustration 237: White.] [Illustration: Great Horned Owl.] [Illustration: right hand margin.]

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[Illustration 238: YOUNG SCREECH OWLS.]

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375e. DWARF HORNED OWL. _Bubo virginianus elachistus._

Range.--Lower California.

This is a similar but darker form of the Horned Owl and is very much smaller than virginianus. The nesting habits will be the same, but the eggs may average smaller.

376. Snowy Owl. _Nyctea nyctea._

Range.--Arctic regions, breeding within the Arctic Circle and wintering to the northern border of the United States and casually farther.

This very beautiful species varies in plumage from pure white, unmarked, to specimens heavily and broadly barred with blackish brown. It is, next to the Great Gray Owl, the largest species found in America, being 2 feet in length. Like the Great Horned Owls, they are very strong, fearless, and rapacious birds, feeding upon hares, squirrels and smaller mammals, as well as Grouse, Ptarmigan, etc. They nest upon the ground, on banks or mossy hummocks on the dry portions of marshes, laying from two to eight eggs, white in color and with a smoother shell than those of the Great Horned Owl. Size 2.25 × 1.75. Data.--Point Barrow, Alaska, June 16, 1898. Three eggs laid in a hollow in the moss.

377. European Hawk Owl. _Surnia ulula ulula._

Range.--Northern portion of the Old World; accidental in Alaska.

Similar to the American species, but lighter and more brownish.

[Illustration 239: White.] [Illustration: Snowy Owl.] [Illustration: deco.] [Illustration: right hand margin.]

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377a. HAWK OWL. _Surnia ulula caparoch._

Range.--Northern North America, breeding from the central portions of British America northward; probably also breeds in the Rocky Mountains in the northern tier of states and casually farther.

This handsome mottled and barred, gray and black Owl might readily be mistaken for a Hawk, because of his Hawk-like appearance and long rounded tail. They are very active birds, especially in the day time, for they are more diurnal than nocturnal; their food is mostly of small rodents, and also small birds. They nest either in the tops of large fir trees, in hollows of stumps, or, in some cases, upon the ground. When in trees their nests are made of twigs, leaves and weeds, and sometimes lined with moss and feathers; they lay from three to eight white eggs, size 1.50 × 1.20. Data.--Labrador, May 3, 1899. Five eggs. Nest in the top of a dead tree, 15 feet from the ground.

378. BURROWING OWL. _Speotyto cunicularia hypogæa._

Range.--Western North America from the Mississippi Valley west to California; north to the southern parts of British America and south to Central America.

These peculiar birds are wholly different in plumage, form and habits from any other American Owls. They can readily be recognized by their long, slender and scantily feathered legs. Their plumage is brownish, spotted with white above, and white, barred with brown below; length 10 inches. They nest, generally in large communities in burrows in the ground, usually deserted Prairie Dog holes. While generally but a single pair occupy one burrow, as many as twenty have been found nesting together. Sometimes the burrows are unlined, and again may have a carpet of grasses and feathers. Their white eggs generally number from six to ten; size 1.25 × 1.00. Data.--Sterling, Kans., May 7, 1899. Nest of bits of dry dung at the end of a deserted Prairie Dog burrow.

[Illustration 240: American Hawk Owl.] [Illustration: White.] [Illustration: White.] [Illustration: deco.] [Illustration: left hand margin.]

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378a. FLORIDA BURROWING OWL. _Speotyto cunicularia floridana._

Range.--Local in the interior of Florida.

Like the last, but slightly smaller and paler, and with the tarsus less feathered. Their habits or eggs do not differ from the preceding.

379. PYGMY OWL. _Glaucidium gnoma gnoma._

Range.--Rocky Mountain region and westward; from British Columbia southward. These interesting little Owls, which are but seven inches in length, feed in the day time upon insects, mice and, occasionally, small birds. They frequent extensively wooded districts, chiefly in the mountain ranges. They nest in tall trees, generally in deserted Woodpeckers' holes, laying three or four white eggs during May; size about 1.00 × .90.

379a. California Pygmy Owl. _Glaucidium gnoma californicum._

Range.--Pacific coast from British Columbia, south through California. This sub-species is darker and more brownish than the last. It is not an uncommon bird in California. They nest in the tallest trees along the ranges, often being found 75 or more feet from the ground. The eggs do not differ from those of the Pygmy Owl, ranging in size from 1.00 × .85 to 1.20 × .95.

379.1. HOSKIN'S PYGMY OWL. _Glaucidium hoskinsi._

Range.--Southern Lower California.

This species is smaller and more gray than the preceding. It is not probable that its manners of nesting or eggs differ in any respect from those of the others of this genus.

[Illustration 241: Burrowing Owl.] [Illustration: deco.] [Illustration: right hand margin.]

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380. FERRUGINOUS PYGMY OWL. _Glaucidium phalœnoides._

Range.--Mexico and Central America; north to the Mexican border of the United States.

This species is of the same size as the last, but is much tinged with rufous on the upper parts, and the tail is of a bright chestnut brown color, crossed by about eight bars of black. They nest in hollow cavities in trees, from ten to forty feet from the ground, laying three or four glossy white eggs; size 1.10 × .90.

381. ELF OWL. _Micropallas whitneyi._

Range.--Mexico, north to the bordering states.

This odd little bird is the smallest member of the family found in America, attaining a length of only six inches. In plumage it may be described as similar to a very small, earless Screech Owl, only with the pattern of the markings a great deal finer. They are said to be quite abundant in the table lands of central Mexico and in southern Arizona, where they build their nests in deserted Woodpeckers' holes, perhaps most frequently in the giant cactus. It is said to be more nocturnal than the Pygmy Owls and to feed almost exclusively upon insects. They lay from three to five eggs having a slight gloss. Size 1.02 × .90. Data.--Southern Arizona, May 22, 1902. Nest in a deserted Woodpecker hole. Two eggs.

[Illustration 242: 380--381.] [Illustration: White.] [Illustration: deco-photo.] [Illustration: left hand margin.]

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PAROQUETS AND PARROTS. Order XIII. PSITTACI.

Family PSITTACIDAE

382. CAROLINA PAROQUET. _Conuropsis carolinensis._

Range.--Now rare in Florida and along the Gulf coast to Indian Territory. As late as 1885, the Carolina Paroquets were abundant in the South Atlantic and Gulf States, but owing to their wanton destruction by man, they have been exterminated in the greater portion of their range, and now are rarely seen in any locality, and then only in the most unhabitable swamps and thickets. A reliable account of their nesting habits is lacking, as are also specimens of their eggs taken from wild birds. They are said to build rude nests of sticks upon horizontal branches of cypress trees, and to nest in colonies; it is also claimed that they nest in hollow trees, laying from three to five pure white eggs. The one figured is one of three laid in confinement at Washington, D. C., by a pair of birds owned by Mr. Robert Ridgeway. It is 1.31 × 1.06 and was laid July 12, 1892. This set is in the collection of Mr. John Lewis Childs.

382.1. Thick-billed Parrot. _Rhynchopsitta pachyrhyncha._

Range.--Mexico, north casually to the Mexican border of the United States. This large Parrot (16 inches long) has a heavy black bill, and the plumage is entirely green except for the deep red forehead, strips over the eye, shoulder, and thighs, and the yellowish under wing coverts. Their eggs are white and are laid in natural cavities in large trees in forests.

CUCKOOS, TROGANS, KINGFISHERS, ETC. Order XIV.

CUCKOOS, ANIS, ETC. Family CUCULIDAE

383. ANI. _Crotophaga ani._

Range.--Northeastern South America and the West Indies; casual in Florida, and along the Gulf coast; accidental in Pennsylvania.

This species is similar to the next, but the bill is smoother and without grooves. Its nesting habits are the same as those of the more common American species.

[Illustration 243: White.] [Illustration: Carolina Paroquet.] [Illustration: right hand margin.]

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[Illustration 244: ROADRUNNER.]

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384. GROOVE-BILLED ANI. _Crotophaga sulcirostris._

Range.--Mexico and the border of the United States; common in southern Texas. This odd species has a Cuckoo-like form, but is wholly blue black in color, and has a high thin bill with three conspicuous longitudinal grooves on each side. They build large bulky nests of twigs, lined with leaves and grasses, and located in low trees and bushes. They build in small colonies but do not, as is claimed of the common Ani, build a large nest for several to occupy. They lay from three to five eggs of a greenish blue color, covered with a chalky white deposit. Size 1.25 × 1.00. They are laid in May or June.

385. ROAD-RUNNER. _Geococcyx californianus._

Range.--Western United States from Oregon, Colorado and Kansas, southward; most abundant on the Mexican border, and wintering in central Mexico. This curious species is known as the "Chaparral Cock", "Ground Cuckoo," "Snake-killer," etc. Its upper parts are a glossy greenish brown, each feather being edged or fringed with whitish; the tail is very long, broad and graduated, the feathers being broadly tipped with white. They are noted for their swiftness on foot, paddling over the ground at an astonishing rate, aided by their outstretched wings and spread tail, which act as aeroplanes; their legs are long and have two toes front and two back. Their food consists of lizards and small snakes, they being particularly savage in their attacks upon the latter. They build rude nests of sticks and twigs, in low trees or bushes, and during April or May, lay from four to ten eggs, depositing them at intervals of several days. They are pure white and measure 1.55 × 1.20.

[Illustration 245: Greenish blue.] [Illustration: Road Runner. Groove-billed Ani.] [Illustration: White.] [Illustration: deco.] [Illustration: right hand margin.]

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386. MANGROVE CUCKOO. _Coccyzus minor minor._

Range.--West Indies, Mexico and South America, north regularly to southern Florida.

This species is very similar to our common Yellow-billed Cuckoo, but the whole underparts are deep buff. It is a common species and nests abundantly in the West Indies, but occurs only in limited numbers in southern Florida. Their nests are shallow platforms of twigs and rootlets, placed in bushes and low trees, and upon which they lay three or four pale greenish blue eggs, similar to those of the Yellow-billed species but averaging smaller; size 1.15 × .85.

386a. MAYNARD'S CUCKOO. _Coccyzus minor maynardi._

Range.--Bahamas; accidental on Florida Keys. This is a slightly smaller and paler form than the preceding.

387. YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO. _Coccyzus americanus americanus._

Range.--United States east of the Plains and from southern Canada southward.

This species is generally abundant in all localities in its range, which afford suitable nesting places of tangled underbrush or vines. It may be distinguished from the Black-billed variety by its larger size (12 inches long), blackish tail with broad white tips, and yellowish lower mandible. They are often regarded by the superstitious as forecasters of rain, and as omens, probably because of their gutteral croaking notes.

Their nests are made of twigs, lined with shreds of grape vine bark or catkins; the nests are generally very shabbily made and so flat on the top that the eggs frequently roll off. They are located near the ground in bushes or low trees. The three or four eggs are deposited at intervals of several days, and frequently young birds and eggs are found in the nest at the same time. Like the Flicker, this bird will frequently continue laying if one egg is removed at a time, and as many as twelve have been taken from the same nest, by this means. The eggs are light greenish blue. Size 1.20 × .90. They are usually laid during May or June.

[Illustration 246: Mangrove Cuckoo. Yellow-billed Cuckoo.] [Illustration: Light greenish blue.] [Illustration: Pale greenish blue.] [Illustration: deco.] [Illustration: left hand margin.]

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[Illustration 247: A. R. Spaid. NEST AND EGGS OF YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO.]

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387a. CALIFORNIA CUCKOO. _Coccyzus americanus occidentalis._

Range.--Western North America, from British Columbia, southward.

Slightly larger and with a stouter bill than the last. Eggs not distinguishable.

388. BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO. _Coccyzus erythrophthalmus._

Range.--United States east of the Rocky Mountains; north to Labrador and Manitoba; south in winter to Central and South America.

This species is rather more common in the northern part of the United States than the Yellow-billed variety. The bird is smaller, has a blackish bill, and the tail is the same color as the back and only slightly tipped with white. Their nests are built in similar locations and of the same materials as used by the Yellow-bill; the three or four eggs are smaller and a darker shade of greenish blue. Size 1.15 × .85. All the Cuckoos are close sitters and will not leave the nest until nearly reached with the hand, when they will slowly flutter off through the underbrush, and continue to utter their mournful "Kuk-kuk-kuk," many times repeated.

388.1. KAMCHATKA CUCKOO. _Cuculus canorus telephonus._

An Asiatic subspecies of the common European Cuckoo, accidentally occurring in Alaska.

TROGONS. Family TROGONIDÆ

389. COPPERY-TAILED TROGON. _Trogon ambiguus._

Range.--Southern Mexico, north to the Lower Rio Grande in Texas and in southern Arizona, in both of which localities they probably breed.

This is the only member of this family of beautiful birds which reaches our borders. This species is 12 inches in length, and is a metallic green color on the upper parts and breast, and with coppery reflections of the middle tail feathers, the outer ones being white, very finely vermiculated with black, as are the wing coverts. The underparts, except for a white band across the breast, are rosy red. This species nest in cavities in large trees, generally in large, deserted Woodpecker holes. They are also said to have been found nesting in holes in banks. Their eggs are three or four in number and are a dull white in color. Size 1.10 × .85.

[Illustration 248: Black-billed Cuckoo.] [Illustration: Greenish blue.] [Illustration: Dull White.] [Illustration: 387a--389.] [Illustration: left hand margin.]

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KINGFISHERS. Family ALCEDINIDÆ

390. BELTED KINGFISHER. _Ceryle alcyon._

Range.--Whole of North America, breeding from southern United States, northward and wintering from the southern parts of its breeding range, southward.

This well known bird is abundant in all localities near water, where its rattling notes are among the most familiar of sounds. Their food is almost entirely of small fish, which they catch by plunging upon from their perch on an old dead limb overhanging the water, or by hovering in the air like an Osprey. Their nests are located at the end of burrows in sand banks or the banks of creeks and rivers. These tunnels, which are dug by the birds, generally commence two or three feet from the top of the bank and extend back from six to eight feet, either in a straight line or curved; the end is enlarged to form a suitable nesting place, in which from five to eight eggs are laid. They are glossy and pure white in color. Size 1.35 × 1.05. Data.--Lake Quinsigamond, Massachusetts, June 6, 1900. 7 eggs at the end of a 6 foot tunnel in a sand bank. Bird removed by hand from the nest. Collector, C. E. Howe.

390.1. Ringed Kingfisher. _Ceryle torquata._

Range.--Mexico, north casually to the Lower Rio Grande Valley in Texas.

This handsome species is much larger than the Belted Kingfisher and the underparts are nearly all bright chestnut, except the white throat. They nest in river banks the same as the common American species, and the eggs are white, but larger. Size 1.45 × 1.10.

[Illustration 249: White.] [Illustration: Belted Kingfisher.] [Illustration: deco-photo.] [Illustration: right hand margin.]

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[Illustration 250: C. A. Reed. YOUNG KINGFISHERS.]

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391. TEXAS KINGFISHER. _Ceryle americana septentrionalis_.

Range.--Southern Texas, south through Mexico.