Part 17

413a. NORTHWESTERN FLICKER. _Colaptes cafer saturatior._

Range.--Pacific coast, breeding from Oregon to Alaska.

This is a much darker variety of the Red-shafted Flicker, but its nesting habits or eggs do not differ in any way.

[Illustration 261: Northern Flicker.] [Illustration: Red-shafted Flicker.] [Illustration: White.] [Illustration: right hand margin.]

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[Illustration 262: NORTHERN FLICKER.]

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[Illustration 263: G. E. Moulthrope. NEST AND EGGS OF NORTHERN FLICKER.]

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414. Gilded Flicker. _Colaptes chrysoides._

Range.--Arizona and southward through Mexico to southern Lower California.

This pale species has the yellowish lining to the wings and tail as in the Flicker, but has a pale cinnamon brown crown, no crescent on back of head, and the male has red moustache marks. It is a common species in all localities where the giant cactus abounds, and shows a preference to nesting in these strange growths, to any other trees. Their habits are, in all respects, the same as those of the other Flickers and their eggs cannot be distinguished. Size 1.10 × .90.

414a. SAN FERNANDO FLICKER. _Colaptes chrysoides brunnescens._

Range.--Northern Lower California.

This is a slightly smaller and darker variety of the Gilded Flicker.

415. GUADALUPE FLICKER. _Colaptes rufipileus._

Range.--Guadalupe Island.

Similar to the Red-shafted Flicker, but with the crown darker and the rump a solid pinkish white. They are common in a large cypress grove in the middle of the island, but rarely found on any other portions. The eggs have been described by Mr. Walter E. Bryant, who found them breeding on the island, to be indistinguishable from those of the others of the genus.

GOATSUCKERS, SWIFTS, AND HUMMINGBIRDS.

Order XVI. MACROCHIRES.

GOATSUCKERS, Family CAPRIMULGIDAE.

Goatsuckers are long winged birds, with small bills, but with an extraordinarily large mouth, the opening of which extends beneath and beyond the eyes. They are chiefly dusk or night fliers, their food consisting of insects which they catch on the wing. Their plumage is mottled black, brownish and white, resembling the ground upon which they lay their eggs.

[Illustration 264.] [Illustration: left hand margin.]

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416. CHUCK-WILL'S-WIDOW. _Antrostomus carolinensis._

Range.--South Atlantic and Gulf States, breeding north to Virginia and Indiana, and west to Arkansas and eastern Texas.

These birds are abundant summer residents in the southern portions of their range, but as they are silent and hiding in the woods during the day time, they are not as popularly known as are most birds. They rarely fly during the day time unless disturbed from their roosting place which is on the ground under underbrush or in hollow logs. Their notes, which are a rapid and repeatedly uttered whistling repetition of their name, are heard until late in the night. They nest during April, May or June, laying two eggs on the ground amid the leaves in woods or scrubby underbrush. The eggs are grayish to creamy white in color, handsomely marked with shades of lilac, gray and brownish; size 1.40 × 1.00.

417. WHIP-POOR-WILL. _Antrostomus vociferus vociferus._

Range.--North America east of the Plains; north to the southern parts of the British possessions; winters along the Gulf coast and southward.

This species is well known, by sound, in nearly all parts of its range, but comparatively few ever observed the bird, and probably the greater number mistake the Nighthawk for this species. The two species can readily be distinguished at a distance by the absence of any pronounced white marking in the wings, and by the white tips to the outer tail feathers in the present species, while the Night Hawk has a prominent white band across the tail, but the top is black, and the tail slightly forked. The Whip-poor-will, rarely leaves its place of concealment before dark, and is never seen flying about cities, as are the Nighthawks. In their pursuit of insects, they glide like a shadow over fields and woods, their soft plumage giving forth no sound as their wings cleave the air. Until late at night, their whistling cry "whip-poor-will," repeated at intervals, rings out in all wooded hilly districts. Their two eggs are deposited on the ground among dead leaves, generally in dense woods. They are grayish white or cream color marbled with pale brown and gray, with fainter markings of lilac. Size 1.50 × .85.

[Illustration 265: Grayish white.] [Illustration: Chuck-will's-widow.] [Illustration: Creamy white.] [Illustration: Whip-poor-will.] [Illustration: right hand margin.]

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417a. STEPHEN'S WHIP-POOR-WILL. _Antrostomus vociferus macromystax._

Range.--Arizona and New Mexico, south through the tableland of Mexico.

This sub-species is slightly larger and has longer mouth bristles than the eastern bird. Their nesting habits are the same and the eggs differ only in averaging lighter in color, with fainter markings, some specimens being almost immaculate.

418. POOR-WILL. _Phalænoptilus nuttalli nuttalli._

Range.--United States west of the Mississippi, breeding from Kansas and northern California northward to Montana and British Columbia.

This handsome species is the smallest of the family, being under 8 inches in length. Its plumage is mottled black, white and frosty gray, harmoniously blended together. They can easily be distinguished from all other Goatsuckers by their size and silvery appearance. They nest on the ground, either placing their two eggs upon a bed of leaves or upon a flat rock. The breeding season is from the latter part of May through July. The eggs are pure white and glossy; size 1.00 × .75.

418a. FROSTED POOR-WILL. _Phalænoptilus nuttalli nitidus._

Range.--Texas and Arizona, north to western Kansas.

This variety is like the last but paler, both above and below. Eggs indistinguishable from those of others of the genus.

418b. DUSKY POOR-WILL. _Phalænoptilus nuttalli californicus._

Range.--A darker race found on the coast of California, having the same nesting habits as the others.

The egg figured is of this species. Data.--Los Angeles, Cal., June 24, 1900. 2 eggs on the ground at the foot of an oak tree on the side of a hill. Collector, F. M. Palmer.

[Illustration 266: Poor-will. Merrill's Paraque.] [Illustration: White.] [Illustration: deco.] [Illustration: left hand margin.]

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419. MERRILL'S PARAUQUE. _Nyctidromus albicollis merrilli._

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

This species is the same length as the Chuck-will's-widow, but is not as stoutly built, and has a slightly longer tail. It can be distinguished from any other of the family by its tail, the outer feather on each side being black (or brownish barred with black in the female), and the next two having white ends for nearly half their length. Their eggs are laid on the ground in open localities, and generally under the protection of an overhanging bush. They are two in number and differ greatly from those of any other American member of this family, being a buff or rich salmon buff in color, spotted and splashed with gray, lavender, and reddish brown; size 1.25 × .90. Data.--Brownsville, Texas, April 16, 1900. Eggs laid on the ground in a dense thicket. Collector, Frank B. Armstrong.

[Illustration 267: Salmon buff.] [Illustration: Geo. S. Fiske. NEST AND EGGS OF WHIP-POOR-WILL.] [Illustration: right hand margin.]

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420. NIGHTHAWK. _Chordeiles virginianus virginianus._

Range.--North America, east of the Plains and from Labrador to the Gulf of Mexico; winters through Mexico to northern South America.

The Nighthawk or some of its sub-species is found in nearly all parts of North America, its habits being the same in all localities. It is of the same size as the Whip-poor-will, from which species it can readily be distinguished by its lack of mouth bristles, forked tail with a white band near the end, and the white band across the primaries, the latter mark showing very plainly during flight. Besides in the country, they are very common in cities, where they will be seen any summer day towards dusk flying, skimming, sailing, and swooping over the tops of the buildings, upon the gravel roofs on which they often lay their eggs. They nest generally on rocky hillsides or in open woods, laying their two eggs upon the top of a flat rock. The eggs are a grayish white color, marbled, blotched and spotted with darker shades of gray. Size 1.20 x .85.

420a. WESTERN NIGHTHAWK. _Chordeiles virginianus henryi._

Range.--United States west of the Plains.

A similar bird to the preceding, but with plumage somewhat more rusty. It frequents the more open portions of the country in its range, its habits and nesting habits being the same as others of the former species; the eggs average a trifle lighter in color.

420b. FLORIDA NIGHTHAWK. _Chordeiles virginianus chapmani._

Range.--A smaller and paler form found in Florida and along the Gulf coast. No difference can be observed in the nesting habits of this as compared with the northern form and the eggs are indistinguishable.

[Illustration 268: Nighthawk.] [Illustration: Grayish white.] [Illustration: Grayish white.] [Illustration: left hand margin.]

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[Illustration 269: J. E. Seebold. NEST AND EGGS OF NIGHTHAWK.]

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420c. SENNETT'S NIGHTHAWK. _Cordeiles virginianus sennetti._

Range.--A very pale species with little or no tawny; found in the Great Plains from Texas north to the Saskatchewan; winters south of the United States.

421. TEXAS NIGHTHAWK. _Chordeiles acutipennis texensis._

Range.--Mexico and Central America, breeding north to southern Utah and California.

The pattern of the marking of this species is finer and more mottled with rusty than the Nighthawk. Its habits do not differ to any extent from those of the preceding species; they lay their two mottled gray eggs upon the bare ground, often on the dry sand and in arid regions where they are exposed, with no protection, to the scorching rays of the sun. The eggs vary endlessly in extent of markings, some being very pale and others very dark gray, mottled with various shades of gray, brown and lilac. Size 1.10 x .75.

SWIFTS. Family MICROPODIDÆ

422. BLACK SWIFT. _Cypseloides niger borealis._

Range.--Mountain ranges from Central America north to British Columbia, locally distributed throughout its range.

The plumage of this Swift is entirely sooty black, darkest above; the tail is slightly forked and is without spines; length of bird, 7 inches. Although the general habits of this species are well known, little is known of their nesting; they are seen during the breeding season about the higher ranges throughout their United States habitat, and are supposed to nest in crevices on the face of cliffs at a high altitude.

[Illustration 270: 420-421.] [Illustration: Grayish white.] [Illustration: 422-424.] [Illustration: left hand margin.]

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423. CHIMNEY SWIFT. _Chætura pelagica._

Range.--North America east of the Plains, breeding from central Canada, south to the Gulf coast, and wintering south of our borders.

This well known species is sooty brownish black, 5.5 inches long, and has the tail feathers terminating in sharp spines. They are very abundant in all portions of their range, and may be seen on the wing at all hours of the day, but especially abundant in the early morning and toward dusk. They formerly dwelt and bred only in hollow trees, and a great many still continue to do so, as large hollow stumps are known where hundreds nest every year. The majority of the eastern Chimney Swifts now nest in old chimneys that are unused, at least during the summer; some small chimneys contain but a single pair while other large ones may have from fifty to a hundred or more nests glued to the sides. The birds are on the wing during the greater part of the day, generally not frequenting the vicinity of their nesting site, but returning toward dusk, when they may

[Illustration 271: Chimney Swift.] [Illustration: E. R. Forrest. NEST AND EGGS OF CHIMNEY SWIFT.] [Illustration: right hand margin.]

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be seen to, one at a time, dive headforemost into the tops of chimneys. The nest is made of small twigs firmly glued to the sides of the chimney, or tree, and to each other, with the glutinous saliva of the bird, making a narrow semi-circle platform for the reception of their three to five white eggs which are deposited in May or June; size .75 × .50.

424. VAUX'S SWIFT. _Chætura vauxi._

Range.--Western United States, chiefly west of the Rockies; breeding north to British Columbia, and wintering south of the United States.

Similar to the last but smaller (length 4.5 inches), and paler in color, fading to white on the throat. The habits of this species are like those of the eastern Chimney Swift, except that the majority of these species still continue to use hollow trees as nesting places. The eggs are just like those of the last bird.

425. WHITE-THROATED SWIFT. _Æronautes melanoleucus._

Range.--Western United States south of Canada, and chiefly in the Rocky Mountains, and in California ranges, north to Lat. 38°.

A handsome species, 6.5 inches in length, with blackish upper parts and sides, and white throat, breast and central line of under parts, flank patches and ends of secondaries; tail feathers not spined or stiffened. These birds are fairly common in some localities within their range, but appear to be found only on high ranges or in their immediate vicinity. They nest in crevices and caves in the face of cliffs, making a nest similar in construction to that of the Chimney Swift but of weed stalks instead of twigs, and lined with feathers. They lay four or five dull white eggs, during June or July; size .85 × .50.

[Illustration 272: White.] [Illustration: White.] [Illustration: 425--426.] [Illustration: White.] [Illustration: deco.] [Illustration: left hand margin.]

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HUMMINGBIRDS. Family TROCHILIDAE

Hummingbirds have been truly called "Winged Gems." They are the smallest of birds, the usual plumage being a metallic green with throat or crown patches of the brightest of iridescent shining red, orange, blue or violet. Their nests are marvels of architecture being compactly and intricately made of plant fibres and downy feathers ornamented in some cases with lichens. Their flight is accompanied by a peculiar buzzing sound produced by their rapidly vibrating stiffened wing feathers. Their food is small insects and honey both of which they get chiefly from flowers.

426. RIVOLI'S HUMMINGBIRD. _Eugenes fulgens._

Range.--Mexico, north in summer to southern Arizona where they breed at high elevations in the Huachuca Mountains.

This is one of the most gorgeous of the Hummers having the crown a violet purple color, and the throat brilliant green. This species saddles its nest upon branches often at heights of 20 or 30 feet from the ground. They are made of plant down and generally decorated with lichens on the outside, similar to nests of the Ruby-throat. The two white eggs measure .65 × .40.

427. BLUE-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD. _Cyanolæmus clemenciæ._

Range.--Mexico, north in summer to the border of Arizona and western New Mexico.

This species is the largest of North American Hummers being 5.25 inches long, this being slightly larger than the preceding. As the name implies, it has a patch of blue on the throat, the upper parts being a uniform greenish; the outer tail feathers are broadly tipped with white. Their nests, which are placed upon the limbs of trees, are made of mosses and plant fibres covered with cobwebs. The two eggs are laid during July and August, and measure .65 × .40.

[Illustration 273: 427--429.] [Illustration: deco.] [Illustration: right hand margin.]

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[Illustration 274: J. H. Miller. FEMALE RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD ON NEST.]

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428. RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD. _Archilochus colubris._

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

This is the only representative of the family found east of the Mississippi. It is a small species, 3.5 inches long, with greenish upper parts and a bright ruby throat. Its nest is as beautiful, if not more so, than that of any other species. They build their nests on horizontal limbs of trees at any height from the ground, but usually more than six feet. Branches an inch or more in diameter are usually selected, they not being particular as to the kind of tree, but oaks, pines and maples perhaps being used the most often. The nests are made of plant fibres and down, and the exterior is completely covered with green lichens so that it appears like a small bunch of moss on the limb. The two white eggs are laid in May or June; size .50 × .35.

429. BLACK-CHINNED HUMMINGBIRD. _Archilochus alexandri._

Range.--North America west of the Rocky Mountains; north to British Columbia; winters south of the United States.

Similar in size and appearance to the Ruby-throat, but with the chin and upper throat black, the rest of the throat gorget being violet or amethyst. It is an abundant species in summer in many localities, especially in the southern half of its range. They build their nests at low elevations, rarely above ten feet, on small branches or the fork at the end of a limb. The nests are made of yellowish plant fibres and are not covered with lichens, so that they have a peculiar spongy appearance. Eggs indistinguishable from those of the Ruby-throat. Laid during April, May or June.

[Illustration 275: Ruby-throated Hummingbird.] [Illustration:] [Illustration: right hand margin.]

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[Illustration 276: RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD.]

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430. COSTA'S HUMMINGBIRD. _Calypte costæ._

Range.--Southwestern United States; north to southern Utah; winters south of our border.

Smaller than the last and with both the crown and the throat gorget, violet or amethyst, the feathers on the sides of the latter being lengthened. Their nests are situated in the forks of branches generally near the ground, and seldom above six feet from it. They are made of plant down with shreds of weeds, bark and lichens worked into the outside portions, and are often lined with soft feathers. The two eggs average .48 × .32. Data.--Arroyo Seco, California, June 10, 1900. Nest in an alder bush. Collector, Charles E. Groesbeck.

431. ANNA'S HUMMINGBIRD. _Calypte anna_.

Range.--Pacific coast of the United States from northern California, southward, wintering in Mexico and southern California.

This handsome species has both the crown and the broadened and lengthened throat gorgets, a purplish pink; it is slightly larger than the Ruby-throat. They are very abundant in their restricted range, and nest in February and March and again in April or May, raising two broods a season. Their nests are made of plant down and covered on the outside with cobwebs and a few lichens, and are generally located at a low elevation. The white eggs average .50 × .30. Data.--Santa Monica, California, March 4, 1897. Nest in a bunch of seed pods in a gum tree, ten feet from the ground. Collector, Tom Bundy.

[Illustration 277: 430--431.] [Illustration.] [Illustration: right hand margin.]

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432. BROAD-TAILED HUMMINGBIRD. _Selasphorus platycercus._

Range.--Rocky Mountain regions, north to Wyoming; winters south of the United States.

This species is similar to the Ruby-throat, but larger and with the back more golden green color, and the throat shining lilac. They are very abundant in Colorado and Arizona, nesting as do the Ruby-throats in the east, and their nests being similar in construction and appearance to those of that species. The eggs cannot be distinguished from those of other species.

433. RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD. _Selasphorus rufus._

Range.--Western North America, breeding from the Mexican border north to Alaska and fairly abundant in most of its range.

A handsome little species with the back and tail reddish brown, and with a throat gorget of orange red, the feathers being slightly lengthened into a ruff on the side of the gorget. They nest in a great variety of locations and at a low elevation, such as vines, bushes and the low hanging branches of trees. The nest is made of vegetable fibres covered with cobwebs and often with lichens. The eggs do not differ from those of the other Hummers.

[Illustration 278: 432--433--434.] [Illustration:.] [Illustration: left hand margin.]

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434. ALLEN'S HUMMINGBIRD. _Selasphorus alleni._

Range.--Pacific coast from British Columbia southward; most abundant in California. Winters in Mexico.

This species is like the last, but the back is greenish, only the tail being reddish brown. These birds generally locate their nests at low elevations near the end of overhanging branches, on vines, weed stalks, or bushes, but have been found as high as 90 feet above ground. The nests of this species are made of plant fibres and cobwebs, generally decorated with lichens. The two white eggs measure .50 × .32. Data.--Santa Monica, Cal., May 29, 1896. Nest two feet from the ground in a sage bush. Collector, W. Lee Chambers.

[Illustration 279.] [Illustration: E. L. Bickford. ANNA'S HUMMINGBIRD.] [Illustration: right hand margin.]

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435. MORCOM'S HUMMINGBIRD. _Atthis morcomi._

Range.--This species is known only from a single specimen, taken in the Huachuca Mountains, Arizona, in 1896.

436. CALLIOPE HUMMINGBIRD. _Stellula calliope._

Range.--Western United States from British Columbia southward, and from the Rocky Mountains west to eastern Oregon and California.

This is the smallest of North American Hummers, being but 3 inches in length. It is greenish above and has a violet gorget showing the white bases of the feathers. They build their nests in all manner of locations from high up in tall pines to within a foot of the ground in slender bushes. The nests are made interiorly with plant down, but the outside is generally grayish colored shreds and lichens. The eggs average but a trifle smaller than those of _colubris_, .45 × .30.

437. LUCIFER'S HUMMINGBIRD. _Calothorax lucifer._

Range.--Mexico, north to southwestern Texas and Arizona.

This species, which is common in parts of Central Mexico, occurs only casually north to our borders and has not yet been found nesting there. They build small compact nests of plant down attached to the stalks or leaves of plants or weeds.

438. REIFFER'S HUMMINGBIRD. _Amizilis tzacatl._

Range.--Abundant in southern Mexico; casual in southern Texas.

This species is greenish above, with a bronzy lustre; the tail is reddish brown, and the throat and breast are metallic green. They breed abundantly about houses and nest apparently at all seasons of the year in Central America, where they are the most common species of Hummers.

[Illustration 280: 436--437--438.] [Illustration: deco.] [Illustration: left hand margin.]

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439. BUFF-BELLIED HUMMINGBIRD. _Amizilis cerviniventris chalconota._

Range.--Lower Rio Grande Valley in Texas and southward through Mexico.

These birds are like the last but have the underparts a pale brownish buff color. They are quite common in their summer range in the United States, nesting at a low elevation in bushes and low trees. The two eggs are white, .50 × .35. Data.--Brownsville, Texas, May 5, 1892. Nest of fine bark-like fibre on the outside, lined with lint from thistle plant; located on limb of small hackberry. Collector, Frank G. Armstrong.

440. XANTUS' HUMMINGBIRD. _Basilinna xantusi._

Range.--Southern Lower California.

A handsome species, greenish above, with a coppery tinge and shading into reddish brown on the tail; under parts buffy, throat metallic green, and a broad white streak behind the eye. They breed on the ranges making a similar nest to those of other Hummers, placed on weeds or bushes near the ground. The eggs cannot be distinguished from those of the majority of other species.

440.1. WHITE-EARED HUMMINGBIRD. _Basilinna leucotis._

Range.--A Central American and Mexican species, casually found on the ranges in Southern Arizona.

The plumage of this species is greenish above and below, being metallic green on the breast; the forehead, sides of head, and throat are iridescent blue and a white line extends back from the eye.

441. BROAD-BILLED HUMMINGBIRD. _Cynanthus latirostris._

Range.--Mountains of central Mexico north to southern Arizona and New Mexico.

The throat of this species is a rich metallic blue; otherwise the plumage is greenish above and below, being brighter and more irisdescent on the breast. They are not uncommon on the ranges of southern Arizona, where they have been found nesting in July and August, their nest not being unlike those of the Rufous Hummer, but with the exterior largely composed of shreds of grayish bark and lichens. Their eggs are like many others of the Hummers.

[Illustration 281: 439--440.1--441.] [Illustration: deco.] [Illustration: right hand margin.]

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PERCHING BIRDS. Order XVII. PASSERES

COTINGAS. Family COTINGIDAE