A Synopsis of the Birds of North America

Picus villosus, Bonap. Syn. p. 46.

Hairy Woodpecker, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 575.

Hairy Woodpecker, Picus villosus, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. v. p. 164.

265. 10. Picus pubescens, Linn. Downy Woodpecker

Plate CXII. Male and Female.

Bill much shorter than the head, slender; fourth toe considerably longer than third; fourth quill longest; upper bristles over the nostrils yellowish, tipped with black; upper part of the head glossy black; a band of white over the eye ending in a scarlet occipital band; then a band of black from the eye to the hind neck, succeeded by one of white from the angle of the mouth, curving so as nearly to meet its fellow on the hind neck, and a black band from the lower mandible down the side of the neck. Upper parts black; feathers along the middle of the back tipped with white; coverts and quills spotted with white, there being six spots on the outer, and five on the inner webs of the four longest primaries, the outermost quill with one patch of white on the inner web, and the next with four spots on each web; outer small tail-feathers white, with a single black spot, next two white, with two terminal black bands, the rest variegated, except the two middle, which are black. Female without red.

Male, 63/4, 12.

Breeds from Texas to Labrador, and northward to Lat. 58°. Common throughout the interior to the eastern bases of the Rocky Mountains. In every district, a constant resident.

Downy Woodpecker, Picus pubescens, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. i. p. 153.

Picus pubescens, Bonap. Syn. p. 46.

Picus (Dendrocopus) pubescens, Downy Woodpecker, Swains. & Rich. F. Bor. Amer. v. ii. p. 307.

Downy Woodpecker, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 576.

Downy Woodpecker, Picus pubescens, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. ii. p. 81; v. v. p. 539.

266. 11. Picus Gairdnerii, Aud. Gairdner's Woodpecker

Not figured.

Bill shorter than the head, slender; fourth toe considerably longer than third, fifth quill longest; black above, with a scarlet occipital band, brownish-white beneath; spotted with white, and in all respects as to colour like the last species, only the spots on the wings are much smaller, and the patch of red brocade; the toes and bill larger.

Length, 68/12; wing, 310/12.

Columbia River.

Gairdner's Woodpecker, Picus Gairdnerii, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. v. p. 317.

267. 12. Picus querulus, Wils. Red-cockaded Woodpecker

Plate CCCLXXXIX.

Upper part of the head, hind neck, and a band on each side of the neck, glossy black; a large patch on the side of the head and neck white; back black, barred with white; wings brownish-black, spotted with white, there being eight spots on the outer, and six on the inner webs of the longest quills; middle tail-feathers black, outer four on each side white, with black bars; lower parts white, sides of the neck and body with oblong black spots. Male with a small carmine line behind the eye.

Male, 81/2, 141/2. Female, 73/8, 131/4.

From Texas to New Jersey, along the Atlantic districts. Common. In the interior to Lower Mississippi. Resident.

Red-cockaded Woodpecker, Picus querulus, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. ii. p. 103.

Picus querulus, Bonap. Syn. p. 46.

Red-cockaded Woodpecker, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 577.

Red-cockaded Woodpecker, Picus querulus, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. v. p. 12.

268. 13. Picus Auduboni, Trudeau. Audubon's Woodpecker

Plate CCCCXVII. Adult.

Bill about the length of the head, with the outlines considerably arched, the tips acute, and not laterally worn; upper parts black, lower white, with a tinge of brown, the sides very faintly barred with dusky; tufts covering the nostrils white; on the anterior part of the top of the head some feathers largely tipped with yellow; a band of white over the eye; loral space and a broad band behind the eye black; feathers along the middle of the back tipped with white; wings spotted with white; six spots on the outer, and four on the inner webs of the longer primaries; four middle tail-feathers black, the next with the tip obliquely white, that colour enlarging on the rest, so as to include almost the whole of the outer feathers.

Adult, 7, 131/2.

Louisiana.

Picus Auduboni, Audubon's Woodpecker, Trudeau, Journ. Acad. Nat. Sc. Philadelphia, v. vii. p. 404.

Audubon's Woodpecker, Picus Auduboni, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. v. p. 194.

269. 14. Picus ruber. Gmel. Red-breasted Woodpecker

Plate CCCCXVI. Fig. 9. Male. Fig. 10. Female.

Head, neck, and fore part of breast, deep carmine; upper parts black, variegated with white, lower pale yellow, with the sides undulated with dusky; middle tail-feathers with the inner web white, obliquely banded with black.

Male, 8, 14. Female, 8; wing, 52/12.

Upper California. Columbia River. Nootka. Common. Migratory.

Red-breasted Woodpecker, Picus ruber, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. v. p. 179.

270. 15. Picus varius, Linn. Yellow-bellied Woodpecker

Male with the crown of the head and throat bright carmine; a semicircular patch of black on the lower fore neck, and a semilunar band on the occiput; upper parts bluish-black, variegated with white and yellow, lower yellow, with the sides undulated with dusky; middle tail-feathers with the inner web white, obliquely banded with black. Female similar, but with the throat white, and the yellow of the lower parts less pure. Young without red on the head or throat, the former dusky, streaked with faint brown, the latter greyish-white, the upper parts as in the adult, but duller, the tail variegated with white, the lower parts dull yellowish-grey, undulated with dusky, the abdomen dull yellowish.

Male, 81/2, 15.

Breeds from Maryland northward to the Saskatchewan. Rather rare in the interior in summer. Many spend the winter in the Southern and Western Districts.

Yellow-bellied Woodpecker, Picus varius, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. i. p. 147.

Picus varius, Bonap. Syn. p. 45.

Picus (Dendrocopus) varius, Yellow-bellied Woodpecker, Swains. & Rich. F. Bor. Amer. v. ii. p. 309.

Yellow-bellied Woodpecker, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 574.

Yellow-bellied Woodpecker, Picus varius. Aud. Amer. Orn. v. i. p. 519; v. v. p. 537.

** Hind toe wanting. Genus Apternus of authors.

271. 16. Picus arcticus, Swains. Arctic Three-toed Woodpecker

Plate CXXXII. Male and Female.

Three-toed, with the upper parts glossy bluish-black, the lower white, the sides and lower wing-coverts transversely barred with black; tufts of bristly feathers black; crown of the head saffron-yellow; a white line from behind the eye, a band of the same from the base of the upper mandible to beneath the ear-coverts, succeeded by a black band; inner webs of all the quills and outer webs of the primaries spotted with white, there being seven spots on the outer, and five on the inner webs of the three longest; four middle tail-feathers black, the next with an oblique band of white, the rest black only at the base, except the outermost, of which nearly all the inner web is of that colour. Female without yellow on the head.

Male, 101/2, 16.

From the northern parts of New York to the Fur Countries, as well as along the eastern declivities of the Rocky Mountains. Rather common. Partially migratory.

Picus tridactylus, Bonap. Syn. p. 46.

Northern Three-toed Woodpecker, Picus tridactylus, Bonap. Amer. Orn. v. ii. p. 14.

Picus (apternus) arcticus, Arctic Three-toed Woodpecker, Swains. & Rich. F. Bor. Amer. v. ii. p. 313.

Northern Three-toed Woodpecker, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 578.

Three-toed Woodpecker, Picus tridactylus, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. ii. p. 198.

272. 17. Picus hirsutus, Vieill. Banded Three-toed Woodpecker

Plate CCCCXVII. Fig. 3. Male. Fig. 4. Female.

Three-toed, with the upper parts deep glossy-black, the head with blue reflections, the back and wings tinged with brown; tufts over nostrils dull yellow; anterior part of head pale yellow, spotted with white; a band of white, with small dusky lines, from the angle of the mouth to the occiput; the back transversely banded with white; inner webs of all the quills and outer webs of the primaries spotted with white, there being seven spots on the outer, and five on the inner, webs of the three longest quills; four middle tail-feathers black, the next white at the end, the rest white, unless at the base, but the outermost banded with black. Female with the head black, streaked with white.

Male, 9; wing, 45/12.

From Lake Superior to the Arctic Sea. Abundant. Resident.

Picus hirsutus, Vieill. Ois. de l'Amer. v. ii. p. 124.

Picus (Apternus) tridactylus, Common Three-toed Woodpecker, Swains. & Rich. F. Bor. Amer. v. ii. p. 311.

Common Three-toed Woodpecker, Picus hirsutus, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. v. p. 184.

*** Bill straight, with the angles obsolete, and the upper outline somewhat arched.

273. 18. Picus Carolinus, Linn. Red-bellied Woodpecker

Plate CCCCXV. Fig. 3. Male. Fig. 4. Female.

Male with the upper part of the head and hind neck bright carmine; the back and scapulars transversely banded with black and white; the rump and tail-coverts with the white predominating; primaries black, with a band of white; tail black, with the inner webs of the middle, and both webs of the outer barred with white; lower parts yellowish-white, abdomen red; lower wing and tail-coverts white, spotted with dusky. Female similar, but with the top of the head ash-grey and with less red on the abdomen.

Male, 73/4, 153/4. Female, 8, 141/2.

Breeds from Kentucky in the West, and from Maryland to Nova Scotia and Canada. Abundant in winter in all the Southern States, from Carolina to Texas, and especially in the Floridas.

Red-bellied Woodpecker, Picus carolinus, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. i. p. 113.

Picus carolinus, Bonap. Syn. p. 45.

Red-bellied Woodpecker, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 572.

Red-bellied Woodpecker, Picus carolinus, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. v. p. 169.

274. 19. Picus erythrocephalus, Linn. Red-headed Woodpecker

Plate XXVII. Male and Female.

Head and neck bright crimson, that colour descending on the fore neck, and margined with a semilunar band of black; back wings and tail glossy bluish-black; inner secondaries, rump, and lower parts, pure white. Young with the head and neck brownish-grey, streaked with dusky; feathers of back and wing-coverts dusky, edged with grey; secondary quills yellowish-white barred with black; lower parts greyish-white, the sides streaked with dusky.

Male, 9, 17. Female, 81/2.

Breeds from Texas to Nova Scotia, and throughout the interior to the head waters of the Missouri; thence to Lake Huron. Extremely common. Great numbers spend the winter in Louisiana.

Red-headed Woodpecker, Picus erythrocephalus, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. i. p. 142.

Picus erythrocephalus, Bonap. Syn. p. 45.

Melanerpes erythrocephalus, Red-headed Woodpecker, Swains. & Rich. F. Bor. Amer. v. ii. p. 316.

Red-headed Woodpecker, Picus erythrocephalus, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. i. p. 141; v. v. p. 536.

275. 20. Picus torquatus, Wils. Lewis's Woodpecker

Plate CCCCXVI. Fig. 7. Male. Fig. 8. Female.

Upper parts black, highly glossed with dark green; a band across the forehead, the chin, and a broad patch on the side of the head, surrounding the eye, deep carmine, or blood-red; beyond this, the throat and part of the sides of the neck black; a band of dull white across the hind neck, continuous anteriorly with a large patch of yellowish-white, occupying the fore neck and part of the breast; the rest of the breast and the sides bright red; lower wing-coverts, abdomen, and lower tail-coverts black. Young with the red on the head scarcely apparent, that on the lower parts mixed with greyish-white, the fore part of the neck dull grey, and the white ring on the hind neck wanting; many of the feathers there with one or two white spots near the end.

Male, 11, wing, 72/12.

Rocky Mountains, and Columbia River. Abundant. Migratory.

Lewis's Woodpecker, Picus torquatus, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. iii. p. 31.

Picus torquatus, Bonap. Syn. p. 46.

Lewis's Woodpecker, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 577.

Lewis's Woodpecker, Picus torquatus, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. v. p. 176.

**** Bill comparatively slender, slightly arched, acute, with the lateral angles obsolete. Genus Colaptes of authors.

276. 21. Picus auratus, Linn. Golden-winged Woodpecker. – Flicker. Tucker. High-holder

Plate XXXVII. Male and Female.

Male with the upper part of the head and neck ash-grey; a transverse band of carmine on the hind neck; back, scapulars, and secondaries light greenish-brown, transversely spotted with black, rump white; tail-coverts white, with black markings; primaries and tail-feathers blackish-brown, the shafts yellow; sides of the head and fore neck light pale purplish-red, inclining to lilac; a black streak on each side of the throat, and a semilunar patch of the same on the fore part of the breast; lower parts reddish-white, tinged with yellow, and spotted with black; lower wing-coverts and inner edges of quills clear buff, lower surface of quills and tail-feathers yellow, the latter black toward the end. Female similar, but without the black bands on the throat.

Male, 121/2, 16.

Breeds from Texas to Nova Scotia, and the Fur Countries. Generally distributed in the United States. Eastern bases of Rocky Mountains. Extremely common. Resident in the Southern States.

Gold-winged Woodpecker, Picus auratus, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. ii. p. 45.

Picus auratus, Bonap. Syn. p. 44.

Colaptes auratus, Golden-shafted Woodpecker, Swains. & Rich. F. Bor. Amer. v. ii. p. 314.

Flicker or Golden-winged Woodpecker, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 561.

Golden-winged Woodpecker, Picus auratus, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. i. p. 191; v. v. p. 540.

277. 22. Picus Mexicanus, Swains. Red-shafted Woodpecker

Plate CCCCXVI. Fig. 5. Male. Fig. 6. Female.

Male with the upper part of the head and hind neck light greyish-brown; forehead and a band over the eye dull red; sides and fore part of neck ash-grey, with an oblong patch of bright carmine on each side of the throat; back, scapulars, and secondaries light reddish-brown, transversely spotted with black; rump white; upper tail-coverts black, barred with white; primaries blackish-brown, tail-feathers black, their shafts vermilion; lower parts reddish-white, spotted with black, of which there is a semilunar patch on the fore part of the breast; lower wing-coverts, and inner webs of quills of roseate tints; lower surface of quills and tail-feathers orange-red, inclining to vermilion, the tail black toward the end.

Male, 131/2, wing, 610/12. Female, 13.

Rocky Mountains, Columbia River, and northward to the Saskatchewan. Abundant. Migratory.

Colaptes mexicanus, Swains. Synop. Birds of Mex. Phil. Mag. N. 84.

Colaptes mexicanus, Red-shafted Woodpecker, Swains. & Rich. F. Bor. Amer. v. ii. p. 315.

Red-shafted Woodpecker, Nutt. Man. v. ii. p. 603.

Red-shafted Woodpecker, Picus mexicanus, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. ii. p. 314.

FAMILY XXVII. CUCULINÆ. CUCKOOS

Bill long or of moderate length, broader than high at the base, compressed toward the end, straight or somewhat arched; upper mandible with the dorsal line convex or arched, the ridge indistinct, the sides convex, the edges arched, sharp, without notch, the tip decurved; lower mandible with the angle rather short, the dorsal line straight or decurved, the ridge thin, the sides erect or convex, the tip slightly decurved, acute. Nostrils basal, oblong, generally marginate. Head of moderate size; neck of ordinary length; body rather slender. Feet of moderate length; tarsus with broad scutella; toes long, slender, flat beneath, outer directed outwards or backwards. Claws long or of moderate length, arched, compressed, acute. Plumage blended; wings generally long, with the first quill short, the third and fourth longest. Tail long, of ten feathers; upper mandible very narrow beneath, with three longitudinal ridges; tongue slender, emarginate, and papillate at the base, the tip horny, thin, lacerated, and slit; œsophagus rather wide, without dilatation; stomach large, round, with the muscular coat very thin, the epithelium soft, rugous; intestine of moderate length and width; cœca long, oblong, narrowed at the base. Trachea simple, with a single very slender pair of inferior laryngeal muscles.

GENUS I. COCCYZUS, Vieill. AMERICAN CUCKOO

Bill of moderate length, rather slender, somewhat arched, much compressed, acute; upper mandible with the dorsal line arched, the ridge rounded, the sides erect toward the end, the edges thin, direct, the tip narrow, decurved; lower mandible with the angle of moderate length, rather wider, the dorsal line decurved toward the end, the sides nearly erect, the edges decurved, the tip narrow; the nostrils small, oblong, operculate. Eyelids bare, except at the margin. Head rather small; neck of moderate length; body slender. Feet rather short; tarsus compressed, rather stout, with seven very broad scutella; toes slender, compressed, anterior united at the base, first small. Claws moderate, arched, compressed, laterally grooved, acute. Plumage soft and blended, somewhat compact on the back. Wings of moderate length, with the first quill very short, the third and fourth longest. Tail very long, cuneate or graduated.

278. 1. Coccyzus Americanus, Linn. Yellow-billed American Cuckoo. – Rain Crow. Cow-bird

Plate II. Male and Female.

Bill brownish-black above, with the margin of the upper, and nearly the whole of the lower mandible yellow; margin of the eye yellow; upper parts light greenish-brown, with a tinge of grey on the head; lower parts silvery white; quills with the inner webs brownish-orange; middle tail-feathers like the back, glossed with green, the rest brownish-black, all tipped with white, that colour gradually enlarging to the outer, which, besides, has nearly the whole outer web white.

Male, 121/2, 16. Female, 113/4, 151/2.

Breeds from Texas to Nova Scotia, and throughout the interior, to the eastern bar of the Rocky Mountains. Common. Many spend the winter in the Floridas.

Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Cuculus carolinensis, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. iv. p. 13.

Coccyzus americanus, Bonap. Syn. p. 42.

Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Coccyzus americanus, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 551.

Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Coccyzus americanus, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. i. p. 18; v. v. p. 520.

279. 2. Coccyzus erythrophthalmus, Wils. Black-billed American Cuckoo. – Rain-Crow. Cuckoo-Bird

Plate XXXII. Male and Female.

Bill black; margin of the eye blue, before and behind bright red; upper parts light greenish-brown; lower parts silvery-white, the breast and sides faintly tinged with yellow; quills with the inner webs pale buff toward the base; tail-feathers like the back, tipped with white.

Male, 111/2, 15.

From Texas to Nova Scotia, and in the interior to Kentucky. Rather common. Migratory.

Black-billed Cuckoo, Cuculus erythrophthalmus, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. iv. p. 15.

Coccyzus erythrophthalmus, Bonap. Syn. p. 42.

St. Domingo Cuckoo, Coccyzus dominicus, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 556.

Black-billed Cuckoo, Coccyzus erythrophthalmus, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. i. p. 170; v. v. p. 523.

280. 3. Coccyzus Seniculus, Lath. Mangrove American Cuckoo

Plate CLXIX. Male.

Upper mandible, and the tip and edges of the lower black, the rest yellow; upper parts light greenish-brown, with a tinge of grey on the head; lower parts brownish-orange; inner webs of quills uniform with the rest; middle tail-feathers like the back, the rest brownish-black, tipped with white, that colour gradually enlarging to the outer.

Male, 12, 15.

Florida Keys. Common. Migratory.

Mangrove Cuckoo, Coccyzus Seniculus, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 558.

Mangrove Cuckoo, Coccyzus Seniculus, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. ii. p. 390.

FAMILY XXVIII. PSITTACINÆ. PARROTS

Bill short, bulging, very strong, deeper than broad, convex above and below; upper mandible cerate at the base, its outline decurved, the sides convex, the edges sharp, with an angular process, the tip trigonal, decurved, elongated, acute; lower mandible with the angle short and wide, the tip thin-edged, rounded, or abrupt. Nostrils basal, round, open, in the cere. Head very large; neck of moderate length; body compact. Feet short and robust; tarsus short, scaly; toes stout, the outer directed backwards, the third and fourth coherent at the base. Claws stout, curved, acute. Plumage generally blended, but firm. Wings and tail various. Tongue short, fleshy, rounded, or emarginate; œsophagus wide, with a large crop; stomach small, muscular; intestine of moderate length; cœca small; cloaca globular.

GENUS I. CENTURUS, Kuhl. PARRAKEET

Bill short, very strong, bulging; upper mandible with the dorsal line decurved, the sides convex, the edges ascending at the base, then direct, with a deep notch, the tip decurved, acute; lower mandible very deep at the base, with the dorsal line convex and ascending, the tip sharp-edged and truncate. The nostrils basal, round. Feet short, stout; tarsus very short; toes of moderate length, stout; claws strong, curved, acute. Plumage blended, compact on the wings, which are long and pointed, with the second quill longest. Tail long, cuneate.

281. 1. Centurus Carolinensis, Linn. Carolina Parrakeet

Plate XXVI. Male, Female, and Young.

Fore part of the head and cheeks bright carmine, that colour extending over and behind the eyes, the rest of the head and neck pure bright yellow; upper parts emerald-green, with light blue reflections, lower parts lighter; edge of wing yellow, primary coverts deep bluish-green, secondary coverts yellowish-green; quills with the inner webs dusky, the outer yellow at the base, blue toward the end; tail green; tibial feathers yellow, the lowest bright red. Young with the head green.

Male, 14, 22.

South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Louisiana, and up the Mississippi to Kentucky. Abundant. Resident.

Psittacus carolinensis, Linn. Syst. Nat. v. i. p. 141.

Carolina Parrot, Psittacus carolinensis, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. iii. p. 89.

Psittacus carolinensis, Bonap. Syn. p. 41.

Carolina Parrot, Psittacus carolinensis, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 545.

Carolina Parrot, Psittacus carolinensis, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. i. p. 135.

FAMILY XXIX. COLUMBINÆ. PIGEONS

Bill short, soft for half its length, horny toward the end; upper mandible with a tumid fleshy covering at the base, its dorsal line straight, toward the end convex and deflected, the tip narrow, but obtuse; lower mandible at its base wider than the upper, its sides elastic and slender, the angle long and obtuse, the dorsal line short and convex, the tip obtuse. Nostrils linear in the lower and fore part of the nasal membrane. Head small, oblong; neck of moderate length; body rather full. Feet short; tarsus partially feathered, scutellate, or scaly; toes four, on the same level, broad beneath, marginate; the first short, the lateral nearly equal, all scutellate above. Claws moderate, arched, compressed, rather blunt. Plumage generally compact, the feathers with thick spongy shaft, and destitute of plumule. Wings and tail various. Tongue rather broad at the base, toward the end narrow, horny, induplicate, pointed; œsophagus very wide, enlarged into an enormous crop; stomach a very large and strong gizzard, placed obliquely, its lateral muscles exceedingly thick, the lower prominent, the tendons very large, the epithelium dense, with longitudinal broad rugæ, and two opposite grinding surfaces; intestine long, of moderate width; cœca very small; cloaca oblong. Trachea simple, flattened, with a single pair of inferior laryngeal muscles. Nest flat, rudely constructed. Eggs two, elliptical, white.