A Synopsis of the Birds of North America

Male, 123/4, 26. Female, 131/4, 30.

From Texas to North Carolina. Up the Mississippi to Natchez. Resident in the Floridas.

Chuck-will's-widow, Caprimulgus Carolinensis, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. vi. p. 95.

Caprimulgus Carolinensis, Bonap. Syn. p. 61.

Chuck-will's-widow, Caprimulgus Carolinensis, v. i. p. 612.

Chuck-will's-widow, Caprimulgus Carolinensis, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. i. p. 273; v. v. p. 401.

42. 2. Caprimulgus vociferus, Wils. Whip-poor-will Goatsucker

Bristles without lateral filaments; tail much rounded. General colour of upper parts dark brownish-grey, streaked and minutely sprinkled with brownish-black; quills and coverts dark brown, spotted in bars with light brownish-red; four middle tail-feathers like those of the back, the three lateral white in their terminal half; throat and breast similar to the back, with a transverse band of white on the fore neck, the rest of the lower parts paler and mottled. Female like the male, but with the lateral tail-feathers reddish-white toward the tip only, and the band across the fore neck pale yellowish-brown.

Male, 91/2, 19. Female.

From Texas to Lake Huron, and the base of the Rocky Mountains. A few remain in winter in Florida.

Whip-poor-will, Caprimulgus vociferus, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. v. p. 71.

Caprimulgus vociferus, Bonap. Syn. p. 62.

Whip-poor-will, Caprimulgus vociferus, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. i. p. 422; v. v. p. 405.

Whip-poor-will, Caprimulgus vociferus, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 614.

GENUS II. CHORDEILES, Swainson. NIGHT-HAWK

Mouth opening to beneath the centre of the eyes; bill extremely small; upper mandible with the tip decurved, and a deep lateral groove. Nostrils oblong, prominent, marginate. Eyes very large. Aperture of ear elliptical, very large. Head very large, depressed, but less so than in Caprimulgus. Claw of middle toe pectinate. No bristles at the base of the upper mandible. Wings very long, pointed, with the first quill longest, and the secondaries very short. Tail emarginate.

43. 1. Chordeiles Virginianus, Briss. Virginian Night-Hawk. – Bat. Crapaud volant

Plate CXLVII. Male and Female.

Upper parts brownish-black, mottled with white and pale reddish-brown; a conspicuous white bar extending across the inner web of the first, and the whole breadth of the next four quills; tail-feathers barred with brownish-grey, the four outer on each side plain brownish-black towards the end, with a large white spot; sides of the head and fore neck mottled like the back; a broad white band, in the form of the letter V reversed on the throat and sides of the neck; the rest of the lower parts greyish-white, transversely undulated with dark brown. Female similar, with the dark parts more brown, the white more tinged with red, the band on the throat brownish-white, and the white spots on the tail-feathers wanting.

Male, 91/2, 231/2. Female, 93/4, 233/4.

From Texas northward. Columbia River. Throughout the interior. Migratory. Very abundant.

Night-Hawk, Caprimulgus Americanus, Wils. Amer. Ornith. Biog. v. v. p. 65.

Caprimulgus Virginianus, Bonap. Syn. p. 62.

Caprimulgus (Chordeiles) Virginianus, Swains. & Rich. F. Bor. Amer. v. i. p. 62.

Night-Hawk, Caprimulgus Americanus, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 619.

Night-Hawk, Caprimulgus Virginianus, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. ii. p. 273; v. v. p. 406.

FAMILY V. CYPSELINÆ. SWIFTS

Mouth opening to beneath the hind part of the eyes; bill extremely short, very broad at the base, compressed at the end; upper mandible decurved at the point, the edge inflected, with an indistinct sinus. Nostrils basal, approximate, oblong. Head large and depressed; neck short; body rather slender. Feet extremely short; tarsus rounded, destitute of scutella; toes extremely short, the three anterior nearly equal; hind toe very small, and versatile; claws strong, compressed, arched, very acute. Plumage compact; no bristles at the base of the upper mandible; wings extremely elongated, falciform, the first quill longest; tail of ten feathers. Œsophagus of moderate width, without crop; stomach oblong, moderately muscular, with a dense rugous epithelium; intestine short, and rather wide; no cœca. No inferior laryngeal muscles. Nest in crevices or holes, or attached to high places. Eggs elongated, white.

GENUS I. CHÆTURA, Stephens. SPINE-TAIL

All the characters as above. Tarsus bare, longer than the middle toe, which scarcely exceeds the outer. Tail short, even, the shafts very strong, and prolonged into acuminate points.

44. 1. Chætura pelasgia, Linn. American Spine-tail. – Chimney Swallow. American Swift

Brownish-black, lighter on the rump, with a slight greenish gloss on the head and back; throat greyish-white, lower parts greyish-brown, tinged with green; loral space black, and a greyish-white line over the eye. Female similar to the male.

Male, 41/4, 12.

Extends as far eastward as Nova Scotia. Abundant. Migratory.

Chimney Swallow, Hirundo pelasgia, Wils. Amer. Ornith. v. v. p. 48.

Cypselus pelasgius, Bonap. Syn. p. 63.

Chimney Swift or Swallow, Cypselus pelasgius, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 609.

Chimney Swallow or American Swift, Cypselus pelasgius, Aud. Ornith. Biog. v. ii. p. 329; v. v. p. 419.

FAMILY VI. HIRUNDINÆ. SWALLOWS

Bill very short, much depressed and very broad at the base, compressed toward the tip; upper mandible with the dorsal line convex, the edges overlapping, with a small notch close to the slightly decurved tip. Head broad, depressed; neck very short, body moderate. Feet very short, tarsus very short, anteriorly scutellate; toes of moderate size; first large, all scutellate in their whole length; claws rather strong, compressed, well curved, acute. Plumage soft, blended, glossy. No bristles at the base of the bill. Wings extremely long, narrow, pointed, somewhat falciform; secondaries very short. Tail generally emarginate, of twelve feathers. Mouth extremely wide; œsophagus rather wide, without crop; stomach elliptical or roundish, muscular, with a dense rugous epithelium; cœca very small. Four pairs of inferior laryngeal muscles. Nest in holes in banks, buildings, or trees, or attached to the surface of these objects. Eggs from four to six, white, plain, or spotted.

GENUS I. HIRUNDO, Linn. SWALLOW

Characters as above; tail emarginate or forked.

45. 1. Hirundo purpurea, Linn. Purple Martin

Plate XXIII. Male and Female.

Bill rather stout; wings as long as the tail, which is deeply emarginate. Plumage silky, shining, purplish-black, with steel blue reflections; quills and tail-feathers brownish-black; tarsi and toes purplish-black. Female with the upper parts paler, and tinged with grey, the lower light grey, longitudinally streaked with black.

Male, 71/2, 16. Female, 74/12, 159/12.

From the Texas northward. Rocky Mountains, and all intermediate districts. Migratory.

Purple Martin, Hirundo purpurea, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. i. p. 58.

Hirundo purpurea, Bonap. Syn. p. 64.

Purple Martin, Hirundo purpurea, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 598.

Purple Martin, Hirundo purpurea, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. i. p. 115; v. v. p. 408.

46. 2. Hirundo bicolor. Vieill. White-bellied Swallow

Plate XCVIII. Male and Female.

Wings a little longer than the tail, which is deeply emarginate. Upper parts steel blue, with green reflections, lower white; feet flesh-coloured. Female similar to the male.

Male, 51/4, 10. Female.

From Texas northward. Columbia River, and all intermediate districts. Winters in Florida and Louisiana.

Green-blue or White-bellied Swallow, Hirundo viridis, Wils. Amer. Ornith. v. iii. p. 44.

Hirundo bicolor, Bonap. Syn. p. 65.

White-bellied Swallow, Hirundo bicolor, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 605.

White-bellied Swallow, Hirundo bicolor, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. i. p. 491; v. v. p. 417.

47. 3. Hirundo fulva, Vieill. Cliff-Swallow, – Republican Swallow

Bill shorter than in the last species; wings of the same length as the tail, which is slightly emarginate. Upper part of head, back, and smaller wing-coverts black with bluish-green reflections; forehead white, generally tinged with red; loral space and a band on the lower part of the forehead black; chin, throat, and sides of the neck deep brownish-red; a patch of black on the fore-neck; rump light yellowish-red; lower parts greyish-white, anteriorly tinged with red. Female similar to the male. Young dark greyish-brown above, reddish-white beneath.

Male, 51/2, 12. Female, 54/12, 123/4.

From Kentucky northward. Abundant from New York to Nova Scotia. Columbia River. Rocky Mountains. Migratory.

Fulvous or Cliff Swallow, Hirundo fulva, Bonap. Amer. Orn. v. i. p. 63.

Hirundo fulva, Bonap. Syn. p. 64.

Fulvous or Cliff Swallow, Hirundo fulva, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 603.

Republican or Cliff Swallow, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. i. p. 353; v. v. p. 415.

48. 4. Hirundo rustica, Linn. Chimney-Swallow. – Barn-Swallow

Plate CLXXIII. Male and Female.

Tail very deeply forked, the lateral feathers much exceeding the wings. Forehead and throat bright chestnut; upper parts and a band on the fore-neck glossy deep steel-blue; quills and tail brownish-black glossed with green; the latter with a white spot on the inner web of each of the feathers, except the two middle. Female similar to the male. Young less deeply coloured, the forehead and throat pale red, the band on the fore-neck dusky tinged with red; lateral tail-feathers not exceeding the wings.

Male, 7, 13. Female, 65/12, 129/12.

Throughout North America, Europe, and Africa. Migratory.

Barn Swallow, Hirundo Americana, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. v. p. 34.

Hirundo Americana, American Barn Swallow, Swains. & Rich. F. Bor. Amer. v. ii. p. 329.

Hirundo rufa, Bon. Syn. p. 64.

Barn Swallow, Hirundo rufa, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 601.

Barn Swallow, Hirundo rustica, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. ii. p. 413; v. v. p. 411.

49. 5. Hirundo thalassina, Swains. Violet-green Swallow

Plate CCCLXXXV. Fig. 4. Male. Fig. 5. Female.

Bill narrower than in the preceding species; wings extremely long, extending far beyond the tail, which is emarginate. Upper part of head deep green, gradually shaded into the dark purple of the hind neck; back rich grass-green, rump and upper tail-coverts carmine purple; a line over the eye, cheeks, and all the lower parts pure white, excepting the wing-coverts, which are light grey. Female with the upper part of the head and hind neck light greyish-brown, glossed with green; the back as in the male, the rump greyish-brown; lower parts white, anteriorly tinged with grey.

Male, 410/12, wing 46/12.

California, Rocky Mountains, and Oregon Territory. Migratory.

Hirundo thalassinus, Swains. Syn. of Mex. Birds, Phil. Mag. for 1827, p. 365.

Violet-green Swallow, Hirundo thalassina, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. iv. p. 597.

50. 6. Hirundo riparia, Linn. Bank Swallow

Plate CCCLXXXV. Fig. 1. Male. Fig. 2. Female. Fig. 3. Young.

Tail slightly forked, margin of first quill smooth, tarsus with a tuft of feathers behind; upper parts greyish-brown, lower whitish, with a dusky band across the fore part of the neck. Young with the feathers of the upper parts margined with reddish-white.

Male, 5, 11. Female, 47/8.

From Texas northward. Rocky Mountains. Columbia River. Migratory; but vast numbers winter in Florida.

Bank Swallow or Sand Martin, Hirundo riparia, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. v. p. 46.

Hirundo riparia, Bonap. Syn. p. 65.

Hirundo riparia, Sand Martin, Swains. & Rich. F. Bor. Amer. v. ii. p. 333.

Bank Swallow or Sand Martin, Hirundo riparia, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 607.

Bank Swallow or Sand Martin, Hirundo riparia, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. iv. p. 584.

51. 7. Hirundo serripennis, Aud. Rough-winged Swallow

Tail slightly emarginate, margin of first quill rough with the strong decurved tips of the filaments, tarsus bare; upper parts greyish-brown, lower pale greyish-brown, white behind. Very nearly allied to the last in form and colour, but readily distinguishable by drawing the finger along the edge of the wing, when the stiff projecting tips of the filaments are felt like the edge of a fine saw.

Male, 53/4, 121/2.

Louisiana and South Carolina. Migratory.

Rough-winged Swallow, Hirundo serripennis, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. iv. p. 593.

FAMILY VII. MUSCICAPINÆ. FLYCATCHERS

Bill depressed, triangular, compressed at the end, upper mandible notched, lower with the point slightly ascending. Head rather large, depressed; neck short; body rather slender. Feet generally short; tarsus short, slender, with very broad scutella; toes four, free; the hind toe not proportionally large; claws arched, compressed, acute. Plumage soft and blended. Wings long, with the first quill generally long, the outer three longest. Tail various. Tongue flattened, sagittate, bristly at the tip; œsophagus wide, without crop; stomach elliptical, moderately muscular, with the lateral muscles distinct, the epithelium thin, dense, longitudinally rugous; intestine short; cœca extremely small; cloaca globular. Trachea simple; inferior laryngeal muscles, forming on each side a large pad, but not divisible into several portions as in the singing birds. Nests regularly formed, cup-shaped. Eggs from four to six.

GENUS I. MILVULUS, Swains. SWALLOW-TAIL

Bill moderate, rather stout, straight, broad at the base, gradually compressed toward the end; upper mandible with the dorsal outline a little convex, the edges sharp and nearly perpendicular, with a very small notch close to the small deflected tip; lower mandible with the ridge very broad at the base, the sides rounded, the tip minute and ascending. Nostrils basal, broadly elliptical. Head rather large, depressed; neck short; body rather slender. Feet rather short; tarsus short, slender, compressed, with very broad scutella, some of which almost meet behind; toes free, the hind toe not proportionally larger, all scutellate above; claws of moderate size, arched, compressed, acute. Plumage soft and blended. Wings long, second quill longest, first almost as long as third, the three outer abruptly notched near the attenuated tip. Tail extremely elongated and forked, the middle feathers being of ordinary length, the lateral longest.

52. 1. Milvulus Tyrannus, Linn. Prairie Swallow-tail. – Fork-tailed Flycatcher

Plate CLXVIII. Male.

Tail more than twice the length of the body; upper part of head and cheeks deep black, the feathers of the crown bright yellow at the base; back ash-grey, rump bluish-black; wings and tail brownish-black, the lateral feathers of the latter with the outer web white for half its length; lower parts white.

Male, 141/4, 14.

In Louisiana, very rare. Accidental in New Jersey.

Fork-tailed Flycatcher, Muscicapa Savana, Bonap. Amer. Orn. v. i. p. 1.

Muscicapa Savana, Bonap. Syn. p. 67.

Fork-tailed Flycatcher, Muscicapa Savana, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 274.

Forked-tailed Flycatcher, Muscicapa Savana, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. ii. p. 387.

53. 2. Milvulus forficatus, Gmel. Red-shouldered Swallow-tail. – Swallow-tailed Flycatcher

Plate CCCLIX. Fig. 3. Male.

Tail longer than the body; upper part of the head, cheeks, and hind neck ash-grey; back brownish-grey, rump dusky; anterior wing-coverts scarlet, quills brownish-black, tail-feathers deep black, the three outer on each side rose-coloured to near the end; lower parts white before, rose-coloured behind.

Male, 11, wing 51/8.

Arkansas. Rare in Louisiana.

Swallow-tailed Flycatcher, Muscicapa forficata, Bonap. Amer. Orn. v. i. p. 15.

Muscicapa forficata, Bonap. Syn. p. 275.

Swallow-tailed Flycatcher, Muscicapa forficata, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 275.

Swallow-tailed Flycatcher, Muscicapa forficata, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. iv. p. 426.

GENUS II. MUSCICAPA, Linnæus. FLYCATCHER

Bill moderate, or rather long, stout, straight, broad at the base, gradually compressed toward the end; upper mandible with the dorsal outline sloping, the edges sharp and overlapping, with a very small notch close to the small deflected tip; lower mandible with the ridge very broad at the base, the sides rounded, the tip minute and ascending. Nostrils basal, roundish. Head rather large, depressed; neck short; body rather slender. Feet short; tarsus very short, slender, with six very broad scutella, three of which almost meet behind; toes free, the hind toe large, all scutellate above; claws rather long, very slender, arched, finely pointed. Plumage soft and blended. Wings long, second and third quills longest; outer primaries generally attenuated at the end. Tail long, even, or emarginate.

* Bill large. Head with a vermilion patch, outer quills attenuated. Tyrannus of authors.

54. 1. Muscicapa verticalis, Say. Arkansaw Flycatcher

Plate CCCLIX. Fig. 1. Male. Fig. 2. Female.

The outer five primaries much attenuated toward the end, the first more so, the fifth least, the third longest, but the outer four nearly equal; tail almost even. Upper parts ash-grey, the back tinged with yellow; a patch of bright vermilion on the top of the head; wing-coverts and quills chocolate-brown; upper tail-coverts and tail black, the outer web of the lateral feathers yellowish-white; throat greyish-white, sides and fore part of neck ash-grey, the rest of the lower parts pure yellow. Female similar.

Male, 9, 151/2.

Columbia River, Rocky Mountains, and across to Texas. Accidental in Louisiana. Migratory.

Tyrannus verticalis, Say Long's Exped. v. ii. p. 60.

Arkansaw Flycatcher, Muscicapa verticalis, Bonap. Amer. Orn. v. i. p. 18.

Muscicapa verticalis, Bonap. Syn. p. 67.

Arkansaw Flycatcher, Muscicapa verticalis, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 273.

Arkansaw Flycatcher, Muscicapa verticalis, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. iv. p. 422; v. v.

55. 2. Muscicapa dominicensis, Brisson. Pipiry Flycatcher

Plate CLXXII. Male.

The outer six primaries attenuated at the end, the first more so, the sixth least; the third longest, but the second almost equal, the fourth and fifth very little shorter, the first much longer than the seventh; tail emarginate. Upper parts dull ash-grey, shaded with brown posteriorly; a concealed patch of bright vermilion on the top of the head; wing-coverts, quills and tail chocolate-brown, margined with brownish-white; lower parts anteriorly ash-grey, behind greyish-white tinged with yellow, lower wing-coverts pale sulphur yellow. Female similar.

Male, 87/8, 143/8.

Florida Keys; and southern parts of South Carolina. Abundant. Migratory.

Tyrannus griseus, Vieill., Ois. d'Amer. pl. 46.

Pipiry Flycatcher, Muscicapa dominicensis, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. ii. p. 392.

56. 3. Muscicapa Tyrannus, Linn. Tyrant Flycatcher, – King Bird

Plate LXXIX. Male and Female.

The outer two primaries attenuated at the end, the second longest, the first longer than the third; tail even. Upper parts dark bluish-grey, the head greyish-black, with a bright vermilion patch margined with yellow; quills, coverts, and tail-feathers brownish-black, the former margined with dull white; the latter largely tipped with white; lower parts greyish-white, the breast pale grey. Female duller, the upper parts tinged with brown, the lower more dusky.

Male, 81/2, 141/2.

North America generally. Migratory. A few winter in South Florida.

Lanius Tyrannus, Linn. Syst. Nat. v. i. p. 136.

Tyrant Flycatcher, Muscicapa Tyrannus, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. i. p. 66.

Muscicapa Tyrannus, Bonap. Syn. p. 66.

King-bird or Tyrant Flycatcher, Muscicapa Tyrannus, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 265.

Tyrant Flycatcher, Muscicapa Tyrannus, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. i. p. 403; v. v. p. 420.

** Bill large. Head plain, crested, quills not attenuated.

57. 4. Muscicapa crinita, Linn. Great Crested Flycatcher

Plate CXXIX. Male.

Third quill longest, first and sixth equal; upper parts dull greenish-olive; quills and coverts dark brown, the primaries margined with light red, the secondaries with yellowish-white, of which there are two bars across the wing, formed by the tips of the secondary coverts and first row of small coverts; inner webs of the tail-feathers, except the two middle, light red; margins of inner webs of quills tinged with the same; fore-neck and sides of the head greyish-blue, the rest of the lower parts yellow. Female similar.

Male, 81/2, 13.

From Texas northward, generally distributed. Abundant. Migratory.

Great Crested Flycatcher, Muscicapa crinita, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. ii. p. 75.

Muscicapa crinita, Bonap. Syn. p. 67.

Great Crested Flycatcher, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 271.

Great Crested Flycatcher, Muscicapa crinita, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. ii. p. 176; v. v. p. 423.

58. 5. Muscicapa Cooperi, Nuttall. Cooper's Flycatcher. – Olive-sided Flycatcher

Wing pointed, second quill longest, first longer than third, tail emarginate, the three first primaries very slightly attenuated at the ends; upper parts, cheeks, and sides of the neck, dusky brown, tinged with greyish-olive, the head darker; quills and tail blackish-brown, the secondaries margined with brownish-white; downy feathers on the sides of the rump white; lower parts greyish-white, the sides dusky grey. Young similar to adult.

Male, 71/2, 123/4.

From Texas northward along the Atlantic. Never seen far in the interior. Columbia River. Migratory.

Olive-sided Flycatcher or Pe-pe, Muscicapa Cooperi, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 282.

Tyrannus borealis, Northern Tyrant, Swains. & Rich. F. Bor. Amer. v. ii. p. 141.

Olive-sided Flycatcher, Muscicapa Cooperi, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. ii. p. 422; v. v. p. 422.

* Bill more slender. Tyrannula of authors.

59. 6. Muscicapa Saya, Bonap. Say's Flycatcher

Plate CCCLIX. Fig. 4. Male. Fig. 5. Female.

Third quill longest, second and fourth scarcely shorter, first a little longer than sixth; tail very slightly emarginate; upper parts greyish-brown; upper tail-coverts and tail brownish-black; wings of a darker tint than the back, the feathers margined with brownish-white; a dusky spot before the eye; fore part and sides of neck light greyish-brown, shaded with pale brownish-red on the breast and abdomen; lower wing-coverts reddish-white.

Male, 7, wing 42/12.

Arkansas. Columbia River. Fur Countries. Never seen along the Atlantic. Abundant. Migratory.

Say's Flycatcher, Muscicapa Saya, Bonap. Amer. Orn. v. i. p. 20.

Muscicapa Saya, Bonap. Syn. p. 67.

Tyrannula Saya, Swains. & Rich. F. Bor. Amer. v. ii. p. 142.

Say's Flycatcher, Muscicapa Saya, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 277.

Say's Flycatcher, Muscicapa Saya, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. iv. p. 428.

60. 7. Muscicapa nigricans, Swains. Rocky Mountain Flycatcher

Plate CCCCXXXIV. Fig. 6. Male.

Third quill longest, second and fourth little shorter, first and sixth about equal; tail very slightly emarginate; head, hind neck, fore part of back, fore neck, a portion of the head, and sides, dark sooty-brown; the rest of the upper parts greyish-brown; secondary coverts tipped, and secondaries margined with greyish-white, of which colour is the great part of the outer web of the lateral tail-feathers; middle of breast, abdomen, and lower tail-coverts white; lower wing-coverts greyish-brown, edged with white.

Male, 7, wing 37½/12.

Mexico and California. Rare. Migratory.

Tyrannula nigricans, Swains. Syn. of Mex. Birds, Phil. Mag. N. S. v. i. p. 367.

Rocky Mountain Flycatcher, Muscicapa nigricans, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. v. p. 302.

61. 8. Muscicapa Phœbe, Lath. Short-legged Pewit Flycatcher

Plate CCCCXXXIV. Fig. 5. Male.