A Synopsis of the Birds of North America

Male, 51/2, 81/2.

From Louisiana to Maryland, and in the interior to Kentucky, during winter. From Pennsylvania eastward to Nova Scotia, in summer, breeding in all the intermediate parts. Common.

Brown Creeper, Certhia familiaris, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. i. p. 122.

Certhia familiaris, Bonap. Syn. p. 280.

Brown Creeper, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 585.

Brown Creeper, Certhia familiaris, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. v. p. 158.

GENUS II. TROGLODYTES, Cuv. WREN

Bill of moderate length, or nearly as long as the head, slender, slightly arched, much compressed toward the end; upper mandible with the dorsal line slightly convex, the edges a little inflected toward the end, the notches slight, the tip rather acute; lower mandible with the angle rather long and narrow, the outline slightly decurved, the sides erect and convex, the edges inclinate, the tip acute. Nostrils oblong, operculate, exposed. Head oblong; neck short; body slender. Feet of ordinary length, rather strong; tarsus longer than the middle toe, compressed, with eight anterior distinct scutella; toes of moderate size, the third and fourth united at the base, the first very large, the lateral nearly equal; claws rather long, moderately arched, much compressed, very acute. Plumage soft and blended. Bristles obsolete. Wings of moderate length, or short, convex, much rounded; the first quill very small, the fourth and fifth longest. Tail rather short, rounded, of twelve slightly arched, weak, rounded feathers.

116. 1. Troglodytes obsoletus, Say. Rock-Wren

Plate CCCLX. Fig. 4. Female.

Upper parts dull yellowish-brown, and, excepting the rump, barred with greyish-brown; wings similarly barred, excepting the primaries; secondary coverts with a small white spot near the tip; tail-coverts and two middle tail-feathers barred with dusky; the rest broadly tipped with pale yellowish-red, undulated with dusky, behind which is a broad band of brownish-black, the remaining or basal part banded like the central feathers, the outer with four reddish-white spots or bars on the outer web, the intervals being brownish-black, and a spot of white on the inner web; lower parts greyish-white, tinged with sienna, the sides inclining to yellowish-red; lower tail-coverts barred with dusky.

Female, 6, wing 211/12.

Rocky Mountains and Columbia River. Abundant. Migratory.

Troglodytes obsoleta, Say, Long's Exped.

Troglodytes obsoleta, Bonap. Amer. Orn. v. i. p. 6.

Rocky Mountain Wren, Troglodytes obsoleta, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 435.

Rock Wren, Troglodytes obsoletus, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. iv. p. 443.

117. 2. Troglodytes ludovicianus, Bonap. Great Carolina Wren

Plate LXXVIII. Male and Female.

Bill stouter than in the last, nearly as long as the head; wing with the fourth and fifth quills longest; tail much rounded; upper parts brownish-red; a yellowish-white streak over the eye, extending far down the neck, and edged above with dark brown; a broader band of reddish-brown behind the eye; quills, coverts, and tail barred with blackish-brown; secondary and first row of small coverts tipped with white, shafts of the latter also white; throat greyish-white, lower parts light reddish-buff, deeper behind; lower tail-coverts white, barred with black. Female lighter above, tinged with grey beneath, without white on the wing-coverts.

Male, 51/2, 71/2.

From Texas to New York, along the Atlantic coast. In the interior to the Missouri, and up the Ohio to Pittsburgh. Resident in the Southern States. Abundant.

Great Carolina Wren, Certhia Caroliniana, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. ii. p. 61.

Troglodytes ludovicianus, Bonap. Syn. p. 93.

Great Carolina Mocking Wren, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 429.

Great Carolina Wren, Troglodytes ludovicianus, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. i. p. 399; v. v. p. 466.

118. 3. Troglodytes Bewickii, Aud. Bewick's Wren

Plate XVIII. Male.

Bill more slender than that of the last, nearly as long as the head, slightly arched; wing very short, with the fifth quill longest, but little exceeding the fourth and sixth; tail rather long, graduated. Upper parts dusky brown tinged with grey; lower greyish-white, the sides tinged with brown; a band of yellowish-white from the upper mandible over the eye to half-way down the neck; quills and wing-coverts barred with dusky, as are the tail-coverts and two middle tail-feathers; outer web of the lateral tail-feathers, and the terminal portions of the others whitish, barred with black, their middle parts black, toward the base barred with reddish-brown.

Male, 5, 61/2.

From Louisiana to Columbia River on the one hand, and to Pennsylvania on the other, principally on high grounds. Not very common. Migratory.

Bewick's Wren, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 434.

Bewick's Wren, Troglodytes Bewickii, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. i. p. 96; v. v. p. 467.

119. 4. Troglodytes Americanus, Aud. Wood-Wren

Plate CLXXIX. Male.

Bill of moderate length, nearly straight; wings short, with the third, fourth, and fifth quills almost equal, the fourth longest; tail rather long, much rounded. Upper parts dark reddish-brown, duller and tinged with grey on the head, indistinctly barred with dusky; lower parts brownish-grey, faintly barred on the fore neck, breast, and sides, the abdomen and lower tail-coverts distinctly barred; feathers of the cheeks light grey tipped with brown, wings and tail undulatingly banded with blackish-brown.

Male, 47/8, 63/4.

Northern parts of Vermont and Maine, during summer. Winters in South Carolina. Not very rare.

Wood-Wren, Troglodytes Americana. Aud. Orn. Biog. v. ii. p. 452; v. v. p. 469.

120. 5. Troglodytes ædon, Vieill. House-Wren

Plate LXXXIII. Male, Female, and Young.

Bill of moderate length, nearly straight, a little stouter than that of the last; wings short, with the third, fourth, and fifth quills almost equal, the fourth longest; tail rather short, much rounded. Upper parts dull reddish-brown, darker on the head, brighter on the tail-coverts, indistinctly barred with dusky; lower parts brownish-grey, faintly barred on the fore neck and breast, the sides, abdomen, and lower tail-coverts distinctly barred; feathers of the cheeks grey, tipped with brown; wings and tail undulatingly banded with blackish-brown. This species differs from the last in being considerably smaller, in having the bill shorter and stouter, the lower parts more tinged with brown; but the colouring of the two is extremely similar.

Male, 41/2, 51/2.

From Maryland to Nova Scotia, and across the continent to the Columbia River. Very abundant. Migratory.

House Wren, Sylvia domestica, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. i. p. 129.

Troglodytes ædon, Bonap. Syn. p. 92.

House Wren, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 422.

Troglodytes ædon, House Wren, Swains. & Rich. F. Bor. Amer. v. ii. p. 316.

House Wren, Troglodytes ædon, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. i. p. 427; v. v. p. 470.

121. 6. Troglodytes hyemalis, Vieill. Winter-Wren

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

Bill of moderate length, nearly straight; wings shortish, with the fourth quill longest; tail short, much rounded. Upper parts reddish-brown, faintly barred with dusky, darker on the head, brighter on the tail-coverts, quills, and tail; lower parts pale reddish-brown, the sides and abdomen barred with brownish-black and greyish-white; fore neck and breast more faintly barred; lower wing-coverts and axillars greyish-white, barred with dusky, lower tail-coverts brownish-red, barred with dusky, and having the tip white; a whitish streak over the eye; cheeks brown, spotted with brownish-white; secondary coverts, and first small coverts, each with a white spot at the tip, forming two inconspicuous bands; wing-coverts and quills banded with blackish-brown and brownish-red; tail with twelve dusky bands.

This species is very nearly allied to Troglodytes Europæus.

Male, 37/8, 61½/12. Female, 35/8, 53/8.

Generally distributed in the middle and southern districts during winter. Breeds from Pennsylvania northwards to Hudson's Bay. Columbia River.

Winter-Wren, Sylvia Troglodytes, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. i. p. 139.

Troglodytes europæus, Bonap. Syn. p. 93.

Troglodytes hyemalis, Winter Wren, Swains. & Rich. F. Bor. Amer. v. ii. p. 318.

Winter-Wren, Troglodytes hyemalis, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 427.

Winter-Wren, Troglodytes hyemalis, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. iv. p. 430.

122. 7. Troglodytes Parkmanii, Aud. Parkman's Wren

Bill rather long, slightly arched (much longer, stouter, and more curved than that of the last species); wings of moderate length, with the fourth quill longest; tail rather long, much rounded, (half an inch longer, and more rounded). Upper parts reddish-brown, faintly barred with dusky; lower parts dull brownish-white, sides barred with brownish-black and greyish-white, fore neck and breast with scarcely any markings, lower wing-coverts and axillars greyish-white, obscurely barred with dusky.

Length, 42/12, wing 21/4.

Columbia River. Not very rare.

Parkman's Wren, Troglodytes Parkmanii, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. v. p. 310.

123. 8. Troglodytes palustris, Wils. Marsh Wren

Plate C. Male and Female.

Bill rather long, slightly arched; wings short, with the fourth quill longest. Upper parts dark brown, the sides of the head deeper, the fore part of the back brownish-black, longitudinally and conspicuously streaked with white, the quills externally margined with lighter brown, the tail barred with dark brown; a white line over the eye, extending down the neck; the sides of the latter mottled with light brown and grey; the lower parts of a silvery greyish-white; abdominal feathers and lower tail-coverts tipped with brown. Female differs only in having the black of the back of a less deep tint, the white lines less conspicuous, and the lower parts of a duller white.

Male, 5, 61/4.

Breeds from Texas to Massachusetts, along all the shores of the Atlantic. Resident in Louisiana. Occurs accidentally far in the interior.

Marsh-Wren, Troglodytes palustris, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. iii. p. 58.

Troglodytes palustris, Bonap. Syn. p. 93.

Marsh-Wren, Troglodytes palustris, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 439.

Troglodytes palustris, Marsh Wren, Swains. & Rich. F. Bor. Amer. v. ii. p. 319.

Marsh-Wren, Troglodytes palustris, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. i. p. 500; v. v. p. 467.

124. 9. Troglodytes brevirostris, Nutt. Short-billed Marsh-Wren

Plate CLXXV. Male and Female.

Bill comparatively very short, nearly straight; wings short, very convex, with the third, fourth, and fifth quills almost equal. Upper parts blackish-brown, each feather with a brownish-white line along the shaft, and the outer edge toward the end reddish-brown; quills dusky, the outer webs barred with pale yellowish-brown; upper tail-coverts and tail similarly barred; a pale yellowish streak over the eye; throat and central part of the breast greyish-white, the rest of the lower parts pale reddish-brown, the sides under the wings faintly barred with dusky.

Male, 43/8, 55/8.

Resident during winter from Texas to South Carolina. In spring proceeds as far eastward as Massachusetts, breeding in all the fresh-water marshes.

Short-billed Marsh-Wren, Troglodytes brevirostris, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 436.

Nuttall's Short-billed Marsh-Wren, Troglodytes brevirostris, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. ii. p. 427; v. v. p. 469.

FAMILY X. PARINÆ. TITS

Bill very short or of moderate length, straight, strong, compressed, rather sharp; both mandibles with the dorsal line sloping and slightly convex, the sides convex, the edges sharp; notches obsolete. Nostrils basal, roundish, concealed by the feathers. Head rather large, roundish; neck short; body short, and rather full. Feet of moderate length, rather stout; tarsus rather short, compressed, with eight distinct scutella; toes large, the three anterior united as far as the second joint, the hind toe much stronger and flattened beneath; claws rather long, stout, arched, much compressed, acute. Plumage very soft, blended, and full. Feathers at the base of the bill directed forwards. Wings of moderate length, much rounded, with the first quill very small, the fourth and fifth longest. Tail rather long, slender, of twelve narrow rounded feathers. Tongue emarginate and papillate at the base, abrupt at the tip, with four bristles. Œsophagus narrow, without dilatation; proventriculus oblong; stomach a rather strong oblong gizzard, with the muscles distinct, the epithelium dense, thin, longitudinally rugous; intestine short, of moderate width; cœca very small; cloaca oblong. Trachea simple, with four pairs of inferior laryngeal muscles.

GENUS I. PARUS, Linn. TIT

Bill short, stout; upper mandible with the dorsal line slightly decurved toward the end, the edges overlapping, with a slight lobe or festoon near the base, destitute of notch, rather acute; lower mandible with the dorsal outline slightly convex, the edges direct, the tip rather acute. Nostrils roundish, covered by bristly feathers. Head rather large, roundish; neck short. Feet proportionally large; tarsus of moderate length; hind toe very large and strong, the two lateral nearly equal, the outer adherent at the base; claws large, much compressed, very acute. Wings of moderate length, convex. Tail long, or of moderate length, rounded or graduated, of twelve rather narrow feathers.

125. 1. Parus bicolor, Linn. Tufted Titmouse. – Crested Titmouse. Great Chicadee

Plate XXXIX. Male and Female.

Bill very stout; feathers of the upper part of the head elongated into a crest; tail long, slightly rounded; upper parts leaden-blue, forehead black, lower parts greyish-white, the sides light red.

Male, 61/2, 9.

From Texas, where it breeds, to the Fur Countries, generally distributed eastward of the Rocky Mountains. Resident in the middle, southern, and western districts. Abundant.

Crested Titmouse, Parus bicolor, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. i. p. 187.

Parus bicolor, Bonap. Syn. p. 100.

Tufted Titmouse, Parus bicolor, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 236.

Crested Titmouse, Parus bicolor, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. i. p. 199; v. v. p. 472.

126. 2. Parus atricapillus, Linn. Black-cap Tit. – Black-cap Titmouse, or Chicadee

Plate CCCLIII. Fig. 3. Male. Fig. 4. Female.

Bill moderately stout; tail long, emarginate, and rounded. Upper part of the head and hind neck, with a large patch on the fore neck, black; cheeks and sides of the neck white; back yellowish-grey; quills and tail-feathers dark greyish-brown, margined with bluish-white; the secondaries broadly edged with white; lower parts pale yellowish-red, the breast white.

Male, 51/8, 81/4.

From Maryland eastward and northward to Lat. 65°. In Kentucky during winter. Never in the southern parts.

Black-capt Titmouse, Parus atricapillus, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. i. p. 134.

Parus atricapillus, Bonap. Syn. p. 100.

Black-capt Titmouse, Nutt. Man. p. 241.

Black-capt Titmouse, Parus atricapillus, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. iv. p. 374.

127. 3. Parus Carolinensis, Aud. Carolina Tit

Plate CLX. Male and Female.

Bill very short, moderately stout; tail rather long, emarginate, and rounded. Upper part of the head and hind neck, with a large patch on the fore neck, black; cheeks and sides of the neck greyish-white; back yellowish-grey; quills and tail-feathers dark greyish-brown, margined with bluish-white, secondaries not conspicuously; lower parts greyish-white, tinged with yellow. This species is very similar to the last, but much inferior in size.

Male, 41/4, 6.

Breeds from Texas to New Jersey. Rather abundant. Resident.

Carolina Titmouse, Parus Carolinensis, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. ii. p. 341; v. v. p. 474.

128. 4. Parus Hudsonicus, Lath. Hudson's Bay Tit

Plate CXCIV. Male, Female, and Young.

Bill short, moderately stout; tail long, emarginate, and considerably rounded. Upper parts dull light brown, tinged with grey; fore neck black; cheeks and sides of the neck white; breast and abdomen white, sides light yellowish-brown.

Male, 5, 7.

Northern parts of Maine, during winter. Breeds from New Brunswick to Labrador and Hudson's Bay. Common. Migratory.

Parus Hudsonicus, Lath. Ind. Orn. v. ii. p. 566.

Hudson's Bay Titmouse, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. ii. p. 543.

129. 5. Parus rufescens, Towns. Chestnut-backed Tit

Plate CCCLIII. Fig. 1. Male. Fig. 2. Female.

Bill moderately stout; tail rather long, emarginate, scarcely rounded; upper part of head and hind neck dark brown, fore neck of a deeper tint of the same; cheeks and sides of neck white; back, rump, and sides of the body under the wings bright chestnut; the rest of the lower parts greyish-white.

Male, 41/2, wing, 23/8.

Columbia River. Abundant. Resident.

Parus rufescens, Chestnut-backed Titmouse, Towns. Journ. Acad. Nat. Sc. Philadelphia, v. vii. p. 190.

Chestnut-backed Titmouse, Parus rufescens, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. iv. p. 371.

130. 6. Parus minimus, Towns. Chestnut-crowned Tit

Plate CCCLIII. Fig. 5. Male. Fig. 6. Female.

Upper mandible with its outline more arched, the tip acute and considerably elongated; tail very long, emarginate, and much rounded; upper part of the head and hind neck pale brown; upper parts brownish-grey; wings and tail dusky, margined with greyish-white; cheeks of a paler tint than the head; all the lower parts brownish-white, the sides tinged with reddish.

Male, 41/2, wing, 110½/12.

Columbia River. Common. Migratory.

Parus minimus, Chestnut-crowned Titmouse, Towns. Journ. Acad. Nat. Sc. Philadelphia, v. vii. p. 190.

Chestnut-crowned Titmouse, Parus minimus, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. iv. p. 382.

FAMILY XI. SYLVIANÆ. WARBLERS

Bill of moderate length, slender, straight, a little broader than high at the base, compressed toward the end; upper mandible with its dorsal line straight and declinate, convex at the end, the tip small, acute, the notches small; lower mandible with the angle of moderate length and narrow, the dorsal line straight, the sides convex, the tip narrow. Nostrils basal, oval or oblong. Head rather large, ovate; neck short; body rather slender. Feet of ordinary length, slender; tarsus compressed, with seven anterior scutella; toes moderate, compressed; first stouter, second and fourth nearly equal, third much longer, and adherent at the base; claws moderate, arched, slender, compressed, acute. Plumage soft and blended. Bristles short or weak. Wings of moderate length or long; the first quill very small, the second, third, and fourth longest. Tail long or of moderate length, of twelve feathers. Tongue, sagittate, slender, tapering to a slit and lacerated point. Œsophagus rather narrow, without crop; proventriculus oblong; stomach a gizzard of moderate strength, with the muscles distinct, the epithelium dense and rugous; intestine of moderate length; cœca very small. Trachea simple, with four pairs of inferior laryngeal muscles.

Of this family, which in Europe is so numerous, there are in North America only two genera, Regulus and Sialia, the former composed of very small birds, allied in manners to the Tits, the latter approaching the Thrushes in form. The connecting links being wanting with us, these genera might seem at first sight very dissimilar.

GENUS I. REGULUS, Cuv. KINGLET

Bill short, straight, very slender, a little broader than high at the base, compressed toward the end; upper mandible nearly straight in its dorsal outline, the edges slightly notched, the tip a little declinate, acute; lower mandible with its outline ascending, nearly straight, the tip acute. Nostrils basal, elliptical, concealed by the reversed feathers. Head large, broadly ovate; neck short; body short. Legs rather long; tarsus slender, longer than the middle toe, much compressed, scutella blended, excepting the lower four toes, rather small, much compressed, hind toe large; lateral equal; claws rather long, arched, much compressed, acute. Plumage very loose and full. Short bristles at the base of the bill. Feathers of the head elongated and silky in the adults. Wings of ordinary length, with the first quill very small, the fourth and fifth longest. Tail of ordinary length, emarginate.

131. 1. Regulus Cuvieri, Aud. Cuvier's Kinglet

Plate LV. Male.

Upper parts dull greyish-olive; anterior part of forehead, lore, and a line behind the eye, black; a greyish-white band across the forehead over the eye; a semilunar band of black on the forehead and sides of the head, enclosing a vermilion space; wings and tail dusky, edged with greenish-yellow; secondary coverts, and first row of small coverts tipped with greyish-white; lower parts greyish-white.

Male, 41/4, 6.

Pennsylvania. Only one specimen found.

Cuvier's Crested Wren, Regulus Cuvierii, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 416.

Cuvier's Regulus, Regulus Cuvierii, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. i. p. 288.

132. 2. Regulus Satrapa, Lichtenstein. American Golden-crested Kinglet

Plate CLXXXIII. Male and Female.

Male with the upper parts yellowish-green, changing to ash-grey on the neck and sides of the head, to greenish-yellow on the rump; a band of greyish-white across the anterior part of the forehead, which, at the eye, separates into two bands, one extending over, the other under the eye; above this, a broadish band of black, also margining the head on either side; the inner webs and tips of the feathers of this black band pure yellow; the crown of the head, in the included space, bright orange with silky gloss; a dusky spot at the anterior angle of the eye; an obscure dusky line from the angle of the mouth to beneath the eye; quills and coverts dusky, the former margined with greenish-yellow; secondary coverts and first row of small coverts broadly tipped with yellowish-white; base of all the quills, except the four outer yellowish-white; from the seventh primary to the innermost secondary but two, a broad bar of blackish-brown; tail dusky, the feathers edged with greenish-yellow, lower parts greyish-white. Female differs chiefly in having pale yellow substituted for the flame colour of the crown, and less grey on the hind neck. Young without coloured feathers on the head.

Male, 4, 7.

Breeds in Labrador and Newfoundland. In autumn migrates to the Southern States, as far as Texas. Columbia River.

Golden-crested Wren, Sylvia Regulus, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. i. p. 126.

Regulus cristatus, Bonap. Syn. p. 91.

American Fiery-crowned Wren, Regulus tricolor, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 420.

American Golden-crested Wren, Regulus tricolor, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. ii. p. 476.

133. 3. Regulus Calendula, Linn. Ruby-crowned Kinglet

Plate CXCV. Male and Female.

Upper parts greenish-olive, anteriorly tinged with grey, on the rump inclining to yellow; a patch of vermilion on the crown of the head; quills and tail dusky, edged with greenish-yellow; secondary coverts and first row of small coverts tipped with greyish-white, a circle of the same round the eye; lower parts greenish-white. Female similar, with the tints duller, especially the greenish-yellow of the wings. Young without the coloured patch on the crown, and more deeply tinged with yellow beneath.

Male, 41/4, 6.

Breeds in Labrador. In autumn migrates to the Southern States, as far as Texas. Abundant.

Ruby-crowned Wren, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. i. p. 83.

Regulus Calendula, Bonap. Syn. p. 91.

Ruby-crowned Wren, Sylvia Calendula, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 415.

Ruby-crowned Regulus, Regulus Calendula, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. ii. p. 546.

GENUS II. SIALIA, Swains. BLUE BIRD

Bill of ordinary length, nearly straight, broader than high at the base, compressed toward the end; upper mandible with the dorsal line straight and slightly declinate, until near the end, when it becomes convex, the ridge narrow, the sides convex toward the end, the edges overlapping, with a distinct notch close to the narrow deflected tip; lower mandible with the angle of moderate length, and narrow, the dorsal line straight, the sides convex, the edges direct, the tip narrow. Nostrils basal, oval. Head rather large, ovate, neck short; body moderately full. Feet of ordinary length, rather slender; tarsus shorter than the middle toe and claw, its lower scutella only distinct; toes of moderate length, the first stouter, the lateral equal, the third much longer; the fourth adherent at the base; claws moderate, well curved, compressed, laterally grooved, acute. Plumage soft and blended; short bristles at the base of the upper mandible. Wings very long, pointed; the first quill very small, second, third, and fourth longest. Tail rather long, emarginate, of twelve rather strong feathers.