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ARCTIC ZOOLOGY.

VOL. II.

CLASS II. BIRDS.

PIED DUCK, No 488.

LONDON: PRINTED BY HENRY HUGHS.

M.DCC.LXXXV.

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CLASS II. BIRDS.

CLASS II. BIRDS.

[188]
DIV. I.
DIV. II. WATER BIRDS.

CLASS II. BIRDS.

[191]

DIV. I. LAND BIRDS.

ORDER I. RAPACIOUS.

I. VULTURE, Gen. Birds I.
86. CARRION.
  • Urubu, Aura Tzopilotl, Mexic. Margrave, 207, 208.—Wil. Orn. 68.—Raii Syn. Av. 180.
  • Carrion Crow, Sloane Jam. ii. 294.—Brown Jam. 471:
  • Corvus Sylvaticus, Barrere, 129.
  • Gallinazo, Ulloa voy. i. 60. 201.
  • Turkey Buzzard, Joſſelyn.—Lawſon, 138.—Cateſby, i. 6.—Bancroft, 152.—Du Pratz, ii. 77.
  • Vultur Aura, Lin. Syſt. 122.—De Buffon, i. 175.—Pl. Enl. No 187.
  • Le Vautour du Braſil, Briſſon, i. 468.—Latham, i. 9. No 5.—LEV. MUS.

WEIGHT four pounds and an half. Head ſmall,DESCRIPTION. covered with a naked wrinkled red ſkin, beſet with black briſtles. This gives it ſome reſemblance to a Turkey; from which it derives one of the names. The noſtrils are very large, and pervious: the whole plumage is duſky, daſhed with purple and green: legs of a dirty fleſh-color: claws black.

Theſe birds are common from Nova Scotia to Terra del Fuego; PLACE. but ſwarm in the hotter parts of America; and are found in the iſlands, where they are ſaid to be far inferior in ſize to thoſe of North America.

In the warm climates they keep in vaſt flocks.MANNERS. Perch at night on rocks or trees; ſitting with diſhevelled wings to purify their bodies, [192] which are moſt offenſively fetid. Towards morning they take flight, ſoaring at a vaſt height, with the gentle motion of a kite; expecting notice of their banquet by the tainted effluvia of carrion, excrements, or any filth. They have moſt ſagacious noſtrils, and ſmell their prey at a vaſt diſtance; to which they reſort from all quarters, wheeling about, and making a gradual deſcent till they reach the ground. They do not confine themſelves to dead animals, but feed on Snakes, and ſometimes on Lambs. They are very tame, and, while they are at their meals, will ſuffer a very near approach.

In the torrid zone, particularly about Carthagena, they haunt inhabited places, and are ſeen in numbers ſitting on the roofs of the houſes, or walking along the ſtreets with a ſluggiſh pace. In thoſe parts they are uſeful, as the IBIS in Egypt, devouring the noiſome ſubjects, which would otherwiſe, by the intolerable ſtench, render the climate ſtill more unwholeſome than it is.

When theſe birds find no food in the cities, they are driven by hunger among the cattle of the neighboring paſtures. If they ſee a beaſt with a ſore on the back, they inſtantly alight on it, and attack the part affected. The poor animal attempts in vain to free itſelf from the devourers, rolling on the ground with hideous cries: but in vain; for the Vultures never quit hold, till they have effected its deſtruction. Sometimes an Eagle preſides at the banquet, and keeps theſe cowardly birds at a diſtance, until it has finiſhed its repaſt.

USES.Miſchievous as they are in a few inſtances, yet, by the wiſe and beneficent diſpenſations of Providence, they make in the hot climates full recompence, by leſſening the number of thoſe deſtructive animals the Alligators, which would otherwiſe become intolerable by their multitudes. During the ſeaſon in which theſe reptiles lay their eggs in the ſand, the Vultures will ſit hid in the leaves of the trees, watching the coming of the female Alligator to depoſit its eggs, who then covers them with ſand, to ſecure them, as ſhe imagines, from all danger: but no ſooner does ſhe retire into the water, [193] than the birds dart on the ſpot, and with claws, wings, and beak, tear away the ſand, and devour the whole contents of the depoſitory.

No birds of this genus are found in northern regions of Europe or Aſia, at leſt in thoſe latitudes which might give them a pretence of appearing here. I cannot find them in our quarter of the globe higher than the Griſon Alps *, or Sileſia ; or at fartheſt Kaliſh, in Great Poland . Certainly the Count De Buffon was miſinformed as to the habitation of the ſpecies, which he aſcribes to Norway . In the Ruſſian dominions, the Bearded Vulture of Mr. Edwards, iii. tab. 106. breeds on the high rocks of the great Altaic chain, and beyond lake Baikal §; which may give it in Europe a latitude of 52. 20. in Aſia of 55.

II. FALCON, Gen. Birds II.
[194]
86. A. SEA EAGLE.
  • Br. Zool. i. No 44.
  • Falco Oſſifragus, Lin. Syſt. 124.—Latham, i. 30.—Pl Enl. 12. 415.
  • Grey Eagle, Lawſon, 137.
  • Land Oern, Leems, 230.
  • L'Orfraie, De Buffon, i. 112. pl. 3.—LEV. MUS.

VARIES a little from the Britiſh ſpecies, and is much ſuperior in ſize. The length three feet three inches; of wing, twenty-five inches.

Feathers on head, neck, and back, brown, edged with dirty white: chin white: breaſt and belly brown, ſpotted with white: coverts of wings brown, clouded; primaries black: tail duſky; the middle mottled with white: legs feathered half down.

PLACE.Very common in the northern parts of America, and endures its ſevereſt winters, even as high as Newfoundland. Theſe birds prey on ſea fowls, as well as land, and on young Seals, which they ſeize floating, and carry out of the water.

Eagles, and all ſorts of birds of prey, abound in America, where ſuch quantity of game is found. Multitudes are always ſeen below the falls of Niagara, invited by the carcaſes of Deer, Bears, and other animals, which are ſo frequently hurried down in attempting to croſs the river above this ſtupendous cataract.

This ſpecies is very frequent in Kamtſchatka; and is found during ſummer even on the Arctic coaſt: is very common in Ruſſia and Sibiria; nor is it more rare about the Caſpian ſea, where they breed on the loftieſt trees.

87. BLACK EAGLE.
[195]
  • Br. Zool. i. No 43.
  • Falco Fulvus, Lin. Syſt. 125.—Latham, i. 32, No 6.
  • White-tailed Eagle, Edw. i. 1.—LEV. MUS.
  • L'Aigle commun, De Buffon, i. 86,—Pl. Enl. 409.—LEV. MUS.

THE whole plumage is of a duſky-brown: the breaſt marked with triangular ſpots of white; in which it varies from the Britiſh kind: the tail white, tipt with black; but in young birds duſky, blotched with white: legs covered to the toes with ſoft ruſt-colored feathers: vent feathers of the ſame color.

Inhabits Hudſon's Bay, and northern Europe as far as Drontheim *.PLACE. Is found on the higheſt rocks of the Uralian chain, where it is not covered with wood; but is moſt frequent on the Sibirian, where it makes its neſt on the loftieſt rocks. It is rather inferior in ſize to the former; but is a generous, ſpirited, and docile bird. The independent Tartars train it for the chace of Hares, Foxes, Antelopes, and even Wolves. The uſe is of conſiderable antiquity; for Marco Polo, the great traveller of 1269, obſerved and admired the diverſion of the great Cham of Tartary; who had ſeveral Eagles, which were applied to the ſame purpoſes as they are at preſent. I muſt add, that the Tartars eſteem the feathers of the tail as the beſt they have for pluming their arrows.

The Kalmucs uſe, beſides this ſpecies of Eagle, that which the French call Jean le Blanc , and alſo the Lanner; all which breed among them: but people of rank, who are curious in their Falcons, procure from the Baſchkirians the Gyrfalcon and the Peregrine, which inhabit the lofty mountains of the country§.

88. BLACK-CHEEKED EAGLE.
[196]

F. With a duſky and blue bill; yellow cere: head, neck, and breaſt, of a deep aſh-color: each cheek marked with a broad black bar paſſing from the corner of the mouth beyond the eyes: back, belly, wings, and tail, black: legs yellow, feathered below the knees.

SIZE, AND PLACE.Is about the ſize of the laſt. Communicated to me by the late Taylor White, Eſq who informed me that it came from North America. Is deſcribed by Mr. Latham, i. 35, No 10; and ſeems to be the ſpecies engraven by M. Robert, among the birds in the menagery of Louis XIV.

89. WHITE-HEADED EAGLE.
  • Falco Leucocephalus, Lin. Syſt. 124.
  • Bald Eagle, Lawſon, 137.—Cateſby, i. 1*. Brickell, 173.—Latham, i. 29.—LEV. MUS.
  • Le Pygargue a tête blanche, De Buffon, i. 99.—Pl. Enl. 411.—LEV. MUS.

BILL, cere, and feet, pale yellow: head, neck, and tail, of a pure white: body and wings of a chocolate-color. It does not acquire its white head till the ſecond year.

This Eagle is leſſer than the foregoing ſpecies, but of great ſpirit: preys on Fawns,MANNERS. Pigs, Lambs, and fiſh: is the terror of the Oſprey, whoſe motions it watches. The moment the latter has ſeized a fiſh, the former purſues till the Oſprey drops its prey; which, with amazing dexterity, it catches before it falls to the ground, be the diſtance ever ſo great. This is matter of great amuſement to the inhabitants of North America, who often watch their aerial conteſts. This ſpecies frequently attends the ſportſman, and ſnatches up the game he has ſhot, before he can reach it.

Theſe birds build in vaſt decayed cypreſſes, or pines, impending over the ſea, or ſome great river, in company with Oſpreys, Herons, and other birds: and their neſts are ſo numerous, as to reſemble a rookery. The neſts are very large, and very fetid by reaſon of [197] the reliques of their prey. Lawſon ſays, they breed very often, laying again under their callow young; whoſe warmth hatches the eggs. In Bering's iſle they make their neſts on the cliffs, near ſix feet wide, and one thick; and lay two eggs in the beginning of July.

90. WHITE EAGLE.

THIS moſt beautiful and ſcarce ſpecies is entirely white, except the tips of the wings, which are black. We know nothing of this bird, but what is collected from Du Pratz *. The natives of Louiſiana ſet a high value on the feathers, and give a large price for thoſe of the wings; with them they adorn the Calumet, or pipe of peace. Different nations make uſe of the wings, or feathers of different birds; but, according to Hennepin, always decorate it with the moſt beautiful.

The Calumet is an inſtrument of the firſt importance among the Americans. It is nothing more than a pipe,CALUMET. whoſe bowl is generally made of a ſoft red marble: the tube of a very long reed, ornamented with the wings and feathers of birds. No affair of conſequence is tranſacted without the Calumet. It ever appears in meetings of commerce, or exchanges; in congreſſes for determining of peace or war; and even in the very fury of a battle. The acceptance of the Calumet is a mark of concurrence with the terms propoſed; as the refuſal is a certain mark of rejection. Even in the rage of a conflict this pipe is ſometimes offered; and if accepted, the weapons of deſtruction inſtantly drop from their hands, and a truce enſues. It ſeems the ſacrament of the Savages; for no compact is ever violated, which is confirmed by a whiff from this holy reed. The Dance of the Calumet is a ſolemn rite which always confirms a peace, or precedes a war. It is divided into three parts: the firſt, appears an act of devotion, danced in meaſured time: the ſecond, is a true repreſentation of the Pyrrhic dance: the third, is attended with ſongs expreſſive of the victories they had obtained, the nations they had conquered, and the captives they had made.

[198]From the winged ornaments of the Calumet, and its conciliating uſes, writers compare it to the Caduceus of Mercury, which was carried by the Caduceatores, or meſſengers of peace, with terms to the hoſtile ſtates. It is ſingular, that the moſt remote nations, and the moſt oppoſite in their other cuſtoms and manners, ſhould in ſome things have, as it were, a certain conſent of thought. The Greeks and the Americans had the ſame idea, in the invention of the Caduceus of the one, and the Calumet of the other. Some authors imagine, that among the Greeks the wings were meant as a ſymbol of eloquence. I rather think that the twiſted Serpents expreſſed that inſinuating faculty; and that the emblem was originally taken from the fatal effect the rhetoric of Satan had on our great mother, when he aſſumed the form of that reptile, which the higheſt authority repreſents as more ſubtile than any beaſt of the field. On this the heathen mythology formed their tale of Jupiter taking the figure of a Serpent, to inſinuate himſelf into the good graces of Olympias; who, like Eve, fell a victim to his perſuaſive tongue. As to the wings, it is moſt probable that they were to ſhew the flight of diſcord; which the reconciled parties gave, with all the horrors of war, to the air, and ſport of the winds.

The Oole, or Eagle, is a ſacred bird among the Americans. In caſe of ſickneſs, they invoke this bird to deſcend from heaven (which in its exalted flight it approaches nearer than any other) and bring down refreſhing things; as it can dart down on its rapid wing quick as a flaſh of lightning*.

91. OSPREY.
[199]
  • Fiſhing Hawk, Cateſby, i. 2.—Lawſon, 137.—Brickell, 173.
  • Oſprey. Joſſelyn's Rarities, ii.—Br. Zool. i. No 46.—Latham, i. 45.
  • Le Balbuzard, De Buffon, i. 103. pl. 2.
  • Falco Haliaetus. Blafot. Fiſk-orn, Faun. Suec. No 63.
  • Fiſk Gjoe, Leems, 234.—Pl. Enl. 414.—LEV. MUS.

F. With blue cere, and feet: head, and lower part of the body, white: upper part brown: two middle feathers of the tail plain brown; the reſt barred with white and brown.

This, in all reſpects, reſembles the European kind.MANNERS. Notwithſtanding it is ſo perſecuted by the Bald Eagle, yet it always keeps near its haunts. It is a ſpecies of vaſt quickneſs of ſight; and will ſee a fiſh near the ſurface from a great diſtance*: deſcend with prodigious rapidity, and carry the prey with an exulting ſcream high into the air. The Eagle hears the note, and inſtantly attacks the Oſprey; who drops the fiſh, which the former catches before it can reach the ground, or water. It ſometimes happens that the Oſprey periſhes in taking its prey; for if it chances to fix its talons in an over-grown fiſh, it is drawn under water before it can diſengage itſelf, and is drowned.

It is very frequent in Kamtſchatka; and in ſummer,PLACE. even under the Arctic zone of Europe and Aſia. Is very common in Sibiria, and ſpreads far north; probably common to the north of America, and Aſia. Is rare in Ruſſia. It is likewiſe very frequent as low on the Wolga as the tract between Syſran and Saratoff, where they are ſaid to be the ſupport of the Ern Eagle, as they are of the White-tailed Eagle in America, each living by the labors of the Oſprey. The Tartars have a ſuperſtition, that a wound from its claws is mortal, either to man or fiſh, and conſequently dread its attack.

92. ROUGH-LEGGED.
[200]
  • Falco Lagopus Brunnich, No 15.—Leems Lapm. 236.
  • Rough-legged Falcon, Br. Zool. ii. App. 529.—Latham, i. 75.—LEV. MUS.

F. With a yellow cere, and feet: head, neck, and breaſt, of a yellowiſh white, marked with a few oblong brown ſpots: belly of a deep brown: thighs white, ſtriped with brown: ſcapulars blotched with yellowiſh white and brown: coverts of the wings edged with ruſt-color; primaries black: tail, little longer than the wings; the part next to the rump white; the end marked with a black bar; the tips white: legs feathered to the toes: feet yellow. Length two feet two inches.SIZE.

PLACE.Inhabits England, Norway, Lapmark, and North America. Was ſhot in Connecticut.

93. ST. JOHN'S.
  • Latham, i. 77, No 58.

F. With a ſhort duſky bill: head of a deep brown: hind part of the neck, back, ſcapulars, and coverts of the tail, marked with bars of black, and dull white, pointing obliquely: coverts of the wings deep brown; the greater ſpotted on their inner ſides with white; the primaries duſky, the lower part white, barred with deep aſh-color and black: the under ſide of the body brown, marked ſparingly with white and yellowiſh ſpots: tail ſhorter than the extremity of the wings; the end white; beneath that is a bar of black, ſucceeded by two or three black and cinereous bands; the reſt of the tail marked with broad bars of white, and narrower of aſh-color: the legs are cloathed with feathers to the toes, which are yellow, and very ſhort.

SIZE.Length, one foot nine inches.

PLACE.Inhabits Hudſon's Bay and Newfoundland. BL. MUS.

Figure 1. [...] [...]alcon No. 93. Chocolate Colored Fal [...]
94. CHOCOLATE-COLORED.
[201]
  • Latham, i. 54. No 34. A; 76. No 57.

F. With a ſhort and black bill, and yellow cere. The whole plumage of a deep bay or chocolate-color, in parts tinged with ferruginous: primaries black; the lower exterior ſides of a pure white, forming a conſpicuous ſpot or ſpeculum: the wings reach to the end of the tail: the exterior ſides of the five outmoſt feathers of the tail, duſky; their inner ſides blotched with black and white; the two middle, black and cinereous: the legs and toes feathered; the laſt remarkably ſhort. LENGTH one foot ten inches.

Inhabits Hudſon's Bay and Newfoundland. Preys much on Ducks.PLACE. Sits on a rock and watches their riſing, when it inſtantly ſtrikes at them.

95. NEWFOUNDLAND.
  • Latham, i. 79. No 60.

F. With a yellow cere: deep yellow irides: hind part of the head ferruginous: crown, back, ſcapulars, and coverts of wings, brown, edged with a paler color: belly ruſt-colored, blotched with deeper ſhades: thighs of a mottled aſh, marked with round duſky ſpots, and on the lower parts with four large dark blotches: the tail croſſed by four bars of deeper and lighter brown: legs yellow, ſtrong, and feathered half way down. LENGTH twenty inches. The deſcription borrowed from Mr. Latham.

Inhabits Newfoundland. PLACE.

96. SACRE.
[202]
  • Belon, Hiſt. des Oiſ. 108.—Buffon, i. 246.
  • Speckled Patridge Hawk of Hudſon's Bay, Phil. Tranſ. lxii. 383.—Latham, i. 78. Nos 58, 59.

F. With a duſky bill; upper mandible toothed: irides yellow: cere and legs bluiſh. Head, and upper part of the body, of a duſky brown: hind part of the head mottled with white: whole under ſide of the body, from chin to vent, white; the middle of each feather marked with a duſky ſpot: wings reach almoſt to the end of the tail: coverts, ſcapulars, and primaries, of a deep brown, elegantly barred tranſverſely with white: tail brown, marked on each ſide with oval tranſverſe ſpots of red: feathers on the thighs very long, brown ſpotted with white: the fore part of the legs covered with feathers almoſt to the feet. LENGTH two feet. Weight two pounds and an half.

PLACE.Inhabits Hudſon's Bay and Newfoundland: found alſo in Tartary, and is a ſpecies celebrated there for the ſport of falconry. It is a hardy ſpecies; for it never quits the rigorous climate of Hudſon's Bay. Preys on the white Grous, which it will ſeize even while the fowler is driving them into his nets. It breeds in April and May, in deſert places. The young fly in the middle of June. The females are ſaid to lay only two eggs.

97. PERIGRINE.
  • Br. Zool. i. No 48.—Latham, i. 68, No 49; 73. No 52.
  • Spotted Hawk, or Falcon; and Black Falcon, Edw. i. 3, 4.
  • Le Faucon, De Buffon, i. 249. pl. 16.—LEV. MUS.

F. With a ſhort ſtrong bill, toothed on the upper mandible, of a bluiſh color: cere yellow: irides hazel: forehead whitiſh: crown, and hind part of the head, duſky: the back, ſcapulars, and coverts of wings, elegantly barred with deep blue and black: the [203] primaries duſky, with tranſverſe oval white ſpots: the throat, chin, and breaſt, of a pure white, the laſt marked with a few duſky lines pointing down: the belly white, croſſed with numerous duſky bars, pointed in the middle: legs yellow: toes very long.

The American ſpecies is larger than the European. They are ſubject to vary. The black Falcon, and the ſpotted Falcon of Mr. Edwards, are of this kind; each preſerve a ſpecific mark, in the black ſtroke which drops from beneath the eyes, down towards the neck. The differences in the marks in the tail may poſſibly proceed from the different ages of the birds; for few kinds differ ſo much in the ſeveral periods of life as the Rapacious.

Inhabits different parts of North America, PLACE. from Hudſon's Bay as low as Carolina. In Aſia, is found on the higheſt parts of the Uralian and Sibirian chain. Wanders in ſummer to the very Arctic circle. Is common in Kamtſchatka.

98. GENTIL.
  • Gentil Falcon, Br. Zool. i. No 50.
  • F. Gentilis. Falk. Faun. Suec. No 58.—Latham, i. 64.—LEV. MUS.

F. With a duſky bill: yellow cere, irides, and legs: head and upper ſide of the neck ferruginous, ſtreaked with black: under ſide, from chin to tail, white, marked with duſky heart-ſhaped ſpots: back, coverts of wings, and ſcapulars, brown, edged with ruſt-color: primaries duſky, barred on the exterior ſide with black: wings reach only half the length of the tail: tail long, barred with four or five broad bands of black cinereous; each of the firſt bounded by a narrow line of dirty white.

In ſize ſuperior to the European kind,SIZE. being two feet two inches long. Shot in the province of New York. PLACE. Is found in northern Europe, as far as Finmark Leems, 337. Strom. 224..

99. GOSHAWK.
[204]
  • Br. Zool. i. No 52.
  • F. Palumbarius, Faun Suec. No 67.—De Buffon, i. 230.—Latham, i. 58.—LEV. MUS.

F. With a bluiſh bill, black at the tip: yellowiſh green cere: yellow legs: head brown; hind part mottled with white: over each eye extends a long whitiſh line: hind part of the neck, back, and wings, of a deep brown color: breaſt and belly white, croſſed with numerous undulated lines of brown: tail of a cinereous brown, croſſed by four or five bars of black: wings ſhorter than the tail.

That which I ſaw in the Leverian Muſeum, was ſuperior in ſize to the European. PLACE. Mr. Lawſon ſays, they abound in Carolina: are ſpirited birds, but leſſer than thoſe of Muſcovy. Is common in that country,A WHITE VARIETY. and Sibiria. Dr. Pallas adds, that there is a large white variety on the Uralian mountains, mottled with brown and yellow. Theſe are yet more frequent in the eaſt part of Sibiria; and in Kamtſchatka they are entirely white. Theſe are the beſt of all Hawks for falconry.EXCELLENT FOR FALCONRY. They extend to the river Amur; and are uſed by the emperor of China in his ſporting progreſſes*, attended by his grand falconer, and a thouſand of the ſubordinate. Every bird has a ſilver plate faſtened to its foot, with the name of the falconer who had the charge of it; that in caſe it ſhould be loſt, it might be brought to the proper perſon: but if he could not be found, the bird is delivered to another officer, called the Guardian of loſt birds; who keeps it till it is demanded by the falconer to whom it belonged. That this great officer may the more readily be found, among the army of hunters, who attend the emperor, he erects a ſtandard in the moſt conſpicuous place.

The emperor often carries a Hawk on his hand, to let fly at any game which preſents itſelf; which are uſually Pheaſants, Partridges, Quails, or Cranes. Marco Polo ſaw this diverſion about the year [205] 1269*; a proof of its antiquity in theſe parts, when it formed ſo regular and princely an eſtabliſhment in the ſtate of this great eaſtern monarch; the origin of which might have been in ſome long preceding age. The cuſtom of carrying a Falcon extended to many countries, and was eſteemed a diſtinction of a man of rank. The Welſh had a ſaying, that you may know a gentleman by his Hawk, Horſe, and Grehound. In fact, a perſon of rank ſeldom went without one on his hand. Harold, afterwards king of England, is painted going on a moſt important embaſſy, with a Hawk on his hand, and a Dog under his arm. Henry VI. is repreſented at his nuptials, attended by a nobleman and his Falcon. Even the ladies were not without them, in earlier times; for in an antient ſculpture in the church of Milton Abbas, in Dorſetſhire, appears the conſort of King Athelſtan with a Falcon on her royal fiſt § tearing a bird: and, perhaps to indulge his queen in her paſſion for the diverſion, he demanded of my countrymen (beſides an immenſe tribute) ſome of their moſt excellent Hounds, and of their beſt Hawks: which proves the high eſteem in which our Dogs and Falcons were held in thoſe early days.

100. RED-TAILED.
  • American Buzzard, Latham, i. 50.—LEV. MUS.

F. With a duſky bill, and yellow cere: head, lower part of the neck, and chin, brown, mixed with white: breaſt and belly white, varied with long ſtripes of brown, pointing downwards: femoral feathers very long, white, and marked with long dentated ſtripes of pale brown: upper part of the neck, and back, of a very deep brown: coverts and tertials brown, barred or edged with white: primaries duſky, barred with cinereous: tail of a pale ruſt-color, marked near the end with a duſky narrow bar: legs yellow. SIZE of the Goſhawk.

Inhabits North America. Sent from Carolina to Sir Aſhton Lever. PLACE.

101. LEVERIAN.
[206]

F. With a duſky bill, greatly hooked: head ſtriped with brown and white: upper part of the body and wings of a deep brown; each feather elegantly marked at the end with a large white ſpot: the whole under ſide of the body white: the outmoſt feathers of the tail marked with nine white, and the ſame number of duſky bars; middle feathers with duſky and cinereous: the wings extend beyond the end of the tail: legs ſtrong and yellow.

PLACE.SIZE of a Buzzard. Sent to Sir Aſhton Lever from Carolina.

102. RED-SHOULDERED.
  • Barred-breaſted F. Latham, i. 56, No 36.—LEV. MUS.

F. With a ſlender duſky bill; yellow cere; and legs, head, and neck, of a yellowiſh white, ſtreaked downwards with duſky lines: back of a deep brown, edged with ruſt-color: leſſer coverts of wings ferruginous, ſpotted with black; primaries and ſecondaries black, ſpotted on each ſide moſt diſtinctly with white: breaſt and belly of a light tawny; the firſt ſtreaked downwards with black; the laſt traverſed with deeper tawny: tail ſhort and duſky, croſſed by ſeven narrow bands of white; the two neareſt to the ends more remote than the others: legs weak. LENGTH twenty-two inches.

PLACE.Inhabits Long Iſland. This is a new ſpecies, preſerved in Mrs. BLACKBURNE'S Muſeum.

103. BUZZARD.
[207]
  • Aſh-colored Buzzard, Edw. ii. 53.—Latham, i. 55, No 35. 48; No 28.—De Buffon, i. 223.
  • Falco Buteo. Quidfogel, Faun. Suec. No 60.—Br. Zool. i. 54.—LEV. MUS.

F. With a duſky bill, and bluiſh yellow cere: head, and hind part of the neck, of a cinereous brown, ſtreaked with yellow: back brown; lower part and rump barred with ruſt-color, ſometimes with white: the coverts of the wings brown; the greater and ſcapulars ſpotted with white; the three firſt quil-feathers black, white at their baſes; the interior webs of the reſt blotched with black and white: the throat and breaſt yellowiſh, marked thinly with oblong brown ſpots: belly white, varied with great ſpots of brown: feathers of the thighs long, white, croſſed with ſagittal bars of yellow: tail marked with about nine bands of black and light cinereous; the tip white: legs ſhort, ſtrong, and yellow. LENGTH two feet two inches.

The American varies in ſize, and ſometimes ſlightly in color;PLACE. but in both has ſo much the habit of the Engliſh Buzzard, as not to merit ſeparation. It is called in New York, the great Hen Hawk, from its feeding on poultry. It continues there the whole year. Lays in May five eggs: the young fly about the middle of June. It is alſo an inhabitant of Hudſon's Bay and Newfoundland; and in Europe as high as Sondmor, in Norway; where, from its attacking the Eagle, it is called Orne-Falk. Migrates, before winter, from Sweden. Is ſcarce in Ruſſia; and very few are found in Sibiria. Is found in winter as low as Woroneſch *.

104. PLAIN.
[208]

F. With the bill black: head duſky: nape ſpotted with white: back, and coverts of wings, and tail, of an uniform deep brown: under ſide of the neck, breaſt, and belly, and thighs, deep brown, ſlightly ſpotted with white: primaries duſky: inner webs marked with great oval ſpots of white, mottled with brown: middle feathers of the tail plain brown; inner webs of the reſt mottled with white; exterior webs and ends ſlightly edged with the ſame: legs ſtrong: yellow? Wing reaches near the length of the tail. LENGTH, from bill to tail, two foot one.

PLACE.Inhabits Hudſon's Bay.

105. MARSH.
  • Marſh Hawk, Edw. iv. 291.—Latham, i. 90.—LEV. MUS.—BL. MUS.

F. With a bluiſh bill; orange cere, orbits, and legs: irides hazel: a black line extends from the corner of the bill beyond the eyes; above that is another of white, which encircles the cheeks, and meets in front of the neck: head, throat, and upper part of the breaſt, varied with black and ruſt-color: back, and coverts of the wings, brown: rump white: breaſt and belly, and thighs, of a bright ferruginous: tail duſky brown, croſſed by four black bands: legs ſtrong, thick, and ſhort; which are ſpecific diſtinctions from the next. LENGTH two feet.

PLACE.Inhabits Penſylvania: frequents, during the ſummer, marſhy places; where it feeds on the ſmall birds, Frogs, Snakes, and Lizards. At approach of winter quits the country.

106. RINGTAIL.
[209]
  • Br. Zool. i. No 59.—Edw. iii. 107.—Latham, i. Nris 75, 75 A, and No 34, is a ruſt-colored variety.
  • Falco Pygargus, F. Hudſonius, Lin. Syſt. 128.—Muller, No 72.—BL. MUS.

F. With a duſky bill and yellow cere: a white line over each eye: head, upper part of the neck, and back, duſky brown: coverts and primaries of the ſame color; the inner ſides of the laſt white: breaſt, belly, and thighs, whitiſh, marked with ferruginous ſpots: vent and rump white, encircling the root of the tail: the middle feathers of the tail duſky; the next of a bluiſh aſh-color; the outmoſt white, all marked tranſverſely with orange bars: legs long, and very ſlender.

This ſpecies is ſuperior in ſize to the Britiſh Ringtail;SIZE. but having moſt of the characters of that bird, we doubt not but that it is the ſame. Like the European kind, ſkims along the ground in ſearch of prey, which is Mice, Frogs, and ſmall birds. Builds its neſt indifferently on the ground, or on the lower parts of trees. It is ſubject to vary to a deep ruſt-color; plain, except on the rump and tail.

Inhabits Hudſon's Bay. Weight, in Hudſon's Bay, SIZE AND PLACE. ſeventeen ounces and a half. Length twenty-one inches. Extent three feet ſeven. Is very common in the open and temperate parts of Ruſſia and Sibiria; and extends as far as lake Baikal *. It is not found far in the north of Europe. Linnaeus omits it among the birds of his country; but Mr. Brunnick deſcribes one, which had been ſhot in lat. 58, on the little iſland of Chriſtianſoe .

107. WINTER.

F. With a black bill; yellow cere: head of a deep brown: back the ſame, tinged with ruſt: hind part of the neck ſtreaked with white: the coverts of the wings duſky, edged with dull white; thoſe on the ridge with orange; ends of the primaries duſky; the other parts barred with brown and white: breaſt and belly white, marked with heart-ſhaped ſpots: thighs ſulphur-colored, ſpeckled with [210] duſky: vent feathers white: tip of the tail white; then ſucceeds a broad duſky bar; the remaining part barred with brown, tawny, and black: legs long, and very ſlender.

SIZE.Is of an elegant form, and about the ſize of the RINGTAIL.

PLACE.Inhabits the province of New York: appears at approach of winter, and retires in the ſpring. BL. MUS.

Mr. Latham's northern Falcon, No 62, ſeems to differ from this only in age, or ſex.

108. SWALLOW-TAILED.
  • Hirundo maxima Peruviana, avis praedatoris calcaribus inſtructa, Feuilles voy. Peru, tom. ii. 33.
  • Herring, or Swallow-tailed Hawk, Lawſon, 138.—Brickell, 175.—Cateſby, i. 4.
  • Le Melan de la Caroline, Briſſon, i. 418.—De Buffon, i. 221.
  • Falco Furcatus, Lin. Syſt. 129.—Latham, i. 60.—LEV. MUS.

F. With a black bill, leſs hooked than uſual with rapacious birds; baſe of the bill hid in feathers, and briſtly: the eyes large; irides red: head, neck, breaſt, and belly, of a ſnowy whiteneſs: back, coverts of wings, and ſcapulars, black, gloſſed with purple and green: inner webs of the primaries and ſecondaries white towards their baſe; the tertials white: tail of the ſame color with the back; and moſt extremely forked; the outmoſt feather above eight inches longer than the middlemoſt: the legs yellow.

PLACE.This moſt elegant ſpecies inhabits only the ſouthern parts of North America; and that only during ſummer. Like Swallows, they feed chiefly flying; for they are much on wing, and prey on various ſorts of inſects. They alſo feed on Lizards and Serpents; and will kill the largeſt of the regions it frequents with the utmoſt eaſe. They quit North America before winter. We are not acquainted with their retreat. It probably is in Peru: at leſt we have the proof of one being taken in the South-ſea, off the coaſt which lies between Ylo and Arica, in about the latitude 23 ſouth, on September 11th, by the reverend the Father Louis Feuilee *.

Figure 2. [...]wallow [...]ailed [...]alcon N 108.
109. BUZZARDET.
[211]

F. With duſky bill: head, cheeks, neck, breaſt, and belly, white, marked with large brown ſpots, more ſparingly diſperſed over the breaſt and belly: leſſer coverts, brown; the others colored like the head: primaries duſky: thighs white, with ſmall ſagittal ſpots of brown: tail duſky, barred and tipt with white: legs yellow. LENGTH fifteen inches. It has much the habit of the Buzzard; but the legs in proportion are rather longer.

In the LEVERIAN Muſeum. Except in the almoſt uniform color of the tail, Mr. Latham's ſpecies, p. 97, No 83, agrees with this.

110. LITTLE.
  • Little Hawk, Cateſby, i. 5.—Latham, i. 110, No 94.
  • Emerillon de Cayenne, Buffon, i. 291.—Pl. Enl. No 444.
  • Falco Sparverius, Lin. Syſt. 128.—LEV. MUS.—BL. MUS.
MALE.

F. With bluiſh bill, and yellow cere: crown of fine light grey, with a red ſpot in the middle; on the hind part a ſemicircle formed of round black ſpots: cheeks white, bounded on each ſide with a large black ſpot: throat white: breaſt of a pale yellow, ſpotted with black: back of a brilliant bay, croſſed by broad black bars: coverts of the wings of a beautiful grey, thinly ſpotted with black; primaries black, ſpotted on their inner webs with white: tail long; the middle feathers barred near the end with a black band, and tipt with white; the two exterior feathers white, croſſed with three or four black bars: legs yellow.

Length eleven inches and a half.SIZE. Weight only three ounces and an half. This varies in color from the female, in the ſame manner as the European Keſtrils.

Theſe birds inhabit America, from Nova Scotia to the Antilles; PLACE. are active and ſpirited. They prey on ſmall birds, Mice, Lizards, and inſects. The FEMALE is the following.

[212]
  • Emerillon de St. Domingue, De Buffon, i. 291.—Pl. Enl. No 465.—Latham, i. 111, No 95.—LEV. MUS.—BL. MUS.

F. With a ſhort and very crooked bill: crown of a deep ſlaty blue, obſcurely ſpotted with red: hind part of the neck, back, and tail, of a bright ferruginous color and black, elegantly diſpoſed in narrow tranſverſe bars: coverts of the wings of the ſame colors; primaries black: under ſide of the neck, breaſt, and belly, of a dirty white, marked with large ferruginous ſpots: thighs and vent feathers white: legs long, ſlender, and orange-colored: tail long, croſſed with eleven black, and the ſame number of bright ferruginous bars.

The New York Merlin of Mr. Latham, i. 107, No 94, bears ſo great a reſemblance to this, that I do not venture to ſeparate them.

111. PIGEON.
  • Pigeon Hawk, Cateſby, i. 3.—Phil. Tranſ. lxii. 382.—Latham, i. 101.
  • Falco Columbarius, Lin. Syſt. 128.—LEV. MUS.—BL. MUS.

F. With a duſky bill, and yellow cere: crown, back, and coverts of the wings and rump, of a bluiſh grey, with the middle of each feather ſtreaked with black: the hind part of the head ſpotted with reddiſh white: cheeks and under ſide of the body white, with large oblong ſpots of black: primaries and ſecondaries duſky; their inſides marked with great oval ſpots of white: tail long; black tipt with white, and croſſed with four bars of bluiſh grey: legs yellow.

SIZE.Its length is from ten to twelve inches. The weight ſix ounces.

PLACE.It inhabits America, from Hudſon's Bay as low as South Carolina. In the laſt it attains to a larger ſize. In Hudſon's Bay it appears in May on the banks of Severn river, breeds, and retires ſouth in autumn. It feeds on ſmall birds; and on the approach of any perſon, [213] flies in circles, and makes a great ſhrieking. It forms its neſt in a rock, or ſome hollow tree, with ſticks and graſs; and lines it with feathers: and lays from two to four eggs, white, ſpotted with red. In Carolina it preys on Pigeons, and young of the wild Turkies.

112. DUBIOUS.

F. With a duſky bill: yellow cere and irides: head duſky, ſtreaked with ruſt-color: back and coverts of wings brown, edged with ruſt; the primaries duſky aſh-color, barred with black, and the inner webs marked tranſverſely with oval ferruginous ſpots: tail long, of a deep cinereous, with four broad bars of black: breaſt and belly dirty white, marked with oblong ſtreaks of brown: legs yellow.

Length about ten inches. Weight ſix ounces.SIZE. In the marks and colors of the tail it much reſembles the Sparrow Hawk: in the ſpots on the breaſt it agrees with the Engliſh Merlin.

Inhabits New York and Carolina. PLACE. I have my doubts whether this is any more than a variety of the preceding, eſpecially as the Engliſh SPARROW HAWK varies with the ſame colors.

113. DUSKY.

F. With a bluiſh bill; upper mandible armed with a ſharp proceſs; yellow cere: head, back, and coverts of the wings, and tail, a duſky brown, ſlightly edged with ferruginous: hind part of the neck ſpotted with white: primaries duſky; inner webs marked with oval ſpots of a pale ruſt-color: tail ſhort, tipped with white, and barred with four broad duſky ſtrokes, and the ſame number of narrow ones of white: the hind part of the head ſpotted with white: from the chin to the tail whitiſh, ſtreaked downwards with diſtinct lines of black: legs deep yellow.

Inferior in ſize to the laſt. Inhabits the province of New York. SIZE, AND PLACE. BL. MUS.

[214]
  • A. GOLDEN EAGLE, Br. Zool. i. No 42.
  • Orn. Faun. Suec. No 54.—LEV. MUS.

F. With a bluiſh bill: plumage duſky and ruſt-color: tail duſky brown, blotched at the baſe with aſh-color: legs feathered to the toes. Weight about twelve pounds.

PLACE.Inhabits Sweden; perhaps Norway. Found about the ſouthern part of the Urallian mountains, and the mountains which border Sibiria on the ſouth. Grows ſcarcer towards the eaſt.

  • B. CINEREOUS EAGLE, Br. Zool. i. No 45.—Latham, i. 33.
  • Vultur Albiulla, Lin. Syſt. 123.

F. With pale yellow bill, irides, cere, and feet: plumage light cinereous: body and coverts of the wings clouded with darker: primaries duſky: tail white.

SIZE, AND PLACE.In ſize equal to the Black Eagle. Inhabits Europe, as high as Iceland and Lapmark *. Is common in Greenland; but does not extend to America: at leſt, if it does, it varies into the White-headed Eagle, to which it has great affinity, in particular in its feeding much on fiſh: the Danes therefore call it Fiſke-orn . Is common in the ſouth of Ruſſia, and about the Volga, as far as trees will grow. Is very ſcarce in Sibiria; but has been obſerved in the eaſtern parts about Nertſchink. It ſeems to be the ſpecies called by the Tunguſi, Elo; [215] which breeds on the banks of the Khariouſowa, a river which falls into the Penſhina ſea*.

It inhabits Greenland the whole year, ſitting on the rocks with flagging wing, and flies ſlowly. It makes its neſt on the lofty cliffs, with twigs, lining the middle with moſſes and feathers. Lays two eggs. Sits in the latter end of May, or beginning of June.

Theſe birds prey on young Seals, which they ſeize as they are floating on the water; but oft-times, by fixing their talons in an old one, they are overmatched, and drawn down to the bottom, ſcreaming horribly. They feed alſo on fiſh, eſpecially the Lumpfiſh, and a ſort of Trout; on Ptarmigans, Auks, and Eider Ducks. They ſit on the top of rocks, attentive to the motion of the diving birds; and, with quick eyes, obſerve their courſe by the bubbles which riſe to the ſurface of the water, and catch the fowls as they riſe for breath.

The Greenlanders uſe their ſkins for cloathing, next to their bodies. They eat the fleſh, and keep the bill and feet for amulets. They kill them with the bow, or take them in nets, placed in the ſnow, properly baited; or tempt them by the fat of Seals, which the Eagles eat to an exceſs; which occaſions ſuch a torpidity as to make them an eaſy prey.

  • C. CRYING EAGLE, Planga et Clanga, Ariſtot. Hiſt. An. lib. ix.
  • Morphnos, Clanga, Anataria, Wil. Orn. 63.—Raii Syn. av. 7, No 7.
  • Spotted Eagle, Latham, i. 38.
  • Le Petit Aigle, De Buffon, i. 91.—BR. MUS.

F. With a duſky bill and yellow cere: color of the plumage a ferruginous brown; the coverts of the wings, and ſcapulars, elegantly varied with oval white ſpots; on the greater coverts very large: primaries duſky; the ends of the greater white: breaſt and belly of a deeper color than the reſt of the plumage, ſtreaked downwards with dull yellow: tail dark brown, tipt with dirty white: legs feathered to the feet, which are yellow. LENGTH two feet.

[216] PLACE.Is found in many parts of Europe, but not in Scandinavia: is frequent in Ruſſia and Sibiria, and extends even to Kamtſchatka. Is leſs generous and ſpirited than other Eagles; and is perpetually making a plaintive noiſe, from which it was ſtyled by the antients Planga & Clanga; and Anataria, from its preying on Ducks, which Pliny * deſcribes with great elegance. The Arabs uſed to train it for the chace; but its quarry was Cranes, and other birds: the more generous Eagle being flown at Antelopes, and various quadrupeds. This ſpecies was even itſelf an object of diverſion; and made the game of even ſo ſmall a Falcon as the Sparrow Hawk: which would purſue it with great eagerneſs, ſoar above, then fall on the Eagle, and, faſtening with its talons, keep beating it about the head with its wings, till they both fell together to the ground. This Sir John Chardin has ſeen practiſed about Tauris.

  • D. ICELAND FALCON, Gent. Mag. 1771, p. 297, fig. good.
  • Falco Iſlandus Fuſcus, Brunnick, 2, No 9.
  • Le Gerfault d' Iſland, Briſſon, i. 373, tab. xxxi.—Pl. Enl. 210.
  • Falco Gyrfalco, Lin. Syſt. 130.—Faun. Suec. No 64.—Latham, i. 82, No 68; and 71, No 50 B. parag. 2d.—LEV. MUS.

F. With a ſtrong bill, much hooked, and the upper mandible ſharply angulated on the lower edges; cere bluiſh: head of a very pale ruſt-color, ſtreaked downwards with duſky lines: neck, breaſt, and belly, white, marked with cordated ſpots: thighs white, croſſed with ſhort bars of deep brown: back and coverts of wings duſky, ſpotted and edged with white: the exterior webs of the primaries duſky, mottled with reddiſh white; the inner barred with white: the feathers of the tail croſſed with fourteen or more narrow bars of duſky and white; the duſky bars regularly oppoſing thoſe of white: the wings, when cloſed, reach almoſt to the end of the train: legs ſtrong and yellow. The LENGTH of the wing, from the pinion to the tip, ſixteen inches.

[217]This ſpecies is an inhabitant of Iceland, is the moſt eſteemed of any for the ſport of falconry, and is, with the two following, reſerved for the kings of Denmark; who ſends his falconer, with two attendants, annually into the iſland to purchaſe them. They are caught by the natives; a certain number of whom in every diſtrict are licenſed for that purpoſe. They bring all they take, about Midſummer, to Beſfeſted, to meet the royal falconer; and each brings ten or twelve, capped, and perched on a croſs pole, which they carry on horſeback, and reſt on the ſtirrup. The falconer examines the birds, rejects thoſe which are not for his purpoſe, and gives the ſeller a written certificate of the qualities of each, which entitles him to receive from the king's receiver-general ſeventeen rixdollars for F, or the pureſt white Falcon; ten for E, or thoſe which are leſt white; and ſeven for this ſpecies*. This brings into the iſland between two and three thouſand rixdollars annually.

They are taken in the following manner:MANNER OF TAKING.—Two poſts are faſtened in the ground, not remote from their haunts. To one is tied a Ptarmigan, a Pigeon, a Cock or Hen, faſtened to a cord that it may have means of fluttering, and ſo attract the attention of the Falcon. On the other poſt is placed a net, diſtended on a hoop, about ſix feet in diameter. Through this poſt is introduced a ſtring, above a hundred yards long, which is faſtened to the net, in order to pull it down; and another is faſtened to the upper part of the hoop, and goes through the poſt to which the bait is tied. As ſoon as the Falcon ſees the fowl flutter on the ground, he takes a few circles in the air, to ſee if there is any danger, then darts on its prey with ſuch violence as to ſtrike off the head, as nicely as if it was done with a razor. He then uſually riſes again, and takes another circle, to explore the place a ſecond time: after which it makes another ſtoop; when, at the inſtant of its deſcending, the man pulls the dead bird under the net; and, by means of the other cord, covers the Falcon with the net, at the moment it has ſeized the prey; the perſon lying [218] concealed behind ſome ſtones, or elſe lies flat on his belly, to elude the ſight of the Falcon*.

As ſoon as one is caught, it is taken gently out of the net, for fear of breaking any of the feathers of the wings or tail; and a cap is placed over its eyes. If any of the tail-feathers are injured, the falconers have the art of grafting others; which ſometimes has occaſioned a needleſs multiplication of ſpecies.

The Iceland Falcons are in the higheſt eſteem. They will laſt ten or twelve years; whereas thoſe of Norway, and other countries, ſeldom are fit for ſport after two or three years uſe. Yet the Norwegian Hawks were in old times in great repute in this kingdom, and even thought bribes worthy of a king. Geoffry Le Pierre, chief juſticiary, gave two good Norway Hawks to King John, that Walter Le Madina might have leave to export a hundred weight of cheeſe. John, the ſon of Ordgar, gave a Norway Hawk to have the king's requeſt to the king of Norway, to let him have his brother's chattels; and Ralf Havoc fined to King Stephen in two Girfals (Gyrfalcons) and two Norway Hawks, that he might have the ſame acquittance that his father had.

ANTIQUITY OF FALCONRY.I cannot fix the preciſe time of the origin of falconry; the paſſage in Ariſtotle, and the epigram in Martial, do by no means fix it to the periods in which they wrote. The philoſopher informs us, that ‘there was a diſtrict in Thrace, in which the boys uſed to aſſemble at a certain time of the year, for the ſake of bird-catching. That the ſpot was much frequented by Hawks, which were wont to appear on hearing themſelves called: and would drive the little birds into the buſhes, where they were caught by the children; and that the Hawks would even ſometimes take the birds and fling them to theſe young ſportſmen; who (after finiſhing their diverſion) gratefully beſtowed on their aſſiſtants part of their prey.’ This tale may have ſome truth at the bottom; [219] it being notorious that Larks, and even Partridges, will, by the terror of a Hawk paſſing over them, lie ſo ſtill as to ſuffer themſelves to be taken by any paſſenger. Here ſeems to have been no training of theſe Thracian Hawks, but a mere caſual concurrence of Hawks and ſmall birds, which afforded now and then an amuſement to the youth of the country. The thought expreſſed on the antient gem, of little Genii engaged in the chace of Deer, aſſiſted by an Eagle, may have originated from this ſtory.

The Poet only deſcribes another kind of bird-catching, in the following epigram on the fate of a Hawk:

Praedo fuit volucrum, famulus nunc Aucupis, idem
Decipit, et captas non ſibi, moeret, aves.

By the word decipit, it is plain that the Hawk was not trained; but was merely uſed as a ſtale, either to entice ſmall birds under a net, or to the limed twigs: the laſt is a method ſtill in uſe in Italy. The Italians call it Uccellare con la Civetta; for inſtead of a Hawk, they place a ſmall ſpecies of Owl on a pole, in the middle of a field; and ſurround it, at various diſtances, with lime-twigs. The ſmall birds, from their ſtrange propenſity to approach rapacious fowls, fly around, perch on the rods, and are taken in great numbers. A Hawk would ſerve the purpoſe full as well. Pliny mentions the uſe of bird-lime; and Longus, in his elegant romance of Daphnis and Chloe, employs the latter to catch little birds for his beloved§.

I cannot find any certainty of Hawks being trained for diverſion before the time of King Ethelbert, the Saxon monarch; who died in the year 760. He wrote into Germany for a brace of Falcons, which would fly at Cranes and bring them to the ground*, as there were very few ſuch in Kent. This ſhews how erroneous the opinion was, of thoſe who place it in the reign of the emperor Frederic Barbaroſſa, [220] baroſſa*, who was drowned in 1189. By the application of Ethelbert to Boniface, archbiſhop of Mentz, for the brace of Falcons, it is evident, that the diverſion was in perfection in Germany before the year 752, the time in which that prelate was martyred by the Pagans. It ſeems to me highly probable, that falconry was invented in Scythia, and paſſed from thence into the northern parts of Europe. Tartary is even at preſent celebrated for its fine breed of Falcons; and the ſport is in ſuch general eſteem, that, according to Olearius, there was no hut but what had its Eagle or Falcon . The boundleſs plains of that country are as finely adapted to the diverſion, as the wooded or mountanous nature of moſt part of Europe is ill calculated for that rapid amuſement.

The antiquity of falconry in Tartary is evinced by the exhibition of the ſport on the very antient tombs found in that country; in which are figured horſemen at full ſpeed, with Hawks on their hands: others again, in the ſame attitude, diſcharging their arrows at their game, in the very manner of the antient Scythians.

From Germany, falconry got footing in England; and became ſo favored a diverſion, that even ſanguinary laws were enacted for the preſervation of rapacious fowls. Edward III. made it death for the ſtealing of a Hawk: and to take its eggs, even in a perſon's own ground, was puniſhable with a fine at the king's pleaſure, and impriſonment for a year and a day. In the reign of James I. the amuſement was carried to ſuch an extravagant pitch, that Sir Thomas Monſon is ſaid to have given a thouſand pounds for a caſt of Hawks.

  • E. DUSKY. Falco Fuſcus, Faun. Groen. 56, No 34. b.
  • Grey Falcon, Crantz, i. 78.—Egede, 64.

F. With duſky irides: lead-colored cere and feet: brown crown, marked with irregular oblong white ſpots: forehead whitiſh: cheeks blackiſh: hind part of the head and throat white: breaſt and [221] belly of a yellowiſh white, ſtriped downwards with duſky ſtreaks: the back duſky, tinged with blue, the ends of the feathers lighteſt, and ſprinkled over with a few white ſpots, eſpecially towards the rump: wings of the ſame colors, variegated beneath with white and black: the upper part of the tail duſky, croſſed very faintly with paler bars; the under ſide whitiſh.

Leſſer than the Collared Falcon.SIZE.

Inhabits all parts of Greenland, PLACE. from the remoteſt hills to thoſe which impend over the ſea. They are even ſeen on the iſlands of ice remote from ſhore. They retire in the breeding-ſeaſon to the fartheſt part of the country, and return in autumn with their young. They breed in the ſame manner as the Cinereous Eagle, but in more diſtant places; and lay from three to five eggs. The tail of the young is black, with great brown ſpots on the exterior webs.

They prey on Ptarmigans, Auks, and all the ſmall birds of the country: have frequent diſputes with the Raven, but ſeldom come off victors; for the Raven will, on being attacked, fling itſelf on its back; and, either by defending, itſelf with its claws, or by calling, with its croaking, numbers of others to its help, oblige the Falcon to retire. The Greenlanders uſe the ſkin, among many others, for their inner garments; the wings for bruſhes; the feet for amulets: but ſeldom eat the fleſh, unleſs compelled by hunger.

It is alſo a native of Iceland.

  • F. GYRFALCON, Br. Zoo. No 47, tab. xix.—Latham, i. 71, No 50 A, and No 50 B, 1ſt paragr. and 83, No 69.
  • Falco Iſlandus, Faun. Groenl. 58, No 35.—Brunnick, Nris 7, 8.—Crantz, i. 78.— Egede, 64.—Horrebow, 58.—LEV. MUS.

F. With a yellow cere: bluiſh bill, greatly hooked: eye dark blue: the throat of a pure white: the whole body, wings, and tail, of the ſame color, moſt elegantly marked with duſky bars, lines, or ſpots, [222] leaving the white the far prevaling color. There are inſtances, but rare, of its being found entirely white. In ſome, the whole tail is croſſed by remote bars of black or brown; in others, they appear only very faintly on the middle feathers: the feathers of the thighs are very long, and unſpotted: the legs ſtrong, and of a light blue.

SIZE.Its weight forty-five ounces Troy: length near two feet: extent four feet two.PLACE. Of the ſame manners and haunts with the former. Is very frequent in Iceland; is found in Lapmark *, and Norway ; and rarely in the Orknies, and North Britain. In Aſia, it dwells in the higheſt points of the Urallian and other Sibirian mountains, and dares the coldeſt climates throughout the year. It is kept, in the latitude of Peterſburg, VERY HARDY. uninjured in the open air during the ſevereſt winters, when the Peregrine Falcon, No 97, loſes its claws by the froſt.

Mr. Hutchins has often obſerved it about Albany fort, where it appears in May, and retires before winter. It feeds on the white, and other Grous. This ſpecies ought to be added to the American claſs.

This ſpecies is pre-eminent in courage as well as beauty, and is the terror of other Hawks. It was flown at all kinds of fowl, how great ſoever they were; but its chief game uſed to be Herons and Cranes.

  • G. COLLARED. Falco Ruſticolus, Lin. Syſt. 125.—Faun. Suec. No 56.—Faun. Groenl. No 34.—Latham, i. 56.

F. With a lead-colored bill, tipt with black: head broad and flat, ſtreaked lengthways with black and white; on the cheeks the white predominates: the throat, under ſide of the neck, and [223] breaſt, are of a pure white; that on the neck almoſt ſurrounds it, forming a ſpecies of collar: the belly is of the ſame color, marked with a few duſky cordated ſpots: the back is waved with aſh-color and white; the tip of each feather white: the coverts of the wings of the ſame colors, but more obſcure: the exterior webs of the primaries duſky: the tail rounded, croſſed with twelve or thirteen whitiſh and duſky bars: the legs yellow. SIZE of a Hen.

Is rarely found in the remoteſt parts of Greenland. PLACE. Inhabits alſo Sweden; and extends eaſtward as far as Simbirſk, lat. 54½, in the government of Caſan *.

  • H. KITE, Br. Zool. i. No 53.—Latham, i. 61, No 43.
  • Falco Milvus Glada, Faun. Suec. No 57.
  • Le Milan Royal, De Buffon, i. 197.—Pl, Enl. 422.—LEV. MUS.

F. With yellow bill and cere: white head, ſtreaked with black: body ferruginous, with a few duſky ſpots: tail much forked and ferruginous.

Weight forty-four ounces. Length twenty-ſeven inches:SIZE. extent five feet one.

Inhabits the north of Europe, as high as Jarlſberg, PLACE. in the very ſouth of Norway ; but does not extend farther. This ſpecies, the Sea Eagle, Lanner, Buzzard, and Keſtril, quit Sweden, in flocks, at approach of winter, and return in ſpring. Of theſe, the Buzzard and Keſtril winter at Woroneſch, in Ruſſia, in lat. 52; and, together with the Lanner and Kite, about Aſtrakan §, in lat. 46. 30; but the far greater part of the Kites are ſuppoſed to retire into Egypt, being ſeen in September paſſing by Conſtantinople , in their way from the north; and again in April returning to Europe **, to ſhun the great [224] heats of the eaſt. They are obſerved in vaſt numbers about Cairo, where they are extremely tame, and feed even on dates, I ſuppoſe for want of other food*. They alſo breed there; ſo that, contrary to the nature of other rapacious birds, they encreaſe and multiply twice in the year; once in the mild winters of Egypt, and a ſecond time in the ſummers of the north. It makes its appearance in Greece in the ſpring; and in the early ages, ſays Ariſtophanes , ‘it governed that country: and men fell on their knees when they were firſt bleſſed with the ſight of it, becauſe it pronounced the flight of winter, and told them to begin to ſheer their vernal fleeces. The CRANE likewiſe, by its autumnal departure, warns the mariner to hang up his rudder, and take his reſt, and every prudent man to provide their winter garments: and the SWALLOW again informed them when they were to put on thoſe of ſummer. Thus, adds the chorus of birds, are we to you as AMMON, DODONA, APOLLO:’ meaning, in thoſe early days, that man conſulted only theſe natural calendars, and needed no other than what they took from the flight of birds, or the flowering of plants.

They inhabit England in all ſeaſons. I have ſeen their young taken, the laſt week in May, or firſt in June, in the great woods belonging to Sir Joſeph Banks, in Lincolnſhire; and have often obſerved them in various places in the depth of winter.

  • I. HONEY BUZZARD, Br. Zool. i. No 56.—Latham, i. 52, No 33.
  • Falco Apivorus Slaghok, Faun. Suec. No 65.—LEV. MUS.

F. With an aſh-colored head; dark brown above; below white, ſpotted or barred with ruſty brown: tail brown, barred with two duſky bars, remote from each other: legs ſtrong and yellow: bill and cere black. LENGTH twenty-three inches. WEIGHT thirty ounces.

[225]Inhabits as far north as the diſtrict of Sondmor, in Norway *.PLACE. Is found in plenty in the open parts of Ruſſia and Sibiria, near woods; and preys much upon Lizards.

  • K. LANNER, Br. Zool. i. No 31.—Latham, i. 86.
  • Falco Lannarius, Faun. Suec. No 62.—De Buffon, i. 243.

F. With a white line over each eye: cere and legs bluiſh: breaſt white, tinged with yellow, and marked with brown ſpots: primaries and tail duſky; the firſt marked with oval ruſt-colored ſpots on the inner webs; the laſt, on both.

Inhabits Iceland, the Feroe iſles, and Sweden; PLACE. the Tartarian deſerts and the Baraba. Breeds on very low trees. None in the north or eaſt of Sibiria. Much eſteemed for falconry.

  • L. MOOR BUZZARD, Br. Zool. No 57.—Latham, i. 53.
  • Falco Aeruginoſus, Faun. Suec. No 66.
  • Hons-tjuf, Le Buſard, De Buffon, i. 218. pl. x.—Pl. Enl. 424:

F. Entirely of a chocolate brown, tinged with ruſt: on the hind part of the head a light clay-colored ſpot: ſlender long yellow legs: cere black.

Weight twenty ounces. Length twenty-one inches.SIZE.

Found in the Tranſbaltic countries, as far north as Sondmor .PLACE. Common in the ſouth of Ruſſia: not in Sibiria. It continues the whole year in Sweden.

[226]
  • M. KESTRIR, Br. Zool. i. No 60.—Latham, i. 94.
  • Falco Tinnunculus, Kirko-Falk, Faun. Suec. No 61.—Muller, No 65.
  • La Creſſerelle, De Buffon, i. 280. pl. xviii.—Pl. Enl. 401, 471.

Male. F. With the crown and tail of a fine light grey, the laſt marked with a black bar near the end: back and wings of a purpliſh red, ſpotted with black. Female. Head reddiſh; crown ſtreaked with black: back, tail, and coverts of wings, dull ruſt-color, barred with black: legs yellow. WEIGHT of Male ſix ounces and a half: of Female eleven.

PLACE.Frequent in the deſerts of Tartary and Sibiria, in the open countries, where ſmall trees are found for it to breed in. Migrates into Sweden, at the time in which the White Wagtail returns, and the Saffron, Snowdrop, and bulbous Violet, bloſſom. Each of theſe birds quit the country about the ſame day, in September *. Not found farther north?

  • N. SPARROW HAWK, Br. Zool. i. No 62.—Latham, i. 99.
  • Sparfhok, Faun. Suec. No 68.—Muller, No 71.—Strom. 235.
  • L'Epervier, De Buffon, i. 225. pl. xi.—Pl. Enl. 412, 467.

F. With head, back, and coverts of wings and tail, (in ſome) of a deep bluiſh grey; in others, of a deep brown, edged with ruſt-color: breaſt and belly of a whitiſh yellow, with waved bars of deep brown or dull orange: tail cinereous, with five broad black bars; the tips white.

Weight of the male five ounces: female nine.

PLACE.Found as high as Sondmor, and in the Feroe iſlands, in the ſouth of Ruſſia; but none in Sibiria.

[227]
  • O. HOBBY, Br. Zool. i. No 61.—Latham, i. 103.
  • Falco Subluteo, Faun. Suec. No 59.

F. With crown, back, and coverts of a bluiſh black: from the crown a black ſtroke points down the cheeks, which are white: breaſt white, with oblong black ſpots: thighs and vent pale orange: inner webs of primaries marked with oval reddiſh ſpots: two middle feathers of the tail plain dove-color; the inner webs of the others marked like the primaries: legs yellow. WEIGHT of the male ſeven ounces.

Schonen, the moſt ſouthern province of Sweden *, and, I believe,PLACE. does not extend farther north. This ſpecies winter about Woroneſch and Aſtrakan ; and frequents the ſame places in Sibiria with the KESTRIL.

III. OWL. Gen. Birds. III.
[228]
* EARED OWLS.
114. EAGLE.
  • Great Horned Owl, Edw. 60.—Latham, i. 119.
  • Great Grey Owl, Joſſelyn, 96.—Lawſon, 145.
  • Jacurutu, Margrave, 199.
  • Stria Bubo Uf, Faun. Suec. No 69.

O. With a duſky bill: yellow irides: horns ſhorter than the European Eagle Owl; thoſe, with the head, black, marked with tawny: circle round the eyes cinereous, edged with black: on the throat a large cruciform mark of a pure white, reaching to the beginning of the breaſt: upper part of the breaſt duſky and tawny; the lower part thickly barred with black aſh-color, mixed with yellow: coverts of wings, ſcapulars, and back, elegantly painted with zigzag lines, cinereous, black, and orange; the ſcapulars alſo marked with a few great white ſpots: primaries broadly barred with black and ferruginous: tail of a deep brown, croſſed with brown duſky bars, and marked with numerous tranſverſe cinereous lines: legs and feet covered with ſoft light brown feathers to the very claws, which are very ſtrong and hooked.

SIZE.This ſpecies is inferior in ſize to the EAGLE OWL, Br. Zool. i. No 64; but ſeems only a variety.

PLACE.It is common to South and North America, as high as Hudſon's Bay. Makes, during night, a moſt hideous noiſe in the woods, not unlike the hollowing of a man; ſo that paſſengers, beguiled by it, often loſe their way.

The ſavages have their birds of ill omen, as well as the Romans. They have a moſt ſuperſtitious terror of the Owl; which they carry [229] ſo far as to be highly diſpleaſed at any one who mimics its hooting*.

This ſpecies is common in Kamtſchatka, and even extends to the Arctic regions; in the firſt of which it very often inclines to white. It is found as low as Aſtrakan.

115. LONG-EARED.
  • Br. Zool. i. No 65.
  • Strix Otus, Faun. Suec. No 71.—Latham, i. 121.

O. With very long ears, of ſix feathers each, yellow and black: irides yellow: back and coverts of wings deep brown, grey, and yellowiſh ruſt-color: primaries barred with duſky and ferruginous: breaſt and belly pale yellow, with ſlender brown ſtrokes, pointing downwards: tail barred with cinereous and duſky; the bars of the middle feathers bound above and below with white: feet feathered to the claws. LENGTH fourteen inches: EXTENT of the Engliſh ſpecimens three feet four. Weight ten ounces.

Obſerved by Mr. Hutchins about Severn ſettlement in Hudſon's Bay, PLACE. where it lives in the woods, far from the ſea: at night ſallies in ſearch of prey. Approaches the tents of the inhabitants, and is very clamorous. Builds its neſt in trees, and lays four white eggs in April. Never migrates.

Inhabits Sweden, and the northern and ſouthern parts of the Ruſſian dominions, and the eaſtern parts of Sibiria. Is found as far ſouth as Aſtrakan, and even in the hot climate of Egypt .

116. SHORT-EARED.
  • Short-eared Owl,—Br. Zool. i. No 66.—Phil. Tranſ. lxii. 384.—Latham, i. 124.
  • La Chouette ou la grande Chevêche, De Buffon, i. 372. tab. xxvii.—Pl. Enl. 438. —BL. MUS.—LEV. MUS.

O. With a leſſer head in proportion than the former: bill duſky: irides yellow: head, back, and coverts of the wings, pale [230] brown, edged with dull yellow: breaſt and belly yellowiſh white, marked with a few duſky ſtreaks pointing downwards: thighs, legs, and toes, covered with plain yellow feathers: primaries duſky, barred with red: tail of a deep brown, marked on each ſide of the middle feathers with a large yellow circle, with a brown ſpot in the middle. In ſome, the feathers are yellowiſh, obliquely barred with black. The horns, or ears, conſiſt of only a ſingle feather, which it can raiſe or depreſs at pleaſure. The wings reach beyond the end of the tail.SIZE. LENGTH fourteen inches. Weight fourteen ounces.

PLACE.Found in plenty in the woods near Chateau Bay, on the Labrador coaſt. It is alſo an inhabitant of the Falkland Iſlands; ſo probably is common to North and South America. In Hudſon's Bay it is called the Mouſe Hawk. It never flies, like other Owls, in ſearch of prey; but ſits quiet on a ſtump of a tree, watching, like a Cat, the appearance of Mice. It breeds near the coaſt; makes its neſt with dry graſs upon the ground; and migrates ſouthwards in autumn. Father Feuillée ſpeaks of an Owl he found in Peru that has ſome reſemblance to this, particularly in the Hawk-like ſhape of the bill. He ſays it burrows under ground to a great depth, like a Rabbet; for which reaſon he names it Ulula Cunicularia *. It is very common in the northern and woody parts of Sibiria. Comes boldly to the night fires, and aſſaults men, when it is often killed with ſticks.

In Europe it is found in Great Britain, and reaches to the Orkney iſles. Does not perch, but ſits on the ground, on which it lays its eggs amidſt the heath. Appears and diſappears in Lincolnſhire with the Woodcock. Perhaps migrates to Sweden or Norway, where it is alſo found, and even as high as Iceland. Flies and preys by day, in dark and cloudy weather. Friendly to the farmer, by being an excellent mouſer. Does not fly far; but if diſturbed, ſoon alights, and ſits looking about; at which times its horns are very conſpicuous. This circumſtance hitherto unattended to; ſo that it has been ranked among the Earleſs Owls.

117. RED.
[231]
  • Little Owl, Cateſby, i. 7.—Latham, i. 123.
  • Strix Afio, Lin. Syſt. 132.—BL. MUS.—LEV. MUS.

O. With yellow irides: horns, head, back, and wings, of a pleaſant tawny red, ſtreaked with black: the ſcapulars marked with large white ſpots: primaries barred with black, red, and white: breaſt pale tawny, marked with oblong black ſpots: tail red, barred with duſky: feet covered with feathers to the claws. LENGTH ten inches and a half.

Inhabits New York, and as low as the Carolinas. PLACE. Lives in the woods near the coaſt.

118. MOTTLED.
  • Latham, i. 126.—BL. MUS.—LEV. MUS.

O. With the face white, ſpotted with brown: head, wings, and upper part of the body, mottled with aſh-color and pale red: the ſcapulars marked with great white ſpots; as are the coverts of the wings: the primaries with black and pale ferruginous: breaſt and belly whitiſh, varied with duſky ragged ſtripes, pointing downwards: toes feathered to the claws. LENGTH eleven inches.

Inhabits the province of New York. Breeds in May, PLACE. and continues in the country the whole year.

** WITHOUT EARS.
119. WAPACUTHU.

O. With gloſſy black bill, and claws much incurvated: baſe of the bill beſet with ſtrong briſtles: irides bright yellow: ſpace between the eyes, cheeks, and throat, white: the ends of the feathers on the head black: ſcapulars, and all the coverts of the wings, white, elegantly barred with duſky reddiſh marks, pointing downwards: [232] primaries, ſecondaries, and tail feathers, irregularly ſpotted and barred with pale red and black: back and coverts of the tail white, mixed with a few duſky ſpots: breaſt and belly dirty white, croſſed with innumerable reddiſh lines: vent white: legs feathered to the toes, which are covered with hairs. WEIGHT five pounds: length two feet: extent four.

PLACE.Inhabits the woods about Hudſon's Bay: makes its neſt on the moſs, on the dry ground. The young are hatched in May, and fly in June; and are white for a long time after. Feeds on Mice and ſmall birds. Called by the Indians, Wapacuthu, or the Spotted Owl. The Europeans ſettled in the bay, reckon it a very delicate food.

120. SOOTY.
  • Cinereous Owl, Latham, i. 134, No 19.—BR. MUS.

O. With a whitiſh bill: bright yellow irides: circlets conſiſt of elegant alternate lines of black and pale aſh-color: head, hind part of the neck, and coverts of wings, ſooty, marked with narrow bars of dirty white: primaries deep brown, with broad bars, compoſed of leſſer of duſky and pale cinereous: tail moſt irregularly marked with oblique ſtrokes of brown and dirty white: the breaſt and belly whitiſh, greatly covered with large oblong blotches of duſky brown: as a ſingular mark, from the chin to the vent is a ſpace, about an inch in breadth, entirely naked: legs feathered to the feet. WEIGHS three pounds: length two feet: extent four.

PLACE.Inhabits Hudſon's Bay the whole year. Flies in pairs. Feeds on Mice and Hares. Flies very low; yet ſeizes its prey with ſuch force, that, in winter, it will ſink into the ſnow a foot deep; and, with great eaſe, will fly away with the AMERICAN HARE, No 38, alive in its talons. It makes its neſt in a pine-tree, in the middle of May, with a few ſticks lined with feathers; and lays two eggs, ſpotted with a darkiſh color. The young take wing in the end of July.

121. SNOWY.
[233]
  • Great White Owl, Edw. 61.—Ellis's voy. 40.—Du Pratz, ii. 91.—Clayton's Virginia.—Ph. Tranſ. iii. 589.
  • Great Speckled Owl, Egede, Greenland, 64.
  • Strix Nyctea, Harfang, Faun. Suec. No 76.—Buffon, i. 387.—Latham, i. 132, No 17.—BL. MUS.—LEV. MUS.

O. With a head leſs in proportion than other Owls: irides yellow: whole plumage of a ſnowy whiteneſs, ſometimes pure, oftener marked with duſky ſpots: the legs and feet covered warmly to the very claws with long ſnowy feathers of the moſt delicate and elegant texture: the claws are of a fine contraſting blackneſs, very large and very crooked. Its length two feet;SIZE. but it varies greatly in weight, from three pounds to one and a half.

It inhabits the coldeſt parts of America, PLACE. even as high as the remote mountains in the icy centre of Greenland; from which, in intenſe cold, it migrates to the ſhores. It adds horror even to that country, by its hideous cries, reſembling thoſe of a man in deep diſtreſs.

It is rare in the temperate parts of America, and ſeldom ſtrays as low as Penſylvania or Louiſiana. Is very common in Hudſon's Bay, in Norway, and Lapland. It fears not the rigor of the ſeaſon, but bears the cold of the northern regions the whole year. It flies by day, and is ſcarcely to be diſtinguiſhed from the ſnow: it flies pretty ſwiftly, and falls perpendicularly on its prey. Feeds on the White Grous, and probably on the Hares; for to the laſt circumſtance it owes its Swediſh name, Harfang. It preys alſo on Mice, and Carrion; and in Hudſon's Bay is almoſt domeſtic, harbouring in places near the tents of the Indians.

Is ſcarce in Ruſſia; grows more common on the Uralian mountains, and all over the north and eaſt of Sibiria, and in its Aſiatic empire, even in the hot latitude of Aſtrakan *; are very numerous in Kamtſchatka.

122. BARRED.
[234]
  • Latham, i. 133, No 18.—BL. MUS.—LEV. MUS.

O. With a pale yellow bill, beſet with ſtrong briſtles: irides yellow: circlets whitiſh, barred with duſky lines: head, back, coverts of the wings, and the breaſt, barred with dark brown, and white tinged with yellow; the primaries with black and white: the belly white, marked downwards with long ſtripes of deep brown: tail barred with broad bands of black, and narrower of white: wings reach only half the length of the tail: feet feathered to the claws.

SIZE.A large ſpecies, two feet long; the extent four. Weight three pounds.

PLACE.Inhabits Hudſon's Bay, and New York. Preys on Hares, Grous, Mice, &c.

123. HAWK.
  • Little Hawk Owl, Edw. 62.—Lathams, i. 142, No 29; 143, No 30; 147, No 36; 148, No 37.—Phil. Tranſ. lxi. 385.
  • Le Chat-huant de Canada, Briſſon, i. 518.—De Buffon, i. 391.
  • Chouette a longue queue de Sibirie, Pl. Enl. 463.—LEV. MUS.

O. With yellow irides: head finely ſpotted with duſky and pure white: back brown, with a few large white ſpots: primaries of a deep brown, regularly ſpotted with white on each web: upper part of the breaſt white; lower part and belly barred with brown: tail very long, and cuneiform, marked with broad bars of brown, and narrow of white: feet protected with feathers to the claws.

LENGTH ſeventeen inches. WEIGHT twelve ounces. Never hatches above two young at a time; which, for ſome months after flight, retain a ruſty brown plumage.

Figure 3. [...]

This bird is very frequent in all Sibiria, and on the weſt ſide of the Uralian chain, as far as Caſan and the Volga: not in Ruſſia.

124. WHITE.
  • Tuidara, Margrave, 205.
  • Barn Owl, Clayton's Virginia.—Phil. Tranſ. iii. 589.
  • White Owl, Br. Zool. i. No 67.—Latham, i. 138.
  • Strix Flammea, Faun. Suec. No 73.
  • L'Effraie, ou L'Effraſaie, De Buffon, i. 366. pl. xxvi.—Pl. Enl. 440.—LEV. MUS.—BL. MUS.

O. With a white bill: duſky irides: head, back, and coverts of wings, of a pale beautiful yellow, with two grey and two white ſpots placed alternately on each ſide of the ſhafts: breaſt and belly wholly white: interior ſides of the feathers of the tail white; exterior marked with obſcure duſky bars: legs feathered: feet covered with ſhort hairs. LENGTH fourteen inches. WEIGHT eleven ounces.

This bird is common to North and South America, and to Europe. PLACE. Was found by the navigators near Sandwich ſound, lat. 61 north. Is rare in Sweden, and, I believe, not found farther north. Inhabits Tartary. The Mongol and Kalmuc Tartars almoſt pay it divine honors; becauſe they attribute to this ſpecies the preſervation of the founder of their empire, Cingis Khan. That prince with his ſmall army happened to be ſurprized and put to flight by his enemies, and forced to conceal himſelf in a little coppice: an Owl ſettled on the buſh under which he was hid, and induced his purſuers not to ſearch there, as they thought it impoſſible any man could be concealed in a place where that bird would perch. From thenceforth they held it to be ſacred, and every one wore a plume of the feathers of [236] this ſpecies on his head. To this day the Kalmucs continue the cuſtom, on all great feſtivals; and ſome tribes have an idol in form of an Owl, to which they faſten the real legs of one*.

125. BROWN.
  • Brown Owl, Br. Zool. i. No 69.—Latham, i. 140.—De Buffon, i. 372.—Pl. Enl. 438.
  • Strix Ulula, Faun. Suec. No 78.—BL. MUS.—LEV. MUS.

O. With dark hazel irides: head, wings, and back, of a deep brown ſpotted with black: coverts of the wings and ſcapulars varied with white ſpots: breaſt of a pale aſh-color, marked with duſky jagged ſtrokes pointing downwards: feet feathered to the claws. LENGTH about fourteen inches. WEIGHT nineteen ounces.

PLACE.Inhabits Newfoundland: rare in Ruſſia: unknown in Sibiria: found in Sweden and Norway .

126. LITTLE.
  • Little Owl, Br. Zool. i. No 70.—De Buffon, i. 377.
  • Strix Paſſerina, Faun. Suec. No 79.—Latham, i. 149, No 38, No 39; 150, No 40. —BL. MUS.—LEV. MUS.

O. With pale yellow irides: bill whitiſh brown: head light brown, ſpeckled with white: back, and coverts of the wings, and ſcapulars, of the ſame color, marked in parts with white ſpots: the breaſt whitiſh, varied with ruſt-color: tail barred with white, and marked regularly on each web with circular white ſpots: feet feathered to the claws. It varies in length, from eight to ſeven inches. The ſmalleſt I have ſeen is from Nova Scotia; which has white circlets about the eyes, and fewer white ſpots on its plumage.

PLACE.Inhabits from Hudſon's Bay to New York. Called by the natives of the firſt, Shipmoſpiſh. Lives in all ſeaſons among the pines: builds its neſt half way up the tree: lays two eggs. Are moſt ſolitary birds. Keep cloſe in their retreat the whole day; but are moſt active mouſers during night. Frequent in Ruſſia; leſs ſo in Sibiria.

* EARED.
[237]
  • A. SCANDINAVIAN EARED OWL, Strix Scandiaca, Faun. Suec. No 70.—Latham i. 120.

O. With the plumage entirely white, ſprinkled with black ſpots.

Size of a Turky: in all reſpects like the Snowy Owl,SIZE. except the ears.

Inhabits the Lapland alps. Mentioned by Linnaeus; PLACE. who ſeems to take his deſcription from a painting of Rudbeck's; but its exiſtence is confirmed by Mr. Tonning of Drontheim*.

* * EARLESS.
  • B. TAWNY OWL, Br. Zool. i. No 68.—Latham, i. 139.
  • Strix Stridula, Skrik Uggla, Faun. Suec. No 77.—Pl. Enl. 437.—LEV. MUS.

O. With a plain head: duſky irides: plumage of the head, and the whole upper part of the body, tawny, ſpotted and powdered with duſky ſpots: breaſt and belly yellowiſh, mixed with white, marked downward with duſky ſtreaks: tail blotched, barred, and ſpotted with pale ruſt-color and black: toes feathered to the claws. WEIGHT nineteen ounces.

Inhabits Europe, as far as Sweden. Frequent in the ſouth of Ruſſia, PLACE. and deſerts of Tartary; and breeds in the neſts of Rooks. None in Sibiria: a ſuſpicion that it is found in Hudſon's Bay?

ORDER II. PIES.

[238]
IV. SHRIKE. Gen. Birds IV.
127. GREAT.
  • Great Shrike, Br. Zool. i. No 71.
  • Lanius Excubitor, Warfogel, Faun. Suec. No 80.—Latham, i. 160.
  • White Whiſky John, Phil. Tranſ. lxii. 386.
  • La Pie-grieche Griſe, De Buffon, i. 296. pl. xx.—Pl. Enl. 445.—LEV. MUS.

S. With a black bill and legs: cinereous crown, hind part of the neck, and back: cheeks white, croſſed from the bill with a bar of black: under ſide, from chin to tail, white, marked with ſemicircular lines of a pale brown: leſſer coverts black; thoſe on the joints of the wings aſh-color: primaries black, marked with a ſingle band of black; ſecondaries tipt with white: the tail cuneiform; the two middle feathers black, the tips of the next on each ſide white; on the reſt the white prevales, till the exterior, when the black almoſt entirely vaniſhes: beyond each eye of the female is a brown bar.

PLACE.Inhabits North America, from Hudſon's Bay to Louiſiana. In Hudſon's Bay, lives in the woods remote from ſhores, and is the firſt bird there which brings out its young in the ſpring. Makes its neſt with dry graſs or bents, and lines it thickly with feathers: lays ſeven eggs, of a pale blue color, blotched with brown.

Is frequent in Ruſſia, but does not extend to Sibiria; yet one was taken by our navigators within Bering's ſtraits, in lat. 66, on the Aſiatic ſide of the Frozen Sea. Has the ſame manner of transfixing and tearing its prey as the Engliſh kind.

128. BLACK-CROWNED.

S. With the bill, legs, crown, and ſides of the head, back, and coverts of wings, black: primaries black, marked with a ſmall ſpot of white, and another on the ridge of the wing: throat, cheeks, and vent, pure white: breaſt and belly tinged with aſh-color: tail [239] long; middle feathers black; the reſt marked at their ends with white, which increaſes to the exterior; in which the black almoſt vaniſhes. Rather inferior in ſize to the laſt.

Inhabits North America. PLACE. Seems to be La Pie Grieſche de la Louiſiane, Briſſon, ii. 162; Latham, i. 162.

129. CRESTED.
  • Lanius Canadenſis, Lin. Syſt. 134.—De Buffon, i. 316.—Pl. Enl. 479. fig. 2.— Latham, i. 182.
  • La Pie Grieſche de Canada, Briſſon, ii. 171.—LEV. MUS.

S. With black bill and legs: head adorned with a reddiſh creſt: cheeks duſky, ſpotted with white: hind part of neck and back brown, inclining to red: throat and breaſt of a yellowiſh red: belly and vent of a fine aſh-color: coverts of the wings black, edged with white; primaries with white on their exterior ſides: tail black, bordered on each ſide, and tipt with white. LENGTH ſix inches and a half: EXTENT about eleven.

Inhabits Canada. PLACE.

130. NATKA.

S. With the bill ſlightly incurvated at the end, black, except the upper half of the lower mandible: crown, lower part of the upper ſide of the neck, and the back, black: over each eye is a white line, extending to the very nape; beneath that one of black: from chin to vent is wholly white: a narrow white circle quite encompaſſes the neck: leſſer coverts of the wings black; greater white, more or leſs daſhed down the ſhafts with black: primaries duſky, fringed with yellowiſh brown; ſecondaries black, edged and tipped with white: tail black, a little rounded; the four outmoſt feathers tipped with white: rump cinereous, the edges of the feathers grey: legs black. LENGTH ſeven inches one-fourth.

Brought from Natka ſound in North America. PLACE. Communicated to me by Mr. Latham.

131. RED-BACKED.
[240]
  • Br. Zool. i. No 72.—Latham, i. 167.
  • Lanius Collurio, Faun. Suec. No 81.
  • Pie-grieche de la Louiſiane, De Buffon, i. 307.—Pl. Enl. 397.—LEV. MUS.

S. With grey crown and rump: ferruginous back and coverts of wings: black line acroſs the eyes: breaſt and belly roſeate: tail black; exterior feathers edged with white: head and upper part of the FEMALE dirty ruſt-color; line over the eyes the ſame color: breaſt and belly dirty white, marked with duſky ſemicircular lines. LENGTH ſeven inches and a half.

PLACE.Inhabits Ruſſia; not Sibiria. Is found in Sweden and Chriſtianſoe. The Count De Buffon ſays, he received one from Louiſiana. I imagine, that, as the Norwegians give the Great Shrike and this a name, that they may be found in their country. The firſt they call Klavert, the laſt Hanvark. Mr. Ekmark has obſerved both of them, only during ſummer, in Eſt Gothland; but is not certain whether they winter. Each ſpecies appears in Italy in the ſpring; retires in autumn.

  • A. GREY, Lanius Nengeta, Lin. Syſt. 135.—Latham, i. 183.
  • Grey Pye of Braſil, Edw. 318.

S. With the crown, hind part of the neck, back, and coverts of the wings, deep cinereous: a black line paſſes from the bill through the eyes to the hind part of the head: greater coverts and ſecondaries [241] black, tipt with dirty white; primaries black: breaſt and belly light aſh-color: tail black; ends of the outmoſt feathers white. Much larger than No 127, the common Great Shrike; and differs ſpecifically.

Inhabits Ruſſia, but is more frequent in Sibiria; PLACE. where it lives in the foreſts the whole winter. Taken and tamed by the fowlers; and kept by the Ruſſians for the diverſion it affords in the manner of killing its prey. They ſtick a rod with a ſharp point into the wall of a room, on which the Shrike perches. They turn looſe a ſmall bird, which the former inſtantly ſeizes by the throat, ſtrangles, and then ſpits it on the point of the ſtick, drawing it on with its claws and bill. Thus it ſerves as many as are turned to it, and afterwards eats them, thus ſuſpended, at its leiſure*. The Germans ſtyle it Wurch-angel, or the Suffocating-angel. The old Engliſh, Wariangel, which ſignifies a bird of ſome very miſchievous qualities; as is evident from Chaucer.

This Sompnour, which that was as ful of jangles,
As ful of venime ben thiſe Wariangles .
  • B. LESSER GREY, Pie Grieche d'Italie, De Buffon, i. 298.—Pl. Enl. 32.

S. With the forehead black: a black line croſſes the eyes, like as in the former: head, hind part and ſides of the neck, back, and coverts of wings, cinereous, paleſt on the rump: ridge of the wing white: primaries black, with a white ſpot near the baſe; ſecondaries black, tipt with white: throat white: breaſt and belly tinged with roſe-color: tail marked like the preceding.

Inhabits Ruſſia, but not Sibiria. Found in Italy and Spain. PLACE.

V. PARROT, Gen. Birds V.
[242]
132. CAROLINA.
  • Parrokeeto, Lawſon, 142.—Latham, i. 227.—LEV. MUS.
  • Parrot of Carolina, Cateſby, i. 11.—Du Pratz, ii. 88.
  • Pſittacus Carolinenſis, Lin. Syſt. 141.—Briſſon, iv. 350.
  • La Perruche a tete jaune, De Buffon, vi. 274.
  • Le Papegai a tete aurore, De Buffon, vi. 247.

P. With the forehead, ridge of the wings, and feathers round the knees, orange: head and neck yellow: back, body, and coverts of wings and tail, green: primaries duſky, mixed with blue and green; the upper exterior ſides edged with yellow: tail very long and cuneiform: legs white. LENGTH thirteen inches. WEIGHT three ounces and a half.

PLACE.Inhabits the ſouthern parts of North America, but never appears higher than Virginia. It is in general a migratory bird, even in Carolina; arriving at the ſeaſon when mulberries are ripe, which they are very fond of, and which are the earlieſt fruits of the country, except ſtrawberries. They infeſt, in autumn, the apple-orchards in vaſt flocks, and make great havock by ſplitting the fruit for the ſake of the kernels only, being very greedy of them, and the ſeeds of cypreſs, and other trees. They devour too the buds of the birch.

Few of theſe tender birds continue in Carolina during the whole year. They breed in hollow trees, in low ſwampy grounds. When taken, they eaſily grow tame, but do not ſpeak. Their inteſtines are ſaid to be a ſpeedy poiſon to Cats.

EGGS.The eggs of Parrots are roundiſh, and generally of a pure white; thoſe of the Maccaws ſpotted, like the eggs of a Partridge. The number uſually two; yet the Count De Buffon gives an inſtance of a [243] Perroquet, in a ſtate of confinement, which laid four eggs every ſpring, during five or ſix years: one of the eggs was addle; the others productive*.

133. ILLINOIS.
  • Tui-apeta-jube, Margrave, 206, No 2.—Wil Orn. 116.—Raii. Syn. av. 34.— De Buffon, vi. 269.—Latham, i. 228.
  • Pſittacus Pertinax, Lin. Syſt. 142.
  • La Perruche. Illinoiſe, Briſſon, iv. 353.
  • Yellow-faced Parrot, Edw. 234.

P. With a cinereous bill: orange-colored irides: forehead, cheeks, and ſometimes the hind part of the head, of a rich orange: crown, upper part of the body, tail, and coverts of the wings, of a fine green: primaries green, edged externally with blue: breaſt and belly of a yellowiſh green: vent yellow: tail very long and cuneiform. Of the ſame ſize with the former. Perhaps differs only in ſex?

Inhabits the interior parts of North America, PLACE. in the country of the Illinois, ſouth of lake Michigam: it is alſo met with in the Brazils. Is a lively bird; but its voice not very articulate. Father Charlevoix met with ſome on the banks of the Theatiki, a river that riſes a little ſouth of lake Michigam, and runs into the Miſſiſipi. He ſays, that thoſe he ſaw were only ſtragglers, which migrated before winter; but that the main body paſſed the whole year on the borders of the Miſſiſipi .

The Count De Buffon confines the whole genus of Parrots to exactly twenty-five degrees on each ſide of the Equator.LATITUDES OF PARROTS. It always gives me pain to differ in opinion with ſo illuſtrious a character; but I muſt produce my authorities of their being common at far greater diſtances. On the continent of America, two ſpecies have been obſerved by the Spaniards about Trinity Harbour, in the South Seas, in [244] north lat. 41. 7*. Dr. Forſter ſaw, in the raw, rainy latitude of Duſky Bay, in New Zealand, 46 ſouth, two kinds. In the neighborhood of Botany Bay, in New Holland, in ſouth lat. 34, five ſpecies were diſcovered; among which, the greater variety of the ſulphur-creſted Cockatoo appeared in amazing multitudes. But what is moſt wonderful, a ſmall ſpecies of this tender genus is to be met with as low as Port Famine, in the ſtreights of Magellan, in north lat. 53. 44, in flocks innumerable. They inhabited the vaſt foreſts of the country. Their food muſt be confined to buds and berries; for no fort of fruit-trees have been obſerved there. The foreſts likewiſe were frequently bounded by mountains, probably cloathed with eternal ſnow.

VI. CROW. Gen. Birds XII.
[245]
134. RAVEN.
  • Br. Zool. i No 74.
  • Corvus Corax, Lin. Syſt. 155.
  • Korp, Faun. Suec. No 85.—Leems, 240.—Faun. Groenl. p. 62.—Latham, i. 367. —De Buffon, iii. 13.—LEV. MUS.

C. With the point of the bill a little incurvated, with a ſmall tooth on each ſide, of a black color, gloſſed with blue. It varies to white, and to pied. In the Feroe iſles is a breed which are black and white, and are ſaid to keep in a place ſeparate from the common kind*.

The largeſt of the genus. Weighs three pounds.SIZE. Length two feet two inches.

Very numerous as far north as Finmark, Iceland, and Greenland, where it frequents the huts of the natives, and feeds on the offals of the Seals. Preys in concert with the White Bear, Arctic Fox, and Eagle. Devours the eggs of birds, eſpecially the Ptarmigan: eats ſhore-fiſh, and ſhell-fiſh: drops the laſt from on high to break them, and get at the contents. Turns roundin the air, and is dexterous; changes its prey from its bill to its feet, or from its feet to its bill, by way of eaſe. Eats alſo berries, and, when almoſt famiſhed, dried ſkins and excrements. Neſtles on high rocks, which overhang and afford a canopy. Couples in March; lays in April. Each preſerves a diſtrict to itſelf. The male ſits in the day; the female in the night: the former-ſleeps cloſe by its mate. Have ſtrong affection to their young brood. Hearing its croaking echoed, repeats it; as if admiring its own note. At approach of ſtorms, collects under ſhelter of rocks.

[246]Caught by the natives. Its fleſh is eaten. The ſkins reckoned the beſt for cloathing: the wings uſed for bruſhes: the quils ſplit, are made into fiſhing-lines. They alſo inhabit Newfoundland, and now and then appear as low as Virginia and Carolina *.

This bird is, among the American ſavages, an emblem of return of health. Their phyſicians, or rather magicians, when they viſit a ſick perſon, invoke the Raven, and mimic his croaking voice. The northern Indians, on the contrary, deteſt this and all the Crow kind. It inhabits Kamtſchatka and Sibiria; but not within the Aſiatic Arctic regions.

135. CARRION.
  • Br. Zool. i. No 75?—Latham, i. 370.
  • Blaae Raage, Brunnick, No 29.
  • Corvus Corone, Faun. Suec. No 86.
  • La Corbine, ou l'Corneille, De Buffon, iii. 45.—Pl. Enl. 483.—LEV. MUS.

C. With the plumage wholly black, gloſſed with violet: bill ſtrong, thick, and arched: noſtrils covered with ſtrong black briſtles: ends of the feathers of the tail ſlightly pointed. LENGTH eighteen inches and a half. Weight from twenty to twenty-two ounces.

PLACE.Inhabits the province of New York, and the inland parts of Hudſon's Bay. Mr. Blackburn obſerved, that it retains there the ſame manners as the European ſpecies; and never migrates from New York. MR. KALM ſays, that they fly in great numbers, and have a cry much reſembling the Rook§. By his account, they appear of a mixed nature, feeding not only on grain, but on carrion; and are alſo very pernicious to young poultry. Like Rooks, they pull up the [247] corn of the country, the new-ſown maize; and, when it ripens, do pick a hole in the leaves which ſurround the ears, expoſing it to corruption, by letting in the rain. The inhabitants of Penſylvania and New Jerſey were wont to proſcribe them, ſetting three pence or four pence on the head of each Crow; but the law was ſoon repealed, becauſe of the great expence it brought on the public ſtock*. Mr. Kalm alſo remarks this agreement with the Rook ſpecies, that they ſettle much on trees, both in February and the ſpring.

Theſe birds are ſo rare in Sweden, that Linnaeus gives only one inſtance of its being killed in his country. Yet it is found in the dioceſe of Drontheim, and in the Feroe iſlands. They are ſcarce in Ruſſia; and only in the north. Grow more common in Sibiria, and are found plentifully beyond the Lena, where the Hooded Crow ceaſes. Was obſerved about Botany Bay, in New Holland; and is met with in the Philippine iſles.

136. MAGPIE.
  • Br. Zool. i. No 78.—Latham, i. 392.—De Buffon, iii. 85.
  • Corvus Pica, Skata, Skiura, Skara, Faun. Suec. No 92.—LEV. MUS.

C. Variegated with black and white, the black moſt beautifully gloſſed with green and purple: the tail very long, cuneiform, black, reſplendent with the ſame rich colors as the body. Length eighteen inches: weight nine ounces.

Viſits Hudſon's Bay, where the natives call it Oue ta-kee Aſke, or the Heart-bird. It migrates, and but ſeldom appears there.

Is found in Europe, as high as Wardhuys, in lat. 71 ½.PLACE. It is eſteemed there an augural bird. If it perches on the church, it is ſuppoſed to portend the death or removal of the miniſter: if on the caſtle, that of the governor. The Magpies ſwarm in the temperate parts of Ruſſia. Common in Sibiria, and even as far as Kamtſchatka, and the iſles.

137. CINEREOUS.
[248]
  • Corvus Canadenſis, Lin. Syſt. 158.—Latham, i. 389.
  • Le Geay Brun de Canada, Briſſon, ii. 54.—De Buffon, iii. 117.—LEV. MUS.

C. With a black bill, ſtrong, ſtrait, notched near the end of the upper mandible: noſtrils covered with a tuft of whitiſh feathers reflected downwards: the forehead, cheeks, and under part of the body, of a dirty reddiſh white: the feathers on the crown long and black, forming a ſpecies of creſt, like that of the Engliſh Jay: the plumage on the back brown, ſilky, looſe, and unwebbed, like that of the Jay: wings black: tail long, cuneiform, blade; the three outmoſt feathers tipt with dirty white: legs black. LENGTH near eleven inches: extent fifteen. Weight two ounces and a half.

PLACE.Inhabits Hudſon's Bay, Newfoundland, and Canada, and the woods on the weſtern coaſts of America. Theſe birds breed early in ſpring: their neſts are made of ſticks and graſs, and built in pine-trees. They have two, rarely three, young ones at a time. Their eggs are blue. The young are quite black, and continue ſo for ſome time. They fly in pairs. The male and female are perfectly alike. They feed on black moſs, worms, and even fleſh. When near habitations or tents, they are apt to pilfer every thing they can come at, even ſalt meat. They are bold, and come into the tents to eat victuals out of the diſhes, notwithſtanding they have their hoard of berries lodged in the hollows of trees. They watch perſons baiting the traps for Martins, and devour the bait as ſoon as they turn their backs. Theſe birds lay up ſtores for the winter; and are ſeldom ſeen in January, unleſs near habitations: they are a kind of mock-bird. When caught, they pine away, and die, though their appetite fails them. Deteſted by the natives of Hudſon's Bay.

138. BLUE.
[249]
  • Jay, Clayton's Virginia.—Phil. Tranſ. iii. 590.—Lawſon, 141.
  • Blue Jay, Cateſby, i. 15.—Edw. 239.—Latham, i. 386.
  • Corvus Criſtatus, Lin. Syſt, 157.
  • Le Geay Bleu de Canada, Briſſon, ii. 55.—De Buffon, iii. 120.—BL. MUS.— LEV. MUS.

C. With a ſtrong thick bill: head adorned with a rich blue creſt: a ſtripe of black from the bill extending beyond the eyes: throat and cheeks white: neck ſurrounded with a black collar: breaſt of a pale vinaceous red: belly white; back of a pale purple: coverts of the wings and ſecondaries of a rich blue, beautifully barred with black; the ſecondaries, and one order of the coverts, tipt with white: tail long and cuneiform, barred with blue and black; the tips of all white, excepting thoſe of the two middlemoſt: legs black. LENGTH twelve inches.

Inhabits Newfoundland, Canada, and as far ſouth as Carolina. PLACE. Has the ſame actions and jetting motion as the Engliſh Jay, but its cry is leſs harſh. It feeds on fruits and berries, and commonly ſpoils more than it eats. It is particularly fond of the berries of the bay-leaved Smilax. Reſides in the country all the year. Lays in May five or ſix eggs, of a dull olive, with ruſty ſpots.

C. With a creſted head: bill, neck, and back, black:139. STELLER'S*. leſſer coverts of the wings duſky; the others of a rich reſplendent blue: exterior webs of the primaries of the ſame color; the inner duſky; the ſecondaries of a beautiful rich blue, croſſed with narrow black bars, remote from each other: the rump, belly, and breaſt, of a dull blue: tail very long, cuneiform, and of a fine gloſſy blue; the middle feathers ſlightly barred. SIZE of an Engliſh Jay.

Inhabits the woods about Natka or George ſound, in North America. PLACE. It had been before diſcovered by Steller, when he landed on the ſame ſide of that continent. Deſcribed from a ſpecimen in the collection of Sir JOSEPH BANKS.

[250]
  • A. ROOK, Br. Zool. i. No 76.—Latham, i. 372.
  • Corvus Frugilegus, Roka, Faun. Suec. No 87.—De Buffon, iii. 55.

C. Black, gloſſed with purple: a tinge of dull green over part of the tail: the ends of the feathers of the tail broad, and rounded; thoſe of the Crow, acute: the bill ſtraiter, ſlenderer, and weaker, than that of the Carrion Crow: the length two inches and a half; that of the latter only two inches and a quarter. The bill of the CROW is of a more intenſe black. The noſtrils and baſe of the bill of the ROOK naked, and whitiſh, occaſioned by being often thruſt under ground in ſearch of food. The WEIGHT of both nearly the ſame, about twenty-one ounces: the LENGTH about eighteen inches: the EXTENT of wings in the ROOK three feet one inch and a half; of the Crow, two inches and a half leſs*.

PLACE.This ſpecies is not found farther north than the ſouth of Sweden. It breeds there; but is driven away by the ſeverity of the winter. No mention is made of it in the Daniſh or Norwegian Faunae. Is common in Ruſſia, and the weſt of Sibiria; but there are none in the eaſt. They migrate in the beginning of March to the environs of Woroneſch, and mingle with the common Crows.

[251]
  • B. HOODED CR. Br. Zool. i. No 77.—Latham, i. 374.
  • Corvus Cornix, Kraka, Faun. Suec. No 88.
  • Krage, Leems, 239.—De Buffon, iii. 61.

C. With black head, wings, and tail; aſh-colored body.

Inhabits Europe, as high as the Feroe iſlands and Lapmark, PLACE. where it continues the whole year; but in the northern countries often retires to the ſhores, where it lives on ſhell-fiſh. Is very common in all Ruſſia and Sibiria: none beyond the Lena. Migrates to Woroneſch, and paſſes the winter there. Grows very large beyond the Ob, and often varies to entire blackneſs. This bird, and the Raven, in October quit the ſub-alpine woods, where they breed; and ſpread all over the plains of Italy. This ſpecies extends to Syria, as do the Raven, Crow, Jackdaw, and Magpie*.

This ſpecies, the RAVEN, CROW, JACKDAW, PIE, and JAY, paſs their winter at Woroneſch , removing probably from hotter as well as colder climates; for three of the above can endure the ſevereſt cold.

  • C. JACKDAW, Br. Zoel. i. No 81.—Latham, i. 378.
  • Kaia, Faun. Suec. No 89.—De Buffon, iii. 69.

C. With white irides: hind part of the head light grey: breaſt and belly duſky aſh: reſt of the bird black. LENGTH thirteen inches.

Inhabits as far north as Sondmor: PLACE. is ſometimes ſeen in the Feroe iſles. Migrates from Smoland and Eaſt Gothland the moment that harveſt ends; and returns in the ſpring, attendant on the Stares. Winters about Upſal, and paſſes the night in vaſt flocks in ruined towers, eſpecially thoſe of antient Upſal. Common over all Ruſſia, and the weſt of Sibiria. A few are ſeen beyond lake Baikal. Are migratory, unleſs in the ſouth of Ruſſia.

[252]
  • D. NUTCRACKER, Br. Zool. ii. App. p. 625.—Latham, i. 400.—De Buffon, iii. 122.
  • Merula Saxatilis, Aldr. av. ii. 284.
  • Corvus Caryocatactes, Notwecka, Notkraka, Faun. Suec. No 91.

C. With primaries and tail black, the laſt tipt with white: vent white: reſt of the plumage of a ruſty brown: crown, and converts of the tail, plain; every other part marked with white triangular ſpots. SIZE of a Jackdaw.

PLACE.Is found as high as Sondmor. Does not migrate. Common in the pine-foreſts of Ruſſia and Sibiria, and even in Kamtſchatka. Lives on nuts and acorns, and on the kernels of pine-cones. Neſtles in the bodies of trees, which it perforates like the Woodpecker.

  • E. JAY, Br. Zool. i. No 79.—Latham, i. 384.—De Buffon, iii. 107.
  • Corvus Glandarius, Allonſkrika, Kornſkrika, Faun. Suec. No 90.

C. With a black ſpot on each ſide of the mouth: very long feathers on the head: body purpliſh aſh: greater coverts of wings beautifully barred with rich blue, black, and white. LENGTH thirteen inches.

PLACE.Is met with as high north as Sondmor. Not migratory. Common in the woods of Ruſſia and Sibiria; but none beyond the Lena.

  • F. ROCK, Greater Redſtart, Wil. Orn. 197.
  • La Paiſſe Solitaire, Belon, Oyſ. 322.
  • Codiroſſo Maggiore, Olina, 47.—Latham, i. 176.—De Buffon, iii. 354.—Aldr. av. ii. 282.
  • Stein-Rotela, Geſu. av. 732.

C. With crown, and neck above, and coverts of wings, brown and dirty white. In the males, the middle of the back marked with a ſpot, conſiſting of a bar of blue, black, and ruſt-colored: throat, breaſt, and belly, orange, ſpotted with white, and a few duſky [253] ſpots: two middle feathers of the tail duſky; the reſt ferruginous: has the ſame looſe ſilky texture of feathers as the Jay. SIZE of a Stare.

Found as high as the foreſts of Lapland. Is called by the Swedes, PLACE. Lappſkata and Olyckfugl; by the Norwegians, Gertrudsfogel; alſo Ulyksfuegl, from its being ſuppoſed to forebode ill-luck. Linnaeus, for the ſame reaſon, ſtyles it Lanius Infauſtus; and in his Fauna, Corvus Infauſtus *. It is common in the woods of the north of Ruſſia and Sibiria. Is a moſt audacious bird. Linnaeus relates, that in dining amidſt the Lepland foreſts, it would often ſnatch away the meat before him. Breeds in crevices of rocks. Feeds on worms and inſects. Sings finely, and is often preſerved in cages for its ſong.

ROLLER. Gen. Birds XIII.
  • G. GARRULOUS, Br. Zool. ii. App. p. 530 quarto, 624 octavo.—Latham, i. 406.—De Buffon, iii. 133.—Aldr. i. 395.
  • Coracias Garrula, Spanſk-kraka, Bla-kraka, Faun. Suec. No 94.

R. With a naked ſpot beyond each ear: head, neck, back, breaſt, belly, and greater coverts of the wings, of a light bluiſh green: back ferruginous: coverts of the tail, leſſer coverts of the wings, and lower parts of the ſecondaries, of a rich blue; primaries black above, blue beneath: middle feathers of the tail dirty green; the reſt of a light blue: the exterior feathers on each ſide much longer than the reſt, and tipt with black: legs yellowiſh. SIZE of a Jay.

This elegant bird is found not ſpread, but as if it were in a ſtream,PLACES. from the ſouthern parts of Norway to Barbary and Senegal: from the ſouth of Ruſſia to the neighborhood of the Irtiſh, only, in that empire; and ſoutherly, to Syria . In Sweden, it arrives with the Cuckoo; [254] retires at the concluſion of the harveſt. It makes its neſt in the birch, preferably to all other trees; and in places where trees are wanting, ſuch as Malta and Barbary, it forms its neſt in clayey banks. Zinanni ſays it lays five eggs, of clear green, ſprinkled with innumerable dark ſpecks. It feeds on fruits, acorns, and inſects. Is a ſhy bird; but, at times, is ſeen in company with Crows and Pies on the plough lands, picking up worms, and grains of corn. Schwenckfelt ſays, that in autumn it grows very fat, and is eſteemed as a delicacy§. It is remarkably clamorous. Is migratory. M. Adanſon obſerved them in Senegal, in flocks, in the month of September, and ſuppoſes they winter there.

VII. ORIOLE. Gen. Birds XIV.
[255]
140. RED-WING.
  • Acolchichi, Fernand. Nov. Hiſp. p. 14.—Wil. Orn. 395.—Raii Syn. av. 166.— Latham, i. 428.
  • Black Bird (2d ſp.) Lawſon, 139.
  • Red-winged Starling, Cateſby, i. 13.—Du Pratz, ii. 91.
  • Le Troupiale a Aiſles Rouges, Briſſon, ii. 97.
  • Le Commandeur, De Buffon, iii. 214.—Pl. Enl. 402.
  • Oriolus Phoeniceus, Lin. Syſt. 161.

O. With black bill and legs: plumage of a fine jetty blackneſs, except the leſſer coverts of the wings, which are of a bright ſcarlet, with the loweſt row white. LENGTH ten inches. The FEMALES are of a duſky color.

Inhabit from the province of New York to the kingdom of Mexico. In North America they are called Red-winged Starlings,PLACE. and Swamp Black-birds; in Mexico, Commendadores, from their red ſhoulders, reſembling a badge worn by the commanders of a certain Spaniſh order. That kingdom ſeems to be their moſt ſouthern reſidence. They appear in New York in April, and leave the country in October. MANNERS. They probably continue the whole year in the ſouthern parts, at leſt Cateſby and Lawſon make no mention of their departure. They are ſeen in flocks innumerable, obſcuring at times the very ſky with their multitudes. They were eſteemed the peſt of the colonies, making moſt dreadful havock among the maize and other grain, both when new ſown, and when ripe. They are very bold, and not to be terrified with a gun; for, notwithſtanding the ſportſman makes ſlaughter in a flock, the remainder will take a ſhort flight, and ſettle again in the ſame field. The farmers ſometimes attempt their deſtruction, by ſteeping the maize in a decoction [256] of white hellebore before they plant it. The birds which eat this prepared corn are ſeized with a vertigo, and fall down; which ſometimes drives the reſt away. This potion is particularly aimed againſt the PURPLE GRAKLES, or PURPLE JACKDAW, which conſorts in myriads with this ſpecies, as if in conſpiracy againſt the labors of the huſbandman. The fowler ſeldom ſhoots among the flocks, but ſome of each kind fall. They appear in greateſt numbers in autumn, when they receive additions from the retired parts of the country, in order to prey on the ripened maize.

Some of the colonies have eſtabliſhed a reward of three pence a dozen for the extirpation of the Jackdaws: and in New England, the intent was almoſt effected,USES. to the coſt of the inhabitants; who at length diſcovered that Providence had not formed even theſe ſeemingly deſtructive birds in vain. Notwithſtanding they cauſed ſuch havock among the grain, they made ample recompence, by clearing the ground of the noxious worms * with which it abounds. As ſoon as the birds were deſtroyed, the reptiles had full leave to multiply: the conſequence was the total loſs of the graſs, in 1749; when the New Englanders, late repentants, were obliged to get their hay from Penſylvania, and even from Great Britain.

NEST.The Red-winged Orioles build their neſts in buſhes, and among the reeds, in retired ſwamps, in the form of a hang-neſt; leaving it ſuſpended at ſo judicious a height, and by ſo wondrous an inſtinct, that the higheſt floods never reach to deſtroy it. The neſt is ſtrong, made externally with broad graſs, a little plaſtered; thickly lined with bent or withered graſs. The eggs are white, thinly and irregularly ſtreaked with black.

Fernandez ſays, that in Mexico they build in trees near towns; and both he and Cateſby agree, that they ſing as well in a ſtate of confinement as of nature; and that they may be taught to ſpeak. I agree with M. de Buffon, that, in caſe the manner of their nidification [257] is as Fernandez aſſerts, the diſagreement in the different countries is very wonderful.

In Louiſiana they appear only in winter, and are taken in a clapnet, placed on each ſide of a beaten path made on purpoſe, and ſtrewed over with rice. As ſoon as the birds alight, the fowler draws the net, and ſometimes takes three hundred at a haul. They are alſo eaten in the Engliſh colonies. Fernandez does not commend their fleſh, which, he ſays, is unpalatable and unwholeſome.

Du Pratz ſpeaks of two kinds: this, and another which is grey and black, with a red ſhoulder; like the ſpecies in queſtion.YOUNG, OR FEMALES? I ſuſpect he forms out of the young birds, not yet arrived at full color, a new kind; or perhaps a female bird: for I have received from Dr. Garden one under that title, which agrees with the deſcription given by M. Du Pratz. Theſe are ſtreaked with pale ruſty brown: cheeks black: over each eye a white line: breaſt and belly black, ſpotted with pale brown: leſſer coverts of the wings rich orange.

141. WHITE-BACKED.
  • White-backed Maize Thieves, Kalm, ii. 274.

A Species mentioned barely as above by Mr. Kalm, with the addition of their being leſs than the laſt: that they ſing finely, and appeared flying now and then among the buſhes near Saratoga; but that he ſaw them for the firſt time near New York. PLACE. As Mr. Kalm ſeems not to have had a diſtinct ſight of theſe birds, it is poſſible that they are the WHITE-WINGED ORIOLES of Mr. Latham, ii. 440: the coverts of whoſe wings are white; the reſt of the plumage entirely black. His ſpecies came from Cayenne.

142. BALTIMORE.
  • Baltimore bird, Cateſby, i. 48.—Latham, i. 432.
  • Le Baltimore, Briſſon, ii. 109.—De Buffon, iii. 231.—Pl. Enl. 506.
  • Oriolus Baltimore, Lin. Syſt. 162.—BL. MUS.—LEV. MUS.

O. With the head, throat, neck, and upper part of the back, black:MALE. leſſer coverts of the wings orange; the greater black tipt [258] with white: breaſt, belly, lower part of the back, and coverts of the tail, of a bright orange: primaries duſky, edged with white: two middle feathers of the tail black; the lower part of the reſt of the ſame color, the remaining part orange: legs black.

FEMALE.Head and back of the female olive, edged with pale brown: coverts of the wings of the ſame color, marked with a ſingle bar of white: under ſide of the body, and coverts of the tail, yellow: tail duſky, edged with yellow. LENGTH of this ſpecies ſeven inches.

PLACE.Inhabits from Carolina, * to Canada . Suſpends its neſt to the horizontal forks of the Tulip or Poplar trees, formed of the filaments of ſome tough plants, curiouſly woven, mixed with wool, and lined with hairs. It is of a pear ſhape, open at top, with a hole on the ſide, through which the young diſcharge their excrements, and are fed. In ſome parts of North America, this ſpecies, from its brilliant color, is called the Fiery Hang-neſt. It is called the Baltimore bird, from its colors reſembling thoſe in the arms of that nobleman.

It quits North America before winter, and probably retires to Mexico, the Xochitototl of Fernandez ſeeming to be the ſame ſpecies.

143. BASTARD.
  • Baſtard Baltimore, Cateſby, i. 49.—Latham, i. 433.
  • Le Baltimore Batard, Briſſon, ii. 111.—De Buffon, iii. 233.—Pl. Enl. 506.
  • Oriolus Spurius, Lin. Syſt. 162.—BL. MUS.—LEV. MUS.

O. With the head, neck, and upper part of the back, of a full gloſſy black: breaſt and belly of a fine orange bay: lower part of the back, and coverts of the tail, of the ſame color: the leſſer coverts of the wings light bay; the greater black, edged with dirty white: the quil feathers duſky, edged with white: tail cuneiform and black.

Figure 4. Baltimore Oriole N. [...]2

Inhabits North America. Arrives in New York in May. PLACE. Lays five eggs; and uſually hangs its neſt in an apple-tree.

144. BLACK.
  • Latham, ii. 445, No 37.
  • Le Troupiale Noir, Briſſon, ii. 103. tab. x.—De Buffon, iii. 320.—Pl. Enl. 534.— BR. MUS.

O. With a black bill, an inch long: legs of the ſame color: whole plumage black and gloſſy. LENGTH near ten inches. EXTENT one foot. WEIGHT two ounces and a quarter.

FEMALE. With head, breaſt, and belly, duſky, tinged with cinereous; the reſt of the plumage of as greeniſh brown.

Inhabits North America, even a far as Hudſon's Bay. PLACE. Arrives there in the beginning of June, as ſoon as the ground is thawed ſufficiently for them to get food, which is Worms and Maggots. They ſing with a fine note till the time of incubation, when they deſiſt, and only make a chucking noiſe till the young take their flight, when they reſume their ſong. They build their neſts in trees, about eight feet from the ground; and form them with moſs and graſs. Lay five eggs, of a dark color, ſpotted with black. Gather in great flocks, and retire ſoutherly in September. A bird, which I apprehend to be only a leſſer variety, is deſcribed by the Comte de Buffon, iii. 221. Pl. Enl. 606. Latham, ii. 446.

145. BROWN-HEADED.

O. With the head of a ruſty brown: the body and wings black, gloſſed with green: the tail of a duſky color. SIZE of a common Blackbird.—BR. MUS. LEV. MUS.

Inhabits New York, PLACE. and appears there in ſmall flocks during ſummer. Perhaps migrates to St. Domingo, where it is alſo found, and is called there, according to Mr. Kuchan's account, Siffleur, or Whiſtler; but differs from that deſcribed by M. De Buffon, iii. 230, which is entirely yellow beneath.

146. RUSTY.
[260]

O. With duſky bill and legs: head, and hind part of the neck, of a blackiſh purpliſh hue, with the edges of the feathers ruſt-colored: from the bill, over and beneath the eyes, extends a black ſpace, reaching to the hind part of the head: throat, under ſide of the neck, the breaſt, and back, black, edged with pale ruſt: belly duſky: wings and tail black, gloſſed with green. LENGTH between ſeven and eight inches.

PLACE.Appears in New York in the latter end of October, and makes a very ſhort ſtay there: it probably is on its way ſoutherly from Hudſon's Bay, where it is alſo found.

147. WHITE-HEADED.
  • Le Caſſique de la Louiſiane, De Buffon, iii. 242.—Pl. Enl. 646.

O. With the head, neck, belly, and rump, white: the reſt of the plumage changeable violet, bordered with white, or in ſome parts intermixed. LENGTH ten inches French.

PLACE.Inhabits Louiſiana.

148. HUDSONIAN WHITE-HEADED.

O. With a duſky bill: head and throat pure white: ridge of the wing, ſome of the under coverts, firſt primary, and thighs, of the ſame color: all the reſt of the bird duſky, in parts gloſſed with green: on the breaſt a few oblong ſtrokes of white: legs duſky. LENGTH eight inches and a half. EXTENT thirteen and a half. WEIGHT an ounce and three quarters.

PLACE.Inhabits Hudſon's Bay. A very rare ſpecies. Quere, if only differing in ſex from the laſt.—LEV. MUS.

149. OLIVE.
  • Le Carouge Olive de la Louiſiane, De Buffon, iii. 251.—Pl. Enl. 607.

O. With the head olive, tinged with grey: hind part of the neck, the back, wings, and tail, of the ſame color, tinged with [261] brown, brighteſt on the rump and the beginning of the tail: the ſides alſo olive, daſhed with yellow; the ſame color edges the greater coverts and primaries: the throat is orange-colored: the under ſide of the body yellow: legs a browniſh aſh-color. LENGTH ſix or ſeven inches French. EXTENT from ten to twelve.

Inhabits Louiſiana. PLACE.

150. YELLOW-THROATED.

O. With a bright yellow ſtroke over each eye: cheeks and throat of the ſame color: all the reſt of the plumage tinged with green, only ſome of the coverts of the wings are tipt with white: bill and legs duſky. LENGTH nine inches. EXTENT fifteen and a half.

Was ſhot in Hudſon's Bay. PLACE.

151. UNALASCHKA.
  • Latham, ii. 447, No 40.

O. With a brown bill; between its baſe and the eyes a white mark: plumage above, brown; the middle of each feather clouded: chin white, bounded on each ſide by a dark diverging line: fore part of the neck and breaſt of a ruſty brown: coverts of the wings, the ſecondaries, and tail, brown, edged with ruſt: primaries and belly plain: ſides duſky: legs brown. LENGTH eight inches.

Brought by the late navigators from Unalaſchka. PLACE.

152. SHARP-TAILED.
  • Latham, i. 448.

O. With the crown brown and cinereous: cheeks brown, ſurrounded by a border of light clay-color, commenced at the baſe of each mandible of the bill: throat white: breaſt, ſides, and vent, of a dull pale yellow, ſpotted with brown: belly white: back [262] varied with aſh-color, black, and white: greater and leſſer coverts of the wings duſky, deeply bordered with ruſt-color; primaries black, ſlightly edged with ruſt: the feathers of the tail ſlope off on each ſide to a point, not unlike thoſe of a Woodpecker; are of a duſky color, and obſcurely barred: the legs of a pale brown. SIZE of a Lark.

PLACE.Inhabits the province of New York.—From Mrs. Blackburn's collection.

VIII. GRAKLE. Gen. Birds, XV.
[263]
153. PURPLE.
  • Tequixquiacatzanatl*, Fernandez Mex. 21.
  • La Pie de la Jamaique, Briſſon, ii. 41.—De Buffon, iii. 97.—Pl. Enl. 538.
  • Merops Niger iride ſub-argentea, Brown's Jamaica, 476.
  • Purple Jackdaw, Cateſby, i. 12.—Latham, i. 462.
  • Black Bird, Lawſon, ſp. 2d, 139.—Sloane Jamaica, ii. 299.
  • Gracula Quiſcula, Lin. Syſt. 165.—BL. MUS.—LEV. MUS.

G. With a black bill: ſilvery irides: head and neck black, gloſſed over with a moſt reſplendent blue, variable as oppoſed to the light: back and belly, with green and copper-color, growing more duſky towards the vent: tail long, and cuneiform: legs black: wings and tail rich purple. Female entirely duſky; darkeſt on the back, wings, and tail.

LENGTH of the male thirteen inches and a half:SIZE. the WEIGHT about ſix ounces. LENGTH of the female eleven inches and a half.

Theſe birds inhabit the ſame countries as the Red-wing Orioles, and generally mingle with them. They ſometimes keep ſeparate; but uſually combine in their ravages among the plantations of maize. After that grain is carried in, they feed on the ſeeds of the Water Tare Graſs, or Zizania aquatica. Their good qualities, in clearing the country from noxious inſects, have been recited before, in page mixed with the hiſtory of their congenial companions.

They appear in New York and Philadelphia in February, PLACE. or the beginning of March; and ſit perched on trees near the farms, and give a tolerably agreeable note. They alſo build in trees, uſually in retired places, making their neſts externally with coarſe ſtalks,NEST. internally [264] with bents and fibres, with plaiſter at the bottom. They lay five or ſix eggs, of a pale plue color, thinly ſpotted and ſtriped with black. After the breeding-ſeaſon, they return with their young from their moſt diſtant quarters, in flights continuing for miles in length, blackening the very ſky, in order to make their depredations on the ripening maize. It is unfortunate that they increaſe in proportion as the country is more cultivated; following the maize, in places they were before unknown, whereſoever that grain is introduced.

They migrate from the northern colonies at approach of winter; but continue in Carolina the whole year, feeding about the barndoor. Their fleſh is rank, and unpalatable; and is only the food of birds of prey. The ſmall Hawks daſh among the flocks, and catch them in the air.

They are alſo found in Mexico, and in the iſland of Jamaica. They are ſometimes eaten; but their fleſh is hard, rank, and of bad nouriſhment.

154. BOAT-TAIL.
  • Gracula Barri [...]a, Lin. Syſt. 165.—Latham, i. 460.
  • Le Troupiaie Noir, Icterus Niger, Briſſon, ii. 105.—De Buffon, iii. 220.—Pl. Enl. 534.
  • Monedula tota nigra, Sloane, 299.—Raii Syn. av. 185.—LEV. MUS.

G. With the bill an inch and a half long, ſharp, and black: plumage black, gloſſed with purple: tail cuneiform, expanded when walking; in flight, or on the perch, folded, ſo as to form an oblong cavity in its upper part. LENGTH about thirteen inches.

PLACE.Inhabits not only the greater Antilles, but the warmer parts of North America; conſorting with the Purple Grakles, and Red-winged Orioles. Feeds on maize and inſects; in the iſlands on Bananas.

IX. CUCKOO. Gen. Birds, XIX.
[265]
155. CAROLINA.
  • Cuckoo of Carolina, Cateſby, i. 9.—Lawſon, 143.
  • Le Coucou de la Carolina, Briſſon, iv. 112.
  • Cuculus Americanus, Lin. Syſt. 170.—Latham, i. 537.—LEV. MUS.—BL. MUS.

C. With the upper mandible of the bill black, the lower yellow: head, and whole upper part of the body, and coverts of the wings, cinereous; under ſide entirely white: primaries brown on their exterior, orange on their interior ſides: tail long; two middle feathers entirely cinereous, the others tipt with white: legs duſky. LENGTH twelve inches.

Inhabits North America. Arrives in New York in May. PLACE. Makes its neſt in June, uſually in apple-trees; and lays four eggs, of a bluiſh white color. The neſt is made of ſmall ſticks and roots, and reſembles greatly that of the Engliſh Jay; but is ſmaller. It retires from North America in autumn.

This bird, as well as all the foreign Cuckoos, have only the generical character of the well-known European ſpecies. They differ in their oeconomy, nor have the opprobrious notes of that bird.

[266]
  • A. EUROPEAN CUCKOO, Br. Zool. i. No 82. tab. xxxvi. fem.—Latham, i. 509.
  • Cuculus Canorus, Gjok, Faun. Suec. No 96.
  • Le Coucou, De Buffon, vi. 305.—LEV. MUS.

C. With dove-colored head, hind part of the neck, back, rump, and coverts: throat, and under ſide of the neck, of a pale grey: breaſt and belly white, barred with black: primaries duſky; inner webs marked with white oval ſpots: tail cuneiform; middle feathers black, tipped with white; the reſt marked with white ſpots on each web. FEMALE. Neck of a browniſh red: tail barred with ruſt-color and black, and ſpotted with white.

PLACE.Inhabits all parts of Europe, as high as Saltens Fogderie, in Norway *, within the Arctic circle; and even at Loppen, in Finmark . It is found equally high in Aſia; and extends as far eaſt as Kamtſchatka. In all places it retains its ſingular note, and its more ſingular nature of laying its eggs in the neſts of ſmall birds, and totally deſerting them. Of the above circumſtance I beg leave to add a proof, which fell under my own notice in June 1778; when I ſaw a young Cuckoo, almoſt full grown (when I firſt diſcovered it) in the neſt of a white Wagtail, beneath ſome logs in a field adjacent to my houſe. The Wagtail was as ſolicitous to feed it, as if it had been its own offspring; for, many days after the Cuckoo fled, it was ſeen often perched on the adjacent walls, ſtill attended and fed by the Wagtail.

It arrives in the northern and eaſtern parts of Aſia, about the tenth of June.

WRYNECK. Gen. Birds, XX.
[267]
  • B. WRYNECK, Br. Zool. i. No 83.—Latham, i. 548.
  • Jynx Torquilla Gjoktyta, Faun. Suec. No 97.
  • Le Torcol, De Buffon, vii. 84.—Pl. Enl. 698.—LEV. MUS.

W. With a black and colored liſt dividing lengthways the crown and back: upper part of the body elegantly pencilled with grey, black, white, and ferruginous: tail conſiſts of ten feathers, grey, ſpeckled with black, and marked equidiſtant with four broad black bars.

Extends over all Ruſſia and Sibiria, and even to Kamtſchatka. PLACE. Found in Sweden, and as high as Drontheim, in Norway; and probably migrates as far as the Cuckoo. The Swedes call this bird Gjoktyta, or the bird which explains the Cuckoo: probably for the ſame reaſon as the Welſh and Engliſh ſtyle it the Cuckoo's Man, as it ſeems its attendant, and to point out its arrival.

X. WOODPECKER. Gen. Birds, XXI.
[268]
156. WHITE-BILLED.
  • Quatotomomi, Fernand. Mex. 50.—Wil. Orn. 390.
  • Ipecu, Marcgrave, 207.—Wil. Orn. 138.—Raii Syn. Quad. 43.—Latham, ii. 553.
  • Picus principalis, Lin. Syſt. 173.
  • Largeſt White-bill Woodpecker, Cateſby, i. 16.—Lawſon, 142.—Barrere Fr. Equin. 143.—Kalm, ii. 85.
  • Grand Pic noir a bec blanc, De Buffon, vii. 46.—Pl. Enl. 690.

W. With a bill of ivory whiteneſs; great ſtrength; three inches long: irides yellow: a conic creſt, of a rich ſcarlet color, on the hind part of the head: head, throat, neck, breaſt, and belly, black: beneath each eye is a narrow ſtripe of white, crooked at its beginning, running afterwards ſtrait down the ſides of the neck: upper part of the back, primary feathers, and coverts of the wings, black; lower part of the back, and the ſecondaries, white: tail black.

This is a gigantic ſpecies, weighing twenty ounces; and in bulk equal to a Crow.

PLACE.Inhabits the country from New Jerſey to the Braſils. Is in North America a ſcarce bird; in South America more common. It breeds in the kingdom of Mexico in the rainy ſeaſon; for which reaſon Nieremberg ſtyles it Picus Imbrifoetus *. The Spaniards call them Carpenteros, Carpenters, on account of the multitude of chips which they hew out of the trees, either in forming their neſts, or in ſearch of food, inſects, and worms, which lurk beneath the bark. They are very deſtructive to trees; for they have been known to cut out a meaſure of chips in an hour's time. Inſtinct directs them to form their holes in a winding form, in order the better to protect their neſts from the injury of the weather.

[269] Canada is deſtitute of theſe birds. The Indians of that ſevere climate purchaſe the bills from the ſavages of the more ſouthern parts, at the rate of two or three Buck ſkins apiece, in order to form the coronets * of their ſachems and warriors. Theſe coronets were made with ſeveral materials. Gay plumes formed the rays; the beaks of birds, claws of rare animals, and the little horns of their Roes, were the other ornaments. They were never worn but on high ſolemnities; either when a warrior ſung the ſong of war, or was ſetting forward on his march to meet the enemy. He went forth like a Spartan hero, dancing, and crowned.

157. PILEATED.
  • Larger Red-creſted Woodpecker, Cateſby, i. 17.
  • Le Pic noir hupe de Virginie, Briſſon, iv. 29.
  • Picus Pileatus, Lin. Syſt. 173.—Latham, i. 554.
  • Le Pic noir a huppe rouge, De Buffon, vii. 48.—Pl. Enl. 718.—LEV. MUS.—BL. MUS.

W. With a bill two inches long, of a duſky color on the upper, and whitiſh on the lower mandible: irides of a gold-color: a tuft of light brown feathers reflected over the noſtrils: the crown adorned with a rich ſcarlet creſt, bounded by a narrow buff-colored line; beneath that is a broad band of black, reaching from the eyes to the hind part of the head; under this is another line of buff-color, commencing at the bill, and dropping down on each ſide of the neck to the pinions of the wings: from the lower mandible a line of ſcarlet extends along the lower part of the cheeks: chin and throat white: fore and hind part of the neck, back, breaſt, belly, and tail, black: the wings black, marked with a double line of white: legs duſky. LENGTH eighteen inches. WEIGHT nine ounces.

Inhabits the foreſts of Penſylvania and New York. PLACE. When the maize begins to ripen, this and the other kinds make great havock, by [270] ſettling on the heads, and picking out the grain; or making holes in the leaves, and letting in the wet, to the deſtruction of the plant*. It breeds and reſides the whole year in the country. It extends as high as lat. 50. 31. north; being found near the banks of Albany river, near four hundred miles from its diſcharge into Hudſon's Bay. Lays ſix eggs, and brings forth its young in June. The Indians deck their Calumets with the creſt of this ſpecies.

158. GOLDEN-WING.
  • Golden-winged Woodpecker, Cateſby, i. 18.
  • Le Pic Rayè de Canada, Briſſon, iv. 70.
  • Picus Auratus, Lin. Syſt. 174.—Latham, i. 597.
  • Le Pic aux ailes dorees, De Buffon, vii. 39.—Pl. Enl. 693.—LEV. MUS.—BL. MUS.

W. With a black bill, bending like that of a Cuckoo: crown cinereous; on the hind part a ſcarlet ſpot: cheeks and under ſide of the neck of a pale red: from each corner of the mouth a black line extends along the cheeks: the upper part of the breaſt is marked with a black creſcent; the remainder and the belly whitiſh, ſpotted with black: back and coverts of wings of a fine pale brown, barred with black: the primaries cinereous; their ſhafts of a moſt elegant gold-color; the under ſide of the webs of a gloſſy yellow: rump white, ſpotted with black: tail black, edged with white: the ſhafts of all the feathers gold-colored, except thoſe of the two middle feathers: legs duſky. LENGTH twelve inches. WEIGHT five ounces. The FEMALE wants the black on each ſide of the throat.

Figure 5. Ferruginous Woodpecker. No. 159. Nuthatch No. 170.

The Swediſh Americans call it Hittock, and Piut ; words formed from its notes. It is almoſt continually on the ground; and never picks its food out of the ſides of trees, like others of the genus: neither does it climb, but ſits perched, like the Cuckoo; to which it has ſome reſemblance in manners, as well as form. It feeds on inſects. Grows very fat, and is reckoned very palatable. It inhabits the Jerſies, and other provinces to the ſouth, the whole year.

159. FERRUGINOUS.
  • Latham, i. 592.
  • Le Pic Mordore, De Buffon, vii. 34.—Pl. Enl. 524.

W. With a duſky bill: the crown and pendent creſt of a pale yellow: a crimſon bar extends from the mouth along the lower part of the cheek: the cheeks, back, and coverts of the wings, of a deep ferruginous color: lower part of the back of a pale yellow: primaries ferruginous, barred on their inner webs with black. SIZE of the Green Woodpecker.

This new ſpecies was ſent to me by Dr. Garden, of Charleſtown, PLACE. South Carolina.

160. RED-HEADED.
  • Red-headed Woodpecker, Cateſby, i. 20.—Lawſon, 3d ſp. 143.—Du Pratz, 92.— Latham, i. 561.
  • Picus Erythrocephalus, Lin. Syſt. 174.
  • Le Pic a teſte rouge, de la Virginie, Briſſon, iv. 53.—Pl. Enl. 117.
  • Le Pic noir a domino rouge, De Buffon, vii. 55.—Pl. Enl. 117.—LEV. MUS.— BL. MUS.

W. With a lead-colored bill: head and neck of the moſt deep and rich ſcarlet: back, coverts of wings, primaries, and tail, of a gloſſy blackneſs: the ſecondaries white, marked with two black [272] bars: breaſt and belly white: legs black. The head of the FEMALE is brown. LENGTH nine inches and a half. WEIGHT two ounces.

PLACE.Inhabits Penſylvania, and the neighboring provinces. Feeds on maize and apples; and is a moſt deſtructive ſpecies. They pick out all the pulp, and leave nothing but the mere rind. They feed alſo on acorns. They were formerly proſcribed; a reward of two pence was put on their heads: but the law was repealed. They migrate ſouthward at approach of winter. When they are obſerved to linger in numbers in the woods, in the beginning of winter, the inhabitants reckon it a ſign of a mild ſeaſon*.

This ſpecies extends acroſs the continent to the weſtern coaſt of America.

161. CAROLINA.
  • Red-bellied Woodpecker, Cateſby, i. 19.
  • Picus Carolinus, Lin. Syſt. 174.—Latham, i. 570.
  • Le Pic varié de la Jamaique, Briſſon, iv. 59.—De Buffon, vii. 72.
  • Woodpecker of Jamaica, Edw. 244.—BL. MUS.

W. With the forehead, crown, and hind part of the head, of an orange red; under ſide of a light aſh-color, tinged with yellow: the vent ſpotted with black: the back and wings cloſely barred with black and white: middle feathers of the tail black, the outmoſt barred with black and white. The crown of the female is light grey: hind part of the head red. LENGTH eleven inches. WEIGHT two ounces eleven penny-weights.

PLACE.Inhabits North America, and the greater Antilles.

162. SPOTTED.
  • Great Spotted Woodpecker? Br. Zool. i. No 85.—Latham, i. 564.
  • Le Pic varié, Briſſon, iv. 34.—De Buffon, vii. 57.—Pl. Enl. 196. 595.
  • Picus Major, Faun. Suec. No 100.—LEV. MUS.—BL. MUS.

W. With buff forehead; black crown, bounded behind with a crimſon band: vent feathers crimſon: back black: ſcapulars white: wings and tail barred with black and white: breaſt and belly [273] white, tinged with yellow. LENGTH nine inches. EXTENT ſixteen. WEIGHT two ounces three quarters. FEMALE wants the crimſon marks.

Sent to Mrs. Blackburn from New York. Inhabits Europe, PLACE. as high as Lapmark. Extends to the moſt eaſtern part of Sibiria.

163. CANADA SPOTTED.
  • L'Epeiche de Canada, De Buffon, vii. 69.—Pl. Enl. 347.—Briſſon, iv. 45.

W. With white forehead, throat, breaſt, and belly: crown, black; beneath is a band of white, encircling the head; from each eye another of black, uniting behind, and running down the hind part of the neck; each ſide of this bounded by white; that again bounded by black, commencing at the baſe of the bill, and uniting with the ſcapulars: the back black; ſcapulars of the ſame color, mixed with a few white feathers: wings ſpotted with black and white: middle feathers of the tail black; the outmoſt black and white. SIZE of the laſt.

Inhabits Canada. PLACE.

164. HAIRY.
  • Hairy Woodpecker, Cateſby, i. 19.—Latham, i. 572.
  • Picus Villofus, Lin. Syſt. 175.
  • Le Pic varié de la Virginie, Briſſon. iv. 48.
  • L'Epeiche ou Pic Chevelù de Virginie, De Buffon, vii. 75.—LEV. MUS.—BL. MUS.

W. With the crown black: the hind part of the head marked with a crimſon ſpot; the cheeks with two lines of white and two of black: whole under ſide of the body white: back black, divided in the middle lengthways with a line of white unconnected feathers, reſembling hairs: the wings black, ſpotted in rows with* [274] white: two middle feathers of the tail black; the two outmoſt entirely white; the reſt black, marked croſſways with white. The female wants the red ſpot on the head. LENGTH nine inches. WEIGHT two ounces.

PLACE.Inhabits from Hudſon's Bay * to Carolina. In the laſt very deſtructive to apple-trees.

165. DOWNY.
  • Smalleſt Spotted Woodpecker, Cateſby, i. 21.
  • Picus Pubeſcens, Lin. Syſt. 175.—Latham, i. 573.
  • Le Petit Pic varié de la Virginie, Briſſon, iv. 50.
  • Fourth Woodpecker, Lawſon, 143.
  • L'Epeiche ou Petit Pic varie de Virginie, De Buffon, vii. 76.—LEV. MUS.— BL. MUS.

W. Of the ſize of a Sparrow. In all reſpects reſembles the laſt, except in ſize; and in having the outmoſt feather of the tail marked with a ſingle white bar.

PLACE.Inhabits Penſylvania and Carolina, and is very numerous. It is alſo found, but more rarely, near Albany fort, in Hudſon's Bay. The Woodpecker tribe is the moſt pernicious of all the birds of America, except the PURPLE GRAKLE; but this little ſpecies is the moſt deſtructive of its whole genus, becauſe it is the moſt daring. It is the peſt of the orchards, alighting on the apple-trees, running round the boughs or bodies, and picking round them a circle of equidiſtant holes. It is very common to ſee trees encircled with numbers of theſe rings, at ſcarcely an inch's diſtance from each other; ſo that the tree dries and periſhes.

166. YELLOW-BELLIED.
[275]
  • Yellow-bellied Woodpecker, Cateſby, i. 21.
  • Picus Varius, Lin. Syſt. 176.—Latham, i. 574.
  • Le Pic Variè, Briſſon, iv. 62.
  • Le Pic Variè de Carolina, De Buffon, vii. 77.—LEV. MUS.—BL. MUS.

W. With a crimſon crown, ſurrounded by a line of black: cheeks white, with two lines of black: chin crimſon: breaſt and belly light yellow; the firſt ſpotted with black: coverts black, croſſed by two bars of white: primaries ſpotted with black and white: tail black; interior webs of the two middle feathers barred with white; the two outmoſt feathers edged with the ſame color. The FEMALE wants the red on the crown. LENGTH nine inches. WEIGHT one ounce thirteen penny-weights.

Inhabits the ſame country with the former. Is very numerous,PLACE. and very deſtructive to the fruits.

167. YELLOW-LEGGED.

THIS is inſerted on the ſuſpicious authority of Albin *. He ſays, that it is of the ſize of the Little Engliſh Spotted Woodpecker; that the hind part of the head is black; the ridges of the wings, and the lower part of the belly, white; the reſt of the plumage, and the tail, black; the legs yellow.

168. THREE-TOED.
  • Three-toed Woodpecker, Edw. 114.—Phil. Tranſ. lxii. 388.—Latham, i. 600, 601.
  • Picus Tridactylus, Lin. Syſt. 177.—Faun. Suec. No 103.
  • Le Pic variè de la Cayenne, Briſſon, iv. 55.—LEV. MUS.

W. With black feathers reflected over the noſtrils: crown of a bright gold color: irides blue: cheeks marked lengthways with three black and two white lines: hind part of the neck and back [276] black; the laſt ſpotted on the upper part with white: coverts of the wings black; primaries black, ſpotted with white: all the under ſide of the body white; the ſides barred with black: the middle feathers of the tail black; the outmoſt ſpotted with white: legs duſky: toes, two before, only one behind; which forms the character of this ſpecies. LENGTH eight inches. EXTENT thirteen. WEIGHT two ounces.

PLACE.Inhabits Hudſon's Bay, and Norton Sound, lat. 64. Is frequent in Sibiria, and common as far as Moſcow, in the alps of Dalecarlia in Sweden, and in thoſe of Switzerland *.

  • A. BLACK W. Picus Martius, Lin. Syſt. 173.
  • Spillkraka, Tillkraka, Faun. Suec. No 93.—De Buffon, vii. 41.—Wil. Orn. 135.— Latham, i. 552.—LEV. MUS.

W. With the crown of the head of a rich crimſon: the reſt of the plumage of a full black: the head of the female marked with red only behind. LENGTH eighteen inches. EXTENT twenty-nine. WEIGHT near eleven ounces.

PLACE.Inhabits the foreſts of Germany, Switzerland, and the north, from Peterſbourg to Ochotſk, on the eaſtern ocean, eaſtward, and to Lapmark weſtward. It migrates to Woroneſch, about the third of March, and continues coming in greateſt numbers in April. Is called there The [277] Fuſilier; and is the moſt cunning, and difficult to be ſhot, of all the tribe.

It does vaſt damage to trees,MANNERS. by making holes of a great depth in the bodies to neſtle in. A buſhel of duſt and chips, a proof of its labors, are often found at the foot of the tree. Makes as much noiſe in the operation, as a woodman does with an axe. Rattles with its bill againſt the ſides of the orifice, till the woods reſound. Its note very loud. Lays two or three white ſemi-tranſparent eggs. Feeds on caterpillars and inſects, eſpecially Ants.

  • B. GREEN, Br. Zool. i. No 84.—Latham, i. 577.
  • Picus Viridis, Wedknar, Gronſpik, Grongjoling, Faun. Suec. No 99.—De Buffon, vii. 7.—LEV. MUS.

W. With crimſon crown: green body; lighteſt below. LENGTH thirteen inches.

Inhabits Europe, as high north as Lapmark, PLACE. where it is called Zhiaine *. Is found in Ruſſia; but diſappears towards Sibiria.

  • C. GREY-HEADED, Edw. 65.—Latham, i. 583.

W. With a grey head, and neck of a bluiſh grey: noſtrils covered with harſh black feathers, extending in a line to the eyes: a black line, beginning at the baſe of the lower mandible, points beneath the cheeks towards the hind part of the neck: under ſide of the body of the color of the head, daſhed with green: all other parts ſo exactly like the laſt, that I ſhould ſuppoſe it to have been a variety, had not my very ſcientific friend, PALLAS, aſſured me that it was a diſtinct ſpecies, and inferior in ſize to the common GREEN.

[278] PLACE.It is found in Norway, and among the alps of Switzerland *; and common in the north of Ruſſia, and ſtill more in Sibiria. The Tunguſi, of Nijmaia Tungouſka, roaſt this ſpecies, bruiſe the fleſh, and mix it with any greaſe, except that of the Bear, which diſſolves too readily. They anoint their arrows with it, and pretend, that the animals, which are ſtruck with them, inſtantly fall.

  • D. MIDDLE SPOTTED W. Br. Zool. i. No 86.—Latham, i. 565.
  • Picus Medius, Faun. Suec, No 101.—Briſſon, iv. 38.

W. With a crimſon crown and vent: in all other reſpects like the GREAT SPOTTED, No 162, except in ſize, being rather leſs.

  • E. LEST SPOTTED W. Br. Zool. i. No 87.
  • Picus Minor, Faun. Suec. No 102.
  • Le Petit Epeiche, De Buffon, vii. 62.—Pl. Enl. 598.—Briſſon, iv. 41.—LEV. MUS.

W. With a crimſon crown: the reſt of the head, breaſt, and belly, like thoſe of the former: back barred with black and white: the white on the wings diffuſed in broad beds. WEIGHT under an ounce. LENGTH ſix inches. EXTENT eleven.

PLACE.The MIDDLE is only found in Ruſſia. This, and the GREAT SPOTTED, extend to the eaſtmoſt parts of Sibiria; but all three are found as high as Lapmark , the extremity of northern Europe, far within the polar circle; a country which is one vaſt foreſt of pines, firs, and birch. Innumerable inſects, or their, larvae, lurk in all ſeaſons in the bark of the trees; ſo that this tribe of birds is never compelled, for want of food, to ſhun even the moſt rigorous winters of that ſevere climate. It alſo bears the heats of the torrid zone; for I diſcovered it among the drawings in the collection of Governor Loten, made in the iſland of Ceylon.

XI. KINGFISHER. Gen. Birds, XXIII.
[279]
169. BELTED.
  • Kingfiſher, Cateſby, i. 69.
  • American Kingfiſher, Edw. 115.
  • Le Martin peſcheur hupè de la Caroline, Briſſon. iv. 512. & de St. Domingue, 515.
  • Alcedo Alcyon, Lin. Syſt. 180.—Latham, i. 637.
  • Le Jaguacati, De Buffon, vii. 210.—LEV. MUS.

K. With a black bill, two inches and a half long: head creſted with long bluiſh grey feathers: above the upper mandible of the bill, on each ſide, is a white ſpot; beneath each eye is another: chin and throat white: the upper part of the breaſt croſſed by a broad grey belt; the lower part, and belly, white: the ſides of a vermilion color; in ſome croſſing the breaſt: upper part of the neck, the back, and coverts of the wings, of a pleaſant bluiſh grey: the ſecondaries of the ſame color; their ends, and thoſe of the lower order of coverts, tipt with white: primaries black, barred with white: tail grey; the two middle feathers plain; the reſt barred with white: the legs orange. LENGTH thirteen inches. WEIGHT three ounces and a half.

Inhabits Hudſon's Bay, Norton Sound, PLACE. and other parts of North America. The Achalalacti, i. e. the Devourer of fiſh, of the Mexicans *, ſeems to be the ſame bird. It has the ſame cry, manners, and ſolitary diſpoſition, with the European ſpecies; and feeds not only on fiſh, but Lizards. It makes its neſt in the face of high banks, penetrating deep into them in an horizontal direction. Lays four white eggs, which diſcharge the young in June. It migrates in Mexico; is there eaten, but is obſerved to have the ſame rankneſs as other piſcivorous birds.

[280]
  • A. EUROPEAN KINGFISHER, Br. Zool. i. No 88.—Latham, i. 626.
  • Le Martin-Pecheur, Buffon, vii. 164.—Pl. Enl. 77.
  • Alcedo Iſpida, Lin. Syſt. 179,—LEV. MUS.

K. With the crown, and coverts of the wings, of a deep green, ſpotted with caerulean: ſcapulars and back bright caerulean: tail rich deep blue: breaſt and belly orange red.

PLACE.Said by Du Pratz to be found in North America; but, as I never ſaw it in any collection, doubt the fact. Inhabits the temperate parts of Ruſſia and Sibiria, and is frequent about the Jeneſei, but not farther eaſt. It does not extend to Sweden, and it even ſeems a rarity in Denmark *.

The Tartars and Oſtiaks uſe the feathers of this bird as a love-charm. They fling them on water, and preſerve thoſe which ſwim; believing, that the woman, whom they touch with one of theſe feathers, will immediately become enamoured with them. The Oſtiaks preſerve the bill, feet, and ſkin, in a purſe, and imagine them to be preſervatives againſt all ſorts of misfortunes.

The moſt ſingular northern philtre, is a ſort of muſhroom, worn by the youth of Lapland in a purſe, ante pubem pendulo. LINNAEUS'S apoſtrophe is very diverting.

O ridicula VENUS, tibi, quae in exteris regionibus uteris caffea et chocolata, conditis et ſaccharatis, vinis et bellariis, gemmis et margaritis, auro et argento, ſerico et coſmetico, ſaltationibus et conventiculis, muſica et comoediis, tibi ſufficit hic ſolus exſuccus fungus. Flora Lappon. 368.
XII. NUTHATCH. Gen. Birds, XXIV.
[281]
170. CANADA.
  • NUTHATCH, Br. Zool. i. No 89?—Latham, i. 648. 651.
  • Le Torchepot de Canada, Briſſon, iii. 592.
  • Sitta Europea Notwacka, Faun. Suec. No 104.
  • La Sittelle, De Buffon, v. 460.—LEV. MUS.

N. With the crown, hind part of the neck, and ſhoulders, black: back and rump of a light blue grey: over each eye a white line: cheeks white: primaries duſky, edged with grey: breaſt and belly of a pure white: two middle feathers of the tail grey; the others black, with a white ſpot at the end: vent ruſt-colored. SIZE of the European; of which it ſeems a mere variety.

Inhabits Canada, and as far ſouth as New York; PLACE. and extends to the weſtern ſide of America, Kamtſchatka *, Sibiria, and Ruſſia; Sweden, and Sondmor in Norway: and does not migrate.

171. BLACK-HEADED.
  • Nuthatch, Cateſby, i. 22, lower figure.—Latham, i. 650. B.
  • Le Torchepot de la Caroline, Briſſon, iii. 22.

N. With the bill, head, and hind part of the neck, black: over each eye is a white line: back of a fine grey: wings duſky, edged with grey: breaſt and belly, and vent feathers, red: two middle feathers of the tail grey; the reſt black, marked with a white ſpot. Leſs than the European.

Inhabits the temperate parts of America. PLACE.

172. LEST.
[282]
  • Small Nuthatch, Cateſby, i. 22.—Briſſon, iii. 958.—Latham, i. 651. C.
  • La Petite Sittelle à tête Brune, De Buffon, v. 474.

N. With a brown head, marked behind with a white ſpot: back grey: wings of a deep brown: under ſide of the body of a dirty white: two middle feathers of the tail grey; the others black.

PLACE.Inhabits Carolina, and other parts of North America.

XIII. TODY. Gen. Birds, XXV.
[283]
173. DUSKY.
  • Todi Sp. quarta, Pallas Spicil. vi. 17.—Latham, ii. 661, No 9.—BR. MUS.

T. With a bill half an inch long, broad at the baſe, ſlightly indented above the noſtrils, and a little bent near the point; baſe beſet with briſtles; upper mandible brown, lower white: colors above duſky; below yellowiſh white: primaries and tail of the ſame color with the back, edged with dirty white: legs dark. SIZE of a Hedge Sparrow.

Inhabits Rhode Iſland. Has the actions of a Flycatcher.PLACE. Frequents decayed trees, and feeds on inſects. Has a brief agreeable note, which it repeats twice or thrice.—BR. MUS.

HOOPOE. Gen. Birds, XXVII.
  • A. HOOPOE, Br. Zool. i. No 90.—Latham, i. 687.—De Buffon, vi. 439.
  • Upupa Epops, Harfogel, Popp, Faun. Suec. No 105.—LEV. MUS.

H. With a high creſt, of pale orange tipt with black: back and wings barred with black and white: neck reddiſh brown: breaſt and belly white: only ten feathers in the tail; black, with a [284] white creſcent * acroſs the middle: legs black. LENGTH twelve inches.

PLACE.Inhabits Europe, as far as Sweden, where it is called Harfugl, or Soldier-bird, not only on account of its plumed head, but becauſe the common people believe its appearance to be an omen of war. The Norwegians ſtyle it Aerfugl; it is therefore likely that it may ſometimes viſit their country. It is properly a ſouthern bird, and extends even to Egypt and India. Is common in the ſouthern deſerts of Ruſſia and Tartary; grows ſcarcer beyond the Ob; yet ſome are ſeen beyond lake Baikal. Dr. Pallas confirms to me its filthy manners. He aſſures, that it breeds, in preference, in putrid carcaſes; and that he had ſeen the neſt of one in the privy of an uninhabited houſe, in the ſuburbs of Tzaritſyn. Lays from two to ſeven cinereous eggs. Uſually has no neſt of its own. Breeds ſometimes in hollow trees, holes in walls, or on the ground. Migratory.

XIV. CREEPER. Gen. Birds, XXVIII.
[285]
174. EUROPEAN.
  • Br. Zool. i. No 91.—Cateſby, App. xxxvi.
  • Certhiu Familiaris Krypare, Faun. Suec. No 106.—Latham, i. 701.
  • Le Grimpereau, De Buffon, v. 481.—LEV. MUS.

C. With head and neck brown, ſtreaked with black: rump tawny: coverts of wings varied with brown and black: primaries duſky, edged with white, and edged and barred with ferruginous marks: breaſt and belly ſilvery: tail very long, conſiſting of twelve ſharp-pointed feathers of a tawny hue.

Inhabits North America. Is found, but very rarely,PLACE. in Ruſſia and Sibiria. Found in Sweden, and never quits the country; and extends as far north as Sondmor *.

175. BAHAMA.
  • Bahama Titmouſe, Cateſby, i. 59.
  • Yellow-bellied Creeper, Edw. 362.
  • Certhia Flaveola, Lin. Syſt. 187.—Latham, i. 737.
  • Le Grimpereau de Martinique, ou le Sucrier, Briſſon, iii. 611.
  • Le Sucrier, De Buffon, v. 542.

C. With a duſky bill head, and back: cheeks black: above each eye is a yellow line: rump yellow: wings duſky; the primaries croſſed with a bar of white: neck, breaſt, and belly, yellow: tail black; the exterior feathers tipt with white.

The female hath the ſame marks, but the colors are more obſcure.

Inhabits the Bahama Iſlands, and the Antilles; PLACE. in the laſt it lives among the ſugar-canes, and ſucks the ſweet juice which exudes from them.

XV. HONEYSUCKER. Gen. Birds, XXIX*.
[286]
176. RED-THROATED.
  • Paſſer Muſcatus, Geſner, av. 655.
  • Ouriſſia ſive Tomineio, Cluſ. Exot. 96.
  • Guainumbi Prima, (foem.) Marcgrave, 196.
  • Colibry, Viamelin, or Riſing Bird, Joſſelyn's voy. 100.—Rarities, 6.—LEV. MUS.
  • Trochilus Colubris, Lin. Syſt. 191.—Latham, i. 769.
  • L'Oyſeau Mouche a rouge gorge, Briſſon, iii. 716.
  • Humming Bird, Cateſby, i. 65.—Lawſon, 146.—Edw. 38.
  • Le Rubis, De Buffon, vi. 13.

H. With a black bill, three quarters of an inch long: crown, upper part of the neck, back, and coverts of the wings, of a moſt reſplendent variable green and gold: chin and throat of a ſhining rich ſcarlet, changing, as oppoſed to the light, from gold to a full black; theſe feathers lie nearly as compactly as ſcales: breaſt and belly white; the ſides green: middle feathers of the tail green; the exterior purple.

The chin, throat, and whole under ſide, of the female, is white: the exterior feathers of the tail tipt with white.

MANNERS.This bird, ſo admirable for its minuteneſs, vaſt ſwiftneſs of flight, food, and elegance of form and colors, gave riſe to numbers of romantic tales. They were not the Europeans alone, who were ſtruck with its great beauty; the natives of America, to whom it was ſo familiar, were affected with its gemmeous appearance, and beſtowed on it titles expreſſive of its reſplendent colors. Some nations called it Ouriſſia, and Guaracyaba, or the Sun-beam; others, Guanaeygaba, or Hairs of the Sun; others again named it Huitzitzil, or Vicililin, [287] or the Regenerated; becauſe they believed it died annually, and was re-animated at the return of the flowers it fed on: that it ſtuck its bill into the trunk of a tree, and remained lifeleſs for ſix months; when the vital powers re-migrated, and reſtored to nature one of its moſt brilliant wonders.

It flies with a ſwiftneſs which the eye is incapable of following.SWIFTNESS. The motion of the wings is ſo rapid as to be imperceptible to the niceſt obſerver. Lightning is ſcarcely more tranſient than its flight, nor the glare more bright than its colors.FOOD. It never feeds but upon wing, ſuſpended over the flower it extracts nouriſhment from; for its only food is the honied juice lodged in the nectarium, which it ſucks through the tubes of its curious tongue. Like the Bee, having exhauſted the honey of one flower, it wanders to the next, in ſearch of new ſweets. It admires moſt thoſe flowers which have the deepeſt tubes. Thus the female Balſamine, and the Scarlet Monarda, are particular favorites. Whoſoever ſets thoſe plants before the window is ſure to be viſited by multitudes of theſe diminutive birds. It is a moſt entertaining ſight to ſee them ſwarming around the flowers, and trying every tube of verticillated plants, by putting their bills into every one which encircles the ſtalk. If they find that their brethren have been beforehand, and robbed the flower of the honey, they will, in rage, pluck off, and throw it on the ground.

The moſt violent paſſions animate at times their little bodies.RAGE. They have often dreadful conteſts, when numbers happen to diſpute poſſeſſion of the ſame flower. They will tilt againſt one another with ſuch fury, as if they meant to transfix their antagoniſts with their long bills. During the fight; they frequently purſue the conquered into the apartments of thoſe houſes whoſe windows are left open, take a turn round the room, as Flies do in England, and then ſuddenly regain the open air. They are fearleſs of mankind; and in feeding will ſuffer people to come within two yards of them; but on a nearer approach, dart away with admirable ſwiftneſs.

Fernandez Oviedo, an author of great repute, ſpeaks from his own knowlege of the ſpirited inſtinct, even of this diminutive bird, in [288] defence of its young: ‘So that when they ſee a man clime ye tree where they have their neſts, they flee at his face, and ſtryke hym in the eyes, commyng, goying, and returnyng, with ſuch ſwyftneſs, that no man woulde lyghtly beleeve it, that hath not ſeene it*.’

Father Charlevoix gives a more apocryphal inſtance of the courage of this bird, in its attack on its diſproportioned enemy the Raven. As ſoon as the laſt appears, the Honeyſucker flies up like lightning, beds itſelf beneath the Raven's wing, and, piercing him with his needle-like bill, till the bird is heard to croak with agony, at length tumbles to the ground dead, either from the fall or the wound. This relation ſeems of a piece with the combat of the Wren with the Eagle, mentioned by Ariſtotle : but, to do juſtice both to the French voyager and Grecian philoſopher, I muſt add, that each of them delivered their reports from oral evidence.

Many fables have been related of the melody of the ſong of theſe birds.NOTE. In fact, their only note is ſcreep, ſcreep, ſcreep; but the noiſe which they make with their wings, eſpecially in the morning, when numbers are in motion, is a ſort of buzz or ſound reſembling that of a ſpinning-wheel. Their note is chiefly emitted when they happen to ſtrike againſt each other in their flight.

NESTS.Their neſts are found with great difficulty, being built in the branch of a tree, amidſt the thick foliage. It is of elegance ſuitable to the architects; formed on the outſide with moſs; in the inſide lined with the down or goſſamer collected from the Great Mullein, or Verbaſcum Thapſus; but it is alſo ſometimes made of flax, hemp, hair, and other ſoft materials. It is of an hemiſpherical ſhape. Its inner diameter an inch: its depth half an inch. The female is ſaid to be the builder; the male ſupplying her with materials. Each aſſiſts in the labor of incubation, which continues during twelve days. They lay only two eggs, white, and as ſmall as peaſe. The firſt is very ſingular, [289] and contrary to the general rule of nature; which makes, in all other inſtances, the ſmalleſt and moſt defenceleſs birds the moſt prolific. The reaſons of the exception in this caſe are double. The ſmallneſs of their bodies cauſes them commonly to eſcape the eyes of birds of prey; or if ſeen, their rapid flight eludes purſuit: ſo that the ſpecies is preſerved as fully as if they had been the moſt numerous breeders.

The Indians of Mexico, Peru, and Maynas, make moſt exquiſite pictures of the feathers of birds; but thoſe of the Honeyſuckers form the moſt brilliant part. Some uſe them as ornaments, and hang them as pendants in their ears, which give a blaze emulous of the Ruby and Emerald. In order to compoſe pictures, the Indians draw off the feathers with ſmall pincers, and with fine paſte moſt artfully join them together. They diſpoſe them with ſuch ſkill, as to give the true lights and ſhade to the performance, and imitate nature with the greateſt fidelity. Theſe were meant to decorate the idols and temples; for, before the depreſſion of the Indian ſpirit by the tyranny of the Spaniards, religion was highly cultivated among the Mexicans and Peruvians; and, notwithſtanding it was cruel, was attended with great ſplendor.

The generical name (in the Braſilian tongue) of theſe birds, is Guianumbi. There are ſeveral ſpecies, but only one which is found in North America. This kind is found from Canada, PLACE. through that great continent, as low as Louiſiana, and from thence to the Braſils. It breeds even in the northern climate of Canada; MIGRATES. but retires not only from thence, but even from the warm provinces of Carolina, at approach of winter. In Hiſpaniola, the mountains of Jamaica, and the Braſils, countries where there are a perpetual ſucceſſion of flowers, they reſide throughout the year.

177. RUFFED.
[290]
  • Latham, i. 785.

H. With long ſtrait ſlender bill: head of a rich variable green and gold: the feathers on the neck long, and diſpoſed on each ſide in form of a ruff, and of a moſt brilliant crimſon and copper color: back, and coverts of the tail, ruſt-colored: breaſt and belly white, the laſt daſhed with red: feathers of the tail pointed; the ends brown, bottoms ferruginous: coverts of wings green: primaries deep blue.

FEMALE.Crown, upper part of the neck, back, and coverts of wings and tail, green and gold: throat white, ſpotted with brown and variable copper: belly white, daſhed with ruſt: primaries deep blue: middle feathers of the tail green; thoſe on the ſide ferruginous at their bottoms, black in the middle, and tipped with white.

PLACE.Inhabit in great numbers the neighborhood of Natka Sound. The Indians brought them to our navigators alive, with a long hair faſtened to one of their legs.

ORDER III. GALLINACEOUS.

[291]
XVI. TURKEY. Gen. Birds, XXXI.
178. WILD.
  • Turkey, Joſſelyn's voy. 99.—Rarities, 8.—Clayton's Virgin.—Ph. Tr. Abridg. iii. 590.—Lawſon, 149.—Cateſby, App. xliv.
  • Le Coc d'Inde, Belon, 248.
  • Gallo-pavus, Geſner, av. 481.—Icon. 56.
  • Gallo-pavo, Aldrov. av. ii. 18.
  • Gallo-pavo, the Turkey A. 3.
  • Gallo-pavo Sylveſtris Novae Angliae, 2 New England Wild Turkey, Raii. Syn. av. 51.
  • Meleagris Gallo-pavo, M. capite caruncula frontali gularique, maris pectore barbato, Lin. Syſt. 268.
  • Le Dindon, De Buffon, ii. 132.—Briſſon, i. 158. tab. xvi.—Pl. Enl. 97.

T. With the characters deſcribed in the definition of the genus.DESCRIPTION. Color of the plumage dark, gloſſed with variable copper color and green: coverts of the wings, and the quil-feathers, barred with black and white. Tail conſiſts of two orders; the upper,TAIL. or ſhorter, very elegant; the ground color a bright bay; the middle feathers marked with numerous bars of ſhining black and green; the greateſt part of the exterior feathers of the ſame ground with the others, marked with only three broad bands of mallard green, placed remote from each other; the two next are colored like thoſe of the middle; but the end is plain, and croſſed with a ſingle bar, like the exterior.

The longer, or lower order, were of a ruſty white color, mottled with black, and croſſed with numerous narrow waved lines of the ſame color, and near the end with a broad band.

[292]Wild Turkies preſerve a ſameneſs of coloring. The tame, as uſual with domeſtic animals, vary. It is needleſs to point out the differences, in ſo well-known a bird. The black approach neareſt to the original ſtock. This variety I have ſeen nearly in a ſtate of nature, in Richmond and other parks. A moſt beautiful kind has of late been introduced into England, WHITE VARIETY. of a ſnowy whiteneſs, finely contraſting with its red head, and black pectoral tuft. Theſe, I think, came out of Holland, probably bred from an accidental white pair; and from them preſerved pure from any dark or variegated birds.

SIZE.The ſizes of the wild Turkies have been differently repreſented. Some writers aſſert, that there have been inſtances of their weighing ſixty pounds; but I find none who, ſpeaking from their own knowlege, can prove their weight to be above forty. Joſſelyn ſays, that he has eaten part of a Cock, which, after it was plucked, and the entrails taken out, weighed thirty*. Lawſon, whoſe authority is unqueſtionable, ſaw half a Turkey ſerve eight hungry men for two meals; and ſays, that he had ſeen others, which, he believed, weighed forty pounds. Cateſby tells us, that out of the many hundreds which he had handled, very few exceeded thirty pounds. Each of theſe ſpeak of their being double that ſize, merely from the reports of others.

MANNERS.The manners of theſe birds are as ſingular as their figure. Their attitudes in the ſeaſon of courtſhip are very ſtriking. The males fling their heads and neck backwards, briſtle up their feathers, drop their wings to the ground, ſtrut and pace moſt ridiculouſly; wheel round the females, with their wings ruſtling along the earth, at the ſame time emitting a ſtrange found through their noſtrils, not unlike the grurr of a great ſpinning-wheel.NOTES. On being interrupted, fly into great rages, and change their note into a loud and guttural gobble; and then return to dalliance.

The ſound of the females is plaintive and melancholy.

[293]The paſſions of the males are very ſtrongly expreſſed by the change of colors in the fleſhy ſubſtance of the head and neck,IRASCIBLE. which alters to red, white, blue, and yellowiſh, as they happen to be affected. The ſight of any thing red excites their choler greatly.

They are polygamous, one cock ſerving or hens.POLYGAMOUS. They lay in the ſpring; and will lay a great number of eggs. They will perſiſt in laying for a great while. They retire to ſome obſcure place to ſit, the cock, through rage at loſs of its mate, being very apt to break the eggs. The females are very affectionate to the young, and make great moan on the loſs of them. They ſit on their eggs with ſuch perſeverance, that, if they are not taken away when addle, the hens will almoſt periſh with hunger before they will quit the neſt.

Turkies greatly delight in the ſeeds of nettles; but thoſe of the purple Fox-glove prove fatal to them*.

They are very ſtupid birds; quarrelſome, and cowardly. It is diverting to ſee a whole flock attack the common Cock; who will for a long time keep a great number at bay.

They are very ſwift runners, in the tame as well as the wild ſtate.SWIFT. They are but indifferent flyers. They love to perch on trees;PERCH HIGH. and gain the height they wiſh, by riſing from bough to bough. In a wild ſtate, they get to the very ſummit of the loftieſt trees, even ſo high as to be beyond the reach of the muſquet.

In the ſtate of nature they go in flocks even of five hundred.GREGARIOUS. Feed much on the ſmall red acorns; and grow ſo fat in March, that they cannot fly more than three or four hundred yards, and are then ſoon run down by a horſeman. In the unfrequented parts bordering on the Miſſiſipi, they are ſo tame as to be ſhot with even a piſtol.

They frequent the great ſwamps § of their native country;HAUNTS. and leave them at ſun-riſing to repair to the dry woods, in ſearch of [294] acorns, and various berries; and before ſun-ſet retire to the ſwamps to rooſt.

The fleſh of the wild Turkey is ſaid to be ſuperior in goodneſs to the tame, but redder. Eggs of the former have been taken from the neſt, and hatched under tame Turkies; the young will ſtill prove wild, perch ſeparate, yet mix and breed together in the ſeaſon. The Indians ſometimes uſe the breed produced from the wild, as decoy-birds, to ſeduce thoſe in a ſtate of nature within their reach*.

Wild Turkies are now grown moſt exceſſively rare in the inhabited parts of America, and are only found in numbers in the diſtant and moſt unfrequented ſpots.

The Indians make a moſt elegant cloathing of the feathers. They twiſt the inner webs into a ſtrong double thread of hemp, or inner bark of the mulberry-tree, and work it like matting. It appears very rich and gloſſy, and as fine as a ſilk ſhag. They alſo make fans of the tail; and the French of Louiſiana were wont to make umbrellas by the junction of four of the tails.

When diſturbed, they do not take to wing, but run out of ſight. It is uſual to chaſe them with dogs; when they will fly, and perch on the next tree. They are ſo ſtupid, or ſo inſenſible of danger, as not to fly on being ſhot at; but the ſurvivors remain unmoved at the death of their companions.

PLACE.TURKIES are natives only of America, or the New World; and of courſe unknown to the antients. Since both theſe poſitions have been denied by ſome of the moſt eminent naturaliſts of the ſixteenth century, I beg leave to lay open, in as few words as poſſible, the cauſe of their error.

MISTAKEN BY BELON. Belon §, the earlieſt of thoſe writers who are of opinion that theſe birds were natives of the old world, founds his notion on the deſcription of the Guinea Fowl, the Meleagrides of Strabo, Athenaeus, Pliny, and others of the antients. I reſt the refutation on the excellent [295] account given by Athenaeus, taken from Clytus Mileſius, a diſciple of Ariſtotle, which can ſuit no other than that fowl. "They want, ſays he, ‘natural affection towards their young. Their head is naked, and on the top is a hard round body, like a peg or nail: from their cheeks hangs a red piece of fleſh, like a beard: it has no wattles, like the common poultry: the feathers are black, ſpotted with white: they have no ſpurs: and both ſexes are ſo like, as not to be diſtinguiſhed by the ſight.’ Varro * and Pliny take notice of the ſpotted plumage, and the gibbous ſubſtance on the head. Athenaeus is more minute, and contradicts every character of the Turkey: whoſe females are remarkable for their natural affection; which differ materially in form from the males; whoſe heads are deſtitute of the callous ſubſtance; and whoſe heels (in the male) are armed with ſpurs.

Aldrovandus, who died in 1605,ALDROVANDUS, draws his arguments from the ſame ſource as Belon; I therefore paſs him by, and take notice of the greateſt of our naturaliſts, GESNER;AND GESNER. who falls into a miſtake of another kind, and wiſhes the Turkey to be thought a native of India. He quotes Aelian for that purpoſe; who tells us, ‘that in India are very large poultry, not with combs, but with various-colored creſts, interwoven like flowers: with broad tails, neither bending, nor diſplayed in a circular form; which they draw along the ground, as Peacocks do when they do not erect them: and that the feathers are partly of a gold color, partly blue, and of an emerald color.’

This, in all probability, was the ſame bird with the Peacock Pheaſant of Mr. Edwards, Le Paon de Tibet of M. Briſſon, and the Pavo Bicalcaratus of Linnaeus. I have ſeen this bird living. It has a creſt, but not ſo conſpicuous as that deſcribed by Aelian; but it has thoſe ſtriking colors in form of eyes: neither does it erect its tail like the [296] Peacock*. The Catreus of Strabo ſeems to be the ſame bird. He deſcribes it as uncommonly beautiful, and ſpotted; and very like a Peacock. The former author gives a more minute account of this ſpecies, and under the ſame name. He borrows it from Clitarchus, an attendant of Alexander the Great in all his conqueſts. It is evident from his deſcription, that it was of this kind; and it is likewiſe probable, that it was the ſame with his large Indian poultry before cited. He celebrates it alſo for its fine note; but allowance muſt be made for the credulity of Aelian. The Catreus, or Peacock Pheaſant, is a native of Tibet, and in all probability of the north of India, where Clitarchus might have obſerved it; for the march of Alexander was through that part of India which borders on Tibet, and now known by the name of Penj-ab, or Five Rivers.

NOT NATIVES OF EUROPE;I ſhall now collect from authors the ſeveral parts of the world where Turkies are unknown in the ſtate of nature. Europe has no ſhare in the queſtion, it being generally agreed, that they are exotic in reſpect to our continent.

NOR OF ASIA.Neither are they found in any part of Aſia Minor, or the Aſiatic TURKEY, notwithſtanding ignorance of their true origin firſt cauſed them to be named from that empire. About Aleppo, capital of Syria, they are only met with domeſticated, like other poultry. In Armenia they are unknown, as well as in Perſia, having been brought from Venice by ſome Armenian merchants into that empire§; where they are ſtill ſo ſcarce, as to be preſerved among other rare fowls in the Royal menagery.

In India they are kept for uſe in our ſettlements, and imported from Europe, as I have been more than once informed by gentlemen long reſident in that country.

Du Halde acquaints us, that they are not natives of China; but were introduced there from other countries. He errs, from miſinformation, in ſaying that they are common in India.

[297]I will not quote Gemelli Careri, to prove that they are not found in the Philippine iſlands, becauſe that gentleman, with his pen, travelled round the world in his eaſy chair, during a very long indiſpoſition and confinement*.

But Dampier bears witneſs that none are found in Mindanao .

The hot climate of Africa barely ſuffers theſe birds to exiſt in that vaſt continent, except under the care of mankind.NOR AFRICA: Very few are found in Guinea, except in the hands of the Europeans: the negroes declining to breed any, on account of their great tenderneſs.

Proſper Alpinus ſatisfies us that they are not found either in Nubia or in Egypt. He deſcribes the Meleagrides of the antients; and only proves that the Guinea-hens were brought out of Nubia, and ſold at a great price at Cairo , but is totally ſilent about the Turkey of the moderns.

Let me in this place obſerve, that the Guinea-hens have long been imported into Britain. They were cultivated in our farm-yards: for I diſcover, in 1277, in the grainge of Clifton, in the pariſh of Ambroſden, in Buckinghamſhire, among other articles, VI. mutilones, and ſex AFRICANAE faeminae ; for this fowl was familiarly known by the names of Afra Avis, and Gallina Africana & Numida. It was introduced into Italy from Africa, and from Rome into our country. They were neglected here by reaſon of their tenderneſs and difficulty of rearing. We do not find them in the bills of fare of our antient feaſts§: neither do we find the Turkey: which laſt argument amounts to almoſt a certainty, that ſuch a hardy and princely bird had not found its way to us. The other likewiſe was then known here by its claſſical name; for that judicious writer, [298] Dr. Caius *, deſcribes, in the beginning of the reign of Elizabeth, the Guinea fowl, for the benefit of his friend Geſner, under the name of Meleagris, beſtowed on it by Ariſtotle .

Having denied, on the very beſt authorities, that the Turkey ever exiſted as a native of the old world, I muſt now bring my proofs of its being only a native of the new; and of the period in which it firſt made its appearance in Europe.

BUT OF AMERICA.The firſt preciſe deſcription of theſe birds is given by Oviedo; who in 1525 drew up a ſummary of his greater work, the Hiſtory of the Indies, for the uſe of his monarch Charles V. This learned man had viſited the Weſt Indies and its iſlands in perſon, and payed particular regard to the natural hiſtory. It appears from him, that the Turkey was in his days an inhabitant of the greater iſlands, and of the main land. He ſpeaks of them as Peacocks; for, being a new bird to him, he adopts that name, from the reſemblance he thought they bore to the former: ‘But (ſays he) the neck is bare of feathers, but covered with a ſkin which they change after their phantaſie into divers colours. They have a horn as it were on their front, and HAIRES on the breaſt.’ He deſcribes other birds, which he alſo calls Peacocks. They are of the gallinaceous genus, and known by the name of Curaſſao birds; the male of which is black, the female ferruginous.

The next who ſpeaks of them as natives of the main land of the warmer parts of America, is Franciſco Fernandez, ſent there by Philip II. to whom he was phyſician. This naturaliſt obſerved them in Mexico. MEXICO. We find by him, that the Indian name of the male was Huexolofl, of the female Cihuatotolin: he gives them the title of Gallus Indicus, and Gallo-Pavo. As the Indians as well as Spaniards domeſticated theſe uſeful birds, he ſpeaks of the ſize by compariſon, ſaying that the wild were twice the magnitude of the tame; and that they were ſhot with arrows or guns. I cannot learn the time [299] when Fernandez wrote. It muſt be between the years 1555 and 1598, the period of Philip's reign.

Pedro de Cieſa mentions Turkies on the Iſthmus of Darien *.DARIEN. Lery, a Portugueſe author, aſſerts that they are found in Braſil, and gives them an Indian name; but ſince I can diſcover no traces of them in that diligent and excellent naturaliſt Marcgrave, who reſided long in that country, I muſt deny my aſſent. But the former is confirmed by that able and honeſt navigator Dampier, who ſaw them frequently, as well wild as tame, in the province of Yucatan ,YUCATAN. now reckoned part of the kingdom of Mexico.

In North America they were obſerved by the very firſt diſcoverers.N. AMERICA. When Renè de Laudonniere, patronized by Admiral Coligni, attempted to form a ſettlement near the place where Charleſtown now ſtands, he met with them on his firſt landing, in 1564, and by his hiſtorian, has repreſented them with great fidelity in the Vth plate of the recital of his voyage. From his time, the witneſſes to their being natives of this continent are innumerable. They have been ſeen in flocks of hundreds in all parts, from Louiſiana even to Canada: but at this time are extremely rare in a wild ſtate, except in the more diſtant parts, where they are ſtill found in vaſt abundance.

It was from Mexico or Yucatan that they were firſt introduced into Europe; WHEN FIRST INTRODUCED INTO EUROPE. for it is certain that they were imported into England as early as the year 1524, the 15th of Henry VIII§. We probably received them from Spain, with which we had great intercourſe till about that time. They were moſt ſucceſsfully cultivated in our kingdom from that period; inſomuch that they grew common in every farm-yard, and became even a diſh in our rural feaſts by [300] the year 1585; for we may certainly depend on the word of old Tuſſer, in his account of the Chriſtmas huſbandlie fare*.

Beefe, mutton, and porke, ſhred pies of the beſt,
Pig, veale, gooſe and capon, and Turkie well dreſt:
Cheeſe, apples, and nuts, jolie carols to heare,
As then in the countrie, is counted good cheare.

But at this very time they were ſo rare in France, that we are told that the very firſt which was eaten in that kingdom appeared at the nuptial feaſt of Charles IX. in 1570.

They are now very common in all parts of Ruſſia, but will not thrive in Sibiria. Are cultivated in Sweden, and even in Norway, where they degenerate in ſize.

XVII. GROUS. Gen. Birds. XXXVI.
[301]
179. RUFFED.
  • Ruffed Heathcock, or Grous, Edw. 248.—Latham.
  • Morehen, La Hontan, i. 69.
  • Pheaſant, Lawſon, 139.
  • Tetrao umbellus, Lin. Syſt. 275.—Tetrao togatus, ibid.
  • La gelinote hupèe de Penſylvanie, Briſſon, i. 214.—and, La groſſe gelinote de Canada—207.
  • Le Coq de Bruyere a fraiſe, De Buffon, Oiſ. ii. 281.—Pl. enl. 104. — LEV. MUS.—BL. MUS.

GR. With a great ruff on the hind part of the neck, to be raiſed or depreſſed at pleaſure: the head creſted: that, hind part of the neck, the ruff, back, and coverts of the wings, prettily varied with brown, ferruginous, and black: the black on the ruff diſpoſed in broad black bars: the coverts of the tail marked with heart-ſhaped ſpots of white: chin white: fore part of the neck yellowiſh: breaſt and belly dirty white, barred with cinereous brown: primaries barred on their outmoſt ſides with black and ruſt-colour.

Tail large, expanſible like a fan; in ſome of a cinereous colour, in others orange, moſt elegantly barred with narrow undulated lines of black; near the end with a broad band of aſh-color, another of black, and tipped with white.

Legs feathered to the feet: toes naked and pectinated.

Female wants both creſt and ruff. Crown duſky: back mixed with black and ruſt-colour like a Woodcock: breaſt, belly, and coverts of the wings, barred with dirty white and cinereous brown: tail ſhort, brown, tipt with white; two middle feathers mottled with red.

[302] SIZE.In ſize theſe birds obſerve a medium between a Pheaſant and a Partridge. Length 1 foot 5 inches.

PLACE.They inhabit North America, from Hudſon's Bay * to the Carolinas, and probably to Louiſiana .

MANNERS.The hiſtory of this ſpecies is very curious: all which I beg leave to tranſcribe from Mr. Edwards, according to the accounts given him by Mr. Bartram and Mr Brooke, who had frequent opportunity of obſerving its manners; to which I ſhall add another, borrowed from the Travels of the Baron La Hontan.

FROM MR. BARTRAM. ‘He is (ſays Mr. Bartram) a fine bird when his gaiety is diſplayed; that is, when he ſpreads his tail like that of a Turkey-cock, and erects a circle of feathers round his neck like a ruff, walking very ſtately with an even pace, and making a noiſe ſomething like a Turkey; at which time the hunter muſt fire immediately at him, or he flies away directly two or three hundred yards, before he ſettles on the ground. There is ſomething very remarkable in what we call their thumping; which they do with their wings, by clapping them againſt their ſides, as the hunters ſay. They ſtand upon an old fallen tree, that has lain many years on the ground, where they begin their ſtrokes gradually, at about two ſeconds of time diſtant from one another, and repeat them quicker and quicker, until they make a noiſe like thunder at a diſtance; which continues, from the beginning, about a minute; then ceaſeth for about ſix or eight minutes before it begins again. The ſound is heard near half a mile, by which means they are diſcovered by the hunters, and many of them killed. I have ſhot many of them in this poſition; but never ſaw them thump, they moſtly ſeeing me firſt, and ſo left off. They commonly exerciſe in thumping ſpring and fall, at about nine or ten in the morning, [303] and four or five in the afternoon. Their food is chiefly berries and ſeeds of the country: their fleſh is white, and choice food. I believe they breed but once a year, in the ſpring, and hatch twelve or fourteen at a brood; which keep in a company till the following ſpring. Many have attempted to raiſe the young ones, and to tame them; but to no purpoſe. When hatched under a hen, they eſcape into the woods ſoon after they are hatched, where they either find means to ſubſiſt, or periſh.’

The hiſtory of this bird is thus further illuſtrated by Mr. Brooke of Maryland, in North America: ‘The ruffed Grous, or Pheaſant,MR. BROOKE. breeds in all parts of Maryland, ſome countries on the Eaſtern ſhore excepted. They lay their eggs in neſts they make in the leaves, either by the ſide of fallen trees, or the roots of ſtanding ones. They lay from twelve to ſixteen eggs: the time of incubation is in the ſpring; but how long their eggs are hatching I cannot ſay; but probably it is three weeks, the time that a Dunghill Hen ſits. I have found their neſts when a boy, and have endeavoured to take the old Pheaſant, but never could ſucceed: ſhe would almoſt let me put my hand upon her before ſhe would quit her neſt; then by artifice ſhe would draw me off from her eggs, by fluttering juſt before me for a hundred paces or more; ſo that I have been in conſtant hopes of taking her. They leave their neſts as ſoon as they are hatched; and I believe they live at firſt on ants, ſmall worms, &c. When they are a few days old, they hide themſelves ſo artfully among the leaves, that it is difficult to find them: as they grow up, they feed on various berries, fruits, and grain of the country: grapes they likewiſe are fond of in the ſeaſon; but the Pheaſant is more particularly fond of the ivy-berry. I do not know any other animal that feeds on this berry: I know it is poiſon to many. Though the Pheaſant hatches many young at a time, and often ſits twice a year, the great number and variety of Hawks in Maryland feeding on them, prevents their increaſing faſt. The beating of the Pheaſant, as we term it, is a noiſe chiefly made in the ſpring of the year by the cock-bird; [304] it may be diſtinctly heard a mile in a calm day: they ſwell their breaſts like the Powting Pigeon, and heat with their wings, which make a noiſe not unlike a drum in ſound; but the Pheaſant ſhortens each ſounding note, till they run one into another undiſtinguiſhably, like ſtriking two empty bottles together.’

LA HONTAN.In order to perfect, as far as I am able, the hiſtory of this bird, I ſhall give a quotation from Baron La Hontan's Voyages to North America, publiſhed in Engliſh, (vol. i. p. 67.) where he ſpeaks of a bird found near the lakes of Canada, which, I think, can be no other than the above-deſcribed, though the names given them diſagree.

La Hontan ſays, ‘I went in company with ſome Canadeſe on purpoſe to ſee that fowl flap with its wings: believe me, this ſight is one of the greateſt curioſities in the world; for their flapping makes a noiſe much like a drum, for about the ſpace of a minute; then the noiſe ceaſes for half a quarter of an hour; after which it begins again. By this noiſe we were directed to the place where the unfortunate More-hen ſat, and found them upon rotten moſſy trees. By flapping one wing againſt the other they mean to call their mates; and the humming noiſe that enſues thereupon may be heard half a quarter of a league. This they do in the months of April, May, September, and October; and, which is very remarkable, the More-hen never flaps in this manner but upon one tree. It begins at break of day, and gives over at nine o'clock in the morning, till about an hour before ſun-ſet, then it flutters again, and continues ſo to do till night.’

Mr. GRAHAM.To theſe accounts I beg leave to add the following, out of the Philoſophical Tranſactions; which informs us, that this ſpecies of Grous bears the Indian name of Puſkee, or Puſpuſkee, at Hudſon's Bay, on account of the leanneſs and dryneſs of their fleſh, which is extremely white, and of a very cloſe texture; but when well prepared, is excellent eating. They are pretty common at Mooſe Fort and Henly Houſe; but are ſeldom ſeen at Albany Fort, or to the northward of the above places. In winter they feed upon juniper-tops, in ſummer on gooſeberries, raſpberries, currants, cranberries, &c. They are not [305] migratory; ſtaying all the year at Mooſe Fort: they build their neſt on dry ground, hatch nine young at a time, to which the mother clucks as our common hens do; and, on the leſt appearance of danger, or in order to enjoy an agreeable degree of warmth, the young ones retire under the wings of their parent.

180. PINNATED.
  • Urogallus minor fuſcus cervice plumis alas imitantibus donata, Cateſby, App. tab. i.
  • Tetrao Cupido, Lin. Syſt. 274.—Latham.
  • La Gelinote hupèe d'Amerique, Briſſon, i. 212.—LEV. MUS.—BL. MUS.

GR. With head, cheeks, and neck of a reddiſh brown, marked with duſky lines: chin and throat of a pale ruſty brown: on the head is a ſmall creſt: on each ſide of the neck a moſt ſingular tuft (five feathers in each) gradually lengthening to the fifth, which is about three inches long: the upper feathers ferruginous and white; the lower black: back and ſcapulars black and pale ruſt-colour; the former ſpotted with white: breaſt and belly barred with white and pale brown: tail barred with pale brown and black.

Legs covered with ſoft brown feathers: toes naked and pectinated.

SIZE of a Pheaſant. A peculiar ſpecies,SIZE. not to be confounded with the preceding*. Deſcribed from the real bird by Mr. Cateſby; and by myſelf from the ſpecimens in Mrs. Blackburn's cabinet; which were ſent from the province of Connecticut. PLACE. Is frequent about a hundred miles up Albany river, in Hudſon's Bay.

The tufts, which diſtinguiſh this ſpecies from all others, are rooted high on the neck, not far from the hind part of the head. The bird has the power of erecting or dropping them at pleaſure. When diſturbed, it would ſpread them horizontally, like little wings; at other times let them fall on the ſides of the neck. It is probable, that they aſſiſt in running or flying, or perhaps both, as the real wings are very ſhort, in proportion to the weight of the body. Theſe appendages are peculiar to the cock, and almoſt the only difference between it and the hen.

181. SHARP-TAILED.
[306]
  • Long-tailed Grous, Edw. 118.—Ph. Tr. lxii.
  • Tetrao Phafianellus, Lin. Syſt. 273.—Latham.
  • Le Coq de Bruyeres à longue queue, de la Baye de Hudſon, Briſſon, App. 9.—De Buffon, ii. 286.

GR. With the head, cheeks, and hind part of the neck, varied with reddiſh brown and black: the back and coverts of the tail of the ſame color: the ſcapulars and great coverts of the wings ferruginous, ſpotted with black, and great ſpots of white: primaries black, ſpotted with white: breaſt and ſides white, elegantly marked with ſagittal ſpots of black: belly white: tail ſhort and cuneiform; the two middle feathers two inches longer than the others; the tail is of the ſame color with the back, only the exterior feathers are ſpotted with white: the legs are covered with ſoft and long feathers, extending over the pectinated toes, which would be otherwiſe naked.

SIZE.The LENGTH of this ſpecies is ſeventeen inches: the EXTENT of wings twenty-four: WEIGHT two pounds.

PLACE.Inhahits Hudſon's Bay; and, according to Dr. Mitchel, the unfrequented parts of Virginia; but none have been brought over to England from any other place than the Bay.

Linnaeus confounds this with the Wood Grous, or Cock of the Wood*. Compariſon will ſhew with how little reaſon the Comte De Buffon makes it to be the female of the next ſpecies, our Spotted Grous. If the female of that was not aſcertained, the difference in the form of the tail would be ſufficient to eſtabliſh a diſtinction; by which it approaches neareſt to the European Pheaſant of any bird in North America.

[307]The Indians about Hudſon's Bay call this ſpecies the Au Kuſkow. It continues there the whole year; lives among the ſmall larch buſhes, and feeds, during winter, on the buds of that plant and the birch; in the ſummer, on all ſorts of berries. The females lay from nine to thirteen eggs. The young, like others of this genus, run as ſoon as hatched, and make a puling noiſe like a chicken. They differ chiefly from the cock, in having leſs of the red naked ſkin over the eyes. The cock has a ſhrill crowing note, but not very loud. When diſturbed, or while flying, it makes a repeated noiſe of cuck, cuk; and makes a noiſe with the feathers of its tail like the cracking of a fan. The fleſh of theſe birds is of a light brown color, plump, and very juicy.

182. SPOTTED.
  • Black and Spotted Heathcock (male) Edw. 118.
  • Brown and Spotted Heathcock (female) Edw. 71.
  • Tetrao Canadenſis (male) Lin. Syſt. 274.
  • Tetrao Canace (female) Lin. Syſt. 275.—Latham.
  • La Gelinote de la Baye de Hudſon, Briſſon, i. 201. and the ſame, App. 10. (male.)
  • La Gelinote de Canada, Briſſon, i. 203. tab. xx. fig. 1. 2. (m. and fem.)—De Buffon, ii. 279.—Pl. Enl. 131, 132.

GR. With a white ſpot before and behind each eye: head, neck, back, and coverts of the wings and tail, duſky brown, croſſed with black: throat of a gloſſy black, bounded by a white line, commencing at the external corner of each eye: breaſt of the former color: belly white, marked with great black ſpots: tail black, external feathers tipt with orange: legs feathered: toes naked and pectinated.

The FEMALE is of a reddiſh brown, barred and ſpotted with black:FEMALE. belly of a dirty white, ſpotted with black: tail of a deep brown, barred with mottled bands of black; the tips of the exterior feathers orange.

The WEIGHT is twenty-three ounces: LENGTH fifteen inches:SIZE. EXTENT near two feet.

[308] PLACE.Inhabits Hudſon's Bay, Newfoundland, and Canada. Is called by the Engliſh of Hudſon's Bay, the Wood Partridge, from its living in pine woods. Theſe birds are very ſtupid; ſo that they are often knocked down with a ſtick; and are uſually caught by the natives with a nooſe faſtened to a ſtake. In ſummer they are very palatable; for in that ſeaſon they feed on berries. In winter they live on the ſhoots of the ſpruce-fir, which infects the fleſh with a very diſagreeable taſte. If it is true, that this ſpecies lays but five eggs*, it is a ſtrange exception to the prolific nature of the genus.

183. WHITE.
  • White Partridge, Edw. 72.—Ellis's Voy. 37.
  • La Lagopede de la Baie de Hudſon, De Buffon, ii. 276. tab. ix.—Latham.
  • La Gelinote blanche, Briſſon, i. 216.ſPl. Enl.
  • Tetrao Lagopus, ſuecis Snoripa, Lappis Cheruna, Faun. Suec. No 203

GR. With a black bill: ſcarlet eye-brows, very large in the male; in the female far leſs conſpicuous. Head, neck and part of the back,SUMMER PLUMAGE. coverts of the tail, and ſcapulars, deep orange, croſſed with numerous duſky lines, and often marked with great blotches of white: belly, legs, and middle feathers of the tail, white: the reſt of the tail duſky, tipt with white: the ſhafts of the quill feathers black: the legs and toes warmly clad with a very thick and long coat of ſoft white feathers: the claws broad and flat, adapted for digging.

WINTER PLUMAGE.Such is the ſummer dreſs: in winter they change their color to white, or, more properly ſpeaking, moult, and change their colored plumes for white ones.DOUBLY FEATHERED. By a wonderful providence, every feather, except thoſe of the wings and tail, becomes double; a downy one ſhooting out at the baſe of each, as expreſſed in the plate, which gives an additional protection againſt the cold. In the latter end of February, the ſummer plumage begins to appear firſt about the [309] rump, in form of brown ſtumps*, the firſt rudiments of the coat they aſſume in the warm ſeaſon, when each feather is ſingle, ſuitable to the time. I ought to have obſerved before, that the SPOTTED GROUS alſo changes its ſingle for double feathers at approach of winter, notwithſtanding it undergoes no change of color.

The WEIGHT of this ſpecies is twenty-four ounces:SIZE. its LENGTH ſixteen inches and a quarter: EXTENT twenty-three.

Theſe birds are met with round the globe,PLACE. within and without the arctic circle, and as high as lat. 72, in the countries round Hudſon's Bay, and as low as Newfoundland; in Norway; perhaps in the N. of the Ruſſian dominions in Europe , and certainly in Aſia all over Sibiria, as far as Kamtſchatka, and in the iſlands which lie between that country and America. Finally, they abound in Lapland and Iceland; and I repeat, with certainty,NORWAY. that Norway has ſupplied me with this ſpecies, which was ſent to me by the late Mr. Fleiſcher, of Copenhagen, along with the leſſer kind, which proved to be the ſame with the White Grous of the Alps, and the Ptarmigan of the Highlands of Scotland. Each of the varieties of the Norwegian birds were in their ſummer dreſs; and differed moſt materially in ſize as well as color, the one being in all reſpects like the American kind: the leſſer agreed in every point with that which I deſcribe, No 95, vol. i. of my Britiſh Zoology.

The natives diſtinguiſh the kinds. The larger,NORWEGIANS DISTINGUISH TWO KINDS. which inhabits foreſts, is ſtyled by them Skorv Rype, or the Wood Grous; the leſſer, which lives in the mountains, is called Fiaeld Rype, or the Mountain Grous. They all burrow under the ſnow; and form extenſive walks beneath. There they feed, eſpecially in Lapland, on [310] the ſeeds of the dwarf birch*, and in the ſeaſon on variety of berries of mountain plants. During winter they are taken and brought to Bergen by thouſands; are half roaſted, and put into firkins, and tranſported to other countries.

The leſſer variety is not unknown in America. The ſort here deſcribed is found in amazing quantities, eſpecially about Hudſon's Bay, where they breed in all parts along the coaſts, make their neſts on dry ridges on the ground, and lay from nine to eleven eggs, powdered with black.

This is the only ſpecies of Grous in N. America to which Providence hath given that warm protection to its feet, evidently to ſecure them againſt the cold of their winter lodgings: and, as they are greatly ſought after by Eagles, Owls, and other birds of prey, a fine proviſion is made for their ſafety, by the change of color, which renders them not to be diſtinguiſhed from the ſnow they lie on.

Every morning they take a flight into the air directly upwards, to ſhake the ſnow from their wings and bodies. They feed in the mornings and evenings, and in the middle of the day baſk in the ſun. In the morning they call to one another with a loud note, interrupted; feeding in the intervals, and calling again.

In the beginning of October, they aſſemble in flocks of two hundred, and live much among the willows, the tops of which they eat; whence they are called Willow Partridges. About the beginning of December they appear in leſs plenty, retiring from the flats about the ſettlements on Hudſon's Bay to the mountains, where in that month the ſnow is leſs deep than in the lowlands, to feed on cranberries and other berries. In Greenland they reſort in ſummer to the mountains for the ſake of the crowberries, which they eat even with the leaves of the plant. In winter they deſcend to the ſhores, where the winds ſweep the ſnow off the rocks, and enable them to pick up a ſuſtenance.

[311]They are an excellent food, and much ſearched after by the Europeans in Hudſon's Bay. They are generally as tame as chickens, eſpecially in a mild day: ſometimes they are rather wild; but by being driven about, or ſhot at with powder, they grow ſo weary, by the ſhort flights they take, as ſoon to become very tame again. Sometimes the hunters, when they ſee the birds likely to take a long flight, imitate the crying of a Hawk, which intimidates them ſo much, that they inſtantly ſettle. When the female is killed, the male can ſcarcely be forced from the body of its mate*.

The uſual method of taking them is in nets made of twine, twenty feet ſquare, faſtened to four poles, and ſupported in front in a perpendicular direction with ſticks. A long line is faſtened to theſe props, the end of which is held by a perſon who lies concealed at a diſtance. Several people are then employed to drive the birds within reach of the net, which is then pulled down, and often covers at one haul fifty or ſeventy. At this time they are ſo plentiful, that ten thouſand are taken for the uſe of the ſettlement from November to the end of April. In former days, they muſt have been infinitely more numerous; for Sir Thomas Button relates, that when he wintered there in 1612, he took eighteen hundred dozens of theſe and other fowl: but this is a trifle to the ſucceſs of M. Jeremie, who aſſerts, that there were eaten in one winter, between himſelf and ſeventy-nine others, ninety thouſand Grous, and twenty-five thouſand Rabbets.

The Laplanders take them by forming a hedge with the boughs of birch-trees; leaving ſmall openings at certain intervals, and hang in each a ſnare. The birds are tempted to come and feed on the buds or catkins of the birch; and whenever they endeavour to paſs through the openings they are inſtantly caught.

184. ROCK.
[312]

ROCK Gr. With a black line from the bill to the eye. In all other parts of the plumage of the ſame colors with the WHITE, No 183; but inferior in ſize by one third.

Differs in nature. Feeds on the tops of ſmall birch. Frequents only the dry rocky grounds, and the larch plains. Makes a ſingular ſnoring noiſe, with its neck ſtreched out, and ſeemingly with difficulty. Is very numerous in the northern parts of Hudſon's Bay, and never viſits the ſouthern end, except in very hard weather. Never takes ſhelter in the woods, but ſits on the rocks, or burrows in the ſnow. Is inferior in goodneſs to the preceding.

  • A. WOOD GROUS, Br. Zool. i. No 92.
  • Tetraonis alterum Genus, Plinii, lib. x. c. 22.
  • Tetrao urogallus Kjader, Faun. Suec. No 200.—Latham.
  • La Tetras ou le grand Coq de Bruyere, De Buffon, ii. 191. tab. v.—Pl. Enl. 73, 74.

MALE.GR. With head, neck, and back croſſed with ſlender lines of black and grey: upper part of the breaſt gloſſy green: tail black; the feathers on each ſide ſpotted with white: legs feathered: toes naked and pectinated.SIZE. LENGTH two feet eight: WEIGHT ſometimes fourteen pounds.

FEMALE.Length of the female only two feet two: color ferruginous and black, diſpoſed generally in bars.

[313]Notwithſtanding the opinions of Linnaeus and the Count De Buffon, this ſpecies is unknown in North America. Its moſt ſoutherly habitation, as far as I can diſcover, is the Archipelago, PLACE. it being found in the iſlands of Crete and of Milo. One was ſhot in the laſt, perched on a palm-tree, on whoſe fruit it probably fed. I ſuſpect that it does not extend into Aſia Minor; for Doctor Ruſſell does not enumerate it among the Syrian birds. As the Tetrao, which Athenaeus * calls a ſort of Pheaſant, was found in the antient Media, it may ſtill be met with in the northern part of Perſia. If Ariſtotle intends this ſpecies by the words Tetrix and Ourax , it was likewiſe found in Greece; but he applies thoſe names only to a bird which lays its eggs on the graſſy ground, and ſays no more.

Pliny gives a far clearer deſcription of the Tetraones of Italy. Decet TETRAONAS ſuus nitor, abſolutaque nigritia, in ſuperciliis cocci rubor. This certainly means only the cock of the Black Grous; which is diſtinguiſhed by the intenſe blackneſs and the brilliant gloſs of its plumage, as well as by its ſcarlet eyebrows, which is common to it and the Wood Grous; which laſt is the ſpecies deſcribed by the ancient naturaliſt; truly in ſome reſpects, hyperbolically in others. He ſays it is of the ſize of a Vulture, and not unlike it in color. Both theſe aſſertions approach the truth; for the upper part of the body has a duſky or ſooty look, not unlike that of the Vulture of the Alps. But when he ſpeaks of its being the heavieſt bird next to the Oſtrich, we ſee plainly he goes beyond all bounds.

It is a ſpecies found in moſt parts of the wooded and mountanous countries of Europe, and extends even to the arctic Lapmark §: is common in Ruſſia and Sibiria; in the laſt are found greater and leſſer varieties. It is found even as far as Kamtſchatka.

[314]
  • B. SPURIOUS GR. Tetrao Hybridus. Racklehane. Roſlagis Roſtare, Faun. Suec. No 201.

GR. With a ſpotted breaſt and forked tail. In ſize equal to the hen of the preceding. Is much ſcarcer, more timid, and its note very different. Linnaeus ſays it is a mixed breed between the WOOD and BLACK GROUS; but his account of it is obſcure.

  • C. BLACK GROUS, Br. Zool. i. No 93.
  • Tetrao ius, Plinii.
  • Tetrao Tetrix, Orre, Faun. Suec. No 202.
  • Le Petit Tetras oa Coq de Bruyere a queue forchue, De Buffon, ii. 210.—Pl. Enl. 172, 173.

GR. With a white ſpot on the ſhoulders, and white vent feathers: reſt of the plumage of a full black, gloſſed with blue: tail much forked, exterior feathers curling outwards. Weight near four pounds. Length one foot ten inches.

Female weighs but two pounds. The tail is ſlightly forked and ſhort: the colors ruſt, black, and cinereous.

PLACE.Inhabits Europe, as high as Lapland: extends over Ruſſia and Sibiria as far as birch-trees grow, of the catkins and buds of which it is very fond. Feeds much on the populus balſamifera *, which gives its fleſh a fine flavor. In northern Europe, this and the laſt ſpecies live during ſummer on whortle-berries, and feed their young with gnats. In ſummer the males perch on trees, and animate the foreſts with their crowing. In winter they lie on the ground, become buried in the ſnows, and form walks beneath, in which they [315] often continue forty days*. They are at preſent taken in ſnares; but in Lapland were formerly ſhot with arrows.

During winter, there is at preſent a very ſingular way of taking the BLACK GROUS in Sibiria. In the open foreſts of birch, a certain number of poles are placed horizontally on forked ſticks: by way of allurement, ſmall bundles of corn are placed on them; and not remote, are ſet certain tall baſkets of a conic ſhape, with the broadeſt part uppermoſt: within the mouth is placed a ſmall wheel, through which paſſes an axis fixed ſo nicely as to admit it to play very readily, and permit one ſide or the other, on the leaſt touch, to drop down, and again recover its ſituation. The BLACK GROUS are ſoon attracted by the corn on the horizontal poles; firſt alight on them, and after a ſhort repaſt fly to the baſkets, attempt to ſettle on their tops, when the wheel drops ſideways, and they fall headlong into the trap, which is ſometimes found half full.

  • D. PTARMIGAN, Br. Zool. i. No 95.
  • Tetrao Lagopus. Suecis Snoripa. Lappis Cheruna, Faun. Suec. No 203.
  • Le Lagopede, De Buffon, ii. 264. tab. ix.

GR. With the head, neck, back, ſcapulars, and ſome of the coverts of the wings, marked with narrow lines of black, aſh-color, and ruſt, intermixed with ſome white: wings and belly white: outmoſt feathers of the tail black; thoſe of the middle cinereous, mottled with black, and tipt with white. The male has a black ſpot between the bill and the eye; which in the female is ſcarcely viſible. One which I weighed in Scotland was nineteen ounces. Another weighed by Mr. Ray, in the Griſons country, only fourteen. It regularly changes its colors at approach of winter.

[316] PLACE.Inhabits Greenland, Iceland, Lapland, all Scandinavia, and Ruſſia; but I believe does not extend to Sibiria or Kamtſchatka. This, from its haunts, is called by the Norwegians, Fiaelde Rype, or Mountain Grous. But in Ruſſia it inhabits indifferently woods, mountains, plains, and marſhes. Its feathers were formerly an article of commerce. It is taken among the Laplanders, by the ſame ſtratagem as the WHITE GROUS, No 183.

The Greenlanders catch it in nooſes hung to a long line, drawn between two men, dropping them over the neck of this ſilly bird. They ſometimes kill it with ſtones; but of late oftener by ſhooting. It is ſaid, that when the female is killed the male unwillingly deſerts the body*.

The Greenlanders eat it either dreſſed, or half rotten, or raw, with ſeals lard. The inteſtines, eſpecially thoſe next to the rump, and freſh drawn, are reckoned great delicacies. They alſo mix the contents with freſh train-oil and berries; a luxury frequent among theſe people. The ſkins make a warm and comfortable ſhirt, with the feathers placed next to the body. The women formerly uſed the black feathers of the tail as ornaments to their head-dreſſes.

  • E. REHUSAK. Montin, in Act. Phyſiogr. Lund. i. 150.

GR. With neck ruſt-colored, ſpotted with black: back and coverts of tail black, varied with ruſty ſtreaks: breaſt divided from the lower part of the neck by a dark ſhade: reſt of the breaſt and vent white; the hen ſpotted with yellow: primaries white: tail black; end whitiſh: thighs white, with ſome ruſty ſpots: legs feathered to the toes: toes naked, covered with large brown ſcales. SIZE of a ſmall Hen.

[317]Inhabits both the woods and alps of Lapland. PLACE. Lays thirteen or fourteen reddiſh eggs, marked with large brown ſpots. When diſturbed, flies away with a loud noiſe, like a coarſe laugh. The Keron, or common Ptarmigan, on the contrary, is ſilent. The Keron inhabits the Alps only.

  • F. HAZEL GR. Will. Orn. 175.
  • Tetrao bonaſia. Hiarpe, Faun. Suec. No 204.
  • La Gelinotte, De Buffon, ii. 233. tab. vii.—Pl. Enl. 474, 475.

GR. With the chin black, bounded with white: head and upper part of the neck croſſed with duſky and cinereous lines: behind each eye a white line: coverts of wings and ſcapulars ſpotted with black and ruſt-color: breaſt and belly white, marked with bright bay ſpots: feathers of the tail mottled with aſh and black; and, except the two middlemoſt, croſſed with a broad ſingle bar of black: legs feathered half way down. FEMALE wants the black ſpot on the chin, and white ſtroke beyond the eyes.SIZE. Its ſize ſuperior to an Engliſh Partridge.

Inhabits the birch and hazel woods of many parts of Europe, PLACE. as high as the dioceſe of Drontheim, and even Lapland *; and is not unfrequent in the temperate parts. Paulſen ſays that it migrates into the ſouth of Iceland in April, and departs in September? It lays from twelve to twenty eggs: perches uſually in the midſt of a tree: is attracted by a pipe, imitative of its voice, to the nets of the ſportſmen, who lie concealed in a hovel. Is excellent meat, inſomuch that the Hungarians call it Tſchaſarmadar, or the bird of Caeſar, as if it was only fit for the table of the Emperor. Is found in moſt parts of the Ruſſian dominions with the Ptarmigan, but grows ſcarcer towards the eaſt of Sibiria.

XVII. PARTRIDGE. Gen. Birds, XXXVII.
[318]
185. MARYLAND.
  • American Partridge, Clayton, Ph. Tr. abridg. iii. 590.—Lawſon, 140.—Cateſby, App. plate xii.—Du Pratz, ii. 86.
  • Tetrao Virginianus, Lin. Syſt. 277.
  • Le Perdrix d'Amerique, Briſſon, i. 231.—Et de la Nouvelle Angleterre, 229.—De Buffon, ii. 447.

P. With white cheeks and throat, bounded by a line of black on all ſides, and marked with another paſſing beneath each eye: breaſt whitiſh, prettily marked with ſemicircular ſpots of black: upper part of the breaſt, coverts of wings, ſcapulars, and coverts of tail, bright bay, edged with ſmall black and white ſpots; ſcapulars ſtriped with yellowiſh white: primaries and tail of a light aſh color.

The head of the female agrees in the white marks of the male, but the boundaries are ferruginous. There is alſo more red on the breaſt. In other reſpects the colors nearly correſpond. In SIZE, above half as big again as the Engliſh Quail.

PLACE.Frequent from Canada to the moſt ſouthern parts of North America, perhaps to Mexico. Are great breeders, and are ſeen in covies of four or five and twenty. Breed the latter end of April, or beginning of May. Collect, towards the beginning of June, in great flocks, and take to the orchards, where they perch when diſturbed. Feed much on buck-wheat; grow fat, and are excellent meat. Migrate from Nova Scotia, at approach of winter, to the ſouthern provinces; but numbers reſide in the latter the whole year. The males have a note twice repeated, which they emit, while the females are [319] ſitting, uſually perched on a rail or gate. Make a vaſt noiſe with the wings when they ariſe.

Of late they have been introduced into Jamaica; IN JAMAICA: are naturalized to the climate, and increaſe greatly in a wild ſtate; and, as I am informed, breed in that warm climate twice in the year.

  • A. COMMON PARTRIDGE. Tetrao Perdix. Rapphona. Faun. Suec. No 205.
  • La Perdrix Griſe, De Buffon, ii. 401.—Pl. Enl. 27.

INHABITS as high as Sweden; but has not yet reached Norway *. Found in the weſt, and all the temperate parts of Ruſſia and Sibiria, and even beyond lake Baikal, where it winters about ſteep rocky mountains expoſed to the ſun, and where the ſnow lies leſt.

During winter, in Sweden it burrows beneath the ſnow; and the whole covey retires there, leaving a ſpiracle at each end of their lodge.

[320]
  • B. QUAIL, Br. Zool. i. No 97.—Wachtel, Faun. Suec. No 206.—LEV. MUS.—BL. MUS.

IS found no further north than Sweden. It appears there in the beginning of the leafing month (May); and is neither heard or ſeen there in autumn or winter, unleſs it ſhould, as Linnaeus ſuppoſes, migrate to the ſouthern province, or Schonen, or retire to the Ukraine, Wallachia, &c*.

Quails ſwarm ſo greatly, at the time of their migration, about the Dnieper, and in the ſouth of Ruſſia, that they are caught by thouſands, and ſent to Moſcow and Peterſburgh in caſks. They are common in all parts of Great Tartary; but in Sibiria only in the ſouth, as their paſſage is hindered by the lofty ſnowy mountains. It is ſaid they winter beneath the ſnow; and in great froſts, to be found torpid in the Ant-hills. Beyond lake Baikal, the Quails exactly reſemble thoſe of Europe, but are quite mute. Theſe are uſed by the Chineſe in fighting, as we do Cocks.

XVIII. BUSTARD. Gen. Birds. XXXIX.
[321]
186. NORTON SOUND.

I Am ſorry that I have it not in my power to do more than aſcertain that a bird of the BUSTARD genus is found in North America. Captain KING was ſo obliging as to inform me, that he ſaw on the plains near Norton Sound, N. lat. 64 ½, great flocks of a large kind. They were very ſhy; ran very faſt, and for a conſiderable way before they took wing; ſo that he never could get one ſhot.

I often meet with the word Outarde, or Buſtard, among the French voyagers in North America; but believe it to be always applied to a ſpecies of Gooſe.

The Great Buſtard, Br. Zool. i. No 98, is frequent over all the deſert of Tartary, and beyond lake Baikal. Is a ſolitary bird; but collects into ſmall flocks at the time of its ſouthern migration, and winters about Aſtracan *.

  • [...]. LESSER BUSTARD, Br. Zool. i. No 99.
  • Tetrao Tetrax, Faun. Suec. No 196.
  • La Petite Outarde ou la Cane-petiere, De Buffon, ii. 40.—Pl. Enl. 10. 25.—LEV. MUS.

B. With crown, back, ſcapulars, and coverts of the wings, ferruginous and black; primaries black at their ends, white at their bottoms; the ſecondaries quite white: neck black, marked near the top and bottom with a white circle: breaſt and belly white: middle feathers of the tail croſſed with ruſt and black, the reſt white. FEMALE entirely ferruginous and black, except wings and belly. SIZE of a Pheaſant.

Appears in Sweden rarely in the ſpring: not traced further north.PLACE. Very frequent in the ſouthern and ſouth-weſt plains of Ruſſia, and in ſmall flocks when it migrates. Continues a good way into the deſerts of Tartary; but is never ſeen in Sibiria.

ORDER IV. COLUMBINE.

[322]
XIX. PIGEON. Gen. Birds, XL.
187. PASSENGER.
  • Pigeon, Joſſelyn's Voy. 99.
  • Wild Pigeon, Lawſon, 140.—Kalm. ii. 82.
  • Pigeon of Paſſage, Cateſby, i. tab. 23.
  • Wood Pigeon, Du Pratz, ii. 88.
  • Columba Migratoria, Lin. Syſt. 285.
  • Le Pigeon ſauvage d'Amerique, Briſſon, i. 100.—De Buffon, Oiſ. ii. 527.— LEV. MUS.—BL. MUS.

P. With a black bill: red irides: head, and hind part and ſides of the neck, of a ſlaty blue; on each of the laſt a large ſhining golden ſpot: coverts of the wings of a dark blueiſh grey, marked with a few black ſpots: quil feathers brown: tail of a great length, and cuneiform: the middle feathers duſky grey, the next paler, the outmoſt white. WEIGHT nine ounces.

MANNERS.Theſe birds viſit the provinces of North America in moſt amazing numbers every hard winter. They appear in greater or leſſer numbers, according to the mildneſs or ſeverity of ſeaſon; for when the weather proves mild, few or none are ſeen in the ſouthern parts. Neceſſity alone obliges them to change their quarters, in ſearch of acorns,FOOD. maſt, and berries, which the warmer provinces yield in vaſt abundance. When they alight, the ground is ſoon cleared of all eſculent fruits, to the great loſs of the hog, and other maſt-eating animals. When they have devoured every thing which has fallen on the ſurface, they form themſelves into a great perpendical column, and by rotation keep flying among the boughs of the trees, from top to bottom, beating down the acorns with their wings, and ſome [323] or other, in ſucceſſion, alight on the earth and eat*. The ſpecies of food they are fondeſt of is the ſmall acorn, called the Turkey acorn, it being alſo a favorite food of thoſe birds. In Canada they do vaſt damage in autumn, by devouring the corn, before they begin their ſouthern flight.

They build their neſts in trees,NESTS. and coo like the Engliſh Wild Pigeon; and lay two eggs. They breed in the more northern parts, from the country ſouth of Mooſe Fort, in Hudſon's Bay , to that between Fort Frederick and Fort Anne, and the woods about the river Onandago . During the time of incubation and nutrition, they feed firſt on the ſeeds of the § red maple, which ripens in May; and after that, on thoſe of the elm. It appears by thoſe accurate obſervers, Mr. Bartram and Mr. Kalm, that they continue in their breeding-places till the middle at leſt of July: the firſt having ſeen them in June; the laſt, the 19th of July. Mr. Hutchins aſſures me, that they continue in the inland parts of Hudſon's Bay till December; and when the ground is covered with ſnow, feed on the buds of juniper.

As ſoon as theſe birds find a want of food,MIGRATIONS. they collect in vaſt flocks, and migrate to ſuch places as are likely to ſupply them with ſubſiſtence.VAST NUMBERS. The multitudes which appear during the rigorous ſeaſons are ſo immenſe, that the mention of them, unleſs ſupported by good authority, would ſeem incredible. They fly by millions in a flock; and in their paſſage literally intercept the light of the ſun for a conſiderable ſpace. As ſoon as one flock has paſſed, another ſucceeds, each taking a quarter of an hour before the whole flock is gone. This continues, in ſome ſeaſons, for three days without any intermiſſion**.

The inhabitants of New York and Pennſylvania are frequent witneſſes of the phaenomenon, and kill numbers of theſe migrants from [324] their balconies, and the roofs of their houſes. When they alight on trees to rooſt, they often break the limbs of ſtout oaks, unable to ſupport the weight of the crowds which perch on them. The ground beneath the trees on which they have lodged a night, is covered with their dung to a conſiderable depth*.

Joſſelyn, who obſerved theſe Pigeons in 1638, in New England, before they were diſturbed by population, ſays, he has ſeen flights of them moving at Michaelmas to the ſouthward, four or five miles long, ſo thick that he loſt ſight of the ſun. He adds, that they return in ſpring;RETURN. and that they join neſt to neſt, and tree to tree, by their neſts, for many miles together, in the woods. Kalm mentions their paſſage through Jerſey in March.

The inhabitants of North America profit by this kind gift of Providence, and ſhoot them in their paſſage; for they are very fat, and excellent meat. The Indians watch the rooſting-places; go in the night, and, knocking them down with long poles, bring away thouſands. Formerly, you could not go into a little Indian town, in the interior parts of Carolina, THEIR OIL. but you would find a hundred gallons of Pigeons oil or fat, which they uſe with their mayz, as we do butter. They ſcorn to obtain that uſeful article from the quiet employ of the dairy; but are fond of the ſimilitude, provided it could be obtained by any means ſuitable to their active ſpirit.

M. du Pratz hit upon an ingenious expedient of taking them on rooſt, by placing under the trees veſſels filled with flaming ſulphur; the fumes of which aſcending, brought them ſenſeleſs to the ground in perfect ſhowers.

I ſhall conclude this account with what was communicated to me by the late Mr. Aſhton Blackburne, from his own obſervations, or thoſe of his friends, who were eye-witneſſes to the wondrous facts related of theſe birds.

[325]

‘I think,’ ſays Mr. Blackburne, ‘this as remarkable a bird as any in America. They are in vaſt numbers in all parts, and have been of great ſervice at particular times to our garriſons, in ſupplying them with freſh meat, eſpecially at the out-poſts. A friend told me, that in the year in which Quebec was taken, the whole army was ſupplied with them, if they choſe it. The way was this: every man took his club (for they were forbid to uſe their firelocks) when they flew, as it was termed, in ſuch quantities, that each perſon could kill as many as he wanted. They in general begin to fly ſoon after day-break, and continue till nine or ten o'clock; and again about three in the afternoon, and continue till five or ſix: but what is very remarkable, they always fly weſterly. The times of flying here are in the ſpring, about the latter end of February or the beginning of March, and continue every day for eight or ten days; and again in the fall, when they begin the latter end of July or the beginning of Auguſt. They catch vaſt quantities of them in clap-nets, with ſtale pigeons. I have ſeen them brought to this market by ſacks-full. People in general are very fond of them; and I have heard many ſay they think them as good as our common Blue Pigeon; but I cannot agree with them by any means. They taſte more like our Queeſt, or Wild Pigeon; but are better meat. They have another way of killing them—They make a hut of boughs of trees, and ſix ſtale Pigeons on the ground at a ſmall diſtance from the hut. They plant poles for the Wild Pigeons to light on when they come a ſalting (as they term it) which they do every morning in the ſeaſon, repairing to the marſhes near the ſea-ſide; then the perſons in the hut pull the ſtale Pigeon, when the birds will alight in vaſt numbers on the poles, and great multitudes are ſhot. Sir William Johnſon told me, that he killed at one ſhot with a blunderbuſs, a hundred and twenty or thirty. [326] Some years paſt they have not been in ſuch plenty as they uſed to be. This ſpring I ſaw them fly one morning, as I thought in great abundance; but every body was amazed how few there were; and wondered at the reaſon.’

‘I muſt remark one very ſingular fact: that, notwithſtanding the whole people of a town go out a pigeoning, as they call it, they will not on ſome days kill a ſingle hen bird; and on the very next day, not a ſingle cock (and yet both ſexes always fly weſterly); and when this is the caſe, the people are always aſſured that there will be great plenty of them that ſeaſon. I have been at Niagara when the centinel has given the word that the Pigeons were flying; and the whole garriſon were ready to run over one another, ſo eager were they to get freſh meat.’

188. CAROLINA.
  • Picacuroba, Marcgrave, 204.
  • Turtle Dove, Lawſon, 142.—Du Pratz, ii. 88.
  • La Tourterelle de la Caroline, Briſſon, i. 110.
  • Turtle of Carolina, Cateſby, i. 24.—De Buffon, ii. 557.—Pl. Enl. 175.
  • Columba Carolinenſis, Lin. Syſt. 286.
  • Long-tailed Dove, Edw. 15.—LEV. MUS.—BL. MUS.

P. With the orbits naked and blue: crown, neck, back, and ſcapulars, brown; the laſt ſpotted with black: ſome of the leſſer coverts of a lead-color: quil feathers duſky: beneath each eye in the male a black ſpot; on each ſide of the neck another, variable, with green, gold, and crimſon: breaſt of a pale claret-color: belly and thighs of a dull yellow: tail very long and cuneiform; the two middle feathers brown; the others white, marked in the middle with a black ſpot. LENGTH fourteen inches.

Inhabits Carolina the whole year; and is found as far ſouth as the Weſt Indies and Braſil. Feeds much on the berries of the poke or Phytolacca Decandria *, and the ſeeds of the mug-apple or Podophyllum []

Figure 1. Paſsenger Pigeon. No. 187. Carolina Pigeon No. 186.

[327] Peltatum *. Lawſon ſays, it is a great devourer of peas; on which account the Americans catch as many as they can in traps; and as an additional reaſon, becauſe of the delicacy of their fleſh.

189. WHITE-CROWNED.
  • White-crowned Pigeon, Cateſby, i. 25.
  • Bald-pate, Brown. Jam. 468.—Sloane, ii. 303.
  • Le Pigeon de la Roche, de la Jamaique, Briſſon, i. 137.—De Buffon, ii. 529.
  • Columba Leucocephala, Lin. Syſt. 281.

P. With the end of the bill white; the baſe purple: crown white, beneath that purple: hind part of the neck changeable green, edged with black.

Inhabit the Bahama iſlands, and breed among the rocks;PLACE. and prove of great uſe to the inhabitants, who take vaſt numbers. This ſpecies is found alſo in Jamaica, where Brown ſays they feed on the feeds of the mangrove and wild coffee.

I do not recollect that our navigators ſaw any Pigeons on the weſtern ſide of America; but the Spaniards ſaw abundance in lat. 41. 7. north.

190. CANADA.
  • La Tourterelle de Canada, Briſſon, i. 118.—De Buffon, ii. 552.—Pl. Enl. 176.
  • Columba Canadenfis, Lin. Syſt. 285.

P. With the crown, hind part of the head, and upper part of the back, of a cinereous brown: the lower part of the back and rump aſh-colored: lower part of the neck and the breaſt cinereous, daſhed with ruſt: coverts of the wings ſpotted with black: primaries duſky, the exterior edges of the greater yellowiſh: the tail long and cuneiform; the middle feathers aſh-colored; the exterior on each ſide white, marked on their inner ſide with a red ſpot, and beneath that with a great black one.

The head, neck, back, breaſt, and coverts of the wings, of the female have the feathers terminated with dirty white and yellow.

[328] PLACE.Inhabits Canada. Greatly reſembles, in ſize, form, and ſome of the colors, the Carolina Pigeon: I gueſs therefore, that it is here needleſsly ſeparated from that ſpecies.

191. GROUND.
  • Picuipinima, Marcgrave, 204.—Raii Syn. Av. 62. 184.—Sloane. Jam. ii. 305. —Brown, 469.
  • Ground Dove, Cateſby, i. 26.
  • La petite Tourterelle, Briſſon, i. 113.
  • Columba Paſſerina, Lin. Syſt. 285.
  • Le Cocotzin, Fernandez, 24.—De Buffon, ii. 559.—Pl. Enl. 243.

P. With a yellow bill tipt with black: red irides: upper part of the head, body, and coverts, of a cinereous brown; the coverts ſpotted with black: breaſt and belly a variable purple, ſpotted with a deeper:SIZE. the two middle feathers of the tail cinereous brown, thoſe of the ſides duſky: legs yellowiſh. In SIZE does not exceed a Lark.

PLACE.This diminutive ſpecies is not found further north than Carolina, where they ſometimes viſit the lower parts near the ſea, where ſhrubs grow, in order to feed on the berries; eſpecially of the pellitory, or toothach tree*, which gives their fleſh a fine flavor. The ſpecies is continued through the warm parts of America, the iſlands Mexico and Braſil. The French iſlanders call them Ortolans, from their exceſſive fatneſs and great delicacy. They take them young, when they will become very tame.

THERE is not a ſingle ſpecies of Pigeon to be found in Kamtſchatka; a proof that the birds of this genus do not extend far to the north-weſt of America: otherwiſe the narrow ſea between the two continents could never confine birds of ſo ſwift and ſtrong a flight.

[329]
  • A. The STOCK DOVE, Wil. Orn.
  • Columba Oenas. Skogſdufva, Faun. Suec. No 207.

IS very frequent in a wild ſtate in the ſouth of Ruſſia, breeding in the turrets of village-churches, and in ſteep rocky banks of rivers; but at approach of winter, migrates ſouthward. It does the ſame in Sweden *. Is among the birds of the Feroe iſles, and ſometimes ſtrays as far Finmark .

No Pigeons are ſeen in Sibiria, till you come beyond lake Baikal, where a very ſmall variety (with a white rump) breeds in great plenty about the rocks. This is the ſame with our ROCK PIGEON, one ſtock or origin of our tame Pigeons. This ſpecies breeds in the cliffs as far north as the dioceſe of Bergen in Norway . Haunt during winter the cliffs of the Orknies, by myriads.

  • B. RING DOVE, Br. Zool. i. No 102.
  • Columba Palumbus. Ringdufwa, Faun. Suec. No 208.
  • Le Ramier, De Buffon, ii. 531.

COMMON in the Ruſſian foreſts: very ſcarce in Sibiria; none in the north-eaſt. Viſits Sweden in ſummer: migrates in autumn. None in Norway.

None of the Pigeon tribe inhabit the arctic zone, by reaſon not only of the cold, but of defect of food.

ORDER V. PASSERINE.

[330]
XX. STARE. Gen. Birds. XLI.
192. CRESCENT.
  • Lark, Lawſon, 144.—Cateſby, i. 33.
  • Le Merle a collier d'Amerique, Briſſon, ii. 243.
  • L'Etourneau de la Louiſiane—449.
  • Le Fer a Cheval, ou Merle a collier d'Amerique, De Buffon, Oiſ. iii. 371.— Pl. En. 256.—Latham, iii. 6.
  • Alauda Magna, Lin. Syſt. 289.
  • Sturnus Ludovicianus—290.—LEV. MUS.—BL. MUS.

ST. With a duſky head, divided in the middle by a pale brown line, bounded on the ſide by two others: on the corner of each eye, above the bill, is a yellow ſpot: whole upper part of the body, neck, and wings, reddiſh brown and black: breaſt and belly of a rich yellow; the former marked with a black creſcent: primaries pale brown, barred with a darker: tail very ſhort, the feathers ſharp-pointed; the three outmoſt white, marked with a pale brown ſtripe on the exterior ſide; reſt of the feathers light brown, marked with pointed bars of black: legs long.

SIZE.LENGTH above ten inches: WEIGHT between three and four ounces.

PLACE.Inhabits moſt parts of the continent of North America: lives in the ſavannas, feeding chiefly on the ſeeds of graſſes; ſits on ſmall trees and ſhrubs; has a jetting motion with its tail; is reckoned excellent meat; has a muſical but not a various note. Arrives in New York in March, or the beginning of April: lays in June, in the graſs, five white eggs, thinly ſpotted with pale ruſt-color. Leaves the country in September or October.

193. LOUISIANE.
[331]
  • Sturnus Ludovicianus, Lin. Syſt. 290.—Latham, iii. 6.
  • L'Etourneau de la Louiſiane, De Buffon, iii. 192.—Briſſon, ii. 449.—Pl. Enl. 256.

ST. With a whitiſh bill, tipped with brown: with the crown, back, wings, and tail of a ruſty aſh-color; the firſt marked along the middle with a white line; and another of the ſame color over each eye; inner webs of the four outmoſt feathers white: in front of the neck a large black ſpot; each feather tipt with grey: reſt of the fore part of the neck, breaſt, and belly, of a rich yellow: thighs and vent dirty white.

Inhabits Louiſiana. PLACE.

  • A. STARE, Br. Zool. i. No 104.
    STARE.
  • Sturnus, vulgaris Stare, Faun. Suec. No 213.
  • L'Etourneau, De Buffon, iii. 176.—Latham, iii. 2.—LEV. MUS.—BL. MUS.

ST. With a yellow bill: black body gloſſed with purple, and ſpotted with yellow and white: legs black.

Inhabits Europe as high as Salten, in the dioceſe of Drontheim, PLACE. in Norway; and in great numbers in Naeſne Helgeland *, in Feroe, and in Iceland . They migrate from Norway, a few excepted, which lodge in the fiſſures of the rocky iſle near Stavanger, at the ſouthern extremity of that kingdom, and come out to baſk in the ſunny days of winter. They are found in vaſt flocks in all parts of Ruſſia, and the weſt of Sibiria; but are very ſcarce beyond [332] the Jeneſei. In many places of England reſide the whole year: in others, migrate after the breeding-ſeaſons by thouſands to other countries.

WATER OUZEL.
  • B. WATER OUZEL, Br. Zool. i. No 111.
  • Sturnus cinclus, Watnſtare, Faun. Suec. No 214.
  • Le Merle d'Eau, De Buffon, viii. 134.—Latham, iii. 48.—LEV. MUS.—BL. MUS.

ST. Duſky above: throat and breaſt white: belly ruſt-colored: tail black. WEIGHT two ounces and a half: LENGTH ſeven inches and a half.

PLACE.Found in Europe as high as Feroe and Finmark *: in the Ruſſian empire, as far as Kamtſchatka. The Tartars believe, that the feathers of this bird, tied to their nets, produce good fortune in their fiſhery.

XXI. THRUSH. Gen. Birds. XLII.
[333]
194. MIMIC.
  • Mock-bird, Cateſby, i.—Lawſon, 143.
  • Le Moqueur, De Buffon, Oiſ. ii. 323.—Pl. Enl. 645.—Briſſon, ii. 262.— Latham, iii. 40.
  • Turdus Polyglottos, T. Orpheus, Lin. Syſt. 293.—LEV. MUS.—BL. MUS.

TH. With a black bill and legs: head, neck, back, and leſſer coverts on the ridge of the wing, aſh-colored: the other coverts duſky, ſlightly edged with white: quil feathers black; white on their lower parts: under ſide of the body white: tail very long; the middle feathers duſky; two outmoſt feathers white; the exterior margins black.

The breaſt of the female of a dirty white.

  • A. The Leſſer, Edw. 78.

DIFFERS from the former in having a white line over each eye; and in being ſomewhat inferior in ſize. Jamaica *.

  • B. Varied. Tetronpan, Fernanaez, 38.

WITH a ſpotted breaſt; probably a young bird of one of the others.

Theſe birds ſhun the cold parts of America; PLACE. and are found from the province of New York as far ſouth as Mexico and the Antilles. They are ſo impatient of the rigorous ſeaſon, as to retire at approach of winter from all the provinces north of Carolina or Virginia. In the firſt they inhabit the whole year. They viſit New York in April, or the beginning of May, but are rather ſcarce in that part of America: they breed there in June, and lay five or ſix blue eggs, thickly ſpotted with dull red.

They build often in fruit trees; are very familiar, and love to be converſant about dwellings; and, during ſummer, uſually deliver [334] their ſong perched on the chimney's top. During breeding ſeaſon, are very ſhy, and will deſert their neſt if any one looks on the eggs*: but are ſometimes preſerved, and brought alive to England.

During ſummer they feed on berries, mulberries, and other fruits, and inſects. In winter, when other food is ſcarce, on the berries of the Dogwood . When tamed, feed on every thing.

VARIOUS SONG.Theſe birds are perhaps the firſt among the choriſters of the woods; and are juſtly famed not only for the variety, fulneſs, and melody of their own notes, but their imitative faculty of the notes of all other birds or animals, from the Humming-bird to the Eagle. They will even imitate the ſound of other things. I have heard of one, confined in a cage, that would mimic the mewing of a cat, the chattering of a magype, and the creaking of a ſign in high winds. The Mexicans call them Cencontlatolli , or the birds of four hundred tongues, on account of their vaſt variety of notes and imitative powers. In the warmer parts of America they ſing inceſſantly from March to Auguſt, day and night, beginning with their own compoſitions, and then finiſhing by borrowing from the whole feathered choir, and repeat their tunes with ſuch artful ſweetneſs, as to excite pleaſure and ſurprize. The ſuper-excellence of their ſongs makes ample amends for the plainneſs of their plumage.

They may be ſaid not only to ſing, but dance: for, as if excited by a ſort of extaſy at their own admirable notes, they gradually raiſe themſelves from the place where they ſtand, with their wings extended, drop with their head down to the ſame ſpot, and whirl round with diſtended wings, accompanying their melody with variety of pretty geſticulations§. They are birds of vaſt courage; and will attack any large bird.

195. FERRUGINOUS.
[335]
  • Ground Mocking-bird, Lawſon, 143.
  • Fox-coloured Thruſh, Cateſby, i. 28.
  • Turdus rufus, Lin. Syſt. 293.—Latham, iii. 39.
  • La Grive de la Caroline, Briſſon, ii. 223.
  • Le Moqueur François, De Buffon, iii. 323.—Pl. Enl. 645.—LEV. MUS.—BL. MUS.

TH. With yellow irides: head, and whole upper part of the body, coverts of the wings, and the tail, of a pale ruſt-color: under part of a dirty white, ſpotted with brown: acroſs the coverts of the wings are two white lines: tail very long: legs brown. LENGTH twelve inches.

Inhabits North America, from New York to Carolina. PLACE. In the former, arrives in May, and migrates to the ſouth in Auguſt: continues in Virginia and Carolina the whole year: builds in low buſhes, and (in New York) breeds in June, and lays five white eggs, cloſely ſpotted with ruſt-colour.

It feeds on berries, eſpecially thoſe of the cluſter bird-cherry, of which all the Thruſh kind are very fond. It is called in America the French Mocking-bird, from the variety of its notes; but they are far inferior to the real.

196. RED-BREASTED.
  • Fieldfare of Carolina, Cateſby, i. 29.
  • La Grive de Canada, Briſſon, ii. 225.
  • La Litorne de Canada, De Buffon, iii. 307.—Pl. Enl. 558.
  • Turdus migratorius, Lin. Syſt. 295.—Latham, iii. 26.—LEV. MUS.—BL. MUS.

TH. With the bill half yellow and half black: head and cheeks black: orbits covered with white feathers: chin and throat black, ſtreaked with white: under part of the neck, the breaſt, and upper part of the belly, of a deep orange: vent white: back and rump of a deep aſh-color: coverts and quil feathers duſky, edged with white: inner coverts of the wings orange: tail black; the outmoſt feather marked with white: legs brown. SIZE of an Engliſh Throſtle.

[336] PLACE.Inhabits North America, from Hudſon's Bay to Natka Sound, on the weſtern coaſt; and ſouth as low as Carolina. Quits the warmer parts in the ſpring, and retires north to breed. Appear in pairs in Hudſon's Bay, on Severn River, at the beginning of May. At Mooſe Fort, theſe birds build their neſt, lay their eggs, and hatch their young, in fourteen days; but at Severn ſettlement, which lies in 55, or four degrees more north, the ſame is not effected in leſs than twenty-ſix days*. They are alſo very common in the woods near St. John's, in Newfoundland.

They arrive in New York in February, and lay their eggs in May, and quit the country in October: in each country where they paſs the ſummer, they adapt their retreat to the time in which winter ſets in.

NESTS.They make their neſts with roots, moſs, &c.; and lay five eggs, of a moſt lively ſea-green colour. The cock is moſt aſſiduous in aſſiſting its mate in making the neſt and feeding the young; and in the intervals chears her with its muſical voice.

Like the Engliſh Fieldfare, they come and go in large flocks. They have two notes; one a loud ſcream, like the Miſſel-bird: the other, a very ſweet ſong, which it delivers from the ſummit of ſome lofty tree.

They feed on worms, inſects, and berries. Mr. Cateſby brings a proof, that it is not the heat of the ſeaſon alone that forces them away. He had, in Virginia, ſome trees of the Aluternus, in full berry; the firſt which were known in America: a ſingle Fieldfare was ſo delighted with them, as never to quit them during the whole ſummer.

They are called in America, the Robin; not only from the redneſs of the breaſt, but from their actions and tameneſs, as I have obſerved in thoſe kept in aviaries.

Figure 2. Varied Thrush No. 197.
197. VARIED.
[337]

TH. With a duſky crown: upper part of the neck and back of an iron grey: cheeks black: beyond each eye is a bright bay line: throat, under ſide of the neck, and breaſt, of the ſame color; the breaſt croſſed by a black band: ſides orange-colored: middle of the belly white: leſſer coverts of the wings iron grey: greater, duſky, tipped with bright ferruginous: primaries duſky, croſſed and edged with bay: tail long, of a deep cinereous color: legs pale brown. SIZE of the former.

Inhabits the woods of Natka Sound. Latham, iii. 27.PLACE.

198. TAWNY.

TH. With the head, back, and coverts, tawny; the head the brighteſt: cheeks brown, ſpotted with white: throat, breaſt, and belly, white, with large black ſpots: rump, primaries, and tail, of a pale brown: the ends of the tail ſharp-pointed: legs pale brown. SIZE of the Redwing Thruſh.

From the province of New York. BL. MUS.—Latham, iii. 28.PLACE.

199. BROWN.

TH. With the head, neck, back, cheeks, coverts, and tail, of an olive brown: primaries duſky: breaſt and belly of a dirty white, marked with great brown ſpots: legs duſky. SIZE of the former; and a native of the ſame country. BL. MUS.—Latham, iii. 28.

200. RED-LEGGED.
  • Merle appellé Tilli? Feuillee, i. 126.
  • Red-leg'd Thruſh, Cateſby, i. 30.
  • Le Merle cendré de l'Amerique, Briſſon, ii. 288.
  • Turdus plumbeus, Lin. Syſt. 294.—Latham, iii. 33.
  • Le Tilly, ou la Grive cendrée de l'Amerique, De Buffon, iii. 314.—Pl. Enl. 560.

TH. With a duſky bill: irides, edges of the eyelids, and legs, red: throat black: whole body of a duſky blue: tail long, and cuneiform: tail duſky, with the three exterior feathers on each ſide [338] tipt with white. WEIGHT two ounces and a half. The hen is a third part leſs than the cock.

PLACE.Inhabits the Bahama iſlands, Andros, and Ilathera. Has the voice and geſtures of Thruſhes. Feeds on berries, eſpecially of the gum elimy tree*.

201. LITTLE.
  • Little Thruſh, Cateſby, i. 31.—Edw. 296.—Latham, iii. 20.
  • Le Mauvis de la Caroline, Briſſon, ii. 212.
  • La Grivette d'Amerique, De Buffon, iii. 289.—Pl. Enl. 398.—LEV. MUS.— BL. MUS.

TH. With the head, whole upper part of the body, wings, and tail, of an uniform brown color: eyelids encircled with white: chin white: breaſt, and under ſide of the neck, yellowiſh, marked with large brown ſpots: belly white: legs long, and brown. SIZE of a Lark.

PLACE.Inhabits Canada, Newfoundland, and the whole continent of North America, and even Jamaica. In all the cold parts, even as low as Penſylvania, they migrate ſouthward at approach of winter. They arrive in that country in April, and breed there. They inhabit thick woods, and the dark receſſes of ſwamps: are ſcarce, and not often ſeen. In Jamaica they inhabit the wooded mountains. They feed on berries, &c. like other Thruſhes, but want their melody.

202. UNALASCHA.

TH. With the crown and back brown, obſcurely ſpotted with duſky: breaſt yellow, ſpotted with black: coverts of the wings, primaries, and tail, duſky, edged with teſtaceous. SIZE of a Lark.

PLACE.Found on Unalaſcha. Latham, iii. 23.

203. GOLDEN-CROWNED.
[339]
  • Golden-crowned Thruſh, Edw. 252.
  • Motacilla aurocapilla, Lin. Syſt, 334.—Latham, iii. 21.
  • Le Figuier a tete d'or, Briſſon, iii. 504.
  • La Grivelette de St. Domingue, De Buffon, Oiſ. iii. 317.—Pl. Enl. 398.— BL. MUS.

TH. With the crown of the head of a bright gold-color, bounded on each ſide by a black line: upper part of the body, wings, and tail, of an olive brown: under ſide of the neck, breaſt, and ſides, white, ſpotted with black; or, as the French expreſſively call, it grivelées: belly in ſome of a pure white; in others, ſpotted: legs of a yellowiſh brown. In SIZE leſſer than the laſt.

Inhabits Penſylvania, and probably all the ſouthern provinces.PLACE. It builds its neſt on the ground, on the ſide of a bank, in the form of an oven, with leaves, lining it with dry graſs, and lays five white eggs, ſpotted with brown. Migrates on approach of winter to the iſlands, ſuch as St. Domingo, Jamaica, &c. Some having been taken at ſea in November in their paſſage*.

204. HUDSONIAN.

TH. With a black bill: general color of the plumage deep blueiſh aſh: crown, nape, coverts of the wings, and primaries, more or leſs edged with pale cheſnut: coverts of the tail of the ſame color: tail deep aſh, rounded at the end: legs black. LENGTH of the whole bird ſeven inches and a half.

Inhabits Hudſon's Bay. LEV. MUS.PLACE.

205. NEW-YORK.

TH. With a duſky ſtrong bill, half an inch long: head, neck, and breaſt, mottled with light ruſt-color and black: back very gloſſy: and the edges of the feathers ferruginous: from the bill, above and beneath each eye, extends to the hind part of the head [340] a band of black: belly duſky: wings and tail black, gloſſed with green: tail rounded: legs black. SIZE of an Engliſh BLACKBIRD.

PLACE.Appears in the province of New York in the latter end of October, in its way from its more northern breeding place. BL. MUS.

206. LABRADOR.
  • Latham, iii. 46.—BL. MUS.—LEV. MUS.

TH. With a black bill, rather ſlender, near an inch long. In one ſpecimen the plumage wholly black, gloſſed with variable blue and green*: in another, the feathers on the head, neck, and beginning of the back, ſlightly edged with deep ruſt: tail, and reſt of the plumage, full black; tail even at the end.

PLACE.Inhabits Labrador, and the province of New York.

  • A. FIELDFARE, Br. Zool. i. No 106.
  • Turdus pilaris. Suecis Kramsfogel. Uplandis Snoſkata, Faun. Suec. No 215.
  • La Litorne, De Buffon, iii. 301.—Pl. Enl. 490.—Latham, iii. 24.—LEV. MUS.— BL. MUS.

TH. With head and rump cinereous: back and wing coverts cheſnut: breaſt and belly of a ruſty white, ſpotted with black. WEIGHT about four ounces. LENGTH ten inches.

PLACE.Theſe birds ſwarm in the woods of Sweden and Norway: breed in the higheſt trees; and continue, at leſt in Sweden, the whole year. In Norway, I do not trace them further north than the dioceſe of [341] Bergen. They migrate in great numbers into Britain at Michaelmas, and depart about the beginning of March; but I have no certainty of the place they come from. Multitudes are found in all ſeaſons in Poland *: multitudes alſo migrate from other places to the Poliſh woods in autumn. Perhaps the woods in all thoſe countries may be overcharged with them, ſo that annually numbers may migrate into other places, without being miſſed by the inhabitants. Pontoppidan ſays, that Fieldfares are in great flocks in autumn, when berries are moſt plenty. Poſſibly, after they have exhauſted the woods, they may migrate to us, compelled both by cold and want of food. They appear conſtantly in the Orknies, near the approach of winter, in their way ſouth, and feed during their reſidence in thoſe iſles on the berries of empetrum nigrum, arbutus alpina, and uva urſi, and thoſe of the juniper. They arrive in England about Michaelmas, and leave it early in March. They are frequent in the foreſts of Ruſſia, Sibiria, and even Kamtſchatka, as is the REDWING THRUSH. Both viſit Syria , and both migrate into Minorca in the end of October, and winter in that climate§.

  • B. MISSEL TH. Br. Zool. i. No 105.
  • Turdus viſcivorus, Biork-Traſt, Faun. Suec. No 216.
  • Le Draine, De Buffon, iii. 295.—Pl. Enl. 489.—Latham, iii. 16.

TH. Olive-brown above: whitiſh yellow below, ſpotted with black: inner coverts of wings white: tail brown; three outmoſt feathers on each ſide tipt with white. WEIGHT near five ounces: LENGTH eleven inches.

Inhabits Europe as far as Norway; PLACE. but not higher than the middle part. Common in Ruſſia; but has not reached Sibiria.

[342]
  • C. THROSTLE, Br. Zool. i. No 107.
  • Turdus muſicus. Faun. Suec. No 217.
  • La Grive, De Buffon, iii. 280.—Pl. Enl. 406.—Latham, iii. 18.—LEV. MUS.— BL. MUS.

TH. Above of an olive-brown: breaſt white, with large duſky ſpots: inner coverts of the wings of a deep orange: cheeks white, ſpotted with brown. WEIGHT three ounces: LENGTH nine inches.

PLACE.Inhabits Europe as far north as Sondmor *. Is found in moſt parts of Ruſſia, where juniper grows, eſpecially about the river Kama: not in Sibiria.

  • D. REDWING, Br. Zool. i. No 108.
  • Turdus iliacus. Klera. Kladra. Talltraſt. Faun. Suec. No 218.
  • Le Mauvis, De Buffon, iii. 309.—Latham, iii. 22.

TH. With a whitiſh line above each eye: and the cheeks bounded beneath by another: head, and upper part of body, browniſh: on each ſide of the neck a ſpot of deep yellow: tail of an uniform brown: breaſt white, ſpotted with brown: inſide of the wings deep orange. WEIGHT two ounces and a quarter.

PLACE.Is met with as remote as Sondmor, and even in Iceland. In Sweden ſings ſweetly, perched on the ſummit of a tree, among the foreſts of maples: builds in hedges, and lays ſix blueiſh green eggs, ſpotted with black. Appears in England with the Fieldfare, and has with us only a piping note. Such numbers of theſe birds, Throſtles, and Fieldfares, are killed for the market in Poliſh Pruſſia, that exciſe was payed in one ſeaſon at Dantzick for thirty thouſand pairs, beſides what were ſmuggled or payed duty in other places. Found with the Fieldfare in the Ruſſian dominions.

[343]
  • E. Latham, iii. 28.—LEV. MUS.
    KAMTSCHATKAN.

TH. With a duſky bill: crown, upper ſide of the neck, back, and wings, light brown: from the baſe of the bill, on each ſide, a black line paſſes to the eyes, and a little beyond; over each, a line of white: chin and throat of an elegant roſe-color: breaſt and belly of a whitiſh brown: tail of a light brown, and rounded. LENGTH ſix inches.

Inhabits Kamtſchatka. PLACE.

  • F. ORIOLE, Br. Zool. ii. App. p. 626, 8vo.—4to, 532. tab. iv.—Will. Orn. 198.
  • Oriolus galbula, Lin. Syſt. 160.—Faun. Suec. No 95.
  • Loriot, De Buffon, iii. 260. tab. xvii.—Pl. Enl. 26.

TH. With head and whole body of a rich yellow: bill red: wings black; the primaries marked with a yellow ſpot: tail black; tips yellow. FEMALE dull green: ends of the exterior feathers of the tail whitiſh. LENGTH ten inches.

Inhabits many parts of Europe. Has been ſhot in Finland; PLACE. but is in Sweden a rare bird. Seen in England but very ſeldom: affects warm climates: frequent in India and China. Found in the temperate parts of the Ruſſian empire, as far as lake Baikal: none beyond the Lena. Is almoſt conſtantly flitting from place to place: makes no long reſidence in any. Builds a hanging neſt between the forks of a bough, uſually of ſome lofty tree. Lays four or five eggs, of a dirty white, ſpotted with duſky. Is reckoned very good meat. Receives its name of Loriot from its note. Feeds on inſects, berries, and fruits.

[344]
  • G. ROSE-COLORED OUZEL, Br. Zool. ii. App. p. 627. 8vo.—4to. tab. v.
  • Turdus roſeus, Faun. Suec. No 219.—Will. Orn. 194.—De Buffon, iii. 348. tab. xxii. —Pl. Enl. 251.—Latham, iii. 50.

TH. With a creſted head: head, neck, wings, and tail, black, gloſſed with variable purple, blue, and green: breaſt, belly, back, and leſſer coverts of the wings, of a fine roſe-color. SIZE of a Stare.

Linnaeus, on the authority of Mr. Adlerheim, ſays it is found in Lapland. Has been ſhot in a garden at Cheſter; and twice beſides near London. Is migratory. I cannot diſcover its breeding-place in Europe. Is found during ſummer about Aleppo, where it is called, from its food, the Locuſt-bird *.

Appears annually in great flocks about the river Don: and in Sibiria about the Irtiſh, where there are abundance of Locuſts, and where it breeds between the rocks.

  • H. RING-OUZEL, Br. Zool. i. No 110.
  • Turdus torquatus, Faun. Suec. No 221.
  • Ring-troſt, Norvegio, Brunnich, No 237.—De Buffon, iii. 340.—Latham, iii. 46.— LEV. MUS.—BL. MUS.

TH. With wings and tail black: upper part of the body duſky; lower part the ſame, edged with aſh-color: breaſt marked with a white creſcent. LENGTH eleven inches.

PLACE.Inhabits Europe as high as Lapmark . Is not found in Ruſſia and Sibiria: is, in the ſouth of England, and in France, an errant paſſenger, for a week or two, to other countries: in alpine parts, reſident. Is met with about Mount Caucaſus, and in Perſia.

Belon ſays, that in his time they ſwarmed ſo in their ſeaſon about Embrun, that the hoſts were uſed to treat their gueſts with them inſtead of other game. We are told by the Count de Buffon, that they build their neſts on the ground at the foot of ſome buſh; from which they are called Merles Terriers.

[345]
  • I. BLACKBIRD, Br. Zool. i. No 109.
  • Turdus merula. Traſt. Kohltraſt. Faun. Suec. No 220.—Latham, ii. No 46.—LEV. MUS.—BL. MUS.

TH. With a yellow bill: plumage and legs intenſely black. FEMALE with bill and plumage of a duſky hue. LENGTH nine inches and a half: WEIGHT about four ounces.

Inhabits Europe as high even as Drontheim. PLACE. Is uncommon in Ruſſia, except beyond the Urallian chain, and in the weſtern provinces. But about Woroneſch, this bird, and the STARE, do not make their appearance till about the 17th or 18th of April *, ſearching for food in other places during the ſevere ſeaſon.

XXII. CHATTERER. Gen. Birds, XLIII.
[346]
207. PRIB.
  • Chatterer, Cateſby, i. 46.—Edw. 242.—Br. Zool. i. No 112.
  • Le Jaſeur de la Caroline, Briſſon, ii. 337.—De Buffon, Oiſ. iii. 441.— Latham, ii. 93.—LEV. MUS.—BL. MUS.

CH. With a black bill: black band of feathers acroſs the forehead, extended on each ſide of the eyes towards the hind part of the head: head creſted; color of that and neck a pale reddiſh brown: chin black: back deep brown: rump grey: coverts of wings cinereous: quil feathers duſky; ends of the ſeven laſt tipt with wax-like, or enameled appendages, of a bright ſcarlet color: tail duſky, tipt with bright yellow: breaſt whitiſh: belly and thighs of a light yellow: legs black. LENGTH ſeven inches. FEMALE wants the ſcarlet appendages to the wings.

PLACE.Inhabits America, from Nova Scotia to Mexico and Cayenne *. The Mexican name is Coquantototl. Fernandez ſays, it lives in the mountanous parts of the country. Feeds on ſeeds; but is remarkable neither for its ſong, or the delicacy of its fleſh. It migrates in flocks to New York the latter end of March; breeds there in May and June; and retires ſouth in flocks in November.

The differences between this bird, and the CHATTERERS of the old continent, are theſe:—it is about an inch inferior in length: it wants the rich yellow on the wings; but, as a recompence, has the ſame beautiful color on the belly.

IN EUROPE.The European varieties are found as high as Drontheim, and appear in great numbers during winter, about Peterſburg and Moſcow, and in all parts of Ruſſia, and are taken in flocks. They do not breed there: retiring to the very arctic circle for that purpoſe. It is ſaid, that they never have been obſerved beyond the river Lena: and that they are much ſcarcer in Sibiria than Ruſſia. Mr. Bell ſaw ſome about Tobolſki in December . The navigators found them, September 1778, on the weſtern coaſt of America, in lat. 64. 30.: long. 198. 30.

XXIII. GROSBEAK. Gen. Birds, XLV.
[347]
208. CROSSBILL.
  • Le Bee croiſe, De Buffon, iii. 449 —Pl. Enl. 218.—Br. Zool. i. No 115.
  • Loxia curviroſtra. Korſſnaf. Kiagelrifvare, Faun. Suec. No 224.—Latham, ii. 106. —LEV. MUS.—BL. MUS.

GR. With each of the mandibles crooked, and croſſing each other at the tips: wings, head, neck, and body, of a full red: wings and tail duſky: the coverts croſſed with two white lines.

The FEMALE is of a dirty green: rump of a deep yellow: the colors of each ſex vary wonderfully; there being ſcarcely two which agree in the degree of ſhades of red or green: but the bills are ſufficient diſtinctions from all other birds.

Inhabits the northern latitudes of North America, PLACE. from Hudſon's Bay to Newfoundland. Mr. Edwards mentions one taken off Greenland; but that individual muſt have been driven there by a ſtorm, ſince it could never have ſubſiſted in that woodleſs region, its food being the kernels of pine-cones, apples, and berries.

Theſe birds arrive at Severn river in Hudſon's Bay, the latter end of May; but ſo greatly affect a cold climate, as to proceed even more northward to breed. They return in autumn at the firſt ſetting-in of the froſt. Their habitations are the foreſts of pines.

They are found in all the evergreen foreſts of Ruſſia and Sibiria. In Scandinavia, as high as Drontheim. In England they only appear in certain years. I do not find that they migrate in any part except in America.

The American ſpecies varies from the European in being much leſs; and in the two white lines acroſs the wings.

209. PINE.
[348]
  • PINE GROSBEAK, Br. Zool. i. No 114.—Edw. 123.
  • Le Dur-bec, De Buffon, iii. 444.—Pl. Enl. 135.
  • Loxia enucleator. L. Canadenſis, Lin. Syſt. 299, 304.
  • Tallbit, Swanſk-Papgoia, Faun. Suec. No 223.—Latham, ii. 111.—LEV. MUS.

GR. With a very ſtrong thick bill, hooked at the end: head, and upper part of the body, of a rich crimſon; each feather marked with black in the middle: leſſer coverts incline to orange; the others duſky, croſſed by two white lines: the primaries and tail duſky: lower part of the neck, breaſt, and belly, of a pale crimſon: vent cinereous: legs black. FEMALE of a dull dirty green; twice the ſize of the Engliſh Bullfinch.

PLACE.Inhabits Hudſon's Bay *, Newfoundland, and Canada, and as far as the weſtern ſide of North America: viſits Hudſon's Bay, in April: frequents the groves of pines and junipers: ſings on its firſt arrival, but ſoon grows ſilent: makes its neſt on trees, at a ſmall height from the ground, with ſticks, and lines it with feathers. Lays four white eggs, which are hatched in June. The clerk of the California obſerved theſe birds firſt on the 25th of January: they fed on the poplar tree. It is remarked, that birds of plain colors only inhabit the frigid climates: but this gay bird is an exception.

It is likewiſe an inhabitant of the northern parts of Europe, as far as Drontheim; and in Aſia, in all the pine foreſts: is frequent in Sibiria, and the north of Ruſſia: is taken in autumn about Peterſburg, and brought to market in plenty. In ſpring it retires to Lapland.

I have ſeen them in the pine foreſts near Invereauld, in the county of Aberdeen, in Scotland, in the month of Auguſt; therefore ſuſpect they breed there.

210. CARDINAL.
[349]
  • Coccothrauſtes Indica criſtata, Aldr. ii. 289.
  • Virginian Nightingale, Will. Orn. 245.—Raii Syn. av. 85.
  • Redbird, Lawſon, 144.—Cateſby, i. 38.
  • La Cardinal hupè, De Buffon, iii. 458.
  • Groſbec de Virginie, Briſſon, iii. 253.
  • Loxia Cardinalis, Lin. Syſt. 300.—Latham, ii. 118.—LEV. MUS.—BL. MUS.

GR. With a light red bill; baſe encompaſſed with black feathers: head adorned with an upright pointed creſt: head, neck, and body, of a rich ſcarlet color: wings and tail of a dark and dull red. FEMALE of a much duller hue, with brown cheeks and back: belly of a dirty yellow. LENGTH nine inches.

Inhabits the country from Newfoundland to Louiſiana. PLACE. Is a hardy and familiar bird: very docile. Lives much on the grain of mayz, which it breaks readily with its ſtrong bill. Lays up a winter proviſion of that grain; and conceals it very artfully in its retreat, firſt with leaves, and then with ſmall branches, with an aperture for an entrance*.

Their ſong is remarkably fine; ſo that they are called the Virginian Nightingale. They ſit warbling in the mornings, during ſpring, on the tops of the higheſt trees. They alſo ſing when confined in cages, and are much ſought on account of their melody. In a ſtate of confinement the female and male are at ſuch enmity, that they will kill one another. They ſeldom are ſeen in larger numbers than three or four together. I have heard that their note is toned not unlike that of a Throſtle; and that when tame, they will learn to whiſtle. Arrives in the Jerſies and New York in the beginning of April; and during the ſummer, haunts the magnolia ſwamps. In autumn retires to the ſouth.

211. POPE.
[350]
  • Creſted Cardinal, Brown's Illuſtr. tab. xxiii.
  • Le Paroure hupè, De Buffon, iii. 501.—Pl. Enl. 103.—Latham, ii. 124.

GR. With a moſt elegant upright pointed creſt: that, head, and neck, of a moſt rich ſcarlet: ſides of the neck, breaſt, and belly, white: upper part of the neck, back, wings, and tail, dark grey: legs fleſh-color.

SIZE a little inferior to the laſt. Is ſaid to have a ſoft feeble note*.

PLACE.Inhabits from Louiſiana to Braſil.

212. RED-BREASTED.
  • Loxia Ludoviciana, Lin. Syſt. 306.—Latham, ii. 126. — Briſſon, iii. 247.
  • Le Roſe Gorge, De Buffon, iii. 460.—Pl. Enl. 153.—BL. MUS.

GR. With the head, chin, and back, deep black: coverts of the wings black, croſſed with two white lines: upper part of the primaries black; lower white: tail black; inner webs of the two outmoſt feathers marked with a large white ſpot: breaſt and inner coverts of the wings of a fine roſe-color: lower part of the back, belly, and vent, white: legs black. Head of the FEMALE ſpotted with white: breaſt yellowiſh brown, ſpotted with black.

PLACE.Inhabits from New York to Louiſiana. Arrives in New York in May: lays five eggs: retires in Auguſt. Is in that province a ſcarce bird.

213. SPOTTED.

GR. With the middle of the head, neck, and whole under ſide of the body, white, marked with narrow ſpots of brown: above each eye is a long bar of white, reaching from near the bill to the hind part of the head: back, wings, and tail, brown: the coverts of the wings croſſed with two white lines: inner coverts of the wings of a fine yellow: on the inner ſide of the outmoſt feathers of the tail is a white ſpot: legs duſky.

PLACE.Inhabits New England.—LEV. MUS.—BL. MUS.—Latham, ii. 126.

214. FANTAIL.
[351]
  • Groſbec appellé queue en eventail de Virginie, Pl. Enl. 380.—De Buffon, iii. 463. —Latham, ii. 128.

GR. With a duſky bill: ſcarlet head, neck, breaſt, and belly; colors moſt lively on the head: back and wings duſky, tinged with ſcarlet: the coverts of the tail a rich red: tail duſky, edged with red: lower belly and thighs in ſome white, perhaps females.

Inhabits Virginia. Mr. Blackburne ſent one from New York, PLACE. ſhot in November. This ſpecies has a cuſtom of ſpreading its tail like a fan, from which aroſe the name.

215. YELLOW-BELLIED.

GR. With a yellow bill: red head; hind part of an olive brown: hind part of the neck, and whole under ſide, of a fine red: wings, lower part of the back, and the tail, olive, the two middle feathers of the laſt excepted, which are red: belly yellow.

Inhabits Virginia. From Mr. Kuckahn's collection.—Latham, ii. 125.PLACE.

216. DUSKY.

GR. With the head, neck, and back, duſky, edged with pale brown: coverts of the wings duſky, croſſed with two bars of white: quil feathers dark; their outmoſt edges of a pale yellowiſh green: middle of the throat white: the breaſt, and ſides of the belly, white ſpotted with brown.

New York. Killed in June.—BL. MUS.—Latham, ii. 127.PLACE.

217. BLUE.
  • Loxia Caerulea, Lin. Syſt. 304.—Latham, ii. 116.
  • Pyrrhula Carolineus Caerulea, Briſſon, iii. 223. tab. xi.
  • Blue Groſbeak, Cateſby, i. 39.—De Buffon, iii. 454.—Pl. Enl. 154.

GR. With a narrow black liſt round the baſe of the bill: head, whole body, and coverts of the wings, of a deep blue; the laſt marked with a tranſverſe bar of red: primaries and tail brown, daſhed with green: legs duſky. FEMALE of a dark brown, with a ſmall mixture of blue.

[352] PLACE.Inhabits Carolina during ſummer only. Is a ſcarce bird, and ſeen only in pairs. Has but a ſingle note.

218. PURPLE.
  • Loxia violacea, Lin. Syſt. 306.—Latham, ii. 117.
  • Purple Groſbeak, Cateſby, i. 40.
  • Pyrrhula Bahamenſis violacea, Briſſon, iii. 326.
  • La Bouvreuil ou Bec rond violet de la Caroline, De Buffon, iv. 395.— LEV. MUS.

GR. With head and body entirely purple: wings and tail of the ſame color: over each eye a ſtripe of ſcarlet: throat and vent feathers of the ſame color. FEMALE wholly brown, with red marks ſimilar to the cock.

PLACE.Inhabits the Bahama iſlands. Feeds much on the mucilage of the poiſon * wood-berries. From the trunk of this tree diſtils a liquid, black as ink, ſaid to be a poiſon.

219. GREY.
  • Le Griſalbin, De Buffon, iii. 467.—Latham, ii. 134.
  • Groſbec de Virginie, Pl. Enl. 393, No 1.

GR. Entirely of a light grey color, except the head and neck, which are white. SIZE of a Sparrow.

PLACE.Inhabits Virginia.

220. CANADA.
  • Loxia Canadenſis, Lin. Syſt. 309.—Latham, ii. 127.
  • Le Flavert, De Buffon, iii. 462.—Briſſon, iii. 229.—Pl. Enl. 152.

GR. With the upper part of the plumage of an olive green; the lower light-colored, and inclining to yellow: chin black: baſe of the bill ſurrounded with feathers of the ſame color: legs grey.

PLACE.Suppoſed, from the Linnaean name, to inhabit Canada: but is alſo found in Cayenne.

[353]
  • A. BULFINCH, Br. Zool. i. No 116.
  • Loxia Pyrrhula. Domherre, Faun. Suec. No 225.
  • Le Bouvreuil, De Buffon, iv. 372.—Latham, ii. 143.—LEV. MUS.—BL. MUS.

GR. With a ſhort thick bill: full black crown: whole under ſide rich crimſon: tail black. Under part of the FEMALE of a light brown.

Is found in Europe as high as Sondmor *.PLACE. Frequent in the north of Ruſſia; and during winter, all over Ruſſia and Sibiria, where it is caught for the table. The LOXIA ATRA, Brunnich, No 244, a bird ſhot at Chriſtianſoe, and deſcribed as wholly black, except a white line on the wings, and the outmoſt feather in the tail, ſeems only a variety of this ſpecies.

  • GREEN GR. Br. Zool. i. No 113.
  • Loxia chloris. Swenſka, Faun. Suec, No 226.
  • Le Verdier, De Buffon, iii. 171.—Latham, ii. 134.—LEV. MUS.—BL. MUS.

GR. With the plumage of a yellowiſh green.

Inhabits Europe as far north as Drontheim. Is rare in Ruſſia. PLACE. Seen about the Kama. None in Sibiria: yet Steller deſcribes it among the birds of Kamtſchatka. Inhabits Sweden the whole year, as does the BULFINCH.

[354]
  • C. HAW GR. Br. Zool. i. No 113.
  • Le Gros-bec, De Buffon, iii. 444. tab. xxvii.—Pl. Enl. 99, 100.
  • Loxia coccothrauſtes. Stenkneck, Faun. Suec. No 222.—Latham, ii. 109.— LEV. MUS.—BL. MUS.

GR. With a large conic thick bill: crown and cheeks bay: hind part of the neck of a fine grey: chin black: breaſt dirty fleſh-color: back, and coverts of wings, deep brown: tail ſhort; inner webs white. WEIGHT two ounces.

PLACE.Is a ſpecies that ſeldom is ſeen far north. Newly arrived in Schonen, where it does much damage to cherry-orchards. Lives on the kernels of fruits, and even on walnuts and almonds, which it eaſily breaks with its ſtrong bill. Is migratory: appears only accidentally in England. Known only in the weſt and ſouth of the Ruſſian empire, where fruits grow, wild or cultivated. Diſappears in other parts, as far as beyond lake Baikal; where they come from the ſouth in great plenty, and feed on the pyrus baccata, a tree peculiar to that country. They build their neſt, like that of the Turtle, with dry ſticks faſtened with ſlender roots; and lay five blueiſh eggs, ſpotted with brown.

Figure 3. Spotted Grosbeak. No. 213. White Crowned Bunting No. [...]
XXIV. BUNTING. Gen. Birds, XLVI.
[355]
221. WHITE-CROWNED.
  • Emberiza Leucophrys, Forſter.—Phil. Tranſ. lxii. 403, 426.—Latham, ii. 200.

B. With a red bill: white crown: ſides of the head black: beneath the eyes a black line joining the former: ſpace between both white: front, ſides of the neck, and breaſt, cinereous: back and coverts of the wings of a ruſty brown, ſpotted with black, croſſed with two lines of white: ſcapulars edged with white: primaries brown: tail long, and of the ſame color: legs fleſh-colored. LENGTH ſeven inches and a half: EXTENT nine: WEIGHT three-quarters of an ounce.

Inhabits the country round Hudſon's Bay. PLACE. Viſits Severn river in June. Feeds on graſs ſeeds, grubs, inſects, &c. Makes its neſt at the bottom of willow-trees: lays four or five eggs, of a duſky color. Appears near Albany Fort in May: breeds there, and retires in September. Its flight ſhort and ſilent; but when it perches, ſings very melodiouſly.

222. SNOW.
  • Br. Zool. i. No 122.—Tawny B. No 121.—Edw. 126.
  • Emberiza nivalis, Lin. Syſt. 308.—Latham, ii. 16.
  • Sno-ſparf, Faun. Suec. No 227. tab. i.—Sneekok, vinter fugl. Cimbris.— Snee fugl. Fialſter Norvegis, Brunnich, No 245.
  • L'Ortolan de Neige, De Buffon, iv. 329.—Pl. Enl. 497.—LEV. MUS.— BL. MUS.

B. With a ſhort yellow bill, tipt with black: crown tawny: neck of the ſame color: breaſt and belly of a dull yellow, declining into white towards the vent: back and ſcapulars black, edged with reddiſh brown: the coverts of the tail white on their lower, yellowiſh on their upper parts: on the wings is a large bed of white: the other parts black and reddiſh brown: tail a little [356] forked; three outmoſt feathers white; the third black, tipt with white; the reſt wholly black: legs black: hind claw long, but not ſo ſtrait as that of the Lark. WEIGHT one ounce five drams: LENGTH ſix inches and a half: EXTENT ten.

PLACE. HUDSON'S BAY.The earlieſt of the migratory birds of Hudſon's Bay. Appeared in 1771, at Severn ſettlement, on April 11th; ſtayed about a month or five weeks; then proceeded farther north to breed*. Return in September; ſtay till November, when the ſevere froſts drive them ſouthward. Live in flocks: feed on graſs ſeeds, and are converſant about dunghills: are eaſily caught, under a ſmall net baited with oatmeal, and are very delicate meat. I am not certain of the winter retreat of theſe birds out of Hudſon's Bay; but having ſeen one of this ſpecies among thoſe ſent to Mrs. Blackburn from New York, I imagine that they ſpread over the more ſouthern parts of North America in the rigorous ſeaſon, as they do over Europe in the ſame period.

CHANGE OF COLOR.Theſe birds have a ſummer and a winter dreſs. The firſt we have deſcribed. Againſt the rigorous ſeaſon they become white on their head, neck, and whole under ſide: great part of their wings, and the rump, aſſumes the ſame color: the back, and middle feathers of the tail, are black. But Linnaeus, who was very well acquainted with this ſpecies, ſays, that they vary according to age and ſeaſon. Mr. Graham ſent to the Royal Society two ſpecimens; one in its ſummer feathers, which exactly anſwered to our TAWNY BUNTING, No 121; the other, to our SNOW BUNTING, No 122, in its winter feathers. On this evidence, I beg the readers of the Britiſh iſles to conſider the above as one and the ſame ſpecies.

GREENLAND. Hudſon's Bay is not the fartheſt of their northern migrations. They inhabit not only Greenland , but even the dreadful climate of Spitzbergen, where vegetation is nearly extinct, and ſcarcely any but cryptogamious plants are found. It therefore excites wonder, how [357] birds, which are graminivorous in every other than theſe froſt-bound regions, ſubſiſt: yet are there found in great flocks, both on the land and ice of Spitzbergen *. They annually paſs to this country by way of Norway: for in the ſpring, flocks innumerable appear, eſpecially on the Norwegian iſles: continue only three weeks, and then at once diſappear. As they do not breed in Hudſon's Bay, it is certain that many retreat to this laſt of lands, and totally uninhabited, to perform in full ſecurity the duties of love, incubation, and nutrition. That they breed in Spitzbergen is very probable; but we are aſſured that they do ſo in Greenland. They arrive there in April, and make their neſts in the fiſſures of the rocks, on the mountains, in May: the outſide of their neſt is graſs; the middle of feathers; and the lining the down of the Arctic Fox. They lay five eggs, white, ſpotted with brown: they ſing finely near their neſt.

They are caught by the boys in autumn, when they collect near the ſhores in great flocks in order to migrate; and are eaten dried.

In Europe they inhabit, during ſummer, the moſt naked Lapland Alps; and deſcend, in rigorous ſeaſons, into Sweden, and fill the roads and fields; on which account the Dalecarlians call them Illwarsfogel, or bad-weather birds. The Uplanders, Hardvarsfogel, expreſſive of the ſame. The Laplanders ſtyle them Alaipg. Olaus Magnus ſpeaks of them under the name of Aviculae nivales §, but mixes much fable in his narrative: he perches them alſo on trees; whereas they always ſit upon the ground.

Leems remarks, I know not with what foundation, that they fatten on the flowing of the tides, in Finmark, and grow lean on the ebb. The Laplanders take them in great numbers in hair ſpringes, for the tables, their fleſh being very delicate.

They ſeem to make the countries within the whole arctic circle [358] their ſummer reſidence; from whence they overflow the more ſouthern countries in amazing multitudes, at the ſetting in of winter in the frigid zone. In the winter of 1778-9, they came in ſuch multitudes into Birſa, one of the Orkney iſlands, as to cover the whole barony; yet, of all the numbers, hardly two agreed in colors.

NORTH OF BRITAIN. Lapland, and perhaps Iceland, furniſhes the north of Britain with the ſwarms that frequent thoſe parts during winter, as low as the Cheviot hills, in lat. 55. 32. Their reſting-places, the Feroe iſles, Schetland, and the Orknies. The highlands of Scotland, in particular, abound with them. Their flights are immenſe; and they mingle ſo cloſely together, in form of a ball, that the fowlers make great havock among them. They arrive lean, ſoon become very fat, and are delicious food. They either arrive in the highlands very early, or a few breed there; for I had one ſhot for me at Invercauld, the 4th of Auguſt. But there is a certainty of their migration, for multitudes of them often fall, wearied with their paſſage, on the veſſels that are ſailing through the Pentland Frith *.

In their ſummer dreſs they are ſometimes ſeen in the ſouth of England , the climate not having ſeverity ſufficient to affect the colors; yet now and then a milk-white one appears, which is uſually miſtaken for a white Lark.

RUSSIA. SIBIRIA. Ruſſia and Sibiria receive them, in their ſevere ſeaſon, annually, in amazing flocks, overflowing almoſt all Ruſſia. They frequent the villages, and yield a moſt luxurious repaſt. They vary there infinitely in their winter colors; are pure white, ſpeckled, and even quite brown. This ſeems to be the influence of difference of age more than of ſeaſon.

GERMANY. Germany has alſo its ſhare of them. In Auſtria they are caught, and fed with millet, and afford the epicure a treat equal to that of the Ortolan §.

223. BLACK.
[359]
  • Fringilla Hudſonias, Forſter.—Ph. Tranſ. lxii.—Latham, ii. 666.
  • Snow-bird, Cateſby, i. 36.—LEV. MUS.—BL. MUS.

B. With a white ſhort bill: blue eye: head, neck, wings, body, and tail, of a footy blackneſs, edged with ruſt: breaſt, belly, and vent, of a pure white: exterior ſides of the primaries edged with white; of the ſecondaries, with pale brown: exterior webs of the outmoſt feathers of the tail white: of the ſpecimen deſcribed in the Tranſactions, the two outmoſt are wholly white, and the third marked with a white ſpot; the reſt duſky. LENGTH ſix inches and a half: EXTENT nine: WEIGHT half an ounce.

Appears near Severn ſettlement not ſooner than June: PLACE. ſtays a fortnight: frequents the plains: feeds on graſs ſeeds: retires into the arctic parts to breed. Returns to Hudſon's Bay in autumn, in its paſſage to the ſouth. Migrates into New York, where it continues the whole winter. Appears in the ſouthern provinces, as low as Carolina, but chiefly in ſnow, or when the weather is harder than ordinary*. Arrive in millions, in very rigorous ſeaſons, and fly about the houſes and barns to pick up the corn. Frequent the gardens, and the ſmall hills, to feed on the ſcattered ſeeds of graſs. Are called by the Swedes, Snovogel, or Snow-bird; by the Americans, Chuck-bird . They do not change their colors in any ſeaſon of the year. Are eſteemed very delicate meat.

224. TOWHEE.
  • Towhee-bird, Cateſby, i. 34.—Latham, ii. 199.
  • Fringilla Erythrophthalma, Lin. Syſt.—Briſſon, iii. 169.
  • Le Pinſon noir, aux yeux rouges, De Buffon, iv. 141.—LEV. MUS.—BL. MUS.

B. With the head, coverts of the wings, whole upper ſide of the body, and breaſt, black: middle of the belly white: ſides orange: quil feathers black, edged with white: tail long, and [360] black; exterior edge of the outmoſt feathers white; and a large white ſpot on the end of the three firſt; middle feathers entirely black.

FEMALE of a ruſty brown: belly white, bounded by dirty yellow: irides in both ſexes red. LENGTH eight inches and a half.

PLACE.Inhabits New York and Carolina. Has a pretty note.

225. RICE.
  • Maia Fernandez, 56. C. ccxix.—Wil. Orn. 386.—Raii Syn. Av.
  • Rice-bird, Hortulanus Carolinenſis, Cateſby, i. 14.—Edw. 291.
  • Emberiza oryzivora, Lin. Syſt. 311.—Latham, ii. 288, 289.
  • L'Ortolan de la Caroline, Briſſon, iii. 282.
  • L'Agripenne, ou l'Ortolan de Riz, De Buffon, iv. 337.—Pl. Enl. 388.—LEV. MUS. —BL. MUS.

B. With the head, and whole under ſide of the body, black: hind part of the neck in ſome pale yellow; in others, white: coverts of the wings, and primaries, black; the laſt edged with white: part of the ſcapulars, leſſer coverts of the wings, and rump, white: back black, edged with dull yellow: tail of the ſame colors, and each feather ſharply pointed: legs red. LENGTH ſeven inches and a quarter.

Head, upper part of the neck, and back, of the FEMALE, yellowiſh brown, ſpotted with black: under part of a dull yellow: ſides thinly ſtreaked with black. The bird deſcribed by le Comte de Buffon, under the title of l'Agripenne de la Louiſiane *, ſeems to be no other than a female of this ſpecies, varied by having ſome of the ſecondary feathers wholly white.

PLACE.Theſe birds inhabit in vaſt numbers the iſland of Cuba, where they commit great ravages among the early crops of rice, which precede thoſe of Carolina. As ſoon as the crops of that province are to their palate, they quit Cuba, and paſs over the ſea, in numerous flights, directly north; and are very often heard in their paſſage by ſailors frequenting that courſe. Their appearance is in [361] September, while the rice is yet milky; and commit ſuch devaſtations, that forty acres of that grain have been totally ruined by them in a ſmall time.

They arrive very lean; but ſoon grow ſo fat, as to fly with difficulty; and, when ſhot, often burſt with the fall. They continue in Carolina not much above three weeks, and retire by the time the rice begins to harden. They are eſteemed to be the moſt delicate birds of the country. I am informed, that the male birds have a fine note.

It is very ſingular, that, among the myriads which pay their autumnal viſit, there never is found a ſingle cock-bird. Mr. Cateſby verified the fact by diſſecting numbers, under a ſuppoſition, that there might have been the young of both ſexes, which had not arrived at the full colors; but found them all to be females, which are properly the RICE-BIRDS. Both ſexes make a tranſient viſit to Carolina in the ſpring. It is ſaid, that a few ſtragglers continue in that country the whole year.

RICE, the periodical food of theſe birds, is a grain of India *: it probably arrived in Europe (where it has been much cultivated) by way of Bactria, Suſia, Babylon, and the lower Syria . The time in which it reached Italy is uncertain: for the Oryza of Pliny is a very different plant from the common Rice; but the laſt has been ſown with great ſucceſs about Verona for ages paſt; and was imported from thence, and from Egypt , into England; until, by a mere accident, it was introduced into Carolina. It was firſt planted there about 1688, by Sir Nathaniel Johnſon, then governor of the province; but the ſeed being ſmall and bad, the culture made little progreſs.

Chance brought here, in 1696, a veſſel from Madagaſcar; the maſter of which preſented a Mr. Woodward with about half a buſhel, of an excellent kind§; and from this ſmall beginning ſprung an [362] immenſe ſource of wealth to the ſouthern provinces of America; and to Europe relief from want in times of dearth. Within little more than half a century, a hundred and twenty thouſand barrels of Rice have been in one year exported from South Carolina; and eighteen thouſand * from Georgia: and all from the remnant of a ſea ſtore, left in the bottom of a ſack!—Ought I not to retract the word chance, and aſcribe to PROVIDENCE ſo mighty an event from ſo ſmall a cauſe?

226. PAINTED.
  • Painted Finch, Cateſby, i. 44.—Lawſon, 144.
  • Emberiza ciris, Lin. Syſt. 313.—Edw. 130, 173.
  • Le Verdier de la Louiſiane, dit vulgairement le Pape, Briſſon, iii. 200. App. 74. —Pl. Enl. 159.—De Buffon, iv. 176.—Latham, ii. 206.—LEV. MUS.— BL. MUS.

B. With the head, and hind part of the head, of an exquiſite deep blue: orbits ſcarlet: back, greater coverts, and ſecondaries, green: primaries duſky: the upper orders of leſſer coverts of a fine blue; the lower, orange: rump, and whole under ſide of the body, of a rich ſcarlet; the ſides declining into yellow: tail duſky, edged with green.

This beautiful ſpecies is ſome years in arriving at the height of its colors. At firſt is of a plain brown, like a hen Sparrow; in the next ſtage, becomes blue; in the third, attains the perfection of its gay teints.

The FEMALE is brown, and has over its plumage a tinge of green.

[363]Inhabits Carolina in the ſummer-time; but migrates in winter perhaps as far as Vera Cruz, in Spaniſh America, PLACE. where the Spaniards call it Maripoſa pintada, or the Painted Butterfly. It chuſes a tree for neſtling equal to its own elegance of form and color; affecting the orange for that purpoſe.

227. LOUISIANE.
  • Hortulanus Ludoviſianus, Briſſon, iii. 278.—De Buffon, iv. 325.—Pl. Enl. 158.
  • Emberiza Ludovicia, Lin. Syſt. 310.—Latham, ii. 177.

B. With the crown reddiſh, ſurrounded with a black mark, in form of a horſe-ſhoe: another black line beneath each eye: the whole upper part of the body of a ruſty brown, ſpotted with black: lower part of the back, leſſer coverts of the wings, and rump, black: breaſt and belly reddiſh; towards the vent growing more faint: tail and primaries black.

Inhabits Louiſiana. Nearly allied to the European ſpecies:PLACE. perhaps a female, or young bird.

228. BLACK-THROATED.

B. With a large and thick bill: fore part of the head of a yellowiſh green: hind part and cheeks cinereous: above each eye a line of rich yellow: on the corner of the mouth another: on the throat a black ſpot: breaſt and belly of a fine yellow: back, ſcapulars, and ſecondaries, black, edged with reddiſh brown: leſſer coverts of a bright bay: primaries and tail of a duſky brown: vent and thighs white: legs duſky.

Inhabits New York. LEV. MUS.—BL. MUS.—Latham, ii. 197.PLACE.

229. UNALASCHA.

B. With a yellow line from the bill, reaching over each eye: crown duſky, divided lengthways with a white line: back black, edged with pale brown: tail and primaries duſky, edged with white: throat and breaſt white, ſpotted with black: belly white.

Inhabits Unalaſcha. Latham, ii. 202. No 47.PLACE.

230. BLACK-CROWNED.
[364]

B. With a deep black crown, and a rich yellow ſpot on the fore part: feathers on the back black, edged with ruſt-color: wings of the ſame color, croſſed with a double line of white: rump olive brown: throat and breaſt cinereous: belly whitiſh: tail long, and of a deep brown: legs yellowiſh.

PLACE.Inhabits Natka Sound. Latham, ii. 202.

231. RUSTY.

B. With head, neck, breaſt, and ſides, ruſt-colored: belly white: wings ferruginous, with two white, marks on the primaries: tail of the ſame color: the two outmoſt feathers of the tail tipt with white.

PLACE. New York. In Mrs. Blackburn's collection. Perhaps the ſame with Mr. Latham's ſpecies, ii. 197*: if ſo, it is common to Ruſſia and America. Latham, ii. 202.

232. UNALASCHA.

B. With head, upper part of the neck, back, wings, and tail, brown, tinged with red: breaſt and ſides dirty white, clouded: middle of the belly plain dirty white.

PLACE.Inhabits the weſtern ſide of North America.

233. CINEREOUS.
  • Le Bruant de Canada? Briſſon, iii. 296.
  • Le Cul-rouſſet, De Buffon, iv. 368.—Latham, ii. 204.—LEV. MUS.

B. With a ſhort bill: head, neck, back, breaſt, and coverts of the wings and tail, of a pale reddiſh brown, edged with aſh-color: on the neck and breaſt: the aſh-color predominates: belly white: primaries duſky, edged with white: tail pale brown, with the ends ſharp-pointed.

PLACE.Inhabits Canada.

233. A VAR.

B. With a yellow bill: head, back, and wings, ruſt-colored; each feather deeply and elegantly edged with pale grey; ſome of the greater coverts edged with paler ruſt; the primaries and []

Figure 4. Black throated Bunting No. 228. Cinereous Bunting No 333

[365] tertials with white: throat, breaſt, and ſides, white, fully ſpotted with ruſt: middle of the belly white: middle feathers of the tail brown; exterior feathers white; each feather truncated obliquely.

Inhabits New York. BL. MUS.PLACE.

234. BLUE.
  • Le Bruant bleu de Canada, Briſſon, iii. 298.
  • L'Azuroux, De Buffon, iv. 369.—Latham, ii. 205.

B. With the crown of a dirty red: the upper part of the neck and body, ſcapulars, and leſſer coverts of the wings, of the ſame color, varied with blue: the lower part of the neck, breaſt, and belly, of a lighter red, mixed with blue: primaries and tail brown; with the exterior edges of a cinereous blue.

Inhabits Canada. Breeds in New England; PLACE. but does not winter there.

235. INDIGO.
  • Tanagra cyanea, Lin. Syſt. 315.—Latham, ii. 205.
  • Blue Linnet, Cateſby, i. 45.
  • Le Tangara bleu de la Caroline, Briſſon, iii. 13.
  • Le Miniſtre, De Buffon, iv. 86.—BL. MUS.—LEV. MUS.

B. With a duſky bill: plumage of a rich ſky-blue color; lighteſt about the belly and breaſt: acroſs the coverts of the wings is a row of black ſpots: primaries and tail duſky, edged with blue.

FEMALE brown above; of a dirty white beneath. In SIZE leſs than the Engliſh Goldfinch.

Inhabits (according to Cateſby) the interior parts of Carolina, PLACE. a hundred and fifty miles from the ſea. Has the note of a Linnet. It is found as low as Mexico, where the Spaniards call it Azul Lexos, or the far-fetched bird: and the Americans call it the Indigo bird. Notwithſtanding Cateſby, it appears in the province of New York, in May. Makes its neſt of dead yellow graſs, lined with the down of ſome plant; and places it between the fork of an upright branch.

[366]
  • A. GOLDEN BUNTING. Emberiza Aureola, Pallas Itin. ii. 711.—Latham, ii. 201.

B. With the crown, hind part of the neck, and back, of a deep bay: ſides of the head, throat, and ſpace round the noſtrils, black: under part of the neck, breaſt, and belly, of a moſt beautiful citron-color: the middle of the neck croſſed by a bar of bay: vent white: wings duſky, marked with a great bed of white: tail a little forked; two outmoſt feathers on each ſide croſſed obliquely with white: legs pale aſh-colored.

PLACE.Found only in Sibiria. Moſt frequent in the eaſt part; where it extends even to Kamtſchatka. Is converſant in the iſlands, in rivers overgrown with reeds and willows. Has the note of the Reed Sparrow.

  • B. COMMON B. Br. Zool. i. No 118.
  • Kornlarka, Faun. Suec. No 228.
  • Knotter Norvigis, Brunnich, No 247.
  • Le Proyer, De Buffon, iv. 355.—Pl. Enl. 30. 1.—Latham, ii. 171.—LEV. MUS.

B. With the head, and upper part of the body, light brown; lower part yellowiſh white: all parts, except the belly, ſpotted with black: tail ſubfurcated, duſky edged with white.

PLACE.Inhabits Europe as high as Sondmor *. Migrates into the ſouth of Ruſſia. Unknown in Sibiria.

[367]
  • C. YELLOW B. Br. Zool. i. No 119.
  • Groning. Goldſpink. Faun. Suec. No 230.
  • Le Bruant de France, De Buffon, iv. 340.—Pl. Enl. 30. 2.—Latham, ii. 170.— LEV. MUS.

B. With the crown of a fine light yellow: chin, throat, and belly, yellow: breaſt marked with orange red: rump ruſt-colored: tail brown; two outmoſt feathers marked, near the end, obliquely with white.

Found as high as Sondmor *, in the Ruſſian empire. In Ruſſia, PLACE. and the weſt of Sibiria: but none in the wilds of the eaſt.

  • D. ORTOLAN, Wil. Orn. 270.—Raii Syn. Av. 94.
  • Emberiza Hortulana, Lin. Syſt. 309.—Faun. Suec. No 229.
  • L'Ortolan, De Buffon, iv. 305.—Pl. Enl. 247. 1.—Latham, ii. 166.—LEV. MUS.

B. With a cinereous crown: yellow throat: back pale brown, ſpotted with black: rump daſhed with yellow: belly ruſt-colored: tail duſky; inner ends of the outmoſt feathers marked with a great ſpot of white.

Theſe are a ſouthern ſpecies; but ſometimes wander into Sweden, PLACE. in March. Breed, and quit the country in autumn. Are common in Ruſſia and Sibiria, but not further than the Oby. Arrive in France with the Swallows. In Italy, about Padua, in May, and retire in September §. I cannot trace their winter reſidence. They come rather lean. Make an artleſs neſt: lay four or five greyiſh eggs: and uſually lay twice in the ſummer. Theſe birds ſing prettily, and in the night: but, by epicures, are valued more as a delicious morſel, than for their ſong. They are taken and placed in a chamber lightened by lanthorns; ſo that, not knowing the viciſſitudes of day and night, they are not agitated by the change. Are [368] fed with oats and millet; and grow ſo fat, that they would certainly die, if not killed in a critical minute. They are a mere lump of fat; of a moſt exquiſite taſte; but apt ſoon to ſatiate.

Theſe birds receive both their Greek and their Latin name from their food, the millet. Ariſtotle calls them Cynchromi; and the Latins, Miliariae *. The latter kept and fattened them in their ornithones, or fowl-yards, as the Italians do at preſent; which the antients conſtructed with the utmoſt magnificence, as well as conveniency.

  • E. REED B. Br. Zool. i. No 120.
  • Saf. Sparf. Faun. Suec. No 231.
  • Ror-Spurv. Brunnich, No 251.
  • L'Ortolan de roſeaux, De Buffon, iv. 315.—Pl. Enl. 247. 2.—Latham, ii. 173.— LEV. MUS.

B. With black head and throat: cheeks and head encircled with white: body above ruſty, ſpotted with black; beneath white. FEMALE has a ruſt-colored head, ſpotted with black: wants the white ring.

PLACE.Is found as far north as Denmark: and is rare in Sweden. Common in the ſouth of Ruſſia and Sibiria. Its ſong nocturnal, and ſweet. Makes a neſt pendulous, between four reeds.

XXV. TANAGER. Gen. Birds. XLVII.
[369]
236. SUMMER.
  • Summer Red-bird, Cateſby, i. 56.—Edw. 239.
  • Muſcicapa rubra, Lin. Syſt. 326.—Briſſon, ii. 432.
  • Tangara du Miſſiſipi, De Buffon, iv. 252.—Pl. Enl. 741.—Latham, ii. [...]20.

T. Wholly red, except the wings; the ends of which are brown: bill yellow: legs reddiſh. FEMALE brown, with a tinge of yellow.

Inhabits the woods on the Miſſiſipi. Sings agreeably. Collects,PLACE. againſt winter, a vaſt magazine of maize, which it carefully conceals with dry leaves, leaving only the hole by way of entrance; and is ſo jealous of it, as never to quit its neighborhood, except to drink*.

237. CANADA.
  • Scarlet Sparrow, Edw. 343.
  • Tanagra rubra, Lin. Syſt. 314.—Latham, ii. 217. No 3. A.
  • Tangara de Canada, De Buffon, iv. 250.—Pl. Enl. 156.

T. With a whitiſh bill: head, neck, and whole body, of a brilliant ſcarlet; the bottoms of the feathers black: primaries duſky; lower part of their inner webs white: tail and legs black; tips of the firſt white; but that circumſtance is ſometimes wanted. The ſuppoſed FEMALE is of a green color, light and yellowiſh beneath. SIZE of a Sparrow.

Inhabits from New York to the Braſils. PLACE. In New York it appears in May, and retires in Auguſt. Is a very ſhy bird, and lives in the deepeſt woods.

238. OLIVE.

T. With the head, whole upper part of the body, and coverts of the wings, of an olive green, fading into cinereous towards the rump: wings and tail brown, edged with white: throat and breaſt of a fine yellow: belly white: legs brown. Wings and tail [370] of the FEMALE duſky, edged with olive: under ſide of the body of a very pale yellow.

PLACE.Inhabits New York: and as far ſouth as Cayenne *. BL. MUS.— Latham, ii. 218.

239. GREY.
  • Le Gris-olive, De Buffon, 277.—Pl. Enl. 714.—Latham, ii. 236.

T. With a black bill: forehead, and ſpace above the eyes, grey: back of an olive grey: wings and tail duſky, edged with grey: under part of the body an uniform grey.

PLACE.Inhabits Guiana and Louiſiana.

240. BISHOP.
  • Latham, ii. 226.
  • Tanagra epiſcopus, Lin. Syſt. 316.
  • L'Eveque, Briſſon, iii.
  • Le Bluet, De Buffon, iv. 265.—Pl. Enl. 176.—LEV. MUS.

T. With a black bill: whole plumage of a blueiſh grey; in ſome places greeniſh: on the coverts of the wings the blue predominates: legs aſh-colored. Head, neck, and breaſt, of the FEMALE of a blueiſh green: back, and coverts of the wings, brown; the laſt croſſed obliquely with a greyiſh ſtroke: primaries and tail black.

PLACE.Inhabits Louiſiana ; and as low as Cayenne. Haunts the ſkirts of foreſts, and feeds on the ſmaller fruits. Is ſometimes gregarious, but uſually found in pairs. Rooſts on the palm-trees. Has a very ſharp and diſagreeable note.

XXVI. FINCH. Gen. Birds. XLVIII.
[371]
241. COWPEN.
  • Cowpen-bird, Cateſby, i. 34.—Latham, ii. 269.
  • Le Pinçon de Virginie, Briſſon, iii. 165.
  • Le Brunet, De Buffon, iv. 138.—LEV. MUS.—BL. MUS.

F. With the head and neck of a duſky brown: back, wings, and body, of a fine black, gloſſed with green and blue: tail the ſame: legs black. Crown and upper part of the FEMALE deep brown: throat white: breaſt and belly light cinereous brown: wings and tail duſky, edged with brown. Bigger than the Engliſh Bulfinch.

Arrives in New York in May: lays five eggs in June: PLACE. and migrates ſouthward in Auguſt. Appears in flights in winter, in Virginia and Carolina, and aſſociates with the Redwing Orioles, and Purple Grakles. It delights much to feed about the pens of cattle; which gave occaſion to the name.

242. GOLDEN.
  • American Goldfinch, Cateſby, i. 43.—Edw. 274.—Latham, ii. 289.
  • Fringilla Triſtis, Lin. Syſt. 320.
  • Le Chardonneret jaune, De Buffon, iv. 212.—Pl. Enl. 202.—BL. MUS.

F. With a fleſh-colored bill: fore part of the head black: reſt of the head, neck, and whole body, of a moſt beautiful gold color; whitening towards the vent: wings black, with two lines of white: tail black: inner webs of the exterior feathers white: legs brown. FEMALE wants the black mark on the head: whole upper part of an olive green; lower part of a pale yellow: in other marks the ſexes agree: on coverts of wings two bars of yellow.

243. NEW-YORK SISKIN.
[372]
  • Le Tarin de la Nouvelle York, De Buffon, iv. 231.—Pl. Enl. 292.—Latham, ii. 291.

F. With a black crown: neck encircled with yellow: breaſt and rump of the ſame color; the laſt fading into white: back olive brown: wings and tail black, edged with white: belly and vent whitiſh. The crown of the FEMALE wants the black: its colors alſo in general are leſs brilliant than thoſe of the male. Superior in ſize to the European kind; but ſeems only a variety.

PLACE.Inhabits New York.

244. ORANGE.
  • Bahama Finch, Cateſby, i. 42.—Latham, ii. 276.
  • Fringilla Zena, Lin. Syſt. 320.—Briſſon, iii. 368.—De Buffon, iv. 140?

F. With a yellow throat: head and neck black: above and beneath each eye a long white line: breaſt orange-colored: belly white: back greeniſh: coverts of the wings black; loweſt order white: primaries and tail duſky, edged with white: legs lead-color. Head of the FEMALE aſh-color:FEMALE. back of a dull green: belly of a dull yellow.

PLACE.Inhabits the Bahama iſles.

245. RED-BREASTED.

F. With a white bill: cheeks, throat, and under ſide of the neck and breaſt, of a rich crimſon: belly white: crown, upper part of the neck, back, wings, and tail, black: coverts croſſed with two lines of white: legs black.

Eight of theſe were driven, in a ſtorm, on Sandy Hook, in April 1779. Latham, ii. 272.

246. TREE.
[373]
  • Br. Zool. i. No 128.
  • Mountain Sparrow, fern. Edw. 269.—Latham, ii. 252, 265.
  • Moineau de Canada, Briſſon, iii. 102.—Pl. Enl. 223.
  • Le Soulciet, De Buffon, iii. 500.—BL. MUS.—LEV. MUS.

F. With the end of the bill duſky; baſe of the lower mandible yellow: cheeks, and under ſide of the neck, pale aſh-color: from the baſe of the bill, on each ſide, is a red line paſſing above the throat: crown, hind part of the neck, and feathers on the ridge of the wings, bay: back ferruginous, ſpotted with black: coverts of the wings black, edged with ruſt-color, and croſſed with two bars of white: belly and breaſt of a dirty white: tail duſky, edged with aſh-color. LENGTH ſix inches and a half: EXTENT ten.

Inhabits Hudſon's Bay during ſummer.PLACE. Comes to Severn ſettlement in May. Advances farther north to breed; and returns in autumn, in its way ſouthward. Found alſo in Penſylvania. Suppoſed, by Mr. Edwards, to be the female of the Tree, or Mountain Sparrow, Br. Zool. i. No 128; but as I have had opportunity of ſeeing ſpecimens of this bird from Hudſon's Bay, Newfoundland, and New York *, all of which agreed in marks and colors, I have no doubt but that it is a diſtinct ſpecies.

247. BAHAMA.
  • Bahama Sparrow, Cateſby, i. 37.—Latham, ii. 300.
  • Fringilla bicolor, Lin. Syſt. 324.
  • Le Verdier de Bahama, Briſſon, iii. 202.—LEV. MUS.

F. With the head, neck, and breaſt, black: the remaining parts of a dirty green color. SIZE of a Canary-bird.

Inhabits the woods of the Bahama iſlands.PLACE. Sits perched on a buſh, and ſings, repeating one ſet tune.

248. WHITE-THROATED.
  • Edwards, 304.—Latham, ii. 272.—BL. MUS.

F. With a broad bar croſſing from the bill, over each eye, towards the hind part of the head; orange-colored near the bill; [374] white beyond the eyes; and bounded above and below with a duſky line: crown divided lengthways by a white ſtroke: throat white: hind part of the neck, back, and coverts of the wings, prettily ſpotted with black, aſh-color, and ferruginous: primaries and tail duſky, edged with white: ridge of the wing pale yellow: breaſt and belly of a browniſh white: legs yellowiſh.

PLACE.Inhabits Penſylvania. Mr. Blackburne ſaw a ſmall flock of them in the province of New York, in January. I have likewiſe deſcribed them from Newfoundland, where they are found during ſummer: one, which I ſuppoſe to be the female, had the yellow ſpot at the baſe of the bill very obſcure, nor had it the white ſpot on the chin.

249. YELLOW-THROATED.

F. With head, and upper part of body, cinereous: primaries duſky, edged with pale brown: chin white: on the throat a pale yellow ſpot: belly of a dirty white: legs and bill of a blueiſh grey.

PLACEInhabits the province of New York,

250. STRIPED.
  • Latham, ii. 275.

F. With a lead-colored bill: forehead, and ſpace between the beak and eyes, yellow; on the crown are three black ſtripes on a white ground: behind each eye is a black ſpot: cheeks and chin whitiſh: hind part of the neck and back brown, ſpotted with duſky: coverts of the wings uniform brown: tail of the ſame color, and ſubcuneiform: primaries duſky: breaſt light grey: belly ſtill paler.

PLACE.Shot in New York in May. In the cabinet of Major Davies, of the Artillery: a gentleman to whom this Work is under great obligations.

251. FERRUGINOUS.
[375]
  • Little Sparrow, Edw. 354.—Latham, ii. 272.—BL. MUS.

F. With the head and back cinereous, edged with ruſt-color: coverts of the wings and tail of a bright ferruginous: inner webs of the primaries, and the tail, duſky; the exterior ferruginous: the cheeks, breaſt, and belly, white, marked with large bright ſpots of ferruginous: legs yellowiſh. SIZE of a Houſe Sparrow.

Inhabits Newfoundland, and as low as Penſylvania. PLACE. Called in New York, the Shepherd, from its note ſhep, ſhep: ſtays there only the winter. Fond of ſcraping the ground.

A bird of a plain duſky ruſt-color above, and white beneath, ſpotted like the former, ſhot at Unalaſcha, ſeems a variety.

252. FASCIATED.

F. With the crown, hind part of the neck, and back, ruſt-colored, ſpotted with black; the ſpots on the back large: coverts of the wings of a plain ferruginous: primaries duſky, edged with dirty white: whole under ſide white, with black ſtreaks pointing downwards: tail brown, croſſed by numerous duſky bars.

Inhabits New York. BL. MUS.—Latham, ii. 273.PLACE.

253. GRASS.

F. With the head, upper part of the neck, and back, cinereous, ruſt-colored, and black: cheeks brown: leſſer coverts of the wings bright bay: the orders below black, edged with white: primaries duſky, edged with white: lower part of the neck and ſides white, ſpotted with ſmall white ſtreaks: belly pure white: tail duſky.

Inhabits New York. Lays five eggs in May, in the graſs.PLACE. Called the Grey Graſs-bird. Continues the whole winter. BL. MUS.—Latham, ii. 273.

254. WINTER.
[376]

F. With the head, neck, and back, of a light brown, ſpotted with black: under part of the neck, breaſt, and ſides, white, with ſmall brown ſpots: belly white, and unſpotted: primaries brown, edged with white; as are the coverts.

PLACE.Inhabits New York. Seen and killed there, out of a ſmall flock, in January. BL. MUS.—Latham, ii. 274.

255. BLACK-FACED.
  • Le Moineau de la Caroline, De Buffon, iii. 496.—Pl. Enl. 181. fig. 2.— Latham, ii. 253.

F. With the fore part of the head and chin black: hind part, neck, and rump, crimſon: back, tail, and wings, black, edged with ruſt-color: breaſt croſſed with a black band: belly browniſh.

PLACEInhabits Carolina, according to the Count De Buffon, who ſuppoſes it to be the female of a creſted Finch, of a very different aſpect*.

256. NORTON.

F. With the head, upper part of the neck, and ſecondaries, black, edged with bright bay: rump bright bay, edged with aſh: leſſer coverts of the wings bright bay; middle order black, croſſed with a white line; primaries duſky: throat buff-colored; bounded on each ſide by a duſky line: belly and ſides white: ſides and under part of the neck ſpotted with ruſt-color: tail duſky, edged with dirty white: along the middle of the outmoſt feather is a pure white line, ending at the tip.

PLACE.Diſcovered in Norton Sound.—Latham, ii. 274.

257. CRIMSON-HEAD.

F. With a crimſon head and breaſt; the firſt faintly marked with duſky ſpots: ſpace behind each eye duſky: back, coverts of the wings, primaries, and tail, black, edged with crimſon: belly white, tinged with red.

[377]Inhabits New York. Arrives there in April. PLACE. Is very frequent among the Red Cedars, and ſhifts moſt nimbly around the ſtems. BL. MUS.—A bird of this ſpecies, or nearly related, is deſcribed by Doctor Pallas, under the name of Fringilla roſea *; which, he ſays, frequents lake Baikal, and the country to the north of that water.IN ASIA.

258. PURPLE.
  • Purple Finch, Cateſby, i. 41.—Latham, ii. 275.
  • Le Bouvreuil violet de la Caroline, Briſſon, iii. 324.

F. With a purple head and body, with ſome duſky mixture, eſpecially the inner webs of the primaries, and the tail: belly white. FEMALE brown, with the breaſt ſpotted like a Thruſh.

Appears in Carolina, in November. Feeds on juniper-berries.PLACE. In February, deſtroys the ſwelling buds of fruit trees.

259. LAPLAND.
  • Fringilla Lapponica, Lin. Syſt. 317.—Faun. Suec. No 235.
  • Fringilla calcarata, Pallas Travels, ii. App. 710. tab. E.
  • Le Grand Montain, De Buffon, iv. 134.—Latham, ii. 263.

F. With a yellow bill, with a duſky point: crown black: from the baſe of the bill is a white line, paſſing under each eye, deſcending down the ſides of the neck, bending towards the breaſt: throat, and fore part of the breaſt, black: its ſides and belly white: hind part of the neck and back brown, mixed with ruſt-color: tail forked; that, and the wings, duſky, edged with ruſt-color; ſome of the exterior feathers of the tail marked, near their ends, with a white ſpot: legs dark brown: hind claw long, like a Lark's, and almoſt ſtrait. LENGTH five inches: EXTENT ſeven: WEIGHT half an ounce.

A bird of a hardy conſtitution.PLACE. Inhabits Hudſon's Bay during winter. Appears in November, and lives among the juniper buſhes. Is called by the natives, Tecurmaſhiſh.

[378]It alſo inhabits Greenland, but continues there only in the ſummer. Makes an artleſs neſt of moſs and graſs, lined with a few feathers; and lays in June five or ſix eggs, of a clay-color, clouded: departs early*. Is found in Lapland, in the Feroe iſles, the northern parts of Sibiria, and near the Urallian chain, where it breeds. Arrives in flocks, from the ſouth, and frequent the fields at the firſt flowering of the Draba verna, or Whitlow-graſs. Has nearly the note of a Linnet; but its flight is higher, and more laſting. It runs on the ground like a Lark: and feeds on ſeeds.

260. CINEREOUS.

F. With the head, upper part of the body, wings, and tail, deep cinereous brown, edged with obſcure ruſt-color: at the corner of the upper mandible is a light grey line; another bounds the cheeks beneath; and a duſky line bounds that: the throat is of a light grey: under ſide of the neck pale cinereous, marked with great duſky black ſpots: middle of the belly whitiſh: bill long: that and the legs duſky.

PLACE.Inhabits Unalaſcha. Latham, ii. 274.

261. GREATER REDPOLL.
  • Greater Red-headed Linnet, Br. Zool. i. No 131.—Latham, ii. 304.
  • Hampling, Faun. Suec. No 240.
  • La Linotte, De Buffon, iv. 58.—Pl. Enl. 485.—LEV. MUS.—BL. MUS.

F. With a blood-red ſpot on the forehead: breaſt tinged with roſe-color. In the European ſpecies, a ruſt-color prevales in all the upper part of the body; in this the greateſt portion is white. LENGTH five inches and a half: EXTENT nine.

PLACE.Is found in the northern parts of North America. Is ſeen only in the ſouth and weſt of Ruſſia: yet is met with in Scandinavia, as high as Drontheim. None in Sibiria.

262. LESSER REDPOLL.
[379]
  • Br. Zool. i. No 132.—Ph. Tranſ. lxii. 405.
  • Graſiſka, Faun. Suec. No 241.
  • Le Sizerin, De Buffon, iv. 216.—Pl. Enl. 151. 2.—Latham, ii. 305.—LEV. MUS.—BL. MUS.

F. With a red ſpot on the forehead: breaſt of the ſame color: back duſky, edged with ruſty brown; coverts brown, with two tranſverſe bars of white.

Inhabits Hudſon's Bay, and probably other parts of America: PLACE. alſo Greenland, where it arrives in April, and quits the country in autumn. Is found in Sweden. Is ſeen in prodigious flocks all over Ruſſia and Sibiria, particularly in the ſpring, flying about the villages. Mr. Steller alſo ſaw it in Kamtſchatka, and the iſlands.

  • A. ARCTIC F. Fringilla flaviroſtris, Lin. Syſt. 322.
  • Riſka, Faun. Suec. No 239.—Latham, ii. 260.

F. With a yellow bill: body black and aſh-color, lighteſt in front: wings and tail black: tips of the feathers on the breaſt gloſſed with crimſon. FEMALE of a duſky aſh.

Appears about the Jeneſei, and in the eaſtern parts of Sibiria, PLACE. even in the ſevereſt of winters: and returns to the north even before the Snow Bunting*. Is not ſeen in Ruſſia, but inhabits Sweden.

[380]
  • B. LULEAN F. Fringilla Lulenſis, Lin. Syſt. 318.—Faun. Suec. No 234.—Latham, ii. 287.
  • Le Chardonneret à quatre raies, De Buffon, iv. 210.

F. With body and tail duſky cinereous: chin white: breaſt and ſhoulders ferruginous: belly whitiſh: primaries duſky: on part of the wings two black lines, one ruſty, and a fourth white.

PLACE.Inhabits about Lulea, in Weſt Bothnia.

  • C. TWITE, Br. Zool. i. No 133.
  • La Linotte de Montagne, De Buffon, iv. 74.—Latham, ii. 307.

F. With a ſhort yellow bill: head cinereous, and black: above each eye a ſpot of pale brown: back ruſty, ſpotted with black: coverts of the tail rich ſcarlet: tips of the greater coverts of the wings white: primaries duſky; inner ſides white: tail duſky; all but the two middle feathers edged with white. About the SIZE of the greater Red-headed Linnet.

PLACE.Is ſeen in northern Europe as high as Finmark *. I diſcover it only in the Fauna of that country, of Sileſia , and of Great Britain. It flits in great numbers, in ſpring and fall, in the neighborhood of London, to and from its breeding place.

  • D. FLAMING. Fringilla flammea, Lin. Syſt. 322.—Faun. Suec. NoLatham, ii. 259. LEV. MUS.

F. With a pale brown bill: crown of a deep crimſon flame-color, ſlightly creſted: upper part of the body and wings brown: lower parts of a light roſe-color: legs pale brown. LENGTH four inches.

PLACE.Inhabits Norland, in Sweden.

[381]
  • E. BRAMBLING, Br. Zool. i. No 126.
  • Norquint, Faun. Suec. No 233.—Latham, ii. 261.
  • Le Pinſon d'Ardenne, De Buffon, iv. 123.—Pl. Enl. 54. 2.

F. With head and back of a gloſſy black, edged with dull yellow: breaſt, and leſſer coverts of the wings, orange: inner coverts rich yellow: primaries duſky; exterior ſides edged with yellow: tail a little forked; black, with the outmoſt webs of the outmoſt feather white.

Breeds in the woods of Nordland and Drontheim. PLACE. In hard winters deſcends into Eaſt Gothland *.

  • F. CHAFFINCH. Br. Zool. i. No 125.
  • Finke. Bofinke, Faun. Suec. No 232.—De Buffon, iv. 109.—Pl. Enl. 54.—Latham, ii. 257.—LEV. MUS.—BL. MUS.

F. With the front black: crown blueiſh-grey: cheeks, throat, and breaſt, reddiſh: upper part of the back tawny; lower, green: wings and tail black, marked with white. FEMALE of duller colors: breaſt of a dirty white.

Is found as high as Drontheim. PLACE. Both ſexes continue in England the whole year. By admirable and unuſual inſtinct, in Sweden the females, to a bird, collect in vaſt flocks at the latter end of September, deſert their mates, and, paſſing through Schonen, Denmark, Holſtein, and Holland, viſit ſeveral parts of Europe. They reach Holland about a fortnight after Michaelmas, and at that time afford great amuſement to the gentry at their country houſes, in taking them while they ſit at tea in their pavilions. They ſpread nets among their plantations, and ſtrew the ground with hemp-ſeed, by way of bait. The birds arrive, and perch by thouſands in the trees: then alight on the ground, hungry, and inattentive to the danger. The nets are cloſed by the pulling of a cord by the perſons in the pavilions; and [382] multitudes are thus taken. Thoſe which eſcape, continue their route to Flanders, France, and Italy. The males continue in Sweden, and enliven its rigorous winter with their chearful twitter. Towards ſpring, they receive additional ſpirits; perch on every tree, and animate with their notes every ſpray, expecting the arrival of ſpring, and of their mates. The laſt return invariably the beginning of April, in ſuch numbers as almoſt to darken the ſkies; join their conſorts, perform their nuptials, retire to the woods, increaſe and multiply*.

France has its reſident Chaffinches, as well as England: many alſo winter in Italy: many come there in April, and migrate in October ; perhaps into Minorca, where it arrives in October, and continues in that iſland the whole winter.

  • G. SPARROW, Br. Zool. i. No 127.—Latham, ii. 248.
  • Fatting. Graſparf, Faun. Suec. No 242.
  • Le Moineau, De Buffon, iii. 474.—Pl. Enl. 6. 1. 55. 1.

PLACE.INHABITS Europe in plenty as high as Drontheim §; infeſts the corn, in the Orknies, by thouſands: is native among the rocks beyond lake Baikal; but it is ſaid, that they were unknown in the greateſt part of Sibiria before the Ruſſians attracted them by the cultivation of corn. By a wonderful inſtinct, theſe and many other birds diſcover the effects of rural oeconomy, which draws various ſpecies, unknown before, from diſtant parts, to ſhare with mankind the ſeveral ſorts of grain or ſeeds which are grateful to them. Partridges keep pace with the ſpreading of corn over many parts of the earth, and appear where they were never ſeen before: and RICE-BIRDS quickly diſcovered the cultivation of rice in South Carolina, and come annually ſome hundreds of miles to feed on it.

[383]
  • H. GOLDFINCH, Br. Zool. i. No 124.
  • Stiglitza, Faun. Suec. No 236.
  • Le Chardoneret, De Buffon, iv. 187.—Pl. Enl. 4.—Latham, ii. 281.—LEV. MUS. BL. MUS.

F. With the baſe of the bill encircled with rich ſcarlet: cheeks white: crown black: primaries duſky, marked with a rich yellow ſpot: tail black; tips white: feathers round the bill of the FEMALE brown: other colors leſs brilliant.

This elegant bird is found as high as Sondmor *:PLACE. whether it goes farther north, is rather doubtful. In Italy, appears in April: breeds; and retires in October and November. Is common in Ruſſia, and the greateſt part of Sibiria. None beyond the Lena, and lake Baikal.

  • I. SISKIN, Br. Zool. i. No 129.
  • Le Tarin, De Buffon, iv. 221.—Pl. Enl. 485.
  • Siſka, Grouſiſka, Faun. Suec. No 237.—Latham, ii. 289.

F. With a black crown: body yellowiſh; green above: breaſt the ſame: wings green, with a yellow ſpot in the middle: tail black; yellow at the baſe: head and back of the FEMALE greeniſh aſh, ſpotted with brown.

Found as high as Sweden, and perhaps Norway . In Sweden, PLACE. during ſummer, lives in woods, and among junipers: in winter, conſorts with Red-headed Linnets, and feeds on the buds of alders. Plenty in the ſouth and weſt of Ruſſia, but none towards the Urallian chain, nor in Sibiria.

XXVII. FLY-CATCHER. Gen. Birds, XLIX.
[384]
263. TYRANT.
  • Tyrant, Cateſby, i. 55.—Briſſon, ii. 391.
  • Lanius Tyrannus, Lin. Syſt. 136.—Latham, i. 186.
  • Le Tyran de la Caroline, De Buffon, iv. 577.—Pl. Enl. 676.—LEV. MUS.— BL. MUS.

FL. With a black bill and head; the crown divided lengthways by a ſtripe of ſcarlet; in ſome, yellow: back aſh-color: wings duſky, edged with white: tail black, tipt with white: under ſide of the body white: legs black. SIZE of a Redwing Thruſh.

PLACE.This ſpecies appears in New York in April: lays five white eggs, ſpotted with ruſt-color: builds in low buſhes: makes its neſt with wool, and ſome moſs, and lines it with ſmall fibres of roots: leaves the country in Auguſt: obſerves the ſame time of migration in the ſouthern provinces. Mr. Cateſby gives ſo very good an account of its manners, and ſingular ſpirit, that I beg leave to expreſs it in his own words:—‘The courage of this little bird is ſingular. He purſues and puts to flight all kinds of birds that come near his ſtation, from the ſmalleſt to the largeſt, none eſcaping his fury; nor did I ever ſee any that dared to oppoſe him while flying, for he does not offer to attack them when ſitting. I have ſeen one of them fix on the back of an Eagle, and perſecute him ſo, that he has turned on his back into various poſtures in the air, in order to get rid of him; and at laſt was forced to alight on the top of the next tree, from whence he dared not to move, till the little Tyrant was tired, or thought fit to leave him. This is the conſtant practice of the cock, while the hen is brooding: he ſits on the top of a buſh, or ſmall tree, not far from her neſt; near which, if any ſmall birds approach, he drives them away; but the great ones, as Crows, Hawks, and Eagles, he won't ſuffer to come within a quarter of a mile of him without attacking them. [385] They have only a chattering note, which they utter with great vehemence all the time they are fighting.’

‘When their young are flown, they are as peaceable as other birds. It has a tender bill; and feeds on inſects only. They are tame and harmleſs birds. They build their neſt in an open manner, on low trees and ſhrubs, and uſually on the ſaſſafras-tree.’

264. LOUISIANA TYRANT.
  • Le Tyran de la Louiſiane, De Buffon, iv. 583.—Latham, ii. 358.

FL. With a long flat beak, hooked at the end: head and back cinereous brown: throat clear ſlate-colour: belly yellowiſh: primaries bright bay: on the greater coverts ſome lines of white: tail long, of a cinereous brown. Rather inferior in ſize to the laſt.

Inhabits Louiſiana.

265. FORK-TAIL.
  • Muſcicapa Tyrannus, Lin. Syſt. 325.—Latham ii. 355.
  • Le Tyran a queue fourchue, Briſſon, ii. 395.
  • Le Savana, De Buffon, iv. 557.—Pl. Enl. 571.—LEV. MUS.

FL. With head and cheeks black: feathers on the crown yellow at their bottoms: upper part of the body aſh-colored; lower white: tail greatly forked; the two outmoſt feathers on each ſide five inches longer than the others; color black: the lower half of the exterior feather white.

Inhabits Canada, and as low as Surinam. PLACE.

266. CHATTERING.
  • Yellow-breaſted Chat, Cateſby, i. 50.—Latham, ii. 350.
  • Le Merle verde de la Caroline, Briſſon, ii. 315.—De Buffon, iii. 396.—Pl. Enl. 627.—BL. MUS.

FL. With the crown, upper part of neck and back, and tail, of a cinereous green: each eye encircled with yellow: from the throat to the thighs of a fine yellow: belly white: tail duſky, edged with white: legs black. SIZE of a Sky-Lark.

[386] PLACE.Inhabits the interior parts of Carolina, two or three hundred miles from the ſea. Is ſo very ſhy, as to be ſhot with the utmoſt difficulty. Lives by the banks of great rivers; and makes ſo loud a chattering, as to reverberate from rock to rock. Flies with its legs hanging down. Its muſical note is good. Often flies up perpendicular, and lights by jerks.

267. CRESTED.
  • Creſted Fly-catcher, Cateſby, i. 52.—Latham, ii. 357.
  • Muſcicapa crinita, Lin. Syſt. 325.
  • Le Gobe-Mouche hupè de Virginie, Briſſon, ii. 412.
  • Le Moucherolle de Virginie a huppè verte, De Buffon, iv. 565.—Pl. Enl. 569. —BL. MUS.

FL. With an upright creſt: head and back olive: the coverts of the ſame color, croſſed with two white lines: primaries duſky; the four firſt edged, on their outmoſt ſides, with ferruginous: tail duſky; two middle feathers plain; the inner webs of the others orange: neck and breaſt of a lead-color: belly and thighs yellow: legs black. I have ſeen one of a cinereous color on the upper parts, and white belly: perhaps a young bird, or a hen. WEIGHT one ounce.

SIZE.LENGTH eight inches. Sent from New York, with the name of the Large Wild Phoeby Bird, or Bee-eater.

PLACE.Breeds in New York and Carolina. Its note extremely brawling, as if at enmity with all other birds. Makes its neſt of ſnake-ſkins and hair, in holes of trees. Retires in Auguſt.

268. LESSER-CRESTED.

FL. With a ſmall backward creſt: head, neck, and back, of a dirty light cinereous green: breaſt and belly whitiſh, tinged with yellow: wings and tail duſky; coverts croſſed with two bars of white; ſecondaries edged with white: legs black.

PLACE.Inhabits Nova Scotia. Captain Davies.

269. BLACK-HEADED.
[387]
  • Black-cap Fly-catcher, Cateſby, i. 53.—Latham, ii. 353.
  • Le Gobe-Mouche brun de la Caroline, Briſſon, ii. 367.
  • Le Gobe-Mouche noirâtre de la Caroline, De Buffon, iv. 541.

FL. With a black crown: back brown, wings and tail duſky, edged with white: whole under ſide white, tinged with yellowiſh green: legs black. Head of the hen of not ſo full a black as that of the cock.

Breeds in Carolina. Is ſuppoſed to migrate in the winter.PLACE.

270. CINEREOUS.
  • Little brown Fly-catcher, Cateſby, i. 54. fig. 1.
  • Le Gobe-Mouche cendré de la Caroline, Briſſon, ii. 368.
  • Muſcicapa virens, Lin. Syſt. 327.
  • Le Gobe-Mouche brun de la Caroline, De Buffon, iv. 543.—Latham, ii. 350. —BL. MUS.

FL. With the upper mandible black; the lower yellow: eyes red: head and back of a deep aſh-color: over each eye a faint white line: wings and tail brown: ſecondaries edged with white: whole under ſide of the body dirty white, tinged with yellow: legs black. WEIGHT nine pennyweights.

Inhabits Carolina, in the ſummer only.PLACE.

271. RED-EYED.
  • Red-eyed Fly-catcher, Cateſby, i. 54. fig. 2.—Edw. 253.
  • Muſcicapa Olivacea, Lin. Syſt. 327.—Brown Jam. 476.
  • Le Gobe-Mouche de la Jamaique, Briſſon, ii. 410.
  • Le Gobe-Mouche olive de la Caroline, De Buffon, iv. 539.—Latham, li. 351, 352.—LEV. MUS.

FL. With red irides: crown, and whole upper part of the body, wings, and tail, of a cinereous brown: over each eye a white line: edges of the primaries and tail whitiſh: under ſide of the body white, daſhed with olive: legs black. WEIGHT ten pennyweights and a half.

[388] PLACE.Inhabits Carolina, and as high as New York; and migrates at approach of winter: probably into Jamaica; the ſame kind being found there, where, from its note, it is called Whip Tom Kelly. Has great affinity with the preceding: perhaps they differ only in ſex.NEST. Makes a pendulous neſt, uſually in apple-trees, and hangs it between the horizontal fork of ſome bough, beneath the leaves. It is moſt curiouſly formed with cotton and wool, lined with hair and dead graſs; and wonderfully bound to the branches by a certain thread, like moſs, twiſted round them, and likewiſe all about the outſide of the neſt. Lays five eggs, white, thinly ſpotted with deep ruſt-color.

272. CAT.
  • Cat-bird, Cateſby, i. 66.—Lawſon, 143.—Latham, ii. 353.
  • Le Gobe-Mouche brun de Virginie, Briſſon, ii. 365.
  • Muſcicapa Carolinenſis, Lin. Syſt. 328.
  • Le Moucherolle de Virginie, De Buffon, iv. 562.—LEV. MUS.—BL. MUS.

FL. With a black crown: upper part of the body, wings, and tail, blueiſh grey: the tail cuneiform, marked with numerous duſky bars: under ſide of the body of a pale grey: vent ferruginous: legs brown. Larger than a LARK.

PLACE.Inhabits New York and Carolina. Mews like a kitten; from which aroſe its name. Lives among buſhes and thickets. Feeds on inſects. Makes the outſide of its neſt with leaves and matting ruſhes; the inſide with fibres of roots. Lays a blue egg. Has a great ſpirit, and will attack a Crow, or any large bird. Mr. Latham ſaw one which was brought from Kamtſchatka, which differed from this only in having no ruſt-color on the vent.

273. CANADA.
  • Muſcicapa Canadenſis, Lin. Syſt. 324.—Latham, ii. 354.
  • Gobe-Mouche cendrè de Canada, Briſſon, ii. 406. tab. xxxix.—De Buffon, iv. 538. —Cateſby, i. 60.

FL. With a cinereous head, ſpotted with black; a yellow ſpot between the bill and the eyes; and beneath each eye a black one: [389] the upper part of the body cinereous; the lower, yellow, marked on the under ſide of the neck with ſmall black ſpots: the tail of a cinereous brown, with the exterior webs aſh-colored.

Inhabits Canada. PLACE.

274. GREEN.

FL. With a yellow ſpot on each ſide of the bill: head a cinereous green: back and coverts of the wings of a pale green; croſs the laſt are two bars of white: primaries and tail duſky, edged with green: throat of a pale aſh-color: middle of the belly white: ſides of a fine yellow.

Sent from New York by Mr. Blackburne, PLACE. under the name of the ſmall Green Hanging Bird. It comes there in May, breeds, and etires in Auguſt: and is a ſcarce ſpecies. BL. MUS.

275. DUSKY.

FL. With a duſky head: back of a dull cinereous olive: quil feathers and ſecondaries duſky; the laſt edged with white: breaſt of a pale aſh-color: belly of a whitiſh yellow: tail duſky; exterior web of the exterior feather white: legs black.

Sent from the ſame place,PLACE. under the title of The Small or Common Phoeby Bird, or Bee-eater. Appears the latter end of March, or beginning of April; lays five white ſmall eggs: diſappears in Auguſt. Eats Bees. BL. MUS.

276. GOLDEN-THROAT.

FL. With the crown, upper part of the neck, and body, of a dirty olive: throat and ridge of the wing of a very rich yellow: breaſt and belly white, tinged with yellow: primaries and tail of a bright olive green.

Inhabits New York. BL. MUS.PLACE.

277. STRIPED.
[390]
  • Striped Fly-catcher, Forſter, Ph. Tr. lxii. 406.
  • Muſcicapa ſtriata, the ſame, 429.—Latham, ii. 349.—Miller's Plates, No 15.

FL. With a black crown; white cheeks: hind part of the head varied with black and white: throat of a yellowiſh white, ſtriped with brown: bread white, ſtriped on the ſides with black: belly white: back of a cinereous green, marked with black: wings duſky, mixed with white: tail duſky, with the three outmoſt feathers marked with a white ſpot: legs yellow.

Head of the FEMALE of a yellowiſh green, with ſhort ſtreaks of black: a ſhort yellow line paſſes from the bill over each eye: throat, cheeks, and breaſt, of a yellowiſh white, ſtriped on the ſides with black: in other reſpects like the MALE, but greener. LENGTH five inches; Extent ſeven.

PLACE.Arrives at Severn ſettlement, Hudſon's Bay, in the ſummer. Feeds on graſs-ſeeds.

  • A. DUN FL. Faun. Ruſſ.—Latham, ii. 351.

FL. Duſky above; aſh-colored beneath: throat and vent ſpotted with white.

PLACE.Found about lake Baikal, and in the eaſtern part of Sibiria: and obſerved by Steller in Kamtſchatka.

[391]
  • [...]. PIED FL. Br. Zool. i. No 135,
  • Muſcicapa Atricapilla, Faun. Suec. No 256, tab. 1*.
  • Le Gobe-Mouche noir a Collier, De Buffon, iv. 520.—Pl. Enl. 565.
  • Motacilla Leucomela, Muller, No 268.—Latham, ii. 324.—LEV. MUS.—BL. MUS.

FL. With white front: bill, head, back, and legs, black: coverts of tail ſpotted with white: coverts of wings duſky, croſſed with a white bar: primaries duſky: exterior ſides of ſecondaries white; interior black: breaſt and belly white: middle feathers of tail black; exterior black, marked with white: head of the FEMALE wholly brown, as is the upper part of the body: white in the wings obſcure: breaſt and belly dirty white.

Found as far north as Sondmor. PLACE. Inhabits that dioceſe the whole year; and, during winter, frequently takes refuge in the very houſes. Feeds on the buds of birch. Is met with in Ruſſia only between the Kama and the Samara.

XXVIII. LARK. Gen. Birds, L.
[392]
278. SHORE.
  • Alauda gutture flavo. The Lark, Cateſby, i. 32.
  • Alauda alpeſtris, Lin. Syſt. 289.
  • Gelbburtige Lerch, Klein, Av. 72.—Latham, ii. 385.
  • Le Hauſſe-col noir, ou l' Alouette de Virginie, De Buffon, v. 55.—Briſſon, iii. 367. LEV. MUS.—BL. MUS.

L. With yellow cheeks and forehead: breaſt and belly white: head divided by a line of black; another paſſes beneath each eye, bounding the throat, which is yellow: acroſs the upper part of the breaſt is a broad black mark; beneath that is a tinge of red: upper part of the neck, and coverts of the wings and tail, are ferruginous: back brown: primaries duſky: two middle feathers of the tail brown; the reſt black; thoſe on the outſide edged with white: legs duſky: head of the FEMALE duſky. LARGER than the common Lark.

PLACE.Inhabit the large plains of ſeveral provinces, and breed there. They appear on our ſettlements in Hudſon's Bay in May, and proceed farther north to breed. Feed on graſs-ſeeds, and the buds of the ſprig birch. Run into ſmall holes, and keep cloſe to the ground; whence the natives call them Chi-chup-pi-ſue.

In winter they retire to the ſouthern provinces in great flights; but it is only in very ſevere weather that they reach Virginia and Carolina. They frequent ſand-hills on the ſea-ſhore, and feed on the ſea-ſide oats, or uniola panicula. They have a ſingle note, like the Sky-lark in winter.

They are alſo found in Poland; in Ruſſia and in Sibiria more frequent: in both are very common during winter; but retire to the north on approach of ſpring, except in the north-eaſt parts, and near the high mountains.

279. RED.
[393]
  • Red Lark, Edw. 297.—Br. Zool, i. No 140.—Briſſon, App. 94.—Latham, ii. 376.
  • L'Alouette aux joues brunes de Penſylvanie, De Buffon, v. 58.—LEV. MUS.

L. With a white line above and beneath each eye: thickiſh bill: chin and throat whitiſh: head, and whole upper part of the body, and coverts, pale ferruginous, ſpotted with black: breaſt whitiſh, with duſky ſpots: belly of a dirty white: ſide tinged with ruſt: tail duſky; outmoſt feathers white; the two next edged with white: legs duſky. When the wing is cloſed, ſays Mr. Edwards, the third quill from the body reaches to its tip; a conſtant characteriſtic of the Wagtail genus.

Inhabits Penſylvania; appears there in March, PLACE. in its paſſage northward. Found alſo near London.

280. CALANDRA.
  • Edw. 268.—Latham, ii. 382.
  • Alauda Calandra, Lin. Syſt. 288.
  • La Calandra on groſſe Alouette, De Buffon, v. 49.—Pl. Enl. 363.—Briſſon iii. 352.

L. With a bill thicker and ſtronger than uſual to the genus: from the bill a black line paſſes to and beyond the eye; above and beneath are two others of white, faintly appearing: head, neck, back, and coverts of the wings, reddiſh brown, ſpotted with black: primaries and tail duſky, edged with ruſt-color: throat white: upper part of the breaſt croſſed by a narrow black creſcent; beneath that the breaſt is of a pale brown, ſpotted with a darker: belly and vent white: tail a little forked: legs of a pale fleſh-color. In SIZE rather ſuperior to the Sky-Lark; but the body thicker. It is a ſpecies allied to the common BUNTING.

Brought from North Carolina; PLACE. and firſt deſcribed as an American bird by Mr. Edwards. Is common in many parts of Europe, eſpecially in the ſouthern. In Aſia it is found about Aleppo, and is pretty frequent about the Tartarian deſerts bordering on the Don and Volga.

[394]
  • A. SKY-LARK, Br. Zool. i. No 136.
  • L'Alouette, De Buffon, v. 1.
  • Alauda arvenſis. Larka, Faun. Suec. No 209.—Latham, ii. 368.—LEV. MUS.— BL. MUS.

L. With the crown of a reddiſh brown, ſpotted with black: hind part of the head cinereous: chin white: breaſt and belly pale dull yellow; the firſt ſpotted with black: back and coverts of wings duſky, edged with pale reddiſh brown: exterior web, and half the interior web of the outmoſt feather of the tail, white: legs duſky. LENGTH ſeven inches one-fourth:SIZE. EXTENT twelve and a half: WEIGHT an ounce and a half.

PLACE.Inhabits all parts of Europe, even as high as Nordland in Norway, beneath the Arctic circle. They migrate in Scandinavia. They are the firſt birds, in Eaſt Gothland in Sweden, which give notice of the return of ſpring, ſinging with a tremulous note, and flying in flocks near to the ground. Enlivened by the warmth of ſummer, they ſoar and ſing with full voices. In September they collect in flocks, and retire ſouth; probably into the province of Schonen, where they are found in vaſt multitudes during winter*. They are frequent in all parts of Ruſſia and Sibiria, and reach even Kamtſchatka.

[395]
  • B. WOOD-LARK, Br. Zool. i. No 137.
  • Alauda arborea, Faun. Suec. No 211.
  • Le Cujelier, De Buffon, v. 25.—Pl. Enl. 660.—Latham, ii. 371.

L. With crown and upper part of back reddiſh brown: head ſurrounded with a whitiſh coronet from eye to eye: firſt feather of the wing ſhorter than the ſecond. In form ſhorter and thicker than the Sky-Lark.

Inhabits not farther north than Sweden. PLACE. Found in the woods of Ruſſia and Sibiria, as far eaſt as Kamtſchatka *.

  • C. TIT-LARK, Br. Zool. i. No 138.
  • Alauda pratenſis, Faun. Suec. No 210.
  • La Farlouſe, De Buffon, v. 31.—Pl. Enl. 574.—Latham, ii. 374.

L. With a black bill: olivaceous brown head and back, ſpotted with black: breaſt yellow, with oblong ſtreaks of black. Of a ſlender form.

Found not higher than Sweden. PLACE.

  • D. FIELD-LARK, Br. Zool. i. No 139.
  • Alauda campeſtris, Faun. Suec. No 212.—Raii Syn. Av. 70.
  • La Spipolette, De Buffon, v. 43.—Latham, ii. 375.

L. With head and neck pale brown, marked with duſky lines, fainteſt on the neck: rump and back of a cinereous olive; the firſt ſpotted with black, the laſt plain: legs pale brown: hind claw ſhorter than uſual with Larks. Leſſer than the Sky-Lark.

Extends only to Sweden. PLACE. Theſe three ſpecies diſappear in that kingdom in the height of winter. If the weather ſoftens, they return in February. The Comte De Buffon deſcribes a variety of this, under the name of La Farlouzzane; which, he ſays, came from Louiſiana.

WAGTAIL. Gen. Birds. LI.
[396]
  • E. WHITE, Br. Zool. ii. No 142.
  • M. Alba. Arla, Faun. Suec. No 252.—Latham, ii. 395.
  • La Lavandiere, De Buffon, v. 151.—Pl. Enl. 652.—LEV. MUS.—BL. MUS.

W. T. With head, back, and neck, black: cheek, front, and chin, white: belly white: primaries duſky: tail long, duſky, with part of the webs white.

PLACE.Inhabits as high as Iceland, the Feroe Iſles, and Drontheim *. It is a bird of augury with the Swediſh farmers; who have a proverb relative to this and the WHEAT-EAR, which is another bird of direction: ‘When you ſee the WAGTAIL return, you may turn your ſheep into the fields; and when you ſee the WHEAT-EAR, you may ſow your grain.’

It is common in Ruſſia, Sibiria, and Kamtſchatka, but does not extend to the arctic regions.

  • F. Yellow Wagtail, Br. Zool. i. No 143.
  • M. Flava. Sadeſarla, Faun. Suec. No 253.—Latham, ii. 400.
  • La Bergeronette griſe, De Buffon, v. 261.—Pl. Enl. 674.—LEV. MUS.

W. T. With crown and upper part of the body of an olive-green: breaſt and lower part of the body of a rich yellow: throat ſpotted with black. In the FEMALE thoſe black ſpots are wanting: the other colors are alſo much more obſcure.

PLACE.Inhabits Sweden; but not higher. Migrates like the former. Common in all parts of Ruſſia, Sibiria, and even Kamtſchatka.

[397]
  • G. Yellow-headed Wagtail. Motacilla cifreola, Pallas Itin. iii. 696.—Latham, ii. 401.

W. T. with citron-colored head, neck, breaſt, and belly: the hind part of the neck marked with a black creſcent: the back blueiſh grey.

Common in Sibiria, as far as the Arctic circle: leſs ſo in Ruſſia. PLACE. Migrates with the laſt.

  • H. TCHUTSCHI, Latham, ii. 403.

W. T. With crown and back deep olive-brown: a ſpot of white between the upper mandible and eye: coverts and primaries deep brown; the firſt croſſed with two bars of white: breaſt and belly white, daſhed with ruſt: vent pale yellow: tail very long; outward web, and half the inward web, of outmoſt feather, white; all the reſt duſky: legs black.

Taken off the Tchutſchi coaſt, within the Streights of Bering, PLACE. lat. 66, north.

XXIX. WARBLER. Gen. Birds, LII.
[398]
281. BLUE-BACKED RED-BREAST.
  • Blue-bird, Cateſby, i. 47.
  • Blue Red-breaſt, Edw. 24.—Lawſon.
  • Motacilla Sialis, Lin. Syſt. 336.—Latham, ii. 446.
  • Le Rouge gorge bleu, De Buffon, v. 212.—Pl. Enl. 390.—Briſſon, iii. 423.— LEV. MUS.—BL. MUS.

W. With bill and legs of a jetty blackneſs: head, hind part of the neck, back, tail, and coverts of the wings, of a rich deep and gloſſy blue: primaries duſky, tipt with brown: from the bill to the tail red. Head, and lower part of the neck, in the FEMALE, cinereous blue: breaſt duller than that of the MALE.

PLACE.Frequent in moſt parts of North America, from New York to the Bermuda iſlands. Is the ſame in the new world as the Robin-red-breaſt is in the old. Are harmleſs, familiar birds. Breed in holes of trees. Have long wings. Are ſwift of flight, therefore elude the purſuit of the Hawk. Have a cry and a whiſtle. Feed uſually on inſects; but, through deficiency of that food, come to the farm-houſes, to pick up graſs-ſeeds, or any thing they can meet with.

282. BLACK-HEADED.
  • Redſtart, Cateſby, i. 67.—Edw. 80.
  • Muſcicapa ruticilla, Lin. Syſt. 326.—Raii Syn. Av. 180. No 51.
  • Le Gobe-Mouche d'Amerique, Briſſon, iii. 383.—De Buffon, v. 178, 566.—LEV. MUS.—BL. MUS.

W. With the head, neck, breaſt, back, and wings, black: the primaries croſſed with a broad bar of orange: the ſides and inner coverts of the wings, belly, and vent, white, ſpotted with black on the upper ſides: two middle feathers of the tail duſky; the reſt of the ſame color at their ends; the lower parts orange: legs black. The FEMALE cinereous olive above; white beneath, bounded on each ſide by yellow: the parts of the tail which are red in the male, are in this ſex yellow.

PLACE.Inhabits the ſhady woods of New York, Virginia, Hudſon's Bay, [399] and Carolina, during the ſummer. Retreat to Jamaica, and perhaps others of the Antilles, during winter*.

283. YELLOW-BREAST.
  • Maryland Yellow-throat, Edw. 237.
  • Le figuier de Maryland, Briſſon, iii. 506.
  • Le figuier a joues noires, De Buffon, v. 292.
  • Turdus Trichas, Lin. Syſt. 293.—Latham, ii. 438.—LEV. MUS.—BL. MUS.

W. With black forehead and cheeks: crown cinereous: hind part, whole upper part of the neck, back, wings, and tail, of a deep olive green: primaries and tail edged with yellow: under ſide of the neck, breaſt, and belly, of a rich yellow.

Inhabits Penſylvania and Maryland. PLACE. Frequents buſhes and low grounds, near rills of water. Quits the country in autumn.

284. ORANGE-THIGHED.
  • La Fauvette a poitrine jaune de la Louiſiane, De Buffon, v. 162.—Pl. Enl. 709. —Latham, ii. 439.

W. With forehead and cheeks black: head croſſed in the middle with a white band, which divides the cheeks from its hind part: nape, back, wings, and tail, deep olive: lower part of the neck, breaſt, and belly, fine yellow: thighs and vent reddiſh orange: tail rounded.

Inhabits Louiſiana; and is a moſt elegant ſpecies: differs from the laſt in its rounded tail.

285. BLACK-THROAT.
  • Blue Fly-catcher, Edw. 252.
  • Motacilla Canadenſis, Lin. Syſt. 336.
  • Le petit figuier cendrè de Canade, Briſſon, iii. 527.—Latham, ii. 487.
  • Le figuier bleu, De Buffon, v. 304.—Pl. Enl. 685.—BL. MUS.

W. With the head, upper part of the neck, back, and coverts of the wings, of a ſlaty blue: throat, under part, and ſides of the neck, black: primaries duſky; white at bottom: breaſt and belly white: tail duſky.

Inhabits, during ſummer, Canada and other parts of America, PLACE. to the ſouth. Arrives in Penſylvania in April. Migrates in winter to the Antilles, and returns in ſpring.

286. YELLOW-THROAT.
[400]
  • Yellow-throated Creeper, Cateſby, i. 62.—Latham, ii. 437.
  • La Meſange griſe a gorge jaune, De Buffon, v. 454.—Briſſon, iii. 563.

W. With a yellow ſpot on each ſide of the upper mandible: throat of a bright yellow: from the bill, a black line extends acroſs each eye, pointing down, and bounding the ſides of the neck: forehead black: crown, hind part of the neck, and back, grey: wings dark cinereous; the coverts edged with white: middle of the breaſt and belly of a pure white: ſide ſpotted with black: tail black and white. The FEMALE wants both the yellow and black marks.

PLACE.Inhabits Carolina; and is continually creeping about the trees in ſearch of inſects.

287. HOODED.
  • Cateſby, i. 60.—Latham, ii. 462.
  • Le Gobe-Mouche citrin, De Buffon, iv. 538.—Pl. Enl. 666.
  • La Meſange a Collier, De Buffon, v. 452.—BL. MUS.

W. With the forehead, cheeks, and chin, yellow, regularly encircled with black like a hood. This black is the color of the head, breaſt, and each ſide of the neck: back, wings, and tail, of a duſky green: inner webs of the exterior feathers of the tail white: breaſt and belly bright yellow. SIZE of a Gold-Finch.

PLACE.Frequents the thickets and ſhady parts of the uninhabited places of Carolina.

288. YELLOW-RUMP.
  • Yellow-rumped Fly-catcher, Edw. 255.
  • Le figuier tachetè de la Penſylvanie, Briſſon, iii. 503.
  • Le figuier a tête cendrê, De Buffon, v. 291.—Latham, ii. 481.

W. With cheeks and crown of the head cinereous: hind part of the neck and back of an olive-green; the laſt ſpotted with black: rump of a bright yellow: throat and breaſt of the ſame color; the breaſt ſpotted with black drops: reſt of the under ſide white: wings dark aſh-color; the coverts croſſed with two bars of [401] white: inner ſides of the primaries edged with white: coverts of the tail black; two middle feathers of the tail duſky; the middle part of the inner webs of the reſt white; the tops and bottoms black.

Inhabits Penſylvania. PLACE.

289. RED-HEAD.
  • Yellow Red-poll, Edw. 256.
  • Motacilla petechia, Lin. Syſt. 334.—Latham, ii. 479.
  • Le figuier à tete rouge de Penſylvanie, Briſſon, iii. 488.—De Buffon, v. 286. —BL. MUS.

W. With the crown ſcarlet: cheeks yellow: hind part of the neck, back, and rump, of an olive-green: wings and tail duſky, edged with yellow: all the under ſide of the body of a rich yellow, ſpeckled with red, except the vent, which is plain. A bird, which I ſuſpect to be the FEMALE, ſhot in Newfoundland, had the ſcarlet crown; but the upper part of the body was duſky, edged with pale brown: coverts of the tail white: primaries and tail duſky: breaſt and belly of a dirty white, and unſpotted.

Viſits Penſylvania in March. Is a lonely bird,PLACE. keeping in thickets and low buſhes. Does not breed there; but goes farther north to breed; probably to Canada and Newfoundland. Feeds on inſects.

290. BLACK-POLL.

W. With the crown black: cheeks white: upper part of the body aſh-colored, with long black ſtrokes pointing to the tail: coverts of the wings and primaries duſky; the firſt marked with two white bars: the ſecondaries edged with white: tail duſky; ends of the two outmoſt feathers marked with a white ſpot: throat white, ſtreaked on each ſide with black: breaſt and belly of a dirty white, ſtreaked downwards with black: legs whitiſh.

Inhabits, during ſummer, Newfoundland and New York; PLACE. called in the laſt, Sailor. Arrives there in May; breeds; and retires in Auguſt. BL. MUS.—Latham, ii. 460.

291. GREY-POLL.
[402]

W. With head, ſides of the neck, and coverts of the wings and tail, of a fine grey; the coverts of wings croſſed with two white bars: primaries and tail duſky, edged with grey: throat orange: chin and breaſt of a fine yellow: belly whitiſh aſh-color.

PLACE.Sent from New York to Mrs. Blackburn.—Latham, ii. 461.

292. YELLOW-POLL.
  • Le figuier tachete 1 Eſpece, De Buffon, v. 285.—Pl. Enl. 58.—Latham, ii. 514. —LEV. MUS.—BL. MUS.

W. With the forehead and whole under ſide of the body of a fine yellow; the laſt ſtreaked with red: the upper part, and coverts of wings, of an olive-green: the primaries brown, bordered with green: tail brown, bordered with rich yellow. FEMALE of a duller color.

PLACE.Inhabits Canada; where it makes only a ſhort ſtay, and does not breed there. Found in New York; and even Hudſon's Bay during ſummer. Retires into South America, according to M. De Buffon. He ſuſpects that No 1, plate 58, Pl. Enl. is the female. Till that is aſcertained, I beg leave to make a new ſpecies of it, in the OLIVE, No

The neſt is very elegant, compoſed of down, mixed with dead, graſs; the inſide lined with fine fibres. The eggs ſpotted near the larger end. Sent from New York, under the name of the Swamp Bird.

293. WHITE-POLL.
  • Black and white Creeper, Edw. 300.
  • Le figuier variè, De Buffon, v. 305.—Latham, ii. 488.
  • —de St. Domingue, Briſſon, iii. 529.—BL. MUS.

W. With the crown white, bounded by a black line paſſing from the corners of the bill; beneath that is a ſtripe of white: below the eyes a broad bed of black, bounded with white: chin and throat black: hind part of the neck, back, and rump, [403] white, marked with great black ſpots: coverts and primaries black; the firſt croſſed with two white bars; the laſt edged on their inner ſides with white: belly white: ſides ſpotted with black: tail black, edged with grey; inner webs of the outmoſt feathers ſpotted with white.

Arrives in Penſylvania in April; ſtays there the whole ſummer.PLACE. Feeds on inſects, caterpillars, &c. Probably winters in the Antilles, where it is likewiſe found*.

294. GOLDEN-CROWNED.
  • Golden-crowned Fly-catcher, Edw. 298.
  • Le figuier couronne d'or, De Buffon, v. 312.—Latham, ii. 486.

W. With a golden crown, bounded on all ſides with a blueiſh ſlate-color: above each eye, a narrow white line: from the bill, acroſs the eyes, a broad band of black: throat and chin white: hind part of neck and back blueiſh, with duſky oblong ſpots: rump yellow: breaſt black, edged with grey; ſides of the breaſt yellow: belly and vent white, ſpotted with black: wings duſky; coverts and ſecondaries edged with white: tail black; three outmoſt feathers on each ſide marked on their inner webs with white. FEMALE is brown on the back; wants the black ſtroke through the eye, and mark on the breaſt: in other reſpects agrees with the cock.

Arrives in Penſylvania in ſpring:PLACE. ſtays there but three or four days, proceeding northward to breed. Appears likewiſe in the ſame manner in Nova Scotia.

295. GOLD-WING.
  • Golden-wing Fly-catcher, Edw. 299.
  • Le figuier, aux ailes dorées, De Buffon, v. 311.—Briſſon, App. 109.
  • Motacilla chryſoptera, Lin. Syſt. 333.—Latham, ii. 492.

W. With a golden crown: eyes incloſed in a bed of black, reaching from the bill to the hind part of the head, and bounded above and below with a white line: throat, and under ſide [404] of neck, black: upper part, back, and leſſer coverts of wings, pale blueiſh grey: greater coverts rich yellow: primaries and tail dark cinereous: belly white.

PLACE.Like the preceding, tranſient in the ſpring through Penſylvania.

296. YELLOW-FRONTED.

W. With the forehead and crown of a bright yellow: from the bill extends through the eyes a band of black, bounded on each ſide with white: chin, throat, and lower ſide of the neck, black: breaſt and belly white: upper part of the neck, back, rump, and leſſer coverts of the wings, of a light blueiſh grey; the greater coverts, and lower order of leſſer, of a bright yellow, forming a great ſpot in each wing: primaries and tail of a deep aſh-color; inner webs of the outmoſt feathers of the tail ſpotted with white.

PLACE.A paſſenger, like the former, through Penſylvania.—Latham, ii. 461.

297. GREEN.
  • Green black-throated Fly-catcher, Edw. 300.—Latham, ii. 484.
  • Le figuier à cravate noire, De Buffon, v. 298.—Briſſon, App. 104.

W. With yellow cheeks and ſides of the neck: black throat, under ſide of the neck, and ſides under the wings: upper part of the breaſt yellowiſh; lower, and belly, white: head, and upper ſide of the body, of an olive-green: coverts of the wings of the ſame color, marked with two bars of white: primaries and tail duſky; the inner webs of the firſt edged with white; of the three outmoſt feathers of the tail, ſpotted with white.

PLACE.Appears and migrates in the ſame manner as the other.

298. BLOODY-SIDE.
[405]
  • Red-throated Fly-catcher, Edw. 301.
  • La figuier a poitrine rouge, De Buffon, v. 308.—Briſſon, Add. 105.
  • Motacilla Penſylvanica, Lin. Syſt. 333.—Latham, ii. 489.

W. With a yellow crown: white cheeks: a ſmall black mark paſſing under each eye: throat, and whole under ſide of the body, white, except part of the breaſt, which is of a blood-red, which color extends along the ſides under the wings: hind part of the head black: back and rump duſky, edged with yellowiſh green: coverts of the wings, and primaries, duſky; the firſt marked with two bars of white: tail duſky, with a white mark on the exterior feathers. FEMALE wants the black ſpot on the hind part of the head, and thoſe on the back; in other reſpects agrees with the cock.

Attends the preceding ſpecies in their ſhort paſſage through Penſylvania. PLACE.

299. CAERULEAN.
  • Little blue-grey Fly-catcher, Edw. 302.
  • La figuier gris de fer, De Buffon, v. 309.—Briſſon, App. 107.
  • M. Caerulea, Lin. Syſt. 337.—Latham, ii. 490.

W. With the head and whole upper part of the body of a blueiſh ſlate-color: wings brown; a few of the ſecondaries edged with white: over each eye a narrow line of black: tail duſky; two outmoſt feathers white; the third on each ſide tipt with white. FEMALE wants the black ſtripe over the eyes: and the colors of the tail, and upper part of it, browniſh.

Appears in Penſylvania in March. Builds its neſt in April, PLACE. with huſks from the buds of trees, down of plants, &c. coating it with lichens, and lining it with horſe-hair. It continues in the country [406] all ſummer, and retires ſouth at approach of winter; perhaps to Cayenne, where the ſame ſpecies is found*.

300. WORM-EATER.
  • Worm-eater, Edw. 305.—Latham, ii. 499.
  • Le Demi-fin. Mangeur de vers, De Buffon, v. 325.

W. With the crown of a reddiſh yellow, bounded by a line of a lighter; beneath that, another of black; and through the eye, from the bill, a third of yellow, bounded beneath by a duſky ſtroke: cheeks, throat, and breaſt, of a yellowiſh red, deepeſt on the breaſt, fading towards the belly, which is white: upper part of the neck, back, wings, and tail, of a deep olive-green: legs fleſh-colored. BILL of this ſpecies is much thicker than others of the genus.

PLACE.Does not appear in Penſylvania till July, in its paſſage northward. Does not return the ſame way; but is ſuppoſed to go beyond the mountains which lie to the weſt. This ſeems to be the caſe with all the tranſient vernal viſitants of Penſylvania.

301. YELLOW-TAIL.
  • Yellow-tail Fly-catcher, Edw. 257.

W. With an aſh-colored crown: hind part of the neck, coverts of the wings, and the back, of an olive-green: rump cinereous; ſometimes that and the head of the ſame color with the back: throat, under ſide of neck, breaſt, and belly, white; the ſides of the breaſt daſhed with ruſt-color: ſides, under the wings, yellow: on the lower part of the primaries a large bed of yellow: two middle feathers of the tail brown; the reſt yellow, tipt with brown.

PLACE.Taken on its paſſage, with other birds (before deſcribed) of this genus, off Hiſpaniola, at ſea, ſuppoſed to be on their way to their winter quarters in Jamaica, and other iſlands.

302. SPOTTED.
[407]
  • Spotted yellow Fly-catcher, Edw. 257.—Latham, ii. 482.
  • La figuier brun de Canada, (the male) Briſſon, iii. 515.
  • — de St. Domingue (the female) 513.—De Buffon, v. 293.

W. With the head, upper part of the body, and wings, of a dark olive green: primaries and tail of a more duſky hue: the interior web of the outmoſt feathers of the tail marked with a large white ſpot: leſſer coverts of the wings, near the ridge, croſſed with white: rump yellowiſh: all the under ſide of the body yellow: under ſide of the neck, breaſt, and ſides, ſpotted with black: middle of the belly and vent plain.

Taken with the preceding. Inhabits alſo Canada, PLACE. which may be its place of ſummer reſidence and breeding. The FEMALE, which has a white breaſt, and the colors of the upper part of the body more dull than that of the cock, has been found in the iſle of Hiſpaniola; which may be one of the winter quarters of this and congenerous birds.

303. LOUISIANE.
  • Le figuier à gorge jaune, De Buffon, v. 288.
  • Le figuier de le Louiſiane, Briſſon, iii. 500.—Latham, ii. 480.

W. With the head and whole upper part of the body of a clear olive-green: cheeks inclining to cinereous: coverts of the wings of a blueiſh aſh-color, croſſed with two white bars: primaries duſky, edged externally with olive, internally with white: tail of a duſky brown, edged like the wings; and the three outmoſt feathers marked near their ends with a white ſpot: lower ſide of the neck and breaſt of a fine yellow; the laſt ſpotted with red: belly and vent white, tinged with yellow. FEMALE wants the red ſpots on the breaſt.

Inhabits Louiſiana and St. Domingo. PLACE.

304. ORANGE-THROAT.
[408]
  • Le figuier à gorge orangée, De Buffon, v. 290.
  • Le grand figuier de Canada, Briſſon, iii. 508.

W. With the head, upper part of the neck and back, and leſſer coverts of the wings, of an olive-green: the lower part of the back, rump, and greater coverts, aſh-colored: primaries brown, edged on the outmoſt webs with dark cinereous; on the inner with dirty white: throat and under ſide of the body orange, except the vent, which is white. FEMALE differs from the male in having its under ſide of a duller and paler color.

PLACE.Inhabits Canada.

305. QUEBEC.
  • Le figuier à tête jaune, De Buffon, v. 298.—Briſſon, iii. 517.—Pl. Enl. 731.
  • Motacilla icterocephala, Lin. Syſt. 334.—Latham, ii. 484.

W. With a yellow crown: ſpace between the bill and the eyes black: below the eyes, and on the ſides of the neck, white: hind part of the head, neck, back, and rump, black, edged with yellowiſh olive: ridge coverts of the wings, and tail, of the ſame color; other leſſer coverts, and the greater coverts, black, marked with two tranſverſe bars of yellow: tail duſky, edged with olive; the outmoſt feathers marked half the length of their inner webs with yellowiſh white: all the lower part of the body of a dirty white.

PLACE.Inhabits Canada.

306. BELTED.
  • Le figuier a ceinture, De Buffon, v. 503.
  • Le figuier cendrè, Briſſon, iii, 524.
  • Motacilla Canadenſis, Lin. Syſt. 334.—Latham, ii. 486.

W. With an oblong yellow ſpot on the crown: reſt of the head, upper ſide of the body, and coverts of wings, of a deep blueiſh aſh-color, almoſt black; the laſt croſſed with two white [409] bars: from the bill, above each eye, paſſes a white line: the under ſide of the neck, breaſt, and belly, are white; the two firſt marked longitudinally with brown ſtreaks: between the breaſt and belly is a tranſverſe belt of yellow: tail duſky, a little forked; the two outmoſt feathers on each ſide white at their ends and inner ſides: coverts of the tail yellow. FEMALE is brown on the upper ſide: the coverts of the tail are not yellow.

Inhabits Canada. PLACE.

307. OLIVE.
  • Le figuier de la Caroline, Pl. Enl. 58, No 1.—De Buffon, v. 286.

W. With the head, upper part of the body, and coverts of the wings, of an olive-green: primaries and tail brown; the firſt bordered with green, the laſt with yellow: under ſide of the body of a pale yellow.

Inhabits Carolina. PLACE.

308. NEW-YORK.
  • Le Fauvette tachetée de la Louiſiane, De Buffon, v. 161.—Pl. Enl. 752.— Latham, ii. 436.

W. With a black bill, ſlightly bent at the end: over each eye a white line: crown, and all the upper plumage, cinereous and deep brown: lower part of the neck and body yellowiſh, ſtreaked with black: legs reddiſh brown. LENGTH near ſix inches.

Inhabits Louiſiana, and the hedges about New York. PLACE. Not gregarious.

309. DUSKY.
[410]
  • Fauvette ombrée de la Louiſiane, De Buffon, v. 162.—Pl. Enl. 709.— Latham, ii. 437.

W. With a black ſlender bill: upper part of the plumage greyiſh brown: back marked faintly with black: wings, coverts of the tail, and the tail itſelf, duſky; the laſt edged with white, thinly ſpeckled with black: legs duſky.

PLACE.Inhabits Louiſiana.

310. PROTHONOTARY.
  • Le figuier protonotaire, De Buffon, v. 316.—Pl. Enl. 704.—Latham, ii. 494.

W. With the head, neck, throat, breaſt, and belly, of a fine jonquil yellow: vent white: back olive: rump aſh-color: wings and tail black and cinereous.

PLACE.Inhabits Louiſiana. Called there le Protonotaire; but the reaſon has not reached us.

311. HALF-COLLARED.
  • Le figuier a demi collier, De Buffon, v. 316.—Latham, ii. 494.

W. With a yellowiſh olive crown: an aſh-colored band behind the eyes: coverts of the wings brown, edged with yellow: primaries brown, edged with white: throat and all the under ſide of the body of a clear aſh-color: acroſs the breaſt is a half-collar of black: belly tinged with yellow: tail aſh-color: four feathers on each ſide edged with black on their inner ſides.

312. ORANGE-BELLIED.
  • Le figuier a gorge jaune, De Buffon, v. 317.—Latham, ii. 495.

W. With the head and upper part of the body of an olive-brown: coverts of the wings yellow, varied with brown? primaries brown: ſecondaries and tail brown, bordered with olive: throat, under ſide of the neck, and breaſt, yellow; part [411] of the latter tinged with brown: the reſt of the lower part of the body reddiſh, approaching to yellow.

313. OLIVE-BROWN.
  • Le figuier brun olive, De Buffon, v. 318.—Latham, ii. 495.

W. With the upper part of the head and body of a browniſh olive: the coverts of the wings, and primaries, brown; the firſt edged and tipt with white; the laſt edged with grey: throat and breaſt white, varied with teints of grey: belly of a yellowiſh white: vent quite yellow: tail brown, bordered with clear grey; thoſe of the middle tinged with yellow; the two outmoſt on each ſide bordered with white.

314. GRASSET.
  • Le figuier graſſet, De Buffon, v. 319.—Latham, ii. 496.

W. With the head and upper part of the body of a deep greyiſh green and deep olive; the middle of the head marked with a yellow ſpot: back tinged with black: wings brown or duſky: throat and under ſide of the neck reddiſh; the reſt of the lower part white: tail black, edged with grey; and the four outmoſt feathers on each ſide marked near their ends with white.

315. GREY-THROAT.
  • Le figuier cendre, a gorge cendré, De Buffon, v. 319.—Latham, ii. 496.

W. With the head, and upper part of the body and wings, aſh-color; the laſt edged with white: throat and under ſide of the body of a more clear aſh-color: tail black: firſt feather on each ſide almoſt white; the ſecond half white; the third tipt with the ſame.

Theſe five ſpecies inhabit Louiſiana, and are called there Graſſets, PLACE. from their exceeding fatneſs. They frequent the tulip-trees; in particular the magnolia grandiflora, or the laurel-tree *, whoſe evergreen leaves give ample ſhelter to the feathered tribe.

316. GUIRA.
[412]
  • Motacilla Guira, Lin. Syſt. 336.—Edw. 351.—Latham, ii. 505.—Marcgrave, 212.—De Buffon, v. 343.—BL. MUS.

W. With head, hind part of neck, and back, of an olive green; lower part daſhed with yellow: leſſer coverts duſky, ſlightly edged with white; greater, and primaries, duſky, with their edges deeply marked with white: throat, and lower part of the neck, full black: breaſt and belly of a fine light yellow: tail brown, edged with dull yellow. The crown of the FEMALE olive green, ſpotted with black: hind part of the neck plain green: chin and fore part of neck black: breaſt and belly yellow, ſpotted with red: wings and tail like thoſe of the male.

PLACE.Inhabits New York. Makes its neſt between the ſmall branches of ſome tree. It is open at top, ſhallow, and formed of broad dead graſs, and ſome fibres. Its eggs white, thinly ſpotted with black.

317. BLACK-BURNIAN.

W. With the crown intenſely black, divided by a line of rich yellow: from each corner of the upper mandible is another of the ſame color: through the eye paſſes one of black, reaching beyond it, bounded beneath by a narrow yellow line: ſides of the neck, the throat, and middle of the breaſt, are of a beautiful yellow: ſides ſpotted with black: vent and thighs white: leſſer coverts black; greater white: back ſtriped black and white: primaries duſky: middle feathers of the tail duſky; three outmoſt on each ſide marked with white.—Latham, ii. 461.

PLACE.Inhabits New York.—BL. MUS.

318. PINE.
  • Pine-Creeper, Cateſby, i. 61.—Edw. 277.
  • Le figuier de ſapins, De Buffon, v. 296.—Latham, ii. 483.

W. With the crown, cheeks, breaſt, belly, and thighs, of a bright yellow: from the bill to the eyes is a duſky line: hind part of the neck, the back, and rump, of a yellowiſh green, inclining [413] to olive, brighteſt on the rump: wings and tail of a blueiſh grey: coverts marked with two white lines: outmoſt feathers of the tail with their inner webs white. FEMALES of a browniſh color.

Appears in Penſylvania, from the ſouth, in April. PLACE. Feeds on inſects and buds of trees. Continues there the whole ſummer. Inhabits the ſofter climate of Carolina the whole winter; and is ſeen creeping about the trees, eſpecially the firs and pine, with other congenerous birds, which aſſociate during that ſeaſon in ſmall flights.

319. YELLOW.
  • Yellow Titmouſe, Cateſby, i. 63.
  • Yellow Wren, Br. Zool. i. No 151.—Edw. 278.
  • Le figuier brun & jaune, De Buffon, v. 295.
  • Le Pouillot, ou le Chantre, Ib. 344.—Briſſon, iii. 479.
  • Le figuier de Caroline, Ib. 486.—Latham, ii. 512.
  • M. Trochilus, Faun. Suec. No 264.—LEV. MUS.—BL. MUS.

W. With the head and upper part of the body, wings, and tail, of a deep olive: cheeks yellow: through the eyes paſſes a duſky line, and beneath them another: whole under ſide and inner coverts of the wings, of a fine yellow; but in ſome much paler than others.

Inhabits North Carolina; breeds there, and diſappears in winter,PLACE. retiring to Jamaica and other iſlands. Is almoſt an univerſal bird. Found in moſt parts of Europe. Bears all climates, from the Eaſt Indies to the rugged Kamtſchatka. Is one of the ſmalleſt birds of Europe. Feeds on inſects.

320. RUBY-CROWNED.
  • Ruby-crowned Wren, Edw. 254.
  • Le Roitelet rubis, De Buffon, v. 373.—Latham, ii. 511.—LEV. MUS.

W. With a rich ruby-colored ſpot towards the hind part of the head: reſt of the head, upper part of the neck, body, and coverts of the wings, of an olive-colour: coverts croſſed by two white lines: primaries and tail duſky, edged with yellow: from [414] bill to tail a light yellow.SIZE. LENGTH four inches: extent five: weight four drams.

PLACE.Inhabits North America, from Hudſon's Bay to Penſylvania; probably through the whole continent. A moſt delicate bird, to be found in the rude climate of the bay.

321. GOLDEN-CRESTED.
  • Br. Zool. i. No 153.—Cateſby, App. 13.
  • M. Regulus. Kongsfogel, Faun. Suec. No 262.—Latham, ii. 508.
  • Le Roitelet, De Buffon, v. 363.—Pl. Enl. 651. 3.—LEV. MUS.—BL. MUS.

W. With a black crown, divided lengthways with a rich ſcarlet line, which it ſhews or conceals at pleaſure. In other reſpects, the colors and marks reſemble the former. The leaſt of all European birds. LENGTH only three inches and a half.

PLACE.Is found in New York; and inhabits the red cedars. Is met with in Europe as high as Drontheim *. Croſſes annually from the Orknies to the Shetland iſles; where it breeds, and returns again before winter: along flight, of ſixty miles, for ſo ſmall a bird. Rare in Ruſſia. Frequent in Sibiria, about the Jeneſei.

322. WREN.
  • Br. Zool. i. No 154.
  • M. Troglodytes, Faun. Suec. No 261.—Latham, ii. 506.
  • Le Troglodyte, De Buffon, v. 352.—Pl. Enl. 651. 2.—LEV. MUS.—BL. MUS.

W. With head and back brown, obſcurely barred with duſky: coverts of wings, quil-feathers, and tail, elegantly barred with black and ferruginous: whole under ſide of a dirty white, mottled with pale brown.

Twice the ſize of the European Wren; yet appears to be of the ſame kind. Is one of the exceptions to the remark made, that the [415] animals of the ſame ſpecies in the new are leſſer than thoſe of the old world.

Appears in the province of New York in May, and lays in June. PLACE. Builds its neſt in holes of trees, with fibres of roots and ſticks, lining it with hairs and feathers. Lays from ſeven to nine eggs, white, thinly ſpotted with red. Has the ſame actions with the European Wren: ſings, but with a different note. Retires ſouth in Auguſt.

The European kind reaches to the Feroe iſles; where it enters the cottages, to peck the dried meat of the inhabitants*. Found alſo in Norway; but not far north. Rare in Sweden and Ruſſia. Unknown in Sibiria.

323. BUSH?
  • Little Sparrow? Cateſby, i. 35.
  • Hedge Sparrow, Lawſon, 144.—Latham, ii. 420.

W. With the body entirely brown.

Leſs than the European Hedge Sparrow. Mr. Cateſby ſays, that it partakes much of the nature of that ſpecies. Mr. Lawſon ſays, that the Hedge Sparrow of Carolina differs ſcarcely from the Engliſh; only that he never heard it ſing. They are not numerous; are uſually ſeen ſingle, hopping under buſhes: feed on inſects: and are commonly ſeen near houſes in Carolina and Virginia, PLACE. where they continue the whole year.

[416]
  • A. NIGHTINGALE, Br. Zool. i. No 145.
  • Nâchtergani, Faun. Suec. No 545.—Latham, ii. 410.
  • Le Roſſignol, De Buffon, v. 81.—Pl. Enl. 615.—LEV. MUS.—BL. MUS.

W. With head and neck tawny, daſhed with olive: throat, breaſt, and belly, gloſſy aſh-color: tail deep tawny.

PLACE.Inhabits the groves of Oland, Gothland, Upſal, and Schonen; but not farther north. Appears about the middle of May: retires about the time of hay-harveſt*. Found in the temperate parts of Ruſſia; and in Sibiria, as far as Tomſk only; not as yet in the eaſtern parts. None in Scotland. Extends over every temperate part of Europe; to Syria , Perſia , and the Holy Land §; and to the banks of the Nile.

  • B. REDSTART, Br. Zool. i. No 146.
  • M. Phoenicurus Rodſtjert, Faun. Suec. No 257.—Latham, ii. 421.
  • Le Roſſignol de muraille, De Buffon, v. 170.—Pl. Enl. 351.—LEV. MUS.—BL. MUS.

W. With white front: crown and back deep blueiſh grey: cheek and throat black: breaſt, rump, and ſides, red: two middle feathers of tail brown; the reſt red. FEMALE, head and back aſh-color: chin white.

PLACE.Inhabits Europe, as high as Drontheim. In all parts of Ruſſia and Sibiria: in the laſt, the colors are extremely vivid. Extends to Kamtſchatka, and even to the Arctic circle.

[417]
  • C. GREY REDSTART.
  • M. Erithacus, Faun. Suec. No 258.
  • Le Rouge-queue, De Buffon, v. 180.—Latham, ii. 423.

W. With a hoary crown: back and wings cinereous: whole under ſide of the body and tail ferruginous.

Inhabits Sweden. Lives in trees. Lays nine blueiſh grey eggs.PLACE. Seen alſo near the Volga.

  • D. Red-breaſt, Br. Zool. i. No 147.
  • Rotgel, Faun. Suec. 260.—Latham, ii. 442.
  • Le Rouge-gorge, De Buffon, v. 196.—Pl. Enl. 361.—LEV. MUS.

W. With front, chin, and breaſt, of a deep orange red: upper part of the body, wings, and tail, olivaceous.

Inhabits Europe as far as Drontheim. Scarce in Ruſſia. PLACE. Is ſeen above the Kama; but never in Sibiria. Its familiarity with mankind has occaſioned it, in many countries, to receive a fond name: thus the Danes call it Tommi-Liden; the Norwegians, Peter Ronſmad; the Germans, Thomas Gierdet; and we, Robin Red-breaſt *.

  • [...]. BLUE-THROAT. M. Suecica, No 259.
  • Bloukropfl, Kram. Auſt. 375.—Latham, ii. 444.
  • La Gorge-bleue, De Buffon, v. 206.—Pl. Enl. 361.—LEV. MUS.

W. With a tawny breaſt, marked with a ſky-blue creſcent: over each eye a white line: head and back brown: tail duſky, ferruginous towards the baſe, and tipt with yellow: belly whitiſh: the vent yellowiſh.

Inhabits Weſt Bothnia and Lapland. PLACE. Lives among the alders and willows, and is ſuppoſed not to migrate from that ſevere climate. Is found in all the northern parts of Ruſſia and Sibiria. Sings finely.

[418]A bird, differing from this only by a blue line below each eye, is figured by Mr. Edwards, tab. 28, and drawn from one ſhot on the rook of Gibraltar.

  • F. BLACK-CAP, Br. Zool. i. No 148.
  • M. Atricapilla, Faun. Suec. No 256.—Latham, ii. 415.
  • La Fauvette à tête noire, De Buffon. v. 125.—Pl. Enl. 580.—LEV. MUS.—BL. MUS.

W. With a black crown: hind part of neck pale aſh: back, and coverts of wings, greyiſh olive: breaſt and belly light aſh. Crown of the FEMALE dull ruſt-color.

PLACE.Found in Sweden; chiefly in Schonen. Not in the Ruſſian catalogue.

  • G. PETTY-CHAPS, Br. Zool. i. No 149.
  • M. Hippolais, Faun. Suec. No 248.—Latham, ii. 413.
  • La Fauvette, De Buffon, v. 117.—Pl. Enl. 579.—LEV. MUS.

W. With inſide of the mouth red: head, back, and wings, olivaceous aſh: inner coverts yellow: breaſt white, tinged with yellow: belly ſilvery: tail duſky.

PLACE.Found as far as Sweden.

  • H. HEDGE, Br. Zool. i. No 150.
  • M. Modularis Jarnſparf, Faun. Suec. No 245.—Latham, ii. 419.
  • Le Traîne Buiſſon, ou Mouchet, ou la Fauvette d'hiver, De Buffon, v. 151.—Pl. Enl. 615.—LEV. MUS.

W. With a deep brown head, mixed with aſh: throat and breaſt of a dull ſlate-color: belly dirty white: ſides, thighs, and vent, of a tawny brown: tail duſky.

PLACE.Inhabits Sweden, its fartheſt northern reſidence. Lays four or five fine pale blue eggs.

[419]
  • I. BOG-RUSH.
  • M. Schaenobaenus, Faun. Suec. No 246.—Latham, ii. 418.
  • La Rouſſette, ou la Fauvette des bois, De Buffon, v. 139.

W. With head, back, and rump, of a teſtaceous brown; the two firſt ſpotted: the wings teſtaceous on their outmoſt ſides: throat and belly of the ſame color: tail duſky. SIZE of a Wren.

Inhabits among the bog-ruſhes of Schonen in Sweden. PLACE.

  • K. FIG-EATER.
  • M. Ficedula, Faun. Suec. No 251.—Latham, ii. 432,
  • Le Bec-figue, De-Buffon, v. 187.—Pl. Enl. 668.

W. With head and upper part of the body and wings duſky, mixed with cheſnut: breaſt of a cinereous white; that of the female white: tail of the male black; of the female inclined to cheſnut: legs of the male cheſnut, of the female black.

Inhabits (but rarely) the gardens and cultivated parts of Sweden. PLACE.

  • L. GRASSHOPPER, Br. Zool. i. No 382.
  • Alanda trivialis, Lin. Syſt. 288.—Latham, ii. 429.—LEV. MUS.

W. With head and upper part of the body of an olive brown, ſpotted with black: primaries duſky, edged with olive brown: breaſt and belly dirty white: tail very long, and cuneiform, compoſed of twelve ſharp-pointed brown feathers.

Inhabits Sweden. Is frequent in Sibiria. Scarce in Ruſſia. PLACE. Has the note of a Graſshopper.

  • M. SEDGE, Br. Zool. i. No 155.
  • M. Salicaria, Faun. Suec. No 249.—Latham, ii. 430.
  • La Fauvette de roſeaux, De Buffon, v. 142.—LEV. MUS.

W. With a brown head, ſtreaked with duſky: over each eye a line of white, bounded above by another of black: throat white: breaſt and belly white, tinged with yellow: back reddiſh brown, [420] ſpotted with black: rump tawny: tail brown; circular when ſpread.

PLACE.Inhabits Sweden. Is frequent in Ruſſia and Sibiria, in willow thickets near rivers, even to the Arctic circle.

  • N. SCOTCH, Br. Zool. i. No 152.
  • M. Acredula, Faun. Suec. No 263.—Latham, ii. 513.

W. With front and under ſide of the body of a fine pale yellow: back and wings green, daſhed with aſh-color: tail forked and brown. SIZE of a Wren.

PLACE.Inhabits Sweden, about Upſal. Found alſo in Ruſſia and Sibiria.

  • O. LONG-BILLED.

W. With a very long ſlender bill: forehead, cheeks, and chin, pale ruſt-color: upper part of body and tail brown, tinged with olive: under part of the body of the ſame color, but lighter: middle of the belly white. Leſſer than a Hedge Sparrow.

PLACE.Inhabits Kamtſchatka.

* * WITH PARTICOLORED TAILS.
  • P. WHEAT-EAR, Br. Zool. i. No 157.
  • M. Oenanthe. Stenſquetta, Faun. Suec. No 254.—Latham, ii. 465.
  • Le Motteux, ou Cul blanc, De Buffon, v. 237.—Pl. Enl. 554.—LEV. MUS.

W. With head and back grey, tinged with red: from the bill to the hind part of the head, acroſs each eye, is a broad bar of black; above that a line of yellow: breaſt and belly white, tinged with yellow: rump and lower half of the tail white; the end black. FEMALE wants the black bar acroſs the eyes: leſs white on the tail, and the colors in general are duller.

[421]A ſpecies which extends from the ſultry climate of Bengal * to the frozen region of Greenland, Is migratory,PLACE. at leſt in the temperate and frigid zones. Goes even in ſummer as high as beyond the Arctic circle, in Europe and Aſia, wherever the country is rocky. In Greenland, is converſant among rills of water. Feeds, on inſects and worms, eſpecially thoſe of places of interment; is therefore deteſted by the natives. Breeds in that country in June. Is found in Iceland and the Feroe iſlands. On its firſt appearance in Sweden, the peaſants expect to be freed from the ſevere nocturnal, froſts. Its winter retreat unknown.

  • Q. STAPAZINA.
  • M. Stapazina, Lin. Syſt. 331.—Latham, ii. 468.
  • Le Motteux, ou Cul blanc rouſsâtre, De Buffon, v. 454.—LEV. MUS.

W. With head, neck, and breaſt, of a reddiſh brown: throat and belly, white: acroſs the eyes a brown bar: rump white: tail like that of the former.

Is frequent, with the preceding, in Ruſſia and Sibiria; PLACE. and extends to Kamtſchatka. Often found in the warmer parts of Europe.

  • R. WHIN-CHAT, Br. Zool. i. No 158.
  • Le Tarier, De Buffon, v. 224.—Pl. Enl. 678.
  • M. Rubetra, Faun. Suec. No 255.—Latham, ii. 245.—LEV. MUS.

W. With head and back of ruſty brown, ſpotted with black: over each eye a white line; under that a broad bed of black: breaſt reddiſh yellow: two middle feathers of the tail black; the reſt white at their bottoms, black at their ends. The FEMALE has on the cheeks a bed of brown inſtead of black, and the other colors leſs vivid.

[422] PLACE.Found not farther north than Sweden. Is found in the temperate parts of Ruſſia, as far as the Urallian chain; but has not reached Sibiria.

  • S. WHITE-THROAT.
  • M. Sylvia. Skogſneter meſar, Faun. Suec. No 250.—Latham, ii. 428.
  • La Griſette, ou Fauvette griſe, De Buffon, v. 132.—Pl. Enl. 579. 3.—LEV. MUS.

W. With head of a browniſh aſh: back tinged with red: leſſer coverts of wings pale brown; greater duſky, edged with tawny brown: wings and tail duſky, with reddiſh brown margins: exterior ſide, and part of the interior ſides, of the outmoſt feather of the tail white.

PLACE.Not farther north than Sweden. Scattered over all Ruſſia and Sibiria.

  • T. AWATCHA.

W. With crown, upper part of neck and body, deep brown: primaries edged with white: lower part of the five outmoſt feathers of the tail deep orange; ends brown; two middle feathers wholly brown: throat and breaſt white; the ſides of the firſt, and all the laſt, ſpotted with black: from upper mandible to each eye, an oblique white line: ſides pale ruſt-color: middle of the belly white.

PLACE.Inhabits Kamtſchatka.

  • U. KRUKA.
  • M. Curruca. Kruka, Faun. Suec. No. 247.—Latham, ii. 417.

W. With head, wings, and upper part of body, browniſh aſh; lower part white: tail duſky; but each outmoſt feather ſtriped down with a line of white.

PLACE.Inhabits Sweden, and all parts of Ruſſia; but not Sibiria. Its eggs aſh-colored, ſpotted with ruſt. Not our Hedge Sparrow, which Linnaeus makes ſynonymous with it.

XXX. TITMOUSE. Gen. Birds LIV.
[423]
324. TOUPET.
  • Creſted Titmouſe, Cateſby, i. 57.—Latham, ii. 544.
  • La Meſange huppée de Ja Caroline, De Buffon, v. 451.—Briſſon, iii. 561.
  • Parus bicolor, Lin. Syſt. 340.—LEV. MUS.—BL. MUS.

T. With the forehead, head, and upper part of the neck and body, of a deep grey: under ſide white, tinged with red; deepeſt: under the wings: feathers on the head long, which it erects occaſionally into a pointed creſt, like a toupet: legs of a lead-color. FEMALE differs not in color.

Inhabits the foreſts of Virginia and Carolina the whole year,PLACE. and feed on inſects. Shuns houſes. Found alſo in Greenland *. Flies ſwift; and emits a weak note.

325. VIRGINIAN.
  • Yellow-rump, Cateſby, i. 58.—Latham, ii. 546.
  • La Meſange à croupion jaune, De Buffon, v. 453.
  • Parus Virginianus, Lin. Syſt. 342.—Briſſon, iii. 575.

T. With the head, whole body, wings, and tail, brown, tinged with green: rump yellow.

Inhabits Carolina. Frequents trees, and feeds on inſects.PLACE.

326. CREEPING.
  • Finch Creeper, Cateſby, i. 64.—Latham, ii. 558.
  • Parus Americanus, Lin. Syſt. 341.—BL. MUS.

T. With a blueiſh head: white ſpot above, and another beneath each eye: upper part of the back of a yellowiſh green; reſt of the back, tail, and wings, of a duſky blue; the laſt croſſed with two bars of white: throat yellow, bounded beneath by a black [424] band, extending to the hind part of the neck; which is of the ſame color: breaſt yellow: belly white: ſides tinged with red: legs dull yellow. FEMALE duſky.

PLACE.Inhabits Carolina all the year. Creeps up and down the bodies of trees, and picks inſects out of the bark.

327. COLEMOUSE.
  • Br. Zool. i. No 164.
  • Parus ater, Faun. Suec. 268.—Latham, ii. 540.
  • La petite Charbonniere, De Buffon, v. 400.—LEV. MUS.

T. With a black head, marked on the hind part with a white ſpot: back and rump of a cinereous green; brighteſt on the laſt: coverts of the, wings of a duſky green; the loweſt order tipt with white.

PLACE.Shot during ſummer in Newfoundland. Is found in Sibiria, even beyond the Lena; and winters in that climate.

328. CANADA.
  • Meſange à tête noire du Canada, De Buffon, v. 408.—Briſſon, iii. 553.
  • Parus Atricapillus, Lin. Syſt. 341.—Latham, ii. 542.

T. With the head and chin black: ſides of the neck, cheeks, and all the under part of the body, white: upper ſide of the neck, back, and rump, of a deep aſh-color: coverts of the wings, and primaries, brown; the firſt edged with grey; the exterior ſides of the laſt with a lighter grey; the inner with white: the two middle feathers of the tail cinereous; the others brown on the inner ſide, and aſh-colored on the outmoſt, edged with light grey.

PLACE.Inhabits Canada and Hudſon's Bay, and as high as lat. 64. 30, on the weſtern ſide of North America. Is a moſt hardy bird; and continues about Albany Fort the whole year; but moſt numerous in cold weather, probably compelled by want of food. Feeds on worms and inſects: makes a twittering noiſe; from which the natives call it Kiſs-kiſs-keſhiſh *.

[425]I cannot add a bird of this kind from Louiſiana as a new ſpecies, as it differs in nothing, except having the black ſpot on the chin larger, and the colors deeper. The FEMALE has a tinge of red amongſt the cinereous, and on the head*.

329. HUDSON'S BAY.
  • Parus Hudſonicus, Forſter.—Ph. Tranſ. lxii. 408. 430.—Latham, ii. 557.

T. With the head of a ruſty brown: a white line beneath each eye: black throat: feathers on the back long, brown tipt with olive: feathers on the breaſt and belly black, tipt with white: ſides under the wings ferruginous: wings brown: edges of the primaries cinereous: tail rounded; brown, edged with cinereous: legs black. Male and Female reſemble each other. LENGTH five inches and an eighth. EXTENT ſeven. WEIGHT half an ounce.

Continues, even about Severn river, the whole year.PLACE. Frequents the juniper-buſhes, on buds of which it feeds. Lays five eggs. In winter collects in ſmall flocks, flying from tree to tree. The natives call them Peche-ke-ke-ſhiſh.

  • A. GREAT TITMOUSE, Br. Zool. i. No 162.—Latham, ii. 536.
  • Le Charbonniere, ou groſſe Meſange, De Buffon, v. 392.—Pl. Enl. 3.
  • Talg-oxe, Faun. Suec. 265.—LEV. MUS.—BL. MUS.

T. With white cheeks: bill, head, and throat, black: belly yellowiſh green, divided lengthways with a bed of black: rump blueiſh grey: coverts of wings blue: primaries edged with blue: tail [426] duſky; exterior ſides of the outmoſt feathers white; of the others blueiſh: legs lead-color. SIZE of a Chaffinch.

PLACE.Inhabits Norway, Sweden, Ruſſia, and Sibiria, even in the winter.

  • B. STRÖMIAN, Strom. Sond. i. 240.—Brunnich, p. 73.—Latham, ii. 537.

T. With bill black above, yellow below: neck and upper part of the body, yellowiſh green: throat yellow: breaſt yellow, ſpotted with bay: belly blue, yellowiſh near the vent: tail bifurcated, of the ſame color with the back; the two middle feathers greeniſh; the two outmoſt edged with white: legs black.

PLACE.Diſcovered by Mr. Ström, in Sondmor.

  • C. AZURE TITMOUSE.
  • Parus Cyaneis, Nov. Com. Petrop. xiv. 498. tab. xiii. fig. 1.—588. tab. xxiii. fig. 1.
  • Parus Indicus, Aldr.—Raii. Syn. Av. 74.—Latham, i. 538.

T. With a very ſhort and thick bill: crown and hind part of the neck of a hoary whiteneſs; the lower part of the laſt bounded by a tranſverſe band of dark blue: cheeks white, croſſed by a deep blue line, extending beyond the eyes: back light blue: rump whitiſh: under ſide of the neck, breaſt, and belly, of a ſnowy whiteneſs, with a ſingle duſky ſpot on the breaſt: wings varied with rich blue, duſky, and white: tail rather long; of a duſky blue, tipt with white: legs duſky blue.

SIZE of the Engliſh Blue Titmouſe. The plumage of this elegant ſpecies is extremely looſe, ſoft, and of moſt exquiſitely fine texture, and ſo liable to be raiſed, that when the bird is ſitting, but eſpecially when it is aſleep, it appears like a ball of feathers.

PLACE.It inhabits, in great abundance, the northern woods of Sibiria and Ruſſia, and about Synbirſk, in the government of Kaſan. It is a migratory bird, and appears in winter converſant about the houſes in Peterſburgh. It twitters like the common Sparrow, but with a ſofter and ſweeter note.

[427]
  • D. BLUE, Br. Zool. i. No 163.
  • Blamées, Faun. Suec. No 267.—Latham, ii. 543.
  • La Meſange bleue, De Buffon, v. 413.—Pl. Enl. 3. 2.—LEV. MUS.—BL. MUS.

T. With a rich blue crown, wings, and tail: a black line over each eye: cheeks and forehead white: back yellowiſh green: breaſt and belly yellow.

Inhabits as high as Sondmor *. Found in ſouthern Ruſſia, PLACE. but not in Sibiria.

  • E. MARSH, Br. Zool. i. No 165.
  • Entita, Tomlinge, Faun. Suec. No 269.—Latham, ii. 541.
  • La Nonuette cendrée, De Buffon, v. 403.—Pl. Enl. 3. 3.—LEV. MUS.—BL. MUS.

T. With head wholly black: under ſide of the body white: back cinereous. Like the Colemouſe, No [...] it wants the white ſpot on the hind part of the head: its tail is longer, and the bulk larger.

Is found as far as Sondmor .PLACE. Inhabits all parts of Ruſſia and Sibiria, even as far as Kamtſchatka; and endures the hardeſt froſts.

  • F. CRESTED.
  • Parus criſtatus. Tofsmyſſa. Tofstita, Faun. Suec. No 266.
  • La Meſange huppée, De Buffon, v. 447.—Pl. Enl. 502.—Latham, ii. 545.

T. With a large upright creſt: chin black: reſt of the plumage a mixture of black, aſh-color, and white.

Is found in Sweden, and in the weſt and temperate parts of Ruſſia; PLACE. but does not reach Sibiria.

[428]
  • G. LONG-TAILED, Br. Zool. i. No 166.
  • Lanius caudatus Ahltita, Faun. Suec. No 83.—Latham, ii. 551.
  • La Meſange à longue queue, De Buffon, v. 436.—Pl. Enl, 502. 3.—LEV. MUS.— BL. MUS.

T. With crown white, mixed with dark grey: head ſurrounded by a bed of black, beginning at the baſe of the bill: from the hind part of the head to the rump a line of black; feathers on each ſide of that line, and thoſe on the breaſt, a fine purpliſh red: tail very long and cuneiform; black, with the interior edges of the three outmoſt feathers white.

PLACE.Inhabits Sweden. Frequent, even in winter, in thickets and woods, all over Ruſſia and Sibiria. Its elegant neſt deſcribed in the Br. Zool. i. p. 395.

  • H. BEARDED, Br. Zool. 1. No 167.—Latham, ii. 552.
  • La Mouſtache, De Buffon, v. 418.—Pl. Enl. 618.—LEV. MUS.—BL. MUS.

T. With a fine grey head: beneath each eye a deep black triangular tuft of feathers: back, ſides, and thighs, orange-colored: ſecondaries black, edged with orange: middle of the breaſt bloom-colored: tail long, cuneiform, and ferruginous. FEMALE wants the black tufts: crown of a dirty brown: outmoſt feathers of the tail black; the ends white.

PLACE.Found but rarely in Schonen in Sweden. Is very common about the Caſpian and Palus Maeotis, and among the ruſhes of the rivers which fall into them; but in no high latitudes in Aſia. None in Sibiria.

XXXI. SWALLOW. Gen. Birds, LV.
[429]
330. CHIMNEY.
  • Br. Zool. No 168.—Latham, ii. 560.
  • Hirundo ruſtica. Ladu Swala, Faun. Suec. No 270.
  • L'Hirondelle de cheminée, De Buffon, vi. 591.—Pl. Enl. 543.—LEV. MUS— BL. MUS.

SW. With the head, upper part of the body, and coverts of the wings, black, gloſſed with rich purpliſh blue: forehead red: under ſide ferruginous. That of Europe white; in the MALE tinged with red: tail black; every feather, unleſs the two middle, marked with a white ſpot near the end.

Differs in nothing from the Engliſh chimney Swallow, but in the redneſs of the under ſide.

Theſe birds inhabit, during ſummer, Newfoundland, PLACE. and other parts of North America. Build on lofty rocks and precipices, eſpecially ſuch as yield ſhelter by overhanging their baſe. Others, ſince the arrival of the Europeans, affect the haunts of mankind, and make their neſts in barns, ſtables, and out-houſes: in ſome parts they are, on that account, called Barn Swallows. The Swedes give them the ſame name, Ladu Swala, becauſe in their country they alſo neſtle in barns.

They appear in the Jerſies the beginning of April, wet, ſays Mr. Kalm, from the ſea or lakes, at the bottom of which they had paſſed torpid the whole winter—I ſhould rather imagine, from the caſual ſhowers they met with in their long flight from their winter quarters: and that they do take ſuch, Mr. Kalm himſelf is witneſs to, by meeting with them on their paſſage at ſea, nine hundred and twenty miles from any land*.

In the province of New York they appear in May. Make the ſame ſort of neſt with the European. Lay in June. Diſappear in Auguſt, or early in September.

[430]Is found in Europe as far north as Drontheim, and ſometimes frequents the Feroe iſles.

IN SIBIRIA.This ſpecies is very common all over Sibiria; but thoſe which are found beyond the Jeneſei, and in all the north-eaſt part of that country, have their lower part ruſt-colored, like the American variety; for they cannot be deemed a diſtinct ſpecies.

331. MARTIN.
  • Br. Zool. i. No 169.—Latham, ii. 564.
  • Hirundo urbica. Hus-Swala, Faun. Suec. No 271.
  • L'Hirondelle au Croupion blanc, ou de Fenêtre, De Buffon, vi. 614. — Pl. Enl. 542.—BL. MUS.

SW. With a white rump, breaſt, and belly: head and back black, gloſſed with blue: wings and tail black: feet covered with white down.

PLACE.In Europe is ſeen as high as Drontheim.

Inhabits, during ſummer, Newfoundland and New York. It was alſo found by the navigators on the weſtern coaſt in the month of October: it was inferior in ſize to thoſe found in Europe. A ſpecimen, with a black rump, was ſent from Hudſon's Bay *; doubtful whether a variety or diſtinct ſpecies. They build there under the windows of the few houſes, or againſt the ſteep banks of rivers.

IN SIBIRIA.Is very common in Sibiria and Kamtſchatka.

332. SAND.
  • Br. Zool. i. No 170.—Latham, ii. 568.
  • Hirundo riparia. Strand-Swala. Back-Swala, Faun. Suec. No 273
  • L'Hirondelle de rivage, De Buffon, vi. 632.—Pl. Enl. 543. 2.—BL. MUS.

SW. With the head and upper part of the body of a mouſe-color: wings and tail duſky: under ſide white: throat croſſed by a mouſe-colored ring: feet ſmooth and black.

[431]Arrives in June in New York. Builds in deep holes of banks,PLACE. over lakes and rivers; and departs in Auguſt or the beginning of September. It is frequent in Sibiria and Kamtſchatka. Is found in Europe as far north as Sondmor *.

333. PURPLE SWIFT.
  • Purple Martin, Cateſby, i. 51,
  • Great American Martin (fem?) Edw. 120.
  • Hirundo purpurea. H. Subis, Lin. Syſt. 344.—Latham, ii. 574. No 21.—575. Nos 23 24.
  • Le Martinet coleur de pourpre, De Buffon, vi. 676.
  • L'Hirondelle de la Baie de Hudſon, Ib. 677.
  • L'Hirondelle de la Louiſiane, Ib. 674.—Pl. Enl. 722.—LEV. MUS.—BL. MUS.

SW. With its whole plumage black, gloſſed moſt richly with variable blue and deep purple: wings and tail of a duller color: legs and feet naked, large, and ſtrong; three toes only ſtanding forward, not all four, as in the European kind. In SIZE far ſuperior to the Engliſh Swift; but the wings in proportion ſhorter.

The colors of the FEMALE are leſs gloſſy on the upper part of the body; below of a dirty white: in ſome, the ridge of the wings is white, and the breaſt grey. Such is the ſpecimen engraven by Mr. Edwards; which I ſuſpect to be a young bird, and not to differ in ſpecies, although it may in ſex, from that of Mr. Cateſby; for I have had opportunity of examining both male and female from New York. I muſt alſo unite the Louiſiane of the Count De Buffon, to this ſpecies.

Inhabits North America, PLACE. from Hudſon's Bay to South Carolina and Louiſiana. Appears in New York in April. Leaves the province the latter end of Auguſt. By the ſelf-intereſt of mankind, they are welcome gueſts, and provided with lodgings, in form of earthen pots or boxes, placed on the outſides of the houſes, againſt their arrival, and ſometimes with empty calabaſhes hung on the tops of poles. In theſe they make their neſts, and lay four or five eggs. In return for theſe benefits, they are the guardian of the poultry; driving [432] away, and purſuing with great noiſe, Crows, Hawks, and all kinds of vermin. On the approach of any thing noxious, they ſet up a loud note; which the chickens conſider as an alarm, and inſtantly run under ſhelter.

334. SWIFT.
  • Br. Zool. i. No 171.—Latham, ii. 584.
  • Swift, or Diveling, Lawſon, 145.
  • Hirundo apus. Ring-Swala, Faun. Suec. 272.
  • Le Martinet noir, De Buffon, 643.—Pl. Enl. 542.—BL. MUS.

SW. With a very ſmall bill: white chin: all the plumage beſides duſky: all the toes ſtanding forward.

PLACE.According to Mr. Lawſon, inhabits Carolina. Found in vaſt abundance beyond lake Baikal, on the loftieſt rocks; chiefly about the river Onon, where a variety with a white rump is very common. Extends in Europe as high as Drontheim.

335. ACULEATED.
  • American Swallow, Cateſby, i. 8.
  • Chimney Swallow, Kalm. ii. 146.
  • Hirundo pelaſgia, Lin. Syſt. 345.—Latham, ii. 583.
  • Le Hirondelle brune acutipenne, De Buffon, vi. 699. — Pl. Enl. 726. —LEV. MUS.—BL. MUS.

SW. With the bill ſhort, broad, and black: head, upper part of the neck, and wings, duſky: breaſt cinereous: back, tail, and belly brown: tail even at the end; extremities of each ſhaft naked and ſharp-pointed: wings extend far beyond the tail: legs longer than common to this tribe, and naked a little below the knee. LENGTH five inches and a half.

PLACE.Inhabits many parts of North America. Arrives in New York and Penſylvania in May; ſomtimes early, ſometimes late in the month. Builds in chimnies, forming a moſt curious neſt, with bits of ſmall ſticks, cemented by peach-tree gum. It is open at top, and forms about a third of a circle. Lays four or five eggs in June, and quits the [433] country in Auguſt. They often ſtick cloſe to the chimney-wall by their feet, and ſupport themſelves by applying their ſharp tail to the ſides. They make all day a great thundering noiſe, by flying up and down the funnel.

It is remarkable, that three ſpecies of the American Swallows, in general ſeek the protection of houſes for their places of building their neſts, ovation, and nutrition; yet it is very certain, that before the arrival of the Europeans they muſt have had recourſe to rocks or hollow trees for thoſe purpoſes; for the miſerable hovels of the Indians had neither eaves for the uſes of the 331ſt and 330th ſpecies, nor chimnies for that of the bird in queſtion. The two firſt muſt therefore have fixed their neſt againſt the face of ſome precipice, as ſome of the Houſe Swallows do at preſent in America, and this ſpecies does about the ſteep rocks about Irkutſk in Sibiria. IN SIBIRIA. The inſtinct that directs part of this genus to fly to the protection of mankind, as ſoon as opportunity, unknown to preceding broods, offered, is as wonderful as it is inexplicable.

The Comte De Buffon mentions another of this ſpecies*,LOUISIANE. A VARIETY. which is found in Louiſiana. It differs only in the ſuperior length of the wings, from the bird I deſcribe: I therefore can conſider it but as a mere variety.

XXXII. GOATSUCKER. Gen. Birds, LVI.
[434]
336. SHORT-WINGED.
  • Goatſucker of Carolina, Cateſby, i. 8.
  • Eaſt India Bat, or Muſqueto Hawk, Lawſon, 144.
  • L'Engoulevent dela Caroline, De Buffon, vi. 532.—Latham, ii. 592.

G. With the head, back, breaſt, and coverts of the wings, elegantly mottled with black and bright ruſt-color, and ſpotted with large ragged black marks: the ſcapulars of the ſame color, here and there ſpotted with white: on the lower part of the back is a mixture of aſh-color: primaries and ſecondaries moſt beautifully varied with narrow bars of black and ferruginous; the four middle feathers of the tail barred and mottled with the ſame colors; as are the external webs of the three outmoſt on each ſide; but the inner webs of a ſnowy whiteneſs. Wings, when cloſed, reach little farther than half the length of the tail.SIZE. LENGTH twelve inches: EXTENT twenty-four.

PLACE.I received this ſpecies from Doctor GARDEN of Charleſtown, South Carolina; where it is called, from one of its notes, Chuck, Chuck Will's widow; and in the northern provinces, Whip poor Will, from the reſemblance which another of its notes bears to thoſe words. This, Mr. Kalm ſays, is the fancy of the Europeans; for the real ſound is likeſt to Whipperiwhip, with a ſtrong accent on the firſt and laſt ſyllable*. It begins its note about the time that the cherry-trees begin to bloſſom, or near the 22d of April, in the Jerſies; probably ſooner in the ſouthern provinces. Mr. Blackburne obſerved them firſt,EGGS. in the province of New York, in May. Adds, that they lay two eggs on the bare ground; and that they will ſcarcely quit them on the neareſt approach. They diſappear in Auguſt.

FOOD.Their food is entirely inſects, which they catch night and morning, at the time in which they emit their ſong. They never ſettle [435] on high trees; but on buſhes, rails, or the ſteps of houſes, which they frequent, as inſects ſwarm more, near to habitations, than other places. They give their note ſitting: if they ſee an inſect paſs, they fly up, catch it, and then ſettle again, and renew their ſong. Oft-times numbers perch near one another, make a vaſt noiſe, repeating their ſong as if in emulation. They continue their call till it is quite dark: their note ceaſes during night; but commences at the dawn, and is continued till the ſun riſes, when they again deſiſt for the whole day*. I muſt add, that, beſides theſe notes, it has that ſtrange ſound reſembling the turning of a great ſpinning-wheel; probably common to the whole genus.

They are extremely rare towards the ſea-ſide; but ſwarm towards the mountains. Doctor Garden never got but this one. Mr. Clayton confirms their ſcarcity in the maritime parts of the provinces; and favors us with the following account of them.

‘I never heard but one in the maritime parts; though my abode has been always there; but near the mountains, within a few minutes after ſun-ſet, they begin, and make ſo ſhrill and loud a noiſe, which the echoes from the rocks and ſides of the mountains increaſe to ſuch a degree, that the firſt time I lodged there I could hardly get any ſleep. The ſhooting them in the night is very difficult; they never appearing in the day. Their cry is pretty much like the ſound of the pronunciation of the words Whip poor Will, with a kind of a chucking between every other, or every two or three cries; and they lay the accent upon the laſt word Will, and leſt of all upon the middle one.’

‘The Indians ſay, theſe birds were never known till a great maſſacre was made of their country folks by the Engliſh, and that they are the departed ſpirits of the maſſacred Indians. Abundance of people here look upon them as birds of ill omen, and are very [436] melancholy if one lights on their houſe or near their door, and ſets up its cry (as they will ſometimes upon the very threſhold); for they verily believe one of the family will die very ſoon after*.’

337. LONG-WINGED.
  • Whip poor Will, or leſſer Goatſucker, Edw. 63.—Cateſby, App. 16.— Latham, ii. 595.
  • Caprimulgus minor Americanus, Lin. Syſt. 346.—LEV. MUS.—BL. MUS.

G. With the head and body duſky, mottled with white and pale ruſt-color: primaries black, marked near the middle with a white bar: under the throat is a white creſcent, with the ends pointing upwards; breaſt barred with dirty white and duſky: tail black, marked regularly on each web with ſpots, mottled with black and white: near the ends of each feather is a large white ſpot, the ends quite black: wings, when cloſed, extend beyond the end of the tail. LENGTH nine inches and a half: EXTENT about twenty-three.

PLACE.Inhabits the ſame provinces with the former, and ſeems to have the ſame manners and notes; for, according to Doctor Garden, each are known in different places, by the name of Whip poor Will. It is found as far north as Henly Houſe, a ſettlement for about a hundred miles up Albany river in Hudſon's Bay, where it is called the Muſquets Hawk.

Figure 5. [...] Swallow No. 335. [...]
[437]
  • A. EUROPEAN.
  • Caprimulgus Europeus. Nattſkafwa. Quallknarran, Faun. Suec. No 274. — Latham, ii. 593.
  • L'Engoulevent, De Buffon, vi. 512.—Br. Zool. i. No —LEV. MUS.—BL. MUS.

G. With head and back elegantly ſtreaked with narrow lines of black and grey, and with a few long oblong ſtrokes of black and ruſt: belly barred with black and grey: wings black; each web finely marked with ruſty ſpots: near the ends of the three firſt primaries, a large oval white ſpot: tail duſky, with regular ſpots, mottled with ruſt and black; ends of the two firſt feathers white. FEMALE wants the ſpots on the wings and tail.

It is found in Europe as far north as Sondmor, PLACE. and is common all over Sibiria and Kamtſchatka; and lives not only in foreſts,IN KAMTSCHATKA. but in open countries, where it finds rocks or high banks for ſhelter.

DIV. II. WATER FOWLS. SECT. I. CLOVEN-FOOTED.
[440]DIV. II. Water-Fowls.

[]

SECT. I. CLOVEN-FOOTED.

XXXIII. SPOON-BILL. Gen. Birds, LIX.
338. ROSEATE.
  • Ajaja, Marcgrave, 204.—Wil. Orn.—Raii Av.—Platalea ajaja, Lin. Sjſt. 231. —Latham, iii.
  • La Spatule d'Amerique, De Buffon, vii. 456.—Pl. Enl. 165.—Du Pratz, ii. 84.

SP. B. With the fore part of the head and throat naked and whitiſh: the whole plumage white, tinged with a beautiful roſe-color, deepeſt about the wings and coverts of the tail, where it nearly approaches crimſon. SIZE of a Gooſe. Is an eatable fowl. Is converſant in Louiſiana, PLACE. about the ſhores and rivers; and lives on water-inſects and ſmall fiſh. Is found alſo in Mexico *, Guiana , Braſil, and in Jamaica, and the greater Antilles. The plumage acquires its beauty in proportion to the age of the bird; ſo probably is whitiſh when young. It ſoon grows tame.

[441]
  • A. SPOON-BILL, Br. Zool. ii. App. No ix.—La Spatule, De Buffon, vii. 448. tab. xxiv. —Pl. Enl. 405.—Latham, iii.
  • Platalea Leucorodia, Pelekan, Faun. Suec. No 160.—LEV. MUS.

SP. B. Wholly white, with a pendent creſt: legs and bill black: at the angles of the bill, on each cheek, a bright orange ſpot. From the end of the bill to end of the claws, forty inches. EXTENT fifty-two.

Inhabits the Feroe iſles*;PLACE. and on the continent is ſometimes found in ſummer as high as Weſt Bothnia and Lapland . Inhabits alſo the temperate parts of Ruſſia and Sibiria, both in flocks and ſolitary, frequenting the vaſt lakes of the country. Is ſeen even beyond lake Baikal. Winters in the ſouth. Builds its neſt on high trees, and is very clamorous in the breeding ſeaſon. Lays four eggs. Feeds on fiſh, which it is ſaid to take from the diving tribe of birds, frightening them from their prey by clattering its bill. It devours frogs and ſnakes; and will even feed on vegetables.

XXXIV. HERON. Gen. Birds, LXIII.
[442]
339. HOOPING CRANE.
  • Hooping Crane, Cateſby, i. 75.—Edw. 132.—Latham, iii.
  • Ardea Americana, Lin. Syſt. 234.
  • La Grue blanche, De Buffon, vii. 308.—Pl. Enl. 889.

H. With a yellowiſh brown bill, ſerrated near the end: crown covered with a red ſkin, thinly beſet with black briſtles: from the bill, beneath each eye, extends a ſimilar ſtripe: on the hind part of the head a triangular black ſpot: quil feathers, and a few of the greater coverts, black: ſecondaries, and the whole plumage, of a pure white: webs of the tertials elegantly looſe and unconnected, and, falling over the primaries, almoſt conceal them: legs and feet black and ſcaly. LENGTH from the bill to the tip of the claws five feet ſeven inches.

PLACE.Inhabits all parts of North America, from Florida to Hudſon's Bay. Is migratory: appears early in the ſpring about the Alatamaha, and other rivers near St. Auguſtine, and then quits the country in great numbers, and flies north in order to breed in ſecurity. They appear in ſummer in Hudſon's Bay, and return ſouthward with their young on approach of winter. They make a remarkable hooping noiſe: this makes me imagine theſe to have been the birds, whoſe clamor Captain Philip Amidas (the firſt Engliſhman who ever ſet foot on North America) ſo graphically deſcribes, on his landing on the iſle of Wokokou, off the coaſt of North Carolina: "WHEN," ſays he, ‘ſuch a flock of Cranes (the moſt part white) aroſe under us, with ſuch a cry, redoubled by many ecchoes, as if an armie of men had ſhowted all together.’ This was in the month of July *; which proves, that in thoſe early days this ſpecies bred in the then deſert parts of the ſouthern provinces, till driven away by population, as was the caſe with the common Crane in England; which abounded in our undrained fens, till cultivation forced them entirely to quit our kingdom.

340. BROWN CRANE.
[443]
  • Brown and aſh-colored Crane, Edw. 133.—Grus Canadenſis, Lin. Syſt. 234.— Toquil Coyotl, Fernandez, 44 —Latham, iii.
  • La Grue brune, De Buffon, vii. 310.—LEV. MUS.

H. With a duſky bill, near four inches long: crown red and naked: cheeks and throat white: hind part of the head and whole neck cinereous; reſt of the plumage of the ſame color, tinged with pale ruſt: primaries black, ſhafts white; the row of feathers incumbent on them light aſh: tertials brown with elegant looſe webs, incurvated, and extending beyond the ends of the primaries: tail cinereous: legs black. LENGTH three feet three. EXTENT three,SIZE. five. WEIGHT ſeven pounds and a half.

This ſpecies is found in Mexico; PLACE. but migrates into the north to breed. About the middle of February they are ſeen in their flight over the Jerſies, ſteering northerly; and in the ſpring ſome make a ſhort halt there*. They arrive in May about Severn river in Hudſon's Bay. Frequent lakes and ponds. Feed on fiſh and inſects. Hatch two young; and retire ſouthward in autumn . I muſt obſerve, that they formerly made a halt in the Hurons country, at the ſeaſon in which the Indians ſet their maiz; and again on their return from the north, when the harveſt was ready, in order to feed on the grain. The Indians, at thoſe times, were uſed to ſhoot them with arrows headed with ſtone; for Theodat , my authority, made his remarks in that country in the beginning of the laſt century.

341. GREAT.
  • Largeſt creſted Heron, Cateſby, App. 10.—Ardea Herodias, Lin. Syſt.
  • Le grand Heron d'Amerique, De Buffon, vii. 385.—Latham, iii.

H. With a bill eight inches long: on the hind part of the neck a long creſt of ſlender herring-bone feathers, of a brown color, to be erected at pleaſure: the head, neck, and whole of the body, brown, [444] paleſt on the under part, and ſpotted: primaries black: legs brown. HEIGHT, when erect, four feet and a half.

PLACE.Inhabits Virginia. Feeds on fiſh, frogs, and lizards.

342. RED-SHOULDERED.
  • Aſh-colored Heron, Edw. 135.—Ardea Hudſonias, Lin. Syſt. 238.—Latham, iii.
  • Le Heron de la Baie d'Hudſon, De Buffon, vii. 386.—LEV. MUS.

H. With a white forehead: black creſt: hind part of the neck of a reddiſh brown; fore part white, ſpotted with black: feathers on the breaſt long and narrow: belly black and white, bounded with black: ſides grey: primaries and tail duſky: coverts and ſecondaries cinereous: ſhoulders and thighs of an orange red: bill yellowiſh: legs duſky. In SIZE ſuperior to the Engliſh Heron.

PLACE.Inhabits Hudſon's Bay, frequenting, during ſummer, the inland lakes.

FEMALE?Head ſmooth, deep cinereous: neck paler: throat white: breaſt and belly white, ſtriped downwards with black: back, tail, and coverts of wings, light aſh: primaries black: ſhoulders and thighs of a dirty yellow: legs duſky.

PLACE.Sent to Mrs. Blackburn from New York, under the name of the Hen Heron. It probably is the female of the laſt. Its LENGTH was three feet to the tail: to the end of the toes four feet nine.

343. COMMOM HERON.
  • Br. Zool. ii. No 173 —Ardea cinerea. Hagen, Faun. Suec. No 165.—Latham, iii.
  • Le Heron commun, De Buffon, vii. 34.—Pl. Enl. 787. 755.—LEV. MUS.—BL. MUS.

H. With a white crown: long pendent black creſt: white neck, ſtreaked before with black: coverts of the wings, ſcapulars, and tail, grey: belly white: primaries duſky. Creſt on the FEMALE very ſhort. LENGTH three feet three.

PLACE.Is frequent in Carolina *; and I think a ſpecimen was ſent to Mrs. Blackburn from New York, where they breed in flocks as they do [445] in England. If I miſtake not the kind, they come to New York in May, and retire in October. They are found in Ruſſia, and Sibiria, but not very far north. Crantz ſays, that they have been ſeen in the ſouth of Greenland; but were never obſerved by Fabricius *: but it certainly inhabits Romſdal and Nordmer , in the ſevere climate of the dioceſe of Drontheim.

It may be here remarked, that this, and the whole tribe of what Linnaeus calls Grallae, or the Cloven-footed Water Fowl, quit Sweden; and of courſe the more northern countries, at approach of winter; nor is a ſingle ſpecies ſeen till the return of ſpring.

344. GREAT WHITE.
  • White Heron, Br. Zool. i. No 175.—Ardea Alba, Lin. Syſt. 239.—Faun. Suec. No 166.—Latham, iii.
  • Le Heron blanc, De Buffon, vii. 365.—Pl. Enl. 886.—LEV. MUS.—BL. MUS.

H. With a very ſlender yellow bill: plumage entirely of a milk white: legs black. LENGTH to the toes four feet and a half.

Inhabits America, from Jamaica and Mexico, PLACE. to New England. It migrates, being ſeen in New York from June to October only. Is found, but rarely, in Sweden. Inhabits the Ruſſian dominions, about the Caſpian and Black Seas, the lakes of Great Tartary, and the river Irtiſh, and ſometimes extends north as high as lat. 53. Captain Cook obſerved this ſpecies in New Zealand .

345. LITTLE WHITE.
  • Garzetta, Aldr. Av. lib. iii. 161.—Will. Orn. 280.—Raii Syn. Av. 99.— Cateſby, i. 77.—Latham, iii.
  • La Garzette blanche, De Buffon, vii. 371.—LEV. MUS.—BL. MUS.

H. With the bill and legs black: whole plumage white: on the head a ſhort creſt. LENGTH two feet.

This ſpecies is found in New York. PLACE. Is met with again in New Zealand and Otaheite.

[446]The little white Carolina Heron of Cateſby, with a red bill and green legs, ſeems only a variety of this.

346. GREAT EGRET.
  • La grande Aigrette, De Buffon, vii. 377.—Pl. Enl. 925.—Latham, iii.

H. With a long ſlender creſt: bill and legs black: whole plumage of a ſilvery whiteneſs: the feathers on the back inexpreſſibly elegant, long, ſilky, narrow, and with unwebbed plumes, hanging over the wings and tail; the ſame kind are pendent from the breaſt. Of double the SIZE of the European ſpecies. LENGTH of which, from bill to the tip of the tail, is two feet*.

PLACE.Inhabits Louiſiana and Guiana. Does not frequent the ſhores; but the vaſt moraſſes and overflown tracts, where it neſtles on the little iſles formed by the inundations. The Guiritinga of the Braſilians is probably the ſame ſpecies. It extends to the Falkland iſles; for Bougainville obſerved theſe Egrets, which he firſt thought were common Herons. They fed towards night, and made a barking noiſe.

The feathers of the Great Egret would prove a valuable article of commerce, being very much ſought after for the ornamental part of dreſs.

347. LITTLE EGRET.
  • Br. Zool. ii. App. No vii.—Ardea Garzetta, Lin. Syſt. 237.—Latham, iii.
  • L'Aigrette, De Buffon, vii. 372. tab. xx.—Pl. Enl. 901.—LEV. MUS.

H. With yellow irides: a creſt with ſome ſhort and two long pendent feathers: whole plumage of a delicate ſilvery white: feathers on the breaſt and ſcapulars very delicate, looſe, and unwebbed: legs a blackiſh green. WEIGHT about one pound. LENGTH to the tip of the tail two feet.

[447]Is frequent in New York and Long Iſland: PLACE. about the Black and Caſpian ſeas; but ſeldom farther north. Are found in France, and the ſouth of Europe. Migrates into Auſtria in ſpring and autumn*. Is frequent in Senegal, Madagaſcar, Iſle de Bourbon, and Siam .

348. REDDISH EGRET.
  • L'Aigrette rouſſe, De Buffon, vii. 378.—Pl. Enl. 902.—Latham iii.

H. With the body of a blackiſh grey: the ſilky long feathers of the neck and back of a ruſty red. LENGTH about two feet.

Inhabits Louiſiana. PLACE.

349. GREEN.
  • Small Bittern, Cateſby, i. 80.—Ardea vireſcens, Lin. Syſt. 238.—Latham, iii.
  • Le Crabier vert, De Buffon, vii. 404.—LEV. MUS.—BL. MUS.

H. With a green head, and large green creſt: bill duſky above, yellow beneath: throat white: neck a bright bay, ſtreaked before with white: coverts of the wings duſky green, edged with white: tail and primaries duſky: feathers on the back cinereous, long, narrow, and ſilky: belly of a cinereous red: legs yellowiſh. The colors of the FEMALE leſs brilliant: wings ſpotted with ruſt-color. It wants the long ſilky feathers. LENGTH eighteen inches.

Inhabits from New York to South Carolina. Uſually ſits,PLACE. with its long neck contracted, on trees hanging over rivers. Feeds on ſmall fiſh, frogs, and crabs. From the laſt, the French call ſeveral of theſe Herons Crabiers.

They are ſuppoſed to migrate, even from Carolina, at approach of winter.

350. LOUISIANE.
[448]
  • Le Crabier roux à tête & queue vertes, De Buffon, vii. 407.—Pl. Enl. 909.— Latham, iii.

H. With the crown and tail of a dull green: the neck and belly red, tinged with brown: coverts of the wings duſky green, edged with tawny: the back covered with long ſlender feathers, faintly daſhed with purple.

PLACE.Inhabits Louiſiana.

351. BLUE.
  • Blue Bittern, Cateſby, i. 76.—Le Crabier bleu, De Buffon, vii. 398.— Ardea Caerulea, Lin. Syſt. 238.—Latham, iii.—LEV. MUS.

H. With a blue bill, duſky at the point: head and neck of a changeable purple; the firſt adorned with a beautiful creſt of long ſlender feathers: the remainder of the plumage entirely of a fine deep blue: from the breaſt depend ſeveral long feathers: the back is covered with others a foot in length, hanging four inches beyond the tail; they are ſilky, and of the ſame fine texture with thoſe of the creſt: the legs are green. WEIGHT fifteen ounces.

PLACE.It appears, but not in numbers, in Carolina, and that only in the ſpring of the year. Its winter reſidence ſeems to be Jamaica *.

352. YELLOW-CROWNED.
  • Creſted Bittern, Cateſby, i. 79 —Ardea Violacea, Lin. Syſt. 238.—Latham, iii.
  • Le Crabier gris de fer, De Buffon, vii. 399.

H. With a black, ſtrong, and thick bill: crown of a pale yellow: from the hind part iſſue three or four long ſlender white feathers, erigible at pleaſure; ſome are ſix inches long: a broad white ſtripe runs from the corner of the lower mandible as far as the ears: the reſt of the cheeks and head are of a blueiſh black: head, breaſt, belly, and coverts of wings, of a duſky blue: the primaries brown, tinged with blue: the back ſtriped with black, mixed with [449] white: from the upper part ariſe tufts of elegant ſlender ſilky feathers, falling beyond the tail: the legs and feet yellow. WEIGHT one pound and a half.

This ſpecies appears in Carolina in the rainy ſeaſons:PLACE. but their native places are the Bahama iſlands, where they breed in amazing numbers, amidſt the buſhes in the rocks. They are called by the iſlanders Crab-catchers, as they chiefly live on thoſe cruſtaceous animals. They are of great uſe to the inhabitants; who take the young birds before they can fly, and find them delicious eating. They ſwarm ſo on ſome of the rocky iſles, that two men, in a few hours, will fill a ſmall boat with them, taking them when perched on the rocks or buſhes; for they will make no attempt to eſcape, notwithſtanding they are full grown.

353. ASH-COLORED.

H. With a black ſtrong bill: crown duſky: cheeks and chin whitiſh: neck of a pale cinereous brown, ſtreaked before with white: back, wings, and tail, cinereous, clouded round each feather with duſky: feathers on the ſides of the back long and broad, hanging over the ends of the wings: belly white: legs yellowiſh. LENGTH two feet one inch.

Inhabits New York. Arrives there in May: breeds,PLACE. and leaves the country in October.—BL. MUS.—Latham, iii.

354. STREAKED.

H. With a bill about two inches long: crown, back, and tail, of an uniform duſky color: hind part of the neck and cheeks ruſty and black: chin and throat white: fore part of the neck marked with ſtreaks of white and black: coverts of the wings, with ſtreaks of black and yellowiſh white: ridge of the wing white: primaries duſky.—LEV. MUS.—Latham, iii.

Another, in the ſame Muſeum and ſame caſe (probably differing only in ſex) has, from the lower mandible, a white line bounding the lower part of each cheek: the greater coverts of the wings and [450] ſcapulars duſky, each feather tipt with white. In other reſpects it agrees with the former: the legs of each are greeniſh: the form of their bodies ſlender and elegant. LENGTH, from bill to the tip of the tail, about ſeventeen inches.

PLACE.Sent to Sir Aſhton Lever from North America.

355. GARDENIAN.
  • Le Pouacre de Cayenne? Pl. Enl. 939.—Latham, iii.

H. With a duſky ſtrong bill: head, neck, breaſt, and belly, whitiſh, elegantly ſtreaked downwards with ſhort fine lines of black; the crown and hind part the darkeſt: upper part of the back ſtreaked with white; the lower duſky and plain: the whole wing of the ſame color: the leſſer coverts marked with ſmall yellowiſh ſpots; the greater coverts marked with a white ſpot at the end of each feather, forming, acroſs the wings, two rows: the primaries edged with dull white; the ends tipt with the ſame: tail duſky: legs of a deep dirty yellow. LENGTH about twenty-two inches.

PLACE.Doctor GARDEN, of South Carolina, favoured me with this bird. From the characteriſtic lines of white ſpots in the wings, I do not doubt but that the Brown Bittern of Cateſby, i. 78, is the ſame * with this: notwithſtanding, it would hardly be known, had he not preſerved the ſpots in his very bad figure of it. He ſays it frequents ponds and rivers in the interior part of the country remote from the ſea.—LEV. MUS.

356. NIGHT.
  • Ardea Nycticorax, Lin. Syſt. 135.—Will. Orn. 279.—Latham, iii.
  • Le Bihoreau. Le B. de Cayenne, De Buffon, vii. 435. 439. tab. xxii.—Pl. Enl. 758. 759. 899.—LEV. MUS.—BL. MUS.

H. With a black bill, crown, back, and ſcapulars; the laſt broad and long: forehead, cheeks, neck, and under ſide of the body, white: wings and tail of a very pale aſh-color: the hind part of the [451] head is moſt ſpecifically diſtinguiſhed by three very ſlender white feathers, five inches long, forming a pendent creſt: legs of a yellowiſh green. The LENGTH, to the tip of the tail, one foot ſeven inches.

Inhabits New York; and a variety is found as low as Cayenne. PLACE. Is common to Europe. Is frequent in the ſouthern parts of the Ruſſian dominions; but does not extend farther than lat. 53. It muſt not at this time be ſought for in the wood near Sevenhuys in Holland, ſo noted in the days of Mr. Willughby for the vaſt rendezvous of Shags, Herons, Spoon-bills, and theſe birds, beſides Ravens, Woodpigeons, and Turtles*, it being now cut down. When Mr. Willughby viſited the place it was rented, for the birds and graſs, for three thouſand gilders a year.

This bird is not the Nycticorax of the Antients; which was ſome rapacious fowl, probably of the Owl kind. It is the Nacht-rab, or Night-Raven of the Germans; ſo called from its nocturnal cry, reſembling the ſtraining of a perſon to vomit.

357. BITTERN.
  • Br. Zool. ii. No 174.—Ardea Stellaris. Rordrum, Faun. Suec. No 164.—Latham, iii.
  • Bittern from Hudſon's Bay, Edw. 136.—Le Butor, De Buffon, vii. 411. 430.—Pl. Enl. 789.—LEV. MUS—BL. MUS.

H. With the upper mandible duſky; lower yellow: feathers on the crown black and long; on the cheeks tawny; on the throat white: hind part of the neck browniſh red; fore part white, beautifully marked with ſhort ſtripes of red, bounded on each ſide with one of black: feathers on the breaſt very long: the belly of the colors of the fore part of the neck: back, coverts of wings, and the tail, are ferruginous, traverſed with duſky lines: primaries black: legs yellowiſh green. Rather inferior in SIZE to the European Bittern; but ſo like, as not to merit ſeparation.

[452] PLACE.It inhabits from Hudſon's Bay to Carolina *. In the former, it appears the latter end of May: lives among ſwamps and willows: lays two eggs. Like the European ſpecies, is very indolent; and, when diſturbed, takes but a ſhort flight.

That of the old continent is found in Ruſſia; and, in Aſia, in Sibiria, as far north as the river Lena, and is continued conſiderably to the north. Inhabits Sweden ; but, with all the other Herons, diſappears at approach of winter.

The ſecond ſpecies of Bittern, mentioned by Lawſon, p. 148. as being leſſer than the former, with a great topping, of a deep brown color, and a yellowiſh white throat and breaſt, is at preſent unknown to us.

358. RUSTY-CROWNED.

H. With yellow irides: very ſmall creſt: the bill ſeven inches long, ſlender, and of the ſame color with the former: forehead duſky: throat white: creſt and hind part of the neck of a deep ferruginous color: the fore part of the neck marked with four rows of black ſpots: the feathers towards the breaſt long: a dark line paſſes from the breaſt upwards to the back of the neck: the upper part of the body, and coverts of the wings, deep ferruginous, marked with a few large black ſpots: primaries duſky: tail ſhort, and of a lead color: belly and breaſt of a dirty white, ſtriped with black: legs of a dirty yellow. The creſt on the head is very ſmall, and the feathers lie univerſally ſmooth. SIZE of the European Bittern.

PLACE.Inhabits North America; the province unknown. Deſcribed from a live bird at Amſterdam.—LEV. MUS?—Latham, iii.

359. LITTLE.
[453]
  • Little Bittern, Br. Zool. ii. App. No x. tab. viii.—Pl. Enl. 323.—Latham, iii.
  • Ardea Minuta, Lin. Syſt. 240.—LEV. MUS.—BL. MUS.

H. With a ſmooth head: crown black: hind part of the neck and cheeks ferruginous: coverts on the ridge of the wing, and ends of the greater, of a bright bay; the reſt of the coverts of a very pale clay color: primaries and ſecondaries duſky, with ferruginous tips: lower ſide of the neck and belly of a yellowiſh white: breaſt croſſed with a band of black: tail black: legs of a duſky green. LENGTH, to the end of the tail, fifteen inches. The body narrow: neck very long.

Inhabits from New York to South Carolina, PLACE. and many parts of Europe. Extends to, and perhaps winters in Jamaica. Its eggs are of a ſea-green color.

  • A. COMMON CRANE, Br. Zool. ii. App. No vi.—Ardea Grus, Trana, Faun. Suec. No 161. —Latham, iii. —La Grue, De Buffon, vii. 286. tab. xiv.—Pl. Enl. 769. —LEV. MUS.

H. With a bald crown: fore part of the neck black: primaries black: a large tuft of elegant unwebbed curling feathers ſpringing from one pinion of each wing: thoſe, and all the reſt of the plumage, cinereous. LENGTH ſix feet. WEIGHT about ten pounds.

Cranes arrive in Sweden in great flocks in the ſpring ſeaſon; pair,PLACE. and diſperſe over the whole country; and uſually reſort to breed to the very ſame places which they had uſed for many years paſt*. [454] No augural attention is paid to them there; yet Heſiod directs the Grecian farmer ‘to think of ploughing whenever he hears the annual clamor of the Cranes in the clouds*.’

PLACE.Inhabits all Ruſſia and Sibiria, even as far eaſt as the river Anadyr; and migrates even to the Arctic circle. None ſeen in Kamtſchatka, except on the very ſouthern promontory, which they probably make a reſting-place, on their re-migration; Kamtſchatka being deſtitute of ſerpents and frogs, on which they feed in countries where corn is unknown. They lay two blueiſh eggs on the ruſhy ground: the young are hatched late; and as ſoon as they can fly attend their parents in their ſouthern migration: ‘Poturae te, Nile, GRUES.’ For Egypt is generally ſuppoſed to be the great winter quarters of theſe birds. Previous to their retreat, they aſſemble in amazing numbers, chooſe their leader, ſoar to a conſiderable height, and then, with continued clamor, proceed to their deſigned place. Milton, when he touches on this wonderful inſtinct of nature, deſcribes their progreſs with equal truth and elegance.

Part looſely wing the region: part more wiſe,
In common, rang'd in figure (
[figure]
) wedge their way,
Intelligent of ſeaſons, and ſet forth
Their aery caravan, high over ſeas
Flying, and over lands with mutual wing
Eaſing their flight. So ſteers the prudent CRANE
Her annual voyage, borne on winds;
The air flotes as they paſs, fann'd with unnumber'd plumes.
[455]
  • B. SIBIRIAN CRANE. Grus Leucogeranos, Pallas Itin. ii. 714.—Latham, iii.

H. With a red bill like the former, ſerrated near the end: face naked beyond the eyes: coverts and primaries black: all the reſt of the bird of a ſnowy whiteneſs: legs red. Its HEIGHT is four feet and a half.

Inhabits the vaſt moraſſes of Sibiria, PLACE. and every part where lakes abound; and penetrates far north into the boggy foreſts about the Iſchim, Irtiſh, and Oby. Makes its neſt among the inacceſſible reeds, with layers of plants. Lays two great grey eggs, ſtreaked with numerous duſky lines. Makes a clamorous noiſe, and that frequently, eſpecially during its flight. Feeds on ſmall fiſh, frogs, and lizards. Winters uſually about the Caſpian ſea. Obſerved to migrate in ſpring northward along the courſe of the Wolga, always in pairs*.

  • C. WHITE STORK. Ardea Ciconia. Storck, Faun. Suec. No 162.—La Cigogne, De Buffon, vii. 253.—Pl. Enl. 866.—Latham, iii. —LEV. MUS.

H. With red bill and legs: primaries black: the reſt of the plumage white: ſkin of the color of blood. Larger than the common Heron.

Inhabits moſt parts of Europe, except England. PLACE. In the weſt of Ruſſia, is not found beyond 50 degrees north, nor to the eaſt of Moſcow. It appears in Sweden in April; retires in Auguſt : does not reach Norway, unleſs tempeſt-driven.

This ſpecies is ſemi-domeſtic: haunts towns and cities; and in many places ſtalks unconcerned about the ſtreets, in ſearch of offals and other food. Removes the noxious filth, and clears the fields of ſerpents and reptiles. They are, on that account, protected in Holland; held in high veneration by the Mahomedans; and ſo greatly [456] reſpected were they in old times by the Theſſalians, that to kill one of theſe birds was a crime expiable only by death*.

The Storks obſerve great exactneſs in the time of their autumnal departure from Europe to more favorable climates. They paſs a ſecond ſummer in Egypt, and the marſhes of Barbary : in the firſt they pair, and lay again, and educate a ſecond brood. Before each of their migrations they rendezvous in amazing numbers; are for a while much in motion among themſelves; and after making ſeveral ſhort flights, as if to try their wings, all of a ſudden take flight with great ſilence, and with ſuch ſpeed, as in a moment to attain ſo great a height as to be inſtantaneouſly out of ſight. The beautiful and faithful deſcription which the NATURALIST'S POET gives of this annual event, ought not by any means to be omitted.

Where the Rhine loſes his majeſtic force
In Belgian plains, won from the raging deep
By diligence amazing, and the ſtrong
Unconquerable hand of Liberty,
THE STORK-ASSEMBLY meets; for many a day
Conſulting deep and various, ere they take
Their arduous voyage thro' the liquid ſky.
And now, their route deſign'd, their leaders choſe,
Their tribes adjuſted, clean'd their vigorous wings;
And many a circle, many a ſhort eſſay,
Wheel'd round and round, in congregation full
The figur'd flight aſcends, and riding high
The aerial billows, mixes with the clouds.
  • D. BLACK STORK. Ardea nigra. Odenſwala, Faun. Suec. No 163.—Latham, iii.
  • La Cigogne noire, De Buffon, vii. 271.—Pl. Enl. 399.

H. With the bill, legs, and ſkin, red: head, neck, body, and wings, black, gloſſed with blue: breaſt and belly white. About the SIZE of the former.

[457]Inhabits many parts of Europe. PLACE. It is not uncommon in the temperate parts of Ruſſia and Sibiria, as far as the Lena, where lakes and moraſſes abound. Migrates to warmer countries in autumn. Is a ſolitary ſpecies. Preys on fiſh, which it not only wades for, but, after hovering over the waters, will ſuddenly plunge on its prey. It alſo eats beetles and other inſects. Perches on trees: and builds its neſt in the depths of foreſts.

Theſe birds paſs over Sweden in the ſpring in vaſt flocks, flying towards the extreme north. They ſometimes reſt in the moors at night; but it is reckoned a wonder, if any one is found to make its neſt in the country. They return ſouthward in autumn; but, in both their paſſages, ſoar ſo high as to appear ſmall as ſparrows*.

XXXV. IBIS. Gen. Birds, LXV.
[456]
360. WOOD.
  • Wood Pelecan, Cateſby, i. 81.—Latham, iii.
  • Curicaca, Marcgrave, 191.—De Buffon, vii. 276.—Pl. Enl. 868.—Briſſon, v. 335.
  • Tantalus Loculator, Lin. Syſt. 240.

I. With a bill near ten inches long; near ſeven in girth at the baſe; ſtrait till near the end, where it bends downwards: fore part of the head and face covered with a bare duſky blue ſkin: hind part of the head, and the whole neck, of a pale yellowiſh brown: under the chin is a pouch capable of containing half a pint: the greater primaries, and ſome of the greater coverts, are black gloſſed with green; the reſt of the wing, back, and belly, white: tail ſquare, ſhort, and black: legs very long, black, and ſemi-palmated. The body of the SIZE of a Gooſe.

PLACE.Appears in Carolina, at the latter end of ſummer, during the great rains, when they frequent the overflown ſavannas in vaſt flocks; but retire in November. They perch erect on tall cypreſs and other trees, and reſt their monſtrous bills on their breaſts for their greater eaſe. They are very ſtupid and void of fear, and eaſily ſhot. Fly ſlowly. Their food is herbs, fruits and ſeeds, fiſh, and water inſects; notwithſtanding which they are excellent eating.

The reſidence of theſe birds, the reſt of the year, is Braſil, Guiana *, and perhaps other parts of South America.

361. SCARLET.
  • Guara, Marcgrave, 203.—De Buffon, vii. 35.—Pl. Enl. 81.
  • Red Curlew, Cateſby, i. 84.—Latham, iii.
  • Tantalus Ruber, Lin. Syſt. 241.—LEV. MUS.—BL. MUS.

I. With a ſlender incurvated bill, and naked ſkin on the face, both of a pale red color: the whole plumage of the richeſt ſcarlet, only the ends of the wings are black: legs pale red. In SIZE ſomewhat larger than the Engliſh CURLEW.

[459]Frequent the coaſts of the Bahama iſlands.PLACE. Are common in Eaſt Florida: in Georgia are frequent in the months of July and Auguſt, after which they retire ſouthward. A few are ſeen in the ſouth of Carolina, and the parts of America within the tropics, and very ſeldom to the north. Theſe birds perch, like the former, upon trees, and make a moſt reſplendent appearance. They lay their eggs in the tall graſs. When firſt hatched, the young are of a duſky color: their firſt change is to aſh-color; then to white; and, in their ſecond year, to columbine; and with age acquire their brilliant red. In Guiana it is often domeſticated, ſo as never to leave the poultry yard. It ſhews great courage in attacking the fowls, and will even oppoſe itſelf to the cat. The fleſh is eſteemed excellent. Its rich plumage is uſed by the Braſilians for various ornaments.

362. BROWN.
  • Brown Curlew, Cateſby, i. 83.—De Buffon, vii. 42.—Latham, iii.
  • Tantalus Fuſcus, Lin. Syſt. 242.

I. With the bill ſix inches and a half long, reſembling the former: bill, face, and legs, red: neck, upper part of the back, and tail, of a cinereous brown: lower part of the back, breaſt, and belly, white.

363. WHITE.
  • White Curlew, Cateſby, i. 82.—De Buffon, vii. 41.—Pl. Enl. 915.—Latham, iii.
  • Tantalus Albus, Lin. Syſt. 242.

I. With the face, bill, and legs, like the former: the whole plumage of a ſnowy whiteneſs, except the ends of the four firſt primaries, which are green. The fleſh and fat is of ſaffron-color.

Theſe birds arrive in South Carolina, PLACE. with the Wood Ibis and the Brown Curlew, in great numbers, in September, and frequent the low watery tracts: continue there about ſix weeks, and then retire ſouth to breed. This ſpecies goes away with egg. There was a ſuſpicion, that the BROWN and the WHITE differed only in ſex; but experiment proved the contrary. The white kind are twenty [460] times more numerous than the others; the fleſh of the latter alſo differs, being of a dark color.

All theſe ſpecies frequent the ſides of rivers, and feed on ſmall fiſh, cruſtaceous animals, and inſects.

  • A. BAY IBIS. Tantalus Falcinellus, Lin. Syſt. 241.—Muller, No 178.—Latham, iii. —LEV. MUS.

I. With a black face: violet-colored wings and tail: blue legs.

Inſerted here on the authority of Mr. Muller; but this ſpecies has hitherto been known only to ſouthern Europe, and about the Caſpian and Black Seas.

XXXVI. CURLEW. Gen. Birds, LXVI.
[461]
364. ESKIMAUX.
  • Br. Zool. ii. No 177.—Eſkimaux Curlew, Faun. Am.—Latham, iii. —LEV. MUS.

C. With a duſky bill, near three inches long: crown of a deep brown, divided lengthways by a white ſtripe: cheeks, neck, and breaſt, of a very pale brown, marked with ſmall duſky ſtreaks, pointing down the back: ſcapulars and coverts ſpotted with black and pale reddiſh brown: primaries duſky; ſhafts white; inner webs marked with red oval ſpots: tail barred with black and light brown: legs blue. Larger than the Engliſh WHIMBREL, of which it is a variety; and differs only in having its back brown inſtead of white.

Were ſeen in flocks innumerable, on the hills about Chateaux Bay, PLACE. on the Labrador coaſt, from Auguſt the 9th to September 6th, when they all diſappeared, being on the way from their northern breeding-place. They kept on the open grounds, fed on the empetrum nigrum, and were very fat and delicious. They arrive in Hudſon's Bay in April or the beginning of May: pair and breed to the north of Albany Fort, among the woods: return in Auguſt to the marſhes; and all diſappear in September *.

[462]
  • A. CURLEW, Br. Zool. ii. No 176.—Scolopax arquata, Faun. Suec. No 168.—Latham, iii.
  • Le Courlis, De Buffon, viii. 19.—Pl. Enl. 818.—LEV. MUS.—BL. MUS.

C. With an incurvated bill, ſeven inches long: head, and upper part of the wings, pale brown, ſpotted with black: back white: tail white, barred with black: legs blueiſh. WEIGHT from twenty-two to thirty-ſeven ounces.

PLACE.Inhabits Europe, as high as Lapmark * and Iceland ; and is found on the vaſt plains of Ruſſia and Sibiria, quite to Kamtſchatka.

  • B. WHIMBREL, Br. Zool. ii. No 177.—Scolopax Phaeopus. Windſpole. Spof. Faun. Suec. No 169.—Latham, iii.
  • Le Courlieu, ou petit Courlis, De Buffon, viii. 27.—Pl. Enl. 842.—LEV. MUS.

C. With a bill near three inches long: head marked lengthways by a whitiſh line, bounded on each ſide by one of black: neck, coverts of wings, and upper part of the back, pale brown, ſpotted with black: lower part of the back and the belly white: tail light brown, barred with black: legs blueiſh grey. WEIGHT twelve ounces.

PLACE.Inhabits the ſame places with the former.

Figure 6. Eskimaux Curlew No. 364. Little Woodcock No [...]
XXXVII. SNIPE. Gen. Birds, LXVII.
[463]
365. LITTLE WOODCOCK.

SN. With the upper mandible of the bill two inches and a half long; the lower much ſhorter: forehead cinereous; hind part black, with four tranſverſe yellowiſh bars: from bill to the eye a duſky line: chin white: under ſide of the neck, breaſt, belly, and thighs, of a dull yellow, paleſt on the belly: hind part of the neck black, edged with yellowiſh red: back, and leſſer coverts, of the ſame colors; reſt of the coverts marked with zigzags of black and dull red: primaries duſky: inner coverts ruſt-colored: tail black, tipped with brown: legs ſhort, pale brown. LENGTH, from tip of the bill to the end of the tail, eleven inches and a half.

This ſpecies has entirely the form of the European Woodcock;PLACE. but differs in ſize and color. They appear in the province of New York in the latter end of April, or beginning of May. They lay, the latter end of the laſt month or beginning of June, from eight to ten eggs? and uſually in ſwampy places. Mr. Lawſon * found them in Carolina in September. He prefers them, in point of delicacy, to the European kind.—Latham, iii. —LEV. MUS.—BL. MUS.

366. COMMON SNIPE.
  • Br. Zool. ii. No 187.—Scolopax gallinago, Horſgjok, Faun. Suec. No 173.— Latham, iii.
  • La Becaſſine, De Buffon, vii. 483.—Pl. Enl. 883.—LEV. MUS.—BL. MUS.

SN. With head divided lengthways with two black lines, and three of reddiſh brown: throat white: neck mottled with brown and teſtaceous: ridge of the wing duſky: greater coverts and primaries duſky, tipt with white: belly white: lower half of the tail black; upper orange, with two duſky ſtripes: toes divided to the origin. The American is leſſer than the Britiſh.

[464] PLACE.Inhabits Europe as far as Iceland: extends even to Greenland *; and common in all parts of Ruſſia and Sibiria. Is found all over North America, and ſwarms in South Carolina. The lines on the head are leſs diſtinct in the American kind: the bill is alſo ſhorter than that of the Engliſh.

367. JACK.
  • Br. Zool. ii. No 189.—Petite Becaſſine, ou le Sourde, De Buffon, vii. 490. —Latham, iii. —LEV. MUS.—BL. MUS.

SN. With crown of the head black, tinged with ruſt: a yellow ſtroke over each eye: neck mottled with white, brown, and teſtaceous: rump of a gloſſy purpliſh blue: tail brown, edged with tawny. WEIGHT under two ounces.

PLACE.Theſe two inhabit Europe, North America, and Sibiria.

368. RED-BREASTED SNIPE.

SN. With a bill like the common kind, two inches one-eighth long: head, neck, and ſcapulars, varied with black, aſh-color, and red: under ſide of the neck and breaſt ferruginous, thinly ſpotted with black: coverts and ſecondaries dark cinereous; the laſt tipt with white: back and rump white, concealed by the ſcapulars: tail barred with duſky and white: legs dark green: middle and outmoſt toe connected by a ſmall web. SIZE of the Engliſh Snipe.

PLACE.Inhabits the coaſt of New York.—Latham, iii. —BL. MUS.

369. BROWN.

SN. With a bill like the former: from that to each eye a white bar: head, neck, and ſcapulars, of a fine uniform cinereous brown, in a very few places marked with black: coverts and primaries dark brown; ſhaft of the firſt primary white: ſecondaries light brown, edged with white: back white: rump and tail barred [465] with black and white: breaſt mottled with brown and white: belly white: legs and toes like the former. Its SIZE the ſame.—BL. MUS.

Inhabits the ſame place.PLACE.

370. NODDING.

SN. With the bill very ſlender, long, and black: the crown, and upper part of the back, duſky, ſtreaked with red: cheeks cinereous, ſtreaked with black: neck and breaſt cinereous, mixed with ruſt-color, and marked obſcurely with dark ſpots: belly white: thighs ſpotted with black: leſſer coverts of wings aſh-colored; greater duſky, edged with brown: primaries and ſecondaries duſky; the laſt tipt with white: lower part of the back white, ſpotted with black: tail barred with black and white; tips reddiſh: legs greeniſh: the toes bordered by a narrow plain membrane. SIZE of the Engliſh Snipe.

Obſerved in Chateaux Bay, on the coaſt of Labrador, in September. PLACE. Are perpetually nodding their heads.—Latham, iii.

371. GREAT GODWIT.
  • Edw. 137.—Scolopax Fedo [...], Lin. Syſt. 244.—La Barge rouſſe de Baie de Hudſon, De Buffon, vii. 507.—Latham, iii.—LEV. MUS.

SN. With bill ſix inches long: throat white: from the bill to the eye extends a duſky line: head and neck mottled with duſky and light brown: breaſt barred with black: belly plain brown: back and coverts varied with ruſty brown and duſky: the primaries and ſecondaries ferruginous on their exterior webs: tail barred with light brown and black: legs very long, black, and naked very high above the knees.

Inhabits Hudſon's Bay and Connecticut.—BL. MUS.PLACE.

372. RED.
[466]
  • Red Godwit, Br. Zool. ii. No 181.—Edw. 138.—Scolopax Lapponica, Faun. Suec. No 174.—Ph. Tranſ. lxii. 411.—Latham, iii.
  • La Barge rouſſe, De Buffon, vii. 304.—Pl. Enl. 900.—LEV. MUS.

SN. With a bill three inches three quarters long, reflecting a little upward; yellow near the baſe; duſky towards the end: head, neck, breaſt, and upper part of the back, ferruginous, and ſtreaked with black, excepting the neck, which is plain: lower part of the back white: leſſer coverts of the wings cinereous brown: exterior webs of the primaries black; the lower parts white: the lower part of the tail white; the upper black; the tips white: the legs duſky. LENGTH, to the tip of the tail, one foot ſix inches. EXTENT two feet four. WEIGHT twelve ounces. Varies much in colors, according to age.

PLACE.Is common to the north of Europe and of America. Very numerous, in ſummer time, in the fens of Hudſon's Bay; where they breed, and then retire. Appear about the Caſpian ſea in the ſpring; but never in Sibiria, nor in the north of Aſia.

373. COMMON.
  • Godwit, Br. Zool. ii. No 179.—Cateſby, App.—Latham, iii.
  • La Barge Aboyeuſe, De Buffon, vii. 501.—Pl. Enl. 876.—LEV. MUS.—BL. MUS.

SN. With the bill turning a little up; four inches long; pale purple at the baſe; duſky at the end: head, neck, back, and coverts of the wings, of a very light brown, with a brown ſpot in the middle of each feather: primaries duſky; inner webs of a reddiſh brown: tail barred with black and white: belly and vent white: legs duſky; in ſome of a greyiſh blue. In SIZE ſomewhat inferior to the laſt.

PLACE.Common to the north of Europe, Aſia, and America.

374. SPOTTED.
[467]
  • Br. Zool. ii. No 186.—Phil. Tranſ. lxii. 410.—Latham, iii.—BL. MUS.

SN. With a very ſlender bill, a little more than two inches long: orbits, chin, and throat, white: from bill to eye a line of white: cheeks and under ſide of the neck white, with ſhort ſtreaks of a duſky color: crown and upper part of the neck brown, with white ſtreaks: coverts of the wings, primaries, ſecondaries, and ſcapulars, black, with elegant triangular ſpots of white: tail barred with black and white: breaſt and belly white: legs long; and in the live bird of a rich yellow; ſometimes red. LENGTH, to the tip of the tail, near ſixteen inches.

Arrives in Hudſon's Bay in ſpring.PLACE. Feeds on ſmall ſhell-fiſh and worms; and frequents the banks of rivers. Called there, by the natives, from its noiſe, Sa-ſa-ſhew; by the Engliſh, Yellow legs. Retires in autumn. Makes a ſtop in the province of New York, on its return, but does not winter there. This, and ſeveral other ſpecies of Snipes and Sandpipers, are called, in North America, Humilities.

375. JADREKA.
  • Leſſer Godwit, Br. Zool. ii. No 188.—La Barge commune, De Buffon, vii. 500. —Pl. Enl. 874.—Latham, iii.
  • Scolopax Limoſa, Faun. Suec. No 172.
  • Jadreka, Olaf. Iceland, ii. 201. tab. xlviii.

SN. With a bill near four inches long: head and neck cinereous: cheek and chin white: back of an uniform brown: wings marked with a white line: rump and vent feathers white: middle feathers of the tail black; in the reſt the white predominates more and more, to the outmoſt: legs duſky. WEIGHT nine ounces. LENGTH, to the tail, ſeventeen inches.

Inhabits Iceland, Greenland *, and Sweden. PLACE. Migrates in flocks in the ſouth of Ruſſia.

376. STONE.

[468]SN. With a black bill: head, neck, and breaſt, ſpotted with black and white: back, ſcapulars, and greater coverts, of the ſame colors: primaries duſky: rump and tail barred with black and white: belly white: legs long and yellow. Double the SIZE of a Snipe.

PLACE.Obſerved in autumn feeding on the ſands on the lower part of Chateaux Bay, continually nodding their heads. Are called there Stone Curlews.

377. REDSHANK.
  • Br. Zool. ii. No 184.—Scolopax Totanus, Faun. Suec. No 167.—Latham, iii.
  • Le Chevalier aux pieds rouges, De Buffon, vii. 513.—Pl. Enl. 845.—LEV. MUS.—BL. MUS.

SN. With bill red at the baſe, black at the end: head, hind part of neck, and ſcapulars, of a duſky aſh-color, faintly marked with black: back white, ſprinkled with black: under ſide of neck white, ſtreaked with duſky: breaſt and belly white: tail barred with black and white: legs of a bright orange-color.

PLACE.Inhabits North America, in common with the north of Europe, as high as Finmark *; and is found in Sibiria. Grows leſs common towards the north of that country. Is ſometimes found, in Hudſon's Bay, quite white.

378. YELLOW-SHANKS.

SN. With a ſlender black bill, an inch and a half long, a little bent at the end: head, hind part of the neck, back, and greater coverts of the wings, dirty white, ſpotted with black: leſſer coverts plain brown: primaries duſky: breaſt and fore part of the neck ſpotted with black and white: belly and coverts of the tail pure white: tail barred with brown and white: legs yellow. LENGTH, from tip of the bill to the tail, eleven inches.

PLACE.Appears in the province of New York in autumn.—BL. MUS.

379. GREEN-SHANK.
[469]
  • Br. Zool. ii. No 183.—La Barge varié, De Buffon, vii. 503.—Latham, iii.
  • Scolopax Glottis, Faun. Suec. No 171.—LEV. MUS.

SN. With a bill two inches and a half long, very ſlender, and a little recurvated: head, and upper part of neck, cinereous, with duſky lines: over each eye a white line: coverts of wings, ſcapulars, and upper part of the back, of a browniſh aſh-color: breaſt, belly, and lower part of the back, white: primaries duſky: tail white, finely marked with waved duſky bars: legs green. LENGTH fourteen inches. WEIGHT only ſix ounces.

Inhabits the province of New York; PLACE. and in every latitude of Ruſſia and Sibiria, in plenty. Is found in Europe as high as Sondmor *.

380. SEMIPALMATED.

SN. With a bill two inches long, and duſky: head and neck ſtreaked with black and white: breaſt white, with round brown ſpots: belly and ſides white; the laſt marked with tranſverſe bars of brown: back and coverts of the wings cinereous, with great ſagittal ſpots of black: primaries duſky, with a tranſverſe white bar: ſecondaries white: the middle feathers of the tail cinereous, barred with black; outmoſt white: legs duſky: toes ſemipalmated. LENGTH fourteen inches.

Inhabits New York.—BL. MUS.PLACE.

381. BLACK.

SN. With red bill and legs: the plumage moſt intenſely black.

Obſerved by Steller in the iſlands towards America. PLACE.

[470]
  • A. EUROPEAN WOODCOCK, Br. Zool. ii. No 178.—Le Becaſſe, De Buffon, vii. 462.— Pl. Enl. 885.—Latham, iii.
  • Scolopax ruſticola. Morkulla, Faun. Suec. No 170.—LEV. MUS.—BL. MUS.

SN. With a reddiſh cinereous front: hind part of the head barred with reddiſh brown: upper part of the body and wings barred with ruſt-color, black, and grey: breaſt and belly dirty white, barred with duſky lines. WEIGHT twelve ounces.

PLACE.Inhabits, during ſummer, Scandinavia, Lapland, and Iceland. Migrates ſoutherly at approach of winter. Common in Ruſſia and Sibiria, but only in the time of migration; and breeds in the northern marſhes and Arctic flats.

  • B. GREAT SNIPE, Br. Zool. ii. No 188.—Latham, iii.
  • Scolopax Media, Friſch. tab. 228.—LEV. MUS.

SN. With head divided lengthways by a teſtaceous line, bounded on each ſide by one of black; above and beneath each eye another: neck and breaſt yellowiſh white, marked with ſemicircular ſpots of black: ſides undulated with black: back and coverts teſtaceous, ſpotted with black, and edged with white: primaries duſky: tail ruſt-color; external feathers barred with black. WEIGHT eight ounces.

PLACE.Inhabits the Arctic regions of Sibiria. Found in England and Germany. The link between the Woodcock and Snipe.

[471]
  • C. DUSKY SNIPE. Scolopax Fuſca, Lin. Syſt. 243.—Briſſon, v. 276. tab. xxiii.
  • La Barge brun, De Buffon, vii. 508.—Pl. Enl. 875.—Latham, iii.

SN. With the upper part duſky black, with the edges of the feathers whitiſh: lower part of the body dark cinereous: two middle feathers of the tail duſky, ſtreaked croſſways with white: the ſide feathers brown, ſtreaked in the ſame manner: legs black. LENGTH twelve inches; of the bill two and a quarter.

Breeds within the Arctic circle. Migrates into Ruſſia and Sibiria. PLACE.

  • FINMARK SNIPE. Scolopax Gallinaria, Muller, No 183.—Latham, iii.

SN. With the bill tuberculated like that of the common Snipe: head entirely grey: legs yellow. In other reſpects, has great agreement with the common ſort.

Inhabits Finmark. PLACE.

XXXVIII. SANDPIPER. Gen. Birds, LXVIII.
[472]
382. HEBRIDAL.
  • Br. Zool. ii. No 200.—Tringa interpres, Tolk, Faun. Suec. No 178.
  • Turnſtone, Cateſby, i. 72.—Tringa Morinellus, Lin. Syſt. 249.—Latham, iii.
  • Le Tourne-pierre, De Buffon, viii. 130.—Pl. Enl. 130.—LEV. MUS.—BL. MUS.

S. With black bill, red at the baſe: white forehead, throat, belly, and vent: crown white, ſpotted with black: ſides of the head white: a black line paſſes above the forehead; is continued under each eye to the corner of the mouth; drops on each ſide of the neck to the middle, which is ſurrounded with a black collar: breaſt black: coverts cinereous: upper part of the back, ſcapulars, and tertials, ferruginous, ſpotted with black: lower part of back white, traverſed with a black bar: tail black, tipped with white: legs ſhort; of a bright orange. WEIGHT three ounces and a half. LENGTH eight inches and a half.

PLACE.Inhabits Hudſon's Bay, Greenland *, and the Arctic flats of Sibiria, where it breeds; wandering ſoutherly in autumn. It lays four eggs. It migrates in America as low as Florida. In ſpring it poſſeſſes itſelf of the iſles of the Baltic, till it quits them in autumn.

383. STRIATED.
  • Tringa Striata, Lin. Syſt. 248.—Faun. Groenl. No 71.—Faun. Dan. No 194.— Latham, iii.

S. With the baſe of the bill and legs yellow: upper part of the body undulated with duſky and cinereous: front of the neck duſky: breaſt and belly white: primaries and ſecondaries black; the laſt tipt with white: tertials white, with a ſtripe of black: tail black: the feathers on the ſide cinereous, edged with white. SIZE of a Stare.

PLACE.Inhabits Sweden, Norway, and Iceland. Is found, but not frequently, in Ruſſia and Sibiria; and is converſant, even during winter, in the [473] froſty climate of Greenland; but retires to breed into the bottom of the bays: flies very ſwiftly along the ſurface of the water, catching the inſects on the ſurface. Never touches the water with its feet or body; but dexterouſly avoids the riſing of the higheſt waves. Twitters with the note of the Swallow*.

384. KNOT.
  • Br. Zool. ii. No 193.—Le Canut, De Buffon, viii. 142.—Latham, iii.
  • Tringa Canutus, Faun. Suec. No 183.—LEV. MUS.

S. With a black bill: between the baſe and eyes a white line: crown and upper part of the body of a duſky brown: wings of the ſame color, croſſed with a line of white: the breaſt and under ſide of the neck white, ſpotted with black: rump white, with large black ſpots: legs ſhort, of a blueiſh grey: toes divided to the origin.

I have ſeen this ſpecies from the province of New York. PLACE. Obſerved by Dr. Pallas only about lake Baikal.

385. SPOTTED.
  • Br. Zool. ii. No 196.—Tringa Macularia, Lin. Syſt. 249.—Edw. 277.— Latham, iii.
  • La Grive d'eau, De Buffon, viii. 140.—LEV. MUS.—BL. MUS.

S. With a white line above each eye: crown, upper part of neck and body, and coverts of the wings, olive brown, with triangular black ſpots: under ſide, from neck to tail, white, with brown ſpots: middle feathers of the tail brown; thoſe on the ſide white, with duſky lines: legs of a dirty fleſh-color. FEMALE has no ſpots on the lower part of the body. SIZE of the Striated.

Inhabits North America. Arrives in Penſylvania in April, PLACE. and ſtays there all the ſummer. Viſits Hudſon's Bay in May: breeds there, and retires in September.

386. ASH-COLORED.
[474]
  • Br. Zool. ii. No 194.—Tringa Cinerea, Brunnich, No 179.—Latham, iii. —BL. MUS.

S. With a duſky cinereous head, ſpotted with black: neck cinereous, marked with duſky ſtreaks: back and coverts of wings finely varied with concentric ſemicircles of black, aſh-color, and white: coverts of the tail barred with black and white: tail cinereous, edged with white: breaſt and belly pure white; the firſt ſpotted with black: legs duſky green: toes bordered with a narrow membrane, finely ſcolloped. LENGTH ten inches. WEIGHT five ounces.

PLACE.Seen in great numbers on Seal Iſlands near Chateaux Bay. Continues the whole ſummer in Hudſon's Bay, and breeds there. Breeds in Denmark? Has been ſhot on the Flintſhire ſhores in the winter ſeaſon.

387. NEW YORK.

S. With the under ſide of neck and body white: the breaſt ſpotted with brown: leſſer coverts duſky, edged with white: back and greater coverts duſky in the middle; the edges cinereous: the ſecondaries of the ſame colors: coverts of the tail barred with black and white: ſides beneath the wings ſtreaked with brown: tail cinereous.

PLACE.Inhabits the province of New York.—BL. MUS.

388. COMMON.
  • Br. Zool. ii. No 204.—La Guignette, De Buffon, vii. 540.—Pl. Enl. 850.— Latham, iii.
  • Tringa Hypoleucus Snappa, Faun. Suec. No 182.—LEV. MUS.

S. Above of a deep brown, ſpotted with rugged marks of black: the plumage moſt gloſſy and ſilky: fore part of the neck and breaſt white, with a few black ſpots: belly white: primaries and ſecondaries duſky; the laſt with their bottoms and ends white: the outmoſt feathers of the tail ſpotted with white and brown; the middle brown, tipt with white: legs yellowiſh. WEIGHT about two ounces. Differs little from the European kind, but in the colors of the legs.

PLACE.Inhabits Chateaux Bay, and the northern latitudes of Sibiria, as far as Kamtſchatka.

389. GREEN.
[475]
  • Br. Zool. ii. No 201.—Le Becaſſeau, De Buffon, vii. 535.—Pl. Enl. 843.
  • Tringa Ocrophus, Faun. Suec. No 180.—Tr. Littorea? Faun. Suec. No 185.— Latham, iii. —LEV. MUS.

S. With head and upper part of the neck cinereous brown, ſtreaked with white: lower part of neck mottled with brown and white: back, ſcapulars, and coverts of wings, of a duſky green, gloſſy as ſilk, and elegantly ſpeckled with white: primaries duſky: rump, breaſt, and belly, white: tail white, the feathers marked with different numbers of ſpots: legs a cinereous green. About a third larger than the COMMON.

I have ſeen this ſpecies in Mr. Kuckan's collection,PLACE. which he made in North America. It is alſo found in Iceland; and is very common in all the watery places of Ruſſia and Sibiria. The Tringa Littorea is ſaid to migrate from Sweden to England, at approach of winter*.

390. PURRE.
  • Br. Zool. ii. No 206.—Tringa Cinclus, Lin. Syſt. 251.—Latham, iii.
  • L'Alouette de mer, De Buffon, vii. 548.—Pl. Enl. 851.—LEV. MUS.—BL. MUS.

S. With a ſlender black bill: head and upper part of neck aſh-colored, ſtreaked with black: from bill to eyes a white line: under ſide of the neck white, mottled with brown: back and coverts of wings a browniſh aſh-color: greater coverts duſky, tipt with white: breaſt and belly white: two middle feathers of the tail duſky; the others aſh-color, edged with white: legs of a duſky green. WEIGHT an ounce and a half. LENGTH ſeven inches and a half.

Inhabits the coaſt of New York, PLACE. and extends as low as Jamaica and Cayenne. Not mentioned among the Scandinavian birds. Common in all latitudes of Ruſſia and Sibiria.

391. DUNLIN.
[476]
  • Br. Zool ii. No 205.—La Brunnette, De Buffon, vii. 493.—Latham, iii.
  • Tringa Alpina, Faun. Suec. No 181.—Faun. Groenl. No 77.
  • Loar Thraell, Olaf. Iceland. i. No 677. tab. xli.—LEV. MUS.—BL. MUS.

S. With head, hind part of the neck, and back, ferruginous, marked with great black ſpots: lower part of neck white, ſtreaked with black: coverts of the wings aſh-colored: breaſt and belly white, marked with a black creſcent: tail aſh-colored; the two middle feathers longeſt and darkeſt: legs black. In SIZE ſomewhat larger than the laſt.

PLACE.Inhabits Greenland, Iceland, Scandinavia, the alps of Sibiria, and, in its migration, the coaſts of the Caſpian ſea.

392. RED.
  • Br. Zool. ii. No 202.—Aberdeen Sandpiper, No 203.—Latham, iii.
  • Tringa Icelandica, Lin. Syſt. Add.

S. With the bill black and ſlender, a little bending: head, upper part of the neck, and beginning of the back, duſky, marked with red: lower ſide of the neck and breaſt cinereous, mixed with ruſt-color, and obſcurely ſpotted with black: leſſer coverts of the wing cinereous; primaries duſky; ſecondaries tipt with white: two middle feathers of the tail are duſky, and extend a little beyond the others; the reſt are cinereous: legs long and black.

PLACE.The birds which I have ſeen of this kind came from the coaſts of New York, Labrador, and Natka Sound. They are alſo found in Iceland *. Probably are the ſame with the Scolopax Subarquata, which, during ſummer, frequent the ſhores of the Caſpian ſea, lake Baikal, and eſpecially the mouth of the Don . I believe them to be the young, [477] or the females, of that which is deſcribed in the Br. Zool. under the name of the Red. The laſt differs in nothing, but in having the whole under ſide of a full ferruginous color.SIZE. LENGTH from eight to ten inches. Varies greatly in ſize.

393. GREY.
  • Br. Zool. ii. No 191.—Grey Plover, Wil. Orn. 309.—Latham, iii.
  • Tringa Squatarola, Faun. Suec. No 186.
  • Le Vanneau Pluvier, De Buffon, viii. 68.—Pl. Enl. 854.—LEV. MUS.—BL. MUS.

S. With a ſtrong black, bill: head, back, and coverts of wings, black, edged with grey, tinged with green, and ſome white: cheeks and throat white, ſtreaked with black: primaries duſky, white on their interior lower ſides: belly and thighs white: rump white: tail barred with black and white: legs of a dirty green: back toe very ſmall. WEIGHT ſeven ounces. LENGTH, to the end of the tail, twelve inches.

According to Lawſon, PLACE. frequents the vallies near the mountains of Carolina. Are ſeen flying in great flocks; but ſeldom alight*. Very common in Sibiria; and appear in autumn in flocks, after breeding in the extreme north.

394. GAMBET.
  • Br. Zool. ii. No 198.—Latham, iii.
  • Tringa Gambetta, Faun. Suec. No 177.—Tr. Variegata, Brunnich, No 181.

S. With head, back, and breaſt, of a cinereous brown, ſpotted with dull yellow: coverts of the wings, and ſcapulars, cinereous, edged with yellow: primaries duſky: belly white: tail duſky, bordered with yellow: legs yellow. SIZE of the Greenſhank.

Taken in the frozen ſea, between Aſia and America, lat. 69½,PLACE. long. 191½. Inhabits alſo Scandinavia and Iceland ; in the laſt it is called Stelkr, from its note.

395. ARMED.
[478]
  • Le Vanneau armé de la Louiſiane, Briſſon, iv. 114. tab. viii.—De Buffon, viii. 65.—Pl. Enl. 835.—Latham. iii.

S. With an orange bill, depreſſed in the middle: on each ſide of the baſe is a thin naked ſkin of a light orange-color, which riſes above the forehead, extends beyond each eye, and falls, in form of a pointed wattle, far below the chin: crown duſky: hind part of the neck, back, rump, ſcapulars, and coverts of the wings, of a duſky grey: from the chin to the vent white, tinged with tawny: primaries moſtly black: the fore part of the wing is armed with a ſharp ſpur, a moſt offenſive weapon: the tail ſhort, whitiſh, croſſed near the end with a black bar, and tipt with white: legs long, and of a deep red. LENGTH, from bill to tail, above ten inches. EXTENT about two feet two.

PLACE.Inhabits Louiſiana.

396. SWISS.
  • Tringa Helvetica, Lin. Syſt. 250.—Le Vanneau Suiſſe, De Buffon, viii. 60.— Pl. Enl. 853.
  • Vanellus Helveticus, Briſſon, v. 106. tab. x.—Latham, iii. —LEV. MUS.— BL. MUS.

S. With a ſtrong bill an inch long, depreſſed in the middle: front and ſides of the head white; hind part ſpotted with black and white: cheeks, under ſide of the neck, breaſt, and belly, black: thighs and vent white: primaries black: back, coverts of wings, and the tail, white, barred with black: legs black: back toe very ſmall. SIZE of a Lapwing.

PLACE.Inhabits the coaſt of Connecticut and Hudſon's Bay. Viſits the laſt in the ſpring. Feeds on berries, inſects, and worms. Retires in September. Breeds alſo in the Arctic flats of Sibiria; and, in the time of migration, appears in all parts of the ſouth of Ruſſia and Sibiria. Is found in France and Swiſſerland.

397. LITTLE.
[479]
  • Br. Zool. ii. No 207.—Tringa puſilla, Lin. Syſt. 252.—Oddinſtiane Iſlandis, Latham, iii.

S. With crown black: upper part of the plumage brown, edged with black and pale ruſty brown: belly and breaſt white: tail duſky: legs black. SIZE of a Hedge Sparrow.

Inhabits the north of Europe, Iceland, and Newfoundland. PLACE. Obſerved alſo in Natka Sound. It is met with as far ſouth as St. Domingo *. Probably migrates there in the winter.

  • A. RUFF, Br. Zool. ii. No 192.—Le Combattant, ou Paon de mer, De Buffon, vii. 521.— Pl. Enl. 305, 306.—Latham, iii.
  • Tringa pugnax, Bruſhane, Faun. Suec. No 175.—Leems Lapm. 246.—LEV. MUS.— BL. MUS.

S. With a long ruff of feathers on the fore part and ſides of the neck; and a long tuft on the hind part of the head: legs yellow. REEVES, or the females, are of a pale brown: back ſlightly ſpotted with black: breaſt and belly white: neck ſmooth.

Inhabits the north of Europe in ſummer, as far as Iceland, PLACE. and is very common in the northern marſhes of Ruſſia and Sibiria.

[480]
  • B. FRECKLED.—Calidris naevia, Briſſon, v. 229. tab. xxi. fig. i.—Latham, iii.

S. Above of a duſky cinereous, ſpotted with red and black; the laſt gloſſed with violet: lower part of the body of a reddiſh white, varied with duſky and cheſnut-colored ſpots: two middle feathers of the tail aſh-colored, edged with white; the reſt dark cinereous: the outmoſt feather on each ſide marked lengthways, on the exterior ſide, with a white line: legs greeniſh. LENGTH near nine inches.

PLACE.Is found in the north of Ruſſia and Sibiria; and alſo in France.

  • C. SELNINGER, Muller, No 206.—Tringa Maritima, Brunnich, 182.—Leems, 254. —Latham, iii.

S. Above varied with grey and black: the middle of the back tinged with violet: fore part of the neck duſky: lower part of the body white: tail duſky; four outmoſt feathers on each ſide ſhorter than the reſt, and edged with white: legs yellow. SIZE of a Stare.

PLACE.Inhabits Norway and Iceland. Lives about the ſea-ſhores, and is always emitting a piping note.

  • D. LAPWING, Br. Zool. ii. No 190.—Le Vanneau, De Buffon, viii. 48.—Pl. Enl. 242. —Latham iii.
  • Tringa Vanellus Wipa, Cowipa, Blaecka, Faun. Suec. No 176.—LEV. MUS.— BL. MUS.

S. With a black bill: crown and breaſt black: head adorned with a very long ſlender creſt, horizontal, but turning up at the end: cheeks and ſides of the neck, and belly, white: back and ſcapulars gloſſy green; the laſt: varied with purple: primaries and ſecondaries black, marked with white: coverts of tail, and vent, orange: outmoſt feathers of the tail white, marked with one duſky ſpot: the upper half of the reſt black; the lower of a pure white. WEIGHT [481] eight ounces. LENGTH thirteen inches and a half. EXTENT two feet and a half.

The Lapwing is common in moſt parts of Europe. PLACE. Extends to the Feroe iſles, and even to Iceland *. Is very frequent in Ruſſia; but becomes very rare beyond the Urallian chain; yet a few have been obſerved about the rivers Ob and Angara, and beyond lake Baikal; but never farther to the eaſt. They extend ſouthward as far as Perſia and Egypt , where they winter; but, unable to bear the vaſt heats of the ſummer, migrate to the countries about Woroneſch and Aſtracan . Appears in Lombardy, in April; retires in September. Continues in England, and I believe in France, the whole year; but conſtantly ſhifts its quarters in ſearch of food, worms and inſects. In France, multitudes are taken for the table in clap-nets, into which they are allured by the playing of a mirror.

  • E. WAVED. Tringa Undata, Brunnich, No 188.—Latham, iii.

S. Of a duſky color, marked with undulated lines of white and yellowiſh clay-color: ſhaft of the firſt primary white: tips of the ſecondaries, and their coverts, white: tail aſh-colored, tipt with black.

Inhabits Denmark and Norway. PLACE.

  • F. SHORE. Tringa Littorea, Faun. Suec. No 183.—Brunnich, No 177.—Latham, iii.
  • Le Chevalier varié, De Buffon, vii. 517.—Pl. Enl. 300.

S. With a duſky neck, ſtriped obliquely with white: back and coverts of the wings duſky, with ſmall ruſty ſpots, lighteſt on the laſt: primaries and ſecondaries duſky, the laſt tipt with white; ſhaft of firſt primary white: breaſt and belly white: tail croſſed with waved bars of duſky and white: legs duſky. SIZE of a Turtle Dove.

Inhabits the marſhes of Sweden; and is found in Denmark. PLACE.

[482]
  • G. WOOD. Tringa Glareola, Faun. Suec. No 184.—Latham, iii.

S. With the back duſky, ſpeckled with white: primaries and ſecondaries duſky; the laſt tipt with white: breaſt and belly whitiſh: tail barred with black and white; the outmoſt feathers lighteſt: rump white: legs of a dirty green. SIZE of a Stare.

PLACE.Inhabits the moiſt woods of Sweden.

  • H. UNIFORM. Keildu-ſuin, Iſlandis, Muller, No 205.—Latham, iii.

S. With a ſhort black bill, and of an uniform light aſh-color on all its plumage.

PLACE.Inhabits Iceland.

XXXIX. PLOVER. Gen. Birds, LXIX.
[483]
398. ALWARGRIM.
  • Spotted Plover, Edw. 140.—Le Pluvier doré à gorge noire, De Buffon, viii. 85.
  • Charadrius Apricarius. Alwargrim, Faun. Suec. No 189.—Latham, iii. —LEV. MUS.—BL. MUS.

PL. With a ſhort bill, like that of the Swiſs Sandpiper: the forehead white, from which a white line falls from each corner, along the ſides of the neck, and unites at the breaſt; the whole intervening ſpace black, as are the breaſt, belly, thighs, and vent; only on the laſt are a few white ſpots: crown, hind part of neck, back, and coverts of wings and tail, duſky, moſt elegantly ſpotted with bright orange: the primaries duſky, edged with aſh-color: ſecondaries and tail barred with duſky and brown: legs black. SIZE of a Golden Plover.

Inhabits all the north of Europe, Iceland, Greenland, PLACE. and Hudſon's Bay, and all the Arctic part of Sibiria; and deſcends ſouthward in its migrations. Is called in Hudſon's Bay, the Hawk's eye, on account of its brilliancy. It appears in Greenland in the ſpring, about the ſouthern lakes, and feeds on worms and berries of the Heath*. Arrives in New York in May: breeds there, and diſappears in the latter end of October, after collecting in vaſt flocks. Is reckoned moſt delicious eating.

399. GOLDEN.
  • Br. Zool. ii. No 208.—Le Pluvier doré, De Buffon, viii. 81.—Pl. Enl. 904.
  • Charadrius Pluvialis, Akerhoua, Faun. Suec. No 190.—Latham iii. —LEV. MUS.—BL. MUS.

PL. With head, upper part of the neck, back, and coverts of wings, duſky, elegantly ſpotted with yellowiſh green: breaſt brown, ſtreaked with greeniſh lines: belly white: middle feathers of the tail barred with black and yellowiſh green; the others with [484] black and brown: legs black. LENGTH, to the tip of the tail, eleven inches.

PLACE.Inhabits North America, as low as Carolina *. Migrates to the Labrador coaſt, about a week after the Eſkimaux WHIMBRELS, in its way to New York; but not in ſuch numbers. Found in Iceland and the north of Europe; but are ſcarcely ſeen in Ruſſia. Very frequent in Sibiria, where they breed in the north. They extend alſo to Kamtſchatka, and as far ſouth as the Sandwich iſles: in the laſt it is very ſmall. I have ſeen, which I ſuppoſe to be young, a variety with black breaſts: and ſometimes a very minute back toe.

400. NOISY.
  • Chattering Plover, Cateſby, i. 71.—Le Kildir, De Buffon, viii. 96.—Latham, iii.
  • Charadrius Vociferus, Lin. Syſt. 253.—LEV. MUS.—BL. MUS.

PL. With a broad black bar, extending from the bill, beneath each eye, to the hind part of the head: orbits red: forehead, and ſpace before and beyond the eyes, white: fore part of the crown black; the reſt brown: a white ring encircles the throat and neck; beneath that another of black; under that ſucceeds, on the breaſt, two ſemicircles, one of white, another of black; all below is white: back and coverts of wings brown: primaries duſky: the feathers on the rump are orange, and extend over three parts of the tail; the lower part of which is black. SIZE of a large Snipe.

PLACE.Inhabits New York, Virginia, and Carolina; where they reſide the whole year. Are the plague of the ſportſmen, by alarming the game by their ſcreams. They are called in Virginia, Kill-deer, from the reſemblance their note bears to that word. Migrate to New York in the ſpring: lay three or four eggs: ſtay late.

401. RINGED.
[485]
  • Br. Zool. ii. No 211.—Le Pluvier à collier, De Buffon, viii. 90.—Pl. Enl. 921.
  • Charadrius Hiaticula, Strandpipare, Faun. Suec. No 187.—Latham, iii. —LEV. MUS.—BL. MUS.

PL. With a ſhort bill; upper half orange-color; the end black: crown light brown: forehead, and a ſmall ſpace behind each eye, white: from the bill, beneath each eye, extends a broad bar of black: the neck is encircled with a white ring; and beneath that is another of black: coverts of wings of a pale brown: primaries duſky: tail brown, tipt with lighter: legs yellow.

Almoſt all which I have ſeen from the northern parts of North America, have had the black marks extremely faint, and almoſt loſt.VARIES. The climate had almoſt deſtroyed the ſpecific marks; yet, in the bill and habit, preſerved ſufficient to make the kind very eaſily aſcertained. The predominant colors were white, and very light aſh-color. WEIGHT near two ounces. LENGTH, to tip of the tail,SIZE. ſeven inches and a half. Thoſe of the weſtern coaſts of North America are much ſmaller.

Inhabits America, down to Jamaica * and the Braſils; PLACE. in the laſt it is called Matuitui , where it frequents ſea-ſhores and eſtuaries. Is found in ſummer in Greenland: migrates from thence in autumn. Is common in every part of Ruſſia and Sibiria. Was found by the navigators as low as Owyhe, one of the Sandwich iſles, and as light-colored as thoſe of the higheſt latitudes.

402. BLACK-CROWNED.

PL. With the bill an inch long; black towards the end; red towards the baſe: forehead black: crown black, ſurrounded with a circle of white: throat white: neck and breaſt of a very light aſh-colored brown, divided from the belly by a duſky tranſverſe ſtroke: belly and vent white: back, ſcapulars, and coverts of the wings, cinereous [486] brown: primaries duſky; white towards their bottoms: tail white towards the baſe; black towards the end; and tipt with white: legs very long, naked an inch above the knees, and of a blood-red: toes very ſhort. LENGTH, to the end of the tail, about ten inches.

PLACE.Inhabits the province of New York. Has much the habit of the European DOTTREL.—LEV. MUS.

403. SANDERLING.
  • Br. Zool. ii. No 212.—Le Sanderling, De Buffon, vii. 532.
  • Charadrius Calidris, Lin. Syſt. 255.—Latham, iii. —LEV. MUS.—BL. MUS.

PL. With a ſlender, black, weak bill, bending a little at the end: head and hind part of the neck cinereous, ſtreaked with duſky lines: back and ſcapulars of a browniſh grey, edged with dirty white: coverts and primaries duſky: belly white: feathers of the tail ſharp-pointed and cinereous: legs black. WEIGHT near an ounce and three quarters. LENGTH eight inches.

PLACE.Inhabits North America. Abounds about Seal Iſlands, on the Labrador coaſt. I do not find it among the birds of northern Europe; nor in Aſia, nearer than lake Baikal.

404. RUDDY.

PL. With a black ſtrait bill, an inch long: head, neck, breaſt, ſcapulars, and coverts of wings and tail, of a ruddy color, ſpotted with black, and powdered with white; in the ſcapulars and coverts of wings the black prevails: the outmoſt web of the four firſt quil feathers brown; the internal white, tipt with brown: the upper part of the others white; the lower brown: the two middle feathers of the tail brown, edged with ruſt; the others of a dirty white: legs black: toes divided to their origin.

PLACE.Inhabits Hudſon's Bay.—Mr. Hutchins.

405. LONG-LEGGED.
[487]
  • Br. Zool. ii. No 209.—Fl. Scot. i. No 157.—Latham, iii.
  • Charadrius Himantopus, Lin. Syſt. 255.—Haſſelquiſt, 253.
  • L'Echaſſe, De Buffon, viii. 114.—Pl. Enl. 878.—LEV. MUS.

PL. With the crown, upper part of the neck, back, and wings, duſky; the laſt croſſed with a white line: tail of a greyiſh white: forehead and whole under ſide of the neck and body white: legs the moſt diſproportionably long and weak of any known bird; the French, for that reaſon, call it, very juſtly, l'Echaſſe, or the bird that goes upon ſtilts; they are of a blood-red, four inches and a half long, and the part above the knees three and a half. LENGTH, to the end of the tail, thirteen inches.

Inhabits from Connecticut to the iſlands of the Weſt Indies *.PLACE. Is not a bird of northern Europe. Frequent in the ſouthern deſert of independent Tartary: very common about the ſalt lakes; and often on the ſhores of the Caſpian ſea. Is again found on the Indian ſhores near Madras .

  • A. DOTTREL, Br. Zool. ii. No 210.—Charadrius Morinellus Lahul, Lappis, Faun. Suec. No 188.—Leems Lapmark, 260.—Latham, iii.
  • Le Guignard, De Buffon, viii. 87.—Pl. Enl. 832.—LEV. MUS.

PL. With bill and crown black: from the bill, over each eye, a white line: breaſt and belly dull orange; the firſt croſſed with a white line: vent white: back, coverts of wings, and tail, olivaceous, edged [488] with dull yellow: tail duſky olive; ends of the outmoſt feathers white. Colors of the female duller. WEIGHT four ounces. LENGTH ten inches.

PLACE.Inhabits Europe, even as high as Lapmark. Firſt appears in Drontheim; then ſeeks the Lapland alps. Returns in ſmaller numbers. Appears in May at Upſal, in its paſſage northward. Breeds in all the north of Ruſſia and Sibiria; but appears in the temperate latitudes only in their migrations.

  • B. ALEXANDRINE.—Charadrius Alexandrinus, Lin. Syſt. 253.—Brunnich, App. p. 77. —Haſſelquiſt Itin. 256.—Latham, iii.

PL. With a black bill: a white line over each eye, and collar round the neck: head, upper part of body, and coverts of wings, light cinereous brown: primaries duſky; from the fifth to eighth marked with an oblong white ſpot on the exterior margin: ſecondaries duſky, tipt with white: middle feathers of the tail black; outmoſt white: under ſide of the body white: legs duſky blue. SIZE between a Lark and a Thruſh.

PLACE.Found in the dioceſe of Drontheim, Norway. Common about the ſalt lakes between the rivers Argun and Onon; but not obſerved in any other part of Ruſſia or Sibiria. Inhabits alſo the canal which conveys water from the Nile to Alexandria *.

XL. OYSTER-CATCHER. Gen. Birds.
[489]
406. PIED.
  • Br. Zool. ii. No 213.—Cateſby, i. 85.—L'Huitrier. La pie de mer, De Buffon, viii. 119.—Pl. Enl. 929.—Latham, iii.
  • Haematopus oſtralegus Strandſkjura, Faun. Suec. No 192.—Brunnich, No 189.— —LEV. MUS.—BL. MUS.

O. With a long depreſſed bill, cuneated at the end, and of a rich orange-color: beneath the throat ſometimes a white bar: the whole neck beſides, with head, back, and coverts of wings, of a fine black: wings duſky, croſſed with a bar of white: under ſide of the body white: lower part of the tail white; end black: legs ſtrong and thick, of a dirty fleſh-color. WEIGHT ſixteen ounces. LENGTH ſeventeen inches.

Inhabits North America, from New York to the Bahama Iſlands;PLACE. and again is found in Sharks Bay, on the weſt coaſt of New Holland *, with ſome variation of color. It is met with about Curaçoa in the Weſt Indies , and wholly black, with a red bill and cinereous legs.

Found as far as Lapmark . Inhabits all Ruſſia and Sibiria. Breeds on the great Arctic flats: and extends to Kamtſchatka.

XLI. RAIL. Gen. Birds. LXXIII.
[490]
407. CLAPPER.

R. With the crown, and whole upper part of neck, back, and wings, of an olive brown, edged with pale aſh-color: primaries dark, edged with tawny: tail of the ſame color: cheeks cinereous: throat white: under ſide of the neck and breaſt brown, tinged with yellow: ſpace beyond the thighs barred with dark cinereous and white: legs brown. LENGTH fourteen inches; of the bill two.

PLACE.Inhabits New York. Called there the Meadow Clapper. It arrives there in May, lays in June, and diſappears in October.—LEV. MUS.— BL. MUS.

408. VIRGINIAN.
  • Rallus Virginianus, Lin. Syſt. 263.—Latham, iii.
  • American Water Rail, Edw. 279.—LEV. MUS.—BL. MUS.

R. With a duſky bill, red at the baſe of the lower mandible: crown duſky: cheeks cinereous: from the bill to each eye a white line: throat whitiſh: upper part of the neck and back duſky, bordered with brown: ridge of the wing white: coverts, ferruginous: primaries and tail duſky: under ſide of the neck and breaſt of a browniſh orange: lower belly, ſides, and thighs, duſky, barred with white: vent black, white, and orange: legs of a dirty fleſh-color. In ſize and ſhape like the Engliſh Rail*,A VARIETY OF THE ENGLISH RAIL. of which it ſeems a mere variety; ours having a deep aſh-colored breaſt inſtead of a red one.

PLACE.Inhabits Penſylvania. The common kind is found in the Feroe iſlands, Norway, as far as Sondmor, Sweden, Ruſſia, and the weſt of Sibiria.

Figure 7. Clapper Rail No. 407. Semipalmated Snipe. No. 380.
XLII. GALLINULE. Gen. Birds. LXXV.
[491]
409. SOREE.
  • Little American Water Hen, Edw. 144.—Latham, iii.
  • Soree, Cateſby, i. 70.—Le Râle de Virginie, De Buffon, viii. 165.—LEV. MUS.

G. With a yellow bill: crown, hind part of the neck, back, tail, and wings, of a ruſty brown, ſpotted with black: coverts of the wing alone plain and more ferruginous: forehead, throat, and great part of the front of the neck, of a deep black: cheeks, ſides of the neck, and breaſt, of a fine blueiſh aſh-colour: belly and ſides of a dirty white; the laſt barred downwards with black: legs of a dull green. Rather larger than a Lark.

Theſe birds migrate in great numbers into Virginia the latter end of September, and continue there about ſix weeks.PLACE. During that ſpace they are found in vaſt multitudes in the marſhes, feeding on wild oats. On their firſt arrival they are exceedingly lean; but ſoon grow ſo fat as to be unable to fly. In that ſtate they lie upon the reeds; and the Indians go in canoes and kill them with their paddles, or run them down. It is ſaid that they have taken a hundred dozen in a morning. They are moſt delicious eating; and, during the ſeaſon, are found on the tables of moſt of the planters, for breakfaſt, dinner, and ſupper*.

410. YELLOW-BRRASTRD.

G. With the crown and hind part of the neck dark olivaceous brown, ſpotted with white: back plain brown: ſcapulars edged with yellowiſh white: breaſt dirty yellow: belly white: legs brown. In SIZE leſſer than an Engliſh Quail.

Inhabits the province of New York.—BL. MUS.PLACE.

411. COMMON.
[492]
  • Br. Zool. ii. No 217.—Brunnich, No 191.—La Poule d'Eau, De Buffon, viii. 171. —Pl. Enl. 877.—Latham, iii.
  • Fulica chloropus, Lin. Syſt. 258.—LEV. MUS.—BL. MUS.

G. With the head and upper part of the neck, body, and coverts of the wings, of a fine deep olive green: primaries and tail duſky: breaſt and belly cinereous: vent white: legs green. WEIGHT of the male fifteen ounces: length fourteen inches.

Inhabits New York, and as low as Carolina: does not croſs the Baltic: rare in Denmark: inhabits Ruſſia, and the weſt of Sibiria, but not the eaſt.

  • A. CRAKE, Br. Zool. i. No 216.—Rallus crex. Angſnarpa; Kornkraka, Faun. Suec. No 194.
  • Le Rale de Terre, Genet, ou Roi des Cailles, De Buffon, viii. 146.—Pl. Enl. 750.— Latham, iii. —LEV. MUS.—BL. MUS.

G. With the crown, hind part of the neck, and back, black, edged with bay: coverts of wings plain bay: tail of a deep bay: belly dirty white: legs cinereous. When lean weighs ſix, when fat eight ounces.

PLACE.Inhabits Europe, even as far north as Drontheim. Notwithſtanding it is ſo ſhort-winged a bird, and a bad flier, yet it is found in ſummer in the Schetland iſles; not uncommon in the temperate parts of Ruſſia and Sibiria, but none in the north, or towards the ſhores. Where Quails are common, in thoſe countries this bird abounds; and the contrary where Quails are ſcarce. The Crakes depart at the ſame time with the Cranes. The Tartars obſerve how ill adapted the firſt are for a long flight; therefore believe that every Crane takes a Crake on its back, and ſo aſſiſts the migration*.

DIV. II. SECT. II. PINNATED FEET.
[494]DIV. II. SECT. II. PINNATED FEET.

[]
XLIII. PHALAROPE. Gen. Birds, LXXVI.
412. GREY.
  • Br. Zool. ii. No 218.—Edw. 308.—Latham, iii.
  • Tringa lobata, Faun. Suec. No 179.—Muller, No 195.—Brunnich, No 171.
  • Le Phalarope à feſtons dentelés, De Buffon, viii. 226.—Pl. Enl. 766.—LEV. MUS.

PH. With a black bill, flatted and dilated near the extremity: eyes placed far back: white forehead: crown duſky: upper part of the neck light grey: back, rump, and ſcapulars, deep dove-color, marked with duſky ſpots: edges of the ſcapulars yellow: coverts and primaries duſky; the firſt edged with white: breaſt and belly white: tail duſky, edged with aſh-color: legs black: toes ſcolloped; the margins of the membranes finely ſerrated. SIZE of a Purre.

PLACE.Inhabits Scandinavia, Iceland, and Greenland: in the laſt, lives on the frozen ſide, near the great lakes: quits the country before winter: is ſeen on the full ſeas in April and September, in the courſe of its migration. Swims ſlowly: cannot dive. Twitters like a Swallow. The feathers being very ſoft, the Greenlanders uſe it to wipe their rheumy eyes. Is not found in Ruſſia, but is frequent in all Sibiria, about the lakes and rivers, eſpecially in autumn; probably in its migration from the Arctic flats: it was alſo met with among the ice, between Aſia and America.

413. RED.
  • Br. Zool. ii. No 219.—Edw. 142, 143.—Latham, iii.
  • Tringa fulicaria, Faun. Suec. No 179.—Brunnich, No 172.—Muller, No 196. —Faun. Groenl. No 76.
  • Le Phalarope rouge, De Buffon, viii. 225.

PH. With bill in form of the laſt: crown, hind part of the neck, and upper part of the breaſt, of a duſky aſh-color: ſides of the neck ferruginous: throat, belly, and vent, white: wings black: greater [495] coverts and ſecondaries tipt with white: back and ſcapulars duſky; the laſt edged with bright ferruginous; rump white, barred with cinereous: tail duſky: toes like the former. The whole under ſide of the neck, the breaſt, and belly, of the ſuppoſed FEMALE are ferruginous. Linnaeus calls the male Tringa Hyperborea, and ſeparates them*.

Found in Hudſon's Bay and Scandinavia; common about the Caſpian ſea, and lakes and rivers adjacent, during ſpring; but does not extend to the farther part of Sibiria; yet was found by the navigators between Aſia and America. They go in pairs. Swim in the ponds of the fens; and are perpetually dipping their bills in the water in ſearch of inſects.

414. BROWN.
  • Edw. 46.—Latham, iii.

PH. With a ſlender black bill, a little bending at the end: crown black: cheeks and neck of a light aſh-color, tinged with bloom-color: breaſt and belly white: back, wings, and tail, duſky: greater primaries and greater coverts tipt with white: legs like the preceding.

Taken on board a ſhip off the coaſt of Maryland, PLACE. the wind blowing from land. The form of the bill is a ſpecific diſtinction from the laſt.

415. PLAIN.

PH. With a ſlender black bill, dilated at the end: crown duſky and dull yellow: acroſs each eye a black line: cheeks and fore part of the neck a pale clay-color: breaſt and belly white: back and tertials duſky, edged with dull yellow: coverts, primaries, and tail, cinereous; the laſt edged like the tertials: legs yellowiſh: toes bordered with a plain or unſcolloped membrane.

Taken in the frozen ſea, about Lat. 69 ½. Long. 191 ½.PLACE.

XLIV. COOT. Gen. Birds. LXXVII.
[496]
416. COMMON.
  • Br. Zool. i. No 220.—La Foulque, De Buffon, viii. 211.—Pl. Enl. 197.—Latham, iii.
  • Fulica atra, Faun. Suec. No 193.—Brunnich, No 196.—LEV. MUS.—BL. MUS.

C. With a white bill: head, neck, body, wings, and tail, of a full black: legs yellowiſh green. WEIGHT from twenty-four to twenty-eight ounces.

PLACE.Inhabits the ſhores of Sweden and Norway: appears in ſpring, and very rarely viſits the lakes or moors*. Frequent in Ruſſia, and even to the eaſt of Sibiria. I found it among the birds ſent to Mrs. Blackburn from North America. The Indians about Niagara dreſs their ſkins, and uſe them for pouches. They are frequent in the rivers of Carolina, where they are called Fluſterers ; I ſuppoſe, from the noiſe they make in flying along the ſurface of the water.

XLV. GREBE. Gen. Birds, LXXVIII.
[497]
417. HORNED.
  • Eared or horned Dobchick, Edw. 49.—Latham, iii.

GR. with the head very full of feathers, and of a mallard green color: from each eye iſſues a long tuft of yellowiſh orange-colored feathers, almoſt meeting at the hind part of the head; beneath them is a large ruff of black feathers: fore part of the neck and breaſt of an orange red; the hind part and back duſky: coverts of the wings cinereous: primaries and tertials black: ſecondaries white: belly gloſſy and ſilvery: legs of a bluiſh aſh-color before; fleſh-colored behind. Of the SIZE of a Teal. Not the male of my Eared Dobchick, as Mr. Edwards ſuppoſes*; there being in that ſpecies no external difference of ſexes, as I have had frequent opportunities of obſerving.

Inhabits Hudſon's Bay: appears there in the freſh waters in June: PLACE. lays its eggs among the aquatic plants. Retires towards the ſouth in autumn: is called by the natives, Sekeep. It appears in New York in that ſeaſon, and continues there till ſpring, when it returns to the north. For its vaſt quickneſs in diving is called, in New York, the Water Witch.

418. PIED-BILL.
  • Colymbus podiceps, Lin. Syſt. 223.—Latham, iii.
  • Pied-bill Dobchick, Cateſby, i. 91.—LEV. MUS.—BL. MUS.

GR. with a ſtrong arched bill, not unlike that of the common poultry; of an olive-color, croſſed through the middle of both mandibles with a black bar: noſtrils very wide: chin and throat of a gloſſy black, bounded with white: upper part of the neck and back duſky: cheeks and under part of the neck pale brown: breaſt ſilvery, mottled with aſh-color: belly ſilvery: wings brown: ends of the [498] ſecondaries white: toes furniſhed with broad membranes. The female wants the black bar on the bill. LENGTH fourteen inches.

PLACE.Inhabits from New York to South Carolina: is called in the firſt, the Hen-beaked Wigeon, or Water Witch. Arrives there late in the autumn, and goes away in April.

419. LOUISIANE.
  • Le Grebe de la Louiſiane, De Buffon, viii. 240.—Pl. Enl. No 943.—Latham, iii.

GR. The end of the bill ſlightly bent: middle of the breaſt white, tinged with duſky: ſides of the neck and body, quite to the rump, ruſt-colored: from the baſe of the neck to the thighs marked with large tranſverſe black ſpots: upper part of the body and wings deep brown: legs duſky. In SIZE rather leſs than the common Grebe.

PLACE.Inhabits Louiſiana.

420. DUSKY.
  • Br. Zool. ii. No 225.—Edw. 96. fig. 1.—Le petit Grebe, De Buffon, viii. 232.— Pl. Enl. 942.—Latham, iii. —LEV. MUS.—BL. MUS.

GR. With the crown, neck, back, and primaries, duſky: ridge of the wings and ſecondaries white: reſt of the wings duſky: breaſt and belly ſilvery, but clouded. SIZE of a Teal.

PLACE.Sent from New York with the Horned Grebe, as its female; but is certainly a diſtinct ſpecies.

  • A. GREAT CRESTED GREBE, Br. Zool. ii. No 223.—Le Grebe cornu, De Buffon, viii. 235.—Faun. Suec. No 151.—Latham, iii. —LEV. MUS.—BL. MUS.

GR. With the cheeks and throat ſurrounded with a long pendent ruff, of a bright tawny color: on the head a great duſky creſt: hind part of the neck and back duſky: primaries of the ſame color: ſecondaries [499] white: breaſt and belly of a gloſſy ſilvery white: outſide of the legs duſky; inſide greeniſh. WEIGHT two pounds and a half. LENGTH twenty-one inches. EXTENT thirty.

Inhabits Iceland, northern Europe, PLACE. and the temperate and northern parts of Sibiria, in every reedy lake.

  • B. EARED, Br. Zool. ii. No 225.—Edw. 96. fig. 2.—Latham, iii.
  • Colymbus Auritus. Fiorna. Skraenlom, Faun. Suec. No 152.—LEV. MUS.—BL. MUS.

GR. With crimſon irides: behind each eye a large tuft of ferruginous feathers: the head, upper part of the body, and primaries, duſky: ſecondaries white: whole under ſide white: feathers above the thighs ferruginous. LENGTH, to the rump, twelve inches.

Inhabits Iceland *, Norway, and Sweden, PLACE. and alſo the lakes of Lapland, where it makes a floating neſt: quits thoſe countries in winter. Common in Sibiria and Ruſſia, in all latitudes. Inhabits England the whole year. I have ſeen numbers ſhot in Lincolnſhire. Could obſerve no external ſexual differences; ſo am certain they are not of the ſame ſpecies with the Horned Grebe, No 417.

  • C. RED-NECKED GREBE.

GR. With the crown, hind part of the neck, back, and wings, duſky brown: ſecondaries white? cheeks and throat white; the firſt marked with a few brown ſtreaks: under ſide of the neck bright ferruginous: belly white: legs duſky.

This ſpecies was ſent to me by the late Mr. Fleiſcher of Copenhagen, PLACE. from either Denmark or Norway. The ſame ſpecies is found, but very rarely, towards the Caſpian ſea.

DIV. II. SECT. III. WEB-FOOTED.
[502]DIV. II. SECT. III. WEB-FOOTED.

[]
* WITH LONG LEGS.
XLVI. AVOSET. Gen. Birds, LXXIX.
421. AMERICAN.

AV. With a ſlender black bill, ſlightly turning up: head, neck, and upper part of the breaſt, of a pale buff-color: reſt of the lower part of the body white: back and primaries black: leſſer coverts white; greater black; beneath which is a long tranſverſe bar of white: legs very long, and duſky: feet ſemipalmated; the webs bordering the ſides of the toes for a conſiderable way. Larger than the Engliſh AVOSET.

PLACE.This ſpecies is preſerved in the LEVERIAN MUSEUM. It is a native of North America. I imagine that it ſometimes is found entirely white; for the bird called by Mr. Edwards (tab. 139.) the White Godwit from Hudſon's Bay, ſeems to be the ſame with this.

  • A. TEREK. Scolopax cinerea, Nov. Com. Petrop, xix. 473. tab. xix.—Latham, iii.

AV. With a bill one inch ten lines long, ſlightly recurvated: whole upper part of the plumage cinereous: the middle of each feather marked with duſky; on the rump in form of bars: lower part []

Figure 8. American Avoset. No. 421.

[503] of body white: tail cinereous; outmoſt feather on each ſide varied with white and aſh-color: legs ſhort, ſemipalmated. SIZE of the Red Sandpiper.

Frequents and breeds in the north*; and haunts,PLACE. during the ſummer, the Caſpian ſea. Migrates through Ruſſia and Sibiria.

  • B. SCOOPING, Br. Zool. ii. No 228.—Skarflacka. Alfit, Faun. Suec. No 191.—Amoen. Acad. iv. 591.—L'Avocette, De Buffon, viii. 466.—Pl. Enl. 353.—Latham, iii. —LEV. MUS.

AV. With a black, thin, flexible bill, three inches and a half long, bending upwards half its length: head, hind part of the neck, and part of the wings and ſcapulars, black: reſt of the neck, breaſt, belly, and tail, white. WEIGHT thirteen ounces. LENGTH, to the end of the tail, eighteen inches. EXTENT thirty.

Inhabits, in Scandinavia, only the iſle of Oeland, off Sweden; PLACE. where it rarely appears in the ſpring. Is properly a ſouthern bird. Very frequent, in the breeding ſeaſon, about Foſſdike Waſh, in Lincolnſhire: are then very eaſily ſhot, flying about one's head like the Lapwing, repeating ſhrilly, twit, twit. Lay two eggs, white, tinged with green, and ſpotted with black. Are frequent about the ſalt lakes of the Tartarian deſart, and about the Caſpian ſea.

XLVII. FLAMMANT. Gen. Birds, LXXXI.
[504]
422. RED.
  • Flamingo, Cateſby, i. 73.—Phaenicopterus ruber, Lin. Syſt. 230.—Le Flammant, ou le Phènicoptere, De Buffon, viii. 475.—Pl. Enl. 63.—Latham, iii. —LEV. MUS.

FL. With the upper mandible extremely convex, ridged, and ſloping to a point; the under very deep, and convex on the upper part; the edges of both furniſhed with numerous teeth: ſpace between it and the eyes naked: neck very long: tail ſhort: primaries black: all the reſt of the plumage of a fine crimſon color; but the European birds, which are the only I have ſeen, are roſeate: legs very long: toes webbed: hind toe very ſmall. The attitude is erect: and its HEIGHT uſually five feet.

PLACES IN AMERICA.Theſe birds inhabit Louiſiana *, the Bahama iſlands, and thoſe of the Weſt Indies; and frequent only ſalt waters. They live in flocks, and are uncommonly tame, or rather ſtupid. A perſon who can ſtand concealed may ſhoot as many as he pleaſes; for they will not ariſe at the report of the gun; but the ſurvivors will ſtand as if aſtoniſhed: nor will they take warning at the ſight of the ſlain; but continue on the ſpot till moſt of them are killed. Such is Cateſby's account. But the honeſt and intelligent Dampier gives a very different one; and ſays that they are extremely ſhy, and very difficult to be ſhot.

NESTS.They build their neſts in ſhallow ponds; and form, for that purpoſe, with mud, hillocks with a broad baſe, which appear about a foot and a half above the water: theſe taper to the top, in which the birds make a hollow for the eggs. They lay two, and cover them with their rump, their legs reſting beneath the water. As ſoon as the young are hatched they run very faſt, but cannot fly till they are full grown. They are for a long time of a grey color, nor do they attain that of red till near two years.

[505]They ſtand upright, and in a row; ſo at a diſtance look like a file of ſoldiers. They feed on the ſeeds of water-plants: not fiſh. Their fleſh is good, notwithſtanding it is lean, and looks black. Dampier alſo bears witneſs to the delicacy of the tongues; which, ſays he, are large, and furniſhed with a knob of fat at the root, the ſo much boaſted morſel. Apicius, a Roman, probably cotemporary with Tiberius, had the honor of firſt introducing them to table: the ſame perſon whom Pliny ſo forcibly ſtigmatiſes with the title of Nepotum altiſſimus gurges *.

The FLAMMANT inhabits ſeveral parts of the old world:PLACES IN EUROPE AND ASIA. ſuch as ſome of the coaſts of the Mediterranean ſea; the Cape De Verd iſlands; and the Cape of Good Hope. They are common on the ſhores of the Caſpian ſea, on the Perſian and Turcomannian coaſts: repairing in flocks to the mouth of the river Yemba; and ſometimes to that of the Yaik; and alſo to that of the Volga, below Aſtracan.

* WITH SHORT LEGS.
[506]
XLVIII. ALBATROSS. Gen. Birds, LXXXII.
423. WANDERING.
  • Diomedea Exulans, Lin. Syſt. 214.—Pl. Enl. 237.—Latham, iii.
  • Albatroſs, Edw. 88.—Pallas, Spicil. Zool. Faſc. v. 28.
  • Tſchaiki of the Kamtſchatkans, LEV. MUS.—BL. MUS.

ALB. With a ſtrong bill, ſinking a little in the middle; hooked at the end of the upper mandible, abrupt at that of the lower; noſtrils covered with a ſtrong guard, and opening forward; color red; tip duſky: the plumage, in ſome, wholly duſky, with the color moſt intenſe on the upper part; others again have their under ſide entirely white: the tail is rounded: legs and feet of a duſky red: the webs duſky.

SIZE.ALBATROSSES differ greatly in ſize. Whether they differ in ſpecies I cannot determine. They weigh from twelve to twenty-eight pounds: and vary in extent of wings, from ſeven feet ſeven inches to ten feet ſeven.

PLACE.The white and the brown variety or ſpecies appear annually in flocks of thouſands, about the end of June, and ſpread over the whole Ochotſchan ſea, the gulph of Penſchinſhi, and the Kurile iſlands; but very rarely on the eaſtern coaſt of Kamtſchatka. They alſo arrived in great numbers about Bering's Iſland, at the time when Steller was preparing to depart from his long confinement, after the ſhipwreck of his illuſtrious commander. He ſailed from thence on the 10th of Auguſt. This coincides with the re-migration of theſe birds, who retire from the former places about the end of July or the middle of Auguſt. Their arrival is the certain forerunner of fiſh. It is probable that they purſue their prey northward, as they do not return the ſame way. They ſpread to the coaſts of America *, and tend [507] from each continent to their breeding-places in the ſouthern hemiſphere, which they may arrive at by the ſeaſon of ſummer in that adverſe part of the globe.

They ſeek the northern ſhores,MANNERS. in purſuit of the vaſt ſhoals of ſalmon which frequent thoſe diſtant places. They are the moſt voracious of birds; and will ſo fill themſelves with fiſh, that ſometimes a large one will hang half out of their mouths till thoſe in their ſtomach are digeſted. They will be at times ſo loaden with food as to become incapable of flying; and even ſo ſtupified, as to be readily hunted down by boats, or transfixed in the water by darts: neither can they ariſe till they have vomited up their prey, which they ſtrive to do with all their might.

The Kamtſchatkans are very ſolicitous about the capture of theſe birds,CAPTURE. not ſo much for the ſake of their fleſh (which is very tough and dry, and never eaten unleſs hunger compels) but on account of the inteſtines, which they blow into bladders, in order to form floats for their nets. They angle for the Albatroſſes as they do for the ſcaly race, baiting with a whole fiſh, a large hook fixed to a long cord. This they fling into the water, when there is an inſtant conteſt among theſe greedy birds, which ſhall firſt lay hold of it*.

They have only the veſtige of a tongue; which is one of the characters of the Gannet, Corvorants, and other voracious birds. Their voice, like that of the Pelecan, reſembles the braying of an aſs.

The voyage which theſe birds undertake,MIGRATIONS. from perhaps almoſt the extremity of the ſouthern hemiſphere to that of the northern, urged by inſtinct, to attend the migration of certain fiſhes, is very amazing. They are, indeed, ſeen in April and May off the Cape of Good Hope , ſometimes ſoaring in the air with the gentle motion of a Kite, at a ſtupendous height; at others, nearer the water, watching the motions of the Flying Fiſh, which they catch while thoſe miſerable beings ſpring out of their element to ſhun the jaws of the Coryphenes. [508] I have not authority to ſay that ſome of them do not reſide about the Cape the whole year: but I am acquainted with only two places in which they breed; one is the Falkland iſlands, the other the coaſt of Patagonia *. In the firſt, they begin to lay their eggs in October, the ſpring of thoſe regions, and continue that function about a month.NESTS AND EGG. They build their neſts with ſedges, in form of a haycock, about three feet high, leaving a hollow in the ſummit for the egg; for they lay but one, which is four inches and a half long, white, with ſome ſmall obſcure ſpots at the thicker end. They are conſtantly watched while on their neſts by multitudes of Hawks, who no ſooner ſee the Albatroſs quit its neſt, but they inſtantly dart down and carry off the egg. This obliges them to lay another, and prolong the ſeaſon of incubation.

The remaining part of the ſummer they wander over all parts of the Antarctic ſeas; and were ſeen as low as lat. 67. 20. in the middle of our January ; and have been ſeen in ſeveral ſucceſſive months to the northward, ſhunning the winter of their native hemiſphere, and ſeeking warmth and food in the remote climate of Kamtſchatka.

STELLER takes notice of ſome birds which the Ruſſians rank under the name of Gloughpichi. He ſays they are found in great numbers on the iſles between Aſia and America; that they were of the ſize between an Eagle and a Gooſe, had a yellow crooked bill, and their plumage of the color of umber, ſpotted with white. He alſo ſaw numbers feeding on a dead whale. And in croſſing the Penchian ſea, he obſerved ſeveral flying: ſome white, others black. All theſe I ſuſpect to have been different ſorts of ALBATROSSES, which may have wandered here; for the Antarctic voyagers obſerved at leſt three ſpecies in their approaches towards the ſouthern pole.

XLIX. AUK. Gen. Birds, LXXXIII.
[509]
424. GREAT.
  • Br. Zool. ii. No 229.—Edw. No 147.—Latham, iii.
  • Alca Impennis, Faun. Suec. No 140.—Brunnich, No 105.—Muller, No 139.— LEV. MUS.

A. With a ſtrong bill, bending at the end; black, and furrowed tranſverſely: between that and the eyes, a bean-ſhaped white ſpot: above, the whole plumage is of a gloſſy black; the ſecondaries alone tipt with white: breaſt and belly white: wings very ſhort, and uſeleſs for flight, covered with very ſhort feathers: legs black. To the end of the toes, three feet.

Inhabits (but not very frequently,PLACE. the coaſts of Norway) the Feroe iſlands (in a certain number of years, St. Kilda) Iceland, Greenland, and Newfoundland. It lives chiefly on the ſea; but never wanders beyond the ſoundings. Feeds much on the Lump-fiſh, Br. Zool. ii. No 57. and Father Laſher, Br. Zool. iii. No 99. and other fiſh of that ſize. Builds on rocks remote from ſhore. Lays one egg, ſix inches long, irregularly marked with purpliſh lines on a white ground, or blotched near the thicker end with black or ferruginous ſpots. Hatches late. The young, in Auguſt, are only covered with grey down. Their food, at that period, is vegetable, the Rhodiola Roſea, and other plants, having been found in their ſtomachs. The Greenlanders uſe the gullet as a bladder to ſupport their darts*: and I think I have ſeen ſome habits of the Eſkimaux made of the ſkins.

425. RAZOR-BILL.
  • Br. Zool. ii. No 230.—Le Pingoin, Pl. Enl. 1004, 1005.—Latham, iii.
  • Alca Torda, Faun. Suec. No 139.—LEV. MUS.—BL. MUS.

A. With a white line from the bill to the eyes: bill thick, bent at the end, croſſed with tranſverſe groves; the largeſt white, and paſſing over each mandible: head, back, wings, and tail black: [510] ſecondaries tipt with white: breaſt and belly white: legs black. WEIGHT near twenty-three ounces. LENGTH eighteen inches. EXTENT twenty-ſeven.

PLACE.Inhabits the north of Europe, Iceland, Greenland, and the coaſt of Labrador *. Extends in Europe, along the White ſea, into the Arctic Aſiatic ſhores; and from thence to Kamtſchatka and the gulph of Ochotſk, wherever there are lofty rocks. It is the only one of this ſpecies which reaches the inland Baltic. It is found there on the Carls-Ozar iſles, near Gothland, and the iſle of Bondon off Angermanland.

426. BLACK-BILLED.
  • Br. Zool. ii. No 231.—Alca Pica, Lin. Syſt. 210.—Latham; iii.
  • Alca Uniſuleata, Brunnich, No 102.—Muller, No 138.

A. With a black bill, marked with one furrow: whole upper ſide of the body black; the under, from chin to tail, white. WEIGHT only eighteen ounces. LENGTH fifteen inches and a half. EXTENT twenty-five.

PLACE.Inhabits the north of Europe, and the ſame countries with the former. It extends farther ſouth than any of the genus; being found on the coaſts of Candia, the antient Crete; where it is called Vuthamaria, and Calicatczu . In Greenland neither of them frequent the bays till the intenſe cold ſets in; but live in the ſea, reſorting, in the [511] breeding ſeaſon, to the cliffs in flocks, where each knows its ſtation. Feed on the cancer pedatus, and other marine inſects; and grow very fat. In winter, reſort to the bays to feed; but at night return to ſea. Vie with the Eider-duck, in point of utility to the Greenlanders. The ſkins are uſed for cloathing: the raw fat is ſucked as broth: the fleſh, half putrid, is much admired: and the whole fowl, dreſſed with the inteſtines in it, eſteemed a high delicacy.

They are taken in the ſea with darts; or, chaced in canoes, are driven on ſhore, and killed by the perſons who wait for them; or are taken in nets made of ſplit whalebone. They are the chief food of the natives during February and March *.

The Alca Balthica of Brunnich, No 115, is a variety of theſe birds, only wants the white line from the bill to the eyes.

427. PUFFIN.
  • Br. Zool. ii. No 232.—Edw. 358.—Le Macareux, Pl. Enl. 275.—Latham, iii.
  • Alca Arctica, Faun. Suec. No 141.—LEV. MUS.—BL. MUS.

A. With a ſhort bill, deep at the baſe, ridged, triangular, ending in a ſharp point; baſe ſtrongly rimmed; upper part blueiſh grey; lower red; both furrowed tranſverſely: crown, and upper part of the body, wings, and tail, black: cheeks white, bounded by grey: breaſt and belly white: legs orange-colored. WEIGHT twelve ounces. LENGTH twelve inches. EXTENT twenty-one.

Inhabits all the coaſts of northern Europe, the icy ſea,PLACE. and all the way to Kamtſchatka; where they are larger and blacker than uſual, and their crown cinereous. Found in the Feroe iſles, where they are called Lunda; extends to Iceland, Greenland, and Spitzbergen. Cateſby enumerates this ſpecies, and ſays that the GREAT AUK, and RAZOR-BILL, frequent the coaſts of Carolina during winter. In the ſame ſeaſon, numbers of theſe birds, and the RAZOR-BILLS, frequent the coaſt of Andaluſia; but diſappear in the ſpring. It is ſuppoſed that they continue ſwimming from the northern parts in ſearch of food; the fiſh of the ſofter latitudes not retiring to the great deeps out of their reach, as is the caſe with the fiſh of more rigorous climates.

428. LABRADOR.

[512]A. With a bill about an inch and a quarter long, much carinated at top, not very deep, a little convex; upper mandible duſky, lower whitiſh, marked with a black ſpot, and angulated like that of a Gull: crown, and upper part of the body, wings, and tail, duſky: lower part white: legs red. SIZE of the former.

PLACE.Inhabits the Labrador coaſt?—BR. MUS.

429. LITTLE.
  • Br. Zool. ii. No 233.—Edw. 91.—Latham, iii.
  • Alca Alle, Faun. Suec. No 142.—Brunnich, No 106.—Rot-ges, or Rottet, Marten's Spitzb. 85.—LEV. MUS.

A. With a ſhort, black, convex, and thick bill: whole upper part black: cheeks and lower parts white: ſcapulars ſtreaked downwards with white: legs dirty greeniſh white: webs black: throat of the male is black. In SIZE not ſuperior to that of a Blackbird.

PLACE.Inhabits the north of Europe, as far as Spitzbergen; but I believe does not extend to Aſia. Frequent in Greenland. Dives well. Is always putting its bill to the water as if drinking. Grows very fat in ſtormy weather, when the waves bring ſmall Crabs and little fiſh near the ſurface. Is called in Newfoundland the Ice-bird, being the harbinger of ice*. Varies to quite white; and ſometimes is found with a reddiſh breaſt. Is called by the Dutch, Rottet, from its note.

430. ANTIENT.

A. With a black bill, crown, and throat: on each ſide of the head a ſhort whitiſh creſt: on the hind part of the neck are numbers of white, long, looſe, and very narrow feathers, which give it an aged look: wings, back, and tail, ſooty: breaſt and belly white. SIZE of the former.

PLACE.Inhabits from the weſt of North America to Kamtſchatka and the Kurile iſlands.—PALLAS, MS.—LEV. MUS.

431. PYGMY.

[513]A. With the bill black and ridged: crown, upper part of the neck, back, wings, and tail, duſky: under ſide of the neck and breaſt of a deep iron grey: belly of a dirty white: legs duſky. SIZE of the Water Ouzel.

Seen in vaſt multitudes about Bird Iſland, PLACE. between Aſia and America.

432. TUFTED.
  • Alca Cirrhata, Pallas, Spicil. Zool. faſc. v. 7. tab. i.—Latham, iii. —LEV. MUS.

A. With a ſtrong thick bill, of a ſub-triangular form, arched, hooked near the end; the lower mandible truncated; the upper mandible, near the baſe, riſing into a diſtinct prominence: the bill of the male marked with three furrows; of the female with two: its colors a fine red, yellow, and corneous: from the ſides of the head are two long ſilky tufts of a yellow color, falling down the ſides of the neck to the back: cheeks white: the reſt of the plumage entirely black; lighteſt beneath: legs of a bright red. In SIZE ſuperior to the Puffin Auk.

Inhabits only the ſhores of Kamtſchatka, the Kurile iſlands,PLACE. and thoſe intervening between Kamtſchatka and America.

In manners this ſpecies greatly reſembles the Puffin.MANNERS. Lives all day at ſea, but at no great diſtance from the rocks: comes on ſhore at night: burrows a yard deep under ground, and makes there a neſt, with feathers and ſea plants: is monogamous, and lodges there the whole night with its mate. Lays one white egg, in the latter end of May or beginning of June. Bites fiercely when taken. Feeds on Crabs, Shrimps, and ſhell-fiſh, which it forces from the rocks with its ſtrong bill.

The females of Kamtſchatka copy from this bird the faſhion of hanging, from behind each ear, tufts made of ſlips of the white part of the ſkins of the Glutton. Theſe are reckoned the moſt valuable [514] preſent a lover can give his miſtreſs, or a huſband to his wife, and the ſtrongeſt proof of affection.

Their magicians formerly uſed to recommend the bills of this bird, mixed with thoſe of the Puffin, and the parti-colored hairs of Seals, as a powerful amulet. The diſtant iſlanders ſtill bear the bills in their helmets and caps, and make their garments of the ſkins; but the Kamtſchatkans at preſent make no uſe of any part but the eggs, which are a common food; the fleſh being hard and inſipid.

433. PERROQUET.
  • Alca Pſittacula, Pallas, Spicil. Zool. faſc. v. 15. tab. ii.—Latham, iii.

A. With an oval bill, or the upper and lower parts convex, and of a bright red color: from the remote corner of each eye is a very ſlender tuft of fine white feathers, hanging down the neck: the head and upper part of the body duſky; the lower whitiſh, varied with black edges: legs dirty yellow: webs duſky. About the SIZE of the Little Auk.

PLACE.Inhabits Kamtſchatka, the iſles towards Japan, thoſe towards America, and the weſtern ſhores of America, in great abundance. They ſwim in flocks; but never, unleſs tempeſt-driven, go far from the rocks, to which they reſort towards night, and ſhelter themſelves in the fiſſures or holes, without keeping any certain neſt. Are the moſt ſtupid of all birds, and caught by the natives in this ridiculous manner:—towards evening they put on their garment with great ſleeves, pull out their arms, and leave the ſleeves diſtended, which the birds will creep into by flocks, and thus become an eaſy prey.

The ſtupidity of this ſpecies has often been the ſalvation of mariners ſailing by night in theſe dangerous parts; being often warned of the neighborhood of a dreadful rock, by theſe birds flying on board their veſſel, miſtaking it for their deſigned lodging. They lay one egg, uncommonly great for their ſize; it is of a whitiſh color, ſpeckled with brown, duſky, or yellow; and is eſteemed for its delicacy.

434. CRESTED.
[515]
  • Alca Criſtatella, Pallas Spicil. Zool. faſc. v. 18. tab. iii.—Latham, iii.

A. With a ſcarlet bill: upper mandible convex, and end hooked; and near the angle of the mouth a ſcarlet heart-ſhaped ſubſtance: on the forehead riſe ſome upright feathers; and above that a fine creſt of longer feathers, curling forwards: head and neck black: behind each eye hang a few narrow feathers: back black, marked with duſky ferruginous ſtrokes: rump hoary: wings ſooty: under ſide of the body of a duſky cinereous caſt: legs livid: webs duſky. SIZE of the Miſſel Thruſh.

Frequent on Bird Iſland, between Aſia and America. PLACE.

435. DUSKY.
  • Alca Tetracula, Pallas Spicil. Zool. faſc. v. 23. tab. iv.—Latham, iii.

A. With a ſmall arched bill, duſky and yellow: above the baſe, on the forehead, the feathers divide into two points: beyond each eye is a whitiſh deſcending line, in which are a few ſetaceous feathers: general color of the bird duſky: belly hoary: on the hind part of the head and neck, and near the tail, a few ruſty marks: tail very ſhort, duſky, and ſome of the feathers tipt with ferruginous: legs livid: webs intenſely black. LENGTH eleven inches. EXTENT eighteen.

Frequent about Kamtſchatka, the Kurile iſles,PLACE. and thoſe ſituated towards America. Live in flocks on the rocks; but appear at ſea ſolitary: moſt ſtupid, and clumſy. Can ſcarcely fly; or ſtand, except they reſt againſt the rocks, where they lodge in the fiſſures the whole night, or in burrows, which they make with great facility. They ſwim and dive admirably well. Are exceedingly bad food; but are eaten by the almoſt-famiſhed natives.

L. GUILLEMOT. Gen. Birds, LXXXIV.
[516]
436. FOOLISH.
  • Br. Zool. ii. No 234.—Colymbus Troille, Faun. Suec. No 149.—Latham, iii. —LEV. MUS.—BL. MUS.

G. With the bill three inches long: head, neck, back, wings, and tail, of a deep mouſe-color: ſecondaries tipt with white: breaſt and belly pure white: legs duſky. WEIGHT twenty ounces, LENGTH ſeventeen inches. EXTENT twenty-ſeven and a half.

PLACE.Inhabits all parts of the north of Europe, to Spitzbergen; the coaſt of Lapmark, and along the white and icy ſea, quite to Kamtſchatka and North America. Found in Newfoundland. Not mentioned among the birds of Greenland. Is a ſpecies that winters on the coaſt of Italy *; poſſibly thoſe which quit England before that ſeaſon.

437. BLACK.
  • Br. Zool. ii. No 236 —Colymbus Grylle, Faun. Suec. No 148.—Latham, iii. —LEV. MUS.—BL. MUS.

G. With the bill an inch and a half long: inſide of the mouth of a fine red: bill, head, neck, back, tail, and under ſide of the body, black: wings duſky; the coverts marked with a bed of white; ſecondaries tipt with white: legs ſcarlet. LENGTH fourteen inches. EXTENT twenty-two.

PLACE.Found in all the ſame places with the former, except Italy; doubtful as to Newfoundland. Inhabits Hudſon's Bay the whole year. The young are mottled with black and white, and ſometimes are quite white. Are excellent divers; therefore called ſometimes Diving Pigeons. Make a twittering noiſe. The Greenlanders eat the fleſh, uſe the ſkin for cloathing, and the legs as lures for fiſh.

Figure 9. [...] billed Grebe No [...]8. Marbled Guillemot [...]

[517]In Kamtſchatka is a variety, with a white oblique line iſſuing from the white ſpot on the wings.

438. MARBLED.

G. With a black bill: crown duſky: throat, breaſt, and belly, mottled with black and white: back and ſides very gloſſy, and marbled with black and ruſt-color: wings duſky; greater coverts edged with white: tail black: legs yellow: webs black. LENGTH nine inches.

Inhabits Prince William's Sound, PLACE. on the weſtern coaſt of North America, and probably Kamtſchatka.—LEV. MUS.

LI. DIVER. Gen. Birds, LXXXV.
[518]
439. NORTHERN.
  • Br. Zool. ii. No 237.—L'Imbrim, ou grand Plongeon de la Mer de Nord, De Buffon, viii. 258.—Pl. Enl. 952.
  • Colymbus Glacialis, Lin. Syſt. 221.—Latham, iii. —LEV. MUS.—BL. MUS.

D. With head and neck black: throat, and hind part of the neck, marked with a ſemilunar ſpot of white, and with white ſtreaks pointing downwards: upper part of the body and wings black, varied with white ſpots: tail duſky: breaſt and belly white: legs black. LENGTH three feet five inches. EXTENT four feet eight. WEIGHT ſixteen pounds.

PLACE.Inhabits the north of Europe, and ſpreads along the Arctic coaſts, as far as the mouth of the Ob only. Is found about Spitzbergen, Iceland, Hudſon's Bay, and as low as New York. Makes its neſt, in the more northern regions, on the little iſles of freſh-water lakes. Every pair keeps a lake to itſelf. Sees well: flies very high, and, darting obliquely, falls ſecure into its neſt. Tries to ſave itſelf by diving, not flying. The young defend themſelves ſtoutly with their bills. Appears in Greenland in April or the beginning of May. Goes away in September or October, on the firſt fall of ſnow. The natives uſe the ſkins for cloathing; and the Indians about Hudſon's Bay adorn their heads with circlets of their feathers.

440. IMBER.
  • Br. Zool. ii. No 238.—Le Grand Plongeon, De Buffon, viii. 251.—Pl. Enl. 251.
  • Colymbus Immer, Lin. Syſt. 222.—Latham, iii. —LEV. MUS.—BL. MUS.

D. With a duſky head: back, coverts of wings, and tail, duſky, elegantly edged with greyiſh white: primaries and tail black: breaſt and belly ſilvery: legs black: webs marked with white ſtripes. Larger than the laſt.

PLACE.Inhabits New York during winter. Extends to Kamtſchatka; but in no part of Sibiria or Ruſſia. Found in Iceland, and moſt parts of northern Europe.

441. SPECKLED.
[519]
  • Br. Zool. ii. No 239.—Le petit Plongeon, De Buffon, viii. 254.—Pl. Enl. 992.
  • Colymbus Stellatus, Soehane, Brunnich, No 130.—Latham, iii. —LEV. MUS. —BL. MUS.

D. With the bill turning a little upwards: head dark grey, ſpotted with white: hind part of the neck of an uniform grey: back, coverts of wings, primaries, and tail, duſky; the two firſt ſpotted with white: from chin to tail a fine ſilvery white. WEIGHT two pounds and a half. LENGTH two feet three. EXTENT three feet nine.

Theſe three ſpecies viſit New York in the winter,PLACE. and return very far north to breed. This is common about the Baltic and White Sea; but not obſerved in other parts of Ruſſia; yet is a native of Kamtſchatka *. It lays two eggs in the graſs, on the borders of the lakes, not far from the ſea. The eggs are exactly oval, of the ſize of thoſe of a Gooſe, duſky, marked with a few black ſpots.

442. STRIPED.

D. With a ſtrong black bill, three inches long: head and neck light grey, ſtriped regularly downwards with long narrow black lines: back and ſcapulars duſky and plain: primaries, tail, and legs, duſky: cheeks, and whole under ſide of the body, of a gloſſy white. WEIGHT between two and three pounds.

Inhabits the inland lakes of Hudſon's Bay, PLACE. about a hundred miles ſouthward of York Fort. Lays, in June, two eggs. Flies high, and paſſes backwards and forwards, making a great noiſe; which is ſaid to portend rain. Deteſted by the natives, who look on this note as ſupernatural.—Mr. Hutchins.

443. RED-THROATED.
[520]
  • Br. Zool. ii. No 240 —Le Lumme, ou petit Plongeon de Mer de Nord, De Buffon, viii. 261.—Pl. Enl. 308.
  • Colymbus Septentrionalis, Lin. Syſt. 220.—Latham, iii. —LEV. MUS.

D. With head and chin of an uniform grey: throat, and lower ſide of the neck, of a dull red: upper part grey, ſtreaked with black: upper part of body, wings, and tail, duſky: back and coverts of wings ſpotted with white: breaſt and belly white: legs duſky. WEIGHT three pounds. EXTENT three feet five. LENGTH, to the tip of the tail, two feet.

PLACE.Found in the north of Europe and Iceland, along the northern coaſt of Ruſſia, Sibiria, and Kamtſchatka; but does not haunt the inland lakes. Inhabits the rivers of Hudſon's Bay during ſummer. Prey much on the fiſh entangled in the nets; but are often caught themſelves in their rapid purſuit of the fiſh. Mr. Hutchins took fourteen out of a ſingle net in one tide. Numbers of every ſpecies of Diver are frequently taken in this manner about Hudſon's Bay.

444. BLACK-THROATED.
  • Br. Zool. ii. No 241.—Colymbus Arcticus, Lomm. Faun. Suec. No 150.
  • Le Lumme, &c. De Buffon, viii. 261.—Latham, iii. —LEV. MUS.

D. With bill, forehead, and cheeks, black: hind part of the neck cinereous: ſides of the neck ſtreaked downwards with black: fore part varying with black, purple, and green: back and coverts of wings duſky; the firſt marked with ſquare, the laſt with round white ſpots: breaſt and belly white: tail black: legs partly red, partly duſky.

PLACE.This, and the preceding, inhabit Hudſon's Bay *, the north of Europe, and Iceland. Few in Ruſſia: but frequent in the inland lakes of Sibiria, eſpecially thoſe of the Arctic regions; but in the wandering ſeaſon ſpread over all latitudes.

[521]The Norwegians remark the ſagacity of theſe birds, in preſaging the change of weather. When the ſkies are big with rain, they fly wildly about, and make the moſt horrible hoarſe noiſe, fearing that the ſwelled waters ſhould invade their neſt; on the contrary, in fine weather, their note is different, and ſeemingly in an exulting ſtrain. The Norwegians think it impious, to deſtroy, or even to diſturb, this ſpecies*.

The Swedes have leſs ſuperſtition: they dreſs the ſkins; which, when prepared, ſhew in the cleareſt manner, on the inſide, the quincuncial diſpoſition of feathers. They are exceedingly tough, and are uſed for gun-caſes and facings for winter-caps.

LII. SKIMMER. Gen. Birds, LXXXVI.
[522]
445. CUT-WATER.
  • Cut-water, Cateſby, i. 90.—Le Bec en Ciſeaux, De Buffon, viii. 454. tab. 36. —Pl. Enl. 357.
  • Rynchops nigra, Lin. Syſt. 229.—Latham, iii. —LEV. MUs.—BL. MUS.

SK. With the bill greatly compreſſed, the edges ſharp; lower mandible four inches and a half long; upper only three; baſe red; the rest black: forehead, chin, front of neck, breaſt, and belly, white: head, and whole upper part of the body, black: wings of the ſame color: lower part of the inner webs of the primaries white: tail ſhort, and a little forked; middle feathers duſky; the others white on their ſides: legs weak and red. LENGTH one foot eight inches. EXTENT three feet ſeven.

PLACE.Inhabits America, from New York to Guiana *. Skims nimbly along the water, with its under mandible juſt beneath the ſurface, feeding on the inſects and ſmall fiſh as it proceeds. Frequents alſo oyſter-banks; its bill being partly, like that of the Oyſter-catcher, adapted for preying on thoſe ſhell-fiſh. In Mr. Ray's Synopſis is a ſketch, ſent from Madras, of one of this ſpecies.

LIII. TERN. Gen. Birds, LXXXVII.
[523]
446. NODDY.
  • Cateſby, i. 88.—Le Noddi, De Buffon, viii. 461.—Pl. Enl. 461.
  • Sterna Stolida, Lin. Syſt. 227.—LEV. MUS.

T. With a black long bill: crown white, gradually darkening to the hind part: whole plumage brown: wings and tail almoſt duſky. WEIGHT four ounces.

Inhabit, in vaſt numbers, the Bahama iſlands,PLACE. where they breed on the bare rocks. In the breeding ſeaſon they, and numbers of other birds, are ſeen in great flights, flying near the ſurface of the water, continually dropping on the ſmall fiſh which are driven to the top, to ſhun the perſecution of the greater. The whole air reſounds with the noiſe of the birds, who ſeem in full exultation on their ſucceſs; which is expreſſed in vaſt variety of notes. A rippling and whiteneſs in the water marks the courſe of the ſhoals of fiſh; and above them the air is animated with their feathered enemies. Where the ſtrongeſt rippling is, there appear the thickeſt ſwarms of fowls. As ſoon as the time of nutrition is over, theſe birds diſperſe over the ocean ſeparately; and are ſeen at the diſtance of hundreds of leagues from land; but very ſeldom on the outſide of the tropics. Their ſtupidity is notorious; for they will ſuffer themſelves to be taken by the hand, when they ſettle, as they often do, on the yards of ſhips.

447. SOOTY.

T. With a black bill, two inches long: forehead white: crown, hind part of the head and neck, back, and wings, of a ſooty blackneſs: cheeks, fore part of the neck, breaſt, belly, and ridge of the wings, white: tail greatly forked; tip of the exterior feathers white; the reſt of the tail duſky. Nearly the SIZE, of the Common Gull.

Sent from NEW YORK to Sir Aſhton Lever. PLACE. Theſe birds are found in very remote climates. They ſwarm in the iſle of Aſcenſion, 8 ſouth latitude. Emit a moſt ſharp and ſhrill cry: are quite fearleſs; and [524] fly ſo cloſe to the few men who viſit that diſtant iſle, as almoſt to touch them. They lay only two or three eggs, which are of a ſurprizing ſize, yellowiſh, ſpotted with brown and pale violet. The flocks which poſſeſs the different parts of the iſle, lay at different times. In ſome quarters the young were found very large; in others only a ſingle egg was found juſt then layed. Mr. Oſbeck and Doctor Forſter, who were here in April and May, are ſilent about this ſpecies: poſſibly it was then on its migrations. It is to the Comte de Buffon * we owe this account; who received it from that obſervant nobleman the Marquis de Querhoënt.

448. GREAT.
  • Br. Zool. ii. No 254.—Sterna Hirundo, Tarna, Faun. Suec. No 158.
  • Le Pierre garin, ou grande Hirondelle de mer, De Buffon, viii. 331.—Pl. Enl. 987.—Latham, iii. —LEV. MUS.—BL. MUS.

T. With bill and feet of a fine crimſon color: forehead, throat, and whole under ſide, of a pure white: crown black: upper part of the body, and coverts of the wings, an elegant pale grey: tail much forked, white, with the exterior edges of the three outmoſt grey. WEIGHT four ounces one quarter. LENGTH fourteen inches. EXTENT thirty.

PLACE.Inhabits Europe, as high as Spitzbergen; and alſo the northern parts of North America, as far as Hudſon's Bay. It appears in New England in May, and goes away in autumn: called there the Mackerel Gull. It is found on the Arctic coaſts of Sibiria and Kamtſchatka. Retires even from England at approach of winter.

449. LESSER.
  • Br. Zool. ii. No 255.—Sterna minuta, Lin. Syſt. 228.
  • La petite Hirondelle de mer, De Buffon, viii. 337.—Pl. Enl. 996.—Latham, iii. LEV. MUS.—BL. MUS.

T. With a yellow bill and legs; the firſt tipt with black: forehead and cheeks white: from the back to the eyes is a black line: crown black: breaſt and belly of the moſt exquiſite and gloſſy whiteneſs, unequalled by the fineſt ſatin: back and wings of a pale grey: tail [525] white; leſs forked than that of the preceding. WEIGHT two ounces eight grains: LENGTH eight inches and a half: EXTENT nineteen and a half.

This ſpecies is too tender to endure the high northern latitudes,PLACE. nor even beyond the Baltic. Is met with in the ſouth of Ruſſia, and about the Black and Caſpian ſea; and in Sibiria about the Irtiſh. In America is ſeen, during ſummer, about New York.

450. BLACK.
  • Br. Zool. ii. No 256.—Sterna fiſſipes, Lin. Syſt. 228.
  • Le Guifette noire, ou l'Epouvantail, De Buffon, viii. 341.—Pl. Enl. 333.— Latham, iii. —LEV. MUS.—BL. MUS.

T. With the bill, head, neck, breaſt, and belly, black: vent white: wings and back of a deep aſh-color: tail ſhort; exterior feathers white; the others cinereous: legs a dirty red: webs deeply hollowed in the middle, ſo as to form a creſcent.

This is the ſpecies which I apprehend was ſent to the Royal Society from Hudſon's Bay; and was ſeen in vaſt flocks beyond lat. 41 north,PLACE. long. 47 weſt from London, by Mr. Kalm *, ſomewhat ſouth of the bank of Newfoundland. Is found in Europe, as far as Iceland. Very numerous in Sibiria, and about the ſalt lakes of the deſarts of Tartary, which they animate by their note and active flight and motions.

  • A. KAMTSCHATKAN. PALLAS, MS.
  • La Guiffette? De Buffon, viii. 339.—Pl. Enl. 924.

T. With the bill and crown black: forehead and ſpace over the eyes white.

Obſerved by Steller about Kamtſchatka. PLACE. A bird ſeemingly of this ſpecies was ſhot on the Severn a few miles below Shrewſbury; and is [526] among the elegant drawings of my friend, Joſeph Plymley, Eſq of Longnor.

  • B. CASPIAN T. Terna Caſpia, Mr. Lepechin, in Nov. Com. Petrop. xiv. 500. tab. xiii. —PALLAS, 483. tab. xxii.—Latham, iii.

T. With a ſcarlet bill, three inches long: crown and hind part of the head of an intenſe black, hoared with white: ſpace round the eyes black; under each a white creſcent: cheeks, lower ſide of the neck, and whole under ſide of the body, of a ſnowy whiteneſs: upper part cinereous and hoary: ſix firſt primaries darker, edged and tipt with black: tall deeply forked, and of a pure white: legs black. The ſpecimen deſcribed by Doctor PALLAS was of darker colors; perhaps differed in age and ſex. LENGTH near two feet. EXTENT three feet two inches. Seems, in the air, as big as a KITE.

PLACE.Inhabits the Caſpian ſea, about the mouth of the Yaik. Makes a laughing noiſe. Fiſhes both in the ſea and rivers. Remains long ſuſpended in the air, then daſhes on its prey; and ſkims the ſurface of the water like a Swallow. Lays, on the back of deſart iſles, two eggs marked with duſky ſpots. Wanders up the great river Oby, even, towards the frozen ocean*.

LIV. GULL. Gen. Birds, LXXXVIII.
[527]
451. BLACK-BACKED.
  • Br. Zool. ii. No 242.—Larus marinus, Faun. Suec. No 155.
  • Le Goeland à manteau noir, De Buffon, viii. 405.—Pl. Enl. 990.—Latham, iii. —LEV. MUS.—BL. MUS.

G. With a ſtrong pale yellow bill; the lower mandible marked with a black ſpot, encircled with red: upper part of the back and wings black; primaries tipt with white: the reſt of the plumage of a ſnowy whiteneſs: legs pale fleſh-color.SIZE. WEIGHT ſometimes five pounds. LENGTH twenty-nine inches. EXTENT five feet nine.

Inhabits northern Europe, as high as Iceland, Lapmark, PLACE. and the White Sea; Greenland, and the coaſt of North America down to New York and South Carolina, where they are called Old Wives. Is obſerved, in Greenland, to attack other birds, eſpecially the Eider Duck. The Eſkimaux and Greenlanders make their garments of the ſkins of theſe, as well as other water fowl. This was a practice, in early times, with every people to whom manufactures were unknown. Non avium plumae in uſum veſtis conſeruntur *?

452. HERRING.
  • Br. Zool. ii. No 246.—Larus fuſcus, Faun. Suec. No 154.
  • Le Goeland à manteau gris brun, De Buffon, viii. 410.—Latham, iii. —LEV. MUS.

G. With a yellow bill; lower mandible marked with a red ſpot: irides ſtraw-colored: head, neck, and tail, white: back and coverts of wings aſh-color: primaries duſky, with a white ſpot near their ends: legs of a pale fleſh-color; vary to yellow. WEIGHT about thirty ounces. LENGTH twenty-three inches. EXTENT four feet four.

Inhabits the north of Europe, Iceland, and Greenland: PLACE. even in the laſt country a common ſpecies; and continues there the whole year. [528] Breeds among broken rocks: much upon wing: is caught in ſnares, or by a baited hook. The fleſh and eggs eaten; and the ſkin uſed, like that of moſt other Gulls, for garments. Is found in Hudſon's Bay during ſummer: breeds there, and retires at approach of winter. It breeds likewiſe on the iſlands on the coaſt of South Carolina. Is frequent about the Caſpian and Black ſeas, and their great rivers: alſo about the greateſt lakes of Sibiria.

453. WAGEL.
  • Br. Zool. ii. No 247.—Larus naevius, Lin. Syſt. 225.
  • Le Goeland varié, ou le Griſard, De Buffon, viii. 413.—Pl. Enl. 266.— Latham, iii. —LEV. MUS.—BL. MUS.

G. With a black bill: irides duſky: whole plumage, above and below, varied with brown, white, and cinereous: primaries duſky: tail mottled with duſky and white; near the end a black bar; tips whitiſh; legs of a dirty white. WEIGHT thirty-two ounces. LENGTH near two feet. EXTENT four feet eight.

PLACE.Inhabits the north of Europe, Iceland, Hudſon's Bay, and Newfoundland. Frequent about the lakes of Ruſſia, and the weſt of Sibiria.

454. LAUGHING.
  • Cateſby, i. 89.—Will. Orn. 346. No iv.—La Mouette rieuſe, De Buffon, viii. 433. —Pl. Enl. 970.
  • Larus Atricilla, Lin. Syſt. 225.—Latham, iii. —LEV. MUS.

G. With a red bill: black head: the ends of the primaries black: back and coverts of the wings cinereous: all the reſt of the plumage white: legs black and long. LENGTH about eighteen inches. EXTENT three feet.

PLACE.Inhabits the Bahama iſlands. Their note reſembles a coarſe laugh.

455. BLACK-HEADED.
[529]
  • Br. Zool. ii. No 252.—Latus ridibundus, Lin. Syſt. 225.—La Mouette rieuſe, De Buffon, viii. 433.—Latham, iii. —LEV. MUS.

G. With a red bill and legs: head and throat black: neck, belly, and tail, white: back and wings aſh-colored: ends of the primaries marked with black. LENGTH about fifteen inches. EXTENT thirty-ſeven. WEIGHT ten ounces.

Inhabits New England: comes in May, leaves the country in Auguſt. PLACE. In Europe, not farther north than England. In all parts of Ruſſia and Sibiria, and even Kamtſchatka. Has the laughing notes of the former, of which it ſeems a variety.

456. KITTIWAKE.
  • Br. Zool. ii. No 250.—Phipps, 187.—Larus Riſſa, Lin. Syſt. 224.
  • Kutge-gehef, Marten's Spitzbergen, 82.—Latham, iii. —LEV. MUS?

G. With a yellow bill: inſide of the mouth orange: head, neck, under ſide of the body, and tail, white: behind each ear is a black ſpot: the back and coverts pale grey: primaries duſky, with a white ſpot near the ends: legs duſky: no back toe. LENGTH fourteen inches. EXTENT three feet two.

Is found about Newfoundland. Inhabits Spitzbergen, Greenland, PLACE. Iceland, and the north of Europe, the arctic coaſt of Aſia, and Kamtſchatka.

457. IVORY.
  • Larus eburneus, Phipps's Voy. 187.—Larus candidus, Faun. Groenl. No 67.
  • Rathſher, Marten's Spitzb. 77.—La Mouette blanche, De Buffon, viii. 422.— Pl. Enl. 994.—Latham, iii. —LEV. MUS.

G. With the bill and legs of a lead-color: whole plumage of a ſnowy whiteneſs. LENGTH, to the end of the tail, ſixteen inches. EXTENT thirty-ſeven.

[530] PLACE.Inhabits Spitzbergen and Greenland: alſo very frequent in the frozen ſea between Aſia and America; and off cape Denbigh, a little to the ſouth of Bering's Streights. Keeps uſually far at ſea; but when it does alight, is very ſtupid, and eaſily killed. The young are ſpotted with black, and their bills are black.

458. COMMON.
  • Br. Zool. ii. No 249.—Larus canus. Homaka. Mave. Lappis Straule, Faun. Suec. No 153.—Latham, iii. —LEV. MUS.

G. With a yellow bill: head, neck, tail, and all the under ſide of the body, white: back and coverts of wings light grey: primaries duſky; near their extremities a white ſpot: legs dull white, tinged with green. LENGTH ſeventeen inches. EXTENT three feet. WEIGHT twelve ounces and a half.

PLACE.Inhabits as high as Iceland; and is common about the Ruſſian lakes. Is frequent on the coaſt of Newfoundland.

459. ARCTIC.
  • Br. Zool. ii. No 245.—Phipps, 187.—Le Labbe à longue queue, De Buffon, viii. 445.—Pl. Enl. 762.—Ph. Tranſ. lxii. 421.—Latham, iii. —LEV. MUS.

G. With a duſky bill, much hooked at the end: upper part covered with a thin cere: crown black; back, wings, and tail, duſky: neck, breaſt, and belly, white: tail cuneiform; two middle feathers near four inches longer than the reſt. FEMALE wholly brown; under ſide lighteſt. LENGTH twenty-one inches.

PLACE.Inhabits, in America, Hudſon's Bay *; all the north of Europe to Spitzbergen; frequent in Greenland. Feeds almoſt entirely on fiſh caught by other birds, which it perſecutes till they drop their prey, or vomit for fear; when it catches their droppings before it falls into the water. The Dutch call it, from a now exploded notion, that it lives on the dung of fowl, the Stront-jagger. Extends along the arctic coaſt to Kamtſchatka. Aſcends the great rivers, the Ob, Jeneſei, and Lena, above a hundred leagues inland.

460. BLACK-TOED.
[531]
  • Br. Zool. ii. No 244.—Catharacta cepphus. Strandhoeg, Brunnich, No 126.—Le Labbe, ou Stercoraire, De Buffon, viii. 441. tab. 34.—Pl. Enl. 991.—Latham iii. —LEV. MUS.

G. With a bill reſembling the former: head and neck of a dirty white, marked with duſky ſpots: back, ſcapulars, coverts of wings, and tail, black, prettily edged with pale ruſt: bread and belly white, croſſed with numerous duſky and yellowiſh lines: the ſides and vent barred croſſways with black and white: tail black, tipt with white; the exterior webs of the outmoſt, ſpotted with ruſt; the two middle, feathers are near an inch longer than the others. Theſe birds vary into lighter and darker colors; but the color of the toes are ſpecific marks: the legs are of a blueiſh lead-color: the toes and webs have their lower parts of a deep black. WEIGHT eleven ounces. LENGTH fifteen inches. EXTENT thirty-nine.

Inhabits, in America, the coaſt of Newfoundland and Hudſon's Bay: PLACE. is hated by the natives, who have a notion that the birds are companions to the deteſted Eſkimaux. I cannot, in Europe, trace it higher than Great Britain and Denmark; yet it has been ſhot, in the Atlantic ocean, as near to the line as north lat. 8, weſt long. 22. 12.

  • A. SKUA, Br. Zool. ii. No 243.—Catharacta Skua, Brunnich, No 125.—Muller, No 167. Le Goeland brun, De Buffon, viii. 408.—Latham, iii. —LEV. MUS.

G. With a ſtrong ſharp black bill and cere: head, back, and coverts of the wings, brown and ruſt-colored: primaries and ſecondaries duſky; the ſhafts of the primaries white: on the ſecondaries a great [532] white ſpot: breaſt and belly of a ruſty aſh: tail brown, white at the baſe: legs black and ſcaly: claws black, ſharp, ſtrong, and hooked like thoſe of a KITE. LENGTH two feet. EXTENT four and a half. WEIGHT three pounds.

PLACE.Inhabits Europe very locally; only from Foula and Unſt, two of the Schetland iſles, to the Feroe iſles, Norway, and as far as Iceland. Its manners, ſuch as its great courage, and fierceneſs in defending its young, in driving away the eagle from its haunts, and, as is firmly aſſerted by Mr. Schroter, a ſurgeon in the Feroe iſles, its preying on the leſſer water fowl, like a rapacious land bird, are fully deſcribed in the Britiſh Zoology. They abound about Port Egmont, in the Falkland iſlands, and are therefore ſtiled by navigators, Port Egmont Hens. They have been obſerved in many parts of the Pacific ocean, as low as lat. 36. 56 ſouth, to the eaſt * of New Zeland; and as high, in the ſame hemiſphere, as lat. 67. 15. The navigators found them in great plenty, in their breeding ſeaſon, in the latter end of December, about Chriſtmas Sound, in Terra del Fuego, making their neſts in the dry graſs. They have not been remarked in other parts of the globe, nearer than the Schetlands.

  • B. GLAUCOUS, Larus Glaucus, Brunnich, No 148.—Muller, No 169.—Faun. Groenl. No 64.—Latham, iii.

G. With a yellow bill, and orange ſpot near the end: head and lower part of the body white: back and wings of a fine hoary grey; primaries darkeſt, and tipt with white: legs of a pale fulvous hue. In SIZE ſuperior to the Herring Gull.

PLACE.Inhabits Norway, Lapmark, Iceland, Greenland, and Spitzbergen. Is called by the Dutch, Burgermeiſter, being the maſter of all other ſea fowl. It builds its neſt high on the cliffs: preys on dead whales: attends the Walruſes, in order to feed on their dung; and, as Frederic [533] Martens aſſerts, will even deſtroy and eat the young of the Razor-bills. It alſo feeds on fiſh; and does not deſpiſe the berries of the Empetrum Nigrum. It is almoſt continually on wing; and makes a hoarſe noiſe, like the Raven.

  • C. SILVERY. Larus argentatus, Brunnich, No 149.—Latham, iii.

G. With a white head and neck, ſtreaked downwards with cinereous lines: back and under part of the body like the former ſpecies: lower part of the primaries greyiſh; upper black; the tips white: bill yellow, with an orange ſpot. SIZE of the Herring Gull. This and the former ſeem nearly.

Inhabits Norway. PLACE.

  • D. TARROCK, Br. Zool. ii. No 251.—Larus tridactylus, Faun. Suec. No 157.—La Mouette tachetée, De Buffon, viii. 424.—Latham, iii. —LEV. MUS.

G. With a ſtrong, thick, black, bill: with white head, neck, breaſt, and belly: behind each ear a black ſpot: on the hind part of the neck a black creſcent: back and ſcapulars blueiſh grey: ten middle feathers of the tail white, tipt with black; outmoſt quite white: a protuberance inſtead of the back toe. SIZE of the former.

Inhabits Europe quite to Iceland and Spitzbergen; PLACE. the Baltic and White ſea; and again in Kamtſchatka.

  • E. RED-LEGGED.

G. With blood-red bill and legs: head and neck white, mottled about the former: back and coverts of wings fine grey: leſſer coverts mottled: under ſide of body and the tail white; the laſt tipt with black. SIZE of the Black-cap Gull.

A bird of this ſpecies was brought from Kamtſchatka. PLACE. Another of the ſame kind has been ſhot in Angleſey.

LV. PETREL. Gen. Birds, LXXXIX.
[534]
461. FULMAR.
  • Br. Zool. ii. No 257.—Procellaria glacialis, Faun. Suec. No 144.—Petrel de l'iſle de St. Kilda, Pl. Enl. 59.—Latham, iii. —LEV. MUS.

P. With a ſtrong yellow bill: head, neck, tail, and under ſide of the body, white: back and coverts of wings cinereous: primaries duſky: legs of a pale yellow. Rather larger than the Common Gull.

PLACE.Abound in the ſeas of Spitzbergen and Greenland, and common in thoſe between Kamtſchatka and America: the latter are darker colored than the former. They are equally abundant in the ſouthern hemisphere. Captain Cook found them among the ice, in his voyage towards the ſouth pole, in lat. 64. 55*; in lat. 59, to the ſouth of the iſle of New Georgia ; and even in the moderate climate of lat. 34. 45, not remote from the Cape of Good Hope . They keep chiefly in the high ſeas, and feed on dead whales, or any thing that offers on the ſurface; but will, with their ſtrong bills, pick the fat out of the backs of living whales, eſpecially of the wounded; whoſe bloody track they will follow by hundreds, to watch its riſing. Their flight reſembles running on the top of the water; for which reaſon the Norwegians call it Hav-heſt, or Sea-horſe; and Storm-fugl, or Storm-fowl, as being ſuppoſed to be a preſage of tempeſts. The Dutch call it Mallmucke, or the Fooliſh Fly, from their multitudes, and their ſtupidity. They very ſeldom. come, to land, unleſs they chance to loſe their way in the miſts, which are ſo frequent on the coaſt of Greenland during the month of Auguſt. They breed on the broken rocks about Diſco, and remote from the main land.

They are, by reaſon of their food, exceſſively fetid; yet the fleſh is uſed as a food by the Greenlanders, both raw and dreſſed. The fat [535] is alſo eaten, and ſerves to ſupply their lamps with oil. The prey of theſe birds being chiefly the blubber of cetaceous fiſh, it is quickly converted into oil, which ſerves the Fulmars for a double end; as a ſuſtenance for the young, and a defence againſt. their aſſailants; for they ſpurt it, on being ſeized, out of their mouths and noſtrils, into the faces of the perſons who lay hold of them. The Greenlanders take them by darting them in the water.

462. SHEAR-WATER.
  • Br. Zool. ii. No 258.—Edw. Av. 359.—Procellaria Puffinus, Lin. Syſt. 213.— Latham, iii. —LEV. MUS.

P. With a duſky bill, more ſlender than that of the former: head, wings, and whole upper part of the body, of a ſooty blackneſs: lower part, from chin to tail, and the inner coverts of the wings, white: legs weak, compreſſed; whitiſh before, duſky behind. LENGTH fifteen inches. EXTENT thirty-one. WEIGHT ſeventeen ounces.

Inhabits the northern parts of Europe, Iceland, and Greenland. PLACE. Conſort with the laſt in Greenland: and, in miſty weather, quite cover the ſea. It extends, in the Atlantic ocean, to America, and again almoſt to the Cape of Good Hope *; and is alſo found in the ſouthern hemiſphere, having been ſeen in ſouth lat. 13. 13, in Captain Cook's paſſage from Eaſter iſland to Otaheitè : and again, in numbers, as low as cape Deſeada, in ſouth latitude 53.

463. FORK-TAIL.

P. With the whole upper and under parts of a cinerous grey: bill much hooked, and black: leſſer coverts of wings duſky; greater, deep grey: exterior webs of primaries duſky; interior, light grey: tail forked, and of a light grey. LENGTH nine inches.

Taken among the ice between Aſia and America. PLACE.

464. STORMY.
[536]
  • Br. Zool. ii. No 259.—Procellaria pelagica, Stormwaders Fogel, Faun. Suec. No 143.
  • Le Petrel, ou l'Oiſeau tempete, Pl. Enl. 993.—Latham, iii. —LEV. MUS.

P. With a black bill, much hooked, at the end: rump and feathers of the vent, and each ſide of the tail, white; all the reſt black: ſecondaries tipt with white: tail ſhort: wings very long. LENGTH ſix inches. EXTENT thirteen.

PLACE.This ſpecies inhabits the north of Europe: is common about Kamtſchatka, where it is larger than in other places; but does not extend to the Arctic circle, at leſt is unmentioned by the Fauniſts of that region. Is, with the preceding, found at all diſtances from land, in all parts of the Atlantic, from Great Britain to the coaſt of North America *: flocks attend the ſhips the whole way, and uſually keep in the wake, where they pick up every thing that drops. They never are off wing; yet ſeem to ſettle. They are ſilent during day; clamorous in the dark. Are hated by the ſailors, who call them Witches, imagining they forebode a ſtorm. The Norwegians ſtile them Sondenvinds Fugl; the Swedes, Stormwaders Fogel; and the inhabitants of Feroe, Strunkvit.

  • A. KURIL. Black Petrol, Edw. 89.—Latham, iii.

P. With a ſtrong yellow bill: whole plumage of an unvaried ruſty black: legs the ſame, daſhed with red. SIZE of a Raven.

Sent to Doctor Pallas from the Kuril iſles.

LVI. MERGANSER. Gen. Birds, XC.
[537]
465. GOOSANDER.
  • Br. Zool. ii. No 260.—Mergus Merganſer, Wrakfagel, Kjorfagel, Skraka, Faun. Suec. No 135.—Le Harle, De Buffon, viii. 267.—Pl. Enl. 951, 953.— Latham, iii.— LEV. MUS.—BL. MUS.

M. With a red bill: head full of feathers, looſe behind, and of a mallard green: lower part of the neck and belly of a fine ſtraw-color: upper part of the back, and ſcapulars next to it, black: lower part of the back, and the tail, cinereous: primaries duſky; ſecondaries white, edged with black: coverts on the ridge of the wing black; the others white: legs a full orange. WEIGHT four pounds. LENGTH two feet four. EXTENT three feet two. Head and upper part of the neck of the FEMALE, or DUN DIVER, ferruginous: behind is a pendent creſt: throat white: back, coverts of wings, and the tail, cinereous: primaries duſky: breaſt and middle of the belly white.

Inhabits the province of New York in winter: retires in April, PLACE. probably to Hudſon's Bay, and other northern countries. It is alſo found as low as South Carolina *. Breeds in every latitude in the Ruſſian empire; but moſtly in the north. Is common in Kamtſchatka. Extends through northern Europe to Iceland and Greenland . Continues the whole year in the Orknies; but viſits South Britain only in ſevere winters. Swims with its body very deep in the water: dives admirably; and is a great devourer of fiſh.

466. RED-BREASTED.
  • Br. Zool. ii. No 261.—Mergus ſerrator, Ptacka, Faun. Suec. No 136.—Le Harle huppé, De Buffon, viii. 273.—Pl. Enl. 207.—Faun. Groenl. No 48.—Latham, iii. —LEV. MUS.

M. With a creſted head; and part of the neck a mallard green: reſt: of the neck, and whole belly, white: breaſt ferruginous, ſpotted with black: upper part of the back black: exterior ſcapulars [538] black; interior white: coverts of the wings black and white: primaries duſky: lower part of the back, and ſides under the wings, cinereous, barred with ſmall lines of black: tail brown: legs orange. In the FEMALE the head and upper part of the neck are dull ferruginous: throat white: fore part of the neck, and the breaſt, marbled with deep aſh-color: back, ſcapulars, and tail, cinereous: primaries duſky. WEIGHT of the male two pounds. LENGTH one foot nine. EXTENT two feet ſeven.

PLACE.Frequent Newfoundland and Greenland during ſummer; and appear, in the ſame ſeaſon, in Hudſon's Bay in great flocks. Is found in Europe, as high as Iceland, where it is called Vatus-ŏnd. In the Ruſſian dominions is gregarious, about the great rivers of Sibiria and lake Baikal.

467. HOODED.
  • Round-creſted Duck, Cateſby, i. 94.—Edw. 360.—Latham, iii.
  • Mergus cucullatus, Lin. Syſt. 207.—LEV. MUS.—BL. MUS.

M. With a large, upright, circular creſt, beginning at the baſe of the bill, and ending at the hind part of the head; flabelliform, edged with black; the reſt white; and on each ſide, above the eyes, ſtreaked with a ſhorter ſet of black feathers: forehead, cheeks, neck, back, and tail, black: breaſt and belly white: ſides yellowiſh ruſt, croſſed by ſlender duſky lines. Head and neck of the FEMALE dark aſh, mottled with black: creſt ſhort, and ruſt-colored: back, wings, and tail, duſky; the wings croſſed with a white line: breaſt and belly white. In SIZE between a Wigeon and a Teal.

PLACE.This ſpecies breeds in ſome unknown parts of the north. Appears in New York, and other parts of North America, as low as Virginia and Carolina, in November; and frequents freſh waters: retires in March.

468. SMEW.
[539]
  • Br. Zool. No 262.—La Piette, De Buffon, viii. 275.—Pl. Enl. 449, 450.
  • Le Harle couronné, De Buffon, viii. 280.—Pl. Enl. 935, 936.—Latham, iii. —LEV. MUS.

M. With a lead-colored bill: horizontal creſt, white above, black beneath: eyes included in a large oval ſpot, black, gloſſed with green, which extends to the baſe of the bill: neck, and whole under ſide of the body, pure white: wings and ſcapulars parti-colored with black and white: tail deep aſh-color: legs blueiſh grey. LENGTH eighteen inches. EXTENT twenty-ſix. WEIGHT thirty-four ounces. Head of the FEMALE * ruſt-colored, and ſlightly creſted: around the eyes a ſpot of the ſame color and form as in the male: neck grey, darkeſt behind: in the other marks reſembles the male except the legs, which are grey.

This ſpecies was ſent to Mrs. Blackburn from New York, PLACE. I think as a winter bird. In Europe it extends to Iceland: viſits Britain in the ſevere ſeaſon. In the Ruſſian empire frequents the ſame places with the GOOSANDER. Each of theſe retire ſouthward at approach of winter; and are obſerved returning up the Volga in February, tending towards the north. Migrates, during ſummer, even as low as Tinos in the Archipelago .

[540]
  • A. MINUTE Lough Diver, Br. Zool. ii. p. 560.—Mergus minutus, Faun. Suec. No 138. —Latham, iii. —LEV. MUS.

M. With head and hind part of the neck ruſt-colored; the head ſlightly creſted: back, ſcapulars, and tail, duſky: fore part of the neck white: breaſt clouded with grey: on the leſſer coverts of the wings a great bed of white; on the primaries and greater coverts two tranſverſe lines of white: legs duſky.

PLACE.Inhabits the ſhores of Sweden: found alſo, during winter, in Great Britain; at which ſeaſon the whole genus quits Sweden, expelled by the ice.

LVII. DUCK. Gen. Birds, XCI.
[541]
469. WHISTLING SWAN.
  • Br. Zool. ii. No 264.—Anas Cygnus ferus. Swan, Faun. Suec. No 107.— Latham, iii. —LEV. MUS.

D. With the lower part of the bill black; upper part, and ſpace between that and the eyes, covered with a naked yellow ſkin: eye-lids naked and yellow: whole plumage pure white: legs black. LENGTH, to the tip of the tail, four feet ten. EXTENT ſeven feet three. WEIGHT from thirteen to ſixteen pounds.

Theſe birds inhabit the northern world, as high as Iceland, PLACE. and as low as the ſoft climate of Greece, or of Lydia, the modern Anatolia, in Aſia Minor: it even deſcends as low as Egypt *. They ſwarm, during ſummer, in the great lakes and marſhes of the Tartarian and Sibirian deſarts; and reſort in great numbers to winter about the Caſpian and Euxine ſeas. Thoſe of the eaſtern parts of Sibiria retire beyond Kamtſchatka, either to the coaſts of America, or to the iſles north of Japan. In Sibiria, they ſpread far north, but not to the Arctic circle. They arrive in Hudſon's Bay about the end of May: breed in great numbers on the ſhores, in the iſlands, and in the inland lakes; but all retire to the ſouthern parts of North America in autumn, even as low as Carolina and Louiſiana. Mr. Lawſon, who was no inaccurate obſerver, ſays, that there were two ſorts in Carolina: the larger is called, from its note, the Trumpeter. Theſe arrive in great flocks to the freſh rivers in winter; and, in February, retire to the great lakes to breed: the leſſer are called Hoopers, and frequent moſtly the ſalt water. The Cygnets are eſteemed a delicate diſh. The Indians of Louiſiana make diadems for their chieftains with the large feathers: the leſſer are woven into garments for the women of rank. The young of both ſexes make tippets of the unplucked ſkin. [542] They breed in great multitudes in the lakes of Lapland; and reſort towards the more ſouthern parts of Europe, during the ſevere ſeaſon. Breed even in the Orkney iſles.

HOW TAKEN IN ICELAND.In Iceland they are an object of chace. In Auguſt they loſe their feathers to ſuch a degree as not to be able to fly. The natives, at that ſeaſon, reſort in great numbers to the places where they moſt abound; and come provided with dogs, and active and ſtrong horſes, trained to the ſport, and capable of paſſing nimbly over the boggy ſoil and marſhes. The ſwans will run as faſt as a tolerable horſe. The greater numbers are taken by the dogs, which are taught to catch them by the neck, which cauſes them to loſe their balance, and become an eaſy prey. Great uſe is made of the plumage: the fleſh is eaten; and the ſkin of the legs and feet, taken off entire, looks like ſhagreen, and is uſed for purſes. The eggs are collected in the ſpring for food*.IN KAMTSCHATKA. In Kamtſchatka, where they abound both in winter and ſummer, they are alſo taken with dogs, in the moulting ſeaſon; or killed with clubs. During winter they are taken in the unfrozen rivers, and form a conſtant diſh at the tables of the natives. This ſpecies has ſeveral diſtinctions from the ſpecies which we,SPECIFIC DISTINCTIONS. in England, call the Tame Swan. In Ruſſia this ſpecies more fitly clames the name, it being the kind moſt commonly tamed in that empire. The Whiſtling Swan carries its neck quite erect: the other ſwims with it arched. This is far inferior in ſize. This has twelve ribs on a ſide; the MUTE only eleven. But the moſt remarkable is the ſtrange figure of the windpipe, which falls into the cheſt, then turns back like a trumpet, and afterwards makes a ſecond bend to join the lungs. Thus it is enabled to utter a loud and ſhrill note. The other Swan, on the contrary, is the moſt ſilent of birds; it can do nothing more than hiſs, which it does on receiving any provocation. The vocal kind emits its loud notes only when flying, or [543] calling: its ſound is, whoogh, whoogh, very loud and ſhrill, but not diſagreeable, when heard far above one's head, and modulated by the winds. The natives of Iceland compare it to the notes of a violin: in fact they hear it at the end of their long and gloomy winter, when the return of the Swans announces the return of ſummer: every note muſt be therefore melodious which preſages the ſpeedy thaw, and the releaſe from their tedious confinement.

It is from this ſpecies alone that the antients have given the fable of the Swan being endued with the powers of melody:VOCAL SWAN OF THE POETS. embracing the Pythagorean doctrine, they made the body of this bird the manſion of the ſouls of departed poets: and after that, attributed to the birds the ſame faculty of harmony which their inmates poſſeſſed in a pre-exiſtent ſtate. The vulgar, not diſtinguiſhing between ſweetneſs of numbers and melody of voice, thought that real which was only intended figuratively. The MUTE Swan never frequents the Padus; and I am almoſt equally certain that it never is ſeen on the Cayſter, in Lydia; each of them ſtreams celebrated by the poets, for the great reſort of Swans. The Padus was ſtyled Oloriferus, from the numbers which frequented its waters; and there are few of the poets, Greek or Latin, who do not truly make them its inhabitants. I ſhall give one reference only, out of reſpect to the extreme beauty of the imagery.

Haud ſecus Eridani ſtagnis ripave Cayſtri
Innatat albus Olor, pronoque immobile corpus
Dat fluvio: & pedibus tacitis emigrat in undas.
Silius Italicus, lib. 14.
470. MUTE SWAN.
  • Tame Swan, Br. Zool. ii. No 265.—Anſer Cygnus, No 107. β.—Latham, iii. —LEV. MUS.

D. With a deep red bill, and black incurvated nail at the end: a triangular naked black ſkin between the bill and the eyes: at the baſe of the upper mandible a large black rounded protuberance: [544] legs black: whole plumage of a ſnowy whiteneſs. WEIGHT ſometimes twenty-five pounds.

PLACE.The Mute Swan, or that which we call Tame, is found in a wild ſtate in ſome parts of Ruſſia; but far more plentiful in Sibiria. It arrives, in ſummer, later from the ſouth, and does not ſpread ſo far north*. Thoſe which frequent the provinces of Ghilan and Maſenderan, on the ſouth of the Caſpian ſea, grow to a vaſt ſize, and are eſteemed great delicacies. The Mahometans hold them in high veneration.

471. CANADA GOOSE.
  • Edw. 151.—Cateſby, i. 91.—Anas Canadenſis, Lin. Syſt. 198.—Phil. Tranſ. lxii. 412.—Latham, iii. —LEV. MUS.—BL. MUS.

D. With an elevated black bill: head, neck, primaries, and tail, black: from the throat paſſes, along the cheeks to the hind part of each ſide of the head, a triangular white ſpot: bottom of the neck, vent feathers, lower belly, and coverts of the tail, white: breaſt, upper belly, back, and wings (except primaries) of a duſky brown: legs of a deep lead-color.

PLACE.Inhabit the northern parts of North America. Immenſe flocks appear annually in the ſpring in Hudſon's Bay, and paſs far to the north to breed; and return ſouthward in the autumn. Numbers alſo breed about Hudſon's Bay, and lay ſix or ſeven eggs. The young are eaſily made tame. M. Fabricius ſuſpects that they are found, during ſummer, in Greenland . They proceed, in their ſouthern migration, as low as South Carolina, where they winter in the rice-grounds. The Engliſh of Hudſon's Bay depend greatly on Geeſe, of theſe and other kinds, for their ſupport; and, in favorable years, kill three or four thouſand, which they ſalt and barrel. Their arrival is impatiently attended; it is the harbinger of the ſpring, and the month named by the Indians the Gooſe moon. They appear uſually at our ſettlements in numbers, about St. George's day, O. S. and fly [545] northward to neſtle in ſecurity. They prefer iſlands to the continent, as further from the haunts of men. Thus Marble Iſland was found, in Auguſt, to ſwarm with Swans, Geeſe, and Ducks; the old ones moulting, and the young at that time incapable of flying*.

The Engliſh ſend out their ſervants, as well as Indians, to ſhoot theſe birds on their paſſage. It is in vain to purſue them: they therefore form a row of huts made of boughs, at muſquet-ſhot diſtance from each other, and place them in a line acroſs the vaſt marſhes of the country. Each hovel, or, as they are called, ſtand, is occupied by only a ſingle perſon. Theſe attend the flight of the birds, and on their approach mimic their cackle ſo well, that the Geeſe will anſwer, and wheel and come nearer the ſtand. The ſportſman keeps motionleſs, and on his knees, with his gun cocked, the whole time; and never fires till he has ſeen the eyes of the Geeſe. He fires as they are going from him, then picks up another gun that lies by him, and diſcharges that. The Geeſe which he has killed, he ſets up on ſticks as if alive, to decoy others; he alſo makes artificial birds for the ſame purpoſe. In a good day (for they fly in very uncertain and unequal numbers) a ſingle Indian will kill two hundred. Notwithſtanding every ſpecies of Gooſe has a different call, yet the Indians are admirable in their imitation of every one.

The vernal flight of the Geeſe laſts from the middle of April until the middle of May. Their firſt appearance coincides with the thawing of the ſwamps, when they are very lean. The autumnal, or the ſeaſon of their return with their young, is from the middle of Auguſt to the middle of October . Thoſe which are taken in this latter ſeaſon, when the froſts uſually begin, are preſerved in their feathers, and left to be frozen for the freſh proviſions of the winter ſtock. The feathers conſtitute an article of commerce, and are ſent into England.

472. BEAN GOOSE.
[546]
  • Br. Zool. ii. No 267.—Latham, iii. —LEV. MUS.

D. With a ſmall bill, much compreſſed near the end; baſe and nail black; middle of a pale red: head and neck cinereous brown, tinged with ruſt: breaſt and belly dirty white, clouded with aſh-color: leſſer coverts of the wings very light grey: back plain aſh-color: ſcapulars darker, edged with white: primaries and ſecondaries grey, edged with black: tail edged with white: legs ſaffron-color: claws white. LENGTH two feet ſeven. WEIGHT ſix pounds and a half.

PLACE.Obſerved by Mr. Hearne, in Hudſon's Bay. Is in Europe a northern bird. Breeds in great numbers in Lewis, one of the Hebrides, and is moſt deſtructive to the green corn. Migrates at the latter end of Auguſt, in flocks innumerable, into the wolds of Yorkſhire, and into Lincolnſhire; and among them are ſome white*. They all diſappear in the ſpring. The appearance and diſappearance of this kind in Auſtria is ſimilar. Wild Geeſe are ſeen flying over, but very rarely alight in the Orknies.

473. GREY LAG GOOSE.
  • Br. Zool. ii. No 266.—Anas Anſer. Willgâs, Faun. Suec. No 114.—Wild Gooſe of all authors.—Latham, iii.
  • L'Oye Sauvage, Pl. Enl. 995.—LEV. MUS.—BL. MUS.

D. With an elevated bill, fleſh-colored, tinged with yellow, and with a white nail: head and neck cinereous, mixed with dirty yellow: neck ſtriated downwards: back and primaries duſky; the laſt tipt with black; ſhafts white: ſecondaries black, edged with white: leſſer coverts duſky, edged with white: breaſt and belly whitiſh, clouded with [547] aſh-color: rump and vent white: middle feathers of the tail duſky, tipt and edged with white; the outmoſt almoſt entirely white: legs fleſh-colored: claws black. LENGTH two feet nine. EXTENT five feet. WEIGHT ſometimes ten pounds.

Inhabits the north of Europe, Aſia, and America, PLACE. and migrates into Hudſon's Bay. Frequents, during winter, South Carolina, and particularly the rice grounds, where it gleans the droppings of the harveſt. This ſpecies breeds in the fens of Lincolnſhire, and never migrates from that county. They are ſeen, early in the ſpring, flying over Sweden, to the Lapland moors, and to the eaſtern and ſouthern parts of Iceland; in which quarters of that iſland alone they breed*. Return in autumn: make a ſhort ſtay along the ſhores; but never winter in Sweden . Abound in Ruſſia, Sibiria, and Kamtſchatka; but breed chiefly in the north.

474. BLUE-WINGED GOOSE.
  • Edw. 152.—Anſer Caeruleſcens, Lin. Syſt. 196.—Latham, iii. —LEV. MUS.

D. With a red elevated bill: crown yellowiſh; reſt of the head and neck white; the hind part of the laſt ſpotted with black; in ſome the ſpots are wanting: baſe of the neck, breaſt, ſides under the wings, and back, of a deep brown: coverts of the wings and tail of a light blueiſh aſh-color: belly and vent white: primaries duſky: ſcapulars and tail white and grey, diſpoſed in ſtripes: legs red. In SIZE rather leſſer than the common Tame Gooſe.

Migrates into Hudſon's Bay, and re-migrates like the former.PLACE. The Indians have a notion, that to avoid the cold, it flies towards the ſun, till it ſinges its pate againſt that luminary. Few go very far north; but are moſt numerous about Albany Fort; where, on the contrary, the SNOW GEESE are very ſcarce.

475. BERING.

[548]D. With a yellow excreſcence at the baſe of the bill, radiated in the middle with blueiſh black feathers: round the ears a ſpace of greeniſh white: eyes black, encircled with yellow, and rayed with black: back, fore part of the neck, and belly, white: wings black: hind part of the neck blueiſh. SIZE of a common Wild Gooſe.—STELLER'S Deſcr. *

PLACE.Obſerved by Mr. Steller, in July, on the iſle of Bering. They probably came from America. It is the remark of that great naturaliſt, during his ſtay on that iſland, that Geeſe of various kinds migrated this way to and from America to Aſia, in vaſt flocks. In the ſpring they came from the weſt, in autumn from the eaſt; which proves, that the Water-Fowl of theſe latitudes prefer, for breeding-places, the Aſiatic waſtes to thoſe of America.

476. WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE.
  • Br. Zool. ii. No 268.—Anas Erythropus Fiaelgas, Faun. Suec. No 116.—Latham, iii.
  • Laughing Gooſe, Edw. 153.—LEV. MUS.—BL. MUS.

D. With a pale yellow elevated bill: forehead white: head and neck of a cinereous brown, darkeſt on the crown: coverts of the wings grey, edged with brown: breaſt of an aſh-color, clouded with a deeper: belly white, marked with large black ſpots: coverts of the tail and the vent white: tail duſky, edged with white: legs orange.SIZE. LENGTH two feet four. EXTENT four feet ſix. WEIGHT five pounds and a half.

PLACE.Inhabits, during ſummer, Hudſon's Bay, and the north of Europe. Breeds alſo in the extreme north of Aſia; and in its migration is very frequently ſcattered over Sibiria. Migrates over only the eaſt of Ruſſia; and is very ſcarce in the weſt. Mr. Fabricius ſuſpects that they are found in Greenland .

477. SNOW.
[549]
  • Anſer Grandinis. Schnee Gans. Schwenckfelt Sileſ. 213.—Phil. Tranſ. lxii. 413.
  • Anſer Hyperboreus, Pallas Spicil. Zool. faſc. vi. 26.—Latham, iii.
  • White Brant, Lawſon, 147.

D. With an elevated bill; upper mandible ſcarlet; lower whitiſh: forehead yellowiſh: head, neck, and body, of a ſnowy whiteneſs: primaries white at the bottoms, black to the tips: leſſer coverts uſually cinereous, with duſky tips: legs and feet deep red. The young Geeſe are blue, and do not attain their proper colors in leſs than a year. LENGTH two feet eight inches.SIZE. EXTENT three feet and a half. WEIGHT between five and ſix pounds.

This ſpecies is common to the north of Aſia, PLACE. and to North America. They appear in flights about Severn river in Hudſon's Bay, in the middle of May, on their way northward; return in the beginning of September with their young, and ſtay about the ſettlement a fortnight; and proceed, about the tenth of October, flying very high, ſouthward to paſs the winter. They come in flocks of thouſands; quite cover the country; riſe in clouds, and with an amazing noiſe. They viſit Carolina * in vaſt flocks;FOOD. and feed on the roots of ſedge and graſs, which they tear up like hogs. It uſed to be a common practice in that country, to burn a piece of a marſh, which enticed the Geeſe to come there, as they could then more readily get at the roots; which gave the ſportſman opportunity of killing as many as he pleaſed. In Hudſon's Bay thouſands are annually ſhot by the Indians for the uſe of the ſettlement; and are eſteemed excellent meat.

They arrive in the earlieſt ſpring,MIGRATIONS. before any other ſpecies of Water-fowl, in immenſe flights, firſt about the river Kolyma. Their [550] courſe is from the eaſt, tending to the frozen ocean; and ſpreading to the eſtuaries of the Jana and Lena before the ice is broken up. Finding the want of ſubſiſtence, they bend their journey a little ſouthward, in ſearch of the inſects and plants which abound in the inland lakes and moors. In this manner they penetrate as low as Jakut, and very rarely farther, except in very ſmall detachments, which ſtray towards the Olecma, and ſometimes by accident to the junction of the Witim with the Lena. They make very little ſtay in thoſe parts; but again tend directly to the Arctic coaſts of Sibiria, where they breed; but they do not take the ſame route, keeping more eaſterly, towards the Jana and Indigirka. It is obſervable, that they never migrate weſtward beyond long. 130, a little beyond the mouth of the Lena; neither is their migration by ſo high a latitude as Kamtſchatka, where they are extremely rare*; or their flight over that country may be ſo lofty as to render their courſe imperceptible. In the beginning of winter they are ſeen flying at a great height over Sileſia; but it does not appear that they continue there, being only on their paſſage to ſome other country.

The general winter quarters of this ſpecies ſeems to be the temperate and warm part of North America.

STUPIDITY.They are the moſt numerous and the moſt ſtupid of all the Gooſe race. They ſeem to want the inſtinct of others, by their arriving at the mouths of the Arctic Aſiatic rivers before the ſeaſon in which they can poſſibly ſubſiſt. They are annually guilty of the ſame miſtake, and annually compelled to make a new migration to the ſouth in queſt of food, where they paſs their time till the northern eſtuaries are freed from the bonds of ice.

MANNER OF TAKING.They have ſo little of the ſhyneſs of other Geeſe, that they are taken in the moſt ridiculous manner imaginable, about Jakut, and the other parts of Sibiria which they frequent. The inhabitants firſt place, near the banks of the rivers, a great net, in a ſtrait line, [551] or elſe form a hovel of ſkins ſewed together. This done, one of the company dreſſes himſelf in the ſkin of a white rein-deer, advances towards the flock of Geeſe, and then turns back towards the net or the hovel; and his companions go behind the flock, and, by making a noiſe, drive them forward. The ſimple birds miſtake the man in white for their leader, and follow him within reach of the net, which is ſuddenly pulled down, and captivates the whole. When he chuſes to conduct them to the hovel, they follow in the ſame manner; he creeps in at a hole left for that purpoſe, and out at another on the oppoſite ſide, which he cloſes up. The Geeſe follow him through the firſt; and as ſoon as they are got in, he paſſes round, and ſecures every one*. In that frozen clime, they afford great ſubſiſtence to the natives; and the feathers are an article of commerce. Each family will kill thouſands in a ſeaſon. Theſe they pluck and gut; then fling them in heaps into holes dug for that purpoſe, and cover them with nothing more than the earth. This freezes, and forms over them an arch; and whenever the family has occaſion to open one of theſe magazines, they find their proviſion ſweet and good.

478. BRENT.
  • Br. Zool. ii. No 270.—Anas Hrota, Muller, No 115.—Anas Bernicla. Belgis Rotgans. Calmariens Prutgas, Faun. Suec. No 115.—Latham, iii. —LEV. MUS.

D. With a ſhort, black, elevated bill: head, neck, and upper part of the breaſt, black: a white ſpot marks each ſide of the neck near its junction with the head: primaries and tail black: belly, ſcapulars, and coverts of the wings, cinereous, clouded with a deeper: coverts of tail and the vent white: legs black.

Is frequent in Hudſon's Bay. Breed in the iſlands,PLACE. and along the coaſts; but never fly inland. Feed about high-water mark. Return towards the ſouth in vaſt flocks in autumn. Probably they winter in Carolina; for Lawſon mentions a Grey Brent frequent in [552] that ſeaſon*. During winter, they ſwarm in Holland and in Ireland: in the firſt, every eating-houſe is full of them: in the laſt, they are taken in flight-time, in nets placed acroſs the rivers; are fattened, and reckoned great delicacies. They appear in ſmall flocks in Hoy Sound, in the Orknies; but do not continue there: on the contrary, they winter in Horra Sound, in Schetland, in flocks of two hundred, and are called Horra Geeſe . They retire from Europe to breed in the extreme north. A few, after flying over Sweden, ſtop on the borders of Lapland; but the great bodies of them continue their flight even to the moſt northern iſles of Greenland , and to Spitzbergen. Fly in the ſhape of a wedge, and with great clamor. Feed on graſs, water-plants, berries, and worms. Cannot dive. Barentz found multitudes ſitting on their eggs, about the 21ſt of June 1595, in the great bay called Wibe Janz Water; and, to his amazement, diſcovered them to be the Rotganſen, which his countrymen, the Dutch, ſuppoſed to have been generated from ſome trees in Scotland, the fruit of which, when ripe, fell into the ſea, and were converted into Goſſings. Theſe birds arrive every year in the eaſt part of Sibiria, in order to breed; but are not ſeen to the weſt of the Lena, nor yet in Ruſſia.

479. BERNACLE.
  • Br. Zool. ii. No 269.—Anas Erythropus (maſ.) W. Both.—Fiaelgâs Faun. Suec. No 116.—Anas Helfingen, Olaffen Iceland, ii. tab. 33.—Latham, iii.
  • La Bernache, Pl. Enl. 855.—LEV. MUS.—BL. MUS.

D. With white cheeks and forehead: from bill to the eyes runs a duſky line; the reſt of the head, neck, and part of the breaſt, black: belly, vent, and coverts of tail, white: back, ſcapulars, and coverts of wings, barred with black, grey, and white: [553] tail and legs black. LENGTH two feet one inch. EXTENT four feet five. WEIGHT about five pounds.

Theſe birds are ſeen, but extremely rarely, in Hudſon's Bay. PLACE. It is found, and I believe breeds, in the north of Ruſſia and Lapland, in Norway, and in Iceland *; but not in Sibiria. They appear on the Britiſh ſhores and marſhes, in vaſt flocks, during winter; but retire in February. Linnaeus unaccountably makes the White-fronted Gooſe, No 476, the female of this.

480. EIDER.
  • Br. Zool. ii. No 271.—Anas Molliſſima, Ada, Eider, Gudunge, Faun. Suec. No 117. —Latham, iii.
  • Great Black and White Duck, Edw. 98.—Pl. Enl. 208, 209.—LEV. MUS.— BL. MUS.

D. With a black bill, ſomewhat elevated: forehead of a velvet black: a broad black bar, gloſſed with purple, extends from thence beyond each eye: middle of the head, whole neck, upper part of the back, ſcapulars, and coverts of the wings, white: below the hind part of the head is a ſtain of pea-green: lower part of the back, tail, breaſt, and whole under ſide of the body, black: legs greeniſh. The FEMALE is almoſt entirely of a dull ruſt-color, barred with black: primaries and tail duſky. WEIGHT of the female is about three pounds and a half. The MALE is double the ſize of the common Tame Duck.

Inhabits the ſeas near New York, in the ſpring ſeaſon;PLACE. and breeds on the deſert iſles of New England, and from thence as far as the extreme coaſts of the northern world, in America, Europe, and Aſia; but never comes within land. Common in Kamtſchatka. The moſt ſouthern of its breeding-places are the Fern iſles, on the coaſt of Northumberland. Lays ſeldom more than five eggs; thoſe large, and of a pale green color. Theſe birds afford the moſt luxurious of [554] down, which forms, in many of the regions, a conſiderable article of commerce. Moſt Ducks pluck off a certain down to form its neſt: theſe have the greateſt quantity, and the fineſt and moſt elaſtic. It is cuſtomary in ſome places to take away the firſt eggs, which occaſions a ſecond laying, and a ſecond deplumation. In Greenland they lay among the graſs; in Sweden among the juniper buſhes. Nature hath furniſhed them with ſo warm a cloathing, that they brave the ſevereſt winter, even of the Arctic regions. In Greenland, they are ſeen in that ſeaſon by hundreds, or even thouſands, in the ſheltered ſouthern bays: their breeding-places are in the moſt northern. They take their young on their backs inſtantly to ſea, then dive, to ſhake them off and teach them to ſhift for themſelves. It is ſaid, that the males are five years old before they come to their full color? that they live to a great age; and will at length grow quite grey. They are conſtant to their breeding-places: a pair has been obſerved to occupy the ſame neſt twenty years. They dive to great depths for their food, which is ſhells of all kinds. The Greenlanders kill them with darts; purſue them in their little boats; watch their courſe (when they dive) by the air-bubbles; and ſtrike them when they ariſe wearied. The fleſh is valued as a food. The ſkin of this and the next ſpecies is the moſt valuable of all, as a garment placed next to the ſkin.

481. KING.
  • Grey-headed Duck, Edw. 154.—Anas Spectabilis, Faun. Suec. No 112.—Latham, iii. —LEV. MUS.

D. With a red bill, extending high up the forehead on each ſide, in form of a broad bean-ſhaped plate: head, and part of the hind part of the neck, light grey, bounded by a line of black dots: cheeks and neck, as low as the grey color, pea-green: a narrow black line from the bar of the bill bounds the lower part of the cheeks: throat, neck, and breaſt, white: back, belly, and tail, black: leſſer coverts of the wings, and primaries, duſky brown: ſecondaries black, gloſſed with rich purple; coverts above them form [555] a great bed of white: legs dirty red. SIZE near double of the MALLARD. The FEMALE differs greatly in color, being moſtly black and brown: the belly duſky: the plate on the bill ſlightly eminent.

This ſpecies is found in Hudſon's Bay; and, in winter,PLACE. as low as New York. Is as common in Greenland as the Eider. Yields almoſt as much down, and is as uſeful to the natives: has the ſame haunts, and is taken in the ſame manner. Inhabits the coaſt of Norway, and even has been killed in the Orknies. Is frequent on the Arctic ſhores of Sibiria, and extends to Kamtſchatka.

482. VELVET.
  • Br. Zool. ii. No 272.—Anas Fuſca, Swârta, Faun. Suec. No 109.
  • La grande Macreuſe, Pl. Enl. 956.—Latham, iii. —LEV. MUS.

D. With a broad bill, elevated near the baſe; black in the middle; yellow on the ſides; the nail red: behind each eye * is a white ſpot: a bar of the ſame color croſſes each wing: all the plumage beſides is of a rich velvet black: legs red. The FEMALE is of a deep brown; but marked, like the male, with white.

Frequents the ſeas about New York. PLACE. Is very common in the great lakes and rivers of the north and eaſt of Sibiria, and on the ſhores. Extends to Kamtſchatka. Is leſs common in Ruſſia. Lays from eight to ten white eggs. Notwithſtanding they are Ducks which at all other times frequent the ſea, yet, in the laying ſeaſon, go far inland, and make their neſts: as ſoon as that taſk is over, the males fly away; but as ſoon as the young can fly, they are rejoined by their mates; followed by the brood.

483. BLACK.
[556]
  • Edw. 155.—Ph. Tranſ. lxii. 417.—Canard du Nord, ou le Marchand, Pl. Enl. 995.—Latham, iii.
  • Anas Perſpicillata, Lin. Syſt. 201.—LEV. MUS.—BL. MUS.

D. With a compreſſed bill, riſing into a knob at the baſe, each ſide of which is marked with a patch of black; middle white; ſides of a deep orange; the edges black; nail red: fore part of the head white: crown and cheeks black: juſt beneath the hind part of the head, the neck is marked with a large white ſpot: reſt of the plumage of a dull black: legs and toes bright red; webs black. WEIGHT two pounds two ounces. LENGTH twenty-one inches. EXTENT thirty-five. The FEMALE is twenty inches long: of a ſooty color: has no white on the hind part of the head; but the cheeks are marked with two dull white ſpots.

PLACE.Appears in Hudſon's Bay as ſoon as the rivers are free from ice. Breed along the ſhores: make their neſts with graſs, and line them with feathers. Lay from four to ſix white eggs: hatch in the end of July. Feed on graſs. Extends to New York, and even to South Carolina *.

484. SCOTER.
  • Br. Zool. ii. No 273.—Anas Nigra, Faun. Suec. No 110.—Latham; iii.
  • La Macreuſe, Pl. Enl. 278.—LEV. MUS.

D. With a bill black; of a rich yellow in the middle; on the baſe a green knob, divided longways with a furrow; no nail: whole plumage black: head and neck gloſſed with purple: tail cuneiform: legs black. WEIGHT two pounds two ounces. LENGTH twenty-two inches. EXTENT thirty-four.

PLACE.Sent to Mrs. Blackburn, from New York. Abounds on the great lakes and rivers of the north and eaſt of Sibiria, and on the ſhores; but is leſs frequent in Ruſſia. Inhabits Sweden and Norway . Lives much at ſea. Is of a very fiſhy taſte.

485. SHOVELER.
[557]
  • Br. Zool. ii. No 280.—Le Souchet, Pl. Enl. 971.—Anas Clypeata, Faun. Suec. No 119.—Latham, iii.
  • Blue-wing Shoveler, Cateſby, i. 96. (fem.)—LEV. MUS.—BL. MUS.

D. With a very large black bill, expanding greatly towards the end: head, and greateſt part of the neck, of a mallard green; lower part of the neck, breaſt, and ſcapulars, white: belly bay: back brown: coverts of wings of a fine ſky-blue: primaries duſky: ſpeculum green: outmoſt feathers of the tail white; reſt duſky, edged with white: legs red. Plumage of the FEMALE like that of the common Wild Duck; only the coverts of the wings are of the ſame colors with thoſe of the Drake. LENGTH twenty-one inches. WEIGHT twenty-two ounces.

Found about New York, and even as low as Carolina, PLACE. during winter. Is common in Kamtſchatka; and breeds in every latitude of the Ruſſian dominions; but chiefly in the north. Inhabits Sweden and Norway. We are to ſeek for the Swaddle Bill, an aſh-colored Duck of Carolina, with an extraordinary broad bill, ſaid not to be very common there, but to be very good food; we muſt therefore join it, for the preſent, to this ſpecies.

486. GOLDEN-EYE.
  • Br. Zool. ii. No 276.—Anas Clangula, Knipa. Dopping, Faun. Suec. No 722.
  • Le Garrot, Pl. Enl. 802.—Ph. Tranſ. lxii. 417.—Latham, iii. —LEV. MUS.—BL. MUS.

D. With a ſhort broad black bill: large head, black, gloſſed with green: at each corner of the mouth a great white ſpot: breaſt and belly white: back, leſſer coverts of the wings, and tail, black: ſcapulars black and white: greater coverts white: primaries duſky: legs orange. Head of the FEMALE ruſty brown: neck grey: breaſt and belly white: coverts and ſcapulars duſky and cinereous: primaries and tail black: legs duſky. LENGTH nineteen inches. EXTENT thirty-one. WEIGHT two pounds.

[558] PLACE.Inhabits from New York to Greenland: in the laſt is very rare; and arrives in the bay on the breaking up of the ice: diſappears on the return of froſt. Frequents freſh-water lakes: makes a regular neſt of graſs, and feathers from its own breaſt. Lays from ſeven to ten white eggs. Is expelled Sweden by the froſt, except a few which haunt the unfrozen parts of rivers near the cataracts: there they live, diving continually for ſhells. Extends to Norway.

487. SPIRIT.
  • Little Black and White Duck, Edw. 100.—Ph. Tranſ. lxii. 416.
  • Anas Albeola, Lin. Syſt. 199.—Latham, iii.
  • FEM. Little Brown Duck, Cateſby, i. 98.
  • Sarcelle de la Louiſiane, dite la Religieuſe, Pl. Enl. 948.—LEV. MUS.

[...] With a black bill: crown and fore part of the head of a gloſſy black, varying with green and purple: throat and upper part of the neck encircled with the ſame: cheeks and hind part of the head white: lower half of the neck, breaſt, belly, and ſcapulars, white: primaries, ſecondaries, and tertials, duſky; upper ends of the ſecondaries white; coverts incumbent on them white; on the others duſky: back and tail duſky: legs orange. In the FEMALE the head and upper part of the neck duſky: a large white oblong ſpot marks the ſides of the head, beginning behind each eye: back, tail, primaries, and leſſer coverts, duſky: great coverts and ſecondaries white: breaſt and belly dirty white: legs orange. SIZE of a Wigeon.

PLACE.Inhabits North America, from Hudſon's Bay to Carolina. Called ſometimes the Spirit, as is ſuppoſed, from its ſuddenly appearing again at a diſtance, after diving. Viſits Severn river, in Hudſon's Bay, in June: and makes its neſt in trees, among the woods near freſh waters.

488. PIED.

[559]D. With the lower part of the bill black, the upper yellow: on the ſummit of the head is an oblong black ſpot: forehead, cheeks, reſt of the head, and neck, white; the lower part encircled with black: ſcapulars and coverts of wings white: back, breaſt, belly, and primaries, black: tail cuneiform, and duſky: legs black. The bill of the ſuppoſed FEMALE? reſembles that of the male: head and neck mottled with cinereous brown and dirty white: primaries duſky: ſpeculum white: back, breaſt, and belly, clouded with different ſhades of aſh-color: tail duſky and cuneiform: legs black. SIZE of a common Wild Duck.

Sent from Connecticut, to Mrs. Blackburn. PLACE. Poſſibly the great flocks of pretty Pied Ducks, which whiſtled as they flew, or as they fed, ſeen by Mr. Lawſon * in the weſtern branch of Cape Fear inlet, were of this kind.

489. BUFFEL.
  • Buffel's-head Duck, Cateſby, i. 95.—Anas bucephala, Lin. Syſt. 200.—Latham, iii. —LEV. MUS.

D. With a ſhort blue bill: head vaſtly increaſed in ſize by the fullneſs of the feathers; black, richly gloſſed with green and purple: neck white all round: upper part of the breaſt pure white; lower, and belly, clouded with pale brown: back, primaries, and ſecondaries, black: the coverts on the ridge of the wings mottled, bounding the others, which form a great bed of white: tail cinereous: legs orange.

Is found frequently in the freſh waters of Carolina, during winter.PLACE.

490. HARLEQUIN.
[560]
  • Duſky and Spotted Duck, Edw. 99; and the Female, Edw. 157.—Cateſby, i. 98.
  • Anas Hiſtrionica, Lin. Syſt. 204.—Ph. Tranſ. lxii. 419.—Latham, iii.
  • Anas Brimond, Olaffen Iceland. ii. tab. xxxiv.—Pl. Enl. 798.—LEV. MUS.— BL. MUS.

D. With a ſmall black bill: between the baſe and the eyes a great white patch: crown black, bounded by a light ruſty line: cheeks, chin, and neck, black; beneath each a white ſpot; below that a ſhort line of white, pointing down the neck: bottom of the neck, on each ſide, bounded by a tranſverſe line of white; beneath which is another of black: breaſt, back, ſcapulars, and part of the belly, of a pleaſant ſlate-color: breaſt on each ſide marked with ſemilunar ſtripes of white, beginning at the ſhoulders, and bounded on each ſide with a ſtripe of black: wings and tail deep aſh: rump, above and below, of a full black legs black. The FEMALE is almoſt wholly duſky, and is marked at the baſe of the bill with a white ſpot, and another behind each ear. SIZE of a Wigeon.

PLACE.Inhabits from Carolina to Greenland: in the laſt frequents, during ſummer, the rapid rivers, and the moſt ſhady parts. Neſtles on the banks, among the low ſhrubs. Swims and dives admirably. In winter ſeeks the open ſea. Flies high and ſwiftly, and is very clamorous. Feeds on ſhell-fiſh, ſpawn, and the larvae of gnats. Is found in Iceland, and as low as Sondmor *. Is common from the lake Baikal to Kamtſchatka: breeds there, as well as every where elſe, about the moſt rocky and rapid torrents.

491. POCHARD.
  • Br. Zool. ii. No 284.—Anas Ferina, Faun. Suec. No 127.—Latham, iii.
  • Le Millouin, Pl. Enl. 303.—LEV. MUS.—BL. MUS.

D. With a lead-colored bill: head and neck bright bay: breaſt and upper part of the back black: reſt of the back, ſcapulars, and coverts of wings, pale grey, ſtreaked tranverſely with lines of black: [561] primaries duſky: belly grey and brown: tail deep grey: legs lead-colored. In the FEMALE the head ruſty brown:FEMALE. breaſt rather darker: belly and coverts of wings cinereous: back like that of the male: legs lead-colored. LENGTH nineteen inches. EXTENT two feet and a half. WEIGHT one pound twelve ounces.

Inhabits North America, in winter, as low as Carolina *; and,PLACE. I believe, is the Red-headed Duck of Lawſon. Is found, in Europe, as high as Drontheim. Is met with in the great rivers and lakes in all latitudes of the Ruſſian empire. A freſh-water Duck, and of excellent taſte.

492. WHISTLING.
  • Black-billed Whiſtling Duck, Edw. 193.—Latham, iii.
  • Anas Arborea, Lin. Syſt. 207.—Whiſtlers, Cateſby, App. xxxvii.—Lawſon Carolina, 149.—LEV. MUS.

D. With a black bill, and crown ſlightly creſted: cheeks brown: hind part of the neck duſky; fore part white, ſpotted with black: back and wings brown; coverts ſpotted with black: tail and its coverts black: breaſt of a dark reddiſh color, ſpotted with black: belly white, mixed on the ſides with black: legs long, and of a lead-color; hind claw placed high up the leg. Leſſer than a Tame Duck. Deſcribed from Mr. Edwards.

Inhabits South Carolina and Jamaica. Is, from its voice,PLACE. called the Whiſtling Duck: perches on trees. Placed here merely on the authority of the name given it by Lawſon and Cateſby. The laſt ſays, that it frequents the coaſts of Carolina during winter; which makes me doubt, whether Mr. Edwards's bird, a native of Jamaica, is the ſame: for it may be held as a rule, that the water-fowl of hot climates never retire in winter to colder; and that thoſe of Arctic climates almoſt generally retire from them into warmer. Clouds of birds annually quit Hudſon's Bay, and other ſevere climates, at approach of winter; ſtock the different latitudes of North America; [562] and return in ſpring to encreaſe and multiply. To the conſtitutions of the SUMMER DUCK, a very few other water-fowl, and to many land-birds, the warm temperature of the Carolinas is climate ſufficiently north. They are driven, by the exceſſive heat and arid ſoil of the Antilles and Guiana, to the moiſt ſavannas and woods of theſe provinces, there to diſcharge the firſt great command.

493. SUMMER.
  • Summer Duck, Cateſby, i. 97.—Edw. 101.—Anas Sponſa, Lin. Syſt. 207.
  • Le beau Canard hupé de la Caroline, Pl: Enl. 980.—Latham, iii. —LEV. MUS.—BL. MUS.

D. With the ridge and nail of the upper mandible black; lower part ſcarlet: on the head a beautiful creſt, hanging half down the neck, and beginning at the baſe of the bill; upper part ſhining purple; beneath that a line of white; then ſucceeds purple; and that again is bounded by white: cheeks purpliſh and green: throat, and part of the neck, pure white: from the hind part of the neck a bead of purple divides the white, and points towards the throat: reſt of the neck and breaſt ferruginous, ſpotted with white triangular ſpots: belly white: feathers of the ſides, which hide part of the wings, elegantly marked downwards with incurvated lines of black and white: back deep brown, gloſſed with copper and green: primaries duſky: ſecondaries reſplendent blue: coverts of the tail, and tail itſelf, duſky, gloſſed with green: legs dirty orange. Head of the FEMALE of a deep brown; creſted, but not ſo much as the Drake: back deep brown: cheeks brown: behind each eye a white ſpot: throat white: neck and breaſt reddiſh brown, with white ſagittal ſpots: belly white. LENGTH, from the bill to the tip of the tail, near nineteen inches. EXTENT about thirty.

PLACE.This moſt elegant ſpecies is found from New York to the Antilles, and alſo in Mexico. It paſſes the ſummer in Carolina; and in a ſingular manner makes its neſt in the holes made by Woodpeckers in the loftieſt trees, which grow near the water, eſpecially the deciduous cypreſs. When the young are hatched, they are conveyed [563] down on the backs of the old ones, to whom the Ducklings adhere cloſely with their bills. It often neſtles on the bodies or boughs of trees which have fallen over the ſtreams which run up the woods. It appears in New York, in the latter end of February or beginning of March, and retires towards the ſouth at approach of winter. They are very delicate eating. The Mexicans call it Yztactzonyayauhqui, or the bird of the various-colored head. It is there migratory. The natives feign that, from the ſituation of its legs, it cannot ſtand.

494. MALLARD.
  • Br. Zool. ii. No 279.—Anas Boſchas. Grās-and, Blānacke, Faun. Suec. No 131.— Ph. Tranſ. lxii. 419.—Pl. Enl. 776, 777.—Latham, iii. —LEV. MUS. —BL. MUS.

D. With a bill of a yellowiſh green: head and neck of a ſhining changeable green: on the front of the lower part of the neck is a ſemicircle of white: breaſt of a purpliſh red: lower part of the back, and belly, grey, croſſed with ſpeckled lines of black: ſpeculum purple: four middle feathers of the tail curled upwards: legs ſaffron-colored. FEMALE is of a pale reddiſh brown, ſpotted with black. LENGTH twenty-three inches. EXTENT thirty-five. WEIGHT about two pounds and a half.

Inhabits the northern parts of North America, PLACE. from Hudſon's Bay to Carolina *: is frequent in Greenland, and continues there the whole year. Arrives in Hudſon's Bay in May: retires in October. Is common in all latitudes of the Ruſſian empire: and was obſerved by Steller in the Aleutian iſlands. In Sweden retires in winter to the ſhores of Schonen; but in ſevere ſeaſons paſſes over to Denmark and Germany, poſſibly to England; for this iſland can hardly ſupply the vaſt wintery flocks.

495. ILATHERA.
[564]
  • Ilathera Duck, Cateſby, i. 93.—Anas Baliamenſis, Lin. Syſt. 199.—Latham, iii.

D. With a large duſky blue bill; on the baſe of the upper mandible a great triangular orange-colored ſpot: head, as far as the eyes, hind part of the neck, and back, of a mixed grey, inclining to yellow: fore part and ſides of the neck white: belly of the ſame color, ſpotted with darker: leſſer coverts of the wings, and primaries, duſky; great coverts green, tipt with black: ſecondaries dull yellow: legs lead-colored. In SIZE ſomewhat leſs than the common Tame Duck.

PLACE.Inhabits the Bahama iſlands; but is very rare: extends to the Braſils, where the Indians call it Marecu *. This ſpecies, the Summer Duck, and the Whiſtling Duck, Edw. 193, perch and rooſt on trees; and are among the few of this claſs which do not migrate northward to breed.

496. DUSKY.

D. With a long and narrow duſky bill, tinged with blue: crown duſky: chin white: neck pale brown, ſtreaked downwards with duſky lines: back, and coverts of the wings, deep brown: breaſt and belly of the ſame color, edged with dirty yellow: primaries duſky: ſpeculum of a fine blue, bounded above with a black bar: tail cuneiform; duſky, edged with white: legs in one ſpecimen duſky, in another yellow. LENGTH near two feet.

PLACE.From the province of New York.—BL. MUS.

497. WESTERN.
  • Anas Stelleri, PALLAS Spicil. Zool. faſc. v. p. 35. tab. v.—Latham, iii. —LEV. MUS.

D. With the head, cheeks, and upper part of the neck, white: between the bill and the eyes a mallard-green ſpot; another acroſs the hind part of the head: chin and throat of a full black: [565] around the neck a black gloſſy color: back of the ſame color: coverts of the wings white: primaries duſky: ſecondaries black, tipt with white: breaſt and ſides of a light yellowiſh brown: belly, vent, and tail, black. SIZE of a Wigeon.

Brought by the late navigators from the weſtern ſide of America; PLACE. but had been before diſcovered by Steller to breed among the inacceſſible rocks about Kamtſchatka; to flyin flocks, and never to enter the mouths of rivers.

498. SCAUP.
  • Br. Zool. ii. No 275.—Anas marila, Faun. Suec. No 111.—Ph. Tranſ. lxii. 413.— Le Millouinan, Pl. Enl. 1002.—Latham, iii. —LEV. MUS.—BL. MUS.

D. With a broad, flat, and blueiſh grey bill: irides yellow: head and neck black, gloſſed with green: breaſt black: back, coverts of the wings, and ſcapulars, marked with numbers of tranſverſe lines of black and grey: primaries duſky: ſecondaries white, tipt with black: belly white: tail, coverts, and vent feathers, black: legs duſky. Male WEIGHS a pound and a half: female two ounces more. LENGTH ſixteen inches and a half. EXTENT twenty inches.

Inhabits America, as high as Hudſon's Bay: comes there in May; PLACE. retires in October. Is found in Iceland, and moſt part of the north of Europe. Are common on the northern ſhores of Ruſſia and Sibiria; and are moſt frequent about the great river Ob: migrate ſouthward: dive much: and feed on ſhell-fiſh.

499. BROWN.

D. With a large blueiſh bill: head and neck of a very pale brown: lower part of the laſt, and breaſt, of the ſame color, edged with ruſt-color: wings cinereous grey: ſpeculum blue, tipt with white: tail and legs duſky.

Inhabits Newfoundland.

500. PINTAIL.
[566]
  • Br. Zool. ii. No 282.—Anas acuta, Aler, Ahlfogel, Faun. Suec. No 126.
  • Le Canard à longue queue, Pl. Enl. 959.—Latham, iii. —LEV. MUS. —BL. MUS.

D. With bill black on the middle; blueiſh on the ſides: head and half the neck ruſty brown: from the ears, half way of each ſide of the neck, a white line, bounded by black, points downwards: lower hind part of the neck, back, and ſides, marked with white and duſky waved lines: fore part of the neck, breaſt, and belly, white: coverts of the wings cinereous; loweſt tipt with dull orange: ſecondaries marked with green, black, and white: exterior feathers of the tail aſh-colored; middle black, and three inches longer than the reſt: legs aſh-colored. FEMALE brown, ſpotted with black. WEIGHT twenty-four ounces. LENGTH two feet four. EXTENT three feet two inches.

PLACE.Appears about New York in winter: breeds in the north: in Europe, about the White Sea. Migrates ſouthward at approach of the froſt. Is ſeen in Sweden about fourteen days in the ſpring, on its paſſage northward: and in autumn repaſſes the ſame way to the ſouth. Viſit the Orknies in great flocks in the winter. In the Ruſſian empire, extends to Kamtſchatka.

501. LONG-TAILED.
  • Br. Zool. ii. No 283.—Anas hyemalis. Winter-and, Faun. Suec. No 125.
  • Anas Glacialis, Lin. Syſt. 203.—Ph. Tranſ. lxii. 418.—Male, Edw. 280. Female, 156.—Latham, iii.
  • Le Canard de Miclon, Pl. Enl. 954.—LEV. MUS.—BL. MUS.

D. With bill black, orange in the middle: forehead, ſides of the head, and neck, pale brown, daſhed with roſe-color: beneath each ear a large duſky ſpot points downwards: hind part of the head and neck, throat, and breaſt, white: back and belly black: ſides and vent feathers white: ſcapulars long and white: coverts of the wings gloſſy black: primaries duſky: ſecondaries dark ruſty brown: two middle feathers of the tail black, and four inches longer than the others, which are white: legs red. FEMALE; crown duſky: cheeks [567] white: reſt of the head, neck, back, and breaſt, coverts of the wings, and primaries, deep brown: ſcapulars and ſecondaries ruſty: belly white: tail and legs like thoſe of the MALE.

Inhabits to the extreme north.PLACE. Breeds in Hudſon's Bay and Greenland, among the ſtones and graſs: makes its neſt, like the Eider, with the down of its own breaſt; which is equal in value to that of the Eider, if it could be got in equal quantity; but the ſpecies is ſcareer. It lays five eggs: ſwims and dives admirably: and feeds on ſhell-fiſh, which it gets in very deep water. Flies irregularly, ſometimes ſhewing its back, ſometimes its belly. Continues in Greenland the whole year, in unfrozen places*: but there are ſeaſons ſo very ſevere, as at times to force them towards the ſouth. Thoſe which breed between Lapland and the polar circle, are often driven into Sweden, and the neighborhood of Peterſburg: thoſe from the coaſt of the Icy ſea, as low as lat. 55; but on the ſetting in of froſt, retire ſtill further ſouth, unleſs where ſome open ſpots remain in the rivers. Viſit the freſh-water lakes in the Orknies, in October, and continue there till April. At ſun-ſet they are ſeen, in great flocks, returning to and from the bays, where they frequently paſs the night, and make ſuch a noiſe as to be heard ſome miles in froſty weather. Their ſound is like Aan-gitche, and is ſaid not to be diſagreeable. Steller, who obſerved them in Kamtſchatka , ſays, that their larynx has three openings, covered with a thin (I ſupoſe valvular) membrane, which forms the ſingularity of the voice. La Sarcelle de Feroe, or the Feroe Teal, of M. Briſſon , is probably conjectured, by M. Brunnich, to be only a variety of this ſpecies: ſeemingly a female.

502. AMERICAN WIGEON.
  • Le Canard Jenſen de la Louiſiane, Pl. Enl. 955.—Latham, iii. —LEV. MUS.

D. With a lead-colored bill, tipt with black: crown and forehead yellowiſh white: hind part of the head, and whole neck, prettily ſpeckled with black and white: behind each eye is a large black ſpot, [568] gloſſed with green: back and ſcapulars pale ruſt and black, elegantly diſpoſed in narrow tranſverſe waving lines: coverts of the wings white: primaries, coverts of the tail, and vent, black: tail cuneiform; middle feathers black; the reſt cinereous: legs duſky. In SIZE ſuperior to the Engliſh WIGEON; with which it ſeems to agree in colors and marks, except thoſe on the head.

PLACE.Sent from New York, under the name of the Pheaſant Duck: is a rare bird there. Found as low as Louiſiana.—BL. MUS.

503. WHITE-FACED.
  • White-faced Teal, Cateſby, i. 100. Male.—Blue-wing Teal, Cateſby, i. 99. Fem.—Anas Diſcors, Lin. Syſt. 205.
  • Sarcelle mâle de Cayenne, ditte le Soucrourou, Pl. Enl. 966.—Latham, iii. —LEV. MUS.—BL. MUS.

D. With bill and crown black; baſe of the bill bounded by black: between the laſt and the eyes a white ſtripe, ending on each ſide of the chin: cheeks, hind part of head, and whole neck, purpliſh green: breaſt yellow, ſpotted elegantly with black: back brown, waved with a lighter color; on the lower part ſeveral long, narrow, light brown feathers: coverts of the wings fine caerulean: primaries duſky: ſpeculum green: vent black: tail brown: legs yellow. The FEMALE is almoſt entirely brown; in parts marked with duſky ſpots: the blue on the wings duller than that of the DRAKE. In SIZE a little larger than a Teal.

PLACE.This ſpecies is found as high as New York. Arrives in Carolina in great plenty, in Auguſt, to feed on the rice; and continues till October, when the rice is got in. In Virginia, where there is no rice, it feeds on wild oats. Is reckoned moſt delicious meat. Extends as far ſouth as Guiana.

A VARIETY?D. With crown and upper part of the neck duſky brown: cheeks, under part, and ſides of the neck, whitiſh brown, mottled with darker: back, breaſt, and belly, marked with great duſky ſpots, edged with dirty white: coverts of the wings pale ſky-blue; lower order white: ſpeculum rich purple, with a white edge: primaries and tail [569] duſky. Size of the laſt, with the female of which it has great affinity; but in the purple ſpeculum reſembles the GADWALL.

Brought from Newfoundland by Sir Joſeph Banks. PLACE.

504. AMERICAN TEAL.
  • Ph. Tranſ. lxii. 419.—Anas circia? Faun. Suec. No 130.—Latham, iii.
  • Krik-and Danis, Brunnich, No 130.

D. With head and upper part of the neck of a fine deep bay: from each eye to the hind part of the head is a broad bar of rich changeable green: wants the white line, which the European kind has above each eye, having only one below: lower part of the neck and breaſt dirty white, beautifully ſpotted with black: has over each ſhoulder a lunated bar, another diſtinction from our ſpecies: coverts of wings brown: upper part of the back marked with waved lines of white and black; lower part brown: tail duſky: ſpeculum green: legs duſky. Plumage of the FEMALE of a browniſh aſh, tinged with red, and ſpotted with black: wings reſemble thoſe of the male.

Inhabits America, as high as Hudſon's Bay, and as low as Carolina. PLACE. Is found plentifully about Severn river, in the woods and plains near the freſh waters; and has from five to ſeven young at a time. Diſappears in autumn: and is found, during winter, as low as Carolina, and perhaps Jamaica. We ſeem here to have recovered the SUMMER TEAL of Mr. Willughby *, to which the American kind has great affinity. He calls it the leſt of Ducks: and muſt be the ſame with the ſecond kind deſcribed by Lawſon as frequenting freſh waters; being leſſer than the common ſort, and always nodding their heads.

[570]A. GREAT GOOSE. With a black bill, tawny at the baſe: a duſky body; white beneath: ſcarlet legs. Of a vaſt SIZE, weighing near twenty-five or thirty Ruſſian pounds.

PLACE.This ſpecies is found in the eaſt of Sibiria, from the Lena to Kamtſchatka: and is taken in great numbers, together with the RED-NECKED GOOSE,TAKEN IN GLADES. in glades, as we do Woodcocks in England. The Geeſe in the day-time repair to the corn-fields and meadows: in the evening reſort to the lakes, to waſh themſelves and paſs the night. The Sibirians generally fix on a place where there are two or three lakes near each other, and out between each an avenue through the thick birch woods of the country. If there is not the advantage of adjacent lakes, the avenue is made through the woods which border the ſides of any which the birds frequent. At the entrance of the glades, on each ſide, a tall birch-tree is left ſtanding, and all their branches ſtripped away: from the tops of theſe naked trees is placed a ſtrong net, which fills the breadth of the avenue: this net is capable of being dropped or raiſed at pleaſure, by means of certain long cords which run along the top; and the ends of which are held by a man who conceals himſelf in the high graſs. The Geeſe commonly leave the lakes an hour before ſun-riſe; and, as they do not chuſe to fly high at that ſeaſon, prefer going through the avenues; and with their long extended necks ſtrike into the nets, which are ſuddenly dropped; and twenty, and often more, of the Geeſe are taken at a time. All ſorts of Ducks, and other water-fowl, are taken in the ſame manner*.

[571]
  • B. CHINESE GOOSE. Anſer Cygnoides, Lin. Syſt. 194. β.—Swan Gooſe, Wil. Orn. 360. —Raii. Syn. av. 138.—Briſſon, vi. 280.—Latham, iii. —LEV. MUS.

D. With a black bill, and a large protuberance at the baſe, biggeſt in the males: on the chin is a naked, pendulous, black ſkin: from the crown to the back a black line runs down the hind part of the neck: the reſt of the neck and breaſt is of a cream-color, often daſhed with tawny: belly white: between the baſe of the bill and the eyes is a white line: the back and wings deep grey: tail of the ſame color, with whitiſh tips: legs red: in ſome the bill is of the ſame color. In LENGTH often reaches to three feet three.

This ſpecies is found wild about lake Baikal; in the eaſt of Sibiria; PLACE. and in Kamtſchatka. They are very cemmonly kept tame in moſt parts of the Ruſſian empire. Will produce, with the Common Gooſe, a breed which preſerves an exact medium between both ſpecies. As an exception to the remark that a muliſh race will not breed, theſe frequently couple with one another, and with the genuine kind*. They are frequent in China: are very ſtately birds, therefore are dignified with the title Swan Gooſe.

  • C. RED-BREASTED GOOSE. Anſer ruficollis, Pallas Spicil. Zool. faſc. vi. 21. tab. iv.— LEV. MUS.—BL. MUS.

D. With a ſhort black bill; a great patch of white between the baſe and the eyes, bounded by black: crown, chin, hind part of the head and neck, back, wings, and tail, of an intenſe black: ſides marked with a few white ſpots: greater coverts tipt with the ſame color: coverts of the tail white: lower part and ſides of the neck of a bright bay, bounded by a narrow line of white: the breaſt and lower part of the neck divided from the belly and back by a circle of black and [572] another of white: legs black. LENGTH one foot ten inches. EXTENT three feet ten. WEIGHT three pounds Troy.

PLACE.This moſt elegant of Geeſe is found to breed from the mouth of the Ob, along the coaſts of the Icy ſea, to that of the Lena. The winter quarters of theſe birds is not certainly known. They are obſerved in the ſpring, flying from the Caſpian ſea, along the Volga, northward, in ſmall flocks; and are ſeen about Zarizyn, between the ſixth and tenth of April. They reſt a little time on the banks of the Sarpa, but ſoon reſume their Arctic courſe*. Their winter retreat is probably in Perſia. They are highly eſteemed for the table, being quite free from any fiſhy taſte.

  • D. SHIELDRAKE, Br. Zool. ii. No 278.—Tadorne, Pl. Enl. 53.—Latham, iii.
  • Anas Tadorna. Jugas Gotlandis, Faun. Suec. No 113.—LEV. MUS.—BL. MUS.

D. With a ſcarlet bill: on the baſe of that of the male a large protuberance: head, and part of the neck, of a mallard-green: reſt of the neck and belly white: the breaſt croſſed with a large band of orange bay: coverts of wings, and the back, white: ſcapulars pied: tail white; tips of the outmoſt feathers black: legs fleſh-color. WEIGHT of the male two pounds ten ounces. LENGTH two feet. EXTENT three and a half.

PLACE.Inhabits northern Europe, as high as Iceland. Viſits Sweden and the Orknies in winter: returns in the ſpring. Continues in England the whole year. Is found in Aſia about the Caſpian ſea, and all the ſalt lakes of the Tartarian and Sibirian deſerts; and extends even to Kamtſchatka.

  • E. GULAUND.

D. With a narrowed bill: head of a mallard-green: breaſt and belly white. SIZE between the Gooſe and Duck kind.

[573]Inhabits the moraſſes of Iceland. Lays from ſeven to nine eggs.PLACE. Is a ſcarce ſpecies. The account of it was communicated to me by M. Brunnich, from the catalogue of Doctor Biorno Paulſen. The Icelanders call it Gulaund.

  • F. MORILLON, Br. Zool. ii. No 277.—Anas Glaueion. Brunnaeke, Faun. Suec. No 123. —Latham, iii. —LEV. MUS.

D. With duſky ruſt-colored head: irides gold-colored: neck with a white collar; and beneath that another, broader, of grey: back and coverts of wings duſky, marked with a few white ſtripes: greater coverts duſky, with a few great white ſpots: primaries and tail black: ſecondaries white: breaſt and belly white: above the thighs black: legs yellow. Rather leſs than the GOLDEN EYE.

Inhabits as high as Sweden: is found; but rarely, even in Greenland *:PLACE. or may be ſuppoſed to be ſeen in the intermediate parts. Is frequent in every place in Ruſſia and Sibiria, and even in Kamtſchatka.

  • G. TUFTED, Br. Zool. ii. No 274.—Anas fuligula, Wigge, Faun. Suec. No 132.— Le Morillon, Pl. Enl. 1001.—Latham, iii. —LEV. MUS.—BL. MUS.

D. With a thick, ſhort, pendent creſt: belly and under coverts of the wings pure white: primaries duſky; part of their inner webs white: ſecondaries white, tipt with black: all the reſt of the plumage black; about the head gloſſed with violet: legs blueiſh grey. WEIGHT two pounds. LENGTH fifteen inches.

Inhabits Europe, as high as Norway. PLACE. Common in all latitudes of the Ruſſian empire; but commonly travels northward to breed. Frequent in Kamtſchatka.

[574]
  • H. Hrafn-ond, Olaffen Iceland, ſect. 688.—Muller, No 161.—Latham, iii.

D. With a creſted head, black above: under ſide of the neck, breaſt, and belly, white: legs ſaffron-colored.

PLACE.Inhabits Iceland. Whether a variety of the former? for the Icelanders ſtyle that ſpecies Hrafas-aund *.

  • I. FALCATED. Anas Falcaria, Pallas Itin. iii. 701.—Latham, iii.

D. With a ſmall duſky bill: feathers above the baſe of the upper mandible white: middle of the head pale ruſt: reſt of the head ſilky green, variable, and changing, on the ſides of the neck, to reſplendent copper: from the head to the hind part of the neck is a creſt cloſely compreſſed, and ending in an angle: throat and half the fore part of the neck white; which color encircles the neck, and is bounded above by another of variable black and green; the reſt of the neck, and the breaſt, elegantly marked with ſemicircles of grey and black: the back and wings undulated with the ſame colors: the ſpeculum of the color of poliſhed ſteel, edged with white: five laſt ſecondaries long and falcated, of a violet-color edged with white: vent white, croſſed with a black bar: legs duſky. SIZE of a Wigeon.

PLACE.Found, but rarely, in Kamtſchatka. Frequent in the eaſt of Sibiria, from the Jeneſei to the Lena, and beyond lake Baikal. None in the weſt. Probably winters in China and the Mongalian deſerts.

  • K. WIGEON, Br. Zool. ii. No 286.—Anas Penelope, Wriand, Faun. Suec. No 124. —Le Canard ſiffleur, Pl. Enl. 825.—Latham, iii. —LEV. MUS.—BL. MUS.

D. With forehead whitiſh: head and upper part of the neck of a bright light bay: hind part of the head, and breaſt, vinaceous: in other reſpects like the AMERICAN kind. FEMALE colored like a []

Figure 10. Falcated Duck I. p. 574. Western Duck No. 497.

[575] Wild Duck. LENGTH twenty inches. EXTENT two feet three. WEIGHT near twenty-three ounces.

Inhabits Europe, perhaps not higher than Sweden. PLACE. Is not uncommon about the Caſpian ſea, and aſcends its rivers, but not far up. Is ſometimes ſeen in the great lakes on the eaſt ſide of the Urallian chain; but not in the reſt of Sibiria. Is found in plenty about Aleppo, during winter*: and taken in great numbers in the Nile, in nets, juſt before the waters have quite ſubſided. Theſe probably retire north to breed. The Germans call this ſpecies Pfeiff-ent, or the Fifing Duck, from its acute note. The French, for the ſame reaſon, call it le Canard ſiffleur: and the Engliſh, the Whewer. My Bimaculated Duck, Br. Zool. ii. No 287, has been diſcovered, by Doctor PALLAS, along the Lena, and about lake Baikal; and a deſcription ſent by him to the Royal Academy at Stockholm, under the title of Anas Glocitans, or the Clucking Duck; from its ſingular note.

  • L. GADWALL, Br. Zool. ii. No 288.—Anas ſtrepera, Faun. Suec. No 121.—Le Chipeau, Pl. Enl. 958.—Latham, iii. —LEV. MUS.—BL. MUS.

D. With a black flat bill: head and upper part of the neck reddiſh, ſpotted with black: breaſt, upper part of the back, and ſcapulars, elegantly marked with black and white lines: belly dirty white: coverts on the ridge of the wings reddiſh brown; the next purpliſh red, with a border of black: primaries duſky: ſpeculum white: tail cinereous: legs orange. Breaſt of the female reddiſh brown, ſpotted with black: other colors ſimilar, but more dull. Rather leſs than a WIGEON.

This ſpecies does not ſeem to advance higher in Europe than Sweden. PLACE. In the Ruſſian empire extends over moſt of the latitudes of the European and Sibirian part, except the eaſt of Sibiria, and Kamtſchatka.

[576]
  • M. LAPMARK. Skoaara, Leems Lapmark, 266.—Anas latiroſtra, Brunnich, No 91.— Le Canard brun? Pl. Enl. 1007.—Latham, iii.

D. With a broad black bill and legs; the laſt reaching far beyond the tail: head, neck, and upper part of the body, duſky, thick ſet with ſmall ſpots: on each ſide of the baſe of the bill a great white ſpot: neck and breaſt clouded: on the wings an oblique white mark: belly duſky: feathers on the ſides ferruginous. SIZE of a Wild Duck.

PLACE.Inhabits Lapmark, and frequents both ſea and freſh-water. Is alſo found in Denmark.

  • N. RED. Anas rutila, Faun. Suec. No 134.—Ferruginous Duck, Br. Zool. ii. No 285. —Latham, iii.

D. With a long pale blue bill, much flatted: head, neck, and upper part of the body, a fine reddiſh brown: throat, breaſt, and belly, paler: belly white: legs pale blue: webs black. WEIGHT twenty ounces.

PLACE.Found, but rarely, in the Swediſh rivers. Sent to me from Denmark, by the late Mr. Fleiſcher. Has been ſhot in England.

  • O. GARGANEY. Br. Zool. ii. No 289.—Anas Querquedula, Faun. Suec. No 128.
  • La Sarcelle, Pl. Enl. 946.—Latham, iii. —LEV. MUS. —BL. MUS.

D. With a white line from the further corner of each eye, pointing to the nape: crown duſky, ſtreaked lengthways: cheeks and neck very pale purple, ſtreaked with white: chin black: breaſt light brown, marked with ſemicircular bars of black: ſpeculum green: ſcapulars long and narrow, hanging over the wings, and ſtriped with white, aſh, and black: tail duſky. LENGTH ſeventeen inches. EXTENT twenty-eight. The FEMALE has an obſcure whitiſh [577] mark over the eyes: reſt of the plumage browniſh aſh, ſpotted. Wants the ſpeculum.

This elegant ſpecies ſeems not to inhabit Europe higher than Sweden; but is found in all latitudes of the Ruſſian empire,PLACE. even to Kamtſchatka.

  • P. EUROPEAN TEAL, Br. Zool. ii. No 290.—Anas Crecia. Arta. Kraecka, Faun. Suec. No 129.
  • La petite Sarcelle, Pl. Enl. 947.—Latham, iii. —LEV. MUS.—BL. MUS. —

OUR ſpecies in all reſpects reſembles the American, except in having a white line above and beneath each eye, and in wanting the humeral ſtripe of white, which the latter has.

In Europe it is found as high as Iceland; PLACE. and even in that ſevere climate lays from thirteen to nineteen eggs*. The American ſpecies appears to be far leſs prolific. Found in the Ruſſian empire, in the ſame places with the GARGANEY.

LVIII. PELECAN*. Gen. Birds, XCIII.
[578]
505. GREAT.
  • Pelecanus Onocratolus, Lin. Syſt. 215.—Edw. 92.—Ph. Tranſ. lxii. 419.
  • Le Pelican, De Buffon, viii. 282.—Pl. Enl. 87.—Latham, iii. —LEV. MUS.

P. With a bill fifteen inches long, flat, dilated near the point, with a hook at the end, and a ridge from that to the baſe running along the middle; on the midway of the ridge riſes a bony proceſs, an inch and ſeven tenths high, three inches broad at the baſe, and only two tenths of an inch thick. In ſome are ſeveral leſſer proceſſes between this and the point: a vaſt naked membranaceous pouch extends from the point of the lower mandible, widening gradually, and extending ten inches down the front of the neck: on the hind part of the head is a tuft of very narrow delicate feathers, not very diſcernible, as they uſually lie flat: the reſt of the head and neck is covered with moſt exquiſitely fine down, and very thick ſet: the reſt of the plumage white, except the primaries and baſtard wings, which are black: legs fleſh-color. The largeſt of web-footed Water-Fowl. Some are ſuperior in SIZE to a SWAN. One was killed off Majorca, which weighed twenty-five pounds. Their extent of wings from eleven to fifteen feet. Notwithſtanding their great bulk, they ſoar to a moſt ſurpriſing height. This is owing to the amazing lightneſs of the bones, which, all together, do not weigh a pound and a half. Add to this, the quantity of air with which its body is filled, which gives it a wonderful ſpecific lightneſs.

PLACE.One of the birds from which this deſcription was taken, was ſhot at Auguſta in South Carolina, a hundred and fifty miles from the [579] ſea. It agrees entirely with the Pelecan of the old continent, except in the bony proceſſes on the bill. The other was ſent, with other birds, from Hudſon's Bay, to the Royal Society. Inſtead of the bony proceſſes on the bill, was a tuft or fibrous fringe, ſufficient to identify the ſpecies. This ſpecies extends over moſt parts of the torrid zone, and many parts of the warmer temperate. Is found in Europe on the lower parts of the Danube, and in all parts of the Mediterranean ſea, almoſt all Africa, and Aſia Minor. Are ſeen in incredible numbers about the Black and Caſpian ſeas; and come far up the rivers, and into the inland lakes of the Aſiatic Ruſſian empire; but grow ſcarcer eaſtward, and are ſeldom met with ſo far north as the Sibirian lakes; yet are not unknown about that of Baikal. They are common on the coaſt of New Holland, where they grow to an enormous ſize*. They feed upon fiſh; which they take ſometimes by plunging from a great height in the air, and ſeizing, like the GANNET: at other times, they fiſh in concert, ſwimming in flocks, and forming a large circle in the great rivers, which they gradually contract, beating the water with their wings and feet, in order to drive the fiſh into the center; which when they approach, they open their vaſt mouths, and fill their pouches with their prey, then incline their bills, to empty the bag of the water; after which they ſwim to ſhore, and eat their booty in quiet. As the pouch is capable of holding a dozen quarts of water, a gueſs may be made of the quantity of fiſhes it can contain. The French very properly call them Grand-goſiers, or Great-throats. It is ſaid that when they make their neſts in the dry deſerts, they carry the water to their young in their vaſt pouches, and that the lions and beaſts of prey come there to quench their thirſt, ſparing the young, the cauſe of this ſalutary proviſion. Poſſibly, on this account, the Egyptians ſtyle this bird the Camel of the River; the Perſians, Tacab, or the Water-carrier.

506. DUSKY.
[580]
  • Pelecanus Onocrotalus occidentalis, Lin. Syſt. 215.—Edw. 93.
  • Le Pelican Brun, De Buffon, viii. 306.—Pl. Enl. 957.—Latham, iii. —LEV. MUS.—BL. MUS.

P. With a red bill and black hook: the pouch extending half way down the neck: between the bill and eyes naked and red: head mottled with aſh-color and white: the nape ſlightly creſted: hind part of the neck covered with ſoft cinereous feathers: back, ſcapulars, primaries, and coverts, duſky, edged with dirty white: tail deep aſh: legs duſky green. In SIZE ſcarcely equal to a SWAN.

PLACE.Inhabits, during ſummer, Hudſon's Bay. One was ſent to Mrs. Blackburn, ſhot near New York, I think in the winter. Extends to Louiſiana *; to Jamaica, the bay of Campechy , and as low as Carthagena. They ſit on rocks in the ſea in a ſluggiſh manner, with their bills reſting on their breaſts.

507. CHARLES-TOWN.

P. Duſky above: white on the breaſt and belly, with a pouch, beginning at the chin, and reaching to the breaſt-bone, capable of containing numbers of gallons of liquids. SIZE of a Canada Gooſe.

PLACE.Abound in the bay of Charles-town, where they are continually fiſhing.—Doctor GARDEN.

508. SHAG.
[581]
  • Wil. Orn. 330.—Pelecanus Graculus, Faun. Suec. No 146.—Latham, iii. —LEV. MUS.

P. With head and neck black, gloſſed like ſilk with green: the back and coverts of wings of the ſame color, edged with purpliſh black: belly duſky and dull; the middle cinereous: tail conſiſts of twelve feathers, duſky, gloſſed with green: legs black: middle claw ſerrated. LENGTH two feet ſix. EXTENT three feet eight. WEIGHT four pounds.

Frequent in many parts of Great Britain. Found in Sweden, PLACE. Norway, and Iceland.

509. CORVORANT.
  • Br. Zool. No 293.—Pelecanus Carvo, Haffs-tjader, Faun. Suec. No 145.— Latham, iii. —LEV. MUS.—BL. MUS.

P. With a narrow bill, hooked at the end: a ſmall dilatable pouch under the chin; feathers at its baſe white, in the male: head and neck of a ſooty blackneſs, ſometimes ſtreaked with white: coverts of wings, back, and ſcapulars, deep green, edged with black, gloſſed with blue: breaſt and belly black: on the thighs of the male a tuft of white: tail conſiſts of fourteen feathers, and is rounded. WEIGHT ſeven pounds. LENGTH three feet four. EXTENT four feet two.

Extends over all parts of the northern hemiſphere,PLACE. even to Greenland, where it continues all the year. The natives uſe the jugular pouch as a bladder to float their darts after they are flung. The ſkins are uſed in cloathing; the fleſh is eaten;GREENLAND. but the eggs are ſo fetid as to be rejected, even by the very Greenlanders. Theſe birds are taken either by darts on the water; by ſnares dropt down the precipices, and placed before their haunts; or, in winter, they are taken while aſleep upon the ice. Are found in all the temperate latitudes of the Ruſſian empire,RUSSIAN EMPIRE. and in immenſe numbers on the ſhores of the Caſpian ſea*. Reach even to Kamtſchatka. I believe this to be the [582] the kind which the Chineſe train for fiſhing. They keep numbers, which ſit on the edge of their boats; and, on a ſignal given, plunge under water, and bring up their prey, which they are unable to ſwallow, by reaſon of a ring placed by their maſters round their necks*.

Mrs. Blackburn received this ſpecies from New York. There are great flocks in Carolina, eſpecially in March and April, when the herrings run up the creeks; at which time they ſit fiſhing on the logs of wood which have fallen into the water.

510. GANNET.
  • Br. Zool. ii. No 293.—Pelecanus Baſſanus. Nautis, Jaen Von Gent. Faun. Suec. No 147.—Latham, iii. —LEV. MUS.—BL. MUS.

P. With a ſtrait dirty white bill, jagged at the edges: beneath the chin a naked black ſkin, dilatable ſo as to contain five or ſix herrings: hind part of the head buff-colored: baſtard wings and primaries duſky: all the reſt of the plumage pure white: toes black, marked before with a pea-green ſtripe: feathers of the tail ſharp-pointed. WEIGHT ſeven pounds. LENGTH three feet one inch. EXTENT ſix feet two.

PLACE.Inhabits the coaſt of Newfoundland; where it breeds, and migrates ſouthward as far as South Carolina. The head of the bird which Cateſby has engraven, and called the GREATER BOOBY, i. tab. lxxxvi. is of one in its young ſtate. At that period it is deep aſh-colored, ſpotted with white. In Europe it is common on the coaſt of Norway and Iceland ; but as it never voluntarily flies over land, is not ſeen in the Baltic. Wanders for food as for as the coaſt of Liſbon, and Gibraltar, where it has been ſeen in December, plunging for Sardinae. Straggles as high as Greenland . In northern Aſia, it has been once ſeen by Steller off Bering's iſle; but has been frequently met with in the ſouthern hemiſphere, in the Pacific ocean; [583] particularly, in numbers about New Zealand and New Holland *. Captain Cook alſo ſaw them in his paſſage from England to the Cape of Good Hope , and remoter from land than they had been ſeen elſewhere. Among thoſe obſerved in the South Sea, is the variety called Sula , with a few black feathers in the tail and among the ſecondaries. Found not only on the Feroe iſlands, but on our coaſts, one having been brought to me a few years ago, which had fallen down wearied with its flight. A moſt ample account of the manners of the GANNET is given in the Br. Zool.

  • A. CRESTED CORVORANT. SHAG, Br. Zool. ii. No 292.—Latham, iii.
  • Pelecanus Criſtatus. Top-ſkarv. Brunnich, No 123.—Faun. Groenl. No 58.—LEV. MUS. —BL. MUS.

P. With a narrow duſky bill, hooked at the end: irides fine green: on each ſide of the head is a long tuft of duſky feathers reaching beyond the crown: head, neck, and lower part of the back, of a fine and gloſſy green: the upper part of the back, and coverts of the wings, of the ſame color, edged with purpliſh black: belly duſky: tail conſiſts of twelve feathers, duſky tinged with green. LENGTH two feet three. EXTENT three feet ſix. WEIGHT three pounds three quarters.

Inhabits, in Great Britain, the vaſt precipices about Holyhead; PLACE. and is found in Norway, Iceland , and in the ſouth of Greenland ; [584] but in the latter is ſcarce. The places which it inhabits are covered with its filthy excrements. The Greenlanders therefore call it Tingmingkpot, or the bird afflicted with a looſeneſs. It differs from the Shag in having a creſt, and in being letter. The Norwegians are well acquainted with both ſpecies, and diſtinguiſh them by different names*. I have ſeen ſeveral of the Shags ſhot among the Hebrides, but not one was creſted. On the authority of the northern naturaliſts, I therefore ſeparate them.

  • B. VIOLET CORVORANT. Pelecanus Violaceus, PALLAS MS. Liſt.—Latham, iii.

P. With the body wholly black, gloſſed with violet color.

PLACE.Found about Kamtſchatka and the iſles.

  • C. RED-FACED CORVORANT. Ouril of the Kamtſchatkans, Deſcr. de la Kamtſchatka, 493.—Latham, iii.

P. With a ſlender bill; upper mandible black; lower red: from the bill to the eyes is a ſpace covered with a blueiſh red naked ſkin: round each eye a white cutaneous circle: head creſted: head, neck, and middle of the back, of a deep gloſſy green: on the fore part of the neck a few white ſlender feathers: ſides of the back and ſcapulars gloſſed with purple: wings duſky: belly gloſſed with green: tail, conſiſting of twelve feathers only, is duſky: over each thigh is a tuft of white feathers: legs black. LENGTH of one I meaſured thirty-one inches. Steller compares its ſize to that of a Gooſe.

PLACE.Inhabits the high precipices on the coaſts of Kamtſchatka. Is very ſlow in riſing; but when on wing, flies moſt rapidly. Feeds on fiſh. During night they ſit in rows on the cliffs, and often in their ſleep fall off, and become the prey of Arctic Foxes; who lie in [585] wait for theſe birds, which are a favorite food of thoſe animals. They lay in June. Their eggs are green, and of the ſize of thoſe of a Hen. They are very bad taſted, and are not eaſily dreſſed; yet are ſo acceptable to the Kamtſchatkans, that, at the hazard of their necks, they will climb to the moſt dangerous places in ſearch of them, and often fall and loſe their lives. They catch theſe birds with nets, in which they are entangled in the places where they reſt. They are alſo caught in ſnares, with a running nooſe hung to the end of a pole, with which the fowlers creep quietly towards the birds, and fling it round their necks, and draw them up the rock. The reſt of the flock are ſo ſtupid, that, notwithſtanding they ſee the fate of their companions, they remain, ſhaking their heads, on the ſame ſpot, till they are all taken. The fleſh is exceſſively hard and ſinewy. The Kamtſchatkans cook it after their faſhion, by putting the bird, without plucking or gutting, into a hole filled with fire: and when it is done enough, draw off the ſkin, and make on it a ſavory repaſt.

HAVING gone through the claſs of birds, let me remark, that there is the greateſt probability, that numbers of thoſe of Kamtſchatka are common to North America; and that they paſs there the ſeaſons of migration; but not having actual proof of their being found on the new continent, I am obliged to place them in theſe appendages to each genus. The time may come, when it will be found neceſſary to remove them into the American ſections. It is alſo likely, that numbers may ſeek a more ſouthern retreat, and ſtock Japan and China with their periodical flocks. I have done as much as the lights of my days have furniſhed me with. In ſome remote age, when the Britiſh offspring will have pervaded the whole of their vaſt continent, or the deſcendants of the hardy Ruſſians colonized the weſtern parts from their diſtant Kamtſchatka, the road in future time to new [586] conqueſts: after, perhaps, bloody conteſts between the progeny of Britons and Ruſſians, about countries to which neither have any right; after the deaths of thouſands of clamants, and the extirpation of the poor natives by the ſword, and new-imported diſeaſes, a quiet ſettlement may take place, civilization enſue, and the arts of peace be cultivated: learning, the luxury of the ſoul, diffuſe itſelf through the nation, and ſome naturaliſt ariſe, who, with ſpirit and abilities, may explore each boundary of the ocean which ſeparates the Aſiatic and American continents; may render certain what I can only ſuſpect; and, by his obſervations on the feathered tribe, their flights and migrations, give utility to mankind, in naval and oeconomical operations, by auguries which the antients knew well to apply to the benefit of their fellow-creatures. He may, perhaps, ſmile on the labors of the Arctic Zoologiſt (if by that time they are not quite obſolete); and, as the animate creation never changes her courſe, he may find much right; and, if he is endowed with a good heart, will candidly attribute the errors to miſinformation, or the common infirmity of human nature.

Appendix A INDEX.

[]
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
G.
H.
I.
K.
L.
M.
N.
O.
P.
Q.
R.
S.
T.
V.
W.
FINIS.

Appendix B ERRATA AND CORRECTIONS.

[]

VOL. I.

Page IV, line 13, for but, read yet—P. XXVI, l. 31, ſimiliarity, read ſimilarity— P. XXXII, l. 23, Moura, read Mouſa—P. XXXVII, l. 2, maen-hirion, read meini-hirion— P. XLII, l. 14, circumgirations, read circumgyrations—P. XLIII, laſt line, for ‡ Same, p. 7. § Same, p. 8. Torfaeus, &c.; read ‡ Torfaeus Hiſt. Norveg. ii. p. 96. § The ſame, p. 97—P. XLVI, l. 11, the laſt to 1766, read the laſt period it remained quieſcent to 1766. l. 16, overflown, read overflowed—P. LVII, l. 16, amata. Donec; read amata donec. l. 19, vidit, read vident—P. LXII, l. 31, is, read are—P. LXIII, l. 18, as low as that of 60, read and that of 60—P. LXXVI, l. 14, Plearonectes, read Pleuronectes—P. LXXXII, l. 29, inſert, after the word places, the mark of reference ‡, and blot it out of line 31—P. LXXXVI, l. 13, 14, ſmall and hard, read hard and ſmall— P. XCI, l. 26, Lapes, read Lepas; l. 28, carinotum, read carinatum. l. 36, ſee p. LV— P. XCIX, l. 5, dele is—P. CIII, l. 10, Salmon, read Salmo—P. CVI, l. 6, yet is, read which yet is—P. CVII, laſt line, after baccata, add Pallas Itin. iii. 105. Fl. Roſſ. 23. tab. X—P. CVIII, note *, read COOK'S Voyage—P. CXIV, l. 22, Virg. thoſe, read Virg. are diſtinguiſhed thoſe—P. CXVI, l. 23, hieraciodes, read hieracioides—P. CXVIII, l. 30, finally, of thoſe, read finally, thoſe — P. CXX. l. 10, is, read are — P. CXXIII, laſt line, 261, read 201—P. CXXXII, l. 28, dele either—P. CXLIV, l. 18, ſhall, read ſhould—P. CLXVI, l. 24, had in the, read had been in the. l. 31, dele from— P. CLXXIV, after No 73, add 74; after No 75, add 76; after No 77, add 78—P. CXCI, l. 1, oetus, read foetus. l. 18, ovaria, read ova, l. 20, northernly, read northern— P. CC, l. penult. for; read,

P. 3, l. 24, Mivera, read Quivera—P. 24, l. 9, Kungus, read Kungur—P. 33, l. 11, is, read are—P. 34. note, for 9, 44 or 45, read 20, read lat. 60 to 20—P. 43, l. 23, latter, read others—P. 50, l. 22, add The Lynx alſo inhabits the vaſt foreſts of the north of Europe and Aſia; in the firſt, as high as Lapland, in the laſt, in moſt parts of Sibiria, and even in the north of India, amidſt the lofty mountains which bound that country—P. 58, l. 26, carnivorous, read animal—P. 76, l. 16, dele in great plenty— P. 89, l. 10, lat. 44, read 49—P. 90, l. 27, £. 25. read £. 20.—P. 98, l. 15, all round, read in all parts of—P. 99, l. 3, Konyma, read Kowyma—P. 112, l. 23, Hiſt. Quad. No 265—P. 116, note *, Hiſt. Quad. 283. α.—P. 142, l. 16, Sweden, in the, read Sweden. In the

VOL. II.

P. 220, l. 26, E DUSKY, read E GREENLAND—P. 223, l. 21, Sea Eagle, read Oſprey—P. 244, l. 7, for north, read ſouth—P. 368, l. 5, cychromi, read cychrami —P. 407, l. 18, le, read la—P. 527, l. 18, Non, read Nam: and dele?

OMITTED at p. 285, VOL. II.

L'Oiſeau pourpre à bec de grimpereau, De Buffon, v. 526.—Latham, ii. 723.175. A. PURPLE CREEPER.

CR. wholly of a purple color. Length four inches and a half.

According to Seba, it inhabits Virginia; and is ſaid to ſing well.

Notes
*
The Genera which have not the number prefixed, are not found in America.
*
Wil. Orn. 67.
Schwenckfeldt av. Sileſia, 375.
Rzaczynſki, Hiſt. Nat. Polon. 298.
Hiſt D'Oiſ. i. 164. Pl. Enl. 449.
§
Dr. PALLAS'S Catalogue of the Birds of the Ruſſian empire, which he favored me with in MS. my ſureſt clue to the Arctic birds.
*
Eſpecially in the winter, Leems, 233.
Dr. Pallas.
M. Polo, in Purchas, iii. 85. in Bergeron. 74.
De Buffon.
§
Extracts, iii. 303. A name by which I quote an abridgement of the travels of PALLAS, GMELIN, LEPECHIN, and others, publiſhed by the SOCIETE TYPOGRAPHIQUE, at Berne, under the title of HISTOIRE DES DECOUVERTES, faites par divers ſavans voyageurs dans pluſieurs contreès de la Ruſſie et de la Perſe, 4 vols. 8vo.
*
Le Pygargue a tête blanche, De Buffon, i. 99. Pl. Enl. 411.
Cateſby.
*
Du Pratz, ii. 75. Latham, i. 36.
Du Pratz, i. 298. Kalm, iii. 230.
Strabo, lib. x. p. 736. edit. Amſtel. 1707.
*
Adair's Hiſt. Am. Indians, 179.
*
That agreeable traveller, the reverend Dr. Burnaby, adds, that it is often ſeen reſting on the wing for ſome minutes, without any viſible change of place, before it deſcends. Travels in America, 2d ed. p. 48.
Extracts, i. 479.
*
Bell. ii. 87.
Bergeron, 75, 76.
*
Bergeron, 75. 76.
Monumens de la Monarchie Françoiſe, i. 372.
Mr. Walpole's Anecdotes of Painting, i. 33.
§
Hutchins's Dorſetſhire, ii. 443.
Malmſbury, lib. ii. c. 6.
*
In Ruſſia, lat. 52 north.
*
DR. PALLAS.
In the Baltic, a little north-eaſt of Bornholm.
*
Journal des obſerru. &c. vol. ii. 33.
*
Leems, 331.
Brunnick, No 12.
*
Hiſt. Kamtſchatka, 501.
Salmo. Carpio, Faun. Groenl. 170, No 124.
*
Lib. x. c. 3.
*
Brunnick, p. 2.
Olaffen, i. 32.
*
Horrebow, 59, 60.
Brunnick, p. 3. Horrebow, 58.
Madox, Antiq. Exch. 469. 497.
Ariſt. de Mirabil. Auſcult.
Lib. xiv. ep. 216.
Olina, 65.
Hiſt. Nat. lib. xci. c. 44.
§
Fr. ed. octavo, 82.
Saxon Chr. 60.
*
Quoted by Mr. Whitaker in Hiſt. Mancheſter, from Max. Bibliotheca Patrum, xiii. p. 85. ep. 40.
*
Spelman's Gloſſ.
Olearius's travels, 177.
Strahlenberg, tab. A. B.
*
Leems, 235.
Strom.
At the time this ſheet was printing, I had the good fortune to meet with Mr. Hutchins, ſurgeon, a gentleman many years reſident in Hudſon's Bay; who, with the utmoſt liberality, communicated to me his MS. obſervations, in a large folio volume: in every page of which his extenſive knowlege appears. The benefit which this work will, from the preſent page, receive, is here once for all gratefully acknowleged.
*
Extracts, i. 315.
Hammer, Faun. Norway.
Amoen. Acad. iv.
Extracts, i. 100.
§
Vol. ii. 142.
Forſkahl, Deſcr. Arab. 7.
**
Wil. Orn. 75.
*
Belon Obſ. xxxvi. p. 107. b.
Aves.
See this ſubject moſt ingeniouſly handled in Mr. STILLINGFLEET'S Eſſays, in the Calendar of Flora.
*
Strom. 235.
The ſame.
*
Calendar of Flora, and Migr. av. in Amoen. Acad. v. 397. 382.—Is found as far ſouth as as the Holy Land. Haſſelquiſt, Itin. 291.
*
Faun, Suec.
Extracts, ii. 142.
*
Colden's Six Indian Nations, i. 17.
If no miſtake is made in Mr. Hutchins's MS. the extent is leſs by far than that of the Engliſh kind.
Haſſelquiſt, Itin. 233.
*
Voy. Peru, ii. 562.
See Strix Funerea, Faun. Suec. No 75. Pontop. Atlas Danica, tab. 25. Olaffen's Iceland, ii. tab. 46.
*
Extracts, i. 91. ii. 142.
*
Extracts, ii. 142.
Brunnick, No 19.
*
Rariora Norvegiae, in Amoen. Acad. vii. 479.
*
EDWARDS, Gl. p. 233.
The Freres tale. Ful of venime, becauſe it was believed, that the thorn on which it ſtuck its prey was venomous.
*
Oiſ. vi. 115.
Journal Hiſtorique, vi. 124.
Oiſ. vi. 82.
*
Barrington's Miſcellanies, 489. 491.
See Spilbergen's voy. in Purchas, i. 80; Wood's in Dampier's voy. iv. 112; and Byron's, in Hawkſworth's Coll. i. 38. Beſides theſe authorities, Lieut. Gore (ſince Captain) and Mr. Edwards, now ſurgeon at Caernarvon, who ſailed with Mr. Byron, confirmed to me the exiſtence of theſe birds in the ſtreights of Magellan.
*
Brunnick, p. 8.
Egede, 64.
*
Lawſon, 139.
Adair's Hiſt. Am. 173.
Mr. Hutchins.
Voyage, i. 121.
§
See article Rook, p. 250, A. where a compariſon is made of the differences between theſe two birds.
*
Voyage, ii. 65.
De Buffon, iii. 66.
Phil. Tranſ. lxii. 387.
Leems, 241.
Mr. Hutchins.
*
Latham, i. 387.
*
I once had the curioſity to compare the meaſurements of theſe common birds, and found them as above; but they are often inferior in ſizes to the ſubjects I examined.
Extracts, i. 103.
*
Ruſſel's Aleppo, 69.
Extracts, i. 100.
*
Syſt. 138. Faun. Suec. No 93.
Ruſſel's Aleppo, 69.
Amoen. Acad. iv. 583.
De Buffon, iii. 139: from this circumſtance, one of its German names is Birck-heher, or the Birch Jay.
Zinanni delle Nova, &c. p. 68. tab. x. fig. 29.
§
Av. Silefiae, 244.
Voy. Senegal, Engl. ed. 25. 107.
*
The Caterpillar of the Bruchus Piſi, or Peaſe Beetle, in particular. See Kalm, i. 173. 176.
*
Lawſon, 145.
De Buffon.
Av. Nov. Hiſp. 39.
*
i. e. The Salt Starling, becauſe in Mexico it frequents the ſalt lakes.
*
Pontop. ii. 75.
Leems, 291.
Dr. PALLAS.
*
Euſeb. Nieremberg.
Cateſby.
Barrere.
*
Cateſby.
Lafitau Moeurs de Sauvage, ii. 60.
*
Kalm.
Kalm, ii. 36.
*
Kalm, ii. 87.
*
Phil. Tranſ. lxii. 388.
*
Phil. Tranſ. lxii. 388.
*
Vol. iii. 9.—Briſſon, iv. 24, who follows Albin, calls it, Le Pic noir de la Nouvelle Angleterre.
*
M. Sprunglin's collection at Stettlin, near Bern, who told me it was common among the Alps.
*
Leems, 292.
*
Catalogue of Swiſs birds in M. Sprunglin's cabinet, which that gentleman favored me with. This ſpecies was not unnoticed by the great GESNER. See his Hiſt. av. ed. p. 710, line 20.
Gmelin. voy. Sibiria, ii. 113.
Leems, 292.
Flora Lapp. Proleg. 21.
*
Fernandez, Nov. Hiſp. 13.
*
Muller, Prod. Zool. Dan. 13.
Gmelin, voy. ii. 112.
*
Among a ſmall collection of drawings made in that country by one of our voyagers.
Strom. 247.
*
Correct the deſcription of this part in the Britiſh Zoology.
See Br. Zool. i. 258.—Is rarely ſeen in Britain.
*
Strom, 244.
De Buffon, v. 542.
*
This genus may be divided into thoſe with ſtrait and thoſe with incurvated bills; but there being none of the laſt in North America, the diſtinction is omitted.
*
Hiſt. of Weſt Indies, tranſlated by Richard Eden, p. 199.
Hiſt. An. lib. ix. c. 11. vol. i. 931.—Charlevoix, v. 232.
*
New England Rarities, 8.
Hiſt. Carolina, 149 and 27.
App. xliv. The greateſt certain weight is given by Mr. Clayton, who ſaw one that reached 38 lb.—Ph. Tranſ.
*
De Buffon.
Lawſon, 45.
Lawſon, 149.
Adair's Amer. 360.
§
It is in the ſwamps that the loftieſt and moſt bulky trees grow: the wet, with which they are environed, makes them a moſt ſecure retreat.
*
Lawſon, 149.
Lawſon, 18. Adair, 423.
Du Pratz, ii. 85.
Du Pratz, 224.
§
248. Hiſt. des Oiſ.
*
Lib. iii. c. 9.
Lib. x. c. 26.
Av. 481.
De Anim. lib. xvi. c. 2.
*
Edw. ii. 67. Briſſon, i. 291. Lin. Syſt. 268.
Lib. xv. p. 1046.
De Anim. lib. xvii. c. 23.
Ruſſell, 63.
§
Tavernier, 146.
Bell's Travels, i. 128.
*
Sir James Porter's Obſ. Turkey, i. 1.
I. 321.
Barbot, in Churchill's Coll. v. 29. Boſman, 229.
Hiſt. Nat. Aegypti, i. 201.
Kennet's Parochial Antiq. 287.
§
Neither in that of George Nevil, archbiſhop of York, in 1466, nor among the delicacies mentioned in the Northumberland Houſhold Book, in the beginning of the reign of Henry VIII.
*
Caii Opuſc. 93.
Hiſt. An. lib. vi. c. 2.
In Purchas, iii. 995.
Hiſt. Av. Nov. Hiſp. 27.
*
Seventeen Years Travels, 20.
In De Laet's Deſcr. des Indes, 491.
Voyages, vol. ii. part 2d. p. 65, 85, 114.
De Bry.
§
Baker's Chr. Anderſon's Dict. Com. i. 354. Hackluyt, ii. 165. makes their introduction about the year 1532. Barnaby Googe, one of our early writers on huſbandry, ſays they were not ſeen here before 1530. He highly commends a Lady Hales, of Kent, for her excellent management of thoſe fowl. p. 166.
*
Five hundred pointes of good huſbandrie, p. 57.
Anderſon's Dict. Comm. i. 410.
Pontopp. 78.
*
Phil. Tranſ. lxii. 393.
The accounts given by Boſſu, Engl. ed. i. 95. and by Du Pratz, ii. are too flight for us to determine the ſpecies they mean. Charlevoix, in his account of Canada, vol. v. deſcribes it very well.
*
The Comte De Buffon, ii. 282. falls into this miſtake.
Cateſby.
*
Br. Zool. i. No 92. tab. xl.
Oiſ. ii. 279.
*
Ph. Tr. lxii. 390.
*
Drage's Voy. ii. 9.
The feathers of the Ruſſian kind, whichſoever it was, in early times, about Pechora, were an article of commerce, and were ſold for two pence of their money per Pood, or 38 lb. Purchas, iii. 536.
The Ruſſian White Grous inhabits indifferently woods, mountains, plains, and marſhes. The Britiſh ſpecies or variety is in Ruſſia about half the ſize of the Sibirian kind.
*
Fl. Lap. 268.
Pontoppidan, ii. 92.
Drage's Voy. i. 174.
Empetrum Nigrum. See Crantz. Greenl. i. 64, 75.
*
Faun. Groenl. p. 117.
Quoted in North-weſt Fox, 228.
Recucil de Voy. au Nord. iii. 344.
*
Lib. xiv. p. 654.
Hiſt. An. lib. vi. c. 1.
Hiſt. Nat. lib. x. c. 22.
§
Leems, 241.
*
The Taccamahacca of North America. Cateſby, i. 34.
*
Amoen. Acad. iv. 591.
Olaus Gent. Septr. lib. xix. c. 13.
*
Faun. Groenl. p. 117.
*
Scheffer Lapl. 138.
Catalogue of Iceland Birds, MS.
Geſner Av. 230.
*
Brunnich, No 201.
*
Amoen. Acad. iv. 592.
*
Extracts, 143.
*
Du Pratz.
The ſame.
Ph. Tr. lxii. 398.
Bartram's Journey to Onandago, 36.—Kalm's Travels, ii. 311.
§
Acer Rubrum, Lin. —Cateſby, i. 62.
Ulmus Americana, Lin.
**
Cateſby.
*
Lawſon, 44.—The Rev. Mr. Burnaby relates the prodigious flights he ſaw paſſing in September, ſoutherly, over New England. He adds, he ſcarcely met with any other food in the inns he was at. p. 132.
Voy. 99.
Lawſon, 44.
*
Phytolacca Decandria, Lin. Sp. Pl. 631.
*
Lin. Sp. Pl. 723.
In Barrington's Miſcellanies, 492.
*
Xanthoxylum Clava Herculis, Lin. Sp. Pl. 1455.—Cateſby, i. 26.
*
Ekmark Migr. av. in Amoen. Acad. iv. 593.
Leems, 245.
Pontop. ii. 69.—Since the publication of the laſt edition of the Britiſh Zoology, I have been informed, by the Rev. Mr. Aſhby, of Barrow, near Newmarket, that multitudes of Stock Doves breed in the rabbet-burrows on the ſandy plains of Suffolk, about Brandon; and that the ſhepherds annually take the young for ſale.
*
Leems, 194.
Brunnich, 64.
*
Leems, 261.
Voy. en Sibirie, ii. 112.
*
Sloane, ii. 306.
Lawſon.
*
Kalm, i. 218.
Cornus Florida, Lin. Sp. Pl.
Fernandez, p. 20.
§
Cateſby.
*
Ph. Tranſact. lxii. 399.
*
Amyris Elemifera, Lin. Sp. Pl. i. 495.
Cateſby.
Sloane, ii. 305.
*
Edwards.
*
From Hudſon's Bay.—LEV. MUS.
New York.—BL. MUS.
Amoen. Acad. iv. 594.
*
Klein Migr. av. 178.
Hiſt. Norway, 69.
Ruſſel's Aleppo, 65, 71.
§
Cleghorn's Minorca, 56.
*
Strom, 260.
Faun. Suec. No 218.
Klein, Migr. av. 178.
*
Ruſſel's Aleppo, 70.
Gjelavaelgo Lapponum.—Leems, 260.
Oyſeaux, 319.
*
Extracts, i. 107.
*
De Buffon.
Hiſt. av. Nov. Hiſp. 55.
Travels, i. 198.
*
Ph. Tranſ. lxii.
Voy. to Hudſon's Bay, ii. 5.
*
Du Pratz, ii. 94.
Kalm, ii. 71.—He ſays that they are very deſtructive to Bees.
*
Du Pratz, ii. 93.
*
Amyris Toxifera, Lin. Sp. Pl. 496.
*
Faun. Suec. No 222.
*
Phil. Tranſ. lxii. 403.
Crantz, i. 77.
*
Lord Mulgrave's Voy. 188.—Marten's Voy. 73.
Leems, 256.
Faun. Greenl. 118.
§
De Gent. Septentr. lib. xix. p. 156.
Finmark, 255.
*
Biſhop Pocock's Journal, MS.
Morton's Northamp. 427.
Bell's Travels, i. 198.
§
Kramer Anim. Auſtr. 372.
*
Lawſon, 146.
Kalm, ii. 51, 81.
*
Hiſt. d'Oiſ. iv. 339.—Pl. Enl. 388. fig. 2.
*
Raii Hiſt. Pl. ii. 1446.
Strabo, lib. xv. p. 1014.
Anderſon's Dict. ii. 327.
§
The ſame, 238—and Cateſby, ii. Account of Carolina, xvii.
*
American Traveller, 95, 101.—In a news-paper of laſt year, I met with the following article:—A Gentleman died lately in Carolina, without any nearer relation than a third couſin. He determined to leave his eſtate, conſiſting of three fine plantations, to ſome perſon whoſe public deſerts would juſtify ſuch a ſtep. The Gentleman, on conſideration, determined in favour of Mr. Aſhby, a gentleman in the province, whoſe anceſtor had introduced the culture of rice, by which Carolina had increaſed ſo amazingly in wealth, declaring at the ſame time in his will, that if there had been any living perſon to whom his country was equally obliged, in the ſame line of peace, he would have preferred him. Mr. Aſhby, on his death, which happened lately, took poſſeſſion of the Gentleman's eſtate, in conſequence of this will.—How much more rational is ſuch a conduct, than endowing colleges or hoſpitals!
*
Emberiza Rutila Pallas Itin. iii. 698.
*
Strom. 240.
*
Strom. 230.
Amoen. Acad. iv. 595.
De Buffon, iv. 309.
§
M. SCOPOLI'S Liſt of Italian birds, MS. with which he favored me.
Kram. Auſtr. 371.
*
Ariſt. Hiſt. An. lib. viii. c. 12: and Varro de re Ruſt. lib. iii. c. 5.—Ficedulae et miliariae dictae à cibo, quod alterae fico: alterae milio fiant pingues. Varro de Ling. Lat. iv.
See a plan in the Leipſic edition of Var. de re Ruſt, lib. iii. v.
*
Du Pratz.
*
L'Olivet, De Buffon, iv. 269.
Du Pratz, ii.
*
BL. MUS.
*
Pl. Enl. 183. fig. 1.
*
Travels, iii. 699.
*
Fauna Greenl. 119.
*
Pallas's Travels, ii. 710.
*
Gran-Iriſk, Leems: well deſcribed, p. 256.
Linaria Saxatilis. Stein-henffling, Schwenckfelt. Av. Sileſiae, 294.
*
Amoen. Acad. iv. 596.
*
Amoen. Acad. iv. 595.
M. Scopoli, MS. Liſt, & Av. 148.
Cleghorn, 56.
§
Aves Nidr. Enum. MS.
*
Strom. 225.
Gunner, in Leems, 256.
Siiſgen? Pontoppidan, ii. 94.
*
The deſcription refers to the Black-cap Warbler. The figure to this bird.
Act. Nidros, v. 543.
*
Amoen. Acad. iv. 593.
*
Mr. Latham, ii. 372.
v. 38.
*
Av. Nidr. Enum. MS.
STILLINGFLEET'S Tracts, 2d ed. 265.
*
Sloane's Jamaica, ii. 312.
*
Sloane, i. 309.
*
Pl. Enl. 704.
*
Cateſby, ii. 61.
*
Av. Nidr. Catal. MS.
*
Brunnich, No 284.
*
Amoen. Acad. iv. 597.
Ruſſell, as quoted by Mr. Latham.
Fryer's. Trav. 248.
§
Haſſelquiſt.
*
Mr. Latham.
Amoen. Acad, iv. 597.
*
Edw. Birds, i. Preface, xii.
Faun. Groenl. No 84.
Amoen. Acad. iv. 597.
*
Faun. Groenl. 123.
*
Phil. Tranſ. lxii. 407.
*
De Buffon, v. 407.—Pl. Enl. 502.
*
Strom. 239.
Ibid.
*
Voy. i. 24.—See alſo Br. Zool. i. p. 344, &c.
*
Ph. Tranſ. lxii. 408.
*
Strom. 249.
Lawſon, 144.
*
vi. 700.
*
Kalm, ii. 152.
*
Kalm, ii. 153.
Br. Zool. i. p. 352, 4to—417, 8vo.
*
Cateſby, App. 16.
*
Fernandez, 49.
Barrere, 125.
The ſame.
*
Worm. Muſ. 310.
Faun. Suec. No 160.
Worm. Muſ. 310.
*
Smith's Hiſt. Virgin. &c. 2.
*
Kalm, ii. 72.
Ph. Tranſ. lxii. 409.
As quoted by De Buffon.
*
Cateſby, App. xxxvi.—Lawſon, Hiſt. Carol. 148.
*
Faun. Greenl. 106.
Leems, 242.
Amoen. Acad. iv. 588.
Voy. towards S. Pole, i. 87.
*
Br. Zool. ii. App. No vii.
Marcgrave, 209.
Voy. round the World, Engl. ed. 67.
*
Kram. Auſtr. 346.
De Buffon, Oiſ. vii. 375. 376.
*
Sloane's Hiſt. Jamaica, ii. 315.
*
Alſo l'Etoile of De Buffon, vii. 428.
*
Ray's Travels, i. 33.
*
Lawſon, 148.
Ph. Tranſ. lxii. 410.
Faun. Suec. No 164.
Amoen. Acad. iv. 588.
*
Amoen, Acad. iv. 588.
*
[...]. II. v. 66.
*
Extracts, ii. 146.
Amoen. Acad. iv. 588.
*
Pliny, lib. x. c. 23.
Shaw's Trav. 428.
Belon Oyſ. 201.
THOMSON.
*
Amoen. Acad. iv. 589.
*
Des Marchais, iii. 326.
*
Ph. Tranſ. lxii. 411. where it is called the Eſkimaux Curlew.
*
Leems, 249.
Brunnich, p. 49.
*
P. 44.
*
Faun. Greenl. No 71.
*
Faun. Groenl. No 72.
*
Leems, 253.
Edw. 139.
*
Strom. 235.
*
Faun. Groenl. No 74.
Amoen. Acad. iv. 590.
*
Faun. Groenl. No 73.
*
Amoen. Acad. iv. 590.
*
Brunnich, No 180.
Nov. Com. Petrop. xix. 471. tab. xix.—The Tringa Ruficollis, PALLAS Iter. iii. 700, is another red-necked ſpecies, found about the ſame ſalt lakes.
*
Hiſt. Carol. 140. Cateſby, App.
Paulſen's Liſt.
*
Briſſon, v. 222.
*
Brunnich.
Haſſelquiſt, 288.
Extracts, i. 107. ii. 147.
*
Faun. Groenl. No 79.
*
Lawſon, 140.—Cateſby, App.
*
Sloane.
Marcgrave, 199.
*
Sloane.
Raii Syn. Av. 193.
*
Haſſelquiſt Itin. 256.
*
Dampier, iii. 85.
Feuillèe, Obſerv. ed. 1725. p. 289.
Leems Lapmark, 252.
*
Le Rale d'Eau, De Buffon, viii. 154.—Pl. Enl. 749.
*
Burnaby's Travels, octavo ed. 42.
*
Gmelin.
*
Syſt. Nat. 249.
*
Amoen. Acad. iv. 591.
Lawſon, 149.
*
See tab. 96. Edw. and my account of that ſpecies, Br. Zool. ii. No 224.
*
Olaffen.
Doctor PALLAS.
*
Doctor PALLAS.
*
Du Pratz, ii. 81.
Voyages, i. 71.
*
Lib. x. c. 48.
*
Seen the 4th of July, in lat. 56. 30, off the weſtern coaſt of America.—Ellis's Voy. i. 292.
*
Hiſt. Kamtſchatka, Engl. edit. 155.
Dampier, i. 531.—Oſbeck, i. 109.
*
This account is given by a diſtinguiſhed officer in our navy, who had viſited theſe iſlands.
Cook's Voy. S. Pole, i. 256.
Deſcr. de la Kamtſchatka, 492.
Cook's Voy. towards the S. Pole, i. 43, 256, 258.
*
Faun. Groenl. p. 82.
*
Doctor PALLAS; to whom it was ſent by a Moravian miſſionary.
In the Britiſh Zoology, ii. No 230, I made matter of wonder, the manner in which this bird placed its egg on the naked rock, with ſo ſecure a balance that it would not roll off. Mr. Aikin referred me to the following paſſage in HARVEY de Generatione Anim. which moſt clearly expalins the cauſe: "In the ſame iſland" (the Baſi), ſays he, ‘una mihi monſtratur avis, quae ovum duntaxat ſingulare, ſive unicum, parit, idemque ſuper cujuſdam lapidis acuti faſtigium collocat (nullo nido, aut conquiſitâ ſtrue ſuppoſitâ), idque tam firmiter, ut mater abire & redire, ſalvo ovo, poſſit. Hoc autem ſi quis loco dimoveat, nullâ arte poſtea ſtabiliri poteſt; quin inde devolutum praeceps in mare ruat. Locus nempè (ut dixi) caemento albo incruſtatur; ovumque, cum naſcitur, lentâ & viſcoſâ madet humiditate, quâ citò concreſcente, tanquam ferrumine quodam ſubſtrato ſaxo agglutinatur.’
Belon. Obſ. 12.
*
Crantz, i. 48.
Cateſby, App. xxxvi.
*
Crantz, i. 85.
*
MS. Liſt, of Birds of Italy, ſent to me by that eminent Ornithologiſt, M. SCOPOLI, from Pavia.
Mr. Hutchins aſſures me, that the old birds do not vary, as has been imagined.
*
Steller, in Nov. Com. Petrop. iv. 424.
*
Edwards, 147.
*
Worm. Muſ. 304.
Faun. Suec.
*
Barrera France Equin. 135.
194. No 5. tab. i. No 5.
*
Oiſ. viii. 345.
*
Voyage, i. 23.
*
PALLAS MS. Catalog.
*
Senecae Epiſt. Ep. xc.
*
Ph. Tranſ. lxii.
*
Cook's Voy. Hawkſworth's Coll. ii. 283.
Forſter's Voy. i. 109.
*
Cook's Voy. S. Pole, i. 252.
Forſter's Voy. ii. 534.
Forſter, i. 52.
*
Cook's Voy. to S. Pole, 12. 13.
Ibid.
Ibid.
*
Kalm, i. 22, 23.
*
The birds like a Duck, with a narrow bill, with ſets of teeth, called in Carolina, Fiſhermen, and deſcribed as having a fiſhy taſte, are of this ſpecies. See Lawſon, 150.
Olaffen Iceland—and Faun. Groenl. No 49.
*
Confiding in other writers, I made, in my Britiſh Zoology, another ſpecies of the female of the Smew, under the name of the Red-headed, No 263. The bird I thought to be the female, and call the Lough Diver, is a diſtinct kind. Mr. Plymley informs me that he diſſected ſeveral, and found males and females without any diſtinction of plumage in either ſex.
Extracts, ii. 146.—Haſſelquiſt, 269.
*
Cateſby, App. xxxvi.—Lawſon, 146.—Du Pratz, ii. 78.
*
Olaffen, i. 118.
Deſcr. Kamtſchatka, 495.
We change the name of the Tame Swan into MUTE, as the former name is equivocal, and this ſpecies emits-no ſound.
*
Doctor PALLAS.
Extracts, iii. 78.
Faun. Groenl. p. 66.
*
Drage, i. 93.
Dobbs's Hudſon's Bay, 52.
*
Liſter, in Ph. Tr. Abridg. ii. 852. I cannot but ſuſpect, that ſome of the SNOW GEESE, No 477, may mix with them, as none of this genus vary in color in the wild ſtate.
Kramer Anim. Auſtr. 339.
*
Paulſon.
Amoen. Acad. iv. 585.
*
See Deſcr. Kamtſchatka, 496, 7.
Faun. Groenl. p. 66.
*
Lawſon, 147.—Quere, The ſort of whitiſh fowl mentioned by Mr. Lawſon, p. 150, which he calls Bull-necks, of the ſize of a Brant, which come to Carolina after Chriſtmas, and frequent the rivers: are excellent meat; but are very ſhy, and ſuch good divers, as not to be ſhot without difficulty?
*
Deſcr. Kamtſch. 496.
Schwenkfelt An. Sileſiae, 215.
*
The Kamtſchatkans uſe the ſame method in taking Geeſe. Deſcr. Kamtſchatka, 496.
*
Lawſon, 147.
Reverend Mr. Low.
Faun. Groenl. No 41.
Navigation par la Nord, Amſtelredam, 1606, folio, p. 14.—The Engliſh fabled the ſame of the Bernacle. See Gerard's Herbal.
*
Not in Greenland or Spitzbergen, as I once conjectured. See Br. Zool. ii. p. 578.
*
Read eye, in the Br. Zool. inſtead of ear.
Steller, in Nov. Com. Petrop. iv. 421.—Strom. p. 230.
*
Cateſby, App.
Lawſon, 151.
*
Hiſt. Carolina, 148.
*
Strom. 243.
*
Cateſby, App.
Probably not the female of Edwards's Duck, 194.
*
Cateſby, App.
*
Marcgrave, 214.
*
Faun. Groenl. p. 73.
Deſcr. du Kamtſchatka, 498.
vi. 466. tab. xl.—Pl. Enl. 999.
*
Ornith. 378.
Hiſt. Carol. 149.
*
PALLAS's Travels, ii. 325, 326.
*
Doctor PALLAS.
*
Extracts, ii. 20.
*
Faun. Groenl. No
*
Biorne's Liſt.
*
Ruſſell's Aleppo.
Haſſelquiſt, 288.
*
Biornc's Liſt.
*
This genus, in the Br. Zool. is called by the more familiar name of Corvorant, there being none of the Pelecan ſpecies in Britain.
*
Cook's Firſt Voy. iii. 627.
*
Du Pratz, ii. 79.
Dampier's Voy. Campechy, 70.
The ſame Gentleman informed me, that the SNOWY OWL, No [...] is frequent near the ſhores of South Carolina, among the Palmetto trees.
*
Extracts. i. 164.—ii. 405.
*
Du Halde, i. 316.
Lawſon, 150.
Olaf. Iceland.
Faun. Groenl. p. 92.
*
Cook's Firſt Voy. ii. 382.—iii. 439, 627.
Cook's Voy. towards the South Pole, i. 10, 11.
Wil. Orn. 331.
Olaffen. ii. tab. xxxix.
Faun. Groenl. No 58.
*
Brunnich, No 121, 123.
*
A wrong repetition of name: the Reader is therefore deſired to diſtinguiſh by the addition of Second.
*
By inadvertency the word DUSKY is applied to this ſpecies, a trivial before given to another Falcon: the Reader is therefore requeſted to alter this with his pen.
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