USA > Louisiana > Orleans Parish > New Orleans > Standard history of New Orleans, Louisiana, giving a description of the natural advantages, natural history settlement, Indians, Creoles, municipal and military history, mercantile and commercial interests, banking, transportation, etc. > Part 35
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STANDARD HISTORY OF NEW ORLEANS.
ficient diversifications of thesc open places to induce a considerable number of birds to establish themselves there, or at least to tarry. Audubon Park is un- doubtedly growing more interesting each year in some of its bird conditions.
The expedition from New Orleans that one does well to save until late in April is out on a canal or bayou into the marshes. The Company's canal in Jef- ferson Parish, meeting the Mississippi at Westwego, is particularly favorable for bird-observing. It is like dreamland to pass quietly along this water alley, a mere fissure in the thick swamp, whose inner life thus crowds to the very edges of the parting. As for the birds, they are not to be held to the divisions this artificial in- trusion has made in their domain, but continually break from the trees along the shores and hastily cross the water. During the first part of this route the songs and notes that issue from the swamp are the amassed representation of the birds that earlier in the season were severally distinctive of certain periods. There is now one general blend of the songs of the Red-eyed and White-eyed Greenlets, the Indigo Bunting, the Sycamore, Parula, Prothonotary, Hooded and Kentucky Warblers with each other and with the notes of the Tufted Titmouse, Carolina Wren, Caro- lina Chickadee and Cardinal. Some of this music is still assailing our ears when the view from the boat begins to open up; when, in fact, the principal hindrances to clearly seeing the marsh beyond are irregular ranks of regal old cypresses. The most constant tenants of these are the Parula, the Sycamore and the Prothonotary Warblers. It is curious to find Orchard Orioles common and thoroughly habituated to these swamp wastes. Small colonies of them live about the random willow groves on the beds of firmer land. In the part first traversed of this tract, the con- vergence of swamp and marsh, the Red-winged Blackbird is already common enough to suggest the character of the marsh avifauna, and among the most out- lying low willows, where the unbroken extent of marsh grasses begins, the Red- wing's title to being the liveliest and the showiest bird in such situations is made good, if for no other reason, by the absence of any considerable rivals. But once well in the marsh, we are brought in contact with another typical product of the place, the Boat-tailed Grackle, a large, lumbering Crow-blackbird. Its voice is perhaps the most unmusical among all our birds, but this fact cannot have become evident to it, for its noisiness quite equals the Red-wing's. Whether rising laboredly from the marsh or flying over at some height, or only making an unimportant change in its position a Boat-tailed Grackle rarely fails to keep its companions apprised of its movements and actions. This it does by a flat, uninflected "chuck," a guttural "plup-plup-plup," etc., like the quick flapping of wings when
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STANDARD HISTORY OF NEW ORLEANS.
large birds rise from the water, or by more thin-voiced notes that would seareely be rougher were they jolted out of the bird. The female would hardly be taken for the mate of such a resplendently glossy bird, being plain brown above, and a lighter, somewhat tan-colored shade beneath. As the tail feathers lack in the female the great length they attain in the male, the peculiar, keel-like arrange- ment which often they are made to assume in the latter is not particularly evident in the former. All the dimensions of the female are much less than those of the male.
If there is any ground for believing that opposites meet, the faets of bird-life in the marsh would seem to support such a eult. Hidden in the grass over which the Boat-tails vociferate ceaselessly are birds mute in comparison. Foremost of them at this season are the Least Bittern and that beautiful water hen, the Purple Gallinule. The fame of the Gallinule's splendor is spread in all localities, whose gunners, woodsmen, or boatmen know the "blue rail." Usually when the Gallinules retreat from intruders they prefer threading their way among the marsh grasses to rising dangle-legged, above their surface. But when reassured, they answer from their various stations. Sometimes the note sounds like the noise made by striking a tin pan lightly, but on other occasions there is a deliberate guttural sound given, rather resembling a low note from a large frog.
The season being so far advaneed at this time, much of the nesting life of these different birds may be observed closely. Passing slowly from one to another of the platforms on which the Least Bitterns have laid their pretty, pale green eggs, or the Purple Gallinules the rich, flesh-colored, well-filled shells, with an extrava- ganee of bright brown spots, and almost as large as hens' eggs, we are impressed with the sameness of purpose among these feathered tribes. When we tip-toe from the boat to peep into the pockets the Boat-tails have hung among the tall reeds, and see again the same pledges of future bird life, only concealed under a different exterior, the gaps between the birds themselves seems more nearly bridged than at any other time. In the fact of the workmanship on the structures made to hold the delicate, precious eggs; in the fact of the tireless care of the clustered treasures, existing birds, despite some renegades from these greatly honored traits, express elements of their being not matched in any other ereatures.
[The matter on the following pages was compiled by the author for the tabular form, in which shape it would indeed be far more convenient, attractive and useful; but, we regret to say, the mechanical character of this work will not admit of either a folder or of a chart with great blanks seattered through it .- The Publishers.]
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STANDARD HISTORY OF NEW ORLEANS.
Following is a condensed view of bird life in the vieinity of New Orleans, giving-
1. The loeal popular name, when there is one.
2. The eorreet common name.
3. The seientifie name, in parenthesis.
4. Marked characteristics.
5. Locations preferred by the bird.
6. Migratory movements and degree of abundanee.
7. The breeding range and season.
(For the dueks and eertain other birds not brought within this list, see supple- mentary remarks at the end.)
Die Dipper ; Hell Diver. Pied-billed Grebe. (Podilymbus podiceps.) Ease of disappearanee on the water. Somewhat duek-like in form. Ponds and small streams. Present from fall to spring ; not particularly common. Nests north- ward from Indiana, Illinois, ete.
Loon; Diver. (Urinator imber.) Ability to swim considerable distanees under water. Open water. Arriving some times in September and staying until spring. Not very common. Breeds in the northern United States and north- ward.
American Herring Gull. (Larus argentatus smithsonianus.) Heavy body and grayish-brown plumage in young. Seen about the shipping on the Mississippi at New Orleans and on Lake Pontchartrain. Present in winter after October and until March or April. Breeds in the northern United States and north- ward.
Ring-billed Gull. (Larus delawarensis.) Slim-winged and slight-bodied compared to the former speeies. Flies regularly about the shipping at New Orleans and on Lake Pontehartrain. Common, from November to mid-spring. Breeding range northern United States and northward.
Laughing Gull. (Larus atricilla.) Medium size birds seen on the Mississippi in winter ; baek and wings slaty blue, the latter with blaek tips. The river or the lake at New Orleans. Abundant, leaving the Mississippi at New Orleans in spring when nesting begins on the Gulf coast. May ( ?) to August ( ?)
Bonaparte's Gull. (Larus philadelphia.) Small size; mueh mingled blackish and white seen in the plumage of the birds on the Mississippi in winter. Seen on the Mississippi at New Orleans. Occasional in winter. Breeds in southern Canada and northward.
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STANDARD HISTORY OF NEW ORLEANS.
Oyster Opener; Shearwater. Black Skimmer. (Rhyncops nigra.) Glossy black upper parts, snowy under parts and curiously formed red bill, whose lower mandible protrudes farther than the upper. Common on the coast, sometimes ascending the Mississippi.
Water Turkey ; Bec-à-lancette (Creole). Anhinga; Snakebird. (Anhinga anhinga.) Extreme length of neck and tail, which makes the linear dimensions almost or quite equal to the wing-spread. Plumage black. Open swamps and swamp lakes. Resident and common. April-July.
American White Pelican. (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos.) A winter visitor to Lou- isiana waters. Nests in the northern United States and northward.
Pelécan (with French pronunciation). Brown Pelican. (Pelecanus fuscus.) Great size and low, often labored flight. Tendency to move about in filing flocks. Salt water. Resident.
Storm Bird. Man-'o-war Bird. ( Fregata aquila.) Great wing-spread and grace- fulness of flight. Salt water. Sometimes driven a considerable way from the Gulf by storms, and of possible occurrence at New Orleans.
Flamingo. (Phoenicopterus ruber.) Its occurrence on the Gulf coast of Louisiana has been recorded, but there is no probability of its coming nearer New Or- leans than that.
Flamingo. Roscate Spoonbill. (Ajaja ajaja.) Rosy and carmine plumage, and spoon-shaped bill. Remote and deep swamps and marshes. Becoming a rare bird in the eastern parts of Louisiana.
Spanish Curlew. White Ibis. (Guara alba.) White plumage, black wing-tips and sickle-shaped, pink bill. Swamps and marshes. Abundant in summer, a few wintering possibly. April-July.
Wood Ibis ; Wood Stork: (Tantalus loculator.) General resemblance to the White Ibis, but much larger and greater extent of black on wings. Swamps and marshes. Not known to be common near New Orleans.
American Bittern. (Botaurus lentiginosus.) Marshy ditches and canals. Found principally, if not wholly, in winter. Breeds chiefly in the more northern parts of the United States.
Gaze-soleil. Least Bittern. (Botaurus exilis.) Blackish and tawny feathers, long neck and peculiar crouching position when lit on the marsh grasses. Usual locations, marshes. Noticed chiefly in summer. Abundant. April-July.
Sandhill Crane; Big Blue Crane. Great Blue Heron. (Ardca herodias.) Blue plumage, great size and hoarse notes. Swamps and marshes. Oftenest secn in summer.
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STANDARD HISTORY OF NEW ORLEANS.
American Egret. (Ardea egretta.) Large size, immaculately white feathers, graceful flight. Marshes and other open wet places. Common only in sum- mer, but some probably winter.
Snowy Heron. (Ardea candidissima.) Purely white plumage, with yellow legs and black toes. Not to be confused with individuals of the Little Blue Heron in a white plumage. Marshes and other open wet places. Becoming a rare bird, known principally as a summer resident.
Louisiana Heron. (Ardea tricolor ruficollis.) The mixed plumage of blue, chest- nut and white, the second of these colors being seen on the neck, and the last on the under parts. Marshy places. Like the other Herons, noted chiefly in summer.
Blue Crane; White Crane. Little Blue Heron. (Ardea coerulea.) Almost uni- form blue or white color, and medium size. Swamps and marshes. Migratory, abundant ; arriving by the middle of March or earlier. Late April to July. Cap-cap. Green Heron. (Ardea virescens.) Somewhat crested appearance of head, length of neck, bluish green plumage and noisy notes. Wet woods, ponds and marshy places. Common in summer, the first coming after the middle of March, and great numbers passing at night late in April. April-July.
Black-crowned Night Heron. (Nycticorax nycticorax naevius.) Dark color of back and creamy color of breast, contrasting strongly with the slaty shade on the throat and under side of neck. Marshes. Common locally in summer. April-July.
Grosbec. Yellow-crowned Night Heron. (Nycticorax violaceus.) Harsh cry heard chiefly in night-time flights. Swamps and marshes. Common from March to September. Breeds April-July.
Whooping Crane. (Grus americana.) Occurs in lower Louisiana in winter. Breeds in northern localities.
Sandhill Crane. (Grus mexicana.) Tall stature, white plumage, black wing-tips. Marshes, prairies and other open wastes.
Marsh Hen; Ral Jaune (Creole). King Rail. (Rallus elegans.) Marshes. Resi- dent and abundant.
Clapper Rail. (Rallus longirostris crepitans.) Salt marshes. Resident.
Virginia Rail. (Rallus virginianus.) Marshes and other wet places. Found from autumn until April. Breeds in the northern United States.
Soree; Ortolan. Sora Rail. (Porzana carolina.) Low, weak flight, small size, relatively shorter bill than in the large Rails. Marshes and other wet places. Abundant from August to April. Breeds in northern localities.
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STANDARD HISTORY OF NEW ORLEANS.
Yellow Rail. (Porzana noveboracensis.) Yellowish tan plumage, very small size. Marshes and other wet places. Found in winter ; not common. Breeds to the northward.
Blue Rail; Ral Bleu (Creole). Purple Gallinule. (Ionornis martinica.) Purple plumage, yellow legs. Marshes. Common, occurring chiefly in summer. Breeds April-July.
Florida Gallinule. (Gallinula galeata.) General resemblance to the Coot, but dis- tinguished by the red shield on the forehead and brighter color of legs. Marshes and marsh ponds. Usually observed in summer. Common. Breeds April- July.
Poule d'eau. American Coot. (Fulica americana.) Somewhat duck-like in ap- pearance and of deep sooty color. Ponds and open water. Commonly arrives on the first cool moonlight nights after the middle of September. Abundant during the winter, but few probably remain to breed.
American Avocet. (Recurvirostra americana.) Upward curve of bill, and black and white plumage. Shallow water. Has been common formerly in Southern Lou- isiana, but now rare.
Black-necked Stilt. (Himantopus mexicanus.) Long pink legs and black and white plumages. Shallow water in marshes, rice-fields, etc. Seen in summer, arriving in March.
Becasse (Creole). Woodcock. (Philohela minor.) Swift rising and falling flight, long bill, peculiar position of the cyes. Bogs and swamps. Common in mid- winter, but a few remain to breed. The severer the winter the more plentiful they are.
Becassine (Creole) ; Jack Snipe. Wilson's Snipe. (Gallinago delicata.) Erratic flight, rasping note and long bill. Wet fields and marshes. The bulk arrive in September, the extent of the numbers remaining in winter probably depend- ing on the condition of their feeding grounds where they arrive in the fall. North-bound migrants are abundant in the latter part of March.
Dormeur (Creole). Red-breasted Snipe. (Macrorhampus scolopaceus.) Similar to common snipe in form, but has a reddish breast. Flies in flocks and not so swiftly as the Jack Snipe. Seashore or wet places inland. Fairly common in some localities in spring and fall. Breeds north of the United States.
Cherook (especially applied to this species, but also applicable to all its closer al- lies). Pectoral Sandpiper ; Grass Snipe. (Tringa maculata.) Rapid, rolling, nearly chattering notes ; compactness and strange manœuvers of flocks in
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STANDARD HISTORY OF NEW ORLEANS.
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flight. Ponds, wet fields and pastures when occurring inland. Present at New Orleans, sometimes from the first week of March until May. Returns from the North by the middle of July, remaining until late in the fall.
Least Sandpiper. (Tringa minutilla.) Very small size. Coasts and pond-borders inland. Sometimes observed with the previous species during the migrations. Also winters sparingly.
Semipalmated Sandpiper. (Ereunetes pusillus.) Greatly resembles the previous species ; slightly heavier and warier. Often occurs with preceding species.
Sanderling. (Calidris arenaria.) Extent of white and light gray in plumage. Seashore. As this bird is common in August and September on the coast of Mississippi, its occurrence on the beaches of Lake Pontchartrain is always probable.
Big Clook-clook. Tell-tale; Greater Yellow-legs. (Totanus melanoleucus.) Long, yellow legs and loud, but melodious double note. Marshes and other wet places. Common in spring and fall in the remoter localities. Some winter. Arrives from the South in March and return from the North in July, some wintering. Nests in Northern States and northward.
Clook-clook. Lesser Tell-tale; Yellow-legs. (Totanus flavipes.) Hardly distin- guishable from the former except by its smaller size. Marshes and other wet places. Common in spring and fall in the remoter localities, and a little more common, perhaps, than the preceding. Nests as the preceding.
Swee-sweet. Solitary Tattler. (Totanus solitarius.) Shrill note and purely white under parts. Ponds. Arrives early in March and is abundant for over six weeks ; returns from the North in July. Breeds in the Northern States and northward.
Papabotte. Bartamian Sandpiper ; Field Plover. (Bartramia longicauda.) Soft, liquid notes, something like "quit-quit" of "whip-a-whip." Fields and pas- tures. Passes north in great numbers in the later part of March, and is pres- ent through April, at least. Returns from the North in July. Breeds north- ward from the Middle States.
Chevalier de Batture. Spotted Sandpiper. (Actitis macularius.) Wary and fond of shores and small streams, progressing by curved flights from point to point. Chiefly a migrant in April and after the middle of July in fall. A few remain to breed.
Long-billed Curlew. (Numenius longirostris.) Sickle-shaped bill, large size and dark plumagc.
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STANDARD HISTORY OF NEW ORLEANS.
Golden Plover. (Charadrius dominicus.) Migrant in spring and fall. Breeds in the far North.
Killdee. Killdeer. (Aegialitis vocifera.) Shrill call, from which the name is taken. Fields, pastures, etc. Most abundant from November 1 to March 1. Breeds in all parts of the United States.
Semipalmated Plover. (Aegialitis semipalmata.) Resembles the former, but smaller, and has bright yellow legs. Edges of ponds when found inland. Mi- grant in April and in the fall after the first half of July.
Turnstone. (Arenaria interpres.) Variegation of the white, black and chestnut plumage. Seashore, and wanders inland. Near New Orleans occasionally. Partridge. Bob White. (Colinus virginianus.) Fairly common on sugar planta- tions near New Orleans. March-August.
Wild Turkey. (Meleagris gallopavo.) Not uncommon within reasonable distance of New Orleans.
Passenger Pigeon. (Ectopistes migratorius.) In very cold weather a few of these birds have been driven southward to localities near New Orleans.
Dove. Mourning Dove. (Zenaidura macroura.) Doves always become more plen- tiful in the latitude of New Orleans about October 1.
Ground Dove. (Columbigallina passerina.) Small size and bright chestnut color on the under surface of the wings. Rather a rare bird, coming to Louisiana in summer.
Buzzard. Turkey Buzzard; Turkey Vulture. (Cathartes aura.) Numbers do not change throughout the year. Nesting begins in January.
Buzzard. Black Vulture; Carrion Crow. (Catharista atrata.) Wings without the pointed appearance and graceful curves seen in the preceding species, and having whitish spaces at their tips; flapping of the wings more frequent than in the Turkey Buzzard. Numbers do not change throughout the year.
Swallow-tailed Kite. (Elanoides forficatus.) Black and white plumage and long, deeply-forked tail. Soars over low woods, fields or marshy places. A summer bird, coming by April.
Mississippi Kite. (Ictinia mississippiensis.) Deep slaty and blackish plumage and shrill whistle. Open parts of the woods. A summer bird, coming by April.
Chocolatier (Creole). Marsh Hawk. (Circus hudsonius.) Conspicuous white spot on rump, contrasting with the slaty blue of the adult birds, and the red- dish or chocolate brown of the younger ones. Fields, marshes and other open places. September-March.
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STANDARD HISTORY OF NEW ORLEANS.
Sharp-skinned Hawk. (Accipiter velox.) Rather small size, medium wings and moderately long tail. Known at New Orleans chiefly or wholly as a winter bird.
Blue Darter. Cooper's Hawk. (Accipiter cooperi.) Resembles the preceding, but larger. Known chiefly or wholly as a winter resident at New Orleans.
Chicken Hawk. Red-tailed Hawk. (Buteo borealis.) Bright reddish upper sur- face of tail in mature birds. Tree-dotted fields in winter. October-March, commonest in mid-winter.
Harlan's Hawk. (Buteo borealis harlani.) Blackish plumage, the bird being a dark sub-species of the preceding.
Chicken Hawk. Red-shouldered Hawk. (Buteo lineatus.) Loud, screaming call, like "kee-air-kee-air," and rich reddish tan color of the under parts in mature birds. Tree-dotted fields. Commonest in winter, but found sparingly in summer. Mating begins in January or earlier.
Broad-winged Hawk. (Buteo latissimus.) Woodland. Not found nearer New Or- leans than in the neighboring pine belts.
White-headed Eagle; Bald Eagle. (Haliæetus leucocephalus.) Dark plumage, large size, and white head and tail in adults. Regularly resident, but not com- mon.
Pigeon Hawk. (Falco columbarius.) General resemblance to Sparrow Hawk in form, but plumage darker and without red on tail. Fields and other open places with occasional trees. Arrives from the North in September and remains until March. Breeds north of the United States.
Cleek-cleek. American Sparrow Hawk. (Falco sparverius.) Noisy notes, small size, and reddish tail, the back blue in the male. Fields and edges of the woods. Common from September until the middle or latter part of March. Breeds rarely or never in the latitude of New Orleans, but slightly to the northward. Fish Hawk; Osprey. (Pandion haliaëtus carolinensis.) Large size; whitish breast. Large bodies of water. May be observed in the vicinity of New Orleans occa- sionally.
Barn Owl. (Strix pratincola.) Light, almost whitish plumage. Old buildings and sugar houses in the country about New Orleans. Resident and not par- ticularly common.
Field Owl. Short-eared Owl. (Asio accipitrinus.) Diurnal habits and fondness for grassy or slightly marshy fields. Rather common, October-March. Nests chiefly in the North.
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STANDARD HISTORY OF NEW ORLEANS.
Hoot Owl. Florida Barred Owl. (Syrnium nebulosum alleni.) Strange, wild notes, hcard mostly at night ; cross barring of the breast and lengthwise streak- ing of the belly. Swamps and groves. Resident and common.
Florida Screech Owl. (Megascops asio floridanus.) Small; high-pitched, trilling notes, heard at night. Trccs in fields, often near houses. Resident; rather uncommon.
Great Horned Owl. (Bubo virginianus.) Great size and conspicuous ear tufts. Swamps and woods. Resident, and only fairly common.
Rain Crow. Yellow-billed Cuckoo. (Coccyzus americanus.) Slender form and rapid call of croaking notes. Groves, woodland and swamps. Abundant sum- mer resident ; common from April 20 to October 10; extreme dates of migra- tion, April 6 and November 1. Breeds May-July.
Black-billed Cuckoo. (Coccyzus erythrophthalmus.) Found only in migration ; rare.
Belted Kingfisher. (Ceryle alcyon.) Blue and white plumage, heavy crest, rattling notes. Ponds, streams, lakes, etc. Resident and common.
Southern Hairy Woodpecker. (Dryobates villosus audubonii.) Black and white streaked back. Swamps and woodland. Resident ; not very common.
Downy Woodpecker. (Dryobates pubescens.) Similar to preceding, but smaller. Woods and groves. Resident ; common.
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker. (Sphyrapicus varius.) Yellow under parts, with black and crimson throat-patch. Woodland and groves. Winters plentifully from October 15 to March 15. Breeds in the North.
Log Cock; Pileated Woodpecker. (Ceophlous pileatus.) Large size, chiefly black plumage, red crest, loud rattling cry. Heavy swamps and woods (usually). Resident and rather common.
Red-headed Woodpecker. (Melanerpes erythrocephalus.) Tri-colored plumage, the head being scarlet. Groves and edges of the woods about cultivated fields. Resident ; in recent years well established at Audubon Park, and better rep- resented there than anywhere else about New Orleans. April-July.
Red-bellied Woodpecker. (Melanerpes carolinus.) The vermilion crown patch and otherwise plain, barred plumage. Swamps and groves. Resident ; commonest in winter usually.
Yellow Hammer. Flicker; Yellow-shafted Woodpecker. (Colaptes auratus.) Yel- low feathers in wings; somewhat pigeon-like in shape. Open woods. Com- monest in fall, but resident.
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STANDARD HISTORY OF NEW ORLEANS.
Chuck-will's-widow. £ (Antrostomus carolinensis.) Evening cry resembling the words "chuck-will's-widow." Great gape of bill. Low growth of the woods. Found very rarely in such a country as lies about New Orleans. Arrives late in spring and leaves late in fall.
Whip-poor-will. (Antrostomus vociferus.) The cry from which the bird is named. The lower parts of the woods. Known only as a migrant ; rare.
Bull-bat. Nighthawk. (Chordeiles virginianus.) Ease of flight, length of wings, large white mark on outer part of wing. Open places. Arrives by April 10, becoming common later in the month ; most disappear early in May. Return in August, and a few remain until November 1.
Chimney Swallow. Chimney Swift. (Chaetura pelagica.) Crescent-shaped out- line, blackish plumage. Sometimes arrives March 14, becoming common from the last week of March. Leaves at the end of October. Abundant. Mating begins by April 1.
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