USA > Vermont > History of Vermont, natural, civil, and statistical, in three parts, with a new map of the state, and 200 engravings > Part 17
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IhsTORY .- This species very much re- sembles the Chipping Sparrow, but the bay above is brighter, and the tail propor- tionably longer. It builds its nest of dried grays, upon the ground, in the shelter of a low bush or grassy tuft. The eggs are so thickly sprinkled with ferruginous as to appear almost wholly of that color.
THIE SWAMP SPARROW. Fringilla palustris -WII.s.
DESCRIPTION .- Blackish brown above, belly white ; crown bright bay, undivi- ded, bordered with blackish ; line over the eye, sides of the neck, and breast ash color ; wings and tail dusky, the primn- ries edged with brownish white, the sec- ondaries with bay ; bill dusky ; iris hazel ; legs stout and long, and with the feet pale brownish horn color. Young spotted with black and olive brown. Length 6; spread 8 .- Nuttall.
ILISTORY .- This species is aquatic in its habits, and resides principally in low wet lands and swamps, and hence its name, Swamp Sparrow. It arrives from the south in April, and builds its nest in a tuft of rank grass in the midst of a marsh. The eggs are 4 or 5, of a dirty white color, spotted with reddish brown,
YELLOW BIRD, OR AMERICAN GOLD FINCH.
Fringilla tristis .- LINNAEUS.
DESCRIPTION .-- General color of the male, in summer, rich gamboge yellow, fading into white towards the tail ; crown and frontlet black ; wings and tail black, varied with white ; smaller wing feathers and coverts tipped and edged with white ; tail sharply forked, with the feathers acutely pointed, and shaded off into white on their inner webs towards the tips ; bill conical, acute, brownish yellow, and the gap straight; legs, fret and claws slen- der, and of a yellowish brown color. Fe- male, young, and mule, in autumn, brown- ish olive above, yellowish white beneath. Length 5 in. ; spread 8. Four first pri- maries nearly equal.
HISTORY .- The Yellow Bird, or Amer- ican Gold Finch, is common in summer from tropical America to the 50th paral- lel of north latitude. It arrives in Ver- mont later than several of the other spar- rows, and is later in wearing its young. It
Pr r. 13
July, and is less disposed to build in the immediate vicinity of our dwellings than several others of the family. The nest is usually placed in the top of a young for- est tree, from 15 to 30 feet from the ground, and is composed of the dry bark of herbaceous plants, thickly bedded witlr cotton-like down of the Canada thistle. The eggs, 4 or 5, are white and without spots. This bird seems to be extremely fond of the seeds of the thistle, and of otli- er compound flowers; and it often visits our gardens for the purpose of feeding up- on lettuce and flower seeds. They soon become reconciled to the cage, and their song is nearly as sonorous and animated as that of the Canary Bird.
THIE PINE LINNET. Fringilla pinus .- WILSON.
DEseniniov .- Color dark flaxen, spot- ted with blackish ; wings black, with two yellowish white bars ; quill shafts and lat- eral tail feathers on the lower half yellow; rump, breast and sides spotted and streak- ed with blackish brown ; bill dull horn color ; legs purplish brown ; iris hazel. Length 43 ; spread 83.
HISTORY .- The Pine Linnet passes most of the year to the north ward of the United States ; but, in the depth of winter, often makes its appearance here and in states still further south. Of its history we know very little.
THE LESSER RED-POLL. Fringilla linaria .- LINNEUS.
DESCRIPTION .-- General color of the upper plumnage yellowish gray, darkly streaked with blackish brown ; wings and tail feathers blackish, slightly edged with white, with two narrow yellowish white bars on each wing; crown bright deep crimson, with a crimson tinge on the rump and sides of the throat; a brownish black band around the base of the bill, and reaching down upon the throat ; belly bluish white, spotted and striped with brown upon the sides and beneath the tail ; feathers on the thighs yellowish brown. Bill slender, straight, acutely pointed, yellowish on the sides, and brown above and below towards the tip; wings long, the three first quills longest, and Dearly equal ; tail sharply forked; legs, feet and claws black ; claws slender, cur- ved, acute, the hind one much the long- est. Length of the specimen before me 51 inches ; tail 2} ; folded wing 3.
IlsToRY .- This elegant species is sel- dom seen among us, excepting in the
90
NATURAL HISTORY OF VERMONT.
PART I.
THE FINCITES.
THE FINCHES.
winter, when they often appear in large flocks. They breed, according to Audu- bon, in Maine, Nova Scotia, and Labra- dor, and a few probably rear their young in this state. Dr. Richardson says that it is a permanent resident of the fur coun- tries, where it may be seen in the coldest weather. Its nest resembles that of the Yellow Bird. The eggs, usually 5, are bluish green, spotted with reddish brown towards the large end.
THE FERRUGINOUS FINCII. Fringilla. iliaca .- MERREM.
DESCRIPTION .-- Above varied with reddish brown and gray ; beneath white, largely spotted with bright bay and dus- ky ; head and neck cinereous, the feath- ers margined with ferruginous; wings and tail rust color, inclined to reddishi brown; 1st and 2d row of wing-coverts tipped with white ; bill stout, dusky above ; iris hazel. Length G, spread 93 .- Nutt.
HISTORY .- Most of this species spend the summer to the northward of the Uni- ted States, and appear among us only during their spring and fall migrations. Some few of them, however, breed in the northern states, and I am informed by Dr. Brewer that they rear their young in the north part of this state. They build their nest upon the ground, and their eggs, 4 or 5, are of a dull greenish hue, irregularly blotched with brown.
WHITE-THROATED FINCH.
Fringilla pennsylranica .- LATII.
DESCRIPTION .- The head striped with dusky and white ; a yellow line from the nostril to the eye; upper parts varied with dusky, bay and light brown ; shoul- der of the wing edged with greenish yel- low ; cheeks and breast cinereous; throat and belly white; legs pale flesh-color ; bill bluish horn-color ; iris hazel. Female below, and stripes on the head, light drab. Length 7, spread 92 .- Nutt.
HISTORY .- This large and handsome Finch, or Sparrow, spends the winter, in large numbers, in the southern states, but, on the approach of spring, proceed to the north and rear their young throughout the whole region, from New England to the Fur Countries about Hudson's Bay. A few of them breed in the north part of Vermont. Their nest is built upon the ground, made of grass, and lined with hair and feathers. The eggs are pale green, marbled with reddish brown.
WHITE-CROWNED FINCII. Fringilla leucophrys .- TEMM.
DESCRIPTION .- Crown white, line sur- rounding it and through each eye black ; back streaked with dark rusty brown and pale bluish white; wings dusky, with two white bands ; tertials black ; rump and tail coverts drab ; chin and belly whitish ; vent pale ochreous ; tail long, rounded, dnsky, broadly edged with drab ; bill, legs and feet cinnamon brown. Female with the colors duller. Length 73, spread 10 .- Nutt.
HISTORY .- This species is seen here only during its spring and fall migrations. Audubon informs us that it breeds in New- foundland, Labrador and still further north. Their nest is built upon the ground, made of moss and lined with hair. The eggs, usually 5, are of a sea- green color, mottled and blotched with different shades of brown.
ARCTIC GROUND FINCH. Fringilla arctica .- SWAIN
DESCRIPTION .- The head, neck above and below, scapulars, all the wing cov- erts and tail pitch black ; some of the breast feathers fringed with white; back scapulars, and wing coverts striped or tipped with white ; quills hair brown; middle of the breast and belly pure white; sides, flanks and under tail coverts deep and bright ferruginous ; bill black ; legs pale brown. Female with upper plumage ferruginous-brown. Length 83, tail 4 .- Nutt.
IlISTORY .- This species is migratory, spending the summer and rearing its young in the Fur Countries, and retiring in the winter to warmer regions. Dr. Brewer informs me that it breeds also about Coventry, (now Orleans,) in this state. The nest is made of grass and leaves upon the ground, and the eggs, 4 or 5, are white, spotted with reddish chocolate.
TOWHE-GROUND FINCH.
Fringilla erythrophthalma .- LINN.
DESCRIPTION .- Upper parts black ; bel- ly white ; flanks and vent bay ; tail rounded, 4 outer feathers partly white ; a white spot on the wing below the cov- erts and an interrupted white margin on the primaries ; bill black. Female olive brown where the male is black, the head and throat inelining to chestnut ; 3 only of the lateral tail feathers marked with white. Length 8, spread 11 .- Nutt.
HISTORY .- This common bird derives
5
91
BIRDS OF VERMONT.
CHAP. 3.
THE PURPLE LINNET.
THE PINE GROSBEAK.
THE COMMON CROSS-BILL.
its name Towo-ke from the sound of its note, when calling to its mate. It is found in all parts of the United States and Can- uda, but retires to the southern states to pass the winter. This bird breeds in Ver- inont. Its nest is built upon the ground, and the eggs, fromn 4 to 6, are white, tin- ged with flesh-color, and spotted with reddish brown.
THE PURPLE LINNET. Fringilla purpurea .- GMELIN.
DESCRIPTION .- Head, breast and rump deep rich lake, approaching to crimson, and fading into rose color on the belly ; feathers on the back brownish luke fringed with ash, producing a spotted appearance; vent and under tail coverts white ; wings and tail dusky, edged with reddish white ; bill grayish, dark horn color, having a fringe of cream-colored feathers at the base ; tail forked ; legs and claws brown ; head and neck rather large ; outline of each mandible a little convex ; nostrils nearly concealed by the feathers. Female and young brownish above, and yellowish white beneath, without the crimson. Sec- ond and third primaries longest ; Ist and 4th a little shorter. Length 6 inches, spread of the wings 9 inches.
HISTORY .- This beautiful and cheerful little songster arrives from the south about the beginning of April, and contin- ues till October. Although the greater part of them proceed still further north to spend the summer, considerable numbers of them are known to rear their young in this state. 'Their nest is usually built upon a cedar, a fir or other evergreen, and is described by Dr. Brewer as being rudely made of grass and weeds, and lined with roots. The eggs are bright emerald green. These birds are often tamed and kept in cages, where they sing very pleas- antly.
GENUS PYRRHULA .- Brisson.
Generic Characters .- Bill short, robust, thick, convex-conic, turgid at the sides, compress- ed at the point, the upper mandible acute, and ob- viously curved, as well as the inferior more or less ; palate sinooth and scooped ; nostrils basal, later- al, rounded and most commonly concealed by the feathers ; tongue thick und somewhat fleshy ; tar- sus shorter than the middle toe, which is united at the base to the outer ; wings rather short ; the 3 first primaries graduated, the 4th longest ; tail square or slightly rounded. Female differs consid- erably from the male. They moult generally twice in a year.
THE PINE GROSBEAK.
Pyrrhula enucleator .- TEMM.
DESCRIPTION .- General color red ; wings and tail dark cinereous, wing cov- erts forming two white bands ; quills, les- ser coverts and tail-feathers tinged with crimson ; under plumage more red than the upper, except the middle of the belly, vent and tail coverts, which are bluish- gray ; bill blackish brown ; legs black. Tail broad and forked ; Ist quill slightly shorter than the 2d, which hardly exceeds the 3d. Length 114, tail 43, wing 43. -Richardson. Length given by Audu- bon, 83; by Nuttall, 9.
HisTony .- The Pine Grosbeak, or Bull Finch, inhabits the northern parts of both continents, and, according to Audubon, is a constant resident in the state of Maine, and to the northward to fludson's Bay, where it builds its nest upon small trees, and feeds upon the seeds of the white spruce and other trees. They are seen in most parts of the United States only in the winter.
GENUS LOXIA .- Brisson.
Generic Characters .- Bill robust and con- vex, with the mandibles crossing each other, and compressed towards the points, which are ex- tended in the form of erescents. Nostrils basal, lateral, rounded, hidden by the advancing hairs of the front. Tongue cartilaginous, short, entire and pointed. Tarsus nearly equal to the middle toe ; toes divided to the base ; hind nail largest, much curved. Wings moderate, Ist and 2d primaries longest. Tail notched. Female and young differ from the adult male.
THE COMMON CROSS-BILL. Loria curvirostra .-- LINN.
DESCRIPTION .- General color dull light red inelining to vermilion, darker on the wings, with quills and tail feathers brown- ish black ; lower parts paler, nearly white on the belly ; plumage blended, but firm ; tail short, small, emarginate. Female with the upper parts grayish-brown ting- ed with green, the rump dull grayish yel- low. Young with the colors duller and more inclining to yellowish green. Length 7, spread 10 .- Aud.
HISTORY .- This species is quite com- mon in this state and to the northward of it, but further south is seldom seen, ex- cept in the winter. It feeds principally upon the seeds of the different kinds of pines and spruces, and its crossed mandi- bles are peenliarly fitted for extracting them from the cones. This bird breeds in Vermiout, and its egg was obtained by
92
NATURAL HISTORY OF VERMONT,
PART I
WHITE WINGED CROSS-BILL. YELLOW BILLED CUCKOO. BLACK BILLED CUCKOO.
Dr. Brewer from Coventry (now Orleans,) in this state. Its color is greenish white, thickly covered, more especially towards the large end, with very brown spots. They are said to breed in winter, and to have their nests in pines, spruces and firs.
WHITE WINGED CROSS-BILL. Loxia leucoptera -GMEL.
DESCRIPTION .--- General color of the male rich carmine, inelining to crimson, dusky on the middle of the back ; seapu- lars, wings, tail and upper tail coverts, black ; two broad bands of white on the wings ; sides brownish streaked with dusky ; wings pointed, 3 outer primaries longest ; tail emarginate. Female with the upper parts dusky, the feathers mar- gined with grayish-yellow; rump, breast and lower parts yellow, streaked with dusky. Length 63, spread 10g .- Aud.
ILISTOBY .- The White Winged Cross- Bill resides mostly to the northward of the United States, and comes hither in flocks during the winter. They are, how- ever, according to Audubon, not uncom- mon in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, where a few of them breed. Mr. Hutch- ins says that this migratory species reach- es Hudson's bay in March, where it breeds, making its nest of grass, mud and feathers, in pine trees, and laying 5 white eggs marked with yellowish spots.
YOKED-TOED BIRDS.
In this order the form of the bill is va- rious, but in general more or less arched and hooked. The toes are always in pairs directed two backward and two forward, and hence they received the name Zygo- ductyli, or yoked-toed. The hind exterior toe is, however, often reversible.
GENUS COCCYZUS .- Vieillot,
Generic Characters .- Bill strong, compres- sed with a distinct ridge and slightly bent from its base ; under mandible straight, sloping at the tip ; nostrils basal half covered by a naked mem- brane ; tongue short, narrow and acute ; tarsus naked, longer, or about the length of the longest toe ; two awerior foes united at the base ; nails short and but little curved ; wings rather short ; 3d and 4th primaries longest.
YELLOW BILLED CUCKOO. Coccyzus americanus .- BONAPARTE.
DESCRIPTION .- Color above dark gray- ishi-brown, with greenish and yellowish silky reflections; tail long, the two mid- I cies.
dle feathers the color of the back ; the others dusky gradually shortening to the outer ones, with large white tips, the two outer scarcely hall' the length of the mid- dle ones; below white ; feathers of the thighs large and hiding the knees as in the hawks; legs and feet pale greenish- blue; iris hazel; lower mandible and lower part of the upper mandible yellow. Female, with the 4 middle tail-feathers without white spots. Length 12, spread 16 .- Nutt.
Ilsroky .- The Yellow-billed Cuckoo, returns from the south about the first of May and is much oftener heard than seen, as it keeps itself for the most part con- cealed in the thick tops of trees and bush- es. It breeds in the southern part of the state. Its nest is placed on the horizon- tal branch of a small tree, and is very slovenly put together. The eggs, from 3 to 4, are of a pale bluish green color. This cuckoo destroys many catterpillars, beetles and other insects, but he gets a share of his living less creditably by sucking the eggs of other small birds. His note is coarse and unpleasant. The cry of this bird has been thought to presage rain, and hence it is sometimes called the Raid Crow.
THE BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO.
Coccyzus dominicus .- NUTTALL.
DESCRIPTION .- General color above light hair brown with glossy bronze re- flections ; beneath white approaching to brownish ash on the throat, breast and to- wards the tail; tail feathers, excepting the two middle ones, tipped with white; a naked space of a bright brick red color around the eye ; bill as long as the head, compressed laterally, arched and acute ; upper mandible brownish black ; lower, bluish ; tarsus and feet bluish and scutil- ated; nostrils basal, lateral and partly closed by a membrane ; legs rather short ; body slender ; tail long, graduated, con- sisting of 10 feathers. Length of the spe- cimen before me 112 inches; folded wing 51; tail 6, and reaching 33 beyond the folded wing ; gape 1.2, bill above .9.
HISTORY .- This species is believed to be more common in Vermont than the preceding, but resembles it in appearance and mode of living. It, however, arrives later and passes the breeding season more in the woods. Their nests are made of twigs and lined with moss, but are very flat aud shallow. The eggs, from 3 to 5, are of a bluish green color,and smaller than those of the preceding spe-
93
BIRDS OF VERMONT.
CHAP. 3.
GOLDEN-WINGED WOODPECKER.
RED-HEADED WOODPECKER.
GENUS PICUS .- Linnaeus.
Generic Characters .- Bill large or mod- erale, usually straight, pyramidal, compressed, cuncale, and edged liko scissors towards the point; nostrils basal, oval, open, partly concealed by bristly feathers at the base of the bill ; tongue long, extensile and vermiforin ; legs strong ; feet robysi, suited for climbing ; two toes before, uui- ted at the base, and usually two behind, divided ; lat primary very short, 3d and 4th longest ; tail cuneiform, with 12 feathers, the lateral ones being very short.
The Woodpeckers resemble one another in their habits and manner of life. Their nests are in excavations in old trees, and the young of most of the species emit a rank disagreeable odor. They do some injury by pecking holes in the bark of our fruit trees, in the pursuit of their favorite ford ; but it is trifling compared with the service which they reader by the destruction of eggs, larva. and insects.
GOLDEN-WINGED WOODPECKER. Picus auratus .- LINN.
DESCRIPTION .- Upper plumage umber brown barred transversely with black; np- per part of the head cinereous with a crim- son red crescent behind; cheeks and throat bright cinnamon color ; from the lower mandible descends a stripe of black to the throat ; a black crescent on the breast; under plumage generally yellowish white, beautifully spotted with black, the spots circular on the breast, and hastate or heart-form towards the tail ; under side of the wings and tail and the shafts of most of the larger feathers, saffron yellow ; rump white ; tail coverts white, notched and banded with black ; tail black above with some of the feathers slightly edged and tipped with yellowish white; bill bluish black ; legs grayish blue; iris dark hazel. Length Il& inches; spread 19 ; length of the bill 13.
HISTORY .- This . our largest, and one
of our most common Woodpeckers. Itis known by several naines, such as Flicker, Yellow Hammer, and Partridge Wood- pecker. This Woodpecker spends the winter in the southern states, and returns some time in April. Their nest is made by excavating a cavity in an old tree with their bill, and they have been known in this way to make a winding borough in solid oak, 15 inches in length. The eggs, usually 6, are pure white.
RED-HEADED WOODPECKER. Picus crythrocephalus .- LINN.
DESCRIPTION .- Color of the head, neek and throat rich crimson ; fore part of the back, scapulars and wing coverts bluish black ; greater quills, anterior border of the wings, and tail pitch black ; seconda- ries, rump and all the under parts of the body white ; tail forked, several feathers tipped, and the two outer ones edged with white ; shafts of the secondaries black ; bill greenish blue, darker towards the tip, stout and slightly arched ; iris yellowish brown. Colors of the female dull. Head and neck of the young grayish. Length 9, spread 16; 3d primary longest.
HISTORY .--- The Red-Headed Wood- pecker, although at present by no means rare in Vermont, is much less common than formerly. They pass the winter in the southern states, and return in the early part of May. Their migrations, ac- cording to Audubon, are performed in the night. They are remarkably fond of sweet apples, and are often seen in orch- ards. Their nest is excavated in the trunk or large limb of an old dead tree. The eggs are about 6, white and marked with reddish spots at the large end.
YELLOW BELLIED WOODPECKER. Picus varius .- WILSON.
DESCRIPTION .- Color varied with black, white, yellow and crimson ; fore part of the head and throat crimson ; back mot- tled with black, white and pale yellow ; wings black, with most of the feathers spotted and tipped with white ; tail most- ly black, with the two central feathers white, spotted with black on their inner webs, and some of the outer ones tipped with yellow ; breast and belly light yel- low ; sides under the wings dusky yel- low, spotted longitudinally with black ; legs and feet dusky blue, inclining to green ; feet four toed ; bill blackish horn color, long and stout. Female, with the throat and back of the head whitish ; young with a broad white band across the wings, and nearly without yellow on the back. Length 8; spread 14.
94
NATURAL HISTORY OF VERMONT.
L'ART I.
THE WOODPECKERS.
THE WOODPECKERS.
ILISTORY .-- This species is common | permanent resident in this state, but as it throughout the continent, from the tropic to the 53d degree of north latitude. Du- ring the summer they confine themselves principally to the forests, where they rear their young in cavities excavated in old trees. Their eggs are white, and usually 4 or more. The cavity in which they rear their young is often excavated to the depth of from 15 to 24 inches in the solid wood.
THE HAIRY WOODPECKER. Picus villosus .- LINNAEUS.
DESCRIPTION .- Color varied with black and white above ; wholly white beneath ; back clothed with long, loose, downy feathers ; wings brownish black, thickly spotted with white ; tail pointed, forked, outer feathers white, with an umber tinge at the extremity, second feather on each side black at the lower part, central and longest feathers pitch black ; the crown, a stripe down the back of the neck, and a spot on each side of the head back of the eye, black ; occipital band red in the male and black in the female; bill and claws bluish horn color ; bill covered at the hase with yellowish white hairy feathers, black nt their extremity. Length 9; spread 15.
HISTORY .- This species is spread very extensively over the country, and in this state is much more common than the pre- ceding, being often seen in the open fields and upon our orchard and shade trees. Its nest is constructed in the manner of the preceding species, and it lays about 5 white eggs.
THE DOWNY WOODPECKER. Picus pubescens .- LINNAEUS.
DESCRIPTION .- Color of the top and sides of the head, wings and middle tail feathers, black ; the chin, two stripes along the sides of the head, a stripe down the back, and numerous roundish spots on the wings, pure white ; under plumage pale ash gray ; outer tail feathers yellow- ish white, barred with black ; feathers long, loose and downy on the back ; head of the male crossed by a scarlet band, which is black in the female ; nasal feath - ers tawny white ; bill and claws bluish black ; legs greenish ; four toes on each foot. Total length of the specimen be- fore me 6.2 inches ; spread 11 inches ; fol- ded wings 4 inches.
HISTORY .- This is our smallest and, by far, our most numerous species of Wood- pecker. In color it has a very close re- semblance to the preceding, but differs from it very considerably in size. It is a
rears its young for the most part in the forests, it is not much seen during the summer, but on the approach of autumn it makes its appearance upon our orchard and shade trees in considerable numbers, This is one of the most diligent of the feathered tribe, and may be recommended as a pattern of industry and perseverance. So intent is it in searching for eggs, lar- væ and insects, that it scarcely heeds what is doing around it, and may often be approached so near as almost to be taken into the hand before it will abandon ity business.
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