USA > Vermont > History of Vermont, natural, civil, and statistical, in three parts, with a new map of the state, and 200 engravings > Part 19
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THE CAROLINA DOVE.
Columba carolinensis .- LINNAEUS.
DESCRIPTION .-- General color above pale yellowish brown ; below brownish yellow ; crown and upper part of the neck greenish-blue ; forehead and breast vinaceous ; black spot under the ear ; bill blackish, purplish-red at the base ; tail of 14 feathers, with the 4 lateral ones black near the extremity, and white at the tip. Length 12, spread 17 .- Nutt.
Thisrony .- The Carolina Dove, called also the Turtle Dove, is not very common in Vermont. Dr. Brewer saw a flock of thein near Woodstock in August, 1839; and they have been occasionally seen in other parts. From its plaintive àgh-coo- coo-coo, it is sometimes called the Mourn- ing Doce. They are by no means shy, are said to be easily tamed, and their flesh is pronounced equal to that of the Wood- cock.
GALLINACEOUS BIRDS.
Birds of this order have the bill short and convex ; the upper mandible vaulted, curved from the base or only at the point; nostrils basal, partly covered by an arch- ed rigid membrane; feet stout, tarsus long; toes usually three before and one behind, the latter articulated higher than the rest, scarcely touching the ground at the tip, sometimes wanting ; wings generally short and concave ; tail consisting of from 10 to 18 feathers. Colors of the female less brilliant than those of the male. Our domestic land fowls, as hens, turkies and peacocks, belong to this order.
101
BIRDS OF VERMONT.
CHAP. 3.
THE WILD TURKEY.
THE QUAIL.
THE PARTRIDGE.
GENUS MELEAGRIS .- Linnaus.
Generic Characters .- Bill entire, and at the base covered by a membrane which is pro- Jonged into a pendulous, fleshy, conic, erectile, hairy carbuncle ; nostrils oblique ; tongue fleshy and entire ; feet rather long ; tarsus naked, pro- vided with a blunt spur in the male ; middle toe longest ; nails wide and blunt, flat beneath ; wings short ; Ist primary smallest, 4th and 5th largest; tail of 1.4 to 18 wide feathers, and capable of a ver- tical expansion ; head small, naked and warty ; a pendulous tuft on the lower part of the neck. Fe- male smaller ; colors duller and more obscure.
THE WILD TURKEY. Meleagris gallopuvo .- LINNAUS.
DESCRIPTION .- Upper part of the back and wings yellowish-brown of a metallic lustre, changing to deep purple, the tips of the feathers broadly edged with velvet black ; primaries dusky, banded with white ; tail of 18 feathers, ferruginous thickly waved with black, and with a black band near the extremity; lower part of the back and tail coverts deep chestnut, banded with green and black ; legs and feet purplish-red ; iris hazel ; beneath duller. Female and young with the colors less brilliant. Length 48, spread 68 .- Nutt.
IHISTORY .- The Wild Turkey, which was formerly common throughout our whole country, has every where dimin- ished with the advancement of the settle- ments, and is now become exceedingly rare in all parts of New England, and indeed in all the eastern parts of the United States. A few of them, however, contin- ue still to visit and breed upon the moun- tains in the southern part of the state. The Domestic Turkey sprung from this species, and was sent from Mexico to Spain in the 16th century. It was intro- duced into England in 1524, and into France and other parts of Europe about the same time.
GENUS PERDIX .- Latham.
Generic Characters .- Bill entire and bare ; upper mandible vaulted and strongly curv- ed towards the point ; nostrils basal, lateral, half closed by a vaulted naked membrane ; feet naked, fore toes united by a membrane to the first articn- lation; hind toe less than half the length of the in- ner ; nails incurved, acute ; head wholly feather- ed, often with a naked space around the eye ; tail short, rounded, and deflected, consisting of from 12 to 18 close feathers. Female and young scarce- ly differ in plumage from the male.
THE QUAIL.
Perdix virginiana .-- LATH. DESCRIPTION .- Cinnamon brown above, | 24.
varied with black and whitish ; crown, neck and upper part of the breast reddish brown ; line over the eye and throat pure white, the latter bounded with a black crescent; wings dusky, coverts edged with yellowish white; belly yellowish white, varied with wide arrow heads of black ; tail ash colored, finely spotted with reddish brown ; bill black ; iris hazel ; legs and feet light lead color. Length 9, spread 14 .- Nutt.
HISTORY .- This bird, generally known as the Quail in New England, is in other places more commonly called the Ameri- can Partridge. It is not found in this state at present very plentifully, but is more common in the southwestern parts than elsewhere. They generally go in small flocks, spending most of the time on the ground, and in autumn are often seen gleaning in fields from which corn and grain have been harvested. The Quail is very prolific, laying from 10 to 18 eges, which are white, in a nest formed partly in the ground, under the shelter of a tuft of grass. Frequent attempts have been made to domesticate the Quail, but with very little success.
GENUS TETRAO .- Linnaus.
Generic Characters .- Bill short, robust, arcuated above, convex and bent towards tho tip, naked at the base ; nostrils basal, half closed by an arched membrane, and hid- den by small feathers ; tongue short, fleshy, and pointed ; tarsus feathered and spurless in both sex- es ; three toes before united to the first joint ; hind toe half as long as the inner, and roughen ed.
THE PARTRIDGE. Tetrao umbellus .- LINN.
DESCRIPTION .--- General color above and beneath black, pale chestnut, and yel- lowish white, marbled, and disposed in spots, bars and lines. Ruff brownish black with greenish or cinnamon colored reflections. Quills liver brown, their outer webs barred near the base and mot- tled towards the tip with cream yellow; 4th quill longest. Tail with alternate uu- dulating bars of brownish black, gray and faint chestnut, the subterminal bar being brownish black and broad ; a light stripe from the nostril to the eye. Bill dark horn color, short, arched, and covered at the base by feathers; head and neck small ; body bulky ; tarsus feathered half way down before and some lower behind. Wings short and broad. Tail large, fan like, of 18 feathers. Length 18, spread
THE NEWBERRY
. .
102
NATURAL HISTORY OF VERMONT.
PART I.
THE SPRUCE PARTRIDGE.
THE SANDERLING PLOVER.
ILISTORY .- This bird, which is usually known as the Partridge in New Eng- land, is called the Pheasant in most other parts of the United States, and by ornithological writers is more commonly distinguished as the Ruffed Grouse. It is quite common and a permanent resident in all parts of Vermont. The nest of the Partridge is upon the ground by the side of'a bush or log, and is very simple, con- sisting only of a few leaves. The eggs, usually about 12, are of a yellowish white color, and the young run about, like chickens, after their clueking mother, as soon as they are hatched. They are ex- creding wild and difficult to tame, and it is amusing to see how quick they will hide themselves under leaves and logs whenever they are approached. The male of this species is distinguished for his pe- culiar drumming, which is performed, standing upon a log in a thick part of the woods, and rapidly beating his sides for about half a minute at a time, with his wings. This operation is repeated about once in 8 or 10 minutes, and the sound produced, somewhat resembling distant thunder, is often heard at the distance of halfa mile. Their flesh is much esteem- ed for food.
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THE SPRUCE PARTRIDGE. Tetrao canadensis .- LINN.
DESCRIPTION .-- Upper parts marked with semi-circular bars of black and yel- lowish brown, the paler color always form- ing the terminal bar; outer edge of the wings, primary coverts and quills clove brown; tail black tipped with orange ; breast and belly with feathers blackish tipped with white ; cheeks and throat barred and mottled with white ; bill and nails black ; fringed comb over the eye bright red ; toes pectinated. Length 17, wing 73 .- Rich.
HISTORY .- This Gronse, which is called, at different places, the Spruce, the Wood or the Swamp Partridge, from its favorite places of resort, is seldom seen in Ver- mont excepting in the most northerly parts, and there it is scarce, compared with the preceding species. Its food in win- ter is said to consist principally of the leaves of the white spruce, and its flesh has then a strong, disagreeable flavor. In summer it is better, but still inferior to the preceding. Its nest is upon the ground, and the eggs, which are usually not more than 5 or 6, are said to be va ried with yellow, white and black. It is known to breed in several towns in Or- Icans county.
WADING BIRDS.
In this order the bill varies in form, but is usually straight, and carried out into a lengthened and compressed cone, though rarely it is depressed, or flat. The legs are long and usually naked some distance above the knees ; toes usually long and slender, three before and one behind, the latter on a level, or a little more elevated than the rest. Most of the Waders are more or less nocturnal in their habits. The sexes differ but little in external appearance. They live along the borders of seas, lakes and rivers, and feed upon fish, reptiles and insects.
GENUS CALIDRIS .- Illi. Temm.
Generic Characters .-- Bill of moderate size, Irmler, straight, rather sofi, fexible in every part, compressed from its base, with the point de- pressed. flattened and wider than the middle. Na- sal groove elongated nearly to the point of the bill ; nostrils lateral. Feet slender, the 3 toes all directed forward and alorst entirely divided to their base. Wings of moderate size ; the first quill longest.
THE SANDERLING PLOVER.
Calidris arenaria .- ILLIGER.
DESCRIPTION .-- Color above mottled with black, white and yellowish ; wings brownish black, with the shafts and tips of the quills, and a broad band extending across the whole wing, with the excep- tion of the first 4 primaries, white. All the under plumage white, excepting a broad collar round the lower part of the neck, which is grayish ; bill, legs, feet and nails black ; iris hazel; two middle tail feathers longest, brownish, and edged with yellowish white. Folded wings a little longer than the tail ; thighs feath- ered more than half way down ; nails short ; upper mandible longest, and curv- ed a little at the point. Winter plumage nearly white. Length of the specimen before me 74; folded wing 5; spread 14; bill, along the ridge, 1.
HISTORY .- This beautiful specics, ac-
103
BIRDS OF VERMONT.
CHAP. 3.
THE WHOOPING CHANE.
THE NIGHT HERON. THE GREAT HERON.
cording to Dr. Richardson, breeds on the | the other three ; wings of moderate dimensions, coast of Hudson's Bay. Its nest is rude- obtase ; Ist primary nearly equal to the 2d and 3d, which are longest : tail short, rounded, containing 10 or 12 feathers. ly made of grass in marshes, and the eggs are 4, dusky, spotted with black. This plover is only occasionally met with in Vermont, along the shores of our lakes THE NIGHT HERON. Ardea nycticoraz .- WILSON. and ponds. The specimen from which the. above description and figure were drawn was shot< in Burlington, in Sep- lember, 1811.
GENUS GRUS .- Pallas.
Generic Characters .- Bill a little longer than the head, strong, straight, compressed, allen- usled, and olisite al the point ; ridge of the bill el1.4 ; mantibles with a wide furrow on rach side of the base ; nostrils in a furrow in the mid- the of the bit, pervious, profesionly closed by a membrane ; free long and robust, naked for a large space shore the bare, middle tos united to the outer one by rudimental membrane, hind toe artic- ulated high on the tarsus ; wings moderale 21, SI, and 4 h primaries longest, secondarie broad- er than the primaries, Jail short, of 12 feathers.
THE WHOOPING CRANE. Grus americana .- TEMM.
DESCRIPTION .- The forehead, crown and checks covered with orange colored warty skin, with a few black hairs; hind head ash-color; the rest of the plumage pure white, except the primaries, which are brownish black ; bill and iris yellow, legs and naked part of the thighs black. From the base of each wing arise numer- ons large flowing feathers, which project over the tail and tips of the wings, some of them being loose and webbed like those of the Ostrich; length 48, bill 6, height 60 .- Nuttall.
HisroRY .- This bird is one of the larg- est of the fenthered tribes in the United States, and is known in Vermont only by being occasionally seen during its migra- tions It is common in summer in the fur countries where it breeds. Its two eggs are bluish white and as large as those of the swan. When wounded, says Dr Richardson, he has been known to put the fowler to flight and fairly drive him from the field.
GENUS ARDEA .- Linn. Tem.
Generic Characters .-- Bill long, robust, s'ra ght ja intra com,dressed to an edge. the ridge rounded ; umer mandib'e slightly furrowed ; nos . irds lateral basal. si nated in the furrow, and ha ff closed by a membrane ; orbits and lores naked , with yellow ; chin, cheeks and sides of legs long, slender, lower part of the thighs without feathers ; middle toe united to the outer one by a short membrane ; hind to: on the same level with
DESCRIPTION .- General color nearly white ; front, occipital feathers and line over the eye pure white; crown, baek and seapulars greenish; tail coverts, wings and tail pale ash ; lower parts yellowish cream-color ; legs yellowish green ; bill black, 44 inches along the gap. Without crest in autumn. Young brown streaked with rufous white. Length 28, spread 48 .- Nutt.
IlistoRY .- Vermont is about the limit of the northern migration of this Ileron, and here it is rme. It is usually called the Que Bird. It breeds all along the Atlantic coast to the southward of New England. They build their nests in trees in the retired parts of swamps, and fre- quently there are two or three nests on the same tree. The eggs, abont 4, are of a pale greenish-blue color, and as large as those of the common hen.
THE GREAT HIERON. Ardeu Herodias .- LINMEUS.
DESCRIPTION .- General color grayish ash ; erest brownish, the middle of the feathers striped with whit sh ; back of the neck ash ; small feathers on the wings edged with ferruginous ; feathers on the neck and breast wlute in the centre, edg- ed with brown, giving a striped appear- ance, thighs naked some distance above the knees ; feathers on the upper part of the thighs buff'; legs brownish, tinged the head whitish ; quills slate color ; tail a little longer than the folded wings; gen- erally two tapering feathers in the crest
104
NATURAL HISTORY OF VERMONT.
PART 1.
THIE GREEN HERON.
THIE UPLAND PLOVER.
5 or 6 inches long. Length of the speci- trees, and lays 4 blue eggs. They come men from which the above description is from the south about the first of May, and return in October. drawn, from the point of the bill to the extremity of the tail, 46 inches; height, when standing, 40 inches ; length of the bill, from the angle of the mouth, 7 in .; GENUS TOTANUS .- Bech. Temm. folded wing 19; tarsus 73 ; longest toe 5.
HISTORY .- The Great Blue Heron is frequently seen in the neighborhood of lake Champlain. The specimen from which the above description was drawn was shot near Burlington, and is now in the Museum of the College of Natural Ilistory of the University. They are said to rear their young in companies, making their nests with sticks in the tops of tall trees. The eggs, usually 4, are larger than those of the hen, light green, and unspotted.
THE GREEN HERON. Ardea virescens .- LINN.
DESCRIPTION .- Color of the back, tail, crown and wings dark glossy green, ap- proaching to black ; wing feathers mostly tipped with white; wing coverts and scap- ulars tipped and edged with white and ferruginous ; neck above and on the sides dark wine color ; chin and line under the angle of the mouth, white; throat and under side of the neck, with the feathers, white, tipped or margined with brownish ; belly brownish white; lore and iris bright yellow; bill black, lighter beneath and yellowish towards the base ; legs and feet greenish yellow ; feathers on the back of the head and neck long; tail short, con- sisting of 12 feathers ; the 1st and 4th pri- maries a little shorter than the 2d and 3d, which are longest. Length 17 inches ; spread 23 ; folded wing 74; bill from the angle of the mouth 3; along the ridge 24 inches.
HISTORY .- The Green Heron, better known by a more disgusting name, is very common in many parts of the state. It seems to prefer the solitude of swamps and marshes, where it feeds upon fishes and reptiles, and also upon dragon flics and other inseets. It builds its nest upon | the most part, in pairs or families.
Generic Characters .- Bill of moderate length, straight, or a little reeurved, flexible at the base, hard and acuminate at the point ; both mandibles furrowed on each side to the middle; nostrils in the furrow, basal, linear and pervious ; legs long and slender ; feet with three anterior loes, the exterior united to the middle one, some- times to the second joint ; wings of medium length; tail of 12 feathers, generally short.
THE UPLAND PLOVER. Totanus Bartramius .- TEMMINCK.
DESCRIPTION .-- General color above blackish, the feathers edged with tawny rufous ; lower part of the back and upper tail coverts pitch black ; wings brownish black above, shaft of the first primary white, and most of the primaries with con- cealed white spots or bars on their inner webs; chin and belly white; under tail coverts tinged with rufous; brownish sagittate spots on the breast and sides; un- der sides of the wings barred and waved with brown and white ; tertials long ; bill blackish above and at the point, yellow- ish below ; tongue sagittate ; 1st primary longest ; length 12 inches ; spread of the wings 22 inches; bill from the angle of the mouth 13 inch.
ILISTORY .- This species was first de- scribed by Wilson, who named it Bur- tramius in honor of his friend Bartram. It is quite common in the western parts of this state during the summer, and resides principally in meadows, feed- ing upon grasshoppers and other insects. Its nest is made upon the ground usually in a little clump of bushes. They are a shy bird and quite plain in appearance when seen at a distance, but closely view- ed their colors appear beautifully variega- ted, especially beneath. They live for
105
BIRDS OF VERMONT.
CHAP. 3.
THE SOLITARY AND SPOTTED TATTLERS.
THE COMMON SNIPE.
THE SOLITARY TATTLER.
Totunus chloropygius .- VIEILLOT.
DESCRIPTION .- The whole upper plu- mage dark hair brown, interspersed with small, irregular, marginal spots of white, and usually slightly glossed with green reflections ; the lateral tail feathers with their coverta regularly barred with black and white, the burs being broadest on the former ; middle tail feathers dark brown, with small white spots on the edges ; pri- maries, their shafts and coverts brownish black, unspotted, the shaft of the 1st pri- mary a little lightest ; a short stripe over the eye, the chin, belly and under tail corerts white ; neck and breast spotted or striped with brownish ; under side of the wings next the base and axiliaries finely barred or waved with brown and white ; bill brown, with the nasal groove two thirds its length ; legs and feet dusky nlive. Length 8 inches, tail 21, folded wing 5, bill 1}, tarsus 1.3.
HISTORY .- This bird is often seen along the shores of our streams and ponds, and, as it spends the whole summer with us, it doubtless breeds here ; but I have not known of its nest being found. Accord- ing to Dr. Richardson it breeds in most of the intermediate districts between Pennsylvania and the northern extremity of the continent, depositing its eggs upon the beach, without forming any kind of nest. It is generally seen running along upon the shore, frequently stopping, and often nodding, or balancing its head and tail, and hence its vulgar appellation is Tip-up.
THE SPOTTED TATTLER. Totanus maculurius .- TEMMINCK.
DESCRIPTION .- Color glossy olive brown, waved with dnsky ; one or more of the outer tail feathers white, barred with black ; quills dusky brown, the two outer plain, the next marked with an oval white spot on their inner webs; secondaries white on their inner webs and tipped with white ; below white, tinged with gray at the sides of the neck, with roundish dusky spots ; bill yellow below, black at the tip; legs waxyellow ; iris hazel. Length 73. Young white below, without spots .- Nutt.
HISTORY .- This bird is often called the Peut-Weet, from its shrill and peculiar note. It resembles the preceding species in general appearance, and in most of its habits, particularly in that of balancing or wagging its tail, and it bears the same vulgar name of Tip-up, the two kinds not GENUS RUSTICOLA .- Vieill .. being distinguished from each other by ordinary observers. This species is much the Snipe, but more robust, with the extremity at-
PT 1.
] the most numerous of the two, and breeds in this state in considerable numbers. The nest is made in a tuft of grass, with a thin lining of hay. The eggs, usually 4, are of' n dull cream color, spotted with brown, most thickly towards the large end. The female, when alarmed, prac- tices much art for the safety of her young.
GENUS SCOLOPAX .- Linn.
Generic Characters .- Bill long, straight, slender, compressed, soft and flexible ; the point depressed, dilated, tumid and obtuse, minutely tu- berenlated or dolled, projecting over the lower mandible ; both mandibles furrowed to the mid- dle. Nostrils in the furrow of the bill, basal, lat- eral, linear, pervious and covered by a membrane. Feet and legs moderate, slender, 4 toed, naked space above the knee small; toes entirely divided. Wings moderato, the 1st and 2 primaries longest and nearly equal. Tail short, rounded, consisting of 12 or more feathers.
THIE COMMON SNIPE. Scolopax Wilsonii .- TEMMINCK.
DESCRIPTION .-- Tail rounded, of 16 feathers, with a bright ferruginons, sub- terminal bar ; back and scapulars black, with bronzy reflections ; rump dusky, faintly mottled and barred with pale yel- lowish brown ; crown black, divided by an irregular line of pale brown, and an- other of the same tint passes over each eye ; neck and upper part of the breast pale brown, with small, dusky, longitudi- nal spots ; chin white tinged with brown; bill brown, blackish at the tip. Length 11 to 113, spread 17, bill 21 to 23 .- Nutt.
HISTORY .- This species, which is near- ly related to the European Snipe, is found throughout the whole of America from Hudson's bay to the equator. This bird arrives from the south early in the spring, and spends the summer in low, moist grounds, breeding in swamps, where it lays its eggs in a hollow loosely lined with a little grass. The eggs are 4, of a yellow-olive color, speckled with different shades of brown. The young leave the nest as soon as they are hatched. The flesh of the Snipe is in high estimation on account of its exquisite flavor, on which account it is eagerly sought by the sports- man. They are frequently seen striking their bill into the black marshy soil. Their food consists principally of worms, leeches and aquatic insects.
Generic Characters .- Bill similar to that of
1. 4
14
10G
NATURAL HISTORY OF VERMONT.
PART I.
THE WOODCOCK.
THE VIRGINIA RAIL.
tenuated and not depressed ; the under mandible is also deeply grooved beneath. Eyes placed far back in the head. Legs short, robust and wholly feathered to the knees ; tarsus shorter than the middle toe ; toes cleft from the base, and the hind nail truncated. The Ist or 4th primary longest. Tail of 12 feathers.
THE WOODCOCK. Rusticola minor .- NUTTALL.
DESCRIPTION .- Back darkly marbled with black ferruginous and ash ; chin white; throat grayish ; belly yellowish white ; thighs and posterior parts beneath bright ferruginous ; crown black, crossed with three light ferruginous bands, the middle one broadest A black stripe from the eye to the angle of the mouth, and another from the bill up the frontlet ; front part of the head grayish ; marbling on the wings lighter and finer than on the back ; legs and feet light flesh color ; bill dusky horn color, nearly black at the tip ; nails brownish black, small. First 4 primaries nearly equal, 3 first narrow. Length of the specimen before me 11 inches, folded wing 5}, bill 2.9.
HISTORY .-- The Woodcock # is quite common in Vermont, although very sel- dom seen, on account of its nocturnal habits. It feeds and moves from place to place almost exclusively in the night. This bird returns from the south early, and selects a breeding place in the woods. The uest is made upon the ground, of grass and leaves. The eggs, usually 4, are of a yellowish clay color blotched with purple and brown. 'The young leave the nest as soon as hatehed, but are unable to fly for 3 or 4 weeks. During the pe- riod of incubation the peculiar note of the male may often be heard morning and evening, while he rises spirally into the air and then descends again to the neigh- borhood of the nest. The flesh of the Woodcock, like that of the Snipe, is high- ly esteemed and eagerly sought, on ac- count of its delicious flavor.
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