USA > West Virginia > Upshur County > The history of Upshur county, West Virginia, from its earliest exploration and settlement to the present time > Part 45
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35-HAIRY WOODPECKER. Ceryle alcyon.
The Kingfisher is common along all our streams in spring, summer, and autumn. It has a large crest and is blue, black, and white in color.
35-HAIRY KINGFISHER.
Dryobates villosus.
The Hairy is a common black and white woodpecker which remains here throughout the year.
36-DOWNY WOODPECKER. Dryobates pubescens.
The Downy is our smallest woodpecker, and closely resembles the last-named species. It is much smaller, however. Both species are frequently seen on apple trees, but the Hairy is more inclined to remain in the forest areas. They are believed to be very beneficial. Often called "Sapsucker."
37-YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER. Sphyrapicus varius.
A northern bird which passes the winter here. Only a few remain during the coldest weather; most of them pass farther south and are, consequently, most common during the migration seasons. This is the bird which makes most of the small holes in fruit and forest trees. It may be distinguished by the red throat of the male as well as by its yellowish under parts.
38-PILEATED WOODPECKER.
Ceophloeus pileatus.
The Logcock, or Pileated Woodpecker, is the great red-headed bird that is occasionally seen and heard in the woods. At certain times it is quite common, but at other times, as when it is breeding, it is elusive and seems to be rare. The species is oftenest seen in winter. It breeds in this county.
371
THE BIRDS OF UPSHUR COUNTY.
39 RED-HEADED WOODPECKER.
Melanerpes erythrocephalus.
Unlike the other woodpeckers, this species has a habit like that of the fly- catchers, and may often be seen flying from its perch, in a tree-top, and snapping up some insect while on the wing. It is also very fond of ripe fruit of various kinds, and will open the husks and eat the milky grains of corn. It has frequently been observed though, by the writer, that this supposed damage to corn is not real, because the grains of corn near those that have been eaten make an abnormal growth and entirely fill the space that was made vacant by the birds. This gorgeous red, white, and black bird remains throughout the year-rare in winter- and may be called one of our beneficial birds, although its true status is scarcely known yet.
40-RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER.
Conurus carolinensis.
The back of these birds is speckled like a guinea. The under parts are tinged with pinkish. This species is exceedingly beautiful, but is not very common, and is of no special economic importance.
41-FLICKER.
Colaptes auratus.
Our common Flicker, or Yellow Hammer, is too well known to need description. It is a beneficial bird. I have seen it eat as many as sixty white ants -Termites-without moving from the stump out of which these insects were emerging.
42 -- WHIP-POOR-WILL. Antrostomus vociferus.
The Whip-poor-will reaches this section about the 15th of April, and remains here till the first weeks of October. This species is wholly insectivorous and is very common.
43-NIGHTHAWK.
Chordeiles virginianus.
In August and September, great flocks of long-winged birds are seen, along in the evening, swooping through the air. They are gray and have large white spots on their wings. These are Nighthawks which are gathering together preparatory to making their autumn migration. They reach this latitude early in May and remain till the first of September. The belief is prevalent that these birds are Whip-poor-wills, but it is a mistake which has grown from their resemblance in form and habits. Whip-poor-wills and Nighthawks are frequently called "Goatsuckers."
372
THE BIRDS OF UPSHUR COUNTY.
44-CHIMNEY SWIFT. Chactura pelagica.
The Chimney Swift, or Chimney Swallow, as it is frequently called, is a small, slender-winged, short-tailed bird that nests in chimneys and old trees. These birds reach West Virginia about the 25th of April and remain till rather late in the fall. A beneficial species.
45-RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD. Trochilus colubris.
Every one knows the Humming bird which reaches us about the 21st of April, and remains till near the middle of the autumn months. Its range extends from southern Alaska to the Argentine Republic.
46-KINGBIRD.
Tyrannus tyrannus.
The "Bee bird," or "Bee Martin," as the Kingbird is sometimes called, is one of the commonest birds in our orchards and along our streams. It is said to feed on honey bees, but these form, by no means, the bulk of its food. They perform a valuable service in chasing thieving hawks away from the farms.
47-CRESTED FLYCATCHER. Myiarchus crinitus.
A woodland species which may, sometimes, be seen about our houses. Its colors are rich brown and ash, and it has a loud, shrill note that can be heard a long distance away. It may always be expected on the 26th or 27th day of April, and it is seldom heard or seen after the first week of September.
48-PHOEBE. Sayornis phoebe.
The "Pewee," or Phoebe, is a familiar bird, and generally arrives from the south about the 20th of March. Like all the flycatchers its food is of insects.
49-WOOD PEWEE. Contopus virens.
Near the first of May the soft, whistling note of the Wood Pewee is first heard. This bird closely resembles the Phoebe, but is smaller.
373
THE BIRDS OF UPSHUR COUNTY.
50-LEAST FLYCATCHER.
Empidonar minimus.
A small species that is occasionally seen.
51-HORNED LARK
Otocoris alpestris.
Small flocks of this northen species have been observed a few times in winter.
52-BLUE JAY.
Cyanocitta cristata.
The Blue Jay is not so common, it seems to me, as in former years. It probably nests in parts of our county.
53-AMERICAN RAVEN. Corvus corar sinuatus.
Very rarely a Raven is seen flying over. They breed in the higher mountain areas of this state.
54-AMERICAN CROW.
Corvus americanus.
Another unfortunate and much-abused bird. For ages all crows and ravens have been looked upon as birds of ill-omen, and this, with their habits of destroy- ing eggs and pulling corn, has made our common crow exceedingly disreputable. On the whole, it is difficult to say whether crows do more good or harm. It is well, however, as has been shown by many blunders, that we examine carefully the habits of any bird before we tamper with the forms of life which surrounds us. The balance of life is almost perfect now, and, while the destruction of a few crows might save several hills of corn, it will also preserve the life of many a mouse and "white grub" which are worse enemies to our grain crops than are the crows themselves. We owe too much to the lower forms of life about us to destroy them ruthlessly. Any careful reader will have noticed the many mistakes which men have made, in recent years, in dealing with various mammals, insects, and birds, and the woeful results that have followed. This is not intended as an argument for the crow alone, but rather that all forms of life may be respected and that we may carefully investigate before we make indiscriminate slaughter. All the harm done by crows in the cornfields can be easily and cheaply avoided by stretching white strings at various places over the field.
374
THE BIRDS OF UPSHUR COUNTY.
55-BOBOLINK.
Dolichonyx oryzivorus.
About ten years ago last spring, I saw five Bobolinks on the grounds of the Conference Seminary at Buckhannon. These are the only ones that I have ever observed in the state. However, they are said to be quite common in some of the counties during the migration periods.
56-COWBIRD. Molothrus ater.
Parasites exist in the bird world as well as elsewhere. The Cowbird depends entirely upon the labor of others to rear its young. The eggs are deposited in the nests of many of our smaller birds which care for them and the young as assiduously as for their own offspring. This species remains here during warm weather only. I have seen a few in the winter months.
57-RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD. Agelaius phoniceus.
Around swamps, along streams, and in low-land meadows there is no more common bird than the Redwing. This blackbird is easily recognized by the bright red spots on its shoulders. When the warm days of February and early March come, the redwings bring their bits of bright color and cheer, and help to dis- perse the gloom of the long winter months.
58-MEADOWLARK. Sturnella magna.
Very common in the bottom meadows near Buckhannon and in all the northern half of the county. I observed them in special abundance on Turkey run and Hacker's creek during the summer of 1897. A common bird almost everywhere.
59-ORCHARD ORIOLE.
Icterus spurius.
A modest and retiring, yet voluble, bird that breeds in our orchards and along streams. The male is deep chestnut in color, the female is greenish. Young males are not colored as the old ones.
60-BALTIMORE ORIOLE.
Icterus galbula.
The cradle-like nest of this orange and black bird is often seen after the leaves have fallen from our orchard trees and from the sycamores and elms
375
THE BIRDS OF UPSHUR COUNTY.
along the streams. In some localities, this oriole has become quite rare, but it is still common here. It has been charged with eating green peas, but I have never observed this feeding habit. On the 27th day of April one can expect to see the first Baltimore Oriole.
61-RUSTY BLACKBIRD. Scolecophagus carolinus.
Only during the spring and fall migrations is this northern grackle seen. This species is gregarions like the other blackbirds.
62-BRONZED CRACKLE. Quiscalus quiscula aeneus.
The large bird commonly known as the Crow Blackbird is common at any season of the year except the cold winter months when it goes southward. It is exceedingly common in this region in spring and autumn.
63-ENGLISH SPARROW.
Passer domesticus.
This foreigner is common in all the towns and villages of this county and, in recent years, it has gone to the country and is abundant around farm houses. It is always a pest-unmusical and quarrelsome. This European sparrow was first brought to this country in the fall of 1850, at which time several pairs were liberated in Brooklyn, N. Y. Since then these birds have increased at such an alarming rate that many states have found it necessary to enact laws which might tend to exterminate them.
64-PURPLE FINCH. Carpodacus purpureus.
Small flocks of Purple Finches are often seen in the winter and spring.
65-AMERICAN GOLDFINCH. Spinus tristis.
Common names for this species are "Flax Bird," "Beet Bird," and "Wild Canary." The Goldfinch remains throughout the year, breeding late in the season. The male is lemon yellow with black wings, the female dull greenish with black wings. Commonly seen eating thistle seeds or passing through the air in undulating flight.
376
THE BIRDS OF UPSHUR COUNTY.
66-PINE SISKIN.
Spinus pinus.
A little brownish striped bird sometimes noticed in winter and spring. Its notes and movements are like those of the Goldfinch.
67-SNOWFLAKE. Plectrophenar nivalis.
One specimen of the Snowflake, or Snow Bunting, was observed about ten years ago, in December, on the road leading from French Creek to Rock Cave. This is a rare bird in this locality, and is never seen except in very cold weather.
68-GRASS FINCH.
Poocaetes gramineus.
This sparrow has a number of names-Vesper Sparrow and Bay-winged Bunting being the commoner ones. It can be distinguished from most of our common, dull-colored sparrows by the white feathers which may be seen in its tail as it flies. Arrives from the south about the 20th of March and remains till late in the fall.
69-WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW. Zonotrichia leucophrys.
A large, handsome sparrow-well described by its name-which appears for a short time in April and again in October. Common at times.
70-WHITE-THROATED SPARROW.
Zonotrichia albicollis.
Along old fences, in piles of brush, or among blackberry briars, this bird appears in considerable abundance during the migration seasons. Mr. Wm. D. Doan, ornithologist of the West Virginia Experiment Station, about ten years ago, reported this species and the preceding one as winter residents in this state. I have not observed either one during the winter months.
71-TREE SPARROW. Spizella monticola.
Common in winter ; closely resembles the next species except it is larger.
377
THE BIRDS OF UPSHUR COUNTY.
72-CHIPPING SPARROW.
Spizella socialis.
The common little sparrow that builds so plentifully in our orchard trees. Very common. Appears here about the last of March and stays till the latter part of October.
73-FIELD SPARROW. Spizella pusilla.
This bird very closely resembles the Chipping Sparrow. It may be dis- tinguished from it, however, by its pink bill and feet. It is inclined to live in old fields rather than orchards.
74-SLATE-COLORED JUNCO. Junco hyemalis.
Abundant in winter time-commonly known as Snowbird. The Junco comes from its northern breeding grounds about the middle of October and remains with us until the first of May. It is possible that it may breed in the higher portions of this county, as it does elsewhere in this state, but I have no proof of this.
75-SONG SPARROW. Melospiza fasciata.
The first song of the season is generally from this famous singer. It frequently sings on warm winter days and, when spring begins to come, it may be heard almost everywhere. Resident throughout the year. Easily dis- tinguished from other common sparrows by its black "breast-pin."
76-SWAMP SPARROW. Melospisa georgiana.
Rare; the writer has seen only one during fifteen years of observation. It is elusive, however, and may be commoner than it appears to be.
77-FOX SPARROW.
Passerella iliaca.
This large thrush-like sparrow is frequently seen in brushy places during the spring and fall. Scarcely ever does it become common. It has a song totally unlike that of most of our sparrows.
378
THE BIRDS OF UPSHUR COUNTY.
78-TOWHEE.
Pipilo erythrophthalmus.
Every kind of farm land has its own peculiar birds. There are birds which frequent the pasture, the meadow, the swamp, the high upland field, the edge of the woods, the old grown-up fields alias blackberry patches, the orchard, and the garden. Each place has its own peculiar species. The Towhee, or Chewink, is always found in bushy places-in old, neglected fields and fencerows. The neat and prosperous farmer has dearth of Towhee music. Sometimes remains throughout the year; common in summer, rare in winter. Many persons call this bird the Ground Robin.
79-CARDINAL. Cardinalis cardinalis.
The "Redbird," or Cardinal, is common at all seasons of the year. It does not migrate, and is exceedingly local in habits. Well known on account of its bright red color.
80-ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK.
Habia ludoviciana.
A bird of wondrous beauty. White, black, and clear rose are its conspicu- ous colors. It is not often seen by a careless observer, but can scarcely be mis- taken for any other species by one who is on the lookout for it. Probably breeds in the southern end of the county. I have once or twice observed young birds in the fall. These brilliant birds are enemies to the Potato Beetle.
81-INDIGO BUNTING.
Passerina cyanea.
A bird that is everywhere common in field and forest. The male is deep blue with black wings; the female is brown. Very common after May I. One often sees its nest of white eggs, and hears its light, joyous song around the edge of woodland.
82-DICKCISSEL. Spiza americana.
Not often noticed in that section of the county in which the writer is accustomed to study birds.
83-SCARLET TANAGER. Piranga rubra.
Common throughout the county wherever forests are found. A bird of very brilliant plumage. The male is fiery red with black wings; the female is greenish. It arrives in this county near the 25th of April and remains till the middle of October. -
379
THE BIRDS OF UPSHUR COUNTY.
84-PURPLE MARTIN.
Progne subis.
Martin boxes are often seen about the farm houses and around our towns. The inhabitants of these aerial houses are well known. These birds often appear during the last days of March. Few birds are held in higher esteem. The writer observed, some months ago, eleven martin boxes near one farm house on Turkey run. The Indians used to hang up gourds for the accommodation of these semi-domestic birds.
85-CLIFF SWALLOW. Petrochelidon lunifrons.
I have scarcely ever observed this bird in Upshur county except during the migration seasons, when it is occasionally seen. A beautiful swallow.
86-BARN SWALLOW. Chelidon erythrogaster.
Wherever barns are found in this county, this swallow is found. However, it is more inclined to nest in barns and other buildings that are erected along the larger streams. Common along all the country roads that lead into Buckhannon. The young birds, especially, seem to delight to sit on the telegraph and telephone wires. First appearance, April 15 to 20.
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87-CEDAR WAXWING. Ampelis cedrorum.
A beautifully colored, but unmusical, bird. Often seen in very large flocks in the fall. Breeds, commonly, in our orchards and along streams.
88-RED-EYED VIREO.
Vireo olivaceus.
A woodland bird. All the Vireos are plain, sober birds which are not often seen by any one excepting the ornithologist. This species sings from morning till night, and scarcely stops even in those warm, mild, midsummer weeks when all nature is unnaturally still.
89-WARBLING VIREO.
Vireo gilvus.
Unlike the other Vireos, this species haunts orchards or the open woods along streams. It is often heard in towns, and its habits are in peculiar contrast to the other members of the Viriondac. A sweet singer.
380
THE BIRDS OF UPSHUR COUNTY.
90-YELLOW-THROATED VIREO.
Vireo flavifrons.
As the name indicates, this Vireo is known by its clear yellow breast. It is larger than our other species.
91-BLUE-HEADED VIREO.
Vireo solitarius.
For a number of years, both in this county and elsewhere, on the very same day that the Golden-crested Kinglet reaches us from the north, this handsome Vireo arrives. Why they should be so constant in their companion- ship, I can not tell. They appear during the first week of October, generally when the first genuine autumn days come.
92-BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER. Mniotilta varia.
The family of Warblers-Sylvicolidae-is a very large one and few of the species are generally known. Nearly all of them are small forest birds, with every imaginable combination of colors, and as delicate, almost, as humming- birds. Some of our species are very rare, and the whole family has a charm and beauty that is scarcely seen in other birds. Our woods are full of these birds-some of them half-tropical species, colored as exquisitely as a rainbow, and as delicately as their constant companions, the wild flowers. Although the writer has made a special study of this family, he scarcely thinks it necessary to do more than give the names of the species which he has observed in this county. Only a few of these birds, so far as they are known at present, are of particular economic importance. From the 20th of April to the 15th of May, and again in the last weeks of September and the first half of October, many thousands of these birds pass us as they are migrating to and from their northern breeding grounds.
The Black-and-White Warbler is a common species with many of the habits of the Nuthatches.
93-WORM-EATING WARBLER .- Helmitherus vermivorus. 94-BLUE-WINGED WARBLER .- Helminthophila pinus.
95-GOLDEN-WINGED WARBLER .- Helminthophila chrysoptera.
96-NASHVILLE WARBLER .- Helminthophila ruficapilla.
97-TENNESSEE WARBLER .- Helminthophila peregrina.
98-PARULA WARBLER .- Parula americana.
99-CAPE MAY WARBLER .- Dendroica tigrina.
100-YELLOW WARBLER. Dendroica aestiva.
None of the Warblers are so common in orchards as this little yellow bird. Its song is unusually cheerful. This bird is often carelessly confused
381
THE BIRDS OF UPSHUR COUNTY.
with the Goldfinch by persons who are not sufficienty observing to note the great difference between a sparrow and a warbler. The Goldfinch has black wings ; this species has no black markings.
IOI-BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER .- Denroica caerulescens.
102-MYRTLE WARBLER .- Dendroica coronata.
103-MAGNOLIA WARBLER. Dendroica maculosa.
One of the most beautiful of the feathered kind that ever lend us their presence. The beauty of a full plumaged male is almost startling when one suddenly flies into view. Only seen in fall and spring.
104-CERULEAN WARBLER .- Dendroica caerulea.
105-CHESTNUTSIDED WARBLER .-- Dendroica pennsylvanicus.
106-BAY-BREASTED WARBLER .- Dendroica castanea.
107-BLACK-POLL WARBLER.
Dendroica striata.
Common-even abundant in the fall, but I have never seen one during the spring migration.
108-BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER .- Dendroica blackburniae.
109-BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER .- Dendroica virens.
IIO-PALM WARBLER .- Dendroica palmarum.
III-OVENBIRD .- Seiurus motacilla.
II2-LOUISIANA WATER THRUSH .- Seiurus motacilla.
113-KENTUCKY WARBLER .- Geothlypis formosa.
II4-MARYLAND YELLOW-THROAT .- Geothlypis trichas.
115-YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT.
Icteria virens.
A very large warbler that nests in old grown-up fields. It has a very peculiar song. These birds are greenish with yellow breasts.
116-HOODED WARBLER .- Sylvania mitrata.
117-WILSON'S WARBLER .- Sylvania pusilla.
I18-CANADA WARBLER .- Sylvania canadensis.
II9-AMERICAN REDSTART .- Setophaga ruticilla.
120-CATBIRD.
Galeoscoptes carolinensis.
The Catbird is as well known, perhaps, as any of our common birds. For
382
THE BIRDS OF UPSHUR COUNTY.
some reason-doubtless from its inclination to steal fruit once in a while-it is rather unpopular. Yet it is a fine songster, and feeds almost entirely upon insects.
121-BROWN THRASHER.
Harporhynchus rufus.
Many persons call this bird Mockingbird. It is very much like the true southern Mockingbird in song and in form, but differs very much in color. This Thrasher builds its nest on fences or in brush heaps. I generally hear the first song from this bird near the middle of April, but, sometimes, not till the twentieth.
122-CAROLINA WREN. Thryothorus ludovicianus.
A very large russet-brown wren that remains here the whole year.
123-HOUSE WREN. Troglodytes aedon.
Like the Purple Martin and the English Sparrow, the House Wren may be considered as semi-domestic. If one does not know the House Wren, let him put up an old shoe or a small box under the eaves of some outbuilding, and these birds will soon appear, introducing themselves with cheery song and affable mien.
124-WINTER WREN. Troglodytes hiemalis.
In the last weeks of October-month of nuts and yellow leaves-the Winter Wren may be found in the woods among fallen timber. whither it has come from its summer home in the north. It remains here all winter, and, occasionally, on a bright winter day, I hear its liquid song. I always think how appropriate are its surroundings when it sings near some clear, cold stream.
125-BROWN CREEPER. Certhia familiaris americana.
This little creeper is one of our smallest birds. It may be seen, once in a while, in the woods as it is clinging close to the bark of some tree.
126-WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCH. Sitta carolinensis.
"Sapsucker" is the common name for this bird. Its impudent ways and frequent appearance tend to make this species well known.
383
THE BIRDS OF UPSHUR COUNTY.
127-RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH.
Sitta canadensis.
Much like the foregoing, but smaller and rarer. A dull pinkish color covers is breast. When once one becomes familiar with its nasal note it is not easily forgotten. This bird is seen only in spring and autumn.
128-TUFTED TITMOUSE. Parus bicolor.
Among all our birds there is not one whose acquaintance it is easier to make. It seems almost omnipresent, since it is seen in orchard, garden, and dense forest alike. This titmouse is almost entirely slate-color. It remains throughout the year, and nests in holes in trees.
129-CAROLINA CHICKADEE. Parus carolinensis.
Our common chickadee. This species is not quite so common as the last, and is much smaller. It can always be distinguished by its black cap. Remains here all the year.
130-GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLET. Regulus satrapa.
A tiny bird that spends the winter with us. I often see it in all the months from October to April. It is a gray bird with a flaming orange erectile crest.
131-RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET. Regulus calendula.
Much like the last species except that it is slightly larger and has a ruby crest which is ordinarily concealed. It passes on farther south to spend the winter, but is quite common while migration seasons last.
132-BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER. Polioptila caerulea.
If one can imagine an exceedingly dimutive mockingbird, he will have a fair picture of this bird. Its song also seems like a whisper song of the renowned polyglot. This little bird which comes to us about the middle of April may be seen almost any day feeding among the apple trees.
384
THE BIRDS OF UPSHUR 'COUNTY.
133-WOOD THRUSH.
Turdus mustelinus.
It seems to me that this is our best songster. Its voice can be heard, about sunset, far off in the woods. It is wonderfully plaintive and sweet. Some suggest that its instrument is made of gold. It has in its song the very spirit of the lonely woods, and it sings a good-night song to all the wild creatures. I always expect to hear the first Wood Thrush song on April 27, and it is very seldom that I am disappointed.
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