bird neighbors-第2章

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r　rusty。　Bill　large　and　heavy。　Middle　and　outer　toes　joined　for　half　their　length。　Call…note　loud　and　prolonged；　like　a　policeman's　rattle。　Solitary　birds；　little　inclined　to　rove　from　a　chosen　locality。　Migratory。　　　Belted　Kingfisher。

Order　Pici：　WOODPECKERS

Family　Picidae：　WOODPECKERS

Medium…sized　and　small　birds；　usually　with　plumage　black　and　white；　and　always　with　some　red　feathers　about　the　head。　（The　flicker　is　brownish　and　yellow　instead　of　black　and　white。）　Stocky；　high…shouldered　build；　bill　strong　and　long　for　drilling　holes　in　bark　of　trees。　Tail　feathers　pointed　and　stiffened　to　serve　as　a　prop。　Two　toes　before　and　two　behind　for　clinging。　Usually　seen　clinging　erect　on　tree…trunks；　rarely；　if　ever；　head　downward；　like　the　nuthatches；　titmice；　etc。　Woodpeckers　feed　as　they　creep　around　the　trunks　and　branches。　Habits　rather　phlegmatic。　The　flicker　has　better　developed　vocal　powers　than　other　birds　of　this　class；　whose　rolling　tattoo；　beaten　with　their　bills　against　the　tree…trunks；　must　answer　for　their　love…song。　Nest　in　hollowed…out　trees。　　　Red…headed　Woodpecker。　　　Hairy　Woodpecker。　　　Downy　Woodpecker。　　　Yellow…bellied　Woodpecker。　　　Flicker。

Order　Macrochires：　GOATSUCKERS；　SWIFTS；　AND　HUMMING…BIRDS

Family　Caprimulgidae：　NIGHTHAWKS；　WHIPPOORWILLS；　ETC。

Medium…sized；　mottled　brownish；　gray；　black；　and　white　birds　of　heavy　build。　Short；　thick　head；　gaping；　large　mouth；　very　small　bill；　with　bristles　at　base。　Take　insect　food　on　the　wing。　Feet　small　and　weak；　wings　long　and　powerful。　These　birds　rest　lengthwise　on　their　perch　while　sleeping　through　the　brightest　daylight　hours；　or　on　the　ground；　where　they　nest。　　　Nighthawk。　　　Whippoorwill。

Family　Micropolidae：　SWIFTS

Sooty；　dusky　birds　seen　on　the　wing；　never　resting　except　in　chimneys　of　houses；　or　hollow　trees；　where　they　nest。　Tips　of　tail　feathers　with　sharp　spines；　used　as　props。　They　show　their　kinship　with　the　goatsuckers　in　their　nocturnal　as　well　as　diurnal　habits；　their　small　bills　and　large　mouths　for　catching　insects　on　the　wing；　and　their　weak　feet。　Gregarious；　especially　at　the　nesting　season。　　　Chimney　Swift。

Family　Trochilidae：　HUMMING…BIRDS

Very　small　birds　with　green　plumage　（iridescent　red　or　orange　breast　in　males）；　long；　needle…shaped　bill　for　extracting　insects　and　nectar　from　deep…cupped　flowers；　and　exceedingly　rapid；　darting　flight。　Small　feet。　　　Ruby…throated　Humming…bird。

Order　Passeres：　PERCHING　BIRDS

Family　Tyrannidae：　FLYCATCHERS

Small　and　medium…sized　dull；　dark…olive；　or　gray　birds；　with　big　heads　that　are　sometimes　crested。　Bills　hooked　at　end；　and　with　bristles　at　base。　Harsh　or　plaintive　voices。　Wings　longer　than　tail；　both　wings　and　tails　usually　drooped　and　vibrating　when　the　birds　are　perching。　Habits　moody　and　silent　when　perching　on　a　conspicuous　limb；　telegraph　wire；　dead　tree；　or　fence　rail　and　waiting　for　insects　to　fly　within　range。　Sudden；　nervous；　spasmodic　sallies　in　midair　to　seize　insects　on　the　wing。　Usually　they　return　to　their　identical　perch　or　lookout。　Pugnacious　and　fearless。　Excellent　nest　builders　and　devoted　mates。　　　Kingbird。　　　Phoebe。　　　Wood　Pewee。　　　Acadian　Flycatcher。　　　Great　Crested　Flycatcher。　　　Least　Flycatcher。　　　Olive…sided　Flycatcher。　　　Yellow…bellied　Flycatcher。　　　Say's　Flycatcher。

Family　Alaudidae：　LARKS

The　only　true　larks　to　be　found　in　this　country　are　the　two　species　given　below。　They　are　the　kin　of　the　European　skylark；　of　which　several　unsuccessful　attempts　to　introduce　the　bird　have　been　made　in　this　country。　These　two　larks　must　not　be　confused　with　the　meadow　larks　and　titlarks；　which　belong　to　the　blackbird　and　pipit　families　respectively。　The　horned　larks　are　birds　of　the　ground；　and　are　seen　in　the　United　States　only　in　the　autumn　and　winter。　In　the　nesting　season　at　the　North　their　voices　are　most　musical。　Plumage　grayish　and　brown；　in　color　harmony　with　their　habitats。　Usually　found　in　flocks；　the　first　species　on　or　near　the　shore。　　　Horned　Lark。　　　Prairie　Horned　Lark。

Family　Corvidae：　CROWS　AND　JAYS

The　crows　are　large　black　birds；　walkers；　with　stout　feet　adapted　for　the　purpose。　Fond　of　shifting　their　residence　at　different　seasons　rather　than　strictly　migratory；　for；　except　at　the　northern　limit　of　range；　they　remain　resident　all　the　year。　Gregarious。　Sexes　alike。　Omnivorous　feeders；　being　partly　carnivorous；　as　are　also　the　jays。　Both　crows　and　jays　inhabit　wooded　country。　Their　voices　are　harsh　and　clamorous；　and　their　habits　are　boisterous　and　bold；　particularly　the　jays。　Devoted　mates；　unpleasant　neighbors。　　　Common　Crow。　　　Fish　Crow。　　　Northern　Raven。　　　Blue　Jay。　　　Canada　Jay。

Family　Icteridae：　BLACKBIRDS；　ORIOLES；　ETC。

Plumage　black　or　a　brilliant　color　combined　with　black。　（The　meadow　lark　a　sole　exception。）　Sexes　unlike。　These　birds　form　a　connecting　link　between　the　crows　and　the　finches。　The　blackbirds　have　strong　feet　for　use　upon　the　ground；　where　they　generally　feed；　while　the　orioles　are　birds　of　the　trees。　They　are　both　seed　and　insect　eaters。　The　bills　of　the　bobolink　and　cowbird　are　short　and　conical；　for　they　are　conspicuous　seed　eaters。　Bills　of　the　others　long　and　conical；　adapted　for　insectivorous　diet。　About　half　the　family　are　gifted　songsters。　　　Red…winged　Blackbird。　　　Rusty　Blackbird。　　　Purple　Grackle。　　　Bronzed　Grackle。　　　Cowbird。　　　Meadow　Lark。　　　Western　Meadow　Lark。　　　Bobolink。　　　Orchard　Oriole。　　　Baltimore　Oriole。

Family　Fringillidae：　FINCHES；　SPARROWS；　GROSBEAKS；　BUNTINGS；　　　LINNETS；　AND　CROSSBILLS

Generally　fine　songsters。　Bills　conical；　short；　and　stout　for　cracking　seeds。　Length　from　five　to　nine　inches；　usually　under　eight　inches。　This；　the　largest　family　of　birds　that　we　have　（about　one…seventh　of　all　our　birds　belong　to　it）；　comprises　birds　of　such　varied　plumage　and　habit　that；　while　certain　family　resemblances　may　be　traced　throughout；　it　is　almost　impossible　to　characterize　the　family　as　such。　The　sparrows　are　comparatively　small　gray　and　brown　birds　with　striped　upper　parts；　lighter　underneath。　Birds　of　the　ground；　or　not　far　from　it；　elevated　perches　being　chosen　for　rest　and　song。　Nest　in　low　bushes　or　on　the　ground。　（Chipping　sparrow　often　selects　tall　trees。）　Coloring　adapted　to　grassy；　dusty　habitats。　Males　and　females　similar。　Flight　labored。　About　forty　species　of　sparrows　are　found　in　the　United　States；　of　these；　fourteen　may　be　met　with　by　a　novice；　and　six；　at　least；　surely　will　be。

The　finches　and　their　larger　kin　are　chiefly　bright…plumaged　birds；　the　females　either　duller　or　distinct　from　males；　bills　heavy；　dull；　and　conical；　befitting　seed　eaters。　Not　so　migratory　as　insectivorous　birds　nor　so　restless。　Mostly　phlegmatic　in　temperament。　Fine　songsters。　　　Chipping　Sparrow。　　　English　Sparrow。　　　Field　Sparrow。　　　Fox　Sparrow。　　　Grasshopper　Sparrow。　　　Savanna　Sparrow。　　　Seaside　Sparrow。　　　Sharp…tailed　Sparrow。　　　Song　Sparrow。　　　Swamp　Song　Sparrow。　　　Tree　Sparrow。　　　Vesper　Sparrow。　　　White…crowned　Sparrow。　　　White…throated　Sparrow。　　　Lapland　Longspur。　　　Smith's　Painted　Longspur。　　　Pine　Siskin　（or　Finch）。　　　Purple　Finch。　　　Goldfinch。　　　Redpoll。　　　Greater　Redpoll。　　　Red　Crossbill。　　　White…winged　Red　Crossbill。　　　Cardinal　Grosbeak。　　　Rose…breasted　Grosbeak。　　　Pine　Grosbeak。　　　Evening　Grosbeak。　　　Blue　Grosbeak。　　　Indigo　Bunting。　　　Junco。　　　Snowflake。　　　Chewink。

Family　Tanagridae：　TANAGERS

Distinctly　an　American　family；　remarkable　for　their　brilliant　plumage；　which；　however；　undergoes　great　changes　twice　a　year；　Females　different　from　males；　being　dull　and　inconspicuous。　Birds　of　the　tropics；　two　species　only　finding　their　way　north；　and　the　summer　tanager　rarely　found　north　of　Pennsylvania。　Shy　inhabitants　of　woods。　Though　they　may　nest　low　in　trees；　they　choose　high　perches　when　singing　or　feeding　upon　flowers；　fruits；　and　insects。　As　a　family；　the　tanagers　have　weak；　squeaky　voices；　but　both　our　species　are　good　songsters。　Suffering　the　fate　of　most　bright…plumaged　birds；　immense　numbers　have　been　shot　annually。　　　Scarlet　Tanager。　　　Summer　Tanager。

Family　Hirundinidae。　SWALLOWS

Birds　of　the　air；　that　take　their　insect　food　on　the　wing。　Migratory。　Flight　strong；　skimming；　darting；　exceedingly　graceful。　When　not　flying　they　choose　slender；　conspicuous　perches　like　telegraph　wires；　gutters；　and　eaves　of　barns。　Plumage　of　some　species　dull；　of　others　iridescent　blues　and　Greens　above；　whitish　or　ruddy　below。　Sexes　similar。　Bills　small；　mouths　large。　…　Long　and　pointed　wings；　generally　reaching　the　tip　of　the　tail　or　beyond。　Tail　more　or　less　forked。　Feet　small　and　weak　from　disuse。　Song　a　twittering　warble　without　power。　Gregarious　birds。　　　Barn　Swallow。　　　Bank　Swallow。　　　Cliff　（or　Eaves）　Swallow。　　　Tree　Swallow。　　　Rough…winged　Swallow。　　　Purple　Martin。

Family　Ampelidae：　WAXWINGS

Medium…sized　Quaker…like　birds；　with　plumage　of　soft　browns　and　grays。　Head　crested；　black　band　across　forehead　and　through　the　eye。　Bodies　plump　from　indolence。　Tail　tipped　with　yellow；　wings　with　red　tips　to　coverts；　resembling　sealing…wax。　Sexes　similar。　Silent；　gentle；　courteous；　elegant　birds。　Usually　seen　in　large　flocks　feeding　upon　berries　in　the　trees　or　perching　on　the　branches；　except　at　the　nesting　season。　Voices　resemble　a　soft；　lisping　twitter。　　　Cedar　Bird。　　　Bohemian　Waxwing。

Family　Laniidae：　SHRIKES

Medium…sized　grayish；　black…and…white　birds；　with　hooked　and　hawk…like　bill　for　tearing　the　flesh　of　smaller　birds；　field…mice；　and　large　insects　that　they　impale　on　thorns。　Handsome；　bold　birds；　the　terror　of　all　small；　feathered　neighbors；　not　excluding　the　English　sparrow。　They　choose　conspicuous　perches　when　on　the　lookout　for　prey　a　projecting　or　dead　limb　of　a　tree；　the　cupola　of　a　house；　the　ridge…pole　or　weather…vane　of　a　barn；　or　a　telegraph　wire；　from　which　to　suddenly　drop　upon　a　victim。　Eyesight　remarkable。　Call…notes　harsh　and　unmusical。　Habits　solitary　and　wandering。　The　first…named　species　is　resident　during　the　colder　months　of　the　year；　the　latter　is　a　summer　resident　only　north　of　Maryland。　　　Northern　Shrike。　　　Loggerhead　Shrike。

Family　Vireonidae：　VIREOS　OR　GREENLETS

Small　greenish…gray　or　olive　birds；　whitish　or　yellowish　underneath；　their　plumage　resembling　the　foliage　of　the　trees　they　hunt；　nest；　and　live　among。　Sexes　alike。　More　deliberate　in　habit　than　the　restless；　flitting　warblers　that　are　chiefly　seen　darting　about　the　ends　of　twigs。　Vireos　are　more　painstaking　gleaners；　they　carefully　explore　the　bark；　turn　their　heads　upward　to　investigate　the　under　side　of　leaves；　and　usually　keep　well　hidden　among　the　foliage。　Bill　hooked　at　tip　for　holding　worms　and　insects。　Gifted　songsters；　superior　to　the　warblers。　This　family　is　peculiar　to　America。　　　Red…eyed　Vireo。　　　Solitary　Vireo。　　　Warbling　Vireo。　　　White…eyed　Vireo。　　　Yellow…throated　Vireo。

Family　Mniotiltidae：　WOOD　WARBLERS

A　large　group　of　birds；　for　the　most　part　smaller　than　the　English　sparrow；　all；　except　the　ground　warblers；　of　beautiful　plumage；　in　which　yellow；　olive；　slate…blue；　black；　and　white　are　predominant　colors。　Females　generally　duller　than　males。　Exceedingly　active；　graceful；　restless　feeders　among　the　terminal　twigs　of　trees　and　shrubbery；　haunters　of　tree…tops　in　the　woods　at　nesting　time。　Abundant　birds；　especially　during　May　and　September；　when　the　majority　are　migrat