bird neighbors-第3章

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s　at　nesting　time。　Abundant　birds；　especially　during　May　and　September；　when　the　majority　are　migrating　to　and　from　regions　north　of　the　United　States；　but　they　are　strangely　unknown　to　all　but　devoted　bird　lovers；　who　seek　them　out　during　these　months　that　particularly　favor　acquaintance。　Several　species　are　erratic　in　their　migrations　and　choose　a　different　course　to　return　southward　from　the　one　they　travelled　over　in　spring。　A　few　species　are　summer　residents；　and　one；　at　least；　of　this　tropical　family；　the　myrtle　warbler；　winters　at　the　north。　The　habits　of　the　family　are　not　identical　in　every　representative；　some　are　more　deliberate　and　less　nervous　than　others；　a　few；　like　the　Canadian　and　Wilson's　warblers；　are　expert　flycatchers；　taking　their　food　on　the　wing；　but　not　usually　returning　to　the　same　perch；　like　true　flycatchers；　and　a　few　of　the　warblers；　as；　for　example；　the　black…and…white；　the　pine；　and　the　worm…eating　species；　have　the　nuthatches'　habit　of　creeping　around　the　bark　of　trees。　Quite　a　number　feed　upon　the　ground。　All　are　insectivorous；　though　many　vary　their　diet　with　blossom；　fruit；　or　berries；　and　naturally　their　bills　are　slender　and　sharply　pointed；　rarely　finch…like。　The　yellow…breasted　chat　has　the　greatest　variety　of　vocal　expressions。　The　ground　warblers　are　compensated　for　their　sober；　thrush…like　plumage　by　their　exquisite　voices；　while　the　great　majority　of　the　family　that　are　gaily　dressed　have　notes　that　either　resemble　the　trill　of　mid…summer　insects　or；　by　their　limited　range　and　feeble　utterance；　sadly　belie　the　family　name。　　　Bay…breasted　Warbler。　　　Blackburnian　Warbler。　　　Blackpoll　Warbler。　　　Black…throated　Blue　Warbler。　　　Black…throated　Green　Warbler。　　　Black…and…white　Creeping　Warbler。　　　Blue…winged　Warbler。　　　Canadian　Warbler。　　　Chestnut…sided　Warbler。　　　Golden…winged　Warbler。　　　Hooded　Warbler。　　　Kentucky　Warbler。　　　Magnolia　Warbler。　　　Mourning　Warbler。　　　Myrtle　Warbler。　　　Nashville　Warbler。　　　Palm　Warbler。　　　Parula　Warbler。　　　Pine　Warbler。　　　Prairie　Warbler。　　　Redstart。　　　Wilson's　Warbler。　　　Worm…eating　Warbler。　　　Yellow　Warbler。　　　Yellow　Palm　Warbler。　　　Ovenbird。　　　Northern　Water　Thrush。　　　Louisiana　Water　Thrush。　　　Maryland　Yellowthroat。　　　Yellow…breasted　Chat。

Family　Motacillidae：　WAGTAILS　AND　PIPITS；

Only　three　birds　of　this　family　inhabit　North　America；　and　of　these　only　one　is　common　enough；　east　of　the　Mississippi；　to　be　included　in　this　book。　Terrestrial　birds　of　open　tracts　near　the　coast；　stubble…fields；　and　country　roadsides；　with　brownish　plumage　to　harmonize　with　their　surroundings。　The　American　pipit；　or　titlark；　has　a　peculiar　wavering　flight　when；　after　being　flushed；　it　reluctantly　leaves　the　ground。　Then　its　white　tail　feathers　are　conspicuous。　Its　habit　of　wagging　its　tail　when　perching　is　not　an　exclusive　family　trait；　as　the　family　name　might　imply。　　　American　Pipit；　or　Titlark

Family　Troglodytidae：　THRASHERS；　WRENS；　ETC。

Subfamily　Miminae：　THRASHERS；　MOCKING…BIRDS；　AND　CATBIRDS

Apparently　the　birds　that　comprise　this　large　general　family　are　too　unlike　to　be　related；　but　the　missing　links　or　intermediate　species　may　all　be　found　far　South。　The　first　subfamily　is　comprised　of　distinctively　American　birds。　Most　numerous　in　the　tropics。　Their　long　tails　serve　a　double　purpose…in　assisting　their　flight　and　acting　as　an　outlet　for　their　vivacity。　Usually　they　inhabit　scrubby　undergrowth　bordering　woods。　They　rank　among　our　finest　songsters；　with　ventriloquial　and　imitative　powers　added　to　sweetness　of　tone。　　　Brown　Thrasher。　　　Catbird。　　　Mocking…bird。

Subfamily　Troglodytinae：　WRENS

Small　brown　birds；　more　or　less　barred　with　darkest　brown　above；　much　lighter　below。　Usually　carry　their　short　tails　erect。　Wings　are　small；　for　short　flight。　Vivacious；　busy；　excitable；　easily　displeased；　quick　to　take　alarm。　Most　of　the　species　have　scolding　notes　in　addition　to　their　lyrical；　gushing　song；　that　seems　much　too　powerful　a　performance　for　a　diminutive　bird。　As　a　rule；　wrens　haunt　thickets　or　marshes；　but　at　least　one　species　is　thoroughly　domesticated。　All　are　insectivorous。　　　Carolina　Wren。　　　House　Wren。　　　Winter…Wren。　　　Long…billed　Marsh　Wren。　　　Short…billed　Marsh　Wren。

Family　Certhiidae：　CREEPERS

Only　one　species　of　this　Old　World　family　is　found　in　America。　It　is　a　brown；　much　mottled　bird；　that　creeps　spirally　around　and　around　the　trunks　of　trees　in　fall　and　winter；　pecking　at　the　larvae　in　the　bark　with　its　long；　sharp　bill；　and　doing　its　work　with　faithful　exactness　but　little　spirit。　It　uses　its　tail　as　a　prop　in　climbing；　like　the　woodpeckers。　　　Brown　Creeper。

Family　Paridae：　NUTHATCHES　AND　TITMICE

Two　distinct　subfamilies　are　included　under　this　general　head。　The　nuthatches　（Sittinae）　are　small；　slate…colored　birds；　seen　chiefly　in　winter　walking　up　and　down　the　barks　of　trees；　and　sometimes　running　along　the　under　side　of　branches　upside　down；　like　flies。　Plumage　compact　and　smooth。　Their　name　is　derived　from　their　habit　of　wedging　nuts　（usually　beechnuts）　in　the　bark　of　trees；　and　then　hatching　them　open　with　their　strong　straight　bills。　　　White…breasted　Nuthatch。　　　Red…breasted　Nuthatch。

The　titmice　or　chickadees　（Parinae）　are　fluffy　little　gray　birds；　the　one　crested。　the　other　with　a　black　cap。　They　are　also　expert　climbers；　though　not　such　wonderful　gymnasts　as　the　nuthatches。　These　cousins　are　frequently　seen　together　in　winter　woods　or　in　the　evergreens　about　houses。　Chickadees　are　partial　to　tree…tops；　especially　to　the　highest　pine　cones；　on　which　they　hang　fearlessly。　Cheerful；　constant　residents；　retreating　to　the　deep　woods　only　to　nest。　　　Tufted　Titmouse。　　　Chickadee。

Family　Sylviidae：　KINGLETS　AND　GNATCATCHERS

The　kinglets　（Regulinae）　are　very　small　greenish…gray　birds；　with　highly　colored　crown　patch；　that　are　seen　chiefly　in　autumn；　winter；　and　spring　south　of　Labrador。　Habits　active；　diligent　flitters　among　trees　and　shrubbery　from　limb　to　limb　after　minute　insects。　Beautiful　nest　builders。　Song　remarkable　for　so　small　a　bird。　　　Golden…crowned　Kinglet。　　　Ruby…crowned　Kinglet。

The　one　representative　of　the　distinctly　American　subfamily　of　gnatcatchers　（Polioptilinae）　that　we　have；　is　a　small　blue…gray　bird；　whitish　below。　It　is　rarely　found　outside　moist；　low　tracts　of　woodland；　where　insects　abound。　These　it　takes　on　the　wing　with　wonderful　dexterity。　It　is　exceedingly　graceful　and　assumes　many　charming　postures。　A　bird　of　trees；　nesting　in　the　high　branches。　A　bird　of　strong　character　and　an　exquisitely　finished　though　feeble　songster。　　　　Blue…gray　Gnatcatcher。

Family　Turdidae：　THRUSHES；　BLUEBIRDS；　ETC。

This　group　includes　our　finest　songsters。　Birds　of　moderate　size；　stout　build；　as　a　rule；　inhabitants　of　woodlands；　but　the　robin　and　the　bluebird　are　notable　exceptions。　Bills　long　and　slender；　suitable　for　worm　diet。　Only　casual　fruit…eaters。　Slender；　strong　legs　for　running　and　hopping。　True　thrushes　are　grayish　or　olive…brown　above；　buff　or　whitish　below；　heavily　streaked　or　spotted。　　　　Bluebird。　　　Robin。　　　Alice's　Thrush。　　　Hermit　Thrush。　　　Olive…backed　Thrush。　　　Wilson's　Thrush　（Veery）。　　　Wood　Thrush。

Order　Columbae；　PIGEONS　AND　DOVES

Family　Columbidae：　PIGEONS　AND　DOVES

The　wild　pigeon　is　now　too　rare　to　be　included　among　our　bird　neighbors；　but　its　beautiful　relative；　without　the　fatally　gregarious　habit；　still　nests　and　sings　a…coo…oo…oo　to　its　devoted　mate　in　unfrequented　corners　of　the　farm　or　the　borders　of　woodland。　Delicately　shaded　fawn…colored　and　bluish　plumage。　Small　heads；　protruding　breasts。　Often　seen　on　ground。　Flight　strong　and　rapid；　owing　to　long　wings。　　　　Mourning　or　Carolina　Dove。


II。　HABITATS　OF　BIRDS

BIRDS　OF　THE　AIR　CATCHING　THEIR　FOOD　AS　THEY　FLY

Acadian　Flycatcher；　Great　Crested　Flycatcher；　Least　Flycatcher；　Olive…sided　Flycatcher；　Say's　Flycatcher；　Yellow…bellied　Flycatcher；　Kingbird；　Phoebe。　Wood　Pewee；　Purple　Martin；　Chimney　Swift；　Barn　Swallow；　Bank　Swallow；　Cliff　Swallow；　Tree　Swallow；　Rough…winged　Swallow；　Canadian　Warbler；　Blackpoll　Warbler；　Wilson's　Warbler；　Nighthawk；　Whippoorwill；　Ruby…throated　Humming…bird；　Blue…gray　Gnatcatcher。

BIRDS　MOST　FREQUENTLY　SEEN　IN　THE　UPPER　HALF　OF　TREES

Scarlet　Tanager；　Summer　Tanager；　Baltimore　Oriole；　Orchard　Oriole；　Chickadee；　Tufted　Titmouse；　Blue…gray　Gnatcatcher；　nearly　all　the　Warblers　except　the　Ground　Warblers；　Cedar　Bird；　Bohemian　Waxwing；　the　Vireos；　Robin；　Red　Crossbill；　White…winged　Crossbill；　Purple　Grackle；　Bronzed　Grackle；　Redstart；　Northern　Shrike；　Loggerhead　Shrike；　Crow；　Fish　Crow；　Raven；　Purple　Finch；　Tree　and　Chipping　Sparrows；　Cardinal；　Blue　Jay；　Kingbird；　the　Crested　and　other　Flycatchers。

BIRDS　OF　LOW　TREES　OR　LOWER　PARTS　OF　TREES

Black…billed　Cuckoo；　Yellow…billed　Cuckoo；　the　Sparrows；　the　Thrushes；　the　Grosbeaks；　Goldfinch；　Summer　Yellowbird　and　other　Warblers；　the　Wrens；　Bluebird；　Mocking…bird；　Catbird；　Brown　Thrasher；　Maryland　Yellowthroat；　Yellow…breasted　Chat。

BIRDS　OF　TREE…TRUNKS　AND　LARGE　LIMBS

Hairy　Woodpecker；　Downy　Woodpecker；　Red…headed　Woodpecker；　　Yellow…bellied　Woodpecker；　Flicker；　White…breasted　Nuthatch；　Red…breasted　Nuthatch；　Brown　Creeper；　Chickadee；　Tufted　Titmouse；　Golden…crowned　Kinglet；　Ruby…crowned　Kinglet；　Black…and…white　Creeping　Warbler；　Blue…winged　Warbler；　Worm…eating　Warbler；　Pine　Warbler；　Blackpoll　Warbler；　Whippoorwill；　Nighthawk。

BIRDS　THAT　SHOW　A　PREFERENCE　FOR　PINES　AND　OTHER　EVERGREENS

Chickadee；　Tufted　Titmouse；　the　Nuthatches；　Brown　Creeper；　the　Kinglets；　Pine　Warbler；　Black…and…white　Creeping　Warbler　and　all　the　Warblers　except　the　Ground　Warblers；　Pine　Siskin；　Cedar　Bird　and　Bohemian　Waxwing　（in　juniper　and　cedar　trees）；　Pine　Grosbeak；　Red　Crossbill；　White…winged　Crossbill；　the　Grackles；　Crow；　Raven；　Pine　Finch。

BIRDS　SEEN　FEEDING　AMONG　THE　FOLIAGE　AND　TERMINAL　TWIGS　OF　TREES

The　Red…eyed　Vireo；　White…eyed　Vireo；　Warbling　Vireo；　Solitary　Vireo；　Yellow…throated　Vireo；　Golden…crowned　Kinglet。　Ruby…crowned　Kinglet；　Black…billed　Cuckoo；　Yellow…billed　Cuckoo。　Yellow　Warbler　or　Summer　Yellowbird；　nearly　all　the　Warblers　except　the　Pine　and　the　Ground　Warblers；　the　Flycatchers；　Blue…gray　Gnatcatcher。

BIRDS　THAT　CHOOSE　CONSPICUOUS　PERCHES

Northern　Shrike；　Loggerhead　Shrike；　Kingbird；　the　Wood　Pewee；　the　Phoebe　and　other　Flycatchers；　the　Swallows；　Kingfisher；　Crows；　Grackles；　Blue　Jay　and　Canada　Jay；　the　Song；　the　White…throated；　and　the　Fox　Sparrows；　the　Grosbeaks；　Cedar　Bird；　Goldfinch；　Robin；　Purple　Finch；　Cowbird；　Brown　Thrasher　while　in　song。

BIRDS　OF　THE　GARDENS　AND　ORCHARDS。

Bluebird；　Robin；　the　English；　Song；　White…throated；　Vesper；　　White…crowned；　Fox；　Chipping；　and　Tree　Sparrows；　Phoebe；　Wood　Pewee；　the　Least　Flycatcher；　Crested　Flycatcher；　Kingbird；　Brown　Thrasher；　Wood　Thrush；　Mocking…bird；　Catbird；　House　Wren；　nearly　all　the　Warblers；　especially　at　blossom　time　among　the　shrubbery　and　fruit　trees；　Cedar　Bird；　Purple　Martin；　Eaves　Swallow；　Barn　Swallow；　Purple　Finch；　Cowbird；　Baltimore　and　Orchard　Orioles；　Purple　Grackle；　Bronzed　Grackle；　Blue　Jay；　Crow；　Fish　Crow；　Chimney　Swift；　Ruby…throated　Hummingbird；　the　Woodpeckers；　Flicker；　the　Nuthatches；　Chickadee；　Tufted　Titmouse；　the　Cuckoos；　Mourning　Dove；　Junco；　Starling。

BIRDS　OF　THE　WOODS

The　Warblers　almost　without　exception；　the　Thrushes；　the　Woodpeckers；