Ha^' o)i Birds of tJie Lo-joer Mississippi. 93 



45. Melanerpes erythrocephalus {Linn.) S-v. Red-headed Wood- 

 pecker. — This Woodpecker is apparently not so common as at the North, 

 but it was observed at Memphis, Vicksburg. and Jackson. 



46. Colaptes auratus {Linn.) Sxv. Yellow-shafted Flicker. — 

 A not uncommon bird about Vicksburg. 



47. Ceryle alcyon (Z/;/;/.) Boie. Belted Kingflsher. — Qiiite com- 

 mon. Seen at Metnphis and Vicksburg and intermediate points along 

 the river. 



48. Coccyzus americanus {Linn.) Bonap. Yellow-billed Cuc- 

 koo. — Apparently common. A specimen was secured at Vicksburg. 



49. Coiiurus carolinensis (Linn.^ Kuhl. Carolina Parakeet. — 

 None were seen by ourselves. Inquiry concerning this rapidly disap- 

 pearing species was made of various persons, and especially of hunters. 

 It is still occasionally seen; but, for the most part, it maintains itself in 

 the dense cane-brakes and forests, away from contact with man. I heard 

 of its having been seen recently along the Mississippi River, about half 

 way down the state of Mississippi ; also that it had been seen in south- 

 eastern Arkansas. A gentleman in Jackson stated that he had, within a 

 year or two, seen a flock of Parakeets pass over that city. These items, 

 together with the information obtained by Dr. F. W. Langdon, communi- 

 cated in his recent paper, would indicate that this bird has not vet disap- 

 peared from the Mississippi Valley. 



.^o. Scops asio {Linn.) Bonap. Little Screech Owl. — A single 

 individual of this species, in the shabbiest of plumage, was shot along the 

 Big Black River between Vicksburg and Jackson. 



51. Buteo lineatus (G;«.) 5^n/-(f. Red-shouldered Hawk. — A speci- 

 men of this hawk was shot and brought to me by a hunter at Jackson. 



5 J. Cathartes aura {I^inn.) Illig. Turkey Buzzard. —A common 

 bird everywhere. Seen in great numbers at Jackson in company with 

 the next. 



53. Catharista atrata {Wih.) Less. Carrion Crow. — Not ob- 

 served at any place but Jackson, although doubtless common everywhere. 

 Readily distinguished from the Turkey Buzzard by its smaller size and its 

 manner of flight. 



54. Zenaidura carolinensis {Linn.) Bonap. Mourning Dove. — 

 Common everywhere. Memphis, Vicksburg, Jackson. 



55. Meleagris gallopavo americana {Bartr.) Coues. Wild Tur- 

 key. — None were seen, but hunters stated that they were quite abundant, 

 even in the immediate vicinity of the city of Jackson. In the spring of 

 1S80 I saw a fine gobbler that had been shot by a party of hunters in the 

 pine woods of Kemper County, near the eastern border of the State. 



56. Ortyx virginiana {Li»7i.) Bonap. Bob White. — The call notes 

 of these birds were frequently heard as we passed down the river. At 

 Vicksburg they appeared to be abundant in the bottom lands. We were 

 extremely sorry that we could procure none of their skins. 



57. Ardea herodias Linn. Great Blue Heron. — Several of these 

 birds were seen flying about in the swamps near Vicksburg. 



