76 FIELD KEY TO COMMON BIRDS. 
It should be borne in mind that living birds do not 
look as long as they really are. The measurement of 
“length” is taken with the bird’s neck and tail out- 
stretched in a straight line. In life the tail may be raised 
or drooped, while the neck is drawn in or curved, making 
the bird look shorter than measurement shows it to be. 
Remember that the Robin measures ten inches, the House 
Sparrow six and one-fourth inches, and the Ruby-throated 
Humming-bird three and three-fourths inches in length, 
and you will have a basis for comparison. 
FIRST GROUP. 
BIRDS THAT FEED ON THE WING FOR LONG INTERVALS OF TIME 
. WITHOUT PERCHING. 
(Swallows, Swift, Nighthawk, Whip-poor-will.) 
I. Size large, length over 9-00 inches; the spread wings over 15°00 
inches in extent; generally seen only late in the afternoon or at 
dusk. 
1. A bird of the air, flying high, often over housetops in cities: a conspicu- 
ous white spot in each wing; note, a loud, nasal peent; sometimes dives 
earthward with a booming sound; May to Oct. . NieuTuawk, page 118. 
2. Haunts, near the ground, not often observed while feeding; call, given 
from a rock, stump, or similar perch, whip-poor-will, vigorously repeated ; 
Apl. 25'to Oct. 006-0. loo se ele Wuip-PooR-WILL, page 119. 
Il. Size smaller, length under 9:00 inches; the spread wings less than 
15°00 inches in extent; may be seen at any time of the day. 
1. Plumage entirely black. 
a. Length 5:50 inches; plumage sooty black; usually nests in chimneys; 
Apl. 25:to Oct... .>.0. ye 3 el bese Cumney Swirt, page 119. 
6. Length 8-00 inches; glossy, bluish black; nests in gourds or houses 
erected for its use; Apl. 25 to Sept. . . . Purpre Marry, page 161. 
2. Plumage not entirely black; Apl. to Oct. . Swa.iows, pages 159, 160. 
SECOND GROUP. 
CLIMBING AND CREEPING BIRDS. 
(Nuthatches, Creepers, Woodpeckers.) 
I. Birds without stiffly pointed tail-feathers, that climb either up or 
down. 
1. Length 6:00 inches; back gray, cap black, cheeks and under parts 
white; note, a nasal yank, yank; a permanent resident. 
WuirE-BREAsTEeD NutHaton, page 180. 
