170 



SKIMMER— PLOVER— TERN— HERONS— GOD WIT— WOODCOCK— GALLINULE, ETC 



fig. i, page 136. The Green Ibis is met with on the Pacific Coast 

 of America from California to Chili. The Whitefaced, in the 

 whole of tropical America, and middle province of United States ; 

 from Chili and Buenos Ayres to the Columbia river. 



Black Skimmer; Cut-water. (Rhynchops nigra.) 



Fig. 10. 



Dr. Coues once saw a single specimen of this bird on the Poto- 

 mac river, near Washington. Otherwise, his personal observations 

 were confined, up to the present time, to the coast of North Caro- 

 lina, where the birds are plentiful. There he noticed them late in 

 the summer and during the autumn. In September they become 

 plentiful, and so continue until the latter part of November, some 

 doubtless remaining later. In examining large numbers of speci- 

 mens, he found a great difference in size, and particularly in the 

 bill. Some individuals are fully a third heavier than others. The 

 bill varies over an inch in length, and especially in the length 

 of the under mandible. Sometimes the difference between the two 

 mandibles is hardly a third of an inch, at others over an inch. 

 The oblique striae on the under one are sometimes obsolete. In 

 high condition, the bill is bright red (vermilion) and black; other- 

 wise, orange and black, or even mostly dusky, only yellowish at 

 base. The young in the fall are curiously variegated with dusky 

 and whitish above, few specimens being exactly alike. The note 

 of this species is instantly distinguished from that of any ©f our 

 other species of this family by its deep guttural intonation, more 

 like the croaking of some Herons than the cries of the Gulls and 

 Terns. The bird also differs from its allies in going in true flocks, 

 as distinguished from the gatherings, however large, in commun- 

 ity of interest, that occur with the Gulls and Terns. The birds 

 move synchronously, which is not the case with any of the others. 



They feed chiefly by night, or at any rate in the dusk of the 

 evening, at which time, in passing over the harbor, one may 

 hear their hoarse notes on every hand, and see the birds 

 gliding swiftly along just over the water, either singly or in small 

 flocks. During the daytime, when the Gulls and Terns are busy 

 fishing, the Skimmers are generally seen reposing on the sand- 

 bars. They never drop on their prey on the wing, like their allies. 

 Their mode of feeding is not exactly made out, but it is believed 

 they skim over the surface with the body inclined downward, the 

 bill open, and the under mandible in the water, so they really take 

 their prey in a manner analogous to the feeding of whales. 



Missouri Piping Plover. (^Egialitis melodus, var. circumcinctusi) 

 Fig. n. 



This variety is a resident on the plains between the Missouri 

 River and the Rocky Mountains. Its habits are supposed to be 

 similar to the typical bird, represented on Plate XL, fig. 4, page 56. 



Bridled Tern. {Sterna ancesthetai) 



Fig. 12. 



The Bridled Tern is met with in the warmer portions of North 

 America. Habits supposed to be similar to other members of this 

 family. 



Florida Heron. (Ardea courdemanuii.) 



Fig. 13. 



This species is considered the handsomest of all our American 

 Herons. It is met with in Southern Florida, and is very similar, 

 in appearance and habits, to the Great Blue Heron, represented on 

 Plate LXXX, fig. 1, page 124. 



White-tailed, or White-rumped Godwit. (Limosa uropygialis.) 



Fig. 14- 



This is an European species, met with at Alaska. It is usually 

 met with near the muddy banks of rivers or of sea-inlets, or wher- 

 ever there is found a rich supply of worms, molluscs, and aquatic 

 animals, upon which they subsist. Their movements on the wing 

 are very powerful. 



Reddish Egret ; Peale's Egret ; Heron. (Ardea rufa.) 



Fig- IS- 



This bird is very closely allied to the European Heron. It was 

 first obtained by Mr. Titian Peale, in Florida. It is an abundant 

 maritime species along the Gulf States. 



European Woodcock. (Scolopax rusticola.) 



Fig. 16. 



This bird, which is evidently a stranger to this country, from 

 Europe, where it has an extended range, has been met with in 

 Rhode Island and New Jersey. Upon the ground, this Woodcock 

 is not considered an expert. It walks slowly, with a roundabout, 

 tripping step, and never ventures any distance on foot. During 

 the day, it remains comparatively quiet ; but toward evening it 

 exhibits activity and briskness. It is very shy, and prefers shady 

 and retired situations. The call of the male consists of a hum- 

 ming note ; the female utters a piping cry. Its food consists of 

 insects, worms, and larvae. 



Purple Gallinule. (Porphyrio martinica) 



Fig. 17. 



This is a beautiful bird that is often met with along the coasts of 

 the South Atlantic and Gulf States, and is casually met with as 

 far north as the New England States. Its habits are very similar 

 to the Florida Gallinule, represented on Plate XLII, page 58. 



Green-shank, (Glottis chloropus.') 



Fig. 18. 



An European bird, of which a straggler was obtained by Audu- 

 bon, in Florida, which is the only reason for its appearing as a 

 North American species. 



Western Semi-palmated Sandpiper. (Ereunetes puslus, var. occidentalism 



Fig. 19. 



A Pacific coast variety of the typical bird, represented on Plate 

 XI, fig. 2, page 12. 



Thick-billed Sandpiper. (Fringa crassirostris.) 



Fig. 20. 



According to Mr. Dale (Am. Nat., vol. 7, 634), a specimen of 

 this species was obtained in the Aleutian Islands, with an incom- 

 plete set of eggs. He says it is a species hitherto known only from 

 Eastern China, and Japan. 



