76 FIELD KEY TO COMMON BIRDS. 



PIKST GROUP. 



BIRDS THAT CATCH THEIE INSECT FOOD IN THE AIK. 



(Flycatchers, Swallows, Swift, Nighthawh, Whip-poor-will.) 



I. Size large, length over 9-00 inohes; 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 con- 

 spicuous white spot in each wing ; note, a loud, nasal peent ; sometimes 

 dives earthward with a looming sound ; May to Oct. 



NiGHTHAWK, page 144. 



2. Haunts, near the ground, makes short flights while feeding ; call, given 

 from a rook, stump, or similar perch, whip-poor-will, vigorously repeated ; 

 Apl. 25 to to Oct "Wmp-pooE-wiLL, page 146. 



II. Size smaller, length under 9-00 inches ; the spread wings less than 

 15'00 inohes in extent ; may be seen at any time of the day. 



1. Birds that catch passing insects by darting from a perch, to which they 

 afterward return. 



A. Length 8-50 inches ; upper parts blackish slate-color ; tail tipped with 

 white ; occasionally attacks Crows ; note, an unmusical, steely chatter ; 

 May to Sept Kimgbibd, page 150. 



B. Length under 8-00 inches ; upper parts not slate-color ; tail not tipped 

 with white. 



a. Length 7-00 inches ; frequently found nesting under bridges or about 

 buildings ; crown blackish ; tail wagged nervously ; note, pee, pee, 

 and^ewW-^^aSis; Moh. to Oct Phceee, page 154 



b. Length 6-50 inches; haunts wooded growths ; note, a plaintive ^e«- 

 o-wee ; May to Sept Wood Pewee, page 158. 



i;. Length 5-40 inches ; haunts orchards, lawns, and open woodland ; 

 note, ohelee, ohebec ; Apl. 25 to Sept. . Least Fltoatchee, page 156. 



2. Birds that feed on the wing for hours without perching. 



A. Plumage entirely black. 



a. Length 5'50 inches ; plumage sooty black ; usually nests in chim- 

 neys ; Apl. 25 to Oct Chikk-ey Swift, page 146. 



J. Length 8-00 inches ; glossy, bluish black ; nests in gourds or houses 

 erected for its use ; Apl. 25 to Sept. . . Ptikple Maktin, page 216. 



B. Plumage not entirely black ; Apl. to Oct. Swallows, pages 214, 215. 



SECOND GROUP. 



CLIiSIBING AND CREEPING BIRDS. 



{Nuthatches, Creepers, Woodpeehers.) 



I. Birds without stiffly pointed tail-feathers, that climb either up or 



down. 

 1. Length 6-00 inohes; back gray, cap black, cheeks and under parts 

 white ; note, a nasal yanh, yank ; a permanent resident. 



■White-breasted Ncthatch, page 250. 



