146 



ALBATROSS— CORMORANTS— VIREOS. 



times several in sight of each other— would be. considered surpris-, 

 ing by one not recollecting that conveniences for breeding are in 

 this country practically limited to such narrow tracts. The nests 

 are built at varying heights, from the intricacies of heavy shrub- 

 bery, where a man may reach them from the ground, to the tops 

 of the tallest trees. They are generally, however, placed thirty 

 or forty feet high, in some stout crotch, or on a horizontal fork. 

 They are bulky and ragged looking structures, from the size of 

 sticks used for the base and outside ; the interior is composed of 

 smaller twigs more compactly arranged. The shape varies with 

 the requirements of the location, being more or less conical in an 

 upright crotch, flatter on a fork. The interior hollowing is slight. 

 An average external diameter may be given as two feet, and depth 

 half as much." 



PLATE XCIX. 



Black-footed Albatross. (JDiomedea nigripes.) 



Fig. i. 



This is a very abundant species, found along the Pacific coast. 

 According to Dr. Brehm 4 the Albatrosses claim the vast ocean of 

 the southern hemisphere as their habitat. A few, it is true, have 

 been occasionally seen even off the coasts of Europe, but such cir- 

 cumstance can only be regarded as an accidental occurrence. They 

 seldom or never pass beyond the tropic of Capricorn, at least in 

 the Atlantic, and even then only as occasional wanderers. They 

 appear more frequently, however, in the northern regions of the 

 Pacific ocean ; they are also said to make regular visits to Behring's 

 Straits and the Sea of Ochotsk, and not only casually to show them- 

 selves upon those unfrequent shores, but to reside in their vicinity 

 during several months, only retiring beyond the equator as the sea- 

 son for breeding approaches. In like manner, they are frequently 

 met with in high Antarctic latitudes — i. e., as we are informed by 

 sailors and fisherman, up to 50 or 6o° south latitude ; but whether 

 these are regular migrations, or merely casual excursions, We are 

 not as yet informed. We know, however, that they visit all seas 

 lying between 23 north and 66° south latitude ; that when they 

 come into more northern climes, as into Kamtschatka and Ochotsk, 

 they are hungry, lank, and half-starved, but that, in a few weeks, 

 owing to the abundance of food they there meet with, they return 

 to their breeding-places plump and in good condition. It is said 

 by some observers, that, in the literal meaning of the words, their 

 flight extends quite around the globe, being generally, however, 

 more or less restricted within the limits of a certain zone, from 

 which they never wander far during the whole course of the year, 

 and within which they likewise breed. 



Brandt's Cormorant. (Graculus penicillatus.') 



Fig. 2. 



This bird is found to be a very common species on the Pacific 

 coast. As all Cormorants are very much alike in their habits, we 

 refer the reader to page 13 for a detailed account. 



Violet Green Cormorant. (Graculus violaceus.) 



Fig. 3- 



This species is also found on the Pacific coast. Its habits are 

 very similar to the Cormorant described on page 13. 



Florida Cormorant. {Graculus dilophus, var. Jloridanus.) 



Fig. 4- 



This species is a southern variety of the Double-crested Cormo- 

 rant. It is a resident on the Floridian and Gulf coast. Its migra- 

 tions range up the Mississippi valley to Ohio. 



PLATE C. 



Least Vireo. ( Virio pusillus.) 



Fig. 1. 



Mr. Xantus first discovered this species at Cape St. Lucas, 

 and Dr. Coues gave it its first description in 1866. Dr. Cooper 

 claims that in its habits it greatly resembles the Warbling Vireo, 

 page 72 of this work. According to Mr. Ridgway, it is a species 

 easily recognized, being, in all respects, quite distinct from any 

 other. The character of its notes, as well as its habits, show it to be 

 a true Vireo. Its song, though weaker, bears a great resemblance 

 to that of the White-eyed. The nest found of this species, was 

 placed about three feet from the ground, in a low bush in a copse 

 of willows. Like all the nests of these Vireos it was pencile, being 

 attached to, and suspended from, the twigs of a branch. 



Bell's Vireo. ( Vireo belli.) 



Fig. 2. 



This species is met with from the Missouri river west to the 

 Rocky Mountains. Its habits are very similar to that of the 

 White-eyed Vireo, described on page 71 of this work. Its notes 

 are somewhat imitative of those of the Blue-bird, differing alto- 

 gether from those of other Vireos. 



Gray Vireo. Arizona Vireo. Gray Greenlet. ( Vireo vicinior.) 



Fig. 3- 



Very little is known of this rare species, which was first discov- 

 ered by Dr. Coues, near Fort Whipple, Arizona, in 1865, and de- 

 scribed by him in 1866. 



Western Warbling Vireo, or Greenlet. Swainson's Warbling Greenlet. 



( Vireo gilous, var. Swainsoni.) 



Fig. 4- 



This species is a western variety of our common little Warbling 

 Vireo, page 72 of this work. It is met with from the Rocky 

 Mountains to the Pacific coast. Like its eastern relative, its song, 

 which is cheerful and varied, is heard throughout the day until late 

 in autumn. They also build their nests in the shade-trees in the 

 cities. 



Plumbeous Vireo. 



Lead colored Vireo, or Greenlet. 

 var. plumbeus^) 



Fig. 5- 



( Vireo solii arias. 



This is the western variety of the species known as the Solitary 

 Vireo, see page 71. It was first described by Dr. Coues, who met 



