KEY FOR BEGINNERS IN BIRD STUDY 
Aids in identification of birds mentioned in these essays. 
Notes taken by permission from Bulletin No. 50 by Robert Ridgway, 
‘from Birds of Washington by Dawson & Bowles, and from ne 
vation of author. 
Little stress should be put on imaginary words given to calls und 
song's, aS ideas on such matters vary ieee according to moods 
and individuals. | 
All sizes are given in inches directly after names of birds. 
The last item on each bird refers to call or sone. 
ABBREVIATIONS | 
| B. C.—British Columbia N. be, ‘Ainetien 
Cal.—California ~ U. S.—United States 
‘FH Female — | oo 8 Summer ( 
M.—Male | W.—Winter .. 
ae Mex.—Mexico | 
|. Birds often seen about water. | 
Northwestern Red-wing Blackbird. 
See Birds with Black plumage. 
American Coot (Mud Hen), 13-16. 
Uniform slaty, head and neck darker. _ 
- Notice—White bill has brown spot near tip each side; white 
shows under tail and on edge of wing; sealloped che on 
toes. | S 
Found—N. A, ee oe lakes. 
Nest—Grass, reeds in rushes. 
Eggs—6-10 creamy. | 
“Pool-ka, pool-ka, pool-ka.” 
Cormorant (Shag), 25-36. 
Greenish-black. 
Notice—Long, slender, hooked te naked skin about ae and 
lower bill. 
Found—Pacific Coast and connecting: waters. 
Nest—Sticks on isolated crags. | | 
Eggs—3-5 dull bluish green. 
Low croak. ~ 
Sandhill Crane, about 4B: 
Slaty gray or brown. 
Notice—Long black legs and bill; top of head dull-red, naked. 
Found—Rare migrant both sides of the Cascade Mts. | 
Nest—Platform of roots, weeds, in swamps. | 
Eggs—2 drab, spotted. 7 
Far-reaching bugle call. 
