and where do they make their nests; of what are they made and by which bird or both; how long does it take, and when is the first and last egg laid; how long does it take them to hatch, and do both birds or only one incubate them; upon what are the young fed at different ages; how long do they remain in the nest, and do they return after once leaving; how long before they are able to feed themselves, and do they remain with their parents until they migrate. These and other notes that will suggest themselves will furnish interesting and valuable instruction during your leisure time.

TOPOGRAPHY OF A BIRD

The numbers and names used in this book are those adopted by the American Ornithologists’ Union, and are known both in this country and abroad. The lengths given are averages; our small birds often vary considerably and may be found either slightly larger or smaller than those quoted.

On some of the pages a number of sub-species are mentioned. Sub-species often cause confusion, because they are usually very similar to the original; they can best be identified by the locality in which they are found.

Of course the writing of birds’ songs is an impossibility, but wherever I have thought it might prove of assistance, I have given a crude imitation of what it sounds like to me. The nests and eggs are described, as they often lead to the identity of a bird. We would suggest that you neatly, and with ink, make a cross against the name of each bird that you see in your locality, and also that you write at the top of the page the date of the arrival and departure of each bird as you note it; these dates vary so much in different localities that we have not attempted to give them.

As many will not wish to soil their books, we would suggest that they have a leather-covered copy for the library and a cloth one for pocket use.

BIRD GUIDE

LAND BIRDS EAST OF THE ROCKIES

CAROLINA PAROQUET

Adults have the fore part of the head orange, while young birds have the head entirely green, with only a trifle orange on the forehead.

With the exception of the Thick-Billed Parrot, which is very rarely found in southern Arizona, these are the only members of the Parrot family in the United States. They were once abundant throughout the southern states, but are now nearly extinct. They are found in heavily timbered regions, usually along the banks of streams, where they feed upon seeds and berries.

Note.—A sharp, rolling “kr-r-r-r-r.” (Chapman.)

Nest.—Supposed to be in hollow trees, where they lay from three to five white eggs (1.31 × 1.06).

Range.—Formerly the southern states, but now confined to the interior of Florida and, possibly, Indian Territory.

GROOVE-BILLED ANI

Anis are fairly abundant in southern Texas along the Rio Grande. Like all the members of the family of Cuckoos, their nesting habits are very irregular; ofttimes a number of them will unite and form one large nest in a bush, in which all deposit their eggs. The eggs are bluish-green, covered with a white chalky deposit (1.25 × .95).

ROAD-RUNNER

In the southwestern portions of our country, from Texas and Kansas west to the Pacific, these curious birds are commonly found. They are locally known as “Ground Cuckoos,” “Snake-killers,” “Chaparral Cocks.” They are very fond of lizards and small snakes, which form a large part of their fare. They are very fleet runners, but fly only indifferently well. Their four to ten white eggs are laid on frail nests of twigs, in bushes.

MANGROVE CUCKOO

These buff-breasted Cuckoos are natives of Cuba and Central America, being found in southern Florida only during the summer. The habits of all the American Cuckoos are practically identical and their notes or songs can only be distinguished from one another by long familiarity.

YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO

This species is the most abundant in the southern part of its range, while the Black-bill is the most common in the North. Notice that the lower mandible is yellowish, that the wings are largely rufous, and that the outer tail feathers are black, with broad white tips, these points readily distinguishing this species from the next. The eggs of this species are large and paler colored than the next (1.20 × .90). They breed from the Gulf to southern Canada and winter in Central America.

BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO

Cuckoos are of quiet and retiring habits, but on account of their mournful notes are often regarded with awe by the superstitious. They are one of our most valuable birds, for they consume quantities of the fuzzy Tent Caterpillars, that are so destructive.

Their short, rounded wings and long, broad tails give them a silent, gliding flight that often enables them to escape unnoticed.

Note.—A low guttural croak, “cow,” “cow,” etc., repeated a great many times and sometimes varied with “cow-uh,” also repeated many times.

Nest.—Flat, shabby platforms of twigs placed at low elevations in thickets or on the lower branches of trees. The four greenish-blue eggs are 1.15 × .85.

Range.—United States and southern Canada, east of the Rockies. Arrives in May and leaves in September for northern South America.

BELTED KINGFISHER