A Missouri bird record, 1930
In 1930 Lydia's grandmother kept a fill-in-the-blank bird record in Missouri: a printed page for each bird she saw, with blanks for when and how she saw it, her notes in cursive, and illustrations. Each page is shown as photographed, with her writing read out beside it.
Pied-billed Grebe, Podilymbus podiceps
First seen March 18, 1930. On a lake.
Spring Arrival: Mar. April -
Fall Departure: November
Preferred habitat: Small ponds or
streams.
Call notes: male calls "cow-cow-cow-uh".
female calls "cuk-cuk" and "ugh-ugh".
Food: Fish, small forms of
aquatic life, and vegetable
matter.
Economic status: neither beneficial or
harmful.
NEST: Location: In shallow water
and among rushes.
NEST: Materials inside and outside (bracketed together): Decaying
water-soak-
ed vegetation
EGGS: Size: 1.74 x 1.19
EGGS: Number: 4-8
EGGS: Date: Winnebago, Ill., May [cut off]
Size: Length 13.50.
Larger than a Robin.
Sex figured: Adult, either male or
female, in the sum-
mer.
Recognition marks: Brownish black back
with lighter under-
parts. Black throat
patch. Black band
on the bill.
Distinctive habits: It dives when most water
birds would fly. They dive
very rapidly.
Other plumages: winter: Throat white and no black band on bill.
Other plumages: young: Throat white and no black band on bill.
Family to which it belongs: Colymbidae
Family characteristics: 1. Pointed bill.
2. Small wings and shorter tail.
3. Rapidity with which they dive.
On the field trips: March 18, 1930 1, April 1, 1930 4
Belted Kingfisher, Ceryle alcyon
First seen April 1, 1930. Perched on the limb
of a tree near the
lake.
Spring Arrival: Late Feb
Fall Departure: Nov.
Preferred habitat: The shores of wooded
streams and ponds,
and on a limb over-
hanging the water.
Call notes: Loud rattling call
Food: Fish, sometimes
insects and even
vegetable matter.
Economic status: Negative value
NEST: Location: In a hole in the
bank about six feet
from the entrance
EGGS: Size: 1.34 x 1.05
EGGS: Number: 5-8
EGGS: Date: Minn. May 9.
Size: Length 13.02 inches
Larger than a Robin.
Sex figured: Female
Recognition marks: Upperparts bluish gray. A white throat.
A bluish gray band across the breast.
The underparts white, with the sides
tinged with bluish gray. Female is
similar to the male but the sides
are rufous, with a rufous band on belly.
Distinctive habits: When you go near him he drops from
his perch and flies on ahead. This may
be repeated until the limits of his wander-
ings are reached. He then makes a wide de-
tour and returns to his starting
point.
Confusing species: The Blue Jay.
Other plumages: (fe)male: sides and a band on the belly rufous.
Other plumages: young: tinged with rufous.
Family to which it belongs: Alcedinidae
Family characteristics: 1. Four toes, the middle and outer ones joined for
half their length.
2. Bill without cere.
3. Tail feathers not stiff and pointed.
On the field trips: April 1, 1930 1, April 8, 1930 1
Hairy Woodpecker, Dryobates villosus villosus
First seen March 18, 1930.. Perched on the side of a tree.
Winter Range (annotation under the map title): and
Summer Range
Spring Arrival / Fall Departure: Permanent
Resident
Preferred habitat: Isolated woods
Song: The rolling tattoo is short
and loud with great
intervals between each
stroke.
Call notes: "Peent" which is loud.
Birds with similar songs and calls: Other woodpeckers
Food: Chiefly noxious
insects
Economic status: Beneficial
NEST: Location: Generally in a
dead tree.
EGGS: Size: .95 x .75
EGGS: Number: 4-6
EGGS: Date: Wheatland, Ind[cut off]
Size: 9.40 inches long.
Smaller than a robin.
Sex figured: Male
Recognition marks: Red on the nape. White under-
parts. Middle of the back white.
White wing bars. White outer
tail feathers.
Distinctive habits: Prefers staying in the woods.
Confusing species: Downy Woodpecker
Other plumages: (fe)male: Without the red band on nape.
Family to which it belongs: Picidae
Family characteristics: 1. [Two?] toes in front and toe behind.
2. [Stout?] chisel like bill.
3. Stiff [extensible?] tongue.
On the field trips: March 18, 1930 1, April 1, 1930 1
Downy Woodpecker, Dryobates pubescens medianus
First seen March 18, 1930.. Perched on a tree
Winter Range: and
Summer Range
Spring Arrival: Permanent
Preferred habitat: woodlands, orchards,
and shade trees of [lawns?]
Song: A rolling tattoo
Call notes: Businesslike "peek, peek" that
resembles a marble-quarrier's chisel.
Birds with similar songs and calls: Other woodpeckers.
Food: Grubs and larvae and
insects from the bark of trees.
Economic status: It visits our orchards
and eats insect larvae
and eggs. It is one of the most
beneficial of our [?]
Location: Generally in dead
trees.
Materials inside and outside: Chips found
in the tree.
Size: .75 x .60
Number: 4-6
Date: Mt. Carmel, [Ill.?]
Size: Length 6.83 inches
Larger than an English Sparrow.
Sex figured: Male.
Recognition marks: Black upperparts with a white
streak down its back. White
wing bars. White underpart. White
outer tail feathers barred with
black. Red on the nape.
Distinctive habits: Very sociable.
Confusing species: Hairy Woodpecker
Other plumages: (fe)male: No red on the nape.
Family to which it belongs: Picidae
Family characteristics: 1. Two toes in front and two behind.
2. Stout chizel like bill.
3. Stiffened tail feathers.
On the field trips: March 18, 1930 4, April 1, 1930 2, April 8, 1930 m, April 29, 1930 1, May 13, 1930 1
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Sphyrapicus varius varius.
First seen March 11, 1930. Perched on the side of
a tree.
Fall Arrival—Departure: Migrant here.
May be seen be-
tween Nov. and April.
Preferred habitat: Wooded places
and in orchards.
Call notes: A clear ringing
"cleur".
Food: Largely the juices
of trees.
Economic status: It does little good
and much harm.
Location: About 40 feet off
of the ground.
Size: .87 x .67
Number: 5-7
Date: Minn. May 13
Size: 8.56 inches long.
Smaller than a Robin.
Sex figured: Male
Recognition marks: Black upper parts. Black
and white barred back.
White spot on the wing.
Yellow breast. Red on
the crown and throat.
Distinctive habits: Chasing one another through
the trees, screaming at one
another.
Other plumages: (fe)male: Throat white, crown sometimes black.
Other plumages: young: Crown dull blackish, breast brownish
gray barred with black. Throat whitish.
Family to which it belongs: Picidae
Family characteristics: 1. Two toes in front, two behind.
2. Stout chizel like bill.
3. Stiffened tail feathers.
On the field trips: March 11, 1930 1, March 18, 1930 1, April 1, 1930 1
Cowbird (Brown-headed Cowbird), Molothrus ater ater
First seen May 6, 1930.. On the ground near
cattle.
Spring Arrival: 1st or 2nd week of March
Fall Departure: Late Sept. or Oct.
Preferred habitat: In small
flocks they visit
both pasture and
woodland and follow cattle.
Song: No song. His chief contri-
bution in the spring is a
guttural bubbling produced
with apparently
nauseous effort.
Food: Insects they find near
cattle.
Economic status: They are outcasts. There
is an air about the group
that at once an observer can tell
that their deeds are [?]
Location: No nest. The eggs
are laid in the nest
of (some 90 recorded)
other species.
Size: .86 x .65
Date: Cambridge May 15
Size: Length 7.92 inches
Smaller than a robin.
Sex figured: Male.
Recognition marks: Head, neck, and breast coffee - brown; rest
of the plumage glossy black, with metall-
ic bluish and greenish reflections.
Distinctive habits: In small flocks.
An acknowledged villain. They build
no nest, and the females, lack every moral
and maternal instinct. They leave their com-
panions long enough to deposit their eggs
in the nests of other smaller birds. When they young
hatch they demand a greater share of the
food and starve or crowd out the rightful
occupants of the nest. As they get larger
they join the flock of cowbirds.
Other plumages: (fe)male: Dark brownish gray. Lighter below, especially on
the throat.
Other plumages: young: Similiar to female but whiter below.
Family to which it belongs: Icteridae
Family characteristics: 1. Nostrils not concealed by bristles.
2. Outer tail feathers generally shortest.
3. Bills extends backward and divides
feathers at the forehead.
On the field trips: April 22, 1930 heard, May 6, 1930 2, May 13, 1930 4
Redwinged Blackbird (Red-winged Blackbird), Agelaius phoeniceus phoenic[eus?]
First seen March 11, 1930. Perched in a tree.
Spring Arrival—Departure: First of Mar.-
Fall Departure: Oct.-Dec.
Preferred habitat: Meadows and marshes
Song: A rich "Kong-quer-rēē"
Call notes: Inquiring "Chut-chuck".
Alarm note "Chee-e-e-e".
Birds with similar songs and calls: Other blackbirds.
Food: Harmful insects, weed
seeds, corn, wheat, and
oats.
Economic status: When moderately abundant
they do more good than harm.
Large flocks are capable of
doing great harm to grain.
Location: Attaches to low
bushes or reeds.
Materials inside: finer grasses and
rootlets.
Materials outside: coarse grasses
and weed stalks.
Size: 1.04 x .72
Number: 3-5
Date: Minn. May 8.
Size: 9.51 inches long.
Smaller than a Robin.
Sex figured: Male
Recognition marks: Black bird with red
wings that are bor-
dered with yellow.
Distinctive habits: Flying in flocks and perched
on trees or cat tails. The
males arrive several weeks before
the females.
Confusing species: Other blackbirds.
Other plumages: (fe)male: Blackish streaked with rusty and buffy.
Other plumages: winter: Underparts margined with rusty.
Other plumages: young: upperparts margined with rusty, under-
parts tipped with whitish.
Family to which it belongs: Icteridae
Family characteristics: 1. [Bill?] extends backward and divides feathers at the forehead.
2. Nostrils not concealed by bristles.
3. Outer tail feathers generally shortest.
On the field trips: March 11, 1930 3, March 18, 1930 1, April 1, 1930 1, April 8, 1930 3, April 22, 1930 1, April 29, 1930 m, May 13, 1930 9
Brown Creeper, Certhia familiaris america[na?]
First seen April 1, 1930. Seen going up a tree in a
spirel.
Spring Departure: 10th to 30th April
Fall Arrival: Oct 8th, 9th, 10th.
Preferred habitat: On the trunks of
trees in a forest or
wooded country.
Song: Has a tender song of four notes.
one moderate pitch, second
lower, third rising, fourth
falling and dying away.
Call notes: Squeaky notes
Food: Insects, eggs and larvae
hidden in crevices of
the bark.
Economic status: Beneficial.
Location: Placed behind
the loose bark of
trees.
Materials inside and outside: twigs, strips
of bark, bits
of dead wood,
and moss.
Size: .62 x .47
Number: 5-8.
Date: Holland Patent, N[?]
Size: Length 5.66.
Smaller than an English
Sparrow.
Sex figured: An adult.
Recognition marks: Upperparts mixed with white,
fuscous, and ochraceous buff.
Tail grayish brown. Creamy-buff
through all the outer tail feathers
Underparts white; bill curved. Stiff
sharply pointed tail feathers.
Distinctive habits: He winds his way up the tree trunk. Finally
reaching the top of his spiral staircase, like
a bit of loosened bark he drops off to the
base of the nearest tree and resumes his
never ending task.
Family to which it belongs: Certhiidae
Family characteristics: 1. Bills slender.
2. Bills curved.
3. Tail feathers pointed and slightly
stiffened.
On the field trips: April 1, 1930 1
Meadowlark (Eastern Meadowlark), Sturnella magna magna.
First seen March 11, 1930. Perched on a fence
post.
Spring Arrival: Feb. 25 —
Fall Departure: Oct.–Dec.
Preferred habitat: Grassy fields,
meadows or marshes
Song: Interpreted as:
"Laziness will kill you."
Call notes: [Dzit?] or yert and a
metallic twitter.
Birds with similar songs and calls: Western Meadowlark
Food: Consists largely of in-
sects. Some grain and
weed seeds.
Economic status: Beneficial
NEST: Location: On the ground.
NEST: Materials inside and outside (bracketed together, 'and' written between): Grasses.
EGGS: Size: 1.15 X .80
EGGS: Number: 4 - 6
EGGS: Date: Tampico, Ill. May [?]
Size: Length 10.75
Larger than a Robin.
Sex figured: Adults, either male or
female, in the summer.
Recognition marks: upperparts brownish black.
Underparts yellowish.
Back and sides are spot-
ted or barred with black.
Black cresent on the throat.
White our tail feathers.
Distinctive habits: It usually keeps it's brightly colored breast
concealed. It uses its tail as a brace
Confusing species: Flicker
Other plumages: winter / young (bracketed together; (fe)male struck): upperparts are rufous-brown; black
breast cresent [viled?] with buffy. Yel-
low underparts are duller.
Family to which it belongs: Icteridae
Family characteristics: 1. Nostrils not concealed by bristles.
2. Outer tail feathers generally shortest.
3. Bill extends backward and divides
feathers at the forehead.
On the field trips: March 11, 1930 2, March 18, 1930 1, April 1, 1930 1, April 22, 1930 1, April 29, 1930 2, May 6, 1930 2, May 13, 1930 1
Barn Swallow, Hirundo erythrogaster
First seen May 13, 1930. Flying in the sky.
Spring Arrival: [13th?] to 20th April
Fall Departure: Last Half of Sept.
Preferred habitat: In the old fashion-
ed barn with its
great doors.
Song: Happy twittering song.
Call notes: Sweet call notes
Food: Insects chiefly flies. Beetles,
ants, wasps, and bees.
Economic status: Beneficial.
NEST: Location: Generally on rafters
of a barn or other
buildings.
NEST: Materials inside: lined with grasses
and feathers
NEST: Materials outside: mud and grasses
EGGS: Size: .77 X .54
EGGS: Number: 4 - 6
EGGS: Date: Cambridge, May [2?]
Size: Length 6.95 inches
Larger than an English
Sparrow.
Sex figured: Male.
Recognition marks: Forehead throat and upperbreast chestnut-rufous,
rest of the underparts washed with the same color.
upperparts steel blue. Tail forked. All but middle
feathers with white spots on their inner webs.
Distinctive habits: Nest both in pairs and colonies. They take first
rank in a family of birds famous for their
flight. They capture their prey near the ground.
Feed on the wing.
Confusing species: The Swallows may be confused with one another.
Other plumages: (fe)male: [Underparts?] usually paler. Outer tail feathers shorter.
Other plumages: young: Up[per?]parts mixed with dusky, forehead and throat
[paler?]; outer tail feathers shorter.
Family to which it belongs: [Hirundinidae?]
Family characteristics: 1. Wings long and pointed
2. No [?] bristles at the base of the bill.
3. [Bill?] short and flattened much wider than
[high?] at the base.
Drawing labels (pencil): P Martin
Barn Swallow
Eaves Swallow
or
Cliff Swallow
Tree Sw.
Bank Swallow
On the field trips: May 13, 1930 3
Mockingbird (Northern Mockingbird), Mimus polyglottos polyglo[ttos?]
First seen April 15, 1930.. Perched high in a tree.
Spring Arrival: Mar. 1st to Apr. 10th
Fall Departure: usually in early
August and
later.
Preferred habitat: Gardens, parks,
and squares,
even in town streets.
Song: Might be called
our national song
bird. It mimics other
birds.
Birds with similar songs and calls: Brown Thrasher and
Catbird.
Food: Half of food is fruit of cultivated
variety as strawberries and black-
berries. Grasshoppers, chinch bugs,
[weevil?], and bollworm.
Economic status: It is protected by protective
laws although it does not earn
protection from an economic
standpoint. Ability to sing deserves
protection.
NEST: Location: In thickets and
orange trees.
NEST: Materials inside: rootlets, cotton
NEST: Materials outside: Coarse twigs,
weed stalks
EGGS: Size: 1.00 X .72
EGGS: Number: 4 - 6
EGGS: Date: Raleigh, N.[?] May [2?]
Size: Length 10.50
Larger than a Robin.
Sex figured: An adult.
Recognition marks: Ashy above, outer tail
feathers white. Under-
parts soiled white.
Distinctive habits: He is a good citizen, and courting rather than
shunning public life, shows an evident interest
in the affairs of the day. On moonlight nights
many birds sing throughout the night.
Other plumages: (fe)male: Whiter areas slightly smaller.
Other plumages: young: Grayish brown above spotted with
fuscous below.
Family to which it belongs: Mimidae
Family characteristics: 1. Length 8. to [13?]. inches.
2. Tarsus scaled.
3. Tail rounded.
High rank as mockers
On the field trips: April 22, 1930 1, May 13, 1930 1
Catbird (Gray Catbird), Dumetella carolinensis
First seen April 29, 1930.. Perched in a tree
Spring Arrival: April 25th and -
may 2nd
Fall Departure: middle of
September
Preferred habitat: In thickets, near
homes and in the
garden and Orchard.
Song: Rarely loud. He is a
charming singer. mimics
other birds.
Birds with similar songs and calls: mockingbird and
Brown Thrasher.
Food: Insects
Economic status: Beneficial
Location: Thickets or densely
foliaged trees.
Materials inside: lined with root-
lets.
Materials outside: Twigs, grass and
leaves.
Size: .94 x .67
Number: 3-5
Date: minn., may 18.
Size: Length 8.94
Smaller than a Robin.
Sex figured: an adult
Recognition marks: Crown and tail black; under tail-coverts
chestnut, sometimes spotted with
slaty and rarely largely slaty; rest of
the plumage slaty gray.
Distinctive habits: most intelligent bird of North America. Friendly
and will sing by the hour for your enter-
tainment, and will answer your calls. Generous
and helpful to other birds. Tosses upward, spreads
his tail and jerks his body. He plays droll pranks.
Family to which it belongs: Mimidae
Family characteristics: 1. Length 8 to 12 inches
2. Tarsus scaled
3. Tail rounded.
High rank as mockers
On the field trips: April 22, 1930 [6?], April 29, 1930 1, May 13, 1930 2
Myrtle Warbler (Yellow-rumped Warbler), Dendroica coronata.
First seen April 15, 1930. Perched in a tree
Spring Arrival - Departure: 16th to 25th of mar. - 1st week of Ma[y?]
Fall Arrival - Departure: Sept 27th - Last of October
Preferred habitat: Thick timbered sections
of bluff region and bottom
lands.
Song: Cheery Trill.
Call notes: "tchep."
Birds with similar songs and calls: Slate Colored Junco.
Food: Fruit of poison ivy. Insects
that are all harmful as: Flies,
Plant lice, weevils, ants and
wasps.
Economic status: Beneficial.
Location: Coniferous trees
5-10 feet up.
Materials inside: lined with grasses.
Materials outside: vegetable fibers
Size: .70 x .52
Number: 4-5
Date: maine, may [?]
Size: Length 5.65.
Smaller than an English
Sparrow.
Sex figured: male.
Recognition marks: A yellow patch on the crown, rump, and on each
side of the breast. upperparts bluish gray,
streaked with black. Two white wing
bars. outer tail feathers white. Throat white.
upper belly heavily marked with black.
Lower belly white.
Distinctive habits: Their favorite food is the bayberry or myrtle berry.
S. fond are they of this berry that their move-
ments are largely governed by the success or
failure of this crop.
Confusing species: Other Warblers.
Other plumages: (fe)male: Less black below; breast streaked with black.
Other plumages: winter / young (bracketed together): yellow crown patch more concealed. Rump yellow.
yellow on sides reduced upperparts grayish
brown streaked with black. underparts soiled
white streaked with black. wing bars grayish. Tail
with white patches.
Family to which it belongs: Mniotiltidae
Family characteristics: 1. Small birds
2. Bill usually slender and pointed
3. Tail generally square and some-
times rounded.
On the field trips: April 22, 1930 1
Mourning Dove, Zenaidura macroura carolin[ensis?]
First seen April 1, 1930.. Perched in a tree.
Spring Arrival: March
Fall Departure: Oct. and Nov.
Preferred habitat: open woodlands
by tree-bordered
fields: Roads and
lanes:
Song: a sweet sad call
"coo-o-o, ah-coo-oo - coo-oo - coo-o-o"
Food: Grain that is entirely waste
kernels. 2/3 of foods is weed
seeds. [Gravel?].
Economic status: Highly beneficial and
worthy of protection.
Location: A flat structure
on the lower branches
of a tree, generally
within ten feet of the
ground.
Materials outside: Twigs loosely put
together.
Size: 1.07 x .83
Number: 2
Date: minn., may 1[2?]
Size: Length 11.85 inches
Larger than a Robin.
Sex figured: male.
Recognition marks: upperparts olive grayish
brown. Crown bluish slate
color. Sides of the neck
with metalic reflections. a small black
mark below the ear. underparts a creamy
buff.
Distinctive habits: During the mating season one or both birds may
be seen performing a peculiar aerial evolution.
They ascend to a height of 30 feet fly for a short
distance in an unusual manner then with
a short sail return to their perch. They
gather in flocks in cornfields then eat
gravel.
Other plumages: (fe)male: Much less iridescence. Breast and forehead wash-
ed with grayish brown.
Other plumages: young: Like female but feathers tipped with whitish
Family to which it belongs: Columbidae
Family characteristics: 1. Four toes all on the same level.
2. Hind toe about as long as the shortest front one.
3. Bill, slender, deeply grooved, nostrils
opening in a soft fleshy membrane.
On the field trips: April 1, 1930 1, April 8, 1930 1, April 22, 1930 1, April 29, 1930 1, May 6, 1930 m, May 13, 1930 6
Chimney Swift, Chaetura pelagica
First seen April 22, 1930. Flying.
Spring Arrival: 11th to 18th of April
Fall Departure: Late August to
Early Oct.
Preferred habitat: Disused chimneys
hollow trees and
caves.
Song: Rolling twitter not
unmusical.
Food: Insects.
Economic status: Beneficial.
Location: attached to the wall
of a chimney about
[10?] feet from the top by the
secretion of the
salivary glands.
Materials inside and outside (bracketed together): a bracket like
basket of dead
twigs glued to-
gether with
saliva.
Size: .80 x .50
Number: 4-6
Date: Petersburg, mich., J[une?]
Size: Length 5.43
Smaller than an English
Sparrow.
Sex figured: Adult.
Recognition marks: Entire plumage fuscous,
Grayish throat, sooty
black spot before the eye.
Distinctive habits: They employ glutinous secretion of the salivary
glands in nest-construction and the edible nests
of the swifts of the genus "Collocalia" are composed
entirely of this substance. Feed entirely on the wing.
young are naked when hatched.
Confusing species: Swallows.
Family to which it belongs: Micropodidae
Family characteristics: 1. medium size.
2. Plumage close.
3. Sooty black.
On the field trips: April 22, 1930 1, April 29, 1930 1, May 6, 1930 2
Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Archilochus colubris.
Spring Arrival: April 27
Fall Departure: Oct
Preferred habitat: Near flowers of any
kind,
Song: Has no song.
Call notes: A squeak expressive
of distrust or excitement.
Food: Largely nectar of flowers.
Some insects chiefly Spiders.
Economic status: They do no harm and
since they are so beautiful
they should be preserved.
Location: About 15-25 feet up
saddled on a limb.
Materials inside: Plant down.
Materials outside: lichens, and firmly
wound with almost
invisible plant fibers
Size: .50 x .35
Number: 2
Date: Cambridge May 24.
Size: Length 3.74 inches
Smaller than an English
Sparrow.
Sex figured: male and female.
Recognition marks: upperparts shining green. wings and tail fuscous
with purple reflections. Throat ruby red. bordered
on the throat with white. Rest of the body is
dusty washed with greenish; tail forked.
Distinctive habits: Spend but a comparatively small part of the time
upon the wings. male is found near the nest.
They make frequent and regular rounds of favorite
feeding places. He is curiously fearless. The[y?] young
stay in the nest 3 weeks then are at home on
the wing.
Other plumages: (fe)male: no ruby throat; whitish below and greenish above.
Other plumages: young: Similiar to female but throat with dusty streaks.
Family to which it belongs: Trochilidae.
Family characteristics: 1. very small.
2. upperparts shining green.
3. Bill long and sl[ender?].
Maryland Yellowthroat (Common Yellowthroat), Geothlypis trichas trichas.
First seen April 29, 1930. Perched on a fence.
Spring Arrival: 23rd and 29th
of April
Fall Arrival—Departure: 1st of September
and continues
through the
month.
Preferred habitat: Water courses, ditches
damp woods, or low
bushy places.
Song: "wichity, wichity, wichity" and
"rapity, rapity".
Call notes: Quickly repeated "chack" and
"chit, pit, quit."
Food: Injurious insects as
leafhoppers, grasshoppers,
beetles, moths.
Economic status: Decidedly [?] [?]
so beautiful
preserved.
NEST: Location: On or near the
ground.
Materials inside: fine grasses, tendrils
rootlets.
Materials outside: Bulky of strips of bark
coarse grasses and
dead leaves.
EGGS: Size: .70 x .53
EGGS: Number: 3-5
EGGS: Date: Melbourne, Iowa
Size: Length 5.33 inches
Smaller than an Eng-
lish Sparrow.
Sex figured: male.
Recognition marks: A broad band across the forehead, on the
cheeks and upper ear of black. Rest of the
upperparts, wings, and tail of olive green.
Throat and breast a bright yellow. Wh-
itish belly. Sides washed with brown-
ish.
Distinctive habits: They sing throughout the summer, and include a
flight song in their "repertoire". This is usu-
ally uttered toward evening, when the bird
springs several feet into the air, hovers for a
second, then drops back to the bushes.
Other plumages: (fe)male: No black mask.
Other plumages: winter: Browner above; mask tipped with gray; Belly
yellow; sides browner.
Other plumages: young: Mask concealed; merely indicated by a
dusky [area?].
Family to which it belongs: Mniotiltidae
Family characteristics: 1. Small birds.
2. Bill usually slender and pointed.
3. Tail generally square and sometimes
Rounded.
On the field trips: April 29, 1930 1, May 6, 1930 1, May 13, 1930 heard
Redstart (American Redstart), Setophaga ruticilla
First seen May 13, 1930. In a tree near
Pertle Springs.
Spring Arrival: 25th to 30th April
Fall Departure: September.
Preferred habitat: From limb to limb
on trees.
Song: "ching, ching, chee; ser-wee,
swee, sw-e-e-e".
Food: Gnats and caterpillars
Economic status: Beneficial
NEST: Location: In the crotch of a
sapling 5-20 feet up.
Materials inside: lined with tendrils
and fine rootlets.
Materials outside: fine strips of bark,
leaf stalks, and plant
down.
EGGS: Size: .68 x .50
EGGS: Number: 4-5.
EGGS: Date: Cambridge June 2.
Size: Length 5.41
Smaller than an
English sparrow.
Sex figured: male.
Recognition marks: Upperparts, throat, and breast shining black.
Basal half of the wing feathers salmon. End
half and wing-coverts black; basal two-thirds
of all but the middle tail-feathers salmon, end
third and middle feathers black. Belly whitish
sides are salmon.
Distinctive habits: He sings, then with wings and tail outspread whirls
about, dancing from limb to limb, darting up-
ward, floating downward, blown hither and thither
like a leaf in the breeze.
Other plumages: (fe)male: Salmon of the male replaced by a dull yellow. Head
grayish and back ashy.
Other plumages: young: Resembles the female.
Family to which it belongs: Mniotiltidae
Family characteristics: 1. Small birds.
2. Bill usually slender and pointed.
3. Tail generally square and sometimes
rounded.
Field Sparrow, Spizella pusilla pusilla
First seen April 8, 1930.. Near the ground in some
brush and hedge.
Spring Arrival: 1st week of March
Fall Departure: Last half of Oct.
and November
Preferred habitat: Old pastures dot-
ted with clumps
of bushes or young cedars.
Song: "chēr-wēē-chēr-wee, chēē-o, de-
de, de, de, de, de. generally
Food: Chiefly seeds.
Economic status: Beneficial
NEST: Location: On the ground or in
low bushes.
Materials inside: fine grasses.
Materials outside: Coarse grasses, weed
stalks, rootlets.
EGGS: Size: .70 x .52
EGGS: Number: 3-5
EGGS: Date: Wheatland, Ind.
Size: Length 5.68 inches
Smaller than an English
Sparrow.
Sex figured: An adult.
Recognition marks: Top of head rufous. Gray line
over the eye. Back rufous and
finely streaked with Black.
Underparts white tinged
with buff.
Distinctive habits: A gentle, innocent dove like little bird. Not only
do the same individuals sing several
different songs but two individuals in the
same locality rarely sing alike.
Confusing species: Other Sparrows.
Other plumages: winter ((fe)male struck): Colors duller. Crown edged with grayish.
Other plumages: young: Colors duller. Crown edged with grayish.
Family to which it belongs: Fringillidae
Family characteristics: 1. High rank as songsters.
2. General color is dull or brownish
3. A short, stout, conical bill admir-
ably fitted for crushing seeds.
On the field trips: April 8, 1930 1, April 22, 1930 1, April 29, 1930 1, May 6, 1930 1, May 13, 1930 1
Slate-colored Junco (Dark-eyed Junco), Junco hyemalis hyemalis.
First seen March 11, 1930. Flying near the ground in
a low place, where there
was much trees, and
shrubbery and bushes.
Spring Departure: Late in Feb.
Fall Arrival: October 5—
Preferred habitat: In a tangle of fall-
en tree-tops, logs and
upturned roots.
Song: A sweet low trill
Call notes: "'tsip-'tsip"
Food: They feed on weed
seeds and insects.
Economic status: Entirely beneficial
NEST: Location: On or near the ground
Materials inside: fine grasses and
long hairs.
Materials outside: Grasses, moss
and rootlets.
EGGS: Size: .76 x .58
EGGS: Number: 4-5
EGGS: Date: Wilmurt, N.Y. Ma[?]
Size: 6.27 inches long
Smaller than an English Sparrow.
Sex figured: male.
Recognition marks: Upper parts slate color. Breast
is grayish brown. The belly
whitish. White outer tail
feathers.
Distinctive habits: They fly in flocks and usually feed
in the shade of trees, so that they are
hard to see until they fly and show
their white outer tail feathers.
Confusing species: Other sparrows or finches.
Other plumages: (fe)male: Upper parts browner. Throat and breast paler.
Other plumages: winter: More richly washed with brownish or rusty
Other plumages: young: Upperparts, throat and breast streaked
with black.
Family to which it belongs: Fringillidae
Family characteristics: 1. High rank as songsters.
2. General color is dull or brownish.
3. A short, stout, conical bill admir-
ably fitted for crushing seed.
On the field trips: March 11, 1930 m, March 18, 1930 m, April 1, 1930 m, April 8, 1930 10
Song Sparrow, Melospiza melodia melodia
First seen April 1, 1930.. In a marshy place
near Pertle Springs
Spring Arrival—Departure: Early March - Late April
Fall Arrival—Departure: 5th to 10th Oct. - Last of Oct.
Preferred habitat: Near the water
and in a low
thicket.
Song: A merry chant that is
voluble and uninterrupted
is a short, sweet refrain.
Call notes: The alarm note is the
simple metallic "chip".
Food: Seeds and grasses and a
fair proportion of in-
sects.
NEST: Location: On the ground
and sometimes
in bushes
Materials inside: fine grasses
and long hairs.
Materials outside: Coarse grasses,
rootlets, dead
leaves, strips of bark
EGGS: Size: .76 x .60
EGGS: Number: 4-5
EGGS: Date: Minn. April 2[?]
Size: Length 6.30
Smaller than an
English Sparrow.
Sex figured: An adult.
Recognition marks: Upper parts rufous brown st-
reaked with brownish black.
A gray line over the eye and th-
rough the center of the crown.
Light underparts light. Abdomen
white. A wedge-shaped streaks of blackish brown form
a large blotch on the center of the breast.
Distinctive habits: When it is alarmed it flies downward or
along - never upward - into some low
thicket, pumping its tail as it flies.
Its song may be heard every month of the year.
in all kinds of weather at day or night.
Family to which it belongs: Fringillidae
Family characteristics: 1. Stout, short, conical bills.
2. High rank as songsters.
3. Generally a dull color.
On the field trips: April 1, 1930 1, April 22, 1930 1
Robin (American Robin), Planesticus migratorius migrat[orius?]
First seen March 18, 1930. In a tree and on
the ground along the
roadside
Spring Arrival: 10th to 20th of Feb.—
Fall Departure: Oct., and Nov.
Preferred habitat: On the lawns and
in orchards.
Song: Made up of a very large
vocabulary.
Call notes: Extended vocabulary.
Birds with similar songs and calls: Rose-breasted Grosbeak.
Food: Earthworms, insects,
and fruits.
Economic status: Partly harmful and
partly beneficial.
Nest: Location: In fruit or shade
trees. From 5-30 ft. high
Nest: Materials inside: Inner wall of mud
lined with fine grass[es?]
Nest: Materials outside: Coarse grasses, leav-
es and rootlets.
Eggs: Size: 1.14 - .80
Eggs: Number: 3-5
Eggs: Date: Minn. April 2[1?].
nest with 3, April 14
Warrensburg, Mo.
Size: 10.00 inches long
Sex figured: The adult either
male or female.
Recognition marks: Upperpart is grayish slate-color.
The top and side of the head is
black. Underparts rufous. White
spots on the tips of the outer tail
feathers.
Distinctive habits: Walking and running along on
the ground, then putting their
head to one side, as if they were listening.
Other plumages: Im. (fe)male: paler below with less black on the head.
Other plumages: young: Back and upperparts spotted with black.
Family to which it belongs: Turdida[l?]
Family characteristics: 1. Long and pointed body
2. Tail is square, Long and pointed wings.
3. Bill moderate.
On the field trips: March 18, 1930 m, April 1, 1930 m, April 8, 1930 m, April 22, 1930 m, April 29, 1930 m, May 6, 1930 m, May 13, 1930 1
Bluebird (Eastern Bluebird), Sialia sialis sialis
First seen March 11, 1930
Spring Arrival: Feb 14th.
Fall Departure: Sept. 18th.
Preferred habitat: In orchards and
gardens, and about
dwellings.
Call notes: in the fall.
"tur-wee, tur-wei".
They are soft and gentle.
Food: Practically no cultivated
fruit. [Generally?] seed
and wild berries, and insects
Nest: Location: In hollow trees
or bird-houses.
Nest: Materials inside: grasses
Nest: Materials outside: grasses
Eggs: Size: .85 x .65
Eggs: Number: 4-6
Eggs: Date: Minn. April 16
nest with 4- April 14
Warrensburg, Mo.
Size: Length 7.01
Larger than an
English Sparrow.
Sex figured: male.
Recognition marks: Upper parts are a bright blue, throat
and breast are a dull cinnamon ru-
fous. Belly white.
Distinctive habits: Great rovers in the winter, but become very
friendly, and familiar in the summer.
Other plumages: (fe)male: upper parts grayish tinge; throat, breast, and
sides paler.
Other plumages: young: Black spotted with whitish. Breast feathers
margined with fucous.
Family to which it belongs: Turdidae
Family characteristics: 1. Wings long and pointed.
2. Tail square, smooth tarsus
3. Bill moderate.
On the field trips: March 11, 1930 1, March 18, 1930 2, April 1, 1930 m, April 8, 1930 1, April 29, 1930 1, May 6, 1930 1, May 13, 1930 5
Tufted Titmouse, Baeolophus bicolor
First seen March 11, 1930.. Perched in a tree.
Winter Range (map heading, annotated): and
Summer Range
Spring Arrival—Departure: Permanent
Preferred habitat: In woodlands.
Call notes: A clearly whistled "peto-
peto-peto" and "de-de-de-de".
Birds with similar songs and calls: Chickadee
Food: Insects and vegetable
food as nuts, acorns
and wild fruits.
Economic status: Negative value
Nest: Location: In woodpeckers'
deserted holes and
stumps.
Nest: Materials inside and outside (bracketed together): Leaves, moss,
strips of bark
feathers and
such like.
Eggs: Size: .71 x .55
Eggs: Number: 5-8
Eggs: Date: Brookville, Ind. [?]
Size: Length 6.00 inches
Smaller than an English
Sparrow.
Sex figured: An adult.
Recognition marks: A conspicuous crest. The forehead black.
Upperparts gray, tinged with olive brown.
The underparts whitish tinged with
rufous.
Distinctive habits: It is not a shy bird, and may be approach-
ed with ease. The same individual
whistle may be repeated for hours at
a time.
Family to which it belongs: Paridae
Family characteristics: 1. [Pale?] ashy gray.
2. Bil[l?] rather long
3. Short, stout, rounded bill.
On the field trips: March 11, 1930 1, March 18, 1930 2, April 8, 1930 m, May 13, 1930 Heard
Black-capped Chickadee, Penthestes atricapillus atricapillus
First seen March 11, 1930.. In a hole in a
tree.
Winter Range: and
Summer Range
Spring Arrival—Departure: Permanent
Resident
Preferred habitat: In woods, gar-
dens and orchards.
Song: "Chick-à-dēē-Chick-ă-dēē"
Call notes: "Phoebe-phoebe".
Birds with similar songs and calls: Phoebe
Food: Vegetable matter and
insects, especially moths
and caterpillars.
Economic status: There are few more
useful birds.
Nest: Location: In old stumps,
holes in the trees about
5 feet off the ground
or lower.
Nest: Materials inside: feathers and
plant-down.
Nest: Materials outside: mosses and
grasses.
Eggs: Size: .60 x .48
Eggs: Number: 5-9.
Eggs: Date: Indiana
Size: Length 5.27
Smaller than an Eng-
lish sparrow.
Sex figured: Adult, either male
or female.
Recognition marks: Back is ashy. Underparts are
washed with creamy buff.
Tail feathers margin-
ed with whitish. Black cap
and black throat patch.
Distinctive habits: Socially inclined
Family to which it belongs: Paridae
Family characteristics: 1. Rather long tail.
2. Bill less than half an inch long
3. Bill, short, stout, and rounded.
On the field trips: March 11, 1930 1, April 1, 1930 1, April 8, 1930 m, April 22, 1930 1, April 29, 1930 Heard, May 6, 1930 1
Osprey, Pandion haliaetus carolinen[sis?]
First seen April 22, 1930. Flying over a large field.
Spring Arrival—Departure: April- Early May
Fall Arrival—Departure: September -October
Preferred habitat: Rivers, large ponds
and lakes.
Call notes: A high rapidly repeated
complaining whistle, varied
and prolonged.
Food: Fish, which, as a rule
captures alive.
Economic status: Harmful.
Nest: Location: Generally in a tree
20-50 feet up; sometimes
on rocks; rarely on the ground
Eggs: Diagram: Sometimes dull
white and
sometimes
solid choco-
late.
Eggs: Size: 2.45 x 1.80
Eggs: Number: 2-4
Eggs: Date: Maine May 8.
Size: Length 23.10 inches
Larger than a crow
Sex figured: male.
Recognition marks: Upperparts fuscous. Head and nape varied with
white. Underparts white. Breast sometimes spot-
ted with grayish brown.
Distinctive habits: They sometimes nest in close proximity to one
another, drawn together not by sociability
of tempament, but by community of interests.
always return to the same nesting ground.
Other plumages: (fe)male: Breast always spotted with grayish brown.
Family to which it belongs: Pandionidae
Family characteristics: 1. Eyes not set in feathered disks.
2. Tarsus largely bare.
3. Plumage firm and close.
On the field trips: April 22, 1930 1
Pigeon Hawk (Merlin), Falco columbarius columbarius
First seen March 18, 1930. Flying high into the
air over a field.
Spring Arrival—Departure: April - April
Fall Arrival—Departure: Oct. - Oct.
Preferred habitat: Country and edges
of woods, and along
shores of large
bodies of water.
Food: Smaller wild birds up
to the size of a pigeon.
Insects and small mammals
and young chickens.
Economic status: Harmful.
Location: On hollow limbs
or on cliffs.
Size: 1.65 x 1.20
Number: 4-5
Date: Idaho May 13
Size: Length 10.00 to 13.00.
Larger than a Robin.
Sex figured: An adult.
Recognition marks: Upperparts slaty blue. Tail with three
or four distinct grayish white bars. Under-
parts a creamy buff except throat.
Distinctive habits: Least shy of all our diurnal birds of prey,
and may be approached within a few
rods.
Confusing species: Duck Hawk.
Wild Pigeon
Other plumages: young ((fe)male and winter struck): Upper parts brownish. A broken buffy
collar on the nape. Incomplete buffy
bars on tail. Also whitish tail.
Family to which it belongs: Falconidae
Family characteristics: 1. Pointed wings with more rapid strokes.
2. Keen winged fearless dashing hunters.
3. Large birds with hooked bills and
curved nails.
On the field trips: March 18, 1930 1
Golden-crowned Kinglet, Regulus satrapa satrapa
First seen March 26, 1930. Perched high in a
tree.
Spring Arrival—Departure: First of April
Fall Arrival—Departure: 5th and 10th of Oct -
Also a migrant.
Preferred habitat: In woods, in trees
particularly evergreen
Song: "tzee-tzee-tzee, ti-ti, ter,
ti, ti, ti-ti"
Call notes: A fine high "ti-ti"
Birds with similar songs and calls: Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Food: Chiefly insects
Economic status: Beneficial
Location: In coniferous trees
6-60 feet from the
ground.
Materials inside: Fine strips of soft
inner bark, root-
lets and feathers.
Materials outside: Generally pen-
sile of green moss-
es.
Size: .55 x .44
Number: 9-10
Date: Grand Menan, N.B. May [?]
Size: Length 4.07 inches.
Smaller than an English
sparrow.
Sex figured: male.
Recognition marks: Center of the crown is bright reddish orange.
Bordered by yellow. Upperparts olive green.
Wings and tails fuscous and margined with
olive-green. Tail forked and underparts
soiled white. Whitish line over the eye.
Distinctive habits: Constantly in movement.
Confusing species: Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Other plumages: (fe)male: Crown without orange. Yellow bordered with
black.
Family to which it belongs: Sylviidae
Family characteristics: 1. Length 3.50- 5.00.
2. Bill slender.
3. The first primary about a third as long
as the longest.
On the field trips: April 1, 1930 1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Regulus calendula calendula
First seen April 8, 1930. Perched high in a tree.
Spring Arrival—Departure: Early May 14
Fall Arrival—Departure: 5th [&?] 10th Oct.
Also a migrant.
Preferred habitat: In woods and in
trees particularly
evergreens.
Song: mellow, flutelike and
loud.
Call notes: A fine high "ti-ti-ti"
Birds with similar songs and calls: Golden Crowned Kinglet.
Food: Chiefly insects
Economic status: Beneficial
Location: In coniferous trees
12-30 feet from the
ground.
Materials inside: Lined with feathers.
Materials outside: Moss and fine
strips of bark.
Size: .55 x .43
Number: 5-9
Date: Boulder Co. Colo. Jun[e?]
Size: Length 4.41 inches
Sex figured: male.
Recognition marks: Crown with a partly concealed crest of
bright red. Upperparts olive-green. Two
whitish wing bars. Underparts soiled
whitish. A white ring around the eye.
Distinctive habits: Constantly in movement.
Confusing species: Golden-crowned Kinglet.
Other plumages: (fe)male: Without the red crown patch.
Other plumages: young: Without the red crown patch.
Family to which it belongs: Sylviidae
Family characteristics: 1. Length 3.50-5.00.
2. Bill slender.
3. The first primary about a third as long
as the longest.
On the field trips: April 8, 1930 1, April 22, 1930 1
White-throated Sparrow, Zonotrichia albicollis
First seen April 15, 1930.. Flying near the ground.
Spring Arrival—Departure: Early in April - middle of May.
Fall Arrival—Departure: October - [Frist?] of Nov.
Preferred habitat: Hedge rows and
woodland under-
growths.
Song: Plaintive, sympathetic
whistle. High minor note.
Sweet Sweet-Sweet-Can-a-da-Can-a-da."
Call notes: "Chink".
Birds with similar songs and calls: White-crowned sparrow sings
the first part of its song.
Food: Chiefly seeds.
Economic status: Beneficial
Location: On the ground
or in bushes.
Materials inside: Finer grasses.
Materials outside: Coarse grasses, root-
lets, moss strips
of bark.
Size: .82 x .60
Number: 4-5
Date: Wilmurt, N.Y. May 2[?]
Size: Length 6.74
Larger than a robin.
Sex figured: Adult.
Recognition marks: A yellow line before the eye. Bend of wing yel-
low. Back rufous brown. Underparts gray-
ish. A white throat patch. Center of crown
white bound on either side with a much
wider black strip. A white strip from the
eye passes backward along the side of the
head.
Distinctive habits: Sociable.
Confusing species: White-crowned sparrow.
Other plumages: winter ((fe)male struck): The yellow much duller. Crown streaked with
ashy brown.
Other plumages: young: Same as the adult in the winter.
Family to which it belongs: Fringillidae
Family characteristics: 1. High rank as songster.
2. General color is dull or brownish
3. A short stout conical bill admir-
ably fitted for crushing seeds.
On the field trips: April 29, 1930 1
Tree Sparrow (American Tree Sparrow), Spizella monticola monticola
Spring Arrival—Departure: March 1 - April 15
Fall Arrival—Departure: Oct. 13 - Oct. 21
Preferred habitat: In flocks in the
brown, dreary
fields and outskirts
of the City.
Song: Finer, sweeter and not
so loud as a Canary.
Call notes: Chipping notes that
most sparrows give.
Birds with similar songs and calls: Sparrows that give chip-
ping notes.
Food: Seeds of weeds and
grasses
Economic status: Beneficial
Location: On or near the
ground.
Materials inside: Grasses, rootlets
and hairs.
Materials outside: Grasses, root-
lets, and hairs
Size: .75 x .60
Number: 4-5
Date: Ft. Chimo, Lab. Jun[e?]
Size: Length 6.36
Larger than an English
sparrow.
Sex figured: Adult
Recognition marks: A small black spot on the cen-
ter of the ashy unmarked breast
A grayish line over the eye and a rufous
line behind it. Back streaked with brown,
black and buff. Middle wing coverts tip-
ped with white. Upper mandible black and
lower mandible yellow.
Distinctive habits: Very sociable and are often seen perched in
rows on a telephone wire.
Confusing species: Field sparrow
Chipping sparrow
Family to which it belongs: Fringillidae
Family characteristics: 1. Short, stout, conical beak.
2. Generally under 8 inches in length.
3. Generally a dull color.
On the field trips: March 18, 1930 1
Blue Jay, Cyanocitta cristata cristata
First seen March 11, 1930.. Perched in a tree.
Spring Arrival: Permanent
Resident
Preferred habitat: Wooded regions
Song: A two-syllabled whistle or a
harsh, discordant scream.
Endless variety of mimicking other birds.
Call notes: "jay, jay" and also seems to say
"[Here?], here, here's some fun!"
Birds with similar songs and calls: Crow.
Food: Chiefly vegetable matter which
consists of acorns, chestnuts and
beechnuts. Eats mostly the waste
grains of corn and noxious insects.
Economic status: Beneficial. Often criticized
because they destroy other
birds and their nests.
Location: In tree crotch 10-20
feet up.
Materials inside: Lined with rootlets
Materials outside: Twigs compactly
interwoven
Size: 1.10 - .85
Number: 4-6
Date: Minn. May 2
Size: Length 11.74 inches
Larger than a Robin.
Sex figured: An adult.
Recognition marks: Upperparts are grayish blue. Throat and ab-
domen white. The forehead black, a black
band across the back of the head, down
the sides of the neck and across the breast.
Head crested. Tail is tipped with white
and there is a white wing bar. Wing and
tail feathers tipped with some black.
Distinctive habits: He has a dashing reckless air. Has a fondness for
eggs and nestlings but also enjoys worrying other
birds. He is a mimic and a ventriloquist.
Confusing species: Kingfisher
Family to which it belongs: Corvidae
Family characteristics: 1. Large birds, over ten inches in length.
2. Feet and legs stout.
3. Stout bill; nostrils concealed by tufts of bristly
feathers.
On the field trips: March 11, 1930 1, March 18, 1930 m, April 1, 1930 m, April 8, 1930 m, April 29, 1930 m, May 6, 1930 m, May 13, 1930 3
American Crow, Corvus brachyrhynchos. brachyrhyn[chos?]
First seen March 11, 1930. On a hillside, and fly-
ing close to the ground on
a hill side, and perched in a tree
Spring Arrival—Departure: Permanent
Resident.
Preferred habitat: In corn fields.
Song: A harsh "Ca-ca-ca".
Food: Corn, wild birds and eggs.
Economic status: Harmful - an outlaw
Location: In trees averaging
about 30 feet up.
Materials inside: Grapevine bark,
grasses and moss.
Materials outside: Sticks
Size: 1.65 x 1.19
Number: 4-6
Date: Minn. April 12.
Size: Length 19.30 inches
Sex figured: An adult
Recognition marks: Entire black plumage
Distinctive habits: It has an ability to commit such misdeeds
as pulling corn and stealing eggs and fruit
and gets away unscathed. An efficient sca-
venger.
Family to which it belongs: Corvidae
Family characteristics: 1. Large birds, over ten inches in length.
2. Feet and legs stout.
3. Stout bills, nostrils concealed by bristly
feathers.
On the field trips: March 11, 1930 3, March 18, 1930 1, April 1, 1930 1, April 8, 1930 1, April 22, 1930 3, May 13, 1930 1
House Wren, Troglodytes aëdon aëdon
First seen April 25, 1930.. Perched on the fence.
Spring Arrival: Mar. 15th
Fall Departure: Early in Sept.
Preferred habitat: Near dwelling
houses.
Song: High shrill warble that it
repeats over and over again.
Food: Grasshoppers, beetles, cater-
pillars, cutworms, weevils, bugs,
spiders, and plant lice.
Economic status: Beneficial
Location: A hole in a tree, a
bird box, or crevice.
Materials inside: Grasses and feathers
Materials outside: Twigs
Size: .65 x .51
Number: 6-8
Date: Minn., May 19.
Size: Length 5.00 inches
Smaller than an
English Sparrow.
Sex figured: an adult
Recognition marks: Above it is a cinnamon olive-
brown. Below it is grayish white.
Distinctive habits: Particular in it's choice of haunts. Having
selected a nesting-site, they become at-
tached to it, and return to the same place
year after year.
Family to which it belongs: Troglodytidae
Family characteristics: 1. Length 4:00 - 6.00 inches.
2. Upper mandible slightly curved.
3. Tail short and rounded.
Northern Flicker, Colaptes auratus luteus
First seen April 1, 1930. Perched on the side of a
tree.
Spring Arrival: 1st of April
Fall Departure: September
Preferred habitat: Open country, in
park like regions
where trees are [scattered?]
Song: A rapidly repeated mellow
"cŭh-cŭh-cŭh". Also a vig-
orous, nasal "Kee-yer".
Call notes: Like other woodpeckers
he gives a rolling tattoo.
Birds with similar songs and calls: Other woodpeckers.
Food: Ants, wild fruits and
some bugs. Fruits as sour
gum and black wild cherry.
Economic status: Food habits of this bird are
such as to recommend it to
be complete protection.
Location: In trees at varying
heights from the
ground, generally in orchar[ds?]
Size: 1.10 x .86
Number: 5-9
Date: Minn. April 28.
Size: Length 12.00 inches
Larger than a robin.
Sex figured: male
Recognition marks: Head ashy gray. Scarlet band across the back
of the neck. Back brownish gray barred with
black. Rump white. Tail black. Throat and
neck tanish. A black strip on one side
of the throat from the bill. A broad black
crescent across the breast.
Distinctive habits: He is a bird of character. He is too original to
follow in the footsteps of others of his tribe. They
do not frequently visit the ground but has a
particular fondness for ants.
Confusing species: Meadowlark
Other plumages: (fe)male: similiar to male; no black streaks on the side of
the throat.
Family to which it belongs: Picidae
Family characteristics: 1. Four toes; two in front and two behind.
2. Prevailing black and white colors. Male with red
on the head.
3. Stout pointed bills, bristly nostrils.
On the field trips: April 1, 1930 2, April 8, 1930 m, April 29, 1930 1, May 6, 1930 1
Kingbird (Eastern Kingbird), Tyrannus tyrannus
First seen April 22, 1930.. Flying.
Spring Arrival: [18th?] & 26th of April
Fall Departure: 29th of August a[nd?]
Continues for 3
weeks.
Preferred habitat: Open country, es-
pecially fond of
orchards and trees
about farm buildings.
Song: Soft and pleasing song heard
only of a morning.
Call notes: A loud and attractive but
not particularly musical.
Food: Harmful insects as: rose bug,
blister beetle, Robberflies, drone
bees, grasshoppers and crickets -
Vegetable matter as: fruit and [?] seeds
Economic status: Very beneficial
Location: compact and
symmetrical at the
extremity of a branch
15-25 feet up.
Materials inside: plant down, fine
grasses and rootlets
Materials outside: weed-stalks, grass-
es, and moss.
Size: 1.00 x .75
Number: 3-5
Date: St. Louis. Mo., May 14.
Size: Length 8.51
Smaller than a Robin
Sex figured: an adult.
Recognition marks: Upperparts grayish slate color. Under-
parts white. Tail broadly tipped with
white.
Distinctive habits: Seen generally on a fence or dead twig, where
leaves do not come in his sight. He dashes
into the air and seizes his insect then returns
to the spot where he started. He is quarrelsome.
Other plumages: young: Without crown patch. More tinged with buff.
Family to which it belongs: Tyrannidae
Family characteristics: 1. Bill wider than high at the base.
2. Bill hooked at the tip; base with bristles.
3. Wings longer than the tail.
On the field trips: April 22, 1930 1, April 29, 1930 1, May 6, 1930 1, May 13, 1930 2
Phoebe (Eastern Phoebe), Sayornis phoebe
First seen April 1, 1930. Flying low over the
water and near the
edge. Perched on bushes
near the lake.
Spring Arrival: 1st half of March
Fall Departure: middle of
October
Preferred habitat: Bridge-rail, barn-
yard gate, or piazza.
Song: Humble, monotonous
"pewit, phoebe, pewit, phoebe."
Food: Chiefly noxious insects.
Some wild fruit.
Economic status: Beneficial.
NEST: Location: on a beam or
rafter under a
bridge or bank.
NEST: Materials inside: Grasses and long
hairs.
NEST: Materials outside: Largely of moss
and mud.
EGGS: Size: .78 x .59
EGGS: Number: 4 - 6
EGGS: Date: Galesburg, Ill. Ap[ril?]
Size: Length 6.99
Larger than an Eng-
lish Sparrow.
Sex figured: an adult
Recognition marks: Upperparts are grayish brown with an olive
greenish cast. Crown-cap darker. Under-
parts white, washed with yellow. Bill black.
White outer vane of the outer tail feather.
Distinctive habits: Devoted parent are rarely found far from
home.
Other plumages: winter: upper parts more olive, underparts more yellow, wing bars
more distinct.
Other plumages: young: Upper parts more olive, underparts more yellow,
wing bars more distinct.
Family to which it belongs: Tyrannidae
Family characteristics: 1. Bill wider than high at the base.
2. Base with bristles and bill hooked.
3. Wings longer than the tail.
On the field trips: April 1, 1930 1, May 13, 1930 1
Wood Pewee (Eastern Wood-Pewee), Myiochanes virens.
Spring Arrival: Early May
Fall Departure: Late Sept.
Preferred habitat: In the darkened
High up in a tree he fi[nds?]
a congenial home.
Song: Pee-a-wee-a wee.
A sad but sweet song.
Food: Insects as beetles, crane flies,
dragon flies, ants, grasshoppers,
tent caterpillars and moths.
Economic status: Beneficial.
NEST: Location: Saddled on a limb
2[0?] - 40 feet up. Compact
and symmetrical
NEST: Materials inside: Fine grasses, rootlets
moss, etc.
NEST: Materials outside: Covered with
lichens.
EGGS: Size: .68 x .54
EGGS: Number: 3 - 4
EGGS: Date: Mt. Carmel, Ills., May 2[?]
Size: Length 6.53 inches
Larger than an English Sparrow.
Sex figured: An adult.
Recognition marks: upperparts dark, edged with olive green. Wings and
tail fuscous. Two or more less distinct bars on
the wings. Underparts white or yellowish white, wash-
ed with gray. Upper mandible black. Lower
mandible yellowish.
Distinctive habits: Pewee sings all day long. Even in the heat of the
summer at midday, you may hear the Pewee.
Other plumages: young ((fe)male and winter struck): Similiar but yellower below.
Family to which it belongs: Tyrannidae.
Family characteristics: 1. Bill wider, high at the base.
2. Base with bristles and bill hooked.
3. Wings longer than the tail.
Baltimore Oriole, Icte[rus?] galbula
First seen April 15, 1930.. Perched high in a tree.
Spring Arrival: 23rd to 27th of April
Fall Departure: Last of August.
Preferred habitat: In forest and among
trees.
Song: A clear, querulous, varied
whistle or warble. Call,
young monotonously call: "dee, dee, dee".
Call notes: Plaintive whistle
Food: Caterpillars, beetles, bugs
ants, wasps, grasshoppers
and some spiders.
Economic status: Beneficial
NEST: Location: Firmly interwoven in
fruit or shade tree near
extremity of the limb 20-
40 feet up.
NEST: Materials inside: grasses, bark, plant
fibers, hair, and
strings.
NEST: Materials outside: grasses, bark, plant
fibers, hair, and
strings.
EGGS: Size: .94 x .63
EGGS: Number: 4 - 6
EGGS: Date: Martin's Ferry, Ohio, Ma[y?]
Size: Length 7.53
Smaller than a Robin.
Sex figured: male
Recognition marks: Head, neck, throat, and upper back black. Central
tail feathers black and wings black. The
rest of the body is a deep bright orange.
Distinctive habits: Sociable birds and seem to like the company of
man. Female constructs the nest. The young
birds have been called the cry babies of the bird
world.
Confusing species: Orchard Oriole.
Other plumages: (fe)male: upperparts brownish or grayish orange. Head
and back mottled with black. Underparts
dull orange. Throat sometimes spotted with
black.
Family to which it belongs: Icteridae
Family characteristics: 1. Length 7:00 - 17:00.
2. Outer tail feathers generally the shortest.
3. Base of bill between the nostrils extends
backwards and divides the feathers at the
forehead.
On the field trips: April 29, 1930 4, May 13, 1930 4
Bronzed Grackle (Common Grackle), Quiscalus quiscula aeneus.
First seen April 1, 1930. Flying in the air.
Spring Arrival: Middle of March
Fall Departure: October and
early Nov.
Preferred habitat: Bottom lands and
in trees.
Song: A harsh "tchack" and a
squeaky song!
Food: [A?] good share of waste corn.
But sometimes destructive.
Insects are grasshoppers,
beetles, including boll [weevil?].
Economic status: Negative value.
NEST: Location: In coniferous trees
about 30 ft. up.
NEST: Materials inside: Fine grasses
for a lining.
NEST: Materials outside: Mud and coarser
grasses.
EGGS: Diagram: Pale bluish green
spots or scrawls of [cinna?]-
brown, amber or black.
EGGS: Size: 1.15 x .82
EGGS: Number: 3 - 7.
EGGS: Date: Grinnell, Iowa,
Size: About 12 inches long.
Larger than a robin.
Sex figured: male
Recognition marks: upperparts varying brilliant metallic
purple to bluish green. The under-
parts similiar but duller.
Distinctive habits: They settle in colonies and are very attentive to their
mates and young. As soon as they young learn
to fly, they are wanderers again. The bird's
disposition is said to be as gloomy as feathers
are dark.
Confusing species: Purple Grackle.
Other plumages: (fe)male: Duller, brownish without metallic reflections.
Family to which it belongs: Icteridae
Family characteristics: 1. Length 7.00 - 17.00
2. Outer tail feathers generally the shortest.
3. Base of the bill between the nostrils ex-
tends backward and divides the feathers
of the forehead.
On the field trips: April 1, 1930 1, May 6, 1930 1, May 13, 1930 3
Goldfinch (American Goldfinch), Astragalinus tristis tristis
First seen March 11, 1930. Flying over lowland and
perched in trees and
bushes.
Spring Arrival / Fall Departure: Permanent
Resident
Preferred habitat: Field or garden.
Song: a gay "per-chic-o-ree".
Food: Seeds
Economic status: Beneficial
NEST: Location: In trees or bushes
5 to 30 feet up.
NEST: Materials inside: Thickly lined with
thistle down.
NEST: Materials outside: Fine grasses, strip[s?]
of bark and mo[ss?]
EGGS: Size: .65 x .48
EGGS: Number: 3 - 6
EGGS: Date: Ogle Co., Ills. June 3[?]
Size: Length 5.10
Smaller than an
English Sparrow
Sex figured: male
Recognition marks: Bright canary yellow. Crown, wings, and
tail black.
Distinctive habits: Generally seen in small flocks. Merry rovers that
seem to enjoy life.
Other plumages: (fe)male: No black cap. Upperparts yelowish brown; below a dull yellow.
sides brownish.
Other plumages: winter: Back grayish brown; underparts whitish; sides brownish.
Other plumages: young: Same as adults in winter and summer.
Family to which it belongs: Fringillidae
Family characteristics: 1. Short stout beak.
2. Conical bill fitted for crushing seeds.
3. High rank as songsters
On the field trips: March 11, 1930 m, March 18, 1930 m, April 22, 1930 m, April 29, 1930 m, May 13, 1930 m
Cardinal (Northern Cardinal), Cardinalis cardinalis cardinalis
First seen march 11, 1930.. Perched high up in
a tree.
Summer Range: and
Winter
Spring Arrival—Departure: Permanent
Resident.
Preferred habitat: Rich bottom thickets
and lowlands gen-
erally.
Song: A famous singer with a clear
whistle 'q' q' q'' and 'cue' some-
times syllabled as "three cheers".
Call notes: A sharp 'tsip!'
Food: Weed seeds, seeds of wild
fruit. About 1/3 of food is insects.
which are Colorado potato beetle,
bollworm, codling moth,
and boll weevil.
Economic status: Very beneficial
NEST Location: In bushes.
Materials inside: Grasses and rootlets
Materials outside: Twigs, rootlets,
strips of bark.
EGGS Size: 1.00 x .70
EGGS Number: 3 x 4
EGGS Date: New york city, may 5.
Size: Length 8.25.
Smaller than a robin.
Sex figured: male.
Recognition marks: Throat and regions at the base of the
bill black. Rest of the plumage red. Upper-
parts tipped with grayish. A conspicuous
crest, bill red.
Distinctive habits: Very clumsy as he hops heavily on his feet as
though his body was solid. Sing to his mate
for hours.
Other plumages: (fe)male: regions at the base of the bill dullish
black. Duller red; upperparts olive
brownish ash; underparts buffy.
Family to which it belongs: Fringillidae
Family characteristics: 1. High Rank as songsters.
2. General color dull or brownish.
3. A short stout, conical bill fitted
for crushing seeds.
On the field trips: March 11, 1930 1, March 18, 1930 2, April 1, 1930 1, April 8, 1930 4, April 22, 1930 1, April 29, 1930 Heard, May 6, 1930 1, May 13, 1930 1
Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Zamelodia ludoviciana
First seen May 3, 1930.. Perched in the uppermost
limb of a tree near the
corner of a campus.
Song: musical notation is
similiar to that of the Robin.
There is no resemblance in the expression.
The song is a joyous carol.
Call notes: A not loud but dis-
tinct "peek, peek."
Food: Some green peas and fruit
but more destructive insects
as Colorado potato beetle
until it has earned the
name "potato-bug bird".
Also eats cankerworms,
caterpillars, moths, curculio,
army worm and chinch bug.
Economic status: Few Birds are more beneficial.
NEST Location: In bushes or trees
5 to 20 feet up.
Materials inside: Fine twigs, weed
stalks and rootlets
Materials outside: Fine twigs, weed
stalks and root-
lets
EGGS Size: .90 x .69
EGGS Number: 4 - 5
EGGS Date: Minn. May 21.
Size: Length 8.12 inches
Smaller than a robin.
Sex figured: male.
Recognition marks: Head, throat, and back black. Breast and under-
wing coverts red extending to center of white belly.
Rump white tipped with black. Wings black pri-
maries white at the base. Tail black outer
feathers tipped with white on the inner web.
Distinctive habits: Sings at midday in the summer.
Confusing species: Female may be confused with an overgrown Sparrow.
Other plumages: (fe)male: upperparts grayish brown. Buffy line through the
center of the crown. white line over the eye. under
parts buffy streaked with grayish brown. Throat rose.
Other plumages: winter: upperparts and breast margined with brown.
Other plumages: young: superciliary whitish, sides with black spots.
Resemble the female.
Family to which it belongs: Fringillidae
Family characteristics: 1. High rank as songster.
2. General color dull or brownish.
3. The short stout conical bill fitted
for crushing seeds.
On the field trips: May 13, 1930 1
Killdeer, Oxyechus vociferus vociferus
First seen April 15, 1930.. near a stream of
water.
Spring Arrival—Departure: February
Fall Arrival—Departure: Sept. and early
November.
Preferred habitat: Lakesides, meadows
pastures, and cultivat-
ed fields. more num-
erous near water.
Song: Half-plaintive half-petulant
"kill-dee, kill-dee."
Food: Chiefly on insects that
are annoying to man
and injurious to his
[?] crops.
Economic status: Very beneficial
NEST Location: often far from water
a slight depression
in the ground.
Materials inside: scantily lined
with bits of grass
or stones.
EGGS Size: 1.50 x 1.10
EGGS Number: 4
EGGS Date: [Pewaukee?], Wis, may 15
Size: Length 10.50
Larger than a robin.
Sex figured: an adult.
Recognition marks: Forehead, a spot behind eye, throat and ring
around the neck and band on breast lower
breast and belly white. Front of crown, lores,
a ring around neck, a band on breast black.
Upperparts grayish brown tipped with rufous.
Rump rufous.
Distinctive habits: Noisy, restless bird running rapidly when on gr-
ound, and when on the wing flying swiftly some-
times pursuing a most irregular course.
Family to which it belongs: Charadriidae
Family characteristics: 1. Toes not lobate.
2. Bill under 2.00.
3. Tarsus under 3.50 inches.
On the field trips: April 29, 1930 heard
Spotted Sandpiper, Actitis macularia
First seen April 22, 1930. On the ground near
a stream.
Spring Arrival—Departure: April 20th
Fall Arrival—Departure: middle of
October
Preferred habitat: Near bodies of fresh
and salt water and
inland on shores of
rivers, ponds, and lakes.
Call notes: A sharp "weet-weet
weet-weet."
Food: Insects, including beetles,
flies, grasshoppers. Some
[crawfish?] and cutworms
Economic status: Beneficial
NEST Location: On dry ground in
grasses or weeds, or
beneath a bush near
fresh or salt water.
EGGS Size: 1.25 x .95
EGGS Number: 4
EGGS Date: Minn. May 30
Size: Length 7.50
Smaller than
a Robin
Sex figured: An adult
Recognition marks: Upperparts brownish gray. Head and neck
streaked. Back barred or spotted with black.
Underparts white; spotted with black.
Distinctive habits: It runs rapidly along the beach, then pausing
bows, bobs, and "teters" in a most energetic
manner.
Confusing species: other sandpipers.
Other plumages: winter ((fe)male struck): Similiar, but back with bars.
Other plumages: young: Upperparts brownish gray. with a greenish tinge.
Underparts pure white, unspotted slightly washed
with grayish on the breast.
Family to which it belongs: Scolopacidae
Family characteristics: 1. Long bill to probe.
2. Generally less than a foot in length.
3. Toes not lobate.
Little Green Heron (Green Heron), Butorides virescens virescens
First seen April 22, 1930.. on the lake
Spring Arrival: middle of April
Fall Departure: 1st of October
Preferred habitat: Wooded streams
or ponds.
Call notes: Frightened "skeow" or
explosive whistle.
Food: Crawfish, insects, frogs, and
small fish.
Economic status: Negative Value.
NEST Location: Low branch of a tree
or bush
Materials inside and outside (she wrote "and" between the labels and bracketed them together): made of a
platform of
sticks.
EGGS Size: 1.50 x 1.14
EGGS Number: 3-6
EGGS Date: Cambridge, May 10.
Size: Length 17.00 inches.
Smaller than a crow.
Sex figured: Adult.
Recognition marks: Crown and a short line below the eye glossy greenish
black. Throat buffy white extending in a narrow
line down the front of the neck. Rest of the head and
neck rufous. Back with greenish reflections wash-
ed with bluish gray. Wing coverts margined with
white or buffy. Belly ashy gray.
Distinctive habits: More active in the morning or night. During the day
it rests quietly in some sheltered place. When it
is startled it springs into the air with a frightened
whistle. It is a solitary bird. Seldom found in flocks.
Confusing species: Blue Heron.
Other plumages: young ((fe)male and winter struck): Neck and underparts streaked with blackish
Back without the wash of blue gray. Wing
coverts widely margined with buff.
Family to which it belongs: Ardeidae
Family characteristics: 1. Bill straight and sharply pointed.
2. Inner border of middle toe with a comb like
edge.
3. Neck curved in flight.
On the field trips: April 22, 1930 1
House Sparrow
On the field trips: March 11, 1930 m*, March 18, 1930 m, April 1, 1930 m, April 8, 1930 m, April 29, 1930 m, May 6, 1930 m, May 13, 1930 m
Red-bellied Woodpecker
On the field trips: March 11, 1930 1, March 18, 1930 1, April 1, 1930 1, April 8, 1930 2, May 13, 1930 1
Towhee (Eastern Towhee)
On the field trips: March 11, 1930 Heard, April 1, 1930 1, April 8, 1930 1, April 29, 1930 Heard, May 6, 1930 Female, May 13, 1930 Heard
Red-headed Woodpecker
On the field trips: March 11, 1930 1, March 18, 1930 1, April 29, 1930 1, April 29, 1930 1, May 6, 1930 m, May 13, 1930 1
Coot (American Coot)
On the field trips: April 1, 1930 8, April 8, 1930 2, April 29, 1930 3
Green [?] Duck
On the field trips: April 8, 1930 2
Brown Thrasher
On the field trips: April 8, 1930 1, April 22, 1930 m, April 29, 1930 m, May 6, 1930 m, May 13, 1930 1
Bewick Wren (Bewick's Wren)
On the field trips: April 8, 1930 heard, April 29, 1930 heard
Tree Swallow
On the field trips: April 22, 1930 m
Bank Swallow
On the field trips: April 22, 1930 m
Scarlet Tanager
On the field trips: April 22, 1930 1, April 29, 1930 2, May 13, 1930 3
[Chipping?] Sparrow
On the field trips: April 22, 1930 1, April 29, 1930 1, May 13, 1930 1
Orchard Oriole
On the field trips: April 29, 1930 1, May 6, 1930 1, May 13, 1930 2
Buzzard (Turkey Vulture)
On the field trips: April 29, 1930 1
[Grasshopper?] Sparrow
On the field trips: April 29, 1930 1
Western [?]
On the field trips: May 6, 1930 1
Tennessee Warbler
On the field trips: May 6, 1930 1, May 13, 1930 1
Indigo Bunting
On the field trips: May 6, 1930 1
Yellow Warbler
On the field trips: May 6, 1930 1, May 13, 1930 1