BIRDS OF DHE VICINITY OF NEW YORK CITY 145 Yellow Rail (Colurnicops noveboracensis). Little is known about the nesting habits of this bird. It haunts grassy marshes and seeks safety by hiding or running, and for this reason is rarely seen. Several have been taken during the fall migration in this vicinity, and it is doubtless more common than is generally supposed. (See group, third floor.)
Black Rail (Creciscus jamaicensis). This bird, though much rarer, has as far as known the same habits as the preceding species and like it is very difficult to observe. It has been taken in the spring at Jamaica Bay and doubtless breeds in this vicinity, since its nest has been found at Saybrook, Conn. (Clarke, Auk, T, 1884, p. 3904). (See group, third floor).
Corn Crake (Crex crex). This is an Old World species which sometimes strays to Greenland and our Atlantic coast. In this region there are records for Sag Harbor, L. I. (Dutcher, Auk, III, 1886, p. 435), Oakdale, L. I. (Dutcher, Auk, V, 1888, p. 177), and Saybrook, Conn. (Clark, Orn. and OOl., XIII, 1888, p. 45).
Purple Gallinule (Jonornis martinica). Tropical America, breeding as far north as South Carolina, and straying casually to Maine. There are but two definite records for this region, Middle Island, L. I. (Helme, Orn. and OOl., VII, 1882, p. 118) and Indian Pond, near Flatlands, L. I. (Dutcher, Auk, X, 1893, p. 272)’.
Florida Gallinule (Gallinula galeata). Temperate and tropical America, breedng as far north as Maine, and wintering from Florida southward. It breeds only locally in the northeastern part of its range, frequenting the borders of ponds or streams surrounded by marshy grounds. Its nest has not been found in the immediate vicinity of New York City, where it is known only as a rare migrant.
*Coot; Mud-hen ; Crow-duck (Fulica americana). The Mud-hen is a not uncommon bird during migration, but it is recorded as breeding only near Morristown, N. J. (Thurber, True Democratic Banner, newspaper, Nov. 10, 1887).
ORDER LIMOCOLZ. SHORE Birps.
Famity PHALAROPODIDZE. PHALAROPEs.
Red Phalarope (Crymophilus fulicarius). The Phalaropes are pelagic birds, not often coming to our coasts unless driven shoreward by storms. There are both August and May records for this species on Long Island. Northern Phalarope (Phalaropus lobatus). This bird occurs with us as a regular migrant, and after severe storms it is sometimes common in flocks. (Dutcher, Auk, 1884, p. 33).
Wilson’s Phalarope (Steganopus tricolor). Interior of North America, breeding from northern Illinois northward. With us it is a very rare and irregular migrant.
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146 THE AMERICAN MUSEUM JOURNAL Famity RECURVIROSTRID. Avocets Anp STILTs.
American Avocet (Recurvirostra americana). A bird of the interior, breeding from Texas to the Saskatchewan. Giraud mentions it as casual on Long Island, and says that a few bred at Egg Harbor, N. J. (Dutcher records feur individuals seen by Col. Nicholas Pike on Long Island as follows: Ponquogue, 1844; Canarsie Bay, 1847; Southampton, two, no date (Auk, X, 1893, Dy472).
Black-necked Stilt (Himantopus mexicanus). A southern species, breeding in the Gulf States and locally in the Mississippi Valley and westward; rare on the North Atlantic coast. Giraud mentions it as “unfrequent,” and Dutcher records two specimens taken by Colonel Pike on Great South Bay, one of them in 1843 (Auk, X, 1893, p. 272).
Famity SCOLOPACIDZE. Snipes. SANDPIPERS, ETC.
European Woodcock (Scolopax rusticola). The only record for the occurrence of this species in this vicinity is based on a specimen found in Washington Market, December 6, 1859, which was said to have been killed near Shrewsbury, N. J. (Lawrence, Ann. Lyc. Nat. Hist., VIII, 1866, p. 223)e *Woodcock (Plhilohcla minor). The woodecck is a not uncommon summer resident and more numerous fall migrant. Owing to the clearing of timber areas, draining of lands and demands of sportsmen, it is however, yearly decreasing in numbers in the vicinity of New York. It arrives early in March, and does not leave us until the ground is frozen. (See group, second floor).
Fic. 8. Woopcock.
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Bie SO imine Vy Lendl WOR NEW VORK CITY ia4z Wilson’s Snipe; English Snipe(Gallinago dcelicata). A not uncommon migrant, and crippled birds are said to have nested on several occasions near Chatham, N. J. (Herrick, Forest and Stream, XII, 1879, p. 165). During mild seasons a few pass the winter here (Dutcher, MS).
Dowitcher (Macrorhamphus griscus). A common migrant, arriving from the south about May 1 and returning from the north between July 10 and August 15.
Migrating Snipe, Sandpipers and Plovers fly, as a rule, some distance off the land and if the weather is calm and clear, very few birds are found on our shores. If, however, during their migrations storms from the right quarter, or fogs occur, many birds are driven shoreward and there results what among sportsmen is known as a “flight.”
Long-billed Dowitcher (Wacrorhamphus scolopaceus). This western representative of our common Dowitcher is a rare but regular late fall migrant along the Atlantic coast.
Stilt Sandpiper (Wicropalama himantopus). A not common but by no Means rare migrant, occurring chiefly during the fall migration from the middle of July to the middle of September.
Knot; Robin Snipe (7riga canutus). A common migrant, passing northward during May and returning from the middle of July to the first of October.
Purple Sandpiper (Arquatella maritima). A rare but regular winter resident.
Pectoral Sandpiper; Krieker (dActodromas maculata). A common and sometimes abundant fall migrant in this vicinity; less frequently seen in the spring. It returns from the north in early August, and its migration is concluded about the last of October.
White-rumped Sandpiper (dctodromas fuscicollis). A not uncommon spring and fall migrant.
Baird’s Sandpiper (Actodromas bairdi). Casual on the Atlantic coast. There are several records for this vicinity, as follows: Rockaway, L. I., August, two specimens, and September, two specimens (N. T. Lawrence, Forest and Stream, X, 1878, p. 235), and Far Rockaway, L. I., August, one specimen (N. T. Lawrence, Auk, II, 1885, p. 273).
Least Sandpiper; Peep; Meadow Oxeye (Actodromas minutilla). This is one of our commonest Sandpipers, and shares the names “Peep” or “Oxeye”’ with the Semipalmated Sandpiper. It is seen in small flocks running along our shores and beaches.. It passes northward during May and returns about July 10, the fall migration being concluded about September 1. Red-backed Sandpiper; Lead-back (Pelidna alpina sakhalina). A very common migrant on our coasts, less common jin the spring than in the fall. It migrates northward in early May and returns about September 1, remaining until November.
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148 THE AMERICAN MUSEUM JOURNAL Curlew Sandpiper (Erolia ferruginea). “Old World in general, occasional in eastern North America.” There are several records of its occurrence on Long Island.
Semipalmated Sandpiper; Peep; Sand Oxeye (Ereunetes pusillus). This is Our most common Sandpiper, and during its fall migration it is abundant along our shores in small flocks. It migrates northward during May, returns ahout July 10, and the fall migration is not concluded until about October Tf. Western Sandpiper (Ercunetcs mauri). This is the western representative of the preceding species. It is not infrequently found on our coast, generally associated with E. pusiilus. Braislin (Auk, XVI, 18¢9, p. 191) recozds it as abundant on Long Island in the fall of 1897.
Sanderling; Surf Snipe (Calidris alba). An abundant migrant along our coasts, where, as a rule, it is found on the outer beaches. It passes northward during May and returns on its southward journey about July 10, from which date until October it is more or less numerous, Marbled Godwit; Brown Marlin (Limosa fedoa). This is a rare bird on the Atlantic coast, where it occurs only as angirregular fall visitant. Hudsonian Godwit; Ring-tailed Marlin (Limosa hemastica). In this vicinity the Ring-tailed Marlin is an irregular fall migrant (Dutcher, Auk, III, 1880, p. 437). Kobbe (Auk, XXI, 1¢04, p. 79) records a flight of this species as occurring at Quogue, L. I., August 31, 1903.
*Greater Yellow-legs (J7otanus mclanoleucus). A common migvzant, arriving in the spring about the latter half of April and returning in the latter half of July, the migration not being concluded until November. Yellow-legs; Summer Yellow-legs (Jotanus flavipes). Very rare in the spring, but abundant during its southward migration, which begins about July 15 and ends in September.
*Solitary Sandpiper (Helodromas solitarius). A not uncommon migrant passing northward in May and returning in July. Tt is not a true Shore-bird, but is more frequently found near fresh-water ponds and streams. Willet (Catoptrophorus semipalmatus). In this vicinity it occurs only as a rare fall migrant. It is probable that the Western Willet (C. s. inornata) is also occasionally found on our coasts.
Ruff (Pavoncella pugnax). “Northern parts of the Old World, straying occasionally to eastern North America.” There are three specimens of this bird in the American Museum from North America, two of which, in the Lawrence Collection, are labeled “Long Island,” while the third is in the Elliot Collection and is labeled “Barnegat, N. J.” (For record of the occurrence of this species in America, see Deane, Auk, XXII, 1905, p. 411; and Palmer, Auk, XXIII, 1906, p. 99.)
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BROS OF THE VICINITY OF NEW YORK CITY it49 Bartramian Sandpiper; Upland Plover; Field Plover (Bartramia longicuuda). A rather rare migrant and still rarer summer resident. It arrives about the middle of April and frequents fields and pastures. Buff-breasted Sandpiper (7ryngites subruficollis). A bird of the interior, breeding in the far north and wintering in South America. It is very rare on the Atlantic coast. Giraud records “a party of five” as seen in August and September (N. T. Lawrence, Forest and Stream, X, 1879, p. 235); one was taken in August at Montauk Point (Berier, Bull, N. O. C., VI, 1880, p. 126) ; Dutcher mentions an August specimen from Suffolk County and a midsummer bird from: Shinnecock Bay (Auk, VI, 1880, p. 136) ; and Braislin records a male taken August 30, 1903 at Rockaway Beach (Auk, XXII, 1905, p. 169). *Spotted Sandpiper; Tip-up (Actitis macularia). This is the common Sandpiper so frequently seen on our ponds, streams and beaches, and is one of the few members of this family which breeds here. It arrives about April 25 and remains until October.
Long-billed Curlew; Sickle-bill (Nwumenius longirostris). A rare and irregular fall visitant.
Hudsonian Curlew; Jack Curlew (Numenius hudsonicus). The Jack Curlew, as it is locally known, is a not uncommon migrant in this vicinity. It passes northward in May, and the southern migration occurs between the middle of July and the first of October.
Eskimo Curlew; Dough-bird; Fute (Numenius borealis). This species has decreased in numbers during recent years and is believed by some ornithologists to be on the verge of extinction. There is but one record of its recent occurrence, that of a male shot by R. L. Peavey at Rockaway Beach, L. I., September 14, 1902 (Braislin, Auk, XXI, 1904, p. 289). Famiry CHARADRIID. PLovers.
Lapwing (Vanellus vanellus). An Old World species, of accidental occurrence in America. The only record for eastern North America south of Greenland is that of a specimen shot at Merrick, L. I, December, 1883, (Dutcher, Auk, III, 1886, p. 438).
Black-bellied Plover; Beetle-head (Squatarola squatarola). A common migrant, more numerous in the fall. It passes northward from about April 15 to June 1, and the return migration occurs between August 1 and November I. Golden Plover; Green-back (Charadrius dominicus). A rare spring and common fall migrant, occurring chiefly in September.
Kildeer (Oxyechus vociferus). In the neighborhood of New York City the Kildeer is a rare summer resident and not uncommon migrant. It arrives in March and remains with us until November.
Semipalmated Plover; Ring-neck (:gialitis semipalmata). The Ringneck is one of our most common shore-birds. It passes northward in May and returns about July 15, the fall migration not being concluded until October 1. [41]
150 THE AMERICAN MUSEUM JOURNAL Piping Plover (4¢gialitis meloda). It is here a rare local summer resident and more common migrant, arriving in April and remaining until September.
Wilson’s Plover (Ochthodromus wilsonius). Breeds as far north as Virginia, and strays casually to Nova Scotia. There are several records for Long Island (Dutcher, Bull. N. O. C., IV, 1879, p. 242; Auk, III, 1885, p. 438, Shinnecock Bay), and one for Bridgeport, Conn. (Averill, List of Birds found in the vicinity of Bridgeport, 1892, p. 9).
Famity APHRIZID. Surr Birps AND TURNSTONES.
Turnstone; Brant-bird ; Calico-back (Arenaria morinella). With us it is a common migrant passing northward in May, returning about August 1 and remaining until September.
Famity HA®MATOPODID2E. OvystTEeR-CATCHERS.
Oyster-catcher (Hematopus pailitus). Breeds as far north as Virginia and occasionally strays to Nova Scotia. It is here of rare and irregular occurrence (Dutcher, Auk, X, 1893, p. 272).
ORDER GALLIN. GALLINACEOUS BIRDs.
Famity TETRAONID ©. Grouse, PARTRIDGES, ETC.
*Bob-white ; Quail(Colinus virginianus). Quail are not uncemmon in the vicinity of New York, but they are so eagerly hunted, that, as the country becomes more thickly settled, only the most rigid enforcement of the gamelaws will preserve them from extermination. Recent severe winters have greatly decreased the numbers of this species, virtually exterminating it in scme localities, and were it not for the liberation of southern birds by sportsmen, it is probable that the species would be exceedingly rage if not indeed extinct throughout most of the region surrounding New York City. (See group, second floor).
*Ruffed Grouse; Partridge (Bonasa umbellus). Partridges are much less common with us than Quails. They are birds of the woods, and for this reason disappear with the forests, while Quails, on the contrary become more numerous as the courtry is cleared. (See group, second flcor). In the early part of the nineteenth century Pinnated Grouse or Heath Hens (Tympanuchus cupido) were abundant in some parts of Long Island, but they have been extinct for about sixty years (Giraud, Birds of Long Island, p. 195, and Dutcher, Auk, X, 1893, p. 272). As late as 1860 odd this species occurred in numbers on the Plains of the Jersey Pine Barrens west of Barnegat, where it was exterminated by indiscrimate shooting at all seasons (Chapman, Bird-Lore, V, 1903, p. 50).
The Wild Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo silvestris) is still found in small numbers in the wilder, more mountainous portions of Pennsylvania, but has [42]
BIRDS OF THE VICINITY OF NEW YORK CITY 151 long been extinct in this vicinity. De Kay (Zo6logy of New York, II, Birds, 1844, p. 200) writes that he had not met with the species in New York State, but was informed at the time he wrote it was found in the counties of Sullivan, Rockland, Orange, Alleghany and Cattaraugus. This species is not mentioned by either Giraud or Lawrence.
ORDER COLUMB. PIGEONS.
Famity COLUMBID. Doves AND PIGEONS.
Passenger Pigeon; Wiid Pigeon (Ectopistes migratorius). Fifty years ago the Wild Pigeon was an abundant bird in the vicinity of New York, but here, as elsewhere throughout its range, it has become very rare. In place of the thousands that used to visit us it is now observed irregularly and rarely. (Lawrence, Auk, VI, 1889, p. 196, and Dutcher, Auk, X, 1803, p. 274). There appears to be but one definite record since 1894 of the occurrence of the Wild Pigeon near New York, that of an immature male shot at Englewood, N. J.. June 23, 1896, by C. I. Wood (Chapman, Auk, XIII, 1896, p. 341). *Mourning Dove(Zenaidura macroura). A common summer resident, under favorable circumstances passing the winter.
Ground Dove (Columbigallina passerina terrestris). This is a species of the South Atlantic and Gulf States. It has been once taken in this vicinity (Grinnell, Bull. N. O. C., III, 1878, p. 147), but its occurrence is purely accidental, and it is possible that the specimen captured was an escaped cage-bird. OrpER RAPTORES. Brirps orf PREy.
Famity CATHARTID. AMERICAN VULTURES.
Turkey Vulture; Turkey Buzzard (Cathartes aura septentrionalis). Of more or less regular occurrence in New Jersey as far north as Plainfield in the interior and Sandy Hook on the coast. It is also occasionally seen on Long Island. One record notes the occurrence of a flock of eight birds of this species in Orange County, N. Y. (Reynolds, Forest and Stream, XVIII, 1894, p. 181). Black Vulture (Catharista wrubu). Breeds from North Carolina southward, and occasionally strays as far north as Maine. There are records for Sandy Hook, N. J. (Robt. B. Lawrence, Bull. N. O. C., V, 1880, p. 116), and Coney Island, L: 1. (Berier, Bull. N. O. C., VI, 1881, p. 126).
Famiry FALCONID. Fatcons, HAwKs, EAGLES, ETC.
Swallow-tailed Kite (Elanoides forficatus). In this vicinity it has been recorded from Raynor South, L. I. (Giraud, Birds of Long Island, p. 13), “South shore of Long Island” (Berier, Bull, N. O. C., VI., 1881, p. 126), Chatham, N. J. (Herrick, Forest and Stream, XII, 1870, p. 165), and Piermont, N. Y. (Nicholas, Auk, XVII, I900, p. 386).
*Marsh Hawk (Circus hudsonius). A permanent resident, common except during the winter.
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152 THE AMERICAN MUSEUM JOURNAL *Sharp-shinned Hawk (Accipiter velox). It is here an uncommon summer and rare winter resident.
*Cooper’s Hawk (Accipiter cooperi). With us a not uncommon summer and rare winter resident. This bird, the Sharp-shinned Hawk and the rare Duck Hawk and Goshawk, are the only species of our Hawks which habitually live on birds. The others feed largely on insects and small field-mice, and being thus actually beneficial, should be protected by law.
Goshawk (Astur atricapillus). A rare winter visitant. *Red-tailed Hawk (Butco borealis). The Red-tail is one of our commonest Hawks and is resident throughout the year.
*Red-shouldered Hawk (Buteo lineatus). A permanent resident. It is probably our most common Hawk and with the Red-tail is the one to which the name “Chicken,” or “Hen Hawk,” is generally, but incorrectly, applied. Swaison’s Hawk (Buteo swainsoni). A western species of rare occurrence on the Atlantic coast. There is apparently but one record of its capture near New York City, that of a specimen shot near Cornwall, N. Y., October 14, 1892 (Dutcher, Auk, X, p. 83).
*Broad-winged Hawk (Buteo platypterus). A rather uncommon summer resident.
Rough-legged Hawk (Archibuteo lagopus sancti-johannis). A rare winter resident.
Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaectos). North America, of rare occurrence east of the Mississippi. It has been recorded from Islip, L. I. (Giraud), Canarsie, L. I. (Dutcher), Gravesend, L. I. (Johnson), Long Branch, N. J. (Chapman, Auk, XV, 1808, p. 54), and Highland Falls, N. Y. where Mearns states, it is occasionally observed and was formerly known to nest. *Bald Eagle (Halietus leucoccphalus). This Eagle is here a rather rare bird; it is said by Mearns to nest in the Highlands of the Hudson. On Long Island it is a not uncommon resident and breeds in several localities (Dutcher MS).
Gyrfalcon (Falco rusticolus gyrfalcn). An arctic species, rarely visiting the United States. The only record for this vicinity is that of a specimen killed on Long Island in the winter of 1856 (Lawrence, Ann. Lyc. Nat. Hist., New York, VIII, 1866, p. 280; see also Brewster, Auk, XII, 1895, p. 180). Black Gyrfalcon (Falco rusticolus obsoletus). “Labrador, south in the winter to Maine and New York.” There is but one record of its occurrence in this vicinity, viz., a specimen shot in the fall of 1875, near Flushing, L. I. (Berier, Bull) N. ©: (Gs Vi, 188i, pp. 126; 247):
Duck Hawk (Falco peregrinus anatum). This Falcon, the “noble Peregrine” of Falconry, is a not uncommon migrant, especially along our coast, and is a rare summer resident along the Palisades and Highlands of the Hudson, where it is known to breed. (See group, second floor).
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