The Birds of Long Island

UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH Darlington Memorial Lilran 1 THE BIRDS OF LONG ISLAND. BY J. P. GIRAUD, Jr., MEMBER OF THE LYCEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY, NEW-YORK, CORRESPONDING MEMBER OF THE ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES, PHILADELPHIA, &.C. NEW-YORK : PUBLISHED BY WILEY & PUTNAM, 161 BROADWAY. Tobitt's Print, 9 Spruce st. 1844. [Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1843, by J. P. Giraud, Jr., in the office of the Clerk of the Southern District of New York.] KNEK©BClG:0©N. The great expense attending works embellished with costly en- gravings, as well as the strictly scientific character of most works treating of Natural History, limits such subjects comparatively to the few. Frequent complaints of this nature have induced me to offer the present volume, with a view of placing within the reach of the " gunners," the means of becoming more thoroughly acquainted with the birds frequenting Long Island. The additions all departments of Natural History are continually receiving, is evidence, that with however much zeal and energy the different branches have been pursued, and notwithstanding the praiseworthy exertions bestowed by those who have distinguished themselves in their various pursuits, still we find their labors are not so far complete as to leave nothing for their successors. While the Botanist, Mineralogist, Entomologist, and Concholo- gist are enriching their cabinets, the Ornithologist is finding in our vast territory undescribed species. The "Journal of the Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia," (1841,) contains an article giving the views of Dr. Bachman, relative to the course our Naturalists should pursue in the publication of American species viz. " that all north of the Tropic of Cancer twenty-three and a half degrees, should be called North America—the Tropics, Tro- pical or Central America—and south of the Tropic of Capricorn, South America." The large scope which our Zoology embraces, deters many persons from making collections, as they despair ever being able to complete them. I would therefore suggest to amateurs the propriety of commencing with a view of collecting such species as are to be found in their own district, taking the State or even > this plan, the County in which they reside ; pursuing they would be enabled to obtain such species of birds as visit their section, and also have an opportunity of studying their habits, which affords greater pleasure than labelling a dried skin, received from a distance. In this way I have no doubt that many interesting facts would be acquired relative to the migration and habitsof manyspecies of which at present we know but little ; and it is highly probable that new species would be discovered even in those sections supposed to be thoroughly explored, leaving the remote re- gions to the taste and liberality of travellers, or to some adventu- rous spirit like Townsend, who enriched our Ornithology by disco- veries made during his journey across the Rocky Mountains, and along the shores of the Columbia River. The occurrence on Long Island of many species that are rarely or never observed in other parts of the middle districts, will doubtless appear somewhat remarkable to those who are unacquainted with the locality ; but when they examine the map, and find that his lengthy and comparatively narrow Island extends some distance into the ocean nearly at right angles with the southern portion of the coast of the United States, comprising within its bound- aries numerous bays, inlets, shoals, and bars, abounding with all the varieties of food peculiar to almost every species of marine birds, it will not seem surprising that those species which are more abundant in the higher as well as the more temperate latitudes, should, in their wanderings, visit these hospitable shores.— Not only is our section the resort for nearly every species of Water Bird found within the limits of the United States, but out of more than five hundred birds now ascertained to belong to North America, two hundred and eighty-six have been known to visit this far-famed Island. Indeed, no portion of our country, of the same extent, is richer in resources for the student of Natural History, or more inviting to the sportsman, than this garden of the middle districts. Its Great South Bay, " occupying a distance of seventy miles' uninterrupted inland navigation," with its sea-washed shores, abounding with numerous species of shell and other fish, doubtless contains treasure unknown to the Ichthyologist and Conchologist. Its variety of soil affords an excellent field to the Botanist, and its alluvial formations furnish much that is interesting to those pursuing the grand and comprehensive science of Geo- logy. The frequent occurrence of those beautiful streams for which the Island is so justly celebrated, excites the admiration of the Angler ; and the noble Buck roams proudly through its forests. Often when examining the shell banks, (the Indian's mint) found on the margins of many creeks, in search of some relic of by-gone days, have I wandered back into the past, and readily imagined that the primitive inhabitants have on this productive Is- land enjoyed all that is pictured in the red man's happiest dream of paradise. A few half-breeds still cling to the soil of their ancestors ; but the next generation will have to refer to the pages of history to point out where dwelt the once-powerful race of Montauks, and other tribes that have dwindled away before the rapid strides of civilization. Before describing the " Birds of Long Island," I will here remark, that the difference in plumage and other characteris- tics, does not arise from their indiscriminately mating, as supposed by some. This cannot be ; if it were, every season would pro- duce such endless varieties, that any attempt at classification would prove abortive. On the contrary, we see year after year the same broad characters which determine the Genera, with the specific markings denoting the species ; and at this late period, a new species discovered east of the Mississippi, is of rare occurrence. VI It is the opinion of the writer, that those who pass througli life without stopping to admire the beauty, organization, melody, or habits of Birds, rob themselves of a very great chare of the pleasures of existence. In spring, when Nature has recovered from the chilling blasts of winter, and again puts forth her rich foliage, what can be more delightful than to listen to the rich melody of cur songsters, robed in their nuptial plumage, perched on the branch of the rich magnolia, arranging their splendid at- tire with studied care, as if jealous that the swelling buds would put forth blossoms that would rival them in beauty ? Joyous indeed is it to watch the gay Humming Bird sporting around the fragrant honeysuckle, fearless of man, as if conscious of its inno- cence—little knowing that its small but brilliant body is more highly prized by him than the cumbrous form of the Vulture, here sipping the dew-drops made fragrant through the agency of the rose—there probing the peony to extract its insect prey, or hover- ing round the closed bud of the lily, impatiently waiting for the unfolding of its swelling leaflets, to revel in its luxuriance 1 The Water Birds, though not possessed of the bright plumage and sweetly-toned voice of the gaily-attired minstrels confined to the land, have their charms. Pleasing is it when invited by the invigor- ating breeze, to visit the sea-shore—or perchance, when rambling along the borders of our great lakes, to mark how beautifully the providence of Nature is developed in the well-adapted forms to the habits of the " Water Fowl," and also to observe the regular order in which large flocks move when hastening, at the approach of winter, to a more genial clime—from whence, in early spring, they return to the " great nursery" at the North. It is also interesting to notice the various shades of plumage, from the gay Sum- mer Duck to the sombre Surf Duck, each tinge, spot, and line showing superior intelligence ; but in this, like all other parts of Creation, man, with his boasted knowledge, knows nothing of first causes. VII Some species frequent the still ponds and shady creeks ; others pass their time at sea ; while many crowd our bays and harbors, con- tributing to our support. Some feed on shelly molusca ; others subsist chiefly on vegetables; and many regale themselves on finned prey. The great changes which birds undergo until they arrive at full and mature plumage, as well as the various changes the adults are subjected to from Spring to Autumn, teaches us that plumage is not at all times the best criterion for specific characters. Therefore the writer would urge the importance of paying attention to the bills, tarsi and feet, which, with the habits and notes, are certain characters. The plumage first engages the attention of the student. This should be examined during Spring, when most of our birds appear in full and decided dress, and the notes of all our Song Birds are frequent and clearly expressed. The next is their habits, which, in some cases the peculiarities are so difficult to describe, that in a written description of closely-allied species, there may appear but a trifling difference to close observer, ; yet a the manners and cus- toms peculiar to certain species, the mode of building their nests, their eggs, &c, are sufficient of themselves to form distinctive characters. In Autumn, when those which have passed on to other districts to breed, return with their young, in whatever liverv they may then appear, the species may be determined to a certainty by recognizing its peculiar note ; which, in but very few instances, can be intelligibly communicated by syllables.

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