sign in sign up
<<
Home , The Birds of America, Turdus Solitarius

UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH

Darlington Memorial Lilran

1 THE

BIRDS OF LONG ISLAND.

BY J. P. GIRAUD, Jr.,

MEMBER OF THE LYCEUM OF , NEW-YORK, CORRESPONDING MEMBER OF THE ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES, , &.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 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 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 dis-

tance. 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 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 doubt-

less 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 dis- tance into the ocean nearly at right angles with the southern por- tion of the coast of the United States, comprising within its bound- 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 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 interest-

ing 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 in- deed 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 inter-

esting 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. In other words,

the place to study Ornithology is in the open air, while rambling

through the woods and fields, following the water-courses ; and by

frequenting the sea-shore and interior lakes—thus studying from

Nature, the best of all preceptors. With those species which are

of exceedingly rare occurrence, and the habits of which you have

had no opportunity of observing, or tracing the plumage in its dif-

ferent stages, the formation of the bills, tarsi, feet, and toes, will

assist in defining closely-allied species. VIII

Those closet Naturalists, who study altogether from dried

specimens, are merely theorists. Such a course may serve to

amuse the student who is content with acquiring only the classifi-

cation of this beautiful and highly interesting part of the animal

creation, of the habits and abode of which, he knows nothing

practically; to such, the poetry of Ornithology is entirely lost.

The descriptions of plumage I have taken from a collection now

before me, comprising, with but few exceptions, all those species

figured by Mr. Audubon in his great, and to our country, highly

creditable work on the " Birds of America," the majority of the species having been procured by my own hand. Should I, from the plain manner in which I have endeavored to point out the specific characters of those procured on Long Island, as well as by placing within reach of those who are in daily use of the gun, a simple Book of Reference, be instrumental in adding to our already large Fauna, or acquire a further knowledge of the habits of those species which with us are but little known, the pur- pose of the writer will be accomplished.

In preparing a list of the Birds of Long Island, I have stu- diously avoided introducing any species that I have not met with, or received from the very best authority an intimation of its occur- rence in our locality. In- speaking of the migrations and habits of species for which my opportunities for observation have been very limited, I have had recourse to the works of various authors, none of which have been more closely consulted than the highly instruc- tive pages of Wilson and Audubon. In comparing specimens in various stages of plumage, I have enjoyed the privilege of the valuable Cabinets of Messrs. Bell, Lawrence, and Brasher, who, from their Ornithological acquirements, as well as their acquaint- ance with the locality with which wc are engaged, have contribut- ed much valuable information. J. P. GIRAUD, Jr.

New-York, June, 1843. 3F AIB &JB

OF FAMILY, GENERA, AND SPECIES OF THE BIRDS OF LONG ISLAND,

(arranged according to the CLASSIFICATION OF AUDUBON.)

FAMILY VULTURIN.E. VULTURINE BIRDS. GENUS CATHARTES. Turkey Vulture. Cathartes aura Turkey Vulture, or Turkey-buzzard FAMILY FALCONING. FALCONINE BIRDS. GENUS BUTEO. Buzzard. Buteo borealis Red-tailed Buzzard " Pennsylvanicu8 Broad-winged " " lagopus Rough-legged " " lineatus Red-shouldered *' GENUS . Eagle. Aquila chrysaetos Golden Eagle GENUS HALLETUS. Sea Eagle. Haliaetus leucocephalus White-headed or Bald Eagle GENUS PANDION. Osprey. Pandion haliaetus Fish Hawk or Osprey GENUS NAUCLERUS. Swallow-tailed, Hawk. Nauclerus furcatus Swallow-tailed Hawk GENUS FALCO. Falcon. Falco peregrinus Peregrine Falcon " sparverius Sparrow " " coluiiibarius Pigeon " GENUS ASTUR. Hawk. Astur palumbarius Gos Hawk " fuscus Sharp-shinned Hawk " Cooporii Cooper's