Part 55 (2/2)

_18th_. Alfred Schoolcraft, who had commenced the study of ornithology with decided ability, hands me the following list of birds, which have been observed to extend their visits to this island and the basin of Lake Huron.

_________________________________________________________________________ | | | | Common Name. | Order. | Family. | Genus. | ___________________|__________|_____________|___________|________________ | | | | Brown Thrush |Pa.s.seres |Canori |t.u.r.dus |T. Rufus.

Cedar Bird | ” |Sericati |Bonelycilla|B. Carolinensis.

Canada Jay | ” |Gregarii |Corvus |C. Canadensis.

Crow | ” | ” | ” |C. Corone.

House Wren | ” | ” |Trylodites |T. Edom.

Blue Jay | ” | ” |Corvus |C. Vociferus.

Raven | ” | ” | ” |C. Corax.

Snow Bird | ” |Pa.s.serini |Fringilla |F. Hyemalis.

Sing Cicily | ” | ” | ” |F. Melodia.

Robin | ” |Canori |t.u.r.dus |T. Migratoria.

| ” |Pa.s.serini |Loxia |L. Corvurostra.

Red Winged Starling| ” |Gregarii |Icterus |I. Phoenicus.

Goldfinch | ” |Pa.s.serini |Fringilla |F. Tristis.

Little Owl |Accipetres|Stapaces |Stryx |S.

Sparrow Hawk | ” | ” |Falco |F. Sparverius.

Golden Plover |Gralle |Pressirostre |Charadrus |C. Plurailis.

Woodc.o.c.k | ” |Semicole |Scolipax |S. Minor.

Green Winged Teal | |Lamelasodenta|Anas |Anas Crecca.

Wood Duck | | ” | ” |A. Sponsa.

Golden Eyed Duck | | ” |Fatigula |F. Clengula.

Hooping Crane | |Herodii |Grus |G. Americana.

Kingfisher |Pa.s.seres |Augubrostres |Alcedo |A. Alcyon.

Loon | |Pygopodes |Colymbus |C. Glacialis.

Partridge | |Galinacia |Perdix |P. Virginiana.

Of their habits he appends the following remarks:--

”The Canada Jay (_C. Canadensis_) preys upon smaller birds of the sparrow kind. This fact has been related to me by persons of undoubted veracity, and I have myself seen one of them in pursuit of small birds.

”There is a small species of sparrow, that inhabits the forests near the settlements in this region, of a very interesting character. It matters not how intense the cold, it never deserts our woods, but remains hunting for insects in the cavities and among the branches of the trees with the most a.s.siduous caution. They hatch their young in holes, which they perforate in decayed trees with their sharp bills. If a person happens to come near their nests during the time of incubation, it vociferates most strenuously against the intrusion, while its feathers expand, its eyes sparkle with rage, and it darts from branch to branch with the most astonis.h.i.+ng rapidity. It is frequently to be seen near our houses in the winter, and in the most severe and inclement weather they will tend, by their chirping and gambols, to amuse and enliven our minds, while at the same time they afford us an entertaining study.

”Their wants are very small. If a piece of meat, weighing two or three pounds, is hung against some tree or fence near to our houses in the winter, we can have the pleasure of witnessing them merrily banqueting on it every day for several weeks.

”Sandpipers of the smaller kinds can swim on the surface of the water, dive beneath and remain under it with the same facility as the duck and other aquatic birds, although they do not make use of this property unless driven to extremity. This fact I can pledge my veracity on from personal observation. They need not use this power of swimming for the purpose of procuring food, as the substances on which they subsist are found on the margin of the water.”

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