Note to Key.
In response to many demands, the following simple field-key has been devised, to the end that the beginner may be aided in learning to observe correctly those points about a bird that appear most conspicuous in the field or which are particularly distinctive.
Technical analyses and measurements have not been employed, but instead, the birds are roughly placed in three groups according to size, the Robin and English Sparrow marking respectively the 10-inch and 6-inch lines of division.
The first part of the key deals with general differences in color and markings, while the second seeks to emphasize the most noteworthy special points which distinguish the different species. Incidentally a few striking peculiarities of bill, wings and tail have been included.
It will readily be seen that a key embracing so little cannot do more than reduce wild guessing to a few reasonable chances in identifying a strange bird. Some practice is of course necessary to enable the student to use the key readily. Its helpfulness will largely depend upon accuracy of observation and a careful application of the points which it suggests.
Shore and water birds have been omitted—first, in order to keep the key as simple as possible; second, because quite full descriptions of these birds are given in the “Particular Hints;” and, third, for the reason that beginners, as a rule, meet with far better success by becoming familiar with the common land birds before attempting the study of water and shore birds.
EXPLANATIONS.
1. The heading, “Dull Colors,” includes all shades of gray or olive, very dull dark-brown and black not showing conspicuous iridescence. Birds in this group are very rarely streaked or spotted, never barred and seldom show any trace of bright colors.
2. To make the key compact and to avoid referring to the index the birds are indicated by their respective numbers as given under “Particular Hints.”
3. Females differing greatly in coloration from the males are denoted by heavy figures. Differences in markings are taken into account only when the female is particularly obscure or liable to be mistaken for another species.
4. Every bird appears once under the first six general headings, and a few twice, some of which come under apparently contradictory headings in order to cover incomplete as well as complete observations. For example, the [Robin] has a streaked throat and the [Fox Sparrow] an indistinctly streaked back, both inconspicuous points, often overlooked in the field, yet useful if complete observations have been made. Again, the [Yellow-bellied Flycatcher], though brighter colored than most of its kind, would scarcely be described as having either brilliant or very dull plumage, and is therefore difficult to tabulate exclusively in one place.
HOW TO USE THE KEY.
Two illustrations will most briefly indicate the easiest method of using the key—
Observation: A dull-colored bird of medium size, nearer six inches than ten, much streaked all over, showing nothing distinctive unless a kind of spot on the breast. Turning to the key, pass by “Bright Colors,” “Iridescent” and “Dull Colors,” choosing “Streaked, Barred or Spotted.” Not being sure of the size, it may be necessary to try all the birds between “6 and 10 inches,” as well as those “less than 6 inches.” Before going to so much trouble, however, pass on to “Under Parts” and see whether an easier approach can be made there. The sub-heading “Spot or patch on throat, sides, breast or sides of neck” looks comprehensive enough to apply, while in this case it contains fewer examples. Comparing the numbers there given with those under the first heading selected, it is found that only [10] and [23] appear in both places. On looking up [10] and [23] it is found that they refer to the [Song Sparrow] and [Sapsucker], two species so widely different in coloration, habits and movements that it ought not to be necessary to study the key further in order to be sure of the bird in question—namely, the [Song Sparrow].
Observation: A bird in flight, pure white below, without doubt over 10 inches on account of its long tail. Not having seen the general color with any certainty, but being fairly sure of the white breast and long tail, try “Under Parts” first. Only two birds over 10 inches are given under the sub-heading “Pure white or ashy,” and these are [103] and [109]. Turning to “Tail,” both numbers appear under “very long, sometimes keeled or forked,” but only 103, the [Yellow-billed Cuckoo], comes under “Outer tail-feathers conspicuously white or spotted.” If conspicuous tail spots had been seen the key would have helped to identify the bird, but the key alone cannot make up for lack of observations.
The second illustration may give force to the suggestion that certain birds can be satisfactorily identified only after very careful observation and some further study.
BRIGHT COLORS
Streaked Barred Spotted
Showing Blue, blue-gray or bluish-ash
Showing Red, chestnut, light or reddish-brown
Showing Yellow, orange or buff
Showing conspicuous Black markings
NEVER Streaked Barred Spotted
Showing Blue, blue-gray or bluish-ash
Showing Red, chestnut, light or reddish-brown
Showing Yellow, orange or buff
Showing much Black
IRIDESCENT
Showing iridescent black, blue, green or brownish
DULL COLORS
Few Markings
Sharply defined
Obscure
NO MARKINGS
STREAKED BARRED OR SPOTTED ON BREAST BACK OR BOTH
Above and Below, rarely bright colors
Plain Above
Heavily streaked or spotted below
Lightly streaked or spotted below
Plain Below, rarely with one conspicuous spot on breast
Highly Variegated
HOOD
UNDER PARTS
No Markings
Pure white or ashy
Dull colors, indistinctly shaded
Few, if any, Markings
Distinctive red, yellow or brown Breast
Belly white or yellow, sharply contrasting with breast
Distinctive Markings
A line of streaks down sides or across breast
Spotted, finely streaked, or throat and middle of belly plain
Bib, collar, or band across breast
Spot or patch on throat, sides, breast, or sides of neck
Noticeably tinged with red, yellow, buff or brownish
BILL
Hooked, or noticeably long and sometimes curved
Large and stout, or noticeably short and thick
Used for hammering
HEAD
Top
Crested, or red crown-patch displayed at will
Crown conspicuously Striped
Distinct Cap, no line over eye
Distinct Cap or crown-patch, with line over, through or back of eye
Forehead showing black, sometimes with bar through eye
Sides
Conspicuous line over or through eye
Inconspicuous but distinctive line over eye
Conspicuous eye-ring, or black or yellow mask
Distinctively marked or colored on cheeks or sides of head
WINGS
Long and pointed
One or two conspicuous WING-BARS, white or yellowish
Spots, patches or bright markings
BACK
Streaked
Entirely streaked or mottled, no distinct cap
Rump plain, cap or striped crown
Gray or ashy about head or neck
Barred and Spotted
Barred, including wings
Black and white, wings barred or spotted
No Markings, back and wings alike
Distinctive Markings or Colors
Rump patch, white, yellow or brown
On back of neck, between shoulders, or middle of back
TAIL
Color
Outer feathers conspicuously white or spotted
Reddish-brown, or tipped with white or yellow
Markings: Barred or banded with black or white
Size
Very long, sometimes keeled or forked
Very short
Narrow and pointed
Movements: Used for bracing, or, jerking or tilting motions.