Ornithological biography, Vol. 4 (of 5)

by John James Audubon

MACGILLIVRAY’S FINCH.

Fringilla Macgillivraii.
PLATE CCCLV. Male and Female.

Whilst Bachman’s Finch resides in the pine forests of the Carolinas and other Southern States, preferring dry and sandy lands covered with grasses; and whilst Henslow’s Bunting or Finch, and the Yellow-winged Bunting, are fond of open prairies and ploughed fields, in which they nestle; the species, on which I have bestowed the name of my friend Macgillivray, chooses for its residence the salt marshes of our Southern Atlantic shores, in which also are found the Sharp-tailed and Seaside Finches of Wilson and other authors. The three former spend the greater part of the winter in the forests, perch occasionally on trees, and feed principally on seeds; whereas the latter three are never found elsewhere than in the salt marshes, and feed chiefly on minute shells and aquatic insects. Were I therefore to adopt the minimum generic groups which have become prevalent, I would place the three birds of the interior in a genus apart from that containing the three marsh-birds.

Macgillivray’s Finch is as yet very rare within the United States, and has not been observed farther eastward than Sullivan Island, about six miles from Charleston in South Carolina; but it is very abundant in the Texas, occurring on all the low islands that are much intersected by salt-water bayous, and interspersed with ponds of brackish water, seldom leaving these localities unless whilst travelling, or passing from one island to another, which they do by flying at the height of only a few feet above the surface. They run among the rankest weeds with uncommon celerity, and do not seem to mind being followed by a dog, which they very easily elude amongst the thick grass. Whilst breeding they often start from a little distance, and pursue a singularly irregular or zigzag flight, much resembling that of the Jack Snipe of Europe, and yet performed with apparently slow beats of the wings. They fall as it were among the grass as suddenly as they rise from it, and by these manœuvres save their nests from the searching eye of the keenest student of nature. They very seldom alight on the stems of grasses, although when they do they climb with facility, occasionally using their tail as a support, in the same manner as the Rice-bird. Their strong tarsi and toes enable them to walk on the ground with great vigour. When they take wing deliberately, their flight resembles that of a young partridge, and, if over the land, is seldom extended between forty or fifty yards at a time. The males appear very jealous of each other, and frequently one pursues another on wing, but usually abandons the chase before the conquered bird has alighted, leaving it to pursue its course as it pleases after it has been driven beyond the assailant’s jurisdiction. The notes of this species are few and unmusical, consisting of a sort of roll of five or six syllables, which it seems to me impossible to imitate. They are usually heard early in the morning. My friend Dr Bachman informs me that none of these Finches remain in South Carolina during winter, and that they generally disappear early in November, when the weather is still very pleasant in the maritime portions of that state. Many, however, spend the winter in the salt marshes about the mouths of the Mississippi, and I have no doubt that they are constant residents there, as they are in the Texas.

This species has already been described at p. 285 of the second volume of the present work.

MARSH HAWK.

Falco cyaneus, Linn.
PLATE CCCLVI.

With ease and elegance of flight, guided by an uncommon acuteness of what I would call short-sightedness, the Marsh Hawk, like an experienced gleaner, ranges over the wide extent of the prairie. The pure white of the hind part of the female’s back, and the pale blue of the male, attract your eye so long as the pair remain within sight. The diligence and industry which they exhibit remind you of the search of a well-trained pointer.

This species visits the greater part of the United States. Dr Richardson procured some specimens in latitude 65° north, and Dr Townsend found it on the plains of the Columbia River, as well as on the extensive prairies bordering on the Missouri. I have met with it in Newfoundland and Labrador on the one hand, in Texas on the other, and in every intermediate portion of the country.

In the Fauna Boreali-Americana, Mr Swainson has published an excellent paper relating to such birds as have and have not been considered as identical with this bird and the European one bearing the same name. I perfectly agree with that gentleman when he says that “the typical structure of the wing in the present group must unquestionably be that most prevalent among the species. It must, however, be remembered, that even this character is subject to variation, according to the age and perhaps the locality of the bird, and that it must not be insisted upon with too much rigour.” I regret that this learned ornithologist did not introduce the word sex into the above well-founded remark, as in the sexes of birds, as well as in individuals of different ages, remarkable differences are often observed.