The birds of the Bahama Islands - containing many birds new to the Islands, and a number of undescribed winter plumages of North American birds (1890) (14568613429)

Identifier: birdsofbahamaisl01cory (find matches)
Title: The birds of the Bahama Islands : containing many birds new to the Islands, and a number of undescribed winter plumages of North American birds
Year: 1890 (1890s)
Authors: Cory, Charles B. (Charles Barney), 1857-1921
Subjects: Birds
Publisher: Boston, U.S.A. : Estes & Lauriat
Contributing Library: Smithsonian Libraries
Digitizing Sponsor: Smithsonian Libraries



Text Appearing Before Image:
cheeks, black; throat,black, shading into brown upon the breast, with a yellow stripepassing from the chin nearly to the brown of the breast; breast,deep yellow, shading into brown as it nears the throat; belly, white,with an olive tint upon the flanks; wings and tail black, edged withwhite; the tertials, coverts, and base of primaries heavily markedwith white; bill, black under mandible, bluish; legs, black. Winter Plumage, Female. — Above, olive-green; below, paler,shading into white on the belly; the sides and flanks, pale olive-green ; the stripe over the eye but faintly indicated, and of an ashycolor; wings and tail, dark brown, with an olive tinge on thefeathers, showing markings of dull wliite as in the male, but muchnarrower. Length 5.95, wing 3, tail 2.50, tarsus .So, bill .50. This beautiful species is a resident of the Bahamas. We foundit most abundant on the island of New Providence, where it is oneof the first birds that attracts the visitors attention on account of its
Text Appearing After Image:
SPiNDALIS ZENA 3aha7nci.Fhcri. BIRDS OF THE BAHAMA ISLANDS. 93 brilliant coloration. Dr. Bryant states that its food consists almost.entirely of small berries, and, according to my observation, this state-ment is correct; but they also eat many sj^ecies of insects, andsometimes fruits. Although very abundant near Nassau, on theisland of New Providence, they are rather uncommon at LongIsland, and only a single specimen was seen at Inagua. Gossefound this species near Spanish Town, Jamaica, where he claimsit was not common. He gives an interesting account of a bird ofthis species which he procured alive. He says: — I carried him home in my handkerchief, and put him into alarge cage, where he soon became quite a favorite. From the veryfirst, he was fearless and lively, found the use of the perches imme-diately, and did not flutter or beat himself against the sides, thoughpersons stood close to the cage. This was large enough to allow ashort flight, and as there were several perches ins