TURKEY BUZZARD.
metallic. The head and upper part of the neck are destitute of feathers,
having a red wrinkled skin, sparsely covered with short black hair, and
downy behind. Feathers of the neck full and rounded, concealing the
naked crop. Wings ample, long; the first quill rather short, the third and
fourth longest. Tail longish, rounded, of twelve broad straight feathers.
Bill at the tip yellowish-white; the cere and the naked part of the
head of a tint approaching to blood-red. Iris dark brown. Feet fleshcoloured,
tinged with yellow; claws black. The general colour of the
plumage is blackish-brown, deepest on the neck and under parts, the
wing-coverts broadly margined with brown ; the back glossed with brown
and greenish tints; the tail purplish-black; the under parts of a sooty
brown, on the breast glossed with green.
Length 32 inches, extent of wings 6 feet 4 inches ; bill °Z\ along the
ridge, 2 T
2
2 along the gap; tarsus 2£, middle-toe 3£.
Young fully fledged. Plate CLI. Fig. 2.
The bill is, of course, shorter and more slender, its horny tip pale
blue, black on the back; the skin of the head is flesh-coloured, the iris
yellowish, the feet flesh-coloured. The plumage is nearly of the same
colour as in the adult.
THE WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCH.
SlTTA CAROLINENSIS, BRISS.
P L A T E C L I I . MALE AKD FEMALE.
ONLY three species of Nuthatch have as yet been observed within the
limits of the United States. My opinion however is, that at least two
more will be discovered :—one larger than any of those known, in the
high wooded plains bordering the Pacific Ocean; the other, of nearly the
size of the present species, towards the boundary line of Mexico and the
United States.
Although the species now under consideration is found in all parts of
our extensive country, it is yet the least numerous; there being to appearance
more than three of the Brown-headed, and two of the Redbellied,
for every one of the White-breasted. It is an inhabitant of the
forest and the orchard, frequently approaching to the very doors of the
farm-houses during winter, when it is not unusually seen tapping at the
eaves beneath the roof, thrusting itself into barns and houses, or searching
for food among the poultry on the ground, where it moves prettily by
short hops. During summer it gives a preference to the interior of the
forest, and fives in a retired and secluded manner, especially during the
breeding season. Although a lively bird, its actions are less animated,
and it exhibits less petulance and restlessness than the other species. It
moves alertly, however, when searching for food, climbing or retrograding
downwards or sidewise, with cheerfulness and a degree of liveliness,
which distinguish it at once from other birds. Now and then it has a
quaint look, if I may so speak, while watching the observer, clinging to
the bark head downward, and perhaps only a few feet distant from him
whom it well knows to be its enemy, or at least not its friend, for many
farmers, not distinguishing between it and the Sap-sucker (Picus pubescens),
shoot at it, as if assured that they are doing a commendable action.
During the breeding season, the affection which this bird ordinarily
shews to its species, is greatly increased. Two of them may be seen busily
engaged in excavating a hole for their nest in the decayed portion of
the trunk or branch of a tree, all the time congratulating each other in