APPENDIX I.

A FIELD KEY TO OUR COMMONER EASTERN LAND BIRDS.

ACTING upon a suggestion, I have prepared as an Appendix to the Handbook the following field key to those birds which, either because of their abundance or conspicuous colors, most frequently attract our. attention. With the object of making it as brief, and consequently as simple, as possible, I have omitted species which can be referred to their respective families without dilficulty—for example, Hawks, Owls, Woodpeckers, and Swallows. It is designed simply as an aid to the first steps of the beginner, who will soon graduate from it to the more detailed keys in the body of the book. Like the field keys to Finches and Sparrows, and Warblers, after which it is modeled, it is based largely upon adult males. Its use will be found fully explained on page 34.

First Group—With yellow or orange in the plumage.

Second Group—With red in the plumage.

Third Group.——With blue in the plumage.

Fourth Group.—Plumage conspicuously black, or black and white.

Fifth Group.———Without either yellow, orange, red, or blue in the plumage; not conspicuously black, or black and white.

First Group—With yellow or orange In the plumage.

I. Throat yellow. A. Throat and breast pure yellow, without streaks or spots.

(1. Length 5'00; cap, wings, and tail black; back yellow; song canary- like, sometimes uttered on the wing; flight undulating, frequently accompanied by the notes chic-o-ree, per-chic-o-ree.

529. AM. Gomrmcn.

b. Length 650; lower belly and wing-bars white; back olive-green; frequents the upper branches, generally in woodland; actions delib- erate; song loud and musical, uttered slowly, often with pauses: “ See me? I’m here; where are you?” . . 628. YELLOW-THROATED Vmuo.

0. Length 5'25; cheeks and forehead black bordered by ashy; upper parts olive-green; no wing-bars; haunts thickets and undergrowth; movements nervous and active; call-note, pit or check ; song, a vigor— ous, rapid witch—e-wéa—o, witch-e-wés—o, witch-e-wée-o.

681. MARYLAND YELLOW-THROAT.

404