Fragments of the natural history of Pennsylvania. By Benjamin Smith Barton, M.D. Correspondent-member of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland; member of the American Philosophical Society; fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences of Boston; corresponding member of the Massachusetts Historical Society; member of the Physical Society of Jena; one of the foreign members of the Linnaean Society of London; and professor of materia medica, natural history and botany, in the University of Pennsylvania, ; Part first. ; [Two lines of Latin quotations]

I. APPENDIX: CONTAINING OBSERVATIONS On the greater number of the Birds, which are mentioned in the preceding Tables.† 1.1

* ORIOLUS phoeniceus. I cannot altogether admit of the propriety of placing this bird among the Picae, as Linnaeus and other naturalists have done. The female appears to be an Emberiza, or Fringilla. This bird is the Sturnus predatorius of Mr. William Bartram. See his Travels.

* Muscicapa fusca. This is the Muscicapa nunciola of Bartram. Travels.

* Alauda rubra. The Alauda migratoria of Bartram. Travels. Alauda fusca of the same gentleman. The spe∣cific name rubra is an improper one: for the bird has no red feathers.

* Alauda alp••••iris. This is the Alauda campestris of Bartram. Travels.

* Fringilla domestica (mihi). Motacilla domestica, or Regulus rufus of Bartram. Travels. In very mild winters, this social domestic little bird continues with us. It is the earliest of our spring singing, birds. Its note is tre∣mulous and agreeable. Catesby has sigured it, VOL. I. P. 35.

* Fringilla ferruginea. I suspect this is the Hedge-Sparrow of Lawson, P. 144. It is the Fringilla rufa of Bar∣tram. Travels. Edwards calls it Little Sparrow. Pl. 354. In New-York it is called the Shepherd.

* Fringilla albicollis. Fringilla fusca of Bartram. Travels.

* Fringilla melodia. In mild winters, this bird continues in Pennsylvania, associating with the Snow-Birds. Does not appear to be deseribed.

* Passer palustris of Bartram. This appears to be a species of Fringilla. I do not find that it is described.

Fringilla exilis. This a good deal resembles the Motacilla Regulus, or Golden-crested Warbler. Perh••ps, they are the same.

* Fringilla tri••••is. In different parts of the United-States, this bird is known by a variety of names, such as Gold-Finch, Yellow-Bird, Lettuce-Bird, Sallad-Bird, Flax-Seed-Bird.

Sitta canadensis. I have been mistaken in calling this the Sitta canadensis. It is a distinct species: perhaps Le Tor∣chepot de Canada of Brisson. Tom. 3. P. 592, 593, 594. Pl. 29. Fig. 4. Sitta peregrina of Bartram. MS. Sitta varia, ventre rubro of Bartram. Travels. I think Mr. Pennant, to whom I sent a drawing and description of it, considered it as a new species.

* Picus auratus. I am informed, that this bird is known, in Maryland, by the name of Dish-Washer. Linnaeu•• says this species does not climb trees; but this is a mistake: and it builds its nest, like the other species, in the holes of trees.

* Gracula Quiscula? Several respectable authors, and among others Mr. Pennant,‡ 1.2 have confounded the bird thus noted in the Tables with the Gracula Quiscula of Linnaeus. But they are certainly distinct species. I do not

know that the Gracula Quiscula has ever been seen immediately about Philadelphia. It is commonly seen on or near the fea-coast, and not often twenty miles distant from it. It loves the neighbourhood of the sea, and of brackish water. The Gracula which I mention, in the Tables, is very common about Philadelphia, where it associates with the Red-Wing Oriole, or Oriolus phoeniceus, and with Crows (Corvus Corone), committing great depredations on the mays in the fields; and in the Southern States, on the rice that is stacked in the barn yards. Builds on trees, pretty high up, and seems, for this purpose, to give a preference to the evergreens, such as tall Pine-trees, &c. Our Gracula is either the Gracula Barrita, Boat-Tail-Grakle, or very nearly allied to it.

* Fringilla pecoris. This bird certainly belongs to the same genus as the Oriolus phoeniceus, whether that be Emberiza or Fringilla. It follows cows and horses, pulling asunder their excrements, in order to get at the feeds. It alights on their backs, eating flies and other insects from them. In some parts of Pennsylvania, it is best known by the name of Cow-Bird. It is the Sturnus stercorarius of Bartram. Travels.

* Motacilla Sialis. This is one of our earliest singing birds. Its note is highly agreeable. It is the Tschi-boa-pe-ke-lis of the Delawares. See P. 12. Sect. III.

* Scolopax Gallinago. Scolopax americana rufa of Bartram. Travels. It is the Me-me-u of the Delaware-Indians.

* Charadrius vociferus. This species is observed to increase in proportion as the country becomes cleared. Is very seldom seen remote from the habitations of man.

* Scolopax minor. Scolopax minor arvensis of Bartram. Travels. Pi-si-co-lis? of the Delaware-Indians.

* Hirundo purpurea. Pons-pau-cloo-moosc, or "the bird that never rests," of the Mohegan-Indians. I am of opi∣nion, that this and the three other species of Swallow, which I have mentioned, are migratory birds. I am not ignorant, that an opposite opinion is gaining ground among us. See Dr. Belknap's History of New Hampshire, Vol. III. p. 174. My friend, Mr. William Bartram, assures me, "that he has seen, in the spring, large flocks of all our Swallows, upon their passage from the south, and in the autumn, on their return southward from Penn∣sylvania, through Carolina, to Florida, where, however, neither of them winter; but continue farther on south∣ward" MS. penes me. I cannot but consider the testimony of this gentleman, in matters of this kind, as of high value. Indeed, all my enquiries convince me, that our swallows are migratory birds. I am, however, far from denying, that swallows have occasionally been found in the hollows of decayed trees, in different parts of our country, during that very season, when it supposed these birds are in a more southern climate. I will not even deny, that they have been found under the mud of rivers, &c. These, however, must be considered as extraordinary instances, which very rarely occur. They only serve to show the accommodating powers of birds, which some∣times continue in a country the whole year through, and in other times migrate from these countries. It is not difficult to account for some of the instances of Swallows being found in trees, &c. In these instances, I presume, the birds have been compelled to take up their habitations here, after their return from the south, having been surprized by very cold weather. The Swallows are, certainly, very impatient of cold.† 1.3 No wonder, therefore, that in a climate so variable as that of Pennsylvania, these birds should sometimes retire into trees, &c. to seek shelter. I have observed, that several weeks after the first appearance of the Swallows in the spring, the coming on of a cold day, has occasioned in them great distress. The following fact will strikingly illustrate what I am saying. The beginning of the month of April, 1773, was unusually warm. In the vicinity of Philadelphia, the clover, in some of the fields, was five or six inches high. The Martins (Hirundo purpurea) were seen about the city: at this time, there came on suddenly a very severe spell of cold weather. It destroyed many of these birds, several of which were seen to drop down, benumbed or dead, among the clover.

If any species of our swallows continues with us the whole year, I think it most likely to be the Hirundo—, or Little Bank-Martin. I have been informed, that in several instances, this species has been found in a torpid

state, in the holes of banks. I am also told, that above thirty years ago, a number of these birds were found in a Gum-tree (Nyssa sylvatica† 1.4), about four miles from the town of Lancaster. This was in the depth of winter. They were all torpid, but some of them, upon the application of heat, recovered.

Of the four species of Pennsylvania swallows, (viz. Hirundo purpurea, the Hirundo rustica? the Hirundo—, and the Hirundo pelasgia) the first, or Purple Martin, is the one which commonly visits us the earliest, viz. at the end of March, or beginning of April. The House-Swallow and the Little Bank-Martin come next, and the Chimney-Bird last of all. This, at least, is the general order of the appearance of the four species.

* Hirundo rustica? This is not the Hirundo rustica of Europe. It wants a name. It may be called Hirundo hor∣reorum, from its so generally frequenting our barns to build its nest. But this name is liable to objections. I do not know any of our Indian names for this species. One of these (if not too long) would be the best specific name we could give to it.

* Hirundo—. Little Bank-Martin. This is not the Hirundo riparia of Linnaeus. It has, however, very much the manners or habits of that bird. I have never seen the Hirundo riparia in any part of America. Kalm, Pennant, Gmelin, and other writers assert that it is a native of this continent. Dr. Belknap (P. 173) mentions the Hirundo riparia in his list of the birds of New-Hampshire: but I do not doubt that he means our Little Bank-Martin. I know (without any particular allusion to my excellent deceased friend) how the nomenclature of natural history has been conducted in America.

* Falco piscatorius. This is Catesby's and Bartram's name. It is the Ni-me-nees of the Delaware-Indians.

* Certhia Pinus.

* Fringilla graminea. This is the Passer campestris of Bartram. MS.

* Motacilla caerulea. Perhaps, this bird is more properly a species of the genus Parus. It forms a very curious nest of the moss which grows upon rocks, trees, &c.

* Ardea Herodias. See Section III. p. 12.

* Alcedo Alcyon. Tis-ke-man-nis? of the Delaware-Indians.

* Colymbus septentrionalis. Flocks of these birds frequent our large rivers, diving for fish. Their voice is musical, especially when a southerly wind blows strong. This is the Colymbus musicus of Bartram. Travels. It is as large as a goose.

* Colymbus migratorius of Bartram. This is near the size of a goose. Colour black. Bill red. Their principal food is eels and other fish. They visit the neighbourhood of Philadelphia, when the frosts are passed. They ge∣nerally fly in companies of two, three, or four together, and but a little above the surface of the water.

* Colymbus Podiceps. This is sometimes called the Water-Witch.

* Anas sponsa. This beautiful species is the Gi-gi-tschi-mu-is of the Delaware-Indians. It builds its nest in the holes of trees. Attempts have been made to domesticate it. but hitherto, they have not, I believe, been successful.

* Columba carolinensis. See Section III. P. 12. It is the Me-med-ba-cke-mo of the Delaware-Indians.

* Columba migratoria. These birds commonly pass the winter-season in the forests of Carolina, Georgia, and the two Floridas; and pass over the Gulph of Mexico to the Bahama-Islands. Upon their return southward in the autumn, they sometimes stay with us a considerable time, and they have been known, during our mild winters, to continue with us, as I have already observed. See Section III. P. 12. and Introduction. P. ix. § XVI.

* Turdus rufus. Builds its nest of loose sticks, using no cement. In this respect, it agrees with the Turdus Poly∣glottos, or Mocking-Bird, but differs from the Turdus migratorius, or Robin. This last uses a kind of mud or mortar, in making its nest.

* Ardea Nycticorax. The Ardea clamator of Bartram. Travels.

* Motacilla Troglodytes? This is the Motacilla palustris, or Regulus minor, of Bartram. Travels. In many re∣spects, this little bird agrees with the Motacilla Troglodytes of Linnaeus: the Wren of the English. I am not quite certain, whether they are not both the same species; but, I believe, they are different. Our bird construct, a very curious nest, resembling in shape a bottle, or pitcher. The materials which it makes use of are dry grass, among the living grass of meadows. The Motacilla Troglodytes? of which I am speaking, is a species of Certhia, or Creeper. It certainly belongs to the same genus as the Certhia familiaris mentioned below, and the Certhia floridana, afterwards taken notice of.

* Ardea virescens. Commonly called S—e-Poke.

* Certhia familiaris (mihi). I now suspect, that this is no other than the Certhia familiaris of Linnaeus, the Euro∣pean Creeper of Pennant; Le Grimpereau of Buffon. Mr. Pennant mentions this as an inhabitant of North-America, and tells us, that it is found in Sweden, "and never quits the country."† 1.5 This to the American na∣turalist, is an interesting fact; for the Creeper is with us undoubtedly a bird of passage: a bird of passage, in a much milder climate than that in which it is a continual resident!! But many facts like this will be discovered in the progress of natural science.

* Hirundo pelasgia. This is the Hirundo cerdo of Bartram. Travels.

* Caprimulgus virginianus. This is the We-coo-lis of the Delaware-Indians. Although it feeds entirely upon insects, its flesh is said to be delicious. I have been informed, that some of these birds have been found in a torpid state, in hollow trees, in Jersey. But I cannot entirely depend upon the fact; and I have little hesitation in saying, that this bird, as well as the Swallows, to which it is allied, is a bird of passage. For some notices concerning the superstitious opinions of our Indians respecting this bird, see my letter to Dr. Priestley, in the Transactions of the American Philosophical Society. VOL. IV.

* Lanius Tyrannus. This I rather consider as a species of Muscicapa. It may be called Muscicapa rex. It eats both infects and fruit. Is very destructive to bees, and to grapes.

* Oriolus Baltimore. As far as I know, this is the only Pennsylvania bird that builds a pensile or hanging nest. Mr. Pennant is mistaken in saying that the Oriolus phoeniceus, or Red-Wing Oriole, which I have already men∣tioned, builds such a nest. "The Red-Winged Orioles, (says he) build their nests in bushes, and among the reeds, in retired swamps, in form of a hang-nest; leaving it suspended at so judicious a height, and by so wondrous an instinct, that the highest floods never reach to destroy it."‡ 1.6 Hernandez seems to have known this bird (the Red-Wing) very well. He describes it under the name of "Acolchichi, scu avis rubeorum humerorum." Pag. 14. CAP. IV.

* Muscicapa carolinensis. This is the Lucar lividus of Bartram. Travels. This bird seems to be nearly allied to that tribe of birds which is called, by Edwards and Brisson, Manakin. Besides insects, it feeds on many sorts of ripe fruit.

* Parus luteus. This is Bartram's name. Travels. Catesby has figured and described this bird under the name of Parus Carolinensis luteus, or the Yellow Titmouse. Page 63. Plate 63.

* Muscicapa fusca (Catesby). The Muscicapa cantatrix of Bartram. Travels.

* Trochilus Colubris. I have not been able to learn that the Humming-Bird winters in any, not even in the warmest, parts of the United-States. I cannot hesitate to consider it as a bird of passage. A gentleman, how∣ever,

(whose name I do not recollect) wrote a little paper to prove, that these birds continue with us all the winter: why? because one of them was one frosty day, in the month of October, found a good deal benumbed in a church, in some part of New-England; I think in Connecticut.

* Turdus Trichas. This bird is most improperly arranged by Linnaeus under his genus of Turdus.

* Picus erythrocephalus. This is the Me-ma-koch-cus of the Delaware-Indians. See Section III. P. 11.

* Motacilla aurocapilla. This is very properly considered as a species of Turdus, or Thrush, both by Edwards and by Pennant. It is the Turdus minimus, vertice aurio, of Bartram. Travels.

* Tanagra rubra. This and the Summer-Red-Bird of Catesby (VOL. I. P. 56.) both belong to the same genus. Their note and their manners are the same. They both eat the same food, viz. fruit and insects.

* Muscicapa olivacea. I do not think, with Mr. Pennant,† 1.7 that this is the same bird as the Whip-Tom-Kelly of the West-Indies. Our bird has no such note; but a great variety of soft, tender, and agreeable notes. It inhabits forests, and does not, like the West-India bird, build a "pendulous nest."

* Muscicapa Ruticilla. Ruticilla americana of Bartram. Travels.

* Turdus minor. Turdus melodes of Bartram. Travels. This is, perhaps, the most musical of all the birds of the United-States, notwithstanding the assertions of Catesby and other writers to the contrary.

* Muscicapa viridis. This is a bird of very singular form, manners, and language. I am not satisfied as to its ge∣nus. It seems to be allied to the Manakin of Edwards and Brisson.

* Falco sparverius. In the month of March, it builds its nest in hollow trees, and feeds its young with mice, frogs, and small birds.

* Tanagra cyanea. This is sometimes called in Pennsylvania, Indigo-Bird. It is the Linaria cyanea of Bartram. Travels.

* Cuculus americanus. Cuculus Carolinensis of Bartram. Travels. This bird is better figured by Buffon (Pl. Enlum.) than by Catesby.

* Alauda magna. See Section III. P. 12.

* Tringa macularia (G). Tringa maculata of Bartram. Travels.

* Motacilla chrysoptera. Parus alis aureis of Bartram. Travels.

* Motacilla petechia. Mr. Pennant is mistaken in saying that this pretty species does not breed in Pennsylvania.

* Muscicapa rapax of Bartram. I take this to be the Lesser Crested Fly-Catcher of Mr. Pennant: the Muscicapa acadica of Gmelin. It is a very useful little bird, destroying numbers of the common house-fly and other trou∣blesome insects. It continues with us until late in September, when it retires southerly to pass the winter.

* Ardea cinerea.

* Rallus virginianus. This is the bird which is so well known in Pennsylvania by the name of Rail. It is a ques∣tion much disputed among our sportsmen, whether this be a bird of passage, or whether it continues among us. I have no doubt, that it is a bird of passage. It is well known in Carolina and Florida, where it commonly con∣tinues late, devouring the seed of the Zizania, Rice, and other aquatic plants. Whether it hiemates in these countries, or goes still farther to the south, I do not know.

* Ardea parva of Bartram. I cannot find that this species is described. It builds its nest in the grass of meadows. It is the smallest species of the genus that is known to me.

* Alauda Calandra. This is the Calandra pratensis of Bartram. Travels. The Calandra floralia of the same gentleman.

* Motacilla vermivora. Mr. Pennant is mistaken when he asserts, that this bird "does not appear in Pennsylvania till July, in its passage northward."† 1.8

Certhia floridana (mihi). This bird I do not find figured or described. It is mentioned by Mr. Bartram (Travels), under the name of Motacilla coroliniana, or Regulus magnus. It is nearly twice the size of the House-Wren, or Certhia familiaris? Like it, its voice is loud and musical. The upper side of the Certhia floridana is of a nut∣brown colour, delicately marked with transverse waved lines, of a darker colour. The throat, breast, and belly are of a yellowish clay colour. A line of the same colour passes, in form of an arch, over each eye. The bill is long, and a little bent downwards. This is a common bird in Carolina and Florida. It only occasionally visits Pennsylvania, viz. in long and warm summers. Is much more common in the Jerseys.

Vultur Aura. This bird rears its young in the southern states, before its arrival among us. I cannot learn, that it ever breeds in Pennsylvania. I have been informed, that these birds have occasionally been found, in the winter∣season, in the hollows of trees, and in the crevices of rocks, in different parts of the United-States, even to the north of Philadelphia. It is the Wi-nan-go-u and A-ma-tschi-pu-is of the Delawares, Sot-seh-tah of the Wyandots, and Gus-soo of the Mohegans.

* Ardea alba. Ardea immaculata of Bartram. Travels.

Ardea aequinoctialis. Ardea alba minor of Bartram. Travels. It is Pennant's Red-Billed Egret.

Emberiza oryzivora. If I do not mistake, this bird in Connecticut is called the Strawberry-bird. On the autho∣rity of Mr. Catesby, it has been believed by the most respectable naturalists (Pennant and others), that the male and female Rice-Birds migrate separately, at different seasons. Thus, it is imagined, that the males make their appearance in the vicinity of Philadelphia in the spring, and the females in the autumn, or the close of summer. Some facts which have come under my notice induce me to suspect, that this is a vulgar error: one of the many mistakes with which natural history is crouded and deformed. But, at present, I can only throw out the suspicion.

* Parus bicolor. This is the Parus cristatus of Bartram. Travels. This species feeds both upon insects and upon seeds, picking the kernel out of the husk. In Pennsylvania, it is called Tom-tit.

* Parus virginianus. Parus cedrus of Bartram. This bird feeds upon feeds and berries, particularly upon the re∣sinous berries of the Juniperus virginiana, or Red-Cedar. Commonly comes to us, from the northward, about the time these berries are ripe,† 1.9 and seems peculiarly fond of harbouring itself among these trees. Generally continues with us as long as the berries and insects (upon which also it feeds) last, and then goes northerly. Sometimes, however, it continues with us all winter.

* Ampelis Garrulus. In some parts of New-England, this species is called Cherry-Bird. Like the Parus virginia∣nus, it is very fond of the ripe berries of the Red-cedar. It is also very ••ond of the ripe fruit of the Diospyros virginiana, or Persimmon. Builds its nest in trees of a moderate size, about the end of May, or the beginning of June.

Fringilla cannabina? I am not quite certain whether this be the Fringilla cannabina of Linnaeus. It is certainly very nearly allied to this species. Large flocks of these birds visit us towards the end of the fall, or the begin∣ning of the winter. They often fly at very great heights in the air: so high that they cannot readily be seen, though their noise is distinctly heard. Either this species or one very nearly allied to it is found as far south as the country of the Cheerake-Indians, who call it O-na-clo-nei-ta. If this be the Fringilla cannabina, it has an ex∣tensive range in North-America, for it is found in the northern parts of this continent. It is one of the species which is common to the old and new world. It is not improbable, that it performs regular migrations from the one continent to the other.

* Scolopax Gallinago. I have already mentioned this species,§ 1.10 and have taken notice of the regularity of its arrival among us.‖ 1.11 It is, certainly, a bird of passage. This seems to be the same species which is so common in En∣gland,

and in other parts of Europe, and concerning whose disappearance the learned have so much disputed. There are pretty good reasons for believing, that these birds perform regular migrations between Europe and America. It is remarkable, that they are more numerous on the western than on the eastern shore of Britain. They are still more numerous in the west of Ireland than in the west of Scotland. "For one Wood-Cock on the east-coast of Scotland there are twelve in the west, and for one in the west of Scotland there are twelve in Ireland."* 1.12 Lord Kenmor, about the last of September, sailed from Lisbon to Falmouth, in England, and for ten or twelve days was becalmed on the coast of France. Every day, he saw from ten to twenty Wood-cocks pas∣sing from the west towards the land. These it was imagined, came from the continent of America. But I do not suppose that all our Wood-cocks thus migrate to Europe. It is pretty certain, that these birds when they visit us in the spring come from the south, and in the autumn they return to the south again. How far south they proceed, I am unable to determine. They are known in Florida, where it is not improbable, that many of them pass the winter-season.

Fringilla pinus (mihi). This is one of our spring birds of passage, and I think is not described. It commonly continues with us until the middle or the end of April, at which time the Apple and the Pear trees are in bloom. These blos∣soms, during some particular seasons, are remarkably infested by a species of Chermes, which proves very destruc∣tive to the fruit. By feeding on these devouring insects, the Fringilla pinus is one of the most useful of our birds. This bird, the Fringilla tristis, my Fringilla exilis, and the Fringilla cannabina? together with the Fringilla Car∣duelis of the old world, all belong to the same natural genus, or family. They seem, in some respects, to con∣stitute a genus distinct from the Fringilla.

AS these FRAGMENTS profess to contain some useful observations,† 1.13 I think this a proper place to observe, that many of the birds of Pennsylvania, and other parts of the United-States, are so extremely useful to man, by destroying insects and reptiles of various kinds, that they ought studiously to be preserved, if not by the LAWS, at least by the GOOD-SENSE, of the country. It would require many observations to give a complete list and history of these USEFUL BIRDS. I am not in possession of a sufficient quantity of facts for this purpose: but some observations I can offer, as materials for future inquirers.

It may, in the first place, be observed, that insects appear to be the first food of almost all the birds of our country. The more I have inquired, the more I have been convinced, that almost all birds live, in some measure, upon insects. Even those species which consume considerable quantities of feeds, berries, and fruit, also consume large quantities of insects: and there are reasons to believe, that others whose principal food is the nectar of plants also live partly upon these insects. Thus Mr. Brandis‡ 1.14 found the vestiges of insects in the stomach of the Trochilus, or Hum∣ming-Bird, one of the last birds one would have suspected of feeding on animal food.

The greater number of our smaller birds of the order of Passeres, seem to demand our attention and protection. Some of them feed pretty entirely upon insects, and others upon a mixed food, that is, insects and the vegetable feeds, &c. Many of them contribute much to our pleasure by the melody of their notes. I believe the injury they do us is but small compared to the good they render us. I shall mention, under six different heads, a few of the use∣ful birds of this and some other orders.

I. Muscicapa acadica of Gmelin? This is the Lesser Crested Flycatcher of Pennant. It is called in Pennsylvania the Lesser or Wood-Pewe. This little bird builds in woods and in forests. After the young have left the nests, the parents conduct them to the gardens and habitations of men. Here the whole brood dwells in trees near the houses, where they are fed with the common house-fly, and other insects, that are caught by the old birds. The young ones are soon capable of obtaining their food in the same way. This species of Muscicapa visits us in the spring, and commonly continues with us until late in September, when it retires southerly to winter.

II. The Motacilla Sialis, or Blue-Bird, feeds principally, if not entirely, upon insects, both such as are flying and and such as are reptile. It is said they eat currants.

III. Most of our species of Picus, or Woodpecker, appear to me to be very useful in destroying insects, particularly those which injure our forest and orchard-trees. It is true, these birds are sometimes injurious to us, by eating some of our finest fruits, particularly our cherries, and therefore pains are taken to expell them from our gardens. But they devour vast numbers of insects, particularly some of those species which prove so destructive to the trunk of the trees, such as the coleopterous insects, which, perhaps, do as much mischief as the caterpillars.

IV. As a devourer of pernicious insects, one of the most useful birds with which I am acquainted, is the House-Wren, or Certhia familiaris?* 1.15 This little bird seems peculiarly fond of the society of man, and it must be confessed, that it is often protected by his interested care. From observing the usefulness of this bird in destroying in∣sects, it has long been a custom, in many parts of our country, to six a small box at the end of a long pole in gardens, about houses, &c. as a place for it to build in. In these boxes they build and hatch their young. When the young are hatched, the parent birds feed them with a variety of different insects, particularly such as are in∣jurious in gardens. One of my friends† 1.16 was at the trouble to observe the number of times that a pair of these birds came from their box, and returned with insects for their young. He found that they did this from forty to sixty times in an hour; and in one particular hour the birds carried food to their young, seventy-one times. In this business, they were engaged the greater part of the day; say twelve hours. Taking the medium, therefore, of fifty times an hour, it appeared that a single pair of these birds took from the cabbage, sallad, beans, peas, and other vegetables in the garden, at least six hundred insects in the course of one day. This calculation proceeds upon the supposition, that the two birds took each only a single insect each time. But it is highly probable they often took several at a time.

The species of Certhia of which I am speaking generally hatches twice during the course of the summer. They are very numerous about Philadelphia, and in other parts of the United-States.

The fact just related is well calculated to show the importance of attending to the preservation of some of our native birds. The esculent vegetables of a whole garden may, perhaps, be preserved from the depredations of differ∣ent species of insects by ten or fifteen pair of these small birds: and independently of this essential service, they are an extremely agreeable companion to man: for their note is pleasing. A gentleman, in the neighbourhood of Philadelphia, thinks he has already reaped much advantage from the services of these Wrens. About his fruit-trees, he has placed a number of boxes for their nests. In these boxes, they very readily breed, and feed themselves and their young with the insects, which are so destructive to the various kinds of fruit-trees, and other vegetables.

V. The services of the Ibis in devouring the reptiles of Egypt are well known. They procured to this bird a venera∣tion and regard which form an interesting fact in its history, and in the history of human superstitions. The Storks are, perhaps, not less useful. Pliny tells us, that these birds were so much regarded for destroying ser∣pents, that in Thessaly, in his age, it was a capital crime to kill them, and that the punishment was the same as that for murder. Virgil hints at the usefulness of the stork when he describes it as "longis invisa colubris." In Holland, even in our times, they go wild, protected by the government, from a sense of their usefulness in the way I have mentioned.

In Britain, if it were not for the Herons, and some other birds of this tribe, the frogs, the toads, and other rep∣tiles, would increase to so great a degree, as to prove a real nuisance. North-America abounds with birds of this order; and we even have some species of Ibis, very nearly allied to the Ibis of Egypt, such as the Tantalus Loculator, or Wood-Pelecan;‡ 1.17 the Tantalus ruber, or Scarlet Ibis,§ 1.18 the Tantalus fuscus or Brown Ibis,‖ 1.19 and the Tantalus albus, or White Ibis.¶ 1.20 Mr. Bartram informs us, that the first of these birds feeds "on serpents, young alligators, frogs, and other reptiles."** 1.21 It is commonly seen "near the banks of great rivers, in vast marshes or meadows, especially such as are caused by inundations, and also in the vast deserted Rice plantations."†† 1.22 This bird, both with regard to his general aspect, and his manners and habits, may be considered as the Ibis of Ame∣rica. In the midst of all their superstitions, I do not find, however, that the native Americans have ever paid any par∣ticular regard to this bird. I cannot learn that any of these species of Tantalus have ever been seen in Pennsylvania.

VI. Some of the birds of the Vultur-kind are extremely useful to man, by destroying immense quantities of car∣rion, which serve to vitiate the air, and perhaps in some instances to give rise to malignant epidemics. The Vultur Aura, or Turkey-Buzzard of our country, is one of the most useful of these birds. In Virginia it is protected by a law of that state. The Abbé Clavigero speaks of the usefulness of the Cozcaquauhtli, or King of the Zopi∣lots, the Vultur Papa of Linnaeus. "The Zopilot, says this writer, is a most useful bird to that country (Mexico), for they not only clear the fields, but attend the crocodiles and destroy the eggs which the females of those dread∣ful amphibious animals leave in the sand to be hatched by the heat of the sun. The destruction of such a bird ought to be prohibited under severe penalties."* 1.23

I am sensible, that these few facts, which are thrown together without any regard to order, can be of little use except in as far as they may turn the attention of other persons, who possess more leisure and information than myself, to the subject, which is at once curious and important. It appears to to me be a subject peculiarly interesting to my coun∣trymen. Perhaps, few parts of the world are more infested with noxious insects than the United-States. The greater number of these insects are, I believe, natives of the country, though our partiality to the soil which gave us birth has not always allowed us to acknowledge this truth. Thus we give to the Hessians the honour of in∣troducing among us that most pernicious insect, the Hessian-Fly, which, for several years, has committed, and still commits, such alarming ravages on some of our most valuable grains, particularly the Wheat and the Rye. But this insect is, undoubtedly, a native of America. How it came to be, for so long a time, overlooked, will probably be mentioned in a memoir, concerning this and other noxious insects, which I hope to publish.

Many of the pernicious insects of the United-States seem to be increasing, instead of diminishing. Some of these insects which originally confined their ravages to the native or wild vegetables, have since begun their depredations upon the foreign vegetables, which are often more agreeable to their palates. Thus the Bruchus Pisi, or Pea-Fly, is a native, and seems originally to have fed, in a great measure unnoticed, upon the indigenous vegetables which are allied to the Pea: but since the introduction of this last† 1.24 among us, it is the principal, if not the only, vege∣table which suffers from the ravages of this insect. The Hessian-Fly could not originally have inhabited the Wheat, the Rye, and other similar gramina of this kind, for these vegetables are not natives of America. It is now more formidable to us than would be an army of twenty thousand Hessians, or of any other twenty thousand hirelings, supplied with all the implements of war. The caterpillar, which has begun its ravages upon the leaves of the Lombardy Poplar,‡ 1.25 that contributes so much to beautify our city, is most probably a native of our woods. It prefers this fine foreigner to the less palatable leaves upon which it has been formerly accustomed to feed. Other instances of this kind might be mentioned. They show how very necessary it is to watch the migrations of insects from the native to the introduced vegetables; and they teach us a truth, not I think suffi∣ciently attended to by naturalists, that different kinds of insects are much less confined to vegetables of the same species, or to species of the same genus, than has been commonly imagined. It is certain, that the same species of insects, in America, often feeds indiscriminately, and in succession, upon plants of very opposite genera, and even of very different natural orders.

Hitherto, too little progress has been made among us in the discovery of remedies for the great mischiefs occasioned by insects. The subject has not been examined with sufficient attention. It has given place to discussions and inquiries of very inferior utility; and I fear it will not claim all that industrious attention which it so well merits, until the evil shall have spread still farther. It is, doubtless, difficult, but it is by no means impossible, to prevent the ravages of noxious insects. In this important business, something has already been done in our country. We have discovered a method of diminishing the depredations of the little bug, called Cucumber-Fly, which proves so destructive to the cucurbitaceous vines, particularly those of the Cucumber, and Musk-melon.§ 1.26 By manuring our wheat-lands, and thereby increasing the strength and vigour of the wheat, we have lessened the evil of the Hessian-Fly. By suspending to our young apple and other trees pieces of tow, impregnated with a mixture of brimstone and train-oil, we have learned how to frighten away the periodical Locusts (Cicada

septem∣decim of Linnaeus), which often do so much injury to our orchards.* 1.27 The American Philosophical Society, by calling the attention of the public to the decay of our Peach-trees, has brought us to a better acquaintance with the causes of this decay, and with the means of preventing it. Insects are no doubt one of these causes.† 1.28 We have made some progress in preventing the mischief of the Bruchus Pisi, or Pea-Fly, which proves so destructive to one of the finest esculent vegetables. But all that has yet been done is very little compared to that which re∣mains to be done. The subject is as new as it is important.

I am very far from imagining, that the preservation of some of those species of birds which I have mentioned would be the only means of guarding against, or of limiting, the depredations of any of our noxious insects. In a system so complex, and so difficult, as this, many agents must be employed. Most of them have a necessary connection with the industry of man, which is an implement that gives him an immense, an almost unlimited, command over all the living objects of this earth. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 is in his power to increase or diminish the number of animals and vege∣tables about him; and even to destroy whole species. Some of these means must be suggested, if they cannot be put into immediate practice, by the ingenuity of philosophers, or observers. Their speculations will sometimes, per∣haps, be trivial, and useless. Now and then, their "wild blunders and risible absurdities" (to use the words of Dr. Johnson,‡ 1.29 on a subject, indeed, very different from the present) may for a time furnish folly with laughter, and harden ignorance in contempt; but useful diligence will at length prevail."

The few facts which I have mentioned will be sufficient to show, that some good in the prevention of mischievous insects, may be expected from different species of birds. Every American farmer's experience will furnish him with some additional fact in support of this notion. If careful observations on this subject are made, we shall soon know which are our friends, and which are our enemies: which deserve to be cherished and preserved, and which it will be our interest to banish or destroy.

END OF PART FIRST.

Notes

• † 1.1

  Those species which are known to l••••••d in P••nnsylvania are designated by an asterisk.
• ‡ 1.2

  Arctic Zoology. Vol. 1. p. ••08, ••09.
• † 1.3

  My very respectable and learned friend Dr. John Walker, Professor of Natural History in the University of Edinburgh, used to inform his class, that he "Once knew a cold night (in Scotland) to overtake the Martin•• (Hirundo urbica), the Swifts (Hirundo Apu••), and the Swallows (Hirundo rustica), which benumbed them to such a degree, that they seemed dead, but when they were brought into a warm room, they recovered, and after the sun rose, they all took to the wing. Not one of them was destroyed by the cold."
• † 1.4

  Of Marshall: Nyssa integrisolia of Aiton.
• † 1.5

  Arctic Zoology. VOL. I. P. 334
• ‡ 1.6

  Arctic Zoology. VOL I. P. 300.
• † 1.7

  Arctic Zoology. V. II. P. 79.
• † 1.8

  Arctic Zoology. Vol. II. P. 100.—See Introduction. P. viii.
• † 1.9

  See the Tables. P. 7.
• § 1.10

  See Appendix I. P 16.
• ‖ 1.11

  See Introduction. P. xi.
• * 1.12

  Reverend Dr Walker, of Edinburgh.
• † 1.13

  See the motto, in the Title-Page.
• ‡ 1.14

  See the article Trochilus in Ginelin's edition of the Systema Natr••ae. TOM. I. P. 485.
• * 1.15

  In the Tables, it is called Certhia familiaris 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• † 1.16

  Mr. John H••••kewelder, of B••••hl••hem, in Pennsylvania.
• ‡ 1.17

  Wood Ibis of P••nnant.
• § 1.18

  Red Curlew of Catesby.
• ‖ 1.19

  Brown Curlew of Catesby.
• ¶ 1.20

  White Curlew of Catesby.
• ** 1.21

  Travels, &c. P. 150.
• †† 1.22

  lord.
• * 1.23

  The History of Mexico. Vol. 1. P 48.
• † 1.24

  Pisum sativum.
• ‡ 1.25

  Populus dilat••ta of A••ton.
• § 1.26

  See the Tables. Page 4.
• * 1.27

  It is only the female Cicada septemdecim that does mischief to our orchards, &c. This she does by making incisions into the tender branches, to deposit her eggs. In consequence of this operation, the leaves perish. The insect does no mischief "by devouring the leaves," as has been ass••rted by some respectable writers. See Transactions of the American Philosophical Society. Vol. III. Introduction. Page xxii.
• † 1.28

  The peach-insect (It is an Ichn••umon) is observed to injure young trees more than old ones. Perhaps the best remedy against the mischief of this insect is to dig up the ground about the roots in the spring-season, and to take out the larva or worm. This may be done without much difficulty, and the operation does not in∣jure the tree. Do not the peach-trees suffer more from our late night-frosts than from insects? These night-frosts, especially after rainy whether, in the months of February and March, when the sap is ascending, are certainly very pernicious. They occasion the bark to crack so that the sap is permitted to run out. I suspect that this is one of the principal causes of the decay of our peach-trees.
• ‡ 1.29

  See the Preface to his Dictionary of the English Language. Q••••••.