Birds of Lewis and Clark
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"Birds of Lewis and Clark"
Birds of Lewis and Clark

New birds and already familiar birds seen by Lewis and Clark, with comments and notes from Patterson, Cutright, Holmgren, Johnsgard, Moulton, Sibley, Avibase, Cornell, Audubon, and Coues ... credits are listed at the end of the page ... camera icon indicates an image is online ... all images were taken by this webpage author, although not all images are from the areas that Lewis and Clark visited. NOTE: this page has not been proof-read, and, while care is taken, any errors (especially in dates) occurring (except as noted) are my own sloppy typing.

NOTE: This is a long-term project and I have just scratched the surface ... this section will keep changing as more gets added to it ... enjoy what is here. Lyn

New Birds
  1. picture depicted American Crow ... (Western Common Crow)
  2. picture depicted American Goldfinch ... (Pale Goldfinch, Western Goldfinch)
  3. picture depicted American White Pelican
  4. picture depicted Black-billed Magpie
  5. picture depicted Bonaparte's Gull
  6. picture depicted Brewer's Blackbird
  7. Broad-tailed Hummingbird
  8. picture depicted Cackling Goose ... (Hutchin's Goose)
  9. picture depicted Canada Goose ... (Lesser Canada Goose)
  10. picture depicted Clark's Nutcracker
  11. Common Nighthawk ... (Pacific Nighthawk)
  12. Common Poorwill ... (Nuttall's Poor-will)
  13. picture depicted Common Raven ... (Western American Raven)
  14. picture depicted Double-crested Cormorant ... (Northern Double-crested Cormorant)
  15. Dusky Grouse ... (Richardson's Blue Grouse, Blue Grouse)
  16. picture depicted Forster's Tern
  17. picture depicted Glaucous-winged Gull
  18. Gray Jay ... (Oregon Jay)
  19. picture depicted Great Horned Owl ... (Dusky subspecies, St. Michael Horned Owl)
  20. picture depicted Great Horned Owl ... (Montana subspecies, Pale Horned Owl)
  21. Greater Sage Grouse
  22. picture depicted Greater White-fronted Goose ... (Tundra White-fronted Goose)
  23. picture depicted Hairy Woodpecker ... (Cabanis's Woodpecker)
  24. picture depicted Hairy Woodpecker ... (Harris's Woodpecker)
  25. picture depicted Horned Lark ... (Prairie Horned Lark)
  26. Lark Bunting
  27. Least Tern
  28. picture depicted Lewis's Woodpecker
  29. picture depicted Loggerhead Shrike ... (White-rumped Shrike)
  30. Long-billed Curlew
  31. McCown's Longspur
  32. picture depicted Mountain Quail
  33. picture depicted Mourning Dove ... (Western subspecies)
  34. picture depicted Northern Flicker ... (yellow-shafted)
  35. Northern Fulmar ... (Pacific Fulmar)
  36. Northwestern Crow
  37. picture depicted Pacific Loon
  38. picture depicted Pacific Wren ... (Western Winter Wren)
  39. picture depicted Pileated Woodpecker ... (Western Pileated Woodpecker)
  40. Pinyon Jay
  41. Piping Plover
  42. picture depicted Red-necked Grebe
  43. picture depicted Ring-necked Duck
  44. Ruffed Grouse ... (Oregon Ruffed Grouse)
  45. Sharp-tailed Grouse ... (Columbian subspecies)
  46. Sharp-tailed Grouse ... (Plains/Prairie subspecies)
  47. Spruce Grouse ... (Franklin's Grouse)
  48. picture depicted Steller's Jay ... (Black-headed Jay)
  49. picture depicted Trumpeter Swan
  50. picture depicted Tundra Swan ... (Whistling Swan)
  51. picture depicted Western Grebe
  52. picture depicted Western Gull
  53. picture depicted Western Meadowlark
  54. picture depicted Western Tanager
  55. Willet ... (Western Willet)
Other Birds

  1. picture depicted American Avocet
  2. picture depicted American Bittern
  3. picture depicted American Coot
  4. picture depicted American Crow ... (Eastern variety)
  5. picture depicted American Golden-Plover ... (Lesser Golden-Plover)
  6. picture depicted American Kestrel
  7. picture depicted American Robin
  8. picture depicted Arctic Loon
  9. picture depicted Bald Eagle
  10. picture depicted Band-tailed Pigeon
  11. picture depicted Bank Swallow
  12. picture depicted Barn Swallow
  13. picture depicted Belted Kingfisher
  14. picture depicted Black-bellied Plover
  15. Black-billed Cuckoo
  16. Black-crowned Night Heron
  17. picture depicted Blue Jay
  18. picture depicted Blue-winged Teal
  19. picture depicted Blue-winged Teal as "brown duck"
  20. picture depicted Brant
  21. Brown Thrasher
  22. picture depicted Brown-headed Cowbird
  23. picture depicted Bufflehead
  24. picture depicted California Condor
  25. picture depicted Canada Goose
  26. picture depicted Canvasback
  27. Carolina Parakeet
  28. picture depicted Cassin's Finch
  29. picture depicted Cedar Waxwing
  30. picture depicted Cinnamon Teal
  31. picture depicted Cliff Swallow
  32. Common Grackle
  33. picture depicted Common Loon
  34. picture depicted Common Merganser
  35. Common Redpoll
  36. picture depicted Cooper's Hawk
  37. picture depicted Downy Woodpecker
  38. picture depicted Eastern Bluebird
  39. picture depicted Eastern Kingbird
  40. Eastern Meadowlark
  41. Eskimo Curlew
  42. Ferruginous Hawk
  43. picture depicted Flycatcher ... species
  44. picture depicted Fox Sparrow
  45. Franklin's Gull
  46. picture depicted Gadwall
  47. picture depicted Golden Eagle
  48. picture depicted Golden-crowned Kinglet
  49. picture depicted Golden-crowned Sparrow
  50. Gray Catbird
  51. picture depicted Great Blue Heron
  52. picture depicted Great Egret
  53. Great Gray Owl
  54. Greater Prairie Chicken
  55. picture depicted Greater Yellowlegs
  56. picture depicted Green-winged Teal ... as "brown duck"
  57. picture depicted Hammond's Flycatcher
  58. picture depicted Hermit Thrush
  59. picture depicted Herring Gull
  60. picture depicted Horned Grebe
  61. picture depicted House Finch
  62. picture depicted House Wren
  63. picture depicted Hutton's Vireo
  64. picture depicted Killdeer
  65. picture depicted Mallard
  66. picture depicted Merlin
  67. picture depicted Mountain Bluebird
  68. Mountain Plover
  69. Northern Bobwhite
  70. picture depicted Northern Cardinal
  71. picture depicted Northern Flicker ... (red-shafted)
  72. picture depicted Northern Harrier
  73. picture depicted Northern Mockingbird
  74. picture depicted Northern Rough-winged Swallow
  75. picture depicted Northern Shoveler
  76. picture depicted Osprey
  77. Passenger Pigeon
  78. picture depicted Pectoral Sandpiper
  79. picture depicted Peregrine Falcon
  80. picture depicted Pied-billed Grebe
  81. picture depicted Pine Siskin
  82. picture depicted Purple Finch
  83. picture depicted Purple Martin
  84. picture depicted Red-breasted Merganser
  85. picture depicted Red-breasted Sapsucker
  86. Red-headed Woodpecker
  87. picture depicted Red-tailed Hawk ... (Western Red-tailed Hawk)
  88. picture depicted Red-throated Loon
  89. picture depicted Red-winged Blackbird
  90. picture depicted Ring-billed Gull
  91. picture depicted Rough-legged Hawk
  92. picture depicted Ruby-crowned Kinglet
  93. picture depicted Rufous Hummingbird
  94. picture depicted Rusty Blackbird
  95. picture depicted Sandhill Crane
  96. picture depicted Say's Phoebe
  97. picture depicted Semipalmated Plover
  98. picture depicted Snow Goose
  99. picture depicted Song Sparrow
  100. Sooty Grouse ... (Blue Grouse)
  101. picture depicted Spotted Sandpiper
  102. Sprague's Pipit
  103. Stilt Sandpiper
  104. picture depicted Swainson's Hawk
  105. picture depicted Turkey Vulture
  106. Upland Sandpiper
  107. picture depicted Varied Thrush
  108. picture depicted Western Kingbird
  109. picture depicted Western Scrub Jay
  110. picture depicted Western Wood-pewee
  111. picture depicted Whimbrel
  112. picture depicted White-tailed Kite
  113. Whip-poor-will
  114. Whooping Crane
  115. picture depicted Wild Turkey
  116. picture depicted Wilson's Snipe ... (Common Snipe)
  117. picture depicted Wood Duck
  118. Wood Stork
  119. Yellow Rail
  120. picture depicted Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
  121. Yellow-billed Cuckoo




  • American Crow ... (Western Common Crow)
  • American Crow ... (Eastern variety)
  • Northwestern Crow
    L&C "crow, small black crow"
    BOTH the Western American Crow and the Northwestern Crow are NEW BIRDS, the eastern variety of American Crow is not

    Image, 2009, Ridgefield NWR, Washington, click to enlarge Image, 2010, Owings, Maryland, click to enlarge
    Click image to enlarge     		American Crow, western variety (left) and eastern variety (right). Left image taken at Ridgefield NWR, Washington, August 3, 2009. Right image taken at Owings, Maryland, September 29, 2010.

    Clark, January 9, 1804, while near the Mississippi:
    "... Some Snow last night, a hard wind this morning from W, N W, river Rises with large Sheets of Ice out of Mississippi, the morning is fair (the man Ramey gives me much trouble)    I took Collins & went to the place he found a Hog Skined & Hung up, the Crows had devoured the meet, Killed Prary fowl ..."

    Weather Diary, April 9, 1805, while at Fort Mandan:
    "... he Crow has also returned    saw the first today.    & the corvus bird disappears ..."

    Clark, April 12, 1805, near the mouth of the Little Missouri River:
    "... I Saw the Magpie in pars, flocks of Grouse, the old field lark & Crows ..."

    Clark, June 15, 1805, near Great Falls, Montana:
    "... we Saw great numbers of Gees Ducks, Crows Blackbirds &c Geese & Ducks with their young. ..."

    Lewis, September 22, 1805, near Weippe Prairie, Idaho:
    "... Fields also killed a crow ..."

    Ordway, October 20, 1805, near Crow Butte State Park, Washington:
    "... we Saw Some pilicans and abundance of ravens and crows ..."

    Clark, November 29, 1805, while at Tongue Point, Oregon:
    "... The Shore below the point at our Camp is formed of butifull pebble of various colours. I observe but fiew birds of the Small kind, great numbers of wild fowls of Various kinds, the large Buzzard with white wings, grey and bald eagle's, large red tailed Hawks, ravens & Crows in abundance, the blue Magpie, a Small brown bird which frequents logs & about the roots of trees ..."

    Lewis, November 30, 1805, while on Youngs Bay:
    "... saw a great abundance of fowls, brant, large geese, white brant sandhill Cranes, common blue crains, cormarants, haulks, ravens, crows, gulls and a great variety of ducks, the canvas back, duckinmallard, black and white diver, brown duck— &c &c— ..."

    Lewis, January 3, 1806, while at Fort Clatsop:
    "... a small Crow, the blue crested Corvus and the smaller corvus with a white brest, the little brown ren, a large brown sparrow, the bald Eagle and the beatifull Buzzard of the columbia still continue with us. ..."

    Weather Diary, January 31, 1806, while at Fort Clatsop:
    "... The blue crested Corvus bird has already began to build it's nest.  &npsp; their nests are formed of small sticks; usually in a pine tree.—    Great numbers of Ravens, and a Small black Crow are continually about us. The pale yellow Streiked and dove coloured robin is about, also the little brown ren or fly-catsch which is a little larger than the humming bird. ..."

    Lewis, March 3, 1806, while at Fort Clatsop:
    "... The Crow raven and Large Blackbird are the same as those of our country only that the crow is here much smaller yet it's note is the same    I observe no difference either between the hawks of this coast and those of the Atlantic.    I have observed the large brown hawk, the small or sparrow hawk, and the hawk of an intermediate size with a long tail and blewish coloured wings remarkably swift in flight and very firce.    sometimes called in the U' States the hen hawk.    these birds seem to be common to every part of this country, and the hawks crows & ravens build their nests in great numbers along the high and inaccessable clifts of the Columbia river and it's S. E. branch where we passed along them ..."

    Lewis, July 19, 1806, while near the Upper Marias River, Montana:
    "... saw some herds of buffaloe today but not in such quantities as yesterday, also antelopes, wolves, gees, pigeons, doves, hawks, ravens crows larks sparrows &c.    the Curlooe has disappeared. ..."

    Weather Diary, July 27, 1806:
    "... Saw a flight of gulls, a Small rattle Snake Several flocks of Crows & black burds. ..."

    Clark, September 13, 1806:
    "... Birds most Common the buzzard Crow the hotting owl and hawks, &c. &c.— ..."


    Commentary:

    • Patterson (what L&C described): crow
    • Patterson (conjectures, mostly from Coues, in Burroughs, 1961): Crow
    • Patterson (current AOU equivalent): American Crow
    • Patterson does not list Northwestern Crow

    • Cutright: Western Common Crow [AOU 488b], reported by Clark, November 29, 1805, at Tongue Point. Corvus brachyrhynochos hesperis (Ridgeway, 1887).

    • Cutright: Northwestern Crow [AOU 489], described by Lewis, March 3, 1806, at Fort Clatsop. Corvus caurinus (Baird 1858).

    • Holmgren:    CROW, also see CORVUS.
      • "common" (4-9-05) American crow, Corvus brachyrhynchos, Brehm 1822.
      • "smaller" (1-2-06, 3-3-06) northwestern crow, Corvus caurinus, Baird 1858.

    • Holmgren:    CORVUS, Latin for crow; used in journals to label any of crow genus or family.
      • "black-winged" (5-28/29-06) Clark's nutcracker, Nucifraga columbiana, Wilson 1811. Good description of species earlier (8-22-05) misnamed woodpecker.
      • "blue-crested" (5-26-05) Steller's jay, Cyanocitta stelleri, Gmelin 1788.
      • "party-coloured" (6-20-04) means "black and white"; usually used as "party-coloured corvus or magpie", Black-billed Magpie.
      • "size of kingbird" (12-8-05) feeds on meat scraps. Gray Jay, Perisoreus canadensis, L. 1858. Formerly Canada jay.
      • "white-breasted" (1-2-06) gray jay.

    • Johnsgard:   American Crow Corvus brachyrhynchos    Although crows must have been seen frequently across the Great Plains, little note of them was made. In the expedition's Meteorological Register of April 9, 1805, it was noted that crows had returned to Fort Mandan. Crows were also noted in some Montana locations, such as near Great Falls (June 15, 1805) and along the upper Marias River (July 19, 1806). American crow populations have increased significantly in North America during the last four decades, as the birds have benefited from better protection and from adjustments to city life.

    • Moulton (January 9, 1804):    The common, or American, crow is Corvus brachyrhynchos [AOU, 488], and probably the greater prairie chicken, first noticed November 16, 1803.

    • Moulton (April 12, 1805):    Clark's magpie is the black-billed magpie, Pica pica [AOU, 475], the "old field lark" is probably the western meadowlark, Sturnella neglecta [AOU, 501.1], and the crow is Corvus brachyrhynchos [AOU, 488]. Lewis describes the meadowlark on June 22, 1805. Holmgren, 31.    (NOTE: the "old field lark" is the EASTERN Meadowlark, see Moulton entries of June 22, 1805, and March 4, 1806.)

    • Moulton (September 22, 1805):    Perhaps a subspecies of the crow, Corvus brachyrhynchos [AOU, 488], C. b. hesperis, then new to science. Burroughs, 248; Cutright (LCPN), 432.

    • Moulton (October 20, 1805):    The common raven, Corvus corax, and the western variety of the common crow, C. brachyrhynchos hesperis.

    • NOTE pertaining to Moulton, September 22 and October 20 ... other researchers (i.e., see Cutright above) do not have C.b. hesperis showing up until November 29, 1805, while at Tongue Point.

    • Moulton (November 29, 1805):
      • "large Buzzard with white wings": [California Condor]
      • "grey and bald eagles": The "grey and bald eagle's" are, respectively, golden eagle, Aquila chrysaetos [AOU, 349], and bald eagle, Haliaeetus leucocephalus [AOU, 352]. Burroughs, 204–8.
      • "large red tailed Hawks": Red-tailed hawk, Buteo jamaicensis [AOU, 337], a widespread species already known to science. Ibid., 208; Coues (HLC), 2:724.
      • "ravens and crows": Probably the common raven, Corvus corax [AOU, 486], and the American crow, C. brachyrhyncho [AOU, 488]. Burroughs, 248; Cutright (LCPN), 432.
      • "blue Magpie": Steller's jay, Cyanocitta stelleri [AOU, 478], first noted by Lewis on September 20, 1805. The captain gives a full description in an undated entry, ca. December 18, 1805. Burroughs, 248–49.
      • "small brown bird which frequents logs & about the roots of trees": Perhaps the winter wren, Troglodytes troglodytes [AOU, 722], and if so, then new to science; see March 4, 1806. Burroughs, 252; Cutright (LCPN), 274, 438.

    • Moulton (November 30, 1805):   
      • "blue crains": Probably the great blue heron, Ardea herodias [AOU, 194], also called a blue crane in weather remarks for February 13, 1804. See also March 6, 1806. Burroughs, 183–84.
      • "duckinmallard": Mallard, Anas platyrhynchos [AOU, 132].
      • "black and white diver": Perhaps the bufflehead, Bucephala albeola [AOU, 153], already known to science. See March 9, 1806. Ibid., 187–88. Holmgren considers it the western grebe, Aechmophorus occidentalis [AOU, 1], on the basis of the word "diver" being an old term for loons and grebes. Personal communication. See mention of other divers on March 10, 1806.

    • Moulton (January 3, 1806):
      • "small crow": probably the northwestern crow, Corvus caurinus [AOU, 489], a new species. Cutright (LCPN), 273, 432; Holmgren, 29.
      • "blue crested Corvus": [Steller's Jay]
      • "smaller corvus with a white breast": probably the gray jay.
      • "little brown ren": perhaps the winter wren.
      • "large brown sparrow": possibly the golden-crowned sparrow, Zonotrichia atricapilla [AOU, 557]. Burroughs, 258. The fox sparrow, Passerella iliaca [AOU, 585], has also been suggested. Holmgren, 33.
      • "bald eagle": [Bald Eagle]
      • "beatifull Buzzard of the columbia": [California Condor}

    • Moulton (January 31, 1806, Weather Diary):    This last paragraph is found only in Clark's Codex I. The "pale yellow streiked and dove coloured robin" is presumably one bird, the varied thrush. Lewis describes it this day in his notebook journal. The wren is probably the winter wren, but see Holmgren, 34, for other possibilities.    (NOTE: Moulton gives no reference for the "small black Crow".)

    • Moulton (March 3, 1806):
      • "crow": The crow is in fact the northwestern crow, a new species.
      • "raven": The subspecies of raven in the Fort Clatsop area is Corvus corax sinuatus; Lewis would have been familiar with C. c. principalis to the East. Both are now combined with the common raven.
      • "large blackbird": The blackbird seen in the West would be Brewer's blackbird, Euphagus cyanocephalus [AOU, 510], while the bird he had seen in the East would more likely be the rusty blackbird, E. carolinus [AOU, 509]. Cutright (LCPN), 434; Burroughs, 248, 255–56. NOTE: in other Moulton entries, the "large blackbird" is said to be the Common Grackle, and the Brewer's or Rusty Blackbird is said to be the "small blackbird".
      • "large brown hawk": Coues suggests that the large brown hawk may be a subspecies of the red-tailed hawk, or Swainson's hawk, Buteo swainsoni [AOU, 342]. Holmgren calls it the northern harrier, Circus cyaneus [AOU, 331], also called the marsh hawk.
      • "small or sparrow hawk": The sparrow hawk is Falco sparverius [AOU, 360], now known as the American kestrel.
      • "hawk with long tail and blewish coloured wings sometimes called the hen hawk": Coues identifies as the northern harrier, whereas Holmgren considers it to be Cooper's hawk, Accipiter cooperii [AOU, 333]. Coues (HLC), 3:875; Holmgren, 30–31.

    • Moulton (July 27, 1806, Weather Diary):    The common, or American, crow, Corvus brachyrhynchos [AOU, 488]. Without the size given, the blackbirds are not identifiable.

    • Madge, Steve & Burn, Hilary (1994): Crows and jays: a guide to the crows, jays and magpies of the world, A&C Black, London, AND Goodwin, Derek & Gillmor, Robert (1976): Crows of the World (1st ed.). University of Washington Press, Seattle, as found and referenced on "Wikipedia.com" website (June 2011):   
      • Four subspecies are recognized.
      • They differ in bill proportion and form a rough NE-SW clinal in size across North America.
      • Birds are smallest in the far west and on the south coast.
      • Corvus brachyrhynchos brachyrhynchos – Eastern Crow: northeastern United States, eastern Canada and surroundings. Largest subspecies.
      • Corvus brachyrhynchos hesperis – Western Crow: Western North America except arctic north, Pacific Northwest and extreme south. Smaller overall with a proportionally more slender bill and low-pitched voice.
      • Corvus brachyrhynchos pascuus – Florida Crow: Florida. Mid-sized, short-winged but decidedly long bill and legs.
      • Corvus brachyrhynchos paulus – Southern Crow: southern United States. Smaller overall, bill also small.


    [Return to Top]



  • American Goldfinch ... (Pale Goldfinch, Western Goldfinch)
    L&C "goaldfinch"
    NEW BIRD

    Image, 2009, American Goldfinch, Washington, click to enlarge
    Click image to enlarge     		American Goldfinch, Vancouver, Washington. Image taken May 14, 2009.

    Lewis, June 8, 1805, while in Montana:
    "... The river bottoms affording all the timber which is to be seen in the country they are filled with innumerable litle birds that resort thither either for shelter or to build their nests.    when sun began to shine today these birds appeared to be very gay and sung most inchantingly; I observed among them the brown thrush, Robbin, turtle dove, linnit goaldfinch, the large and small blackbird, wren and several other birds of less note. ..."


    Commentary:

    • Patterson (what L&C described): goldfinch
    • Patterson (conjectures, mostly from Coues, in Burroughs, 1961): Goldfinch
    • Patterson (current AOU equivalent): American Goldfinch

    • Cutright: Pale Goldfinch [AOU 529a], discovered by Lewis, June 8, 1805, on the Marias River, Montana. Spinus tristris pallidus (Mearns, 1890).

    • Holmgren:    GOLDFINCH (6-8-05), American goldfinch, Carduelis tristis, L. 1758. Formerly Spinus trustus.

    • Johnsgard:   American Goldfinch Carduelis tristis:    Lewis also mentions seeing goldfinches among the birds singing along the Marias River in Montana on June 8, 1805. He was apparently quite familiar with this widespread woodland-and-edge species and gave it no special attention. Goldfinch populations have declined significantly in the past four decades.

    • Moulton (June 8, 1805):
      • Burroughs questions Criswell's identification of the linnet as the pine siskin, Carduelis pinus [AOU, 533]. Holmgren says the term linnet was used for any small bird with a red crown, especially the common redpoll, C. flammea [AOU, 528], the purple finch, Carpodacus purpureus [AOU, 517], and the house finch, C. mexicanus [AOU, 519]. Burroughs, 259; Criswell, 53; Holmgren, 32.
      • Lewis's "goaldfinch" is the American goldfinch, Carduelis tristis [AOU, 529].
      • The wren may be the winter wren, Troglodytes troglodytes [AOU, 722], or any of several other birds. Holmgren, 34.

    • Avibase world bird database has "Pale Goldfinch", Carduelis tristis pallida (Mearns, 1890), last listed in AOU edition 5, 33rd suppliment (after 1957), when the Pale Goldfinch, Northwestern Goldfinch (Carduelis tristis jewetti, vanRossem, 1943), and Willow Goldfinch (Carduelis tristis salicamans, Grinnell, 1897) were merged with the American Goldfinch (Carduelis tristis tristis, Linnaeus, 1758). Another name for the Pale Goldfinch was "Western Goldfinch".


    [Return to Top]



  • American White Pelican
    L&C "pillican"
    NEW BIRD

    Image, 2009, Ridgefield NWR, Washington, click to enlarge
    Click image to enlarge     		American White Pelicans, Ridgefield NWR, Washington. Image taken June 9, 2009.

    Weather diary, April 6, 1804:
    "... a large flock of Pellicans appear. ..."


    Weather diary, June 16, 1804:
    "... the wood duck now has it's young, this duck is abundant, and except one Solatary Pelican and a few gees these ducks were the only aquatic fowls we have yet seen ..."


    Lewis, August 8, 1804:
    "... The Pellican rested again on a sand bar above the Island which we called after them from the number we saw on it ...    The beak is a whiteish yellow the under part connected to a bladder like pouch, this pounch is connected to both sides of the lower beak and extends down on the under side of the neck and terminates in the stomach—    this pouch is uncovered with feathers, and is formed [of] two skins the one on the inner and the other on the center side    a small quantity of flesh and strings of which the anamal has at pleasure the power of moving or drawing in such manner as to contract it at pleasure.    in the present subject I measured this pouch and found it's contents 5 gallons of water ... The plumage generally is white, the feathers are thin compared with the swan goose or most aquatick fouls and has but little or no down on the body. the upper part of the head is covered with black f[e]athe[r]s short, as far as the back part of the head ... The large f[e]athers of the wings are of a deep black colour ..."


    Whitehouse, August 8, 1804, 2nd version:
    "... Captain Lewis shot a Pelican, the bag which it carried its drink in, held five Gallons by measure, we passed an Island, called the Pelican Island where we saw a very considerable number of Pelicans flying, they kept flying before us the whole of this day, ..."


    Clark, October 20, 1805, near Crow Butte State Park, Washington:
    "... here I Saw a great number of pelicons on the wing, and black Comerants ..."


    Commentary:

    • Patterson (what L&C described): pillican
    • Patterson (conjectures, mostly from Coues, in Burroughs, 1961): White Pelican
    • Patterson (current AOU equivalent): American White Pelican

    • Holmgren:   
      • PELICAN (6-20-04) American white pelican, pelecanus erythrorhynchos, Gmelin 1789.
      • PELICAN ISLAND (8-8-04), Site where pelican beak was measured for capacity and found to hold 5 gallons of water.

    • Johnsgard:   American White Pelican Pelecanus erythrorhynchos:    On August 8, 1804, the expedition found a flock of several hundred white pelicans resting on a sandbar about two miles north of the mouth of Little Sioux River, in present-day Burt or Thurston County, Nebraska, and Monona County, Iowa. One of these birds was shot and measured by Captain Lewis, and its throat pouch was determined to hold five gallons of water. An estimate of 5,000 to 6,000 birds was made the same day by Private Whitehouse. Pelicans were also seen on the return trip, September 4 and 5, 1806, near the mouth of the Vermillion River, and within the river stretch from present-day Burt to Dixon Counties, Nebraska. A few were also shot on September 6 in what would become southern Burt County. A few white pelicans still use this dredged and highly channelized stretch of the Missouri River during migration to and from their North Dakota or Manitoba breeding grounds, but most migration now occurs in lakes and rivers farther west, where the waters may be clearer and less swift.

    • Moulton (Weather diary, April 6, 1804):    The American white pelican, Pelecanus erythrorhynchos [AOU, 125]. See Lewis's detailed description of this bird on August 8, 1804.

    • Moulton (August 8, 1804):    Lewis's natural history notes from Codex Q. The bird, as Coues notes in his interlineation, is the American white pelican, first noticed in weather remarks for April 6, 1804.

    • Moulton (October 20, 1805): The American white pelican, Pelecanus erythrorhynchos [AOU, 125], and the double-crested cormorant, Phalacrocorax auritus [AOU, 120]. See March 6, 1806, for a description of the cormorant. Burroughs, 182; Holmgren, 29. The White Pelican appearance was the reason for naming the Pelican rapids (on Atlas map 76).

    • Audubon (Birds of America, 1844, vol.7):    "... I feel great pleasure, good reader, in assuring you, that our White Pelican, which has hitherto been considered the same as that found in Europe, is quite different. In consequence of this discovery, I have honoured it with the name of my beloved country ...  &nbps; My learned friend [Dr. Richardson] ... speaks of the 'long thin boy process seen on the upper mandible of the bill of this species', and although neither he nor Mr. Swainson pointed out the actual differences otherwise existing between this and the European species, he states that no such appearnace has been described as occurring on the bills of the White Pelicans of the old Continent. ... "


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  • Black-billed Magpie
    L&C "magpy or party-coloured corvus"
    NEW BIRD

    Image, 2011, Klickitat County, Washington, click to enlarge
    Click image to enlarge     		Black-billed Magpie, Klickitat County, Washington. Day overcast and gray. Image taken October 15, 2011.

    Clark, September 17, 1804, while at the Big Bend of the Missouri River:
    "... Capt Lewis went out with a View to see the Countrey and its productions, he was out all day    he killed a Buffalow and a remarkable Bird of the Corvus Species long tail the upper part of the feathers & also the wing is of a purplish variated Green, the black, a part of the wing feather are white edjed with black, white belley, white from the root of the wings to Center of the back is white, the head nake [neck] breast & other parts are black the Becke like a Crow. abt. the Size of a large Pigion.    a butifull thing ..."


    Lewis, September 17, 1804, while at the Big Bend of the Missouri River:
    "... one of the hunters killed a bird of the Corvus genus and order of the pica & about the size of a jack-daw with a remarkable long tale.    beautifully variagated.    it note is not disagreeable though loud— it is twait twait twait, twait; twait, twait twait, twait. ...    the underside of the feathers is a pale black, the upper side is a dark blueish green which like the outer part of the wings is changable as it reflects different portions of light.    towards the the extremety of these feathers they become of an orrange green, then shaded pass to a redish indigo blue, and again at the extremity assume the predominant colour of changeable green—    the tints of these feathers are very similar and equally as beatiful and rich as the tints of blue and green of the peacock—    it is a most beatifull bird.— ...    these birds are seldom found in parties of more than three or four and most usually at this season single as the halks and other birds of prey usually are—    it's usual food is flesh— this bird dose not spread it's tail when it flys and the motion of it's wings when flying is much like that of a Jay-bird— ..."

    Clark, April 12, 1805, near the mouth of the Little Missouri River:
    "... I Saw the Magpie in pars, flocks of Grouse, the old field lark & Crows ..."


    Clark, undated entry, with non-bird entries omitted:
    "... The Prairie Fowl common to the Illinois are found as high up as the River Jacque above which the Sharpe tailed Grows commence    950 Ms. ...
    Indian Hen & Small Species of Kildee which frequent drift is found as high up as the Entrance of the Little Sieux river    733 ms. ...
    Parotqueet is Seen as high as the Mahar Village    836 ms. ...
    In descending the Missouri & Rochejhone ...
    Turkeys first appear at the enterance of Tylors Rivr above the big bend 1200 miles up this Missouri    1206
    The pointed tail Prarie fowl are found above the Big bend upwards.    1200 ms. up ...
    The party coloured Corvus or Magpy Commence at or about Corvus Creek and from thence upwards.    1130 ..."


    Weather diary, April 16, 1806, while at Rock Fort, The Dalles, Oregon:
    "... morning unusually warm. vegitation rapidly progressing.— at the rock fort camp saw the prarie lark, a speceis of the peawee, the blue crested fisher, the partycoloured corvus, and the black pheasant. ..."


    Commentary:

    • Patterson (what L&C described): magpy or party-coloured corvus
    • Patterson (conjectures, mostly from Coues, in Burroughs, 1961): American Magpie
    • Patterson (current AOU equivalent): Black-billed Magpie

    • Cutright: Black-billed Magpie [AOU 475], discovered on September 16, 1804, near the site of present-day Chamberlain, South Dakota. Pica pica hudsonia (Sabine, 1823).

    • Holmgren:    MAGPIE, MAGPY, MAGPYE (9-17-04) black-billed magpie, Pica pica, L. 1758. Since the presence of this European species in the United States was unknown to Lewis, he sent back four living birds to President Jefferson from Fort Mandan (4-4-05) only one of which arrived alive to be painted by Alexander Wilson for his American Ornithology.

    • Johnsgard:   Black-billed Magpie Pica pica:    Magpies were apparently first seen near the Big Bend of the Missouri and were later found to be winter residents of Fort Mandan. Four living specimens were sent from Fort Mandan to President Jefferson, who in turn passed at least one surviving individual on to Charles W. Peale for exhibit in the Philadelphia Museum. This specimen was later used by Alexander Wilson as the basis for an illustration in his American Ornithology. The species was already well known from Europe, but the American magpie represented a new subspecies. Magpies were also reported in eastern Montana near Fort Union (April 27, 1805) and near Fort Peck (August 3, 1806). Black-billed magpie populations have decreased significantly in North America during the last four decades.

    • Moulton (September 17, 1804, Clark entry):    Clark's, and Lewis's longer account in Codex Q for this date, are the first descriptions of the black-billed magpie, Pica pica. Magpies had not previously been known to exist in the New World; the American bird is a subspecies of the European magpie. They named Corvus Creek for this bird, one of the few uses of a Latin zoological term in the journals. Cutright (LCPN), 84–85.

    • Moulton (September 17, 1804, Lewis entry):    Lewis's natural history notes from Codex Q. The bird is the black-billed magpie ...    The gold-winged blackbird mentioned for comparison of the magpie may be the red-winged blackbird, Agelaius phoeniceus [AOU, 498], or possibly some type of oriole (Icterus sp.).

    • NOTE (in reference to Moulton, September 17, 1804, Lewis entry): can not find reference to "gold-winged blackbird" as Moulton states. The "jack-daw", which is mentioned, is an European bird of the Crow family. The "Jay-bird" is the Blue Jay.

    • Moulton (April 12, 1805):    Clark's magpie is the black-billed magpie, Pica pica [AOU, 475], the "old field lark" is probably the western meadowlark, Sturnella neglecta [AOU, 501.1], and the crow is Corvus brachyrhynchos [AOU, 488]. Lewis describes the meadowlark on June 22, 1805. Holmgren, 31.    (NOTE: the "old field lark" is the EASTERN Meadowlark, see Moulton entries of June 22, 1805, and March 4, 1806.)

    • Moulton (Clark, undated entry):    This document is found in Codex N, pp. 153–54 ... (non-bird references omitted):
      • "Prairie Fowl common to the Illinois": greater prairie-chicken; sharp-tailed grouse;
      • "Indian Hen": greater prairie-chicken;
      • "Killdeer": Charadrius vociferus [AOU, 273];    (NOTE: Clark didn't mean Killdeer as Moulton comment alludes to, but instead Clark wrote the "Small Species of Kildee", which researchers are considering is the "Piping Plover")
      • "Parotqueet": Carolina parakeet, Conuropsis carolinensis [AOU, 382];
      • "Turkey": Wild Turkey
      • "The pointed tail Prarie Fowl": sharp-tailed grouse;
      • "party coloured Corvus or Magpy": black-billed magpie;

    • Moulton (Weather diary, April 16, 1806):
      • "prarie lark": Western Meadowlark or Horned Lark;
      • "speceis of the peawee": Probably Say's phoebe, Sayornis saya [AOU, 457]. Holmgren, 32. It is not mentioned in Clark's remarks.
      • "blue crested fisher": Belted Kingfisher,
      • "partycoloured corvus": Black-billed Magpie,
      • "black pheasant": Sooty or Dusky Grouse.


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  • Bonaparte's Gull
    L&C "small gull"
    NEW BIRD

    Image, 2009, Ridgefield NWR, Washington, click to enlarge
    Click image to enlarge     		Bonaparte's Gulls, Ridgefield NWR, Washington. Image taken May 23, 2009.

    Clark, March 6, 1806, while at Fort Clatsop:
    "... There are 4 Species of the larus or gull on this coast and river.    1st a Small Species the Size of a Pegion; white except some black spots about the head and the little bone on the but of the wing.    2d a Species Somewhat larger of a light brown colour, with a mealy coloured back.    3rd the large Grey Gull, or white larus with a greyish brown back, and light grey belly and breast, about the Size of a well grown pullet, the wings are remarkably long in perpotion to the Size of the body and it's under chap towards the extremity is gibbous and protuberant than in either of the other Species.    a White Gull about the Size of the Second with a remarkable beak; adjoining the head and on the base of the upper Chap there is an elivated orning of the Same Substance with the beak which forms the nostriels at A; it is Somewhat in this form.    the feet are webed and the legs and feet of a yellow colour.    the form of the wings body &c are much that of the 2d Species this bird was Seen on Haleys bay [Baker Bay]. ..."


    Lewis, March 7, 1806, while at Fort Clatsop:
    "... there are four speceis of larus or gull on this coast and river, 1st a small speceis about the size of a pigeon; white except some black spots about the head and a little brown on the but of the wings,    2nd a speceis somewhat larger of a light brown colour with a whitish or mealy coloured back.    3rd the large grey gull, or white larus with a greyish brown back and a light grey belley and breast, about the size of a well grown pullet or reather larger.    the wings are remarkably long in proportion to the size of the body and it's under chap towards the extremity is more gibbous and protuberant than in either of the other speceis.    4th a white gull about the size of the second with a remarkable beak; adjoining the head and at the base of the uper Chap there is an elivated orning of the same substance with the beak which forms the nostrils; it is some what in this form.    the feet are webbed and the legs and feet of a yellow colour.    the form of the wings body &c are much that of the seond species.    the large grey gull is found on the river as high as the entrance of the Kooskooske and in common with other speceis on the coast; the others appear to be confined to tidewater; and the fourth speceis not so common as either of the others. ..."


    "The Aquatic birds of this country, or such as obtain their subsistence from the water, are the large blue and brown heron [Great Blue Heron], fishing hawk [Osprey], blue crested fisher [Belted Kingfisher], gulls of several species of the Coast [see Bonaparte's Gull and Glaucous-winged Gull], the large grey gull of the Columbia [Western Gull], Comorant [Double-crested Cormorant], loons of two species [Pacific Loon and Western Grebe], white, and the brown brant [Snow Goose and Brant], small and large geese [Cackling Geese and Canada Goose], small and large swan [Tundra Swan and Trumpeter Swan], the Duckinmallard [Mallard], canvis back duck [Canvasback], red headed fishing duck [Red-breasted Merganser or Common Merganser], black and white duck [Bufflehead], little brown duck [unknown, possibly one of the Teals], black duck [American Coot], two species of divers [Pied-billed Grebe and Red-necked Grebe], blue winged teal [Blue-winged Teal], and some other speceis of ducks."
    -- Lewis, March 6, 1806, while at Fort Clatsop



    Commentary:

    • Patterson (what L&C described): small gull
    • Patterson (conjectures, mostly from Coues, in Burroughs, 1961): Bonaparte's Gull
    • Patterson (current AOU equivalent): Bonaparte's Gull
    • Patterson (comments): Bonaparte's or Mew Gull, the description is equivocal with some elements in favor of each.

    • Cutright: Bonaparte's Gull [AOU 60], described by Lewis, March 7, 1806, at Fort Clatsop. Larus philadelphia (Ord, 1815).

    • Holmgren:    GULLS
      • "brown" (3-6-06) most immature gulls wear a brown mottled plumage through their second winter. These may be any of the "grey" adults below.
      • "grey" (3-6-06) herring gull, Larus argentatus, Pontopidan 1763; ring-billed gull, Larus delawarensis, Ord 1815; western gull Larus occidentalis, Audubon 1839; glaucous-winged, Larus glaucenscens, Naumann 1840; California gull, Larus californicus, Lawrence 1854.
      • "small" (3-6-06) size of a pigeon, black on head. Probably Bonaparte's gull, Larus philadelphia, Ord 1815, but could be Forster's tern Sterna Forsteri Nuttall 1834.
      • "speckled" (10-2-05) any immature gull, as above under "brown".
      • "white" (3-6-06) with odd beak. Clark's sketch and description of prominent nasal tubes identify this species as the northern fulmar, Fulmarus glacialis, L. 1761, in its white phase. Not a gull, though gull-like in actions and appearance.
      • "wings tipped in black" (9-27-04) Probably herring gull or ring-billed, as under "grey".

    • Moulton (March 6, 1806):
      • "Small Species the Size of a Pegion": Coues identifies it as Bonaparte's gull, Larus philadelphia [AOU, 60]; Burroughs says that if so, it must have been a juvenile in its first winter plumage. Coues (HLC), 3:811 n. 84; Burroughs, 230. Holmgren, 30, also gives Bonaparte's gull and adds Forster's tern, Sterna forsteri [AOU, 69], as a possibility.
      • "Somewhat larger of a light brown colour": According to Coues, a young glaucous-winged gull, Larus glaucescens [AOU, 44]. Burroughs appears skeptical of the identification, while Holmgren suggests it could be any of a number of immature gulls. Coues (HLC), 3:811 n. 84; Burroughs, 230; Holmgren, 30.
      • "Large Grey Gull": An immature western gull. Coues (HLC), 3:881 n. 84; Burroughs, 230–31. Holmgren, 30, includes the western gull among a number of other species of Larus as possibilities.
      • "White Gull": Northern fulmar, Fulmarus glacialis [AOU, 86], not a gull. Coues (HLC), 881 n. 84; Burroughs, 179; Holmgren, 30.

    • See also entries for:


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  • Brewer's Blackbird ... or Rusty Blackbird
    L&C "small blackbird"
    Brewer's Blackbird is a NEW BIRD, Rusty Blackbird is not

    Image, 2008, Vancouver, Washington, click to enlarge Image, 2011, Woodland, Washington, click to enlarge
    Click image to enlarge     		Brewer's Blackbird, male (left) and Rusty Blackbird, male (right). Left image taken November 26, 2008, Vancouver, Washington. Right image taken November 6, 2011, Woodland, Washington, with bird in non-breeding plumage.

    Weather diary, May 17, 1805:   ' "... the Gees have their young; the Elk begin to produce their young, the Antelope and deer as yet have not.—    the small species of Goatsucker or whiperwill begin to cry—    the blackbirds both small and large have appeared.    we have had scarcely any thunder and lightning.    the clouds are generally white and accompanyed with wind only ..."


    Lewis, June 25, 1805, while at _____:
    "... The river is about 800 yds. wide opposite to us above these islands, and has a very gentle current    the bottoms are hadsome level and extensive on both sides; the bank on this side is not more than 2 feet above the level of the water; it is a pretty little grove in which our camp is situated. ... great quantities of mint also are here    it resemble the pepper mint very much in taste and appearance.    the young blackbirds which are almost innumerable in these islands just begin to fly. ..."


    Gass, June 25, 1805:
    "... There is in the bottoms a great quantity of spear-mint and currant bushes.    Also multitudes of blackbirdTs ..."


    Lewis, March 3, 1806, while at Fort Clatsop:
    "... The Crow raven and Large Blackbird are the same as those of our country only that the crow is here much smaller yet it's note is the same ..."


    Commentary:

    • Patterson (what L&C described): large blackbird
    • Patterson (conjectures, mostly from Coues, in Burroughs, 1961): Brewer's Blackbird
    • Patterson (current AOU equivalent): Brewer's Blackbird
    • Patterson (comments): blackbird sp., the description is too vague to commit to.

    • Cutright: Brewer's Blackbird [AOU 510], mentioned by Lewis, June 25, 1805, at Great Falls, Montana. Euphagus cyanocephalus (Wagler, 1829).

    • Holmgren:    BLACKBIRDS (8-25-04),
      • "large" (8-8-05), common grackle, Quiscalus quiscula, L. 1758.
      • "small" (6-8-05) rusty blackbird, Euphagus carolinsu, Muller 1776, and/or Brewer's blackbird,Euphagus cyanocephala, Wagner 1829.

    • Johnsgard:   Brown-headed Cowbird Molothrus ater and Brewer's Blackbird Euphagus cyanocephalus:    Few specific notes were made on these presumably common and probably widespread species, which are adapted to forage at the feet of large ungulates such as bison. In the expedition's Meteorological Register of May 17, 1805, it was noted that "large and small blackbirds" had returned to eastern Montana. Elliott Coues identified these as most probably brown-headed cowbirds and Brewer's blackbirds. Probable cowbirds were also seen near Great Falls (July 11- 13, 1805, and July 11, 1806), and this species (referred to by the explorers as the "buffalo-pecker") must have regularly associated with bison before domestic cattle appeared on the Great Plains. Cowbird populations are now declining nationally, but they still pose a serious threat to native songbirds because of their parasitic nesting behavior. Brewer's blackbird populations have also declined significantly rangewide.

    • Moulton (Weather diary, May 17, 1805):    The large blackbird is probably the common grackle, Quiscalus quiscula [AOU, 511], while the small blackbird could be the rusty blackbird, Euphagus carolinus [AOU, 509], and/or Brewer's blackbird, E. cyanocephalus [AOU, 510]. If the latter, then Lewis was its discoverer. Holmgren, 28; Cutright (LCPN), 167–68.

    • Moulton (June 25, 1805):    Perhaps rusty blackbird, Euphagus carolinus, or Brewer's blackbird, E. cyanocephalus. The party also apparently called the common grackle, Quisculus quiscula, a blackbird.

    • Moulton (March 3, 1806):
      • "crow": The crow is in fact the northwestern crow, a new species.
      • "raven": The subspecies of raven in the Fort Clatsop area is Corvus corax sinuatus; Lewis would have been familiar with C. c. principalis to the East. Both are now combined with the common raven.
      • "large blackbird": The blackbird seen in the West would be Brewer's blackbird, Euphagus cyanocephalus [AOU, 510], while the bird he had seen in the East would more likely be the rusty blackbird, E. carolinus [AOU, 509]. Cutright (LCPN), 434; Burroughs, 248, 255–56. NOTE: in other Moulton entries, the "large blackbird" is said to be the Common Grackle, and the Brewer's or Rusty Blackbird is said to be the "small blackbird".

    • Coues (1893, vol.3, p.875):    13. The large blackbird [blue-headed grackle, Scolecophagus cyanocephalus] is [not] the same with those ouf our country, and is found everywhere in this country.

    • See also entries for


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  • Broad-tailed Hummingbird ... and/or Rufous Hummingbird ... or Calliope or Black-chinned ...
    L&C "hummingbird", "hummingbird at nest"
    Broad-tailed is NEW BIRD, Rufous is not

    Image, 2009, Vancouver, Washington, click to enlarge
    Click image to enlarge     		Rufous Hummingbird, male, Vancouver, Washington. Image taken April 6, 2009.

    Weather diary, March 26, 1806, Fisher Island/Green Point, Oregon, near Longview, Washington:
    "... cold and rainy last night.    wind hard this morning    fair at 9 A. M. Cloudy at 1 P. M.    The humming bird has appeared.    killed one of them and found it the same with those common to the United States. ..."


    Lewis, April 5, 1806, in the Washougal/Sandy River area:
    "... Saw the Log cock, the hummingbird, gees ducks &c today.    ...    we measured a fallen tree of fir No. 1 which was 318 feet including the stump which was about 6 feet high.    this tree was only about 3 1/2 feet in diameter.    we saw the martin, small gees, the small speckled woodpecker with a white back, the Blue crested Corvus, ravens, crows, eagles Vultures and hawks. ..."


    Lewis, June 15, 1806, on the Lolo Trail, Idaho:
    "... Saw the speckled woodpecker, bee martin and log cock or large woodpecker.    found the nest of a humming bird, it had just began to lay its eggs. ..."


    Commentary:

    • Patterson (what L&C described): hummingbird
    • Patterson (conjectures, mostly from Coues, in Burroughs, 1961): Rufous Hummingbird
    • Patterson (current AOU equivalent): Rufous Hummingbird
    • Patterson (comments): at Green Point, Columbia County, Oregon

    • Patterson (what L&C described): hummingbird at nest
    • Patterson (conjectures, mostly from Coues, in Burroughs, 1961): Broad-tailed Hummingbird
    • Patterson (current AOU equivalent): Broad-tailed Hummingbird
    • Patterson (comments): Hummingbird sp. (Weippe Prairie, ID) while Broad-tailed Hummingbird is a reasonable identification, there is no description and neither Calliope nor Black-chinned can be ruled out. In fact, this site even falls into eastern edge of the breeding range for Rufous.

    • Cutright: Broad-tailed Hummingbird [AOU 432], discovered by Lewis, June 15, 1806, just west of Hundry Creek, on the Lolo Trail, Idaho. Selasphorus platycercus platycercus (Swainson, 1827).

    • Holmgren:    Two species are almost certainly involved, since there were two sightings in quite different terrain with intervening mountains, and no single species is abundant in both areas for obvious choice. Lewis killed the first of these two (3-26-06) and declared it the same as the ruby-throated hummingbird, Archilochus colubris, L. 1758, which he knew as the only hummingbird seen in Atlantic States. This identification was an undisputed error, because the ruby-throated is not seen in the West. At the time, only one species had been classified -- the rufous -- and Lewis had probably not heard of it. Nevertheless, he did kill the first specimen seen for further identification, but not the second (6-15-06) which was a female on the nest. The sex of the first was not recorded, but it was definitely not a male rufous, which has a copper-toned coat quite unlike the emerald green of the ruby-throated male and female. Most of the other western species in either area also have green coats, and so except for ruling out the rufous male, the identity of either hummingbird can be determined only by present range and similarity to the ruby-throated. Two, of four likely species are described below, were seen:

      • FIRST SIGHTING: (3-26-06), Fisher Island, north side of the Columbia River downstrem from present Longview, Washington. Which of the following three ?
        • "rufous hummingbird",Selasphorus rufus, Gmelin 1788. Female only. Most abundant species in area but has rufous touches on belly and tail which could easily have been seen with dead bird in hand - but Lewis may not have known that the female ruby-throated lacks rufous coloring.
        • "black-chinned hummingbird", Archilocus alexandri, Bourcier & Mulsant, 1846. Male is eliminated by violet-black gorget instead of ruby red. Female is almost identical with female ruby-throated. Seldom nests in area, but is often seen on migration and could easily have been passing through on this date. Tail not notched - a small difference Lewis might have missed.
        • "calliope hummingbird", Stellula calliope, Gould 1847. Male eliminated by having a red-and-white striped gorget instead of solid ruby red -- unless Lewis mistook the difference for imperfection due to moulting. Female is very similar, except for lack of a notched tail - again a difference Lewis could have missed. Both male and female Calliope are smaller than the ruby-throated by 1/4 inch or so -- another easily-missed difference.
      • SECOND SIGHTING (6-15-06) in present Idaho, west of Hungry Creek on the Lolo Trail. Cited as female on nest. Which of the following four ?
        • "rufous hummingbird", as above. Not abundant here. Possible but not probable. Again, different as noted above.
        • "black-chinned", as above. Nests in area. Almost identical with ruby-throated female except as noted above.
        • "calliope, as above. Nests in the area. More abundant than black-chinned now. Difference by size and tail shape as noted above.
        • "broad-tailed hummingbird", Selasphorus platycercus, Swainson 1827. Almost identical to ruby-throated except for rufous touches on tail and belly (less than rufous female). Male almost identical with ruby-throated male but was not mentioned.

    • Moulton (Weather diary, March 26, 1806):    Holmgren, 31, believes this to be one of three species: rufous hummingbird, Selasphorus rufus [AOU, 433]; black-chinned hummingbird, Archilochus alexandri [AOU, 429]; or calliope hummingbirg, Stellula calliope [AOU, 436]. See also Burroughs, 236–37; Jollie, 5.

    • Moulton (April 5, 1806):    Moulton gives no more information on the hummingbird seen.

    • Moulton (June 15, 1806):    Identified by Coues (HLC), 3:1044 and n. 8, as the broad-tailed hummingbird, Selasphorus platycercus [AOU, 432], a new species. See also Cutright (LCPN), 301, 306, 437. Holmgren, 31, thinks it could be one of four species, including the broad-tailed.


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  • Cackling Goose ... (Hutchin's Goose)
  • Canada Goose ... (Lesser Canada Goose)
    L&C "small Canada goose"
    BOTH are NEW BIRDS

    Image, 2007, Ridgefield NWR, Washington, click to enlarge Image, 2007, Ridgefield NWR, Washington, click to enlarge
    Click image to enlarge     		Cackling Geese species (left) and Canada Goose species (right), Ridgefield NWR, Washington. Left image taken April 20, 2007. Right image taken May 6, 2007.

    Lewis, May 5, 1805:
    "... saw a great number of white brant also the common brown brant, geese of the common kind and a small species of geese which differ considerably from the common canadian goose; their neck head and beak are considerably thicker shorter and larger than the other in proportion to it's size, they are also more than a third smaller, and their note more like that of the brant or a young goose which has not perfectly acquired his notes, in all other rispects they are the same colour habits and the number of feathers in the tale, they frequently also ascociate with the large geese when in flocks, but never saw them pared off with the large or common goose. ..."


    Clark, November 2, 1805, first draft, while in the Columbia River Gorge near Rooster Rock.
    "... We Labiech killed 14 Geese & a Brant, Collins one Jos. Fields & R 3 those gees are much Smaller than Common, and have white under their rumps & around the tale, ..."


    Lewis, March 8, 1806, while at Fort Clatsop:
    "... The small goose of this country is reather less than the brant; it's head and neck like the brant are reather larger than that of the goose in proportion; their beak is also thicker and shorter.    their notes are more like those of our tame gees; in all other rispects they are the same with the large goose with which, they so frequently ascociate that it was some time after I first observed this goose before I could determine whether it was a distinct speceis or not. I have now no hesitation in declaring them a distinct speceis.    the large goose is the same of that common on the Atlantic coast, and known by the appellation of the wild, or Canadian goose. ..."


    "The Aquatic birds of this country, or such as obtain their subsistence from the water, are the large blue and brown heron [Great Blue Heron], fishing hawk [Osprey], blue crested fisher [Belted Kingfisher], gulls of several species of the Coast [see Bonaparte's Gull and Glaucous-winged Gull], the large grey gull of the Columbia [Western Gull], Comorant [Double-crested Cormorant], loons of two species [Pacific Loon and Western Grebe], white, and the brown brant [Snow Goose and Brant], small and large geese [Cackling Geese and Canada Goose], small and large swan [Tundra Swan and Trumpeter Swan], the Duckinmallard [Mallard], canvis back duck [Canvasback], red headed fishing duck [Red-breasted Merganser or Common Merganser], black and white duck [Bufflehead], little brown duck [unknown, possibly one of the Teals], black duck [American Coot], two species of divers [Pied-billed Grebe and Red-necked Grebe], blue winged teal [Blue-winged Teal], and some other speceis of ducks."
    -- Lewis, March 6, 1806, while at Fort Clatsop



    Commentary:

    • Patterson (what L&C described): small Canada goose
    • Patterson (conjectures, mostly from Coues, in Burroughs, 1961): Lesser Canada Goose
    • Patterson (current AOU equivalent): Canada Goose
    • Patterson (comments): Cackling Goose, formly consider small races of Canada Goose, but now considered a distinct species

    • Cutright: Hutchins's Goose [AOU 172a], seen by Lewis, May 5, 1805, above mouth of Poplar River, Montana. Branta canadensis hutchinsii (Richardson, 1831).

    • Cutright: Lesser Canada Goose [AOU 172d], described by Lewis, March 8, 1806, while at Fort Clatsop. Branta canadensis leucopareia (Brandt, 1836).

    • Holmgren:    GOOSE (2-4-04)
      • "common" (5-5-05) Canada goose, Branta Canadensis, L. 1758.
      • "nest in trees" (5-3-05) Canada Goose.
      • "smaller" (5-5-05) cackling goose, Branta canadensis minima, Ridgway 1885, or other small sub-species of Canada Goose.

    • Moulton (May 5, 1805):    Lewis notices snow geese and brant. His common goose is the Canada goose, used for comparing what was probably the lesser Canada, or tundra, goose, Branta canadensis leucopareia [AOU, 172.1], the cackling goose, B. c. minima [AOU, 172.2], or Hutchins's goose B. c. hutchinsii [AOU, 172.3]. All are now grouped as a single species. Clark copied this passage verbatim in his entry for May 26, 1805. Lewis gives a bit more detail on March 6, 1806. Burroughs, 195–96; Holmgren, 30; Cutright (LCPN), 430.

    • Moulton (November 2, 1805):    The brant is Branta bernicla [AOU, 173], while the common goose is the Canada goose, B. canadensis [AOU, 172]. The smaller goose is evidently one of the subspecies of the Canada goose, perhaps the lesser Canada goose, B. canadensis leucopareia [AOU, 172.1], but other subspecies are possible. See also, May 5, 1805, and March 8, 1806. Burroughs, 192–96.

    • Avibase, the world bird database website (2010):   
      • The Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) consists of subspecies canadensis, fulva, interior, moffitti, parvipes, maxima, and occidentalis.
      • The Cackling Goose (Branta hutchinsii) consists of subspecies hutchinsii, minima, leucopareta, taverneri, and asiatica.

    • See also entries for:


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  • Clark's Nutcracker
    L&C "speceis of woodpecker, which fed on the seeds of the pine"
    NEW BIRD

    Image, 2009, Mount Hood, Oregon, click to enlarge
    Click image to enlarge     		Clark's Nutcracker, Mount Hood, Oregon. Image taken August 16, 2009.

    Lewis, August 22, 1805, while on the Lemhi River, Idaho:
    "... I saw today a speceis of woodpecker, which fed on the seeds of the pine.    it's beak and tail were white, it's wings were black, and every other part of a dark brown.    it was about the size of a robin ..."


    Clark, August 22, 1805, while on the Lemhi River, Idaho:
    "... I Saw to day Bird of the wood pecker kind which fed on Pine burs its Bill and tale white the wings black every other part of a light brown, and about the Size of a robin. ..."


    Lewis, May 28, 1806:
    "... since my arrival here I have killed several birds of the corvus genus [EC: Picicorvus] of a kind found only in the rocky mountains and their neighbourhood. I first met with this bird above the three forks of the Missouri and saw them on the hights of the rocky Mountains but never before had an opportunity of examining them closely.    the small corvus [EC: Perisoreus] discribed at Fort Clatsop is a different speceis, tho' untill now I had taken it to be the same, this is much larger and has a loud squawling note something like the mewing of a cat.    the beak of this bird is 1 1/2 inches long, is proportionably large, black and of the form which characterizes the genus.    the upper exceeds the under chap a little.    the head and neck are also proportionably large.    the eye full and reather prominent, the iris dark brown and puple black.    it is about the size and somewhat the form of the Jaybird tho reather rounder or more full in the body.    the tail is four and a half inches in length, composed of 12 feathers nearly of the same length. the head neck and body of this bird are of a dove colour.    the wings are black except the extremities of six large fathers ocupying the middle joint of the wing which are white.    the under disk of the wing is not of the shining or grossy black which marks it's upper surface. the two feathers in the center of the tail are black as are the two adjacent feathers for half their width the ballance are of a pure white.    the feet and legs are black and imbricated with wide scales.    the nails are black and remarkably long and sharp, also much curved.    it has four toes on each foot of which one is in the rear and three in front.    the toes are long particularly that in the rear.    this bird feeds on the seed of the pine and also on insects.    it resides in the rocky mountains at all seasons of the year, and in many parts is the only bird to be found. ..."


    Commentary:

    • Patterson (what L&C described): woodpecker (jaybird)
    • Patterson (conjectures, mostly from Coues, in Burroughs, 1961): Clark's Nutcracker
    • Patterson (current AOU equivalent): Clark's Nutcracker

    • Cutright: Clark's Nutcracker [AOU 491], discovered by Clark, August 22, 1805, near present town of Tendoy, on the Lemhi River, Idaho. Nucifraga columbiana (Wilson, 1811).

    • Holmgren:    CORVUS, Latin for crow; used in journals to label any of crow genus or family.
      • "black-winged" (5-28/29-06) Clark's nutcracker, Nucifraga columbiana, Wilson 1811. Good description of species earlier (8-22-05) misnamed woodpecker.

    • Holmgren:    WOODPECKERS
      • "black-winged" (8-22-05) In this entry Clark's nutcracker was inadvertently reported as a woodpecker instead of a corvus. Wilson in his American Ornithology (1811) labeled it Clark's Crow, Corvus columbianus, later changed to .

    • Moulton (August 22, 1805):    Lewis gives the first description of Clark's nutcracker, Nucifraga columbiana [AOU, 491], but he got the description from Clark, whom he quotes. See also May 28, 1806. Burroughs, 251–52; Holmgren 29, 34.

    • Moulton (May 28, 1806):
      • Clark's nutcracker, Nucifraga columbiana [AOU, 491], first observed on August 22, 1805, and now given its first full description. Named for Clark by Alexander Wilson, who also included a drawing of it in his published ornithology. Coues's penciled term Picicorvus was the bird's genus name in his time. Coues (HLC), 3:1028 n. 20; Cutright (LCPN), 383–87; Burroughs, 251–52; Holmgren, 29.
      • The "small corvus" at Fort Clatsop is presumably the gray jay, Perisoreus canadensis [AOU, 484], described on December 18, 1805.
      • The "Jaybird" is the blue jay, Cyanocitta cristata [AOU, 477].


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  • Common Nighthawk ... (Pacific Nighthawk)
    L&C "goatsucker", "large batt, or night hawk"
    NEW BIRD

    Weather diary, June 5, 1805:
    "... rained considerably    some Snow fell on the mounts.    great numbers of the sparrows larks, Curloos and other small birds common to praries are now laying their eggs and seting, their nests are in great abundance.    the large batt, or night hawk appears.    the Turkey buzzard appears.—    first saw the mountain cock near the entrance of Maria's river.— ..."

    Lewis, June 30, 1805:
    "... There are a number of large bat or goatsucker here    I killed one of them and found that there was no difference between them and those common to the U' States; I have not seen the leather winged bat for some time nor is there any of the small goatsuckers in this quarter of the country.    we have not the whip-poor-will either.    this last is by many persons in the U' States confounded with the large goat-sucker or night-hawk as it is called in the Eastern States, and are taken for the same bird.    it is true that there is a great resemblance but they are distinct species of the goatsucker.    here the one exists without the other.    the large goat sucker lays it's eggs in these open plains without the preperation of a nest    we have found their eggs in several instances    they lay only two before they set nor do I beleive that they raise more than one brood in a season; they have now just hatched their young ..."


    Commentary:

    • Patterson (what L&C described): goatsucker
    • Patterson (conjectures, mostly from Coues, in Burroughs, 1961): Pacific Nighthawk
    • Patterson (current AOU equivalent): Common Nighthawk

    • Cutright: Pacific Nighthawk [AOU 420d], mentioned by Lewis, June 30, 1805, at Great Falls, Montana. Chordeiles minor hesperis (Grinnell, 1905).

    • Johnsgard:   Common Nighthawk Chordeiles minor:    On June 30, 1805, near Great Falls, Montana, Captain Lewis shot a bird he identified as a species of goatsucker, reporting that it was identical to those of the Atlantic states, "where it is called the large goat-sucker or night hawk." Nighthawks, whip-poor-wills, and poorwills are aerial insect-eaters; their extremely large mouths are responsible for their colorful if erroneous vernacular name "goatsuckers." Common nighthawk populations have declined significantly in North America during the last four decades, as have other goatsuckers.

    • Holmgren:    BAT (6-5-05, 6-30-05) When BAT is linked with the phrase "or nighthawk" or "or goatsucker" the species meant is the common nighthawk, Chordeiles minor, Forster 1771. When the term is LEATHER-WINGED BAT (4-16-05) the species is a mammal, but listed by Lewis and Clark as a bird, as is done in the Bible, Leviticus 11:19.

    • Holmgren:    GOATSUCKER (9-16-04, 6-30-05) Old European fold name for birds of the nightjar family (Caprimulgidae) based on the mistaken idea that the birds followed the goats to drink milk. Actually the birds area after insects stirred up by moving flocks.

    • Moulton (Weather diary, June 5, 1805):
      • The sparrows could be any of a number of small brown birds.
      • The larks are similarly unidentifiable,
      • as are the "Curloos" which could be any shorebird with a long bill. Holmgren, 29, 33.
      • The "large batt, or night hawk" is again the common nighthawk.
      • The turkey vulture, Cathartes aura [AOU, 325], already known to science. Holmgren, 28; Burroughs, 203–4.
      • The sage grouse, Centrocercus urophasianus [AOU, 309], then unknown to science. Lewis gave a detailed description on March 2, 1806. Cutright (LCPN), 157; Burroughs, 213–15.

    • Moulton (June 30, 1805):    The large goatsucker is probably the common nighthawk, Chordeiles minor [AOU, 420]; to Burroughs and Coues it was a subspecies, the Pacific nighthawk, C. m. hesperis, but the most recent opinion seems to agree with Lewis that there was no significant difference from the Eastern variety. The bird was then colloquially called a "bat," and the mammal was distinguished by Lewis as the "leather-winged bat," which could be any of a number of species. The "small goatsucker" would probably be the common poorwill as identified previously. Coues (HLC), 2:398 and 398 n. 16; Burroughs, 235–36; Holmgren, 28, 34. Lewis distinguishes the whip-poor-will, Caprimulgus vociferus [AOU, 417], from the common nighthawk.

    • See also entries for:


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  • Common Poorwill ... (Nuttall's Poor-will)
    L&C
    NEW BIRD

    Lewis, October 16, 1804:
    "... This day took a small bird [EC: Phalaenoptilus nuttalli ] alive of the order of the [blank] or goat suckers.    it appeared to be passing into the dormant state.    on the morning of the 18th the murcury was at 30 a[bove] 0. the bird could scarcely move.—    I run my penknife into it's body under the wing and completely distroyed it's lungs and heart—    yet it lived upwards of two hours    this fanominon I could not account for unless it proceeded from the want of circulation of the blo[o]d.—    the recarees call this bird to'-na    it's note is at-tah-to'-nah'; at-tah'to'-nah'; to-nah,    a nocturnal bird, sings only in the night as does the whipperwill.—    it's weight—1 oz 17 Grains Troy ..."


    Clark, October 17, 1804:
    "... I caught a Small uncommon whiperwill ..."


    Lewis, August 4, 1806:
    "... Tonight for the first time this season I heard the small whippoorwill or goatsucker of the Missouri cry. ..."


    Commentary:

    • Patterson (what L&C described): goatsucker
    • Patterson (conjectures, mostly from Coues, in Burroughs, 1961): Nuttall's Poorwill
    • Patterson (current AOU equivalent): Common Poorwill

    • Cutright: Nuttall's Poor-will [AOU 418], discovered by Lewis and Clark, October 17, 1804, just below mouth of the Cannonball River, North Dakota. Phalaenoptilus nuttallii nuttallii (Audubon, 1844).

    • Holmgren:    WHIPPER WILL
      • "small" (10-17-04) and "uncommon", Common poorwill, Phalaenoptilus nuttallii, Audubon 1844. The journals not only describe the bird's appearance, but also its ability to maintain winter dormancy, a factor not recognized in scientific publications until 1946.

    • Johnsgard:   Common Poorwill Phalaenoptilus nuttallii:    On October 16, 1804, in what is now southern North Dakota, Captain Lewis captured a small bird that he recognized as belonging to the "order of the [blank space; he probably intended "Caprimulgiformes"] or goat sucker." He noted that the bird appeared to be becoming dormant a fact that was not fully established for this or any other North American bird species by ornithologists for another 145 years. Lewis also astutely observed that under the freezing conditions (30 degrees F) the bird could scarcely move, and that even after its heart and lungs were pierced with a knife it remained alive for nearly two hours! Like his later substantiated report of finding Canada geese nesting in trees (probably using old nests of osprey or eagle), this observation was probably not believed by scientists of the time.

    • Moulton (October 16, 1804):    Lewis's natural history notes from Codex Q. The bird is the common poorwill, Phalaenoptilus nuttallii [AOU, 418], as noted interlineally by Coues. Burroughs notes that it was not until the 1940s that zoologists discovered the bird's tendency to hiberate. Burroughs , 236, 327 n. 7. The poorwill is a close relative of the whip-poor-will (Caprimulgus vociferus [AOU, 417]) that Lewis uses for comparison.

    • Moulton (October 17, 1804):    The common poorwill. See Lewis's natural history note, October 16, 1804.

    • Moulton (August 4, 1806):    Common poorwill, Phalaenoptilus nuttallii [AOU, 418]. Holmgren, 34; Burroghs, 236.

    • Also see entries for:


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  • Common Raven ... (Western American Raven)
    L&C "raven"
    NEW BIRD

    Image, 2009, Mount Hood, Oregon, click to enlarge
    Click image to enlarge     		Common Raven, Mount Hood, Oregon. Image taken August 16, 2009.

    Weather diary, April 8, 1805:
    "... the only birds that I obseved during the winter at Fort Mandan was the Missouri Magpie, a bird of the Corvus genus, the raven in immence numbers, the small woodpecker or sapsucker as they are sometimes called, the beautifull eagle, or calumet bird, so called from the circumstance of the natives decorating their pipe-stems with it's plumage and the Prarie Hen or grouse. ..."


    Ordway, October 20, 1805, near Crow Butte State Park, Washington:
    "... we Saw Some pilicans and abundance of ravens and crows ..."


    Clark, November 29, 1805, while at Tongue Point, Oregon:
    "... The Shore below the point at our Camp is formed of butifull pebble of various colours. I observe but fiew birds of the Small kind, great numbers of wild fowls of Various kinds, the large Buzzard with white wings, grey and bald eagle's, large red tailed Hawks, ravens & Crows in abundance, the blue Magpie, a Small brown bird which frequents logs & about the roots of trees ..."


    Lewis, March 3, 1806, while at Fort Clatsop:
    "... The Crow raven and Large Blackbird are the same as those of our country only that the crow is here much smaller yet it's note is the same    I observe no difference either between the hawks of this coast and those of the Atlantic.    I have observed the large brown hawk, the small or sparrow hawk, and the hawk of an intermediate size with a long tail and blewish coloured wings remarkably swift in flight and very firce.    sometimes called in the U' States the hen hawk.    these birds seem to be common to every part of this country, and the hawks crows & ravens build their nests in great numbers along the high and inaccessable clifts of the Columbia river and it's S. E. branch where we passed along them ..."


    Lewis, July 1, 1806, where Lolo Creek empties into the Bitterroot River, Montana:
    "... the dove, the black woodpecker, the lark woodpecker, the logcock, the prarie lark, sandhill crain, prarie hen with the short and pointed tail, the robin, a speceis of brown plover, a few curloos, small black birds, ravens hawks and a variety of sparrows as well as the bee martin and the several species of Corvus genus are found in this vally. ..."


    Commentary:

    • Patterson (what L&C described): raven
    • Patterson (conjectures, mostly from Coues, in Burroughs, 1961): Raven
    • Patterson (current AOU equivalent): Common Raven

    • Cutright: Western American Raven [AOU 486], Corvus corax sinuatus (Wagler 1829), mentioned by Lewis, March 3, 1806, at Fort Clatsop, different from subspecies C. c. principalis known to L&C in the east.

    • Holmgren:    RAVEN (2-5-05) common raven, Corvus corax, L. 1758.

    • Johnsgard:   Common Raven Corvus corax:    Ravens wintered in immense numbers in the vicinity of Fort Mandan. They were also seen at various times farther west in Montana, for example, near the present-day sites of Missoula (August 1, 1806) and Lincoln (August 6, 1806) and on the upper Marias River (July 19, 1806). Just as magpies tend to replace blue jays as one proceeds westward in the Great Plains, ravens also tend to replace crows in the same geographic manner. Common raven populations have increased significantly in North America during the last four decades.

    • Moulton (Weather diary, April 8, 1805):    The common raven, Corvus corax [AOU, 486], known to science and not described further.

    • Moulton (October 20, 1805): The common raven, Corvus corax, and the western variety of the common crow, C. brachyrhynchos hesperis.

    • Moulton (November 29, 1805):
      • "large Buzzard with white wings": [California Condor]
      • "grey and bald eagles": The "grey and bald eagle's" are, respectively, golden eagle, Aquila chrysaetos [AOU, 349], and bald eagle, Haliaeetus leucocephalus [AOU, 352]. Burroughs, 204–8.
      • "large red tailed Hawks": Red-tailed hawk, Buteo jamaicensis [AOU, 337], a widespread species already known to science. Ibid., 208; Coues (HLC), 2:724.
      • "ravens and crows": Probably the common raven, Corvus corax [AOU, 486], and the American crow, C. brachyrhyncho [AOU, 488]. Burroughs, 248; Cutright (LCPN), 432.
      • "blue Magpie": Steller's jay, Cyanocitta stelleri [AOU, 478], first noted by Lewis on September 20, 1805. The captain gives a full description in an undated entry, ca. December 18, 1805. Burroughs, 248–49.
      • "small brown bird which frequents logs & about the roots of trees": Perhaps the winter wren, Troglodytes troglodytes [AOU, 722], and if so, then new to science; see March 4, 1806. Burroughs, 252; Cutright (LCPN), 274, 438.

    • Moulton (March 3, 1806):
      • "crow": The crow is in fact the northwestern crow, a new species.
      • "raven": The subspecies of raven in the Fort Clatsop area is Corvus corax sinuatus; Lewis would have been familiar with C. c. principalis to the East. Both are now combined with the common raven.
      • "large blackbird": The blackbird seen in the West would be Brewer's blackbird, Euphagus cyanocephalus [AOU, 510], while the bird he had seen in the East would more likely be the rusty blackbird, E. carolinus [AOU, 509]. Cutright (LCPN), 434; Burroughs, 248, 255–56. NOTE: in other Moulton entries, the "large blackbird" is said to be the Common Grackle, and the Brewer's or Rusty Blackbird is said to be the "small blackbird".
      • "large brown hawk": Coues suggests that the large brown hawk may be a subspecies of the red-tailed hawk, or Swainson's hawk, Buteo swainsoni [AOU, 342]. Holmgren calls it the northern harrier, Circus cyaneus [AOU, 331], also called the marsh hawk.
      • "small or sparrow hawk": The sparrow hawk is Falco sparverius [AOU, 360], now known as the American kestrel.
      • "hawk with long tail and blewish coloured wings sometimes called the hen hawk": Coues identifies as the northern harrier, whereas Holmgren considers it to be Cooper's hawk, Accipiter cooperii [AOU, 333]. Coues (HLC), 3:875; Holmgren, 30–31.

    • Moulton (July 1, 1806):
      • "dove": Mourning dove, Zenaida macroura [AOU, 316]. Holmgren, 34.
      • "black woodpecker": Lewis's woodpecker, Melanerpes lewis [AOU, 408]; see May 27, 1806. Holmgren, 34; Burroughs, 239–40.
      • "lark woodpecker": Common, or northern, flicker, Colaptes auratus [AOU, 412]. Burroughs, 241–42; Holmgren, 34.
      • "logcock": [Pileated Woodpecker]
      • "prarie lark": Probably the horned lark, Eremophila alpestris [AOU, 474]. Holmgren, 31.
      • "sandhill crain": [Sandhill Crane]
      • "prarie hen with the short and pointed tail": Sharp-tailed grouse, Tympanuchus phasianellus [AOU, 308]; see March 1, 1806. Holmgren, 29; Burroughs, 213.
      • "robin": American robin, Turdus migratorius [AOU, 761].
      • "a speceis of brown plover": Probably the upland sandpiper, Bartramia longicauda [AOU, 261]; see July 22, 1805. Holmgren, 33; Burroughs, 227.
      • "curloos":
      • "small black birds": Either the rusty blackbird, Euphagus carolinus [AOU, 509], or Brewer's blackbird, E. cyanocephalus [AOU, 510]. Holmgren, 28.
      • "ravens": Common raven, Corvus corax [AOU, 486].
      • "hawks":
      • "variety of sparrows":
      • "bee martin": Either the eastern kingbird, Tyrannus tyrannus [AOU, 444], or the western kingbird, more likely the latter.
      • "several species of Corvus genus":

    • Avibase world bird database lists Corvus corax sinuatus as the "American Raven" (Wagler, 1829), last listed in AOU 5th edition, 33rd supplement, and Corvus corax principalis as the "Northern Raven" (Ridgway, 1887), last listed in AOU 5th edition, 33rd supplement, when all Ravens were merged into one, the "Common Raven", Corvus corax (Linnaeus, 1758).


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  • Double-crested Cormorant ... (Northern Double-crested Cormorant)
    L&C "cormorant", "black loon"
    NEW BIRD

    Image, 2007, Ridgefield NWR, Washington, click to enlarge Image, 2007, Ridgefield NWR, Washington, click to enlarge
    Click image to enlarge     		Double-crested Cormorant, Ridgefield NWR, Washington. Image taken April 15, 2007.

    Clark, April 18, 1804:
    "... Wednesday 18th April 1804.    a fair morning.    Newmon Killed a Black Lune [Loone?]. ..."


    Clark, October 20, 1805, while near the location of today's Roosevelt, Washington:
    "... A cool morning wind S. W. ... after brackfast we gave all the Indian men Smoke, and we Set out leaveing about 200 of the nativs at our Encampment; passd. three Indian Lodges on the Lard Side a little below our Camp which lodges I did not discover last evening, passed a rapid at Seven miles one at a Short distance below we passed a verry bad rapid, a chane or rocks makeing from the Stard. Side and nearly Chokeing the river up entirely with hugh black rocks,    an Island below close under the Stard. Side on which was four Lodges of Indians drying fish,—   here I Saw a great number of pelicons on the wing, and black Comerants. ..."


    Clark, March 6, 1806, while at Fort Clatsop:
    "... The Comorant is a large black duck which feeds on fish; I proceive no difference between it & these found in the rivers of the Atlantic Coasts.    we met with as high up the river as the enterance of the Chopunnish into the Kooskooske river.    they increased in numbers as we decended, and formed much the Greatest portion of waterfowls which we saw on the Columbia untill we reached tidewater, where they also abound but do not bear a Similar proportion to the fowls found in this quarter.    we found this bird fat and tolerably flavoured as we decended the Columbia. ..."


    Lewis, March 7, 1806, while at Fort Clatsop:
    "... The cormorant is a large black duck which feeds on fish; I perceive no difference between it and those found in the Potomac and other rivers on the Atlantic Coast.    tho' I do not recollect seeing those on the atlantic so high up the rivers as those are found here.    we first met with them on the Kooskooske at the entrance of Chopunnish river.    they increased in quantity as we decended, and formed much the greatest portion of the waterfowl which we saw on the Columbia untill we reached tidewater where they also abound but do not bear a similar proportion to the other fowls found in this quarter. ..."


    "The Aquatic birds of this country, or such as obtain their subsistence from the water, are the large blue and brown heron [Great Blue Heron], fishing hawk [Osprey], blue crested fisher [Belted Kingfisher], gulls of several species of the Coast [see Bonaparte's Gull and Glaucous-winged Gull], the large grey gull of the Columbia [Western Gull], Comorant [Double-crested Cormorant], loons of two species [Pacific Loon and Western Grebe], white, and the brown brant [Snow Goose and Brant], small and large geese [Cackling Geese and Canada Goose], small and large swan [Tundra Swan and Trumpeter Swan], the Duckinmallard [Mallard], canvis back duck [Canvasback], red headed fishing duck [Red-breasted Merganser or Common Merganser], black and white duck [Bufflehead], little brown duck [unknown, possibly one of the Teals], black duck [American Coot], two species of divers [Pied-billed Grebe and Red-necked Grebe], blue winged teal [Blue-winged Teal], and some other speceis of ducks."
    -- Lewis, March 6, 1806, while at Fort Clatsop



    Commentary:

    • Patterson (what L&C described): cormorant
    • Patterson (conjectures, mostly from Coues, in Burroughs, 1961): Farallon Cormorant
    • Patterson (current AOU equivalent): Double-crested Cormorant
    • Patterson (comments): Pelagic and Double-Crested Cormorant, both are abundant on the Columbia River Estuary, only Double-crested would be expected east of Puget Island.

    • Cutright: Double-crested Cormorant [AOU 120], observed by Lewis and Clark, October 20, 1805, on the Columbia River below the mouth of the Umatilla River. Phalacrocorax auritus auritus (Lesson, Swain, 1831).

    • Holmgren:    CORMORANT (10-20-05), double-crested cormorant, Phalacrocorax auritus, Lesson 1831.

    • Moulton (April 18, 1804):    There is no American loon that is predominately black. Probably it is the double-crested cormorant, Phalacrocorax auritus [AOU, 120], although the common loon, Gavia immer [AOU, 7], is dark gray on its head and back in winter. Less likely this could be the widely distributed American coot, Fulica americana [AOU, 221], although the captains later refer to that species as a "black duck" (November 30, 1805, and March 10, 1806). Burroughs, 224–25.

    • Moulton (October 20, 1805):    The American white pelican, Pelecanus erythrorhynchos [AOU, 125], and the double-crested cormorant, Phalacrocorax auritus [AOU, 120]. See March 6, 1806, for a description of the cormorant. Burroughs, 182; Holmgren, 29.

    • The Avibase database lists Phalacrocorax auritus auritus (Lesson, 1831) as the "Northern Double-crested Cormorant" through AOU Edition 5, suppliment 33. In AOU Edition 5, suppliment 34, the Northern Double-crested Cormorant, Farallon Cormorant, Florida Cormorant, and White-crested Cormorant were put together as the "Double-crested Cormorant".


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  • Dusky Grouse ... (Richardson's Blue Grouse, Blue Grouse)
  • Sooty Grouse ... (Blue Grouse, Pacific Grouse)
    L&C "black pheasant"
    Dusky is NEW BIRD, Sooty is not

    Commentary:

    • Patterson (what L&C described): black pheasant
    • Patterson (conjectures, mostly from Coues, in Burroughs, 1961): Dusky Grouse
    • Patterson (current AOU equivalent): Blue Grouse
    • Patterson (comments): Blue Grouse, Dusky subspecies

    • Patterson (what L&C described): black pheasant
    • Patterson (conjectures, mostly from Coues, in Burroughs, 1961): Sooty Grouse
    • Patterson (current AOU equivalent): Blue Grouse
    • Patterson (comments): Blue Grouse, Sooty subspecies

    • Cutright: Richardson's Blue Grouse [AOU 297b], discovered by Lewis, July 21, 1805, north of Helena, Montana. Dendragapus obscurus richardsonii (Douglas, 1829).

    • Holmgren:    PHEASANTS (4-15-05, etc. 26 references) No pheasants nested in North American wilds until ring-necked pheasants were imported to Oregon from China in the 1880s. But early English colonists - especially in Virginia - commonly called the ruffed grouse a pheasant. Consequently Lewis and Clark used "pheasant" for most grouse species, although the sharp-tailed and sage grouse were usually put in cock or hen category. At Fort Clatsop in March 1806 Lewis listed pheasants of three kinds seen west of the Rockies:
      • "large black and white" (3-3-06) ruffed grouse, Bonasa umbellus, L. 1766. Also called "common" in other entries. Lewis notes that these have a more reddish tint than those seen in the East.
      • "small brown" (3-3-06) with yellow or orange stripe above eye. The blue grouse, Dendragapus obscurus, Say 1823.
      • "small speckled" (3-3-06) spruce grouse, Dendragapus canadensis, L. 1758.
      • Both sexes of all three species are speckled and males of both ruffed and spruce have vermilion eye stripes, in contrast to the yellow stripe of the blue grouse. This is the smallest of the three species, but the blue grouse is the largest, in spite of "small" labele in Lewis's notes.

    • Sibley: Blue Grouse, Interior or Dusky
    • Sibley: Blue Grouse, Pacific or Sooty

    • Cornell's "Birds of North America Online":    Editor's Note: Based on recent mitochondrial DNA sequence data, as well as on earlier behavioral and distributional data, the 47th Supplement (2006) to the American Ornithologists' Union's Checklist of North American Birds has recognized the two groups of Blue Grouse (Dusky and Sooty) as separate species.


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  • Forster's Tern ... or Franklin's Gull
    L&C "small gull with black head"
    Forster's Tern would be NEW BIRD, Franklin's Gull would not

    Image, 2010, Chesapeake Bay, Maryland, click to enlarge
    Click image to enlarge     		Forster's Tern, Chesapeake Bay, Maryland. Non-breeding plumage. Image taken October 1, 2010.

    Lewis, August 7, 1806, near the mouth of the Yellowstone River, North Dakota, where it enters the Missouri.
    "... we also saw an unnusual flight of white gulls about the size of a pigeon with the top of their heads black.    at 4 P. M. we arrived at the entrance of the Yellowstone river. ..."


    Commentary:

    • Cutright: Forster's Tern [AOU 69], seen by Lewis, August 7, 1806, on Missouri just above mouth of the Yellowstone River, North Dakota. Sterna forsteri (Nuttall, 1834).

    • Holmgren:    GULLS
      • "small" (3-6-06) size of a pigeon, black on head. Probably Bonaparte's gull, Larus philadelphia, Ord 1815, but could be Forster's tern Sterna Forsteri Nuttall 1834.

    • Johnsgard:   (Franklin's Gull Larus pipixcan and Forster's Tern Sterna forsteri):    No definite evidence of either of these species appears in the journals, although white gulls were mentioned at various times. On August 7, 1806, near the mouth of the Yellowstone River, Lewis reported flocks of "white gulls about the size of a pigeon, with the top of their heads black." This description might fit the Franklin's gull better than the Forster's tern, since the gull is more likely to migrate in large flocks, and in the summer plumage of the Franklin's gull the entire upper and rear parts of the head are black or dark gray.

    • Moulton (August 7, 1806):    Identified by Coues (HLC), 3:1112–13 n. 20, as Forster's tern, Sterna forsteri [AOU, 69]. Holmgren, 30, adds Bonaparte's gull, Larus philadelphia [AOU, 60], as a possibility.

    • See also entries for


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  • Glaucous-winged Gull
    L&C "large light brown gull"
    NEW BIRD

    Image, 2009, Portland, Oregon, click to enlarge Image, 2009, Portland, Oregon, click to enlarge
    Click image to enlarge     		Glaucous-winged Gull, adult (left) and youngster (right). Image taken February 14, 2009, Portland, Oregon, waterfront.

    Clark, March 6, 1806, while at Fort Clatsop:
    "... There are 4 Species of the larus or gull on this coast and river.    1st a Small Species the Size of a Pegion; white except some black spots about the head and the little bone on the but of the wing.    2d a Species Somewhat larger of a light brown colour, with a mealy coloured back.    3rd the large Grey Gull, or white larus with a greyish brown back, and light grey belly and breast, about the Size of a well grown pullet, the wings are remarkably long in perpotion to the Size of the body and it's under chap towards the extremity is gibbous and protuberant than in either of the other Species.    a White Gull about the Size of the Second with a remarkable beak; adjoining the head and on the base of the upper Chap there is an elivated orning of the Same Substance with the beak which forms the nostriels at A; it is Somewhat in this form.    the feet are webed and the legs and feet of a yellow colour.    the form of the wings body &c are much that of the 2d Species this bird was Seen on Haleys bay [Baker Bay]. ..."


    Lewis, March 7, 1806, while at Fort Clatsop:
    "... there are four speceis of larus or gull on this coast and river, 1st a small speceis about the size of a pigeon; white except some black spots about the head and a little brown on the but of the wings,    2nd a speceis somewhat larger of a light brown colour with a whitish or mealy coloured back.    3rd the large grey gull, or white larus with a greyish brown back and a light grey belley and breast, about the size of a well grown pullet or reather larger.    the wings are remarkably long in proportion to the size of the body and it's under chap towards the extremity is more gibbous and protuberant than in either of the other speceis.    4th a white gull about the size of the second with a remarkable beak; adjoining the head and at the base of the uper Chap there is an elivated orning of the same substance with the beak which forms the nostrils; it is some what in this form.    the feet are webbed and the legs and feet of a yellow colour.    the form of the wings body &c are much that of the seond species.    the large grey gull is found on the river as high as the entrance of the Kooskooske and in common with other speceis on the coast; the others appear to be confined to tidewater; and the fourth speceis not so common as either of the others. ..."


    "The Aquatic birds of this country, or such as obtain their subsistence from the water, are the large blue and brown heron [Great Blue Heron], fishing hawk [Osprey], blue crested fisher [Belted Kingfisher], gulls of several species of the Coast [see Bonaparte's Gull and Glaucous-winged Gull], the large grey gull of the Columbia [Western Gull], Comorant [Double-crested Cormorant], loons of two species [Pacific Loon and Western Grebe], white, and the brown brant [Snow Goose and Brant], small and large geese [Cackling Geese and Canada Goose], small and large swan [Tundra Swan and Trumpeter Swan], the Duckinmallard [Mallard], canvis back duck [Canvasback], red headed fishing duck [Red-breasted Merganser or Common Merganser], black and white duck [Bufflehead], little brown duck [unknown, possibly one of the Teals], black duck [American Coot], two species of divers [Pied-billed Grebe and Red-necked Grebe], blue winged teal [Blue-winged Teal], and some other speceis of ducks."
    -- Lewis, March 6, 1806, while at Fort Clatsop



    Commentary:

    • Patterson (what L&C described): large light brown gull
    • Patterson (conjectures, mostly from Coues, in Burroughs, 1961): Glaucous-winged Gull
    • Patterson (current AOU equivalent): Glaucous-winged Gull

    • Cutright: Glaucous-winged Gull [AOU 44], described by Lewis, March 7, 1806, at Fort Clatsop. Larus glaucescens (Neumann, 1840).

    • Holmgren:    GULLS
      • "brown" (3-6-06) most immature gulls wear a brown mottled plumage through their second winter. These may be any of the "grey" adults below.
      • "grey" (3-6-06) herring gull, Larus argentatus, Pontopidan 1763; ring-billed gull, Larus delawarensis, Ord 1815; western gull Larus occidentalis, Audubon 1839; glaucous-winged, Larus glaucenscens, Naumann 1840; California gull, Larus californicus, Lawrence 1854.
      • "small" (3-6-06) size of a pigeon, black on head. Probably Bonaparte's gull, Larus philadelphia, Ord 1815, but could be Forster's tern Sterna Forsteri Nuttall 1834.
      • "speckled" (10-2-05) any immature gull, as above under "brown".
      • "white" (3-6-06) with odd beak. Clark's sketch and description of prominent nasal tubes identify this species as the northern fulmar, Fulmarus glacialis, L. 1761, in its white phase. Not a gull, though gull-like in actions and appearance.
      • "wings tipped in black" (9-27-04) Probably herring gull or ring-billed, as under "grey".

    • Moulton (March 6, 1806):
      • "Small Species the Size of a Pegion": Coues identifies it as Bonaparte's gull, Larus philadelphia [AOU, 60]; Burroughs says that if so, it must have been a juvenile in its first winter plumage. Coues (HLC), 3:811 n. 84; Burroughs, 230. Holmgren, 30, also gives Bonaparte's gull and adds Forster's tern, Sterna forsteri [AOU, 69], as a possibility.
      • "Somewhat larger of a light brown colour": According to Coues, a young glaucous-winged gull, Larus glaucescens [AOU, 44]. Burroughs appears skeptical of the identification, while Holmgren suggests it could be any of a number of immature gulls. Coues (HLC), 3:811 n. 84; Burroughs, 230; Holmgren, 30.
      • "Large Grey Gull": An immature western gull. Coues (HLC), 3:881 n. 84; Burroughs, 230–31. Holmgren, 30, includes the western gull among a number of other species of Larus as possibilities.
      • "White Gull": Northern fulmar, Fulmarus glacialis [AOU, 86], not a gull. Coues (HLC), 881 n. 84; Burroughs, 179; Holmgren, 30.

    • See also entries for:


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  • Gray Jay ... (Oregon Jay) ... or Western Scrub Jay
    L&C "small, white-breasted corvus"
    NEW BIRD
    (possibly some entries are Western Scrub Jay ???)

    Image, 2010, Ridgefield NWR, Washington, click to enlarge
    Click image to enlarge     		Western Scrub Jay, Ridgefield NWR, Washington. Image taken April 15, 2010.

    Lewis, September 18, 1805:
    "... and a blue bird of the vulter kind about the size of a turtle dove or jay bird. ..."


    Lewis, September 20, 1805:
    "... I have also observed two birds of a blue colour both of which I believe to be of the haulk or vulter kind.    the one of the blue shining colour with a very high tuft of feathers on the head a long tale, it feeds on flesh the beak and feet black.    it's note is cha-ah, cha-ah.    it is about the size of a pigeon; and in shape and action resembles the jay bird.—    another bird of very similar genus, the note resembling the mewing of the cat, with a white head and a light blue colour is also common ..."


    Lewis, December 18, 1805, written in the Astoria area:
    "... This day one of the men shot a bird of the Corvus genus, which was feeding on some fragments of meat near the camp. this bird is about the size of the kingbird or bee martin, and not unlike that bird in form.    ... [description omitted here] ...    the tail is half the length of the bird, the wh[ol]e length from the extremity of the beak to the extremity of the tale being 10 Inches. the head from it's joining the nect forward as far as the eyes nearly to the base of the beak and on each side as low as the center of the eye is black.    arround the base of the beak the throat jaws, neck, brest and belley are of a pale bluish white.    the wings back and tale are of a bluish black with a small shade of brown.    this bird is common to this piny country    are also found in the rockey mountains on the waters of the columbia river or woody side of those mountains, appear to frequent the highest sumits of those mountains as far as they are covered with timber.    their note is que, quit-it, que-hoo; and tâh, tâh, &— ..."


    Lewis, January 3, 1806, while at Fort Clatsop:
    "... a small Crow, the blue crested Corvus and the smaller corvus with a white brest, the little brown ren, a large brown sparrow, the bald Eagle and the beatifull Buzzard of the columbia still continue with us. ..."


    Commentary:

    • Patterson (what L&C described): another jay
    • Patterson (conjectures, mostly from Coues, in Burroughs, 1961): Rocky Mountain Jay
    • Patterson (current AOU equivalent): Gray Jay

    • Patterson (what L&C described): small, white-breasted corvus
    • Patterson (conjectures, mostly from Coues, in Burroughs, 1961): Gray Jay
    • Patterson (current AOU equivalent): Gray Jay (Oregon Jay)

    • Patterson (comments): Gray Jay; possibly Woodhouse's Scrub Jay, this bird was described as being blue and was seen in the same general area where Pinyon Jays were found on the Jefferson River in Montana. This would have been somewhat north of the current range for Woodhouse's Scrub Jay, but worth considering given the description.

    • Cutright: Oregon Jay [AOU 485], referred to by Lewis, January 3, 1806, at Fort Clatsop. Perisoreus canadensis obscurus (Ridgway, 1873).

    • Holmgren:    CORVUS
      • "size of kingbird" (12-8-05), feeds on meat scraps. Gray jay, Perisoreus canadensis. L. 1758. Formerly Canada jay. NOTE: Holmgren's 12-8-05 should be 12-18-05.
      • "White-breasted" (1-2-06), gray jay, as above. NOTE: Holmgren's 1-2-06 should be 1-3-06.

    • Holmgren:    JAYS
      • "blue jay" (5-26-05) Cyanocitta cristata, L. 1758.
      • "grey", See CORVUS, "white-breasted"
      • "jay, jaybird" (5-26-05) always refers to the blue jay, the only jay that Lewis and Clark were familiar with before going west.
      • "size of robin" (8-1-05) acts like a jay, pinyon jay, Gymnorhinus cyanocephalus, Wied 1841. Voice well described.
      • "size of turtledove" (9-18-05) and of the "vulture kind", meaing an eater of carrion or flesh. No crest. Scrub jay Aphelocoma coerulescens, Bosc 1795.

    • Moulton (September 18, 1805):    The blue bird may be the pinyon jay of August 1, 1805, but some sources give it as the scrub jay, Aphelocoma coerulescens [AOU, 481], or Steller's jay, Cyanocitta stelleri [AOU, 478]. Holmgren, 31; Space, 13. Each choice creates problems when compared with Lewis's entry of September 20, but the scrub jay seems the least likely possibility. The turtle dove used for comparison is the mourning dove, Zenaida macroura [AOU, 316].

    • Moulton (September 20, 1805):
      • "with high tuft of feathers": Steller's jay and new to science. Cutright (LCPN), 210. See Lewis's full description at December 18, 1805.
      • "jay-bird": [Blue Jay]
      • "white head and a light blue colour": Perhaps the gray jay, Perisoreus canadensis [AOU, 484]. Holmgren, 29. See also Lewis's entry of December 18, 1805.

    • Moulton (December 18, 1805):    Lewis's note from Codex R, covering zoology rather than the customary botany. The bird is the gray jay, Perisoreus canadensis [AOU, 484], a new species. Burroughs, 250–51; Holmgren, 29; Cutright (LCPN), 274, 436. The kingbird used for comparison is Tyrannus tyrannus [AOU, 444].

    • Moulton (January 3, 1806):
      • "small crow": probably the northwestern crow, Corvus caurinus [AOU, 489], a new species. Cutright (LCPN), 273, 432; Holmgren, 29.
      • "blue crested Corvus": [Steller's Jay]
      • "smaller corvus with a white breast": probably the gray jay.
      • "little brown ren": perhaps the winter wren.
      • "large brown sparrow": possibly the golden-crowned sparrow, Zonotrichia atricapilla [AOU, 557]. Burroughs, 258. The fox sparrow, Passerella iliaca [AOU, 585], has also been suggested. Holmgren, 33.
      • "bald eagle": [Bald Eagle]
      • "beatifull Buzzard of the columbia": [California Condor}

    • Cornell University's "All About Birds" website, 2010:    Western Scrub Jay: Birds along the Pacific Coast are sharply marked, with a bold blue necklace against white underparts and a distinct brown back. Great Basin birds (called "Woodhouse’s" scrub-jay and sometimes considered to be a different species) are grayer overall, the necklace is less contrasting, and the back patch is grayish blue.

    • See also entries for:


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  • Great Horned Owl ... (Dusky subspecies, St. Michael Horned Owl)
  • Great Horned Owl ... (Montana subspecies, Pale Horned Owl)
    L&C "large hooting owl"
    BOTH are NEW BIRDS

    Image, 2010, Ridgefield NWR, Washington, click to enlarge
    Click image to enlarge     		Great Horned Owl, Ridgefield NWR, Washington. Image taken July 18, 2010.

    Lewis, April 14, 1805, while at the entrance of the Little Missouri:
    "... one of the party killed a large hooting owl    I observed no difference between this burd and those of the same family common to the U' States, except that this appeared to be more booted and more thickly clad with feathers ..."


    Lewis, May 20, 1805, while in Montana:
    "... I saw two large Owls with remarkable long feathers on the sides of the head which resembled ears; I take them to be the large hooting owl tho: they are somewhat larger and their colours brighter than those common to the U' States. ..."


    Lewis, March 3, 1806, while at Fort Clatsop:
    "... we also met with the large hooting Owl under the Rocky mountain on the Kooskoskee river. it did not appear to differ materially from those of our country. I think it's colours reather deeper and brighter than with us, particularly the redish brown.    it is the same size and form ..."

    Clark, September 13, 1806:
    "... Birds most Common the buzzard Crow the hotting owl and hawks, &c. &c.— ..."


    Commentary:

    • Patterson (what L&C described): large hooting owl
    • Patterson (conjectures, mostly from Coues, in Burroughs, 1961): Dusky Horned Owl
    • Patterson (current AOU equivalent): Great Horned Owl
    • Patterson (comments): Great Horned Owl, Dusky subspecies

    • Patterson (what L&C described): large hooting owl
    • Patterson (conjectures, mostly from Coues, in Burroughs, 1961): Montana Great Horned Owl
    • Patterson (current AOU equivalent): Great Horned Owl
    • Patterson (comments): Great Horned Owl, Montana subspecies

    • Cutright: Dusky Horned Owl [AOU 375c], described by Lewis March 3, 1806, at Fort Clatsop, but stated seen on the Kooskooskee (Clearwater) in Idaho. Bubo virginianus saturatus (Ridgway, 1877).

    • Cutright: Montana Horned Owl [AOU 375j], discovered by Lewis, April 14, 1805, at Mountrail County, North Dakota. Bubo virginianus occidentalis (Stone, 1896).

    • Holmgren:    OWLS
      • "ear-like feathers" (5-20-05) long-eared owl, Asio otus, L. 1758.
      • "hooting" (4-14-05) great horned owl, Bubo virginianus, Gmelin 1788.
      • "iron grey" (5-29-06) no long ear tufts, great gray owl, Strix nebulosa, Forster 1772.
      • NOTE: Holmgren's 5-29-06 should read 5-28-06.

    • Johnsgard:    Great Horned Owl Bubo virginianus:    Captain Lewis reported that on April 14, 1805, the group shot a "large hooting owl." He believed it to be more "booted" (an ornithological term meaning that there are feathers on the lower leg or tarsus) and more generally feathered than the eastern form of this species. This is an interesting (albeit incorrect) ornithological point that testifies to Lewis's keen scientific interests.

    • Moulton (April 14, 1805):    The great horned owl, Bubo virginianus [AOU, 375]. Perhaps a subspecies, the Montana horned owl, B. v. occidentalis, and probably noted here for the first time. Cutright (LCPN), 129.

    • Moulton (May 20, 1805):    Probably the Montana horned owl; see April 14, 1805, and Burroughs, 208–9. Holmgren identifies it as the long-eared owl, Asio otus [AOU, 366]. Holmgren, 32.

    • Moulton (March 3, 1806):    Burroughs, 208–9, suggests either the Montana horned owl, Bubo virginianus occidentalis, or the dusky horned owl, B. v. saturatus. Both are now subsumed under the great horned owl, B. virginianus [AOU, 375]. See also April 14 and May 20, 1805.

    • Moulton (September 13, 1806):    Great horned owl, Bubo virginianus [AOU, 375]. Holmgren, 32.

    • The Avibase website has the "Dusky Horned Owl" listed as a St. Michael Horned Owl, Bubo virginianus saturatus (Ridgway, 1877), with the last listing being in AOU 5th edition, 33rd suppliment (after 1957) when all subspecies of Great Horned Owl were lumped together as Bubo virginianus.

    • The Avibase website has the "Montana Horned Owl" listed as a Pale Horned Owl, Bubo virginianus occidentalis (Stone, 1896), with the last listing being in AOU 5th edition, 33rd suppliment (after 1957) when all subspecies of Great Horned Owl were lumped together as Bubo virginianus.


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  • Greater Sage Grouse
    L&C "mountain cock", "large species of heath hen", "Cock of the Plains"
    NEW BIRD

    Weather diary, June 5, 1805:
    "... rained considerably    some Snow fell on the mounts.    great numbers of the sparrows larks, Curloos and other small birds common to praries are now laying their eggs and seting, their nests are in great abundance.    the large batt, or night hawk appears.    the Turkey buzzard appears.—    first saw the mountain cock near the entrance of Maria's river.— ..."


    Lewis, June 5, 1805:
    "... saw a flock of the mountain cock, or a large species of heath hen with a long pointed tail which the Indians informed us were common to the Rockey Mountains ..."


    Lewis, August 8, 1805:
    "... we also saw several of the heath cock with a long pointed tail and an uniform dark brown colour but could not kill one of them.    they are much larger than the common dunghill fowls, and in their [h]abits and manner of flying resemble the growse or prarie hen. ..."


    Lewis, March 2, 1806, while at Fort Clatsop:
    "... The Cock of the Plains is found in the plains of Columbia and are in Great abundance from the entrance of the S. E. fork of the Columbia to that of Clark's river.    this bird is about ?rds the size of a turkey.    ... [description omitted here] ...    the habits of this bird are much the same as those of the grouse.    only that the food of this fowl is almost entirely that of the leaf and buds of the pulpy leafed thorn;    nor do I ever recollect seeing this bird but in the neighbourhood of that shrub.    they sometimes feed on the prickley pear.    ... [description omitted here] ...    when they fly they make a cackling noise something like the dunghill fowl.    the following is a likeness of the head and beak.    [Lewis included a sketch]    the flesh of the cock of the Plains is dark, and only tolerable in point of flavor. I do not think it as good as either the Pheasant or Grouse.—    it is invariably found in the plains.— The feathers about it's head are pointed and stif some hairs about the base of the beak.    feathers short fine and stif about the ears. ..."


    Commentary:

    • Patterson (what L&C described): large heath hen
    • Patterson (conjectures, mostly from Coues, in Burroughs, 1961): Sage Grouse
    • Patterson (current AOU equivalent): Greater Sage Grouse

    • Cutright: Sage Grouse [AOU 309], discovered by Lewis, June 5, 1805, on Marias River, Montana. Centrocercus urophasianus urophasianus (Bonaparte, 1827).

    • Holmgren:    COCK and/or HEN
      • "heath" (6-5-05) Tympanuchus cupido cupido, L. 1758. Subspecific with greater prairie-chicken, Tympanuchus cupido pinnatus, Brewster 1885. A bird of Atlantic sea board range, extinct since 1932, used here for size comparison.
      • "Indian" (6-20-04) greater prairie-chicken.
      • "mountain" (6-5-05) alternate name for sage grouse, Centrocercus urophasianus, Bonaparte 1827, usually known in the journals as cock-of-the-plains, but also as large heath cock (8-12-05).
      • "plains" (8-20-05) sage grouse.
      • "prairie cock" (10-2-04) greater prairie-chicken.
      • "large prairie cock" (10-17-05) sage grouse.
      • "prairie hen with pointed tail" (5-22-05) sharp-tailed grouse, Tympananuchus phasianellus, L. 1758. Formerly Pedioecetes phasianellus

    • Johnsgard:   Greater Sage-grouse Centrocercus urophasianus:    One of the species definitely discovered by Lewis and Clark is this large sage-adapted grouse. It was first seen on June 5, 1805, near the Marias River in Montana, when an attempt to kill one was unsuccessful. Others were seen at Lemhi Pass in the Beaverhead Mountains on August 12 of that year, but it was not until October 17 that several were actually shot. Both Lewis and Clark provided detailed descriptions of the species, Clark calling it the "prarie cock" and Lewis the "cock of the plains." Lewis also first described the species' unusual saclike gizzard, describing it as more like a "maw" (crop) than a typical muscular grinding organ. He said this grouse feeds almost entirely on the "pulpy leafed thorn," presumably confusing the relatively inedible black greasewood with the bird's actual primary (almost sole) food, the highly nutritious leaves of big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata). John J. Audubon used Lewis's' suggested name "cock of the plains" when he painted the species about three decades later. Greater sage-grouse populations have plummeted in recent decades, as the West's once-vast areas of native sagebrush have been progressively cleared.

    • Moulton (Weather diary, June 5, 1805):
      • The sparrows could be any of a number of small brown birds.
      • The larks are similarly unidentifiable,
      • as are the "Curloos" which could be any shorebird with a long bill. Holmgren, 29, 33.
      • The "large batt, or night hawk" is again the common nighthawk.
      • The turkey vulture, Cathartes aura [AOU, 325], already known to science. Holmgren, 28; Burroughs, 203–4.
      • The sage grouse, Centrocercus urophasianus [AOU, 309], then unknown to science. Lewis gave a detailed description on March 2, 1806. Cutright (LCPN), 157; Burroughs, 213–15.

    • Moulton (June 5, 1805):    The sage grouse, Centrocercus urophasianus [AOU, 309], then unknown to science. Lewis gave a detailed description on March 2, 1806. Cutright (LCPN), 157; Burroughs, 213–15. (Passage refers to Lewis's "mountain cock", while the "heath hen" is used for comparison.)

    • Moulton (August 12, 1805): <   Sage grouse, Centrocercus urophasianus [AOU, 8]. Lewis compares it to the barnyard chicken and the sharp-tailed grouse, Tympanuchus phasianellus [AOU, 308].


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  • Greater White-fronted Goose ... (Tundra White-fronted Goose)
    L&C "new brant sp."
    NEW BIRD

    Image, 2008, Ridgefield NWR, Washington, click to enlarge Image, 2008, Ridgefield NWR, Washington, click to enlarge
    Click image to enlarge     		Greater White-fronted Goose, Ridgefield NWR, Washington. Left image taken November 16, 2008. Right image taken May 26, 2007.

    Lewis, March 15, 1806, while at Fort Clatsop:
    "... There is a third speceis of brant in the neighbourhood of this place which is about the size and much the form of the pided brant.    they weight about 8 1/2 lbs.    the wings are not as long nor so pointed as those of the common pided brant.    the following is a likeness of it's head and beak.    a little distance around the base of the beak is white and is suddonly succeeded by a narrow line of dark brown.    the ballance of the neck, head, back, wings, and tail all except the tips of the feathers are of the bluish brown of the common wild goose.    the breast and belly are white with an irregular mixture of black feathers which give that part a pided appearance.    from the legs back underneath the tail, and arond the junction of the same with the body above, the feathers are white.    the tail is composed of 18 feathers; the longest of which are in the center and measure 6 Inches with the barrel of the quill; those sides of the tail are something shorter and bend with their extremeties inwards towards the center of the tail.    the extremities of these feathers are white.    the beak is of a light flesh colour.    the legs and feet which do not differ in structure from those of the goose or brant of the other speceis, are of an orrange yellow colour.    the eye is small; the iris is a dark yellowish brown, and pupil black.    the note of this brant is much that of the common pided brant from which in fact they are not to be distinguished at a distance, but they certainly are a distinct speis of brant.    the flesh of this fowl is as good as that of the common pided brant.    they not remain here during the winter in such numbers as the white brant do, tho' they have now returned in considerable quantities.    first saw them below tide-water. ..."


    Commentary:

    • Patterson (what L&C described): new brant sp.
    • Patterson (conjectures, mostly from Coues, in Burroughs, 1961): White-fronted Goose
    • Patterson (current AOU equivalent): White-fronted Goose
    • Patterson (comments): White-fronted Goose, L&C drawing and detailed description

    • Cutright: White-fronted Goose [AOU 171], described by Lewis, March 15, 1806, at Fort Clatsop. Anser alibfrons frontalis (Baird, 1858).

    • Holmgren:    BRANT
      • "pided (pied)" (3-15-06), greater white fronted goose, Anser albifrons, Scopoli 1769. Larger, well described and pictured. (NOTE: in error, see below).

    • Moulton (March 15, 1806): The first description of the greater white-fronted goose, Anser albifrons [AOU, 171]. Burroughs, 197–98. A red vertical line goes through the first few lines of this passage, perhaps placed by Biddle. A sketch of the greater white-fronted goose's head in Lewis's Codex J, p. 131. Another sketch of the greater white-fronted goose's head from Clark's Voorhis No. 2.

    • NOTE: no reference in Lewis, March 15, 1806, calling the Greater White-fronted Goose a "pided brant". Lewis makes comparisons of the Greater White-fronted Goose TO THE "common pided brant" and TO THE "pied brant", today known as the Brant. Coues however stated the "pied brant" was the Greater White-fronted Goose, most likely where this error originated. See Coues below.

    • Coues (vol.III, 1893):
      • The brant are of three kinds: the white, the brown, and the pied.
      • The white brant [snow-goose, chen hyperboreus] are very common on the shores of the Pacific, particularly below the [tide-]water, where they remain in vast numbers during the winter. They feed, like the swan and geese, on the grass, roots, and seeds which grow in the marshes. This bird is about the size of the brown brant, or a third less than the common Canadian wild goose; ...
      • The brown brant [Bernicla brenta] are much of the same color, form, and size as the white, only that their wings are considerably longer and more pointed. The plumage of the upper part of the body, neck, head, and tail, is much the color of the Canadian goose, but somewhat darker, in consequence of some dark feathers irregularly scattered throughout; they have not the same white on the neck and sides of the head as the goose, nor is the neck darker than the body; like the goose, ... There is no difference between this bird and that called simply the brant, so common on the Lakes and on the Ohio and Mississippi.
      • The pied brant [Anser albifrons gambels] weigh about 8 1/2 pounds; they differ from the ordinary pied [read brown] brant in their wings, which are neither so long nor so pointed. ... the breast and belly are white, with an irregular mixture of black feathers, which give those parts a pied appearance [whence this goose is commonly called "speckle-belly" in California]. ...

    • Sibley:    Three populations are distinguished, but differences are rather slight and many birds are intermediate. Tundra breeders are smallest and palest. Taiga breeders, especially Tule Goose (nesting in south-central Alaska, wintering in northern California), are 10 percent larger, 15 percent longer-billed, darker brown, often showing yellow orbital ring and average less black on belly and more white on face than Tundra. Greenland breeders (wintering in Ireland, rare on our Atlantic coast) are medium-size, darkest overall with slaty cast, and have long orange bill (more pinkish on others), narrow pale edges on back feathers, and more black on belly.

    • NOTE: Lewis and Clark are given credit for discovering the Greater White-fronted Goose variety Anser alibfrons frontalis, once known as the "Tundra White-fronted Goose" (Baird, 1858), and last listed in AOU 5th edition (1957).

    • See also entries for:


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  • Hairy Woodpecker ... (Cabanis's Woodpecker)
  • Hairy Woodpecker ... (Harris's Woodpecker)
  • Downy Woodpecker
    L&C "speckled woodpecker", "small speckled woodpecker", small speckled woodpecker with a white back
    BOTH subspecies of Hairy Woodpeckers are NEW BIRDS, the Downy Woodpecker is not

    Image, 2009, Lacamas Lake, Washington, click to enlarge Image, 2010, Lacamas Lake, Washington, click to enlarge
    Click image to enlarge     		Hairy Woodpecker, female (left) and Downy Woodpecker, male (right). Left image taken January 28, 2009. Right image taken January 29, 2010. Both images taken Lacamas Lake, Washington.

    Weather diary, February 8, 1805, while at Fort Mandan:
    "... the Black & white & Speckled woodpecker has returned ...


    Weather diary, April 8, 1805, while at Fort Mandan:
    "... the only birds that I obseved during the winter at Fort Mandan was the Missouri Magpie, a bird of the Corvus genus, the raven in immence numbers the small woodpecker or sapsucker as they are sometimes called, the beautifull eagle, or calumet bird, so called from the circumstance of the natives decorating their pipe-stems with it's plumage and the Prarie Hen or grouse. ..."


    Lewis, April 5, 1806, in the Washougal/Sandy River area:
    "... Saw the Log cock, the hummingbird, gees ducks &c today.    ...    we measured a fallen tree of fir No. 1 which was 318 feet including the stump which was about 6 feet high.    this tree was only about 3 1/2 feet in diameter.    we saw the martin, small gees, the small speckled woodpecker with a white back, the Blue crested Corvus, ravens, crows, eagles Vultures and hawks. ..."


    Lewis, June 15, 1806, while on the Lolo Trail:
    "... Saw the speckled woodpecker, bee martin [Western Kingbird] and log cock or large woodpecker [Pileated Woodpecker].    found the nest of a humming bird,    it had just began to lay its eggs [Broad-tailed Hummingbird] ..."


    Commentary:

    • Patterson (what L&C described): speckled woodpecker
    • Patterson (conjectures, mostly from Coues, in Burroughs, 1961): Rocky Mountain Hairy Woodpecker
    • Patterson (current AOU equivalent): Hairy Woodpecker

    • Patterson (what L&C described): small speckled woodpecker
    • Patterson (conjectures, mostly from Coues, in Burroughs, 1961): Harris' Woodpecker
    • Patterson (current AOU equivalent): Hairy Woodpecker

    • Patterson (what L&C described): small black and white woodpecker
    • Patterson (conjectures, mostly from Coues, in Burroughs, 1961): Downy Woodpecker
    • Patterson (current AOU equivalent): Downy Woodpecker

    • Patterson (comments): Comments on woodpeckers: speckled woodpecker easily describes both Hairy and Downy Woodpecker, but also is sufficient for Three-toed Woodpecker and Red-napped Sapsucker. This is another case where species which share a common, generalized description were probably lumped together. Even the account assigned to Red-breasted Sapsucker, which is almost certainly correct, has some room for doubt given that Lewis says "saw a white woodpecker with a red head of the small kind common to the United States".

    • Cutright: Cabanis's Woodpecker [AOU 393d], seen by Lewis, June 15, 1806, on Lolo Trail. Dendrocopos villosus hyloscopus (Cabanis and Heine, 1863).

    • Cutright: Harris's Woodpecker [AOU 393c], referred to by Lewis, April 5, 1806, above the mouth of the Willamette River, Oregon. Dendrocopos villosus harrisi (Audubon, 1838).

    • Holmgren:    WOODPECKERS
      • "black-and-white speckled" (2-8-05, 4-8-05) yellow-bellied sapsucker,Sphyrapicus varius, L. 1766. Also known to Lewis and Clark as "small speckled woodpecker".
      • "black-and-white speckled with white back" (4-4-06) downy woodpecker, Picoides pubescens, L. 1766. These two species are almost identical except for size. The downy is slightly smaller and usually more abundant. Formerly each was divided into several sub-species, not easily distinguished, and placed in genus Dendrocopos. (NOTE: obviously something missing here, am assuming it's the Hairy Woodpecker).

    • Johnsgard:   Hairy Woodpecker Picoides villosus or Downy Woodpecker Picoides pubescens: &nbps;  No specific mention was made of these fairly widespread species. In the expedition's Meteorological Register of February 8, 1805, it was noted that the "black-and-white speckled woodpecker" had returned to Fort Mandan. The larger hairy woodpecker is more likely to be found in North Dakota during February than is the downy, although the downy is perhaps generally somewhat more common than the hairy as a breeding species along the upper Missouri Valley. A hairy or downy woodpecker was also seen upstream from the mouth of the Musselshell River on May 18, 1805, in Montana.

    • Moulton (Weather diary, February 8, 1805):    The yellow-bellied sapsucker, Sphyrapicus varius [AOU, 402], has been suggested, Holmgren, 33.

    • Moulton (Weather diary, April 8, 1805):    The common raven, Corvus corax [AOU, 486], known to science and not described further.    Maybe either the hairy woodpecker, Picoides villosus [AOU, 393], or the downy woodpecker, P. pubescens [AOU, 394], although Holmgren suggests the yellow-bellied sapsucker, Sphyrapicus varius [AOU, 402]. Burroughs, 240-41; Holmgren, 33.    The calumet bird is the golden eagle, Aquila chrysaetos [AOU, 349]; prairie hen is the sharp-tailed grouse.

    • Moulton (April 5, 1806):
      • "logcock": the pileated woodpecker, Dryocopus pileatus [AOU, 405].
      • "hummingbird":
      • "martin": Perhaps the purple martin, Progne subis [AOU, 611]. Holmgren, 32.
      • "small gees":
      • "small speckled woodpecker with a white back": Either the hairy woodpecker, Picoides villosus [AOU, 393], or downy woodpecker, P. pubescens [AOU, 394]. Holmgren, 34; Burroughs, 240–41.
      • "Blue crested Corvus": Steller's jay, Cyanocitta stelleri [AOU, 478].
      • "ravens": Common raven, Corvus corax [AOU, 486].
      • "crows": Corvus brachyrhynchos [AOU, 488].
      • "eagle, vultures, and hawks":

    • Moulton (June 15, 1806):    Identified by Coues (HLC), 3:1044, as Cabanis's woodpecker, Dryobates villosus hyloscopus. Burroughs, 240, says that Cabanis's woodpecker is not found north of California, and declares this to be the Rocky Mountain hairy woodpecker, Dendrocopos villosus monticola. Cutright (LCPN), 433, agrees with Coues. Both are now subsumed under the hairy woodpecker, Picoides villosus [AOU, 393]. See also Holmgren, 34.

    • Avibase database shows AOU 5th edition, 33rd suppliment (after 1957) having all subspecies of Hairy Woodpeckers lumped together as Picoides villosus, and the Cabanis's Woodpecker last listed as Picoides villosus hyloscopus, the Rocky Mountain Hairy Woodpecker (Anthony, 1898) was listed as Picoides villosus monticola (previously Dendrocopos villosus monticola), and the Harris's Woodpecker last listed as Picoides villosus harrisi.

    • Cornell University's "All About Birds" website, (2010):    Hairy Woodpeckers vary a great deal over their broad range. Northern birds tend to be larger than southern. East of the Rockies they are white below with extensively spotted wings while western birds have much less spotting in the wings and narrower facial stripes. Birds in the Pacific Northwest are brown and black (rather than white and black); they look coffee-stained. Interestingly, Downy Woodpeckers show these same regional patterns of variation.

    • Sibley:    Variation, as in Downy, is marked but clinal. Pacific populations are dark and heavily marked. Interior West populations are whitish below but extensively black above. Most others (Taiga and Eastern) are whitish below with extensive white on back and wing coverts. Newfoundland population is darker, resembling Interior West birds.


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  • Horned Lark ... (Prairie Horned Lark)
    L&C "prairie lark"
    NEW BIRD

    Image, 2011, Broughton Beach, Columbia River, Oregon, click to enlarge Image, 2011, Broughton Beach, Columbia River, Oregon, click to enlarge
    Click image to enlarge     		Horned Lark, male (left) and female (right), Broughton Beach, Columbia River, Oregon. Image taken November 4, 2011.

    Weather diary, April 10, 1805, while at Fort Mandan:
    "... the prarie lark, bald Eagle, & the large plover have returned.    the grass begins to spring, and the leaf buds of the willow to appear.—    Chery birds disappear. ..."


    Weather diary, April 15, 1806:
    "... wind blew tolerably hard today after 10 A. M.    observed the Curloo and prarie lark. ..."


    Weather diary, April 16, 1806, while at Fort Rock, The Dalles, Oregon:
    "... at the rock fort camp saw the prarie lark, a speceis of the peawee, the blue crested fisher, the partycoloured corvus, and the black pheasant. ..."


    Lewis, July 1, 1806, where Lolo Creek empties into the Bitterroot River, Montana:
    "... the dove, the black woodpecker, the lark woodpecker, the logcock, the prarie lark, sandhill crain, prarie hen with the short and pointed tail, the robin, a speceis of brown plover, a few curloos, small black birds, ravens hawks and a variety of sparrows as well as the bee martin and the several species of Corvus genus are found in this vally. ..."


    Commentary:

    • Patterson (what L&C described): prairie lark
    • Patterson (conjectures, mostly from Coues, in Burroughs, 1961): Horned Lark
    • Patterson (current AOU equivalent): Horned Lark

    • Cutright: Prairie Horned Lark [AOU 474c], noted by Lewis, April 10, 1805, at Fort Mandan, North Dakota. Eremophila alpestris leucolaema (Coues 1874).

    • Holmgren:    LARKS
      • "prairie larks" (4-16-06) horned lark, Eromophila alpestris, L. 1758.

    • Johnsgard:   Horned Lark Eremophila alpestris:    This species, which Captain Clark called the "ren or Prairie burd," was seen in "great numbers" near Spirit Mound in what is now Clay County, South Dakota, on August 25, 1804. This species was also noted to have returned seasonally to western North Dakota by April 10, 1805. Horned larks were again seen near Great Falls, Montana (June 19-25, 1805). They are still among the most common breeding birds of the shortgrass plains and are one of the few likely to overwinter as far north as North Dakota and Montana. Although called a "ren," the bird's seasonal timing and habitats as described by Lewis and Clark do not fit the house wren (Troglodytes aedon). Horned lark populations have decreased significantly in North America during the last four decades as grassland habitats have declined.

    • Moulton (Weather diary, April 10, 1805):    Perhaps the horned lark, Eremophila alpestris [AOU, 474]. Reid & Gannon, 19. The plover is the black-bellied plover, Pluvialis squatarola [AOU, 270].    ("Chery birds" are Cedar Waxwings).

    • Moulton (Weather diary, April 15, 1806):    Western meadowlark, Sturnella neglecta [AOU, 501.1]; see August 25, 1804. Or possibly the horned lark, Eremophila alpestris [AOU, 474]; see Weather Diary for April 1805. Holmgren, 31.

    • Moulton (Weather diary, April 16, 1806):
      • "prarie lark": Western Meadowlark or Horned Lark;
      • "speceis of the peawee": Probably Say's phoebe, Sayornis saya [AOU, 457]. Holmgren, 32. It is not mentioned in Clark's remarks.
      • "blue crested fisher": Belted Kingfisher,
      • "partycoloured corvus": Black-billed Magpie,
      • "black pheasant": Sooty or Dusky Grouse.

    • Moulton (July 1, 1806):
      • "dove": Mourning dove, Zenaida macroura [AOU, 316]. Holmgren, 34.
      • "black woodpecker": Lewis's woodpecker, Melanerpes lewis [AOU, 408]; see May 27, 1806. Holmgren, 34; Burroughs, 239–40.
      • "lark woodpecker": Common, or northern, flicker, Colaptes auratus [AOU, 412]. Burroughs, 241–42; Holmgren, 34.
      • "logcock": [Pileated Woodpecker]
      • "prarie lark": Probably the horned lark, Eremophila alpestris [AOU, 474]. Holmgren, 31.
      • "sandhill crain": [Sandhill Crane]
      • "prarie hen with the short and pointed tail": Sharp-tailed grouse, Tympanuchus phasianellus [AOU, 308]; see March 1, 1806. Holmgren, 29; Burroughs, 213.
      • "robin": American robin, Turdus migratorius [AOU, 761].
      • "a speceis of brown plover": Probably the upland sandpiper, Bartramia longicauda [AOU, 261]; see July 22, 1805. Holmgren, 33; Burroughs, 227.
      • "curloos":
      • "small black birds": Either the rusty blackbird, Euphagus carolinus [AOU, 509], or Brewer's blackbird, E. cyanocephalus [AOU, 510]. Holmgren, 28.
      • "ravens": Common raven, Corvus corax [AOU, 486].
      • "hawks":
      • "variety of sparrows":
      • "bee martin": Either the eastern kingbird, Tyrannus tyrannus [AOU, 444], or the western kingbird, more likely the latter.
      • "several species of Corvus genus":

    • See also entries for:


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  • Lark Bunting
    L&C "large sparrow with white tail"
    possible NEW BIRD

    Weather diary, June 5, 1805:
    "... rained considerably    some Snow fell on the mounts.    great numbers of the sparrows larks, Curloos and other small birds common to praries are now laying their eggs and seting, their nests are in great abundance.    the large batt, or night hawk appears.    the Turkey buzzard appears.—    first saw the mountain cock near the entrance of Maria's river.— ..."


    Clark, June 23, 1805:
    "... an emence number of Prarie birds now Setting of two kinds one larger than a Sparrow dark yellow the Center feathers of its tail yellow & the out Sides black Some Streeks about its neck, the other about the Same Size White tail ..."


    Commentary:

    • Patterson (what L&C described): large sparrow with white tail
    • Patterson (conjectures, mostly from Coues, in Burroughs, 1961): Lark-Bunting
    • Patterson (current AOU equivalent): Lark Bunting

    • Moulton (Weather diary, June 5, 1805):
      • The sparrows could be any of a number of small brown birds.
      • The larks are similarly unidentifiable,
      • as are the "Curloos" which could be any shorebird with a long bill. Holmgren, 29, 33.
      • The "large batt, or night hawk" is again the common nighthawk.
      • The turkey vulture, Cathartes aura [AOU, 325], already known to science. Holmgren, 28; Burroughs, 203–4.
      • The sage grouse, Centrocercus urophasianus [AOU, 309], then unknown to science. Lewis gave a detailed description on March 2, 1806. Cutright (LCPN), 157; Burroughs, 213–15.

    • Moulton (June 23, 1805):    Neither of these birds can be identified with any certainty. The second one may be the lark bunting, Calamospiza melanocorys [AOU, 605], then new to science. Burroughs, 258.


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  • Least Tern
    L&C "aquatic bird"
    NEW BIRD

    Lewis, August 5, 1804:
    "... I have frequently observed an acquatic bird [EC: sterna antillarum] in the cours of asscending this river but have never been able to procure one before today, this day I was so fortunate as to kill two of them, they are here more plenty than on the river below.    they lay their eggs on the sand bars without shelter or nest, and produce their young from the 15th to the last of June, the young ones of which we caught several are covered with down of a yellowish white colour and on the back some small specks of a dark brown.    they bear a great resemblance to the young quale of ten days oald, and apear like them to be able to runabout and peck their food as soon as they are hatched—    this bird, lives on small fish, worms and bugs which it takes on the virge of the water    it is seldom seen to light on trees an qu[i]te as seldom do they lite in the water and swim tho' the foot would indicate that they did it's being webbed    I believe them to be a native of this country and probly a constant resident.—    ... [description omitted here] ...    this bird is very noysey when flying which is does exttreemly swift    the motion of the wing is much like that of kildee    it has two notes one like the squaking of a small pig only on reather a high kee, and the other kit'-tee'-kit'-tee'- as near as letters can express the sound— ... [rest of passage omitted] ..."


    Commentary:

    • Patterson (what L&C described): aquatic bird
    • Patterson (conjectures, mostly from Coues, in Burroughs, 1961): Least Tern
    • Patterson (current AOU equivalent): Least Tern

    • Cutright: Least Tern [AOU 74], fully described by Lewis, August 5, 1804, on the Missouri River, Nebraska. Sterna albifrons antillarum.

    • Holmgren:    AQUATIC BIRD (8-5-04) least tern, Sterna antillarum, Lesson 1847. Well described.

    • Johnsgard:   Interior Least Tern Sterna antillarum athalassos:    A specimen of the least tern was shot in what is now Washington County, Nebraska, on August 5, 1804. Lewis carefully described it, and he should have been given full credit for discovering the species, but it was not formally described until 1843, from a specimen obtained in the West Indies. As with the piping plover, the middle Missouri River has long been a major nesting region for this subspecies, which is now nationally endangered. Like the piping plover, the least tern evolved in an environment adapted to falling water levels during late spring, rather than today's generally increasing water levels of the middle and lower Missouri River in the spring, when water is released from upstream dams to facilitate summer barge traffic.

    • Moulton (August 5, 1804):    The "acquatic bird" is the least tern, Sterna antillarum [AOU, 74]. The bird used for comparison is the killdeer, Charadrius vociferus [AOU, 273]. Burroughs, 231–32.


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  • Lewis's Woodpecker
    L&C "black woodpecker"
    NEW BIRD

    Image, 2010, Mosier, Oregon, click to enlarge Image, 2010, Mosier, Oregon, click to enlarge
    Click image to enlarge     		Lewis's Woodpecker, Mosier, Oregon. Image taken April 25, 2010.

    Lewis, July 20, 1805, just north of Helena, Montana:
    "... I saw a black woodpecker today about the size of the lark woodpecker as black as a crow. I indevoured to get a shoot at it but could not.    it is a distinct species of woodpecker; it has a long tail and flys a good deel like the jay bird ..."


    Lewis, May 27, 1806, while in Idaho:
    "... The Black woodpecker which I have frequently mentioned and which is found in most parts of the roky Mountains as well as the Western and S. W. mountains. I had never an opportunity of examining untill a few days since when we killed and preserved several of them.    this bird is about the size of the lark woodpecker of the turtle dove, tho' it's wings are longer than either of those birds. the beak is black, one inch long, reather wide at the base, somewhat curved, and sharply pointed; the chaps are of equal length.    arround the base of the beak including the eye and a small part of the throat is of a fine crimson red. the neck and as low as the croop in front is of an iron grey.    the belly and breast is a curious mixture of white and blood reed which has much the appearance of having been artifically painted or stained of that colour.    the red reather predominates.    the top of the head back, sides, upper surface of the wings and tail are black, with a gossey tint of green in a certain exposure to the light.    the under side of the wings and tail are of a sooty black.    it has ten feathers in the tail, sharply pointed, and those in the center reather longest, being 2½ inches in length.    the tongue is barbed, pointed, and of an elastic cartelaginous substance.    the eye is moderately large, puple black and iris of a dark yellowish brown.    this bird in it's action when flying resembles the small redheaded woodpecke [Red-headed Woodpecker] common to the Atlantic states;    it's note also somewhat resembles that bird.    the pointed tail seems to assist it in seting with more eas or retaining it its resting position against the perpendicular side of a tree.    the legs and feet are black and covered with wide imbricated scales.    it has four toes on each foot of which two are in rear and two in front; the nails are much curved long and remarkably keen or sharply pointed.    it feeds on bugs worms and a variety of insects ..."


    Lewis, July 1, 1806, where Lolo Creek empties into the Bitterroot River, Montana:
    "... the dove, the black woodpecker, the lark woodpecker, the logcock, the prarie lark, sandhill crain, prarie hen with the short and pointed tail, the robin, a speceis of brown plover, a few curloos, small black birds, ravens hawks and a variety of sparrows as well as the bee martin and the several species of Corvus genus are found in this vally. ..."


    Commentary:

    • Patterson (what L&C described): black woodpecker
    • Patterson (conjectures, mostly from Coues, in Burroughs, 1961): Lewis' Woodpecker
    • Patterson (current AOU equivalent): Lewis' Woodpecker
    • Patterson (comments): specimen brought back

    • Cutright: Lewis's Woodpecker [AOU 408], discovered by Lewis, July 20, 1805, north of Helena, Lewis and Clark Co., Montana. Asyndesmus lewis (Gray, Wilson, 1811).

    • Holmgren:    WOODPECKERS
      • "black" (7-20-05) Lewis's woodpecker, Melanerpes lewis, Wilson 1811. Formerly Asyndesmus lewis The feathers of nape, back and tail are blackish, glossed with bottle-green, but appear black in poor light and from a distance. The face is dark red, the upper breast and collar gray and the belly a bright pinkish red which Lewis described as looking "artificially painted or stained" (Thwaites, Reuben G., vol.5, p.70). He also mentioned its crow-like flight.

    • Johnsgard:   Lewis's Woodpecker Melanerpes lewis:    One of the major ornithological discoveries of the expedition was Captain Lewis's discovery of the woodpecker that now bears his name. On July 20, 1805, along Prickly Pear Creek and near present-day Helena, Montana, Lewis first saw a "black woodpecker (or crow)." He judged it to be about the size of a flicker but as black as a crow. He was not able to obtain a specimen until May of 1806, when in Idaho the expedition members "killed and preserved several." He then provided a highly detailed description of the bird, and at least one of the preserved specimens made its way back east, where it eventually ended up in the hands of Charles W. Peale, curator of the Philadelphia Museum housed in Independence Hall. The specimen that Alexander Wilson used to illustrate the species for the first time was one of those collected by Lewis and Clark, and it was named "Lewis's woodpecker." Wilson's original sketches of this woodpecker and of Clark's nutcracker (Nucifraga columbiana), similarly named after Captain Clark, are still present in the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia. Like the red-headed woodpecker, the Lewis's woodpecker is distinctly migratory and often occurs well away from dense woods. Its population numbers have not changed significantly in the past four decades.

    • Moulton (July 20, 1805):    The first description of Lewis's woodpecker, Melanerpes lewis [AOU, 408], more fully described on May 27, 1806. Perhaps the only remaining zoological specimen of the expedition is the skin of a Lewis's woodpecker, now in the Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University. Burroughs, 239–40; Cutright (LCPN), 173, 453.

    • Moulton (May 27, 1806):    Lewis's woodpecker, previously noted but now fully described for the first time. This may be the specimen at Harvard University, probably the expedition's only zoological specimen to survive. Cutright (LCPN), 173, 296, 430, 453. The "lark woodpecker" is the northern flicker, Colaptes auratus [AOU, 412], and the "turtle dove" is the mourning dove, Zenaida macroura [AOU, 316].

    • Moulton (July 1, 1806):
      • "dove": Mourning dove, Zenaida macroura [AOU, 316]. Holmgren, 34.
      • "black woodpecker": Lewis's woodpecker, Melanerpes lewis [AOU, 408]; see May 27, 1806. Holmgren, 34; Burroughs, 239–40.
      • "lark woodpecker": Common, or northern, flicker, Colaptes auratus [AOU, 412]. Burroughs, 241–42; Holmgren, 34.
      • "logcock": [Pileated Woodpecker]
      • "prarie lark": Probably the horned lark, Eremophila alpestris [AOU, 474]. Holmgren, 31.
      • "sandhill crain": [Sandhill Crane]
      • "prarie hen with the short and pointed tail": Sharp-tailed grouse, Tympanuchus phasianellus [AOU, 308]; see March 1, 1806. Holmgren, 29; Burroughs, 213.
      • "robin": American robin, Turdus migratorius [AOU, 761].
      • "a speceis of brown plover": Probably the upland sandpiper, Bartramia longicauda [AOU, 261]; see July 22, 1805. Holmgren, 33; Burroughs, 227.
      • "curloos":
      • "small black birds": Either the rusty blackbird, Euphagus carolinus [AOU, 509], or Brewer's blackbird, E. cyanocephalus [AOU, 510]. Holmgren, 28.
      • "ravens": Common raven, Corvus corax [AOU, 486].
      • "hawks":
      • "variety of sparrows":
      • "bee martin": Either the eastern kingbird, Tyrannus tyrannus [AOU, 444], or the western kingbird, more likely the latter.
      • "several species of Corvus genus":


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  • Loggerhead Shrike ... (White-rumped Shrike)
    L&C "catbird-sized with large convex beak"
    NEW BIRD

    Image, 2011, Woodland, Washington, click to enlarge
    Click image to enlarge     		Northern Shrike, "cousin" to the Loggerhead Shrike. Image taken April 17, 2011, Woodland, Washington.

    Lewis, June 10, 1805:
    "... I saw a small bird today which I do not recollect ever having seen before.    it is about the size of the blue thrush or catbird, and it's contour not unlike that bird.    the beak is convex, moderately curved, black, smoth, and large in proportion to its' size.    the legs were black, it had four toes of the same colour on eah foot, and the nails appeared long and somewhat in form like the tallons of the haulk, the eye black and proportionably large.    a bluish brown colour occupyed the head, neck, and back, the belly was white; the tail was reather long in proportion and appeared to be composed of feathers of equal length of which a part of those in the center were white the others black.    the wings were long and were also varigated with white and black.    on each side of the head from the beak back to the neck a small black stripe extended imbrasing the eye.    it appeared to be very busy in catching insects which I presume is it's usual food; I found the nest of this little bird, the female which differed but little in size or plumage from the male was seting on four eggs of a pale blue colour with small black freckles or dots. ..."


    Commentary:

    • Patterson (what L&C described): catbird-sized with large convex beak
    • Patterson (conjectures, mostly from Coues, in Burroughs, 1961): White-rumped Shrike
    • Patterson (current AOU equivalent): Loggerhead Shrike

    • Cutright: White-rumped Shrike [AOU 622a], described by Lewis, June 10, 1805, at mouth of Marias River, Montana. Lanius ludovicianus excubitorides (Swainson, 1831).

    • Holmgren:    CATBIRD (6-10-05) gray catbird, Dumetella carolinensis, L. 1758. Used only for size comparison for unfamiliar species, loggerhead shrike, Lanius Hudovicianus, L. 1766.

    • Johnsgard:   Loggerhead Shrike Lanius ludovicianus:    Captain Lewis discovered the nest and eggs of the loggerhead shrike on June 10, 1805, near the mouth of the Marias River in Montana. He described it in considerable detail, thinking the species might be new to science. However, it later was recognized as an undescribed subspecies of an already known species. Lewis noted the shrike's hawklike claws and judged it to be a predator of insects. It is now known to prey also on a wide variety of animals, including both small mammals and birds. It is characteristic of open, often arid, country. Loggerhead shrike populations have declined significantly in North America during the last four decades.

    • Moulton (June 10, 1805):    Cited as the first description of the white-rumped shrike, Lanius ludovicianus excubitorides, the western form of the loggerhead shrike; it is no longer considered a separate subspecies of the loggerhead, L. ludovicianus [AOU, 622]. Cutright (LCPN), 157. The birds used for comparison are the eastern bluebird, Sialia sialis [AOU, 766], and the gray catbird, Dumetella carolinensis [AOU, 704]. Holmgren, 29, 33.

    • See also entries for:


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  • Long-billed Curlew
    L&C "brown curloo", "large brown curloo"
    NEW BIRD

    Lewis, April 17, 1805, in Western North Dakota:
    "... Capt. Clark saw a Curlou today. ..."


    Lewis, June 4, 1805, while in Montana:
    "... In these plains I observed great numbers of the brown Curloos, a small species of curloo or plover of a brown colour about the size of the common snipe and not unlike it in form with a long celindric curved and pointed beak; it's wings are proportionately long and the tail short; in the act of liteing this bird lets itself down by an extention of it's wings without motion holding their points very much together above it's back, in this rispect differing ascentially from any bird I ever observed. ..."


    Lewis, June 22, 1805, near Great Falls, Montana:
    "... Saw a great number of buffaloe in the plains, also immence quantities of little birds and the large brown curloo; the latter is now seting; it lays it's eggs, which are of a p[a]le blue with black specks, on the ground without any preperation of a nest. ..."


    Lewis, August 3, 1805:    "... we saw many deer, Antelopes ducks, gees, some beaver and great appearance of their work. also a small bird and the Curlooe as usual ..."


    Lewis, March 5, 1806, while at Fort Clatsop:
    "... The common snipe of the marshes and the small sand snipe are the same of those common to the Atlantic Coast tho' the former are by no means as abundant here.    the prarrow of the woody country is also similar to ours but not abundant.    those of the plains of Columbia are the same with those of the Missouri, tho' they are by no means so abundant. I have not seen the little singing lark or the large brown Curloo so common to the plains of the Missouri, but I beleive that the latter is an inhabitant of this country during summer from Indian information. I have no doubt but what many species of birds found here in Autumn and Summer had departed before our arrival. ...


    Weather diary, April 15, 1806:
    "... wind blew tolerably hard today after 10 A. M.    observed the Curloo and prarie lark. ..."


    Lewis, April 24, 1806, while near Roosevelt, Washington:
    "... The curloos are abundant in these plains and are now laying their eggs. ..."


    Commentary:

    • Patterson (what L&C described): large brown curloo
    • Patterson (conjectures, mostly from Coues, in Burroughs, 1961): Long-billed Curlew
    • Patterson (current AOU equivalent): Long-billed Curlew
    • Patterson (comments): Comments on "plovers": Lewis and Clark use the terms plover and curlew very loosely. Of the descriptions given, only that for Willet is complete. The others are not particularly helpful and early interpreters of the journals were making a best guess. Most were recorded along the upper Missouri river in the spring and summer of 1805. Given that neither Common Snipe nor Spotted Sandpiper are mentioned, there are just too many possible choices to determine species with any confidence.

    • Cutright: Long-billed Curlew [AOU 264], observed by Lewis, June 22, 1805, at Great Falls, Montana ... also April 17, 1805, in western North Dakota. Numenius americanus americanus (Bechstein, 1812).

    • Holmgren:    CURLOO, CURLEW (4-17-05) any shorebird with long bill.
      • "brown" (6-4-05) long-billed curlew, Numenius americanus, Bechsten 1812.
      • "small" (6-4-05) of snipe size with curved beak, probably Eskimo curlew, Numenius borealis, Forster 1772.

    • Johnsgard:   Long-billed Curlew Numenius americanus:    On April 17, 1805, in northwestern North Dakota, the group saw a "curlue." A "brown curlue" was also noted on April 22, 1805, near the present Montana border. These most probably were long-billed curlews, as the smaller and arctic-nesting whimbrel (Numenius phaeopus) is very rare in Montana. Birds described as curlews were also later seen in Montana during the nesting season, near Great Falls (July 11-13, 1805) and near the present locations of Townsend (July 24, 1805) and Whitehall (August 3, 1805), all within the historic breeding range of long-billed curlews. Long-billed curlew populations have declined significantly in North America during the last four decades; these birds need large areas of native grasslands for breeding.

    • Moulton (April 17, 1805):    Probably the long-billed curlew, Numenius americanus [AOU, 264], and if so, a bird new to science. Cutright (LCPN), 125.

    • Moulton (June 4, 1805):    The long-billed curlew, although Holmgren believes Lewis describes two birds: "brown Curloos" and a "small species of curloo." The latter she supposes to be the Eskimo curlew, Numenius borealis [AOU, 266]. Holmgren, 29.

    • Moulton (June 22, 1805):   : The long-billed curlew (see above, April 17, 1805), but the eggs are either those of another bird or are poorly described. Burroughs, 226.

    • Moulton (August 3, 1805):    Probably the long-billed curlew, Numenius americanus [AOU, 264].

    • Moulton (March 5, 1806):    The common snipe, Gallinago gallinago [AOU, 230], and the spotted sandpiper, Actitis macularia [AOU, 263]. Holmgren, 33.    Probably the song sparrow, Melospiza melodia [AOU, 581].    Probably Sprague's pipit, Anthus spragueii [AOU, 700].    The long-billed curlew, Numenius americanus [AOU, 264]. Burroughs, 226–27.

    • Moulton (Weather diary, April 15, 1806):    Western meadowlark, Sturnella neglecta [AOU, 501.1]; see August 25, 1804. Or possibly the horned lark, Eremophila alpestris [AOU, 474]; see Weather Diary for April 1805. Holmgren, 31.

    • Moulton (April 24, 1806):    Perhaps the long-billed curlew, Numenius americanus [AOU, 264]. Holmgren, 29.


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  • McCown's Longspur
    L&C "large dark-brown sparrow with some white tail feathers"
    NEW BIRD

    Lewis, June 4, 1805:
    "... In these plains I observed great numbers of the brown Curloos ...    a number of sparrows also of three distinct species I observed.    also a small bird which in action resembles the lark,    it is about the size of a large sparrow of a dark brown colour with some white fathers in the tail; this bird or that which I take to be the male rises into the air about 60 feet and supporting itself in the air with a brisk motion of the wings sings very sweetly, has several shrill soft notes reather of the plaintive order which it frequently repeats and varies, after remaining stationary about a minute in his aireal station he descends obliquely occasionly pausing and accomnying his decension with a note something like "twit twit twit"; on the ground he is silent.    thirty or forty of these birds will be stationed in the air at a time in view, these larks as I shall call them add much to the gayety and cheerfullness of the scene. All those birds are now seting and laying their eggs in the plains; their little nests are to be seen in great abundance as we pass. ..."


    Commentary:

    • Patterson (what L&C described): large dark-brown sparrow with some white tail feathers
    • Patterson (conjectures, mostly from Coues, in Burroughs, 1961): McCown's Longspur
    • Patterson (current AOU equivalent): McCown's Longspur

    • Cutright: McCown's Longspur [AOU 593], discovered by Lewis, June 4, 1805, on Marias River, Montana. Rhynchophanes mccownii (Lawrence, 1851).

    • Holmgren:    LARK, "small" (6-4-05) McCown's longspur, Calcarius mccownii, Lawrence 1851. Formerly Rhynchophanes mccownii.

    • Johnsgard:   McCown's Longspur Calcarius mccownii:    One June 4, 1805, near the mouth of the Marias River in Montana, Lewis saw a sparrow-sized bird taking flight, singing, and then dropping back to earth. His detailed description leaves little doubt that he had observed the McCown's longspur in its aerial territorial display. This species was not officially described and named until 1851,more than four decades later. It is a typical species of arid shortgrass prairies, and its population appears to be declining rangewide.

    • Moulton (June 4, 1805):    McCown's longspur, Calcarius mccownii [AOU, 539], then new to science. Cutright (LCPN), 157.


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  • Mountain Quail
    L&C "blue partridge"
    NEW BIRD

    Image, 2011, Columbia Gorge Interpretive Center, Stevenson, Washington, click to enlarge
    Click image to enlarge     		Carving, Mountain Quail, Columbia Gorge Interpretive Center, Stevenson, Washington. Image taken July 15, 2011.

    Clark, April 6, 1806, above the mouth of the Washougal River, Washington:
    "... Reubin Field killed a bird of the Quail kind or Class which was whistleing near our Camp    it is [lar]ger than the quail or partridge as they are Called Kentucky and [Virg]inia.    it's form is presisely that of our partridge tho' its plumage differs in every part. ... [description omitted here] ...    this is a most butifull bird    I preserved the Skin of this bird retaining the wings feet & head which I hope will give a just Idea of the bird.    it's loud note it Single and Consists of a loud Squall, intirely different from the whistling of our partridge or quailes.    it has a chiping note when allarmed like our partridge.—  &bnsp; to day there was a Second of those birds killed which presisely resembles that just discribed. I believe those to be the mail bird the female, if so, I have not yet Seen. ..."

    Lewis, April 7, 1806, above the mouth of the Washougal River, Washington:
    "... last evening Reubin Fields killed a bird of the quail kind it is reather larger than the quail, or partridge as they are called in Virginia.    it's form is precisely that of our partridge tho' it's plumage differs in every part. ... [description omitted here] ...    this is a most beautifull bird. I preserved the skin of this bird retaining the wings feet and head which I hope will give a just idea of the bird. it's loud note is single and consists of a loud squall, intirely different from the whistling of our quales or partridge.    it has a cherping note when allarmed something like ours.— today there was a second of these birds killed by Capt C. which precisely resembled that just discribed I believe these to be the male bird the female, if so, I have not yet seen.— ..."


    Commentary:

    • Patterson (what L&C described): blue partridge
    • Patterson (conjectures, mostly from Coues, in Burroughs, 1961): Mountain Quail
    • Patterson (current AOU equivalent): Mountain Quail

    • Cutright: Mountain Quail [AOU 292a], discovered and described by Lewis, April 7, 1805, above mouth of Washougal River. Oreortyx pictus pictus (Douglas, 1829).

    • Holmgren:    PARTRIDGE (4-7-06) an English name mistakenly applied to American birds, especially the bobwhite (quail). See QUAIL.

    • Holmgren:    QUAIL (4-7-06) or partridge, Mountain quail, Oreortyx pictus, Douglas 1829. Preserved skin given to Charles Willson Peale to sketch for proposed book on the natural history of the Expedition to be published by the American Philosophical Society. The sketch is still extant, but book was never published.

    • Moulton (April 6, 1806):    The first description of the mountain quail, Oreortyx pictus [AOU, 292]. Clark is here probably copying Lewis's entry of the next day. The specimen is being compared with the northern bobwhite, Colinus virginianus [AOU, 289]. From the preserved skin Charles Willson Peale later made a drawing of the bird that is extant today at the American Philosophical Society, Philadelphia. Cutright (LCPN), 281, 288, 385 n. 92, 435–36; Burroughs, 219–20; Holmgren, 33.

    • Also see entries for:


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  • Mourning Dove ... (Western subspecies)
    L&C "turtledove", "turtle dove"
    NEW BIRD

    Image, 2008, Ridgefield NWR, Washington, click to enlarge
    Click image to enlarge     		Mourning Doves, Ridgefield NWR, Washington. Image taken October 1, 2008.

    Weather diary, May 8, 1805:    "... rain inconsiderable    a mear spinkle    the bald Eagle, of which there are great numbers, now have their young.    the turtledove appears. ..."


    Lewis, June 8, 1805, while in Montana:
    "... The river bottoms affording all the timber which is to be seen in the country they are filled with innumerable litle birds that resort thither either for shelter or to build their nests.    when sun began to shine today these birds appeared to be very gay and sung most inchantingly; I observed among them the brown thrush, Robbin, turtle dove, linnit goaldfinch, the large and small blackbird, wren and several other birds of less note ..."


    Lewis, March 4, 1806, while at Fort Clatsop:
    "... The turtle dove and robbin are the same of our country and are found as well in the plain as open country. ..."


    Weather diary, May 27, 1806:
    "... the dove is cooing which is the signal as the indians inform us of the approach of the salmon. The snow has disappeared on the high plains and seems to be diminishing fast on the spurs and lower region of the Rocky Mountains. ..."


    Lewis, July 1, 1806, where Lolo Creek empties into the Bitterroot River, Montana:
    "... the dove, the black woodpecker, the lark woodpecker, the logcock, the prarie lark, sandhill crain, prarie hen with the short and pointed tail, the robin, a speceis of brown plover, a few curloos, small black birds, ravens hawks and a variety of sparrows as well as the bee martin and the several species of Corvus genus are found in this vally. ..."


    Commentary:

    • Patterson (what L&C described): dove
    • Patterson (conjectures, mostly from Coues, in Burroughs, 1961): Mourning Dove
    • Patterson (current AOU equivalent): Mourning Dove

    • Cutright: Western Mourning Dove [AOU 316a], mentioned by Lewis, July 1, 1806, where Lolo Creek empties into the Bitteroot River, Montana. Zenaidura macroura marginella (Woodhouse, 1852).

    • Holmgren:    DOVE, cooing (5-27-06): Inidans believed that cooing doves in springtime courtship predicted return of salmon.

    • Holmgren:    TURTLEDOVE (6-8-05): This English name for a similar Eurasian dove species was given by early colonists to an American species, the mourning dove, Zenaida macroura, L. 1758. Formerly classified in genus Zenaidura.

    • Johnsgard:   Mourning Dove Zenaida macroura:    Few specific notes were made on this common and well-known species. In the expedition's Meteorological Register of May 8, 1805, it was noted that the "turtle dove" had returned to northeastern Montana, near Fort Peck. It was seen near the mouth of the Marias River on June 8, 1805. On the return trip of 1806 it was observed near the present-day locations of Missoula and Billings, near Great Falls, and on the upper Marias River. Mourning dove populations have declined significantly in North America during the last four decades; they are a highly adaptable but heavily hunted species.

    • Moulton (Weather diary, May 8, 1805):    The English name for a similar Eurasian species was given to the mourning dove, Zenaida macroura [AOU, 316], long before Lewis and Clark's time. Holmgren, 34; Burroughs, 234.

    • Moulton (June 8, 1805):
      • Burroughs questions Criswell's identification of the linnet as the pine siskin, Carduelis pinus [AOU, 533]. Holmgren says the term linnet was used for any small bird with a red crown, especially the common redpoll, C. flammea [AOU, 528], the purple finch, Carpodacus purpureus [AOU, 517], and the house finch, C. mexicanus [AOU, 519]. Burroughs, 259; Criswell, 53; Holmgren, 32.
      • Lewis's "goaldfinch" is the American goldfinch, Carduelis tristis [AOU, 529].
      • The wren may be the winter wren, Troglodytes troglodytes [AOU, 722], or any of several other birds. Holmgren, 34.

    • Moulton (July 1, 1806):
      • "dove": Mourning dove, Zenaida macroura [AOU, 316]. Holmgren, 34.
      • "black woodpecker": Lewis's woodpecker, Melanerpes lewis [AOU, 408]; see May 27, 1806. Holmgren, 34; Burroughs, 239–40.
      • "lark woodpecker": Common, or northern, flicker, Colaptes auratus [AOU, 412]. Burroughs, 241–42; Holmgren, 34.
      • "logcock": [Pileated Woodpecker]
      • "prarie lark": Probably the horned lark, Eremophila alpestris [AOU, 474]. Holmgren, 31.
      • "sandhill crain": [Sandhill Crane]
      • "prarie hen with the short and pointed tail": Sharp-tailed grouse, Tympanuchus phasianellus [AOU, 308]; see March 1, 1806. Holmgren, 29; Burroughs, 213.
      • "robin": American robin, Turdus migratorius [AOU, 761].
      • "a speceis of brown plover": Probably the upland sandpiper, Bartramia longicauda [AOU, 261]; see July 22, 1805. Holmgren, 33; Burroughs, 227.
      • "curloos":
      • "small black birds": Either the rusty blackbird, Euphagus carolinus [AOU, 509], or Brewer's blackbird, E. cyanocephalus [AOU, 510]. Holmgren, 28.
      • "ravens": Common raven, Corvus corax [AOU, 486].
      • "hawks":
      • "variety of sparrows":
      • "bee martin": Either the eastern kingbird, Tyrannus tyrannus [AOU, 444], or the western kingbird, more likely the latter.
      • "several species of Corvus genus":

    • Cornell's Birds of North America Online:    The Mourning Dove is among the most abundant and widespread terrestrial birds endemic to North and Middle America. Breeding populations of the two principal subspecies - the larger, grayish brown Zenaida macroura carolinensis (eastern) and the slightly smaller, paler Z. m. marginella (western) - occur in parts of southern Canada, all of the lower 48 states, and into temperate Mexico.


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  • Northern Flicker ... (yellow-shafted)
  • Northern Flicker ... (red-shafted)
    L&C "lark woodpecker", "lark woodpecker with yellow wings"
    Yellow-shafted is NEW BIRD, Red-shafted is not

    Image, 2009, Lacamas Lake, Washington, click to enlarge Image, 2010, Vancouver, Washington, click to enlarge
    Click image to enlarge     		Northern Flicker, yellow-shafted male (bird on left in left image) and red-shafted male (right). Left image taken October 7, 2009, Lacamas Lake, Washington. Right image taken April 1, 2010, Vancouver, Washington.

    Weather diary, April 11, 1805, while at Fort Mandan:
    "... The lark wood pecker, with yellow wings, and a black spot on the brest common to the U' States has appeared, with sundry small birds.—    many plants begin to appear above the ground.—    saw a large white gull today—    the Eagle is now laying their eggs, and the gees have mated.— ..."


    Lewis, March 4, 1806, while at Fort Clatsop:
    "... the large woodpecker or log cock, the lark woodpecker and the small white woodpecker with a read head are the same with those of the Atlantic states and are found exclusively in the timbered country ..."


    Lewis, July 1, 1806, where Lolo Creek empties into the Bitterroot River, Montana:
    "... the dove, the black woodpecker, the lark woodpecker, the logcock, the prarie lark, sandhill crain, prarie hen with the short and pointed tail, the robin, a speceis of brown plover, a few curloos, small black birds, ravens hawks and a variety of sparrows as well as the bee martin and the several species of Corvus genus are found in this vally. ..."


    Commentary:

    • Patterson (what L&C described): lark woodpecker
    • Patterson (conjectures, mostly from Coues, in Burroughs, 1961): Northern Flicker
    • Patterson (current AOU equivalent): Northern Flicker
    • Patterson (comments): Northern Flicker, Yellow-shafted

    • Patterson (what L&C described): lark woodpecker
    • Patterson (conjectures, mostly from Coues, in Burroughs, 1961): Red-shafted Flicker
    • Patterson (current AOU equivalent): Northern Flicker
    • Patterson (comments): Northern Flicker, Red-shafted

    • Cutright: Northern Flicker [AOU 412a], reported by Lewis, April 11, 1805, at Fort Mandan, North Dakota. Colaptes auratus luteus (Bangs, 1898).

    • Holmgren:    WOODPECKERS
      • "lark-woodpecker" (4-11-05) this is a folk name for the flickers, given because both larks and flickers have a crescent-shaped black mark across the breast. Because Lewis's notes describe the yellow wing linings, it is the yellow-shafted flicker, Colaptes auratus auratus, now combined as a sub-species with the red-shafted, Colaptes auratus cafer, both now listed as norther flicker, Colaptes auratus, L. 1758. Surprisingly, there is no mention of the red wing linings, although this subspecies is much more common in the west.

    • Johnsgard:   Northern Flicker Colaptes auratus:    In Lewis's Meteorological Notes of April 11, 1805, he reported the spring arrival of the well-known "lark-woodpecker." His description perfectly fits the yellow-shafted form of the northern flicker. About four decades later, Audubon encountered flickers that were intermediate in plumage between the eastern yellow-shafted and western red-shafted types, along this same part of the upper Missouri Valley. At the time, the red-shafted was considered a separate species from the yellow-shafted, but they are now regarded as only racially distinct, as a broad zone of intermingled genetic types occurs in this general plains region. Northern flicker populations have declined significantly in North America during the last four decades, as have at least two other woodpecker species.

    • Moulton (Weather diary, April 11, 1805):
      The northern or common flicker, Colaptes auratus [AOU, 412]; here a yellow-shafted subspecies. Burroughs, 241; Holmgren, 34.

    • Moulton (March 4, 1806):
      • "large woodpecker or log cock": the Pileated Woodpecker, Dryocopus pileatus [AOU, 405]
      • "lark woodpecker": the Northern, or Common, Flicker, Colaptes auratus [AOU, 412], both new species. Logcock was a folk name for the Pileated Woodpecker while lark woodpecker was used for flickers. Burroughs, 241-42; Holmgren, 32, 34.
      • "small white woodpecker with a red head": the Red-breasted Sapsucker, Sphyrapicus ruber [AOU, 403], Burroughs, 241, Holmgren, 34.

    • Moulton (July 1, 1806):
      • "dove": Mourning dove, Zenaida macroura [AOU, 316]. Holmgren, 34.
      • "black woodpecker": Lewis's woodpecker, Melanerpes lewis [AOU, 408]; see May 27, 1806. Holmgren, 34; Burroughs, 239–40.
      • "lark woodpecker": Common, or northern, flicker, Colaptes auratus [AOU, 412]. Burroughs, 241–42; Holmgren, 34.
      • "logcock": [Pileated Woodpecker]
      • "prarie lark": Probably the horned lark, Eremophila alpestris [AOU, 474]. Holmgren, 31.
      • "sandhill crain": [Sandhill Crane]
      • "prarie hen with the short and pointed tail": Sharp-tailed grouse, Tympanuchus phasianellus [AOU, 308]; see March 1, 1806. Holmgren, 29; Burroughs, 213.
      • "robin": American robin, Turdus migratorius [AOU, 761].
      • "a speceis of brown plover": Probably the upland sandpiper, Bartramia longicauda [AOU, 261]; see July 22, 1805. Holmgren, 33; Burroughs, 227.
      • "curloos":
      • "small black birds": Either the rusty blackbird, Euphagus carolinus [AOU, 509], or Brewer's blackbird, E. cyanocephalus [AOU, 510]. Holmgren, 28.
      • "ravens": Common raven, Corvus corax [AOU, 486].
      • "hawks":
      • "variety of sparrows":
      • "bee martin": Either the eastern kingbird, Tyrannus tyrannus [AOU, 444], or the western kingbird, more likely the latter.
      • "several species of Corvus genus":


    [Return to Top]



  • Northern Fulmar ... (Pacific Fulmar)
    L&C "white gull with remarkable beak"
    NEW BIRD

    Clark, March 6, 1806, while at Fort Clatsop:
    "... There are 4 Species of the larus or gull on this coast and river.    1st a Small Species the Size of a Pegion; white except some black spots about the head and the little bone on the but of the wing.    2d a Species Somewhat larger of a light brown colour, with a mealy coloured back.    3rd the large Grey Gull, or white larus with a greyish brown back, and light grey belly and breast, about the Size of a well grown pullet, the wings are remarkably long in perpotion to the Size of the body and it's under chap towards the extremity is gibbous and protuberant than in either of the other Species.    a White Gull about the Size of the Second with a remarkable beak; adjoining the head and on the base of the upper Chap there is an elivated orning of the Same Substance with the beak which forms the nostriels at A; it is Somewhat in this form.    the feet are webed and the legs and feet of a yellow colour.    the form of the wings body &c are much that of the 2d Species this bird was Seen on Haleys bay [Baker Bay]. ..."


    Lewis, March 7, 1806, while at Fort Clatsop:
    "... there are four speceis of larus or gull on this coast and river, 1st a small speceis about the size of a pigeon; white except some black spots about the head and a little brown on the but of the wings,    2nd a speceis somewhat larger of a light brown colour with a whitish or mealy coloured back.    3rd the large grey gull, or white larus with a greyish brown back and a light grey belley and breast, about the size of a well grown pullet or reather larger.    the wings are remarkably long in proportion to the size of the body and it's under chap towards the extremity is more gibbous and protuberant than in either of the other speceis.    4th a white gull about the size of the second with a remarkable beak; adjoining the head and at the base of the uper Chap there is an elivated orning of the same substance with the beak which forms the nostrils; it is some what in this form.    the feet are webbed and the legs and feet of a yellow colour.    the form of the wings body &c are much that of the seond species.    the large grey gull is found on the river as high as the entrance of the Kooskooske and in common with other speceis on the coast; the others appear to be confined to tidewater; and the fourth speceis not so common as either of the others. ..."


    Commentary:

    • Patterson (what L&C described): white gull with remarkable beak
    • Patterson (conjectures, mostly from Coues, in Burroughs, 1961): Pacific Fulmar
    • Patterson (current AOU equivalent): Northern Fulmar
    • Patterson (comments): Northern Fulmar, L&C detailed drawing and description

    • Cutright: Pacific Fulmar [AOU 86.1], described by Lewis, March 7, 1806, at Fort Clatsop. Clark made a sketch of head. Fulmarus glacialis rodgersii (Cassin, 1862).

    • Holmgren:    GULLS
      • "brown" (3-6-06) most immature gulls wear a brown mottled plumage through their second winter. These may be any of the "grey" adults below.
      • "grey" (3-6-06) herring gull, Larus argentatus, Pontopidan 1763; ring-billed gull, Larus delawarensis, Ord 1815; western gull Larus occidentalis, Audubon 1839; glaucous-winged, Larus glaucenscens, Naumann 1840; California gull, Larus californicus, Lawrence 1854.
      • "small" (3-6-06) size of a pigeon, black on head. Probably Bonaparte's gull, Larus philadelphia, Ord 1815, but could be Forster's tern Sterna Forsteri Nuttall 1834.
      • "speckled" (10-2-05) any immature gull, as above under "brown".
      • "white" (3-6-06) with odd beak. Clark's sketch and description of prominent nasal tubes identify this species as the northern fulmar, Fulmarus glacialis, L. 1761, in its white phase. Not a gull, though gull-like in actions and appearance.
      • "wings tipped in black" (9-27-04) Probably herring gull or ring-billed, as under "grey".

    • Moulton (March 6, 1806):
      • "Small Species the Size of a Pegion": Coues identifies it as Bonaparte's gull, Larus philadelphia [AOU, 60]; Burroughs says that if so, it must have been a juvenile in its first winter plumage. Coues (HLC), 3:811 n. 84; Burroughs, 230. Holmgren, 30, also gives Bonaparte's gull and adds Forster's tern, Sterna forsteri [AOU, 69], as a possibility.
      • "Somewhat larger of a light brown colour": According to Coues, a young glaucous-winged gull, Larus glaucescens [AOU, 44]. Burroughs appears skeptical of the identification, while Holmgren suggests it could be any of a number of immature gulls. Coues (HLC), 3:811 n. 84; Burroughs, 230; Holmgren, 30.
      • "Large Grey Gull": An immature western gull. Coues (HLC), 3:881 n. 84; Burroughs, 230–31. Holmgren, 30, includes the western gull among a number of other species of Larus as possibilities.
      • "White Gull": Northern fulmar, Fulmarus glacialis [AOU, 86], not a gull. Coues (HLC), 881 n. 84; Burroughs, 179; Holmgren, 30.

    • See also entries for:


    [Return to Top]



  • Pacific Loon ... or Common Loon, Red-throated Loon, or Arctic Loon
    L&C "speckled loon"
    NEW BIRD

    Image, 2011, Broughton Beach, Columbia River, Oregon, click to enlarge
    Click image to enlarge     		Pacific Loon, Broughton Beach, Columbia River, Oregon. Image taken November 2, 2011.

    Lewis, March 7, 1806, while at Fort Lewis:
    "... There are two speceis of loons.    1st the Speckled loon found on every part of the rivers of this country.    they are the same size colours and form with those of the Atlantic coast.    the second speceis [Western Grebe] we first met with at the great falls of the Columbia [Celilo Falls] and from thence down.    this bird is not more than half the size of the speckled loon, it's neck is long, slender and white in front.    the Colour of the body and back of the neck and head are of a dun or ash colour, the breast and belley are white.    the beak is like that of the speckled loon and like them it cannot fly but flutters along on the top of the warter or dives for security when pursued. ..."


    "The Aquatic birds of this country, or such as obtain their subsistence from the water, are the large blue and brown heron [Great Blue Heron], fishing hawk [Osprey], blue crested fisher [Belted Kingfisher], gulls of several species of the Coast [see Bonaparte's Gull and Glaucous-winged Gull], the large grey gull of the Columbia [Western Gull], Comorant [Double-crested Cormorant], loons of two species [Pacific Loon and Western Grebe], white, and the brown brant [Snow Goose and Brant], small and large geese [Cackling Geese and Canada Goose], small and large swan [Tundra Swan and Trumpeter Swan], the Duckinmallard [Mallard], canvis back duck [Canvasback], red headed fishing duck [Red-breasted Merganser or Common Merganser], black and white duck [Bufflehead], little brown duck [unknown, possibly one of the Teals], black duck [American Coot], two species of divers [Pied-billed Grebe and Red-necked Grebe], blue winged teal [Blue-winged Teal], and some other speceis of ducks."
    -- Lewis, March 6, 1806, while at Fort Clatsop



    Commentary:

    • Patterson (what L&C described): speckled loon
    • Patterson (conjectures, mostly from Coues, in Burroughs, 1961): Pacific Loon
    • Patterson (current AOU equivalent): Pacific Loon
    • Patterson (comments): All 3 common loons, Pacific Loon is the least common (away from the ocean and lower estuary) of the 3 species that regularly occur on the Columbia River.
    • Patterson (comments): Lewis and Clark lumped loons and grebes together and most of the descriptions are fairly general. The speckled loon Coues identifies as Pacific Loon could just as easily be a Common Loon or a Red-throated Loon, in fact, Red-throated Loon is argueably more speckled in winter plumage than Pacific (which I would described as banded). It seems likely that all three species were seen and that any loons seen east of Tongue Point (east of Astoria) were more likely Red-throated or Common. The description of Western Grebe is sufficient to assume that it is what they saw (and 100's winter on the Columbia River estuary), as is the description for Red-necked Grebe, but I can't help wondering how they missed Horned Grebe.

    • Cutright: Pacific Loon [AOU 10], described by Lewis March 7, 1806, at Fort Clatsop. Gavia arctica pacifica (Lawrence, 1858).

    • Holmgren:    LOONS
      • "larger (2-7-06) and speckled", seen on all river. Common Loon Gavia immer, Brunnich 1764.
      • "smaller", seen only on the Columbia River and Pacific Coast, may be Red-throated Loon Gavia stellata Pontopidan 1763, or Arctic Loon Gavia arctica, L. 1758. Both are smaller than common loon by 6-7 inches. Description fits winter plumage of both, but especially arctic loon.
      • (NOTE: Holmgren's 2-7-06 in error, should be 3-7-06. Also the "smaller loon" is now determined to be the Western Grebe).

    • Moulton (March 7, 1806):    Perhaps the arctic loon, Gavia arctica [AOU, 10], specifically the western subspecies, Pacific loon, G. a. pacifica. Or it may be the same as "those of the Atlantic coast," that is, the common loon, G. immer [AOU, 7]. Burroughs, 177; Coues (HLC), 3:811 n. 85; Holmgren, 32.

    • Coues (vol.III, 1893):    "the speckled loon" ... This is a species of Colymbus or Urinator, but may be any one of three or four. The bird actually meant, however, is probably the Pacific diver, C., or U. pacificus, which is the commonest loon along the coast of Oregon and California; it is a very near relative of the black-throated diver, C. or U. arcticus. The common loon of the United States is C. torquatus or U. imber; the red-throated is C. septentrionalis or U. Lumme.

    • Also see entries for:

    Image, 2008, Blind Slough, Oregon, click to enlarge Image, 2008, Blind Slough, Oregon, click to enlarge
    Click image to enlarge     		Red-throated Loon (left) and Arctic Loon (right). Images taken January 13, 2008, Blind Slough, Oregon.
    Image, 2010, Hagg Lake, Oregon, click to enlarge
    Click image to enlarge     		Common Loon, Hagg Lake, Oregon. Rainy day. Image taken October 26, 2010.


    [Return to Top]



  • Pacific Wren ... (Western Winter Wren)
    L&C "small brown bird", "little brown ren or fly-catsch", "small brown flycatch"
    NEW BIRD

    Image, 2010, Lacamas Lake, Washington, click to enlarge
    Click image to enlarge     		Pacific Wren, Lacamas Lake, Washington. Image taken January 6, 2010.

    Clark, August 25, 1804, while at Spirit Mound, South Dakota:
    "... Great numbers of Birds are Seen in those Plains, Such as black bird, Ren [X: wren] or Prarie burd a kind of larke about the Sise of a Partridge with a Short tail &c. &. ..."


    Lewis, June 8, 1805, while in Montana:
    "... The river bottoms affording all the timber which is to be seen in the country they are filled with innumerable litle birds that resort thither either for shelter or to build their nests.    when sun began to shine today these birds appeared to be very gay and sung most inchantingly; I observed among them the brown thrush, Robbin, turtle dove, linnit goaldfinch, the large and small blackbird, wren and several other birds of less note ..."


    Clark, November 29, 1805, while at Tongue Point, Oregon:
    "... The Shore below the point at our Camp is formed of butifull pebble of various colours. I observe but fiew birds of the Small kind, great numbers of wild fowls of Various kinds, the large Buzzard with white wings, grey and bald eagle's, large red tailed Hawks, ravens & Crows in abundance, the blue Magpie, a Small brown bird which frequents logs & about the roots of trees ..."


    Lewis, January 3, 1806, while at Fort Clatsop:
    "... a small Crow, the blue crested Corvus and the smaller corvus with a white brest, the little brown ren, a large brown sparrow, the bald Eagle and the beatifull Buzzard of the columbia still continue with us. ..."


    Weather diary, January 31, 1806, while at Fort Clatsop:
    "... this morning is plesant, the night was clear and cold    notwith-standing the could weather the Swan white Brant geese & ducks still continue with us; the sandhill crain also continues.—    the brown or speckled brant are mostly gone some few are still to be seen    the Cormorant loon and a variety of other waterfowls still remain. ...    The blue crested Corvus bird has already began to build it's nest.    their nests are formed of small sticks; usually in a pine tree.—    Great numbers of Ravens, and a Small black Crow are continually about us. The pale yellow Streiked and dove coloured robin is about, also the little brown ren or fly-catsch which is a little larger than the humming bird. ..."


    Weather diary, February 8, 1806, while at Fort Clatsop:
    "... it was principally rain which fell since 4 P. M. yesterday, it has caused the snow to disappear  &nbps; the rain of the last night has melted down the snow wich has continued to cover the ground since the 24th of January; the feeling of the air and other appearances seem to indicate, that the rigor of the winter have passed; ... the small brown flycatch continues with us. this is the smallest of all the American birds except the humming bird. ..."


    Lewis, March 3, 1806, while at Fort Clatsop:
    "... there are two species of the fly-catch, a small redish brown species with a short tail, round body, short neck and short pointed beak.    they have some fine black specks intermixed with the uniform redish brown.    this the same with that which remains all winter in Virginia where it is sometimes called the wren.    the second species has lately returned and dose not remain here all winter. it's colours are a yellowish brown on the back head neck wings and tail the breast and belley of a yellowish white; the tail is in proportion as the wren but it is a size smaller than that bird.    it's beak is streight pointed convex reather lage at the base and the chaps of equal length.    the first species is the smallest, in short it is the smalest bird that I have ever seen in America except the humming bird.    both these species are found in the woody country only or at least I have never seen them elsewhere. ..."


    Commentary:

    • Patterson (what L&C described): species of flycatch
    • Patterson (conjectures, mostly from Coues, in Burroughs, 1961): Western Winter Wren
    • Patterson (current AOU equivalent): Winter Wren (note, AOU changed to "Pacific Wren" for the western species in July 2010)

    • Cutright: Western Winter Wren, noted by Lewis, March 4, 1806, at Fort Clatsop. Troglodytes troglodytes pacificus (Baird, 1864).

    • Holmgren:    WREN (REN) In England wren was long the common name for any very small bird and the custom continued among early settlers in north America. Both Audubon and Wilson gave the name "wren" to the birds now known as kinglets, as well as to birds still listed in the wren family. The "rens" of the journals possibly had similar varied identification unless modifying details were given.
      • "flycatch or ren" (3-4-05) reddish brown. Color clue and further description identify it as winter wren, Troglodytes troglodytes, L. 1758.
      • "flycatch" (2-8-06) "brown ... smallest of all birds except the hummingbird." Size and color clues identify the winter wren.
      • "wren (ren)" (8-25-04, 6-8-05) Without further description these might also be the winter wren, but could easily be the house wren, Troglodytes aedon, Vieillot 1807; or the golden-crowned kinglet, Regulus satrapa, Lichtenstein 1823, or the ruby-crowned kinglet, Regulus calendula, L. 1766.

    • Moulton (August 25, 1804):    This bird "the Sise of a Partridge" may be the same as the one in the Field Notes of this day, "about the Size of a Pigeon" [Western Meadowlark or Yellow Rail]. The sentence itself is unclear as to whether the wren or the lark is the "Praire bird." Biddle punctuates it so as to make it the wren. Coues (HLC), 1:87. For the wren, see Holmgren, 34.

    • Moulton (June 8, 1805):
      • Burroughs questions Criswell's identification of the linnet as the pine siskin, Carduelis pinus [AOU, 533]. Holmgren says the term linnet was used for any small bird with a red crown, especially the common redpoll, C. flammea [AOU, 528], the purple finch, Carpodacus purpureus [AOU, 517], and the house finch, C. mexicanus [AOU, 519]. Burroughs, 259; Criswell, 53; Holmgren, 32.
      • Lewis's "goaldfinch" is the American goldfinch, Carduelis tristis [AOU, 529].
      • The wren may be the winter wren, Troglodytes troglodytes [AOU, 722], or any of several other birds. Holmgren, 34.

    • Moulton (November 29, 1805):
      • "large Buzzard with white wings": [California Condor]
      • "grey and bald eagles": The "grey and bald eagle's" are, respectively, golden eagle, Aquila chrysaetos [AOU, 349], and bald eagle, Haliaeetus leucocephalus [AOU, 352]. Burroughs, 204–8.
      • "large red tailed Hawks": Red-tailed hawk, Buteo jamaicensis [AOU, 337], a widespread species already known to science. Ibid., 208; Coues (HLC), 2:724.
      • "ravens and crows": Probably the common raven, Corvus corax [AOU, 486], and the American crow, C. brachyrhyncho [AOU, 488]. Burroughs, 248; Cutright (LCPN), 432.
      • "blue Magpie": Steller's jay, Cyanocitta stelleri [AOU, 478], first noted by Lewis on September 20, 1805. The captain gives a full description in an undated entry, ca. December 18, 1805. Burroughs, 248–49.
      • "small brown bird which frequents logs & about the roots of trees": Perhaps the winter wren, Troglodytes troglodytes [AOU, 722], and if so, then new to science; see March 4, 1806. Burroughs, 252; Cutright (LCPN), 274, 438.

    • Moulton (January 3, 1806):
      • "small crow": probably the northwestern crow, Corvus caurinus [AOU, 489], a new species. Cutright (LCPN), 273, 432; Holmgren, 29.
      • "blue crested Corvus": [Steller's Jay]
      • "smaller corvus with a white breast": probably the gray jay.
      • "little brown ren": perhaps the winter wren.
      • "large brown sparrow": possibly the golden-crowned sparrow, Zonotrichia atricapilla [AOU, 557]. Burroughs, 258. The fox sparrow, Passerella iliaca [AOU, 585], has also been suggested. Holmgren, 33.
      • "bald eagle": [Bald Eagle]
      • "beatifull Buzzard of the columbia": [California Condor}

    • Moulton (Weather diary, January 31, 1806): This last paragraph is found only in Clark's Codex I. The "pale yellow streiked and dove coloured robin" is presumably one bird, the varied thrush. Lewis describes it this day in his notebook journal. The wren is probably the winter wren, but see Holmgren, 34, for other possibilities.

    • Moulton (Weather diary, February 8, 1806): Again perhaps the winter wren, but see weather remarks for January 31, 1806.

    • See also entries for:


    [Return to Top]



  • Pileated Woodpecker ... (Northern Pileated Woodpecker, Western Pileated Woodpecker)
    L&C "large woodpecker or log cock"
    NEW BIRD

    Image, 2009, Lacamas Lake, Washington, click to enlarge Image, 2009, Ridgefield NWR, Washington, click to enlarge
    Click image to enlarge     		Pileated Woodpecker, female (left), Lacamas Lake, Washington, and male (right), Ridgefield NWR, Washington. Left image taken April 24, 2009. Right image taken May 15, 2009.

    Lewis, March 4, 1806, while at Fort Clatsop:
    "... the large woodpecker or log cock, the lark woodpecker and the small white woodpecker with a read head are the same with those of the Atlantic states and are found exclusively in the timbered country ..."


    Lewis, April 5, 1806, in the Washougal/Sandy River area:
    "... Saw the Log cock, the hummingbird, gees ducks &c today.    ...    we measured a fallen tree of fir No. 1 which was 318 feet including the stump which was about 6 feet high.    this tree was only about 3 1/2 feet in diameter.    we saw the martin, small gees, the small speckled woodpecker with a white back, the Blue crested Corvus, ravens, crows, eagles Vultures and hawks. ..."


    Lewis, July 1, 1806, where Lolo Creek empties into the Bitterroot River, Montana:
    "... the dove, the black woodpecker, the lark woodpecker, the logcock, the prarie lark, sandhill crain, prarie hen with the short and pointed tail, the robin, a speceis of brown plover, a few curloos, small black birds, ravens hawks and a variety of sparrows as well as the bee martin and the several species of Corvus genus are found in this vally. ..."


    Commentary:

    • Patterson (what L&C described): log cock
    • Patterson (conjectures, mostly from Coues, in Burroughs, 1961): Northern Pileated Woodpecker
    • Patterson (current AOU equivalent): Pileated Woodpecker

    • Cutright: Western Pileated Woodpecker [AOU 405c], referred to by Lewis, March 4, 1806, at Fort Clatsop, and elswhere on other dates. Dryocopus pileatus picinus (Bangs, 1910).

    • Holmgren:    LOGCOCK (6-15-06) folk name for pileated woodpecker, Dryocopus pileatus, L. 1758.

    • Holmgren:    WOODPECKERS,    "large red-headed" (9-9-05) "large" (3-4-06) pileated woodpecker, Dryocopus pileatus, L. 1758. Lewis and Clark knew this species in Virginia, where it was called "logcock".

    • Moulton (March 4, 1806):
      • "large woodpecker or log cock": the Pileated Woodpecker, Dryocopus pileatus [AOU, 405]
      • "lark woodpecker": the Northern, or Common, Flicker, Colaptes auratus [AOU, 412], both new species. Logcock was a folk name for the Pileated Woodpecker while lark woodpecker was used for flickers. Burroughs, 241-42; Holmgren, 32, 34.
      • "small white woodpecker with a red head": the Red-breasted Sapsucker, Sphyrapicus ruber [AOU, 403], Burroughs, 241, Holmgren, 34.

    • Moulton (April 5, 1806):
      • "logcock": the pileated woodpecker, Dryocopus pileatus [AOU, 405].
      • "hummingbird":
      • "martin": Perhaps the purple martin, Progne subis [AOU, 611]. Holmgren, 32.
      • "small gees":
      • "small speckled woodpecker with a white back": Either the hairy woodpecker, Picoides villosus [AOU, 393], or downy woodpecker, P. pubescens [AOU, 394]. Holmgren, 34; Burroughs, 240–41.
      • "Blue crested Corvus": Steller's jay, Cyanocitta stelleri [AOU, 478].
      • "ravens": Common raven, Corvus corax [AOU, 486].
      • "crows": Corvus brachyrhynchos [AOU, 488].
      • "eagle, vultures, and hawks":

    • Moulton (July 1, 1806):
      • "dove": Mourning dove, Zenaida macroura [AOU, 316]. Holmgren, 34.
      • "black woodpecker": Lewis's woodpecker, Melanerpes lewis [AOU, 408]; see May 27, 1806. Holmgren, 34; Burroughs, 239–40.
      • "lark woodpecker": Common, or northern, flicker, Colaptes auratus [AOU, 412]. Burroughs, 241–42; Holmgren, 34.
      • "logcock": [Pileated Woodpecker]
      • "prarie lark": Probably the horned lark, Eremophila alpestris [AOU, 474]. Holmgren, 31.
      • "sandhill crain": [Sandhill Crane]
      • "prarie hen with the short and pointed tail": Sharp-tailed grouse, Tympanuchus phasianellus [AOU, 308]; see March 1, 1806. Holmgren, 29; Burroughs, 213.
      • "robin": American robin, Turdus migratorius [AOU, 761].
      • "a speceis of brown plover": Probably the upland sandpiper, Bartramia longicauda [AOU, 261]; see July 22, 1805. Holmgren, 33; Burroughs, 227.
      • "curloos":
      • "small black birds": Either the rusty blackbird, Euphagus carolinus [AOU, 509], or Brewer's blackbird, E. cyanocephalus [AOU, 510]. Holmgren, 28.
      • "ravens": Common raven, Corvus corax [AOU, 486].
      • "hawks":
      • "variety of sparrows":
      • "bee martin": Either the eastern kingbird, Tyrannus tyrannus [AOU, 444], or the western kingbird, more likely the latter.
      • "several species of Corvus genus":


    [Return to Top]



  • Pinyon Jay
    L&C "blue bird"
    NEW BIRD

    Lewis, August 1, 1805:
    "... I also saw near the top of the mountain among some scattering pine a blue bird about the size of the common robbin.    it's action and form is somewhat that of the jay bird and never rests long in any one position but constantly flying or hoping from sprey to sprey. I shot at one of them but missed it.    their note is loud and frequently repeated both flying and when at rest and is char âh', char'âh, char âh', as nearly as letters can express it. ..."


    Lewis, September 18, 1805:
    "... and a blue bird of the vulter kind about the size of a turtle dove or jay bird. ..."


    Lewis, September 20, 1805:
    "... I have also observed two birds of a blue colour both of which I believe to be of the haulk or vulter kind.    the one of the blue shining colour with a very high tuft of feathers on the head a long tale, it feeds on flesh the beak and feet black.    it's note is ch?-?h, ch?-?h.    it is about the size of a pigeon; and in shape and action resembles the jay bird.—    another bird of very similar genus, the note resembling the mewing of the cat, with a white head and a light blue colour is also common ..."


    Lewis, December 18, 1805, written in the Astoria area:
    "... there is another bird of reather larger size which I saw on the woddy parts of the rockey mountains and on the waters of the Missouri, this bird I could never kill tho' I made several attempts, the predominate colour is a dark blue the tale is long and they are not crested; I believe them to be of the corvus genus also.    their note is châr, châr, char,-ar, char; ..."


    Commentary:

    • Patterson (what L&C described): blue jay bird
    • Patterson (conjectures, mostly from Coues, in Burroughs, 1961): Pinyon Jay
    • Patterson (current AOU equivalent): Pinyon Jay
    • Patterson (comments): seen in Montana

    • Cutright: Pinyon Jay [AOU 492], discovered by Lewis, August 1, 1805, on Jefferson River, Montana. Gymnorhinus cyanocephalus (Reise, 1841).

    • Holmgren:    BLUE BIRDS (no added name)
      • "no crest" (5-26-05) briefly seen. Could not shoot for close study. Probably mountain bluebird, Sialia currucoides Bechstein 1778. Lewis and Clark could not have known this western species.
      • "size of a robin" (8-1-05) and actions of a jay. See JAY, pinyon.
      • "size of a turtledove" (9-18-05) See JAY, scrub, and MAGPIE, blue.

    • Holmgren:    JAYS
      • "size of robin" (8-1-05) acts like a jay, pinyon jay, Gymnorhinus cyanocephalus, Wied 1841. Voice well described.
      • "size of turtledove" (9-18-05) and of the "vulture kind", meaning an eater of carrion or flesh. No crest. Scrub jay Aphelocoma coerulescens, Bosc 1795.

    • NOTE: could find no reference to what Holmgren was referring to on 5-26-05 with "no crest". However her description matches entries of August 1, 1805 and December 18, 1805, entries which researchers consider to be the Pinyon Jay.

    • Moulton (August 1, 1805): The first description of the pinyon jay, Gymnorhinus cyanocephalus [AOU, 492]

    • Moulton (September 18, 1805):    The blue bird may be the pinyon jay of August 1, 1805, but some sources give it as the scrub jay, Aphelocoma coerulescens [AOU, 481], or Steller's jay, Cyanocitta stelleri [AOU, 478]. Holmgren, 31; Space, 13. Each choice creates problems when compared with Lewis's entry of September 20. but the scrub jay seems the least likely possibility. The turtle dove used for comparison is the mourning dove, Zenaida macroura [AOU, 316].

    • Moulton (September 20, 1805):
      • "tuft of feathers": Steller's jay and new to science. Cutright (LCPN), 210. See Lewis's full description at December 18, 1805.
      • "jay-bird": [Blue Jay]
      • "white head, light blue color": Perhaps the gray jay, Perisoreus canadensis [AOU, 484]. Holmgren, 29. See also Lewis's entry of December 18, 1805.

    • Moulton (December 18, 1805):    Lewis's note from Codex R, covering zoology rather than the customary botany. ... The bird of the woody parts of the Rockies that Lewis mentions near the end of this passage may be the pinyon jay, Gymnorhinus cyanocephalus [AOU, 492], first noticed by him on August 1, 1805. Holmgren, 28, identifies it as possibly the mountain bluebird, Sialia currucoides [AOU, 768].

    • See also entry for:


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  • Piping Plover ... or Semipalmated Plover
    L&C "small species of Kildee"
    NEW BIRD

    Image, 2009, Ridgefield NWR, Washington, click to enlarge
    Click image to enlarge     		Semipalmated Plover (middle bird), Ridgefield NWR, Washington. Image taken August 3, 2009.

    Clark, undated entry, with non-bird entries omitted:
    "... The Prairie Fowl common to the Illinois are found as high up as the River Jacque above which the Sharpe tailed Grows commence    950 Ms. ...
    Indian Hen & Small Species of Kildee which frequent drift is found as high up as the Entrance of the Little Sieux river    733 ms. ...
    Parotqueet is Seen as high as the Mahar Village    836 ms. ...
    In descending the Missouri & Rochejhone ...
    Turkeys first appear at the enterance of Tylors Rivr above the big bend 1200 miles up this Missouri    1206
    The pointed tail Prarie fowl are found above the Big bend upwards.    1200 ms. up ...
    The party coloured Corvus or Magpy Commence at or about Corvus Creek and from thence upwards.    1130 ..."


    Commentary:

    • Holmgren:    KILLDEE, KILLDEER (4-8-05) killdeer, Charadrius vociferus, L. 1758.
      • "small" (6-20-04) semipalmated plover, Charadrius semipalmatus, Bonaparte 1825.

    • Johnsgard:   Piping Plover Charadrius melodus    Small plovers, described by Captain Clark as the "small species of Kildee," were observed to occupy river habitats as far upstream as the mouth of the Little Sioux River, present-day Burt County, Nebraska, or Harrison County, Iowa. It seems most likely that these birds were piping plovers, for which the middle Missouri River has long been a major breeding ground. However, the species was first officially described in 1824 on the Atlantic coast. The Great Plains population of piping plover is now nationally threatened.

    • Johnsgard:    Virginia Holmgren more recently summarized the bird discoveries of the entire expedition, listing 25 that she believed were sufficiently well described to warrant "discovery" status, 9 species that might have been considered as newly discovered if they had been better described, and 11 species that were already well known by some common name but had not yet been formally described and named scientifically. In the category of definitely discovered Great Plains birds, she listed the trumpeter swan, greater sage-grouse, semipalmated plover, mountain plover, upland sandpiper, long-billed curlew, least tern, common poorwill, Lewis's woodpecker, Sprague's pipit, McCown's longspur, western meadowlark, and Brewer's blackbird. Of these, the mountain plover and upland sandpiper are distinctly questionable as to their identification. There is no evidence that the highly elusive Sprague's pipit (Anthus spragueii) was ever seen, and the "small Kildee" observed along the Missouri River was probably the piping plover rather than the migratory and arctic-breeding semipalmated plover (Charadrius semipalmatus). The identities of several Great Plains shorebirds mentioned briefly by Lewis and Clark, such as the mountain plover and long-billed curlew, are especially problematic, as they used terms like "plover" and "curlew" rather indiscriminately for shorebirds generally. The tundra swan (Cygnus columbianus) (previously known as the whistling swan) was initially described from observations made by Lewis and Clark during the Pacific-slope phase of their expedition, but it or the trumpeter swan was seen earlier in what is now North Dakota. The trumpeter swan is the semiresidential breeding swan of the northern plains, whereas the arctic-breeding tundra swan is a spring and fall migrant only. Thus, the chances of their having seen the trumpeter swan on the northern plains were fairly good. At least eight previously unknown species—the trumpeter swan, greater sage-grouse, piping plover, least tern, common poorwill, Lewis's woodpecker, McCown's longspur, and western meadowlark—are well enough documented to count as having certainly been seen by Lewis and Clark, and the greater sage-grouse, least tern, and Lewis's woodpecker were as carefully described as any practicing ornithologist of the day might have done.

    • Moulton (Clark, undated entry):    This document is found in Codex N, pp. 153–54 ... (non-bird references omitted):
      • "Prairie Fowl common to the Illinois": greater prairie-chicken; sharp-tailed grouse;
      • "Indian Hen": greater prairie-chicken;
      • "Killdeer": Charadrius vociferus [AOU, 273];    (NOTE: Clark didn't mean Killdeer as Moulton comment alludes to, but instead Clark wrote the "Small Species of Kildee", which researchers are considering is the "Piping Plover")
      • "Parotqueet": Carolina parakeet, Conuropsis carolinensis [AOU, 382];
      • "Turkey": Wild Turkey
      • "The pointed tail Prarie Fowl": sharp-tailed grouse;
      • "party coloured Corvus or Magpy": black-billed magpie;


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  • Red-necked Grebe ... or Horned Grebe
    L&C "large speceis diver"
    Red-necked Grebe is NEW BIRD, Horned Grebe is not

    Image, 2010, Columbia River near Interstate 5, click to enlarge Image, 2009, Eagle Creek, Oregon, click to enlarge
    Click image to enlarge     		Red-necked Grebe (left) and Horned Grebe (right). Left image taken November 18, 2010, Columbia River near Interstate 5, Oregon side. Right image taken April 18, 2009, mouth of Eagle Creek, Oregon.

    Lewis, March 10, 1806, while at Fort Clatsop:
    "... the divers are the same with those of the Atlantic States.    the smaller species [Pied-billed Grebe] has some white feathers about the rump with no perceptable tail and is very active and quck in it's motion; the body is of a redish brown.   the beak sharp and somewhat curved like that of the pheasant.    the toes are not connected but webed like those discribed of the black duck [American Coot].    the larger speceis [Red-necked Grebe] are about the size of the teal and can flye a short distance which the small one scarcely ever attapts.    they have a short tail.    their colour is also an uniform brickredish brown, the beak is streight and pointed. the feet are of the same form of the other speceis and the legs are remarkably thin and flat one edge being in front.    the food of both speceis is fish, and the flesh unfit for uce. ..."



    "The Aquatic birds of this country, or such as obtain their subsistence from the water, are the large blue and brown heron [Great Blue Heron], fishing hawk [Osprey], blue crested fisher [Belted Kingfisher], gulls of several species of the Coast [see Bonaparte's Gull and Glaucous-winged Gull], the large grey gull of the Columbia [Western Gull], Comorant [Double-crested Cormorant], loons of two species [Pacific Loon and Western Grebe], white, and the brown brant [Snow Goose and Brant], small and large geese [Cackling Geese and Canada Goose], small and large swan [Tundra Swan and Trumpeter Swan], the Duckinmallard [Mallard], canvis back duck [Canvasback], red headed fishing duck [Red-breasted Merganser or Common Merganser], black and white duck [Bufflehead], little brown duck [unknown, possibly one of the Teals], black duck [American Coot], two species of divers [Pied-billed Grebe and Red-necked Grebe], blue winged teal [Blue-winged Teal], and some other speceis of ducks."
    -- Lewis, March 6, 1806, while at Fort Clatsop



    Commentary:

    • Patterson (what L&C described): divers with brick red necks
    • Patterson (conjectures, mostly from Coues, in Burroughs, 1961): Holboell's Grebe
    • Patterson (current AOU equivalent): Red-necked Grebe
    • Patterson (comments): Lewis and Clark lumped loons and grebes together and most of the descriptions are fairly general. The speckled loon Coues identifies as Pacific Loon could just as easily be a Common Loon or a Red-throated Loon, in fact, Red-throated Loon is argueably more speckled in winter plumage than Pacific (which I would described as banded). It seems likely that all three species were seen and that any loons seen east of Tongue Point (east of Astoria) were more likely Red-throated or Common. The description of Western Grebe is sufficient to assume that it is what they saw (and 100s winter on the Columbia River estuary), as is the description for Red-necked Grebe, but I can't help wondering how they missed Horned Grebe.

    • Cutright: Red-necked Grebe [AOU 2], described by Lewis, March 10, 1806, at Fort Clatsop. Podiceps grisegena holbollii (Reinhardt, 1853).

    • Holmgren:    DIVERS, an old term for loons or grebes.
      • "large" (3-10-06) red-necked grebe, Podiceps grisegena Boddaert 1783, or horned grebe, Podiceps auritus, L. 1758.
      • "small" (3-10-06), pied-billed grebe, Podilymbus podiceps, L. 1758.

    • Moulton: The red-necked grebe, Podiceps grisegena [AOU, 2], or the horned grebe, P. auritus [AOU, 3]. Burroughs, 177–78; Holmgren, 29

    • Also see entries for:


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  • Ring-necked Duck
    L&C unnamed, "size less than the duckinmallard"
    NEW BIRD

    Image, 2008, Ridgefield NWR, Washington, click to enlarge
    Click image to enlarge     		Ring-necked Duck, male, Ridgefield NWR, Washington. Image taken April 26, 2008.

    Lewis, March 28, 1806, at Deer Island:
    "... we have seen more waterfowl on this island than we have previously seen since we left Fort Clatsop, consisting of geese, ducks, large swan, and Sandhill crains. I saw a few of the Canvisback duck.    the duckinmallard are the most abundant.    one of the hunters killed a duck which appeared to be the male,    it was a size less than the duckinmallard.    the head neck as low as the croop, and back tail and covert of the wings were of a fine black with a small addmixture of perple about the head and neck, the belley & breast were white; some long feathers which lie underneath the wings and cover the thye were of a pale dove colour with fine black specks; the large feathers of the wings of the wings are of a dove colour.    ... [description omitted here] ...    the beak of this duck is remarkably wide, and is 2 inches in length, the upper chap exceeds the under one in both length and width, insomuch that when the beak is closed the under is entirly concealed by the upper chap.    ... [description omitted here] ...    a narrow strip of white garnishes the upper part or base of the upper chap; this is succeeded by a pale skye blue colour which occupys about one inch of the chap, is again succeeded by a transverse stripe of white and the extremity is of a pure black.    the eye is moderately large the puple black and iris of a fine orrange yellow.    the feathers on the crown of the head are longer than those on the upper part of neck and other parts of the head; these feathers give it the appearance of being crested. ..."


    Lewis, March 29, 1806, while at Wapato Portage, Carty Unit, Ridgefield NWR:
    "... the female of the duck which was described yesterday is of a uniform dark brown with some yellowish brown intermixed in small specks on the back neck and breast. ..."


    Commentary:

    • Patterson (what L&C described): unnamed
    • Patterson (conjectures, mostly from Coues, in Burroughs, 1961): Ring-necked Duck
    • Patterson (current AOU equivalent): Ring-necked Duck
    • Patterson (comments): Ring-necked Duck, the detailed description is almost certainly Ring-necked Duck, but some of the birds later referenced were possibly scaup sp., Greater Scaup number in the 1000's along the lower Columbia but were (apparently) not mentioned. Comments on ducks: Given the number of species of ducks that winter in Columbia Estuary today, the dearth of duck species listed by Lewis and Clark for the Columbia River is puzzling. Jefferson had instructed them not to waste time on familiar species, but Mallards are referred to regularly, so one would expect that numbers of Northern Pintail, American Wigeon, Green-winged Teal and Greater Scaup would have also been mentioned. The description of the duck later assigned as Ring-necked Duck (new to science at the time) is sufficient and most probably correct, but the apparent absence of scaup from accounts is strange. The number of scaup recorded on the Columbia Estuary Christmas Bird Count averages around 1000 and the Wahkiakum Count around 5000, yet they would seem to have gone undetected. Also surprising is that there is no mention of Surf Scoters which winter along the coast between Tillamook Head and Long Beach in groups of up to 20,000.

    • Cutright: Ring-necked Duck [AOU 150], described by Lewis, March 28, 1806, above Fort Clatsop. Aythya collaris (Donovan, 1809).

    • Holmgren:    DUCKS
      • "less than duckinmallard" (3-28-06) a size clue that indicates ring-necked duck, Aythya collaris, Donovan 1809.

    • Moulton (March 28, 1806): A new species, the ring-necked duck, Aythya collaris [AOU, 150]. Holmgren, 29.

    • Coues (vol.III, 1893):    Clark Q 81-83, Lewis K10, Deer Island, Mar. 28th, 1806. The printed description, though lengthy and minute, has hetherto proved a stumbling-block. The early commentators all blinked it, and I let it go for nothing in 1876. But the account in the codex is unmistakable. This is the ring-necked scaup duck, whose beak is so remarkably colored, but whose neck does not always show the orange-brown ring. L. and C. are again discoverers of a new species; for this duck was unknown to science in 1806. It was first described as Anas collaris by Edw. Donovan, Nat. Hist. Brit. Birds, VI. 1809, and figured on his pl. cxlvii; next as A. Fuligula, by Alex. Wilson, Am. Orn. VIII, 1814, p.66, pl. lxvi; next as A. rufiterques by C.L. Bonaparte, Journ. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila, III, 1824, p.381. By coupling Donovan's earliest specific name, collaris, with the proper generic term Fuligula, we have the present scientific designation of the interesting species -- one which is widely distributed in North America, and has also been found in Europe.


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  • Ruffed Grouse ... (Oregon Ruffed Grouse)
    L&C "small brown pheasant"
    NEW BIRD

    Weather diary, March 7, 1806, while at Fort Clatsop:
    "... Sudden changes & frequent, during the day, scarcly any two hours of the same discription.    the Elk now being to shed their horns.    a bird of a scarlet colour as large as a common pheasant with a long tail has returned,    one of them was seen today near the fort by Capt. Clark's black man, I could not obtain a view of it myself. ..."


    Commentary:

    • Patterson (what L&C described): small brown pheasant
    • Patterson (conjectures, mostly from Coues, in Burroughs, 1961): Oregon Ruffed Grouse
    • Patterson (current AOU equivalent): Ruffed Grouse

    • Cutright: Oregon Ruffed Grouse [AOU 300c], first noted by Lewis, Sept. 20, 1805, on Lolo Trail, described March 1, 1806, at Fort Clatsop. Bonasa umbellus sabini (Douglas, 1828).

    • Holmgren:    PHEASANTS (4-15-05, etc. 26 references) No pheasants nested in North American wilds until ring-necked pheasants were imported to Oregon from China in the 1880s. But early English colonists - especially in Virginia - commonly called the ruffed grouse a pheasant. Consequently Lewis and Clark used "pheasant" for most grouse species, although the sharp-tailed and sage grouse were usually put in cock or hen category. At Fort Clatsop in March 1806 Lewis listed pheasants of three kinds seen west of the Rockies:
      • "large black and white" (3-3-06) ruffed grouse, Bonasa umbellus, L. 1766. Also called "common" in other entries. Lewis notes that these have a more reddish tint than those seen in the East.
      • "small brown" (3-3-06) with yellow or orange stripe above eye. The blue grouse, Dendragapus obscurus, Say 1823.
      • "small speckled" (3-3-06) spruce grouse, Dendragapus canadensis, L. 1758.
      • Both sexes of all three species are speckled and males of both ruffed and spruce have vermilion eye stripes, in contrast to the yellow stripe of the blue grouse. This is the smallest of the three species, but the lbue grouse is the largest, in spite of "small" labele in Lewis's notes.

    • Holmgren:    SCARLET BIRD (3-7-06) Seen by York. Probably red-phased ruffed grouse.

    • Johnsgard:   Ruffed Grouse Bonasa umbellus:    Expedition members killed "several grous" during the time the group was camped just south of Council Bluffs in what is now Pottawattamie County, Iowa, on July 25, 1804. As Swenk concluded, these were almost certainly ruffed grouse rather than greater prairie-chickens or sharp-tailed grouse, given the wooded habitat along the river. Early records suggest that ruffed grouse once occurred along Nebraska's Missouri floodplain as far north as Omaha. They were extirpated from Nebraska and western Iowa by 1900.

    • Moulton (Weather diary, March 7, 1806): Probably the red color phase of the ruffed grouse, Bonasa umbellus [AOU, 300]. See March 3, 1806, for a discussion of "pheasants." Holmgren, 32–33.


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  • Sharp-tailed Grouse ... (Columbian subspecies)
  • Sharp-tailed Grouse ... (Plains or Prairie subspecies)
    L&C "grouse or prairie hen"
    BOTH are NEW BIRDS

    Lewis, May 22, 1805:
    "... 5 1/2 miles above passed a large Island in a bend on Stard. side, and three miles further on the same side passed the entrance of grows Creek 20 yds wide, affords but little water.    this creek we named from seeing a number of the pointed tail praire hen near it's mouth,    these are the fist we have seen in such numbers for some days. ..."


    Lewis, July 1, 1806, where Lolo Creek empties into the Bitterroot River, Montana:
    "... the dove, the black woodpecker, the lark woodpecker, the logcock, the prarie lark, sandhill crain, prarie hen with the short and pointed tail, the robin, a speceis of brown plover, a few curloos, small black birds, ravens hawks and a variety of sparrows as well as the bee martin and the several species of Corvus genus are found in this vally. ..."


    Clark, undated entry, with non-bird entries omitted:
    "... The Prairie Fowl common to the Illinois are found as high up as the River Jacque above which the Sharpe tailed Grows commence    950 Ms. ...
    Indian Hen & Small Species of Kildee which frequent drift is found as high up as the Entrance of the Little Sieux river    733 ms. ...
    Parotqueet is Seen as high as the Mahar Village    836 ms. ...
    In descending the Missouri & Rochejhone ...
    Turkeys first appear at the enterance of Tylors Rivr above the big bend 1200 miles up this Missouri    1206
    The pointed tail Prarie fowl are found above the Big bend upwards.    1200 ms. up ...
    The party coloured Corvus or Magpy Commence at or about Corvus Creek and from thence upwards.    1130 ..."


    Commentary:

    • Patterson (what L&C described): grouse or prairie hen
    • Patterson (conjectures, mostly from Coues, in Burroughs, 1961): Columbian Sharp-tailed Grouse
    • Patterson (current AOU equivalent): Sharp-tailed Grouse
    • Patterson (comments): Sharp-tailed Grouse, Columbian subspecies

    • Patterson (what L&C described): grouse or prairie hen
    • Patterson (conjectures, mostly from Coues, in Burroughs, 1961): Plains Sharp-tailed Grouse
    • Patterson (current AOU equivalent): Sharp-tailed Grouse
    • Patterson (comments): Sharp-tailed Grouse, Plains subspecies

    • Cutright: Columbian Sharp-tailed Grouse [AOU 308a], described by Lewis, March 1, 1806, at Fort Clatsop. Pedioecetes phasianellus columbianus (Ord, 1815).

    • Cutright: Prairie Sharp-tailed Grouse [AOU 308b], discovered by Lewis and Clark, September 12, 1804, in South Dakota. Pedioecetes phasianellus campestris (Ridgway, 1884).

    • Holmgren:    COCK and/or HEN
      • "prairie hen with pointed tail" (5-22-05) sharp-tailed grouse, Tympananuchus phasianellus, L. 1758. Formerly Pedioecetes phasianellus

    • Johnsgard:   Plains Sharp-tailed Grouse Tympanuchus phasianellus jamesi:    Sharp-tailed "grows," also called "pointed tail Prairie fowl" by Captain Clark, were observed to "commence" at the mouth of the James River, and they were seen from "the Big bend upwards." They were observed later at Fort Mandan, North Dakota (February 13, 1805), and again near the mouth of the Little Missouri River in extreme western North Dakota (April 12, 1805). On April 15, 1805, about 50 miles above the mouth of the Little Missouri River and close to the present-day Montana border, a group of displaying males was seen by Captain Lewis. Farther west in Montana sharp-tailed grouse were also seen near the mouth of the Musselshell River (May 21-22, 1805) and near present-day Missoula (July 2, 1806). Lewis and Clark were the first biologists to encounter and mention what are now recognized as the plains (jamesi) and Columbian (columbianus) races of the sharp-tailed grouse. Sharp-tailed grouse of the plains race jamesi still occur over much of the high plains region, although the more western race columbianus is declining as a serious rate and is locally endangered or extirpated in many areas.

    • Moulton (May 22, 1805):    The sharp-tailed grouse.

    • Moulton (July 1, 1806):
      • "dove": Mourning dove, Zenaida macroura [AOU, 316]. Holmgren, 34.
      • "black woodpecker": Lewis's woodpecker, Melanerpes lewis [AOU, 408]; see May 27, 1806. Holmgren, 34; Burroughs, 239–40.
      • "lark woodpecker": Common, or northern, flicker, Colaptes auratus [AOU, 412]. Burroughs, 241–42; Holmgren, 34.
      • "logcock": [Pileated Woodpecker]
      • "prarie lark": Probably the horned lark, Eremophila alpestris [AOU, 474]. Holmgren, 31.
      • "sandhill crain": [Sandhill Crane]
      • "prarie hen with the short and pointed tail": Sharp-tailed grouse, Tympanuchus phasianellus [AOU, 308]; see March 1, 1806. Holmgren, 29; Burroughs, 213.
      • "robin": American robin, Turdus migratorius [AOU, 761].
      • "a speceis of brown plover": Probably the upland sandpiper, Bartramia longicauda [AOU, 261]; see July 22, 1805. Holmgren, 33; Burroughs, 227.
      • "curloos":
      • "small black birds": Either the rusty blackbird, Euphagus carolinus [AOU, 509], or Brewer's blackbird, E. cyanocephalus [AOU, 510]. Holmgren, 28.
      • "ravens": Common raven, Corvus corax [AOU, 486].
      • "hawks":
      • "variety of sparrows":
      • "bee martin": Either the eastern kingbird, Tyrannus tyrannus [AOU, 444], or the western kingbird, more likely the latter.
      • "several species of Corvus genus":

    • Moulton (Clark, undated entry):    This document is found in Codex N, pp. 153–54 ... (non-bird references omitted):
      • "Prairie Fowl common to the Illinois": greater prairie-chicken; sharp-tailed grouse;
      • "Indian Hen": greater prairie-chicken;
      • "Killdeer": Charadrius vociferus [AOU, 273];    (NOTE: Clark didn't mean Killdeer as Moulton comment alludes to, but instead Clark wrote the "Small Species of Kildee", which researchers are considering is the "Piping Plover")
      • "Parotqueet": Carolina parakeet, Conuropsis carolinensis [AOU, 382];
      • "Turkey": Wild Turkey
      • "The pointed tail Prarie Fowl": sharp-tailed grouse;
      • "party coloured Corvus or Magpy": black-billed magpie;


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  • Spruce Grouse ... (Franklin's Grouse)
    L&C "black and white pheasant"
    NEW BIRD

    Lewis, March 3, 1806, while at Fort Clatsop:
    "... The large black and white pheasant is peculiar to that portion of the Rocky Mountain watered by the Columbia river.   at least we did not see them in these mountains until I we reached the waters of that river nor since we have left those mountains.    they are about the size of a well grown hen.    the contour of the bird is much that of the redish brown pheasant common to our country.    ... [description omitted here] ...    it feeds on wild fruits, particularly the berry of the sac-a-commis, and much also on the seed of the pine and fir. ..."


    Commentary:

    • Patterson (what L&C described): black and white pheasant
    • Patterson (conjectures, mostly from Coues, in Burroughs, 1961): Franklin's Grouse
    • Patterson (current AOU equivalent): Spruce Grouse

    • Cutright: Franklin's Grouse [AOU 299], discovered by Lewis, September 20, 1805, on the Lolo Trail, described by Lewis March 3, 1806, while at Fort Clatsop. Canachites canadensis franklinii (Douglas, 1829).

    • Holmgren:    PHEASANTS (4-15-05, etc. 26 references) No pheasants nested in North American wilds until ring-necked pheasants were imported to Oregon from China in the 1880s. But early English colonists - especially in Virginia - commonly called the ruffed grouse a pheasant. Consequently Lewis and Clark used "pheasant" for most grouse species, although the sharp-tailed and sage grouse were usually put in cock or hen category. At Fort Clatsop in March 1806 Lewis listed pheasants of three kinds seen west of the Rockies:
      • "large black and white" (3-3-06) ruffed grouse, Bonasa umbellus, L. 1766. Also called "common" in other entries. Lewis notes that these have a more reddish tint than those seen in the East.
      • "small brown" (3-3-06) with yellow or orange stripe above eye. The blue grouse, Dendragapus obscurus, Say 1823.
      • "small speckled" (3-3-06) spruce grouse, Dendragapus canadensis, L. 1758.
      • Both sexes of all three species are speckled and males of both ruffed and spruce have vermilion eye stripes, in contrast to the yellow stripe of the blue grouse. This is the smallest of the three species, but the lbue grouse is the largest, in spite of "small" labele in Lewis's notes.

    • Moulton: Coues identifies this as the spruce (or Franklin's) grouse, Dendragapus canadensis [AOU, 298], specifically an adult male of the species. Burroughs agrees. On the other hand, Holmgren thinks it the ruffed grouse (probably the Oregon subspecies). The former appears more likely as Lewis was familiar with the ruffed grouse of the East and always compared the Oregon variety closely with it. Coues (HLC), 3:870–71, 870–71 nn. 73, 74; Burroughs, 217–18; Holmgren, 32.


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  • Steller's Jay ... (Black-headed Jay)
    L&C "blue crested corvus bird", "blue Magpie"
    NEW BIRD

    Image, 2010, Vancouver, Washington, click to enlarge Image, 2008, Ridgefield NWR, Washington, click to enlarge
    Click image to enlarge     		Steller's Jay, Vancouver, Washington (left) and Ridgefield NWR, Washington (right). Left image taken March 23, 2010. Right image taken May 16, 2008.

    Lewis, September 18, 1805:
    "... and a blue bird of the vulter kind about the size of a turtle dove or jay bird. ..."


    Lewis, September 20, 1805:
    "... I have also observed two birds of a blue colour both of which I believe to be of the haulk or vulter kind.    the one of the blue shining colour with a very high tuft of feathers on the head a long tale [Steller's Jay], it feeds on flesh the beak and feet black.    it's note is cha-ah, cha-ah.    it is about the size of a pigeon; and in shape and action resembles the jay bird.—    another bird of very similar genus, the note resembling the mewing of the cat, with a white head and a light blue colour is also common ..."


    Clark, November 29, 1805, while at Tongue Point, Oregon:
    "... The Shore below the point at our Camp is formed of butifull pebble of various colours. I observe but fiew birds of the Small kind, great numbers of wild fowls of Various kinds, the large Buzzard with white wings, grey and bald eagle's, large red tailed Hawks, ravens & Crows in abundance, the blue Magpie, a Small brown bird which frequents logs & about the roots of trees ..."


    Lewis, December 18, 1805, while in the Fort Clatsop area, Lewis's note from Codex R:
    "... the large blue crested corvus of the Columbia river is also ..."


    Lewis, undated, but following above paragraph in Moulton journal edition, Lewis's zoological note from Codex Q:
    "... Discription of the blue Crested corvus bird [EC: Cyanocitta stelleri] common to the woody and western side of the Rockey mountains, and all the woody country from thence to the Pacific Ocean    ... [description omitted here] ...    the crest is very full the feathers from 1 to 1 1/2 Inches long and ocupye the whole crown of the head.    the head neck, the whole of the body including the coverts of the wings, the upper disk of the tail and wings are of a fine gossey bright indigo blue Colour the under disk of the tail and wings are of a dark brown nearly black. &nbps;  ... [description omitted here] ... the Conta. the size & the whole Contour of this bird resembles very much the blue jay or jaybird as they are called in the U' States.    like them also they seldom rest in one place long but are in constant motion hoping from spra to spray.    what has been said is more immediately applicable to the male, the colours of the female are somewhat different    in her the head crest neck half the back downwards and the converts of the wings are of a dark brown, but sometimes there is a little touch of the Indigo on the short feathers on the head at the base of the upper chap.    this bird feeds on flesh when they can procure it, also on bugs flies and buries. I do not know whether they distroy little birds but their tallons indicate their capacity to do so if nature, has directed it.    their note is loud and frequently repeated châ' -â' châ' -â' &c.—    also twat twat twat, very quick ..."


    Lewis, January 3, 1806, while at Fort Clatsop:
    "... a small Crow, the blue crested Corvus and the smaller corvus with a white brest, the little brown ren, a large brown sparrow, the bald Eagle and the beatifull Buzzard of the columbia still continue with us. ..."


    Commentary:

    • Patterson (what L&C described): blue crested corvus bird
    • Patterson (conjectures, mostly from Coues, in Burroughs, 1961): Black-headed Jay
    • Patterson (current AOU equivalent): Steller's Jay

    • Cutright: Black-headed Jay [AOU 478c], described by Lewis, March 4, 1806, at Fort Clatsop, though he first saw this species on the Lolo Trail, September 20, 1805. Cyanocitta stelleri anneciens (Baird 1874).

    • Holmgren:    CORVUS, Latin for crow; used in journals to label any of crow genus or family.
      • "blue-crested" (5-26-05) Steller's jay, Cyanocitta stelleri, Gmelin 1788.

    • Moulton (September 18, 1805):    The blue bird may be the pinyon jay of August 1, 1805, but some sources give it as the scrub jay, Aphelocoma coerulescens [AOU, 481], or Steller's jay, Cyanocitta stelleri [AOU, 478]. Holmgren, 31; Space, 13. Each choice creates problems when compared with Lewis's entry of September 20, but the scrub jay seems the least likely possibility. The turtle dove used for comparison is the mourning dove, Zenaida macroura [AOU, 316].

    • Moulton (September 20, 1805):
      • "with high tuft of feathers": Steller's jay and new to science. Cutright (LCPN), 210. See Lewis's full description at December 18, 1805.
      • "jay-bird": [Blue Jay]
      • "white head and a light blue colour": Perhaps the gray jay, Perisoreus canadensis [AOU, 484]. Holmgren, 29. See also Lewis's entry of December 18, 1805.

    • Moulton (November 29, 1805):
      • "large Buzzard with white wings": [California Condor]
      • "grey and bald eagles": The "grey and bald eagle's" are, respectively, golden eagle, Aquila chrysaetos [AOU, 349], and bald eagle, Haliaeetus leucocephalus [AOU, 352]. Burroughs, 204–8.
      • "large red tailed Hawks": Red-tailed hawk, Buteo jamaicensis [AOU, 337], a widespread species already known to science. Ibid., 208; Coues (HLC), 2:724.
      • "ravens and crows": Probably the common raven, Corvus corax [AOU, 486], and the American crow, C. brachyrhyncho [AOU, 488]. Burroughs, 248; Cutright (LCPN), 432.
      • "blue Magpie": Steller's jay, Cyanocitta stelleri [AOU, 478], first noted by Lewis on September 20, 1805. The captain gives a full description in an undated entry, ca. December 18, 1805. Burroughs, 248–49.
      • "small brown bird which frequents logs & about the roots of trees": Perhaps the winter wren, Troglodytes troglodytes [AOU, 722], and if so, then new to science; see March 4, 1806. Burroughs, 252; Cutright (LCPN), 274, 438.

    • Moulton (December 18, 1805):    Lewis's zoological note from Codex Q; the bird is Steller's jay. The blue jay used for comparison is Cyanocitta cristata [AOU, 477]. This is the last of such original notes in this journal, the remainder being filled with material copied from other journals by an unknown person. ... This is an undated passage which Thwaites combined with a preceding zoological note of May 26, 1805, but this material clearly comes from a later date. Thwaites (LC), 6:134–35. It was probably written at Fort Clatsop when Lewis was writing up his natural history material, mostly in Codex J. We place it here with the dated entry from Codex R describing similar species.

    • Moulton (January 3, 1806):
      • "small crow": probably the northwestern crow, Corvus caurinus [AOU, 489], a new species. Cutright (LCPN), 273, 432; Holmgren, 29.
      • "blue crested Corvus": [Steller's Jay]
      • "smaller corvus with a white breast": probably the gray jay.
      • "little brown ren": perhaps the winter wren.
      • "large brown sparrow": possibly the golden-crowned sparrow, Zonotrichia atricapilla [AOU, 557]. Burroughs, 258. The fox sparrow, Passerella iliaca [AOU, 585], has also been suggested. Holmgren, 33.
      • "bald eagle": [Bald Eagle]
      • "beatifull Buzzard of the columbia": [California Condor}

    • See also entries for:


    [Return to Top]



  • Trumpeter Swan
    L&C "large swan"
    NEW BIRD

    Image, 2010, Brady Loop, Satsop, Washington, click to enlarge
    Click image to enlarge     		Trumpeter Swans, Brady Loop, Satsop, Washington. Image taken February 8, 2010.

    Lewis, January 2, 1806, while at Fort Clatsop:
    "... The large, and small or whistling swan, sand hill Crane, large and small gees, brown and white brant, Cormorant, duckan mallard, Canvisback duck, and several other species of ducks, still remain with us; tho' I do not think that they are as plenty oas on our first arrival in the neighbourhood. ..."


    "The Aquatic birds of this country, or such as obtain their subsistence from the water, are the large blue and brown heron [Great Blue Heron], fishing hawk [Osprey], blue crested fisher [Belted Kingfisher], gulls of several species of the Coast [see Bonaparte's Gull and Glaucous-winged Gull], the large grey gull of the Columbia [Western Gull], Comorant [Double-crested Cormorant], loons of two species [Pacific Loon and Western Grebe], white, and the brown brant [Snow Goose and Brant], small and large geese [Cackling Geese and Canada Goose], small and large swan [Tundra Swan and Trumpeter Swan], the Duckinmallard [Mallard], canvis back duck [Canvasback], red headed fishing duck [Red-breasted Merganser or Common Merganser], black and white duck [Bufflehead], little brown duck [unknown, possibly one of the Teals], black duck [American Coot], two species of divers [Pied-billed Grebe and Red-necked Grebe], blue winged teal [Blue-winged Teal], and some other speceis of ducks."
    -- Lewis, March 6, 1806, while at Fort Clatsop



    Commentary:

    • Patterson (what L&C described): large swan
    • Patterson (conjectures, mostly from Coues, in Burroughs, 1961): Trumpeter Swan
    • Patterson (current AOU equivalent): Trumpeter Swan

    • Holmgren:    SWAN (2-4-04, 7-6-04, etc.) The many early references to "swan" with no further descriptions show that Lewis and Clark knew only one species. Like others of their time, they mistook American swans for European wild swan (whooper swan, Cygnus cygnus, L. 1758) until they saw two American Species side by side and realized the difference in size and voice. The first official recognition of an American species was based on this discovery.
      • "larger" (3-9-06) trumpeter swan, Cygnus buccinator Richardson 1832, Formerly Olor buccinator.
      • "smaller" (10-29-05, 1-2-06, 3-9-06) tundra swan, Cygnus columbianus Ord 1815, in the A.O.U. Check-list, 6th edition 1983, but previously genus Olor and known as whistling swan, the name chosen by Lewis and recorded in his journal 3-9-06.

    • Johnsgard:   Trumpeter Swan Cygnus buccinator:    Captain Lewis observed wild swans between Fort Mandan and the Yellowstone River in the spring (April) of 1805. These might have been migrating tundra (previously whistling) swans, but perhaps more likely were trumpeter swans, quasi-permanent residents of the northern plains. Later, Captain Lewis described the whistling swan in some detail, based on his observations in Oregon, and was the first person to call it a "whistleing swan," thus distinguishing it from the "large swan" (trumpeter swan) they had seen earlier on the Great Plains. Lewis thus should be given credit for discovering and first describing the trumpeter swan. Trumpeter swan populations have been recovering in North America as a result of intensive management, and they are no longer on the federal list of endangered species.

    • Johnsgard:    Virginia Holmgren more recently summarized the bird discoveries of the entire expedition, listing 25 that she believed were sufficiently well described to warrant "discovery" status, 9 species that might have been considered as newly discovered if they had been better described, and 11 species that were already well known by some common name but had not yet been formally described and named scientifically. In the category of definitely discovered Great Plains birds, she listed the trumpeter swan, greater sage-grouse, semipalmated plover, mountain plover, upland sandpiper, long-billed curlew, least tern, common poorwill, Lewis's woodpecker, Sprague's pipit, McCown's longspur, western meadowlark, and Brewer's blackbird. Of these, the mountain plover and upland sandpiper are distinctly questionable as to their identification. There is no evidence that the highly elusive Sprague's pipit (Anthus spragueii) was ever seen, and the "small Kildee" observed along the Missouri River was probably the piping plover rather than the migratory and arctic-breeding semipalmated plover (Charadrius semipalmatus). The identities of several Great Plains shorebirds mentioned briefly by Lewis and Clark, such as the mountain plover and long-billed curlew, are especially problematic, as they used terms like "plover" and "curlew" rather indiscriminately for shorebirds generally. The tundra swan (Cygnus columbianus) (previously known as the whistling swan) was initially described from observations made by Lewis and Clark during the Pacific-slope phase of their expedition, but it or the trumpeter swan was seen earlier in what is now North Dakota. The trumpeter swan is the semiresidential breeding swan of the northern plains, whereas the arctic-breeding tundra swan is a spring and fall migrant only. Thus, the chances of their having seen the trumpeter swan on the northern plains were fairly good. At least eight previously unknown species—the trumpeter swan, greater sage-grouse, piping plover, least tern, common poorwill, Lewis's woodpecker, McCown's longspur, and western meadowlark—are well enough documented to count as having certainly been seen by Lewis and Clark, and the greater sage-grouse, least tern, and Lewis's woodpecker were as carefully described as any practicing ornithologist of the day might have done.


    [Return to Top]



  • Tundra Swan ... (Whistling Swan)
    L&C "small swan"
    NEW BIRD

    Image, 2007, Ridgefield NWR, Washington, click to enlarge
    Click image to enlarge     		Tundra Swans, Ridgefield NWR, Washington. Image taken November 2, 2007.

    Lewis, January 2, 1806, while at Fort Clatsop:
    "... The large, and small or whistling swan, sand hill Crane, large and small gees, brown and white brant, Cormorant, duckan mallard, Canvisback duck, and several other species of ducks, still remain with us; tho' I do not think that they are as plenty oas on our first arrival in the neighbourhood. ..."


    Weather diary, March 28, 1806, while on the Columbia in the vicinity of Deer Island:
    "... rained by showers greater part of last night    frequent showers in the course of the day.    this evening we saw many swan passing to the North as if on a long flight. ..."


    Lewis, March 29, 1806, while at Wapato Portage, Carty Unit, Ridgefield NWR:
    "... great numbers of both the large and small swans, gees and ducks seen today.    the former are very abundant in the ponds where the wappetoe is found, they feed much on this bulb. ..."


    Clark, March 29, 1806, while at Wapato Portage, Carty Unit, Ridgefield NWR:
    "... Great numbers of the whistling Swan, Gees and Ducks in the Ponds. ..."


    "The Aquatic birds of this country, or such as obtain their subsistence from the water, are the large blue and brown heron [Great Blue Heron], fishing hawk [Osprey], blue crested fisher [Belted Kingfisher], gulls of several species of the Coast [see Bonaparte's Gull and Glaucous-winged Gull], the large grey gull of the Columbia [Western Gull], Comorant [Double-crested Cormorant], loons of two species [Pacific Loon and Western Grebe], white, and the brown brant [Snow Goose and Brant], small and large geese [Cackling Geese and Canada Goose], small and large swan [Tundra Swan and Trumpeter Swan], the Duckinmallard [Mallard], canvis back duck [Canvasback], red headed fishing duck [Red-breasted Merganser or Common Merganser], black and white duck [Bufflehead], little brown duck [unknown, possibly one of the Teals], black duck [American Coot], two species of divers [Pied-billed Grebe and Red-necked Grebe], blue winged teal [Blue-winged Teal], and some other speceis of ducks."
    -- Lewis, March 6, 1806, while at Fort Clatsop



    Commentary:

    • Patterson (what L&C described): small swan
    • Patterson (conjectures, mostly from Coues, in Burroughs, 1961): Whistling Swan
    • Patterson (current AOU equivalent): Tundra Swan

    • Cutright: Whistling Swan [AOU 180], described by Lewis, March 9, 1806, Fort Clatsop. Olor columbianus (Ord, 1815).

    • Holmgren:    SWAN (2-4-04, 7-6-04, etc.) The many early references to "swan" with no further descriptions show that Lewis and Clark knew only one species. Like others of their time, they mistook American swans for European wild swan (whooper swan, Cygnus cygnus, L. 1758) until they saw two American Species side by side and realized the difference in size and voice. The first official recognition of an American species was based on this discovery.
      • "larger" (3-9-06) trumpeter swan, Cygnus buccinator Richardson 1832, Formerly Olor buccinator.
      • "smaller" (10-29-05, 1-2-06, 3-9-06) tundra swan, Cygnus columbianus Ord 1815, in the A.O.U. Check-list, 6th edition 1983, but previously genus Olor and known as whistling swan, the name chosen by Lewis and recorded in his journal 3-9-06.

    • Johnsgard:    Virginia Holmgren more recently summarized the bird discoveries of the entire expedition, listing 25 that she believed were sufficiently well described to warrant "discovery" status, 9 species that might have been considered as newly discovered if they had been better described, and 11 species that were already well known by some common name but had not yet been formally described and named scientifically. In the category of definitely discovered Great Plains birds, she listed the trumpeter swan, greater sage-grouse, semipalmated plover, mountain plover, upland sandpiper, long-billed curlew, least tern, common poorwill, Lewis's woodpecker, Sprague's pipit, McCown's longspur, western meadowlark, and Brewer's blackbird. Of these, the mountain plover and upland sandpiper are distinctly questionable as to their identification. There is no evidence that the highly elusive Sprague's pipit (Anthus spragueii) was ever seen, and the "small Kildee" observed along the Missouri River was probably the piping plover rather than the migratory and arctic-breeding semipalmated plover (Charadrius semipalmatus). The identities of several Great Plains shorebirds mentioned briefly by Lewis and Clark, such as the mountain plover and long-billed curlew, are especially problematic, as they used terms like "plover" and "curlew" rather indiscriminately for shorebirds generally. The tundra swan (Cygnus columbianus) (previously known as the whistling swan) was initially described from observations made by Lewis and Clark during the Pacific-slope phase of their expedition, but it or the trumpeter swan was seen earlier in what is now North Dakota. The trumpeter swan is the semiresidential breeding swan of the northern plains, whereas the arctic-breeding tundra swan is a spring and fall migrant only. Thus, the chances of their having seen the trumpeter swan on the northern plains were fairly good. At least eight previously unknown species—the trumpeter swan, greater sage-grouse, piping plover, least tern, common poorwill, Lewis's woodpecker, McCown's longspur, and western meadowlark—are well enough documented to count as having certainly been seen by Lewis and Clark, and the greater sage-grouse, least tern, and Lewis's woodpecker were as carefully described as any practicing ornithologist of the day might have done.

    • Moulton (Weather diary, March 28, 1806): no comments listed as to whether the Trumpeter or the Tundra Swans


    [Return to Top]



  • Western Grebe
    L&C "long necked loon"
    NEW BIRD

    Image, 2008, Blind Slough, Oregon, click to enlarge Image, 2009, Vancouver Lake, Washington, click to enlarge
    Click image to enlarge     		Western Grebe, Blind Slough, Oregon (left) and Vancouver Lake, Washington (right). Left image taken January 13, 2008. Right image taken January 4, 2009.

    Lewis, March 7, 1806, while at Fort Lewis:
    "... There are two speceis of loons.    1st the Speckled loon found on every part of the rivers of this country.    they are the same size colours and form with those of the Atlantic coast.    the second speceis we first met with at the great falls of the Columbia [Celilo Falls] and from thence down.    this bird is not more than half the size of the speckled loon, it's neck is long, slender and white in front.    the Colour of the body and back of the neck and head are of a dun or ash colour, the breast and belley are white.    the beak is like that of the speckled loon and like them it cannot fly but flutters along on the top of the warter or dives for security when pursued. ..."


    "The Aquatic birds of this country, or such as obtain their subsistence from the water, are the large blue and brown heron [Great Blue Heron], fishing hawk [Osprey], blue crested fisher [Belted Kingfisher], gulls of several species of the Coast [see Bonaparte's Gull and Glaucous-winged Gull], the large grey gull of the Columbia [Western Gull], Comorant [Double-crested Cormorant], loons of two species [Pacific Loon and Western Grebe], white, and the brown brant [Snow Goose and Brant], small and large geese [Cackling Geese and Canada Goose], small and large swan [Tundra Swan and Trumpeter Swan], the Duckinmallard [Mallard], canvis back duck [Canvasback], red headed fishing duck [Red-breasted Merganser or Common Merganser], black and white duck [Bufflehead], little brown duck [unknown, possibly one of the Teals], black duck [American Coot], two species of divers [Pied-billed Grebe and Red-necked Grebe], blue winged teal [Blue-winged Teal], and some other speceis of ducks."
    -- Lewis, March 6, 1806, while at Fort Clatsop



    Commentary:

    • Patterson (what L&C described): long necked loon
    • Patterson (conjectures, mostly from Coues, in Burroughs, 1961): Western Grebe
    • Patterson (current AOU equivalent): Western Grebe
    • Patterson (comments):    Lewis and Clark lumped loons and grebes together and most of the descriptions are fairly general. The speckled loon Coues identifies as Pacific Loon could just as easily be a Common Loon or a Red-throated Loon, in fact, Red-throated Loon is argueably more speckled in winter plumage than Pacific (which I would described as banded). It seems likely that all three species were seen and that any loons seen east of Tongue Point (east of Astoria) were more likely Red-throated or Common. The description of Western Grebe is sufficient to assume that it is what they saw (and 100's winter on the Columbia River estuary), as is the description for Red-necked Grebe, but I can't help wondering how they missed Horned Grebe.

    • Cutright: Western Grebe [AOU 1], described by Lewis March 7, 1806, at Fort Clatsop. Aechmophorus occidentalis (Lawrence, 1858).

    • Holmgren:    LOONS
      • "larger (2-7-06) and speckled", seen on all river. Common Loon Gavia immer, Brunnich 1764.
      • "Smaller", seen only on the Columbia River and Pacific Coast, may be Red-throated Loon Gavia stellata Pontopidan 1763, or Arctic Loon Gavia arctica, L. 1758. Both are smaller than common loon by 6-7 inches. Description fits winter plumage of both, but especially arctic loon.
      • (NOTE: Holmgren's 2-7-06 in error, should be 3-7-06. Also the "smaller loon" is now determined to be the Western Grebe).

    • Holmgren:    DUCKS
      • "swan-duck or swan-goose" (11-5-05, 3-7-06), Folk names for western grebe. Aechmophorus occidentalis, Lawrence 1858.

    • NOTE: have not tracked down any reason for the above entry, no reference to these terms on either date listed. Searching the Moulton publications, "Swan Goose" is a bird used in comparison to White Pelican (August 8, 1804) or the Snow Goose (March 8, 1806). Besides, there would be no "folk names" for the Western Grebe, seeing as Lewis and Clark were the discoverers of the species.

    • Moulton (March 7, 1806): The western grebe, Aechmophorus occidentalis [AOU, 1]. Burroughs, 178–79; Coues (HLC), 3:882 n. 86. Holmgren, 32, considers it to be either the arctic loon or the red-throated loon, Gavia stellata [AOU, 11]. With both this and the loon, Lewis was mistaken about their ability to fly.

    • Coues (vol.III, 1893):    "the second species" ... This is the original and an easily recognizable description of this bird, which was not formally characterized till many years afterward, when, in 1858 (Birds N. Am. p.894) Mr. G.N. Lawrence, of New York, named it Podiceps occidentalis. I instituted the genus AEchmophorus for its reception in 1862 (Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. p.229). Lewis and Clark's statement that niether loons nor grebes can fly is erroneous.

    • Also see entries for:


    [Return to Top]



  • Western Gull
    L&C "large gray gull"
    NEW BIRD

    Image, 2009, Columbia River near Astoria, Oregon, click to enlarge
    Click image to enlarge     		Western Gull, Columbia River near Astoria, Oregon. Image taken October 18, 2009.

    Clark, March 6, 1806, while at Fort Clatsop:
    "... There are 4 Species of the larus or gull on this coast and river.    1st a Small Species the Size of a Pegion; white except some black spots about the head and the little bone on the but of the wing.    2d a Species Somewhat larger of a light brown colour, with a mealy coloured back.    3rd the large Grey Gull, or white larus with a greyish brown back, and light grey belly and breast, about the Size of a well grown pullet, the wings are remarkably long in perpotion to the Size of the body and it's under chap towards the extremity is gibbous and protuberant than in either of the other Species.    a White Gull about the Size of the Second with a remarkable beak; adjoining the head and on the base of the upper Chap there is an elivated orning of the Same Substance with the beak which forms the nostriels at A; it is Somewhat in this form.    the feet are webed and the legs and feet of a yellow colour.    the form of the wings body &c are much that of the 2d Species this bird was Seen on Haleys bay [Baker Bay]. ..."


    Lewis, March 7, 1806, while at Fort Clatsop:
    "... there are four speceis of larus or gull on this coast and river, 1st a small speceis about the size of a pigeon; white except some black spots about the head and a little brown on the but of the wings,    2nd a speceis somewhat larger of a light brown colour with a whitish or mealy coloured back.    3rd the large grey gull, or white larus with a greyish brown back and a light grey belley and breast, about the size of a well grown pullet or reather larger.    the wings are remarkably long in proportion to the size of the body and it's under chap towards the extremity is more gibbous and protuberant than in either of the other speceis.    4th a white gull about the size of the second with a remarkable beak; adjoining the head and at the base of the uper Chap there is an elivated orning of the same substance with the beak which forms the nostrils; it is some what in this form.    the feet are webbed and the legs and feet of a yellow colour.    the form of the wings body &c are much that of the seond species.    the large grey gull is found on the river as high as the entrance of the Kooskooske and in common with other speceis on the coast; the others appear to be confined to tidewater; and the fourth speceis not so common as either of the others. ..."


    "The Aquatic birds of this country, or such as obtain their subsistence from the water, are the large blue and brown heron [Great Blue Heron], fishing hawk [Osprey], blue crested fisher [Belted Kingfisher], gulls of several species of the Coast [see Bonaparte's Gull and Glaucous-winged Gull], the large grey gull of the Columbia [Western Gull], Comorant [Double-crested Cormorant], loons of two species [Pacific Loon and Western Grebe], white, and the brown brant [Snow Goose and Brant], small and large geese [Cackling Geese and Canada Goose], small and large swan [Tundra Swan and Trumpeter Swan], the Duckinmallard [Mallard], canvis back duck [Canvasback], red headed fishing duck [Red-breasted Merganser or Common Merganser], black and white duck [Bufflehead], little brown duck [unknown, possibly one of the Teals], black duck [American Coot], two species of divers [Pied-billed Grebe and Red-necked Grebe], blue winged teal [Blue-winged Teal], and some other speceis of ducks."
    -- Lewis, March 6, 1806, while at Fort Clatsop



    Commentary:

    • Patterson (what L&C described): large gray gull
    • Patterson (conjectures, mostly from Coues, in Burroughs, 1961): Western Gull
    • Patterson (current AOU equivalent): Western Gull

    • Cutright: Western Gull [AOU 49], described by Lewis, March 7, 1806, at Fort Clatsop. Larus occidentalis occidentalis (Audubon, 1839).

    • Holmgren:    GULLS
      • "brown" (3-6-06) most immature gulls wear a brown mottled plumage through their second winter. These may be any of the "grey" adults below.
      • "grey" (3-6-06) herring gull, Larus argentatus, Pontopidan 1763; ring-billed gull, Larus delawarensis, Ord 1815; western gull Larus occidentalis, Audubon 1839; glaucous-winged, Larus glaucenscens, Naumann 1840; California gull, Larus californicus, Lawrence 1854.
      • "small" (3-6-06) size of a pigeon, black on head. Probably Bonaparte's gull, Larus philadelphia, Ord 1815, but could be Forster's tern Sterna Forsteri Nuttall 1834.
      • "speckled" (10-2-05) any immature gull, as above under "brown".
      • "white" (3-6-06) with odd beak. Clark's sketch and description of prominent nasal tubes identify this species as the northern fulmar, Fulmarus glacialis, L. 1761, in its white phase. Not a gull, though gull-like in actions and appearance.
      • "wings tipped in black" (9-27-04) Probably herring gull or ring-billed, as under "grey".

    • Moulton (March 6, 1806):
      • "Small Species the Size of a Pegion": Coues identifies it as Bonaparte's gull, Larus philadelphia [AOU, 60]; Burroughs says that if so, it must have been a juvenile in its first winter plumage. Coues (HLC), 3:811 n. 84; Burroughs, 230. Holmgren, 30, also gives Bonaparte's gull and adds Forster's tern, Sterna forsteri [AOU, 69], as a possibility.
      • "Somewhat larger of a light brown colour": According to Coues, a young glaucous-winged gull, Larus glaucescens [AOU, 44]. Burroughs appears skeptical of the identification, while Holmgren suggests it could be any of a number of immature gulls. Coues (HLC), 3:811 n. 84; Burroughs, 230; Holmgren, 30.
      • "Large Grey Gull": An immature western gull. Coues (HLC), 3:881 n. 84; Burroughs, 230–31. Holmgren, 30, includes the western gull among a number of other species of Larus as possibilities.
      • "White Gull": Northern fulmar, Fulmarus glacialis [AOU, 86], not a gull. Coues (HLC), 881 n. 84; Burroughs, 179; Holmgren, 30.

    • See also entries for:


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  • Western Meadowlark ... and Eastern Meadowlark ... possibly Yellow Rail
    L&C "Prairie Lark" (Western) and "oldfield lark" (Eastern)
    Western Meadowlark is a NEW BIRD, Eastern Meadowlark is not, Yellow Rail is not

    Image, 2009, Ridgefield NWR, Washington, click to enlarge
    Click image to enlarge     		Western Meadowlark, Ridgefield NWR, Washington. Image taken January 23, 2009.

    Clark, August 25, 1804, first draft, while near Spirit Mound, South Dakota:
    "... we Concluded to Stay all night, our boys prepared us a Supper of jurked mee[t] and two Prarie Larks (which are about the Size of a Pigeon and Peculier to this country) ..."


    Clark, August 25, 1804, second entry:
    "... Great numbers of Birds are Seen in those Plains, Such as black bird, Ren or Prarie burd a kind of larke about the Sise of a Partridge with a Short tail &c. &. ..."

    Clark, April 12, 1805, near the mouth of the Little Missouri River:
    "... I Saw the Magpie in pars, flocks of Grouse, the old field lark & Crows ..."


    Lewis, June 22, 1805, describing the Western Meadowlark, comparing it to the Eastern Meadowlark:
    "... there is a kind of larke here that much resembles the bird called the oldfield lark with a yellow brest and a black spot on the croop;    tho' this differs from ours in the form of the tail which is pointed being formed of feathers of unequal length; the beak is somewhat longer and more curved and the note differs considerably; however in size, action, and colours there is no perceptable difference; or at least none that strikes my eye. ..."


    Lewis, March 4, 1806, while at Fort Clatsop:
    "... the lark is found in the plains only and are the same with those before mentioned on the Missouri, and not very unlike what is called in Virginia the old field lark ..."


    Weather diary, April 15, 1806:
    "... wind blew tolerably hard today after 10 A. M.    observed the Curloo and prarie lark. ..."


    Weather diary, April 16, 1806, while at Fort Rock, The Dalles, Oregon:
    "... at the rock fort camp saw the prarie lark, a speceis of the peawee, the blue crested fisher, the partycoloured corvus, and the black pheasant. ..."


    Commentary:

    • Patterson (what L&C described): old field lark
    • Patterson (conjectures, mostly from Coues, in Burroughs, 1961): Western Meadowlark
    • Patterson (current AOU equivalent): Western Meadowlark

    • Cutright: Western Meadowlark [AOU 722a], discovered by Lewis, June 22, 1805, at Great Falls, Montana. Sturnella neglecta neglecta (Audubon, 1844).

    • Holmgren:    LARKS
      • "prairie larks" (4-16-06) horned lark, Eremophila alpestris, L. 1758.

    • Johnsgard:   Western Meadowlark Sturnella neglecta:    This bird, later described by Audubon as a new species, was almost certainly what Captain Clark observed in large numbers on the plains around Spirit Mound, now Clay County, near Vermillion, South Dakota, on August 25, 1804. He said the species was about the size of a "partridge" but with a short tail. Captain Lewis later gave an accurate description of a western meadowlark seen near Great Falls, Montana, on June 22, 1805. He contrasted it with the "old field lark" (eastern meadowlark, Sturnella magna) of the Atlantic states, noting the two species' considerable differences in vocalizations and their slight differences in other attributes. The vocal differences noted by Lewis are the most significant distinctions between these two species, and were also mentioned by Audubon when he later described and painted the western meadowlark. Western meadowlarks were also reported near Missoula on July 2, 1806. Their populations have decreased significantly in North America during the last four decades, reflecting losses in grassland habitats.

    • Moulton (August 25, 1804): This is probably the same bird Clark calls "the Sise of a Partridge" in Codex B this day. Coues labels it the western meadowlark, Sturnella neglecta [AOU, 501.1], then unknown to science. Another source suggests the yellow rail, Coturnicops noveboracensis [AOU, 215]. Coues (HLC), 1:87; Holmgren, 31.

    • Moulton (August 25, 1804, second entry): This bird "the Sise of a Partridge" may be the same as the one in the Field Notes of this day, "about the Size of a Pigeon" (see entry above). The sentence itself is unclear as to whether the wren or the lark is the "Praire bird." Biddle punctuates it so as to make it the wren. Coues (HLC), 1:87. For the wren, see Holmgren, 34.

    • Moulton (April 12, 1805):    Clark's magpie is the black-billed magpie, Pica pica [AOU, 475], the "old field lark" is probably the western meadowlark, Sturnella neglecta [AOU, 501.1], and the crow is Corvus brachyrhynchos [AOU, 488]. Lewis describes the meadowlark on June 22, 1805. Holmgren, 31.    (NOTE: the "old field lark" is the EASTERN Meadowlark, see Moulton entries of June 22, 1805, and March 4, 1806.)

    • Moulton (June 22, 1805):    The western meadowlark, then unknown to science; the "oldfield lark" is the eastern meadowlark, Sturnella magna [AOU, 501], with which Lewis was already familiar. Holmgren, 31; Cutright (LCPN), 166–67.

    • Moulton (March 4, 1806):    The western meadowlark, Sturnella neglecta [AOU, 501.1]. The "old field lark" is the eastern meadowlark, S. magna [AOU, 501].

    • Moulton (Weather diary, April 15, 1806):    Western meadowlark, Sturnella neglecta [AOU, 501.1]; see August 25, 1804. Or possibly the horned lark, Eremophila alpestris [AOU, 474]; see Weather Diary for April 1805. Holmgren, 31.

    • Moulton (Weather diary, April 16, 1806):
      • "prarie lark": Western Meadowlark or Horned Lark;
      • "speceis of the peawee": Probably Say's phoebe, Sayornis saya [AOU, 457]. Holmgren, 32. It is not mentioned in Clark's remarks.
      • "blue crested fisher": Belted Kingfisher,
      • "partycoloured corvus": Black-billed Magpie,
      • "black pheasant": Sooty or Dusky Grouse.

    • Cornell website (2010):    Yellow Rail:    This secretive bird, the second smallest of North American rails, may be more abundant than encounters would indicate. It is extremely difficult to observe because, like other rails, it prefers to run or hide instead of flying and commonly moves beneath procumbent vegetation. ... This species is widely distributed in the United States and Canada, chiefly east of the Rocky Mountains. Within the breeding range, however, its presence is quite local. Breeders generally inhabit fresh- and brackish-water marshes, preferring the higher (drier) margins. In autumn this rail is found in varied habitats such as hay fields, grain fields, and wet meadows, as well as in interior and coastal marshlands. Its principal foods are snails, other aquatic invertebrates, and seeds. ...

    • See also entries for:


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  • Western Tanager
    L&C "beautiful little bird", "Kooskooskee river bird"
    NEW BIRD

    Image, 2009, Ridgefield NWR, Washington, click to enlarge
    Click image to enlarge     		Western Tanager, male, Ridgefield NWR, Washington. Image taken June 9, 2009.

    Lewis, June 6, 1806, while at Camp Chopunnish, on the Clearwater River, Idaho:
    "... we meet with a beautifull little bird in this neighbourhood about the size and somewhat the shape of the large sparrow.    it is reather longer in proportion to it's bulk than the sparrow.    it measures 7 inches from the extremity of the beek to that of the tail, the latter occupying 2½ inches.    the beak is reather more than half an inch in length, and is formed much like the virginia nitingale;    it is thick and large for a bird of it's size; wide at the base, both chaps convex, and pointed, the uper exceeds the under chap a little is somewhat curved and of a brown colour; the lower chap of a greenish yellow.    the eye full reather large and of a black colour both puple and iris.    the plumage is remarkably delicate; that of the neck and head is of a fine orrange yellow and red, the latter predominates on the top of the head and arround the base of the beak from whence it graduly deminishes & towards the lower part of the neck, the orrange yellow prevails most; the red has the appearance of being laid over a ground of yellow.    the breast, the sides, rump and some long feathers which lie between the legs and extend underneath the tail are of a fine orrange yellow.    the tail, back and wings are black, ecept a small stripe of yellow on the outer part of the middle joint of the wing, 1/4 of an inch wide and an inch in length.    the tail is composed of twelve feathers of which those in the center are reather shortest, and the plumage of all the feathers of the tail is longest on that side of the quill next the center of the tail.    the legs and feet are black, nails long and sharp; it has four toes on each foot, of which three are forward and one behind; that behind is as long as the two outer of the three toes in front. ..."


    Commentary:

    • Patterson (what L&C described): beautiful little bird
    • Patterson (conjectures, mostly from Coues, in Burroughs, 1961): Western Tanager
    • Patterson (current AOU equivalent): Western Tanager
    • Patterson (comments): L&C has nicely written description

    • Cutright: Western Tanager [AOU 607], discovered and described by Lewis, June 6, 1806, at Camp Chopunnish, on the Clearwater River, Idaho. Piranga ludoviciana (Wilson, 1811).

    • Holmgren:    KOOSKOOSKEE RIVER BIRD (6-6-06), western tanager, Piranga ludoviciana, Wilson 1811. Well described in journal but not named. Preserved skins brought back to Philadelphia and painted by both Alexander Wilson and Charles Wilson Peale. Kooskooskee river is the Clearwater river in Idaho.    Also: YELLOW BIRD.

    • Johnsgard:   (Western Tanager Piranga ludoviciana)    This species was not mentioned in the expedition journals, but Wilson (American Ornithology) concluded from information reported to him by expedition members that western tanagers "inhabit the extensive plains or prairies of the Missouri, between the Osage and Mandan nations; building their nests in low grass." This must have been a mistaken attribution by Wilson, as neither the habitat nor the nest site fits the ecology of this western forest-dwelling songbird.

    • NOTE: dont know why Johnsgard says "this species was not mentioned in the expedition journals", when Lewis describes the bird on June 6, 1806.

    • Moulton (June 6, 1806): The first description of the western tanager, Piranga ludoviciana [AOU, 607]. Coues called the description "clear and unmistakable." Coues (HLC), 3:1035–36 n. 26; Cutright (LCPN), 296, 306, 384–87, 437; Holmgren, 31.


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  • Willet ... (Western Willet) ... or Whimbrel
    L&C "plover ... of a different species", "Jack Curloo"
    Willet is a NEW BIRD

    Image, 2011, Wireless Road, Astoria, Oregon, click to enlarge
    Click image to enlarge     		Whimbrels in field, Wireless Road, Astoria, Oregon. Image taken May 1, 2011.

    Lewis, May 9, 1805, in Montana:
    "... I killed four plover this evening of a different species from any I have yet seen; it resembles the grey or whistling plover more than any other of this family of birds; it is about the size of the yellow legged or large grey plover common to the lower part of this river as well as most parts of the Atlantic States where they are sometimes called the Jack curloo;    ... [description omitted here] ...    the notes of this bird are louder and more various than any other of this family that I have seen. ..."


    Commentary:

    • Patterson (what L&C described): Jack Curloo
    • Patterson (conjectures, mostly from Coues, in Burroughs, 1961): Western Willet
    • Patterson (current AOU equivalent): Willet

    • Patterson (what L&C described): Jack Curloo
    • Patterson (conjectures, mostly from Coues, in Burroughs, 1961): Hudsonian Curlew
    • Patterson (current AOU equivalent): Whimbrel

    • Patterson (comments): Comments on "plovers": Lewis and Clark use the terms plover and curlew very loosely. Of the descriptions given, only that for Willet is complete. The others are not particularly helpful and early interpreters of the journals were making a best guess. Most were recorded along the upper Missouri river in the spring and summer of 1805. Given that neither Common Snipe nor Spotted Sandpiper are mentioned, there are just too many possible choices to determine species with any confidence.

    • Cutright: Western Willet [AOU 258a], discovered and fully described by Lewis, May 9, 1805, at present-day Fort Peck Dam, Valley Co., Montana. Catoptrophorus semipalmatus inornatus (Brewster, 1887).

    • Holmgren:    PLOVER (8-16-04, and many other citings) Used for most medium sized shorebirds, some not identified.
      • "large" (5-9-05) willet, Catoptrophorus semipalmatus, Gmelin 1789.

    • Johnsgard:    Willet Catoptrophorus semipalmatus:    This species was collected on May 9, 1805, at the site of present-day Fort Peck, Montana. Captain Lewis described this bird with some care and detail, incorrectly thinking it might be new to science, and he especially noted its resemblance to the "large grey plover" or "Jack Curloo." He described the bird's wings as white, tipped with black, making identification of this distinctive species fairly certain. Like avocets, willets are still fairly common in the more alkaline wetlands of western North America.

    • Johnsgard:   (Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus or Eskimo curlew Numenius borealis):    A shorebird called the "Jack Curloo" ("Jack" traditionally meaning small) was mentioned in a general way as having been seen by expedition members. It might be the whimbrel, a small curlew that was earlier known as the Hudsonian curlew. The even smaller Eskimo curlew also once migrated through the Great Plains in large numbers during spring, but it is now apparently extinct. Whimbrels still migrate in small numbers through the Great Plains but were unlikely to have been present during the expedition's passage up the Missouri River during the late summer of 1804, as their fall migration occurs mainly along the Atlantic coast. Whimbrels might also have been seen in eastern Montana the following spring, but they are now extremely rare in that state.

    • Moulton (July 9, 1805):    The willet, Catoptrophorus semipalmatus [AOU, 258], then new to science. Cutright (LCPN), 148, 431. The birds used for comparison are the lesser golden-plover and perhaps the greater yellowlegs, Tringa melanoleuca [AOU, 254], Lewis's "Jack curloo."

    • Sibley: for size comparision --- the Willet is 15 inches in length, the Whimbrel is 17.5 inches in length, and the Long-billed Curlew (not mentioned in the Journals) is 23 inches in length. The American Golden-plover is 10.5 inches in length and the Greater Yellowlegs is 14 inches.

    • See also entries for:


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  • American Avocet
    L&C "bird of the plover kind", "Missouri plover", "party coloured plover"

    Image, 2010, Glendale, Arizona, click to enlarge
    Click image to enlarge     		American Avocets, Glendale Recharge Ponds, Glendale, Arizona. Image taken October 6, 2010.

    Lewis, May 1, 1805:
    "... Shannon killed a bird of the plover kind.    ... [parts of description omitted here] ...   the head and neck are shaped much like the grey plover, and are of a light brickdust brown; the beak is black and flat, largest where it joins the head, and from thence becoming thiner and tapering to a very sharp point, the upper chap being 1/2 of an inch the longest turns down at the point and forms a little hook.    ... [parts of description omitted here] ...    the beak is much curved, the curvature being upwards in stead of downwards as is common with most birds; the substance of the beak precisely resembles whalebone at a little distance, and is quite as flexable as that substance their note resembles that of the grey plover, tho' is reather louder and more varied, their habits appear also to be the same, with this difference; that it sometimes rests on the water and swims which I do not recollect having seen the plover do.   this bird which I shall henceforth stile the Missouri plover, generally feeds about the shallow bars of the river; to collect it's food which consists of [blank], it immerces it's beak in the water and throws it's head and beak from side to side at every step it takes. ..."


    Lewis, July 17, 1806, while near Antelope Lake, Montana:
    "... we saw a number of goats as usual today, also the party coloured plover with the brick red head and neck; this bird remains about the little ponds which are distributed over the face of these plains and here raise their young ..."


    Commentary:

    • Patterson (what L&C described): bird of the plover kind
    • Patterson (conjectures, mostly from Coues, in Burroughs, 1961): Avocet
    • Patterson (current AOU equivalent): American Avocet

    • Holmgren:    PLOVER, party-coloured (5-1-05, 7-17-06) with head and neck of light brick-dust brown (5-1-05) brick red (7-17-06) American avocet, Recurvirostra americana, Gmelin 1789.

    • Johnsgard:   American Avocet Recurvirostra americana:    There is no doubt as to the identity of the bird shot on May 1, 1805, about 75 miles above the mouth of the Yellowstone River. It was carefully described by Captain Lewis, who incorrectly believed it new to science. He called it the "Missouri plover." Avocets are still fairly widespread in the more alkaline wetlands of western North America; their uniquely recurved bills are mainly used for extracting small invertebrates from the surface of water by a kind of lateral scything action.

    • Moulton (May 1, 1805):    An American avocet, Recurvirostra americana [AOU, 225], already known to science. The plover used for comparison is probably the lesser golden-plover, Pluvialis dominica [AOU, 272]. Burroughs, 225, 228–29.

    • Moulton (July 17, 1806):    The avocet, Recurvirostra americana [AOU, 225], already described before the expedition. Lewis's detailed description is at May 1, 1805.

    • See also entries for:


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  • American Bittern ... or immature Black-crowned Night Heron
    L&C "bird of heron kind, copper brown wings"

    Image, 2010, Ridgefield NWR, Washington, click to enlarge
    Click image to enlarge     		American Bittern, Ridgefield NWR, Washington. Image taken February 7, 2010.

    Lewis, August 25, 1804, while near Spirit Mound, South Dakota:
    "... also saw on our return on the Creek that passes this mound about 2 M. distant S. a bird of heron kind as large as the Cormorant short tale long leggs of a colour on the back and wings deep copper brown with a shade of red.    we could not kill it therefore I can not describe it more particularly. ..."


    Clark, undated entry, with non-bird entries omitted:
    "... The Prairie Fowl common to the Illinois are found as high up as the River Jacque above which the Sharpe tailed Grows commence    950 Ms. ...
    Indian Hen & Small Species of Kildee which frequent drift is found as high up as the Entrance of the Little Sieux river    733 ms. ...
    Parotqueet is Seen as high as the Mahar Village    836 ms. ...
    In descending the Missouri & Rochejhone ...
    Turkeys first appear at the enterance of Tylors Rivr above the big bend 1200 miles up this Missouri    1206
    The pointed tail Prarie fowl are found above the Big bend upwards.    1200 ms. up ...
    The party coloured Corvus or Magpy Commence at or about Corvus Creek and from thence upwards.    1130 ..."


    Commentary:

    • Patterson (what L&C described): indian hen
    • Patterson (conjectures, mostly from Coues, in Burroughs, 1961): American Bittern
    • Patterson (current AOU equivalent): American Bittern

    • Holmgren:    HERON
      • "brown" (8-25-04) probably American bittern, Botaurus lentiginosus Rackett 1813, or immature black-crowned night-heron, Nycticorax nycticorax, L. 1758.

    • Johnsgard:   American Bittern Botaurus lentiginosus:    Captain Clark mentioned that the "Indian hen" was found as far upstream as the mouth of the Little Sioux River, in present-day northwestern Iowa or adjacent Nebraska. The vernacular name "Indian hen" was commonly used for this elusive species through the nineteenth century. Its population numbers have not changed significantly in the past four decades.

    • Moulton (August 25, 1804): The "bird of heron kind" may be either the American bittern, Botaurus lentiginosus [AOU, 190], or the immature black-crowned night-heron, Nycticorax nycticorax [AOU, 202]. Jones et al., 64–96; Holmgren, 23, 31.

    • Moulton (Clark, undated entry):    This document is found in Codex N, pp. 153–54 ... (non-bird references omitted):
      • "Prairie Fowl common to the Illinois": greater prairie-chicken; sharp-tailed grouse;
      • "Indian Hen": greater prairie-chicken; (NOTE: Johnsgard - see above - says "Indian Hen" is used for the American Bittern)
      • "Killdeer": Charadrius vociferus [AOU, 273];    (NOTE: Clark wasn't referring to the Killdeer as the Moulton comment alludes to, but instead Clark wrote the "Small Species of Kildee", which researchers are considering is the "Piping Plover")
      • "Parotqueet": Carolina parakeet, Conuropsis carolinensis [AOU, 382];
      • "Turkey": Wild Turkey
      • "The pointed tail Prarie Fowl": sharp-tailed grouse;
      • "party coloured Corvus or Magpy": black-billed magpie;


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  • American Coot
    L&C "black duck"

    Image, 2008, Ridgefield NWR, Washington, click to enlarge
    Click image to enlarge     		American Coot, Ridgefield NWR, Washington. Image taken February 16, 2008.

    Lewis, November 30, 1805:
    "... The hunters killed only 3 hawks, saw 3 Elk but Could not git a Shot at them, The fowlers, killed 3 black ducks, with white Sharp bills, a brown Spot in their forward, Some white under the tail, which Short, and a fiew of the tips of the wing feathers white, Their toes are long Seperated and flaped, no Craw, keep in emence large flocks in the Shallow waters & feed on Grass &c.— ..."


    Lewis, March 10, 1806, while at Fort Clatsop:
    "... The black duck is about the size of the bluewinged teal.    their colour is a duskey black the breast and belley somewhat lighter than the other parts, or a dark brown.    the legs stand longitudinally with the body, and the bird when on shore stands of cours very erect.    the legs and feet are of a dark brown, the toes are four on each foot, a short one at the heel and three long toes in front, which are unconnected with a web.    the webs are attatched to each sides of the several joints of the toe, and divided by deep sinuses at each joint.    the web assuming in the intermediate part an eliptical figure.    the beak is about two inches long, streight, flated on the sides, and tapering to a sharp point.    the upper chap somewhat longest, and bears on it's base at the joining of the head, a little conic protuberance of a cartelagenous substace, being redish brown at the point. the beak is of an ivory white colour.    the eye dark.    these ducks usually associate in large flocks, and are very noisey; their note being a sharp shrill whistle.    they are usually fat and agreeably flavored; and feed principally on moss, and other vegitable productions of the water.    we did not meet with them untill we reached tide-water, but I believe them not exclusively confined to that district at all seasons, as I have noticed the same duck on many parts of the Rivers Ohio and Mississippi.    the gizzard and liver are also remarkably large in this fowl. ..."


    "The Aquatic birds of this country, or such as obtain their subsistence from the water, are the large blue and brown heron [Great Blue Heron], fishing hawk [Osprey], blue crested fisher [Belted Kingfisher], gulls of several species of the Coast [see Bonaparte's Gull and Glaucous-winged Gull], the large grey gull of the Columbia [Western Gull], Comorant [Double-crested Cormorant], loons of two species [Pacific Loon and Western Grebe], white, and the brown brant [Snow Goose and Brant], small and large geese [Cackling Geese and Canada Goose], small and large swan [Tundra Swan and Trumpeter Swan], the Duckinmallard [Mallard], canvis back duck [Canvasback], red headed fishing duck [Red-breasted Merganser or Common Merganser], black and white duck [Bufflehead], little brown duck [unknown, possibly one of the Teals], black duck [American Coot], two species of divers [Pied-billed Grebe and Red-necked Grebe], blue winged teal [Blue-winged Teal], and some other speceis of ducks."
    -- Lewis, March 6, 1806, while at Fort Clatsop



    Commentary:

    • Patterson (what L&C described): black ducks (with white bills)
    • Patterson (conjectures, mostly from Coues, in Burroughs, 1961): American Coot
    • Patterson (current AOU equivalent): American Coot
    • Patterson (comments): American Coot, description of bill and feet eliminate the possibility that these were Surf Scoters.

    • Holmgren:    DUCK, black (11-30-05), American coot, Fulica americana, Gmelin 1789. Not species now known as Black Duck.

    • Moulton (November 30, 1805):    The American coot, Fulica americana [AOU, 221], and a known species; it is not a duck. See March 10, 1805. Burroughs, 224–25.

    • Moulton (March 10, 1806):    The American coot.


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  • American Kestrel
    L&C "sparrow hawk"

    Image, 2008, Ridgefield NWR, Washington, click to enlarge Image, 2008, Ridgefield NWR, Washington, click to enlarge
    Click image to enlarge     		American Kestrel, male (left) and female (right), Ridgefield NWR, Washington. Left image taken February 18, 2008. Right image taken November 16, 2008.

    Lewis, April 13, 1805:
    "... saw the small hawk, frequently called the sparrow hawk, which is common to most parts of the U States. ..."


    Lewis, March 3, 1806, while at Fort Clatsop:
    "... The Crow raven and Large Blackbird are the same as those of our country only that the crow is here much smaller yet it's note is the same    I observe no difference either between the hawks of this coast and those of the Atlantic.    I have observed the large brown hawk, the small or sparrow hawk, and the hawk of an intermediate size with a long tail and blewish coloured wings remarkably swift in flight and very firce.    sometimes called in the U' States the hen hawk.    these birds seem to be common to every part of this country, and the hawks crows & ravens build their nests in great numbers along the high and inaccessable clifts of the Columbia river and it's S. E. branch where we passed along them ..."


    Commentary:

    • Patterson (conjectures, mostly from Coues, in Burroughs, 1961): Sparrow Hawk
    • Patterson (current AOU equivalent): American Kestrel
    • Patterson (comments): Comments on hawks: Lewis and Clark apparently only mentioned hawks generally and without descriptive details. The species listed are those presumed by Coues (as listed in Burroughs), given the ground covered and the habitats. These species are all common to very common species and the speculation that they were seen is certainly justified. I also received an e-mail regarding Peregrine Falcon, which was supposedly see on a nest. Neither Burroughs or Cutright mention any large falcons, but I would think that Prairie Falcon or Peregrine should have been encountered. When I receive a reliable reference, I will update the list (written 2002).

    • Holmgren:    HAWKS
      • "common" (4-13-05) and "small", American kestrel (formerly sparrow hawk) Falco sparverhus L. 1758, or merlin (formerly pigeon hawk) Falco columbarius L. 1758.
      • "sparrow hawk", see "common" above.

    • Johnsgard:   American Kestrel Falco sparverius:    This common and widespread small falcon, traditionally called a "sparrow hawk," was observed in the vicinity of the Little Missouri River on April 13, 1805. It was probably too common and too familiar for Lewis and Clark to have made repeated mention.

    • Moulton (April 13, 1805):    The sparrow hawk, otherwise the American kestrel, Falco sparverius [AOU, 360]. Holmgren, 30.

    • Moulton (March 3, 1806):
      • "crow": The crow is in fact the northwestern crow, a new species.
      • "raven": The subspecies of raven in the Fort Clatsop area is Corvus corax sinuatus; Lewis would have been familiar with C. c. principalis to the East. Both are now combined with the common raven.
      • "large blackbird": The blackbird seen in the West would be Brewer's blackbird, Euphagus cyanocephalus [AOU, 510], while the bird he had seen in the East would more likely be the rusty blackbird, E. carolinus [AOU, 509]. Cutright (LCPN), 434; Burroughs, 248, 255–56. NOTE: in other Moulton entries, the "large blackbird" is said to be the Common Grackle, and the Brewer's or Rusty Blackbird is said to be the "small blackbird".
      • "large brown hawk": Coues suggests that the large brown hawk may be a subspecies of the red-tailed hawk, or Swainson's hawk, Buteo swainsoni [AOU, 342]. Holmgren calls it the northern harrier, Circus cyaneus [AOU, 331], also called the marsh hawk.
      • "small or sparrow hawk": The sparrow hawk is Falco sparverius [AOU, 360], now known as the American kestrel.
      • "hawk with long tail and blewish coloured wings sometimes called the hen hawk": Coues identifies as the northern harrier, whereas Holmgren considers it to be Cooper's hawk, Accipiter cooperii [AOU, 333]. Coues (HLC), 3:875; Holmgren, 30–31.


    Image, 2007, Ridgefield NWR, Washington, click to enlarge
    Click image to enlarge     		Merlin, Ridgefield NWR, Washington. Image taken September 19, 2007.

    Holmgren suggests the Merlin, Falco columbarius (L. 1758), often called a "pigeon hawk", was also referred to as a "common" and "small" hawk.


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  • American Robin
    L&C "robbin", "common robin"

    Image, 2008, Ridgefield NWR, Washington, click to enlarge
    Click image to enlarge     		American Robin, Ridgefield NWR, Washington. Image taken February 19, 2008.

    Lewis, June 8, 1805, while in Montana:
    "... The river bottoms affording all the timber which is to be seen in the country they are filled with innumerable litle birds that resort thither either for shelter or to build their nests.    when sun began to shine today these birds appeared to be very gay and sung most inchantingly; I observed among them the brown thrush, Robbin, turtle dove, linnit goaldfinch, the large and small blackbird, wren and several other birds of less note ..."


    Weather diary, February 15, 1806, while at Fort Clatsop:
    "... fair most of last night    hard frost this morning.    the ground white with it. The robbin returned and were singing which reminded me of spring.    some other small birds passed on their flight from the South, but were so high that we would not distinguish of what kind they were.    the robbin had left this place before our arrival in November. ..."


    Weather diary, March 1806, while at Fort Clatsop:
    "... the temperature of the air is perfectly pleasent without fire.— became fair at 8 A. M.—    the sorrel with an oval, obtuse and ternate leaf has now put forth it's leaves.    some of them have nearly obtained their growth already.    the birds were singing very agreably this morning particularly the common robin.—


    Lewis, July 1, 1806, where Lolo Creek empties into the Bitterroot River, Montana:
    "... the dove, the black woodpecker, the lark woodpecker, the logcock, the prarie lark, sandhill crain, prarie hen with the short and pointed tail, the robin, a speceis of brown plover, a few curloos, small black birds, ravens hawks and a variety of sparrows as well as the bee martin and the several species of Corvus genus are found in this vally. ..."


    Commentary:

    • Patterson (conjectures, mostly from Coues, in Burroughs, 1961): Eastern Robin
    • Patterson (current AOU equivalent): American Robin

    • Holmgren:    ROBIN
      • "robin" (4-23-05, 6-8-05) American robin, Turdus migratorius, L. 1766.
      • "Columbian or Rocky Mountain" (9-20-05, 1-31-06, 2-4-06) varied thrush, Ixoreus naevius Gmelin 1789. Often called Alaskan robin or Oregon robin because of its resemblance.

    • Johnsgard:   American Robin Turdus migratorius:    Few specific notes were made on this common species. In the expedition's Meteorological Register of April 22, 1805, it was noted that robins had returned to Fort Mandan. Robins were also seen near Great Falls, Montana (June 15, 1805), and on the upper Marias River (July 19, 1806). American robin populations have increased significantly in North America during the last four decades, probably at least in part through increased bird-feeding by humans.

    • Moulton (June 8, 1805):
      • Burroughs questions Criswell's identification of the linnet as the pine siskin, Carduelis pinus [AOU, 533]. Holmgren says the term linnet was used for any small bird with a red crown, especially the common redpoll, C. flammea [AOU, 528], the purple finch, Carpodacus purpureus [AOU, 517], and the house finch, C. mexicanus [AOU, 519]. Burroughs, 259; Criswell, 53; Holmgren, 32.
      • Lewis's "goaldfinch" is the American goldfinch, Carduelis tristis [AOU, 529].
      • The wren may be the winter wren, Troglodytes troglodytes [AOU, 722], or any of several other birds. Holmgren, 34.

    • Moulton (Weather diary, March 1806): American robin, Turdus migratorius [AOU, 761].

    • Moulton (July 1, 1806):
      • "dove": Mourning dove, Zenaida macroura [AOU, 316]. Holmgren, 34.
      • "black woodpecker": Lewis's woodpecker, Melanerpes lewis [AOU, 408]; see May 27, 1806. Holmgren, 34; Burroughs, 239–40.
      • "lark woodpecker": Common, or northern, flicker, Colaptes auratus [AOU, 412]. Burroughs, 241–42; Holmgren, 34.
      • "logcock": [Pileated Woodpecker]
      • "prarie lark": Probably the horned lark, Eremophila alpestris [AOU, 474]. Holmgren, 31.
      • "sandhill crain": [Sandhill Crane]
      • "prarie hen with the short and pointed tail": Sharp-tailed grouse, Tympanuchus phasianellus [AOU, 308]; see March 1, 1806. Holmgren, 29; Burroughs, 213.
      • "robin": American robin, Turdus migratorius [AOU, 761].
      • "a speceis of brown plover": Probably the upland sandpiper, Bartramia longicauda [AOU, 261]; see July 22, 1805. Holmgren, 33; Burroughs, 227.
      • "curloos":
      • "small black birds": Either the rusty blackbird, Euphagus carolinus [AOU, 509], or Brewer's blackbird, E. cyanocephalus [AOU, 510]. Holmgren, 28.
      • "ravens": Common raven, Corvus corax [AOU, 486].
      • "hawks":
      • "variety of sparrows":
      • "bee martin": Either the eastern kingbird, Tyrannus tyrannus [AOU, 444], or the western kingbird, more likely the latter.
      • "several species of Corvus genus":


    [Return to Top]



  • Bald Eagle
    L&C "bald eagle"

    Image, 2010, Columbia River near Interstate 5, click to enlarge
    Click image to enlarge     		Bald Eagle, Columbia River near Interstate 5, Oregon side. Image taken November 20, 2010.

    Lewis, July 11, 1805:
    "... I saw several very large grey Eagles today they are a half as large again as the common bald Eagle of this country. I do not think the bald Eagle here qute so large as those of the U' States; the grey Eagle is infinitely larger and is no doubt a distinct species. ..."


    Lewis, August 10, 1805:
    "... I saw several bald Eagles and two large white headed fishinghawks    boath these birds were the same common to our country ..."


    Clark, November 29, 1805, while at Tongue Point, Oregon:
    "... The Shore below the point at our Camp is formed of butifull pebble of various colours. I observe but fiew birds of the Small kind, great numbers of wild fowls of Various kinds, the large Buzzard with white wings, grey and bald eagle's, large red tailed Hawks, ravens & Crows in abundance, the blue Magpie, a Small brown bird which frequents logs & about the roots of trees ..."


    Lewis, March 26, 1806, near Crims Island:
    "... here our hunters joined us having killed three Eagles and a large goose. I had now an oportunity of comparing the bald with the grey Eagle;    I found that the greay Eagle was about 1/4 larger, it's legs and feet were dark while those of the bald Eagle wer of a fine orrange yellow; the iris of the eye is also of a dark yellowish brown while that of the other is of a bright silvery colour with a slight admixture of yellow. ..."


    Commentary:

    • Patterson (what L&C described): bald eagle
    • Patterson (conjectures, mostly from Coues, in Burroughs, 1961): Bald Eagle
    • Patterson (current AOU equivalent): Bald Eagle

    • Holmgren:    EAGLE
      • "bald" (4-10-05) Haliaetus leucocephalus, L. 1766.
      • "calumet", "calument bird", "calument eagle" (10-19-04, 4-8-05) golden eagle, Aquila chrysaetos, L. 1758. Full-grown (3-4 yrs.) not yet in adult plumage, with tail feathers still white tipped in dark brown -- not all brown as in adult -- the feathers Indians chose to adorn their calumets (ceremonial pipes) (3-11/12-06).
      • "grey" (7-11-05) immature bald eagle, Birds under 4 or 5 years do not have the distinctive white head and tail of the adult, but are full-grown in size and may even mate. Through the 19th century, most writers classified them as a separate species. Easily confused with immature golden eagle.
      • "great eagle" (8-26-05) golden eagle, Aquila chrysaetos, L. 1758, Calumet bird.

    • Johnsgard:   Bald Eagle Haliaeetus leucocephalus:    Eagles of unspecified species were noted as far downstream as the vicinity of the mouth of the Niobrara River on September 5, 1806. Bald eagles were first specifically mentioned on April 10, 1805, when they were observed nesting in tall cottonwood trees between Fort Mandan and the Little Missouri River. Other eagle nests were noted on April 25, April 27, and May 7, 1805, near the mouth of the Yellowstone River. On May 8 they were first observed to have young in the nests, and the birds were again seen on August 9 at the mouth of Prairie Creek, near Grayling, Montana. Long on the federally endangered list, the bald eagle has recovered significantly in the past few decades as a result of intensive management efforts, and now breeds in both the Missouri and Yellowstone Valleys of Montana.

    • Moulton (July 11, 1805):    Lewis's gray eagle may be the golden eagle; on the average they are smaller than the bald eagle. Burroughs, 207, 325 nn. 5, 6, 7, suggests that Lewis may have compared a female golden eagle to a male bald eagle. See also Coues (HLC), 2:409 n. 25. Holmgren considers this bird to be an immature bald eagle.

    • Moulton (August 10, 1805):    The bald eagle, Haliaeetus leucocephalus [AOU, 352], and the osprey, Pandion haliaetus [AOU, 364].

    • Moulton (November 29, 1805):
      • "large Buzzard with white wings": [California Condor]
      • "grey and bald eagles": The "grey and bald eagle's" are, respectively, golden eagle, Aquila chrysaetos [AOU, 349], and bald eagle, Haliaeetus leucocephalus [AOU, 352]. Burroughs, 204–8.
      • "large red tailed Hawks": Red-tailed hawk, Buteo jamaicensis [AOU, 337], a widespread species already known to science. Ibid., 208; Coues (HLC), 2:724.
      • "ravens and crows": Probably the common raven, Corvus corax [AOU, 486], and the American crow, C. brachyrhyncho [AOU, 488]. Burroughs, 248; Cutright (LCPN), 432.
      • "blue Magpie": Steller's jay, Cyanocitta stelleri [AOU, 478], first noted by Lewis on September 20, 1805. The captain gives a full description in an undated entry, ca. December 18, 1805. Burroughs, 248–49.
      • "small brown bird which frequents logs & about the roots of trees": Perhaps the winter wren, Troglodytes troglodytes [AOU, 722], and if so, then new to science; see March 4, 1806. Burroughs, 252; Cutright (LCPN), 274, 438.

    • Moulton (March 26, 1806): The bald eagle is Haliaeetus leucocephalus [AOU, 352]; the "grey" eagle is the golden eagle, Aquila chrysaetos [AOU, 349]. The bald is actually larger than the golden. Lewis may have compared a female bald eagle to a male golden. Burroughs, 204–8, 325 n. 7.

    • See also entries for:
    • Golden Eagle


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  • Bank Swallow ... and/or Northern Rough-winged Swallow
    L&C "small or bank martin"

    Image, 2011, The Dalles, Oregon, click to enlarge Image, 2008, Ridgefield NWR, Washington, click to enlarge
    Click image to enlarge     		Bank Swallows at nesting site (left) and Northern Rough-winged Swallow (right). Left image taken June 4, 2011, The Dalles, Oregon. Right image taken May 19, 2008, Ridgefield NWR, Washington.

    Clark, August 25, 1804, (first version) while climbing Spirit Mound, South Dakota:
    "... This morning Capt Lewis & my Self G D. Sjt. Ouderway Shields J. Fields colter Bratten Cane Labeeche corp Wovington Frasure & York Set out to Visit this mountain of evel Spirits, ...    at 12 oClock we rose the hill    Some time before we got to the hill we obsevd. great numbers of Birds hovering about the top of this Mound when I got on the top those Birds flw off. I discovered that they wer Cetechig [catching] a kind of flying ant which were in great numbers abought the top of this hill ..."


    Clark, August 25, 1804, (second version):
    "... the insects of various kinds are thus involuntaryly driven to the mound by the force of the wind, or fly to its Leward Side for Shelter; the Small Birds whoes food they are, Consequently resort in great numbers to this place in Surch of them; Perticularly the Small brown Martin of which we saw a vast number hovering on the Leward Side of the hill, when we approached it in the act of Catching those insects; they were So gentle that they did not quit the place untill we had arrivd. within a fiew feet of them— ..."


    Ordway, August 25, 1804:
    "... when we came near the hill we Saw a great flock of Birds flying about the top of it ..."


    Weather diary, March 27, 1806, while at Fort Clatsop:
    "... blew hard about noon.    rained greater part of the day.    the small or bank martin appeared today, saw one large flock of them. waterfowl very scarce, a few Comorant, geese, and the redheaded fishing duck are all that are to be seen. ..."


    Commentary:

    • Holmgren:    (4-4-06) English name for swallows (except barn swallow) and similar insect-eaters. See BEE-MARTIN. Probably coined from Mars, Roman god of war, because these birds are especially warlike in defending nest and territory and on migration gather in huge flocks, like armies.
      • "bank" (3-27-06) bank swallow, Riparia riparia L. 1758.
      • "black" (5-4-05) purple martin, Progne subis L. 1758.
      • "brown" (8-25-04) bank swallow.
      • "common" (4-4-06) purple martin, usually species meant if only "martin" is used.
      • "martin that builds globular mud nest" (5-31-05) cliff swallow, Hirundo pyrrhonota Vieillot 1817. Formerly Petrochelidon pyrrhonota.

    • Johnsgard:   Bank Swallow Riparia riparia:    Captain Clark saw a "vast number" of "a small brown martin" catching insects above Spirit Mound, South Dakota, on August 25, 1804. These were most likely bank swallows but might have included rough-winged swallows (Stelgidopteryx serripennis), which also nest along the steep bluffs of the Missouri River. Both species would have been gathering for fall migration during late August. Bank swallows historically nested in vast numbers on the nearly vertical loess bluffs along the middle Missouri River, from the mouth of the Platte into South Dakota, according to James Ducey. Recent population trends of these species are not clear.

    • Moulton (August 25, 1804, Clark's second entry):    Possibly the bank swallow, Riparia riparia, [AOU, 616] or the northern rough-winged swallow, Stelgidopteryx serripennis [AOU, 617]. Holmgren, 32, and personal communication, August 9, 1984.

    • Moulton (Weather diary, March 1806): Perhaps the bank swallow, Riparia riparia [AOU, 616]. Holmgren, 32.


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  • Barn Swallow
    L&C "swallow"

    Image, 2008, Ridgefield NWR, Washington, click to enlarge
    Click image to enlarge     		Barn Swallow, male, Ridgefield NWR, Washington. Image taken May 30, 2008.

    Weather diary, September 20, 1804:
    "... the antelope is now ruting, the swallow has disappeared 12 days ..."


    Weather diary, July 20, 1806:
    "... Great number of Swallows,    they have their young. ..."


    Commentary:

    • Holmgren:    (9-20-04) barn swallow, Hirundo rustica L. 1758, is usually the species meant when only "swallow" is used. It is the only swallow species in North America with deeply forked tail. Others in the swallow family were usually referred to as "martins".

    • Moulton (Weather diary, September 20, 1804):    Perhaps the barn swallow, Hirundo rustica [AOU, 613]. Holmgren, 33.

    • Moulton (Weather diary, July 20, 1806):    Probably the barn swallow, Hirundo rustica [AOU, 613]. Holmgren, 33.


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  • Belted Kingfisher
    L&C "blue crested or King fisher"

    Image, 2007, Ridgefield NWR, Washington, click to enlarge
    Click image to enlarge     		Belted Kingfisher, female, Ridgefield NWR, Washington. Image taken July 31, 2007.

    Lewis, July 12, 1805:
    "... the blue crested fisher, or as they are sometimes called the Kingfisher, is an inhabitant of this part of the country; this bird is very rare on the Missouri; I have not seen more than three or four of those birds during my voyage from the entrance of the Missouri to the mouth of Maria's river and those few were reather the inhabitants of streams of clerer water which discharged themselves into the Missouri than of that river, as they were seen about the entrances of such streams. ..."


    Lewis, March 7, 1806, while at Fort Clatsop:
    "... the fishing hawk with the crown of the head White and back of a mealy white, and the blue crested or King fisher are found on every part of the Columbia and it's waters and are the same with those of the U' States.    the fishing hawk is not abundant particularly in the mountains. ..."


    Weather diary, March 24, 1806, while at Fort Clatsop:
    "... at 9 A. M. it became fair and continued fair all day and greater pt. of the night. ...    Saw the blue crested fisher.    birds are singing this morning.    the black Alder is in blume. ..."


    Weather diary, April 16, 1806, while at Rock Fort:
    "... morning unusually warm. vegitation rapidly progressing.— at the rock fort camp saw the prarie lark, a speceis of the peawee, the blue crested fisher, the partycoloured corvus, and the black pheasant. ..."


    "The Aquatic birds of this country, or such as obtain their subsistence from the water, are the large blue and brown heron [Great Blue Heron], fishing hawk [Osprey], blue crested fisher [Belted Kingfisher], gulls of several species of the Coast [see Bonaparte's Gull and Glaucous-winged Gull], the large grey gull of the Columbia [Western Gull], Comorant [Double-crested Cormorant], loons of two species [Pacific Loon and Western Grebe], white, and the brown brant [Snow Goose and Brant], small and large geese [Cackling Geese and Canada Goose], small and large swan [Tundra Swan and Trumpeter Swan], the Duckinmallard [Mallard], canvis back duck [Canvasback], red headed fishing duck [Red-breasted Merganser or Common Merganser], black and white duck [Bufflehead], little brown duck [unknown, possibly one of the Teals], black duck [American Coot], two species of divers [Pied-billed Grebe and Red-necked Grebe], blue winged teal [Blue-winged Teal], and some other speceis of ducks."
    -- Lewis, March 6, 1806, while at Fort Clatsop



    Commentary:

    • Patterson (what L&C described): blue crested fisher (kingfisher)
    • Patterson (conjectures, mostly from Coues, in Burroughs, 1961): Eastern Belted Kingfisher
    • Patterson (current AOU equivalent): Belted Kingfisher

    • Holmgren:    KINGFISHER (5-7-05) belted kingfisher, Ceryle alcyon, L. 1758. Formerly Megaceryle alcyon.

    • Johnsgard:   Belted Kingfisher Ceryle alcyon:    In the expedition's Meteorological Register of May 23, 1805, it was noted that a kingfisher was first seen seasonally near present-day Fort Peck. It was also seen near Great Falls (July 11-13, 1805). This distinctive bird is still common along relatively clear rivers supporting small fishes. Belted kingfisher populations have declined significantly in North America during the last four decades, probably as a result of increased levels of water pollution.

    • Moulton (Weather diary, April 16, 1806):
      • "prarie lark": Western Meadowlark or Horned Lark;
      • "speceis of the peawee": Probably Say's phoebe, Sayornis saya [AOU, 457]. Holmgren, 32. It is not mentioned in Clark's remarks.
      • "blue crested fisher": Belted Kingfisher,
      • "partycoloured corvus": Black-billed Magpie,
      • "black pheasant": Sooty or Dusky Grouse.


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  • Black-bellied Plover ... (perhaps the American Golden-Plover)
    L&C "large plover" ... "grey or whistling plover"

    Image, 2011, Ridgefield NWR, Washington, click to enlarge Image, 2007, Ridgefield NWR, Washington, click to enlarge
    Click image to enlarge     		Black-bellied Pover (left) and Pacific Golden-Plover (right). Ridgefield NWR, Washington. Left image taken June 12, 2007. Right image taken September 1, 2011.

    In 1993 the Lesser Golden-Plover was split in two, creating the American Golden-Plover and the Pacific Golden-Plover.

    Clark, August 15, 1804:
    "... Ducks, Pliver of different Kinds are on those Ponds as well as on the river ..."


    Weather diary, April 10, 1805, while at Fort Mandan:
    "... the prarie lark, bald Eagle, & the large plover have returned.    the grass begins to spring, and the leaf buds of the willow to appear.—    Chery birds disappear. ..."


    Lewis, May 9, 1805, in Montana, describing the Willet:
    "... I killed four plover this evening of a different species from any I have yet seen; it resembles the grey or whistling plover more than any other of this family of birds; it is about the size of the yellow legged or large grey plover common to the lower part of this river as well as most parts of the Atlantic States where they are sometimes called the Jack curloo; ..."


    Commentary:

    • Patterson (what L&C described): large plover
    • Patterson (conjectures, mostly from Coues, in Burroughs, 1961): Black-bellied Plover
    • Patterson (current AOU equivalent): Black-bellied Plover
    • Patterson (comments): Comments on "plovers": Lewis and Clark use the terms plover and curlew very loosely. Of the descriptions given, only that for Willet is complete. The others are not particularly helpful and early interpreters of the journals were making a best guess. Most were recorded along the upper Missouri river in the spring and summer of 1805. Given that neither Common Snipe nor Spotted Sandpiper are mentioned, there are just too many possible choices to determine species with any confidence.

    • Patterson (what L&C described): gray or whistling plover
    • Patterson (conjectures, mostly from Coues, in Burroughs, 1961): Golden Plover
    • Patterson (current AOU equivalent): American Golden Plover
    • Patterson (comments): Comments on "plovers": Lewis and Clark use the terms plover and curlew very loosely. Of the descriptions given, only that for Willet is complete. The others are not particularly helpful and early interpreters of the journals were making a best guess. Most were recorded along the upper Missouri river in the spring and summer of 1805. Given that neither Common Snipe nor Spotted Sandpiper are mentioned, there are just too many possible choices to determine species with any confidence.

    • Johnsgard:   (Black-bellied Plover Pluvialis squatarola)    Myron Swenk speculated that some "plovers" seen by Captain Clark on August 15, 1804, in what is now Dakota County might have been migrating black-bellied plovers or perhaps American golden-plovers (Pluvialis dominica). Although both species migrate through Nebraska in autumn, the migration dates for the golden-plover are from early September to late November, and the black-bellied from August to early November. Thus, only the black-bellied would likely have been present in the state during mid-August. Other plover or sandpiper species are also possible candidates; Lewis and Clark apparently applied the term "plover" broadly to shorebirds, not necessarily to plovers specifically.

    • Moulton (August 15, 1804):    The "Ducks, Pliver" and the like are not identifiable, but one naturalist speculates that the former was the wood duck, and the latter either the lesser golden-plover, Plurialis dominica [AOU, 272] or black-bellied plover, P. squatarola [AOU, 270] or "some other species of plover or plover-like shore bird." Swenk, 121–22

    • Moulton (Weather diary, April 10, 1805):    Perhaps the horned lark, Eremophila alpestris [AOU, 474]. Reid & Gannon, 19. The plover is the black-bellied plover, Pluvialis squatarola [AOU, 270].    ("Chery birds" are Cedar Waxwings).

    • Moulton (May 9, 1805):    The willet, Catoptrophorus semipalmatus [AOU, 258], then new to science. Cutright (LCPN), 148, 431. The birds used for comparison are the lesser golden-plover and perhaps the greater yellowlegs, Tringa melanoleuca [AOU, 254], Lewis's "Jack curloo."

    • In 1993 (AOU, 6th edition, 39th supplement) the Lesser Golden-Plover was split in two, creating the American Golden-Plover and the Pacific Golden-Plover.    "Lesser Golden-Plover is split into two species, American Golden-Plover (Pluvialis dominica) [272] and Pacific Golden-Plover (Pluvialis fulva) [272.1]. There have been suggestions that these forms are separate species since the 1950s, but the first strong support for this idea was a report by Peter G. Connors. He found that birds from extreme western Alaska fell into two groups, corresponding to dominica and fulva, with very little evidence of intermediate birds and considerable range overlap. ... American Golden-Plovers are widespread in North and Middle America, while Pacific Golden-Plovers occur mostly along the Pacific Coast and in Hawaii. Both are famous long-distance vagrants. ... "

    • See also entries for:


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  • Blue Jay
    L&C "jay bird"

    Image, 2008, Silver Lake, Ohio, click to enlarge
    Click image to enlarge     		Blue Jay, Silver Lake, Ohio. Image taken October 18, 2008.

    Lewis, September 19, 1805:
    "... I killed 2 Pheasents, but fiew birds [WC: are to be Seen] Blue jay, Small white headed hawk,    Some Crows & ravins & large hawks.    road bad. ..."


    Lewis, September 20, 1805:
    "... I have also observed two birds of a blue colour both of which I believe to be of the haulk or vulter kind.    the one of the blue shining colour with a very high tuft of feathers on the head a long tale, it feeds on flesh the beak and feet black.    it's note is cha-ah, cha-ah.    it is about the size of a pigeon; and in shape and action resembles the jay bird.—    another bird of very similar genus, the note resembling the mewing of the cat, with a white head and a light blue colour is also common ..."


    Lewis, December 18, 1805, while at Fort Clatsop:
    "... Discription of the blue Crested corvus bird common to the woody and western side of the Rockey mountains, and all the woody country from thence to the Pacific Ocean ...    the size & the whole Contour of this bird resembles very much the blue jay or jaybird as they are called in the U' States.    like them also they seldom rest in one place long but are in constant motion hoping from spra to spray. ..."


    Commentary:

    • Holmgren:    JAYS
      • "blue jay" (5-26-05) Cyanocitta cristata, L. 1758.
      • "jay, jaybird" (5-26-05) always refers to the blue jay, the only jay that Lewis and Clark were familiar with before going west.
      • "size of robin" (8-1-05) acts like a jay, pinyon jay, Gymnorhinus cyanocephalus, Wied 1841. Voice well described.

    • Johnsgard:   Blue Jay Cyanocitta cristata:    Although the blue jay is not mentioned in the journals, one of the expedition members informed Wilson (American Ornithology) that the generally ubiquitous blue jay was progressively replaced by the magpie to the north and west of the Big Bend of the Missouri River, where the magpie was first encountered (Reid and Gannon 1999). This same sort of ecological and geographic replacement of the blue jay by the magpie is evident today on the western high plains. Like magpies, blue jay populations have declined significantly in North America during the last four decades, perhaps in part because of competition with the larger American crows.

    • NOTE: the Blue Jay was generally referenced as "jay" or "jay bird" throughout the journals when in reference to other birds, such as comparing the Steller's Jay, Pinyon Jay, and the Gray Jay. On December 18, 1805 Lewis describes the Gray Jay and begins a description of the Steller's Jay, then leaves the paragraph and sentence unfinished. An undated entry below that (Moulton editions) continues, describing the Steller's Jay and in that paragraph Lewis references that bird as "the size & the whole Contour of this bird resembles very much the blue jay or jaybird as they are called in the U' States.".

    • Moulton (September 20, 1805):
      • "tuft of feathers": Steller's jay and new to science. Cutright (LCPN), 210. See Lewis's full description at December 18, 1805.
      • "jay-bird": [Blue Jay]
      • "white head, light blue color": Perhaps the gray jay, Perisoreus canadensis [AOU, 484]. Holmgren, 29. See also Lewis's entry of December 18, 1805.

    • See also entries for:


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  • Blue-winged Teal
    L&C "blue-winged teal", "bluewinged teal"

    Image, 2009, Ridgefield NWR, Washington, click to enlarge
    Click image to enlarge     		Blue-winged Teal, male, Ridgefield NWR, Washington. Image taken May 23, 2009.

    Lewis, March 10, 1806, while at Fort Clatsop:
    "... the bluewinged teal are a very excellent duck, and are the same with those of the Atlantic coast ..."


    "The Aquatic birds of this country, or such as obtain their subsistence from the water, are the large blue and brown heron [Great Blue Heron], fishing hawk [Osprey], blue crested fisher [Belted Kingfisher], gulls of several species of the Coast [see Bonaparte's Gull and Glaucous-winged Gull], the large grey gull of the Columbia [Western Gull], Comorant [Double-crested Cormorant], loons of two species [Pacific Loon and Western Grebe], white, and the brown brant [Snow Goose and Brant], small and large geese [Cackling Geese and Canada Goose], small and large swan [Tundra Swan and Trumpeter Swan], the Duckinmallard [Mallard], canvis back duck [Canvasback], red headed fishing duck [Red-breasted Merganser or Common Merganser], black and white duck [Bufflehead], little brown duck [unknown, possibly one of the Teals], black duck [American Coot], two species of divers [Pied-billed Grebe and Red-necked Grebe], blue winged teal [Blue-winged Teal], and some other speceis of ducks."
    -- Lewis, March 6, 1806, while at Fort Clatsop



    Commentary:

    • Patterson (what L&C described): blue-winged teal
    • Patterson (conjectures, mostly from Coues, in Burroughs, 1961): Blue-winged Teal
    • Patterson (current AOU equivalent): Blue-winged Teal
    • Patterson (comments): Comments on ducks: Given the number of species of ducks that winter in Columbia Estuary today, the dearth of duck species listed by Lewis and Clark for the Columbia River is puzzling. Jefferson had instructed them not to waste time on familiar species, but Mallards are referred to regularly, so one would expect that numbers of Northern Pintail, American Wigeon, Green-winged Teal and Greater Scaup would have also been mentioned. The description of the duck later assigned as Ring-necked Duck (new to science at the time) is sufficient and most probably correct, but the apparent absence of scaup from accounts is strange. The number of scaup recorded on the Columbia Estuary Christmas Bird Count averages around 1000 and the Wahkiakum Count around 5000, yet they would seem to have gone undetected. Also surprising is that there is no mention of Surf Scoters which winter along the coast between Tillamook Head and Long Beach in groups of up to 20,000.

    • Holmgren:    DUCKS
      • "little brown" (3-10-06) size-and-color clues suggest blue-winged teal female, Anas discors, L. 1766, or green-winged teal female, Anas crecca, L. 1758.

    • Holmgren:    TEAL (9-13-04, 10-6-04) See DUCK, little brown.
      • "blue-winged teal" (9-13-04, 4-16-05) Anas discors, L. 1766.


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  • Blue-winged Teal ... or Green-winged Teal ... the "brown duck"
    L&C "little brown duck" ... "brown duck" ...

    Image, 2009, Ridgefield NWR, Washington, click to enlarge
    Click image to enlarge     		Green-winged Teal, female (left) and male (right), Ridgefield NWR, Washington. Image taken March 22, 2008.

    Lewis, November 30, 1805:
    "saw a great abundance of fowls, brant, large geese, white brant sandhill Cranes, common blue crains, cormarants, haulks, ravens, crows, gulls and a great variety of ducks, the canvas back, duckinmallard, black and white diver, brown duck— &c &c— "


    Lewis, March 10, 1806, while at Fort Clatsop:
    "the brown duck is much in form like the duckinmallard, tho' not much more than half it's size.    the colour is an uniform mixture of yellowish and dark brown.    there is nothing remarkable in the appearance of this duck it generally resorts the same kind of grassey marshes with the duckinmallard and feeds in a similar manner, on grass seed, and roots.    both these ducks [referring to the Bufflehead and this brown duck] are common to the river for some distance above tide water as well as below."


    "The Aquatic birds of this country, or such as obtain their subsistence from the water, are the large blue and brown heron [Great Blue Heron], fishing hawk [Osprey], blue crested fisher [Belted Kingfisher], gulls of several species of the Coast [see Bonaparte's Gull and Glaucous-winged Gull], the large grey gull of the Columbia [Western Gull], Comorant [Double-crested Cormorant], loons of two species [Pacific Loon and Western Grebe], white, and the brown brant [Snow Goose and Brant], small and large geese [Cackling Geese and Canada Goose], small and large swan [Tundra Swan and Trumpeter Swan], the Duckinmallard [Mallard], canvis back duck [Canvasback], red headed fishing duck [Red-breasted Merganser or Common Merganser], black and white duck [Bufflehead], little brown duck [unknown, possibly one of the Teals], black duck [American Coot], two species of divers [Pied-billed Grebe and Red-necked Grebe], blue winged teal [Blue-winged Teal], and some other speceis of ducks."
    -- Lewis, March 6, 1806, while at Fort Clatsop



    Commentary:

    • Patterson (comments): Comments on ducks: Given the number of species of ducks that winter in Columbia Estuary today, the dearth of duck species listed by Lewis and Clark for the Columbia River is puzzling. Jefferson had instructed them not to waste time on familiar species, but Mallards are referred to regularly, so one would expect that numbers of Northern Pintail, American Wigeon, Green-winged Teal and Greater Scaup would have also been mentioned. The description of the duck later assigned as Ring-necked Duck (new to science at the time) is sufficient and most probably correct, but the apparent absence of scaup from accounts is strange. The number of scaup recorded on the Columbia Estuary Christmas Bird Count averages around 1000 and the Wahkiakum Count around 5000, yet they would seem to have gone undetected. Also surprising is that there is no mention of Surf Scoters which winter along the coast between Tillamook Head and Long Beach in groups of up to 20,000.

    • Holmgren:    DUCKS
      • "little brown" (3-10-06) size-and-color clues suggest blue-winged teal female, Anas discors, L. 1766, or green-winged teal female, Anas crecca, L. 1758.

    • Moulton (March 10, 1806):    Holmgren, 29, suggests one of several teals, Anas sp.

    Image, 2009, Ridgefield NWR, Washington, click to enlarge
    Click image to enlarge     		Blue-winged Teal, male, Ridgefield NWR, Washington. Image taken May 23, 2009.


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  • Brant
    L&C "brown brant", "brown or pided brant"

    Image, 2012, Heron Lakes, Portland, Oregon, click to enlarge
    Click image to enlarge     		Brant, with Cackling Geese, Heron Lakes Golf Course, Portland, Oregon. Late afternoon. Image taken January 1, 2012.

    Lewis, March 8, 1806, while at Fort Clatsop:
    "... The Brown or pided brant are much the same size and form of the white [Snow Goose] only that their wings are considerably longer and more pointed.    the plumage of the upper part of the body neck head and tail is much the colour of the canadian goose but reather darker in consequence of som dark brown feathers which are distributed and irregularly scattered throughout. they have not the white on the neck and sides of the head as the goose has nor is the neck darker than the body.    like the goose there are some white feathers on the rump at the joinging of the tail.    the beak is dark and the legs and feet also dark with a greenish cast; the breast and belley are of a lighter colour than the back and is also irregularly intermixed with dark brown and black feathers which give it a pided appearance.    the flesh of this bird is dark and in my estimation reather better than that of the goose. the habits of this bird are the same nearly with the goose and white brant with this difference that they do not remain in this climate in such numbers during the winter as the others, and that it sets out earlier in the fall season on it's return to the south and arrives later in the spring than the goose. I see no difference between this bird and that called simply the brant, common to the lakes the Ohio and Mississippi &c. ..."


    "The Aquatic birds of this country, or such as obtain their subsistence from the water, are the large blue and brown heron [Great Blue Heron], fishing hawk [Osprey], blue crested fisher [Belted Kingfisher], gulls of several species of the Coast [see Bonaparte's Gull and Glaucous-winged Gull], the large grey gull of the Columbia [Western Gull], Comorant [Double-crested Cormorant], loons of two species [Pacific Loon and Western Grebe], white, and the brown brant [Snow Goose and Brant], small and large geese [Cackling Geese and Canada Goose], small and large swan [Tundra Swan and Trumpeter Swan], the Duckinmallard [Mallard], canvis back duck [Canvasback], red headed fishing duck [Red-breasted Merganser or Common Merganser], black and white duck [Bufflehead], little brown duck [unknown, possibly one of the Teals], black duck [American Coot], two species of divers [Pied-billed Grebe and Red-necked Grebe], blue winged teal [Blue-winged Teal], and some other speceis of ducks."
    -- Lewis, March 6, 1806, while at Fort Clatsop



    Commentary:

    • Patterson (what L&C described): brown brant
    • Patterson (conjectures, mostly from Coues, in Burroughs, 1961): American Brant
    • Patterson (current AOU equivalent): Brant

    • Cutright: described by Lewis, March 8, 1806, at Fort Clatsop ... Brandt, Lesser Canada Goose, and Hutchings may be same goose

    • Holmgren:    BRANT (3-7-04)
      • "brown" (4-9-05), Branta bernicla bernicla, L. 1758. Some of the darker ones were probably black brant, Branta bernicla nigricans, Lawrence 1846, now a subspecies.
      • "common, common pided (pied), speckled". Other names for brant.
      • "grey" (11-2-05) blue goose, Chen caerulescens caerulescens, L. 1758. Formerly a full species, now a subspecies with snow goose (white brant).
      • "pided (pied)" (3-15-06), greater white fronted goose, Anser albifrons, Scopoli 1769. Larger, well described and pictured. (NOTE: in error, see below)
      • "white with black wing tips (10-17-04) snow goose, Chen Caerulescens hyperborea, Pallas 1769. See also "grey brant".

    • NOTE: Coues was the one who made the reference of "pied" being associated with the Greater White-fronted Goose, and Holmgren is copying him. Lewis however used the "pied brant" to COMPARE TO the Greater White-fronted Goose. See Greater White-fronted Goose.


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  • Brown Thrasher
    L&C "brown thrush or mocking bird"

    Weather diary, May 18, 1805:
    "... a good shower   saw the wild rose in blume.    the brown thrush or mocking bird has appeared ..."


    Lewis, June 8, 1805, while in Montana:
    "... The river bottoms affording all the timber which is to be seen in the country they are filled with innumerable litle birds that resort thither either for shelter or to build their nests.    when sun began to shine today these birds appeared to be very gay and sung most inchantingly; I observed among them the brown thrush, Robbin, turtle dove, linnit goaldfinch, the large and small blackbird, wren and several other birds of less note ..."

    Lewis, July 12, 1806:
    "... saw the brown thrush, pigeons, doves &c. ..."


    Commentary:

    • Patterson (what L&C described): brown thrush
    • Patterson (conjectures, mostly from Coues, in Burroughs, 1961): Brown Thrasher
    • Patterson (current AOU equivalent): Brown Thrasher

    • Holmgren:    MOCKINGBIRD (5-18-05) THRASHER, THRUSH, brown [Brown Thrasher].

    • Holmgren:    THRUSH. Robins, bluebirds, and solitaires all belong to the thrush family and were sometimes called thrushes by early colonists. Thrashers and mockingbirds, which do not belong to that family, were sometimes called thrushes too, and usage persisted for some years.
      • "brown" (5-18-05, 6-8-05) brown thrasher, Toxostoma rufum, L. 1858. Brown thrush and brown mockingbird are both old names for the brown thrasher. Lewis used both 5-8-05. (Note, suspect she means 5-18-05).

    • Moulton (Weather diary, May 18, 1805):    Brown thrush and brown mockingbird are old names for the brown thrasher, Toxostoma rufum [AOU, 705]. Holmgren, 34.

    • Moulton (June 8, 1805):
      • Burroughs questions Criswell's identification of the linnet as the pine siskin, Carduelis pinus [AOU, 533]. Holmgren says the term linnet was used for any small bird with a red crown, especially the common redpoll, C. flammea [AOU, 528], the purple finch, Carpodacus purpureus [AOU, 517], and the house finch, C. mexicanus [AOU, 519]. Burroughs, 259; Criswell, 53; Holmgren, 32.
      • Lewis's "goaldfinch" is the American goldfinch, Carduelis tristis [AOU, 529].
      • The wren may be the winter wren, Troglodytes troglodytes [AOU, 722], or any of several other birds. Holmgren, 34.

    • Moulton (July 12, 1806):    Brown thrasher, Toxostoma rufum [AOU, 705]. Perhaps passenger pigeons, Ectopistes migratorius [AOU, 315].


    [Return to Top]



  • Brown-headed Cowbird
    L&C "buffaloe picker"

    Image, 2010, Sandy River Delta, Oregon, click to enlarge
    Click image to enlarge     		Brown-headed Cowbird, male, Sandy River Delta, Oregon. Image taken June 3, 2010.

    Lewis, July 13, 1806:
    "... the buffaloe are leaving us fast and passing on to the S. East.    killed a buffaloe picker    a beatifull bird. ..."


    Commentary:

    • Patterson (what L&C described): buffalo-pecker
    • Patterson (conjectures, mostly from Coues, in Burroughs, 1961): Cowbird
    • Patterson (current AOU equivalent): Brown-headed Cowbird

    • Holmgren:    BUFFALO-PECKER (7-11-06), brown-headed cowbird, Molothrus ater, Boddaert 1783.    NOTE: Holmgren's 7-11-06 is probably 7-13-06

    • Johnsgard:   Brown-headed Cowbird Molothrus ater and Brewer's Blackbird Euphagus cyanocephalus:    Few specific notes were made on these presumably common and probably widespread species, which are adapted to forage at the feet of large ungulates such as bison. In the expedition's Meteorological Register of May 17, 1805, it was noted that "large and small blackbirds" had returned to eastern Montana. Elliott Coues identified these as most probably brown-headed cowbirds and Brewer's blackbirds. Probable cowbirds were also seen near Great Falls (July 11- 13, 1805, and July 11, 1806), and this species (referred to by the explorers as the "buffalo-pecker") must have regularly associated with bison before domestic cattle appeared on the Great Plains. Cowbird populations are now declining nationally, but they still pose a serious threat to native songbirds because of their parasitic nesting behavior. Brewer's blackbird populations have also declined significantly rangewide.

    • Moulton (July 13, 1806): The brown-headed cowbird, Molothrus ater [AOU, 495], so called because it picks ticks and other pests from the backs of the buffalo and cattle; not a new species. Burroughs, 256.


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  • Bufflehead
    L&C "black and white duck", "butterbox"

    Image, 2007, Ridgefield NWR, Washington, click to enlarge Image, 2008, Ridgefield NWR, Washington, click to enlarge
    Click image to enlarge     		Bufflehead, male (left) and female (right), Ridgefield NWR, Washington. Left image taken November 21, 2007. Right image taken January 25, 2008.

    Clark, March 9, 1806, while at Fort Clatsop:
    "... The black and white Duck are Small about the Size of the blue-winged teal, or reather larger.    the mail is butifully varigated with black and white.    the white occupies the Side of the head, breast and back.    black the tail, large feathers of the wing, two tufts of feathers which cover the upper part of the wings when folded, the neck and head.    the female is darker or has much less white about her. I take this to be the Same Species of duck common to the ohio, as also the atlantic Coast, and Sometimes called the butter box.    the back is wide and Short, and as well as the legs of a dark Colour.    the flesh of this duck is verry well flavored I think Superior to the Duckinmallard. ..."


    Lewis, March 10, 1806, while at Fort Clatsop:
    "... The black and white duck are small abut the size of the blue-winged teal, or reather larger.    the male is beautifully variagated with black and white.    the white occupys the sides of the head, breast and back, black, the tail feathers of the wings two tufts of feathers which cover the upper part of the wings when foalded, the neck and head.    the female is darker or has much less white about her. I take this to be the same speceis of duck common to the Atlantic coast, and frequently called the butterbox.    the beak is wide and short, and as well as the legs, of a dark colour.    the flesh of this duck is very well flavored.    the brown duck [possibly Green-winged Teal or Blue-winged Teal] is much in form like the duckinmallard, tho' not much more than half it's size.    the colour is an uniform mixture of yellowish and dark brown.   there is nothing remarkable in the appearance of this duck it generally resorts the same kind of grassey marshes with the duckinmallard and feeds in a similar manner, on grass seed, and roots.    both these ducks are common to the river for some distance above tide water as well as below. ..."


    "The Aquatic birds of this country, or such as obtain their subsistence from the water, are the large blue and brown heron [Great Blue Heron], fishing hawk [Osprey], blue crested fisher [Belted Kingfisher], gulls of several species of the Coast [see Bonaparte's Gull and Glaucous-winged Gull], the large grey gull of the Columbia [Western Gull], Comorant [Double-crested Cormorant], loons of two species [Pacific Loon and Western Grebe], white, and the brown brant [Snow Goose and Brant], small and large geese [Cackling Geese and Canada Goose], small and large swan [Tundra Swan and Trumpeter Swan], the Duckinmallard [Mallard], canvis back duck [Canvasback], red headed fishing duck [Red-breasted Merganser or Common Merganser], black and white duck [Bufflehead], little brown duck [unknown, possibly one of the Teals], black duck [American Coot], two species of divers [Pied-billed Grebe and Red-necked Grebe], blue winged teal [Blue-winged Teal], and some other speceis of ducks."
    -- Lewis, March 6, 1806, while at Fort Clatsop



    Commentary:

    • Patterson (what L&C described): butter-box
    • Patterson (conjectures, mostly from Coues, in Burroughs, 1961): Bufflehead Duck
    • Patterson (current AOU equivalent): Bufflehead

    • Holmgren:    BUTTERBOX (3-9-06), bufflehead, Bucephala albeola, L. 1758. See DUCK.

    • Homlgren:    DUCK, black-and-white (3-10-06), bufflehead.

    • Moulton (March 9, 1806):   The bufflehead.


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  • California Condor
    L&C "buzzard of the large kind", "vulture of the Columbia"

    Image, 2011, Columbia Gorge Discovery Center, The Dalles, Oregon, click to enlarge Image, 2011, Columbia Gorge Discovery Center, The Dalles, Oregon, click to enlarge
    Click image to enlarge     		California Condor, Columbia River Discovery Center, The Dalles, Oregon. On display. Image taken October 6, 2011.

    Weather diary, October 29, 1805:
    "... rained moderately all day. Saw the first large Buzzard or Voultur of the Columbia. ..."

    Clark, October 30, 1805:
    "... this day we Saw Some fiew of the large Buzzard    Capt. Lewis Shot at one, those Buzzards are much larger than any other of ther Spece or the largest Eagle white under part of their wings &c. ..."


    Ordway, October 30, 1805:
    "... we Saw a great number of Swan and geese along the Shores. Some turkey bazzards which had white under their wings. Capt. Clark killed a black loon. ..."


    Whitehouse, October 30, 1805:
    "... we Saw a great nomber of Swan and geese, turkey buzzards which had white on their wings &c.    Capt. Clark killed a black loon. ..."


    Clark, November 18, 1805:
    "... Rubin Fields Killed a Buzzard of the large Kind ...    W. 25 lb. measured from the tips of the wings across 9 1/2 feet, from the point of the Bill to the end of the tail 3 feet 10 1/4 inches, middle toe 5 1/2 inches, toe nale 1 inch & 3½ lines, wing feather 2 1/2 feet long & 1 inch 5 lines diamiter tale feathers 14 1/2 inches, and the head is 6 1/2 inches including the beak. ..."


    Clark, February 16, 1806, while at Fort Clatsop:
    "... Shannon an Labiesh brought in to us to day a Buzzard or Vulture of the Columbia which they had wounded and taken alive. I believe this to be the largest Bird of North America.    it was not in good order and yet it wayed 25 lbs    had it have been so it might very well have weighed 10 lbs. more or 35 lbs. between the extremities of the wings it measured 9 feet 2 Inches; from the extremity of the beak to that of the toe 3 feet 9 inches and a half.    ... [more description not included here] ...    we have Seen it feeding on the remains of the whale and other fish which have been thrown up by the waves on the Sea Coast.    these I believe constitute their principal food, but I have no doubt but that they also feed on flesh.    we did not meet with this bird un[t]ille we had decended the Columbia below the great falls; and have found them more abundant below tide water than above.    this is the Same Species of Bird which R. Field killed on the 18th of Novr. last and which is noticed on that day tho' not fully discribed then I thought this of the Buzzard Specis. I now believe that this bird is reather of the Vulture genus than any other, tho' it wants Some of their characteristics particularly the hair on the neck, and the feathers on the legs.    this is a handsom bird at a little distance.    it's neck is proportionably longer than those of the Hawks or Eagle. Shannon also brought a Grey Eagle [Golden Eagle] which appeared to be of the Same kind common to the U, States.    it weighed 15 pds. and measured 7 feet 7 inches between the extremities of the wings—.    Shannon and Labiesh informed us that when he approached this Vulture after wounding it, that it made a loud noise very much like the barking of a Dog. the tongue is long firm and broad, filling the under Chap and partakeing of its transvirs curvature, or its Sides forming a longitudinal Groove; obtuse at the point, the margin armed with firm cartelagenous prickkles pointed and bending inwards. ..."


    Commentary:

    • Patterson (what L&C described): large buzzarrd (vulture of the Columbia)
    • Patterson (conjectures, mostly from Coues, in Burroughs, 1961): California Condor
    • Patterson (current AOU equivalent): California Condor
    • Patterson (comments): California Condor, L&C drawing and detailed description, they shot at least two

    • Holmgren:    BUZZARD
      • "common" (6-5-05) or turkey (4-9-06) turkey vulture, Cathartes aura, L. 1758.
      • "of the Columbia" (10-30-05, 1-2-06) California condor, Gymnogyps califorinianus, Shaw 1798.
      • NOTE: cannot as of yet place the reference for 1-2-06.

    • Moulton (October 29, 1805, Weather Diary):    In Voorhis No. 4 Clark writes, "first Vulture of the Columbia Seen to day," under October 28. This is the California condor. For October 29 he says, "I shot at a vulture"; the daily journals date the shooting of the first condor on October 30.

    • Moulton (October 30, 1805):    The California condor, Gymnogyps californianus [AOU, 324], now nearly extinct. The last wild condor was captured for care in southern California in April 1987. Correctly described by Lewis and Clark as the largest North American bird, it was already known to science, but they were the first to note its presence on the Columbia. See February 16, 1806, for a lengthy description, and weather remarks for October 28 and 29, 1805. Burroughs, 201–3.

    • Moulton (October 30, 1805, Ordway and Whitehouse):
      • "Swan", Probably Lewis and Clark's whistling swan, now the tundra swan, Cygnus columbianus
      • "turkey buzzards", California condor, Gymnogyps californianus
      • "black loon", Mentioned this day by Whitehouse [and Ordway] but not mentioned by Clark, it may be either the red-throated loon, Gavia stellata, or the Pacific loon, G. arctica pacifica, of the coastal area. It might also have been the widely dispersed common loon, G. immer.

    • Moulton (November 18, 1805): Their first actual specimen of the California condor, Gymnogyps californianus [AOU, 324], now nearly extinct. See October 30, 1805 and February 16, 1806. Burroughs, 201–3.

    • Moulton (February 16, 1806): After the words, "the legs are 4 3/4 inches" appears a sketch of the California condor's head in Clark's Voorhis No. 2. See also the sketch on Atlas map 68, perhaps a preliminary to this.


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  • Canada Goose
    L&C "large goose", "wild, or Canadian goose"

    Image, 2008, Ridgefield NWR, Washington, click to enlarge
    Click image to enlarge     		Canada Geese, Ridgefield NWR, Washington. Image taken March 8, 2008.

    Lewis, March 8, 1806, while at Fort Clatsop:
    "... The small goose of this country is reather less than the brant; it's head and neck like the brant are reather larger than that of the goose in proportion; their beak is also thicker and shorter.    their notes are more like those of our tame gees; in all other rispects they are the same with the large goose with which, they so frequently ascociate that it was some time after I first observed this goose before I could determine whether it was a distinct speceis or not. I have now no hesitation in declaring them a distinct speceis.    the large goose is the same of that common on the Atlantic coast, and known by the appellation of the wild, or Canadian goose. ..."


    "The Aquatic birds of this country, or such as obtain their subsistence from the water, are the large blue and brown heron [Great Blue Heron], fishing hawk [Osprey], blue crested fisher [Belted Kingfisher], gulls of several species of the Coast [see Bonaparte's Gull and Glaucous-winged Gull], the large grey gull of the Columbia [Western Gull], Comorant [Double-crested Cormorant], loons of two species [Pacific Loon and Western Grebe], white, and the brown brant [Snow Goose and Brant], small and large geese [Cackling Geese and Canada Goose], small and large swan [Tundra Swan and Trumpeter Swan], the Duckinmallard [Mallard], canvis back duck [Canvasback], red headed fishing duck [Red-breasted Merganser or Common Merganser], black and white duck [Bufflehead], little brown duck [unknown, possibly one of the Teals], black duck [American Coot], two species of divers [Pied-billed Grebe and Red-necked Grebe], blue winged teal [Blue-winged Teal], and some other speceis of ducks."
    -- Lewis, March 6, 1806, while at Fort Clatsop



    Commentary:

    • Patterson (what L&C described): Canada Goose
    • Patterson (conjectures, mostly from Coues, in Burroughs, 1961): Canada Goose
    • Patterson (current AOU equivalent): Canada Goose

    • Holmgren:    GOOSE (2-4-04)
      • "common" (5-5-05) Canada goose, Branta Canadensis, L. 1758.
      • "nest in trees" (5-3-05) Canada Goose.
      • "smaller" (5-5-05) cackling goose, Branta canadensis minima, Ridgway 1885, or other small sub-species of Canada Goose.

    • Johnsgard:   Canada Goose Branta canadensis    Large numbers of Canada geese were encountered between July 13, 1804, along the Richardson County shore, and September 6, 1804, along the present Nebraska–South Dakota boundary. Several of them were killed, including some well-grown goslings. Canada geese were later seen in at least 30 locations in Montana. On the return trip geese were also observed on September 4 and 5, 1806, between present-day Dixon and Burt Counties, Nebraska. Canada goose populations have increased significantly in North America during the last four decades, at least in part because the species is adjusting to the comforts of suburban living.

    • Avibase, the world bird database website (2010):   
      • The Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) consists of subspecies canadensis, fulva, interior, moffitti, parvipes, maxima, and occidentalis.
      • The Cackling Goose (Branta hutchinsii) consists of subspecies hutchinsii, minima, <leucopareta, taverneri, and i>asiatica.

    • See also entries for:


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  • Canvasback
    L&C "canvisback", "canvis back", "canvas back"

    Image, 2012, Westmoreland Park, Portland, Oregon, click to enlarge
    Click image to enlarge     		Canvasback, male, Westmoreland Park, Portland, Oregon. Image taken January 1, 2012.

    Lewis, March 28, 1806, at Deer Island:
    "... we have seen more waterfowl on this island than we have previously seen since we left Fort Clatsop, consisting of geese, ducks, large swan, and Sandhill crains. I saw a few of the Canvisback duck.    the duckinmallard are the most abundant. ...


    "The Aquatic birds of this country, or such as obtain their subsistence from the water, are the large blue and brown heron [Great Blue Heron], fishing hawk [Osprey], blue crested fisher [Belted Kingfisher], gulls of several species of the Coast [see Bonaparte's Gull and Glaucous-winged Gull], the large grey gull of the Columbia [Western Gull], Comorant [Double-crested Cormorant], loons of two species [Pacific Loon and Western Grebe], white, and the brown brant [Snow Goose and Brant], small and large geese [Cackling Geese and Canada Goose], small and large swan [Tundra Swan and Trumpeter Swan], the Duckinmallard [Mallard], canvis back duck [Canvasback], red headed fishing duck [Red-breasted Merganser or Common Merganser], black and white duck [Bufflehead], little brown duck [unknown, possibly one of the Teals], black duck [American Coot], two species of divers [Pied-billed Grebe and Red-necked Grebe], blue winged teal [Blue-winged Teal], and some other speceis of ducks."
    -- Lewis, March 6, 1806, while at Fort Clatsop



    Commentary:

    • Patterson (what L&C described): canvisback
    • Patterson (conjectures, mostly from Coues, in Burroughs, 1961): Canvas-back Duck
    • Patterson (current AOU equivalent): Canvasback
    • Patterson (comments): Comments on ducks: Given the number of species of ducks that winter in Columbia Estuary today, the dearth of duck species listed by Lewis and Clark for the Columbia River is puzzling. Jefferson had instructed them not to waste time on familiar species, but Mallards are referred to regularly, so one would expect that numbers of Northern Pintail, American Wigeon, Green-winged Teal and Greater Scaup would have also been mentioned. The description of the duck later assigned as Ring-necked Duck (new to science at the time) is sufficient and most probably correct, but the apparent absence of scaup from accounts is strange. The number of scaup recorded on the Columbia Estuary Christmas Bird Count averages around 1000 and the Wahkiakum Count around 5000, yet they would seem to have gone undetected. Also surprising is that there is no mention of Surf Scoters which winter along the coast between Tillamook Head and Long Beach in groups of up to 20,000.

    • Holmgren:    CANVASBACK (11-8-05) Aythya valisineria, Wilson 1814.

    • Moulton (March 28, 1806):    Sandhill crane, Grus canadensis [AOU, 206], and canvasback, Aythya valisineria [AOU, 147].


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  • Carolina Parakeet
    L&C "parrot queets"

    Image, 2011, Yacolt, Washington, click to enlarge
    Click image to enlarge     		Monk Parakeet, Yacolt, Washington. Image taken April 19, 2011.

    The last wild Carolina Parakeet died in 1904 and the last captive Carolina Parakeet died ten years later. Today, decendents from escapees from various captive parakeets and parrots are wild, creating nesting colonies around the nation. One such species is the Monk Parakeet, seen here at a nesting colony in Yacolt, Washington.

    Clark, June 26, 1804, near Kanasa City, Kanasa:
    "... I observed a great number of Parrot queets this evening, ..."


    Clark, undated entry, with non-bird entries omitted:
    "... The Prairie Fowl common to the Illinois are found as high up as the River Jacque above which the Sharpe tailed Grows commence    950 Ms. ...
    Indian Hen & Small Species of Kildee which frequent drift is found as high up as the Entrance of the Little Sieux river    733 ms. ...
    Parotqueet is Seen as high as the Mahar Village    836 ms. ...
    In descending the Missouri & Rochejhone ...
    Turkeys first appear at the enterance of Tylors Rivr above the big bend 1200 miles up this Missouri    1206
    The pointed tail Prarie fowl are found above the Big bend upwards.    1200 ms. up ...
    The party coloured Corvus or Magpy Commence at or about Corvus Creek and from thence upwards.    1130 ..."


    Commentary:

    • Patterson (what L&C described): parrot queets
    • Patterson (conjectures, mostly from Coues, in Burroughs, 1961): Carolina Parraquet
    • Patterson (current AOU equivalent): Carolina Parakeet

    • Holmgren:    PARROT QUEETS (6-26-04) Carolina parakeet, Conuropsis carolinensis, L. 1758. Once abundant in east, now extinct - probably since 1913.

    • Johnsgard:   Carolina Parakeet Conuropsis carolinensis    Captain Clark reported that this beautiful but now-extinct parakeet ("parotqueet") was seen all along the Missouri as far upstream as the Omaha ("Mahar") village, in what is now central Nebraska. Clark had also noted them earlier, near the mouth of the Kansas River, on June 26, 1804. The species was evidently extirpated from Nebraska by 1875 and it was last seen in South Dakota in 1884. The last specimen recorded in Kansas was one shot in 1904. The last known individual of the species died in the Cincinnati Zoo in 1914, where the last surviving passenger pigeon also died that same year.

    • Moulton (June 26, 1804):    The Carolina parakeet, or parroquet, Conuropsis carolinensis [AOU, 382), which is now extinct. This is apparently the first reference to the species west of the Mississippi. Cutright (LCPN), 58.

    • Moulton (Clark, undated entry):    This document is found in Codex N, pp. 153–54 ... (non-bird references omitted):
      • "Prairie Fowl common to the Illinois": greater prairie-chicken; sharp-tailed grouse;
      • "Indian Hen": greater prairie-chicken;
      • "Killdeer": Charadrius vociferus [AOU, 273];    (NOTE: Clark didn't mean Killdeer as Moulton comment alludes to, but instead Clark wrote the "Small Species of Kildee", which researchers are considering is the "Piping Plover")
      • "Parotqueet": Carolina parakeet, Conuropsis carolinensis [AOU, 382];
      • "Turkey": Wild Turkey
      • "The pointed tail Prarie Fowl": sharp-tailed grouse;
      • "party coloured Corvus or Magpy": black-billed magpie;


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  • Cedar Waxwing
    L&C "crested cherry bird"

    Image, 2008, Ridgefield NWR, Washington, click to enlarge
    Click image to enlarge     		Cedar Waxwing, Ridgefield NWR, Washington. Image taken May 24, 2008.

    Weather diary, November 10, 1804:
    "... many Gees passing to the South—    saw a flock of the crested cherry birds passing to the south ..."


    Weather diary, April 6, 1805, while at Fort Mandan:
    "... This day a flock of cherry or cedar birds were seen, one of the men killed, several of them which gave me an opportunity of examining them.    they are common in the United States; usually ascociate in large flocks and are frequently distructive to the chery orchards, and in winter in the lower parts of the states of Virginia & Maryland feed on the buries of the Cedar.    they are a small bluish brown bird, crested with a tuft of dark brown feathers with a narrow black stripe passing on each side of the head underneath the eye from the base of the upper beak to the back of the head.    it is distinguished more particularly by some of the shorter feathers of the wing, which are tiped with a red spots that have much the appearance at a little distance of sealing wax.    all the birds that we believe visit this country have now returned.— ..."


    Weather diary, April 10, 1805, while at Fort Mandan:
    "... the prarie lark, bald Eagle, & the large plover have returned.    the grass begins to spring, and the leaf buds of the willow to appear.—    Chery birds disappear. ..."


    Commentary:

    • Patterson (what L&C described): crested cherry bird
    • Patterson (conjectures, mostly from Coues, in Burroughs, 1961): Cedar Waxwing
    • Patterson (current AOU equivalent): Cedar Waxwing

    • Holmgren:    CEDAR BIRDS, CRESTED CHERRY BIRDS (11-10-04) cedar waxwing, Bombycilla cedrorum, Vieillot 1807.

    • Johnsgard:   Cedar Waxwing Bombycilla cedrorum:    A flock of "cherry or cedar-birds" was seen near Fort Mandan on April 6, 1805, and several were killed. This rather common songbird of the northern forests and riparian woodlands was not mentioned again.

    • Moulton (Weather diary, April 6, 1805):    Bombycilla cedrorum [AOU, 619], cedar waxwing.


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  • Cliff Swallow
    L&C "small martin"

    Image, 2008, Ridgefield NWR, Washington, click to enlarge Image, 2009, Oneonta, Columbia River Gorge, Oregon, click to enlarge
    Click image to enlarge     		Cliff Swallow, Ridgefield NWR, Washington (left), and nests, Oneonta, Columbia River Gorge, Oregon (right). Left image taken April 19, 2008. Right image taken July 5, 2009.

    Lewis, May 31, 1805:
    "... a number of the small martin which build their nests with clay in a globular form attatched to the wall within those nitches, and which were seen hovering about the tops of the collumns did not the less remind us of some of those large stone buildings in the U' States. ..."


    Commentary:

    • Patterson (what L&C described): small martin
    • Patterson (conjectures, mostly from Coues, in Burroughs, 1961): Cliff Swallow
    • Patterson (current AOU equivalent): Cliff Swallow
    • Patterson (comments): cliff nests well described

    • Holmgren:    (4-4-06) English name for swallows (except barn swallow) and similar insect-eaters. See BEE-MARTIN. Probably coined from Mars, Roman god of war, because these birds are especially warlike in defending nest and territory and on migration gather in huge flocks, like armies.
      • "bank" (3-27-06) bank swallow, Riparia riparia L. 1758.
      • "black" (5-4-05) purple martin, Progne subis L. 1758.
      • "brown" (8-25-04) bank swallow.
      • "common" (4-4-06) purple martin, usually species meant if only "martin" is used.
      • "martin that builds globular mud nest" (5-31-05) cliff swallow, Hirundo pyrrhonota Vieillot 1817. Formerly Petrochelidon pyrrhonota.

    • Johnsgard:   Cliff Swallow "Hirundo pyrrhonota":    This species must have been very common on the river during the upstream trip through Nebraska and South Dakota. The birds were seen nesting on July 16, 1804, near Sonora ("Sun") Island in present-day Nemaha County, and nests on a limestone cliff near Blackbird Hill (now Thurston County)were also noted. They were also found nesting along the shoreline of present-day Harrison County, Iowa, on August 5, 1804. Again, on August 22, a large number of nests were seen on a cliff along the shoreline of present-day Dixon County, Nebraska. The species now nests mostly on bridges, especially those made of concrete, which mimic cliff faces closely.

    • Johnsgard:   Cliff Swallow Petrochelidon pyrrhonota:    On May 31, 1805, in what is now Chouteau County, Montana, Lewis saw a group of what he called "small martin" building globular nests of clay on a cliff wall. These could only have been cliff swallows, which now widely nest on vertical manmade structures, such as the sides of concrete bridges.

    • Moulton (May 31, 1805):    The cliff swallow, Hirundo pyrrhonota [AOU, 612]. Holmgren, 32.


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  • Common Grackle
    L&C "large blackbird"

    Weather diary, May 17, 1805:   ' "... the Gees have their young; the Elk begin to produce their young, the Antelope and deer as yet have not.—    the small species of Goatsucker or whiperwill begin to cry—    the blackbirds both small and large have appeared.    we have had scarcely any thunder and lightning.    the clouds are generally white and accompanyed with wind only ..."


    Lewis, June 25, 1805, while at _____:
    "... The river is about 800 yds. wide opposite to us above these islands, and has a very gentle current    the bottoms are hadsome level and extensive on both sides; the bank on this side is not more than 2 feet above the level of the water; it is a pretty little grove in which our camp is situated. ... great quantities of mint also are here    it resemble the pepper mint very much in taste and appearance.    the young blackbirds which are almost innumerable in these islands just begin to fly. ..."


    Lewis, March 3, 1806, while at Fort Clatsop:
    "... The Crow raven and Large Blackbird are the same as those of our country only that the crow is here much smaller yet it's note is the same    I observe no difference either between the hawks of this coast and those of the Atlantic. ..."


    Commentary:

    • Holmgren:    BLACKBIRDS (8-25-04)
      • "large" (8-8-05), common grackle, Quiscalus quiscula, L. 1758.
      • "small" (6-8-05) rusty blackbird, Euphagus carolinsu, Muller 1776, and/or Brewer's blackbird,Euphagus cyanocephala, Wagner 1829.

    • Moulton (Weather diary, May 17, 1805):    The large blackbird is probably the common grackle, Quiscalus quiscula [AOU, 511], while the small blackbird could be the rusty blackbird, Euphagus carolinus [AOU, 509], and/or Brewer's blackbird, E. cyanocephalus [AOU, 510]. If the latter, then Lewis was its discoverer. Holmgren, 28; Cutright (LCPN), 167–68.

    • Moulton (June 25, 1805):    Perhaps rusty blackbird, Euphagus carolinus, or Brewer's blackbird, E. cyanocephalus. The party also apparently called the common grackle, Quisculus quiscula, a blackbird.

    • Moulton (March 3, 1806):
      • "crow": The crow is in fact the northwestern crow, a new species.
      • "raven": The subspecies of raven in the Fort Clatsop area is Corvus corax sinuatus; Lewis would have been familiar with C. c. principalis to the East. Both are now combined with the common raven.
      • "large blackbird": The blackbird seen in the West would be Brewer's blackbird, Euphagus cyanocephalus [AOU, 510], while the bird he had seen in the East would more likely be the rusty blackbird, E. carolinus [AOU, 509]. Cutright (LCPN), 434; Burroughs, 248, 255–56. NOTE: in other Moulton entries, the "large blackbird" is said to be the Common Grackle, and the Brewer's or Rusty Blackbird is said to be the "small blackbird".

    • Coues (June 25, 1805, vol.II, 1893):    "... There are great quantities of young black-birds [Scolecophagus cyanocephalus] on these islands, just beginning to fly ..."

    • Coues (vol.III, 1893):    "The large blackbird [blue-headed grackle, Scolecophagus cyanocephalus] is [not] the same with those of our coutnry, and is found everywhere in this country."   (NOTE: the "blue-headed grackle" today is called the Brewer's Blackbird.)

    • See also entries for


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  • Eastern Bluebird
    L&C "blue thrush", referenced in describing the Loggerhead Shrike

    Image, 2010, Owings, Maryland, click to enlarge
    Click image to enlarge     		Eastern Bluebird, Owings, Maryland. Image taken October 1, 2010.

    Lewis, June 10, 1805:
    "... I saw a small bird today which I do not recollect ever having seen before.    it is about the size of the blue thrush or catbird, and it's contour not unlike that bird. ..."


    Commentary:

    • Moulton (June 10, 1805):    Cited as the first description of the white-rumped shrike, Lanius ludovicianus excubitorides, the western form of the loggerhead shrike; it is no longer considered a separate subspecies of the loggerhead, L. ludovicianus [AOU, 622]. Cutright (LCPN), 157. The birds used for comparison are the eastern bluebird, Sialia sialis [AOU, 766], and the gray catbird, Dumetella carolinensis [AOU, 704]. Holmgren, 29, 33.

    • See also entries for:


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  • Eskimo Curlew
    L&C "small curloo about size of common snipe"

    Lewis, June 4, 1805, while in Montana:
    "... In these plains I observed great numbers of the brown Curloos, a small species of curloo or plover of a brown colour about the size of the common snipe and not unlike it in form with a long celindric curved and pointed beak; it's wings are proportionately long and the tail short; in the act of liteing this bird lets itself down by an extention of it's wings without motion holding their points very much together above it's back, in this rispect differing ascentially from any bird I ever observed. ..."


    Commentary:

    • Holmgren:    CURLOO, CURLEW (4-17-05) any shorebird with long bill.
      • "brown" (6-4-05) long-billed curlew, Numenius americanus, Bechsten 1812.
      • "small" (6-4-05) of snipe size with curved beak, probably Eskimo curlew, Numenius borealis, Forster 1772.

    • Johnsgard:   (Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus or Eskimo curlew Numenius borealis):    A shorebird called the "Jack Curloo" ("Jack" traditionally meaning small) was mentioned in a general way as having been seen by expedition members. It might be the whimbrel, a small curlew that was earlier known as the Hudsonian curlew. The even smaller Eskimo curlew also once migrated through the Great Plains in large numbers during spring, but it is now apparently extinct. Whimbrels still migrate in small numbers through the Great Plains but were unlikely to have been present during the expedition's passage up the Missouri River during the late summer of 1804, as their fall migration occurs mainly along the Atlantic coast. Whimbrels might also have been seen in eastern Montana the following spring, but they are now extremely rare in that state.

    • Moulton (June 4, 1805):    The long-billed curlew, although Holmgren believes Lewis describes two birds: "brown Curloos" and a "small species of curloo." The latter she supposes to be the Eskimo curlew, Numenius borealis [AOU, 266]. Holmgren, 29.

    • See also entries for:


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  • Flycatcher ... possibly Hammond's Flycatcher ... or Ruby-crowned Kinglet ... or Hutton's Vireo
    L&C "little brown wren or flycatch", "yellow and brown flycatch"

    Image, 2011, Ridgefield NWR, Washington, click to enlarge Image, 2011, Shillapoo Wildlife Area, Washington, click to enlarge
    Click image to enlarge     		Hammond's Flycatcher (left), and Ruby-crowned Kinglet (right). Left image taken May 13, 2011, Ridgefield NWR, Washington. Right image taken March 10, 2011, Shillapoo Wildlife Area, Vancouver, Washington.

    Weather diary, January 31, 1806, while at Fort Clatsop:
    "... The blue crested Corvus bird has already began to build it's nest. their nests are formed of small sticks; usually in a pine tree.—    Great numbers of Ravens, and a Small black Crow are continually about us. The pale yellow Streiked and dove coloured robin is about, also the little brown ren or fly-catsch which is a little larger than the humming bird. ..."


    Weather diary, February 8, 1806, while at Fort Clatsop:
    "... it rained constantly during the last night.    the sun shown about 9 A. M. partially a few minutes ... the yellow and brown flycatch has returned.    it is a very small bird with a tail as long proportiably as a Sparrow. ..."


    Lewis, March 4, 1806, while at Fort Clatsop:
    "... there are two species of the fly-catch, a small redish brown species with a short tail, round body, short neck and short pointed beak.    they have some fine black specks intermixed with the uniform redish brown.    this the same with that which remains all winter in Virginia where it is sometimes called the wren.    the second species has lately returned and dose not remain here all winter. it's colours are a yellowish brown on the back head neck wings and tail the breast and belley of a yellowish white; the tail is in proportion as the wren but it is a size smaller than that bird.    it's beak is streight pointed convex reather lage at the base and the chaps of equal length.    the first species is the smallest, in short it is the smalest bird that I have ever seen in America except the humming bird.    both these species are found in the woody country only or at least I have never seen them elsewhere. ..."


    Commentary:

    • Patterson (what L&C described): flycatch
    • Patterson (conjectures, mostly from Coues, in Burroughs, 1961): Empidonax Flycatcher
    • Patterson (current AOU equivalent): Emipdonax sp.
    • Patterson (comments):    Ruby-crowned Kinglet or Hutton's Vireo, this bird was noted at Fort Clatsop on March 4, 1806 which would be much too early for any of the regularly occuring Empidonax. Both kinglet and vireo are regularly mistaken for flycatchers by inexperienced bird watchers.

    • Holmgren:    FLYCATCH, Flycatcher is modern name for various small insect-eating birds; former folk name for thrushes, wrens, kinglets, phoebes, pewees.
      • "reddish-brown" (3-4-06, 2-8-06) winter wren, Troglodytes troglodytes, L. 1758. Often named as smallest European bird, and smallest American bird except for hummingbirds.
      • "yellowish-brown" (3-4-06) convex beak. Probably Hammond's flycatcher, Empidonax hamondii, Xantus de Vesey 1858. Most other sepcies of genus Empidonax are grayer.

    • Moulton (Weather diary, January 31, 1806):    This last paragraph is found only in Clark's Codex I.
      • "blue crested Corvus bird": Steller's Jay.
      • "Great numbers of Ravens, and a Small black Crow": Common Raven and Northwestern Crow.
      • The "pale yellow streiked and dove coloured robin" is presumably one bird, the varied thrush. Lewis describes it this day in his notebook journal.
      • The wren is probably the winter wren, but see Holmgren, 34, for other possibilities.

    • Moulton (Weather diary, February 8, 1806):    Again perhaps the winter wren, but see weather remarks for January 31, 1806.

    • Moulton (March 4, 1806):    Perhaps Hammond's flycatcher, Empidonax hammondii [AOU, 468]. Holmgren, 30. See also Coues (HLC), 3:876 n. 78.

    • See also entries for:

    Image, 2011, Ridgefield NWR, Washington, click to enlarge
    Click image to enlarge     		Hutton's Vireo, Ridgefield NWR, Washington. Image taken February 21, 2011.


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  • Golden Eagle
    L&C "grey eagle", "calumet bird", "calumet eagle"

    Image, 2012, Scappoose Bottoms, Oregon, click to enlarge Image, 2012, Scappoose Bottoms, Oregon, click to enlarge
    Click image to enlarge     		Golden Eagle, Scappoose Bottoms, Oregon. Mild high-overcast winter day, with storm front moving in. Image taken January 13, 2012.

    Lewis, July 11, 1805:
    "... I saw several very large grey Eagles today they are a half as large again as the common bald Eagle of this country. I do not think the bald Eagle here qute so large as those of the U' States; the grey Eagle is infinitely larger and is no doubt a distinct species. ..."


    Clark, November 29, 1805, while at Tongue Point, Oregon:
    "... The Shore below the point at our Camp is formed of butifull pebble of various colours. I observe but fiew birds of the Small kind, great numbers of wild fowls of Various kinds, the large Buzzard with white wings, grey and bald eagle's, large red tailed Hawks, ravens & Crows in abundance, the blue Magpie, a Small brown bird which frequents logs & about the roots of trees ..."


    Lewis, March 12, 1806, while at Fort Clatsop:
    "... I beleive the Callamet Eagle is sometimes found on this side of the rocky mountains from the information of the Indians in whose possession I have seen their plumage.   these are the same with those of the Missouri, and are the most beautiful of all the family of the Eagles of America.   it's colours are black and white with which it is beautifully variagated.   the feathers of the tail which are so highly prized by the Indians is composed of twelve broad feathers of equal length.   these are white except about 2 inches at the extremity which is of jut black.   there wings have each a large circular white spot in the middle when extended.   the body is variously marked with white and black.   the form is much that of the common bald Eagle, but they are reather smaller and much more fleet.   this eagle is feared by all carnivorous birds, and on his approach all leave the carcase instantly on which they were feeding.   it breads in the inaccessable parts of the mountains where it spends the summer, and decends to the plains and low country in the fall and winter when it is usually sought and taken by the natives.   two tails of this bird is esteemed by the Mandans Minetares Ricares, &c as the full value of a good horse, or gun and accoutrements. with the Great and little Osages and those nations inhabiting countries where this bird is more rare the price is even double of that mentioned. with these feathers the natives decorate the stems of their sacred pipes or callamets; whence the name, of Callamet Eagle, which has generally obtained among the Engages.   the Ricares have domesticated this bird in many instancies for the purpose of obtaining it's plumage.   the natives in every part of the con tinent who can procure these feathers attatch them to their own hair and the mains and tails of their favorite horses by way of ornament.   they also decorate their war caps or bonnets with those feathers. ..."


    Lewis, March 26, 1806, near Crims Island:
    "... here our hunters joined us having killed three Eagles and a large goose. I had now an oportunity of comparing the bald with the grey Eagle;    I found that the greay Eagle was about 1/4 larger, it's legs and feet were dark while those of the bald Eagle wer of a fine orrange yellow; the iris of the eye is also of a dark yellowish brown while that of the other is of a bright silvery colour with a slight admixture of yellow. ..."


    Commentary:

    • Patterson (what L&C described): calumet eagle (grey eagle)
    • Patterson (conjectures, mostly from Coues, in Burroughs, 1961): Golden Eagle
    • Patterson (current AOU equivalent): Golden Eagle
    • Patterson (comments): Some Golden Eagles and some sub-adult Bald Eagles, Golden Eagle on the Columbia west of Sauvie Island would be very rare and separation of sub-adult eagles can be confusing.

    • Holmgren:    CALUMET BIRD, CALUMET EAGLE (10-19-04, 4-8-05) golden eagle, Aquila chrysaetos, L. 1758. Full-grown (3-4 years) not yet in adult plumage, with tail feathers still white tipped in dark brown -- not all brown as in adult -- the feathers Indians chose to adorn their calumets (ceremonial pipes) (3-11/12-06).

    • Holmgren:    EAGLE
      • "bald" (4-10-05) Haliaetus leucocephalus, L. 1766.
      • "calumet", "calument bird", "calument eagle" (10-19-04, 4-8-05) golden eagle, Aquila chrysaetos, L. 1758. Full-grown (3-4 yrs.) not yet in adult plumage, with tail feathers still white tipped in dark brown -- not all brown as in adult -- the feathers Indians chose to adorn their calumets (ceremonial pipes) (3-11/12-06).
      • "grey" (7-11-05) immature bald eagle, Birds under 4 or 5 years do not have the distinctive white head and tail of the adult, but are full-grown in size and may even mate. Through the 19th century, most writers classified them as a separate species. Easily confused with immature golden eagle.
      • "great eagle" (8-26-05) golden eagle, Aquila chrysaetos, L. 1758, Calumet bird.

    • Johnsgard:   Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos:    This is the "grey eagle" of Lewis and Clark, who also at times called it the "beautiful eagle" or "calumet bird." A calumet is the long-stemmed ceremonial pipe used by Native Americans, and the bicolored tail feathers of golden eagles were often used to adorn such pipes. Golden eagles were one of the few birds wintering in the vicinity of Fort Mandan, according to Lewis's notes of April 8, 1805. Several "very large grey" eagles were again seen on July 11, 1805, near Great Falls, Montana. One was also seen at the mouth of the Musselshell River in Montana on August 3, 1806, during the return trip.

    • Moulton (July 11, 1805):    Lewis's gray eagle may be the golden eagle; on the average they are smaller than the bald eagle. Burroughs, 207, 325 nn. 5, 6, 7, suggests that Lewis may have compared a female golden eagle to a male bald eagle. See also Coues (HLC), 2:409 n. 25. Holmgren considers this bird to be an immature bald eagle.

    • Moulton (November 29, 1805):
      • "large Buzzard with white wings": [California Condor]
      • "grey and bald eagles": The "grey and bald eagle's" are, respectively, golden eagle, Aquila chrysaetos [AOU, 349], and bald eagle, Haliaeetus leucocephalus [AOU, 352]. Burroughs, 204–8.
      • "large red tailed Hawks": Red-tailed hawk, Buteo jamaicensis [AOU, 337], a widespread species already known to science. Ibid., 208; Coues (HLC), 2:724.
      • "ravens and crows": Probably the common raven, Corvus corax [AOU, 486], and the American crow, C. brachyrhyncho [AOU, 488]. Burroughs, 248; Cutright (LCPN), 432.
      • "blue Magpie": Steller's jay, Cyanocitta stelleri [AOU, 478], first noted by Lewis on September 20, 1805. The captain gives a full description in an undated entry, ca. December 18, 1805. Burroughs, 248–49.
      • "small brown bird which frequents logs & about the roots of trees": Perhaps the winter wren, Troglodytes troglodytes [AOU, 722], and if so, then new to science; see March 4, 1806. Burroughs, 252; Cutright (LCPN), 274, 438.

    • Moulton (March 26, 1806): The bald eagle is Haliaeetus leucocephalus [AOU, 352]; the "grey" eagle is the golden eagle, Aquila chrysaetos [AOU, 349]. The bald is actually larger than the golden. Lewis may have compared a female bald eagle to a male golden. Burroughs, 204–8, 325 n. 7.

    • See also entries for:


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  • Golden-crowned Sparrow ... or Fox Sparrow ... or Song Sparrow
    L&C "large brown sparrow"

    Image, 2007, Ridgefield NWR, Washington, click to enlarge Image, 2010, Vancouver, Washington, click to enlarge
    Click image to enlarge     		Golden-crowned Sparrow, youngster, Ridgefield NWR, Washington (left), and Fox Sparrow, Vancouver, Washington (right). Left image taken November 7, 2007. Right image taken March 27, 2010.

    Lewis, June 4, 1805:
    "... a number of sparrows also of three distinct species I observed ..."


    Lewis, January 3, 1806, while at Fort Clatsop:
    "... a small Crow, the blue crested Corvus and the smaller corvus with a white brest, the little brown ren, a large brown sparrow, the bald Eagle and the beatifull Buzzard of the columbia still continue with us. ..."


    Lewis, March 5, 1806, while at Fort Clatsop:
    "... the prarrow of the woody country is also similar to ours but not abundant.    those of the plains of Columbia are the same with those of the Missouri, tho' they are by no means so abundant. ..."


    Commentary:

    • Patterson (what L&C described): large brown sparrow
    • Patterson (conjectures, mostly from Coues, in Burroughs, 1961): Golden-crowned Sparrow
    • Patterson (current AOU equivalent): Golden-crowned Sparrow
    • Patterson (comments): Sooty Fox Sparrow, a far more likely large brown sparrow for the habitat around Fort Clatsop in the winter (though morphna-type Song Sparrow would be another good candidate).

    • Holmgren:    SPARROWS (6-5-06, 3-5-06). In folk speech, the name sparrow is used for any small brown bird-sparrow finch, longspur, pipit, bunting, wren. Lewis and Clark may have seen such species common in the area now except the house sparrow, asser domesticus, L. 1758, an Afro-Eurasian species not introduced to North America till 1850, even in the East, and not seen in the Pacific Northwest till 1889.
      • "large brown" (1-2-06) probably a western sub-species of the fox sparrow, Passerella iliaca unalascensis, Gmelin 1789. It is a much darker brown than the ruddy eastern fox sparrow and often mistaken even today for a different species. The golden-crowned sparrow, Zonotricia atricapilla, Gmelin 1789, is also a large western sparrow, but no mention is made of crown color.
      • several species (5-1-06, 6-4-05) not described.
      • "similar to ours" (3-5-06) of wood country. Probably song sparrow, Melospiza melodia, Wilson 1810. Others would have been identified by white crown, white-throat, etc.

    • Moulton (January 3, 1806):
      • "small crow": probably the northwestern crow, Corvus caurinus [AOU, 489], a new species. Cutright (LCPN), 273, 432; Holmgren, 29.
      • "blue crested Corvus": [Steller's Jay]
      • "smaller corvus with a white breast": probably the gray jay.
      • "little brown ren": perhaps the winter wren.
      • "large brown sparrow": possibly the golden-crowned sparrow, Zonotrichia atricapilla [AOU, 557]. Burroughs, 258. The fox sparrow, Passerella iliaca [AOU, 585], has also been suggested. Holmgren, 33.
      • "bald eagle": [Bald Eagle]
      • "beatifull Buzzard of the columbia": [California Condor}

    • Moulton (March 5, 1806):    Probably the song sparrow, Melospiza melodia [AOU, 581]


    Image, 2008, Shillapoo Wildlife Area, Vancouver, Washington, click to enlarge Image, 2009, Ridgefield NWR, Washington, click to enlarge
    Click image to enlarge     		Song Sparrow, Shillapoo Wildlife Area, Vancouver, Washington (left) and Ridgefield NWR, Washington (right). Left image taken December 28, 2008. Right image taken December 28, 2009.


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  • Gray Catbird
    L&C "catbird", referenced in describing the Loggerhead Shrike

    Lewis, June 10, 1805:
    "... I saw a small bird today which I do not recollect ever having seen before.    it is about the size of the blue thrush or catbird, and it's contour not unlike that bird. ..."


    Commentary:

    • Patterson (conjectures, mostly from Coues, in Burroughs, 1961): Catbird
    • Patterson (current AOU equivalent): Gray Catbird

    • Holmgren:    CATBIRD (6-10-05), gray catbird, Dumetella carolinensis, L. 1758. Used only for size comparison for unfamiliar species, loggerhead shrike, Lanius ludovicianus, L. 1766.

    • Moulton (June 10, 1805):    Cited as the first description of the white-rumped shrike, Lanius ludovicianus excubitorides, the western form of the loggerhead shrike; it is no longer considered a separate subspecies of the loggerhead, L. ludovicianus [AOU, 622]. Cutright (LCPN), 157. The birds used for comparison are the eastern bluebird, Sialia sialis [AOU, 766], and the gray catbird, Dumetella carolinensis [AOU, 704]. Holmgren, 29, 33.

    • See also entries for:


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  • Great Blue Heron
    L&C "common blue crains", "blue and brown Herons"

    Image, 2007, Ridgefield NWR, Washington, click to enlarge Image, 2007, Ridgefield NWR, Washington, click to enlarge
    Click image to enlarge     		Great Blue Heron, Ridgefield NWR, Washington. Image taken March 25, 2007.

    Weather diary, February 13, 1804:
    "... the fist appearance of the blue crain ..."


    Lewis, November 30, 1805, while exploring Youngs Bay:
    "... saw a great abundance of fowls, brant, large geese, white brant sandhill Cranes, common blue crains, cormarants, haulks, ravens, crows, gulls and a great variety of ducks, the canvas back, duckinmallard, black and white diver, brown duck— &c &c ..."


    Clark, March 6, 1806, while at Fort Clatsop:
    "... The large Blue and brown Herons or crains as they are usially called in the U States are found below tide water.    they are the Same of those of the U, States. ..."


    "The Aquatic birds of this country, or such as obtain their subsistence from the water, are the large blue and brown heron [Great Blue Heron], fishing hawk [Osprey], blue crested fisher [Belted Kingfisher], gulls of several species of the Coast [see Bonaparte's Gull and Glaucous-winged Gull], the large grey gull of the Columbia [Western Gull], Comorant [Double-crested Cormorant], loons of two species [Pacific Loon and Western Grebe], white, and the brown brant [Snow Goose and Brant], small and large geese [Cackling Geese and Canada Goose], small and large swan [Tundra Swan and Trumpeter Swan], the Duckinmallard [Mallard], canvis back duck [Canvasback], red headed fishing duck [Red-breasted Merganser or Common Merganser], black and white duck [Bufflehead], little brown duck [unknown, possibly one of the Teals], black duck [American Coot], two species of divers [Pied-billed Grebe and Red-necked Grebe], blue winged teal [Blue-winged Teal], and some other speceis of ducks."
    -- Lewis, March 6, 1806, while at Fort Clatsop



    Commentary:

    • Patterson (what L&C described): herrons
    • Patterson (conjectures, mostly from Coues, in Burroughs, 1961): Great Blue Heron
    • Patterson (current AOU equivalent): Great Blue Heron

    • Holmgren:    CRAIN, CRANE, any large crane, egret or heron.
      • "blue" (2-13-04) great blue heron, Ardea herodias, L. 1758.
      • "brown" (7-21-05) immature or smaller subspecies of sandhill crane.
      • "sandhill crane" (2-29-05) Grus canadensis, L. 1758.
      • "white" (3-25-04) great egret, Casmerodius albus, L. 1758, Formerly American egret, common egret.
      • "white with black wing tips (4-11-05) whooping crane, Grus americana, L. 1758.

    • Holmgren:    HERON
      • "blue" (3-6-06) great blue heron, Ardea herodias L. 1758. Also called blue crane (crain) (2-13-04).
      • "brown" (8-25-04) probably American bittern, Botaurus lentiginosus Rackett 1813, or immature black-crowned night-heron, Nycticorax nycticorax, L. 1758.
      • "white" (8-2-04) great egret, Casmerodius albus L. 1758, formerly American or common egret. Also called white crane.

    • Johnsgard:   Great Blue Heron Ardea herodias:    Large numbers of these birds were seen on August 11, 1804, when the party camped on a sandbar above Blackbird Hill in present-day Thurston County, Nebraska. On August 30, 1804, in what is now western Cedar County, Nebraska, one tried to land on the mast of their keelboat and was captured. It was subsequently given to the local tribe of Yankton Sioux. Great blue heron populations have increased significantly in North America during the last four decades, perhaps in part because of improved protection of breeding colonies.

    • Moulton (Weather diary, February 13, 1804): Probably the great blue heron, Ardea herodias [AOU, 194], which is still often called a crane.

    • Moulton (November 30, 1805): Probably the great blue heron, Ardea herodias [AOU, 194], also called a blue crane in weather remarks for February 13, 1804. See also March 6, 1806. Burroughs, 183–84.

    Image, 2007, Ridgefield NWR, Washington, click to enlarge
    Click image to enlarge     		Great Blue Heron with snake, Ridgefield NWR, Washington. Image taken March 25, 2007.


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  • Great Egret
    L&C "white Heron"

    Image, 2007, Ridgefield NWR, Washington, click to enlarge
    Click image to enlarge     		Great Egret flying, Ridgefield NWR, Washington. Image taken May 19, 2007.

    Weather Diary, March 25, 1804:
    "... Saw the 1st White Crain return ..."


    Lewis, August 2, 1804:
    "... This day one of our Hunters brought me a white Heron [EC: Herodias egretta].    this bird as an inhabitant of ponds and Marasses, and feeds upon tadpoles, frogs, small fish &c—    they are common to the Mississipi and the lower part of the ohio River, (ie) as high as the falls of that river.—    this bird weighed two lbs.—    it's plumage is perfectly white and very thin— ... [more description omitted here] ...    it's beak is yellow pointed, flated crosswise and 5 Inches in length from the upper region of the bill to the eye is one inch in length, covered with a smoth yellow skin    the plumage of the head projecting towards the upper bill and coming to a point a[t] an Inch beyond the eyes on the center of the upper bill. The mouth opens to distance of the eyes—    The eye is full and projecting reather, ... [more description omitted here] ...    it's legs are black—    the neck and beak occupy 1/2 it's length. ... [more description omitted here]...    the eye is of a deep seagreen colour, with a circle of of pale yellow around the sight forming a border to the outer part of the eye of about half the width of the whole eye.    the tale has 12 feathers of six inches in length.—    the wings when folded are the same length with the tale.—    has 2 remarkable tufts of long feathers on each side joining the body at the upper joint of the wing. these cover the feathers of the 1st joint of the wings when they are over extended ..."


    Commentary:

    • Patterson (what L&C described): white heron
    • Patterson (conjectures, mostly from Coues, in Burroughs, 1961): American Egret
    • Patterson (current AOU equivalent): Great Egret

    • Holmgren:    CRAIN, CRANE, any large crane, egret or heron.
      • "white" (3-25-04) great egret, Casmerodius albus, L. 1758, Formerly American egret, common egret.
      • "white with black wing tips (4-11-05) whooping crane, Grus americana, L. 1758.

    • Holmgren:    HERON
      • "white" (8-2-04) great egret, Casmerodius albus L. 1758, formerly American or common egret. Also called white crane.

    • Johnsgard:   Great Egret Ardea alba:    A specimen of this egret was shot on August 2, 1804, at the site of present-day Fort Calhoun, Washington County. Great egrets have not historically nested along this stretch of the Missouri, but individual birds now often appear in late summer, after the breeding season. Like great blue herons, great egret populations have increased significantly in North America during the last four decades.

    • Moulton (March 25, 1804, Weather Diary):    Apparently the now rare and endangered whooping crane, Grus americana [AOU, 204], which could be found in Illinois in the 1800s. Burroughs, 184–85. But perhaps the great egret, Casmerodius albus [AOU, 196], described by Lewis on August 2, 1804. Holmgren

    • Moulton (August 2, 1804):    Lewis's natural history notes from Codex Q. This bird is the great egret.

    • See also entries for:


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  • Great Gray Owl
    L&C "large hooting owl"

    Lewis, May 23, 1806:
    "... Our hunters brought us a large hooting owl which differ from those of the atlantic States. The plumage of this owl is an uniform mixture of dark yellowish brown and white, in which the dark brown prodominates.    it's Colour may be properly termed a dark Iron gray.    the plumage is very long and remarkably Silky and Soft.    those have not the long feathers on the head which give it the appearance of ears, or horns, remarkable large eyes—. ..."


    Lewis, May 28, 1806:
    "... our hunters brought us a large hooting Owl which differs considerably from those of the Atlantic States which are also common here.    the plumage of this owl is an uniform mixture of dark yellowish brown and white, in which the dark brown predominates.    it's colour may be properly termed a dark iron grey.    the plumage is very long and remarkably silky and soft.    these have not the long feathers on the head which give it the appearance of ears or horns.    the leathers of the head are long narrow and closely set, they rise upwright nearly to the extremity and then are bent back sudonly as iff curled.    a kind of ruff of these feathers incircle the thoat.    the head has a flat appearance being broadest before and behind and is 1 foot 10 Is. in circumference.    incircling the eyes and extending from them like rays from the center a tissue of open hairy long feathers are placed of a light grey colour, these conceal the ears which are very large and are placed close to the eyes behind and extending below them.    these feathers meet over the beak which they nearly conceal and form the face of the owl.    they eyes are remarkably large and prominant, the iris of a pale goald colour and iris circular and of a deep sea green.    the beak is short and wide at it's base. the upper chap is much curved at the extremity and comes down over and in front of the under chap.    this bird is about the size of the largest hooting Owl.    the tail is composed of eleven feathers, of which those in the center are reather the longest.    it is booted to the extremity of the toes, of which it has four on each foot, one in the rear one on the outer side and two in front.    the toes are short particularly that in rear, but are all armed with long keen curved nails of a dark brown colour.    the beak is white and nostrils circular large and unconnected.    the habits and the note of this owl is much that of the common large hooting owl.— ..."


    Commentary:

    • Patterson (what L&C described): large hooting owl
    • Patterson (conjectures, mostly from Coues, in Burroughs, 1961): Great Gray Owl
    • Patterson (current AOU equivalent): Great Gray Owl

    • Holmgren:    OWLS
      • "ear-like feathers" (5-20-05) long-eared owl, Asio otus, L. 1758.
      • "hooting" (4-14-05) great horned owl, Bubo virginianus, Gmelin 1788.
      • "iron grey" (5-29-06) no long ear tufts, great gray owl, Strix nebulosa, Forster 1772.
      • NOTE: Holmgren's 5-29-06 should read 5-28-06.

    • Moulton (May 23, 1806):    The great gray owl, Strix nebulosa [AOU, 370], another new species. See Lewis's longer description at May 28, 1806. Burroughs, 209–10; Holmgren, 32.

    • Moulton (May 28, 1806):    The great gray owl, a new species. [EC: Scotiaptex cinerea]

    • NOTE: the Great Gray Owl, Strix nebulos, was first described by Johann Reinhold Forster in 1772.


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  • Greater Prairie Chicken
    L&C "heath hen, prairie fowl"

    Lewis, November 16, 1803:
    "... Passed the Missippi this day and went down on the other side after landing at the upper habitation on the oposite side.    ...    saw a heath hen or grows which flew of[f] and having no gun with me did not persue it— ..."

    Clark, January 9, 1804, while near the Mississippi:
    "... Some Snow last night, a hard wind this morning from W, N W, river Rises with large Sheets of Ice out of Mississippi, the morning is fair (the man Ramey gives me much trouble)    I took Collins & went to the place he found a Hog Skined & Hung up, the Crows had devoured the meet, Killed Prary fowl ..."

    Lewis, June 5, 1805:
    "... saw [NB: near the hills] a flock of the mountain cock, or a large species of heath hen with a long pointed tail which the Indians informed us were common to the Rockey Mountains, I sent Shields to kill one of them but he was obliged to fire a long distance at them and missed his aim. ..."

    Clark, undated entry, with non-bird entries omitted:
    "... The Prairie Fowl common to the Illinois are found as high up as the River Jacque above which the Sharpe tailed Grows commence    950 Ms. ...
    Indian Hen & Small Species of Kildee which frequent drift is found as high up as the Entrance of the Little Sieux river    733 ms. ...
    Parotqueet is Seen as high as the Mahar Village    836 ms. ...
    In descending the Missouri & Rochejhone ...
    Turkeys first appear at the enterance of Tylors Rivr above the big bend 1200 miles up this Missouri    1206
    The pointed tail Prarie fowl are found above the Big bend upwards.    1200 ms. up ...
    The party coloured Corvus or Magpy Commence at or about Corvus Creek and from thence upwards.    1130 ..."


    Commentary:

    • Patterson (what L&C described): prairie fowl
    • Patterson (conjectures, mostly from Coues, in Burroughs, 1961): Prairie Chicken
    • Patterson (current AOU equivalent): Greater Prairie Chicken

    • Holmgren:    COCK and/or HEN
      • "heath" (6-5-05) Tympanuchus cupido cupido, L. 1758. Subspecific with greater prairie-chicken, Tympanuchus cupido pinnatus, Brewster 1885. A bird of Atlantic sea board range, extinct since 1932, used here for size comparison.
      • "Indian" (6-20-04) greater prairie-chicken.
      • "mountain" (6-5-05) alternate name for sage grouse, Centrocercus urophasianus, Bonaparte 1827, usually known in the journals as cock-of-the-plains, but also as large heath cock (8-12-05).
      • "plains" (8-20-05) sage grouse.
      • "prairie cock" (10-2-04) greater prairie-chicken.
      • "large prairie cock" (10-17-05) sage grouse.
      • "prairie hen with pointed tail" (5-22-05) sharp-tailed grouse, Tympananuchus phasianellus, L. 1758. Formerly Pedioecetes phasianellus

    • Johnsgard:   Greater Prairie-chicken Tympanuchus cupido pinnatus:    Captain Clark referred to this species as "the Prairie fowl common to the Illinois" and said that its range extended as far north as the mouth of the James River, above which the sharp-tailed species occurred. The farthest point north at which Captain Clark saw the birds thus may have been in present-day Cedar County, Nebraska, or across the river on the South Dakota side near present-day Yankton. This interior race of the greater prairie-chicken is closely related to the now-extinct Atlantic coast race of prairie-chicken, which was called the heath hen (T. c. cupido). The interior race pinnatus thrived during the late 1800s as the fertile lands of the tallgrass prairies were initially opened to small-grain agriculture, but the population collapsed only a few decades later as natural breeding habitats became increasingly rare. The interior race has long been extirpated from the immediate Missouri Valley of Nebraska, but it does still occur as close as Johnson and Pawnee Counties near the Kansas-Nebraska border. It also still survives locally in the Missouri Valley of southern South Dakota, though it once ranged across essentially all of both Dakotas and even barely into eastern Montana.

    • Moulton (September 16, 1803):    Lewis was no doubt familiar with the eastern variety of heath hen, Tympanuchus cupido cupido, now extinct. Here he probably saw the western subspecies, T. c. pinnatus, called the greater prairie chicken. Both are now grouped as T. cupido [AOU, 305]. Cutright (HLCJ), 142.

    • Moulton (January 9, 1804):    The common, or American, crow is Corvus brachyrhynchos [AOU, 488], and probably the greater prairie chicken, first noticed November 16, 1803.

    • Moulton (June 5, 1805):    The sage grouse, Centrocercus urophasianus [AOU, 309], then unknown to science. Lewis gave a detailed description on March 2, 1806. Cutright (LCPN), 157; Burroughs, 213–15. (The "heath hen" is used for comparison.)

    • Moulton (Clark, undated entry):    This document is found in Codex N, pp. 153–54 ... (non-bird references omitted):
      • "Prairie Fowl common to the Illinois": greater prairie-chicken; sharp-tailed grouse;
      • "Indian Hen": greater prairie-chicken;
      • "Killdeer": Charadrius vociferus [AOU, 273];    (NOTE: Clark didn't mean Killdeer as Moulton comment alludes to, but instead Clark wrote the "Small Species of Kildee", which researchers are considering is the "Piping Plover")
      • "Parotqueet": Carolina parakeet, Conuropsis carolinensis [AOU, 382];
      • "Turkey": Wild Turkey
      • "The pointed tail Prarie Fowl": sharp-tailed grouse;
      • "party coloured Corvus or Magpy": black-billed magpie;


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  • Greater Yellowlegs
    L&C "yellow legged"

    Image, 2009, Lacamas Lake, Washington, click to enlarge Image, 2007, Ridgefield NWR, Washington, click to enlarge
    Click image to enlarge     		Greater Yellowlegs, Lacamas Lake, Washington (left) and Ridgefield NWR, Washington (right). Left image taken April 21, 2009. Right image taken September 26, 2007.

    Lewis, May 9, 1805, in Montana, describing the Willet:
    "... I killed four plover this evening of a different species from any I have yet seen; it resembles the grey or whistling plover more than any other of this family of birds; it is about the size of the yellow legged or large grey plover common to the lower part of this river as well as most parts of the Atlantic States where they are sometimes called the Jack curloo; ... ..."


    Commentary:

    • Moulton (May 9, 1805):    The willet, Catoptrophorus semipalmatus [AOU, 258], then new to science. Cutright (LCPN), 148, 431. The birds used for comparison are the lesser golden-plover and perhaps the greater yellowlegs, Tringa melanoleuca [AOU, 254], Lewis's "Jack curloo."

    • See also entries for:


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  • Herring Gull ... or Ring-billed Gull
    L&C "white Gulls with wings tiped with black"

    Image, 2009, Portland, Oregon, waterfront, click to enlarge Image, 2009, Portland, Oregon, waterfront, click to enlarge
    Click image to enlarge     		Herring Gull (left) and Ring-billed Gull (right), Portland waterfront, Portland, Oregon. Images taken February 16, 2009.

    Weather diary, September 27, 1804:
    "... Saw a large flock of white Gulls with wings tiped with black ..."


    Commentary:

    • Holmgren:    GULLS
      • "brown" (3-6-06) most immature gulls wear a brown mottled plumage through their second winter. These may be any of the "grey" adults below.
      • "grey" (3-6-06) herring gull, Larus argentatus, Pontopidan 1763; ring-billed gull, Larus delawarensis, Ord 1815; western gull Larus occidentalis, Audubon 1839; glaucous-winged, Larus glaucenscens, Naumann 1840; California gull, Larus californicus, Lawrence 1854.
      • "small" (3-6-06) size of a pigeon, black on head. Probably Bonaparte's gull, Larus philadelphia, Ord 1815, but could be Forster's tern Sterna Forsteri Nuttall 1834.
      • "speckled" (10-2-05) any immature gull, as above under "brown".
      • "white" (3-6-06) with odd beak. Clark's sketch and description of prominent nasal tubes identify this species as the northern fulmar, Fulmarus glacialis, L. 1761, in its white phase. Not a gull, though gull-like in actions and appearance.
      • "wings tipped in black" (9-27-04) Probably herring gull or ring-billed, as under "grey".

    • Moulton (Weather diary, September 27, 1804):    There are only two species of gulls likely to be on the upper Missouri: the herring gull, Larus argentatus [AOU, 51], and the ring-billed gull, L. delawarensis [AOU, 54]; both have black wingtips. Holmgren 30.


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  • House Wren
    L&C "wren"

    Image, 2010, Steigerwald Lake NWR, Washington, click to enlarge
    Click image to enlarge     		House Wren, Steigerwald Lake NWR, Washington. Image taken May 16, 2010, Steigerwald Lake NWR, Washington.

    Clark, August 25, 1804, while at Spirit Mound, South Dakota:
    "... Great numbers of Birds are Seen in those Plains, Such as black bird, Ren [X: wren] or Prarie burd a kind of larke about the Sise of a Partridge with a Short tail &c. &. ..."


    Lewis, June 8, 1805, while in Montana:
    "... The river bottoms affording all the timber which is to be seen in the country they are filled with innumerable litle birds that resort thither either for shelter or to build their nests.    when sun began to shine today these birds appeared to be very gay and sung most inchantingly; I observed among them the brown thrush, Robbin, turtle dove, linnit goaldfinch, the large and small blackbird, wren and several other birds of less note ..."


    Commentary:

    • Holmgren:    WREN (REN) In England wren was long the common name for any very small bird and the custom continued among early settlers in north America. Both Audubon and Wilson gave the name "wren" to the birds now known as kinglets, as well as to birds still listed in the wren family. The "rens" of the journals possibly had similar varied identification unless modifying details were given.
      • "wren (ren)" (8-25-04, 6-8-05) Without further description these might also be the winter wren, but could easily be the house wren, Troglodytes aedon, Vieillot 1807; or the golden-crowned kinglet, Regulus satrapa, Lichtenstein 1823, or the ruby-crowned kinglet, Regulus calendula, L. 1766.

    • Moulton (August 25, 1804):    This bird "the Sise of a Partridge" may be the same as the one in the Field Notes of this day, "about the Size of a Pigeon" [Western Meadowlark or Yellow Rail]. The sentence itself is unclear as to whether the wren or the lark is the "Praire bird." Biddle punctuates it so as to make it the wren. Coues (HLC), 1:87. For the wren, see Holmgren, 34.

    • Moulton (June 8, 1805):
      • Burroughs questions Criswell's identification of the linnet as the pine siskin, Carduelis pinus [AOU, 533]. Holmgren says the term linnet was used for any small bird with a red crown, especially the common redpoll, C. flammea [AOU, 528], the purple finch, Carpodacus purpureus [AOU, 517], and the house finch, C. mexicanus [AOU, 519]. Burroughs, 259; Criswell, 53; Holmgren, 32.
      • Lewis's "goaldfinch" is the American goldfinch, Carduelis tristis [AOU, 529].
      • The wren may be the winter wren, Troglodytes troglodytes [AOU, 722], or any of several other birds. Holmgren, 34.

    • See also entries for:


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  • Killdeer
    L&C "kildee"

    Image, 2007, Ridgefield NWR, Washington, click to enlarge
    Click image to enlarge     		Killdeer, Ridgefield NWR, Washington. Image taken May 14, 2007.

    Weather diary, April 7, 1805:
    "... the Kildee, and large Hawk have returned ..."


    Lewis, April 24, 1806:
    "... The curloos are abundant in these plains and are now laying their eggs.    saw the Kildee ..."


    Commentary:

    • Patterson (what L&C described): kildee
    • Patterson (conjectures, mostly from Coues, in Burroughs, 1961): Killdeer
    • Patterson (current AOU equivalent): Killdeer

    • Holmgren:    KILLDEE, KILLDEER (4-8-05) killdeer, Charadrius vociferus, L. 1758.
      • "small" (6-20-04) semipalmated plover, Charadrius semipalmatus, Bonaparte 1825.

    • Johnsgard:   Killdeer Charadrius vociferus:    The "Kildee" was apparently well known to Lewis and Clark but was specifically mentioned only once in the Great Plains region. Lewis noted it on April 8, 1805, in the vicinity of the Knife River in North Dakota.

    • Moulton (Weather diary, April 7, 1805):    The killdeer, Charadrius vociferus [AOU, 273], already known to science. Burroughs, 225. The hawk could be any of a number of species in the area.

    • Moulton (April 24, 1806):    Perhaps the long-billed curlew, Numenius americanus [AOU, 264]. Holmgren, 29.    The killdeer, Charadrius vociferus [AOU, 273], already known to science. Holmgren, 31.


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  • Kinglets ... Golden-crowned Kinglet and Ruby-crowned Kinglet
    L&C "wren"

    Image, 2008, Lacamas Lake, Washington, click to enlarge Image, 2011, Shillapoo Wildlife Area, Washington, click to enlarge
    Click image to enlarge     		Golden-crowned Kinglet (left) and Ruby-crowned Kinglet (right). Left image taken October 14, 2008, Lacamas Lake, Washington. Right image taken March 10, 2011, Shillapoo Wildlife Area, Vancouver, Washington

    Clark, August 25, 1804, while at Spirit Mound, South Dakota:
    "... Great numbers of Birds are Seen in those Plains, Such as black bird, Ren [X: wren] or Prarie burd a kind of larke about the Sise of a Partridge with a Short tail &c. &. ..."


    Lewis, June 8, 1805, while in Montana:
    "... The river bottoms affording all the timber which is to be seen in the country they are filled with innumerable litle birds that resort thither either for shelter or to build their nests. when sun began to shine today these birds appeared to be very gay and sung most inchantingly; I observed among them the brown thrush, Robbin, turtle dove, linnit goaldfinch, the large and small blackbird, wren and several other birds of less note ..."


    Lewis, March 4, 1806, while at Fort Clatsop:
    "... there are two species of the fly-catch, a small redish brown species with a short tail, round body, short neck and short pointed beak. they have some fine black specks intermixed with the uniform redish brown. this the same with that which remains all winter in Virginia where it is sometimes called the wren. the second species has lately returned and dose not remain here all winter. it's colours are a yellowish brown on the back head neck wings and tail the breast and belley of a yellowish white; the tail is in proportion as the wren but it is a size smaller than that bird. it's beak is streight pointed convex reather lage at the base and the chaps of equal length. the first species is the smallest, in short it is the smalest bird that I have ever seen in America except the humming bird. both these species are found in the woody country only or at least I have never seen them elsewhere. ..."


    Commentary:

    • Patterson (about March 4, 1806):    Ruby-crowned Kinglet or Hutton's Vireo, this bird was noted at Fort Clatsop on March 4, 1806 which would be much too early for any of the regularly occuring Empidonax. Both kinglet and vireo are regularly mistaken for flycatchers by inexperienced bird watchers.

    • Holmgren:    WREN (REN) In England wren was long the common name for any very small bird and the custom continued among early settlers in north America. Both Audubon and Wilson gave the name "wren" to the birds now known as kinglets, as well as to birds still listed in the wren family. The "rens" of the journals possibly had similar varied identification unless modifying details were given.
      • "wren (ren)" (8-25-04, 6-8-05) Without further description these might also be the winter wren, but could easily be the house wren, Troglodytes aedon, Vieillot 1807; or the golden-crowned kinglet, Regulus satrapa, Lichtenstein 1823, or the ruby-crowned kinglet, Regulus calendula, L. 1766.

    • Also see entries for:


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  • Mallard
    L&C "duckinmallard"

    Image, 2008, Lacamas Lake, Washington, click to enlarge
    Click image to enlarge     		Mallard, male, Lacamas Lake, Washington. Image taken April 24, 2008.

    Lewis, March 28, 1806, at Deer Island:
    "... we have seen more waterfowl on this island than we have previously seen since we left Fort Clatsop, consisting of geese, ducks, large swan, and Sandhill crains. I saw a few of the Canvisback duck.    the duckinmallard are the most abundant. ...


    Weather diary, April 12, 1806:
    "... cold.    snowed on the mountains through which the river passes at the rapids.    the duckinmallard which bread in this neighbourhood, is now laying it's eggs,—    vegetation is rapidly progressing in the bottoms tho' the snow of yesterday and today reaches within a mile of the base of the mountains at the rapids of the Columbia.— ..."


    "The Aquatic birds of this country, or such as obtain their subsistence from the water, are the large blue and brown heron [Great Blue Heron], fishing hawk [Osprey], blue crested fisher [Belted Kingfisher], gulls of several species of the Coast [see Bonaparte's Gull and Glaucous-winged Gull], the large grey gull of the Columbia [Western Gull], Comorant [Double-crested Cormorant], loons of two species [Pacific Loon and Western Grebe], white, and the brown brant [Snow Goose and Brant], small and large geese [Cackling Geese and Canada Goose], small and large swan [Tundra Swan and Trumpeter Swan], the Duckinmallard [Mallard], canvis back duck [Canvasback], red headed fishing duck [Red-breasted Merganser or Common Merganser], black and white duck [Bufflehead], little brown duck [unknown, possibly one of the Teals], black duck [American Coot], two species of divers [Pied-billed Grebe and Red-necked Grebe], blue winged teal [Blue-winged Teal], and some other speceis of ducks."
    -- Lewis, March 6, 1806, while at Fort Clatsop



    Commentary:

    • Patterson (what L&C described): duchanmallard
    • Patterson (conjectures, mostly from Coues, in Burroughs, 1961): Mallard Duck
    • Patterson (current AOU equivalent): Mallard
    • Patterson (comments): Comments on ducks: Given the number of species of ducks that winter in Columbia Estuary today, the dearth of duck species listed by Lewis and Clark for the Columbia River is puzzling. Jefferson had instructed them not to waste time on familiar species, but Mallards are referred to regularly, so one would expect that numbers of Northern Pintail, American Wigeon, Green-winged Teal and Greater Scaup would have also been mentioned. The description of the duck later assigned as Ring-necked Duck (new to science at the time) is sufficient and most probably correct, but the apparent absence of scaup from accounts is strange. The number of scaup recorded on the Columbia Estuary Christmas Bird Count averages around 1000 and the Wahkiakum Count around 5000, yet they would seem to have gone undetected. Also surprising is that there is no mention of Surf Scoters which winter along the coast between Tillamook Head and Long Beach in groups of up to 20,000.

    • Holmgren:    DUCKANMALLARD, or DUCKINMALLARD, or DUCKAUINMALLARD (1-2-06, 4-12-06) Old name for mallard, used to distinguish wild birds from tame or female from male.

    • Johnsgard:   Mallard Anas platyrhynchos: &nsbp;  Mallards, usually called "duckinmallards" by the explorers, were often seen but generally not distinguished from other duck species. However, they were mentioned specifically as present in the vicinity of Three Forks, Montana, on July 29, 1805, and again on August 2 on the Jefferson River above Three Forks. Mallard populations have probably increased substantially during the past century as a result of wildlife management programs.


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  • Mountain Bluebird
    L&C
    (more probably the Pinyon Jay)

    Image, 2008, Ridgefield NWR, Washington, click to enlarge
    Click image to enlarge     		Mountain Bluebird, Ridgefield NWR, Washington. Image taken April 1, 2008.

    Lewis, August 1, 1805:
    "... I also saw near the top of the mountain among some scattering pine a blue bird about the size of the common robbin.    it's action and form is somewhat that of the jay bird and never rests long in any one position but constantly flying or hoping from sprey to sprey. I shot at one of them but missed it.    their note is loud and frequently repeated both flying and when at rest and is char âh', char'âh, char âh', as nearly as letters can express it. ..."


    Lewis, December 18, 1805, written while while near Astoria:
    "... there is another bird of reather larger size which I saw on the woddy parts of the rockey mountains and on the waters of the Missouri, this bird I could never kill tho' I made several attempts, the predominate colour is a dark blue the tale is long and they are not crested; I believe them to be of the corvus genus also.    their note is châr, châr, char,-ar, char; ..."


    Commentary:

    • Holmgren:    BLUE BIRDS (no added name)
      • "no crest" (5-26-05) briefly seen. Could not shoot for close study. Probably mountain bluebird, Sialia currucoides Bechstein 1778. Lewis and Clark could not have known this western species.

    • NOTE: could find no reference to what Holmgren was referring to on 5-26-05 with "no crest". However her description matches entries of August 1, 1805 and December 28, 1805, entries which researchers consider to be the Pinyon Jay.

    • Moulton (August 1, 1805): <   The first description of the pinyon jay, Gymnorhinus cyanocephalus [AOU, 492]. Cutright (LCPN), 177. The American robin, Turdus migratorius [AOU, 761], and the blue jay, Cyanocitta cristata [AOU, 477], are used for comparison.

    • Moulton (December 18, 1805):    The bird of the woody parts of the Rockies that Lewis mentions near the end of this passage may be the pinyon jay, Gymnorhinus cyanocephalus [AOU, 492], first noticed by him on August 1, 1805. Holmgren, 28, identifies it as possibly the mountain bluebird, Sialia currucoides [AOU, 768].

    • See also entries for:


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  • Mountain Plover ... or Upland Sandpiper
    L&C "small (brown) curlooe or plover"

    Lewis, July 14, 1805:
    "... the grass in the plains is not more than 3 inches high.    grasshoppers innumerable in the plains and the small birds before noticed together with the brown Curlooe still continue nomerous in every part of the plains.— ..."


    Lewis, July 22, 1805, in Montana:
    "... Saw many gees, crains, and small birds common to the plains, also a few phesants and a species of small curlooe or plover of a brown colour which I first met with near the entrance of Smith's river but they are so shy and watchfull there is no possibility of geting a shoot at them    it is a different kind from any heretofore discribed and is about the size of the yellow leged plover or jack Curlooe. ..."


    Lewis, July 1, 1806, where Lolo Creek empties into the Bitterroot River, Montana:
    "... the dove, the black woodpecker, the lark woodpecker, the logcock, the prarie lark, sandhill crain, prarie hen with the short and pointed tail, the robin, a speceis of brown plover, a few curloos, small black birds, ravens hawks and a variety of sparrows as well as the bee martin and the several species of Corvus genus are found in this vally. ..."


    Commentary:

    • Patterson (what L&C described): small (brown) curlooe or plover
    • Patterson (conjectures, mostly from Coues, in Burroughs, 1961): Mountain Plover
    • Patterson (current AOU equivalent): Mountain Plover

    • Patterson (what L&C described): small (brown) curlooe or plover
    • Patterson (conjectures, mostly from Coues, in Burroughs, 1961): Upland Plover
    • Patterson (current AOU equivalent): Upland Sandpiper

    • Patterson (comments): Comments on "plovers": Lewis and Clark use the terms plover and curlew very loosely. Of the descriptions given, only that for Willet is complete. The others are not particularly helpful and early interpreters of the journals were making a best guess. Most were recorded along the upper Missouri river in the spring and summer of 1805. Given that neither Common Snipe nor Spotted Sandpiper are mentioned, there are just too many possible choices to determine species with any confidence.

    • Holmgren:    PLOVER (8-16-04, and many other citings) Used for most medium sized shorebirds, some not identified.
      • "brown" (7-1-06) upland sandpiper, Bartramania longicauda, bechstein 1812. Formerly upland plover.
      • "green-legged" (9-22-04) stilt sandpiper, Calidris himantopus, Bonaparte 1826, or pectoral sandpiper, Calidris melanotus, Vieillot 1819.
      • "large" (5-9-05) willet, Catoptrophorus semipalmatus, Gmelin 1789.
      • "party-coloured" (5-1-05, 7-17-06) with head and neck of light brick-dust brown (5-1-05), brick red (7-17-06), American avocet, Recurvirostra americana, Gmelin 1789.
      • "small brown" (6-4-05) of snipe size with curved beak, probably Eskimo curlew, Numenius borealis, Forster 1772.
      • "small brown" (7-22-05), mountain plover, Charadrius montanus, Townsend 1837.

    • Johnsgard:   Upland Sandpiper Bartramia longicauda or Mountain Plover Charadrius montanus:    On July 22, 1805, Captain Lewis reported seeing "a species of small curlooe of a brown color" at present-day Canyon Ferry, Montana. This bird was tentatively identified by Rueben Thwaites as a mountain plover, but Elliott Coues instead believed that it might have been an upland sandpiper. Either species would be geographically possible, but the sandpiper, which is somewhat more curlewlike than the plover and is more widespread, would seem the more likely possibility. Descriptive terms such as curlew (spelled variously) and plover were evidently used rather indiscriminately for shorebirds by expedition members, with curlew perhaps usually applied to the longer-billed or larger species. Too little information is available to make an informed guess as to the identity of this particular bird. The mountain plover's population has declined to the point that it is now a federally endangered species, whereas the population of the upland sandpiper has increased slightly during the past four decades, one of the very few grassland-adapted bird species that has shown this trend.

    • Johnsgard:    Virginia Holmgren more recently summarized the bird discoveries of the entire expedition, listing 25 that she believed were sufficiently well described to warrant "discovery" status, 9 species that might have been considered as newly discovered if they had been better described, and 11 species that were already well known by some common name but had not yet been formally described and named scientifically. In the category of definitely discovered Great Plains birds, she listed the trumpeter swan, greater sage-grouse, semipalmated plover, mountain plover, upland sandpiper, long-billed curlew, least tern, common poorwill, Lewis's woodpecker, Sprague's pipit, McCown's longspur, western meadowlark, and Brewer's blackbird. Of these, the mountain plover and upland sandpiper are distinctly questionable as to their identification. There is no evidence that the highly elusive Sprague's pipit (Anthus spragueii) was ever seen, and the "small Kildee" observed along the Missouri River was probably the piping plover rather than the migratory and arctic-breeding semipalmated plover (Charadrius semipalmatus). The identities of several Great Plains shorebirds mentioned briefly by Lewis and Clark, such as the mountain plover and long-billed curlew, are especially problematic, as they used terms like "plover" and "curlew" rather indiscriminately for shorebirds generally. The tundra swan (Cygnus columbianus) (previously known as the whistling swan) was initially described from observations made by Lewis and Clark during the Pacific-slope phase of their expedition, but it or the trumpeter swan was seen earlier in what is now North Dakota. The trumpeter swan is the semiresidential breeding swan of the northern plains, whereas the arctic-breeding tundra swan is a spring and fall migrant only. Thus, the chances of their having seen the trumpeter swan on the northern plains were fairly good. At least eight previously unknown species—the trumpeter swan, greater sage-grouse, piping plover, least tern, common poorwill, Lewis's woodpecker, McCown's longspur, and western meadowlark—are well enough documented to count as having certainly been seen by Lewis and Clark, and the greater sage-grouse, least tern, and Lewis's woodpecker were as carefully described as any practicing ornithologist of the day might have done.

    • Moulton (July 14, 1805):    Probably the same bird described in more detail on July 22, 1805.

    • Moulton (July 22, 1805):    Probably the same bird mentioned briefly on July 14, 1805. It may be either the mountain plover, Charadrius montanus [AOU, 281], or the upland sandpiper (also called upland plover or Bartram's sandpiper), Bartramia longicauda [AOU, 261]. Burroughs, 226, 228; Holmgren, 33. The "jack Curlooe" mentioned for comparison may be the greater yellowlegs. Cf. May 9, 1805.

    • Moulton (July 1, 1806):
      • "dove": Mourning dove, Zenaida macroura [AOU, 316]. Holmgren, 34.
      • "black woodpecker": Lewis's woodpecker, Melanerpes lewis [AOU, 408]; see May 27, 1806. Holmgren, 34; Burroughs, 239–40.
      • "lark woodpecker": Common, or northern, flicker, Colaptes auratus [AOU, 412]. Burroughs, 241–42; Holmgren, 34.
      • "logcock": [Pileated Woodpecker]
      • "prarie lark": Probably the horned lark, Eremophila alpestris [AOU, 474]. Holmgren, 31.
      • "sandhill crain": [Sandhill Crane]
      • "prarie hen with the short and pointed tail": Sharp-tailed grouse, Tympanuchus phasianellus [AOU, 308]; see March 1, 1806. Holmgren, 29; Burroughs, 213.
      • "robin": American robin, Turdus migratorius [AOU, 761].
      • "a speceis of brown plover": Probably the upland sandpiper, Bartramia longicauda [AOU, 261]; see July 22, 1805. Holmgren, 33; Burroughs, 227.
      • "curloos":
      • "small black birds": Either the rusty blackbird, Euphagus carolinus [AOU, 509], or Brewer's blackbird, E. cyanocephalus [AOU, 510]. Holmgren, 28.
      • "ravens": Common raven, Corvus corax [AOU, 486].
      • "hawks":
      • "variety of sparrows":
      • "bee martin": Either the eastern kingbird, Tyrannus tyrannus [AOU, 444], or the western kingbird, more likely the latter.
      • "several species of Corvus genus":


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  • Northern Bobwhite ...
    L&C, "partridge", bird used for comparison with the Mountain Quail

    Clark, April 6, 1806:
    "... Reubin Field killed a bird of the Quail kind or Class which was whistleing near our Camp    it is [lar]ger than the quail or partridge as they are Called Kentucky and [Virg]inia.    it's form is presisely that of our partridge tho' its plumage differs in every part. ..."


    Commentary:

    • Holmgren:    PARTRIDGE (4-7-06) an English name mistakenly applied to American birds, especially the bobwhite (quail). See QUAIL.

    • Moulton (April 6, 1806):    The first description of the mountain quail, Oreortyx pictus [AOU, 292]. Clark is here probably copying Lewis's entry of the next day. The specimen is being compared with the northern bobwhite, Colinus virginianus [AOU, 289]. From the preserved skin Charles Willson Peale later made a drawing of the bird that is extant today at the American Philosophical Society, Philadelphia. Cutright (LCPN), 281, 288, 385 n. 92, 435–36; Burroughs, 219–20; Holmgren, 33.

    • Also see entries for:


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  • Northern Cardinal ... or perhaps the Northern Mockingbird or Hermit Thrush
    L&C "nightingale"

    Image, 2008, Silver Lake, Ohio, click to enlarge Image, 2010, Glendale, Arizona, click to enlarge
    Click image to enlarge     		Northern Cardinal, male, Silver Lake, Ohio (left), and Northern Mockingbird, Glendale, Arizona (right). Left image taken October 19, 2008. Right image taken October 4, 2010.

    Lewis, June 4, 1804:
    "... passed a Creek on Lbd Side 15 yd. wide, I call Nightingale Creek.    this Bird Sang all last night and is the first of the kind I ever herd,    below this Creek and the last ..."


    Lewis, June 6, 1806:
    "... we meet with a beautifull little bird [Western Tanager] in this neighbourhood about the size and somewhat the shape of the large sparrow.    it is reather longer in proportion to it's bulk than the sparrow.    it measures 7 inches from the extremity of the beek to that of the tail, the latter occupying 2½ inches.    the beak is reather more than half an inch in length, and is formed much like the virginia nitingale [Northern Cardinal] ..."


    Commentary:

    • Patterson (what L&C described): nightingale
    • Patterson (conjectures, mostly from Coues, in Burroughs, 1961): Eastern Cardinal
    • Patterson (current AOU equivalent): Northern Cardinal
    • Patterson (comments): Heard only one night June 1804 in the Missouri Valley. Cardinal seems unlikely ... no guesses about what this was.

    • Holmgren:
      • NIGHTINGALE (6-4-04) Some bird sand by night on this date, but it was not the nightingale, a species not native to North America. The mockingbird, Mimus polyglottos, L. 1758, is the American species most often miscalled nightingale, but a hermit thrush, Catharus guttatus, Pallas 1811, formerly in genus , could be the namesake for Nightingale Creek.
      • VIRGINIA NIGHTINGALE (6-6-06) a common folk name for the northern cardinal, Cardinalis cardinalis, L. 1758 (formerly Richmondena cardinalis).

    • Moulton (June 4, 1804): There is no true nightingale (Luscinia megarhynchos) in America. The cardinal, Cardinalis cardinalis [AOU, 593], was sometimes called the Virginia nightingale, but this bird would have been familiar to the captains. The same objection applies to the mockingbird, Mimus polyglottos [AOU, 703], which has also been suggested. Paul Johnsgard (personal communication) suggests that it might be the whip-poor-will, Caprimulgus vociferus [AOU, 417]. But in the weather remarks on June 11, the "whiperwill" is named. Perhaps Lewis recognized the bird and made the weather observation, while Clark was unfamiliar with the species and used the term nightingale; or perhaps nightingale was a common name at the time for the whip-poor-will. One final possibility is the hermit thrush, Catharus guttatus [AOU, 759]. Coues (HLC), 1:14 n. 27; Cutright (LCPN), 55 n. 13; Holmgren, 32.

    • Moulton (June 6, 1806): Northern cardinal, Cardinalis cardinalis [AOU, 593]; see also June 4, 1804. Holmgren, 32.

    • See entries also for:


    Image, 2010, Vancouver, Washington, click to enlarge
    Click image to enlarge     		Hermit Thrush, Vancouver, Washington. Image taken January 18, 2010.


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  • Northern Harrier ... or Cooper's Hawk ... or Peregrine Falcon
    L&C "hen hawk", hawk with "blewish coloured wings"

    Image, 2009, Steigerwald Lake NWR, Washington, click to enlarge Image, 2010, Shillapoo Wildlife Area, Vancouver, Washington, click to enlarge
    Click image to enlarge     		Northern Harrier, male (left) and Cooper's Hawk (right). Left image taken Octoer 12, 2009, Steigerwald Lake NWR, Washington. Right image taken February 15, 2010, Shillapoo Wildlife Area, Vancouver, Washington.

    Lewis, March 3, 1806, while at Fort Clatsop:
    "... The Crow raven and Large Blackbird are the same as those of our country only that the crow is here much smaller yet it's note is the same    I observe no difference either between the hawks of this coast and those of the Atlantic.    I have observed the large brown hawk, the small or sparrow hawk, and the hawk of an intermediate size with a long tail and blewish coloured wings remarkably swift in flight and very firce.    sometimes called in the U' States the hen hawk.    these birds seem to be common to every part of this country, and the hawks crows & ravens build their nests in great numbers along the high and inaccessable clifts of the Columbia river and it's S. E. branch where we passed along them ..."


    Commentary:

    • Patterson (conjectures, mostly from Coues, in Burroughs, 1961): Marsh Hawk
    • Patterson (current AOU equivalent): Northern Harrier
    • Patterson (comments): Comments on hawks: Lewis and Clark apparently only mentioned hawks generally and without descriptive details. The species listed are those presumed by Coues (as listed in Burroughs), given the ground covered and the habitats. These species are all common to very common species and the speculation that they were seen is certainly justified. I also received an e-mail regarding Peregrine Falcon, which was supposedly see on a nest. Neither Burroughs or Cutright mention any large falcons, but I would think that Prairie Falcon or Peregrine should have been encountered. When I receive a reliable reference, I will update the list (written 2002).

    • Holmgren:    HAWKS
      • "brown" (4-8-05) a familiar species, probably female northern harrier, Circus cyaneus L. 1766, Formerly marsh hawk.
      • "hen" (3-3-06) blue-winged. Common folk name for Cooper's hawk Accipiter cooperii, Bonaparte 1828; used less often for northern goshawk, Accipiter gentilis, L. 1758, or sharp-shinned hawk, Accipiter striatus, Vieillot 1808. These three species prey on fowl more than other hawks, which usually prefer rodents or reptiles, but some farmers give all hawks "hen hawk" name.

    • Johnsgard:   (Northern Harrier Circus cyaneus):    This hawk was not identified as such by Lewis, but he referred to seeing (while on the Oregon coast) the "hen-hawk," a species of hawk with a "long tail and blue wings," calling it the same kind as that found farther east. The male northern harrier has bluish wings and a distinctly long tail, and has been tentatively identified as the species in question, rather than the much rarer peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus). Since the harrier was not more specifically described as occurring in the Great Plains, it is not included as a positive occurrence.

    • Moulton (March 3, 1806):
      • "crow": The crow is in fact the northwestern crow, a new species.
      • "raven": The subspecies of raven in the Fort Clatsop area is Corvus corax sinuatus; Lewis would have been familiar with C. c. principalis to the East. Both are now combined with the common raven.
      • "large blackbird": The blackbird seen in the West would be Brewer's blackbird, Euphagus cyanocephalus [AOU, 510], while the bird he had seen in the East would more likely be the rusty blackbird, E. carolinus [AOU, 509]. Cutright (LCPN), 434; Burroughs, 248, 255–56. NOTE: in other Moulton entries, the "large blackbird" is said to be the Common Grackle, and the Brewer's or Rusty Blackbird is said to be the "small blackbird".
      • "large brown hawk": Coues suggests that the large brown hawk may be a subspecies of the red-tailed hawk, or Swainson's hawk, Buteo swainsoni [AOU, 342]. Holmgren calls it the northern harrier, Circus cyaneus [AOU, 331], also called the marsh hawk.
      • "small or sparrow hawk": The sparrow hawk is Falco sparverius [AOU, 360], now known as the American kestrel.
      • "hawk with long tail and blewish coloured wings sometimes called the hen hawk": Coues identifies as the northern harrier, whereas Holmgren considers it to be Cooper's hawk, Accipiter cooperii [AOU, 333]. Coues (HLC), 3:875; Holmgren, 30–31.


    Image, 2010, Ridgefield NWR, Washington, click to enlarge
    Click image to enlarge     		Peregrine Falcon, Ridgefield NWR, Washington. Image taken August 15, 2010.


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  • Northern Shoveler ... perhaps Cinnamon Teal or Gadwall
    L&C unnamed, "leggs are yellow"

    Image, 2008, Ridgefield NWR, Washington, click to enlarge
    Click image to enlarge     		Northern Shoveler, Ridgefield NWR, Washington. Image taken February 18, 2008.

    Lewis, April 25, 1806:
    "... we killed six ducks in the course of the day; one of them was of a speceis which I had never before seen I therefore had the most material parts of it reserved as a specimine, the leggs are yellow and feet webbed as those of the duckandmallard. ..."


    Lewis, May 8, 1806:
    "... Sheilds killed a duck of an uncommon kind.    the head beak and wing of which I preserved.    the beak is remarkably wide and obtusely pointed, on it's edges it is furnished with a sceries of teeth very long and fine not unlike the teeth of a comb.    the belley is of a brick red, the lower part of the neck white, the upper part or but of the wing is a sky blue, underneath which a narrow stripe of white succeeds marking the wing transversly, the large feathers are of a dark colour.    tail short and pointed and consists of 12 dark brown feathers.    the back is black and sides white; legs yellow and feet formed like the Duckinmallard which it also resembles in size and form.    the eye is moderately large, puple black and iris of an orrange colour.    the colours and appearance of the female is precisely that of the duckinmallard only, reather smaller. ..."


    Commentary:

    • Patterson (what L&C described): unnamed
    • Patterson (conjectures, mostly from Coues, in Burroughs, 1961): Shoveller Duck
    • Patterson (current AOU equivalent): Northern Shoveler
    • Patterson (comments): Comments on ducks: Given the number of species of ducks that winter in Columbia Estuary today, the dearth of duck species listed by Lewis and Clark for the Columbia River is puzzling. Jefferson had instructed them not to waste time on familiar species, but Mallards are referred to regularly, so one would expect that numbers of Northern Pintail, American Wigeon, Green-winged Teal and Greater Scaup would have also been mentioned. The description of the duck later assigned as Ring-necked Duck (new to science at the time) is sufficient and most probably correct, but the apparent absence of scaup from accounts is strange. The number of scaup recorded on the Columbia Estuary Christmas Bird Count averages around 1000 and the Wahkiakum Count around 5000, yet they would seem to have gone undetected. Also surprising is that there is no mention of Surf Scoters which winter along the coast between Tillamook Head and Long Beach in groups of up to 20,000.

    • Holmgren:
      • DUCK, uncommon (5-8-06) with wide beak. Northern shoveler, Anas clypeata, L. 1758.
      • DUCK, yellow-legged (4-25-06) cinnamon teal, Anas cyanoptera, Vieillot 1816, or possibly gadwall, Anas strepera, L. 1758, or northern shoveler, as above.

    • Moulton (April 25, 1806): The northern shoveler, Anas clypeata [AOU, 142], not a new species; see Lewis's detailed description at May 8, 1806. Burroughs, 191; Holmgren, 29.

    • Moulton (May 8, 1806): Northern shoveler, first mentioned on April 25, 1806. Coues wrote the interlineation in pencil; it may have been Biddle who drew the red vertical line through several lines to "dark brown feathers."


    Image, 2010, Ridgefield NWR, Washington, click to enlarge Image, 2007, Ridgefield NWR, Washington, click to enlarge
    Click image to enlarge     		Cinnamon Teal, male (left) and Gadwall, male (right). Left image taken June 7, 2010, Ridgefield NWR, Washington. Right image taken June 3, 2007, Ridgefield NWR, Washington.

    Holmgren suggests the Cinnamon Teal or the Gadwall as the duck with yellow legs.


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  • Osprey
    L&C "fishing hawk"

    Image, 2010, Steigerwald Lake NWR, Washington, click to enlarge Image, 2009, Vancouver Lake Lowlands, Washington, click to enlarge
    Click image to enlarge     		Osprey, Steigerwald Lake NWR, Washington (left) and Vancouver Lake Lowlands, Washington (right). Left image taken May 16, 2010. Right image taken June 14, 2009.

    Lewis, May 7, 1805, while in Montana:
    "... we continue to see a great number of bald Eagles, I presume they must feed on the carcases of dead anamals, for I see no fishing hawks to supply them with their favorite food.    the water of the river is so terbid that no bird wich feeds exclusively on fish can subsist on it; from it's mouth to this place I have neither seen the blue crested fisher nor a fishing hawk. ..."


    Lewis, August 10, 1805:
    "... I saw several bald Eagles and two large white headed fishinghawks    boath these birds were the same common to our country. ..."


    Lewis, March 7, 1806, while at Fort Clatsop:
    "... the fishing hawk with the crown of the head White and back of a mealy white, and the blue crested or King fisher are found on every part of the Columbia and it's waters and are the same with those of the U' States.    the fishing hawk is not abundant particularly in the mountains. ..."


    "The Aquatic birds of this country, or such as obtain their subsistence from the water, are the large blue and brown heron [Great Blue Heron], fishing hawk [Osprey], blue crested fisher [Belted Kingfisher], gulls of several species of the Coast [see Bonaparte's Gull and Glaucous-winged Gull], the large grey gull of the Columbia [Western Gull], Comorant [Double-crested Cormorant], loons of two species [Pacific Loon and Western Grebe], white, and the brown brant [Snow Goose and Brant], small and large geese [Cackling Geese and Canada Goose], small and large swan [Tundra Swan and Trumpeter Swan], the Duckinmallard [Mallard], canvis back duck [Canvasback], red headed fishing duck [Red-breasted Merganser or Common Merganser], black and white duck [Bufflehead], little brown duck [unknown, possibly one of the Teals], black duck [American Coot], two species of divers [Pied-billed Grebe and Red-necked Grebe], blue winged teal [Blue-winged Teal], and some other speceis of ducks."
    -- Lewis, March 6, 1806, while at Fort Clatsop



    Commentary:

    • Patterson (what L&C described): fishing hawk
    • Patterson (conjectures, mostly from Coues, in Burroughs, 1961): American Osprey
    • Patterson (current AOU equivalent): Osprey

    • Holmgren:    HAWKS
      • "fishing" (5-7-05) osprey, Pandion haliaetus, L. 1758.

    • Johnsgard:   Osprey Pandion haliaetus:    The "white-headed fishing hawk" was seen by Captain Lewis on August 9, 1805, near present-day Grayling, Montana. Lewis also noted that it had not been seen below the mouth of the Yellowstone River. He was clearly already familiar with this wide-ranging and fish-eating species, which favors hunting in clear water. Its population trends have been volatile, as like the bald eagle and other fish-eating birds it was seriously affected by pesticide poisoning during the mid- twentieth century.

    • Moulton (May 7, 1805):    The bald eage, the osprey, Pandion haliaetus [AOU, 364]. Burroughs, 208, and the belted kingfisher, Ceryle alcyon [AOU, 390], already known to science. Holmgren, 31; Burroughs, 237–38.

    • Moulton (August 10, 1805):    The bald eagle, Haliaeetus leucocephalus [AOU, 352], and the osprey, Pandion haliaetus [AOU, 364].


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  • Passenger Pigeon ... possible Band-tailed Pigeon
    L&C "wild pigions"
    A Band-tailed Pigeon would be "NEW BIRD", Passenger Pigeon would not

    Image, 2010, Vancouver, Washington, click to enlarge
    Click image to enlarge     		Band-tailed Pigeon, Vancouver, Washington. Image taken May 27, 2010.

    If Lewis and Clark did see the Band-tailed Pigeon in the Idaho area, it would be a NEW BIRD, previously not known to science. See comments by Holmgren and Johnsgard.

    Weather diary, February 12, 1804:
    "... Pigeons, ducks of varis kinds, and gese have returned ..."


    Clark, July 12, 1805:
    "... a fiew wild pigions about our Camp. ..."


    Lewis, July 13, 1805, while in Montana:
    "... I saw a number of turtledoves and some pigeons today.    of the latter I shot one; they are the same common to the United States, or the wild pigeon as they are called. ..."


    Lewis, August 26, 1805, while in Idaho:
    "... Saw great numbers of the large Black grass hopper.    Some hars which were verry wild, but few Birds.    a number of ground Lizards; Some fiew Pigions ..."


    Lewis, July 25, 1806, along the Yellowstone River, Montana:
    "... R. Fields and myself killed nine pige[ons] which lit in the trees near our camp    on these we dined. ..."


    Commentary:

    • Patterson (what L&C described): pigeon
    • Patterson (conjectures, mostly from Coues, in Burroughs, 1961): Passenger Pigeon
    • Patterson (current AOU equivalent): Passenger Pigeon

    • Holmgren:    PIGEON, WILD (2-12-04) passenger pigeon, Ectopistes migratorius, L. 1766. Now extinct but then abundant in East. Lewis shot one (7-13-05) to verify identification since they had not yet been reported so far west (Montana). Birds still farther west (8-26-05, Lemhi Valley, east-central Idaho) might have been the band-tailed pigeon, Columba fasciata, Say 1823, not then known to science, though the difference in its fan-tail from passenger's pointed tail would likely have been noted. The common pigeon, Columba livia, L. 1758, had not then multiplied as a feral species as it has today and would not have been seen anywhere on the Expedition Trail. The smaller mouring dove was mentioned several times as "turtledove" and would not have been mistaken for the passenger pigeon by such experienced woodsman.

    • Johnsgard:   Passenger Pigeon Ectopistes migratorius:    This now-extinct but once extremely common pigeon was first mentioned on February 12, 1804, near the mouth of the Missouri River at the start of their trip. Captain Lewis mentioned the birds again near the White River in southern South Dakota on September 16, 1804. They were also seen in west-central Montana on July 12 and 13, 1805, near the mouth of the Sun River, and one was shot by Captain Lewis on the 13th. On the return trip Lewis noted them near Missoula on July 5, 1806, and also along Cut Bank River in northwestern Montana on July 25, 1806. Captain Clark likewise mentioned seeing pigeons along the Yellowstone River on July 25, 1806. These latter sightings may well have involved the band-tailed pigeon (Columba fasciata), as the passenger pigeon is only known with certainty to have occurred in northern Montana. The passenger pigeon was last reported from the Montana region in 1875, from what is now South Dakota in 1884, and from North Dakota in 1892. The last wild birds observed anywhere were seen about 1900, and the last-known individual died in captivity in 1914.

    • Moulton (July 12, 1805):    The passenger pigeon, Ectopistes migratorius [AOU, 315]. Burroughs, 233–34.

    • Moulton (August 26, 1805):    The ground lizard is probably the eastern short-horned lizard, Phrynosoma douglassi brevirostre, while the pigeons may be passenger pigeons, Ectopistes migratorius [AOU, 315], although Holmgren suggests the possibility of the band-tailed pigeon, Columba fasciata [AOU, 312], this far west. Benson (HLCE), 88; Burroughs, 233–34; Holmgren, 32.


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  • Pectoral Sandpiper ... or Stilt Sandpiper
    L&C "green legged plover"

    Image, 2010, Ridgefield NWR, Washington, click to enlarge
    Click image to enlarge     		Pectoral Sandpiper, Ridgefield NWR, Washington. Image taken September 9, 2011.

    Ordway, September 21, 1804:
    "... here we Saw the Sand bars covered with [green?] W. head [leged] plovvers.    Capt. Lewis Shot Some of them for his dinner ..."

    Weather diary, September 22, 1804:
    "... a little foggy this morning, a great number of green leged plove passing down the river, also some geese & brant ..."


    Commentary:

    • Holmgren:    PLOVER (8-16-04, and many other citings) Used for most medium sized shorebirds, some not identified.
      • "green-legged" (9-22-04) stilt sandpiper, Calidris himantopus, Bonaparte 1826, or pectoral sandpiper, Calidris melanotus, Vieillot 1819.

    • Moulton (September 21, 1804):    Probably the bird Clark called the "green leged plove" in his weather remarks for September 22; perhaps either the stilt sandpiper, Calidris himantopus, or the pectoral sandpiper, C. melanotos.

    • Moulton (Weather diary, September 22, 1804):    Perhaps the stilt sandpiper, Calidris himantopus [AOU, 233], or the pectoral sandpiper, C. melanotos [AOU, 239].


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  • Pied-billed Grebe
    L&C "small species diver"

    Image, 2008, Ridgefield NWR, Washington, click to enlarge
    Click image to enlarge     		Pied-billed Grebe, Ridgefield NWR, Washington. Image taken May 18, 2008.

    Lewis, March 10, 1806, while at Fort Clatsop:
    "... the divers are the same with those of the Atlantic States.    the smaller species [Pied-billed Grebe] has some white feathers about the rump with no perceptable tail and is very active and quck in it's motion; the body is of a redish brown.   the beak sharp and somewhat curved like that of the pheasant.    the toes are not connected but webed like those discribed of the black duck.    the larger speceis [Red-necked Grebe] are about the size of the teal and can flye a short distance which the small one scarcely ever attapts.    they have a short tail.    their colour is also an uniform brickredish brown, the beak is streight and pointed. the feet are of the same form of the other speceis and the legs are remarkably thin and flat one edge being in front.    the food of both speceis is fish, and the flesh unfit for uce. ..."


    "The Aquatic birds of this country, or such as obtain their subsistence from the water, are the large blue and brown heron [Great Blue Heron], fishing hawk [Osprey], blue crested fisher [Belted Kingfisher], gulls of several species of the Coast [see Bonaparte's Gull and Glaucous-winged Gull], the large grey gull of the Columbia [Western Gull], Comorant [Double-crested Cormorant], loons of two species [Pacific Loon and Western Grebe], white, and the brown brant [Snow Goose and Brant], small and large geese [Cackling Geese and Canada Goose], small and large swan [Tundra Swan and Trumpeter Swan], the Duckinmallard [Mallard], canvis back duck [Canvasback], red headed fishing duck [Red-breasted Merganser or Common Merganser], black and white duck [Bufflehead], little brown duck [unknown, possibly one of the Teals], black duck [American Coot], two species of divers [Pied-billed Grebe and Red-necked Grebe], blue winged teal [Blue-winged Teal], and some other speceis of ducks."
    -- Lewis, March 6, 1806, while at Fort Clatsop



    Commentary:

    • Patterson (what L&C described): small species diver
    • Patterson (conjectures, mostly from Coues, in Burroughs, 1961): Pied-billed Grebe
    • Patterson (current AOU equivalent): Pied-billed Grebe
    • Patterson (comments): Lewis and Clark lumped loons and grebes together and most of the descriptions are fairly general. The speckled loon Coues identifies as Pacific Loon could just as easily be a Common Loon or a Red-throated Loon, in fact, Red-throated Loon is argueably more speckled in winter plumage than Pacific (which I would described as banded). It seems likely that all three species were seen and that any loons seen east of Tongue Point (east of Astoria) were more likely Red-throated or Common. The description of Western Grebe is sufficient to assume that it is what they saw (and 100's winter on the Columbia River estuary), as is the description for Red-necked Grebe, but I can't help wondering how they missed Horned Grebe.

    • Holmgren:    DIVERS, an old term for loons or grebes.
      • "large" (3-10-06) red-necked grebe, Podiceps grisegena Boddaert 1783, or horned grebe, Podiceps auritus, L. 1758.
      • "small" (3-10-06), pied-billed grebe, Podilymbus podiceps, L. 1758.

    • Moulton: The pied-billed grebe, Podilymbus podiceps [AOU, 6]. Burroughs, 178; Holmgren, 29.

    • Also see entries for:


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  • Pine Siskin ... or Cassin's Finch ... or House Finch ... or Purple Finch ... or Common Redpoll
    L&C "linnet"

    Image, 2008, Vancouver, Washington, click to enlarge Image, 2010, Shillapoo Wildlife Area, Vancouver, Washington, click to enlarge
    Click image to enlarge     		Pine Siskin (left) and House Finch (right). Left image taken November 15, 2008, Vancouver, Washington. Right image taken February 14, 2010, Shillapoo Wildlife Area, Vancouver, Washington.

    Lewis, June 8, 1805, while in Montana:
    "... The river bottoms affording all the timber which is to be seen in the country they are filled with innumerable litle birds that resort thither either for shelter or to build their nests.    when sun began to shine today these birds appeared to be very gay and sung most inchantingly; I observed among them the brown thrush, Robbin, turtle dove, linnit goaldfinch, the large and small blackbird, wren and several other birds of less note. ..."


    Commentary:

    • Patterson (what L&C described): linnet
    • Patterson (conjectures, mostly from Coues, in Burroughs, 1961): Pine Siskin
    • Patterson (current AOU equivalent): Pine Siskin
    • Patterson (comments): Cassin's Finch, linnet is (more or less) the European equivalent to House Finch (which, in turn, is often referred to as "house linnet" in early bird texts). This leads me to suspect that the bird seen was reddish (though no actual description was given). The location on the Marias River fits for Cassin's Finch, though Red Crossbill, Pine Grosbeak, and even Pine Siskin are credible guesses.

    • Holmgren:    "linnet" (6-8-05) Name for a European species not seen in North America. Used for any small bird with red crown, especially common redpoll, Caruelis flammea L. 1758; purple finch, Carpodacus pupurea Gmelin 1789; house finch, Carpodacus mexicanus Muller 1776.

    • Johnsgard:   (Pine Siskin Carduelis pinus):    Captain Lewis mentioned seeing the "linnet" on the Marias River on June 8, 1805, a bird name that has sometimes been associated with the pine siskin. However, several other small finches have historically been called linnets, and Lewis's identification seems rather unlikely given the location and date.

    • Moulton (June 8, 1805):
      • Burroughs questions Criswell's identification of the linnet as the pine siskin, Carduelis pinus [AOU, 533]. Holmgren says the term linnet was used for any small bird with a red crown, especially the common redpoll, C. flammea [AOU, 528], the purple finch, Carpodacus purpureus [AOU, 517], and the house finch, C. mexicanus [AOU, 519]. Burroughs, 259; Criswell, 53; Holmgren, 32.
      • Lewis's "goaldfinch" is the American goldfinch, Carduelis tristis [AOU, 529].
      • The wren may be the winter wren, Troglodytes troglodytes [AOU, 722], or any of several other birds. Holmgren, 34.


    Image, 2010, Mount Hood, Oregon, click to enlarge Image, 2010, Gaston, Oregon, click to enlarge
    Click image to enlarge     		Cassin's Finch (left) and Purple Finch (right). Left image taken July 28, 2010, Mount Hood, Oregon. Right image taken January 9, 2010, Gaston, Oregon.


    [Return to Top]



  • Purple Martin
    L&C "black martin"

    Image, 2009, Julia Butler Hansen NWR, Washington, click to enlarge
    Click image to enlarge     		Purple Martin, male, Julia Butler Hansen NWR, Washington. Image taken May 8, 2009.

    Weather diary, May 4, 1805:
    "... the black martin makes it's appearance.    the snow has disappeared.    saw the first grasshoppers today.—    there are great quantities of a small blue beatle feeding on the willows.— ..."


    Clark, May 4, 1805:
    "... I Saw the black martin to day— ..."


    Lewis, April 5, 1806, in the Washougal/Sandy River area:
    "... Saw the Log cock, the hummingbird, gees ducks &c today.    ...    we measured a fallen tree of fir No. 1 which was 318 feet including the stump which was about 6 feet high.    this tree was only about 3 1/2 feet in diameter.    we saw the martin, small gees, the small speckled woodpecker with a white back, the Blue crested Corvus, ravens, crows, eagles Vultures and hawks. ..."


    Commentary:

    • Holmgren:    MARTIN (4-4-06) English name for swallows (except barn swallow) and similar insect-eaters. See BEE-MARTIN. Probably coined from Mars, Roman god of war, because these birds are especially warlike in defending nest and territory and on migration gather in huge flocks, like armies.
      • "bank" (3-27-06) bank swallow, Riparia riparia L. 1758.
      • "black" (5-4-05) purple martin, Progne subis L. 1758.
      • "brown" (8-25-04) bank swallow.
      • "common" (4-4-06) purple martin, usually species meant if only "martin" is used.
      • "martin that builds globular mud nest" (5-31-05) cliff swallow, Hirundo pyrrhonota Vieillot 1817. Formerly Petrochelidon pyrrhonota.

    • Moulton (May 4, 1805):  :  The purple martin, Progne subis [AOU, 611].

    • Moulton (April 5, 1806):
      • "logcock": the pileated woodpecker, Dryocopus pileatus [AOU, 405].
      • "hummingbird":
      • "martin": Perhaps the purple martin, Progne subis [AOU, 611]. Holmgren, 32.
      • "small gees":
      • "small speckled woodpecker with a white back": Either the hairy woodpecker, Picoides villosus [AOU, 393], or downy woodpecker, P. pubescens [AOU, 394]. Holmgren, 34; Burroughs, 240–41.
      • "Blue crested Corvus": Steller's jay, Cyanocitta stelleri [AOU, 478].
      • "ravens": Common raven, Corvus corax [AOU, 486].
      • "crows": Corvus brachyrhynchos [AOU, 488].
      • "eagle, vultures, and hawks":


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  • Red-breasted Merganser ... or Common Merganser
    L&C "redheaded fishing duck"

    Image, 2009, Vancouver Lake, Washington, click to enlarge
    Click image to enlarge     		Common Merganser, female (front) and Red-breasted Merganser, female (rear), Vancouver Lake, Washington. Image taken November 27, 2009.

    Lewis, June 21, 1805, in the vicinity of Great Falls, Montana:
    "... a species of fishing ducks with white wings, brown and white body and the head and part of the neck adjoining of a brick red, and the beak narrow; which I take to be the same common to James river, the Potomac and Susquehanna. ..."


    Lewis, July 20, 1805, in "Courses and distances":
    "... saw a number of the read head ducks; also several sand hill Crains. ..."


    Lewis, July 24, 1805:
    "... we also saw a great number of Crains & Antelopes, some gees and a few red-headed ducks ..."


    Lewis, August 2, 1805:
    "... saw a number of beaver dams and the inhabitants of them, many young ducks both of the Duckanmallard and the redheaded fishing duck, gees, several rattle snakes, black woodpeckers, and a large gang of Elk ..."


    Weather diary, March 27, 1806, while at Fort Clatsop:
    "... blew hard about noon.    rained greater part of the day.    the small or bank martin appeared today, saw one large flock of them. waterfowl very scarce, a few Comorant, geese, and the redheaded fishing duck are all that are to be seen. ..."


    Lewis, May 9, 1806:
    The red headed fishing duck is common to every part of the river and are found as well in the Rocky Mountains as elsewhere; in short this was the only duck we Saw within the Mountain on the Columbian waters. they feed principally on Crawfish; and are the Same in every respects as those on the Ohio and rivers in the mountains of the atlantic Ocian.


    "The Aquatic birds of this country, or such as obtain their subsistence from the water, are the large blue and brown heron [Great Blue Heron], fishing hawk [Osprey], blue crested fisher [Belted Kingfisher], gulls of several species of the Coast [see Bonaparte's Gull and Glaucous-winged Gull], the large grey gull of the Columbia [Western Gull], Comorant [Double-crested Cormorant], loons of two species [Pacific Loon and Western Grebe], white, and the brown brant [Snow Goose and Brant], small and large geese [Cackling Geese and Canada Goose], small and large swan [Tundra Swan and Trumpeter Swan], the Duckinmallard [Mallard], canvis back duck [Canvasback], red headed fishing duck [Red-breasted Merganser or Common Merganser], black and white duck [Bufflehead], little brown duck [unknown, possibly one of the Teals], black duck [American Coot], two species of divers [Pied-billed Grebe and Red-necked Grebe], blue winged teal [Blue-winged Teal], and some other speceis of ducks."
    -- Lewis, March 6, 1806, while at Fort Clatsop



    Commentary:

    • Patterson (what L&C described): red-headed fishing duck
    • Patterson (conjectures, mostly from Coues, in Burroughs, 1961): Red-breasted Merganser
    • Patterson (current AOU equivalent): Red-breasted Merganser
    • Patterson (comments): Red-breasted Merganser, though Common Merganser is also common on the river and only females of either species have red heads.

    • Holmgren:    DUCKS
      • "fishing" (red-headed) (6-21-05) common merganser, Mergus merganser, L. 1758.

    • Johnsgard:   Merganser Mergus sp.:    Lewis and Clark's "red-headed fishing duck" was judged by Elliott Coues to be the red-breasted merganser (Mergus serrator). This description applies only to female or immature male mergansers and would also fit the common merganser (Mergus merganser). Indeed, the common merganser is the typical breeding species of this region. Mergansers were observed on June 21, 1805, in the vicinity of Great Falls, as well as near the present-day locations of Helena (July 20, 1805), Townsend (July 24, 1805), and Whitehall (August 2, 1805). They are largely confined to fairly clear streams that permit visual hunting for fish, and common mergansers still breed locally in western Montana.

    • Moulton (June 21, 1805):    Either the female red-breasted merganser, Mergus serrator [AOU, 130], or the female common merganser, M. merganser [AOU, 129]. Holmgren, 29; Burroughs, 189.

    • Moulton (July 24, 1805):    Perhaps the same as the "red-headed fishing duck" noted on June 21, 1805, that is, either the red-breasted or common merganser.

    • Moulton (August 2, 1805):    The fishing duck is either the female red-breasted merganser, Mergus serrator [AOU, 130], or the female common merganser, Mergus merganser [AOU, 129]. Burroughs, 189; Holmgren, 29. The black woodpecker is Lewis's woodpecker, Melanerpes lewis [AOU, 408]. See descriptions at July 20, 1805, and May 27, 1806.

    • Moulton (Weather diary, March 27, 1806):    Either the female red-breasted merganser, Mergus serrator [AOU, 130], or the female common merganser, M. merganser [AOU, 129]. Holmgren, 29; Burroughs, 189–90.


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  • Red-breasted Sapsucker
    L&C "small white woodpecker with red head"

    Image, 2009, Vancouver Lake, Washington, click to enlarge
    Click image to enlarge     		Red-breasted Sapsucker, Vancouver Lake, Washington. Image taken December 11, 2009.

    Lewis, March 4, 1806, while at Fort Clatsop:
    "... the large woodpecker or log cock, the lark woodpecker and the small white woodpecker with a read head are the same with those of the Atlantic states and are found exclusively in the timbered country ..."


    Lewis, March 24, 1806, while on the Lower Columbia River:
    "... Saw a white woodpecker with a red head of the small kind common to the United States;    this bird has but lately returned.    they do not remain during the winter. ..."


    Commentary:

    • Patterson (what L&C described): small white woodpecker with red head
    • Patterson (conjectures, mostly from Coues, in Burroughs, 1961): Northern Red-breasted Sapsucker
    • Patterson (current AOU equivalent): Red-breasted Sapsucker
    • Patterson (comments): Comments on woodpeckers: speckled woodpecker easily describes both Hairy and Downy Woodpecker, but also is sufficient for Three-toed Woodpecker and Red-napped Sapsucker. This is another case where species which share a common, generalized description were probably lumped together. Even the account assigned to Red-breasted Sapsucker, which is almost certainly correct, has some room for doubt given that Lewis says "saw a white woodpecker with a red head of the small kind common to the United States".

    • Holmgren:    WOODPECKERS
      • "red-headed woodpecker" (5-28-05) the red-headed woodpecker, Melanerpes erythrocephalus, L. 1758. The date places the above observation as being near the confluences of present-day Dog Creek and Judith River with the Missouri River in Fergus County, northcentral Montana, close to the farthest western limits of its breeding range. The woodpecker with all red head seen near the Pacific Coast (Fort Clatsop 3-4-06) would have been the red-breasted sapsucker, Sphyrapicus ruber, Gmelin 1788, often mistaken for the Easterner.

    • Moulton (March 4, 1806):
      • "large woodpecker or log cock": the Pileated Woodpecker, Dryocopus pileatus [AOU, 405]
      • "lark woodpecker": the Northern, or Common, Flicker, Colaptes auratus [AOU, 412], both new species. Logcock was a folk name for the Pileated Woodpecker while lark woodpecker was used for flickers. Burroughs, 241-42; Holmgren, 32, 34.
      • "small white woodpecker with a red head": the Red-breasted Sapsucker, Sphyrapicus ruber [AOU, 403], Burroughs, 241, Holmgren, 34.

    • Moulton (March 24, 1806):    The red-breasted sapsucker, Sphyrapicus ruber [AOU, 403]; see March 4, 1806. Burroughs, 241.

    • See also entries for:


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  • Red-headed Woodpecker
    L&C "red-headed woodpecker"

    Weather diary, May 28, 1805:
    "... saw a small white and black woodpecker with a red head; the same which is common to the Atlantic states ..."

    Weather Diary, July 16, 1806:
    "... Saw the Cookkoo or rain crow and the redheaded woodpecker. ..."


    Commentary:

    • Patterson (what L&C described): red-headed woodpecker
    • Patterson (conjectures, mostly from Coues, in Burroughs, 1961): Red-headed Woodpecker
    • Patterson (current AOU equivalent): Red-headed Woodpecker

    • Holmgren:    WOODPECKERS
      • "red-headed woodpecker" (5-28-05) the red-headed woodpecker, Melanerpes erythrocephalus, L. 1758. The date places the above observation as being near the confluences of present-day Dog Creek and Judith River with the Missouri River in Fergus County, northcentral Montana, close to the farthest western limits of its breeding range. The woodpecker with all red head seen near the Pacific Coast (Fort Clatsop 3-4-06) would have been the red-breasted sapsucker, Sphyrapicus ruber, Gmelin 1788, often mistaken for the Easterner.

    • Johnsgard:   Red-headed Woodpecker Melanerpes erythrocephalus:    Few notes were made on this common and widespread species. In the expedition's Meteorological Register of May 28, 1805, it was noted that a "small black and white woodpecker with a red head, the same which is common in the Atlantic States" was seen in northern Montana near the mouth of the Judith River. It was also seen July 16, 1806, near Great Falls and near present-day Fort Peck on August 3, 1806. Unlike some similar-sized woodpeckers such as the downy and hairy, this is a seasonally migratory species, at least in the northern states. Its rangewide population has declined significantly in the past four decades.

    • Moulton (Weather diary, May 28, 1805):    The red-headed woodpecker, Malanerpes erythrocephalus [AOU, 406]. Holmgren, 34.

    • Moulton (July 16, 1806, Weather Diary):    Red-headed woodpecker, Melanerpes erythrocephalus [AOU, 406].

    • See also entries for:


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  • Red-tailed Hawk ... (Western Red-tailed Hawk)
    L&C "red tailed Hawks", "large brown hawk"

    Image, 2008, Ridgefield NWR, Washington, click to enlarge Image, 2009, Ridgefield NWR, Washington, click to enlarge
    Click image to enlarge     		Red-tailed Hawk, common phase (left), and dark-morphed phase (right), Ridgefield NWR, Washington. Left image taken November 16, 2008. Right image taken December 27, 2009.

    Lewis, August 12, 1805:
    "... I [saw] several large hawks that were nearly black. ..."


    Clark, November 29, 1805, while at Tongue Point, Oregon:
    "... The Shore below the point at our Camp is formed of butifull pebble of various colours. I observe but fiew birds of the Small kind, great numbers of wild fowls of Various kinds, the large Buzzard with white wings, grey and bald eagle's, large red tailed Hawks, ravens & Crows in abundance, the blue Magpie, a Small brown bird which frequents logs & about the roots of trees ..."


    Weather diary, November 30, 1805:
    "... rained and hailed with short intervales throughout the last night, Some thunder and lightninge.    3 large Hawks killed, which we thought delicious food ..."


    Lewis, March 3, 1806, while at Fort Clatsop:
    "... The Crow raven and Large Blackbird are the same as those of our country only that the crow is here much smaller yet it's note is the same    I observe no difference either between the hawks of this coast and those of the Atlantic.    I have observed the large brown hawk, the small or sparrow hawk, and the hawk of an intermediate size with a long tail and blewish coloured wings remarkably swift in flight and very firce.    sometimes called in the U' States the hen hawk.    these birds seem to be common to every part of this country, and the hawks crows & ravens build their nests in great numbers along the high and inaccessable clifts of the Columbia river and it's S. E. branch where we passed along them ..."


    Commentary:

    • Patterson (conjectures, mostly from Coues, in Burroughs, 1961): Western Red-tailed Hawk
    • Patterson (current AOU equivalent): Red-tailed Hawk
    • Patterson (comments): Comments on hawks: Lewis and Clark apparently only mentioned hawks generally and without descriptive details. The species listed are those presumed by Coues (as listed in Burroughs), given the ground covered and the habitats. These species are all common to very common species and the speculation that they were seen is certainly justified. I also received an e-mail regarding Peregrine Falcon, which was supposedly see on a nest. Neither Burroughs or Cutright mention any large falcons, but I would think that Prairie Falcon or Peregrine should have been encountered. When I receive a reliable reference, I will update the list (written 2002).

    • Holmgren:    HAWKS
      • "black" (8-12-05) and large, possibly the dark phase of rough-legged hawk, Buteo lagopus Pontopidan 1763. The ferruginous hawk, Buteo regalis, Gray 1844, also has a "nearly black" phase to match the description.
      • "brown" (4-8-05) a familiar species, probably female northern harrier, Circus cyaneus L. 1766, Formerly marsh hawk.
      • "common" (4-13-05) and "small", American kestrel (formerly sparrow hawk) Falco sparverhus L. 1758, or merlin (formerly pigeon hawk) Falco columbarius L. 1758.
      • "fishing" (5-7-05) osprey, Pandion haliaetus, L. 1758.
      • "hen" (3-3-06) blue-winged. Common folk name for Cooper's hawk Accipiter cooperii, Bonaparte 1828; used less often for northern goshawk, Accipiter gentilis, L. 1758, or sharp-shinned hawk, Accipiter striatus, Vieillot 1808. These three species prey on fowl more than other hawks, which usually prefer rodents or reptiles, but some farmers give all hawks "hen hawk" name.
      • "red-tailed" (11-30-05) Buteo jamaicensis, Gmelin 1788.
      • "sparrow hawk", see "common" above.
      • "white-headed, small" (9-19-05) black-shouldered kite, Elanus caeruleus Desfontaines 1789. Formerly white-tailed kite, Elanus leucurus, Vieillot 1818, now reclassified by earlier listing.

    • Johnsgard:   Red-tailed Hawk Buteo jamaicensis:    As with the northern harrier, this hawk was not identified as such by the expedition, but Captain Clark noted hawks along the shoreline of present-day Thurston and Burt Counties, which Swenk thought might have been this species. Since the red-tailed hawk is by far the most common breeding hawk of the central Missouri Valley, and is a permanent resident all the way north to North Dakota, it was almost certainly seen during the expedition's Great Plains phase. Red-tailed hawk populations have increased significantly in North America during the last four decades, the birds having benefited from improved federal protection and having learned to exploit foraging opportunities along superhighways.

    • NOTE: Captain Lewis used the words "large red tailed Hawks" on November 29, 1805, while at Tongue Point, Oregon, even if he didn't use that ID while crossing the Plains.

    • Moulton (August 12, 1805):    Perhaps the melanistic color phase of one of various species of hawks, such as the red-tailed hawk, Buteo jamaicensis [AOU, 337], or Swainson's hawk, B. swainsoni [AOU, 342]. Coues (HLC), 2:486 n. 11. See also Holmgren, 30.

    • Moulton (November 29, 1805):
      • "large Buzzard with white wings": [California Condor]
      • "grey and bald eagles": The "grey and bald eagle's" are, respectively, golden eagle, Aquila chrysaetos [AOU, 349], and bald eagle, Haliaeetus leucocephalus [AOU, 352]. Burroughs, 204–8.
      • "large red tailed Hawks": Red-tailed hawk, Buteo jamaicensis [AOU, 337], a widespread species already known to science. Ibid., 208; Coues (HLC), 2:724.
      • "ravens and crows": Probably the common raven, Corvus corax [AOU, 486], and the American crow, C. brachyrhyncho [AOU, 488]. Burroughs, 248; Cutright (LCPN), 432.
      • "blue Magpie": Steller's jay, Cyanocitta stelleri [AOU, 478], first noted by Lewis on September 20, 1805. The captain gives a full description in an undated entry, ca. December 18, 1805. Burroughs, 248–49.
      • "small brown bird which frequents logs & about the roots of trees": Perhaps the winter wren, Troglodytes troglodytes [AOU, 722], and if so, then new to science; see March 4, 1806. Burroughs, 252; Cutright (LCPN), 274, 438.

    • Moulton (March 3, 1806):
      • "crow": The crow is in fact the northwestern crow, a new species.
      • "raven": The subspecies of raven in the Fort Clatsop area is Corvus corax sinuatus; Lewis would have been familiar with C. c. principalis to the East. Both are now combined with the common raven.
      • "large blackbird": The blackbird seen in the West would be Brewer's blackbird, Euphagus cyanocephalus [AOU, 510], while the bird he had seen in the East would more likely be the rusty blackbird, E. carolinus [AOU, 509]. Cutright (LCPN), 434; Burroughs, 248, 255–56. NOTE: in other Moulton entries, the "large blackbird" is said to be the Common Grackle, and the Brewer's or Rusty Blackbird is said to be the "small blackbird".
      • "large brown hawk": Coues suggests that the large brown hawk may be a subspecies of the red-tailed hawk, or Swainson's hawk, Buteo swainsoni [AOU, 342]. Holmgren calls it the northern harrier, Circus cyaneus [AOU, 331], also called the marsh hawk.
      • "small or sparrow hawk": The sparrow hawk is Falco sparverius [AOU, 360], now known as the American kestrel.
      • "hawk with long tail and blewish coloured wings sometimes called the hen hawk": Coues identifies as the northern harrier, whereas Holmgren considers it to be Cooper's hawk, Accipiter cooperii [AOU, 333]. Coues (HLC), 3:875; Holmgren, 30–31.

    • The Avibase database lists the "Western Red-tailed Hawk", Buteo jamaicensis calurus (Cassin, 1855), last listed in AOU edition 5, 33rd suppliment, and now a part of the Red-tailed Hawk, Buteo jamaicensis (Gmelin, JF, 1788).


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  • Red-winged Blackbird
    L&C "black bird"

    Image, 2008, Ridgefield NWR, Washington, click to enlarge
    Click image to enlarge     		Red-winged Blackbird, male, Ridgefield NWR, Washington. Image taken March 5, 2008.

    Clark, August 25, 1804, near Spirit Mount, South Dakota:
    "... Great numbers of Birds are Seen in those Plains, Such as black bird, Ren or Prarie burd a kind of larke about the Sise of a Partridge with a Short tail &c. &. ..."


    Lewis, September 17, 1804, while at the Big Bend of the Missouri River, passage describing the Black-billed Magpie:
    "... one of the hunters killed a bird of the Corvus genus and order of the pica & about the size of a jack-daw with a remarkable long tale.    beautifully variagated. ...  :  (see Moulton notes and comment NOTE below)


    Commentary:

    • Johnsgard:   Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus):    Captain Clark observed large numbers of a "black bird" near Spirit Mound in Clay County, South Dakota (opposite Dixon County, Nebraska), on August 25, 1804. Swenk tentatively identified this species as the lark bunting (Calamospiza melanocorys). However, by August the lark bunting's breeding season is over, and males would be molting out of their nearly all-black breeding plumage and into a brown plumage. Other more common and permanently black-plumaged birds in that region are better possibilities, including various blackbirds and grackles. Gary Moulton has suggested that Clark observed the red-winged blackbird, which seems a much more likely choice, as by late August these abundant birds would be forming migratory flocks. One of the most numerous of North American songbirds, this species may number in excess of 100 million birds. However, although it probably increased greatly during the first half of the twentieth century, its overall population has been declining significantly over the past four decades as breeding habitats have been increasingly converted to agriculture.

    • Moulton (September 17, 1804, Lewis entry):    Lewis's natural history notes from Codex Q. The bird is the black-billed magpie ...    The gold-winged blackbird mentioned for comparison of the magpie may be the red-winged blackbird, Agelaius phoeniceus [AOU, 498], or possibly some type of oriole (Icterus sp.).

    • NOTE (in reference to Moulton, September 17, 1804, Lewis entry): can not find reference to "gold-winged blackbird" as Moulton states. The "jack-daw" is an European bird of the Crow family.

    • See also entries for


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  • Sandhill Crane
    L&C "large blueish brown or sandhill Crain"

    Image, 2007, Ridgefield NWR, Washington, click to enlarge
    Click image to enlarge     		Sandhill Cranes, Ridgefield NWR, Washington. Image taken October 5, 2007.

    Lewis, July 21, 1805:
    "... saw several of the large brown or sandhill Crain today with their young.    the young Crain is as large as a turkey and cannot fly they are of a bright red bey colour or that of the common deer at this season.    this bird feeds on grass prinsipally and is found in the river bottoms. ..."


    Lewis, July 1, 1806, where Lolo Creek empties into the Bitterroot River, Montana:
    "... the dove, the black woodpecker, the lark woodpecker, the logcock, the prarie lark, sandhill crain, prarie hen with the short and pointed tail, the robin, a speceis of brown plover, a few curloos, small black birds, ravens hawks and a variety of sparrows as well as the bee martin and the several species of Corvus genus are found in this vally. ..."


    Commentary:

    • Patterson (what L&C described): sandhill crane
    • Patterson (conjectures, mostly from Coues, in Burroughs, 1961): Sandhill Crane
    • Patterson (current AOU equivalent): Sandhill Crane

    • Holmgren:    CRAIN, CRANE, any large crane, egret or heron.
      • "blue" (2-13-04) great blue heron, Ardea herodias, L. 1758.
      • "brown" (7-21-05) immature or smaller subspecies of sandhill crane.
      • "sandhill crane" (2-29-05) Grus canadensis, L. 1758.
      • "white" (3-25-04) great egret, Casmerodius albus, L. 1758, Formerly American egret, common egret.
      • "white with black wing tips (4-11-05) whooping crane, Grus americana, L. 1758.

    • Johnsgard:   Sandhill Crane Grus canadensis:    The first mention of sandhill cranes by Lewis came on July 15, 1805, in the vicinity of the Gates of the Rocky Mountains, Montana, where several examples of the "large brown or Sandhill crain" were seen leading young. A living young bird was also brought into camp on July 19, 1805, near Three Forks, Montana. Lewis eventually released it. Greater sandhill cranes (Grus canadensis tabida) continue to survive in the northern Rocky Mountain region and have been increasing both regionally and nationally in recent decades as a result of long-term protection.

    • Moulton (July 21, 1805):    The sandhill crane, Grus canadensis [AOU, 206], already known to science. Burroughts, 185–86. Holmgren considers the "brown" as an immature or smaller subspecies of the sandhill crane. Holmgren, 29.

    • Moulton (July 1, 1806):
      • "dove": Mourning dove, Zenaida macroura [AOU, 316]. Holmgren, 34.
      • "black woodpecker": Lewis's woodpecker, Melanerpes lewis [AOU, 408]; see May 27, 1806. Holmgren, 34; Burroughs, 239–40.
      • "lark woodpecker": Common, or northern, flicker, Colaptes auratus [AOU, 412]. Burroughs, 241–42; Holmgren, 34.
      • "logcock": [Pileated Woodpecker]
      • "prarie lark": Probably the horned lark, Eremophila alpestris [AOU, 474]. Holmgren, 31.
      • "sandhill crain": [Sandhill Crane]
      • "prarie hen with the short and pointed tail": Sharp-tailed grouse, Tympanuchus phasianellus [AOU, 308]; see March 1, 1806. Holmgren, 29; Burroughs, 213.
      • "robin": American robin, Turdus migratorius [AOU, 761].
      • "a speceis of brown plover": Probably the upland sandpiper, Bartramia longicauda [AOU, 261]; see July 22, 1805. Holmgren, 33; Burroughs, 227.
      • "curloos":
      • "small black birds": Either the rusty blackbird, Euphagus carolinus [AOU, 509], or Brewer's blackbird, E. cyanocephalus [AOU, 510]. Holmgren, 28.
      • "ravens": Common raven, Corvus corax [AOU, 486].
      • "hawks":
      • "variety of sparrows":
      • "bee martin": Either the eastern kingbird, Tyrannus tyrannus [AOU, 444], or the western kingbird, more likely the latter.
      • "several species of Corvus genus":


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  • Snow Goose
    L&C "white brant", "grey brant"

    Image, 2009, Sauvie Island, Oregon, click to enlarge
    Click image to enlarge     		Snow Geese, Sauvie Island, Oregon. Image taken February 21, 2009.

    Lewis, April 9, 1805:
    "... we saw a great number of brant passing up the river, some of them were white, except the large feathers in the first and second joint of the wing which are black.    there is no other difference between them and the common gray brant but that of their colour—    their note and habits are the same, and they are freequently seen to associate together. I have not yet positively determined whether they are the same, or a different species. ..."


    Lewis, May 5, 1805, while in Montana:
    "... The white brant ascociate in very large flocks, they do not appear to be mated or pared off as if they intended to raise their young in this quarter, I therefore doubt whether they reside here during the summer for that purpose. this bird is about the size of the common brown brant or two thirds of the common goose, it is not so long by six inches from point to point of the wings when extended as the other; the beak head and neck are also larger and stronger; their beak legs and feet are of a redish or fleshcoloured white. the eye is of moderate size, the puple of a deep sea green incircled with a ring of yellowish brown.    it has sixteen feathers of equal length in the tale; their note differs but little from the common brant, their flesh much the same, and in my opinion preferable to the goose, the flesh is dark.    they are entirely of a beatifull pure white except the large feathers of the 1st and second joints of the wings which are jut black.    form and habits are the same with the other brant; they sometimes ascociate and form one common flock. ..."


    Clark, November 2, 1805, while near Crown Point, Oregon:
    "... Saw great numbers of waterfowl of Different kinds, Such as Swan, Geese, white & grey brants,    ducks of various kinds, Guls, & Pleaver. Labeach killed 14 brant Joseph Fields 3 & Collins one. ..."


    Lewis, March 8, 1806, while at Fort Clatsop:
    "... The white brant is very common in this country particularly below tidewater where they remain in vast quantities during the winter.    they feed like the swan gees &c on the grass roots and seeds which they find in the marshes.    this bird is about the size of the brown brant or a third less than the common Canadian or wild goose.    the head is proportionably with the goose reather large; the beak also thicker shorter and of much the same form, being of a yellowish white colour except the edges of the chaps, which are frequently of a dark brown. the legs and feet are of the same form of the goose and are of a redish white or pale flesh colour.    the tail is composed of sixteen feathers of equal length as those of the geese and brown brant are and bears about the same proportion in point of length. the eye is of a dark colour and nothing remarkable as to size.    the wings are rether longer compared with those of the goose but not as much so as in the brown or pided brant.    the colour of the plumage of this bird is unifomly a pure white except the large feathers of the extremities of the wings which are black.    the large feathers of the 1st joint of the wing next to the body are white.    the note of this bird differs essentially from that of the goose; it more resembles that of the brown brant but is somewhat different.    it is like the note of young domestic goose which has not perfectly attainted it's full note.    the flesh of this bird is exceedingly fine, preferable to either the goose or pided brant. ..."


    "The Aquatic birds of this country, or such as obtain their subsistence from the water, are the large blue and brown heron [Great Blue Heron], fishing hawk [Osprey], blue crested fisher [Belted Kingfisher], gulls of several species of the Coast [see Bonaparte's Gull and Glaucous-winged Gull], the large grey gull of the Columbia [Western Gull], Comorant [Double-crested Cormorant], loons of two species [Pacific Loon and Western Grebe], white, and the brown brant [Snow Goose and Brant], small and large geese [Cackling Geese and Canada Goose], small and large swan [Tundra Swan and Trumpeter Swan], the Duckinmallard [Mallard], canvis back duck [Canvasback], red headed fishing duck [Red-breasted Merganser or Common Merganser], black and white duck [Bufflehead], little brown duck [unknown, possibly one of the Teals], black duck [American Coot], two species of divers [Pied-billed Grebe and Red-necked Grebe], blue winged teal [Blue-winged Teal], and some other speceis of ducks."
    -- Lewis, March 6, 1806, while at Fort Clatsop



    Commentary:

    • Patterson (what L&C described): white brant
    • Patterson (conjectures, mostly from Coues, in Burroughs, 1961): Lesser Snow Goose
    • Patterson (current AOU equivalent): Snow Goose

    • Holmgren:    BRANT (3-7-04)
      • "grey" (11-2-05) blue goose, Chen Caerulescens caerulescens, L. 1758. Formerly a full species, now a subspecies with snow goose (white brant).
      • "white with black wing tips" (10-17-04) snow goose, Chen caerulescens hyperborea, Pallas 1769.

    • Johnsgard:   Snow Goose Chen caerulescens:    Captain Lewis reported "great numbers" and "large flocks" of "white brant" on April 9 and 13, 1805, between Fort Mandan and the Little Missouri River, and again on May 5, near Prairie Elk Creek. The ones he described were of the usual white-plumaged morph type; the "gray brant" he described as also present in the flocks might have been young of the previous year or perhaps adults or young of the so-called "blue goose" genetic variant, which are mostly dark grayish brown. He also described a "common brown brant" two-thirds the size of the "common goose" (Canada goose), which might have been one of the smaller races of the Canada goose. The "pided" (pied) brant seen and carefully described later in Oregon was the greater white-fronted goose (Anser albifrons), which also migrates through the Great Plains in large numbers (see note below). In Montana snow geese were reportedly seen as far west as the vicinity of Wolf Point (May 5, 1805). Snow goose populations have increased very significantly in North America during the last four decades, largely because they have adjusted their migrations to exploit the protection afforded by wildlife refuges, and are now perhaps more abundant than at any time in American history.

    • NOTE: Johnsgard stated the "pided brant" was the Greater White-fronted Goose, however, in Lewis's March 15, 1806, description of the Greater White-fronted Goose, he describes it in relation to the "pided brant". Therefore, the "pided brant" can not be the Greater White-fronted Goose. In Lewis's description of the Snow Goose, he refers to the "brown or pided brant", today's Brant. See Brant for more descriptions.

    • Moulton (April 9, 1805):    Lewis here makes a distinction between the blue phase and white phase of the snow goose, Chen caerulescens [AOU, 169], a distinction recognized by ornithologists only recently when the blue became a subspecies of the white. Holmgren, 28; AOU, 67. The majority of the brant were probably Branta bernicla [AOU, 173].

    • Moulton (May 5, 1805):    The snow goose, noted in detail on March 8, 1806. Lewis was correct about their breeding habits; they breed in northern Alaska and arctic Canada.

    • Moulton (November 2, 1805):    (white and grey brant) ... The white and blue color phases of the snow goose, Chen caerulescens [AOU, 169], described on March 8, 1806.

    • See also:


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  • Spotted Sandpiper
    L&C "small sand snipe"

    Image, 2009, Hockinson, Washington, click to enlarge
    Click image to enlarge     		Spotted Sandpiper, Hockinson, Washington. Image taken June 15, 2009.

    Lewis, March 5, 1806, while at Fort Clatsop:
    "... The common snipe of the marshes and the small sand snipe are the same of those common to the Atlantic Coast tho' the former are by no means as abundant here.    the prarrow of the woody country is also similar to ours but not abundant.    those of the plains of Columbia are the same with those of the Missouri, tho' they are by no means so abundant. I have not seen the little singing lark or the large brown Curloo so common to the plains of the Missouri, but I beleive that the latter is an inhabitant of this country during summer from Indian information. I have no doubt but what many species of birds found here in Autumn and Summer had departed before our arrival. ...


    Commentary:

    • Holmgren:    SNIPE (3-5-06) common snipe, Gallinago gallinago, L. 1758.
      • "sand snipe" (3-5-06) spotted sandpiper, Actitis macularia, L. 1766.
      • "size of common snipe" (6-4-05) see CURLEW, Eskimo

    • Moulton (March 5, 1806):    The common snipe, Gallinago gallinago [AOU, 230], and the spotted sandpiper, Actitis macularia [AOU, 263]. Holmgren, 33.    Probably the song sparrow, Melospiza melodia [AOU, 581].    Probably Sprague's pipit, Anthus spragueii [AOU, 700].    The long-billed curlew, Numenius americanus [AOU, 264]. Burroughs, 226–27.


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  • Sprague's Pipit
    L&C "little singing lark of the Missouri"

    Lewis, March 5, 1806, while at Fort Clatsop:
    "... The common snipe of the marshes and the small sand snipe are the same of those common to the Atlantic Coast tho' the former are by no means as abundant here.    the prarrow of the woody country is also similar to ours but not abundant.    those of the plains of Columbia are the same with those of the Missouri, tho' they are by no means so abundant. I have not seen the little singing lark or the large brown Curloo so common to the plains of the Missouri, but I beleive that the latter is an inhabitant of this country during summer from Indian information. I have no doubt but what many species of birds found here in Autumn and Summer had departed before our arrival. ...


    Commentary:

    • Holmgren:    LARKS
      • "singing" (3-5-06) "little singing lark of the Missouri" not seen here. Probably Sprague's pipit, Anthus spragueii, Audubon 1844, often called Missouri skylark.

    • Johnsgard:    Virginia Holmgren more recently summarized the bird discoveries of the entire expedition, listing 25 that she believed were sufficiently well described to warrant "discovery" status, 9 species that might have been considered as newly discovered if they had been better described, and 11 species that were already well known by some common name but had not yet been formally described and named scientifically. In the category of definitely discovered Great Plains birds, she listed the trumpeter swan, greater sage-grouse, semipalmated plover, mountain plover, upland sandpiper, long-billed curlew, least tern, common poorwill, Lewis's woodpecker, Sprague's pipit, McCown's longspur, western meadowlark, and Brewer's blackbird. Of these, the mountain plover and upland sandpiper are distinctly questionable as to their identification. There is no evidence that the highly elusive Sprague's pipit (Anthus spragueii) was ever seen, and the "small Kildee" observed along the Missouri River was probably the piping plover rather than the migratory and arctic-breeding semipalmated plover (Charadrius semipalmatus). The identities of several Great Plains shorebirds mentioned briefly by Lewis and Clark, such as the mountain plover and long-billed curlew, are especially problematic, as they used terms like "plover" and "curlew" rather indiscriminately for shorebirds generally. The tundra swan (Cygnus columbianus) (previously known as the whistling swan) was initially described from observations made by Lewis and Clark during the Pacific-slope phase of their expedition, but it or the trumpeter swan was seen earlier in what is now North Dakota. The trumpeter swan is the semiresidential breeding swan of the northern plains, whereas the arctic-breeding tundra swan is a spring and fall migrant only. Thus, the chances of their having seen the trumpeter swan on the northern plains were fairly good. At least eight previously unknown species—the trumpeter swan, greater sage-grouse, piping plover, least tern, common poorwill, Lewis's woodpecker, McCown's longspur, and western meadowlark—are well enough documented to count as having certainly been seen by Lewis and Clark, and the greater sage-grouse, least tern, and Lewis's woodpecker were as carefully described as any practicing ornithologist of the day might have done.

    • Moulton (March 5, 1806):    The common snipe, Gallinago gallinago [AOU, 230], and the spotted sandpiper, Actitis macularia [AOU, 263]. Holmgren, 33.    Probably the song sparrow, Melospiza melodia [AOU, 581].    Probably Sprague's pipit, Anthus spragueii [AOU, 700].    The long-billed curlew, Numenius americanus [AOU, 264]. Burroughs, 226–27.


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  • Swainson's Hawk ... or Rough-legged Hawk ... or Ferrunginous Hawk
    L&C "large and nearly black hawk", "large brown hawk"

    Image, 2008, Ridgefield NWR, Washington, click to enlarge Image, 2009, Ridgefield NWR, Washington, click to enlarge
    Click image to enlarge     		Large black or brown hawks:

    Harlan's Red-tailed Hawk, left) and Dark-morphed Red-tailed Hawk (right), Ridgefield NWR, Washington. Left image taken Ocotber 26, 2008. Right image taken December 27, 2009.

    Lewis, August 12, 1805:
    "... I [saw] several large hawks that were nearly black. ..."


    Lewis, March 3, 1806, while at Fort Clatsop:
    "... The Crow raven and Large Blackbird are the same as those of our country only that the crow is here much smaller yet it's note is the same    I observe no difference either between the hawks of this coast and those of the Atlantic.    I have observed the large brown hawk, the small or sparrow hawk, and the hawk of an intermediate size with a long tail and blewish coloured wings remarkably swift in flight and very firce.    sometimes called in the U' States the hen hawk.    these birds seem to be common to every part of this country, and the hawks crows & ravens build their nests in great numbers along the high and inaccessable clifts of the Columbia river and it's S. E. branch where we passed along them ..."


    Commentary:

    • Patterson (conjectures, mostly from Coues, in Burroughs, 1961): Swainson's Hawk
    • Patterson (current AOU equivalent): Swainson's Hawk
    • Patterson (comments): Comments on hawks: Lewis and Clark apparently only mentioned hawks generally and without descriptive details. The species listed are those presumed by Coues (as listed in Burroughs), given the ground covered and the habitats. These species are all common to very common species and the speculation that they were seen is certainly justified. I also received an e-mail regarding Peregrine Falcon, which was supposedly see on a nest. Neither Burroughs or Cutright mention any large falcons, but I would think that Prairie Falcon or Peregrine should have been encountered. When I receive a reliable reference, I will update the list (written 2002).

    • Holmgren:    HAWKS
      • "black" (8-12-05) and large, possibly the dark phase of rough-legged hawk, Buteo lagopus Pontopidan 1763. The ferruginous hawk, Buteo regalis, Gray 1844, also has a "nearly black" phase to match the description.
      • "brown" (4-8-05) a familiar species, probably female northern harrier, Circus cyaneus L. 1766, Formerly marsh hawk.
      • "common" (4-13-05) and "small", American kestrel (formerly sparrow hawk) Falco sparverhus L. 1758, or merlin (formerly pigeon hawk) Falco columbarius L. 1758.
      • "fishing" (5-7-05) osprey, Pandion haliaetus, L. 1758.
      • "hen" (3-3-06) blue-winged. Common folk name for Cooper's hawk Accipiter cooperii, Bonaparte 1828; used less often for northern goshawk, Accipiter gentilis, L. 1758, or sharp-shinned hawk, Accipiter striatus, Vieillot 1808. These three species prey on fowl more than other hawks, which usually prefer rodents or reptiles, but some farmers give all hawks "hen hawk" name.
      • "red-tailed" (11-30-05) Buteo jamaicensis, Gmelin 1788.
      • "sparrow hawk", see "common" above.
      • "white-headed, small" (9-19-05) black-shouldered kite, Elanus caeruleus Desfontaines 1789. Formerly white-tailed kite, Elanus leucurus, Vieillot 1818, now reclassified by earlier listing.

    • Moulton (August 12, 1805):    Perhaps the melanistic color phase of one of various species of hawks, such as the red-tailed hawk, Buteo jamaicensis [AOU, 337], or Swainson's hawk, B. swainsoni [AOU, 342]. Coues (HLC), 2:486 n. 11. See also Holmgren, 30.

    • Moulton (March 3, 1806):
      • "crow": The crow is in fact the northwestern crow, a new species.
      • "raven": The subspecies of raven in the Fort Clatsop area is Corvus corax sinuatus; Lewis would have been familiar with C. c. principalis to the East. Both are now combined with the common raven.
      • "large blackbird": The blackbird seen in the West would be Brewer's blackbird, Euphagus cyanocephalus [AOU, 510], while the bird he had seen in the East would more likely be the rusty blackbird, E. carolinus [AOU, 509]. Cutright (LCPN), 434; Burroughs, 248, 255–56. NOTE: in other Moulton entries, the "large blackbird" is said to be the Common Grackle, and the Brewer's or Rusty Blackbird is said to be the "small blackbird".
      • "large brown hawk": Coues suggests that the large brown hawk may be a subspecies of the red-tailed hawk, or Swainson's hawk, Buteo swainsoni [AOU, 342]. Holmgren calls it the northern harrier, Circus cyaneus [AOU, 331], also called the marsh hawk.
      • "small or sparrow hawk": The sparrow hawk is Falco sparverius [AOU, 360], now known as the American kestrel.
      • "hawk with long tail and blewish coloured wings sometimes called the hen hawk": Coues identifies as the northern harrier, whereas Holmgren considers it to be Cooper's hawk, Accipiter cooperii [AOU, 333]. Coues (HLC), 3:875; Holmgren, 30–31.


    Image, 2008, Shillapoo Wildlife Area, Washington, click to enlarge Image, 2008, Ridgefield NWR, Washington, click to enlarge
    Click image to enlarge     		Non-dark phases of Swainson's Hawk (left) and Rough-legged Hawk (right). Left image taken December 6, 2008, Shillapoo Wildlife Area, Vancouver, Washington. Right image taken, November 20, 2008, Ridgefield NWR, Washington.


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  • Turkey Vulture
    L&C "turkey buzzard"

    Image, 2010, Steigerwald Lake NWR, Washington, click to enlarge
    Click image to enlarge     		Turkey Vulture, Steigerwald Lake NWR, Washington. Image taken August 28, 2010.

    Weather diary, June 5, 1805:
    "... rained considerably    some Snow fell on the mounts.    great numbers of the sparrows larks, Curloos and other small birds common to praries are now laying their eggs and seting, their nests are in great abundance.    the large batt, or night hawk appears.    the Turkey buzzard appears.—    first saw the mountain cock near the entrance of Maria's river.— ..."


    Lewis, April 9, 1806:
    "... we saw some turkey buzzards this morning of the speceis common to the United states which are the first we have seen on this side the rocky mountains. ..."


    Clark, April 12, 1806, while in the Bonneville Dam to Cascade Locks area:
    "... I saw a turkey buzzard which is the 3rd which I have Seen west of the rocky mountains.    the 1st was on the 7 inst. above quick Sand river. ..."


    Commentary:

    • Patterson (what L&C described): turkey buzzard
    • Patterson (conjectures, mostly from Coues, in Burroughs, 1961): Turkey Vulture
    • Patterson (current AOU equivalent): Turkey Vulture

    • Holmgren:    BUZZARD
      • "common" (6-5-05) or turkey (4-9-06) turkey vulture, Cathartes aura, L. 1758.
      • "of the Columbia" (10-30-05, 1-2-06) California condor, Gymnogyps califorinianus, Shaw 1798.

    • Moulton (Weather diary, June 5, 1805):
      • The sparrows could be any of a number of small brown birds.
      • The larks are similarly unidentifiable,
      • as are the "Curloos" which could be any shorebird with a long bill. Holmgren, 29, 33.
      • The "large batt, or night hawk" is again the common nighthawk.
      • The turkey vulture, Cathartes aura [AOU, 325], already known to science. Holmgren, 28; Burroughs, 203–4.
      • The sage grouse, Centrocercus urophasianus [AOU, 309], then unknown to science. Lewis gave a detailed description on March 2, 1806. Cutright (LCPN), 157; Burroughs, 213–15.

      • Moulton (April 9, 1806):    Turkey vulture, Cathartes aura [AOU, 325]. Burroughs, 203–4; Holmgren, 28.


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  • Varied Thrush ... (Pacific Varied Thrush)
    L&C "bluish brown robbin", "Columbian robbin"

    Image, 2009, Lacamas Lake, Washington, click to enlarge
    Click image to enlarge     		Varied Thrush, female, Lacamas Lake, Washington. Image taken January 30, 2009.

    Lewis, September 20, 1805:
    "... This morning my attention was called to a species of bird which I had never seen before.    It was reather larger than a robbin, tho' much it's form and action.    the colours were a blueish brown on the back the wings and tale black, as wass a stripe above the croop 3/4 of an inch wide in front of the neck, and two others of the same colour passed from it's eyes back along the sides of the head.    the top of the head, neck brest and belley and butts of the wing were of a fine yellowish brick reed.    it was feeding on the buries of a species of shoemake or ash [Mountain Ash] which grows common in country & which I first observed on 2d of this month. ..."


    Weather diary, January 31, 1806, while at Fort Clatsop:
    "... this morning is plesant, the night was clear and cold    notwith-standing the could weather the Swan white Brant geese & ducks still continue with us; the sandhill crain also continues.—    the brown or speckled brant are mostly gone some few are still to be seen    the Cormorant loon and a variety of other waterfowls still remain. ...    The blue crested Corvus bird has already began to build it's nest.    their nests are formed of small sticks; usually in a pine tree.—    Great numbers of Ravens, and a Small black Crow are continually about us. The pale yellow Streiked and dove coloured robin is about, also the little brown ren or fly-catsch which is a little larger than the humming bird. ..."


    Lewis, January 31, 1806, while at Fort Clatsop:
    "... Charbono found a bird dead lying near the fort this morning and brought it to me    I immediately recognized it to be of the same kind of that which I had seen in the Rocky mountains on the morning of the 20th of September last.    this bird is about the size as near as may be of the robbin.    it's contour also is precisely the same with that bird.    it measures one foot 3 1/4 Inches from tip to tip of the wings when extended.    9 1/4 inches from the extremity of the beak to that of the tail.    ... [more description not included here] ...    this is a beatifull little bird.    I have never heard it's note it appears to be silent.    it feeds on berries, and I beleive is a rare bird even in this country, or at least this is the second time only that I have seen it.—    between the legs of this bird the feathers are white, and those which form the tuft underneath the tail are a mixture of white and a brick red. ..."


    Weather diary, February 4, 1806, while at Fort Clatsop:
    "... the last night clear and could    the Netul frozen over in several places.    all the waterfowls before innumerated still continue with us.    the bird which resembles the robbin have now visited us in small numbers    saw two of them yesterday about the fort; they are gentle. ..."


    Lewis, March 4, 1806, while at Fort Clatsop:
    "... the Columbian robbin heretofore discribed seems to be the inhabitant of the woody country exclusively. ..."


    Commentary:

    • Patterson (what L&C described): bluish brown robbin
    • Patterson (conjectures, mostly from Coues, in Burroughs, 1961): Pacific Varied Thrush
    • Patterson (current AOU equivalent): Varied Thrush

    • Holmgren:    ROBIN
      • "robin" (4-23-05, 6-8-05) American robin, Turdus migratorius, L. 1766.
      • "Columbian or Rocky Mountain" (9-20-05, 1-31-06, 2-4-06) varied thrush, Ixoreus naevius Gmelin 1789. Often called Alaskan robin or Oregon robin because of its resemblance.

    • Moulton (September 20, 1805): The varied thrush, Ixoreus naevius [AOU, 763], already known to science but not to Lewis. He gave a longer description in January 31, 1806. Burroughs, 252–54.

    • Moulton (Weather diary, January 31, 1806): This last paragraph is found only in Clark's Codex I. The "pale yellow streiked and dove coloured robin" is presumably one bird, the varied thrush. Lewis describes it this day in his notebook journal.

    • Moulton (January 31, 1806): The varied thrush, Ixoreus naevius [AOU, 763], already known to science. Lewis recalled correctly the date of his first notice of the bird. The robin used for comparison is Turdus migratorius [AOU, 761].

    • See also entries for:


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  • Western Kingbird ... or Eastern Kingbird
    L&C "bee martin or kingbird"

    Image, 2010, Sandy River Delta, Oregon, click to enlarge Image, 2009, Sandy River Delta, Oregon, click to enlarge
    Click image to enlarge     		Western Kingbird (left) and Eastern Kingbird (right), Sandy River Delta, Oregon. Left image taken June 3, 2010. Right image taken May 25, 2009.

    Weather diary, May 25, 1805:
    "... saw the kingbird, or bee martin;    the grouse disappear ..."


    Lewis, June 10, 1805:
    "... the bee martin or Kingbird is common to this country tho' there are no bees in this country, nor have we met with a honey bee since we passed the entrance of the river [Kansas] ..."


    Lewis, July 1, 1806:
    "... the dove, the black woodpecker, the lark woodpecker, the logcock, the prarie lark, sandhill crain, prarie hen with the short and pointed tail, the robin, a speceis of brown plover, a few curloos, small black birds, ravens, hawks and a variety of sparrows as well as the bee martin and the several species of Corvus genus are found in this vally. ..."


    Commentary:

    • Patterson (what L&C described): bee martin or kingbird
    • Patterson (conjectures, mostly from Coues, in Burroughs, 1961): Kingbird
    • Patterson (current AOU equivalent): Tyrannus sp.
    • Patterson (comments): Western Kingbird

    • Holmgren:    BEE-MARTIN (5-25-05, 6-10-05) eastern kingbird, Tyrannus tyrannus, Linnaeus 1758.

    • Johnsgard:   Eastern Kingbird Tyrannus tyrannus or Western Kingbird Tyrannus verticalis:    Few specific notes were made on these rather conspicuous songbird species, and not enough information was offered to distinguish which kingbird species was seen. In the expedition's Meteorological Register of May 25, 1805, it was noted that the "king-bird or bee-martin" had returned seasonally to the vicinity of the mouth of the Musselshell River. Kingbirds are rather late spring arrivals in the northern United States, as they winter in tropical America. The eastern species is more likely to have been seen than the western, since the eastern would have been the one familiar to the explorers and would not have attracted special attention. Also, it is more often found closer to water than the more arid-adapted western species. Kingbirds of undetermined species were also noted on June 10, 1805, near the mouth of the Marias River, and on August 2, 1806, near present-day Missoula. The eastern kingbird's rangewide population has declined significantly during the past four decades.

    • Moulton (Weather diary, May 25, 1805):    Perhaps the eastern kingbird, Tyrannus tyrannus [AOU, 444]. Holmgren, 28. See also June 10, 1805.

    • Moulton (June 10, 1805):    Either the eastern kingbird or the western kingbird, Tyrannus verticalis [AOU, 447]. The latter would be more common in Montana. Cf. Burroughs, 244, and Holmgren, 28.

    • Moulton (July 1, 1806):
      • "dove": Mourning dove, Zenaida macroura [AOU, 316]. Holmgren, 34.
      • "black woodpecker": Lewis's woodpecker, Melanerpes lewis [AOU, 408]; see May 27, 1806. Holmgren, 34; Burroughs, 239–40.
      • "lark woodpecker": Common, or northern, flicker, Colaptes auratus [AOU, 412]. Burroughs, 241–42; Holmgren, 34.
      • "logcock": [Pileated Woodpecker]
      • "prarie lark": Probably the horned lark, Eremophila alpestris [AOU, 474]. Holmgren, 31.
      • "sandhill crain": [Sandhill Crane]
      • "prarie hen with the short and pointed tail": Sharp-tailed grouse, Tympanuchus phasianellus [AOU, 308]; see March 1, 1806. Holmgren, 29; Burroughs, 213.
      • "robin": American robin, Turdus migratorius [AOU, 761].
      • "a speceis of brown plover": Probably the upland sandpiper, Bartramia longicauda [AOU, 261]; see July 22, 1805. Holmgren, 33; Burroughs, 227.
      • "curloos":
      • "small black birds": Either the rusty blackbird, Euphagus carolinus [AOU, 509], or Brewer's blackbird, E. cyanocephalus [AOU, 510]. Holmgren, 28.
      • "ravens": Common raven, Corvus corax [AOU, 486].
      • "hawks":
      • "variety of sparrows":
      • "bee martin": Either the eastern kingbird, Tyrannus tyrannus [AOU, 444], or the western kingbird, more likely the latter.
      • "several species of Corvus genus":


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  • Western Wood-Pewee ... or Say's Phoebe
    L&C "peawee"

    Image, 2010, Vancouver, Washington, click to enlarge Image, 2008, Ridgefield NWR, Washington, click to enlarge
    Click image to enlarge     		Western Wood-pewee, Vancouver, Washington (left), and Say's Phoebe, Ridgefield NWR, Washington (right). Left image taken May 25, 2010. Right image taken March 30, 2008.

    Weather diary, April 16, 1806, while at Rock Fort, The Dalles, Oregon:
    "... morning unusually warm. vegitation rapidly progressing.— at the rock fort camp saw the prarie lark, a speceis of the peawee, the blue crested fisher, the partycoloured corvus, and the black pheasant. ..."


    Commentary:

    • Patterson (what L&C described): peawee
    • Patterson (conjectures, mostly from Coues, in Burroughs, 1961): Wood Pewee
    • Patterson (current AOU equivalent): Western Wood Pewee

    • Holmgren:    PEAWEET, PEAWIT, PEWIT (4-16-06) In England an old fold name for the lapwing, a bird of the plover family, imitating its plaintive two-note call. Lapwings are rare visitors to the U.S. -- especially on the notheast coast -- but the name was often given to other American species with similar two-note calls, especially small gray birds of the flycatcher family now known as pewees or phoebes. Lewis's "uncommon" species of this date is probably Say's phoebe, Sayornis saya, Bonaparte 1825.

    • Moulton (Weather diary, April 16, 1806):
      • "prarie lark": Western Meadowlark or Horned Lark;
      • "speceis of the peawee": Probably Say's phoebe, Sayornis saya [AOU, 457]. Holmgren, 32. It is not mentioned in Clark's remarks.
      • "blue crested fisher": Belted Kingfisher,
      • "partycoloured corvus": Black-billed Magpie,
      • "black pheasant": Sooty or Dusky Grouse.


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  • Whip-poor-will
    L&C "whiper-will"

    Weather diary, June 11, 1804:
    "... many small bird are now setting    some have young, the whiper-will setting ..."


    Weather diary, September 6, 1806:
    "... heard the whipper will    Common to the u states at Soldiers river. ..."


    Commentary:

    • Patterson (what L&C described): whip-poor-will
    • Patterson (conjectures, mostly from Coues, in Burroughs, 1961): Eastern Whip-poor-will
    • Patterson (current AOU equivalent): Whip-poor-will

    • Holmgren:    WHIPPER WILL
      • "whipper will" (6-11-04, 8-5-06) whip-poor-will, Caprimulgus vociferus, Wilson 1812.
      • "small" (10-17-04) and "uncommon", Common poorwill, Phalaenoptilus nuttallii, Audubon 1844. The journals not only describe the bird's appearance, but also its ability to maintain winter dormancy, a factor not recognized in scientific publications until 1946.

    • Johnsgard:    Whip-poor-will Caprimulgus vociferus:    Captain Clark heard whip-poor-wills calling on September 6, 1806, in the vicinity of present-day Blair, Nebraska, and he had also heard them earlier during the trip upstream through Missouri and Kansas. September is remarkably late for whip-poor-wills to call, as this species has usually finished vocalizing by early August. It has apparently moved gradually northward during the past two centuries and now breeds as far north as southern South Dakota. However, rangewide whip-poor-will populations have declined significantly across North America during the last four decades, as have populations of the ecologically similar common nighthawk (Chordeiles minor).

    • Also see entries for:


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  • White-tailed Kite
    L&C

    Image, 2007, Ridgefield NWR, Washington, click to enlarge
    Click image to enlarge     		White-tailed Kite, Ridgefield NWR, Washington. Image taken November 25, 2007.

    Clark, September 19, 1805, while in Idaho:
    "... I killed 2 Pheasents, but fiew birds    Blue jay, Small white headed hawk, Some Crows & ravins & large hawks. ..."


    Commentary:

    • Holmgren:    HAWKS
      • "white-headed, small" (9-19-05) black-shouldered kite, Elanus caeruleus Desfontaines 1789. Formerly white-tailed kite, Elanus leucurus, Vieillot 1818, now reclassified by earlier listing.

    • Moulton (September 19, 1805):    Perhaps the black-shouldered kite, Elanus caeruleus [AOU, 328]. Holmgren, 31.

    • In 1993 (AOU, 6th edition, 39th supplement) renamed the "Black-shouldered Kite" with "White-tailed Kite". "Black-shouldered Kite is replaced by White-tailed Kite (Elanus leucurus) [328], because of a taxonomic split from a species that is confined to the Old World. ..." Previously the "White-tailed Kite" (which had at one time been called "White-tailed Kite") was grouped together with other Kites into the "Black-shouldered Kite".


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  • Whooping Crane
    L&C "white Crain"

    Weather diary, March 25, 1804:
    "... Saw the 1st White Crain return ..."


    Lewis, April 11, 1805:
    "... saw some large white cranes pass up the river—    these are the largest bird of that genus common to the country through which the Missouri and Mississippi pass. they are perfectly white except the large feathers of the two first joints of the wing which are black. ..."


    Lewis, October 26, 1805:
    "... Saw great numbers of white Crains flying in Different directions verry high ..."


    Clark, October 26, 1805:
    "... Great numbers of white Crain flying in different Directions verry high ..."


    Commentary:

    • Patterson (what L&C described): large white crane
    • Patterson (conjectures, mostly from Coues, in Burroughs, 1961): Whooping Crane
    • Patterson (current AOU equivalent): Whooping Crane
    • Patterson (comments): Some Whooping Cranes some Sandhills ... white cranes claimed along the Columbia River were almost certainly not Whooping Cranes.

    • Holmgren:    CRAIN, CRANE, any large crane, egret or heron.
      • "white" (3-25-04) great egret, Casmerodius albus, L. 1758, Formerly American egret, common egret.
      • "white with black wing tips (4-11-05) whooping crane, Grus americana, L. 1758.

    • Johnsgard:   Whooping Crane Grus americana:    Near the future site of Fort Berthold, North Dakota, some "large white cranes" were seen passing up the Missouri River on April 11, 1805. They were accurately described as being entirely white except for the larger wing feathers. These currently extremely rare and nationally endangered birds were also reported from western Oregon by Captain Clark, but there is no other evidence that whooping cranes ever occurred that far west, and so this identification seems questionable.

    • Moulton (March 25, 1804):    Apparently the now rare and endangered whooping crane, Grus americana [AOU, 204], which could be found in Illinois in the 1800s. Burroughs, 184–85. But perhaps the great egret, Casmerodius albus [AOU, 196], described by Lewis on August 2, 1804. Holmgren

    • Moulton (April 11, 1805):    The whooping crane, Grus americana [AOU, 204], now an endangered species. Cutright (LCPN), 129.

    • Moulton (October 26, 1805):    The endangered whooping crane, Grus americana [AOU, 204].

    • See also entries for:


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  • Wild Turkey
    L&C "turkey"

    Image, 2010, Underwood, Washington, click to enlarge
    Click image to enlarge     		Wild Turkey, Underwood, Washington. Image taken February 2, 2011.



    Clark, undated entry, with non-bird entries omitted:
    "... The Prairie Fowl common to the Illinois are found as high up as the River Jacque above which the Sharpe tailed Grows commence    950 Ms. ...
    Indian Hen & Small Species of Kildee which frequent drift is found as high up as the Entrance of the Little Sieux river    733 ms. ...
    Parotqueet is Seen as high as the Mahar Village    836 ms. ...
    In descending the Missouri & Rochejhone ...
    Turkeys first appear at the enterance of Tylors Rivr above the big bend 1200 miles up this Missouri    1206
    The pointed tail Prarie fowl are found above the Big bend upwards.    1200 ms. up ...
    The party coloured Corvus or Magpy Commence at or about Corvus Creek and from thence upwards.    1130 ..."


    Commentary:

    • Patterson (what L&C described): turkey
    • Patterson (conjectures, mostly from Coues, in Burroughs, 1961): Eastern Wild Turkey
    • Patterson (current AOU equivalent): Wild Turkey

    • Holmgren:    TURKEY (7-1-04, 7-26-04) wild turkey, Meleagris gallopavo, L. 1758.
      • "white turkey of Black Hills" (9-17-04) Not seen. Described to Lewis and Clark by a young Frenchman who had spent the winter with the Chien Indians of the Black Hills. Wild turkeys could have been in the area and white birds occur naturally in the wild, but this was probably a sage grouse since the boy described it as "booted as low as the toes" - meaning feathered - and turkeys are bare-legged. The white-tailed ptarmigan, Lagopus leucurus, Richardson 1831, also has feathered legs, but is only about a third turkey size. The sage grouse, while not all white, does have a white breast and seems white in comparison to the turkey's bronze tones.

    • Johnsgard:   Wild Turkey Meleagris gallopavo:    Wild turkeys were killed and eaten by the expedition in Kansas and Nebraska. They were seen in large numbers on July 1, 1804, near present-day Leavenworth, Kansas, and one was killed on July 25, 1804, near present-day Council Bluffs. Another was killed the next day at the same camp, and others were taken on July 30 in what is now Washington County. Others were killed on August 5, 1804, on the Iowa side (now Harrison County) and one on August 9 on the Nebraska side (now Burt or Douglas County). Another was killed September 4 (now Knox County, Nebraska), and turkeys were seen above the mouth of the Niobrara River along the present Nebraska-South Dakota border (Boyd or Charles Mix County, respectively) on September 5. Others were killed in the same general boundary area on September 5 and 8. On the expedition's return trip through Nebraska wild turkeys were seen along the shorelines in present-day Nemaha and Richardson County. Although extirpated from the Missouri Valley of Nebraska and Kansas by shortly after the turn of the twentieth century, reintroduction efforts in both states have been successful. Wild turkey populations have increased significantly in North America during the last four decades, largely through releases and wildlife management practices.

    • Moulton (Clark, undated entry):    This document is found in Codex N, pp. 153–54 ... (non-bird references omitted):
      • "Prairie Fowl common to the Illinois": greater prairie-chicken; sharp-tailed grouse;
      • "Indian Hen": greater prairie-chicken;
      • "Killdeer": Charadrius vociferus [AOU, 273];    (NOTE: Clark didn't mean Killdeer as Moulton comment alludes to, but instead Clark wrote the "Small Species of Kildee", which researchers are considering is the "Piping Plover")
      • "Parotqueet": Carolina parakeet, Conuropsis carolinensis [AOU, 382];
      • "Turkey": Wild Turkey
      • "The pointed tail Prarie Fowl": sharp-tailed grouse;
      • "party coloured Corvus or Magpy": black-billed magpie;


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  • Wilson's Snipe ... (Common Snipe)
    L&C "common snipe"

    Image, 2009, Ridgefield NWR, Washington, click to enlarge
    Click image to enlarge     		Wilson's Snipe, Ridgefield NWR, Washington. Image taken November 3, 2009.

    Lewis, March 5, 1806, while at Fort Clatsop:
    "... The common snipe of the marshes and the small sand snipe are the same of those common to the Atlantic Coast tho' the former are by no means as abundant here.    the prarrow of the woody country is also similar to ours but not abundant.    those of the plains of Columbia are the same with those of the Missouri, tho' they are by no means so abundant. I have not seen the little singing lark or the large brown Curloo so common to the plains of the Missouri, but I beleive that the latter is an inhabitant of this country during summer from Indian information. I have no doubt but what many species of birds found here in Autumn and Summer had departed before our arrival. ...


    Commentary:

    • Holmgren:    SNIPE (3-5-06) common snipe, Gallinago gallinago, L. 1758.
      • "sand snipe" (3-5-06) spotted sandpiper, Actitis macularia, L. 1766.
      • "size of common snipe" (6-4-05) see CURLEW, Eskimo

    • Moulton (March 5, 1806):    The common snipe, Gallinago gallinago [AOU, 230], and the spotted sandpiper, Actitis macularia [AOU, 263]. Holmgren, 33.    Probably the song sparrow, Melospiza melodia [AOU, 581].    Probably Sprague's pipit, Anthus spragueii [AOU, 700].    The long-billed curlew, Numenius americanus [AOU, 264]. Burroughs, 226–27.

    • NOTE: The Common Snipe (Gallinago gallinago) was split by AOU in 2002 into the Common Snipe (Gallinago gallinago), the Eurasian bird, and the Wilson's Snipe (Gallinago delicata), the American bird.


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  • Wood Duck
    L&C "wood duck", "summer duck"

    Image, 2009, Kings Pond, Washington, click to enlarge Image, 2010, Ridgefield NWR, Washington, click to enlarge
    Click image to enlarge     		Wood Duck, male, King's Pond (left) and Ridgefield NWR (right), Washington. Left image taken April 28, 2009. Right image taken March 20, 2010.

    Weather diary, June 16, 1804:
    "... the wood duck now has it's young, this duck is abundant, and except one Solatary Pelican and a few gees these ducks were the only aquatic fowls we have yet seen ..."


    Weather diary, March 31, 1806, while at Cottonwood Beach, across from the entrance to the Sandy River:
    "... The Summer or wood duck has returned.    butterflies and Several Species of insects appear. Musquitoes are troublesome this evening    Encamp opposit quick Sand river    The Summer Duck has returned    I saw Several to day in a small pond. ... The waterfowls are much plentyer about the enterance of quick Sand river than they were below. ..."


    Commentary:

    • Patterson (what L&C described): summer duck
    • Patterson (conjectures, mostly from Coues, in Burroughs, 1961): Wood Duck
    • Patterson (current AOU equivalent): Wood Duck
    • Patterson (comments): Comments on ducks: Given the number of species of ducks that winter in Columbia Estuary today, the dearth of duck species listed by Lewis and Clark for the Columbia River is puzzling. Jefferson had instructed them not to waste time on familiar species, but Mallards are referred to regularly, so one would expect that numbers of Northern Pintail, American Wigeon, Green-winged Teal and Greater Scaup would have also been mentioned. The description of the duck later assigned as Ring-necked Duck (new to science at the time) is sufficient and most probably correct, but the apparent absence of scaup from accounts is strange. The number of scaup recorded on the Columbia Estuary Christmas Bird Count averages around 1000 and the Wahkiakum Count around 5000, yet they would seem to have gone undetected. Also surprising is that there is no mention of Surf Scoters which winter along the coast between Tillamook Head and Long Beach in groups of up to 20,000.

    • Holmgren:    DUCKS
      • "summer-duck", folk name for wood duck.
      • "wood-duck" (6-16-04), Aix sponsa, L. 1758.

    • Johnsgard:   Wood Duck Aix sponsa:    The "summer duck" was quite familiar to Captain Lewis, who referred to it by that name on July 29, 1805, remarking that he had seen it as far west as the vicinity of Three Forks, Montana. However, unidentified ducks were also seen in some numbers during the river ascent through Nebraska, from as early as August 15, 1804 (present-day Dakota County), to September 5, 1804 (present-day Thurston or Burt County). As Swenk concluded, these most probably were wood ducks, which would have been common along the wooded Missouri River shorelines in late summer. Wood ducks were also reportedly seen in the vicinity of Great Falls, Montana, on June 19 and 23, 1805. Wood duck populations have increased significantly in North America during the last four decades, and their breeding range has expanded both to the west and north, partly as a result of the widespread erection of nesting boxes.


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  • Wood Stork
    L&C "Stalks"

    Clark, November 3, 1805, first draft:
    "... river wide The Countrey below quick Sand river on the Lard Side is low Piney Countrey. Passed the lower point of the Island at 3 1/2 miles long & 1 1/2 wide— emence quantity of Geese, Brants, Ducks & Sea otter, Some of the large & Small kind of Swan, & Sand hill Cranes—also luns & White gulls ..."


    Clark, November 3, 1805
    "... below quick Sand River the Countrey is low rich and thickly timbered on each Side of the river, the Islands open & Some ponds &nbps;  river wide and emence numbers of fowls flying in every direction Such as Swan, geese, Brants, Cranes, Stalks [NB: Storks], white guls, comerants & plevers &c.    also great numbers of Sea Otter in the river ..."


    Commentary:

    • Holmgren:    STALKS (STORKS) (11-2-05) wood stork, Mycteria americana, L. 1758. Formerly miscalled wood ibis, this is the only stork species in North America. Its presence along the Columbia is rare, but no other long-legged white bird looks stork-like and white cranes, egrets and herons, are cited elsewhere.

    • Moulton (November 3, 1805):
      • Some of these birds may be identified as the sandhill crane, Grus canadensi [AOU, 206], and the double-crested cormorant, Phalacrocorax auritus [AOU, 120].
      • Although the wood stork, Mycteria americana [AOU, 188], was once considered to be one of the bird's identified, this information may not be valid since its range is well south of Lewis and Clark's path.
      • The swans (noted as the "large & Small kind" in the first draft) would be the trumpeter swan, Cygnus buccinator [AOU, 181], and the tundra, or whistling, swan, C. columbianus [AOU, 180].
      • The other references are too obscure for precise identification. Holmgren, 33; Burroughs, 199–200.


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  • Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
    L&C

    Image, 2008, Silver Lake, Ohio, click to enlarge
    Click image to enlarge     		Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, male, Silver Lake, Ohio. Image taken October 19, 2008.

    Weather diary, February 8, 1805, while at Fort Mandan:
    "... the Black & white & Speckled woodpecker has returned ...


    Weather diary, April 8, 1805, while at Fort Mandan:
    "... the only birds that I obseved during the winter at Fort Mandan was the Missouri Magpie, a bird of the Corvus genus, the raven in immence numbers the small woodpecker or sapsucker as they are sometimes called, the beautifull eagle, or calumet bird, so called from the circumstance of the natives decorating their pipe-stems with it's plumage and the Prarie Hen or grouse. ..."


    Commentary:

    • Holmgren:    SAPSUCKER (2-8-05, 4-8-05) yellow-bellied sapsucker, Sphyrapicus varius, L. 1766. Also known to Lewis and Clark as "small speckled woodpecker".

    • Moulton (Weather diary, February 8, 1805):    The yellow-bellied sapsucker, Sphyrapicus varius [AOU, 402], has been suggested, Holmgren, 33.

    • Moulton (Weather diary, April 8, 1805):    The common raven, Corvus corax [AOU, 486], known to science and not described further.    Maybe either the hairy woodpecker, Picoides villosus [AOU, 393], or the downy woodpecker, P. pubescens [AOU, 394], although Holmgren suggests the yellow-bellied sapsucker, Sphyrapicus varius [AOU, 402]. Burroughs, 240-41; Holmgren, 33.    The calumet bird is the golden eagle, Aquila chrysaetos [AOU, 349]; prairie hen is the sharp-tailed grouse.

    • See also entries for


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  • Yellow-billed Cuckoo ... or Black-billed Cuckoo
    L&C "rain craw"

    Weather Diary, July 16, 1806:
    "... Saw the Cookkoo or rain crow and the redheaded woodpecker. ..."

    Lewis, July 16, 1806:
    "... there are a great number of geese which usually raise their young above these falls about the entrance of Medicine river    we saw them in large flocks of several hundred as we passed today. I saw both yesterday and today the Cookkoo or as it is sometimes called the rain craw.    this bird is not met with west of the Rocky Mountains nor within them.— ..."


    Commentary:

    • Holmgren:    CROW
      • "rain-crow" (7-16-06) folk name for Old World cuckoos, transferred to American species: yellow-billed cuckoo, Coccyzus americanus L. 1758; black-billed cuckoo, Coccyzus erythropthalmus, Wilson 1811.

    • Moulton (July 16, 1806):    Either the yellow-billed cuckoo, Coccyzus americanus [AOU, 387], or the black-billed cuckoo, C. erythropthalmus [AOU, 388]. Holmgren, 29. The range of the former does extend well beyond the Rockies to the west.


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    • Sources:
    • Audubon, J.J., 1841-1844, The Birds of America, in 7 volumes;
    • AVIBASE, The World Bird Database website (2010);
    • Cornell University's "Birds of North America" website, 2010;
    • Cornell University's "All About Birds" website, 2010;
    • Coues, E., 1893, History of the Expedition under the Command of Lewis and Clark, Francis P. Harper publisher, in 4 volumes;
    • Cutright, P.R., 1969, Lewis & Clark, Pioneering Naturalists, University of Illinois Press;
    • Holmgren, V.C., 2003, Birds of the Lewis and Clark Journals, IN: Saindon, R.A. (editor), Explorations into the World of Lewis and Clark, vol.2: Lewis and Clark Trial Heritage Foundation, Inc., Great Falls, Montana (NOTE: Virginia Holmgren states: "The journals identify 134 species of birds with reasonable certainty -- name for familiar species, and for other with some guess at family likeness and whatever distinguishing detail could be noted. ..." Not all Holmgren entries are listed here.);
    • Johnsgard, P.A., 2003, Lewis and Clark on the Great Plains, University of Nebraska Press;
    • Moulton, G.
    • Patterson, Mike, 2005, "Birds of the Lewis and Clark Expedition" website, 2010;
    • Sibley, D.A., 2000, National Audubon Society's The Sibley Guide to Birds;
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