Page:Notes on the Ornithology of Southern Texas.djvu/14

Rh 79. Cyanospiza ciris, (Linn.)

A not uncommon summer visitor. — (Dresser, Ibis, 1865, 491. — Sen- nett, B. Eio Grande, 20.)

80. * Spermophila moreleti, (Puck.)

This curious little Sparrow is not uncommon during the summer momhs, and I am inclined to think that a few may pass the winter. During the breeding season the male has a very sprightly song, much resembling that of the Indigo-bird, but sweeter ; this it frequently utters while perched on the topmost twig of a bush. They are usually seen in patches of briers and low bushes, at no great distance from water ; they are very tame, and will permit a person to approach very closely. At least two pairs built within Port Brown during the season of 1877. One of these nests, found nearly finished early in May, was in a bush about three feet from the ground : it was not pensile, but was placed on a small branch between three or four upright twigs, and was entirely composed of a peculiar yellow rootlet : it was destroyed by a> violent storm before eggs were deposited. A second nest, found May 25, in a young ebony-bush, four feet from the ground, was deserted im-' mediately after completion. It is a delicate little nest, supported at the rim and beneath by twigs, and built of a very fine, dried grass, with which a few horse-hairs, a leaf or two, and a small rag are interwoven: it is 1.70 wide by 1.50 in depth. Both these nests are open and trans- parent. It is worthy of remark that none of the males seen or killed here were in the typical adult plumage, but in that described by Mr. Lawrence as 8. albogularis.

The stomachs of the specimens killed were filled with small seeds. A third nest, found May 5, 1878, was attached to a hanging rim about four feet from the ground. The nest was partly pensile, and was built of delicate rootlets. It contained three young.

81. Fyrrhuloxia sinuata, Bon.

Of this species I cannot say much. At times abundant, particularly in the spring, it often escaped observation for months } and though it probably breeds here, I was unable to find any nests. The birds are usually seen in thickets and about brush-fences, and females are more frequently seen than males. — (Dresser, Ibis, 1865, 491.— Sennett, B. Rio Grande, 21.)

82. *Cardinalis virginianus, (Briss.)

A common resident. Some summer specimens approach var. coceineus in the almost entire absence of grayish borders to the feathers of the back and rump. — (Dresser, Ibis, 1865, 491.— Sennett, B. Rio Grande, 21.)

83. Eremophila alpestris var. chrysolaema, (Wagl.)

Common during the winter months. I am confident that this species breeds rather plentifully on a prairie within ten miles of Fort Brown. Proc. Nat. Mus. 78 9 Sept. 30, 1878.