Page:Notes on the Ornithology of Southern Texas.djvu/45

160 ranch, which is about thirty miles north of the fort and a few miles from the coast. This is probably about the southernmost point in the range of the bird. — (C. cupido, Dresser, Ibis, 1866, 26.)

162. *Ortyx virginiana var. texana, Lawr.

The Texan Quail is very common, and in its habits resembles the Eastern Quail in all respects, except that it does not lie well to a dog. They are with difficulty flushed, but run at once into chaparral, from which it is almost impossible to dislodge them. The only nest I suc- ceeded in finding was at the foot of a small stump, surrounded by a small, but dense, growth of offshoots; the nest was rather elaborately built of grasses, and was well domed. On the 21st of May, it contained sixteen fresh eggs. These average 1.15 by .93, the extremes being 1.18 by .95 and 1.12 by .92. Four odd eggs from different nests are rather larger than this average. — (0. texanus. Dresser, Ibis, 1866, 27. — 0. virginiana texana, Sennett, B. Rio Grande, 53.)

163. Callipepla squamata, (Vigors.)

This beautiful Partridge is found in great abundance at Ringgold Barracks about 120 miles from Fort Brown, but does not come very much farther down the river. Hidalgo is about the limit of their range in this direction, though on September 13, 1877, 1 killed one within two miles of the fort. This was one of a covey and the only one flushed, and I did not recognize it until I picked it up ; the others were not distinctly seen, but were probably of the same species. — (Dresser, Ibis, 1866, 28.)

164. -ffigialitis vocifera, (Linn.)

Common resident. — (Dresser, Ibis, 1866, 33. — Sennett, B. Rio Grande, 53.)

165. .ffigialitis wilsonia, (Ord.)

Resident, breeding rather abundantly along the coast. — (Dresser, Ibis, 1866, 34.)

166. Haezuatopus palliatus, Temm.

Breeds on Padre and Brazos Islands. — (Dresser, Ibis, 1866, 34. — Sennett, B. Rio Grande, 53.)

167. Strepsilas interpres, (Linn.)

The Turnstone is found on the coast and adjacent lagoons throughout the year, and I feel confident that it breeds in spite of the latitude. Dur- ing May and June pairs in full plumage may daily be seen in the same localities. — (Dresser, Ibis, 1866, 34. — Sennett, B. Rio Grande, 54.)

168. Recurvirostra americana, Gm.

Common during winter, a few pairs remaining to breed. — (Dresser^ Ibis, 1866, 35.— Sennett, B. Rio Grande, 54.)