Page:Notes on the Ornithology of Southern Texas.djvu/5

120 of the second brood.—(, Ibis, 1865, 481.—, B. Rio Grande, 3.)

6. Galeoscoptes carolinensis, (Linn.)

A few seen daring the migrations: some pass the winter here.

7. Sialia sialis, (Linn.)

Uncommon. Two pairs, seen at Edinburgh in May, 1876, were undoubtedly breeding.—(, Ibis, 1865, 475.—, B. Rio Grande, 6.)

8. Regulus calendula, (Linn.)

Found in some abundance from November to March.—(, Ibis, 1865, 476.)

9. Polioptila cærulea, (Linn.)

Abundant during the migrations, a few passing the winter and a considerable number remaining to breed. A nest taken April 24, 1877, was placed on a dead lichen-covered branch of an ebony-bush about six feet from the ground. It was supported by three upright twigs, and was so well concealed that I did not notice it till the female flew off, though I had been standing with my head within a foot of it. It contained five eggs that would have hatched within a few days.—(, Ibis, 1865, 485.— B. Rio Grande, 6.)

10. *Lophophanes atricristatus, Cassin.

A common resident. The usual notes of the species are like those of the Eastern Chickadee: it has, in addition, a loud whistling song, much like that of the Cardinal. A nest found near Edinburgh, April 26, 1876, was in a decayed branch, about fifteen feet from the ground, and contained six nearly fledged young: the males had well-developed crests. The nest proper was composed of various soft materials like that of Parus atricapillus. About four weeks later, the same pair were making preparations for a second brood in an old Picus scalaris excavation just above my tent, but I was obliged to leave before any eggs were laid. A nest found about the middle of May of the following year was, I am confident, of this species. It was in a vertical hole in a stump, enabling the five eggs to be plainly seen: these seemed somewhat larger than eggs of P. atricapillus, but otherwise were similar. As the parents were not seen, I left, intending to return in a short time, but was prevented from doing so for several days, when the eggs had been destroyed by some animal. Another nest, found April 18, 1878, was placed in a deep crack in the trunk of a tree: it contained several young.—( Ibis, 1865, 485.—, B. Rio Grande, 6.)

—An unidentified egg from Matamoras, but not distinguishable from one identified by Mr. Sennett as of this species, measures .62 by .48, is of an oval shape, has a white ground finely sprinkled over with purplish-brown dots. These are more abundant about the larger end, and form a ring around the latter. Fine, indistinct shell markings give a purplish cast to the ground, which is. however, of a pure white.—T. M. B.