1892.] NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 107 



53. Chordeiles virginianus henryi (Cass.). Western Nighthawk. 



All the Xigbthawks shot around Corpus Christi appear to belong 

 to this race. C. texensis finds its southwestern breediug limit 

 about midway between Corpus Christi and San Antonio ; during 

 the migrations, however, texensis has been noticed by Priour a few 

 miles west of Corpus Christi. 



*54. Chaetura pelagica (Linn.). Chimney Swift. 



This species is another unaccountable omission fi'om Beckham's 

 li.-t. Though not common, quite a number were seen. 



*55. Trochilus colubris Linn. Ruby-throated Humming-bird. 



Three individuals seen. 



56. Milvulus forficatus (GmeL). Scissor-tail Flycatcher. 



Very common l)ut wary. These elegant birds moult in the sum- 

 mer, and by the first of June their bright colors are faded and the 

 tail-feathers threadbare. Out of a dozen specimens obtainei, there 

 were no exceptions to this rule, though the breeding season had just 

 begun. The worn appearance of the tail is largely due to the nec- 

 essary switching of it in the devious pursuit of insect prey ; but it 

 may also be attributed to the fact that the birds are somewhat ter- 

 restrial in ti)eir habits, as I have observed them for hours gleaning 

 insects in the open pastures and salt fiats near Corpus Christi, 

 alighting without hesitation in the short grass to secure or devour 

 their food. I have also observed the males mounting and gyrating 

 together in the air after the manner of Kingbirds. 



57. Tyrannus tyrannus (Linn.). Kingbird. 



The only specimen of this species seen, was obtained near Corpus 

 Christi on May 30th. 



58. Myiarchus crinitus (Linn.). Crested Flycatcher. 



Two were noted, one of which was shot near the Nueces Eiver 

 bottoms, June sixth. Another .specimen, shot at Corpus Christi 

 April 10th, was obtained from Mr. Priour.^ 



^ The latter specimen has a distinct dark band on the inner margin of the 

 qu 11 of the outer tail feathers, about e |ual in width to the entire outer web. East- 

 ern birds frequenily have a narrow b.ind on the outer webs of the rectrices but 

 I have never seen one quite so clearly marked as in the Texan example. The color 

 of the under surface of the body in tins specimen is, moreover, very dark, excetd- 

 ing the average of eastern specimens in this respect. In connection with the 

 Tjxin species of Myiarchus, a specimeii of M. cinernscens in the Academv Col- 

 lection, from Laredo ("Colin. Dr. H. B. Butcher, Au^^ 17, 1866. 9 "j is of in- 

 ter st as beingthe most eastern record of this species that I have seen, except in 

 Prof. Cookes' " Bird Migration in the Mississippi Valley" where it is said on the 

 au hority of H. F. P.rters, to be a summer resident at Bonham, fifty miles north- 

 east of Dallas.— W. .S. 



