1887.] PROCEEDINaS OP UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. GGl 



alongside the line. They did not appear in the least concerned as the 

 train thiiiulered by witliin a few yards of them. Uiown says it is a com- 

 mon winter visitant at Boerue, and Dresser found it common near San 

 Antonio throughout the whole year. 



Genus POLYBORUS Vieillot. 



115. Polyboriis cheriway (Jacq.). Audnboa's Caracara. 



A few of these curious birds, which the natives call '^ Mexican Eagles," 

 were seen near San Antonio late in March, but Corpus Christi seemed 

 to be their center of abundance. I counted twelve one day on a " flat" 

 adjoining the town, feasting on the carcass of a horse. There were 

 fifteen or twenty Turkey Vultures, and at least one hundred Black Vult- 

 ures, disputing with them over the loathsome repast. All three species 

 were very wild, and took care to keep out of gunshot range. In San 

 Pedro Park, a suburban resort near San Antonio, there is a sort of zoo- 

 logical garden — on a very small scale, however — and amongst the 

 "animals" were three of these " Mexican Eagles'' in the same cage. 

 During one of my visits to the place one of the birds became very 

 much excited over the noisy antics of a raccoon and a wildcat, which 

 were settling a dispute in an adjoining cage. It emitted a verj- pecu- 

 liar harsh and intermittent note, more like a policeman's rattle than 

 anything else I can think of, and when particular emphasis was desired 

 it would throw its head so far back that the crown was downwards 

 and horizontal, the bill pointing backwards. "Near San Antonio they 

 are abundant, and in December, 18G3, I counted upwards of twenty of 

 these birds, together with a lot of Vultures and several Harris's Buz- 

 zards, all busy with the olfal near the slaughter-house " (Dresser). 



Family STRIGID.E. Barn Owls. 



Genus STRIX Linx.eus. 



116. Strix pratincola Boxap. American Barn Owl. 



Dresser obtained a single specimen of this owl, which was sent to 

 Dr. Heermann as a great rarity. The place of capture is not given, but 

 the context indicates that it was near San Antonio. 



Family BUBONIDiE. Horned Owls, etc. 



Genus ASIO B^issox. 



117. Asio accipitrinus (Pali..). Short-eared Owl. 



It is stated by Dr. Heermann, in Dresser's paper, that this Owl is 

 "common at times near San Antonio during the winter months, keeping 

 itself in the tall weeds and grass." I saw a mounted specimen in De 

 Ryee's drug store at Corpus Christi, said tahave been shot in the vicinity 

 bv Mr. Armstrong. 



