PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 151 



129. Hylotomus pileatus, (Linu.) 



Late in May, 1876, I saw one specimen near Santa Maria, and have 

 seen several holes that from their size were probably made by this 

 bird.*— (Dresser, Ibis, 1865, 469.) 



Mem. — Perhaps this was a Mexican species. 



130. * Centurus aurifrons, (Wagl.) 



This handsome Woodpecker is found abundantly, perhaps rather more 

 so than P. scalaris. Its habits and mode of nesting do not differ from 

 those of other Woodpeckers of the same size. In places where there is 

 only low chaparral, the poles of the government telegraph line are 

 completely riddled by this bird. The eggs are usually four in number, 

 and are rather fragile ; before they are blown, they are a beautiful shade 

 of pink. Seven specimens average 1.03 by .76. — (Sennett, B. Eio 

 Grande, 39. — C. Jiaviventris, Dresser, Ibis, 1865, 469.) 



131. Strix flammea vat: pratincola, Bou. 



This Owl seems to be a rather common resident. Near Hidalgo it 

 breeds in holes in the banks of the Rio Grande, and in Brownsville 

 a few nest in ruined buildings. — {S. pratincola, Dresser, Ibis, 1865,, 

 330. — 8. flammea americana, Sennett, B. Rio Grande, 39.) 



132. Asio accipitrinus, (Pall.) 



During the latter part of January, 1877, a small gathering of these 

 Owls frequented a patch of tall grass in an open field near Browns- 

 ville. — {Brachyotus cassini, Dresser, Ibis, 1865, 330.) 



133. Scops asio var. maccalli, Cass. 



Common resident. Near Hidalgo, on May 6, 1876, I captured a 

 female of this race on her nest in an old hollow.stump about five feet 

 from the ground. There were two eggs, nearly hatched, placed on a 

 few chips at the bottom of the hole: these were of a dull white color 

 with yellowish stains, and measure 1.40 by 1.15 and 1.39 by 1.13. The 

 parent made an interesting pet for a few days, but finally escaped 

 from my tent with ouq of the pegs to which it had been tied. — {IS. asio 

 maccalli, Sennett, B. Rio Grande, 39. — 8. maccalli, Dresser, Ibis, 

 1865, 330.) 



134. Bubo virginianus, (Gmel.) 



Probably resident. I have seen them occasionally in deep woods, 

 and on one occasion in a perfectly open prairie, miles from timber of 

 any size. — (Sennett, B. Rio Grande, 39.) 



135. Speotyto cuuicularia var. hypogaea, (Bon.) 



The Burrowing Owl is rather abundant during the winter months, 

 but I do not think that any remain to breed. — {Athene Jiypogoea, 

 Dresser, Ibis, 1865, 330.) 



• This may possibly liave been the Mexican species S. ncapularis (Vigors). — R. E. 



