Mr. II. E. Dresser on the Birds of Southern Texas. 33 



in the month of August, appearing somewhat earHer than the 

 White Ibis. 



I prepai'cd some choice specimens of both these birds, which, 

 however, were destroyed during my absence in Texas ; and one 

 was sent to me from Fort Stockton in a collection formed by 

 Mr. P. Duffy. 



Platalea ajaja, Linnseus. Roseate Spoonbill. 



Abundant near Matamoras during the summer, and I never 

 visited the lagoon without seeing several. On our journey to 

 San Antonio in September we saw several at different places near 

 the coast; and in June 18G4 I saw two or three on Galveston 

 Island, where it is known under the name of " Flamingo." I 

 was told that it had bred on the island in former years, but it 

 does not do so now, being too much disturbed. I received one 

 in the collection from Fort Stockton, where it was obtained on 

 the 3rd of August. 



Charadrius virginicus, Borkhausen. American Golden 

 Plover. 



Not uncommon near San Antonio in the autumn ; but I saw 

 none in the spring. 



^Egialites vociferus (Linnseus). Killdeer Plover. 



Common, not only on the sea-coast, but also inland at almost 

 every pool. I have been often startled when watering my horse 

 at some deserted-looking pool in a half-dried-up river-bed by 

 the Killdeer's cry close to me ; for they will often squat until one 

 is close upon them, and then run or fly off uttering their loud 

 cry. They breed on the coast, and also inland, as I had eggs 

 from Systerdale, taken late in May. When on Galveston Island 

 on the 26th of May, a German, who was with me, found a young 

 Killdeer in a depression in the ground made by a horse's hoof ; 

 we did not, however, disturb it, as the old bird came flying round 

 exhibiting the greatest anxiety on its behalf 



Male. Bill blackish ; legs' greenish-grey ; nns dark brown. 



^GiALiTES MONTANUs (Townscnd). Mountaiu-Plovcr. 



In December 1863, when riding about the open prairie-country 

 near San Antonio, I noticed a few Mountain-Plovers, finding 

 them generally near the highroads. In their habits they re- 



N. S. VOL. II. D 



