38 Mr. H.E. Dresser on the Birds of Southern Texas. 



Gambetta melanoleuca (Gmelin). Telltale. 



Common near San Antonio during the winter season, until 

 the month of April, after which I saw none, but found several 

 on Galveston Island in June. 



Gambetta flavipes (Gmelin). Yellowshank. 



At Matamoras the Yellowshanks were not common, and I 

 only shot one during the two months I was there. In the 

 spring of 1864 (at San Antonio) I noticed them oftener than I 

 did at Matamoras, and shot several during April and early in 

 May. Early in June I saw several on Galveston Island. 



Rhyacophilus solitarius (Wilson). Solitary Sandpiper. 



About the middle of August I noticed two Solitary Sand- 

 pipers on a sandbank in the Rio Grande near Matamoras, and 

 succeeded in shooting one, this being the only time I saw any 

 in that neighbourhood. During the month of April 1864 1 

 often found them at the small pools and on the banks of the 

 small streams near San Antonio, and shot several. 



Male. Bill brownish-black; lower mandible dark green at 

 the base; legs dull green; iris dark brown. 



Tringoides macularius (Linn.). Spotted Sandpiper. 



I shot one specimen in immature plumage near Matamoras 

 in August 1863, and found the species abundant near San 

 Antonio in September and October. 



AcTiTURUs BARTRAMius (Wilson). Bartraui^s Sandpiper, 

 or Grass-Plover. 



On our journey from Brownsville to San Antonio in Sep- 

 tember 1863 we found, on quitting the sandy regions and enter- 

 ing into the grass-country, the Grass-Plovers very abundant. 

 They do not go in flocks, but are scattered singly all over the 

 country. In their habits they are shy and most difficult to 

 approach, if one is on foot ; but by riding or driving near them, 

 I found I could always get within shot before they took to 

 flight. When undisturbed they run about very swiftly, catch- 

 ing insects amongst the grass, and they often reminded me of 

 our Stone-Curlew {(Edicnemus crepitans). When disturbed they 

 will squat close for a time, and then, if one walks towards them, 

 they will rise suddenly and fly off" uttering a clear whistle. 



