Mr. H. E. Dresser on the Birds of Southern Texas. 45 



at the lagoon near Matamoras, and they were abvindant at the 

 Boca Grande. In June 1861 I found them breeding in West 

 Galveston Bay on the small shell- bars or sand-islets, and not on 

 the main island. The nests were merely slight depressions in 

 the sand ; but I only found three, eaeh containing one or two 

 eggs, which were quite fresh ; I was also told by the man I had 

 with me that they breed very late. 



Hydrochelidon plumbea, Wilson. American Black Tern. 



Common at the Boca Grande during the summer, but I did 

 not observe it at Galveston. At the town-lagoon at Matamoras 

 I have often seen twenty or thirty of these birds at one time. 

 One was sent to me from Fort Stockton. 



Rhynchops nigra, Linnajus, Black Skimmer. 



In June and July 1863 I often saw six or seven of these 

 birds at the Matamoras lagoon, and found them abundant at the 

 Boca Grande. In June 1864 they were common at Galveston, 

 but I found no eggs ; indeed I was told that it was too early in 

 the season. 



Pelecanus erythrorhynchus, Gmelin. Rough-billed Pe- 

 lican. 



[Not uncommon on the coast during the autumn and winter. 

 —A. L. H.] 



Pelecanus fuscus, Linnaeus. Brown Pelican. 



Common at the Boca Grande in June, July, and August, and 

 abundant at Galveston in June ; but as they had then finished 

 breeding, I consequently procured no eggs. 



Tachypetes AQUiLus (Liunseus) . Frigate-bird. 

 I shot one off the Rio Grande in June 1863. 



Graculus mexicanus, Bonaparte. Mexican Cormorant. 



Common near Matamoras during the summer. I saw several 

 Cormorants at Galveston, but did not succeed in shooting one. 

 I received, however, two specimens from Fort Stockton. 



Plotus anhinga, LinuBeus. Darter or Snake-bird. 



Common on all the large rivers in Texas. I shot one on the 

 Medina on the 5th May, and one was sent to me from Fort 

 Stockton. 



