14 RIDGWAY ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUU. 



bird met with on my trips, and found in widely different localities. 

 They are most common in open fields. In the middle of the day 

 they generally seek some cover, such as is found sparsely dotting 

 the fields. In the early morning they were most abundant, and the 

 familiar note of " bob-white " was heard from all sides. 



29. Meleagris gallopavo Linn. ( IVi'ld Turkey'). Found 

 in abundance in suitable places. On the evening of March 26th 

 several were put to flight from some tall oak trees fifteen miles 

 north of Corpus Christi, where they had settled down for their 

 night's rest. The next morning while riding over the prairies our 

 dog flushed inany from the tall grass. 



After being frightened from their roosts at night, they make 

 for the open prairies; here they remain but a short time, as the wild 

 animals, especially of the cat tribe, are a troublesome foe, continu- 

 ally on the alert to capture them. 



From the many enemies of this bird, and the exposed situation 

 of the nests, which are built on the open prairies, but a small aver- 

 age ever attain the mature state. Facts collected from an old hunter 

 seem to point to a gradual extermination of the species. 



30. Zexaidura macroura (Linn.). {^Mourning Dove). On 

 March 27th a nest of this bird with two eggs was taken about fif" 

 teen miles northwest of Corpus Christi. The nest was mostly 

 composed of twigs of the mesquite, and was placed about eight feet 

 from the ground. The female flew off at our approach, and gave 

 expression to her uncomfortable position by a series of coos. That 

 evening we pitched our camp bv the side of a river about twenty 

 miles from Corpus Christi. We were partly enclosed by large oak 

 and ebony trees. Just after- supper the whistling of the wings of 

 the doves could be heard as they flew over our heads to alight on 

 the side of the stream for a drink. In succession they came, some 

 in pairs, while again single ones would come one after another, only 

 to stop long enough for a drink, when they would disappear as mys- 

 teriously as they came. This procession lasted until very late into 

 the night, when, by degrees, it ceased. 



31. Cathartes aura (Linn.). {Turkey Vulture). Seen 

 roaming over the country feeding on dead animals, etc. 



32. Catharista atrata (Bartr.). [Black Vulture). Scat- 

 tered about the prairies are the remains of animals that perish from 

 disease, etc. These remains mark the spots where the Vultures 

 have made their gluttonous appetites of great service. .Scarcely has 



