l6 RIDGWAY ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB. 



40. Geococcyx californianus (Less.). {Road-runner). 

 On the first trips taken west of the city I did not ohserve a single 

 specimen of this bird ; later, however, and at more distant points 

 among the chaparral, we came upon one or more leisurely strutting 

 about on the ground at every turn. 



As soon as our appearance was known they made off, dodging 

 in among the chaparral where it was almost impossible to trace 

 them owing to the impenetrable nature of the bushes. On the 

 morning of the 26th of March, while pushing our way through the 

 thick undergrowth, we came upon a bird in a cleared spot which 

 was busily engaged in thrashing its bill against a large bone which 

 laid partly buried in the ground. The cracking of the limbs as we 

 pushed our way forwai'd attracted its attention, and it sought safer 

 quarters. An examination of the spot was made, and strewn about 

 the ground near the bone were innumerable fragments of shells, 

 the remains of the land snails which were caught near by and 

 brought here to be broken open so that their contents might be de- 

 voured. 



Among the chaparral ranging from three to six feet from the 

 ground were last year's nests, some of which were partly rebuilt. 

 But one revealed eggs, this was situated about four feet from the 

 ground in the centre of a chaparral bush. The bird remained upon 

 the nest until we were within a few feet, when it slyly crept out on 

 the opposite side, lingering for a few minutes on the ground near 

 by. The nest contained seven eggs of an opaque white color. 

 Contrary to the generality of sets each ^t^^ was perfectly fresh. 

 Well developed embryos in the same nest with fresh eggs are more 

 often found. 



41. CoccYZUS AMERiCANUS (Linn.). { Tellozv-billed Cuckoo), 

 A female with the nest and five eggs was taken April 23d. 



42. Ceryle cabanisi (Tschudi). {Texati King-Jisker). A 

 specimen was observed on a telegraph wire across the reef from 

 Corpus Chrtsti, March 26th. A shot from my gun knocked it from 

 its footing, which it was unable to regain. It then flew to the dis- 

 tant timber, where it was lost to view. 



43. Dryobates scalaris (Wagl.). [Texan Woodpecker). 

 Several birds were seen April 2d. 



44. Melanerpes aurifrons (Wagl.). [Go I den -fronted 

 Woodpecker). On March 26th, a male and female were shot from 



a telegraph pole fifteen miles north of Corpus Christi. The pair 

 were evidently building a nest, as one had material in its mouth 



