138 The Wilson Bulletin — No. 88 



flocks, of Pipits aud Vesper Sparrows, feeding among the broom weeds 

 on old plowed fields near the edges of timber. Summer residents arrived 

 March 21, and were apparently settled down and ready for nesting 

 March 28. 



28. Spisclla passerina passerina. Chipjiing Sparrow. — Scarce winter 

 resident in the vicinity of Houston, and generally observed in clearings 

 and along the edges of timber. Large flocks migrating northward 

 during February and March. Quite rare in April. Last noted May 10, 



29. Spizella pusilla pusilla. Field Sparrow. — Not uncommon winter 

 resident; small flocks migrating northward during March. Last observed 

 April 18. 



30. Melospisa melodia melodia. Song Sparrow.- — A few winter in 

 thickets near the city, but they are very shy and diflieult to observe. 

 Generally during migrations we see large flocks as early as February 1 ; 

 but this year, on account of the imusual cold of February, none were 

 observed until March 1. During March scattered flocks were migrating, 

 the birds being particularly common from the Sth to the 14th. A few 

 noted on April 11, and the last, a flock of eight, on April 21. During 

 migrations these birds leave their usual haunts and arc soon in flocks 

 on the prairies near edges of timber. 



31. Zamelodia ludm-iciana. Eose-breasted Grosbeak. — Two males on 

 April 26 form my only record for this locality. They were in a small 

 pear orchard of a farm several miles west of the city, and on being 

 closely approached took refuge in a nearby thicket. 



32. Eirundo erythrogastra. Barn Swallow. — This Swallow is listed in 

 the condensed migration report as a summer resident, for the reason 

 that nearly every summer a few are noted. This year they were common 

 and migrating during the latter part of April and early May, but none 

 were seen after May 30. 



33. Stelgidopicryx serripeniiis. Rough -winged Swallow. — The last of 

 these Swallows were noted May 7. Though I have heretofore recorded 

 but few during the summer months, I am told by several competent 

 observers that they occur cjuite regularly and breed in sand banks of 

 Buffalo Bayou and Galveston Bay. 



34. Bombycilla cedrorum. Cedar Waxwing. — None were observed dur- 

 ing the winter and I had feared they were victims of pot hunters, when 

 on March 1 I was surprised to note a flock of about fifty of these 

 birds in the wocds on Buffalo Bayou west of Houston. On March 8 

 Prof. J. S. Huxley and myself observed a flock of thirty-five on Bray 's 

 Bayou. 



On the 15th of March Mr. W. W. Westgate and myself observed 

 numerous small companies in the cut-over timber lands on White Oak 

 Bayou, north of the city. Generally the birds Avere to be observed sitting 

 quietly in the topmost branches, their short tails, folded wings and crests 

 giving them a rather conical appearance. Then one would fly and the 



