300 General Notes. [j^jjj^ 



could be seen at almost any time in the vicinity of this pond, but the two 

 flat nests of sticks and grass, one with two eggs and the other with three, 

 were the only evidences of breeding which could be found, the whole col- 

 ony of birds seeming to confine their attentions to these two nests. Fre- 

 quently when disturbed four or five of the birds would settle around one 

 nest, and then take flight, one by one, leaving one bird in final possession. 

 The eggs were laid on May 7, and when last examined, four weeks later, 

 had not yet hatched. The accompanying photograph (PI. IX, fig. 2, facing 

 p. 287) shows the nature of the nest and the marking of the eggs. In the 

 top of a dead pine and within rifle shot of the gull's nesting site was found 

 the nest of the only pair of Ospreys seen in the region. 



Many notes were kept concerning the doings and habits of the various 

 birds, but they do not differ materially from records kept elsewhere and 

 hence need not be mentioned. One unusual occurrence, however, was the 

 evening drumming of a Ruffed Grouse during a period of some three 

 weeks in May. Beginning each evening about nine o'clock, this energetic 

 bird, at regular intervals, would sound the rolling, drum-like beat so 

 characteristic of the species, often continuing its subdued love tattoo until 

 late into the night. — E. A. Sterling, Brooklyn, Pa. 



Some Notes from Western Texas. — An unexpected delay in the pub- 

 lication of the results of our work in Texas under the auspices of the 

 Biological Survey has suggested the desirability of making known 

 through the medium of 'The Auk' some of our more interesting discoveries 

 in the western part of the State. With but few exceptions the species 

 mentioned below are unrecorded from Texas. 



Columba fasciata. — Common in the Chisos, Davis, and Guadalupe 

 Mountains. 



Syrnium occidentale. — Found by Mr. Vernon Bailey and Mr. L. A. 

 Fuertes in the Guadalupe Mountains. 



Antrostomus macromystax. — Common in the Chisos Mountains, and 

 noted also in the Guadalupe Range. 



Aeronautes melanoleucus. — Of regular occurrence in the Cfrisos, Davis, 

 and Guadalupe Mountains. 



CcEligena clemenciae. — Common in the higher parts of the Chisos 

 Mountains. 



Calothorax lucifer. — Taken in the Chisos Mountains. 



Myiarchus nuttingi. — Found in the hills south of Alpine. 



Empidonax difficilis. — Occurs in the Chisos and Guadalupe Mountains. 



Cyanocitta stelleri diademata. — Of tolerably common occurrence in the 

 Da\is and Guadalupe Mountains. 



Aphelocoma sieberii couchi. — Abundant in the Chisos Mountains, but 

 not observed elsewhere. 



Cyanocephalus cyanocephalus. — Mr. Bailey reported it tolerably com- 

 mon in the Guadalupe Mountains. 



Loxia curvirostra stricklandi. — A small flock was found by Mr. Bailey 

 in the Chisos Mountains. 



