Yo1 ' 1920 XVH ] Griscom, Winter Birds of San Antonio, Texas. 49 



in quick succession until the woods resound. And then the Hermits 

 — from all sides their songs come, pure and bubbling, not slow and 

 bell-like as the Wood Thrush nor fast and rolling like the Veery, 

 but a perfect blending of bell tones and flute-like trills, soft or loud 

 with the bird's varying mood. The dusk deepens, and the chorus 

 increases till all the shadowy forest is echoing with deliciously clear 

 music. Then, as darkness falls, they hush one by one; the sky 

 fades over the western mountain; a Great Blue Heron flaps heavily 

 up the lake and over the now silent forest, and far up the valley the 

 " Whoo-hoo-hoo-ah! " of the Barred Owl floats down to us, mellowed 

 by distance, telling that night has come. 

 840 Adams St., Milton, Mass. 



NOTES ON THE WINTER BIRDS OF SAN ANTONIO, 



TEXAS. 



BY LUDLOW GRISCOM. 



From December 15, 1917, to March 7, 1918, the writer was 

 stationed at Camp Stanley, Leon Springs, Bexar Co., Texas. As 

 much spare time as possible was devoted to observing birds, particu- 

 larly week-ends of course, but incidental work was possible through- 

 out the week. The life was an absolutely outdoor one in unsettled 

 country. Field glasses were always a proper part of an officer's 

 uniform, and perhaps I received much more credit for zeal in exam- 

 ining the country for tactical problems than I deserved ! 



The vicinity of Camp Stanley itself was very poor for birds, the 

 barren rocky hillsides with but scant growth upon them, satisfying 

 the requirements of a very limited number of species. The San 

 Antonio River south of the city was a much better place. Several 

 trips were made to the Medina Dam about twenty-five miles to the 

 west. The dam has made a lake over ten miles long by one-half 

 mile wide, where waterfowl were abundant. The hills here were 

 covered with juniper and bayberry, and the bird-life as a result 

 differed markedly. 



