204 Lacey, Birds of Kerrville, Texas. LApril 



pass in spring and autumn belong probably to some form of this species. 

 Earliest spring records, March 1; latest, April 11. Earliest autumn record, 

 September 27. 



21. Dendrocygna autumnalis. Black-bellied Tree-duck. — Saw 

 a Dendrocygna, probably this species, when fishing on Turtle Creek on 

 June 24, 1906. I was several times within easy gunshot of the bird. 

 This is two hundred miles north of the normal range of the species. 



22. Mycteria americana. Wood Ibis. — Not common; saw five 

 of these birds at the ranch on September 23, 1900; a flock of fifty or more 

 frequented Turtle Creek from late in July, 1902, until the middle of August. 



23. Botaurus lentiginosus. Bittern. — The rather rapid mountain 

 streams of this county are not well adapted to the needs of the bittern, 

 but one is occasionally noted. One was shot in the little irrigation ditch 

 at the ranch on October 28, 1908. 



24. Ardea herodias subsp.? Great Blue Heron. — Not uncommon; 

 a few pairs breed in the county, usually by themselves. Early in April, 

 1893, about ten pairs were nesting together in the cedar trees (Juniperus) 

 that overhang the steep cliffs of a ridge called the "Devil's Backbone" 

 on Johnson Fork of the Guadaloupe. All the nests that I examined con- 

 tained four eggs, and the birds remained on the nests until we were close 

 to them. I have not heard of the birds nesting there since that date. 



25. Florida cserulea. Little Blue Heron. — In 1882 and 1883 

 three or four pairs nested in a tall cypress tree at the mouth of Kelly Creek 

 on the Guadaloupe. A flood or a high wind knocked down the tree and I 

 know of no other nesting place. The birds are frequently seen in July and 

 August along the Guadeloupe and its larger creeks, most of them in the 

 white plumage. On July 12, 1901, on the Guadaloupe, I saw one little 

 blue heron and three little white ones, and with them was a white heron 

 about one third larger than the others. 



26. Butorides virescens. Green Heron. — Rather common for a 

 heron and breeds here regularly. Earliest spring record March 31, 1896; 

 average for fifteen years about April 19. Nest with four fresh eggs May 

 6, 1897. 



27. Nycticorax nycticorax naevius. Black-crowned Night 

 Heron. — Have seen a night heron on two or three occasions, probably 

 this species, but many years ago; and I can find no record of it except 

 that I have it on my list. 



28. Grus mexicana. Sandhill Crane. — Passes over commonly in 

 spring and autumn but very rarely settles in this rough hilly country. 

 One was shot on Turtle Creek some years ago, but was probably a weak or 

 crippled bird. Earliest spring record for 15 years, March 1; average, 

 April 1. Earliest autumn record, September 16; latest December 25; 

 average, October 10. 



29. Rallus virginianus. Virginia Rail. — When fishing with Mr. 

 H. P. Attwater on Turtle Creek September 14, 1896, we watched a rail 

 feeding on the other side of the creek which was about 40 feet wide in that 



