76 Brewster o?t Certain Rare Birds in Texas. 



the eggs are believed to be entirely new to science. An inspection 

 of the fine collection of Mr. Edmund Ricksecker, of Nazareth, Penn., 

 has also afforded much valuable information, bearing upon the orni- 

 thology of the same locality, for, as elsewhere explained in my account 

 of the Black-capped Vireo, in this number of the Bulletin, Mr. Rick- 

 seckei''s cabinet includes many eggs and nests from Comal County. 

 The following notes are based entirely upon material contained in 

 these collections, and my grateful thanks are due Messrs. Werner and 

 Ricksecker, not only for the many courteous attentions extended to 

 me during my visit, but also for the opportunity afforded me of meas- 

 uring and examining the rare specimens. All their notes relating 

 to the subject under consideration were also freely placed at my 

 disposal. Readers of the Bulletin may expect in some future num- 

 ber a more detailed account by Mr. AVerner of some of the rarer 

 species, which are here but briefly treated : — 



1. Parus carolinensis. Carolina Titmouse. — Although the prob- 

 able occurrence in Texas of this diminutive Titmouse has been already 

 hinted at, I believe there is no previous record of its actual capture in 

 that State. Mr. Werner, however, ascertained it to be a rare resident in 

 Comal County. Two pairs only were observed. A male and female shot 

 near Bow Creek are in the collection, and appear to be considerably 

 smaller than more northern specimens. 



2. Lophophanes atricristatus. Black-crested Titmouse. — A 

 common resident in Comal County. Mr. Werner examined several nests, 

 all of which were placed in natural cavities of hollow limbs. In every 

 instance pieces of snake-skins or their separate scales were included 

 among the other material composing the nest. Mr. Sennett, in his 

 description * of a nest obtained at Lomita Ranche, in Southern Texa^^, 

 mentions the same peculiarity, and it would appear that this habit may be 

 characteristic of the species. Our previous knowledge of the eggs of this 

 Titmouse rests solely upon the account by Mr. Sennett of a single exam- 

 ple found in the Lomita nest above referred to. Mr. Ricksecker's cabinet 

 contains a set of the eggs of this species which were taken in Comal 

 County, April 5, 1878. These eggs measure, respectively, .74 x .58 ; .78 x 

 .57; .76 X .59, being thus considerably larger than Mr. Sennett's specimen, 

 the measurements of which are given as .60 x .48. They are regularly 

 ovoid in shape, and handsomely marked with reddish-brown upon a clear 

 •white ground. Over the general surface these markings are distributed 

 in fine spots, but about the larger end bold, strongly defined blotches 

 occur, forming a nearly confluent ring. Four eggs of a set in Mr. 

 Werner's collection are nearly similar in shape and general appearance, 



* Science News, Vol. I, No. 4, p. 57. 



