164 Beckham on the Birds of Bayou Sara^ Louisiana . 



154. Chordeiles popetue (F-) Bd. Night Hawk. — Saw one about 

 dusk on the evening of the 19th, high in air, giving the peculiar call com- 

 mon to the males during the breeding season. 



55. Picus pubescens L. Downy Woodpecker. — Onlv two individ- 

 uals were observed during my visit. 



56. Hylotomus pileatus (Z.) Bd. PiLEAXiiD Woodpecker. — Not 

 observed, but it is said to be common in heavy timber along the borders 

 of the swamp. 



57. Centurus carolinensis {L.) Bp. Red-bellied Woodpecker. — 

 Rather common. At the time of my departure a pair had begun digging 

 a hole for their nest in a large chince tree within thirty yards of the house. 



58. Melanerpe-s erythrocephalus (Z.) S-m. Red-headed W'ood- 

 pecker. — A familiar and common bird here; preferring open to densely 

 wooded country. 



159. Colaptes auratus (Z-.) Sxv. Yellow-shafted Flicker. — Not 

 observed. Mr. Wederstraudt and others pronounce it an abundant bird 

 here. 



60. Ceryle alcyon (Z..) Boie. Belted Kingfisher. — Common in 

 open places along Alexander's Creek and its branches. A clutch of six 

 fresh eggs was taken from a hole in a perpendicular bank on the i6th. 

 The orifice was about thirty-five feet from the bottom, and three and a half 

 from the top of the bank. The hole extended horizontally into the bank 

 for a distance of six feet. The old birds circled around a few times after 

 we began digging for the eggs, and then flew off. apparently unconcerned 

 at our operations. 



61. Coccyzus aniericanus i^L.) Bp. Yellow -billed Cuckoo. — 

 One individual observed on the 19th in a large li\e oak near the house. 

 In song. 



62. Conurus carolinensis (Z-.) Kuhl. Carolina Parakeet. — Not 

 seen \>y me. Go\'. Wicklifle says that twenty years ago it was quite com- 

 mon here at times in large flocks, and Mr. Wederstraudt has several times 

 observed it within the last few years, but never more than two or three 

 together at a time. About eighteen months ago he saw one in an orchard 

 near "Wyoming." 



63. Scops asio {L.) Bp. Little .Screech Owl. — Found here, 

 according to Mr. Wederstraudt. 



64. Bubo virginianus (Gw.) Bp. Great-horned Owl. — Given as 

 a common inhabitant by Mr. Wederstraudt. 



65. Pandion haliaetus carolinensis lyGm.) Ridgxv. American Os- 

 prey; Fish Hawk. — Often seen here, according to the natives. 



66. Halicetus leucocephalus (Z,.) Savig. Bald Eagle. — Said to 

 occasionally occur here. 



67. Cathartes aura (Z-.) Illig. Turkey Buzzard. — Common. 



68. Cathariata atrata (JV/ls.) Bess. Black Vulture; Carrion 

 Crow. — Very abundant. I flushed thirty or forty, one day, from the car- 

 cass of a dead hors't. 



