172 Nehrling on Birds of Suitthcaster?i Texas. 



sticks, fragments of leaves, Spanish moss and a few grass-stems lined with 

 the leaves of the loblolly pine {Pinns tceda). It contained two eggs, 

 one somewhat advanced in incubation, the other quite fresh. I think two 

 broods are, in many cases, reared each season. 



124. Coccyzus erythrophthalmus Bd. Black-billed Cuckoo. — 

 Common during the middle of April, but I do not think that any remain 

 to breed. 



125. Strix flamniea americana Coucs. American Barn Owl. — 

 More or less common in all suitable localities. Breeds usually in hollow 

 stumps, but last year (May 6, 18S1) I discovered a nest in the side of a 

 high bank of a "gully" near Spring Creek. The nest was about two feet 

 from the entrance and nearly horizontal; a few feathers were the only lin- 

 ing. Eggs, three in number, dirty white. 



126. Brachyotus palustris Gld. Short-eared Owl. — Not uncom- 

 mon late in autumn and during winter near thickets and marshes, where 

 manv little birds associate, on which it feeds almost entirely. Very shy, 

 and not easily secured. 



127. Syrnium nebulosum Gray. Barred Owl; "Hoot Owl"; 

 "Bottom Owl." — Very common, especially in all the bottom woods and 

 in the thick woods bordering Buffalo Bayou. Their curious notes are 

 heard every night from the dusk of, evening till dawn, and also in dark 

 cloudy and rainy days. These notes are easily imitated, and often three or 

 four of the birds may be thus atti-acted. During night time they come 

 fearlessly near farm houses, and, with their loud, laughing, unearthly 

 sounds, make a terrible noise. I have often heard four or five at one time 

 near a house. Their flight is easy and quick. In Texas where the hens, 

 turkeys, etc., roost on trees, this Owl is very destructive. They do not 

 kill old poultry, but like half-grown chickens, and soon depopulate a whole 

 poultry-yard. The nest is usually built high up in trees, mostly in pin 

 oaks (^uercus palustris') and elms, sometimes also in pines, of strong 

 twigs and sticks, without a lining. They also use old Crow's and Hawk's 

 nests, which they repair a little. 



128. Scops asio maccalli Ridgxv. Texan Screech Owl. — This 

 little Owl seems to be quite common. If they are disturbed, they hide in^ 

 the hollow of a tree or stump. All their movements are exceedingly 

 quick and elegant, and the flight gliding and noiseless. I have never had 

 an opportunity to examine a nest. 



129. Bubo virginianus Botiap. Great Horned Owl. — Common; 

 resident; breeds. Nests abundarltly in all the large woods; especially 

 common in dense bottom woods. Their loud cries are to be heard not 

 only during the nights, but also in the day time, when the weather is 

 cloudy and rainy. They are very destructive to the poultry; they, like 

 the Barred Owls, come near the farm houses and commence their ludi- 

 crous cries about nine o'clock in the evening; they utter their cries 

 only daring the breeding season; later they are almost silent. The flight 

 is very quick and easy. The nest is placed from thirty to seventy feet from 

 the ground in the top of a large forest tree ; it is composed of sticks and 



