1889. J Hassrouck, Birds of Eastland County, Texas. 239 
country in that the tops of the trees were affected some years ago with a 
blight, and now this entire area is one mass of dead-topped trees, and this 
is what apparently suits the present species. They havea peculiar habit 
of perching for many minutes in these tops, silent and motionless, that 
at once distinguishes them from their near relative JZ. carolinus, and al- 
though the two are frequently found together in the same tree, a little 
practice will suffice to separate them ata glance. Their note is peculiar, 
combining the ‘chirp, chirp’ of carolirus with a certain shrillness and 
accent of their own, while the call note, either flying or at rest, is similar 
to that of MZ. erythrocephalus and at the same time not unlike that of 
Colaptes auratus. While their notes once learned are readily recognized, 
still it takes not a little practice to distinguish between a Red-head in one 
tree and the Golden-front in the next, or between a Golden-front and a 
Flicker when both are on the opposite side of a ravine and hidden from 
view; and Ihave more than once shot carolinus even when morally 
certain it was what I wanted. The range of this bird is given as “Valley 
of the Lower Rio Grande, eastern Mexico and southern Texas’; I there- 
fore have the pleasure of extending its range some hundreds of miles. 
28. Colaptes auratus. FLICKER. — Common everywhere, and almost 
invariably found in company with the following. 
29. Colaptes cafer. RED-SHAFTED FLICKER.—Common but extremely 
shy. Among those taken was one of that peculiar form described some 
years agoas hybridus (now ignored), combining the characters of both 
species. 
30. Phalznoptilus nuttalli niditus. Hoary Poor-wiLL. — Central 
Texas may be truly said to be the home of this bird; I doubt if any of this 
family are more abundant in any locality. Although seldom seen by 
daylight unless flushed from their retreat, no sooner does darkness settle 
down than hundreds may be heard calling from every direction. Their 
notes when heard from a distance are a plain, ‘poorwill, poorwill,’ but on 
close approach are as plainly tri-syllabic as those of the male Quail in 
spring, and are a perfect ‘Will-whip-er-will-whip-er,’ with a slight pause 
after the ‘will,’ which also bears the accent, and with the final syllable 
just audible. 
31. Chordeiles virginianus henryi. WersTeRN NIGHTHAWK. — Very 
common throughout the central part of the State, and on the prairies at 
dusk dozens may be seen skimming over the ground in pursuit of moths. 
32. Milvulus forficatus. ScissorR-TAILED FLYCATCHER. — Extremely 
abundant; found everywhere, more especially on the mezquite prairies 
and around the clearings of the settlers. Breeds everywhere and as con- 
spicuously as does our Kingbird. 
33- Contopus richardsoni. WrESTERN Woop Pewee. — Rare; more 
abundant further south in Brown and Lampasas Counties. 
34. Empidonax flaviventris. YELLOW-BELLIED FLYCATCHER. — But 
one observed; taken in the Leon River bottom Sept. 4, 1888. 
35. Cyanocitta cristata. BLUE JAy.— Extremely rare; but two ob- 
served. 
