J 



BIRDS. 



5 



22. ATHENE HYPUaAEA, B o n . (p. 59.)— Prairie Owl. 



9164. Fort Davis, Tex. J. H. Clark.— El Paso. J. H. Clark.— 4136. Tamaulipas, Mex 

 Lt. Coucli. 



m 



w 



Seen only in the prairie dog town, and, in conjunction with the rattlesnake, feeding on the young prairie dogs. — (Clark ) 



23. ATHENE CUNICULARIA, Molina, (p. 60.)— Burrowing Owl. 

 4614. San Diego, Cal. A. Schott. 



24. RHYNCHOPSITTA PACHYRHYNCHA, Bon. (p. 66.)— Thick-billed Parrot. 

 Eio Grande, Texas. J. W. Audubon. 



25. TROGON MEXICANUS, Swains, (p. 69.)— Mexican Trogon. 



Plate II. 

 4338. Boquillo, New Leon, Mex. Lt. Couch, (138.)— 4339. Do. (145.) 



26. GEOCOCCYX CALIFORNIANUS, Baird. (p. 73.)— Chaparral Cock. 



6184. Rio Grande, N. M. A. Schott.— Ringgold Barracks, Tex. J. H. Clark.— 6177. 

 Eagle Pass, Texas. A. Schott. — 4576. Fort Yuma^ Cal. A. Schott. — 4053. ? Tamaulipas, 

 Mex. March, 1853. Lt. Couch, 87. 



A, 



This bird is called Correr del Paisano by the IVIexicanSj usually shortened into Paisano, Found throughout Texas and west 

 of Rio Grande. At times it seems exceedingly stupid and suffers itself to be knocked ovei with a stick ; and again it would 

 require a greater speed than that of a mule to overtake it. When alarmed it erects its crest and cocks up its long tail, but in 

 the act of running it hangs as if it was a weight to carry. . Its feeding upon the snail is a well established fact, and indications 

 of it are seen at every hand on the lower Rio Grande. It does not extend its wings when running, nor did I ever see it attempt 

 to fly. Is said to be carnivorous ; the margins of lakes are a favorite resort. — (Clark.) 



This species is generally solitary, never in flocks. Usually moves at a slow pace ; but if frightened, runs with great rapidity. 

 A great enemy of the rattlesnake. It often meets that scourge in pitched battle, spreading its wing as a foil to receive the 

 dart of the opponent, at^he same time giving a sharp blow with its powerful beak. It thus quickly discomfits and kills ita 

 antagonist. — (Couch.) 



27. PICUS HARRISII, Aud. (p. 87.)— Harris' Woodpecker. 

 4589, (? ; and 6080, 9 . Santa Isabel, Cal. Novemher 26, 1854. A. Schott, (17.) 



28. PICUS SCALARIS, W a g 1 e r . (p. 94.) 



Plate III. — Male and Female. 



6106. $ . Boca Grande, Mex. Dr. Kennerly, 35. — 6107. <? . Espia, Mex. Dr. Kennerly, 

 52.-4594. P, Colorado river, Cal. A. Schott, 40.— 4605. ^ . Gila river. New Mex, Dec. 24, 



1854. A. Schott, 54.— 6114. S 



27.— 6113. 9 . San Pedro, 



Tex. Sept. 10, 1853. J. H. Clark.— 6103. ^. Texas. Do., 19.— 6105. i. Tamaulipas, 

 Mex. ■ Lt. Couch.— 4040. 9 . New Leon, Mex. Do.. 76.— 4039. Do. 



Not uncommon in the vicinity of Boca Grande ; generally found wherever there were large treea.— (Kennerly,) 



29. CENTURUS FLAVIVENTRIS, Sw. (p. 110.)— YeUow-bellied Woodpecker. 



Plate IY. — Male and Female. 



6125, 6126. Eagle Pass, Tex. A. Schott.— 6122, 6123, 6124. Ringgold Barracks. July, 

 1853. J. H. Clark.— 4036. S • Matamoras, Mex. March 1, 1853. Lt. Couch. 



This species, though abundant on the lower Rio Grande, is shy. It keeps chiefly about the raezquite.— (Clark.) 

 Very common throughout Tamaulipas. — (Couch.) 



