488 Mr. H. E. Dresser on the Birds of Southern Texas. 



Chondestes grammica (Say). Lark-Finch. 



Very abundant throughout Texas during the summer, arriving 

 in the neighbourhood of San Antonio late in March, and leaving 

 early in October. I found many nests, and have collected a 

 large series of the eggs of this bird. The nest, which is formed 

 of fine roots and grass, is generally placed on a mezquite tree 

 or bush ; and the eggs, which vary in number from three to five, 

 are white, spotted and streaked with black and blackish-brown. 



Male. Bill horn-blue; lower mandible paler ; legs flesh-colour; 

 iris brown. 



ZoNOTRicHiA GAMBELi (Nuttall) . GambeFs Finch. 



Common near San Antonio during the winter, arriving late 

 in September or early in October. Some few may remain there 

 to breed, as I noticed two or three about in June. 



Male, Bill brown ; legs cinnamon-brown ; iris dark hazel. 



ZoNOTRiCHiA QUERULA (Nuttall). Harris's Finch. 

 Occurs near San Antonio in the spring, when on its migra- 

 tion north. I procured two specimens on the Medina. 



JuNCO HYEMALis (LinuBBUs). Snow-bird. 

 [Found occasionally near San Antonio. — A. L. H.] 



PoospiZA BiLiNEATA (Cassiu) . Black-throatcd Sparrow. 



In July and August I found this beautiful little Sparrow very 

 abundant in the mezquite thickets near the town of Matamoras. 

 In December it was equally common at Eagle Pass ; but at San 

 Antonio it is quite a rare bird. I noticed it on two or three 

 occasions at Howard's rancho, on the Medina River; and late 

 in June a nest containing four eggs was brought to the rancho. 

 These are now in Dr. Heermann's possession. 



On my way to Laredo and Matamoras, in July 1864, after 

 passing the Nueces River, this bird was very abundant; and 

 near Laredo I found several nests, some containing young birds, 

 and some eggs near hatching. One nest, however, which I 

 took on the 20th July, contained three fresh eggs. These I 

 now have in my collection, having shot the bird in order to 

 identify them satisfactorily. The nest was placed in a low bush, 

 and carefully concealed. It was composed of straws, lined with 



