Mr. H. E. Dresser on the Birds of Southern Texas. 489 



fine roots ; and the eggs^ three in number, are nearly white, with 

 a dehcate bluish tinge. 



On my journey down the river I found many nests, all, how- 

 ever, either containing young or empty ; some of these were 

 partly lined with cotton. 



Although not wild, still I found these birds very restless and 

 difficult to shoot, as they dodge and creep through the low 

 bushes so as to be soon lost sight of. I never heard any note 

 from them excepting a low chirp. 



Spizella pusilla (Wilson). Field-Sparrow. 

 I noticed a few of these birds near San Antonio in December 

 and March, and shot a couple of specimens. 



Spizella socialis (Wilson). Chipping Sparrow. 

 I saw and shot a single specimen near San Antonio, on the 

 10th April 1864 



Spizella pallida (Swainson). Clay-coloured Sparrow. 



In the month of April Dr. Heermann and I found this bird 

 plentiful in the fields near San Antonio, consorting with Melo- 

 spiza lincolni and other Sparrows. They remained until about 

 the middle of May, after which I noticed none. Dr. Heermann 

 told me that he had never observed any near San Antonio before 

 this year (1864). 



Male. Bill light brown at base, dark brown along the top and 

 at the tip ; legs light clay-yellow, with a reddish tinge ; iris dark 

 brown. Stomach containing small seeds. 



Melospiza lincolni (Audubon). Lincoln^s Song-Sparrow. 



From March to May I found this bird very abundant in the 

 fields near the San Antonio River and in some swampy ground. 

 They seem to prefer this sort of locality, and the banks of the 

 rivers, keeping amongst the flags and rushes. 



Male. Bill dark brown ; legs light brown; iris brown. Stomach 

 containing small seeds. 



Pbuc^ea cassini (Woodhouse). Cassin^s Finch. 

 [Not rare on the prairies near the Medina, where they pass 

 the season and breed. — A. L. H.] 



When at Howard's rancho early in May, I found this bird by 



