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



no means uncommon, but only saved one specimen. The species 

 is easily distinguished as it rises in the air from a bush, with a 

 peculiar fluttering motion of the wings, at the same time sing- 

 ing, and will suddenly drop into the bushes again. During my 

 absence at Houston, Dr. Heermann procured the eggs on the 

 Medina ; and I myself, when travelling towards Laredo in July, 

 found a nest which I am nearly certain was of this bird ; but I 

 was unfortunately unable to shoot the owner (though I. saw it 

 pretty distinctly), as I had left my gun in camp, and only had a 

 revolver with me. The nest was placed on a low bush not above 

 a foot from the ground, and in its construction resembled that 

 of Poospiza hilineata. The eggs, three in number, were pure 

 white (thus agreeing with those taken by Dr. Heermann), and 

 rather larger and more elongated than those of the species just 

 mentioned. They were, however, so near hatching that I was 

 only able to save one, and that with so large a hole that it is 

 almost worthless as a specimen. 



Calamospiza bicolor (Townsend). Lark- Bunting. 



Common near San Antonio during the winter. In December 

 I noticed several flocks near Eagle Pass. They frequented the 

 roads, pecking amongst the horse-dung ; but are shy, and when 

 disturbed the whole flock go ofi" together, uttering a low, melo- 

 dious whistle. In May and June several were about near 

 Howard's rancho ; and on my return from Houston in June, I 

 succeeded in shooting one in the full summer plumage, when its 

 specific name is peculiarly appropriate. I do not, however, think 

 that, as a general thing, they remain to breed near San Antonio. 



Male. Bill and legs pale brown ; iris dark brown. 



EuspiZA AMERICANA (Gmclin). Black-throated Bunting. 



Early in May I found numbers of these birds in the mez- 

 quite thickets near the San Antonio and Medina Bivers ; and, as 

 I found them equally numerous in July, I may safely infer that 

 they breed there. Dr. Heermann got some eggs near the Me- 

 dina that he thought were those of this species; but he was 

 unable to procure the bird, or to see it close enough to satisfy 

 himself as to what it was. 



Male. Bill horn- blue; legs light brown; iris dark brown. 

 Stomach containing small seeds. 



