Mr. H. E. Dresser on the Birds of Southern Texas. 491 



GuiRACA LUDoviciANA (Linnseus). Rose-breasted Grosbeak. 

 [Once noticed near San Antonio. — A. L. H.] 



GuiRACA c^RULEA (Linnseus) . Blue Grosbeak. 



Common near Matamoras in July and August. It breeds 

 there ; but, owing to the lateness of the season, I was unable to 

 procure the eggs. 



Male. Bill dark horn-blue above, light blue below; legs 

 bro A^nish-black ; iris dark brown. 



Cyanospiza ciris (Linngeus). Nonpareil. 

 Vei'y common during the summer both at Matamoras and 

 San Antonio, breeding at both places. 



Pyrrhuloxia sinuata, Bonaparte. Texan Cardinal. 



Why this bird should be called the " Texan " Cardinal I can- 

 not make out, for it is rather a straggler from Mexico than a 

 bird of Texas. Near Eagle Pass and Piedras Negras I found it 

 abundant; but after travelling a few miles into Texas it becomes 

 scarce, and further north and east than the Leona I never 

 noticed one. I was told by the Mexicans that quantities breed 

 near the town of Eagle Pass, and I saw not a few in cages that 

 had been reared from the nest. 



It is a shy bird, and difficult to shoot. When followed, it 

 flies about uneasily, perching on the top of some high bush, and 

 erecting its long crest, uttering a clear plaintive whistle. Some- 

 times it would take to the thick brushwood and creep through 

 the bushes ; so that it was impossible to get a shot at it. On 

 the lower Rio Grande it is of uncommon occurrence; but I 

 noticed one pair near Matamoras in August 1864. 



Male. Bill yellow ; upper mandible rather dusky ; iris dark 

 brown ; legs brownish flesh-coloured. Stomach containing very 

 small seeds. 



Cardinalis virginianus, Bonaparte. Cardinal. 



Common throughout Texas during the summer, and indeed 

 almost all the year, excepting where Pyrrhuloxia sinuata is 

 found. In such localities it is not so abundant as that bird. 

 At Matamoras it is very common, and may be seen, caged, in 

 almost every Mexican hut. I took quantities of the eggs of 

 this species near San Antonio in April and May, 



