Mi\ H. E. Dresser on the Birds of Southern Texas. 493 



Icterus spurius (Linnseus). Orchard-Oriole. 



Very common near San Antonio during the summer, arriving 

 early in April. I procured several of the nests of this species, 

 all composed of light- coloured flexible grasses, and suspended 

 from the upper branches of mezquite trees or bushes. Near 

 Houston and on Galveston Island I also found them breeding. 

 I noticed that the Texan bird is considerably smaller than that 

 found in the Northern States ; this, however, is probably only 

 a difference caused by the climate. 



Icterus Baltimore (Linnseus). Baltimore Oriole. 



Abundant near Matamoras ; but I was too late to procure the 

 eggs. Near San Antonio I never noticed this bird, but once 

 saw one near Houston. 



ScoLECOPHAGUs CYANGCEPHALus (Wagler). Brewer's Black- 

 bird. 



On my arrival at Matamoras, in July 1863, I noticed this 

 bird in the streets in company with the next species and Molo- 

 thrus pecoris, and was told by the Mexicans that it breeds there; 

 but it was then too late to procure any eggs. In the winter 

 vast flocks frequented the roads near, and the streets of San 

 Antonio and Eagle Pass ; they were as tame as London Spar- 

 rows. Their note, when on the wing, is a low whistle ; but when 

 congregated in the trees, they keep up an incessant chattering. 



Male. 24th October, 1863. Bill and legs black; iris pale 

 yellow. 



Female. 5th March, 1864. Bill black ; legs brownish-black; 

 iris nearly white. 



QuiscALUs MACRURUS, Swainson. Long-tailed Grackle. 



Very common at Matamoras, where they frequent the streets 

 and yards, showing no signs of fear. They breed there in quan- 

 tities, building a heavy nest of sticks, lined with roots and grass. 

 I examined several nests, but found them either empty or con- 

 taining young. They are fond of building in company; and in 

 the yard of the Matamoras Hotel I counted seven nests in 

 one tree. At Eagle Pass, and as far north and east as the Nue- 

 ces River, I found them not uncommon, but never noticed any 

 further in the interior of Texas than that. 



N. S. VOL. I. 2 m 



