SENNETT ON BIRDS OF THE EIO GRANDE OF TEXAS. 27 



soon discovered the whereabouts of the singer, and watched him as he 

 flitted about from branch to branch, singing his wonderful song. I have 

 no power to describe a bird's song, least of all this Oriole's. 



I usually saw this species singly or in pairs ; but once, in a woods full 

 of dense undergrowth, I saw four or five quarrelling at a furious rate. 

 After searching in vain for their nests, I at length shot one, but still 

 they would not leave the place, and continued to scold and fight. After 

 another bird was shot, they became quiet, and I saw no more of them. 

 They were generally very shy, but at this time did not seem to care for 

 me, and I was directed to them by their riotous proceedings. I did not 

 secure any nests or eggs. These birds, like some others, are not so fine 

 on close inspection, on account of the mingling of their colors, yellow, 

 black, and green. They are sometimes sold as cage-birds; but for song 

 and beauty, in their case, I would reverse the old adage, and say, "A bird 

 in the bush is worth two in the hand." I regretted being obliged to leave 

 them just as they had fairly begun laying. 



141— <?— 10.00 X 13.00 X 4.25 x 4.50. Apr. 3, Brownsville. 



254— 5 — 9.75 X 12.50 x 4.00 x 4.25. Apr. 20, Hidalgo. 



386—$— 9.75 X 13.25 x 4.00 x 4.40. May 7, Hidalgo. 



418—^— 9.50 X 13.00 x 4.10 x 4.25. May 11, Hidalgo. 



419—^— 9.75 X 12.75 x 4.00 x 4.25. May 11, Hidalgo. 



ScoLECOPHAaus CYANOCEPHALUS, {Wagl.) Cab. — Blue-headed Qrackle. 

 Up to the first of May, this handsome Blackbird is abundant on the 

 Lower Eio Grande, frequenting, with the other members of the family, 

 streets, stables, and corrals in large numbers. About that time most of 

 them leave for their great breeding places of the West. Many, however, 

 remain to breed on our extreme southern border. I did not come upon 

 their nests to know them, but I have a few sets that may prove to be 

 theirs. The birds are easily distinguished from others of that section, 

 if not alone by their steel-blue heads, certainly by their bright lemon- 

 colored iris, which can be seen for a long distance. They are rather 

 shy when breeding, but at other times under your very feet in the 

 towns, though not quite so saucy as Q. macrurus, Great-tailed Grackle. 



114— a^— 9.75 X 16.25 x 5.25 x 4.00. Mar. 30, Brownsville. 

 157— ^ —10.25 X 16.75 x 7.25 x 4.25. Apr. 4, Brownsville. 



QuiSCALUS MACRURUS, 8w.— Great-tailed GracMe. 



When I think of this bird, it is always with a smile. It is every- 

 where as abundant on the Eio Grande as is Passer domesticus, English 

 Sparrow, in our northern cities, and, when about the habitations, 

 equally as tame. This bird is as much a part of the life of Brownsville 

 as the barrelero rolling along his cask of water or the mounted beggar 

 going his daily rounds. In the towns or about the ranches, he knows 

 no fear; is always noisy, never at rest, and in all places and positions; 

 now making friends with the horses in the barns or the cattle in the 

 fields, then in some tree pouring forth his notes, which I can liken only 



