50 BULLETIN UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY. 



published in the Bulletin of the Nuttall Ornithological Club for July, 

 vol. ii., No. 3, p. 82, Since then 1 obtained more birds, and will here 

 give a further description of it and its habits. On April 18th, I obtained 

 my first in a tract of timber a mile below Hidalgo, near the bank of the 

 river. It was shot from the upper branches of the tallest trees. Scat- 

 tered about the woods in pairs were Columha flavirostris, Eed-billed 

 Pigeon, and 3felopelia leucoptera, White-winged Dove. On the 19th, 

 another was shot in the same locality. Five specimens were secured up to 

 the time of leaving, and a number of others seen and heard. It is more 

 secluded than the other Pigeons, and only found among the tallest tim- 

 ber. Seen in the woods, it resembles M. leucoptera both in size and 

 shape of tail, but can be recognized from it at sight by the absence of 

 the large, white wing-patch. Its note is somewhat prolonged, ends with 

 a falling inflection, and is exceedingly low in pitch. Most of my birds 

 were obtained by following tlie sound of their notes until within range; 

 all were seen sitting quietly in secluded places ; all are males, and in- 

 jured considerably by falling from great heights. On the last day of 

 my stay at Hidalgo, I watched a pair for a long time, in hopes of find- 

 ing their nest, but without success. If they had one, they were evi- 

 dently not anxious to get to their eggs. From their actions, I am sure 

 they were mated. I was anxious to get the female, but, as I could not 

 distinguish it from the male, I had to take the chances ; and upon 

 shooting one, the other flew out of sight, and I could not obtain it. 

 Now, that the bird is known to be on our border, we shall soon know 

 all about its breeding habits. 



This species has the following specific characteristics : — Upper parts 

 greenish olive, the metallic coloring purple, with bronzy-green reflec- 

 tions, and restricted to the back of neck. Grown drab, shading to 

 nearly white on forehead. Orbital space small, faintly red and blue. 

 Chin white. Foreneck creamy-slate. Belly white. Sides ashy. Wings 

 brown above, slaty below, and whole under wing-coverts bright chest- 

 nut, which color extends even to the sides. Tail square, of twelve 

 feathers; middle ones olive, like the back, and the others brown above 

 and tipped with white in increasing amount until the outer ones are 

 white for half an inch. Tail below black, with the white tips as above. 

 Under tail-coverts pure white. Iris yellow, with reddish-brown shade 

 when fresh, but changing after death to a deep salmon. Bill black, 0.62 

 to 0.70 of an inch. Feet carmine. Tarsus 1.35; middle toe and claw 

 the same. 



224— S —12.50 X 19.50 x 6.40 x 4.50. Apr. 18, Hidalgo. 



234— ^ —12.50 x 19.25 x 6.25 x 4.50. Apr. 19, Hidalgo. 



334— <y —12.25 X 19.00 x 6.00 x 4.50. May 2, Hidalgo. 



421— <?— 12.00 X 19.25 x 6 00 x 4.25. May 11, Hidalgo. 



CEACID^. 



Ortalida vetula, Wagl. — Texas Guan. 

 This -curious and interesting bird is well described in "North Amer- 



