SENNETT ON BIRDS OF THE EIO GRANDE OF TEXAS. 53 



MELEAGRID^. 



Melbageis aALLOPAVO,* L. — Turkey. 



This fine game bird is common in the timber districts along the Lower 

 Rio Grande. While going up and down the river on the steamer, I fre- 

 quently saw them on the flat bars that make out in the bends of the 

 river, or flying from one side to the other. In the vicinity, of Hidalgo, 

 I heard them frequently, and saw them occasionally. I took no espe- 

 cial pains to hunt them, and obtained no specimens. On May 8th, at 

 the camp, I saw a number of young just from the egg that the soldiers 

 had caught in the neighborhood. 



PERDICID^. 



Ortyx viEamiANA TEXANA,t {Lawr.) Coues. — Texas Quail. 



I frequently met them, singly or in pairs, in open chaparral. I shot 

 a number, and obtained three sets of eggs. I can see no difference iu 

 habits from 0. virgmiana, and their eggs are similar but smaller. 

 They average 1.20 by 0.93. 



93— 2 — 9.00 X 14.25 x 4.25 X 2.50. Mar. 27, Brownsville. 



142— <?— 10.00 X 14.50 X 4.40 x 2.75. Apr. 3, Brownsville. 



352—2—9.50x14.25x4.00x2.40. May 3, Hidalgo. 



.353—^— 9.50 X 14.65 x 4.15 x 2.50. May 3, Hidalgo. 



369— <? — 9.75 X 14.50 x 4.15 x 2.50. May 5, Hidalgo. 



Having come to the water birds, I will preface these notes by saying 

 that I omit mentioning many species that are well known to exist on 

 our Southern border only in winter, and of which I did not obtain speci- 

 mens. From the 28th of February until the 20th of March we were 

 principally among the water birds. The birds of the North were moult- 

 ing, and those from Mexico were just coming in, were paired, and busy 

 prospecting for proper places for their eggs. We found no eggs on our 

 way down the coast. 



CHAEADRIID^. 



^GIALITIS YOCIFERA, (L.) Cass. — Eildeer Plover. 



This bird was abundant everywhere near the coast, and at Browns- 

 ville in wet places, up to April 15th, when I left for up the river. On 

 my return, I do not remember of seeing it. 



IL^MATOPODID^. 



Ujematopus palliatus, Temm. — Oyster-catcher. 



We met this bird in the bayous between Padre and Mustang Islands, 

 in Corpus Christi Pass, on March 12th. They were in pairs, and continu- 



* [No specimens examined by me. The Turkey of this region is said to have light- 

 tipped upper tail-coverts, being thus referable to true gallopavo {mexicana Gould). — 

 E. C] 



t [Specimens typical of this subspecies. — E. C] 



