14 BULLETIN UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY. 



Setophaga ruticilla, (L.) Sio. — Redstart. 



I saw several of this species in the latter part of April at Hidalgo, 

 and shot one female. They frequented the undergrowth of heavy tim- 

 ber on the very bank of the river. 



TANAGRID^. 



Pyeanga estiva, (i.) V. — Summer Bedbird. 



The first I saw of this bird was on April 20 in heavy timber in the 

 vicinity of Hidalgo. Here we met the first tall growth of trees, these 

 attaining a height of fifty or sixty feet, and free enough from under- 

 growth to admit of riding through on horseback. Here two males of 

 this species were shot, and one female seen. They did not seem to be 

 paired at that time. I afterward saw them frequently in the dense 

 woods, but never in the open chaparral. They were generally seen on 

 the undergrowth or among the lower limbs of the larger trees. I did 

 not find them very shy. On May 7, my companion flushed a bird of 

 this species from its nest, in which there was one egg. He left the nest 

 to consult me, in another part of the woods, whether to leave it for more 

 eggs or take it as it was. We decided to take it, as we were then ex- 

 pecting the boat any day to take us to Brownsville, and the chances of 

 reaching that locality again were very doubtful. On his going back, 

 although not half an hour had elapsed since his first visit, the nest was 

 empty. The nest was built on a very small tree in the heart of the 

 woods, and was only five and one-half feet from the ground on a hori- 

 zontal fork, on which several twigs stood upright, serving as a sort of 

 basket to hold it. The body of the nest was composed of Spanish moss 

 and small pliant twigs woven about the living branches. The lining 

 was made entirely of soft, bleached grasses, and is plainly seen through 

 the moss from below. Outside diameter was 5 inches by 4^, and depth 

 of 2f ; inside diameter 2 J inches, and 1| deep, with the rim drawn in 

 slightly. 



253— <? —7.75 X 12.00 x 3.75 x 3.00. Apr. 20, Hidalgo. 



255— J>— 8.00x12.00x4.00x3.25. Apr. 20, Hidalgo. ^ 



266— c? —7.75 X 12.00 x 3.75 x 3.25. Apr. 24, Hidalgo. 



267— 5 —7.75 X 12.00 x 3.75 x 3.25. Apr. 24, Hidalgo. 



304— <? —8.00 X 12.25 x 3.87 x 3.25. Apr. 30, Hidalgo, 



342— $ —8.25 X 12.75 x 3.87 x 3.12. May 3, Hidalgo. 



387— <?— 7.62x12.25x3.75x3.12. May 7, Hidalgo. 



HIRUNDINID^. 



HiRUNDO HOKREORUM, Barton. — Barn Swallow. 



Not noticed on the Eio Grande ; but on May 22d, when our steamer was 

 about opposite Galveston, several of this species flew about us, almost 

 in our faces, sometimes alighting on the deck. They kept us company 

 for hours. 



