SENNETT ON BIRDS OF THE RIO GRANDE OF TEXAS. 55 



Marsh aud Forster's Terns, the nests of each being in separate groups. 

 They evidently had but fairly commenced laying, as, out of the dozen 

 or more nests, we found only one had its full complement of four eggs. 

 All were fresh, excepting a clutch of four, which contained young nearly 

 ready to come out of the shell. We were only restrained from taking 

 many of the birds by having our bag already so full that the idea of 

 taking care of any more in the great heat was appalling. The eggs have 

 a ground-color of greenish-drab, and are blotched with dark brown, the 

 spots being thickest about the greatest diameter. The largest egg 

 measures 1.85 by 1.25, the smallest 1.60 by 1.15, and the average 1.71 



by 1.21. 



436— $ —15.50 X 26.00 x 9.00 x 3.00. May 16, Brownsville. 



SCOLOPACID^. 



Tringa maculata, v. — Pectoral Sanctpiper. 



Great numbers of these were on the Bio Grande, in company with 

 Actiturus bartramius, up to about April 15th, after which time I did not 

 notice them. 



96— S —9.50 X 18.50 x 5.75 x 2.50. Mar. 27, Brownsville. 



97— 5 —8.25 X 16.00 x 5.15 x 2.50. Mar. 27, Brownsville. 



LiMosA FEDOA, (L.) Ord. — Great Marbled Godwit. 



The only locality in which we noticed this species was at Padre 

 Island, by Corpus Christi Pass, about March 15. They then had their 

 warm winter plumage. A number were shot, but none preserved. 



Tot ANUS SEMIPALMATUS, Gm. — Willct 



I saw these every day on the coast as we were going down, aud, March 

 29th, 1 saw them again near the mouth of the E'o Grande. When I 

 found the Stilt's eggs, on May 16th, I saw them in pairs, scattered about ; 

 and on May 19th, at Point Isabel, I saw several pairs. I have just 

 received a letter from Dr. Merrill, saying that he found a set of their 

 eggs not far from where we found the Stilt's eggs, but giving no further 

 particulars. 



ToTANUS MELANOLEUCUS, Gm. — Greater Telltale. 



At Point Isabel, on May 19th, I shot this bird, and saw several pairs, 

 apparently settled to breed. 



Actiturus bartramius, ( Wils.) Bp.— Upland Plover. 



Seen in abundance near the coast, and in wet places near Brownsville, 

 up to April 15th, after which time I did not frequent its favorite locali- 

 ties. 



95— <?— 11.50 X 21.50 X 6.50 x 3.50. Mar. 27, Brownsville. 



NuMENius LONGiROSTRis, Wils. — Long-Ullcd Curlew. 



I saw this conspicuous bird along the coast going down, aud in the 

 marshes near Brownsville, up to the time of taking the steamer for 



