66 BULLETIN UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY. 



birds were shot ; but as I had more valuable sfcins to prepare, I could 

 not preserve them. Eggs with ground-color drab, with a more or less 

 yellowish tinge, and pretty evenly covered with spots and dashes of 

 different shades of brown; average size 1.86 by 1.37. 



4— 9 —14.75 X 30.00 x 9.75 x 5.00. Winter plumage, Feb. 28, Galveston. 



Sterna superciliaris antillarum, (Less.) Coues. — Least Tern, 



I did not notice this smallest of the Terns until I reached the Eio 

 Grande. Along the bed of the river between Brownsville and Hidalgo 

 it was seen frequently. Only one specimen secured. Its mate fell in 

 the river and was lost, as were several that had been shot before. It 

 undoubtedly breeds on the border, but I did not meet with its nest. On 

 my return to the coast I again saw it. 



416— ^ —9.75 X 19.75 x 9.60 x 3.60. May 11, Hidalgo. 



Khynchops nigra, L. — BlacTc SMmmer. 



I saw a few of these curious birds at Corpus Ghristi and Point Isabel. 

 The largest group I saw was of four. The rest were generally in pairs. 

 They were flyihg near the shores of the bays, and did not appear shy. 



PODICIPID^. 



PoDiCEPS DOMiNicus, (L.). — San Bomingo Grebe. 



From their extremely small size I am sure I saw several of these cun- 

 ning birds, but I must own to my not being able to shoot tLem. I saw 

 them in the lagoons and marshes, but they are by no means abundant. 



