^o.d.] SENNETT ON THE OENITHOLOGY OF TEXAS. 379 



of quills hoary. Coverts edged -svitli rufous, and lesser -wing-coverts light rufous- 

 yellow, 



HabiUit. — Border of United States aud Mexico, from the Pacific to a point on the 

 Lower Rio Grande, about one hundred miles from the Gulf, •where the foot-hills aud 

 alluvial deposits meet. Most northern limit thus far recorded is the Gila River; the 

 most southern, Cape St. Lucas. Not noticed by Grayson, Xantus, Sumichrast, and 

 others on the western coast of the mainland of Mexico. 



Professor Baird, in his " Eeview of American Birds," says of tbis 

 species : " Cape St. Lucas specimens of this, as of other species, are 

 much smaller than those from the more northern localities : thus, in No. 

 12,967 S, the wing measures 1.90, the tail 1.80 ; while in 0,704 ( i ?) from 

 El Paso, the wing is 2.15 and the tail 2.25." 



" The Cape St. Lucas specimens are brighter, and the top of the head, 

 just behind the forehead, has the feathers strongly tinged with reddish- 

 orange." 



Of my fourteen specimens from Lomita, thirteen are adults, and one 

 is a full-grown young. In order to give a correct idea of the size of the 

 Lower Rio Grande specimens, I have gone over the adults with great 

 care, and the result is the list of measurements of the dried skins given 

 at the end of this article. The majority of my specimens are bright, 

 and have the reddish-orange on forehead more or less strongly marked. 

 In fact, I have some specimens so strongly colored as to have some of the 

 yellow appearing on belly and rump. From the variations in color of 

 my series of skins, I conclude that it takes two or three years to perfect 

 their plumage. I regret that I have not before me the specimens in the 

 National Museum ; but, from what Professor Baird says, already quoted, 

 and also from Mr. Henshaw's report of those found by him in Arizona 

 and New Mexico, I think that the Lomita skins are more brilliant in 

 plumage than those from Cape St. Lucas or the Colorado Valley. As 

 to size, my specimens are much nearer the St. Lucas specimen than the 

 one from El Paso, which latter, I think, may be of extreme size, even for 

 that locality. 



Several nests with young were taken, and a set preserved in alcohol. 

 The chicks, half-grow^n and with eyes still unopened, are perfectly de- 

 void of down or feathers ; back of head, back, and wings dark ; all other 

 parts yellow. 



About half of my adult specimens were caught on the nest, which may 

 seem strange to those not famihar with the nest ; but one who has seen 

 it can readily understand why the bird feels so secure within it. A little 

 fellow brought me a bird alive, and when asked how he obtained it, 

 replied, " I caught it asleep." 



As regards the habits of the bird, aside from its breeding habits, I 

 can add almost nothing to the meagre knowledge wo already have. 

 They are so diminutive and timid, upon approach always darting into 

 the dense cover near at hand, that a mere glance at them only can gener- 

 ally be had, as of a leaf falling into a thicket. I have never seen them 

 feeding, nor this season even singing, as upon one occasion the season, 

 before. 



BuU. V, 3 4 



