No. 3.] 



SENNETT OX THE ORNITHOLOGY OF TEXAS. 



381 



confluent ring. The shape is round at one end and tendiug to a jioint 

 a,t the other. Twenty eggs average .GOO bj^ .445 ; the largest is .07 by .40 

 and the smallest .57 by .43. 



139 

 153 

 200 

 220 

 245 

 267 

 341 

 342 

 382 

 395 

 396 

 436 

 454 



Lomita 

 ...do-. 

 ...do.. 

 ...do.. 

 ...do.. 

 ...do-. 

 ...do.. 

 ...do., 

 ...do.. 

 ...do.. 

 ...do-. 

 ...do.. 

 ...do.. 



TEOGLODYTID^. 



9. Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus (Lafr.) Gray. — Cactus Wren. 



On my former trip I did not find a single one of this species between 

 the mouth of the river and Hidalgo. On this trip, about seven miles 

 above Hidalgo, where the foot-hills begin, I found it not uncommon in 

 certain localities. The limit of this bu-d's habitat in the United States 

 is, on the east, very strictly defined. At a point from the Gulf about 

 one hundred miles by road or three hundred by river occurs its eastern 

 limit. Here I came upon a ridge densely covered with cactuses of large 

 size and a few scattering trees, where I found this bird in such numbers 

 that at times a dozen coidd be seen at once; and in an hour or two 

 three of us examined as many as fifty nests in diiferent stages of com- 

 pletion, from those just begun to those containing young ready to fly. 

 The nest is large and usually confined to the prickly-pear cactus, so 

 that it is easily found. 



In flight this bird appeared to me more like a Thrush than a Wren. It 

 was not very shy when away from the nest, and we could easily approach 

 to within gun-shot range ; but at nearer approach it would dart off into 

 thickets or trees, where it would dodge about among the brandies, 

 peering and scolding at us continually. Its song is loud and rather 

 harsh, and unlike any other bird's song within my knoAvledge. I am 

 unable to describe it. I have come upon this bird while feediug upon 

 the seeds of ground-cacti, or upon worms or grubs in the ground. 

 Many specimens taken had their bills covered with inud. It was very 

 difl&cult to see it about its nest. Only once did I see one fly from a 

 nest, which was but half constructed. I saw nothing like creeping in 

 its habits, and I do not know why it should be named Brown-headed 

 Creeper Wren. I did not meet with it until the 7th of May, probably 

 owing to our having to go some distance from the ranch to reach the 

 open cactus ridges, where it loves to dwell. It is eminently a bird of 



