436 



BULLETIN UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SUEVEY. 



[Vol. V. 



EALLIDJE. 

 143. Gallinula galeata (Liclit.) Bp. — Florida Gdllinule. 



Common about the mouth of the Nueces Eiver in March, and in April 

 and May a number were seen about the water-holes near Lomita. 



232 

 234 



Lomita . 

 ...-do .. 



April 28 

 April 28 



13.00 

 13.00 



21.25 

 21.50 



6.75 



2.75 

 3.00 



144. FULICA AMERICANA Gm. — Ooo*. 



Eesident on the Eio Grande, but not noticed breeding in the water- 

 holes about Lomita. They are much more common about the salt 



marshes near the coast. 



AKATID^. 



145. Anser hypeeboeetjs Pall. — Snoto Goose. 



Seen in flocks at Corpus Christi and Padre Island during the last 

 days of March. 



146. Dendeocygna Autumnalis (L.) Eyton. — Autumnal Tree DucJc. 

 First noticed early in May, in pairs, at Lomita, looking for nesting 



places. Soon after it became quite common. During the mating season 

 it is found about in trees of open woodland, and very tame. It nests in 

 hollow trees without regard to nearness of water. I was shown the 

 nest from which a set of twelve eggs was taken the season before. It 

 was in an ebony-tree in an open grove, near the houses of the ranch, 

 and much frequented ; was about nine feet from the ground, in a hollow 

 branch, with no lining but the chips from the rotten wood. I am of the 

 opinion that but one brood is reared in a season, for they do not lay eggs 

 until June or Julj^, and by October are off for the Tropics. Late in 

 August, the young not full grown are seen about the corn-cribs picking 

 up the refuse corn, at which time Mr. Bourbois says they afford most 

 excellent eating. 



This bird does not alight in the water as do other Ducks, but on the 

 land, and wades about in shallow water for food. When corn is nearly 

 ripe, it alights on the stalks, strips the ears of their husks, and jduIIs 

 the grain from the cob, making this its chief food during the season. I 

 never saw it skulk in grass for cover, but always take wing and fly to 

 the woods, or to some removed oi)en point by the water. It is a pretty 

 sight to see this bird on some dead stub, i>luming itself, its color and 

 shape being very handsome. 



Lomita 

 ....do .. 

 ....do . 

 ....do . 

 ....do ., 

 ....do ., 



May 2 



May 3 



May 5 



May 5 



May 16 



May 16 



20.50 

 19. 75 

 19.75 

 21.00 

 20.00 

 21.00 



37.50 

 36.50 

 36.00 

 38. 00 

 37.50 

 38.50 



9.75 

 9.90 

 9.50 



10.00 

 9. 50 



10. 25 



3.00 

 3.00 

 3.00 

 3.00 

 3.00 

 3.2j 



