658 



BULLETIN UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY. 



notable, it should be borue in mind that, owing to my extremely limited 

 time and facilities, undoubtedly quite a number escaped attention ; and 

 that, owing to lack of any appropriation for such purpose, the expedition 

 was without means for collecting specimens daring a part of the trip ; 

 and that, after the necessary materials had been purchased with private 

 funds, my arrangements were not complete until the arrival of a supply - 

 train, June 2, our return to Fort Elliott being nineteen days later. 



Besides the specimens herewith tabulated, my collection embraces a 

 number of embryos and other alcoholic preparations. The classification 

 and nomenclature adopted are those of your " Key to North American 

 Birds".* I have to acknowledge your kind assistance in identifying 

 some of the specimens collected, and also the courteous attention 

 received from Assistant Surgeon T. E. Wilcox, United States Army, dur- 

 ing the preparation of my report. 



I am, Sir, with great respect, your obedient servant, 



C. A. H. McCAULEY, 

 Lieutenant Third United States Artillery. 

 Asst. Surg. Elliott Coues, U. S. A., 



Secretary U. S. Geological and Geographical Survey. 



TUEDID^. 



TURDUS MIGEATORIUS, L. — RoMn. 



Though none were observed at headwaters in the Staked Plain, they 

 were common along the wooded lower parts of streams, but lacking that 

 friendliness they acquire on long acquaintance in populated districts. 

 At ranches along the route and at the Army posts visited, they are upon 

 the same terms of sociability as elsewhere in settled country. 

 MiMUS POLYGLOTTUS, (L.) Boie. — Mockingbird. 



All the timber-fringed streams, including those passed en route to and 

 returning from Fort Elliott, Texas, and particularly Wolf Creek and the 

 "Dry Washita", were melodious with the notes of this magnificent song, 

 ster. At times it was exceedingly shy, especially when, perched on a 

 low bush or sunflower-stalk, it discovered that it was being approached. 

 On other occasions, the bird would allow an approach to within a few 

 yards, and, continuing its song, occasionally jump into the air, fluttering 

 its wings, and .then alight upon the same twig. The songs were as 

 varied and beautiful as those noted some years ago in the Carolinas and 

 Georgia, and the birds were at places more numerous. 



[*I make a few changes, with the author's permission, at my discretion. — Ed.1 



