m'cAULEY on birds of the red river of TEXAS. 661 



For beauty in constructing its home, this bird, as an arcliite(;t, bore off 

 the palm from all others whose nests were met with, No. 8 of the collection 

 being particularly fine. As its European correspondent visits the farm 

 to obtain the wool of the sheep and horse-hairs, so does this bird select 

 the vicinity of the cotfconwood grove to obtain the tree's cotton and 

 near by the buffalo's wool, to build up and line, with the dexterity of a 

 skilled weaver, the home for its young. 



Dedrceca DOMINICA, (L.) Bd. — YelJmc-throated Warhler. 



It is very probable that this species is not uncommon, though but 

 few were noted in the localities of which D. cestiva seemed to have pos- 

 session. More prevalent on Palo Duro than any other locality. 

 ICTERIA VIRENS LONGICAUDA, (Lawr.) Coues. — Long-tai'ed Chat. 



Of all the streams that add to the volume of the Eed River near its 

 source, none are more pleasing than the Palo Duro at its head. The 

 name signifies " hard wood", having been given to it by the Mexican 

 hunters, who strike it far up incoming from New Mexico, in their jour- 

 neyings across the Staked Plain, to the buffalo hunting-grounds, or to 

 the Indian reservations, for purposes of surreptitious trade in fire- 

 water or arms. Fringed with brushand often high trees, with nutritious 

 grass-land bordering it throughout, it is a favorite resort of various 

 animals, and attractive to the hunter and naturalist. Here were found 

 many Warblers, Thrushes, and Mockingbirds apparently engaged in 

 rivalry of song, whilst the sprightly Scissor-tails darted to and fro, 

 lording it even over the Kingbirds in the groves where they were neigh- 

 bors. For a short distance, no place was found offering greater variety 

 to the collector than this stream, which miles below its head passes 

 through a beautiful caiion, from which it emerges to again wind through 

 rolling country. Though here very abundant and more noticeable than 

 elsewhere, this species inhabited the woodlands skirting the streams 

 throughout nearly all the route. None, however, were observed in the 

 regions strongly alkaline. 



