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BULLETIN UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY. 



a large quantity of Prickly-pear Cactus (Opuntia missouriensis), barbed 

 bristles and all. 



Cyanospiza girts, (L.) Bd. — Painted Finch; Nonpareil. 



Contrary to my expectations, I found this species during the course 

 of the survey, obtaining a specimen on a small tributary of Mulberry 

 Creek, about latitude 34° 50', being farther north than Wilmington, N. 

 C, with an approximate elevation of 3,300 feet. Previous camps had 

 been as far as thirty miles more southerly than this, in the vicinity of 

 both fresh and alkali water, where, however, the species was not ob- 

 served. The birds seen were always in pairs, and appeared to be build- 

 ing. I was unable to find any nests, but do not doubt that they were 

 breeding there. The colors of their pluuiage were as bright and 

 exquisite as in Georgia and the Gulf States. 



Cyanospiza cyanea, (L.) Bd. — Indigo-bird. 



Occasionally seen, but not as often as Guiraca cccrulea. 



Pyrrhuloxia sinuata, Bp. — Texas Cardinal. 



The only previous time I had seen this bird alive was during last 

 March in Old Mexico. In the cities and plazas, it was at home among 

 the vineyards or the shrubbery by the adobe wall about each yard or 

 garden, vfhere it appeared to be as undisturbed by passers-by as the 

 Eobin (T. migratorius) in our towns. On the Staked Plain it was differ- 

 ent, and though about half a dozen individuals were seen in CaSoucito 

 Blanco and elsewhere, they were too shy to be secured. 



Cardinalis virginianus, (Briss.) ^\>.— Cardinal Redbird or Virginia 

 Nightingale. 

 Occasionally observed on the Canadian and the McClellan and Wolf 

 Creeks; very shy. The birds were always in pairs, and could not be 

 approached. 



