MCAULEY ON BIRDS OF THE RED RIVER OF TEXAS. 



683 



cession. The total number of the yoang was four, [*J and from their 

 relative size the three last eggs laid must have beeu hatched out at or 

 nearly the same time. The captives were thereafter the pets of the 

 camp, and thrived wonderfully, showing their remarkable pugnacity and 

 spirit on every possible occasion, regardless of the size of the opponent, 

 i^o amount of kindness could ever induce them to forget the use of their 

 claws against their best friend ; alleftbrts at taming them were fruitless* 

 When given, for the first time, a bird, a Killdeer Plover, shot for their 

 benefit, they scrambled over it, and, after a rough diversion, settled down 

 in opposite directions at the end of their lariats, which were used to keep 

 them attached to their owner's tent. Holding on by their claws to their 

 prize, they pulled out the feathers carefully with the skill of experts, 

 and then swallowed both flesh and bones. 



FxiLCO EiCHARDSONi, Ridg. — RieJiar(lson''s 'Falcon. 



This handsome Falcon was found very abundant, chiefly in the caiion 

 region of Red River. Ascending any of the side-canons running from 

 the river up to and against the almost v^ertical wall of the plain, one 

 was almost sure of having several in sight. They were also common, 

 though not in the same abundance, in the lower heavily wooded parts 

 of Mulberry and other creeks, where they were not so extremely shy and 

 wary. N.one were observed whilst passing through the Indian Territory. 

 As the Red River tributaries were ascended, the large and beautiful 

 groves grew smaller proportionately, until even the scant timber-fringe 

 dwindled to low brush along the bank, with simply an occasional tree. 

 Here various birds, deadly foes by nature, would of necessity appar- 

 ently forget their enmity, and build in such proximity as could nowhere 

 else be found. One of the parties which ascended the Tule to its head- 

 waters, finding no trees at the highest permanent water, and noticing a 

 solitary one beyond, visited it. It was found three miles higher up, 

 without water, and upon it were several nests. Of these, one belong- 

 ing to a species of Falconidw and another to one of the Corvlmc. were 

 within 6 feet of each other. At a grove on White Fish Creek, where, 

 within 500 yards were over forty nests of various kinds of birds, the 

 nest obtained was taken from a small cottonwood with nests of Tyran- 

 niclce upon the one adjoining. It was placed in a crotch of a tree, 20 

 or 25 feet up. The twigs used in building varied from one-fourth of 



[*A.s this species, perhaps, lays but three eggs, may not the larger bird observed 

 in this case have been one of the parents?— Ed.] 



