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



687 



though a large number of buffalo carcasses were passed. This is almost 

 the extreme northern limit of its range, and doubtless over the south- 

 e istern portion of the plain it will be found very common. 



CATHARTID^. 



Oathartes aura, (L.) lUiger. — Turlcey Buzzard. 



Common ; seen in almost every section visited. Observed also feeding 

 upon carrion in company with C. atratus. 



Cathartes atratus, (Bartr.) Less. — Blacl' Vulture or Carrion Crow. 



The most numerous of the Cathartidw observed. 



On our return, in June, to Mulberry, McClellan, and other creeks, which 

 the buflalo, in their northern migration, reached after our first visit, we 

 found many carcasses of animals slain by hunters, generally for their 

 hides alone, very little of the meat being used. This had attracted the 

 Vultures in considerable numbers, compared with the quantity observed 

 whilst going in May to the south and west. 



COLUMBID^E. 



Zen^dura carolinensis, (L.) Bp. — Carolina or Common Dove. 



At several small groves of young cottonwoods, near McClellan and 

 other creeks, the number seemed to be limitless, every bush or tree 

 having tenants of this species. Passing one day down McClellan Creek, 

 as we were riding underneath the trees, a Dove suddenly fell to the 

 ground, and, struggling to rise without success, went through the usual 

 various gymnastic feats essential to attain their object. The soldier 

 with me called my attention to it, and starting off" to "catch the lame 

 bird", followed through the brush, frequently on the point of getting it, 

 and was much astonished when the Dove rose up and flew off, after 

 having drawn him a hundred yards away. I have frequently during 

 the trip noted that if you suddenly come upon a nest and surprise the 

 mother there, after sitting until she becomes aware that you are staring 

 her out of countenance, and there is no room for hoping that you have 

 missed her, or of saving her eggs, she will be up and off. If, however, 

 she observes your approach, she will generally attempt the well-known 

 fraud described. Near the lower bed of Eed Eiver and other alkali 

 grounds traversed, they were also found, but not in the profusion they 

 exist along McClellan, Mulberry, and other creeks containing good water, 

 >Yhere it very naturally became a little monotonous to meet three Doves 

 to one of any other species. 



