m'CAULEY on birds of the EED river of TEXAS. 693 



For the extreme delicacy of its flesh, this is to the sportsman making 

 a fall trip through Western Texas one of the highest prized of the 

 game birds. 



TAJ^TALID^. 



Tantalus looulator, L. — Wood Ibis. 



This large and notable bird has ventured to take up his dwelling in 

 the Staked Plain, one having been observed on the Palo Duro, a few 

 miles below its head ; some days later, two others were met with near 

 the upper part of the Tierra Bkinca. As he has informed me, this spe- 

 cies was previously observed by my friend. Dr. H. S. Turrill, assistant 

 surgeon United States Army, when crossing the Staked Plain with a 

 column of the Eighth Cavalry, under General Gregg, United States 

 Army, in 1872. As usual, those seen were very shy. The one upon the 

 Palo Duro, a magnificent bird, rose from the thick undergrowth border- 

 ing the stream, less than a hundred yards away, and took refuge upon 

 the other bank below. The stream, unfortunately, being impassable 

 from recent rains, I was prevented from attempting to follow and secure 

 him. 



ARDEID^. 



Aedea herodias, L. — Great Blue Seron. 



Frequenting the Canadian, lower j>art of jMcClellan Creek, and below 

 its mouth, on North Fork of Eed River, etc. Here the vegetation changes 

 to a denser, a ranker character 5 swampy places occur ; the passage of 

 the creeks or rivers by wagon-train or horseback is often a matter of 

 difficulty, and the vicinity of the streams assumes in great part a sub- 

 tropical aspect. 



Aedea candidissima, Jacquin. — Little White Egret or Snowy Heron. 

 Occurring in same localities as A. herodias. 



Aedea o^eulea, L. — Little Blue Heron. 

 Occasional; same range as previous species. 



GRUIDJ3. 



Geus canadensis, (L.) T«mm. — Brown or Sandhill Crane. 



A few noted near water-courses ; more common near the Canadian. 

 Nowhere seen in that abundance in which I observed them last April 

 along the llio Grande, in Central New Mexico, near Belen, etc. 



EALLIDiE. 



Eallus vieginianus, L. — Virginia Bail. 

 A very few found at swampy places on lower part of McOlellan Creek. 



FuLiCA AMEEICANA, Gm. — American Coot or Mud lien. 



Occasionally noted at a few points where there were swamps orjargo 

 reedy pools of water. 



