110 BLACK-CRESTED TITMOUSE. 
at other times so irksome, is now transformed into a pretty mosaic of flowers, gleaming 
with brilliant colors. Nowhere else have I happened on a field full of such rich promise 
for my ornithological observations. Hence I shall never forget these days, despite their 
many privations and hardships, the isolation, chills and fever, from which I and my 
family suffered. Among the host of birds that dwelt in my immediate neighborhood, I 
had most ample opportunity to obsefve the beautiful Scissor-tailed Flycatchers, or 
“Texan Birds of Paradise,”’ the Cardinals, the Painted Buntings (Nonpareils), the Blue 
Grosbeaks, the Lark Sparrows, Mockingbirds, Owls, Swallow-tailed Kites, the Summer 
Tanagers and Pileated Woodpeckers. Many a charming night has my sleep been inter- 
rupted by the loud call of the Chuckwillswidow, or the harsh hoot of the Great Horned 
Owl perched on the gable of my house. 
I also became acquainted with many birds, which I,had never seen before. One 
of these was the BLACK-CRESTED TITMOUSE, or TEXAN TUFTED TITMOUSE, a bird which 
seems here to reach its eastern terminus. It bears a striking resemblance to the common 
Tufted Titmouse, but is easily distinguished by its black crest. In fact all its ways 
and actions, and likewise its ordinary notes, scarcely differ from those of the common 
species. Its song which resounds almost without interruption from the middle of 
February to May and June differs only in being louder and more melodious. 
All ornithologists, who have spent some time in western Texas, have found the 
Black-crested Titmouse more or less common. It was discovered by J. W. Audubon, 
the son of our great ornithologist. Cassin gave a very good plate of it in his fine 
work: ‘Illustrations of the Birds of California, Texas, Oregon, British and Russian 
America’? (1856). 
Mr. Geo. B. Sennett, the best and most reliable authority on Texan birds, has 
given us, as in the case of so many other species, some very interesting information* 
concerning this bird. Mr. Werner found it a rather common bird in Comal County, 
Texas. 
But without further reference to the work of other ornithologists, I will now try to 
jot down my own observations of this bird.—On April 25, 1882, I found near a “‘branch,”’ 
not far from my house, a White-eyed Vireo’s nest. As the birds were nowhere to be 
seen, I leaned against a tree, whence I could conveniently watch the nest, waiting for 
the birds’ return. While I stood there in perfect silence, with my gaze steadily fixed on 
the pretty lichen decorated domicile, a Black-crested Titmouse came very close to me. 
It first perched on a small bush, then it flew to the ground, and finally, growing very 
bold, clung fast to my trousers. When I moved, it flew back to the bush, contemplating 
me curiously, but finally, convinced of my good will, it returned and clambered up and 
down my back, pecking me, and again vigorously thrusting its bill into my clothes. 
It was obviously looking for insects, especially wood-ticks which in such places creep 
over ones clothes in great numbers. Whenever I made a noticeable movement, it fled a 
little distance, but invariably returned. Finally when I went and seated myself on a 
prostrate tree, it followed me again. It became so bold, that it not only climbed up and 
down my back, but fearlessly crept over to my shoulders and arms, and even on to the 
* See his papers: ‘Notes on the Ornithology of the Lower Rio Grande” and “Further Notes on the Ornithology 
of the Lower Rio Grande,” in Bulletin of the U. S. Geological and Geographical Survey. Vol. IV and V, 
