flower gardens. Near the creeks the beautiful blue foam flowers' and gorgeous cardinal 

 flowers '' grow in great luxuriance. Dense bushes of malvaviscus ' are showing their 

 scarlet flowers and still darker red berries at the same time. Many of these flowers 

 have been transferred to the garden and are highly prized in cultivation. Those mentioned 

 are only a small portion of the rich and interesting flora of the post-oak v^roods of Texas. 



During April these woods resound by a thousand-voiced bird concert. Not only 

 the resident species and the summer sojourners, but also the migrants in their bright 

 wedding dresses sing from trees and bushes their notes of joy and happiness. In 

 this part of Texas many of the farm-houses are built of logs or rough boards, 

 having a primitive and uninviting appearance. With the exception of a > number 

 of peach trees only a few mulberry and China trees are planted for shade. Being 

 familiar with the beautiful trees, shrubs, and climbers found in the neighboring wood- 

 lands, we are disagreeably affected by the dreariness and the desolation around the 

 farm-houses. In this blessed climate, where one of the most beautiful trees in existence, 

 the grand evergreen magnolia, grows to perfection; where gardenias (Cape jasmines), 

 pittosporums, pomegranates, myrtles, tea and Noisette roses, amaryllis (of the genera 

 Amaryllis, Lycoris, Nerine, Hippeastrum, Habranthus, Cooperia, Zephyranthes, and 

 Narzissus), majestic clumps of crinums and many other semi-tropical bulbs and 

 plants appear in unparalleled magnificence, man has the material on hand to create 

 exquisite surroundings, if he only had the taste and love for the beautiful. The famous 

 Mockingbird, in spite ot the scarcity of trees and shrubs, sings its indescribably beautiful 

 and melodious song day and night, and Bewick's Wren is also present everywhere near 

 and in the habitations of man. Where a variety of deciduous and evergreen shrubs, 

 trees, and vines are found, we may be sure to observe the brilliant Painted Bunting, the 

 Blue Grosbeak, the bright-colored, proud Cardinal, the Bluebird, Martin, Kingbird, 

 Orchard Oriole, and Scissor-tailed Flycatcher. 



In early spring of 1881 I made the post-oak woods near the West Yegua Creek, 

 Lee Co., Texas, my home for several years. My little cabin was surrounded by many 

 old and crooked oaks. There was little undergrowth, except on the edges of the woods 

 and on the creeks and "branches"; the eye could penetrate far in every direction. 

 In the trees the noisy Tufted Titmouse, pursuing insects from branch to branch, called 

 incessantly .with loud and echoing voice peto-peto-peto, and frequently the whistling 

 note of the Great-crested Flycatcher and the sweet, melancholy call of the Wood Pewee 

 fell on my ear. The shrill cry of the ever present Blue Jay echoed sharply among the 

 trees. There were other sounds. The rolling tapping of the many Pileated Woodpeckers, 

 and of the numerous Red-headed and Carolina Woodpeckers. From the clearings and 

 the prairie outside, pleasantly softened by distance, the songs of the Mockingbirds and 

 Cardinals were heard. But we notice another beautiful and strange song, one of the 

 most characteristic of the woodland choir, its silvery notes being easily recognized 

 among the intermingling of the other voices. 



This sprightly songster proves to be the Lark Sparrow, a bird being most numer- 

 ously distributed over this region. In the gardens the familiar northern Catbird is 

 replaced by the Mockingbird, and the saucy little House Wren by the nobler Carolina 



1 Ageratum. 8 Lobelia spleadeas. 3 Malvaviscus Drammondii. 



