38 



tions; for the next four sections they are quite full and accurate, while 

 for the last two they are again insufficient. In studying the movements 

 of any species of bird, reference to this part of the report will show 

 with considerable accuracy the conditions under which it was migrating 

 and the prospect for a plentiful food supply. 



I. This section (extending from latitude 28° to latitude 30°) contains 

 the extreme southern part of Louisiana and the middle part of south- 

 ern Texas (the reports from Texas coming from the region of the Eio 

 Grande). In Louisiana, in the spring of 1884, the earliest leaves be- 

 gan to show on briar bushes and willows the first week in February, 

 followed the next week by grass and flowers. This is of course a moist 

 country, while in southern Texas the climatic conditions are different. 

 Vegetation there was much later in starting, owing to the lack of rain. 

 The first rain after September fell March 6, and was followed imme- 

 diately by the blooming of nr^riads of plants and the rapid development 

 of leaves previously in bud. Frogs in this part of Texas had but a short 

 winter vacation, being heard both in January and February ; while the 

 first in Louisiana was reported March 13, but they must have croaked 

 some time before. The bulk of the insects appeared in both places at 

 the same time, namely, the middle of March. There was no frost in 

 this part of Texas, and in Louisiana the last "freeze" occurred February 

 15. In Louisiana the first snakes were not reported. In Texas the 

 first rattlesnakes were seen March 16, and other snakes much earlier. 

 The first bat was recorded February 27.* 



II. This section (from latitude 30° to latitude 32°) consists of the 

 southern part of Mississippi, central Louisiana, and central Texas. No 

 reports were received from Louisiana, and Mississippi sent but few. 

 In Texas the last frost was recorded February 27, followed, March 3, 

 by the first rain. As in the more southern part of Texas, the first rain 

 immediately started the grass, leaves, and flowers, and by April 1 

 flowers were in the height of bloom. In Mississippi flowers were plenti- 

 ful March 25. Battlesnakes appeared in Texas March 29 ; and the first 

 snake of the harmless sorts was seen in Mississippi February 11, which 

 is rather an early date. Insects were noted as abundant in Texas March 

 5 ; and in Mississippi March 28. 



III. This section (from latitude 32° to latitude 34°) includes central 

 Mississippi, northern Louisiana, southern Arkansas, and northern Texas. 

 Of these, Mississippi alone sent reports on vegetation, etc. These re- 

 ports are as follows : Last frost, February 28 ; first leaves, February 10 ; 

 beginning of real foliage, March 24; first frog, February 4; first toad, 

 February 8 ; first snake, March 21; first insect, February 17. 



IY. This section (from latitude 34° to latitude 36°) includes west- 

 ern Tennessee, northern Arkansas, and Indian Territory. Indian Ter- 

 ritory alone reported, and the dates for latitude 34° ll 7 were as follows: 



[* In this latitude several species of bats must remain active, except during severe 

 weather, throughout the entire year. — C. H. M."1 



