162 THE CONDOR Vol. XIX 



gateway into the Davis Mountains. Near the mouth of this canyon grow num- 

 bers of cottonwoods, flourishing by reason of the ever present moisture. Sur- 

 face water is here flowing in goodly volume, although along the greater length 

 of the course elsewhere Limpia Creek is, except during the rainy summer 

 months, a creek in name only. A few water-holes generally persist, however, 

 even in dry years. 



About four miles up the canyon is the home of Mr. A. C. Prude, the owner 

 of Limpia Ranch, including most of the lower half of the water course. It was 

 here that I made my headquarters for the greater portion of my stay. It is a 

 delightful spot in every way, and I was very loath to leave it. About twelve 

 miles farther up, located in the oaks at an altitude of 6500 feet, is another 

 large ranch named Highland Springs, where I stayed two weeks. Mount 

 Livermore (8300 feet), the highest point in the range, is about ten miles dis- 

 tant from the ranch house. I experienced almost perfect weather during my 

 visit in the mountains, while the protracted rains of the preceding summer 

 had produced a maximum of vegetation. 



I wish here to acknowledge my indebtedness to the Biological Survey, of 

 the United States Department of Agriculture, for specific determination of 

 many of the birds listed beyond. 



Helodromas solitarius cinnamomeus. Western Solitary Sandpiper. Noted several 

 times during the first half of September about the stock reservoirs at Limpia Ranch; 

 also along Limpia Creek up to 6000 feet. 



Bartramia longicauda. Bartramian Sandpiper. I have record of its occurrence 

 September 2 and 4, in company with the preceding species. 



Cyrtonyx montezumae mearnsi. Mearns Quail. People long resident in the 

 mountains claim that up to within a few years it had been a common species. Several 

 successive dry years, ending in 1916, had greatly reduced its numbers. I flushed a single 

 bird September 26 while it was drinking at a tiny stream flowing in a deep canyon, at an 

 altitude of 6500 feet. 



Columba fasciata fasciata. Band-tailed Pigeon. This species was found in abund- 

 ance in the oak region of the mountains. The acorn of a dwarf oak was its principal, if 

 not entire, food source. Adults were molting during the period under observation (Sep- 

 tember 10 to October 6), and young, two-thirds grown but barely able to fly, were found 

 October 3. 



Buteo borealis calurus. Western Red-tail. The most common bird of prey of the 

 higher mountains; recorded almost daily at Highland Springs Ranch. 



Aquila chrysaetos. Golden Eagle. Texas records for this notable species are few. 

 1 sighted a bird overhead, October 2, at Highland Springs Ranch. I was told that it was 

 of frequent occurrence in winter. 



Falco mexicanus. Prairie Falcon. Several pairs dwelt on the cliffs bordering 

 Limpia Canyon, hunting along the course of the stream. 



Speotyto cunicularia hypogaea. Burrowing Owl. Locally common in foothill pas- 

 tures on the south slope of the mountains, ranging up to 5500 feet. 



Geococcyx californianus. Roadrunner. About the base of the range it was pres- 

 ent in numbers; I found it occasionally at Limpia Ranch, ranging up to 6000 feet. 



Coccyzus americanus occidental is. California Cuckoo. An individual, several 

 times sighted as it passed from tree to tree, was recorded September 12, along Limpia 

 Creek at 5500 feet. 



Streptoceryle alcyon alcyon. Belted Kingfisher. This species was not unusual at 

 Limpia Ranch, but it is probable that the individuals noted were transients. The Lim- 

 pia contains few, if any, fish, although tadpoles are plentiful, particularly in the stock 

 reservoirs. 



Dryobates scalaris symplectus. Texas Woodpecker. The most generally distrib- 

 uted, and most numerous, woodpecker in the mountains. It ranged into the pines, at 

 least to 7300 feet altitude. 



