Jan., 1918 THE BREEDING BIRDS OF BEXAR COUNTY, TEXAS 39 



males have been seen on Mitchell's Lake. As these birds are not supposed to nest in 

 this locality it is possible that the parents of these broods were wounded during the hunt- 

 ing season and unable to return to their usual breeding grounds. Adults of this and the 

 former species were identified in June, 1916, by Captain F. B. Eastman, U. S. A., who has 

 had wide experience with these birds in their northern haunts. 



Erismatura jamaicensis. Ruddy Duck. A few pairs of these birds nest each sea- 

 son at Mitchell's Lake. Our first record, in 1913, was of a nicely constructed nest con- 

 taining two heavily incubated eggs. In 1914 two nests containing four eggs each, and 

 one set of seven, were found on June 21. Both eggs and birds were identified by Cap- 

 tain Eastman. 



Plegadis guarauna. White-faced Glossy Ibis. In June, 1916, three pairs of these 

 birds appeared at Mitchell's Lake, and on July 2, we succeeded in locating a nest con- 

 taining four heavily incubated eggs. This was our first record. 



Ardetta exilis. Least Bittern. A rare bird in this county and growing more scarce 

 each year. We have located it at only two places, Mitchell's Lake and a small marshy 

 creek about five miles from it, where it nests from the latter part of May to the middle 

 of July. 



Hydranassa tricolor ruficollis. Louisiana Heron. While no nests of this species 

 have been located, a few birds were seen during the nesting season each year at Mitch- 

 ell's Lake in company with other herons, and we are positive that they breed there. 



Butorides virescens virescens. Green Heron. Fairly common throughout the 

 county, nesting along the various creeks and at Mitchell's Lake. Most frequently found 

 at the latter point. They nest in May and June. 



Nycticorax nycticorax naevius. Black-crowned Night Heron. This species nests 

 commonly at Mitchell's Lake, the only locality where we have found it. Nests here in 

 May and June. 



Gal I inula galeata. Florida Gallinule. Fairly common on Mitchell's Lake, the only 

 locality where we have observed it. Nests in June and July. 



lonornis martin ica. Purple Gallinule. Fairly common at Mitchell's Lake and be- 

 coming more so each year. Nests of this species are better built than those of the Flo- 

 rida Gallinule, and are placed at a greater elevation from the water. The majority are 

 rarely under two feet, and in a few cases, where the exceptional growth of the reeds per- 

 mitted, they were found four or five feet from the water. Seme are placed on the dense- 

 ly matted boughs in thickets of willows growing in shallow water, but these are always 

 placed lower than those found in the reeds. In regard to the number of eggs of this spe- 

 cies, six is the maximum number, the majority averaging four and five eggs. Out of 

 scores of nests examined only four nests contained more than six eggs, three of these 

 holding seven eggs and one eight. Nests from the early part of June to the middle of 

 July. 



Fulica americana. American Coot. Our most common species of the family. It 

 is plentiful at Mitchell's Lake, and nests have been located in other suitable localities. It 

 nests rather irregularly, but the season apparently reaches its height from the middle of 

 June to the middle of July. 



Oxyechus vociferus. Killdeer. Fairly common throughout the county, nesting 

 wherever a small pond of water affords a feeding ground. The eggs are laid from the 

 middle of April through June. 



Colinus virginianus texanus. Texas Bob-white. Common resident, nesting 

 throughout this county, but is more plentiful in the prairie portion, which offers better 

 shelter and food. It nests from April to June. 



Callipepla squamata castanogastris. Chestnut-bellied Scaled Partridge. While 

 no nest of this species has been located in this county, the birds are frequently found in 

 the adjoining counties to the south, and as they are commonly seen in the southern part 

 of this county, we admit the species to this list. Nests in April and May. 



Zenaidura macroura marginella. Western Mourning Dove. Very abundant during 

 the nesting season. Our earliest date is February 20, on which two nests with fresh eggs 

 were found, and our latest, September 24, when the same number of nests, one contain- 

 ing fresh eggs and the other heavily incubated eggs, were found. This species, however, 

 is rapidly decreasing, owing to the hunting season on doves opening on September 1, at 

 which time thousands of young are still in the nests, where they starve when their par- 



