178 THE CONDOR Vol. XXIV 
52. Ceryle alcyon. Belted Kingfisher. Several seen near Corpus Christi, and 
again at Flour Bluff, where there are good nesting grounds. A single bird flew, rattling, 
over Bird Island on May 27, heading for Padre, where there is also a local abundance 
of good nesting sites. Not as common as one would expect. 
53. Chordeiles acutipennis texensis. Texas Nighthawk. Seen from shortly be- 
fore sun-down until dark, and after dark their call-notes could be heard coming from 
the black void overhead, even above the muttering of the restless birds on the island. 
Seen over Padre repeatedly, and the species undoubtedly breeds in the vicinity. 
54. Archilochus colubris. Ruby-throated Hummingbird. Seen twice on Padre, 
both times the birds coming to rest on the smaller branches of a mesquite tree. On 
May 29 a male flashed by camp on Bird Island, headed for the mainland. No breeding 
evidence at hand, though the species is known to breed near Corpus. 
55. Muscivora forficata. Scissor-tailed Flycatcher. Seen several times on Padre 
Fig. 44. PorTRAIT OF A LAUGHING GULL INCUBATING. 
Island, and often on the mainland, in both of which places the species nests. On Padre 
a bird was seen carrying a good-sized grasshopper, but no nest was found in the very 
limited time available. Often seen flying over Bird Island, going either to or from the 
mainland. 
56. Sayornis phoebe. Phoebe. Common on Padre and on the mainland, but 
there is nothing to attract the species to Bird Island. On Padre two nests were found 
under the eaves of an uninhabited shack a little south of Bird Island. Both nests were 
empty, but gave evidence of having been very recently inhabited. 
d7. Cyanocitta cristata cristata. Blue Jay. Common on the mainland, where 
the species breeds in abundance. Seen also on Padre, though there is no evidence of 
breeding on the island. Visited Bird Island several times in passage between Padre and 
the mainland. 
58. Corvus brachyrhynchos brachyrhynchos. Crow. Common throughout the re- 
