136 PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 



breed on the reservation. Early in April, after several weeks of noisy 

 courtship, they begin to build in irregular colonies, and by the middle 

 of the month have eggs. The nests are perhaps most frequently placed 

 near the top of one of the main upright brauches of a young raesquite- 

 tree. They are strongly built of straws, leaves, and grasses, mud being 

 used freely. Where Spanish moss is plentiful, the nests are sometimes 

 composed entirely of it, and I have found them among tule-reeds where 

 several species of Herons were breeding. I have also found their nests 

 either supported by the lower part of the nest of the Oaracara Eagle or 

 in the same tree. The eggs, usually three in number, vary greatly in 

 appearance; the ground color is usually a greenish white or purplish- 

 brown, more or less heavily spotted and dashed with several shades of 

 brown and black. These markings are apt to be heavier at the smaller 

 end, which frequently has a much darker ground color than the larger ; 

 and this is so often the case as to be rather characteristic. Forty-five 

 eggs now before me give the following measurements: — average, 1.26 

 by .85; largest, 1.44 by .91 ; smallest, 1.16 by .82. The annual moult takes 

 place in August. Unlike the Boat-tailed Grackle, the males of this race 

 do not leave the females while incubating, but are jealous of intruders, 

 and take their share of feeding the young. The various notes of this 

 bird are quite indescribable, and must be heard to be appreciated. The 

 long and heavy tail of this Grackle makes it easily recognizable at a long 

 distance, but is rather inconvenient when there is much wind. At such 

 times, the birds are obliged to " head up" wind, like so many sloops at 

 anchor. They have a frequent and curious habit of throwing their heads 

 up and far back, so that the reversed bill is almost parallel with the 

 back. — (Dresser, Ibis, 1865, 493. — Sennett, B. Kio Grande, 27.) 



98. Xanthura luxuosa, Less. 



The Rio Grande Jay is a common resident about Fort Brown and 

 higher up the river, but does not seem to pass much into the interior of 

 Texas. It is a noisy and gaudv species, soon making its presence known 

 by its harsh cries or by its green and yellow plumage, seen for a moment 

 as it moves about. Though at times shy, it is often very tame and bold, 

 entering tents and taking food oil' plates or from the kitchen whenever 

 a good opportunity offers. Large numbers are caught by the soldiers 

 in traps baited with corn, but the plamage is their only attraction as a 

 cage-bird. Its eggs and nest were first described in vol. i, p. 89, of the 

 Bulletin of the Nuttall Ornithological Club. Since that time, I have 

 found several other nests, but they do not affect the statements above 

 made in regard to their breeding habits. — (Dresser, Ibis, L885, 495. — 

 Sennett, B. Rio Grande, 29.) 



99. Sayornis fuscus, Gmk I. 



Not uncommon from October until April.— (Dresser, Ibis, 1865,473.) 



100. Sayornis sayus, Bonap. 



More abundant than the preceding during the winter months. — 

 (Dresser, Ibis, 18G5, 473.) 



