Nehrling on Birds of Southeastern Texas. 167 
I never found the bird breeding in a cotton field or corn field. In winter, 
however, they change their habits, and in large flocks visit the sugar-cane, 
cotton, and corn fields. 
91. Icterus spurius Bj. Orchard Oriole. — Common during mi- 
grations. 
91a. Icterus spurius aflinis Coties. Southern Orchard Oriole. — 
Very common summer sojourner ; breeds in all suitable localities, especially 
in peach gardens. The bird is decidedly smaller than the northern variety : 
it is also more active and quicker in its motions. The, song is much more 
varied, and louder, quicker and more beautiful, reminding one of the song 
of the Baltimore Oriole. The nest is smaller, but it is built of the same 
materials— green grasses, lined with cotton. May 8 . 1881, I discovered a 
very curious but not quite finished nest near Spring Creek, only a few 
yards from a dwelling. For several days I had observed a pair of these 
birds carrying fresh green grasses to a laurel oak (Qnerciis imbricaria ), 
that was densely covered with large hanging bunches of Spanish moss 
{Tillandsia iistieoides') ; they disappeared every time into a bunch of 
moss, yet I could see no nest. At last, on taking down the bunch of 
moss, I was surprised to find a beautiful structure in my hands. The 
grasses and moss were all woven firmly' together ; the entrance was on 
the side. 
92. Scolecophagus forrugineus Swains. Rusty Blackbird. — Very 
rare. A few seen in March, 1881, among flocks of the following species. 
93. Scolecophagus cyanoceplialus Cab. Brewer’s Blackbird. — 
During winter the most common of the family Icteridce. They are very 
abundant in Houston from the early part of November to April, w'hen they, 
disappear for the north ; by' the end of that month only' a few remain to 
breed in suitable localities. I found several nests May 5, 1881, in thick, 
small oaks near the Rose Hill Post Office in the northern part of Harris 
County. They were built in the tops of young post oaks {Qiierc.iis obtusi- 
loba ), about twelve to fifteen feet from the ground, and contained from two 
to five eggs each. The nests were composed exteriorly of strong slender 
plant stems and coarse grasses, and were lined with fine grasses. These 
birds are very unsuspicious and bold during winter, running about in even 
the most crowded city streets^ and also frequenting door-yards. On cold 
days they are easily caught. I had a pair over a year in a cage ; they soon 
became reconciled to confinement, and were lively, interesting pets. 
94. Quiscalus purpurens aeneus Ridgw. Bronzed Grakle. — The 
most abundant of all the Blackbirds during the breeding season, arriving 
from their more southern winter quarters earlv in March. None remain, 
so far as my observations go, during winter. They breed abundantly' in 
the larger gardens of Houston, especially in the mountain cedars ( Juni - 
perus occidentalis texana ), and the live and water oaks' (^jiercus virens 
et aquatica) . In the thick young oak grove near Rose Hill Post Office 
I found a large colony' of about two hundred pairs breeding and in their 
company also the Boat-tailed Grakles (Quiscalus major ) and Brewer’s 
Blackbirds ( Scolecophagus cyanocejhalus ') , but each species had its own 
