Nehrtling on Birds of Southeastern Texas . I 7 1 
species, but, on the contrary, is very often seen near farm houses. Espec 1 - 
ially abundant where during the previous winter or spring many trees 
have been cut down ; these they search for worms, and very soon have all 
the bark hammered away from them. They often excavate a hole for 
their nest in a post oak, in a sycamore, and also in elms, often at a consider- 
able height. The cavity is from io to 20 inches deep and so large that a 
man can easily put his hand into it. The eggs, from four to six, are of a 
brilliant white color. Only one brood is raised, and the young follow 
their parents till late in the fall. 
1 19. Centurus carolinus Bonaf. Red-bellied Woodpecker. — 
Another very common Woodpecker. Its loud, harsh croaks, sounding 
like crirrh , are almost continually to be heard in the woods. Prefers 
deciduous woods. It is resident throughout the year, and is not shy or of 
retiring habits, but often visits the larger gardens. In the winter months 
I have often observed them on the ground searching for insects, but it can 
not walk as easily as Colaftes auratus. Breeds usually, on the borders of 
woods, and raises only one brood yearly. 
120. Melanerpes erythrocephalus Sw. Red-headed Woodpecker. 
— The most abundant of its family in and near Houston ; breeds commonly 
in the city in sycamores, water and swamp oaks, and in magnolias along 
Buffalo Bayou. Very confiding and tame; hammers often on houses and 
stables, on church towers, telegraph posts, etc. Two broods are raised 
each season. I have seen, late in August, young just from the nest. Once 
I discovered the nest in a sycamore in a street, about fifteen feet from the 
ground, the tfee standing only a few yards from a house. Resident 
throughout the year. Many are killed by negro boys with so-called 
“nigger-shooters,” and not only this species, but also numberless other 
birds are thus destroyed by them. 
121. Colaptes auratus Sw. Golden-winged Woodpecker; “Flick- 
er.” — Rare during the breeding season, abundant in the winter months. 
Frequently seen in pairs and small companies of from four to ten, and 
even more. Spends its time during this season mostly on the ground, 
where it searches for food. The first companies arrive late in October, 
and they steadily increase in numbers till December, when they are ex- 
ceedingly abundant. They begin to migrate northward late in February. 
122. Ceryle alcyon Bote. Belted Kingfisher. — Seen only occa- 
sionally. In the western part of Texas, where the rivers and creeks have 
clear water, the bird is evidently more common. 
123. Coccyzus americanus Bonaf. Yellow-billed Cuckoo. — 
Common summer sojourner; breeds abundantly in the thickets on the 
edges of woods, and is in this part of our country a very unsuspicious 
bird, as it is not only often seen in gardens, but sometimes breeds in them, 
in pomegranate bushes, in Banksia and Cherokee-rose thickets, etc. The 
first nests I found late in April, the last, July 5. This, a typical nest for 
this region, was placed in a young sweet-gum tree ( Liquidambar styraci- 
flua ), about ten feet above the ground, and was almost hidden among 
Smiiax lauri folia , with which the tree was overgrown. It was built of 
