Brewster on Certain Rare Birds in Texas. 
75 
Rev. Dr. Cutting of Brooklyn saw one in the winter of 1875, at 
Elizabethtown, Essex County, New York. Dr. Brewer also incor- 
rectly makes me out to have “ hypothetically ” included the Even- 
ing Grosbeak among the birds of New England ; but I beg to remind 
him that I never did so. The species is not included in my “ List of 
New England Birds,” hypothetically or in any other way. The name 
of the bird occurs in two places in my text. On page 280 of the 
“Proceedings of the Essex Institute,” Yol. Y, 1868, I make this simple 
remark : “ Mr. Mcllwraith records the capture of the Evening Gros- 
beak, Hesperiphona vespertiva, Bon., at Woodstock, Canada.” On 
page 312 I say again : “ Add to the record of this species at Wood- 
stock, Canada, Mr. Lawrence’s notice of its occurrence near New 
York. Stragglers will probably in time be found in New England.” 
In offering me one of those side-thrusts which he has become nota- 
bly overfond of giving to any one who may chance to differ with 
him, Dr. Brewer nevertheless goes on to say in substance precisely 
what I had remarked. His words are : “ So far there is no positive 
evidence to corroborate this claim [i. e. my alleged claim, which I 
never made], yet its presence [i. e. the bird’s, not the claim’s] as a 
straggler may be looked for as possible in Vermont or New Hamp- 
shire.” 
I have thus endeavored to faithfully reflect all that we have 
learned respecting the life-history of this engaging bird. Notes 
illustrating its distribution — particularly the manner and occasion 
of its movements, and its breed ing-jdaces — will long continue to 
be acceptable contributions ; while the fortunate discoverer of the 
nest and eggs will supply what still remains one of the special 
desiderata in North American ornithology. 
ON THE HABITS AND NESTING OF CERTAIN RARE BIRDS 
IN TEXAS. 
BY WILLIAM BREWSTER. 
I recently have had the pleasure of examining a superb collec- 
tion of birds and eggs obtained by Mr. W. H. Werner in Comal 
County, Texas, during the months of April and May, 1878. Among 
the specimens represented are many of great rarity, and several of 
