76 
Brewster on Certain Rare Birds in Terns. 
the eggs are believed to be entirely new to science. An inspection 
of the fine collection of Mr. Edmund Ricksecker, of Nazareth, Penn., 
lias also afforded much valuable information, bearing upon the orni- 
thology of the same locality, for, as elsewhere explained in my account 
of the Black-capped Yireo, in this number of the Bulletin, Mr. Rick- 
secker’s cabinet includes many eggs and nests from Comal County. 
The following notes are based entirely upon material contained in 
these collections, and my grateful thanks are due Messrs. Werner and 
Ricksecker, not only for the many courteous attentions extended to 
me during my visit, but also for the opportunity afforded me of meas- 
uring and examining the rare specimens. All theii* v notes relating 
to the subject under consideration were also freely placed at my 
disposal. Readers of the Bulletin may expect in some future num- 
ber a more detailed account by Mr. Werner of some of the rarer 
species, which are here but briefly treated : — 
1. Parus carolinensis. Carolina Titmouse. — Although the prob- 
able occurrence in Texas of this diminutive Titmouse has been already 
hinted at, I believe there is no previous record of its actual capture in 
that State. Mr. Werner, however, ascertained it to be a rare resident in 
Comal County. Two pairs only were observed. A male and female shot 
near Bow Creek are in the collection, and appear to be considerably 
smaller than more northern specimens. 
2. Lophoplianes atricristatus. Black-crested Titmouse. — A 
common resident in Comal County. Mr. Werner examined several nests, 
all of which were placed in natural cavities of hollow limbs. In every 
instance pieces of snake-skins or their separate scales were included 
among the other material composing the nest. Mr. Sennett, in his 
description * of a nest obtained at Lomita Ranche, in Southern Texas, 
mentions the same peculiarity, and it would appear that this habit may be 
characteristic of the species? Our previous knowledge of the eggs of this 
Titmouse rests solely upon the account by Mr. Sennett of a single exam- 
ple found in the Lomita nest above referred to. Mr. Ricksecker’s cabinet 
contains a set of the eggs of this species which were taken in Comal 
County, April 5, 1878. These eggs measure, respectively, .74 x .58 ; . 78 x 
.57; .76 x .59, being thus considerably larger than Mr. Sennett’s specimen, 
the measurements of which are given as .60 x .48. They are regularly 
ovoid in shape, and handsomely marked with reddish-brown upon a clear 
white ground. Over the general surface these markings are distributed 
in fine spots, but about the larger end bold, strongly defined blotches 
occur, forming a nearly confluent ring. Four eggs of a set in Mr. 
Werner’s collection are nearly similar in shape and general appearance, 
* Science News, Yol. I, No. 4, p. 57. 
