May, 1916 
FROM FIELD AND STUDY 
129 
Winter Notes from Southern Texas.— 
Camptostoma imberbe. Examples of the Beardless Flycatcher were secured on Janu- 
ary 22, and February 15, 1916, near the Arroyo Colorado (a salt water estuary thirty 
miles north of the Rio Grande), in the vicinity of Harlingen, Texas. Attention was 
directed to all individuals recorded, by the characteristic notes of the species, which may 
be set down as whee-e-oop, often repeated, and distinguishable at a considerable distance. 
This diminutive bird showed a persistent partiality for the low bushes that constitute 
the greater portion of the chaparral of the region, never being observed in arborescent 
growth, although trees grew rather plentifully along the Arroyo, and some large mesquites 
were scattered through the chaparral proper. This was at variance with my previous 
experience with the species in Mexico; and it is quite likely that I would have overlooked 
the bird entirely had its notes not given me 'the clew. In size, color, and movements, the 
Beardless Flycatcher bears a superficial resemblance to several other small birds throng- 
ing the chaparral during the winter, such as the Verdin, Orange-crowned Warbler, and 
Ruby-crowned Kinglet. 
Sporophila morelleti sharpei. The Seedeater, when surprised and flushed from its 
feeding station, arises in a manner suggesting a goldfinch (Astragalinus) , and after a 
short flight alights, rapidly repeating, for several minutes its short-syllabled “clickety” 
notes. It was seen near Harlingen on January 13 and on many subsequent dates until 
my departure from the locality on February 28. It seemed to be fond of the soft seeds 
of a low grass growing among cat-tails that filled the irrigating canals in places. The 
cat-tails served as a protection to the grass against foraging cattle, as well as from the 
light freezes that occasionally visited the region. Of the Seedeaters, adults of both sexes, 
as well as immature males, were secured. This species has generally been supposed to 
withdraw southward into Mexico, during the winter months. 
Anthus spraguei. Another interesting bird, and found in tolerable numbers during 
January, and up to February 16. A short distance out of the town of Harlingen there is 
a field of about twenty acres, formerly under cultivation, but which for a year or more 
had been allowed to grow up in weeds. This growth had been partially cropped by 
stock, so that the movements of a small bird walking on the ground could be followed for 
some distance. 
It was within this acreage that most of my records for the Sprague Pipit were made. 
The Common Pipit (Anthus rubescens) was present at times during this period, but the 
two species were easily distinguished by habits and actions. The Sprague Pipit never 
assembled in flocks; and the Common Pipit confined itself to recently plowed lands or 
closely grazed pastures. 
Some other species, interesting because of their presence in this locality, are: 
Nyctidromus albicollis merrilli, appeared February 8; Melospiza melodia melodia, one 
taken January 10; Melospiza georgiana, several seen January 12; Peucaea cassini, num- 
erous after February 16; Oreospiza cMorura, several noted February 15; Lanivireo 
solitarius solitarius, one bird taken January 15. — Austin Paul Smith, San Antonio , 
Texas. 
The Scott Oriole Again at San Diego. — It may be of interest to record the capture 
of an adult male Scott Oriole ( Icterus parisorum) in my dooryard in San Diego, Febru- 
ary 26, 1916. He was in full song, though a light mist was falling. This is the earliest 
date at which I have seen this oriole. Birds in general are less common than usual at 
this season. — Frank Stephens, San Diego. California. 
Another Record of the Widgeon in the State of Washington.— It may be of interest 
to put on record a Widgeon (Mareca penelope) that was killed on the Nisqually Flats, 
Thurston County, Washington, on January 15, 1916. The bird, an immature male, was 
shot by a Mr. Ditz, of South Tacoma, Washington, who very kindly let me have it, and 
the skin is now in my collection. An interesting feature of this case is that the bird 
was taken within a few hundred feet of the spot where my other male of this spe- 
cies was taken last year, and within three days of the same day of the month. The first 
was collected on January 12, 1915, by L. W. Brehm, of Tacoma, Washington, who was 
also on the flats the day the 1916 bird was taken. — J. H. Bowles, Tacoma, Washington. 
