May, 1910 MISCELLANEOUS BIRD NOTES FROM THE LOWER RIO GRANDE 
95 
ones, in the Valley today. It is a mystery what the inducements are for their 
domestication. I would prefer Mudhen at any time as food. The farmyard fowl 
and Chachalaca interbreed freely, at least in the first instance, and the resultant 
hybrids surprise one by their variety. The Chachalaca keeps close to brush most 
of the time. A favorite location is heavy growth surrounding a resaca (old river- 
bed ponds) where water can be found easily. The muddy edge of the resaca usu- 
ally yields ample proof of the past presence of the birds in the countless imprints 
of feet. Old residents claim that the cold wave of 1898 had something to do with 
the present scarcity of the Chachalaca. On that fated day in February, when the 
temperature fell to 11 degrees above zero, and snow covered the ground for the 
entire day, thousands of Chachalacas perished, along with unnumbered other wild 
and domesticated animals. 
The Bobwhite of the region ( Colinus virgiriianns texanus) is common thruout 
the Valley, even entering the city limits when the bottoms are flooded; but it is not 
sought after as game to the extent that the pigeons and doves are. Six species of 
Columbae are represented, and their great abundance is subject for comment. 
Immense flocks of Mourning Doves ( Zenaidura macroura carolinensis) arrive from 
the north, in late fall, to winter. The Ground Dove ( Chamcefelia passerina pal- 
lescens ), and the White-winged Dove ( Melopelia asiatica) also winter in greater 
or less abundance. But the White-fronted Dove ( Leptotila fu Iv iven tris hrachyp- 
tera) appears to be absent during the months of November, December and January. 
This dove approaches the true pigeons in bulk, but is more eminently terrestrial 
than any of the several pigeons, I am acquainted with. The White-fronted Dove 
is a slow moving bird on the ground and quite unsuspicious; and as it generally 
prefers to feed under growth of some sort, proves an easy target for the pot-hunter. 
They seldom flock, rather preferring to remain in pairs at all times. They feed 
almost entirely on small herb and grass seed, rarely partaking of the mesquite or 
ebony bean. I have found them to breed only during May. 
The Green jay ( Xanthoura luxuosa glaucescens ) ranks above all its North 
American cousins in plumage, tho not in bearing. I have yet to find a species of 
crestless jay that is free of cowardly disposition or sneaky manner. It is born in 
them. The crested members of this group, as most of us well know, are no 
disciples of uprightness, but they can hide their faults, in large degree, by a dig- 
nified appearance. Unluckily, for the Green Jay, his feathers seem to accentuate 
his sins. It is a common bird west of Brownsville, but to the east of town is quite 
scarce — and I have never heard of it at the coast. Northward it extends to the Rio 
Coloral in limited numbers. It is another resident species, most at home in heavy 
growth along the river; altho from there it will often wander omforaging expeditions, 
even inspecting rural barnyards when hunger be pressing. The Green Jay is the 
worst gourmand in its family; and this failing often causes it to lose its liberty. Its 
plumage makes it very attractive as a cage bird, and to secure one only requires a 
wicker cage, set in a conspicuous place and baited with meat of some kind; fitted 
with a trap door worked by a string held by some hidden Homo, who possesses 
the instinct to pull the string at the opportune moment. Captivity does not cur- 
tail the Jay’s appetite, and they have been known to accept food immediately after 
being trapt. Indeed, this bird wall eat all the time if food be accessible; and the 
indulgent owner finds it a matter of difficulty to keep the bird alive more than a 
week, but such individuals as are fed with discretion, live to make interesting, altho 
noisy pets. In a wild state, the Green Jay is suspicious as becomes the tribe, tho 
as a rule it falls to a ruse quite easily. If one be shot, the balance setup a din that 
can ordinarily only be stopt, either by shooting them all or decamping from the 
