May, 1910 MISCELLANEOUS BIRD NOTES FROM THE LOWER RIO GRANDE 
103 
The hummingbirds listed by me have been the Ruby-throat ( Archilochus 
colubris) , a migrant of the last few days in March, and again toward the end of 
September; and the Buff-bellied ( Amizilis cerviniventns chalconota ) that arrives a 
week later and remains thru the warm season. A beautiful native tree, the Anaca- 
huita ( Cord i a boissieri ), with large white flowers, is a favorite with both of these 
species. Also, I find that the Buff-bellied Hummingbird is a frequent visitor to 
the scarlet blossoms of a bush (Erythrina) , a shrub found here as an undergrowth. 
When searching for hummingbirds in such localities I have frequently disturbed 
the diurnal slumbers of the Parauque ( Nyctidromus albicollis merrilli). As a rule, 
the Parauque will not seek flight until approacht within a yard or so; then only to 
circle about several times and alight within a hundred feet radius. Few are to be 
seen during the first two months of the year, when their presence can only be 
voucht for by my having on a few occasions detected the familiar notes. Notwith- 
standing this scarcity early in the season I have taken fully feathered juveniles 
during the last week in March. Outside of town they are the most frequently ob- 
served of the Goatsuckers. Within the city, hundreds of Texas Nighthawks 
( C/iordei/es a. texensis ) are found nearly thruout the year; and in proper season nest 
upon the flat roofs of which there are many here. The Chuck-will’s-widow 
( Autrostomus carolinensis) is well known as a migrant, and a few may even remain 
to breed, as a bird was secured on August 23 of last year. 
Roadrunners ( Geococcyx californianus) will be found where conditions suit, but 
the number that one will find in a given period is much less than farther west. The 
custom of using certain portions of the body of the Roadrunner as a palliative in 
fevers, by the Mexicans is not rare. 
Harris Hawk ( Parabuteo u. harrisi)is the commonestof the diurnal birds of prey 
within the Valley. Next in numbers are the Sennett White-tail (. Buteo a. sennetti ) 
and the Sparrow-hawk ( Falco sparverius) . The Zone-tailed Hawk ( Buteo abbre- 
viati/s ) is fairly well distributed as a summer visitant, but none have been seen 
during the winter time. Its preference for heavy timber exceeds that of any other 
species of hawk found here On rare occasions an Aplomado Falcon ( Falco fnsco- 
ccerulescens) will appear about the city; and more often at Point Isabel. At a 
locality half way between the two points they are quite common among the tree 
yuccas that grow on the sandy ridge comprising the section. Here lizards, snakes, 
and locusts abound upon which they feed. The coast is where to look for the Duck 
Hawk ( Falco p. anatum ) especially in late autumn, when they arrive in the wake of 
the waterfowl. The Osprey ( Pandion carolinensis') and the Caracara ( Poly boms 
cheriway ) are residents of the maritime section but more of the last named species 
are seen as we proceed up the river. The usual roosting place of the Caracara here, 
is in the Palmetto, where they also generally breed; but those that can be found 
nesting are small in number compared to the birds present. Fish forms a greater 
percentage of their food than anything else. Our commonly present owls are the 
Texas Screech ( Otus a. viaccalli) and the Ferruginous Pigmy ( Glaucidium phalce- 
noides ); the former the more generally seen. Nests of the Screech Owl have been 
found only during the first half of May. 
As this article has already stretcht beyond reasonable bounds mention of a 
number of interesting water-birds must be deferred until another time, tho in 
closing, I cannot resist making mention of the exquisite plumaged Roseate Spoon- 
bill ( A jaja ajaja ). It is to be seen at times in large flocks in the vicinity of Point 
Isabel, particularly during the months of August and September, and is termed 
“flamingo” by the people of that place who can speak the English language. 
