Mr. H. E. Dresser on the Birds of Southern Texas. 23 
existence is represented in the accompanying figure (Plate I.), 
copied from a drawing of a living bird made by myself last 
summer. But the whole body soon becomes covered with a 
snow-white garment, over which the true plumage gradually 
extends, and in the course of between two and three months it 
is able to fly. For a considerable time after this period, how¬ 
ever, small detached masses of down may be seen protruding 
through the feathers, more especially those of the head and 
neck. The plumage from this stage on to maturity is so well 
known that I need not occupy more valuable space in the de¬ 
scription of it, and I therefore bring these remarks to a close. 
II .—Notes on the Birds of Southern Texas. 
By H. E. Dresser. 
[Concluded from ‘The Ibis’ for 1865, page 495.] */' 
Columba flavirostris, Wagler. Red-billed Dove. 
Common near Matamoras, breeding there. During the au¬ 
tumn, quantities of these birds, the two next species, and Orta- 
lida maccalli are brought to the market for sale. One I picked 
out of such a lot, on the 9th August, 1864, agrees with M c CalFs 
description of Columba solitaria y excepting that the neck and 
breast have reddish, instead of bluish metallic reflexions. I 
examined many at the market, but could find none differing 
from my specimen, except in size, and none answering more 
nearly to that description. At Brownsville this bird is not 
uncommon, but is found only a short distance towards the 
interior of Texas, and I noticed none higher up the Rio Grande 
than Roma. 
A Mexican who shot Doves for the market told me that he 
had found this species breeding near the town of Matamoras, 
and that it builds a nest somewhat similar to that of Zenaidura 
carolinensis , and lays two eggs somewhat larger than those of 
that bird. 
Bill coral-red at base and for rather more than two-thirds of 
its length, the tip being whitish; iris bright orange; the bare 
space round the eye and legs coral-red. Stomach containing a 
sort of blueberry. Length 13 inches; expanse of wings 23 inches. 
