Mr. H. E. Dresser on the Birds of Southern Texas. 45 
at the lagoon near Matamoras, and they were abundant at the 
Boca Grande. In June 1864 I found them breeding in West 
Galveston Bay on the small shell-bars or sand-islets, and not on 
the main island. The nests were merely slight depressions in 
the sand; but I only found three, each containing one or two 
eggs, which were quite fresh ; I was also told by the man I had 
with me that they breed very late. 
Hydrochelibon plumbea, Wilson. American Black Tern. 
Common at the Boca Grande during the summer, but I did 
not observe it at Galveston. At the town-lagoon at Matamoras 
I have often seen twenty or thirty of these birds at one time. 
One was sent to me from Fort Stockton. 
Rhynchops nigra, Linnaeus. Black Skimmer. 
In June and July 1868 I often saw six or seven of these 
birds at the Matamoras lagoon, and found them abundant at the 
Boca Grande. In June 1864 they were common at Galveston, 
but I found no eggs; indeed I was told that it was too early in 
the season. 
Pelecanus erythrorhynchus, Gmelin. Rough-billed Pe¬ 
lican. 
[Not uncommon on the coast during the autumn and winter. 
—A. L. H.] 
Pelecanus fuscus, Linnaeus. Brown Pelican. 
Common at the Boca Grande in June, July, and August, and 
abundant at Galveston in June; but as they had then finished 
breeding, I consequently procured no eggs. 
Tachypetes aquilus (Linnaeus). Frigate-bird. 
I shot one off the Rio Grande in June 1863. 
Graculus mexicanus, Bonaparte. Mexican Cormorant. 
Common near Matamoras during the summer. I saw several 
Cormorants at Galveston, but did not succeed in shooting one. 
I received, however, two specimens from Fort Stockton. 
Plotus anhinga, Linnaeus. Darter or Snake-bird. 
Common on all the large rivers in Texas. I shot one on the 
Medina on the 5th May, and one was sent to me from Fort 
Stockton. 
