A RECONNOISSANCE IN SOUTHWESTERN TEXAS.
BY NATHAN CLIFFORD BROWN.
The village of Boerne in Southwestern Texas, with its environing country, was the field of my ornithological labors between December 21, 1879 and April 4, 1880. Boerne is situated about thirty miles northwest of San Antonio, and less than that distance westerly from New Braunfels, where Messrs. Werner and Ricksecker made their collection, a few years ago.[[16]] It lies in a country of hills and “flats,” scantily watered and largely unproductive, beyond which timber and general vegetation rapidly disappear, as the westward-bound traveller nears the desolation of the Great Plains. Live-oak grows in scattering groves, the postoak in more compact clusters, and cedar occurs in small “brakes” of some density. There are also, along the creek to which the village owes its existence, two or three small oases of deciduous trees admixed with vines, no one of them, perhaps, an acre in extent. The mesquite, which is so common on the prairies to the south and east, is not seen, but is replaced by a small variety of live-oak growing in the form of chaparral. Throughout my stay in it, the country had a very inhospitable and dreary aspect, on account of the almost total lack of grass of any kind; and by its absence the number of the local birds is of course materially diminished.
In presenting a list of the birds observed in this locality, I wish to call especial attention to the curious admixture of geographical races found here. Among the species which are subject to climatic variation, several are represented by two distinct varieties and with them confused and indeterminable intermediate forms. In others but one constant form is found. And in a third class the bird occurs in a varying, transitional phase of plumage which, however, occasionally becomes typical of some described race.
1. Hylocichla unalascæ (Gm.) Ridg. Dwarf Thrush.—Uncommon resident. Not heard to sing. Several of my specimens very closely approach the variety auduboni. I saw nothing of the eastern pallasi, which I have received from Mr. Geo. H. Ragsdale, of Gainesville.
2. Merula migratoria propinqua, Ridg. Western Robin.—Irregularly abundant.
3. Mimus polyglottus (Linn.) Boie. Mockingbird.—Rare resident.
4. Sialia sialis (Linn.) Haldem. Bluebird.—Comparatively common during the winter. All of my specimens were in most beautiful plumage. Not one male in a dozen showed the slightest brownish edging to the feathers of the back. I was particularly struck with this in view of the fact that almost every individual in a large series collected in Alabama, in the winter of 1878, exhibited more or less of this brownish edging.
5. Sialia arctica, Swains. Rocky Mountain Bluebird.—Abundant winter visitor. Generally in dull plumage.
6. Polioptila cærulea (Linn.) Scl. Blue-gray Gnatcatcher.—Apparently a common summer resident. Arrived March 8.
7. Regulus calendula (Linn.) Licht. Ruby-crowned Kinglet.—Abundant up to the last week in March.
8. Regulus satrapa, Licht. Golden-crested Kinglet.—Not common. Last seen about March 22.
9. Lophophanes atrocristatus, Cassin. Black-crested Tit.—Very abundant resident.
10. Parus carolinensis, Aud. Carolina Chickadee.—Uncommon during my stay. Usually seen in pairs.
11. Certhia familiaris rufa (Bartr.) Ridg. Brown Creeper.—Rare. Only two individuals observed: one Jan. 16, the other Jan. 29.
12. Salpinctes obsoletus (Say) Cab. Rock Wren.—I obtained a single female on March 4, in a cañon of the Cibalo Creek. It was very shy and was secured with difficulty.
13. Catherpes mexicanus conspersus, Ridg. White-throated Wren.—About three pairs were resident in the cañon above referred to. They lurked almost constantly in the interstices of the rocks, and had it not been for their delightful song would many times have entirely escaped observation.
14. Thryothorus ludovicianus (Gm.) Bp. Carolina Wren.—Uncommon resident.
15. Thryomanes bewicki leucogaster, Baird. Texan Bewick’s Wren.—Very common resident. Sang throughout the winter.
16. Anthus ludovicianus (Gm.) Licht. Titlark.—Abundant winter visitor. Became uncommon towards the last of March.
17. Neocorys spraguei (Aud.) Scl. Missouri Skylark.—Mr. Sennett having detected this species at Galveston,[[17]] it was, of course, to have been expected in the present locality. Since, however, I observed no examples until the 16th of March, it is to be inferred that the bird’s winter habitat lies much farther to the south than has been supposed. I met with specimens up to within a few days of my departure, but never in abundance and, I believe, all upon one “flat” containing about twenty acres.
While according to Dr. Coues[[18]] the manners and habits of this bird and the Titlark agree so closely during the breeding season, they were quite unlike at the time of my own observations. At Boerne the flight of the Skylark was peculiarly characteristic, being made slowly, at a height of but a few inches from the ground and with the regular, undulating movement of the Goldfinch. When several birds were associated together—as was usually the case—they were invariably much scattered about upon the ground, and in flight never closed ranks sufficiently to form anything like a flock. The Titlarks, on the contrary, as I have also found them at the North, were birds of erratic and more rapid flight, frequently ascending to a considerable height and always preserving the semblance of a flock, however straggling their order.
18. Mniotilta varia (Linn.) Vieill. Black-and-white Creeper.—Rather common after March 13.
19. Helminthophaga ruficapilla (Wils.) Bd. Nashville Warbler.—Two specimens,—March 30 and April 1.
20. Helminthophaga celata (Say) Bd. Orange-crowned Warbler.—Arrived the first week in March and thereafter was the most abundant of the Warblers. One of my specimens is a partial albino, the first, I believe, that has been detected in this peculiar phase of plumage.
21. Parula americana (Linn.) Bp. Blue Yellow-back.—Rare migrant. Arrived March 20 in full song.
22. Dendrœca coronata (Linn.) Gray. Yellow-rump.—An abundant winter visitor, seen throughout my stay.
23. Dendrœca blackburnæ (Gm.) Bd. Blackburnian Warbler.—A single male taken March 31.
24. Dendrœca dominica albilora, Bd. White-browed Yellow-throat.—Uncommon migrant, first seen on March 19. The song of this variety is very different from that of its eastern analogue, and is a close reproduction of the Field Sparrow’s familiar chant, without his decrescendo termination.
25. Dendrœca chrysoparia, Scl. and Salv. Golden-cheeked Warbler.—Previous to the capture of my Boerne specimens, there were only about seven[[19]] skins of this elegant Warbler in existence. It was a rare bird at Boerne, and my own series was not brought up to a total of seven without special exertion. The first individual made his appearance on March 12. Within forty-eight hours from that time, under the influence of a biting norther, the mercury sank to 29° and hovered about that figure for several days. So that in his semi-tropical habitat this little bird is sometimes called upon to endure pretty severe weather. The remaining examples were taken at intervals up to March 24, after which I saw none. I found them usually in cedar brakes; never more than a few rods distant from them. They were sometimes very shy, at other times easily approached, but almost always pursued their various avocations rather silently. I did not hear the song at all, until by this I was attracted to the last specimen that I procured. The notes were an exact counterpart of the song of Dendrœca discolor, as I heard it in Alabama, and, indeed, for the utterances of that bird I mistook them.
By the few examples of this species hitherto existing in cabinets, the plumage of the adult male has been represented with much green on the back. Four of my five males conform to this pattern of coloration, but the fifth is in a much more beautiful dress, undoubtedly showing the male bird in full perfection. In this specimen the back is deep black, glossy and continuous. Upon close examination, faint and irregular traces of greenish are perceptible, but in much too slight a degree to materially affect the groundwork. This high state of plumage greatly enhances the bird’s beauty and renders its wearer one of the handsomest of the Sylvicolidæ.
26. Dendrœca virens (Gm.) Bd. Black-throated Green Warbler.—An uncommon migrant, first seen on March 13. Found in hardwood growth and never in company with the preceding species. On March 25 I heard a male singing the plaintive song so familiar in northern woods.
27. Siurus motacilla (Vieill.) Coues. Large-billed Water Thrush.—A single male taken, March 25, in one of the “oases” of the creek.
28. Lanivireo flavifrons (Vieill.) Bd. Yellow-throated Vireo.—A pair taken on March 25.
29. Vireo atricapillus, Woodh. Black-capped Vireo.—One specimen, March 27. Could I have remained a few days later, other specimens would have undoubtedly been detected.
30. Vireo noveboracensis (Gm.) Bp. White-eyed Vireo.—Common summer resident, first seen on March 13.
31. Lanius ludovicianus excubitorides (Sw.) Coues. White-rumped Shrike.—Of irregular and uncommon occurrence. I obtained one specimen of ludovicianus proper.
32. Ampelis cedrorum (Vieill.) Bd. Cedar Bird.—Very irregular in its occurrence, and never common.
33. Progne subis (Linn.) Bd. Purple Martin.—Common summer resident. Arrived from the south, Feb. 17.
34. Petrochelidon lunifrons (Say) Lawr. Eave Swallow.—Common summer resident. Arrived about March 20. The cañon, to which I have several times alluded, contained many nests of this bird.
35. Hirundo erythrogastra, Bodd. Barn Swallow.—Common summer resident. A single individual seen on March 4, but no others noticed until the 10th of the month when there was a general arrival.
36. Stelgidopteryx serripennis (Aud.) Bd. Rough-winged Swallow.—But two observed,—March 3 and 4.
37. Pyranga æstiva (Linn.) Vieill. Summer Redbird.—One specimen taken in April.
38. Astragalinus tristis (Linn.) Cab. Goldfinch.—Rather common winter visitant.
39. Centrophanes ornatus (Towns.) Cab. Chestnut-collared Longspur.—This and the following species apparently do not winter here. I first met with them in the second week of February. They were often associated together, sometimes with the addition of a few Horned Larks. The present species, though not common, was the more numerous and lingered later, being taken up to March 2.
40. Rhynchophanes maccowni (Lawr.) Bd. McCown’s Longspur.—Uncommon migrant, taken between Feb. 11 and 21.
41. Passerculus sandwichensis alaudinus (Bp.) Ridg. Western Savanna Sparrow.—Common, throughout my stay, in cultivated fields.
42. Poœcetes gramineus confinis, Bd. Western Grass Finch.—Abundant in cultivated fields and less common elsewhere, throughout my stay. Several specimens were taken in plumage intermediate between this and the eastern form; and one which can hardly be referred to anything but gramineus proper.
43. Coturniculus passerinus (Wils.) Bp. Yellow-winged Sparrow.—A single specimen, Feb. 14.
44. Chondestes grammica (Say) Bp. Lark Finch.—Rare during the winter. A general arrival on March 11, after which it was common.
45. Zonotrichia querula (Nutt.) Gamb. Harris’s Sparrow.—Excepting two specimens taken by Mr. Dresser near San Antonio, this species has no Texas record. I found it very abundant during the winter, and in smaller numbers up to within a few days of my departure.
46. Zonotrichia leucophrys (Forst.) Sw. White-crowned Sparrow.—Uncommon winter visitor.
47. Zonotrichia gambeli intermedia, Ridg. Ridgway’s Sparrow.—More common than the preceding, tarrying into March, if not later.
48. Spizella domestica arizonæ (Coues) Ridg. Western Chipping Sparrow.—Rare during the winter. More numerous after Feb. 13. This form is new to the State.
49. Spizella breweri, Cass. Brewer’s Sparrow.—One specimen, March 5, amongst sterile hills. Doubtless is not rare in suitable localities, of which there are none in the immediate vicinity of the village.
50. Spizella pusilla (Wils.) Bp. Field Sparrow.—Common during my stay.
51. Junco hyemalis (Linn.) Scl. Black Snowbird.—Common during my stay.
52. Junco oregonus (Towns.) Scl. Oregon Snowbird.—Uncommon. In addition to the specimens typical of the two Juncos here given, I acquired a series of very puzzling examples intermediate between the two. Such connecting links between the accepted species are perhaps best accounted for under Mr. Ridgway’s theory[[20]] of hybridization, until it can be decisively shown that they are an effect of climatic causes.
53. Peucæa ruficeps eremœca,[[21]] Brown. Rock Sparrow.—This beautiful Sparrow was uncommon though apparently resident at Boerne. I found it altogether in rocky localities, usually in close proximity to the creek, but occasionally upon barren hills, a mile or more from water. It has the same shy, skulking habits which are familiar in other species of the genus, rarely taking wing, on the approach of an intruder, so long as rock, bush or weed affords a hiding place. The male’s song, which I first heard on Feb. 25, is a pretty warble, not strongly accentuated, and quite unsparrowlike,—equalling neither in sweetness nor in quality of music, the beautiful chant of P. æstivalis. Before becoming thoroughly familiar with it, I more than once attributed it to some unknown Warbler. The call-note is extremely fine and sharp, suggesting the eep of Ampelis cedrorum.
54. Melospiza fasciata (Gm.) Scott. Song Sparrow.—Rare throughout my stay. Specimens are not typical of this form, but are not referable to any of the western varieties.[[22]]
55. Melospiza lincolni (Aud.) Bd. Lincoln’s Finch.—Arrived March 4; common thereafter.
56. Passerella iliaca (Merrem) Sw. Fox Sparrow.—Two or three individuals met with. This species was detected in the valley of the Brazos by Mr. L. Kumlien,[[23]] but is not included in the papers of other Texas collectors.
57. Pipilo maculatus megalonyx (Bd.) Coues. Spurred Towhee.—To this form I refer a large series of Pipilos, which is by far the most remarkable of the many curious series from this locality. The relation of some specimens to restricted maculatus and the variety arcticus is indicated in the extract from Mr. Ridgway’s letter, under M. fasciata. Other examples are links in the chain of evidence that is gradually accumulating against the specific distinctness of Pipilo erythrophthalmus. Indeed, I am not sure that they may not be considered as establishing the intergradation between that form and the maculatus group. The extreme approach to the eastern bird is seen in a single specimen, in which the white spotting, partially concealed, appears upon the outer scapulars alone, and there only in very slight measure.
58. Cardinalis virginianus (Briss.) Bp. Cardinal.—Abundant resident. In a series of fifty specimens, two or three are typical, the remainder exhibiting to a greater or less degree the characters of both virginianus as restricted and var. igneus. In one specimen the black band across the culmen is hardly perceptible, but in none does the red of the forehead reach completely to the bill.
59. Calamospiza bicolor (Towns.) Bp. Lark Bunting.—One specimen, in a scattering grove of post oaks, March 24.
60. Molothrus ater (Bodd.) Gray. Cowbird.—A few females shot out of flocks of the following variety, in March.
60 b. Molothrus ater obscurus (Gm.) Coues. Dwarf Cowbird.—On Jan. 20 I shot the first females that I had observed, after which they soon became common. No males were detected until Feb. 25, but from that time both sexes were found in abundance.
61. Agelæus phœniceus (Linn.) Vieill. Red-winged Blackbird.—Abundantly represented, during the winter, but by females only, so far as my observations went. The males are said by the villagers to occur rarely.
62. Sturnella neglecta, Aud. Western Field Lark.—Abundant during my stay.
63. Icterus spurius (Linn.) Bp. Orchard Oriole.—One individual seen in April.
64. Scolecophagus cyanocephalus (Wagl.) Cab. Brewer’s Blackbird.—Found throughout my stay; in great abundance up to the middle of March.
65. Corvus corax carnivorus (Bartr.) Ridg. Raven.—Uncommon. Usually solitary, but on Jan. 28, I noticed a flock of a dozen.
66. Corvus frugivorus, Bartr. Crow.—Rare.
67. Eremophila alpestris chrysolæma (Wagl.) Coues. Mexican Horned Lark.—Abundant up to the first week of March, after which none were seen until March 27. From this time occasional individuals only were observed.
68. Milvulus forficatus (Gm.) Sw. Scissor-tail.—Arrived March 24, and became at once common.
69. Myiarchus crinitus (Linn.) Cab. Great-crested Flycatcher.—One specimen taken March 30.
70. Sayornis fuscus (Gm.) Bd. Pewee.—Found rather uncommonly throughout my stay.
71. Caprimulgus vociferus, Wils. Whip-poor-will.—One specimen taken April 2.
72. Picus scalaris, Wagl. Texas Woodpecker.—An abundant resident.
73. Sphyrapicus varius (Linn.) Bd. Yellow-bellied Woodpecker.—Rare and irregular.
74. Centurus carolinus (Linn.) Bp. Red-bellied Woodpecker.—The rarest species of this family: but three seen.
75. Centurus aurifrons, Wagl. Golden-fronted Woodpecker.—Uncommon resident. Unlike Mr. Sennett,[[24]] I found it always very shy.
76. Colaptes auratus hybridus (Bd.) Ridg. Hybrid Flicker.—Uncommon and of irregular occurrence. This form does not appear to have been met with in Texas limits before. The present locality is at all events exceptionally southern.
76 b. Colaptes auratus mexicanus (Sw.) Ridg. Red-shafted Flicker.—One specimen, taken Jan. 2. Others doubtless occurred amongst the shy Flickers which escaped my gun.
77. Ceryle alcyon (Linn.) Boie. Belted Kingfisher.—A pair seen on Feb. 18, one of which was shot by a friend on Feb. 21.
78. Geococcyx calfornianus (Less.) Bd. Chaparral Cock.—Though said by the inhabitants to be usually numerous, I found it rare during my stay.
79. Tinnunculus sparverius (Linn.) Vieill. Sparrow Hawk.—Common winter visitant.
80. Accipiter fuscus (Gm.) Bp. Sharp-shinned Hawk.—Common winter visitant.
81. Cathartes aura (Linn.) Illig. Turkey Buzzard.—Common resident.
82. Catharista atrata (Wils.) Less. Black Vulture.—Common resident.
83. Zenaidura carolinensis (Linn.) Bp. Carolina Dove.—In great numbers throughout my stay.
84. Meleagris gallopavo, Linn. Mexican Turkey.—The Boerne Hotel occasionally favored its guests with Wild Turkey obtained of ranchmen from the surrounding country, but I did not meet with the bird myself.
85. Ortyx virginiana texana (Lawr.) Coues. Texas Quail.—Uncommon resident. Nearly all of my specimens lack the outer one or two joints of all the toes,—a result, perhaps, of excessive cold.
86. Ardea herodias, Linn. Great Blue Heron.—Occasionally observed.
87. Charadrius dominicus, Müll. Golden Plover.—Uncommon after March 9, which was the date of its arrival.
88. Oxyechus vociferus (Linn.) Reich. Killdeer.—Abundant resident.
89. Podasocys montanus (Towns.) Coues. Mountain Plover.—Occurs uncommonly in the migrations. A flock of about twenty individuals encountered on Jan. 2; two specimens taken on March 15; and a flock of a dozen or more seen on March 17. They were very tame, but, from some peculiar constitutional trait, difficult to kill. This Plover was not procured in southern Texas by Mr. Sennett nor by Dr. Merrill. It was, however, met with by Mr. Dresser,[[25]] and two specimens obtained in the State by other collectors are catalogued in the ninth volume of Pacific Railroad Reports.
90. Gallinago media wilsoni (Temm.) Ridg. Wilson’s Snipe.—In the course of the winter I met with perhaps a dozen individuals, at one particular spot in the bed of the creek, where a little grass afforded partial cover. Specimens which I shot are exactly similar to eastern examples in plumage, but when freshly killed all agreed in having pale, flesh-colored legs and feet—those of the female being tinged with greenish-yellow. So far as my own experience goes, this is a peculiarity never seen in eastern Snipe, in which the legs and feet are olivaceous.
91. Actodromas maculata (Vieill.) Coues. Grass-bird.—One specimen, March 21.
92. Actodromas bairdi, Coues. Baird’s Sandpiper.—One specimen, March 16. A Sandpiper seen on Feb. 18, and two small flocks seen in March were also probably of this species.
93. Totanus melanoleucus (Gm.) Vieill. Great Yellow-legs.—One seen, Jan. 1; three others observed in the last week of March.
94. Rhyacophilus solitarius (Wils.) Cass. Solitary Sandpiper.—One specimen, March 25.
95. Bartramia longicauda (Bechst.) Bp. Upland Plover.—First seen on March 22, and but few noted subsequently.
96. Numenius longirostris, Wils. Sickle-billed Curlew.—Two observed, Dec. 21.
97. Numenius borealis (Forst.) Lath. Esquimaux Curlew.—Rather common migrant, first seen on March 9.
98. Grus canadensis (Linn.) Temm. Sandhill Crane.—Solitary individuals occasionally noted.
99. Anas obscura, Gm. Black Duck.—Small flocks rather unfrequently found in the creek.
100. Chaulelasmus streperus (Linn.) Gray Gadwall.—I did not detect this species until March 25, after which I found it uncommonly.
101. Nettion carolinensis (Gm.) Bd. Green-winged Teal.—Rare. First seen Feb. 6.
102. Fulix collaris (Donov.) Bd. Ring-billed Black-head.—One of three shot, Feb. 27.
103. Mergus merganser americanus (Cass.) Ridg. Goosander.—Small flocks observed in January.
104. Plotus anhinga, Linn. Snake-bird.—A female shot by a friend, on March 24.
To the foregoing list of species actually taken or identified beyond question, are to be added six others which I was unable to fix decisively. These are a Hawk, believed to have been Ictinia subcærulea, seen in pursuit of a Buzzard, on March 4; a red-tailed Buteo of which I saw a pair, Feb. 26; a shy, black Buteo, almost undoubtedly Buteo abbreviatus, frequently observed about the village; an Owl, apparently Strix nebulosa, several times scared up in an unusually dense grove of deciduous trees; a Hummer, noted a few times towards the close of my stay; and a beautiful Larus which hovered over the stage as it forded the creek, on my return journey to San Antonio.