LIST OF BIRDS OBSERVED AT HOUSTON, HARRIS CO., TEXAS, AND IN THE COUNTIES MONTGOMERY, GALVESTON AND FORD BEND.
BY H. NEHRLING.
(Continued from p. [13].)
87. Molothrus ater Gray. Cowbird.—Very abundant throughout the year. They come in large flocks into the streets of the city in the winter months to search for food; they also associate at that season with Scolecophagus cyanocephalus Cab. I have never seen anywhere else such numbers of these birds as here, and in the breeding season most of the nests of our small birds contain eggs of this parasite.
87a. Molothrus ater obscurus Coues. Dwarf Cowbird.—A common bird during the breeding season. It is smaller than its near relative, and quicker in its motions. Moves usually in flocks of from two to ten. I first observed the bird when it was just leaving the nest of Lanivireo flavifrons Bd., and found its egg in it, besides four of the Vireo’s. The egg is smaller and not so thickly sprinkled as that of the common Cowbird.
88. Xanthocephalus icterocephalus Bd. Yellow-headed Blackbird.—Very common in marshy localities from the latter part of October to March and April. I think some remain to breed, as I observed small flocks during May in the low prairie districts overgrown with reeds and other water plants. The best opportunity I ever had to study the breeding habits of this beautiful but very locally distributed Blackbird was in the Calumet Marshes near Kensington, about eighteen miles south of Chicago, where I discovered in a single day about fifty nests among the reeds. During the winter months they associate with Molothrus ater, Agelæus phœniceus, and Scolecophagus cyanocephalus; many migrate further south, and in cold winters only a few remain near Houston.
89. Agelæus phœniceus Vieill. Red-winged Blackbird.—Common in swamps, but not so abundant as I have found these birds to be in Wisconsin and Illinois. May 6, 1881, I discovered a nest in a somewhat strange position, in a blackberry-bush (Rubus villosus) on the edge of a thicket; there was no swamp within a mile. This was in the northern part of Harris County. Only a few remain to winter, the greater part migrating farther south.
90. Sturnella magna Swains. Meadow Lark.—Common summer sojourner, and very abundant during winter; many thousands are killed in the latter season by pot hunters. During summer the Meadow Lark is strictly a prairie bird, always to be looked for on the open grassy savannas; I never found the bird breeding in a cotton field or corn field. In winter, however, they change their habits, and in large flocks visit the sugar-cane, cotton, and corn fields.
91. Icterus spurius Bp. Orchard Oriole.—Common during migrations.
91a. Icterus spurius affinis Coues. Southern Orchard Oriole.—Very common summer sojourner; breeds in all suitable localities, especially in peach gardens. The bird is decidedly smaller than the northern variety; it is also more active and quicker in its motions. The song is much more varied, and louder, quicker and more beautiful, reminding one of the song of the Baltimore Oriole. The nest is smaller, but it is built of the same materials—green grasses, lined with cotton. May 8, 1881, I discovered a very curious but not quite finished nest near Spring Creek, only a few yards from a dwelling. For several days I had observed a pair of these birds carrying fresh green grasses to a laurel oak (Quercus imbricaria), that was densely covered with large hanging bunches of Spanish moss (Tillandsia usneoides); they disappeared every time into a bunch of moss, yet I could see no nest. At last, on taking down the bunch of moss, I was surprised to find a beautiful structure in my hands. The grasses and moss were all woven firmly together; the entrance was on the side.
92. Scolecophagus ferrugineus Swains. Rusty Blackbird.—Very rare. A few seen in March, 1881, among flocks of the following species.
93. Scolecophagus cyanocephalus Cab. Brewer’s Blackbird.—During winter the most common of the family Icteridæ. They are very abundant in Houston from the early part of November to April, when they disappear for the north; by the end of that month only a few remain to breed in suitable localities. I found several nests May 5, 1881, in thick, small oaks near the Rose Hill Post Office in the northern part of Harris County. They were built in the tops of young post oaks (Quercus obtusiloba), about twelve to fifteen feet from the ground, and contained from two to five eggs each. The nests were composed exteriorly of strong slender plant stems and coarse grasses, and were lined with fine grasses. These birds are very unsuspicious and bold during winter, running about in even the most crowded city streets, and also frequenting door-yards. On cold days they are easily caught. I had a pair over a year in a cage; they soon became reconciled to confinement, and were lively, interesting pets.
94. Quiscalus purpureus æneus Ridgw. Bronzed Grackle.—The most abundant of all the Blackbirds during the breeding season, arriving from their more southern winter quarters early in March. None remain, so far as my observations go, during winter. They breed abundantly in the larger gardens of Houston, especially in the mountain cedars (Juniperus occidentalis texana), and the live and water oaks (Quercus virens et Q. aquatica). In the thick young oak grove near Rose Hill Post Office I found a large colony of about two hundred pairs breeding and in their company also the Boat-tailed Grackles (Quiscalus major) and Brewer’s Blackbirds (Scolecophagus cyanocephalus), but each species had its own limited nesting range. Every nest was built in the top of a slender oak and all the nests examined were neat, strong, and large structures; they were constructed of plant stems, slender grasses, fragments of corn-husks, intermingled with sheep’s wool, and lined with finer grasses. In some nests a layer of mud was also to be found.
95. Quiscalus major Vieill. Boat-tailed Grackle.—Quite regularly distributed over the coast region of Texas. I found the birds breeding in the colonies of the Little Blue Heron (Florida cærulea) and the Snowy Heron (Garzetta candidissima), on the button bushes (Cephalanthus occidentalis) standing in the water. May 6, 1881, I observed a colony of about twenty pairs near Rose Hill Post Office. They were all busily engaged in building their nests in the tops of young oaks. Only a few nests were finished, and only one contained eggs, four in number. Nest composed of weed-stalks, grasses and sheep’s wool, lined with finer grasses; cavity very shallow if compared with nests of Quiscalus purpureus æneus and Scolecophagus cyanocephalus. The male has a few very fine songlike notes, different from those of every other Blackbird.
96. Corvus frugivorus Bartr. Common Crow.—In winter numbers are to be observed on Galveston Bay, near bayous, and on the sugar cane fields near the Brazos. In spring they scatter over the country, breeding in all suitable localities, but they are then nowhere common in the coast region.
97. Cyanocitta cristata Strickl. Blue Jay.—A very common resident; breeds abundantly in all woody localities; also often in gardens on mountain cedars and sometimes on the beautiful Japan medlars (Eriobotrya japonica). Very bold and tame when well treated, coming then into door-yards and even into houses.
98. Milvulus forficatus Sw. Scissor-tailed Flycatcher; “Texan Bird of Paradise”; “Fork-tail.”—Very common summer sojourner; breeds frequently in the “bosquets” on the prairies, on the borders of woods, on isolated trees in the fields, and even in gardens. As the nest in this part of Texas is in most cases placed in trees, densely covered with Tillandsia, it is almost impossible to discover it. These beautiful birds are not at all retiring in their habits; in many instances they are so tame as to breed in close proximity to dwellings. They arrive from their winter quarters late in March, sometimes in the first days of April. Very often two broods are raised yearly. I found fresh eggs as late as July 4. The nests in the coast region are built partly of grasses but especially of gray Spanish moss. In September, after the breeding season, they gather in large flocks, visiting the cotton fields, where multitudes of cotton worms (Aletia argillacea) and their moths abound, on which they, with many other small birds, eagerly feed; early in October they depart for the South.
99. Tyrannus carolinensis Temm. Kingbird.—Common summer resident. Arrives from the South late in March or early in April, when the beautiful native yellow jessamine (Gelsemium sempervirens) fills the air with its pleasant odor. Nests commonly in the honey locust (Gleditschia triacanthos) and also in the common locust (Robinia pseudacacia). In many cases two broods are raised yearly.
100. Myiarchus crinitus Cab. Great-crested Flycatcher.—Common summer sojourner, even in Houston, where it sometimes breeds in bird-boxes, but more commonly in knot-holes of the cedar and sycamore (Platanus occidentalis) and in old Woodpeckers’ holes. Their loud whistling cries are almost always to be heard from early April till the latter part of August; departs for winter quarters early in October. It is not a shy bird, but knows well how to escape danger. They are, with Kingbirds and other species, very busy during the time the Magnolia grandiflora is in bloom, about which millions of various insects abound.
101. Sayornis fuscus Bd. Phoebe Bird; Pewee.—Common in winter, from December to March, especially in the gardens of Houston. The common notes I heard were quite different from their familiar pewee, sounding like tsip, tsip, tsip, zewee. None remain to breed.
102. Sayornis sayus Brd. Say’s Pewee.—This Pewee I have observed only in April, on the borders of thickets and in the shrubbery near woods, and always singly.
103. Contopus virens Cab. Wood Pewee.—Common summer sojourner in open woods, particularly in the “post oak,” where its loud characteristic notes can be heard throughout the summer. Although this bird is common, I did not succeed in finding a nest. Arrives early in April; departs early in October.
104. Empidonax acadicus Bd. Acadian Flycatcher.—Common summer resident, and the only one of this attractive genus that breeds in this part of Texas. They are common in all the woods, particularly where a beautiful light green lichen (Usnea barbata) hangs from the trees. In all the deciduous woods of Harris County, and also in the mixed bottom woods near Spring Creek, they are common, but I was not so fortunate as to discover the nest, although I always kept a diligent lookout for it.
105. Empidonax trailli Bd. Traill’s Flycatcher.—Common during migrations, but none, I think, remain to breed.
106. Empidonax minimus Bd. Least Flycatcher.—Common during migrations in April and October.
107. Trochilus colubris Linn. Ruby-throated Hummingbird.—Very common summer sojourner. I observed them from early April to the middle of October. Very abundant when the Wistaria chinensis, Lonicera japonica, Gardenia florida, Pittosporum tobira, Cydonia japonica, etc., are in flower.
I have several times seen another species of Hummingbird, but I did not succeed in securing it.
108. Chætura pelasgica Bd. Chimney Swift.—On August 20, 1880, I saw numbers on the borders of woods near Spring Creek. During May, June and July I have seen only a few pairs.
109. Antrostomus carolinensis Gld. Chuck-will’s-widow.—Common during the breeding season in dry woods, with much undergrowth. Arrives late in April from its winter quarters; the time of departure I do not know. They remain silent during day-time, and commence their peculiar cries soon after dusk of evening. The eggs are laid on the bare ground in dry places, and are commonly well hidden by thick shrubbery. In the dry woods near Spring Creek they are common, but not in the wet wooded tracts near Houston.
110. Chordiles popetue Bd. Nighthawk.—Seen in very large numbers. I saw thousands during a cloudy, rainy day in the early part of May, near the borders of woods. They all soon disappeared.
111. Chordiles acutipennis texensis Ridgw. Texan Nighthawk.—A regular but somewhat rare summer sojourner. Differs from the preceding in many respects. They are more retiring in their habits; they also sail very low over ponds and pools of water, where myriads of insects, especially mosquitoes, abound. Four to six are often seen together, flying quite near each other. I never heard them utter a sound, and do not know where they breed, but I think they have their nests on the shrubby borders of woods, where they are most commonly to be observed when flying. They are readily distinguishable from their near relatives, our familiar northern Nighthawk, by their peculiar, low, and quiet sailing, and also by their smaller size.
112. Campephilus principalis Gray. Ivory-billed Woodpecker.—Very rare; I have found it only in the large and dense pine forests in the northern part of Harris County and in Montgomery County far from human habitations. Very shy and not easy to approach.
113. Picus villosus Linn. Hairy Woodpecker.—Frequently seen during winter, but only a few times during the breeding season.
114. Picus scalaris Wagl. Texas Woodpecker.—This beautiful little Woodpecker is quite numerous in all wooded districts; it comes often during winter into the gardens of Houston, and is then very unsuspicious. I can give no particulars about its nesting habits, as I have never found a nest.
115. Picus pubescens Linn. Downy Woodpecker.—Common; breeds in all wooded districts, but is by no means so abundant as I have found it to be in Wisconsin.
116. Picus borealis Vieill. Red-cockaded Woodpecker.—The Picus querulus of Wilson is resident in all the large pine woods; it is very shy, restless, and noisy. The male is very wary during the breeding season, and every pair has its own limited breeding range. I discovered a nest in an old high pine stump, but it was out of reach. These birds are not rare in heavily wooded districts. I never have seen one in the deciduous woods.
117. Sphyropicus varius Bd. Yellow-bellied Woodpecker.—Winter resident from November to March, and then not uncommon. Always seen singly.
118. Hylotomus pileatus Bd. Pileated Woodpecker.—Common resident in all the wooded tracts, in the “post oak” as well as in the bottom and pine forests. A very noisy species; its drumming is almost as loud as that of the Ivory-billed Woodpecker. It is not a shy and retiring species, but, on the contrary, is very often seen near farm houses. Especially abundant where during the previous winter or spring many trees have been cut down; these they search for worms, and very soon have all the bark hammered away from them. They often excavate a hole for their nest in a post oak, in a sycamore, and also in elms, often at a considerable height. The cavity is from 10 to 20 inches deep and so large that a man can easily put his hand into it. The eggs, from four to six, are of a brilliant white color. Only one brood is raised, and the young follow their parents till late in the fall.
119. Centurus carolinus Bonap. Red-bellied Woodpecker.—Another very common Woodpecker. Its loud, harsh croaks, sounding like crirrk, are almost continually to be heard in the woods. Prefers deciduous woods. It is resident throughout the year, and is not shy or of retiring habits, but often visits the larger gardens. In the winter months I have often observed them on the ground searching for insects, but it can not walk as easily as Colaptes auratus. Breeds usually on the borders of woods, and raises only one brood yearly.
120. Melanerpes erythrocephalus Sw. Red-headed Woodpecker.—The most abundant of its family in and near Houston; breeds commonly in the city in sycamores, water and swamp oaks, and in magnolias along Buffalo Bayou. Very confiding and tame; hammers often on houses and stables, on church towers, telegraph posts, etc. Two broods are raised each season. I have seen, late in August, young just from the nest. Once I discovered the nest in a sycamore in a street, about fifteen feet from the ground, the tree standing only a few yards from a house. Resident throughout the year. Many are killed by negro boys with so-called “nigger-shooters,” and not only this species, but also numberless other birds are thus destroyed by them.
121. Colaptes auratus Sw. Golden-winged Woodpecker; “Flicker.”—Rare during the breeding season, abundant in the winter months. Frequently seen in pairs and small companies of from four to ten, and even more. Spends its time during this season mostly on the ground, where it searches for food. The first companies arrive late in October, and they steadily increase in numbers till December, when they are exceedingly abundant. They begin to migrate northward late in February.
122. Ceryle alcyon Boie. Belted Kingfisher.—Seen only occasionally. In the western part of Texas, where the rivers and creeks have clear water, the bird is evidently more common.
123. Coccyzus americanus Bonap. Yellow-billed Cuckoo.—Common summer sojourner; breeds abundantly in the thickets on the edges of woods, and is in this part of our country a very unsuspicious bird, as it is not only often seen in gardens, but sometimes breeds in them, in pomegranate bushes, in Banksia and Cherokee-rose thickets, etc. The first nests I found late in April, the last, July 5. This, a typical nest for this region, was placed in a young sweet-gum tree (Liquidambar styraciflua), about ten feet above the ground, and was almost hidden among Smilax laurifolia, with which the tree was overgrown. It was built of sticks, fragments of leaves, Spanish moss and a few grass-stems lined with the leaves of the loblolly pine (Pinus tæda). It contained two eggs, one somewhat advanced in incubation, the other quite fresh. I think two broods are, in many cases, reared each season.
124. Coccyzus erythrophthalmus Bd. Black-billed Cuckoo.—Common during the middle of April, but I do not think that any remain to breed.
125. Strix flammea americana Coues. American Barn Owl.—More or less common in all suitable localities. Breeds usually in hollow stumps, but last year (May 6, 1881) I discovered a nest in the side of a high bank of a “gully” near Spring Creek. The nest was about two feet from the entrance and nearly horizontal; a few feathers were the only lining. Eggs, three in number, dirty white.
126. Brachyotus palustris Gld. Short-eared Owl.—Not uncommon late in autumn and during winter near thickets and marshes, where many little birds associate, on which it feeds almost entirely. Very shy, and not easily secured.
127. Syrnium nebulosum Gray. Barred Owl; “Hoot Owl”; “Bottom Owl.”—Very common, especially in all the bottom woods and in the thick woods bordering Buffalo Bayou. Their curious notes are heard every night from the dusk of evening till dawn, and also in dark cloudy and rainy days. These notes are easily imitated, and often three or four of the birds may be thus attracted. During night time they come fearlessly near farm houses, and, with their loud, laughing, unearthly sounds, make a terrible noise. I have often heard four or five at one time near a house. Their flight is easy and quick. In Texas where the hens, turkeys, etc., roost on trees, this Owl is very destructive. They do not kill old poultry, but like half-grown chickens, and soon depopulate a whole poultry-yard. The nest is usually built high up in trees, mostly in pin oaks (Quercus palustris) and elms, sometimes also in pines, of strong twigs and sticks, without a lining. They also use old Crow’s and Hawk’s nests, which they repair a little.
128. Scops asio maccalli Ridgw. Texan Screech Owl.—This little Owl seems to be quite common. If they are disturbed, they hide in the hollow of a tree or stump. All their movements are exceedingly quick and elegant, and the flight gliding and noiseless. I have never had an opportunity to examine a nest.
129. Bubo virginianus Bonap. Great Horned Owl.—Common; resident; breeds. Nests abundantly in all the large woods; especially common in dense bottom woods. Their loud cries are to be heard not only during the nights, but also in the day-time, when the weather is cloudy and rainy. They are very destructive to the poultry; they, like the Barred Owls, come near the farm houses and commence their ludicrous cries about nine o’clock in the evening; they utter their cries only during the breeding season; later they are almost silent. The flight is very quick and easy. The nest is placed from thirty to seventy feet from the ground in the top of a large forest tree; it is composed of sticks and twigs, and is sometimes lined with a bunch of Spanish moss, but this may be accidental.
130. Speotyto cunicularia hypogæa Ridgw. Burrowing Owl.—This little Owl is every year increasing in numbers. Breeds in the higher prairies, and also in waste fields, in holes. They also breed in the burrows of the salamander, a species of Geomys, probably Geomys pinetis. I have not seen their eggs.
131. Falco mexicanus polyagrus Coues. Prairie Falcon.—This noble bird is resident on the borders of woods near prairies, but it is by no means a common bird. Its flight is graceful, but always low; its food is said to consist especially of Prairie Chickens and domestic fowl.
132. Æsalon columbarius Kaup. Pigeon Hawk.—Common in fall and winter, as soon as the large flocks of Blackbirds and different Finches appear from the north, among which it makes great havoc. None remain to breed. They disappear quite early, usually in the first days of March.
133. Tinnunculus sparverius Vieill. Sparrow Hawk.—Common in fall and winter, but never observed during the breeding season. This bird also does great harm among our small birds.
134. Polyborus cheriway Cab. Caracara Eagle; Mexican Eagle; “Mexican Buzzard.”—Regularly distributed, but in this part of Texas is not so common as farther in the interior. It is a very showy bird, and the flight is extremely elegant and quick. Although it is very shy and not easily to be approached, it often builds its nest in trees not far from farm houses. The farmers say they are as harmless as Turkey Buzzards. The nest is usually from twenty-five to thirty feet above the ground and is built of sticks, sometimes lined with bits of cotton and Spanish moss; the cavity is shallow. Often the birds, commonly single individuals, are to be observed with Vultures feeding together on carrion.
135. Elanoïdes forficatus Ridgw. Swallow-tailed Kite; Fork-tailed Kite.—Abundant summer sojourner from the first part of March to October. A beautiful bird, and one of the most characteristic species of this locality. Especially abundant in the bottom woods near prairies or fields. Nest very high in slender trees in the river and creek bottoms; it is built of sticks and Spanish moss. I never had an opportunity to collect eggs of this bird as the nests, in almost every case, were out of reach. In August and September the birds are often seen in cotton fields, where they feed on cotton worms and other insects. They are particularly fond of small snakes, such as Leptophis, Rhinostoma coccinea, lizards (Anolius carolinensis and Ameiva sex-lineata). I never have seen them take a bird or a small quadruped.
136. Elanus glaucus Coues. White-tailed Kite.—This rare and beautiful bird I have seen several times sailing over cotton fields. Its flight is easy and graceful, but not rapid; sometimes it stops a few moments and then descends with great velocity to the ground to capture a lizard or a snake. It is not shy, and is easily recognized by its white tail.
137. Ictinia subcærulea Coues. Mississippi Kite.—Not a common summer resident, and very shy and retiring in its habits. It is generally found in the same localities with Elanoïdes forficatus. Its sailings are extremely beautiful and sometimes the bird is so high in the air as to be almost invisible. Like the Swallow-tailed Kite, it is often seen about cotton fields, where it feeds on the cotton worms and on small snakes and lizards. I have a few times seen the nest high up in the top of gigantic pines, pin oaks and sycamores, entirely out of my reach.
138. Circus hudsonius Vieill. Marsh Hawk.—Common resident in the marshy prairies in the northern part of Harris County; also common near the sugar-cane fields on the Brazos. It is very destructive to all the smaller prairie birds, but it also feeds on snakes, frogs and lizards. I never found a nest.
139. Accipiter cooperi Bonap. Cooper’s Hawk.—This very common and impudent robber is the most destructive of the Raptores to the barnyard fowls; in a short time all the young chickens, turkeys, and ducks are killed by it. It is so bold as to seize the poultry before the farmer’s eyes, and in only few cases can the bird be punished, as it is very difficult to shoot. The flight is easy, very quick, and usually low. Nests found in April had already half-grown young. They were similar to Crows’ nests, built of twigs in the tops of middle sized trees, and lined with bunches of Tillandsia.
140. Accipiter fuscus Bonap. Sharp-shinned Hawk.—Common in winter.
141. Buteo pennsylvanicus Bonap. Broad-winged Hawk.—Not uncommon during the winter months, and a few remain to breed, nesting in the high trees near the rivers and creeks.
142. Buteo swainsoni Bonap. Swainson’s Hawk.—Not uncommon during the breeding season; often seen on the prairies near woods. Many are killed, as they commit great havoc among the poultry. The nest is built in the tallest trees, in an almost inaccessible position.
143. Haliaëtus leucocephalus Savig. Bald Eagle; White-headed Eagle.—This is not a common bird, but is known to breed in certain parts of this region. They build their nests in the tallest trees of the river bottoms. Two young, taken out of a nest in the spring of 1880, became very tame pets.
144. Cathartes aura Illig. Turkey Buzzard.—Very abundant, and resident throughout the year. Nests on the ground.
145. Catharista atrata Less. Black Vulture; Carrion Crow.—Common but not abundant; about one-twentieth as common as the Turkey Buzzard. Breeds on the ground in the grassy prairies.
146. Ectopistes migratoria Sw. Passenger Pigeon.—Occasionally common during the migrations. In September and October, 1881, I saw immense numbers in the post oak woods, where they were feeding on acorns.
147. Zenaidura carolinensis Bonap. Mourning Dove.—Very abundant, and resident throughout the year. In very cold winters many migrate farther south. They raise, at least in this part of the country, three broods yearly. On the prairies the nest is not unfrequently placed upon the ground.
148. Chamæpelia passerina Sw. Ground Dove.—A rare summer sojourner. Have never seen more than two together.
149. Meleagris gallopavo (americana Coues?). Wild Turkey.—I can not state with certainty whether the Wild Turkey under consideration is the Meleagris gallopavo americana or M. gallopavo, but I think it is the first-named variety. I have found the bird abundant in all the heavily wooded districts, especially common in the thick woods with much underbrush near Spring Creek. Eggs are often put under a tame hen, but the young are not easily domesticated; as soon as they are grown they become very wild, and many go off again to their favorite woods. Early in May I have seen the mother bird with about a dozen young ones, but they were so extremely wild that they suddenly disappeared among the almost impenetrable thickets of blackberries (Rubus villosus) and Smilax (Smilax laurifolia and S. lanceolata). When the pecans are ripe, they assemble in flocks of from ten to twenty and even thirty, and feed particularly on these nuts. Later in the season they feed on several kinds of acorns, and in winter when food becomes scarce, they eat the berries of the myrtle-holly (Oreophila myrtifolia) and other berries.
150. Cupidonia cupido Bd. Prairie Hen.—Common resident on all the flat grassy prairies. Is becoming scarcer every year.
151. Ortyx virginiana Bonap. American Quail; “Bob white.”—Very abundant resident. Two broods are raised yearly. They are exceedingly tame and confiding, breeding sometimes in close proximity to the habitations of men. In winter from fifty to one hundred are usually seen in cotton and sugar-cane fields.
(To be continued.)