56. Progne subis, Bd. Purple Martin.—Abundant summer resident. Arrives March 1 from the South. Breeds in large numbers under the wooden awnings of sidewalks, even in the business part of Houston and Galveston. Abundant also in the country where bird-boxes are put out for its convenience. Two broods are commonly raised in this latitude.
57. Petrochelidon lunifrons, Lawr. Cliff Swallow.—Seen in great numbers during September, but does not breed in this region.
58. Hirundo erythrogastra, Bodd. Barn Swallow.—Large numbers seen in the latter part of August, but not found breeding.
59. Tachycineta bicolor, Cab. White-bellied Swallow.—Common during migrations. A few observed in summer on the borders of woods.
60. Cotyle riparia, Boie. Bank Swallow.—A few pairs remain to breed in such localities as the banks of Buffalo Bayou and Galveston Bay.
61. Stelgidopteryx serripennis, Bd. Rough-winged Swallow.—A very abundant summer resident. Often nests under the roofs of sidewalks and on old buildings in Houston, but is more a companion to the preceding on the high banks on Buffalo Bayou and Galveston Bay.
62. Pyranga rubra, Vieill. Scarlet Tanager.—A moderately common bird during the migrations. Arrives from the South about April 15 and passes without lingering to its more northern breeding range.
63. Pyranga æstiva, Vieill. Summer Redbird.—A common summer resident, particularly in oak woods. It is an elegant species, as are all the members of this family, but is more retired in its habits and quicker and more restless in its motions than the preceding. The song is more varied, louder, and wilder. The nest is usually built on the horizontal branch of an oak, from seven to twenty feet above the ground. It is a very open-worked inartificial structure, and the eggs cannot with certainty be distinguished from those of the Scarlet Tanager.
64. Astragalinus tristis, Cab. Goldfinch.—A very abundant winter sojourner. Feeds almost entirely on the seeds of the sycamore or button-wood (Platanus occidentalis).
65. Chrysomitris pinus, Bon. Pine Finch.—A somewhat rare winter sojourner.