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.