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.