Jan., 1918 .: :' ::..:..:.::.
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THE BREEDING BIRDS O17 BEXAR COUNTY, TEXAS 39 males have been seen on Mitchell's Lake. As these birds are not supposed to nest in this locality it is possible that the parents of these broods were wounded during the hunt- ing season and unable to return to their usual breeding grounds. Adults of .this and the former species were identified in June, 1916, by Captain F. B. Eastman, U.S. A., who has had wide experience with these birds in their northern haunts. Erismatura jamaicensis. Ruddy Duck. A few pairs of these birds nest each sea- son at Mitchell's Lake? Our first record, in 1913, was of a nicely constructed nest con- taining two heavily incubated eggs. In 1914 two nests containing four eggs each, and one set of seven, were found on June 21. Both eggs and birds were identified by Cap- tain Eastman. Piegadis guarauna. White-faced Glossy Ibis. In June, 1916, three pairs of these birds appeared at Mitchell's Lake, and on July 2, we succeeded in locating a nest con- taining four heavily incubated eggs. This was our first record. Ardetta exlils. Least Bittern. A rare bird in this county and growing more scarce each year. We have located it at only two places, Mitchell's Lake and a small marshy creek about five miles from it, where it nests from the latter part of May to the middle of July. Hydranassa tricolor ruficoilis. Louisiana Heron. While no nests of this species have been located, a few birds were seen during the nesting season each year at Mitch- ell's Lake in company with other herons, and we are positive that they breed there. Butorides virescens vlrescens. Green Heron. Fairly common throughout the county, nesting along the various creeks and at Mitchell's Lake. Most' frequently found at the latter point. They nest in May and June. Nyctlcorax nycticorax naevlus. Black-crowned Night Heron. This species nests commonly at Mitchell's Lake, the only locality where we have found it. Nests here in May and June. Gallinula 9aleata. Florida Gallinule. Fairly commcn on Mitchell's Lake, the only locality where we have observed it. Nests in June and July. Ionornis martiniC?. Purple Gallinule. Fairly common at Mitchell's Lake and be- coming more so each year. Nests of this species are better built than t?ose of the Flo. rida Gallinule, and are placed at a greater elevation from the water. The majority are rarely under two feet, and in a 'few cases, where the exceptional growth of the reeds per- mitted, they were found four or five feet from the water. Some are placed on the dense- ly matted boughs in thickets of willows growing in shallow water, but these are always placed lower than those found in the reeds. In regard to the number of eggs of this spe- cies, six is the maximum number, the majority averaging four and five eggs. Out of scores of nests examined only four nests contained more than six eggs, three of these holding seven eggs and one eight. Nests f?om the early part of June to the middle of July. Fullca americana. American Coot. Our most common species of the family. It is plentiful at Mitchell's Lake, and nests have been located in other suitable localities. It nests rather irregularly, but the season apparently reaches its height from the middle of June to the middle of July. Oxyechus voclferus. Killdeer. Fairly common throughout the county, nesting wherever a small pond of water affords a feeding ground. The eggs are laid from t?e middle of April through June. Colinus virginianus texanus. Texas Bob-white. Common resident, nesting throughout this county, but is more plentiful in the prairie portion, which offers better shelter and food. It nests from April to June. Calllpepla squamata castanogastrls. Chestnut-bellied Scaled Partridge. While no nest of this species has been located in this county, the birds are frequently ?ound in the adjoining counties to the south, and as they are commonly seen in the southern part of this county, we admit the species to this list. Nests in April and May. Zenaldura macroura mar91nella. Western Mourning Dove. Very abundant during the nesting season. Our earliest date is February 20, on which two nests With fresh eggs were found, and our latest, September 24, when the same number of nests, one contain- ing fresh eggs and the other heavily incubated eggs, were found. This species, however, is rapidly' decreasing, owing to the hunting season on doves opening on September 1, at which time thousands of young are still.in the nests, where they Starve when [heir par-
