Jan., 1918 THE BREEDING BIRDS OF BEXAR COUNTY, TEXAS 41 Coccyzus americanus americanus. Yellow-billed Cuckoo. Common in all portions of the county, but like the Roadrunner, seems to prefer the heavier brush and small oaks aS nesting sites. Nests rather erratically here, from April to July, more frequently in June; the nests are placed from two feet up in the bushes to thirty-five feet in the oaks. Ceryle americana septentrionalls. Texas Kingfisher. A rare bird in this county. While We have never been able to locate an inhabited nest, we have found several bur- rows in the clay banks of the Medina and San Antonio rivers, and observed 0ae birds in the vicinity in April, May and June of 1916. We were not permitted to examine these burrows. ' ' Dryobates scalaris bairdi. Baird or Texas Woodpecker. This county seems to be the northern limit of this species, as only a few are observed. The majority are found in the chaparral area, where they nest in the small mesquites in May and June. Centurus aurlfronm. Golden-fronted Woodpecker. Common, breeding over the en- tire county. Owing to the scarcity of suitable natural sites in some portions, this spe- cies is found most abundantly along the railway tracks, where the birds take advantage of the opportunities offered by telegraph poles. When found in the chaparral area, their nests are rarely over four or five feet from the ground, and, owing to the smallness of the trees, leave the trunk a mere shell around the nest. They breed from the latter part cf April to the middle of June. Antrostomus carolinensis. Chuck-will's-widow. We have never located a nest of this species, but have been informed by reliable parties that the nests are frequently found in the hilly country. As we have seen the birds in the nesting season in such lo- calities, we are satisfied that this is true. Nests in May and June. Phalaenoptilus nuttalli nuttalli. Poor-wilh As with the preceding species, we have been unable to locate eggs. However, we have observed the birds on numerous occasions during their breeding season, and are therefore positive they nest here. Choralelies acutipennis texen$is. Texas Nighthawk. Fairly plentiful over the en- tire county, but more abundant in the prairie section. Nests in May and June. .. Archilochus alexandrh Black-chinned Hummingbird. This species Is restricted to the hilly northwestern portion of the county, where the birds nest along the various streams. They are also frequently seen in the numerous parks of the city. They nest in June. ' Mumcivets forflcata. Scissor-tailed Flycatcher. This species nests abundantly along all the roads of the county. One or two nests may usually be found near every farm house, where they are protected, as they readily detect and drive away any hawk that ventures too near. Nests in May and June. Myiarchus crlnitus. Crested Flycatcher. Rare in this county, and nesting only along the streams in the heavily timbered areas. The size and constant chattering of these birds readily distinguishes them. They nest in May and June. Miarchus magistot nelsonh Mexican Crested Flycatcher. An extremely rare bird in this county, but plentiful in the counties to the south. We have located a few nests in the extreme southern portions of the chaparral area, where this flycatcher nests in April and May.' Myiarchus cinerascens cinerascens. Ash-throated Flycatcher. This species is found nesting throughout the county in April, May and June. Sayornis phoebe. Phoebe. These birds are found only in the hilly parts of the county, where they nest in cavities in the limestone cliffs. We have found very few nests, and these only in May and June. Pyrocephalus rubinu? mexicanus. Vermilion Flycatcher. In June, 1912, we lo- cated a nest of this species containing two heavily incubated eggs, which forms our only record. While we have been told of other nests in the chaparral area, we have been un- able to obtain authentic data in regard to them. Molothrus ater ob?curus. Dwarf Cowbird. Abundant everywhere. Our personal observations condemn this species. A set of any of our smaller birds is rarely found without one or more eggs of the Cowbird. If these are allowed to hatch, the Cowbird rapidly outgrows the lawful occupants of the nest, and either smothers. them or pushes [hem entirely from the nest to die upon the ground. This ls not a supposition on our part, but based upon countless observations. . Agelaius phoeniceus phoeniceus. Red-winged Blackbird. Common in all portions of the county which afford suitable nesting sites. Especially abundant at Mitchell's
