Page:Notes on the Ornithology of Southern Texas.djvu/57

This page needs to be proofread.
172
PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.


241. Larus delawarensis, Ord.

Common in winter. — (Sennett, B. Rio Grande, 64)

242. Cnrcecocephalus atricilla, (Linn.)

Common resident, breeding near the coast, and also on the salt prai- ries near the fort. — (Dresser, Ibis, 1866, 44.— Larus a., Sennett, B. Eio Grande, 64.)

243. Sterna anglica, Mont.

Bather abundant. Found breeding in company with Forster's Tern. — (Sennett, B. Eio Grande, 64. — 8. aranea, Dresser, Ibis, 1866, 44.)

244. Sterna caspia var. imperator, Coues.

Breeds on Padre Island.— (Sennett, B. Eio Grande, 65.)

245. Sterna maxima, Bodd.

Breeds on Padre Island.— (8. regia. Dresser, Ibis, 1S66, 44.)

246. Sterna cantiaca, Gm.

Breeds on Padre Island. — (Sennett, B. Rio Grande, 65.)

247. Sterna forsteri, Nutt.

On May 16, 1877, Mr. Sennett and I found a colony of these Terns nesting on a nearly submerged grassy island, among lagoons and marshes. They had but just begun to lay. About two dozen eggs were obtained, and a few parents shot for identification. The nests were slight depressions among the short grass, and the eggs were frequently wet. — (Sennett, B. Eio Grande, 65.)

248. Sterna antillarum, (Less.)

Common in summer, and some pass the winter. Deposit their eggs on sand-bars in the river. — (8. frenata, Dresser, Ibis, 1866, 44. — 8. superciliaris antillarum, Sennett, B. Eio Grande, 66.)

249. Hydrochelidon nigra, (Linn.)

Eather plentiful during summer. — (H. plumbea, Dresser, Ibis, 1866, 45.)

250. Rhynchops nigra, Linn.

Not rare in summer. — (Dresser, Ibis, 1866, 45. — Sennett, B. Rio Grande, 66.)

251. Podiceps dominicus, (Linn.)

A rather common resident. Several nests, undoubtedly of this Grebe, were found on May 16, 1877, while visiting the heronry already referred to. They were made of water-plants and pieces of reeds slightly fastened to one or two tule-stalks, and forming a wet, floating mass. No eggs were obtained. — (Sennett, B. Eio Grande, 66.)

Note. — So far as it appears, Dr. Merrill's claim (Bull. N. O. C. 1, 88), to have been the first to have really added this species to the North