Chapter L: L. Howard,

Gainesville, Texas.

A Georgia paper says that before the war there was a bird in the south that fed exclusively on cockle-burrs. At a certain season of the year these birds would sweep down on the fields and when they departed not a burr remained. The smell of burnt and burning powder for four years seems to have been too much for the burr-eaters. Since then not a bird of the kind is to be found in the south; but the burrs are here yet.

Early Finds.

I think I will enter the lists in competition for “earliness.” I opened the ball on January 30th, 1886, by taking a set of three of the Great Horned Owl, incubation advanced. Who can beat it?

The following are the earliest takes of each species named during 1885. March 27th, Pileated Woodpecker, Cardinal Grosbeak; April 2nd, Turkey-Buzzard, Black Vulture, Tufted Titmouse; April 7th, Carolina Chickadee, Kildeer; April 10th, Swallow-tailed Kite; April 11th, Texan Screech Owl, Carolina Dove; April 15th, Red-bellied Woodpecker; April 17th, Yellow-throated Vireo; April 20th, Common Crow, Wild Turkey; April 27th, Mockingbird; April 28th, Carolina Wren; May 4th, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Dwarf Cowbird; May 8th, Lark Finch, Scissor-tailed Flycatcher, Texas Orchard Oriole, Yellow-winged Sparrow; May 9th, Black-throated Bunting, Painted Bunting, Summer Red-bird; May 11th, Texan Quail, Blue Grosbeak; May 18th, Meadow Lark; May 22nd, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher; June 3d, Bronzed Grackle; June 8th, Boat-tailed Grackle; June 19th, Kingbird, the second set that I have taken in Texas during six years’ collecting.

J. A. Singley,

Giddings, Texas.

The Scissor-tailed Flycatcher.

(milvulus forficatus (Gm.) swains.)

This beautiful bird is one of the commonest summer residents of North Texas. They usually arrive from the south about the 15th of April in small flocks or pairs, and always make themselves known by their loud and noise-some voices. This bird has a very peculiar way when flying, of stopping—as it appears—in the air, and then making a straight shoot upward to the height of fifteen or twenty feet, and instantly darting downward to about a level with where it started. This is always repeated two or three times before taking their onward flight. While making this tumble as it were, it always gives loud, quick screams, and is very conspicuous by the display it makes in opening and closing the tail like scissor blades. It is a very active, dashing and noisy bird; also very showy and graceful. The general color is a hoary-ash, almost white below, with a scarlet crown patch, and a bright scarlet on the sides at insertion of wings. The wings have a blackish cast with whitish underparts, and various parts of the body are tinged with a rich salmon. Most of the tail feathers are black or dusky, while some of the longer ones are mostly white or rosy; these feathers are long and narrow, sometimes reaching a foot in length. The above description is that of a male now lying before me. The female averages smaller, and the tail is much shorter, while the color of the plumage is duller than that of the male.

They begin to nest about the 10th of May, and fresh eggs may be found as late as June 25th. The nest and eggs resemble those of the kingbird very much, and it is almost impossible to distinguish them from each other, unless they are well identified; but, as a general thing, the scissor-tails’ eggs have larger and more conspicuous blotches than those of the kingbird. During the summer of ’85 I found nests of the kingbird and scissor tail in the same tree, and the nests and eggs were identically the same; so to make sure of the identity, I had to wait until both birds had occupied their own nest.

Their favorite nesting places are in the scrubby postoak and mesquite bushes growing on our broad prairies. The nests are usually placed in forks at from six to thirty feet from the ground, and constructed of various materials, such as weed-tops, wool, cotton, rootlets, paper, rags, etc., and lined with fibrous roots, wool, cotton, etc.

The number of eggs laid are usually four or five in number, of a rounded-oval shape, the color being white, boldly blotched or marked with reddish-brown, and obscure lavender shell markings, chiefly at the larger end. The size of the eggs averages about .67 by .85.

E. C. Davis.

—THE—
Sunny South Oologist

A MONTHLY DEVOTED TO THE INTERESTS OF ORNITHOLOGISTS AND OOLOGISTS.

Edited and Published by
EDWIN C. DAVIS,
GAINESVILLE, TEXAS.

We request all of our readers to send us descriptions of their collecting trips, or any items of interest relating to birds, their nests or eggs.

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_EDITORIAL DEPARTMENT._

With this month’s issue I make my first bow to the Ornithologists and Oologists of America. I refrained from so doing in the first issue as I did not know at the time how my little journal would be received. But, as I have had so many encouraging words from my friends in every part of North America, I will now promise henceforth to give you the most reliable and best reading matter obtainable, and shall try my utmost to make this magazine a great help in the advancement of that most delightful branch of natural history—Ornithology and Oology. Trusting that my friends will be as well pleased with this and the following numbers, as with the first, I remain,

Yours very sincerely,

Edwin C. Davis.

Easter comes this month, so don’t fail to look for the “rabbit” nests.

Don’t fail to read the great offers to “club-getters” on the inside page of first cover leaf.

Our “Exchange and Want” column is worth the price of a year’s subscription alone to subscribers, in helping them make exchanges.

We will stick to our first promise; that is, we will enlarge our paper as soon as we are convinced it will pay us. So do not delay, but subscribe at once. The price is only 50 cents per year.

What do you think of the appearance of “our” little journal this month? Don’t you think you have been fully repaid already for the small amount invested—fifty cents—for a year’s subscription?

Collectors look for the nests of the crow, chickadee, nuthatch and hawk this month. You will find the chickadee’s and nuthatche’s the latter part of the month, while the hawks and crows breed earlier.

Two Canvas-back ducks were killed near Gainesville, Tex. on the 22nd of February. They were very handsome specimens, and a rare avis in this section. They were the first I think ever seen in this county.

The article written by Mr. Harry G. Parker, entitled “Pennsylvania Birds,” is one of great value to Oologists (old and young) in Pennsylvania and adjacent states, as it gives the correct nesting seasons of birds found in that locality, and also tells the nature of country in which their nests are found. This article was compiled for the editor as a special favor, by Mr. Parker in October last.

We are more than pleased with the number of subscribers received since our last issue, and in return for your promptness shall promise to give a year’s subscriptions worth of valuable information in each succeeding issue.

What has become of the “Standard Directory” to be published by A. E. Southworth & Co., of Woodstock. Ill’s., and to appear January 10th, 1886? We have heard several complaints of its non-appearance. Echo answers.

Go! Get thee to work!! You have only one more month to compete for premiums offered (on the inside of front cover page) to club-getters. So go to work at once, and perhaps you will be the one to carry off the “pie.” Don’t wait one moment, but “make hay while the sun shines.”

We had a very pleasant call from Dr. F. L. Yoakum, of Tyler, Texas, one of the leading scientists of the state. His stay was short, but exceedingly interesting. When visiting our city again we shall be pleased to have him call, as he will be doubly welcomed.

If all goes satisfactory this month, I will enlarge with the May number; also enlarge the subscription price. So do not wait, but subscribe at once, and you will save money.

EXCHANGES AND WANTS.

Brief exchange or want notices, not exceeding thirty words, will be
inserted free in this column to subscribers only. Notices over thirty
words will be charged at the rate of one-half cent per word. To
outsiders, 25 cents for each insertion; cash with order.

I wish to exchange the coming season with good collectors, especially on the coast and in the south. My sets of eggs will be rare and first-class. Exchange limited. No postals answered.

Fred M. Dille,

Greeley, Colorado.

Kind Words.

Yesterday’s mail brought me what I have been anxiously looking for—The Sunny South Oologist. It is very neat, and I do hope you will get enough subscribers to continue and enlarge.

Fred. M. Dille,

Greeley, Col.

Your magazine is at hand, and I just have time to say that I am exceedingly well pleased with the articles in your periodical; they are far above the average.

Oliver Davie,

Columbus, Ohio.

I have read its pages, and am pleased with your large circle of Oological correspondents and your undoubted ability as an editor. It should prove of sufficient value to the collectors of the country to make it take its proper place in the literature of the subject; not only because of your generous and gentlemanly treatment of me in the past at all times, but because I believe The Sunny South Oologist to have a live and intelligent Oologist at its head.

Harry G. Parker,

Chester, Pa.

“The Sunny South Oologist,” is the title of a scientific publication issued by our young townsman, E. C. Davis; No. 1 of volume 1 of which is on our table. It is a credit to the young gentleman, and to our city. We wish the enterprise success.—Gainesville Daily Hesperian.

The first number of The Sunny South Oologist is at hand, and I am more than pleased with it and its contents.