Field notes, v601

Dixon, Keith L. (Keith Lee), 1921-
Unknown
Museum of Vertebrate Zoology, University of California, Berkeley
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Image from the Biodiversity Heritage Library. Contributed by Museum of Vertebrate Zoology, University of California, Berkeley. | www.biodiversitylibrary.org

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UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA MUSEUM OF VERTEBRATE ZOOLOGY
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Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2017 with funding from CLIR https://archive.org/details/fieldnotesv60100dixo
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Dixon, Keith L. 1951-1952 1. Calaveras Co., Calif., Jan. 27, 1951 Catalog 2. Texas, Feb. 23,- May 1, 1951 Catalog journal Species accounts 3. Local and miscellaneous, Jan. 27- Nov. 4, 1951 Catalog journal Species accounts 4. Texas, Jan. 26- Feb. 21, 1952 Catalog Plant catalog journal Species accounts
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Dixon, K.L. Calaveras Co., Calif Jan.27,1951 Catalog nos. 467-468
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K Dixon 1951 Catalogue San Antonio Cr., 2000 ft., 3/4 mi. SE Sheep Ranch, Calaveras Co., Calif. Jan. 27 lower edge of yellow pine found crossing road 467. Triturus 4 mi. W Angels Camp, 1300 ft., Calaveras Co., Calif. Jan. 27 468 ♂ Testis 3mm. Balanophyra formicivora Wt. 82.2 gm.
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2. Dixon, K.L. Texas, Feb. 23, 1951 - May 1, 1951 Catalog nos. 469-618 Journal Species accounts
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K Dixon 1951 Catalogue 9 mi. NW Valentine, Jeff Davis Co., Texas February 23 469 ♀ largest ovum 3mm. Bubo virginianus pick-up grassland- yucca - mesquit 7 mi. S Alamo, Hidalgo Co., Texas February 28 470 Sceloporus variabilis 4 mi. SE Rio Grande City, Starr Co., Texas March 2 471 ♀ ovary 6mm. Parus atricristatus 15.5gms. 472 ♂ Testis 3mm. " " mate of 471 17.1 gms. 473 ♀ ovary 7mm. " " 14.1 gms. Skel 474 ♂ testis 4mm Icterus graduacauda 475 ♀ ovary 6mmx4mm Dendrocopos scalaris largest ovum 1mm. 34.7gms. 9 mi. NW Bryan in Robertson Co., Texas March 13 476 ♂ Testis 4mm Parus bicolor w#. 21.2gms. 477 ♂ Testis 6mm x3mm Thyothorax ludovicience ovary 4mm w#. 20.7gms 478 ♀ ovary 3mm Parus carolinensis w#. 8.8 gms. Testis 479 ♂ 9mmx4mm " " mate of 478 w# 10.2gms. skel Testis 480 ♂ 6mmx4mm " LOST " w# 9.6gms. Bryan, Brazos Co., Texas March 13 481 ♂ Testis 5mm Strix pick up skin + body skel. 9 mi. NW Bryan in Robertson Co., Texas March 14 482 ♀ Richmondena cardinalia w#. 36.4gms.
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K Dixon 1951 Catalogue 5 mi. N Hallettville, Lavaca Co., Texas March 16 skel 483 ovary ♀ 7x5mm Toxostoma rufum pick-up 2 mi. E Skidmore, Bee Co., Texas March 17 484. Elaphe obsoleta pick-up March 18 485 ovary ♀ 6x4 mm Malothrus ater wt. 31.1gms. 486 Testis ♂ 3 mm " " fat along neck wt. 44.0gms 487 ovary ♀ 6mm " " wt. 35.9gms. Aransas Creek, 5 mi. ENE Skidmore, Bee Co., Texas March 18 488 Testis ♂ 2mm Polioptila caerulea Fat wt. 5.9 gms. 489 Testis ♂ 3mm Dendrocopos scalaris wt. 37.3gms. 4 mi. E Skidmore, Bee Co., Texas March 19 sket 490 ♂ Vireo griseus LOST 2 mi E Skidmore, Bee Co., Texas March 19 skel 491 ♂ Centurus aurifrons 3 mi. ENE Skidmore, Bee Co., Texas (live-oaks) March 25 492 largest ♀ ovum 1.5mm Paurus wt. 19.6gms. 493 testis ♂ 5mm Vireo griseus singing 11.4gms 494 largest ovum ♀ 1.5 mm Dendrocopos scalaris 35.1gms. 495 testis ♂ 3mm. Richmondena cardinalis singing 41.4gms.
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K Dixon 1951 Catalogue 2 mi E Skidmore, Bee Co., Texas March 25 496 ♂ testis 3mm Molothrus ater moderately fat crop full wt. 44.4 gms. 3 mi ENE Skidmore Bee Co., Texas (live oaks) March 26 497 ♂ testis 7mm Parus wt. 19.6 gms. Aransas River, 4 mi ENE Skidmore, Bee Co., Texas March 26 498 ♂ testis 6mm Parus moderately fat wt. 20.8 gms. 499 ♂ testis 4mm Richmondena cardinalis moderately fat wt. 44.0 gms. 1 mi. E Skidmore, Bee Co., Texas March 26 500 Bufo compactilis 501 [Scaphiopus couchii] 502 [Bufo compactilis] 503 " " " 504 " " " Aransas River 5½ mi ENE Skidmore, Bee Co., Texas 150 ft. March 28 505 ♂ testis 5mm Vireo griseus singing wt. 10.4 gms 506 ♀ ovary 5mm " " male of a singing ♂ wt. 10.3 gms. x 3mm 507 ♂ lengthovum 2mm Dendrocopus scalaris wt. 32.2 gms. 508 ♂ testis 3mm Richmondena cardinalis wt. 40.9 gms. Spring Creek, 6½ mi ENE Skidmore, Bee Co., Texas 175 ft. 509 [Scaphiopus March 28 frog, pick-up, mummified] 510 ♀ ovary 4mm Parus wt. 15.4 gms. x 2mm 511 ♂ testis " male of 510 17.8" b mm Skel 512 ♂ testis Vireo griseus 10.0 gm testis 513 ♂ 7mm x 3mm Dendrocopus scalaris 38.5 gms
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KDixon 1951 Catalogue Spring Creek, 6½ mi. ENE Skidmore, Bee Co., Texas March 30 175 ft. 514 ♂ Testis 5mm. Parus un-mated liveoake wt. 18.2gms 515 ♂ 6mm " liverake wt. 19.1 gms Testis caprimulgus vociferus skin + body skel 516 ♂ 5mm Alnetidramus albicottis not fat wt. 49.1gms ovary 517 ♀ 5mmx2mm Ammodramus not fat wt. 15.0gms Skull only 518 Odocoileus skull pick-up DISCARDED Aransas River, 5½ mi. ENE Skidmore, Bee Co., Texas March 31 150 ft. 519 tadpole Scaphiopos 520 [Acvis gryllus] 521 " flog April 1 522 [Acris gryllus] 523 ♀ laying Parus } mated pair wt. 18.3gms. 524 ♂ testis 5mm " wt. 20.8 gms. testis 6mm " unmated wt. 19.0gms ovary 526 ♀ 4mm x 3mm " } (mated pair) oviduct visible wt. 16.7gms Testis 527 ♂ 5mm " wt. 20.8 gms. Mission River at Refugio, 50 ft., Refugio Co., Texas April 2 528 ♀ largest ovum 3mm. Parus } mated pair wt. 18.6gms. 529 ♂ testis 5mm. " wt. 18.4 gms. testis 530 ♂ 5mm " moderately fat wt. 18.4 gms. Aransas River, 5½ mi. ENE Skidmore, 150 ft., Bee Co., Texas April 4 531 [Acris gryllus]
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KDixon 1951 Catalogue Spring Creek, 175 ft., 6 1/2 mi. ENE Skidmore, Bee Co., Texas April 4 532 Sceloperus undulatus 533 " " 534 ♂ Parus wt. 21.1 gms. 535 ♀ ovary 3mm Passerculus wt. 15.5 gms. 536 ♂ testis 4mm. Chondestes grammacus singing not fat wt. 24.6 gms. Barton Creek, 4 mi.SW Austin, 500 ft., Travis Co., Texas April 8 537 ♀ broad patch Parus wt. 18.6 gm. 538 ♀ largest ovum 7mm. " mated 539 ♂ testis " pair wt. 20.3 " skel ♂ 5mm. 540 ♂ 5mm Parus carolinensis wt. 10.1 g. April 9 541 ♂ testis 5mm. Parus oak-elm-juniper wt. 19.5 gms. 542 ♂ testis 7mm Cyanocitta cristata " " " wt. 89.6 gms. Martinez Creek, 10 mi. ENE San Antonio, Bexar Co., Texas April 11 543 ♀ ovary 9 x 3mm Richmondena cardinalii not fat wt. 40.7g. 544 ♂ testis 7 x 4mm Thryomanes bewickii wt. 12.1 g. 1 mi. SW Leon Springa, , Bexar Co., Texas April 12 545 ♂ testis 5mm. Parus atricinetatus wt. 20.4 gms. 546 ♀ hood patch " " wt. 20.0 " 547 ♀ largest ovum 1 am Aphelocoma coerulescens ovary 10 x 5mm. wt. 85.5 gms Comfort, Kendall Co., Texas April 12 548 ♀ largest ovum 1.5mm. Colinus virginianus pick-up
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H Dixon 1951 Catalogue Sabins Ranch, 5 mi. N Kerrville, Kerr Co., Texas April 13 549 ♀ laying Parus atricristatus } 550 ♂ testis " " mated wt. 19.9 gms. 6mm 551 ♂ " " " 20.2 laying 552 ♀ " " egg in oviduct 553 ♂ testis " " mated 10 mm. 21.3 gms. 6mm wt. 20.9 gms. April 14 554 Acris gryllus Colorado River at Bastrop, 370 ft., Bastrop Co., Texas April 15 555 Acris gryllus 556 Cnemidophorus sackii gularis 557 ♂ testis Parus bicolor cottonwood-willow wt. 22.8 gms. 7mm. 6 mi. W Bastrop, Bastrop Co., Texas April 15 558 ♂ testis Strix postoak- blackjack 10 mm. oak pick-up Barton Creek, 4 mi. SW Austin, 500 ft., Travis Co., Texas April 17 559 Sceloporus olivaceus 560 " " 561 Holbrookia texana 562 " " 563 " " 564 ♂ testis Parus wt. 20.1 gms. 5mm. largest (ovary 9 mm x 4 mm) 565 ♀ ovum 1mm Richmondena wt. 42.6 gms. 566 ♂ Parus carolinensis } 567 ♀ broad " mated pate " wt. 10.1 g. wt. 10.6 gms.
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K Dixon 1951 Catalogue Barton Cr., 4 mi. S of Austin, 500 ft., Travis Co., Texas Apr. 17 568 ♂ Vireo griseus singing wt. 11.0 gms. 5 mi. W Bastrop, Bastrop Co., Texas castroak- blackjack oak Apr. 18 569 Crepidophorus sackii gularis slight fat 570 ♂ testis Parus " wt. 23.4gms. 7mm. testis 571 ♂ 7mm x 5mm " " wt. 23.4gms. largest 572 ♀ mm 4mm brood patch wt. 25.2gms. skel 573 ♂ Parus carolinensis wt. 10.3gms Bastrop, 370 ft., Bastrop Co., Texas Apr. 19 574 Acris gryllus Mayhaw Creek, 15 mi. W Bastrop, Bastrop Co., Texas Apr. 20 575 Acris gryllus 576 " " 577 Sceloporus olivaceus 578 ♂ testis Parus elm-willow bottom wt. 19.5gms. 7x5mm testis 579 ♂ 6x5mm " " 19.7gm testis 580 ♂ enl. " " 19.9gms. testis 581 ♂ testis elm-mesquite 19.9 gms. 7mm skull only 582 Dasypus pick-up Apr. 21 583 Crepidophorus sackii gularis 584 ♂ testis Parus elm-mesquite 22.1gms. 5mm " 585 ♂ juv " " 15.3093. g
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KDixon 1951 Mayhaw Creek, 1/2 mi. W Bastrop, Bastrop Co., Texas Apr. 21 586 ♂ testis 6x4mm. Parus mated elm-mesquite wt. 20.4gms. 587 ♀ brood patch " " " wt. 19.3gms. 1 mi. E College Station, 370 ft., Brazos Co., Texas Apr. 22 588 Phrynosoma cornutum pick-up Claude Heard Ranch 8 mi. SE Beeville, Bee Co., Texas Apr. 23 589 Heterodon platyrhinos " spreading adder" killed by foreman, T. Scott Apr. 24 590 Phrynosoma cornutum Spring Creek, 6½ mi. ENE Skidmore, 175 ft , Bee Co., Texas Apr. 24 591 ♀ largest ovum 8mm Chondestes grammacus } mated postoak-liveoak wt. 27.5gms. testis 592 ♂ 11 x5 mm " " " " wt. 29.3 " testis 593 ♂ 11 x6 mm " " " " wt. 27.5gms. testis 594 ♂ 4mm Parus " " wt. 18.6gms. 595 ♀ laying Sturnella magna wt. 86.7gms. Apr. 25 596 ♂ testis liveoak-postoak wt. 19.5gms. 5mm Parus 597 ♂ testis Passerina ciris singing " " wt. 15.7gms. 8mm. 598 Cnemidophorus sackii gularis Claude Heard Ranch, 8 mi SE Beeville, Bee Co., Texas Apr. 25 599 Phrynosoma cornutum
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KDixon 1951 Guadalupe River, 2 mi. SW Nursery, Victoria Co., Texas Apr. 26 600 Cnemidophorus sackii gularis 2 mi. NNE Mission Valley, Victoria Co., Texas Apr. 26 601 Masticophus flagellum Coluber {602 ♂ testis 6x4mm Paras about to lay 603 ♀ " } mated liveoak - post oak Wt. 19.0 gms. Wt. 22.3 gms. 2 mi. SE Mission Valley, Victoria Co., Texas Apr. 26 post oak savanna 604 ♀ incubating Paras {mated Wt. 20.7gms. 605 ♂ testis " Wt. 22.4 ~2 mi. W Victoria, Victoria Co., Texas Apr 26 606 ♂ testis 5mm Petrochelidon Wt. 18.7gms. Refugio, 50 ft., Refugio Co., Texas Apr. 26 607 Phrynosoma cornatum pick - up 2 mi. SE Beeville, Bee Co., Texas Apr. 27 [Salvadora lineata] pick - up 608 Coluber 6 mi. SE Hondo, Medina Co., Texas Apr. 28 609 Crotalus atrox pick - up 11 mi NW Jourdanton, Atascosa Co., Texas Apr. 28 all 610 Paras atieristatus Wt. 17.3 gms. 611 ♂ testis 6x4mm " " 18.9
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K Dixon 1951 11 mi. NW Jourdanton, Atascosa Co., Texas Apr. 28 612 ♀ brood patch Parus atricristatus slight fat wt. 17.6 g. 613 ♂ " " " wt. 17.9 gms. {614 ♀ brood patch " " } mated mesquite-elm slight fat wt. 19.2 gms. (615 ♂ testis 6x4mm " " " wt. 18.5 gms. 616 ♂ testis 7x4mm " " mesquite wt. 18.1 gms. 1 mi. NW Ft. Davis, Jeff Davis Co., Texas Apr. 30 617 ♂ testis Pipilo furcuscus 5mm 8 mi NE Wilcox, Cochise Co., Arizona May 1 618 ♀ ovary Lanius ludovicianus pick-up 9x3mm.
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KDixon 1951 Santa Ana Wildlife Refuge, 7 mi. S Alamo, Hidalgo Co., Texas March 1, (1951) 400. Pithecolobium flexicaule (Benth.) Coult. Ebony tree of my notes. Most common tree on parts of the refuge away from water, is: slightly higher ground. 401 Celtis laevigata Willd. "whitebark tree" 402 Leucaena pulverulenta Benth. lower cypress-like tree; brown 403 Ulmus crassifolia Nutt. cut from Tree "A" 404 growing on old river bank Harlingen, Cameron Co., Texas March 5 405 rigidly-branched shrub growing in coastal plain scrub with mesquite, Opuntia, scrubby ebony tree College Station, 370 ft., Brazos Co., Texas March 15 406 Ulmus alata Michx. undershrub of poctook woodland 407 Crataegus spathulata Michx. " " " " 408 Ilex vomitoria Ait. " " " " soil sandy, level swell Aransas Point, 5 mi. ENE Slidmore, Bee Co., Texas March 18 [elev. approx. 150 ft.] 409 Quercus virginiana Mill. live oak large tree to 35 ft. 410 [Berberis trifoliata Moric. shrub to 6 ft high noted only as an undershrub of mesquite or other shrubs usually growing near their bases. Dupland away from streamcourse.
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KDixon 1957 Plant Catalogue Aransas River, 4 mi. ENE Skidmore, Bee Co., Texas March 26 411 Celtis laevigata var. texana small tree to 20 ft high growing in dense woodland along banks of river. Soil Sandy. This tree fairly common. 412 Ulmus crassifolia Nutt. single tree growing under conditions described above. 413 Ulmus crassifolia smaller tree - as above Aransas River, 5 1/2 mi. ENE Skidmore, Bee Co., Texas March 28 414 undershrub in live-oak - mesquite woodland - soil sandy 415 Quercus virginiana Mill. live oak - (see # 409) Spring Creek, 6 1/2 mi ENE Skidmore, Bee Co., Texas March 29 416 Acacia Wrightii Benth. shrub to 7 ft. in open woods of liveoaks, mesquite and **417 417 "blackbrush", a shrub to 10 ft. high, growing in dense thickets beneath and among liveoaks. Few leafed out - branch bark sample - bark smooth, brownish-pink. 418 shrub seen infrequently 'in liveoaks along creek. Mission River at Refugio, 50 ft., Refugio Co., Texas April 2 419 Salix nigra Marsh willow small tree in river bank 420 Celtis laevigata var. texana Sarg. atkin broke off 421 Morus rubra L.
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KDixon 1951 Plant Specimen Catalogue Mission River at Refugio, 50 ft., Refugio Co., Texas April 2 422 Xanthoxylum Fagara (L.) Sarg. acacia. shrub, rarely a tree in riparian woodland 423. Vitus candicans Engelmann. cimbing vine 424 Ehretia anacua (Berl.) Johnst. (E. elliptica DC.) bark soft, checked, white-flowered tree whitish 425 Ptelea trifoliata L. var. nothii T & G. undershrub growing to 5 ft 426 Celtis laevigata Willd. medium sized tree - spiny-flowers dried up 427 Ehretia anacua (see 424) tree in woodland 428 Celtis laevigata Willd. " " " 429 " " " All the above growing along this small, oil-polluted stream within 50 yards of the stream on a bench about 15 feet above the present low level of the water. The soil was not especially sandy. There were no oaks growing in this woodland, the tallest trees of which probably did not exceed 30 to 35 feet. Aransas River, 5 1/2 mi. ENE Skidmore, 150 ft., Bee Co., Texas April 4 430. Lycium carolinianum Walt. var. quadrifidum (Moc. & Sesse) C.L. Hitchc. shrub growing in waist-high scrubby including mesquite and catclaw - "flat" above river A Gray Det. L. Constance 431 Phacelia patuliflora (T.&G.) small, purple-flowered shrub growing on sandy soil 432 Solanum Torreyi Gray purple Solanum? sandy soil beside house 300 yards from river not seen elsewhere 433 Acacia Farnesiana (L.) Willd. low spreading shrub in uplands with 434, 435, post oak
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KDixon 1951 Plant Specimen Catalogue Aransas River, 150 ft., 5 1/2 mi. ENE Skidmore, Bee Co., Texas April 4 434 Prosopis juliflora (Swartz) D.C. meoquite 435. Acacia Farnesiana Wild. leguminose - appearing shrub branching from crown V or from short trunk Y; 6-8 ft. high 3 1/2 Apr. S, 8 mi. E Delvalle, Travis Co., in Bastrop Co., Texas April 8 436 Ulmus crassiflora Nutt. "cedar elm" 437 Celtis laevigata Wild. var. texana Sarg. 438 Ulmus crassifolia Nutt. elm, shrub all 3 growing beside brook 7 mi. W Bastrop, Bastrop Co., Texas Apr. 15 439 Quercus aff. stellata pastorah?} common trees of upland forest 440 Quercus sp. blackjack? 441 Juniperus virginiana L. cypress occasional 5 mi. W Bastrop, Bastrop Co., Texas Apr. 18 442 Carya sp. tree growing with 439 - 440 College Station, 370 ft., Brazos Co., Texas Apr. 22 443 Ulmus alata Michx. elm 444 Gleditsia trianantanthos L. Spring Cr., 6 1/2 mi. ENE Skidmore, 175 ft., Bee Co., Texas Apr. 25 445 Aransas River, 5 1/2 mi. ENE Skidmore, Bee Co., Texas Apr. 27 446
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KDixon 1951 3 mi. N Del Rio, Val Verde Co., Texas Apr. 29 447 Acacia Berlandieri Benth. leguminosae shrub 448 Cercidium texanum Gray green-stemmed " 449 Leucophyllum frutescens (Bert.) Johnst. (L. texana Benth.) shrub gray leaf, purple tubular flower 450 Celtis laevigata Willd. var. texana Sarg. blackberry? small tree 451 Prosopia jaliflora (Swartz DC. var. glandulosa (Torr) (Cott. 452 Acacia Farnesiana Willd. leguminosae shrub 453 (sterile) rigid-branched shrub 454 Dalea formosa Torr. low shrub (leguminosae) soil not sandy nor clay-like; small stones (near highway, however - construction?) blackberry and mesquite the principal trees - some yucca 1 mi. NW Ft. Davis, 5000 ft., Jeff Davis Co., Texas Apr. 30 455 Quercus sp. Tevara? 456 " Emoryi Torr. liveoak 457 " " 458 Juglans rupestris Engelm. hickory?
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Index to Species Mentioned in Journal Birds [* = species account also] White Pelican 10 Mexican Cormorant 10, 13, 14 Blue Heron 10, 33 American Egret 13 Snowy Egret 10 Louisiana Heron 10 Little Blue Heron 10, 36 Green Heron 41 White Ibis 10 Roseate Spoonbill 10 Shoveller 10 Turkey Vulture 6, 7, 9, 17, 23, 24, 25, 28, 44, 49, 53 Black Vulture 7, 13, 14, 18, 24, 25, 28, 42, 44, 45 Red-tailed Hawk 2, 18, 36 Red-shouldered Hawk 10, 14, 23, 32 Broad-winged Hawk 33 Rough-leg 33 White-tailed Hawk 11, 14 Harris Hawk 6, 9, 10, 11 Marsh Hawk 1, 7 Audubon Caracara 6, 43 Bob-white 16, 25, 28, 40, 42, 44, 48 Scaled Quail 2, 21 Turkey 1, 38, 40, 41, 42, 44, 48, 49 Coot 13, 14 Killdeer 4, 25, 35 Upland Plover 35, 55 Spotted Sandpiper 12, 14
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Dowitcher\t10 Wilson Snipe\t32 Band-tailed Pigeon\t4, 10 Mourning Dove\t1, 23, 24, 25, 28, 35, 46, 49, 57, 60 White-winged Dove\t21, 41 Ground Dove\t24, 25, 41 White-fronted Dove\t7 Black-billed Cuckoo\t15 Roadrunner\t4, 8, 25, 46 Barn Owl\t6 Screech Owl\t20 Horned Owl\t1, 5, 22, 25 Barred Owl\t18, 23, 32, 33, 34, 38, 40, 51, 53 Whip-poor-will\t35, 42 Merrill's Pauraque\t6, 8, 32, 33, 34, 40 Chimney Swift\t45, 47 White-throated Swift\t1, 25, 29 Ruby-throated Hummer\t44 Belted Kingfisher\t12, 32 Red-shafted Flicker\t3 Yellow-shafted Flicker\t16, 19 * Golden-fronted Woodpkr\t6, 9, 12, 13, 24, 25, 54, 57\t53, 57, 60 Downy Woodpecker\t16 ladder-bkd Woodpecker\t3, 6, 8, 12, 13, 23, 24, 25, 26, 28, 33, 46, 49, Acorn Woodpecker\t3 Eastern Kingbird\t54 Scissor-tailed Flycatcher\t32, 41, 53 Derby Flycatcher\t10, 13, 41
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Crested Flycatcher 25, 26, 42, 53, 54, 57 Eastern Phoebe 6, 13 Say Phoebe 1 Empidonax sp. 53 Horned Lark 2, 11 Cliff Swallow 6, 56 * Blue Jay 15, 43, 44, 45 Scrub Jay 1, 3, 49, 60 Mexican Jay 3 * Green Jay 6, 8, 13 Raven 1, 2, 3 Crow 15, 17, 44, 53 * Carolina Chickadee 15, 16, 17, 27, 34, 39, 44, 49, 51, 53 Verdin 12, 14 Bush-tit 3, 60 House Wren 12 Bewick Wren 3, 7, 8, 12, 13, 26, 46, 49, 57 Carolina Wren 6, 8, 15, 17, 44, 53 Canyon Wren 3, 45, 60 Rock Wren 3 Mockingbird 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, 17, 25, 46, 49, 53, Catbird 54 Brown Thrasher 15, 16, 17, 20, 39, 45 Sennett's Thrasher 6 Curve-billed Thrasher 2, 11, 12, 46, 47 Sage Thrasher 11 Robin 6, 15, 19, 23, 25, 26, 34, 44, 60 Hermit Thrush 3, 23, 49 Bluebird 4, 36, 53
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Townsend Solitaire 4, 60 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 6, 8, 23, 25, 26, 28, 29, 34, 39 Ruby-crowned Kinglet 3, 4, 6, 16, 17, 25, 45- Phainopepla 60 Shrike 1, 36, 47 Starling 19 * White-eyed Vireo 7, 8, 10, 14, 23, 25, 26, 28, 33, 39, 44, 51, 53 Hutton Vireo 4 Bell Vireo 60 Yellow-thr. Vireo 29 Solitary Vireo 49 Yellow-gr. Vireo 6 Black-and-White-Warbler 6, 23, 25, 28, 29, 34 Orange-cr. Warbler 6, 49 Nashville Warbler 42 Yellow Warbler 60 Magnolia Warbler 25, 26, 28 Myrtle Warbler 6, 9, 10, 12, 13, 16, 17, 23, 34, 39 Black-thr. Green Warbler 33 Yellow-thr. Warbler 34 Louisiana Water-thrush 32 Yellowthroat 9, 13, 60 Pileolated Warbler 60 Hooded Warbler 34 Redstart (Parus notes, Apr. E. Meadowlark 1, 4, 15, 25, 35, 55 Redwing 1, 12, 13, 60 Orchard Oriole 54, 60 Audubon Oriole 6, 7, 8 Baltimore Oriole 55- Bronzed Grackle 19
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Brewer Blackbird 1, 25, 29 *Great-tailed Grackle 6, 12, 13, 43, 45, 60 49, 60 Brown-headed Cowbird 6, 12, 13, 19, 24, 25, 29, 33, 35, 44, Red-eyed Cowbird 13 English Sparrow 25, 29, 41 Hepatic Tanager 49, 51 * Cardinal 6, 8, 13, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 24, 25, 26, 28, 29, 33, 39, 42, 44, 46, 49, 51, 53, 57 Pyrrhuloxia 2 Black-headed Grosbeak 60 Blue Grosbeak 55 Painted Bunting 55, 57 House Finch 3, 4, 47 Pine Siskin 3 Common Goldfinch 7, 44 Arkansas Goldfinch 49 Texas Sparrow 6, 7 Spotted Towhee 3, 4, 17, 44, 51, 53, 60 * Brown Towhee 3, 60 Lark Bunting 2 Savannah Sparrow 11, 13, 25 Grasshopper Sparrow 35, 53 Vesper Sparrow 15 Lark Sparrow 23, 24, 25, 29, 37, 40, 41, 44, 53, 54, 55, 57 Rufous- cr. Sparrow 3, 4, 60 Cassin Sparrow 47 Black-thr. Sparrow 8, 13, 47 Oregon Junco 1 Grey-headed Junco 1, 3 Slate-colored Junco 17 Chipping Sparrow 4, 49
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Clay-colored Sparrow 13 Field Sparrow 15, 49 White-crowned Sp. 44, 46, 53 White-thr. Sparrow 16, 17 Lincoln Sparrow 23 Song Sparrow 12, 39, 46, 53 AMPHIBIA Acris gryllus 37, 38, 42, 49, 50, 52 Bufo 30, [illegible] Scaphiopus 36, 34, 37 REPTILIA alligator 31, 40 Cnemidophorus 50, 52, 53, 57 Phrynosoma 53, 54, 55 Sceloperus 12, 16, 34, 42, 45 Crotaphytus 9 * Holbrookia 48, 51 Masticophis 56 Heterodon 54 Crotalus 5, 22, 54, 57 MAMMALIA White-tailed Deer 4, 34, 36, 49 Pronghorn 2 armadillo 45, 49, 53 coyote ?, 24, 32, 40 fur bearers, general 17 counties 21, 40 Peccary 21
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Journal
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K Dixon 1951 Journal Feb 23. En route from El Paso, Texas to Alpine, Brewster Co, Texas I left El Paso about 8:30 driving south along U.S. Hwy. 80. This road runs along the Rio Grande Valley, a considerable portion of which in this area is under cultivation. On several occasions I noted Mourning Doves, Red-winged Blackbirds, Brewer Blackbirds and Meadowlarks at the roadside. The meadowlarks particularly seemed to be picking at something there, whether gravel or some food item; I do not know. I drove on to Sierra Blanca and Van Horn (noon) noting such birds as Shrikes and Say Phoebe and Raven along the road. I lost an hour to Central Standard Time at Van Horn and turned S on U.S. Hwy 90 toward Marfa. At a point 7 mi NW Valentine in Jeff Davis Co, I found a dead Horned Owl beside the road. I saved the bird for preparation as a skin. The area was level with no trees in sight (grassland, yucca, scattered small mesquite). Ravens and Marsh Hawks noted here occasionally. At a roadside park a few miles West of Alpine, I saw Scrub-Jays, Oregon and Gray-headed Juncoes, Red-shafted Flicker and three Turkeys (game farm release?) all in oaks along stream course. In Alpine I talked to Dr. Warnock of the Sul Ross State Teachers College about the area and he thought my best bet might be to go to Big Bend Nat'l Park for extensive areas of junipers. I drove on to Marathon, arriving at 5:15 pm and put up for the night. The day had been cloudy and I took no pictures. Freight trains roared by during the night frequently. There was a heavy dew although rain has been virtually non-existent in the Southwest this year. Sunset 6:45
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KDixon 1951 Journal 2 Feb 24. Marathon, Brewster Co., Texas I packed before 8:00 am (an hour after sunrise) and had sausage and eggs in town for 85 cents. I drove south through the desert scrub toward Big Bend. The highway was paved. About 20 miles S of Marathon I flushed 3 coveys of Scaled Quail from the roadside in the space of one mile. There were a dozen birds per covery at least. No more seen for quite a while, then a covery near a water tank and a couple farther on. All in areas of mixed brush, not pure Larrea or grass. 31 miles S of Marathon - Red-tailed Hawk stayed beside freshly killed jack rabbit as I drove slowly past, then flew to fence post until I drove on, then returned. 5 or 6 Ravens in area but not at kill. Also noted along way, flocks of Lark Buntings, 2 single Pyrhuboxia, Horned Larks, Curve-billed Thrasher About ten miles of the road was unpaved, this inside the park boundary. I saw a flock of 13 prong horns just below 4000 ft. elevation; they watched me for while, then some turned away before I could take a picture. Then one started and the whole herd crossed the road and went down slope to N. Chisos Basin, 5400 ft., Brewster Co., Texas The vegetation in the basin in the area around the golf center (store, "Chuck-wag" cottages) is principally Juniper - oak - pino. Underbrush includes Rhue, yucca, pancake cacti, agave, probable Baccharis. The growth of grass is ample, grazing being prohibited. Along the creek bed I noted catclaw and probable Condalia. Birds seen in this vicinity:
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K Dixon 1951 Journal 3 Feb. 24 Chisos Basin, 5400 ft., Brewster Co., Texas Raven Mexican Jay Rock Wren Bewick Wren Canyon Wren (song) Hermit Thrush Bl-crested Titmouse Mockingbird Ruby-crowned Kinglet Pine Siskin (flock 12) House Finch Spotted Towhee Brown Towhee (1) Rufous-crowned Sparrow most common bird Gray-headed Junco Feb 25. Juniper Flat, Chisos Mts., 5600 ft., Brewster Co., Texas I climbed up to this area at the suggestion of Peter Koch, a resident of the park and an interested observer of birds. Vegetation was more dense than that below, principally juniper again although with some patches of oaks. (See acc't of Parus atricristatus). I spent from 10:00 am until noon on the lower part of the flat. Overcast until about 11:30. Wind variable. Birds seen. Red-shafted Flicker Ladder-backed Woodpecker Acorn-storing Woodpecker (heard) White-throated Swift (1) Sphenocoma ultramarina - call note yake-yake seemed identical to that of birds in Arizona Scrub Jay Black-veiled Titmouse (see acc't) Bush-tit (flock 8-10) Bewick Wren (song seemed to have same pattern as in coastal Calif.)
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Feb 25. Juniper Flat, 5600 ft, Chisos Mts, Brewster Co., Texas Townsend Solitaire Spotted Towhee Ruby-crowned Kinglet Chipping Sparrow Hutton Vireo (singing) Rufous-crowned Sparrow House Finch I scared up some white-tailed deer in oak thickets. As I approached & before I saw what was giving the call I was startled by a bellow which I recorded as "scoot", a rasping sound somewhat like a saw makes when it needs to be oiled. There were at least two deer present. I left the park at 1:15 after discussing with Mr. Kohl such matters as the Pine Canyon where a relict Rocky Mtn. flora exists, a wet cave where salamanders and bats might be found and plumage variants among Band-tailed Pigeons, palled individuals with tail band barely distinguishable which nested apart from the main colony. On the road to Marathon in the creosote brush belt I saw Killdeer (1), Roadrunner (3 together), Bluebird, Meadowlark, mockingbird. I arrived in Marathon and fueled up, leaving at 4:10. I drove via Sanderson to Del Rio (8:30) where I put up for the night. Feb 26. En route from Del Rio Texas to Harlingen, Cameron Co., Tex. I left Del Rio at 8:30 am. Roads were clump indicating heavy dew or rain. Overcast & windy. There must be a transition in the vegetation between Dryden and Del Rio on the highway 90, for creosote brush, the last
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Feb 26. Thing I saw at dusk was replaced by a growth of mesquite and some widely-spaced plants similar in growth form to individuals of Adenostoma fasciculatum or some of the Eriodictyon of So. Calif. Spacing was wide, about 20 miles west of Carrizo Springs I found another Horned Owl dead beside the road but well mummified. A mile S of Catarina Dimmit County I saw a dead rattlesnake beside the road. Perhaps 3½ feet long, its diameter may have been increased due to bloating. Rattles had been removed either by human or ants so I left it. In the vicinity of Roma, Starr County, the landscape looked somewhat greener and continued to look as though the tributary Apalacome vegetation was better developed as I went down the valley. at 5:40 pm I arrived in Harlingen after passing through a citrus belt which was devastated by the worst frost in 60 years. The aspect of this agricultural area reminded me of the vicinity of Santa Ana, Orange Co., Calif. After dinner I called on Mr. L. Erby Davis of Harlingen, leading local bird watcher and keen observer of these and the Mexican avifauna. We discussed local bird distribution and he advised that I contact Mr. Luther Goldman concerning camping on the Santa Ana Refuge. Feb 27 San Benito, Cameron Co., Texas. I met Mr. Goldman about 8:30 a.m. and talked with him for 45 minutes about various subjects. He gave me permission to camp on the refuge and to band any birds I could catch. He also talked about local distribution on the refuge.
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K Dixon 1951 Journal 6 Feb 27. Santa Ana Wildlife Refuge, 7 mi. S Alamo, Hidalgo Co., Texas I arrived about 11:30, driving onto the refuge from a levee road which leaves the intersection of a road from Alamo and U.S. Hwy 281. The refuge is reported to be the only natural stand of river bottom timber left along the Rio Grande Valley. Water levels are low around and the trees are just coming out in leaf after the killing frost of January. The custodian's headquarters, a stucco, tile-roofed structure, was formerly a guest hotel (dining room and cottages). I spent most of the afternoon watching mice in the vicinity of the headquarters (see species acct). Birds noted: Turkey Vulture Lennette's Thrasher Golden-fronted Wdpk. Ruby-crowned Kinglet Ladder-backed Wdpkr. yellow-green Violes Green Jay Black and White Warbler Barn Owl Myrtle Warbler [abundant] Eastern Phoebe Orange-crowned Warbler Black-crested Titmouse Audubon Oriole Carolina Wren Cardinal Mockingbird Texas Sparrow Feb 28. Following species in headquarters area: Harris Hawk Brown-headed Cowbird Audubon Caracara Great-tailed Grackle Merrill's Paragone(?) Blue-gray Shrikecatcher { calls whup whipoorwill} (? cliff?) Swallows several { zuneeerin} flw over at sunset { what whuk whuck zaeer } after dark in woods Robin
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7 Feb 28. Santa Ana Wildlife Refuge along the river 4:40 - 5:10 pm I saw 1 Black Vulture in a flock of 100 + Turkey Vultures (100 actually counted) They were soaring into a wind from the SE. In thickets, I encountered only Texas Sparrow and Bl-crested Titmouse. Mch 1 at sunrise (7:00 am) I noted large number of bats flying over residence and among trees, probably feeding on the mosquitoes which abound in area. Other mammals noted: cottontail; coyotes heard. Additional birds: Audubon Oriole 4 ( Bewick Wren?) song White eyed Vireo (singing) White - fronted Pigeon American Goldfinch Marsh Hawk I left the refuge at 5:30 pm and drove to Alamo, McAllen and Mission where I spent the night. The following morning I drove W on highway 83 through Sullivan city toward Rio Grande City.
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K Dixon 1951 Journal March 2. 4 mi. SE Rio Grande City, Starr Co., Texas After spending the night in Mission Hidalgo County, I drove W Toward Rio Grande City; I turned off the highway to the S on to property of the Starr Farm Co. After fully half an hour of "no habla ingles" and conversations with lesser employees, I met the foreman, who, as he put it, did not forbid me to hunt in an area of mesquite thicket. I worked along the edge of the first level above the river bottom and in some cottonland as well from 8:40 until about 10:00. The sun shone and the wind blew up the valley as usual. The vegetation of the river bottom area of 5 acres or so was much less densely wooded than anything on the Refuge - it had been thinned considerably. To E and W, fields were under cultivation and to the N, on the first level above the riverbed, there were mesquite thickets. I worked in the latter area from 10:00 until 10:50 and noted the following: birds: Green Jay, Black-created Titmouse, White-eyed Vireo, Black-throated Shrew, Bewick Wren (song), Roadrunner. I took a & Ladder-backed Woodpecker, my attention being called to her by the call note "pich". Earlier I had heard a whirry from a woodpecker, more broken and labored than that of D. Nuttallii. Birds of the river bottom (including those seen 10:50 - 11:10: Green Jay, Carolina Wren, Cardinal, Blue-gray Gratecather, Titmouse, Mockingbird, Merill's Parakeet (one flushed from bank in bushy area at 9:00 am), Andulbur Oriole (one taken at close range mistaken for a jay - good only for a skeleton.
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9 March 2. 4 miles SE Rio Grande City, Starr Co., Texas Turkey Vulture, Harris Hawk, myrtle warbler (few) Cottonail. The only reptile seen was a large black snake, perhaps 42" long. After 10:00, bird hunting was poor and I had no opportunity to take any Green Jays. Notably absent was the Golden-fronted Woodpecker – few ebony trees in area. I drove into the city and had lunch, after which I drove north to a city dump 1/2 mi NE Rio Grande City. I walked over and around trash heaps on sandy soil and pebbly slopes among the mesquite trees and xeric shrubs from 12:10 – 12:40. I saw no reptiles although I took many occasions to turn over boards, cardboard boxes etc: Mockingbird the only bird seen. From 12:50 – 1:05 I walked along the edge of a clearing in the mesquite N of the tracks and NE of Ringgold Barracks. Again no activity in this supposed habitat of Liotophrys reticulatus. The original cover seems to have been mesquite thicket with Adolphia (?), feancake Opuntia, a lead-pencil cactus, and some other shrubs. In some places the undergrowth seems to be lacking perhaps due to clearing. I found no extensive grassy country along the way. I returned to the Refuge at 3:15 pm. (see acct of Parus atricristatus) March 3. Santa Ana Wildlife Refuge, 7 mi S Alamo, Hidalgo Co., Texas. Overcast, calm morning. I noted a Yellowthroat (?) singing in weedy growth in dried up lake E of headgate. The song I recorded as "Râdelsey Raydelsey" had the accent on the first syllable.
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K Dixon 1951 Journal March 3. Santa Ana Wildlife Refuge, 7 mi S Alamo, Hidalgo Co, Tex. George Unland, patrolman who resides on the refuge, identified two pigeons which circled The headquarters [illegible] as being the Red-billed Pigeon (first spring). He also thought he saw a Band-tailed Pigeon (dark body, light belly). I left the headquarters at 9:45 and drove down toward the river. I saw a White-eyed Vireo in an area of more closely spaced trees than the headquarters area. The song I recorded as "whick fuzzee the bear" repeated over and over. I spent about 20 minutes along the river noting Harris' Hawk and Myrtle Warbler only. Leaving the refuge about 10:40 I drove to San Benito to Harlingen arriving there at 11:50. March 4. L. Derby Davis of Harlingen took me on a drive up the river in the vicinity of San Juan and La Feria. 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. We drove along the levee roads for the most part. Derby Flycatcher - one along small stream with wooded banks Sharp's Seedeater - one in lawn of farmhouse. Ponds near Santa Maria, Cameron Co, Texas White Ibises (4) Roseate Spoonbill Snowy Egret White Pelican Louisiana Heron (1) Mexican Cormorant Dowitcher (Long-billed?) Shoveller Great Blue Heron Red-shouldered Hawk Little Blue Heron
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K Dixon 1951 Journal March 4, coastal prairie NW Port Isabel, Cameron Co., Texas grassy prairie with some patches of mesquite, yucca (blooming late this season, some not yet in bloom) and cactus. Most of area had been cleared for agriculture. (I accompanied Mr. & Mrs. Davis and Mr. & Mrs. Terry Gill on a drive 4:00 - 6:00 pm) Mr. Gill estimated that half a million acres of mesquite-covered land had been cleared during the last 4 years. Lennett's white-tailed Hawk adult (1) ♀ imm(1) Sage thrasher Curve-billed Thrasher } Mockingbird Harris Hawk } together in one cactus patch Familiar Sparrows and Horned Larks in plowed field
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Mch 5. arroyo at Harlingen, Cameron Co., Texas - area of mosquito brushland SE of city - such ebony trees as are present are dwarfed - Opuntia clumps common - no large trees. Foggy day, calm, humidity high. I was in area 9:00-10:00 am, 2:45-3:30 pm, 4:30- 5:20 pm. Birds noted along streamcourse & in uplands: Spotted Sandpiper Bewick Wren Belted Kingfisher Curve-billed Thrasher Accipiter sp. Mockingbird Lentius aurifrons Green Jay (4) Dendrocolos scalaris Myrtle Warbler Verdin 1 ♂ Longspurred House Wren (1) Great-tailed Grackle mixed flock at 5:15-(on way to roost?)-Redwings and Cowbirds I searched for reptiles in sandstone area around Opuntia patches 2:45-3:30 and noted no activity. After 4:30 I followed a tributary to the arroyo, a brook a foot or so wide with heavy covering of algae in places - banks soft making approach to stream difficult. Many small, fast-swimming fish but no amphibians seen. At this time I noted 2 Sceloprus active, one on log beside stream and other in Opuntia patch but the sting of which my noose was made was too heavy to catch these active lizards.
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K Dixon 1951 Journal 13. Mch 5. + 2 mi. S Port Brownsville, Cameron Co., Texas coastal prairie area of mesquite and other xeric shrubs, Chuntia, some Salicornia-like and Grindelia-like shrubs. The ground appeared to be alkaline. Ladder-backed Woodpecker Bewick Wren Myrtle Warbler (abundant - several seen foraging on the ground) Mockingbird Clay-colored Sparrow - small flock 6-8 Black-throated Sparrow Cardinal resaca 1/4 mi. E Russelltown, Cameron Co., Texas Dense brushy growth along either side (ebony trees present but small) water at low level surrounded by green cat-tails and dead grasses, (1:40 - 2:30 pm) Mexican Cormorant Green Jay (heard) American Egret Derby Flycatcher (1) Cost Eastern Phoebe (1) Black Vulture (2) Myrtle Warbler Centaurus unirons yellowthroat (singing) Dendroscopus scalaris Savannah Sparrow + 2 mi. NE San Benito, Cameron Co., Texas a mixed flock of icterids in farmland at 10:15 am. Great-tailed Grackles +? 9 foraged in the rows dug for irrigation of vegetable crop while Red-eyed Cowbirds, Brown-headed Cowbirds and Redwings stayed on higher ground near the farmhouse. One T. tauravias gave a "hunch-back, neck ruffling" display even though no other birds were within a foot or more of him.
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K Dixon 1951 Journal Mch 6. resaca '½ mi S W Almito, Cameron Co., Tex. In dense growth of closely spaced sapling - like Elbony Tules ± 20' high, I heard song of Black- crested Titmouse at 9:45 am (high fog). Along partial clearing to S I encountered only White- eyed Vireo and Verdin. On water or shore were Solitary Sandpiper, Coot, Mexican Cormorant. Overhead, Red-shouldered Hawk, Black Vulture I left Harlingen at 1:00 pm, driving N on U.S. Hwy 77 through Raymondville. Countryside appeared to be coastal plain prairie with leaf- less "mesquite" but not other rigid xeric shrubs as seen along Arroyo at Harlingen. At point 7 mi S Armstrong, Kenedy Co., Texas, I saw live oaks for the first time on this road & also sand dunes inland from the highway. 9 mi S of Sarita, Kenedy Co., Tex one Sennette White-tailed Hawk in sand dune country. A few miles SW of Refugio I ran into good graves of mature live oaks often on sandy substrate with mesquite on higher ground. However as I drove on toward Victoria I noted an intermingling of live-oaks, deciduous oaks and mesquite away from the stream-courses. In some instances I noted an abrupt boundary between mesquite and grassland as though the mesquite had been cleared. Considerable area of plowed fields seen along way NE of Kingville toward Victoria. I ate in Victoria and reached Cuero, De Witt Co., Tex. spending the night there.
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K Dixon 1951 Journal March 7. En route from Cuero, DeWitt Co., Texas I left Cuero about 7:30 am driving through Yoakum to La Grange. The sky was overcast. The trees were largely deciduous oaks. At LaGrange Encountered pines in a mixed growth with the oaks and they soon played out. I drove to Giddings and S mi x of there turned off U.S. 77 on to Texas Hwy 21, reaching Bryan at 10:45 am. I drove on to College Station. Then I looked an old friend, Mr. Donald Eidemiller, Assistant Prof. of Geography. He had invited me to stay in his home as a guest. 1 mi E College Station In the late afternoon I noted a large flock of Purple Grackles in a residence area generously dotted with post oak and Blackjack Oak. In some scrubby oaks I saw Field Sparrows and Vesper Sparrows, Mocking- bird and Blue Jay. March 8. I worked an area of post oak woodland with some blackjack scattered through and two underbrush layers, the Toller (hawthorn) coming out in leaf. Ground was leaf-return underneath or closely grass-covered in glades. Woods had been cut over. I flushed several cottontails in the wooded areas. Birds: ? Black-billed Cuckoo call? Robin (1 overhead) Crow Cardinal Blue Jay Field Sparrow Mockingbird Brown Thrasher Carolina Wren elsewhere Carolina Chickadee Eastern Meadowlark in Tufted Titmouse open fields
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Journal 16. Mch 8. 1 mi E College Station, 370 ft., Brazos Co., Texas I was in area 8:00 - 11:00 am, and from 1:45-3:45. Mch 9. I worked in area to the S until about 10:00 then in same area as yesterday until noon. Additional birds : yellow-shafted Flicker (8) in grassy area - ant hills noted there. Myrtle Warbler Ruby-crowned Kinglet Downy Woodpecker(heard) white-throated Sparrow (1) I noted one skink under a log but couldn't catch it ; another in oak leaves. Sceloporus (2) at base of fallen tree in roots and soil. Mch 10. OVERCAST, calm. I walked around the neighborhood 6:30 - 7:45. Birds noted included a covey of a dozen Bob-white Quail flushed in the grass at the edge of a wooded stream- course. Cardinals, Mockingbird, Brown Thrasher, Carolina Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse also seen along creek. Mch 12. The weather turned cold with strong winds from the north. Last night, the Sidemiller baby became ill and he went to Houston so I helped with the domestic duties and didn't get afield. There was 0.56 inches of rain Mch 13 9 mi NW Bryan in Robertson Co., Texas. I was taken to this area by Mr. John F Wood a student at A+H College working on fur-bearers. (In my notes on Pains bicolor I gave the locality as 9 mi NE Bryan but a check of the map showed Mr. Wood had his directions mixed) COLD (32°F in Bryan at 8:00 am, predicted maximum, 52°F) WIND strong from N up to 12 m.p.h., SUNNY. We made a number of stops along the road
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K Dixon 1951 Journal Mar 13 9 mi. NW Bryan in Robertson Co., Texas — where Wood set some traps — in area 9:30 — 11:30 a.m. The areas I worked in were chiefly post oak woodland with understory of yaupon (Ilex sp.), hawthorn, wild rose(?), other deciduous shrubs. Both cottontails and jackrabbit noted. Wood said that the raccoon was the most common furbearer with Striped Skunk, Gray Fox and Ring-tailed Fox present in some numbers. He did not mention opossum but stated that this species led the list of furbearers in total sales at 15 cents per hide. Raccoon was worth 55 cents and Bassariacus $3.00 during the season just closed. Grazing was permitted on this area, a privately owned ranch. Birds noted: Turkey Vulture Crow Carolina Chickadee (see species acc't) Tufted Titmouse " " " (Carolina Wren 1 taken) Mockingbird Cardinal (common) Brown Thrasher (Spotted) Towhee Red-eyed Myrtle Warbler White-throated Sparrow (common) Ruby-crowned Kinglet Slate-colored Junco (1 seen) Wood stated that he believed that the climax in the uplands of this area was post oak forest with scattered underbrush and considerable grass. He thought the denser growth of the evergreen yaupon (Ilex) was the result of disturbance. 17.
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K Dixon 19.51 Journal 18. Mch 13 9 mi NW Bryan in Robertson Co., Texas. Mr. Wood thought that the more open woods represented the climax as a result of his own observations and the opinions of old-timers in the region. He showed me an "island" of prairie (now with some mesquite scattered on it) in the woodland. These patches of grassland exist on black soil in contrast to the sandy loam on which the forest grows. At the north edge of Bryan about 11:45 we picked up a dead Barned Owl on the road. We had not noticed it there on our way out to the study area 2 1/2 hours earlier. I made it into a skin and body skeleton. Mch 14. In area visited yesterday 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. See species acc't for Larus bicolor. I took only one bird, a & Cardinal (#482) which I took along a creek bed in tangled vines. The only new birds seen here today were Black Vulture and Red-tailed Hawk. On our way to the area, Wood and I stopped for coffee in Bryan and then met a Mr. [illegible], who owns the land on which Wood was working. He showed keen interest in Wood's problem and asked about each animal in turn and of Wood's findings on it. His mind seemed open to new findings but he showed a tendency to want to assign a value to each species and treat it accordingly. Wood, a student of Prof. Davis with an H.A. from A&M College seemed to know what he was about in the combined fox-deer-predator study. He realized the immense scope of the problem and that very
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Mch 14. 9 mi NW Bryan in Robertson Co., Texas scope was the factor responsible for the financial support which had been obtained for the study. Mch 15. 1 mi E College Station, Brazos Co., Texas I wandered around the residence area before breakfast then spent the period from 8:10 until 9:50 a.m. in the woodland area to the E of the city limits. See species acc't for Pans bicolor. I noted several Robins foraging individually and a group of 3 in contrast to the lone bird seen last week. Only one Flicker (yellow-shafted) At 10:30 I noticed a lone Starling on the lawn at A&M College. At noon we noted the large flock of Quiscalus which has been travelling through the neighborhood. The birds congregate under oak trees apparently feeding on acorns but we saw them foraging in the open as well (ground with scattered tufts of grass). There were a number of Brown-headed Cowbirds among the grackles. One grackle hopped along with its injured leg held up. The others walked of course. I observed twice again in the same area E of the house from 5:20 until 6:20. Mch 16. I left College Station at 9:45 a.m. proceeding via Bryan on Texas Hwy 21 and U.S. 77 to Giddings, Lee Co. A mile or two S of here live oaks appeared. I noticed pines S of the hamlet of Warda, Co., and a mixture of pine, juniper, live oak and post oak in the vicinity of La Grange, Fayette Co. live oaks appeared more numerous in the area near Schulenburg, Fayette Co.
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Mar 16. 5 mi. N Hallettsville, Lavaca Co., Texas. I found a recently-killed Brown Thrasher along the road in wooded country. The bird was “scalped” and somewhat battered but I saved it for a skeleton. A mile or so down the road I found a mummified Screech Owl beside the road in live oak country, the first roadside kill of this bird I have noted. 6 mi NE Cuero, DeWitt Co., Texas. Mesquite appeared here in stands for the first time along Hwy 77 (US) driving SW. It seemed considerably out in leaf in contrast to 10 days ago. Mesquite and mesquite-liveoak in flats west of Victoria along Rte 59 (U.S.) in Victoria County. The smaller streams from this point W had only live oak along their borders. The only floodplain woodland or forest with tall trees was along the San Antonio River on U.S. 59 in Goliad County. Cottonwoods and other tall trees were noticeable. As I drove into Bee County I ran through dense stands of brush, chiefly mesquite of development comparable to that west of Mission in Hidalgo County. Beeville, Bee County Texas. I arrived here about 3:30 pm & called for mail at the Post Office. Then I proceeded to the Courthouse, an imposing structure and called at the office of the County Agent for the Agric. Extension Service. He was not in but his secretary, Mrs. Mina Cherry, was there and was quite willing to help me. She hunts deer every year and takes a great interest in wildlife matter. She has charge of bounty payments ($3.00 a scalp) for predators
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21. Mar 16. Beeville, Bee Co., Texas ie: gray "wolf", red "wolf" [illegible] and "lynx" at least. She told of experiences watching and hunting javelina in Bee County and of the dog-hunters hate for those peccaries. She said that "jolves" when pursued by a pack of hounds would slip through a herd of javelina, whereupon the dogs would follow and would be cut up by the peccaries. She told of the nesting of White-winged Dove in Beeville and of the former occurrence of Tophnut or Blue Quail in the county. Mrs. Cherry made some plans to negotiate to get me onto the property of a Mr. Claude Hurd along the Kansas River so I told her I would call at 9:00 a.m. on the morrow to hear the news. Mar 17. (Foggy?) overcast, wind from S. I met the County Agent, Mr. Jack Forgason, who suggested access to the Kansas Creek through the Discoll property E of Skidmore. He gave me a letter of introduction to Mr. J. Corbello, ranch foreman. I left Beeville at noon and drove to Skidmore, Bee County. I past Mr. Corbell's on the road and then drove on past his ranch to the Kansas River, 5 mi. ENE Skidmore, Bee Co., Texas As I approached the river on a county road which leaves US 181 at the schoolhouse in Skidmore, I noted that the brush and oak reproduction had been cleared but that the mature oak trees were left standing (Mr. Corbello later told me that they had been "chained"
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K Dixon 1951 22. Journal Mar 17. Aransas River, 5 mi ENE Skidmore, Bee Co., Texas ie: uprooted or broken by a chain dragged between 2 tractors) There was no large timber along the river at the point where a suspension bridge crosses it. The stream known locally as Aransas Creek was dry except for a few small pools. I had radiator trouble and finally refilled at the courthouse at the ranch headquarters. I drove back into town and to Umbello's house and back to the ranch. 2 mi. E Skidmore, Bee Co., Texas I picked up a dead snake on the road and preserved it (KCD # 454). At 5:00 I met Mr. Umbello, who not only gave me permission to hunt on his property but offered me the use of his bunkhouse. He warned about the danger of "dry-tails" or rattlesnakes, which were raring at present. The land includes about 7000 acres with something over a mile frontage on the S bank of Aransas Creek and something less than that on the N bank. The drought is so bad here that the cattle are fed each night on baled hay and mash in the form of pellets (alfalfa meal?) I heard 2 Horned Owls in residence S of ranch 8:00 p.m. Mar 18. The wind shifted during the night and about 2:00 a.m. commenced to blow strongly from the N. At sunrise its velocity was above 15 miles per hour and dust was blown across the feeding yards almost continually. I left the bunkhouse about 8:45 and drove E along the road. Between the county road and the creek, the brush had been removed by chains dragged between 2 tractors.
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KDixon 1951 23. Journal Mch 18. Aransas Creek, 5 mi ENE Skedmore, Bee Co., Texas Only the larger oaks were left standing although I noted that some of the younger sapling-like shrubs had not been uprooted by the "clearing". I drove across the bridge, made a corkscrew turn beneath it to get to the W side of the road and drove N & W a mile or so to the W fence of the Driscoll property N of the creek. Thence S to the creek (9:00 - 10:00) then back to bridge by 10:45 am. In the meagrite of the uplands I noted 4 Robins and a number of Blue-gray Gratecatchers. I took one of the latter; these birds seemed to be traveling in groups of 3 or 4 and were more common in open meagrite with grassland beneath. In this association I saw also Morning Doves (2 "couples") and 2 Lark Sparrows together. In denser brush near the W fence and along the creek I saw Gratecatchers, and Cardinals (usually paired). In dense brush I flushed a large owl; as it perched momentarily I saw no ears & noted tawny color - Strix ?? 1 Red-shouldered Hawk & 2 Turkey Vultures 40 ft away, both in open streambed. From 11:00 - 12:00 I walked along the creek E of the bridge. About 1/4 mile E of bridge where a side draw enters Aransas Creek from the north, I investigated song of a towmuse in brush. Here I noted about 3 pair of Cardinals, a White-eyed Vireo (see spec. acc't), one Black-and-White Warbler, 2 or 3 Gratecatchers, a single towmouse, a Myrtle Warbler, a Ladder-backed Woodpecker. Nearby, 2 Lincoln Sparrows and a Hermit Thrush across the creek.
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24. Mar 18. Aransas Creek, 5 mi. EXE Skidmore, Bee Co., Texas In hunting along in the clumps of live oak S of the river I encountered paired Cardinals in brush piles; they seemed reluctant to fly far but were wary. WIND DROPPING to ±10 mph. I heard a Ladder-backed Woodpecker and stalked it as it flew to successive trees after 12:10. It flew fully 200 yards before I returned to hunt other birds. At 12:20 I heard the sharp pick from the same tree where I first saw the ♂ at 12:10. The caller was a ♂, the same one? – I took him, #489. 2 mi E Skidmore, Bee Co., Texas. Returning to the truckhouse at 12:30, I noticed a mixed flock of Black and Turkey Vultures on the ground (carcass not seen). I shot into a flock of Cowbirds in a tree in the yard & collected 3. I believe they were all Molothrus in the flock. WIND CONTINUED; RAIN INTERMITTENT AFTER 3:00 pm. At 7:00 pm., outside temp 46° F. about 8:30 pm I heard coyotes howling. (Last night they had approached quite near the house). Mar 19. 2 mi E Skidmore, Bee County Texas overcast but wind not so strong as it was yesterday. I walked out into the yard on the ranch at 7:45 and took a ♂ Golden-fronted Woodpecker and a ♀ Ladder-backed Woodpecker. Flock of Brown-headed Cowbirds in tree, Lark Sparrows, Mourning Doves and Ground Dove feeding on ground. I left the cabin at 9:00 and drove E along county road to W fence of Rodriguez property.
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25. 2 mi E Skidmore, Bee Co., Texas Bird species list Turkey Vulture White-eyed Vireo Black Vulture Black-and-White Warbler Bob-white Quail Magnolia (?) Warbler Killdeer English Sparrow Mourning Dove Brown-headed Cowbird Mexican Ground Dove Brewer Blackbird Roadrunner Meadowlark White-throated Swift (?) Cardinal Golden-fronted Wdpkr. Lark Sparrow Ladder-backed Wdpkr. Savannah Sparrow Crested Flycatcher Horned Owl ? (heard) Black-crested Titmouse Mockingbird Robin Blue-gray Gnatcatcher Ruby-crowned Kinglet
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K Dixon 1951 Journal 26. Mar 19. 4 mi. E Skidmore, Bee County, Texas. I started at the corner of the Rodriguez and Driscoll properties N county road Driscoll Rodriguez marked asterisk and hunted in pie-shaped tract of 600 yard radius S and W of that project. From 9:15 to 10:00 I saw only 2 individual birds, a Crested Flycatcher and a Ladder-backed Woodpecker. After 10:00 I walked through Rodriguez property (without my gun) and ran into a small flock of birds. Titmouse 1 pair (see species acct), White-eyed Vireo (1, singing), magnolia? warbler, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (several) Cardinal, ? Sparrow, Bewick Wren. (see vegetation comment below) From 10:30 - 11:45 I hunted on Driscoll property chiefly further S than I had been earlier. In oak- mesquite scrub I saw Robin (flock 6), Ladder-bill Woodpecker (♂, taken), White-eyed Vireo (taken, #490), single Crested Flycatcher. The Robins were on the ground beneath mesquite. The vegetation on the Rodriguez place appeared to be more closely spaced with more underbrush; perhaps this was the secret of less severe grazing or perhaps vegetation was removed from other property a few years previously. I drove into Beeville at noon, had lunch, then went to the post office where I received word of my sister's death. I returned to the ranch, straightened up my belongings and drove out of Beeville at 3:30, arriving in San Antonio 2 hours later.
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27. Mar. 24. San Antonio, Bexar Co., Texas. I arrived here at 11:00 pm last night after a round trip flight to San Diego, California. On the return trip in western Texas, particularly east of the Pecos River, there was a great deal of dust in the air so that the ground objects were not distinct from ±5000 feet above the ground. At the surface level at Midland, visibility was clear for several miles. Today I purchased some maps from the M.L. Ferguson Map Co., San Antonio and departed from that city about 1:30 pm after having lunch with an old friend, Fred W Knight, of that city. I drove to Somerset, Bexar County to contact Mr. G.J. Kim but was informed of his death in October, 1950. The countryside N of Somerset was cultivated or cleared for the most part but there were stands of mesquite here and there. There were some larger trees along the creeks and a more dense growth there also, i.e.: small but more fully-leaved deciduous trees in contrast to mesquite brush of the upland. Live Oak Creek, 2½ mi NE Somerset, Bexar Co., Texas—vegetation as above—pair of Carolina Chickadees and a Black-capped Tanager seen. Further N, along Medina Creek at [illegible], crossing of Somerset Road, trees are taller, no underbrush. I drove S on US 181 after 3:00. Around Berg’s Mill in Bexar Co., there were some large trees in the uplands, deciduous oaks and perhaps other trees as well. 11 mi SE Berg’s Mill, rolling country for about 10 mi farther SE with sand dunes or at least sandy soil. This substrate supported a forest of mixed oak trees, live & deciduous. Otherwise or elsewhere mesquite was extensive.
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K Dixon 1951 Journal 28. Mar 24. 2 mi. E Skidmore, Bee Co., Texas I arrived at the bunkhouse where I had stayed previously at 7:30 pm after dining in Beeville. Cloudy, with a light breeze from the SE; 62°F at 9:00 p.m. Mar 25. Rain commenced falling about midnight and continued steadily until daylight. I would estimate the fall to be in excess of one inch. At 8:00 am, Temperature 56°F, breeze to 4 mph from SE. I talked to Mr. Curbells briefly about 8:30 am. He mentioned that further clearing had been done S of the bunkhouse at a cost of about $6.00 per acre. He also commented that the cost of feeding stock ran to about $100 daily [550 cattle + 5] hunted in an area about a mile E of the bunkhouse driving there with the aid of chains. The cover varied from grassland with scattered Prosopis to a cover of more closely spaced mesquite with various underbush species present. I was in this area S of the road from about 9:00- 10:30 am. Birds were scarce except for a flock of about 20 gratcatchers following (it seemed) a Black-crested Titmouse ♀ accompanied by Black-and-white and Magnolia (?) Warbler and White-eyed Vireo. Also in this habitat: Mourning Dove, Cardinal & sipp vultures, Ladder-backed Woodpe. covy of 6 Bob-white Quail near road in mesquite-grass. 10:40 - 12:00 I hunted in Liveoak woods (cleared except for larger trees) N of road. Here I took a Black-crested Tit from a flock similar to that described above. Also took a White-eyed Vireo which was singing and appeared to be mated and a Cardinal in similar circumstances. The ♀ ladder-backed Woodpecker taken (#494) was calling in answer to a ♂ nearby.
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KDixon 1951 Journal 29. Mch 25. 3 mi ENE Skidmore, Bee Co., Texas In the same area flying just above and sometimes among the tops of the liveoaks I saw several large swifts with tail discernable; one with white throat - no calls - white-throated Swift? RAINING I left this area and drove back to the bunk house at 12:20. 2 mi E Skidmore, Bee Co., Texas - noted Brewer Blackbird ♂ (white-eye) and later & call note "check") in flock with Brown-headed Cowbirds, During the afternoon I heard Dark Sparrows and watched them forage on the ground near the house - song whin-like. At 5:00 I walked out in the yard and approached a pile of brush into which I had seen a Cardinal fly. Cowbirds and English Sparrows flew up from the brush but one of the former remained in view & others inside. I shot the cowbird, a ♂ (#476), which had a deformed bill with superfluous horny growth on both mandibles. Its crop was full of large round seeds and it was moderately fat; also had many lice. RAIN CONTINUED intermittently until dark, Temp 56°F at 8:30 Mch 26. 3 mi ENE Skidmore, Bee Co., Texas. I hunted in live oaks and on into leafless riverbank woodland from 8:10 - 9:45. In the liveoaks for only 20 minutes (see Parus see?) In timber along the S bank of the river about 4 mi ENE Skidmore I noted a flock of grackles, Black-and-White Warbler and a Yellow-throated Vireo with 2 tommies. I took a ♂ Cardinal (#499) which was being pursued by another ♂. I started to drive back to the ranch (about 1 1/2 mi W of where I had parked at 10:00 but had chain tangle
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K Dixon 1951 Journal 30. Mch 26. 2 mi. E Skidmore, Bee Co., Texas troubles on the muddy road and arrived an hour later. I talked to "Buck" Lurbello, the foreman's son and an experienced cowman, for a few minutes in the afternoon. He told me that they were carrying about 500 cows and 80 bulls, horses, etc: thus about 580 head of "stock" on 7000 acres of land. I packed up and left the ranch about 3:00, driving over muddy roads with the aid of chains, leaving Skidmore on paving (U.S. 59) at 3:30. I called on the County Agric Extension Agent, Mr. J.P. Forgason, and his secretary, Mrs. Cherry, then went out to buy groceries. I discovered the loss of my travelers cheques and returned to the ranch to hunt for them at places where I had crawled under fences and also around the bunk house. I started back toward town about 7:50 pm - raining 1 mi E Skidmore, Bee Co., Texas - shortly after leav- the bunkhouse on the Diocoll Ranch I noticed something shining beside the road, gleaming in headlight beams. The next such object was waving and I stopped and collected it, a toad, #500. The second (#504) also was hopping along, having been sitting in the water in a rut left by an automobile tire. I took 3 more toads within a few minutes all under the same conditions. One, (#501), had a patterned back - some of the skin appeared to be sticking to my hands as I tied the label to it after killing the toads with carbontete- chloride fumes. Toads were all along the road as I drove into Beeville (I arrived at 9:00 & put up in a hotel)
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31. Mch 27. Claude Heard Ranch, 8 mi SE Beeville, Bee Co., Texas. I rode out here with JP Forgason to see Mr. Heard this morning. We had a lengthy discussion of rain, drought, feeding cattle, etc: Mr Heard had sold all of this year's calves in order to aid his cows to pull through the spring. He was worried about deterioration of his pastures and planned to sow much of the acreage with "blue panic" a perennial grass. He said however that he didn't want to "farm" his pastureland, that he wanted it to be the latter. We discussed brush management problems and both Mr. Heard and Mr. Forgason were of the opinion that the original vegetation here was waist-high grass and that oak woodland and brush were restricted in their distribution. Mr. Heard invited me to stay on his property and offered me the use of a house near the Aransas River. They mentioned the occurrence of alligators along the stream. Mr. Forgason mentioned that the chief "cash crops" of Bee County were flax, broom corn, cotton, and grain sorghum, all of about equal acreage. I stayed in town until 3:00 pm then returned to the Heard Ranch and drove to the house near the river. This house is the last building remaining of the "Orrigan settlement" according to Mr. Forgason. It is 16 miles by road from Beeville. I walked over to the river (so called on all maps I have seen) and upstream to within sight of the bridge on the county road E of Skidmore. I estimated the house to be in excess of 1/2 mile from the first draw E of the bridge on the N bank.
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Mch27. Aransas River, 5 1/2 mi. ENE Skidmore, Bee Co., Texas I decided upon this name for the locality even though it can be reached by driving only by the Refugio road going SE from Beeville. The Heard property adjoins the Driscoll so I should have opportunity to collect along a good segment of the stream. Birds seen during my walk 5:00 - 6:00 pm included Scissor-tailed Flycatcher Belted Kingfisher (1) Wilson Snipe (1) Louisiana Waterthrush Red-bellied Hawk (1) Barred Owl - duet whuk -- -- -- whuk-whoa The last two notes coupled, & altogether. Sunset 6:47 - about 10 minutes later I saw bats leave the building through attic ventilator on N side. A few minutes later I heard the call of Merriell's Parake "zurree arr" a hoarse whistle accent on middle syllable. I started to hunt the bird but it moved away. Second calling to E. Coylee howled at 8:30, not earlier. Lightning flashes to N - sky clear overhead. Mch28. about 12:30 a.m. the wind increased from the S; rain fell later, a heavy downpour between 6:00 and 7:00 a.m. By 8:00 the skies were clearing and weather was warm + humid (about 90° F at 11:00 am) I left the house at 7:45 and walked downstream for about a mile, perhaps a little more, remaining on the W bank. At
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K Dixon 1951 Journal 33. Mar 28. Guadalupe River, 5 1/2 mi ENE Skidmore, Bee Co, Texas 9:40 I started back and later cut inland to mosquito- liveoak growth. No snakes seen. Birds not seen previously along the river included Great Blue Heron, Brown-headed Cowbird, Black-throated Green Warbler. A flock of medium-sized hawks, possibly Broad- winged (tail markings not seen) and a possible American Rough-legged Hawk seen, the latter in open pasture. Along a creek E of the house I flushed a Merlin Paraguana on 3 successive occasions, the bird tending to fly short distances (up to about 100 feet) and settle on the ground beneath dense brush. During the morning I took a male Cardinal (#505). This species is the most obvious if not the most abundant species along the river. I took a white-eyed Vireo along the creek about 9:00 and later collected a female (#506) further upstream. This individual was accompanying a singing male which I wasn't able to collect. I also took a Ladder-backed Woodpecker male in live-oaks near the house, the male locating. Along the river at noon, I heard only Vireo griseus and the Cardinal in song. I took several black and white photographs before 4:00 pm then drove about 1 mile N of the house and worked along a creek in the liveoaks and mosquito-brush. Cardinal and a Barred Owl the only birds seen 4:30 - 4:50. At sunset I waited by the attic ventilation outlet where bats had flown out last evening. At 6:54 2 bats flew
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34. Mar 28. Aransas River, 5 1/2 mi ENE Skidmore, Bee Co., Texas on the N side, from the slotted portal; then others flew from the one on the E side of the house. I had hoped to hit one with my slingshot but only one more flew, at 7:06. All the bats, which suggested Eptesicus, in appearance flew E toward the river pastures & meadows to N thereof. Nyctidromus started calling at 7:06. I searched a pool N of the house carefully but found no amphibians. Mar 29. Spring Creek, 6 1/2 mi ENE Skidmore, Bee Co., Texas Clouds clearing, sunny, wind from NW up to 12 mph. This area, liveoaks (predominately) magnolia and brush along the creek, postoaks widely spaced in the uplands, is about 1 mile N of the house I am living in. I reached the area at 7:30 am and stayed there until noon. For full acct see under Pumas. I jumped 2 white-tailed deer in dense growth along the creek and a cottontail rabbit in a blackbrush thicket. Barred Owl - several seen chiefly in large liveoak trees where they appear to roost. They are wary and I never got within gun range. Carolina Chickadee-(see othe. acct) Robin - 2 in thicket with other passerines Yellow-throated Warbler in flocks with great-kether and Black-and-White and Myrtle Warblers. Hooded Warbler - one came through brush as I squeaked. Seaphiodes I found a mummified frog at noon on the road in a sandy area 50 yards from the creek. I preserved it as # 509. One Sceloporus seen in Opuntia clump about 11:00 am.
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35. 14th 29. Spring Creek, 6 1/2 mi. ENE Skidmore, Bee Co., Texas Morning Dove - scattered throughout area, paired. Meadowlark - seems to be in flocks yet for most part. The only song I have heard has been Eastern Meadowlark. Killdeer - noted in grassy areas & near ponds. Upland Plover - two solitary individuals seen along road to ranch headquarters N of Spring Creek in midafternoon. I left the bunkhouse at 4:00 and drove to Beeville, returning at 8:05. I watched along the road for vertebrates but saw only jackrabbits, one shrunk. I took to be a Hognosed, and Killdeer Calm in evening, 55° F at 7:30 pm, never hot all day. 14th 30. I drove to the same area before 7:30 and worked first along the creek where I had been yesterday, then along another branch 1/2 mile E. See acct for Paurus Caprimulgus I took a pauraque in mesquite-liveoak thicket at 11:15. I had flushed this bird as well as another earlier in the day. In each case they seemed to seek a level place in shade, perhaps behind a downed log beneath a tree alms, always on the ground. Shortly after taking the pauraque I saw a sharrow [illegible] hop from grassy area into a thicket. It stopped then continued always aloft. I collected it, finding the bird however still alive. It flew out of my hand, hopped over the ground and I recaptured it. The bird did not seem to be injured but seemed reluctant to fly, possibly because of the wind. Grasshopper Sparrow Cowbirds seem to be more widely distributed than they were 10 days ago.
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36. Mar 30. Spring Creek, 6 1/2 mi. ENE Skidmore, Bee Co., Texas Although it was calm when I started, breeze came up about 8:30 from the S. By 9:15 it had shifted to SE and was up to 17 mph or so. It continued throughout the day and into the evening. I returned to the area I had been in from 9:00 - 10:40 this morning for a few minutes about 6:00. Birds were inactive as they had been in mid-morning. 3 White-tailed Deer along that branch of the creek. I watched for Rats and found that they left the vent on the windy (S) side of the house and that most waited until 7:12 - 7:16, sunset being about 6:49. I was unable to take any with my slingshot. Mar 31. Calm until 8:15 when wind came up from SE. Generally clear until 9:00 when clouds moved in from S, forming complete cloud cover. I worked along the eastern fork of the creek from 7:15 - 9:30; see Parras acc #. Nothing out of the ordinary occurred there. I left for Beeville at 10:45, returning to the cabin at 3:00. To the east of Beeville on a pasture fence I noticed an Eastern Bluebird. On the ranch near my cabin I saw a Loggerhead Shrike in mesquite dotted pasture and a Red-tailed Hawk with 2 flashmarks (buff) along sides of rump, red tail, dark collar on throat. I drove along the oil pipeline road to the river, reaching this area about 400 yards downstream from the bridge at 3:40. Clouds tending to break up, WIND STILL STRONG from S Birds generally inactive, Little Blue Heron along 1st tributary below bridge.
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Journal Mar 31. Aransas River, 5 1/2 mi. ENE Skidmore, Bee Co., Texas See acct for Paris. At the mouth of the 1st tributary on the N side of the river below the bridge, I noted a very small gray frog leap into the water. Others did likewise and I was unable to capture any for a while. They tended to jump in and swim back to the bank at a different point, diving in again if they saw me more. Others, however remained in the muddy water for some time before climbing out on the bank. I was able to capture two (#520, 521) About 4:45, as I was watching these frogs, I heard a grating call ck-ck-ck, a sequence of notes uttered rapidly from a point a few yards upstream. The call was given from other points then, always from the margin of the stream it seemed to [illegible] These calls continued intermittently. At dusk I heard a chorus of similar sounds far along the river, a chorus I was not aware of on previous evenings. I collected a tadpole (#519) from beneath a leaf floating at the water's edge. Hind legs were not visible yet; color did not seem to change when it was preserved. Occurrence of a tadpole is a little surprising although there were a few pools extant in this area of the river before the rain. The river is not running yet although the standing pools form an almost continuous body of water. Residents stated that this was the first rain in about a year (the one of March 25-26) I departed at 5:10 pm. Toward sunset the clouds cleared away completely but the wind velocity did not change. I spent some time watching Lark Sparrows, then stationed myself to shoot bats at 7:10. No flight took place
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38. Mar 31 Manana River, 5/2 mi ENE Skidmore, Bee Co., Texas by 7:22 so I retired from the S conura. Either they had flown earlier or they used other exits. [This morning when I awake, the dawn chorus was in full swing along the river (before 6:00 a.m.) Among the other voices including Baired Owl, I heard a (Black-crested) Ternoise and a Turkey gobble several times] April 1 Cloudy, clearing about noon. Moderate breeze from S after 8:00am. I worked along the river upstream and S of the bridge, gone from camp 6:30 - 11:00 a.m. See acc't of Parma for details. One small frog (522) taken on sandy bank several feet from water (low prostrate herbs in area). I spent the afternoon skinning bide, clearing and straighten- ing up around the house. I packed some gear and left the house at 5:40, driving to Refugio via state hwy 202, arriving at 6:40. April 2. Mission River at Refugio, 50 ft., Refugio Co., Texas. Clear morning, light breeze from E. I walked along the E bank of the river for 150 yards N of highway 77 bridge 7:30-7:45, I returned at 9:00 after clearing with the sheriff, Mr. Harsdort, on permission to collect in that area. He promised to back me up if owners should object. I worked along the W bank for half to 3/4 of a mile below the railroad bridge near the highway. The area along the stream, a bench or floodplain 15 ft or so above the low level of water in this oil polluted creek, was wooded. The trees were well leafed out and the vegetation seemed to be out more fully than along the Manasa. I collected a number of specimens of trees.
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39. April 2. Mission River at Refugio, 50 ft., Refugio Co., Texas. Tree species represented include: no live oaks nor other Quercus species growing there and few mesquite. Further W there was somewhat more scrubby growth. The stream-curse woodland was dense in some places reminding me of that along the lower Rio Grande. Tallest trees however not over 30-35 ft., most 20-25. Birds seen in this area: Black-nested Titmouse Cardinal - most abundant bird, singing steadily White-eyed Vireo common, singing Blue-gray Jaycatcher Black-and-white Warbler Carolina Chickadee 1 seen Brown Thrasher 1 seen Myrtle Warbler Song Sparrow 1 seen no woodpeckers I left this area at noon after taking photographs and spent the next two hours in town. Refugio is a rather rundown town of 4000 population which apparently has enjoyed recent prosperity (postwar). Oil seems to be the main income source and prices as high. I left at 2:20 pm driving west on highway 202.
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R Dixon 1950 Journal April 2 Blanco Creek, Refugio Co., Texas I stopped at the bridge about 5 mi NW Refugio and took a photograph of the tall leafless trees in the bottomland -- liverak on slope W creek. Aransas River, 5 1/2 mi. ENE Skidmore, Bee Co., Texas I reached the house at 3:40 - half an hour later I walked down to the river to take some photographs, returning at 4:45. Calm, clear in evening. I took station beside the house to watch the bat flight from the S escape at 7:05 (sun had set; Sirius the only star visible). -(7:10 Rigel visible). 7:13 pauraque called for the first time. Shortly afterward a bat flew toward the house from the river. 7:15 last song from dark Sparrow. No flight of bats from anywhere that I could see by 7:30 so I gave up the vigil. April 3. Sunny early, clouding in toward noon. Calm. Dawn chorus voluminous including Turkey. Bared Owl giving 6-foot call at 7:40 along river to E of Corrigan House (in which I was staying). I left the house at 8:00 and drove to Beeville; there I met Mr. Grady Stiles, farm editor of the Corpus Christi Caller-Times in the County Agents' office. He asked a number of questions about my work and discussed an interview with Val Lehmann on the King Ranch, Kingsville, Kleberg Co., Texas. Lehmann had told him that the sex ratio in Bob-white Quail was about 20:1 & as a result of severe drought and the winter freezes in 1951. While we were talking, a trapper brought in 4 scalps and cut them in two between the ears. One was a coyote, the other were "red wolves". The latter 3 & had given premature birth to their young when they were trapped; there were 7, 8, and 9 young respectively according to this man. He received $12.00 bounty.
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41. April 3. Beeville, Bee Co., Texas. We discussed several other matters pertaining to natural history. Two alligators have been taken along the Brazos River in recent weeks; they have just come out of hibernation according to Mr. Fergason. He commented on White-winged Dove stating that a few shewed the winter here and that the Boat-tailed Grackle is a feared nest-rober of the doves. He told me that the Mexican Ground Dove was not considered a game bird in this area and that most white-wings moved S before the season or then opened. Brazos River, 5 1/2 mi ENE Skidmore, 150 ft., Bee Co., Texas I returned to the house (old Longfan home) about 3:00 pm and spent from 3:45 - 6:00 pm mapping the area S of the bridge (Driscoll prop). At the ranchhouse, English Sparrow on the windmill. April 4. Dawn chorus subsided by 6:00 - D-mouse not detected until 6:02 - drowned out? Turkeys heard definitely. I drove to the area along Spring Creek, 6 1/4 mi ENE Skidmore, Bee Co., Texas at 7:10 and worked in post-oak woodland but was unable to take a Lark Sparrow (2 wounded, escaped) (ALM, SUNNY, 50 F at 6:00. At 8:10 I drove E to the tributary w the windmill - there in the oaks I saw a Green Heron (creek dry at this point for over half a mile). The heron watched me flipping its tail down and back up into normal posture "normally" and frequently; it seemed reluctant to fly. Scissor-tailed Flycatcher along creek (dry area) I proceeded downstream to the Brazos and doubled
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42. April 4. Spring Creek, 6th mi ENE Skidmore Bee lo., Texas 175 ft back to the house at 11:40. Then I walked back to my car and returned to the house at 1:10. WIND MODERATE AFTER 8:00 - STRONG BY LATE A.M. Crested Flycatcher - one in mesquite, inactive Nashville Warbler - one in liveoaks Cardinal (see sp. acc't) Turkey - two along creek near pool; banks wellwooded Black Vulture - flock ±20 at same waterhole Bobwhite - one individual in postoak - mesquite at noon Whip-poor-will - one at edge of eroded bank (plan creek from above brush pile original position Bird flew not more than 3 ft and turned quickly to perch on twig parallel to it and facing the wind. It flew when I walked within 4 feet. (noon) [ I spent some time taking photographs around the bridge along the Aransas 2:00 - 3:00 pm - took a frog (#531) there I collected 2 Sceloporus, 1 (#532) on a log in creek bottom near a well wooded bank at 10:40. The other half an hour later in grassy area some distance from any large tree or fallen timber - lizard took refuge in a tuft of grass (#533)
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43. Apr. 5, Aransas River, 5½ mi. ENE Skidmore, 150 ft., Bee Co., Texas I left the house on the Heard Ranch at 9:30 a.m. and drove to the headquarters, stopping to talk to Mr. Ted Scott, the herdsman, briefly. I reached Beeville about 10:30 and drove N toward San Antonio on U.S. Hwy. 181. 1 mi. S Poth, Wilson Co., Texas - one Audubon Caracara in plowed field about 50 yds. from highway at noon. I drove on through San Antonio after stopping for lunch then proceeded via U.S. Hwy. 81 to Austin without incident. Austin, Travis Co., Texas. I arrived in this city about 4:30 pm and put up in an auto court on the west side of town. Apr. 6. I was awakened by the calls of Blue Jays and Great-tailed Grackles - the day started sunny but rain commenced by 9:00 a.m. I went out to the University of Texas and there met Dr. W. Frank Blair and Dr. Clark Hubbs and graduate students in zoology. I discussed local bird distribution with Wilmet A. Thornton, a student now studying isolating mechanisms in toads. I made arrangements to go to an area W of town with another student, N.W. Phillips, the next day. Apr. 7 Barton Cr., 4 mi. SW Austin, 500 ft., Travis Co., Texas CLEAR, CALM. Homer Phillips and I reached the Gaines Farm via Fredericksburg Road about 7:00 a.m. We left our car on the edge of the plateau and walked down into the canyon cut by Barton Creek. The flat above and the slopes of the canyon were covered by a woodland of Juniperus mexicana, Spanish oak (Q. texana), some live oak and hackberry and cedar elm; the latter two more abundant in the bottom.
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KDixon 1951 44. Journal Apr. 7 Barton Creek, 7 mi SW Austin, 500 ft, Travis Co., Texas The canyon bottom, 100 - 150 ft below the plateau level, had varying amounts of riparian woodland on a ledge above the dry streamcourse. In groves of elm near the creek and elm-juniper-oak near the base of the hill there were many birds. Sycamores grew along the creek downstream from the bend to which the path from the Gaines Farm leads. Phillips and I walked through the canyon bottom area 7:20 - 8:30 and noted the following birds here or on slopes above. Crow Blue Jay Black Vulture Turkey Vulture Carolina Chickadee Bl-cutek Titmouse Wild Turkey Ruby-throated Hummingbird Robin Spotted Towhee Cardinal White-crowned Sparrow Brown-headed Cowbird Common Goldfinch ? Apr. 8 SUNNY, CALM. I was in area 7:00 - (0:15 - see acct for Black-nested Titmouse. Birds not seen yesterday: Carolina Wren singing a ringing "triddle-you" over and over from bushy area along small brook. Birds had been silent in area due to my crashing about but the wren commenced its song again once a Cardinal broke the silence. I found this wren wary. Bobwhite (1) in same area. Warblers singing early were not identified. Cardinal seemingly in the greatest density. No woodpeckers noticed
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45. April 9. Barton Cr., 4 mi. SW Austin, 500 ft., Travis Co., Texas CALM; HIGH THIN CLOUDS dimming sun cleared by 7:00. I worked in area 7:20 – 10:10. Birds seen in addition to those listed previously include Brown Thrasher (one in brush in elm grove), Ruby-crowned Kinglet (singing), Canyon Wren singing in rocky streambottom. Flock of 12 Black Vultures in tall dead tree (no Turkey Vulture present) I found an armadillo skeleton and saw dead opossum and [illegible] skunk on road near the ranch. Sceloporus [illegible] in rocks along canyon bottom and a small chink in leaf litter in oak grove eluded me. Austin, Travis Co., Texas. Chimney Swifts flying over residence area S of the Colorado River – Blue Jay and Great-tailed Grackle common in same area. I left Austin at 2:30 and drove to San Antonio. Large black clouds to west brought high winds and had to leave for San Antonio, Bexar Co., Texas about 5:00 p.m. I put up for the night in an auto court. Apr. 10. I went to the Witte Memorial Museum this morning and talked with Mrs. Ellen Schultz Quillen, the Director. She referred me to her husband, R.W. Quillen, and to David J. Bullock for information about birds and local bird distribution. In the afternoon I called upon Mr. Bullock, a retired hardware merchant nearly 80 years of age. He had collected birds in Texas off and on since 1916, residing here during the last 10 years, until recently at Buchanan Lake in Burnet and Llano counties. He informed me that the Black-crested Titmouse was the common breeding
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46. Apr. 10. San Antonio, Bexar Co., Texas species in that area and at San Antonio. We drove to St. Marys' University in this city. Mr. Bullock has prepared an exhibition of mounted bird and mammal displays there in a museum room. We talked with the curata, Brother Banks?, concerning the Albert J. Kein collection left to that institution. He said that Mr. Keim had only representative bird skins and no series. Keim's manuscript on the Birds of S.W. Texas was said to be only a list although I had understood differently from Mrs. Quillen. No one plans to complete the work. Mr. Bullock gave me 5 bird skins for which I am to give him 5 skins of California mammals. Apr. 11. A "norther" struck San Antonio with moderate but cold winds and overcast skies, clearing in the late morning. I drove to the east of the city on the Houston highway to a point about 8 miles E., then N and E to the Eisenhower farm on Martinez Creek, 10 mi. ENE San Antonio, Bexar Co., Texas I walked through a typical mesquite brush area 10:30- 11:45 looking for mice but finding none: Cardinal common, 1♀ taken Mockingbird Ladder-bird Wdphi 1♂ seen Roadrunner White-named Sharrow several Song Sharrow Morning Dove 1 flushed from nest 6 ft up in mesquite others seen Bewick Wren 1♀ taken (only one seen) Curve billed Thrasher (1 a mile W in mesquite) Black-tailed Jack and Cottontail seen
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47. Apr. 11 San Antonio, Bexar Co., Texas I returned to the city via the same route - little land along the 8 miles of highway remains in brush, being either cultivated or in residence use. This evening I talked with Mr. R. W. Guillen over the telephone. He has not been active in bird work for a dozen years or so but earlier had worked in large areas of southern Texas, often with A. J. Kinn. He told me that the Guadalupe River was a pretty accurate general dividing line between eastern and western faunas in Texas and that many of the eastern birds found in the Austin region played out between San Marcos and New Braunfels. He spoke of changes in local distribution, the House Finch appearing here about 1933 now a common nester. Cassin Sparrow common in some years, often with Black-throated Sparrow - now exceedingly rare Chimney Swift a recent addition to the local fauna Curve-billed Thrasher now here, not listed by A. J. Kinn Mr. Guillen said that he had known Mr. Athwater, an Englishman, and thought him exceedingly reliable. He mentioned no other local bird workers in addition to Kinn. He told of having shown a series of oddly-plumaged Bennett's Titmouse to Oberholser who stated, "Roy, don't bother about those accursed hybrids" Mr. Guillen also opined that the White-rumped Shrike did not make up more than 25% of the local population, the others being California or sonoriensis.
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K Dixon 1951 Journal 48. Apr. 12 1 mi. SW Leon Springs, , Bexar Co., Texas. I worked here in an area of juniper-oak woodland from 9:00 - 11:40 am. I was accompanied by D.J. Bullard of San Antonio. The land on which we hunted (leased by owner of B-29 cafe in Leon Springs) was used as a deer-hunting preserve (reported $7.00 per day charged for hunting privileges). See account of Parus atricristatus. I left San Antonio at 2:30 p.m. driving via Boerne, Kendall Co., to Kerrville. On the outskirts of Comfort, Kendall Co., Texas I found a Bobwhite & freshly killed beside the road. Kerrville Kerr Co., Texas - I arrived at 4:30p.m. and put up for the night. I called on the game warden, Jack Gregory, that evening and discussed the possibilities of obtaining permission to hunt birds on private property. He gave me several names as possible contacts. Apr. 13. Sabins Ranch, 5 mi. N Kerrville, Kerr Co., Texas. I reached this property by driving along the Harper Road W and then N of Kerrville. The property, operated by R.L. Sabins, lies along Town Creek - Mr. Sabins operates livestock, chiefly goats it appeared to me but a few cattle and sheep. Many of the juniper trees have been removed, leaving a woodland of Spanish oak (Q. texana) and in some places live oak (on some hills juniper remain). I was in this area along the creek from 7:50 am until 12:50pm. For complete acc't see under Parus atricristatus - aerial photograph traced I was impressed by the numbers of Wild Turkey along the tributaries although I made no estimates of numbers. I saw a lizard, whitish and depressed, among small rocks along a streamcourse, possibly a Holbrookia
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49. Apr. 14 Sabine Ranch, 5 mi. N Kerrville, Kerrlon Texas Clear and calm at 6:45 but variable winds after 8:00 a.m. I worked in the same general area as yesterday-- see acct for farms. Working along the brook (running water) I noticed small frogs in some places. They seemed to be along the banks only where there were dead leaves or other debris in the water and invariably they sought shelter beneath such materials when disturbed. I took one (#554). I noticed one white-tailed deer skull with antlers attached. Unfortunately, the antler tips had been dissolved by the brook waters in which they lay so I left the skull there. Armadillo carcass noted also. Bird list, Apr 13-14 Turkey Vulture Orange-crowned Warbler Wild Turkey Golden-cheeked Warbler Mourning Dove Solitary Vireo (singing) Ladder-bkd. Wdker. Cowbird (Brown-headed) Scrub Jay Hepatic Tanager (Apr. 14) Carolina Chickadee Cardinal Black-e'd Titmouse Green-bled Goldfinch Bewick Wren (nest in Lark Sparrow dead tree along creek 8 ft above ground) Chipping Sparrow Mockingbird Field Sparrow Hermit Thrush
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KDixon 1951 Journal Apr. 14 En route from Kerrville to San Antonio, Texas - I left Kerrville at 1:30 and drove via Boerne to San Antonio. The Edwards Plateau vegetation: juniper, Quercus texana, livocak prevails east or S E of Leon Springs nearly to San Antonio; junipers are intermingled there. I left San Antonio at 5:45 pm and drove to Austin where I put up for the night. Apr. 15 Onion Creek, 2 mi. S Delvalle, Travis Co., Texas - Gray over- cast; calm. I worked along this creek with its tall willows and cottonwoods, 8:45 - 10:10 a.m. - See acc't for Pausa _______________ . I drove E to a point 8 mi. E, 3 1/2 mi. S Delvalle IN Bastrop Co., Texas - I had visited this locality on Apr. 8, accompanying Mr. Edward Kincaid of Austin. In this area of mesquite and cedar elm - mesquite "woodland" I found Pausa bicolor nesting and a ? P. allicristatus "hybrid" (see bicolor acc't) I drove E at 11:45 to Bastrop. Colorado River at Bastrop, ___, Bastrop Co., Texas I spent the hour from 2:00 - 3:00 pm hunting along the river on the property of Mr. Long, who lives at the E edge of Bastrop. I collected one ? mouse. I also took a frog (# 555) from gravelly edge of a pool along a tributary brook and a Cnemidophorus (# 556). The latter seemed to as a refuge be one of three individuals which used a brush pile at the edge of the pool and the base of a steep smooth sandstone bank. I left Bastrop after 3:00, noting post oak woodland of uplands extending along Hwy. 70. 12 miles W Bastrop.
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51. Apr. 15 6 mi. W Bastrop, Bastrop Co., Texas - I picked up a Barred Owl freshly dead beside the road (post oak- blackjack on either side for miles) - I took plant specimens a mile west of where owl picked up. Apr. 16 Onion Creek, 2 mi. S Delvalle, Travis Co., Texas. - Cloudy, windy day. I drove out to Onion Creek and made inquiries about collecting on property there. After 2 1/2 hours and several miles, I met with 2 refusals. Having trouble with my radiator, I returned to Austin for repairs. Apr. 17. Barton Creek, 4 mi. SW Austin, 500 ft., Travis Co., Texas Sun obscuredly partial overcast; calm. I reached area at 7:15 am and hunted in the river bottom or in juniper woods at base of hill to W until 11:00. From that time on I walked along boulder-covered streamcourse and hunted in trees here til 12:30. See acct for Parus. Lizards were active after 10:30 - I took Sceloporus 559 on a bark-covered log and captured #560 on a fence post. See shee. acct for Halbrookeia, I tooka & Cacinal, a pair of chickadees and a White-eyed Vireo. New birds included the Hepatic Tanager Spotted Towhee still present. I rode to San Antonio for mail in the afternoon. Apr. 18 8 mi. E., 3 1/2 mi. S Delvalle, Travis Co., IN Bastrop Co., Tex Overcast with light breeze from E. I was in area from 8:20 - 9:45 a.m. - see Parus Bicolor acct. I drove to Bastrop and met the County Agent, Mr. D. B. McCamb; he made arrangements for me to collect on private premises in the vicinity.
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52. Journal Apr. 18. 5 mi. W Bastrop, , Bastrop Co., Texas I hunted on the property of Mr. Sam Higgins of Bastrop from 1:30 - 5:45 pm. It was a hot afternoon with some wind of variable velocity. I took one Cnemidophorus and saw others and noted Sceloperus on the tree trunks in this woodland of post oak and blackjack. See acc't for Panus bicolor. Apr. 19. Bastrop, , Bastrop Co., Texas - warm, sunny day. I hunted on the property of Mr. Cecil Long N of the railroad tracks from 10:50 - 11:45. In this area in mesquite- grass I saw Cnemidophorus frequently but had no. 22 ant barrel. Birds inactive except in elms higher on slope. One titmouse heard there. I picked up a frog (# 574 ) in the gutter in Bastrop - water there suggested street had been washed. I obtained permission to work on the property of Mr. A. Young after meeting him at 2:00 pm. I returned to Austin. Apr. 20 Mayhaw Creek, 15 mi. W Bastrop, Bastrop Co., Texas = 8 mi. E, 3½ mi S Delvalle, Travis Co. 1N Bastrop Co., Texas Overcast; dead calm. Shower at 9:00. Sun broke through, gusty wind to 10 mph after 11:00. I was in this area of mesquite -elm and of elm bottomland from 7:45 am until 11:45. See acc't under Panus . I returned to Austin and then moved to Bastrop to spend the night. Apr. 21. Rain fell during the early morning hours. Sun out, calm and warm by 9:00 am. I worked in same general area from 6:50 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. See under Panus and Panus carolinensis. The common lizard here seems to be a Sceloperus of which I took one (# 577)
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K Dixon 1951 Journal 53. Apr. 21 Mayhaw Creek, 15 mi. W Bastrop, Bastrop Co., Texas on Apr. 20. They prefer the bark of elm trees from my casual observation. I took a Cnemidophorus (# 583) in a grassy place in among the trees there today - they became active after 9:00 am. I saved an armadillo skull from scattered skeletal elements found in these woods. Birds seen in area: Turkey Vulture Barred Owl ladder-backed Wthr. Crested Flycatcher Scissor-tailed Fly 'cher Campidoral sp? Crow Parus -> bicolor Carolina Chickadee Carolina Wren (heard) Mockingbird Bluebird white-eyed Vires Cardinal Spotted Towhee(present on Apr 21) Grasshopper Sparrow White-crowned Sparrow Lark Sparrow Long Sparrow I returned to Bastrop, had lunch and drove to College Station, reaching there about 4:30 pm. Apr. 22 College Station, 370 ft., Brazos Co., Texas - I was impressed with the change in aspect of the countryside in contrast to the conditions there in mid-March. Postoak and Hackyall oaks were fully leafed-out and many flowers were in bloom. See acct under Parus bicolor . I found a Horned Toad killed on a road and preserved it as # 588. Apr. 23 I left College Station about 9:15, driving SW to Lyms, Burleson Co., then via Brenham to La Grange, Schulenburg and Luling in Caldwell County. Over this distance the front of
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54. Apr 23. In route, College Station to San Antonio, Bexar Co., Texas post oak and blackjack oak prevailed. When I was within 2 or 3 miles of Seguin, Guadalupe Co., the forest of these species appeared to drop out. There were elms along the Guadalupe River W of town (judged from car) but mesquite with a few Eastern Kingbird 9 mi. E San Antonio elms prevailed to SW. I reached San Antonio about 3:00 and then drove toward Beeville, arriving at 5:45. I stayed in town transacting business until after 8:00 pm, then drove to the Claude Hard Ranch 8 mi. SE Beeville, Bee Co., Texas I talked with the foreman, Mr. Ted Scott, who let me take a badly-mashed "threading adder" to be preserved as #589. He said that rattlesnakes were being met frequently on the ranch now. I drove on to the Corrigan house, noting a Raccoon and several Jackrabbits along the way. Apr 24. Spring Creek, 6 1/2 mi. ENE Skidmore, Bee Co., Texas - Cloudy all day but no rain; wind strong from SE. I hunted in live oak - post oak area and took a pair of Lark Sparrows and a single ♀ (#593) all in this "savana" type growth. This bird is abundant here. One Catbird in same area. Crested Flycatchers are consistently noisy in this same habitat. I spent most of my time checking on the Wrice (see acc't). I was in this area from 6:55 until 10:10 a.m. WIND progressively stronger, making work difficult. At the Corrigan home on the Brazos River I saw ♀ & ♂ Orchard Oriole moving along together. In midafternoon, I drove to Beeville. Further N along the creek and I took a Phrynosora (#590) and saw a way Golden-fronted Woodpecker in post oak - live oak savana.
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KDixon 1951 Journal Apr. 24. Spring Creek, 6½ mi. ENE Shedmore, Bee Co., Texas, at 10:00 I took a ♀ Eastern Meadowlark in an area of Acacia-Prosopis grassland - it flew with another bird and seemed to be paired. ♂♂ were singing. Apr. 25. Wind blew strongly throughout the night; no rain. I drove to the area near the windmill E of S-flowing tributary, arriving at 7:20 a.m. Rain fell lightly at intervals after 7:00 but the sand was scarcely wet an hour later. Winds diminished to 6-8 mph after 7:00 a.m. See Admorse account for details. Baltimore Oriole ♀ seen in liveoak Painted Bunting ♂♂ established, singing from oak trees; one taken (#597). No♀♀ seen. These birds seemed to me to be inhabiting areas with greater density of vegetation than the Dark Sparrows were in, i.e.: more bushes interspersed among trees and trees in clumps in contrast to the "foothill savanna", a very slight difference. Blue Grosbeak one ♂ seen in oak tree I left the area at 9:50, returning on my way to the highway. Along the road I took a Cnemidophorus (#598) at 3:45 pm. Upland Plover not seen in area Claude Heard Ranch, 8 mi. SE Beeville, Bee Co., Texas I took a Horned Toad (#599) in oak savanna near the ranchhouse at 4:00 pm. I drove on to Refugio, arriving at 4:40. I spent the night there - no rain. Apr. 26. Woodsboro, Refugio Co., Texas I drove here at 6:30 to meet the game warden, WT Harris. His wife said that he had been called over to San Patricio Co. and would not be able to accompany me that day.
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56 Apr. 26 En route Woodboro, Refugio Co., to Victoria, Victoria Co., Texas. I drove through Refugio about 6:30 — for about 10 mi. to NE along US Hwy 77 there was brushland of mesquite and Acacia with small liveoaks intermingled or in small groves. Further along there was open prairie although doubtless few original grass species remain. Few trees or shrubs. Bottomland timber well developed along San Antonio River & a stream about 10 miles S of Victoria — liveoaks in this area also. I reached Victoria about 8:00 and went to see the County Agent who referred me to the Game Warden, E. A. Martin. Mr. Martin appeared at 9:00 and said that he wouldn’t be able to go with me but that he would give me a letter authorizing roadside shooting since few property owners permitted hunting. I left Victoria at 7:30 and drove across the river, then NW along paved & gravel roads. About 2 mi W Victoria I picked up a Cliff Swallow with a broken wing — bird only slightly fat (#606). About 11 miles NW of the highway I took a pair of Avocet and another pair beyond the settlement of Mission Valley. There 2 mi NNE Mission Valley I picked up a Racer (#601) along the road. After 11:00 the wind came up and I started back to town. I stopped at the bridge over the Guadalupe about 2 mi SW Nursery; finding no birds but shot a Curvedbill (#600). I returned to Victoria at noon and then drove on to Refugio. I had auto repairs made there and spent the night there.
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K Dixon 1951 Journal 57 Apr 27 Aransas River, 5 1/2 mi. ENE Skidmore, 150 ft., Bee Co., Texas I returned to the Heard Ranch from Refugio about 8:00 - sky overcast with slight breeze from SE. I spent an hour and 45 minutes along Spring Creek (see acct for Paras) then returned to the house and packed. I left at 11:00 after checking along the river to identify the trees, all of which were fully leafed out (see Plant # 446)(the tree which was leafless 3 weeks ago). I drove to Beeville and departed from there at 3:15. I reached San Antonio about 5:30 and spent the night there. Apr 28 11 mi.NW Jourdanston, Atascosa Co., Texas - I reached this area, a ranch owned by Mr. Ed. Eisenhauer, at 8:30, having driven from San Antonio via Jourdanston. The uplands here were not cleared with "blackbuck" scattered through and were vegetate-covered with underbrush of Berberis, catclaw and other rigid-branched species and prickly pear. See acct for Parus atricristatus I noted cottontail rabbits and a tree squirrel in elms along a creek. Sceloporus and Cnemid- dophorus - no snakes seen. Birds included: Mourning Dove Bewick Wren Golden-fronted Woodpecker Mockingbird Ladder-bellied Woodpecker Cardinal Painted Bunting Crested Flycatcher Lack Sparrow I left area at 11:30 and drove N toward Hondo. 6 mi.SE Hondo, Medina Co., Texas - I picked up a rattlesnake (# 60?) freshly killed on road (neck broken) - dense brush on either side of road. I drove in to Hondo and then west on U.S. Hwy 90 after 1:00 p.m.
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58 Apr. 28 U.S. Hwy 90 Nondo, Medina Co., Texas to Del Rio, Val Verde Co., Texas Cloudy but no rain. I could see hills N of Uvalde and entered rolling country W there. There seemed to be considerable brush clearing as a range improvement measure However, areas apparently cleared several years ago were coming back with low shrubs, not grasses. There were good stands of timber along streams in this area. I reached Del Rio shortly after 4:00 and put up for the night. During the night rain fell but I did not judge it sufficient to bring out amphibians so I didn't run the roads. Apr. 29 U.S. Hwy 90, Del Rio to Alpine, Brewster Co., Texas I departed from Del Rio about 9:30 pm and collected plants along the road 3 miles N of there. Last night's rain had soaked in. The plant species collected 3 mi N Del Rio were leguminose shrubs or trees, blackberry, or other plants, seemingly of "Tamaulipan Province" affinities. These prevailed to NW of Del Rio but often were stunted on slopes (the latter rocky with clay? outcrops). Some of the original brush may have been cleared and/or left in stunted condition by overgrazing. In swales and along creeks, mesquite was well developed and ? blackbrush also grew. The growth form of plants and general aspect of upland slopes reminded me of the Sonoran desert vegetation. A mile or two E of Pecos River, I saw first ocotillo plants (in flower at this time) I first saw creosote bush (also flowering) 7 mi. E Langtry. Along a tributary stream which I crossed a mile or so E Langtry was a good development.
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57 Apr. 29. U.S. Hwy 90, Del Rio to Alpine, Brewster Co., Texas of mesquite along the bottom and some liveoak as well, the only possible [illegible] habitat I could see in the area. Proceeding W from Langtry, creosote brush and the "Tamaulipan brush" species were mixed for 15 miles or so. During the next few miles a "break" occurred so that within 20 miles of Dryden Sonoran Desert creosote brush vegetation prevailed. Within 10 miles of [illegible], there were junipers in tributary creek bottoms. Sanderson Canyon was a dry streambed and lacked extensive development of mesquite (few, scrubby). West of the town however there were hackberries. With the increase in [illegible] more grassland was evident in eastern Brewster County along the highway. I reached Alpine about 4:00 pm, ate dinner and departed an hour later, heading for Ft. Davis 22 miles to the NW. Davis Mts., Jeff Davis Co., Texas. I drove through range country to reach the settlement of Ft. Davis, then on up Limpia Canyon with its oak covered slopes and on to Mt. Locke, over 6700 ft. in elevation. Oak and juniper prevailed over much of the slopes there above 6000 ft. but nearly all was fenced in. I returned to Limpia Canyon with its oak-covered slopes and camped for the night. WEATHER THREATENING, wind strong down canyon. Apr. 30. 1 mi. NW Ft. Davis, , Jeff Davis Co., Texas I was on lower N-facing slope or in cottonwood-willow stream bottom 6:00-10:30 a.m. The slopes were covered with rocks and boulders and were grassy with scattered live-oaks, gray oak, [illegible] oak(?) and Spanish(?) oak and juniper. Catalaw widespread
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Apr 30. 1 mi. NW Ft. Davis, 5000 ft., Jeff Davis Co., Texas Morning Dove Ladder-backed Wkiper. Scrubs Jay (heard) Black-capped Titmouse Busk-tit (flock) Canyon Wren (song) Robin Townsend Solitaire Chainspepla Bell Vireo (singing, willows) Yellowthroat Pileolated Warbler Yellow Warbler Cowbird Orchard Oriole Black-headed Grosbeak Rufous-crowned Sparrow Brown Towhee (see a c.t.) Spotted Towhee I drove W out of Ft. Davis at 11:00 a.m. Riding through grass-covered rangeland below the tree-line. At one point, perhaps 540 ft elevation, there were trees and there were at Stillmane Grove, a settlement which I passed through. W there, the road dropped to lower elevations where grassland prevailed. The wind was blowing strongly. I passed through Valentine and noted dust storm in irrigated lands 10 mi. SW Van Horn Culberson Co., Texas. Driving W out of Van Horn, rain began to fall and temperature dropped noticeably. On the Guifman Mts. W Sierra Blanca, Hudspeth Co., Texas snow capped the peaks. Morning Doves were common along the road. Near Mc Mary I saw Red Wing and Great-tailed Grackles in irrigated fields. I was refused permission to collect one of the latter. The cold rain stopped about 2:30. I reached El Paso & put up for the night — it was cold and windy and rained lightly during the evening.
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Species accounts
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Reptiles
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K Dixon 1951 Holbrookia Apr. 17 Barton Cr., 4 mi. SW Austin, 500 ft., Travis Co., Texas Partial overcast obscuring sun - warm after 10:30; lizards active after that time. After 11:00 am I walked along dry, boulder-strown streamcourse. The clay-like crust had dried and cracked forming plates 4-6 inches in diameter. I flushed one Holbrookia from a brush pile at the edge of the streambottom after it had taken refuge there. It ran to a ±12" rock & crawled beneath it. I was able to capture it by hand by raising the rock. I wounded another which sought refuge under a rock ±12" across. When I lifted the rock, the lizard ran about 20 ft to another rock & took refuge there. When I lifted the rock it ran to another ±10 ft away; when caught there it returned to the first rock. The sequence was repeated before the lizard ran to a smaller rock to the W where I captured it. [illegible] (written from memory May 10)
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[illegible] Birds
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Centurus aurifrons March 5 arroyo S Harlingen, Cameron Co., Texas. overcast, calm. 9:40 am & perched clinging vertically to trunk of a dead palo verde. Bird repeated note tuck tuck tuck as I stood in open 50 ft away. Woodpecker flew to flat opuntia cactus & perched there, then flew downslope. A few days earlier in observing this species on The Santa Ana Wildlife Refuge, Hidalgo County I was impressed with the flicker-like actions of this bird. One call "wick wick wick wick" was very similar to a call of Colaptes cafer. Mar 19. 2 mi E Skidmore, 150 ft, Bee Co., Texas. I collected a ♂ (#491) at the bunkhouse on the Driscoll property as it flew to several mesquite trees in succession. I was unable to prepare it as a skin but made a skeletal preparation. I did not encounter this species again in the Aransas River area E of Skidmore, March 19 - April 3. Apr. 24. Spring Cr., 6½ mi. ENE Skidmore, Bee Co., Texas one in postoak-liveoak savanna (mid afternoon)
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Cyanocitta cristata March 8. 1 mi E College Station, 370 ft., Brazos Co., Texas Call in oak woods a flat "cab cab" singly, then a squeal "Tee-lee" and "ee-luh" The squeal given as though air were being expelled forcibly. Jay alone, no answering calls. 10:20 - four in woods N of clearing (3 together, 1 calling cab loudly from W). One bird flew uttering a weaker, abruptly-terminated "cab" several times in flight. March 9. I watched a jay in a blackjack oak as it gave the 'Tee-lee' call. The bird bobbed noticeably lifting its body (with head held rigidly in position) with the first syllable, lowering it with the second. March 14. 1 mi NW Bryan in Robertson Co., Texas. In two mornings of hunting I have not noted any Blue jays in the post oak forest where I went with Mr. JF Wood. W of the road, the woods may have been dense too but I didn't see any along the streamsome woodland- pasture border E of the road. The species list for this area & the woods E of College Station is similar except for Blue Jay. April 7. Colorado River at Austin 650 ft., Travis Co., Texas Riparian forest of cottonwood, box elder, willow About 9:00 am HW Phillips and I saw one Blue jay in this forest ±100 yards wide with poorly developed under- story. I returned 6:35 - 6:50 pm (leaving about sunset) and did not see this species.
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K Dixon 1951 Cyanocitta cristata Apr. 9. Barton Creek, 4 mi. SW Austin, 500 ft., Travis Co., Texas Canyon of the creek cuts deeply 100 - 150 ft into the edge of the Edwards Plateau. Slopes above the canyon are wooded with Juniperus mexicana, Spanish oak, a live oak and the cedar elm (latter closer to the creek) Creek not running at present. There are tall willows, elms, etc.: and some sycamores on flat at edge of stream. CLOUDY but CLEARING; CALM. Yesterday morning and again today 7:30 - 8:30 I heard occasional calls of Blue Jays here on the Gaines Farm. One two birds were calling alternately the nasal caah a single not repeated, the commonest note of this species. I am not sure that more than that number was present. About 9:05 I heard a high pitched squeal which I did not record at the time and saw a Blue Jay in juniper at the top of a cliff 50 - 60 ft high on the S side of the creek below the bend where it turns E. (see map in Whitmore notes). I followed this bird and shot at it when I thought its perch was clear of the ledge. The bird dropped to the ground at the cliff top however but must have flown on, for I located it 100 yards to the E in oak - sycamore at the base of the cliff. Another Blue Jay was flying ahead of it. I shot the bird with a .38 which finished it (#542), a $ with Testi 7 mm. This bird was not fat. Apr 22. 1 mi. E College Station, Brazos Co., Texas - in post oak woods at 6:30, three jays moving among trees. Nasal caah given frequently & one I heard the rusty gate-like caaaa.
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Xanthornna yrcas Feb 27. Santa Ana Wildlife Refuge In newly-leafed trees around headquarters - seems to be paired. Saw one fight between two birds. One call sounds like "eek eek eek"; another like the "kuk kuk kuk" of the Steller Jay. I have heard also a call "kera a aa" a prolonged frog-like woak identical to a similar call of Aphelocoma coerulescens. Feb 28. Call like rusty gate-hinge given by bird this morning: kra a aa eee the latter of brass quality. The "eek- eck-eck" I heard given alternately by two birds, one somewhat higher-pitched than the other. Mar 1. At 2:45 pm (clear, windy) a congress of not fewer than four Green Jays were in a large broad-leaved tree the trunk of which was hollow and perhaps 30" in diameter (each of 2 main forks). The jays kept up a constant "eck eck ek" the din being interrupted momentarily only when I walked over to investigate. Some of the voices were definitely higher pitched than others (more nasal, less rushing). Mar 5. Arroyo S J Harlingen, Cameron Co., Texas - overcast, calm. 4 Green Jays in mesquite patch. One flew 50 yards across opening calling "cluck cluck cluck". 2 then last followed as they flew first bridgave "rusty gate" call kera aa aa.
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KDixon 1951 Parus carolinensis March 8, 1 mi E College Station, 370 ft., Brazos Co., Texas I heard a whistled song in oak woods at 8:20 see-too see-too and thought of a titmouse. Instead I found one long chickadee black-capped and biffed. It also gave a call sicka dyee very rapid and slurred. The latter it repeated over & over as it moved away in oak woods. 9:12 chickadee singing from post oak chee-calee then "ticha ticha ticha bee bee bee" slurred together rapidly. Then reverted to the song the first 2 notes of which seemed to be connected cheeca bee a melodic "phoebe whistle" sort of song. Bird flew N across 60 yard clearing & continued to sing from woods there. [see under P. bicolor - agitated chickadee calling kissadee dee dee at each burst of song "party party --" believed to be from P. bicolor] Another individual singing "tea bee-tee dee-dee" 9:35 pair to the S working on twig back in post oak occasional roll tail then "skibba-dee" from one 9:50 in woods S of road quarrel involving 2 birds particularly although a 3rd figured in - Lapid call "chee lee la bee" slurred together rapidly. 3rd bird seemed to be mate of bird doing most of chasing as "she" dodged bird which was pursued consistently "choo-lee caleb" given several times and also kissadee dee "drier". Fight continues to W - no particular break in woods.
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Parus carolinensis Mch 8. 1 mi. E College Station, 370 ft., Brazos Co., Texas 10:05 - squabble in woods 100 yards N of clearing tiddle-ee-yap slurred and "kissa kissadee lee dee" slurred; also "kiddle-ee-yap yap" a continual chatter which carried well, making me feel that the birds actually were closer at hand. Fight still going on at 10:25 very "clay see daw" exchanged by birds E & W; mate of W bird giving "kissadee dee dee dee daw" 10:35 "speel-yur speel-yur" and "ti li didi didi" from 4 chickadees together in woods - 2 calling farther E also Pair came close to me "techa dee dee di di did" "speel yur" (of one) and "see see see" high, thin (from excitement ?) At 6:25 pm (sun was setting) I heard calls of two birds to the SW of the Eidemiller residence (I had not noted this species there during the last 24 hours). The birds continued to call until approximately 6:32. Mch 9. 9:50 chickadee in leafed out undershrub singing see-tee see-bee over & over, then a dry store-yap more titmouse like. Bird moved south into other shrubs & continued "see-tee see-bee" Mch. 11. OVERCAST, CALM Chickadee began song see-tee at 6:25 when overhead light intensity was 10 foot-candles (see under Parus bicolor for full particulars
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Parus carolinensis Mch 13. 9 mi N Bryan in Robertson Co, Texas, SUNNY, COLD (32° in Bryan at 8:00am) WIND INCREASING FROM NORTH. The area I hunted in was chiefly post oak woodland with a fair amount of underbrush of dogwood and other species such as wild rose, blackberry. Shortly after 9:30 am I took a chickadee in a leafless oak (bird a ♀, #478). Its mate remained close by but I was unable to shoot it then. It gave its kissadee call steadily. About 10 minutes later the bird was calling from the same tree from which I had taken the ♀ - I collected the bird which was a ♂ (#479). I took a lone chickadee later farther N in similar surroundings (see under Parus bicolor). [I marked all the birds in the field so their identities are correct.] Mch 24. Live Oak Creek, 2½ mi NE Somerset, Bexar Co, Texas 2:30 pm - cloudy. I noted a silent pair of Carolina chickadees in deciduous growth along this streamcourse Parus atricristatus also present. Mch 29. Spring Creek, 6½ mi ENE Skidmore, Bee Co, Texas - I noted a Carolina Chickadee in post oak woods near live oaks along the creek about 8:43 am. A Black-crested Titmouse was inspecting a cavity in the oak when I heard the chickadee give a gurgling call. The Titmouse chased it away and later showed antagonism, following the chickadee closely and scolding as the latter moved through some mesquites (in leaf). Later 150 yds SE (±9:15) I shot at the chickadee (presumably the same one as other small birds in a flock had moved there) but did not take it. The chickadee disappeared and I was not able to locate it. I fear I may have wounded it & it died in a thicket
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Parus carolinensis Mar 30. Spring Creek, 6½ mi. ENE Skidmore, Bee Co., Texas I looked in the area where I had seen the chickadee yesterday for fully 15 minutes but couldn't locate it. I worked through liveoak further east but wasn't able to locate any chickadees. (See Parus spoc. accit). April 1. Guadalupe River, 4½ mi ENE Skidmore, Bee Co., Texas In an area about 1 mile upstream from the bridge (just west of the Driscoll property line, 100 yards S of the river I heard song "chee-be, phoebe" and then saw a chickadee in dense liveoak – mesquite growth. It moved away quickly and I wasn't able to collect it. (9:00 am – cloudy – windy) April 21. Mayhaw Cr., 15 mi. W Bastrop, Bastrop Co., Texas. In elm- meseague woodland about 9:00 I ran across a noisy troop of chickadees. The parents were active in feeding the young while remained stationary, waiting to be fed. The parents seemed to be doing most of the calling but I heard no song.
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Parna bicolor 1. March 8. 1 mi E College Station, 370 ft., Brazos Co., Texas high thin "see tee" from distance in leafless oak at edge of clearing at 8:35 (I had heard song "purtly purty purty purty" from that area to which agitated chickadee had alternated "kisa dee deese") Bird flew lower into scrubby oaks as Turkey Vulture have interview. 8:42 Sparrow hopping upward in oak "see tee" somewhat plaintive over and over and "tick" - see tee the ticks infrequent, a "contact note" Bird appeared to be alone. I was impressed with the difficulty of following these birds, drab against the forest upright gray trunks with their vertically furrowed bark. 8:46 - second tit in tree 20 ft to SE silent. In answer to song from SW, bird I had been watching gave "tick-petew petew peter." After half a minute he flew without sound across a firebreak to trees 60 feet to NE. I was stopped by fence. Song peter peter peter in answer to such song from woods to SE (where I had searched 8:00 - 8:30 without finding any parids) The black forehead shows up strikingly in these birds but I do not believe that they carry their crests as erectly as atricristatus. Silence until 9:00 then song "hew hew hew" or "ture ture" which I think in this case was mockingbird
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2. Parus bicolor March 8. 1 mile E College Station, 370 ft., Brazos Co., Texas The woods here consist of oak trees closely spaced. The "dominant" species (the only tall tree--perhaps 25 ft) is the post oak (Q. stellata) identified by Eidemiller by its leafless condition. There are a few black-jack (Q. marilandica) oaks which are smaller and retain their dead leaves. There is a tall shrub layer, some plants (hawthorn) of which are out in fresh foliage (one black species may be evergreen). There are also some smaller shrubs and gresses just breaking through the sandy ground. According to Dr. Chas. Lamothe, hickory is not common except along streamcourses (he is Prof. of Botany at Texas A. & M.) The day dawned clear but what appears to be fog rolled in and is breaking up now (9:10) BREEZE FROM SOUTH, VARIABLE VELOCITY, calm to 6 mph. 10:25 song wee to "we to we to" or "way tur way tur" from +/- 125 yards N of fence -- singer in 25' post oak flew 30 yards to W. Song "way ter" and scold "sub dub dut" and "suck dut suck dut" Silence at 10:32 (There had been song from E SW) At 10:35 "speck yer" (liquid) and such det det from chickadees to S W. 10:36 "Peter peter pete" from where titmouse I had watched had flown. Silence after one minute. Then a "chuck-a-dee" note higher I thought than that of carolinensis 10:46 Titmouse on exposed upper branches of oak with golden catkins singing "trick trick trick" Male silent a yard lower in tree. Suddenly the
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K Dixon 1951 Parus bicolor Mar 8. 1 mile E College Station, 370 ft., Brazos Co., Texas singer flew with no call (to E?) and mate also Disappeared. No further activity in that vicinity. Mar 9 OVERCAST, CALM. I was awakened at 6:35 am by a loud clear whistle repeated over peta peta peta peta and shortly thereafter the Mockingbird's imitation, not so penetrating. I dressed and went outside the Eidenmiller residence and crossed the creek. Walking S along a dirt street, I heard a call
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Bicolor Mch 9 8:35 peter peter peter from large oak at edge of clearing - same from SW and ture tur tur from NW Silently mate worked along fence - singer restless hopping from branch to branch rarely picking at some object. Crest erect but "top" feathers simply not so long as those of atricistatus hence more posterior feathers most in evidence. Singer moved back into large post oak S of fence while mate in blackjack oak 100 ft W & N of fence. Singer gave peta-peta and a single note lower than "zip" as though calling to mate. Latter, however, flew 60 ft to scrubby tree to SW and I joined her there. "She" worked around peripheral twigs a yard above ground then dropped to gummy sack or grass then up into tree. Mate had gone W & "she" followed. 8:44 one bird more E from tree W coughed & gave vehement "ret ret ret" very hoarse over over. Presently mate flew into adjacent oak. "Scolding" bird did not carry crest particularly erect, i.e. more like inornatus. This bird also gave note trip as did mate. There may have been a boundary dispute although no song or calls from W at 8:44. I lost track of the birds in writing notes. From 8:55 until 9:28 I walked through the Lamott's woods and heard no Atmice. I hopped a fence to E and began working along a firebreak (= roadway). No Atmuse calls so I worked N into area across fence from where I had been yesterday.
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K Dixon 1951 Bicolor 5. Mar 9. 1 mi E College Station, 370 ft., Brazos Co. Texas 9:52 one bird in oak W fence flew S[SE]; mate there was a [illegible] 9:55 peter peter peter from middle of woods where 2nd bird had flown a couple of minutes before. No more activity vocal. possibly because of my crashing over the leaves. I heard no more Adnice in next 15 minutes in those woods so I crossed road & clearing into woods to N. Passerines in general seemed to be less active than at this time yesterday. OVERCAST, calm. 10:24 - song from woods to S "peter peter" - I went back there but found no Adnice. 10: 48 teter teter teter from woods 50 yards farther S and tree* tree*tree* from woods E of firebreak. The one bird was well to the S (2nd property line at least) so I didn't try to locate it but moved N. In the area of woods with burned off ground growth (where I found pair after 10:00 yesterday) I heard song beaver beaver beaver at 11:15 and a similar song farther to the E NW. Then singer closer to me stopped and I saw a chase involving 2 Adnice in the woods some 40 ft away from me* The pursuit was earnest, involving tight turns" around tree trunks etc: NO CALL NOTES audible to me at that distance. Meanwhile song of distant bird continued. Was this a sexual chase or weather actually an interloper? Then song "beaver - -" from area where pursuit last seen but song lasted only a minute. No other call nor further activity. I moved on through the woods to S (clicksakes simultaneo 4-bird quadrel among 50 ft to S)
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bicolor 6. Mar 9. (The pursuit described above took place at N edge of burned area) Shortly before 12:00 I heard song peta peta peta from fence area E of dried-up pond and an answering che-peebee from a chickadee to W of me. (I was intent on tossing a lizard and I did not follow up the incident. The Edmorse song did not impress me as a mockingbird imitation.) I left the area about 12:05. At 12:52 I heard song peter peter peter along streamcourse E of the Eidemiller house. I kept following the song, seeing nothing and eventually located the Edmorse close to the center of a small oak tree. The bird was active, picking at bark here and there, singing frequently. "He" changed to "teewer tee-wei" or "chee-wei" which was essentially "peter peter". Once the bird sang & purty purty then reverted to the song used earlier. I followed the bird across a street into another yard. It seemed to be alone. The black forehead and eye form a striking contrast to the white cheeks but appear to be a merging of the black with the gray of the crest. The manner of holding the crest gives the bird a different profile in life from the Black Crested rather than bicolor Throughout the morning I was impressed with the general quietness of the birds, the lack of "habitual" use of "contact" notes. When song wasn't to be heard, I couldn't locate the finchess.
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Bicolor Mel 9. 1 mi. E College Station, 370 ft., Brazos Co., Texas The bird I was following ceased singing about 1:02. Then I heard a "scold" cheh deh deh deh det given over & over by the bird in a tree 15 ft SE of where it had been singing. I saw a Flicker in the latter tree, possible cause of the disturbance. I left at that time. Mel 10 OVERCAST - light breeze. I awoke at 6:15 and heard Mockingbird singing. At 6:20 I heard the loud peta peta peta of a Titmouse to NW of the Eidenmiller residence. Silence after 6:25 but about 5 min later, song from E. Titmouse singing in oaks N of Dr Lammott's property at 6:38 - singer continued steadily (14 songs in one minute) Bird was active and shifted perch continually remaining in one patch of post oak, however. Bird was above tree although I thought I heard occasional tait notes to N. Singer flew N to Dr Andre's fence to oaks there & I heard notes tait -- closely spaced. This at 6:47. Singer in adjacent tree afterward but 2nd bird not seen. At 6:50 song "tuty tutytuty tuty" very rapid series of phrases. This clear whistle was alternated with the "peter" song subsequently. I decided that this bird was possibly an unmated ♂ so I moved along. I walked E to the woods where I had worked during the past two mornings but heard no calls so I left at 7:15. Walked W to creek W Leonard Wing home and thence S and finally E to Eidenmiller's at 7:48. No song or thrice sighted after 7:00 a.m. SUN SHINING 7:40
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Specimens, Texas A&M College Collection Parus bicolor (18) ♂ Feb 9, 1938 6 mi. SW college station WB Davis 2739 "beginning to sing" general wear of olive brown of September specimens dorsum shows by February - definitely toward olive gray by then. P. atricristatus Texas (17) 1 Chisox Mts. specimen appears grayer dorsally than Kerr Co. specimens At least some June & early July juveniles have brownish bill (not black) only 2 winters large Kerr Co. series; 1, San Saba; 1 La Salle Co. Coahuila (3) Sierra del Carmen (5800 ft.) April 3. (across Rio Grande from Big Bend Nat'l Park) Nuevo Leon (3) Rio Ramon, 20 km NW Montemorelos, 1000 ft. June 5-12
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R Dixon 1951 Parnes bicolor 8. Mar 10. 1 mi. E College Station, 370 ft., Brazos Co., Texas At 1:30 I heard song from E of the house. I suspect that this may have been the same bird heard this morning and at 1:00 pm yesterday in the same area. In a conversation with Dr Charles H. Mott, a botanist and local resident, I was told that the Tufted Titmouse travels in small bands in winter -- he mentioned the number 6 and spoke of lack of vocal expression as compared to the Carolina Chickadee. I left the house at 3:45 accompanied by D. J. Delermile. We walked E to the area I had worked in, then continued a couple of hundred yards [illegible] and several hundred yards E through a pasture and thinned out woods. The floor in the latter area appeared to have been burned two seasons ago. At 4:20 we heard a song peter --- , from one bird apparently. By the time we reached the area where song had been heard the song had ceased. Then we heard a call "see dee dih" or "see dee dyih" a seemingly laborious thin call. I watched one individual giving the call; it opened its bill rather widely. Another bird several yards to the east gave the same call alternately with the bird I was watching. The latter seemed to be moving away toward the west (time 4:25 pm.) Area was in the middle of a wooded tract on level ground. I supposed that the calls were given alternately by the members of one pair until I saw a third bird moving in a westerly direction silently as though accompanying [illegible] one of the individuals which was calling. The bird moving W became silent, the other continuing to call until
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K.Dixon 1951 Paris bicolor Mch 10 1 mi E College Station, 370 ft, Brazos Co., Texas 4:30. I moved W and caught up with the pair there along a small streamcourse leading NW. Both foraged in a fallen tree draped with Spanish moss; occasional 'Teet' notes were given. One bird, then the second flew W and we watched them foraging on small branches which were covered with foliose lichens. They gave some attention to the plate-like lichens. The two birds gave very soft contact notes rather frequently and definitely seemed to be a pair. No more loud calls nor song before the pair moved SW and out of sight at 4:40. We returned to the house via the same route but heard no more 'teet' mouse calls. Mch 11. OVERCAST; CALM. I arose at 6:00 a.m. at which time I heard roosters crowing. At 6:05 I heard a mockingbird singing; others sang subsequently. At 6:15 the light meter indicated no reading - no other birds singing. At 6:18 a 'Teet' mouse NW the house began singing 'peter -- ' from the same locality as the first song yesterday. At 6:20 the light meter indicated 0.5 foot-candles. At 6:22, Mourning Dove called - other birds began to be heard 'teet' of ? sharrow. At 6:25 Carolina Chickadee heard, meter read 1.0 foot candles (General Electric Light meter with hood off held vertically). Mch 13. 9 mi NW Bryan in Robertson Co., Texas. I was driven to this area by John Wood of the Texas Coop. Wildlife Unit, a student of fur-bearing mammals. The area I hunted in was a woodland similar to areas described above. The same bird fauna was present except that
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R Dixon 1951 Parrus bicolor 10. Mch. 13 9 mi. N W Bryan in Robertson Co., Texas Blue jays and Meadlowlacks were absent. I noted one singing Titmouse which kept moving and afforded me no opportunity to take it. The bird appeared to be alone. (10:00 am). Farther down the road I worked in an area similar also to the above described type (post oak, blackjack evergreen shrubs). I called up bride by hissing and heard no Titmouse at first. At a second spot, I called a Carolina Chickadee after a few minutes and then a lone Titmouse. The latter approached close to me (20 ft) then flew to 35 feet away in direction from whence it had come. From clump of leafless small trees there the bird called see cheyay see cheyay the first note higher pitched. Then it shifted perch and began to sing as I took it. This singing seemed to be in answer to song from the N along a creek ± 50 yds away. I did not see any sign of a male. SUNNY, COLD, WIND ± 12 mph, gusty. General bird activity had decreased sharply after 10:00 am (Temp. in Bryan at 8:00 was 32° F) predicted maximum for day was 52° F) The ♂ Taken (#476) had a brown edging to the black forehead. Mch 14. I reached the same area (about 3 mi. N Benchley P. O.) at 10:00 am and began hunting in the woods W the road where I had seen a Titmouse about the same time yesterday. Shortly after 10:00 I became aware of the song peter -- across the road and E of a pasture. I continued looking while I was, then went E about 10:20 and located the Titmouse 10 minutes later; it had been singing continually.
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K Dixon 1951 Parus bicolor II. Mch 14, 9 mi NW Bryan in Robertson Co. Texas. The titmouse was singing from trees at the edge of the pasture at 10:30. It moved S rapidly along this 'edge'. At 10:40 it was still singing at the edge of a clearing (asterisk on map) The bird continued singing peta peta peta; its nest was erect but little chestnut showed on its flanks (covered by wings.) The bird appeared to be alone. After 10:40 the bird sang more rapidly. At 10:44 it flew E to the other edge of the clearing and continued singing there. I left at that time. I worked W into deep woods. Cattle grazing there. SUNNY, CALM. The woods here consisted chiefly of post oak, in some cases draped with Spanish moss. Some of the trees bore catkins. Undershrubs included hawthorn and 2 species of Ilex (both evergreen) The latter according to John Wood inside in areas of disturbance such as grazing. He thought that the climax consists of post oak woodland with grass covering the ground beneath and the undershrubs scattered. At 11:07 I heard a song "riddle-ye riddle-ye riddle-ye riddle-ye" given several times. I saw a pair of Cardinals and a titmouse in the area after song had ceased. (Source of song??) The pair of titmice foraged on twig bark but chiefly by hanging upside down to pick
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Parus bicolor 1/2. Mch 14. 9 mi. NE Bryan in Robertson Co, Texas at Spanish moss "beards" I lost track of the birds after about 5 minutes of watching (at 11:20) but during that time they had given only contact notes xip. Mch 15. 1 mi E College Station, 370 ft, Brazos Co, Texas Clear, calm. Drove and left the house at 6:13. Mockingbird and Carolina Chickadee singing - light intensity .5 foot-candles. At 6:15, 1.0 foot-candles. At 6:17 I heard Tufted Titmouse singing for the first time (peta --). I came out at 6:25 but heard no titmouse vocalization. 6:37 same song NW in wooded lot (first since 6:25) One bird silently flew to lawn from within - struggled post oak, then up to oak above. Down to lawn and hopped at 6:39 - flew W then to singing & lawn to lawn at 6:40 - up with acorn, then down 6:42 2 intrec at Wend of lawn - one sang peta -- then after a pause flew across road. Mate did not follow immediately, flying then only to tree at edge of road. 6:46 singer alone moved right and located mate at E end of lawn in post oak - when this happened song stopped - I heard no notes as they were reunited Location note text later I see yup like sucking through straw at 6:49 I see day -- on ground. I see yup or tree sup dry bird with foot in beak Some old dry bird which flew across road at 6:52
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{ "text": "K'Dixon\n1957\n\nParis bicolor\n\n13.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n [TRANSCRIPTION_TRUNCATED_DUE_TO_LOOP]
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Parus bicolor 14. Mch 15, 1 mi E College Station, 370 ft, Brazos Co., Texas From a considerable distance W I heard calls at 8:40, harsh "scolding" calls see see see delh delh delh del del vet vet vet hoarser more nasal after 8:43 Mate silent nearby. 2 pairs of chickadees calling and singing also mockingbird (catlin the canse) Silent for minute after 8:45 then "nep-nep" "nep-nep" or beek-beek, possibly correlated with fresh chickadee outbreak. Scolding distance in haw thicket as was one dear whistle of rising inflection chickadee Three three three three 4, 4, 4, 5, 5, 3, 5, 4, 4, 4, 4, 4, 4, 5, 4, 4 rapid Peta peta from SW at 8:49 slow as above song cont'd. Mate foraged in young post oak giving test infrequently. Singing here from saplings at edges of clearing. Song from SW and from NW 150 yds across clearing 8:53 test test of foraging bird as song stopped. Song returned from 30 ft SW. Mate foraged in post oak Three -- -- -- from new position 9:57 singer further SW, mate following along Tree tree tree tree tree very rapid near power line Actual fight involving approach threat and pursuit in flight at 9:00 W power line Kee-seea and chub-dub dub dut Kee-seyt even measured from 3rd bird to E in exchange with another unseen bird - kee see yet song tree -- -- and scold from 2 birds to W
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15. Parus bicolor Mch 15. 1 mi E College Station tlee tlee tlee song continued; fight between [2] birds neither singing while song went on (three females?) 9:06 sequence broken as I approached too close 9:08 song teree in 3's from both birds now 20 yards apart about due S of white house, E singer just E of powerline. Song peta peta from N of house all this while Pair of chichadees added confusion Mate of E singer foraged silently on branchlets even of shrubs within a yard of the ground. Silence at 9:12. Resumed a minute later. Bird of W pair flew to oak where E (?) foraging for E or sang teree & W bird flew tow. The pleur pleur melodious given by bird ank ank ank ank by only one bird of each pair after exchange of this call E pair retired to salse 40 feet to E at 9:16. - See see veet out veet vehemently given by one E bird other see see see tiddle or was this a chichadee? - W bird sang peta peta still at 9:20 as it flew W - there followed a melee involving four birds the tee pleur note being given frequently as actual combat took place. I couldn't tell which birds were giving this, whether one or two member of a couple of fighters. The birds when paused acted alert with feathers fluffed out (on head at least). They switched their tails and fluttered their wings (I saw both contestants do this once). While all four birds were involved my impression was that any one bird
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{ "text": "R Dixon\n1951\n\nParus bicolor\n\n\n16.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n [TRANSCRIPTION_TRUNCATED_DUE_TO_LOOP]
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K Dixon 1951 Panax bicolor 1? Mar. 15. 1 mi. E College Station, Brazos Co., Texas Dense woodland 8:25 Fire break (= pipeline) 9:39 Postoak woodland approximate edge of clearing 9:28 8:40 plowed field Woods 8:49 Grass 9:16 Power Line 9:00 Power Line City Limit 9:05 SCALE: 1 cm. = 20 paces in (tennis shoes) [illegible] = woodland [illegible] = cultivation [illegible] = grassland Times listed show successive points occupied by one pair Road
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18. Mch 15, 5:54 mate in tree to E & other joined it, mate worked on foliose lichen - covered back to some extent where one bird which had joined it backed in sun for most part. more active bird working through smaller branches steadily but picked at objects very seldom "Basker" darted at another mouse nearby on limb of oak 5:57 chee tooey as "pursued" flew to next oak W and "Basker" followed not active pursuit. Mate of basker followed. At 6:02 3 mice in top of tree to W. One followed another in the middlest part of lead up to a possible approach threat. Pursued then - fell lower than other two in extreme top of post oak. At 6:04 one of the top birds flew to oaks N of grassy clearing Ex posed field. Bird lower in tree followed, then other topmost bird. Across the glade I could hear chub dub dub and here some antagonism was shown. One bird foraged & I saw two in othe 30 ft SE - no pursuit, just wary watching. One of the two apparently left and I watched the other as it moved along W. A chickadee brawl was taking place simultaneously and I thought that two chickadees were following he bit. They went straight as it turned however. The latter gave a chickadee call at 6:11, then perched in the crotch of a heavy twig in a post oak sapling 8 ft above ground. It remained there perhaps a minute but moved on as a pair of chickadees moved into adjacent tree. One chickadee actually explored tree where mouse had been.
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Parus bicolor Mar. 15. 1 mi E College Station, Brazos Co., Texas. The Titmouse flew SW to another oak where another chickadee was and I lost track of it. No more Titmouse activity, although chickadees were active for several minutes. Silence well before 6:20. Sun setting at 6:30. In comparing notes with Prof. W.B. Davis, each of us agreed that the Tufted Titmouse in this area was found in the uplands and not just along streamcourses.
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K Dixon 1951 Parus bicolor Apr. 8, 3 1/2 mi. S in Bastrop Co., Texas 8 mi. E Delvalle, Travis Co. I was taken to this area virtually at the eastern boundary of Travis County by Mr. Edward Kincaid of Austin. It may be reached by driving about 1 1/2 to 2 miles S of Delvalle and then driving 6 miles E on a gravel road. SUNNY, CALM. We stopped in an area of woodland to S of the road, chiefly cedar elm but hackberry present and mesquite also away from the brook. Kincaid said that a tongue of mesquite extended into this area from the SW. We arrived about 4:00 pm and walked around for some time without hearing any tennessee. (Kincaid had seen a party here last Sunday). We heard song to E about 4:20 and then saw a tennessee fly along the brook and we watched it forage in cedar elms. It disappeared to the N across the road into an area of mesquite. About 4:40 a tennessee flew in from the N of the brook and we watched it again. In both cases the bird had a black forehead and gray crest? same bird both times? This bird flew but we were unable to locate its destination. At about 4:50 we crossed the road into the mesquite, working to NE of the area of cedar elms along the brook. About 5:00 we heard song peter peter peter from SE across the road and thought our bird had gone there (I had diagnosed this situation as being a silent & foraging for food for incubating mate & had expected him to appear with her any moment). Then Kincaid saw a bird enter brush at the base of a mesquite - it came out and sang peter -- from a mesquite
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Parus bicolor [actually 15 mi. W Bastrop, IN Bastrop Co., Texas] Apr 8 7 mi E Delvalle, Travis Co., Texas behind us at 5:0# then flew S across the road. We moved to a point 20 ft or so NW the mesquite with brush clump and at 5:06 a bird flew in from due S. and entered cavity in mesquite trunk. It appeared at the opening with fecal sac in bill; crest gray. 5:10 bird leaving nest (approach from SW) with gray crest, black forehead. + 5:15 as at 5:10 5:25 bird flew from SW and entered nest directly not via several perches in shrubbery as bird had done on preceding visits. Forehead black. Bird removed fecal sac. - 5:41. Bird reached nest indirectly (via shrubbery) Black of the forehead seemed duller than that of preceding visitor 5:52 as at 5:41 We moved over to inspect the nest - at odd intervals we had heard calls of young inside from 20-25 feet away. Cavity in somewhat inclined mesquite trunk 5 1/2 ft above ground. Entrance screened by hackberry sapling (which may not have been in leaf when nesting began). Shrubs beneath mesquite included Berberis trifoliatum (=my #410), Opuntia, Mexican persimmon (fide Rinkaid) The parent bird or birds did not forage in the mesquites while we were there but always flew S to the woodland across the road. My impression
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Parus bicolor Apr. 8. 7 mi E DelValle, Travis Co., Texas was that two birds were present for the following reasons: 1 Close spacing of visits at 5:04 and 5:06 2 Differences in routes of approach 3 apparent duller and narrower forehead marking of bird which visited nest at 5:41 and 5:52 (noticed then in contrast to bird at 5:25). My notion is that the ♂ visited nest at 5:04 and 5:25 and the ♀ at 5:06, 5:10, 5:15, 5:41, and 5:52 p.m. We left the area at 6:00. Bird to SE did not sing again. Kincaid said he had seen Black-created Twice near here. He calls any Downee Black-created unless it has a black forehead and says that both types are distributed without particular habitat preferences but that the Tufted is very rare in the Western region. Kincaid seems keenly interested in birds generally and seems reliable. He said this was the first Downee nest he had ever seen. Also in area where nest seen we heard ladder-bird whdwn. 3 or 4 miles W was a point (meaguate) easternmost area where Kincaid had seen Curve billed Thrasher in Texas Apr. 8 Overcast; light W breeze. I approached the nest & heard peta -- and then text from S of nest -- Downee with food approached from S, text sat withe wing flutter in periphery of tree, to nest by several steps -- out with feed see Tail in flight as it flews. Peta peta peta from S at 10:21 - repeated
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Apr. 15 7 mi E DeValle, Travis Co., Texas - At 10:35 I started S across the road into the mesquite-elm from which I had heard songs. I reached a dam built for a "tank" which had a little water in it at 10:45, and walked W where I could hear two finches exchanging songs. I saw one titmouse on W side of a pipeline, black forehead gray chest and another to W with white forehead and gray chest. Former sang from elms there then flew E to mesquite & sang from there. Bird in elm-mesquite now did not sing in response & I thought it was a ? It had food in beak & I shot at it with [illegible] - It flew to several perches in succession, circling west, then S. It called sivut wit several times, then to my surprise burst into song kiva - - - - (pata ->) first from elm S of W stump, then to E Song commenced 11:03 continuing - at 11:09 answer from NE Song changed to pata pata pata at 11:10 occasional song from SW too. At 11:21 tury - - - - - very rapid - same song from NE once, then intermittently for several minutes. Song interrupted at 11:24 then kiva kiva - - answered by tree - - - NE Bird I was watching was on twig of leafless elm where it had been at 11:02. Song exchange still going on as I moved N at 11:32. I walked along a brook course for what seemed to me to be 75 yards before sighting the road. At 11:38 a titmouse (bicolor) flew S across the road from next area. Probably (then) were engaged in song to S.
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K Dixon 1951 Parea bicalor Apr. 15. 7 mi. E Delvalle, Travis Co., Texas'. The ? which sang from 11:03 on may have been unmated. I had an impression of having seen 2 birds in a dead tree (the 'E stump' of previous page) prior to 11:00 - that may have been the two contesting ? ? there. N of the road there seems to be almost pure mesquite but S of the road, a mixture of
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K Dixer 1951 Parus bicolor Apr. 18 8 mi. E, 3 1/2 mi. S Del Valle, Travis Co., in Bastrop Co., Texas Complete overcast; light breeze from E. I reached this area, visited Apr. 8 and 15 by driving E from Del Valle 7.5 miles, turning S on gravel road 3.5 mile to first intersection, than driving E 0.5 mile. I reached the area at 8:20 and proceeded to the nest which lies by compass NNE of the first telephone pole E of the pond. At 8:26 a titmouse flew S toward the road as I approached the nest. I heard song from that quarter subsequently. At 8:33 a titmouse approached the meagrite from SW and perky within a foot of grand prominent limb - 3 birds in succession, then entered nest front with fecal sac (food in bill green) - simultaneously I heard song of 2 titmice peta peta and pee-pee-pee faintly to E. I walked S into property S of road at 8:40 WIND STRONGER FROM SE, to 10-12 mph. I crossed the pipeline & telephone wire, both of which extend E-W and on into mesquite with a few scrubby elms. I heard song exchange of two titmice lewa lewa of S to S (N bird silenced as I approached) I followed S bird 8:45 - 9:00 but had only one glimpse but impression of bluishish on frontal area. Song answered by birds to S and W, the latter perhaps the bleached & seen Apr. 15. Silence at 9:00 Bird sang again at 9:06 and I located it in dead elm & watched it as it moved actively through adjacent mesquite & elms. Song from N briefly at 9:10. Silence at 9:15 - song resumed at 9:17 with song from SW and NW also. Bird silent again at 9:21 after intermittent song.
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Apr. 18 8mi. E, 3 1/2 mi. S Delville, Travis Co., in Bastrop Co., Texas I saw the Thrush - gray crest, pale chestnut forehead but appeared blackish crested from rear. Bird foraged giving rather frequent sit notes song again at 9:20 I walked N 75 yds to brook course where I had seen him first. He still sang at 9:27. Found that I had been W of tent instead of E and located dead tree landmarks which indicated that the bird watched this morning was the I seen Apr. 15. I departed and drove into Bastrop where I met the County Agent, Mr. D.B. McCaul. He made arrangements for me to hunt during the afternoon on the property of Mr. Sam Higgins. After lunch I drove War Hwy 290 for 5 miles, then proceeded N through a locked gate for about 1/4 mile (gate is 1.8 miles W Hwy junction = Texas # 20) 5 mi W Bastrop I reached this area post oak - blackjack oak timber with scattered cypress trees at 1:30. The underbrush had been burned and grass was shooting in many places. The young cypress trees showed effects of the burning, particularly. In one place I found some other trees (hickory # 442). I heard Thrush singing intermittently and took a ♂ (#570) perched in a post oak preening at 1:50. Thereafter I hunted to N and W following one way ♂ which sang infrequently. I gave this up at 3:00, the bird being in rather open timber, and drove 300 yds E. At about 3:25 I took a second ♂ 571 one of 3 engaged in song exchange. This bird alerted
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Apr 18 S mi. W Bastrop To be the one which kept the argument going. Thereafter the birds sang little until about 5:00 About that time there was a song exchange between 2 birds & of where I took 571 ; then a third chimed in from still nearer the highway. I followed the northern- most & for some time but found him difficult to locate [571 had been likewise - even when I could see where his bird had flown to perch, his outline was difficult to make out] Finally as I tried to move closer he flew from a conspicuous perch on a vertical stub of a dead tree. I walked N, Then returned at 5:20 and worked E slowly - I heard notes trip infrequently and finally saw 2 titmice together in an oak. They moved on in different directions and I followed at 5:30. I crossed a rocky brook course and flushed a Redstart and Myrtle Warbler from a cypress - their notes were difficult to distinguish from thrush location notes. Finally I saw a form fly in to the base of a cypress and than a titmouse perched in an oak to N I shot it and it flew to the ground 15 ft W [illegible] Then its mate flew to that same oak and I took [?, 572]. The first bird was wounded and gave a squeal-like call when I picked him up. Subsequently I lost him sometime en route to Austin. His appearance was that of a typical thrush with jet black forehead and white throat and cheeks in contrast to the dirty appearance of his mate [ titmice secretive, stealthy, quiet ; hard to follow]
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K Dixon 1951 Parus Apr 20 8 mi. E, 3 1/2 mi. S Del valle, Travis Co., IN Bastrop Co., Texas Overcast, dead calm. I reached this area and entered the mesquite-elm scrub on the property of A. Young of Smithville at 7:45 a.m. Telnouse singing S of dam, stopped at 8:00 - about 8:10 2 birds N pipeline, song exchanged - north bird sang kity -- (creating or Tufted?) About 8:20 S bird moved S of pipeline and I followed it but didn't work in that. Song peter-- charged to payta - at 8:28 - bird moved W and had song exchange with S1 to S. At 8:35 I walked back to pipeline and worked down dry creeked from dam. I did not locate him again. At 9:43 silence - I wached SE along brook & came to barn+ cabin - exchange of song downstream and I followed along entering a grove of elm and willow Shower fell 8:55 - 9:00, birds singing more actively thereafter. One seemed to be on either side of stream. I crawled through a fence & than saw a bird of approximate six fly into a hackberry - I fired at it with a .22 and it shifted perch and scolded club rule but not the usual end end. I took it (#578). Song going on downstream simultaneously. This bird had no brook patch so I don't know score. I reached tributary from N at 9:15 & tried to sneak up n the northern bird - it kept moving SE in tall elms - his chief song was kitya -- although once he sang something like TUR-idle I took him (#579) at 9:30 along S bank of tributary
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R Dixon 1951 Paris mayhaw Creek, 15 mi W Bastrop, Bastrop Co Texas = 8 mi E, 3 1/2 mi S Delvalle Apr. 20. At 9:35 bird singing to W and another well to S, Peta peta n Ketya Ketya by cave west individual sang 9:40 - 9:48 and sporadically 'til 9:50 - his singing appeared to be spontaneous, beginning without evident external stimulus. He was quiet for 5 min & I lost him - then he resumed song down creek at 9:54 - by 9:57 he was silent S of creek but farther S sang turn turn slowly, almost as though forced. At 10:02 he flew N across creek and sang Peter -- from dead tree, high up. I took him then (#580). At 10:15 I started W and met a gentleman on horseback, Mr Saunders of Bastrop, who owned the property where I had taken the 3 birds. It was kindly disposed toward me & we parted after a brief conversation. I proceeded upstream through the elm grove (no willows nor blackberries) toward bird digs. At 10:30, 5-125 yds upstream from fence, thrush sang from well downstream & from upstream (former bird S of 580). I saw a thrush call sip sip as though stimulated by the song. I lost track of it but found it 50 yds SE calling chak del del and then seeyp a kind of anxiety note. I lost track of the bird. # 580 had scolded: dait dait or del del alternately with song Peter Peter before & after he flew across creek at 10:02. This call lacked the sharp enunciation of that of petricistatus
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Parus Apr. 20. Mayhaw Creek, 15 mi. W Bastrop, Bastrop Co., Texas Failing to find the supposed ? in the elm grove, worked on crossing the streamcourse w the farm bldgs. At 10:55 I heard a bitmoresinging peter -- from magnite- scrubby elm up a slight rise. At 10:59 I flushed 2 doves with the usual whirring call. The bitmorse ceased his song and gave a rather anxious-sounding note geep, then, high-pitched. It was geep-geep, second note lower pitched, then -- -- 2 calls presently, then just single notes of rather plaintive quality. This continued until 11:04. Three minutes later, this bird commenced to sing peter -- from scrub to N and I was able to take it (#58) at 11:10. I proceeded N toward pipeline - SUN BREAKING through, WIND FROM SOUTH, to 10mph in gusts. I encountered a bird I thought was a thrush in the S of stumps where I first saw this bird on Apr 15. I had no satisfactory view but bird gave a call deh deh, then a very strange call (the same bird I believe) whuh whuh whuh huh hō hō hō hō hō Hoarse Like Sreech out in rhythm but of quality of setting her Bird called from N pipeline but I lost it at 11:25. No song except Minus by 11:38 as I wrote note I left area at 11:45
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Apr. 21 Mayhaw Creek Cloudy, having rained lightly during night. I parked my car at 6:50 and walked S toward territory of lone I seen #15. I listened as I walked slowly, reaching pipeline at 7:05, but heard no thrush songs. I proceeded W to roadway leading S - there in mesquites were singing thrice. The mesquites W the drive were young; few exceeded 8 ft. I thought stalking would be difficult so I went S to near the creek. There in elm & mature mesquite, 2 thrice W road, one E, all singing. Songs: Keyta keyta and terry tury tury from S along creek peta - - - (rapid) later slow payta payta Bird to north sang triddle set triddle set of mouse? I followed S bird into elms & tried stalking his neighbor to east at 8:10 singing peta - - - A Barred Owl flew across a glade and into the elms near the point where this bird sang. He gave a scored a vehement vet vet vet vet each note of increasing intensity, each sharp and nasal in quality. Soon singing was resumed in exchange with it to W, even before the owl left. Singer started E and I followed disturbing the bird which gave vet vet call less expressively. Soon it commenced singing peta peta and I took him (#584) at 8:20. Song peta briefly from W at 8:26. No more song nor calls by the time I circled N & E to the roadway at 8:45. Ten minutes later I reached the baunts
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Apr 21 Mayhew Creek of the white-fronted J. SUN OUT, CALM, WARM. I checked back on the area of where that J was first seen and found it possible that he was #581 taken April 20. On re-reading, I found that on April 18, that J had chestnut on the forehead as had 581 and was not pure white as I had supposed. At 9:28 I approached Tufted nest - not twitter then see si vet vet vet of adult from mesquite SE & see out chut of jaw in answer - parent fed javor low shrub branch as song keets breeks from swan road. I walked over & caught the fledgling which could not fly but hopped about in the grass. It gave a cry zeech-eeech-(squeal-like) and tried to bite my hand. I heard the parent scold vet vet vet from mesquite but could not locate her subsequently. I crossed road at 9:42 & tried to locate the other. The J sang only twice thereafter & I could not find the family group by 9:55. At the road at 10:02 I heard song peta - - not land in almes & followed - advance to W in line along road also. I followed J, located him in elm at 10:07 & watched him forage 2 min, singing infrequently then fly to elm W where he foraged - sang again at 10:12 - bird seemed to be alone. Brood of chickadees to N At 10:14 song & charge with bird to W, I thought a mockingbird. I walked W along fence to clearing & east. I saw at 10:23 a singing towhee in
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Apr. 21 Mayhaw Creek, 15 mi. W Bastrop, Bastrop Co., Texas elm near road. This bird flew across road broad nest. Then I heard vet vet vet from that quarter as I started to follow, then sang peer peer answered by bird south of where 1st & had been. This bird sang again from just E of where I had seen it at 10:07. I followed down brook come - he flew E I made called taip & followed. I took one bird (sprayed with .38, the bird called delh delh delh - then I shot him again); it (♂, 586) fell into grass and I waited. Mate appeared in tree a few feet away and I took her, 587, at 10:38. This pair must have been the birds which "sang from SE of nest" on Apr 8 and the ♂ of which tangled with love ♀ S of pipeline on Apr 15. [I had paced and estimated the distance through the elm - mesquite from point of dispute to road at 275 yards.]
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Parus bicolor Apr. 23 1 mi. E College Station CLEAR, CALM. I awoke at 5:42 a.m. - first tinge of sunrise in E. Titmice singing from all quarters in post oak - blackjack around the Eisenmiller residence. The songs I heard during this brief period were: Peter peter peter ~ Beaver beaver beaver kitty kitty kitty or billy billy billy All song ceased by 5:55 - One bird to SW sang after 6:00 - peter -- kitty kitty -- . (This bird was paired during early March). Beaver -- -- (slower) at 6:10, than peta -- faster. Bird flew N then SE toward Eisenmiller house singing peter -- -. It flew into blackjack & saw me - called det det det, see si det det det - then song leedle leedle leedle lea. Answer from SE. At 6:16 bird flew to oaks along stream I cut N across lot to plowed field near power line. (area mapped Mar 15). Titmice singing peta peta peta from oaks at N edge of field. Kitty -- - at 6:27 At end of road at 6:30 peta -- from SE and similar song from NW; latter then shifted to slower paya paya in complex. I followed the SE bird - at 6:38 tree -- or tray -- -- - rapid and peta -- to N Tray -- -- -- - 6 or 7 phrases per song Peta -- -- - 5,4,5. Silence at 6:45 for 20 sec.
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Apr 22. 1 mi. E College Station, Brazos Co., Texas Then peta - -- - from S still at edge of small glade. peta peta - 4, 4, 4, 4, 4, 4, 7, phrases per song 2, 2, 4, 3, 2, 3, see day day 3, 3, 4, I moved back toward pipeline & then SE road after 6:48 At 6:53 bird I had watched still singing. I heard no song from woods SE plowed field so I watched S. At 7:00 Titmouse singing E of crossroad (area where bird sang at 6:25 (S power lines.) No further song. I returned to the house. At 7:17 brief period of song from bird W house.... peta - then beaver - -- 3, 3, 3, 3 · 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3 : 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3. Twenty songs in 2 minutes. BREEZE FROM N rustling leaves. Bird moved SW and afterwards was near creek blowing up at 7:25. Nothing further by 7:35 so I left. I watched SW at 9:45, across the street and then across the creek and then back completing a loop. No Titmouse calls or song by 10:10. WIND STRONGER FROM N 1:10 pm - Titmouse singing in oaks on property N Dr. Andels house - I had seen a lone one here last month. Bird singing peta - -- rather steadily. Eidewiller & I walked NE to and J road & thence E of pipeline Titmouse singing steadily S of glade peta peta - -- at 1:25 (three bird seen at 6:45) We walked W along pipeline & then N after crossing fence. We had followed this route into a pasture on March 10 . Titmouse singing from oak in pasture at 1:40 peta - -- answered by Titmouse
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K Dixon 1951 Parus bicolor Apr. 22. (1 mi. E College Station, 370 ft., Brazos Co., Texas) to E in dense woods. Exchange of song continued steadily until ~1:53. I flew E to snag and hotted down along tip of branch inclined 45° upward inspecting a longitudinal furrow. Bird called twice, flew to oak ~40 yd E and sang one - silent, then resumed song at 1:56. Bird to E did not sing except in answer (I think there were 2 to E, the one along the glade and one closer, the latter now silent). We walked N, crossing from pasture into woods at 2:00. Closer bird to E had moved N. At 2:05 thrush sang peter --- from edge of woods and apparently was the I from wooded pasture, leaving N. However, within a few yards N the fence was the area where the S member of two families in dispute disappeared at 4:40 pm Mch 10. At 2:17 bird in pasture resumed song. At 2:20 bird we had watched sang briefly. Bird well to W singing also. N bird sang at 2:25 peter --- 3, 4, 4, 3, 3, 3, it was in oak - elm - along streamcourse - several dead trees in the vicinity - we left at 2:35 without seeing any definite activities of this bird - it did not sing steadily. At 2:40 I in pasture serving steadily; bird to E sang occasionally in answer. We walked E along pipeline but heard no thrush voices until opposite area where I sang at 1:25 - This individual continued as we left area, 2:45. CLOUD COVER THEN, wind from W
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Apr. 22. 1 mi E College Station, 370 ft., Brazos Co, Texas At 3:45 p.m. I heard song from area where I heard at 1:10. (Previously seen at 1:00 pm on Mch 9; 6:35, Mch 10.) 4:30 - 4:50 no Amrose vocalization SW house where bird heard this a.m. Calm after 6:00 pm - no vocal activity anywhere in neighborhood.
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K Dixon 1951 Parus atricristatus Feb 24. Chisos Basin 5400 ft, Chisos Mts, Brewster Co., Texas Sunny day with a few thin clouds overhead. I arrived at campground area shortly after 11:00 am (Central Standard Time) and encountered Adnice in the juniper-pinon-oak area about 11:15. I heard a call see deh deh dup, the first note thin and high pitched, the next two nasal. The call is sharply and rapidly uttered. One telmoro which I couldn't see gave this call repeatedly while another foraged amid some vertical juniper trunks. Then both flew upslope to W to some other junipers. I watched them there briefly as they moved through the branches exchanging single soft notes sip rather frequently. Then about 11:20 the "see deh deh dup" call was given and they moved up onto the crest of the low ridge. I followed and located the two birds foraging in adjacent junipers beside a pinon. They were silent giving the note sip rarely. I watched one bird from about 10 feet away as it foraged on trunk and heavier branches. It appeared to be removing the tree plates of bark from the trunk for pieces of bark floated to the ground from time to time. Once I saw the bird pick up what appeared to be a larval insect. The bird I was watching gave the "see seh deh" call and flew downslope to an oak, flying from there to another oak(?) bush and thence to a pinon. The mate foraged in the juniper where it had been for a while, gave sip notes, but after perhaps
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K Dixon 1951 Parus atricristatus 2. Feb. 24 Chisos Basin, 5400 ft., Brewster Co., Texas. half a minute gave a louder call, then flew to a branch lower in the pinon than her mate was. Then both disappeared and I heard no more calls. The two birds seemed to be paired. This species appears to be a more robust bird than P. inornatus. One individual which I watched held his nest erect (apparently "habitually") reminding me of the individual of Otocercus eimeria which I saw in Oakland last summer. From noon until 2:00 the wind blew in strong gusts so I stayed at my camp table. I walked around on the slope W of where I saw the bird earlier but all the birds were inactive and wind came up again so I gave up (2:00 - 2:30) The trees here seem to be an even mixture of pinyon juniper (at least 2 spp.) and oak (at least 2). One of the junipers is the weeping juniper (J. flaccida) according to Sherry & Warnock Plants of Brewster County, Texas. The other juniper has checked back. Flat Opuntia, yucca, Agave, a Rhue and a probable Sarcobasis are the chief "undershrub" species. The grasses represent a good growth, grazing being excluded. From 3:15 until 4:00 I worked down the N facing slope above the govt workers residence. Then I worked the creek bed & slopes W of my camp until 5:05 - no tuftice- few birds calling.
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K Dixon 1951 Parus atricristatus 3. Feb.25 Juniper Flat, 5600 ft., Chisos Mts., Brewster Co., Texas overcast; wind gently, intermittent, chiefly from E. I left the store - cottage area of the basin about 9:25 and walked up the trail in a leisurely fashion reaching the flat about 10:00. I walked around over a level area for a few minutes and encountered a titmouse at 10:10. The bird was foraging on the branches of a juniper near the trunk; it gave call note "sip" or "seep" intermittently. A second bird was present and stayed close to the first, while a third titmouse gave sip notes to the south a few feet. When one titmouse flew out onto the branch where another was foraging I heard a note somewhat of melodious quality, similar to what I called a "sub song" in P. inornatus; this seemed to be a note used in aggressive behavior. Two of the titmice stayed together, each answering the seep notes of the other. They moved through 18 consecutive junipers, although a few pines and oaks were in the area. The third bird moved along with them and seemed to be associated definitely with the other two; however I never saw three together in one tree. As I followed the three I recorded the following calls seep (= location note) used most commonly, uttered by birds when others not in immediate vicinity see see seep chuh dit chuh dit heard once ---_-_- see - deh and see deh deh somewhat nuthatch-like high nasal quality possibly contact for birds separated by several yards sveh dit sveh dit sveh deh deh det deh-det deh-det stacatto, once
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R Dixon 1951 4. Parus atricristatus Feb 25. Juniper Flat, 5600 ft., Chispa Mts., Brewster Co., Texas I followed the three birds until 10:35 as they crossed a small gully. One bird flew into a scrub oak but did not remain there long. Most of the foraging seemed to be done on branches the diameter of a titmouse body or larger, for on these the bark was in loose plates. Rarely a bird would forage in the leafy terminal branches and once I saw the bird I was watching pick what appeared to be a juniper berry. Only once did I hear a call see see see dee (inornatus-like) and only once did I see a bird hammering at any object held between its feet. I was sitting on a slope writing notes when I heard a pair and saw two titmice in a juniper to my left as I faced the streamcourse. A flock of 8-10 Bush-tits moved down streamed from that same juniper and I saw titmice in a juniper down stream. All titmice moved what and I think that there (paced) were six present in an area 80-90 feet long. They foraged in the junipers and called mostly such-dit-such-dit-such-dit. I watched one titmouse about 10:55 in an oak to the west of a clearing. It flew to a lone juniper 40 feet E in the center of the clearing and into the same branch where another tit was foraging. I did not record any notes but the latter immediately flew north 50 feet to a small juniper. Here it foraged and exchanged calls such-dit with another tit across the creek bed. At 10:59 it joined the latter. There was little activity for next 15 minutes, occasional notes such-dit such-dit to N and S of the clearing.
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K Dixon 1951 Parus atricuriatatus Feb 25. Juniper Flat, 5600 ft., Chisos Mts., Brewster Co., Texas. From a distance these notes sounded like scolding calls of P. inornatus. For a while I could hear pip notes of one bird to S of me as I sat beside juniper. At 11:21 I walked S and watched at Edmuse foraging within 20 feet of point where I had seen birds at 10:10. Fifty yards or so to W I ran onto a pair foraging - juniper to juniper, often plucking plates of bark off branches, hanging underneath a branch chickadee-fashion, keeping up series of zip notes. Occasional hammering. At 11:34, two Edmice still where I had found them and at least one calling seech det from time to time 75 yards across a clearing, See see see chid det once, rhythm similar to some P. inornatus voice but more nasal quality. I went across the clearing and saw one bird foraging in a juniper at the edge of the clearing. It was apparently alone. The bird flew 40 ft W at 11:42 - I do not think a second it was present although two ruby-crowned Kinglets foraged in the same tree. I walked 125 yards W into an area with a heavier growth of osha. There I called up one Edmuse as well as Spotted Towhee and Bewick Wren. The tot perched conspicuously, with head turned to one side and crest erect. As I raised my binoculars, it called "see see see" "det det det" It continued to high pitched nasal wren-like thin scold det det det for at least 5 minutes. This could have been the bird seen to E at 11:42. I walked back downslope and called up 3 Edmuse
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Feb. 25. Juniper Flat, 5600 ft., Chisos Mts., Brewster Co., Texas. The only time I tried this (by hissing) in an area largely oak about 5500 ft. elev. Also attracted were a Hutton Vireo and a Bewick Wren. (Both these species were heard singing earlier on the Flat proper). The vegetation on the Flat was juniper predom-inately (the weeping juniper was not there, however). Oaks and pinyons were there although less abundantly. In some cases the growth was fairly dense, the height of the trees being 15-20 ft. or an average. The aspect reminded me of the oak belt in Southern Arizona except that Yellow Pine was absent. Avian associates which furthered the impression were Aphelocoma ultramarina and A. coerulescens, Vireo huttoni, Thryomanes Balyanophyga formicivora and Pipilo maculatus. During the 1 1/2 hours or so that I actually watched the titmice, I would say that they spent 95% of their foraging time working on juniper bark. While they would forage in oaks, they did not seem to tarry long in them but moved along into junipers. Thus as far as the "Mexican" avifauna is concerned, the Black-crested Titmouse appears more to be the analogue of the Plain Titmouse at the northern margin of that floral-faunal complex. During the morning I heard no song which I could definitely attribute to this species. Some of the birds seemed to be paired and acted so even when associated with additional titmice. In one case (incident at 10:55) two pairs seemed to be spacing them-selves and establishing boundaries. Earlier, one "pair"
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KDixon 1951 Pamus atrieristatus Feb 25. Juniper Flat, 5600 ft., Chisos Mts., Brewster Co, Texas suspected of being involved had permitted a third individual to "tag along". I talked to Mr. Peter Koch, photo concession- aire and student of birds, about this matter at lunch. He stated that he had seen a "flock of about a dozen tit mice" at his trailer near the service station "about three weeks ago." He said that this was the usual flock size and that 20 was the maximum in his experience. Feb 26. Eagle Pass. Two seen along hedge between 2 residences. & ? individual also present. Feb 27. Santa Ana Wildlife Refuge, 7 mi. S Alamo, Hidalgo Co, Texas Cloudy, windy day with sunshine intermittent. I walked around yard of refuge headquarters at 12:30; a pair in newly leafed out trees by corral SE of bldg. Perhaps 100 yards SE of where I had seen them at 11:45. One bird gave monotonous call over vet vet vet vet vet over & over; mate would answer with Tsip. Both moved SE. (Mute of first bird scolded me from fence post & then called sechada dee before flying to join mate.) I relocated the birds at 12:55, 100 feet to the SE & watched one bird in dead tree at edge of lagoon (dried). Bird worked on small smooth branches and furrowed trunk as well, pausing there to pick at something gingerly several times, perhaps a cocoon. The birds then worked through a tangle to a large tree 50 ft Sof corral & 15 feet E of road. One bird seemed to break the way, remaining in that tree 1:05 - 1:10 and then flying across road to shrubs. I noticed that
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8. Feb 27. Santa Ana Wildlife Refuge, 7 mi. S Alamo, Hidalgo Co., Texas his crest was shining black. He called sit sit & steadily & at 1:13, "his" mate flew across road to large pod tree [Pithecolobium] beside road & N of his position. The second bird appeared to have a duller crow and foraged in Spanish moss clumps a great deal, moving from one to another of these (in a tree with fresh leaves). This bird and its mate moved N to next tree on W side of road and foraged there. I was writing notes at 1:25 when I heard calls such det det. I saw four towhice in a dead tree at 45° angle across road, 20 ft N of S end of road. One bird flew back across to tree where pair I had been watching was foraging (also a large pod tree). One jet black crested bird seemed to be chasing brother out hopping after him and calling vet vet vet and once I heard siclode dee (from him?) His mate? perched higher in tree & looked away. The third bird called vet vet vet all the while but moved back cross road and foraged in tree with mate. He continued to call after the other had ceased - vet vet vet nasal. All quiet by 1:30. At 1:35 the one & mine was foraging in tree where they had been at 1:13-145. This bird then flew across road to tree occupied at 1:05. Mate in same tree called see sa vet vet over & over sometimes see sawer --- --- This bird then stopped calling even though I stayed a few feet from him. I left at 1:50.
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K Dixon 1951 Parus atricristatus Feb 27. Santa Ana Wildlife Refuge At 1:45 a pair foraging in what looked like an elderberry tree at N end of corral. At 1:48 a titmouse in tile NW house where I had seen two birds at 11:45. Thus three pairs present in this limited area (perhaps). I followed the latter bird as he worked S foraging silently until 2:05. Then it commenced calling see stick ch see sticka dee see wip almost like the see cheep of P. inornatus. Call used most was see sticka dee and trip more plaintive than previously. See sticka deh deh and see sticka stuck up were further variations, always introduced by the high-pitched thin note. I never heard an answer that I thought was a D. Meanwhile the bird foraged on Spanish moss, twigs and frostbitten? dead leaves [illegible] the former. When I moved on at 2:13 bird still alone. The titmice were not easy to follow for their tait tait notes were duplicated by warblers in the tree with them. At 3:15 two titmice were together in trees NW house. I [E=stony] put up a feeding tray in mimosa tree at S end of trees W house and another on a corral fencepost. Feb 28. At 7:00 a.m., the approximate time of sunrise, titmouse started calling from an ebony tree heavily decked with Spanish moss W of house — see si vut vut see si vut vut At 7:02 from a tree SW (beside old tank) "petur pet tur" a song. Bird then flew to trees beside telephone pole NE and sang sheer ~~~~~ or hear~~~.
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K Dixon 1951 Parus atricristatus 10. Feb 28. Santa Ana Wildlife Refuge At 7:06, titmice called from tree beside brickpile see si cha di di dub - call repeated over & over but mate sang from tree 75 feet to N. This bird then flew N to join mate & they foraged in that area. At 7:20 they were in adjacent trees, one doing most of the calling see si si sub dut - mate flew to Ebony tree across drive & talkative bird joined her. At 7:30 they were in the trees SE of the brickpile & NW the house. I walked down the road past the coral but did not hear any titmice there. Nutmeats were gone from the tray on top of the coral post. I returned at 7:40 and noticed a pair of titmice in second moss-covered ebony tree. Nutmeats not taken from tray in minosa. At 7:45 calls of two pairs of titmice one near moss- covered ebony where pair had roosted, the other NW second such ebony. Calls "see si su out" exchanged. Also "chub dub dub dit dit" harsh, scolding. I followed one bird as it move SW thru dense wood from second moss- covered tree - call see pi deh deh deh and deh dehhdeh at 7:57 perched on high perch calling plaintive see seh deh see seh deh high pitched thin. Mate joined bird then. No further calls W of house in next hour. 9:10 I encountered 2 titmice together in woods 100 ft S of lime and 100 ft W coral. They foraged calling sip but no other notes. 50 ft to E another pair foraged in ebony trees W road. I walked S to look for a
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KDixon 1951 Parus atricristatus Feb 28. Santa Ana Wildlife Refuge possible third pair but encountered more in 50 yards. WIND BLOWING STRONGLY FROM SOUTH; CLEAR. 9:20 - W pair foraging in ebony SE of where they were at 9:10. call note set given frequently - once see set as a Green Jay flew by (recognized as an enemy? or bird started by movement?) Birds still worked on Tillandsia quite a bit. (latter hangs in "bunches" 12-18" long) 9:28 both started N in mesquite toward house. By 9:31 in mesquite at S end of house; 9:33 one flew E to ebony or drive, 9:34 see set up as one chase the other along a twig - sprouting limb; latter flew 15 feet W to leafless tree & foraged. Meanwhile no calls from pair toward coral. 9:38 call see set up from E of drive & W of coral. Tutornae I was watching flew W over house to legume tree there. 10:40 I thought one flew E, then saw pair in mesquite SW See sunit suit from south of house in stories at 9:43 (second pair here) and third pair to E of house 100 ft NE of second pair(?) During the next 6 minutes I was not able to find any twice E of drive & W of coral - couldn't intree from [Carolina Wren] find any bird which any treet treet came? At 9:55 a pair of Ttwice in smooth barked tree SE of house (near duck pen) - they flew N W over house into ebony here - I walked all along W side of house & found nothing. Then at 10:02 totrnose at wedge of grove & another in "second moss - covered tree" 10:06 - 2 in tree where first had been, none in "moss covered". 10:07 - pair 70 feet S of moss covered in ebony [=tree "8" #6] map, p. 15
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KDixon 1951 12. Passer ateristatus Feb. 28 Santa Ana Wildlife Refuge, 5 of dead tree & simultaneously 2 when seen at 10:06. At 10:10 they became aware of each other and scolded see vivit and sicka dee for 4 minutes or so. At 10:18 one of E pair commenced "scald" see vi vit vit and once "sturick" while nets gave only pip notes At 10:20 this "f" flew to ebony W of house at bend in long part. 10:25 both in that ebony. Song peter pater peter from E & over vet vet from one bird; other foraged on ground, paying no attention, Sichader call from W of grove also. All quiet at 10:27. Birds flew W a minute later to trees on either side of where I had tray. vet vet vet from further west. At 10:29 I looked beyond the pair and saw a titmouse on trunk of "dead tree" possibly hole prospecting? I went there & found two together in ebony to S at 10:30 & for next minute. Other pair in trees with tray at 10:32 but did not visit tray. One on ground beneath that tree flew up as I approached. At 10:35 one flew to tree at SE corner of house; other joined it at 10:37. Only notes heard was "tuit", no demonstration. 10:38+ they flew S across drive - tuit note of W pair moving E then mesquite, then chase pip 10:41 - me # in low growth S of shrubbed whitebark 50 of house 50 ft - other pair in mesquite 20x30 W see cheyup and sit-sit 10:44 see sicka dek repeated 4 birds present in mesquite E of apple box One bird giving ground as another moved toward it giving this call No violent chase or fighting - both retired without
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KDixon 1957 Parrus atricenisstabus 13. Feb 28. Santelena Wildlife Refuge, further scolding notes, At 10:47 one bird in brush W apple box, another in whitebark tree to E. (Time out for photos) 11:00-pair in trees at N end of coral & E of road. They worked over the lichen on several ebony & one soft bark tree SE of house. At 11:20 each bird dropped into bucket of grain beside duck cage to pick up a grain wheat or cut corn and carry it up to a limb to eat it. I strolled out again at 11:55 and found one titmouse in ebony tree on west side of house at bend. As I rounded S end of house, it flew up from corn bucket. Then first flew over house to join second. At 12:10 they were in couple of large ebonies due E of house. No further observations until 2:55 when pair of titmice flew into ebonics NW front porch from trees W. They foraged there for a while, giving sit notes Tsee tsee see si dit followed by a scold from same trees at 3:17 I saw one titmouse in dense brush along the Rio Grande at 5:00 pm - bird calling sit sit continually. Mate may have been in area. At 5:25 scalds see set set loud from ebony tree at SE corner of house. I saw 2 titmice in tree over- hanging duck pens. Scolding continued and seemed to be directed toward green jays at least two of which also were present. The high thin see see identical to "fear note" of P. inornatus was given when a jay took flight from a limb higher in the tree and also when a Cara- cara flew overhead. Within a few minutes I
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KDixon 1951 Parrus atricristatus Feb 28. Santa Ana Wildlife Refuge, heard & mouse calls from ebonice wood of house (as I was preparing evening meal). The birds moved to Tree "A" when I heard a rapidly uttered series of soft sit- sit-sit notes. This was at 5:43. I believe that the birds moved along the row of small trees toward the telephone pole. By 5:45 they were silent and I did not locate them nor hear them again although the sounds did not set until about 6:24. Last night one of the birds [illegible] roosted in Tree "A" and apparently expected that his mate roosted near the telephone pole. Either "she" (?) had gotten off and if the roost earlier than "he" awakened or "she" had actually roosted in Tree "C" of the map. Several impressions of the birds here. They seem to be paired but not advanced very far toward nesting. I have not seen any clear cut nest-site prospecting nor courtship feeding nor begging unless the notes before roosting tonight represent this. The birds here resemble P. inornatus in apparent size more than did the Chisos Mts. birds. I do not know whether boundaries have crystallized yet but disputes do not appear to be the "do or die" affairs that characterize P. inornatus; either these matters have already been settled and the vocalization is mere reminder or the birds will work themselves into a higher pitch of excitement later in the season.
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Key to Map of Refuge Headquarters area A = lichen covered elm tree where ♂ bird roosted Feb.27 B = second lichen-covered ebony tree C = tree where mate of first titmouse roosted (where it called first) D = ebony tree where food tray placed ① telephone pole ② apple box west of scene of dispute at 10:44 Feb.28 ③ scene of dispute at 1:25 Feb.27 Ebony tree (Pithecolobium flexicaule) mesquite thicket #403 (Ulmus crassifolia) #402 (Leucaena pulverulenta) #401 "white bark tree" (Celtis laevigata)
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Santa Ana Wildlife Refuge, Hidalgo Co., Texas P. atricrissalus 15. Dead 3 Dead 2 Dried Lakebed D Dead Tree B Headquarters C A Dried Lakebed N
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K Rixon 1951 Pareus atricristatus March 1 Santa Ana Wildlife Refuge Cloudy morning, the clouds being moved along by winds from the SE. I waited in vicinity of Tree "A" 6:50 - 7:05 No calls or activity At 7:08 calls vet vet vet from ebonics W side of house at "Bend". Calls continued and there was no action at Tree "A" so I approached source of calls & found 2 birds in long tree one called vet vet continually and the other called pip occasionally. The caller moved to Tree C at 7:18 & mate joined him a minute later. Caller led again to trees E of "A" and bride perched in last leafless tree to E then simultaneously flew down to second stump W[illegible] pole at 7:20. Scolds stopped, just sit notes. At 7:22 both foraged in dead weedy growth in lake a few feet N. At 7:24 one bird in mesquite 4/3 of way to live fan palm sang hear hear twice. Birds then moved N into mesquite & at 7:27 I heard sound of scolds. Soft sit sit notes later 7:38 sang hear hear in mesquite 100 ft N of fan palm singer in other part of mesquite, near erect. Birds foraging there picking at objects on smaller twigs at 7:42 as I left. At 7:55 I heard a call and saw a titmouse foraging in Tree "B" At 7:57 it gave see si dit dit (just like ticka deckee in rhythm). This bird continued foraging, mainly on lichens. At 8:02 I heard a note sit and saw a titmuse in the tree NE of B. Then I saw a second tit fly into a mesquite across the roadway. These appeared to be of the houseyard pair I had seen to N (last at 7:42). They were silent as though creeping up to the back fence
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K Dixon 1951 Parus atricapillus 17. Mch. 1 Santa Ana Wildlife Refuge, 7 mi. S Alamo, Hidalgo, Texas ready to jump down their neighbor's throat should he dare trespass. The bird I saw first gave see si vet once but no further action so I left at 8:05. At 8:50 see si vet vet from tree at S end of backyard grove. Notes sit from farther north & steadily see si vet vet from area W of tree 'B' Latter bird continued to call after 9:00 long after first bird was silent. At 9:15 I circled the edge of the clearing moving W from S end of grove. At 9:20 I encountered what I thought was pair of Pine Siskins in mesquite due N of Tree 'B' toward edge of mecca. There was in reality 2 pairs having a dispute. One bird moved toward a second not rapidly, just a hop in its direction. The second bird retired to a shrub & flew away. Male of first higher in tree scolded vet vet vet which was answered by mate of second, farther to S W. First bird moved toward second pair (ie: SW) as two males continued to call. At 7:21 this bird retreated in part I think at approach of second but also as Sharp-shinned Hawk swooped them through the mesquite here is about 15 feet high). High-pitched, thin see-see-see for 20 seconds especially by what I took to be the 'second' bird. This individual then foraged, called sit sit interspersed by see see notes occasionally. At least two birds had given this "fear call," hardly a confusion clone however. The first pair settled to the East to Tree 'A' & the two birds were working S at
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Parnus atricrissatus 18 March 1, Santa Ana Wildlife Refuge 9:30. The other birds moved S toward Tree "B" giving soft sit sit notes. At 9:35 one bird then second flew W toward a low tree S of "B" They gave calls Tree see sunk dut and sicka dee dub, mostly the former on the part I saw bird - both remained on that side of the roadway; call from Bird E. Each took prominent positions in mesquite trees there, mates meet see see sunk dut, monotonously. The bird which had followed the first we seen flew back to SW tree of "yard grove" at 9:39 and they gave sit sit notes. (mates still on tray in next tree E). WIND STILL STRONG FROM EAST, Silence from pair to W. I walked through area W can-ing but heard nor saw no thrice. 9:47 - Athmaise at base of tree SW of Tree "C". Bird flew up but returned after a minute. Foraging? Mate flew toward "A" but this bird returned to "C". Then in tree W "C" chased twice by Myrtle Warbler which then chased one of its own kind. Tree mates foraged on twigs & ledgers on trees which have cones in leaf remarkably during last two days. At 9:54 warbler drove Athmaise to next tree W by a vicious attack in flight as it foraged in Spanish Moss. Mate of Athmaise still in "A" the two giving location notes. 9:55, the two in tree SW "C", one dropped to croth about 18" above ground with flutter of wings then flew up as it saw me. Bird dropped down that way again & I left Calls sit sit from tree to S.
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19 March 1. Santa Ana Wildlife Refuge, 7 mi. S Alamo, Hidalgo Co., Texas At 10:02 both titmice in ebony where tray was located & a minute later, one in tree W. Both foraging in higher leafy portions of that tree at 10:04 a minute later, one was in next tree N, mates also present. One then flew to Tree "B" & than to mosquito beside it. There was a disturbance to SW & calls vet vet vet & calls of woodpecker. Tit I watched did brief periculum & flew SW. Bird worked thru brush to point about 60 ft SW "dead tree" at 10:10 calling vet vet vet and siskadee vet vet vet as vet vet vet calls given from NW in dense thicket. This bird then worked still farther W into wooded part of old reservoir. Calls continued from there, vet vet vet and see pickup of bird I had followed (?) at 10:15. However at 10:17 two titmice in ebony E of "B" calling vet vet vet a scold answered see siskadee by bird in direction I had followed. SON OUT NOW, CLEARING The bird I followed must have been a tree mouse. 10:19 scolding tit moved N & continued vet vet vet while mate moved to ebony NE & called sit only. Vet vet in answer & sit sit also from Tree "B" now (10:21) foraging motion stub end branch bark twig trunk // // // // above in ebony tree 10:25-30 Bird preen and branch well protected then flew to trees chasing an unidentified bird out. branch-bark aerial dead leaf flew to mosquito W // 1 1 at 10:33 had taken insect & worked later afterward.
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K Dixon 1951 20. Pareus atricinctatus March 1. Santa Ana Wildlife Refuge Bird actually chased another into mesquite across roadway then flew back NE to "A" to join mate. No calls but intruder permitted to remain in mesquite NE of "B" in area defended by yard pair at 9:20. 10:35 one bird flew SW to "B", other in mesquite to NE. Pair in "A" gave sit sit. W bird flew to ebony E of B and one, then other, of yard pair flew S one in particular moved toward intruder giving very soft see chakup twice. Action of "owners" seemed to be to scare intruder off top of bough; they flipped their tails nervously. Intruder flew to mesquite SE of "B"; only then did he give soft dub dub dub. Yard pair continued to forage in tree sit sit (10:38). By 10:42 pair in mesquite at SW corner of clearing presumably having moved 25 yards from Tree "B" sit location note. Yard pair two trees where they located giving location notes. I watched one bird forage consecutively on inside of seed pod of ebony (seed not taken), stub end, twig bark twice, stub end, twig bark. At 10:45 both in next tree E. 11:05 tchrrrse in trees at SW corner of house called sickadee dee dee dub dub dit as I walked by but did not move. Calls from SW corner of clearing where birds had been at 10:42. [I] had checked on tree SSW of "C" and found a vertical cavity there where bird had looked in; I replaced orn or cover of bucket beside duck pen. At 11:13 a labored tall chuk dit dit dit dit from tree "B" repeated over & over. Two above in upper part of that ebony both giving call steadily. One green jay in that tree.
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K DIXON 1951 Parras atricristatus 21. March 1. Santa Ana Wildlife Refuge and another in tree W. Apparently the titmice were scolding the jay for a fresh nut and would be given whenever the jay called or moved. The birds were very alert and would bob slightly in turning through 45° or so to right or left but they did not return to center or continue swaying. One bird continued they also flipped tail sideways give call, other gave vet vet vet but both away. As jay shifted perch, one tit flew W to a mesquite & the other followed. Both gave their calls from that time. The yard pair had been silent until now. At 11:17 one of the jays flew into tree SE "A" and these titmice started up. See si dee vet vet and vet vet vet. They moved N and continued from "A" see si vet after 11:22. Birds to W silent by 11:25 as one of yard pair also swirling. By 11:27 in tree SE "A" only tit could be heard even as Green Jay flew into Tree "A" front & gave eek call At 11:33 Arizonae flew into story SE of telephone pole & was pursued twice by Myrtle warbler. Other Arizona which had been calling sit sit sit from trees near "C" flew in and they foraged. I have not noticed any demonstration on part of either bird so they join one another in a tree. At 12:00 I walked 5 part coral but detected no Arizona activity until 12:10 when I found pair in stones on W side of road ≈ 125 yards S of Coral. These gave sit notes as they foraged, moving in an NW direction. Then I flushed what may have been a Screech Owl from a dead stump – titmice gave see see and it flew W W then moved along in
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Feb 28 Santa Ana Wildlife Refuge same direction keeping ahead of me. Their notes see see see sounded plaintive and slightly more melodious than those of other birds I had heard here; they reminded me of Mountain Chickadee notes. I walked NW and came to a shallow streambed at 12:20. Underbrush was not the tangle of vines that the level surrounding had. The old river bed is about 50 ft wide and had ebony, "whitebark" and some sort of palo verde tree -- others too! One titmouse foraged in terminal twigbery of ebony branch see see, thus at 12:32. a minute later both in rhannaceous (?) tree 40 ft E. In this tree the titmice foraged on leaves & twigs of peripheral foliage where an Orange-crested Warbler had been working earlier. One got an extra loud sip as I looked up and seemed to be flying away from his mate's position -- courtship feeding? Once a titmouse flitted out to pick an insect (?) off a leaf & returned to his perch to swallow it. The birds worked in the upper (= green, leafy) part of this tree, then moved to next (same kind) at 12:43, not pausing in Spanish moss. In taller leafless tree E at 12:45 flying 5 two minutes later (my movement or Green Jay flight past tree?) Birds foraging in leafless tangle on S bank at 12:50. I walked E along riverbed & found that its north bank met road in trees in which pair of titmice had foraged at 1:15 on Feb 27 -- south pair of casual dispute. Perhaps these were the same individuals. 1:00 - Titmice foraging in tree W of one where I had food tray. One bird in 5 minutes: Spanish moss 10, trunk bark 2, stump 1 (the ?) By 1:07, both were in the next tree N
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K.Dixon 1951 23. Parnis atricriostatus March 1. Santa Ana Wildlife Refuge These birds seemed to be keeping in the lower branches of the elbow trees, the upper branches being leafed out more. One left moves on a small lower twig 1 ft out from trunk flew in toward trunk as Myrtle Warbler approached & occupied its perch; Amrose returned to same point to forage a few seconds later as warbler flew away. 1:13 - one Amrose flew S to tree where tray located. I watched his(?) mate forage on bases of Spanish Moss beads and on twigs; then I was unable to locate first. 1:18 - pair foraging at SW corner of clearing, in magnolia or shrub with dead leaves. see vet vet (subdued) & location notes. 1:20 yard pair in trees opposite Tree "B" one farther N than other. Former flew down and foraged in same tree as latter; location notes only. Latter(?) foraging below former suddenly flew up an took two short jumps toward former(?) and gave two spaced notes set perhaps more penetrating than the this bird also seemed to be extending empty closed bill; no wing flutter usual. ^ The former merely moved along and ignored the approach, significance of which I do not know. I was impressed with the former as he(?) flew S to join mate. "He" flew to one branch and bobbed slightly turning perhaps 10° either side of center. The black crest, which I have never seen lowered, formed a striking contrast to the white forehead and underparts. At 4:10 pair foraging in Tree S of C - one flew out to ebony tree to E calling sit sit sit sit rather rapidly. I watched a bird thus later and conduct notes
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24. Parus atricapillus March | Santa Clara Wildlife Refuge seemed to be softer and a little more plaintive. The bird gave the usual sit and a softer see or seat. Bird came in to get some water which had collected on stake pipe - bird hung there with silvers grip of pipe, flew to tamarisk E, wiped bill & back to ebony beside house. 5:00 - 5:10 pair in ebony west side of home N of bend. Then one was chased across to tree E of house by a bird which returned to ebony (its mate? mystically?) Mate then joined till they foraged there until 5:15. Then they worked E across canopy over lawn. At 5:20, one in tiny tree E of drive & other in dead snag to E at edge of lake. At 5:25 former flew S & I watched its mate to E latter flew to tree from which other had flown this at 5:27 and called sit see dee dit dit softly then sat a little more emphatically than usual WIND STRONG FROM NE. Tt move then crossed drive worked thru ebony at corner p into whitebark tree next to it. Bird did not call again after 5:33 nor did I hear its mate. No roost site evident in whitebark. March 2. | 4 miles SE Rio Grande City, Starr Co., Texas I walked over flat land bench, the first level above the bottomland of the Rio Grande & heard a pair of towmice at about 8:50 I shot at one with a .22 shell & missed. From here I dropped down along the bottomland but found no towmice until I was retracing my steps after covering an area 5 acres or so in extent. I heard a pair calling sit see and spotted one in a mesquite,
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K Dixon 1951 25. Parus atricristatus March 2. 4 mi. SE Rio Grande City, Starr Co., Texas mate in shrub adjacent. I shot one bird (# 471). Mate flew to tree to W 35 feet or so and kept moving and calling (calls not recorded) As I followed, this bird (# 472) a male, flew back to the precise spot where she had been perched when I took her. I collected the ot at that time. A few minutes later I followed a pair at the edge of the riverbottom (perhaps the pair I had shot at earlier in the mesquite 150 yards or so to N). One bird was calling si ver si vet vet and moving ahead to NW. Its mate lingered to forage along the way and I took her (# 473). I followed her mate, increasingly agitated (at each of response from her?) and felled him with a shot. The bird only wounded flew into a brush pile & I lost it. I saw no more twice in this area. thinned out, partly cleared and no more twicce in mesquite thickets to N. (See journal account) 7 miles by road E Rio Grande City Starr Co., Texas At 1:20 p.m. I heard call of a twicice and saw two together near the highway in brushy area of mesquite and such shrubs as Adolphia?, flat Opuntia etc. This dry hillside was at least 2 miles from the riverbottom. Santa Ana Wildlife Refuge I returned her at 3:15 and heard twicice from time to time in the northern part of the back yard. At 5:45 I heard calls sit sit sit in mesquite N of fan palm.
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K Dixon 1951 26. Parus atricristatus Mch 2 Santa Ana Wildlife Refuge 7 mi. S Alamo, Hidalgo Co., Tex. The two birds worked S toward Telephone side & at 5:47 both were perched there. One then took a prominent perch and called sivivetvet continuing vet vet notes as though scolding & moving to a perch a couple of feet closer to me! (I stood N W tent) Thinking that I might be disturbing them I went inside the tent as twixie flew into large ebony N of house, Sun still shining. Mch 3. Foggy or low clouds, little wind. At 7:05 call seesevevet from Ebony N of "bend" in house. Bird continued vet vet for a minute or so, then sit out. At 7:12, entrance to the S sang "pea-pea pea-pea" two notes not hurried, a clear liquid whistle. Bird in ebony answered at least twice. Traying continued with sit notes. At 7:17 bird I was watching sang "hear hear hear" each note an exact repetition of the preceding (this may have been in response to sit sit from Tree "B") for or faced in that direction when he repeated song. Answer in kind from pin to W and pair to S. Silence again; at 7:20 I saw both twixie in ebony where all activity of morning has prevailed - probably both there all the while I have watched. (For last 10 minutes or so a Golden-backed Woodpecker has hammered away in that same ebony tree. Myrtle Warbler and Bluecatcatcher also there, Orange-crowned Warbler. See such dit such dit over & over from same tree at 7:33 Calls continued rather steadily until 7:40 when one bird in tree SW "C" flew N into "C"
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KDixon 1951 Pamus atricristatus 27. Mar 3. Santa Ana Wildlife Refuge, 7 mi. S Alamo, Hidalgo Co, Texas other then flew into tree NW "C" and gave sit calls and see such dit, mostly the sharp fait 7:44 one bird in "A" xi velvet - other in tree S of "A" - contact notes only. Former moved into row of mosquite leading NE. I lost track of second bn at 7:49 and titmouse in ebony N of house & no calls from any other position (location notes only) DEAD CALM. March 5. Harlingen, Cameron Co., Texas . Mr. L. Drby Davis told me that the Black-crested Titmouse in this area does not flock in winter. He and Mrs. Davis stated that only on rare occasions had they seen more than 3 or four titmice together at one time. Mr. Davis said further that whenever he heard a titmouse call, he followed it up and located the birds, for other passerines tended to follow the titmice. Thus a titmouse call might indicate a mixed flock which would include wintering warblers as well as kinglets and vireos. Mr. Davis also said that this &tmouse may nest close to the ground and that he had seen one nest in an exposed position in a stump (a cavity incompletely roofed over), roofed over but not completely walled in). This species is widespread but not "common". He has noted no change in its frequency of occurrence in this area.
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K Dixon 1951 Parus atricriatatus Mar 6. Resaca 1/2 mi. SW Olmito, Cameron Co., Texas. Cool, foggy overcast. Dense tangle of ebony & other trees all sapling form + 20 ft high (reproduction?) Song "cheer cheer cheer cheer" given at infragreat intervals by bird I could not see. Then "dehadee dee" as I got closer and tail repeated at intervals. (This at 9:40 am) The song was given again in two "bursts" each one farther to the west and deeper into the thicket of closely spaced saplings. No further calls after 9:47 although I worked along edge of clearing to SW until 10:10. resaca wooded clearing + 250 yds. titmouse here
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K Dixon 1951 Parus Mch. 17 Aransas River, 5 mi. ENE Skidmore, Bee Co., Texas OVERCAST, WIND moderate from W. I spent a few minutes after 12:45 following up a ?thrush song in an area of scattered liveoaks (brush intervening had been cleared and left lying). The singer, shifting perch frequently in a liveoak 20 ft. tall, appeared like a perfectly good Black-crested Tit to me. His crest was black and was carried in the very ereet style of the Rio Grande birds. The song consisted of the same phrase repeated over and over ' tree tree tree tree - - - - a clear whistle I recorded a sequence of range of the following number of phrases: 7,8,8,7,8,9. From an oak 25 yards W came a "scoot" see vet vet frequently, also atricristatus-like Mch 18. OVERCAST; WIND FROM NORTH 12-16 mph with stronger gusts at times. I drove across the bridge, did a corkscrew turn beneath it and drove NW through uncleared mesquite - grassland and mesquite brush with scattered liveoaks to the W fence of the Driscoll property. From there S along fence to the streamcourse. I got out and walked from time to time but saw no signs of thrushes. Small birds inactive generally. I was in that area about 9:00 - 10:45. [north of Aransas] I drove along the road into area S of creek and E of bridge From 11:00 - 11:25 I walked along the S bank of the creek crossing to the N bank at 11:10 to E of the 1st sidecreek) E of Bridge. A ?thrush was singing a clear sharp peter - - - - in groups of 5 or 6 or more. His crest was a smoky brown color carried erectly and the forehead pale rusty
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Parus Mch 18. Aransas Creek, 5 mi, ENE Skidmore, Bee Co., Texas I did not follow this bird because I was not certain that this was Driscoll property. The bird appeared to K alone during the 5 minutes or so that I followed it. Mch 19. 4 mi E Skidmore, Bee Co., Texas Sky overcast after rain last night; wind from N, 2 to 8 mph. I hunted along the eastern margin of the Driscoll property and for a short time on its adjacent Rodriguez property from 9:15 until 11:45. I had driven along the road due E all the way instead of turning NE toward the bridge over Aransas Creek. Prior to 10:00 I hunted in mixed mesquite and liveoak in a pie-shaped area of + 600 yards radius to S and W of fence intersection - no thrushes found. At 10:05 I heard song peta-peta-peta from woods to E & I crossed fence & followed up. I was impressed with the more dense nature of the vegetation on the Rodriguez place; either grazed less or shrubs hadn't been cleared at an earlier date. I located a pair of thrushes within a few minutes foraging in a small liveoak. One bird called vet-vet-vet several times then twit infrequently. The sun was out at the moment and I could see colors fairly well. One bird was a typical Black- nested Thrush with a cream-streaked forehead; its crest wasn't shining black, but was carried with the tip curved forward. The other bird had a smokey gray crest with the forehead not lighter by contrast. At 10:18 both flew to two adjacent- ly situated oaks 20 ft SW. Call notes given were chub-dub - - - - (nasal) and
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K Dixon 1951 Parus Mch 19. 4 mi. E Skidmore, Bee Co., Texas and a faintive see see see Both birds foraged in the uppermost twigs of the same live oak, one picking at what appeared to be a new bird. At 10:21, one called sit sit sit in rapid sequence as it floated down the trunk in a spiral. It foraged in a shrub (#410) for a few seconds, then on the ground within inches of the shrub, then upward again within a minute. Both in crown again at 10:23, sit notes well phrased, softer than those of warblers nearby. I noticed one bird (? ?) hopping upward in tree from one branch to another, always at bases of branches or along furrowed trunk bark. One of the birds (both in crown again) commenced song peta-peta-peta - same song from farther W also. I moved closer and both birds dropped downward in the tree, one giving see se vut - - - - from the shrub at the bottom of the tree. The other bird silent, higher up - -. Silence maintained for a minute or so even though other birds present (grnatathus, Vireo griseus, Dendroica dominica ?) resumed call notes in half that time after being silent after disturbance. As I approaches till closer, tree tree such dut from bird in shrub at 10:28 - twice flew to oak S. 10:30 one [illegible] (bronish crest) preened in middle of oak shrub. I walked W then to locate other singer.
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Parus Mch 19. 4 mi E Skidmore, Bee Co., Texas The bird was in mesquite just S of the road, singing peta - -. A "flock" of grackles there too. As I moved within range, movement of cattle disturbed titmice which flew E & sang within Rodriguez property - no answer from pair SE. I searched area 20 S for 600 yards or so again but located no titmice so I left area at 11:45. Other birds saw in area except for a concentration where pair seen after 10:00 - possibly due to sheltered situation in denser growth. Mch 24. Live Oak Creek, 2 1/2 mi NE Somerset, Bexar Co., Texas 2:30 pm, cloudy. I heard calls chee det det det det or chek deb det nuthatch-like from leafy deciduous tree growth along the streambanks. Much of surrounding uplands was mesquite. I had a glimpse of one bird - neat blackish, forehead not discerned. Mch 25. 3 mi ENE Skidmore, Bee Co., Texas Cloudy with occasional showers following rain last night; light breeze from the SE. I hunted in an area S of the road about 1 mi E of the ranch house (due S of last house N of road) from about 9:00 to 10:30 am. About 9:30 I heard a titmouse call in the brushy mesquite-covered area and located a single titmouse. Its call was approximately chee det-det, det-det det over & over-. The bird moved along with a flock of small birds, loosely organized but seeming to follow the titmice whenever it called. Included were Blue-gray grackler (120) Black-and-white Warbler (3 or 4),
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Pages Mch 25. 3 mi ENE Skidmore, Bee Co., Texas White-eyed Vireo, Magnolia? Warbler. The Vireo foraged on branches of oak and lycium? shrubs and was active - it dropped to the ground once. It moved along at a rate about as fast as I could walk, the other birds going along in the same direction. No song, 2 females alone. I shot at the bird twice but it kept going and I lost track of it. Great blackish forehead? No other Vireos in area. I heard a song pay-ta pay-ta from N of the road in live oaks (underbrush cleared) and walked there to investigate. In the oaks at the edges of a large cleared area at 10:50 I ran into a flock similar in composition to the one seen S in Magnolia. Two Vireos were present calling chek chek det, nasal but not the sharp vet vet vet of Rio Grande Valley birds. I followed the bird which called less frequently and took her after a siege of firing pin trouble. The wind was blowing stronger from E and rain was falling. I stalked the mate of the bird I had taken but it flew to another oak 30 ft SW. I got in a shot there and the bird seemed to have dropped in the tree, called see see see and flew to next oak SW then NW at a rapid pace. I located the bird calling from N of a fence in property I had no right to hunt on so I let it go. Later song peta peta from there. Still later I heard muthatch-like enk enk or yank yank call from same vicinity.
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K Dixon 1951 Panna Mar 25. 3 mi ENE Skedmore, Bee Co., Texas Live oaks (11:20) and I called up a titmouse which then flew W along the fence. Firing pin failure permitted the bird to fly on N of fence again. Mar 26. Misting slightly after intermittent rains. I returned to the same area and was walking along a fence shown on sketch The shaded area had not been cleared and supported dense brush as well as live oaks. Only live oaks standing on Driscoll property. Titmouse scolded me from N of fence near the corner but I couldn't entice it to cross fence by squealing. I walked west and ran into a flock of grackles and a lone titmouse, the latter calling dut dut dut. I collected it, a lone bird and thought at the time that it might be the mate of the ♀ (# 492) which I took here yesterday. This bird (#497) proved to be a ♂ which helps substantiate this supposition. I walked down to the riverbed & thence E along the S bank after 8:30. The soil was sandy here and there was a dense woodland of low trees growing on the "bluffs" Among them were my plant catalogue numbers # 411, 412, 413. Other trees (the majority) were not out in leaf. I heard a titmouse say "hear hear hear" and located a bird singing from rainma perches in a leafless tree. It moved E and I saw another titmouse fly along. Grackles and a yellow-throated Vireo were with the titmice, also 2 Mniotilta varia. The "flock" moved along rapidly and
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Paris Mch 26. Aransas River, 4 mi. ENE Skidmore, Bee Co., Texas I was not able to get a shot at them. Finally they perched in a clump of trees (elm?) in a swale and I took the least active bird supposing it to be the ? (later proved to be ?) #498 Its mate gave a "scolding" call from the adjacent tree into which it had flown, then moved S rapidly. I heard a song from that direction but did not follow up, rather returning to the car at 9:45.. My impression was that there were more than riverbank timber, waxwings in the liveoaks, something I'll have to work on. As I was skinning in the bunkhouse, I heard song peta peta peta from area to E (shortly after noon). I started to investigate but the singer had moved onto forbidden property N of cattleguard so I abandoned the search. Mch 28. Aransas River, 5 1/2 mi. ENE Skidmore, Bee Co., Texas I walked downstream, leaving the house on the Heard Ranch at 8:45 a m (see journal). I walked along the N bank of the river for about a mile always keeping to the fringe of trees. At 9:40 I started back and walked for some distance. No ?? mouse voices detected prior to about 10:10 when I heard song peta peta and followed it up. Song came from mesquite patch with a few live- oaks N of river and E of tributary creek E of the house (= Spring Creek?). Song ceased before I could locate the bird so I returned to the house at 11:15. At 4:30 I drove 1 mile N and walked through oak- mesquite area for 20 minutes - no calls of ?? mice,
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Paris Mch 29. Spring Creek, 6 1/2 mi. ENE Skidmore, Bee Co, Texas Clearing, sunny, wind from NW to 12 mph. I drove to a creek crossing about 1 mile N of the house, arriving at 7:30. Large liveoak tree spaced widely along the creek, smaller liveoaks and mesquite - brush in uplands. Soil sandy. About 7:40 I heard a fieldmouse call 'dut dut dut' and watched a pair fly across a clearing crossed by pipeline and roadway. One bird (flying W) was followed by two great catbirds and flew to a mesquite tree 18 ft high at edge of dense tangle of "blackbrush" (smoothbarked) (KLD# 417) 14 ft high. The second bird flew into a 15-ft liveoak 20 ft east. The latter (the darker crested I believe) called 'dut dut' and 'see see see' perhaps a, I stood in open. Male silent moved into 20 ft liveoak 15 ft W and caller followed but continued to call as it foraged. Male silent, foraging in twigs at periphery of tree in sunegar perhaps working on catkins which were out ~~ in that tree. I took this bird (#510, ?) its mate shifted direction on its perch and I collected it too (black nest) 8:22 fieldmouse singing from mesquite along W edge of wood lot to NW along creek peer - - - - in 5, 6, or 7 phase song (I think mate was to S along creek) Bird would shift perch frequently giving note 'sit' as he did so. 8:29 momentary pause in song. 8:31 flew S as I approached closer reason? - then vet vet - - as I approached on W side of large oak. Bird moved E into shrubs and sang 'ridick ridick' - - over 1 or until 8:36 no sign of mate yet.
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May 29. Spring Creek, 6 1/2 mi ENE Skidmore, Bee Co., Texas Bird moved S - at 8:41 75 yards Sof 9:36 position 2 min later I heard hear - - and then a scold dut - - - - - and saw Otmouse inspecting a cavity in a leafless oak - cavity vertical on top of a branch - bird continued scold - then gurgling call and I saw Carolina Chickadee in same low oak and Otmouse flew at it. Tit then flew SE to another leafless oak and then S I heard tur - - - song at 8:45 - same bird ? At 8:52, Otmouse scolding yet - - - and following Carolina Chickadee in mesquite 100 ft downstream from fence. I fired at Otmouse with .22 and it escaped, working SE along bank of creek largely in oaks, crossing road by 9:00. At 9:04 in large oak SE of road - then silent later I heard it S of creek followed it there then across creek again. Bird singing peer - - a very rapid sequence of melodious notes of one pitch in answer to bird to N in mesquite Otmouse wary, circled, returned to oaks along creek at 9:30. Song tur - - from NW at 9:34. I am certain this is the same bird, unmated a Black-crested Titmouse still singing as I walked N At 9:45 I caught up with singing Otmouse to N in mesquite oak SE of cattleguard on same fence I had crossed earlier. Peer - - - and Tur Tur now what his songs sounded like to me. I caught up to the bird once and it called see see laver yet twice then flew on. Or circled and was S again near when
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Mar 29. Spring Creek, 61/2 mi ENE Skidmore, Bee Co., Texas I had first picked it up - seemed to be alone. (juniper and yellow-throated warbler and black-and-white warbler were following along with it.) Bird sang little after 10:00 - gave call vet vet which could be transcribed enke enke when heard at a distance. The habitat here is of scattered trees, post oaks (leaves shed) 15-20 ft high and a few willow mesquites and several brush species growing to 8 ft. 10:14 enke enke farther E, then peta - - - WIND STRONGER FROM NW. Bird still singing as I walked SW. The "cattleguard" point of reference actually was an oblique fence corner with white rails on either face". The bird was to the East generally of this corner & hence NE of the other terminal. These two singing birds seemed to be unmated - I thought I'd check on them again in the early morning and collect them then. Two other males seemed to be unmated - one along the river E of the bridge, the other on the extreme E end of the Driscoll ranch - care must be taken to determine if there is an unbalanced sex ratio. Texmore singing along creek near road in large live oaks at 10:30 - I followed creek E, walking for about half a mile (until 11:05) then returning via the same route. I heard no thrice in that area but those where I had hunted earlier were silent as I took photographs and collected plants, 11:35-12:05. SUNNY, COOL, WIND 12-14 mph, blowing loose leaves in its path.
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Mch 30 Spring Creek Sunny morning, 42F at 7:00 am. I drove to Spring Creek, reach- ing the area before 7:30. Titmouse singing in oaks upstream from road crossing in area where I had shot at titmouse which I followed 8:20 - 9:30. I followed the bird as it sang peta peta (answered by titmouse to NE) This individual was wary, keeping well ahead of me - once it moved into big live oak from mesquite thicket and called vet vet vet (a scold?) Then song resumed - only one voice involved. I collected this bird (514) as it moved through a clump of postoaks using a half load at 7:43. For the next 15 minutes I walk- ed along the creek bank, in and out among the oaks watching and listening all the way to the oil pipeline (where bird had gone yesterday) This eastern boundary was only a few yards from the point where I took a pair of thrice yesterday. The bird ranged nearly 1/4 mile along the creek. I think it was unusual for it sang continually and from the condition of the 2 taken yesterday, I doubt if any of these thrice are nesting yet. I walked north into area occupied by the other titmouse at 8:05 - silence as I wrote notes within area until 8:17. I wacked on, back and forth through the area until 8:35. By this time, WIND FROM SOUTH 3-4 mph. I returned to the car and drove E 0.6 miles to another branch of the creek, lined with liveoaks openly spaced. I started walking N of the road and NW side of creek. I heard first a mockingbird singing peta peta, then definitely a titmouse. The bird was singing from a postoak in a sparsely-wooded area E of the creek & north of the road. Apparently the brush had
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Mch 30. SpringCreek been cleared for mesquite was small. Liveoak and post oaks were intermingled. The bird stopped singing but foraged in a live oak, calling [illegible] infrequently. I took it (#515). I walked N at 7:15 and covered the liveoak-postoak woodland on either side of the creek for 1/4 mi N. I returned to the car at 10:00 having seen no [illegible]. Then I heard a brief bit of song pita-pita from the W bank of the creek S of the road. I investigated and heard Tickadee dee, then sit sit and saw two titmice foraging in a large liveoak. Then I heard a call dut-dut-dut and saw courtship feeding take place. The [illegible] extended food in his bill to the ? who fluttered her wings and continued to do so silently on the same perch for several seconds after he left. The ? had a black crest, white facehead, ? not seen closely. ? fluttered wings and gave sit-sit-sit in rapid sequence as ? approached, call intensified to dut-dut-dut as ? drew near... I moved then to east side of oaks as I made ready to take her, then flew across creek into blackbrush. I caught up with them inside there and witnessed "courtship" feeding again, the male extending his food laden bill while hanging upside down. ? led into large oak and then into blackbird E calling vet-vet-vet from there. ? seemed more interested in foraging, silent. ? flew to small oak E and then I lost track of bird until I saw presumed ? in oaks yards E. He moved along as though slow foraging, calling sit infrequently. I had seen a bird which may have been the ?
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Pama Mch 30. Spring Creek. fly to a large stump in clearing to E. My guess was that incubation was underway and that the F had returned to that activity. The M did not sing as other love males seen earlier. I drove W to the area where I had hunted 8:05-8:35 and worked through the open post oak (with occasional blackjack oak) from 10:45 - 11:05 - no advance activity. There is a remote possibility that this bird may have abandoned the territory. I fired a gun in that vicinity at 8:00 and again just before 11:00 shooting at Nyctidromus; this might have frightened the thrumer into silence. The wind increased after 9:00, blowing loose oak leaves along the ground. Mch 31. CLOUDING IN, CALM. I reached N-S trending fork of creek at 7:15 and crossed, working S on E bank. Exchange of song peto -- from S of area where I had worked yesterday but silence by 7:25 when I crossed gully. I worked farther S in that cleared area then turned W toward the creek and circled N across gully and back into Territory near road at 7:30. BREEZE from E at 7:45 - Roads had cleared. At 7:55 I was standing under post oak 75 ft N of snag where I thought nest might be - I heard Teit and then song peen --- and saw a perfect Black-cosied T.Thrusae with food in beak in top of that post oak. He shifted perch uneasily, then flew E to twin persky
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Mar 31, Spring Creek 100 ft away giving sit sit in flight. He sang from a branch there, then disappeared. Then sit sit in flight as 2 titmice flew N across road and foraged in small meaquites. They moved N out of my sight. I moved across the road to two small post oaks, due W of the suspected nest tree. No titmouse activity until 8:13 when I heard 'swh dub dub' call SW of me. At 8:14 a movement and I saw a titmouse fly into the E tree - it moved toward the central crotch by degrees and entered a cavity there. Then I heard song peer -- -- but couldn't see singer. At 8:17 same song from W toward the creek. WIND STRONGER to 8-10 mph. The next site tree was in an L shaped clump of 2 post oaks and 2 blackjacks, being the apex tree. It is about equi-distant from creek and windwill and I'll refer to it as the 'windwill nest' hereafter. I walked S for 15 minutes, approaching a treeless deep cut portion of the creek. I turned west, then heard song kick-kick-kick -- -- (in 5a and 6a) and located singer at 8:40 in a live oak 40 ft high - bird sang same song (clearer peer -- once). I watched him in binoculars, definitely a black-crested type with forehead whitish. His song continued until 8:46 by which time he had moved to the E part of that large tree - notes sit sit sit either from that part of the oak or from farther E seemed to be from a second bird (titmouse?). The singer moved E to an oak 20 yards away I believe and continued song. There were plaintive sit sit notes
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KDixon 1951 Parus Mar. 31. Spring Creek, 6 1/2 mi ENE Skidmore, Bee Co., Texas from mesquite growth in between 2 oaks & saw stopped. At 9:52 both (?) had moved W and a black-crested was calling vet vet vet from smaller live oak adjoining to N. It moved into large oak calling vet vet then plaintive set set was from branches on E side again. I cared so no bird here & other moved N and was silent. I cared see no cavity in branches on E side & am puzzled by this incident. CLOUDS MOVING IN FROM S at 9:00. I walked W to what apparently was the junction of two forks of Spring Creek, then N along the branch I had been working on, through the livesake to the road where I was parked. On the E bank about 75 ft S of the road at 9:17 I started to whistle and must have startled a towmouse in so doing. This bird in a continuous canopy of liveoak foliage gave a call see dub dub dub dub (repeated twice) then moved S in front of me calling set infrequently. The bird apparently was alone. Aransas River, 5 1/2 mi. ENE Skidmore, Bee Co., Texas I drove along the pipeline roadway to theriver, a point about 400 yards downstream from the bridge, reaching this area about 3:40. I walked along the N bank to the first tributary, then up that creek 150 yards or so to the N then inland, crossing the creek at a broken wooden bridge and working downstream on the E side in mesquite, cattlaw and blackbrush. WINDY, birds little in evidence. At 4:10 I crossed to the W bank opposite where I had seen a singing towmouse on March 18. A flock of small birds was foraging
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Mar 31 Aransas River, 5 1/2 mi ENE Skidmore, Bee Co., Texas in some elm? trees there, among them 2 Tmice identified by sight, not voice. They foraged there for a few minutes during which time I could not keep both of them in sight. One was blackish-crested, the other I didn't see. The former led the way to some blackbrush to the N, then again to growth across the stream as I approached. I followed up but couldn't locate the birds. Their only calls were soft pet pet. This is the area occupied by one of my "unmated males". I left at 4:40. Apr 1 Clouds came in during early morning hours and the sky was completely overcast at daybreak, remaining so until noon. The breeze came up from the S after 8:00 but not so strongly as on preceding days. The day was fairly warm, 68F at 6:30 am. I left the house at 6:30, walking to the creek S of the barn. No Tmice calls from that area so I walked upstream on the S bank, reaching the pipeline at 7:00. From there I walked S along the E fence of the Driscoll property. At a brown metal gate, the apparent entrance to the Rodriguez property I heard Tmice song peta peta to the east of the fence. I turned W toward the live oaks along the road leading S from the bridge. Crossing this road I proceeded NW in an area with dead brush scattered about, thoroughly "chained." At 7:20 I heard song peta peta north of me; I located the singer in the last liveoaks before reaching the riverbank woodland. There were two Tmice present and I stalked them patiently. The ♂ changed his song
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Paris April 1. Aransas River, 3 mi ENE Skidmore, Bee Co., Texas to tree tree tree for a while. I saw no evidence of feeding of the ♀ by the ♂. Both birds kept tacked by location notes. One, then the other flew to a small oak along a gully and I took ♀, then ♂. The ♀ (#523) had a shell-less egg in the oviduct, possibly having laid an egg earlier in the day. I preserved her ovary in Bouins fluid. Later I determined that the point where I took these birds was about midway between the bridge and the area where I took a ♂ (#498) from a pair on March 26. The pair taken here might have been the pair noted as noon on March 17 in liveoaks to the S. At 7:55 I walked W through the area where #498 was taken but was unable to get my bearings. I continued west to the fence diagramed on March 26 (the west fence line runs at about 235° compass). I walked along this fence past where I had taken #497 to a streambed, the second one of any size tributary to the Aransas on its S bank upstream from the bridge. I am now certain of my bearings and feel positive that #498 and 497 were mates. I started E along the fence then heard song “peer-peer” from N of the fence at 8:15. I followed the bird around after it came near when I squealed (gun left S of fence) I watched the bird for several minutes as it sang incessantly, a “Black-crested” type. Having failed to get a shot at a solitary bird on March 25 100 yds S of here & then seeing a Wmance ♂ alone, singing steadily made me believe that he was unmated. I went after
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April 1 Aransas River, 5 1/2 mi ENE Skidmore, Bee Co., Texas my shotgun and, knowing that I was trespassing, fired hastily three times. I lost track of the bird and fear that he was wounded and lost. I retraced my steps along the S bank, getting my landmarks and locating the area where I had taken #498, listening but hearing no townee call. I went E and relocated the point where I had taken 523-524. It was now 9:20 and I walked SE through the liveoaks to the corner gate at the end of the road (mapped in my journal for March 19) [I had heard townee song there after 7:00 am this morning] I heard song peta peta and crawled under fence S of road moving S through the mesquite for several hundred yards. It became evident to me that two birds were exchanging songs; they appeared to be moving S, within 50 yards of the Rodriguez fence. One singer at 9:40 moved a bit NW of the other continuing its song but weakly keeping ahead of me as I tried to stalk it. It shifted perch several times, once flying 20 yards or so W, but keeping up its song. When I was in sight the bird gave see see a "fear note" then alternated see tee (not plaintive) and peta peta peta the melodious song. (Other bird continued to answer from SE). I finally took the solitary bird (#525) with a half load. (This may have been the individual I fired at farther W on March 25). I went over to the fence and walked S, following the singing of which moved S in oaks and mesquite a few yards west of
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April 1. Aransas River, 5 1/2 mi ENE Skidmore, Bee Co., Texas the Rodriguez fence. It moved at a rapid pace singing steadily, accompanied by quatrachus, warbles, and another thrush. I finally caught up with them and waited until they moved E from mesquite thicket to oak clump along driveway. The male sang from a conspicuous perch and I took the ♀ (#526) pulling the wrong barrel (1/2 load). Her mate flew across the road and sang from the Rodriguez property tree tree tree and peta - - - , steadily for 4 or 5 minutes (estimated). I waited where I had taken the ♀ and finally he returned to sing from there. I shot but didn't get him and he moved S rapidly singing peta peta from one post then the next keeping out of gun range. I finally took him with a half load (#527), shortly before 10:00. I paced the distance N to the gate at 880 yards. No thrush calls along this way as I continued to the river and thence to the house via the N bank. From the house from 11:00 until 1:00 steadily and sporadically in the afternoon I could hear song peta peta peta in the riverbank woodland due S of the house. Unmated ♂ ? April 2. Mission River at Refugio, 50 ft., Refugio Co., Texas, SUNNY, WIND FROM EAST 10 MPH. I walked along the E bank of the river upstream for 150 yards from the highway 77 bridge. Willow and other deciduous trees leafed out, to 40 ft or so in height in some cases. No thrush heard, 7:30 - 7:45.
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K Dixon 1951 Parus Apr. 2 Mission River at Refugio, 50 ft., Refugio Co., Texas I hunted along the creek (or river) S of the railroad bridge from 9:00 am on (I had been County Agent and Sheriff, Mr. Haxdorff and game warden, Mr. W.T. Harris at Court house in Refugio - the thought so we waved both as if I hunted along the river). I found no trace along the W bank of this oil- polluted stream until 9:32 when I heard some soft notes in a grove of trees 50 yards west of the stream. One bird on 18 ft or so above ground pulling off plant fibers apparently from bark - beak free - bird flew N 40 feet, shifted perch several times, disappeared farther N. This individual had a sooty gray crest and whitish forehead; its mate in the same tree when it had been gathering nesting material had a blackish crest and whitish forehead. I did not see it fly. I worked along in the woods, N to the footbridge, S to where I had gathered nest material and generally through the woods. Saw one Carolina Chickadee. At 10:02 I heard very payta payta and 5 minutes later I saw the 2 in a dead tree along the drainage ditch from an oil pump (?) He continued singing until mate appeared from behind one of the trunks - she perched and fluttered wings and gave twitter. 2 flew down behind grape vines and I think mate joined him. I heard twitter, then 2 returned to nest, then flew to trees S of clearing - both birds flew S at 10:10 - I waited there. I couldn't tell exactly where nest cavity was but WIND STRONG FROM EAST in stump of hollow limb about 10 ft. above ground. I walked down through woods & where I had gathered nest material and back to nest 10:20 - 10:35 - no vocalization
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Paris Apr. 2 Mission River at Refugio 50 ft, Refugio Co., Texas I walked S again after 10:40 moving along the riverbank then inland. At 10:48 I heard sit sit then wet wet wet louder and two birds flew into tree adjacent to one where I had gathered nest material earlier. Two birds there; proceeding soon separated and one started to gather nest material, other silent in clumped tree nearby. I took the ♀ (#528) with moss in her beak, then the ♂ which perched motionless in dense twiggery, then shifted to point where I could see him (#529). I collected some plant specimens and checked the distance from point where moss being collected to nest, about 120 yards. The woods here were dense with some trailing vines, the aspect reminding me somewhat of the bottom timber along the Rio Grande. See plant catalogue and journal for further details. I walked a few yards W of the nest tree at 11:20 and heard song and "Tee see suh, suh dat" or "Tee see suh, uhk dat" a call given by the singing bird when I approached within his view. Bird was in scrubby growth (nequitie, a diomnaceous shrub, etc.) NW of the oil refinery or pump; thus about 40 yards W of the nest tree. He sang steadily when I moved back out of view and seemed to be alone. I took him about 11:32 after watching him. - His behavior contrasted to #529. The three birds taken were the only Catnice I saw in this area of something over half a mile of riverbank. I had an impression that the season here was in advance of that on the Granas as far as vegetation was concerned. Left the area at 12:00.
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1 Unmated ♂ N of Driscoll property (Mch.25, April 1) 2 ♀ 492, ♂ 498, almost certainly a mated pair 3 ♂ 498 of a mated pair, ♀ not taken 4 ♀ 523, ♂ 524 probably ranging N from liveoaks. 5 ♀ 525, unmated, ranging N to road (mosquiteliveoak) 6 ♂ 526, ♂ 527 ranging as indicated " " 7 area where song heard April 1, 7:05 a.m. 8 Solitary ♀ March 18, pair March 31 (♂ the mate of #98?) 9 Persistent song April 1,2,3 10 ♂ 514, unmated 11 ♂ 510, ♂ 511 mated pair taken here March 29 perhaps at western edge of territory 12 Persistently singing ♀, Mch 29, 30; April 4. 13 Lone ♂ 515 taken in post oak "savanna" liveoaks 14 "windmill" nest discovered Mch 31 15 Approximate area where singing fitmouse seen Mch 31, April 14 ("giant liveoak") 16 Area where ♂ 534 taken April 4
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Driscoll Ranch bldgs. County road pipeline Driscoll Rodriguez corrigan house Spring Creek Arkansas River 49°35' W 280 15' N
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KDixon 1951 Parus April 2. Avansas River, 5 1/2 mi ENE Skidmore, Bee Co, Texas. During late afternoon (calm, sunny) I did not hear call or song from [illegible] mouse along river S of house. April 13. I did not hear [illegible] mouse in dawn chorus S of house but heard him sing for a while beginning at 6:40. I walked along the N bank of the creek in that area 7:20 - 7:40 but did not hear him. Bird sang again however just prior to 8:00 am. I drove down to the river along the oil line road at 3:45 and commenced mapping. Following notes are per pocket compass reading: fence separating Rodriguez - Driscoll properties runs due N-S. pipeline S of creek runs SW at 200°. Roadway (or firebreak leading NW from road extension and locked gate at Driscoll-Rodriguez line runs at 300° I pored across the bridge to width of the streambank woodlands: N bank E of bridge 60 yards (generous), S bank W bridge, 50 yds. I think the distance on an average varies from 50-75 yds under natural conditions. I noted live oak trees along the S bank below the bridge. April 4 Spring Creek, 6 1/2 mi ENE Skidmore, Bee Co, Texas. SUNNY MORNING, CALM, 50° F at 6:00 am. I drove to the area NE of where I took & 514 (March 30) and N of Territory of 510 and 511, reaching there at 7:10. I walked N slowly and at 7:23 heard song "tree" - - -. I located singer in post oak, perched well up in this leafless tree, erect in the pasture a Wood Porce often assumes. It was 150 yards E and 200 yards N of white corner of fence mentioned previously (distances paced) The bird moved S to a point E of that corner and changed
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K Dixon 1951 Parus April 4, Spring Creek, 6 1/2 mi ENE Skidmore, Bee Co., Calif. its song to the slaver peta peta. It was also singing in this post oak woodland at 8:05. At 8:20 along the tributary to the E sang peta peta (windmills nest area). I walked S through post oak savanna which changed to mesquite - liveoak about 1/2 way to the SE trending main branch of the creek. About 150 yds E of the mouth of the tributary I heard sang tur tur tur in 10 to 11 phrases per song and located the singer keeping well concealed in a liveoak at 8:45 - 5 min later as I started to walk SE toward the giant liveoak 200 yards away, he changed to peer -- -- slower, about 8 or 9 phrases to each burst of song. WIND moderate from SE AFTER 8:15 I heard no thrice in vicinity of big oak visited March 31 and think that singing S to W was the same bird oler than that date. I walked S to where the creek swings SE leaving whitish bluffs to SW. I walked E across mouth of a small tributary across a ridge to a second larger tributary with, however, only scattered liveoaks along its course. Here at 7:20 - it was singing tur -- -- and I followed it along -- peta peta from east of creeklet at 9:25. I managed a shot at this bird with a .38 & missed - it flew to post oak 20 yds E of where I had shot at it calling ver vet vet over & over. Then bird flew S for several trees in succession singing "peer peer peer" keeping ahead of me, singing steadily. Then it flew into liveoak covered with staminate catkins,
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K Dixon 1951 Parus April 4 Spring Creek, 6 1/2 mi. ESE Skidmore, 175 ft., Bee lo, Texas There [illegible] gave series of soft sit-sit-sit notes almost a twitter and simultaneously fluttered its wings. I looked in vain for another [illegible]. This behaviour soon passed off in a few seconds and bird began to forage on cattains -- I took it with a half load, close range at that, at 9:40 Bird #534 had pale crest & most chestnut I have seen on forehead of those taken by me. I walked S to the northward loop of the first oxbow reached traveling downstream (9:55) and gradually worked downstream. I expected to reach a road crossing where I had been on March 28. However, I got crossed up in my plan to return up Spring Creek and instead went up the Arkansas -- I turned N on a stream course which proved to have the road crossing I was seeking -- it lay W Spring Creek. I walked W a few hundred yards to the house, arriving at 11:40. I had heard no [illegible] since taking the one at 9:40 (on March 28 I heard one in the area between Spring Creek and the small stream-course to the W). April 5. Calm, overcast; had rained lightly before dawn. I heard the [illegible] singing periodically from 6:00 - 7:00 am along the Arkansas River S of the house.
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H Dixon 1951 Parus April 7. Colorado River at Austin, 650 ft., Travis Co., Texas From about 9:00 to 9:30 am [windy, sunny], Homer W. Phillips and I walked along the south bank of the stream downstream from the Congress Ave. Bridge. In this area (N of Riverside Dr.) was a narrow riparian or floodplain forest of cottonwood, Acer , and willow near the water's edge. The understory was not well developed. We saw a Blue Jay and Mourning Dove but neither saw nor heard Amice. [I returned to the area, 6:35 - 6:50. Calm. I heard no Amice but saw a Red-bellied Woodpecker ? and a Belted Kingfisher in that area] Phillips and I drove to an area E of town where Walnut Creek joins Colorado River, Travis Co., Texas Here on the N bank there was only a thin fringe of cottonwoods and willows and a few other trees such as Acer along the mouth of the creek. We saw no Amice in the half hour or so we were in there prior to 10:30. We spent about half an hour on Dr. WF Blain's farm N of Walnut Creek several miles. In mixed mesquite - deciduous woodland we heard one titmouse singing hear hear hear but couldn't locate him. We departed at 11:30.
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K Dixon 1951 Paris 4 mi. SW April 7 Barton Creek, 3/4 mi. W Austin, Travis Co., Texas Clean, calm morning. I drove out the Fredericksburg Hwy to the Gaines Ranch on which Univ. Texas biologists are privileged to collect. I was accompanied by a graduate student, Homer W. Phillips. The ranch proper is situated on the edge of the plateau where it is dissected by several small streamcourses. Vegetation of this hilly area was a woodland of cedar (Juniperus mexicana), Spanish oak (Q. texana), liveoaks, hackberry on the uplands. Along the creek bottom grew elms, hackberries and other deciduous trees. We spent about 1/2 hour prospecting in the area and found the Black-created Titmouse rather abundant in the uplands but found no birds in the riparian trees. Carolina Chickadees in uplands as were cardinals, Lark Sparrows. White-eyed Vires along stream. April 8. SUNNY, CALM. I reached the Gaines Farm at 7:00 a.m. and walked down to the creek bottom directly. I walked upstream in the elm grove where Phillips and I had gone yesterday. Two of the birds were carrying on a song exchange in an area of elm-juniper on a shelf at the base of the hill. I followed the S (Black created, forehead white) for 15 minutes, at first merely watching him; later unable to get close enough to take the bird. He sang peterpeterpeter intermittently once gave scold see va vet vet. He used elms as singing posts for the most part, often taking conspicuous perches. I left area at 7:40 walking S to path leading to farmhouse then N along the creek. At 8:00 I heard
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Apr 8 Barton Creek, 4 mi. SW Austin, 500 ft., Travis Co., Texas sorg in elm toward base of hill. I encountered a pair in elm clump surrounded by juniper and watched them momentarily. One dropped into junipers (d) and I took the other, calling sit sit as it fraged (7, 537). I then followed its mate as it fraged in elm shrubs & juniper giving frequent location notes. I missed a rather long shot at it & heard no more of this bird. I walked N after 8:30 and followed a trail up a gentle slope, rock-covered. Shrubs appeared to be poison oak, Rhus trilobata elm, juniper, #410 = Berberis I heard exchange of song and worked across a clearing into an elm grove. Here one bird was singing hear hear hear being answered by peter peter peter to N. Songbird charged to that song. I stalked through underbrush and decaying juniper trees which had been cleared and saw mate of singer in tree and took her (5:38) It continued to sing and I took him also (5:39 d). Trees here predominately elm with Spanish Oak -(juniper had been cut) At 7:15 I walked N and located pair along a stream- course which drained from the W. Vegetation here was Spanish oak - Live oak (juniper had been cut, few elms). I followed this way pair as one bird scolded (?) enk enk over over the nasal vehement call of atricristatus. One fraged in jupiners upslope other 40 ft E in Spanish oak (this bird culled vet vet set sharply several times, received no answer and flew W into juniper thicket where other bird had gone. I was unable to locate them thereafter. Bobwhite Quail a few yards downslope (I flushed)
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Apr 8 Barton Creek, 4 mi. ESE Austin, 500 ft., Travis Co., Texas I remained in that area until 9:55 and heard [illegible] mouse (presumably of the same pair seen 9:30) to N once during this 25 minutes. I retraced my steps paralleling the base of the hill in a general SE direction. I heard two ♀♀ singing in the general area where ♀ 537 was taken but was confused as to that location and the area where I had watched a love bird 7:20-7:40. I reached the path leading to the farm buildings at 10:15. Titmouse singing in juniper-Spanish oak of slope there and others in clearing where residence lies. The density here is marked in comparison to the Guadalupe River county. I left the farm at 10:40 after taking 2 photographs. LIGHT BREEZE intermittent after 8:30 ♀ 537 had brood patch well developed; oviduct diminished in size; ovary preserved in formalin ♀ 538 appeared to be laying or would do so in a day or two largest ovum 7 mm; oviduct larger than ♀ 538 - brood patch not noticeably thickened nor extensive. Apr. 9 HIGH THIN CLOUDS DIMMING SUN; CALM. I reached the Gainer farm at 7:20 and walked to the edge of the flat on which the buildings are situated, the brink of the Barton Creek gorge which is perhaps 100 ft deep. 7:22 Titmouse singing in "cedar" elm on flat; a very very rapid consisting of coupled "bear" notes as bear-bear- bear-bear - etc.: soon shifted to "bear- hear" of usual slower spacing than peter-peter in answer to ♀ to SW. Singer was a typically black-crested bird. His mate
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Apr 9 Barton Creek, 4 mi. SW Austin, 500 ft., Travis Co., Texas flew to a liveoak 20 ft SE and I watched them frage there. Mate gave notes si vu vuut from time to time, a sort of subdued scold type note; also teet - or sang from time to time. The two worked on terminal twigs (liver and catkins new) and on bark of larger limbs. ? with duller crest and creamy cheeknut forehead. What I took to be contour feeding took place once with intensified chuk vu vuut of (?) bird (actual feeding screened from my view). Twice occasionally would be fraging and without warning or evident external stimulus would drop downward or dart 3 to 6 feet lower in tree to a new perch - fraging would be continued as tho without interruption. I walked down the slope along a fence which trended compass E. Near the bottom I heard twice (soft calls) but could not see bird (I think 2 were present). This was along edge of cliff cut by a tributary in area where I had seen thornase on my way out yesterday. I approached from streambottom but saw no sign of the birds. At 7:55 I started N in canyon bottom. 8:06 song N of stake labeled "90" - thornase in junipers with a few elms and liveoak at stake "78" seen -- --- very fast and peter peter (rarely). Bird flew southerly at 8:15 changed direction when it saw me flying instead to elm east. Chee chi vu vuut vuut vuut scold flat not the piercing stucriculate note (this at 8:15) bird flew S and sang as before from there. Silent at 8:22 - song resumed 4 minutes later farther S. Tried to stalk this bird but
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K Dixon 1951 Parus Apr. 9 Barton Cr, 4 mi SW Austin, 500 ft., Travis Co., Texas it flew N again and I gave up the chase at 8:35. This 8 had been exchanging song with a bird farther S. I worked S to the fence, heard song from the mouth of the tributary canyon and spent some time calling up other birds. I started down the canyon at 9:00. There was a thrush singing on the N side of the creek in junipers but not steadily. I worked downstream and spent a few minutes in collecting a blue jay. One thrush downstream was singing rather frequently. In this area there was a rocky bluff about 50 ft high on the S side of the creek and a gentle slope to the N. Above the cliff was a dense woodland of juniper, elm, and Spanish oak while a fringe at the base of the cliff included oaks. There were a few sycamores along the creek as well - large rocks in streamcourse, not a running stream at present. I located a thrush singing steadily in tall timber and took him at 9:40 (#54). As I walked upstream I heard a song exchange between the 8 at the mouth of the tributary and the one on the N bank. I ran down the latter; bird scolding me in sycamore having moved downstream - yet not yet. Bird believed to be a thrush flew across creek (broad here at bend). Individual I was watching flew a nos also, to juniper and then oak at top of cliff - sang from there. I started up the hill at 10:00.
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KDixon 1951 Apr 8-9 Parus Barton Cr, 4 mi. SW Austin, 500 ft., Travis Co., Texas (sketch from memory April 10 - not drawn to scale) 1 2 4 3 approx hill base of Fence tall deciduous Tall trees Barton Cr. To Gaines Farm Bldgs. 8 5 6 7 Cliff US Hgwy 290 in this vicinity (1) Area inhabited by a pair 9:00-9:20 Apr. 8 in cedar elm juniper, Spanish oak, liveoak (2) Pair adjacent to S (#538♀, 539♂) (3) Area occupied by singing ♂(alone) 8:00-8:30 Apr 9 (7:30 Apr 8?) (4) ? Area where 537♀ taken April 8 (5) Area occupied by singing ♂(paired?)*7:45 Apr. 9 (6) Area where (probable) pair seen, 9:50 Apr. 9 (7) 541♂ unmated taken in adjacent territory down stream (8) Pair observed 7:30 April 9 at brink of canyon (territory adjacent to (5)) [Another ♂ singing to W of (8)]
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KDixon 1951 Parsa alieinalis Apr. 12 1 mi. SW Leon Springs, +1200ft, Bexar Co., Texas. I visited this area, approximate type locality of P.A. sannatti Ridgway, accompanied by David J. Bullock, an elderly collector now residing in San Antonio. We were granted permission to hunt there by the lessee, proprietor of the B-29 Cafe in Leon Springs. The slopes in the area over which I hunted, 7:00 am to 10:30 am were covered with a dense woodland of low juniper trees with liveoaks and Spanish oaks scattered among them. The Black-cated Titmouse was a common bird in here - I did some poor shooting with Mr. Bullock's .22 -410 and let 2 fly escape me. During the next hour I hunted in Spanish oaks along a brook and in an area of grove of Taller oak and elms along a creek. Here I took a silent member of one pair, the bird proving to be a ♀ (#545) and the noisy member of another pair, a ♂ (#546). Their mates escaped in each case. The area appears somewhat similar to the uplands above Barton Creek in Travis County, possibly a bit drier. Common birds of the area included Scrub-jay (1 taken) Carolina Chickadee Golden-cheeked Warbler Ruby-crowned Kinglet Halden-throated Whippoorwill Nemrut Thrush Field Sparrow Lark Sparrow Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
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K Dixon 1951 Parus atricristatus Apr. 13 Sabins Ranch, 5 mi. N Kerrville, Kerr Co., Texas Clear, calm, 7:50 am. Hilly country cut by creeks with leafless sycamores in bottom. No running water. Carolina Chickadee singing Turkey Crowns in area. Titmouse pair in oaks at base of hill S of creek - "courtship" feeding sit sit sit and wing flutter of & chuk chuk dub dub dub as D near with food 8:01 9 on low limb see but over over with wing flutter - continued after D sang peer - - - - 7 apparently foraging for herself - rusty blackish crest while forehead (broad) & flew 25 yds to creek at 8:03 & flew there & sang (answer from creek SE). I crossed main branch there - singing bird was on slope to E separated by a planted field so I left there and worked SW. Titmouse along fence crossing of creek moved NW onto hillslope S of pair seen at 8:00 They exchanged song after 8:15 (song also from W around hill.) Bird D was following seemed to be alone - sang steadily even after neighbors had ceased - at 8:20 flew SW along slope At 8:30 I located singing bird to W along tributary near road crossing - & fed begging more than sang peer - - - - Titmouse down stream gave vehement vet vet set vet over men seemingly alone this bird may have been kind seen to E Song tur tur - - - at 8:33 no bird now E from tributary below W pair No Titmice as I wacked N until 9:43-9:45 when pair in area between main branch & tributary & singing alternately with bird E of planted field - these the 8:00 Titmice WIND FROM W came up suddenly ±10 mph I walked up hill to N (W main branch of creek)
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K Dixon 1951 Parus atricristatus Apr 13 Sabine Ranch, 5 mi. N Kerrville, Kerr Co., Texas There were juniper and Spanish oak, the latter not in leaf in contrast to those at bases of hills. I heard singing thr -- on this slope just W bluff of creek at 8:47 I worked W then N to top of hill & circled E to edge. (c#) 9:08 song thr thr thr from SE. At 9:10 song from below to del del del det in answer from crest then thr ten in answer to tree tree tree 7551 9:30 9:10 9:10 plowed field 8:550 8:549 10:00 N 8:47 8:00 Pair 8:15 Jody 8:05 8:30 pair
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Apr. 13 Sabina Ranch Song exchange continued until 9:17 -- bird on slope continued peer -- -- and bird on flat gave vet vet vet, This exchange continued until 9:30 when I took the bird on the slope. It had been singing almost continuously, the bird along the creek answering intermittently. However the latter sang peta-peta peta-peta 9:33-34. Titmouse singing in area S of men's barnd and E of field at 9:40 At 9:45 I found one in juniper clump there -- it gave call redeck redeck and widich widich widich grating calls -- bird hopped about in junipers WIND STRONGER again Caroline Chickadee singing in same trees Titmouse silent by 9:49 but gave a "redeck" call at 9:53 from same juniper clump. At 9:55 song cheer -- -- from upstream bird in juniper answered immediately, Tur -- -- -- -- a dozen syllables per song -- another Titmouse seemed to be calling as he sang 9:56 singer in Spanish oak NE song from upstream faint -- chickadee cut as he sang I flew back & then pounded like a battle into the juniper clump see see vuk dut and det det det gurgling call of P. carolinensis and sure to see song of that bird. Cause of contention I could not see butamise vehement -- I took one bird after singing chickadee had moved E and waited for the second to come into view. Aftermy first shot, silence prevailed for a minute or so then it began to sing peer peer peer and chickadee called to E After several minutes I shot the o
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K Dillon 1951 Parus atricristatus Apr 13 Sabin's Ranch, 5 mi N Kerrville, Kerr Co., Texas the same dead liversake from in the middle of the juniper clump - (I had to climb 15 ft after both birds). I was impressed with the actions of this male as contrasted to those of the bird taken on the opposite slope. This ♂ sang infrequently, only in answer to other ♂♂ as a rule - otherwise he was silent and not especially active. The quarrel seemed to be with a pair of chickadees possibly over a nest site - No further song upstream - I started for them at 10:35 and soon heard song peer - - Then further over petu or petta - -. The singer downstream SW (at N end of clearing) became silent but bird to S (N of tributary) sang on. I sat down E of where he was in juniper-oak at 10:40 ek ek of thrasher simultaneously nears to me - his mate? I worked W from stocktrail & then S toward tributary. At 10:45 : thrasher commenced call there are see yet or exceedingly rapid as it hopped about in several leafless oaks in succession (I knelt in open 50 ft away all this while) no answering calls At 10:49 bird flew to liversake 40 ft NW called once then sit sit then hammering ensued (rather tooq) than the call resumed. There were continued for several minutes - At 10:49 I started S & crossed tributary and a minute later, calls changed to song "cheer cheer cheer - --" No answer from S. Song continued steadily as I walked S at 11:03 No activity in oaks S of creek so I walked S into clearing,
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KDixon 1951 Parus atricristatus Apr. 13 Sabins Ranch, 5mi.N Kerrville, Kerr Co., Texas In this clearing, a "bench" between the edge of the hill and the creek, cart 15 ft deeper. The trees had been burned off in this field 50 yds wide. When I was about 125 yds S of the tributary I heard a scolding vet vet vet from oak to W and saw a bird there. No flew E to a juniper on the bank of the creek and sang softly peer peer peer from there. Within about 15 seconds his mate called net vet from oak from which he had flown. She flew to join him & both moved E at 11:07 WIND STRONGER AFTER a calm hour I crossed creek and tried to follow but they moved N & I lost them in vicinity of the only juniper on the W bank at 11:13. Darker N -- at 11:20 drove I left at 10:55 singing E of stocktrail & N of tributary - exchange of song with bird to SE - I believe this may be the bird from S along the creek. I stalked the singer tur tur tur over & over, seemed to be alone. I shottered him with a ducl .38 load; he flew : N into another Spanish oak, then resumed song - I waited and shot him with a .410 but looked in vain for the corpus - I did not see him fall & presume the load was too weak to kill. I started S at 11:45. A few minutes later I approached the same juniper tree & heard calls, one bird in sycamore trees on stream and song peer peer peer from E. Bird in sycamore moved into juniper next to S and I watched it, then turned to watch two other Atrice upstream in a third juniper (lower on bank) one of those sang while the other flew to Spanish oak 15 ft NW
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Pamus atricristatus Apr 13 Sabine's Ranch I took the latter, wounding her (552), then took him also as he flew to where the wounded bird lay crying (I wounded him, broken right wing) Both cried out calls which I did not record, perhaps land fear calls (?) As they cried out a third thrush moved about overhead calling dub dub dub dub and dub dub dub dub much agitated. Another thrush called dub dub dub from junipers E of brook (running here). I was unable to reload in time to take these birds. They did not return when I squealed. At 12:00 I heard dub dub dub from oaks W clearing and later a scold from junipers E. While these 4 birds had been assembled here I heard song farther upstream. Further notes - the wounded bird picked at his broken wing much agitated and I suspect more afraid of his inability to fly then from pain [in preparing birds, I found that I was tired with broken right wing - both dropped at same point and I confused the two subsequently]. T = 552. Toleration of intruders? by birds which were laying intrigues puzzles me. Aerial photo taken Jan 26, 1946 Contractor's number DDH-9-29 T-7 is reference number in file, Production and Marketing Admin. Office, Courthouse, Keenville. I traced a section of the aerial photo, counting the above office and the County Surveyor, Mr. Kuykendall.
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KDixon 1951 Parus atricristatus Apr 13 Sabins Ranch, 5 mi. N Kerrville, Kerr Co., Texas stock trail burned clearing cultivated (1) ♂ 551 taken in Spanish oak woodland 4:30 (2) lone male 10:40-11:05 arrow shows where fired at, 11:30 (3) area where song given in answer to (2) (4) point near junipers where ♂ 552, ♂ 553 taken ± 11:50 two other titmice believed to be in area - bird at (3) sang simultaneously ♂ 551 may or may not have been the bird which sang at 8:47 I left area about 12:50 (ten minutes before, I found song up stream ±50 yards from where I saw 8:00 birds.)
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KDixon 1951 Parus atricristatus Apr. 14 Sabine Ranch, 5 mi. N Kerrville, Kerr Co., Texas Dead calm, sunny. At 6:45, half an hour after sunrise I drove along road and crossed the westernmost creek mapped. 3 of western pair singing as wax male on slope NE (N of white outcrop) and δ to E (the lone δ of yesterday probably). I watched the middle δ for 5 min. as he sang from uppermost vertical twig of an oak but saw no mate then. Song peta -- and twir -- -- (rapid) 7:15 3 females on slope E plowed field singing twir -- -- another in canyon to S and third on juniper covered crown of that hill N of middle birds' position. I followed latter who flew to rule E of ridge at 7:19 This bird neither called nor sang subsequently. I worked S hoping to hear him or the δ to the S but no activity detected by 7:40. I walked along the W base of that hill E of the plowed field moving up to the crest and down to the N base to within sight of the juniper clump where I took 549 & 550 yesterday. There at 7:55 a tomurax scolded & I followed it S. Closest is after 8:00 -- At 8:05 exchange of Song by two birds W creek and I thought song also by bird S of me -- I started in that direction, then at 8:10 heard a cold wetet wetet wetet or redeck -- from juniper which flew out of lone juniper) at the edge of field. Bird moved NE, scolding; I did not follow but inspected juniper and found no trace of cavity. This bird did not participate in songfying (when seen at 7:55 it had given aee aiva dut dut call) W ND from S, 2 - 8 mph
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KDixon 1951 Parus atricristatus Apr. 14 Sabina Ranch, SM & H Kerrville, Kerr Co., Texas At 8:20 along tributary S of plowed field Atrornes sang thr ---- accompanied by mate - I led up slope to Spanish oaks on E side of steep brook where Atrornes had disappeared at 7:19 call dut dut ----- from there over top after 8:25 (heard from slope to S, opposite) I worked the bluff S of the tributary, stunted Spanish oaks, until 8:37 - no trace of a Atrornes. I came down to the brook and then upstream about 75 yards to where I heard Atrornes calls. Scolding birds were in oaks on S face on either side of a shallow recess chuk dub dut vehement on both sides. I tried to see the bird to W (I thought 1 there, 2 E) and that bird retreated to W - then E bird (neither scolding bird seen) started to sing peer ---- I endeavored to follow W bird (silence except for that song at 8:42) I heard Atrornes 25 yds W in brookside trees and saw courtship feeding twice within the minute after 8:45. (to investigate upstream pair) I started up canyon and heard song & scold simultaneously from N slope opposite scene of squabble - then scold from W and a melee involving four birds in low oak brush with vehement scolds but no song. This at 8:49. I proceeded downstream but heard no Atrornes on S side Song from up canyon at 8:55, then silence. The bawdry dispute between those two pairs really occurred on the next hill E of ridge E of plowed field. Vegetation largely Spanish oak, the juniper where present cleared out for most part. I started W toward main branch of creek at 9:02
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Apr 14 Sabins Ranch, However I heard song at W end of ridge S of that tributary so I followed it up entering the next canyon to S. At 9:06 chek del det det a scold repeated over over from Spanish oaks at Y in canyon. At 9:08 a clear melodious tur tur tur --- 6 to 9 phrases per volley, amplified by narrowness of canyon no doubt. The singer took a cautious perch then I heard a sip as its mate flew down across canyon - singer followed & continued song steadily until 9:15. 2 min later I was admonished for disturbing the pair as I walked thru patch of scrubby oak (postoak?) on flat between 2 tributaries. 9:25 bird upstream on westernmost tributary singing tur -- tur --- - (pita --- from down canyon to W) Former moved upslope into junipers W and was still singing then at 9:30. I picked up gun & arced S over field & worked up E side At 8:47 song from base of hill where I had followed bird at 7:55 At 9:55 rapid tur tur tur faster there and persistent song from along the creek, one near, other distant; (low bird) 9:00 pair of yesterday I believe). Same rapid tur --- - from oak-juniper 25 yds SE upslope from where I took pair 549-55D yesterday - bird moved N at 10:03. It commenced to sing again at 10:07 and moved 20 yds E a minute later. As I moved N along the creek I could hear it sing from time to time. I walked upstream in a leisurely fashion but heard no bird until 10:25. The much shot - at S of the tributary farthest N was singing then; bird to E sang alternately.
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Apr. 14. Sabine Ranch, I crossed the creek and worked across a flat and up a slope covered mostly with Spanish oaks and a few junipers. I located the bird singing the rapid tur ---- ; occasionally a slower cadence more like peer-peer-peer. Bird sang intermittently as though stimulated by song upstream, across, and down- stream. I followed along W unwilling to peg him as unmated. At 10:47 in dense juniper tree where he had been singing I heard a twitter & watched a bird forage now & then, mostly giving a soft siver out. The other bird flew into the tree but seemed wary of me; both worked up tree but he did not feed her, singing once in answer to S downlope to S & W. I left & noted their location as compass SE of mouth of tributary. That bird continued to sing rather steadily. I worked across the creek & back to the territory S of the one discussed above. The singing listened to now worked along a bench above the "floodplain", juniper-covered and crossed the first brook S. He sang there rather steadily from 11:10 - 11:15 answered chiefly by the bird to the S (one not investigated previously I judged). This bird sang for 5 minutes more as I chased a lizard. His song was peer -- most of the time. At 11:25 I approached the tributary to the N where I had shot at lone bird yesterday at this time. A thrasher was singing in oak-juniper patch between tributary and the burned clearing WIND STRONG FROM SOUTH I started along S bank of tributary and heard a thrasher N of this brook perhaps 40 yards upstream from
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Apr 14. stocktrail crossing. There was an alternation of calls by two birds each calling see so vut vut, not especially agitated. The bird in position D was along steep bank cut by tributary here & moved W at 11:35. wooded live oaks stocktrail MAIN BRANCH The other bird moved N I was very wary, probably the bird shot at yesterday. I left at 11:40, walking S along the edge of the burned clearing & crossing over E to juniper where rain taken yesterday. I went downstream to the bend and then up the bank & followed a singing bird at the point where a J had been at 10:00 today. This thrumme sang very softly Tun Tun Tun (not rapid) He became aware of me & flew NW into oaks near edge of plowed field. I followed up and he flew across the creek calling see vut vut vut -- all the while. He resumed song momentarily I was answered by a bird upstream I shot at him but the distance was too great & he merely shifted perch called toip see see see (fear call) & disappeared. I paced off the distance from N end of plowed field to creek J to S of the Sand along E fence
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1 pair, 8:30 Apr 13; ♂ sang 6:45, Apr 14. 2 ♂ singing, 6:50, 9:25, 12:20, Apr 14 3 ♂ singing 8:15, Apr. 13 heard on 4 pair, 8:00, Apr 13 } Apr. 14 5 ♂ singing, 8:47, Apr. 13 possibly same individual 6 ♂ 551 taken 9:30, Apr. 13} 7 ♀ 549, ♂ 550 taken 10:00, Apr. 13 8 ♂, 7:55, 9:55, (2:00, Apr. 14 9 ♂, 7:15; pair, 8:20, 8:45, Apr. 14 10 pair, 8:49, Apr. 14 11 pair, 9:10, Apr. 14 12 ♀ 552, ♂ 553 taken 11:55, Apr. 13 13 pair flew E to creek at 11:07, Apr. 13; bird which scolded when pair taken at 12 flew west from creek to point 12 11:55, Apr. 13. Position NE at 11:25, Apr. 14 may have been this pair. 14 Lone ♂ shot at about 11:40, Apr. 13; heard singing 10:25, 11:25, Apr. 14. 15 Area where individual exchanged calls with bird at 14 prior to 11:35, Apr. 14 - (pair located there ??) 16 Pair seen 10:47, Apr. 14 17 Persistently singing ♂ 11:10 - 11:20, Apr. 14 (mated ??) 18 Approximate position from which song heard answering 17 Conclusion: 9 known pairs 5 probable bachelors (2,3,6,8,14) 4 unknowns (5 [probably = 6], 15, 17, 18)
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KDixon 1951 Parus atricristatus Apr. 14 Sabins Ranch, 5 mi. N Kerrville, Kerr Co., Texas
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K Dixon 1951 Parus atricristatus Apr. 14. Sabins Ranch, 5 mi. N Kerrville, Kerr Co., Texas This distance = 476 yards. At 12:20 [illegible] mouse singing steadily on slope W the westernmost tributary where I had gone at 9:25. No other [illegible] mouse song thereabouts. Study area approx 248 acres KLD V-23-52
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KDixon 1951 Parus Apr. 15. Onion Creek 2 mi. S Delvale, Travis Co., Texas Gray overcast, calm. I reached this area (visited briefly with Edward Kincaid Apr. 8) at 8:45 a.m. There was a bend here where the stream had cut a high bank. Tall willows, cottonwoods, and other deciduous trees grew along the banks. At 9:05 I succeeded in getting a glimpse of a towmouse I had heard singing. The bird foraged in willow & did not sing while I watched it (I'm not sure it was a ?). Its crest was black & forehead white. It sang faintly -- -- before I approached the area and left -- -- later. I worked upstream to point where log lies across the creek where we saw a similar bird last Sunday. No t/mouse activity 9:05 - 9:25 - I was unable to see the towmouse downstream by 9:43 so I drove E. I noted towmice in/ulus along the road near the intersection 10:00 - 10:10.
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K Dixon 1951 Parus atricristatus Apr 17 Barton Creek, 4 mi SW Austin, 500 ft, Travis Co, Texas Partial overcast observed sun; calm. Titmouse called see see sa set set set from near buildings at edge of hill territory where I had watched pair previously). Was impressed with the nasal quality and sharpness of this call. I walked N along the base of the hill to the vicinity of stake # 41 (the only Titmice heard were at the base of the hill N of the path I descended). In this area which lay to the east of the draw where I had seen the pair in territory N a pair taken Apr 8 (538,539), I followed an individual ♂ for half an hour. I found him very wary as he sang in answer to ♂ NE. However this bird sang steadily as an unmated ♂ often will. I finally took a shot at him but apparently the distance was too great for a half load. I think he may have been the mate of the ♀ 537 taken Apr 8. From 8:00 - 10:00 I hunted in areas farther N with no success. I wounded 2 ♂♀ which escaped and found others difficult to stalk. This area seemed to have more live oaks than those I had worked in previously; perhaps because they were on higher ground of different drainage properties. At 10:00 I worked down the draw to where I had seen the pair N of 538-539's territory on Apr 8 but I did not hear any titmice in this area. I worked N again along that trail where I had wounded the first ♂ and encountered a pair of titmice in a grassy clearing
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Apr. 17 Barton Creek at 10:25. One bird ascended me from the NE corner of this Clearing, then flew SW into elm-Spanish oak grove. The underbrush was thick and I was unable to stalk the pair successfully. I saw the ♂ foraging, then flying to where the ♀ chattered and I assumed that this was feeding of the ♀ during an inattentive period. I was reminded by this case that I have not heard a ♂ of a pair sing during such inattentive periods in contrast to the song of ♂ P. inornatus , which I interpreted as an attempt to direct the ♀ back to her incubation duties. I walked across through brush & woods a few yards to the rocky dry Streambed. Subsequently on the opposite side I heard song of a bird which appeared to be alone. It sang for several minutes from oaks on the E bank, then flew W to willows(?) on W bank. It moved inland 30 or 40 yds and I wasn't able to stalk it. Bird flew back E quickly & then changed song with ♂ further W (⊗ of pair had seem ⏺ 10:25 - ?) After 11:30 I worked downste am to the bend where the creek flows E (point where path from top of hill reaches creek). I heard brief periods of song from both sides of the creek but wasn't able to track down the singers. At 12:10 ♂ sang from point indicated on chart Fence= x = ① then moved E among junipers along path indicated by double ② line. At 12:20 Two pairs were
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K Dixon 1957 Parus Apr. 17 Barton Cr., 4 mi. SW Austin, 500 ft., Travis Co., Texas involved in a vocal exchange. The ♂ of the pair was in plain view and I could hear his mate in brush W his perch. I took him (#564); she called from further W then worked E, calling see out out & I was unable to locate her. The other pair retired to W across the stream & quieted down. I walked up the hill and heard [illegible] song at old house and answer to SW at 12:35,
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Apr. 24. Aransas River, 5 1/2 mi. ENE Skidmore Bee Co., Texas - overcast, calm. At 5:45 a.m. [illegible] singing along river S of L[illegible] hone - peta -- and terry -- -. Sang intermittely during the next hour. Spring Creek, 6 1/2 mi. ENE Skidmore, Bee Co., Texas 6:55 - [illegible] singing rapid tur --- NE of where march 30. #514 taken on I approached him cautiously and found him singing from conspicuous perch intop of an oak tree. I took this bird (#594) at 7:12. He had been singing tur -- and peta -- and was answered by a bird to the W. I followed the latter & found him in grove oak near where 514 taken (N of fence). The bird flew to a mesquite & too-up tree wh resumed singing; when I moved toward him he scolded yet -- -- and flew SW to live oak where I could n't see him & kept up this call for fully 6 minutes. I moved E & took a Fork Sharrow ; he moved downstream ? I stalked him again after 7:40 but he moved to live oak on W bank & I left him there singing. WIND FROM SE after 8:00, to 10 mph. I crossed the N tributary and wandered among oaks, resecting the windmill nest at 8:44 -- no activity by 9:04 so I walked toward creek and S along E bank. Inreached the quely running in from the E tributary at 9:07 and then heard song peta -- but was not sure of the direction. I walked S toward the large live oak where I had seen him ? on several occasions, arriving at 9:25. I was within the area over which he ranged (see March 31, 8:40 am; Apr 4, 6:45 a.m.) for 20 minutes and did not hear any song.
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K Dixon 1951 Paris Apr. 24 Spring Creek, 6 1/2 mi. EN/E Skidmore, 175 ft., Bee Co., Texas I walked N to windmill and worked about in posted "savanna" there. I heard no thrice except a burst of song at 10:07. The wind was so strong that I couldn't determine direction so I departed at that time. I did not hear the ? along the river ? of house sing at any time during the day. Apr. 25 Cloudy with wind from SE; a few raindrops now and then. At 7:20, thrice sang peer -- (8 or 9's) from about E bank of tributary 100 yds N road (NW windmill next) Answer from S of road Bird to N sang rather steadily for next 8 min.; southern bird infrequently. I did not see former nor did I hear other thrice within. At 7:30 (he) sang from W bank or if that was another thrice, he did not answer. Nothing further here by 7:35 No activity S of road until I heard song to S while standing at the gully - I followed up and located two 8's; one SW of other in blackjack, other 75 yds NE of where I had seen "big liveoak" ? (bird not found yesterday). 7:55 both in same trees exchanging song birdich of NW, ridicle (in 5 's) by bird NE' of me. Silent by 8:00 then song resumed by bird farther W while E bird retained his post - I stalked him and he stopped singing and gave infrequent notes text and started to move SE in scrubby liveoake. I took him (#596). This bird probably is the one I seen to SE, Mch 31 and April 4
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Parus Apr. 25. Spring Creek, 6 1/2 mi. ENE Skidmore, Bee Co., Texas I walked N, reaching windmill nest at 8:20. I circled that area to N & back to creek at 8:45 - no calls. I climbed tree and looked down into vertically-opening cavity but could see nothing inside. Reddish brown fecal castings, possible of raccoon nested in notch a few inches from opening. After 9:00 am I walked N along W bank of tributary running N-S I detected no thrush calls in half an hour there. 9:37 - 9:45 - no calls nor song from along creek informing territory of the late #514. Showers intermittent. Apr. 27. Overcast; breeze from SE scarcely noticeable although there were strong gusts occasionally, I listened along the creek for 3 or 4 minutes after 8:00 but heard no song where #514 had his territory. I walked to the windmill nest at 8:25 climbed the tree and found that I could see no more details with a flashlight than without. I circled through the post- oaks near the windmill and worked both banks of the tributary from gully to S beyond deep gully to N of road. I remained in area until 9:15 and heard no thrushes. I am certain that if there had been a family party in the area, I would have located it under those conditions.
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K Dixon 1951 Paris Apr 26. 2 mi SE Mission Valley, Victoria Co, Texas - Reached this area about 10:00, crossing the Guadalupe at Victoria & going west +/- 1/2 mi, then driving NW for 11 miles or so and turning left on Farm Rd. 1510. The area was a scattered post oak tree in a pasture. I was turning the car around and heard a song Thr -- ; I located the singer in a dead tree +/-4 ft high beside the road. In his beak was a dangling food object. He continued singing and I waited a few seconds. His mate flew onto a perch on this snag and I took her (#604). The st was silent for moment, then resumed singing. I fired with a .38 and missed. He flew to a telephone pole 25 yds E then returned. I had reloaded & took him then. I drew back to the highway and into the settlement of Mission Valley. From there I drove NE on a dirt road through woodland of mixed character; in some places were grove of pure live oak, whereas elsewhere post oak & black jack were mixed in. I stopped in one such place and heard a pair in oaks near the road. One called a great deal (not recorded at time) and other gave only pip notes. I took the noisy bird (#602, st) and waited to see mate in adjacent live oak. Latter gave test a time or two, then flew to another tree where I took her (#603). Along a creek with live oaks & elms - I heard a st at 11:00 but he kept out on the go. WIND STRONG from South. Along Guadalupe River 2 mi SW Nursery I heard not once near bridge.
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Apr. 28. 11 mi. NWourdanton, Atascosa Co., Texas. I reached this area, the Eisenhauer Ranch, by driving NW out of Sourdanion on Texas hwy 173 for 7.8 miles after its junction with hwy 346 N of Sourdanton, then turning left (=W) for one mile. The
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Apr. 28. 11 mi. NW Jourdanton only stunned and flew on - his mate was wary and I abandoned this search about 10:00. CLOUDY, WIND FROM S averaged +10mph I worked S and came to a creek with elms on its banks. Here I startled a towhee which flew upstream with scolding notes. I located it foraging in a scrubby elm and took it (#610). I walked a few yards farther S and took a bird which gave a call vet vet vet as though annoyed (#611). Hearing no other birds, I started back toward my car at 10:40. Walking along the creekbed, I heard a towhee first call vet vet, then, probably as I drew nearer, it called see see --- seh deh veh vet veh-vet -- - veh-vet and moved away from the stream. One bird seemed to be foraging alone; then another joined it from the creek to W. I followed them cautiously and took one (4, 614) with a long shot. Her mate gave location notes from mesquites to W, then worked E & S into clump of shrubs among mesquite trees. It gave location notes frequently but neither longer calls nor song. I took it (#615) at 11:15. (foraging on smaller twigs of mesquite). Working back N to the windmill, I heard a song from a bird I had heard earlier to W of air in which I took 612, 613. Also call from trees in which I took 612. Bird from latter area flew W to shrubs from which other pair came into my view first at 8:50. I hit him with a .38 & he flew 15 ft to another shrub. Then I fired with a .22 and bird flew rapidly SW then
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K.Dixon 1941 Parus atricristatus Apr. 28 11 mi. NW Jourdanton, Atascosa Co., Texas rose upward and did a back arch plunging to the ground This bird was a ♂ (#616). I think that he was the bird singing in area E of windmill when I took 6/3 and that the latter is the mate of 6/2. I left at 11:35; WIND STILL BLOWING
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K Dixon 1951 Parus atricristatus Apr. 30 1 mi. NW Ft. Davis, 5000 ft., Jeff Davis Co., Texas. I slept out on the S side of Limpia Canyon in an unfenced area outside the Davie Mts. State Park. The rather steep and rocky slope above me to the S was grass-covered with scattered oak trees and a few junipers. There were 2 species of liveoak of which my # 456 (Q.) was more common (flowering at this time); less common were gray oak and Spanish (?) oak. Along the stream were tall cottonwoods, small willow and [WALNUT] (# 458). A species of Prunus (chokecherry) grew as a tree at the base of the slope. Catalpa, still leafless, was the common shrub. Central S.T. I awoke at 6:00 am, perhaps late for the dawn chorus. It was not until 6:35 that I heard a titmouse singing upslope, a slow deliberate peer peer peer. There was an answering song from W on that slope. About 6:45 I heard a similar song from a titmouse in a large [WALNUT] tree S of the road. As I approached, he flew N across the streambed and sang from oaks there. He changed to a song which I recorded as picururur or pea-scru-ur, a three-syllabled variant of the "peter" song. Both types of song sounded a bit faint as though from a tired bird which had been singing from dawn until noon. The songs were not loud, clear, ringing. This bird was wary and would not permit an approach so I abandoned chase at 7:10. I walked upslope where the song had originated at 6:35 but was stopped by a fence. A hundred yards or two down the road I walked up an oak-dotted slope but heard no birds 7:40-8:10. I drove still further and heard song from oaks upslope (bird I) and from the cottonwoods along the stream (bird II).
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Apr. 30. 1 mi. NW Ft. Davis Both songs were of the deliberate, spaced peer peer peer ype (or pee-ur), seldom more than 3 phrases per song. The bird upslope moved W and I followed bird II in riparian timber. The latter was quiet as I walked slowly under the tall cottonwoods. About 9:00 as I was nearer the road among small willows beside the stream I heard song pea-crur-ur, rather rattling in quality, from oak S of road. The bird then gave vet vet vet notes, flew across road NW and then worked downstream, followed by mate. I could not locate them until about 9:15 when I heard same song from same oak. I saw the bird, foraging now, suspended from terminal twig & I fired; he flew to another perch & I missed another long shot. I saw the bird (II) flying upslope. About 9:35 I walked down the road with gun unloaded. I left gun at the car & walked N a cross road to collect a plant. Two thrice flew across road to N and I returned for gun. I saw "conchship" feeding of 2 by changing upsidedown from twig but I could not load gun in time to take them. This was second feeding and I was not noisy. The birds flew closer to stream & were hidden in willowy shrubs (thicket) similar to Baccharis viminea of southern Calif. One called zip and flew into cottonwood; as I walked toward it, it called "see see see re-deck re-deck red-deck" and I could see whitish material (disk flowers) in beak. Mate followed into cottonwood, then & led way across road into lone live oak, I following. Then both flew into
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Apr 30 1 mi NW Ft. Davis Dead tree further upslope, then upward again. Shortly afterward I heard song peer peer peer. I waited for about 10 minutes, then looked in liveside but saw no cavity which appeared usable. I worked back downslope and remained in area until 10:25, pressing plants, but heard no further calls nor song. BREEZE FROM WEST AFTER 9:00, became strong wind after 10:00
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K Dixon 1951 Vireo griseus Mch 6. Resaca 1/2 mi. SW Almito, Cameron Co., Texas High fog overcast; calm. I worked along a band of timber to SW of the resaca 9:40 - 10:10 am. The timber itself consisted of ebony trees 20' + high, closely spaced and of sapling-like proportions. Other tree species collected elsewhere (# 401, # 403) also noted. Along the SW margin of this wooded strip and bordering a partial clearing of smaller bush and cactus with mesquite scattered through I noted 3 white-eyed Vireos. They were spaced along an estimated 250 yards of "edge". The individuality of their songs seemed to be consistent; I recorded them as: "chuckley - esty" rather liquid singer definitely identified "jib-whittier-tick" "tick-buzzer-ee-her" On the Santa Ana Wildlife Refuge 7 mi S Alamo Hidalgo, I had recorded two songs previously : "whip-cheyu-byur-tit" "whick-fuzzy-she-bear" Mch 31. Aransas River, 5 1/2 mi. ENE Skidmore, Bee Co., Texas The white-eyed Vireo is a common bird in dense woodland along the river and in uncut mesquite in the uplands. Males sing well into mid-day. Their preference seems to be for dense growth - including blackbrush (K-D # 417 ) thickets beneath large liveoak trees.
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Casadity mexicanus March 6 Harlingen, Cameron Co., Texas. Overcast, calm. ♂ grackle flew to top of telephone pole calling a hoarse keek keek as he alighted. Bird repeated a display from that perch - he leaned forward slightly, ruffled body feathers and made a ruffling noise apparently by brushing wing tips together. At the close of this display he sometimes made a noise "kee e e" (a high pitched whistle). I saw a similar action directed toward another male (both birds on the ground) yesterday morning.
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Richmondena cardinalis Apr.14. Spring Creek, 6 1/2 mi ENE Skidmore, 175 ft., Bee Co., Texas just before 8:00 am in post oak woodland I saw a Plumaged Cardinal singing a song jib which-or which-or -- -- which-or (I actually saw bill movement) A plumaged bird nearby had been singing but I did not see antagonism toward ?-pl. bird, latter way & I couldn't collect it - possibly more red in wing than normal ?. 10:00 am WINDY - offlow in creek downstream - dense scrubby growth of mesquite and other deciduous tree 2 Cardinals singing - one seemed to be alone - song "cue (pause) cue -- -- -- " other sang "chip portugee portugee -- -- portugee gee" I wasn't able to get a count but am left with a definite impression of an excess of 5-8 Cardinals in this entire area.
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Pipilo fuscus Apr 30. 1 mi NW Ft Davis, 5000 ft., Jeff Davis Co., Texas N-facing slope of Limpia Canyon - slope grass-covered and dotted or completely covered with bonedera. Scattered trees were live oak, gray oak, Emory oak, Spanish oak, juniper. Catclaw scattered. Spotted Towhee present but less abundant than Brown Towhee. I took one silent Brown Towhee (# 617) foraging among rocks. I heard a note which I transcribed as whim or welp, plaintive in quality and similar to a call note of the Song Sparrow. (I have not heard such a note from coastal P. fuscus) As I was listening for finches in the tall cottonwoods I watched a pair of Brown Towhees about 9:00 a.m. One carried several dried grass stems perhaps 4 or 5 in. long; the other merely accompanied the first. I watched their route and noted the grass-carrying individual fly to a notch then disappear behind a trunk. I walked around this tree and flushed the bird; it was building a nearly completed nest seated in vertical splinters left when a main trunk of a cottonwood had broken off. These splinters were a foot or more in length and afforded anchoring for the nest. The nest was shaded and sheltered by a nearly trunk.
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Dixon, K.L. Local and miscellaneous Jan. 27 - Nov. 4, 1951 Catalog nos. 619-646 Journal Species accounts
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KDixon 1951 Catalogue Berkeley, Alameda Co., Calif. Skel 619 0? imm. sk. Wilsonia pusilla very fat ♀plumage (brought in by W.F. Harrison) ½ mi. SE Davis, Yolo Co., Calif. Sept. 11 620 ♀ ovary 4 mm. Dendrocopos nuttallii slight fat wt. 36.7 gms Nelson, Butte Co., Calif. Sept. 4 (prep. Sept. 26) 621 ♂ sk. imm. Molothrus ater (coll. by John Cowan) Testis 1 mm. wt. 42.5 gm. Oct 15 Skel 622 ♂ imm. sk. Zenotrichia coronata brought in by not fat (ms. W.H. Hammond) wt. 31.4 gms Strawberry Canyon, Alameda Co., Calif. Baccharis - Rhus Oct 16 623 ♂ im sk. Chamaea fasciata
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KDixon 1951 Catalogue [Gray Rocks] Brock Mtn, 21 mi. NE Redding 2500 ft., Shasta Co, Calif. November 2 624 ad sk. Sitta carolinensis Testis 1 mm. wt. 17.9g 625 ad sk. Certhia familiaris Testis minute wt. 7.6gm (Coll by J.Gorman) 626 emb Peromyscus 2-11-10-23-19 wt. 34.3gm 627 Dendrocopos villosus wt. 60.1gm. 628 orary ovtum Oreortyx picta wt. 239.2gm 629 f " " Wt. 242.0gm. Park Cr., 6 3/4 mi W Weed, 4300 ft., Siskiyou Co, Calif. November 3 630 sk Certhia familiaris wt.7.6gm 631 ad sk Regulus satrapa wt 6.3gm 632 ovary Sphyrapicus thyroideus 5mm wt. 58.9gm Little Bogus Cr, 4 mi. NE Ager, 2600 ft., Siskiyou Co, Calif. November 4 633 Rana boylii 634 " " 635 " " 636 ad Parus inornatus slight fat wt. 17.1gm. 637 f? ad sk " " slight fat Coll By R.A.Norris wt. 16.5 g. slight fat 638 ad sk " " coll by R.A. Norris wt. 15.6gm imm 639 Thryomanes bewickii wt. 10.7gms ad 640 Pipilo fuscus ovary 5mm wt. 62.2g Skel 641 Myadestes townsendi coll by J.Gorman wt. 38.7gm 642 Aphelocona ovary 4 x 8 mm 84.3gm, 643 f sk " imm ovary 7 x 4 mm 98,1gm (skull windows anterior, 1 cm. in diameter)
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K Dixon 1951 Stinson Beach, Marin Co., Calif. pick-up Nov. 6 skel b44 ♀ Uria aalge pick up by H. Cogswell skel b45 ♂ " " " R.I. Bowman 1mi E Orville, Butte Co., Calif. Nov. 24 skel b46 ♀ guinea fowl (decapitated on road) found.
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K Dixon 1951 Journal Jan. 27 En route from Davis, Yolo Co., Calif. to Sierra foothills. Martin & I drove out of Sacramento about 9:00 continuing on state hwy. 16 to Plymouth. Overcast, fog, but condensation of moisture on windshield continues. (wipers used until we were near Plymouth). Plymouth, Amador Co., Calif. Noted two Mockingbirds in yard in town about 11:00 am. Plain Titmouse heard in digger pine country, as we drove to Jackson and then to San Andreas. Mountain Ranch, Calaveras Co., Calif. - clear - slope with yellowpine, live oak, Kellogg(?) oak - Birds present: Steller Jay, Calif. Quail, Hairy, Nuttall (1) and Acorn- storing woodpeckers, Plain Titmouse, Red-br. Nuthatch, Varied Thrush. 5 mi Mountain Ranch, Calaveras Co., Calif. brusky live oak in yellow pine: Scrub Jay, Balanophlyra Plain Titmouse, Ruby cr-Kinglet, Wren-tit (1pc) San Antonio Cr., 2000 ft., 3/4 mi. SE Sheep Ranch, Calaveras Co., Calif. Lower edge of yellowpine belt with diggerpine and green-leafed oak (Q. chrysolepis) present. I noted Triturus crossing road a few feet above the creek and collected same. 3:30 pm Murphy's, Calaveras Co., Calif. heard Hyla Circus) in town. On road below town at 2000 ft sign, heard Plain Titmouse call. 4 mi. W Angel's Camp, 1300 ft. Calaveras Co., Calif. Took Balanophlyra (#468), one of several in oak- digger pine of pasture land.
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May 15 Strawberry Canyon, Alameda Co., Calif. SUNNY; CALM 8:30 - 10:00 - I heard the following birds singing along the creek in area from pool up to Botanic Garden: Hutton Vireo, Warbling Vireo Thornie, Marge-cid and Piedslated Warblers, Black-hd. Grosbeak, Lazuli Bunting, Green-bld Goldfinch, Purple Finch. Swainson Thrush calling, not singing. May 19. Cedar Waxwing flocks in Botanic Garden oaks. May 21. 9:40 FOGGY, CALM. Green Heron at edge of pool in Strawberry Canyon. I was on Canyon Rd (to S) and as I moved close to fence for a better look it flew down - canyon. May 30. Davis, Yolo Co., Calif. WARM, SUNNY DAY; strong N wind. Cedar Waxwing - several in tall deciduous trees in residential part of town. June Strawberry Canyon, Alameda Co., Calif. - OVERCAST, CALM. Several times during the morning (9:00 - 11:30) I saw a Wood Perse on the Botanic Garden fence west of the E tributary of Strawberry Creek which drains the garden. The bird gave its weak pee-ah call and flew back to conifers immediately N of fence. I believe that I scared it once as I approached from E. [Diagram] June 17. 5 mi. S DIXON, Solano Co., Calif. - A yellow-headed Blackbird perched on fence blade roadside ditch - other Blackbirds present included at least one Redwing. seen as I drove past at 2:30 p.m.
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KDixon 1951 Journal June 18. 5 mi. SW Davies IN Solano Co., Calif. - 8:30 a.m. - Brewer Blackbird noted pursuing 3'-plumaged Marsh Hawk over grainfield. July 7. Strawberry Canyon, Alameda Co., Calif. - Sunny; light breeze from W. Martha & I were in lower part of canyon (Poultry lab to Botanic Garden) 9:05 - 10:25. See acc't for Paine inornatus. Four Ground Squirrels noted in area at junction of paved road & dirt road on N bank of creek. They were in weedy growth, 3 on S side & one N of road. Birds singing included: Wren-tit Purple Finch Swainson Thrush American Goldfinch Hutton Vireo Song Sparrow Warbling Vireo House Finch Sept. 14 Drake's Beach, Marin Co., Calif. I accompanied Bob Rudd to this locality on the Pt. Reyes Peninsula west of the entrance to Drake's Estero. Beach sand has closed the outlet of a small watershed area forming a small freshwater lagoon surrounded by marshy vegetation. The surrounding hills are grass- covered and are grazed to a moderate extent by cattle. Some of the steeper slopes bear brush patches but the crests are bald (i.e., grassy). Outward from the Sarcopus (± 8 ft tall) were round-stemmed rushes perhaps a foot high (? bulb rush reproduction?) not in clumps. On drier ground were clumps of Juncus and grasses.
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K Dixon 1951 Journal Sept. 13 Drake's Beach, Marin Co., Calif. Birds noted 4:30 - 7:00 p.m: Double-crested Cormorant Blue Heron Coot (heard) Virginia Rail Wilson Snipe Caspian Tern Western Gull ? Swallow Marsh Wren Amer. Goldfinch White-crowned Sparrow Song Sparrow I set out 11 traps in dry swale, mostly in clumps of Juncus (live traps) [at 11:00 pm., 1 Sorex in 11 traps] 39 live traps in Scirpus, Juncus, grass close to edge of marsh. [11:00 pm., 7 Peromyscus] Sept 14 - In 11 traps in swale, 1 Microtus at 7:00 am. In other 39 traps, 4 Peromyscus. Rudd's catch totaled 4 Sorex and 1 Reithrodontomys imm. We left the area at 8:00 am stopping at Inverness Ridge (see acc't for Sitta pygmaea) Sept. 4 Nelson, Butte Co., Calif. Two cowbirds from this locality were brought into the museum by John Cowan (Manager, Gray Lodge Refuge) on Sept. 26. I prepared one as a skin (# 621). I sexed both and examined their skulls; both were first-year males molting from juvenile to the black adult plumage. (Rec'd in fleece, frozen; one too badly bloodied to be preserved). Sept 9 Strawberry Canyon, Alameda Co., Calif. 10:00 am - Fox Sparrow - yellowskill along dirt road S of creek near Madrone Grove S of Botanic Garden
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KDixon 1951 Journal Oct 8 Strawberry Canyon, Alameda Co., Calif. PARTLY CLOUDY; CALM. I walked up Canyon Rd at 8:35- In area SW of pool, Hermit Thrush and Robin in madrone with ripening berries (Thrush flitted wings; reddish tail seen clearly). Fox Sparrow with yellow bill, brown hood down slope. 9:00 - in oak on slope W Poetry Lab, flock of Bush-Tits, 2 or 3 Hutton Vireos, Downy Woodpecker, Townsend Warbler (1, ? plumage), Black-throated Grey Warbler (1, throat white, faint blackish bar on breast), Hermit Warbler (1, head yellow, "bib" shining black, extending well down breast). The slopes of the draws on the north side of the canyon are heavily covered with grasses. As I recall this is the second year during which there has been no grazing in the canyon. Small mammals, presumably Microtus can be seen scurrying for cover in broad daylight; one entered a crack in the ground as I approached. Runways are evident everywhere. No evidence of California Quail nor of Rufous-crowned Sparrows on slope above brushpatch in 1st draw W Lab where I had seen them in 1947-48. Oct 9. In canyon 4:15-5:30 accompanied by R.I. Bowman (We set traps hoping to catch Zonotrichia in 2 draws W Poetry Lab. At 4:40 pm we watched 3 does followed by a spike buck mule deer cross grassy area of 1st draw W lab from pines to W, disappearing in pine grove.
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KBixon 1951 Journal Oct. 10 Strawberry Canyon, Alameda Co., Calif. - In canyon 9:00 - 9:55 am - 3:55 - 5:30 pm. see acc't Parus inornatus - hard rain 10:30 - 11:30 Oct 11 see acc't Parus inornatus, Cyanocitta Oct 13. In canyon, 6:20 - 8:00 am, 9:30 - 11:45 am, 1:30 - 5:15 pm. Warm, clear. See acc't for Parus inornatus, P. rufescens, Cyanocitta, Microtus. Red-shafted Flicker perched on telephone wire at 9:30 am gave call "Teal" from that perch. Oct 14 Willcat Cr., Contra Costa Co., Calif. In picnic ground downstream from tennis court Black-throated Grey Warbler (♀ plumage) and White-breasted Nuthatch seen foraging in oaks at 10:30 am. On a walk along south bank of creek and around Jewel Lake (10:45 - 12:00 noon), Hermit Warbler ♀ in woodland (Cogswell), Winter Wren, Bewick Wren, Audubon Warbler; at lake: Lora, Coot, Red-winged Blackbird (feeble chorus from cattails), Black Throated, Ruby-crowned Kinglet (♂ singing) ♀ in willows at dawn.
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K Dixon 1951 Journal Dec. 12 Univ. Calif. Campus, Berkeley, Alameda Co., Calif. Clouding in, calm. While watching chickadees along the creek N of Life Sci. Bldg. Shortly after 10:00 am I saw a bird I took to be a Warbling Vireo - sig appropriate for that species; entire dorsum appeared concolored, pale grayish; eye stripe white; wings clearly unbarred. Bird not especially active. I did not follow it up (written Jan 2, 1952) [date and place certain because this date the only one on which I watched chickadees along the creek N of LSB] Dec. 24 Vicinity of Caswell on U.S. Hwy 99, Los Angeles Co., Calif. One White-throated Swift seen flying overhead as I rode along highway in mid-afternoon.
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KDixon 1951 Journal Nov. 1 En route, Berkeley to Redding, Tehama Co., Calif. Departed from Berkeley at about 7:00 a.m. accompanied by Robert Norris and Joe Gorman. We drove the 1939 Dodge truck via Vallejo on U.S. 40 and turned N to the E of Vacaville, driving thru Winters, Yolo County, and later, NW on US 99W. Arrived Redding about 12:45 p.m. After lunch, we bought supplies including anti-freeze and drove E after 2:45, proceeding to Round Mtn. There we turned off highway driving to Squaw Creek and then downstream to Gray Rocks, 21 mi NE Redding, 2500 ft., Shasta Co., Calif. (This locality found on Shasta National Forest map) The area which we reached at dusk, is on a long ridge trending NE-SW; the westerly slope drains into Squaw Creek. The crest of the ridge was dry relative to the more shaded slopes; a woodland of Kellogg Oak, Digger and Yellow Pines, an occasional Buckeye. Downslope to SE were some Douglas fire. Clemathea cuneatus grows impatches on higher, more exposed slopes; scrubby oak (Kellogg?) on sunny slope below lower cave where Gorman has found Hydromantes. Underclube where Corylus and a small amount of poison oak. After 7:30 we accompanied Gorman to a cave where he had marked about 13 Hydromantes five weeks earlier. NR was successful in finding only 2 adults and one cluster of 9 eggs although she spent some time removing rocks from the roof to see if the salamanders had tunneled in. Later we set out a line of three dozen mouse traps.
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K Dixon 1951 Nov 2 Gray Roche, 21 mi NE Redding, 2500 ft. Shasta Co. Caly. The day dawned clear; light filmy clouds moved in from W during forenoon forming thin overcast. Breeze from E after 10:00. I hunted on slope S of camp from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. Steller Jay - numerous, often seen singly but with tendency toward gregariousness. I took 3 and left another in mixed ever mass high in oak. Scrub Jay - 2 heard simultaneously; later a Scrub Jay, perhaps a third, seen in Digger Pine upslope. Acorn-storing Woodpecker - 2 in tall snag near end of road wary Hairy Woodpecker - several heard, one taken (7,627) in Digger Pine Downy Woodpecker - one moved through camp during breakfast Red-shafted Flicker - common Mountain Quail - a flock of not more than 9 or 10 in patch of scrubby oaks on sunny slope at 8:45. Single individuals moved upslope on foot - one flew I took two - another flew upslope, there were clicks and whimpering calls and others apparently moved away from me to westward in brush. No others encountered. Wren-frit - single bird seen in brush on sunny slope. Spotted Towhee - pair in scrubby oaks Bewick Wren - in same area Bush-frit - flock of + 8 moved along in oak brush and crossed jeep onto W slope.
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K Dixon 1951 Nov 2 Gray Rocks, 21 mi NE Redding, 2100 ft., Shasta Co. Calif. Plain Titmouse - pair heard early. After 10:00, two seen moving along with Bush-Tits - (see She's acc't) Hutton Vireo - with same flock moving along thru oaks, Digger Pine, buckeye. Purple Finch - one heard on sunny slope (note chirrupy) White-breasted Nuthatch - single bird taken while foraging on dead tree branch Creeper - one taken working on trunk of Douglas fir - calls exchanged with another individual Oregon Junco - in fir - pine - oak of shaded slope Robin - several heard flying over Band-tailed Pigeon " " " (6) Ruby-crowned Kinglet - one in oaks After 9:45, I walked along the road down the shaded slope. Dogwood was conspicuous here with red leaves. Flock of Golden-crowned Kinglets (5 or 6) in this area. [Norris worked lower on this slope and took Larus rufescens, Western Bluebird and saw Winter Wren] About noon, we heard repeated single notes of a Screech Owl down this slope. We spent the early afternoon hours skinning birds. I prepared a Peromyscus (#626, ?) taken by Norman. It had no embryos; mammary glands regressing. We broke camp in midafternoon, driving back downslope toward Squaw Creek. We drove to a cascading brook and Norman took an Aegides flavipunctatus under moist rocks in "splash zone" of fall.
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Nov 2. Low Pass Creek, mi.NE Redding, 1500 ft., Shasta Co., Calif. Along this streamcourse, a tributary of Squawcreek, the type locality of Hydromantea shastae is located. The canyonic steep-sided with oak and Digger Pine on the rocky, south-facing slope. Caves in a large limestone outcrop were where Gorman had located the salamanders previously; none found this evening. The sun had set when we arrived; I flushed a Steller Jay from a roost in a streamside alder(?) and collected it. Canyon Wren sang from south-facing slope. Creeper called from row of deciduous trees, probably before settling for the night. N-facing slope had cover including Douglas Fir. We drove west over about 40 miles of winding dirt road to Hwy 99 at the Sacramento River, thence N to Dunsmuir, Siskiyou Co. -- we dined there at 9:30 pm, then drove N to Weed. After some searching we found a patch of pines NE of Weed (+-2 mi) on Hwy 97 and rolled out our sleeping bags. Nov 3 +-7 miles NE Weed, Siskiyou Co., Calif. -- we drove out to patch of pines N of road -- growth sparse in gravelly wash -- Purshia and ?Chrysothamnus forming chief cover of Great Basin sagebrush aspect. Scrub Jay and Robin noted here; no nutcrackers so we returned to Weed. After breakfast, we drove W on Hwy 99 for 4 miles, then turned southwest. Four miles up the road, we reached Stewart Spring in yellow pine country; then drove up road another mile.
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Nov 3. Park Cr., 6 3/4 mi. W Weed, 4300 ft., Shasta Co., Calif. We arrived in this area about 9:30 a.m. - SUNNY, CALM. I crossed a roaring creek and worked up the north-facing slope, which was covered with open forest of Douglas Fir, White Fir, and Yellow Pine. There were open places, either rocky or grown to waist-high deciduous shrubs. Some dead trees standing; no recent logging. Only five bird species encountered in 45 minutes: Steller Jay, Robin, Hairy Woodpecker, Golden-crowned Kinglet (flock ± 6), and Brown Creeper. I took the Creeper from a flock of birds I believed to be Golden-crowned Kinglets. I crossed the creek and started up the south-facing slope at 11:00 am. This slope was much more open, having been logged over during the last year or two. There were exposed rocky areas and other patches grown to Ceanothus. Some areas of bare earth scarred by log dragging. Chipmunk seen running along log at base of hill. Sceloporus in rocky area in sun. CLOUDING IN somewhat. I worked up close to taller timber - Yellow Pine, Incense Cedar; scattered Douglas Fir and Sugar Pine. Ceanothus prostratus on much of ground - some standing dead trees and patches of reproduction. Little manzanita. Red-tailed Hawk - melanistic (rectrices and remiges whitish, all other feathers of underside dark chocolate brown). Bird gave characteristic scream. Flew about in open areas. Steller Jay heard calling (Kuk kuk KUK) Golden-crowned Kinglet - single in Douglas Fir reproduction
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Nov 3. Park Cr., 6 3/4 mi. W Weed, 4300 ft., Siskiyou Co., Calif. The notes of Regulus satrapa I found were usually 3 or more in a sequence and not so high pitched as the one or two notes of Certhia; the latter were of a pitch more like the opening notes of Regulus calendula in song. Williamson Lapouche -- taken while working up the trunk of a yellow pine Norris took Pygmy and Red-breasted Nuthatch from a mixed flock on this slope. -- [see his notes] I took a Golden-crowned Kinglet from a flock of 4 or 5 foraging in Douglas Fir at base of this slope at 12:30. Later, I heard a chickadee call and followed it up. Two seemed to be present; they were wary but I caught a glimpse of a gray back of one bird. Norris had taken P. gambeli upslope and call did not sound like the drawled version of rufulus. We spent the night in this locality. A few drops of rain after 5:00 pm, then clear sky. Temperature above freezing although I had seen remnant snow patch on N-facing slope. Gorman, who found no amphibians along creek, drove to Ice Caves 11 mi NE of Weed during afternoon but returned empty handed. Nov 4. En route to Montague, Siskiyou Co., Calif. We broke camp by 8:15 am and drove NE to Hwy 99, then north through Gazelle. We took a dirt road from Yreana to Montague, then N to Agee and five miles by road toward the NE, moving up into the hills.
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K Dixon 1951 Journal [see MacDoe] Quad, [194] Nov. 4 Little Bogus Cr., 7 mi. NE Agee, 2600 ft., Liskiyan Co., Calp. The floor of the Shasta Valley was essentially level, largely grassland with some cultivation. All land on our route was fenced. Occasional hills were covered sparsely with brush (possibly Ceanothus cuneatus); higher peaks had a woodland of oaks of low stature. The woodland on slopes E of Agee (a railroad flag stop with one large ranch house) was covered with a woodland of oaks 12-15 ft in height for most part, junipers of similar stature, and scattered throughout, patches of buckbrush. Green grass had pushed up several inches above ground. The woodland was essentially open. A south-facing slope on which I worked to some extent was barren and rocky - no oakes, [illegible]. Scrub Jay - seen singly and in pairs - one taken from 3' in juniper, another (believed to be KLD 643) overf a pair in juniper along dry creekbed. Brown Towhee - 2 pairs seen during period 10:15- 11:45 - one member of pair flushed from Ceanothus clump taken after it flew upslope. Other pair also in brush, wary. Plain Titmouse - 1 taken - see sheet acct - Norris took 4 but 9 heard only one and was hunting titmouse especially - his area must have been better for them (in terms of vegetative cover?) Bewick Wren - one taken in brush clump American Goldfinch - call heard; flock of small finches overhead
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Nov. 4 Little Bapus Cr., 4 mi NE Ager, 2600 ft., Siskiyou Co., Calif. Townsend Solitaire - one taken by Norman - no others seen. Robin - several individuals Mtn. Quail - flock of 8 or 9 in isolated brush patch near streamcourse at 10:45 - moved upslope to clump of 2 or 3 oaks, crossing 15 yards of open grassland usually singly, afoot. My impression was that they were easily observed in this habitat in which brush patches were small and scattered. Red-shafted Flicker heard Oregon Junco one flock of 3 or 4 Rana boylii - as I approached a pool in stream bed perhaps 3 x 5 ft in surface, many small frogs jumped into water - I captured 3, either in mass of algae on bottom or exposed on rock substrate - they exhibited a tendency to remain motionless even though not protected by cover over them. Norris recorded Brown Creeper and Red-tailed Hawk and took Golden-crowned Sparrow and Wh-breasted Nuttall's We left this area at 12:30 driving toward Ager. Lewis Walker - several singly on fenceposts of cultivated fields of oak - juniper area. The mother of the rancher said that today was the first warm morning they had experienced in a week. Temperatures reached freezing nightly. There had been some rains, an aid to their grain crops. Montague, Siskiyou Co., Calif. we saw several Black-billed Magpie in the vicinity; Brown Towhee habitat marginal
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Nov 4 En Route, Yreka, Siskiyou Co., Calif. to Berkeley. We drove through Yreka and thence S to Weed and Dunsmuir. We stopped at a creek on Shasta County line S of Dunsmuir, where Gorman took readings on thermometer but found no amphibians. He stopped at Flume Cr., Shasta Co. and found 2 or 3 Aneides flaviguttatus. We left this locality about 3:00, driving to Redding, stopping at Red Bluff for dinner and drove to Berkeley without misadventure, arriving at 11:00 pm.
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Species accounts
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K Dixon 1951 Lophortyx californica Nov. 16. CLEAR, COLD; STEADY WIND FROM THE EAST. I met Dick Glenelly at Inspiration Point on San Pablo Ridge at 7:00. We were joined by W.C. Russell and A.S. Leopold, each with his hunting dog, and we drove north 0.6 mi. to a gate to the water district property. We left the car there and walked down the ridge toward the E following the road to a point where it curves around the slope toward the spring. From here we went downslope to a small flat at base of draw to W of road. We split up, Glenelly taking the ridge and I, the grass, at the lower edge of the brush. The others followed their dogs through the brush. We started about 7:25 am and soon afterward a covey of quail flew upslope to W, all in the air at once it seemed. A.S. Leopold estimated 40 birds (almost a complete count); I saw no tags (neck markers) on any of the birds. We worked upslope and soon some of the quail flew out: 6, 9, 1, 1, 1 later 1, 1 then 1 downslope and another downslope at 7:32. 3 flew upslope (and 6 or 7 downslope at same time WCR) then 1 up, (downslopes at 7:55 1, another later and two singles at 8:00. We reached the cross-path about 8:10 - five minutes later a quail flew from brush nearly 8:25 - 9:38 - we worked up next brush-covered slope to W, ending at maple tree - no quail.
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40 ASL 6,9,,,11 ,, 1 down 7:52 3 - (en7 down of mountain used) 10:3) 3 average (1632),10 2 4 ,,,, 5+(4)35 + 2 couples 9:38 call daughter 45 9:38-52:8 2nd Num - original 78:25-8:15 1 (208) (7.52)
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[illegible] [illegible] 10/20 - [illegible] [illegible]
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Lophortyx Nov 16. The slope behind the spring was covered next, the dogs covering this large brush patch fairly well. We continued upslope to fence at 9:20. No quail on this slope. 9:25 - we started down brush of N-facing slope of ridge to N. 9:38 call from downslope - 9:45 eleven quail flew out of middle of brush by 2's and 3's. (see A.S.L.'s notes for sex ratio). These birds were not marked. We returned and crossed next draw 5 reaching road about 10:20. We "peeled off" and started down side draw which joins gulch a few yards above spring. Quail was flushed by the dogs well ahead of us - I counted 5 (genealy counted 10 in this flight). Then main body of cover flew down slope - I estimated 35 - these were followed by two couples, one of each marked by rock dangles. Keppel and Russell started down through brush heading for a point E of spring. At 10:29, 3 single flew up. 10:32 - one upslope, one downslope. 10:33 - 3 crossed side draw well behind dogs and hunters. I started down ridge W side draw at 10:38 - no more quail flew. We left area shortly after 11:00 am without seeing more quail.
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K Dixon 1951 Colaptes cafer Oct 22 Strawberry Canyon, Alameda Co., Calif. CLEAR, CALM: About 11:00 am I watched a Flicker perched in a bough of a madrone tree south of the pool pluck the 3 or 4 remaining berries off a cluster. The madrone berries were bright orange in color and the bird swallowed each one whole with a slight nodding movement of the head before picking the next berry. As another Red-shafted Flicker flew into the tree, the bird I was watching flew northward across the canyon.
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K Dixon 1951 Cyanocitta stelleri Oct. 11 Strawberry Canyon, Alameda Co., Calif. CLEARING; NO BREEZE At 12:00 noon in oaks on E side of 2nd draw W lab at least 4 Steller jays were present, calling loudly. Kuk Kuk Kuk was the call given most frequent- ly. There was also a shrill "squeal" similar to the screech of a Red-tailed Hawk. As the birds moved downslope, I heard a hoarse cra-a-a-ah prolonged and dry; This call was alternated at least twice with the sharp Kuk Kuk Kuk of another individual approximately 20 yards away. No calls of Aphelocoma heard at this time. Oct 13 11:10 - lone Steller jay in pines below cowpath on ridge W Ponyry lab gave call cra-a-ah drawn out, then flew to grove to N giving loud Kuk Kuk Kuk in flight.
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KDixon 1951 Aphe/ocomo May 23. Strawberry Canyon, Alameda Co., Calif. - see species acc't of Phoenicius melanocephalus for observation of Scrub Jay predation on grosbeak nestlings. May 29. see acc't of Panus inornatus (Steller &Scrub Jays) attracted to trapped mice - no harm done to mice in traps June 11. See acc't of Pipilo fuscus - lone jay attacked towhee fledgling repeatedly & was mobbed by 6 towhees. I noted a bob-tailed juvenile jay in oaks along road S of Strawberry Creek (S of Botanic Garden) at 8:55 a.m.
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KDixon 1951 Parus inornatus Nov. 2. Gray Rocks, 21 mi. NE Redding, 2500 ft., Shasta Co., Calif. CLEAR early, CLOUDING IN during forenoon, filmy. CALM. About 6:30 a.m. we heard titmouse calls downslope SE of camp. An hour later I heard 2 birds answered each other in closely spaced deciduous oaks on that same slope. (Both Digger and yellow pines there) Titmice silent after 8:00 After 10:00 I heard calls in buckeye and Black? oak on slope below Salamander cave on same slope (N of row of digger pines). Titmice and a Hutton Vireo moving along to westward with a flock of +8 Bush-tits. Titmice called only intermittently: rarely pickadee dee. Bush-tits dropped over slope to NW; titmouse in Digger Pine - I fired at it with .38 and it circled sharply while flying downward (in tight spiral) and flew downslope, apparently unharmed). Titmice heard calling subsequently in brush downslope but not seen nor heard, 11:00-3:00. Possibly not an established pair but rather drifting pair upslope or at upper limit of breeding range. Nov 3. +7 mi NE Weed, Siskiyo Co., Calif. - area of Great Basin sagebrush aspect (chiefly Purshia and? Canyothamnus) with scattered clumps of pine. This area did not appear to be Plain Titmouse habitat although a specimen was taken at the cave, 11 mi. NE Weed.
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KDixon 1951 Sitta pygmaea July 15. Inverness Ridge, Marin [illegible] County, Calif. OVERCAST; LIGHT VARIABLE Breeze. (Area on ridge W of Shell Beach but on Tomaloe Bay slope.) Woodland chiefly of pine with scattered lower live oak and madrone. Many scattered dead trees standing & fallen. I hunted for half an hour, before in woods too open before locating nuthatch in protected slope at 2:10. One individual seen foraging above, working down branches for most part; gave nasal chip once perhaps in alarm at my presence (It had flown to branch above me; shifted out of sight after giving note). However call wi - bi...dick given in tumby 3 birds in area (presumably nuthatches) I was able to see only one however. I left at 2:25. Other birds noted in woodland (understory included hazel, poison oak, [illegible] reproduction of taller trees): Western Flycatcher Scrub Jay Chestnut-bled Chickadee Wren - tit Bewick Wren Violet-green Swallow Brown - Creeper American Goldfinch Spotted Towhee Hawk Flicker White-crowned Sparrow Song Sparrow Purple Finch (singing) Bush - tit Yellow Warbler This assemblage includes a considerable number of hole-nesting species; many dead pine tree standing however
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K Dixon 1951 Sitta pygmaea Sept. 14 Inverness Ridge, Marin Co., Calif. - Same locality visited July 15. High fog overcast, calm. 8:20 a.m. 2 nuthatches flew in from pines S to perch on deal stump t 12 ft. high; other nuthatches already calling wee-bi-deek from small pine 15 ft. NW (these trees beside road). A third nuthatch followed the first two almost immedi- ately, perching on the trunk near the two, then flying to pine NE after a few seconds. I saw no threatening movement of the two nuthatches there and recalled no notes uttered. One of the two birds flew across the road to a patch of pines on the hill to the W; the other bird continued to work down the trunk, apparently foraging on the bark. One, then a second nuthatch flew to the stump from the pine NE (where they had not been visible and perched within a few inches of the lone occupant of the stump. I could detect no postures nor difference in notes, yet I had an impression of parent-juvenile relationship (no feeding and no begging however). One more nuthatch flew in from pine NE and I left them working on trunk. I returned with shotgun 5 minutes later and heard the nuthatches 30-40 yards to SE in pines. One individual of a loose flock was moving down a trunk foraging and I shot at it.
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K Dixon 1951 Sitta pygmaea Sept. 14. Juvemess Ridge, Marin Co., Calif. The .38 shell was a weak one and the shot sprayed against the tank; the birds flew away. Call-notes exchanged while foraging were wi-bi-deck. They moved S, silent and appeared to be staying in the tops of the pines. I started to follow up calls of two or more birds heard in pines to SE of my position (wi-bi-deck again) then heard calls nearer to road, probably from birds shot at earlier. Bob Rudd was watching from the car - I shot a second weak shell but the birds (2) remained in a roadside pine and were joined by 3 more (Rudd concurred with this figure). I fired a third .38 shell and hit a bird well up in death branches (15 ft high) but the bird was able to fly away although activity obviously impaired. We departed at this time (13:40)
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Dixon 1951 Chamaea fasciata July 26. Oakland, Alameda Co., Calif. - residential area at 320 62nd Street - scattered trees present but streets by no means tree-lined. At noon I heard the steady pip-pip-pip-song of a wren-tit from NW of our apartment house. I have never encountered this species in the neighborhood before. July 31. At 6:30 a.m. (Daylight Saving time), I heard the same song from west of the house. Aug. 25 Song heard from same area 8:30-10:30 am. Intermittently. Never full song of it trailing off at end with more frequent notes, but same spacing throughout as "4 song" Oct. 16 Strawberry Canyon, Alameda Co., Calif. - while trapping sparrows, I captured a wren-tit banded 42-40894 in ground trap baited with grain in 2nd draw W Poultry lot on N side of canyon - 5:30 pm.
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K DIXON Hylocichla ustulata 1951 May 13 Davis, Yolo Co., Calif. - cool cloudy morning; calm. In an old residence area of widely-spaced houses with shade and fruit trees I heard call notes of this thrush at 9:00 am. At least 2 Swainson Thrushes present, one calling more persistently than the others. A few minutes later I heard the full song repeated several times. (I did not hear this song at Berkeley during the previous week). Cedar Waxwings and Robins present, wintering Zonotrichia not in evidence. August 2. Univ. Calif. Campus, Berkeley, Alameda Co., Calif. One foraging on lawn beneath oaks in late afternoon call note "whick" heard from another bird nearby. Aug 16 Shortly after 8:00 pm (dusk) a Swainson Thrush flew up from ground beneath oakes S of L. S. B. Another called "whick" from south of path (N bank of creek). The first answered whistler mimicking its terse (whisked call. Aug 24 One in oak S of Life Sci. Bldg. at 5:00 pm - silent Sept. 9 - two heard along Strawberry Cr., Alameda Co., Calif one S of Botanic Garden, other in Elders S of Poultry Farm 10:00 a.m. Sept 12 Univ Calif Campus, Alameda Co., Calif. - One calling in tree along creek W of Sather Gate at 1:30 pm.
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K Dixon 1951 Pheneticus May 23. At 10:25 I was on ridge inside Botanic Garden between the 2 tributaries to Strawberry Creek which flow in from N. Ahead, broad land calls qree qree grrel (in various combinations but usually qree and grrel in one "valley"). These came from oak just outside fence & NW of road W 2nd tributary. A grosbeak was flying from one perch to another on NE side of the oak in peripheral foliage) and was giving this call qree grrel (shrill, as though bird in distress). Both Steller and Scrub jays calling, the week week week of the latter being heard more often. I could see a Scrub Jay perched in a bough (gray flanks clearly visible), motionless and silent. The ♂ Grosbeak and a ♀ crowded near him on twigs of same bough. ♂ called continually; ♀ silent, "glum-looking" less active than ♂ yet perching near within 12-15 inches of jay. ♂ shifted perch to another within a foot of ♀ above the jay, continuing to call. week week of jay from interior of tree. ♀ shifted to perch a yard away from nest & ♂ flew nearer her. She pecked at his beak I am not sure that another (♀?) grosbeak was not present. The jay left flying into lower trunk apparently for I did not see him again. I could see nest in position where jay had been. Grosbeak rote spie, then silence. At 10:45 grosbeak in glade on ridge flew N. Simultaneously, noted qreee qreee qreee of "squealing" quality from nest-oak. ♂ & ♀ grosbeaks there, both giving this call. ♀ on bough E of nest; ♂ entered nest bough
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K Dixon 1951 Phaeothicus melanocphalus May 23 Strawberry Canyon from trunkward. After a few seconds he emerged on E side of bough and he + mate disappeared. I had given call greed intermittently while I "inspected" nest. At 11:00 adults were not around & I inspected nest. It was in periphery of bough, well screened by foliage; from height ~ 9ft above ground beneath nest (bankrose to N of tree although not so that I could see into nest). By pulling branch downward I could see inside. There was one nestling inside, blood oozing from right side of head anterior to eye and from left "wrist". Nestling was dead; its eyes were still closed and it had only down feathers. A few black dots indicated some of the feather tracts which were not down-covered. During the first outburst of calls by the grosbeaks I saw a Song Sparrow approach the scene in herbs NE of nest oak. Later I saw a Song Sparrow in near tree above the grosbeaks while jay was over nest. The sparrow was the only small bird I could see attracted by the incident although the cries of the parent grosbeaks may serve to evoke "mobbing" of predators.
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K Dixon 1951 Pipile fusces June 11 Strawberry Canyon, Alameda Co., Calif. — OVERCAST; CALM. At 9:45 am I was walking up the canyon along the paved road NE of the pool — I heard the loud call wilk wilk wilk of Aphelocoma and chattery calls of other birds. A compact group of birds flew along the row of oaks and acacias on the south side of the road, proceeding then downslope toward the east end of the pool. I crashed down the slope and noted, before the birds flew up, that the jay was raining blows on some object on the ground; several Brown Towhees on the ground around the jay gave chattering calls (which I did not record at the time). The jay flew to laurel at E end of pool (20 feet ± from position on ground); it was followed by at least 3 towhees and a 7 Black-headed Grosbeak. 2 other towhees flew to bank to north and gave call skree-yeer — . I couldn't see what jay had attacked and I moved away to E of laurel tree. The jay moved out along the branch & I could see nothing in its beak. It flew down to the foot of a bank W of where it had been (on level of edge of pool) and was mobbed by the towhees again. I ran over to the edge of the bank & looked down. The jay was attacking a juvenile towhee which had most of crown feathers missing but did not appear to be bleeding. My appearance alarmed the birds and simultaneously the juvenile towhee fluttered to weeds beside a heavy wire fence & made its way inside the fence & disappeared from my view (perhaps enabled to seek shelter as jay flew up). Three pairs of towhees involved in mobbing; one pair flew along bank to N. One member of one pair chased one member of a second pair in direction west of north side of pool; then both
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K Dixon 1957 Pipilo fuscus June 11. Strawberry Canyon, Alameda Co., Calif. members of former pair chased the other individual of the western pair, the one bird carrying its pursuit farther than the other did. (presumably the more aggressive of the two was the one who had chased other bird first). Then both members of pair which had ejected neighbors flew to concrete of pool edge and gave skee-yer _ _ _ _ (both gave call ??) The jay returned & appeared to be looking for the juvenile then flew away. The 2 towhees moved E along concrete walk and one moved toward weeds where juv. had sought shelter. This adult then tilted head upward in an awkward-appearing posture* which it held for several seconds. I am not sure whether my presence brought forth this action (male perched on ground several feet to W, inactive all the while) Posturing bird then hopped back in SW direction to edge of pool, looking backward as it stopped as though watching to see what I would do. cowbird-like
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K Dixon 1951 Pipilo suscia Nov 18 Univ Calif Campus Red/green on right, white/plum. on left with unbanded bird in phlox on S side of circle at storeroom loading platform - 10:45 am Y/Y on right Y/Y - green and Al on left - with unbanded N of me - R on left, white (above Al?) on right } in colmasta unbanded N of steps (R/R in poplar with Y/Y -> then latter flew N Dec 12 %A on right green/white left lawn along creek (S bank) N of Life Sci Bldg
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Melospiza melodia May 25 Strawberry Canyon adult caught at 10:10am banded 42-40875 on left leg.
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Mammals
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K Dixon 1951. Sciurus niger June 5. Strawberry Canyon, Alameda Co., Calif. COOL, FOGGY am. At 7:06 I scared tree squirrel on oak in which I had bird trap set on platform 12 ft above ground. As I approached along road, squirrel left tree which was along path on S bank of Strawberry Creek S of Botanic Garden. In 1947 I did not encounter Tree Squirrels in this part of Strawberry Canyon. In that year, as I recall, they were not active E of the area immediately to E of the last house on Canyon Rd. (55 Canyon Rd) Oct 15. CLEAR, WARM, CALM. I watched a Fox Squirrel clinging to peripheral twigs of a live oak branch and once thought it lost its grip and fell. (Height about 15 ft above ground). The squirrel removed a green acorn, held it and cut the apex with its teeth shearing off part of the external wall. That part fell and was followed within seconds by the remaining part of the hull from which the endosperm had been scooped out by tooth action.
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KDixon 1951 Microtus californicus Oct. 13. Strawberry Canyon, Alameda Co., Calif. During the past several days I have seen countless meadow mice in daylight on the north slope of the lower part of the canyon. The ground, densely covered with un-cropped wild oats or other grasses, is criss-crossed with runways and burrows may be noted frequently. Some of the rodents seen may be Peromyscus (2 pale-flanked mice seen disappearing into holes in ground); the grassland habitat and runways indicate Microtus for the most part. Despite the near-plague proportions of incidence of the rodents, predators appear to be few. One Red-tailed Hawk (bird of the year) seen several times, yellow-bellied Racer in grass on Oct 11, not more than 2 Sparrow Hawks; Horned Owl heard at night.
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4. Dixon, K.D. Texas, Jan. 26 - Feb. 21, 1952 Catalog nos. 650 - 744 [647-649, missing] Plant catalog Journal Species accounts
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N Dixon 1952 Catalogue. 11 mi. NW Jour danton, 700 ft. Atascosa Co., Texas Jan. 29 650 Cnemidophorus Jan. 30 651 testis Amphispiza bilineata wt. 13.2 gm. 652 ♂ testis Parus atricristatus mated wt. 18.1 gm. as. 653 ♀ 4x2 mm " " pair very slight fat wt 17.7 gm 654 ♂ testis Toxostoma curvirostre wt. 82.1 gm. 655 ♀ 6x5mm Centurus aurifrons very slight fat wt. 77.3 gm 656 ♂ testis " " mated pair wt. 76.0 gm. 657 ♀ testis " " 82.7 658 Acris Jan. 31 659 o? Amphispiza bilineata wt. 14.7gm. Feb 1 660 ♂ testis Parus atricristatus ad sk 18.6 gm. 4.5 mm. " " 661 ♂ ad sk " " testis 2 mm 18.2 662 ♀ ad sk " " 663 ♂ ad sk ovary 5mm mated 15.5 gm. " " testic 2.5mm 18.4 gm 664 Acris 665 " 666 " 667 ♀ ovary Spizella pusilla wt. 14.7gm 3 mm. 668 ♀ no. Neotoma 386-170-40-27 298.5 gm emb. Kingsbury, Guadalupe Co., Texas February 2 669 columbidae pick-up
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K Dixon 1952 Catalogue 1 mi. NE Del Valle, 300 ft., Travis Co, Texas Feb. 7 691. frog 692 " 693 ♂ testis 1.5mm. Melospiza lincolnii mod. fat 18.3 gm. 4 mi. SW Austin, 500 ft., Travis Co, Texas Feb. 8 694 ♀ ovary 6mm Parus atricristatus no fat testi mated 19.7 gm 695 ♂ ad sk " " no fat 3mm pair 20.6 gm. 696 ♀ ad sk " " ovary 17.7 no fat 5x3mm mated 697 ♂ ad sk " " no fat 18.8 698 ♂ ad sk " " testi no fat 2mm. 19.6 2½ mi. ESE Del Valle, 300 ft., Travis Co, Texas Feb. 9 700 ♀ largest ovum 0.5mm Parus bicolor no fat mated 19.1 700 ♂ imm. sk. " " no fat testi pair 22.1 3mm. 701 ♂ ad sk testis 2mm Parus atricristatus no fat mated 20.3 702 ♀ ovary 6x3.5mm " " no fat pair 19.0 703 ♂ testis 5mm. Parus bicolor " " mated 21.4 704 ♀ ad sk " " x slight fat pair 17.8 705 ♂ ad sk " " unmated no fat testi 3.5mm 20.4 706 ?♀ imm sk Certhia familiaris 7.6 15 mi, W Bastrop, 600 ft., Bastrop Co, Texas Feb. 10 707 ♂ testis 1 mm Zoetrichia albicollis slight fat 25.9 708 ♀ ovary 6mm Richmondena cardinalis moderate fat 45.8
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K Dixon 1952 Catalogue 3 mi. ESE Del Valle, 300 ft., Travis Co., Texas February 11 709 ♂ testis 6 mm. Parus atricristatus no fat 20.6 710 ♂ testis 3 mm Parus bicolor " " } ovary mated 2 711 ♀ 5mm " " } pair 20.5 4 712 ♂ Parus atricristatus 20.1 713 ♂ testis 1 mm Geothlypis trichas slight fat 10.2 714 ♂ Polioptila caerulea slight fat pick-up 5.9 715 ♂ testis 1.5mm Melospiza melodia slight fat (bill malformed) 22.3 716 ♀ ovary 7x7mm Centurus carolinus no fat 64.5 2½ mi. NW Cedar Creek, ±500 ft., Bastrop Co., Texas February 12 717 Thamnophis pick-up 7 mi. NW Bastrop, 300 ft., Bastrop Co., Texas February 12, ☑ 718 ♂ testis 5mm Parus bicolor no fat } mated 21.9 719 ♀ largest ovum 1.5mm " " " " 19.6 720 ♀ largest ovum 1mm, " " " singing 20.2 721 ♀ ovary 7x7mm. Centurus carolinus not fat } Mated 73.6 722 ♂ testis 4 mm " " " } 78.7 723 ♀ ovary 8mm Cyanocitta cristata no fat 88.4 3 mi. ESE Del Valle, 400 ft., Travis Co., Texas February 13 724 ♂ inm Parus atricristatus testis 4mm nofat 19.2 725 ♀ ovary largest ovum 2 mm. " slight fat } max 19.4 726 ♂ testis 5.6mm Parus bicolor no fat } ed 23.4
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K Dixon 1952 Catalogue 7 mi. S Ranger, ±1700 ft., Eastland Co., Texas February 15 727 ♂ testis 2.5mm Parus atricristatus no fat 19.5gm 728 ♀ ovary 7mm " " " no fat 18.5 729 ♀ ovary 6mm " " " " 18.6 730 ♂ testis 2.5mm " " " 20.0 731 ♂ testis 1.5mm " " " " } mated 20.4 732 ♀ ovary 4mm " " " " 16.4 733 ♂ testis 2mm " " no fat Coll by Pete Jameson 19.9 734 ♀ Parus carolinensis no fat 9.7 735 ♀ Sturnella magna moderate fat Coll. by Pete Jameson 98.0 736 ♀ ovary 6mm Centurus aurifrons slight fat " " 90.3 2 mi. W Mineral Wells, 1000 ft., Palo Pinto Co., Texas February 16 737 ♂ testis 2.5mm Parus atricristatus no fat 23.1 738 ♀ ovary 5mm " " " no fat } mated 19.1 739 ♂ testis 4mm " " " no fat 19.9 17 mi. S Washburn, 3400 ft., Armstrong Co., Texas February 19 740 ♀ ovary 3.5mm Parus atricristatus no fat 15.9 741 ♀ largest ovum 1mm. Catharpes mexicanus slight fat 13.6 742 ♂ testis 1.5mm " " " 13.1 7 mi. E Sunset, Lincoln Co., New Mexico pick-up February 20 743 ♀ largest ovum .05mm Callipepla squamata ovary 12 mm 187.6 9 mi ESE San Simeon, 4000 ft., Cochise Co., Arizona pick-up February 21 744 ♂ testis 15mm. Bubo virginianus
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Plant catalog
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K.Dixon 1952 Plant Catalogue Jan. 30. 11 mi. NW Jourdan, 700 ft., Atascosa Co., Texas 465. shrub 3 ft. growing with the following 466. shrub (2 ft) at edge of brush patch 467 shrub to 7 ft. - no flowers - some with leaves shed 468 shrub 6 ft. rigidly- branched, somewhat spiny, few blackened fruits remaining Jan. 31. same locality 469 shrub 2 ft high 470 green-leaf with small dried fruits 471. ? Atriplex - common under_ shrub in mesquite brushland. 472. dark green leaves, pinnate, kept closed; bark dark grey with whitish lichens overall aspect from distance resembles juniper. (shrub, low spreading - to 5 ft) 473 ? Diospyros undershrub of mesquite occasionally growing alone (one 6" diameter at base) All the above growing on somewhat sandy soil - mesquite trees up to 18 ft. apparent dominant.
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K Dixon 1952 15 mi. W Bastrop, 600 ft., Bastrop Co., Texas February 13 474 Opuntia spreading bush to 4 ft. high fruits bright red 475. Berberis trifoliatum - spreading shrub often growing in center of a mesquite shrub or thicket 476. leafless, green-stemmed shrub All the above plants growing on top of a gravelly ridge about 4 miles S of the Colorado River. Mesquite- dominated brushland the principal cover. Soils shallow. 3 mi. ESE Del Valle, 400 ft., Travis Co., Texas February "1 477 Juniperus growing with deciduous Quercus spp. and small Ulmus (crasifolia?) on gravelly ridge S of Colorado River: 17 mi. S Washburn, 3400 ft., Armstrong Co., Texas Feb 18 478 Juniperus growing on "bench" above Palo Duro Canyon tributary - grasses, mesquite, catelaw - all scattered (white outcrops on bluff higher = limestone?) 479. shrub growing with 478 (= 476 ?)
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KDixar 1952 Plant Catalogue 17 mi. S Washburn, 3400 ft, Armstrong Co., Texas February 18 480. Juniperus berries blue— growing along slope beside streamcourse, well protected by this canyon wall from winds sweeping Terrace above Canyon— soil ? limestone cottonwoods and Rhus trilobata Growing nearby.
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Journal
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K Dixon 1952 Journal Jan. 26 En route Berkeley, Calif. to Atascosa Co., Texas. A.H.Miller and I left Berkeley about 8:00 a.m., after a delay in obtaining a jack which I had forgotten to provide. Cloudy; streets wet but no rain. We proceeded via Walnut Creek and Dublin to Tracy and Modesto. Water high after recent heavy rains but roads entirely passable. We drove down Hwy 99 to Bakers- field, (lunch at Fresno), over Tehachapi Pass (snow never as low as elevation of road) to Mojave. WEATHER CLEAR beyond this point. We proceeded to Barstow, reaching there about before 6:00 p.m. We pushed across the desert to Needles and camped in a dry wash 20 miles or so farther south. Jan 27. We started at dawn, noting few birds in recent brush flats or ironwood-smoke tree grown washes. Breakfast at Parker Jet, Calif., then E to Elip and across the Colorado River to Parker. From there we drove via Hope & Weedbaking to Phoenix (12:30). On to Mesa, south to Casa Grande and E via Picacho. Near Marana on Hwy 80, a flock of Brewer Blackbirds with at least 3 ?? plumage yellow-headed Blackbirds in rookery beside railway. Other Brewers near plowed fields. Only one flock of Calamarigis. We drove via Tucson and Tucson, reaching Willcox after dark. After dinner we continued through borderby New Mexico and Deming, stopping for the night some 20 miles beyond Deming.
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K Dixon 1952 Journal Jan 28. En route Berkeley to Atascosa Co, Texac - We broke camp in grassland - Nolva plain in sub-freezing temperature (clear, dry) and started E again. Marsh Hawk seen foraging flight over grassland. Three Scaled Quail crossed road in sandy area where mesquite clumps were growing on sand-hillocks. White-vested Raven seen in open country (rile range, all fenced); at one place (clump of stunted mesquite) a group of about 8 seen, all but one on ground, latter calling. One picked up on road & mi W has Cincee. In Las Cincee, Dona Ana Co, N Mex one Great-tailed Etrache seen perched atop leafless tree giving a grating note. We drove south thru El Paso and continued on Hwy 80. lunch in Van Horn; from there south on U.S. 90. Horned Owl dead on road 9 mi NW Valentine and another 1 mi W of Valentine Co, Texas (there had been a third W of Van Horn - all had been viewed on - rain Sat night here). Our route led thru Alpine to Marathon. Continuing E, I watched distribution of junipers. Somewhat stunted growth perhaps 8 ft tall occurred E to 18 mi E Marathon, elev. 4300 ft and sparingly beyond. Mesquite in bottoms. This might serve as an avenue for D-mouse dispersed but does not appear habitable. 13 mi E Marathon, Brewster Co. we saw 28 Pronghorne in a loose flock on W-facing slope near hgwy - juniper growth here. Across the canyon, 5+ Mule Deer in denser growth.
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KDixon 1952 Jan 28. En route, Berkeley, Calif., to Atascosa Co., Texas. Darkness overtook us in Sanderson Canyon and we proceeded to a point a few miles SE Schlumba, Val Verde Co., Texas, where we stopped for the night. Horned larks - common here near Rio Grande [illegible] cliffs. Jan 29. We rolled out at dawn and drove to Del Rio for break- fast, thence E toward San Antonio. Few hawks seen en route and more live oak along small stream course than I had remembered. One columbine road 16 mi W of Hondo - see Miller's note. After lunch and provisioning at Hondo, we drove SE through Devine. 12 mi N of Devine, Medina Co., Texas - growth of deciduous oak timber in broad strip along N bank of a creek here. - Also on outskirts of Devine [illegible] white blackjack oak with leaves attached seen. 11 mi NW Jordanton, 700 ft, Atascosa Co., Texas. We arrived at the Ed Eisenhower ranch property about 2:00 p.m. and drove down into brush to locate Mr. Eisenhower. We found only his workman (of Polish descent) who spoke little English. He was turning prickly pear cactus (to remove spines so cattle could feed on it we found later). We spent about 2 hours looking for Mr. Eisenhower, then decided to go to Jordanton to telephone him. I saw again - along the shoulder of the paved road and captured it by hand shortly before 5:00 p.m. - (#650) The Cnemidophorus appeared to have been exposed by grading of the roadside which had been in progress
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K DIXON 1952 Jan 29. 11 mi. NW Jourdanton, 700 ft., Atascosa co, Texas during the afternoon. We drove to Jourdanton and obtained permission to camp on the ranch, then returned to cook dinner [ground Doe in Jourdanton] Jan 30. Dawn about 6:00 - slightly cloudy, calm. Horned Owls active in mesquite
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K Dixon 1952 Jan 30. 11 mi. NW Sourdanton, 700 ft., Atascosa Co., Texas On two occasions I saw Amphispiza "cooperi" and took a ? (#651) from one. Paired? In brush along driveway (belt from which mesquite had been removed) Black-throated Sparrow, Pyrrhuloxia, Mockingbird, Cardinal found. I took a Curve-billed Thrasher from a thicket of lead-pencil cactus and in this area. About 10:30, Ed Eisenhower and his brother Fred arrived. We had extended conversation with them for the next 3 hours, broken by their work program. Ed Eisenhower told me that his father had bought the land about 1904 and at that time they had one well for 3200 acres. A wagon could be driven almost anywhere with ease in contrast to the brush- choked pastures of the present. Today there are six wells on the same area and some had to be drilled deepier last year although the maximum well depth is about 280 feet. Quail appear to fluctuate in numbers, being low at present. Deer appears to be nearly extinct locally because of poaching. After 3 inches of rain in September, there has been little during fall and winter. Cattle need to be fed to supplement the food made available by clearing the Opuntia At sunset, I found a small frog (Acis) floating belly-up but alive in a pond near the windmill. None seen otherwise. Saved as #658
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K. Dixon 1952 Journal Jan. 31 (7 mi NW Sourdanton, 700 ft., Atascosa Co., Texas. OVERCAST, calm. Sun shining, WIND from E after 9:00, from S after 10:00 am. I worked in area E of road near windmill where I was yesterday, 8:05 - 11:30. (See acc't for Parus atricrist atres). One Spotted Towhee seen again today; several Ruby-crowed Kinglets. Vegetation of this area has a dormant aspect. Arboretum mesquites are leafless as are the few elms along streamcourse. Shrubby mesquite plants may be out in leaf as are a number of shrub species. Insects seem generally active: dragonflies, ant-lion larvae (pits), a variety of moths and small butterflies all appear to be common. No Reptile activity noted, however. Titmice may be heard singing persistently; Bewick Wrens likewise; Cardinals and Black-throated Sparrows less so. I spent the time from 3:00 - 5:30 pm in the same area checking distribution of titmouse individuals and pairs and making a line transect of the vegetation. See acc't for Parus. About 3:30 in a clearing + 40 ft across, with clumps of Opuntia scattered, I saw a loose flock of sparrows including Field and Black-throated and a bird with much white on wing coverts and ventrally, possibly a longspur CLOUDY all afternoon Feb. 1 LOW FOG; CALM. (Clear overhead). WINDY after 10:00 a.m. I worked in Otmoose study area from 7:45 - 11:05. See acc't for Parus atricristatus. I prepared a skin of a ? Nestora micropus which was caught in a trap I set under a corner of the brickhouse and which was retrieved crawling
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KDixon 1952 Journal Feb. 1 11 mi. NW Bonham, 700 ft., Atascosa Co., Texas under the house during the wee hours of the day by Dr. Miller. (KLD 668) During the late afternoon I took 3 cricket frogs at the edge of a pond overflowing from the windmill. At noon, these frogs had been active, a chorus of calls sk sk sk having been heard. Bird list for the locality, Jan. 30-Feb 2. Turkey Vulture Red-tailed Hawk Harris Hawk Sparrow Hawk Killdeer * Inca Dove Morning Dove * Roadrunner Horned Owl Fleeker heard Golden-fronted Wpke hudder-bkd. Wdpler 1 Black-nested Titmouse Bewick Wren Mockingbird * Curve-billed Thrasher Ruby-cr. Kinglet * loggerhead Shrike * Western Meadowlark Cardinal * Pyrrhuloxia lack Sparrow * Black-throated Sparrow Field Sparrow Veeper Sparrow longeaper (=not found in area represented) by vegetation transect) (Sec A. H. Miller's notes for birds taken by him and not seen by me; eg: Savent Thrasher, Verdin) Feb 2. While studying td mice, I flushed a Morning Dove from a nest about 6 ft. up in a mesquite; at least one egg. Bird flopped about on ground moving away from.
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K Dixon 1952 Journal. Feb. 2. Atascosa County to Bastrop, Bastrop Co., Texas. Windy during morning as we prepared to break camps. I spent the period 7:45-8:55 watching bitrice; see species account. Before leaving the area, we talked with Homer W. Phillips and Tom Kennerley, zool. graduate students from University of Texas. They had set 29 live-traps for Resttown the evening before and had caught only 7 animals. They indicated that this winter had been a mild one. We broke camp before 10:00 am. and drove to the junction of hwyys. 346 and 173, about a mile NW Jordan- ton. Here we turned NE on 346, driving toward San Antonio. (On Hwy. 173, 2.5 mi. NW of the junction, I had noted a few post oaks and black-jack oaks along the road). At a point 2.4 miles SW of Potect, Atascosa Co., we noted an area of extensive live oak growth. From 2.8 mi. NE Potect to 3.3, blackjack encountered in an E-W strip bisected by hwy. At 4.5 mi. NE Potcet, blackjack again. At 5.1 mi., Starlidge (E6) seen beside road. Broad westward-extending tongue of [illegible] (and some live) oaks on sandy soil from 5.5 mi NE to 11.5 mi. NE Potect. NE of that strip, few scattered leedwood oaks, then cultivati and mesquite. We drove into San Antonio, bought provisions and had truck serviced, ate lunch and headed E out of San Antonio's. After a brief visit with Mrs. El Eisenhauer at their ranch home near Converse, we proceeded toward Seguin.
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KDixon 1952 Journal Feb 2. Atascosa County to Bastrop County, Texas Driving NE out of Seguin, I noted the first black- jacked oak in the uplands approx. 3 miles NE of the Town on U.S. Hgwy. 90. After a point 1 1/2 miles beyond that point, deciduous oaks were the prominent cover. [Kingsbury, Guadalupe Co., Texas.] - snake (KLD 669 picked up on W edge of town on shaded side of road -- cultivated fields in area. At huling, we turned N on State Hgwy 29, then onto farm road 86 and 20 heading toward Bastrop. Area N of huling had some mesquite growth, but somewhat stunted deciduous oaks the chief cover over most of the route. We reached Bastrop about 4:00 pm., called for mail and then tried to locate the County Agent (Agric Extension) Mr. D.B. McCombs. We eventually caught him at his home as he returned from an afternoon of crow-hunting. He had contacted Mr. A. Young of Smithville and had obtained tentative permission for us to hunt on Young's property in the western part of the county. We drove to the area 15 miles W of Bastrop where I had hunted last April and called on Mr. Ed Schanhale who lived on the N side of the road bounding Young's land to the north. Schanhale readily granted us permission to pitch a tent on the property near his barn so we made camp for the night.
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K Dixon 1952 Journal Feb 3. 15 mi. W Bastrop, 600 ft, Bastrop Co., Texas The vegetation of this area is mesquite brushland of slightly different character than in Atascosa Co. The mesquites appear to be spaced more closely and under- shrubs are clumped rather than tending toward continuous coverage. The spaces in between the clumps of shrub growth (chiefly Berberis trifoliata and lead-pencil cactus) are grass covered for the most part. In some areas, as along brooks and swales, there are stands of Ulmus crassifolia ("cedar elm"). There are scattered junipers and a few other trees. Grazing appears to vary from light to heavy. Some prickly-pear has been burned out (presumably for cattle food). WIND STRONG from westerly directions during hours after midnight and on into day. Dust in air dimmed sun most of day. Some clouds passed overhead in late afternoon. I left camp about 8:30 proceeding S onto Mr. Young's land and the Mayhew Creek drainage. See testimony account for route followed. I saw one tree squirrel on mesquite branch "frozen" in rigid position as I walked past. One other in elm woods along brook. Black-tailed gadchabit and cottontail both flushed, latter appearing less numerous than in Atascosa Co. One large lizard apparently Sceloporus on trunk of small elm in mesquite area about 10:30
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Feb. 3. 15 mi. W Bastrop, 600 ft., Bastrop Co., Texas - I was gone from camp 8:30 - 12:00 and 1:00 - 2:20 pm. (see bird list). Feb. 4. I left camp about 7:45 a.m. and spent early part of morning watching twice. At 8:20, along brook above dam, I saw a 9-plumaged Cardinal singing from a horizontal branch; as she did so, she flicked tail and appeared to have head cocked to one side at one time. (I was rather excited and did not record exact- ly the song given). Then bird flew N accompanied by 2 or-plumaged Cardinals - I took her with a long shot (4, 673). Earlier I noted a Fox Sparrow and squeaked; a Harris Sparrow appeared instead and I took it (675). I saw a pair of Carolina Wrens on a slope N of brook and followed them about 20 yards. Then I paused and squeaked; the F came back and I took him (676). Near the dam, I found part of the skeleton of a Gray Fox; the skull and mandible were good and I saved them. The skin of the dorsal surface of the cranium was gone in such a fashion that I considered that the ears and scalp may have been removed for bounty. I found the skull and scattered bones of a striped Skunk (Mephitis); skull not saved. Later, the skull of a house cat was found in the woods. I returned to camp at 12:25 and left at 1:30 for about 2 hours spent mapping area along brook.
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K Dixon 1952 Journal 15 mi W Bastrop, 600 ft., Bastrop Co., Texas. BIRD LIST, FEB.3-5. Blue Heron - one overhead in evening Turkey Vulture Caracara - seen overhead at various times. One flow downwind, late afternoon, Feb. 5, giving a snarling note like exhaust of small motorboat. Killdeer - heard near camp Barred Owl - flushed in woods in daytime, twice from low heights, possibly clumps of Berberis Horned Owl - started calls at 5:30 Feb.5 Black Vulture - 2 Feb 4, perched in elms. Colaptes auratus - noted occasionally in elms. Red-shafted Flicker - primaries on guard in elms ladder-backed Woodpecker - common, usually wary - in mesquites and elms both Red-bellied Woodpecker - one flew overhead giving chuck note Feb.5, Crow - seen flying overhead Tufted Titmouse - see spec. acc't Carolina Chickadee - " " Creeper - one seen foraging in elms Feb 4 Bewick Wren - widespread; singing - paired Carolina Wren - one pair seen Brown Thrasher - one in brush Feb3 Mockingbird Robin - infrequent Eastern Bluebird - paired, hanging around lead trees ; 51 of 60 additions of 24
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K. Dixon 1952 Journal 15 mi. W Bastrop, 600 ft., Bastrop Co., Texas Bird list Feb 3-5. Golden-crowned Kinglet - common in elms Ruby-crowned Kinglet - appears more widespread than former Myrtle Warbler - frequently seen in elms, usually mingles in mixed flocks. Cardinal - common, some paired; on Feb 4, 2051 Travelling with 1-2 seen on different occasions twice. At sunset, Feb. 5, fight involving ♂ vs. ♀ and ♀ vs. ♀ ; cucks and squawks hoplotype-like. Spotted Towhee - infrequent, usually solitary Field Sparrow - common, chiefly in elms, always in company, of their species or mixed flock. White-crowned Sparrow - abundant - singing White-throated Sparrow - one seen with White-crown Harris Sparrow - 1 taken Fry Sparrow - one seen - ventral markings brown Western Meadowlark - one taken out of flock of 1-12 sharp, bent the only note heard. Feb. 5. (A.M. in early morning - sun rose about 7:20 a.m. Dr Miller and I proceeded parallel down slope toward creek in hope of flushing a Barred Owl - no success. Creek reached at 7:58 after which I concerned myself with following advice. About 10:45, I worked up slope along road, taking meadowlark, Bewick's Wren along way and one Dendroscopus escalante (684 ) in mosquitoes nearer camp. I reached camp about 11:30 and spent soon hour writing note.
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K Dixon 1952 Journal Feb 5. 15 mi. W Bastrop, 600 ft., Bastrop Co., Texas I returned to elm bottomland 4:40-6:20 (there (5:00-5:45 only). See Armose acc't. I salvaged an incomplete but cleaned skeleton of an armadillo (Dendrocopos scalaris (683) taken in elms near dam.) (685.) in clearing near elm bottomland. Feb 6. I worked on tobnice in area upstream from road, 8:20- 11:20 (see species account). (Brown-headed Cowbird pair in mesquite-elm S of Schankal's house at 8:10). About 9:30 I was in elm grove NW of dam and near fence. I heard "check" note and saw Red-bellied Woodpecker. I fired at it and drew feathers; it flew E into grove. I came upon a woodpecker of that species and took it (♂, 688). Whether or not it was the first one seen, I cannot say (that bird was perched facing me and I couldn't see crown). Creeper seen working along creek while I walked to more Loggerhead Shrike - one in mesquite clearing Phoebe - one along brook Slate-colored Junco - flock in elm woods downstream Eastern Bluebird - 2 pairs having fight; when first seen, 3 birds involved in chase above elm tops. Disturb soon drawn about dead tree in open area, a few mesquite where I had noticed Bluebirds before. The ♂ of the W pair (residents I had seen in area) gave notes as guttural as a bluebird probably can, chiefly of one syllable, and others were melodious. ♂ fluttered wings although other pair ± 30 ft distant. ♀ chimed in with single piping notes, higher pitch,
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Journal Feb 6. 15 mi. W Bastrop, 600 ft, Bastroplo, Texas I spent the period from 11:30 - 12:30 with A.H. Miller in areas downstream, checking sites where he had taken to-mice. Windy OVERCAST. On our way back to camp, I heard a rustling noise and saw a lizard disappear into a hollow stump - Sceloporus? I returned to Elm bottomland 3:45 - 5:45 to map and observe to-mouse areas, returning at 6:05 p.m. On the way, N of telephone line clearing, I saw a Verdun and fire at it but not successfully. Bird kept calling but was wary so I abandoned chase. At this time I saw another lizard enter a hollow stump. Cedar Waxwing flock + 6 flew over in late afternoon. I saw an Armadillo in meaguito - Berberis brush. This mammal moved at a trot, pausing and then renewing this casual gait when it noticed that I was walking behind it. Feb 7. 1 1/2 mi. S Del Valle, 300 ft, Travis Co., Texas. - We reached this area along Onion Creek E of Bergstrom Field (Air Force) about 8:20 a.m. SUNNY; CALM; FROST on ground. See to-mouse account for details. In first 1/2 hour I noted the following birds: Song Sparrow, Fox Sparrow, Blue Jay, Bewick Wren, Carolina Wren (singing) Carolina Chickadee, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Cardinal. (Hume wren seen 9:30) Red-bellied Woodpecker - rolling 'turrr-it' of 8 answered from across the elm grove. D & F cavorting corresponding to one in amiflora cavity in elm. (this note more melodious than)
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K Dixon 1952 Journal Feb 7. 1 mi. NE Del Valle, 300 ft., Travis Co., Texas - (S) bank of (Colorado River) We worked this narrow fringe of moderate sized timber and fringe of tangled vines, shrubs, grasses from 10:00 to 12:00. Bullfrog heard from bank and 2 frogs (691, 692) taken at edge. Birds seen: Ladder-bkd Wdfthr. Crow Carolina Chickadee Marsh Wren - in cattails Bewick Wren Mockingbird Phoebe Brown Thrasher myrtle Warbler ? yellowthroat Cardinal Spotted Towhee American Goldfinch Savanna Sparrow Lincoln Sparrow 1 taken (693) Long Sparrow. Feb. 8. 4 mi. SW Austin, 500 ft., Travis Co., Texas. CLEAR, CALM. (WINDY after 10:00 a.m.) I worked in bottomland elm and elm-juniper on the Staines farm on Barton Creek, 8:45 - 10:15. See account, Pama atricristatus. After 10:30, I worked juniper - covered slope W of creek and 10:50 - 11:30, the live oak - juniper of Terrace on which buildings are located. I left farm at 12:30. Gray Fox - as I handled wounded Ratmorse in elm near creek, I saw a Gray Fox approaching at a trot through the elm grove which lacked underbrush! The fox stopped about 100 feet from me, then turned and walked away. I was in plain sight and shifted loads in my shotgun although fox did not come
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KDixon 1952 Journal Feb 8. 4 mi SW Austin, 500 ft, Travis Co, Texas into range. Robin - large flocks throughout elms and junipers, probably attracted to junipers berries. Crow - flying overhead throughout morning Blue Jay - heard only in elms before 9:00 a.m. ladder-backed Woodpecker - in elm-juniper Red-tailed Hawk - / overhead ? Owl - large owl flew across tributary S of elm Grove at 9:45 - perched beneath cliff, then flew upstream Carolina Chickadee - common Bewick Wren - '' Carolina Wren - in brushy areas close to streams Ruby-crowned Kinglet Golden-crowned Kinglet Spotted Towhee Refuse - crowned Sparrow - at 10:20 call clearclear- clear of this species heard from area of story ground grown with stunted junipers 3-4 ft high - Bird not seen although I worked thru this sparse growth. Fence lizard - one seen on rocks as I ascended path to farm ledge about 12:25. I had heavy loads in gun and lizard took cover before I could change loads. Cardinal - scattered everywhere including pure juniper - in pairs
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K Dixon 1952 Journal Feb 9 2½ mi. ESE Del Valle, 300 ft., Travis Co, Texas - This area along lower part of Onion Creek was the property of Mr. Herbert Smart, a lawyer who has a practice in Austin. It may be reached by driving W from Garfield on U.S. Hwy 290 for 2.2 miles, then turning N for about ½ mile. I was permitted to drive down into the bottomland and worked along the S bank of the stream 8:30 - 10:30 a.m. for about ¾ mile, then returning to starting point by 12:00. The timber along the stream was well developed with elm (probably U. americana), cottonwood, china berry, willow and sycamores growing along the banks. Birds noted in this habitat: Red-bellied Woodpecker Turkey Vulture Great Blue Heron Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Phoebe Carolina Chickadee Creeper one taken Ruby- and Kinglet Myrtle Warbler Slate-colored Junco Cardinal In area of mesquite - prickly pear - thorn scrub upstream I heard call of Roadrunner Small frogs, presumably Acris, seen along stream SEE ACCOUNT, Pams atricristatus - bicolor Feb 10. 15 mi. W Bastrop, 600 ft., Bastrop Co., Texas - OVERCAST throughout morning; wind generally from N. I spent the morning mapping area of elm grove where at once study (707) being conducted. I took one white-throated Sparrow from a mixed flock in vine tangle area after 11:00. During the afternoon I ran a transect of the
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Feb 10. 15 mi. W Bastrop, 600 ft., Bastrop Co, Texas vegetation S of road near camp (see acc't for Parus bicolor). I took a G Cardinal (708) with the .38 pistol in this area. Feb 11. 3 mi. ESE Del Valle, 300 ft., Travis Co, Texas CALM with scattered clouds. I worked portion of Onion Cr. below the area tramped through Feb 9 and also went about 100 yards down the S bank of the Colorado below the mouth of Onion Creek. (See Dotmouse account). Birds not seen earlier: Phoebe - sang bee-zurreet bee-zurrezet House Wren Carolina Wren golden-crowned kinglet Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (one found, presumably shot by me incidentally earlier in day - saved as skin, 714) Yellowthroat - ♂, 713, taken in dried cat-tails at mouth of Onion Creek - scoed nott cut - cut only call Pipit - one heard overhead (? spinolestta) Long Sparrow - one taken near site of Yellowthroat (715) I took a G Red-bellied Woodpecker along creek with a .38 - bird seemed lethargic and permitted close approach. Its feet were mite - infested and bird was light in weight (64.5 gm.) I left area at 12:15 and drove to Austin to see Homer Phillips and W. F. Blair about matters relating to collecting. I went to Bastrop for mail, returning to camp at 4:30.
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Feb 12. 7 mi. NW Bastrop, 300 ft., Bastrop Co, Texas - we left Camp before 8:00 a.m. and drove to Austin, then out a farm road which is a continuation of East 19th Street. We proceeded for something beyond 20 miles, passing through Webberville, on the N bank of the Colorado. We stopped in one patch of juniper woodland about 2 mi NW Utley P.O. where A.H. Miller took 3 [illegible] prior to 9:30. We arrived in an area of dense juniper woods about [unclear] 9:45. Juniper trees were tall (25-30 ft) and formed a solid stand, with few deciduous oaks scattered through- out. (See acct for Parus bicolor) Red-bellied Woodpecker - I took a ? (721) perched in a blackjack oak at E edge of woods. Bird was dead but carried on branch. As I was studying means of retrieving bird, a ? flew into tree and gave call which I think was "turrit" - repeated several times from perch high in oak. I took it (722) Blue Jay - several in area giving nasal caah- note and other calls. I heard "rusty gate squeak" note" a croaking ca-a-ah somewhat Bufo-like. I have heard this note from other jays previously but never from C. cristata. Crow - common in area Robin - abundant, in small flocks, attracted to juniper berries in all probability. Carolina Chickadee - not common Cardinal , Myrtle warbler, Slate-colored juncos also seen. Sceloporus at base of barned
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Feb 12. 7 mi. NW Bastrop, 300 ft., Bastrop Co., Texas Tree ran to cover before I could load for it. We left at 12:50 p.m., driving a short distance to the high "bridge" across the Colorado and continuing on an improved highway which intersects U.S. Hwy 290 about 2 mi. W Bastrop. After lunch in Bastrop, we returned to camp in midafternoon. Feb 13. 15 mi. ESE Del Valle, 400 ft., Travis Co., Texas I worked in oak-elm-juniper of level gravelly ridge on Mr. Smart's farm, 8:00 am to 10:00. See acc't for Parus bicolor-atricristatus. SUNNY, CALM until 9:30. (Dr Miller covered elm-mesquite toward creek) Myrtle Warbler - seems to be more abundant than it was 10 days ago -- often in groups of 3 or 4. En route, Austin to Waco, McLennan Co., Texas We broke camp shortly after 3:30 p.m. and drove to Austin. From there we we proceeded to Waco via U.S. Hwy 81. Down Travis County about 8 mi. SSE Round Rock, we encountered juniper and liveoaks which extended N for 2.3 mi. At Round Rock, Williamson Co., Texas, a brush-lined creek with some liveoaks scattered along. For about 4 miles to the southward of Georgetown, Williamson Co., we noted live- oaks. Prairie with cultivation to the N but liveoak in vicinity of Salado, Bell Co. For 3.8 miles at the Lampasas River crossing and beyond, discontinuous liveoak-juniper. 2 mi farther N, same at Belton.
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R Dixon 1952 Journal Feb 13. En route, Austin to Waco, McKennan Co., Texas. At Temple, Bell Co., Texas - Great-tailed Grackle seen. liveoak and juniper at Bruceville mckennan co., at dusk. We arrived at Waco in time for dinner and put up for the night. Feb 14. En route, Waco, mckennan Co., to Dallas, Texas We drove out of Waco about 8:00 a.m. staying on U.S. Hwy 77, via Hillsboro and Waxahachie. Blackjack oak in vicinity of West, mckennan co., but mostly prairie with streambank elms until we reached Waxahachie Ellis County. Along the banks of Red Oak Creek in the same county, deciduous oaks were noted. Juniper seen as Dallas was approached; deciduous oaks on the outskirts of that city. En route, Dallas, Texas to Ranger, Fannland Co., Texas Dr. Miller took the plane at Dallas and I drove W from the NW corner of that city on State Hwy. 183. This route enabled me to skirt Ft. Worth. For 6 miles west of Dallas, a belt of deciduous oaks, then a 2 1/2 mile gap of prairie. From 3 mi E Enlace Tarrant Co., to Ft. Worth, blackjack oaks were seen. At the circle at the W end of Ft. Worth I saw liveoaks and deciduous oaks but prairie lay to W. Six miles W of the Ft. Worth circle, a rise in the prairie. Trees not encountered until crossing of Clear Fork of Trinity River about 8 mi E Weatherford, Barker Co., Texas - liveoaks and deciduous oaks.
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K Dixon 1952 Journal Feb 14. En route, Dallas to Ranger, Eastland Co., Texas 11 mi S W of Weatherford on U.S. 80, rocky area of stunted blackjack oak. Armadillo dead beside road. Some livesals along Brazos River. + 10 mi E Thumber, IN Palo Pinto County, mesquite seen. 4 mi W Thumber [Erath Co.,] into Ranger, junipers seen. I reached Ranger about 3:30 p.m. and contacted Mr. and Mrs. Aubrey Jameson, whose son, David, is a student at Texas University. They welcomed me to their home and I was taken on a tour of their ranch in the drainage of the Leon River. 7 mi. S Ranger, + 1700 ft., Eastland Co., Texas. - see acc't for Carus atricristatus for complete description of area. Feb 15. COLD; MISTY RANGE intermittent 8:00 - 11:00 a.m.; hard en thereafter. Area generally one of deciduous-oaks and livesals of uplands; oak - elm - pecan of bottomland. I worked along Colony Creek and adjacent bank of Leon River, 8:00 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. - See tomorrow account. Bobwhite Quail - covey of a dozen seen in area of brush piles along creek - Golden-fronted Woodpecker - one heard; one taken by Pete Jameson and prep'd by me (736) Red-headed Woodpecker - wary - 'm deciduous timber along creekside Downy Woodpecker - seen ladder-backed Wdfler. - heard Carolina Chickadee - common in area where tomorrow found -
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Feb 15. 7 mi. S Ranger, ±1700 ft., Eastland Co., Texas Robin Creeper Eastern Meadowlark - taken by Pete Jameson (KLD 735) Western Meadowlark " " " , not saved Carphodacus sp. 3 seen in deciduous oaks (not on ground) - fired at but none taken. Slate-colored Junco Cardinal Feb 16. En route Ranger, Texas, to Mineral Wells, Texas I left Ranger about 8:30 a.m. and drove E. About 10 mi. E Ranger, there was a drop from the terrace on which Ranger is situated. I turned N on State Hwy 16 driving through Strawn, Palo Pinto County - Juniper was more prominent in this area. East of Palo Pinto, there was a second drop (on U.S. Hwy (80). I stopped at the ranch of Mr. J.C. Taylor, 2 mi. W Mineral Wells, 1000 ft., Palo Pinto Co., Texas Area of rocky hillside with post oak and blackjack and scattered juniper with considerable undergrowth including a thorny vine encountered in Bastrop Co. This habitat is probably the same as the 'brushy post-oak land' of Osborn's study in Young Co (Jour. Wildlife Mgt., 1943). See account for Parus atricollis. Other birds seen, 10:45 - 12:05: Screch Owl - one flushed from deciduous oak while I had light load in gun, Blue Jay - one heard
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K Dixon 1952 Journal Feb 16. 2 mi. W Mineral Wells, 1000 ft., Palo Pinto Co., Texas Carolina Chickadee Cardinal Slate-colored Junco all in stunted deciduous oaks En route, Mineral Wells, Texas, to Amarillo, Texas. I left Mineral Wells about 1:30 p.m. PARTLY CLOUDY. I took no photographs in area of deciduous oak woodland near that city through which junipers were scattered. Junipers were not seen N of a point about 6 mi. N Mineral Wells. Photographs of post oak-blackjack woodland 10 mi. SE Jacksboro, Jack County. Proceeding into Jacksboro, one meets a rise in elevation. Hivesake noted first 7 mi. NNW Jacksboro and dead mesquites were noted in vicinity of that city. By the time the settlement of Jermyn, Jack County, had been reached on State Hwy 199, oaks had dropped out and tree growth to the west was largely mesquite. Open prairie through most of eastern Young County. Reached Olney about 3:30, and put up for the night there. Weather was cold (frost). Feb 17. Clear early but clouded in by noon. I left Olney, Young Co., about 9:15 a.m., driving W on Texas Hwy 197. Vegetation alternately prairie and mesquite with no underbrush. I reached Seymour, Baylor County, by 10:00 and drove to the S edge of town to inspect the Salt Fork of the Brazos River. I found only small willows and mesquites and took a photo. I drove northward on U.S. Hwy 283 toward Vernon,
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KD Dixon 1952 Journal Feb. 17 En route, Mineral Wells, Palo Pinto Co., Texas to Amarillo, Texas Along this road I noted a gray thorny shrub similar in appearance to the green-stemmed thorn (KLD 476) At Beaver Creek, 14 mi. SSE Vernon, Wilbarger Co., Texas elms and cottonwoods to height of 25 feet. In five minutes after 10:50, I noted Cardinal, Carolina Chick- a-dee, Slate-colored Junco, but no Whitmouse. I drove N out of Vernon one mile to the Pease River finding skimpy tree growth, mostly dense shrubby willow (growth form like Cornus californica) I checked the Pease again NW of Vernon on U.S. Hwy 287 and found no mature cottonwood. I proceeded to Quanah, Hardeman Co., and drove N 7.8 mi. to the Red River and took photographs. Cover was scanty, no mature cottonwoods. Near the river were windbreak shelter rows of cottonwood, Chilopsis, and ? willows. [4 mi E of Quanah there was a rise to a terrace - there was no continuous cover but some plantings. Riparian growth generally too small for Whitmouse I believe.] I crossed the Prairie Dog Town Fork of the Red River above Estelline, Hill County, finding the cover the same as that N of Quanah and no water. Six miles NW Memphis, IN Donley Co., Texas, I noted an escarpment with local cedar breaks and cottonwood trees of good stature in a roadside park in a canyon. To the westward, steppe vegetation prevailed. Some cotton cultivated as far W
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KDixon 1952 Journal Feb 17. En route, Mineral Wells, Palo Pinto Co., Texas, to Amarillo, Texas as Hedley, Donley Co. I drove W across these high plains into Amarillo, Potter Co., Texas, reaching there about 5:30 p.m. Feb 18. I called on Mr. Floyd V. Studer, amateur paleontol- ogist, in Amarillo after 9:00 a.m. He arranged for me to work on the ranch of Mr. Newton Harrell in Palo Duro Canyon, Armstrong Co., Texas. I drove to Canyon, called for mail, returned to Amarillo and drove E to Claude, in Armstrong County. From there I was directed W to Washburn by Mr. Harrell whom I met there. I drove S and W about 17 miles by road to the Harrell ranch house which is located in a draw leading to a tributary which enters Palo Duro Canyon from the N.
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K Dixon 1952 Feb 18. 17 mi. S Washburn, 3400 ft., Armstrong Co, Texas CLOUDY but cleared; WIND from SW, strongly gusty. I walked down into a tributary of Palo Duro Canyon from the Harrell ranch-house shortly after 1:00 p.m. Within the canyon below the level of the plains was a small stream with running water only in spots. The sides were steep and rocky, in some places cut through massive layers of stone. Sides were grown with junipers, 10-30 ft tall, with scattered deciduous shrubs and some meaquites on the S-facing slopes. Along the stream came were battered shrubs I took to be a species of Baccharis. Scattered cottonwoods to 25 ft tall along the winding canyon. The gorge itself was cut to a depth of 50 feet a short distance from the buildings and was about 100 feet wide. I ascended the north slope about 2:30, noting Blue tribulata growing on the slope, as well as catclaw. The terrace above was grown with grasses, ?Xoliva, meaquite, juniper (KLD 478) and a grayish-stemmed thorn (KLD 479 [=476?]). I returned to the truck, obtained the camera and took photos of the canyon area I had worked in. Birds noted: Red-tailed Hawk - 1, soaring Scaled Quail - flock of about 10 in meaquites near corral - call chur-chur-shrack The latter note thin, piercing. Birds also gave subdued notes of a sort similar to those of hoplortyx california. One I chased another bird and picked at it twice.
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R Dixon 1952 Feb 18, 17 mi S Washburn, 3400 ft, Armstrong Co., Texas Wild Turkey - I watched one fly along the canyon wall for about 100 yards and alight on rocky area. 3 other birds (also gobblers, at least with breast plumes) walked along through the junipers and joined the first. The first hopped up +7 feet to a ledge higher and worked up the slope, using a switch-back system. Two others in turn followed, the hop up to the ledge being made rather gracefully in view of weight of birds. The fourth had not followed at the time I left. Later in the afternoon I saw a group of +15 running across the mesquite-dotted terrace. Still later (+3:45) I saw 5 birds picking at something on the bare ground near juniper trees of same area. They were wary and moved ahead of me. Canyon Wren - seen along rocky stream course, singly and in couple call: [illegible] zurrut reet reet zigur izzer izer streeet also song (heard only once) Robin - abundant, remaining in cover of junipers along stream Cardinal - pair heard giving pit note and seen skulk- ing in junipers Gray-headed juncos - one seen - flocks of juncos along dry wash may have included Slate-color White-crowned Sparrow - common along dry wash near buildings
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R Dixon 1952 Feb 18 17 mi. S Washburn, 3400 ft., Armatrong Co., Texas Sparrow - one seen on lumber pile in ranchyard. no amphibians or reptiles noted. Cottonwails with short ears flushed on terrace above canyon. Feb 19. CLEAR, CALM. I cut across plains to tributary to Palo Duro Canyon and descended into that steep-walled trib- utary gorge. Turkeys still roosting in cottonwoods at 8:05, our not striking them as yet. I peeled my way along the stream course, stopping to stalk a pair of bobwhite (see spec. acc't.) I reached the main part of Palo Duro Canyon at 10:00 and worked along the main stream for 1 1/2 hours. The canyon floor was broad and flat here, the stream being cut 6-8 ft below the level of the terrace. Cottonwoods along the stream; junipers, elms, hackberries on terrace, mostly juniper. Grasses dense, a rich growth which was dry and made stalking difficult. Shrubs included cattlew, Ephedra, Berberis, lead-pencil cactus. I saw one weeping juniper. 11:30 - 12:00 I looked S toward that wall of canyon but found no birds in junipers. Birds noted: Bald Eagle - 2 flew from cottonwoods as I approached Golden Eagle - 1 " " Sparrow Hawk Red-shafted Flicker - flushed in numbers near stream Golden-fronted Woodpecker - 1, away S (cottonwood) Ladder-backed Woodpecker - in open canyon
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K Dixon 1952 Journal Feb 17. 17 mi. S Washburn, 3400 ft., Armstrong Co., Texas Pion Jay - feather found on flat near ranch Bewick Wren - singing Bush-tit - flock +/- 10 in junipers Mountain Bluebird Townsend Solitaire Golden-crowned Kinglet Ruby-crowned Kinglet myrtle (?) Warbler Spotted Towhee Brown Towhee - one pair Cardinal - not seen, ? inconspicuous, shy Rufous-crowned Sparrow - still heard Chipping Sparrow SLAD? colored Junco definitely identified. Meadowlark - one in grassy opening I left main canyon at 12:30, reaching the ranch house at 2:00. Poisoned coyotes (2) along dry stream course. The two Canyon Wrens taken were among borders near stream in tributary canyon. One was ex changing call notes with another 15 yds distant when I happened upon it. Both taken with .38 I left the Harrell Ranch before 5:00 p.m. and drove into Amarillo. After dinner, I proceeded to Canyon, moved into a motel and prepared my bird skins.
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KDixon 1952 Journal Feb. 20. Palo Duro Canyon, 13 mi. E Canyon, ± 3400ft., Randall Co., Texas CLEAR, COLD, CALM. I drove E out of Canyon after 7:45 a.m. toward the State Park which is 12 miles E of the town. Ring-necked Pheasant ♂ and group of 3 Starlings noted on outskirts of the town. I reached the Park entrance and proceeded along the main road which descends into the Canyon. I left the car beside the road at 8:30 and walked along the brook which had ice along its edges. I stayed in area until 9:10. See acct for Parus atricristatus. Other birds singing included Bewick Wren and Ladder-backed Warbler drumming). No birds not seen on Harrell Ranch. Area similar, cottonwoods along stream and juniper woods elsewhere. I drove up out of the canyon or to the plateau or rim. I noted 2 Scaled Quail sitting at the roadside their feathers ruffled and bodies resting on the ground. Their bodies were in contact like those of chickens on a roost. A love bird sat similarly on the other side of the road. I approached on foot and the birds rose to their feet slowly and walked away. At least half a dozen were sunning in a similar manner a few feet from the road. Time 9:20a.m. I drove back into Canyon and called on Mr. C.B. McClure, Director of the Panhandle Plains Museum. He called my attention to an article on Birds of the Texas Panhandle by A.S. Hawline published in 1945.
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K Dixon 1952 Journal Feb-26. En route, Canyon, Randall Co., Texas to Berkeley, Calif. I left Canyon at noon driving SW on U.S. Hgwy via Hereford to Clovis. All cattle ranch country; high plains. At Clovis, New Mexico, I turned S on U.S. 70. 7 mi NE Portales, Roosevelt Co., New Mexico - a Raven (smaller, = cryptoleuco?), the only one seen in after- noon. Many dead raptors at roadside as though someone had shot them in numbers about 2 weeks earlier. Reached Roswell at 3:30 and continued W. Found a Callipepla 8 mi by rd. E of Sunset, in Lincoln Co., N. Mex. At Hondo
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K Dixon 1952 Centurus aurifrons Jan 30. 11 mi. NW Jourdauton, 700 ft., Atascosa Co., Texas Sunny with scattered clouds, calm until 11:00 a.m. Golden-fronted Woodpeckers were common and couple were in dense mesquite-brush growth on Eisenhour Ranch; both in closely spaced mesquites near ranch-house and more open growth across paved road to E. I took a ? ( ) in dense mesquite near road; bird it had been associated with in flight into clump flew on to N and gave check check check call, piercing, suggestive of a worm wound. I took this bird ( ). One call recorded at time as chir-irr-ack of nasal quality was given by the ? bird. I saw a pair near windmill E of road and heard others. Later I watched a ladder- backed Woodpecker foraging on a trunk; another woodpecker worked up the trunk below the scalaris and the latter flew away. The second proved to be an aurifrons. I took a ? (655) in same patch of woods where other pair taken.... Bird was only wounded and gave a chicken-like squawk when handled.
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KDixon 1952 Parus carolinensis Feb 3. 1/2 mi. W Bastrop, 600 ft., Bastrop Co., Texas. Song of chickadee near power-line clearing on Young property: sufeer sufeer sufeer (2nd and 3rd "bees" lower pitched than 1st) Later in morning I heard a song with 5 notes rather than the usual 4; it had a tagalong "bee" note. Feb 5. CALMER than preceding days but WINDY after 10:00. During the past 3 mornings I have found chickadees singly or in pairs. Call notes recorded as follows: dee dee dee - scoold see-chit [illegible] latter note curt spiggle-ya spiggle-yee an Aegolius-like gurgle heard on several occasions Feb 9. 2 1/2 mi. ESE Del Valle, 300 ft., Travis Co., Texas. - CLEAR, WARM, CALM. Chickadees noted occasionally along Onion Creek in streambank timber. About 11:40, as I was trying to locate a fieldmouse which had stopped singing, I made a hissing noise. The first birds to respond were 2 chickadees which approached within a few feet of me, giving sputtery chickadee dee notes. Dense elm and oak reproduction along this bank. Feb 15. 7 mi. S Ranger, = 1500 ft., Eastland Co., Texas COLD, RAINY, calm. Chickadees were common in postoak-blackjack woodland (closely spaced) in the same areas where fieldmice occurred. They were noisy and in the poor light I shot at one, mistaking it for a fieldmouse. I took one (# 734) unintentionally when firing at a fieldmouse later; its mate moved about, calling
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KDixon 1952 Parus bicolor Feb 4. 15 mi. W Bathsp I reached creek wsn above earth dam at 8:20 CLEAR, WINDY (from NW). Titmouse song infrequent. I looped to SW and N returning at 8:50. Song tree - - - - - - 6 and 7 phrases downstream - I went to investigate Sicker wet vet - - - of one bird as singing of other stopped - see chirp of other, then pirty pirty - - - - . Ttip, then silence. Pair? (see occurred) (S of stream course below dam) 8:57. (Song in answer well to S also ceased) 9:02 Til flew from old mesquite N into elm and began song tury - - - - - 6 phrases. Answer from S and once from W. Mate not seen. Explosive sichadee dee dee dee from Carolina chick. to E and pair approached and scolded pee chet chet and chickadee (explosive, gurgly) at 9:05 Song then stopped. Titmouse began soft fait fait evenly spaced. Song resumed keyt keyt 5-7 phrases facing in different directions, then wick wick - - - - - it. Chickadeez silent vet vet vet to E. phlee phlee phlee thin, forced, gackle- like - bird foraging at base of elm - ?! Bird there began pirty - - - - 5's at 9:13 and then flew to elm E where W foraged at base, singing from ground as well as given 6ft.
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K Dixon 1952 Barus bicolor Feb 4 15 mi W Bastrop, 600 ft, Bastrop Co, Texas song interrupted 9:17, then resumed; answer to E Party 5, rarely 6's - E song closer {I am not sure this is the same bird} 9:20 bird in elm phlee-phlee then party --- 4/2 cher-wee cher-wee cher-weet cher-weet then party --- faster cher-wee --- see phleet (or phleet phleet) Bird perched conspicuously although wind strong phleet note interspersed in slow, coupled slower song. I followed bird across downed fence to E at 9:25 and watched it forage there until 9:36. Bird seemed to be alone. It hopped on ground beneath cludbet and searched around the bases of elms a good deal. It worked on broken mesquite branch 2 ft off ground and called see-chup as it hopped to another segment of that branch. Single tail notice given by bird as it hopped on ground. Rather steady singing may indicate unmated status I worked W to dam and beyond along brook came. I cut Sward, after 9:45, worked carefully thru patch of elms next to open field to S. Other birds incl. Eastern Bluebird, Chickadee, Kinglet, Field Sparrow, but no thrice. I worked thru carefully until 10:13, then crossed open area to SE and started thru elm patch there. I followed bird flock along W edge and located it once as it flew to
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Feb 4 15 mi. W Bastrop, 600 ft., Bastrop Co., Texas Edge of woods I had covered from mequits in clump of green-stemmed thorn growing in clearing. I followed this bird 10:17 - 10:26. It appeared to be alone, giving tit notes infrequently and once chee money. It worked in higher parts of elms seemingly untroubled by the wind, although wind caught tail once and almost threw bird over frontwards. Tit notes given as titmouse hopped to new perch. One bird spiraled upward, perching two feet above fourth pinch; facing opposite direction after making half turn in air. I left this area after checking on this bird at 10:40. Titmouse still foraging alone in elms. I spent the next 20 minutes in the elm woods E of the clear area, then worked upstream from the dam (which lies N of those woods). I looped back along N side of brook course, reaching roadway at 11:20. I paced by compass distance 550 to fence at 290 paces. From point on fence intersecting continuation of NNE-SSW road, I paced 470 steps due W along fence to gateway N of logpile. This logpile in the open field is south of the area of elm woods hunted 9:45 - 10:15 today. These woods the place where titmice first found Feb 3. I worked back N toward camp arriving at 12:25 - no titmice encountered. No song heard since lone male left at 9:35.
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KDixon 1952 Parus bicolor Feb 4 15 mi. W Bastrop, 600 ft., Bastrop Co., Texas I returned to area along brook course below dam about 1:30 p.m. SUNNY; BREEZE NEGLIGIBLE. I noted one titmouse fly from one elm along brook to one S and continue foraging there (area where I watched at 9:13 today). Bird gave call see-che-up once. No mate seen and bird disappeared shortly afterward (a bird which may have been the titmouse flew to E side of road about 1:45). I worked in area below dam to point 375 yards E of road until after 3:00 pm WIND STRONG again, remaining so through afternoon. No titmice detected. Dr. Miller told me of having worked E of the roadway after 10:00 a.m. today and of seeing 4 pairs of titmice in addition to an apparently unmated S close to road. The latter had a Cedar Waxwing-like note which may have been the one I recorded as “phleet”. Probably the S I left at 9:35.
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KDH 1952 Parus bicolor Feb. 5. 15 mi. W Bastrop SUNNY; LIGHT BREEZE from S. I walked S and reached dam at 7:58 (slow walk three woods had revealed no titmice) Titmouse singing tree---(tree) from elms immediately downstream from dam. Answer from S repeatedly and from W out in a while, a different type of song, slower, perhaps tweeer--- I followed up S bird and found that song had come from woods S of grassy field. Bird now gave peyta --- always 3 phrases per song best answer from W --- I located singer in large elm along fence at N edge of field at 8:05 Tiny---. Song ceased shortly - 2 titmice together and I couldn't be sure of it. Birds moved into low elms to N and it soon opened up again. I waited, then fired at it with .38 she was only frightened and flew NE into mesquites, male following. He perched giving tsit and she (?) scolded from mesquite to W. I fired another .38 and she flew W to edge of elms.... bird seemed wobbly and I eventually downed her (678 S). This point was 112 yards N of fence (at song perch tree, 8:05) on E edge of elm patch where I had seen bird about 10:25 Feb. 4. Time 8:20. I worked E to follow up note and saw bird fly into N edge of elm patch E of clearing. I approach and watched him forage - bird saw a moth and began aerial pursuit, first among branches of elm while drifting downward, then out into open
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Parus bicolor Feb 5 15 mi. W Baalup to north with rather skillful maneuvering I thought, whether bird captured with or not I couldn't see. He came to perch in lone elm N of grave ~30yd and I took him (6798'). I began walking in a SE direction cutting thru elms to thin mesquite patch. There I sighted a Titmouse in a mesquite and saw another in a Berberis. The latter picked at a leaf once. The pair worked NE and one foraged in a clump of green-stemmed thorn (in plant or ground?) By the time I had maneuvered around to SE of them, the birds had moved on into the dense elms to NE. I approached and watched their foraging, recording motions on another sheet. The two seemed to keep in close touch, giving only faint notes occasionally. Foraging seemed to be in upper branches of elms although I saw one bird hitch up a trunk apparently by use of feet and wings only. It progressed upward perhaps 3 feet in this fashion. I left these birds and moved due N to dam at 9:10. No Titmouse activity detected. I took a stroll upstream and back to dam 9:20-9:30 finding no Titmice. I then proceeded S conditionally and located Titmice foraging in the elms again. Occasionally one gave a note pee-cheey softly but I wasn't sure it was the same one each time. One had a tail bent to its own right but this couldn't always be detected to mark the bird. The pair moved W across mesquites into
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R Dixon 1952 Parus bicolor Feb 5. 15 mi. W Bastrop, 600 ft., Bastrop Co., Texas elm patch to W at 8:47. As they foraged, sometimes 40-50 ft from me, I heard some call notes which I got down. See-schlet; sch-lup; see-vay (2nd note more prolonged than see-schlet) and a sharp see-t. Again, I am not sure that the same bird gave all of these. By 10:00 the two had moved to W edge of that elm patch and were at the edge of the clearing with larger area of green-stemmed thorn. I fired at one with little visible effect; it flew to small elm W and then apparently both birds worked across clearing to some W or into marshes S. No further trace of them - no song in ±the 20m I had watched them. I paced off the distance of 8:05 song tree to gap in fence W at 145 yds. Coming back to W-most elm patch, I happened upon a titmouse at 10:40. Bird in area where tits first seen Feb 3. It perched motionless on elm branch 15 ft or so up; later it gave Tsit increasingly loud. Tsit from NW made me think male might be there. I held fire, then took a shot and missed. I searched area subsequently and couldn't locate twice although chickadee- singing - myrtle warbles flock in area where location notes had originated. I left at 10:35 and worked E toward roadway. No activity in area E of dam. I then walked N out of bottomland area.
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KDixon 1952 Parus bicolor Feb 5. 15 mi W Bastrop, 600 ft, Bastrop Co. Texas I walked through elm bottomland after 5:00 pm but did not locate any Titmouse downstream from roadway. I walked up brook to W of roadway at 5:20 and heard call see - cheyay from elms along stream. At 5:22 I saw Titmouse in elms at point about 105 pace above root; it flew into next elm [illegible] and exchanged same call with Titmouse in next elm W. Bird then flew into that elm and the two birds remained there; yet set notes of antagonistic nature were given but no song. No pursuit or other aggressive motions which I could detect. I maneuvered around for better view at 5:25 and heard no more calls. A minute later, the birds were nowhere to be seen. Cloudy. I walked thru elms to W and gathered armadillo skeletonina clearing between middle and W elm grove. No calls by time of departure [5:45]
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K Dixon 1952 Parus bicolor Feb 6. 15 mi W Bastrop, 600 ft, Bastrop Co. Texas CLEAR; WIND FROM N, stray but shifted to W by 9:00 and then back to E by 9:30. I reached the brook near the dam at 8:23 and processed partway downstream to road, then S'd into elm grove. I worked back and forth, and worked into small (middle) elm grove. Flock of chickadees and kinglets here at 8:45 -- Field Sparrows also. I moved into W-most elm patch and scanned there for 20 min. No sign of a titmouse. [As I consider now, the first I taken yesterday at the E edge of that grove was the resident (#678). The lone bird I find at about 10:40 was his mate in all probability. The status of the other J(679) is problematical.] I worked in elms to E after 9:30 CLOUDING IN; wind from north, velocity variable. 9:50 -- as I came upon bird flock on N bank of brook below dam, I heard vet vet vet of titmice. The silent member of the pair seemed to be leading the way, keeping with the tinglets and warblers. I circled to S once, then again as scold heard from one bird and other not seen. The silent bird was still leading the way and I went ahead too far (into N bank area W downed log in meadow [scene of dispute Feb 3]). I worked back at 10:00 and saw bird believed to be the J in mesquite N of brook and SE of elm where I last seen. He called vet-vet-vet and seet-seet (coupled, nearly melodic) seee-chejay once, a sputtery peeta (one phrase only) then the hissing phleet-phleet.
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375 paces 1 12 6 9 8 10 11 2 7 4 13 5 Dam 3 14 15 old meadow 470 p. ① Pair, 10:25, Feb. 3 ② Pair, 10:40, Feb. 3 ③ dispute, 4? birds, 10:55, Feb. 3 ④ 2 birds, 8:55, Feb. 4 ⑤ Lone ♂, 9:20-9:36, Feb. 4 ⑥ Lone bird, 10:17-10:40, Feb. 4 ⑦ Pair, 8:05, Feb. 5 ⑧ 678♂, 8:20, Feb. 5 ⑨ 679♂, 8:30, Feb. 5 ⑩ Pair, 8:55-9:10, Feb. 5 ⑪ Pair, 9:35-10:00, Feb. 5 (= ⑩) ⑫ Lone bird, 10:40, Feb. 5 (? mate of 678♂) ⑬ Vocal exchange, 5:22-5:26 Feb. 5 ⑭ Pair, 686-687, 9:50-10:10, Feb. 6 ⑮ AHM Pair 8306-8307, Feb. 5
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BERKELEY: MUSEUM OF VERTEBRATE ZOOLOGY [illegible]
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K Pixon 1952 Feb 6 15 mi. W Bastrop, 600 ft., Bastrop Co., Texas 1 unmated ♂, AHM 8312 Feb. 6 2 pair, 8313-8314 AHM Feb 6 3 unmated ♂, AHM 8315 Feb 6 4 pair, AHM 8308-8309 Feb 6 5 scene of quarrel involving 1, 2, 3, Feb. 6. 1 inch = 100 paces -- = elm-mesquite ||||| = border of open field ::: = road --- = fence
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R Dixon 1952 Feb. 10 15 mi. W Bastrop, 600 ft., Bastrop Co., Texas OVERCAST throughout morning. Wind generally southerly rather strong. I spent the period from 8:15 - 10:45 in area along stream W of road on Young property completing my map. After 11:00 I worked downstream to main creek also mapping. I returned to camp at 12:50. No Arvica heard during entire morning. During mid-afternoon I ran a 200-foot transect of woody vegetation in area S of road where Arvica of magnitude 2 of 1951 foraged. The elms were more widely spaced than I had recalled earlier. I found the following numbers of individuals in a 200-foot line running E by compass from a hack- berry in shallow brook area: Prosopis /2 Opuntia 8 Berberis trifoliatum 7 Celtis sp. 3 Prickly pear (KD 476) 2 2 ?Diospyros 1 Ulmus crassifolia 1 W || 2 | 4 | 1 | 4 | 12 5 | 3 || 5 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 9 | 4
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K Dixon 1952 Feb. 10 15 mi. W Bastrop, 600 ft., Bastrop Co., Texas Open to sky above breast height Horizontal lines indicate relative shading provided by tree growth
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R Dixon 1952 Feb 7 1 1/2 mi S Del Valle, 300 ft., Travis Co., Texas - We reached Onion Creek by driving in a westerly direction from our camp 15 mi W Bastrop. The creek intersects the road 5 1/2 mi W of our camp; the area we hunted in was several hundred yards downstream. The area near the road-creek intersection is a bottomland heavily timbered, presumably with elms and other species. To the eastward, in so far as could be seen from the road, there is a gentle rise with some breaks; much of the land is cultivated. Uncultivated land is grown to mesquite brushland, often rather dense. Elms (U. crassifolia) appear increasingly as one nears our camp (ie: higher on the gravel ridge) and are more numerous along stream courses. This cover offers thin route for exchange of members of the Onion Creek population and that to the east, near our camp (Mayhaw Creek). We arrived at an unfenced area lying in the loop of the creek near the edge of Bergton Field. The area is 1.5 miles by road from Del Valle, a small settlement on U. S. Hwy 290. The trees along the creek and the
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KDixon 1952 Feb. 7 1 1/2 mi. S Del Valle, 300 ft., Travis Co., Texas House- Del Valle ONION CR -> <--- driveway N < to intersection of road from E (1) area where 8 heard about 8:25 (2) scolds of pair about 8:45 (tributary stream) (3) location of singing 8 (later fired at) (4) location of 8 689 when taken (5) approach of 4 690 as 8 squealed when handled (6) area where scold heard 8:30 On map above, (1),(2)(6),(4) and (5) apparently represent members of one pair. After considerable wait, calls were heard about 9:15 from area along fence to posted land (4). One bird N of fence giving scold, answered from S. Vocality ceased and towns dropped to ground, flying upward with object in beak. No other tongue weight. I took him then and bird (689) fell wounded. When picked up, bird began to repeat scream like seah, seah.
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Feb 7. 1/2 mi S Del Valle Rival flew over from S and perched overhead above fence. Blue Jay there giving caah note. I fired at thrush but apparently did little damage, for I saw no more of him. Then another thrush moved along the fenceline from the Ward perched in tree above me. I knocked her down with 1/2 load, then tried to locate it from S of fence. No calls given by these birds. The second flew up from ground and I took her with .22 (F, b 90) No further calls from area in next 20 minutes. [?689 had 2 narrow windows on either side of mid-line of skull - single-layered when seen in X-section] none of the birds here seemed to be singing very steadily. 1 mi NE Del Valle, 300 ft, Travis Co., Texas - area along S bank of Colorado River - in many places, a single row of leafless willows; elsewhere cottonwoods and other large trees but no width to the woodland. Dr Miller explored one
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K Drim 1952 Parus atricris tatus Jan 30 11 mi. NW Vourdanton, 700 ft, Atascosa Co., Texas Scattered clouds - cold, calm. Titmice singing about 15 minutes before sunrise tür tür -- (tür--) 6 or 7 times rapidly. I left camp at 7:25 just as sun cleared horizon. Twice singing in dense brush usually in answer to another titmouse. One sang tür-- then changed to a very rapid sequence chi chi chi---. I watched the individual as it climbed higher in leafless oaks - apparently stimulated by singing from E of lateral road. Black nest pointed, erect; bird apparently alone. Song changed to slower keyta keyta keyta keyta (4 phrases per song) as I left. I crossed road at 8:00 a.m. and into thinner cover of area near windmill where I worked until 28, 1951. Trees (mesquite) were scattered, fewer other tall shrubs as (Diospyros?) - all tree leafless, along fence running NE-SW, north of wind-mill, tit singing tür--, answered by 2 others to E and N. I followed fence NE and heard tit W of fence calling sharply vet vet-- (5/2) nasal upward It moved now and then picked at bark of branchlets in mesquite. (calling continued; sang tür--- from denser brush along swale extending to NE. A second titmouse appeared and calling ceased. One apparently left as my attention was diverted. I saw the second fly to mesquite 15 yards to NW -- no call upon alighting. Song to SE.
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Jan 30 as before and also to N along road. I worked SW along fence to gate and road lead ing E. I walked down road 50 yards to where tits were calling. One conspicuous in brush on S side of road calling red-dick - - - or vet-it - - - - over and over - song to NE and slightly farther E. I watched calling bird as it moved thru white-berbed shrub (accent on first, later on second phrase of call note.) Bird gave cleary audible 'Trip' whenever taking short flight (even a few inches) to new perch. Mate sighted in shrub to N, silent - caller moves into mesquite tree to S and I crossed road. - this pair near juniper-like shrub. The move pair which had answered now silent except for "location" notes - trip of one usually answered by softer 'tits' of mate. When I sighted birds, they were farther from me than I had supposed they would be (± 50 ft.) Exchange of vet vet calls farther to E - 2 other pairs engaged? Silence at 8:40 I moved along road to E a few yards after 8:50, then circled south and W toward fence, then along fence NE nearly to gate. Pair of tits in mesquite tree, one called see see see vet vet, inornatus-like then both gave vet vet calls and Bewick when chimed in with rasping notes. I was not sure for a moment
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K Dixon 1952 atricristatus Jan 30 11 mi. NWourdanton, 700 ft., Atascosa Co., Texas whether or not this was a squabble involving members of 2 pairs. One bird moved nearer to me still giving chattering chat chat not vehement as sometimes is the case. I fired with a .22 which had no effect. Both birds flew W and continued scolds. I followed up and found them more wary. One however came toward me as though curious again and I took him (# 652♂); no calls from mate. I worked thru brush carefully immediately, leaving 1st bird lie. I located second foraging in shrub 6 ft high - no notes. I took this bird; crest not as black as preceding (♀, 653). Long heard intermittently until 10:00 a.m., when I left area
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K Dixon 1952 Barne alierista tus Jan 3/ 11 mi. NW Jourdan ton, 700 ft., Atascosa Co., Texas OVERCAST, CALM, sun obscured. Birds much less evident than at this time yesterday. I drove to windmill where I hunted on April 28, 1951, arriving at 8:05. I walked down road and thru gate inside of which I had taken 652-653 pair yesterday. Continuing E a few yards I heard tsit notes rather audible and not subdued from both sides of road. To the S, I saw one bird in small-leaved shrub moving upward on ascending limb, pausing to pick at bark (diameter ± 1 inch). Presently I located this mate; former gave see see wet vet vet , first 2 notes high pitched, thin and flew to N 20 ft. Mate followed. I turned attention to tsit notes still being given across road to N. One tchmooe moving N, climbing upward in shrubs, keeping up steady sequence of tsit notes, perhaps one every 3 seconds. See see see vet vet as I moved closer. From S (this side of road?) (=E?) song tyur — — — — , repeated and individual I watched flew 30 ft to S. Then it gave single tsit notes, then vet vet vet. I could see tchmooe moving in slumbbery 20 yards S but N of road. Two pairs apparently...slept at 8:25. AT 8:35 song peer — — from roadside a few yards to W. On S side of road near juniper like shrub pursuit was taking place, one bird flying to displace another in crossing above its perch. One bird flew N across road and one remaining began
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atricriostatus Jan 31. 11 mi. NW Sourdon, 700 ft., Atascosa Co, Texas notes vet vet vet. Bird flew back from N of road and chased other again; latter retreated 20 feet to S but followed aggressor back to roadside. Mate of aggressor remained N of road always and called vet vet or trip rather steadily. On two occasions, S bird flew to N edge of road following N bird after a chase only to be repulsed. S bird always pursued aggressor to edge of road (S edge) but could not seem to hold that line – seemed definitely not dominant in our town. On one occasion bird being pursued (S on ground) fluttered wings. Only note given was vet vet vet which seemed to affect N 8 as a challenge for whenever S bird backed this out, the road was crossed by N 8 and another pursuit ensued. I watched one bird foraging – may have been mate of S 8 although no evidence of such beak during fights. Boundary wrangle continued silently but rather steadily until 9:10 – intermittently until 9:25 when I moved W. Call vet-it vet-it vet-it along fence N of gate answered by N bird to E. I worked along to W or N side of road led on by call vet vet of retreating Lawrence. At 9:37 I located pair in brush N of windmill. Song tär-tär-tär of S in persimmon – mate in leafy shrub.
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K Dixon 1952 tricoloratus Jan 31. 11 mi. NWourdanton, 700 ft., Atascosa Co., Texas flew to W about 100 ft and called vet vet vet I continued singing, moving into mequite to S; song pata -- from E. Then after perhaps one minute, I began thin plaintive see-see (coupled), and after 4 or 5 such calls, I answered from W with vet vet vet; I repeated see-see, see-see having ceased song altogether. Then he gave vet vet vet and I answered tait, tait. Later I gave vet vet again and I flew to N to a mequite 50 ft away from former site. I left at 9:40. I worked E to cross-fence by 9:47, then NE along fence toward swale where I found pair yesterday at 18:15. I walked clear to streambed and motion heard tait sit note from brush but found no titmice. Song pata -- from E as yesterday along swale. Back to windmill at 10:05 without finding other titmice. Then song tyrr tyrr tyrr to E at 10:10. Nothing further so I worked S along cross- fence from road. SUN SHINING after 9:00 with wind from E, shifting to S after 10:00. WIND STRONG after 10:30. I skulked thru brush trying to separate taitp notes of Cardinals and other birds. I located pair of titmice foraging along creek where I had hunted on Apr 28. Both birds gave taitp notes
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K Dixon 1952 Jan. 31 Parus atricristatus 11 mi. NW Jourdanton, Atascosa Co., Tex. windmill tank Gate --> to road cross fence gateway with broken posts N 1 5 14 juniper-like bush 13 2 16 Roadway slashed trunk mosquito 10 1 Pr, 18:15 Jan. 30; 8:12 Jan. 31 2 Song 18:15 Jan. 30; 3 Pair 18:25 Jan. 30 7:55 Jan. 31 4 Pair 18:35 Jan. 30, 5 Pair 652-653, 9:00 Jan. 30 6 Pair 9:15 - 9:25 Jan. 31 (aggressive male) 7 "Pair" 8:15 - 9:25 Jan. 31 8 Pair 9:37 Jan. 31 9 approx posit of pair 10:35 Jan. 31 10 Pair, 11:05 Jan. 31 11 male, 11:15-11:23 Jan. 31 12 male singing 11:23 Jan. 31 13 Lone bird(?) 3:30 Jan. 31 14 Pair (?) 3:30 Jan. 31.
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Jan 31 Song from E not answered, I determined that this pair was ± 80pase (correction for line staggered thru brush) E of crossfence. I worked W of cross-fence after 10:40. No birds heard between creek and windmill W of fence by 10:55. I watched E along road ± 200 yards - all of tits were to S of road answered by me to E, later a few yds S of road where magnolia trunk split call Tree tree song vet over and over answered by bird to SW (in kind) Mate of first bird with it foraging silently. 1st retreated to E gradually Scolded from bird to SW at 11:08 - I followed later in more open growth WIND STRONG - one bird moving W seemed to be alone - gave vet notes regularly and vet - exchanged see see si put put with a bird to E and kept up so much chatter I was unsure of whether a second tit was with it. I watched this bird 11:15 - 11:23 as it foraged near base of extension and in a magnolia song tree ---- from E answered by this bird, shree ---- ---- ---- (8,8,8,10 phrases per song) then no more song from this bird in response to song of other. I moved N toward road pacing 65 steps to road. Calls vet vet behind me as I left. CLOUDY after 11:00
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K Dixon 1952 Parus atricristatus Jan. 31. 11 mi. NWourdanton, 700 ft. Atascosa Co., Texas. CLOUDY; WIND intermittent from S as I returned to area of morning's work at 3:00 pm. Titmouse singing E of crossfence and another to N of road along fence. I followed latter up and located birds W of fence at S edge of swale. This bird had moved E. I recorded number of phrases per song burst for this bird. Tyrus tyur (7, 7, 7, 8, 7, 9, 10, 10, 10, 7, 8, 9, 9, 8, 10, 10, 2, 6) -- song broken off even though S to S singing. As I located pair at 3:12, S began to sing from bare mesquite, peter - - - - - very rapid 7 and 5 phrases mostly.... this in answer to song from S (I thought there were one burst from SW also I saw seen at 9:35 today). Mate of the singer was present, foraging near base of a ?persimmon. I left the area about 3:15 and worked S. At 3:28 persistent singer SE of broken posts in cross fence initiated song peter - (6 and 7 phrases) Song (peter) also to SE of his position and to S as well (peer - - - -). I worked thru brush to place where one bird was holding forth, calling see see si vet vet. Bird to W answered vet vet and I heard top of 2 birds there. They worked E and I lost them. Bird to E seemed to be alone and had feathers of occiput ruffled up as had the S dominated by his aggressive nerglibn this a.m. During the late afternoon (at 4:20 and perhaps another time) S in positions of that lone bird initiated
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R Dixon 1952 Parus atricristatus Jan 31. 11 mi. NW Sourdanton, 700 ft., Atascosa Co., Texas song. In one instance, it was answered briefly by bird to NE of him. All quiet as I left area at 5:30. Frequency of occurrence of woody plants on a 200 foot line transect S by compass from mesquite yards of S gate post on cross fence at road 466 mimosa 4 467 1 468 4 469 1 470 Cordalia? 4 471 Atriplex? 20 472 juniper-like 3 473 Disopyros? 2 green bark thorn 1 Yucca 3 Opuntia (prickly pear) 1 Prosopis 9
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R DIXON 1952 Parus atricristatus Jan 31. 11 mi NW Sourdanton, 700 ft, Atascosa Co, Texas song. In one instance, it was answered briefly by bird to NE of him. All quiet as I left area at 5:30. Frequency of occurrence of woody plants on a 200 foot line transect S by compass from mesquite yards of S gate post on cross fence at road 466 mimosas 4 467 1 468 4 469 1 470 Cordalis ? 4 471 Atriplex ? 20 472 juniper-like 3 473 Diospyros ? 2 green bark thorn 1 Yucca 3 Opuntia (prickly pear) 1 Prosopis 9
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R Dixon 1952 Jan.31 11 mi. NW Vourdanton, 700 ft, Atascosa Co., Texas 200' 4 4 7 12 6 3 2 4 2 4 4 12 open "controlled by marguite (paces)
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K Dixon 1952 atricornatus Feb 1 11 mi. NW Jourdan, 700 ft., Atascosa Co., Texas low FOG; CALM; clear overhead. I walked E through mesquite toward scene of yesterday's study after 7:45. No crossfence - road intersect Rhi Admuse singing answered by bird to East. Silent at 7:54 7:57 Admuse sang tree - ---- 6/2 x 20 yds SE of juniper-like shrub - lone male? Answer from E along road. At 8:00 exchange of song and vetuet notes a few yards E of slashed mesquite - pair? on both sides of road. Exchange of calls continued - caller and silent mate on S side of road E of slashed mesquite exchanging calls with bird to SW. I watched former as they swung inward 10 yards S of road then NW across road. One started call see see ai-vut-out the last 2 notes somewhat cupled giving "swing" to end of call. This call duplicated by bird due S of position at 8:08. I checked on latter after 8:10 and located bird - mate present. Song to NE at 6:14 so I followed up but bird became silent N of road so I abandoned chase. I walked along road - song NW of slashed mesquite at 8:23 geta - ---- no answer. I proceeded to juniper- like shrub and then N thru brush Song to E, the 8:23 singer presumably the 8:08 S of road. Silent at 8:27 I ran into a pair foraging, the O working mesquite stretches, the & shrub branches near ground. I shot at & after it sang in tree and missed. She flew S and save vet vet call, I followed here in circle to
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atriciratus Feb 1. 11 mi NW Jordan, 700 ft., Atascosa Co., Texas Wand N. & called [illegible] frequently and followed along. Pair foraged in live oak, presumed & scolding all the while. I left at 8:45 and went due S to road about 75 yards (estimate) 8:48 exchange of calls a few yards E of cross fence. See see si vet vet not particularly animated one bird in mosquito of my line transect, other N of road neither accompanied. Both drifted off in about 5 minutes. Bird S of road moved W of fence then S and exchanged song with bird to 55W (near creek bed I judged) Bird roamed alone, crossed E of fence at 9:00 and worked E in territory of 652-653. I paced N to road 65 steps then walked ESE into brush to intercept bird. Third bird exchanged calls see si vet vet with a bird to S. I worked W between the two then S of S bird. This was ± 20 yards N of oak along creek where I had seen pair yesterday about 10:30. Two birds present one giving scold as I drew near. The other sang peer peer peer then followed the scolder. I worked along following them and noted new pair in mosquito undergram with 3 perammon. One was calling and I took it with a ½ load, thinking it was the ♀ This bird (660♂) fell and the other flew N and did not return. (9:14) I worked N after preparing this bird and at 9:26 sighted Stalmonse singing Tyre - - -
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K DIXON 1952 Feb 1 11 mi NWourdanton, Atascosa Co, Texas I walked N to road as this bird flew E, wary of me and seemingly alone. His position was due S of juniper-like shrub along road. I worked in a circle to the east and came upon the bird again, calls and one burst of song but long periods of sit notes evenly spaced. Once see-see (anxiety over my presence?) Eventually I winged this bird (6618) with a ½ load and nicked him with a .38 Finally retrieved it after a merry chase thru the brush. It had been foraging in “sactluel” within 4 ft of ground and on mesquite trunk. I went to gate in crossfence and left coat at 9:50 hanging in mesquite. I walked S to juniper-like shrub, then SEasterly listening for Tbnouse calls. I crossed two open cactus patches and reached the dry creekbed, narrow but deeply cut +6 ft in depth. I heard itsit note and saw one tbnouse foraging on mesquite limb beyond oak or bank. Other calls along creek a few yards west. I crossed creekbed gingerly but couldn’t locate tbnouse there. Notes still heard upthere sit sit – . I tried to imitate whistle three three three and induced bird to come flying toward me immediately the veered off somewhat to the right of me, then flew in closer and began song tree — — — . I looked for his mate to take her but couldn’t line up a shot before he flew to a perch in tree where she was and then followed her up stream. I worked along the S bank slowly, listening, and whistled once; no resposn
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① Pair, ±8:15 Jan. 30; 3:42, Jan. 31 ② Song, ±8:15, Jan. 30; 9:55, Jan. 31 ③ Pair, ±8:25, Jan. 30 ④ Pair, ±8:35, Jan. 30 ⑤ Pair 652-653, 9:40, Jan. 30. ⑥ Pair, 8:15-9:25, Jan. 31 (aggressive σ) ⑦ "Pair", 8:15-9:25, Jan. 31, #7 ⑧ Pair, 7:37, Jan. 31 ⑨ Approx. position of pair 10:35, Jan. 31 ⑩ Pair, 11:05, Jan. 31 ⑪ σ, (11:15-11:23, Jan. 31 ⑫ σ singing, 11:23, Jan. 31 ⑬ Lone(?) bird & 3:30, Jan. 31 ⑭ Pair (?) Jan. 31, 3:30 ⑮ Song, 7:57, Fe 6.1 ⑯ Pair, 8:00-8:08, Fe 6.1 ⑰ Pair, 8:08-8:10, Fe 6.1 ⑱ Song, 8:23-8:27, Fe 6.1; pair before 8:45- ⑲ Exchange of calls, 8:48 ⑳ Pair ±9:00-9:14, Fe 6.1 (σ = 660) ㉑ Lone σ 661, ±9:40, Fe 6.1 ㉒ Pair 662-663, ±10:30, Fe 6.1 ㉓ Lone bird, 10:45, Fe 6.1 (=mate(?) of 660)
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K Dixon 1952 Parus atricristatus Feb 1. 11 mi NW Jourdanton, 700ft, Atascosa Co, Texas and I heard a melodious note somewhat like the see-yeer given by inscriptus ??. I could detect response on the part of the & and the ?? flew upward immediately and sang. After this I fired at ?. (Written Feb 2). Feb 2. CLEAR, COOL. BREEZE came up from an Easterly direction after sunrise and was stronger by 8:00 a.m. I walked west of cabin on S side of Hwy 173 and located calling ?t mouse moving NW rather rapidly. Eventually (7:45) I overtook this bird exchanging vet vet calls with another bird. The former moved N toward road and I followed other bird. It was mated, the silent individual moving along with the noisy one, infrequently giving trip notes. The talkative bird led the way in a SW direction keeping up the vet vet scolding possibly as a challenge. The presumed ? did not always keep up with her mate, turning to forage, once giving scolding note. The ?? foraged seldom so I recorded food taking motions as I could observe them for the ?. (Recorded on sheet for sound data) I followed this pair, 7:50 - 8:25, then lost sight of them and returned to the house. I was left with a strong impression that the ?? was setting the route to be followed. About 8:20, the ? disappeared into some shrubbery near the trunk of a live oak. I heard a volley of sit sit sit
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K Dixon 1952 Parus atricristatus Feb 1. 11 mi. NW Lourdanton, 700 ft., Atascosa Co., Texas and I heard a melodious note somewhat like the see-yor given by insinuates ??. I could detect no response on the part of the ?? and the ?? flew upward immediately and sang. After this I fired at ?? (written Feb 2). Feb 2. CLEAR, COOL. BREEZE came up from an Easterly direction after sunrise and was stronger by 8:00 a.m. I walked west of cabin on S side of Hwy 173 and located calling ??mouse moving NW rather rapidly. Eventually (7:45) I overtook this bird exchanging vet vet calls with another bird. The former moved N toward road and I followed other bird. It was mated, the silent individual moving along with the noisy one, infrequently giving trip notes. The talkative bird led the way in a SW direction keeping up the vet vet scolding possibly as a challenge. The presumed ?? did not always keep up with her mate, tarrying to forage, once giving scolding note. The ?? foraged seldom so I recorded food taking motions as I could observe them for the ??. (recorded on sheet for ??? and date) I followed this pair, 7:50 - 8:25, then lost sight of them and returned to the house. I was left with a strong impression that the ?? was setting the route to be followed. About 8:20, the ?? disappeared into some shrubbery near the trunk of a live oak. I heard a volley of sit sit sit
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Feb 2. notes and the ♂ flew into that oak, onto the trunk nearby. He then moved up in to the tree and I couldn't tell that anything went on there. I found a broken off branch, healed over but with no real cavity. About 8:35, I located another pair moving N from a point SE of the house. The birds went into a large liveoak NE of house and W of windmill. Again one bird was talkative and the other foraged more steadily. I noted some attention to oak leaves on the part of the latter. The birds then flew to liveoak on W side of house and the ♂, calling vet-vet-vet, circled N and E to liveoak W of tank. I had lost track of ♀ meanwhile but saw her in liveoak, foraging. A third ♂ was present and mild "approach-threat" was directed toward presumed first "♂" in tree (one with mate, there earlier). No real struggle nor exchange of song. Two birds flew to SE, followed by a third, all going to liveoak SE of house. Then 2 birds together, after foraging briefly in live oak (twig in one case), moved quickly thru brush to next liveoak to S. I left them there at 8:55 with an impression that liveoaks may be of considerable importance for foraging although they are only scattered or concentrated along streamcourses here. The foraging observations thus recorded may
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K Dixon 1952 Parus atricristatus Feb 2. 11 mi. NWourdanton, Atascosa Co., Texas not reflect fully the range of foraging sites used, since the bird's activities are best seen in upper levels of the leafless mesquites. Most checking are records from dense low brush, noted by A.H. Miller.
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K Dixon 1952 Feb.3 Mayhaw Creek, 15 mi. W Bastrop, Bastrop Co., Texas. CLEAR OVERHEAD but HAZE ABOVE SOUTHERLY horizon; sun dim. WIND STRONG FROM NW, about 12 mph. I left our camp on Mr. Schankali's ranch and began to look for the nest of the bicolor jay in mesquite E of earth dam. I was not able to find it at once so I moved S of road at 8:50. Working them leafless mesquite to leafless elms along low-lying area, I walked E. I was somewhat confused by the winter aspect here and could not find landmarks. Eventually I reached broken-down fence and road- way driven over last evening. I went NW and came to clearing for telephone wires I had crossed earlier. Then I went SSW, eventually reaching a N-S road, presumably one which goes to intersect- ion W of Schankali's home. I worked E in slime of bottomland and eventually sighted a titmouse among other birds low in an elm. I recorded food- taking motions of this bird on another page. It worked on elm trunk within 4 ft. of ground for most part and seemed to find food in deep furrows in bark. Objects whitish and smaller than a dime were taken several times, perhaps spiders or insect egg cases. This bird appeared to be a very normal bicolor with black frontlet. It foraged silently for the most part although I saw another titmouse in the same tree once when bird I was watching flew 20 ft. to N. The only note I heard the titmouse give was a scratchy,
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Feb 3. 15 mi. W Bastrop, 600 ft., Bastrop Co, Texas tense tschk-day, the latter note prolonged. Other birds noted near, although not constituting a flock, were Carolina Chickadee, Myrtle Warbler, R-c and 91-c kinglets, Field Sparrow. The titmouse worked further N 30 or 40 ft and walked in Berberis momentarily, hopped along the ground between 2 elms along with 2 Field Sparrows, then moved up to low twig with what appeared to be a cocklebur; this the bird began to hammer at. After a session of battering with the bill and looking up after each blow, the bird flew higher in Tree (to 6 ft) where twiggy was more dense. It shifted perch once more, then dropped what may have been the seedcase, now lacking spikes. This bird then hopped higher in elm and began a high pitched, rather weak see tee tee tee rather thin. This it repeated several times with bill opened wide; apparently air was being expelled although without great effort. Answer from SE a matter of 8-10 yds., see Tee of similar quality. After an exchange, the first altered its call to see tee tee eh (rather abruptly ending) After a few seconds, the first moved to tree N and was joined by second. This latter seen bird was somewhat more brownish on the frontlet but other- wise a briden. I was impressed by the black bill and forehead of pressure or contracted to white area away black eye.
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Feb 3. 15 mi W Bastrop, 600 ft, Bastrop Co, Texas I left that pair of titmice at 10:35 and moved SE. within perhaps 25 yards I came to an opening and crossed it. In low elms there (15-18 ft) I encountered another pair of titmice. One gave a call see-like-pay somewhat liquid and carolina chickadee like. Contact not seen given. Appearance was about like the last pair. Call see see see given by one bird as I drew near - anxiety? . I watched one sit on lateral branch of elm acting as though "freezing" there in motionless posture. I waited, noticed, and soon the bird turned perpendicular to branch and eventually flew to next tree N. I left at 10:43. Then I circled to E and N to dry brookcourse. There about 10 yards upstream from small earth dam. I encountered a titmouse accompanied by 2 second. They flew W into a large elm, where a 3rd tit appeared and chased one to E, returning to elm himself. I could not follow events subsequently with understand- ing. There was a chase into smaller elms to SW and some further pursuit in tree tops. One bird seemed to be aggressor here and flew at other, essentially "approach- threat" with no display or notes but occupancy of perch at or near that of bird forced to fly. Note-sit- sit-sit-sit always accompanied such action and I was able to verify that this was given by bird being chased. I saw no bill movement of aggressor.
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Feb-3 15 mi. W Bastrop, 600 ft., Bastrop Co., Texas and once heard sit sit sit given by bird flying in retreat across open 40 ft or so to NE. During this action I heard song purty purty purty purty mostly 5 phrases per song and kayta - - - - 5 and mostly 6 phrases. No song I could attribute to participants. I am not sure that were not more than 4 birds involved in fighting; all birds may not be paired yet. This action ceased by about 11:00 and no further calls heard although I spent 30 minutes in area, seated writing notes. There was no singing in answer to the songs of the bird which had started singing to NW of the garrel. I left the area at 11:35 and worked N toward road. I heard no titmouse in any of the mesquite or mixed mesquite-elm areas away from the stream. I left camp at 1:00 pm, working areas S of road to same elm patch along brook course, returning at 2:20. About 1:20 I heard song from area NW of earth dam - no answer. There was another titmouse in same area with Carolina Chickadee, Golden-crowned Kinglet (2). I did not encounter titmouse at any other time during the afternoon.
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K Dixon 1952 Food-taking motions, February 3 - 15 mi. W Bastrop, 600 ft., Bastrop Co., Texas Height above 15' Trunk III Branch III Twig IIII Leaf 12' - 15' IIII IIII I 9' - 12' I I 6' - 9' Hardwoods I IIII I 3' - 6' ||||||||||| III I 0' - 3' |||| ||| " " Ground |||| | above 15' 12' - 15' All other woody plants 9' - 12' 6' - 9' 3' - 6' AII 0 - 3' HHH HHHHHHH ||| I Aerial ||
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K Dixon 1952 Parus atricristatus Feb 8. Barton Creek, 4 mi SW Austin, 500 ft, Travis Co, Texas CLEAR, CALM. Elm bottomland 5/8 song pter -- (3 and 4 phrases per song burst) - then vet vet vet Male silent, well up in same tree, picking at large object held between feet. I fired at her with .38, damaging wing, for she flew to next tree E and picked at wing. I had flown to 2nd tree S after shot. I fired at ? with .38 by mistake and she flew into nest Tree E. I flew SW and sang. I finally found ? with 1/2 load; she was unhurt save for broken wing and gave cry see-ah -- -- -- when handled. I stroked her head and she gave tired cry which attracted Robin, a Gray Fox and finally her cautious mate. I fired at him and he flew N, later singing from cottonwood W pter -- I extinguished ? (674) regretfully and followed ?. He sang from tree near fence, then crossed stream. I follow- ed and stood screened from view (? thought). He started scold vet - - - - and shifted perch. I stalked him in elm-juniper and took him (695) after he began to sing again peter - - - - (5?) at 9:20. No answering song except well downstream. Song downstream after 9:30 - peter - - - - (?) I worked upstream along base of hill: elm-juniper with some live oak. Titmouse singing in junipers peter -- (5 phrases per song invariably). I watched him from 9:50 until 10:00, catching glimpses now and then as he moved through the junipers. (No satisfactory birding here - - -(4?) as left observations). I was not able to detect male's presence.
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KDixon 1952 Parus atricristatus Feb 8. 4 mi. SW Austin, 500ft, Travis Co, Texas I walked N after 10:00 searching elm - Tanoak grove where I took pair (538-539) last April. No birds heard in this area so I worked up side draw to W where juniper had been cut. Song heard once well upslope but titmice generally silent. WIND INCREASED AFTER 10:00. AT 10:45 I walked upslope to the "mesa" top where I heard titmice singing. There was an exchange of song in juniper and liveoak N of a grassy double-fenced pasture, I located one pair of titmice in a liveoak at 10:50 and watched their foraging activities (3?, 2 minutes, & 4 min.) : twig 11 fruit 1 branch HHH- HHH-HHH leaf 1 {both birds appeared to be equally dark-crowned when seen through binoculars} The &? flew to liveoak W at 10:52 and sang peter--- (6 phrases per song bout). I gave note twist-et or twitch-vet as he sang. Both gave location notes tset. I lost track of birds as they flew W at 10:54 but saw one bird peck at object on mesquite trunk (in direction they had gone) at 10:58. This bird flew to liveoak S of fence. &? there sang tyur---- 12 phrases per song group. The &? to the N answered but ceased singing first. I followed that pair. The birds were foraging in a juniper, although their activities were concealed for the most part. They spent a full minute in the juniper, then flew N
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KDixon 1952 Parus atricristatus Feb 8 7 mi SW Austin, 500 ft., Travis Co., Texas into small liveoak. One bird seemed to be leading the way, flying to liveoak ± 10 yards ahead, calling vet vet vet. The other was slow to follow, after ½ min. flying to elm and then into liveoak. I took this bird (♂, 696). The other flew to liveoaks to E of perch then occupied, shifted uneasily to next clump of oaks E calling vet vet vet continuously. I waited from opening and took this bird (♂, 697) at 11:15. The other pair remained in liveoaks S of double fence and my imitation of whistle “kee” did not bring them out. I walked E and downslope after 11:25; some singing as I left, although definitely a mated bird. Titmice were not to be heard along base of hill or in area of “bench” north of stream which cuts across. (This area largely juniper, some elm and liveoak) At 11:50, I was walking along a path and noted a titmouse foraging on a juniper branch overhanging the path. I took this individual and then waited. Soon I heard a scold vet vet from junipers N. A titmouse eventually flew to a perch within my view but saw me and flew E; I followed along an opening in the brush. Titmice scold charged to song pete ---- (mostly 5 phrases). I whistled and bird answered but did not approach. It kept retreating as I tried to stalk it. I aborted chase at about 12:05 and took care of downed bird (698). Then I approached the singing bird from due S and again had it answer my whistle and resume singing under that
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K' Dixon 1952 Parus atricristatus Feb. 8. 7 mi. SW Austin 500 ft., Travis Co., Texas stimulus after it had once stopped. The junipers it resorted to were dense and the bird did not come out of hiding. (I was reminded of an information on his territory wailing and letting the intruder take the initiative). I abandoned this stalking at 12:15 although bird still singing as I left. Titmice were singing in the Gaines farm yard after 12:30 as we departed. I had supposed the one singing at 12:15 was the mate of 698 and that the latter was ? Autopsy showed that 2 DO must have been involved. I agree with Dr. Miller that these birds sing more and later in the day (under similar amount of windiness) than do the bicolor in area 15 mi W Bastrop. Miller noted one singing at edge of junipers along large bend in creek. He followed it into junipers and moved ahead only to hear it singing behind him in streamside elms. This and other observations led us to believe that the titmice use the junipers but also need the other types of trees as well. The long strings of bark trunk without deep crevices do not afford foraging surface such as the check-barked junipers in the Chisos Mts.
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KDixon 1952 Parus bicolor - atrieristatus Feb. 9. 2 1/2 mi. ESE Del Valle, 300 ft., Travis Co., Texas I reached this area along Onion Creek by driving along Hwy 290 for 2.2 miles W of Harfield, then N about 1/2 mile to the end of that road. I met the owner, Mr. Smart, and obtained his permission to hunt small birds in the trees with .38 shot shells. I drove through his pastures down to the bottomland at 8:30 A.M. [Titmice had been singing in remnants of deciduous oak - juniper woods near his house on the bench above the river valley]. CLEAR, WARM, CALM all morning. I heard a pair of titmice along a small tributary and followed them down to the main creek; I was never within range and they crossed the creek where it was 120 ft wide. I saw one individual of this pair through the binoculars - west blackish. The streambank timber is well developed here. Trees I could recognize included cottonwoods, sycamore, willow and elm (leaf 1/2" - 2" long). In some places upstream it is thinned out; in others there is a dense tangle of underbrush and lianas. chinaberry After losing sight of the first pair encountered, I worked downstream on the south bank. I heard a titmice call once, then heard no more. I walked along slowly and at length encountered 2 titmice. I downed one (699) and started to follow the other. He was wary, scolded me, then began song peer ~ ~ ~ ~ 5-1/2. I took him (700, #) at about 9:15. I worked upstream cautiously for perhaps 300 yards, the stream flowing in a northerly direction at the junct
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Feb 9. 2 1/2 mi. ESE Del Valle The timber strip was narrower here, chiefly willows, with small oaks and elms covering a sloping bank rising 20 ft. above the stream. No towhee heard until the stream opened to the W somewhat. After some pioneer- ing in the denser brush and lianas, I crossed the creek where it was dry at 9:45. Because of the stagnant appearance of the water, I consider it possible that the water in the creek now is merely backed up from the Colorado. Working upstream along the north bank, I heard songs of two towhees across the stream. I re-crossed farther up at 10:00 and began to follow the more persistent singer. This led me up a steep bank and through a mesquite-thorn-prickly pear covered slope in order to reach the streamside timber to which the towhee had moved. Bird appeared to be alone, singing steadily peerpeer---in 3a. I chased him up the S bank, then across the stream where I fired at him a second time. He returned to the S bank and worked upslope through some scrubby post oaks. I took him there as he was singing from a conspicuous perch at 10:30 (705, S). No evidence of mate during this time. I worked downstream to point on S bank where I had first heard 705 sing. Working carefully through woods on the S bank, I came upon a pair of towhees. They were foraging and giving tait notes. I fired at one---no effect. This bird flew E among low
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Feb 9 2 1/2 mi. ESE Del Valle elm while mate worked upslope into similar growth. Latter kept wet wet wet scold going and there were occasion al answers from the other bird. I left the one upslope and started to walk over to other, believing it wounded. Other bird started to move toward the one fired at first and then changed course to W. I followed and fired at it in scrubby elm. I followed scolding bird upslope 25 yards; it perched in small elm and pecked at dehurrage and scolded. I took this bird there (701 ♥) Working downslope about 11:00, I followed starbird as it moved downstream a few yards, always wary and scolding. I fired at it in tall cottonwood and bird flew N across stream. Fortunately I could cross and did. Then I searched upstream and down; I heard a tacet and a thrush flew to next tree and perched there silent. I took it (702, 9). Bird's behavior appeared to have changed following shot made on S bank. Several tail feathers missing. I worked downstream on S bank but heard no thrice until I reached point of crossover at 9:45. Then I heard song peee peer peer peer peer from downstream. I was not certain which bank so I crossed (at bend) and walked down W side -- bird on E so I crossed back at 11:30 and worked down and into small elms and oaks. Hearing no further calls, I stopped and made repeated hooting noises. A variety of small birds responded but the thrice gave not one note. I continued downstream
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Feb 9. 2 1/2 mi. ESE Del Valle for 100 yards or so and heard a soft teet. I located a tomnorse 30 feet upslope and fired at it with a .38- bird flew N and so did mate. I followed cautiously and heard another such note about 30 ft farther N, tomnorse on small branch in .38 range so I took it, (?,704). Then I waited fully 5 minutes, listening before I started looking for the mate. I whistled heur -- and obtained no response. Finally, walking along higher on the bank I saw the mate lying dead about 15 ft upslope from ?04. This bird, 703 or was a near-bicolor while the mate had a pale frontal patch suggestive of the Victoria County birds. The sketch map shows approx. relative positions of the birds. I am certain that all the birds along the creek from (2) to (3) were taken into account. (3) mesquite prickly pear steep bluff (4) (5) Onion Creek (6) (2) grain field (1) to Colorado River (1) - pair, 8:40 a.m. (2) - 699-700 taken ?9:15 (3) - unmated ?, 705 taken 10:30 (4) - point where 705 first sang (5) 701-702-10:40-11:10 (6) 703-704 taken 11:50
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H Dixon 1952 Parus bicolor - atricristatus Feb 9. 2 1/2 mi ESE Del Valle, Singing was intermittent throughout the morning. Pair 699-700 and 703-704 were quiet and difficult to locate. The latter 2 birds were foraging low in scrubby elms of creek bank when taken. Feb 10. 10 mi W Bastrop Feb 11 3 mi ESE Del Valle, 300 ft., Travis Co., Texas - CALM - scattered clouds. I drove down to the bottomland S of Orion Creek on the property of Mr. Herbert Smart at 8:20. (Mr. Smart is a lawyer who practices in Austin, I was told by his employer). I worked down the tributary which joins Orion Creek from the S. Titmouse singing along creek across grainfield to W of tributary. (This area about where pair 703-704 was taken yesterday). Answer from upclose to S of me. I heard song pe-ta - - - and worked downstream. Titmouse scold vet-vet-vet - birds moved down and across corner of field to streambank trees near scooped out watering place. I approached cautiously - pair in leafless tree; ? flew to next tree 18 ft E and sang. I shot at ? with .38 and she darted W into tree 135 ft away and I lost sight of her. ? sang one song grasp. I walked W looking for ? and then saw a titmouse perched on a branch looking - W in vicinity where bird shot at that time. I fired at this bird and downed it; its crie when handled brought no response from the other bird. No calls of any sort 8:50 - 9:10 as I searched for mate of bird taken (709, a ?) No trace of mate so I worked downstream. 709 ?
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KDixon 1952 Pareus bicolor - atricristatus Feb 11 3 mi ESE Del Valle, 300 ft, Travis Co, Texas I worked downstream along the S bank of Orion Creek after 9:15; no calls heard until I reached mouth of Creek. I heard a call chiruit and saw 2 birds moving through trees. I couldn't distinguish sex from actions at the time. One bird flew to next tree upstream (general direction of travel) and I took the remaining bird (711 &). The other flew to next trees, scolded, shifted perch, then sang. I took it (710 @). I remained in this area for a few minutes, then worked down the S bank of the Colorado River. Perhaps 50 yards below the mouth of Orion Creek, I heard a song gota --- . This was answered by a bird from across the river and by another birds a hundred yards or so further downstream. I worked along into the territory of the first bird and watched it for a time as it sang from high in the cottonwoods. Bird seemed to be alone as it shifted perch from one tree to another and it sang more steadily than did its neighbors. Then I saw 2 birds fly due E from cottonwood and over my head as though a pursuit was in course. The birds disappeared to E but I heard a clow of ta-t --- notes almost a twitter from that direction. Nothing further for a couple of minutes so I began whistling heeur -- -- -, A 1st mouse flew toward my position from the E and perched almost above me, silent but fluttering its wings. Then it flew S to another tree crossing
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Feb 11. 3 mi. ESE Del Valle. a few feet to the E of me. Then the bird flew across the path in a NW direction and began to sing. I fired at it twice with .38 without apparent concern to the bird. A third shot brought it down (712, 5?). No other thrice noted immediately afterward. After 10:30 I worked back up Drion Creek to point where I had taken 709. Further search revealed no trace of a second titmouse so I started up tributary. A squabble between 2 pairs of chickadees was in progress and beyond them a thrice scolded. I approached and fired with a .38. The bird flew W and I tried a load of 10's -- bird worked down the tributary, scolding. I followed to Drion Creek where I heard scold and saw 2 thrice fly back up tributary as I maneuvered for a shot. I followed again and caught up with a scolding thrice. I whistled and it answered and appeared excited although never fluttering wings. I waited to see other bird but never located it. Meanwhile enthusiasm of singer waned and I lost track of it. I left area at 11:20. Titsmouse singing from base of hill as I drove up. I worked along the level "mesa" top after 11:45 - growth of deciduous oaks, junipers elms; titsmouse singing from several scattered points. The grove of deciduous oaks and elms and of junipers lay at the W end of an open pasture. The grove was a narrow fringe at the W edge of the mesa and
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Feb. 11 3 mi. ESE De ( Valle spilled over down the slope leading to Onion Creek. On the slope, oaks were less numerous and elms much more so. I heard persistent singing from the junipere -50 yards S of barns &d followed this lead. Bird sang peter -- - and answered my whistle, then scolded. Song and scolding were alternated subsequently. I could see the bird low in the juniper-elm growth. Another titmouse, silent, bicolor-like, appeared in a juniper within 18 ft of me, perching near the top. I fired with a .22 and it flew W rapidly. I followed up quickly and saw two titmice moving along close to ground down a slope to the SW. A third titmouse, from the position where singer had been, moved along and joined them, the three seeming to get along amicably. I worked S after 12:00, whistling with little success. Titmice sang across pasture to E and also well to the S of my position. I returned to area occupied by the threesome but could stir up no response so I left at 12:15. Colorado River Onion Creek to Mr. Smart's house x 699-700 Feb 9 x song 8:20 feb 11 Oat Field x 709 x 710-711 Feb 11 x songs answering 712 2 tit mice 10:40-11:20 paired?
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KDixon 1952 Parus bicolor Feb. 12 7 mi. NW Bastrop, 300 ft., Bastrop Co., Texas - Area of extensive juniper woods N of the Colorado River near the post office at Wtley. This area may be reached by driving about 2 miles W of Bastrop on Hwy 290, turning north part way up the hill. The crossing of the Colorado is made via the "High" Bridge. We had driven to the area by heading E from Austin on Farm Road; tree growth in the uplands was fairly continuous affording a route for interchange of individuals of eastern and western populations. OVERCAST cleared at 9:30; wind increased after 11:00. We reached this area about 9:45 and I started stalking a ♂ singing in a row of deciduous trees along the border of a field in the bottomland several feet below the level of the juniper woods. I shot at the ♂ and then at the ♀. The latter sat motionless in a small oak while I reloaded but then she disappeared. The ♂ had flown N ± 40 yards and resumed singing in answer to ♂ farther E. I located him and took him (718). I thought I heard bird drop and looked for his mate. This bird was in same tree and flew down to limb close to main trunk ± 15 feet up. I took her (719). Both birds bicolor-like. No further activity in this area. I worked along in junipers inside E edge of woodland after 10:30 taking a pair of Centurus in Blackjack oak there. I heard no thrice until after 11:00 a.m. when there was a burst of song keyth - - - from 50 yards W of truck. I followed up but got nowhere. Song again and scolded not yet as I approached; bird disappeared.
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Feb 12. 7 mi. NW Bastrop This individual (or one from some open area of juniper with a few deciduous oaks) sang infrequently and gave only one or two song groups. It scolded again as I tried to stalk it at 11:30 and would not answer my whistle heur heur heur or a faster whistle I attempted. I went on to stalking lizards and jays. About 12:20 I heard whistle keyta — — — from same area and started walking toward source. Titmouse scolded from nearer to me so I whistled. Bird moved to two junipers in succession and then into blackjack along roadway ± 20 yds S of truck. The titmouse roved up in oak and began to sing keyta — — — (bird in this area always sang 4 phrases per group) I took the bird then (7:20) Or dissection, the titmouse proved to be a ♀ and was in all probability the mate of the large (♂?) taken by Dr. Miller in tree beside the truck about 10:00. This is the first proven instance of singing of a ♀ that I have experienced (but see Miller's notes). The bird sang only the one type of song, infrequently and for brief periods and would not answer my imitation as many males have. We left area at 12:45. Dr. Miller took 4 titmice here some of them well within the juniper woodland. The growth here is dense and the junipers are large, some growing to at least 30 ft in height. Soil somewhat sandy — many downed trees at edge of grove, some of which may be oaks.
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N. D. 1952 Parus bicolor - atricristatus Feb 13. 3 mi. ESE Del Valle, 300 ft., Travis Co, Texas - SUNNY and CLEAR after rain of something over 1 inch during night. CALM until about 7:30. We worked on Mr. Smart's ranch, driving S and then W of barn and corral into an extensive area of mesquite brush. Dr. Miller worked downslope into elm-juniper of tributaries drawing N into Brian Creek upstream from the bottomland I worked Feb 11. I went S and E into a dense woodland of somewhat scrubby postoak-blackjack-juniper-elm. I heard no towice in immediate vicinity and worked E to where trees ranged to 15-18 ft in height. Here, at the W border of the pasture lying W of entry road, I heard a towmouse. I worked carefully through tree and whistled in answer to the 5-phase song. The bird moved toward me and paused +/- 15 ft away, silent. I took the bird after a pause, fairly sure from having followed it that the bird was alone. It was a typical atricristatus- type ? (724) which had been singing steadily (5-7 phases). I went N along narrow grove of timber W of pasture. No song and no response to my whistle until I was about 50 yds N of barn. In this area I encountered a singing bird where I have seen 3 towmice together on Feb 11. The bird sang steadily peer - - (3 to 5 phrases) answered by one E of Smart's house and one in woods cross pasture to E (4th member had been ?724). I whistled and bird answered. I waited and listened and saw a towmouse chase a Carolina chickadee. I watched the towmouse which seemed to be alone and
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Feb 13. 3 mi. EST Del Valle, 400 ft., Travis Co., Texas oblivious of singing bird. I took this bird (725), wounding it in such a way that it was voiceless. No response from any other bird and I continued to sing. Detached film and took him (726). Mate relationship is assumed on the basis of advanced state of ovary of 725 and fact that she was taken about 20 feet from song posts of 726. I heard no other tidbits in the area W of the pasture although Dr Miller took me across the draw on the slope W of one where 726 sang. Density in ridge-top oak-juniper seems to be sparse.
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KDixon 1952 Parus atricristatus Feb. 16. 2 mi. W Mineral Wells, 1000 ft., Palo Pinto Co., Texas I arrived at the ranch of Mr. I.C. Taylor about 10:30 a.m. and obtained permission to hunt for Titmice on the slope behind his house. The area lay on the south side of a shelf-like bench perhaps 50-75 feet higher than the surrounding area. The slope leading up to this terrace was rocky and both slope and the level crest were grown with post oak and blackjack with considerable underbrush and scattered junipers. Stature of the trees was not great, perhaps 15 ft. OVERCAST partly CLEARED, Breeze from N variable. I hunted over this "brusby post oaks" land for an hour and 20 minutes after 10:45. Titmice were not numerous; apparently 3 pairs occupied the crest of the slope over a distance of + 250 yds. I located 2 pairs in a dispute, fired at one individual which was unhamed. later, to the NW, I heard pory pees - - - - (3 to 5 phrases) answered by rapid petur tyurttyur (7 to 9 phrases per pory group). I stalked the bride and came close to former as latter was withdrawing to NW. This bird seemed to be alone - I fired at 38 at it and the bird scolded - I followed the now wary male and took it in an oak with a 1/2 load (737). Working to the E I heard a dispute in progess about 11:50 in dense oak area. Members of the 2 pairs drifted apart as I approached and talkative member of 2 pair scolded me as I followed. I fired at one (silent) Titmice hammering at an object
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Feb 16. 2 mi W Mineral Wells, 1000 ft., Palo Pinto Co., Texas while perched on twig close to trunk of a blackjack about 4ft above ground. (f, 738). This bird fell and male moved to S and E, circling to point 20 ft S of where male had been. Bird continued vet vet vet and worked E slowly. I took him (739) about 30 ft to E.
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K Dixon 1952 Parus atricristatus Feb 14. 7 mi. S Ranger ± 1700 ft., Eastland Co, Texas The Jameson Ranch property lies along the Leon River and includes the lower portion of Colony Creek which flows into the Leon from the N. Cover over the uplands consists of post oak and blackjack of rather small stature with some live oaks and junipers (on rockier sites). In the bottomland, the deciduous oaks were larger and there were elm and pecan trees of good size. Little underbrush in either type. Cattle and goats are kept but grazing appears to be moderate. I was driven over considerable areas of the ranch by Mr. Aubrey Jameson. At one place where we stopped, near the Leon River (tall post oaks) I heard a towmouse call see-chee-up and located a pair. Although 3 of us in the party were milling around beneath the tree, the one bird sat erect, motionless and flew only when I clapped my hands; its mate flying along with it. Call vet-vet-vet from perch to S. Feb 15. COLD; MISTY RAIN intermittent, 8:00 a.m. - ± 11:00 am harder and steadier thereafter. I drove down to Colony Cr. and started working through deciduous oaks W of creek (these grow in groves of "first bench" in rather close formation. I encountered 2 single birds in woods N of truck, assuming both to be males. (727 was ♂ but 728, ♀) The latter was taken E of creek and presumably was not mate of 727. To S of where 728 taken, I ran into pair
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Feb 15. 7 mi. S Ranger in deciduous oaks of area at base of hill to E. I followed them up on to rocky, liveoak-dotted slope and back down to base. I fired at each twice without apparent injury to either. (Visibility poor my aim worse). I worked down to the N bank of the hcm, then W and N at base of hill to W. I located a pair of thrice in S edge of large group of root oak and fired at one twice with .38 S - no damage. I worked S chasing Melanepes erythrocephalus, then N. I located one pair having vocal exchange with pair to S (one I had fired at) and later, birds to N. I took one bird (F, 729), then chased N, S, N, then watched pair to S, never finding mate of 729 to take him. Working back N, I followed a lone bird, probably the mate of 729 and took it eventually (M, 730). Mate relation- ship somewhat tense. Working N past the truck I encountered a pair which had eluded me earlier. I followed their birds, which were screolding me. Eventually I fired at one which flew toward the road, mounting into the air to tree-top height, then glided in an arc to S, falling to the ground. I followed its mate, missed a close shot with the .38 near the creek and followed bird back to woods where I taken. It scolded and crossed over my position, then flew back again across over my head into oak ton
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Parus atricristatus. Feb 15. 7 mi. S Ranger, ± 1700 ft., Eastland Co., Texas I backed off and fired with a .410, breaking bird's manus - it worked up into tree and perched still near trunk. I finished it with .22, then searched for mate of this ♂ (731). I found ♀ in middle of brush pile, standing on ground with feathers fluffed, eyes closed but very much alive. (♀, 732). This must have been after 12:00, since I returned to Ranger in hard rain to find it was 12:45 (I had forgotten my watch). Call notes heard during the morning included a scold vet-it vet-it vet-it as well as the usual vet vet vet. One characteristic response I witnessed a number of times was for a bird, such as one which had been fired at, to perch on a twig close to the trunk of the tree and remain motionless there. I observed this reaction in at least 3 titmice I can recall as well as the one seen here Feb 14. Titmice generally wary, flushing well out of range on many occasions. I saved as a skin a thrush taken by Pete Jameson with #8 shot in a 12-gauge. Many feathers lost plus delay in preparation make for a poor specimen.
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K Dixon 1952 Parus atricapillus Feb 19. 17 mi. S Washburn, 3400 ft., Armstrong Co, Texas I proceeded in a generally southerly direction down a tributary to Palo Duro Canyon after 8:00 a.m. CLEAR, Calm. The canyon is steep-sided, carved of massive rocks, and has scattered junipers on its slopes. More junipers may be found on "benches" near the stream level. In one such area, where cottonwoods are scattered along the stream course, I heard the vet vet scold of a Titmouse and saw 2 birds in rather closely spaced junipers of east bank. They moved in close to me, then beyond up the stream before I could shift loads. I gave whistle cheer--and hissed. One bird kept up vet vet and I think it was the other which moved toward me as I hissed. I took this bird (740 ?) and started to follow its route. The latter kept well to cover and I could not locate it, looking into moving sky above shaded bank. Bird moved downstream and began peaver peaver peaver song, weakly at first, then seemingly with more confidence. It started with 3 phrases per song and then 4 and 5. The pitch seemed to me to be higher than that of this song in other Titmouse populations. This bird also gave a call see see see aahh , starting out like "fe" call It flew across stream to rock on slope to W, then occupied a succession of perches as I followed it. Bird would remain silent, then scolded as I approached. I abandoned the chase at 9:15.
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K Dixon 1952 Parus atricristatus Feb/19 17 mi. S Washburn, 3400 ft., Armstrong Co, Texas. I proceeded downstream but heard no more titmice by the time I reached a larger stream flowing in from the NW. This larger canyon was much broader, those being a terrace above the stream often 100 yds either side. wide on. Junipers grew dense on this bench and there were elms and mesquites (especially the latter) scattered throughout. Cottonwoods in some numbers lined the edge of the stream forming broken rows. I worked upstream about 1/4 mile after 10:00 and was accosted by a titmouse as I crossed the stream. This bird was in the cottonwoods and I located it foraging on trunk bark. I fired at it with a .38 and it flew. My second try was with a 410 at long range - bird flew, presumably uninjured. I crossed the stream again and worked S toward that wall of this broad canyon. I worked through junipers part way up the slope but heard no titmice and stirred up no response by whistling. I returned to the confluence of the two streams at 12:10 and heard a titmouse call there. I followed the inter- mittent vocality trying to locate caller. Bird would remain quiet for extended periods, then call at some distance from previous locale. I finally saw the bird in a cottonwood and fired at it with a 1/2 load - it flew N - then I heard accost to NW - same bird. This caller led me a merry chase up N bank, across ridges.
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K Dixon 1952 Parus atricristatus Feb 19. 17 mi. S Washburn, 3400 ft., Armstrong Co., Texas It left cottonwoods and went into junipers. I heard it fly upstream as I stalked it in junipers within 20 yards of bank, but I was unable to locate bird subsequently. I left the area at 12:25 and retraced my steps up the tributary toward the Harrell ranch-house. I heard no titmouse calls and no answer to my whistling in area where bird taken this morning. I noted a row of cottonwoods along the streamcourse here, more than I had remembered earlier and more than in other areas in this canyon. I reached the house at 1:50 p.m.
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K Dikov 1952 Barnes atricristatus Feb 20. Palo Duro Canyon, 13 mi. E Canyon, ±3400 ft, Randall Co, Texas CLEAR, COLD, CALM. Ice on stream although water after 8:30 running. I walked along stream W of road inside Park. I whistled but heard no Atrice. I followed their tributary under a bridge to the main stream (100 yds). Cottonwoods scattered along this streamcourse – junipers on flat to E. I heard Atrice singing peel – – – (5 phrases) and located bird in junipers near road. Another Atrice upslope was answering the song but I could not locate it. First moved to cottonwoods on E side of stream and I watched it as it perched on branches conspicuous, then shifted to another cottonwood. Bird sang steadily for 12 minutes although other stopped after this bird moved into cottonwood. This Atrice moved along downstream, singing intermittently. [illegible] I went upstream 1 200 yds after 8:55 but located no Atrice here. I left area after 9:10.
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