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.