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