Part 18

The topography is much more interesting, and is quite different from that farther south and that immediately opposite on the west side of the river. A level plateau, 100 feet above the levee, begins about a quarter of a mile from the river and extends back into the State of Mississippi. This plateau is deeply cut by numerous creeks and ravines, the banks of which are generally densely wooded, with water oak, sweet-gum, cedar, prickly ash, magnolias, etc. All of the level ground on top is in a state of cultivation; cotton being the principal crop. A few miles farther up the high ground does not extend so near the river, the intervening space being occupied by several small lakes and swamps—a great resort for water birds of all kinds. On account of the high water I did not have an opportunity of visiting this interesting field.

My observations extended only over a period of five days from April 15th to 19th, 1882, inclusive, but a great deal of ground was canvassed in that time; nearly the whole of each day being spent in the field. A good many birds were shot, but few were preserved, as taxidermy was necessarily subordinated to field-work. Dr. Langdon in his interesting paper particularly remarks the absence of the Catbird, Black-and-White Creeper, White-browed Yellow-throat, Kentucky Warbler, Large-billed Water Thrush, and the Redstart, but I found all of these at “Wyoming,” together with many others not noted by either him or Mr. Hay, the Catbird and Kentucky Warbler being particularly abundant.

The writer was greatly assisted in his work by Mr. Robert Wederstraudt of “Wyoming,” a young man whose unusually close and accurate observations of birds and bird life rendered his help peculiarly valuable. Many of the following notes are credited to him entirely. I have followed the nomenclature of the Smithsonian list of 1881.

1. =Hylocichla mustelina= (_Gm._) _Bd._ WOOD THRUSH.—Common in woodland, and several seen in the yard near the house.

2. =Merula migratoria= (_L._) _Sw. and Rich._ AMERICAN ROBIN.—Not observed. They appear here in large numbers early in February to feed on the fruit of the “wild peach,” and hundreds are shot for the table. They leave early in March.

3. =Mimus polyglottus= (_L._) _Boie_. MOCKINGBIRD.—Very abundant, both in the town about gardens and yards, and in the country. Frequenting open ground exclusively. Four sets of eggs were taken; two perfectly fresh, and two about half incubated. Mr. Wederstraudt called my attention to a curious foraging habit of this bird. We noticed one hopping along the ground in an open grassy place, pausing at every three or four hops to extend and close its wings. It repeated this several times until a grasshopper was flushed, when the bird immediately “reached” for it, and having captured it, made off to a neighboring bush to eat it. Mr. Wederstraudt says that he has observed this interesting performance many times.

4. =Galeoscoptes carolinensis= (_L._) _Cab._ CATBIRD.—Abundant in the shrubbery in the creek bottoms. None were seen near the dwellings.

5. =Harporhynchus rufus= (_L._) _Cab._ BROWN THRASHER.—Abundant in same places as the last. Three clutches of three eggs each were taken, in one of which incubation was very far advanced, and on the 19th a nest was found containing two young nearly able to fly.

6. =Sialia sialis= (_L._) _Haldem._ BLUEBIRD.—Observed several pairs in town and in the country. Not as common as in Kentucky.

7. =Polioptila cærulea= (_L._) _Scl._ BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER.—A common, and, on account of its active and noisy habits, conspicuous bird.

8. =Lophophanes bicolor= (_L._) _Bp._ TUFTED TITMOUSE.—Not very common. Frequenting principally the tops of trees.

9. =Parus carolinensis= _Aud._ CAROLINA CHICKADEE.—But few observed. A pair bred in a hole in a cedar post within twenty yards of the house last year.

10. =Thryothorus ludovicianus= (_Gm._) _Bp._ CAROLINA WREN.—Very abundant everywhere. A clutch of three eggs was taken on the 19th from a nest in a small recess formed by the junction of several timbers, under the piazza, which was frequented at all times of the day. The nest was empty on the 16th, one egg was deposited on the 17th, one on the 18th, and one on the 19th. I saw neither of the old birds about the place at all, and it was only by capturing the female on the nest at night, that the eggs were positively identified. A pair have bred about this piazza for many years, I am informed.

11. =Mniotilta varia= (_L._) _V._ BLACK-AND-WHITE CREEPER.—A male, the only one seen at all, was captured in a dense wood on the 17th.

12. =Parula americana= (_L._) _Bp._ BLUE-YELLOW-BACKED WARBLER.—Very abundant. A persistent but weak vocalist.

13. =Dendrœca æstiva= (_Gm._) _Bd._ SUMMER YELLOWBIRD.—Common in open places.

14. =Dendrœca blackburniæ= (_Gm._) _Bd._ BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER.—Common in large trees about open ground.

15. =Dendrœca dominica albilora= _Bd._ WHITE-BROWED-YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER.—A male, the only one seen, was shot out of a magnolia tree on the 10th. In all of my Kentucky specimens of this bird the anterior portion of the superciliary line has a trace of yellow. In this one no yellow is perceptible.

16. =Dendrœca pinus= (_Wils._) _Bd._ PINE-CREEPING WARBLER.—Apparently not uncommon. Preferring open ground. In song.

17. =Siurus auricapillus= (_L._) _Sw._ GOLDEN-CROWNED THRUSH.—One specimen captured in a thicket on the 15th.

18. =Siurus motacilla= (_V._) _Coues_. LARGE-BILLED WATER THRUSH.—Heard one singing in a densely wooded ravine on the 17th. Mr. Wederstraudt has often seen them in pairs along the smaller water-courses.

19. =Oporornis formosa= (_Wils._) _Bd._ KENTUCKY WARBLER.—One of the most abundant inhabitants of the dense growth along the ravines. Two or three were often heard singing at the same time.

20. =Geothlypis trichas= (_L._) _Cab._ MARYLAND YELLOW-THROAT.—Abundant in the usual places.

21. =Icteria virens= (_L._) _Bd._ YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT.—Very abundant. In full song.

22. =Myiodioctes mitratus= (_Gm._) _Aud._ HOODED WARBLER.—Found in same places, and almost as abundant as the Kentucky Warbler. An inhabitant of the undergrowth principally. In song; its note being uttered at intervals of 15 or 20 seconds as it hops from branch to branch in pursuit of insects.

23. =Setophaga ruticilla= (_L._) _Sw._ REDSTART.—A single specimen, a male, captured in a swamp. It was in company with a female.

24. =Vireosylvia olivacea= (_L._) _Bp._ RED-EYED VIREO.—Very abundant everywhere.

25. =Vireosylvia gilva= (_V._) _Cass._ WARBLING VIREO.—Heard one singing in a shade tree in Bayou Sara on the 15th.

26. =Vireo noveboracensis= (_Gm._) _Bp._ WHITE-EYED VIREO.—Very abundant and voluble everywhere.

27. =Lanius ludovicianus= _L._ LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE.—Not observed. Mr. Wederstraudt says that they are not uncommon here in the fall. He once saw one kill and _devour_ a small bird in a thorn tree.

28. =Ampelis cedrorum= (_V._) _Bd._ CEDAR WAXWING.—Observed several small flocks. Said to be very abundant here in winter when numbers are shot for the table. Known here as the “ortolan”—the fourth bird, I believe, embraced under that comprehensive name.

29. =Progne subis= (_L._) _Bd._ PURPLE MARTIN.—Common about Bayou Sara and St. Francisville.

30. =Stelgidopteryx serripennis= (_Aud._) _Bd._ ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW.—Very abundant. Beginning to breed. Several holes examined but no eggs found. One was shot out of a dead tree.

31. =Pyranga æstiva= (_L._) _V._ SUMMER REDBIRD.—Abundant about dwellings and open ground. In song.

32. =Passerculus sandwichensis savanna= (_Wils._) _Ridgw._ SAVANNA SPARROW.—Common in old wet fields. One individual captured, a female, had a very large tumor on the bill and several smaller ones on the toes.

33. =Zonotrichia albicollis= (_Gm._) _Bp._ WHITE-THROATED SPARROW.—Abundant in parties of six or eight in the undergrowth about open places in the low lands.

34. =Peucæa æstivalis illinoensis= _Ridgw._ OAK-WOODS SPARROW.—Two specimens of this interesting form were taken; both males. One was shot from the top of a small bush near the edge of an old corn field; the other from the top of an isolated pine on the edge of a cotton field. Both were singing when shot. No others were observed. This, I believe, is the most southeasterly “record” of the form.

35. =Melospiza palustris= (_Wils._) _Bd._ SWAMP SPARROW.—Not uncommon in the usual places.

36. =Pipilo erythrophthalmus= (_L._) _V._ CHEWINK; TOWHEE.— Abundant. Locally known as the “Joree.”

37. =Cardinalis virginianus= (_Briss._) _Bp._ CARDINAL GROSBEAK.—Very abundant. Took a set of three fresh eggs on the 17th. Nest as usual.

38. =Passerina cyanea= (_L._) _Gray._ INDIGO BUNTING.—Rather common about open places, but very shy. Not in song.

39. =Passerina ciris= (_L._) _Gray._ PAINTED BUNTING; NONPAREIL.—First seen on the 16th. A male in full song captured on the 19th—the only two seen. Mr. Wederstraudt, who has trapped them, using a captive male as a decoy, says that the same individual is always to be found within a few hundred feet of the place where first observed. I saw several males in confinement in New Orleans, and observed that the red of the underparts was heavily blotched and obscured by yellow, and attributed it to immaturity, but was informed that it was due to the confinement. They are called “Pops” here, the derivation of which name I could not make out.

40. =Agelæus phœniceus= (_L._) _V._ RED-AND-BUFF-SHOULDERED BLACKBIRD.—Abundant in swampy places.

41. =Sturnella magna= (_L._) _Sw._ MEADOW LARK.—Common in old fields. Their note seemed to me to be different from that of the Kentucky bird.

42. =Icterus spurius= (_L._) _Bp._ ORCHARD ORIOLE.—Common about open ground.

43. =Icterus galbula= (_L._) _Coues_. BALTIMORE ORIOLE.—Observed several singing in shade trees in Bayou Sara and St. Francisville.

44. =Quiscalus purpureus= (_Bartr._) _Licht._ PURPLE GRACKLE.—A common Grackle about the river and bayou at Bayou Sara is referred to this form, as the one found forty or fifty miles down the river is according to Dr. Langdon the Purple, and not the Bronzed Grackle.

45. =Corvus frugivorus= _Bartr._ COMMON CROW.—Common.

46. =Cyanocitta cristata= (_L._) _Strickl._ BLUE JAY.—Common.

47. =Tyrannus carolinensis= (_L._) _Temm._ KINGBIRD; BEE MARTIN.—Common.

48. =Myiarchus crinitus= (_L._) _Cab._ GREAT-CRESTED FLYCATCHER.—A common and conspicuous inhabitant of yards and orchards.

49. =Contopus virens= (_L._) _Cab._ WOOD PEWEE.—Common in dense timber.

50. =Empidonax acadicus= (_Gm._) _Bd._ ACADIAN FLYCATCHER.—Common in same places as last.

51. =Trochilus colubris= _L._ RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD.—Very abundant about cultivated ground.

52. =Chætura pelasgica= (_L._) _Boie_. CHIMNEY SWIFT.—Common.

53. =Antrostomus carolinensis= (_Gm._) _Gould_. CHUCK-WILL’S-WIDOW.—Heard but one, on the night of the 19th, near the house, but I am told that they are quite common.

54. =Chordeiles popetue= (_V._) _Bd._ NIGHT HAWK.—Saw one about dusk on the evening of the 19th, high in air, giving the peculiar call common to the males during the breeding season.

55. =Picus pubescens= (_L._) DOWNY WOODPECKER.—Only two individuals were observed during my visit.

56. =Hylotomus pileatus= (_L._) _Bd._ PILEATED WOODPECKER.—Not observed, but it is said to be common in heavy timber along the borders of the swamp.

57. =Centurus carolinensis= (_L._) _Bp._ RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER.—Rather common. At the time of my departure a pair had begun digging a hole for their nest in a large china tree within thirty yards of the house.

58. =Melanerpes erythrocephalus= (_L._) _Sw._ RED-HEADED WOODPECKER—A familiar and common bird here; preferring open to densely wooded country.

59. =Colaptes auratus= (_L._) _Sw._ YELLOW-SHAFTED FLICKER.—Not observed. Mr. Wederstraudt and others pronounce it an abundant bird here.

60. =Ceryle alcyon= (_L._) _Boie_. BELTED KINGFISHER.—Common in open places along Alexander’s Creek and its branches. A clutch of six fresh eggs was taken from a hole in a perpendicular bank on the 16th. The orifice was about thirty-five feet from the bottom, and three and a half from the top of the bank. The hole extended horizontally into the bank for a distance of six feet. The old birds circled around a few times after we began digging for the eggs, and then flew off, apparently unconcerned at our operations.

61. =Coccyzus americanus= (_L._) _Bp._ YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO.—One individual observed on the 19th in a large live-oak near the house. In song.

62. =Conurus carolinensis= (_L._) _Kuhl._ CAROLINA PARAKEET.—Not seen by me. Gov. Wickliffe says that twenty years ago it was quite common here at times in large flocks, and Mr. Wederstraudt has several times observed it within the last few years, but never more than two or three together at a time. About eighteen months ago he saw one in an orchard near “Wyoming.”

63. =Scops asio= (_L._) _Bp._ LITTLE SCREECH OWL.—Found here, according to Mr. Wederstraudt.

64. =Bubo virginianus= (_Gm._) _Bp._ GREAT HORNED OWL.—Given as a common inhabitant by Mr. Wederstraudt.

65. =Pandion haliaëtus carolinensis= (_Gm._) _Ridgw._ AMERICAN OSPREY; FISH HAWK.—Often seen here, according to the natives.

66. =Haliaëtus leucocephalus= (_L._) _Savig._ BALD EAGLE.—Said to occasionally occur here.

67. =Cathartes aura= (_L._) _Illig._ TURKEY BUZZARD.—Common.

68. =Catharista atrata= (_Wils._) _Less._ BLACK VULTURE; CARRION CROW.—Very abundant. I flushed thirty or forty, one day, from the carcass of a dead horse.

69. =Zenaidura carolinensis= (_L._) _Bp._ MOURNING DOVE.—Abundant about open places. I took a clutch of two fresh eggs on the 19th from a nest on a horizontal limb of a water oak, eight feet from the ground.

70. =Ortyx virginianus= (_L._) _Bp._ BOB WHITE; AMERICAN QUAIL.—Abundant in pairs about cultivated ground. They are not much hunted here as the shooting is very difficult, for when flushed they immediately make for the thickets.

71. =Ardea herodias= (_L._) GREAT BLUE HERON.—One was seen on the 19th flying towards the swamp

72. =Herodias alba egretta= (_Gm._) _Ridgw._ AMERICAN EGRET.—A flock of eight was observed on the 19th flying towards the swamp.

73. =Butorides virescens= (_L._) _Bp._ GREEN HERON.—A common bird about the creeks and ponds.

74. =Oxyechus vociferus= (_L._) _Reich._ KILLDEER.—Saw a party of eight on the creek. They were very tame.

75. =Philohela minor= (_Gm._) _Gray._ AMERICAN WOODCOCK.—Not observed. Said to be common here in the fall, when they are hunted in the cotton fields at night with torches.

76. =Gallinago media wilsoni= (_Temm._) _Ridgw._ WILSON’S SNIPE.—Not observed, but said to be common here in early spring.

77. =Rhyacophilus solitarius= (_Wils._) _Cass._ SOLITARY SANDPIPER.—Two individuals were several times noted about a pond of stagnant water.

78. =Tringoides macularius= (_L._) _Gray._ SPOTTED SANDPIPER.—Several times observed along the creeks.

79. =Rallus elegans= _Aud._ RED-BREASTED RAIL.—One several times seen in a small pond thickly overgrown with small trees, water-lillies etc.

80. =Rallus virginianus= _L._ VIRGINIA RAIL.—One seen in same place as the last. Both eluded capture.

81. =Fulica americana= _Gm._ AMERICAN COOT.—Not observed, but said to be common here in fall and early spring. Known here by the Creole name of “Poulette d’Eau.”

82. =Anas boschas= _L._ MALLARD.—Not observed, but it is said to be common here during the migrations.

83. =Querquedula discors= (_L._) _Steph._ BLUE-WINGED TEAL.—Two were shot out of a flock of eight on the 16th on Alexander’s Creek.

84. =Aix sponsa= (_L._) _Boie_. WOOD DUCK; SUMMER DUCK.—Not observed, but common in the swamp, I am informed.

85. =Pelecanus fuscus= (_L._) BROWN PELICAN.—Said to breed in the lakes above Bayou Sara.

86. =Podilymbus podiceps= (_L._) _Lawr._ THICK-BILLED GREBE.—Not observed, but well known here.

LIST OF BIRDS OBSERVED AT HOUSTON, HARRIS CO., TEXAS, AND IN THE COUNTIES MONTGOMERY, GALVESTON AND FORD BEND.

BY H. NEHRLING.

(_Continued from p. 13._)

87. =Molothrus ater= _Gray._ COWBIRD.—Very abundant throughout the year. They come in large flocks into the streets of the city in the winter months to search for food; they also associate at that season with _Scolecophagus cyanocephalus_ Cab. I have never seen anywhere else such numbers of these birds as here, and in the breeding season most of the nests of our small birds contain eggs of this parasite.

87_a_. =Molothrus ater obscurus= _Coues_. DWARF COWBIRD.—A common bird during the breeding season. It is smaller than its near relative, and quicker in its motions. Moves usually in flocks of from two to ten. I first observed the bird when it was just leaving the nest of _Lanivireo flavifrons_ Bd., and found its egg in it, besides four of the Vireo’s. The egg is smaller and not so thickly sprinkled as that of the common Cowbird.

88. =Xanthocephalus icterocephalus= _Bd._ YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD.—Very common in marshy localities from the latter part of October to March and April. I think some remain to breed, as I observed small flocks during May in the low prairie districts overgrown with reeds and other water plants. The best opportunity I ever had to study the breeding habits of this beautiful but very locally distributed Blackbird was in the Calumet Marshes near Kensington, about eighteen miles south of Chicago, where I discovered in a single day about fifty nests among the reeds. During the winter months they associate with _Molothrus ater_, _Agelæus phœniceus_, and _Scolecophagus cyanocephalus_; many migrate further south, and in cold winters only a few remain near Houston.

89. =Agelæus phœniceus= _Vieill._ RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD.—Common in swamps, but not so abundant as I have found these birds to be in Wisconsin and Illinois. May 6, 1881, I discovered a nest in a somewhat strange position, in a blackberry-bush (_Rubus villosus_) on the edge of a thicket; there was no swamp within a mile. This was in the northern part of Harris County. Only a few remain to winter, the greater part migrating farther south.

90. =Sturnella magna= _Swains._ MEADOW LARK.—Common summer sojourner, and very abundant during winter; many thousands are killed in the latter season by pot hunters. During summer the Meadow Lark is strictly a prairie bird, always to be looked for on the open grassy savannas; I never found the bird breeding in a cotton field or corn field. In winter, however, they change their habits, and in large flocks visit the sugar-cane, cotton, and corn fields.

91. =Icterus spurius= _Bp._ ORCHARD ORIOLE.—Common during migrations.

91_a_. =Icterus spurius affinis= _Coues_. SOUTHERN ORCHARD ORIOLE.—Very common summer sojourner; breeds in all suitable localities, especially in peach gardens. The bird is decidedly smaller than the northern variety; it is also more active and quicker in its motions. The song is much more varied, and louder, quicker and more beautiful, reminding one of the song of the Baltimore Oriole. The nest is smaller, but it is built of the same materials—green grasses, lined with cotton. May 8, 1881, I discovered a very curious but not quite finished nest near Spring Creek, only a few yards from a dwelling. For several days I had observed a pair of these birds carrying fresh green grasses to a laurel oak (_Quercus imbricaria_), that was densely covered with large hanging bunches of Spanish moss (_Tillandsia usneoides_); they disappeared every time into a bunch of moss, yet I could see no nest. At last, on taking down the bunch of moss, I was surprised to find a beautiful structure in my hands. The grasses and moss were all woven firmly together; the entrance was on the side.

92. =Scolecophagus ferrugineus= _Swains._ RUSTY BLACKBIRD.—Very rare. A few seen in March, 1881, among flocks of the following species.

93. =Scolecophagus cyanocephalus= _Cab._ BREWER’S BLACKBIRD.—During winter the most common of the family _Icteridæ_. They are very abundant in Houston from the early part of November to April, when they disappear for the north; by the end of that month only a few remain to breed in suitable localities. I found several nests May 5, 1881, in thick, small oaks near the Rose Hill Post Office in the northern part of Harris County. They were built in the tops of young post oaks (_Quercus obtusiloba_), about twelve to fifteen feet from the ground, and contained from two to five eggs each. The nests were composed exteriorly of strong slender plant stems and coarse grasses, and were lined with fine grasses. These birds are very unsuspicious and bold during winter, running about in even the most crowded city streets, and also frequenting door-yards. On cold days they are easily caught. I had a pair over a year in a cage; they soon became reconciled to confinement, and were lively, interesting pets.

94. =Quiscalus purpureus æneus= _Ridgw._ BRONZED GRACKLE.—The most abundant of all the Blackbirds during the breeding season, arriving from their more southern winter quarters early in March. None remain, so far as my observations go, during winter. They breed abundantly in the larger gardens of Houston, especially in the mountain cedars (_Juniperus occidentalis texana_), and the live and water oaks (_Quercus virens_ et _Q. aquatica_). In the thick young oak grove near Rose Hill Post Office I found a large colony of about two hundred pairs breeding and in their company also the Boat-tailed Grackles (_Quiscalus major_) and Brewer’s Blackbirds (_Scolecophagus cyanocephalus_), but each species had its own limited nesting range. Every nest was built in the top of a slender oak and all the nests examined were neat, strong, and large structures; they were constructed of plant stems, slender grasses, fragments of corn-husks, intermingled with sheep’s wool, and lined with finer grasses. In some nests a layer of mud was also to be found.

95. =Quiscalus major= _Vieill._ BOAT-TAILED GRACKLE.—Quite regularly distributed over the coast region of Texas. I found the birds breeding in the colonies of the Little Blue Heron (_Florida cærulea_) and the Snowy Heron (_Garzetta candidissima_), on the button bushes (_Cephalanthus occidentalis_) standing in the water. May 6, 1881, I observed a colony of about twenty pairs near Rose Hill Post Office. They were all busily engaged in building their nests in the tops of young oaks. Only a few nests were finished, and only one contained eggs, four in number. Nest composed of weed-stalks, grasses and sheep’s wool, lined with finer grasses; cavity very shallow if compared with nests of _Quiscalus purpureus æneus_ and _Scolecophagus cyanocephalus_. The male has a few very fine songlike notes, different from those of every other Blackbird.

96. =Corvus frugivorus= _Bartr._ COMMON CROW.—In winter numbers are to be observed on Galveston Bay, near bayous, and on the sugar cane fields near the Brazos. In spring they scatter over the country, breeding in all suitable localities, but they are then nowhere common in the coast region.

97. =Cyanocitta cristata= _Strickl._ BLUE JAY.—A very common resident; breeds abundantly in all woody localities; also often in gardens on mountain cedars and sometimes on the beautiful Japan medlars (_Eriobotrya japonica_). Very bold and tame when well treated, coming then into door-yards and even into houses.

98. =Milvulus forficatus= _Sw._ SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER; “TEXAN BIRD OF PARADISE”; “FORK-TAIL.”—Very common summer sojourner; breeds frequently in the “bosquets” on the prairies, on the borders of woods, on isolated trees in the fields, and even in gardens. As the nest in this part of Texas is in most cases placed in trees, densely covered with Tillandsia, it is almost impossible to discover it. These beautiful birds are not at all retiring in their habits; in many instances they are so tame as to breed in close proximity to dwellings. They arrive from their winter quarters late in March, sometimes in the first days of April. Very often two broods are raised yearly. I found fresh eggs as late as July 4. The nests in the coast region are built partly of grasses but especially of gray Spanish moss. In September, after the breeding season, they gather in large flocks, visiting the cotton fields, where multitudes of cotton worms (_Aletia argillacea_) and their moths abound, on which they, with many other small birds, eagerly feed; early in October they depart for the South.

99. =Tyrannus carolinensis= _Temm._ KINGBIRD.—Common summer resident. Arrives from the South late in March or early in April, when the beautiful native yellow jessamine (_Gelsemium sempervirens_) fills the air with its pleasant odor. Nests commonly in the honey locust (_Gleditschia triacanthos_) and also in the common locust (_Robinia pseudacacia_). In many cases two broods are raised yearly.