Yo1 ' 1920 XVH ] Griscom, Winter Birds of San Antonio, Texas. 49 in quick succession until the woods resound. And then the Hermits — from all sides their songs come, pure and bubbling, not slow and bell-like as the Wood Thrush nor fast and rolling like the Veery, but a perfect blending of bell tones and flute-like trills, soft or loud with the bird's varying mood. The dusk deepens, and the chorus increases till all the shadowy forest is echoing with deliciously clear music. Then, as darkness falls, they hush one by one; the sky fades over the western mountain; a Great Blue Heron flaps heavily up the lake and over the now silent forest, and far up the valley the " Whoo-hoo-hoo-ah! " of the Barred Owl floats down to us, mellowed by distance, telling that night has come. 840 Adams St., Milton, Mass. NOTES ON THE WINTER BIRDS OF SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS. BY LUDLOW GRISCOM. From December 15, 1917, to March 7, 1918, the writer was stationed at Camp Stanley, Leon Springs, Bexar Co., Texas. As much spare time as possible was devoted to observing birds, particu- larly week-ends of course, but incidental work was possible through- out the week. The life was an absolutely outdoor one in unsettled country. Field glasses were always a proper part of an officer's uniform, and perhaps I received much more credit for zeal in exam- ining the country for tactical problems than I deserved ! The vicinity of Camp Stanley itself was very poor for birds, the barren rocky hillsides with but scant growth upon them, satisfying the requirements of a very limited number of species. The San Antonio River south of the city was a much better place. Several trips were made to the Medina Dam about twenty-five miles to the west. The dam has made a lake over ten miles long by one-half mile wide, where waterfowl were abundant. The hills here were covered with juniper and bayberry, and the bird-life as a result differed markedly.
