Texas Nature Observations and Reminiscenses Page: 319
323 p. : ill., ports. ; 26 cm.View a full description of this book.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
TEXAS NATURE OBSERVATIONS AND REMINISCENCES. 319
worms and larvae from the
ground: the bills of many being
covered with (artlh. etc." *
These observations tally with
those stated al)ove, and our lively
Texas cactus wren has been
known to me ever since boyhood
some fifty years ago, when then.
living on a farm, near Boerne.
The principle home of this wren
specie however, is the immense
cactus plains and l>rush thickets
of Southwestern Texas. Occa-
sionally, but rarely, these lively
cactus birds also build their large
nest in some thorny bush or on a
mesquite tree; and I here met one
of them, years ago, in the thorny
agarita bushes, close to Mitchell's
lake, and also twice located in a
large Spanish dagger plant.
When close to dwellings, they
are quite tame, and, if not molest-
ed during nestling time the young
brood will return annually and en-
liven the surrounding territory.
Several such breeding nests can
he found in the cactus thicketssouth of San Antonio, close to
Mexican dwellings, and some of
them directly on the road, inside
an artificial cactus fence, leading
to the Espada Mission. In front of
AMexican dwelling, several very
large cactus wren nests could be
seen, nearly as large as a bucket,
built between the thorny leaves,
and the inside broad-rotund cavi-
ty is snuggly outlined with soft
feathers and wool and parcels of
cotton. I once, at the romantic
Cassin's lake, met a heautvful
wren nest. entirely outlined with
the snow-white cotton fibre: and
the outside entrance as well as the
thorny surroundings were covered
with remnants of the white cot-
ton-bolls of an adjoining cotton
field.
A second illustration seen here-
in (a "self-made" photo) shows
one of the cactus thickets with
wren nests, located close to the
"canvas-back lake." nine miles
below San Antonio, and near the
jungles of cacti the previous view
was taken.'V
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This book can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Matching Search Results
View 10 pages within this book that match your search.Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Book.
Menger, R. Texas Nature Observations and Reminiscenses, book, 1913; San Antonio, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth143558/m1/323/?q=menger: accessed April 19, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting University of Texas Health Science Center Libraries.