Texas Bird Records Committee Report for 1991

Carl B. Haynie

This report contains the decisions of the Texas Bird Records Committee (hereafter "TBRC" or "committee") of the Texas Ornithological Society reached during 1991. For information on previous actions of the TBRC, see Arnold (1984 and 1985) and Lasley (1988, 1989, 1990, 1991). The TBRC requests and reviews documentation on any record of a Texas Review Species (see end of report) as well as any record of any species if requested to do so by a member of the TBRC. Some of the records submitted to the TBRC during 1991 were gleaned from old American Birds or Christmas Bird Count files; thus some portion of the work of the committee during 1991 was to catch up on older records. The TBRC reached a final decision on 142 records during 1991: 93 records of 47 species were accepted and 49 records of 34 species were not accepted, an acceptance rate of 65% for this report. There were 199 observers who submitted documentation (to the TBRC or to other entities) that was reviewed by the committee during 1991.

This report officially adds 8 species to the Texas state list: White-chinned Petrel, Harlequin Duck, Iceland Gull, Monk Parakeet, Masked Tityra, White-throated Robin, Yellow-faced Grassquit, and Shiny Cowbird. The TBRC had previously voted to add Monk Parakeet since it was agreed that several populations of this species in Texas meet the strict criteria for well-established introduced species. At its annual meeting in February 1991, the TBRC voted to remove Antillean Crested Hummingbird from the state list since questions continue to abound on the origin of the 1967 specimen. Red-necked Grebe and Bohemian Waxwing were placed on the newly-formed Presumptive Species List (see Lasley 1991), thus removing them from the official state list until a photograph or specimen is obtained for at least one record. During 1991, the committee also voted to add White-crowned Pigeon and Slate-throated Redstart as new presumptive species. The above actions brought the official Texas state list at the end of 1991 to 582 species in good standing and the Presumptive Species List to 4 species. There were several records that will complete circulation through the TBRC in 1992 that will represent new Texas species.

The TBRC solicits reports of any species on the Review List as well as any species not previously accepted for Texas. We desire written descriptions as well as photographs and tape recordings if available. If anyone has information concerning a Review Species but is unsure how to submit that information please contact any member of the TBRC or contact the committee secretary, Greg Lasley, 305 Loganberry Court, Austin, Texas 78745-6527. For helpful pointers and guidelines on preparing rare bird documentation, readers are encouraged to review "How to Document Rare Birds," a recently published article in Birding (see Dittmann and Lasley 1992).

The records in this report are arranged taxonomically following The AOU Checklist of North American Birds (AOU 1983) as currently supplemented. A number in parentheses after the species name represents the total number of accepted records in Texas for that species at the end of 1991. This number will be listed for all Review Species, but not for records of other species (see end of report). Within each species the records are listed chronologically. All observers who submitted written documentation or photos of accepted records are listed by initials. There has been no attempt to list all observers who saw a particular bird. The TBRC file number of each accepted record will follow the observer's(s') initials. This number consists of the year the record was originally submitted to the committee followed by a dash then a number. If photos are on file with the TBRC, the Texas Photo Record File (TPRF) (Texas A&M University) number is also given. If a tape recording of the bird is on file with the TBRC, the Texas Bird Sounds Library (TBSL) (Sam Houston State University) number is also given. Specimen records are denoted with an asterisk (*) followed by the institution where the specimen is housed and the catalog number if available. The information in each account is usually based on the information provided in the original submitted documentation; however, in some cases we have supplemented this with a full range of dates the bird(s) was present if that information was made available to us later. All locations in italics are counties.

TBRC Membership.--Members of the TBRC during 1991 who participated in all decisions listed in this report are: Ted Eubanks, Chairman, Keith Arnold, Academician, Greg Lasley, Secretary, John Arvin, Jim Morgan, Warren Pulich, Chuck Sexton, and Barry Zimmer. During 1991, Warren Pulich retired from the committee and Carl Haynie and Bret Whitney were elected as members.

Contributors.--Lynne Aldrich (LAI), Tony Amos, Margaret Anderson (MAn), Ben Archer (BAr), Nanette Armstrong, John Arvin, Brooks Atherton, Lyn Atherton, Mike Austin, Larry Ballard, Sharon Bartels, Bob Behrstock, Charles Bender (CBe), Chris Benesch, Tony Bennett (TBe), Peter Billingham, Mike Bishop (MBi), Norman Boke, L. D. Bonham, Carolyn Bonner (CBo), E. Bonner, Ann Booth, Ray Booth (RBo), Michael Bomstein, Thomas Boyle, David Bradford (DBr), Ron Braun, Edward Brinkley (EBr), David Brotherton, Kelly Bryan, John Buckman, Frank Bumgardner, Oscar Carmona, Will Carter (WCa), Russ Clapper (RCI), William Clark, Charlie Clark, Caroline Coleman (CCo), Sherry Collins, Tom Collins, Fred Collins, Dawn Conway, Mark Conway (MCo), Arlie Cooksey, Mel Cooksey, Richard Cudworth, Mark Conway (MCo), Arlie Cooksey, Mel Cooksey, Richard Cudworth, Ross Currie (RCu), Ward Dasey, David Dauphin, Bob DeGraaf, Mike Denny, Dave DeSante (DDe), Laurel Devaney, Arch Dillard, Henrik Druid, Jon Dunn, Charles Easley, Kim Eckert, Karen Edelson (KEd), EI Paso Audubon Society (EPAS), Victor Emanuel, Myrna Engle, Midge Erskine (MEr), Ted Eubanks, Virginia Eubanks (VEu), John Eyre, Mike Farmer, Rose Farmer, Andy Farnsworth, T. Ben Feltner (TBF), Harold Fetter, David Fisher (DaF), Dean Fisher, Mark Flippo (MFl), Jim Flynn, Lynn Forster, Phyllis Frank, Tony Frank, Richard Frederick (RFr), Emery Froelich, Leo Galloway, Louise Gambill (LoG), Red Gambill, Barbara Garland, John Gee, Peter Gottschling, William Graber, Mary Gustafson, Sharon Hackleman, D. M. Hagemeyer, Bruce Hallett, George Harmon, Bernice Hayes (BHa), Jim Hayes (JHa), Vernon Hayes, Laurens Halsey, Robert Hanson, Ed Hase, Carl Haynie, Rhandy Helton (RHe), James Hines, Malcolm Hodges, Bob Honig (BHo), Faye Humphrey, Joe Ideker, Pete Isleib, Lamar Jackson (LJa), Carolyn Jenus, Tom Jenus, Margaret Jones, Paul Jones, Larry Jordan, Kenn Kaufman, Steve Kerr (SKe), Greg Keiran, Robbins King (RoK), Richard Kinney, Jane Kittleman, Sandy Komito, Theodore Koundakjian, Mike Krzywonski, Jeri Langham, Greg Lasley, Phil Lenna, Mike Lippsmeyer (MLi), Mark Lockwood, Gerald Maisel (GMa), Laurette Maisel, Guy McCaskie, Patti Sue McCrary (PSM), Elric McHenry, Margaret McIntosh, Ruthie Melton, Bob Menten, James Middleton (JMi), Kenneth Moore, Pete Moore, Arnold Moorehouse (AMo), Jim Morgan (JiM), Jack Morman, Allan Mueller, John Muldrow (JMu), Derek Muschalek, Kenneth Nanney, Ron Naveen, Pete Neumann, A. W. O'Neil, Brent Ortego, Paul Palmer, John Parmeter, Helen Parker, Max Parker (MaP), Mike Patterson, Dick Payne, Mike Perkins (MPe), Bruce Peterjohn, R. Matthew Pettigrew, Tom Pincelli, Patrick Pitt (PPi), C. G. Potter (CGP), Warren Pulich, Sr., Warren Pulich, Jr., Ross Rasmussen, Scott Rea, J. V. Remsen (JVR), Barbara Ribble, Jan Risser, Will Risser, Phil Rostron, Bob Rothe (BRo), Rose Ann Rowlett (RAR), Steve Sabo (SSa), Winnie M. Same (WMS), Willie Sekula, John Selle (JSe), August Sexauer (ASe), Chuck Sexton, Kenneth Seyffert, Al Smalley, Gwen Smalley, Lynda Snyder, Sharon Stark, Jerry Strickling, Colin Summerhayes (CSu), John Tveten, Richard Uzar, Hilda Waggoner, Vental Waggoner, Gene Warren, Ro Wauer, Ed Wetzel, Matt White, John Whittle, Sue Wiedenfeld, Doug Williams, Frances Williams, Stephen G. Williams (SGW), Alan Worthington, Barry Zimmer, Christopher Zyskowski.

Acknowledgments.--The TBRC is very grateful to the many contributors listed above, without whom this report would not be possible. We would also like to offer our sincere thanks to the following consultants who provided the TBRC with expert opinion, advice, or other information concerning records reviewed during 1991: David Ainley, Richard Banks, Eric Bolen, Paul Buckley, Steve Cardiff, Roger Clapp, William Clark, Kimball Garrett, Peter Grant, Peter Harrison, Dave Lee, Paul Lehman, Guy McCaskie, Nancy Newfield, Dennis Paulson, Allan Phillips, H. Douglas Pratt, J. V. Remsen, Robert Ridgely, Don Roberson, and Claudia Wilds. The author would also like to thank Greg Lasley for reviewing earlier drafts of this article and for making many helpful comments and suggestions.

Additional Abbreviations.--AB = American Birds magazine; BBNP = Big Bend National Park; CBC = Christmas Bird Count; GMNP = Guadalupe Mountains National Park; LRGV = Lower Rio Grande Valley; NWR = National Wildlife Refuge; SP = State Park; TCWC = Texas Cooperative Wildlife Collection (Texas A&M University); UTC = Upper Texas Coast; WMP = Warren M. Pulich collection.

Accepted Records

Red-throated Loon (Gavia stellata) (14). One was photographed at Calaveras Lake, Bexar 12-29 December 1989 (WS; 1990-55, TPRF #866).

Pacific Loon (Gavia pacifica) (30). One was at the Texas City Dike, Galveston 13 January-l7 February 1980 (EF; RB; 1989-75). One was photographed at Offat's Bayou, Galveston 17 & 25 February 1990 (JiM, TE; 1990-76, TPRF #874). One was at Rockport, Aransas 11 April 1990 JD; 1990-111). As many as five were at Offat's Bayou 20 April-5 May 1990 (DM, JD, JA, GL, BHo, DW; 1990-102, TPRF #877). Up to nine were on Lake Tawakoni,Van Zandt 28 April-5 May 1990 (RK, GH, MW, RR; 1990-82, TPRF #873).

White-chinned Petrel (Procellaria aequinoctialis) (1). One was found exhausted as it washed ashore near Rollover Pass, Galveston 27 April 1986 (LF, AM; 1990129, TPRF #957). Initially identified as a Sooty Shearwater and later discarded (unfortunately) by a rehabilitator when it died, this bird was only recently identified from photos. This record, the first for North America and possibly for the northern hemisphere, is currently being reviewed by the ABA and AOU.

Cory's Shearwater (Calonectris diomedea). Two birds were seen on a pelagic trip off Galveston, Galveston 13 October 1979 (JE, CSu, RB; 1989-77). One was seen on a pelagic trip off Galveston 29 June 1980 (MH; 1989-67). This species is now regarded as a regular late summer and fall visitor to Texas waters and is no longer on the regular Review List (see end of report).

Audubon's Shearwater (Puffinus lherminieri) (9). Four birds were found 50-60 miles off Port Aransas, Nueces 4 November 1990 (LAl, WS, TF, PF, MA, DM, JB, PG, JMu; 1990-135). This record represents the first non-specimen report accepted by the TBRC.

Brown Booby (Sula leucogaster) (11). One was at the Laguna Madre, Cameron 24 September 1988 (KEd; 1989-139). Six were seen from a fishing boat 1 mile off Freeport, Brazoria 31 March 1990 (PF, TF; 1990-67).

Glossy Ibis (Plegadis flacinellus) (12). An adult was at Anahuac NWR, Chambers 18-31 March 1990 (MA, JB; 1990-114). One was in Chambers 29 April 1990 (DP; 1990-79).

Eurasian Wigeon (Anas penelope) (9). One male was at Anahuac NWR, Chambers 14 April 1979 (AD; 1990-51). One male was photographed in Clint, El Paso 4-8 February 1990 (BZ; 1990-27, TPRF #892). One male was on Lake Sam Rayburn, Nacogdoches 9-10 February 1990 (DF, MCo, DW; 1990-59).

Harlequin Duck (Histrionicus histrionicus) (1). One male was photographed along South Padre Island, Cameron30 January-4 February 1990, representing the first confirmed state record (NB, PM, MK, MF, AMo; 1990-21, TPRF #858). A photo of this bird was published in AB 44:291.

Masked Duck (Oxyura dominica) (11). Two of at least four were photographed at Anahuac NWR, Chambers 1 September-19 November 1967 (DMH; 1990-52, photo published in AFN 22:65). One was at Anahuac NWR,Chambers 28 December 1977-15 January 1978 (SH, RCl, MJ, DD, LB, EM; 1990-53).

Northern Jacana (Jacana spinosa) (11). An immature was photographed at Santa Ana NWR, Hidalgo 26 November 1964 (LG; 1990-60, TPRF #894).

Purple Sandpiper (Calidris maritima) (8). One was photographed on the jetty at Freeport, Brazoria 17 December 1989-mid April 1990 (DD, PG, GL, ML, JP, MC, KB, JiM, GK, EW, BM; 1990-8, TPRF #856). A photo of this bird was published in AB 44:292.

Ruff (Philomachus pugnax) (11). One was in High Island, Chambers 7 September 1989 (RU; 1989-201).

Pomarine Jaeger (Stercorarius pomarinus). One was along the beach at Bolivar Flats, Galveston 22 March 1987 (MA; 1989-63). This species has been removed from the regular Review List, but documentation is still solicited (see end of report).

Parasitic Jaeger (Stercorarius parasiticus). An adult was 40+ miles off Galveston, Galveston 10 April 1976 (TBF; 1989-66). Like the Pomarine Jaeger, this species has been removed from the regular Review List (see end of report).

Long-tailed Jaeger (Stercorarius longicaudus) (8). One was found dead on the south jetty at Port Aransas, Nueces6 June 1987 (WP, Jr., WP, Sr.; 1990-63, *WMP #3088, TPRF #869).

California Gull (Larus californicus) (15). One first-winter bird was in e. Fort Worth, Tarrant 16 December 1988 (CH, MPe; 1989-102). One first-winter bird was at Mitchell Lake in San Antonio, Bexar 17 December 1989 (WS; 1990-87). One first-winter bird was photographed in Galveston, Galveston 27 January-1 February 1990 (TE, JiM, RU, PG, LAl; 1990-38, TPRF #879).

Thayer's Gull (Larus thayeri) (13). Two first-winter birds were at the Brownsville City Dump, Cameron 25 February 1980 (JD, GM, GMa, LM; 1989-42, TPRF #881). One first-winter bird was in Freeport, Brazoria 22 December 1985 (TE, VEu; 1989-64). One first-winter bird was near Surfside, Brazoria 5 November & 17 December 1989 (TE, JiM, RCu, DC; 1990-57, TPRF #868). One first-winter bird was photographed at Live Oak Point,Aransas 12 February 1990 (CB et al.; 1990- 74, TPRF #887). One first-winter bird was photographed near High Island, Galveston, Jefferson, Chambers 7-14 April 1990 (JR, WR, JD, GL, AS, GS; 1990-73, TPRF #855).

Iceland Gull (Larus glaucoides) (1). One first-winter bird was photographed at S. Padre Island, Cameron 15 January-12 February 1977 (JA; 1989-245, TPRF #935). Long talked about, but only recently critically reviewed, it represented a first confirmed record for Texas.

Lesser Black-backed Gull (Larus fuscus) (39). One third-winter bird was at High Island, Galveston 21 April 1984 (VE, JL, ML; 1990-138). One adult was at San Luis Pass, Galveston 21 October-5 November 1989 (JB et al., JiM, TE; 1990-42). One adult was photographed in Corpus Christi, Nueces 2 January-8 March 1990 (MC, AC, CC, GL; 1990-40, TPRF #863). One sub-adult was at Aransas NWR, Aransas 4 January 1990 (PI; 1990-10). One adult was photographed at Galveston, Galveston 17 February 1990 (TE, JiM; 1990-78, TPRF #872).

Glaucous Gull (Larus hyperboreus) (38). One first-winter bird was on the Bolivar Peninsula, Galveston 3-7 December 1977 (MJ, DD; 1990-49). One first-winter bird was photographed on Mustang Island, Nueces 25 December 1989 (TA; 1990-98, TPRF #876). One immature (probable first-winter) was photographed on N. Padre Island, Nueces 12 February 1990 (RoK; 1990-65, TPRF #893). One first-winter bird was on S. Padre Island,Cameron 19 February 1990 (KE; 1990-48). One first-winter bird was photographed at Galveston, Galveston on 18 March 1990 (TE; 1990-107, TPRF #880). One immature (first or second winter) was near High Island, Galveston on 20 April 1990 (DM; 1990-103).

Great Black-backed Gull (Larus marinus) (14). One first-winter bird was at Bolivar Flats, Galveston on 1 February 1990 (JG; 1990-69). One first-winter bird was on S. Padre Island, Cameron on 27 February 1990 (JG; 1990-70).

Black-legged Kittiwake (Rissa tridactyla) (20). One first-winter bird was in Freeport, Brazoria on 23 December 1973 (KK; 1990-131). One winter-plumaged adult was photographed in Jefferson on 20 April 1985 (CE; 1990-137). One first-winter bird was at Rollover Pass, Galveston from 29 March-16 April 1988 (BB; 1990-125). One immature (probable first-summer) was near High Island, Galveston on 25 April 1990 (BB, DaF; 1990-116). One first-winter bird was at Lake O' The Pines, Marion on 1 December 1990 (KN, DB; 1990-152).

Sabine's Gull (Xema sabini) (22). One juvenal plumaged bird was at Lake Waco, McLennan on 17 October 1990 (JMu; 1990-130).

Ruddy Ground-Dove (Columbina talpacoti) (8). One adult male was photographed at Lajitas, Brewster from 22 February to 22 March 1990 (PSM, ML, JH; 1990-66, TPRF #870).

Northern Saw-whet Owl (Aegolius acadicus) (10). One was in Flower Mound, Denton on 26 December 1989 (ME; 1990-88).

Broad-billed Hummingbird (Cynanthus latirostris) (9). One male was in Del Rio, Val Verde on 9-10 April1990 (BHa, VH; 1990-90). One was photographed in Midland, Midland from 22 to 31 May 1990 (MEr; 1990-96, TPRF #889). A photo of the Midland bird was published in AB 44:462.

Allen's Hummingbird (Selasphorus sasin) (3). One adult male was photographed and a rectrix collected in Lake Jackson, Brazoria 7 November 1987 to 6 March 1988 (SC, TC, MAn, FH, AB, RB, LJa, TE; 1988-215, TPRF #865).

Elegant Trogon (Trogon elegans) (2). One female was at Delta Lake, Hidalgo from 25 to 31 January 1990 (WCa, JF, BR, OC, PF, TF, CH, LH, CC, MC, AC; 1990-19, TPRF #857). A photo of this bird was published in AB 44:223.

Lewis' Woodpecker (Melanerpes lewis) (21). One adult was at Fort Davis, Jeff Davis on 29 April 1990 (JD; 1990-110). One adult was in central Hartley on 5 May 1990 (KS; 1990-80). One adult was in GMNP, Culberson on 9 May 1990 (MFl; 1990-81). Two immatures were in Midland, Midland on 21 October 1990 and one stayed through 24 May 1991 (FW; 1990-150).

Thick-billed Kingbird (Tyrannus crassirostris) (8). Two adults nested and fledged young at Cottonwood Campground, BBNP, Brewster from 7 April to 4 August 1990 (ML, JVR, ASe, PF, TF, JD, RW, KB, BRo, EF, BZ, JG; 1990-86, TPRF #875, TBSL #203-02). One was photographed at Rio Grande Village, BBNP, Brewster on 4 July 1990 (BZ; 1990-124, TPRF #954).

Fork-tailed Flycatcher (Tyrannus savana) (6). One was at Aransas NWR, Aransas on 4 December 1989 (CBo, EB; 1990-36).

Rose-throated Becard (Pachyramphus aglaiae) (8). One to two were at Bentsen SP, Hidalgo between 14 September 1989 and 3 March 1990 (CS, MA, OC, LH; 1990-62). One was photographed at Anzalduas Park,Hidalgo during its stay 15 January-9 February 1990 (MG, CB; 1990-75, TPRF #888). One female was at Santa Ana NWR, Hidalgo 18 February 1990 (OC, AF; 1990-128).

Masked Tityra (Tityra semifasciata) (1). One male, judged to be of wild origin, was well studied and photographed at Bentsen SP, Hidalgo 17 February to 10 March 1990, (CBe, JMi, AF, MA, CC, GL, MK, MC, AC, PG, LAl, OC, NA, CH, RW, PF, TF, FB, RHe, BO, BAr, MF, LH, JMu, CS; 1990-33, TPRF #860). A photo of this bird, a first record for the U.S., was published in AB 44:223.

Black-billed Magpie (Pica pica) (2). One was photographed in El Paso, El Paso 4-6 & 17 February 1990 (EPAS, BZ, Dbr; 1990-28, TPRF #890).

Clay-colored Robin (Turdus grayi) (37). One was photographed at Santa Ana NWR, Hidalgo on 28 February 1974 (AW; 1990-68, TPRF #871). One was photographed in Laguna Vista, Cameron in February 1988 (MK; 1990-56, TPRF #867). Up to 5 were in Laguna Vista from 15 January to 21 April 1990 (MK, GL; 1990-35, TPRF #862). A photo of one of these birds was published in AB 44:294. Two were at Sabal Palm Sanctuary, Cameron from 27 January to 19 March 1990 (MF, RF, PF, TF; 1990-43). One was at Santa Ana NWR on 28 January 1990 (CH, LH; 1990-37). One was at Santa Ana NWR on 28 January 1990 (CH, LH; 1990-37). One to two birds were at Santa Ana NWR 15 March & 22 April 1990 (TE, JP, JD; 1990-105, TBSL #203-03). One was at Anzalduas Park,Hidalgo on 22 June 1990 (JR, WR; 1990-120).

White-throated Robin (Turdus assimilis) (1). One was in the company of several Clay-colored Robins in Laguna Vista, Cameron from 18-25 February 1990, furnishing a first documented record for the U.S. (MK, OC, GL, TP; 1990-34, TPRF #861). A photo of this bird was published in AB 44:221. See also Lasley and Krzywonski (1991).

Varied Thrush (Ixoreus naevius) (10). One was in El Paso, El Paso on 10 May 1990 (LJ; 1990-89). One was photographed at Bentsen SP, Hidalgo 5-8 December 1990 (RG, LoG, TP, JK; 1990-151, TPRF #958).

Yellow-green Vireo (Vireo flavoviridis) (5). One was at Laguna Atascosa NWR, Cameron from 6 May to 24 August 1990 (LAl, PG, EBr; 1990-121, TBSL #20304).

Gray-crowned Yellowthroat (Geothlypis poliocephala) (there are many accepted records of this species in Texas, but only 4 in the 20th century). One was at Santa Ana NWR, Hidalgo on 8 March 1989 (DP; 1989-87).

Red-faced Warbler (Cardellina rubrifrons) (7). One was at Boot Springs, BBNP, Brewster on 1-2 May 1990 (JD, WD, SKe, JHa, TB, MBi, TJ, CJ; 1990-109).

Golden-crowned Warbler (Basileuterus culicivorus) (8). One was at Santa Ana NWR, Hidalgo from 1 January to 15 February 1990 (BP, MG, CH, LH, LoG, RG; 1990-31, TPRF #891).

Blue Bunting (Cyanocompsa parellina) (14). One to two were at Bentsen SP, Hidalgo from 5 January to 15 March 1990 (PF, TF, MK, MC, AC, JP, MF, MG, RM; 1990-46, TPRF #864).

Yellow-faced Grassquit (Tiaris olivacea) (1). One adult male was photographed at Santa Ana NWR, Hidalgo on 22-24 January 1990, representing the first documented record for the United States (DDe, TBe, JK, TK, CGP, MaP, HP, BD; 1990-23, TPRF #859). A photo of this bird was published in AB 44:222.

Henslow's Sparrow (Ammodramus henslowii) (6). One was at Brazoria NWR, Brazoria on 31 December 1983 (LB; 1990-133).

Yellow-eyed Junco (Junco phaeonotus) (3). One was at BBNP, Brewster on 25 April and 5 May 1990 (JSe, VE; 1990-122).

Shiny Cowbird (Molothrus bonariensis) (1). One male of this infamous species was caught in a cowbird trap amidst a Black-capped Vireo colony at Fort Hood, Bell on 23 May 1990, when it was photographed and collected for a first state record (KM, CZ, GL; 1990-95, *TCWC #12720, TPRF #878). A photo of this bird was published in AB 44:387.

Accepted Presumptive Species

White-crowned Pigeon (Columba leucocephala) (1). One was seen on Green Island, Cameron on 24 June & 2 July 1989, representing the first report of this species in Texas (MF; 1989-186).

Slate-throated Redstart (Myioborus miniatus) (1). One was observed at Boot Springs, BBNP, Brewster between 30 April and 15 May 1990, representing the first accepted sight-only record in Texas (GW, PF, TF, RF, ML, CCo; 1990-85).

Unaccepted Records

A number of factors may contribute to a record being denied acceptance. It is quite uncommon for a record to not be accepted because the bird was obviously misidentified. More commonly, a record is denied acceptance because the material submitted to the TBRC was incomplete, insufficient, superficial, or just too vague to properly document the reported occurrence while eliminating all other similar species. Also, written documentation or descriptions prepared entirely from memory weeks, months, or years after a sighting are seldom voted on favorably. It is important that we stress here that the simple act of not accepting a particular record should by no means indicate that the TBRC or any of its members necessarily feels the record did not occur as reported. The non-acceptance of any record simply reflects the opinion of the TBRC that the documentation, as submitted, did not meet the rigorous standards appropriate for adding data to the formal historical record. The TBRC makes every effort to be as fair and objective as possible regarding each record. If the committee is unsure about any particular record, it prefers to err on the conservative side and not accept a good record rather than validate a bad one. All records, whether accepted or not, remain on file and can be ret-submitted to the committee if additional substantive material is presented.

Red-throated Loon (Gavia stellata). One (1989-222) at Freeport, Brazoria on 23 December 1962. One (1990-77) at Buchanan Lake, Llano on 18 January 1990. One (1990-72) at Freeport on 17 March 1990.

Red-necked Grebe (Podiceps auritus). One (1990-54) at Freeport, Brazoria on 2 February 1978.

Brown Booby (Sula leucogaster). One (1989-128) off S. Padre Island, Cameron on 27 March 1989. Four (1989-171) off Gilchrist, Galveston on 1 April 1989.

Glossy Ibis (Plegadis falcinellus). One (1989-247) in Waco, McLennan from 9-15 August 1989. Non-adult birds continue to present difficulties.

Barnacle Goose (Branta leucopsis). One (1990-64) was shot and photographed by a hunter near Hereford, Deaf Smith on 12 January 1986. Questions of origin plague this record.

Masked Duck (Oxyura dominica). One (1989-212) near Brownsville, Cameron on 22 October 1977. One (1989-211) in San Antonio, Bexar on 22 May 1978.

Northern Goshawk (Accipiter gentilis). One (1990-71) at GMNP, Culberson on 16 April 1990.

Common Black-Hawk (Buteogallus anthracinus). One (1990-7) at Santa Margarita Ranch, Starr on 30 December 1989.

Roadside Hawk (Buteo magnirostris). One (1990-142) at Bentsen SP, Hidalgo on 2 May 1985. One (1988-2) in Brownsville, Cameron from 3-7 February 1987. Many observers contributed to the latter record, but it seemed to be hopelessly plagued by contradictory information (possibly due to there being a Broad-winged Hawk present at the same locale?!). It is unfortunate that a good photo was never obtained verifying its existence.

Short-tailed Hawk (Buteo brachyurus). One (1990-47) at Santa Ana NWR, Hidalgo on 10 September 1957.

Swainson's Hawk (Buteo swainsoni). One (1990-92) at the Lower Rio Grande Valley NWR, Hidalgo on 16 December 1989. One (1990-93) at Santa Ana NWR, Hidalgo on 16 December 1989. One (1990-94) in Tyler on 30 December 1989. Winter records of this species will continue to be reviewed due to the species rarity anywhere in the U.S. during December and January.

Purple Sandpiper (Calidris maritima). One (1990-141) at Port Bolivar, Galveston on 19 April 1984.

Ruff (Philomachus pugnax). One (1989-45) in Chambers on 31 March 1973. Three to five (1990-99) in Rockport,Aransas on 26 March 1981.

Parasitic Jaeger (Stercorarius parasiticus). One (1989-46) at Bolivar Flats, Galveston on 23 June 1974. One (1990-13) at Port Aransas, Nueces on 29 December 1989.

California Gull (Larus californicus). One (1990-112) at Port Aransas, Nueces on 22 February 1990.

Thayer's Gull (Larus thayeri). One (1990-145) in Brownsville, Cameron on 27 March 1978. One (1990-58) near San Luis Pass, Galveston on 19 November 1989. One (1990-91) at Boca Chica, Cameron on 18 December 1989. One (1990-132) at Port Aransas, Nueces on 3-4 May 1990.

Lesser Black-backed Gull (Larus fuscus). One (1989-262) on S. Padre Island, Cameron on 9 October 1989. One(1990-117) at Laguna Atascosa NWR, Cameron on 14-15 March 1990.

Glaucous Gull (Larus hyperboreus). One (1989-110) at Bolivar Flats, Galveston on 21 September 1974. One (1990-106) at Bolivar Flats on 12 May 1990.

Roseate Tern (Sterna dougallii). One (1990-139) at Bolivar Flats, Galveston on 20 April 1984.

Bridled Tern (Sterna anaethetus). One (1990-136) off Galveston, Galveston on 17 August 1990.

Blue-gray Noddy (Sterna cerulea). One (1990-156) at Corpus Christi, Nueces on 24 August 1990.

Broad-billed Hummingbird (Cynanthus latirostris). One (1988-216) at Lake Jackson, Brazoria on 7 February 1988.

Streaked Flycatcher (Myiodynastes maculatus). One (1990-144) on W. Galveston Island, Galveston on 13 May 1979.

Masked Tityra (Tityra semifasciata). One (1990-118) at Bentsen SP, Hidalgo on 23 July 1985.

San Blas Jay (Cyanocorax sanblasianus). One (1990-101) at Anzalduas Park, Hidalgo from 3 March to 5 April 1990. Since this jay is a sedentary species of western Mexico that is sometimes sold as a cage bird, it is doubtful a case can ever be made for natural vagrancy in the U.S.

Black-capped Chickadee (Parus atricapillus). One (1990-108) at Morgan's Point, Harris from 21 December 1980-10 January 1981.

Aztec Thrush (Ridgwayia pinicola). One (1989-256) in Del Rio, Val Verde on 11 October 1989.

Yellow-green Vireo (Vireo flavoviridis). Two (1989-40) at Santa Ana NWR, Hidalgo on 20 June 1960. One (1990-148) at Santa Ana NWR on 27 April 1979.

Crescent-chested Warbler (Parula superciliosa). One (1990-126) at Falcon Dam, Starr on 10 May 1970 (Birding, Vol. 3, p. 27, Jan.-Feb. 1971). This sight record is the same one as mentioned by Heathcote and Kaufman (American Birds 39: 9-11) concerning their Arizona record. The original observers could not be tracked down and available information in the note to Birding was considered too brief.

Connecticut Warbler (Oporornis agilis). One (1988-295) in Falfurrias, Brooks on 12 September 1988.

Blue Bunting (Cyanocompsa parellina). One (1990-45) at Aransas NWR, Aransas on 21 December 1989.

Worthen's Sparrow (Spizella wortheni). One (1990-44) in Falcon Heights, Starr on 10 February 1990. There is some debate on whether this is a distinct species. Its similarity to "western" Field Sparrow makes sight records extremely difficult to judge. Very good photos or collection may be necessary before this species can be added to the state list, not to mention the ABA list.

Golden-crowned Sparrow (Zonotrichia atricapilla). One (1990-84) at Laguna Atascosa NWR, Cameron on 21 December 1989.

Black-vented Oriole (Icterus wagleri). One (1990-143) at San Ygnacio, Zapata on 14 August 1980.

Literature Cited

American Ornithologists Union. 1983. Checklist of North American birds, 6th ed. American Ornith. Union, Baltimore, MD.

Arnold, K. A. 1984. Decisions of the T.O.S. Bird Records Committee for 1984. Bull. Texas Ornith. Soc. 17(1&2):18-19.

-----. 1985. Decisions of the T.O.S. Bird Records Committee for 1985. Bull. Texas Ornith. Soc. 18(1&2):31-32.

Dittmann, D. L., and G. W. Lasley. 1992. How to document rare birds. Birding 24:145-159.

Lasley, G. W. 1988. Texas Bird Records Committee Report for 1987. Bull. Texas Ornith. Soc. 21(1&2):25-32.

-----. 1989. Texas Bird Records Committee Report for 1988. Bull. Texas Ornith. Soc. 22(1&2): 2-14.

-----. 1990. Texas Bird Records Committee Report for 1989. Bull. Texas Ornith. Soc. 23(1&2): 6-19.

-----. 1991. Texas Bird Records Committee Report for 1990. Bull. Texas Ornith. Soc. 24(1):215.

Lasley, G. W., and M. Krzywonski. 1991. First United States record of the White-throated Robin. American Birds 45:230-231.

Oberholser, H. C. 1974. The bird life of Texas. The University of Texas Press, Austin.

TBRC Review List

The TBRC requests details, including descriptions and photos if possible, of all records of the following species.

Review List A. -- Rarities: These species, in general, include birds that have occurred four or fewer times per year anywhere in Texas over a ten-year average. The TBRC requests documentation for review for any new or any previously unsubmitted record of the below species no matter how long ago the record occurred. The TBRC also requests details on any record of a species not yet accepted on the Texas State List.

Red-throated Loon, Pacific Loon, Yellow-billed Loon, Yellow-nosed Albatross, White-chinned Petrel, Greater Shearwater, Sooty Shearwater, Manx Shearwater, Audubon's Shearwater, Wilson's Storm-Petrel, Leach's Storm-Petrel, Band-rumped Storm-Petrel, Red-billed Tropicbird, Blue-footed Booby, Brown Booby, Red-footed Booby, Glossy Ibis, Jabiru, Greater Flamingo, Trumpeter Swan, Brant, American Black Duck, White-cheeked Pintail, Garganey, Eurasian Wigeon, Harlequin Duck, Barrow's Goldeneye, Masked Duck, Snail Kite, Northern Goshawk, Crane Hawk, Roadside Hawk, Short-tailed Hawk, Paint-billed Crake, Spotted Rail, Double-striped Thick-Knee, Northern Jacana, Eskimo Curlew, Surfbird, Purple Sandpiper, Curlew Sandpiper, Ruff, Red Phalarope, Long-tailed Jaeger, Little Gull, Common Black-headed Gull, Heermann's Gull, Mew Gull, California Gull, Thayei's Gull, Iceland Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Western Gull, Glaucous Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Black-legged Kittiwake, Sabine's Gull, Elegant Tern, Bridled Tern, Brown Noddy, Black Noddy, Ruddy Ground-Dove, Mangrove Cuckoo, Snowy Owl, Northern Pygmy-Owl, Mottled Owl, Northern Saw-whet Owl, White-collared Swift, Green Violet-ear, Broad-billed Hummingbird, White-eared Hummingbird, Violet-crowned Hummingbird, Costa's Hummingbird, Allen's Hummingbird, Elegant Trogon, Lewis' Woodpecker, Ivory-billed Woodpecker (presumed extirpated in Texas), Greenish Elaenia, Greater Pewee, Dusky-capped Flycatcher, Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher, Tropical Kingbird, Thick-billed Kingbird, Gray Kingbird, Fork-tailed Flycatcher, Rose-throated Becard, Masked Tityra, Gray-breasted Martin, Clark's Nutcracker, Black-billed Magpie, American Dipper, Clay-colored Robin, White-throated Robin, Rufous-backed Robin, Varied Thrush, Aztec Thrush, Black Catbird, Gray Silky-flycatcher, Yellow-green Vireo, Black-whiskered Vireo, Yucatan Vireo, Connecticut Warbler, Gray-crowned Yellowthroat, Red-faced Warbler, Golden-crowned Warbler, Rufous-capped Warbler, Crimson-collared Grosbeak, Blue Bunting, Yellow-faced Grassquit, Henslow's Sparrow, Golden-crowned Sparrow, Yellow-eyed Junco, Snow Bunting, Shiny Cowbird, Black-vented Oriole, Pine Grosbeak, White-winged Crossbill, Common Redpoll, Lawrence's Goldfinch.

Review List B. -- Species under special study by sub-committee of TBRC concerning their distribution and status in Texas: Records of these species will generally not be formally reviewed by the TBRC (except for winter Swainson's Hawk and Semipalmated Sandpiper records which will be reviewed), but documentation is requested to assist in these studies.

Clark's Grebe, Cory's Shearwater, Muscovy Duck, Common Black-Hawk, Swainson's Hawk (December-January), Aplomado Falcon (reintroduction program in progress), Semipalmated Sandpiper (December-January), Pomarine Jaeger, Parasitic Jaeger, Spotted Owl, Williamson's Sapsucker, Northern Shrike, Baird's Sparrow.

Presumptive Species List. - The following is the official TBRC list of species for which written descriptions of sight records have been accepted by the TBRC but the species has not yet met the requirements for full acceptance on the Texas List (specimen, photo, or tape recording for at least one record).

Red-necked Grebe, White-crowned Pigeon, Bohemian Waxwing, Slate-throated Redstart.

Addendum to the 1991 Report

The TBRC held its 1992 annual meeting at Austin on 14 March 1992. A considerable amount of time was spent discussing the treatment in Texas of Ringed Turtle-Dove and several parrot species (specifically Red-crowned Parrot and Green Parakeet). Despite popular opinion that the parrots should be on the official Texas list, there is little evidence of a sustainable nesting population of either species, at least none that has been submitted to the American Birds editors or to the TBRC. In addition, it was questioned whether or not existing Ringed Turtle-Dove populations are too dependent on man to survive on their own. The annual status and distribution of each of these species warrants more study, and it was mutually agreed we need to continue to solicit information on their nesting populations before deciding whether such species deserve inclusion on the state list. A sub-committee was formed to investgate the Mexican bird market and to define criteria that may be used when voting on records of Mexican vagrants. Finally, after lengthy discussion, it was decided to return Baird's Sparrow to Review List A.