OCR Text |
Show 1882.] FROM THE ARGENTINE REPUBLIC. 605 females, which I shot on the edge of a lagoon. In Flores a wild specimen (the onlv one seen, in fact) was secured in the banado or low swampy ground ; it continued flying along and settling on the ground, but seemed disinclined to make for any shrubs, although some were near at hand. The nest is found close to the edge of the lagoon, about half a yard above the water, and is built pendent from two or three rushes united; covered at the top, with the exception of a small circular entrance 1| inch in diameter, placed at one side, and at times another small entrance near the bottom ; it is constructed of roots of grass and rushes tightly cemented together, and beautifully lined with down. The external measurements of the nest are 4 inches in height and 3 in diameter. The egg, which is of a deep bluish-green and spotless, has a peculiar squat form, the upper part truly hemispherical, the lower spheroidal. Three eggs in a clutch. Meas.: axis 19 millim., diam. 16J millim. 72. PLATYRHYNCHUS MYSTACEUS (Vieill.). 2 • San Javier, Misiones, Arg. Rep., June 7, 1881. This bird was shot in the woods, and was the only specimen obtained. 73. EUSCARTHMUS GULARIS (Temm.). cf. Santo Tome, Corrientes, Arg. Rep., May 11, 1881. A bird that is found in the thickest parts of hedges, on the outskirts of the town of Oran, and has a pretty warble. It is very difficult to see, and appears rather uncommon. It was likewise observed in Misiones, and with the same habits. 74. EUSCARTHMUS MARGARITACEIVENTER (d'Orb. et Lafr.). cf. Oran, Salta, Arg. Rep., Nov. 15, 1880. Abundant about the hedgerows in the vicinity of Oran. 75. CULICIVORA STENURA, Sw. cf . Itapua, Misiones, Arg. Rep., July 18, 1881. This pretty little bird is the only one of its species I have seen anywhere in the Republic. I shot it on marshy land near the river Saima, some three miles off Itapua. As I was working mv way through the marsh I heard a tiny creaking chirp, which I took to proceed from a cricket, but afterwards from a bird, although I could not see one; but on beating the grass, the chirp meanwhile receding, something flew up as it were a locust. I followed it with my eye, and marked it settle upon a small reed, where I shot it. 76. HAPALOCERCUS FLAVIVENTRIS (Lafr. et d'Orb). cf . Rio Lujan, Buenos Aires, Arg. Rep., March 9, 1881. $ . Punta Lara, Buenos Aires, Arg. Rep., Feb. 18, 1881. Iris sepia. |