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Show 672 MR. HUDSON ON THE BIRDS OF BUENOS AYRES. [Nov. 1, perfectly alike ; while the eggs of Molothrus badius, as well as those of M. bonariensis, show great diversity in size, shape, and markings, and there is a corresponding irregularity in the breeding-habits of the birds. But I will say no more on this subject now, as I desire to give you a fuller account of the Molothrus badius. " This bird is here called 'Alacanela,' and by casual observers is frequently taken for the female of the 31. bonariensis, resembling it much in size and colour; but it is a much prettier bird. It invariably goes in small flocks of about ten or fifteen individuals, and remains with us the whole year, but in the cold season travels about a great deal from place to place. It is fond of keeping about houses, if trees are near them, and is frequently seen clinging to and pecking fresh meat hung out of doors. Its language is varied; and it has different notes to call its companions, to express alarm, and when about to fly or sing. When flying it utters frequently a peculiarly long, loud, and melodious note, that may be heard half a mile off on still days. Its song is low, sweet, and varied ; and all the individuals of the flock sing together. " They have a pleasant habit in winter of gathering on the sunny side of a woodpen, outhouse, or other sheltered place, and singing often for an hour or more without ceasing. " Few birds affect concealment and fear of man less than this species. It is seldom quiet, and never alone, sociability being its predominating trait. But in other species this quality, however strong, is during the breeding-season overcome by the more powerful attachment of the sexes ; in the Ala-canela, as far as m y observations extend, the first is almost, and often quite, as strong as the last; and this circumstance introduces no little confusion into its breeding-habits. It often happens that the flock does not break up in spring, and ou such occasions they entertain a promiscuous sexual intercourse. Sometimes they pair and construct a nest of slender sticks lined with hair, rather high up in the smaller branches of a tree, and lay four or five mottled eggs. A pair of them will sometimes seize the nest of the Lerratero (Anumbius acuticaudatus), and either lay in it or build their own nest on the top of it. " I once observed a pair of them incessantly fighting for several days with a couple of Lerrateros for the nest of the latter. After they had got possession of it, I found under the tree five dead half-fledged young Lerrateros, cast out by the merciless intruders: considering the narrow entrance and great depth of the nest, this could not have been an easy feat. Another time I observed a flock of eight or ten individuals take possession of a nest, and build one of their own on the top of it, though no larger than for a single pair. They appeared to live very amicably together; and after a few days I took fourteen eggs from the nest. The birds manifested great anxiety while I was in the tree; but the eggs were perfectly cold; probably more would have been laid. The erratic habits of this bird are very puzzling, and will, perhaps, afford a fertile theme to the pens of future naturalists. " I once observed a pair of young Ala-canclas following a Yellow- |