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Show 612 MR. E. W. WHITE O N BIRDS [June 20, 107. ANUMBIUS ACUTICAUDATUS, Less. cf. Salto, B. Aires, Arg. Rep., Oct. 8, 1881. cf. Flores, B. Aires, Arg. Rep., March 31, 1881. 2.- „ ,, » Aug. 26, 1881. Iris dark red. I have shot this bird in June in Misiones, where it is not uncommon. In Salto (B. Aires), however, it is very numerous about the plantations on the Estancias, where it builds in the forks of high trees, usually the Eucalyptus. The nest is constructed of large twigs, and is a fine structure for the size of the bird, 21 inches in height and 48 in circumference, in fact twice as great as that of Milvago chimango. The entrance to the nest, which is near the top, but is not right on it, and is about four or five inches in diameter and neatly rounded, leads downwards by a steeply inclined spiral passage to the bottom. The whole is thickly lined inside with hair, feathers, and wool, making a very soft, downy, and pretty nest, and one that is very difficult to pull to pieces, as the twigs are mostly thorny and strongly interlaced. There were five eggs in the one I took: their shape is elongated, considerably pointed at one end, and pure white, without spots : the only one to which it can be compared is that of Columbula picui; but it is more acutely pointed. Meas.: axis 24 millim., diam. 17 millim. 108. PHACELLODOMUS FRONTALIS (Licht.). cf. Punta Lara, B. Aires, Arg. Rep., Feb. 18, 1881. 2. „ „ „ Feb. 21, 1881. Iris yellow. This bird keeps well out of sight amongst the thickest bushy undergrowth of the woods, and makes a very peculiar chattering sound that appears to attract other birds around it, especially the " Chingolo " (Zonotrichia pileata), which I have noticed crowding round it in great numbers and in a very excited state-a fact that has forced itself on m y observation many times and in several different localities. 109. PHACELLODOMUS SIBILATRIX, Scl. P. Z. S. 1879, p. 461. cf. Monte Grande, Buenos Aires, Arg. Rep., Jan. 7, 1881. I observed two or three of these birds in a tala thicket at Monte Grande. 110. HOMORUS UNIRUFUS (Lafr. et d'Orb.). cf. Fuerte de Andalgala, Catamarca, Arg. Rep., Sept. 16, 1880. Iris light yellow. These birds are found usually in the open, where there are large algarroba-trees dotted about. They are seen in pairs, and utter, with crest erect, and in concert, a succession of peculiar hoarse and varied notes. Their very bulky nests are constructed of large twigs, placed high up in lofty trees. |