280 To the River Plate and Back 



Whether this is true in all cases it is, of course, impossible 

 for me to affirm, but it was certainly true in the case 

 of the nest which I examined. I note, however, that 

 Hudson, who ought to know, says that the opening is 

 always made on that side of the nest from which danger 

 might be apprehended. Inside the nest is divided into 

 two compartments, a small ante-chamber and a larger 

 inner chamber, the entrance to which is higher up than 

 the outer entrance, so that it cannot well be reached 

 from the outer entrance with the ringers. The bird is 

 very common in the Province of Buenos Aires and else- 

 where; and there are a number of other species of the 

 same genus in other parts of South America which have 

 similar habits. The bird is known by the common peo- 

 ple under the name of el Hornero, l the Baker, " because 

 of the oven-like structure which it builds. Antonio said 

 to me: U EI Hornero es el mas inteligente de todos los 

 pajaros; es arquitecto.' There is a great deal of folk- 

 lore and tradition in reference to the Oven-bird current 

 throughout Argentina. The birds are never molested, 

 and it is regarded as a sign of good luck to have the 

 Hornero build its nest in proximity to a house. The 

 bird in size is a little smaller than the common robin of 

 our North American lawns, the plumage of its back, 

 tail, and wings bright reddish brown, the breast paler 

 in color. It may frequently be seen running and 

 hopping about on pathways in gardens. 



The reservoirs and pumping stations at the water- 

 works did not interest me as much as my cochero 

 thought they would. I have seen in my time more 

 impressive establishments. Butterflies of various 

 species were reasonably common, but I found the heat 

 so oppressive, that, after I had spent an hour or two 

 chasing and collecting insects, I was ready to seek other 



