BIRDS OF ARGENTINA, PARAGUAY, URUGUAY, AND CHILE 339 



The fork-tailed flycatcher was frequent throughout the open 

 pampas, but was most abundant where there was scattered tree 

 growth. In habits these birds resembled kingbirds. They in- 

 variably sought perches in the open on fences, low bushes, or the 

 tops of small trees, where they rested quietly. Though in appear- 

 ance they suggested Muscivom forfcata. they were less noisy and 

 active. Most of their notes were flat, with little carrying power 

 against the force of the pampan winds. The call of young re- 

 cently from the nest was a low tsip that suggested a note of 

 Brachyspiza, while adults uttered an explosive call note, somewhat 

 flat in tone, A'liried by a staccato rattle when tilting among them- 

 selves or in pursuit of other birds. Hawks and other large birds 

 were attacked viciously, and the flycatchers frequently darted out 

 at any bird that passed too near. 



Fall migration among fork-tailed flycatchers began by the first 

 of Februar}'. On February 2, while passing through a region of 

 rolling hills north of San Vicente, Uruguay, I recorded at least 

 2,000, many of them young with partly grown tails. The birds 

 were found in small flocks, and were spread along wire fences for 

 a distance of several miles. B}^ Februarj^ 9 they had lessened 

 in abundance but continued common in Uruguay until February 

 19. Throughout this period they were obviously traveling north- 

 ward. Shortly after daybreak on Februarj' 18, near Lazcano, a 

 band of 16 individuals paused to rest for a few minutes in bushes 

 bordering a lagoon, and then, in straggling formation, passed on 

 to the northeast. On March 2 occasional individuals were recorded 

 from a train, from the suburbs of Buenos Aires as far south as 25 

 de Mayo in the Province of Buenos Aires, but none were seen 

 beyond that point. The last one recorded was observed from a train 

 near Franklin, Buenos Aires, on March 11. 



The species is known universally as tiierita. 



Family PHYTOTOMIDAE 



PHYTOTOMA RUTILA Vieillot 



Phytotoma nttila Vieillot, Nouv. Diet. Hist. Nat., vol. 26, 1818, p. 64. 

 (Paraguay.) 



During winter, near Las Palmas, Chaco (July 26 and 31, 1920), 

 this strange bird was found in small flocks in bush-grown pastures, 

 and occasional individuals were recorded at the Riacho Pilaga, For- 

 mosa (August 14, 18, and 21). Near Las Palmas a pair of adult 

 birds was secured July 26. The species seemed irregular in its 

 occurrence in the Chaco region, and may have been only a winter 

 visitant. The birds were found quietly at rest on the tops of low 

 bushes, with crest erect, and were usualty difficult to approach. The 



