intei'Ior of Brazil, namely the Rio St. Francisco below its confluence with 

 the Rio das Velhas. 



" The bird is found in an area which extends southwards as far as 

 Montivideo, and makes its nest in dense thickets, builds a fairly large nest 

 with dry stalks, at a moderate height, and lays 3 to 4 longish oval white 

 eggs, closely sprinkled with greyish-green spots darkest at the larger end." 



Mr. H. Durnford on the Birds of the Province of Buenos Ayres 

 says — " I scarcely think this ought to be included in my list, as all the 

 specimens I have seen here, have pfobably been birds escaped from cages. 

 I found it in April very common up the Parana at Baradero, where it 

 frequented thickets and trees." 



Mr. Durnford also " found it about six miles from Tucuman." 



Mr. E. Gibson " On the Ornithology of Cape San Antonio, Buenos 

 Ayres, ' Ibis,' 1880, gives us a very full and most interesting account of 

 this species, which I take the liberty of quoting. He says — " Curiously 

 enough, this pretty bird and sweet songster is now common in our 

 district, while twenty-five years ago it was not to be found nearer than 

 Dolores, sixty miles to the north-west. It remains during the whole year, 

 and breeds with us. Quite a wood-frequenting bird, one rarely sees it 

 either in the plains or about the swamps. It is not at all shy, and, 

 particularly in the winter months, may be seen every day in the patio, 

 looking for its share of food from the kitchens, in company with various 

 other birds. One of our men was A'ery successful in trapping them 

 there ; and even adult birds soon became tame after being caged. In 

 Buenos Ayres it is one of the most common and prized of caged birds. 

 Those I have seen were fed principally on thistle-seeds, millet, soaked 

 bread, fruit, &c., &c. The leisurely sweet whistle is well known, and, as 

 I have found, is not very difficult of imitation. I have kept a bird res- 

 ponding to me for some time before it discovered the nature of its rival. 

 The young accompany the parents till well on into the winter, but do not 

 sing or acquire their full plumage till the ensuing spring, the head and 

 crest remaining of a dull brick-red in the interval. 



" Breeding-Notes. — It nests from the end of October to the middle of 

 November, retiring for that purpose to the woods. 



