Neighbourhood of Buenos Ayres. 163 



Anatid^. 

 Two Swans {Cyynus nigricollis and C. coscoroba) are occa- 

 sionally to be seen at this time (Oct. 15th), usually flying 

 southwards, most of them having left for breeding-quarters, 

 Querquedula cyanoptera is not uncommon ; I have shot a few 

 at intervals between May and September. Dafila spinicauda 

 is abundant, and may even now (Oct. 15th) be seen in flocks, 

 though doubtless many are breeding. D. bahamensis I found 

 pretty common at Espartilla, a place about 100 miles south 

 of Buenos Ayres ; I have not seen it elsewhere, though I am 

 told it is not uncommon. The Chilian Wigeon [Mareca chi- 

 loensis) is not very common, though I have shot several. 

 Spatula platalea is abundant, and the easiest to shoot of the 

 Ducks of this district. Metopiana pepnsaca is a most wary 

 species, but the best of all for the table ; it is common every- 

 where. I procured a specimen of Erismatura ferruginea in 

 the market, but have not yet seen it alive. I have shot a 

 smaller species, but of which I have not yet made skins ; and 

 this, I suppose, is E. dominica. 



COLUMBID^. 



Zenaida macuJata is, 1 believe, common in the province ; 

 but, as yet, I have only once met with it ; and this was on 

 August 2nd, at Chirilcay, about 100 miles from Buenos Ayres, 

 when a vast flock passed over my head. Columbula picui is 

 very common, keeping in large flocks during the winter : it 

 is an early breeder; for on September 26tli I found a nest 

 with two eggs, and on October 3rd one with two young about 

 a week old. The nest is very small for the size of the bird, 

 so that when she sits she shows the whole of her head and 

 neck on one side and her tail on the other. 



Rallid^. 

 Porphyriops melanops. Of this species I flushed and shot 

 one on the banks of a lagoon about 100 miles south of this 

 place, and saw another. Birds of this species may possibly 

 be commoner than they seem ; for their skulking habits keep 

 them out of sight. There is a Coot here which goes in large 

 flocks, and has the habits of our Bald Coot. 



