of the Falkland Islands. 153 



nest, which was neatly formed, was composed of dry grass, and 

 contained two eggs. I have also found the nest of this bird 

 amongst the rocks. I do not believe that it ever lays more 

 than two eggs. 



8. CiSTOTHORUs PLATENSis (Gm,). (Wren.) 



How singular it is that this little bird should exist in such a 

 place as the Falklands, where, if disturbed on a windy day, its 

 power of flight is so weak that it is carried away by the wind ! 

 Whenever I wanted a specimen of this bird, I always followed it 

 and knocked it down with my cap as it was creeping through 

 the grass like a mouse. I have never been able to find its nest. 

 This Wren must have a game scent, as my dog has sometimes 

 pointed to it when after Snipe. 



9. Anthus correndera, Vieill. (Titlark.) 



I suppose that this bird leaves East Falkland about the end 

 of April, after having finished breeding ; at any rate I have never 

 in all my wanderings seen one of them later than this period of 

 the year. They return to the vicinity of Stanley about Sep- 

 tember, and breed in the beginning of October, laying three 

 eggs in an open cup-shaped nest at the root of the long grass. 



10. Sturnella militaris (Gm.). (Red-breasted Starling.) 

 This Starling, which is very common in East Falkland, begins 



to breed in the first week in October. The nest is built amongst 

 long grass or rushes. It is rather deep, but open at the top, and 

 not domed over, and generally contains three eggs. This bird 

 sits on a bush and sings very sweetly on a summer's morning. 



11. Phrygilus melanoderus (Q. et G.). (Sparrow.) 

 This bird, which is called ' The Sparrow ' in East Falkland 



Island, is plentiful everywhere, summer and winter. It breeds 

 in the latter end of September and beginning of October, laying- 

 three eggs in a nest situated under the shelter of a tuft of grass. 

 In the winter the plumage of the male loses all its rich colour 

 and assimilates to that of the female. Of the second so-called 

 species of this genus, Phrygilus xanthogrommus, I know nothing, 

 and I do not believe it different from the former. 



VOL. III. M 



