14 Ornithological Notefs from South Brazil. 



polislied, and with some scattered deep pores. The nest 

 from which it was taken was a hole situated very high in a 

 colossal Murta-tree. The level of the nest was at 2 m. below 

 the entrance, and to obtain the eggs it was necessary to 

 make a second opening with an axe. 



PlONOPSITTACUS PILEATUS (ScOp.). 



This nest was also in the hollow of a tree with the 

 aperture far above. The eggs are of rounded form, not 

 polished, measuring 26 x 22-22* 5 mm. 



It may be remarked that in the case of many of the most 

 common and familiar Brazilian birds nothing whatever has 

 been recorded of the nests and eggs. Therefore it may be 

 useful to say a few words respecting the principal authorities 

 on this little-known snbject. It is quite natural that the 

 observations and collections that I had made myself should 

 have formed the principal basis of my work. Of other 

 authorities, who have themselves worked in Brazil and 

 published numerous and exact observations, there are two 

 in particular of the highest value — those of Euler, referring 

 to birds of Rio de Janeiro, and those of Herbert Smith on 

 the birds of Matto Grosso, as published by Allen. Of 

 other recent works the most important seems to me to be 

 the egg-catalogue of Nehrkorn. This author has, however, 

 received manyincorrect indications, and Avhen the descriptions 

 of material supplied to him are at variance with those of 

 Herbert Smith I always accept the latter's information, as 

 he himself collected the nest, eggs, and birds, and gives 

 their exact dates and localities. Thus Nehrkorn says that 

 the egg of Coereba cyanea is black, and Allen (quoting 

 Smith) says that it is white, with fine reddish spots. The 

 description of Allen is in harmony with my specimens of the 

 eggs of Dacnis cayana and with Euler's account of those of 

 Certhiola chlorojnjga. There can be little doubt that 

 Nehrkorn Avas deceived in this case, as in many others also. 

 Another series of valuable observations which I have 

 utilized are in the publicatioJis of Dalgleish and Aplin on 

 Argentine and Uruguayan birds, the greater number of 

 which occur in Brazil also. 



