observed in the Gran Chaco. 235 



W. Very frequent. In the morning the birds utter 

 loud cries, answering one another from neighbouring tree- 

 tops. The harshness of the sound gives rise to a curious 

 custom amongst the natives. A Lengua will not eat the 

 flesh of the Kolu within some time of his wife's confinement ; 

 his doing so would cause the young child to cry all night. 

 Nests amongst the coarse grass of the swamp. The young 

 bird is Rail-like in appearance, with uniform dark-brown 

 down. 



Fam. XXXV. Cariamid^. 



] 15. Cariama cristata (Linn.). 



Lengua, Tumumhti. 



M'., Dec. 13 ; near W., Feb. 16. 



Cries frequently heard in the camp ; the bird itself 

 occasionally seen in bare open spaces, running hurriedly 

 away. At night roosts in trees. The favourite food consists 

 of frogs. 



Fam. XXXVL Parrid^. 



116. Parra jacana (Linn.). 



Villa Concepcion, Sept. 28. Very common on the 

 lagimas. 



W. Common in patches of open water in the swamp, 

 feeding on the floating carpet of Pistia and Azolla. 



Fam. XXXVIL CnARADRiiDiE. 



117. VaNELLUS CAYENNENSIS (Gm.). 



Villa Concepcion, Sept. 28, Oct. 10. Very common. 

 W., Dec. 10. Common. 



118. Charadrius dominicus Mtiller. 

 W., Nov. 21. 



119. oEgialitis collaris (Vieill,). 

 W. Occasional. 



120. HlMANTOPUS BRASILIENSIS ViciU. 



W.. Jan. 



