the Province oj Buenos Ayres. 185 



a sheltering hedge of thorn, and may generally be found in 

 the same place from day to day, coming out about dusk in 

 quest of moths and other insects. 



Q7. Hydropsalis furcifera (Vieill.) ; Scl. et Salv. No- 

 mencl. p. 96. 



Hitherto I have obtained no specimen of this bird, though 

 I have constantly observed it in the spring and autumn. It 

 lives on the ground, generally in damp situations and where 

 the grass is long and thick enough to afford some slight 

 cover. I have always observed it in jsarties of four or five 

 individuals. Its flight is noiseless, and performed by jerky 

 erratic movements ; when on the ground it always squats in- 

 stead of standing. 



68. Campephilus BoiiEi (Wagler) ; Scl. et Salv. Nomencl. 

 p. 98. 



Resident, and common to the north o£ Buenos Ayres and 

 on the banks of the Parana to Baradero. 



69. Ceryle AMERICANA (Liuu.) ; Scl. et Salv. P. Z. S. 

 1869, p. 160. 



Not uncommon about the creeks and streams at the mouth 

 of the Parana. Common at Baradero in April. 



70. GuiRA PiRiRiGUA (Vicill.); Scl. et Salv. P. Z. S. 1868, 

 p. 142. 



A few remain with us all the winter ; but the majority leave 

 after the breeding-time. They have two broods in the season. 

 Their usual note is a succession of harsh screams ; but they 

 also have a rather musical note, which is uttered in two keys, 

 and is something like the Curlew^s note at home. Their food 

 consists of snails, slugs, bits of meat or offal — in fact, almost 

 any thing. In some of their habits and manner of flight they 

 resemble our common Magpie at home, never flying far with- 

 out alighting, and generally keeping together in small parties. 

 During cold and cloudy weather in winter they are rarely 

 seen ; but a bright warm day seems to endue them with fresh 

 life and activity. 



