188 Mr. H. Durnford on the Birds of 



81. TiNNUNcuLus sPARVERius (Linti.) ; Scl. et Salv. l.s. c. 



Autumn and winter visitor, occurring in considerable num- 

 bers. It has an exceedingly rapid and dashing flight. Its 

 food consists of mice and small birds. Pretty common at 

 Baradero in April. 



82. Elanus LEUcuRus (Vieill.); Scl. et Salv. P.Z. S. 1869, 

 p. 160. 



Resident, but not common. This is one of our handsomest 

 birds, being very conspicuous from its lofty aerial flight. It 

 sometimes remains circling in the air for a long time together. 

 I found a few at Baradero in April. Iris light reddish brown. 

 Legs and cere pale orange. Beak black. 



83. RosTRHAMUs sociABiLis (Vieill.) ; Scl. et Salv. /. s. c. 

 Resident and not uncommon in marshes and swamps. On 



the wing its white tail-coverts are an unfailing mark for dis- 

 tinguishing the species. Its food consists of water-moUusks ; 

 and its strong hooked upper mandible is admirably adapted 

 for extracting the soft portions from their shells ; from this 

 habit it has gained the name of "Aguila de caracoles.'^ Iris 

 crimson; beak dark lead-colour; legs orange. As it in- 

 creases in age its beak becomes l)lack and its legs a darker 

 orange. 



84. POLYBORUS THARUS (Mol.) ; P. Z. S. 1869, p. 634. 

 Resident and abundant. Feeds indiscriminately on lizards, 



dead flsh, and any carrion. Common at Baradero in April. 



85. MiLVAGO CHiMANGO (Vieill.) ; Scl. et Salv. P. Z. S. 

 1868, p. 143. 



Resident and more numerous than P. tharus. During the 

 winter a partial migratory movement takes place in a north- 

 erly direction. They nest both on the ground and in low 

 trees or bushes, building a large structure of twigs and sticks, 

 lined with wool and hair. Common at Baradero in April. 



86. Phalacrocorax brasilianus (Licht.) ; Scl. et Salv. 

 P. Z. S. 1868, p. 146. 



Resident and common both in the river and large lagunas 

 in the campo. Seen at Baradero in April, 



