the Province of Buenos Ayres. 193 



109. CoLUMBA MACULOSA* (Temm.) ; Scl, et Salv. Nomencl. 

 p. 132. 



Common to the north of Buenos Ayres ; but I have not 

 observed it to the south of the city. Towards dusk large 

 flocks winj^ their way to the marshes (I suppose^ to drink) 

 from the high ground. Immature birds want the fine grey 

 and black transverse markings on the sides of the neck above 

 the breast which are found in the adult. Common at Ba- 

 radero in April. Legs redj between scarlet and carmine. 



110. Zenaida maculata (Vieill.) ; Scl. et Salv. P. Z. S. 



1868, p. 143. 



Very common, in the winter congregating in enormous 

 flocks. Its chief food is the seed of the cardoon, which here 

 covers the face of the country ; and in June last year I took 

 more than 700 seeds from the crop of a single bird. Com- 

 mon at Baradero in April. Legs and feet dull scarlet, in- 

 clining to carmine. 



111. CoLUMBULA picui (Tcmm.) ; Scl. et Salv. /. s. c. 

 Very common, and found in gardens quite within the city. 



Partially gregarious in winter. 



112. Leptoptila chalchauchenia, Scl. et Salv. P. Z. S. 



1869, p. 633. 



Seen occasionally in the riverain wood, but not a common 

 bird. Legs scarlet, with a tinge of crimson. 



113. Rallus nigricans (Vieill.); Scl. et Salv. Nomencl. 

 p. 139. 



Pretty common in reed -beds, coming out to feed in the 

 morning and about dusk. On the 13th October last I found 

 a nest in a clump of thick reeds frequented by Limnornis cur- 

 virostris and Synallaxis sulphurifera, in the riverain wood close 

 to Belgrano. From the peculiar character of the nest I was 

 careful to identify the owner, and, after having flushed the 

 old bird once, retired some little distance to give it time to 

 return. This it readily did ; and on cautiously approaching and 



* [ C. picazuro may be the species referred to here, being the Pigeon of 

 this group usually sent from Buenos Ayres. C. maculosa occurs near 

 Mendoza, and further south in Patagonia. — Edd.] 



