go BIRDS OF LA PLATA 
Vultures abundant, espefally near the settlement of 
El Carmen, where, attracted by the refuse of the 
cattle-slaughtering establishments, they congregated 
in immense numbers, and were sometimes seen 
crowded together in thousands on the trees, where 
they roosted. Darwin observed them at the same 
place, and has described their soaring habits at 
considerable length. 
The following account of the nesting habits of 
this species is given by Mr. John J. Dalgleish 
(Proc. Roy. Phys. Soc. Edin., vi. 237): “‘ The eggs 
seldom, if ever, exceed two in number, and are 
usually laid in a hollow tree or on the ground. Their 
average weight is about a pound. They are slightly 
larger than those of the Turkey Buzzard, although 
the latter is a bigger bird. The ground colour is of 
a yellowish white, with blotches of dark reddish 
brown, and smaller markings of a lilac shade. These 
markings are generally more numerous at the larger 
end.” 
BRAZILIAN CORMORANT 
Phalacrocorax brasilianus 
Black, glossed with metallic green; bill and naked skin of the face 
yellow; length 30 inches, wing 12 inches. Female similar; young 
brown, cheeks whitish and breast white. 
THIS appears to be the only Cormorant met with 
on the coasts and inland waters of South America, 
north of Buenos Ayres; but two other species are 
found in southern Chili and Patagonia, which may 
