204 BIRDS OF LA PLATA 
concealing itself behinf’a tussock until the danger 
is past, or often, where the herbage is short, crouching 
on the ground like a Snipe. It runs swiftly and 
pauses frequently ; and while standing still with head 
raised it jerks its long tail up and down in a slow 
measured manner. When driven up it springs aloft 
with a sudden wild flight, uttering its loud mellow- 
toned cry, composed of three notes, strongly accented 
on the first and last ; and sometimes, when the bird 
is much alarmed, the first note is rapidly reiterated 
and becomes a bubbling sound like that of the 
European Cuckoo, but much more musical. After 
flying a very short distance it drops to the ground 
again, agitating its wings in a tremulous manner as 
it comes down. And sometimes after alighting it 
continues standing motionless for several seconds 
with the wings stretched up vertically. These wing 
motions and other pretty gestures give it a very 
attractive appearance. In its skulking habits, and 
reluctance to fly, it is more like a Rail than a Snipe. 
It also, Rail-like, frequently alights on trees and 
fences, a habit I have not remarked in any other 
Limicoline species. 
It inhabits the pampas from September until 
March; but early in February the great return 
migration begins, and then for two months the 
mellow cry of the Batiti is heard far up in the 
sky, at all hours, day and night, as the birds wing 
their way north. In some seasons stragglers are 
found throughout the month of April, but before 
the winter arrives not one is left. 
