CACHILA PIPIT 21 
only land-bird found on Georgia and South Orkney 
lat. 6x deg. S.), 
In colour and language, possibly also in size, the 
Cachila is variable. It is a very common bird, widely 
and plentifully distributed over the pampas, found 
alike on marshy and dry grounds, but rare in the 
region of giant grasses. While abundant it is also 
very evenly dispersed, each bird spending its life on 
a very circumscribed plot of earth. Those frequenting 
marshy or moist grounds are of a yellowish-cream 
colour, thickly mottled and striped with fuscous and 
black, and have two narrow parallel pure white marks 
on the back, very conspicuous when the bird is on 
the ground. The individuals frequenting high and 
dry grounds are much paler in hue, appearing almost 
grey, and do not show the white marks on the back. 
They also look larger than the birds on marshy 
lands; but this appearance is probably due to a 
looser plumage. The most strongly marked pale 
and dark-plumaged variations may be found living 
within a few hundred yards of each other, showing 
how strictly each bird keeps to its own little “ beat” ; 
for this difference in coloration is no doubt due 
entirely to the amount of moisture in the ground 
they live on. 
The Cachilas are resident, living in couples all 
the year round, the sexes being faithful. Several 
pairs frequent a small area, and sometimes they 
unite in a desultory flock; but these gatherings 
are not frequent. In the evening, at all seasons, 
immediately after the sun has set, the Cachilas all 
