394 HussEY, Spring Birds of La Plata. [oct. 



migration, and on August 111 found a pair in a flower-bed in the Bosque. 

 As Hudson has said, they are very inquisitive, and if a person approaches 

 their reed-bed they " come out to meet him, uttering their silvery gurgling 

 notes." They are quite plentiful in the great marsh northeast of the city, 

 and I found them there from September 2 until late in January. 



47. Elainea albiceps albiceps (Orb. et Lafr.). — Fairly common 

 during the spring and summer months, and seen most frequently by the 

 roadsides or on the higher ground. 



48. Pitangus sulphuratus bolivianus (Lafr.). " Bien-te-veo " 

 or " BicHO FEO " (in imitation of its call). The Bienteveo is one of the 

 first birds to attract the attention on coming into such country as that 

 around La Plata. It is exceedingly versatile in its habits, and its notes are 

 quite varied, though all have a rather harsh tone. It is very common in 

 the Bosque, and also around the houses in the country. I found a nest 

 with eggs as late as January 14. 



49. Myiophobus fasciatus fasciatus (MiilL). — The little brown 

 tyrant is very common at Los Talas late in the spring; it was found singly 

 or in pairs and had the usual habits of the Tyrannidse. 



50. Pyrocephalus rubinus rubinus (Bodd). Vermilion Fly- 

 catcher. — The vermilion tyrant bird is commonly called the " chur- 

 rinche " from its note. I fu'st saw it at the observatory, September 25, 

 and from that date until I left La Plata it was very common in the Bosque 

 and in the camp. It is not fond of heavily wooded districts or of swampy 

 regions. Its habits are largely those of the typical flycatchers. 



The Churrinche has a very pretty song which it utters when on the wing, 

 much as does our Goldfinch, but the Churrinche moves its wings much 

 more rapidly. The bird also sings at night without leaving his perch; 

 and this night song is one of the most pleasant memories I have of my 

 visit to the Argentine. 



51. Tyrannus melancholicus melancholicus Vieill. — This King- 

 bird is common in the littoral forest, and to a lesser degree in the Bosque. 

 It is as pugnacious as the North American Kingbirds, which it resembles in 

 habits even to its hatred toward Hawks and other birds of prey. Though 

 I have seen several Hawks put to flight by these birds, I never saw them 

 attack the most common Hawk of the region, Rostrhamus sociabilis. 



52. Muscivora tyrannus (Linn.). — The " Tijereta " (Scissor-tail) 

 is a bird which cannot be overlooked. I first saw them October 18, when 

 they became fairly common, and remained so until I had left La Plata. 

 Many times in the Bosque at sunset I observed them going through a 

 curious performance, mounting high in the air and whirling al)out, opening 

 and shutting their tails, and then descending to the trees, all the while 

 uttering percussive notes not unlike those of our Kingbird {Tyrannus 

 tyrannus). 



53. Iridoprocne leucorrhoa (Vieill.). — This, the most common 

 swallow of the region, is abundant throughout the year about the houses in 

 the camp and at the edge of town, though most numerous in summer. It 



