Vol. xxxim 



1916 



] HussEY, Spring Birds of La Plata. o99 



spicuous, but not verj^ shy. The song is not noteworthy; it has a cheerful 

 ring, but lacks variety. 



73. Molothrus bonariensis bonariensis (Gm.).— The common 

 name of this bird is " Tordo," the Spanish form of Turdus; but a more 

 suitable name is one which I once heard applied to it: " El Renegado." 

 It is larger and more attractive than M. ater of North America, and has 

 quite an attractive little song which it delivers with much display; and at 

 times the bird is so carried away by his emotion that he takes to the air 

 and flies about, singing all the time. The only note I heard from the 

 female was a sputtering alarm call. 



In general habits this bird is similar to M. ater. 



74. Molothrus badius (VieilL). — This gray Cowbird is not nearly so 

 common as the other; it is usually seen in flocks of about fifteen birds. I 

 found it most often in trees, especially the eucalyptus, where its movements 

 were slow and deliberate. Of its breeding habits I learned nothing. 



The notes of this bird are more varied than those of M. bonariensis; and 

 before taking flight, as Hudson says, " They invite each other to fly with 

 long clear notes powerful enough to be heard a quarter of a mile away." 



75. Agelaius thilius (Mol.). " Trili," " Tordo del b.«J.\do." — 

 This little blackbird is gregarious, and is found on the edge of the marsh 

 in great numl^ers, where its rather pretty song may be heard from numbers 

 of the birds. 



76. Leistes militaris superciliaris (Bp.). " Pecho Colorado." — 

 The name " red breast " is splendidly adapted to this bird. It is fond of 

 moist meadows where the grass is long, and here it appears in considerable 

 numbers in October. The female keeps hidden most of the time; her 

 flight is weak and very erratic. On the other hand, the male is always 

 conspicuous, especially when singing. He rises to a height of some forty 

 feet to deliver a single rather pleasing note, after which he drops back to his 

 original perch. Between two points his flight is low and direct, though 

 rather laborious. 



77. Pseudoleistes virescens (VieilL). " Pecho amarillo " (Yel- 

 low breast). — This is one of the most familiar marsh birds. Its large 

 size and its bright yellow breast make it conspicuous, and its noisy and 

 gregarious habits bring it forcibly to our attention. 



In closing I wish to return my thanks to Dr. Carl Brueh and 

 to Dr. Miguel Fernandez of the Museo Nacional at La Plata, and 

 also to Dr. Robert Dabbene, of the Museo Nacional of Buenos 

 Aires, for the very valuable assistance which they gave me in my 

 work. 



