448 Dr. E. Lonnberg on Birds from 



16. Speotyto cunicularia (Molina). 



This little Owl was to be seen by day as well as by night, 

 but generally after it had become dark. It lives in pairs 

 among the Tola-bushes (Leptophyllum) , and nests in burrows 

 belonging to rodents. The prey consists of small birds and 

 mammals, as well as of beetles. The length of the wing 

 in the specimens brought home varied from 191 to 200 mm. 

 It was common at Moreno. 



17. BOLBORHYNCHUS ORBIGNYI Finsch. 



Iris brown. Fully-developed specimens agree perfectly with 

 the description of this species in the Cat. of Birds (vol. xx. 

 p. 236), except that the great under tail-coverts have a slight 

 bluish tinge, in which respect they resemble the corresponding 

 feathers of B. rubrirostris. In some specimens the tail is 

 rather short, but that seems to depend upon the fact that it 

 is much worn. I think, therefore, that the Parrakeet of 

 Moreno must be referred to this species, even if in some 

 degree it approaches B. rubrirostris. 



This little Parrakeet occurs at Moreno in large flocks of 

 several hundreds, which fly about screaming loudly. But 

 they are only found where the Tola-bushes {Leptophyllum) 

 grow, and seem to feed exclusively on the buds and seeds of 

 those shrubs. They nest in burrows which are dug out in 

 the barrancas. Mr. von Hofsten examined two breeding- 

 holes, and found that they consisted of a burrow about two 

 metres long which ran almost straight into the barranca but 

 sloped upwards. At the end of this duct was a chamber 

 containing the nest made of feathers, and the white eggs. 

 Beyond the chamber another duct continued of from 20 to 

 30 cm. in length which led to a larger chamber, apparently 

 used for defecating. 



18. Patagona gigas (Vieillot). 



This Humming-bird certainly seems to visit the white 

 flowers of the great columnar cactus for the honey as well 

 as for the insects in the flowers. It was also obtained at Ojo 

 del Agua, Puna dc Jujuy, but was not common. 



