NJV. Argentina and the Bolivian Chaco. 457 



colour is predominant, but in some specimens the brown 

 spots almost cover the egg, which in its general appearance 

 has a certain resemblance to that of Fringilla montifringilla. 



30. Saltator laticlavius Sclater & Salvin. 



Male and female specimens from San Luis, shot January 

 2Gth, 1902. Iris brown. The specimens in question in 

 some respects approach S. aurantiirostris , for the measure- 

 ments are rather smaller than those recorded in Cat. Birds 

 Brit. Mus. for 8. laticlavius, but at the same time they 

 are larger than those of the former, namely, wing 96, 

 tail 98 mm. The white marks on the outer rectrices are 

 very clear in both sexes. The male specimen has a well- 

 developed claw at the bend of the wing, which in the 

 female is only represented by a horny wart. As I have 

 only one example to hand I cannot decide whether this 

 peculiar claw is a normal occurrence in the males of the 

 species or not, bat the matter is worth further investigation. 



Concerning the nesting of this bird, see above, p. 454, 

 under Siptornis orbignyi. 



31. MOLOTHRUS BONARIENSIS (Gmclill). 



An adult male from San Luis, January 1902. A young 

 bird in moult shot at the same place, February 23rd, 1902, 

 had partly assumed the shining black plumnge of the adult. 



This bird often accompanied the cattle and was seen sitting 

 on their backs, picking ticks and parasites from them. 

 The crops of our specimens were filled with ticks, so that 

 these seem to be the principal food. 



32. Molotiirus badius (Vieillot). 



A specimen from San Luis, shot January 25th, 1902. 

 Iris brown. 



This species also accompanies the cattle in large flocks. 



In addition to the birds already enumerated, the following 

 were observed at Tarija : — 



Fulica gigantea. | Tanagra bonariensis. 



riioeuicopterus, sp. inc. 

 < ryparch.ua papa. 

 Cathartes atratus. 



SER. VIII.— VOL. III. 'Z H 



Zonotrichia pileata sive cani- 

 capilla. 



