148 Mr. J. Graham Kerr on the Avifauna 



, 154. Ortalis canicollis. {Op. cit. ii. p. 147.) 



The " Charata " is exceedingly abundant in all the thick 

 forests of the Pilcomayo. They occasionally descend to the 

 ground to feed, but this is comparatively rare ; usually they 

 remain amongst the upper branches of the trees, feeding on 

 various fruits. This is a sociable bird, many being usually 

 found near one another. It is also rather timid ; but this 

 quality is in great part masked by its intense curiosity. 

 When one enters a forest in which the Charatas are not ac- 

 customed to the sight of man, they examine the intruder 

 curiously, and call their companions with their soft and 

 cheepy call-note. If one remains perfectly still all the birds 

 within hearing collect around, and by answering their call- 

 notes one can bring them down to within a few feet. 



If one walks up towards a tree in which are some Charatas, 

 they first utter their soft call-note to draw their companions' 

 attention, and then, as one comes nearer, they begin to hop 

 about uneasily, aud their voices rise in pitch by regular gra- 

 dations until they end in shrill screams, amusingly expressive 

 of fear and timidity. 



At times, more especially just about sunrise, the com- 

 munity of Charatas unite together to produce an extraordinary 

 din. They utter loud and very harsh cries, something like 

 the sound of a gigantic rattle, or of the syllables '' chacarata, 

 chacarata,'' from which they get their Guarani name, 

 " Charata.^' All the birds in one part of the forest uniting 

 in this, the effect is almost deafening. Other companies of 

 birds answer, and on a fine morning in the Chaco, just after 

 sunrise, one hears these Charata-choruses resounding in all 

 directions. 



The Charata is a favourite article of food with the Indians, 

 who attract it by imitating the call-note, aud shoot it with 

 bow and arrow. Amongst the Tobas it is called " Cochine," 

 in imitation of its call. 



155. Aramides ypecaha. {Op. cit. ii. p. 150.) 

 (No. 46.) Near Fortin Nueve. April 8tli, 1890. 

 Guarani, ''Paca-a'^; Toba, ''Wata-a." 



