Estancia Espartilla, Argentine Republic. 207 



in the lagoons^ as they rarely frequent the arroyos, and 

 never appear to feed on land as Dafila spinicauda is in the 

 habit of doing. 



87. QUERQUEDULA FLAVIROSTRIS (Vieiil.). 



Common all through the year. Lives in small flocks 

 during the winter, inhabiting the lagoons and ai'royos. 

 Breeds early in October under the tall paja-grass. Eggs five 

 in number, of a rather darker shade of cream than those of 

 Q. versicolor. Its native name is '' Pato chico.^'' 



88. QuERQUEDULA VERSICOLOR (Vicill.). 



Common throughout the year, flocking in small numbers 

 during the winter months. Pairs early in September, when 

 many resort to hay-stacks and nests of Bolborhy nchus mona- 

 chus to breed. In these positions the nests are composed of 

 simply down as a lining, and the eggs are eleven in number, 

 of a dull creamy white colour, rather blunt in shape. I have 

 never been fortunate enough to see the young ones taken down 

 to the water from the nests, but they never remain more 

 than five or six days in the nest after they are hatched. The 

 nest is also sometimes placed in short grass in the montes. 

 During winter these Teal roost in numbers on the alfalfa 

 stacks, also in the Parrots' nests — doubtless they are the 

 same pairs that use these nests for breeding purposes. This is 

 the only species of Duck I have seen that seems quite at 

 home amongst trees, flying in and out of them before evening 

 and percliing on the branches. They also often feed amongst 

 the thistles on the higher ground. 



89. Dafila spinicauda (Vieiil.). 



Very common throughout the year when there is enough 

 water. In winter it congregates in immense flocks, often 

 feeding on the high ground on thistle-seeds. Nests early in 

 September on the ground, amongst thistles and long grasses. 

 Eggs seven in number. Its native name is '' Pato del 

 Campo." 



-f-90. Dafila bahamensis (Linn.). 



Fairly common all through the year, living in small flocks 

 of from ten to twelve individuals during the winter months. 



