Estancia Enpartilla, Aryentine Republic. 209 



-4-94. NoMONYx DOMixicus (Linii.). 



Rare^ living singly or in pairs in the small lagoons, either 

 open or containing rnshes. It is next to impossible to flush 

 this peculiar Duck, as it takes after the Grebes and invari- 

 ably (lives when disturbed, so that I have never seen it on 

 the wing. When swimming it holds its stiff tail spread out 

 and erected, inclined somewhat towards its head, and as it 

 swims very low in the water the Duck is only visible by its 

 head, tail, and the top of its back. It builds amongst the 

 rushes early in November, making a nest of green rushes 

 with scarcely any lining, being a very flat construction. 

 The eggs are three in number and white in colour, very 

 rough and very round. ' ~^ 



95. Zenaida maculata (Vieill,). 



Very common throughout the year, flocking in immense 

 numbers during the autumn and winter, when they roost in 

 the montes, feeding during the day in the open camp or 

 amongst thistles, and returning at dusk in flocks of about 40 

 individuals for over an hour, flock succeeding flock with 

 great rapidity. It breeds from September to February, 

 either in trees or even on the ground under thistles. The 

 native name is ''Torcasa.^' 



96. CoLUMBULA Picui (Tcmm.) . 



Common throughout the year, flocking in small niimbers 

 during the winter months. Breeds throughout the spring 

 and summer. 



97. Rallus maculatus, Bodd. 



Fairly common. I have been so far unable to procure a 

 specimen, but have often seen it and taken its eggs. 



98. FuLicA armillata, Vieill. 



Very common throughout the year. Breeds early in 

 September. Lives usually in open waters, but in the 

 breeding-season takes to the densely covered lagoons to 

 nest. The nest is composed of dry rushes and flags, lined 

 with small chips of the same. Eggs seven in number, of a 

 dull brownish cream-colour, thickly blotched and spotted with 



SlCll. VI. \()I>. IV, p 



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