Birds of Lomas de Zamora. 469 



placed under thistles or in long grass. It contains from four 

 to five eggs, wliite, and somewhat elliptical in shape. 



-^ 54. Speotyto cunicularia (Mol.). 



Very abundant. Always seen sitting in pairs, either on 

 the posts of wire fencing or outside their burrows. The 

 usual clutch of eggs is five, but I have taken as many as 

 seven from one nest. 



-^55. Circus cinereus, Vieill. 



Common. In winter large flocks of these birds frequent 

 the open camps, feeding in the long grass, returning again 

 towards evening to the lagunas and swamps^ where they pass 

 the night. It does not breed with us. 



-/ 56. ASTURINA PUCHERANI, Scl. Ct Salv. 



I have only seen one example of this species, which I shot ; 

 the contents of its stomach were small birds, mice, and 

 insects. 



57. BUTEO SWAINSONI, Bp. 



One shot out of a large flock on Feb. 4th, 1886. For 

 several evenings in succession large flocks of these birds flew 

 over the house, and settled on the trees in the garden_, 

 apparently much exhausted. The majority remained until 

 next morning. They came from the south-west, and flew 

 away towards the north. 



[On the occurrence of this species in South America^ 

 cf. Salvin, Ibis, 1875, p. 372.--P. L. S.] 



-/-58. BuTEO ALBICAUDATUS (ViciU.). 



At one time fairly common, but the last few years I have 

 only noticed odd ones here and there, 



~ 59. BuTEO ERYTHRONOTUS (King). 



Not common, though a few examples are usually seen 

 during the winter months. The food is mice and a small 

 species of cavy. It does not breed here. 



-^60. Urubitinga unicincta (Temm.). 



Not common, but breeds here. I have taken the nest on 

 several occasions. 



