384 Mr. E. Gibson on (he Ornitholoyy of [Ibis, 



38. Tanagra bonariensis (Gm.). Blue-and-yellow Tanager. 



lu my former notes I alluded to this species as Tanagra 

 striata. 



Mr. Grant expresses a strong belief as to its nesting in 

 the district, but the fact remains to be proved. Generally 

 it is scarcer in the months of October and November (so 

 much I find from the long record in my diary). Equally 

 true is it that both males and females were never entirely 

 wanting during these months, in pairs or small flocks. 



Iris blood-red ; bill, above dark brown, below whitish ; 

 feet dark brown. 



53. Spermophila caerulescens Vieill. Screaming Finch. 

 Until Mr. Grant recorded this species in 1909 and again 



in 1910 (when two nests were taken) I was only aware of 

 its visits to this district by one specimen, a female, which 

 I shot in the garden in May of 1899. 



Mr. Hudson's description of the nest is deservedly 

 eulogistic. One in ray possession, of Mr. Grant's collecting, 

 bears out his praise. It was situated in a shrub, in a clump 

 of bamboos. Placed between five forked stems, it is wedged 

 in position, not attached. Built of thin pale-coloured fibrous 

 roots, cleverly interwoven; but so frail that it can be seen 

 through, from bottom or sides. A few of the dead leaves 

 of the stems sustaining it are ingeniously caught-in on the 

 outside, and aid the disguise. Width : outside, 2| in., 

 depth 2 in. ; inside, 2x 1^ in. The one egg is thin-shelled 

 and blunt-pointed. Ground-colour dirty white, spotted 

 with bluish brown (mostly towards blunt end, where a 

 cap is formed) and a few black specks. Measurements : 

 18 X 12 ram. 



54. Faroaria cucullata Lath. Cardinal Finch. 



To my former notes I have only to add that the Cardinal 

 also nests occasionally in an Elder tree or bush. In one 

 such case, where the nest was only five feet from the 

 ground, it contained the unusual number of four eggs, 

 three being the normal clutch. 



