388 Mr. E. Gibson on the Ormthology of [Ibis, 



Sometimes wbitc is the ground-colour, with very dark red- 

 l)rown spots and streaks, nearly all gathered about the apex 

 of the blunt end. Or the ground-colour may be of a pale 

 Avarmisli-yellow, with warm red specks, spots, and blotches, 

 some violaceous sub-surface spots, and interlaced streaks 

 of bright red-brown mostly at the blunt end, where they 

 form a circle. The general appearance is bold and striking. 

 Measurements : 25 x 18 mm. 



87. Chrysomitris icterica (Licht.). Black-headed Siskin. 



I deal fully with this species in my former paper under 

 the name of C. magellanica Burm. 



In nesting, the height froin the ground varies from four 

 to eight feet. Four is the })redominant clutch (never 

 exceeded). Only on one occasion have I found a nest con- 

 taining both types of eggs, one being pure white, the other 

 two of the delicately-spotted variety. 



89. Sycalis pelzelni Scl. Yellow House-Sparrow. 



It is impossible to improve upon Mi'. Hudson's detailed 

 description of tiiis species. At best, 1 can only su])plement 

 it with a few details. 



As a rule, it nests in tiie old abode of the Oven-bird, and 

 in the woods here there are always many vacant homes of 

 Furnarius rvfds. The same statement applies to the 

 Firewood-gatherer (Anmnbius acuticaudatus) ; many nests, 

 and many Yellow House-Sparrow tenants. I have also 

 found it occupying the hole excavated by a Red-crested 

 Woodpecker [Chrysoptihis crlstatus). About the buildings, 

 a hole in the eaves or' a vvaterpipe provides it with a home. 

 But, to me, the most curious site was the nest of a Rush- 

 loving Spine-tail (Phl<rocrypies melanops) suspended of 

 course to fsome reeds in a swamp, and which it had lined 

 with a little wool and haii". Another extraordinary case 

 was where a pair of Oven-birds had built upon the "cigueiia " 

 (the old-world stork or crane for drawing water) of a well, 

 doubtless in the winter-time and when the well was not 

 in use. When I saw it, at the end of November, the 



