156 Mr. O. V. Aplin on the 



high as a man's head on horseback) with sharp cutting 

 edges; this is the "pajabrava"; and in the rincon of the 

 two rivers and other similar places in the district^ which 

 are liable to flood, there is a considerable amount of this 

 and '' paja mansa^^' forming impenetrable cover. 



At every rancho and nearly every ^'puesto'^ you see a few 

 spreading ombu trees [Phytolacca dioica) and probably a 

 few peaches and gums {Eucalyptus globulus) ; while the 

 larger estancias have usually, in addition to peach, orange, 

 fig, aud other fruit-trees, vines, hedges of membrillo (a kind 

 of quince), cactus, aloe "^j cina-cifia acacia, fiapinday [Acacia 

 bonariensis) , &c., considerable plantations of gums (almost 

 entirely the blue gum. Eucalyptus globulus) , acacias, poplars, 

 wattles, &c. The quinta at Sta. Elena covers about seven 

 acres, and contains a great variety of imported trees and 

 shrubs, including some long avenues of poplars, a fine double 

 row of fan-palms, and another of a conifer [Pinus insignis) — 

 a quite new kind of tree to the small birds, but greatly to 

 their taste — young oaks, olives, &c. 



As may be imagined, some of these quintas swarm with 

 birds, and they have j)robably encouraged the increase of some 

 species. On first arriving at Sta. Elena I was greatly struck 

 with the variety, conspicuous colouring, and familiarity of 

 the birds. Doves, Woodpeckers, Black-headed Siskins, 

 Cardinal Finches, Mocking-birds, Cow-birds, Guira Cuckoos, 

 Purple, Tree-, and White-rumped Swallows, Scissor-birds, 

 Venteveo Tyrants, Chingolo Song-Sparrows, Yellow House- 

 Sparrows, Oven-birds, and Firewood-gatherers were perhaps 

 the most noticeable, but we had also the brilliant Scarlet 

 Tyrant, Blue-and- Yellow Tanagers, Humming-birds, &c. 

 The morning and evening concerts were very lively, but I 

 often wished the Oven-birds f, with their ear-piercing dis- 



* Aloe hedges are common near Montevideo, but rare in tlie camp 

 where I was, and cactus hedges are being destroyed. 



t Some people, I believe, like this bird. To a field-ornitbologist who 

 wishes to gain some knowledge of the notes and songs of other birds, it 

 soon becomes detestable and detested. It is very common, and wherever 

 among the trees you see any other birds you are almost certain to find 

 the " Horuero.'' It is not the least bit shy, and seldom fails to mob a 



