524 Mr. E. Gibson on the Ornithology of [Ibis, 



321. Ardetta involucris Vieill. Variegated Heron. 



To my previous notes on this species (Ibis, 1880, 

 p. 159) Hudson has added such an admirable account in 

 ^Argentine Ornithology' that there is little left for me lo 

 supplement. Of the extraordinary gilt it displays in })ro- 

 tective self-effacement, I have not been an actual witness. 

 But Mr. Hudson's accuracy of observation is only equalled 

 by his descriptive powers — to both of which I bear witness. 



My diary presents no novelty between 1879 and 1913. 

 The species was regularly observed : but never to such an 

 extent as to call it common or even abundant ; and in the 

 winter-time it seemed even less so. In the spring and early 

 summer of 1913 (when the country was so iuundatedj I 

 made various journeys to Buenos Ay res and was also 

 much about on the Yngleses, without seeing a single bird 

 from the middle of September till the end of January ; 

 though it must be admitted that no fewer than three clutches 

 of eggs were brought to me in that interval. On the 29th of 

 January, however, riding (and nearly swimming at times, 

 " bola a pie" as it is called when the water is over the 

 withers, because the horse's feet appear to be rolling on 

 bowls) between the Falenque district and the head-station I 

 put up no fewer than nine individuals, " the first three rising 

 close together from amidst the water-weeds in shoal water at 

 edge of big canadon ; the other six from deep junco-beds." 

 From that date to the end of March it was undoubtedly very 

 abundant, and observed every day when T had occasion to be 

 out and cross the larger swamps. During my brief visit 

 to the Yngleses of September-October 1915, under similar 

 flood-circumstances, I only saw two or three individuals. 



I have known it to rise so close to a horse as to be 

 knocked down by the rider's ''rebenque" or short whip. 

 One such bird was brought to me, Init only lived for a day. 

 When irritated, it uttered a feeble strident note — the sole 

 occasion of its kind^ for otherwise it is always mute. 



I have never had the good fortune to discover a nest 

 myself, and of the dozen clutches which have been brought 

 to me, the account varies considerably. The consensus would 



