Ornithological Notes from the Argentine Republic. 129 



yellow. Tongue about *8 long, shaped like a broad arrow, 

 rounded and split at tip, its back horny, as also edge of front 

 half, which is thin and turned up ; central surface velvety and 

 thick ; back angles edged and dotted with horny papillse. 

 Sternum of female rather longer than that of male, shaped 

 much like that of the Harfang or Snowy Owl (Cuv. An. King. 

 Lond. 1849, p. 175). 



This species is more nearly related to Ketupa flavipes 

 (Hodgs.) than to the other two known species, both in the 

 markings of its upper plumage, and in the plumed state of 

 its shanks ; but it differs from all in its bill and claws being- 

 black instead of yellowish. The pair were procured on a 

 branch of this river, about fifty miles distant to the south-west, 

 where the country is mountainous, with dark woody ravines, 

 and bush-covered rocks jut out into the water. Freshwater 

 crabs and small fish abound ; and I presume it is after these 

 they wade with their naked feet and partially exposed legs. 

 But the winter is at hand, and the cold has driven the crabs 

 into hibernation ; it is, then, on fish that they now chiefly sub- 

 sist, as the maw of the male proves. But how can they pro- 

 cure them ? Their rough and aculeate soles will hold fish well 

 enough, when they have got them between their claws ; but 

 I do not think so clumsy a foot could catch a darting mimiow. 

 The head must be immersed for such a purpose, and during 

 his search for food the bird must get very wet. Our winter 

 evenings are foggy and raw, and Owls'' feathers are difficult 

 to dry. Perhaps he contents himself with other food when 

 crabs are in bed for the winter, and the time is not propitious 

 for fishing ! 



Ning-po, November 28th, 1872. 



XVII. — Ornithological Notes from the Argentine Republic. 

 By William Blackstone Lee, B.A. 



From February till July 1871 I was staying at an "estancia" 

 on the frontier of the Indian territory, about eleven leagues 

 from Frayle Muerto and four or five from the small camp- 

 village of Saladillo. On landing at Buenos Ayres I found it 



