INTRODUCTION. xxi 



In the next order, Steganopodes, the Argentine Ornis seems to be 

 very deficient. Out of the five families of this group which occur in 

 the Neotropical Region, one only is yet known to us to be represented 

 in the Argentine Ornis, and that by a single species. But when the 

 sea-birds of the Argentine coast-land come to be better known, there 

 is no doubt that several additions will be made to the list. 



The next following order, Herodiones, is of much more importance in 

 Argentine Ornithology, not less than 19 species of this group being 

 already known to exist within our limits, out of a total of 44 Neotropical 

 species. And amongst these we can pick out the little Variegated 

 Bittern (Ardetta involucris) and the four species of Ibises as being highly 

 characteristic members of the Argentine Ornis. 



The tenth order, that of Anseres, or Waterfowl, commonly so-called, 

 is also largely in excess as regards the number of species. Out of a 

 total of 64 Anseres belonging to the Neotropical Region, 23 are met 

 with in the Argentine Republic. Moreover, the greater number of 

 these are exclusively Antarctic species, restricted to the Patagonian 

 Subregion. Amongst them we may specially call attention to the 

 Black-necked Swan (Cygnus nigricollis), the Chiloe Wigeon (Mareca 

 sibilatrix), and the Rosy -billed Duck (Metopiana peposaca) as highly 

 characteristic and ornamental species. . 



Proceeding to the next order, that of the Pigeons (Columbae), we find 

 the number of Argentine species to be slightly below the average. 

 Several fine Pigeons and Doves are well-known inhabitants of the 

 Republic, but the Columbine order is not a prominent one within our 

 limits. 



The Gallinaceous birds of the Neotropical Region are about ninety in 

 number, the greater part of these belonging to the Curassows, Cracidse, 

 a family specially adapted for habitation in the extensive forests of the 

 New World. Four species of Cracidre have been met with in the 

 forest-region of Northern Argentina; but the Gallinaceous group as a 

 whole must be held to be deficient in this part of South America, the 

 place in Nature which these birds fill in other regions being occupied 

 here by the more lowly organized Tinamous, of which we shall speak 

 further on. 



The Geranomorphse of the Argentine Republic are much in excess as 

 regards the number of species. This arises mainly from the abundant 

 supply of Rails and Crakes which Nature has provided for the more 

 swampy districts of the pampas, and to the presence of no less than three 



