TRUPIALIS DEFILIPPII. 105 



Chili, while its northern representative inhabits the pampas of Buenos 

 Ayres and Uruguay. Probably the Colorado River, which separates 

 two districts differing in soil and vegetation, is the boundary-line 

 dividing their habitats. So nearly alike are these two birds in colour, 

 language, and habits, that they seem rather like races than species ; and 

 they were so regarded by naturalists until recently, when the pampas 

 bird was raised to the rank of a distinct species, with the name of 

 Trupialis defilippii. Unfortunately the old name militaris fits the 

 Pampas, and not the Patagonian, Starling best ; but of this I shall speak 

 when 1 describe the former species. 



In form and size T. militaris resembles the Common Starling of 

 Europe, but differs from it in habits, flight, language, and in colouring ; 

 its upper plumage being fuscous mottled with yellowish grey ; the 

 throat and bosom scarlet inclining to crimson. This hue varies greatly, 

 the breast-feathers being often tipped with white, which subdues the 

 intense red, and gives it a rosy tint in some individuals. The female is 

 paler-plumaged than the male, and has less red on the breast. 



It inhabits the whole of Patagonia to the Strait of Magellan, but is 

 confined to the valleys or to the neighbourhood of water ; and Durnford 

 remarks that it is a useful bird to the traveller in that thirsty country, 

 as its presence is a sure indication of water. It is resident, and is seen 

 in small parties of four or five, or in small flocks seldom exceeding 

 twenty or thirty in number. It feeds and lives on the ground, and 

 only occasionally is it seen to perch on a low bush. Its flight is strong, 

 and it flies about a great deal, and usually utters its song when on the 

 wing. The song is continued all the year, and is heard even on the 

 coldest days in winter ; the notes are few and not highly melodious, but 

 are cheerful and vigorous. 



The nest is made of dry grass and rootlets attached to the rushes in 

 moist ground, and placed close to or resting on the surface. The eggs 

 are five, the ground-colour white spotted or blotched with reddish 

 brown. 



104. TRUPIALIS DEFILIPPII, Bp. 



(DE FILIPPFS MARSH-STARLING.) 



Sturnella defilippii, Scl. et Salv. P. Z. S. 1869, p. 161 (Buenos Ayree) j iid. 

 Nomencl. p. 38 ; Doring, Exp. al Rio Negro, Zool. p. 41 (Pampas) ; 

 Narrows, Bull. Nutt. Orn. Cl. viii. p. 136 (Pampas south of Buenos Ayres). 

 Trupialis defilippii, Scl. Cat. B. xi. p. 357. Trupialis militaiis, Burin. 

 La-Plata Reise, ii. p. 4UO (Rosario, Parana). 



