LIMNORNIS CURVIROSTRIS. 191 



stick. He attributes the choice of the tall poplar to ambition but the 

 Anumbi has really a much simpler and lowlier motive. In the rich 

 Buenos Ayrean soil all trees have a superabundance of foliage, and in 

 the slim poplar alone can the nest be placed where the bird can reach 

 it laden with building-material, without coming in contact with long 

 projecting twigs. 



The nest of the Anumbi is about two feet in depth, and from ten to 

 twelve inches in diameter, and rests in an oblique position amongst the 

 branches. The entrance is at the top, and a crooked or spiral passage- 

 way leads down to the lower extremity, where the breeding-chamber is 

 situated ; this is lined with wool and soft grass, and five white eggs 

 are laid, varying considerably in form, some being much more sharply 

 pointed than others. 



The nest, being so secure and comfortable an abode, is greatly coveted 

 by several other species of birds to breed in ; but on this subject I have 

 already spoken in the account of the genus Molothrus. When deprived 

 of their nest, the birds immediately set to work to make a new one ; 

 but, often enough, without being ejected from the first they build a 

 second nest, sometimes demolishing the first work to use the materials. 

 I watched one pair make three nests before laying ; another pair made 

 two nests, and after the second was completed they returned to the 

 first and there elected to remain. Two or three nests are sometimes 

 seen on one tree, and Azara says he has seen as many as six. Mr. 

 Barrows observed the bird at Concepcion, where it is very common, 

 and writes that in that district the nest is sometimes four feet long with 

 an average diameter of two feet, and that the same nest in some cases 

 is used for several seasons successively; also that several nests are 

 sometimes joined together and all occupied at the same time. 



207. LIMNORNIS CURVIROSTRIS, Gould. 

 (CURVED-BILL RUSH-BIRD.) 



Limnornis curvirostris, ScL et Salt}. Noniencl. p. 64; Durnford, Ibis, 1877, 

 p. 182 (Buenos Ayres). 



Description. Above rufous-brown, brighter on the rump; lores and super- 

 ciliaries white ; wings and tail chestnut-brown ; beneath white ; flanks and 

 under tail-coverts pale brown ; under wing-coverts white ; bill and feet horn- 

 colour : whole length 7'0 inches, wing 3-0, tail 2-0. Female similar. 



Hab. Argentina and Uruguay. 



This species is found everywhere in marshy places in the eastern part 

 of the Argentine Republic, and is also common in Uruguay, where 



