178 BIRDS OF LA PLATA 



mellow call-notes. It has one pretty habit, which 

 brings out an agreeable feature in its character* 

 Though the male and female are greatly attached, 

 they do not go afield to hunt in company, like the 

 Short-winged Tyrant, but separate to meet again 

 at intervals during the day. One of a couple (say 

 the female) returns to the trees where they are 

 accustomed to meet, and after a time, becoming im- 

 patient or anxious at the delay of her consort, utters 

 a very long, clear call-note. He is perhaps three or 

 four fields away, watching for a frog beside a pool, 

 or beating, harrier-like, over a thistle-bed, but 

 he hears the note and presently responds with one 

 of equal power. Then perhaps for half an hour, at 

 intervals of half a minute, the birds answer each 

 other, though the powerful call of the one must 

 interfere with his hunting* At length he returns ; 

 then the two birds, perched close together, with their 

 yellow bosoms almost touching, crests elevated, and 

 beating the branch with their wings, scream their 

 loudest notes in concert a confused jubilant noise 

 that rings through the whole plantation. Their joy 

 at meeting is patent, and their action corresponds to 

 the warm embrace of a loving human couple. 



I have frequently stood for the space of half an 

 hour concealed amongst the trees where a Bienteveo 

 was calling to her mate, cheered at intervals by the 

 far-off faint response, for the pleasure of witnessing 

 in the end the joyful reunion of the two birds. 



Except when breeding the Bienteveo is a peaceful 

 bird, never going out of its way to make gratuitous 



