198 BIRDS OF LA PLATA 



country in Europe, where as a boy he knew the wild 

 bird life and where a bird which inspires affectionate 

 admiration in the country people is sometimes called 

 by a human name. As a rule it is a Christian name, 

 as in the case of our Robin, in England, which in 

 Norway is called Peter, and our Jack we have 

 several Jacks and our Margaret or Mag, and our 

 Peggy and Kitty and Jenny, The Alonzo Garcia is 

 specially favoured in having both a Christian and 

 a surname, I have often been assured by natives that 

 the Hornero is a religious bird and always suspends 

 his labours on a Sunday and on all holy days. 



It is resident, pairs for life, and finds its food, 

 which consists of larvae and worms, exclusively on 

 the ground. It delights in open places, where it can 

 move freely about on the ground ; and is partial 

 to court-yards, clean garden-walks, etc., where, with 

 head thrown back and bosom prominent, it struts 

 along with an air of great gravity, lifting its foot high 

 at each step, and holding it suspended for a moment 

 in the air before setting it firmly down, I once saw 

 one fly down on to a narrow plank about ten feet 

 long lying out on the wet grass ; it walked gravely 

 to the end of the plank, then turned, and deliberately 

 walked back to the other end, and so on for about 

 twenty times, appearing to take the greatest pleasure 

 in the mere act of promenading on a smooth, level 

 surface. When disturbed, the Oven-bird has a loud 

 monotonous note of alarm or curiosity, which never 

 fails to bring all its fellows within hearing Idistance 

 to the spot. The movements of a fox, weasel, or cat 



