108 BAHIA BLANCA TO BUENOS AYKES. [CHAP. vi. 



in several places by brilliant conflagrations. This is done partly 

 for the sake of puzzling any stray Indians, b'ut chiefly for improv- 

 ing the pasture. In grassy plains unoccupied by the larger 

 ruminating quadrupeds, it seems necessary to remove the super- 

 fluous vegetation by fire, so as to render the new year's growth 

 serviceable. 



The rancho at this place did not boast even of a roof, but merely 

 consisted of a ring of thistle-stalks, to break the force of the wind. 

 It was situated on the borders of an extensive but shallow lake, 

 swarming with wild fowl, among which the black-necked swan 

 was conspictious. 



The kind of plover, which appears as if mounted on stilts, 

 (Himantopus nigricollis) is here common in flocks of considerable 

 size. It has been wrongfully accused of inelegance ; when wading 

 about in shallow water, which is its favourite resort, its gait is far 

 from awkward. These birds in a flock utter a noise, that singularly 

 resembles the cry of a pack of small dogs in full chase : waking in 

 the night, I have more than once been for a moment startled at the 

 distant sound. The teru-tero (Vanellus cayanus) is another bird, 

 which often disturbs the stillness of the night. In appearance and 

 habits it resembles in many respects our peewits ; its wings, how- 

 ever, are armed with sharp spurs, like those on the legs of the 

 common cock. As our peewit takes its name from the sound of its 

 voice, so does the teru-tero. While riding over the grassy plains, 

 one is constantly pursued by these birds, which appear to hate 

 mankind, and I am sure deserve to be hated for their never-ceasing, 

 unvaried, harsh screams. To the sportsman they are most annoy- 

 ing, by telling every other bird and animal of his approach : to the 

 traveller in the country, they may possibly, as Molina says, do 

 good, by warning him of the midnight robber. During the breed- 

 ing season, they attempt, like our peewits, by feigning to be 

 wounded, to draw away from their nests dogs and other enemies. 

 The eggs of this bird are esteemed a great delicacy. 



September l&th. To the seventh posta at the foot of the Sierra 

 Tapalguen. The country was quite level, with a coarse herbage 

 and a soft peaty soil. The hovel was here remarkably neat, the 

 posts and rafters being made of about a dozen dry thistle-stalks 

 bound together with throngs of hide ; and by the support of these 

 Ionic-like columns, the roof and sides were thatched with reeds. 

 We were here told a fact, which I would not have credited, if I had 



