^2 Proceedings of the Boyal rhijsical Society. 



12. Gicira piririff'ua (VieiYi.). Guira cnckoo. Local name 

 Piririta (Piririgua. Azara). — This species, whose curious 

 blue esQfs with their lace-like luarkinojs I have elsewhere 

 described/ is common in the neighbourhood of Ytanu. Its 

 domestic arrangements, which partake of the nature of the 

 family to which it belongs, are somewhat mixed, it being by 

 no means uncommon for several birds to lay their eggs in 

 one nest, which are all incubated by one of their number. 

 My collector has sent me ten eggs all taken from the same 

 nest. It is frequently tamed, and makes a nice pet. 



13. ConiiTus nanday (Desm.). Local name Nenday (Nendai. 

 Azara). — This fine parrot is found in Bolivia, the north of 

 Argentina, and Paraguay, where it is not rare. Like all the 

 family it feeds chiefly on fruit, and is very fond of oranges. 

 It is frequently kept as a cage bird, and becomes very tame. 

 Although not found near Buenos Ayres, it is often taken 

 there in cages, where it is considered a rarity and much 

 esteemed. It is said that it cannot be taught to speak. 



Clutch of four eggs taken from a nest in a hole in a 

 palm tree, 13th ISTovember 1887. Another from a similar 

 situation taken on loth December in the same year. These 

 average in size l^^- by -ff inch, and are of a blunt oval in 

 form, white in colour, and with a sliglit polish. 



The holes in which tlie eggs were found contained no 

 lining. 



14. Comirus vittatus, Shaw. Local name Cotorra {Chiripepe. 

 Azara). — This species, whose principal habitat seems to be 

 Brazil, is also common in Paraguay. It feeds on fruit, but 

 is also extremely destructive to the maize fields. Like the 

 preceding species it is frequently tamed, but differs from it 

 in becoming an excellent talker. One which belonged to 

 the son of my collector became much attached to him. On 

 one occasion it was tempted to join a passing flock, and was 

 given up as lost, but he returned all right at dusk for his 

 evening meal. 



Clutch of five eggs taken on 9th October, and another of 

 the same number taken on 14th November, both in 1887. 

 These average in size f-g- by -fg inch, the largest being 1 by 



' Proo. Roy. Phys. Soc. Kd., viii., 87. 



