86 Proceedings of the Royal Physical Society. 



habits are irregular, nests being occasionally found in July 

 and August. It lays from four to six eggs. 



Three e<^izs taken from the nest on 20th December 1887, 

 one of an elongated, oval form, and a dull, white colour ; they 

 average 3^ by 2^ inches in size. 



The nest was placed at the side of the river, was formed of 

 grasses, and slightly hollowed on the top. 



22. Chamcepelia talpacoti (Temm.). Talpacoti Dove. Local 

 name " Teruti del Monte " (Paloma roxiza. Azara). — This 

 beautiful little dove is found throughout British Guiana, 

 Brazil, Bolivia, the northern part of Argentina, and Para- 

 guay, and is in some parts of the first-named country very 

 plentiful and much esteemed for tlie pot. In Paraguay it is 

 not so common, and is found either in pairs or in small 

 flocks. It is occasionally kept in confinement. 



Two clutches of two eggs each, both taken on 20th Novem- 

 ber 1886. These vary in size from 1 by ff to ff by |f 

 inch, and are oval, white in colour, and of the ordinary 

 pigeon type and appearance. 



Both nests were placed near the top of a low palm tree, 

 and were formed of withered grasses and fine roots, and were 

 slightly hollow in the centre. One sent measures 4 inches 

 over top. 



23. Ballus maculatns, Bodd. Spotted Eail. Local name 

 " Nahana " {Jaspeado todo. Azara). — The spotted rail is found 

 in Guiana, New Granada, Brazil, Paraguay, and the 

 Argentine Eepublic. It also occurs in the island of Cuba. 

 It is common in suitable localities where there are arroyos or 

 lagunas. Jt makes its nest among reeds about 18 inches 

 above the water. It usually lays up to seven eggs, but 

 fifteen from one nest have been recorded, probably however 

 the produce of more than one bird. 



Clutch of five eggs taken on 12th November 1887, another 

 of the same numl]>er taken on the SOtli of the same month. 

 These average in size 1-]^ by 1/y inches. Both clutches are 

 of a rich cream colour, one being of a darker shade than the 

 other ; the latter has a few minute reddish-brown spots 

 chiefly at the larger end, the former is lighter in ground 

 colour, with larger spots of the same, and also a few faint 



