Mr Dalgleish on Birds and Eggs from Central Uruguay. 243 



Another clutcli of four eggs, taken also in Tala garden, 

 from a similarly situated nest, on 12tli November 1879. 



These eggs average l-^^- x M inch, the largest measuring 

 liir X a inch, the smallest 1 x -||- inch. One from Buenos 

 Ayres, however, in my collection, only measures |-J x f |-. 



The nest of this bird is a large structure of a globular 

 form, made of clay or black mud, which is found near the 

 nest, and is worked by the bird into a thorough mortar, 

 which is said to be probably more durable than ordinary 

 mortar would be with the same exposure. The nest is about 

 8 to 10 inches in diameter, the walls being an inch thick. It 

 is placed, as before mentioned, in the most exposed situations. 

 The opening, invariably placed on the most sheltered side, is 

 large, and directly in front; within the nest is a partition 

 which reaches nearly to the roof, thereby forming a passage 

 or antechamber to the true nest, which is lined with dry 

 grass. It is shaped somewhat like an oven, hence the name 

 oven bird. The eggs are usually four in number, of a pure 

 white colour, and of a shortened pyriform shape. 



9. Tm7iio]ptera nengcta (L.) — native name " Bruja," or 

 witch. — This species, although nowhere very common, is 

 found over most of South America, including Brazil, and the 

 countries lying to the south and west of that Empire. Its 

 habits and those of the next species somewhat resemble those 

 of the fly-catchers. It is generally seen near houses, where 

 there are bushes or tall herbage, perched on a high twig. They 

 are very restless, constantly descending to the ground to seek 

 insects, or flying off to catch them in the air before alighting, 

 as if in play. They never hop from branch to branch, nor go 

 into the interior of a bush. They are migratory at Tala, and 

 not very common. 



Clutch of three eggs, taken 23d October 1879, from a nest 

 in a bush in Tala garden. The largest of these measures 

 l^^-xfl inch, the smallest li^o+l^o" inch. They are pear- 

 shaped, of a white colour, with large, well-defined spots or 

 blotches, of reddish brown (PI. VII., fig. 1). The nest is 

 about 4 inches in diameter over all, of rather a flattisli shape, 

 and is formed of roots, lined with others of finer quality, 

 and one or two feathers. 



