Mr Dalgleish on Birds aiid Eggs from Central Uruguay. 245 



in imitatiDg the notes of other birds. It derives its name 

 from the calandra lark of Europe, from a fancied resemblance 

 in its song to that of that species. In the Argentine Ee- 

 public it is migratory, appearing there only in spring and 

 summer, although a few individuals may remain during 

 winter. In Uruguay it seems stationary. 



Clutch of four eggs, taken 4th October 1878, from a nest 

 placed in a bush in Tala garden. 



Another clutch of four eggs, taken 18th October 1879, 

 from a nest similarly situated, in the same place. 



These eggs, and those of other clutches which I have exa- 

 mined — 16 eggs in all — average l^^^- x f^ inch, varying from 

 1 X 1^ inch to 14^ X f^ inch. They are shaped somewhat 

 like those of a blackbird, and much resemble the bluish green 

 varieties of the eggs of the fieldfare and ring ousel. They are 

 of a pale green colour, with numerous splashes of reddish 

 brown, chiefly towards the large end, although some varieties 

 are nearly covered with the latter colour. The egg is figured 

 by D'Orbigny. 



The nest is generally built in a bush, and formed of small 

 branches, and lined with hair. That sent with the last-men- 

 tioned clutch of eggs is about 4 inches in diameter across the 

 top, and is formed of small sticks and roots of difi'erent thick- 

 nesses, and is lined with cow hair. 



12. Molothrus ladiiis (Viell.) — native name " Toldo." — This 

 bird's range extends from Southern Brazil, through Uruguay, 

 into the Argentine Eepublic. It is partially parasitical, 

 although in the last-named country, Mr Hudson only found 

 it laying in nests of its own. It goes in fiocks of ten or 

 fifteen, and the sexual attachment is not strong, sometimes 

 the members of the flock remaining together in spring in a 

 promiscuous manner. Mr Hudson has taken no less than 

 fourteen eggs from one nest built by the birds themselves, 

 and all cold, and probably more would have been laid. It 

 is sedentary, remaining all the year, but moving much 

 about in the cold season. Its song is low, sweet, and 

 varied, all the flock singing together. When flying, they 

 utter a loud and melodious note, which can be heard half 

 a mile distant. As above mentioned, they often hatch their 



