Mr Dalgleish on Birds and Eggs from Central Uruguay. 253 



of a dirty yellow colour, somewhat resembling those of the 

 African ostrich. 



The nest was formed of a quantity of dry grass, scraped 

 together, probably what had been growing on the spot, and is 

 described by my correspondent as resembling a " horse's bed." 



23. Scolopaxfrenata(l\\)—i\QXiYQ name "Aguatero." — This 

 snipe is a pretty common species throughout Brazil, Paraguay, 

 and all the southern part of South America. Its habits and 

 appearance much resemble those of our common snipe, of 

 which in these countries it seems to be the representative. 

 Near Buenos Ayres it is common in every marsh, and by no 

 means rare at Tala. 



Clutch of three eggs, taken 4th October 1879, from a nest 

 situated near the river. 



Other two clutches of three eggs each, taken on 6th and 

 22d October 1879, respectively in similar situations. 



These average H% x 1^5_ {Rch. They are similar in colour 

 and markings to those of the common snipe, but in shape are 

 more blunt at the small end, in that respect approaching 

 those of the dotterel. Some of the varieties are not unlike 

 those of a tern. They only lay three eggs, and the nest is a 

 mere scrape, and without lining of any description. 



24. Yanellus cayennensis (Gm.) — native name " Terutero." 

 — This plover is found generally distributed throughout South 

 America, to the Straits of Magellan. To a certain extent 

 resembling in its habits our lapwing, it is equally noisy at 

 the breeding season, and pertinaciously follows the intruder 

 on its breeding haunts, uttering the rather unpleasant cry 

 from which it derives its name, and flying within two feet of 

 his head in a most annoying and menacing manner. It is 

 thus very troublesome to the sportsman, as its screams are 

 unceasing, and disturb every other living creature. One 

 author, however, rather extols its watchful habits, as useful 

 to the traveller, in making known the presence of the robber, 

 as no one can pass its haunts unchallenged, even in the night. 

 In winter it frequents the neighbourhood of towns in large 

 flocks. The wing of this bird is armed with a curious sharp 

 spur, resembling that on the leg of a barndoor cock, but its 

 use seems not understood. 



