Mr Dalgleish on Birds and Eggs from Central Uruguay. 83 



rinche," also " Brasa de fuego " (coal of fire) ; in Colombia it is 

 called Sangre de toro (bull's blood), and in the Argentine Ee- 

 piiblic " militario " (soldier). — All these names have reference 

 to the bright and brilliant plumage of this bird, which is said 

 to catch the eye at a distance of 100 yards. It is found 

 throughout South America except in the extreme south ; it 

 occurs in the island of Trinidad ; and a sub-species is found 

 in Mexico. It is common at Tala in summer. Its flight is 

 rapid and short, and in habits it resembles our spotted fly- 

 catcher. Its song is sweet, and is often heard at night. Its food 

 consists of insects. It is migratory at Tala, arriving in October. 

 The old ones leave in January so soon as the young are able 

 to feed themselves, but the latter nearly three months later. 



Clutch of three eggs, taken 14th December 1880, from a 

 nest in a tree. Another also of three eggs, taken 16th 

 November 1881, from a nest placed in the garden hedge at 

 Tala, 3 feet off the ground. These, with other eggs from the 

 same locality, average in size |-g- x -f-g- inch, the largest 

 measuring f|- x -f-g- inch, the smallest t%^t% inch. They are 

 of a brownish buff colour, strongly marked with a zone of 

 dark brown spots near the large end, and they have been 

 well likened to heavily spotted miniatures of the eggs of the 

 common tern. Their shape is a round oval. 



The nest is neatly built, is formed of much the same 

 materials as that of Serpo]phaga siibcristata, and is beautifully 

 felted. It contains a good deal of horse hair, and is lined 

 with feathers. The specimen sent measures 2f inches across 

 the top, and 2 inches across the cavity, which is 1^ inch 

 deep. The female is the sole builder of the nest. Though 

 seldom more than 4 or 5 feet off the ground, and usually 

 built in exposed situations, it is difficult to find, from the 

 bird's skill in harmonising it in colour with its surroundings. 



33. Tyr annus melancholicus, Viell. — This flycatcher is 

 found throughout South America, from Colombia and Vene- 

 zuela as far south as the Argentine Republic. It also occurs 

 in Honduras, and the West India Islands of Trinidad and 

 Grenada. In Colombia it has been found at an altitude of 

 9000 feet. At Tala it is resident but not plentiful. It is 

 found alike in the woods and gardens, in the latter of which 



