Mr Dalgleish on Birds and Eggs from Central Uruguay. 87 



They do not take long to the work of making the nest. INIy 

 collector informs me that he watched a pair so engaged ; on 

 the third day only the tail of the bird was to be seen when 

 at work, while on the fifth day it was out of sight. One of 

 the birds is always on the watch while the other is sitting, 

 and on the approach of an intruder gives the alarm, when 

 they both fly off. Snakes often enter the holes, which 

 renders an examination somewhat perilous : they eat the eggs. 



37. Colajptes agricola, Malh. — the black-headed wood- 

 pecker, as above mentioned, is also known by the name of 

 " Carpintero." It is more numerous at Tala than the last 

 species, and like it is resident. Its range seems nearly 

 coextensive with the other. Gibson does not mention it, but 

 Lee found it common at Frayle Muerto, between the towns of 

 Cordova and Eosario in the Argentine Republic. Its habits 

 are very similar to those of the red-headed woodpecker. 

 Occasionally it is seen in parties of two or three on the grass. 



Clutch of four eggs, taken 26th November 1880, from a 

 hole in a decayed tree. Another of four eggs, taken 27th 

 October 1881, from a hole in a fence post. The average size 

 of these is 1^%- x -f|- inch, the largest being l/^- x |^ inch. 

 They are very similar to those of the last species, but are not 

 so transparent, and are blunter at the small end. 



The nest is placed in similar situations to that of the last, 

 and the same remarks are therefore applicable to it. 



38. Guira piririgua (VielL). — The Guira cuckoo, native 

 name '* Perencho," is found throughout Brazil and the River 

 Plata States. It is not uncommon at Tala. From its scanty 

 covering of feathers it is a curious bird in appearance. It is 

 gregarious, and has a curious habit of perching in flocks on a 

 branch in a row facing different ways in exactly alternate 

 order. Its cry is a harsh scream, but it is said also to have 

 a musical note, which is seldom heard. Its food consists of 

 grasshoppers, worms, small frogs, snails, and pieces of meat. 

 Its flight is slow and feeble, and its tail is much in its way 

 when alighting, causing it often nearly to perform a somer- 

 sault involuntarily. It is not shy, and ventures among farm 

 buildings, but its usual habitat is the " monte," or woods. 

 Gibson states that the natives allege it can be taught to speak. 



