1920.] Cape San Antonio, Buenos Aijres. 15 



described, no uncouth structures, but substantially and tidily 

 built and finished, with no stray or superfluous material 

 lying around. Only in one case (where the situation chosen 

 was in rather deeper water amongst some durasnillos and 

 water-weeds, and the nest in consequence particularly high 

 aiul well-shaped) was there at one side a pile of dry water- 

 weeds. Generally speaking, they were from twelve to twenty 

 inches high (according to site) ; from two to three feet across 

 at base, and twenty to twenty-four inches at top; cavity at 

 top from ten to eighteen inches across, and four to six inches 

 deep. One nest alone had the eggs totally covered and 

 hidden by the lining being drawn over them; in all the 

 others the clutch was fully exposed. Of the ten nests 

 visited, one contained five eggs, two had six, while six had 

 (the general clutch of) seven. The one brood of six young, 

 of same age as those previously described, were similarly 

 huddled-up together outside the nest in the shelter of a 

 tuft of emerald-green grass, mute and sleepily indifferent 

 to the ^roup of human beings around them. A large 

 nesting-colony of Brazilian Stilts (Hlmantopus hrasiliensis 

 Brehm) lent more than sufficient noise and animation to 

 the scene — flying, fluttering, running, or crouching whilst 

 they clamorously protested against the intrusion. One of 

 their nests, containing four eggs, was only five feet distant 

 from the base of that of a Swan, forming a pretty contrast 

 and picture, for both were isolated on a little dry knoll 

 formed by an old ants^ nest. One could imagine the two 

 sitting birds : the graceful neck of the Swan bending down 

 to listen to the gossip of the Stilt — '^Yes, some people say 

 unkind things about the length of limb I display, and my 

 Parisian scarlet hose that reach to my waist. But I could 

 tell you some stories about Lady Candida over there, she 

 who insisted upon her husband taking that out-of-the-way 

 mud-flat at the beginning of the Season; and her goings- 

 on, for all she looks so white and stately ! Why, only last 

 week ...!!'' 



This Swannery was perhaps the most interesting bird- 

 colony that I have ever seen, not forgetting that of the 



