1920.] Cape San Aidonio, Buenos Aijres. ."29 



by Hudson), the latter name being reserved for u}fetoi)i(ina 

 2^eposaca Vieill. 



It is resident, but most abundant in wet seasons, and 

 particularly in the autumn and winter — for example, in tlie 

 spring of two great flood-years (1913 and 1914) it was con- 

 spicuous by its rarity or total absence, whereas it was very 

 numerous in the autumn. A heavy fall of rain at the latter 

 season is generally responded to by a prompt advent of this 

 species, when it rarely associates with other Ducks, and 

 prefers open camp ponds or even pools on the roadway to 

 the rushy fastnesses of the canadas. It generally occurs in 

 pairs or small flocks of ten or twelve, but on suitable 

 occasions [i.e., after a heavy rainfall) — and always in the 

 autumn — 1 have known these to consist of tliirty or forty 

 each, the flocks being numerous and closely associated — 

 still in the open. 



I am totally ignorant of its i)reeding-habits, and for a 

 description of the eggs am again indebted to Mr. AVells, 

 who says: — ''Eggs in the Museum collection vary from 

 cream-colour to wliitish-brown and measure respectively 

 61x40 mm., 00x40,59x41, 58-5 x 41, 56x40, 54x41." 

 He further continues : — "• Holland, Ibis, 1892. p. 208, says 

 the eggs of M. sibilalri.r are white in colour and very round ; 

 Nehrkorn, Kat. Eicrsammlung, p. 241, says his eggs are 

 rothlichgrau and measure 57x42 mm.; and Hudson, 

 Argentine Orn. ii. p. 135, says the eggs are \mve white. 

 Rather conflicting evidence ! "' 



353. Spatula platalea Vieill. Ked Shoveler. 



The Red Shoveler is resident all the year round, and not 

 nncommon, particnlai-ly on the brackish lagunas nnd eangrc- 

 jales of the Rincones. It is generally found in j)airs, of 

 which there may be sevei-al, or quite a number, on 

 a large laguna; whilst in the autumn I have frequently 

 seen small flocks, never exceeding six or eight birds. It is 

 not shy, nor is it called upon to be so, for it is the least 

 popular of the Duck family from an edible point of view, 

 being spare in flesh and rank in flavour. Hence I have 



