91 Mv. E, Gibson o)i tin; Ornithology of [Ibis, 



38. Tanagra bonariensis Gm. Blue-aud-Yellow Tanager. 



Claude Grant's stron"- belief in tbe local nidification of 

 tbis species bas been justified. This season (1918-1919) 

 bas afforded me tbe opportunity of examining four nests, 

 one of wbicb contained a clutcb of tbree eggs. 



Two circumstances may bave militated against any previous 

 discovery : tbe position of tbe site cbosen and tbe late period 

 of incubation. It will probably be found tbat the summit 

 of tbe practically inaccessibly dense and thorny Coronillo 

 tree is a favourite situation, as I bave found it to be with 

 the equally conspicuous Guira Cuckoo (Guira piririgua 

 Vieill.), and tbat tbe season is when tbe summer is at its 

 full. 



All four nests were at a height of from ten to thirty feet 

 from tbe ground ; those from Linconia garden being 

 situated respectively in an Australian wattle, a quince, and 

 an orange tree ; tbe Yngleses type in tbe top of a Coronillo 

 tree. The structure is irregular and untidy, yet gives the 

 impression of a vast amount of laboured design and execii- 

 tion, secure whilst in situ, but incohesive on removal. The 

 outside measurements are al)out 0x4^ inches, and the cavity 

 may be either shallow as in tlie Linconia nests, or cup- 

 shaped as in mine. The materials vary according to circum- 

 stances, the i)rinciple adopted being tbat of twigs on the 

 outside, then a very large quantity of the dry wire-like 

 leaves of the Casuarina (failing which, horsehair) woven 

 circularly with infinite and meticnlons care ; and finally, in 

 the first cases, tbe lining completed with horsehair. On 

 tbe whole, it is a nest sui (jeneris ; and, once seen, not 

 likely to fail of subsequent recognition. 



The nesting - season may be taken to range from 

 20 December to 16 February, to judge from this series. 

 The nest with eggs was taken on 8 February. 



Unfortunately tbe eggs in my nest were destroyed by the 

 Cow-bird. Two of the Linconia nests contained only eggs 

 of tbis parasite. But tbe third had tbe clutcb alluded to ; 

 and I am indebted to the kindness of the lucky collector 

 (and discoverer of all four nests), Mr. L. J. Runnacles, for 

 an opportunity of furnishing the exact description. At 



