2 A Barrows on Birds of fhe Lotver Uruguay. [January 



have seen a male betray an interest in any particular nest. On 

 removing the eggs (or even one of them) a nest was promptly 

 deserted, but in several cases where the twig was cut off with the 

 nest a new one was soon built on the same tree. 



loi. Podager nacunda ( Vzeill.). Dormilon (Sleepy- 

 head). — An abundant summer resident, arriving and departing 

 at about the same time as the preceding. 



It is strictly crepuscular or nocturnal, never voluntaril}' taking- 

 wing by daylight. In November it lays a pair of spotted eggs in 

 a hollow scooped in the soil of the open plain. These in shape 

 and markings resemble eggs of the Nighthawk ( Chordiles vir- 

 ginianus) somewhat, but are of course much larger and have a 

 distinct reddish tinge. We found the birds not uncommon near 

 Bahia Blanca, February 17, 1881, but elsewhere on the Pampas 

 we did not observe them. 



I03. Chordiles virginianus Sw. — A single specimen was 

 taken at Concepcion January 28, 1880, and eleven months later 

 (Dec. 20, 1880) another was taken on almost the same spot as 

 the first. The first one when started from the ground in a recent 

 clearing tried to alight on the tip of a broken sapling nearby and 

 was shot in the act. 



103. Antrostomus parvulus ( Go?^/^/) . — Not uncommon in 

 summer and doubtless breeds. At dusk I frequently saw it about 

 the margins of low woods and thickets where it made only short 

 flights, soon settling on the ground. 



104. Hydropsalis furcifera ( 1 7e///. ) . Tijerita-Dormilon 

 (ScissoR-TAiLED Sleepy-head) . — Rather common summer re- 

 sident, arriving in August and leaving in May. While hunting 

 capybaras and armadillos by moonlight I frequently had good 

 opportunities for watching its movements. Its flight is nearly as 

 irregular and as noiseless as that of a butterfly, while its beautiful 

 tail is opened and shut in the same manner as with the Scissor- 

 tailed Flycatcher. Alighting frequently on the ground or on 

 stones or roots, it keeps up a continual but very soft clucking, 

 which is the only note uttered. It was most often seen in open 

 grassy or sandy spots in the woods, especially along the margins 

 of the streams. By day it sits close on the ground, and if dis- 

 turbed only flies a few yards, though it evidently sees well. Of 

 its nesting habits and eggs I am ignorant. 



105. ? Hemiprocne zonaris (^y^azc). Swift. — October 5, 



