28 Barrows 07i Birds of the Lotver Uruguay. [Jamwry 



117. Coccyzus pumilus Strickl. — This small Cuckoo with 

 red eyelids was twice taken at Concepcion, once on December 11, 

 and again December 30. 



iiS. Coccyzus melanocoryphus F«'e?7/. Cuclillo (Cuck- 

 oo). — Abundant from early in November until late in February, 

 after which it was not observed. The first nest was found Feb- 

 ruary 16, 1880, and contained three eggs. This must have been a 

 second nest, as others were found the next season during Novem- 

 ber. In nest, eggs, and general habits this bird seemed to me 

 precisely like Coccyzzts ainericanus. 



119. Coccyzus cinereus Vieill. — A single specimen of this 

 species was taken January 32, 1S80. It was not again noticed. 



120. Conurus patagonus {VieilL). Loro (Pakrot). — 

 Only met with near Bahia Blanca, February 14, 1881, and again 

 at Carhue the first week in April. We found it in noisy flocks of 

 twenty or thirty individuals feeding mostly on the ground. 



121. Bolborhynchus monachus {Bodd.). Lorito (Paro- 

 quet). — An abundant and familiar bird in the neighborhood of 

 Concepcion through the entire j^ear. It is commonly seen in 

 flocks of twenty and upwards, visiting grain fields, gardens, etc., 

 and sometimes, if I was correctly informed, it has appeared in 

 flocks of tens of thousands, completely stripping the grain fields. 

 They nest in communities, many pairs uniting in the building 

 of a large common nest or mass of nests. I only saw these nests 

 on two occasions and had no opportunity of examining their 

 structure. They were placed on high trees, and appeared from 

 below to be simply irregular masses, six or eight feet in diameter, 

 formed of small sticks and twigs. Where the nests are abun- 

 dant the natives destroy the young by hundreds, ihid the "squabs" 

 when nearly grown are said to be very fine eati'ng. The young- 

 are easily tamed and may be taught to articulate a few simple 

 words. 



Several other birds of this family undoubtedly occur in small 

 numbers, and with more or less regularity at Concepcion. I 

 heard much about certain "Loros barranquevos" (Bank Parrots), 

 which were said to be common in some localities near the town a 

 few years before, but had been made to desert their breeding- 

 places by the continued robbing of their nests, the young, it is 

 said, making very good talkers. 



November 6, 1880, I found a nest of three or four very yoimg 



