1873.] MR. W. H. HUDSON ON THE ARGENTINE PIPIT. 771 



Same in 



grammes. Swan. 



Pelvis 154-40 26-64 



Humerus 26-32 27-39 



Metacarpal 5-50 7-5 



Femur 65-60 13-59 



Tibia 115-45 2066 



Tarso-metatarse 50-80 1 1-65 



2. Notes on the Habits of the Pipit of the Argentine 

 Republic. By W. Henry Hudson, C.M.Z.S. 



[Received September 15, 1873.] 



With regard to Anthus, I kuow but one in this part of the world, 

 namely the species called by naturalists (certainly for no good rea- 

 son) Anthus correndera. But in plumage and language, possibly in 

 size, it is variable. It is a common bird, widely and plentifully dis- 

 tributed on the pampas, found alike on marshy and dry grounds, 

 but rare in the region of giant grasses. While abundant, it is 

 also very evenly dispersed, each bird spending its life on a very cir- 

 cumscribed spot of earth. Those frequenting loose, moist, or wet 

 grounds are of a yellow cream-colour mottled with fuscous and black ; 

 they have also two narrow parallel white stripes on the back. The 

 birds inhabiting dry grounds are of a dirty white, marked with grey, 

 pale fuscous, and other shades, and are very much paler than the 

 former. They have not the white stripes on the back, and appear 

 larger ; but this appearance is probably due to a looser plumage. 

 The most strongly marked pale and dark varieties may be found living 

 within a few hundred yards of each other ; and where moist and 

 dry grounds meet, intermediate varieties occur. I have said varieties, 

 but presume that variations would be the proper term, as the differ- 

 ences I have mentioned appear to be directly due to the physical con- 

 ditions of life, and are not inherited. 



A sketch of the manners, language, and habits of our Anthus may 

 prove acceptable. 



Azara's only reason for calling it " Correndera" is that he thought 

 it resembled a bird he had seen of that name in Spain, and of which 

 he had but a confused recollection. Its vernacular name "Cachila" 

 is familiar to every man and child throughout the length and breadth 

 of the vast country it inhabits. 



The Cachilas are resident, living in couples all the year round. 

 Several pairs frequent a small area, and sometimes unite in a desul- 

 tory flock ; but these social gatherings are not frequent. In the 

 evening in all seasons, immediately after the sun disappears beneath 

 the horizon, the Cachilas rise to a considerable height and fly wildly 

 about, chirping for a few minutes before retiring to roost. 



The Cachila, Synallaxis anthoides, aud Anumbius (three species 

 found in like situations) possess one habit in common. 



49* 



