672 MR. HUDSON ON THE BIRDS OF BUENOS AYRES. [Nov. 1, 
perfectly alike; while the eggs of Molothrus badius, as well as those 
of M. bonariensis, show great diversity in size, shape, and markings, 
and there is a corresponding irregularity in the breeding-habits of 
the birds. But I will say no more on this subject now, as I desire to 
give you a fuller account of the Molothrus badius. 
“«‘ This bird is here called ‘Ala-canela,’ and by casual observers is 
frequently taken for the female of the M. bonariensis, resembling it 
much in size and colour; but it is a much prettier bird. It inva- 
riably goes in small flocks of about ten or fifteen individuals, and 
remains with us the whole year, but in the cold season travels about 
a great deal from place to place. It is fond of keeping about houses, 
if trees are near them, and is frequently seen clinging to and pecking 
fresh meat hung out of doors. Its language is varied; and it has 
different notes to call its companions, to express alarm, and when 
about to fly or sing. When flying it utters frequently a peculiarly 
long, loud, and melodious note, that may be heard half a mile off on 
still days. Its song is low, sweet, and varied ; and all the individuals 
of the flock sing together. 
“They have a pleasant habit in winter of gathering on the sunny 
side of a woodpen, outhouse, or other sheltered place, and singing 
often for an hour or more without ceasing. 
“* Few birds affect concealment and fear of man less than this 
species. It is seldom quiet, and never alone, sociability being its 
predominating trait. But in other species this quality, however 
strong, is during the breeding-season overcome by the more powerful 
attachment of the sexes; in the Ala-canela, as far as my observa- 
tions extend, the first is almost, and often quite, as strong as the 
last; and this circumstance introduces no little confusion into its 
breeding-habits. It often happens that the flock does not break up 
in spring, and on such occasions they entertain a promiscuous sexual 
intercourse. Sometimes they pair and construct a nest of slender 
sticks lined with hair, rather high up in the smaller branches of a 
tree, and lay four or five mottled eggs. A pair of them will some- 
times seize the nest of the Lerratero (Anumbius acuticaudatus), and 
either lay in it or build their own nest on the top of it. 
«‘T once observed a pair of them incessantly fighting for several 
days with a couple of Lerrateros for the nest of the latter. After 
they had got possession of it, I found under the tree five dead half- 
fledged young Lerrateros, cast out by the merciless intruders: con- 
sidering the narrow entrance and great depth of the nest, this could 
not have been an easy feat. Another time I observed a flock of 
eight or ten individuals take possession of a nest, and build one of 
their own on the top of it, though no larger than for a single pair. 
They appeared to live very amicably together ; and after a few days 
I took fourteen eggs from the nest. The birds manifested great 
anxiety while I was in the tree; but the eggs were perfectly cold ; 
probably more would have been laid. The erratic habits of this 
bird are very puzzling, and will, perhaps, afford a fertile theme to 
the pens of future naturalists. 
«IT once observed a pair of young Ala-canelas following a Yellow- 
