1882.] FROM THE ARGENTINE REPUBLIC. 593 



having shot and wounded one, I found its cries attract other birds, so 

 that I had no difficulty in securing seven or eight other desirable 

 species, whereas before they would not show themselves. 



3. TuRDUS FUSCATER, Lafr. et d'Orb. 



c?. City of Catamarca, Arg. Rep., Aug. 7, 1880. 



2 . Fuerte de Andalgala, Catamarca, Arg. Rep., Sept. 9, 1880. 



Iris brown. 



1 have noticed this bird in the provinces of Mendoza, San Juan, 

 San Luis, Cordova, and Catamarca, where it is much esteemed 

 as a cage-bird on account of its beautiful whistle. In Mendoza it 

 goes by the name of Sorsal, in Catamarca and Cordova by that of 

 Merlo, and in Andalgala Chocoyno ; in the last mentioned place it is 

 seen generally about the hedges round the town. In Catamarca, 

 however, it is only observed during winter and spring. The 

 Italians settled in the town of Mendoza are very fond of its flesh, 

 and are rapidly exterminating it in that neighbourhood. 



4. MiMus TRiURUs, Vieill. 



2 . Flores, B. Aires, Arg. Rep., Jan. 24, 1882. 

 Iris stone-colour. 



This bird is rare near Buenos Aires. 



5. MiMUs cALANDRiA (Lafr. et d'Orb.). 



S . Fuerte de Andalgala, Catamarca, Arg. Rep., Sept. 9, 1880. 

 2 . San Jose de Flores, Buenos Aires, Arg. Rep., April 1, 1881. 



The native name of this bird, which is found all over the 

 Republic, is Calandria. It delights to frequent shrubby plains, 

 flying from the top of one tree to another. This is a song-bird of 

 great capacity, having a great range of notes, being able to vary them 

 so that it is mistaken for other birds. The grape-crops in 

 Andalgala suffer much from the ravages of this bird. The breeding- 

 season in Buenos Aires lasts from October to the end of January. 



The nest, which is built of twigs and neatly lined with horsehair, 

 has an exterior height of 5 to 6 inches and an exterior diameter of 

 from 4 to 5 inches, with a depth of about 4 inches in the interior 

 cup. Four eggs are laid in a clutch. The ground-colour is a light 

 blue, thickly sprinkled with small rufous spots throughout. Mea- 

 surement : axis 27 millim., diam. 20 millim. 



6. PoLioPTiLA DUMICOLA (Vieill.). 



d and 2 . Monte Grande, B. Aires, Arg. Rep., Jan. 2, 1881. 

 Iris sepia. 



I found this bird tolerably abundant amongst the tala groves at 

 Monte Grande. 



7. Troglodytes furvus (Gm.). 



d and 2 • San Jose de Flores, B. Aires, Arg. Rep., March 23 

 1881. 

 Iris dark. 



40* 



