Cape San Antonio, Buenos Ayres. a7 
The eggs never exceed three in number. The average 
measurement is #4x 7°. They are rather smaller copies of 
those of P. bellicosus, beg of a pale yellow ground, with 
reddish spots, which, however, are more equally distributed 
over the egg. ‘The shell is very fragile also. 
30. PyrRocEPHALUS RUBINEUS. 
Mr. Durnford quotes the native name of this species as 
““Chirinchi,” while here it is known as the “ Militario.” 
It also is common enough, being, like the last, a summer 
visitor, but arriving earlier, from the 21st of September to 
7th of October, according to the state of the season. The 
old birds leave again in the beginning of February, while the 
young remain till the middle of April. Compare, as formerly, 
with Mr. Durnford’s Baradero notes :—“ Arriving in Sep- 
tember and leaving in April. Old birds leave us at begin- 
ning of february, young remaining till middle of April.” The 
young, on leaving the nest, resemble the female. 
With, perhaps, the exception of Paroaria cucullata, P. ru- 
bineus is the most beautiful bird we possess. As I have come 
upon a male in the woods, perched on some low stump or 
branch at the edge of a glade, it has seemed to burn and 
glow in the bright sunlight like a live coal. It catches and 
arrests one’s eyes instantaneously, though a hundred yards 
away. 
The flight, as becomes one of its Flycatcher-like habits, is 
very rapid, but short; and it generally has some favourite 
perch, to which it returns after each excursion in pursuit of 
a fly or other insect. While uttering its “trilling song, a 
silvery bell-like sound,” as Mr. Hudson fitly describes it, it 
rises like the Lark, though not so high; and also while 
descending the wings remain expanded, are held high above 
their usual level, and have a tremulous motion imparted to 
them. Another note which it has, particularly when the 
nest is threatened, is similar to the pink, pink of the Chaffinch 
- on lke occasions. ‘i 
It is insectivorous of course; and I have found in the crop 
remains of various small beetles. 
