Cape San Antonio, Buenos Ayres. 159 
English Heron ; and the ery, seldom uttered, is harsh and 
Heron-like. 
Breeding-Notes.—lt nests in October or November, and 
that singly, not in colonies. The nest is similar to that of 
Ciconia maguari, but slighter, and is also placed in aswamp. 
Four is the largest number of eggs I have taken; they are 
pale blue in colour, rather more pointed in the shape than 
those of the preceding three species, and average 278 x 132. 
47, ARDETTA INVvoLUCRIS (Vieill.). 
Not very common, though more so in some years than in 
others. It is quite solitary in its habits, frequenting the 
high and thick huncos in the deepest swamps ; there it perches 
on rushes, and only rises a few yards from one, to drop again 
after flying a very short distance. The slim body and pecu- 
liarly shaded plumage so perfectly harmonize with the rushes, 
that I never yet saw the bird before it wason the wing. The 
other day one flew up from its perch within three yards of my 
horse’s head, but I only perceived it when it rose. ‘The 
flight is hurried and weak. The cry, a feeble strident note, 
I have only heard from a wounded bird. 
Breeding-Notes.—The nest, two of which only have come 
into my possession, is placed in a deep swamp, and is built 
up from the water, of short little pieces of dry hunco-stems ; 
but of its construction I am doubtful, as the descriptions 
given me of the two above-mentioned nests vary considerably. 
One was taken with four eggs, very much incubated, on the 
30th November, and the other with five, on Ist October. The 
colour of the eggs is rather striking—a pale green, exactly like 
that of a young pea-pod. In size they average 1}} x 1. 
48. Harpiprion c#ruLescens (Vieill.). “ Bandooria.” 
Is not uncommon, but very irregular in its appearances. 
It is generally seen in pairs, either about the swamps or at 
any pool in the plains. The flight is strong, and not unlike 
that of the Curlew; and it has what might be called a similar 
ery, distinguishable at a considerable distance. It is said to 
be very good eating, but requires to be buried in fresh 
earth for twenty-four hours to rid it of the too strong smell 
and taste. 
