160 Mr. E. Gibson on the Ornithology of 
Breeding-Notes.—The only nest I ever saw was taken in 
the heart of a deep swamp, on the 9th of November, and, 
though the bird was not seen, I have little doubt belonged to 
this species. It was built of rushes and water-plants, im a 
similar manner to those of Chauna chavaria, but not so large. 
The three eggs (very much soiled) were of a buff or stone 
ground-colour, with a few small red spots, most abundant 
at the blunt end. Acutely pointed, and average 245 x 13}. 
49. Aramus scotopaceus, Gm. ‘“‘ Viuda loca.” 
The Spanish name, the literal translation of which is “ mad 
widow,”’ is given to this bird by the natives from its sombre 
plumage, solitary habits, and peculiar cry. It is generally 
distributed through the swamps, frequenting the deeper ones 
by preference, and, though usually found singly, may be met 
with in fours and fives, or even as many as twenty. Mr. 
Durnford correctly describes its ‘‘ heavy laborious flight, per- 
formed by slow beats of the wings, which it sometimes raises 
so high as nearly to meet over its back,” but might also have 
added that the legs hang down at an angle of 45°, giving the 
bird a particularly ungainly appearance, and that its flight is 
never prolonged. The cry, more indulged in at night than 
through the day, is a loud, long, melancholy wail, and, heard 
towards the small hours, produces an uncomfortable eerie 
feeling on the hearer. It might be some lost spirit of the 
swamps, or Nickar the soulless himself, shrieking and crying. 
Breeding-Notes.—It breeds in the heart of the swamps, 
building its nest, of dry hunco stems, up from the water, just 
high enough to keep the eggs dry, and with a hollow on the 
top about a foot in diameter. The eggs are of a stone- 
coloured or buff ground, with large blotches and spots of 
either a faded red colour or light rufous brown, varying con- 
siderably in different specimens. The average measurement 
is 216 x 139 (Mr. Durnford gives 228 x 13%). The nesting- 
season lasts from the beginning of August till well on into 
November. 
50. Precapis cuarauna (L.). ‘“ Cuervo,” or Crow. 
Is resident, though not so abundant in the months of May, 
