XX 



the attempt. It is hardly necessary to add that last winter 

 hereabouts, in common with the rest of England, was very 

 mild/' 



Mr. Charles E. Pbarson exhibited an interesting clutch 

 of the eggs of the Common Whitethroat [Sylvia cinerea), 

 which showed a remarkable pink tinge. These eggs had 

 been obtained by Mr. F. B. Whitlock near Nottingham. 



Mr. ScLATER read some extracts from a letter received 

 from Mr. Graham Kerr, dated Villa Concepcion, Paraguay, 

 Oct. irth, 1896 [cf. Bull. B. 0. C. above, p. viii). Mr. Kerr 

 had arrived there from Asuncion about three weeks before, 

 and was then about to leave for a JMissionary station in the 

 Gran Chaco, where Lepidosirens (the primary object of the 

 expedition) were said to be abundant. A small steamer 

 would convey him and his companion (Mr. Budgett) 12 leagues 

 up the Paraguay to Caraya Vuelta, whence they would 

 strike across the, Chaco (some six days' journey) westward to 

 their destination. Of birds, Mr. Kerr had observed in the 

 neighbourhood of Concepcion (all quite common) Geothlypis 

 velata, Tachycineta leucurrhoa, Tanagra sayaca, Paroaria 

 capiiata, Coryphospingus cristatus, Amblycercus soJitarius, 

 Cassicus albiro.Hris, Aphobus chopi, Cyanocorax chnjsops, and 

 C. caruleus among the Oscines. Of the Tracheophonfe the 

 most ordinary forms were Tayiioptera ney\geta, T. irupero, 

 Fluvicola albiventris, Pitangas boliviamis, Pyrocephalus rubi- 

 neus, Myinrchns ferox, Milvuhis tyr annus, Furnarius rufus, 

 PhaceUodomus striaticolVis, Xiphocolaptcs major, Picolaptes 

 angustirostris^ and Thamnophilus radiatus. The commonest 

 Picarians were Colaptes agricola, three species of Ceryle, 

 Crotophaga ani, C. major, Diplopterus ncevius, and Ramphastos 

 toco. The ordinary Parrots were Chrysotis cestiva and Bolbo- 

 rhynchus monachus. PoJyborns tharus and Cathartes atratus 

 were plentiful, and also five species of Herons. Amongst 

 ■ the Water-birds jMr. Kerr had noted Phimosus infuscatus, 

 Ajaja rosea, Chauna cristata, and four species of Ducks, 

 besides some well-known Rails, Plovers, and other Waders. 



