152



is very conspicuous. I have had one of this species for about

two years in an indoor aviary, and find it easily kept on ordinary

soft food, and a decidedly entertaining bird.


Also among reed beds is to be seen occasionally a smaller

Starling like bird, black with half the wings, beak, and cheeks

white; it only occurs singly and is shy and difficult to observe

closely. It has a rather melodious note. Here too the Yellow¬

shouldered Starling (Aglacus thilius) occurs somewhat sparingly.


The Chingolo Song Sparrow (Zonotrichia pileata ) is a very

common bird on the grass lands, and is constantly seen perching

on the wire fences along the woodsides. Of Finches, I only

recognised the Green Cardinal, Diuca, and a species of Sycalis,

probably both A. arvensis and A. pelzelni.


The Spur Wing Lapwing is frequent in pairs on the open

ground. They go by the native name of Tern teru. These birds

guard their particular domain with great jealousy, and should

you trespass on their land they will pursue you, shrieking wildly,

as they circle round your head almost striking you with their

wings; it is said, indeed that they will sometimes inflict a not

inconsiderable wound with the spurs with which their wings are

armed.


In wet places I saw small flocks of Ibis-like birds, about

the size of the Glossy Ibis, but blacker in colour and rather

clumsier in build ; they were rather shy, and it was not possible to

get a very close view of them. Of Cranes, I noticed two species ;

one black, the other grey and white. The latter was often a very

conspicuous object perched on the top of some low tree or bush.

I once caught sight of a Kingfisher, but it was only a momentary

glimpse in the shade, and I could not distinguish its colouring.


Pigeons and Doves were abundant, but I have never been

interested in these birds and could give no guess as to their

identity.


I must not omit to mention the Rhea, though those I saw

were not wild but in a state of semi-domestication in a large

park, which, however, gave all the effect of wildness to these

noble looking birds.


I saw no Tanagers or Humming Birds, though I was told

that the latter are very frequently to be seen about flowering

trees and shrubs in the hot weather in January and February.

Occasionally I observed a little brownish bird flitting about in

the shade of shrubs, probably one of the Wood Hewers.


As an ardent Aviculturist, I, of course, diligently fre¬

quented the bird shops of Buenos Aires, of which there are



