on Aviculture in Paraguay.



189



continued to be abundant for some time, it doubtless grew to be a

fine healthy bird.


A Wood Partridge (Odontophorus cwpueira), a bird of un¬

sociable nature, was not a success. This “ Uru,” as the Guranis

call it, was captured when adult, and flatly refusing all sustenance

moped with its head in the corner of its box. So after twenty-

four hours’ captivity the bird was liberated.


Every country in South America seems to possess what may

be termed the “ national tame bird.” In Argentina it would appear

to be the Cardinal ( Paraoria cucullata) ; in the coast region of Peru

the “ Huarakeke ( Burhinus superciliaris ); in Veirezuela the Sun

Bittern (Eurypyga helias), and certainly in Paraguay it is the

Whistling Heron ( Syrigma sibilatrix), the “ Quarah-mimbi ” (mean-

in “Child of the sun”) of the Guaranis. It is appreciated not for

its beauty only. The idea of the natives, that it destroys beetles,

cockroaches, etc., is probably correct. But large indeed would be

the flock necessary to make an impression on a Paraguayan

“ rancho.” Many of these birds were always for sale in the Hotel

in Villa Rica, where rich Argentines come to spend the winter.

Several other species were also kept, Egrets ( Egretta egretta),

Curassows and Guans ( Graz sclateri and Or tali.s canicollis),

Cariamas ( Gariama cristata ), “ Teru-terus ” (Belonopterus grisescens).

No great trade can have been done in -these last, since they swarm

throughout Argentina. From this Hotel on returning south a King

Vulture was bought. He was an interesting bird, and his first feat

was to escape from his cage on the docks in Asuncion. Luckily his

powers of flight were as yet merely sufficient to provide exercise for

the obese, which infirmity was prominent in our two porters ; and he

w r as not very easily secured. On arrival at his destination he was

given complete liberty and soon became very tame, and would pull

one’s bootlaces or take one’s hand and hold it in his beak. As his

wings grew stronger he developed a most unbirdlike “ trait.” Small

Tinamous ( Nothura maculosa) abound in most parts of Argentina,

and in that locality they were sufficiently abundant. So, when

shooting, no great distance had to be covered before the first was

flushed. At the near sound of a gun-shot the Vulture would

immediately fly towards the shooter and attempt to perch on his



