190 On Aviculture in Paraguay.


shoulders, and would follow up shot after shot in this manner for

some distance. The favourite perch of this bird was on the highest

point of the roof, where he could be seen in the early morning

motionless with wings widespread, as if to catch the fullest warmth

of the first rays of the sun ; a well-known position of all the South

American Vultures. He was discovered one day dead, and a post¬

mortem examination disclosed a badly contused skull. The assassin

was never discovered.


Amongst birds of interest to aviculturists and easily to be

obtained may be mentioned Blue Tanagers (Thraupis sayaca ),

Yellow Tanagers (Tangara flava), the Long-tailed Manakin Chiroxi-

phia caudata ) ; various members of the Troupial family, of which

perhaps the most interesting was the Red-rumped Cacique (Cacicus

aphanes). Previous to arrival these birds had actually had a

nesting colony in the garden. The remains of their swinging nests

were still to be seen but the birds themselves had unhappily been

scared away, though they frequently returned in small parties, as if

to view the site of their former home. There was a whole colony

about half-a-mile away on the edge of the forest, possibly the same

tribe. The beautiful Magpie Tanager (Cissopis minor) and the

perhaps even more lovely Swallow Tanagers (Procnias caerulea)

were amongst the rarer birds. Of the former only two were seen in

fifteen months ; the latter were migratory and common only for

about a fortnight in two consecutive years in September. They

were in small flocks and kept to the tops of the tallest possible trees,

feeding on a small black fruit.


The comparative prices of birds in their native countries may

be of interest to aviculturists. The Red Macaw referred to cost 5/- ;

the Yellow one, 8/4; the King Vulture, 16/8. But it must be

remembered that these were birds particularly appreciated by the

Paraguayans themselves, and in Asuncion would probably have

cost double as much. The average price of smaller birds, such as

Tanagers, Trupials, Finches, etc., may be fairly put at 1/-. The

Jay was bought for one Paraguayan paper dollar, worth at the

time 4d. A Curassow (Crax sclateri) was once offered to the writer

for 6/8.


A more ideal country than Paraguay for aviculture can



