iSS.v] Barrows on Birds of f/te Loiver Uruguay. 8? 



6. Cistothorus platensis {Lath.). — Only observed on one 

 or two occasions in the half-flooded meadows which border the 

 stream at Carhue. 



7. Anthus correndera {VieilL). — Found everywhere in 

 open ground, singlj- or in pairs in summer, usually in loose flocks 

 in winter. The great variations in color, length of hind claw, 

 etc., have given rise to several named varieties and species, all now 

 referred to this one species. The bird doubtless breeds through- 

 out the whole .country, but I was unable to find a single nest or 

 gain any reliable information as to its breeding habits. Half a 

 dozen difl"erent birds of about the same size and general color are 

 commonly called by the same name — -"Chingolo" — and this 

 bird is rarely distinguished from the common Zonotrichia^ even 

 by the gauchos, who are usually very observant of all living 

 things found on the pampas. 



8. Parula pitiayumi ( Vieill.). — These beautiful little birds, 

 so similar to our own Blue Yellow-backed Warbler, were first 

 noticed at Concepcion July 7, 1S80, when a single female was 

 taken. A few days later they became quite abundant and were 

 occasionally seen afterward until about October i, after which 

 time I did not take any. They were quite partial to blossom- 

 ing trees, especially willows, doubtless attracted by the abundance 

 of insects there. 



One specimen (No. 719) seemed to be abnormal in coloring, 

 showiiig many white feathers in the forehead ; and on skinning, 

 the flesh was found thickly spotted with oval, white lumps about 

 the size of the eggs of the common "blow-fly." These were most 

 numerous toward the surface of the pectoral muscles, but occurred 

 also deeply imbedded in their substance as well as in the muscles 

 of wings and legs. It was not practicable to examine their struc- 

 ture with the microscope until the next day, when decomposition 

 was so far advanced that little could be made out. In all prob- 

 ability, however, they were the encysted larvse of some parasitic 

 worm, though whether they had anything to do with the abnor- 

 mal plumage is an open question. 



Of the breeding habits of this species nothing was learned, 

 nor was the bird met with at other points visited. 



9. Geothlypis velata ( Vieill.). — Abundant in low, bushy 

 ground from early October until late in January, and doubtless 

 breeds. On November 6, 1879, a gaucho brought me a set of 



