do Baurows 071 Birch of the Lower Uruguay. [April 



Go^ondrina, and its appearance after the cold weather is hailed 

 as one of the earliest signs of returning summer. Through Octo- 

 ber and November it breeds at Concepcion wherever it can find 

 a suitable spot, placing its nest of grass, wool, and feathers in 

 any safe cavity about a dwelling-house or shed, or not infrequently 

 in the deserted nest of a Ftirnarius or Anumbius. 



From a nest of the latter bird I took a set of this Swallow's 

 eggs — five in number — on October 30, the parent birds hovering 

 close about my head as I examined the nest. The eggs are pure 

 white. During the mating season the male has a very pretty 

 song not unlike that of the Eastern Bluebird, though not as long, 

 and seldom delivered without interruption. 



15. Atticora cyanoleuca ( Vieill.). — This species was first 

 seen at Concepcion September 4, 1880, when it was observed in 

 considerable numbers, associated with the preceding species, 

 from which it vs^as easily distinguished by its smaller size and the 

 absence of the white rump. For nearly six weeks it was observed 

 here from time to time, but after October 20 it was not noted until 

 at Azul it was found in large flocks January 27, 1S81, seemingly 

 ready to migrate northward. It was seen, however, at Bahia 

 Blanca a few days later and then almost daily until March 28 at 

 Puan, after which it was not again observed. Of its breeding 

 habits I know nothing. 



16. Cotile ruficoUiS {Vieill.). — Abundant at Concepcion 

 through the summer, arriving from the north early in August. 

 It is said to nest in holes in banks, and I once dug out several 

 deserted Swallow's nests supposed to belong to this bird, though 

 none were seen in the neighborhood. The nests were of straw 

 and feathers at the ends of holes about two feet in depth, and in 

 pretty hard earth which formed a bank eight or ten feet high 

 beside a small stream. A bird of this species frequently visited 

 an open and deep well just in front of my door. I repeatedly 

 saw it descend into the well but could never see it come out, or 

 find it within. Probably it hid itself between the stones of the 

 wall where it was prospecting for a home which it failed to find. 



17. Stephanophorus leucocephalus ( K/ez7/. ) . Cardinal 

 IMPERIAL. — A more beautiful bird than this Tanager it would be 

 difficult to find, at least on the Uruguay, and when, in one of 

 those narrow passages between the islands where the trees lean 

 toward each other and solid walls of green rise on either side vour 



