iSS3-] Barrows on Birds of the Loxver Uruguay. Q I 



boat, you see a pair of these blue beauties swaying on a slender 

 bush and showing at each turn of the head the snowy crown with 

 its little dash of garnet, while the whole picture lies mirrored in 

 the quiet water, it requires a prompt choking of all poetic feeling 

 to make sure of your bird. Otherwise the next instant may find 

 you looking vacantly at the swaying twig and wondering where 

 the birds — and your senses — are. Although shy and suspicious 

 the birds are really plenty enough, and after you learn where to 

 look for them you may find them in pairs at Concepcion any day 

 in the year. Somewhere among these river-fringes the nest must 

 be built, yet it was always sought in vain. 



The male during the breeding season has a strong, sweet wai"- 

 ble recalling that of the Pine Gi'osbeak, but at other times both 

 sexes are very silent, giving only a faint, quick chirp of alarm 

 as they disappear. 



i8. Tanagra striata ( G«^z.). Naranjero (Orange Bird) . 

 — This well known and widely distributed species is abundant at 

 Concepcion through the year and many undoubtedly breed there, 

 but I did not meet with the nest. When seen at a little distance 

 and in motion this bird alwavs reminded me of the Baltimore 

 Oriole, to which, indeed, it bears no little resemblance both in 

 color and action. 



The name "Naranjero" comes from a popular belief that the 

 bird feeds on ripe oranges, and is given to several different birds 

 which frequent the orange trees more or less. I have never seen 

 any evidence, however, of any of the fruit being eaten by them. 



19. Tanagra cyanoptera Vieill. Naranjero Azul (Blue 

 Orange Bird) . — The least common of the Tanagers, but oc- 

 casionally observed, both summer and winter, A female taken 

 November 6 had evidently just finished incubating. 



30. Pyranga saira ( Spix.) . — But little more abundant than 

 the preceding, perhaps really not as plenty, but its red dress 

 makes it much more conspicuous. It was only observed during 

 the early spring, and no evidence of its ever breeding in the 

 vicinity of Concepcion was obtained. The specimens observed 

 were silent, sluggish, and not very wary. 



21. Saltator aurantiirostris Vieill. Juan-chivirro 

 (imitation of its note) . — The voice of this bird is much better 

 known than his form. It would be impossible for one to row 

 along the woody shore of the Uruguay a hundred yards in spring- 



