'S53-] Barrows on Birds of the Lozver Uruguay. i o o 



hollows of fence posts or of trees and stumps. The eggs are 

 nearly white, spotted pretty finely and evenly with brown, j.nd 

 are commonly five in number. This species seems to have no 

 song even during the breeding season. 



37. Cassicus solitarius {VieilL). Boyero (Cow-herd. 

 The significance of this name here is not obvious ; I suspect, 

 however, that it was originally given to the Cowbird {Molothrzis) , 

 and the present species being entirely black has been confounded 

 with that bird). — Only a single specimen taken (Concepcion, 

 October 12, iSSo), but one or two other individuals were seen at 

 about the same time. It is said to be much more abundant a 

 little further up the river and in sections where the heavy swamp 

 forest has not been cleared. According to these persons the 

 song is very rich and beautiful, and I was often assured that 

 single birds were worth as much as ten dollars in Buenos Aires. 



An allied species, Scaphidtirus ater ( VieilL), was not uncom- 

 mon as a cage-bird. It is found along the Upper Uruguay, but 

 has not yet been detected as far south as Concepcion. 



38. Icterus pyrrhopterus {VieilL). — Like the preceding, 

 and with equal inaptness, called Boyero or Boyerito (Little Cow- 

 herd) . 



This species is not abundant, yet was frequently met with, and 

 seems to be resident at Conception through the entire year. They 

 commonly go in pairs, were never seen on the ground or far from 

 the swamps, and hang in any position while feeding on insects or 

 berries. I do not recall ever having heard one sing, but have 

 seen them caged, and they -are credited with a fine song. A nest 

 found December 20, 1S80, contained three nearly fledged young. 

 It was pensile, but only about as deep as broad, was neatly wov- 

 en of fine yellow grass, and suspended among the topmost twigs 

 of a small mimosa at a height of about fifteen feet from the 

 ground. The eggs I did not see. 



39. Molothrus bonariensis {Gm.). Tordo (Thrush, 

 possibly so called because the European Blackbird ( Turdus 7ne- 

 rula) is sometimes so called in Spain, and the present species 

 resembles it in color. It seems probable, however, that the name 

 Tordo belongs to Cassictis solitarius, and the name Boyero, by 

 which that is known, to this species.) 



The common Cowbird abounds at Concepcion through the 

 j-ear, but is rather less abundant in May and June than at other 



