'SS3-], Barrows on Birds of the Lovjer Uruguay. IA\ 



1880, which had these parts perfectly bare, and of a bright 

 orange-red color. As this was the breeding season I can only 

 suppose that the feathers are lost from these parts at that time, 

 and not regained until the entire moult takes place. The birds 

 seem to prefer high grass and weeds in wet open ground. 



55. Sisopygis icterophrys ( F/e///.).— Not uncommon in 

 open woods and bushy places through the entire year. A nest 

 found December 24 was a rather shallow affair, built of twio-s, 

 weed-stalks, etc., and lined with wool and soft vegetable mate- 

 rials. It was placed on the horizontal branch of a bush over- 

 hanging the VN^ater, on the edge of a swamp, and contained 

 three eggs nearly ready to hatch. Their color was white, with 

 a few (in one case only five or six) large dots and splashes of 

 brown. 



56. Cnipolegus cyanirostris {VieilL). — Apparently only 

 a migrant, as but three specimens were taken, one September 

 29, 1879, and one each on September 26 and 29, 1880. 



57. Lichenops perspicillatus {Gm.). Viudita negra 

 (Little Black Widow). — Abundant at Concepcion in summer 

 and many winter there. The plumage of the adult male is 

 glossy black, the outer primaries alone being partly white. This 

 would make a very pretty little "widow" did not the yellow 

 appendages or outgrowths on the eye-lids give the bird such a gro- 

 tesque appearance. They are bright yellow, as are also the irides 

 and bill, so that even at long range it is impossible to mistake 

 the bird for any other. They frequent the tall grass and reeds 

 in wet places and are never found far from water. While they 

 frequently go to the ground for insects, and even hop about there 

 considerably, they only seem really at home when swaying on 

 the long grass or perched on the top of some swamp shrub. In 

 warm, quiet weather, even in winter, the male has a habit of 

 flying perpendicularly upward from such a perch and returning 

 ao-ain instantly. So quickly is the action performed that although 

 he must rise to a height of ten or fifteen feet, not more than a 

 single second is occupied in it. It looks precisely as if the bird 

 were shot up by a spring and pulled back by an elastic, as in 

 the case of a toy return-ball. A little quavering whistle is heard 

 at the same time, and I suspect it is partly due to the action ot 

 the wings. The performance is doubtless an act of display for 

 the benefit of the female, or a challenge to other males. It cer- 



