44 Vallentin, Notes on the Falkland Islands. 



to line the interior of these nests. Four eggs are usually 

 laid in each nest. The ground colour is greenish, and 

 covered uniformly with streaks and spots of reddish 

 brown. I have four specimens in my collection. They 

 measure i-i^, 35, 36, and 34 mm. respectively in length, by 

 22, 22, 23, and 22 mm. 



Sturnella inilitaris, " Crimson breasted Starling." 

 Locally distributed. I have never seen a single specimen 

 of this species nearer Stanley than in Berkley Sound. 

 This species is common at Roy Cove. I have been in- 

 formed by several observing friends that this starling has 

 been seen in most parts of this archipelago. This is one of 

 the few birds inhabiting these islands with a brilliant 

 plumage, and the crimson coloured breast is certainly most 

 striking. This species does not appear to go in large flocks, 

 twelve being the largest number I have ever observed 

 together at once. I have in my collection five eggs laid by 

 this species. They are oval in outline, the ground colour 

 being white with reddish-brown spots uniformly scattered 

 over the whole surface. They vary but little in length and 

 diameter. The average length of these being 32 mm. 

 and breadth 21 mm. 



Scytalopus magellanicus, " Wren." I have never seen 

 this species. Just before leaving Stanley I was shown 

 the nest of this bird found in the neighbourhood of San 

 Carlos. It was most beautifully constructed of wool and 

 bents of grass interwoven in the most delicate manner, 

 and dome-shaped. The small circular opening was 

 placed on one side, and the eggs, four in number, were 

 white and spotted with red. Unfortunately I did not 

 take their measurements. 



Occasional flocks of swallows, perhaps a species of 

 either Tachycineta or Proaie have been observed from 

 time to time by the dwellers on the West Falklands and 



