go BIRDS OF LA PLATA 



Vultures abundant, especially near the settlement of 

 El Carmen, where, attracted by the refuse of the 

 cattle-slaughtering establishments, they congregated 

 in immense numbers, and were sometimes seen 

 crowded together in thousands on the trees, where 

 they roosted. Darwin observed them at the same 

 place, and has described their soaring habits at 

 considerable length. 



The following account of the nesting habits of 

 this species is given by Mr. John J. Dalgleish 

 (Proc, Roy. Phys, Soc. Edin,, vi. 237) : " The eggs 

 seldom, if ever, exceed two in number, and are 

 usually laid in a hollow tree or on the ground. Their 

 average weight is about a pound. They are slightly 

 larger than those of the Turkey Buzzard, although 

 the latter is a bigger bird. The ground colour is of 

 a yellowish white, with blotches of dark reddish 

 brown, and smaller markings of a lilac shade. These 

 markings are generally more numerous at the larger 

 end." 



BRAZILIAN CORMORANT 



Phalacrocorax brasilianas 



Black, glossed with metallic green ; bill and naked skin of the face 

 yellow ; length 30 inches, wing 12 inches. Female similar ; young 

 brown, cheeks whitish and breast white. 



This appears to be the only Cormorant met with 

 on the coasts and inland waters of South America, 

 north of Buenos Ayres ; but two other species are 

 found in southern Chili and Patagonia, which may 



