320 BIRDS OF LA PLATA 



White obtained specimens among the undergrowth 

 in the dense forests of Campo Ck>lorado^ near Oran, 

 and Dumford also met with it near Salta. 



To Azara's interesting account of the Tataupa's 

 habits nothing has been recently added. He says 

 that this species inhabits woods and thickets, and 

 also approaches houses where it finds cover — hence 

 the Guarani name, which means a domestic bird, 

 or of the house. It lays four eggs of a fine purple 

 colour; and when driven from the nest flutters 

 along the ground, feigning lameness. It sings all 

 the year round, and for power and brilliance of 

 voice is pre-eminent among this class of birds. After 

 the first note of its curious song there is an interval 

 of eight seconds of silence ; then the note is repeated 

 with shorter and shorter intervals, until, becoming 

 hurried, it runs into a trill, followed by a sound 

 which may be written chororb, repeated three or 

 four times. When sitting close it tips forward, 

 pressing its breast on its legs, so that the rump is 

 raised higher than the back, and opening the term- 

 inal feathers of the body, it spreads them in a semi- 

 circle over the back as if to conceal itself beneath 

 them, and when looked at from behind nothing is 

 visible except this fan of feathers. The feathers are 

 concave with points inclining upward, and when thus 

 disposed have a singular and beautiful appearance. 



