The Start 35 



starlings sought to escape observation by crouching on 

 the ground so that their red breasts were hidden. There 

 were yellow-shouldered blackbirds in wet places, and cow- 

 buntings abounded. 



But the most conspicuous birds I saw were members 

 of the family of tyrant flycatchers, of which our own 

 king-bird is the most familiar example. This family is 

 very numerously represented in Argentina, both in spe- 

 cies and individtials. Some of the species are so striking, 

 both in color and habits, and in one case also in shape, 

 as to attract the attention of even the unobservant. The 

 least conspicuous, and nevertheless very conspicuous, 

 among those that I saw was the bientevido, which is 

 brown above, yellow beneath, with a boldly marked 

 black and white head, and a yellow crest. It is very 

 noisy, is common in the neighborhood of houses, and 

 builds a big domed nest. It is really a big, heavy king- 

 bird, fiercer and more powerful than any northern king- 

 bird. I saw them assail not only the big but the small 

 hawks with fearlessness, driving them in headlong flight. 

 They not only capture insects, but pounce on mice, small 

 frogs, lizards, and little snakes, rob birds' nests of the 

 fledgling young, and catch tadpoles and even small fish. 



Two of the tyrants which I observed are like two 

 with which I grew fairly familiar in Texas. The scissor- 

 tail is common throughout the open country, and the 

 long tail feathers, which seem at times to hamper its 

 flight, attract attention whether the bird is in flight or 

 perched on a tree. It has a habit of occasionally soar- 

 ing into the air and descending in loops and spirals. 

 The scarlet tyrant I saw in the orchards and gardens. 



