180 BIRDS OF LA PLATA 
first blow on the wood the snake flew into two 
pieces. A mouse gives it a great deal of trouble, 
for after it has been killed it cannot be devoured 
until reduced by repeated blows to a soft pulp, 
after which it is with great labour pulled to pieces 
and eaten. Snails and Ampullariz are also pounded 
until the shell breaks. In spring they sometimes 
join the train of Hooded Gulls, Guira Cuckoos, 
Cow-birds, and various other kinds which follow 
the plough to pick up worms and larve ; but on the 
ground the Bienteveo is awkward in its motions, for 
it cannot run like the Tyrant-birds of terrestrial 
habits, but only hops. At estancia houses, when a 
cow is slaughtered, it comes in with the fowls, 
Carrion Hawks, and dogs, for small pickings, being 
very fond of fresh meat. It is a common thing to 
see a Bienteveo following a rural butcher’s cart, and 
waiting for an opportunity to dash in and carry off 
any small piece of meat or fat it is able to detach. 
In the autumn they feed very much on ripe fruit, 
preferring grapes, which they can swallow whole, 
and figs, which are soft and easily devoured. 
In its nidification the Bienteveo also departs widely 
from the, so to speak, traditional habits of its con- 
geners; for whereas most Tyrants make shallow 
nests, this species makes a very big elaborate domed 
structure, and sometimes takes five or six weeks to 
complete it. It is placed in a tree, without any 
attempt at concealment, and is about a foot deep 
and eight or nine inches broad, and composed of a 
variety of soft materials, chiefly wool. The entrance 
