198 BIRDS OF LA PLATA 
country in Europe, where as a boy he knew the wild 
bird life and where a bird which inspires affectionate 
admiration in the country people is sometimes called 
by a human name. As a rule it is a Christian name, 
as in the case of our Robin, in England, which in 
Norway is called Peter, and our Jack—we have 
several Jacks—and our Margaret or Mag, and our 
Peggy and Kitty and Jenny. The Alonzo Garcia is 
specially favoured in having both a Christian and 
asurname. I have often been assured by natives that 
the Hornero is a religious bird and always suspends 
his labours on a Sunday and on all holy days. 
It is resident, pairs for life, and finds its food, 
which consists of larve and worms, exclusively on 
the ground. It delights in open places, where it can 
move freely about on the ground; and is partial 
to court-yards, clean garden-walks, etc., where, with 
head thrown back and bosom prominent, it struts 
along with an air of great gravity, lifting its foot high 
at each step, and holding it suspended for a moment 
in the air before setting it firmly down. I once saw 
one fly down on to a narrow plank about ten feet 
long lying out on the wet grass; it walked gravely 
to the end of the plank, then turned, and deliberately 
walked back to the other end, and so on for about 
twenty times, appearing to take the greatest pleasure 
in the mere act of promenading on a smooth, level 
surface. When disturbed, the Oven-bird has a loud 
monotonous note of alarm or curiosity, which never 
fails to bring all its fellows within hearing distance 
to the spot. The movements of a fox, weasel, or cat 
