The Riifo2cs Tinainoji. 91 
speed tliiough the tall grasses of the Pampas and is difficult to 
flush hut, when forced to rise, flies powerfully and with strident 
whirring of the wings. The eggs are purple and, as with the 
rest of the Tinamous, so highl)^ polished that they cannot he 
mistaken for those of any other genus. It is said| to utter some 
flute-like notes, almost worthy to be called a song, several in- 
dividuals combining in a kind of chorus. 
Some further data may be added here which I have ex- 
tracted from a private letter from Mr. H. F. Teschemaker, to 
whom I am much iiuiehled for the kind gift of the Tinamous. 
"They inhabit a large portion of the Argentine, though they are 
found chiefly on the flat country, in the Provinces of Santa F6, 
Cordoba, Buenos Ayres, Pampa Central and San Luis. There is 
another very similar species called the " copetoyi " which carries a 
large crest and is more difficult to flush, running a long way 
before rising. This latter appears to be more numerous in the 
South of the Province of Buenos Ayres and in the liills in the 
North West, as I never saw one in the Province of Santa Fe 
iluring all the years I have been in Argentine. The birds I have 
sent you, which we call " Marliiielasy have rather a slow flight, but 
get up quickly and give fair sport. Their eggs are very curious 
and have the appearance of finelj' glazed china. They are 
■ol)long, shaped alike at l)()th ends and in size about equal to a 
pullet's. They have been fed on corn and turnips." 
My four birds were in sound condition, but one was rather 
bare on the back and two others had also lost some plumage in 
the great heat encountered passing through the tropics. It is 
curious that these lost plumes had been replaced by a thick 
growth of almost white feathers which of course greatly detract- 
ed from their appearance. However, they gradually cast these 
and are now (26th May) once more hand.somely barred. Shortly 
after their arrival they uttered some weird call notes but ever 
since they have remained absolutely mute. 
For two months the Tinamous were kept in a large loft, 
where ihey soon became wonderfully tame. Thej' would feed 
from the hand and could easily l)e picked up and tucked under 
one's arm to which position they resigned themselves with as 
much equanimity as the Flamingoes in that wonderful croquet- 
