Through the Brazilian IVildcnicss. 
169 
everywhere; they were very noisy and active, and botli inquisi- 
tive and daring-, and they have a very curious dance custom. 
No man need look for tliem. They will look for him. and when 
Aey find him they will fairly yell the discovery to the universe. 
In the marshes of lower Parana 1 saw flocks of Scarlet-headed 
Blackbirds on the tops of the reeds; the females are as strikingly 
coloured as the males, and their jet-black bodies and brilliant red 
heads make it impossible for them to escape observation among 
their natural surroundings. On the plains I saw flocks of the 
beautiful Rose-breasted Starlings ; unlike the Ked-headed Black- 
birds, which fairly seemed to court attention, these 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 species and 
individuals. Some of the species are so striking, both in 
colour 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 neighbourhood 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 fearless- 
ness, 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 small Tyrants which I observed are like two 
with which I grew fairly familiar in Texas. The Sissor-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 soaring into the air and descending in 
