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Sydney Porter—Notes from South America



aggressive and in the breeding season they will not hesitate to attack

anything which approaches the nest. They are very much in evidence

on the pampas, their habits seem very much the same as the European

Lapwing, except that they do not seem to flock and their demeanour

is much more obtrusive. They become very attached to certain

territories and never leave them ; hence when once they are domiciled

in a garden they “ stay put ” as our American friends say. There were

many of these birds at liberty in the Buenos Aires Zoo, which came up

to visitors in the hopes of some tit-bits or scraps left over from a picnic

lunch. I didn’t see anyone feeding them on peanuts, as they doubtless

would have done had they have been in the London Zoo !


The other bird, the Ypecaha Rail, is a bird of outstanding personality,

and in its bold and aggressive demeanour reminds one of the Wekas of

New Zealand. It is a large bird about the size of a Fowl. Although not

possessing any brilliant colours, it is a very beautiful bird. There w'ere

quite a few loose in the Buenos Aires Zoo and these seemed very

aggressive, coming up and snatching food from the hands of the visitors,

especially from children who were perhaps eating a biscuit or piece of

chocolate. When these birds are not persecuted they become very

bold, entering villages and even houses. I would have liked to have

brought a pair of both species home with me, but they are noted for

their extreme loquacity. The noise this bird can make is well-nigh

incredible, so I had to desist for unfortunately I am continually

receiving letters from irate neighbours threatening law proceedings if

I do not keep my birds quiet, but I can hardly blame them, for the calls

of either Eclectus or Argus Pheasants are hardly soothing to one’s

nerves !



(To be continued.)



