153 
of the Falkland Islands . 
nest, which was neatly formed, was composed of dry grass, and 
contained two eggs. I have also found the nest of this bird 
amongst the rocks. I do not believe that it ever lays more 
than two eggs. 
8. Cistothorus platensis (Gm.). (Wren.) 
How singular it is that this little bird should exist in such a 
place as the Falklands, where, if disturbed on a windy day, its 
power of flight is so weak that it is carried away by the wind ! 
Whenever I wanted a specimen of this bird, I always followed it 
and knocked it down with my cap as it was creeping through 
the grass like a mouse. I have never been able to find its nest. 
This Wren must have a game scent, as my dog has sometimes 
pointed to it when after Snipe. 
9. Anthus correndera, Vieill. (Titlark.) 
I suppose that this bird leaves East Falkland about the end 
of April, after having finished breeding; at any rate I have never 
in all my wanderings seen one of them later than this period of 
the year. They return to the vicinity of Stanley about Sep¬ 
tember, and breed in the beginning of October, laying three 
eggs in an open cup-shaped nest at the root of the long grass. 
10. Sturnella milttarts (Gm.). (Red-breasted Starling.) 
This Starling, which is very common in East Falkland, begins 
to breed in the first week in October. The nest is built amongst 
long grass or rushes. It is rather deep, but open at the top, and 
not domed over, and generally contains three eggs. This bird 
sits on a bush and sings very sweetly on a summer’s morning. 
11. Phrygilus melanoderus (Q. et G.). (Sparrow.) 
This bird, which is called f The Sparrow 9 in East Falkland 
Island, is plentiful everywhere, summer and winter. It breeds 
in the latter end of September and beginning of October, laying 
three eggs in a nest situated under the shelter of a tuft of grass. 
In the winter the plumage of the male loses all its rich colour 
and assimilates to that of the female. Of the second so-called 
species of this genus, Phrygilus ocanthogrammus , I know nothing, 
and I do not believe it different from the former. 
VOL. in. 
M 
