Neighbourhood of Buenos Ayres. 163 
AnATIDAL 
Two Swans ( Cygnus nigricollis and C. coscoroba) are occa¬ 
sionally to be seen at this time (Oct. 15th), usually flying 
southwards, most of them having left for breeding-quarters. 
Querquedula cyanoptera is not uncommon; I have shot a few 
at intervals between May and September. Dafila spinicauda 
is abundant, and may even now (Oct. 15th) be seen in flocks, 
though doubtless many are breeding. D. b ahamen sis I found -f- 
pretty common at Espartilla, a place about 100 miles south 
of Buenos Ayres; I have not seen it elsewhere, though I am 
told it is not uncommon. The Chilian Wigeon ( Mareca chi - 
loensis) is not very common, though I have shot several. 
Spatula platalea is abundant, and the easiest to shoot of the 
Ducks of this district. Metopiana peposaca is a most wary 
species, but the best of all for the table; it is common every¬ 
where. I procured a specimen of Erismatura ferruginea in 
the market, but have not yet seen it alive. I have shot a 
smaller species, but of which I have not yet made skins; and 
this, I suppose, is E. dominica. 
CoLUMBIDAS. 
Zenaida maculata is, I believe, common in the province; 
but, as yet, I have only once met with it; and this was on 
August 2nd, at Chirilcay, about 100 miles from Buenos Ayres, 
when a vast flock passed over my head. Columbula picui is 
very common, keeping in large flocks during the winter : it 
is an early breeder; for on September 26th I found a nest 
with two eggs, and on October 3rd one with two young about 
a week old. The nest is very small for the size of the bird, 
so that when she sits she shows the whole of her head and 
neck on one side and her tail on the other. 
Rallim. 
Porphyriops melanops. Of this species I flushed and shot 
one on the banks of a lagoon about 100 miles south of this 
place, and saw another. Birds of this species may possibly 
be commoner than they seem; for their skulking habits keep 
them out of sight. There is a Coot here which goes in large 
flocks, and has the habits of our Bald Coot. 
