190 Mr. H. Durnford on the Birds of 
be modified, as I have since found freshwater mollusks in 
their stomachs. All I have shot have a strong, offensive smell. 
Iris light reddish brown. Common at Baradero in April in 
large flocks. 
94. Theristicus melanopis (Gm.). 
Ibis albicolliSy Burm. La Plata-Reise, ii. p. 510. 
A winter visitor, arriving in May and leaving in October. 
I have not observed it north of this city. Its long, curved 
beak suggests an affinity to the Curlew; but I have never seen 
it except on comparatively dry ground, and its habits are 
quite different from theirs. It is usually found in small 
parties, whose harsh cries can be heard at a great distance. 
Its flight is easy and powerful, and generally performed at a 
considerable height in the air. It feeds on grubs and large 
worms. 
^95. Platalea ajaja, Linn.; Scl. et Salv. P. Z. S. 1869, 
p. 145. 
A winter visitor, going in flocks. Feeds on soft-bodied water- 
insects and grubs. Generally distributed. A few at Bara¬ 
dero in April. 
96. Chauna chav aria (Linn.); Scl. et Salv. Nom. p. 128. 
Resident and very common. The breeding-habits of this 
species are curious. On the 24th June (our midwinter) I 
was shooting with a friend, who found a nest containing eggs; 
and on the 28th the same thing happened again in a different 
place. On the latter occasion the bird was seen to leave the 
nest. One egg taken is exactly like some I obtained last 
October*. The nest is a massive structure of reeds, about two 
feet in diameter, and from one to two feet in thickness. The 
bottom of the nest is always in the water. Common at Ba¬ 
radero in April. 
97. Bernicla poliocephala, Scl. et Salv. P. Z. S. 1876, 
p. 366. 
Common in winter about fifty miles to the south of the 
[* We hope Mr. Durnford will forward to England some specimens of 
the egg of Chauna , as they might assist in explaining the enigma of its 
correct position in the natural series.-—E dd.] 
