195 
the Province of Buenos Ayres. 
P. spiloptera is nearly allied to P. spilonota (found by Dar¬ 
win in the Galapagos archipelago, and figured and described 
in the f Voyage of the Beagle ’). It differs, however, from the 
Galapagos bird in having irregular white stripes, and not 
merely white spots, on the wings; and the white markings on 
the flanks and stomach are larger and clearer than in Mr. 
Darwin's bird. The back also of P. spilonota is ferruginous 
brown, but that of the Buenos-Ayres bird olive-brown with 
black markings. Total length 5*5, beak *5, tarsus *7. 
Head above olivaceous brown and black, forehead very dark 
slate, nearly black. Sides of head, throat, chest, and stomach 
dark slaty grey. Neck above and back olivaceous, centre of 
each feather broadly marked with black. Flanks very dark 
grey, with transverse bars of white. Primaries dull brown. 
Secondaries the same, but with a small white wedge-shaped 
mark in the centre of some of the feathers near their tips. 
Greater wing-coverts dark olivaceous, distinctly but irregu¬ 
larly striated with white. Tail dark brown, edges of feathers 
lighter. Under tail-coverts black and white in transverse 
bars. Beak very dark horn, nearly black. Legs and feet 
of a browner colour, and rather lighter. Iris crimson, in¬ 
clining to scarlet. 
The bird had been kept alive for a day or two; and its 
stomach was quite empty when I received it. 
116. Porphyriops melanops (Vieill.); Scl. et Salv. P. Z. S. 
1869, p. 634. 
Not uncommon, but, from its skulking habits, rarely seen. 
Legs and feet pale olivaceous. 
117. Fulica leucoptera, Vieill.; Scl. et Salv. Ex. Orn. 
pi. 60, p. 119. 
Common in almost every f arroyo' and lagoon in the country, 
where reeds and aquatic plants afford any cover. 
118. Fulica armillata, Vieill.; Scl. et Salv. P. Z. S. 1868, 
p. 145. 
I have only observed this Coot to the north of Buenos 
Ayres; but there it is quite common. It does not seem to 
mix with the last-named species. 
