| Plate | Page | |
| XI. | Chætocercus burmeisteri | 2 |
| XII. | Hydropsalis furcifera | 15 |
| XIII. | Coccyzus cinereus | 38 |
| XIV. | Conurus molinæ | 43 |
| XV. | Bolborhynchus aymara | 46 |
| XVI. | Buteo swainsoni | 59 |
| XVII. | Ardetta involucris | 101 |
| XVIII. | Cygnus nigricollis | 124 |
| XIX. | Rallus maculatus | 148 |
| XX. | Nothura darwini | 213 |
Of the great American family Trochilidæ, which, according to the most recent authorities, contains about 450 species, eleven members have been ascertained to occur within the limits of the Argentine Republic. But of these only three (Calliperidia furcifera, Hylocharis sapphirina, and Chlorostilbon splendidus) reach the neighbourhood of Buenos Ayres, where they occur as summer visitors. The remaining eight have been met with only in the northern and western provinces of Argentina. Of these two (Oreotrochilus leucopleurus and Patagona gigas) are also found in Chili, the others are Bolivian and South-Brazilian species.
Oreotrochilus leucopleurus, Scl. et Salv. Nomencl. p. 81; White, P. Z. S. 1882, p. 615 (Catamarca); Elliot, Syn. Troch. p. 36; Gould, Mon. Troch. ii. pl. 71.
Description.—Head, upper surface, and wings greyish olive-brown, passing into dull coppery green on the upper tail-coverts; two central tail-feathers and outer one bronzy green, the others white, narrowly edged externally with brown; throat shining green, bordered below by a band of black with bluish reflexions; flanks olive-brown; breast and sides of belly white; centre of belly black with steel-blue reflexions; under tail-coverts olive: whole length 5·0 inches, wings 2·7, tail 2·1. Female above like male; beneath white, throat densely spotted with brown; flanks brownish.
Hab. Chili and Northern Argentina.
White obtained a single specimen of this Humming-bird in September 1880, at Fuerte de Andalgala, in Catamarca. It is a well-known species in Chili, where, according to Gould, “it inhabits the sheltered valleys of the Andes, just below the line of perpetual congelation.”
Chætocercus burmeisteri, Scl. P. Z. S. 1887, p. 639.
Description.—Bill straight, entirely black and as long as the head; whole upper part of the body of a dark green metallic colour, except the wings, which are black; the small feathers of the throat on the under jaw are whitish with a darker spot in the middle; there begins on the throat the crimson-red bilateral beard, which is composed on both sides of three rows of very small feathers, these becoming somewhat larger in the middle of the beard and terminating with two ranges of feathers in the exterior half part. Many of these feathers are shining metallic green in certain positions. A white spot behind the eyes descends from there to the breast, which is also whitish, but with a dark spot on every feather, causing a greyish appearance in the middle of the breast. The hinder half of the breast and the belly are black, but the anal portion is white, as also the sides of the body, except the thighs, which are black. The inferior feathers behind the anal region are clear yellow-brown, but those in the middle have a green metallic spot. The tail is composed of eight feathers; the two exterior on each side are more than an inch long, very small but of equal size in the whole extent, and rounded at the tip, not pointed. The exterior rectrix is entirely black; the second has a clear brown stripe on the inside border. The third feather of each side is very short, only half an inch long and more than eight lines shorter than the exterior; its colour is entirely black. The fourth feathers on each side, that is in the middle of the tail, are shorter than the third pair and partly covered by the coverts: they are of metallic green colour like the coverts.
Hab. Tucuman.
The only known specimen of this species was procured in the Valle de Tafi, in the mountains of Tucuman, by Herr Schulz, and is now in the National Museum of Buenos Ayres. This species is nearly allied to C. bombus, Gould (Mon. Troch. Suppl. p. 45, pl. 32), but differs in the form of the tail. The figure (Plate XI.) is taken from a watercolour sketch of this specimen kindly sent to us by Dr. Burmeister.
Sparganura sappho, Scl. et Salv. Nomencl. p. 86; White, P. Z. S. 1882, p. 615 (Catamarca). Cometes sparganurus, Burm. La-Plata Reise, ii. p. 449 (Mendoza, Catamarca, Tucuman); Gould, Mon. Troch. iii. pl. 174. Sappho sparganura, Elliot, Syn. Troch. p. 154; Salvin, Ibis, 1880, p. 360 (Tucuman, Salta).
Description.—Head, upper back, wing-coverts, and under surface shining bronze-green; lower back and upper tail-coverts shining crimson; tail dark brown at base, remaining part fiery orange, tipped with black; basal half of outer web of external rectrices pale brown; wings purplish brown; under tail-coverts light brown with purplish centres; bill and feet black: whole length 6·2 inches, wing 2·5, tail 4·1. Female: crown and back greenish brown; throat and sides of face buffy white, spotted with green; rest of under surface whitish, with large spots of green on the flanks; rump and upper tail-coverts shining crimson; central rectrices crimson, lateral rectrices brownish glossed with crimson; outer web of external rectrix white; bill and feet black.
Hab. Bolivia and North-western Argentina.
Dr. Burmeister tells us that the Sappho Humming-bird is not uncommon in Mendoza, Catamarca, and Tucuman, but keeps to the mountains, and does not descend on to the plains. In the neighbourhood of Mendoza it specially affects the flowers of Loranthus cuneifolius; at Tucuman Dr. Burmeister found it also on the orange-blossoms.
Durnford obtained specimens of this species at Tucuman and Salta in the month of June.
White (P. Z. S. 1882, p. 615) gives us the following notes on its habits:—
“I have met with these Humming-birds scattered, although somewhat sparsely, over the upper provinces of the Republic, feeding principally upon Nicotiana glauca, the Quichua name for which is ‘palan-palan.’ They follow it southwards as it flowers, even as far as Cordoba; but their true habitat is the Andean region. In Quichua, Humming-birds generally are called ‘Tuminicos.’ When these birds are poised in front of a flower with wings and tail expanded in the full sunshine, they offer the most brilliant feathery picture imaginable; and as they dart off their flight is so speedy that the eye cannot follow them.”
Petasophora serrirostris, Scl. et Salv. Nomencl. p. 89; Elliot, Syn. Troch. p. 52; Gould, Mon. Troch. iv. pl. 223. Petasophora crispa, Burm. La-Plata Reise, ii. p. 447 (Tucuman).
Description.—Head, upper surface, wing-coverts, flanks, and abdomen dark yellowish green; ear-coverts rich violet-blue; wings purplish brown; tail dark bluish green, crossed near the tip by a broad chalybeate band, beyond which the tips are of a lighter bluish green; throat and upper part of the breast luminous green; across the breast a gorget of shining bluish green; vent and under tail-coverts pure white; bill black; feet blackish brown: whole length 3·8 inches, wings 2·8, tail 1·7. Female similar, but not so bright.
Hab. S.E. Brazil.
Dr. Burmeister informs us that he met with this Humming-bird in multitudes in the month of September among the orange-blossoms in the Quintas of Tucuman. It is a well-known species in South-east Brazil, but we know of no other record of its occurrence so far south as Tucuman.
Patagona gigas, Scl. et Salv. Nomencl. p. 89; White, P. Z. S. 1882, p. 615 (Catamarca); Elliot, Syn. Troch. p. 67; Gould, Mon. Troch. iv. pl. 232.
Description.—Head and upper surface pale brown, glossed with green; wings and tail darker and more green; basal portion of the shafts of the lateral rectrices white; patch on the rump white; upper tail-coverts edged with white; breast mottled brown and buff; throat and abdomen rusty red; under tail-coverts white, with brownish centre spots; bill blackish brown; feet brown: whole length 7·0 inches, wing 4·9, tail 3·4. Female similar but smaller.
Hab. Andes of Ecuador, Bolivia, and Peru, Chili, Patagonia, and Northern Argentina.
White seems to be the only observer who has met with this Humming-bird within the limits of the Argentine Republic. He obtained a pair at Andalgala, in Catamarca, in September 1880, and wrote the following notes on the habits of the species:—
“This magnificent bird, which the natives say they have never seen before at Andalgala, was shot on the ‘palan-palan,’ the usual plant that it frequents at this season. It appeared here just after a two days’ severe snow-storm, so that in all probability it had been driven down hither by it.
“It is exceedingly powerful on the wing, and flutters in front of a flower, sipping the nectar, exactly as the smaller species of this family. They have a most peculiar, zig-zag, jerky flight; which, when making a long detour for any particular spot, becomes undulating.
“They are without doubt partially insect-eaters, as I have not only observed their crops full of flies and small beetles, but have also seen them pursue and catch them in the air, with the motions of a Flycatcher.
“They perch on some bare branch of a plant, which they entirely appropriate, driving off every other bird that dares to approach, and every now and then visit all its flowers to sip the sweets. The large humble-bees, however, cause them some trouble, as they likewise are addicted to sipping nectar; these the P. gigas attacks with all its force, and by fluttering its wings, rushing at, pushing and pecking them, succeeds in ridding the spot of their presence.
“The note of this bird is similar to the chirp of a young Sparrow, but much stronger.
“These birds, like animals generally in the Argentine Republic, take no notice of a person mounted, but instantly disappear when a foot-passenger approaches; so that as I was on muleback I was enabled to ride close up to and observe them.
“The seat of P. gigas is so firm and close to the branch, that its tiny feet are invisible; the breast is puffed out, and its head in continued motion from one side to the other with a jerky movement. When disturbed it darts off around with a rough jerky flight for a minute or so, and then endeavours to return, but, if still interfered with, seeks a dry twig at the top of some neighbouring tree on which to alight. Its poise when suspended, sipping at the flowers, is heavy and laboured, and the motion of its large wings, although rapid, is perceptible to the eye; and it never remains more than half a minute in this position, when it retires to a branch to rest for at least five minutes, perching, with its head towards the sun and its beak slightly elevated.”
Calliperidia furcifera, Scl. et Salv. Nomencl. p. 90; Durnford, Ibis, 1877, p. 184 (Buenos Ayres). Heliomaster furcifer, White, P. Z. S. 1882, p. 616 (Catamarca); Barrows, Auk, 1884, p. 21 (Entrerios); Elliot, Syn. Troch. p. 86. Ornismya angelæ, d’Orb. et Lafr. Syn. Av. ii. p. 28 (Corrientes). Calliperidia angelæ, Elliot, Ibis, 1877, p. 137. Heliomaster angelæ, Gould, Mon. Troch. iv. pl. 263; Burm. La-Plata Reise, ii. p. 448; id. P. Z. S. 1865, p. 466; id. Anales Mus. B. A. i. p. 70. Campylopterus inornatus, Burm. La-Plata Reise, ii. p. 447. (jr.).
Description.—Crown of head luminous metallic green, changing in some lights to aquamarine, in others to bluish green, and in others to golden green; all the upper surface and wing-coverts golden green, the golden hue predominating on the lower part of the back; wings purplish brown; tail purplish black, glossed with dark green; behind the eye a spot of white, and on the cheeks a streak of grey; centre of throat rich metallic purplish crimson, on each side of which is a series of elongated feathers of a rich deep metallic blue; under surface deep green, passing into rich blue on the middle of the body; tuft on each side and vent white; under tail-coverts green, fringed with white; bill black; feet blackish brown: whole length 5·2 inches, wing 2·3, tail 1·7. Female: the whole of the upper surface golden bronze, inclining to grey on the crown; tail green, deepening into black towards the extremity, and a spot of white at the tip of the three outer feathers of each side; wings purplish brown; under surface grey, fading into white on the throat and middle of belly.
Hab. S. Brazil, Paraguay, and Argentina.
Of the three Humming-birds which visit the vicinity of Buenos Ayres in the summer months, Mr. Durnford tells us this is the rarest. It is occasionally seen in the riverain wood, and like the other two (Hylocharis sapphirina and Chlorostilbon splendidus) may generally be found hovering over the flowers of the Ceiba-tree—a species of Erythrina.
Further to the north this species would seem to be more abundant. Dr. Burmeister met with it near Tucuman and Paraná, and at one time described the young birds obtained in the latter locality as of a distinct species (Campylopterus inornatus), an error which he subsequently corrected (cf. P. Z. S. 1864, p. 466). White procured it in the city of Catamarca in August 1880.
Mr. Barrows has published the following interesting account of his observations on this species in Entrerios (Auk, 1882, p. 21):—
“Early in September, at Concepcion, when the orange-trees are just whitening with blossoms, these magnificent Humming-birds arrive from the north, and may occasionally be seen about the orange-trees in any garden, as well as about blossoming trees elsewhere. The males seemed for some reason to be much less abundant than the females, hardly more than a dozen being seen in an entire season. They probably nest in November and December, and leave for the north again in February or March. A nearly finished nest, found November 17, was very similar to that of our own Ruby-throat (Trochilus colubris) but larger, and was built in the compound fork of a large limb at a height of over 25 feet from the ground. It was deserted soon after, perhaps as a result of my examination. Ten days later another nest was found saddled on the topmost horizontal limb of a dead and moss-grown stub; only about seven feet from the ground, and exposed to the full force of the sun. This nest contained two eggs nearly ready to hatch. Both nests were beautifully covered with lichens, and the last was lined with the finest of vegetable down. The female made several angry rushes at me before the nest was touched, but as soon as she saw that it was discovered became so shy that it was difficult to secure her. The male was not seen at all. I once saw a bird of this species attack and put to rout a wild dove which passed near it while feeding, and though the dove made every effort to escape, the Hummer not only kept up with it easily, but darted above and below it as well, and finally both went out of sight in the distance together.”
Leucippus chionogaster, Scl. et Salv. Nomencl. p. 91; White, P. Z. S. 1882, p. 616 (Catamarca); Elliot, Syn. Troch. p. 199; Gould, Mon. Troch. v. pl. 290.
Description.—Head, upper surface, wing-coverts, and flanks bronzy green; throat and whole lower surface white; wings purplish brown; central tail-feathers bronzy green, lateral dull bronzy brown on the outer webs; inner webs and shafts white, the inner webs clouded with bronzy brown in the centre; bill black, lower mandible paler at the base: whole length 4·2 inches, wing 2·1, tail 1·3. Female similar.
Hab. Peru, Bolivia, and Northern Argentina.
White obtained examples of this species at Fuerte de Andalgala, in Catamarca, in September 1880. They were feeding on the flowers of the “Idiondilla,” which is one of the “Humming-bird-plants” of that district. “They are very swift and wild in their movements,” he tells us, and “make a very loud hum,” louder in fact than any other species with which he was acquainted.
Leucochloris albicollis, Gould, Mon. Troch. v. pl. 291; Elliot, Syn. Troch. p. 200. Thaumatias albicollis, Burm. La-Plata Reise, ii. p. 448 (Tucuman).
Description.—Head, all the upper surface, wing-coverts, chin and sides of the neck, abdomen and flanks deep shining grass-green; on the centre of throat and breast a large patch of white; lower part of abdomen and under tail-coverts white; wings purplish brown; two middle tail-feathers deep shining grass-green, the remainder bluish black, the three outer ones tipped with white; upper mandible black; basal two thirds of the lower mandible fleshy, apical third brown; feet brown: whole length 4·2 inches, wing 2·3, tail 1·4. Female similar.
Hab. S.E. Brazil, Paraguay, and N. Argentina.
Dr. Burmeister states that this species is found near Tucuman in company with Calliperidia furcifera and Petasophora serrirostris; but we have no other authority for its occurrence within the limits of the Argentine Republic.
Chrysuronia ruficollis, Berlepsch, J. f. O. 1887, p. 18. Chrysuronia chrysura, Scl. et Salv. Nomencl. p. 93; Elliot, Syn. Troch. p. 169 (Arg. rep.), Gould, Monogr. Troch. v. pl. 329.
Description.—Head, all the upper surface, wings, and tail-coverts of a golden hue, inclining to brown on the head; wings purplish brown; tail of a very rich golden lustre both above and beneath; chin buff; under surface grey, washed with a golden hue, which is richest on the flanks; vent and thighs white; under tail-coverts grey, with a slight golden lustre; bill fleshy, red at the base of both mandibles and dark at the tip; feet brown: whole length 4·2 inches, wing 2·2, tail 1·2. Female similar.
Hab. S. Brazil, Paraguay, and N. Argentina.
Hans v. Berlepsch has lately shown that Azara described this species under the designation “Picaflor cola de topacio,” and that it must consequently bear the name ruficollis of Vieillot, instead of chrysura of Lesson, by which it is more commonly known. It visits the more northern portion of the Argentine Republic, and was obtained in the vicinity of Buenos Ayres by Hudson at Conchitas, and by Durnford at Punta Lara. The British Museum contains specimens from both these localities.
Hylocharis sapphirina, Scl. et Salv. Nomencl. p. 93; Durnford, Ibis, 1877, p. 184 (Buenos Ayres); Barrows, Auk, 1884, p. 22 (Entrerios); Elliot, Syn. Troch. p. 236; Gould, Mon. Troch. v. pl. 342.
Description.—Head, upper surface and under wing-coverts, flanks and abdomen rich deep shining green; chin rufous chestnut; fore part of the neck and breast rich sapphirine blue, with violet reflexions; upper tail-coverts bronzy brown; tail-feathers chestnut, the two centre ones with a bronzy hue, the remainder edged with blackish brown; wings purple-brown; under tail-coverts light chestnut; bill fleshy red, except at the point, which is black; feet brown: whole length 3·5 inches, wing 2·2, tail 1·2. Female: upper surface green as in the male, crown approaching to brown, throat pale rufous; only a trace of the blue on the throat; under surface much paler, fading into white on the centre of the abdomen; tail-feathers dark brown, the lateral ones tipped with greyish, and the middle feathers glossed with deep bronze.
Hab. Southern Brazil, Paraguay, and Northern Argentina.
The Red-throated Humming-bird is abundant in the woods along the Plata river, and ranges, I believe, fifty or sixty miles south of Buenos Ayres city. Outside of the littoral woods it is very rarely met with. The only nest I have found was in my own garden, and was placed on a horizontal branch. The female continued sitting on the nest, which contained two eggs, even when I placed my hand almost touching it; the male bird in the mean time exhibiting the greatest anxiety, and hovering so near as almost to brush my face with its wings.
Chlorostilbon splendidus, Durnford, Ibis, 1877 p. 184 (Buenos Ayres); Salvin, Ibis, 1880, p. 360 (Salta); White, P. Z. S. 1882, p. 616 (Catamarca); Barrows, Auk, 1884, p. 22 (Entrerios); Elliot, Ibis, 1877, p. 136; id. Syn. Troch. p. 244. Ornismya aureoventris, d’Orb. et Lafr. Syn. Av. ii. p. 28 (Corrientes). Chlorostilbon aureiventris, Scl. et Salv. Nomencl. p. 94. Hylocharis bicolor, Burm. La-Plata Reise, ii. p. 448 (Mendoza, Paraná, Tucuman). Chlorostilbon phaethon, Gould, Mon. Troch. v. pl. 354.
Description.—Head, all the upper surface, and wing-coverts rich golden bronze, but inclining to green on the upper tail-coverts, wings purplish brown; tail black, glossed with deep green; throat and breast glittering emerald-green, merging into glittering coppery bronze on the sides of the neck and abdomen; under tail-coverts green; bill fleshy red at the base, with a darker tip; feet blackish: whole length 3·5 inches, wing 2·2, tail 1·3. Female bronzy green above and grey beneath, washed with bronze on the flanks; wings purplish brown; tail bluish black, the two lateral feathers tipped with greyish white.
Hab. South Brazil, Paraguay, and Argentina.
The Glittering Humming-bird appears in the vicinity of Buenos Ayres in September, and later in the spring is found everywhere on the pampas where there are plantations, but it is never seen on the treeless plains. Its sudden appearance in considerable numbers in plantations on the pampas, where there are flowers to which it is partial, like those of the acacia-tree, and its just as sudden departure when the flowers have fallen, have led me to conclude that its migration extends much further south, probably into mid-Patagonia. Like most Humming-birds it is an exquisitely beautiful little creature, in its glittering green mantle; and in its aerial life and swift motions a miracle of energy. To those who have seen the Humming-bird in a state of nature all descriptions of its appearance and movements must seem idle. In the life-habits of the Trochilidæ there is a singular monotony; and the Glittering Humming-bird differs little in its customs from other species that have been described. It is extremely pugnacious; the males meet to fight in the air, and rapidly ascend, revolving round each other, until when at a considerable height they suddenly separate and dart off in opposite directions. Occasionally two or three are seen flashing by, pursuing each other, with such velocity that even the Swift’s flight, which is said to cover four hundred miles an hour, seems slow in comparison. This species also possesses the habit of darting towards a person and hovering bee-like for some time close to his face. It also flies frequently into a house, at window or door, but does not, like birds of other kinds, become confused on such occasions, and is much too lively to allow its retreat to be cut off. It feeds a great deal on minute spiders, and is fond of exploring the surfaces of mud and brick walls, where it is seen deftly inserting its slender crimson bill into the small spider-holes in search of prey. The nest, like that of most humming-birds, is a small, beautifully-made structure, composed of a variety of materials held closely together with spiders’ webs, and is placed on a branch, or in a fork, or else suspended from slender dropping vines or twigs. Sometimes the nest is suspended to the thatch overhanging the eaves of a cottage, for except where persecuted the bird is quite fearless of man’s presence. The eggs are two, and white.
Besides the little creaking chirp uttered at short intervals while flying or hovering, this species has a set song, composed of five or six monotonous squeaking notes, uttered in rapid succession when the bird is perched.
Dr. Burmeister met with this Humming-bird at Mendoza, Paraná, and Tucuman, and says it is the commonest species in La Plata, and easily recognizable by its red bill.
Mr. Durnford also pronounces this species to be the commonest Humming-bird in the province of Buenos Ayres, and “abundant in the summer.” It is not usual to meet with them in the winter; but Durnford saw a single specimen in a sheltered garden in the beginning of June. This Humming-bird feeds principally, he tells us, on the flowers of the Ceiba-tree, but not exclusively on honey, for the stomach of a specimen examined contained fragments of minute Coleoptera.
During his last journey Durnford obtained examples of this species near Salta; and White found it very abundant and breeding near Catamarca in the month of September.
According to Mr. Barrows the Glittering Humming-bird is also very common in Entrerios; he writes as follows:—“Very abundant at Concepcion in summer, arriving from the north early in September and departing again in April. Though found everywhere among flowers, they are particularly partial to open ground, flowery fields, gardens, &c., and in October it was not uncommon to have six or eight in sight at once.”
The cosmopolitan family of Swifts, as far as is yet known, represented by one species only in the Argentine Republic. This is a fine large form of wide distribution, which extends over most of Southern and Central America.
Hemiprocne zonaris, Scl. et Salv. Nomencl. p. 95. Acanthylis collaris, Burm. La-Plata Reise, ii. p. 449 (Mendoza).
Description.—Black, glossed with bronzy; a white collar round the neck, rather broader in front; tail spiny, slightly forked: whole length 8·5 inches, wing 7·5, tail 2·8. Female similar.
Hab. Central and South America down to Argentina.
Dr. Burmeister observed specimens of this fine large Spine-tailed Swift near the Sierra of Mendoza in December and the following month.
Nearly fifty different species of the singular nocturnal birds commonly known as “Goatsuckers” are found in the Neotropical Region. They are most numerous within the tropics, where insect-life is more abundant, but also occur more sparingly in temperate latitudes. Six of them have been recorded as having been met with within the limits assigned to this work.
The Goatsuckers generally take their insect-prey on the wing late in the evening; but many of them often alight on the ground, and usually nest there or in hollow trees.
Podager nacunda, Scl. et Salv. Nomencl. p. 95; iid. P. Z. S. 1868, p. 142 (Buenos Ayres); Burm. La-Plata Reise, ii. p. 449 (Paraná); Barrows, Auk, 1884, p. 24 (Entrerios, Bahia Blanca).
Description.—Above brown with dense black vermiculations and occasional blotches; wings black, with a broad white cross bar across the base of the primaries; secondaries and coverts like the back; tail above like the back, beneath grey with blackish cross bands; four outer tail-feathers broadly tipped with white: beneath, breast brown variegated with black, as above; chin fulvous; band across the throat and whole belly and crissum white; bill black; feet pale brown: whole length 11·0 inches, wing 9·5, tail 4·9. Female similar, but without the white ends to the tail-feathers.
Hab. South America.
The specific name of this Goatsucker is from the Guaraní word Ñacundá, which Azara tells us is the Indian nickname for any person with a very large mouth. In the Argentine country it has several names, being called Dormilon (Sleepy-head) or Duerme-duerme (Sleep-sleep), also Gallina ciega (blind hen). It is a large handsome bird, and differs from its congeners in being gregarious, and in never perching on trees or entering woods. It is an inhabitant of the open pampas. In Buenos Ayres, and also in Paraguay, according to Azara, it is a summer visitor, arriving at the end of September and leaving at the end of February. In the love season the male is sometimes heard uttering a song or call, with notes of a hollow mysterious character; at other times they are absolutely silent, except when disturbed in the daytime, and then each bird when taking flight emits the syllable kuf in a hollow voice. When flushed the bird rushes away with a wild zigzag flight, close to the ground, then suddenly drops like a stone, disappearing at the same moment from sight as effectively as if the earth had swallowed it up, so perfect is the protective resemblance in the colouring of the upper plumage to the ground. In the evening they begin to fly about earlier than most Caprimulgi, hawking after insects like swallows, skimming over the surface of the ground and water with a swift, irregular flight; possibly the habit of sitting in open places exposed to the full glare of the sun has made them somewhat less nocturnal than other species that seek the shelter of thick woods or herbage during the hours of light.
The Nacunda breeds in October, and makes no nest, but lays two eggs on a scraped place on the open plain. Mr. Dalgleish says of the eggs:—“They are oval-shaped, and resemble much in appearance those of the Nightjar, except that the markings, which are similar in character to those of the latter, are of a reddish-brown or port-wine colour.”
After the breeding-season they are sometimes found in flocks of forty or fifty individuals, and will spend months on the same spot, returning to it in equal numbers every year. One summer a flock of about two hundred individuals frequented a meadow near my house, and one day I observed them rise up very early in the evening and begin soaring about like a troop of swallows preparing to migrate. I watched them for upwards of an hour; but they did not scatter as on previous evenings to seek for food, and after a while they began to rise higher and higher, still keeping close together, until they disappeared from sight. Next morning I found that they had gone.
In Entrerios, Mr. Barrows tells us, this Goatsucker is an abundant summer resident, arriving early in September, and departing again in April. It is strictly crepuscular or nocturnal, never voluntarily taking wing by daylight. In November it lays a pair of spotted eggs in a hollow scooped in the soil of the open plain. These in shape and markings resemble eggs of the Nighthawk (Chordeiles virginianus) somewhat, but are of course much larger, and have a distinct reddish tinge. We found the birds not uncommon near Bahia Blanca, February 17, 1881, but elsewhere on the Pampas we did not observe them.
Chordeiles virginianus, Scl. et Salv. Nomencl. p. 96; Barrows, Auk, 1884, p. 24 (Entrerios); Berlepsch, J. f. O. 1887, p. 120 (Paraguay).
Description.—Above black, varied and mottled with brown; wings black, with a broad white bar across the bases of the five outer primaries; tail black, with brown cross bands and a broad white subapical bar: beneath white, with dense blackish cross bands; breast blacker; broad throat-band white; bill black; feet pale brown: whole length 8·5 inches, wing 7·8, tail 4·0. Female similar, but throat-band tawny and no white band on the tail.
Hab. North and South America.
The well-known “Whip-poor-Will” of the U. S. appears to extend its winter-migration into Northern Argentina. Mr. Barrows has recorded the capture of two specimens of this species at Concepcion in Entrerios in January 1880 and December of the same year. Its occurrence in Paraguay is also known to us, and Natterer obtained examples of it in S.E. Brazil.
Caprimulgus parvulus, Gould, Zool. Voy. Beagle, iii. p. 37. Antrostomus parvulus, Scl. P. Z. S. 1866, p. 138, pl. xiii.; Scl. et Salv. Nomencl. p. 96; Burm. La-Plata Reise, ii. p. 451 (Paraná); Durnford, Ibis, 1877, p. 184 (Buenos Ayres); Barrows, Auk, 1884, p. 24 (Entrerios); Withington, Ibis, 1888, p. 467 (Lomas de Zamora).
Description.—Above rufous mottled with blackish, crown black; tips of wing-coverts spotted with white; beneath fulvous with irregular black cross bands; primaries black, with white bars across the second, third, and fourth about half-way down; tail like the back, but tips of outer rectrices white: whole length 7·5 inches, wing 5·3, tail 4·0. Female similar, but without the white spots on the wings and tail.
Hab. Brazil and Argentina.
Resident, according to Mr. Durnford, in the province of Buenos Ayres, “but probably, from its shy and retiring disposition, considered rarer than it really is. Like our Nightjar (Caprimulgus europæus) it frequents open spots in sheltered coppices on banks under a sheltering hedge of thorns, and may generally be found in the same place from day to day, coming out about dusk in quest of moths and other insects.”
Mr. Barrows tells us that this species is not uncommon in Entrerios in summer time, and “doubtless breeds.” At dusk he frequently saw it near the margins of the woods and thickets, where it makes only short flights, soon settling on the ground.
Gould’s original description of this species was based on a specimen obtained by Darwin near Santa Fé on the Paraná, which is now in the British Museum.
Stenopsis bifasciata, Scl. et Salv. Nomencl. p. 96; iid. P. Z. S. 1868, p. 142 (Buenos Ayres); Durnford, Ibis, 1877, p. 37 (Chupat), et 1878, p. 396 (Centr. Patagonia). Antrostomus longirostris, Burm. La-Plata Reise, ii. p. 450 (Mendoza).
Description.—Above greyish brown variegated with black, crown black; light rufous collar at the back of the neck; wing-coverts with large light brown spots; primaries black, with a broad white bar across the five outer ones; tail black; lateral rectrices with a white bar near the base, and very broad white tips: beneath fulvous, with narrow blackish cross bands; throat-band white; crissum pale fulvous: whole length 10·0 inches, wing 6·0, tail 5·0. Female similar, but the white on the throat, wings, and tail replaced by fulvous and less extended.
Hab. Chili, Patagonia, and Argentina.
A single skin of this species was obtained at Conchitas by Hudson. Durnford also found it rather rare in Chupat and its vicinity, though resident and breeding in that district. “When flushed it never flies very far, but seeks the shelter of a small bush, squatting flat on the ground, and from its peculiar zigzag mode of flight it is difficult for the eye to follow it.”
Hydropsalis furcifera, Scl. et Salv. Nomencl. p. 96; Durnford, Ibis, 1877, p. 185 (Buenos Ayres); Barrows, Auk, 1884, p. 24 (Entrerios). Hydropsalis psalurus, Burm. La-Plata Reise, ii. p. 450 (Paraná). Hydropsalis torquata, Lee, Ibis, 1873, p. 134 (Gualeguaychú).
Description.—Above brown varied with black; a light rufous collar on the back of the neck; wing-coverts with numerous rounded white or fulvous spots; wings black, crossed beneath by pale rufous bands; outer primary edged with white: beneath paler, with a pale fulvous throat-collar; tail with the outer rectrix twice as long as the middle pair, black, edged with white; the next three pairs similar, but gradually diminishing in length; the middle pair like the back, and rather longer than the second pair: whole length 20·0 inches, wing 7·2, tail 15·5. Female similar, but tail short, black banded with fulvous, and without any white.
Hab. Paraguay and Argentina.
This remarkable Goatsucker was often observed by Durnford in the province of Buenos Ayres in spring and autumn. It lives on the ground, generally in damp situations, and where the grass is long and thick enough to afford some slight cover, and is generally observed in parties of four or five individuals. Its flight is noiseless, and performed by jerky erratic movements. In Entrerios Mr. Barrows tells us this species is a “rather common summer resident, arriving in August and leaving in May. While hunting capybaras and armadillos by moonlight he frequently had good opportunities for watching its movements. Its flight is nearly as irregular and as noiseless as that of a butterfly, while its beautiful tail is opened and shut in the same manner as with the Scissor-tailed Flycatcher. Alighting frequently on the ground or on stones or roots, it keeps up a continual but very soft clucking, which is the only note uttered. It was most often seen in open grassy or sandy spots in the woods, especially along the margins of the streams. By day it sits close on the ground, and if disturbed only flies a few yards, though it evidently sees well.” Of its nesting-habits and eggs Mr. Barrows did not obtain any information.
The figure (Plate XII.) is taken from a specimen in Sclater’s collection, which was obtained at Gualeguaychú in Entrerios by Mr. Lee.