Volume I Part 20 (2/2)

rufoaxillaris_ to those of _M. badius_ perhaps was brought about in this way. But, it may be added, if besides the Yellow-breast some one other species laying very different eggs (a _Zonotrichia_ or _Tyrannus_, for instance) should also acquire this distinguis.h.i.+ng habit, and eject all eggs unlike its own from its nest, the habit in the two or more species would ultimately cause the extinction of the parasite.

It might throw some light on this obscure subject to examine, for several successive summers, a large number of nests, to ascertain whether the nests of the Yellow-breast are often found without any white unspotted eggs, or if the same proportional number of white (parasitical) eggs are found in the nests of the Yellow-breast, Scissor-tail, Song-Sparrow, Pipit, and other species.

103. TRUPIALIS MILITARIS (Linn.).

(PATAGONIAN MARSH-STARLING.)

+Sturnella militaris+, _Hudson, P. Z. S._ 1872, p. 548 (Rio Negro); _Scl. et Salv. Nomencl._ p. 38; _Durnford, Ibis_, 1877, p. 33, et 1878, p. 394 (Chupat). +Sturnella loica+, _Doring, Exp. al Rio Negro, Zool._ p. 41 (R. Colorado, R. Negro). +Trupialis militaris+, _Scl. Cat. B._ xi. p. 356. +Trupialis loyca+, _Burm.

La-Plata Reise_, ii. p. 491 (Mendoza).

_Description._--Above brown, especially on the head and back variegated with black; superciliaries in front of the eye red, behind the eye white; beneath black; throat, middle of the neck, breast, and upper belly scarlet; sides of belly and crissum with brownish edgings to the black feathers; under wing-coverts white; bend of the wing red; slight rictal stripe white; bill horn-colour; feet brown: total length 100 inches, wing 47, tail 36. _Female_ similar.

_Hab._ Chili, Patagonia, and Falkland Islands.

Two species of _Trupialis_ inhabit the southernmost part of the Argentine Republic, the present being confined to Patagonia and South Chili, while its northern representative inhabits the pampas of Buenos Ayres and Uruguay. Probably the Colorado River, which separates two districts differing in soil and vegetation, is the boundary-line dividing their habitats. So nearly alike are these two birds in colour, language, and habits, that they seem rather like races than species; and they were so regarded by naturalists until recently, when the pampas bird was raised to the rank of a distinct species, with the name of _Trupialis defilippii_. Unfortunately the old name _militaris_ fits the Pampas, and not the Patagonian, Starling best; but of this I shall speak when I describe the former species.

In form and size _T. militaris_ resembles the Common Starling of Europe, but differs from it in habits, flight, language, and in colouring; its upper plumage being fuscous mottled with yellowish grey, the throat and bosom scarlet inclining to crimson. This hue varies greatly, the breast-feathers being often tipped with white, which subdues the intense red, and gives it a rosy tint in some individuals. The female is paler-plumaged than the male, and has less red on the breast.

It inhabits the whole of Patagonia to the Strait of Magellan, but is confined to the valleys or to the neighbourhood of water; and Durnford remarks that it is a useful bird to the traveller in that thirsty country, as its presence is a sure indication of water. It is resident, and is seen in small parties of four or five, or in small flocks seldom exceeding twenty or thirty in number. It feeds and lives on the ground, and only occasionally is it seen to perch on a low bush. Its flight is strong, and it flies about a great deal, and usually utters its song when on the wing. The song is continued all the year, and is heard even on the coldest days in winter; the notes are few and not highly melodious, but are cheerful and vigorous.

The nest is made of dry gra.s.s and rootlets attached to the rushes in moist ground, and placed close to or resting on the surface. The eggs are five, the ground-colour white spotted or blotched with reddish brown.

104. TRUPIALIS DEFILIPPII, Bp.

(DE FILIPPI'S MARSH-STARLING.)

+Sturnella defilippii+, _Scl. et Salv. P. Z. S._ 1869, p. 161 (Buenos Ayres); _iid. Nomencl._ p. 38; _Doring, Exp. al Rio Negro, Zool._ p. 41 (Pampas); _Barrows, Bull. Nutt. Orn. Cl._ viii. p. 136 (Pampas south of Buenos Ayres). +Trupialis defilippii+, _Scl.

Cat. B._ xi. p. 357. +Trupialis militaris+, _Burm. La-Plata Reise_, ii. p. 490 (Rosario, Parana).

_Description._--Like _Tr. militaris_, but rather smaller, and with the under wing-coverts black.

_Hab._ Northern Argentina and Uruguay.

Throughout the country where this species abounds it is called _Pecho colorado_, which is certainly better than Azara's barbarous, if picturesque, name of _Degollado_; but no happier name than _militaris_ could have been invented for it, by which it was formerly known to naturalists; and though it was given to the bird merely on account of the red breast, and was therefore equally applicable to all the red-breasted species on the globe, in this case it accidentally seemed to describe a peculiar habit of the bird, as well as its bright livery.

In size, form, gait, flight, language, and colour the present bird very closely resembles the Patagonian Starling; but the crimson on the breast is brighter and the upper parts are darker. Its nesting-habits are also like those of the southern bird; the number and colour of the eggs being the same in both species. One trivial difference in habit is that De Filippi's Starling occasionally soars up a few yards into the air when uttering its song. It inhabits the moist gra.s.sy pampas in the southern part of the Buenos Ayrean province, and is there abundant and unites in large flocks. At the approach of the cold season there is a general movement northwards of the birds, which does not, however, extend far, as the birds, although strong fliers, travel slowly and in a peculiar manner; it is in this season, when the birds are seen moving in large flocks, that the name of Military Starling strikes one as being peculiarly appropriate. They do not journey through the air like other migrants, but move over the ground, when the flock, composed of four or five hundred to a thousand or more individuals, is extended so as to present a very long front, and at intervals the hindmost birds fly over the others and alight just in advance of them: the long front, the precision of their movements, and their scarlet bosoms all turned one way, suggest the idea of a disciplined army on its march.

They never perch on trees, but frequently alight on the roof of a rancho or other elevation affording a secure footing. They are tame birds and fly reluctantly; when approached, they usually crouch down, hiding their crimson bosoms, and remain motionless in order to escape observation.

In disposition they are peaceful, and so fond of society that when one becomes separated from his fellows he will unite with birds of another kind, even with Plovers or Tyrant-birds.

On the great monotonous plains, where most of the small birds are grey- or brown-plumaged, and in winter when there are no flowers to satisfy the desire of the eye for bright colour, it is delightful, while travelling, to meet with an army of these Starlings: their crimson bosoms, less bright than the hues of some tropical species, seem then to glow with a strange splendour on the sombre green of earth, and the sight produces an exhilarating effect on the mind.

105. ICTERUS PYRRHOPTERUS, Vieill.

(CHESTNUT-SHOULDERED HANG-NEST.)

+Icterus pyrrhopterus+, _Scl. et Salv. P. Z. S._ 1868, p. 140; _iid.

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