vered. These birds are,
moreover, quarrelsome and very passionate, tearing up the grass with
their bills in their rage. They are noisy, too, uttering several harsh
cries--one of them like that of the English rook.

OWLS OF THE PAMPAS (ATHENE CUNICULAEIA).

The traveller across the Pampas will see a number of little owls--
generally seated in pairs, during the evening, on the hillocks near the
burrows of the bizcacha, occasionally uttering their strange wild hoots
to each other. If disturbed, they either run into the holes of their
friends, in which they have their abode; or, uttering a shrill, harsh
cry, they move with a remarkably undulatory flight to a short distance,
and then turning round, steadily gaze at their pursuer.

THE PAMPAS CUCKOO (MOLOTHRUS NIGER).

Among the birds of numerous kinds which abound on the plains, there are
several worthy of notice. One is remarkable from its habits.

It deposits its eggs, like the cuckoo, in the nests of other birds.
Several of them may be seen standing together on the back of a cow or
horse. They also perch on low boughs: and while pluming themselves in
the sun, attempt to sing; but their voice is rather like a hiss,
resembling that of bubbles of air passing rapidly from a small orifice
under water, so as to produce an acute sound.

THE CALANDRIA (MINA ORPHEUS).

The best songster on the Pampas is a species of mocking-bird, called by
the inhabitants calandria. Its song is powerful--similar to that of the
hedge-warbler. It only sings, however, during the spring; at other
times its cry is harsh and inharmonious. They frequent the
neighbourhood of houses; and will boldly peck at the meat which is hung
up on the posts or walls to dry. When any of the other small birds join
the feast, the calandria soon chases them away.

FLAMINGOES.

The flamingo, in large flocks, visits the New World as well as the Old.
On the shores of the great rivers, as also on the banks of lagoons and
marshes, it may be seen feeding with other water-fowl--its beautiful red
and white plumage shining brightly in the sun, and contrasting with the
dark green of the river vegetation.

OVEN-BIRDS.

Of the genus Furnarius there are several species. The best-known is the
oven-bird of La Plata--the casara, or house-maker, of the Spaniards. It
builds its nest in an exposed situation, on the top of a vast bare rock
or cactus. It is composed of mud and bits of straw, and has strong,
thick wal