Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1890-07-17
BIRDS.
Peculiarities of Festhered Inhabi-
tants Of Patagonia.

LauJS CT 3~dSd5OAAa
The black-faced ibis of Patagonia, a
bird nearly as large as a turkey, INDUCES
in a curious mad performance, usually in
the evening when feeding time is over.
The BIRDS Of a flock while winging their
way I o the roosting-place, AL at once
seemed possessed with frenzy, simui-
t~aneously dashing downward with amaz-
ing violence, doubling about in the most
eccentric manner, and, when close to the
surface, rising again to repeat the action,
all the while making the air palpitafe for
miles around with their hard, metallic
cries. Other ibises, also birds Of other
genera. have similar aerial performances.
The displays of most ducks known TO
me take the form of mock fights on the
water; one exception is the handsome and
loquacious whistlins widgeon OF La
Plata, which has a pretty prial perform
ance. A dozen or twenty birds rise up
until they appear like small specks in
the sky and sometimes disappear from
sight altogether, and at that great alti-
tude they continue lowering in one spot,
often for an hour or longer, alternately
closing and separating, the fine, bright,
whistling notes and fiourishes Of the male
c%uriously harmonizing with the grave,
measured notes of the female, and every
time they close they slap one another on
the wings so smartly that the sound can
be distinctly heard, like a%pplauding
hand claps, even after the birds have
ceased to be visible.
The rails, active, sprightly birds with
powerful and varied voices, are great per
formers, but. owing to the nature of the
ground they inhabit and to their shy, sus-
picious character, it is not easy to observe
their antics. The finest of the Platan
rails is the ypecaha, a beautiful, active
bird about the size of the fowl. A num-
Der of ypeeahas have their assembling
place on a small area OF smooth level
ground, Just above the water, and
hemmed IN by dense rush beds. First,
one bird among the PUSHES emits a power
full cry, thrice repeated, and this isl note
OF invitation, quickly responded to by
other birds from all sides as they hurried
ly repair to the usual place. In a few
moments they appear, to the number of a
dozen or twenty, bursting from the
rushes and running into the open space
and instantly beginning the perform
ance. This is a tremendous scream
ing concert. The screams they utter have
a certain resemblance to the human voice
exerted to its utmost pitch and express
sion of extreme terror, frenzy and despair.
A long, piercing shrek, astonishing for
its yehemence and power, is succeeded
by a lower note, as il in the first the
creature had well-nigh exhausted itself;
this double scream Is repeated several
times and followed by other sounds,
resembling, as they rise and fall, half
smothered cries of pain and means of
anguish. Suddenly the unearthly shrieks
are renewed in all their power. While
screaming, the birds rush from side TO
side, as if possessed with madness, the
wings spread and vibrating. the long beak
wide open and raised vertically. This
lasts three or four minutes,
after which the assembly peacefully
breaks up.
The singular wattlcd, wing-spurred,
and long-toed iacana has a remarkable
performance. which seems specially de-
to bring out the concealed beauty
OF the silky. greenish-g golden wing quilts.
The birds go singly or in pairs, and a
dozen or fifteen individuals may be found
in a marshy place feeding within sight
of one another. Occasionally, in response
to a note of invitation, they all in a mo
ment leave off feeding and fly to one
spot. and forming a close cluster and
emitting short, excited, rapidly-repeated
notes, display their wings, like beautiful
flags grouped loosely together; some
hold the wings up vertically and motion
less, others half open and vibrating
while still Others wave them up
and down with a slow. measured motion.
-ILongman's Magazine.