Argentine Ornithology, Volume 1 (of 2): A descriptive catalogue of the birds of the Argentine Republic. — John Shaqi
Argentine Ornithology, Volume 1 (of 2): A descriptive catalogue of the birds of the Argentine Republic.Hudson, W. H. (William Henry)
Science
Argentine Ornithology, Volume 1 (of 2): A descriptive catalogue of the birds of the Argentine Republic.
Hudson, W. H. (William Henry)
Birds -- Argentina
Azara's only reason for calling this bird _La Correndera_ was because he
thought it resembled a Tit-Lark known by that name in his own country,
but of which he merely had a confused recollection. It is therefore to
be regretted, I think, that _correndera_ has been adopted as a specific
name by naturalists instead of "Cachila," the vernacular name of the
bird, familiar to every one in the Argentine country. Azara's Spanish
bird was probably _Anthus pratensis_, which closely resembles _A.
correndera_ in general appearance, and has, moreover, as wide a range in
the northern as the last-named species has in the southern hemisphere.
In the volume on Birds in the 'Voyage of the Beagle,' it is said that a
species of _Anthus_ ranges further south than any other land-bird, being
the only land-bird found on Georgia and South Orkney (lat. 61° S.).
In colour and language, possibly also in size, the Cachila is variable.
It is a very common bird, widely and plentifully distributed over the
pampas, found alike on marshy and dry grounds, but rare in the region of
giant grasses. While abundant, it is also very evenly dispersed, each
bird spending its life on a very circumscribed plot of earth. Those
frequenting marshy or moist grounds are of a yellowish-cream colour,
thickly mottled and striped with fuscous and black, and have two narrow
parallel pure white marks on the back, very conspicuous when the bird is
on the ground. The individuals frequenting high and dry grounds are much
paler in hue, appearing almost grey, and do not show the white marks on
the back. They also look larger than the birds on marshy lands; but this
appearance is probably due to a looser plumage. The most strongly-marked
pale and dark-plumaged variations may be found living within a few
hundred yards of each other, showing how strictly each bird keeps to
its own little "beat"; for this difference in coloration is, no doubt,
due entirely to the amount of moisture in the ground they live on.
The Cachilas are resident, living in couples all the year round, the
sexes being faithful. Several pairs frequent a small area, and sometimes
they unite in a desultory flock; but these gatherings are not frequent.
In the evening, at all seasons, immediately after the sun has set, the
Cachilas all rise to a considerable height in the air and fly wildly
about, chirping for a few minutes, after which they retire to roost.
When approached they frequently rise up several feet from the ground and
flutter in the air, chirping sharply, with breast towards the intruder.
This is a habit also found in Synallaxine species inhabiting the grassy
plains. But, as a rule, the Cachilas are the tamest of feathered
creatures, and usually creep reluctantly away on their little pink
feet when approached. If the pedestrian is a stranger to their habits
they easily delude him into attempting their capture with his hat, so
little is their fear of man.
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