Argentine Ornithology, Volume 2 (of 2): A descriptive catalogue of the birds of the Argentine Republic

In Short

This volume is the second half of a definitive nineteenth-century survey of Argentine birds. It functions as a descriptive catalogue, cataloging hundreds of species, from hummingbirds and parrots to raptors and waterfowl. While it adheres to the scientific structure of a taxonomic reference, it distinguishes itself through lyrical field observations. It has lasted because it transcends mere lists; it captures the vanishing behavior of wildlife in a landscape before the full force of modern agricultural transformation, serving as a foundational text for naturalists and historians of the region.

The Story

The narrative arc of the book is defined by the geographical and biological sweep of the Argentine Republic. It begins by picking up where the first volume left off, moving through the remaining orders of birds, starting with the smaller, often overlooked species like the hummingbirds and swifts, and progressing toward the larger, more powerful members of the raptor, wading, and water-bird families. The work is not a continuous story in the traditional sense, but rather a journey of discovery. It moves from the familiar, cultivated gardens of Buenos Aires into the dense, untamed forests of the north, and finally to the vast, silent, and melancholy wilderness of the southern pampas.

Throughout this progression, the tone shifts from the clinical description of anatomy and plumage to the narrative wonder of the field observer. We see the transition from the bustling, shrill-voiced parrakeet colonies that cling to their traditional breeding grounds despite human encroachment, to the solitary, mournful cry of the sandpiper in its sequestered pool. The book documents the struggle of these creatures to maintain their existence in a changing landscape where they are often viewed as pests or "vile" nuisances by the local agricultural population.

The middle section delves into the raptors, including the "poor relation" of the hawk family, the Chimango, which is elevated by the author from a disparaged scavenger to a creature of "protean habits" and social complexity. As the reader moves toward the final chapters, the focus turns to the great water-birds and the waders, such as the screaming marsh-dwellers and the grebes of the salt-water channels. The work concludes with an extensive index and a list of authorities, providing a sense of closure to a vast, collaborative effort. The ending is not a finality of species, but an invitation to the reader—and to future naturalists—to continue the work of exploration in the remote provinces that remained largely untouched by the researchers of the 1880s. It leaves the reader with the impression that while the catalog is complete, the subject matter remains an infinite, breathing mystery that necessitates further protection and study.

How It Unfolds

The transition of scope The text moves systematically through the avian orders, beginning with the smaller, high-energy species like hummingbirds. These early entries establish the pattern of combining scientific nomenclature with the specific seasonal behaviors observed by local naturalists.

The shift toward the raptors The narrative focus widens to include the birds of prey, moving from the soaring buzzards to the scavenging vultures. Here, the text argues for the ecological importance of species that are frequently maligned or dismissed by the public.

The exploration of the pampas The focus shifts to the water-birds and marsh-dwellers of the southern plains. The writing captures the atmosphere of the "silent melancholy wilderness," where the powerful, martial cries of the screamers define the soundscape of the region.

The final survey The book concludes with a comprehensive appendix that contextualizes the research within the history of South American ornithology. It serves as a bridge between the historical records of earlier explorers and the contemporary findings of the 1880s.

The People

The book serves as a collaborative stage for several key figures, each contributing their own lens to the understanding of Argentine wildlife. W. H. Hudson emerges as the primary observer and the most reflective voice; he is the one who humanizes the birds, defending their intelligence against the "stupid" reputations assigned to them by European anatomists. His observations are rooted in a deep, often sentimental attachment to the land, which stands in stark opposition to the utilitarian views of the local Italian agriculturalists who see the birds only as threats to their crops or as targets for sport.

Dr. Burmeister, Mr. Durnford, and Mr. Barrows are the crucial field naturalists who provide the foundational data. Durnford, in particular, is marked as a "promising naturalist" whose early death lends a note of poignancy to his contributions. These men represent the objective scientific rigor of the era, recording precise measurements and locations, yet they share a common desire to catalog the biodiversity of a continent that was then largely unknown to European science. Their collective goal is the creation of a definitive record, but the struggle they face is the rapid alteration of the environment, which threatens the very species they seek to document. By the end of the work, the reader sees these figures as part of an evolving chain of knowledge, each building upon the other’s notes to preserve a vanishing natural heritage.

In Its Own Voice

"It seems very strange that there should be a melodious Kingfisher; but Mr. Barrows also heard the allied Ceryle americana sing, much to his surprise."

Observing the unexpected musical capability of a bird typically associated only with harsh, rattling cries.

"It is the loudest animal-sound of the pampas, and its jubilant martial character strongly affects the mind in that silent melancholy wilderness."

Describing the powerful, harmonic song of the Screamer as it echoes across the open plains.

"While we are observing the bird, the bird watches us: of all its curious doings when we are out of its sight and mind we see nothing."

Reflecting on the inherent limitations of human observation and the difficulty of truly understanding the natural behavior of wary wildlife.

What It's Really About

At its heart, the book is an argument for the intrinsic value of the wild. It challenges the reader to look past the aesthetic or economic utility of a species to understand its role in the "natural polity." It grapples with the tension between the advance of human civilization—represented by the agricultural, often destructive settlers—and the resilience of the natural world. It poses the question of how much of this intricate, interlacing web of life can survive as humanity claims more land. It is a plea for empathy toward the "vile" and the "disreputable" creatures that sustain the ecosystem, arguing that even the most common birds are vital threads in the tapestry of the pampas.

Why Read It Today

Readers with an interest in natural history, the history of science, or the literature of the South American pampas will find this volume uniquely rewarding. It provides a window into a world that was still largely wild at the time of writing, captured with a prose style that is both precise and deeply evocative. It feels like a long, patient walk through an untamed landscape, guided by someone who knows every bird’s call and nesting habit.

However, one must be prepared for the period-specific attitudes of the late nineteenth century. The text occasionally reflects the era’s disparaging views toward "vile" or "contemptible" species, and the casual mention of hunting or persecution of birds can be jarring to the modern reader. Furthermore, the format is a technical catalog, which requires patience; it is not a book to be rushed, but rather one to be dipped into for its rich descriptions and its profound observations on the intelligence of animals. What stays with the reader is the sense of a fleeting moment in history, where the observations of a few dedicated men serve as a testament to the enduring, often misunderstood beauty of the Argentine wilderness.