IN THE STRAITS OF MAGELLAN 7 



is a little brother to the northern auklet, which it resembles in appear- 

 ance and to some extent in habits. When at large there is nothing in 

 its actions to suggest the petrel. It strikes down into the water from 

 full flight, emerging farther on, fairly bursting forth into the air with 

 wings in rapid motion. 



There were also gulls, ja?gers and grebes along the great waterway. 

 Albatrosses and Cape Horn pigeons did not follow us into the straits, 

 but we found them awaiting the ship when we emerged into the Pacific 

 a month later. 



About the marshy places, ducks, geese, plovers and snipes of un- 

 familiar kinds afforded sport as well as ornithological specimens on our 

 trips ashore. The Paraguay snipe proved a good substitute for the 

 Wilson snipe of North America. Most striking in appearance were 

 the large kelp geese, the males of which are snowy white and the 

 females dark. 



The barred Magellan geese, however, are more important on account 

 of their abundance. This bird is a resident of the region throughout 

 the year. It is an inhabitant of the open plains and mountain slopes 

 and is a land rather than a water species. It occupies the open country 

 of Tierra del Fuego in enormous numbers and has contributed more 

 to the food of the white settlers now establishing sheep ranches in that 

 country and in Patagonia than any other wild creature. 



With few exceptions both land and water 'birds were species of the 

 southern hemisphere and of Antarctic distribution. 



The Magellan robin would have passed for the North American 

 bird but for its gray tones and its disinclination to sing. There were 



Natives. Straits of Magellan. 



