30 JNIr. H. Durnford on some Birds observed 



the colonists^ aud which seem to thrive, the whole country 

 is characterized by an entire absence of trees ; and to this 

 fact, coupled with the general flatness of the country, may 

 be attributed the very light rainfall the colonists experience. 

 During our visit, lasting a month, we had two or three light 

 showers ; and this we were informed was about the average. 



From an old Indian burial-ground, at a distance of ten 

 miles from the village, we disinterred the skeletons of two or 

 three Indians, and some arrow- and spear-heads formed of 

 flint from the same locality. Two skulls and the arrow-heads 

 I preserved ; the former are very similar to the heads of the 

 present Tehuelche Indians, a small encampment of whom 

 were at the colony during our visit. It is probable that 

 before they came into possession of horses and dogs they 

 lived on shell-fish and what they could secure with their bow^s 

 and arrows, exactly as the Fuegians do now. 



In addition to the birds included in the following list, I 

 observed some which, from having obtained no specimen or 

 other causes, were not satisfactorily identified ; so I think it 

 better only to mention them. 



Twice during my visit I saw what I took to be a Harrier, 

 about the size of Circus citiereus, but striped longitudinally 

 with light and dark brown or black, the underparts lightest. 

 It occurred on the sea-coast, and also on the tableland above 

 the valley, perching on low bushes, and difficult of approach. 



When staying up the valley I saw many times, and once 

 had a shot at, a bird slightly larger than Polyborus vulgaris, 

 and from its habits closely allied to that species ; the only 

 diff'erence I could detect was that it appeared to be a little 

 larger and of a heavier build, with the plumage generally of a 

 lighter colour than in that bird. 



Throughout the valley I many times observed some dark- 

 brown Vultures, nearly as large as Geranoaetus melanoleucus , 

 apparently of a uniform colour, but w ith the naked skin about 

 the head red. This species is well known to the colonists, 

 and feeds on dead horses, cattle, &c. 



Amongst thick rushy ground in the neighbourhood of the 

 river is found a Rail, which, from two examples observed, 

 I should describe as exactly like an Aramides in plumage. 



