in the Chuptit Valley, Patagonia. 37 



shot the female bird. My attention was drawn to the spot 

 by seeing a large structure of sticks in the centre of a bush, 

 which proved to be the nest, and which measured about three 

 feet in diameter, nearly round, the interior being reached by 

 a passage from the top, circular in shape, formed of small 

 twigs, and about twelve inches in length. On my approach- 

 ing the bush both birds uttered harsh and noisy screams, 

 hopping anxiously about the nest; both had elongated fea- 

 thers on the crest of the head, which they erected to show 

 their displeasure at being disturbed ; and the only difference 

 I could detect between them was that these feathers were 

 slightly the longest in the male bird. The nest was appa- 

 rently not quite completed, the interior having no lining but 

 small twigs. The stomach of the female contained the bones 

 of a small mammal ; and in its ovary was an egg nearly ready 

 for exclusion. 



Stenopsis bifasciata. 



Rare ; the only specimen seen I found on the hills about 

 four miles to the south of the village. On dissection it proved 

 to be a female, with eggs in a forward state in the ovary. 

 To the colonists this species is known as the " shy bird,^^ in 

 consequence of its vigilance in eluding pursuit ; for though 

 when flushed it never flies very far, it always seeks the shelter 

 of a small bush, squatting flat on the ground ; and from its 

 peculiar zigzag mode of flight, it is difficult for the eye to 

 follow it. 



CONURUS PATAGONUS. 



A flock of about thirty of this Parrot frequented the Tosca 

 clifi" up the valley, a few of which were breeding in the crevices, 

 having chosen the most inaccessible part of the cliff" for that 

 purpose. The greater number during the day were to be 

 seen about the river, sometimes as much as fifteen miles from 

 their stronghold ; these always kept in a compact body, re- 

 turning before dusk to roost on the cliff". They fed on the 

 young leaves of a species of thorn, the stomach of one shot 

 on the 24'th November being crammed with these. 



