51 



pass flock upon flock of Upland Geese^ Chloëphaga dispar. 



This goose is often called the Chilian form of Chloëphaga 

 magellanica. 



This is rather misleading, than although Tierra del 

 Fuego belongs for the greater part to Chili this goose 

 was not found by me in Chili proper. 



I have been over a good part of southern Chili but 

 have not seen a single specimen nor have ever heard of it. 



Tierra del Fuego on the contrary it inhabits as a resident 

 in countless numbers and if it was not so much persecuted 

 would probably be still more numerous. 



As it is, one sees it almost everywhere and it seems to 

 be attracted by the fine grass which is the result of the 

 grazing of the sheep. 



This bird is a resident in Tierra del Fuego but every thing 

 about its history is not known, so f. i. several people there told 

 me that these birds had never been found moulting and the 

 common belief was that they did not moult like other geese. 



Now as it is quite certain that Chloëph. dispar moults 

 its flight feathers like every other goose (Atiseranas mela- 

 noleuca excepted which moults like a hen and can always 

 fly), it only proves that at that critical time the birds 

 wander away to some unknown part of Tierra del Fuego 

 or to some of the adjacent islands where they can moult 

 in peace and security. 



This circumstance is probably the only thing that keeps 

 the species going as they would certainly be exterminated 

 if they moulted in the inhabited country. 



Amongst all the flocks of CMoëp)haga dispar I have only 

 seen very few white-breasted birds belonging to the allied 

 Chi. magellanica of the Falklands. They had probably 

 lost themselves amongst the flocks of CM. dispar and I 

 have not met any number of CM. magellanica together. 



At last after having ridden three hours I see a deep 

 bay formed by the sea and not far from it some yellow 

 painted houses with scarlet roofs. 



The bay is the " Jente Grande" bay and the houses are Jente 

 Grande settlement, where I am going to spend a few days. 



Notes from the Leyden Museum, Vol. XXXV. 



