BIRDS. 15 



of a house with other ofFal. I was also assured that in Chiloe, these birds (pro- 

 bably in this district the M. pezoporus) materially injure the potato crops, by 

 stocking up the roots when first planted. In the same island, I saw them follow- 

 ing by scores the plough, and feeding on worms and larvfe of insects. I do not 

 believe that they kill, under any circumstances, even small birds or animals. They 

 are more active than the Carranchas, but their flight is heavy ; I never saw one 

 soar ; they are very tame ; are not gregarious ; commonly perch on stone 

 walls, and not upon trees. They frequently utter a gentle, shrill scream. 



3. MiLVAGO LEUCURUS. 



Falco leucurus, Forster's Drawings, No. 34. MS. 



Novse Zelandiae, Gm. 



australis. Lath. 



Circaetus antarcticus. Less. 



It will be observed in the above list of synonyms, which I have given on the 

 authority of Mr. G. R. Gray, that this bird, although possessing well marked 

 characters, has received several specific names. Mr. Gray's discovery of 

 Forster's original drawing with the name F. leucurus written on it, I consider very 

 fortunate, as it was indispensable that the names by which it is mentioned in 

 most ornithological works, namely, Falco or Polyhorus Novce Zelandice, should 

 be changed. There is not, I believe, the slightest reason for supposing that 

 this bird has ever been found in New Zealand. All the specimens which of 

 late years have been brought to England have come from the Falkland Islands, 

 or the extreme southern portion of South America. The sub-family, moreover, 

 to which it belongs, is exclusively American ; and I do not know of any case 

 of a land bird being common to this continent and New Zealand. The origin of 

 this specific name, which is so singularly inappropriate, as tending to perpetuate 

 a belief which would form a strange anomaly in the geographical distribution 

 of these birds, may be explained by the circumstance of specimens having been 

 first brought to Europe by the naturalists during Captain Cook's second voyage, 

 during which New Zealand was visited, and a large collection made there. In 

 the homeward voyage, however. Cook anchored in Christmas Sound, in Tierra 

 del Fuego, and likewise in Staten Land : describing the latter place he says, 

 " I have often observed the eagles and vultures sitting on the hillocks among the 

 shags, without the latter, either young or old, being disturbed at their presence. 

 It may be asked how these birds of prey live? I suppose on the carcasses of 

 seals and birds, which die by various causes ; and probably not few, as they are 

 so numerous." From this description I entertain very little doubt that Cook 

 referred to the Cathartes aura and Milvago leucurus, both of which birds inhabit 

 these latitudes, as we shall hereafter show. 



