ySS PATAGONIAN EXPEDITIONS I ZOOLOGY. 



secondaries and greater coverts ; tail gray, shafts black, feathers bordered 

 with paler gray, outer web of outermost pair nearly pure white ; throat, 

 abdomen and lower tail coverts white, breast and sides strongly washed 

 with gray ; bill and feet black. 



Sexes indistinguishable. 



Geographical Range. — Chili. 



A. A. Lane describes this species as follows: "I did not observe these 

 birds until I went to Arauco, where I saw them about the hills round 

 Coronel, Lota, and Laraquete, and in the interior, thence southward 

 everywhere I went, and on Chiloe. They appeared very plentiful in the 

 province of Valdivia. I should consider them a common resident in all 

 these localities. I have always seen them singly, except when paired. 

 It is generally known as the 'Diucon,' probably on account of its re- 

 semblance to the Diuca. . . . 



"It is invariably observed on the topmost twig of a shrub or low tree, 

 and when disturbed will fly a short distance to a similar position. The 

 flight is undulating and buoyant. The call-note, which is constantly ut- 

 tered, is very similar to that of the Bullfinch, and likewise low and sub- 

 dued ; it is uttered more frequently on the approach of an intruder or 

 when its nest is threatened. 



" It is strictly arboreal in its habits, but occurs both in the forest parts 

 and round cultivated lands and orchards. Its flight is generally accom- 

 panied by a peculiar clicking noise, which is, I think, made by a snapping 

 of the beak. One of its most characteristic habits is the capture of in- 

 sects on the wing ; it flies at them from its perch, to which it usually re- 

 turns. I never saw one appear to miss the insect it flew at, though this 

 flight is often very remarkable, as it will generally poise itself a moment 

 or two in mid-air and go through some curious gyrations in regaining its 

 perch. In such instances the snapping noise is always heard several 

 times, perhaps, but the bird also makes, it in its ordinary flight, when no 

 insects appear adjacent. 



"I have on two or three occasions remarked that these birds 'tower' 

 or soar upwards from a perch to a height of 20 or 30 feet, and then drop 

 down again to the spot they quitted with no apparent object. But I 

 think this occurred at the breeding-season, and may be accounted for as a 

 freak of the male bird when looking for a mate, as is often observed in 

 Greenfinches. 



