16 Mr. Ambrose A. Laue — Field- Notes 



Tarapaca, during the latter part of May, 1890, which was 

 well into winter-time. 



I was unable to find out any local name for this species, as 

 the natives of Pica are far too indolent to take any interest 

 in ornithology, but I heard of its occurrence in similar oases 

 further north. I observed these birds in flocks feeding on 

 the tops of trees, just like Titmice, especially on a sort 

 of willow-tree. The sexes appear to resemble each other 

 in markings and size. They are probably residents at 

 Pica. 



They appear to be purely insectivorous, feeding on minute 

 insects like Paridae. Their call-note is similar to that of 

 most species of the latter; they were rather silent, how- 

 ever, when I saw them, merely calling to each other when 

 scattered. 



4. Xenospingus concolor (d'Orb. et Lafr.). 

 Xenospingus concolor, Sharpe, B. M. C. xii. p. 799; Scl. 



P. Z. S. 1891, p. 133. 



(Pica.) 



Whilst collecting at Pica (province of Tarapaca) in May, 

 1890, it being then winter-time in that locality, I noticed 

 these birds in the gardens, singly or in pairs. I was told 

 by the natives they were '^ Canaritos'^; but '^Canarito" 

 (which is a pet name for Canary in Spanish) is often applied 

 indiscriminately to small birds. 



This is a shy, retiring bird, flitting through the thick 

 bushes, and occasionally uttering a peculiar and rather 

 subdued chirruping. 



5. Phrygilus gayi (Eyd. etGerv.). 

 Phrygilus gayi, Sharpe, B. M. C. xii. p. 781. 



I did not observe these Finches until I went to the 

 province of Arauco, north of which they do not occur on 

 the lowlands ; at least so I was told. They are more 

 plentiful in the south, especially in Chiloe, and on the 

 adjacent mainland. Their local name is " Chanchito '' 

 ("little pig'')- 



They resemble P. atricejis very closely, and might be 



