24 Mr. Ambrose A. Laue — Field-Notes 



I oljserved it about at altitudes of from 8000 to 10,000 feet. 



It frequents places where mules, &c., are kept, near camps 

 or houses, also grassy slopes near rivulets. 



The only note I heard it utter was an insignificant chirrup. 



16. SyCALIS AKVENSIS (Kittl.). 



Sycalis arvensis, Sharpe, B. M. C. xii. p. 382. 



(Hacienda Mansel, Rio Bueno, Puerto Montt, Laguna 

 Llanquehui.) 



A common species in the southern provinces, wherever 

 wheat-growing is carried on, but not seen in the forests. 

 It is also numerous in Central Chili. The general local 

 name is " Cherigiie,'^ M'hich word is something similar in 

 utterance to one of their call-notes. It appears to be a 

 resident in all localities where met with. In winter-time it 

 is usually seen in large flocks, on open ground, in search of 

 seeds. 



They are at all times most exuberant birds and very 

 sprightly, but on the approach of the breeding-season become 

 even more animated and noisy, and the males commence 

 their song, which is most remarkable, not so much for its 

 note as for the manner in which it is executed. The chief 

 characteristic of this song is that it is invariably performed 

 on the wing. It is commenced during ordinary flight in a 

 twittering strain until the bird is at a height of about eight 

 or twelve feet, when it suddenly relapses into a long-drawn 

 Avhirring note; the bird at the same time keeping the wings 

 expanded and almost motionless, except for a slight vibration, 

 and allowing itself to sink gradually to the ground. This 

 peculiar habit led me at first to suppose that the species was 

 some sort of Skylark, until I found the feat was performed 

 by a bird already known to me. This habit is kept up all 

 through the summer ; in addition, the male is most amus- 

 ingly energetic during this period, especially in his attend- 

 ance on the female, driving her to the nest and appearing to 

 be in a perpetual state of motion and excitement. 



They did not appear to nest at Rio Bueno until after 

 Christmas, though pairing-operations had been commenced 

 some time before. 



