on the Birds of Chili. 27 



The female may perhaps be a trifle smaller than the male. 

 Both sexes vary in colouring, the male attaining more 

 brilliant plumage after the moult. The iris is black. They 

 frequent the hills in Central Chili, and in other localities 

 prefer large open expanses of grass-land or agricultural 

 districts. They appear to be more terrestrial than arboreal 

 in their habits, and I should say they fed altogether on the 

 ground. They are to a great extent insectivorous, though 

 they also eat various grains and, I believe, fruit. 



I never found the nest of this bird, but was told it is 

 built as a rule in one of the scattered bushes which occur 

 frequently on hills or plains in Chili. 



A full-fledged young one was brought me at Rio Bueno, 

 which I kept alive for two days, when it was stolen by rats. 

 It had a faint reddish tinge on the breast, and was much 

 duller in its markings than adults. It was brought to me 

 about the middle of February. In Central Chili this species 

 breeds much earlier. In winter- time the birds go in flocks. 



I saw one in a cage at Valparaiso which seemed thriving, 

 and was told they could be easily kept in aviaries. 



They have a good series of this species in the Santiago 

 Museum, amongst which is a beautiful variety of the male 

 having those parts usually bright red or scarlet of a rich 

 yellow colour. 



19. CuRiEUS ATERRIMUS (Kittl.). 



Cu7'(Eus nterrimus, Sclater, B. M. C. xi. p. 351. 



(Hacienda Mansel and Calle-calle). 



This species is abundant throughout central and southern 

 Chili, and is generally known as the " Tordo^"" (Thrush). 



The sexes are similar in colour, and differ little in size. 



These birds prefer agricultural districts, and in winter- 

 time are usually seen in flocks. They feed chiefly, if not 

 altogether, on the ground, eating insects, grain, and fruit, 

 and are very rapacious. I had one alive for some time in an 

 outhouse in Rio Bueno ; it was much like a specimen of the 

 Corvidae, being rather familiar and cunning; it did not 

 appear afraid of other birds, and could defend itself ably 



