on the Birds of Chili. 29 



21. Agriornis maritima ((VOrb. et Lafr.). 



Agriornis maritima, Sclater, B. M. C. xiv. p. 6 ; id. P. Z. S. 

 1891, p. 134. 



(Sacaya.) 



This bird occurred about Sacaya and in other localities in 

 the Cordilleras of Tarapaca. I usually observed them (singly) 

 on rocky slopes bordering the valleys, where they perch on the 

 tops of bushes or boulders. The Indian name is '^ Huayaje " 

 (pronounced Wy-agh-a). The legs and feet are strongly 

 formed and of a black colour, also the bill, the latter being 

 of very stout make, and giving the bird an appearance well 

 deserving o£ the appellation of the genus. I was informed 

 that they are of a rapacious nature, and devour quantities 

 of the small sand-lizards which frequent these localities. I 

 seldom saw the birds, but was told they were by no means 

 uncommon. They nested at Sacaya about November or 

 December. 



The nest (specimen sent) is composed of llama wool and 

 rags picked up about Indian homesteads, and is clumsily 

 constructed on ledges of rock in caves or on the sides of 

 ravines. 



I believe only two eggs are laid, but I was too late in the 

 Cordilleras to obtain specimens. An Indian got me a nest 

 in the end of January 1890, containing two naked young 

 ones, which I kept some days alive by feeding them on 

 pieces of the flesh of specimens which I skinned. They fed 

 with avidity and seemed by no means particular, and certainly 

 were extremely hardy, as I did not bestow much attention 

 on them, but thought that they would be more interesting 

 in spirit than when they had developed more growth, as they 

 were at quite an early stage (perhaps five or six days old). 



As a proof of their hardiness I may state that, owing to the 

 frost at night, they were in a half-frozen state each morning, 

 but came to life on being laid out in the rays of the rising 

 sun, by which means I kept them in apparently good con- 

 dition for three or four days, when I had to leave my camp, 

 so consigned them to the spirit-jar. 



I should conclude from these facts that tiiis species would 



