on the Birds of Chili, 35 



I never heard these birds make any noise when I got close 

 on the nest. I found one nest in a quila bush. I did not 

 find any nests with young, but observed young birds, 

 which could only have flown a day or so previously, feeding 

 on marqui, and, judging from some fresh droppings, on it 

 exclusively. 



The song is a somewhat variable ditty, and is more amusing 

 than harmonious, being a series of whistles and squeaking 

 sounds uttered promiscuously, though with energy. 



This bird is held in very bad repute by gardeners on 

 account of its depredations already alluded to. 



27. Phytotoma rara, Mol. 



Phytotoma rara, Sclater, B. M. C. xiv. p, 406. 



(Hacienda Mansel, Corral, and Calle-calle.) 



This is rather a handsome species when in full plumage, 

 but one of the most destructive birds in the central and, I 

 believe, in all the southern provinces as well. It is known 

 as the " Rara,^' but I could not get any clue to the origin of 

 this name. 



It appeared to me to be more plentiful about Valdivia 

 than in Central Chili, but I fancy it is chiefly a summer 

 migrant at the former place. 



The iris is of Chinese orange colour. 



The Raras are persistent visitors to gardens, where they 

 bite off buds, demolish fruit, and do an enormous amount of 

 damage if not driven off in time. They do not appear to 

 frequent the old forest about Valdivia, but take up their 

 abode in coppices near cultivated ground, orchards, and such- 

 like localities. They seem to eat all sorts of green food as 

 well as fruits and berries, but I could not discover whether 

 they were also insectivorous. 



A captured adult refused all kinds of seeds which were 

 off'ered to it, but ate grass and the leaves of various weeds 

 with avidity, also blossoms and flowers. I gave it the yellow 

 blossoms of the gorse (which has been imported), and it 

 appeared to relish them. Later on I observed the birds were 

 also as partial to the marqui-herries as the other small species 



