on the Birds of Chili. 37 



lierching at all. When disturbed they are more inclined to 

 run than to fly, which they do with great rapidity and in a 

 peculiar manner, keeping the tail spread and the head and 

 body thrown back. They have a shrill, remarkable cry, 

 which may be frequently heard, but otherwise have little 

 variation. 



I never saw them about the marshes or very close to 

 water, and they seemed to frequent bare sandy spots rather 

 than places where a little vegetation occurred. 



29. Upucerthia jELSKii (Cab.). 



Upucerthia jelskii, Sclater, B. M. C. xv. p. 18 j id. P. Z. S. 

 1891, p. 134. 



(Sacaya.) 



This species was plentiful about Sacaya in Tarapaca, 

 and occurred also at Huasco. I observed it at from 9000 

 to 11,000 feet. It appeared to be a resident and to breed 

 there. 



These birds are invariably found on the slopes bordering 

 a valley or marsh, where there is a scattered growth of 

 scrub aflFording scanty covert. They are altogether terres- 

 trial and fly very little. When disturbed in the open they 

 make for the nearest covert, if hard pressed flying a short 

 distance with quick strokes and apparent difficulty. The 

 tail is carried erect when running. 



I noticed one, which happened to be grubbing for worms 

 on a grassy spot, drive away other small birds which came 

 near it, making an angry chattering noise. 



The note of this bird is a shrill cackling sound, with more 

 or less variation. It feeds on worms and grubs, and is 

 probably altogether insectivorous. It nests in a hole which 

 it excavates at the base of some bush on the hillside. I found 

 a fresh hole at Sacaya, but after digging it out for six feet 

 found that no nest had been made. 



30. CiNCLODES PATAGONICUS (Gm.). 



Cinclodes patagonicus, Sclater, B. M. C. xv. p. 23. 



(Corral, Hacienda Mansel, and Rio Bueno.) 



This species is plentiful all through Southern Chili. In 



