on the Birds of Chili. 41 



but on perceiving anybody near, or any sudden movement, 

 they are so hasty in their retreat that they seem to vanish 

 into nothing. Their movements can only be compared to 

 the flight of an arrow or such-like missile — that is, Avhen 

 they make a dart across an open space or retreat from 

 observation. Otherwise they hop or run along in an easy- 

 going way, and will come quite close under cover of bushes. 

 The length of a full-grown male is almost 7 inches. Bill 

 from point to gape "75 inch ; tail 3 inches ; wing from 

 shoulder to tip 2'85 inches, primaries 10. The wings 

 expanded measure slightly over 9 inches ; they are very 

 rounded in shape and not adapted for flight. In fact, so far 

 as I remember, I never saw one of these birds fly properly ; 

 they trust entirely to their legs when trying to escape. 



Their note is very loud compared to the size of the bird ; 

 it is uttered in almost the same tone as the gobbling of a 

 Turkey. 



The male of this species emits a note something like the 

 crow of a cock ; this it utters at intervals while threading 

 its way through the labyrinths of the forest undergrowth, 

 and it is answered by similar notes from a distance all 

 round. I have also noticed that when they are moving 

 in a ravine they invariably go along the bottom, down 

 stream. They do not leave the ground as a rule, though 

 they may occasionally perch on a stick for a second ; but I 

 never observed them hopping through the bushes as the 

 other forest-species do. The female has a note like the crow 

 of the male, but much more contracted. They also utter a 

 most dismal cry, which is a sort of call-note when a pair 

 are together. I do not think they practise the chromatic 

 scale, so peculiar to the genus Hijlactes. 



I spent a good deal of time in Arauco trying to get these 

 birds, but almost gave it up in despair, until I went further 

 south, where I found them to be much more plentiful and 

 quite numerous in the forest; so much so in some places tliat 

 by waiting in a likely spot, and keeping very quiet, I generally 

 got a sight of one, as they will then come boldly into view, 

 as if prompted by curiosity ; but if the gun be brought 



