48 Mr. Ambrose A. Lane — Field-Notes 



The sexes so closely resemble eacli other that it would be 

 impossible to distinguish them at any distance ; they are, 

 so far as I could ascertain, also similar in size. They are 

 invariably met with in pairs, seldom, if ever^ singly ; some- 

 times two or three pairs go in company. 



The birds are specially plentiful on the margin of the forest 

 or pioneer stations, where the ground has been cleared by 

 burning. In this operation the charred trunks of the large 

 trees are left standing a long time before the land is properly 

 cleared by advancing civilization, and on such trees the 

 " Pitigiies " appear to find abundance of sustenance, as their 

 loud though discordant cry is frequently heard. They often 

 call out on being approached, thus betraying their presence. 

 I frequently observed them feeding on the ground, on the 

 grassy plots, especially if there were logs lying there. They 

 proceed by creeping or going at an awkward gait, hopping and 

 walking alternately. I was told at Rio Bueno that they 

 nest in a deep hole in a tree-trunk high up from the ground, 

 about Christmas, laying three or four white eggs, but I never 

 found the nest. 



44. Dendrocopus lignarius (Mol.). 

 Dendrocopus lignarius, Hartert, B. M. C. xviii. p. 257. 

 (Hacienda Mansel, Coronel, Rio Bueno, and Laraquete.) 

 This species seems to be distributed over Central and 



Southern Chili, but I never found it plentiful in any locality. 

 In the south I did not observe it in the forests, nor did I 

 hear of its occurrence there; but I occasionally found it 

 about clumps of low timber on open flats and in swamps. 

 The local name is " Carpintero '^ or '^ Carpintero chico." 

 The female is somewhat smaller, and does not attain the 

 bright red on the back of the head which makes the male 

 conspicuous. These birds utter a peculiar call-note, by 

 which they may be recognized, as they are not often seen 

 unless looked for. 



45. Ipocrantor magellanicus (King). 



Tpocrantor magellanicus, Hargitt, B. M. C. xviii. p. 481. 

 This is an inhabitant of the forests of Southern Chili, and 



