on the Birds of Chili. 179 



These Owls are generally found outside their burrow 

 in daytime^ and when anyone approaches they invariably 

 attract attention by their discordant screeching. They will 

 be observed sitting on a rock or stump, and if approached 

 fly a short distance to a similar post and continue their harsh 

 screeches. Their burrow is of considerable length, and 

 usually excavated in the slope of a hill or on a sandy bank. 



I was told that they occurred up to 10,000 feet in the Cordil- 

 leras of Tarapaca. In Arauco I only observed them on the 

 open sandy stretches near Laraqueti, where they were un- 

 doubtedly resident. The iris is of bright gamboge-yellow. 



54. BUTEO KRYTHRONOTUS (King). 



Buteo erythronotus, Sharpe, B. M. C. i. p. 172 ; Sol. 

 P. Z. S. 1891, p. 135. 



(Cancosa and S.W. of Sacaya.) 



I only met with specimens of this species in the Cordilleras 

 of Tarapaca, but I believe it has a considerable range and 

 occurs in the highest altitudes. 



At Sacaya it was known as the ^^Aguila," or Eagle. 

 The dark specimen that I got (No. 258) was regarded by the 

 natives as a distinct species; they called it the " Halcon.^' The 

 lighter specimen was smaller, but appeared the same, except 

 in colouring. The legs and feet of both these birds were of 

 a buff-yellow, the claws black. These birds are essentially 

 birds of prey, but are said to capture fishes at times in the 

 small streams. 



I was told that they nest very early in the season on some 

 cliff, and lay two white eggs. 



55. Antenor unicinctus (Temm.). 

 Erythrocnema unicincta, Sharpe, B. M. C. i. p. 84. 

 (No specimen in B. M. from Mr. Lane.) 



This species occurs on the low-lying stretches of swampy 

 or sandy plain which occur in the vicinity of the coast of 

 Central and Southern Chili, as well as in similar localities 

 inland, and also on open stretches of country. 



It is generally known as the '' Penco." It occurs in places 

 about Valdivia, and probably on Chiloe, and I heard that its 



