on the Birds of Chili. 181 



tiicts, and often percli on telegraph-posts and railings. They 

 do not seem to touch birds of the Starling-sort, as Curceus 

 aterrimus and Trvpialis militaris. I have never observed them 

 hover, like their English congener, but otherwise they bear 

 much resemblance to the latter, and their note is as 

 frequently uttered, being of the same sort, but in a 

 higher key. 



I had several specimens alive during my stay in the south, 

 and kept them easily by tying them to a stake with a cord. 

 Adults would be hard to tame, but young birds become 

 thoroughly so ; they require to be tied where they can perch 

 on a stake or pole, on the top of which they will sit all day. 

 Those I had all escaped or Avere accidentally killed. The 

 young have a softer quavering cry ; this w^as constantly 

 uttered by one that I kept whilst I was skinning specimens. 

 When I approached with a piece of meat this bird would 

 fly at it, seizing it adroitly in his claws and carrying it to 

 his perch to eat. 



59. Elanus leucurus (Vieill.). 



Elanus leiicurus, Sliarpe, B. M. C. i. p. 339. 



(Laraqueti.) 



This handsome bird occurs, I am told, not unfrequently 

 on moors and swamps near the coast of Central Chili. I 

 found it at Laraqueti and Arauco, but am not sure how far 

 south it extends, as I heard of a bird answering the descrip- 

 tion occurring about Valdivia. 



A female procured at Laraqueti was in adult white 

 plumage. The legs and feet were deep chrome, the claws 

 black. Bill black ; gape and nostrils orange-buff. Iris 

 (large) poppy-red. This bird had three or four mice in its 

 stomach, one of w-hich was almost whole. 



60. MiLVAGO cHiMANGo (Vieill.). 



Ibyder chimango, Sharpe, B. M. C. i. p. 41. 



This is a common species all through Central and Southern 

 Chili, especially about arable land, where it takes the place 

 of the genus Corviis in other countries, and feeds similarly. 

 It is rather more numerous in Chiloe than in any other 



SER. VII. — VOL. III. o 



