18() Mr. Ambrose A. Lane — Field-Notes 



told that these birds form most of the guano-deposits on 

 the Peruvian coast. 



-f 68. Phalacrocorax brasilianus (Gm.). 



(Laraqueti.) 



These birds may be considered the most numerous 

 amongst the sea-fowl of the Chilian coast, becoming more 

 plentiful as one goes south. They penetrate up the rivers, 

 so as to be often found almost at the base of the Andes and 

 on comparatively small streams. 



They are generally called '' cuervo " (crow) , but in some 

 inland localities are perhaps better known as " pato negro " 

 (black duck). They vary considerably in size, the males 

 being larger; a female which I measured was only 20 inches 

 long, and the other measurements were smaller in proportion. 

 The iris is a lustrous myrtle-green. 



These birds have a strong disagreeable odour. They 

 are perhaps partially migratory, but I should not consider 

 them gregarious, although at Corral I have seen about two 

 hundred together in the harbour, which when disturbed flew 

 away in a continuous line, like Petrels. 



When on the rivers they usually occur singly, flying up 

 and allowing themselves to drift down stream whilst fishing. 

 They feed by diving like Grebes, and often remain three 

 or four minutes under water. They sit for long intervals 

 on rocks or snags in mid-stream or even in low trees by 

 the banks of the smaller rivers. By the sea-shore they 

 sit on the rocks, often in groups of from three to thirty. 

 Sometimes on being approached they utter their deep 

 note, which is a bass grunt, and often (if seated) hold out 

 the wings as if preparatory to flight. 



They usually swim with only the head and neck above 

 water, but can also swim with the body above the surface ; if 

 approached they fly off with apparent facility, and are always 

 rather wary. I was told on good authority that about spring 

 or summer time at Maquegua (province of Arauco) large 

 flocks fly up the river about sunset, and roost in a part 

 of the forest about ten miles inland, where the trees and 



