502 Mr. Ambrose A. limine —Field- Notes 



was easier to reach, and obtained some eggs. I went to the 

 spot again in March, thinking I saw eggs, but obtained none : 

 however, later in April I found eggs containing young birds ; 

 these, I think, belonged to F. ardesiaca. 



97. FULICA ARDESIACA, Tsch. 



Fulica ardesiaca, Sharpe, B. M. C. xxiii. p. 217. 



(Sacaya.) 



This species measures about 16 inches long, bill to rictus 

 1*5 ; tail 3, containing two middle rectrices and five lateral 

 on each side. The bill is sulphur-yellow, with a patch of 

 hazel on the top of the culmen and continued up to the shield 

 on the forehead. Tlie legs and feet are oil-green, shading 

 into sage-green in parts ; the claws greenish-drab. Both 

 this species and the preceding are termed "Machorita" by 

 the Indian, from some fancied resemblance to the Llama, 

 which they call the " Machora." 



98. Fulica leucoptera*. 



FuHca leucoptera, Sharpe, B. M. C. xxiii. p. 224. 



(Sacaya.) 



The common Chilian Coot is known everywhere as the 

 " Tagua,^' and occurs on all the lagunas and marshes tlu'ough- 

 out the central and southern provinces; it builds floating nests, 

 and lays from five to eight eggs. The length of an adult is 

 about 15 inches ; bill (point to rictus) 1*3, (to top of shield) 

 1*75; tail 2-375, containing two middle rectrices and five on 

 each side ; wing 7*25 ; tarsus 2-375. The legs and feet are 

 light olive-green, dark at the joints, with a touch of coral- 

 red round the tibiae. The bill and shield are canary-yellow, 

 with a patch of coral-red at the margin on the culmen. 



99. Belonopterus chilensis. 



Belonopterus chilensis, Sharpe, B. M. C. xxiv. p. 165. 



(San Pedro and San Antonio.) 



This Plover is common all through Central and Southern 

 Chili, and its noisy and discordant screeching may be heard 

 by anyone traversing flat or marshy ground. It is known 

 in the central provinces as the " Queltregiie," and in the south 



* [Besides these three species Mr. Lane obtained examples of Fulica 

 (irmillata in Tarapaca. See B. M. C. xxiii. p. 219. — P. L. S.] 



