316 Field-Notes on the Birds of Chili. 



123. TiNAMOTIS PENTLANDI (Vig.) . 



Tinamotis pentlandi, Scl. P. Z. S. 1891, p. 137 ; Salvad. 

 B. M. C. xxvii. p. 568. 



(Sacaya and Cancosa.) 



These birds are not uncommon in the Andes of Tarapaca, 

 in the smaller valleys up to 14,000 feet, where they live 

 principally on certain herbs or grasses, and probably on 

 insect food as well. They are also called " Perdiz •'■' or 

 " Perdiz de la Cordillera.^' 



I was told they nest at Sacaya from December to January, 

 but I had some eggs and a female brought me on 5th April, 

 1890 ; the latter had been pounced on by an Indian's dog 

 and was considerably mauled. They are said to lay up to 

 a dozen eggs. 



The flesh of both species of Tinamou is white and 

 delicate, especially that of the present. These are difficult 

 to shoot, as they resemble the sand in colour, and the want 

 of cover makes it still harder to approach them. 



The nest is merely a hollow scratched in the sand and 

 lined with a few feathers. 



124. Rhea darwini, Gould. 



Rhea darwini, Scl. P. Z. S. 1891, p. 137 ; Salvad. B. M. C. 

 xxvii. p. 582. 



(Cancosa.) 



In the Andes of Northern Chili this Rhea is not un- 

 common, but is difficult to procure. When its haunts are 

 discovered it may be stalked and brought down with a rifle. 



Its Spanish name is " Avestruz," but the Bolivian name 

 is " Siiri." I usually saw from two to six together. I was 

 told that they nest at the beginning of December, and lay two 

 clutches of eggs, sometimes several miles apart. One lot, 

 probably the first, are not hatched, and, by the time the others 

 are, have become full of maggots, on which the young are fed 

 during their first stage of existence. I could not find out 

 whether the female broods, as, though the heat of the sun is 

 sufficient by day to hatch eggs, the frost at night is severe. 

 The two young birds sent home I bought from an Indian, and 



