54 MALDONADO. [CHAP. in. 



parents. I am strongly inclined to believe that this view is cor- 

 rect, from having been independently led (as we shall hereafter 

 see) to an analogous conclusion with regard to the South 

 American ostrich, the females of which are parasitical, if I may 

 so express it, on each other ; each female laying several eggs in 

 the nests of several other females, and the male ostrich under- 

 taking all the cares of incubation, like the strange foster-parents 

 with the cuckoo. 



I will mention only two other birds, which are very common, 

 and render themselves prominent from their habits. The Sauro- 

 phagus sulphuratus is typical of the great American tribe of 

 tyrant-flycatchers. In its structure it closely approaches the 

 true shrikes, but in its habits may be compared to many birds. 

 I have frequently observed it, hunting a field, hovering over one 

 spot like a hawk, and then proceeding on to another. When 

 seen thus suspended in the air, it might very readily at a short 

 distance be mistaken for one of the Rapacious order ; its stoop, 

 however, is very inferior in force and rapidity to that of a hawk. 

 At other times the Saurophagus haunts the neighbourhood of 

 water, and there, like a kingfisher, remaining stationary, it 

 catches any small fish which may come near the margin. These 

 birds are not unfrequently kept either in cages or in courtyards, 

 with their wings cut. They soon become tame, and are very 

 amusing from their cunning odd manners, which were described 

 to me as being similar to those of the common magpie. Their 

 flight is undulatory, for the weight of the head and bill appear 

 too great for the body. In the evening the Saurophagus takes 

 its stand on a bush, often by the road-side, and continually 

 repeats without change a shrill and rather agreeable cry, which 

 somewhat resembles articulate words : the Spaniards say it is like 

 the words " Bien te veo" (I see you well), and accordingly have 

 given it this name. 



A mocking-bird (Mimus orpheus), called by the inhabitants 

 Calandria, is remarkable, from possessing a song far superior 

 to that of any other bird in the country : indeed, it is nearly the 

 only bird in South America which I have observed to take its 

 stand for the purpose of singing. The song may be compared 

 to thut of the Sedge warbler, but is more powerful ; some harsh 

 notes and some very high ones, being mingled with a pleasant 



