ORNITHOLOGY 307 



Plata. It here, however, exclusively frequents salt water ; which 

 same circumstance has been mentioned as sometimes occurring 

 with the great rodent, the Capybara. A small sea-otter is very 

 numerous ; this animal does not feed exclusively on fish, but, 

 like the seals, draws a large supply from a small red crab, which 

 swims in shoals near the surface of the water. Mr. Bynoe saw 

 one in Tierra del Fuego eating a cuttlefish ; and at Low's 

 Harbour, another was killed in the act of carrying to its hole a 

 large volute shell. At one place I caught in a trap a singular 

 little mouse (M. brachiotis) ; it appeared common on several 

 of the islets, but the Chilotans at Low's Harbour said that 

 it was not found in all. What a succession of chances,^ 

 or what changes of level must have been brought into play, 

 thus to spread these small animals throughout this broken 

 archipelago ! 



In all parts of Chiloe and Chonos, two very strange birds 

 occur, which are allied to, and replace, the Turco and Tapacolo 

 of central Chile. One is called by the inhabitants " Cheucau " 

 (Pteroptochos rubecula) : it frequents the most gloomy and 

 retired spots within the damp forests. Sometimes, although its 

 cry may be heard close at hand, let a person watch ever so 

 attentively he will not see the cheucau ; at other times let him 

 stand motionless and the red-breasted little bird will approach 

 within a few feet in the most familiar manner. It then busily 

 hops about the entangled mass of rotting canes and branches, 

 with its little tail cocked upwards. The cheucau is held in 

 superstitious fear by the Chilotans, on account of its strange and 

 varied cries. There are three very distinct cries : one is called 

 " chiduco," and is an omen of good ; another, " huitreu," which is 

 extremely unfavourable ; and a third, which I have forgotten. 

 These words are given in imitation of the noises ; and the 

 natives are in some things absolutely governed by them. The 

 Chilotans assuredly have chosen a most comical little creature 

 for their prophet. An allied species, but rather larger, is called 

 by the natives " Guid-guid " f Pteroptochos Tarnii), and by the 

 English the barking-bird. This latter name is well given ; for 



^ It is said that some rapacious birds bring their prey alive to their nests. If so, 

 in the course of centuries, every now and then, one might escape from the young 

 birds. Some such agency is necessary, to account for the distribution of tlie smaller 

 gnawing animals on islands not very near each other. 



