BIRDS. 349 



commoti. It lives on the gi'ound, sheltered among 

 the thickets which are scattered over the dry and 

 sterile hills. With its tail erect, and stilt-like legs, 

 it may be seen every now and then popjjing fi-om 

 one bush to another with uncommon quickness. It 

 really requires little imagination to believe that the 

 bird is ashamed of itself, and is aware of its most 

 ridiculous figure. On first seeing it, one is tempt- 

 ed to exclaim, " A vilely stuffed specimen has es- 

 caped from some museum, and has come to life 

 again!" It cannot be made to take flight without 

 the greatest trouble, nor does it run, but only hops. 

 The various loud cries which it utters when con- 

 cealed amongst the bushes are as strange as its ap- 

 pearance. It is said to build its nest in a deep hole 

 beneath the ground. I dissected several specimens : 

 the gizzard, which was very muscular, contained 

 beetles, vegetable fibres, and pebbles. From this 

 character, from the length of its legs, scratching 

 feet, membranous covering to the nostrils, short 

 and arched %\'ings, this bird seems in a certain de- 

 gree to connect the thrushes with the gallinaceous 

 order. 



The second species (or P. albicollis) is allied to 

 the first in its general form. It is called Tapacolo, 

 or "cover your posterior;" and well does the 

 shameless little bird desei-ve its name ; for it carries 

 its tail more than erect, that is, inclined backwards 

 towards its head. It is very common, and frequents 

 the bottoms of hedge-rows, and the bushes scatter- 

 ed over the barren hills, where scarcely another 

 bird can exist. In its general manner of feeding, 

 of quickly hopping out of the thickets and back 

 again, in its desire of concealment, un^'villingness 

 to take flight, and nidification, it bears a close re- 

 semblance to the Turco ; but its appearance is not 

 quite so ridiculous. The Tapacolo is ver\- craftv : 

 Gg 



