1833.] OVEN BIRDS. 103 



To this genus, or rather to the family of the Waders, its 

 skeleton sKows that it is really related. 



The tinochorus is closely related to some other South 

 American birds. Two species of the genus Attagis are in 

 almost every respect ptarmigans in their habits ; one lives 

 in Tierra del Fuego, above the limits of the forest land ; and 

 the other just beneath the snovi^-line on the Cordillera of 

 Central Chile. A bird of another closely allied genus, 

 Chionis alba, is an inhabitant of the antarctic regions ; it 

 feeds on seaweed and shells on the tidal rocks. Although 

 not web - footed, from some unaccountable habit, it is 

 frequently met with far out at sea. This small family of 

 birds is one of those which, from its varied relations to other 

 families, although at present offering only difficulties to the 

 systematic naturalist, ultimately may assist in revealing 

 the grand scheme, common to the present and past ages, 

 on which organized beings have been created. 



The genus Fumarius contains several species, all small 

 birds, living on the ground, and inhabiting open dry 

 countries. In structure they cannot be compared to any 

 European form. Ornithologists have generally included 

 them among the Creepers, although opposed to that family 

 in every habit. The best-known species is the common 

 oven-bird of La Plata, the casara or housemaker of the 

 Spaniards. The nest, whence it takes its name, is placed 

 in the most exposed situations, as on the top of a post, a 

 bare rock, or on a cactus. It is composed of mud and bits 

 of straw, and has strong thick walls : in shape it precisely 

 resembles an oven, or depressed beehive. The opening is 

 large and arched, and directly in front, within the nest, 

 there is a partition, which reaches nearly to the roof, thus 

 forming a passage or antechamber to the true nest. 



Another and smaller species of Fumaritcs {F. cuntcularius), 

 resembles the oven-bird in the general reddish tint of its 

 plumage, in a peculiar shrill reiterated cry, and in an odd 

 manner of running by starts. From its affinity, the 

 Spaniards call it casarita (or little housebuilder), although' 

 its nidification is quite different. The casarita builds its 

 iK^st at the bottom of a narrow cylindrical hole, which is 

 said to extend horizontally to nearly six feet under ground. 

 Several of the country people told me that, when boys, they 

 had attempted to dig out the nest, but had scarcely ever 



iicceeded m getting to the end of the passage. The bird 



iiooses any low bank of firm sandy soil by the side of a 



