258 CENTRAL CHILE. [CHAI-. xii. 



At Tandeel (south of the Plata), I was told that within three 

 mouths oue hundred were thus destroyed. In Chile they are 

 generally driven up bushes or trees, and are then either shot, or 

 baited to death by dogs. The dogs employed in this chase belong- 

 to a particular breed, called Leoneros: they are weak, slight 

 animals, like long-legged terriers, but are born with a particular 

 instinct for this sport. The puma is described as being very 

 crafty: when pursued, it often returns on its former track, and 

 then suddenly making a spring on one side, waits there till the 

 dogs have passed by. It is a very silent animal, uttering no cry 

 even when wounded, and only rarely during the breeding season. 



Of birds, two species of the genus Pteroptochos (megapodius and 

 albicollis of Kittlitz) are perhaps the most conspicuous. The 

 former, called by the Chilenos " el Turco," is as large as a fieldfare, 

 to which bird it has some alliance ; but its legs are much longer, 

 tail shorter, and beak stronger: its colour is a reddish brown. 

 The Turco is not uncommon. It lives on the ground, 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 popping from 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 tempted to exclaim, " A vilely stuffed 

 specimen has escaped 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 concealed amongst the bushes, are as strange 

 as its appearance. 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 wings, 

 this bird seems in a certain degree 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 deserve 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 scattered over the barren hillSj where scarcely 



