192 



the number of those belonging to the sea, is 

 almost impossible to be estimated. The genus of 

 gulls alone is known to contain twenty-six dif- 

 ferent species, and many others are not less nu- 

 merous. 



That vast chain of mountains, the Andes, may 

 be considered as the nursery of birds of all kinds. 

 They assemble there in great numbers in the 

 spring, in order to breed and rear their young in 

 greater security; and on the falling of . the first 

 snows in winter, they quit them in large flocks, 

 and seek the plains and the maritime mountains. 

 To their residence in the Andes, which are almost 

 always covered with snow, I think may be attri- 

 buted that difference of plumage frequently ob- 

 servable in individuals of many of these species, 

 of which I have seen some that were perfectly 

 white. 



Many of the birds of Chili are merely sirii])Ie 

 varieties of species that are found in Italy and 

 many other parts of Europe. Of this number 

 are tViQ geese, ducks, divers, plovers, heions, 

 kites, falcons, black-birds, pigeons, crows, part- 

 ridges, and domestic fowls.* The sportsmen 



* The country abounds with an iiifiiul y of birdsj parliculaily 

 wild pigeons, tiutle-dovcs, and paitiidge:>, though the hitter 

 are interior to those of Europe, and with grouse and ducks of 

 all kinds ; among the latter is one called file royal duck, which 

 has a red cojiih upon its head. Tiicre ;;re likewise curlews, 

 aud a kind of wi.lgcon, (icsciiibling the ica-bird called malvis) 



