318 



Constructing: its linLitiUioii, h a snufT-coloureJ Mril, of the size 

 of a thnisii ; before it begins to build, it mixes clay very care- 

 fully with feathers and j)iec<!s of straw ; thoj dividing it into 

 little balls, carries them in its chws anfl bill to its mate, who 

 first foriiis tlie bottoiu npori the trunk of a tree, into a circle 

 of eight or nine inches in diameter, making it perfectly smooth ; 

 upon this it raises a ivali abDut a iiand's breadth in lieight, 

 leaving a small aperture lo go in at; it next proceeds to hiy a 

 second floor, which contains the nest, and also an opening 

 communicating with the lower room ; when this is completed, 

 it continues tiie surrounding wall to the same height as the 

 first, and covers the whole with a handsome arcli. This edi- 

 fice becomes, when dry, so iirm as to resist the most violent 

 winds and rain. In the northern parts of this province is a 

 species of pheasant called chunna, which is as large as a hen, 

 and of an ash colour; the ilesh is as delicate as that of tJie 

 European pheasant. This bird is easily domesticated, and 

 performs in houses the otlice of a cut, freeing them from mice, 

 w hich it eats very readily ; but it is kept by few, on account of 

 its disagreeable note, and a mischievous propensity of carrying 

 away in its beak and concealing whatever it fmds. Of turtle 

 doves, besides the common species, there is one that is not 

 larger than a sparrow. Ostriches are conmion, and bees arc 

 found every where, particidarly in t!ie eastern plain?, and pro- 

 duce excellent honey. Grassiioppers appear tiiere occasioiiaily, 

 in such numbers that tiioy rover many railc3 of country, and 

 destroy every green thing that Ihey meet with; these arc 

 usually three inches in icnglh, but tiiey are s.unetinies to be 

 seen as large as a pilciiard, and from seven to eiglit inches 

 long. 



There are many animals in Cr.jo tliift arc not to !)c found in 

 Chili, as tigers, bonrs, stag*, the land tortr.ivc, ti-e viper. 

 Iguana, and several dliie-s. 'j'lie tigcrsi;;re fcroriou^, like those 

 of Africa, and as large as an ass, i)rit v.ith sji'^itcr logs; liic 

 skin is mottled with white, yellow, an<l ])i,M.k. 'i'hc inha- 



