Zoological Society. 507 



linders which it makes with the mud taken from its caves ; sometimes 

 they are elevated a foot above the surface of the soil, looking like so 

 many little columns. The Pillu whilst stalking amongst them catches 

 the Cangrejo on the top depositing its load brought from the bottom 

 of the cave. I once took from the crop of those birds three entire 

 mice, no doubt caught by them amongst the grass in the marshes. 

 Iris pale yellow." 



Nycticorax cyanocephalus, Mol. {Nye. Americanus, Bonap.) Guedavo, 



Huedavo. 



" This appears to be the Ardea cyanocephala, Mol., p 260. It 

 may almost be considered a nocturnal bird ; it flies and seeks its food 

 in the evening ; during the day it is generally seen sleeping on trees 

 or bushes whose branches extend over the water. Iris large, pale 

 orange-colour ; legs yellowish green ; eggs pale blue. Flesh said to 

 be excellent eating. This bird varies much in its plumage accord- 

 ing to age." 



Phoenicopterus Chilensis, Mol. (Phoen. ignicapillus. Is. GeofF.) Fld- 



meiico and Cheuque. 



" Inhabits shallows in the lakes and rivers, especially in the south- 

 ern provinces of Chile. Eye small ; iris pale yellow ; base of the bill 

 rose-colour ; point of the bill to the curvature black ; legs sea-green, 

 inclining to grey ; feet and heel-joint deep I'ose or pink colour. It 

 is a magnificent sight to see five hundred of these beautiful birds in 

 a flock, wading in the shallows of the lakes, and no less so when 

 they rise on the wing ; the contrast of the black feathers beneath the 

 wings and the lovely scarlet and rose colours producing a very plea- 

 sing eff'ect. I have never been able to ascertain where these birds 

 build their nest, but it is probably in the remote and elevated valleys 

 of the Andes in marshy places, together with the numerous species 

 of the Anatidce." 



Platalea ajaja, Linn. Cuchareta, i. e. Spoonbill. 



" A rare bird in Chile ; it is found in small flocks of five or six 

 along the margins of rivers south of Valparaiso, and is a shy bird." 



Harpiprion Cayanensis (Ibis {Falcinellus) Ordi, Bonap.). Cuervo and 



Gallereta. 



"The Cuervo inhabits marshy places and occurs in immense 

 flocks. When on the wing it always flies in some geometrical figure. 

 Food aquatic insects. Iris crimson." 



Theristicus melanops, Wagl. Banduria. 



" The Banduria is not uncommon in the interior of Chile. Fre- 

 quently seen in marshy places in small flocks ; builds its nest on trees 

 near water. It is easily domesticated. The flesh is eaten by the 

 natives. Iris pale red." 



Numenius Hudsonicus, Lath. Perdiz de la Mar. 



" Inhabits sandy bays along the shores of Chile. Feeds on marine 

 insects." 



2L2 



