136 PATAGONIAN EXPEDITIONS: NARRATIVE. 



chattering notes which they emitted continually from the tops of the trees, 

 as one walked along underneath. If, for any reason, one discharged a gun 

 while in the near vicinity of a flock of these birds, they would instantly 

 break forth into such a pandemonium of noises, as might easily lead one to 

 think that all the furies of the nether region had been turned loose. At 

 certain hours of the day, however, they were exceptionally quiet and one 

 would be cognizant of their presence as he walked about over the moss- 

 covered surface beneath the trees, only from a faint chattering emitted at 

 intervals by a few scattered individuals. On pausing for a moment to 

 survey the tops of the surrounding trees, a few of these birds might per- 

 haps be seen clinging to the under surfaces of some of the lower of the 

 wide-spreading branches overhead. But the most minute and careful 

 inspection would by no means reveal their true numbers, so perfectly did 

 the green color of their feathers harmonize with that of the leaves of the 

 branches about them. If, however, one was selected as a target and a 

 volley of number eight shot discharged, it would frequently result in the 

 destruction of the lives of several other birds beside the one fired at and 

 create a scene of the greatest activity in the surrounding forest, where but 

 a moment before there had appeared scarcely any evidence of animal life. 

 In a few moments, however, they would gradually settle down into their 

 former quiet state. 



Climbing about over the trunks of the trees were numerous examples 

 of the large brown creeper, Pygarrhicus albigularis, assisted by its strong 

 bill and forked tail terminating on either side in a few, stiff, pointed 

 feathers, while the little black Scytahpus magellanicus, with habits very 

 similar to those of the wrens, could be seen hopping about alternately on 

 the ground and among the branches of the underbrush, all the while in 

 such constant motion that it was exceedingly difficult to obtain more than 

 a momentary glimpse of the tiny creature. 



Occasionally the loud, clear, resonant notes of the magnificent red- 

 headed woodpecker, Ipocrantor magellanicus, would be heard in the dis- 

 tance ringing through the silent depths of the forest. This beautiful bird, 

 its head ornamented by a crest of brilliant red and body clothed with a 

 covering of glossy, coal black feathers, is one of the most striking and at 

 the same time least common of the birds of this region. Moreover, as it 

 was exceedingly difficult of approach, we succeeded in securing only a 

 single specimen. 



