354 PATAGONIAN EXPEDITIONS I ZOOLOGY. 



" This bird ( Theristicus melanopis) the bandurria of the Chilians (so 

 called in consequence of its remarkable note being supposed to resemble 

 that musical instrument), is common in the open country of Patagonia, 

 as well as in Chili and the Argentine Republic. It is of large size, and 

 possesses very handsome plumage the upper parts, wings, and tail, be- 

 ing of various shades of grey, black, and dark-green ; while the head, neck, 

 and breast are of a yellowish-buff hue. The bill and a naked gular space 

 are black, and the legs dull red. The flight is very strong, and the bird 

 requires to be heavily hit to bring it down. The cry is very peculiar and 

 sonorous, and not easy to describe. It has been compared by Mr. Dar- 

 win to the neighing of a guanaco, but in this I cannot agree with him. 

 Those specimens examined by the above mentioned distinguished natur- 

 alist had 'grasshoppers, cicadae, small lizards, and even scorpions,' in their 

 stomachs ; while, in those examined by me, caterpillars appeared to have 

 been the principal source of aliment. On carefully examining the respir- 

 atory organs of an individual shot in January 1869, I found that the portion 

 of the trachea below the insertion of the sterno-tracheal muscles, though 

 presenting no striking peculiarity of form, had the rings anchylosed so as 

 to form an immovable tube, and this no doubt serves to modify the voice." 

 (Cunn. Nat. Hist. Str. Magell. 1871, pp. 136-137.) 



"We saw a flock of bandurrias (Theristicus melanopis], several king- 

 fishers identical with the species occurring in the Strait and Channels, some 

 rather large pigeons (Columba Fitzroyii], many black vultures (Cathartes 

 aura), and brown hawks (Milvago chimango), which last were very annoy- 

 ing from their habit of screaming ; large flocks of a small curlew (Numen- 

 ius Hudsonicus), feeding on the mud-flats uncovered by the tide ; some 

 godwits (Limosa Hudsonica), spur-winged lapwings (Vanellus Cayamts), 

 gulls, cormorants, steamer-ducks, and small grebes. Some pigeons, cur- 

 lews, and godwits, with a single grebe, were shot, the last-mentioned bird 

 being afterwards ascertained to be the Podilymbus podiceps." (Ibid. p. 334.) 



" The black-faced ibis of Patagonia, a bird nearly as large as a turkey, 

 indulges in a curious mad performance, usually in the evening when feed- 

 ing time is over. The birds of a flock, while winging their way to the 

 roosting-place, all at once seem possessed with frenzy, simultaneously 

 dashing downwards with amazing violence, doubling about in the most 

 eccentric manner ; and when close to the surface rising again to repeat the 

 action, all the while making the air palpitate for miles around with their 



