of a Voyage round the World. 49 



more in the Straits towards the western end, but very few r 

 in Smythe's Channel. Nearly all of them appeared to be 

 young birds. 



18. Chloephaga poliocephala (Gray). 

 Chloephaga poliocephala Salvad. Cat. B. xxvii. p. ]37. 



?. Port Dixon. Iris black; l)ill black; tarsi and toes 

 black in front, orange behind; webs black. 



This beautiful Goose was not uncommon at the western 

 •extremity of the Straits of Magellan and in Smvthe's Channel. 

 It was not easy to approach. 



19. Tachyeres cinereus (Gm.). 



Tachyeres cinereus Salvad. Cat. B. xxvii. p. 373. 



$ 9 ac U ? juv. Smythe's Channel. 



(Ad.) Iris black ; bill orange, nail black ; tarsi and toes 

 orange; webs black : weight 9^-10 lbs. 



(Juv.) Iris black; bill and feet very dark brown: weight 

 5 lbs. 



I certainly recognised but one species of Steamer-Duck, 

 and out of a good many dozens met with never saw one fly. 

 In most accounts of this bird it is stated that it rows 

 itself along through the water with its little wings at an 

 incredible rate. It certainly goes very fast, but practically 

 it runs on the water flapping its wings clear of it. It is 

 very wild and its skin is very tough. I found BB's were 

 the only shot that had any effect, and then only at about 

 fifteen yards distance. This Duck dives well and remains 

 under water for a considerable time. The immature example 

 obtained was shot by Lord Crawford with a rifle from the 

 deck. Though nearly fully feathered on the back it had no 

 feathers at all on the wings. I saw several examples in down, 

 but was not able to secure one. The young travel through the 

 water nearly as fast as the adults, in which the muscles 

 of the legs are enormously developed. The call-note of 

 this species, which I only heard uttered when there were 

 young near, was a croaking quack. The pilot who took 

 us through the Straits of Magellan told me that there 

 are not so many of these Ducks there as formerly. I saw 



SER. VIII. — VOL. IV. e 



