240 Proceedings of the Royal Pliysical Society. 



from the latitude of Eio, in Brazil, as far south nearly as the 

 southern extremity of Patagonia, and is met with to a con- 

 siderable height in the mountains of Chili. It is generally seen 

 near water, and, in the northern part of its range, in plains. In 

 Patagonia it is found near high cliffs, where in that country 

 it breeds. D'Orbigny says, that as a rule it does not choose 

 a wooded country, and that even in perching by a river bank 

 it prefers a dead tree for the purpose. It feeds chiefly on 

 carrion and small animals, as rats ; but in Buenos Ayres, ac- 

 cording to Mr Gibson, its principal food is a small cavy ; and 

 D'Orbigny says that, in Patagonia, it feeds greatly on wild 

 pigeons, which it seizes on the wing, following the flocks as 

 they move onward, and in pursuing these northward it per- 

 forms a partial migration. It also feeds in the latter country 

 on animals cast up by the sea, as seals. Its flight is easy, 

 without being rapid, and when disturbed it rises in circles, 

 but drops quickly on its prey. In stormy weather it rises 

 high in the air, almost out of sight, and cries aloud, a sure 

 warning of bad weather. The Indians consider the down 

 below the wing as very beneficial, when used for stanching 

 the blood of a wound. 



A clutch of two eggs, taken October 4, 1879, from a nest 

 situated in a high tree, in Tala wood, formed of sticks, and 

 lined with horse hair and wool. They measure 2|-§-x2^ 

 and 211 x 2-^ inches respectively. 



In Uruguay and the Argentine Eepublic, it builds its nest in 

 lofty trees, but in Patagonia invariably on high cliffs. The eggs 

 are only two in number, and are of a white colour, with brown- 

 ish red spots and small blotches, and much resemble, except 

 in size, those of the kite or common buzzard (PI. VIL, fig. 3). 



5. Pholeoptynx cunicidaria (Molina) — Southern Burrowing 

 or Prairie Owl : native name " Lechuza." — This well-known 

 species is found over all South America and the western part 

 of North America. Those found in the latter, however, 

 although specifically the same, are recognised as a geographical 

 race or variety, being somewhat smaller in size, and of a lighter 

 brown in colour. Its habits are well known, but I may 

 mention that in Uruguay they are their own excavators, con- 

 trary to their habit in North America, where they frequent 



