94 



slightly stained or washed in parts with light buff, largely blotched 

 with strongly contrasting umber-brown at the smaller end, and 

 dotted or freckled with the same colour at the larger end. Length 

 2^ inches; breadth If. 



BuTEO VARius, Gould. 



This bird has been considered by some writers as identical with 

 the preceding species ; but in the opinion of J. H. Gurney, Esq., 

 who has paid much attention to the subject, the two birds are distinct. 

 In a letter from Captain Abbott, that gentleman inquires what are 

 the names of the Hawks sent home by him, as he finds them so 

 different, — thus implying that there are more than one. 



The following description applies to the egg of this bird, whether 

 it be or be not a distinct species. The general colour is a dull stony- 

 white, blotched all over with light chestnut-red, the blotches in- 

 creasing in size at the smaller end ; the egg is also thickly sprinkled 

 all over with dots and speckles of the same colour. Length 2-/^ 

 inches ; breadth If. 



Circus cinereus, Vieill. 



Otus palustris, Gould. 



TuRDUS FALKLANDICUS. 



The egg, which somewhat resembles that of the English Black- 

 bird, is of a pale green, blotched all over, but particularly at the 

 larger end, with reddish-brown. Length 1|- ; breadth -1|^. 



Darwin states that the bird " chiefly inhabits the more rocky and 

 drier hills. It haunts also the neighbourhood of the settlement, 

 and very frequently may be seen within old sheds. In this respect, 

 and generally in its habits, it resembles the English Song Thrush 

 {Turdus musicus) ; its cry, however, is different. It is tame, silent, 

 and inquisitive." 



Sturnella militaris. 



The egg is somewhat lengthened in form, of a greenish stone- 

 colour, suffused here and there with purplish-red, and blotched and 

 obliquely streaked with dark crooked marks of chestnut-red, parti- 

 cularly at the larger end : blotches and spots of a darker hue also 

 occur, appearing as if beneath the svirface of the shell. Length 

 1^ ; breadth f . 



The nest, which appears to have been placed on the ground, is of 

 large size, neat and cup-shaped in form, and entirely composed of 

 extremely fine grasses ; externally it is 7\ inches over, while the 

 internal cavity measures 3-|-, 



Mr. Darwin states that he " met with specimens of this bird on 

 the east coast of the continent, from the Falkland Islands to 31° S., 

 and on the western coast, from the Straits of Magellan to Lima, a 

 space of forty degrees of latitude." 



