Glimpses of South American Ornithology.



329



tributary, rises in Lake Junin, it is permissible to regard anyone of

the peaty rills, that fell into the Lake, as lesser tributaries them¬

selves. The whole scene is at an altitude of over 14,000 feet, is

unspeakably bleak and miserable but is typical of the great Andean

Plain ; the Puna country of Peru and the Paramo of Equador.


The pale pinky smudge against the brown rushes not many

hundred yards away is a long line of Flamingoes. Nearer at hand are

the dark forms of small parties of Glossy Ibis ( Egatheus ridgwaym,

the bird of the neighbourhood most in evidence. An Andean Gull

( Larus serranus), or a Carrion Hawk ( Ibyeter megalopterus ) in search

of prey sails into view. The lake is not a mile away. But the

distance is too far for the would-be collector laid low by mountain

sickness. The nausea of the sportsman at that altitude has again

saved the lives of many birds ; and all the Duck, Rails, Waders and

larger fowl, that throng the rushes and the edges of the lake remain

undisturbed.


Notes of this nature penned in Peru can scarcely be left with¬

out some reference to the great feature of Peruvian bird-life—the

guano ” producing birds. These actually number but five

species : Three Cormorants (Phalacrocorax cirriger, Bougainvillii

and Vigua) ; one Gannet (. Sula variegata), and a Pelican ( Pelecanus

thagus).


The Peruvian Coast is 1,400 miles in length. There are 44

narrow valleys and the rest is the most arid, sterile desert.

Generally the coast is a straight, surf-beaten, sandy shore ; here and

there the Andes or an isolated spur rise abruptly from the ocean-

Throughout this length of coast all day and every day pass and

re-pass, keeping just outside the breakers, solemn flocks of

Pelicans ; larger flocks of Gannet, vanishing every now and then

with a dart and a splash upon some victim. In the winter come

hugh hordes of Gulls (chiefly Larus modestus and dominicanus)

and small flocks of the beautiful Inca Tern ( Larosterncc inca ).

The Gulls rest by day and roost by night in vast masses on the flat

sand stretches immediately behind the sea shore, and on near

approach rise up with “ hoarse pelagic cries ” and confusing wing-

flappings in all directions. The great body of Cormorants keep farther

out to sea or around the islands. Long lines are to be seen in the near



