Sept. 1834. ORNITHOLOGY. 329 



dogs have passed by. It is a very silent animal, uttering no 

 cry even when wounded, and only rarely during the breeding 

 season. 



Of birds, two species of the genus Pteroptochos [megapo- 

 dhis and albicollis of Kittlitz) are perhaps the most conspi- 

 cuous. The former, called by the Chilenos " el Turco,^' is as 

 large as a fieldfare, to which bird it has some alliance ; but its 

 legs are much longer, tail shorter, and beak stronger : its colour 

 is a reddish brown. The turco is not uncommon. It lives on 

 the ground, sheltered among the thickets which are scattered 

 over the dry and sterile hills. With its tail erect, and stilt- 

 like legs, it may be seen every now and then, popping from 

 one bush to another, with uncommon celerity. It really re- 

 quires little imagination to believe the bird is ashamed of 

 itself, and is aware of its most ridiculous figure. On first 

 seeing it, one is tempted to exclaim, " A vilely stuffed 

 specimen has escaped from some museum, and has come to 

 life again !" It cannot be made to take flight without the 

 greatest trouble, nor does it run, but only hops. The various 

 loud cries which it utters when concealed amongst the 

 bushes, are as strange as its whole appearance. It is said to 

 build its nest in a deep hole beneath the ground. I dissected 

 several specimens : the gizzard, which was very muscular, 

 contained beetles, vegetable fibres, and pebbles. From this 

 character, from the length of legs, scratching feet, membranous 

 covering to the nostrils, short and arched wings, this bird 

 seems to a certain degree to connect the thrushes with the 

 gallinaceous order. 



The second species (or Pt. albicollis) is allied to the first in 

 its general form. It is called Tapacolo, or " cover your poste- 

 rior ;" and well does the shameless little bird deserve its name ; 

 for it carries its tail more than erect, that is, inclined back- 

 wards towards its head. It is very common, and frequents 

 the bottoms of hedge-rows, and the bushes scattered over 

 the barren hills, where scarcely another bird can exist. 

 Hence the tapacolo is conspicuous in the ornithology of 

 Chile. In its general manner of feeding, of quickly hopping 



