88 BIRDS OF TIEREA DEL FUEGO 



In Central Patagonia he says of it : — "A few seen on the 10 th 

 November at the mouth of the Sengel, and subsequently observed 

 in the Chupat valley. I believe a few pairs were breeding on 

 some swampy ground in the latter place, as I was informed that 

 some large pale bluish eggs had been found in the swamp where 

 I had seen the birds. T was unable, however, to trace them." 



This Ibis is a summer visitor in Tierra del Fuego, arriving on 

 the first break-up of winter. The first I saw were a pair, flying 

 high and noisily, at the head of Useless Bay, on August 2Sth, the 

 day on which I shot my first guanaco. There is no more remark- 

 able personality amongst the birds of the island. Long before one 

 sees them, or without one's seeing them at all, their far-reaching 

 cry is audible. Later one may, or may not sight them, a pair 

 or more dark forms beating their way in the wind, now over the 

 flat, now topping a ridge, now diving into a valley, zig-zagging 

 hither and thither, yet ever persistently making for their objective. 



Azara describes the cry as " Criicdu 6 curucdu^^ and " Totac^ 

 Darwin compares it to the neighing of the guanaco. Cunning- 

 ham renders it " Qua-qua^ qua-qua.^^ 



All are good interpretations. The cry assimilates many 

 sounds, according to distance and how it is borne to the 

 ear — up, down, or across the wind. Many times have I taken 

 it for the neigh of a guanaco, and vice versa. It appeared to me 

 most to resemble the " Tink-tinh " of a blacksmith's anvil — bell- 

 like and musical in the distance ; deeper, harsher, and more intense 

 in its interruptions at close quarters. " Ibis avis rohusta " is well 

 said. It is a "robust" bird — muscular, broad and deep chested, 

 tough of skin, requiring an extraordinary amount of killing, but 

 withal excellent eating. It is exceedingly wary and difficult of 

 approach. However, on the wing, it gives plenty of warning ; so 

 that, if one knows its line, it is possible to conceal oneself and 

 obtain a shot. Like the African Hagedashia hagedash, it is 

 remarkable for regularity of habit — in time of flight from 

 roosting place to feeding grounds in the morning and back in the 

 evening. Never once did I discover a roosting place, though 



