100 BIRDS OF TIERRA DEL FUEGO 



The two species associate freely ; but this is the less wary, 

 and, indeed, in the neighbourhood of settlements is so tame 

 that it can be shot without a stalk. A few years ago, 

 the sheepmen tell me, these Geese did not exist in anything 

 approaching their present numbers : a yearly increase has been 

 remarkable in their immigration which is attributed to the brush- 

 wood being eaten away by sheep, and the growth of fine grass. 



In the Falkland Islands, Capt. Abbott observes of this bird 

 that it is " not so common as the other varieties {e.rj.^ C. 

 magellanica and C. ajitarctica)^ except in some places in the 

 North Camp, where I have seen very large numbers, probably 

 a hundred, but always in pairs. The usual nesting place is 

 among dry bushes, the male bird, while the female is sitting, 

 usually being found on the edge of the nearest water (generally 

 salt), which, however, is frequently not in sight of the nest. The 

 eggs are generally five (sometimes, but rarely, six) in number. 

 The time of laying is the first week in October." 



In Tierra del Fuego the nesting season commences perhaps 

 a little later. In the warm spring weather the males become 

 exceedingly pugnacious and noisy, engaging in combat on land 

 or water, while others of their kind are spectators and scream 

 encouragement. All day long are they tourneying on the Rio 

 San Martin, at San Sebastian Settlement, within sight and 

 earshot of the manager's house, until at times the noise becomes 

 irritating. 



There I took my first eggs on October 28th, and many more 

 elsewhere for food : the usual complement is five, which I do not 

 remember having seen exceeded. 



The eggs are of somewhat varying shape — some oval, some 

 pointed oval. They are of a brownish cream colour. My two 

 examples, taken from my first nest, represent to some extent 

 the prevailing variation in shape : they measure, respectively, 

 2-75 by 2-0 inches and 28-5 by 1-95 inches. 



This bird, in fat condition, weighed 4 pounds 7 ounces. 



The Ona name is " Shohli." 



