THE STRAIT OF MAGELLAN. 91 



of the topmost boughs of the trees, and poured forth a flood of 

 melody most grateful to the ear. 



While we were engaged in looking for a place to cross a 

 stream, with the intricate windings of which it took some 

 experience to become acquainted, a large owl was discovered 

 perched on the branch of a neighbouring tree, and shot. It 

 proved to be a fine specimen of the Bubo Magellanicus, a 

 species which, I am informed by Mr. Sclater, ranges over 

 nearly the whole extent of North and South America, being 

 identical with the well-known Virginian Horned Owl. We 

 were struck with the cat-like appearance which its great 

 yellow eyes cemmunicated to its countenance. The plumage 

 of this species, which sometimes exceeds two feet in length, 

 is beautifully mottled with a variety of shades of black, 

 brown, and gray. In the Strait of Magellan, besides occur- 

 ring in the wooded districts, it is far from rare in the open 

 country, where it sometimes may be seen perched on the bar- 

 berry bushes, or sailing quietly along on the lookout for its 

 prey, which consists in great measure of rodents of various 

 species. We got on board that evening between nine and 

 ten P.M. 



The following day (27th) I was busily occupied all fore- 

 noon in skinning the steamer-duck shot on Christmas day ; 

 and as I shall frequently refer to the bird in the course of my 

 narrative, I shall offer a few general remarks on its history in 

 this place. The earliest notice of the steamer- duck with 

 which I am acquainted occurs in the voyage of the celebrated 

 Pedro Sarmiento, who visited the Strait in 1582 ; and in an 

 account of the principal birds of the Strait, describes " patos 

 par das y bermejas sin pluma que ne vuelan, sino a vuela 

 pie corren, y par el agua no se pueden levantar sino a vuela 

 pie, dando con las alones a manero de remo. Huyen por el 



