176 NATUEAL HISTOEY OF 



shine occurred, when rainbow-coloured tints were developed 

 on the land, and a series of fine dissolving views produced — 

 the snowy peaks being lighted up for a moment or two, and 

 then rapidly shrouded in mist. Snow also fell heavily on 

 the higher mountains, descending a considerable distance on 

 their sides, I was busily occupied all day in the examina- 

 tion of the plants procured the previous day, and in skinning 

 the kingfisher. This bird, the Ceryle stellata, we found in the 

 course of the two following years common in the dark and 

 dreary inlets of Fuegia and the Channels, as well as at Port 

 Otway, the Chonos Archipelago, and Chiloe. It is often to be 

 seen perched on the branch of a tree overhanging the water, 

 keeping a vigilant look-out for its finny prey, and is of bold 

 nature, readily allowing the sportsman to come within range of 

 it. On more than one occasion a specimen lighted on the lower 

 rigging of the ship, and sat there for some time, uttering at 

 intervals its harsh cry. Above, the principal tint of the 

 plumage is grayish slate -colour, with white spots, while 

 beneath a somewhat rufous hue prevails. I found a curious 

 muscular peculiarity in all the specimens examined by me — 

 two of the longitudinal superficial muscles of the neck (hiventer 

 cervicis) being connected by a transverse tendon. I was not able 

 to ascertain anything as regards the modification of the species. 

 A female specimen, obtained in December 1868, had ova in a 

 far-advanced state of development in the ovary. 



On the 13th, the weather having considerably improved, 

 though there was a westerly wind, we left Fortescue Bay, and 

 continued on our course to the westward. The day, though 

 showery, could not be considered as a bad one for the region ; 

 and as we steamed onwards through the narrow reaches which 

 intervene between Port Gallant and the western entrance of 

 the Strait, we had a constant succession of views of the most 



