THE STRAIT OF MAGELLAN. 319 



a kelp-goose, Chloephaga antarciica, several of which were to 

 be seen on the rocks about the bay. This beautiful bird, of 

 which the adult male is snow-white, and the female nearly 

 black, presenting a most striking contrast when standing to- 

 gether, we found common throughout the western part of the 

 Strait, and on the west coast of the continent as far north 

 as Chiloe. It never goes in large flocks, rarely more than 

 five or six being to be seen in company at a time, and 

 generally but a solitary pair to be observed on one spot. As 

 a rule, we found them exceedingly wary, probably in conse- 

 quence of being often disturbed by the Indians, who occasion- 

 ally kill them. Their flesh is quite uneatable at most seasons 

 of the year, owing to the nature of their food, which consists 

 of Molluscs and other marine animals. On landing on this 

 occasion, we in the first place walked for some distance along 

 the edge of the beach, immediately above which extended 

 a splendid hedge of an arbutus-like shrub, the Pernettya mu- 

 cronata, which attained a height of upwards of eight feet, 

 and was covered with little waxy-white, bell-shaped blossoms, 

 as well as numerous bushes of Escallonia serrata nearly out of 

 bloom. While we were thus engaged, a tiny humming-bird, 

 Trochilus forficatus, made its appearance, flying about over 

 the flowers, and seeming in strange contrast with the gloomy 

 nature of the climate. We often saw specimens of it in the 

 Channels subsequently ; and I believe it extends to the south- 

 ern extremity of Fuegia, while northwards, if I am not mistaken, 

 it ranges as far as Peru — thus passing through every variety 

 of climate, from an intensely humid cold region to a tropical 

 one where rain hardly ever falls. On ascending to the higher 

 ground in search of plants, we found many stout bushes of 

 Metrosideros, which afforded us a shelter, not to be despised, 

 during the occurrence of heavy showers. I found one or 



