54 MALDONADO. [cumar. UL 
parents. Iam strongly inclined to believe that this view is cor- 
rect, from having been independently led (as we shall hereafter 
see) to an analogous conclusion with regard to the South 
American ostrich, the females of which are parasitical, if I may 
so express it, on each other; each female laying several eggs in 
the nests of several other females, and the male ostrich under- 
taking all the cares of incubation, like the strange foster-parents 
with the cuckoo. 
I will mention only two other birds, which are very common, 
and render themselves prominent from their habits. The Sauro- 
phagus sulphuratus is typical of the great American tribe of 
tyrant-flycatchers. In its structure it closely approaches the 
true shrikes, but in its habits may be compared to many birds. 
I have frequently observed it, hunting a field, hovering over one 
spot like a hawk, and then proceeding on to another. When 
seen thus suspended in the air, it might very readily at a short 
distance be mistaken for one of the Rapacious order; its stoop, 
however, is very inferior in force and rapidity to that of a hawk. 
At other times the Saurophagus haunts the neighbourhood of 
water, and there, like a kingfisher, remaining stationary, it 
catches any small fish which may come near the margin. These 
birds are not unfrequently kept either in cages or in courtyards, 
with their wings cut. They soon become tame, and are very 
amusing from their cunning odd manners, which were described 
to me as being similar to those of the common magpie. Their 
flight is undulatory, for the weight of the head and bill appear 
too great for the body. In the evening the Saurophagus takes 
its stand on a bush, often by the road-side, and continually 
repeats without change a shrill and rather agreeable cry, which 
somewhat resembles articulate words: the Spaniards say it is like 
the words “ Bien te veo” (I see you well), and accordingly have 
given it this name. 
A mocking-bird (Mimus orpheus), called by the inhabitants 
Calandria, is remarkable, from possessing a song far superior 
to that of any other bird in the country: indeed, it is nearly the 
only bird in South America which I have observed to take its 
stand for the purpose of singing. The song may be compared 
to that of the Sedge warbler, but is more powerful; some harsh 
notes and some very high ones, being mingled with a pleasant 
