288 CENTRAL CHILE 



belong to a particular breed, called Leoneros : they are weak, 

 slight animals, like long-legged terriers, but are born with a 

 particular instinct for this sport. The puma is described as 

 being very crafty : when pursued, it oftens returns on its former 

 track, and then suddenly making a spring on one side, waits 

 there till the dogs have passed by. It is a very silent animal, 

 uttering no cry even when wounded, and only rarely during the 

 breeding season. 



Of birds, two species of the genus Pteroptochos (megapodius 

 and albicoUis of Kittlitz) are perhaps the most conspicuous. 

 The former, called by the Chilenos " el Turco," is as large as a 

 fieldfare, to which bird it has some alliance ; but its legs are 

 much longer, tail shorter, and beak stronger : its colour is a 

 reddish-brown. The Turco is not uncommon. It lives on the 

 ground, sheltered among the thickets which are scattered over 

 the dry and sterile hills. With its tail erect, and stilt-like legs, 

 it may be seen every now and then popping from one bush to 

 another with uncommon quickness. It really requires little 

 imagination to believe that the bird is ashamed of itself, and is 

 aware of its most ridiculous figure. On first seeing it, one is 

 tempted to exclaim, " A vilely stuffed specimen has escaped 

 from some museum, and has come to life again ! " It cannot be 

 made to take flight without the greatest trouble, nor does it run, 

 but only hops. The various loud cries which it utters when 

 concealed amongst the bushes are as strange as its appearance. 

 It is said to build its nest in a deep hole beneath the ground. 

 I dissected several specimens : the gizzard, which was very 

 muscular, contained beetles, vegetable fibres, and pebbles. From 

 this character, from the length of its legs, scratching feet, 

 membranous covering to the nostrils, short and arched wings, 

 this bird seems in a certain degree to connect the thrushes with 

 the gallinaceous order. 



The second species (or P. albicollis) is allied to the first in 

 its general form. It is called Tapacolo, or " cover your 

 posterior ;" and well does the shameless little bird deserve its 

 name; for it carries its tail more than erect, that is, inclined 

 backwards towards its head. It is very common, and frequents 

 the bottoms of hedgerows, and the bushes scattered over the 

 barren hills, where scarcely another bird can exist. In its 

 general manner of feeding, of quickly hopping out of the thickets 



