1 764 Animals hi the Bay of Callao. 



frenata, 111.), found on the little plain between the bay and the light-house, are in colour 

 precisely like those of Europe, from which, however, they differ in having two more 

 feathers in their tails. Small green parrots, little bigger than finches, are tamed and 

 brought to Valparaiso from the interior of the country. These parrots are very docile, 

 and are easily taught to speak ; but they cannot endure cold, and require to be tended 

 with very great care. In the bay itself there are numerous cormorants, and occasion- 

 ally penguins and large flights of the cut-water or shear-bill (Rhynchops nigra, Linn.). 

 The latter is distinguished by a sharp-pointed bill closing laterally, the under man- 

 dible being about double the length of the upper one. But the most beautiful bird in 

 the Bay of Valparaiso is the majestic swan (Cygnus nigricollis, Mol.), whose body is of 

 dazzling white, whilst the head and neck are black."— Id. 



Zoology of Chiloe. — " In the interior of the island of Chiloe there are few quadru- 

 peds. The largest, the domestic animals excepted, is a fox (Canis fulvipes, Wat.), 

 which was first discovered by the naturalists who accompanied Captain King's expedi - 

 tion. This is the only beast of prey. The coast abounds in seals of the sea-dog spe- 

 cies (Otaria chilensis, Mull., Otarla Ursini, Per., Otaria jubata, Desm.), in sea-otters, 

 (Otaria chilensis, Ben.), and in the water-mouse (Myopotamus coypus, I. Geoff.). 

 Among the birds, there are some very fine species of ducks, well worthy of notice, 

 which are also found on the continent of South America. There is the little cheucau 

 (Pteroptochus rubecula, Kettl.), to which the Chilotes attach various superstitious ideas, 

 and pretend to foretel good or ill luck from its song. The modulations which this 

 bird is capable of uttering are numerous, and the natives assign a particular meaning 

 to each. One day, when I wished to have some shooting, I took an Indian lad with 

 me. Having levelled my gun at one of these birds, which was sitting in a low bush, 

 and uttering its shrill ' huit-huit,' my young companion firmly grasped my arm, ear- 

 nestly entreating me not to shoot the bird, as it had sung its unlucky note. But my 

 desire to possess a specimen was too great to be thus baffled, so I fired my gun and 

 brought it down. I was engaged in examining this elegant little bird, when a mule, 

 probably alarmed by the shot, came running at full speed towards the spot where we 

 were, and we deemed it prudent to get behind a hedge as speedily as possible. The 

 infuriated mule made an attack on my gun, which was resting against the hedge. It 

 was thrown down, bitten, and trampled on by the mule. The Indian boy turned to 

 me with a serious countenance, and said, * It is well if we escape further danger, — I 

 told you the bird had piped bad luck ! ' " — Id. 



Animals in the Bay of Callao. — " The lover of Natural History finds in the bay of 

 Callao numerous opportunities for gratifying his curiosity. The Mammalia are not i 

 very numerous. Sea-otters and sea-dogs are found there, as on all parts of the South 

 American coast. Two species, (the Otaria aurita, Humb., and the O. Ulloa, Tsch.) | 

 inhabit the southern declivity of the Fronton. I went to hunt seals on the rock with 

 the officers of a French ship of war. When we landed, which was difficult on account 

 of the breakers, we fired at the animals and killed a number of them. A sailor waded 

 through the breakers and bound the dead seals with a rope, by which he drew them on 

 board. As we shot a great number of birds, the Chilian admiral on hearing the firing, 

 thought that one of his ships must be engaged with the Peruvian corsairs ; and, 

 therefore, sent out the * San Lorenzo ' brig-of-war to see what was going on. 



" The bay abounds in fine water-fowl. Amongst the most remarkable is Hum- 

 boldt's penguin (Spheniscus Humboldtii, Mey.). A few are smaller than the common 

 gray penguin, and one is somewhat different in colour on the back and breast. The 



