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a graphic description is given, with an illustration, of the 

 splendid orange eyes possessed by the Magellanic Eagle Owl, 

 and the way in which they flash when the bird is excited. "Bird 

 Music in South America " is the title of a chapter in which the 

 writer descants upon the difficulty of representing such sounds 

 upon paper, and conveys his impressions of some of the more 

 remarkable South American songsters which he has met with 

 in the course of his wanderings : — 



" If the birds of this region," he says, " do not excel those of other 

 lands in sweetness, compass and variety, for constancy in singing they 

 indubitably carry the palm. In spring and early summer their notes are 

 incessant; and the choir is then led by that incomparable melodist, the 

 White-banded Mocking-bird, a summer visitor. Even in the coldest 

 months of winter (June and July), when the sun shines, the hoarse 

 crooning of the Spotted Columba, resembling that of the Wood Pigeon of 

 Europe, and the softer and more sigh like lamentations of Zenaida macu- 

 lata, so replete with wild pathos, are heard from the leafless willows fringing 

 the river. Meanwhile, in the bosky uplands, one hears the songs of many 

 passerine species ; and always amongst them, with lively, hurried notes, the 

 Black-headed Magellanic Siskin. The Scarlet-breasted or Military Starling 

 sings on the coldest days and during the most boisterous weather; nor can 

 the rainiest sky cheat the Grey Finches, Diuca minor, of their morning 

 and evening hymns, sung by many individuals in joyous concert. The 

 common Mocking-bird is still more indefatigable, and sheltering himself 

 from the cold blast, continues till after dark warbling out snatches of song 

 from his inexhaustible repertory ; his own music being apparently neces- 

 sary as food and air to his existence." 



If it were not so far to reach, Patagonia, as a health resort, 

 must be a country wherein a man may prolong his life far beyond 

 what is possible in our treacherous climate. The atmosphere there 

 is at all times so dry and pure as to make pulmonary complaints 

 unknown. An acquaintance of the author told him that from 

 boyhood he had suffered from weak lungs and asthma ; in search 

 of health he had left his native country (Spain) and settled in 

 Buenos Ayres. But his old enemy found him there ; his asthma 

 became worse and worse, and at last, on his doctor's recommen- 

 dation, he went on a visit to Patagonia, where in a short time he 

 was restored to complete health, such health as he had never 

 previously known. He went back rejoicing to Buenos Ayres, 

 only to fall ill again, and to find his life growing a burden to him. 

 Finally, in desperation, he sold his business and went back to the 



