60 ZOOLOGY OF THE VOYAGE OF THE BEAGLE. 



1. Mimus Orpheus. G. R. Gray. 



Orpheus Calandria, If Orb. $ Lafr. Mag. de Zool. (1835) p. 17- — Voy. de 



l'Amer. Mer. Av. 206. pi. x. f. 2. 

 Turdus Orpheus, Spix. Av. t. 1. pi. 71. 

 Mimus saturninus, P. Max. Beitr. p. 658 ? 

 Orpheus modulator, Gould, in Proc. of Zool. Soc. Part IV. (1836) p. 6. 



This bird is described in the Proceedings of the Zoological Society (Part IV. 

 1836, p. 6.) as having come from the Straits of Magellan, which undoubtedly is a 

 mistake. It is extremely common on the banks of the Plata ; but a few degrees 

 south of it, is replaced by the O. Patagonica of D'Orbigny. In Banda Oriental 

 these birds are tame and bold ; they constantly frequent the neighbourhood of the 

 country houses to pick the meat, which is generally suspended to the posts and 

 walls. If any other small bird joins in the feast, the Calandria (as this species is 

 usually called in La Plata) immediately chases him away. In these respects, 

 and in its manner of sometimes catching insects, the Mimus is related in its 

 habits with that division of the Muscicapidce, which includes the genus Xolmis : 

 indeed, the general colour of the plumage of X. Nengeta is so like that of Mimus, 

 that it might readily be mistaken for a bird of that genus. The Calandria 

 haunts thickets and hedge-rows, where it actively hops about, and in doing so 

 often elevates and slightly expands its tail. 



2. Mimus Patagonicus. G. R. Gray. 



Orpheus Patagonicus, D'Orb. $ Lafr. Mag. de Zool. 1836, p. 19.— Voy. de 

 l'Amer. Mer. Av. p. 210, pi. xi. f. 2. 



I obtained specimens of this bird at the Rio Negro and at Santa Cruz in 

 Southern Patagonia, at both of which places it is common. It is not found in 

 Tierra del Fuego, for neither it nor the other species of the genus inhabit forests. 

 This species has slightly different habits from the M. Orpheus. It is a shyer 

 bird, and frequents the plains and valleys thinly scattered with stunted and thorn- 

 bearing trees. It does not appear to move its tail so much. Its cry, like that of 

 the rest of the genus, is harsh, but its song is sweet. The M. Patagonicus, 

 whilst seated on the highest twig of some low bush, often enlivens the dreariness 

 of the surrounding deserts by its varying song. Molina, however, describing 

 the song of an allied species, has greatly exaggerated its charms. It may be 

 compared to that of the sedge-bird (Motacilla salicaria, Linn.), but is much more 

 powerful, some harsh notes and some very high ones being mingled with a 

 pleasant warbling. The song of the different mocking thrushes certainly is 



