BIRDS. 



73 



4. Pteroptochos rubecula. Kittl. 



Pteroptochos rubecula, Kittl. Vog. von Chili, p. 7. pi. ii. 

 Megalonyx rubecula, D'Orb. 8? Lafr. Mag. de Zool. 1837, p. 16. 

 Megalonyx rufogularis, D'Orb. $ Lafr. Voy. de l'Amer. Mer. pi. 7, f. 2. 

 Leptonyx rubecula, D'Orb. $ Lafr. Voy. de l'Amer. Mer. Av. p. 1 96. 



This species appears to have nearly the same range with the P. Tamil: its 

 southern limit certainly extends as far as 47° south, but northward, where the 

 forests cease, near Concepcion, I was unable to ascertain that this bird is ever 

 met with, and Kittlitz has made the same remark. In Chiloe, where it is com- 

 mon, it is called by the Indian inhabitants the " Cheucau." It frequents the 

 most gloomy and retired spots within the damp forests. Sometimes, although 

 the cry of the Cheucau is heard close by, a person may watch attentively and yet 

 in vain ; at other times, if he stands motionless, the red-breasted little bird will 

 approach within a few feet, in the most familiar manner. It then busily hops 

 about the entangled mass of rotting canes and branches, with its little tail cocked 

 upwards. I opened the gizzard of several specimens ; it was very muscular, and 

 contained hard seeds, buds of plants, occasionally some insects, and vegetable 

 fibres mixed with small stones. The Cheucau is held in superstitious fear by the 

 Chilotans, on account of its strange and varied cries. There are three very 

 distinct kinds : — one is called " chiduco," and is an omen of good ; another " hui- 

 treu," which is extremely unfavourable; and a third, which I have forgotten. 

 These words are given in imitation of its cries, and the natives are in some things 

 absolutely governed by them. I have already stated that I was informed by the 

 inhabitants that the Cheucau builds its nest amongst sticks close to the ground. 



5. Pteroptochos paradoxus. G. R. Gray. 



Troglodytes paradoxus, Kittl. Vog. von Chili, p. 12, pi. 5. — Ld. Mem. de TAcad. St. Peters. 1833, i. pi. 5. 

 Malacorhynchus Chilensis, Kittl. Mem. de lAcad. St. Peters. 1 835, p. 527. 

 Leptonyx paradoxus, D'Orb. Voy. de lAmer. Mer. Av. p. 197. 



This species differs in a small degree from all the others of the genus : its 

 claws are longer, tarsi shorter, and bill flattened at the top : in these, and some 

 other respects, it approaches to Scytalopus. I may add, that from a greater 

 degree of resemblance, especially in the feet, P. Tarnii and megapodius may be 

 ranked in one section, and P. albicollis and rubecula in another. 



I procured specimens of the P. paradoxus both from Valdivia and Chiloe ; 

 like the P. Tarnii and P. rubecula it is confined to the regions of forest. Its 

 habits are closely similar to those of the last species. I opened the gizzard of 

 one at Valdivia, and found it full of large seeds and the remnants of insects. In 



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