Zoological Society. 



511 



Vanellus Cayenensis, Steph. This is the " Queltregue " of the 

 natives, and is one of the most common birds found on the plains 

 near the Andes, also in other parts of the country. Food, worms, 

 locusts, &c. The eggs are excellent eating, and resemble in colour 

 and size those of the Lapwing of England. Iris purple. 



Tinochorus D' Orbignyanus , Isid. Geof. St. Hilaire. This is the 

 small Partridge of the Andes, and is called by the natives " Perdix 

 Cordellierana." It comes down to the plains in severe winters. 

 Generally found in pairs in the valleys near the summit of the An- 

 des. The male shows the strongest attachment to his mate, and 

 calls her by a melancholy tone or cry when separated. They are 

 so tame that the natives kill them with stones, and so stupid that a 

 stone may be thrown at them several times before they will rise. 

 Iris brown. 



Columha Boliviano,, Auct. This little dove is found in small flocks 

 in the valleys of the Andes, and, in the winter, visits the coast. It 

 is known to the natives by the name of "Tortola Cordellierana." 

 This is the smallest of the three species found in Chile. It makes 

 a whistling noise with its wings when it rises from the ground. Iris 

 brown. 



Dafila urophasianus, Eyton. Iris brown. Found in valleys on 

 the eastern side of the Andes. 



Anas ? Iris brown. Found inhabiting the rapid rivers 



of the Andes. This bird swims and dives against the rapidity of 

 the mountain torrents in a manner truly astonishing. It seldom or 

 never leaves the rivers of the Andes, and, like the Grebes, seldom 

 makes use of its wings, although when disturbed it flies a short 

 distance. Generally seen in pairs. 



Mr. Gould made some observations on this collection, and par- 

 ticularly drew attention to the last species in the list, which Mr. 

 Bridges places in the genus Anas with a note of doubt. Mr. Gould 

 observed that this bird was unknown to ornithologists, and pre- 

 sented a most singular combination of characters. In many of its 

 characters it approaches the Ducks (Anatidce), but in others it 

 evinced an affinity to the Mergansers (Mergus), especially in its long 

 and stiff tail-feathers, and narrow and pointed beak. It differs, 

 however, from either of the groups mentioned in having, in both 

 sexes, a strong spur on the wing. Mr. Gould proposed for this 

 new bird the name Merganetta armata. 



Genus Merganetta. 



Rostrum haud minus longum quam caput, rectum ; fere cylindra- 

 ceum, ungue apicali distincto, incurvato, at minus abrupte quam in 

 genere Mergus dicto. Mandibula superior lamelloso-dentata, vel 

 tornio crasso carneo, intus profunde serrato, instructa ; naribus lineari- 

 bus fere centralibus. 



Alee, mediocres primariis secundo et tertio longissimis ; humeris 

 calcare valido et acuto armatis. 



Cauda, ut in mergo, rigida. 



Tarsi aliquanto elongati, squamis hexagonis ad latera obtecti, et 



